Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Tethras Clan]

As Helene settles themselves with the familiar and solid, they soon find themselves falling into the trap of opening a book they hadn't read yet. It doesn't help that when they glance over at Varric, he's got his nose shoved into a book himself. Makes it easy t feel like it would be rude not to read a bit as well, so as to not rush him. Some half hour- or more?- later, they realize they've finished half the book. When they look around, Helene spots Varric sitting at a table. Well, his back anyway. And based on the way he's oriented, he seems to be talking with someone.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, slightly flushed from embarrassment, puts the book into their satchel, resolving to check it out to finish later. They head for the table, stopping a few steps away to gape in astonishment. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh. Never thought of that sort of approach," Varric muses, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Runes aren't something I have a lot of familiarity with but... yeah. Could work, could work."

[NPCs]

"When time is available, considering ones options is rarely a bad choice, even if you think you have a perfectly adequate option already in mind," his conversational partner replies. Glancing behind Varric, the elderly looking samsaran nods. "Seeker Helene-Who-Was-Dakesh. This one hopes you are well?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene drops to their knees, bowing low enough to press their forehead to the floor. "Herald. This one is honored to greet thee in the flesh."

[Tethras Clan]

"What now?" Varric says blankly. "Wait- they're-"

[NPCs]

The Ancient One frowns slightly. "Knowledge is seldom found by groveling. Rise, Seeker."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene rises, swallowing hard. "Herald of Alydra, please allow me to introduce Beinn Varric, who is a good friend to this one."

[NPCs]

"I am well pleased to meet you, Varric of Tethras Clan," the elder says with a nod.

[Tethras Clan]

Varric blinks slowly. "Ah... Okay. You're..." Shouldn't I... be able to feel that? Know? But Helene wouldn't be wrong about this... 

[NPCs]

"I do not have the time for a... public appearance so to speak, so I am being discrete," is the calm reply.

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh." He shakes his head a little. "Right, sorry. Likewise," he says belatedly, offering his hand, which the Ancient One take politely.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene moves to the table then, pulling out a chair and having a seat. "This one came to contact thee," they say, almost shyly. "This one.. has questions."

[NPCs]

"As it should be," the Ancient One says firmly, perhaps the most definitive opinion they've ever expressed to Helene.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles, flushing faintly at the praise. "This one would normally not take such shortcuts, as this one understands the value of the search for knowledge. However, in this, this one does not suspect that answers are forthcoming shy of divine intervention. And... this one would like to hear the answers from one this one considers a mentor, directly. So this one hopes this one will be forgiven for contacting thee."