Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Andy za'Frane]

Andy purses his lips, thinking. "Well... based on my admittedly second-hand understanding, most of the initial stuff isn't things you need a paladin to teach you. A lot of it is either doctrine- which your tutor seems to have in hand- or combat training. What kind of free time to you have normally?"

[Carver Amell]

"uh. Some time in the evening after Beth gets back?" he hazards. "I do some stuff in town though, so not every day. And I practice with Varric a lot."

[Andy za'Frane]

"Give me an estimate. Four hours after dinner or so... four times a week? Three hours after lunch five days?"

[Carver Amell]

He shifts a bit. "I could do three days a week," he decides. 

[Andy za'Frane]

"Alright, good. I'll talk to the Lt and we'll work out between having someone there each day. Fair warning- Lt. Vallen is... very much not one to be okay if you skip out. Or if you're late. She will make you regret it," Andy says, rubbing his side. "Worth it though. Her taking on a mentorship role for me is the best thing that's ever happened to me, professionally."

[Carver Amell]

Carver winces. "uh. Alright. Okay. I'll-- this makes sense. I guess it'll work." He still doesn't look pleased -- more afraid, and unwilling to let it show.

[Andy za'Frane]

"...is that actually okay? You look... bothered by something," Andy observes shrewdly. Is he still wary about the guard, even after all this time?

[Carver Amell]

"Well it's just... you hear things. About guards. In Coalside." he shifts a little. 

[Andy za'Frane]

"Ah," Andy says sadly. "Yeah, I expect you do. I... Lovan and I grew up in Coal mostly. Orphanage. It's... getting better. Might be a touch biased, but Lt. Vallen seems to be making a real difference. She believes in the oaths she made, to protect, serve and care for the city and her people."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah, I bet," he mutters. "Starting with kicking out all the cats, right?" 

[Andy za'Frane]

"Half the guard, actually," Andy corrects him. "I believe the quote was 'I'd rather run the guard with half a roster and prayers than corruption, laziness and bumbling fools.' The Captain was less than amused but he's also terrified of her. So."

[Carver Amell]

Carver scowls. "There's still plenty of guards in Coalside."

[Andy za'Frane]

"She's not Captain yet. And even when she gets it, the bullshit in Coal has been rotting for decades. It's not going to be shoveled out in years. Ave- Lt. Vallen has ever intention of spending the bulk of her life cleaning Coal up. First the guard, then the streets. Because don't even try and bullshit me and say that everyone there is innocent. I did live there, remember."

[Carver Amell]

"Things wouldn't be so bad if there was, I don't know, if Coalside was better. What are the cats supposed to do, just not exist? They can't get good jobs or anything."

[Andy za'Frane]

Andy nods. "That's why she's focusing on the guard first. If people can trust them, trust that the place is safe, then business can start being built again, either by people that live there or by investors. After safety comes jobs. Jobs reduce poverty, which reduces crime, which brings in more safety."