Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Well, that's... not nothing, I guess. Is..." He licks his lips, uncertain and hesitant. "Is she... A danger to herself?"

[Carver Amell]

"What?" He frowns. "Maybe. I guess. She's not... she's not careful. She acts like she's grown and she's not."

[Varric]

Not saying this right (need to be direct). "Is she likely to hurt herself? On purpose? Is she suicidal?" the dwarf asks bluntly.

[Carver Amell]

Carver's eyes widen. "No!" 

[Varric]

"Is that a knee-jerk, I don't want to think about the idea no or are you sure?" Varric presses.

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I didn't-- she hasn't-- that's not what I mean, at all. She's not... she hasn't..." He gestures, helplessly. "She's doing things. Talks about the future. She can't be..."

[Varric]

"Alright. I haven't... I wasn't getting that read from her either, I just wanted to see if you were getting something different. But that's both of us thinking that sort of thing isn't a problem. So it's okay. Take a few deep breaths and... you want to do some parrying drills? Work a bit before we continue?"

[Carver Amell]

He nods as he breathes, a haunted look in his eyes that doesn't ease up until he really gets into the parrying drills, drags his mind off the concept. 

[Varric]

After twenty minutes or so of drills and other, lighter, conversation, Varric asks in the same casual tone he's been using, "so what're you going to do about your fight with Andy?"

[Carver Amell]

"Do?" he asks blankly.

[Varric]

"Yeah, what's your next step?"

[Carver Amell]

"What do you mean, next step? He's a tiefling and he hates me."

[Varric]

"And he's married to, uh, Seline, who Beth both admires and likes. And has tea with every other week or so at least. So he's not just going to vanish off the face of Aldis. You're going to have to interact with him eventually." Varric shrugs. "Probably better if you think about it rather than going off the cuff in the moment."

[Carver Amell]

He scowls. "I don't want to see him ever again. I don't want Beth going over there either."

[Varric]

"I don't want trolls to eat half of the cow herd I just bought last month but I'm still out twelve cows so...."