Thaddeus smiled crookedly at Alfarinn’s commitment to patience, still meeting his lover’s eyes though his own were trying to fall closed again.
“I am fortunate you are so dedicated.”
Finally letting his eyes fall closed as Alfarinn leaned in, he let his lips part before his lover pulled away, catching the lower lip before it could be withdrawn completely. He turned to meet the next kiss after hearing Alfarinn’s confession spoken softly against his skin. He tasted Alfarinn’s lower lip with the tip of his tongue, trailing ever so lightly before letting their mouths meet, gently but unrelenting. He moved back enough to repeat that action with the upper lip, then pulled closer again, smiling into a kiss that quickly melted both expression and further thought.
A need for oxygen was the only thing that pulled him away, and even then he was reluctant to do so and only made it as far as Alfarinn’s neck before coming to rest, lips playing lightly against smooth skin.
He wasn’t, for a moment, certain of how to respond to his lover’s confession, and while he reasoned that in the meantime there were all those wonderful little places along Alfarinn’s jaw line begging to be kissed, he was moved enough by the comment that he felt he ought to say something.
He was well aware of the fact that he was not an easy person to be close to. He certainly had his peculiarities, and while in the scheme of things perhaps three hundred years was not all that long of a time to have walked this earth, it had been enough for Thaddeus to grow accustomed to having certain things a specific way. In Alfarinn he had found acceptance, but even now it could come as a pleasant surprise to him.
“I’m glad of that, Love.”
For the better part of his life he had worked to convince himself that he didn’t need to be touched, understood, loved, appreciated, and even now he was amazed by the sheer quantity, the volume of that need within him. He’d cultivated the belief that he didn’t have the capacity to love anyone the way they deserved, had even embraced that concept, and Alfarinn had come in like a storm and razed those rather foolish ideas to the ground. Every movement seemed to emphasize that, seemed to say ‘yes, I need this, yes, I love you,’ and Thaddeus was no longer certain of who was saying what, or if he was saying anything at all between rough kisses and gentle nips. The world was growing too fuzzy around the edges to properly make sense of anything other than this need, this closeness, this love.
Even so, he was aware enough to realize their somewhat precarious position; he was clinging for dear life and hesitated to do anything that might be overwhelming to his lover. However, he was, after all, confessing, and he thought this was as good a time as any to admit his reckless streak.
“Hold on.”
He placed a soft kiss on Alfarinn’s mouth before tightening his grip and tilting his head to the side to run his lips lightly up his lover’s neck. Smiling slightly, he pulled Alfarinn’s earlobe between his lips, placing a soft open mouthed kiss there before dragging his fangs along the delicate skin just behind the place he’d kissed. He sunk his fangs into skin with a careful precision that might have been at odds with their more organic, fluid movements if not for the fact that the act in and of itself was so passionate, an intensity and closeness of its own.
One lump of plaster or two?
Alfarinn leaned forward and stepped out of the limo then turned to wait for Thaddeus to do the same. A faint grin refused to leave his face at the thought of what a sight they must be. Lykaios's neighborhood was not in the habit of seeing limos and neither was the one at the apartment near the House of Pain. There was no doubt in his mind that two young men covered from head to foot in white dust and looking about as worn out as two prisoners that had been forced to do hard labor on a hot summer day was not the expected image to be stepping out of the sleek vehicle.
He spared a grimace for the seats and thought of the cursing that was likely to go on by whom ever had to clean them. It could have been worse; he had emerged from it covered in blood in times past.
The security for the building had been back in place before they left Lykaios's abode. He had nodded slightly to the figure dressed as a drunk,the agent in charge of the building, and flipped him a few coins. The man then accosted him with a slurred request for a dollar or two before ambling around the side of home.
With those preparations taken care of, he wanted nothing so much as a hot shower and a cold drink of something that burned his throat with its passing.
Turning to Thaddeus, he smiled.
"After you."
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn grinned inwardly at the thought of him being dedicated to touching Thaddeus. He would have to be honest and say it was more likely an obsession but, as far as obsessions went, this was one that he felt was pretty wholesome... okay perhaps not wholesome, but healthy. Just being near Thaddeus improved his demeanor and state of mind considerably and touching his lover almost always had the effect of making his fears and worries drift away for a while. There was peace and warmth in the arms wrapped around him and it was no wonder that he always felt secure and truly loved when Thaddeus was holding him so tightly.
He had started the tender kisses that pressed smooth expressive lips to his own but Thaddeus's response caused a shiver of appreciation and he watched his lover through lowered lashes as they continued the gentle give and take that was a wordless declaration of their love for each other.
Hearing the gentle command to hold on make him smile and Alfarinn tightened his grip on his Beloved until both their flesh whitened from the pressure and pressed his chest and shoulders more firmly against Thaddeus's own. He had mere seconds to wonder if the words were simply a request to be held more tightly or a warning that his lover was about to do something.
...Something like that. Alfarinn moaned softly and shut his eyes completely as a shudder of pleasure coursed through his already nearly overloaded senses when he felt that beguilingly gentle entrapment of his ear. He inhaled deeply in order to steady himself as Thaddeus moved slightly away but that was all he had time for before a sharp set of fangs made their way cunningly down his neck. Alfarinn managed to speak one word in a breathless sigh before his lover's teeth sank into his flesh.
"Thaddeus..."
He tightened his hold in a response to the bliss that flooded through him with the gentle tug of his lover's mouth working against his neck. He could feel himself flow into Thaddeus with each drop of his blood that his lover drank. Alfarinn found himself drawn without thought towards the warm curve of Thaddeus's in front of him with the need to fully open the bond between them and to feel his lover's essence course through him as well. He sucked hard on the skin beneath his mouth and then slowly sank his fangs into the place he had just marked, however briefly, as his own.
He had started the tender kisses that pressed smooth expressive lips to his own but Thaddeus's response caused a shiver of appreciation and he watched his lover through lowered lashes as they continued the gentle give and take that was a wordless declaration of their love for each other.
Hearing the gentle command to hold on make him smile and Alfarinn tightened his grip on his Beloved until both their flesh whitened from the pressure and pressed his chest and shoulders more firmly against Thaddeus's own. He had mere seconds to wonder if the words were simply a request to be held more tightly or a warning that his lover was about to do something.
...Something like that. Alfarinn moaned softly and shut his eyes completely as a shudder of pleasure coursed through his already nearly overloaded senses when he felt that beguilingly gentle entrapment of his ear. He inhaled deeply in order to steady himself as Thaddeus moved slightly away but that was all he had time for before a sharp set of fangs made their way cunningly down his neck. Alfarinn managed to speak one word in a breathless sigh before his lover's teeth sank into his flesh.
