Blood from Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

Liz, on the other hand, seems to know perfectly well what's going on; she struggles in Beth's hand like a wildcat, already reaching for the syllables of her favorite teleportation spell, desperate to flee, to get away, to not be at Carver's mercy. 

[Varric]

"Liz no! The wards are up!" Varric shouts, eyes wide with panic. 

[Bethany]

Bethany, thankfully has another instinct, reaching into herself and tapping that well of power whose source is still not entirely known to her. "Be as the stillest pond," she intones in celestial, knowing she won't finish before her sister unless Liz lets her.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz doesn't have the presence of mind to stop her -- she's spiraling into panic, desperate to get free. He locked the wards against me (trapped, trapped, I'm trapped) I have to get away from Carver (can't breathe, walls are closing in) I have to get out of here (not again never again can't breathe)

And then, suddenly, the storm tapers off. Her struggles slow; her eyelids lower, her breathing evening out. 

[Varric]

"Gods, Liz, I'm sorry, I didn't- I set them to high alert out of habit-" Varric cuts himself off, feeling Beth's spell but resisting it. Still, it's enough to remind him to control himself. "Everyone settle down and take a deep breath. Carver... explain your position, don't just decide. You hated it when I did that very thing."

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't bother, letting the calm he craves wash over him. "Thank you, Beth," he says, quietly. At least someone's helping. 

"She's too dangerous to herself to be left alone," he adds, not looking at Varric, not taking his eyes off his sisters. "She needs help, and she's not going to decide to get it on her own. For her own safety, she needs to be watched."

[Varric]

"You do realize that institualizing Liz will stop any growth towards healing? It might keep them alive but... that cesspit she was in before, it broke any chance a hospital setting, no matter how nice, will be able to help. And they'd never trust anyone involved again." What's the point of keeping a shell alive if the person inside is just... jagged edges frozen by fear and isolation. "I can grant you watched, but not like this."

[Carver Amell]

"I don't believe that. And neither should you," he adds. "I will go around you if I have to. I don't want to fight you, Dad, but I'm not afraid of you. You're letting her fears dictate your reasoning."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz lets out a soft whimper, sinking down into the chair below her.

[Varric]

"You're putting your own values on their life- life and family above all else, including freedom and the right to self-determine. Liz is not a child, nor your ward. They have the right to make their own choices. We can argue, we can-"

[Bethany]

Slipping under the table, Beth squirms over to be next to Liz's chair. "Liz, talk to me?" Beth swallows. "Please?"

[Carver Amell]

"Ma-- Liz is unwell. She can't have a say if she's too ill to see reality anymore."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz swallows hard, turning her head sluggishly. "can't," she whispers. "Please."

[Bethany]

Taking Liz's hands in her own, but making sure the grip is light, Beth offers a teary smile. "Hey now, it's okay. Focus on this afternoon. Remember how you felt when you kissed Zevran? Focus on that, alright?"

[Varric]

"So should I get the right to decide your fate and freedom everytime you lose your temper? You shouted just a few minutes ago, despite knowing how much that hurts and frightens not just Liz but Helene and Beth. Merrill too, though she's not at home. Should I get to have you locked up as well?"