Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"And if you don't have friends, skilled fingers or even a house to base your laundry service out of, much less a basin?" Bethany asks softly.

[GamesMaster]

"Gangs are always recruiting, and they usually will teach you to pick pockets," he argues. "It's not the only choice. And, for cats, it's not even a last resort. We take care of each other in the Tribe. Outsiders don't like us, but we don't let anyone starve."

[Bethany]

"...then why does Bri not have another option?" Bethany asks softly. "She's mentioned, obliquely, about how she can't go home."

[GamesMaster]

"What's she count as home? She was never Tribe. We'd take her if she wants. Lots of Merikos don't see themselves as cats, though."

[Bethany]

"That much I don't know," Bethany admits. "But... what would you want in return? Or, well, what would the Tribe want, I guess I should say. Not Keeper yet and all, Lord Don."

[GamesMaster]

"It's not about that. We take care of each other. I turn over half what I make to the Tribe, and half what's left goes to my gang, and the rest to me. We look after everyone, even if you can't work."

[Bethany]

"Half?" Bethany asks, mouth dropping. "That seems- wait. What do you get for it? I mean... what does it go towards? Shared living spaces and food or something?"

[GamesMaster]

"Well yeah. I mean, it goes to everything. We rent out all of Cattown, and if someone can't pay their rent, we help out. We feed those too young, sick, or injured to work. We pay bail when people get arrested, we run our own school, we do our own religious training, and that means we have to pay the expenses for everyone needed to do those things. Stuff like that. Most can't do half, those with kits often barely contribute, but I'm young and live with my father still so I can put in half."

[Bethany]

"Oh," Bethany says. That... honestly sounds pretty good. Sure, it doesn't leave individuals with much for themselves, but... if it really is variable by what you can afford to give, that's pretty good. And if your basic needs are met by the communal fund, then how much do you actually need for yourself? It would have to be watched really careful, to make sure no-one takes advantage of things but... "What are the downsides? Nothing's perfect so..."

[GamesMaster]

Adonis shrugs. "I think it's alright. Niko's always complaining about how much the Tribe needs. He keeps-- well, it's not a big deal, really," he says ,tail whipping a little faster, warring between his desire to include Beth and his desire not to take internal matters to smooth-skins.

[Bethany]

Beth squeezes his hand and smiles at him. "It's fine, share what you can. I understand wanting to protect your own. Friends are great, but family's family. But yeah, I can imagine it stings a bit to be successful and make a lot only to be expected to make up the shortfalls of others."

[GamesMaster]

"It doesn't bother me. I have the right spirit. But over and over we see cats make it big, then leave the Tribe so they don't have to share. Selfish." He hisses, just a little.

[Bethany]

"Really? It doesn't bother you at all that no matter how hard you work, no matter how much you produce, it'll all just get absorbed into the Tribe?" Bethany's tone is almost purely curious, with very little scorn or judgement. She actually sounds like she likes the communal spirit that's being described.

[GamesMaster]

"I mean, like I said, I'm hoping to be Keeper someday, so that'd be my job. But no, not really. I want my Tribe to be healthy. That's my life."

[Bethany]

"I kind of like that system. Is there... I mean, people that do that, that earn and donate in more, does that... get them anything? I guess I'm wondering what sort of incentives are there for working hard- or staying in the Tribe after you 'hit it big' as you say. Loyalties great, but it's not enough for everyone." Carver would thrive like that... me? I don't know. I didn't exactly display great loyalty to m- Leandra. But... No, fuck her.