"Thaddeus..."
He tightened his hold in a response to the bliss that flooded through him with the gentle tug of his lover's mouth working against his neck. He could feel himself flow into Thaddeus with each drop of his blood that his lover drank. Alfarinn found himself drawn without thought towards the warm curve of Thaddeus's in front of him with the need to fully open the bond between them and to feel his lover's essence course through him as well. He sucked hard on the skin beneath his mouth and then slowly sank his fangs into the place he had just marked, however briefly, as his own.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Blood seeped slowly into Thaddeus’s mouth, that sweet richness that filled his senses and brought him closer than ever to his lover. His own name seemed to linger in his ears, that voice once again unraveling him, and he found himself burning that sound into his memory in spite of the very real possibility that his mind would, like an errant tape recorder, replay it at highly inappropriate moments. He might have been amused at his complete lack of concern over this if not for the sensation of Alfarinn’s lips on his skin, which had a way of banishing all other thought.
Not wanting to take too much from Alfarinn and knowing if he waited any longer he would be completely lost, he managed to pull away, running his tongue over the wounds and abandoning his earlier drinking for a more delicate tasting. He opened his eyes only briefly when he felt his lover suck hard on his neck before closing them again, tightly, as fangs broke skin and the bond flared into life, the sensation blending with their movements to create an unmatched intimacy, the answer to all of the longing and desire behind their playful exchanges.
He was so far from a foyer in an apartment in downtown Nachton at that moment that he might have been surprised to find the world still existed when he opened his eyes; he was somewhere beyond time and place, some ethereal location where there was only Alfarinn with him, their skin pressed together, holding on as close as they could, connected in every possible way. For a moment he thought that if he could see anything other than the dazzling white that came just before the perfectly overwhelming bliss, he might be able to bear witness to both of their lives, the spiraling convoluted roads that finally intertwined and raced off to an as of yet unknown future. The moment, however, slipped away into simply the two of them, Alfarinn pressed against him, feeling every pleasure, every emotion, everything of their selves, the very blood in their veins. He could only hold on as he was overcome, delightfully helpless to the sensations that pulsed through him in waves of pleasure.
Not wanting to take too much from Alfarinn and knowing if he waited any longer he would be completely lost, he managed to pull away, running his tongue over the wounds and abandoning his earlier drinking for a more delicate tasting. He opened his eyes only briefly when he felt his lover suck hard on his neck before closing them again, tightly, as fangs broke skin and the bond flared into life, the sensation blending with their movements to create an unmatched intimacy, the answer to all of the longing and desire behind their playful exchanges.
He was so far from a foyer in an apartment in downtown Nachton at that moment that he might have been surprised to find the world still existed when he opened his eyes; he was somewhere beyond time and place, some ethereal location where there was only Alfarinn with him, their skin pressed together, holding on as close as they could, connected in every possible way. For a moment he thought that if he could see anything other than the dazzling white that came just before the perfectly overwhelming bliss, he might be able to bear witness to both of their lives, the spiraling convoluted roads that finally intertwined and raced off to an as of yet unknown future. The moment, however, slipped away into simply the two of them, Alfarinn pressed against him, feeling every pleasure, every emotion, everything of their selves, the very blood in their veins. He could only hold on as he was overcome, delightfully helpless to the sensations that pulsed through him in waves of pleasure.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
The bond that was so strong between them opened fully when Thaddeus's blood touched his tongue. It was like lightning to metal and was a spark that started a chain reaction within him. His lover's pleasure mixed with his own and both expanded until it consumed him in a brief moment of blinding bliss.
He held Thaddeus tightly, sharply drawing in a taste of his lover with each wave of sensation and then lapsing into delicate loving touches to the wound with his tongue as the pleasure subsided into calm.
Pulling Thaddeus against his chest, Alfarinn sank slowly to his knees on floor and buried his face in his lover's neck. He stayed quiet for a minute enjoying the tranquil silence that always came after such intense lovemaking and simply enjoyed the soft sounds of their combined heartbeats and breath.
Finally he grinned and murmured without lifting his head.
“So what did you learn, Beloved?”
He hoped very fervently that whatever Thaddeus had learned would somehow involve repeat performances and he thought that perhaps he should suggest reminders for his admittedly stubborn companion. Alfarinn contented himself with the knowledge that it did not matter what they did in the future, everything with Thaddeus was an exhilarating experience beyond his ability to fully imagine or predict.
Sighing contentedly, he continued to hold his Beloved close, wrapped securely in his lover's warmth.
He held Thaddeus tightly, sharply drawing in a taste of his lover with each wave of sensation and then lapsing into delicate loving touches to the wound with his tongue as the pleasure subsided into calm.
Pulling Thaddeus against his chest, Alfarinn sank slowly to his knees on floor and buried his face in his lover's neck. He stayed quiet for a minute enjoying the tranquil silence that always came after such intense lovemaking and simply enjoyed the soft sounds of their combined heartbeats and breath.
Finally he grinned and murmured without lifting his head.
“So what did you learn, Beloved?”
He hoped very fervently that whatever Thaddeus had learned would somehow involve repeat performances and he thought that perhaps he should suggest reminders for his admittedly stubborn companion. Alfarinn contented himself with the knowledge that it did not matter what they did in the future, everything with Thaddeus was an exhilarating experience beyond his ability to fully imagine or predict.
Sighing contentedly, he continued to hold his Beloved close, wrapped securely in his lover's warmth.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus continued to hold on tightly when as one they sank to the floor, burying his face in his lover’s neck. He sighed contentedly and opened his eyes, his pale lashes brushing against skin, and felt the world come slowly back into focus.
When asked what he had learned, though, he smiled slightly and rubbed his cheek on Alfarinn’s shoulder.
“Mmm. You smell nice.”
He trailed his hands down his lover’s back, content to simply hold and touch for the moment, but he eventually remembered that he ought to make some effort at answering the question.
“Well for starters…this apartment has a very sturdy door. Quite solid, really.” Smiling against Alfarinn’s neck, he added: “Though I don’t suppose that’s what you meant. I do believe I’ve gained a full understanding of the consequences of my actions and just where my mouthy, impertinent, greedy, stubborn ways will get me.” He pulled back enough to nod solemnly. “Yes, I believe I’ve learned my lesson. See, I’m much better behaved now.” He gave a mock frown then and tried not to let it turn to a smirk. “I might have a relapse, though. I don’t know that I can be trusted to keep up this good behavior without repeat lessons; it is a good thing you are both fierce and patient.”
