Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"No! I'm choosing to whore because... well, because being one of them is the only way to have a rightful say in the running of the brothel. And I want to be apart of it, I want to prove that a commune-style brothel will work and work well. That pimps are outdated and, quite frankly, unethical," Bethany says firmly. "If Merrill wants to help, she can- once she's of age," she adds quickly. "But this isn't her cause, and I wouldn't ask that of her. Wouldn't encourage it unless she flat out asks me for help."

[Carver Amell]

"If all she hears is stuff like that, where you're so... so..." He clearly wrestles with words for a moment before settling on, "Heroic and, you make it sound so noble and glamorous, then of course she'll want to. I almost want to, listening to you. But I know it's dangerous and you never say that part."

[Bethany]

"I don't have to say it, that's all you ever do," Bethany gripes. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Ummm. Are whores allowed to be married?" Merrill asks, voice a squeak and cheeks flushed.

[Varric]

Varric coughs. "Ah, no law against it, but... generally they're not married, no." Oh yeah, none of us remembered to ask Merrill about her opinion (dumb).

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh, then I wouldn't want to be a whore then, sorry. I can heal though," Merrill says in a rush, then whirls around to fuss with the already finished dough.

[Carver Amell]

Carver lets out an honest sigh of relief, sagging against the pantry door. "Good. Thank you."

[Tethras Clan]

I wonder if I can still learn how though... maybe I can rent a whore instead? Is that how you say it? Oh! I mean, is that how you think it? Or is it still say, even though I'm only thinking it in my head? What if someone is reading my mind while I think it? Hello? Merrill's eyes cross, unseen by the others.

[Bethany]

"....or that," Bethany mutters, trying to ignore the sting Carver's relief that Merrill isn't going to sully herself by being a filthy whore. Stop it. He doesn't think less of you (are you sure? not even a little?), he's just worried about you. "Cookies are almost done, then Merri and I need to get to class."

[Carver Amell]

"Okay."

He pauses, seeming to wrestle with himself before asking, softly and without looking at her, "Do you... still want me to walk you?"

[Bethany]

Bethany bites her lip, then, "yes. I... I don't want to fight anymore. But I'd like to walk with you.

[Carver Amell]

"Okay," he says again, relieved. "Cool. Then, then let's just have a nice walk."

[Bethany]

Smiling at him, Beth sets down the spoon and moves to hug her brother. "'Love you, ma'win," she murmurs, burrowing her face into the crook of his neck. "Gods, you've gotten so tall."


The rest of their birthday had gone well. Lessons were light that day, and Kenta had allowed Carver to cut out an hour early from training so the family of four could go out to eat. And see a play afterwards- a drama based in Runis about a band of adventurers that slew a demilich attempting to open a portal to the Plane of Negative Energy. Strangely, that's the prologue- the meat of the play is about how, during this fight, the portal had imploded on itself rather spectacularly which had somehow torn the heros from their bodies. They'd finished the fight despite that, fighting on in astral forms against the equally incorporeal demilich.  Victory brought both triumph and hardship, however, as the uncontrolled expulsion had tangled their astral cords, resulting in the quintet being returned to the wrong bodies. Eventually they'd managed to restore themselves, but not without gaining the favor and assistance of Mileen's Herald.

The following evening is less entertaining by far- Bethany had attempted to be casual about it, but while Carver might be slow, he's not unobservant. Her departure to the brothel with Don as escort had begun with Carver's scowl and heavy glare searing into her back. Once arriving, Bethany, simmering and seething, throws herself into learning the new routine at the now legal brothel- dubbed Shiny Cat.

[GamesMaster]

Don, stuck between a lake and a loud noise, chooses to bring Beth tea rather than face down Brianne's wrath. Why do I keep working here? he asks himself for the dozenth time as he pushes open her door.

"Hey, Beth, how's it going?"

[Bethany]

"Why are brothers such absolute pains in the ass?" Bethany snaps as she finishes putting away some freshly cleaned and Mended bedsheets. As she goes by him, she pauses to hug him. "You're fine, not mad at you," she adds almost automatically before resuming her work. "Stupid, stubborn, heavy-handed, careless, over-protective and judgement," she seethes in a growling mutter.