Blood from Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

Cadmus growls at Don. "And when were you named Keeper, to tell me what Bharnerol sees fit to command us to do?"

[GamesMaster]

He flinches, head still bowed. "Yes, Keeper," he says quietly. 

[NPCs]

Waiting a few moments to be sure the reprimand had sunk in, Cadmus nods. "Better. Now. Think only of your actions, not what was done to you. Tell me what shame you brought to the Tribe."

[GamesMaster]

 A pause to think. "I prioritized skins over cat-cats," he says slowly. "I was slow to act, hoping the danger would blow past. I buckled when hurt -- I agreed to sign if only they would let me know what I was signing, but as that was not good enough, I did not get the opportunity to sign. I failed to protect my Tribe and my Mate."

[NPCs]

"When did you prioritized skins over Tribe?" Cadmus asks calmly, clearly intending to work his way down the entire list.

[GamesMaster]

"When I moved to protect the human children. And, all along, I have been saying to myself I can be Tribe and have Beth for a Mate -- but it was taking Beth to mate that caused this incident."

[NPCs]

"And why did you do that? Attempt to save the child?" Cadmus prompts Don, ignoring Beth's soft growl at the second half of Don's confession.

[GamesMaster]

"There was a small kit, [child], and Ceant threw a bottle at it. The crowd was turning ugly and I thought to get the child out. I should have protected Ceant, should have taken his side as Tribe, but I worried for the humans. I didn't want a riot to begin."

[NPCs]

"Ceant? One of our own threw a bottle at a kit?" Cadmus's voice is chilly. "No, you did exactly right. You attempted to restore the honor and pride Ceant threw away with that bottle to the Tribe. Skin or not, kits are precious and should not be treated that way. Ever."

[GamesMaster]

"It's a Skin," protests Ren from well behind Cadmus. "The less of them the better."

"Shut up," growls Miki, and as he takes a step toward Ren, his claws glint with magic. "Car and Beth are worth a hundred of you each!"

[NPCs]

"They are a kit." Cadmus keeps his voice even, almost gentle. "Bharnoral does not care what covers the flesh of kits, they are all precious to Him. All to be guarded and cared for until they are able to hunt on their own. If we do not safeguard the next generation, we are unfit." He pauses, then says very deliberately, "those three words make you less a man than Don has ever been."

[GamesMaster]

Ren's claws come out too, now, and he bares his fangs in a silent snarl. "This is why our home burns -- because we've turned our back on Bharnerol and chosen skin-lovers to lead us!"

[NPCs]

Cadmus mutters something and a swirl of energy surrounds him, then bursts outwards. "Turned my back have I? Bharnerol seems to disagree." He keeps his eyes on Don and Beth, though more on Beth, trusting her to react if Ren approaches.

[GamesMaster]

"I don't know what skin-god you pray to, but Bharnarol is the god of cat-cats," hisses Ren. That's all he gets out before Miki jumps him, and for a moment the pair are a tangle of fur and claws that even Carver, rushing over to break up the fight, can't figure out how to get in the middle of. 

Within a few seconds it's over; Ren's bleeding on the ground, and Miki pants, standing over him. A moment later, he looks ashamed, and kneels, muttering a quick prayer: "please don't be dead". 

A warmth rushes through the tuxedo cat-cat, and before their eyes, Ren's wounds begin to close, his breathing evening out. 

[Bethany]

"Go Miki," Beth murmurs, eyes a touch wide. When did he learn how to fight so well? Or... or heal for that matter?