Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"We have one of those there too. I mean, we have several actually. Actually actually, I think we have seventeen, because Alydreans can be like that."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene procures a holy symbol -- their holy symbol, the one given to them presumably when they took their vows, and places it beside the one drawn on the temple.

An exact match, down to the positions of the stars in the nebula. There's sayings that no two are identical, though of course that's a lie, but at the very least every temple seems to show a particular swath of stars in their symbols. 

[Tethras Clan]

"You... want to... go back to, umm, school, I guess? Why?"

Glimmerwing fidgets a bit, murring softly in impatience. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene says nothing, sitting back and rocking in silence. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Okay but no." Well. Good counter-argument there, though, to be fair, Helene's own arguement wasn't terribly compelling either.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene reaches forward and taps the drawing more insistently. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill frowns, then taps the desk nearby twice. Then sticks her tongue out.

"Am I permitted to ask why I am going to Dralina, Mistress Glimmerwing?" Kevin asks tentatively.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene rocks back and forth a bit, unsure what to do. Finally, the drawing is resumed, this time adding three other figures to the group in Nyra: one pregnant, one exactly the same but not pregnant, and one taller with pointed ears. A circle is drawn around them and the existing pair, showing them to be one unit, together.

[Tethras Clan]

"...Beth, Carver and Liz?" At the tap, Merrill nods. "I agree. None of them would want you to go either." Moving forward, she reaches out to circle all of the figures at once using her finger as there's no point in writing on Varric's desk..

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, then sketches another doodle, in the corner: a pair of rings, dwarven-style wedding rings. Then, hesitantly, crosses them out. 

[Tethras Clan]

"No," Merrill says quietly, eyes locked on the drawling. "No, Tuiste. That's wrong. When... when Carver broke faith with me, I ran. I broke down. I gave into my fears and failings and proved right every insult and jeer about how weak and- and moonstruck I was. I almost died. I almost got Carver killed. I still can't walk. Control my bowels. Have sex. Feel my toes. It doesn't matter if you're broken or flawed. Running just makes it worse. Giving up makes it worse. Hunter didn't know better about letting me run. I know better than to let you. So no."     

[Helene Dakesh]

A headshake, but it's almost too late; Helene presses nir face against the sketchbook, toes pushing their little body into a rocking motion, as they shake with the force of silent sobs. Broken, worthless, defective, dream-taken, the words jeer at Helene, jabbing and mocking, making nem shudder with the force of their pain.

[Tethras Clan]

"Helene, no." With a yelp, she tumbles herself out of her chair to sit next Helene on the ground. "Oof. No. You are my tuiste. I love Dad but... honestly, I feel closer to you. You're just as smart but you... you love to learn and to teach. He's clever. I love you and- and you're wonderful and kind and caring and so so much. Beth and Carver love you too. And Alydra! You still get spells, right? So clearly They approve of you."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's tears dry slowly, as they rest their small, delicate head on Merrill's lap. Finally, when they feel more themself, they reach for the sketchbook, this time forming words in an elegant hand:

"For Uryll loves the meekest mouse and the fiercest raptor, the tiniest insect and the largest whale."

[Tethras Clan]

"...okay? So what?" 

Clearing his throat, Kevin offers, "I think the... your tuiste is saying that people can love anything, even... beasts and lesser."

Merrill growls softly. "It's not the same. I love nature, sure, but I don't like mice or whales nearly as much or in the same way as my family. And I certainly don't let raptors brush my hair or ask bugs for advice or stories."