Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

Carver and Don lead the way back out of Cattown, into Coalside proper. Don leads them around to the back entrance of an abandoned shop, where they've turned the back room into a hideout of sorts: there's bedrolls, oil lamps, tools, and a few other boys sitting around playing cards. Two of them are catfolk, one merikos gnome with bright blue hair and piercings, and one human with dark skin. 

Don gestures to them. "Niko, Miki, Djon, and Steve. Welcome to the Red Bandanas." Upon further inspection, all four boys have bandanas on: Niko's is tied around his left wrist, Miki's is tucked into his back pocket, Djon's is around his right forearm, and Steve's is holding his braids back off his face. 

[Bethany]

All boys. Of course they're all boys. Great. Carver, you better know what you're doing with this... Wait- Red Bandanas. Silly name, bunch of rough looking sorts squatting in some ruin... Carver Firethorn Hawke, did you join a gang! Oooooh, when I get a handful of minutes alone with you, I'm going to.... UGUGGGH!

[NPCs]

The human sets hs cards down so he can stand up and approach the newcomers. "'ou must be the folksy boy Don mentioned. What do you think of the big city so far, farmer boy?" Behind him, the merikos gnome deftly checks Steve's cards, then grins before calling the raise.

[Carver Amell]

"Suits me fine," he says, eyeing the boy. "I'm Carver."

[NPCs]

"So- what're you offering?" Steve asks bluntly. "Way too big for roof work, that's for damn sure. Guess maybe you could do-" And then he spots Bethany. "Ah... I get it. Niiice," he says with a smirk.

[GamesMaster]

One of the cats, hearing Steve's tone, perks up, his black-and-white ears pricking up. "Oh, girl!" he says, scrambling to his feet. He rushes over to Bethany, giving a bow. "Am Miki."

[Carver Amell]

Carver reaches for the knife at his belt. "No," he says flatly. "We just need a place to stay for a bit."

[Bethany]

Bethany moves closer to Carver, a blue wisp of light pooling in her hand. "Beth," she says curtly. "And I'm with Carver, so fuck off."

[NPCs]

Steve holds up his hands, a disarming grin in place. "Hey, hey, no harm meant! Just... giving a compliment. Still... everyone's got to pull their weight."

[Carver Amell]

"Beth works, she has some money she can offer. I'll do whatever needs doing."

[Bethany]

"I can cook, clean, repair clothing, basic first aid and..." She holds up her hand, the glowing energies much more noticable.

[NPCs]

Steve takes a half-step back before catching himself. "Hey now, that's a bit rude, ain't it? Like pointing a dagger at someone's throat. Damned yokels," he adds under his breath for the sake of his friends's ears alone. "Whadda think Niko?"

The merikos gnome snorts a bit. "I think she's already more useful than you, Stevie," he drawls with a smirk and wink for Beth. 

"Wasn't fucking asking you, now was I?" Steve snaps back.

[GamesMaster]

The tricolor-furred catfolk studies the girl for a moment, his whiskers twitching. Finally, he says, "sh'll do, yah. Small. Fits places."

[Bethany]

Fits small places? Like... repairs and cl- Bethany's eyes widen. "I am not a thief," she hisses, face turning crimson with offense.

[GamesMaster]

"Yah? Wha'cha doin here then?" asks Niko.