He pulled close again, catching a strand of hair in his fingers and playing along the length of it.
When asked what he had learned, though, he smiled slightly and rubbed his cheek on Alfarinn’s shoulder.
“Mmm. You smell nice.”
He trailed his hands down his lover’s back, content to simply hold and touch for the moment, but he eventually remembered that he ought to make some effort at answering the question.
“Well for starters…this apartment has a very sturdy door. Quite solid, really.” Smiling against Alfarinn’s neck, he added: “Though I don’t suppose that’s what you meant. I do believe I’ve gained a full understanding of the consequences of my actions and just where my mouthy, impertinent, greedy, stubborn ways will get me.” He pulled back enough to nod solemnly. “Yes, I believe I’ve learned my lesson. See, I’m much better behaved now.” He gave a mock frown then and tried not to let it turn to a smirk. “I might have a relapse, though. I don’t know that I can be trusted to keep up this good behavior without repeat lessons; it is a good thing you are both fierce and patient.”
He pulled close again, catching a strand of hair in his fingers and playing along the length of it.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn snorted softly at his lover's observation and wondered if that was something Thaddeus learned in this whole situation. He was surprised that his companion didn't sneeze but then perhaps they had worked all the plaster dust off with their earlier efforts. He was hardly going to argue and so instead he simply smiled and kissed the shoulder he was laying on.
He laughed outright at the further lessons gleaned from their actions. Sturdy floor indeed! Sturdy door as well. Alfarinn idly wondered how sound proofed it was and if any of the neighbors were home.
Reaching up a hand, to Thaddeus's cheek, he smiled and replied to his lover's further statements.
"I can certainly hope for a relapse or two...or three. I do -so- love my mouthy impertinent stubborn greedy companion but I will perform whatever duty I must and if you feel that the Grey family honor is at stake then I will do my utmost to aid you in correcting the matter."Â?
He had managed to say most of that with a serious face but the thought of their playful actions being something akin to a sacred duty made his mouth twitch upwards in a smile.
"Consider me a sworn protector of the Grey family honor."Â?
Leaning back, he managed to slowly get to his feet still holding Thaddeus, thanking the vampiric strength that he generally took for granted. Walking them both down the hall to the bathroom, Alfarinn tilted his head to the side and asked thoughtfully.
"Hmm, so if we were to be married and I were to take your name would I then be subject to the Grey family rules?"Â?
Alfarinn found himself smiling at the thought. They would be family in a close and personal way. It was something he had not had in a very long time. Evenhet was his clan and his family but it was huge and riotously busy as most large families were. Megan was his sister and though they were close once, it had been a long time since it had seemed like they were a true small family amongst a larger one; for them now, it was simply Evenhet and for a long time that was all he was. It would be nice to be part of something very intimate and personal again.
He laughed at himself inwardly, they already were together in more ways than most people could dream of. It was odd that something so small as a public declaration, of what many people already knew, could mean so much to him but he found that it did. He suddenly had the urge to tell the world that they were together, to make it irrevocable fact. In the beginning they had tried,unsuccessfully, to hide their involvement. That time had not lasted long but Alfarinn had the urge to break away from any sort of secrecy that might still exist by publicly proclaiming his love for Thaddeus of Anantya.
The idea of being a Grey wasn't so bad either. The family name meant a lot to Thaddeus and his own was something he had put aside long ago, merely a title anyway and one that he had not managed to fulfill to the hopes of his father, the Jarl.
"We both know I am a trouble maker. I believe there would have to be constant -reminders- of the family rules."Â?
Rearranging his hold on Thaddeus so his companion could stand up, Alfarinn tilted his head down so that his hair fell forward and peered shyly at his lover out from under it.
"I trust that you would have no trouble reminding me."Â?
He laughed outright at the further lessons gleaned from their actions. Sturdy floor indeed! Sturdy door as well. Alfarinn idly wondered how sound proofed it was and if any of the neighbors were home.
Reaching up a hand, to Thaddeus's cheek, he smiled and replied to his lover's further statements.
"I can certainly hope for a relapse or two...or three. I do -so- love my mouthy impertinent stubborn greedy companion but I will perform whatever duty I must and if you feel that the Grey family honor is at stake then I will do my utmost to aid you in correcting the matter."Â?
He had managed to say most of that with a serious face but the thought of their playful actions being something akin to a sacred duty made his mouth twitch upwards in a smile.
"Consider me a sworn protector of the Grey family honor."Â?
Leaning back, he managed to slowly get to his feet still holding Thaddeus, thanking the vampiric strength that he generally took for granted. Walking them both down the hall to the bathroom, Alfarinn tilted his head to the side and asked thoughtfully.
"Hmm, so if we were to be married and I were to take your name would I then be subject to the Grey family rules?"Â?
Alfarinn found himself smiling at the thought. They would be family in a close and personal way. It was something he had not had in a very long time. Evenhet was his clan and his family but it was huge and riotously busy as most large families were. Megan was his sister and though they were close once, it had been a long time since it had seemed like they were a true small family amongst a larger one; for them now, it was simply Evenhet and for a long time that was all he was. It would be nice to be part of something very intimate and personal again.
He laughed at himself inwardly, they already were together in more ways than most people could dream of. It was odd that something so small as a public declaration, of what many people already knew, could mean so much to him but he found that it did. He suddenly had the urge to tell the world that they were together, to make it irrevocable fact. In the beginning they had tried,unsuccessfully, to hide their involvement. That time had not lasted long but Alfarinn had the urge to break away from any sort of secrecy that might still exist by publicly proclaiming his love for Thaddeus of Anantya.
The idea of being a Grey wasn't so bad either. The family name meant a lot to Thaddeus and his own was something he had put aside long ago, merely a title anyway and one that he had not managed to fulfill to the hopes of his father, the Jarl.
"We both know I am a trouble maker. I believe there would have to be constant -reminders- of the family rules."Â?
Rearranging his hold on Thaddeus so his companion could stand up, Alfarinn tilted his head down so that his hair fell forward and peered shyly at his lover out from under it.
"I trust that you would have no trouble reminding me."Â?
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus smiled and leaned into his lover’s touch, still gently fiddling with the strand of hair in one hand. He listened to Alfarinn’s response to his warnings, feeling light hearted in spite of the gravity of the matter.
“I don’t know what I would do without your guidance. I am a wayward soul, my love, lost in a sea of impropriety, clinging to my pillar of fierce fortitude…” He broke off, laughing too hard to finish what was shaping up to be a grand and dramatic speech. He raised one eyebrow when Alfarinn explained his role as a protector of honor. “Very well; I accept your vow.” Smiling slightly, he leaned back enough to plant a kiss on Alfarinn’s shoulder, then turned to the other and kissed that as well.
