Blood from Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

Auberdine pauses at the reminder, then nods curtly. "I shall walk him out then, and inform the private his new task. If that is agreeable to you, Coperal?" That... isn't the sort of question that wants the listener's opinion, but rather the asker's expected answer.

[Carver Amell]

"Yessir," says Carver. He turns to Jass, searching for something to say -- and, on impulse, plants a kiss on his lips instead. 

"Be safe," he orders his lover, ears burning faintly. Bet that'll piss him off.

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline chokes softly, quickly turning it into a polite cough. "Right then. Captain Auberdine, thank you for the assistance." Somehow, she manages to say that with a straight face. "Carver, with me."

[Jassinth]

Jass grins, a slightly sappy expression, before sobering. "As you say," he murmurs. 

[NPCs]

Auberdine grits his teeth. "Of course, Captain Vallen." He starts to leave, tossing over his shoulder, "b- follow sharply now, the Lord Hand must not be kept waiting!" Jass rolls his eyes, winks at Carver, nods to Aveline, then hurries after.

[Carver Amell]

Carver watches them go, some -- not nearly all -- of the tension going out of him as he finally gets hold of his anger. "Damn," he whispers, as the door clicks shut. "Fu-uck me," he adds, turning back to Aveline. "I'm sorry. I fucked that up royally."

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes, you did." Aveline's face is grave, stern and unreadable to Carver. She looks at him, waiting for him to continue, to verbalize what he did and what he understands- as if this were just another lesson.

[Carver Amell]

But Carver closes his eyes, taking another deep breath as he squares his shoulders. "Is he dead?" he asks, quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

"No. Stable but we're unable to wake him. We've cleared out the poison but..." Aveline shakes her head, the allowance of Carver's attachment to zi'Magus only buying him so much. "Back on topic. Go on."

[Carver Amell]

"Not two days ago my friend's father died, in cattown. He went to bed as normal and just wouldn't wake up, right? I don't like it-- in the week Jass has been here we've found three dea-- dying bodies, not counting the trouble with my sister. Something's happening, and maybe it's connected to my dad."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline's eyes narrow. "Don't think that you're getting out of a long talk- several of them- about that performance back there." Her lips quirk a little. "And a grilling about that kiss." Her expression sobers. "Three bodies?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, counting on his fingers. "The druggie we brought in. Basil. Now zi'Magnus, just, it can't have been long before we were due to come over for lunch."

[Tethras Clan]

"I recall the druggie- though he wasn't. A druggie. At least, that's what the healer says. No sign of long-term use. But who is Basil?"

[Carver Amell]

"My friend's father. He's catfolk, you'd not have... they handled the investigation internally. Decided it was natural causes, but I wondered. We found vials by his bed."

[Tethras Clan]

"How long ago? Any chance at all they still have the vials or that we can get custody of the body for testing?" Aveline seems mostly resigned, but there's' a faint flicker of hope.