Ghost Story

[Helene Dakesh]

"I had to." Helene sighs. "This one made an error. This one should have informed Varric what was destined. But this one could not bear to. This one could not allow Nyra to fall to undead. A sacrifice was required, and this one could not bear for it to be Varric."

[Varric]

Varric staggers back as if ne had punched him solidly in the gut. A sacrifice (not bear for it to be me). A choice of me or-- "Oh Helene," he whispers, eyes closing.

[Helene Dakesh]

"There are few things that would cause this one to depart from Varric's side. Varric's life is one of them." Helene takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly. "In this one's last moments as a mortal, there was unspeakable sorrow and regret. But this one does not feel such things in the same way any longer. This one is more at peace. Please believe that this turned out for the best. There are things I cannot tell you, things that make this not as painful as it might have otherwise been."

[Varric]

Scant comfort, my love. And yet... "If I knew those things, do you think it would comfort me as well? Would it make it easier?" he asks slowly, eyes still closed.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Impossible to say. You are always so stubborn and contrary. It's possible."

[Varric]

"Hey, smile while you talk about my best features," Varric jokes weakly. "I-- I know I can be an ass," he continues, tone far more serious. "But guess? If I'd been you, been in your place..."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I found them to be immensely comforting, and exciting. But you have a more cynical view of the gods. You may not have." Ne sighs. "I wish I could lie and say you would, just to comfort you. But I think there is nothing that would have made my passing easier on you. I am sorry."

[Varric]

If I had gone first (waiting for you). "Might not have-- have helped then. But that does help now." He winces a little, eyes opening just enough to peek at nem. "...are you disappointed in me?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course not. Merely anxious for the state of your soul."

[Varric]

"Really? I mean-- Well, I said some, ah, hostile things about Alydra. And pretty much all the rest of them too."

[Helene Dakesh]

"You were grieving. It pained me to hear, but I understood. Alydra asked much of me -- but I signed up for this. Alydra asked much of you for loving this one."

[Varric]

"I don't regret it," Varric says quickly, eyes opening in full. "Loving you. I don't regret it; even right after, I didn't regret it."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's face is soft and sad. "Are you disappointed in me? That I came when Alydra called? That I did what I had to do?"

[Varric]

"No! Not disappointed." He swallows, looking a bit ashamed. "Hurt. Jealous of Nem. But mostly, just alone and grieving."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I could no more be unfaithful to Nem than you could let yourself be brainwashed," ne says sadly. "It is not this one's nature. But loving you was never a matter of nature -- loving you was a pleasant surprise, a choice and a blessing. Never be jealous."