The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles, faintly, fingers gently tracing the outline of the bruise ne knows is there, under nir long-sleeved sweater. "Seeker Helene decision. Not Varric. Rocks accident. Not Varric. Not fault."

[Varric]

"I should have- should have planned for- for what happened," he grits out. "I- I just-" I didn't want to consider the idea. Refused to think of it (and Helene paid for it).

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene is quiet for a while, looking off into the distance. A long while. When it seems almost certain that ne agrees and is simply reluctant to say so, ne mumbles something, too quietly to make out, cheeks burning dark blue. 

[Varric]

Varric glances over at nem, frowning. He shifts his weight from side to side, then moves a little closer, though he keeps his gaze to on his work table.

[Helene Dakesh]

"I should have planned," says Helene, just a little louder -- just loudly enough. "Visions. Alydra. Cold grey eyes. Smothering."

[Varric]

"Dwarf, adventurer- and you only got your vision once we were already more than halfway there," he counters.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes nir head. "This one serves Alydra."

[Varric]

"This one is aware," Varric says wryly, a bit of humor slipping back into his voice. "It's come up. Once. Or twice."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one serves," insists Helene. "...Badly," ne adds, looking away again. "This one apologizes. This one did not... serve well. This one... caused damage."

[Varric]

"What? No, you- your visions aren't for you most of the time, right? That one was for me and I didn't figure it out," Varric argues, turning to face nem fully.

[Helene Dakesh]

"For me?" repeats Helene, startled, then corrects -- "for Varric?"

[Varric]

"I was leading the quest, I was the expert, I should have recognized what the dream was about." Varric scowls. "I didn't. I fucked up and you almost died. We almost died, alone and buried, unable to breath or move or-" He breaks off, breathing ragged and entirely too fast.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene reaches for his ankle again, laying two fingers along it -- nonrestrictive, but reminding him. "Fear," ne says, firmly. "Breathe."

[Varric]

Varric sucks in a deep breath, then forces it out. Repeats. "I can't-" Another round of breathing. "Can't be t-t-trapped."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Understood," ne says, softly. "Understood. It... is alright, Varric. It is."