Blood from Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"We should name one for him," says Don, softly. "Carver for a boy, or... Caroline for a girl?" 

[Bethany]

''No.'' Beth manages to keep it fast and curt instead of actively hostile but it's close. ''Sorry. But... not that name. The later. It... no. And... he was never fond of his name. But maybe.... maybe something'' Certainly not Firethorn, I have no idea what Malcolm was thinking. Honestly. ''What... How about Mriy, if one is born a girl?''

[GamesMaster]

"We could name one Mriy," he agrees. "Miriam," he adds, a moment later. "But I do want to do something for Carver. He-- he saved my life, my kits. I owe him."

[Bethany]

Beth thinks a moment, then snickers. ''Well, I bet if we asked, he'd suggest naming one Hunter or Mabari. Or, given he named his hunting mabari, Hunter, he'd probably say to call the boy 'Nephew.'''

[GamesMaster]

Don lets out a single, startled laugh. "That boy is bad with names, isn't he?" he wonders. 

[Bethany]

''Mmmmh. Maybe something starting with C-A though. Carver, Cadmus and... Calvin? Carl? Those aren't very catcat though...''

[GamesMaster]

"What about Hope?" asks Don, quietly. 

[Bethany]

''Miriam Hope Tethras?'' Beth says slowly. ''And... hmmm. Oh, how about... Calvin Loyalty Tethras?''

[GamesMaster]

"I like it." Don pauses. "We should probably come up with more than one name for each gender, though. Just in case they match."

[Bethany]

''Fair. Then... Helen and...'' She bites her lip, mulling something over. ''Do you think... maybe Gamlen?'' She sounds very tentative, unsure of her second suggestion.

[GamesMaster]

"Maybe," says Don slowly. "Do you know if your father has a middle name?"

[Bethany]

''Malcome? Some kind of plant- oh. You mean dad. Ummm. Actually... no, I have no idea,'' she realizes, frowning.

[GamesMaster]

Don nods. "Your father has done much for me, as well. As a mentor. It would.. be fitting, to honor your brother and Varric, I think. I don't know. We'll keep talking? I... I won't make you go through a Claiming if you don't wish to, but I want to write a will naming the kits my heirs. And you. I want to leave you my estate, if they're not of age or, if they don't... I don't want Ari's kits burdened with a destiny. I want it to be yours. I want everyone to know you are my family, Bethany Tethras."

[Bethany]

Beth's eyes widen. ''But I thought... I was going to- I already wrote up the document renouncing any claim on the Lighthood for the kits. In order to appease...'

[GamesMaster]

"To hell with them," he mutters. "I thought I'd never see you again. I never want to be apart from you. I don't want to give up bits and pieces of us to satisfy them."