Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

They stare a moment longer, then seem to catch their breath, scampering back a few steps and giving a bow. "This one apologizes ,this one will behave more appropriately, this one did not see Honored Madam Zevvy enter," they stammer out. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Ahhh.... what? Helene, my love, I assure you that you're far from the first person in my life to be the sort that gets utterly absorbed into a project," Zevran says carefully, eyeing them with some concern.

[Helene Dakesh]

he didn't notice. It's okay. He didn't see. Slowly, Helene calms, straightening. "This one apologizes," they say again. 

[Tethras Clan]

"It's fine, I was only here for a few minutes and I could use the sit-down time. Besides, you're adorable when you get all into something." Zevran grins at them. "The intense gleam in your eyes, the bounce in your step, how you tap each book on the spine to settle it in place like you're making sure it won't suddenly fall out of place..."

[Helene Dakesh]

They glance away, at the bookshelf. "Understood," they say softly, shifting a bit. "Did Honored Madam Zevvy require something of this one?"

[Tethras Clan]

"... I just brought lunch, because you missed breakfast, but... Helene, are you okay?" he asks gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Y-y-y-- This one is operating within acceptable parameters," they manage. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene... can we take a moment to take a few deep breaths?" Zevran slides his eyes to the side, making sure there's no eye contact. It had taken him a bit, but it's not like he's not interacted with shy people before, so that sort of behavior isn't really new to him.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene closes their eyes, taking a deep breath, letting it out. 

[Tethras Clan]

"There we go. Deep in.... slow out. Calm and peaceful." Zevran takes one last deep breath. "What happened Helene? You were excited and happy, then... then you realized I was here and..."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was... This one acts differently when alone. This one apologizes."

[Tethras Clan]

That's it? They were embarrassed I caught them with their metaphorical hair down? "That's hardly unusual- most people are a bit less... reserved when they're alone. It's fine. And you weren't doing anything offensive or even embarrassing so no worries there."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one appreciates that Honored Madam Zevvy did not see the inappropriate behavior," they say, flinching. "But this one will be more careful in the future nevertheless."

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene... could you... describe what you're afraid I saw?" Zevran asks slowly. "We're lovers and more, we're Clan. Unless you were committing mortal sacrifice down here before I arrived..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene glances down at their feet. "This one... This one has grown out of it, mostly. This one is mostly stable. But this one... Honored Madam Zevvy may have seen some unusual behavior when this one was... recovering."