Chapter Text
The Amell’s family name had lost a great deal of power in recent years (in Kirkwall especially), that is until the blight came and buggered up all of Thedas and Seraphina Amell rose up from her Circle origins and smashed down the Archdemon in a fiery battle that would for certain not be forgotten by the people for ages. Yes the Amell family name would be deified and showered with praise. The key is would be; because as of right now Neve Hawke was up shit creek without a paddle. Kirkwall was saved, but what did Neva really have to show for it? Her family was dead, there was no changing that, her friends had (for the most part) scattered to all corners of Thedas, and all the ale in this makerforsaken place tasted like rat piss.
“Now that we’re done fighting maybe we should just kill ourselves.” Neve said laying on Varric’s bed while he penned out his chapter.
“And miss out on the royalties?” he responded not looking up from his writing, Neve made an approving groan and flipped over on her back, Varric sighed, “What are you so fussy about now?”
“I’m thinking of giving Gamlen the estate and going.”
Varric sputtered for a moment, “Going where?” he said loudly.
“Dunno,” She said kicking out on the bed and messing up the blankets in the process, “away?” Varric took that as meaning more of a question.
Varric put down his quill and turned to Neva giving her a hard stare, almost as though he was trying to peer into her soul he finally stopped and had what could be called an aha moment, “Well then... why don’t you go and track down your cousin?”
Hawke looked at him, “Charade? I already know where she is Varric...” Neva looked more confused than anything in that moment, had Varric finally lost it after all their years of fighting? Varric gave her another hard stare and then it seemed to cause the gears in her head to click, “OH- OH!” she laughed wholeheartedly, “I am not tracking down the ‘Hero of Ferelden’.” She said the last part mockingly as she waved her hands to help make her point.
Varric puffed out a short laugh and took a sip of his rat piss ale, “Oh, and why not 'Oh Great Hero of Kirkwall’?” he bit back, throwing a book at her playfully.
Hawke sat up and shot Varric a death glare while she tossed the book back at him, “Well for starters…” she trailed off hoping Varric would grow bored and she could go back to laying down, but alas she had no luck, “fine,” she whined. “I don’t want to try and track her because: I can’t remember her name, we both know being cousins not only means piss all in the grand scheme of things but that she was raised in the Circle and probably doesn’t even remember her family, plus she’s been missing for the better part of four years, and not only does she not want to be found, but even the King of Fereldan hasn’t been able to find her and let me remind you those two played dirty knick-knack-paddy-whack!” she ended up shouting by the end of it, and her face was beet-red.
Varric chuckled, “dirty knick-knack-paddy-whack, really?” he asked squinting at her in which she just huffed in response, “While that is fair, let me remind you that if you’re going off to frolic you may as well have some purpose,” he trailed off for a moment looking at his manuscript and he sobered, “plus it’s obvious that you’re not making the familial connection with Gamlen and I think it would be good for you.”
Hawke laid back down and rolled onto her side facing away from Varric, “That was a low blow Varric,” she said after a long moment quietly, so quietly that Varric almost didn’t catch it, he’d spoken out of turn and he’d known it. He needed to speak quickly to repair his mistake, but before he could Neva spoke again, “But as much as that hurt it's not far from the truth.” she said and jumped up from her spot on the bed giving Varric a cheeky grin, “That’s why you’re going to help me find her!”
Varric jumped up from his spot and almost knocked his ink pot over, he looked panicked “Oh Hawke, absolutely not!”
-
Varric stared at the statues of Kirkwall’s entrance as they faded from view, he turned back to Hawke, “I can’t believe you’re making me do this.” He whined.
“Well s’not my fault the 'Great Varric Tethras' decided to give me life advice.” Varric said nothing more on the matter and rubbed the bridge of his nose; score 2:0 in Neva’s favor.
It was surprisingly easy for them to board a ship back to Ferelden, especially considering the last time she'd been at these docks she was a refugee. Maybe for only that reason Neva was grateful, she felt a wave of homesickness. When she'd ended up in Kirkwall the first time she still had her family, hell the last memory of Ferelden soil she had was Bethany's death. It was at that moment Neva regretted her choice. Who’s to say that her cousin was even still there? Maybe she’d packed up shop and left because of painful memories she wasn’t willing to think about or process, maybe she's dead, maybe she watched all her siblings die and now just wanted a lighthearted escape, maybe Neva was projecting her own feelings onto a her cousin. Definately the latter.
“Her name is Seraphina by the way.” Varric’s voice broke through the clouds of Neva’s thinking.
“What?”
“Seraphina, y’know like fire? It’s her name.” he said deadpan, Neva swatted him playfully.
She grinned at that thought, “Seraphina,” she tried the name out on her tongue and laughed, “I wonder if she specializes in fire based magic.” She said although not really at Varric, or anyone for that matter.
Varric gave a light huff, “If she’s anything like you than yes.”
Hawke let out a laugh, “Harsher words have never been said to me my dear friend.”
Varric rolled his eyes, “I need to work harder from now on then.”
“Oh my darling Varric you most definitely do!” she said squatting down to eye level and giving him a cheeky grin. Varric responded by pushing her to the floor, “Ow! You bastard!” she yelped.
“If you placed your heels to the ground you wouldn’t have this problem now would you?” Neva sighed and kicked at him.
“I hate you.” Neva said scowling playfully as she got back to her feet and dusted herself off.
“I love you too Chuckles.”