Blood from Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

Jassinth makes it back to the house, deep in his own brooding thoughts, only to find himself literally walking into another argument. Merrill and Hawke are in the parlor by the door, bickering, as he enters; they both have boots on and cloaks in hands, as though ready to go out.

"--simply can't. I'm not well, Merrill. It's too much. If you want to do it, fine, but I'll, I'll do some research in the history section while you do." Liz looks agitated, hands wringing, but her voice is strong, firm.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill looks at her with sad, pleading eyes. "You can read, you can talk and you... actually, not that's all you need to do this. So why do you think you can't?"

[Jassinth]

Jass lingers in the doorway, wanting to get a taste of the room before he actually enters.

[Marian Hawke]

"I can't." She takes a deep breath, ringing her hands. "Children... wiggle. There's too many people and they move wrong and scream and cry and I can't. My danger sense will be going haywire."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well...you could take a calming tonic- dad made up a few for me to give out if you need them. And we can get a spot by the wall. And the group is older than the twins- mostly just before puberty. Ummm. Like... seven to ten or so in the merikos range? And it's a school group, so there'll be teachers helping." Merrill fidgets a little, looking worried. "It's really very satisfying. Makes you feel... productive and helpful and like you've a reason for getting up in the morning." She looks away then, blushing a little at how... revealing that was.

[Marian Hawke]

"Merrill," she whispers, eyes clouding with tears. She wipes at them with the back of her hand. "I'm glad you found a reason. But I can't. I'm not you, I'm not built the same."

[Tethras Clan]

"I know... I just..." She sighs, picking at her dress absently. "I want to help you and for you to be happy and safe and content and it hurts that I can't do that. I hate that I can't help my loved ones and I..." Merrill musters up a smile, wan as it is, and looks up at Liz. "Do you think you could... come and listen? Find a nook and... watch?"

[Marian Hawke]

"...Maybe," she says, with a small sigh. "Or I could stay here with a book."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill pouts outrageously, looking over at Liz under her eyelashes. "You really should get out of the house more, Liz. People need people. I think you overestimate how bad this will be."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz glances toward the door, chewing her lip as she considers--

"Jassinth?"

[Jassinth]

The merikos drow steps forward a step and bows slightly. "Afternoon. Carver was... called into work suddenly, I am unexpectedly at loose end."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... see," she says, hesitantly. "Well, Merrill was heading to the library -- would you like to accompany her?"

[Jassinth]

Jassinth smiles thinly. "So eager to be rid of me?" He starts to step back then... Perhaps Carver is right. Perhaps I need to start... "Why is that, I wonder? I would think... well, given that you lived with a female merikos drow for two years, it is strange."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... what?" asks Liz, hesitantly. "Cindy is half-elven."

[Jassinth]

"After a fashion, I suppose." He rolls his eyes. "Silver hair, can see in the dark... and her height and facial features? No, she is born of drow blood." She hides it well enough but she tracks too well in dark rooms.