Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

A notable tension flows out of Helene. "Accepted. Bring blankets and lamp oil, please." We may still be trapped there for the night, but I will have Zevran.

[Tethras Clan]

"I'll just grab my travel kit," Zevran says with a shrug, darting out of the room.

After he leaves, one of the assistant cooks comes forward with a steaming mug. "If you're going out in this, you'll want something warm and sweet in your stomach," he says firmly. "Chef Duncan is making up a quick bag of food to take with, just in case, as well. Should be ready in a two shakes of a stipper's booty."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene gives a nervous smile, nodding and taking the mug. "Much appreciated."

And it is -- when they finally set out to cross Nyra, the memory of the warm cocoa does much to keep them warm despite the freezing rain pelting their cloak, trying to soak through their small body. They walk close to Zevran, taking comfort from his presence in this miserable weather. 

"This one is not overfond of storms," they say, as the pair duck into the tunnels and there's finally a respite from the driving wind and cold water. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I don't mind a warm summer rain but this is a bit much," Zevran agrees, wringing out his hair a bit as they get into the tunnels. "Cold, I like. Wet, I like. Wet and cold... not so much." Shaking his head, he reaches out to offer Helene's shoulder a rub.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shies away from the touch. "Did this one ever tell Madam Zevvy that this one nearly drowned when this one was younger?" These are upper tunnels, at least, so they drain below. We will have to wade, this one thinks, before we reach this one's home.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran's eyes widen. "No. No, you have not. Helene... are you alright? No, clearly not. Is there something I can do to help?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "It was a long time ago. This one has been through many storms since." And disliked flooding each time, though a little less perhaps.

[Tethras Clan]

"I've seen a lot of rope and chains in the last few years, but that doesn't mean they don't still bother me from time to time," he replies with a wan smile as they head deeper.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one does not... This one is not bothered by storms. Mostly. So long as they remain out of doors, and this one indoors. Flooding, on the other hand... Flooding is the scariest part of storms. This one's abode is prone to it, hence this excursion."

[Tethras Clan]

Flooding... small of stature, undeveloped musculature... yes, that's reasonable enough to fear. "Logical enough. How prone are we talking about? I can hold my breath for a delightfully long time but I do need to breath eventually."

[Helene Dakesh]

"The upper chambers are entirely secure," they say, fudging just a bit in their attempt to reassure Zevran. The upper chambers had never flooded yet, after all. Helene was unsure if they ever had since Dakesh left the cache there, but they had not while Helene lived there. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Are they," Zevran says, not entirely buying it. Helene's an honest, earnest soul really. And Zevran had been there- it's a cave, they're not exactly known for having good ventilation after all.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has remained secure in them before," they say pointedly. "Indeed, this one often has no choice. The approach is on the lower level. This one estimates we will have to wade in already." For as the tunnels slope downward, they are getting damper; they are trudging through a half-inch of water now, and Helene moves rapidly, worried about being cut off. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I will have to wade. You can ride on my shoulders or back," Zevran says firmly. "And before you protest, I would make the same... insistent request of anyone as short as yourself."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "Let us hope it is not so bad as that. This one anticipates only a few inches at this time. If the flooding is higher than that, some texts may already be ruined."