Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches, looking up at him.

[Tethras Clan]

"I do not know Varric nearly as well as you do, but it is very clear he does not have even the vaguest concept of 'too much' or 'too costly' in regards to his family," the orphan says kindly. "He would sell his very blood to see you healed as well as mortals can be."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene glances down. "I know," they whisper. "But..."

[Tethras Clan]

"But you feel guilty about accepting that help?"

[Helene Dakesh]

They nod. "His focus should be on his children. This one has demanded enough."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran hesitates a moment before deciding to go for it. "I do not know the... specifics of the relationship between you and he, but it is clear it is a very close one. Perhaps you should discuss this concern with him? See if he is concerned about his time, energy and funds?" He had best be so willing, if he is able to help strangers, irrespective of how poor off they are.

[Helene Dakesh]

"He would say, he would do it. He would say, his time and energy and funds are not worth as much as my comfort. But this one disagrees."

[Tethras Clan]

"Shouldn't he be allowed to offer? You can turn it down, of course, once he does so, but..." Zevran shrugs a little. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Varric is... not good at accepting no, this one believes."

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh?" Zevran asks neutrally.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shrugs a shoulder. "Varric is very wise and learned. So much so that he is used to thinking of his way as the correct way. He struggles to accept the plans of others, or their values. He tries, but he struggles."

[Tethras Clan]

"That is a failing not unique to him," the merikos 'elf' allows, relaxing again."It is particularly difficult for someone to get past that sort of pride when they are actually that intelligent, I would imagine. When someone works, it is harder to realize the flaws."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Intelligence is..." They chew their lower lip. "The gleaming jewel on the scepter of mortality. But this one often acts irrationally and... this one does not feel confident this one would win an argument if it came to it. So, this one does not mention the ritual."

[Tethras Clan]

"So very Alydrean of you," Zevran says with a merry laugh. "It is mostly the expense that worries you, no? Him taking coin away from supporting his children?" Which is, I think, one of those irrational moments, given the resources he must have available to be a Holder Light. But that does not make it any less of a concern, to you.

[Helene Dakesh]

"That and the effort. And... the worry. The emotional toil doing such a thing would cost, given the recent history."