Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

Coquette nods. "For... Let's say for her sake, then."

[Tethras Clan]

Pursing her lips, Aveline gives another nod. "That's enough then, I allow. Jai is worth trust and honesty." With that settled, Aveline leads her to the tea shop in question. It's really rather plain, though clean and in good repair. A surprising number of dog paintings for a tea shop, which is to say twenty more than one or two. Taking a seat, they place an order and settle in.

"So... You said you wanted to talk to Jai's friend. I assume by that you want me as Aveline, not Bright's or Captain Vallen?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

She nods. "indeed. What I have to say is... It's extremely sensitive. I am not certain Captain Vallen wants to hear it, though I have on good authority Bright's Vallen will approve."

[Tethras Clan]

"An... interesting response." Aveline studies her closely. "What is the topic? And who is the authority?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"The authority is Bright's his-paws-are-vigilent-in-defense-of... Something. I am awful at Pavitra's names." She makes a face 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline blinks, not at all expecting that answer. "Innocent, virtuous, or the like I would guess. That... is a good authority, assuming they... What kind of pavitra?" Not all pavitra are well suited to understand inticate motivations or long term consequences, much less deceit. "And the topic?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"It is... A matter of some delicacy. Illegal, of course. But only a little. I have been... Less honest with my mother than I should have been, and I suspect she would like to be able to speak with her friends about it."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline frowns, the expression rather forboding. "Only a little. Explain."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Are you certain you wish me to speak, then?"

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline hums softly. "Let us start with... generalities but yes. What kind of illegal?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Primarily unreported adventuring, breaking and entering, theft. Occasional reckless endangerment, trespassing. More than once, but rarely, accidental deaths that were not given trial, which may have been ruled self-defense or involuntary manslaughter depending on the judge."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline leans her head back until it thumps against the wall behind her. Then repeats it, once, twice, thrice. "Whyyyy," she groans. She... doesn't sound... angry. Honestly, Cindy would get mostly 'exasperation' from the older female, a tone she's heard more than once directed at Gilly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"...Why?" she asks, quietly. "Why did I do those things or...?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Why do people constantly go out and turn vigilante instead of just joining the rather large, well-funded and legal organization that was created to fight criminals and villains." She groans and thumps her head one last time before lifting it to look at Cindy. She takes a deep breath. "Alright. Let's... let's get to the meat of this. The deaths. I need to know more on that."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... I've been a vigilante for nearly a decade," she protests. "There have been deaths, but most were in Glaley, as I was learning. The most recent was a year ago, when a thug I was chasing through Cattown fell to his death. Not my fault, though I felt bad for it."