The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

While surprised by Carver not only asking to borrow her offered accessory, but also to come along with him to the Oak, Lightsong had been happy- even grateful- to be of help. Sticking close in order to lend not just moral support but also a reflection if her divinely gifted hope as palliative against fear, the paladin also tries to keep an eye on Marian the entire time. Beth has Shiori close at hand- holding hands the majority of the time in fact- and Carver has Merrill acting much the same. But Marian...

"How are you holding up?" she murmurs to the only merikos in the group.

[Merrill]

Merrill was up at dawn to help Carver prepare for today. Supportive, present and ready with a shy but warm smile at all times. She's still barely a shadow around others, but Carver has learned that once she feels comfortable with someone- which is just him so far- she can talk endlessly about everything and anything. She has the strangest view on life, an almost painful blend of childlike wonder and broken resignation, and there are times when he's noticed that there's a hole in her conversations,  subject that used to be apart of nearly everything she did that she's avoiding with careful diligence now. 

As they enter the Oak, Merrill moves even closer to Carver. Two steps in and she grabs his hand tightly. Four and her breathing quickens. Six and her eyes lock to the ground, screwed shut, as she just follows alongside him blindly.

[Bethany]

Despite herself, despite this being perhaps the most important day in Carver's life- And how wonder, how weird, to finally know my own twin's name?- Bethany can't help but find herself constantly thinking about Marian. And the long talk she'd had with Shiori, which had helped. At least to identify her feelings anyway, if not come up with any hard plans. Taking some time after this to focus on me, on what's going on in my head does sound like it might be wise. A date day with Shiori, then keep at least a few hours each day just for me, for whatever I want to do with them. Yeah. But after today. Right now, I have to be ready to help Carver get his body, his real body.

[Marian Hawke]

"Fine," says Marian, then winces a little. Back to lying, so soon? she scolds herself. "It's weird, but, I'm just trying to be here for Car. Today isn't about me." Better. Not great, but better. 

And it was strange to think of Carol as a boy. Sure, she'd always worn pants as a kid, but so did half the women in Draslina. Carol was rambunctious as a child, but no more so than Beth. They'd always been inseparable, nearly identical, both happy children, carefree and wild. She'd been so jealous back then -- Carol was the designated heir at birth, meaning she'd always gotten just a little bit more attention from Leandra. Marian had often found herself wondering if something happened to the twins, would she be accepted at last, but she always felt too guilty after spending time with them to really mean it. And the whole time, Carol was suffering. Carol was really a boy. It's just too strange. How long have I been misreading the situation? How little do I really understand people?

[Carver Amell]

Carver stops in his tracks, turning to Merrill. "Are you alright?" he asks, his voice low. "You don't have to come if it hurts you. Please don't come if it hurts you. I can do this without you."

Can I? he wonders, not looking at his sisters. Merrill makes me a better person. I want to protect her -- I can do anything, if it means I'm protecting her. I used to feel that way about Beth, but things got complicated. I won't let things be complicated with Merrill. I'm going to become a boy and I'm going to marry her and we're going to be happy. 

Carver has been doing a lot of thinking about the future the past few days. He knows, beyond shadow of a doubt, that Jadan won't take him back if he's a boy. Jadan made me feel like a woman. He's not gay. He's just not. If I do this, I lose everything I had. I can't ever go home, I can't ever face Mother and Jadan again, I can't get married, I can't be someone's wife. But I can save Merrill. Carver Amell doesn't have to be this weak, simpering thing, dressed in gowns and miserable. Carver can be strong, an adventurer. Carver can do anything.

[Helene Dakesh]

Seeing Carver pause, Helene stops, turning to face the group ne is leading. I came to witness this, to take notes and find out more about this famous fleshcrafter, ne reminds nemself. Still, ne wishes Varric were here to help make sense of how quiet and broody everyone was, or Roland to cheer them up with a story. I will do what I must to help them. I was lead here for a reason, and I won't let it be to chronical them all dying, to stand back and journal while they suffer. I will help.

[Merrill]

"C-c-can y-you nnnnnn-nnnnn-not f-f-f-feel th-th-that?" Merrill asks, hand tightening even more on Carver's. Like an endless crowd watching us, like being hugged by the air, like being wet without water like- like- like cool sunlight on bare skin. Pleasepleaseplease say you can feel this. Please, I can't- I can't still be- not safe, not safe, not-safe, not-safe, not-safe-not-safe-not-safe-

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel offers Marian a warm smile, grateful for the clarification but before she can speak, she notices Carver and Merrill's interaction starting.

[Carver Amell]

Carver closes his eyes, takes a deep breath in, lets it out slowly. "I feel... something," he admits. "It... I might be imagining it. I'm not sure. Are you okay? Is it magic, are you magic, is it bad magic? Should we leave?" He opens his eyes again, stepping in front of Merrill, as if to shield her from the magic. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"We've entered into Raplin's Domain," says Helene quietly, feeling the subtle strangeness of having nir connection to Alydra... not severed, but a step removed. Raplin could cut nem off if he wanted to. Helene is very aware of this fact, as someone who has spend nir entire life in service to the divine. "You must be very sensitive, to notice so strongly."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Hmm?" Haliel blinks, then nods. "You are correct- I didn't notice until you said something. My... connection is more internal and passive than a caster's," she adds, gesturing at Helene in example. "Raplin is a subordinate deity of Uryll, if I recall correctly."

[Merrill]

Beth glances around, not feeling anything, then catches Shiori's eye and shrugs. Merrill, however, has frozen utterly still. "Y-you- you c-can f-feel-" she blurts out in disbelief, naked hope and shock in her voice. But I- that's real? What I can feel is- but it can't be- it- I-

[Carver Amell]

"Merill," says Carver softly, then sharper: "Merrill! Listen to me. Okay? Listen. Just listen. Breathe deep. Okay? Deep breath. Come on. Let's go back outside." 

He grips her hand tight, tugging her back toward the entrance. 

[NPCs]

"I'm coming, I'm coming," an elderly female voice grumbles from the doorway. Merrill had let Carver move her, but stops as she sees a very old gnome standing in the way. Neat floral-print smock, walking stick, and belt with some knitting supplies give a very grandmotherly feel to her. The badger tugging on the bag in her hand, pulling her along, is a bit strange though. "Oh. Guest duty is it? Blasted tree, could have just said something this morning," she adds, then yanks at the bag ineffectively. "What brings you all here?" Her eyes narrow. "She alright?"

[Bethany]

"She said something about us being all watched? Seeker Helene said something about a domain and-"