Nic wished it could be that easy.
"If it weren't for the fact that these people seemed to be like her family, it might make a difference. She's very close to them Kem, and my words and actions may have hurt her. I did send her flowers, as a way to let her know I was sorry..."
Rubbing a hand across his face and through his hair, Nic got up and paced, sipping his beer as he walked.
"Maybe I'm reading more into this than I need to...Hell, maybe she could care less about me...maybe I should give her a little space, and then give her a call..."
It became apparent to Nic, that he had been hoping Kem would come up with some simple, easy way to fix things, when there really wasn't.
"I don't know Kem...How do you do it? I'd give anything to have someone special to share my life with now. Now that I've chosen to stick around and make a home here in Nachton...I don't want to continue living alone."
Turning to Kem, and looking at the guy on the couch, Nic wondered how he did it.
"How do you do it Kem? Don't you ever get lonely? Don't you ever want to listen to someone else besides your artifacts...and me?"
Nic chuckled lightly.
I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
Knowing he was running on only about three hours sleep from the day before, Nic knew he should have called it a night after the explosion. But, as usual, his hormones kicked on and common sense kicked off.
At least he seemed to be making progress, and had thought to leave before making a big mess of things again. He kicked the door shut as he returned to his suite, and fell onto the couch, flinging his arm across his eyes.
"Goddamnsonuvabitchshit!"
The cussing didn't help...it just sounded hollow in the room. While he probably should try to get some sleep, he knew he'd never make it, as tensed up as he was.
"MARI? Are you there? MARI...I need to know if Kem is in the Towers?"
He yelled into the air.
"...if he's available...?"
Nic wanted to get sloshed...falling down, five star waking up hangover, drunk. But he didn't want to drink alone, and he didn't want to go out. He still hadn't gotten a bike, and walking everywhere was starting to become a hassle...as was calling for a cab.
"And MARI? Are there any bars, or clubs...any places that serve alcohol, in Meridian?"
Nicholae
18 years ago
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Nic couldn't possibly have any idea that the effect his words were having on Kem was something like a combination of sadnpaper on raws nerves and nails on a chalkboard. Kem found himself giving the younger vampire a hard, not all that polite, stare.
For a split second he considered telling Nic exactly where he was coming from, and then reconsidered. Their situations were different. He put himself in Nic's shoes. What if Aishe were an Evenhet vampire? Wouldn't that have made life a lot easier? Hell yes. But she wasn't... Nic's woman, however, was. And from Kem's point of view, that meant it couldn't be that bad, no matter the problem.
So he closed his mouth, stifled what he'd been about to say, and said with just a hint of stiffness, "It's easy. I don't have to worry about offending anyone's friends. 1500 years goes a long way toward tempering anything like loneliness."
He shrugged, letting the issue drop. No sense in going into it.
"Why don't you tell me what exactly happened? Maybe if I know that, I can attempt to tell you where you went wrong and give you a suggestion on how to make amends."
For a split second he considered telling Nic exactly where he was coming from, and then reconsidered. Their situations were different. He put himself in Nic's shoes. What if Aishe were an Evenhet vampire? Wouldn't that have made life a lot easier? Hell yes. But she wasn't... Nic's woman, however, was. And from Kem's point of view, that meant it couldn't be that bad, no matter the problem.
So he closed his mouth, stifled what he'd been about to say, and said with just a hint of stiffness, "It's easy. I don't have to worry about offending anyone's friends. 1500 years goes a long way toward tempering anything like loneliness."
He shrugged, letting the issue drop. No sense in going into it.
"Why don't you tell me what exactly happened? Maybe if I know that, I can attempt to tell you where you went wrong and give you a suggestion on how to make amends."
Nicholae
18 years ago
There was more to Kem that he let on to Nic, but Nic wasn't one to pry. It was obvious that Kem thought of Nic as a pup, and ill equipped to share whatever issues Kem had, and Nic wasn't going to disrespect the man by trying to goad him into opening up. Instead he would listen to whatever Kem had to say, and hope it helped.
