Explanations - Panther's Lair

Without a word, he nodded. He put a hand on his cousin's shoulder, but he didn't say anything. She would need her time, he knew.

Grace continued to face away from them both, shaking. But to at least Jamie's vampiric nose, the smell of blood in the air had....doubled?

Just as silently, even knowing how dangerous that this could be, he went over. Gently, he lay a hand against Grace's shoulder.

As his hand touched her shoulder, she turned into him, half heartedly thumping her fists into his chest. Just before her head buried itself in his shoulder, he could see the blood tears streaming down her face.

She took the thumps against his chest. Then one hand went to the back of her head the other around her waist. And he pulled her to him in a very tight, comforting hug.

She didn't struggle, but allowed herself to be comforted for a few moments. Then she turned her head so her choked words could be heard.

"Why'd ye let me mourn for so long? Tha' wha' hurts th' most."

She spoke, but it was quiet.

"That was my fault. I think. He honestly didn't know either, Grace. Honest."

Grace turned to face Rebecca, then held out a hand, now without claws, to her.

"Let me hold ye? Please?"

She stepped closer to the two of them, holding out her hand.

"You're ... not gonna hit me, are you? I'm not really able to take a punch anymore."

Then she frowned.

She shook her head, turning further in her direction.

"I'm nay goin' t' hurt ye, lass."

In that case, she stepped fully into the woman's arm. Into what was rapidly becoming a group hug.

Grace held her firmly, but not so tight as to hurt her. Her tears began to slow, as she held her family close.

His arm went around the girl too, pulling them both into a family group hug.

Grace stood holding them until her tears ran out. Then she held them a while more.

"I'm sorry laddie. Is hard for me t' have others take care o' me. An' lass, I ken tha' ye're heart be in th' right place. Tis just hard on an ol' soul like me. Specially after so recently losin' me husband."

"I know. It's just that ... well, it seemed like it was what needed to be done. I mean, for everybody."

"Aye, I ken tha'. An' perhaps twas th' right course. But if I nay had th' kind o' control I do, th' secret would have been out."

He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"I had faith in ye, Granny."

She nodded, and finally loosened her grip on the two.

"Now, tell me again, startin' from th' beginning. What happened, and who knows what?"

She took a deep breath. Not that she needed it.

"The last thing I remember is seeing Scion's car flying at me. It was on fire. Then I woke up in a little boat. Esteban found me, but I'm pretty sure he won't recognize me for who I am. Esteban called Jamie, Jamie called Anton."

She paused.

"Anton knows. He arranged to have me Embraced again. As a Gangrel. But, I'm pretty sure he's not going to say anything."

Grace nodded. She stepped away, and tore strips from her skirt to bind her hands with. She looked at Jamie as she did the binding.

"And what are we going to tell our dear Harpy?"

He smiled.

"Likely, tha' th' mortal was some sort o' Sabbat trick. Griselda McKenzie, after all, is dead."

She chuckled.

"Aye. That she is."

She turned back to Rebecca.

"So what's the story we're telling 'bout th' history o' Rebecca Frasier?"

She looked between Grace and Jamie.

"Um. I was born here, in Boston. I was sent off to find my own way after the Embrace. Fairly young, though, no status to speak of. That's really about as far as I got with it. I figured that it would be easier to stick to some truth, since the first place in America that I came to was Boston."

Grace nodded.

"Aye, best t' stick t' some truth. Easier t' remember tha' way. An' bein' recently released give me reason t' spend time wi' ye, as I already be known for takin' in strays."

His eyes rested on his cousin with another nod.

"It's a bit more'n tha', Grace. She need t' ken how t' be a Gangrel. She spent way too much time as a Tremere. I'm lettin' her ruse go because o' th' time spent as a Tremere. But th' lass has nay been Embraced as a Gangrel for a full two weeks yet."