Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"I've made mistakes, I can't- won't- deny that," Malcolm says in a soft voice. "But I'm trying to make amends for them. If you think taking a swing at me will fix things... It's alright Carver."

[Carver Amell]

"No. It's not," he growls. "Take a walk, Gamlen. I need to speak with my mother."

[NPCs]

Gamlen takes a deep breath. "I can't handle her anymore," he says instead of leaving. "Caught her cooking day before last, 'cept she asked 'Marian' to watch the pan." He nods over at the busted looking stove, where the wall is clearly scorched and smoke stained. "Weren't for the fire wards over the district, wouldn't have had a house to come home to. Just a pyre."

[Tethras Clan]

Malcolm curses softly in sylvian, causing Merrill to elbow him in reprimand. Though she doesn't entirely disagree... 

[Carver Amell]

"Take. A. Walk." he growls, not arguing, just insisting. Shit. Shit. I'm going to have to-- shit. Shit! 

[NPCs]

Gamlen studies Carver for a moment, then grunts. "Kicked out of my own damn house," he mutters as he stalks over to the door. Grabbing a cloak, he covers himself. "Don't bring up your twin. Lea thinks she's dead. Saying otherwise sends her into fits." With that last bit, he slips out the backdoor.

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh Carver," Merrill whispers, moving over quickly to hug him.

[Carver Amell]

He pulls away, sheathing his sword. "Not-- not now, Merrill," he says quietly. He takes a deep breath, glancing toward the bedroom door. I can do this. I owe her this much.

He squares his shoulders, puts on an approximation of a smile, and strides in. "Mother?"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill sniffles a little, wrapping her arms around her waist as she watches with sad eyes. Hesitatingly, Malcolm reaches over to pat her shoulder. Hunter debates a moment, then pads after Carver, though he gives him a little space.

[NPCs]

The bedroom is... worrying. The far wall has been painted, badly, with a window that Carver can just barely make out a showing what their old backyard looked like because of the big tree with a pair of rope swings, spaced just so to allow Marian to push him and Bethany at the same time. The bed is unmade and half covered  in dirty clothes. There's a washbasin in the corner and a bench covered with neat piles of cleaned clothing. Carver can recognize other things from home as well. Or rather, can make out what the various duplicate and copies around the room are supposed to be despite how crude they are. The coat rack he made one year. The rug that Malcolm sent as his last birthday gift to Leandra. A bookshelf filled with blocks of wood, the titles painted on with slapdash care. Nothing that speaks of Bethany, just him, Marian and a few touches of Malcolm. 

The worst of it by far, however, is Leandra sitting by the corner in a rocking chair. She's got a pair of sticks and seems to be pretending to knit. Next to her is another chair with a set of clothing stuffed with more clothes. "Oh Marian, you know I never bothered with all that book stuff. No, no, keep going, it makes me so proud to hear you explain about your newest project. Such a wonder you are."

[Carver Amell]

Carver stops, in the doorway, staring. One hand balls into a fist; the other raises toward his mouth. I'm going to be sick. I'm going to--

He turns, walking back into the main room. "Malcolm. Stay with her. Here," he says, slipping a silver from his pocket. "In case you have to bribe off Gamlen. I'll be-- I'll be back. Please, keep her safe." Then, without so much as a word to Merrill, he heads for the door. 

[Tethras Clan]

Malcolm stares a second, then steps to the door to- "Gods above," he mutters, closing the bedroom door. He shudders and turns to say something to Merrill but the elf is already rushing after Carver. She doesn't bother speaking either, just rests her hand on his arm. With only a slight hesitation, she incants a Calm Emotion spell. 

[Carver Amell]

He pulls free of her when he hears her start. "No," he says, shaking his head. "No, please. Merrill, I... I..." 

Then he pulls her toward him, roughly, clutching her desperately toward him, crushing her into a hug, trembling. 

[Tethras Clan]

Oh. Okay. "This is good too," she says softly, rubbing his back with one hand. "I'm here. You're not alone." Not being alone is important. It changes everything. Not fixes maybe. But... better.

[Carver Amell]

He pulls away after a few moments, looking a little less tense. "Gods, Merrill. I-- this is going to destroy Beth. But... I can't leave her like this. I can't just... walk away."