The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Varric]

"...yeah, I suppose it is," he murmurs, glancing at nim again. "You... how are you... handling things?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Better on some days, worse on others," ne says softly. "Do you... wish to speak of it? What we went through? This one had assumed you did not."

[Varric]

Varric forces a smile, coughing lightly. "...want is a strong word," Varric says weakly. "I..." He fidgets a little, eyes darting for the door yet again. "You ever notice how Marian evades talking about her troubles? How you have to pin her down and... not force her to talk, exactly, but... not budge?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one had noticed."

[Varric]

"Not an uncommon quality. Quirk, I suppose," Varric says with a shrug. "Depends on how you look at things."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles, ever so faintly. "Similarities between Varric and the apprentice had been noticed." As recently as yesterday. 

[Varric]

"Why thank you," Varric says easily. "It was pretty interesting to see how close our test answers were in some places. Her history answers showed your touch pretty clearly on the other hand."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Or your lack of interest," Helene notes. "Your tutors should have been able to prepare you better. Your lack of elven history was shocking."

[Varric]

"...find trees, sing songs, nature magic, more trees, prance about, drink wine, flowers for change of pace, wait no, more trees. Elves."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene gives him a flat look. "Shocking."

[Varric]

"There there, I can teach you later," he promises with a grin, reaching over to pat nir hand.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene scowls. "Knowledge of history is important. Did not this one's apprentice quote historical figures when determining the alchemical formulae that had eluded your own knowledge? And yet, this one knows your knowledge to be greater than quoted, as this one graded your exam. And, furthermore ,this one recalls not fifteen seconds ago, a discussion of topic evasion."

[Varric]

Varric had been amused, grinning at nir reaction, until the last bit. He winces, glancing away. "Difference in preferences, I suppose."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene lets out a small, disappointed sigh. "It is not required. This one apologizes for causing distress."

[Varric]

"Nothing to apologize for," Varric says softly. "Now I know not to tease you about... intelligence related stuff, I guess."