Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"By all means," says Ari with a grin. As it turns out, there's a fresh pot of tea just made -- and no milk to put in it, hence why Carver's gone out at all. 

The girls bond over tea; Beth suggests she might have something like a plan ready, but Ari tells her to look over it when she's slept enough. "Don will keep," she laughs. "I told him you're a lesbian, but he's still being all mannish about the whole thing. You know how boys get."

[Bethany]

Bethany laughs, the sound a bit shrill and awkward, and tries to hide her face behind a teacup. "Yes, those boys." Oh Bastion, I get even worse at lying when I'm running on fumes. "So, um, speaking of, hows Miki?"

[GamesMaster]

"Uuuggghhhhh," groans Ari. "You have the right of it -- I'm definitely becoming a lesbian. Teach me, oh wise master, of the ways of eating pussy!" 

And so they talk, enjoying each other's company, for the better part of a half hour -- right up until they hear a worried barking as Hunter races toward home, feeling the need to wake the whole neighborhood for some reason.

Likely having to do with his returning alone.

[Bethany]

 "Si!" Bethany shouts out. "Get Sunshine and follow us!" Order given, the rushes to Hunter to follow him to his person. 

[GamesMaster]

But Hunter doesn't lead her to Carver. He sits, whining miserably, and drops something at her feet: a small dog, carved from bone. A trinket Carver carries sometimes, in his belt.

[Bethany]

Beth stares at it for a moment, then fixes Hunters with a hard, dangerous look. "Where. Is. My. Twin?" she asks very softly.

[GamesMaster]

Hunter whines, then lets out a mournful howl: "Awroo!"

[Bethany]

"Find him!" Bethany snarls, a coating of rime creeping over the stone pathway.

[GamesMaster]

The canine eyes the frost, then jumps up, tail wagging. He sprints toward the marketplace, his mind made up. Of course, unfortunately for him, Carver's not standing in the marketplace anymore, and though he tries valiantly to sniff him out, Carver knows full well how to hide his trail if he doesn't want to be tracked. 

[Bethany]

Bethany takes a deep breath. Then another. Finally, she finishes into her waistband to pluck out a sewing needle to use as a focus for a divination. Gods, please still be in range. Where is Carver's adamantine knife? Where is Carver's adamantine knife? Where is Carver's adamantine knife? With a final inhalation, she speaks the phrase out loud, in celestial. "Where is Carver's adamantine knife?" 

And watches the needle glow faintly, twitch, then darkent once more. "Damnit!"

[GamesMaster]

A few minutes later, the other canine catches up -- along with Ari and Merrill. "Any luck?" Seeing Beth shake her head, she offers, "Want to try the Bandanna's place? Maybe he went there to think?"

[Bethany]

Bethany nods, then shakes her head. "Wait a minute. Let me..." Deep breath. Think. Plan it out. Hunter was reluctant to come back. That means Carver told him not to (dog's smart enough to know the pecking order) for some reason. So... so he's hiding. Something upset him, something while out shopping. "Ari, ask around in this area that way, see if anyone saw anything. Merrill, take Hunter and go check the hideout. I'll go the other way and ask."

[GamesMaster]

Beth finds something not long after -- one of the catfolk minding one of the stalls lets her know there was a bit of a commotion a while back: a human fitting Carver's description and a merikos elf got into a shouting match, then both parted in tears. "Weird, yah?" he comments, tilting his head. 

Merrill, meanwhile, hears Carver's voice right away when she gets to the hideout: "stupid sisters. Stupid everything. I'm done. I quit family forever. I'm leaving Nyra, I'm going to run away and become an adventurer."

"Yah." agrees Miki, patting Carver on the back as he hands back the jug of grain alcohol they've been drinking from. "but your sis, wicked claws, yah? Drag back."

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver Firethorn Hawke and stuff! You are not quitting family because you are a good, loving, loyal and wonderful person and you love me and Beth and dad and Silence and Hunter and maybe Helene a little, I'm not sure, but I know you like them and Aveline and Don and Miki and Ari and everyone please don't leave us." Merrill started out strong and passionate, though she can't reach angry or scolding like Beth. But by the end, by the time she's gotten properly into the room, her voice is a vulnerable quiver.

[Carver Amell]

Carver jumps to his feet, though he nearly falls over -- the bottle's half empty, and it wasn't a small bottle. "M-merrill!" he slurs. "I-- why are you here?"