Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," says Carver, his tone dark. "Fuck him, right?" 

He doesn't wait for an answer; he moves forward, around the side of one property with all boarded-up windows, to knock on a back door. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill and Malcolm glance at each other, neither reassured by that comment.

[NPCs]

There's a muffled oath from the other side of the door, then an obvious falsetto calls out, "who is it?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver scowls, then pushes the door open with his off-hand, his good hand on his sword. "Uncle," he growls, the word a curse. 

[NPCs]

"Hey, just who- Uncle? Carver! Thank the gods," Gamlen says with clear relief. The door swings open to reveal a nearly empty and... not gross (but not clean) kitchen slash living room slash hallway. "Get in here boy, and close the door behi- who are they?"

[Carver Amell]

"Where's Mother?" he replies, eyes scanning the communal living space. 

[NPCs]

The human snorts. "Same damn place she always is- my room." He hesitates a moment. "Look, Carver... she... Can your friends wait outside a bit. Need to talk a moment... and it's... family business."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he grunts, turning to lead the way to the bedroom. "We're here to see Mother, and then we'll be out of your hair. None of us are giving you so much as a copper, so save it."

[NPCs]

Gamlen moves in the way. "That's not- glad to see your sense of familial duty is as 'strong' as always. But that's not..." He lowers his voice as best he can. "Look, Leandra is... not well."

[Carver Amell]

Carver stills, his fingers gripping his sword hilt tightly. Is he lying?  To get money for 'healers'? Or is he serious? Dammit, I wish Beth were here. "What do you mean?" he asks, his voice low, dangerous.

[NPCs]

Gamlen licks his lips nervously, but his eyes seem to be honestly worried. "I- she- Look. I know I'm... She's my sister. Whatever else, she's my sister. She's always been... high-strung. Willful and.. prone to seeing what she wants to see. But... last couple of months, she's... gotten bad. Thought it was just her having a bad mood for a bit but it hasn't stopped. Says..." He glances at the other two people in the room, both of them off to the side and trying to look like they're not paying attention. Lowering his voice to a bare whisper, Carver's uncle finishes, "she's been talking to Marian. Like she's... still around."

[Carver Amell]

Carver stills, his breath catching in his throat. Marian. Oh, Mother, I... Is this because of Memento Mori? Because that asshole claimed he could still...

Carver takes a step back, glancing behind him. "...That's my blood father," he says quietly to Gamlen. "Do you think it would help? Seeing him?"

[NPCs]

"Your-" Gamlen's expression shifts from shock to rage and he moves towards Malcolm with blood in his eyes.

[Carver Amell]

Carver draws his sword, then, getting in Gamlen's way. "One more step, asshole," he snarls. 

[NPCs]

"That's the son of a bitch that ruined my sister's life," Gamlen hisses, fists curling into balls. Still, he's not fool enough to try and push past Carver. He might not be full grown yet but he's already got a good five inches and near to sixty pounds on Gamlen. And then there's the weapon, which the Coalsider can't help but notice isn't peacebonded.