The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

Varric's mouth twists. "The author isn't free to choose his projects," he says slowly. "Not... long term projects of... a warm genre."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "Ah. Yes. The publisher being your family-- yes. This one understands now." 

A pause, then. "You see this as a long-term project?" ne suggests, quietly. "This one is... well. This one is beyond flattered to be considered at all, regardless of duration. This one... This one cannot make promises that this one would be happy in such a project, because this one has no experience of this kind. This one understands that compatibility needs differ depending on relationship type. This one...  Perhaps we should agree only for a temporary arrangement, and discuss again later, when we have a better sense of how this would function?"

[Varric]

A soft chuckle. 'How about we date,' huh? Fair. Very fair. "Good answer to my ears," Varric agrees. "You want to... think things over and come up with a... list of requirements and goals or something?" His tone is sincere, even if another's might have been mocking or at least sarcastic.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Um. This one is not-- This one enjoys spending time with Varric. In any capacity. This one... would enjoy holding hands, perhaps, or... this one felt... this one was pleased to discover a positive impact was made."

[Varric]

"Hey, hey- this isn't a test, Helene," he says gently, taking nir hand in his. "You can let me know if and when you... come up with anything, alright? And I'll do the same."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Agreed. Shared understanding is paramount."

[Varric]

Yeah, that seems to be about what I would expect. "So... you have any... questions or..?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates. "Would you wish to.. speak of this book to... Marian? And siblings? And Lightsong?"

[Varric]

"In the family is fine," Varric says slowly. "Though if you want to... read the prologue first, to be sure you're interested in the rest of the book before making it a big deal, even in-house as it were, that would be reasonable."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Understood." 

Helene pauses, then asks, shyly, "should we.... date? Perhaps... this evening?"

[Varric]

"Ssssure?" Varric replies uncertainly. "We could..." What is there to do in this little town? No theaters, no museums, no lecture halls or venues of any kind really... Hrrrm. 

He never once considers going for a horse ride or a walk in the woods. Not once.

"Picnic and...  read? To each other? Not many date spots in town..."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "That would be nice," ne says quietly. 

[Marian Hawke]

Roland, tipped off by Beth, gathers Shiori, Marian, Beth, Carver, Lightsong, Merrill, and -- somehow -- Jassinth for a frank, open discussion of the basics of sex, consent, and courtship. Helene expresses a vague interest in sitting in, but ends up going on the picnic with Varric instead; the discussion is, at times, awkward, but at least everyone's on the same page about what to call their bits and how dating works.

The next day, as they're chatting at breakfast, Marian mentions that she and Varric are planning to do some religious studies. Lightsong invites herself along, and Helene as well; the samsaran is clearly displeased with Marian's plans, but is more than willing to help discuss Astea. 

"How come you're so interested in Astea, anyway?" asks Marian, flipping a page in her book.

[Haliel Lightsong]

Slogging her way through a passage written in formal Celestial, Haliel absently replies, "I don't want to risk transgressing on my vows. Falling due to ignorance would be unconscionable." For to indulge in... rapture? No, rapturous. To indulge in rapturious delirium can lead to...

[Marian Hawke]

Marian blanches, just a bit. "Aren't your vows to Bastion?"