Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Or those that haven't been through any program at all," Zevran points out. "Or have gone through private help. Perhaps with a local healer or priest, something like that."

[Helene Dakesh]

"That is what this one meant. Those who have not gone through treatment, those who have attempted to find help that was unskilled, would be there."

[Tethras Clan]

"Why? It's entirely possible they've managed to live without such a program. Or that one of those ameatur healers might have been able to help." Zevran shrugs. "It is possible."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Honored Madam Zevvy underestimates the severity of this condition."

[Tethras Clan]

Ouch. Full titled. That's Helene-speak for "I love and respect you but I think you're being dumb.' "Most conditions can vary in severity. If they have minor cases of it, it's very possible," Varric tosses in to help Zevran out. "And brilliant solutions can come from anywhere- it's also possible, albeit unlikely, that some rural healer or wiseone managed to hit upon some way of helping."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, slowly. "Exceedingly unlikely. But possible."

[Tethras Clan]

"If nothing else, they might have tried things we can then cross off or use to build ideas." Varric shrugs. "But that can wait. For now... emotions?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods slowly. "This one is curious what emotions were evoked when this one and Madam Zevvy discovered the existence of twins."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran coughs a bit. "Ah, I assume you mean the twins. Hawke's twins." At the Seeker's nod, Zevran takes a deep breath. "Well. Shock. Shock was... a big part of it. Much big. Terror. Elation. Worry. Pleasure, on behalf of Merrill- she wants a very large family. Excitement. More worry. It was... confusing."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Beinn Varric, same question."

[Tethras Clan]

"He hit most of it," Varric admits. "Kids are... a hell of a thing. A huge responsibility and something the majority of the Clan has never really faced before. Sure, Seli and Andy have some and we've all interacted with them but... Seli has never really needed a lot of help with them. And most of their time as babies was before they were fully Clan anyway. At the same time... they're the next generation. That means a lot, especially to a dwarf."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Understood. This one... This one cannot have children." They look down a moment, swallowing the old, familiar grief. "This one never expected to... have an opportunity like this."

[Tethras Clan]

"Right there with you," Varric mutters. What with the whole not able to have sex thing.

Zevran nods soberly. "Agreed."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene glances up at both of them, startled. "Understood," they say, and their voice holds a fragile sense of wonder. We are all three alike in this.

[Tethras Clan]

"So... yeah. Adoption and now... biology. And suddenly grandchild. Went from a crusty old bachelor with an estranged brother to... gods. Three kids, a handful of kids-electi, and... some siblings, and now grandchildren in about five years. Bit of a thing really," Varric says with a slightly dazed, almost overwhelmed tone.