Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

Carver tenses, one arm around Bethany's waist protectively. He lets her have the first say, his nerves on edge.

[Bethany]

"What- what else do you know? About him?" Bethany asks slowly.

[Varric]

"Well... He's a minstrel by trade. Born in Raplin's Oak, he moved to Golden Green where his mentor lives. His mother still lives in Raplin, her husband is dead. Uh, kind of... well, he's fifty-six. Which is... roughly nineteen or so for a human," Varric begins.

[Bethany]

"Wait, he was-" Bethan struggles a moment. "Fourteen when Marian was... Ewww!"

[Carver Amell]

"What, are you serious?!" Carver demands,  his arm tightening further around Beth. 

[Varric]

"Yeah. Evidently, he developed early and... his mentor was a bit of a playboy and taught Malcolm the same," Varric says awkwardly. He coughs a little.

[Carver Amell]

"I hate him," says Carver, his voice soft in volume but firm as steel.

[Bethany]

"Ewww, eewww, ewww!" Bethany shudders again, then her eyes widen. "Oh sweet Ciren- Leandra's a pedophile! Ha! So much for her fine morals!" Suddenly realizing Carver spoke, she twists in her seat to face him. "Carver..?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver's face is red with rage, his arm trembling with how tight his muscles are. "I hate him. He left us. He made us because he was stupid and young. I hate him."

[Bethany]

"Carver. Carver, look at me. Please look at me. It's okay to hate him. It is. But don't- don't let that be... important," Bethany begs. "Please."

[Carver Amell]

"Important?!" he snaps, turning to look at her. "How could it not be important? He's our Father, and he's-- he's just some stupid kid? No. I want to find him. I want to look him in the eye and ask him how he could abandon us like that."

[Bethany]

"Alright. But you have to promise me you'll let me be with you, the whole time. Promise me," Bethany insists. That way I can stop you. And... heal him if you try and kill him. I won't let you be a murder over this.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, visibly calming some. "Alright. Okay. We'll do it together, just like always."

[Varric]

"I'd like to be... present as well. I'd be happy to talk to him first, as well, if you two want," Varric offers softly. Bethany flicks her eyes towards Varric for a moment, but lets Carver take the lead on this.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shakes his head. "No, I-- I want you to be there but I want to talk to him first."