Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... could it be thinking of... of Will and Mel?" asks Cindy, hesitantly. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one confirmed that the relationship is by blood. This one had previously detected the two children of your foster parents, and this one had also detected the siblings of your partner," they add, with a gesture toward Liz. "This one still came up with two extra."

[Vigile]

Vigile squirms a little, mewling a token protest before allowing Liz to cuddle him. I serve as I am called, he assures himself. 

[Tethras Clan]

"And they even thought to test and it's not able to detect unborn siblings, so it's not Jaina's good news," Merrill adds. "So. Umm. Surprise!"

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy's mouth runs bone dry, and she swallows, trying to summon more saliva. She can't seem to think straight, her thoughts racing. After a moment, sure she needs to say something, she asks, "My mother's? From, from a previous--?" It makes sense -- her mother, an elf, is far older than her human father. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"No," replies Helene. "These children are illegitimate children of your father's line. Your mother has only two children, both daughters: yourself and your sister."

[Tethras Clan]

"It's... possible that your father had some reason to hide his other children," Merrill offers weakly. "I'm sure there are other reasons rather than your dad having a bunch of illegitimate children hidden away for this reading."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No! There's not!" 

Cindy takes three deep breaths, holding up her hand to forestall Helene's intrusion. Finally, she speaks again: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Now. Would you like more sugar for your tea?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Dad says that my blood is fifty percent sugar. Half of the other half is tea, half of the new half is gillywater and half of the newest half is pixie dust. The rest is blood." She wrinkles her nose. "Dad can be silly sometimes." 

[Vigile]

Mewling softly, Vigile wiggles free of Liz enough to butt his head against Cindy to offer comfort as best he can without speaking. Because disguises.

[Marian Hawke]

"That's a yes," Liz says behind her hand with a smile. "Are you alright, Cindy?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Fine," she snaps, her tone unnecessarily harsh due to fear.

[Marian Hawke]

The change in Liz is instant. The easy smile vanishes in a heartbeat; she folds her hands in her lap, lowering her eyes, trying to make herself seem as small and quiet as possible. She'll apologize later. In detail. With her tongue. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill stills for long moment. "...I really, really, really hate to do this sort of thing because you're kind of like family and I hate being strict or pushy with anyone but particularly with family. So I'd love to just be able to ask you and get a straight answer without having to do Truthings and hungry shadows and mud." She stares Cindy unblinking, never pausing for breath. "Are you abusing Liz? Because her reaction to a sharp word from you is very unfortunately reassembling of an abuse victim's reaction."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy stiffens. "Absolutely not! What kind of woman do you take me for?!"