Playing House (Porter) - Alterations While U Wait

She nods.

"Well, I'm good at hiding trails, if you feel the urge to make a new piece of art."

Porter chuckled. "No urges are involved, my dear, thankfully. And I haven't been asked to kill anyone in some time."

She nodded.

"Wouldn't matter if they were. But good to know. And I'll always invite you to help me kill, but will not ask it of you."

"The gesture is appreciated. Although I will risk life and limb without hesitation, and have been known to take a modicum of devilish pleasure in the physical suffering of the deserving, I would much rather spend my time writing you superbly awful poetry."

She wrinkled her nose.

"Bad poetry. Such a....pleasure."

"You are an apt muse - perchance I shall actually author something of value now."

She smiled.

"That would be much better."

Porter cocked his head to the side a bit and examined Raz0r, with a bit of a smile.

"Is this all really so new to you, Raz0r? Have you never been treated properly?"

She smiles sadly.

"The last man I loved was my Domitor. The only other man I've loved. He treated me well, but I was a tool to him. A very useful tool, but a tool non-the-less."

A flash of anger appeared in Porter's eyes, but it quickly subsided - replaced by a soft melancholy.

"I know what it is to be used, Raz0r."

She nodded.

"I did not feel used at the time. And I still do not. But he did not love me the way I loved him. I have to admit that to myself."

She reached up to tuck her hand behind his neck.

"I do not see you as the type to let yourself be used."

"It was subtle, and played to my weaknesses. I allowed myself to believe certain things. It was foolish."

She gives a half smile.

"I disbelieve that you have weaknesses, my heart."

He chuckles. "That's sweet, Raz0r. I am but a man."

She smiled.

"No. You are my Giant. But none shall ever use you again, for you are mine."

She pauses for a moment, blinking.

"What are your feelings on the bond?"

"It has its places; namely, to deepen the relationship between lovers, or to restrict the thoughts of a rival. Woe unto him who confuses the latter for the former." He gave a weak smile.

"Are you asking me? To bond, that is."

She smiles.

"It has the other purpose of making sure that you will never betray the one you love. I'm asking if you will allow me to bond myself to you. I do not require reciprocation."

Porter looked at Raz0r as though she had sprouted a second head.

"I don't understand."

"I live a dangerous life. And with my magics, there is the possibility that the Tremere will find me and try to bind me to them. IF I am fully bonded to you, one whom I trust implicitly, there is a barrier against them being able to do that."

That was a sound reason.

Porter nodded curtly. "Very well."

She smiled.

"Am I taking all the romance out of it?"

Porter grinned. "An excellent loaded question which cannot be answered without falling into a trap. Thankfully, I find deviousness attractive."

She laughed.

"Nice try to get out of answering."

"I cannot answer, as I do not know the answer. I have never experienced a blood bond which involved romance. I've nothing to compare against."

She nodded with a smile.

"That is an apt answer. But there ccan e romance, or at least lust involved, due to the feelings the Kiss brings."