Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm not sure if I have it," Varric says quietly. "We don't really understand it. But I imagine they made something of a study of it, after messing up as they did. So, even if the chances are slight, it feels wise to follow up on it." He extends his hand across the table. "But if I do? If that's one more thing I have in common with my... with my best friend? That's not so bad, really."

[Helene Dakesh]

"What I am is awful. This one would not wish such a thing on Beinn Varric." They take his hand, anyway. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... what I am is pretty damn great," Varric replies lightly, though his eyes are worried and serious. "So maybe what we would be isn't that bad, is it? If your world is appropriately... flexible?"

[Helene Dakesh]

A deep breath. Another. "If Beinn Varric is... similarly afflicted... then he is already afflicted. It is not a new thing. So. So, so, it seems impossible that he might be, but, if he is, then... then..."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then I likely have a lesser version. Having a supportive family for the bulk of my upbringing probably helped a great deal. I... I did struggle, a lot, with figuring out how to interact with people. I'd watch the customers endlessly," he murmurs. "Studying them really, seeing what they did, then asking my dad to explain it. Then my mother." Never Bartrand though, though that I think about it. Weird.

[Helene Dakesh]

"If this is true, it was always true. Knowledge does not change the thing, only describes it," they say, quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

"Correct. I am who I am. Knowing more about what I am can change how I act from then on, but does not change how I have acted."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Do you... ever..." Helene shifts, taking a deep breath. "Is light ever... loud?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Light... loud?" Varric asks slowly. "No but... muddled senses in general? Sometimes... sometimes the words that come to mind, before I translate them, to describe how things taste are... visual descriptors. Scents too, occasionally, but mostly tastes."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "There is some component of mixed senses but... this one... at times, lights and sounds are... aggressive. As though they are a physical force, hitting this one. It is the least pleasant defect this one has."

[Tethras Clan]

"I get migraines from time to time, during which light and sound are legitimate weapons. But never without the migraines." Varric winces, glancing around, and relaxes after not seeing anyway. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "It is hopeful that your condition never... becomes like this one's."

[Tethras Clan]

"I can't honestly say I want to suffer, but it's... comforting to know that if I ever do development such symptoms, it's possible to live a productive and happy life with them," Varric replies, giving them a pointed look.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches. "This one is quite productive."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric frowns, giving them a look. "... I know. That was my point," he says gently.