Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

"Th-this one..." Helene chews their lower lip, deep in thought. Finally, they look up at him, eyes shining. "This one was proud, when this one was allowed to title Beinn Varric as such. This one remembers that moment fondly. It felt presumptuous, that that one would so easily take on this title unasked. That that one would behave as this one does. It felt as though that one were trying to prove that that one were superior to this one, that that one could fulfill this one's place in the Clan, and thus become close with Beinn Varric. This one objected to that potential course of action surprisingly strongly."

[Tethras Clan]

"That..." He takes a moment to clear his throat. "I a honored that you value our bond so deeply. And pleased."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blushes, glancing away. "Of course. Beinn Varric is one of the most important people in Seeker Helene's life. There are perhaps only two valued more highly, and this one is unable to determine the exact ranking at that level."

[Tethras Clan]

"Also a common Clan phenomenon," Varric says with a bit of a chuckle. "Well,our mutual bond aside, we should get back to Mia. So you believed that Mia was acting out of turn, taking liberties she had not earned? Perhaps liberties not just of me but also you?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of... this one? No. But this one was concerned that she would abuse Beinn Varric's kindness."

[Tethras Clan]

"So you weren't hurt at all by it?" Varric probes gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one did not suffer damage. This one... had a strange and extreme emotional reaction this one is still examining."

[Tethras Clan]

"Was any of that emotion hurt? Or non-danger fear? About being replaced?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"It was... primarily... anger," they say, slowly. "A little hurt, but it was irrational. For myself, I do not fear being replaced. I would mourn if this were the case, but I have been alone before, and expect someday to be alone again."

[Tethras Clan]

"Bad Helene," Varric says mildly. "You should fight to keep our bonds, if they are important to you. I...I can't say you won't outlive Zevran, that's pretty much a given. Or me, like as not, you're not that much older than I am. But Avato? Lux? They'll be there."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one will fight -- has fought -- to keep this one's bond to Alydra. All other bonds are, by their nature, temporary. But... this one should not surrender this one's bonds prematurely if the other party still desires to keep them."

There's a brief, uncomfortable silence, as they fidget for a moment, before they add, "Would Beinn Varric prefer a tulwath to this one?"

[Tethras Clan]

"None than I've met," Varric replies honestly. "And it's unlikely- you're a pretty high bar to match. Mia is... an interesting puzzle and fun enough to quip with but she's not very cerebral and... well, she never tried to flirt or anything with me, thank the gods, but she's still very... sexual. Which, no."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is... pleasing due to... a lack of sexuality?" they ask, carefully.

[Tethras Clan]

"Overt sexuality," Varric clarifies. "Sex is... actively undesirable to me. Even with Hawke, it's... there. Not directed at me, but it's a large part of her life."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one... this one is sorry to disappoint, but this one... has sexual feelings, and in fact, has sex, on regular occasion."