Blood from Stone [AU]

[Smith Family]

After one or two more mouthfuls of food, Jaina finally lets Cindy rise from the table, only to starting herding her off to bed. Cindy is given Will's room for the night after a quick discussion among the three older females, allowing AVeline and Seli to share the guest room. Jaina is evidently in full brood, fussing and cosseting Cindy as best she can. Fresh sheets, extra blankets and pillows, a jug of water at her beside, a warmed scent pouch for her feet and some inexpertly if sweetly sung lullabies are all part of Cindy's goodnight. Eventually, sleep comes.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Not for too long. Cindy struggles through the night, dreams of too-cold skin, of eyes that won't open, of pitiful wails of fear and pain. When the witching hour is nigh, she wakes once more, her body ready to seek out Liz and drag her back to bed.

Cindy sits up, wrapping her arms around her stomach, and allows herself a small whimper. That's all; she won't risk waking anyone. But neither can she keep herself as soundless as she'd prefer. 

there's sweets, she thinks dimly, and for a moment she considers slipping to the kitchen, polishing them off. 

[Vigile]

A soft rustle of fabric and a glimmer of emerald green eyes in the dark. Then a soft, cultured and strangely accented voice murmurs from next to her on the bed. "We've a need to speak of matters, Lady Cindy."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Do we?"

She doesn't mean it to come out how it does. She means it to be cool, dispassionate, aloof. Instead it comes out tinged with a bit of hysteria, a little anxious mirth. 

[Vigile]

"We do." His own reply is still the same, courteous and almost absently gentle. "To start, I must offer my apologies. It seems my acting skills were not entirely sufficient." He pauses a moment, then adds, "on which note, I should add that your mother slumbers in the chair nearby. Best we speak soft as to not wake her."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Coquette takes a deep breath, steadying herself. "Shall we adjourn to the kitchen?" she asks, more quietly.

[Vigile]

"If you wish it, though I suspect that might wake the good Lady Bright's Vallen," he replies, padding over to rest near Cindy's head. "Aside from my apology, I had only one topic to speak on."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Wake Bright's Vallen? Odd. Cindy nods, folding her hands in her lap. "Alright. Speak your piece."

[Vigile]

"Why do you distrust your mother?"

Well, that's blunt.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I.. I don't?" she asks, bewildered.

[Vigile]

"Your actions are contrary to that statement."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She frowns, ever so slightly, then sighs, her shoulders slumping. "I can't tell her the truth, Vig. It would break her heart."

[Vigile]

"Why would her daughter being a hero break her heart?" The pavitra sounds rather perplexed, head cocked slightly to the side.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I've been lying to her for so long... I wish I hadn't been, but I have, and it will destroy her to find out."

[Vigile]

Vigile blinks very slowly, a strangely un-like feline gesture. "So... instead, you tear yourself apart and slowly poison her? Would not a clean exchange of hurt be kinder than this slow, mutual torture on you both?"