Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Wait? Oh, no, they're sixteen. Well, almost." Shit, that's something I should try and remember- humans celebrate each and every damn one, don't they? "But uh, yeah. There... they're siblings, humans. Twins. Bethany and Carver. Their... I was training Marian, their elder sister, as kind of... she was my apprentice," he finishes softly.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene is on the cusp of asking, 'was?', when they recall the gossip from earlier. Destroyed a town with demons. Three hundred souls. They bow, once more, despite the awkwardness of doing so while seated. "This one sorrows for your loss. This one would offer what assistance this one can. This one does not know, cannot know, what it is to lose a child, but this one would ease your burden in any way this one can."

[Varric]

"Shouldn't rule out the future, Helene," Varric says softly, eyes lowering to the book before him, The Grief Cycle. "Kids don't have to come from your blood and body to be yours. I just... I didn't get any chance to... I was on a day trip to the mine. Last thing I ever said to Marian was an joke. Just a stupid joke about not mixing up debits and credits again. Brilliant girl, she was, but she just had this weird block about which was which."

[Helene Dakesh]

"There are so many reasons this one cannot have children. This one is... unfit." They shift a little in their seat. "But this one can think of no-one more fit than Tethras. This one understands loss, understands... This one has lost many, over the years. Some to death. More to time and distance. There is never a last thing said that is enough. There is never anything that concludes a relationship. It is always messy, always incomplete."

[Varric]

"Heh. Yeah, I suppose you have a point there. Though I disagree about you being unfit. You'd be better off with a partner, sure, to balance out how... focused you can get on things- and remind you to eat- but hells, there's a reason why the gods made it so you need at least two to reproduce."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches. "What are the other children like? Do they have needs this one can assist with?"

[Varric]

Varric studies them for a moment, but lets it drop. "Well... actually..." He considers a moment. "You ever done any tutoring?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is capable of tutoring," they say with a nod. "What subjects are required?"

[Varric]

"Well, Beth has tutors for her magic- she's actually got a strange breed, dual-casting arcane and divine both, though her focus is on divine. Might not hurt for her to get a lesson or two- or even just talk- with another perspective. Her teacher's Wynne Langnne, she's been around for ages." At the look of recognition in Helene's eyes, he continues.

"But it's Carver I was thinking of more. Two reasons really- one, he's thinking about swearing to Vangal but he can't get a grip on the doctrine. Dogma, he's solid on, innately really. But he can't focus in a classroom, booking learning just frustrates him. He's picked up stuff from me one-on-one before but I've never really made a study of religion. He's also got a strange sort of primal magic, maybe you've come across it before, but he's touching about it so that one can wait."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates. "This one is best with books," they admit. "This one has always learned well in a classroom. This one is not certain this one is the best tutor for someone who learns differently. This one can research, find someone who is better?"

[Varric]

Varric shrugs. "He seems to do best with hands-on stuff, but that's hard to do with doctrine. So I figured next best would be to do it via discussion while he does something with his hands. He's thinking of maybe taking up wood-carving," the dwarf adds, nodding at a pair of books on the table.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one has studied the doctrines of Vangal, and is qualified to explain them while the pupil works."

[Varric]

"If you're willing to give it a shot, I'd be grateful. And, worst to worst, it might do them good to met you in general. Golden Shores was... provincial, to say the least, meeting a rare race'd be good for them." Varric offers a smile. "And Beth is a fine cook, so you'll have at least one good meal that day."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, thoughts distant. I will have to explain about my curses, again. And hope for the best. Provincial doesn't necessarily mean bigoted, they scold themself, shaking their head. Not every small town is where you grew up.

[Varric]

I'll make a point of explaining Q&A's... quirks. They don't deserve to have to fumble though (Carver's mouth/Beth's pity) that in order to do me a favor. "How about you? How're things been for you?"