"This woman...friend...of Maeve's...very haughty...a real air of superiority...just rubbed me the wrong way, and seemed to treat Maeve in a manner I didn't feel was friendly either. I mentioned it to Maeve, and then made the mistake of bringing it up yet again when I met another mutual friend of Maeve's and Fiona's...Maeve being the woman who captured my eye...Fiona, her lifelong friend. The other friend, turns out he's actually Maeve's creator, started giving me grief about my attitude, and I guess I lost it. Well, I didn't lose it truly, but he talked to me as if I were a child, and I just left."
The details were given out as they went through Nic's mind, and he didn't stop to wonder if they made sense.
"I guess it all boiled down to the old adage...I can say my baby is ugly, but don't you dare..."
Finishing his beer, Nic moved to the refrigerator and popped open two more, setting another one down in front of Kem, not even seeing he had hardly put a dent in the one he had.
"This woman...friend...of Maeve's...very haughty...a real air of superiority...just rubbed me the wrong way, and seemed to treat Maeve in a manner I didn't feel was friendly either. I mentioned it to Maeve, and then made the mistake of bringing it up yet again when I met another mutual friend of Maeve's and Fiona's...Maeve being the woman who captured my eye...Fiona, her lifelong friend. The other friend, turns out he's actually Maeve's creator, started giving me grief about my attitude, and I guess I lost it. Well, I didn't lose it truly, but he talked to me as if I were a child, and I just left."
The details were given out as they went through Nic's mind, and he didn't stop to wonder if they made sense.
"I guess it all boiled down to the old adage...I can say my baby is ugly, but don't you dare..."
Finishing his beer, Nic moved to the refrigerator and popped open two more, setting another one down in front of Kem, not even seeing he had hardly put a dent in the one he had.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem finished off the first bottle and gave Nic a nod in thanks as he sipped at the second, slowly. There would be no repeats of hangovers, thanks very much. He wasn't acquainted with either Fiona or Maeve, which was probably a good thing as he could be more objective.
"Obviously Maeve doesn't have a problem with the way Fiona treats her," Kem said. "Otherwise I don't see them being lifelong friends." Even the most complacent person would generally have a limit on the amount of abuse he or she could take, and that limit, in Kem's experience, usually topped off before a century was past.
Sometimes he wondered if Nic even perceived his own behavior as 'wrong,' or if he simply saw his own view point and nothing more. Even with that being the case, however, it was simply rude to badmouth someone's friend in front of someone else's friend... or however it had gone. Those were the sorts of things that one should really only enter into if one were invited in. particularly if they'd just met the parties involved.
Kem sighed. As with Nic's previous problem, his immediate answer was to 'fess up, apologise, and face the music. That suggestion had been treated with lukewarm reception before, but it still didn't change Kem's mind or alter his opinion that that was the proper thing to do.
"You should apologise to everyone involved," Kem said. "Really, there's no good excuse for butting in, even if you feel protective about someone. This Maeve, unless she's a newly-turned vampire, is a big girl. If she didn't invite your opinion on this matter, you should have kept it to yourself."
Still smarting from Nic's unknowingly callous comment about loneliness made Kem's response a bit surlier than he'd intended it to come out. Still, the gist was the same.
"Let them know you realize you shouldn't have said what you said, and let her make the next move. The ball's in her court. Hopefully if she's got an open mind she'll see you're at least willing to own up to your mistakes."
"Obviously Maeve doesn't have a problem with the way Fiona treats her," Kem said. "Otherwise I don't see them being lifelong friends." Even the most complacent person would generally have a limit on the amount of abuse he or she could take, and that limit, in Kem's experience, usually topped off before a century was past.
Sometimes he wondered if Nic even perceived his own behavior as 'wrong,' or if he simply saw his own view point and nothing more. Even with that being the case, however, it was simply rude to badmouth someone's friend in front of someone else's friend... or however it had gone. Those were the sorts of things that one should really only enter into if one were invited in. particularly if they'd just met the parties involved.
Kem sighed. As with Nic's previous problem, his immediate answer was to 'fess up, apologise, and face the music. That suggestion had been treated with lukewarm reception before, but it still didn't change Kem's mind or alter his opinion that that was the proper thing to do.
