The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

"But-" The word bursts out him before Varric has the rest of it lined up. So, instead, he just talks. "But sometimes you get a thing that isn't the one more damn thing. Just the opposite. It's a thing that makes the tower, the edge, just a little further away. A friend, a new book A good joke, a day with good weather- something. Doesn't matter. It just... you get through, you get better, you try again."

[Helene Dakesh]

"A word of praise," says Helene, nodding. "Or..."

With a faint blush, ne continues, "Or the sight of a wand jammed into a man's thigh in your defense."

[Marian Hawke]

"Or, even not something good, but, something that has to be done before you can go. Like making Carol smile again. Like getting Beth to safety. Like killing everyone who hurt Merrill."

[Varric]

"Just so long as you remember that just one smile isn't enough, safety never lasts and revenge is great but caring about someone..." His eyes flick to Helene for just a moment. "That means more, I think."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Caring for someone, about someone... it can be its own reward. Even if nothing comes of it. It can help. Letting yourself care. Letting yourself be in their life."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian winces. "Maybe that's what i'm doing wrong. Maybe I'm a coward, afraid to... to let all this be real."

[Varric]

Coward... (not the only one). "Again, you've been hurt more than once already. Been given plenty of reason to be afraid. And you are still pushing for it. Caring that is. So." He clears his throat. "Still. Seeks is right. It is worth it."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian is quiet a moment, looking at the fire. "If I let people in... really let them in... and you leave me... that's it. I don't think I can... I don't think I come back from that."

[Varric]

Marian... Damn it. "What... That could be... a problem. After this is all over, I have to go back to Orzammar. Seeks is probably heading back to Draslna, the twins to Nyra... Always be welcome to visit but... Is that enough? Letters and a place to visit?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah, yeah. That's fine. I meant-- yeah." She doesn't sound very sure, but she pushes herself on, trying to force it. "I dunno, maybe I'll go with you. Not like I have much going on in Draslina and I'm not going back to Nyra probably. I mean, I could go anywhere. Or whatever. Just don't... turn on me, I guess."

[Varric]

Varric glances at Helene, wincing in sympathy for Marian just... casually announcing that she plans to break her apprenticeship like that. "That I can do," he says quietly. "And hells, I am a traveling merchant and all that- good chance I'll be swinging by both cities every couple of years. So."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one would like to see you well placed before we part ways. This one does not... this one does not look forward to parting company with either of you. But this one understands that this is the way of things: apprentices graduate, merchants leave."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian winces. "I uh... I haven't been a very good apprentice," she begins.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Nonsense. You have been an excellent apprentice. You have been a terrible friend."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian gives a hollow chuckle. "I suppose that's fair."