Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

Carver moves over to the couch, pulling Beth into a rough hug. "This isn't your fault. It's the devil's. And... and Helene is... Helene will beat him. So it's okay. It's all going to be okay. We'll get Don fixed up and, and Mother will be safe, and everything's going to be okay."

He pretends not to notice the tears dripping into his twin's hair.

[GamesMaster]

Don lets out a small whimper, but that's all. He holds himself still, quieting, trying not to make things worse.

[Bethany]

"You don't- Pandias- he- he's part of the oversight committee. For SummerHill." Leandra. That must be how...

[Carver Amell]

Carver's grip tightens. "Mother," he whispers. "Fuck. I'm glad I killed him."

[NPCs]

"Understandable. And I thank you for it as well. You did the Tribe a true service with that act." Cadmus clears his throat. "But if I might return us to Don's... accounting. What was done to you was horrible. Worse than any of our punishments."

[GamesMaster]

Don flinches. "Not worse than...  I have heard stories about those who abuse kits."

[NPCs]

Cadmus tries to hide a wince, eyes flicking to Carver. "Those are old traditions of course," he demures. "But I will grant you that those that sexual abuse kits might see worse. Though I could in turn point out that those people actually committed a crime."

[GamesMaster]

"Bharnorol acts for reasons," whispers Don, tail quivering with shame.

[NPCs]

"Bharnorol does not treat us like kits. He guides and directs us from time to time but He has far more interesting things to do than to occupy Himself with every little in our lives," Cadmus replies gently.

[Bethany]

"And... well, Sirena. I mean. you might belong to Bharnorol, sure, but the devil was probably Her's. So... He wouldn't really have had all the say in things. Maybe the pain was from Her but He was the one that made sure Miki found Carver in time for you to be saved." Beth does not look over her guilt and self-loathing but she's trying to focus on Don right now.

[Carver Amell]

"I serve Vangal," says Carver softly. "Vangal doesn't protect people who deserve... that sort of treatment. He protects the innocent. So if I was sent to save you, maybe you're innocent."

[NPCs]

"See? If nothing else, I would hope you would not think that Bharnorol would accept one of the Bitch's slaves to carry out His plans. Now, if a great magical feline had attacked you and you had taken these injuries... perhaps. Perhaps. But a devil? Bah! Doing so would be the same as saying that Sirena had the right to do that thing, to judge His people." Cadmus turns and spits with disgust, then actually flinches from the glare Beth levels at him.

[GamesMaster]

Don hesitates for a long time, the gears turning in his mind. Finally, at long last, he lifts his head, looking at Cadmus with naked pain and a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"He had no right to judge me," Don whispers, clearly trying to make himself believe it. "He had no right," he repeats, a little firmer.

Miki nods. "He wasn't Tribe. Only Tribe can judge our own, remember? We don't let skins rule us."

"Some of us," mutters Ren, flinching as Miki glares at him.

[Bethany]

"Ren. Right now, you need to shut up. And if it bothers you to listen to me... Silence, if he opens his mouth again with Cadmus's permission, break his jaw." That settled, Beth turns to Don. "He had no right. He attacked you. He didn't punish you. Gods, Don. He was just some bigoted, jealous fuckwad that sold himself to a devil because I slapped him for grabbing a feel after I wouldn't suck-" She cuts herself off, flushing.

[GamesMaster]

There is a moment of tense silence as Beth can feel Don's tail smack her as it lashes from side to side. Don's tension radiates both fury and pain -- fury at what he's hearing, pain because as his paws flex, just a little, blood starts leaking back into the bandages. 

"He. did. what?" asks Don, softly.