Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Precisely. The first step is spreading the word -- most people would do better under a communist system, they just don't know what it is. Then the hard part: taking power back from the people who have it now, so it can be redistributed among the people."

It's at this point that Carver butts back in: "Which sounds like a great way to piss off the people who have it now."

[Bethany]

"Yeah... that... kind of sounds like stealing," Bethany says slowly. "I mean, 'means of production' is stuff like workshops and farms and mines and such, right? Taking it would mean we'd have to steal it. People... really don't like that. And most don't just let that happen."

[GamesMaster]

"Did you steal when setting up your business?"

[Bethany]

Bethany shakes her head. "No but there's a difference between... What we do is a service, there really aren't any 'means' to seize. Taking someone's workshop... feels different."

[Carver Amell]

"Dunno if the pimps see it that way," mutters Carver. 

[GamesMaster]

Anders nods. "There are those who advocate purchasing workshops and donating them to the craftsmen who work within, but I personally don't see how that will avoid benefiting our current overlords more than it does us -- they'll simply wait for the workshop to fall on hard times, then purchase it at a discount, and in the meantime, use the money we spend to purchase a second location."

[Bethany]

"Then... you just have to make sure the shops don't fail, I suppose," Bethany says slowly. "Maybe... team up. If one workshop flounders, then the other workshops can front them enough to survive, and then pay them back. Like how Carver and I always pooled our pocket money."

[GamesMaster]

"You should come to our meetings. Join the Party. Help make a difference."

[Bethany]

Bethany frets at her lip, looking over at her twin to silently ask him for his opinion. Not just on this Party things, but also about Anders as a person.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks skeptical, but after a moment, his eyes grow less intense, as he relents. He's not at all certain about this, but he knows Bethany wants to make a difference, so it's at least worth a shot.

[Bethany]

"...sure. Carver and I can come by for at least one meeting, see what it's like," Bethany finally agrees.

[GamesMaster]

"Wonderful! I look forward to it. But ah, I suspect the rest of my patients are growing impatient..." 

[Varric]

"...is there a reason why we're having four main dishes and seven side dishes for dinner? And..." Varric glances inside the oven. "And two cakes? Seriously?"

[Bethany]

Bethany flushes a bit, then lifts her noise high in the air. "I'm the cook. You gave me that duty and I get to decide how I go about it. Now go wash up! No, no back-talk, wash! Now! Carver! Is the living room clean yet? I need you to go into the basement and bring up the silverware! And look for a vase!" 

[Varric]

Varric stares a moment, then slowly shakes his head. Alright, lesson learned. Give way more than a day's notice when inviting guests over. Evidently, it turns Beth into a madwoman with an iron fist of authority. Slipping out of the kitchen, he heads for the washroom, giving Carver a look of mutual suffering and adherence to feminine demands. Still, kind of nice... having someone care so damn much about the house. And having food here, waiting, is pretty good too. Wish she'd be willing to learn some dwarven cooking, the proper kind, but can't have everything. 

Twenty minutes later, he's finishing up shaving when there's a series of crisp knocks. Before he can so much as reach for a towel to clean his face off, he hears Bethany bellow for Carver to get the door- and 'remember to be nice!'