Ahhh. [No more than a breath of a sound. He'd been concerned it had something to do with the Disciples here; this is less immediately threatening but...far sadder.] I have heard of this thing now and again. But the universe does not care who you might bed so long as you do honor to your line.

Though, I am sorry to say, I am only a zhrets; I could not perform the adoption if you wished to be one of us. [Leaving entirely aside that he's probably the only shrike here and had no line of his own to adopt anyone into.

And then, with a faint note of amusement,] And we are all going to Hell, regardless. This may also be a problem, yes?