The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Carver Amell]

You don't have-- other family you want to leave it to? It's no secret Marian and her friends, which includes you, don't like me.

[Tethras Clan]

~Not really, no,~ he says softly. ~Other than Zevran, my family's dead. Even Isabela is more of a friend of a friend.~

[Carver Amell]

I'm sorry. Gods, what do you even say to that? That's an awful situation, no matter who it is. At least I'm still alive, I can still move on, meet a girl, have another family someday. He can't even do that. At least we're on our way to put things.

The tunnel continues to slope upward, more steeply now. That's probably good, given they're likely deep underground; but it's also hard for Carver, as he has to sort of push himself up the tunnel via his elbows, pressing his feet against the sides to brace himself. The downside, however, is that his head is elevated below his feet, sending the blood pounding in his ears. 

[Tethras Clan]

~...yeah, all you can do is make it worth the time,~ Varric says, mental voice a murmur. ~Try and keep moving,~ he sends more briskly. ~Don't want to be upside down like this for too long. It continues upwards for a bit, so just keep pushing as fast as you can.~

[Carver Amell]

Yes, sir. He keeps pushing, ignoring the pain in his elbows. So, you're an axe man? Two-handed I assume? 

He listens attentively as Varric tells him about Bianca, pushing his way up the tunnel, though before too long Varric notices his attention start to drift as he starts to get lightheaded. 

[Tethras Clan]

~So how about you? What's the sillies thing you've done to try and impress a girl?~ Varric asks suddenly. That should get his blood going again.

[Carver Amell]

Huh? Silliest? Uh, probably that time I told everyone Isabela was my girlfriend. Well, that wasn't really to impress her. Though it was kind of to impress my sister, who is a girl. 

[Tethras Clan]

~True enough,~ Varric says with a laugh. Flirty is usually pretty upfront about her preference with keeping it easy. Wonder how that happened? ~How'd you met her anyway?~

[Carver Amell]

You'll laugh at me. She was working at this pub I like, good food, solid ale, nice for spending time away from home, getting out of the house. I was feeling sorry for myself and she smiled at me, flirted with me. I knew it was just for tips but I asked her out anyway and she said sure, why not. Took her to one of those Kender places a few nights later. She was... she was sweet to me. Listened when I talked, you know? Called me cute. I thought maybe we had a shot. Lost my virginity to her that night, and started making a point to look her up when I had some free time. I really thought I meant something to her. Gods, I was stupid back then. 

[Tethras Clan]

~Don't see why I'd laugh at that. Isabela's charming and fun. I can see why that'd get your attention, keep it after. Makes me a bit... uncomfortable sometimes, but I know that's more me than her really. But for a young man, with no experience and not much in the way of support, alone in the city? Yeah, Flirty would be damn near irresistible.~

[Carver Amell]

I was stupid. Of course she didn't want me. She's.... worldly. I was... naive. Stupid. 

Worryingly, he stops climbing, panting for breath. 

[Tethras Clan]

~Take some deep breathes, then keep going. One, two, that's enough. Keep moving, now,~ Varric orders him. ~Resting will just make it worse, you need to get to the end of the incline, just another foot and your foot will be over the top of the curve. Move!~

[Carver Amell]

Not gonna make it... this rate, he thinks, but he begins to climb again as he does. Shoulda... been me. Marian was... so much brighter... made more of herself.

[Tethras Clan]

~Well, she's smaller anyway,~ Varric admits. ~Still, figure you and your whole 'martial is better' would be all pumped up for this. Real chance to show off your brawn.~

[Carver Amell]

Prolly coulda... magiced up some... teleportation. Mages are... bullshit.