The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

"Of course, Beth," whispers Marian. "And it-- it doesn't..." 

She takes a deep breath, trying to think of how to express the sentiment she's trying to put into words. "It doesn't change anything. Not a thing. The person you were yesterday and the person you will be tomorrow are the same person. He didn't take anything away, or dirty you, or tarnish your worth. All he did was show you the kind of person he is."

[Bethany]

Beth stills, breath shuddering out of her. "I... I... yes. I... it wasn't- he didn't..." She swallows thickly. "I don't need... medicine. He didn't... Car walked in before he- he could-"

[Marian Hawke]

"Okay," whispers Marian. "Okay. You don't have to-- if you want, you can tell me who, and I'll fucking murder him for you," she says, though she's careful to keep her voice gentle. "But you don't have to recount it. Not now and not ever, not if you don't want to. I just... I just wanted you to know, before the doubts set in."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"It can help however. Talking about it. Facing the moments with someone at your side, to hold you close and whisper that it'll be okay. Or threaten the sick fuck that hurt you. But at your own pace." She slowly rubs Beth's back, careful to keep her embrace loose so the younger girl doesn't feel trapped.

[Bethany]

Beth sniffles again, nodding. "I... he... he hit me. I... I couldn't think right, my head was..." She hiccups painfully.

[Marian Hawke]

"She's been healed?" confirms Marian, in a low tone, over her sister's head. Seeing the answer on Lightsong's face, she nods, rubbing Beth's back a little. "It's alright. You survived, that's the important thing. You survived, that means you can fight another day."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Do you mind if I tell M-" Mercy, I have no idea what name she's using! "M-my friend what I know? From before I healed you?" Beth shakes her head, hopefully not having caught Lightsong's near slip. "She had a handmark on her throat, a slight knot on the back of her head and a nasty one on her forehead." She hesitates, then adds, "her dress was buttoned wrong and her stockings both have runs in them."

[Marian Hawke]

"You're a fighter, Beth," whispers Marian. "I always knew you would be. You're a fighter, a survivor. That's what we do -- we survive, when all the world seems set against us, and someday we come back from out of nowhere and then we have our vengeance." 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong blinks a few times, confused on whether Marian is easing into a reveal or... just forgot."

[Bethany]

The phrasing of that is strange, but Beth isn't running on all four hooves at the moment, so it doesn't click. Not right away. "I thought I was. I had this whole plan. Thought I had all the angles covered. I'd play nice until he would go somewhere alone with me, but I arranged for Car to come by at a set time. Then- then I'd push him. I know he had a temper, I knew I could get him to slip, to show what he really was. But I... he- he was faster than I thought and- and he- and then I couldn't think and he- he- I was on the sofa and-"

[Marian Hawke]

"Oh, Beth," she whispers, blinking back tears. "You did good. You got Carol here and, and you kept yourself in one piece. Now you can rest. Okay?"

[Bethany]

Beth licks her lips, four words locked behind shame and confusion. Eventually, she just nods a little, unable to share that part of the... incident. Not yet.

[Haliel Lightsong]

"She's right. You protected your sister and yourself. You were hurt, badly, for it, but you are safe now. And you can heal," Lightsong murmurs.

[Bethany]

"I... thank you. I'll... I'll try. Thank you, Lightsong." A beat and Beth lifts her head to peer at Marian. "...who are you? "

[Marian Hawke]

Marian blushes. "Oh, ah, the last time you saw me I was in disguise as a merikos aasimar--"