Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"And you have love aplenty, Marian. And yes, you fit that name right. The words are different and even the topic, but the feel and heart in them?" She shifts closer to her sister, a fond smile in place. "That's just like so many talks you gave me when I was feeling low or small."

[Marian Hawke]

She gives a small, shy smile. "Thanks," she whispers. "I... I hope I can... I hope I can continue to meet your expectations."

[Varric]

"No," Varric says firmly. "That's what- one of the things rather, that lead to this. Don't try to meet our expectations. Become who you want to be, a person you can be happy about being. That you can live with and love. Then you can see where you stand with us. I..." The dwarf exhales a sharp breath. "I want you with us. I want you to be a part of our family, a part of our lives. But I want you to be happy more. If you need- if the life you decide suits you best is to be a roving hero, a traveling merchant, a Joyous in Draslina or even just to live across the district and only visit on holidays... then I will have regrets. But if you can tell me truth that you are happy and content with that life, then... I will support you however you need it."

[Bethany]

Bethany, however, scowls. "I... I'm too selfish for that. If you leave the city or move across town, you'd best be prepared to be bombarded by letters and invitations. Fair warning."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz's breath catches in her throat. "I could... leave? Go somewhere else? And you'd... you wouldn't be angry?"

[Varric]

"Sad, not angry. I would miss you. But..." Varric shrugs, then snaps his fingers as he thinks of something. "I mean, Carver does. He spends... what, four to five months out of the city each year? Two months out with Aveline, a couple of weeks of patrolling with the control range guard and a trip to the Oak. I got him a slate that's connected to one we have, so we can keep in touch."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nods, discretely putting her slightly tear-dampened napkin down. "It's always sad to see him off but... he needs it. Need to roam and do things by himself from time to time. Plus, him coming home is very nice- I try to make him a gift and he always brings something neat home."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods, slowly, taking a deep breath. She seems to be considering something, turning it over in her mind, lost in thought.

Finally, she asks, quietly, "Can you... Is it possible to do half a courseload at a university? Like a... a part-time thing?"

[Bethany]

"I did, so... yes," Beth says promptly. She offers a smile. "I tried to basically teach myself law but... Surprise surprise, it's really complicated. I didn't bother for a degree or anything, just took... umm, two and three and... seven courses all told, just the parts I needed. Benefit of sleeping with the boss, I don't have to worry too much about having certificates." Her smile turns teasing smirk. 

[Varric]

"You can get a degree that way, though I'd suggest more than three courses a year," Varric adds dryly.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods, considering this. "And... do you still... want me to work for you?" she asks quietly, turning to Varric. "Part-time? As a scribe?"

[Varric]

"If you like. I promise to treat you as I would anyone else with your skills, talent and brain. You'll make a good wage, even part-time. Scribes with your array of languages, handwriting, cleverness and grasp of numbers are in very high demand." He hesitates, then admits, "good enough in fact, that you could easily rent an apartment, if you wanted. I... I do recall how... gratifying it was when I got my first place of my own. I don't know if everyone feels that way, but just knowing I had a place of my own, from coin of my own..."

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head. "No. I want to put it toward tuition, and save the rest. Maybe invest in something later, I don't know. But... I think... if I want to remember who Marian is, doing the things she dreamed about is a good place to start. And she wanted to work for you, more than anything. She wanted to go to university second-most."

[Varric]

"Paying your way in getting an education is a good use as well," the Alydrean says with a firm nod. "Do you have a particular field in mind? Magic, business, law, languages, history, literature, mathematics... there's a school for just about everything in Nyra."

[Marian Hawke]

"Um." she blinks. "Magic or math? Or maybe languages?"