The Silver Queen [AU]

[Isabela]

"It still boggles my mind that there's a woman with better hips than mine," she teases. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Better is a relative thing," Zevran says smoothly. "Hers are divine- hah- but I can't reach around her to diddle while fucking."

[Isabela]

"Now this is very true. And a very good point."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran laughs softly, then presses a gentle kiss to Isabela's temple. "I love you, ma'bela," he murmurs.

[Isabela]

"I love you too, Zevran."

[Tethras Clan]

Sometime that afternoon, while Isabela is occupying her mind being all Captainlike, Zevran slips off to find Helene. Need to give them a big hug and a deep kiss for the daring rescue. Then to business, alas.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, deep in a book, is startled by his entrance, though they seem pleased to see him as they brighten up. "Ah! Zevvy. Welcome."

[Tethras Clan]

"Mon bon sage," he purrs, kneeling so he can wrap them in a hug. And then kiss them, just as they like it most.

[Helene Dakesh]

They slide from their chair at the square, wooden table they like best, facilitating his hug and kiss to the cheek. "This one hopes Zevran is well? This one was concerned at the condition this one found Zevran and Hawke in."

Having never really met Marian, Helene has been the one who has taken the most to calling Carver by his "adventurer name", Hawke.

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran, long practiced at hiding his pain, doesn't reveal a flicker of the heartache that name brings forth. "I am... recovering. And I should have said this before, distracted or not, but thank you. Your timing yesterday was... nearly as brilliant as you yourself."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flushes a slightly darker blue. "This one asked this one's self what Isabela would do, and this one did so. This one is learning bravery, to the best of this one's ability. This one did not want.... This one wished to rescue Isabela before further harm could be done."

[Tethras Clan]

"...yeah. But we did save. And... it'll scar I'm sure, but she'll heal," he says softly, needing to hear the words out loud.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is very pleased to hear this," Helene agrees. 

[Tethras Clan]

He just holds them for a moment, then sighs. "Have you.. .spoken with our guest yet? Guests I should say."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one's first priority was Isabela." They pull back, then, reaching to bookmark and close the book they were reading: a dry Bastionite tome about trauma and the reactions mortals have to traumatic events.