Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran glances at his fingers, distracted and puzzled.

[GamesMaster]

"Really?" asks the lady of the house. "What a romantic development! My Harrod found me on a diplomatic mission to my <e>village," she adds, using the Elven term that implies it was reclusive and not particularly fond of outsiders. "He won the trading contract and my heart all at once."

[Varric]

Noticing that Zevran seems to be distracted by something, Varric continues, "yes. Helene has been my most trusted advisor and confidant for some time, so it seemed rather... fitting."

[GamesMaster]

"Good help is so hard to find," she agrees. "I had to fire a guard just last week -- he was staring too long at my lovely daughter. It's been so difficult to find appropriate suitors after she was nearly widowed, but we shall cope. I am certain her prince charming is right around the corner."

[Tethras Clan]

Trying to be subtle, Zevran flexes his fingers to try and... touch that veil he's noticed earlier.

[Varric]

Varric frowns slightly. "I've too often noticed that Prince Charmings grow up to be King Useless. I'd much rather find a partner that can match strength to weakness and more."

[GamesMaster]

The veil comes readily to his fingers; as he very gently tugs, the others seem to notice him less and less, Coquette's glance turning to Helene instead. 

As he tugs it over his eyes, however, things change: 

Melindre and Coquette are no longer sitting close together at all. There's a foot of distance between them on the loveseat; Melindre sits up perfectly straight, an aura of power and control radiating from her, easily a foot taller than her daughter. Her face is impassive, eyes slightly narrowed with displeasure, and she stands out in the dim room, a bright light surrounding her. 

Coquette, leaning faintly away from her mother, has her head down, shoulders hunched with shame. She is... well, to put it bluntly, she appears to be well on her way to starving to death. Her face is gaunt, her arms thin, her hands shaking just a bit as she stitches. Her dress is black, clearly a mourning gown rather than a day dress, and it fairly hangs off her in places despite her corseting. 

Behind her, where there should be a wall but is only darkness, he can see a figure, standing, watching. A silver mask obscures his face, and black clothing blends in so well with the darkness it's hard to make out his form, but this, he can tell by the feel, is the watcher in the darkness.

Around him, he can hear Melindre and Varric continue to speak, as though in another room, as Melindre says, "--diet should clear that up. After all, she has a tendency to put on weight she inherited from her father. It is likely to be a lifelong struggle."

[Tethras Clan]

Sweet and Musky Cock. What is going on here? "Ah... yes, that is something that- What I mean to say is that one must taken into account one's nature when attempting to achieve a desirable form. After all, while you are an exemplar of elven beauty, you would not met human standards. Nor dwarven or... gnome for instance. On the whole, most races like some curves in their feminine beauty."

[GamesMaster]

Melindra gives a small laugh -- and to his vision, turns her scowl on him. "Perhaps in Nyra. In Glaley, I was crowned Beauty of the Decade three times."

[Tethras Clan]

Yes, and your husband's wealth, power and reputation had naught to do with it... "Hmmm. Understandable so, and yet would it not be better to have your daughter, your legacy achieve her own triumph instead of merely imitating yours?" The fuck is going on here? And who's the Dark Voyeur over there?

[GamesMaster]

"But of course. She has no interest in such contests -- but after her fiancee's unfortunate passing, we have had such struggles."

"You can hardly blame them, mother. They say I am cursed." Coquette's voice is almost playful, but to Zevran's eye she hunches further, clearly mortified to be in the spotlight.

[Tethras Clan]

"Such a shame," Zevran says kindly, eyes soft. "It is... hard, to lose a loved one." Casting a fond look at Isabela, the faux tiefling continues, "Ma'bela and I were separated for almost half a decade until chance- and loyalty, dedication and skill- reunited us."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Coquette stiffens in fear, though Melindre barely notices as she continues: "Yes, Lord Olocaryn and my daughter were practically made for each other -- just like my Harrod and I."

Behind her, the masked figure advances, lifting a silver rapier -- one he may have seen before.

[Tethras Clan]

But that doesn't seem to be the case here. "Still, where there is life, there is hope, no? One day Coquette will find love. Perhaps even a better, kinder love." From what I'm seeing, it wouldn't be hard.

[GamesMaster]

It's bizarre: he simultaneously hears Melindre from the next room over saying "I certainly hope so" while Coquette, quite nearby, mumbles, "Kinder? Richer."

Even his own voice didn't sound so near as she does; the muting effect of the darkness seems overridden. Melindre doesn't react, doesn't seem to have heard at all.