Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Beth laughs softly, not noticing the thoughtful but insecure look on Merrill's face in her focus on Liz. "You don't have to pick right off. You can take a few basic classes of each and see which seems more interesting. Or which ones- there was this one kender in my tax law class that was going for three degrees at once. Business law, illusion magic and... some kind of science? I can't recall."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods slowly. "Alright. I can try that."

[Varric]

Varric, however, does notice the look on his elven daughter's face and gives her a curious look. When that does not provoke a response, he ups his approach. "Merrill? Something up?"

[Tethras Clan]

She flushes, eyes darting to Liz, then down at her plate. "Noooo. Just... nothing."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz turns her attention to Merrill. "I... I'm trying my best to be honest with you all. It's hard -- I have a lot of practice lying -- but..."

[Tethras Clan]

"What? No, I didn't- I think you are being very honest!" Merrill's protests are quick and sincere, her eyes widening at her unintended offense. "No, I was just- you sound so very excited about this, I mean, given how unsure you are about everything right now and how tense you are, and it's clear you want this very much and it sounds lovely and I recall how Beth enjoyed it, mostly, she wasn't so very fond of that one teacher, Professor Raithwill? Or exams, those make her very snippy as she doesn't do so well at recalling all the little things easily but she did truly enjoy it and I'm really very bad at learning things like a normal person would but-"

[Marian Hawke]

"Merrill I... I meant..." She swallows, looking down. "Forgive me. I just meant.. I'd appreciate if you were honest too."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shrinks into herself a little, looking ashamed herself. 

[Bethany]

"Merri, it's okay, you weren't-"

[Tethras Clan]

"No, she's right." The elf's voice is low, but firm. "I... is this- the university thing- something you want to do by yourself? Or would you m-mind if I... maybe take a class or two with you?"

[Marian Hawke]

Liz's smile is slow but genuine. "I'd love it. Let's be university buddies."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill's reponse is a smile of her own, one of relief and joy. "Yay! I'll sign up for whatever magic type courses you do. Maths make my head swim something awful."

[Bethany]

"Why didn't you say anything about wanting to take courses before?" Bethany asks softly, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shrugs a little, poking at her food. "Well... law stuff isn't that interesting. Oh to me, I mean, I know you and dad like it but I just not so much me is all, but-"

[Bethany]

"Breathe Merri, breathe. I know you don't have to, but take a breath anyway."