Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"We could run. Split up, lose him, meet at the hideout," he whispers back. 

[Bethany]

Right, and you'll deliberately make sure he chases you, even if it puts you in a huge risk. "...I... I don't know." She pauses. Wait. Why are we even trying to get around this? "Why are we so determined to avoid this again?"

[Carver Amell]

"You want to go live with strangers? Maybe get split up?" 

[Bethany]

"Why would-"

[Andy za'Frane]

"You know I can hear you both, right?" Andy comments. Seriously, kids. I'm less than five feet, whispers or not, it's not that hard. "As for being split up, that'd only happen if it was thought one of you was hurting the other. Family's important, Nyra wouldn't split you up without a damn good reason."

[Carver Amell]

"Look, we already have places to go. Just because you don't like them..."

[Andy za'Frane]

"One, it's not my personal opinion, it's legality. Two, I feel the need to say, again, that you're underaged and thus the responsibilty of adults. And three, is getting your way and 'winning' really worth more than ensuring you and your sister have a safe, stable homelife?" Andy asks cuttingly. Should... yeah, need to push. "So much for caring about your sister..."

[Carver Amell]

His hands ball into fists. "We have a home! And you took him away! So much for the Guards!" 

[Bethany]

"Can we just go back to Varric's? We were fine there," Bethany agrees. "Good neighborhood, nice house, supportive d- parental figure."

[Andy za'Frane]

"That..." Hmmm, that could maybe, possibly work actually. "That's not really up to me, but you could certainly make a fairly strong case for that, I suppose. Lt. Vallen- my direct boss- is very... strict and professional but she's willing to listen to others or take unorthodox solutions if they're reasonable and explained clearly. You'd probably be assigned a minder, maybe just someone that comes by once or twice a day to check in if you impress enough."

[Carver Amell]

"We work at the temples all day," he points out. "Most days anyway. I'm going to take vows to Vangal." 

[Bethany]

"I'm still deciding between Astea and Bastion." Or maybe Teiris, on the worst days. The idea of just... doing whatever I want, just being me whatever that means, however that unfolds. "But I want to be a healer." She glances at her brother. "Carver's so protective, maybe he'll join the guard or something and I can be his healer."

[Andy za'Frane]

"That's... actually more of a plan than a lot of people your ages, but that doesn't change that you need a stable home life with adult supervision," Andy replies patiently. "If, as you say, Varric is blameless, then you both testifying on that account, will help him a great deal. And part of that is accepting the way the system has to work."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not letting you just... just put us somewhere, with strangers. No way. We'll testify for Varric, but if Bethany won't go back to Mother then we'll stay where we're at until he's free."

[Andy za'Frane]

"What if you're allowed to go back to Varric's place?" Andy counters. There's nowhere near enough ground to have them held, it's just not a justifiable use of resources, so that should be doable. "Someone will be assigned there, instead of you moving in with them."