Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene doesn't answer, doesn't seem to see the sketchbook, rocking back and forth. Then, still without looking, the oracle reaches out and taps the word, twice, firmly. 

[Tethras Clan]

Is that twice for emphasis? Or for no? Mentally shrugging, she nods. "'kay. If you don't have to talk, can you come home with me?" A beat. "Tap your notebook for yes, tap the floor for no."

[Helene Dakesh]

The hand lifts, trembles a bit, but lands on the notebook again, the finger deliberately tapping. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Good!" Merrill chirps far too brightly. "We'll go home and get something to eat, maybe a nice salad, ooh, or maybe soup and salad, I can make a quick cold tomato soup, the kind with the funny name? Fishy view or something? Anyway, we have some bread too, I think, so that sounds lovely, right?"

At her feet, Kevin sits up, yawning broadly. "Fish?"

"Oh hello Kevin! Did you have a good nap? No, we don't have any fish, I don't think, sorry. Do you like fish? Fish can be nice, especially if you soak it in lemon juice. Or grilled. Fried is too heavy for me but Carver likes it. Not as much as fried chicken though."  On her lap, Glimmerwing also sits up, focus narrowing to just her person for a long moment.

~I am taking charge,~ the dragonling declares to all three people present. ~Merrill, you are hiding behind chatter and stubborn okayness. Seeker, you have been attacked and need to heal. Kevin, I do not know you but my person has claimed you so I will take care of you too. Obey me or I will cover you in grease and then brain puppet you. Understood?~

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's rocking increases in speed. They were unaware Glimmerwing could brain puppet people. That sounds. Unpleasant.

[Tethras Clan]

Kevin stares a moment. "...da always said dragons are scary. Da was a wise man." He rises to his feet. "So... does that mean you're my master now? Mistress rather, sorry ma'am."

Staring, the elf blinks rapidly. "Umm. What? Mistress like... a side lover?"

The merikos samsaran shakes his head a little, looking strangely content. "No ma'am. The Lady Dragon said you claimed me from Master Graves. Master Graves bought my contract from Master Deidre. So you're my new Mistress, right?" He blushes, looking at the floor. "You're much nicer than Master Graves."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's rocking increases in frequency, and a low keening begins to emerge. Slavery had been a thing in some parts of Draslina, but not the parts Helene had frequented; it was very illegal in Nyra, of course. And yet... if one was to return to Draslina, if one was unable to live unassisted, was that one's fate? And yet, at the same time, slavery could be borne; hundreds, perhaps thousands did it daily, and many, like Zevran, emerged no worse for the wear. Perhaps it would be comforting, in the way it had comforted Liz to serve Cindy. Perhaps it would be the missing piece required.

[Tethras Clan]

"Ummm. No? No. Slavery is bad. Umm. You can be my new friend. And I'm a healer, so I guess maybe my patient?"

Before she can get any further, Glimmerwing trills sharply. ~No. No patients. You are not well, you cannot be healer right now. Everyone up, we are now leaving. We can discuss slavery and other things later.~

"...umm... I don't... that is... Why was... I just... Slavery is illegal in Nyra so..." Merrill fidgets a little, biting her lip.

[Helene Dakesh]

Instead of getting up, Helene takes the sketchbook, laying out on the stomach and turning to a fresh page. With a few broad strokes, a shape begins to form on the page: a building, with Alydra's symbol out front. Details are filled in, perfectly, from memory: a temple, clearly, and one much grander than any in Nyra. 

Underneath, simply, in elven: "<One goes>". Then, "Draslina." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...?" Merrill cocks her head to the side. "Ummm. You... want to send Kevin to Draslina? That's... an idea, I guess."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene adds two stick figures to the edge of the drawing: one with long hair, one with short. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill looks over at Kevin and his short hair, then at her own long. "Kevin and me?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flips open the facing page, sketches a quick outline of the house, fills in just enough details so it's recognizable, then draws a figure, sightly more than a stick figure, in a chair with a dragon in its lap. Another figure: shorter, with a beard.

[Tethras Clan]

"Okay... so that's me and... is that Dad? Hopefully Dad and not Drunk Dad," she mumbles sourly. "But then- oh right, you have long hair. You want to take Kevin to Draslina? Why?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene taps the drawing of the temple again, particularly the symbol of Alydra.