Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has brought lunch. This one has questions."

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh. Wasn't expecting that- the lunch part. Or did Avato or Zevvy remind you about how food exists?" Varric teases the oracle. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Zevvy," they admit, blushing faintly. "This one has purchased sandwiches. Is Beinn Varric hungry?"

[Tethras Clan]

Ten minutes later, the group is upstairs in the living room. Varric had washed his face and taken care of whatever else he needed to, Zevran had found some slightly stale rolls and some fruit and Avato had laid out the table, taking deep and almost loving care to arrange everything in neat lines. Helene was giving the task of making tea, an easy one that allows them the time to go over their list as they wait. Once everyone is at the table, they devote the first five minutes to eating, thus allowing conversation to flow better now that the edge of hunger is dulled.

"Go for it," Varric says easily, nodding at Helene.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one has recently become aware that feelings are data, and that this one ought to be collecting data about feelings as well as facts, social interactions, and relationships. This one has been remiss in collecting this data and now wishes to make up for lost time."

They open their sketchbook, pencil at the ready. "This one will begin with Madam Zevvy. What were the feelings associated with the expressions Madam Zevvy made last night when this one announced that this one was leaving for Draslina?"

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran's expression rather resembles that of a person kicked squarely in the gut by a loved one. Varric recovers first however. "When you announced what?" the dwarf snaps.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks, swallows as they realize they may have misstepped. "This one had-- this one decided last night to return to Draslina to enroll in-- this one has been considering the options before this one and--"

[Tethras Clan]

"They were convinced they were being dumb," Zevran grits out quickly, cutting off Varric's next retort. "Lead with that, my love. If you ask or tell anyone else this, lead with that."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one does not understand. But this one will obey. Yes, this one is no longer planning to return to Draslina. This one is concerned about this one's health, but this one is more concerned about spending that much time away from this one's family."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric takes a slow breath. "Helene..." He needs another moment, then nods. "If I told you that I was planning on leaving, that I was going to be gone tomorrow and might be back in say, fifty years, assuming that my painful, unpleasant and somewhat dangerous mission went as I hope, how would you feel?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's eyes widen. "This one would be... concerned. Frightened. This one would feel abandoned. This one would have many questions and desire to ensure that this one properly understood the relationship between this one and Beinn Varric. But this one does not know how Beinn Varric feels. This one is... atypical in many ways."

[Tethras Clan]

"That pretty much covers it, to be honest," Zevran comments. "I would say also upset, almost angry, that you decided this without discussing it with us. I have no claim over you, no right to limit your actions, but it... it hurts, to think that my opinion is unwanted."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "This one did discuss this. With both of you. This one told Madam Zevvy about going back nearly a year ago, and Madam Zevvy was against it. This one spoke with Beinn Varric yesterday, and Beinn Varric was also against it. This one thought the matter over and decided to go anyway. This one had not considered properly the time requirements, however, and concedes that missing a decade or two of the twins' childhoods, of Madam Zevvy's youth, is too high a price."

[Tethras Clan]

"It is- mind you, this can vary from relationship to relationship, but it is perhaps most common that when making such an... important decision, that one give their most significant partners- romantic or otherwise- one last chance to weight in before a final decision is made," Zevran says carefully.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene lowers their gaze to the table, accepting the rebuke. "This one apologizes."