Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran's eyes go flat. "Okay. We have to move quickly. Beth, make sure his uniform is clean. Just do it! Elle, I need you to lift the body, get it into the bathroom. In the tub. Then Beth needs to clean the floor. I'll get Don and get everything else moving." Without waiting for a reply, he slips back out the door. "Don't let anyone else in. Except Isabela."

[GamesMaster]

"I remembered what you said earlier. About glass." She gestures to the fallen 'knife' -- a broken bit of glass, the handle wrapped in cloth. "I-- The tub? Why the tub?" 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran pauses halfway out of the room to toss back a smile. "Easier to clean," he says simply. "Now hush and get moving, we don't have much time." With that, he leaves, heading directly for Don. "We have a problem," he murmurs. "A big one. We need to close up for a bit but discretely. Don't kick anyone out, just stop bringing people in. Do you know where Elle's sister lives?"

[GamesMaster]

Don shakes his head. "I can send Niko to find out." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Good. One of our clients... one of the ones from that most pesky of gangs," Zevran smiles tightly, "made some threats about her. We need to make sure she's okay. Get her somewhere safe for the night at least, not here."

[GamesMaster]

Most pesky of-- He nods, his expression hardening. "With the merikos dwarf from last week? I remember them. The Bandannas are on it." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes, well... things have... come to a head. It seems Elle is not up for the life of a slave and.. protested. Pointedly. It was very climatic," Zevran whispers, eyes flat. "I have a plan to... muddy the waters but we need to ensure the sister is safe." And pray. Some luck, divinely granted or otherwise, would not go amiss. "If you can find out anything about Elle's client- a name would be lovely- that would help."

[GamesMaster]

Don nods. "Check for a badge? I'll have Niko ask about that too, regardless." A pause. "And keep this away from Carver's ears."

[Tethras Clan]

"Gods yes," Zevran mutters. "If he does here, make sure he knows Beth is fine." That last bit shared, he heads back up to the room. 

[Bethany]

Beth had quickly confirmed that the uniform is clean, though she can't imagine why that matters right now. Still... Zevran seems to have a plan so... better than I have anyway. Might as well listen. "You doing okay?" she calls to Elle as the other female struggles to get the body into the tub.

[GamesMaster]

"Fine," she whimpers, dropping the body over the edge of the tub for a breather. I'm going to have to run away from home forever.

[Bethany]

"Hey, come'ere." Bethany says gently, stepping towards the... Is she younger than me? My age? It's hard to tell sometimes, this life is so hard on them... Regardless, she spreads her arms to offer a hug.

[GamesMaster]

Elle turns, clinging to Beth tightly as tears stream down her pock-marked face. "Gods, I'm a mess. I just-- I just hope Lena's alright."

[Bethany]

"Don and Zevran will take care of her. It'll be okay, we'll... we'll figure this out. Let's get you cleaned up, then the floor. Alright?" Beth squeezes the other girl tightly, then, on impulse and habit, gently kisses her brow. "It'll be okay. You're not alone."

[GamesMaster]

Elle nods, sniffling as she lets Beth go. "You need to get out of this life," she says quietly as she moves to finish lifting the body over the rim. "You can't be much older than Lena. I know your heart's in the right place but I, I can't hold back anymore. You're too good for this life."