“I dub thee Sir Alfarinn, Mighty Protector of the Grey Family Honor.” He chuckled lightly, thinking that considering his lover’s methods perhaps his version of a knighting ceremony was more fitting.
Wrapping his arms around his lover one more, he held on in a calmed, docile manner as Alfarinn walked to the bathroom, still in his ‘good behavior’ frame of mind. He nodded his head in all seriousness at Alfarinn’s question.
“Indeed, you would be. Not having second thoughts already, are you?” He broke into a grin at that, combing his fingers through Alfarinn’s hair. “Don’t worry; we Greys understand that becoming one of us can be a daunting affair and offer up some measure of leniency while you become acquainted with our ways.”
His feet touched the floor for the first time in a bit and he focused on catching his footing, resting his hands lightly on his lover’s shoulders. Once properly on his feet, he rose to the tips of his toes and gave Alfarinn a soft kiss on the cheek.
“I will do my utmost to remind you.” He grazed the place he had just kissed with his finger tips. “Gently.”
Letting his touch trail down his lover’s chest, he pulled away enough to set the shower and start letting the water warm up.
“Of course I suppose that’s all hypothetical…” He trailed off, the last word nearly nonexistent. “…would you really take my last name?” Thaddeus wouldn’t be offended in the slightest if Alfarinn laughed the idea off; his question was more curious than expectant.
“I don’t know what I would do without your guidance. I am a wayward soul, my love, lost in a sea of impropriety, clinging to my pillar of fierce fortitude…” He broke off, laughing too hard to finish what was shaping up to be a grand and dramatic speech. He raised one eyebrow when Alfarinn explained his role as a protector of honor. “Very well; I accept your vow.” Smiling slightly, he leaned back enough to plant a kiss on Alfarinn’s shoulder, then turned to the other and kissed that as well.
“I dub thee Sir Alfarinn, Mighty Protector of the Grey Family Honor.” He chuckled lightly, thinking that considering his lover’s methods perhaps his version of a knighting ceremony was more fitting.
Wrapping his arms around his lover one more, he held on in a calmed, docile manner as Alfarinn walked to the bathroom, still in his ‘good behavior’ frame of mind. He nodded his head in all seriousness at Alfarinn’s question.
“Indeed, you would be. Not having second thoughts already, are you?” He broke into a grin at that, combing his fingers through Alfarinn’s hair. “Don’t worry; we Greys understand that becoming one of us can be a daunting affair and offer up some measure of leniency while you become acquainted with our ways.”
His feet touched the floor for the first time in a bit and he focused on catching his footing, resting his hands lightly on his lover’s shoulders. Once properly on his feet, he rose to the tips of his toes and gave Alfarinn a soft kiss on the cheek.
“I will do my utmost to remind you.” He grazed the place he had just kissed with his finger tips. “Gently.”
Letting his touch trail down his lover’s chest, he pulled away enough to set the shower and start letting the water warm up.
“Of course I suppose that’s all hypothetical…” He trailed off, the last word nearly nonexistent. “…would you really take my last name?” Thaddeus wouldn’t be offended in the slightest if Alfarinn laughed the idea off; his question was more curious than expectant.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn laughed at being knighted by Thaddeus and pretended to look serious through the 'ceremony' only to crumble into more laughter once his lover was done. He held on to Thaddeus, rubbing his cheek along his companion's neck while he considered this title he had been given.
"I'm beyond words at the honor, Beloved. I shall do my utmost..."Â?
Like his lover, he had a hard time completing his speech in all its playful seriousness.
He looked aghast at the question regarding second thoughts and pretended to be deeply affronted.
"I believe that would be running away. I'm terribly fierce remember? Do I not look terribly fierce?"Â?
Alfarinn bared his teeth and lowered his eyebrows in a frown to show his warrior like nature, he suspected though that he looked more like a crazed bulldog with an under bite and the inability to stave off a grin didn't help either.
He relaxed into seriousness as Thaddeus gently touched his cheek. Smiling at his lover, he could almost feel a blush threaten to form at the touching words amidst their banter. Odd perhaps, but the body sometimes had a wicked sense of humor.
"That's something to look forward to then."
Calm once more by the time Thaddeus turned back to him after starting up the water, Alfarinn considered the question seriously. He was fairly certain of his answer from the beginning but he felt the question required some form of dedicated thought on his part.
"Thaddeus, I would absolutely take your last name if you were offering it to me. To be a part of your family would make me proud. To be our own little family would make me deliriously happy."Â?
Alfarinn leaned down to kiss Thaddeus lightly before adding.
"If being more happy than I already am is possible. I keep finding myself surprised at your ability to daily surpass the love and contentment I felt before but somehow you manage it. Is that something you want? Would you want me taking your name?"Â?
He stepped back into the shower and drew his companion in along with him.
"I'm beyond words at the honor, Beloved. I shall do my utmost..."Â?
Like his lover, he had a hard time completing his speech in all its playful seriousness.
He looked aghast at the question regarding second thoughts and pretended to be deeply affronted.
"I believe that would be running away. I'm terribly fierce remember? Do I not look terribly fierce?"Â?
Alfarinn bared his teeth and lowered his eyebrows in a frown to show his warrior like nature, he suspected though that he looked more like a crazed bulldog with an under bite and the inability to stave off a grin didn't help either.
He relaxed into seriousness as Thaddeus gently touched his cheek. Smiling at his lover, he could almost feel a blush threaten to form at the touching words amidst their banter. Odd perhaps, but the body sometimes had a wicked sense of humor.
"That's something to look forward to then."
Calm once more by the time Thaddeus turned back to him after starting up the water, Alfarinn considered the question seriously. He was fairly certain of his answer from the beginning but he felt the question required some form of dedicated thought on his part.
"Thaddeus, I would absolutely take your last name if you were offering it to me. To be a part of your family would make me proud. To be our own little family would make me deliriously happy."Â?
Alfarinn leaned down to kiss Thaddeus lightly before adding.
"If being more happy than I already am is possible. I keep finding myself surprised at your ability to daily surpass the love and contentment I felt before but somehow you manage it. Is that something you want? Would you want me taking your name?"Â?
He stepped back into the shower and drew his companion in along with him.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus was too astounded to do more than silently follow his lover into the shower, barely feeling the water hitting his skin. To say he wasn’t quite anticipating that reaction would be a severe understatement; he wasn’t sure what he had expected, but Alfarinn’s complete sincerity just about floored him. He found himself looking down at the floor of the tub, crossing his big toes and trying desperately not to fidget. Where exactly did his bravado go and why on earth had it picked this time to abandon him?
