Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Varric glances back up at her, them smiles. "Yeah. Yeah it is," he says softly. 

A few moments later- and a quick stop in the hallway to take some deep breaths- and the three quietly enter the living room for dinner. Having been coached prior, none rushes Marian or shouts a greeting. Bethany actually covers her own mouth for a moment, eyes shining with joy and unshed tears to pull it off, but she manages to keep things calm. "I- I'm glad you could... make it," she says tentatively. "Both of you, I mean. Ummm. Sit, please, I..." She glances at the table, which has even more than it did for Helene's 'first family meal' some months ago. "There's plenty?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows, refusing to cry, refusing to shed tears. It looks just like her, just like his older sister, and yet.. the way she clings to Cindy's hand, the way she doesn't meet his eyes, the way she hunches her shoulders. He aches to hit something, anything, whatever did this to her. Instead, he watches her, one hand on Silence under the table.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, on the other hand, gets up to give a small bow. "Welcome. This one is pleased to see that both honored guests have recovered. Is anything needed that this one can procure?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"It's quite alright, thank you," says Cindy, trying to sooth both Helene and Beth's over-helpfulness. She pulls out Liz's chair for her, then scoots her own just a smidge closer as she sits, seemingly on accident. "Oh, lovely, do I smell garlic on these beans? It looks delicious."

[Bethany]

Bethany nods quickly. "I- yes. I looked into-" She stops, takes a deep breath. "Sorry. I'm trying but... Yes you do. I asked around and I heard that garlic has become 'the thing' in Glaley this year so I thought... I tried my hand at some fish dishes, the trout in creme and lemongrass is a catfolk recipe, but I hoped you both might like it."

[Varric]

"Wonder how you got that recipe," Varric says in a light teasing voice. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I shall have to try some of that as well. Meat never sat quite right with me, but fish I sometimes enjoy."

[Bethany]

Bethany looks stricken for a half second as she glances at the dishes, a third of them meat based. But the sight of the other nine dishes being without meat or with fish settles her. "Oh? Ah, you prefer an elven diet then? I'll keep that in mind. Much easier to adopt and enjoy than dwarven 'cuisine' at least," she adds sweetly, tossing a glare at her dad. 

[Varric]

"You lot just don't understand the nuances of fine char," Varric grumbles.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Yes, but don't trouble yourself too much. I enjoy things cooked in or with animal fats, those don't trouble me. I am, after all, only half elven." She smiles, patting her lover's leg gently. "Marian tells me her stomach is much more robust than mine. Perhaps it is because she grew up in the human way, while I was educated and raised by my elven mother?"

[Varric]

Educated's a word alright. Not the one I would have used but sure. "Glad to hear it- as you can see, Beth made sure to roast a honey-glaze chicken for you Marian," the dwarf says gently, pointing out one of the merikos elf's favorites.

[Bethany]

Bethany smiles warmly, ducking her head, and reaches underneath the table to rub Carver's leg comfortingly.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods enthusiastically. "She's-- she's real good at cooking," he manages. 

[Marian Hawke]

Marian smiles, swallowing before saying, "I see that. Thank you."

[Varric]

"Oh, let's get formality out of the way, shall we? Cindy, this is Carver and Bethany Hawke, my kids. Carver is a Bright's paladin in training. Bethany is in healer training, but hasn't sworn to a god." Which is pretty unusual. "She's also serving as... assistant slash go-between for myself and Lord Founder Adonis zi'Boyfriend. sorry, zi'Beauregard. And finally, this is Seeker Helene-Who-Was-Dakesh, my betrothed, an oracle of Alydra, burdened with a curse of unending youth. And obviously you know my other kid Marian."