Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Bethany winces. "Sorry, that's my fault," she says in a small voice. "With all the rumors going around about attacks on Lights and everything, I set the wards on alert when I got home. I didn't realize they would..." She ducks her head a little, expression guilty. "Don's place is warded too but not nearly as... layered. Dad is kinda... protective. Come on, let's pack you an overnight bag, then we'll head over. We can tell Tuiste on our way out."

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods, swallowing. "Thank you," she says quietly. "I know I can be a... a handful. Thank you for protecting me."

[Carver Amell]

The sun is well set by the time Carver makes it to Blossom Park, carrying a cloth bag in one hand, Hunter at his side once more. "Find Jass," he says quietly, looking around. Hopefully he's not upset that I'm interrupting.

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter, despite casting yet another worried look at his person, sets out to do as he is bid. It takes them perhaps a quarter of an hour before a gorgeous looking eagle swoops down across their path, then lazily heads for a nearby glade. The mabari huffs a little sourly, but trots after, giving a sniff every so often to confirm that this is the right path. 

Reaching the glade- which is a good hundred feet from the nearest path, in the most wild and least accessible part of the park- man and mabari spot a cleverly hidden tent amidst some bushes. Merrill's chair, with Glimmerwing reading a small book in the seat, rests by the tent. The normal user is near the center of the glade, along with Jass, as they face the focal point. The glade itself seems to be growing around a single small tree, more a sapling than anything else, covered in soft white blossoms.  Both mortals are laying on their bellies with their heads propped up as they stare at the tree. As Carver nears, Merrill suddenly lets out a soft giggle, as if reacting to a joke despite the silence.

[Carver Amell]

Carver glances at them, sighing. For a moment, he almost turns back -- I don't want to interrupt. They look happy, and I'm a mess. I've got nothing but bad news for them.

But a small part of him urges him onward, casting a worried glance at another small part of him that's coming up with some truly awful ideas. So he walks over to them, frowning. 

"Jass. Come with me, I want to show you a place I like."

[Jassinth]

Jass starts, head twisting over his shoulder. "Carver! I did not-" He cuts off to glare at Arthur, who is resting on a branch. The raptor looks distinctly unaffected by the glare. You are a terrible look-out, my feathered friend. He know full well Arthur would have let him know of a stranger's approach but still. "I am sorry, my surprise was such that I did not catch your words."

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter, curious about what's going on, ambles over to flop down next to Merrill, who seems too intent on her task to have noticed yet.

[Carver Amell]

"I..."

Almost he falters, but he steels his resolve. "I wanted to show you someplace. If it's okay. I can piss off if you're having fun or whatever."

[Jassinth]

Jassinth blinks, then rolls over so he can sit up. "Carver, what is wrong?" His voice is soft, low and worried. You would not just... show up like this if something.. Without looking, he reaches over to shake Merrill's arm, causing the elf to meep and look around with blinking, unfocused eyes.

[Carver Amell]

"It's... there was... a fight, at home," he says, carefully. "I plan to spend the night out. I thought maybe... maybe you'd be up for keeping me company."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill, distracted and late to the game as she is, catches that. Flopping over herself, she tries to force herself upright even as she babbles. "Fight-fight or fight-words? Is everyone okay? Are you okay? Can I-" She forces herself to stop babble, recalling almost too late that babbling is actually not helpful in a (possible) crisis). 

[Jassinth]

Jass glances at Merrill, then back at Carver, uncertain but waiting for Carver's answer before giving his own.

[Carver Amell]

"I... I'd prefer just us but... I mean... I was going to show you the old Bandanna hideout, I don't think Merrill wants to..."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill's eyes widen. Then they narrow and she scowls at him. "Oh no. There's no way I'm going to just let you walk away after hearing that. I walked away once and- well, I can't walk at all anymore. I won't do it again. Nu-uh. I can just sit in a corner and knit or whatever, but if you're going to go there with a boy while upset, I'm going to be right there to make sure you don't- don't be careless."

[Carver Amell]

Carver's eyes widen, and he swallows. "Merrill, it wasn't your... that was my fault. I don't want to, I don't want you to get hurt again just because I'm..."