To her surprise, he seemed almost pleased that she'd asked him to look after Mercy. It was very hard to tell- he was extremely hard to read, but for once he didn't seem to speak with that same sarcastic drawl that suggested he really wasn't interested in anything she had to say. Her amber gaze stayed on him, measuring him for any sign of a lie or malice; she was leaving her own son with him, after all, and there was likely a reason he was placed at the bottom of the hierarchy. But if he hadn't intended to improve his rank, she assumed he would have simply left. No, he seemed fairly honest when he spoke, and she was surprised. There was a side to Crowe Shane that she'd suspected had been there- a gentler side- and she thought for a moment she'd almost caught a glimpse of it when he accepted the responsibility of taking care of Mercy for an hour.

"Thank you," She said, with a dip of her head- and she meant it. She was more appreciative of his change in nature than anything- she knew that Mercy would have been fine on his own while she took care of some scouting business along the borders, but she'd wanted to test Crowe to see how he'd handle the responsibility, or if he'd take it on at all. He impressed her. "Let's hope you can," She said, casting a glance down at her boy who was nearly beside himself.

When he began to strike a bargain, the fur along the nape of her neck felt the inclination to rise- until he said what he wanted. He wanted to see her again. Mercy wouldn't understand what he was asking, or at least not the depth of it. Sagacity sensed that Crowe had taken some interest in her, and she felt flattered. Truth be told, she found the deal actually became a win-win situation for her, but she wouldn't dare melt and fawn over the fact that she was being asked to see him again. "I'd like that." She said, with a hint of a smile. But not wanting to give too much away, she turned her attention swiftly to Mercy. "Behave," She said, and gave him a kiss on the top of his head when he held still long enough for her to do so. Then, quietly, in one of his felt-like ears, she whispered "Run the legs off him." She grinned, her amber eyes lifting to Crowe once again, to indicate that she was looking forward to hearing how well the mammoth male handled the fiery spark that was her son. "Have a nice time, boys," She said in a light tone. "Have fun!" She said, and with a small laugh to herself, she turned and trotted off, with a fair bit of bounce to her step which was in no doubt due to the fact that she was quite flattered still.

Puppysitting?! He was going to get puppysat by Crowe! Mercy's large, stormy blue eyes widened and looked at Crowe hopefully, and the boy was hardly able to keep still as he waited for an answer. When one finally came, he let out a little yip and chased his tail in a few very quick circles, before he pounced at his mother, nipping at her chin in thanks. This was the best thing, ever! He was going to spend time with the coolest guy on earth! He didn't pay much attention at all to the conversation which passed between the two adults- he was becoming impatient and wanted to take off with his new best buddy in the whole world. He did catch the fact that Crowe asked to see his mother again, but it meant little to Mercy other than the fact that he was going to see Crowe in his life more often- which was definitely a good thing!

His mother lowered her head and he became still just long enough for her to give him a kiss on the top of his head, and he became even more still when her voice lowered and her secret instruction was given. With a cry he leapt forward toward Crowe and bounded around him in two circles. "C'mon! Let's go!" He said, lowering his front end in a play-bow, and he mustered up the fiercest growl he could, pulling his lips back to bare his teeth, before he bounded away, laughing and smiling.

Best. Day. EVER.