Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

The child nods slowly, frowning in consideration. "For now. Not my name, but for now." 

[NPCs]

"Correct. It's just a nickname. Those are much more easily changed and discarded than real names," Lothan assures them. "Just to make it easier for people to talk and refer to you."

[Helene Dakesh]

A nickname. More than that -- a way to belong. If people can refer to them, then they can talk to them, can talk about them, can include them in the conversations. This could be a home, of sorts. A place to belong. 

"Agreed."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene tucks their feet neatly under them in the large chair, as they are wont to do. They always seem to compact themselves when sitting, to take up as little room as possible. Habit, likely; they don't seem otherwise afraid of Beinn Varric, instead studying the gameboard pensively, lost in the contemplation of their next move. But a habit that speaks volumes about their treatment prior. 

Or... perhaps not studying the board. The move they make should be obvious, in hindsight: shifting their Knight and Hound to put Varric's Lich in a classic, difficult to defend pincher position. As they settle back into the chair, they look up to his face, frowning slightly. 

"This one has questions."

[Tethras Clan]

"Predictable," Varric says with a chuckle. Kid's an alright sort, he thinks in the way the elder often do about younger adults. Bright as Cinera in glory, but reminds me of Moonbeam in a lot of ways. Got that say... displaced sort of feel to them. Like they missed some part of growing up that's needed to be an full adult. Getting better though, Shadow's been good for them. "And welcome. What kind of questions- juice still fine or do we need ale, wine or whiskey?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is uncertain. The topic is, ah, one of dubious legality." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Sounds like wine or ale," Varric decides, hopping of his stool to head for the liquor cabinet. "Any preferences?" He certainly didn't bat an eye at the shadiness of their prompt...

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles faintly. "This one does not often drink, so wine is preferable." 

[Tethras Clan]

Small size, low experience, no racial tolerance, and... hrrm. Physically underage. Thinking... "Nice elven white then. Moonbeam's fond of it," he justifies. "So what's on your mind?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene waits patiently for him to return with the wine before speaking. After all, it's only polite. "This one understands you have some experience in the subtle arts?" 

[Tethras Clan]

"If you mean thieving, then yes," he says with amusement, taking a sip of his own very robust dwarven scotch. Nothing at all like the fruity white wine that's near him. At all.

[Helene Dakesh]

That gets a small, amused smile from the child. "Indeed. As you put it, thieving." They take a deep breath. "This one understands that small size can be useful in the pursuit of 'thieving'. To that end, can this one be taught the art of picking locks?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Picking locks can be used for a lot more than just theft," Varric assures them. "Lots of guards can pick locks, quieter than just kicking them in." He pauses a moment, then says carefully, "you, ah, doing okay? If you need some part time work or... a loan or something..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "The stipend this one takes on for assisting the guard and for providing religious services at the Temple of Alydra is more than sufficient to provide food, clothing, and ritual supplies for this one."

[Tethras Clan]

"So just curious about the skill then?" the dwarf asks, more comfortable with this line of conversation. Willing to help, sure, but that sort of thing is still awkward for him to approach directly. So much easier to just help from behind the scenes. Might want to look into their contract, make sure they're getting full value on their help.