The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

Marian stares at Zevran, aghast. "She was... murdered? I-- I should have stayed behind, I should have..."

[Zevran]

"May! May have been," Zevran says quickly. "It is merely a possibility."

[Marian Hawke]

"Those are the options, aren't they? Either she was so bereft after her children all left her that she killed herself, or she was murdered because she had no-one to protect her!"

[Varric]

"Or she was killed because she was in bed, possibly literally, with a slaver," Varric says pointedly. "Or she was drunk or high and offed herself. Regardless, it's not your fault."

[Marian Hawke]

"My mother is dead," whispers Marian, her eyes dry, her voice a croak. "How can that not be my fault? How can-- she died alone. Without any of her children by her side. Because of me."

[Varric]

"Because of her," Varric insists. "She sent you away. She drove the twins away. Is it my fault Bartrand went evil? Is it my fault because I left Orzammar and wandered because he couldn't tolerate me being better than him in too many ways?"

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she says instantly, but it's a bit of a moan. "It's not the same."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Because it's you involved?" Haliel points out gently. "Because you don't consider yourself has being as valuable, as worthy as Varric?"

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, taking a shaky breath. "I can't-- This is my mother we're talking about. And she's dead."

[Isabela]

Isabela releases Zev, moving to squat in front of Marian and gently lift baby Ricky from her arms. "Hey, now. Deep breaths."

[Zevran]

"Do you want some tea?" Zevran offers weakly. "Or perhaps a shot of something more potent?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Drunk, yes, let's have alcohol, that will make this better," says Marian, a touch hysterical, as Isabela moves back to sit by Zev with the baby. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Alcohol will not make this better," Haliel says firmly, shooting Zevran a glare. "Do some maths in your head and take deep breaths."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian takes a deep breath, then another. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256... "I can't," she whimpers. "I can't do this. I can't."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Yes you can. And if you can't do it alone, well..." Haliel smiles supportively. "We'll handle it, all of us together."