Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Beth takes a slow breath, taking advantage of the space the spell provides to center herself. "This is stupid," she announces. "Neither of you are going to Draslina. If you try, I'll use your whiskey to set nir books on fire. All of them, as much as I can find. And then Carver and I will drag you back anyway because Tuiste is just being all stubbornly self-loathing and martry-y and Dad is being all stubbornly clever and stupid." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...ummm." 

Merrill frowns, then looks over her shoulder. "Yes Kevin?" she asks encouragingly, wanting him to feel apart of things. She knows what it's like to be cut out of events and be alone in a crowd, no matter how close.

"I- it's just... my healers, they always told me that you shouldn't make big choices when you're feeling bad. Or very stressed. So... maybe you should all.. sleep on it? Maybe a few times?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver pinches the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, we should. But Helene seems to think there's reason to hurry when everyone's still upset and we still have problems to solve. So if we can agree not to rush things maybe--"

[Helene Dakesh]

While he and Kevin and Merrill were speaking, Helene was writing. Now, mid-sentence, Carver is interrupted by the sound of paper tearing. When he glances down, Helene is pushing a paper into his hand; as he takes it, Helene stands from the chair, clutching the sketchbook. They bow, then head towards... the front door?

[Carver Amell]

"Wait, what? Helene!" calls Carver, not even reading the paper. 

[Bethany]

"Silence, fetch!" Beth snaps, causing the mabari to surge forward and block the door. 

[Varric]

"It probably says goodbye or the like," Varric says softly, not moving. "Helene... you can't leave right now. Legally. For one, the city is shut down. Or it should be, if they're following regs and given Aveline was in charge, they are. For two... either you're of sound mind which means you don't need to go. Or you're not, which means as your spouse, I can legally prevent you." He swallows, the action painful. "If you are that worried about deterioration, we can put you into enchanted slumber until the Doctor can examine you."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene bows their head, stilling in the middle of the room, mind racing. They rock back and forth a little, heels to toes, but stills after a few rocks. Finally, a low, pained moan claws its way free of their throat, quickly rising in pitch until it's a keening cry of despair, then lowering back to a moan as they struggle for control.

[Carver Amell]

Carver, stunned, does the only thing he can think to do: lifts the paper and reads it out. "They say they didn't mean to cause strife and they'll make their own way, so they don't hurt us anymore."

[Varric]

Varric's hand tightens into a fist, knuckles turning white with the pressure. Moving slowly, like his bones are made of poorly tempered glass, he approaches Helene, then kneels in front of nem. "When... when I was breaking, the night we proposed marriage, you kept me whole. You stopped me from making a choice that could well have lead to the ruin of the family I was still forging. The family that I would never have found, never have had, if not for your advice, your friendship. Please remember that. When... when the doubts and fears and hatred in your mind starts screaming, please remember that. I might be the... centerstone of this family, but you were the hand that drew the plans for it."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, still keening, reaches forward, reaching for Varric's hand -- though stops shy of taking it, worried about doing the same thing to him that people often do to nem.

[Varric]

"Wrist," he forces out, fingers tapping furiously on the floor though hardly making a sound.

[Bethany]

Breath catching in her throat at the powerful scene before her, Beth carefully reaches over to curl her own hand against Don's cheek. "We will get through this. I promise Don. Together."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, not wanting to disturb Varric's stimming, switches tactics, reaching to find his right wrist. They pause as he pulls back, frowning in thought.

[GamesMaster]

Don lets out a soft whine. "I am no good for you anymore," he whispers.