Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric, however, frowns, then huffs. "Nope, not signing. Liz, say it out loud. Promise that you'll ask family for help when you need it. Not when you want it, or when you think it won't be inconvenient or troublesome for us. I like helping my family! I enjoy solving problems and coming up with clever plans. Seriously, bring me your woes and burdens, so that I might be entertained."

[Marian Hawke]

I hate breaking promises, but what else can I do? He's so smart, he'll see through anything. I just have to lie. I have to lie big and bold.

"Alright," she whispers. "I promise. As soon as I need something, you'll hear."

[Varric]

Varric scowls. "Rather you argue than lie to me," he says cooly.

[Marian Hawke]

"no you don't," she whispers, but the reply is automatic, out of her mouth before she can think it through. "Well, maybe you do," she amends, "but most people prefer the lie."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy shudders, pulling away from Liz. "I can't do this," she whispers. "I'm sorry, and I love you very much, but I can't do this anymore. I can't watch you k-kill yourself. I... go with your father. I'll send your things over by dinner."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz stills, horror and dread growing in her heart. "C-cindy?" she whispers. Is she... leaving me? She's dumping me... we're breaking up... this is... she's leaving me... She's leaving me alone she promised she promised! 

[Varric]

Not good. Well. Maybe some good. But very shit. "Maybe you should stay with the Smiths," he says quickly. "Change of scenery for the both of you. Get a chance to rest and recover before you... Talk things over together. You both need help."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Maybe," says Cindy quietly. "But I can't keep... I'm doing more harm than good. Liz should be with her family right now."

[Marian Hawke]

I can't, you promised, you promised, her heart whimpers, but at the same time, something in her clamps down, tries to get a grip. If you start screaming you'll never stop, it whispers. You can't go to pieces. Your father's here. Pick your head up. Keep moving. Survive.

She takes a deep breath. Then another. If you go with Varric you'll survive, says the mercenary part of her brain. "alright," she says quietly. "If that's what you want." Submit. Survive. Keep breathing.

[Varric]

"I highly doubt she wants to be parted from you," Varric says somberly. "But you need more- or maybe different- than she can give at this point. So we'll take over while she rests herself." He looks past Liz for a moment. "Though don't think you're escaping that easily. You're still family. Don't go trying to isolate yourself or whatever as punishment for not being able to be Liz's everything."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy nods. A bubble of hysterical laughter rises in her as she fights the urge to say 'understood' like Helene -- but it dies quickly. "I understand."

[Varric]

Varric offers a wan smile. "Alright. Cindy, you up for helping Liz get dressed and packed for a couple of days? We can grab more if and when," he says. 

[Marian Hawke]

Cindy nods, and they move. Later, Liz isn't quite sure how she got through the next hour; packing her things, getting dressed, eating a little soup as Carver and Jass move the trunk with her things back to Varric's house. Before long, as Cindy gets her own things packed for a visit to Jaina's home, she finds herself kneeling in the back parlor with Vig, stroking his fur gently. 

"I'm going away for a while," she says quietly. "Take care of Cindy for me."

[Vigile]

Vigile hunches down a little, clearly conflicted. I... I was sent here for you. Right? To guide and protect you, to help you regain your heart and will. But- you go to a large family, your siblings, your father figure. Cindy... The Smiths are kind and loving, loyal and accepting but they are so very innocent, despite the loss of their firstborn. "I shall not abandon you, mi'lady. But I will guard your love in your place until your return. My word of honor on it."

[Marian Hawke]

"Thank you," she says quietly. "Tell her... tell her I'm sorry. I don't blame her. I... this is my fault," she whispers, and despite her guilty expression, no tears fall. She's somewhere beyond that now.