Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric reaches out to lay a hand on his arm. "You stay here with Beth," he says quietly, hoping their mutual needs to look after each other will win out over their need to be involved for various reasons. "I'll check it out."

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "No. I caused this. I should see, at least. And, it's probably nothing anyway." He lifts his head, heading for the dumpster.

[Varric]

"Stay with her," Varric orders quickly, then follows after. For once, Beth doesn't argue at being ordered.

[Tethras Clan]

Behind the bin is... not much. A small pile of ashes, less than a thumb in size and a shattered mirror. That's all.

[Carver Amell]

Carver takes a deep breath, lets it out. "This isn't what Beth found," he says quietly. "Merrill. You know better. Be honest. Remember."

[Tethras Clan]

Nothing changes, then a soft breeze blows the ashes away.

[Varric]

"No... not entirely," Varric says softly. "Sage for focus, and a mirror to symbolize the moon. This is what she used when she did the ritual. It's just missing... people, like everywhere else."

[Carver Amell]

"It's missing you, Merrill. The most important -- the only important -- thing in this whole place."

He sighs, squatting to pick up the mirror. "How do we follow, Dad?" 

[Varric]

"My turn, I think. And no, you can't. I know the ritual, you don't. I have a more... disciplined mind, in case it goes sideways. And... truth be told, you're more important for this Delve than I am," Varric says bluntly.

[Carver Amell]

His breath catches in his throat. He turns, then, appraising Varric. "If you... if you get yourself hurt, I won't forgive you," he says, then steps back, letting Varric work. 

[Varric]

"Love you too son," Varric murmurs, loud enough for Carver to hear before he kneels down to inspect the mirror. "Grab your sister and the furballs," he says louder. "Not sure if this might have a limited range or duration... whatever it does."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, moving to get his sister and the dogs, pull them closer. Please, don't take him away. Even temporarily.

[Varric]

Bethany is not all the sold on the plan, to be honest, but she also lacks a better one. As such, a short time later finds Varric sitting cross-legged with the mirror (mended thanks to Beth) in his lap. "Alright. This is... evidently not a long ritual, but I need to do a vision-aura thing first because I'm not a shaman. So... First bit is safe, if a bit... trippy, and takes ten minutes normally. Second one is more complex but faster. Only two minutes." He glares at both of them, eyes hard. "Do not interrupt. Disrupting a ritual is almost always worse than the outcome of a botched ritual. If something seems to be going room, the best thing you can do is get some distance and help afterwards. Understood?"

[Bethany]

Bethany is pale. Quiet and pale. She nods once, movement jerky, as she tries not to vomit as memories of Mori hit her.

[Carver Amell]

Carver clenches his jaw, but nods, his hands closing into fists at his helplessness. Is this what it's like? he wonders, realizing. When Varric broke that glass?