Blood from Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

Her eyes widen in shock as she puts things in context, recognizes Cindy's face against her back. "Oh," she whispers, closing her eyes. That's all, just, 'oh'.

[Varric]

"Yeah," Varric says softly. He takes a slow breath, then turns away towards the nightstand. He pours a glass of mint water- and discretely drinks an infusion- before turning back. "Here. Sip slow," he cautions them as he holds the glass and straw where she can sip without rising. Was hoping not to have to use mind reading again (but can't chance her lying or hiding things). 

[Marian Hawke]

I knew it was dumb. I knew it. But I need sleep, I needed it. (You sure got it, dumbass). I wasn't thinking right, wasn't thinking at all, I just wanted to rest (needed it to stop) knew the regular wasn't going to be enough (stupid, moron, idiot) shouldn't have tried such a complicated recipe (shouldn't have added that)

She drinks, closing her eyes briefly to try and calm the whirlwind of guilt and shame in her head.

[Varric]

Varric lets her drink for a moment. When her eyes close, he allows himself a single instance of weakness. Naked, almost painful relief shows on his face. By the time her eyes open, a look of worried love is back in place. "Hey, you're going to be fine. Well, I plan on running you through a very intensive alchemy course, but you'll survive. You should have asked for help, Liz."

[Marian Hawke]

"I.... I wanted to make you proud," she whispers, pulling back from the straw to settle on the pillow.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy tightens her grip on Liz. I thought you were going to leave me, she thinks, but she doesn't speak, not yet.

[Varric]

"Silly brat," he says gently, reaching over to take her hand. "I would have so damn proud- and pleased- to have a student again. Beth is smart, but she only studies what she wants in order to met a goal. There's no... love of learning in her, not really. And Carver hates bookwork. He wants to do, not study. I miss having my apprentice around."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I just, I just needed sleep."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You nearly died for it," whispers Cindy, voice cracking, and she shudders, her arms around Liz. "Never letting you go," she mutters into Liz's shoulder.

[Varric]

"There's no perfect formula, no ideal tonic or elixir. But there are better and worse ones. Trying to tweak a basic recipe is... not a good plan for any but a master alchemist. And even then, you shouldn't brew for yourself," Varric points out. "And you really shouldn't test a new brew on yourself. Or anyone you care for."

[Marian Hawke]

"It wasn't new," she whispers, shivering a little. "And I didn't alter it. But I got better ingredients. Last time it was lackluster. So I found a new source. Stupid of me. I should have tested it on Whiskers like usual."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy tenses. "You test your sleeping draughts on my cat?!"

[Marian Hawke]

Liz flinches, eyes lowering to the floor, mumbling, "cats sleep a lot... sorry..."

[Varric]

Varric fights back a snicker. "I'll get you some rats," he says with a grin. "Closer match to human reaction to alchemy anyway. Goat is better for elf but rats breed faster and are smaller."

[Coquette Blacquin]

About to protest further, Cindy stops herself, shivering again. "Please don't leave me," she whispers. "I don't care what you do, just don't leave me like that."