The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Okay?" Haliel replies, distracted by Varric and her own thoughts, but polite despite herself.

[Varric]

"'lene, this ritual is dangerous- she's already got the nod, there's no need to-" And ne's casting. Damn stubborn being (uh, hypo- (get fucked, don't care)).

[Helene Dakesh]

It is truly no trouble, ne thinks, but ne is already speaking the invocation, and cannot reply. Ne gestures, nir tone rising in intensity as ne speaks the ritual words, lights the ritual candle flame. It is no trouble at all. This one is skilled and practiced. This one can perform miracles. This one will not fail in so simple a task as inviting a deity to converse with a follower. This one will prove this one is beneficial, useful to the cause. This one--

This one is ever so slightly distracted by nir own internal monologue. When the time comes to navigate the complexities of the astral plane, to correctly handle the conduit to connect to the Powers Above, this one... misjudges the connection, ever so slightly.

The first the onlookers are aware of anything going wrong is the trickle of blood slipping from Helene's left nostril, trailing down nir chin. Ne doesn't seem to notice, eyes glowing faintly as ne casts. "Greetings, Herald of The Songstress of Life. This one contacts on behalf of-- of-- this one--"

Helene's body wavers, nir arms flagging. Ne tilts nir head back just a bit, eyes glowing brighter, brighter, as the uncontrolled conduit slips, as too much divine essence pours into nir mind. For an instant, ne is Life, growing things and songs and fine arts and love, pure boundless love. Ne screams, though ne doesn't hear it, cannot feel nir throat tearing itself raw. Then it is done, and ne slumps to the ground, eyes closed, shuddering violently. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Perhaps because Varric is too well trained about not interrupting rituals, but it's Haliel that reacts first. The scream isn't done before she's there, arm around Helene and healing energies already flowing. Not again. Not another. No. But- 'Yes without shades or nuanc-' No. I will seek another way, another bargain if I may... but if it comes to that, I will do as my soul demands and give hope to the lost.

[Varric]

"Helene!" 

[Helene Dakesh]

Everything is tangled in Helene's mind -- love, mercy, hope, Helene!, the love that is born of mercy, the hope that comes from love, the beauty of sacrifice, the sacrifices that love makes. It is beautiful; ne weeps, curling against Haliel's side, very much alive and warm. Ne sobs on Lightsong's lap, shivering, lost in the sensations ne can no longer find words for.

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel cradles Helene close, pulsing another wave of (yearning for a love and kindness that accepts and nurtures that will come one day) healing magic, just to be sure. "Helene, are you with us? Can you talk? Squeeze my hand?"

[Varric]

"I should have stopped- is ne- are ne- Helene, please respond, please-" Varric hovers just above them, needing to help, do act, but not wanting to get in the way of the healer.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene lets out a low moan, nir tongue feeling heavy, slow -- nir mind feeling sluggish, barely able to focus, the sensations of nir body nearly overwhelming nir train of thought. Varric, ne thinks stubbornly. Varric. Ne can't quite recall what Varric needs, what Varric wants, but it is something, and he must, must be reassured. Must not be made to worry, even if ne cannot remember why. Ne twists nir lips into as much of a smile as ne can, hands trembling.

[Haliel Lightsong]

This isn't a shut down or going non-verbal. This... this almost looks like a brainfire. "Helene," Haliel says firmly, then corrects herself. "Varric, hush. Helene, look at me. Look at my hand." She holds her hand, still clutching Helene's in the samsaran's field of vision. "Squeeze my hand Helene. As hard as you can, squeeze."

[Helene Dakesh]

It takes a few moments for Helene's addled, overloaded synapses to fire correctly. Ne jerks nir hand a bit, then squeezes it, feebly at first, then stronger, as the samsaran grows more confident in nir bodily control. I am alive. I am well. Do not worry. It's not words, exactly, but the sentiments are strong. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Good, that's good," Haliel says with deep relief. "I think you've had a brainfire episode. You seem to be stabilizing, so we'll just have to find you a healer that can treat non-injury damage. You're going to be fine "

[Varric]

"No, not- not a brainfire episode. Not a real one- it's backlash from the ritual," Varric cuts in. "Temporary. Hear me Helene? This is just temporary. Less than two months tops. Adoration? Less than that even, uh, four weeks I think, give or take a day. It'll all clear up in four weeks, and you'll be right as marble." And then I can (hold) berate you until your ears blister.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene manages a jerky nod, revulsion already rising in nem. Can't think. Hate this. So tired. Not tired -- slow. Stupid. Unimpressive. Hate this. Hate this! Like an animal. Four weeks! Four weeks! Hate this. Have to record everything, won't remember things. Stupid. Why did I-- stupid.

But ne knows why, deep down in ner soul: to impress a man who already loves nem, who already thinks the world of nir abilities. Stupid. Ne wipes a tear from nir eyes, hating nemself, hating nir pride and hubris.

[Varric]

Taking a slow breath, Varric kneels down next to the pair. "Hey. Hey, I got you," he whispers softly. "Four weeks is nothing to long-lived. You're strong, you'll make it. And I'll be there, alright? I promise I wont leave you, or think less of you. This is just an injury. You will heal, I promise." Even if I have to trick a miracle out of the most gullible (Vangal? Keindrinas, too off character. Valshathe?) deity I can find. Moving slowly, he works Helene out of Haliel's arms to carry ne to the bed.