"You should apologise to everyone involved," Kem said. "Really, there's no good excuse for butting in, even if you feel protective about someone. This Maeve, unless she's a newly-turned vampire, is a big girl. If she didn't invite your opinion on this matter, you should have kept it to yourself."
Still smarting from Nic's unknowingly callous comment about loneliness made Kem's response a bit surlier than he'd intended it to come out. Still, the gist was the same.
"Let them know you realize you shouldn't have said what you said, and let her make the next move. The ball's in her court. Hopefully if she's got an open mind she'll see you're at least willing to own up to your mistakes."
Nicholae
18 years ago
Part of Nic understood exactly what Kem had said, and then another part rebelled.
"That's not necessarily true Kem. Abused people often take the mistreatment that's doled out to them as their due, never seeing anything wrong with it. More often than not, it's because they've lived that way for a while, and feel it is what they deserve."
Nic really didn't see Maeve that way...in the little time he had spent with her, he had seen she was a strong woman. But there was a sadness in her that touched him, and how did he know some of that might not have been aggravated by Fiona?
"None the less, as I said, I have sent my apologies to her. I don't think I wasn't rude to Fiona, but I will talk to Maeve and ask her. If she feels I was, I will apologize to her as well. Colin...yea, alright, I'll apologize to him too."
Nic again didn't think he was in the wrong. Colin had no reason to speak to him in the tone he had...unless he thought Nic was bad for Maeve... If that had been the case, then Colin hadn't reacted any differently than Nic had.
"I don't know why you're upset...I didn't kick your dog."
Now Nic was picking up a slight edge to Kem's words and it bothered him. After all that Nic had been through, and that Kem had seen him through, why was the man just now losing patience with Nic.
"Or did I?"
Nic leaned back, and threw his head back to rest on the top of the sofa.
"Maybe I should just go find a cave somewhere. It certainly was a lot easier getting along with people, when I had a lot fewer to get along with."
"That's not necessarily true Kem. Abused people often take the mistreatment that's doled out to them as their due, never seeing anything wrong with it. More often than not, it's because they've lived that way for a while, and feel it is what they deserve."
Nic really didn't see Maeve that way...in the little time he had spent with her, he had seen she was a strong woman. But there was a sadness in her that touched him, and how did he know some of that might not have been aggravated by Fiona?
"None the less, as I said, I have sent my apologies to her. I don't think I wasn't rude to Fiona, but I will talk to Maeve and ask her. If she feels I was, I will apologize to her as well. Colin...yea, alright, I'll apologize to him too."
Nic again didn't think he was in the wrong. Colin had no reason to speak to him in the tone he had...unless he thought Nic was bad for Maeve... If that had been the case, then Colin hadn't reacted any differently than Nic had.
"I don't know why you're upset...I didn't kick your dog."
Now Nic was picking up a slight edge to Kem's words and it bothered him. After all that Nic had been through, and that Kem had seen him through, why was the man just now losing patience with Nic.
"Or did I?"
Nic leaned back, and threw his head back to rest on the top of the sofa.
"Maybe I should just go find a cave somewhere. It certainly was a lot easier getting along with people, when I had a lot fewer to get along with."
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem leaned forward, elbows resting on his thighs, fixing his silver-eyed stare on Nic.
"I don't mean to snap at you Nic. Truly. I apologise." He did feel bad; his own stress, the heights, whatever, they were all combining to make him bad company. "I did mean it though; at the very least it sounds like perhaps you don't know the parties involved well enough to make a correct judgment."
Then he thought again. "Colin... I think I've met him before. In fact I know I have. He always struck me as a decent guy. That's not to say I know him well enough to really make an assessment; I don't."
Kem didn't usually have disagreements with people, anyhow. And although he was sorry he'd been snappish with Nic, he didn't think he was wrong in the fact that perhaps Nic should just step back a bit and let things work themselves out. Now didn't seem to be the time to press the issue, however, and Kem wasn't a particularly confrontational person. Especially when he didn't know the conplete story or all the parties involved.
