Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"She's out back with Mriy I think. I will... Stay here a moment, okay Beth?" He asks gently.

[Bethany]

Bethany is not okay with that, but, after a little coaxing, proves willing to transfer her clinging to her dad.

[GamesMaster]

As Don heads for the back door, a beige catfolk in robes steps in his way. "Better cuddle while you can, Adonis," he hisses in Catfolk. "When I'm Keeper, your kind won't be welcome around these parts."

Stone-faced, Don simply straightens his shoulders, stars him in the eye, and demands, "Move."

"Afraid to fight me? Gonna get your human buddies to jump me in a back alley?"

"No." Don waits, patiently, until the catfolk slinks aside, sheathing his claws.

"You're not worth it, skin-fucker," he snarls as he does. Don doesn't answer, just walking to the back door.

[Bethany]

Keep...er? Not... Merrill is... I don't... Marian is... alive but Merrill... and Carver is... Don could loose... Why is... why is this all... I can't... I can't... 

[Varric]

"Beth?" Varric frowns, shifting the girl in his embrace to look at her. "Beth?" She doesn't say anything, just cries softly. Cursing softly, Varric sets her on the bench. After a minute or two of attempting to get a reaction, he eventually gives her a mild sedative, causing her to drift off.

[GamesMaster]

Don returns a moment later, half-dragging his twin by the wrist. "Okay, send Ari wh-- Beth? What's wrong, is she alright?"

[Varric]

"I gave her a sedaive," Varric explains, frowning with concern. "She... Overloaded, I think. Anyway, I need a potion run, if you're willing."

[GamesMaster]

Don curses under his breath in catfolk. "Okay. Send Ari where you need her, I'll arrange for the rest of it, and for all that's holy take Beth home." That said, he heads off to arrange for the cart, leaving Ari to take orders from Varric.

Merrill is taken to Father Lelldorin's temple, where she can be attended in relative comfort. Varric stops off to send a scroll magically to Golden Green, at great personal expense, to ask Marethari what can be done to help do more than stabilize Merrill, as the healers don't know yet how to proceed. There's talk of moving her to Summerhill, but Wynne cautions them to leave her be until they're sure it's safer to move her than to leave her in place. After all, she's just as safe here, among friends, than she would be at the fledgling institution.

Garrett curls up on Cindy's bed, his head on her chest, and sleeps, fitfully, but more soundly than he had the nights prior alone.

After tucking a blanket over the sleepers, Varric suddenly realizes how quiet the house is...

[Varric]

Well aware that he's not going to be able to sleep tonight- not with not a single one of his kids (just his 'cousin') in the house- Varric doesn't even bother getting changed for bed. Carver at the Bandana Hideout, Merrill and Beth at the temple near Cattown... Hunter and Silence are with them, of course. But that leaves him with far too few people in his house. Making a double sized pot of double strength tea, he takes it and himself to his office to try and at least get a bit of work done.

Two hours later, he's finished all of two packets and one page of journal entry. Instead, he's staring at the wall.

[Helene Dakesh]

The sound of a tray setting down next to him jostles him out of his musing. Atop the tray is a plate with a...

is that a grilled cheese sandwich? With an egg on top?

Helene gives a small bow and backs away.

[Varric]

"...what time is it?" Varric asks slowly, staring at what looks like breakfast.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Two hours past midnight."

[Varric]

"So... not breakfast," Varric says slowly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was given to understand that cooking is a traditional way to care for someone going through a tragedy."

[Varric]

"Ah," Varric says softly, a smile forming for a few seconds. It was a bit weak, a bit wan, but it was there for a few seconds. "That's a very common tradition, yes. Thank you Helene," he says softly.