Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. I knew it was coming." He shrugs. "If you don't... want me after all, or if we break up or whatever, I'll think about it again."

[Tethras Clan]

"So... it's not important to you?" Still the careful tone, very similar to the one she uses when questioning witnesses and is trying to avoid influencing their answers. Less crisps though, almost wary. Or perhaps nervous.

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "No. Why is this a big deal? I just... I thought you might want to know, is all. I've been safe, I'm clean and all. I get tested."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline exhales slowly. "I... I was trying to... Well, two things, I guess. One, yes, I have... I disapprove of prostitution. Both people taking up the profession and people hiring them. Seli has... informed me that several of my assumptions and thoughts are either wrong or... well, her term was 'sanctimonious bullshit.' But I was also seeing if you would push back at all, if it was important to you." She jerks a shoulder, looking uncomfortable.

[Carver Amell]

He frowns. "It's not -- I don't know what your problems are with prostitutes but we're probably going to need to have that out at some point. Beth will kill me if I date someone, marry someone, who can't approve of her. And, and I wouldn't want to."

[Tethras Clan]

"Beth?" Aveline looks startled. "I thought- she's a healer, I thought..."

[Carver Amell]

"She is, mostly. But she started healing at a brothel and she worked there for a bit. She doesn't anymore -- especially with a babe on the way -- but she's really passionate about whores and their treatment."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline gapes a bit, blinking rapidly. "But why would- she- She could make triple, quadruple, more as a magical healer than she ever could as a prostitute. And she's not Cirenite. Why would do that to herself?"

[Carver Amell]

He narrows his eyes. "It was a job. I've taken plenty of shit jobs, starting out, building up rep."

[Tethras Clan]

"But she has so many talents and skills that would make her more and be less shameful. Why..." She shakes her head, trying to collect herself.

[Carver Amell]

He sighs. "You should talk to her," he says, bluntly. "I'm no good at this. But... if you see sex as so shameful why do you want to be with me?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Because I love you," Aveline says simply. "Sex is intimacy, comfort and emotion. Selling it?" She shudders. "I can't... I can't fathom how someone could do that to themselves if they had any other option."

[Carver Amell]

He looks away, frowning. "Ah."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline winces. "I... sorry. I know this is... Well. I'm sorry. I... I do like Beth. Still. And I will talk to her. I... I've talked about this with Seli, a bit. She spent a few years serving as a skin comforter and... I had some trouble accepting that. But I can understand that motivation, of serving your god with your body. I was... not thrilled with the analogy at the time, but I can see how what she did was... not entirely dissimilar to my calling as a paladin. So..."  She takes another deep breath. "I know this is mostly my own issue. I trust you enough, like Beth enough, that if she... chose to do that, then she must have had a good reason. So."

[Carver Amell]

"And I've just told you I bought whores. So. I must have had a good reason? Or are you chalking that up to, Carver's being a dumbass again?" he asks, glowering at the sink.