Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Then explain it to me," Beth asks. "If I'm going to be part of this, part of your life... explain it."

[GamesMaster]

He takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly. "There's one thing they can't take from me. I won't let them. But that costs me. I have to avoid any hint of partiality, of being seduced by the wicked ways of humans, of being deluded by money and power into abandoning my people. They have to know that they are the first thing I consider in the morning and the last thing I consider at night. That no matter what, my loyalty is to them and only them. That I would sacrifice everything for them. Only then will they trust me enough to make some of the changes I've asked for. Because.. Hells. I want to share the rest of my life with you, I need to be able to trust that you won't repeat anything I say next. You know, I think, what loose lips can bring."

[Bethany]

Bethany is silent for a long moment. "I... The only thing I would put before you these days is our children," she finally says. "I... I wouldn't act against Carver, Marian or Dad for you, but I wouldn't act against you for them either," she whispers. "That's all I can give."

[GamesMaster]

"That's fine," he says swiftly. "I just... Bharnerol's whiskers, sometimes I hate the Tribe," he whispers. "We're so stuck on the Old Ways we don't know how to see the future. We're obsessed with recapturing a history that only ever existed in legends. I don't think the ancients would even recognize us. I don't care about the Old Ways. I care about a future for my people. And they'll never, ever accept that. Even to say that much is heresy. So I have to tread carefully. I have to be above reproach. Because sometimes the best way forward is to change things. We were never farmers; we were descended from hunters, and we need a primarily-meat diet, so we never planted fields in the Old Times. But your gardens put food on our table and gave us something to sell, to bring in more money. Your gardens helped, Beth. But at first they used that against me too, until everyone got used to it, trusted me more."

[Bethany]

"Oh Don," Bethany says softly, shifting so she can reach out with one arm for him. "Come here, my love," she whispers.

[GamesMaster]

He goes to her, sitting beside her, his tail wrapping protectively around her waist. "Sorry. I know I shouldn't let it get to me."

[Bethany]

"Of course it should," Bethany replies, stroking his back. Silence shifts out ot the way, allowing Don to have the better spot. "I understand not wanting, not letting it affect your job, but damnit Don, you're mortal. You can feel sad, feel upset, angry, even spiteful." She kisses the side of his neck. "And you shouldn't have to carry all of it alone."

[GamesMaster]

"Thanks," he sighs. "I just... You don't know what it's like to never have any privacy, Beth. If you can't handle it, living in Cattown, please tell me? We can always spend the night here."

[Bethany]

Bethany snorts. "Don, I know it's not the same, but I did grow up sharing a room with two siblings," she points out. "One of them Carver."

[GamesMaster]

"Fair," he admits. "But I doubt Carver would run and tell tales if you started bitching about your government."

[Bethany]

"Leandra would have," she grumbles. "But yeah, I get your point. But that's what I'm for. If nothing else, we'll be able to talk privately at work, in your office."

[GamesMaster]

"Yeah," he admits. "Or come back here for the night. I was going to suggest making this a Bandanna headquarters before you suggested moving to Cattown. That could be a plan B if we need one."

[Bethany]

"Hmmm. Maybe... maybe we keep this place as our getaway," she agrees with a bit of sly cast to her smile. "Maybe... oh, that might be nice- we could host parties for the Tribe here. Not all of them, obviously, place isn't that big. But maybe... it could be used to host dedications, coming of age rites and funerals? That would be a more limited guest list, right? Make it not be seen as a residence as much, so we can slip away from time to time."

[GamesMaster]

He nods. "I already do more hosting here than living, really. So that's not so much of a stretch."

[Bethany]

Beth beams at him, pleased that he's willing to do something for himself, for them. "Good. And... if it... if it comes up, if it helps, I'd be okay with signing a contract- with Warbound witnesses- that I will not encourage, support or whatever any claim for your Lighthood by any of my children that are non-catfolk," she says softly.