Zevran's Gift

[Tethras Clan]

"Also very valid choices," Zevran says agrees with a grin. "But alas, I was leading up to something. You see... Isabela traveled a great deal and was... well, she's Clan. So of course she wasn't just a pirate. And..." He sighs. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling. She freed a slave from the metal chains on his wrists, but she could not break the ones he clings to in his mind."

[GamesMaster]

"Aaaah," says Anders slowly. Not a date. Damn. Maybe I should visit Voice before I leave town, if I'm this hard up.

"Well, I can see why you're concerned. Captivity can--"

He breaks off, closing his eyes for just a moment. Just long enough. Then he catches his breath, returning to the sentence in progress: "Captivity can certainly do some damage to someone's mind. But thankfully, there are things that can be done. So far, I have yet to meet a patient who could not be helped at least a little by the techniques we have developed at Summerhill."

[Tethras Clan]

"There- really? You're sure? I... He... he will require a very delicate touch," Zevran says softly, studying his plate. 

[GamesMaster]

"Tell me about him. You've had some experience with the subject -- what's he like, in your opinion?"

[Tethras Clan]

"He... he is one of the worst I have ever seen," Zevran admits. "Second generation slave, at least. Believes himself not just... deserving but born for it. He craves orders, masters. If no given these thing, he will insist, even... assign himself. He's actually rather clever about it, unfortunately. Very passive, except in his insistence that he wants, needs, to be enslaved. In addition, he's beautiful and skilled- he's a dancer. Ballet, pole-dancing and ballroom dances in particular. He has some courtesan training- healing, court etiquette and graces. And he is.... had some training to enhance his appeal in one-on-one encounters."

[GamesMaster]

Anders nods slowly. Beautiful, huh? Why is it always the beautiful ones that are the most damaged? "I see. Hmm.... I may need to undertake a Delve, if the belief is that firmly held. We may have to challenge it at the source. But that might be difficult, in one so passive..."

[Tethras Clan]

That gets a slight quirk of lips, an almost smile. "Hawke suggested much the same. I would be happy to assist in that of course. Isabela as well, I suspect. Perhaps Aveline and so Beka." He hesitates. "Perhaps Merrill, if only on the outside, acting as healer and supervisor."

[GamesMaster]

But Anders is already shaking his head. "No, that won't do. None of us can go, I'm afraid, not if he's as fragile as you imply. There is... We have discovered that it is too easy to damage a mind during a delve if enough strong-willed people impose themselves into a more fragile mind. The orderlies at Summerhill are usually sufficient for most adults, but the occasional child or other young person is overburdened. To have adventurers such as yourself or Captain Vallen, I suspect would damage him just by entering."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran stares at Anders for a long moment, then curses softly. "I see. How... will you be able to- if you met and talk with him a bit, can you... determine how... robust his mindscape place will be? I would... I would prefer to keep this 'in-house' if possible but needs must."

[GamesMaster]

Anders nods. "It's not an exact science, but a brief interview will be instructive I think. And you will be able to sit with me and watch what happens -- there is a technique involving a specially prepared mirror."

[Tethras Clan]

"Would.... how dangerous is a Delve of this nature? I've only been part of ones that were... against possessive influences, not mental conditioning," Zevran asks, a sudden thought occuring to him.

[GamesMaster]

"Mental conditioning is much safer," he agrees. "The biggest risk is that the participants will absorb some of the negative messaging -- it can seem... very real, inside the patient's mindscape. You'll want to select people not prone to believing the same negative beliefs. The second biggest risk is that they will do something to turn the patient against them, but your complaint is that he is too passive and accepting, so it is unlikely this will occur. I will be able to end the delve prematurely if need be, though the effect is not instant." 

[Tethras Clan]

"I see... I assigned one of my girls, Phoebe, to be his... mentor, I suppose. She's a dancer as well, I was hoping to see if I could get him performing on stage so he feels like he's... contributing without sex. They seem to be getting along well and I thought- well, friendly feelings and a mutual bond is helpful in regular therapy, would...?"

[GamesMaster]

Anders nods. "Yes, the more positively he sees the person, the less hostile his inner mind will be toward them."

[Tethras Clan]

"I can ask around at Voice then, see if anyone else would be... willing to assist." Zevran takes a deep breath, then offers a warm, charming smile. "Now. That is settled, for the moment, so let us enjoy our repast, no?"