Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"and so, in conclusion, if zi'Magnus seems like he's setting you up for a punchline, you'll want to brace for it comin from zi'Smith. zi'Magnus has that Glalian sense of humor where everything's very dry and understated, but zi'Smith loves a good pun, he's much more showy." 

Carver hadn't released Jass's hand, not once, the whole day. His worry about his sister wasn't going away either, was still writ across the lines of his back and shoulders, but he can't stop from smiling at odd moments, and he won't let go of Jass' hand.

"They probably want to talk about the party, what you'll be wearing and so on. zi'Magnus knows a lot of cloth merchants, he might offer you a suit, if he does take it, it's fine, it'll all come right between Dad and them."

[Jassinth]

Jass nods, a slightly panicked look in his eyes. He's never been to the household of a noble (he's been told of Varric's title, of course, but it doesn't seem real to the merikos drow) and he's understandably nervous. "What do I call them?" he interupts nervously. "And do I bow? How do I bow?"

[Carver Amell]

"Uh," he says, frowning."Yes, probably? It's always polite to bow when you're being introduced. But they sent the invitation," probably because Dad wrote to them this morning, probably because he suspects what I was up to all night, "so that's all fine. And uh, I guess it's polite to say, Light zi'Magus and Light zi'Smith, but they'll probably correct you. They're Dad's friends so they keep trying to get me to come over more often but I'm so rarely in town..."

He turns a corner and slows, hand tightening on Jass' hand. As he surveys the scene -- and really, very little is out of the ordinary, only he knows the Guard, he knows they wouldn't put someone out front unless something was really wrong, and sure she wasn't in uniform, but how could he not recognize Wylde by now, everyone knows the hot-tempered werewolf hotshot, but her district is Coalside, and this is Aurora, why in the blazes would she be here, this makes no sense-- an absurd thought strikes him. It's like someone's targeting my friends, trying to ruin Jass' visit.

[Jassinth]

Feeling Carvers' tension, Jass goes on alert as well. He takes in a deep breath, tasting the air, as he listens carefully. His eyes whip around, though he tries to keep the movement of his head normal, casual, to not alert any predators watching them. Noting the person in front of them, whom Carver seems to be regarding, his eyes narrow. Something primal about that one... shifter maybe? Or skinwalker? Doubt she's a druid, not here but... "Carver?"

[Carver Amell]

"There's trouble," he says, his voice tight. Finally, he releases Jass' hand. "Act natural. Stay behind me."

So saying, he saunters up to the gate, his eyes tight. The house is, as all houses in Aurora are, quite lovely: two stories, well painted, with a wrought-iron fence surrounding the property, complete with a gate with ornate metalwork in it. The woman leaning on it is pretending to read a pamphlet, but it's clear she's not planning to move anytime soon. Her bushy white hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and her clothes are casual, but functional, ready for action -- and fairly cheap, replaceable if they were to get stained or damaged.

"Sergeant Lowell. Long time no see."

"Tethras," she grunts, eyes narrowing faintly.

"Little out of your neck of the woods, ain'cha?"

She glances back toward the door, then scowls. "Your dad involved in this?"

"Swear to Vangal, we've no idea what's going on in there."

"Look, you might as well go in. I know the futility of trying to keep a Tethras out of a crime scene." Despite the banter, she doesn't seem to mean it as harshly as many would -- far from it, she sounds almost like Aveline.

[Jassinth]

Jass casts a sidelong glance at Carver, waiting, then rolls his eyes. "Jassinth of The Oak. Pleasure to met you, Sergeant Lowell." He smiles broadly and bows slightly, offering his hand in the same gesture.

[Carver Amell]

She eyes him, shaking his hand -- and barely disguising the flare of her nostrils as she takes in his scent. "He with you, Tethras?"

"Yes," says Carver, a little defensive.

"Alright, then. I'll walk you in. You said zi'Smith is expecting you?" she adds, moving to open the gate for them. "A social call or business? I don't think he's up to much business just now, you understand."

Carver freezes, casting her an unsure glance. "What's... what's happened?" he asks, his voice too soft.

"We're not sure. The Captain's inside, checking for poison."

[Jassinth]

Jass quietly follows after, glancing upwards to reassure himself that Arthur is still high above them, safe and free. "Captain?" he asks quietly, for lack of better to say or do.

[Carver Amell]

"Aveline," says Carver, swallowing hard. "Who's been poisoned, Lowell?"

"zi'Magus," she says, her voice barely above a whisper, with a furtive glance down the street. "He won't wake. Don't tell anyone."

Carver freezes for a moment. "Basil," he whispers, and then he runs up the walk, past the hedges, pushing open the front door. 

[Jassinth]

Basil? Why he is he thinking about her- oh! His friend's father! I thought.... Shaking of his confusion, or at least most of it, Jass runs after his boyfriend into the house.

Inside, the place is worrisomely empty. Normally, there'd be a servant near enough the door to greet and direct them but today... As they pause, briefly, in the foyer, Jass tilts his head. "Voices, down that left hal-" Breaking off as Carver moves on the tip, Jass follows again. 

[Tethras Clan]

A short way down the hall, Carver hears the voices as well and a few steps further, recognizes ones of them as his mentor's. She's arguing with someone, a male with a gnomish accent and a slow, drawling voice with just a hint of reediness. "I don't care what your healer says, it's clearly not working! I was assigned this case, so let me do my job."

"Your case, perhaps, but my district. And I will not have you bringing in outsiders on this- far too delicate a matter. No, it simply shalln't do."

[Carver Amell]

"Too late, I'm here," says Carver, pushing the door open. "What's happened? Is he alive? Where's zi'Smith? My dad can--"

[Jassinth]

"A thousand pardons for the interruption," Jass says, punching Carver ungently in the back. He steps forward, bowing. "I am Jassinth of the Oak. Carver had an invitation to have lunch with Lights zi'Magus and zi'Smith but it seems that such is not to be."

[NPCs]

Aveline had turned the instant they entered, her face going blank at Carver's opening as she tries to figure out how to run damage control on that outburst. Before she can, however, the human- bedecked in a guard uniform though clearly one custom made from fine and magically sourced silks and leathers- speaks. "Carver... zi'Tethras?" His expression, which had been smug when they first entered, then outraged, turns charming and welcoming. "We are honored by your presence, Lord zi'Tethras. But please, do not concern yourself, everything is under control."

[Carver Amell]

"You call this under control?" Carver holds up a hand, taking a deep breath, then turns to Jass. "Can Arthur take a message to my dad? This sounds like something he needs to know."