Explanations - Panther's Lair

He looked thoughtful.

"I can nay even do tha'."

Grace didn't miss a beat.

"If ye can keep th' knowledge t' yerself, I'll teach ye."

He looked mildly surprised.

"Aye? I did nay think t' ask for tha', actually."

Grace smiled.

"An' tha' be why I be willin' t' teach ye. Not tha' I think it some great clan secret, like some. It be good t' ken tha' me family can rend an' tear wi'out needin' t' have a weapon on hand."

He blinked.

"Ye are teachin' me because I did nay ask ye to? I'm confused."

Grace laughed.

"Tis a confusin' world, boyo."

He rolled his eyes upward.

"Women."

She couldn't help but giggle. She brought both hands up to cover her mouth to muffle the sound, but it was still very clearly a giggle.

Grace shook a finger at Jamie in mock seriousness.

"Nay women. Elders."

But she turned her head and winked at Rebecca where Jamie couldn't see.

"Women," was his firm reply.

Grace laughed.

"Aye, well, wi' our lass here back fro' th' dead, ye're fully surrounded by us again."

He was silent for a few moments. Silent as he pondered that one.

"God save me," was the simple reply.

She started to laugh again.

She shook her head and looked at Grace.

"Sorry. I'm new to this whole ... Gangrel ... thing."

Grace chuckled.

"Dearlin', this conversation has nothin' t' do wi' being Gangrel, an' everything t' do wi' being Granny."

He laughed.

"I think th' lass is tryin' t' convey tha' she's a bit all out o' sorts."

Grace smiled.

"Aye, I get tha'. I thought pickin' on ye would help her out."

She laughed again.

"It has. Tremendously. Again, I'm sorry, Grace."

Grace grinned and poked Jamie hard in the stomach.

"See?"

Then she hugged Rebecca again.

"Stop apologizing, okay? I'm over it, an' I'm just glad t' have ye back."

He grunted as she poked him in the stomach.

"Is everythin' sufficiently explained now, Granny?"

Grace squeezed Rebecca once, then let go.

"Aye, it has. An' now, we start t' teach th' lass t' be a Gangrel. Tis a whole different world from bein' Tremere, I can tell ye tha'."

He held up his hands.

"Tha' would be me cue t' leave, then."

He leaned over to kiss the top of Grace's head, then Rebecca's.

"Ye take care o' th' lass, Grace. I'll be easy t' reach if ye need me."

Small arms slipped around Jamie's neck and held him tightly.

"Be careful, Jamie. Love you."

Then she turned back to Grace.

Grace smiled at the boy.

"Aye Jamie. We'll begin teachin' ye both th' finer points o' understandin' Serene tomorrow. So try t' clear ye're schedule, aye?"

He nodded.

"Providin' th' world dinna collapse, I'll be available."

Grace chuckled.

"I have a feelin' th' world will nay collapse again this week. Now shoo."

She smiled and waved her hands at him, shoo him towards the door.