Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

They wince, looking down. "This one is... dream-taken," they say quietly. "It can be... bothersome."

[Tethras Clan]

"I... am afraid I do not know that phrase," Zevran admits.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is... severely... This one's mind does not..." They struggle, for a moment, trying to put words in order. "This one does not function correctly. The ritual seeks to ease the effects, so that this one can interact socially with others in a more natural fashion, and so that this one is not taken with fits of... well. It doesn't matter. This one will be cured in two days time."

[Tethras Clan]

"...I have seen that you are... awkward, from time to time, but in truth, I find it appealing," Zevran confesses. "I can imagine it has given you some hardship in the past, however, and whatever the fits you speak of are, likely even more."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "In truth, both halves are to be celebrated, though both are not without drawbacks. It is the former ritual that haunts me the more, I think. This one trusts this one will still be this one's own self when the latter is done, but the former represents... well, to be clear, the closing of a door that was never truly open, and yet, the closing of a door nonetheless."

[Tethras Clan]

"The first one is the one to... neutralize your gender expressions?" Zevran asks to be sure.

[Helene Dakesh]

They nod. "Yes. We have devised a clever solution for the processing of waste products, but it will not... well. This one will have no further use for your lectures on a personal level."

[Tethras Clan]

"On the contrary, it's entirely possible to have sex without genitals of any kind," Zevran replies instantly. "And consent ethics apply to far more than just sex."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "This one is curious, though this one still would not have use for the knowledge. This one has patterned portions of the ritual off one to make oneself a Tulwath, which will hopefully neutralize that sort of desire."

[Tethras Clan]

"That... seems rather extensive," Zevran comments slowly. "Are you sure that all of these changes should be... done? All at once, I mean? It seems... rather a shock."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene frowns. "This one will finally be as this one was meant to be. This one will finally be free of the restraints that have burdened this one for so long. Why... why wouldn't that be a good thing?"

[Tethras Clan]

"...have..." Zevran glances around. "Would you mind if we relocate to my room? This is... private," he says softly, despite the utter lack of anyone else in the room with them.

[Helene Dakesh]

"A-as you wish," they say, chewing their lower lip. Have I given some offense?

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran leads them to his room, where he paces a moment, then gets out a bottle of wine. "What do you know about me?" he asks, clearly uncomfortable, but not in an offended manner. More like he's working his way up to something.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has been made aware that you are working at the Shiny Cat, and are one of the best workers there. This one has been told that Beth trusts you, and been threatened by Isabela in a manner this one has been given to understand is protective rather than indicating dislike of this one personally. This one has been told that you are skilled in all forms of combat, that you can kill with a spoon, and that you are, quote, 'really badass', end quote. This atop what this one has learned personally of your knowledge in the sexual arts."