Stone's Throw

[Varric]

"That's the plan, love," he murmurs, leaning over to kiss nes cheek briefly. He still doesn't care for lip to lip kisses, but he's grown rather comfortable with ones to cheeks and foreheads and even the tips of noses. 

Also having his beard chewed on, though thankfully not by Helene.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, blushing ever so slightly. "Ah. On that note, there's a matter I've been meaning to speak with you about. There is this... ritual I have been designing..." ne begins, fidgeting with ner hands in ner lap. 

[Varric]

Varric's entire body stiffens for an unending second, then he rolls his shoulders. "Go on," he manages, voice flatter than normal but otherwise not revealing any of the impact those words, from his spouse, caused.

[Helene Dakesh]

"It's nothing like last time," ne promises. "It's just... We've been raising children, and it's truly a wonderful thing to be raising these teens with you, only... Samsaran births are so rare. And I think, I stumbled across some things in a rare book and... I think I could do it. Not reverse the whole curse, not even part, just... there are some species where this physical age would be old enough to get my cycle, and... and I understand you want no part of the creation activity, however... I would like your help with the ritual and your permission to take a lover."

[Varric]

The dwarf goes still again, this time for a fair bit longer. "...run that by me again?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a deep breath. "I wish to have a baby. To do that, I need your help and your permission to take a lover, so that I do not unduly impose upon yourself."

[Varric]

"This is... unexpected," Varric notes carefully, almost warily. "I hadn't realized... I had no idea you..." He trails off again, head shaking slightly as he tries to process this very large surprise.

[Helene Dakesh]

Ne frowns a little. "Is this... unwelcome?"

[Varric]

"It's change and very unexpected," he replies with a wince. "So, limbic system's reaction is yes. But I'm... unsure. I'll need some time to process the idea. Do... do you have any more... details or... steps worked out?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"In truth I have mostly focused on the ritual. Would seeing my notes help with that?"

[Varric]

"That would be a positive, yes," Varric confirms with a nod, still looking off balance to Helene's practiced, familiar gaze, but... less so. "And whatever you've gotten on the... health concerns and such. For you."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course. I've written four pages of health concerns and how I plan to mitigate them." Ne pauses. "The most worrysome aspect is... that Alydra may feel... slighted, by this."

[Varric]

That's the most worrying concern? "How so?" he asks out loud instead.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This form, being as I am, was given to me by Alydra. What will She think of my altering it?"

[Varric]

"Ah. Right, of course." He shakes his head a little. "Well, that's a simple divination away from an answer, isn't it?"