Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"Ah." Helene nods. "Only the most... detrimental portions of the ritual this one mentioned before were reversed. The body shaping this one underwent is still in place. This one's drive for mating activities has been drastically reduced, commiserate with this one's body becoming more akin to that of a Tulwath. After the conversation we had previously, this one chose to forego the mental component of this, leaving this one capable of becoming aroused, but strongly resistant to such effects. This was not ideal, but was far less risky, given the severity of the mental changes this one underwent."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran makes a soft whining noise, almost like a puppy that's had a toy taken away. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene twists to look at him, frowning. "...is something amiss?"

[Tethras Clan]

"You... neutered yourself," he explains with a pained expression. "Your body, your choice, it is just..." Zevran casts about for a few seconds. "Ah, perhaps... to me, that is like... Imagine what your reaction would be if I said that it was... inconvenient, distracting, to be thinking all the time so I made myself dumber in order to simplify my life."

[Helene Dakesh]

They still, expression going blank, breath catching in their throat.

[Tethras Clan]

"Again, your choice. It just..." Zevran trails off helplessly. "Desire is important to me."

[Helene Dakesh]

Still Helene does not respond, does not move. After a moment, at least, their body remembers to breathe -- and with that, the stillness breaks, and they begin to rock back and forth, letting out a low moan. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene?" Zevran asks with great concern, tentatively reaching out, not to stop them from moving, but to stroke their hair again.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene continues rocking, hands twitching in their lap. Say something. Explain. but the words catch in their throat. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Shhh," Zevran says, continuing to stroke Helene's hair and gently rock along with them. "It's okay. You are safe. I am not angry with you." He continues to sooth and pet them, patiently waiting out their... fit, for at least a half hour if that's what it takes.

[Helene Dakesh]

Eventually, released from the pressure to speak, Helene slumps against Zevran's chest, tears dampening his shirt. "This one nearly died," they whisper, shuddering, clutching at him, needing to be close.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran is very much willing to cuddle, curling himself around them. "But you did not. You are here. You are safe."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one had nothing. This one was alone. This one would have drowned, and again, Alydra reached out to this one." The words seem to comfort Helene, at least a little. "This one was redeemed. This one is whole again."

[Tethras Clan]

"...I suppose Varric could be considered the hand of Alydra," he says slowly, a touch confused.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one means, when Varric was gone. This one nearly drowned."