Blood from Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

"Ah. My apologies. I was thinking something less... risky. Less divine. Fleshcrafting, not rebirth," Cadmus says easily.

[GamesMaster]

Don eases, his lips sliding back to cover his fangs as he settles, still a little on edge, but relieved to hear the misunderstanding. "Ah," he says, buying time to think. "I know little of those arts."

[NPCs]

"I only know a little," Cadmus admits with a shrug. "But I know the idea is sound enough, in theory. But that is merely another option. Can you think of naught else? What can she offer, what can you offer?"

[GamesMaster]

"I could offer to marry her, in the human way. There is concern that when I am gone, the humans may contest my will and insist that my kits are bastards and cannot inherit. Marrying her would alleviate that, but the cost may be high for myself."

[NPCs]

"Oh? What costs will those be?" Cadmus asks. Does he speak only of costs from the Tribe or from himself, personally?

[GamesMaster]

"I am perpetually accused of abandoning the old ways, the ways of Bharnarol " he sighs. "In truth, in confidence, I care nothing for the Old Ways. I care about making my people strong and whole. But I cannot afford to be cast out. Those new ways that feed the hungry and cure the sick, they praise me for. The ways that make my life easier, make my job easier, make me happy, they speak of in private as though I had spit upon the altar." He bares one fang, not having meant to speak so but his frustration leaking out. "I am not allowed to be a person. I must always be the paragon."

[NPCs]

"So you would marry her if it would not annoy certain elements in the Tribe?" Cadmus asks his son softly, thinking of his own never a wife.

[GamesMaster]

"I don't know," he sighs. "I would like to be able to offer. I would like for her to have the advantages of being my wife. Is that what drives humans to marry rather then simply cohabitate? Would she be happy with me? I can't talk it through if I can't make the offer either way."

[NPCs]

"Fair. It would be a bit cruel to speak of it without hope. But perhaps you can offer her private assurances? Because I do agree, marrying her, any human, would be among the worst possible things you could do from that standpoint," Cadmus sighs. "Second only to converting to another deity, I suspect. Well. Moving from Nyra would be worse."

[GamesMaster]

"I will have to talk to her," he agrees. "I think for now we change nothing. I mention Bharnarol and let her make her choices. When we can have Seeker Helene divine if it is one kit or two, then we can discuss claims and residence. I just wish sometimes that I... That I were not so important to the Tribe." He chuckles. "Better me than Miki, I suppose."

[NPCs]

"Praise the gods. Miki would... Miki would try, I have no doubt of it. But succeeding takes more than the willingness to try and I think it would break him to make the attempt," Cadmus says soberly. "For now, at least," he adds thoughtfully, reflecting on how Miki has grown these last few years. I have not really looked at him that way in some time. Perhaps I should take a fresh look... "Have kittens will changes things, it always does. But you will have to speak with her to know how that path will go."

[GamesMaster]

"I find I am afraid," he says quietly. "Were you? When you chose me?"

[NPCs]

"At times. In between the elation, the pride, the bewilderment and the dozen other emotions, there was panic and fear, yes." He glances sidelong at Don. "Mriy was afraid as well at times. I suspect Beth is too."

[GamesMaster]

"I .. I suspect that makes it easier. Being afraid together." He finishes his glass, looking up at the stars for a moment before he gently, wonderously, says, "kits."

[NPCs]

"Different, when they might be truly part of your life, isn't it?" Cadmus asks quietly. "I... Of all..." He pauses, clearly unsure whether to speak.