The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

"Blanket," she admits. "Other."

[Varric]

Varric nods. "Marian, can you grab a blanket. Seeker, object, person, concept?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Seeker," replies Helene, then shakes their head. "Person." 

As she says the last, she lifts her right hand, just a touch -- the one closer to Varric. A moment later, Marian drapes a blanket around her shoulders.

[Varric]

What does... oh. "Right." Taking a seat next to the oracle, he reaches out his hand, letting them control the degree of contact. "Just want to sit like this for a bit? Yes, no, other?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Sit," she agrees. She clings to his hand, tight as she can, still rocking just a bit.

After a long moment, she adds, with clear effort, "With."

[Varric]

"...with is just fine," Varric agrees softly. "Say... help, if you need something. Otherwise, we can just sit here together until we head to bed."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Together," repeats Helene, quietly, gratefully. 


In the morning, Helene rises early; not before Marian, who barely sleeps, but shortly before Varric. When he rises, she is sitting on her bedroll, sketching in her book: a fullsize drawing of a flower, wilting under the shade of a large bramble bush, with words across the top in Celestial forming a sort of poem. 

[Varric]

Varric studies them for a moment, then clears his throat very softly. "Good morning, I slept well, I slept poorly, I need something, other."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Good morning, Varric," says Helene, with a warm smile. "This one slept well, thank you. And yourself?"

They're back to overly formal, it seems, and likely a scripted speech, but one that contains new words, implying the worst has passed.

[Varric]

"I hate nature," Varric says cheerfully as he cleans up his sleeping area. "I miss beds, walls and the sound of commerce and crime. Been up long?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is an early riser," they confirm. "This one has had word from Alydra. This one serves, and records."

[Varric]

You had what now? "Beg pardon?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks, smile faltering. "This one has had word from Alydra," they say, a little slower. "This one is an Oracle."

[Varric]

"Right, sorry. Not... used to being around people with such a... close relationship with the divine. I... kind of have a polite respectful but somewhat distant sort of thing." He shakes his head, laughing softly. "And now I travel with a high ranking oracle, a paladin and an actual pavitra."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one is pleased to retain Alydra's favor," they say softly. "This one was... concerned."