Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Proud of you, apprentice mine," Varric says, stepping up and offering his hand to help pull her upright. "Oh, final thought- no, this is normally not how much food we have for dinner, Beth cooks when she's nervous. And to show love. And to stop worrying about things, which in this case also include her... boyfriend? Adonis, who has a big meeting this evening at the Lantern so not just you."

[Marian Hawke]

"Her boyfriend," says Marian, shaking her head, and for a moment she sounds just like her old self again. "I still can't get used to that."

[Varric]

"I know, right? The two of them are disgustingly goofy together," Varric says with a grin, then shudders, looking a little queasy. "And Beth is working on that sexual incompatibility thing."

[Marian Hawke]

She takes a deep breath. "If you like, after dinner I can... talk to her about that."

[Varric]

Varric blinks a few times. "About... I mean, I'm sure she'd love to talk to you about nearly anything. But it doesn't have to be tonight."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I want to help. I want to... I have experience with men, a little."

[Varric]

"Like I said, I'm sure she'd love to talk to you, even if it's just... gossip. And... yeah, couldn't hurt. She's been smart about it, asking for advice from others, doing her research," Varric says rather proudly. "But I think your input would be very welcome. She's got..." He makes a face. "More experience than most with females, but males are new. So. Yeah."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke nods. "I only have...."

Here she falters, glancing to Cindy as she chews her lower lip.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Two," reminds Cindy. "The one from Golden Shores, and myself."

[Marian Hawke]

"But..."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"None of that counts," she says firmly.

[Varric]

"The mind and soul matter, not the body," Varric agress firmly.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke bows her head. "Alright. Let's... let's go eat, then."

She fiddles with the bottom button on her button-down shirt (a soft blue linen number she's wearing with brown trousers), then glances up to check Cindy's simple blue day dress. Huh. We matched without meaning to.

[Varric]

Thank the gods. "Right then. Just immediate family, so to speak, for tonight- the twins, Helene, plus us. Which... is... wow. When the hells did I get a family that big?" he mutters.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian shakes her head. "It's a miracle," she says softly.