Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Any idea where it came from? That size, that vicious... could be a real problem," Varric says, frowning. "Here, sit up, I have tea."

[Carver Amell]

What was it Beth was saying? A pit, that's right. "Niko and Beth think it was a pit dog, got loose. Dead now though. Just some freak accident." He moves to sit up, wincing a bit as he puts weight on his sore arm.

[Varric]

"Damn big, even for a pit dog. Strong too, if it broke your arm with a bite..." Varric lets Carver struggle on his own, then hands over the mug once he's up. Should look into that. Carver was strong and tough (and lucky) enough to win out and Beth could heal him. Swap that order though...

[Carver Amell]

"Fucking huge," he agrees, taking the mug. "Took a few bites to break the arm, but it was broken real bad." 

He takes a deep breath through his nose, smelling the tea, then adds, "I tried not to scream but..."

[Varric]

"If it looks this rough after Beth healed you, I think you're well entitled to scream," Varric offers. The tea is the standard fare they normally have, with the normal amount of honey, but it's stronger and more bitter than normal because it sat due to him oversleeping. "Sure you killed it? You're sturdy enough to take it but if it had attacked some kid or even just a regular civilian..."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm sure."

He pauses, then adds, "Beth wasn't near me when it attacked. I-- Marian screamed," he admits, clutching the mug tighter. 

[Varric]

Varric flinches. "I... yeah. It's... normal. A lot of warriors try to channel it into 'war cries' and such, but it's all still screaming when you get down to it."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "I didn't want to... to scare her," he says, then braves a sip of the tea, making a face. At least it's hot.

[Varric]

"I reheated it," Varric offers unabashedly. If he had been hungover, the extra steeping would have helped. "And I think you can be forgiven for giving her a little fright, given what you went through. Not putting extra on your loved ones is one thing, but hurting yourself to avoid troubling them for perfectly reasonable levels of support is just daft."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, slowly. "Okay," he says, frowning at his tea. 

[Varric]

"How's your head? I gather from the fact that you're not rushing out of bed to get ready, you're looking to take a rest day?"

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. I'm not going to be able to focus." He shakes his head. "Maybe some light work later."

[Tethras Clan]

"Other than your arm, how's your body feeling? If your legs and such are fine and you're not too achy, you could make a few copper running messages for me," Varric offers. "Busy work, but it'll get you out of the house and a bit active so you don't get stir-crazy."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. In a bit, yeah, that sounds good."

[Varric]

And that'll free me up some time to start some wheels moving in regards to that (half-breed? magically augmented?) dog. Seems I've heard a rumor or two about other dog attacks (all near Cattown but not in it. Might be more inside, harder to get rumors). Some idiot starting up a dog fighting ring without taking care in controlling them? Dangerous, very dangerous (my kids work there). "Yeah, go ahead and get cleaned up, I'll reheat breakfast. Already walked Beth to temple."