Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"... tuiste?" Merrill is a bit hesitant in her query, not sure what to do with that expression on Helene's face, of all faces.

[GamesMaster]

"It should have been my people," he whispers. "But I would have sold them out in a heartbeat if he hadn't asked for you."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene pulls away from Merrill, getting to nir feet. Ne stumbles over to Bartrand, seeming to have difficulty with the motion, but there's no difficulty when ne kicks him, viciously, over and over.

[Bethany]

A flutter of something warm comes in response to Don's confession and Beth carefully ignores it for now. "That- Don, no. You were tortured. Beaten and worse. It's not like you sold out for money or anything. And you didn't actually sell out at all."

[Varric]

Varric jerks at Helene pulls away, body tensing. When ne starts kicking Bartrand, he stills but slowly the tension eases. They're... good. Get upset. Get angry. Feel for what was done to you. Gods Helene.

[Tethras Clan]

"Umm." Merrill considers objecting, then shrugs. Kicking him probably won't kill him. Probably.

[GamesMaster]

"I wanted to," he whispers. "When I saw what they were going to do, I... I was gagged, I couldn't say the words."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's kicks grow more vicious, and ne gives a shout of anger. Then, like a storm blowing itself out, it fades, and ne slumps against the wall, shuddering. 

Varric...

[Bethany]

Beth takes a slow breath. "But you didn't. I know that doesn't... erase the rest, but it's important to remember that, okay? You didn't sign, you didn't sell..." The words 'your soul' refuses to come out. "...anything. And Gods above and below, Don... what they did to you, I..." She dips her head, voice lowering even more despite no-one really paying attention to them right now. "I would have sold too. I know myself well enough to know that. I couldn't have... I'd have given up my job, my causes, my magic, my soul... anything but family." I hope. Gods, please let that be true.

[GamesMaster]

"He, he said I.." Don swallows hard. "He said I was a thief. That I stole my riches, my title, and y-you."

[Varric]

"Good," Varric grunts out, studying Helene's feet. "Need..." He flicks a hand at Carver, then shakes his head. "Emotion. Basement. Vent."

[Bethany]

Beth scowls. "Well, people are racist assholes." She pauses, then wrinkles her nose. "Though, okay, fair, you were kind of a pickpocket when you were younger but still."

[Carver Amell]

Carver takes a few steps toward Helene. "You need to let it out, he's saying. You'll hurt yourself otherwise. What... what happened, with Bartrand? Can you talk about what he did?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's only answer is to jab a finger toward Varric, shaking nir head in anger.

[GamesMaster]

"I never deserved you, Beth. I was never as good as you think I am," Don murmurs. "You're so good to me. So forgiving and kind. You always surprise me with how kind you are."