Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"...Carver, you do remember she's an adult, right? And currently in the care of not only her father, but also her healer and her sworn Vangalite champion?" Aveline smiles kindly but her eyes are glowing slightly. It's just detect evil, not useful right now but she's noticed that many people find it rather... disquieting.

[Carver Amell]

"I'm aware she's an adult. But if she's not-- If she's..." He takes a deep breath. "I'm the head of her household, her oldest living relative. I'll want to speak with her healer, and I assume you'll want to come with us, but if you think there's any way in all nine hells I'm letting her go back to Nyra, then you might as well draw on me now." He lifts his chin, subconsciously puffing his chest forward a bit, clearly ready to fight. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Relax Caver," Aveline says, gesturing at his seat. "Even if you could take me," her tone shows her opinion of that pretty clearly, "you'd then have to take on Varric, Zevran, Isabela, Merrill and Anders. Oh, and Raplin. The deity whose aboral avatar you're currently standing in." She gestures at the chair again. "But you won't have to, at least not on this topic. Until she's fully recovered, this is the best place for her. At the moment, the current thought is to stay here, permanently."

[Carver Amell]

He slumps into the chair, raking a hand through his hair. "Alright, I never thought I'd move to a tree, but I suppose it works for now." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Just like that?" Aveline asks softly, her eyes losing that faint glow and instead showing a bit of warmth.

[Carver Amell]

"What else am I meant to do? She's my sister. That means something, even if--" He sighs, unable to summon up much rancor against her. "Even if I haven't been around much lately," he amends. 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline reaches over to take his other hand. "I understand that guilt. It... try and use it push yourself, but don't let it take you over." Her expression turned pained before she centers herself. "But... that's good of you. It's... family or not, not many would drop everything, put their life on hold and make such a big investment of themselves, even for a sibling. Not without hesitation, like you did."

[Carver Amell]

"What else could I do?" he asks, this time softer. "She's my sister, my... my only sister. My only family, anymore. I... when I got back, Gamlen had-- well, he was hardly family to begin with, anyway." He shakes his head. "I almost lost her already. I'm not going to let her slip away from me." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Thank you," Aveline says, eyes closing for a moment. "I... she's so very broken inside. Her confidence, her will... she's so... What Jadan didn't twist and destroy, guilt and shame have drowned out. She needs support, the more of it the better. She's... less trusting now, how could she not be? But it... she's going to make you work for it. Being family again." Her eyes open as she winces. "If, that is, she doesn't just... passively accept you. That's... actually worse than the evasions, tests and lies. When she... she lets herself be Pet again."

[Carver Amell]

He tests the word, feeling the slime of it in his mouth: "Pet?" Then he shakes his head, as if he can wish away the reality of it. "Nevermind. Can I-- Can I see her? For a few minutes, at least? I don't think this is something I can quite understand by hearing about it." 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline hesitates for a moment. "She... this isn't a good day," she says quietly. "Hawke had her first real conversation with Merrill since... since we rescued them and it went... it went well, but it really wore her down.  And you should speak with Anders- her healer- and Varric again first, now that you..." are ready to believe him, "have a foundation to understand what they say. She... she has a lot of triggers, things that can send her into a flashback or breakdown, make her go catatonic or... There are things you need to know before you can talk to her," she finishes wearily. "And I need to get back to her. She's been dosed with a tonic but it won't last long and she'll have nightmares if I'm not around."

[Carver Amell]

"Please, I..." He takes a deep breath. "I won't say much. I just wanted.. I just want to know. To see." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...she's asleep right now," Aveline informs him after a little thought. I hope. "But... I have to go back. You can walk with me, at least see her." She rises to her feet and starts gathering the remains of her lunch.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Thank you. I won't make you regret this."

He helps bus the dishes, then it's back to Hawke's rooms, Carver following Aveline in silence. He's not sure he's prepared for this, but he's sure he's going to give it his all. 

When they get to the room, Hawke is still sleeping. Carver looks down at the bed, a faint smile on his face. She looks troubled. Like she's dreaming big, weighty dreams. For Aveline, the scrunched look is more sinister -- she's waking, or on the cusp of it, her hand clutching the coverlet because she's noticed Aveline's absence. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver, I'm sorry, you have to go," Aveline says swiftly, pushing him towards the door. "I don't want to surprise her with- sorry," she adds, trying to get him gone so she can rush to Hawke.