Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Time Fix: Winyht 2, 1198 TL

Varric could tell that Helene had come to his house with a purpose in mind. Yet, even after they resumed work on Project: Golem, they didn't come out with it, not for some time. Not until they stop for a meal, well after Varric had convinced himself he was misreading the situation. 

"Beinn Varric?" asks Helene, their voice small, uncharacteristically fragile.

[Tethras Clan]

Back to Beinn, eh? Seems to help calm them, using titles (worth it). "Need something, Q&A?" he asks lightly as he dishes out the fried meat pies on plates. "Two or three for you today?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Two, please," they say. Almost, they lose their nerve; he sees them go quiet, watching Avato's tail, toying with their holy symbol. Finally, meekly, they say, "This one requires courage, today, rather than knowledge."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric slides two on their plate, then sets it in front of them with a fond look. "I've seen that in you often enough, so I'm sure you can pull it off. Go for it."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This is... difficult. This one... this one does not know how to begin. This one has been meaning to speak to the appropriate person about this topic for... for over a year."

[Tethras Clan]

"Important things can take time," Varric says with a shrug. "Better to do it right in time, then rush it wrongly."

[Helene Dakesh]

"True," they admit. "But this one is... stalling. This one does not want to carry out the set of actions this one must perform. This one is... frightened." They swallow, glancing at Varric's face briefly. "This one would like assurances that, should this one fail to return, this one would be... rescued."

[Tethras Clan]

"The hel- what are you thinking of doing? Give me twelve hours and you won't need a rescue because you'll be walking into with a half dozen heroes. Fuck, double that- that group next door to Hawke owe you for the help with the bubbles," Varric says firmly. "You're Clan, Helene, you don't have to do this alone."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head, cheeks tinging a bit. "This one knows backup can be had. This one would not follow up on a dangerous lead, in fact, but would instead turn such information over to Beinn Varric to dispatch adventurers as he sees fit. This one... this errand is of a more... personal nature. This one... may have to go away, for a time, but this one, if it is the case, this one would like time to explain and, and an estimated duration, but this one is afraid that, perhaps, this one will be... will not be given that time," they explain, fidgeting. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright..." Varric pauses a moment, trying to decide on how he wants to go with this. "How... frequently would it be reasonable for you to send word to me, or for me to visit, presuming things go reasonably optimal?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Unknown." There is a brief pause. "This one did not have... friends.. when this one last underwent this type of program."

[Tethras Clan]

"Program? Like... an academic track?" Varric asks curiously. Probably not, given their nerves about it but... "Where's it at, by the way?"

[Helene Dakesh]

They flinch. "S-s-summerhill," they mumble, unable to face him. 

[Tethras Clan]

"You still have nightmares about... what happened during the Wager?" Varric asks softly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes, but, that's not why." They take a deep breath. "This one underwent treatment in Drasslina. This one has been... it appears to have... this one intends to ask if Summerhill has a similar program." A brief pause. "If not, then, this one may inquire at Danvers Center."

Danvers Center for the Insane is located in Glaley; they had opened a related clinic here in Nyra, but it shuttered after Summerhill really took off. Before that annex had opened, patents would routinely be held at the prison or hospital until they could be removed to Danvers Center or to a private care situation.