It was presumptuous in the extreme, what he was asking. It was certainly nothing he could possibly expect. And how much he wanted what they had discussed with such nonchalance was beyond his ability to describe. It meant the world to him, and even saying that seemed too small.
“Alfarinn…I cannot think of a greater honor.” He managed a nervous smile as he looked up at his lover. “I’m…” He looked away, blinking, then turned back. “That would mean a great deal to me.” He took a step toward his lover, resting his hand flat on one shoulder and watching the water run over his hand in little rivers. “I think the fact that we want to be a family is…what’s really important. However we want that to happen. But yes, I’m offering. I’m asking.”
He resisted the urge to add qualifiers to that, to attach little disclaimers along the lines of ‘you certainly don’t have to’ or ‘I won’t be hurt if’. If he was going to ask, he was going to ask and stand by it, because it mattered too much to do anything else.
It was presumptuous in the extreme, what he was asking. It was certainly nothing he could possibly expect. And how much he wanted what they had discussed with such nonchalance was beyond his ability to describe. It meant the world to him, and even saying that seemed too small.
“Alfarinn…I cannot think of a greater honor.” He managed a nervous smile as he looked up at his lover. “I’m…” He looked away, blinking, then turned back. “That would mean a great deal to me.” He took a step toward his lover, resting his hand flat on one shoulder and watching the water run over his hand in little rivers. “I think the fact that we want to be a family is…what’s really important. However we want that to happen. But yes, I’m offering. I’m asking.”
He resisted the urge to add qualifiers to that, to attach little disclaimers along the lines of ‘you certainly don’t have to’ or ‘I won’t be hurt if’. If he was going to ask, he was going to ask and stand by it, because it mattered too much to do anything else.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn smiled down at Thaddeus and held him close but lightly, not feeling the need to cling tightly that had been present earlier. Instead he let his hands skim smoothly over his lover's warm water slicked back.
He watched Thaddeus look down at the floor and grinned lopsided at the way his companion could melt his heart simply by standing there. Thaddeus was the very image of shy innocence with his head tilted downward staring absently at some space between them, suddenly bashful despite his earlier expressiveness. He recalled one of the first times in the apartment when Thaddeus had blushed at the sight of him in a towel and how he hoped his new lover never lost that honest quality that showed itself so easily when they were alone. He was relieved to note that Thaddeus was still the same though they had yet to spend years together, they had, he believed, quickly become comfortable with each other and yet his lover still had these charming moments of shyness and could still make him blush like no one else alive.
Thaddeus's words were quiet against the thrumming of the water pounding down upon them but they were heard so very clearly, seemingly writing themselves on something deep inside him. There was a moment of relief when his lover expressed the same desire to be a family, that it was equally important to him as it was to Alfarinn. He did not doubt how they felt about each other but this need to recognize their union in some formal way might have been a need peculiar to him that did not feel as important to Thaddeus.
He smiled and looked down somewhere at his companion's collar bone, now feeling shy himself in the face of Thaddeus's direct and serious asking. It was something they both wanted but this moment was special and he knew he'd remember every small detail about it for many many years to come.
Finally looking up and into those bright grey eyes, he said equally softly.
"I can think of nothing I would want more than to be a part of your life in such a way. We are together in ways that are beyond marriage certainly but I would still like to share this with you. I never really thought it possible, but thinking on it as we have, I realize that it means a great deal to me. Family is something that I think our kind comes to appreciate more for its loss than perhaps we ever did while we had it. To be a part of one again, to be the two of us together, despite our different backgrounds, seems so very important to me."
He smiled softly, still feeling somewhat shy, saying his thoughts out loud seemed to make them more real and he wanted to state them carefully lest some mispoken words somehow broke the spell of the moment.
"Like the chapel, I think it clearly defines us as something together. We are more than Anantya or Evenhet though our clans make up a very special part of us and always will. Our small family consisting of us, several birds,one wolf and perhaps one small Asian woman will always still be a part of the clans from which we came and that is, I believe, the way it should be."
Alfarinn lapsed into silence and regarded his companion thoughtfully, hoping his sentiments were something understood. He had faith though that Thaddeus would not only comprehend his ill attempt at explaining his feelings and beliefs but be able to make them something more as he always somehow managed to do.
"So, to be clear, I do."
He watched Thaddeus look down at the floor and grinned lopsided at the way his companion could melt his heart simply by standing there. Thaddeus was the very image of shy innocence with his head tilted downward staring absently at some space between them, suddenly bashful despite his earlier expressiveness. He recalled one of the first times in the apartment when Thaddeus had blushed at the sight of him in a towel and how he hoped his new lover never lost that honest quality that showed itself so easily when they were alone. He was relieved to note that Thaddeus was still the same though they had yet to spend years together, they had, he believed, quickly become comfortable with each other and yet his lover still had these charming moments of shyness and could still make him blush like no one else alive.
Thaddeus's words were quiet against the thrumming of the water pounding down upon them but they were heard so very clearly, seemingly writing themselves on something deep inside him. There was a moment of relief when his lover expressed the same desire to be a family, that it was equally important to him as it was to Alfarinn. He did not doubt how they felt about each other but this need to recognize their union in some formal way might have been a need peculiar to him that did not feel as important to Thaddeus.
He smiled and looked down somewhere at his companion's collar bone, now feeling shy himself in the face of Thaddeus's direct and serious asking. It was something they both wanted but this moment was special and he knew he'd remember every small detail about it for many many years to come.
Finally looking up and into those bright grey eyes, he said equally softly.
"I can think of nothing I would want more than to be a part of your life in such a way. We are together in ways that are beyond marriage certainly but I would still like to share this with you. I never really thought it possible, but thinking on it as we have, I realize that it means a great deal to me. Family is something that I think our kind comes to appreciate more for its loss than perhaps we ever did while we had it. To be a part of one again, to be the two of us together, despite our different backgrounds, seems so very important to me."
He smiled softly, still feeling somewhat shy, saying his thoughts out loud seemed to make them more real and he wanted to state them carefully lest some mispoken words somehow broke the spell of the moment.
"Like the chapel, I think it clearly defines us as something together. We are more than Anantya or Evenhet though our clans make up a very special part of us and always will. Our small family consisting of us, several birds,one wolf and perhaps one small Asian woman will always still be a part of the clans from which we came and that is, I believe, the way it should be."
Alfarinn lapsed into silence and regarded his companion thoughtfully, hoping his sentiments were something understood. He had faith though that Thaddeus would not only comprehend his ill attempt at explaining his feelings and beliefs but be able to make them something more as he always somehow managed to do.
