Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene finches. "This one does not handle situational or mental flexibility well. This one requires strict guidelines."

[Tethras Clan]

"Maybe... it's less or more literal- not varying your habits but... Okay. If the earthquakes are the influence of your condition- short handing it to PDD- then what's the building. Your... life? Your routines and the life you live?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one fares worse without routine," they admit, looking away. "This one.... there is no answer, is there?" they ask, gently. "This one has tried more rigidity and the quakes tore it down. This one has tried flexibility but the winds caused too much sway. This one cannot lesson the effect of their condition. That is the answer this one sought."

[Tethras Clan]

"Except that they implied there was an solution, simply by opening the dialogue," Varric counters. "They can't given answers, the Ancient One just doesn't do that, but they're a... ally of yours. If the answer was 'tough luck' the advice would have been about acceptance or something, not a suggestion for solving problems."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene pauses, frowning slightly, then shakes their head. "No. This one will not consider that course." They take a deep breath, meeting the Ancient One's eyes. "As before, this one will continue to serve as long as this one is given the chance. If the Muse Beyond Dreams no longer desires this one's service, this one requests to be told directly."

[NPCs]

"Understood." And with that, they continue to sip their drink with clear contentment, very pointedly not telling Helene anything at all.

[Tethras Clan]

"...so not avoidance then," Varric notes with a faint smile. "Rigidity isn't the right answer or they'd have used a different example. Which leaves flexibility- if it's not fluidness of routine, then what is supposed to bend and flex? Well, what's the flex for..."

[Helene Dakesh]

You're not supposed to have a drink in the library.

Helene doesn't say it, of course. The rule about not speaking disrespectfully to her betters supersedes the specific rule about drinking in the library. Nor are they so impolite as to stare. But they take notice; it distracts them, a little niggle at the edge of their consciousness, making it harder to focus on the immediate problem at hand. 

Flexible. What can be flexible? "This one's... mind?"

[NPCs]

"Sometimes it is the journey, not the destination, that holds the lesson one must learn," the Elder provides helpfully.

[Tethras Clan]

"The process has to be flexible?" Varric asks. "Or... or does they mean... journey as advice? Err, advice as journey. Was flexible not the point we should be focusing on?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one will not give up Alydra," they say firmly. "This one... This one cannot see how this one's life can get more flexible than joining a Clan, obtaining a lover, becoming worthy."

[NPCs]

Face endlessly serene, the Ancient One hums with approval as they takes a sip of their drink. "The bending of a reed in the wind is as predictable, certain, as the mute indifference of a stone."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stares. "...Nothing about this has been predictable," they say slowly. "Perhaps... too much chaos?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Stone and reed, rigid and flex. Neither chaotic. Or both chaotic, I suppose, but seems less likely- nature just is. So... maybe chaos and order aren't the point?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one has found chaos, but that is not flexibility. So. This one..."

They frown, thinking back over the conversation, and prior ones. "This one begins to think this one has rather... This one should seek, not assume."