Blood from Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

She tenses. "Wait, you didn' say nothin' about a bath. Drugs is one thing, baths another."

[Bethany]

Beth looks upwards, as for patience. "I know Bri. I'm Don's steady, I know cats. Steam, wet cloths and brushes. Your fur is nasty. You need to be groomed something fierce."

[GamesMaster]

"Oh," she says, mollified. "Okay."

[Bethany]

You just better pray you don't have fleas or lice and need a dip. Because I will dunk your ass if I have to. "Good. Then let's get going." She hesitates a moment, then offers a tentative smile. "I... it's good to see you again, Bri. I missed you."

[GamesMaster]

"..yeah," she says, a moment later. "You too." 

And... she honestly seems to mean it, too. It seems to have surprised herself, causing the hesitation. But she seems to have honestly missed Beth, at least a little.

[Bethany]

I hope that some of my friend, the one I still think you were (as best as you could), is still in there. "Come on, daylight's wasting," she says lightly. "Bath, I have a dress you can borrow, food, then music and healing. It'll be fun."

[GamesMaster]

"Yay," she says flatly. 

[Tethras Clan]

As stated, Helene makes a point of stopping by the Shiny Cat to check and see if Zevran is around so they can speak with him on matters of... alternative lifestyles. The building hasn't changed that much, not really. The windows are crystal now instead of bubbled glass, the tables all lacquered oak and elm and they bought out the building next door to put in a bathhouse and spa area. Which is surprisingly (to some) effective in bringing in female crowds to the business. They've also build the apartment on the other side, but that's still standing and mostly tenanted by the employees. 

When the Seeker enters the building, waved in with smiles (everyone knows Varric is their husband after all), they are quickly directed to the main bar. Zevran is on a stool, chatting amicably with a small group of orcs, merikos orcs and a dwarf. Helene almost overlooks him, thanks in part to the cluster of much larger people around him but also due to the streaks of dark blue in his normally blond hair. Well, it's normally blond in public anyway.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles to see the new dye applied through Zevran's hair. It suits him, they think. They move toward the party, standing a bit back, letting them finish their conversation before they interrupt. 

[NPCs]

Unfortunately for them, it seems that Zevran's conversation is going to both take a few hours and also head upstairs if the almost predatory look on the female orc he's talking to is any indication. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, shifting from foot to foot. They hate to interrupt -- they normally would leave and come back another day -- but... but... this might be important.

They wait for a lull and clear their throat, beginning in a timid voice, "Excuse me..."

[NPCs]

"The fuck's a kid doing here?" A brusque voice asks before they even finish the second word. "Bit young for this sorta place, ain'tcha boy?" The speaker's accent is strange- dwarven, but with a strong orcish influence to it, and a hint of foreignness that the Seeker can't identify.

[Helene Dakesh]

Boy! That's at least a different incorrect guess. Helene has been keeping careful count, and they still get 'girl' more than 'boy' -- but they had begun experimenting with their hair, pulling it back off their face in different styles, and this new low braid was getting more and more 'boy' responses. 

"No, if it pleases you, sir. This one is Seeker Helene Who Was Dakesh, and this one is of age."

[NPCs]

"Eh?" The dwarf squints at her, eye narrowed in clear disbelief at their claim. "Look, I don't know why you're blue, but ain't no sort-"

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene!" Zevran murmurs something rapidly to the woman next to him and slips off his stool. "It's wonderful to see you, dear Seeker."