Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"And if the person is question knows better? Believes, deeply, devoutly, in the right of all beings to know pleasure? What if you found someone that can look at you and see the beauty of your mind, your soul? What if I can desire not a child but Helene, in whatever form that takes?" Zevran asks huskily, his face a scant inch from the Seeker's, having slowly leaned in as he spoke without them realizing until he was just there.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene doesn't -- can't -- answer. Their breath catches in their throat, their face flushed with desire, trapped, pierced by his eyes. They swallow, unable to tear their gaze away, heart pounding in their chest. 

[Tethras Clan]

"May I kiss you, mon ami?" he whispers.

[Helene Dakesh]

Still the words won't come -- but they nod, ever so slightly. 

[Tethras Clan]

It being abundantly clear that Helene has no experience with sex of any kind, Zevran goes slowly. Both to avoid scaring them and to ensure that the kiss is... satisfying. After a few moments, nearly a minute, he pulls back.

[Helene Dakesh]

They make a small mewling noise, deep in the back of their throat, reaching just a little bit toward him before they catch themself, lowering their gaze. That was.... There aren't words to describe the pure, blissful sensation. They close their eyes, trying to recapture every moment, hold fast to the memory and lock it up safely where it can never leave them. 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran studies their face for a moment, twin glows of pride and pleasure warming his heart. Leaning in again, he whispers auran in their ear, careful to just brush against their skin with his lips. "That was just... prologue, dear Seeker. It gets better from there."

[Helene Dakesh]

The next day, Helene turns up at the appointed time, with small dark circles under their eyes, as they clearly have not slept. Today is a working day for Beth, and Carver's signed up for guard duty, promising to be less protective if they'll just give him another chance. Maybe he means it; maybe he is just keen to be near the very attractive pair of twins that recently joined the Shiny Cat, both of them delicate and girlish like Andy was, and one of them a tiefling on top of that.

Regardless, the effect is the same: Helene and Varric have his house to themself for the day. Helene arrives promptly on time, knocking sharply on the door. "This is not to be opened before Terraday," they insist, firmly, three times, before they'll relinquish the sealed envelope they carry. "This one has had a vision from Alydra. It is of the utmost importance."

Varric's promise secured, they slip off into his baths, bathing and purifying themself and offering a final prayer before they don the ceremonial white robe and enter the ritual space.

As they disrobe, their back to Varric, they say quietly, "Ho--- Varric?" It's a rare instance when they are able to address him without an honorific -- and doubly rare for them to sound so small, so frightened.

[Varric]

Something about all this isn't right (and not just the weird factor of some of the things Helene insisted on being part of this ritual). They're... nervous. Deeply nervous. That comment about a vision might explain it (but it feels more personal than some big disaster or whatnot). Beth's slip this morning isn't helping ('enjoy your dat-ay with Helene!'). They don't see me that way. They know about my... condition. They wouldn't be that... irrational. Right?

"Yeah Seeker?" he replies just as quietly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has... consulted with Alydra. This one is nearly certain of the outcome. And yet... and yet... If something goes wrong... If the ritual..."

They take a deep breath, swallowing hard. "I want you to know that I.. you have been a very dear friend to me, and I..."

[Varric]

Damnit Beth!

"If that happens, it won't be for long," Varric says firmly, unable to say anything that reeks of goodbye. "Ain't nothing that can't be undone or mended if you care enough to work at it. Just need to figure out the how."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, wiping away mist from their eyes. "I know. If anything goes wrong, I would trust nobody more than you to fix it. And... and I do have faith that... whatever happens is Alydra's bidding, now. Their work, their vision, is sometimes not what I would have chosen, but it is always, ultimately, in service of a better world. So... so I will try not to be afraid. But I am... I am small, and weak, sometimes. And so... and so... just in case... I... I have never had a better friend or confidant than you, Varric Tethras. Should the worst happen, you will not be forgotten." 

They bow then, deeply, a few tears dripping onto the basement floor. 

[Varric]

"Okay, no, robe back on, we need to- to do... sentimental stuff first and you need clothes for that," the dwarf says in what is very possibly the most awkwardly, uncomfortably sweet voice the Seeker has ever heard. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene sniffles, nodding as they pull their robe back on and tie it firmly. 

[Varric]

Gods, what is my life? I was a crusty, gruff and yet outwardly charming businessman with a social life that ended at the threshold of my favorite tavern. And now this? Gods. Still awkward, still fumbling, Varric turns around and moves to hug the Seeker. "It- it'll be fine. This ritual has some risk, sure, they all do, but it's heaps safer than the other one you mentioned. We got this. It'll be fine and- and we can finish up that genealogy project next weekend. Make an event of it even."