Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Shuffling quickly, Varric moves to kneel just to the side of Helene. Almost absently, he picks up the pencil- messy, discorderly- as he does so. "Helene. Need feedback. Please. Nod. Snap fingers. Please."

[Helene Dakesh]

Nothing, nothing, nothing, for a long moment. Then, just as he's about to ask again, a slight jerk of one hand. The fingers don't quite snap, but they touch, sliding past each other in a clumsy attempt. The head doesn't move, as though the hand moves independently.

[Varric]

"Okay. Thanks." A pause, a long one as he focuses very hard to get the words to come properly, smoothy. "I love you."

[Carver Amell]

Carver's heart breaks for his father as he watches the lack of response. "Alright," he says quietly. "I think that's enough. I'm moving you two to the dining room. We'll build you a blanket fort under the table, and Si, if you can guard them, I'd appreciate it. You both need quiet, to rest, before you do anything else."

He takes a deep breath, then, announcing, "I'm going to find my sister and bring her back here. Between her and Dad, they can fix up the wards to protect the place better. I don't think... I'm not sure we can save Nyra, but we should be able to hide here until the danger passes." After all, that's what noble estates are for, isn't it? Hiding from the messes the common folk have to deal with?

[Tethras Clan]

"...shouldn't you wait for Miki to get back?" Merrill asks softly. "The rest of that sounds good though."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," says Carver, not admitting his worry that Miki's vanished into the same place Liz went. "Yeah. Of course."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

"So... I think I heard Cin mention you work part-time for Lord zi'Tethras?" Shannon asks curiously, trying yet again to start a conversation. La, I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong here. Surely a woman who went into the heat of bloody and shadowy combat can't be this meek? Oh, it's a trifle awkward, the old and new flame having to chat without a ready task at hand to keep things moving along, but still. That sort of thing happens all the time. Dance partners and more are traded around like a favorite book among social circles. 

As she speaks and thinks, her gaze flicks back to Cindy, lying on the bed between them, constantly. She's fully healed, of course, but also exhausted and so they left her to wake on her own, naturally. Better for her, even if it is driving Shannon slowly mad.

[Marian Hawke]

"S-something of the sort," she says, not wanting to mention that Lord zi'Tethras is her father. Just in case. 

Is there anything she doesn't do better than me? She's a Light herself, not just the attache to one. She's part Aasimar, she's gorgeous and poised and femme, she's strong and bold... there's no reason for me to be here. I should go find Varric, admit defeat.

[Shannon zi'Marass]

Shannon frowns, slightly, for a second. La and blast. "Mmmh. What do you do for him?" she tries yet again. "Cin has mentioned your intellect repeatedly but clearly you're a skilled combatant as well."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm, I'm nothing special," she says, shifting a little. "Just your average half-elf, nothing really much going on here."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Slowly, Cindy becomes aware of the voices around her. Normally, she'd lie still and eavesdrop, especially on Shan, but when she hears Liz's voice, an icy hand of panic clutches her heart. I have to stop this.

Not quite awake, she shifts, forcing words out: "Mmmnnning 'lright?"

[Shannon zi'Marass]

"Just your average merikos elf? I would think it should take a touch more than that to-" Shannon breaks off. "Did you hear..." Rising to her feet, she hurries over to the bed. "Cin? Cindy, are you awake? Can you hear me?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Shan," she sighs, then pulls a face. "rriithing hurts."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

"Yes, well, that happens when you throw yourself into danger without back-up or any thought to safety," Shannon says sweetly. "Thankfully Liz was an absolute darling and brought you home safe to us." She pauses to flash a broad smile back at the young woman.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz's return smile is unsteady, but genuine.