Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

At the silence, Aveline glances away from her work toasting some bread to... "Huh. Does... does it feel like there's more to that? Is that a partial shift to a beast form?" she clarifies. "Or is that stable as is?"

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not at all sure," he says, with a shrug. "It's handy, that's for sure. Ah, useful."

[Tethras Clan]

That gets a soft chuckle. "I understand what you mean." Interesting... shapeshifting and ice? Perhaps... "I wonder if it's not based on gender? Ice for the females of your life, shapeshifting for men? Not enough to really go on, but an interesting thought."

[Carver Amell]

A dark look crosses his face briefly, a look of momentary anger and... perhaps, pain. "Maybe," he admits. "I don't know anything about my father, to find out."

[Tethras Clan]

"Ask Varric about it," Aveline suggests. "I can't imagine he didn't do at least a basic search for him, just to be sure he wouldn't be a danger to his daughter. If he doesn't know where to find him, then he can find out eventually." Unless he's hiding and hiding fairly well, which doesn't seem all that likely.

[Carver Amell]

"I know where he's hiding," he says darkly. "And I know why, and that was the end of the matter." Aveline recalls now that Carver had been talking about going to find his father, and then had cancelled his trip; she'd come across him in the training grounds, full of bitter words about the curvature of his ear. The one uplifting thing he'd said was that his mother had started going to a grief support group...

[Tethras Clan]

"Ah," Aveline says awkwardly. "Ummm... well, if you'd prefer, he could find out your lineage instead? If you care, it's probably entirely possible to learn everything you need to know about your magic without doing anything of the sort."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he says tiredly. "Yeah, that's probably worth it. Thanks." He takes a deep breath. "You worked with Andy, and you're, uh, divinely talented. Would you prefer to take charge of him?"

[Tethras Clan]

"When I'm here, I'll be happy to help, but... right, you weren't- I've been getting Hawke back into fighting shape. Being cooped up, not able to do anything, help anyone... it's deadening her. Zevran, Isabela, Hawke, Beka and I are going to start doing some short patrols, three or four day trips around the area. The nearby area is honestly pretty safe all told, but it'll serve as... rehabilitation of sorts," Aveline explains. "If nothing else, feeling like she's contributing, protecting people again... might make her feel less of a victim."

[Carver Amell]

Carver lets out a long breath. "Right. Okay. I can do this, then. That's no trouble." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Remember you don't have to do it alone. When we're here, I'll be happy to help or even just give some advice or a ear for you to rant to. Varric is solid, you can lean on him as well. Anders has good training in regards to mental health specifically as well as being a healer." Finishing with the toast, she moves to stand next to Carver. "You're not alone anymore Carver," she says softly. "You have help now."

[Carver Amell]

He sighs. "For now," he agrees. 

[Tethras Clan]

Frowning, Aveline thumps Carver lightly on the arm. "Stop that," she scolds him.

[Carver Amell]

He rubs his arm, frowning. "Well, you have to admit, Varric's always hated me. He's accepting me now, but as soon as I fuck up, I'm out, and we both know it. I can't assume he'll be helpful forever."

[Tethras Clan]

"Varric's always mistrusted you," Aveline corrects him. "The different is very important. I've fucked up before, hurt Hawke worse than you." Her eyes close in pain for a moment. "But I made up for. Admitted my mistake and tried to make it right. I talked it out with Hawke and we worked it out. As long as you keep trying, really trying, he might glare and watch you, but he won't shut you out."