capeandcowl | ☆ video, blocked from larsa.

[This also has some magical encrypting going on so it's blocked from anyone under 21 years of age. Sorry, kids, but she really doesn't want to deal with any more discomfort than she's already facing!

Zee's over at Bruce's place, sitting on the floor in a t-shirt and a pair shorts, covered in pugs that her hands are busy occupied petting and scritching. Though she's clearly aware that she's recording, she doesn't seem to quite be ready to talk.]

Alright, Network. [She lifts one of the pugblobs into her lap.] How am I supposed to explain sex to a 13 year old? Actually, I... could I maybe get a volunteer to explain to him? Maybe? [An exasperated sigh. This is really not how she wanted to spend her afternoon.] You see, some guy sold him this risqué novel. After Larsa told me it wasn't what he thought it was, that it got really "adult," I skimmed it. I ended up going to the shop and giving the owner an earful, but it doesn't undo the damage.

[The other pug manages to climb into her lap; they both can't fit, so they kind of hang off of her. She doesn't make any motion to remove either of them.] What I'm getting at is that I'm not prepared to give him "the talk." Help me City, you're my only hope?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, ah, he'll be entering ninth grade next year, according to my records. This would put him in both Biology and Health...

Would you suggest I still, you know. Talk to him? Or would that make me the overly concerned and involved sort of parent?

I...wouldn't discourage it, if you can arrive at a good method to do so. Parental contexts aren't one I have much experience with, honestly.

Was there something specific that brought this on?

Same. My father mostly left it up to me to figure out; I'm surprised he tried at all. Very old school sort of guy.

You've met Larsa. Reading that sort of thing and being embarrassed about it while talking to me... I don't know. He seems clueless and disinterested, but almost like he was trying to start a dialogue. Most kids don't confess to accidentally buying smut when there's no way their guardian would have ever found out, you know? Especially not a novel.

They came from a different generation, these simply weren't the sort of things that were spoken about. Of course, I can understand somewhat, there is no way to broach the subject that isn't deeply awkward!

And yes, that is...unexpectedly honest. On the one hand, you're lucky he trusts you enough to bring it up, but on the other, well, not exactly the most comfortable position to be put in by it.

Just as awkward now as back then, though perhaps more so considering the way sex is shown in the media.

I could have said no to guardianship, could have just chosen to foster him as opposed to a full adoption. It's my duty as his parent, so I'll figure it out. Thanks for the pep-talk, Hank.

Should you need any, uh, teaching aids: illustrations, maybe a textbook? I can negotiate a few for you.

Well, he'll be attending the Institute in the fall whether he wants to or not. I think we'll leave that to whomever may be teaching it these days.

I guess that'll leave me with the biological half. Which will, of course, only augment whatever education you give him before then.

Oh.

Whoops.

Sorry to give you more work, Hank.

[He smiles broadly.]

Nothing I wouldn't have ahead of me anyway. At least I'll be assured that the parent has taken some interest in expanding his knowledge on the topic.

Just not too much, of course.

...parent, huh?

Hey, you used the term first! But you're going to act the part, you might as well be granted the honorific.

It's just... surreal hearing it. That's all. Not bad, at least. Just different.

Kind of like it's finally sinking in, that's exactly what you've become?

☆ video, blocked from larsa.

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