The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

"Maybe," she agrees. "But if we don't... if I don't... it's okay. It's not your fault. I'm trying my best but some days I just..."

[Varric]

The dwarf takes a slow breath. "Fault is an awkward, messy thing. Easier in stories to lay fault where it fits best."

[Marian Hawke]

"The fault is mine," she says quietly. "You're not bad at being a brother; I'm bad at being a sister. Bad at being loved. Bad at... family."

[Varric]

"I think Bartrand would dispute your judgement," Varric murmurs softly. "You're learning though. Slow. Painful. But learning."

[Marian Hawke]

"He didn't deserve family," she says bitterly, shivering just a bit -- just enough to disturb the babe almost asleep in her arms. "Shh, hey," she says, instantly going into protective comfort mode as the baby whimpers and stirs. 

[Varric]

"What he became? No, not at all. But maybe if I had been better when were younger, if I could have just figured out how to reassure him," Varric begins.

[Marian Hawke]

"Stop."

One word, barely audible -- a plea, harsh in her throat. That's all.

[Varric]

"Right. Sorry." Varric swallows. "Sorry."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian moves to offer the squirming baby back to Varric. "I should go for a fly. Get my head together."

[Varric]

"Alright," Varric replies, taking Ricky back. The baby mews a little, then closes his eyes. "Fly well."

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah," she whispers. "Sorry."

Then she's gone, out through the tent flap and up into the early dawn light. 


Marian doesn't come back for hours; when she does, it's understandable, as she returns on foot along with Isabela and Helene, who she must have seen from the air while flying. "Hey."

[Zevran]

"M'bella!" With a crow of delight, Zevran springs forward from his watch post near the road. "How fare thee?"

[Isabela]

"Zev!" she crows, shaking out her now-blonde locks from the blue linen kerchief she had begun wearing in place of her fancier silk ones. She greets him with an enthusiastic kiss before answering: "I missed you. It was fairly dull. We have tons of news though."

[Zevran]

"Dull can be... no, I can't," Zevran admits with a grin and another kiss. "News, however, is interesting. Varric is looking over Lightsong's sketches in her tent, which is, amazingly, not innuendo with them."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian winces. "I... should probably get back to them," she says, rubbing the back of her neck. "Kinda had a bit of a thing this morning..."