Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Agreed," both males chorus, Avato chiming in a half-second behind.

[Tethras Clan]

6 Winhyt, 1198
After an unusual tea with the boss and Aveline, Hawke drags Mia (and Silence) over to Varric's for dinner. Supposedly, this is to pick her Papa's brain about business stuff, but it's pretty obvious to one and all that it's to allow Claudia and Jassinth to have a night alone. So the pair plus one arrive at the humble abode of the dwarf, Silence trailing a few steps behind in order to keep a wary eye on the tulwath. Strangely, it smells like the food they brought might not be needed- as they enter, the scent of chili fills the air.

[Marian Hawke]

Oh great -- Dwarven cooking. A bit on the early side for Papa though, she notes, pushing the door open. "Papa, we're home," she calls, looking for him. She doesn't knock, not anymore, not when this is her home too, but she does announce herself, especially when she's brought guests. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, unused to Hawke's antics, jumps a bit, turning to Varric from where they were pouring wine. "Ah, is this, should this one go?" they ask, too still.

[Tethras Clan]

Mia halts a few feet behind Hawke, head bowed and silent as she allows her betters to work this out. Varric frowns for a moment. "Not unless you want to," Varric says firmly. "Table's got room for six, eight if two of them are Zevran and Merrill." 

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke, rounding the corner to the kitchen, smiles broadly. "Oh, Helene! Good to see you. I was-- ah, right. I was actually planning to ask Varric if-- well, since you're here, I'll just ask directly. I brought Mia, is that okay? Did you want to visit with her while she's here?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stares at Hawke, their body very, very still, their breathing shallow. 

[Marian Hawke]

"...Helene? You okay there?" asks Hawke, cautiously. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Hey, can you finish this up?" Varric says, tossing a towel at Hawke. "Helene, come to my office for minute?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah, no problem," she says absently, frowning at Helene. "Look, just let me know and we'll go out instead, no problem, alright?" she adds, as she heads for the stove.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stares for a moment longer, then bolts for the office, hiding their face. Once inside, they stumble to the loveseat, wrapping their arms around themself, eyes shut, rocking.

A tiny space that smells of pine, hideous laughter, pain pricking them awake when they drift off.

[Tethras Clan]

Varric closes the door, then dims the lights a bit. Taking a deep breath, he takes a seat next to Helene, careful to not touch them. Voice soft, even, inflectionless, he starts reciting some local history, some random trivia about the Inner Wall.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's rocking slows as they breathe more deeply, comforted by his presence and care. They don't speak, but after a time they turn toward him slightly, clearly now present with him.

[Tethras Clan]

Not looking directly at them, Varric moves his hand over so it's a few inches away from their own hand, a silent offer. Meanwhile, he continues to ramble tonelessly, never breaking his rhythm. 

[Helene Dakesh]

They grab for his hand almost immediately, squeezing it tightly. Words still escape them -- but the tempest of emotion inside them is starting to die down, to give them space for thought once more. The rocking helps. The fluttering of their spare hand helps.