Blood from Stone [AU]

[Vigile]

"It is against my honor to lie," Vigile says primly, tail lashing once. "So I shall convey only your sorrow and forgiveness."

[Marian Hawke]

"It is my fault, Vig. I... I screwed up last night."

[Vigile]

The pavitra gives her a steady, feline stare, a silent request, nay, demand, for an explanation. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I nearly... I nearly died," she says quietly. "My own fault. My own doing. I.. Cindy can't be with me right now because... because she's afraid I... it's my fault."

[Vigile]

Vigile's fur puffs up a bit, displeased at the very idea. "Well, you did not. And if it was your own doing, simply do not do so again."

[Marian Hawke]

"I didn't mean to," she adds. "I was so tired, and I brewed my own tonic, and it... it went badly."

[Vigile]

"Ah. Yes, exhaustion does seem most... troublesome. Perhaps you should make your tonics prior to needing them? And perhaps have them checked over?" he suggests, sincerely trying to help. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I.. I usually do. I ran out of the good kind and... and I could have had the other tonic but... but I didn't... I knew it was dangerous and I didn't care. I just wanted to rest."

[Vigile]

Vigile grows softly- not aggression but disapproval. "Then why did you not seek assistance? If naught else, I would have been delighted to accompany you on a walk or even simply to exercise some in the basement." Cindy is too security concious to have a real training room in the house, but they have a padded area with some very basic equipment that they could explain as simply two ladies wishing to stay fit and trim. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I didn't want to be a bother," she says, in a small, fragile voice. "But.. but no matter what I do I'm bothering someone... and... and I thought I was doing good, I did, but... but now Cindy's leaving me and I don't know what I'll do..."

[Vigile]

"I thought you were the one departing?" Vigile asks, confused.

[Marian Hawke]

"I... she kicked me out," she admits, shuddering. "We're... I think... I think we're breaking up."

[Vigile]

"That seems... unlikely?" The pavitra offers slowly, eyes narrowing in thought. "I do not understand much of mortal desire or emotion but love? That I know the shape of well enough."

[Marian Hawke]

"But she's leaving me," she whispers, shuddering again. Hold it together. Keep calm. "I have to go," she says abruptly, moving to stand.

[Vigile]

"Does not the Most Wonderfully Fierce Bright's Aveline Vallen not depart from Nyra for months at a time, leaving her mates behind to raise their children and keep their home warm?" Vigile points out, springing up to land on her shoulder before she can rise out of easy reach. Vigile, it should be noted, does not have a crush of any kind on Aveline. He simply respects her a great deal. A great deal.