Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric forgets the rules of where they are, the possible side-effects of his actions. He simply draws, fires and fires again in one smooth motion.

[GamesMaster]

The bolts hit home, but the Scale is already vanishing into the darkness, leaving behind drops of blood that trail into nothing. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran had started to attack as well, see the Scale vanishing and instead moved to catch- "Helene!" he calls out urgently, the oracle's body already gone. "Are- does- what happens if-"

[Varric]

"They're- they're fine. For now. Coma. For a week or so," Varric grits out, hands trembling. "If we succeed. If we fuck up, if the Delve fails, then some essential part of their mind is trapped in here for good and they never wake up."

[Isabela]

Isabela swallows. "So no-- no pressure," she says, weakly. 

[Varric]

"Plus side, if we fuck up that bad, then we're all in the same shaft so..." Varric grins, a mirthless expression. "Alright. What he said, the part Zevran heard," she continues, far too calmly, Bianca still readied. "Gold was verb about subject. Not much to go on, so we're probably just going to have to wing it. Shall we?"

[Isabela]

Isabela nods, but as she moves forward, she swallows, eyes darting to the many pools of shadow, as if waiting for something to step out and attack. "Yeah. Yeah, let's... yes."

[Tethras Clan]

"...Bela, you cover her backs, yeah? No blind spots," Zevran says softly. "We'll focus on Cindy, you just keep us safe.

[Isabela]

A hint of relief shows in her eyes, then guilt. "Of course." 

She draws her knives, then, turning to face the dark behind them, ready.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran relaxes a bit as well, trusting her to guard him implicitly. Regardless, the trio make their way back to the planning pair. "Apologies for the interruption, but it is regrettably rather important," the merikos elf- having taken advantage of his earring again just in case she recognizes him- says cheerfully as he walks into plan view.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Gold grabs for his sword, startled, but Cindy stops him, putting a hand on his arm. "I know him. An informant." 

[Tethras Clan]

Huh. Actually worked. Go me. "Quite so. Could I have a word with you? Privately, ah, Lady Silver?" Zevran asks politely.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Of course." 

As Gold stares, incredulous, she walks to Zevran, following him out into the greater warehouse.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran follows after her, giving Gold a bit of a nod that could be read either dismissive or relaxed. "Thank you," he murmurs to Silver once they're away a bit. "Dare I hope you recall who I am specifically?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You're..." 

She hesitates, then, frowning. "I do not," she admits. "I can recall that you aided someone important, but I cannot recall who or when."