Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods against Zevran's shoulder. "This one-- this one is not Avanti. Cannot be even Dakesh. Is that... Is that acceptable?"

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"Ah, truth be told, I rather prefer you to Dakesh. You... you asked me if the name was okay. I don't... I do not understand why that matters so much, I just..."

[Helene Dakesh]

"You... prefer this one? This, this Helene? Over Dakesh, who did so much, saw so many things, rescued people, solved mysteries, recovered lost knowledge?"

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"You... care more. He was a noble man, a hero, yes, but... it was causes and quests for him, not people. He helped, but it was... impersonal, perhaps? But yes, I do." Avato looks rather pleased to be able to say this, these words that seem important to his Seeker.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was small, and lost, and broken. This one nearly died. This one... This one does this one's best to help. But this one has never been part of something. This one has never had family."

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

Avanti was part of something. I regret that I cannot be that for you as well... "I am pleased for you that you have learned this as well. Too many assume that Alydra only cares about facts, about numbers and academic knowledge. Emotions and feelings are data as well."

[Helene Dakesh]

"F-feelings are data?" they ask, in a small voice. 

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"Of course," Avato says with a blink. "Do we not experience them? Anything that can be observed, in any fashion, is a form of data. Admittedly, the means of measuring, quantifying and recording this data are still... imprecise, but that merely means more study is required."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran chuckles. "Interesting how the same ideal can be seen from both directions. You are saying that emotions, sensations, are data and thus to be pursued. I would say that data, knowledge, is yet another passion that should be felt. Seemingly opposite and yet..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene gives a small nod. "This one will... this one will begin recording this data. F-for Alydra."

[Tethras Clan]

Of course. Just for duty, no personal interest there at all. "Perhaps we can start with the feeling of cuddling during storytime? I'd like to hear the ending of that daft Teris paladin story you started telling last time. I suspect our good hero will be in dire need of a rescue, yet again, very soon."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, then tugs both him and Avato towards their small bed. "This one approves."

'This one' seems to approve less of the story's ending, however; they are asleep before Zevran finishes it, in a soft, cuddly pile of lover and manservant, safe and warm. They have no further nightmares.


The next afternoon, they beg some time from Zevran and Avato both, asking them to come with them to visit Varric for lunch and questions. They stop and pick up lunch to bring along: a plate of sandwiches, figuring Varric can probably supplement with sides. 

[Tethras Clan]

When they enter the house- Varric had long ago keyed both Helene and Zevran in to the wards, they eventually find Varric in the basement. He's at his workbench, a massive array of blueprints and mock-ups everyone. The dwarf himself is dead asleep, slumped over a rather large tome. Zevran's eyes light up and he starts forward but halts at Helene's reproving... existence, they didn't even have to look at him. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, before moving forward, gently touching Varric's arm. "Beinn Varric?" they ask gently. 

[Tethras Clan]

His hand comes up, middle finger and thumb pressing together, then stills. "'lene," he mumbles. A heartbeat. His head snaps up, clarity and awareness already filling the dwarf's eyes. "Helene. What's- damn, fell asleep at my bench, huh?" Varric twists his neck and lowers his hand. "Time is it?"

"Hour past noon," Zevran says, amused and a little vexed with how quickly Varric comes to alert from sleep. 

"Damn," Varric repeats with a frown.