Blood from Stone [AU]

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Something we have in common evidently. "Do you suspect Eden was your first life?"

[Helene Dakesh]

They nod. "This one has found records that indicate there was once a tradition of giving newborn Samsarans names that suggest beginnings, spring, or gardens. Eden, the Primal Garden in which Uryll grew Her first children, would suggest a first lifetime. However, it is uncertain. Avanti did not recover any record of Eden's life but her own memories."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Have you considered scrying for more information on the matter? Or is that... discouraged?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has, but it was so long ago, very little information is revealed. The gods are not generous with information about past lives for our kind -- if we are to recall them, we will do so on our own. This one has had more luck scrying for Dakesh than for Eden."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

That gets a grin. "Yes, the gods do seem to like it better when we work for our rewards- or punishments as the case may be. Hmmm. I wonder... you say you can recall memories of past incarnations at times... that would imply they are present but obscured in some fashion. I wonder if the Doctor's Delve technique could be used to locate those memories? Or some variation on it rather."

[Helene Dakesh]

They blanch, ever so slightly. "This one has not had good experiences with Delves in the past."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Ah. My apologies for..." He makes a vague gesture, as if wishing to specify without bringing up the words again. "Still, given your current life, I suspect you are content to focus on the now anyway."

[Helene Dakesh]

Not right now, but yes. Helene nods. "This one is overjoyed to have found a life partner in this one's husband, to be able to assist in the parenting of children when this one never expected to have any. This one did not expect this life to be so productive and comfortable."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"I am unsurprised," he says with a chuckle. "Love stories such as your own are the stuff of bard's tales, given all of the... details and content. I am glad you have beaten the odds to find your near perfect match. You are clearly blessed."

[Helene Dakesh]

They blush faintly, but nod. "Yes. This one must clearly have pleased Alydra, to be given such a wonderful husband. This one has had a long, hard road to get to the point of marriage, but this one is overjoyed at the outcome."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Aldyra? Not Bastion or Astea?" It's common to thank the deity whose domain governs the aspect in which one is blessed or enjoying good outcomes in, even if that deity is not one's patron deity. "Then again, I suppose you are a very powerful Seeker, so that does make sense."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was led to Varric through visions and portents, all of which come from Alydra. This one... This one was required to surrender him, through a vision, and this one did so; when he was returned, and similarly returned the feelings this one had begun to develop, this one suspects it was a reward for, for doing as commanded even though this one did not wish to."

[Varric]

Varric snorts lightly from their other side. I chose you all by myself, thank you. 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"That sounds like a bard's tale in truth, not just as metaphor. Would I be correct in assuming this has to do with that Memento Mori business?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes. This one was... incapacitated, as a result of a ritual gone wrong. But due in part to the ritual, this one was more open as a conduit to Alydra than ever before. This one had a portent that Varric would... would pass on, but this one had a stronger portent that if he did not, both the children would be in grave danger. This one sent Varric to save them, knowing what would happen."