Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

Right. Shock. And possibly some PDST. Alright, make do for now. With a faint groan, Zevran forces himself to his knees, then leans over to lift Helene into his arms. It'll mildew later, but... That done, he staggers towards the bed, intending to get them both under the covers in a ball for warmth.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stiffens when grabbed, tense, but doesn't fight him as they are deposited into the bed. They relax a touch when he puts them down, breathing in rapid, shallow breaths. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran curls in around them, shivering a bit himself, as he pulls the blankets overtop them both. That done, he simply rests, luxuriating in the lack of effort, the slow build up of warmth and the feel of Clan in his arms.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene pulls a little free of him -- not far, still holding his hand, but just so that he's not surrounding them, not holding them down or still. Close enough for body heat to be warming, but not close enough for continuous contact. Helene takes a deep breath, closing their eyes and letting go, letting Zevran take charge. 

They stay that way for an hour or two, Helene drifting in and out of sleep as they do. Then, abruptly, they are awake, the pressure receding enough to give them back words, to allow them to focus. "Dogsbody?" they ask, quietly, of the dark around them. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran jerks a little, brain snapping out of his own tupor. "Hmm? Oh. Tied to the base of the ladder," he says drowsily. "Evidently he doesn't need need air?" Wait, that was a word. Name. They spoke. "You are... well?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"No," they say, just as soft. 'No' is the correct answer here.

[Tethras Clan]

"...how can I help, mon bon sage?" he asks, forcing himself to focus. "Are you still cold?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes." Their voice is flat, lacking inflection. "And afraid." 

[Tethras Clan]

"You are safe here, my love," he whispers softly. "I am with you. I will protect you with all that I am. May I touch you? Rub your arms and legs, to use friction to make heat?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene tenses, thinking about it for a few moments. Finally, they nod. "Heat generation is acceptable."

[Tethras Clan]

"Nothing sexual, I promise," he says soberly, reaching over to rub his hands up and down their arms briskly. "Do you have a fireplace in this room? That is safe to use right now?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"No. There is a campstove and lamps." Helene winces a little. "Damp clothing should be removed."

[Tethras Clan]

"Campstove. Lamps. I can do that. Where do you have dry clothing? I can fetch you that, then you can change while I get a fire going," Zevran offers, neatly creating a time for them to change without him watching.

[Helene Dakesh]

Their shoulders slump in relief. "Wardrobe, corner by the door." A frown. "The wardrobe. In the wardrobe. The clothing is in the wardrobe." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Understood, ma bon sage," he whispers, then forces himself from the... well, less chilled bed to fetch clothing. He strips as he does so, figuring being naked is better than clothing that's soaked through. He'd planned on just grabbing the first few things he can find that look warm, but has to smile once he opens the wood doors. Entire outfits, neatly hung together on the same hanger. And... unless I am mistaken, they are grouped by purpose. Or function. These one looks warm- the material is thick at least.

Delivering the hanger to the bed, he quickly strokes Helene's head, then goes in search for the campstove and fuel.