Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

'You sure you'll be alright?' He bites his tongue, determined not to spoil this trip by accidentally starting a fight. Instead he nods, heading to purchase the chestnuts before moving to the tree. 

[NPCs]

When Carver gets to the large oak tree, he doesn't see Beth right away. Noticing that the sun going down means that the other side is in the shade- and it being a touch muggy- he figures she's just gone around so they can be a bit cooler as they eat. Except she's not there. Perhaps the cider line was longer than it looked? Before he can head back to try and find her, he hears a female voice say something in a sing-song tone. A catty, mocking sing-song tone. A few seconds later, the voice says something else, something about the moon perhaps and then a soft sob comes from the same direction.

[Carver Amell]

Dammit. Dammit, dammit! I knew it! Without thinking, he drops the paper bag of chestnuts, jogging toward the sound, reaching for his shortsword. Dammit!

[NPCs]

Rounding the corner, he sees three- no, four figures. Three of them are standing in a group, facing away from him. Female, based on their dresses. Evlen, based on the styles, their builds and their ears. No weapons, simple dresses (well, the one in the middle has brighter colors, a more elaborate design), young looking. The one in the center is a sunny haired blonde, hair decorated with flowers. To the left is a woman with waist-length brown hair. The last also has brain hair, but it's close cropped to show off the half dozen earrings in each lobe. 

The last figure he can't see well, as they're covered in mud as they kneel on all fours in a mud puddle. Their head is bowed and partially blocked by the other three, but he can see see hints of dark hair. "-don't belong here," the short-haired elf is saying in a snooty tone. "Well, I suppose the mud suits you well enough."

[Carver Amell]

Beth. Without hesitation, he draws his sword, shouting, "You leave her alone!"

[NPCs]

The trio of elves all react with various expressions of shock- the left one jolts forward, almost tripping over the person on the ground but thankfully managing to stumble over them without too much issue. The other two both whirl in place, but the middle one almost falls over. Instead, she grabs at her friend to keep upright, likely scratching her arm given how long her nails are. "Wha- who are you? What are you doing? Get away from us or I'll shout for the guard!" she shrieks as she sees his drawn blade.

[Carver Amell]

"Try it," he snarls. "I bet they'd be glad to know how you were treating her."

[NPCs]

The middle elf sneers at him. "As if anyone would care about this little freak." She looks at him, then her sneer shifts to a smirk. "Oh my. Oh my! Has she- is she... is she... paying you to pretend to care about her? A kiss for a kind word, some time on her knees to hold her hand... time on her back to-"

[Carver Amell]

It's all he can do not to use the blade -- he backhands her with the hilt, a savage, dirty trick he's picked up, and he accompanies it with a feral snarl. Doing so gets him closer, lets him see that this isn't Bethany -- the hair is too short ,for one -- but he doesn't care anymore. Anyone like this, anyone that vile and nasty, he can't abide. Bullies are the closest thing to Evil he's encountered save when his whole town fell. 

[NPCs]

The elf crumples like cheap tin, falling to the ground with a piteous wail as she clutches at her face. The long-haired elf has taken off, her instincts compelling her to flee from danger. The other elf is less savvy, fear causing her to freeze in place.

[Tethras Clan]

On the other hand, the person he's defending- whose hair is a touch too short to be Beth, in addition to have pointed ears and too little in the way of curves- looks up with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Who..." she whispers.

[Carver Amell]

"Carver Hawke, Vangalite," he says, gruffly. "Are you hurt?"

[Tethras Clan]

The elf stares another moment, her thoughts scrambled beyond all reason. What finally forms into words is, Vangalite? I... I'm... he saved me? Me? I... he saved me. "Thank you," she whispers, tears streaming down her face. "Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," she babbles, body trembling as hope puts cracks into the passive, placid facade she hides behind during tormenting sessions. Vangal... Vangal sent him to save me. On the spot, Merrill decides that she'll cast off Uryll, the 'default' deity of Golden Green, and devote herself to Astea. 

Behind them a ways, Carver can hear his sister calling out for him, then hurried movement towards them. Probably heard the lead bitch's wailing.

[Carver Amell]

"Are-- hey now ,are you hurt? Are you alright?" Crying, what do I do with that?! Gods above, she looks like Beth on her worst days. Gods. Astea, what do I do? Beth, I hear Beth. 

"Over here!" he calls back. "Healer needed!"

[Bethany]

Beth rushes over, casting a still learning but trained eye over the scene before her. Spotting what looks like the most injured person, she heads for the lead bitch, then stops as more things sink in. Like the blood on Carver's hand and the way the injured girl is staring at Carver in fear. Or how there's other person, who looks clearly bullied, staring at her brother with... Is that... awe? Certainly wonder and... certainly some appreciation. No, focus Beth. Head in the game. "Carver, report," she asks instead of guessing.