Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"I can't make the kind of mistakes that... that hurt Merrill," he says, firmly. "Never again. But... little things like Beth being mad at me are... acceptable."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then... I think the big things are to control your temper and tolerance to emotional hurt, give you better coping methods," Aveline says slowly. "Plus learn some methods for better communication."

[Carver Amell]

"Okay," he says, with a nod.

He prods at his uneaten breakfast a moment longer before adding, "I really didn't mean to go so far."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm.... I am glad to hear that. I'm not sure what... How to help someone that... lost." She takes another deep breath. "Try and eat. I'm going to be working you hard, you'll need it."

[Carver Amell]

"Do you... think I should be... at Summerhill?" he asks, still prodding the eggs.

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline doesn't reply at first, evidently given the question serious consideration. "I don't know. Probably not," she finally says. "You talk to a therapist, correct? If so, I don't know there's much they could do that you won't get with me and that, at least in a week's time."

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "Okay. I'll do my best."

[Isabela]

It suited Isabela and Zevran, when they were in Nyra, to adopt a nearly crepuscular sleeping pattern: waking in late afternoon, breakfasting, working the night through, running errands when shops open near dawn, and then turning in mid-morning. Which meant that, when Isabela couldn't sleep -- when nightmares kept her up, as they did on occasion, no matter how hard she pretended they did not -- there were people around to speak with. Today, she is holding a self-defense lesson for some of the ladies at the Shiny Cat when Bethany walks in. 

"Now, they're going to protect their junk above all else," she is continuing, pressed up close against a larger, human woman. "In this position, you're not going to get half as clean a shot there as you think you will. That said, if the hands are in protective position -- thank you, Clarissa -- then you can aim for the side of the knee, here, with a flat palm. That will bend the joint in ways it's not mean to bend. Excruciatingly painful if you put enough force behind it, so don't be shy about how hard you hit. He probably outweighs you two-to-one anyway."

Spying Beth, she smiles, breaking off from the impromptu lesson. "Be sure to practice that escape, that you can do without hurting each other. Hullo, Beth, come to give checkups?"

[Bethany]

"Umm, maybe? I mean, if someone needs a bit of prayer, I can certainly do that, I still have most of my power available," she replies a bit nervously. Damnit brain, focus! The sight of Isabela pressed up against Clarissa was... all sorts of inspiring. Which also means distracting. "But I was, uh, actually looking to... Sorry. How are you and Zevran? Everything going well?" Right. Manners. You're asking for a favor, you should be polite.

[Isabela]

"Well enough," she agrees. "How's the family?"

[Bethany]

Bethany laughs weakly, the sound strained. "Alive?" she offers. "Ummm. When is the class over? And... is Zevran busy do you know?"

[Isabela]

"Oh, this wasn't a scheduled thing," she laughs. "Truth be told I think the girls might want a break. I'm not sure Zevran's up yet -- can I help you instead?"

[Bethany]

"It's... well, I... it's a both thing, but, ummm..." Maybe asking you first will be easier. Gods. "Could we talk, umm, privately?" Bethany asks in a low voice, blushing a bit.  

[Isabela]

She raises her eyebrows. "Of course," she says, cheerily. "For a few silver." She's teasing -- mostly. Isabela will chat for free but she quite likes the idea of being paid now that she's literally working as a whore.

[Bethany]

Bethany winces. "Umm, I have some gold I put aside for this but..." She bites her lip. Maybe I should have spoken with Zevran first... "Could we..." she gestures towards the doors, not wanting to explain her reasons out here.