Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

But Bethany is almost out of 'push' after everything that's happened and just falls silent as well. After a few minutes, she scoots her chair closer to Carver's and rests her head on his shoulder. Talking is hard, but little things like this she can still manage. Just enough to make sure she still loves him. Wants him around. 

[Andy za'Frane]

Shortly after this, there's a crisp knock on the door, a few seconds of delay, then a guard enters the room. He has long hair, a soft, almost floral pink, pulled back in a tight braid that's pinned to the back of his head.The front bangs hang a touch loose, but not enough to cover the small twin bone crests on each temple. They're not large, perhaps the size of a hand, tapering backwards from his temple towards his ears, with a blunt point and ridged markings going longwise. They match his coloring rather nicely, being a soft whitish grey, to go with his pale pink hair and lightly tanned skin.

His features and build are both slight, a slim, almost but not quite delicate frame with a fair bit of wiry muscle showing on his arms and legs. He is... honestly, rather pretty, despite the trim and neatly worn guard uniform or the very obvious Cirenite holy symbol bound tightly against his throat via a choker necklace. His bearing is proper, disciplined, yet Bethany can detect a hint of nerves in his eyes, and Carver recognizes the slight stiffness and wariness in the slant of his shoulders. He's worn that exact slant on his own body, when he's certain eh's being set up for a prank or trap by bullies.

"Recruit za'Frane, here to take your statements," he delivers crisply, professionally, though it can't hide the beautiful voice the words are given in. Smooth and resonant yet sweet sounding.

[Carver Amell]

Carver is on his feet in a heartbeat, his hands balling into fists, putting himself physically between Andy and Bethany. "You take one more step--" he warns, his hands already becoming claws. 

[Andy za'Frane]

Recruit za'Frane stills instantly, hands up and palm out, fingers spread with the pointer and middle fingers touching- not that that either twin likely realize that this position is utterly useless for casting anything but a half-dozen shielding spells and thus the local method of promising peaceful intentions.

"Pax, lad," he says softly. "Pax. I'm Recruit za'Frane with the Nyrian guard. You're in a guard station, surrounded by almost two score guards, including Lieutenant Vallen. Also know as Knight Valiant of the Order of the Burnished Shield, sworn to Vangal. You're in no danger here."

[Bethany]

Bethany has frozen, almost literally, as frost starts forming on her skin as she stares at the two other people in the room. Or in their direction at least, her eyes seeing something else entirely.

[Carver Amell]

"Get her, then," he growls. "I'm not letting a demon near my sister. Not ever, ever again."

[Andy za'Frane]

Andy's jaw twitches. "I'm not a demon," he says a touch curtly. "I'm a tiefling, and more importantly, I'm a guard under orders to obtain your witness statements. Your cooperation would be appreciated."

[Bethany]

Tiefling... Varric told us about them. Like aasimar, just... the mirror. " That's... like a merikos demon. He... he's wearing a holy symbol, maybe..." She keeps her voice as low as she can, trusting in Hound's keen senses to hear anyway.

[Carver Amell]

"I don't care," he growls. "That's the same sort of thing that killed Marian, merikos or not!"

[Andy za'Frane]

That killed- Ciren's Warmth Manud! If you weren't my Sergeant, I'll punch you right in the mouth. Sending me to- to speak with- of all people to- Bright gods curse you, you sick fuck. Andy takes a deep breath. Then another. "Would it- what if I recite some of Ciren's holy verse? Would that...?"

[Bethany]

"Eat salt," Bethany demands, then shrinks back as his eyes flick to her for just a second. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver shifts, breaking his line of sight. "As she said." Eyes on me, asshole.

[Andy za'Frane]

"Do you have any salt or should I use my own?" the recruit asks, voice gentle. Normally, this sort of thing turns his gut to slick heat, but... Bright Gods, what they said... 'some kind of attack' my ass. This Marian they mentioned was killed or worse by a demon and that ass sent a fucking tiefling to interview them. 

[Bethany]

"I- I have- my pack," Bethany mumbles, stepping back to root around in her pack. Once she has the small pouch of salt, she hesitates, then tosses it at Andy awkwardly. Catching it neatly, he very slowly pours a good two tablespoons or so into his hand, then trickles it into his mouth from above so it's very clear it's really going into his mouth. Regrettably, he's rather used to eating pure salt and manages without more than a slight grimace. Bethany lets out a clear sigh of relief and sags against the far wall.

[Carver Amell]

Carver watches him carefully. Even he can't avoid sagging at least a little when Andy swallows. "...F-fine, but, stay over there. I'll answer your questions, not her. Got it?"