Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"You did not mean to do that," Zevran says simply. "You being well again is apology enough." A pause. "Assuming you are not going to attempt that again at least."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shudders. "No." The negation is firm enough, likely, to put Zevran's mind at ease.

"This one came to ask about a half-elf that Zevran may have met," they say a moment later. "The merikosi goes by the name of Liz, and has extreme agoraphobia."

[Tethras Clan]

"Liz... that sounds..." Zevran stills a little. "...why are you asking?" he asks carefully, not pulling away at all, just... tensing slightly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Such a person has appeared in Nyra, and Varric wishes to aid this person."

[Tethras Clan]

"Other than agoraphobia," phobia means fear, so some kind of very bad fear, which fits, but... "can you describe this Liz?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"They are skilled at disguise. They have appeared as a dwarf, but we believe them to be properly half-elven. They prefer an appearance with brown hair and dark eyes, though they have also been seen with very red hair and red tattoos. They seem to have battle fatigue, dissociation, and agoraphobia, which makes it difficult to interact with others."

[Tethras Clan]

"Red tat..." Zevran breathes in deeply. "Non-script, just... designs, no? Deep ruby red?" At their nods, he leans back with closed eyes. "Yes. Ma'bela and I rescued her... six, seven months ago? Something like that. She was possessed by a demon or daemon. By day, the fiend lead a bandit group, killing pillaging, raping and destroying. At night, Liz was let out of the ruby necklace she was imprisoned in but kept inside a locked room. We snuck in with the intent of assassinating the so-called bandit queen and instead wound up freeing her."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Ah," says Helene, the sound full of both understanding and mourning. "The fear of open spaces thus comes from being enclosed for so long. And you took her to the Carter Institute? It seems she was mistreated there."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran winces, a guilty look on his face. "...yes. We... she was very bad off. We... we thought about going to Nyra, but had recently heard about the Carter Institution and had... other business in Glaley. So." He swallows. "How bad?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one does not know," they reply, gently. "This one would have made the same decision. This one has considered going there, in truth. This one has suggested that Liz be placed in Summerhill, but her fears do not allow that course of action. Certainly she needs professional help."

[Tethras Clan]

"Once mistreated in such a place... yes," Zevran says knowingly. He'd had to warn Isabela that if he's ever hurt or ill, that retraining him to prevent him from harming himself is simply not an option, that it's kinder and safer to use a paralytic than bindings. "I will think over all I know and observed. Or perhaps it might be best if you or Varric interviewed me? I will as Isabela to assist as well."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene slides out of his lap, reaching for their sketchbook. "Yes. If you could tell the story from the beginning, this one will take notes."

[Tethras Clan]

Once they're resettled, Zevran smiles faintly. "Of course. But first, if I may ask a question of my own? About something you mentioned earlier about yourself?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene pauses, pencil hovering. "Of course."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well, more of two comments you made and then a general request that you expand on the subject. 'No longer feels lust' and 'how distracting Zevran is?'"