The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Carver Amell]

"What-- whatever scared you. It's just a dream, you're safe now." 

Carol reaches behind her, picks up one of the bowls and hands it over. "It's stew. I think rabbit."

[Merrill]

Rabbit. Meat. Her stomach churns at the very idea but she simply nods meekly as she crawls back around the cart. She knows better than to refuse 'charity' from people. "Thank you Miss Carol," she whispers, taking the bowl with a trembling hand.

[Carver Amell]

Carol picks up her own bowl, sitting on the ground. After a moment, she switches to sitting cross-legged, still marveling at the fact she can. "I'm um... I'm sure you have some questions," she says, hesitantly.

[Merrill]

Merrill hesitates, slowly stirring her stew as she marvels at how nice and warm it is. "Nosir," she mumbles.

[Carver Amell]

An unusual feeling comes over Carol then. She knows right away what she ought to say. She has the words, on the tip of her tongue. But there's this warmth inside, this gooey feeling. For a moment, she entertains the thought -- she could just... She could cut her hair off, keep the trousers, pose as a boy. Why not? Shiori's done something similar. Why not just....

She stands, abruptly, putting her bowl aside as she does. "I'll be back," she says, before heading off toward the woods.

[Merrill]

Merrill watches this with wide eyes, confused. She starts a little when Hunter tears off after Carol. That was... peculiar? 

[Carver Amell]

Carol isn't quiet as she charges through the woods, wiping at her eyes. She just needs to be... not here. Not now. Away. Her feet fall into a rhythm, seeming to find the ground of their own accord as she falls into a cadence. (And how long has it been since she could just run like this? Just go, into nature, free? Feels like her whole life. Feels like no time at all.) She pushes herself a little harder, trying to outrun the feeling of Jadan's hand on her breast, the sound of Beth screaming, the taste of poison and glass. 

[Varric]

When the older twin finally finds out of wind and stops, she quickly realizes she's not alone. First when Hunter launches himself at her feet, barking cheerfully. The second comes a moment later, when there's a hard thunk a few feet away. Hunter spazzes out, as puppies do, and rushes over to inspect the dead snake impaled by a crossbow bolt. 

"Good run?" Varic calls out as he makes his way over to them, an occasional mutter against nature as he does so.

[Carver Amell]

She leans against a tree, panting. "Um. Yeah," she says, swallowing hard. "I guess."

[Varric]

Varric flicks an eye over the young woman- face flushed, drenched in sweat, legs trembling (hands fisted tight, eyes red)- and nods. "Oye, Hunter, leave that be. No blessed idea if that thing is poisonous or something. I buy my poisons at a shop."

[Carver Amell]

Carol whistles, patting her leg. "Here boy. Leave it."

[Varric]

Hunter growls at the dead snake once more, then trots over to see if Carol has food. Or wants to play. Or is willing to give pets. Or is interested in cuddling. 

"Any reason why you brought a spoon with you?" the dwarf asks carefully.

[Carver Amell]

"I..." she begins, biting her lower lip. "I was going to eat lunch and then..."

[Varric]

"Felt like you needed to go for a run?" Varric suggests helpfully, studying the snake. Shame to just leave it here... Bet that Roland guy knows how to deal with it. "Don't suppose you know now to skin a snake? Or what kind of snake this even is?" He gestures at his belt, which catches Hunter's fickle attention and causes the pup to rush over to the dwarf. "I can skin a rabbit, more or less, but- dog, I will douse you in water, leave that be- snake? No clue."

[Carver Amell]

"No, I... it wasn't... proper, to learn," she says, quietly.