He shook his head at Nic. "I don't know what else to say. That's what I would do in the situation, but we handle things differently, you and I. You just need to do what you feel is right. I'm sure you'll manage it just fine."
Once again he'd offered his advice but it had been found wanting. It didn't surprise him, entirely, for Nic was much younger and a great deal more proactive in matters like this than Kem, who tended to sit back and observe before making his move. That was the thing with the young. It all needed to happen now. All he could do was offer Nic his encouragement.
"I don't mean to snap at you Nic. Truly. I apologise." He did feel bad; his own stress, the heights, whatever, they were all combining to make him bad company. "I did mean it though; at the very least it sounds like perhaps you don't know the parties involved well enough to make a correct judgment."
Then he thought again. "Colin... I think I've met him before. In fact I know I have. He always struck me as a decent guy. That's not to say I know him well enough to really make an assessment; I don't."
Kem didn't usually have disagreements with people, anyhow. And although he was sorry he'd been snappish with Nic, he didn't think he was wrong in the fact that perhaps Nic should just step back a bit and let things work themselves out. Now didn't seem to be the time to press the issue, however, and Kem wasn't a particularly confrontational person. Especially when he didn't know the conplete story or all the parties involved.
He shook his head at Nic. "I don't know what else to say. That's what I would do in the situation, but we handle things differently, you and I. You just need to do what you feel is right. I'm sure you'll manage it just fine."
Once again he'd offered his advice but it had been found wanting. It didn't surprise him, entirely, for Nic was much younger and a great deal more proactive in matters like this than Kem, who tended to sit back and observe before making his move. That was the thing with the young. It all needed to happen now. All he could do was offer Nic his encouragement.
Nicholae
18 years ago
When Kem apologized, Nic felt like a heel. The man really didn't need to be sorry...Nic was the sorry one. He even waved off Kem's apology.
"Nah, Kem...it's me, not you. If I would just learn to think before I speak...or do...I'm pretty sure I could save myself infinite grief. It's one of those things though, that becomes hard to change, after so many years. A person gets used to living one way, and knows it would be better to change, but...well, you get the picture."
Nic also had already realized, just by voicing the circumstances of the evening, how rash he had been in his opinions.
"I'm sure you're right about Colin too. Maybe if the night hadn't been so emotionally charged...the bomb was quite surprising, to say the least. I do need to call Maeve..."
He let that thought trail off...
He and Kem were different, in so many ways, but that was one reason Nic valued his friendship. Nic needed counsel of someone with a level head, experience, and someone who didn't judge Nic...at least not too harshly.
"As usual Kem...you did what I knew you would. You talked me down, and now I really feel a lot better about how to proceed from here."
Nic laughed.
"But really old man, we do need to go out and do nothing but have fun...I've got to get you out...into the world. I don't like thinking of you holed up in here all the time. I want you to find someone...to share your life with...put a little spark back into those eyes of yours. You're too good a soul to not have someone to connect to."
Nic didn't worry about many people, besides himself...but Kem was different. Nic had developed an affection for the man, and truly did want him to be happy. In Nic's mind, that meant he needed someone.
"Nah, Kem...it's me, not you. If I would just learn to think before I speak...or do...I'm pretty sure I could save myself infinite grief. It's one of those things though, that becomes hard to change, after so many years. A person gets used to living one way, and knows it would be better to change, but...well, you get the picture."
Nic also had already realized, just by voicing the circumstances of the evening, how rash he had been in his opinions.
"I'm sure you're right about Colin too. Maybe if the night hadn't been so emotionally charged...the bomb was quite surprising, to say the least. I do need to call Maeve..."
He let that thought trail off...
He and Kem were different, in so many ways, but that was one reason Nic valued his friendship. Nic needed counsel of someone with a level head, experience, and someone who didn't judge Nic...at least not too harshly.
"As usual Kem...you did what I knew you would. You talked me down, and now I really feel a lot better about how to proceed from here."
Nic laughed.
"But really old man, we do need to go out and do nothing but have fun...I've got to get you out...into the world. I don't like thinking of you holed up in here all the time. I want you to find someone...to share your life with...put a little spark back into those eyes of yours. You're too good a soul to not have someone to connect to."
