The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

"Do you have any idea who attacked you? Were they wearing Clan symbols? Tethras or royal?" What? Wait, does... he must think she got jumped, by Bartrand or that minor royalty flunky's thugs... Wait... her clothes are soiled but no rips (repaired but not cleaned?)... was she... not wearing- was she- (rent)

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, even before he's done talking. "No, no, it wasn't-- I wasn't jumped. I picked a fight. Got a bloody nose, bled all over my shirt. Went to ground after with a friend."

Despite herself, despite her trying to sound tough, when she says she went to ground, there's a smile on her lips. 

[Varric]

Varric pauses, staring at her. "...alright," he says slowly. I strongly suspect (flecks of blood on her sleeves suggest spray upwards from the fist- blood splatter? Nasty fight) there's more to it than she's letting on... "You sure you don't need healing?" A beat. "Friend?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I was healed," she confirms. "I-- I found my Path," she adds, in a softer, more reverent tone. "I'm going to be seeing this friend a lot, I think."

[Varric]

"Oh. A... They're an Ascendant then?" Varric asks carefully, a flick of worry carefully contained. She can make her own choices. "That... good for you then. Can... is it okay to ask what your Path is?"  Safer topic there, I think.

[Marian Hawke]

"The Path to Perfection lies through my own fear," she says quietly, in the formulaic recitation -- something unique to the walker, something akin to what their name would be if they were a devil. "When I find myself afraid of something, if I push through and do it anyway, I become stronger, learn there is nothing to fear after all."

[Varric]

Varric cocks his head to the side, giving the words his full and honest attention. A full fifteen seconds later, he nods once, sharply. "A hard path, and maybe a dangerous one- fear isn't always just an emotion, sometimes it's very reasonable- but a good one, I think." He chuckles softly. "Then again, you're smart enough to realize that pushing through fear isn't a matter of recklessness, but preparation, understanding and courage. So... not too worried."  He nods again, gaze refocusing on Marian. "Good for you. May you walk it well and waver often." Looks like he's done at least a little reading on the dogma himself. Not many would include that last part, but the more... perfection focused Zanonites feel that if you never waver on your Path, it wasn't hard enough and any gains will be cheap.

[Marian Hawke]

She stares at him a moment, dumbfounded. Then she closes her mouth, nods, and smiles a bit. "Thank you. I will."

Finally. Finally I am on the right Path. I am moving in the right direction. He can tell -- he respects me more for choosing than for dedication with no aim.

[Varric]

Varric smiles back, then glances to the side. "About yesterday..." he begins awkwardly. "I- sorry about being so short- Prissy Pelly has a reputation for being... over-zealous in defending his station."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian's expression darkens a touch. "No, you were right to be mad. I fucked it up. I won't do that again."

[Varric]

"I should have briefed you better, I just wasn't..." He rubs the back of his neck. "I'm distracted," he admits bluntly.

[Marian Hawke]

"By?" she asks, with a frown.

[Varric]

"Bianca." Varric's face twists. "...Helene," he adds more softly.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian blinks. I don't know this Bianca we've come to save, but...  "What's wrong with Helene?"

[Varric]

"Not a thing," Varric says quickly, defensively. Then coughs awkwardly. "Just..." He hesitates, then sighs. Who else can you talk to? And mulling it over (and over and over and over) sure as shite hasn't helped much. He glances around, recalling where they're standing. "Head up?" he suggests. "Shiny is talking to Helene about religious something or other in our room. Astea dogma at a guess."