Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

She flushes just a bit. "Of course. I'm sure she'll be happy to attend once she's awake."

[Tethras Clan]

"Nothing like an early afternoon nap," Seline says blandly, winking at Cindy.

[Carver Amell]

When Liz and Cindy come over for tea next, Carver pulls his sister aside for a private chat. It's not unusual, particularly, for him to do so; it's unusual for Liz to pop back out, ask Cindy for her earring, then slip off back to Carver, but that could mean anything. Probably. 

When Beth comes to bring them some teacakes, figuring Liz might like a few before they're gone, she hears something highly unusual: two female voices conversing, one of them lower and huskier but still female, the other Marian's familiar voice. 

"..like her. I really do."

"Of course," replies Marian, soothingly. "How do you feel?"

"I... I don't know."

The door is open a little, not tightly closed; she could push it open without getting their attention, or she could knock. 

[Bethany]

The clever side of Beth, the part of her she's been forced to hone and embrace thanks to her work in politics and social work, prompts her to listen. To wait and find out what she can before revealing herself, so she's best positioned to either get even more information or use what she already knows to get what she needs. Or both. But this is Marian. And that other voice... that's...

"I have snacks and tea," she says brightly, eyes soft but alert, as she slips into the room without any attempt at stealth.

You don't be clever with family. For them, yes, but not with them.

[Carver Amell]

The woman turns, and for a moment Beth is looking into a mirror -- a mirror of another her, a slight difference here and there, shorter hair, broader shoulders, but it's herself, staring back at her. With those wounded, frightened, dark eyes...

Then it's Carver, her twin, beet red with shame. "Beth."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz puts a hand on Carver's shoulder, squeezing encouragingly, trying to be supportive. She says nothing; it doesn't seem like her place to intervene.

[Bethany]

"Carver," she says evenly. "Lemon or boysenberry?" she asks, lifting the tree of scones. It's wrong, to see him like that. 

[Carver Amell]

"Uh, boysenberry," he manages, his throat dry. "I, this isn't, I can explain.."

[Bethany]

Bethany sighs a little, setting down the tray next to him. She kneels in front of him, reaching for his hands. "You don't have to explain if you don't want to. I'll listen if you do. And I'll love you regardless, ma'win."

[Carver Amell]

"I... I wanted to know what I'd... what I'd look like. M--Liz goes around as a guy a lot of the time, it's not.. it's uh..."

[Marian Hawke]

"But the hat shows you what you want to see," says Liz, gently. "Not what you'd have looked like."

[Bethany]

"Me with more muscles, given our difference lifestyles seems pretty reasonable," she agrees, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. "As a rule, your breasts would be smaller than you were, um, wearing. With how active you are, you'd have less curves." A slight smile curves her lips. "And I'm not quite as pretty as you made me, I think. Though thank you for the flattery."

[Carver Amell]

Carver glances away. "Do you ever... wonder?"

[Bethany]

Beth glances at Marian, then shrugs a little. "I mean... after Liz came back to us and... with Garret. Yes, I've had a few thoughts about what I'd be like male. Not... serious ones but yes."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, slowly. "I was... going to tell Liz about... the stuff I said the other day."