Blood from Stone [AU]

[Smith Family]

Kyle scowls at her. "What am I missing then? Scale, the False Judge's daughter, drow blood... what else do you have that you think would stop me loving you?" he snaps. "Because so far you've not chased me away and while I might not be anyone of import or significance, I'm still a mortal and that counts for something surely."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She is quiet for a long moment. Finally, when she speaks, her voice is small, uncertain. "I thought... You came in so angry, I assumed..."

[Smith Family]

"I am angry." Kyle sags against the table, face worn. "My daughter is running away and taking handfuls of our hearts along with her. How could I not be angry when my wife and son are being hurt? But that doesn't mean I don't love you Cindy. If I didn't, it wouldn't hurt so much to lose you."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Running away," she repeats quietly. 

When she finishes her next deep breath, she turns around, the mask of imperiousness having given way while her back was turned to a frightened, wounded look, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. "She made me promise, when we were in the Delve. She said, one day with her, one beautiful day, before I die. And then one more, after that. And one more. Just one, at a time. It got easier, after a while. I forgot. I got comfortable. But she was still suffering, under everything, and I didn't see it, almost didn't see it in time to save her life. And now she's gone and I... I don't have any more one more days left in me."

[Smith Family]

"Then you can share our... one more days until you find some for yourself," Kyle says hoarsely. "I'm not a clever nor charming man, but I'm told I'm a stubborn one. Jaina won't be happy with us for a spell, but she'll not stop loving you either. And Will..." He frowns a little, then shrugs. "Well, he knows you're noble born and the Scale, and given he's been spending time with your brother and his drow friend..." Which was... a bit of a thing. But it's hard to doubt Bright's Aveline when she vouches for someone in that voice of hers, all ringing steel and unbreaking surety. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Why?" she whispers. "After all I've done, after all I am, why do you still...?"

[Smith Family]

"Because you're family," Kyle says helplessly. "I... you were Mel's best friend, the sister she pestered Jaina and I for. You helped me pick out an anniversary gift for my wife the very afternoon it was needed without a sharp word. You helped Will past his crush on you and latter in helping him learn to court a lady with respect and dignity. Because you held my wife when she cried at the memorial Because you helped her make roast chicken, even though it was clear you'd never touched a pan in your life. Because you killed the monster that stole my little girl. You're family. I don't know how to put it plainer than that."

[Coquette Blacquin]

As he speaks, a little of the hope comes back into her eyes -- not a lot, she's still drowning and lost, but a little. Finally, she bows her head, swallows hard, and says, "Let's go tell Jaina. Then... then I'll decide. Alright?"

[Smith Family]

"Do you want me to speak with her first? I warn you, she's going to be upset and shout. You'll need to let her have some time to get past that."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She shakes her head. "No. I deserve... whatever she says to me, I deserve."

[Smith Family]

"Alright. I suspect the rest of the afternoon is going to be spent reassuring her you're alive and in her arms, true and sure." He gives her a steady look. "You'll give her a fair chance, right? Not take her first upset as all of her heart?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... I am sure given long enough, she might-- but I don't think I can give her... I just can't, Kyle, I can't. One day. That's what I can manage."

[Smith Family]

"That's hardly..." Kyle sighs. "Fine. But I want to be there to make sure you don't leave it done poorly. Will as well. Best done as a family, I think."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"If you're sure," she says quietly. She glances at the table, at the hat and mask there. 

[Smith Family]

"Is there anyone else you want there? Liz maybe?"