Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is attempting not to intrude," they say, gingerly. "Is this one being strange? This one is still unused to their new form in some ways."

[Varric]

"What? No, it's just- 'sufficient' made it sound like you were trying to find the minimum possible, because it was uncomfortable to you," Varric explains, not touching the bit about 'their new form' right now.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one... this one earnestly wishes to aid Varric Tethras. This situation is difficult and this one understands that Varric has few friends to rely on. This one wishes very much to be reliable in that way. But this one is terrible at social protocol. This one tries, but this one struggles. This one is more useful in a practical sense, with the devising of a plan of action to aid in the recovery of Marian Hawke, but Marian Hawke clearly does not wish to be aided in this manner, and so, this one struggles with autonomy and consent as well as social protocol. This one would very much desire that Marian Hawke change her mind, as this one wishes only happiness for Varric Tethras."

[Varric]

Lot of words to say you wish you could help but don't see a way other than offering a hug (thank you). "Yeah, this... this isn't easy. Or simple. It's... hard to know where the line is, what the right thing is. Especially when it's like this, where the person could be considered unfit to decide for themselves." He rubs at his face tiredly. "Just... just being able to talk it out helped. And so does this."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one is doubly unsure what to..." They pause, fidgeting a little, before starting again. "I was well enough to know I needed treatment. But you did not seem to agree with my need to be treated. However, when I performed a ritual I believed I needed, it went very poorly. So.. so I do not know what to do. I believe the right thing to do may be to subdue her and force her to obtain treatment, but... Zevran speaks of consent and bodily autonomy and that course of action would violate both. And yet... and yet... untreated... the conditions she spoke of are quite difficult to successfully manage alone. So..."

[Varric]

"Yeah. It's clear where the line is for.... forcing stuff on people when they're clear thinking. Pretty much boils down to 'don't.' But when they're hurting that bad, their minds a mess of scars, pain and fear... I... I'm kind of feeling my way slow, trying to do what I think Marian- the Marian I knew from before- would want me to do."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one would always want Varric to help. Even if this one could not consent. Even if that help was simply an ending. This one would want to be freed."

[Varric]

"Agreed. Both in that I accept your request and echo it," Varric replies. "I would rather be blind, crippled and mute than lose my ability to think properly."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Agreed," they say with a small shudder. After a deep breath, they continue: "This one has not made much time for Zevran of late. This one can go to the Shiny Cat and seek confirmation and further detail."

[Varric]

"That would be a kindness, thank you," Varric agrees. "Don't... hmm. Don't mention anything about Marian. For now at least, I'd like that to stay between us."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene frowns. "Oh, speak only of an anonymous half-elf? This one shall keep the name a secret." 

They finally pull away from his shoulders, slipping to their feet. "This one hopes that you will feel better soon. This one shall pray for Alydra to guide her to the correct decisions while this one is out. Perhaps Alydra will listen."

[Varric]

"Thank you. This... this helped," Varric admits softly. Good to have personal confirmation about all the advice (well, part of it, I gives a lot of advice) I've given the twins this last year (not really) I guess. "But yeah, just use the 'Liz' name, pretend we don't know what the true name behind the aliases are." Hate doing that, but... for now. What else can I (we) do?"

[NPCs]

When Helene arrives at Shiny Cat, it's to find out that Zevran is currently working and the whore currently playing Madame not especially cooperative in passing on a message that Helene wants to talk. "He's on shift. You want his time, you spend gold for it. Five for twenty or ten for an hour. No discounts, don't care who you are."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene bows. "Of course. Is this sufficient?" They offer twenty gold, the coins cupped in both hands. 

[NPCs]

"Of course young miss," the madame says, suddenly polite and friendly. "Please, come this way and Zevran will ensure you cum every way," she adds, scooping up the coin and leading them towards the stairs.