Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Helps, yes. Could... hmmm. How about during the run of the wager? The more you can promise, particularly against involuntary commitment, the better. I don't want more than you can give, just..."

[Carver Amell]

"I can't. If I get any wind she's going to break her side early, I will have her committed. And I don't... my word means a lot to me."

[Varric]

"Tether it to the wager then. Something like... 'I promise not to attempt to have you committed to any mental health facility or the like during the span of your agreement with Varric.' Err, but maybe less wordy."

[Carver Amell]

Still, he shakes his head."By the time she's broken her side, it's... it's too late." He closes his eyes, shivering for a moment. 

[Varric]

"Not... necessarily," Varric says slowly, almost reluctantly. He studies the list again, then flips it over against the wall. Pulling a quill out of his belt, he starts writing on it rapidly. "I plan to swear not to follow and such, or plan at all to stop them from doing so. But that hasn't started yet and nothing says I have to cut you off from things you have, even things from me, that might let you do so. I have a few caches of supplies and funds, some contacts and some other things that could really help someone, say, track someone down. Or bring them back."

[Carver Amell]

Carver opens his eyes, stares at his dad. "You believe her, that she's just going to leave Nyra?" he asks, incredulously. 

[Varric]

"I think they plan to leave Nyra first. And I said bring someone back. As in back."

[Carver Amell]

Carver blinks, taking a moment for that to sink in, then blanches, shuddering as he closes his eyes. He gives a short, jerky nod, recalling Varric laid out on a bier, the fervent prayers to Vangal, to Alydra, to anyone who would listen. Please.

[Varric]

"...yeah. Not... not something I want for any of you," Varric murmurs as he continues to write. "So. Anyway."

[Carver Amell]

"I can't," he whispers. "If there's... if I can help without promising, I will, but I can't. I'd never forgive myself."

[Varric]

Varric sighs a little. "Is there anything of that... sort you can promise? Anything at all?"

[Carver Amell]

"I won't-- I wouldn't do it lightly. Not unless she's really in danger, not unless I think she's going to hurt herself soon, not just someday but soon. That's all I can offer."

[Varric]

"Alright. I can... I can work with that. Do you... understand more about why they reacted- why we reacted- the way we did?" Hand still, he studies the paper, trying to think if he's missing anything he should give to Carver.

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he whispers, shuddering again. "I spoke to Merrill about it," he says, a little louder. "I... I still think it's wrong to pander to her fears, but I guess... I underestimated the level of fear."

[Varric]

"Maybe. I... I think if we were going to... defuse their fear to the point of allowing them the option, we needed to have started a year ago." Or more. "I... I think this is pretty complete. Do you..." He stops, turning to face Carver before he talks. "Do you have anything else you want me to... explain? Answer, apologize for... anything? I... I haven't been all that reachable of late."