Blood from Stone [AU]

[Smith Family]

Jaina simply stares at her, eyes reproving. After a few seconds, her eyebrow raises.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy takes a deep breath, then another, trying to steady her voice. "B-better than she," she says, quietly. "F-far better. Even than I th-thought she was."

[Tethras Clan]

"You don't ask a deaf man to take care of a blind one," Aveline says dryly. "That's why we have healers. The sick healing the sick is very, very rarely a good idea. Heal together, yes. But not be each other's healer."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"She needed me," snaps Cindy, and then her expression falters, and she stares down at her hands. "Or... I needed her," she adds, softer. "And I almost killed her."

[Tethras Clan]

"You didn't almost kill her. Legally or morally." A beat. "And paladin and guard captain speaking. You got in over your head and missed how bad off she was. That's... not as uncommon as I'd wish. You're far from the first person to miss how badly their partner was doing- and you have far, far more justification for not noticing."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy shakes her head. "I pushed her too hard. I drove her to th-this." Her voice is steadying, now, low and hard and cruel.

[Smith Family]

Jaina scowls. "You shush about that sort of talk. You would never do that."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"But I have. I did. I did this." She takes another deep breath. "She was in my care, my responsibility."

[Tethras Clan]

"But she shouldn't have been." Seli squeezes Cindy's hand tightly. "You shouldn't have been placed in the position. That was our fault. You..."

"You're still young. Still growing. And you're hurt too." Aveline shrugs a little, still looking awkward. "I know you likely hate hearing it, I know I did at your age. But it's truth. You shouldn't have to deal with a tenth of what you have. The adults in your life before failed you, over and over again. Suppose it only makes sense you wouldn't have trusted the adults in your life now."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I am an adult," she says quietly. "And I've always been on my own. I'm more responsible than you think."

[Smith Family]

Jaina snorts lightly. "Forced to be an adult more like, and a thousand poxes on your blood parents for it." Her voice is low, more muttered growl than commentary. "I don't think you a child, sweetheart, and I don't think Lina does either. But you are young, still finding your way. Liz is only your se- first love. Now, I won't say that first can't be last- after all, I married my childhood love and never doubt that I'm happy for it. But you should be able to make your fumbles and missteps without... without the cost they've had."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You wouldn't say that if it were Kyle," she says, the bitter edge returning to her voice. "Or Will."

[Smith Family]

Jaina licks her lips, unsure of her footing here. "I... I'll admit I didn't think of it at the time, but I have now, after Seli and Lina, after you and Liz. And I think I know myself well enough to say that I wouldn't have minded seeing you take those chances with Mel." Her voice trembles, just a little, on the name.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I..."

Now she looks perplexed, unsteady. "What? I meant-- I meant if they were, were in danger, and you were in my place, and I... what? Mel?"

[Smith Family]

Jaina's words rush out, quick and worried, hoping to not let a misunderstanding creep in. "I don't want you to think that I thought- or think!- you some kind of- of false friend, seeking something baser. I know you and Mel were true friends. I just- well, given your... interests and how they run- to whom they run- well..." She smiles weakly. "I'd had more than one absent daydream of you settling down with Will, but... Well. In a kinder life, perhaps..."