The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Carver Amell]

Carol's hand twitches, but she's prepared for it this time, and she doesn't comment. "Do you have questions for me?"

[Merrill]

Thousands. But instead of saying that, she just meekly shakes her head a little. Asking questions is even worse than offering observations or suggestions. In her lap, a small lump shifts, then lets out a soft squeaking noise. Merrill tenses, darting a glance at Carol to see if she heard, and if so, how she's reacting to the reminder that Little Shine exists.

[Carver Amell]

Carol smiles. "I brought your friend a gift," she says, reaching into her belt pouch for the leather-wrapped bundle. "She must be hungry, right? I brought her some rabbit."

[Merrill]

"Really?" Merrill blurts out, eyes widening. She flinches afterwards, bracing for a slap.

[Carver Amell]

"Of course," says Carol. "She's yours, like Hunter is mine."

[Merrill]

Merrill stares at her for a long moment, then her eyes fill with tears. Almost completely silently, she starts weeping. In her lap, the dragonling begins to chirp again, demanding food and attention. Gathering her nerve, the still crying elf tentatively reaches out for the bundle.

[Carver Amell]

Carol hands it over, swallowing. "Hey," she says gently. "It's okay. It really is. You're safe now, with us. We're not going to hurt you or your friend, alright? We just want to help you."

[Merrill]

Merrill nods silently, taking the packet and unfolding it so she can feed the liver to the baby faerie dragon in her lap. Despite her tears, a smile creeps on her face as the dragon greedily devours the offering. "...thank you," she whispers. 

[Carver Amell]

"Do you need anything else? I've... I've never done this before," she admits. "I'm not really an adventurer or anything. So, I'm probably doing a lot of it wrong. Please tell me, if so."

[Merrill]

"Why help... me?" And it's clear it's the subject of salvation that puzzles her the most.

[Carver Amell]

"Hunter likes you," Carol says softly. "He's a good judge of people. If he likes you, you're worth helping."

She hesitates, then, glancing away. "I'm not... I'm probably going to die soon. So it's.. I wanted to do a good thing before I go."

[Merrill]

Merrill's eyes widen. "You're sick?" she blurts out, wishing that she could still feel the spirits. I was already able to cure diseases and sickness when....

[Carver Amell]

"Y-yeah," she mumbles. "I... I get these... there's this darkness inside me and... it's complicated," she finally admits. 

[Merrill]

A darkness? I- should I- but- it's a risk but I need to... "I was- I was taught- healer. I was trained by- that is, I have some skill at..." She goes silent with a mental groan. 

[Carver Amell]

"Thank you," says Carol sadly. "I've seen healers. We used to be rich -- I was taking alchemical medicine, but it... it didn't work, really. Not very well."