Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm sorry," she says, quietly. "This... I was wrong, about you. Before." 

[Varric]

"...suppose it was a bit much to ask, for you to trust me with your family's lives," Varric allows. Hurts, mind you, but I understand your reaction now, I think.

[Marian Hawke]

"Some days it feels like I'm the only one protecting the twins," she allows, bitterly. "Maybe I'm a bit too overprotective."

[Varric]

"The twins? Or just Bethany?" Varric asks, giving her a look. "You mention her and just her more often than the pair. And never just Carver. That just about her manifesting magic or there something else going on?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Mostly the magic. And... Bethany is sweet. I used to protect them both, looking out for them -- even before Bethany's magic, I used to get shit about Father. But Carver is getting to an age where he doesn't want his big sister looking out for him anymore. He wants to protect Bethany, forgetting he's just as small. So I look out for them both, and he looks out for her."

[Varric]

He's... elven or twelve. That's... yeah, yeah it is. "Ah yes: puberty. Wonderful time, very... exciting. And by exciting, I mean tiresome, painful and awkward." Varric considers that a moment, then another thought comes close on its heels. "Anyone ever take you into an alley and teach you how to protect yourself? Or behind a barn, I think is the rural version?" Probably not but...

[Marian Hawke]

Marian shrugs awkwardly. "I get in fight. I win maybe half of them."

[Varric]

"I've shown Carver a thing or two- tips on throwing a punch, dodging a hit, some places to grab people for some hurt. Nothing fancy, hand-to-hand is really not my style, but just about every adventurer knows a few things to use in a pinch," Varric explains. "Wouldn't hurt for you and Bethany to learn some of that as well. Tried to teach her, but it's not 'ladylike' or something. If Big Sis Marian learns though she'll follow along, I suspect."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods. "I'll talk to her. She should know, in case you're right about her being pretty."

[Varric]

"Simple observation, pattern recognition, predictive analysis and so forth. I, uh, don't really get it, but she has a lot of the underlying markers for what most people consider pretty. Bone structure, features, hair and such. Add in what you look like as a few years ahead and your mother's body type..." He shrugs. "Just a guess to be honest, but one based on observable facts."

[Marian Hawke]

"Your model's wrong, then. I'm not pretty." Marian shakes her head. "Regardless. She should learn to protect herself."

[Varric]

"Is not," Varric replies instantly, instinctively. Put in a lot of work to being able to fake that, thank you. "What are you basing your conclusion on?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Empirical observations."

Some small part of Marian still squeals in delight whenever she's allowed to trot out phrases like this one. To use it, and to be understood, and to not have to hide her intelligence... it's a balm to the soul. Not that she'd admit it, of course. Carver isn't the only teenager in the Hawke household.

"There's almost zero signs of anyone liking the way I look."

[Varric]

"Guess you missed by comment earlier. Understandable, it was an aside," Varric notes with a nod. "I assume  you're referring to the lack of direct indications of interest, specifically dates and such? Yeah, that's only because you have a small sample size that skewed towards coward and idiot. I've noticed people looking at you with, ah, interest. And then looking away very, very quickly before you can notice. They look your appearance, they're just worried about the rumors or your right hook."

[Marian Hawke]

How on Aldis did you see that? Whatever. It doesn't matter. She pinches the bridge of her nose, sipping her tea. "Alright. Self-defense lessons. Is that all?"