Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric quirks an eyebrow. "What, you think the other Lights didn't try a scry or two? Anders was blocking pretty well. Though... if you don't mind saying, where were you? No-one at the temple had a clue."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one retreated to one of this one's safehouses in order to compile new data," they say. "Oh, but just before this one left, this one ascertained the spouse and immediate descendants of Hope Goldclaw. Unfortunately, Adeline Goldclaw had no direct descendents. This one understands that many of the descendants of catfolk take on different names, so there is still hope, but the discovery will be more difficult."

[Varric]

Varric purses his lips, thinking. "How... accessible is the catfolk community to you?" he asks slowly. "Had much if any contact with them?"

[Helene Dakesh]

They shake their head. "We are neighbors, but not particularly friendly ones."

[Varric]

"You should talk with Beth, see if..." No, wouldn't be right to suggest it straight. "She might have some advice on how to approach them."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, thoughtfully. "This one should ask, yes. This one is afraid this one may have unintentionally given some offense."

[Varric]

"To Beth or the cat?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"To the catfolk. Many of them have responded to my greetings in a decidedly negative fashion."

[Varric]

"They can be a bit touchy about outsiders," Varric agrees with a faint smile. "Can't really blame'm mind you, they get a lot of... trouble from people."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene frowns. "This one has not given them trouble, unless it was entirely unintentional."

[Varric]

"I don't expect you have. But after getting trouble from forty-nine people, they've started assuming the fifth person would be just the same, even if they aren't," Varric replies with a shrugs. "Anyway. Is there a way or place I can reach you incase something like this happens again?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Ah, this one... this one does not..." They blush faintly. "You would not be able to reach this one's hideout easily."

[Varric]

"...that's your embarrassed face, not your logistical concern face."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Th-this one-- this one lives... This one's hideout is not in a place that is, ah, generally considered safe to live in." A pause. "Or legal," they add, wincing. 

[Varric]

"Ah, got yourself a safe-house. Good going," Varric says with an approving nod.