Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"...okay," says Carver, clearly unnerved, when Helene doesn't continue. "So where did the-- I mean, ne, get the idea that we were moving from? I'm sure nem's statement includes why ne's leaving, probably, but..."

[Tethras Clan]

Merril grins at her Tuiste as she wheels over next to nem. "Dad's letters?" she asks in a low voice.

[Varric]

"I have no sodding clue. Earlier this month, Clan Dunswithe- they're the patron Clan of Clan Tethras. Well, the Orzammar members of Clan Tethras, which I cut ties with over fifty years ago. Anyway, they sent An Aideasant, a high ranking agent, named Braigen Dunswithe to push the issue. Canny shite really. A bit... off, and very hidebound, but skilled, stubborn and well versed in both Nyrian and Orzammar laws, regulations, traditions and-mother fuck he's Possessed. How the fuck did I miss that?" Growling, he starts to stalk across the room, remaining hand twisting and strumming at his leg as he mutters to himself in messy stream of languages. Everything that his kids actually recognize of it is... impolite.

[Helene Dakesh]

The cussing seems to startle Helene, or maybe the implications; they cringe back, rocking speeding up, looking down at their lap where their hands are doing a complicated dance of twisting fingers. After a moment, the hands suddenly still, though they can't manage to stop the rocking entirely. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks back and forth between father and tuiste, uncertain how to help. "...should I read Helene's now?" he asks, after a moment. "I feel like it might help."

[Varric]

Turning at one point, Varric catches sight of Helene and freezes himself. "...Helene.. I... Sorry," he says, voice low and soft. "No more shouting, promise." He takes a single step towards nem, then stills again save for a slight tremble in his left hand.

[Tethras Clan]

"Tuiste, would you like a tonic or a spell?"Merrill whispers. "Or a hug or... I could brush your hair?

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes nir head, jerkily, managing finally to still the rocking at the cost of nir guts twisting inside nemself. Ne isn't sure why -- ne is certain the tonic is safe, the spells are useful -- only, only, ne doesn't want to be a bother, doesn't want to be like Kevin, wants to be a member of the family. Poison, a part of ne whispers to nemself. You can't stay. You can't let them try to help you. You need professional help.

[Varric]

"Helene.. please don't... do that to yourself," Varric pleads, forcing himself not to still the his left hand. Dexterity restored, it doesn't make a sound as he taps away at his leg. Each finger stops just as it brushes the fabric, soothing both the need to emote and his desire for precision and control. "It's hurtful, bottling... that."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes nir head, in a jerky motion, but is silent, is still. A slightly determined look comes into nir eyes, as ne looks out at the wall opposite.

[Carver Amell]

Carver frowns, not liking the look on Helene's face. 

"Yeah, let me just... I think we need to focus on Helene for a bit."

He reaches for the sketchpad, making sure Helene sees his hand before he gets there, and lifts it, clearing his throat.

"The evening of the ball, this one was given a gift by Braigen Dunswithe, a volume of lore about Orzammar culture and history. This one had been considering a change in pronouns after a discussion with Sage zi'Smith, though this one later rejected said decision -- oh, you don't want to be a ne anymore? Are you back to 'they', then?" He peers at Helene, getting no answer, and then looks down once more, feeling foolish as he continues: "and has chosen to continue using 'they' for the time being. That evening, this one spent time in the temple studying and praying; when this one returned to the house, Varric was gone or had not come. Dunswithe returned later in the morning to get tea, and informed this one that arrangements had been made for the move to Orzammar. This one reacted poorly, making this one aware how far this one's condition had progressed. This one began to consider retiring to Draslina at that point, when this one lost control. This one sought Varric for confirmation of the move, and found him in Crystalwing, where he spoke coldly to this one, informing this one that the conversation was unimportant and would be handled later. This one travelled to Varric's office, where his letters were procured and studied. A chance meeting with Kevin and Kevin's handlers startled this one, until speech was lost. This one must return to Draslina for treatment -- this one is deteriorating at an alarming rate."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well, we know that- that at least that meeting earlier wasn't Dad," Merrill offers weakly. "Dad would never have brushed us off like that, see?"

[Bethany]

"Wait, why Draslina? What condition?" Beth demands, heart tight.

[Varric]

Varric, on the hand, doesn't speak. Can't. He just stares at the floor, trying to restore his self-control.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks to Helene, then blushes as he realizes he's holding the sketchbook ne'd need to communicate. "Should I finish reading this or let you answer or?"

Helene doesn't respond, so he makes a choice, keeps reading: "Merrill decided to move us to Crystalwing, as this location was deemed more secure than the office where this one had been resting. From there, this one retired to the scrying chamber, to look for Varric in the hopes of obtaining more answers, as he had not returned to discuss the matter further. This one was able to determine that Varric was in the house, but no more. After a time, one who appeared to be Varric entered, and attempted to... something's scratched out here, a lot of somethings. Uh, then it says, down here, assault this one. This one struck out with this one's abilities and caught a glimpse of that one's mind, in which that one referred to this one as 'my brother's freakish girl of a wife'. This one understood then that that one was not Varric, and fought until that one was unconscious. It is at this point that Carver and Aveline discovered this one."

Carver hands the sketchbook back, and Helene begins to write again, slowly, painstakingly.