Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill eyes widen and she smiles slowly. "That's fair to ask," she says softly. "I don't want to. It would break something in side me if I hurt her again, something that's already broken. I don't want to. I'm going to try not to."

[Carver Amell]

"Then-- then, let's both try not to hurt her, and we can both not come between each other. Or something to that effect."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill tilts her head to the side, then nods happily. "Agreed," she says firmly as she pours him a glass of water and turns away. As she goes to sit next to Anders, she hands Varric the bundle of herbs.

"...daughter, why did you just hand me a bundle of hemlock?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver coughs several times. Hemlock!?

[GamesMaster]

Anders sighs, getting up and giving Merrill's hand a squeeze before he pulls free of her. "Merrill, I'm going to need to know where you got that from," he says, moving toward the kitchen to see if she has more stashed away. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Chipmunks," the elf replies placidly. "And I don't need it anymore," she adds, looking at Varric.

"...what did you need it for?" the dwarf presses.

Merrill blinks innocently. "I was going to offer it to Carver if he wanted it."

[Carver Amell]

Carver jerks like he's going to stand up; he can't, not with Hunter in his lap, but the dog gets to his feet, straddling his master, and growls at... whatever's upset Carver, he's not quite sure.

Carver rakes a hand through his hair. "I don't want to die!" 

[Tethras Clan]

"If you were going to hurt Hawke," Merrill explains, "I was going to offer you the hemlock instead of having to deal with the entire Clan being out for you."

Varric stares a moment, then shakes his head slowly. "That's... oddly kind, I think? Pretty sure it was meant well anyway."

Thankfully, as far as Anders can tell, Merrill does not have a stash of poisons in the kitchen.

[Carver Amell]

"Right, well, as we've discovered, I'm not out to hurt my sister, but I suspect the whole Clan is going to turn on me anyway, so maybe I should just leave while I'm ahead." He looks... well, that expression on Hawke's face would be anxiety, but there's an odd grimace to it, almost sheepish. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill looks a bit startled. "Why would we turn on you? You're here to help your sister."

"Ah... why don't you go make sure Anders is okay?" Varric suggests.

"Okay." The elf pops up happily, heading for the kitchen.

[Carver Amell]

Shit. Shit shit shit. He's going to threaten me again. Carver pushes Hunter to the side, the pup moving to interpose himself between his master and Varric's chair. 

[Tethras Clan]

After Merrill is gone, Varric leans in. "Shit, sorry about that. I didn't realize she was... I knew she was going to grill you a bit about your intentions but... She's been... One of her biggest issues is that she thinks what happened was her fault, because she wasn't strong enough or... assertive enough in looking after Hawke."

[Carver Amell]

He's-- sorry? Carver rubs the back of his neck, awkwardly. "Alright, I -- I hope I didn't screw that up too badly." 

[Tethras Clan]

"No, you handled that crooked toss pretty well," Varric says with a headshake. "Sweet Astea, how am I supposed to make sure Merrill doesn't get poisons from sodding forest rodents?"

[Carver Amell]

"Oh. That's-- That sounds..." He takes a deep breath. "Isn't this place full of druids? Could they... explain things? To the wildlife?"