Blood from Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"I understand," admits Marian. "I don't really get all the Light stuff Dad is doing." 

The nickname feels a little wrong in her mouth; she rarely uses it, though this isn't the first time. Still, today, it feels important. 

[Varric]

Based on the slight glow the naming gets from Varric, it seems the gesture is well received. "Alright, I'll-" He pauses, just a second, as he pulls back his input, "-get you some brochures, some class descriptions, that sort of thing. If you like, I can arrange a tour if you seem some that catches your interest."

[Marian Hawke]

She nods. "Get me the brochures first?" she asks, weakly. I'm going to university. I'm going to university! I'm-- what if they don't like me?

[Varric]

"Yeah, of course. I figure you can look over the brochures and the class descriptions. Maybe swing by and take take a quick look at the building and grounds from the side with Merrill. Narrow it down a bit and then we can get some tours arranged." He pauses, then rolls his eyes. "Actually, come to think of it, I should get you both some practice tests, so you can start getting yourself ready for the entrance exams."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods. "Right, there's... there's so much to do," she says, but while her voice is soft, her tone is something more like... wondrous. 

Maybe I can do this after all...

[Coquette Blacquin]

Dinner at the Smith household was a rather different affair than dinner at the zi'Tethras household. Cindy's recovered her emotional equilibrium; unfortunately, so has Jaina, and that means she's gotten through the shock and pity to the "We need to talk about your honesty, young lady" stage of parenting. Dinner was therefore doubly uncomfortable for the merikos: not only is she unused to dining with parents who know what she's been up to, but she's also unused to being In Trouble with Jaina. 

It's nicer than being In Trouble with Melindre, she realizes. She still loves me, underneath. She hasn't gone cold and distant. But at the same time, it's worse, because I feel so much worse about having disappointed her.

Desperate to make up for her transgression in some small way, she offers to bring a shawl Aveline had left behind to the paladin. Along the way, she picks up some sweets with her own money; she tucks the shawl into the bag with them, turning up at Aveline's work a few minutes before the paladin gets out.

"Can I walk you home? Oh, this is yours."

[Tethras Clan]

"Cindy? Wh- oh. Thank you, I hadn't realized..." Aveline shakes her head. Nice of her to run that down, though a bit strange. Seli knows very well that no amount of natural cold can bother me in the slightest, so why... oh. Of course. Pulling up a smile, she reaches out to take the shawl. "How was your day?" Poor girl. Well, young woman. I was already widowed by the time I was here age after all. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"It... was not the best day of my life," she says faintly, handing over the bag. "I need to speak to you along the way. I suspect we will have very little privacy at your home, and this is a... delicate matter."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline's pace slows a touch as they walk, eyeing the other woman thoughtfully. "Is this something that might do well to take place somewhere other then the street then? Or is it more in the way of a surprise gift for Jaina, something more private than secret?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"It... perhaps we should stop someplace quiet," she admits, glancing away. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I know a tea shop run by an retired guardswoman. She has private rooms that she lets us use for mets with contacts and the like. Would that suit?" She keeps her voice open and friendly, making sure to remember that this is Jai's daughter.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Yes, that might be... that might be for the best. It might... It might all come to nothing, you understand. I'm offering to tell you something private as a gift, but if you don't feel you can accept it, I'm not burning to tell you. Just... After today, I feel... it feels right, to tell you."

[Tethras Clan]

That is... interesting to hear. "Me in particular? Why?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You and my mother are... Friends, are you not?" She asks, quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

That is... Clearing her throat a little nervously, she nods. "That is.. correct." Though perhaps incomplete, sooner or later, if Seli has her way... with Jai and I. God's, what has that woman done to me. Strangely, the paladin's cheeks redden a touch.