Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Perhaps a reminder he does not need, given..." Zevran glances at him. "Speaking of which..." He clears his throat, loudly, but gets no reaction.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Dogsbody?" asks Helene, softly. Then, to Zevran, "Forgive me," before putting two fingers in their mouth and giving a sharp whistle. 

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

The ex-eidolon jerks sharply, fur bristling, as he jumps away from- "What? Who are- oh! A samasran Seeker, are you... wait... You're Helene-That-Was-Dakesh. Yes, we... yes. Sorry. I... I drifted again, didn't I?" he asks with soft shame.

[Helene Dakesh]

"We were discussing your name," they say, a little unnerved. "What about... patchwork mister? No, that's too long."

[Tethras Clan]

"Something slangy," Zevran suggests, making a note to ask Wynne about this... being. "Patchwork... Dude? Guy?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Man? Boy? Bloke? Are any of these options more or less palatable than others?"

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"Bloke. I... Is that... Okay? For me to be Patchwork Bloke?" The outsider asks tentatively.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course. Every being has a right to self-determination." Helene nods. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran smiles faintly, slipping an arm around Helene's shoulders for a moment before moving to start boxing things up.

[Avato (Patchwork Bloke)]

"Yes... I... Yes. Patchwork Bloke. It... it is a good name, I think," the newly named being says softly. It is not... right, but it is good. I am not right. So it matches. A bits and pieces name for a bits and pieces person. Yes. That is me. "Thank you Seeker Helene Dakesh. Thank you."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course." Helene gives a low bow, wondering as they do what, exactly, they've signed up for. At least there are journals.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Quiet hands."

The words provoked instant, instinctive compliance in Helene. They knew what would happen if they didn't obey; they would be forcibly restrained, any protest ignored, and worse, they would get a black mark for the day. Black marks would be communicated to their teacher in the afternoon classes, and if they got too many of them, they might have their school privileges revoked, have to go back to fulltime Therapy Days. They had painstakingly earned the right to go to school with the other, normal kids: first a few afternoons a week, then every day. If they were good, if they could just stop going silent and stop rocking and stop waving their hands or twisting their fingers or twitching their face, if they could just behave and respond when spoken to and make eye contact enough days in a row, they might graduate, earning the right to be treated like any other kid at the school instead of having to come here every morning for therapy. They might be able to assimilate back into society.

"Good girl."

They couldn't help it -- the noun was like a slap in the face. They twitched, reflexively, and saw their teacher frown. Instantly, trying to distract from the tic, they raise their hand, obedient and polite as always. "Query?"

"Yes, Helene?"

"This one would prefer to be called a good student. Is this acceptable?"

They knew asking nicely, raising their hand, were Good Behaviors -- and they made sure to make eye contact, no matter how uncomfortable it made them to do so. That was the secret to melting their instructor's heart, getting away with a little more than should be acceptable.

"Alright, Helene. But we should really work on this before you can graduate."


In class, they sat next to Cybil. Cybil was their friend; they had sat alone, at one of the back tables, until Cybil introduced herself and decided they were best friends now. Now, at homework time, they are just starting to explain the history lesson over again to Cybil -- Cybil was horrible at history, while Helene was much better -- when one of the other girls, Tamika, approaches their table instead of her usual one.

"Can I sit with you?" Tamika asks, shooting a shy glance back at her usual spot.

[NPCs]

"Oh hey, Tami!" Cybil says brightly. "Yeah, yeah, sit. Helene was just trying to cram some more stuff about Ulric the Unbegotten into my head. It's horrid, save me!"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene manages a shy smile, forcing themself to make eye contact with Tamika briefly, to put the girl at ease. People make eye contact. Be a person.

"Oh, ugh, how do you stand it? It's all so boring," the half-orc girl empathizes, sitting with them. 

[NPCs]

"I dunno how Helene likes it but... I gotta learn it so... Anyway, this is better than lecture or studying by myself, that's for sure. Helene knows like all of it already, so I don't have to look it up or anything, just ask!" She grins, flashing a broad wink at the samsaran student.