Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Or yourself. It's not a bad thing to also worry about yourself," Varric reminds them. "Not that I object to people looking out for my daughter." Provided I approve of their motivations and intentions for caring. Err, or that she does.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Of course. But it is more tolerable if this one is the only one to suffer for this one's mistakes. If there are problems for Hawke, it is likely many, many people will suffer."

[Tethras Clan]

"Suppose that's fair," Varric says with a half laugh. "Did you want a second opinion on the dreams themselves or just a comforting shoulder? Err, ear rather."

[Helene Dakesh]

They grimace. "This one has been looking over the dream journals excessively. This one is unsure that this one is skilled enough to determine which dreams are nightmares and which are prophetic, as the subject matter is... very similar, and this one is prone to unusually vivid nightmares at times." A pause. "I had thought they had merely returned. But I was mistaken." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...Helene, do you speak with a mind healer? A therapist?" Varric asks delicately. "About... the things you see in dreams. About Sharron?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one speaks with other Oracles at times, and with Seeker Lelldorin at times. Not recently."

[Tethras Clan]

"You really should," Varric urges them. "All of us do- from Aveline to Zevran. It's... our lives are hard ones. We need to be able recover after blows and wounds. And that's real hard without help. Clan helps. Gods it helps. But so does therapy."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one will speak with Seeker Lelldorin about a more formal arrangement, then," they say quietly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"It's not a mark of shame," he says softly. "It's hard to admit you have a weakness, but it's worth it in the end."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "I know." They breathe deeply. "I have read of such things, about the benefits. But... after that first month or so, it seemed... it was only nightmares. I was unsure there was benefit."

[Tethras Clan]

"It makes it worse at first," Varric warns them. "Digging everything up, having to face it, talk about it. Bit it's like setting a bone or cleaning a wound. Hurts, but it's worth it in the long run."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Then, perhaps after we stop a Sceleratan invasion of Nyra?"

[Tethras Clan]

Varric coughs a little. "Ah, yeah. That... might be a good idea, sure." Yeah, you fit right in with us fools and lunatics. "You be alright if you have to fight... well, a demon like the one that..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shudders, but glares at him with determination. "I will fight. Whatever it takes to avoid that happening again."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric studies them for a long moment, then nods solemnly. "Good on you," he says quietly, respectfully. "It's hard to face our worst moments. Even more so when they have a face." And even more than that when that face is our own (I'm so sorry Hawke). I'm glad you don't seem to have that sort of worst yet (yet? Yes. Yet).