Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one's desires serve only to pain this one. This one will be glad no longer to long after something this one can never have."

[Tethras Clan]

"Thwarted desire can often be a painful sting, but without desire, without passion, what point life," the devout Cirenite says gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"To acquire knowledge, understanding, does not require desire. Particularly of a sexual nature. That is a trap that can lead one to ruin."

[Tethras Clan]

"Ah, but even that is a desire. You want to learn, to discover and grow." Zevran's smile turns teasing. "And I suspect just as much woe has come about from curiosity as lust."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Perhaps," they say, a little curtly. "But the desire for knowledge can be sated."

[Tethras Clan]

"Ah, so you're done learning then? All finished with the gathering of knowledge?" Zevran teases. "Sexual desire is the very same, never gone but satisfiable for the moment."

[Helene Dakesh]

"For most," they say, curtly. "This one cannot ever satisfy said desires."

[Tethras Clan]

"...why not?" Zevran asks, confused. "Is that part of your... mental condition?" If so, I understand much better now why they are so adamant on having that fixed...

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one's form is... abhorrent for this type of activity."

[Tethras Clan]

It honesty takes Zevran a full five seconds to make the connection. "But you are not a child," he protests.

[Helene Dakesh]

They flinch. "This one has the body of a child. Such a taboo is ingrained into every society."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran stares a moment, then flicks his hair back. And suddenly appears not as himself, but as a merikos elf child.  "Appearance is meaningless. You are an adult."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has not the seeming of a child's body. This one's body is that of a child. Those who desire such a body are... are not... are never the type of persons whom this one is comfortable indulging."

[Tethras Clan]

"But the- the sin of pedophilia is not in touching, in pleasuring, a body of a certain shape but in taking advantage of a mind's inexperience. In abusing the trust and naivety of a new soul," Zevran says heatedly. "You do not have a child's body. You have Helene's body and Helene is an adult."

[Helene Dakesh]

"The taboo against abusing a child is ingrained in most mortals. They will not, they will never, touch me. It is too disgusting to think on, and this one will not lower themself even to pay someone to harm themselves in that manner."