Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head again. "Three lifetimes, and three years. The three lifetimes are the important part, the rest sort of a remainder. This one is almost Three-and-a-half: Three lifetimes, plus two hundred years. This one is a mere forty-two years shy."

[Tethras Clan]

Okay, that's... strange. Make sense, in a way, but strange. "Wait. So you were... a year old. How did you even make the oath? Physically how, I mean?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "This one-- oh! This one is not like a human in that regard either. Samsarans have no parents; we arrive in a shell partially grown. This one was fluent in Common within hours of meeting native speakers, for example, and this one could read and write within a few months. Residual memories contribute, but our brains are also half developed. This one was incarnated in a form physically similar in ability to this one. Perhaps several inches shorter."

[Tethras Clan]

That gets a bemused look. "You... are born a child? That is... cheating," he says with a laugh. "Interesting, mind you, but... that does make i... easier to accept. Not that is really my place to..."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is not born," they remind him. "This one awoke, a child, in the woods, an empty slate ready to be written on. It took this one several days to find civilization, but Samsarans always awaken someplace where they can thrive, at the appropriate age for this life. It is theorized that our lives are hand-picked by Mileen; some arrive as toddlers, found by those who are childless and wish for children, while others arrive as older children, near orphanages or settlements where they can be raised to adulthood."

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh," he repeats, then shakes his head. "That is fascinating. I feel remiss that I have not asked this about you before," he adds ruefully. "Feels like information that I should know about one that is my lover, not to mention a dear friend."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "If... If you want, this one could... I could tell you a little about Dakesh." There's a shyness suddenly in their voice, a clear sign that this is more than just an offer to discuss something of interest. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran nods, smiling faintly. Something to think on other than child-slaving gods sounds wonderful. "I would like that very much," he says softly. "I admit I have wondered from time to time how that works but was unsure how to ask. It.. felt like it could be very personal." Says the man that will cheerfully ask a near stranger about their sex life with wearing naught but leather trousers.

[Helene Dakesh]

"It is," they say softly. "Details of past selves are... rarely shared. But... This one-- I want to share it with you."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran's smile warms, deepens, and he reaches across to take their hand. "Shall I serve the cake, such as is needed for finger cakes, and perhaps get out some elvin wine?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes," they decide, with a nod. "This is a wine talk."

[Tethras Clan]

Wine talk? "Of course," Zevran says, rising to his feet once more to get a bottle of wine from the small cabinet of snacks and drinks he keeps in his office. "So... should I ask questions or..?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"I can... give you the basics," they say, fidgeting a little. "Dakesh-who-was-Avanti was dedicated to Alydra, of course, as was Avanti-who-was-Eden and Eden-whose-past-is-unknown." 

[Tethras Clan]

Returning to the desk, Zevran pauses. "Is... is this fine? Talking here? We could move to the cot or a room if you wish..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This is acceptable. This is... This one would prefer to see your face." Even if they struggle to read it, seeing it, being able to judge the reactions, is useful.