The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Zevran]

"Among other ways- and other things," he says with a playful leer. 

[Isabela]

"What do you think you'll do when all this is done?" she throws out, casually, as if it isn't the central defining question she's been burning to ask for weeks.

[Zevran]

"I am... unsure. I want to be sure that Beth is somewhere safe, somewhere she can start her life properly," Zevran says slowly. "I am... I do not know if I would be happy staying with her in the type of life she would be happy in- she is not an adventurer, by any measure really, and would be miserable traveling. But.. It would please me to be able to visit her, see what she makes of herself. Caro- Carver as well, a bit. Beyond that?" He lifts his hands, spreading them wide. "Passion, freedom... good company perhaps?"

[Isabela]

Isabela tries not to notice he name-checked Carver and Beth but not her. She smiles, stuffing her feelings down. Isabela doesn't do jealous, she reminds herself. It's just the pup rubbing off on me. Making me anxious.  "Noble goals."

[Zevran]

A slight bit more direct perhaps. "I am out of practice, however. Wandering and... such. A... seasoned guide, a companion most compatible... would be welcome." Okay, a lot more direct. "Very welcome."

[Isabela]

"I could help with that," she finds herself saying quickly. "I'm still recruiting for my crew, when we get a ship. The first mate position is open, if you're interested."

[Zevran]

"First mate?" He puts on a mock horrified tone. "Just the once?"

[Isabela]

She laughs. "First choice, more like."

[Zevran]

"First choice but not the only choice," Zevran says slowly. "I rather like that idea." His tone and posture seem to imply a question, or perhaps an offer despite the declarative nature of the words themselves.

[Isabela]

Isabela hesitates. "Of course, you have all the world to choose from," she points out. "I'm sure I'm not your first choice."

[Zevran]

"I cannot promise eternity but today? Tomorrow? Whatever word means the following year? I do not see my choices changing." He shrugs, gaze finally drifting away from hers. "I... I do love Beth. I will always wish and want her well, will act to see it so. But... I do not see either of us being happy as... first mates." But with you... perhaps. 

[Isabela]

Some of the tension eases out of her. "I like that. Not forever, but right now, for the foreseeable future. None of that 'till death do us part' shit. Just... choosing to be with each other until it makes sense not to."

[Zevran]

"Together then, until we decide otherwise," he agrees, a tension going out of him as well. "Shall we seal our... newfound status with a kiss?" His gaze, she might notice, is not on her face.

[Isabela]

"I can think of no better way," she laughs. 

[Carver Amell]

"Hyah!"

Carver grunts as he swings his wooden practice blade, sweat soaking his hair. He's topless -- he prefers it, especially as the days grow hotter and longer -- and he's rather glad Jass is using a blunted hatchet, as he's already developing a moderately deep bruise from an earlier bout. And yet he loves every second of this: the freedom to be loud, boisterous, topless, to get hurt and to hurt other people. To be rough-and-tumble instead of ladylike. To learn the blade, rather than the sewing needle.

The fact that he's losing is starting to bother him, however. For a long while it didn't; it was enough just to be able to learn, to practice, to spar. But Jass hunts with a bow and he's still better than Carver. Carver aches to prove himself, is desperate to win -- to show Jass, just once, that he has real potential, that he's Jass's equal in potential if not in actual talent.

Jass disarms him with a lucky strike, and he goes for a punch, not bothering to retrieve the blade. It's not until the hit lands and he spies blood welling up from Jass' cheek that he realizes something's gone awry. How did I cut him with my fingertips..??