Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Right. Good. Good," Bethany mutters, rubbing her arms. "So... okay. This is... probably going to... be kind of a rough talk?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver takes a deep breath, nodding. "Okay. Can I, is it okay if I get up?" he asks, his leg bouncing a bit. 

[Bethany]

"Yes, of course. Go ahead and pace or... do push-up, whatever helps," Beth says quickly. "And... I won't... I won't hold anything you say now against you. I... I'm like almost certain you're going to be upset and... I know that sometimes you need a little time to think things over before you're really sure how you feel. That's fine."

[Carver Amell]

Carver gives her an odd look, but gets up, starting to pace. "Okay. Go."

[Bethany]

Bethan winces. Yeah, okay, that was kind of direct. But still. Ugh. Maybe I should wait... No. Be brave. At least a little. "So. About... You see... The Bandanas. Our new... enterprise? That-was-my-idea-I'm-the-madame."

[Carver Amell]

Carver stills, one foot still lifted. A moment later he stumbles forward, off-balance. 

Bethany is a whore. Really, honestly, a whore. I found johns for my own sister.

[Bethany]

"Deep breath!" Bethany squeaks.

[Carver Amell]

Carver gives up the struggle for his balance, sinking to his knees, taking big, ragged breaths. She's a whore. My sister. Bethany. She's a whore and a witch and I can't make her stop I just can't.

[Bethany]

"Carver, it's okay," Bethany pleads. "I'm still your sister, I'm still here. I'm not hurt or anything. It's not- it's not an evil thing, it isn't." She hesitates, wondering if she should point out that he doesn't have any problems working with, helping or even fucking whores.

[Carver Amell]

"You deserve so much better than that," he whispers, and there's real passion in his voice -- and real pain. "That's not what Marian would have wanted for you."

[Bethany]

"Why?" Bethany asks, just as softly. "Why is it so wrong? Maybe our old Bright would disapprove but I'm been reading since we got to Nyra and... I think he was wrong. Not that it matters overly much. I'm not sure if I'm going to shift to Bastion or Ciren but I am shifting. And you're swearing to Vangal so..."

[Carver Amell]

"It's not safe. Maybe, I don't know, maybe if it was a real licensed brothel, but whores get killed or raped or diseases all the time, it's just not safe. And, and you should respect yourself more than to let random people-- sex is really, I can't explain, it's really personal. You should be with someone who treats you special, who treats you like you matter."

[Bethany]

"I don't need sex for that," Bethany replies softly. Though... if it's even half, even a third as good as it was with... "I have you and Varric to make me feel important and loved. And it's not that dangerous." A line of freezing cold across my face, screaming and then Ari dragging me by the arm. 

"We have guards on duty. We've found a healer, though I haven't been by yet. And I'd only take female clients so I couldn't... two women can't..." She gestures at her belly.

[Carver Amell]

"But it is dangerous! Just ask any of the girls you have working there. That's why Miki won't join up, he's worried about it. He says if you're in a licensed brothel it's no more dangerous than any other work but going under the table like this is, is, just, don't do it!"

[Bethany]

"Less dangerous than tricking guards, stealing from shops and fighting gangs?" Bethany counters.