Nic didn't worry about many people, besides himself...but Kem was different. Nic had developed an affection for the man, and truly did want him to be happy. In Nic's mind, that meant he needed someone.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Nic seemed to be thinking a bit more rationally, at least in Kem's opinion. He knew all too well how it could be to find yourself repeated habits and learned behaviors simply because it was easier to do so than to embrace change. If Nic were discovering that now, it could only be a good thing. To know about it was to be able to combat it, and if he failed to do that he only had himself to blame.
He wasn't sure how big a help he'd been, but if Nic was satisfied then Kem supposed he'd managed to be of some assistance at least. All he could really do was offer a different point of view, but sometimes that's all it took. They were different. It wasn't that Kem saw Nic as a son, or anything like that... he just seemed to lack guidance, and although Kem didn't consider himself worthy of emulation, he did know he was usually fairly levelheaded and not prone to rashness. If Nic wanted to take a page from Kem's book, he could do worse than that one.
Nic had already moved on, however, and Kem wasn't sure of the direction they were heading now. Have nothing but fun? He'd done that, in his time. What did Nic think he did all the time? Well... best not to answer that.
Kem raised an eyebrow at Nic, lips following as they turned up into their habitually dry, ironic smile. "I think I've been out in the world a little," he said. "I promise, I don't spend my free time in a sarcophagus in Meridian's basement."
Tempting though the idea was. Particularly now, when Nic had no idea his innocent banter was making Kem wish he did have a hole to crawl into.
He wasn't sure how big a help he'd been, but if Nic was satisfied then Kem supposed he'd managed to be of some assistance at least. All he could really do was offer a different point of view, but sometimes that's all it took. They were different. It wasn't that Kem saw Nic as a son, or anything like that... he just seemed to lack guidance, and although Kem didn't consider himself worthy of emulation, he did know he was usually fairly levelheaded and not prone to rashness. If Nic wanted to take a page from Kem's book, he could do worse than that one.
Nic had already moved on, however, and Kem wasn't sure of the direction they were heading now. Have nothing but fun? He'd done that, in his time. What did Nic think he did all the time? Well... best not to answer that.
Nic
I've got to get you out...into the world.
Kem raised an eyebrow at Nic, lips following as they turned up into their habitually dry, ironic smile. "I think I've been out in the world a little," he said. "I promise, I don't spend my free time in a sarcophagus in Meridian's basement."
Tempting though the idea was. Particularly now, when Nic had no idea his innocent banter was making Kem wish he did have a hole to crawl into.
Nicholae
18 years ago
Chuckling at Kem's words, Nic remained a bit skeptical. Though Nic didn't follow the man around day and night, it seemed every time Nic needed Kem, he was nearby. If he got out at all much, Nic didn't think he'd be that accessible. Nic also wasn't going to press. He already thought he might have pushed some of Kem's buttons, but would need to leave it at that thought alone.
"Good to hear it...though I still may wander down into the basement, after a while, just to make sure."
Nic shook his head.
"All in all, it's probably a wise move anyway...to keep to your own counsel...at least as far as I'm concerned. I'm going to make a conscious effort to get my life turned back around and on track, but until I do, I'd hate to have any kind of adverse effect on you."
And it was Nic's intentions that he referred to mostly. He trusted Kem was wise enough not to let anything Nic might do influence him in anyway.
"Though you've proven your the adult here...I'm sure if you ever have need of something along these emotional lines, you'll know exactly what to do. I can only strive to be like you one day."
And the smile Nic gave Kem was truly one of admiration.
"Good to hear it...though I still may wander down into the basement, after a while, just to make sure."
Nic shook his head.
"All in all, it's probably a wise move anyway...to keep to your own counsel...at least as far as I'm concerned. I'm going to make a conscious effort to get my life turned back around and on track, but until I do, I'd hate to have any kind of adverse effect on you."
And it was Nic's intentions that he referred to mostly. He trusted Kem was wise enough not to let anything Nic might do influence him in anyway.
