Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No," she says quickly. "No. That's... that's done with, now. No need to bring her into my.... No."

[Vigile]

At their feet, Vig coughs lightly from his position guarding the door. Kyle starts a bit, looking at the feline with surprise as he'd clean forgotten the critter was there. "Ah, if we are revealing secrets at last, then I wish to properly introduce myse-"

[Smith Family]

"Sweet Ciren!"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"He's a pavitra," she says softly, closing her eyes. "He only looks like a cat."

[Vigile]

"Quite so. I am His-paws-are-silent-but-his-growl-is-fierce-in-defense-of-the-righteous, sworn to the service of the Vigilant Protector, HE-THAT-IS-VANGAL. Lady Cindy and Lady Liz have gifted me with the mortal name of Vigile." Rising to his paws, the cat bows gracefully. "It is a pleasure to finally speak with you, Goodman Smith."

[Smith Family]

"..." Kyle's mouth works for a moment, then he bows back. "Ah, the same, good... Bright's? Right. Ah... yes." He snorts then suddenly. "You live and work with a pavitra, one of Vangal's no less, and you think yourself some foul monster?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"He belongs to Liz," says Coquette, in a small, tired voice. "She loves me too much. She asked him to guard me for a while."

[Vigile]

"I belong to none save HE-THAT-IS-VANGAL. ," Vigile says firmly. "And I have realized I was in error as well. It is not just Liz for whom I was sent forth to serve and protect, but also yourself."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"...Me?" she asks, startled. "But I'm... well."

[Smith Family]

"No, you're really not." Kyle's voice is a low mutter, not really intended for the other two, but they've far more keen ears than he reckons. 

[Vigile]

"You are a hero, a defender of the weak and innocent who have been bound by cruelty and greed. You break and burden yourself for the sake of others without care to your own wellfare. You hold yourself to impossible standards and offer yourself not a crumb of mercy nor forgiveness. My dear Lady Cindy, thou art a hero true and I would dare say even a pavitra would not be ashamed to have your history." He coughs. "Aside from the... lies part at least. And even then..." Vigile shrugs, a curious gesture for a cat. "Your intentions were noble, if misguided. All that might be forgiven. It is only continuing as you have, now that you realize the cost of your actions, that would be true sin, I think."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"But... but I'm a drow," she whispers. "And I nearly killed Liz."

[Vigile]

"You speak as if you were sceletratis." Vigile slants his head, eyeing her curiously. "Drow are mortal, and if freed from the Iron Bitch's clutches, as amendable to proper thinking as any other mortal. Truth be told, your blood is somewhat pleasing, as it delights my baser nature to think of that one gnashing Her teeth at having lost such a power and skilled mortal as you before you were ever born."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I would have thought you of all people would understand the sin of failing to protect one I swore to keep safe," she says, looking away as she swallows a lump in her throat.

[Vigile]

"There is sin in failing to protect. But such sin is a paltry thing compared to not trying again."