Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"What? What's wrong?" Bethany hisses, glancing back at the house, though she does allow him to pull her along. "Where's P- Varric? Is he okay?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver shakes his head as they depart. "They think he caused the demons. He's probably at the Guard Station."

[Bethany]

"What!" Bethany yelps, coming to a hard stop. "What? He would- he would never!"

[Carver Amell]

"I know," he hisses. "Come on. He wouldn't want us to go down with him. I'm sure he'll get let go eventually."

[Bethany]

But- but... he's right. Varric would want us to stay safe. "Alright. What's the plan?" she asks, allowing him to guide them both again.

[Carver Amell]

"I met a guy last week. He offered us a place to go if we ever need somewhere to lay low. Place called Cattown."

[Bethany]

"...isn't that in the dangerous part of town?" Bethany asks with concern, trying to remember the primer Varric explained to them.

[Carver Amell]

"I guess?" He shrugs. "This guy's poor, like we used to be."

[Bethany]

"Maybe we could go to the temple instead? Or... I have a little coin on me, we could maybe just get a room at an inn for a few days," she suggests.

[Carver Amell]

"Don't spend your coin. We just need to hide out for the night, get the lay of things tomorrow."

[Bethany]

"I... alright, that makes sense," Bethany says. "Just... stay close?" she asks nervously, hating herself for asking yet still more from her twin but needing him.

[Carver Amell]

"Always." There's a firm resolution in her twin's deepening voice, giving her a taste of the man he's becoming. "I'll always protect you."

It takes a little bit to get directions, but they make their way into Coalside, into the feline portions. As they get closer, they find more and more catfolk hanging around, watching them suspiciously from chairs, rooftops, windows. Carver pulls Bethany closer, wishing he had his bow, ready to fight to the death to protect her.

They don't have to go far into Cattown. The temple is on the main road, open to all comers including non-catfolk, almost like a parlor for the whole compound. Before Carver can get up the courage to go in, a tan catfolk with dark spots along his fur leaps down from a second-story window, dropping in front of them. Carver thrusts Bethany behind him, but the boy only grins. 

"Carcar!" he greets him. "Come to join us?"

"I just... we need a place to stay for the night," manages Carver, licking his lips. 

[Bethany]

Bethany peeks over Carver's shoulder. She's still in the process of switching her focus from offensive arcane to healing divine, but that just means that she can create a cone-shaped sheet of freezing cold vapour if something goes wrong. Not often by any means, but still. And she can do her glob of freezing fluid as often as she can chant. But... It looks like Carver was right about having a friend here. I just hope this doesn't... Moth- no! I will not- it doesn't matter what that woman used to say about catfols and other city folk. It'll be fine. Carver is with me.

[Carver Amell]

The boy nods, looking around. "You can't stay here, of course. But I have a place. Let's go."

Carver nods, stepping aside a little to follow, revealing Bethany. The boy blinks at her, then holds out a furred paw. "I am Adonis. You can call me Don."

[Bethany]

"Bethany," she offers with a weak smile, dipping into a curtsy instead of taking the hand. Hopefully that doesn't insult him, I just... I'm too nervous right now. "Nice to met you, umm, Don."