Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Having a solid feel for the past, a connection, can be very... fulfilling," the priestess says kindly, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "It's clear you put a great deal of value on family. I... Hawke spoke of your.... of the distance that formed between you both after Bethany's death," she says soberly. "It speaks well of you that you're willing to put that aside to help her now."

[Carver Amell]

"It wasn't Bethany's death," he growls. "Mostly I'm sick of everyone acting like she's better than me because she has magic. And of her acting like she didn't owe anything to her family once she got new friends."

[Tethras Clan]

"That..." Seli frowns a little. "Have you ever heard the Alydran expression, 'there are three sides to every story: your side, their side and the truth?"

[Carver Amell]

"I haven't. But it sounds like something Marian would say." He scowls, then winces, as he realizes: No it doesn't, it sounds like something Bethany would say.

"I'm sorry. I'm being an ass."

[Tethras Clan]

Seli pats his arm. "Thank you for apologizing," she says gently. "Right now, I have most of her story- and I think you might be surprised to know she's cast as the villian as often as you in it, if not more- but if you like, perhaps you could share your story?"

[Carver Amell]

He sighs, rubbing the back of his head. "Bethany was... everything, to me. Everything." He shakes his head, closing his eyes against the grief welling up in his throat. "Marian wasn't as... There were days I wondered if she even cared. She was always off doing her own thing, mixing it up with dangerous strangers, I-- she told Mother she was running off to be a whore, for all the love in Astea's heart," he grumbles. "It was like she just wanted magic, wanted Nyra, and didn't need us anymore."

[Tethras Clan]

 "I... I can only imagine what it's like to have a sibling, much less a twin." She glances automatically towards her own children, needing to check on them. "I don't want to imagine what it would be like to lose them. I... losing Lovan... I loved him with my whole heart. But he wasn't my everything, not like he was for A-Andy. But that doesn't mean I didn't hurt too. That I still don't..."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he says quietly. "I know. I... wasn't alright for a long time after Bethany. I still ache for her. But. Marian was... she was our protector, and she abandoned me. Maybe she was only Bethany's protector after all."

[Tethras Clan]

"She's mentioned before that she sent more than half her wages to help out," Seli says after a moment. "She... we'd often met at a cafe and talk over lunch and one afternoon she realized she was short by almost half her side of bill. She was so ashamed she said far more than she would have normally. She just... she couldn't be there. She thought her being there hurt you all more, cause more friction and upset, than her being gone." Seli looks at Carver evenly, eyes gentle and kind. "Was she wrong?"

[Carver Amell]

He rubs his face. "I figured she was doing it on purpose. She had to be. She was just so damn good at saying the most hurtful thing she could think of." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Really?" Seli asks, sounding a touch startled. "That... doesn't seem like the Hawke I know. Not that I think you're lying to me but it's just strange to hear." And perhaps lying to yourself, just a little. "Was she like that with others in... Golden... Shield?"

[Carver Amell]

"Golden Shores. She and I were always at loggerheads, even before... but Bethany used to break us up, remind us we loved each other." He shrugs. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... sometimes there are just people that spark with each other," Seli allows with a sigh. "Bright Havens knows that I can't be in the same room with Joyous Brown for more than an hour without one of us.." She coughs. "Acting in a manner unbecoming of our rank and positions," she finally settles on.

[Carver Amell]

He raises an eyebrow, then blanches. "I'm going to assume you mean cussing." And not fucking. Astea, my old accent slipped back in there, didn't it? "Or other improper grammar," he corrects, trying to bury the hint of hick as far as it'll go.

[Tethras Clan]

Seli stares a moment, then bursts into giggles. "No, no. I'm not attracted to females so that's not... more snide comments and cutting remarks than outright vulgarity but you're basically correct." She blushes a little. "And on one occasions, there may have been a physical brawl. Bitch knows I-" Seli takes a deep breath. "Right. Not the point. It's just a shame you two didn't get along and never got the chance to learn how."