Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

That gets some narrowed eyes. "Before you go, can we talk?" Her eyes flick to the side. "Family talk."

[Carver Amell]

"I don't have much time, Beth," he warns.

[Bethany]

"Then we shouldn't dawdle, mmmh?" With that challenging look, she turns on her heel, then pauses, hand pressing against her stomach as her gorge rises. Only for a moment, but noticable to anyone watching. "R-right. I saw an empty room this way we can use."

Aveline half rises at her pause, but settled when she continues, though she catches Carvers's eye to subtly prompt him to ask for help if he thinks if needed.

[Carver Amell]

Carver gives Aveline a nod, following Beth into the side room as Liz pretends to be interested in a painting on the wall. 

"What's this about?" he asks, as he pulls the door shut behind them.

[Bethany]

"One, I'd like to know what the fuck is going on? Two- and it's probably part of one- why are you... so upset?" Beth says bluntly, not dancing around things.

[Carver Amell]

"Dammit, Beth, it's Mother. I know you don't care, I get that, but that means I need to solve this because she doesn't have anyone else, she's all fucking alone and a Demon has her, but I have to keep my head, because if I go off sobbing or screaming or hitting things she'll never get sorted, and you want me to sit here and walk you through it?" 

He stops then, realizing how shouty his tone has become, and turns to face the door, slamming his forehead against it as he pants, trying to take deep breaths, to calm down.

[Bethany]

"I'm coming with you," Beth says firmly. "Liz can stay here with Aveline to help or she can head home to be with Helene or whatever, she can decide herself."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not getting close to her," he points out. "Not like this. I'll just be ordering troops around."

[Bethany]

"Honestly, that's more appealing. But hi, trained healer? Remember? Sounds like you could use the help, help you know and trust. But I'm not letting you deal with this by yourself." Beth crosses her arms and taps her foot. "So can you explain what we're walking into so I can prepare myself? What do you mean, about d-demons?"

[Carver Amell]

"It's the tainted batch. Again. Some of the stores ended up at Summerhill and Mother was infected. Woke up on her own." He takes a deep breath, then adds, softer, "She was afraid for you, Beth. She made me promise to her you were safe... you and Marian both. She dreamed we were held captive, tortured, that she had to save her babies."

[Bethany]

Beth goes still, head bowing as she tries to process all that. So... so we've identified probable sceleratis possession because Leandra is acting too motherly? Gods. That really should be shocking and yet... "I... Alright. Alright. I... I have scrolls of Break Enchantment and I can cast Cure Poison. Just- just in case, I figured. So. I- I don't know if that will help... her, specifically, at this point but... others maybe. And..."

[Carver Amell]

"I've sent for an exorcist," he adds. "And I told them to Break Curse, but I don't know if... at this point, if... I'm going to get her back. I'm going to free her. I have to. And I can't let you try to stop me. Okay?"

[Bethany]

"I won't let you risk your own soul or take long-odd risks with your life, but... anything short of that, I'll help with," she counters.

[Carver Amell]

We'll see. No, don't be petty. He takes another deep breath. "Thank you," he says instead. "I could use the help. I just... it's exhausting, balancing helping her with trying not to piss you off. Trying to convince both of you to just try. Trying to do what I can for all of my family."

[Bethany]

"I will do whatever I can for you. If that means helping you help her, I will." Bethany shrugs a little. "I don't like her. She... she broke something, when she- sorry. Now is not the time. For your sake, I'll help. You are so much more important than my problems with her."