Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

He nods. "I'll be gentle," he says, and for a moment it sounds like he's talking about next month before he continues, "She's always been a pleasure to have around. Anything to avoid bringing up other than the obvious?"

[Bethany]

Guh. "Umm." Sorry what were we talking about? "Well. Ahhhh. try to avoid anything... heavy. Oh! And don't ask about Golden Green- there are a few hidden glyphs there, easier to just avoid the entire thing- or spirits."  A pause. "If the pattern holds out, she's going to ask to pet you. It's... not a race thing, exactly, she asked Helent too. And Aveline. She's just... very touchy. And like hair, I think. So fur is... really great. Can't blame her. I mean, ummm. Anyway."

[GamesMaster]

"Alright," he says slowly. "She's always been a little odd, but she's got a good heart." He plants a kiss on her cheek. "Like someone else I know."

[Bethany]

"Flatterer," Bethany says warmly, ducking her head. "Come on, let's go eat. Oh! And make sure to let Hunter get a good sniff and look at you, he's like Caver-levels of protective of Merrill lately," she adds, grabbing his hand to lead him to the kitchen.

Later that night, Bethany intercepts Carver as he's heading for a shower. "Hey. Can we talk a bit in your room before you head in? Sunny's grooming Hunter," she adds before he can ask.

Merrill had been sleeping in Beth's room, in Beth's bed, while she had been sleeping in a cot. Merrill had protested at first, wanting to sleep with her boyfriend- who in turn was incredibly uncomfortable with doing so with his partially amnesic girlfriend, especially given one of the few memories of him she did lose is him dumping her. Harshly. But Beth had been able to convince her that it's a healer thing- and Merrill doesn't want her boyfriend to have to... clean up after things if she has an accident over night because of the loss of sensation and control, does it? Not very sexy after all. So Merrill slept in Beth's bed with Hunter, Bethany in a cot nearby and Carver in his room with Silence. Complicated, but it's working.

Oh and Helene is in Varric's room, Varric in his office, and Cindy and Marian in the guest room. Varric has already ordered two more rooms to be added to the place...

[Carver Amell]

Carver hesitates, his hand drumming against his leg. If I say no, she'll suspect. "Okay," he says. "But then I need a shower." 

[Bethany]

"I know," she says a bit queerly, eyes dipping to the towel over his arm. "I just... I want us to keep talking. Secrets are poison," she says, voice bitter.

[Carver Amell]

He flinches, taking half a step back. "M-maybe after, then? I'll be in less of a hurry?"

[Bethany]

Bethany's eyes narrow. "...alright Carver. I trust you won't be long?" Was that just a hint of emphasis there?

[Carver Amell]

He pales, swallowing. "Uh. Yeah, I won't-- not long." He hesitates. "Is it a... can I know the topic? So I can prepare? A little? I don't... want to say the wrong thing again," he adds, with a wince. "Like I almost did this afternoon."

[Bethany]

"..." Bethany purses her lips, studying him. "This afternoon is... one of the topics as a matter of fact. Don't worry though, I'm not upset with you, about that."

[Carver Amell]

He swallows. "G-good. Uh. what else?"

[Bethany]

"Why do you need a warning on a topic you already know?" Beth points out with sweet steel in her voice. "Get your shower Caver, and then we'll talk."

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows, then flees off to the bath. 

Under the running water, he reaches for his belt knife, letting out some of his hurt and pain and fear into the drain. He won't soak tonight; he only soaks on alternate days, when he doesn't cut, when there's not blood to leave behind in the tub. 

He lets the water stop, doesn't tug the chain for more, as he sits on the little bench they had installed for Merrill. Watching the blood run down the drain, he wonders again what it would be like if he just... stopped. If he just didn't come out. If he never had to face Marian, if he didn't have to smile for Merrill, if he didn't have to face whatever Beth had planned.

It's Beth that stops him, yet again. She'd be crushed; he can't lie to himself about that, not again. And for an odd reason, he remembers Aveline's face, when she told him that if he died she'd have to carry that news home. He shudders, then, and nicks himself again, and once more for good measure.

The blood flows thick and hot. He begins to get lightheaded. That's a sign to stop; he doesn't want to die on accident, doesn't want to faint and worry Beth over nothing. That's a good way to get caught. So he pulls the string, rinses off his arm and his blade, dries his arm well with a rag he keeps hidden away. Bandages the arm again, tucking mistletoe and ceder chips into the bandages as he does, to hide the scent from Hunter and Silence. 

Then he pulls on his nightshirt, and heads for his bedroom, steeling himself.

[Bethany]

Where he finds his sister sitting on his bed, arms wrapped around her legs. She's resting her face against her knees and she doesn't move when he enters- did she fall asleep like that? To the side of the doorway, Silence lifts her own head to study Carver intently, far too much awareness in her eyes.

[Carver Amell]

"Beth?" he asks quietly, holding out a hand to signal 'down' to Silence. His head's cleared more, now that he's come back out; feeling time is over, bleeding time is over, and now he's ready to be strong, for his twin.