Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

But Carver's already shaking his head. "No, it's not that. There's no path for me but this. My life is hers. No, I-- I'm just not sure I'm.... " worthy. 

[Kenta]

That gets a slight frown. "Thou art nearly grown but still not yet an adult. I wouldst not speak ill of Vangal's calling for any treasure, but it would be ill of me to not remind you that no mortal is given but one path." He pauses, then dips his head. "My apologies lad, I have been remiss. I am Bright's Kenta, Knight Champion of the Burnished Wall Order. Wellmet!" He starts to reach out, probably to shake Carver's hand or the like, but... broom, flowers, shield. Bit full up there. "Ah."

[Carver Amell]

Carver shifts, clasping his hands together into Astea's sign as he gives a quick bow. "Well met, Bright."

[Kenta]

"Come lad, come and at least see the inside of where you think your path leads," Kenta says in his deep, booming voice. "I would be well pleased to escort you about the Redoubt so that you might know more of this path you claim is thy only way forward."

[Carver Amell]

"I--" he begins, glancing up at the snarling dragon again.

If I'm not good enough, better to find out now.

He nods, then, steeling himself. "Alright. Let's go inside."

[Kenta]

Kenta leads the young man inside, nodding at the two guards as they enter. After they walk for a bit, he asks gently, "tell me of her?"

[Carver Amell]

I'm not dead. So that's a good start. "She's-- she's everything, really. She's so smart, and so kind. She understands people, and she uses that to help them. And -- and she's been hurt real bad. So I have to keep her safe."

[Kenta]

"And her deepest flaw, lad?" Before Carver can snap at Kenta, the badger-man continues smoothly, "for none are perfect, even the Songstress of Life. And if we are to protect our most beloved, our most precious loved ones, then does it not behoove us to know their vulnerabilities and frailties?"

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not telling you that," he says, with a dark glower. "I'm well aware of her flaws, and I won't let you use them against her."

[Kenta]

That gets a deep chuckle. "Pax, lad, pax! No woman, nay, no being of virtue and good character need fear those within these walls. But merely think of a flaw- tis not I that need hear it, but rather you- and Vangal, I suppose."

[Carver Amell]

"Done," he says, a dark look still in his eye. 

[Kenta]

The badger man laughs again, a jolly, friendly sound. "Good then, good then. Have you know her long, young lad?"

[Carver Amell]

"Since the womb," he admits. 

[Kenta]

"Ah, thy sister then!" That is well- far too many young men seek vows that they soon regret that choice, once their ardor cools. Moving down a hallway, Kenta knocks on a door. "Thy pardon, mine task here shall only take a short time."

[Carver Amell]

"My twin, yes." He hangs back, awkwardly, waiting for Kenta to do... whatever he's doing. For that matter, what am I doing?