Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one cannot think of anything."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then we'll head over as soon as you finish at least one of the pies," the dwarf gently chides them.

[Helene Dakesh]

Shortly thereafter, they find themselves paying a call upon zi'Smith at home, sipping tea in his parlor. "This one wished to inquire about Summerhill," Helene says upon being prompted. 

[NPCs]

"Delighted to talk about it," the Doctor replies brightly. "Are you looking for a general overview or did you have something specific in mind?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is..." They shift a little. "This one is looking into programs for... for.. dream-taken."

[NPCs]

"We have several programs for people that fall under that label. Not a fan of it myself, too broad, too often applied too casually." He frowns a little, then gives the samsaran a look. "Would you be referring to programs for people with what I am calling pervasive developmental disorder?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is unsure," they admit, flushing a little. "The specialists in Drasslina did not name the condition specifically. The program this one is looking for is a form of applied behavioral training."

[NPCs]

The Doctor's face twists, then smooths out. "Ah. Yes, we've... Well. Certain studies we've done have given rather strong evidence that those sorts of programs are actually very damaging to patients. In much the same way as we're coming to realize that beatings and starvation punishments are far from the best approach to teaching children," and wow, is his voice dry there, "we're realizing that working with a person's mind, with their behaviors, instead of bludgeoning them into more 'traditional' patterns, is much, much healthier. And more productive, to be honest."

[Tethras Clan]

"Sorry, can you clarify that part about beatings and starvation? Was that-" Varric cuts off at the hard look and pointed throat clearing from the Doctor. "What?" A glance down precedes a somewhat sheepish, "ah." With a snap, Bianca fades back into his glove. "Sorry about that," he mutters.

[NPCs]

"Perfectly understandable really, I simply abhor weapons," the elder elf replies. "And yes, many programs of that nature utilize both methods to coerce compliance. More deprivation of privileges and even basic needs than beatings, but occasionally both."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shrinks down into themself, wrapping their arms around their stomach. "It wasn't that bad," they whisper, most of their effort going to holding still, not rocking, not fluttering their hands. "This one is much recovered after the program. This one... this one was looking for.. this one is backsliding."

[NPCs]

"Go ahead and move your hands, Seeker. It's perfectly fine if you need to move or fidget. I give you permission to do so, if you feel the need for it," the good Sage zi'Smith says ever so gently. They very much have a case of pervasive developmental disorder. Not the worst case of it I've seen, and they have a strong will- plus that infernal conditioning those hacks in Draslina put them through poor duck...

[Helene Dakesh]

Still, they shake their head, cheating a glance toward Varric. I don't want either of them to see me like this. Or Avato. I need this to stop, make it stop, I have to-- I have to be still and polite and quiet or no-one will listen to me.

"Is there such a program?" they force out, their voice halting, unsure. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Hey, it's fine," Varric murmurs in aklo, figuring the Doctor might not speak an obscure tongue like this. "Not gonna bother me, do what makes it easier for you."

[NPCs]

"We do have programs designed for helping people with various disorders that make it hard to co-exist in a world that isn't designed for them, yes, We don't have one for your... specific condition however." the Doctor replies softly. "Given your degree of functionality, you might be able to benefit from one of the programs for similar conditions, but..."