Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Absolutely not! Anyone willing and capable if summoning the number of demons reported there would barely even notice you before slaughtering you." If you're lucky anyway. "We'll take care of the investigation, you just look after your sister."

[Carver Amell]

"That's what I've been trying to do!"

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm aware," Vallen says in a tone dry as dust. "Need to work on your threat assessment but your heart is in the right place, I'll grant you that."

[Carver Amell]

Carver lifts his chin. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of anyone. I'll do whatever it takes, just like Marian." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Anything..? Once, maybe. Then Bethany's alone," Vallen says simply.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks away, his temper fading. Not like she needs me, he doesn't say. "Sure."

[Tethras Clan]

"It's hard," Vallen says gently. "Balancing that need to protect, to stand afore, with the realities of your own limitations, with their own desires to stand up for themselves and be strong and with anger and fear pushing you to attack and not defend. It is hard. But training and experience helps with it."

[Carver Amell]

"Well, I'll get the training. Then it'll be fine." He sighs, raking a hand through his messy black hair. "But Bethany needs Varric back. He's... He's good for her. Helps her stay focused, helps her see the right way through things instead of acting off-the-cuff. So, so please give him back soon. Okay?"

[Tethras Clan]

"I'll do what I can," Lt. Vallen says soberly, then smiles. "Your testimony- and your sister's- is going to be a large part of that."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Good." A brief pause, then he asks, "Can I see Bethany now?"

[Bethany]

He's given the go-ahead, as evidently Bethany had been questioned before him. Opening the door to the next room allows Carver to catch the last line of a story he'd just as soon have never heard again. "And the goose chased him all the way home! Still naked!"

[Andy za'Frane]

Laughing, Andy spots Carver behind Bethany and waves. "Done then?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Done. Everything's sorted."

[NPCs]

Things get settled fairly quickly after that. Bethany is introduced to Wynne Langnne, a mostly retired member of the Aequitarian's College and consult to the guard. After the first day of lessons under Carver's supervision, the male Hawke twin is rather firmly kicked out in order to attend to his own lessons at the Vanglite temple. Those go... less well, the poor lad being ill suited to the classroom learning he has to go through in order to become familiar with the dogma and mindset of an oath-sworn Vangalite. Their minder, as Lt. Vallen called it, turns out to be Seli. Evidently the pair had made enough of an impression- good and bad- that it was felt that a familiar face, even as briefly as hers, would be best. Upside, she turns out to be a great cook and often brings over baked goods to round out their meals.

Afternoons are for them, Beth heading back to the Bastionite temple most days to learn the teachings and help out while Carver spends more and more time with the Red Bandanas. Which is not to say that Bethany doesn't stop in anymore, if only to see Ari, or that Carver repeats his mistake with Summer and ignores his sister. At the same time, Carver starts to get a real taste for the rush that pulling of cons and thefts brings, the closest thing to the satisfaction that hunting used to give him back home. At the end of her first week of training, Bethany decides to try her hand at 'adulting' by inviting Wynne, Seli and Andy over for dinner. Andy can't make it- evidently he's got plans with a friend named Lovan or something?- but Seli promises to attend anyway, even offering to escort Wynne so Bethany doesn't have to worry about it.

[Carver Amell]

The blood. So much blood.

Carver stumbles through the street, the first shadows of dusk creating the shade he needs to hide. His face is dazed, blank with shock; blood drips down his leg where the knife cut his thigh, but he doesn't seem to notice or care. He cradles his right wrist in his left hand, under his cloak, hiding the blood-soaked fingers as he staggers to the back door of Varric's place, slumps against the door, closes his eyes. I have to get inside. Bethany, Bethany can fix this.