Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene," Varric says firmly, giving them a chiding look.

"I must request that permission be asked in the future," Because Lady Estelle told me I should value myself in this very regard, "but will give consent to a truthing because Seeker Helene is Clan, provided the questions are only about myself."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene closes their eyes, their hands still fluttering, and takes another deep breath, clearly still agitated. Wordlessly, they urge themself to pull it together, to find the words to ask again, to apologize, to do something, say something... 

[Tethras Clan]

"Take your time, Helene," Varric says softly, eyes closing for a few seconds. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Repeat," they manage to whisper, after a few moments. "What was said. Repeat. Please and thank you."

[Tethras Clan]

Mia is silent a moment. "The descriptions I gave of my breakf-downs was as accurate and truthful as I could provide given the painful and nebulous nature of the topic," she finally says carefully. "I do not wish to... is that sufficient?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Sufficient," they echo. "This one breaks down. This one has not met-- this one struggles with-- this one breaks down," they conclude, shuddering. "Similarities are present."

[Tethras Clan]

"And... having such a... commonality with one you... have negative emotions towards is distressing," Mai finishes, her tone neutral.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Many things are distressing!" 

The urgency in their voice hangs in the air between them as Helene shudders, closes their eyes, bows their head. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes," Mia agrees simply. "I... regret the vast majority of the actions I took as Tantra. Much of what I do not regret is simply because it either harmed demons or the most evil of mortals or... or it was a stolen moment with Sage zi'Hawke, one of the weak sparks that would become Mia." She pauses a moment. "Not... helping you faster is among those regrets."

"I think we need to step back from heavy talk now," Varric cuts in firmly.

[Helene Dakesh]

With a gesture, Helene dismisses the Zone, satisfied with the answer they have received. They take another step back, bumping into the door to the pantry, and slide down to the floor, huddling into a ball, their arms around their knees. They rock back and forth, eyes shut tight, pressed against their knees, focusing on breathing deeply.

[Tethras Clan]

Varric hisses softly, then moves over to kneel next to Helene. "Mia, can you go... check on Hawke?" he asks quickly, causing the tulwath to rise to her feet and slip out of the room.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene rocks, swallowing hard, struggling to breathe. "Tulwath," they manage, after a moment.

[Tethras Clan]

"Yeah. As... utterly bizarre and impossible as it is, she really is-" Varric stops, studying Helene. "No? That's not what you meant?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shivers again. "Tulwath-taken," they manage next.

[Tethras Clan]

I doubt they mean anything like fae tales... "Mia... took something?" he hazzards.