Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline shrugs a little. "Maybe she didn't want you to see? Most abuse victims don't. They blame themselves, feel ashamed, so they hide it."

[Carver Amell]

"That shouldn't matter," he growls. "It's our job to see anyway. Family looks out for each other. Like that time I caught that guy about to jump you right by the Goose."

[Tethras Clan]

That gets a glance, but she continues to make tea. "How does this help?"

[Carver Amell]

"It--"

He sighs. "It doesn't. But I can hardly help it. I just... I want to throttle that elf. How dare she hurt Liz like that? How-- No. It doesn't matter. Liz loves her. We won't let this happen again. That's all we can do."

[Marian Hawke]

In the hallway, Liz presses her back against the wall, wrapping her arms around her waist. Oh, Carver...

[Tethras Clan]

"Good man. I know it's hard, to not... It helps, on the surface, at first, to blame someone. Yourself, your fellows, your boss, the gods... doesn't matter. Being able to point a finger, to hate someone for the wrong... but that doesn't make it better. Yes, if someone fucked up, they need to be dealt with, but blaming someone is an indulgence." Aveline tosses a look over her shoulder, corner of her mouth quirked up, though it could hardly be called a smile or anything close to it. 

"Especially in this case. I..." She looks back at the pot, biting her lip as she debates with herself. No words, just observations, I think. "She already blames herself, in large part. Hates herself. Seli and Jai have her in hand, I pray, but she's not well. Hasn't been this whole time, I suspect, just... putting on a good face so she could look after Liz." She snorts. "The pair of them... both of them pretending to be more healed than they are so as to not inconvenience anyone. Daft."

[Carver Amell]

Carver sighs. Almost, he doesn't speak, but... you're better than that, Tethras. "I know that feeling," he says, his voice rough. 

[Marian Hawke]

Which helps the eavesdropper, as she is suddenly familiar with the boiling rage her own condition inspires in her brother. Who hurt you like that? part of her snarls. Who do I have to kill?

[Tethras Clan]

"...yeah." Aveline rolls her shoulders, fighting the urge to... something. Scowling, she reaches out to cup the side of the teapot, her hand dancing with tongues of flame for a few seconds. A moment later, the teakettle starts to whistle and she pulls her hand away. "But you healed. I know it doesn't... vanish, or stop being a possible trap, but you healed."

In the hall, Beka whimpers faintly and licks Liz's wrist.

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he agrees, voice still rough. "And I had to start talking to do it. So I just have to convince her..."

[Marian Hawke]

That sounds like a cue. Liz steps into the room, raking her hand through her hair. "Convince me of what?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver turns, relief showing across his face. "Liz. I was getting worried."

[Tethras Clan]

"...this just needs another two minutes or so to steep," Aveline says, noting but not commenting on the timing of Liz's entrance. Beka pads into the room, moving over to nose her person, then plop down next to the dozing Hunter. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Sorry," she whispers, then clears her throat. "What did you need to talk to me about?" she asks, as she sits at the table. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver hesitates, glancing at Aveline briefly before saying, "Do you... recall anything about... when you were passed out? From the misbrew?"