Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Hooboy. Maybe? Can you remember a race or... anything? Description, anything that might have made them stand out? That's four to ten hundred years ago, can your narrow that down a bit? If any of us did it- and you're right, if it was a heavy ritual, it would have been done by one of us. And if any of us did it, I'd know about it," Maeve says confidently. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"This would have occurred two hundred eighty seven years ago. Stalwart and his family were human; Stalwarts brother Sten was already engaged to the half-elf he would wed, Amidala. Family characteristics include a large nose and strong chin, and Stalwart was noted as having black hair and dark brown eyes. Stalwart's ailment was unknown. He had a fondness for fish dishes and enjoyed playing intellectual games such as chess."

[Tethras Clan]

"Two hundred and eighty," Maeve mutters, tapping her thigh. "Wait, fish and chess? Skinny, long hair and really-" She breaks off, frowning. "...why are you looking into this?" she ass slowly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"There is a dispute over inheritance. If there is any chance that Stalwart continued and created issue of his blood, as he was only disinherited materially, his heirs would now come into a small fortune and a seat in the Guiding Lights. Otherwise, if there were none, the Light would go to the surviving descendants of a cousin of his. Though, in truth, this one is more intrigued by the puzzle than the end goal."

[Tethras Clan]

"...there's more to it, isn't there?" Maeve asks shrewdly. "Something about this means something to you, personally."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flushes. "This one has... this one has a theory. If correct, this one will... This one is in a unique position to have discovered the truth, if this one is correct."

[Tethras Clan]

"Go on," Maeve says, her smile coming back. Good, I'd have hated to have misjudged so badly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one... has a theory that... this one has a theory that Stalwart was disinherited because.. because he was no longer considered the firstborn son," they say slowly. "Because he became, instead... a daughter."

[Tethras Clan]

Maeve studies Helene for a long moment. "The Beauregards had a small summer lodge about five miles from the Oak. Stalwart- and the other kids- used to visit town once or twice a week when they were all down, so we knew them in passing. But you're wrong at the start. Stalwart died in Nyra." She smirks slightly. "Hope was reborn in the heartroom of the Oak, remade in flesh anew."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene frowns, puzzling it over. "There is precedent under law for a resurrection not severing the chain of inheritance," they say slowly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Mmhhmm," Maeve agrees. "I assume you've read up on the personalities of those involved. Your theory... think about what the others involved might do if your theory was correct."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Well, well..." they say, grasping for words. "Well... This one..." 

They close their eyes, take a deep breath in, let it out. "This one would like to believe that.... that Stalwart finally convinced their father to, to allow them to live as a woman. That the price for doing so was disinheritance and being stricken from the family records, but that...that with time, the father could see his daughter for what she was, and loved her."

[Tethras Clan]

"A bit... rosey," Maeve murmurs softly. "But not entirely wrong. Charity was... quietly supportive of her eldest child for a very long time. Earnest... was not. They fought a great deal about it, from what I could tell. Eventually Stalwart gave up. Yellowmoss isn't quick, but it's mostly painless. Headache, a mild fever, then you drift off. Evidently, finding that the next morning was enough to make Earnest... rethink things. Re-prioritize his values. He brought the body here, then left the next week, a father of two once again. A month after that, Hope Gold Claw left for Nrya to start her new life with no inheritance or title but a purse full of gold and her father's well wishes."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene looks at their clasped hands, quietly. When they speak at last, their voice does not waver, but it is... diminished, somehow. "There is no becoming anything anew for my kind. There is only building on what you once were." 

A deep breath, and they look up to Maeve, eyes shining but otherwise dry. "Thank you. This one has found the answers this one sought." They bow low, clearly preparing to depart.

[Tethras Clan]

Maeve reaches out to lightly stroke Helene's cheek with one finger. "Hey. The body is just a shell. It's the soul that's important. And i can promise you, there is nothing wrong with your soul, little cousin. Far from it. You are precious."