Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

"Intent. This one has not been privy to all the things Summerhill does, but this one also has not observed a program like the one that... the one that..." 

Here their resolve fails, and they fall silent, swallowing the last words: 'the one I was in'. 

[Tethras Clan]

Still not looking directly at Helene, Zevran rises to his feet and moves halfway to them. "Is there something I can do to make this easier to speak about? Turn around? Hold you? Sit back down?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head, taking a step back. "No. This one-- no. I. I don't want to be touched, please."

[Tethras Clan]

Smoothing stepping back, Zevran bows slightly. "That's fine. It was- you tell me what you need to make this easier. Please."

[Helene Dakesh]

"There isn't -- this isn't an easy topic. This one... You are aware of this one's... Some of this one's idiosyncrasies. This one used to be much worse, before Drasslina."

[Tethras Clan]

"I gathered as much, yes, about the topic. Let me know if... if there is something I can do. But go on," he says supportively.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Does Honored Madam Zevvy know much about the subject?" they ask, quietly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...about you? I would think a fair amount," Zevran says tentatively. "OR do you mean your... condition? No, I assumed you would tell me what you wanted me to know."

[Helene Dakesh]

"About... mental disorders." They look down at their hands. "This one was... This one sometimes forgets the things this one was taught. This one sometimes behaves in incorrect ways when alone. This one did not intend to ever tell Honored Madam Zevvy about this but.. if Honored Madam Zevvy notices things, sees things, that are not... normal... this one must not let their standards relax."

[Tethras Clan]

"...what kinds of things?" Zevran asks curiously, their worry and shame making him think of... very unwelcome behaviors he's witnessed. Considered. Done.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Things... small, repetitive motions. Not being able to focus, being, paying too much attention to one thing. Not using social etiquette. Or, or, hallucinations."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well, that last is a bit worrisome but the others..." Zevran shrugs. "Much of that describes a fair number of our Clan. Merrill, for one, does all but the repetitive motions. What kind of hallucinations do you have? Are they a danger to you?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has not suffered them before, they are merely... an example of the sort of thing that can happen if this one is not vigilant."

[Tethras Clan]

"You... have to take medicine then? In order to prevent that from happening?" Zevran asks, trying to figure out where this is all going.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one underwent conditioning. This one learned how to... to fight against the deficiency and become as normal as possible."