Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Bethany's nostrils flare as she takes in a deep breath. "She birthed us. She's not my mother." 'Oh Astea, shelter my daughter in Your Light and keep her safe. She deserved more. She deserved to have lived. Oh Marian... you should have been the one to live. Astea, give my Marian my love, please. The best of my offspring, taken too soon. Oh sweet Marian...' "Can we eat now?" she asks tightly.

[Carver Amell]

"Fine." Carver isn't hungry, not really, but he knows the value of having a full stomach when you have a long march ahead of you. They've reached their destination, but somehow he knows it's going to be a very, very long day. 

[NPCs]

Seline silently finishes up serving them, then hesitates. "When you're done, just pack it back up, Andy will bring the dishes and such home after his shift," she says quietly. "And... if you need anything, I work Aquaday and Silvaday at the Primbrook Temple and Caeladay mornings at the main temple. For help with what happened or... anything still ongoing."

[Carver Amell]

Help. That could be -- Bethany might need it later. You should find out more. "What sort of help can you offer?" Now that the anger is fading, his voice sounds flatter, though to Bethany it's still better than she's seen most days. 

[NPCs]

"Personally? I mostly do childcare for pre-schoolaged children at Primbrook but I also do counseling at the main temple. A mix of sexual and romance education for teenagers and adults both, as well as sexual assault survivors. Or if you just need to talk, get an outside perspective or some girl talk," Seleine replies with a nod at Bethany. "More generally, Ciren coordinates with Bastion with health and wellness programs for minors and with Aldyra for education programs for minors. If I don't know who to direct you to about that sort of thing, I know who does know."

[Bethany]

"Carver and I want to- maybe want to- swear oaths. Vangal and maybe Bastion. Or Astea," Bethany blurts out.

[Carver Amell]

"Sexual assault," repeats Carver slowly, before Bethany cuts in. "Wh-- I,  uh, yes. I want to swear to Vangal. And, and Bethany should talk to someone before she swears oaths, figure out who and what." And realize she doesn't want to be stuck serving for the rest of her life.

[Bethany]

Bethany huffs softly, knowing very well what her brother mean by this comment. "I... I was Astea before... nearly everyone was in Golden Shores. But, ummm, I want to heal. I want..." She looks down, studying her soup intently.

[NPCs]

"Healing is a very noble calling," Seline says warmly. "But... do you know the healer's first rule?" At Bethany's headshake, the Joyous explains.

"A heal must place themselves before any patient. Their condition, their safety and wellbeing, come first. And no, it's not just about selfishness. For one, if you burn yourself out treating your first dozen patients, you'll never help the hundred after them. For another, if you're working yourself tired and sick, if you're so stressed out or worried about your own problems, you won't be able to help people the way they deserve. No-one is perfect, true, and no-one's life is perfect, so you'll always be a bit off your game, but you have to look after yourself. A healer's first duty is to herself." She glances at Carver. "I suspect protectors have a very similar rule- the guard does at least."

[Carver Amell]

Hang the guard. My life is protecting Bethany, there's nothing else for me. Carver gives a stiff nod. 

[Bethany]

A healer's first duty... "That... I guess that makes sense but..." She sighs. "I have a lot to think about, I guess. Thank you. For the advice and the food both. Thank you, this was... you didn't have to do this."

[NPCs]

"Life would be a very empty place if we only did what we had to do," Seline says simply. "May you find Joy," she says in parting.

[Bethany]

"...you okay?" Bethany asks after they eat quietly for a time. "You seemed... like you wanted to say something, earlier."

[Carver Amell]

"Fine," he says, almost by rote. I can't tell her how I feel. How everything feels jagged and fragile, like broken glass. I just have to bear through.

[Bethany]

Bethany stares at him for a long moment, then resumes eating. "Liar," she whispers.