The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

She blinks at him and swings -- wild swings, wasting at least half her energy on a broad arc.

[Varric]

"That is... Impressive. And not in a good way ," he adds before she can be pleased. "Solid hold, then shite strikes. It's not a greatsword."

[Marian Hawke]

"I told you I'm no use in a fight," Marian mutters, cheeks burning crimson. "But I can bluff."

[Varric]

"Bluffing is good. Being able to bluff with at least a pair in your hand is better. Is there a reason why you are so resistant to learning? Or just... reluctant to try a new skill?" Despite his focus on the conversation, he keeps an eye and a ear alert as they walk. Bad ambush then better ambush is not a terrible plan. Especially as they can pay the second with the same fee as the first.

[Marian Hawke]

"Don't want to ask Lightsong for a favor just now, seeing as I fucked up last time I talked to her," she admits. "Can't you teach me? I'd have reason to be with you longer and her less."

[Varric]

"Except for the part where you need to help her notice possible ambushes, remember? And martial arts training? Not a good plan for inside a library, which is where I expect to be for the most part."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian pulls a face. "You and Master both. I've barely seen her since we got here."

[Varric]

Noticed that too. "Yeah, I figure I can watch over her while I do the bulk of my... Paperwork."

[Marian Hawke]

"You think someone might be trying to get to her through me?" asks Marian, startled.

[Varric]

"Or me through her, or you through her. Or hells, maybe we all pissed someone off somehow on our way here," the dwarf replies, shrugging. "I have theories, can run odds, but no certainty exists at current."

[Marian Hawke]

"I suppose. I'd hate to see her get hurt," Marian admits. "So I guess it's a good idea to keep an eye on her."

[Varric]

"And as we have two combatants and two people with..." He purses his lips, then goes with, "a healthy degree of cunning and wariness, we only have the one combination that works."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian sighs. "I'm just warning you now, don't expect a lot, okay?"

[Varric]

"Expect a lot of what? I just don't want you to die," Varric says bluntly. "Alchemy, wand use, dagger work, whatever it takes. Got some skill with poisons as well, if that interests you." He grins. "Just don't mention it to Shiny. Paladins can be fussy over that sort of thing."

[Marian Hawke]

"You're so sweet," she says, sarcastically, but the blush, the slight duck of the head shows otherwise -- that she's honestly touched by so straightforward and simple a statement as 'I don't want you to die'.