Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric nods, having expected as much. Low luxury budget, modest comforts, modest adventure costs, moderate to high medical costs. "About what I expected, her adventurer needs being met by her own earnings. Hells, let's be super conservative and go double that. Four hundred gold a month." He gives Liz a flat look. "Liz, I make more than that sleeping each week. Literally. I could retire, sit in my office and stare at the wall and make enough to fund each member of the extended family and family friends, from Aveline to Zerran, that much each month. Please stop hurting yourself to save a few fucking silver, please?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm not.. I'm not hurting.." she winces before Cindy has to say it. "Sorry. I-- sorry."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy tightens her grip on Liz. "Please," she whispers. "Just.. please. Just this once. Let me win?"

[Marian Hawke]

Just this once? But... but you're in charge. You always win. Don't... don't you?

[Varric]

Varric frowns a little, studying the pair. "Guessing the stubborn streak isn't overridden by the 'submission' thing?" he asks, not entirely displeased. If she's still willing to resist, then her will's not broken, is it?

[Marian Hawke]

"I... no, I... I submit... don't I?" Liz asks, timidly. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You do," she replies with a weary sigh. "But when you get your back up, it's all, 'I can't, I'm sorry', and nothing else, until you end up having an episode and I can't... I can't do that to you just to win an argument. I'm tired of fighting you, too, Liz. I don't want... I don't want you to be unhappy, so I let it go, and do my best to protect you, but.."

[Varric]

"The only one that could ever convince you without either a blistering row or a long, comprehensive contest of wit and resolve was Beth," Varric comments softly. "And even then, it was only when... well, she used that same tactic, admittedly with less... contextual advantage. Much less."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm sorry," she whispers, bowing her head. Can't I do even this right? Can't I even submit? Gods, I'm so useless, so broken. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"That's not a yes. Tell me you'll ask for help. Please."

[Varric]

"Kind of reassuring, in a way," Varric murmurs,  patting her arm.

[Marian Hawke]

Still, Liz hesitates. I can't, sits on the tip of her tongue. I just can't. I'm so exhausted, I can't make myself take up more space, put myself out there, not when it always ends badly, not when it leads to so much pain and hardship. I'm just not meant to be a person. If I can be quiet and still and not take up too much space I can have a family, but not if I'm myself, not if I'm this selfish demon of a person. I can't ask for help because when I do, when I need things, it hurts everyone around me.

"I'm sorry," she says again, and it's a broken sob. "Please. I can't." Maybe I should have done it intentionally. Gods.

[Varric]

"Stubborn," Varric notes almost idly. "Also, no. I can't make- okay, correction, technically I can but I can't morally make you start asking for help and such, but I can nag you. Prod and push you. For years if need be. Which would be a real hassle but I'll do it. Be a lot easier on us both if you just do it now."

[Marian Hawke]

I'll have to find a way. I'll have to... I'll have to find a way to make it work. To get help without being a burden, without tearing my family apart. 

Liz shudders, then gives a small nod against Cindy's shoulder. Forgive me.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy relaxes, rubbing her back. "Thank you," she whispers passionately. "I love you. Thank you."