Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"A few days. We can ask, for sure. Shit. I can't ask Don, can I?" He groans, rubbing at his head. "Politics."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline frowns. "You can't. But I can, with you standing behind me. I... just can't' tell him why really."

[Carver Amell]

He groans. "Tell you what. Let's drop by Jun's place first. Just in case."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline lifts an eyebrow.

[Carver Amell]

"Do-- Adonis and I, uh..." He shifts. "We're not as close as we used to be. But Jun and I are still tight, and if there's any hint this was foul play, he'll want justice done."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'll add that to the list of things we should talk about after this is rested." Aveline reaches over to clasp his arm supportively. And... maybe a little... something else? Weird. "But for now, let me go over what we know for this incident..."

[GamesMaster]

What they know is this: zi'Smith, the earier riser of the two, did their correspondence this morning, inviting the boys to tea before heading into the office at Summerhill to make some rounds and check in on a few special patients he's been tending to by hand. When he returned to change, he found his husband unrisen from the night prior, and unresponsive. He had immediately administered the contents of their Emergency Kit; a Neutralize Poison and a Potion of Restoration seemed to bring him to a less dire state, though he hadn't woken yet when the pair had vanished into the Safe Room with the rest of the emergency kit (and zi'Smith's portable alchemy lab as well). zi'Smith felt sure he could keep his husband in stable condition while they were safe in there; he had left Aveline to take care of figuring out what had happened and why. 

They had shared their meal the night before, had gone to bed together, taking their tonics and curled up in each others' arms. zi'Smith had no idea whether something had been administered before bed, during the night, a contact poison on the pillow, or perhaps while he was at Summerhill that morning. He had done what he could to be certain this was his husband and not a doppleganger, demon, or simulacrum, though of course he hadn't had time for divination magic before he'd gone into hiding. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Kadis looked the room over of course." As the most experienced healer in Aveline's division, Carver wouldn't be surprised that she tapped him for a possible assassination attempt on a Light. "Problem is, a lot of alchemical tonics and elixirs read as poison. Especially if they've been left exposed to air for several hours at room temperature. Still, we've eliminated anything on the bed, his clothes or the water on their nightstand. So it was either in his nightly tonics- nutritional and sleeping aide, as he's getting older- or applied to him directly." 

Aveline rubs her eyes, a sign of tiredness and frustration she'd not allow many to see. "I need to get in contact with zi'Smith again, find out what kinds of tonics zi'Magus was taking, exactly. If they match with what your friend's father- Basil was it?- was taking... Might actually have a damn lead." Why would a poor catfolk and a Light married to a near legendary healer be getting tonics from the same place? 

"Of course, we've already cremated the homeless man you reported in so we can't figure out if he was afflicted with the same unknown agent. Well." She pauses, considering the case again. "With a Light involved..." She smirks a little, glancing at him. "Might need the services of a highly skilled diviner. Or say rather, we obviously have the need but we might be able to get the funds authorized."

[Carver Amell]

"Right. If Tuiste can be brought on, I'm sure we'll have answers right fast," he agrees, with a nod. 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline dampens another smile, pleased at how Carver gets along with his step-parent. Or does they count as just a parent? How does that work with adopted parents? She swallows as she suddenly thinks of the twins at home. Gods, I should look into adoption laws. Soon. "Good. I want you to come up and do a last sweep of the bedroom and bath with me, then we'll head to... do you know where Seeker Helene is today?"

[Carver Amell]

"I think they're working on that survey, at the temple," he says, after a moment. 

[Tethras Clan]

Survey? "Aydra's?" At his nod, she frowns slightly, thinking. After a moment, she looks at him squarely. "I need your honest assessment. Take a moment before you answer, don't just speak off the cuff. Will my being there when you speak with your friend help or hinder this investigation?" 

[Carver Amell]

Carver shifts, taking a deep breath. Finally, he sighs, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't know. I want you there. I know I'm not good like this and he already sent Jass away and-- but maybe not. Don likes you -- you saved his sister's life. But Jun doesn't know you."

[Tethras Clan]

That's what I figured, honestly. And it' still 'Don' when you're not paying attention, I see. "Alright. Then we'll head downcity together to go over what I need you to ask him. When we get closer, I'll go recruit Seeker H-Helene." Need to remember to ask them if they prefer Seeker zi'Tethras. "While you go to... what's your friend's full name? You talk to him and we'll met... near the dye store." Easy to find, right on the edge of Cattown so she won't have to intrude without an escort.

[Carver Amell]

"Juniper, no last name. His grandfather had one expunged, it turns out, which is a fascinating tale but not one for right now." He nods. "Be safe."