The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flushes. Oh. Of course. I should have-- we were just speaking of that. "Right. Of course."

[Marian Hawke]

"Fucking hell, why does everyone just forget one of the biggest facts about my life?!"

[Varric]

"I'm told my chest hair can tempt even nuns," Varric offers weakly, the sound of his response sounding rehearsed, like a studied joke.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian shudders. "One, Sapphic. Two, elf."

[Varric]

Varric snorts, her amusing reaction helping him find his feet. "Good. Wouldn't be an option anyway, not for anything serious. And I don't see any point in... flings, personally. Just not for me." He flicks a glance at Carol and Lightsong, then continues, assured they're not listening.

"My position in my Clan is... unstable at the moment. Getting involved with someone without the blessing of my dear brother would probably get me exiled. Him being the current head, my marriage is a valuable asset." His tone is even, with a hint of bitterness. Still feeling a touch awkward, he shifts his gaze away from Marian, incidentally landing on Helene. "So regardless of what I may or may not want, I'm... off the market until I settle things with my brother."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I see," says Helene quietly.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian frowns, then, studying Helene. Her mouth forms an 'o', but instead of commenting, she nods. "We should get on the road."

[Varric]

Shaking himself slightly, Varric nods. "Yeah. Won't be long until they start scrying. Shots of random woods aren't much help but eventually, they'll see or hear something useful."

[Bethany]

Unfortunately, it's another five minutes before Shiori leads Beth back out of the woods. Her eyes are red, her face tear-streaked and she looks exhausted. But she's also got a faint smile and she's pressed against the other woman's side. Looks like at least one good thing is coming out of all this...

[Marian Hawke]

Marian heads over, worry etched on her face. "Hey," she says, relieved. "Are you alright?"

[Bethany]

She had stiffened at Marian's approach, though she mostly relaxes upon hearing what she has to say. She tries to come up with an answer, fails, and finally just shrugs one shoulder.

[Marian Hawke]

"How can I help? What do you need? Lightsong's with Carol, the rest of us have been worried but I didn't want to crowd you.."

[Bethany]

Scowling, Beth rolls her eyes. "Can you slap the stupid bitch out of Carol?" Her tone is... not really joking.

[Marian Hawke]

"I was about to when she lunged at Helene. You should have seen it -- first Helene apparently psychic-stabbed her in the brain, then Varric executed a flawless takedown with his crossbow."

[Shisou]

Shiori winces. "Is Helene okay?"