Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"There's never enough clinics," he agrees amicably. He listened? He might even... Care. "And I could provide a list of potholes."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Panis laughs a bit at that. "Unless you've been doing repairs in the last fortnight, I suspect ''twould be easier to list the streets and not the holes. But suggestions on which section to start on would be very helpful. Or the name of someone to ask."

[GamesMaster]

It's the laughter more than anything else that puts him at ease. Not only does Panis care, he's not deluded about the state of the place either -- and that has to be rare. "Of course."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"I am... both curious and concerned, however. This would not be the first time I've attempted to enact this sort of thing but it has always been blocked at the Lantern or died after a few months when the catfolk... were unsupportive." Panis waves off Adonis's protests or explanations. "I understand, at least partially, why. But it is still a concern."

[GamesMaster]

"If you can handle the Lantern," he begins, then winces. "Ah, sorry. I look forward to our working together."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Deal," Panis says, grinning. 

[GamesMaster]

He blinks, then smiles. "Alright. Deal."

The rest of the talk goes smoothly, with the pair of them slowly coming to get to know each other on a more personal level. By the time he leaves, Don is starting to feel just a bit better about his chances as a Light.

[Marian Hawke]

Varric tells himself he'll give Liz twenty-four hours to return before he hunts her down again; that's more than enough time for The Doctor and Wynne to take a look at Cindy, devise an on-the-spot ritual to separate her from the gem, and bring her back to Varric's place to rest. He sleeps lightly that night, dreaming of his children, and it doesn't surprise him when he senses his security system go off, waking him easily. 

Nor does it surprise him to spy Marian, her hair blood-red but otherwise looking like she did when she was aware of him earlier, sitting on the edge of Cindy's bed, gently (lovingly) stroking her cheek. 

[Varric]

This time, the dwarf isn't blind-sided by a daughter returned from the abyss. This time, the dwarf isn't caught unprepared. This time, the dwarf has a plan. Moving swiftly but silently, he downs a series of infusions: one to speed up his reactions, one to increase his perceptions, and the last allowing him to read thoughts yet again. That done, he takes out a freshly purchased scroll of Dimensional Anchor and readies himself to cast it should Marian attempt to use her little escape spell again. 

"Gem's gone, as you can see well enough. Had a paladin- Vangal- friend take it to her temple to destroy it," Varric says quietly.

[Marian Hawke]

To her credit, she's far less jumpy this time. More settled, more like the apprentice he once new. "I see."

She looks better, without that twisted mockery of a grin. Too quiet, though. Cindy was never peaceful, not like this. Always fighting, my Silver. Always trying to make things better, even after everything they did to her. Her own father! (at least he was there) (focus on yourself now, Liz). When (if) she wakes, we'll go back to Raplin (if she's safe to move)(find out first)

"How is she?"

[Varric]

"Getting better.  Wynne- our expert healer- says she should be awake in a week or so, mobile, ish, in a month." Varric studies her a moment. "What kind of breakfast foods do you favor? Do you stick to elven cuisine?"

[Marian Hawke]

"She does. Why?" I can't stay. A week or so -- but not mobile for a month. I'll leave her a letter, then, and head back alone (I can't do this alone).

[Varric]

"Need to let Sunshine and Beth know what you'll want when we eat, obviously," Varric replies. 

[Marian Hawke]

This again. "I'm not staying."

[Varric]

"Why not?" Varric keeps his voice soft, gentle. "This is home. Your family is here."