"So, to be clear, I do."
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus brushed the stray lock of hair that escaped when Alfarinn looked down, surprised to find that now that he had asked, he felt a bit more calm. He was, therefore, somewhat surprised at the weight that fell from his shoulders at his lover’s response.
“Just thinking that we can have this…Lord, it puts me on top of the world, Alfarinn.”
He smiled, thinking of their chapel, birds nesting in the tower, a wolf in the narthex. He and Alfarinn studying the book and Mai folding paper into a myriad of shapes. Add a few wayward vampires who needed a place to lay low and they had something chaotic and totally non traditional and absolutely wonderful.
“That sounds perfect.”
He put his arms around Alfarinn, tilting his head upward to place a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m absurdly happy. We’re going to be a wonderful family.”
He had the fleeting thought that, in spite of their unique approach to family, his father might have been proud to see him building something out of their name. Perhaps that was absurdly wishful thinking conjured up in a moment of joy; there was, reasonably speaking, no way he could know for certain either way. Even so, he strongly believed he was doing right by the Grey family honor.
“This is the way it should be. Goodness, I think I’m –giddy-.” He laughed and gave Alfarinn’s shoulders a squeeze before standing on the tips of his toes and kissing his lover thoroughly.
“Just thinking that we can have this…Lord, it puts me on top of the world, Alfarinn.”
He smiled, thinking of their chapel, birds nesting in the tower, a wolf in the narthex. He and Alfarinn studying the book and Mai folding paper into a myriad of shapes. Add a few wayward vampires who needed a place to lay low and they had something chaotic and totally non traditional and absolutely wonderful.
“That sounds perfect.”
He put his arms around Alfarinn, tilting his head upward to place a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m absurdly happy. We’re going to be a wonderful family.”
He had the fleeting thought that, in spite of their unique approach to family, his father might have been proud to see him building something out of their name. Perhaps that was absurdly wishful thinking conjured up in a moment of joy; there was, reasonably speaking, no way he could know for certain either way. Even so, he strongly believed he was doing right by the Grey family honor.
“This is the way it should be. Goodness, I think I’m –giddy-.” He laughed and gave Alfarinn’s shoulders a squeeze before standing on the tips of his toes and kissing his lover thoroughly.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn caught the fingers after they had straightened his hair and brought them to his lips, still smiling at his lover. Seeing Thaddeus this happy about the idea would have been enough for him but both of them believing in it made him thrilled and excited beyond words.
He kissed the graceful tips of the fingers in his hand before letting it slip away and placing his arm once more around his companion.
"I don't think I could have expressed the feeling better myself, Beloved."
Alfarinn's eyes crinkled with the widening grin and his lover's proclamation that they would be a wonderful family. He could not have agreed more. He found himself standing here in the present with Thaddeus in total contentment looking towards the future with a delightful sense of anticipation.
He laughed outright at the admission of giddiness and then arched a questioning eyebrow at his companion.
"Giddy is allowed, fainting is not? Such complex rules might take a lifetime as long as ours to understand. So how does Alfarinn Grey sound? "
Names slipped away from him with Thaddeus's kiss and he closed his eyes, pulling his lover closer to him, as he lost himself beneath it.
He kissed the graceful tips of the fingers in his hand before letting it slip away and placing his arm once more around his companion.
"I don't think I could have expressed the feeling better myself, Beloved."
Alfarinn's eyes crinkled with the widening grin and his lover's proclamation that they would be a wonderful family. He could not have agreed more. He found himself standing here in the present with Thaddeus in total contentment looking towards the future with a delightful sense of anticipation.
He laughed outright at the admission of giddiness and then arched a questioning eyebrow at his companion.
"Giddy is allowed, fainting is not? Such complex rules might take a lifetime as long as ours to understand. So how does Alfarinn Grey sound? "
Names slipped away from him with Thaddeus's kiss and he closed his eyes, pulling his lover closer to him, as he lost himself beneath it.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus smiled and closed his eyes for a moment at the light kiss to his fingertips; it seemed such an intimate gesture, private and affectionate at once. He couldn’t help but find Alfarinn’s laugh completely irresistible; their happiness seemed to compound the other’s into something infectious and all consuming.
“Oh, giddiness is a complicated matter for a Grey; it may only be expressed in very specific situations, but I believe this qualifies.” He smiled and placed another kiss on Alfarinn’s cheek. “Alfarinn Grey. I do believe I like the sound of that.” Nuzzling his lover’s neck, he continued in a soft voice. “Alfarinn Grey…Thaddeus and Alfarinn Grey…yes, that sounds just exactly as it should.”
He rested one hand on Alfarinn’s cheek, stroking with his thumb as they kissed, caught up in that moment of contentment. Eventually, though, he realized that they were supposed to be showering and instead he was once again deviating from their plan. Smiling, he pulled back and picked up the shampoo bottle.
“Hot water waits for no man, even one as happy as me.”
That said, he reached around to begin on Alfarinn’s hair, half daydreaming about all the years they had to do this very thing.
“Oh, giddiness is a complicated matter for a Grey; it may only be expressed in very specific situations, but I believe this qualifies.” He smiled and placed another kiss on Alfarinn’s cheek. “Alfarinn Grey. I do believe I like the sound of that.” Nuzzling his lover’s neck, he continued in a soft voice. “Alfarinn Grey…Thaddeus and Alfarinn Grey…yes, that sounds just exactly as it should.”
He rested one hand on Alfarinn’s cheek, stroking with his thumb as they kissed, caught up in that moment of contentment. Eventually, though, he realized that they were supposed to be showering and instead he was once again deviating from their plan. Smiling, he pulled back and picked up the shampoo bottle.
“Hot water waits for no man, even one as happy as me.”
That said, he reached around to begin on Alfarinn’s hair, half daydreaming about all the years they had to do this very thing.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Still sitting at his desk at Meridian Kem ceased pulling at his hair, momentarily thankful that even if he did manage to rip it all out, it would grow back.
If he'd thought yelling at Nic was a distasteful task, the next one was even less pleasant. If Alfarinn was relaxing and not playing the playboy, Kem was truly going to feel bad for ruining it. But ruin it he probably should, because some things were best not left as surprises.
[This is your midnight alarm call. Have you checked your messages lately, or has being an Ancient and and Elder finally given you Alzheimer's?] He tried to keep the query innocently lighthearted, but he was still so irritated with Nic that he was pretty sure that would carry over in abundance through his tone of 'voice.'
[I have some interesting news you're probably not going to want the jump on, before the rest of the world knows.]
