Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"I knew her before hand, I've helped multiple other people with trauma induced difficulties and innate mental conditions and I read. A lot. I talk to people who've dedicated their life to this sort of thing." Varric smirks a bit. "As a note, I'm also better trained then you are." What with you being a part of Marian's mindscape (and she being no healer last I knew).

[GamesMaster]

"I'm a nurse," she protests. "I'm not trained in diagnostics, only in helping. And I've seen your kind before. Very few people want to deal with the realities of severe mental damage. Many people go through periods of trouble when they are traumatized and end up healthy, but not all. I have cared for patients who have been here for decades with no sign of improvement. Those who have the best care we can provide and still cannot abide open spaces, or still cannot speak. There are plenty who just need guidance as to how to manage their condition, but Marian isn't one of them. Whatever happened to her, this is as good as it gets, and you have to accept that before you can truly help her be comfortable."

Oh hey, there's the name. Apparently it's fine now?

[Varric]

"I know what happened to her. Not the details, I won't claim to understand it all. I'm also aware this won't be a quick thing. That Marian," feels good to be able to say that, "might have mental and emotional scars forever. That she might- that she will have 'bad days' all her life. Doesn't mean I don't want to help her or that I'd let her stay this bad without doing all I can to give her more." Never looking away from Liz, he smiles sadly. "I agreed to be her mentor, her father. That means something to me. Means a whole lot."

[GamesMaster]

"And when the bad days outnumber the good? When she gets violent, or aggressive? When she has days where she cannot stop screaming without a sedative? When she stops being the good little patient and becomes troublesome? When she has to be restrained, what will you do?"

The nurse's questions are relentless -- and her voice is sounding more and more familiar all the time.

[Varric]

"Love her. Take care if her. Hold her if she let's me. Give her a safe space to hide and rock if she won't. I'm a tough ol' thing thing, I can keep her, me and our family safe if she loses control." Varric shrugs gently rocking along with Liz. "You won't scare me off of helping you, Marian. Any part of you. Not the Dutiful Daughter, not Garrett, not Liz, not Eli or Bob or Crimson."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm broken," Marian whispers, her voice dry and cracking.

"That's understandable," replies the nurse, her voice soothing.

[Varric]

"Agreed. What you were put through was horrible. If you broke, that's understandable  Maybe even expected. But broken doesn't mean worthless. Doesn't mean hopeless." Varric gently starts combing his fingers through Marian's hair. "If a shield is rent, most times it can be fixed. Maybe a patch, maybe a reforge. Maybe it's never sound enough to be a shield again. So it finds a new purpose, a gentlier one. That's fine too. But only a fool tosses it aside."

[GamesMaster]

"She'll never be better than this," says the nurse again. "If you wish to care for her, like this, then that would be wonderful. But don't get her hopes up."

[Varric]

"Why not?" Varric asks bluntly. "Why can't she get better?"

[GamesMaster]

"I don't know. The gods won't allow it, I suppose. We did all we could."

[Varric]

"Who is 'we' in that sentence?" 

[GamesMaster]

"The healers and nurses here at the Carter Institute."

[Varric]

"You mean the shithole with the doctors willing to kill daughters if dearest daddy tosses them a few coins? Not impressed."

[GamesMaster]

She puffs up, offended. "Sir, this facility is state of the art! We most certainly do not do such things!"

[Varric]

"I was just there when it happened. Judge Blacquin or whatever and his daughter. I don't doubt there are a few workers there that mean well but all in all, I wouldn't entrust them with a nug, much less a person." He shrugs. "Besides, just makes sense to hedge my way."