Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"You alright?" Varric asks mildly, glad Zevran had dumped her in the bed before leaving. "There was a spider and you slipped. Liz has been great by the way. We're having a bit of storytime."

[GamesMaster]

She gives him an odd look. "If you say so," she says, dubiously. "Look, if you tell me what you're after -- we don't have a lot of money on the property, and it's likely if Liz here knows something you need, I can just tell you. There's no need to hurt her."

[Varric]

"She's my daughter, I'd rather cook my own heart than hurt her, but thank you for trying to look out for her," he continues in the same even tone. "Please lower your voice and try to not vary your tone, it helps. Any kind of sensory stimulation can be overwhelming. Similar to a hangover in many ways."

[GamesMaster]

"Liz doesn't suffer from sensory overload," she says, though she does lower her voice a touch. "Strangers frighten her, and large rooms. Things that are blue, for some reason. She doesn't like not being able to see what's going on, like when people cross behind her. We think it's the control over her environment that triggers her fears."

[Varric]

"She's never flinched away from loud noises? Sudden touches, smells?" Varric asks curiously. Blue? Not red?

[GamesMaster]

"She doesn't like being startled, but if she knows something will make noise, she seems alright with it."

[Varric]

"Is that right, Liz?" Varric murmurs. "Here, I'm going to slip my fingers into your fist. Squeeze once for yes, twice for no."

[Marian Hawke]

She squeezes his fingers tightly, but only once before she reluctantly loosens her grip.

[Varric]

"Thank you," he murmurs, a smile on his face and in his voice. "You know who I am, right?"

[Marian Hawke]

One quick squeeze.

[Varric]

Varric lets out a slow, relieved sigh. "Thank you. That... that's really good to hear. Do... do you want to move somewhere else? Shift position?"

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head before remembering and squeezing twice, still leaning on him somewhat. 

The nurse smiles at them. "Thank you for being patient with her," she says softly. "I know it can be challenging."

[Varric]

"Always. And you can shake or nod your head if you prefer," Varric adds to Liz. "Which do you like more?"

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, but then squeezes his fingers once. 

The nurse brightens. "Ah, that's right -- she gets headaches sometimes, from one of the medications. I'd forgotten. She doesn't like to nod her head if it hurts her."

Liz squeezes his fingers once.

[Varric]

"That's fine too. You can do either, I'll figure it out," Varric says softly, pressing a kiss to her temple.