Stone's Throw

[Charon Tethras]

"Got it." He smiles. "You're good for me, Dil. Don't forget that."

[Diligence]

"Well, yeah, duh," Dil says with an eye roll. "We're brothers, we have to be good for each other."

[Charon Tethras]

"My favorite brother," agrees Charon. "Come on, let's get some sleep."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene is late for supper, which is odd because it's Caelday, which is when Beth and Dreas have supper over at Varric and Helene's. It's become a chance to check in on Dreas's schooling as well as catch up on all the family gossip, which Helene is usually all for -- but for some reason, ne has been busy a lot lately, and so arrives a few minutes after everything is served with a hurried apology. 

Once ne has gotten ner food, ne begins the conversation with a stunner: "So, how would you all feel about a family vacation?"

[Andreas Amell]

"Family is good," Andreas mutters absently, nose buried in a book. That, in and of itself, is not a strange sight at the Tethras Clan table. It's slightly stranger for Andreas than some of the others in the family, but still common. That the text is in Catfolk is more unusual. That the topic is not art related is very strange. That the topic is Bharnorol, however, is downright weird. To complete the strangness, there is also the glare that his mother is giving the book, which Andreas is scrupulously ignoring.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene almost asks about the book -- but then corrects nerself, getting back on topic. "I need to consult with a specialist in Raplin's Oak about an upcoming project, and I was thinking we should all go along. Spend some time together."

[Bethany]

Beth's head jerks up towards Helene. "Sorry, I was distracted: what's this trip for, exactly? Is this Light or Oracle work?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Neither; this is a ritual I am working on developing in my own time. But we have plenty of money for me to set aside my oracle work for a time, and your father of course can do his work remotely or through intermediaries." 

[Bethany]

"What sort of ritual?" Beth frowns, though it's more puzzled than displeased. "And why at a druid village?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"A flesh crafting ritual, to undo some lingering damage from my previous attempt. I have been doing research in the meantime, trying to understand where I went wrong."

[Bethany]

Beth's eyes widen with alarm, raking over Helene's body as if expecting to see blood suddenly gushing out from nem. "What?"

[Andreas Amell]

"Grandne?" Andreas echoes with alarm of his own, whatever he'd been distracted by clearly pushed well to the side.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Nothing dire," ne clarifies quickly. "But as you know, Beth, the ritual was malformed and there were some side effects. Plus, my desires have changed somewhat. A revision is due."

[Bethany]

"Side eff--" Beth's eyes widen and, much to her son's confusions, she blushes.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene clears ner throat. "So, would you two like to accompany us? I suspect your boss will give you the time off, Bethany," ne teases, though ner tone never strays from the even, formal tone ne usually uses.