The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Wisdom has been increased. Are you prepared for the casting?"

[Varric]

Varric nods sharply. "As you will. I'll start breakfast or... should I hang about?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Please, stay. But we should move further from the others, just in case." Helene flashes a shy smile to Varric, then leads him a short distance away, setting up a bowl of water near a stream where they can cast. 

They recite the incantation, gesturing over the bowl; their eyes begin to glow faintly, the only change when they have no pupils to begin with an their eyes roll back with the casting. "This one calls out to Alydra, this one's patron, through the bond of promises given and accepted. This one has questions."

There's a pregnant pause; then, both of them can feel a listening, as if some third presence has joined them, a presence so vast it fills the clearing. 

Helene swallows. Alright, I've managed it -- for the fifth time in my career. Now. The first question was...

"For what reason are more visions obtained by this one during and after treatment for this one's condition?"

The answer comes after a slight pause, as if to allow for time to be heard through a whisper tube: DAMAGE.

Helene pauses, then, glancing toward Varric, wondering if they should ask a follow-up or...

[Varric]

"Does the treatment damage you or do the visions prevent damage?" Varric says rapidly, cringing a little at the crudeness of the question.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Does the treatment cause the damage or the visions prevent damage?" Helene dutifully repeats. 

TREATMENT.

Helene swallows, resolving to handle the implications of that later. 

"What is Alydra's opinion of mortals that do not conform their identity and behavior to the sex displayed by their physical shell?"

UNANSWERABLE

[Varric]

Fuck, that was sloppy! "What is Alydra's opinion of mortals not conforming their identify and behavior to the sex displayed by their physical shell as a practice?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"What is Alydra's opinion of mortals not conforming their identify and behavior to the sex displayed by their physical shell as a practice?" Helene dutifully repeats.

MORTALS.

The word carries a bit more of tone and semantics across this time -- a hint of a shrug, a hint of a smile. Mortals, what can you do? Alydra seems to be saying.

That should be the end; in the past, it's been the end. And yet... the pregnant, waiting pause seems to be holding. As if the communication ring is not yet out of time. 

Blinking in surprise, Helene says quickly, "Who was the person most significantly responsible for the wall moving in the first place?"

BARTRAND

The feeling eases up; Helene quietly wipes her nose, trying to hide the small amount of blood. A stretch -- but each time I've reached just a little further, it was a bit of a strain. Within parameters.

[Varric]

Regrettably for Helene, their skill of legerdemain is far less than Varric's powers of observation. Abruptly next to them, he pushes their hand away so he can peer at their face. 

[Helene Dakesh]

A thin trickle of blood through the nose, though no sign of damage. "This one is well," says Helene rapidly. 

[Varric]

"Your ability to self-evaluate yourself in regards to damage and risk is questionable," he says firmly. "I'll take a look and if I think you need it, Bethany or Shiny can heal you up."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is well. Nothing this one has not previously suffered. There is no damage, merely a stretching, the equivalent of small tears in muscle caused by over extension. This one has never before received five questions, and that from an intermediate deity! This one has reached new levels of connection, clearly. This one typically does not go directly to the top for answers, as it were."

[Varric]

Varric sniffs a bit at that answer. "Well... I suppose that you might be- wait, have you every contacted Alydra at all before today? Ever?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course," says Helene, scandalized. "Four times, since this one obtained that spell. Five, today."

[Varric]

"Alydra directly," Varric presses. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes," they confirm. They hesitate, then add, "As a ritual. But this one succeeded in three of five tries."