Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"I just, it's, I... nevermind," she mumbles.

[Varric]

"Of course I do," Varric says easily. "Tons of tomes about trig- among others." He gives Cindy a flat look, though his voice and smile remain in place. "Nothing like some math to give your brain something to do. Numbers never lie, never do anything but what they should. Predictable and clean, the perfect way to destress after a long day doing politics."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy shakes her head, with a little laugh. "If you say so. I personally could never make numbers do what they ought. I guess I'm just not cut out for them." 

[Bethany]

"Marian was always good with numbers too," Bethany says quietly. "She and dad used to talk numbers and more while Carver and I struggled with our homework."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... he just... explained them well," says  Marian weakly. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I had private tutors," admits Coquette. "I still detest mathematics. I passed my exams as a girl, but then I never went back willingly. If you're still keen on the stuff even years later, you must have been an exemplar at the subject."

[Varric]

"She's brilliant," Varric says firmly. "There's a reason why I offered you an apprenticeship, Marian." He takes a beat to eat a mouthful of chicken and bean filled pastry. "Which, by the way, hasn't expired."

[Marian Hawke]

She tenses, still as a stone. "No," she says, her voice rough. "Not-- please, not now, I can't--"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You don't have to decide now, Liz," says Cindy gently, her focus on her lover. "It's alright. You can decide another day, when you're feeling better."

[Carver Amell]

Carver gets up from the table, clutching his half-full glass and mumbling about getting a refill as he heads for the kitchen. 

[Varric]

"Of course. Rest and recover for now, no hurry," Varric says gently. "Study as you like, read for fun. There's no pressure."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods, swallowing hard. "Okay," she whispers, picking at her food.

[Helene Dakesh]

Over the course of the meal, things seem to even out. There are a few other bad spots like that, and Cindy and Marian eat little; it's only when Helene begins clearing dishes that they notice how little, with a frown. 

"Was the food unsatisfactory?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Hmm? Oh, no, of course not. It was delicious. I have a delicate constitution, I rarely eat much at a sitting."

[Bethany]

Bethany frowns. "You're still healing, you need to eat at least double, maybe triple what you just had. Both of you," she adds, frown deepening. "And, hey, healer here, not just a bossy sister."