Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Sometimes," he says quietly. "Sometimes I think it'll never be right. That I should have been the one to die instead. Would that make it right?" He knows the answer, he really does, but he needs to hear it. 

[Tethras Clan]

"No. All it would do is... like as not, put your sister in the place you're sitting now. Feeling like you are," Aveline says quietly. "She died to give you and our sister a chance at life. Don't waste that. Cherish it. Remember it. But don't make it your entire life."

[Carver Amell]

He nods, taking a deep breath and letting it out. "... I should go home. But... I'll have to tell Beth."

[Tethras Clan]

"No. He was my guard, my student. That duty falls to me," Aveline says, rising to her feet. "But I... it would be good if you were there, to... comfort her."

[Carver Amell]

Carver lags a moment getting up. "I'm your student, sometimes," he says softly. "If I died..."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then I would carry that failure as well," Aveline says quietly.

[Carver Amell]

He flinches, silent for a moment as he pets Hunter. Finally, he gets to his feet. "Alright. Let's go home."

[Carver Amell]

The news is delivered. As predicted, Beth sobs in Carver's arms, glad to have her twin there to help ease her pain; Carver, unsure with words but always steady with his arms, holds her close, petting her hair and reminding her that she's not alone, that they're together. 

After, when Beth busies herself with baking goods to take to them the next day, Carver pulls his dad aside and admits where he's been all day. Varric insists on making him an appointment with a therapist, and for once, he doesn't argue, just nodding and drinking his whisky. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Weeks pass. Helene makes a point of coming by the Shiny Cat frequently, asking Zevran all the questions they can think of about consent and sexual ethics. They become, if not good friends, at least friendly acquaintances; Helene finds Zevran refreshingly progressive on gender issues, and Zevran finds Helene oddly adorable once he gets used to their mannerisms. 

Today, as they come for their usual visit, they bring a small, amethyst-colored hair ribbon with them, which they offer to him with both hands. "This one believes this may be suited to Zevran's hair," they offer, and they can't keep the smile off their face, the joy out of their voice.

[Tethras Clan]

"Why but of course!" Zevran says easily, plucking the ribbon from Helene's fingers and swiftly threading it through his hair. "My dear Seeker, anything is suited to my hair, save perhaps the sweat of hard labour." Sex is never labour, of course. "But you seem in good cheer."

[Helene Dakesh]

"I am! I've made the final arrangements. Everything's settled for this week-end." They grin. "Come Terraday I'll be a changed Seeker."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm... glad? What's happening Caeladay?" he asks, unable to not smile back.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has been devising a series of rituals. The first will happen Silvaday, and this one has arranged for a caster to be available on Caeladay for the second, more secret ritual."

[Tethras Clan]

"Some kind of... divine investigation, seeking out the deep mysteries of the universe?" he asks, still rather confused.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "No. Honored Varric suggested that if this one does not like this one's body, perhaps this one can devise a ritual to change it."