Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flushes again. "This one would be honored."

[Bethany]

Bethany beams at the pair. "I should go check on dinner," she chirups happily as she pops to her feet. On her way out, she gives Carver a pointed look. Could be a 'yay, plan's working' or it could be 'make friends' look.

[Carver Amell]

Carver decides to interpret that the best way possible: he leaps to his feet, nodding to Helene as he mumbles, "I'll help," and trots after Bethany. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene watches them go for a moment, then turns back to Varric. "Ah. Is this... normal behavior?"

[Varric]

"Hells if I know what 'normal' is for teenagers. I think..." He pauses, then switches to kendish. "I think she's is trying to impress- not just you, but me and herself. And possibly her mother- they're estranged, badly. She ran their household- the domestic stuff- but wasn't given authority over it, just the work. I let her have her head, so I think she wants to prove that was the right choice, that she deserves that trust. You're our first guest so..."

[Bethany]

When Carver reaches the kitchen, he's treated to this sister doing a full body shimmy in front of the stove, complete with a butt wriggle and thrust in his direction. "So great," she whispers excitedly to herself as she stirs a pot of gravy.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one understands the feeling. This one is doing their best to behave appropriately."

[Carver Amell]

Carver covers his eyes. "Ah! I uh, I came to help?"

[Bethany]

Bethany goes still, butt still pointed at him. "..." She slowly straightens up. "..." Clears her throat. "...start carrying out the dishes on the table to the living room," she says in a very even tone.

[Varric]

"You're doing fine," Varric assures them. "Carver's always a bit... awkward around people, except Beth really. And she seems to really like you." For some reason I can't figure out exactly (seemed related to my calling you a friend). Maybe just because I vouched for you?

[Carver Amell]

"Uh, sure, yeah," he agrees, nodding vigorously as he moves to get the dishes. Never do that thing with your butt again.

[NPCs]

Dinner goes well enough after that. The food is good, of course. Maybe not fancy or exotic, but tasty and filling. Far too much of it as well, Helene will end up going home with a basket of leftovers and there'll still be enough for a half dozen lunches. Conversation is mostly Varric and Helene talking about all sorts of things, though Bethany eagerly chimes in regularly to try and pull talk towards more personal matters. Carver... well, after the third or fourth kick to his ankle, he does some talking as well, but it's pretty clear he feels awkward. Friendly, but uncertain of what to say. After dessert- because of course Bethany baked dessert- Varric walks Helene home (mostly to finish their debate over a recent paper published about summoning circle variation differentials) which leaves Bethany the freedom to sing and dancer her way through clean-up.

After allowing Carver to flee upstairs.

[Helene Dakesh]

[Reserved]

[GamesMaster]

The next few days are all about discovering a routine. Slowly, Carver and Helene get used to each other, and Carver manages to absorb at least some of Vangal's tenets under their careful tutelage. Bethany, meanwhile, continues with her healing training, learning about Bastion and the demands he places upon healers. 

A week and change later, it's finally the big day: Bethany's turn at the brothel. They've decided to expand to two days a week, given how well the one day is going (and how eager Bri is to leave her current pimp altogether).

Brianne lets Bethany inside, showing her to the room she'll be using. "You want some dee-dubs?" she offers, as they head for the door.

[Bethany]

"Ye- they won't make it... uh, they won't interfere with... work?" Bethany asks, delaying her near instant agreement. I'm so nervous I'm about to puke but I don't want to... well, 'Drunk Bethany' probably isn't a great plan either.