Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

So I met my teacher today, the slate message begins. You'll never guess what he is. His name is Shadis and he's the biggest cat I've ever seen. He's twice as big as me! He says I have beast-blood, and he's going to teach me how to change my skin and unleash my inner beast. I think I'm more of a dog or maybe a Mabari than a cat, but we'll find out. I'm excited to start learning something useful! 

[Bethany]

Could you explain a bit more about this... beast-blood and inner-beast stuff? It's nice that your teacher is cat, maybe you can pick up a little more cat-chat while you're doing your other studies. Things here have got pretty complicated here. Everyone you know is fine though, so please don't be worried. Dad made sure Merri and I were safe at home- did you know we have a security golem!?

[Tethras Clan]

Hi! This is kind of neat but I miss seeing your face and touching your skin and kissing your lips and feeling your arms around me and feeling your warmth against me, inside me, at night. Beth and I are working on a project together for you and it looks great already oh but I wasn't supposed to say anything because its a surprise so pretend you didn't read this. Love you so much.

[Carver Amell]

We have a security golem?! That is so cool! I miss you too Merrill. I'm still learning about beast-blood stuff. Bad news though: he says I can't use a sword anymore. Ugh. Miss you both. 

[Bethany]

Yeah, it's a clockwork thing, like a mix of snake and person- oh Merri says it's like a lamia, whatever that is. Evidently lamia are people from the waist up and snakes from that waist down, like mermaids or centaur. Anyway, it's dwarf sized but really heavy and sturdy (so dwarf sized). I'm glad you're learning a lot. Shame about the sword- why can't you use it?

[Carver Amell]

Uh so I guess metal stuff stops me from using my powers. My teacher says it's worked metal, because the tools of man weren't meant for the likes of us, or whatever that means. I want a big sword anyway. What if I killed a dragon and used its claws to make a sword? That wouldn't be the tools of man right?

Also I might be gone longer than I expected, my teacher thinks I've got a lot to learn. 

[Varric]

Hey, do me a favor and try to include a much detail- particularly timeline- a possible next time you have to change plans while you're away? And maybe give me a head's up first? Beth is still talking Sunshine out of turning into a swan and flying to Raplin's Oak to get to you before 'you fight a dragon and die or worse what if he forgets about us or gets lost or falls in love with the dragon or-'. Glad to hear you're making progress though- also, ask around about darkwood for that sword. Not as cool as dragon teeth but easier to get ahold of. Will send more funds for your gear needs.

[Bethany]

You can be such a guy sometimes. Don't worry too much though, I talked Merri down. Hopefully you don't make a liar of me about you probably just meaning a month or two longer, than years. Love you ma'win. Write back soon.

[Carver Amell]

Wait what? Years?! A swan?! What are you guys even talking about! I just meant a couple more weeks or maybe a month, that's all! Shadis says I shouldn't leave before I've mastered changing skins because it will be much harder to teach me from afar because he can't write and he absolutely refuses to move to Nyra because he says cities smell bad and are full of icky metal and rotting meat. Whatever that means. But I'll come home quick as I can, I promise!

Also please ask Seeker Helene why there are so many kinds of elves? Also how come some elves live in caves, aren't elves really big on trees and nature and stuff? Are cave elves like Dwarves?

[Bethany]

Hoo Boy! So I asked Dad to ask Helene about your question and... umm, no. The answer is very loudly no. Evidently like ninety-nine percent (or more) of all drow (cave elves) worship Sirena and have for generations. So they're really fucked up. Real big on slavery, raiding other races, devil summoning (and breeding!!!) and even worse (Dad wouldn't explain what's worse than those). They're like the worst of the worst. He did mention that he's met a good drow though, what he said are commonly called 'surface drow' because, well, they moved away from the other drow to the surface. Mostly they worship other gods.

Glad to hear that bit about the lessons. The swan bit is because Merri is learning how to turn into animals. She can... mostly do it. Some of the time.

[Carver Amell]

Oh. Is it uh, is it safe to hang out with a merikos drow? Because he seems nice and all but you know how sometimes nice people can turn out to be actually pretty cruel underneath. I wish you were here to give me your opinion. 

Tell Merrill to try to turn into a doggie dog. Then we could go play together as dogs when I get back.

I love you

[Tethras Clan]

Doggos!

[Bethany]

Ah, yeah, Merri thinks that's a great idea. She's started following Hunter around and trying to mimic how he walks. It's adorable. Totally separate but some future adorable? Seli's pregnant! So glad we gave one of the mabari pups to them, she'll be at a good size when the baby is born and be able to help look out for them. Merri is over the moon, by the way, and keeps sighing all wistfully so I hope you're up for having a large family at some point. Aww, she's so cute when she blush-

[Varric]

Beth can't finish her letter because the pair of them are cleaning their bedroom, the kitchen and the hallway after the massive pillow/flour/mud fight they just had. Hunter won. Glad you're doing well, son.

PS- don't worry about race. Treat each person as themself. Trust your instincts but be sure to distinguish between your gut and your fears. Sirenites don't, almost can't, tolerate disrespect to their goddess, so if you can casually drop a reference to the Iron Bitch (an insulting nickname) and he doesn't take offense,...

[Carver Amell]

Hey dad. Good advice. I mentioned the Iron Bitch and he kicked my ass but we're friends now. I'm having a great time. Love you all.


Carver lays on the grass, Silence curled up to his side, watching the stars. He likes this, likes being close with Jassinth, likes learning about stars and talking about life. Jassinth's head is beside his, though his body points the other direction, preventing them from being accused of cuddling or anything like that.

"Hey, Jass?" he asks, listening to the cicadas and the pounding of his heart.