Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Yes. The body decomposes, but this one awoke as a small child near a pond in the woods and had to travel until this one was able to find civilization to raise this one. This one later recovered enough memories of Dakesh to recall who this one was."

[Bethany]

"Recovered? So you only get.... like some of your old memories? I guess that makes sense, dying must be really..." She swallows, a long, a bloodcurdling scream ringing in her ears. "...really hard on someone."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "I remember precious little of being Dakesh, but I have some of his journals to remind me. Dakesh remembered some of being Avanti but had more of her journals; this one does not expect to recall being Avanti at all, only remembering what it was like to be her."

[Bethany]

Isn't that the same thing? Or wait. "You mean you remember remembering? Does that ever get confusing? Do you ever have trouble knowing whether you or a, uh, past you knew or did something?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one is very different from the previous one. Those few memories this one recovered are... it is as though this one recalled being a total stranger."

[Varric]

"Huh. Never heard it described like that- admittedly, I only did maybe ten hours of research on the matter after meeting you," Varric comments before popping a bit of meat and cracker into his mouth. Fussy as all get out but not bad.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is honored that you took the time to research," says Helene with some small surprise. "There are not many of us; it is likely this one is the only samsaran you will meet."

[Bethany]

Honored... to be researched? Weird... nerdy I guess?  I mean, it seems to have worked, mostly. I guess they are a good match... excellent....

[Varric]

Varric shrugs. "Third, but the other two were just in passing, an adventurer and some kind of merchant when I was a kid. I think I assumed she was an elf that'd gotten hexed or something back then... But yeah, I like to know at least the basics about people I associate with. Once I determined I'd be continuing our interactions, it just flowed from that."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Truly?" Helene blinks. "This one only met others of my kind while studying in Drasslina, and that only because so many people make a pilgrimage at some point during their lives."

[Varric]

"Nyra sees a lot of travelers, mostly adventurers, but they rarely make their way into Scrolls. And not that many end up in Preacher's Way, aside from Bastion's temples for healing," Varric explains. "If you hang out at the Bazaar for a few weeks, you'll run into just about every species of humanoid there is."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one has spent some time sketching in the bazaar, but this one has not seen Samsarans. The sample size must be too low."

[Bethany]

"Maybe the two of you should go together sometimes," Bethany chimes in brightly, eyes almost sparkling. "You could have lunch together, then wander the market."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one would not wish to impose on Mister Tethras' busy schedule," demurs Helene. 

[Varric]

Varric notes the look of disappointment on Bethany's face. Wonder why she's so invested in this... more than just about hosting, I think (teenagers are weird). "Need to eat, don't I? Wouldn't doing so with you every once in a while. Means good conversation at the very least."