Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Not really," Varric says with a shake of his head. "Or well, I mean, you are, but so am I. You actually have an inch or two on me. I think of Hawke, Merrill, Zevran and Isabela the same way. Sometimes Aveline. I'm only a decade or so from hitting the average midpoint of my lifespan- you're all so much younger than me."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Truly?" Helene seems relieved. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Truly," Varric promises them. "You come off a little sheltered, a little..." He gropes for a moment. "Inexperienced in social interaction. But Merrill does the same thing. So does Aveline, come to think of it. She even does the same thing as you, falling back on professionalism and reserve like you do with formality."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "How does one become unsheltered?"

[Tethras Clan]

A bark of laughter slips free from the dwarf. "Well... by doing what you've been doing lately actually. Met new people, make friends with them. Shadow's a great start, he can work people the best of nearly anyone I know. Mostly because he's not working them, not really. It's just who he is. Our talks are good too, though to be honest, I'm maybe not the best for helping you on the matter. Maybe... you said you do work with the guard, right? Maybe next time you do, if you get a good vibe off who you're working with- and the case isn't too... draining or messy- ask if the person you're working with is interested in catching a meal afterwards. Lawful's a good bet with that. She could use some more socializing as well, particularly at work."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates. "How does one... socialize?"

[Tethras Clan]

Uhhh... that's a damn good question. "Well... the first step it... getting out there. Meeting people, I mean. When you met with Shadow, do you just talk to him or do you hang out in the lounge first?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "Typically this one reserves a room, and we engage in question and answer sessions."

[Tethras Clan]

"You should try to mingle a little prior," Varric suggests. "Arrive a half hour or so early and try to make conversation with someone. Probably one of the workers, given the, ah, locale." Right, brothel. Anyone that chats Helene up there that doesn't already know them is... someone they need to summon a gibbering mouther on. Or is that mouthing gibber? Eh, do both.

[Helene Dakesh]

"What-- what does one say?" They shift a little, awkwardly.

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... it's not something... it takes practice. A good way to get started is to ask them about themselves. Nothing probing, nothing... academic or significant, just how are they, what do they do- something to get them talking. Most people like talking about themselves, particularly to a good listener," Varric suggests. "Try to be as casual about things as you can without stressing yourself. Casual socializing has very different rules than intellectual or professional dialogue. You can relax grammar rules, use slang, drop titles and so forth."

[Helene Dakesh]

Their cheeks deepen in hue. "This one is.... not good at slang."

[Tethras Clan]

"It's just another language," Varric says with a shrug. "That might actually be a good topic to discuss with someone at Voice, one you make a connection. People often enjoy being able to give advice or a quick lesson, provided they're not expected to make a production of it, or tax themselves."

[Helene Dakesh]

"It is nonsensical," scowls Helene. "They do things like say things are the opposite of their true state in order to provide humor. Or emphasis."

[Tethras Clan]

"How appalling," Varric says with a straight face.