Act 1
Scene 11
Hanged Man
(Bethany and Merrill are sitting at a table in the Hanged Man playing cards. At a nearby table, Hawke and Anders watch them and chat.)
Merrill: If you could do anything, just anything at all, what would you do?
Bethany: That's easy. Be normal. No magic...just normal.
Merrill: Really? You wouldn't fly across Thedas or eat a cake the size of Kirkwall? Keep a baby griffon for a pet?
Bethany: Well, now that you say it, the baby griffon might not be so bad.
Merrill: I'd name mine "Feathers."
Anders: That's your influence, isn't it?
Hawke: How so?
Anders: She feels her magic is a curse. Wants to be rid of it. Magic is not a curse. It's a gift from the Maker.
Hawke: I don't think it's the magic itself she wants to be rid of. We've made a lot of sacrifices to keep her out of the Templars' eyes, and she knows it. I don't regret or resent any of it, but that doesn't mean it's been easy.
Anders: It is admirable, the way you protect your family.
Hawke: I guess. I haven't exactly been doing a stellar job of taking care of them lately. Or ever. But especially lately.
Anders: I can't imagine it's easy. I wouldn't really know, though.
Hawke: My brother and I were in the army at Ostagar, when the darkspawn horde attacked. The army was decimated, and we fled back home. The darkspawn followed, and we had to run for our lives. My brother...died before we made it to Kirkwall. Because I wasn't fast enough. Because I wasn't strong enough to protect him.
Anders: I'm sorry.
Hawke: Yeah. So now we're here, and I can barely put food on the table, keep my sister out of the Templars' eyes, keep a roof over our heads. This expedition...it's everything. It's my one chance to do right by them.
Anders: I will help however I can.
Hawke: The maps are great. There are at least two nearby entrances we can use. (takes a large swig of ale) Hell, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get so morose.
Anders: It's only fair. I seem to do it pretty often.
Hawke: Glowy blue Anders and I will probably get pretty familiar if you're going to bring him out every time we argue.
Anders: I can't do it at will. You should just stop making me so mad.
Hawke: I make you mad? No way, I never would have guessed.
Anders: You're doing it a little right now.
Hawke: So we have some philosophical differences. Not a big deal. I'm good friends with a blood mage now, somehow. Also a possessed healer.
Anders: I wish you'd quit calling me that.
Hawke: I'll stop.
Anders: It's not something I'm proud of. It's not exactly a regret, but I'm not sure it was the right thing to do.
Hawke: You can't always predict the outcome of your actions. You can only make them with a true heart.
Anders: Handsome, good with a sword, and wise? I think Merrill's not the only one who's made a deal with a demon.
Hawke: I'm sorry, I don't think I heard that first part. Tell me again.
Anders: I'm sure I can get more creative the second time around. (turns away, lowers his gaze) I'm sorry. I shouldn't do this. It's like I can't help myself around you. You make me feel like a free man, and I forget that there are so many chains around me. If only I'd met you before this...before Justice...
Hawke: Just...give it a chance.
Anders: No. I...this is madness. It can only end in ruin. I should go, Hawke. I'm sorry.
(Anders looks sad and leaves)
Hawke:
One moment you smile at me
The next you turn away
.
I don't believe
The things you say
You'll do to me
.
You reach for me
Only to push me away
Why can't you stay?
What could it be
that keeps you from me?
.
With those eyes
you entrance me
.
I brush the sky
When you romance me
But then you tell me lies
. .
You told me you
would break my heart
when you push us apart
It's a little bit true
But I still yearn for you
.
I wonder if you can tell
What it is you do to me
.
Send me to heaven, then hell
Is this a game, a tease?
Do you know how hard I fell?
.
Sometimes I think I see
A spark of light
Warm your eyes
When you speak to me
I just imagine that, it seems
.
You said you'd hurt me
I guess it's true
.
It seems to me
it hurts you too
.
You turned away from me
I should turn away from you
Before you break my heart in two