Blood from Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"It's a complicated situation," he says, with a weak smile. 

[Tethras Clan]

Her frown deepens. "Is there something I can do to... simplify it? You've been as cooperative as I could hope for."

[GamesMaster]

"I'm honored, truly," he says, shaking his head. "Shall we be off?"

[Tethras Clan]

If he does get fired, I'll have a word with Beth. I'm sure she can at least give him an interview or the like. "Yes, thank you." She whistles softly, causing Beka to jump to her feet and trot over, ready to go.

[Carver Amell]

They head into Cattown, with Raul clearly making an effort to find particular folks. Unfortunately, he doesn't find any of them before she spies Carver and Hunter rushing toward them, Carver waving at her with one arm over his head. To be fair, he's had nearly an hour of looking by that point, but still...

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline stiffens, hand drifting to her sword for a second before she realizes he's not readying himself for combat. Glancing at Raul, she frowns. "Beka, guard." The mabari moves to stand next to the catfolk, eyeing him professionally, while she breaks into a jog towards Carver.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shakes his head, panting to get his breath back. "It's Niko," he says, in a low, hard tone.

"Niko?" asks Raul, startled. "Niko Kingfisher, yah?"

"Yah," he says automatically.

"Fuck," says Raul.

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline reaches up to rub her temple. "...Huntinghawke's apprentice." Nods. "The same one charged and then later found innocent for assassinating a Light." More nods. "Gods damnit." Even more nods. "Does he have a place in Cattown or are we going upcity?"

[Carver Amell]

"He lives with Huntinghawk," says Carver. "He's not the most welcome in Cattown these days."

"That's why I was hoping to find Mell instead," says Raul with a sigh.

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright." Aveline takes a slow breath. "Carver, how did you determine Niko brewed those sleep tonics?"

[Carver Amell]

"What? I didn't. He's the next victim."

[Tethras Clan]

"...of course he is."  Aveline rubs her temple again. "He's also the brewer which would mean he'd have to be too dumb to know how to breathe stuff to take the stuff if he was doing it on purpose. So... ingredients it is." Turning, she fixes Raul with a piercing stare. "I need the names of every single supplier and delivery group for everything that touched or went into that tonic."

[GamesMaster]

He nods, turning back toward the shop. "Alright. Niko can't chew me out if he dies," he says, his voice subdued, defeated.

[Tethras Clan]

"If it helps save his life, then maybe he'll be grateful?" Aveline follows after Raul, trying to offer him some hope as they go. 

[Carver Amell]

"You haven't met Niko," chorus Raul and Carver simultaneously.