Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Why not?" Varric says, kindly ruthless. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Please," she whispers, shuddering, hanging her head. Oddly enough, her hair grows longer, more like it was when he first saw her: long, soft waves, hanging in her face, hiding it from view. Please, I can't, I cant let them see me, I can't be who I was, I can't do this, don't make me do this. I can only pretend for so long, it would break Beth's heart (Varric's heart).

[Varric]

The dwarf takes a long, slow breath. "Marian... Marian, you've... very possibly literally, been through the Abyss. No-one is expecting you to... have made it through the other side of that without... scars."

[Marian Hawke]

She flinches at the word, her appearance flickering for a second - for an instant, she has scars and tatttos over her body, but then it vanishes, back into the smooth skin she wears now. "No." We'll talk it over later. Cindy will make him see. You can never go home again, not really. (I can never go home again) (I can never be Marian again). 

She takes a deep breath, forcing her thoughts away. "By the way, I go by Liz now." Mostly.

[Varric]

"...short for Elizabeth?" Varric comments on, noticing that connection right off.

[Marian Hawke]

"Coincidence." Mostly.

[Varric]

Varric gives her a dubious look. "Sure it is. So... How'd you met Cindy?"

[Marian Hawke]

Another flinch. (Don't think about it) (don't think about it) "Long story," (that place) (darkness, the sound of screams from far away, rocking) (smiles with poison behind them) "How's Mother?"

[Varric]

"Not family. Alive. Still a bitch. She's... being cared for," Varric says easily. "I like long stories. You clearly care about her."

[Marian Hawke]

Now that Marian doesn't mind thinking about. "I love her," she says quietly, and her tone and mind both soften. "She's amazing. She's " everything I wish I could be "taught me so much."

[Varric]

Varric lets out a clearly false groan of dismay. "Gods, you're as bad as Carver. For someone that claims to be terrible at talking and emotions, that boy can babble for hours about how great Sunshine is. Merrill. Not that she's any better. Worse, actually, given that her magic allows her to skip that pesky breathing thing that limits most babblers."

[Marian Hawke]

Carver has a girlfriend (Summer) (no, forget her), that's so sweet. "Cindy and I are... we're finding our way," she tempers. I hope she still wants me when she wakes (my hero).

[Varric]

"Good to hear. Glad that... you've had some good in your life while you were... taken," Varric says quietly. "Maybe you and them could do a double date."

[Marian Hawke]

(no no no no no no no no no no) Liz smiles. "I'd like that."

[Varric]

"Hey, hey. Take a deep breath with me? It's okay. You're safe here. I promise," Varric says gently.