The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

"You did not see this one before the first treatment," she whispers.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian, hands balled into fists so tight they hurt, turns and walks away, abruptly, heading for the kitchen. I'm going to put the kettle on.

[Varric]

''Kill anyone? Rape? Torture? Slavery? Seriously, I'm curious. What did you do that was deserving of years of that treatment?''

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one was nonfunctional," she whispers. "Unable to speak, to think. An animal. This one required treatment to become a person."

[Varric]

''Treating you like an animal is not treatment,'' Varric snarls. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

''Mister Tethras!'' Lightsong winces. ''Mister Tethras. Please soften your tone and approach. I... do not disagree with the contents of your words, but your manner is hurtful.''

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches back, letting out a small whimper. "It hurts but it works, it hurts but it works, it hurts but it works," she whispers, over and over, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her torso.

[Varric]

''Works to do what?'' Varic asks sharply. ''Because you got worse the longer you were there. And you seem to be stabilizing here. STill rough, sure, but things aren't exactly restful.''

[Helene Dakesh]

"the process," she mutters, shaking her head in a twitchy, jerky fashion. "Break down. Build up."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong swallows thickly. ''That is... that is Keindrinas philosophy. 'To be strong, one must suffer. To withstand suffering, one must eat of despair and allow it to consume all that you once were. In that place of empty waiting, a razor-edged blade awaits you.' They... they keep going, to where you are expected to start the cycle over to someone else but...''

[Varric]

''Keep going...'' Varric takes a deep breath. ''After three days, 'the Seeker will Seek no more.' Because...''

[Helene Dakesh]

"N-not su-suffering," she whispers. "B-behavior m-m-modification." She shudders, swallowing hard. "D-don't kn-know what would have h-happened."

[Haliel Lightsong]

''There is no outcome of worth that can only be achieved from suffering. I- I know that no deity's governance is enough really, that none of them have everything that is needed for a full life, but that is not a part that needs to be taken from.'' Lightsong shivers a little, expression pained, and her hands tighten as they grip her vestments. 

[Varric]

''Sure, sure. Some suffering can build tolerance, sure, but life will provide. No reason to start concentrating it for people.'' The dwarf rubs at his hair tiredly. ''You can beat a dog to make it obey but there are better ways to get them trained. Takes more skill maybe. More patience. But worth it. Better result, for the dog and for you. Afterlife wise.''

[Helene Dakesh]

"I-- I want-- I can't be th-that again. Please, I don't want, I can't..." she whispers, shuddering.