Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

The filthy mabari barks happily, the sound exhausted and weaker than Carver is used to but unmistakably Hunter's bark. He tries to increase his pace but falters back to his slow progression after a few yards. Just as Carver reaches the mabari, he spots Beka acting as rear guard. Next to Shadow Beka looks the best off, only a bit tired and mostly clean, though she seems to have more patches of blood over whole skin than Silence. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver drops to his knees, skidding the last few feet so he can fling his arms around the mabari. 

"I thought I'd never see you again," he whispers, sobbing into his fur. "My boy, my Hunter."

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter presses against him tightly, careful to shield his left side and hindquarters from touching. Underneath the mud, Carver can see that the surface is far too smooth and lower than the rest, like the fur is missing from the back left third of the mabari's  torso. The other three siblings all form around the pair, guarding and sheltering them.

[Carver Amell]

"Gods," he sobs, pulling back. His hands glow for a moment; some of the pain eases, and so does the fatigue.

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter grunts, twisting around to look at his butt. Then he grunts again, sounding very pleased and starts bathing his person's face with licks and nuzzles. The fur is still missing, evidently gone for long enough to not count as healable. Still, the tension and shaking is gone, so Hunter is probably doing significantly better.

[Carver Amell]

"My boy, good boy," babbles Carver, tears still dripping down his cheeks. "You came home."

[GamesMaster]

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The nice thing about the zi'Goldclaw estate is that it has huge vaulted ceilings -- perfect for singing practice. True to his word, Don has opened the estate to the catfolk community. The lower floor serves as a sort of community center, where cats can gather for lessons, recreation, or just to hang out and talk in a place safe from prying skins. The upper floors, where the bedrooms are, serve as a place to house those who need to escape abusive relationships, homelessness, or dry out from drug abuse. And the top floor, the attic, serves as storage for the crops the catfolk are harvesting from their rooftop gardens, in case of a food shortage that makes the Tribe suffer.

Brianne has changed a lot since Beth found her on the streets. Her pale hair is silky, with a shine to it that can only come from good nutrition. Rather than skimpy, ratty clothing, the ex-whore wears the robes of a Bright as she practices. Her voice is glorious now that it's been coaxed out: it soars with passion and strength, singing out praises to the Lady of Fine Arts that helped lead the merikos back to health and life after being certain all that existed for her was death. 

Not that Beth played a small part in the transformation, of course.

[Bethany]

There are far, far worse accompaniments to paperwork, that's for sure. It's not often you get such a clear and obvious sign of your efforts doing good. Ufff. And these days, I could really use some nice little comforts and pleasures. God I feel huge. And bloated. And hungry and awkward and nausea and tired. And yet, because fuck biology, horny. And hungry. She glances over at Bri and smiles faintly. Still a good day though. ''Grace...'' she murmurs. ''Little something we all need, from time to time?''

Trying not to hum audibly, as to not ruin the song, but wanting to be a part of it anyway. 'We've no less years of grace, then-' Beth stills suddenly, eyes widening. What was... ''...Bri? Bri, I hate to interrupt... but can you, umm, can you run and... fetch everyone? Like everyone-everyone? Now.''

[GamesMaster]

Brianne pauses, signalling her teacher to stop playing the piano. "W-what? Everyone everyone? Like, kits everyone?!"

[Bethany]

''Yes,'' Beth says carefully not moving as the tightness in her lower back continues to reach around her torso and squeeze. ''Very much like that. Don- Don is in Cattown with his brother today. And- And Car is at work with Cindy. Umm. Merr and Kev are- are at CrystalWing, Iiiiiiiiaaaha okay that's not pleasant.'' Coming alert, Silence trots over to whine softly in concern.

[GamesMaster]

"Uh-um, um, okay, I'll be right back, I'll just go get Merrill. Should you, um, lie down? Or something?" Brianne wrings her hands, looking nervous on the brink of panicked. "Right, back in a flash!"

[Bethany]

''Yes, Merr first,'' Beth grunts. ''And no, I need... I need to walk around for now. Car last! After Dad and Lina!'' He's way steadier these days (swear getting laid on the reg is like magic) but I still don't particularly want to manage him while giving birth. ''Sorry about the short lesson, Brightness. See you in two weeks?''

[GamesMaster]

"Of course. Best of luck with..." The male catfolk looks mildly perturbed, gesturing toward her stomach, but presses on anyway. "Know that all of Cattown wishes you the best. Well. The parts that matter."

[Bethany]

''Yep, fuck the crusty-assed stick wavers,'' Beth says absently, her diplomacy slipping. ''Thanks. Oooooh. S'lright, Silence. Just the kits coming. I'm okay.'' The mabari groans a little, putting herself right next to the human so she can lean as she tries to walk around.

[Tethras Clan]

After her mad dash- one that is not interrupted by guards coming after her, something that would not be very likely only six months ago- Bri arrives at CrystalWing. The place has been heavily renovated- the entire basement was remade, along with most of the ground floor and a few places above stairs. Much more dwarven in style- and a great, great deal safer. More libraries too, for some reason...

One of the construct guards lets Bri in after showing her pass and answering a few questions, allowing the merkos catfolk to rush to the back of the house to find Merrill. When she flings open the door, she finds Keven, wearing naught but his small clothes, staring at the now open door in horror. ''I- I can- this one can- explain-''

Behind him, Merrill scowls at having her fifth seduction attempt ruined. ''Brianne? What do you need? I'm trying to make Kevin a costume for-''