Blood from Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Your stepparent seems... scary, today," mumbles Don, watching this. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene freezes, the wind going out of nem in a flash. Violence. Another sign. Do not bite people.

[Bethany]

"Not really. I mean, ne's had a really, really shitty few days so this seems pretty warranted," Beth replies with a shrug. "I've smacked Carver more than that over much smaller issues."

[Varric]

Not the smartest (clearly) even if I'm in the upper ranks. Focus. "Didn't... prepare," he mumbles, fingers speeding up for a few seconds as he mulls that over. "Too much."

[Carver Amell]

"How could you have done better? What didn't you do that you could have, reasonably?" asks Carver, firmly. "Focus on specifics. Formless guilt will drive a man to-- I mean, eat you alive."

[Tethras Clan]

Cut himself. Merrill shivers a little. Or drink and... Biting her lip, she begins the difficult task getting back into her chair, only for Kevin to rush over and offer his bashful assistance. 

[Varric]

Varric swallows, brain diverting at Carver's words. "Wards. Prevent-" he jerks his head towards Bartrand. "Investigate Dunswithe more. Notice pattern, devil."

[Carver Amell]

"When would you have time for that? What did you do instead? How many disasters did you prevent while you were distracted?" demands Carver.

[Varric]

"Not enough. Not... right ones. Fuck Nyra. Family," he mutters darkly.

[Tethras Clan]

"...are we entirely sure Malcolm is actually your blood father?" Merrill asks curiously, not seeing Varric's grimace at the implication of sex as she settled into her chair. "Maybe some kind of potion mishap or something?"

[Carver Amell]

"Beth's alive. I'm alive. Merrill's alive," begins Carver, and it has the cadence of a litany. "Silence is alive. Helene is alive. Don's alive. The kits are fine, Beth's had no problems with them. You're alive. We're all safe now. Helene's hurt, having some kind of mental problem, but able to communicate and clearly they're alright in there. You're hurt badly, but you're still pushing on, still trying to protect people, still yourself. Don's hurt bad, but he's safe now, we'll get him regenerated. The family's intact. We're all together." 

He doesn't say a word about Marian, notably. 

[Varric]

"Liz alive," Varric says firmly, then frowns. "Helene. Divination, weal woe spell. Can you?" His body eases in tension, just a little, as his mind suggests a plan, suggests something he can do to help his family.

[Carver Amell]

Carver turns to read out what Helene scribbles -- and stops, finding that they're not writing, they're not moving. 

"...Helene?" No reply. "Helene, are you alright?"

[Varric]

It takes a moment for Varric to realize that Helene isn't thinking about how or what to answer but instead- "Wrong? What wrong? Helene?" he demands urgently, spinning around to face nem fully.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene is still, save for the slight tremble in nir small frame. Ne stares at nothing, silent, hands still, sketchbook on the floor as the pencil rolls off it, unhindered.