Just the thought of it had him torturing his hair some more. Once again it was fortunate that pattern-baldness hadn't run in his family... or if it did, he'd been turned too young to be affected by it.
If he'd thought yelling at Nic was a distasteful task, the next one was even less pleasant. If Alfarinn was relaxing and not playing the playboy, Kem was truly going to feel bad for ruining it. But ruin it he probably should, because some things were best not left as surprises.
[This is your midnight alarm call. Have you checked your messages lately, or has being an Ancient and and Elder finally given you Alzheimer's?] He tried to keep the query innocently lighthearted, but he was still so irritated with Nic that he was pretty sure that would carry over in abundance through his tone of 'voice.'
[I have some interesting news you're probably not going to want the jump on, before the rest of the world knows.]
Just the thought of it had him torturing his hair some more. Once again it was fortunate that pattern-baldness hadn't run in his family... or if it did, he'd been turned too young to be affected by it.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn nodded solemnly at the complicated definition at when it was okay to be giddy and when not. He would have to at least appear to be understanding the rules at some point even if he did figure he would end up breaking them often, especially with Thaddeus around.
He smiled at his lover's pronouncement that their names sounded good together and could not help but feel a thrill of happiness at the sound of them stated as couple. He wondered absently if he would ever take that for granted of if it would always cause him to smile at public gatherings and somber events for ages to come.
Leaning his cheek against, his lover, he grinned and said.
"Are you certain that shouldn't go in alphabetical order? Alfarinn and Thaddeus Grey?"
Alfarinn then leaned down and playfully nipped his companion on the shoulder to demonstrate is complete lack of concern in his own teasing question.
He did obediently turn around when Thaddeus reached for the shampoo bottle, a grin still firmly planted on his face. It quickly faded at Kem's voice in his head.
[Kem, has the sky fallen? Aliens landed or World War III erupted? Because otherwise...]
Certain that Thaddeus felt his startled jump and sudden alarm, Alfarinn slowly turned and wrapped his arms around his lover again.
[Kem]
He sent through the bond to Thaddeus by way of explanation and tapped one finger to the side of his head in illustration before lowering his hand back to his companion's side.
At the mention of checking his messages, he frowned.
[No, Thaddeus and I just got home.]
More or less... He added privately, happy his skills with subterfuge did allow him some skill over what he sent and what he carefully kept to himself when dealing with senders and fellow empaths.
Interesting news sounded bad. That Kem was sending him a message this way when it would appear a page had already been sent, and was probably laying with his pants on the floor, suggested that it was really really bad. World War III -might- have been an understatement.
[Okay what's going on?]
((Sending in Blue and Bonding in Red to keep things clear.))
He smiled at his lover's pronouncement that their names sounded good together and could not help but feel a thrill of happiness at the sound of them stated as couple. He wondered absently if he would ever take that for granted of if it would always cause him to smile at public gatherings and somber events for ages to come.
Leaning his cheek against, his lover, he grinned and said.
"Are you certain that shouldn't go in alphabetical order? Alfarinn and Thaddeus Grey?"
Alfarinn then leaned down and playfully nipped his companion on the shoulder to demonstrate is complete lack of concern in his own teasing question.
He did obediently turn around when Thaddeus reached for the shampoo bottle, a grin still firmly planted on his face. It quickly faded at Kem's voice in his head.
[Kem, has the sky fallen? Aliens landed or World War III erupted? Because otherwise...]
Certain that Thaddeus felt his startled jump and sudden alarm, Alfarinn slowly turned and wrapped his arms around his lover again.
[Kem]
He sent through the bond to Thaddeus by way of explanation and tapped one finger to the side of his head in illustration before lowering his hand back to his companion's side.
At the mention of checking his messages, he frowned.
[No, Thaddeus and I just got home.]
More or less... He added privately, happy his skills with subterfuge did allow him some skill over what he sent and what he carefully kept to himself when dealing with senders and fellow empaths.
Interesting news sounded bad. That Kem was sending him a message this way when it would appear a page had already been sent, and was probably laying with his pants on the floor, suggested that it was really really bad. World War III -might- have been an understatement.
[Okay what's going on?]
((Sending in Blue and Bonding in Red to keep things clear.))
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem winced. [I apologise. I wouldn't have contacted you if I didn't think it was... somewhat urgent. Two things have popped up. I'll be brief. To cut right to the chase, number one - Nic has decided to take a little walk. Decided to visit his Familiar pal Addison again. He briefly considered skipping town, but I advised him to return to Evenhet. In retrospect I wonder about that. Quite possibly I should have let him leave. But he might have some more information.]
Kem's mental sigh was echoed in the empty archives as he continued. [When I got in touch with Nic, he also gave me news number two, which may or may not be true and/or accurate. Apparently Addison told him that Ellis is dead. I have no facts on how or when that came about, and unfortunately I was, ah... too out of sorts with him to ask him anything more pointed. But there you have it.]
Having delivered his news as concisely as possible, Kem waited, 'on hold' for Alfarinn's response and anything else he might be needed for.
Kem's mental sigh was echoed in the empty archives as he continued. [When I got in touch with Nic, he also gave me news number two, which may or may not be true and/or accurate. Apparently Addison told him that Ellis is dead. I have no facts on how or when that came about, and unfortunately I was, ah... too out of sorts with him to ask him anything more pointed. But there you have it.]
Having delivered his news as concisely as possible, Kem waited, 'on hold' for Alfarinn's response and anything else he might be needed for.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus chuckled at the discussion of the order of their names, thinking that either way sounded wonderful to him. He worked the shampoo into Alfarinn’s hair, starting at the scalp and making sure to catch every strand, delicately playing his fingers along the hairline.
“Alright; the address labels shall say Alfarinn and Thaddeus Grey, then.”
Alfarinn seemed to go tense and he hoped he hadn’t said the wrong thing. He nodded his head in acknowledgement when Alfarinn explained, not wanting to blur the exchange with words.
Senders.
His eye gave a little tic at the thought, though he remained quiet while he worked the shampoo into the ends of Alfarinn’s hair. He didn’t want to distract his lover from the conversation but in his mind it made more sense to finish what he had started as leaving shampoo in one’s hair too long had a way of being uncomfortable.
Thaddeus tended to be wary of people who could talk inside other people’s head, though he distantly realized he was being not a little hypocritical considering he didn’t mind at all when he and Alfarinn exchanged words in their minds; quite the contrary, in fact. It wasn’t that he failed to understand the practical implications.
Just the idea of people he didn’t know talking in his head gave him the creeps. He didn’t pretend it was rational; there were certainly more threatening abilities for one of their kind to have.
