Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Understandable," Varric says simply. "Very few people are willing to... be upfront about... things that make them stand out, much less something that could be... used as a weakness." He taps on the desk for a moment, then pulls a drawer open. "I'm going to have a couple fingers of single malt, interested?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has not had whisky before," they note, still in a small, meek voice.

[Varric]

Varric pauses, studying his friend carefully. "Do medicines- painkillers and sedatives particularly- affect you strongly?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. 

[Varric]

"Alright, we'll go with just a single finger for you but unwatered. Sip slowly, this isn't especially strong, but it is whisky," Varric cautions them as he gets out a pair of tumblers. He fills one with just a bit, then the other halfway to the top. "Have a seat?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene moves to sit; almost as soon as they do, they lose one of the battles they've been fighting, as their left leg begins to jiggle up and down in a repetitive, nervous motion. They take the glass, giving another (small due to being seated) bow, and grasping it with both hands, their sketchbook in their lap. "Thank you."

[Varric]

"I get the impression you've not done this before..." At their nod, he smiles faintly. "Right then, I'll walk you through it so you know how it works. Ah. Sorry, first things first. Is there anything else we should talk about regarding Carver that's not on the sheet you gave me? Want to finish that up before we shift focus."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "That was the thesis this one came to present."

[Varric]

"Alright then. That means I'm done talking with my son's tutor. Instead, I'm talking to my friend Helene. A... hmmm. A Tumbler Talk? Nah. Whisky Talk. No alliteration, which is a shame, but sounds better. Anyway. Whisky. Like I mentioned, this is a basic single malt. Not that strong, not heavily flavored. Rye whisky. You'll want to sip it, making sure to breath in before and after, not while you have it in your mouth. Getting water in your lungs hurts, whisky is far worse," he warns them.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, raising the glass to their lips. They breathe in, then take a very small sip, then breathe out, closing their eyes to focus on the sensation. 

[Varric]

"Take your time between sips so you can get the flavor in settle in properly." And make sure you don't hit your system with more than it can handle. "If you feel dizzy, queasy or find your thoughts blurring, let me know, alright? Everyone should make their initial forays into drinking with a seasoned guide. Don't get why most races try and keep their young from it, make'em sneak it," he adds in a mutter.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "In most non-dwarven races, alcohol tolerance is heavily dependent upon body weight. The risk of intoxication coupled with an already poor sense of impulse control and propensity for reckless behavior causes many human-led settlements to outlaw drinking for teenagers."

[Varric]

"Sure, but if you outlaw something like that, it just makes it more appealing to the majority of teens. Specifically, the ones most likely to get up to idiocy in order to get alcohol and even more so after consuming it. If you instead control their access to it, allow it in measured doses under supervision-" Varric breaks off, chuckling. "Sorry, bit of a... pet peeve, I suppose. We can talk about that later- at length, if you can tolerate it. We were supposed to be talking about you. Can you tell me more? I... I have some quirks of my own- I get... uneasy, even irritable, when I don't understand things. I can swallow it down, I've a lot of practice, but something like this, knowing there's something I might need to be able to cover for you or help you through and being aware I don't know enough details, enough of the variables, to be effective? I won't push if you can't, but I'd really like to know more about my friend."

[Helene Dakesh]

"It is not... pleasant to watch." They hold their body still, almost unnaturally so, staring down into the cup to avoid looking in his eyes, the only motion their leg still jogging up and down -- though it is at this point when they seem to notice the leg, and it stops moving as their eyes dart to it.

[Varric]

"Wasn't bothering me. Your leg. If that helps, feel free." Varric takes a sip of his drink, then swirls it slightly to watch the light play through the amber fluid. "And people you like suffering is never fun to watch. Doesn't mean you should look away."