Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

That gets a blank stare. "But... no?" In her lap, Glimmerwing hisses softly, then shakes her wings as Merrill's grip tightens too much.

[Helene Dakesh]

"That was his original answer as well," says Helene, with a small, genuine smile. "That is when the threats began," they add, more somberly. "The correspondence ends before they arrived here. They must have changed his mind."

[Tethras Clan]

"Threats? But Dad would ne-" Merrill stops, eyes widening. "Against us. Against you and his kids."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, then adds, "His parents are deceased," basically -- the father is estranged but likely deceased due to age --"but can still be retroactively removed from the Clan based on the actions of their son, as they must have raised him incorrectly if he does not show loyalty to those at home. This may affect their afterlife or cause their graves to be exhumed."

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh. But that's wrong." Merrill's voice trembles as she tries to refute this. They must have raised him incorrectly. "He- he i's very loyal and- and it's not his fault that- that we're not-" She swallows hard, trying to gather her sensibilities. Chirping shrilly, Glimmerwing rises to her hind legs and butts her head into the elf's chin. ~Enough. We will not allow these outsides to take any of our colony, living or otherwise. If needs must, we shall go to their den and take what is ours. Then they can go dig a hole and bury their heads within.~

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates. "If it would help Varric -- but no. We cannot go. Beth is pregnant. Carver has Aveline. This one... this one may be undergoing a course of medical treatment, depending on the results of this one's research. And yet, if Varric has promised to move, is it right to allow him to go alone? He will very much need family around him. Perhaps this one can join him after this one's treatment."

[Tethras Clan]

"...I say we hire Zevran to kill the mean people," Merrill mutters, holding Glimmerwing tightly. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"That's generally considered unethical," says Helene, chidingly. A moment later, they add, "Highly."

[Tethras Clan]

"Fair is fair. If you threaten my grandmother's soul, I get to have you made into one."

Well, that's....  a manner of thinking.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Words are not deeds," chides Helene. "Retaliation must be taken in equal measure with the crime committed. Words do not and cannot harm one by themself, therefore, words cannot be met with harm in response."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then do I get to kidnap their father or other parent and make them move to Glaley?" Merrill demands.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Varric was not kidnapped." A pause. "You may threaten their relatives, however. There is no prohibition against that in this instance."

[Tethras Clan]

Pain and theft can be sorts of threats, right? Like dead pets and beatings? I've read that in stories. "Okay. So... is there anything else to look over in there or..?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one suspects other records are kept, but Varric is very private. These are not records this one would have access to. So unfortunately, we must ask him directly what the truth of the matter is."

Helene sighs, putting back the letters with another fond pat. "Shall we depart? This one has plans for a diagnostic ritual this one would like your opinion on."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill narrows her eyes, expression shifting to suspicion. "What kind of ritual?" On her lap, Glimmerwing twists around to regard Helene as well.