"Though you've proven your the adult here...I'm sure if you ever have need of something along these emotional lines, you'll know exactly what to do. I can only strive to be like you one day."
And the smile Nic gave Kem was truly one of admiration.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem groaned inwardly. Sure, he knew how to handle anything. And he never had any problems with this emotional stuff because he had all the answers! Right? Had someone put Nic up to this? Was the man reading from a script somewhere? It was as if everything he said was contrived to point out how woefully inadequate Kem's handle on his own affairs was.
"You know," he said, bottle muffling his words somewhat, "I appreciate the vote of confidence but even we old crusty vampires are wrong on occasion. Talking to you helps me figure things out that probably should have already been known but have been forgotten."
That was cryptic, he knew, but for some reason nothing else would come out. He made an effort for the sake of fairness. "And it's not necessarily that I'm keeping my own counsel... hardly. I could probably stand a good scrutiny by someone besides myself. It's more that sometimes problems are... well..."
He paused, several pieces of logic falling into place at once with disturbing rapidity. "Let's just say everything causing me trouble at the moment was done by my own design, whether intentional or not."
Kem gave a dry laugh. "Believe me, I've probably gotten myself into a bigger mess than you've managed to come up with so far."
Then he reconsidered the whole Ellis thing. "All right. Maybe not that big."
"You know," he said, bottle muffling his words somewhat, "I appreciate the vote of confidence but even we old crusty vampires are wrong on occasion. Talking to you helps me figure things out that probably should have already been known but have been forgotten."
That was cryptic, he knew, but for some reason nothing else would come out. He made an effort for the sake of fairness. "And it's not necessarily that I'm keeping my own counsel... hardly. I could probably stand a good scrutiny by someone besides myself. It's more that sometimes problems are... well..."
He paused, several pieces of logic falling into place at once with disturbing rapidity. "Let's just say everything causing me trouble at the moment was done by my own design, whether intentional or not."
Kem gave a dry laugh. "Believe me, I've probably gotten myself into a bigger mess than you've managed to come up with so far."
Then he reconsidered the whole Ellis thing. "All right. Maybe not that big."
Nicholae
18 years ago
"Look Kem...I hope you know when I call you 'old man'...I really don't mean it that way...it's just a term I picked up in Europe and probably use too often."
Nic really had never thought of Kem as 'crusty'...however, he did sit up a bit straighter though, after Kem admitted their talk may have helped both ways.
Of course Nic understood when Kem said his problems were his own doing, and gave a snort at the comment.
"You're finally telling me something that I have infinite experience in. And the 'unintentional' part doesn't lessen the severity, does it?"
It concerned Nic substantially, to hear Kem's problems really were serious.
"Whatever it is Kem...if you ever need an ear, I'm here for you. It's the least I can do. I can't promise to have any wisdom for you to consider, but I can undoubtedly empathize...and be a sounding block. Sometimes that can be enough."
Nic had discovered that tonight. Kem had offered up confirmation on most of what Nic had already thought about, and just needed that extra jab, to show him he was headed in the right direction.
Nic really had never thought of Kem as 'crusty'...however, he did sit up a bit straighter though, after Kem admitted their talk may have helped both ways.
Of course Nic understood when Kem said his problems were his own doing, and gave a snort at the comment.
"You're finally telling me something that I have infinite experience in. And the 'unintentional' part doesn't lessen the severity, does it?"
It concerned Nic substantially, to hear Kem's problems really were serious.
"Whatever it is Kem...if you ever need an ear, I'm here for you. It's the least I can do. I can't promise to have any wisdom for you to consider, but I can undoubtedly empathize...and be a sounding block. Sometimes that can be enough."
Nic had discovered that tonight. Kem had offered up confirmation on most of what Nic had already thought about, and just needed that extra jab, to show him he was headed in the right direction.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem had to laugh at Nic's hasty retraction of his age qualifier. "I've heard it before," Kem said. "It doesn't bother me. It's the hair."
