Stone's Throw

[NPCs]

Cadmus takes a moment to respond; perhaps lost in thought as he gazed at the fire? It's rather warm in the room; despite the general warmth of the day, the fireplace is set for a full burn. Despite that, the frail catfolk in the well cushioned chair is wearing a woolen robe and a blanket over his legs. "...Andreas," he murmurs, eyes sharp and bright despite the rest of him being so worn. "I am... not offended, but it would be best not to address me so."

[Charon Tethras]

"Oh," Charon says with a wince. Right. They have this stupid custom about only having one parent. "Right, sorry, um... Mr zi'Goldclaw?" he tries again. "What am I meant to...?"

[NPCs]

"Cadmus is fine," he assures the younger catfolk with a faint smile. "Come, sit. Nervous today, I see."

[Charon Tethras]

"Well, yes," he says, sitting. "I um. I asked around about you, Mr Cadmus. You're... really well loved in the community."

[NPCs]

A ghost of a smile forms there. "And I them," he says simply, then coughs softly. "It... it is a good day," he adds, making a feeble gesture at his mouth or throat. "But..." His eyes dip to a small wooden cup next on a tray next to him, next to a sizable glass pitcher. "If you would?" The pitcher is nearly full of some kind of tisane, based on the herb satchel on the bottom, while the cup is almost child sized and very thin. The wood itself is remarkably light as well, and faintly slick.

[Charon Tethras]

"Oh, of course." As he pours, he tries to think of what to say. Truth be told, he did ask around, about both Adonis and Cadmus. Somehow the idea of Adonis is easier to approach -- on top of being all that, he's also a deadbeat dad. But Cadmus? Everyone loves Cadmus, even those who hate Adonis and think he's an upstart with ambition. What would it be liked to have a whole people love you?

"I hope Adonis told you I've moved in for a little while while Mom is away." Mom? Mother? Ma? I hope I've guessed right. 

[NPCs]

Thankfully, Cadmus doesn't know Andreas well enough to know he uses Mother nearly all the time. "Thanks," Cadmus murmurs, reaching for the cup. It clearly takes some effort and focus to take a long sip of the chilled drink, but Charon definitely gets the vibe that Cadmus would be insulted if he offered to help. "And yes." A chuckle. "Repeatedly. He is nervous."

[Charon Tethras]

"He's nervous? Why?" asks Charon, honestly startled. 

[NPCs]

"Many whys," Cadmus answers. "Used to solitude. Unfamiliar with youths, outside of role. Used to denying himself."

[Charon Tethras]

"Denying himself? He left my mother and never bothered to--" Charon cuts himself off, realizing he's sounding less and less like Dreas. 

[NPCs]

"Your anger is natural," Cadmus says gently. "My ears are open, my lips shall be sealed."

[Charon Tethras]

Charon sighs, choosing his words carefully. "I never... I never had a father. Other kids, they'd have two parents, and I'd just... I wondered about what kind of man he'd be, if I ever met him. Who just, just gives up a kid? Just says, oh, well, I know I helped make this but it's yours now, ta! I don't understand. I would never do that to one of mine."

[NPCs]

Cadmus listens patiently, no hints of biding his time to speak or distraction to be seen. After Charon finishes, he waits another moment to be sure, then nods. "A heavy burden for young shoulders. It is," he coughs briefly, "even more so for ones raised outside our people."

[Charon Tethras]

"Right. Our people." He sighs. "I guess you know all about that, then. Growing up fatherless. Or motherless or whatever. Did you ever feel... rejected?"

[NPCs]

"Did not occur to me until I was Keeper, learned outsiders' ways," Cadmus admits. "Mother raised me. Never learned who fathered me."