The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Bethany]

Her eyes pop open and she has to stop herself from leaping up with a shout. ''C-Cool. We can grab lunch and then head for Uryll's Kingdom. It's the best place for that sort of thing. I mean. the Valshathe temples have strays we could get... and I'd kind of prefer that but...'' But Leandra would never allow us to have anything but a purebred. And Jadan would totally drown a cat if his meal ticket, I mean 'future goodmother' told him to do it. Or if he felt bored. I have no idea what Car sees in him.

[Carver Amell]

Maybe I could talk her into a dog instead? Maybe a Mabari -- they're cool. So cool.

Carol smiles to herself, a small smile, but a real one, as she listens to her twin prattle on. Maybe...

[Marian Hawke]

Still thinking over how to get close to her twin sisters, Marian heads out to obtain food for herself and her master -- and ducks right back into the temple, spying the Amell carriage going past. There are ways to follow carriages on foot without being suspicious, but Marian isn't very good at them; it's lucky, then, that they're travelling down Temple street, where the crowds are thick enough to cover most of her movements.

She spies the girls alighting from the carriage in front of a pet shop, and has to duck aside to hide the welling of tears. They've grown now -- they're almost young women, not little girls. Allowed out with only a minder, no governess. Beth, Car... Do you ever miss me? Or even think of me?

She can't risk it. If the girls don't tell Leandra, the servant will. So instead, she pretends to be disinterested, walking inside as if she had any right to buy an animal. 

[Bethany]

''Yes, that is a lovely animal, but I simply must have a cat with black fur and white bands around her legs.''

''No, not her feet, her legs.''

Evidently, among the many, many other changes that must have occured, Beth has learned to be stubborn and picky. And just a little imperious as well. 

''Hmm. Better, yes, thank you. A bit older than I might wish for-''

Beth stops talking a moment, though this time, Bells is close enough that she can hear the soft-spoken clerk's voice, if not make out the words. 

''Yes, you being able to permanently change the coloring of the cat does make this easier, doesn't it. Perhaps lead with that next time, eh? Alright, how about- where did Car go? I- the dogs?'' A pause, then a soft laugh. ''Dogs, of course. Should have guessed really...''

[Marian Hawke]

Wow. Beth became kind of a bitch.

It's not a kind thought, but it's an honest one. Bethany was always so sweet, kind and protective, it's a shock to hear her acting like... well... like a mini-Mother, really. Particular and snobbish. I suppose growing up with mother did her more harm than good.

And Carol.. She heads to look at dogs, glancing over at the other young woman. Carol looks... bored. She seems interested in the dogs, but her expression doesn't look anything in particular. I guess she must have become the quiet twin, and Bethany the more outspoken?

[Bethany]

As Bells slowly drifts her way over to the canine section, Bethany goes directly there. Moving next to Carol, she slips an arm around her twin and rests her head against the slightly older woman's shoulder. The scene is rather touching, and shows that if nothing else, Beth still loves her twin deeply. From the gesture, Beth is asking or saying something about the dog in front of them. Some kind of reddish-brown furred dog. Rather goofy looking, truth be told, but very friendly based on the rate his tail is whirling.

[Carver Amell]

"--wouldn't let us," says Carol, her tone subdued. "Can you imagine? She'd call him dirty. But a cat, we can get a cat."

It's mid-morning, the start of Carol's best hours thanks to the chemical mood enhancement she takes with breakfast. She can manage whole conversations, though she never sounds particularly engaged. 

[Bethany]

''Well... maybe... oh!'' Beth straightens up, turning to face her twin, which puts her at half profile for Bells. ''A magical canine! That makes it a prestige thing. Nothing says noble house in Nyra like magic after all.'' There is no way I'm walking out of here without you holding the leash to a new dog. I haven't seen you so animated since... since a long, long time. ''Maybe something cleverer than the norm, so it won't mess. Mother would approve of that for sure.''

[Carver Amell]

"Do you think..."

Her voice cracks, cuts off. She doesn't dare. She can't. If she never voices her hope, her fondest wish, then it can't be ripped from her, stomped on, or worse, used against her like a whip to ensure she obeys. She takes a deep, shuddering breath, hands trembling a little, and says nothing. 

Do you think they have Mabari?

[Marian Hawke]

Bellflower, on the other hand, doesn't miss the shaky hands, the tremor in the voice. Something happened to Carol. Something bad. She was always so bold, so daring, as a child. The handful. Someone hurt her, and now Beth is protective and standoffish, afraid to get hurt, while Carol's broken. Oh, twins.. what happened?

No, don't jump to conclusions, she tells herself. Gamlen just died. Maybe they were close, and that's all. Maybe this is grief. Maybe Gamlen wanted a dog, or was killed by a dog, or... whatever. Maybe that's why they're like this.

[Bethany]

Beth looks around, then clears her throat before vising the attendant with a polite but hard look. ''We'll just browse for a bit, thank you. You can go about your other duties for now.'' Once the two works are gone, Beth looks around again but Marian is able to duck away before being spotted. Voice lowering and slipping into... why in Alydra's name does Beth speak auran? Or Carol, presumably, as Beth seems to be speaking it to her. Good thing her Master pushed languages or Bells would have no idea what her sisters were saying...

''Hey. Talk to me, ma'win. You okay? Do you... do you need to rest or...'' Beth can't bring herself to suggesting that Carol take another tonic. The mid-day, as needed ones make her twin... near undead really. It's horrid, even if it is, marginally, better than finding her- Beth's mind skitters away from the memory. ''Please? It's just me, okay?''

[Carver Amell]

"I'm fine," says Carol, ducking her head. "I just... I just wanted... do you think... there was that story, when we were small. Tale of Synti. Do you recall?"

She clasps her hands together tightly, willing them not to tremble. They're speaking Auron. Nobody will understand. Nobody will hurt her. 

[Marian Hawke]

Maybe Carol's sick? Dammit, I need more evidence, more data!

[Bethany]

Tales of Synti. That's the ones about the bard and his two best friends. What does- oh. Oh right. Three best friends. Synti, Brodrick, Lensa and Foghunter, Brodrick's mabari companion. That... oh Car, that makes so much sense. ''Yeah. Yeah, I do. Come one, let's see what magical breeds they have and.... look for the best. One that can make a strong bond with their owner, yeah?'' Beth smiles warmly, then leans in to press a soft kiss to her twin's cheek.

[Carver Amell]

Beth, Carol thinks, slumping a little in relief. Beth understands me. Beth always understands me. Even when I don't understand myself.

Mostly.

With only a small shiver, she turns to press her face into Beth's shoulder. Only a moment, and there's no tears when she pulls back, but the motion, the accepting of comfort even for a second, is promising.