Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"...I'm not sure I do approve but I don't... disapprove either, I guess," she murmurs into his neck. "I would prefer other options but it's not my place to decide for you. Sorry, that came out a bit... preachy, didn't it?"

[GamesMaster]

He lets out a long breath. "To be honest, I'm just glad you're not pulling away in horror," he says, bluntly. "Beth... I'm sorry. You haven't given me any reason to mistrust you, and yet..."

[Bethany]

"Maybe not, but... other have. Over and over again. Gods, last night alone was..." She pulls back enough to look him in the eyes. "It does hurt, a little. But I understand."

[GamesMaster]

"It probably doesn't sound like it, but last night went well," he says, softly. "They found her quickly, and pulled the guards out of cattown before midnight. We only lost two. It was a good night." 

He pulls a little further back so he can clap his paw onto her shoulder. "And now Ari understands why she can't mouth off to guards. So really, it was for the best."

[Bethany]

"I'm just glad the plan worked. I was really worried you wouldn't trust the note. Or that Seeker Helene wouldn't be able to get a good enough image for dad to locate her," Bethany says with a sigh. "Two is two too many but... you're right, it could have been worse. Thank you for trusting me when it counted."

[GamesMaster]

He looks at her, stunned. "That's what you wanted her stuff for? I assumed you were going to try to have Silence sniff her out -- then, that was your dad that turned her in? You really are amazing, Bethany Tethras."

[Bethany]

Beth blushes deeply. "I- well, I had to. It was- it was my fault. I... I did help Juniper. Indirectly, I... Merri was the one that actually healed Rosemary, but I.... let her know about the problem," the human whispers. "So all this only happened because of me."

[GamesMaster]

Don nods. "I... suspected. She took a sudden turn for the better, out of the blue, after I saw Juniper go to Anders... but thank you for telling me the truth. You understand now why I warned you off?"

[Bethany]

"Either help all the way or don't help at all," Beth says softly. "If I was going to stick my nose in, I should have actually figured out what was going on and seen it through. Taken her in, made sure she was... stable. It's just... A brother was looking after his sister. I couldn't... I didn't think, I just... helped."

[GamesMaster]

Don nods. "We cats can't afford to be... impulsive. We have to think things through."

[Bethany]

"So.. we're okay?" Bethan asks tentatively.

[GamesMaster]

"Yeah," he says, smiling. "I... also apologize for... that wasn't the time nor the place for that sort of confession. I hope we can put it behind us."

[Bethany]

"I... to be honest, I don't want to. Pretend it wasn't said, I mean. I know we can't," she says quickly, not looking away. "It wouldn't work, not unless you were willing to be magicked female and me into a catfolk. And I don't think either of us are. But... I do love you, Don and I don't... I don't want to pretend I don't."

[GamesMaster]

"That's fine," he says quickly. "I... There may come a time when I can't be around you as much, but I don't think I'll ever regret meeting you."

[Bethany]

"A time- why?" Bethany asks, a pang of... worry hitting her.