Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Thanks. Both of you." Varric leans back, eyeing them. "So what've you too been up too lately?"

[Bethany]

Bethany instantly turns bright red as her mind snaps back to last night. "Nothing! Learning. Churchy stuff. Healing. Magic. Learning."

[Carver Amell]

"Been helping the Bandannas. Coalies keep moving in on our turf, trying to push us out of our hunting grounds." He gives a feral grin. "But we'll stop 'em. I know some traps."

[Bethany]

Bethany's head snaps around and she gapes at Carver. "What are you doing?" she hisses at him, as if Varric couldn't hear her as close as he is.

[Carver Amell]

He gives an embarrassed shrug. "He knows I've joined up," he admits. 

[Varric]

Bethany's eyes nearly pop out as her head snaps from Varric to Carver and back again like a puppy tracking a bit of fresh cooked bacon. "I have my limits, but they're not exactly... a hundred percent in line with the Nyrian legal system," the dwarf says with a chuckle. "Smuggling, forgery and information brokering mostly. Some blackmail, theft and intimidation services from time to time."

[Carver Amell]

"See? It's fine. They're good guys, it's fine."

[Varric]

"Yeah. Bit green, but there's only one way to fix that and you're working on it already," Varric comments. "The one named Miki sounds like he's going to end up either getting his ass beat for pressing where he's not wanted or getting one of his passes taken by a women that'll take his balls for a keepsake eventually, but other than that, they seem alright."

[Bethany]

"Since when did..." Bethany shakes her head, very confused. "Sure, why not. Dad knows we're part of a gang and doing sinful work. Great. Wonderful. I need... I need to wash up," she mumbles, rising to her feet.

[Carver Amell]

Sinful... Carver flinches as if slapped, and hangs his head, prodding at the last of his eggs. At least he lets her get up, even if he does look miserable. 

[Varric]

"Ooookay," Varric says slowly, wondering what the hells he missed there. Beth is a bit... softer than her brother, maybe she's not as okay with the criminal life? "Enjoy your classes."

[Bethany]

Later that day, Bethany leads Carver to that same tiny park they spoke before and starts unpacking a small picnic lunch for them both. "So... So. Safety and protection. I uh, I got some... lessons and... instruction from Brianne so I'm covered on that side of things. And I figured you'd like to met Anders, our healer, so I have an appointment there in two hours."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, fidgeting a little. "I guess," he says. "She doesn't think it's too dangerous?"

[Bethany]

"She... she admits it is dangerous, but not 'too' dangerous, not if we're smart," Bethany says after a moment. "Not much more dangerous than say stealing from stores with hired guards anyway." Bethany glances away. "She, umm... I'm going to be a terrible whore," she mumbles.

[Carver Amell]

Carver winces when she scolds him, but he's distracted by her next sentiment. "Good. You shouldn't be a whore."