He had to admit, Nic had a point. If there was one thing he'd really shown an aptitude for since arriving in Nachton, it was getting himself into trouble. Kem would never quite understand that, but it did give Nic his own unique perspective on things, when he chose to step back and observe. Still, the things he'd said tonight were weighing heavily on Kem, and he wasn't happy about that.
Kem took his offer at face value though. "I do appreciate it Nic. I think... I just have to figure this one out on my own. If it makes you feel any better, you've already helped and you're probably not aware of it. So count it a successful night all around."
He saluted Nic with the beer bottle in his hand and grinned, putting his issues on the backburner for a moment. "I will 'let you drag me out' as you put it, some night in the future. I promise. Tonight's a bad one though."
He had to admit, Nic had a point. If there was one thing he'd really shown an aptitude for since arriving in Nachton, it was getting himself into trouble. Kem would never quite understand that, but it did give Nic his own unique perspective on things, when he chose to step back and observe. Still, the things he'd said tonight were weighing heavily on Kem, and he wasn't happy about that.
Kem took his offer at face value though. "I do appreciate it Nic. I think... I just have to figure this one out on my own. If it makes you feel any better, you've already helped and you're probably not aware of it. So count it a successful night all around."
He saluted Nic with the beer bottle in his hand and grinned, putting his issues on the backburner for a moment. "I will 'let you drag me out' as you put it, some night in the future. I promise. Tonight's a bad one though."
Nicholae
18 years ago
When Nic raised his bottle to return Kem's salute, he noticed it was empty, and he retrieved two more cold ones, again setting one on the table in front of Kem.
"Not that I take pleasure knowing you are suffering from your own demons old ma....Kem...it does give me a small measure of satisfaction to think I may have helped you even the tiniest bit. For someone who has done so much for me, turnabout is only fair, right?"
It also pleased Nic to hear Kem acknowledge a future outing for the two of them, though he agreed tonight wouldn't be a very good idea.
"I'll give you that tonight isn't wise. I may call Maeve later...see if she got my flowers...and if she'll talk to me. Maybe if the two of us just take it slow, things will work out. Though that advice is obviously directed more to me than her."
Once again Nic felt good about things. He grinned to himself when he recognized he had felt this way before, and could only hope the feeling lasted longer this time.
"Not that I take pleasure knowing you are suffering from your own demons old ma....Kem...it does give me a small measure of satisfaction to think I may have helped you even the tiniest bit. For someone who has done so much for me, turnabout is only fair, right?"
It also pleased Nic to hear Kem acknowledge a future outing for the two of them, though he agreed tonight wouldn't be a very good idea.
"I'll give you that tonight isn't wise. I may call Maeve later...see if she got my flowers...and if she'll talk to me. Maybe if the two of us just take it slow, things will work out. Though that advice is obviously directed more to me than her."
Once again Nic felt good about things. He grinned to himself when he recognized he had felt this way before, and could only hope the feeling lasted longer this time.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Once again Kem had to laugh. "Oh, go ahead and take pleasure in my suffering," he said with good humor. "At least someone will get some amusement from it."
He declined the third bottle with a shake of his head; he was still working on his second and was determined to stop there. There was no way he was repeating his falling-down drunkenness from a few nights ago. He had to drive home, as well, and there was no way he was going to spend the night at Liefde on any one of these above-ground floors. The idea just didn't appeal to him.
"It can't hurt to take it slow," he agreed. "You both have the rest of eternity, barring any unforeseen tragedies. If you were human, or she were, I could see the need for haste, but..."
He trailed off, realizing what he'd just said. He couldn't help but parallel his own issues tonight. Kem hadn't been human in a very long time. He suddenly realized that Aishe could easily have forgotten about him by now, when here he was dwelling on her like they'd just seen each other yesterday.
Damn him. He was determined to work this irritating nagging feeling out of his head one way or the other. Shaking himself back to the present he smiled ruefully.
"I really seem to be somewhere else tonight. I'm sorry, it's not really like me."
He declined the third bottle with a shake of his head; he was still working on his second and was determined to stop there. There was no way he was repeating his falling-down drunkenness from a few nights ago. He had to drive home, as well, and there was no way he was going to spend the night at Liefde on any one of these above-ground floors. The idea just didn't appeal to him.
