Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"I..." For another kiss like that I'd do anything. "Yeah," he says, swallowing his first reaction. "I think I can try that."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline's lips curve with gratitude- and a bit of relief. "And... maybe you can come up with something for later? I'll give you my schedule for the next week and a half." Which is a bit of trust, as Lieutenants and above are not supposed to share their schedules for security reasons. Even when she was mentoring him, she would only give him slots, not the full thing.

[Carver Amell]

He nods again. "Yeah. I can put together a date."

[Tethras Clan]

"Good. Looking forward to it. Make sure to let me know if I need to bring anything or dress up." And hopefully he remembers who he's dating when he picks the activity.

[Bethany]

Don and Beth's plans to cuddle and read the afternoon away are interrupted when Zevran arrives with Liz just as they're cleaning up after lunch. It only takes a single glance for Don to 'suddenly recall he has an afternoon meeting but thanks for lunch Beth' so the healer can focus on her sibling. Liz seems very okay with the idea of cuddling up in Beth's room with tea and books in comfy sleepwear for a few hours. After a couple of hours, Liz has recovered enough to notice when Beth gets out a notebook and starts taking notes from that book she's been reading off and on again for weeks. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Good book?" she asks, lowering her travelogue. 

[Bethany]

"...and give to the Tribe that which is needed and ask of the Tribe that which is needed for the One is Tribe and the Tribe is One. Furthe-" Bethany blinks owlishly a few times, realizing that she had just started reading out loud as if that was an answer. "Sorry, what?" Turning to face Liz, the merikos elf notes that Beth is squinting, the corners of her eyes crinkled and strained. She also has a smudge of charcoal on the side of her nose from her pencil.

[Marian Hawke]

"...Catfolk tribal law?" asks Liz, surprised.

[Bethany]

"No. Well." Beth pauses, then nods. "Actually sorta yes, but technically it's Bharnorol's gospel. I, uh, I..." She shifts a little, then shrugs. "I'm converting. I mean, I haven't officially agreed to yet but... I have decided to."

[Marian Hawke]

"Oh," she says quietly. "I didn't realize... Huh."

[Bethany]

"I... haven't really brought it up. Like at all. So..."

[Marian Hawke]

"No, it's... I mean..."

She takes a deep breath, pushing aside as much of her day as possible. "Don's not pushing you into this, is he? This isn't required for you to be with him, is it?"

[Bethany]

"No, he didn't ask. It... it is a little political. He has to balance things pretty carefully and..." Beth jerks a shoulder. "If I do this, then it makes me more Tribe, meaning more acceptable, meaning his association with me is less damaging to his image and reputation with the isolationists and conservatives. And..." She sighs. "It isn't like... well..."

[Marian Hawke]

"Should you... be with someone who thinks your association is damaging?" asks Liz, managing to sound more curious than accusatory.

[Bethany]

"That's my judgement, not his. He's been very careful about not asking me to change. But I am a Light's daughter and it isn't hard to realize how much he has to give up or compromise on because he loves a human girl."