Blood from Stone [AU]

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"As he would want you to have done." Panis nods slowly. "I do not know him nearly as well as yourself, of course, even the you of then I suspect, but it is well known how valued his children are to him."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course. This one has been assured that the choice was correct, and that should the situation occur again, this one is to make the same choice. But it was difficult. This one struggled with the decision and the aftermath."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Strong and brave, atop intelligent and serene. Varric is a very lucky man to have you as his... life-partner?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Spouse," they correct, with a nod and a smile. "This one is honored to have Varric as well. He is clever in ways this one has never been, and confident and brave in ways this one can only hope to emulate."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Taking a sip of wine to clear his throat, Panis nods. "Quite so. Such is the way of all the best partnerships, be it spousal, mercantile or simply civic. Care and balance must be taken, but the proper alloy is always more suited than raw ores." 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one is always eager and willing to lend a hand to this one's husband's endeavors. Though this one is unfortunately not suited to much of the things Varric does, this one is always willing to try."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Eyes flicking past them for a moment, Panis grins. "Based on the tensing of his shoulders, I suspect it is only his desire not to be rude," to a dragon, "that prevents him from disputing your words rather strongly." His grin widens more when he sees Varric discreetly sign 'strong agreement, continue' in the drow's silent hand language. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has strengths and weaknesses. Speaking with other mortals is a weakness. Divination is a strength. This one is much better at aiding this one's husband's search for information than assisting this one's husband in social events such as this evening. This one is always willing to try, but this one is, sadly, merely mortal."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"We seem to be speaking well enough," Panis says slyly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This is a skewed sample," they say with a faint blue blush. "This one has failed at numerous conversations this evening. This one finds the Lord Hand to be a pleasant conversation partner -- unlike most of the other partners this one has spoken with this eve."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"That would imply that perhaps the fault is not, at least in whole, with you, does it not?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"The fault primarily lies with this one. The credit for accommodating this one's irregularities belongs to the Lord Hand," they say, simply, and without much rancor. 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Irregularities? My dear, I assure you that I have had to make far more 'accommodations' to so called normal people than... what? Politeness and an avoidance of gender specific words?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Incorrect body language, difficulty with eye contact, excessively formal speech patterns, and lack of gender are things that disconcert most mortals." They shrug. "This one makes the attempt, but this one is still offputting to many. This one is pleased that this one is not offputting to the Lord Hand."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Panis."