Blood from Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"Being... happy?" she asks, still sounding faintly confused. "What does that matter?"

[Jassinth]

As Merrill makes a sad, almost wounded, noise, Jassinth stares. "Do... do you really not recall what being happy is like? Why its a good thing?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I..." She flushes, faintly. "I have been... I have enjoyed moments, here and there. I do best when I can lose myself in something. But... on the whole, happy? When have I ever? I... I have always been concerned with making sure those I cared for are safe and whole. I have no time for myself, even before... before."

[Jassinth]

"I think... I think that's what you should focus on then. Find something that makes you content, brings you joy. That's the fuel you need to keep healing, I would think."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nods her agreement. "Mmmh. What kinds of things do you like doing? Do you have any hobbies? Or did you have hobbies before? Maybe some hobbies you wanted to try but couldn't?" She giggles, then blushes a little. "Sorry. Just said 'hobbies' too much, it sounds funny now."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I'm learning alchemy," she says, blushing a bit. "I didn't really have hobbies before. I had to look after Beth and Carver, and I had school, and a boyfriend... Maybe math?" she offers, turning redder.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill pops up, eyes brightening. "Oh! That's wonderful! Dad loves math too. So does Tuiste too, I think. They're harder to read sometimes. Beth likes numbers too a bit, but she likes, umm, statisticals?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I know," she says, quietly. "Your Dad taught me to like math. The way they taught it at school was... I wasn't... it bored me."

[Tethras Clan]

"Dad's very good at teaching," Merrill agrees with a soft smile. "I'd never had real lessons before coming to Nyra. Elder Marethari taught me to read and some other basic stuffs but most of what I knew before was from some books and exploring on my own. Oh, and talking with spirits some.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods, swallowing. "How about... if you two both still want to go to the library, I can borrow one of Varric's puzzle books? I can work on it while you read?"

[Jassinth]

"I have no plans now so... it might be interesting to see what a library is like in person. Let me just write a note for Carver to let him know- when shall we be back?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh, say... two hours and some? Oooh, say three, we'll stop at a stall to get lunch on the way home." Merrill wiggles with delight in her chair then whistles, two sharp trills and one long. An echoing thrill sounds out from the direction of her room. "This shall be so much fun!" She looks so desperately delighted that they're doing this with her... 

[Marian Hawke]

When they get back, Varric's already home for lunch; he's gone to read contracts in his office while he waits for them to get back, hoping to see his family before his meetings that afternoon. He almost doesn't hear Liz slip down the hallway until she pushes the door open, stopping with a shocked, guilty look on her face. 

In her hand is a thin paperback volume -- a puzzle book Helene had bought him last week. In the other hand is a few sheafs of parchment, covered in tiny, fine writing. Makes sense; she'll not want to write in his book, not without asking him first.

[Varric]

"Afternoon Liz.  Don't be a door; come on in, have a seat." Varric waves at the love seat on the wall, the two comfy chairs across from his desk. Eyes landing on the booklet, he grins. "Is that the autumn edition of M.A.T.H Challenge?" Gods, how far behind have I gotten on those things (well, when was the last time you took the time to do some?) "How is it? How far did you get?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Um, sorry, I-- you weren't home to ask, but..." 

She blinks, looking aside as she realizes he's not upset. "Uh. Not very far. I um. I got distracted."