Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"But what if he's not," she whimpers, pressing herself tightly against Don. "I can't lose him, I can't, I need him, I can't- I can't- not without-"

[GamesMaster]

"Do you want me to send Miki to watch him?" Don asks, his tail twitching. "Miki's good at being obnoxious and not leaving people alone."

[Bethany]

"I... maybe. This week he's with Bright's Aveline, with Silence and Beka. But... yeah, maybe later on, if he's still.." Bethany shudders, hating the idea of it. "Oh! No drinking. Carver's promised never to drink alcohol again, at all. So... help with that please?"

[GamesMaster]

"Of course. I already made Miki burn the rest of his rotgut stash, and I told Klem never to sell to either of them again. Miki..." He sighs. "Miki meant well. But he didn't know any better. So I got all the Bandannas together and taught them about alcohol poisoning."

[Bethany]

"...do you think they'd listen- learn rather- at all if I lectured them on emotional honesty and the value of fucking talking to people." Wow that came out a bit... "Dammit. Sorry. I... I evidently get... bitchy when I'm upset." She makes a face. "Which you'd likely noticed."

[GamesMaster]

"Women are like that," he says, with a small shrug. "If you think it's important I'll get them together. There's a lot we need to learn."

[Bethany]

"No, I mean... cruel. Pretty and... I hurt Carver pretty bad. I know him so well, I know what not to say, but when I get really scared or upset or- I stop... being careful and just..."

[GamesMaster]

"Beth. You're a teenager. We're both teenagers. Do you really think I always say the right thing? Or know what to say?" One paw clenches, claws slipping out before he can stop himself. "Miki didn't want to leave Carver alone, so he waited too long, until he couldn't stop vomiting. Even then if I hadn't been passing by, he wouldn't have gotten me. What was I meant to do? He had some kind of fit, jerking and shaking, and I was so scared I'd watch him die in front of me, but I knew if I looked afraid Miki would panic and I just-- I gave the order to take him to Father, praying he wouldn't die on the way there. That was all I could do. Thank Bharnerol your father came by when he did."

[Bethany]

"Praise Bharnerol," Bethany echoes softly. "I... do you really think it's just... just that? That being young is reason enough to forgive saying.. saying... I am so terrified of becoming my- Leandra. Of being that person, someone that can... twist 'love' into hate for their own comfort. No hesitation, no remorse. Just... I wasn't her perfect daughter, so I'm a filthy slut and a shame on our family. I'd rather die than be that person."

[GamesMaster]

"I think... I hope... When someone says they'd rather die than be something, I think they're not going to be that thing. They might be something different, but I think just being worried about it makes you less likely to be that. I tend to err on the side of not speaking, but many of my friends say stupid things frequently. Well, you know Miki."

[Bethany]

"Your... cousin isn't that bad," Bethany says loyally. "He's just a bit, umm, slow on certain things. He means well."

[GamesMaster]

"And he says plenty of stupid shit. Things." Don winces slightly. "He says things he doesn't mean."

[Bethany]

"Oh noes, mine virgin fucking ears have be made shitty by thy coarse language... asshole," Bethany says with a grin.

[GamesMaster]

"Ach," he winces, smiling just a touch. "I'm trying to be more... mature. Regal. I don't know how in the nine hells anyone is mean to be a Light," he groans. "I just try to be someone they can look up to."

[Bethany]

"Oh," Bethany says quietly. "Yeah, not cursing or using slang is... probably wise. Sucks that it's needed but... yeah. Dad seems to think you're doing fine. Not that he's been able to focus much on Light stuff lately, with how fucked up we are."