Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is productive," they stress again. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm not sure what you mean, Helene. Can you expand or restate your point?" Varric asks gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a deep breath, looking away. "This one... has not conclusively proven that happiness is possible. Perhaps it is only possible briefly."

[Tethras Clan]

"Welcome to life," Varric says sadly. "No-one is happy all the time. WE enjoy it while it lasts, seek it out when we don't have it. Cultivate it, grow it. But... you have a lover who adores you. A companion, almost a little brother, in Avato. Me. A network of friends and family though the Clan, even if you're not close with all of them, not a one would turn you away if you needed help or even just an ear or shoulder. You have the respect of your deity and their Herald. A purpose and duty that suits you. It's not perfect, but that's a pretty good garden."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This all happened within the decade. Perhaps it will all be gone a decade from now," they whisper. "And this one will be all the poorer for knowing what this one had, what they miss."

[Tethras Clan]

"What can happen once can happen again. I... I do get it. Before Hawke, I had... nothing really. After my mother died... my father faded into a hollow painting of himself. Bartand... he was never really... family. Some six decades of feeling... emptier and emptier. Oh, I had friends at every pub, thriving businesses with good employees, a growing fortune and powerbase. But..." Varric sighs. "I'm an Orzammar dwarf. Nothing we create has value if there's no-one to carry it on after we leave this world."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene glances down. "This one... will not have descendants," they say quietly. "And, Hero zi'Hawke is... not as close to this one as others. This one does not know if this one will be remembered. If this one will always have a place in this Clan. If Madam Zevvy grows tired of this one..."

[Tethras Clan]

"I can't speak for him or anyone else. But I'll remember you. And you're wrong, you know."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I... am?"

[Tethras Clan]

"About the descendants thing. Andra said that the twins have samsaran blood- where do you think that came from?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene looks at him, wonder in their eyes. "They are... also... this one's? In some small way? Despite...?"

[Tethras Clan]

"I really, truly doubt Andra would be wrong in this case," Varric says with a smile. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, squeezing Varric's hand. "This one is relieved."

[Tethras Clan]

"And there's more to legacy than just blood. Have you ever... considered teaching?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one gives lectures at the Temple. But this one is not very good."