Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Sure... but do you feel those things?" he asks gently, resting a hand on her knee.

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm with my family," she protests.

[Varric]

"Liz..." he chides her, still soft and gentle in tone. "I taught you half the tricks you're using to avoid the subject- and I know the others regardless."

[Marian Hawke]

Well, sure. The only thing I learned while you were gone was how to scream my throat raw. She doesn't reply, eating more of her scone.

[Varric]

"Please talk to me?" he asks again. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I am. We are talking. I just don't have a lot to say about that."

[Varric]

"Rather talk about what happened before I came in then?" Varric replies.

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she says, honestly.

[Varric]

"The use of the word 'rather' means one or the other," he points out.

[Marian Hawke]

"No it doesn't," she replies, frowning. "It implies a comparison between the two, but it's perfectly acceptable for neither to be a preferable option. I'd rather Vigilant be killed than Cindy, but I'd prefer neither."

[Varric]

"In this context, it implies a choice given to you- would you rather talk about the events that occurred prior to me entering the room that resulted in you crying in the dark alone or would you prefer to discuss why you don't feel like you're loved, safe or with family?" Varric smiles faintly. "Context is important."

[Marian Hawke]

"And the answer is still the same: neither." She shrugs. 

[Varric]

"So your choice is to... what?" Varric asks evenly.

[Marian Hawke]

"Talk about lizards."

[Varric]

"Let me rephrase-  Liz, you need to start talking about the shit that's bothering you," Varric clarifies.