Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene stares, stupefied, at the devil. Tentoplenumitaeziro. Dunswithe. 

Helene swallows, hard, the full magnitude of nir underestimation of the situation coming into play. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Far more than losing me!" argues Liz. "What are you even saying? I'm not important. He loves me, sure, but I'm not really part of the family anymore." 

[NPCs]

"Oh, and this is the lost daughter is it?" The dwarf makes a soft tutting noise as his eyes quickly scan the glyphs and runes around the room to try and figure out what is going on. "I see that you're still struggling to fit in? Unsurprising, given how tight a unit they had become before you were forced to come begging for-"

[Vigile]

"Tentoplenumitaeziro! Spawn of Law and Evil, Binder of Souls with Honeyed Lies and False Promises in service to SHE-THAT-IS-SIRENA, I, His-paws-are-silent-but-his-growl-is-fierce-in-defense-of-the-righteous, sworn to the service of the Vigilant Protector, HE-THAT-IS-VANGAL, declare enmity and grudge against you!"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah what Vig said," says Marian. "Helene. There's no rush. We have time. Please. At least think it over."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene, lacking pen and paper, taps out, Mind is made up. Please stand back.

[NPCs]

So. This mask has lost its camouflage, has it? So be it. Now how should I... ah, yes. A classic really. Reaching up to his face with one hand, he presses his fingers into his eyes, a spurt of blood and gore staining the front of his suit. With a grunt, he circles his fingers, then yanks. His skull rips out the front of his face, the skin clinging to it so it melts off the person. Tossing the peeled off mask on the ground to dissolve rapidly, he stretches upwards. Now nearly seven feet in height, with great curving spiral-grooved horns crowing his bony face. Dull reddish-brown skin that seems a mix of leather and scale, mostly hidden by both elegant purple robes and what look like ribbons of parchment and vellum that circle around him like tendrils of smoke. He smiles, revealing polished white teeth and black gums. "Ah. Much better. I can't imagine how you stand being so... small."

He smooths down the front of his robes and looks around. "Now... I am summoned... so let us bargain."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes nir head, recovering. No bargain. Just don't speak to it (not hard). 

Helene instead taps out, Please tell child this one loves and regrets, but will perform ritual. That said, ne turns to look over the supplies, double-checking the runes etched into the floor.

[NPCs]

The devil frowns, then laughs. "Child? You. Stunted body, unripe womb? How droll."

[Vigile]

"That is a highly incorrect translation: they spoke of love and sorrow for partings! And also incorrect in regards to accuracy. Outsiders should know better than to think that family requires the use of specific organs." The pavitra sniffs disdainfully. "Not that the likes of you have any understanding of family, so I suppose the error is mine in thinking you could comprehend such a thing."

[Helene Dakesh]

The blow hits home; Helene flinches, but takes a deep breath, pushing through the doubt and fear to begin casting the ritual. It has been modified to be silent; no flashy showmanship, but they can perform it while nonverbal. It requires two hands, however, ensuring that Varric could not have cast it; they read from instructions laid out beside them, moving carefully and deliberately. 

[Marian Hawke]

"No," whispers Marian, seeing Helene begin. "No, please, tuiste, Helene, please, don't do this, don't... don't make me watch two of my loved ones die."

Then, seeing the samsaran refuse to stop, refuse to look at Marian, she sits back in the corner, covering her mouth with one hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. At least I'm here, so they're not alone.

[NPCs]

Frowning, the devil shift shifts his gaze to Marian and smirks. "Such care and respect she shows to-"

[Marian Hawke]

"They," cuts in Marian. 

[NPCs]

"Now now, just because Helene's womb is unripened, does not mean she deserves to be devalued by you."