Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Oh, is that the little blue one? I've seen her around. She's cool."

[Bethany]

Bethany beams. "Sh- They are. Helene is they, not she. I'm not sure why but Dad says it's a important to them so..." She shrugs. Simple enough thing really so...

[GamesMaster]

He blinks. "Okay. Sh-- They are friends with Father L, he's who we usually go to for healing."

[Bethany]

"Father L?" Bethany asks curiously, so damn glad to have something non-sexual- or pee- related to think about right now. 

[GamesMaster]

"Lelldorin doesn't really nickname well," he explains. "He vetoed 'dory', so we just went with L. He looks after some of the kits who don't have parents, sometimes. He has a church of everything-but-Bharnarol; dad only does Bharnarol, because of being the Keeper, so Father L does everything else."

[Bethany]

Bethany stares at Don slack jawed. "You- you can do that?" she asks almost incredulously. "Does- does he get spells? Does he get trouble from- I mean- that's allowed?"

[GamesMaster]

Don blinks. "I... guess? I suppose you'll want to meet him tomorrow," he sighs, before perking up. "Or tonight? That might be important enough to bail on this whole... peeing... thing?"

[Bethany]

"I can't, I have clients... hopefully... Besides, I'd want to wear something nice. And bring Carver... who is going to need a bit before he's... fit company, I suspect." Bethany flops back in the bed, then quickly reaches down to adjust her robe to cover her legs better. "...how bad was it? Carver, I mean?"

[GamesMaster]

"Not that bad," he assures her. "he was just interrogating the client, trying to make sure she was on the level. We gave her a refund."

[Bethany]

"That is better than I was afraid it was," Bethany admits. "How about you? How're you doing?"

[GamesMaster]

"This? This is old hat for me," he says, casually, but he can't disguise the concern in his eyes as easily as he can his voice. "The ladies are great, so far not much trouble from clients. Only had to throw out a couple."

[Bethany]

Reaching over, Bethany slips her hand into his. "Hey... talk to me, Don. I'd like to think we're friend and... and that means you can be- that you can talk to me about your problems, okay?"

[GamesMaster]

"I'm fine," he insists, but he takes her hand. "It's just... this isn't... you shouldn't feel like you have to do this."

[Bethany]

Bethany sighs softly, not speaking for a long moment. "No-one should. Have to, I mean. It's terrible that this is their only choice. That... they have to accept this, any of it, all of it, if they want to live. It's wrong and I hate it."

[GamesMaster]

"I mean, it's not the only choice," he says, tail swaying. "I started a gang. Niko and Miki are great pickpockets. Some of the adults do laundry. One of my dad's mates keeps a shop in the bazaar, selling odds and ends the others manage to lift."