Bringing home a Childe (Marcus/Porter) - Raz0r's Mainland Sanctuary

She nods.

"I was going to wait until the pressures of the bond are removed. Then I was going to ask to take a peak. I think he does trust me, or he would never have put his fate into my hands. He doesn't want to die, my heart. He wants to live, and I mean to see that he has that chance."

"Then you will need the Prince's blessing immediately."

She closed her eyes.

"I know."

"I do not chastise you, my love. Are you anxious regarding the request?"

She nodded.

"Yes, I am. I don't know how Jamie will react. I hope that his affection for me will keep Marcus safe."

"That is impossible - but his trust of you may grant Marcus the chance to keep himself safe."

She sighs.

"I had planned to wait until the bond was broken. Both Ren and Ra'idah are aware of him."

"And the Scourge? Marcus is an unacknowledged kindred within the boundaries of the domain. Best to cover all bases."

She smiled.

"He's been acknowledged. He was just lying a bit when he was. Ethan's met him."

"Thank heavens for that, then. One less issue."

Porter scratches at his beard. "He's really quite talented, I think."

She smiles, relaxing a bit.

"Yeah, he is. The Toreador are going to be so very jealous."

"If he learns to play his cards right, they will protect him to protect that talent."

She nods.

"I'll teach him everything I know. If he's half as good as I am, he'll have the whole city loving him."

"A goal both laudable and achievable, my dear."

"And, I must say, I'm deucedly curious to further investigate his nature and strengths, to observe what other hidden talents he may have packed away."

She nodded.

"I would have to agree. He's not your typical young Sabbat. There's so much hidden there, just waiting for the right gardener to help it blossom."

"We shall witness the greening of your thumb in due time, I expect."

She chuckled.

"To be a mother, at my age."

Porter laughs. "What will the vicar think?"

"Actually, I posit that this kind of relationship engenders personal stability. It is not a question of becoming ready for such a thing, and then creating the situation; but rather, of being forced into the situation by circumstance, and rising to the occasion, bringing to bear most rapidly those personal qualities, once-occulted, which allow efficacious and prudential handling of the aforementioned relationship on an ad hoc basis. Only then, upon reflection, are we cognizant of the attibutes which define success at the endeavor. One does not often examine a green soldier or newly-graduated academic and think to oneself, 'that lad will someday be a great leader' - not if one is being objective and honest. No, certainly not -- we must brevet that soldier into a position of leadership due to hardship, and only then shall the dark recesses of his potential be tapped. So too with parenting."

She chuckled.

"Probably. I did help raise half the ghouls in Seattle. Herding cats, that was. Here and now, I have only one."

"In a shadow-shrouded world of bitter rivalries and long knives, your ample experience is beyond suitable. You are a veritable earth-goddess, an avatar of maternal instinct. You will be fine."

She blinked and gave him a look.

"Uh huh. Sure."

"What I'm saying, Raz0r, is that if you genuinely care about Marcus' well-being - and that seems to be the case - then you are already ahead of the majority of Sires in the 'raising childer' department." He smiles. "You'll be fine. The very fact that you worry is an indicator of not only your sincerity, but your suitability."

She blinked again and smiled.

"I guess so. It does help that he seems to be interested in tech. I have a lot I can teach him in that."

"You have a thing or two you can teach him about heart, as well." A bit of a nod.

"I, on the other hand, would be happy to lecture the lad on the preferred methods for hobbling a fleeing target and rapidly inserting a crowbar up his fundament. Each to their strengths, of course."

She laughed.

"You have fun with that. I think he might need the training."