The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

''Then don't be,'' Varric says softly. ''Treat the symptoms. If you go quiet, get some paper. If you get overwhelmed, get to quiet and safety. If you... start thinking your shape is wrong.. well, you could either get some polymorph magic or reaffirm your current body. Sketch yourself or something. Depend on which direction you want to go in, which direction you're leaning towards at the moment. Get a stock of tonics to dull emotions for panic attacks. I recommend against anything stronger than herbal for daily use. Too easy to go overboard with stronger.''

[Helene Dakesh]

"Th-this one w-won't be a-able to f-function," she stammers. "H-how can this one s-serve?"

[Varric]

''Take a vacation. The gods are pretty damned patient, Slag Iron Slag excluded,'' Varric says with a shrug. ''I mean, you already are, for years at a time.''

[Helene Dakesh]

"If th-this one cannot communicate, th-this one cannot have an ap-prentice, cannot publish, cannot... anything."

[Varric]

''Then takes a break,'' Varric repeats. ''If you need to take a few days, weeks, even months off every couple of years, that's no big deal. Create a few lessons plans for the girl that she can focus on if you need to withdraw. If she knows what to do, then it shouldn't be too big a deal.''

[Haliel Lightsong]

''She was rather... lost when you were gone for so long.'' Lightsong offers a weak smile. ''Knowing what is wrong, how she can help and what to avoid doing would all help tremendously.''

[Helene Dakesh]

"What if it doesn't come back," she whispers, tears beginning to slide down her face.

[Varric]

''Then we try something else.'' We? Damnit. ''There are spells that can circumvent the need for verbal speech for instance. If we run out of ideas, ask above. They pretty frickin clearly having a vested interest in your continued... effectiveness.''

[Helene Dakesh]

We.

Helene is long-lived. She's lived nearly a hundred years already, building herself up from an orphan foundling into a respected scholar and academic. And yet somehow, this is the first time she's ever had someone else, another mortal, state so boldly he was on her side.

She bursts into sobs, dropping to her knees, overcome. "Thank you, thank you," she whispers.

[Varric]

Varric flushes faintly, glancing away to clear his throat. ''Yeah, no problem. No sense in leaving a task half-finished. That would just be sloppy.'' He makes a good effort but his tone is not all that convincing.

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lighstong smiles, face flushed with happiness at the friendship blossoming so clearly in front of her.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian chooses then to come back, hands unclenched, breathing more steady. She gives a bow, as is proper for an apprentice, and says quietly, "Tea will be ready soon. But I'm not certain it's safe for Mister Tethras to stay here. Lightsong offered to hide him earlier, if need be."

[Varric]

''Not safe? Right, of course. They're going to come here and at least ask around, if not expect to find either of us... '' Varric winces. ''I was part of a caravan... no idea if they're still here, not after I went missing for over a week. A place to hide out for a bit while I get my bearings would be good, yeah.''

[Marian Hawke]

"Great."

Marian pauses, takes a deep breath, then pushes on. "If I may suggest, Master, please go with him? The two of you can grapple with what was done and what to do next more easily if you are not worried about Seekers coming to the door."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a deep breath, then another. She nods, two small timid nods.