The Silver Queen [AU]

[Carver Amell]

A surge of fear, remembering --

"But you're all flowers like a girl"

"Hush, Car. That's rude."

"Will I be all flowers after?"

"You can be whatever you want to be."

"I want to be swords! Like an adventurer!"


-- and he turns, burying his face against Bela's shoulder like a child, trying to breathe, to not remember. That's over it's over it's in the past I'm Carver now.

[NPCs]

"I am sorry that seeing me has brought back uncomfortable thoughts," Dau says softly. "I was happy to see you, child of Malcolm and Leandra named Carver. You were one of the first mortals I helped in this Blossoming."

[Isabela]

"Carver," says Bela gently, rubbing his back. "Why don't you and Zevran go get some lunch, and I'll talk to Dau about our situation?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, shuddering just a little, and turns to Zevran, without glancing at Dau.

[NPCs]

Dau blinks slowly. "I am happy to speak with you, child of Hari and Thomas of Danson's Beach. What would you like to discuss?"

[Isabela]

Bela tenses. "Wrong," she sing-songs, after a moment. "I'm Isabela, daughter of no-one, wife to no husband. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

[NPCs]

More blinking. "You spurn those whom gave rise to your shell? Understood. I sorrow for the rift this causes in your life and wish that you find happiness and community regardless."

[Isabela]

"Spurning them was the best decision I ever made," she purrs. "Here, take a walk with me."

[Carver Amell]

Carver, now more steady on his feet, tugs Zevran back the way they came, thoughts of a tavern half-forming in his mind.

[NPCs]

The tiny flower person stand, reaching his full height of seven inches, then lifts his arms up. "My regrets, but this Blossoming has left me with very tiny legs. Might I request your assistance if we are to travel together?"

[Tethras Clan]

"That's it, just take a few more slow, deep breaths," Zevran murmurs, rubbing the human's back slowly as they walk.

[Isabela]

"Of course," says Bela, kneeling to pick up Dau. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't say much as they head to the tavern and get seated. He doesn't bother listening to the specials; instead, he orders whiskey, neat, "make it a double." When the waitress frowns at him, he digs into his belt pouch and pulls out a gold piece, flipping it to her. "Start a tab," he instructs.

[Tethras Clan]

"We'd also like a basket of fried bread and perhaps some cold cuts and cheese?" Zevran adds with a broad smile and a friendly wink. "And a jug of elven red," he finishes with a glance at Carver. He's not going to not drink, but getting some food and shifting to a gentler drink will help some.

[NPCs]

"Sure, be right up. Cold cuts'll be pig, not beef'r chicken," she warns them, a bit relieved that one of them seems reasonable about their drinking. "Meat's getting a mite bit tight around here of late, what with all the newcomers."