"It can't hurt to take it slow," he agreed. "You both have the rest of eternity, barring any unforeseen tragedies. If you were human, or she were, I could see the need for haste, but..."
He trailed off, realizing what he'd just said. He couldn't help but parallel his own issues tonight. Kem hadn't been human in a very long time. He suddenly realized that Aishe could easily have forgotten about him by now, when here he was dwelling on her like they'd just seen each other yesterday.
Damn him. He was determined to work this irritating nagging feeling out of his head one way or the other. Shaking himself back to the present he smiled ruefully.
"I really seem to be somewhere else tonight. I'm sorry, it's not really like me."
Nicholae
18 years ago
Nic wouldn't debate the latter issue with Kem. It really did seem like him to lapse into his own world. Well, in all fairness, Kem did limit that type of action mostly to when he worked. Any time he had been with Nic in the past, on a personal level, he had been more than attentive and alert.
Yet again Nic did not pry. He had extended his offer to Kem, and if Kem needed him, he'd be there for him.
"Are you sure you aren't meant to be somewhere else tonight? I didn't pull you away from a hot date did I?"
Nic liked ribbing Kem, though he couldn't imagine even Kem forgetting he had a date.
Yet again Nic did not pry. He had extended his offer to Kem, and if Kem needed him, he'd be there for him.
"Are you sure you aren't meant to be somewhere else tonight? I didn't pull you away from a hot date did I?"
Nic liked ribbing Kem, though he couldn't imagine even Kem forgetting he had a date.
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Nic had a point, Kem realized. And if he'd helped him sort out his difficulties, he could call it a successful visit.
"I think you're right, much as I hate to admit it," Kem said. "You have a call to make, anyway. I should try and make something of my own problems tonight."
Standing, he made a visible effort to not look at the windows, and made his way to the door.
"You know the number though, if things don't go as planned. But good luck. I hope your Maeve decides to give you a second chance."
"I think you're right, much as I hate to admit it," Kem said. "You have a call to make, anyway. I should try and make something of my own problems tonight."
Standing, he made a visible effort to not look at the windows, and made his way to the door.
"You know the number though, if things don't go as planned. But good luck. I hope your Maeve decides to give you a second chance."
Nicholae
18 years ago
Nic rose as Kem did, and tried to stand between the man and his windows. He doubted he did much in the way of blocking the view, but he tried.
Walking over to the door, Nic put an arm around Kem's shoulders, and gave him a friendly squeeze, before opening the door for him.
"Thanks Kem...it means a lot that you took the time to come by tonight, especially when you've got your own life to lead. And thanks for the good wishes. Whatever happens...happens...but I hope she give me a second chance too."
Walking over to the door, Nic put an arm around Kem's shoulders, and gave him a friendly squeeze, before opening the door for him.
"Thanks Kem...it means a lot that you took the time to come by tonight, especially when you've got your own life to lead. And thanks for the good wishes. Whatever happens...happens...but I hope she give me a second chance too."
Kem`Raaisu
18 years ago
Kem just shook his head. "It's no trouble, Nic. I'm glad I was able to help out, in whatever way. Let me know how it goes."
With that, it was time for another trip down the stairs, although this time his mind was barely on it at all. He had a lot to think about and some decisions to make, apparently.
((ooc: Kem out))
With that, it was time for another trip down the stairs, although this time his mind was barely on it at all. He had a lot to think about and some decisions to make, apparently.
((ooc: Kem out))
Nicholae
18 years ago
Patting the man on the back as he walked away, Nic closed the door, and stood by thinking about what had been said.
He gathered up all the beer bottles, and discarded them in the trash. Then picking up his phone he started dialing Maeve's number, but hung up before the last number. Staring at the phone, he debated...should he wait...should he call...
Flopping back onto the couch, Nic just groaned.
He gathered up all the beer bottles, and discarded them in the trash. Then picking up his phone he started dialing Maeve's number, but hung up before the last number. Staring at the phone, he debated...should he wait...should he call...
Flopping back onto the couch, Nic just groaned.