Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"...so me and two other people," he says, shaking his head. "Bit of a stretch there, to decide that those three or maybe even four people mean that every race but elves aren't flighty or whatever."

[Carver Amell]

"Not-- elves are snobbish and stuck up. Dwarves are drunks, humans are cruel, cats are loud. Everything has problems."

[Varric]

"And what are the good parts?" 

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I don't know. Maybe none."

[Varric]

"Well... give it a shot. Start with what you know best. What's a good thing about humans? And don't just say Beth."

[Carver Amell]

He makes a face. "We're clever. Industrious. Loyal."

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright. Now the others," Varric says as he takes a few warm up swings.

[Carver Amell]

"What... others? I don't know. It was all humans mostly."

[Varric]

"So you can notice their flaws, but not their virtues?"

[Carver Amell]

"Father left. Joey tried to kill me. You got arrested. What virtues am I meant to be noticing?!" Carver spits. "Most of everyone are trash. I have to do right by Beth, and my friends are okay."

[Varric]

"I took you both in. Most of your friends are catfolk. Your teachers, all volunteers, have been non-human." A deliberate pause. "You sister died for you. Notice those virtues?"

[Carver Amell]

He flinches back, then, looking away. After a long moment he says, sullenly, "Tieflings are different."

[Varric]

"Eh, maybe a little. Won't lie and say there aren't more evil or at least asshole tieflings than most other species but that just gives more credit to the ones that take a bright path." He shrugs. "Besides, I favor the argument that they skew bad because people treat them poorly, rather like how catfolk turn to crime because they're treated like criminals anyway so might as well, right?"

[Carver Amell]

"They're half demon!" He blurts. 

[Varric]

"So? They have souls, they can choose their path the same as you or me."