Sun and Moon chapter 6
"Take a slow deep breath," Carver reached the spot on the wounded coast just as they had finished their lesson. It was still a strange sight to see them both dressed in leathers. He had never seen Beth in anything aside from robes and as for LeeLani- she took on some more unique styles in his own opinion- only wearing her leathers when needed for work.
He watched silently behind them as Beth shot the arrow barely hitting the target. "You were supposed to wait for me." He stated loudly crossing his arms as both women moved to look at him.
"Am I psychic now? Can I pretend to be certain of the time that bloody smuggler lets you go? It's already bad enough Lissa has you watching me like a guard dog." She mumbled the latter as she turned back to the target, knocking another arrow. He watched in slight frustration as LeeLani corrected her stance.
"Straighten your arm." He said before she could aim again.
"What are you talking about, Carver?" Beth looked at him and he sighed as he made his way down into the grotto. "Your arm," he pushed her elbow in and extended her arm. "Needs to be straight." He moved aside and allowed the slightly bewildered LeeLani to take over.
"Yes, Now take another slow deep breath and," Beth let the arrow fly before LeeLani had given the go ahead. All theirs eyes turned as it hit its mark just outside of the inner ring.
Beth was grinning widely.
"Nice one, sister." Carver complimented. He had never been one for bows but it seems now both his sister had been given a knack for it. After all it has only been a little over a month since the training had begun- much to Lissa disliking. But he thought it would be good for his twin to learn something new, something more reliable than the gift she had already possessed. And Lissa couldn't argue with that.
"I'm going down to the water to wash off." Beth grabbed her robes and Scurried off.
"She is a very quick learner." LeeLani commented as she took the arrows off the board. "She picks up on certain things like I have never seen."
Carve smiled hesitantly. Unlike his twin, he still did not feel completely comfortable around this woman. But he did not dislike her as Lissa did. "Yeah well, she was always as such. Even our father seemed to think so."
"Is that so?" she turned on him with a questioning look.
"She was as fast a learner with magic as I was with the sword."
She nodded briefly. "Then why have you never taught her skills? Or Solissa?"
Carver stood almost shell-shocked. His mouth opened and closed, trying to find words that could get him out of this situation. It was true he had never offered Beth any training. Being a swordsman was the only thing he could be in his family. But with that reason aside, he realized he had never seen Beth as such. Never a fighter. She had always seemed too small, to delicate.
"I once thought of someone as such. Delicate and fragile. Someone who stays out of the battle." Her words echoed Carver's mind. She tossed the quiver over her back and picked up the bow. "Seeing them this way… I … It is not the choice we should make. They have to decide." She caught his eyes and held them for a moment. Carver gave a small start as he once again saw the gleam of silver flash across them. LeeLani turned her head away sharply, Embarrassment and anger filling her features. "Regardless, Beth is quick, with magic and other such things but my knowledge of weapons only goes so far."
"Perhaps I could help?" Carver surprised himself as he asked the words but be for he could feel any sort of stupidity he quickly added, "I am here anyway."
LeeLani smiled. "Very well then. Tomorrow at dusk." She turned and walked away leaving carver alone waiting for his sister.
LeeLani stalked quickly through the streets of DarkTown. How she dreaded this place. Littered with filth and gore from Creators only knew. And the refugees made it no better. She looked quickly at many of the faces that passed as she made her way to TomWise. So many of them filled with anguish and despair. The scene tugged lightly on some unseen part of her heart. She turned right and made stopped as she reached the poisons maker.
"Lani. I didn't expect you back so soon. Athenril has you running around more than usual, I take it."
"Not today. I am here of my own accord." she shifted through her satchel. "Would you be able to gather these for me?" LeeLani held out the list for Tom to see.
He looked over the list, his eyes skimming over each ingredient. "I could, but some of this stuff is not easy to come by."
"I'll be sure to compensate you for any troubles."
Tom nodded. "I can have them by the end of next week."
She gave him a warm smile. "Ma Serranas." She turned to leave.
"Lani?" She turned from the tiny lift and turned to the elf. "I know what these items make." He struggled to hide the uncomfortable look in his eyes, but he kept his mouth neutral as always.
"It is nothing of concern for you." She flipped up the lever and the lift shook into motion. The elf's eyes never left her own as she rose up into the city and she could just feel the revulsion his look held.
The streets were quiet as they always were when she made her way home to the alienage. She kept her daggers tightly in her hands, not wanting to be unprepared if anything should happen. In the months she had been here she had come to learn the hard way that Kirkwall streets were anything but safe. Best to prepare one's self then to get caught off guard.
"You can't keep me locked away like a dog!" She rounded the corner leading to the Hawkes house. Slowing her pace, she stood in the shadows as the scene played out before her. Bethany stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"Fine! Be taken by the bloody Templar's for all I care! You and that blasted elf are nothing but a pain!"
LeeLani recognized Solissa's raging voice.
"At least we aren't hiding from the truth of what we are, Sister!" Bethany stormed off toward her, leaving Solissa speechless and angry. She had just heard the door slam when she stepped out of the shadows. And Judging by Bethany's startled reaction; she had managed to stay well hidden.
The young mage jumped back, sparks, flying from her hands. "Lani!" she shook her hand letting the magic fade.
"Are you ok?" LeeLani asked, placing her daggers on her hips. She did not wish to frighten the girl more than she already had.
Bethany shrunk back in embarrassment. "You overheard, then?"
The elf laughed lightly. "I do not think there was an ear in Kirkwall that did not hear you two."
Beth tucked her hair behind her ear and gave a shy smile. "I suppose us Hawkes can be quite loud."
"That is an understatement." A thought occurred to her. "Come. You look as if you could use a drink." she moved away from the house and toward the Hanged man Tavern.
"I did not know you drink." LeeLani couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah, child. There is much you don't know about me."
A/N so as you guys have probably noticed Lissa doesn't coddle her sister. Her bond is more with carver and I will show that in later chapters. Bethany is more AU I guess in a sense that I don't make her out to be the delicate person her siblings seem to see her as. And of course you can see Lissa's complete dislike of magic as well as our lovely little elf. I hope you guys continue reading on next chapter will probably be some Beth and Lani bonding time with a few characters thrown in hope you guys enjoy.
FAN QUESTION: Anyone have some guesses for what LeeLani could possibly be making with the stuff she asked tomwise for? Comment or PM answers if you want! The one who gets it right (if anyone) well idk what they'll get but I'll figure something out XD unless you have an idea for that too :P