Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one... This one thought that Sharran was a miracle. Someone who would look past this one's body, someone who would ignore this one's mental failings, and desire this one's presence when it served no useful purpose. Then she died and this one felt that this one would never again be desired in that way. But... but there was Madam Zevvy, and then there was Beinn Varric, and there is the Clan, and... so much has changed for this one, so quickly. This one can hardly keep up. This one, in such a short time, has changed so much this one's prior life feels... black-and-white. Empty. Hollow."

[Tethras Clan]

Five years is a short time? Long-loved, Zevran thinks with amusement. "Things do keep moving rather briskly," he agrees. "Mostly good, in the balance of things, no?"

"Sure, it's just... it can be hard to adjust." Varric shrugs a little. "Even good things need changes in your thinking, your habits."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "It is, comparatively, as though for you mere months had passed since you met Hawke. This one lived for over a hundred years as this one was accustomed to, and only five in this new way."

[Tethras Clan]

"Uh." Zevran briefly tries to imagine his life from that moment in the shack, to engagements and twins, happening all in less than a half year. "Ah." He exhales slowly. "Hectic."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Very much so. This one has done hardly any research during this time."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric leans over to Zevran, faux-whispering, "of course, that's by Seeker standards, which means they've read more each year than most scholars do in a decade."

[Helene Dakesh]

They smile, blushing faintly. "Reading is not research, Beinn Varric. Reading is less focused."

[Tethras Clan]

"Actually... that makes me wonder- how much of what you read is for entertainment? I know we read together but do you read fiction for your own sake as well?" Zevran asks curiously.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, turning more deeply blue. "This one, uh. This one reads, for pleasure, on occasion. S-serious books, this one is not..." 

Seeing the look on his face, they relent: "Adventurer tales."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric grins. "Got a favorite? Got a soft spot for the Tales of Marcus NeverLost myself. Poor sod just wants to make a living with his tinkering and shit just explodes around him."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one knows the events are improbable but the adventures of Oluchi are particular favorites, specifically Oluchi and the Sky Tower. I truly love the metaphor of the Sky Tower as it applies to the process of making one's self anew, of rebirth."

[Tethras Clan]

"I've actually read some supporting evidence, at least that Oluchi existed. Kind of vague on the Sky Tower, but it was enough to make me think that someone once did something at least close to what the stories say they did," Varric offers.

"I've always been a fan of the Cassidy Nova stories," Zevran says brightly. "She's something of an inspiration."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene grins. "You simply like her approach to first contact with extraplanar beings."

[Tethras Clan]

"I enjoyed her second and third contacts even more," Zevran replies blandly, getting an eyeroll from Varric. 

"Stop corrupting the poor Seeker," Varric grumps, though the slight curve to his lips reveal his humor.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene laughs aloud, a giddy giggle of pure delight. "I wouldn't miss a moment of this for anything, corruption or not."