Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"I... caught some of that. Ah, Seeker Helene. Enthusiastic doesn't require a certain level of energy or the like, it's merely a way of indicating that the person giving consent wants to consent. For instance, if someone reluctantly says yes because their partner has been badgering them for weeks to do a certain act, then it's not enthusiastic. Or if the person only consents because they're worried about the results of saying no. The reluctant virgin thing is bullshit, a way of making the aggressor in the literature seem more powerful and commanding at the cost of diminishing the virgin." Zevran shakes his head. "Inexperienced or not, a person should be freely entering into such acts, not being coaxed. Helping something past nerves or explaining fears or uncertainties is fine, just do not go too far."

"I missed a few of them but there was one about financial transactions at the end there. That is, admittedly, a shade more complicated. Consent must still be given and can be revoked- a whore is just as free to break a bargain as any other merchant. There is a reason why most contracts have penalties and such built into them. So yes, the whore is obligated to give a full refund if they cry off- presuming that the client did not break the contract themselves, in which case they can piss right the fuck off without their coin."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, furiously scribbling. "Understood. How does one revoke consent?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Say no. Or stop. Wait. Hold on. Get off me." He shrug. "No set phrase if that's what you're asking."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's pencil scratches -- are they noting down all those terms in a bulleted list? "Understood."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran grins a little, amused and somewhat delighted at the sheer... earnestness the child has for learning. Wait, she said 'Seeker Helene' and she's wearing the right robes and symbol... perhaps she is simply very youthful looking for her age? "I think you had more questions but first, anyone else?"

"What about being married? Isn't that consent?"

"To be married, yes! For sex, no. It does give... hmmm, ease of access to asking, yes. It can serve as a shortcut, if you will, to sex acts, as presumably you consenting to marry a person means you like them and thus will be more willing to consent to sex but such is not a given. Arranged marriages, people changing after the vows, having a bad day, simply not feeling up for it... any, all and more can mean you do not consent to a given act at a given time."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene continues taking notes through this and several other questions, clearly fascinated by the topic. As the lecture winds down, they stand, looking around for Beth, to see if she also stayed for the lecture.

[Tethras Clan]

It does not seem so- she'd been there for part of it, but evidently couldn't hang around for the whole thing. However... "Seeker Helene, was it not?" the lecturer asks, leaning against the back of a chair next to Helene.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Ah, yes, forgive me," they say, turning back to him with a bow. "This one is Seeker Helene who was Dakesh, oracle and seer of Alydra."

[Tethras Clan]

"I like the blue. Very pretty, though not as pretty as your eyes. What brings you to Shiny Cat?" he asks with a grin.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one had business with Bethany Tethras," they admit. "This one has been informed that this one is welcome at any establishment owned by Varric Tethras, though this one has little use for such an establishment."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran chuckles. "Very nicely done! A subtle boast is much more impactful than a blustering one and yours also managed to avoid insult as well."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks at him, clearly puzzled. "Th--this one meant no offense," they begin carefully. "This one very much enjoyed the lecture," they add, more enthusiastically. This, it seems, is familiar territory.

[Tethras Clan]

"You gave none, I assure you," he says gently. "And I am glad you enjoyed my little impromptu lesson. It just... sort of happens every once in a while. Someone asks a question or for my opinion and... things build rapidly from there."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one would be interested in learning more," they say. "Have you considered speaking at the Temple?"

[Tethras Clan]

"...Temple?" Zevran asks, a bit taken aback.