Set to take place in the Las Vegas game, on the last night of Comic-con
Marcus wasn’t normally known for lavishness or opulence, though he did enjoy creature comforts, which sometimes held more expensive tastes. It was here that Petra found herself, sitting quietly in Marcus’ suite, sipping on some tea and looking out the window while she waited for him to awaken fully. It was so like him to have rented out a suite at Caeser’s Palace for his stay, just out of a sense of irony. Even funnier to her, was that he was staying in one of the Julius Deluxe suits. At the thought of staying somewhere named for his former Emporer, she snickered.
“Something amuses you?” Marcus asked.
Petra jumped, a little startled by his sudden appearance. “Just at the irony of you staying here, is all.” she turned to look at him and smiled before going back to her tea.
Marcus smirked a little as he toweled off his hair. “Well, you know me.” he said, turning to the closet to retrieve a pair of jeans before returning to the bathroom to pull them on, returning to her after a few moments. “You never did say what brings you by.” he commented.
“And you’ve hardly said how you could compete with Vince for abs.” she teased.
“Ah, well, we are not all as blessed as he in that department, though I take the compliment.” he said as he took a chair on the other side of the small table she sat at, the both of them looking out the window and across the city with its bright lights, as they waited for Petra to be ready to speak, which she did, after she’d finished the tea.
“I’m tired, Marcus.” she said finally.
He thought for a moment before speaking. “You sound like you’re seeking a torpor.” he finally said.
“I suppose.” she responded. “But I can’t, can I?”
“What is it exactly that makes you so weary?” he said. While he had guesses, he was not about to assume any of them were the truth.
“Mostly at being vulnerable.” she claimed.
“I would hardly say you are that.” he admitted. “There are many who fear you.”
“I am skilled…but that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle, that I haven’t had close calls. I am tired of having to wonder what will become of me if I ever find myself freelance. Even some of my jobs for Brandon have taken me away long enough that I’ve had to either buy my source or coerce a source.” she said, frowning.
“As long as you’ve lived, I can understand why that would be a worry.” he said, tilting his head ever so slightly out of concern for her.
“There’s more to it, though. I’m tired of clawing for every bit of strength and power that I have. I do not have the luxury of having the same ease of access to disciplines as a lot of those I end up dealing with. I’m in that stance once again where I don’t feel worth the effort and expense of keeping me.” she said, her eyes scanning the horizon at the moment.
“You know better that to think that.” he chided her. “Yet I don’t think that it is death you seek. Don’t keep me guessing.”
“I think I’m ready, Marcus.” she said. “I just don’t know specifics yet.”
“Are you second-guessing having Brandon embrace you?” he asked.
“Maybe. I’m not sure if I can meet his expectation for a Lasombra. I’ve thought about this off and on for years, but I’ve been thinking about things more closely since…. well, you know.”
He nodded. “You should talk this over with Brandon. He’ll be all too happy that you’re ready.”
“Yeah, probably.” she sighed. “Ideally, I’d like to be free of the blood bond first – just to know what it’s like, if nothing else.”
“Tall order. I only know of two ways, and I’m certain you don’t want to deal with any further Tremere.”
“True enough, I guess.” she sighed.
“It’s possible I could call in a favor.” he said, after mulling it over. “The problem is that, as I understand it, it can be quite painful.”
“It’s alright.” she said, with a little shudder. “I wouldn’t ask you to call in a favor just for me. Keep your favors.”
“You’d be worth it.” he mentioned, then took a moment to appreciate the shocked look on her face before she quickly recovered. “Your best bet, I should think, is to find yourself a pack and undergo the Vinculum afterward.”
“Where am I going to find a pack?” she asked incredulously.
“Petition to join Brandon’s. If you’re concerned, get Endrik to back you on it.” he said simply.
“Brandon hasn’t added anyone to his pack in centuries.” she pointed out. “Why would he admit a fledgling?”
Marcus shrugged. “Perhaps then, he could point you in the right direction.”
Petra settled back in her seat and closed her eyes for a few minutes. Marcus watched her, already making a mental note to speak to Brandon about the matter at some point.
“Is something else on your mind?” he finally inquired.
“Yea.” she said, her voice and eyes indicating she was in a teasing mood just then. “When are you going to dust yourself off and find some people to hang out with?”
“I don’t ‘hang out’.” he said.
“Companionship then. You should have someone you can talk to when things are on your mind.”
“Perhaps. I’ll take it under consideration.” he stated.
She nodded. “I don’t suppose you could give me a ride home?”
“Of course.” he said, and walked over to the dresser to grab a shirt to pull on, a set of keys, and the key card for his room, moved to pull on some shoes, and then patiently waited for her to accompany him down to the car, and head home.
“When do you plan on saying something to Brandon?” he asked once they were in the car.
“When he isn’t busy. I’ll tell him tonight if I can manage it.” she said.
“He hasn’t been busy too much lately.” he pointed out.
“No, but he’s also been worrying about me, so maybe he’s gone back to normal.” she theorized.
“I don’t know if there is any going back for him. Bring it up tonight – I can handle anything that might be going on with him, at least for a time.” he assured her.
“Alright.” she said. “I’ll talk to him tonight.” With that, she leaned back against the seat, remaining quiet the rest of the drive.