Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

He takes the glass silently, and even with the missing water, manages to spill a little of it before he gets it to his mouth. He drains it in several sips, then lets it fall to his lap. "Thank you," he mumbles, hating how weak he feels.

[Isabela]

She takes the glass, moving to refill it. "Do you want this now, or on the table by the bed?" she asks, softly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"On the table. My stomach is... I shouldn't go too fast. Cramps and vomiting are hardly attractive." Zevran closes his eyes, focusing on taking long, slow breaths. "...I'm sorry I left you," he whispers after a minute or so.

[Isabela]

"You had to," she says instantly. "I'm sorry I let you." 

She moves toward him, her instinct telling her to press a kiss to his head -- but instead, she simply caresses his hair gently. "I'll be back soon with soup."

[Tethras Clan]

"Soup sounds good." He leans into her touch, expression gaining a look of contentment. "I am still sorry. But I shall focus on being glad to see you."

[Carver Amell]

Carver wasn't certain about all this. When told they not only have a new whore, but a fugitive hiding at their brothel, he immediately picked a fight with Beth about whether it's safe and how could she just decide this and doesn't she care and what if he's a murderer. Which had gone... well. Beth still wasn't speaking to him when they arrive, but he at least looks sorry about it, so they're likely to make up shortly thereafter.

He does insist on standing in the room while she heals Zevran, however. The lighting's better in the front room, so they pull him out to there, where Isabela can pace and Carver can skulk and both of them can be away from Beth. That also means, however, that they have to share the space with Brianne and Elle, who are doing Elle's hair in braids and gossiping. 

Carver tries his best to tune them out, but some of the assembled have little to focus on and great hearing. And there's, indeed, snatches of intriguing gossip:

"-- in my mouth, so I couldn't yell out --"

"no way! -- in the open wounds?! --"

"Shh! yes, it hurt like -- thought I'd never be able to stand -- "

" -- was right outside, wasn't he? And --"

"-- Bethany, thank Bharnerol --"

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran can let some of that go. Maybe even half of it. Not everyone is skilled at this sort of work and mistakes happen. People push too far out of ignorance or excitement. It happens. But... Taking a moment when Bethany is measuring out some vials of... I'll go with tonic. It sounds more drinkable than 'vicious goop' and I think she's going to make me drink. He winces. Scratch that- I hope it's taken orally...  the merikos drow slips over to Isabela. He does spare a moment to be grateful that Isabela was able to get him a disguise kit, so he could dye his hair a rich brown and cover up his tattoos. Of course, the glowing ink will cause the make-up to run off much faster, dratted things, but it helps. Need to get a magical disguise, one of those lovely hats methinks. 

"Ma'bela, a question... have you had a chance to get to know any of our future co-workers as yet?" he murmurs in a low voice.

[Isabela]

"No, I spent most of today settling things," she replies softly, eyeing the catgirl. "Brianne I knew, before. Good girl, poor life choices."

[Tethras Clan]

"Hmmm. I think perhaps that I shall start giving a few lessons to the whores, if you can... ease about and ask around?" Zevran smiles faintly, giving the air of someone just having a bit of a chat.

[Isabela]

"Lessons in making good life choices?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Hmmm, that, perhaps, though I'm not sure how much I can help with such. More specifically, I was thinking self-defence and perhaps some bed skills. IF one is going to whore, they should at least be good at it."

[Isabela]

"I agree," says Isabela, eyeing the girls. "Brianne is... a little too accommodating. I don't know the other."

[Tethras Clan]

"Quite so," Zevran murmurs. "Though I would say 'cowed' rather than accommodating. She's not broken, but she is... fragile in certain ways. Willing to bend at the least pressure."

[Isabela]

Isabela gives him an odd look. "You two have been getting friendly, I see."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran glances at her curiously. "I suppose? She is not so very hard to read really," he says with a shrug.