Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

I don't care about any of that, that masculine voice in Cindy's head replies. We need to get Garrett out of here.

Agreed, she replies silently. This is a shitshow. Dammit, why did she bring me here? 

It would have been better if I could have managed the situation.

Yes. But we don't have that luxury now. What do we do?

Lie. 

Thanks. Fat lot of help you are.

Lying's your job.

Cindy nods, frowning. "Alright. It will take me some time to recover, but I could make a case for the Oak being better for my health."

[Varric]

"Just going to run and paper over her problems? If you're that worried about yourself, you don't have to stay. We'll take care of her," Varric says evenly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Now her eyes narrow. "I don't appreciate your insinuation, zi'Tethras. You've given me a half-dozen good reasons not to keep him here for his own sake and none why he should remain."

[Varric]

"Because according to the best mental healer in Nyra, if she continues to fragment her mind, hiding her pain behind masks, she's going to shatter. Hard. Permanently. As in catatonic non-functionality. Because we can actually help her here. There are medical avenues that the Doctor, John zi'Smith, has pioneered that can help her. And probably you. Also Merrill and maybe Carver." Leandra as well, for that matter. Damnit. Well, actually, that might not be a bad idea (practice). "Because she has a chance to have her brother and sister back, but not if she runs."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Family like you describe isn't family he needs right now," she argues. "and there are healers at the Oak as well." 

[Varric]

"It was running away that caused this damage," Varric snaps. "Move to the next house, yes, but if you take Garrett away from here, she'll never come back. And it'll kill her."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I don't care for your--" is all Cindy gets out before they hear a crash out in the hallway.

Lightning fast, Cindy leaps to her feet, vaulting over the chair next to hers to yank the door further open. There's a puddle of water and broken glass shards, but Cindy barely spares it a glance in her haste to get to Garrett, who is huddled on the floor on the other side. Cindy drops to her knees, embracing the merikosi tightly, murmuring soothing things to him as he trembles in her arms.

[Varric]

Varric is right there as well, quickly moving the shards away from them both. "It's okay, cousin," he whispers gently. "You're safe here."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Garrett trembles, burying his face against Cindy's shoulder as she pets his hair gently, murmuring in Elven: "Shh, it's alright, you're safe. I have you."

"leaving?" Garrett mumbles.

"Only if you want to, dear. We can stay if you want."

Garrett shudders. "you pick," he murmurs.

"Alright. We'll talk about it later."

[Varric]

"...if I take a sip to show it's safe, do you want a mild sedative?" Varric offers quietly. "It's your choice Garrett, you can say no."

[Coquette Blacquin]

He shakes his head; Cindy stiffens, holding him. "no thank you," she says. "He prefers not to imbibe any mind altering substances."

[Varric]

"As you wish, cousin," Varric says easily. "Can't blame you, not a fan of that sort of thing myself. Mild stuff is fine, but anything that starts dulling my mind..." He shakes his head a bit. "How about some herbal tea and a quiet room then?"

[Marian Hawke]

Garret takes a deep breath, through his nose, letting both the calming effect and Cindy's scent wash over him. Then, as he lets it out, he pulls back from her, just a little.

"I'm alright. I was... frightened. I thought I saw a mouse," he lies. "I'll be alright. I can stay with Cindy. Oh, let me-- I should get another glass of water."

Cindy smiles, tucking some hair behind her ear. "In truth, I should lie down myself -- I'm not certain I can stand again now that I'm down," she admits. 

Garrett looks startled, then concerned -- an expression Varric's seen cross Carver's face a hundred times. "Are you alright? You shouldn't hurt yourself like that."

"Truly, it's fine. I forgot all about my condition," she laughs. "I should perhaps have let your cousin rush to your rescue."

Garrett tenses a bit, biting his lower lip. "But I like when you come to my rescue," he says softly. "You're much prettier."

[Varric]

"This is true," Varric agrees with a smile. My manly chest hair and rakish smile aside, your lady is much, much prettier. How about I carry Cindy back to the bed while you get that tea?"

[Marian Hawke]

Garrett tenses. "I can carry her."