Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Leandra snorts rudely. "I may not be as clever as-" As your Father, gods wither his manhood. "As some, but I can recognize sarcasm when I hear, young woman. And I don't care for it, so watch your tone."

She takes a breath. "And you should be grateful you're not stupid, or Mister Tethras might not have been so good as to offer you a second chance. He's agreed to take you on as a secretary slash general errand girl. We'll be paid two silver a week for your time: mornings from seventh bell until two after noon. Not much for the type of work, but you're underage and untrained. Still, I convinced him to provide breakfast and lunch- that later for the three of you, as he'd like Bethany to make lunches every day but Cealaday. Carver, you're invited as well, but you'll be expected to work on your homework as she cooks and help her clean up after. If- if- you keep your grades up, we can discuss you working a few hours each week as well."

[Bethany]

But... that's just about what we get already? Except it' near every day now... Oh! Oh thank you Varric. Astea bless you. Smiling faintly, she nudges Carver to share her joy in what Varric pulled off for them.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian swallows. I hate you, Mother. If he's paying me two silver here I bet I can get twice that in Nyra, educated or not. I should just leave. Serve you right for letting this happen. She's not sure what Leandra was meant to do differently, and right now she doesn't care. This is wrong, this should never have happened, and mothers are there to protect you from things like that, right? So it must be her fault.

"Yes, mother," she says softly. Later, in her bed, she'd take back her angry thoughts in a prayer to Astea, made more out of guilt and fear than any true love. She'd promise to do better: to be more loving, more patient, more kind to her poor mother who has to raise three kids all alone. She'd never say a harsh word against her. She'd stay put, here in Golden Shores, like a good daughter, and look after the twins. Just please, don't let Bethany get caught.

[Varric]

The following morning, Marian has to spend almost five minutes convincing Bethany- and thus Carver- that no, she doesn't need an escort to Varrics. Yes, they need to get to school. No, don't punch Joey. Or Mendeis. And certainly not both. Finally however, she manages to get out of the house and over to Varric's alone. When she knocks on the door, she quickly called inside.

"Three minutes early, good, good," the dwarf remarks as he stirs something over the fire. "Mind checking the tea? Should be steeped enough. How much did your mother explain about what we settled on?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Two silver a week," she says, and her voice is dull, listless, now that her siblings aren't around to need cheering. It's been exhasuting faking like she's fine all morning; what does she care if Mr Tethras sees the truth about her feelings? It's not like it will change anything. Nothing she does will change anything anymore.

"Seven to two with breakfast and lunch. Scribing and general errands." She tucks some of her long hair behind her ear, not having bothered to braid it this morning, and goes to check on that tea.

[Varric]

"Huh. More honest than I expected in truth," Varric comments. Both of them (Leandra about the amounts, Marian about her feelings). "Right, that was a bit of cover. First off- it's two silver to her, more a bribe than anything else. I'll be paying you an extra silver- or ten coppers if you prefer for convenience- every week as well for your own use. And two, the first three hours each day will be lessons, not work. You're far too damn intelligent to waste."

[Marian Hawke]

Lessons. The word pricks at her, nagging her -- but surely he means scribing lessons. Surely he doesn't mean... anything more than that. She frowns. "How much do you want for Bethany's nose?" she asks softly. It'll take me a while before that's paid off, but it'll be worth it.

[Varric]

Varric considers that for a long moment. Normally, I wouldn't care much (children deserve care) but I've not the funds I once did (damn mine). Still, it's only a few gold really. Might be a better use of it... "How about a wager?" the dwarf says finally. "Six months from now, I plan to test you- the Nyran exam, not whatever laughable trash they use here. You pass it, we're even. You get in the upper eighty-five percentile, I'll double your pay to two silver a week. Upper ninety-five, I'll double it continue your lessons in any field you pick I can teach. Fail, and I dock half your pay for six months."

[Marian Hawke]

"A test in what?" she asks. Inflection creeps into her voice here, though it's suspicion. 

[Varric]

On what? Varric looks over at her, expression puzzled. "Your schooling. Maths, sciences, history, literature, cosmology, basic religious doctrine, grammar, and so forth. I've a syllabus worked out you can look over while we eat breakfast," he adds, waving at the table.

[Marian Hawke]

Something like hope finally creeps into her dull eyes. "My-- wait, you're going to finish my education? Not just teach me a job, but really teach me?" 

Of course, the suspicion is back a moment later. "Why?"

[Varric]

"Couple of reasons. First off, your sister. She's a good kid, deserves better than what she's gotten, and part of that is not having a sister's life be marred to protect her. Two, you seem alright yourself, the little I know of you. Three, Alydra would be pissed if I let a mind like yours go fallow. Might not be the most devout but that much feels right to me. Finally, I consider it an investment. The smarter, more skilled and better educated you are, the better work you'll produce," he concludes, pulling the porridge off the fire. "Got honey in the cabinet to the left of the sink and cream in the chill box if you want either."

[Marian Hawke]

"Four is more than a couple," Marian points out as she goes for the honey and cream. "You don't know us. You don't know what you're sticking your nose into. What happens if your investment doesn't return anything?"

[Varric]

"Technically correct, but if you sound too smart, too precise, it puts the average person off. Talking a bit sloppy, using common expressions, slang and even improper word usages can create a sense of 'just folks' that gives a more favorable impression. Doesn't hurt to be underestimated from time to time either." Varric shrugs. "Time and place for that sort of thing, but it serves me well more often than not. Anyway. I do know you- well, your sibs anyway. Been coming around for hours each week for over a year now. That's plenty of time to know someone."

[Marian Hawke]

"I guarantee you, you are missing important details," says Marian, her tone cold. "What do you care about my opinion of you? you have me right where you want me already."