Stone's Throw

[GamesMaster]

"The claiming is done when they are small, if not before they are born."

[Andreas Amell]

"And after? I mean, if, like in my example, if Andy has died, can Dani claim Bobbi? You said Bobbi can't but..."

[GamesMaster]

"Dani's wishes will be taken into account when placing her, but so will Bob's. If both wish for the adoption, then the Keeper will surely approve."

[Andreas Amell]

So the children do, if old enough, have some say in matters. That's... good. "Is the reverse true?" he asks, the thought arising suddenly. From his tone and bearing, he doesn't have a singular goal or point he's trying to make with all this; instead, he's trying to explore and understand this new cultural system that he's realizing he's been a part of all his life. "Sorry, I mean, can a child refuse a claim? If the parent is abusive or... negligent, that sort of thing."

[GamesMaster]

"The Keeper will investigate such allegations, even if there is not a claim dispute in place. Ah, I mean, if a child comes to the Keeper with allegations of abuse at any time, it will be investigated."

[Andreas Amell]

"Ah, that's good," Andreas says with a pleased, if reserved, smile. "Wait-- the Keeper? He-- or she? Can females be Keeper?-- is the only one that investigates such? You don't have civil workers or even a couple of Joyous that do that?"

[GamesMaster]

"The Keeper is our only religious leader officially recognized by the Tribe -- but he may deputize others underneath him. And yes, he can be female, but he's been male for three generations now. He is also our tribe's civil leader, or has been, until I came along. Now, myself and Miki are hashing out how to share the role -- Miki is focused on internal affairs, while I focus on external."

[Andreas Amell]

"Right, the Keeper is a hybrid of head priest and mayor, right? So he probably wouldn't be personally doing the investigation, but it would be under his oversight and on his authority?"

[GamesMaster]

"Often, but we are a small community, and allegations are rare. More common are civil disputes between neighbors or roommates, loss of housing, food for the injured, sick, or elderly, or those otherwise unable to procure their own sustenance... caring for the community."

[Andreas Amell]

"That's fair," Andreas allows, nodding at the point. Given the relative size of Cat Town, it would take an appalling culture to generate enough instances of child abuse to really require a dedicated team. "How does a disputed claim get resolved? The Keeper?"

[GamesMaster]

"Yes. Everything starts and ends with the Keeper -- he is our leader, chosen by Bharnerol or by the previous leader, who acts in Bharnerol's stead."

[Andreas Amell]

"There's no other balance to their power, save Bharnerol?"

[GamesMaster]

Don hesitates before admitting, "Tribes have been known to kill particularly bad Keepers."

[Andreas Amell]

"That's... a little extreme, but not overly so," Andreas replies, not seeming too bothered by the idea. Like as not, his placidity is more to do with it being a distant, academic idea rather than him being hardened to death. "I gather from that comment that there is no means of removing a Keeper from their post, ah, politically?"

[GamesMaster]

"No. They are appointed by Bharnerol and only the withdrawal of His favor can disbar them."