Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"We- Golden Shores, we b-burnt..." Bethan swallows, hard. "I think... we could bury him instead, maybe? Please?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "We can bury the spellbook. It's, its like her isn't it? Her, her magic and her..." His voice is thick, and he blinks back tears. "Maybe, do you think, Teddy might... Just, Mother, she's..."

[Bethany]

"Marian deserves to have... to have at least Teddy with her. She's alone now... Leandra has her brother.," Bethany says coldly, then relents, a little, for her twin's sake. "But she... she can come to the service."

[Varric]

Varric winces. "I... I was just going to sell the junk jewelry for scrap metal but I could have it cleaned and fixed up a little, send that over." Give her something to put in that (creepy as shit) shrine she has in her room. It's not overdone or anything (the 'holy' style sketch is a bit much) but in your bedroom? Ugh. Be like you're being watched all night.

[Carver Amell]

Carver flinches, his gut churning. 'At least Teddy'? 'She's alone'? Beth.. you're not.. Please tell me you're not worried about her being alone more than you are my being here without you.

"Alright," he says, his voice hoarse. "Then, then that's fine."

[Bethany]

Beth studies Carver for a moment, worried about his reaction. "Carver... is... is that..." I hate her. But I hate her most of all for hurting you. I won't make it worse. 

[Carver Amell]

He squeezes her hand, nodding, unable to speak. His free hand, he reaches up to wipe away the beginnings of tears. 

[Varric]

"She not," Varric says abruptly. "Alone." At Bethany's frown, he shrugs a bit. "You think my mother wouldn't have jumped on the chance to met her eldest granddaughter?" 

[Bethany]

Bethany's mouth drops open, looking stunned that he said it outright like that. "I... thank you. That... that does help. Thank you."

[Carver Amell]

Carver hangs his head, unable to contain the tears. "Thank you," he chokes out. "I-- she-- thank you."

[Varric]

Shifting uncomfortably, Varric nods. "Alright then. I'll look into arranging for an Astean burial rite. Meantime, you two have classes to get to. Carver, I talked with a friend last night, they said they'd be willing to try some one-on-one. They're right bookish, so it might not work out but I don't know anyone that knows more about religions so I figured it'd be worth asking. But that won't be for a few days so we can talk over details later. You two finish getting ready, I'll clean up today."

[Bethany]

Making a somewhat impulsive decision, Bethany leans in towards Carver as the dwarf heads for the sink. "Can we leave early? I... I need to tell you some things and I want it to be just us."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, still trying to stem his tears, but just.. glad to be with Bethany, to have her hand to cling to. To be here, walking her to classes, protecting her. Keeping her happy.

[Bethany]

Once they're ready and on their way, Bethany detours the pair to a small park dedicated to Uryll just inside Preacher's Way. She looks around nervously, then glances at him to confirm he doesn't notice anyone either. That given, she swallows hard and... stalls. "So. Umm. You know that... how.... I mean... how's your training?" She winces a little, slightly ashamed of herself.

[Carver Amell]

"Uh." Not going. "Fine."