The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

Varric cocks his head. "What do you think Regent has to- or gets to- do? Because until they're of age, your only required duties are to make sure they don't die and ensure they have at least a basic education. That's it. You aren't allowed to vote, your seat just sits silent until they're of age and they can either take over or sign you voting rights."

[Marian Hawke]

Her shoulders slump a bit in relief. "Oh. That's alright, then."

[Varric]

Varric pauses, then nods his head. "Well, okay, I suppose you also have to ensure your family's net worth doesn't drop too far. Goes up if possible of course. But you can hire someone for that if you aren't sure if you can oversee your businesses." 

[Marian Hawke]

Marian's hands still, and she closes her eyes briefly, taking an instant to school her expression. "I see."

[Varric]

"I would suggest not Jadan," Varric says with a faint smile, hoping that making an open joke about the indirect reference will help. "Honestly, your best bet is to leave it to the managers and supervisors of each business while you study up yourself. You're smart enough to learn fast enough to at least oversee things, catch any major malpractice or the like. I can recommend some good books to start, but you'll want to take some classes at a university here if you can. Or the temple might offer some, come to think of it, Alydra, Teiris or Naugrix."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian takes a deep breath, then another. "Okay. I can do that. And, I can pray. A lot. Maybe... Hells, maybe we don't deserve to be lights, but if there's any wiggle room in that praying won't hurt."

[Varric]

"Praying is not a terrible idea, long as that isn't your only plan," Varric agrees with another nod. "And from what I've seen, don't see any reason why you wouldn't get a few positive answers from above. Alydra maybe, Bastion and maybe Ciren for a few more years, Astea probably. Vangal... maybe. Defend the innocent and such, so maybe yeah. Naugrix, as you're asking for help with wealth. Teiris possibly for trade."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods a bit. "Astea, no, I'd think," she says slowly. "And when Astea's a no so is Vangal. But Alydra, perhaps. Naugrix, Ciren."

[Varric]

"Why not Astea?" Varric asks curiously. "You're doing this out of love after all."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian hesitates. "Life," she says finally. "Carol. And... it runs in the family."

[Varric]

Suicide. "Yeah... Astea is not a fan of that partic- runs in the family?"

[Marian Hawke]

Marian looks away, her throat closing up around the words. 

[Varric]

"When?" he asks gently.

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head again. "I never--" she begins, swallowing hard. "Never did anything about it." Almost. But I never did. "Just-- Close. More than once. I know what you'll say, I'm a coward, but.."

[Varric]

"Short range teleportation scroll and the location of a magma flow," Varric cuts into her words. He locks eyes with her, expression vaguely hostile. "Sold it instead but it wasn't- Father drank himself to death after my mother died. I refused to be like him, even if more efficient at the process. Pain hurts. Wanting it to stop is normal. Considering Mileen is... well, death comes to us all, not that strange to consider it when you're desperate for an answer."