Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's stomach twists, and they turn to glance yet again at Kevin. "Yes," they agree, their voice soft. "A pity they did not send him before he descended quite so far into madness."

[NPCs]

"Mmmh. People can be fools about love. Makes you get stubborn about things." Mister Graves shrugs. "Why the interest in Dream-taken? Bit of strange focus for a little girl."

[Helene Dakesh]

"No reason," says Helene, voice very soft indeed. "No reason at all. Merely interest."

[NPCs]

He narrows his eyes a little. "...where are your parents?" he asks abruptly, looking around. "Well, guardians rather, given your race."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I have none," they whisper, looking down, ashamed. "I am adult. I am a Seeker, but I am cursed."

[NPCs]

"Cursed?" Graves repeats the word, taking a half step back. "And what are you doing in here anyhow? Up to something?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches. "My-- My Husband, I--"

[NPCs]

"Husband?" Mister Graves nem a careful look. "Works here does he? And are you supposed to be traipsing around this place? You seem... rather uncomfortable. Almost guilty."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "N-no, I, I am waiting for my stepdaughter, I..."

They glance at the restroom, swallowing hard.

[NPCs]

"...right. And who is-" Moving suddenly, he snaps his fingers a half foot from Helene's right ear.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene jumps back, hands fluttering with distress, letting out a low, nearly inhuman whine of distress.

[NPCs]

"Ha! Just an interest, eh?" Mister Graves clicks his tongue. "I think perhaps... Ravis, over here. Girl's Dream-Taken as well, best we get her put safe until we find her guardians." Grunting, the last of the three men comes over, already uncoiling his own cord. "Now miss, don't you fret. We'll take good care of you until  we find your family. Cook's making a nice custard for after dinners, and you can have a extra spoonful if you behave."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a step back, then another, eyes wide, breath speeding up in pure terror. "N-no, I, I am a Seeker, I--"

But are you? part of her asks, relentlessly, mercilessly. If you were anyone important, wouldn't they have recognized you? Are you certain your family, your husband, isn't a delusion? Who would want to wed a child? Who would view a child as a parent?

[NPCs]

"Shhhh, shhhh," Mister Graves says gently. "It's okay. We'll keep you nice and safe, little miss. Don't you worry none, alright? Maybe a nice tonic yeah?" Ravi grunts, reaching out to grab Helene's hand in one of his own, nearly thrice the size of nir tiny blue one.

[Helene Dakesh]

"No, no, no, no, no" whimpers Helene, shaking nir head. "No, no, no..."