Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Not... entirely about you. Or, rather, not based on you. I have seen... people, some I care about, make some very bad choices out of fear or desperation. The idea that you could... I hate making the same mistake again." Varric tries not to look at Merrill, or Carver's empty seat as he says this. Or at Beth or Liz. He basically studies his plate intently, as his goblet could be reflective but the plate is wood.

[Marian Hawke]

"The... same mistake?" she asks, then shakes her head. "A-anyway, I... I'm still willing to... to make a promise. If you are."

[Varric]

"Yeah. Yeah, I am." He starts to continue, pauses, then shakes his head. "Do you want to... go first? With hammering out details and specifics?"

[Marian Hawke]

She takes a deep breath. "We had... we had decided on five months. Five months, and if I'm not.. if I'm still a danger -- in my estimation, not yours -- then I'll leave, and no stopping me. During that time, there's no... no Summerhill." her voice drops to a scrape of a whisper there, but she manages to get the words out. "I will try my best, I will do what I can to rest and... I will listen to other suggestions as to how to improve during that time."

[Varric]

"Will you try to speak with professionals, as long as the location is somewhere you pick?" Varric asks carefully. "I... Carver didn't make his point well, but he isn't wrong in that you might need trained help. Which, again, doesn't mean being institutionalized."

[Marian Hawke]

She tenses, but she takes a moment to calm before answering. "I... maybe. I will try."

[Tethras Clan]

"I could come with you," Merrill offers softly. "I know a few of the people that work at SummerHill. My old magic tutor works there. And Lord John is a family friend, thanks to dad. Oh and Nurse Spencer, she works part-time in the care ward, I met her while visiting Leandra. She's not a mind healer, but she could probably suggest people?"

[Bethany]

Beth starts a bit, looking at Merrill with a bit of shock. She- she visits Leandra? When did she- Why does she do that?

[Marian Hawke]

Liz tenses, swallowing hard. Mother. "I... I'm sorry, I need... I need a moment."

She closes her eyes, breathing deeply, trying to calm her fight-or-flight response. 

[Varric]

"Take your time," Varric says softly. After they've had a moment, he offers, "I have mild sedatives, if anyone wants one. I meant to offer before we started, sorry."

[Bethany]

Beth hesitates a moment, then mutely reaches out to him. He gives her a vial, also without a word. Drinking it, she tucks the vial away in her belt and forces herself to eat a little. 

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she says quietly. "I want to... I want to feel, for this. It hurts but... I want to know what I'm feeling. To know what I want."

She takes a deep breath. "I'm not ready for Mother yet. I don't... I feel... I don't know. I'm not ready."

[Bethany]

Bethany makes a bit of a face. Didn't really want one either but I thought to make it easier if, well, you did. But... good for you for not. "Don't feel too bad. I don't understand why anyone would want to visit her. Withered old bitch." That last is muttered under her breath, but Varric at least catches it well enough. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Because she's alone, I suppose. And... yes, she's alone because she drove everyone away, but... I guess... Carver would go anyway, all by himself, because he can't not. He can't do anything less than that for family, blood or heart." Merrill shrugs. "Best that you aren't ready really, Liz. She's not ready either."

[Marian Hawke]

"She's our mother," whispers Liz. "I hate that I wasn't... I feel like I would have taken better care of her. Would have stopped this."