Tales of a Child Eternal [NSFW]

[NPCs]

Eyes gleaming a little, the Elder bows. "Accepted. But now I must depart."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Understood. Thank you for speaking with this one." A pause, then, "Oh! There was mention of a message for this one?"

[NPCs]

"Delivered after your question," they say with that faint smile, one tinged with regret. After all, an apology should not be given until after one explains their failure. "Be well. Learn and grow wise in the doing." Without any effort, they vanish.

[Tethras Clan]

"You left your... teacup," Varric finishes lamely. "I guess... maybe hold onto it for them?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, staring after where they stood. "That was. This one did not... expect... any of that."

[Tethras Clan]

"...from what I understand, that's pretty typical of a Herald visit," Varric replies as he gets out a few sheets of scrap paper. "Documentation?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"ah, yes, of course." They take out their sketchpad, writing down immediately as much of the conversation as they can remember -- which is to say, all of it, word-for-word, followed by a brief analysis of their conclusions. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Swap," Varric murmurs as he finishes as well, wanting to check each other's recollection. Better system with at least three but... 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hands over the sketchbook, going over Varric's recollection -- taking time to linger on his interpretations, if he's included any.

[Tethras Clan]

He has, though they're all jumping off points, unfinished ideas, intended to prod the reading into thinking rather than give his own, single conclusion. Most of it is nothing they didn't think of either, though there are two that stand out. One is that Alydra (or the Herald) is experimenting with souls in a heretofore unseen manner- it doesn't expand on that, but the idea itself is... startling. And possibly blasphemous. The later is for that final comment, directed at Varric. Aside from the interptation Helene had given verbally earlier, Varric had also included 'VT possibly has (similar?) mental condition or divine alteration' as a possible interpretation.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stills, tapping that with a finger. "Query," they manage to say, a bit strangled, a moment later.

[Tethras Clan]

"One second... proceed," Varric says after finishing the section he was on.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene taps that sentence again. "Beinn Varric is not defective," they manage. "Dream-taken. Pervasive developmental disordered."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric stills as well. "I am not defective. I may have PDD. Testing would be required to be sure. It would fit with what they said."

[Helene Dakesh]

"How?" Helene takes a deep breath, trying to steady their nerves. "Beinn Varric is nothing like Seeker Helene."