Stone's Throw

[Andreas Amell]

"You're my father?" Andreas demands, cutting his mother off without even truly noticing.

[GamesMaster]

"In the way humans count things, yes. But I relinquished any right to be in your life when you were born."

[Andreas Amell]

Andreas stares at the man for a long moment, long enough that Beth starts to rise to her feet. "Why?" It's not harshly demanded, nor plaintively asked. He's just... confused. Bewildered.

[GamesMaster]

"Has your mother taught you nothing of your people?" he asks sadly, shaking his head. "In the way of catfolk, only one parent raises each child. I had thought we could behave like humans.... but I was mistaken. It is best for each kind to keep to their own traditions. And so, I stepped back, and let your mother have the raising of you."

[Andreas Amell]

Andreas shakes his head. "That's not-- 'Because' isn't an explanation, it's just a word."

[GamesMaster]

Adonis blinks. "Because of our cultural traditions, child. It has been this way since time immemorial."

[Andreas Amell]

"'It's tradition' is just a longer way of saying 'because,'" Andreas says with a tight voice. "Why is abandoning your child the done thing?"

[GamesMaster]

"No child is abandoned. Each has a perfectly good parent. Just, only one. That way, there is never infighting over who gets the children when couples cease to be together. When your mother and I parted ways, I stepped back to let her-- regardless, that is not what I am here for now. My father is dying. That is the news I came to impart. I should go, before your mother has me thrown out."

[Bethany]

"Cadmus is dying?" Beth says, surprising Don. "How-- what's wrong?"

[GamesMaster]

"Age, mostly. His heart has never been strong, and there's only so much the healers can do. The next time it stops, they won't be able to do anything for him." 

[Bethany]

"Age? But..." Catfolk. Short lived. Right. "I see. Well. I'll be sure to-- to send something appropriate," she finishes awkwardly, wincing at herself. 

[Andreas Amell]

"Did-- did we ever met? Before?"

[GamesMaster]

"Cadmus was the one who first held you, and the one performing your Naming, along with your siblings. That was before the... incident."  A pause. "I'm certain he'd like to see you, Bethany, and you as well, Andreas. I can arrange to be elsewhere if you want privacy."

[Andreas Amell]

"How... how much time does he..?"

[GamesMaster]

"Only Bharnerol knows."