Stone's Throw

[Andreas Amell]

"That is... not an unfamiliar set-up," Andreas says after a moment. "But if that's the expectation, then why would enmity be so prevalent?"

[GamesMaster]

"A broken heart is a terrible thing, young one. Like broken glass, it tends to cut outwards."

[Andreas Amell]

Losing the battle to prevent his eyes from rolling in textbook perfect teen fashion, Andreas replies, "yes, I'm aware. While performative arts are not my preference, I do indulge from time to time. But that merely returns my confusion; if the current structure-- separated mates-- causes so much pain, enmity and hardship, then why does it remain? What benefits does it have that keep it in place?"

[GamesMaster]

Adonis looks at him, puzzled. "I must have misspoken somewhere," he says slowly. "It is not the idea of separated mates that causes the heartbreak. Separation is who we are. We only love in bursts, and then we separate. In the end we are creatures meant to be alone. Claiming the kits at birth is our way of handling the separation that our hearts desire."

[Andreas Amell]

"Ah. So... break-ups are prevalent but only rarely create a state of enmity?" Andreas attempts to clarify. "So they're less break-ups-- which has a negative connotation-- and more... It's more that the relationships were always understood, by both parties, to be temporary?"

[GamesMaster]

"Yes, exactly. What I had with your mother, we were determined to turn into a human relationship, one that would last. But it did not. Now I am wiser."

[Andreas Amell]

"And you don't have any issues with creating stable home lives for the children? Being a single parent is notoriously difficult, as I understand it."

[GamesMaster]

"We are all in community with one another. It is common to have one person in a household babysit while the others are working, and that person not pay their share of rent. Things like that help ease the burden on us all. Much like your mother had her family to rely on."

[Andreas Amell]

"Ah. So single parenting is rather misleading in this case," Andreas realizes, nodding slightly. "How... how is it decided who keeps the child? Or children?"

[GamesMaster]

"The couple decide before or shortly after the child or children are born. It is... unusual to split up twins or triplets, but it has been known to happen. As a twin, I am very against it."

[Andreas Amell]

"But separating other siblings is typical?"

[GamesMaster]

"Yes. Assuming both parties wish to be parents, having multiple children so they can split them up is common."

[Andreas Amell]

"And... Okay. Andy and Bob have two children, Charlie and Dani. Andy claims Charlie, Bob claims Dani," Andreas rambles off, brow furrowed as he tries to create a framework for how this out plays out. "Does Andy have any authority or rights to Dani before they and Bob split up? Are Dani and Charlie considered siblings? If they separate before the children are old enough to have reliable memories, are they usually told about the other two? If, after they've split, Bob dies, does Andy gain custody of Dani?"

[GamesMaster]

"No to all four questions," Adonis says solemnly. "If Bob dies before Dani reaches her majority, she is considered an Orphan of the Tribe, and any who cannot conceive or wish more children than they can naturally get may adopt her. This includes Andy, if she wishes. But she is not given priority."

[Andreas Amell]

None of it? That's... I'm not sure. "I see," he murmurs, brow creased in thought. "Can... Do the children have any say in this? Can they... claim a parent?"