Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"This one likes you best," Merrill declares, nose pressed against the only male of the litter. "He's already learning to look after his sisters like you too," she explains with an admiring look and a soft blush.

[Carver Amell]

"He's my favorite too," says Carver, with a small smile. "He's like me. We're both good guard dogs, good hunters."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill beams at him. "You're better than a dog, both of you," she says firmly. Her head cocks to the side, eyes unfocusing. "Your spirits look similar too. You have a bit of wild in you. Loyal. Steadfast. Protective, almost territorial. Anything for the pack." She giggles. "He's learning from you but I think maybe he has some lessons to share with you in return."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Yeah, that's me. You can see spirits?"

[Tethras Clan]

The elf's eyes widen and she ducks her head as if bracing herself. "Um, y-yes? B-but they're real, I swear! Elder Marethari can see them t-too."

[Carver Amell]

"That's pretty cool. I can turn my hands into claws." He smiles at her, encouraging, and holds out one hand. In a brief moment, it sprouts fur and claws, then turns back into a normal human hand -- if a little scuffed from his tree adventures earlier.

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh, you have doggo paws!" Merrill squeals. "Oh but your hands! Did- did you hurt yourself saving me?" she asks with a much weaker voice, the guilt blatantly clear in her tone, posture and eyes. And her quivering lip...

[Carver Amell]

"No, no way, I uh..." He blushes a bit. "I punched a tree. After-- with my father." 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill blinks, confused now. "But- why punch trees? They're big and... hard. Unless they're baby trees, saplings. But you wouldn't punch a baby, even a plant baby so they must have been large and all barky." Not waiting for an answer, she reaches for his hands.

[Carver Amell]

"Well, I mean, I won't hurt the trees," he says, letting her take his hand. "So I can just... let some of the anger out, I guess, without hurting anyone."

[Tethras Clan]

"Ooooooh," Merrill explains, muttering a healing spell under her breath. Merrill's healing feels different than his sister's healing. It's... it's a strange blend. On one hand, it feels like a timid, harmless animal- a rabbit or a mouse perhaps- warily but gamely sniffing at what it hopes, for once, to be real food, not tainted or refuse. The other layer is that of a flower, face reaching towards a dim sun. 

"I know how that feels. I scratch my legs and arms with thorns sometimes. Well, less now that I befriended Chriples, he doesn't like blood scent. Few songbirds do. But it helps with the hurt gets too much." She speaks absently, not really paying attention to her own words, as she carefully inspects Carver's hands to make sure they're fine now.

[Carver Amell]

"It... helps?" He blinks. "A particular thorn or?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Hmm? Huh? No, it's just that the pain distracts me from the hurt," Merrill explains. "Do you hands hurt still? Any stiffness? Ache in the joints?"

[Carver Amell]

"Wait, doesn't pain mean the same thing as hurt?" he asks, still after this concept. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill goes still, not even breathing.