Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Beth hesitates a moment, then darts in to hug Carver tightly. "Owe you an apology and an explanation, " she mumbles. " And thank you for dealing with my shit to force me to bed." With that and a kiss on the cheek, she heads to the door.

[Carver Amell]

Carver smiles after her. "You're forgiven," he calls, not needing to hear the apology. 

[GamesMaster]

Ari's at the door, wearing her new toolbelt -- the one that proudly shows off her daggers. "hey girl," she says, smiling. "How's it going? I barely see you anymore."

[Bethany]

Yeah, well, your stupid Tribe's customs are to blame for that. "Been... Busy," she says instead, waving the catfolk inside. "But I shouldn't have gotten that... Obsessed about it."

[GamesMaster]

She makes a dismissive noise. "that whatever it was Don wants? He must want it bad -- he keeps asking about you, if I've seen you, so on. I guess it's some Light thing." That sounds dismissive, with an oddly familiar tone of buried envy and pain.

[Bethany]

Beth can't help the blushing , but manages to hum an agreeable noise. Moving to hug her friend, she says, "bit of a thing, isn't it? Adjusting to... that. Light zi'Goldclaw"

[GamesMaster]

"I'm still pushing for zi'Naodi," Ari says cheerfully. "It just flows better. Goldclaw sounds pretentious. But Father likes the idea of cutting ties between the Keeper and the Light on paper, says it sounds better to skins. No offense."

[Bethany]

"Honestly, I like that it sounds more Cat. Hopefully it prickles the pricks, you know?"

[GamesMaster]

"I guess. But you'd probably feel differently if it was Carver changing his name," she points out.

[Bethany]

That gets a pause. "Maybe," she allows. "To be honest, I don't have as strong a connection to 'Hawke' as most thanks to Malcolm. I... Mostly forgive him for abandoning us after how he helped when- when- after Mori. But still."

[GamesMaster]

"Then why aren't you a Tethras?"

[Carver Amell]

"Heading to the market!" calls Carver, as he pulls open the front door. Out of milk again.

[Bethany]

"I am," Bethany replies with a blink, then glances over her shoulder. "Take care! Oh, get milk! In the dwarven style, I mean. Bethany Willow Hawke of Clan Tethras. I suppose, I could drop the Hawke but..." She shrugs. "Never really thought about it. Wonder what Carver would think... I wouldn't- oh. It's not the name, it's that you don't match. Gods, Ari, I'm- I've gotten about... fifteen hours of sleep in the last ninety-six, and ten of those ended not an hour ago. Bit slow still, evidently."

[GamesMaster]

Ari blinks at her slowly, then presses the back of her paw to Beth's forehead. "You sure that's all? You need some sleep, if not a potion or something."

[Bethany]

"After sleeping for ten straight? I'll probably get some more tonight but no chance any time soon," Bethany says with a smile. "I'm just... still a touch groggy. Have some tea with me? And I was going to fry some eggs, Merrill ate all the cereal, I can make you some too if you want."