Explanations - Panther's Lair

Grace raised an eyebrow and looked at Rebecca

"Tha' little time? Well, then, hon, I believe ye should stick around here a while t'night an' I can start teachin' ye least 'nough 'bout bein' a Gangrel for th' ruse t' hold up."

She looked between the two and nodded.

"Sorry. I know this is all really surprising. Then I've got the whole other thing to deal with, being Embraced so little bit of time ago. I can't remember any of my magic, either."

Slowly, her eyes started to fill as she looked like she might cry.

"I can't do it anymore. I don't remember any of it."

Grace put her arms around Rebecca and held her.

"Hush, darlin'. It will be alright."

She put her arms around Grace and hugged her, burying her face in the other woman's shoulder.

"I don't even know if I should try to do any of it anymore."

Grace stroked the woman's hair.

"Dearest, whether ye try or nay is ye're choice. But we love ye th' no matter wha' ye can do, long as ye're here wi' us."

He reached over to place his hand at the back of the girl's neck. Not squeezing, not even holding her. Just a soft pressure there, the closeness of family. The gesture seemed to be meant to be comforting, the same spot a mother cat would carry her kittens from.

"That's a decision only ye can make, lass. An' we'll protect ye while ye make it. But that's nay something ye need t' decide right away."

Grace continued to stroke Rebecca's hair as she looked over her head at Jamie, a worried look in her eyes.

Her grip on the other woman tightened, and it was clear that while Jamie's hand against her was helping, she was still quite upset, and quite on the verge of tears. Her hands curled at the other woman's back, holding onto her as she spoke again.

"I'm so confused," she finally managed, shaking her head. "I don't know how to be anything other than Tremere."

Slowly, he nodded. Then he tucked a finger under Rebecca's chin, and brought her head up to meet his eyes.

"Aye. An' before tha', ye didnae ken how t' be anythin' else other than a wee farm lass. Ye ken th' dangers o' tryin' t' do things tha' th' Tremere can do better than me or Grace. Tha' is up t' ye t' decide. But ye will learn t' be a Gangrel. Ye just need time, lass. Just a little time."

Grace held the girl tight, giving her every comfort that a hug can.

"Dearest, ye can learn t' be other than ye were. Ye kenned this would be a difficult road when ye agreed t' be re-Embraced. But ye have family in me, an' I'm nay goin' t' let ye down."

She looked over at Grace, since she had held Jamie's eyes the entire time he spoke.

"I know you won't. I'm worried that I'll let you down."

Grace shook her head and smiled.

"Ye canna ever do tha', love."

He pulled his younger cousin to him, encircling her with another hug.

"Nay, ye canna. Tell th' truth, I'm just glad ye are safe."

Grace left them for a moment, returning with Serene at her side.

She's family, and she needs our affection right now.

Serene came forward, butting her head in between the two cousins.

He may not have fully understood anything that was said to the animal. But he moved aside to let the cat slide between them.

She rested a hand on the panther's head, then frowned.

"On any other day, I might be able to talk to you," she said aloud.

Serene licked Rebecca's hand and a rumbling purr began.

Grace smiled.

"She understands, love, an' she's telling ye tha' she loves ye. Ye'll pick it up quick, I promise ye. It'll help tha' ye remember th' way o' it somewhat."

He laughed.

"Aye. We can take our lessons t'gether. Grace will nay let me go wi' nay knowin' th' way of it."

Grace just smiled.

She looked up at Jamie, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Really? That's one thing that I really want to pick up again."

Grace laughed.

"Dearest, I'll be teachin' ye all th' Gangrel gifts o' th' blood."

Jamie gave her a look.

"Ye can look at it this way, lass. Ye will actually be able t' take a punch now."

Grace grins as Serene lifts up on her hind legs and puts her paws on the girl's shoulders.

"Aye, an' give one too."

She looked up and wrinkled her nose.

"Hey! I could punch before!"

Grace laughed.

"Aye, but could ye rend?"