Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene doesn't come down for breakfast the next morning. It's hit-or-miss with the Seeker; they like spending time with the family but also enjoy a period of quiet contemplation in the morning, so they often miss breakfast so they can spend time communing with Alydra. 

Today, when he comes to them, after seeing the twins off to their lessons, they are stretched out on the floor of their room with the door open, sketching feathers into a falcon wheeling through the sky, the bird's shadow falling on a cliff of solid rock. 

[Varric]

"...Alydra can be a bit..." Words fail the dwarf for a moment. "On the nose? Pushy? Combined with late on the mark and a touch vague."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene doesn't look up. "This one does not believe this dream was from Alydra," they say, quietly. "May this one ask personal questions?"

[Varric]

"...ah. Yeah, go for it," Varric murmurs.

[Helene Dakesh]

They sketch in the banding on a feather, then ask, "Who is Marian Hawke? This one has suspicions but..."

[Varric]

"...the twins' older sister," Varric replies slowly. "Why do you ask?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"The one that was said to have been deceased?" they ask, carefully. "This one will not pry. But this one understands more than many suspect. This one would like to offer assistance."

[Varric]

The dwarf smiles faintly. "That's why I stopped by this morning actually. Need to... gods." That last word blows in out a rush of air. His eyes close and he sags against the closed door.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene jumps to their feet, then, moving toward him. "Are you alright?" Their urgency seems to override their typical formality. 

[Varric]

"Just... too many thoughts, too much- gods, she's alive Helene. She- she's so damn hurt but she's-" He remains against the door, bent over slightly, breathing raggedly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"You didn't know," says Helene suddenly. "Ah. This makes a difference. This one... how can I help?"

[Varric]

"What?" Varric stares at Helene, confused. "Know about what?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"You did not know Marian Hawke was alive. This was not a secret you were keeping, this was a revelation to you as well." Helene nods. "This one was unsure."

[Varric]

"I would ne-" 'I can't let the Twins see me like this.'  Varric takes a slow breath. "I couldn't do that to the twins. Or Marian. Not for... She doesn't want them to know about her. She's ashamed about... what was done to her. Hiding behind masks. It's... It's bad. God. She's- she doesn't think she can come back to us. Only agreed to stay if the twin don't know."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods slowly. "Understood. Is she seeking entrance to Summerhill?"