Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene bows their head. "Understood."

[Tethras Clan]

"Do you?" Zevran asks gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one should do more research," they say quietly, their voice sounding defeated. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Mmmh, that was some of my meaning, yes. But also that I worry about you. For your sake, because your existence, your happiness and wellbeing are important to me," Zevran says softly. "And that I have faith in your ability to find a way to help yourself."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods again, wiping tears from their eyes. "Thank you," they whisper. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Of course," he says softly, leaning down to kiss them gently, softly, sweetly on the lips.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene kisses him back, but pulls away rapidly. "We can't," they whisper. "I can't, anymore."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran smiles faintly. "I think we just proved that you certainly can," he points out gently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"I can't. There's no-- there's nothing there." They bite their lip, looking a touch... regretful.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran clucks his tongue. "My dear Helene, you make a common mistake with that sentiment- that the point of sex is completion, climax. Sex is passion. Shared joy, shared pleasure, shared intimacy and emotion. Done properly, sex can be satisfying without undressing, without even touching."

[Helene Dakesh]

There's a pause, a long silence. Then, finally, in a meek voice, Helene asks, "Show me?"

[Tethras Clan]

"As you wish, my Seeker," Zevran breathes out, leaning back down for another kiss.

And then another.

The following evening is Zevran's night off, technically, but he's gotten into the habit of giving free lectures in the main lobby of Shiny Cat instead. For a few hours each night, anyway, as he does enjoy spending time in private with Isabela. This week's topic is... rather heavy, much more so than most of his lecture, which trend towards sex tips interlaced with consent ethics and the occasional motivational speech about finding your passion. 

Advice from an Ex-Pleasure Slave on Recovering from Sexual Assault.

The crowd is hesitant, nervous, even scared. A lot of the people that are interested in this lecture are here because it applies to them personally. Or to a loved one. Or both. Knowing this, Zevran arranged to have the room a touch brighter on the edges but also a touch dimmer on the seats, giving the audience both the ability to see what's around them while still being able to feel just a little hidden. He'd arranged for scented candles and weak wine. He gives the lecture sitting cross legged on a bench, putting him lower than the listeners without hiding himself. He speaks softly but clearly, making eye contact with those that do not shy from his own gaze. 

He wears only his pants, letting his tattoos and scars show.

[Marian Hawke]

It doesn't matter what disguise she wears -- Hawke feels raw, exposed, as though her tattoos and scars are on display, as though she's naked. She disguises herself as a merikos elven man, with a shock of short white hair and dusky skin, but it doesn't matter, can't matter. The more Zevran speaks, the more afraid she becomes, the more exposed she feels. 

She barely notices when the lecture ends, when the others file away. She's long since slipped from her seat to the floor, huddling there, listening, eyes glazed over. She hugs her knees, shivering, head bowed, still deep in some nightmare place, still thinking over what was said.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran waves off one of the priests he'd asked to attend as well- Bastionites and Cirenites, all trained to help people with this sort of trauma. For one, he can only help one or two at a time and he expected a crowd, many of them hurting. For two, trained or not, hearing this sort of thing is helpful. Hells, perhaps especially for someone trained. It is all too easy to lose sight of the person you are helping and focus on your lessons. Approaching the silver-haired male, he takes a knee just out of easy arm's reach (for an untrained person anyway). "Hello," he says softly.

[Marian Hawke]

Her breath catches in her throat, and for a moment she's about to scream -- but her eyes focus just enough to arrest the instinct. That's Zevran. He's Zevran. He's safe. That's safe. You're safe.

Instead she lets out a small, mewling whimper.