Of course, Kem and Alfarinn were friends and there was likely sufficient trust to make that form of communication work without too much strife…like interrupting showers with loved ones.
“Alright; the address labels shall say Alfarinn and Thaddeus Grey, then.”
Alfarinn seemed to go tense and he hoped he hadn’t said the wrong thing. He nodded his head in acknowledgement when Alfarinn explained, not wanting to blur the exchange with words.
Senders.
His eye gave a little tic at the thought, though he remained quiet while he worked the shampoo into the ends of Alfarinn’s hair. He didn’t want to distract his lover from the conversation but in his mind it made more sense to finish what he had started as leaving shampoo in one’s hair too long had a way of being uncomfortable.
Thaddeus tended to be wary of people who could talk inside other people’s head, though he distantly realized he was being not a little hypocritical considering he didn’t mind at all when he and Alfarinn exchanged words in their minds; quite the contrary, in fact. It wasn’t that he failed to understand the practical implications.
Just the idea of people he didn’t know talking in his head gave him the creeps. He didn’t pretend it was rational; there were certainly more threatening abilities for one of their kind to have.
Of course, Kem and Alfarinn were friends and there was likely sufficient trust to make that form of communication work without too much strife…like interrupting showers with loved ones.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn brushed a hand along Thaddeus while he listened to Kem, not wanting his companion to worry before there was good reason to. The fact that there was likely good reason to was another matter altogether.
He slowly digested the information that Kem gave him.
[Nic left? He didn't tell anyone why?]
The reason for leaving finally caught up to him.
[You're telling me that he went to see that Tacharan familiar again? The one person in the world he should be staying the furthest away from besides Ellis?]
Crazy, irresponsible... If he could find Nic's creator he'd strangle her for her choices and then Nic for his.
Heaving a heavy sigh, he looked absently at the bottom of the tub and considered his options, Thaddeus being so close was comfort beyond words. Suppose Nic loved this familiar, what then? He and Thaddeus certainly were not the normal vampire couple and they had issues with trust and acceptability to deal with where their clans were involved. Alfarinn recalled that the vampire in question had used suggestion as a part of his feeding, not a terribly heinous crime by itself but how often was it used? Were there feelings involved for both parties and were they real? If they were... well, that was a bigger mess than he could imagine. Perhaps he could get Ellis to make a trade of some sort, assuming this Addison wanted the same thing, but it was going to cost the clan dearly. Who knew what Ellis would demand to know or have for the right to keep her new familiar? That was the good scenario, the bad scenario would be walking into a hive of Tacharan bent on putting him on that machine of her's. He shuddered and hoped she was not that crazy. Kidnaping and torturing an elder, especially in a time of peace, would at the very least start a clan war and at worst be the end of her clan should the council decide to punish them as a whole.
The rest of Kem's news sank into his ponderings and he snorted in disbelief.
[The familiar said Ellis was dead and he believed him? I don't think our little Nicky understands clans and their loyalties just yet. Ellis would use her familiar to lie, cheat, steal and murder and nothing that comes from one of them should be believed without proof and even then I'm not sure I'd believe it. Tell him to stay there, tell Mari to not allow him out if necessary and I'll try to find out the truth of this mess and see what the Tacharan will demand of us.]
Alfarinn scrubbed wet hands and warm water over his face and then leaned against the tile wall.
"I wonder if I could change that first name also...being someone other than Alfarinn would come in very handy sometimes."
He slowly digested the information that Kem gave him.
[Nic left? He didn't tell anyone why?]
The reason for leaving finally caught up to him.
[You're telling me that he went to see that Tacharan familiar again? The one person in the world he should be staying the furthest away from besides Ellis?]
Crazy, irresponsible... If he could find Nic's creator he'd strangle her for her choices and then Nic for his.
Heaving a heavy sigh, he looked absently at the bottom of the tub and considered his options, Thaddeus being so close was comfort beyond words. Suppose Nic loved this familiar, what then? He and Thaddeus certainly were not the normal vampire couple and they had issues with trust and acceptability to deal with where their clans were involved. Alfarinn recalled that the vampire in question had used suggestion as a part of his feeding, not a terribly heinous crime by itself but how often was it used? Were there feelings involved for both parties and were they real? If they were... well, that was a bigger mess than he could imagine. Perhaps he could get Ellis to make a trade of some sort, assuming this Addison wanted the same thing, but it was going to cost the clan dearly. Who knew what Ellis would demand to know or have for the right to keep her new familiar? That was the good scenario, the bad scenario would be walking into a hive of Tacharan bent on putting him on that machine of her's. He shuddered and hoped she was not that crazy. Kidnaping and torturing an elder, especially in a time of peace, would at the very least start a clan war and at worst be the end of her clan should the council decide to punish them as a whole.
The rest of Kem's news sank into his ponderings and he snorted in disbelief.
[The familiar said Ellis was dead and he believed him? I don't think our little Nicky understands clans and their loyalties just yet. Ellis would use her familiar to lie, cheat, steal and murder and nothing that comes from one of them should be believed without proof and even then I'm not sure I'd believe it. Tell him to stay there, tell Mari to not allow him out if necessary and I'll try to find out the truth of this mess and see what the Tacharan will demand of us.]
Alfarinn scrubbed wet hands and warm water over his face and then leaned against the tile wall.
"I wonder if I could change that first name also...being someone other than Alfarinn would come in very handy sometimes."
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem nodded to himself although he knew Alfarinn couldn't see the motion. He supplemented it with one last thought. [I'll see to it. Let me know if you want me to do anything else.]
With that, he put his elbows on the desk and rested his chin in his hands unhappily. It seemed what had started as very strong advice was now a set of orders. Disappointing, when those orders were for one's own clan member. Though, in retrospect, Nic had shown little concern for his clan thus far.
On, then, to the distaseteful task of relaying those orders to Nic. And MARI, of course... who would by far be the more enjoyable of the two to chat with.
((ooc: Kem out. Do I smell Irish Spring?))
With that, he put his elbows on the desk and rested his chin in his hands unhappily. It seemed what had started as very strong advice was now a set of orders. Disappointing, when those orders were for one's own clan member. Though, in retrospect, Nic had shown little concern for his clan thus far.
On, then, to the distaseteful task of relaying those orders to Nic. And MARI, of course... who would by far be the more enjoyable of the two to chat with.
((ooc: Kem out. Do I smell Irish Spring?))
Alfarinn
18 years ago
((OOC: Of course not. Thaddeus would use Dove 
Okay probably not but it had to be said.))
Okay probably not but it had to be said.))