Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Wh--what?" Carver asks, his voice full of fear and pain. His eyes widen, and he drops the basket. "Wh-- how-- when--?"

[Tethras Clan]

"The- the Light Bombing. It- the guard was so overworked, Andy was- was sent solo on a patrol and-" She swallows, unable to finish. From deeper inside the house, a soft elven voice calls out, "mon amour? Who is it?"

[Carver Amell]

"I--" His voice is choked with pain as he takes a step back, then another. "I'm sorry, I-- I came here to say i'm sorry-- I am-- I was-- I'm sorry," he whimpers, his eyes falling on the basket. "The-- those are for--- for you, I-- I'm sorry."

Then, eyes misting with tears, Hunter at his feet, he turns to flee.

[Tethras Clan]

Seli watches him run, unable to make herself call out to him, to try and comfort him. She just watches, heart bleeding, until Lovan comes to the door. Not bothering to pick up the caramels, they retreat inside to continue grieving together.

[Carver Amell]

Aveline gets word her student is back via complaints: seems he's been in the training rooms for a while, and keeps just handing over another silver when it's suggested his time is drawing short. He's stopped hitting the bag, even, slumping into the corner with his knuckles wrapped and his dog whining at him, hugging his knees, brooding.

[Tethras Clan]

Sparing a thought to what is wrong with my guard if not a single one of them are willing to help a troubled boy? Well, man now before rising from her desk. "Finish those reports, sergeant. I want them done within the hour, then get back to working the roster. Need them done by shift end so I can approve them." The human guard winces at the not so subtle reminder that none of the sergeants or lieutenants are allowed to create a roster in Coalside without Captain Vallen signing off on it since last week.

Pace rapid, expression severe, Aveline crosses the station to reach the training ground. A quick scan allows her to spot Carver, giant mabari pressed against his side, sitting on the edge of a mat with his face in his hands. Great. What... what do I do with this? I'm shite at soft talking. "...Carver," she says in gruff greeting.

[Carver Amell]

"Vallen," he says, sounding much the same. He takes a deep, shuddering breath, lowering his hands as he looks up at her face, his own tear-streaked. "What would you do to punish a coward under your command?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Depends on what that cowardice did. What it cost. When it came out," the paladin replies slowly.

[Carver Amell]

"Everything," he whispers, burying his face in his hands. "Lives. Two lives. People who died because he was too afraid to carry out his duties."

[Tethras Clan]

"Explain," Aveline says firmly. "Don't dance around it, just say it."

[Carver Amell]

"I wasn't here. I was a coward and a fool, I didn't say the things I should have said, and I left, and now I'll never get to say them because he's dead, and I-- and I'm not." He takes a deep breath, forcing back tears. "I'm an idiot, and a coward."

[Tethras Clan]

He's dead? Who- "Andy. You heard about Andy," Aveline says quietly, eyes closing in pain. "Never... I gather you never apologized about... the fight the two of you had?"

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I went over there to do so this morning," he whispers. "I just got back into town, I..."

[Tethras Clan]

"And found out he's died three da-" AVeline pauses, glancing at a window. "Four days ago. And now you can't ever talk with him. Apologize. Seek forgiveness."

[Carver Amell]

He nods, miserable. "If I'd been there maybe... maybe it'd have been different. Maybe we could have solved Huntinghawk's death faster with another person, or maybe I could have gotten Niko to talk more, could have solved it then. I never liked Anders, maybe I would have seen what he was up to if I'd been here to talk to him. Maybe I could have prevented the explosion. Maybe..."