Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"It does," Varric agrees. "There are some risks, not the least of which is that it's still being codified and tested, but... yeah. Depending on how bad someone is... it can be a miracle."

[Bethany]

"...can you do joint Delves? Like... family therapy?" Beth asks dully.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Multiple participants are recommended for a delve of a person's mind," says Helene, softly. 

[Bethany]

Bethany shakes her head. "I mean... a Delve to fix... us. Never mind," she sighs.

[Marian Hawke]

"Is... something wrong?" asks Garrett softly. Don't, don't ask that, don't get involved, stay away-- "Sorry, it's not my business."

[Varric]

"...a misunderstanding about a terrible secret that would be a betrayal that lead to a series of compounding mistakes made from hurt and drink," Varric explains carefully. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Can a Delve... fix that sort of thing?" he asks, slowly. 

[Varric]

"In one fell swoop? No. It can help reduce problems- phobias, traumas, and so forth- but it doesn't solve everything, rending a person's heart perfect. But if you have a giant snarl, then releasing one knot can reduce the tension of the entire array. And maybe allow you to undo another knot. And then another and so on," Varric says evenly.

[Marian Hawke]

"I should think there's a difference between a paralyzing fear and a misunderstanding or a betrayal," he says evenly. "But I suppose if you can use magic to reshape one's mind, you can make one believe anything at all."

[Varric]

Varric shakes his head. "No. Well, yes, after a fashion, though the kind of magic that can reshape a person's mind permanently on that scale is... horribly complex, powerful and obscure. Delves can't make a person change, exactly. I mean, you could go in and destroy things to just do a bunch of damage, but making specific changes requires you to convince the person's avatar. Being in the Delve makes it easier, makes it take faster and for longer, is all. It's very symbolic- for a trauma, as an example... well, if a person..." 

The dwarf frowns a little, then goes for it. "If a person was caught in a cave-in, for instance, as a child, that traumatic event could cause lasting issues. If you Delved that person, you could 'rescue' the child and bring them to the avatar. Doing so wouldn't make them forget it happened, but it would... take the bite out of the event. Dull it, smooth over the edges, so the fear and pain of it were manageable."

[Marian Hawke]

"Or if, say, a town were overrun," he adds, with a knowing nod. "Is that what this is about? I recall your saying you lived in such a place for a time."

[Varric]

Varric looks over at Beth, who is staring at the ground as she gently pets Carver's back. "That's the start of it, yes. In this case, the Doctor is hopeful that if the parts of Merrill's mind that are damaged were just separated or cut off, then Delvers could help create new connections for the avatar to 'rediscover' the lost parts. And maybe... dim or occuld the memory of touching the spirit."

[Marian Hawke]

"I see," he says. "I wish you the best of luck with that. It sounds awful, what the poor lass is going through."

[Varric]

"It can also help with the lingering effects of possession, allowing adventurers and healer to clear out any remnants of the possessor and clean up some of the damage. That's why Helene and I were already looking into this," Varric explains, nodding his head towards the room where Cindy is still sleeping.

[Marian Hawke]

Garrett nods, swallowing. "I would appreciate very much any good you could do for my beloved Cindy," he says, firmly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I would do anything for her."