Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"Nothing," he admits. "The day I woke up, I threw off the demon and took control of the body. After she died, who knows how many personalities came and went, before one strong enough to take over was born?"

[Varric]

"That's... not how that works," Varric says carefully. "At all. I would say it's far more likely that she, with you, fought off the possession," more likely but still wrong in truth, though perhaps not as allegory (or if you're referring to the aftermath, not the actual possession), "but them she faded to the bottom of your mind, taking with her the memories of the captivity. Locked them away, along with herself, rather than face it."

[Marian Hawke]

"I hate to break it to you, but that's definitely how it works. When you have more than one personality, sometimes they have blackouts, where the other personality is in control and the first one can't recall anything that happened later. I guess her whole life is kind of like a blackout since I didn't exist yet."

[Varric]

"Okay, let's try this- where are you getting the information you're basing this on?" Varric asks,

[Marian Hawke]

"I-- well that's-- I mean from--"

He looks suddenly very young, and very vulnerable. "I... don't remember." 

He looks at Cindy, then. "I don't remember!" he says, suddenly, very urgently. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"So?" she says bluntly. "People forget things."

[Marian Hawke]

"Don't you remember what I-- I feel like i'm going mental," he says, burying his face in his hands. "I clearly recall we talked about this, that I wanted you to tell me if I did or said things that I didn't remmebre later, in case there was another-- don't you remember?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Uh." she says bluntly. "Yes? I definitely remember now?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Dammit!"

[Varric]

Varric gently reaches out to rest her hand on Garrett's. "Take a deep breath with me. And again. One more time." She offers a wan smile. "This is scary shite," she says bluntly. "I get that. But we can handle it. You're not alone."

[Marian Hawke]

"That's less comforting than you might think," he squeaks. "Given I was kind of hoping I was alone in here, and now-- and now--" Another deep breath, unprompted this time. "Promise me," he urges. "Promise me you won't let her erase me. Promise me I'll still exist tomorrow. Alright?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I promise," Cindy begins.

[Marian Hawke]

"No," he clarifies. "Thank you but-- I want to hear it from him. She trusts him. I want... I want..."

[Varric]

"I'll make sure she doesn't forget this. I'll make sure she remembers dancing and songs, drinking and boasts. I'll make sure she remembers to have fun sometimes, that she can live for herself as well as her family. Maybe even suggest she give a prayer to Ciren from time to time. And... and I'll tell her this." Varric smiles weakly, eyes a bit sad. "I've a good memory too. I won't forget you, and I'll tell her your story, though I suspect she'll remember it herself. But just in case, I promise I'll tell her. That's all any mortal can ask for in the end, to be remember by those still around. Legacy."

[Marian Hawke]

He shakes his head. "I want-- I want you to fight for me. To give me the same chance you're trying to give her. I-- I remember you're-- you talked to someone, a girl, a long time ago, and you convinced her she needed to live. I want you to convince her that I need to live too. That she doesn't always have to be-- that Marian isn't the only Hawke." 

As before, the name triggers something. There's a flash of light and then, lying on the bed where Garrett was sitting, is a mask: he's laughing, in the painted face, eyes defiant to the last. 

Oddly enough, Cindy's still sitting on the bed, staring down at the mask. There's an awkward heartbeat and then she reaches for it, moving rapidly as though to beat him to the punch.