Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Her jaw twitches slightly as she holds back her first reaction. "I wouldn't be discussing children, marriage, or love with a mistress Carver. I... You knew I was married already. Did you really not expect me to put my current supposes' needs before a boyfriend? Yes, if we work out and marry, you become my most important too. But I can't ignore or... lessen them anymore than I would ask you to do the same with Beth or any of the rest of your family." She sighs softly, stepping back. "I'm sorry, I wanted... I had hoped this talk would be..."

[Carver Amell]

He bows his head, shaking it slightly. "No, that's... that's fair. It's just... you have two spouses, two kids, a house, everything you could want. Why do you want me? What do I bring? I don't want to be tacked on, a fifth wheel."

[Tethras Clan]

"You. You bring you. You bring someone that understands guard work, adventuring. You bring someone that understands Vangal's ideals instead of just knowing them. You bring your awkward, adorable humor and kindness. You bring honor and loyalty and this strange blend of optimism and practicality that pleases me. You... bring broad shoulders and calloused hands. Those damn eyes and lopsided smile that makes my knees weak." Aveline shrugs a little, glancing away in embarrassed. "You are... things I don't have and wish I did."

[Carver Amell]

"I won't be second," he warns. "I mean a new relationship is different than an established one, but I don't want to be the person you go to when you can't find someone better. If we do this, I want you to make time for me. I need to know I'm important to you. If we can't get together some time because of the kids, that's fine, just like if we can't get together because there's a guard emergency, but it can't be habit. Alright?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes, absolutely." Aveline chuckles softly, lips curving. "I made the same demand of Seli and Lovan. I wouldn't just be their third, nor would I, could I, replace Andy."

[Carver Amell]

"Then... then I think it's worth a try. Most of the stuff I worry about we can't figure out in advance, we'll just have to see."

[Tethras Clan]

A look of relief on her face, Aveline nods. "Then... Would you like to dance? Be a nice change of pace to have someone else lead."

[Carver Amell]

He smiles, raking a hand through his hair. "I'd like that."

[NPCs]

Despite their preference, one of the duties of a Light's spouse is not just eating at the table during a ball but being around for the rest of it. The dancing, the circulating, the greetings, the speeches... all of it. And not just huddled in a corner with a book either, but socializing. For hours. It's not technically as bad as being tortured, but Helene would probably need a long moment before agreeing to that right about now...

An hour into the 'wander around chatting (and pointedly not chatting) with people' finds Helene retreating to a small table where an elderly couple- the father and mother of another Light- are half-dozing.  They had just competed their second deliberate circuit of the room, which means they can permit themselves a ten minute break before going back out onto the floor. Maybe fifteen.

Before five minutes pass, however, they spot a trio of dwarves approaching their table. One is clad in elaborate breastplate, greaves and chain leggins of a bluish metal, along with a peacebonded battle-axe on her back, both of which mark her as  bodyguard. The one in the lead is much more festively attired, wearing breeches and doublet, with only his plentiful jewellery adhering to the party's theme. He is also sporting a neatly trimmed mustache and his hair is done in neat plaits down his back. The remaining dwarf is similarly if less expensively dressed and follows a few steps behind.

"Ah. Good. You are Seeker zi'Tethras, yes?" The bodyguard's voice is curt, but more due to her accent than demeanor, perhaps.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is Seeker Helene who was Dakesh. This one is married to Holder zi'Tethras."

Helene was used to the confusion by now -- keeping their 'maiden name' had caused some minor confusion among the Lights, and most people couldn't be bothered with proper designations if they differed from their expectations. Helene had therefore become skilled in the art of correcting someone while seeming to agree with them as well -- at least on this particular point. After all, these are the questions that the stranger has, even though they are not the questions the stranger asked.

Helene forces a smile onto their face (mortals prefer to be smiled at, it puts them at ease) and makes sure to meet the stranger's eyes (mortals prefer eye contact, it puts them at ease) as they slip from their chair to offer a hand to shake to the central figure (mortals prefer familiar, gentle touch, it puts them at ease). "How may this one be of assistance?" they ask, exhaustion causing them to lean on the older, more familiar scripts from their days at the Temple rather than the newer ones from their evenings as a Light's Spouse.

[NPCs]

"Ah. Yes. Very good." The bodyguard nods as moves aside as Helene rises and approaches. 

The best dressed of the dwarves studies them for a moment, reaching up to clasp forearms instead of simply shaking, something Helene would know is a traditional, even old-fashioned, greeting. But... it's generally only done between dwarves- perhaps they are considering Helene 'adopted in' thanks to their marriage to Varric?

"I am Braigen Gorehammer of Clan Dunswithe," he replies, alert of any sign of recognition. "I wished to speak with you on... various matters."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is pleased to meet Braigen Gorehammer of Clan Dunswithe," they repeat. "Please, be seated. Shall this one call for refreshments?" Please don't make me eat any more canapes, they inwardly beg, but they keep the smile on their face as they resume their seat.

[NPCs]

The dwarf sniffs a little even as he follows them back to the table. "Rye whiskey shall suffice." No recognition. Good. "Your home is well constructed. You must be pleased."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is satisfied with the estate and grounds," they agree. As they climb into the chair, they motion to a server, hoping to get their attention unobtrusively. This one shall partake of the same. Varric keeps informing this one that alcohol helps ease these situations, and this one sorely requires, as they say, 'social lubricant' this evening.

"Does Braigen Gorehammer also reside within Nyra?"

[NPCs]

This time the sniff is more audible and clearly disdainful. "No, not at all. I am an Aidseant for the Earthblood Shaper's Guild out of Orzammar." Or, lesser fancifully put, a mid-level agent of the blacksmith guild. Admittedly, that's one of the top three most wealthy and powerful guilds in Orzammar, right up there with the Scalefang Tamer's Guild (dinosaur trainers) and Manawrought Guild (golemmancers). "I am here on business, of course. Most notably with your... husband."