God damned it he was hungry. Not that Ambrose was deprived, god no. Belle was not only obliging but also delicious and he was more than happy to return the favor. That, however, didn’t stifle the fact that Ambrose was a hunter. He’d always been one, even when he’d denied it, even when he felt less than worthy of the order, finding a meal had given him a thrill, a challenge. You never quite knew how to approach a snack, you had to adapt on the fly; one wrong or off move and they’d bold, like rabbits.
The nature preserve was a mixed blessing. Sometimes you got people out with only their dogs, some times in couples, some times you could blend into the crowds of a sporting event and peel one off and sometimes they were too crowded and you couldn’t get a damned thing or worse yet, deserted. Tonight, well tonight, he’d thought deserted until he’d caught sight of a lone jogger; jack pot. She didn’t even have a dog. Now all he had to do was let her get tired and keep her calm.
He’d watched for sometime and was a bit impressed by her stamina. He’d lost count of the circuits she’d made and was fairly certain she’d been running before he got here. On the upside of life though, she’d probably be beat and more susceptible to him. Finally, she stopped and he concentrated on his surroundings, nope no one around defiantly not close, they’d have their privacy. Next, he turned his perception on her just to be sure, he wasn’t missing anything and it sure didn’t feel like it.
Good time to go in for the kill, well he probably wouldn’t kill her he didn’t feel like disposing of a body tonight. Deliberately leaning heavily on his cane, so he would appear weaker and she’d be less likely to run he walked up to the waters edge, close to her but not so close she’d feel threatened or that her personal space was being invaded. She surprised him in that she stood up straight, that she noticed him as soon as she had. But then again he hadn’t been being subtle, not in his approach.
Ambrose let go a mental sigh of relief when she didn’t run off and only smiled at him. Good, very good. He could have demanded her compliance right then and there, but tonight he wanted the challenge of getting her to come to him. He smiled easily.
“That’s one hell of a run you took. But it’s a nice enough night out for it isn’t it?”
Harmless, absolutely harmless small talk. And he was in his best ‘awww shucks howdy ma’am’ mode. That’s right, perfectly harmless cripple here feel sorry for me. Stay relaxed, hell take a few steps closer, or better yet sit down.
Dinner plans
Running, just keep running, just keep running; a psychologist could probably draw a lot of conclusions from Nikhila's behavior. But that was her response to stress, she ran for hours at a time until she was physically exhausted. It still didn't help her dreams and she still didn't like the idea of sleep but it often forced her to rest, and helped shut down her mind if she wore herself out enough. More importantly, it gave her something to focus on.
She really hadn't seen Xeph much since he received that call. She had very few details on it, none really, but obviously it was something major. It had been at least two days, maybe three since he'd left his rooms in the middle of the night to see to something. Nikhila had -very- much wanted to pry. -Very- much wanted to know what was happening, and more than that to help, to be by his side. But, she was also working on following her strengths. When the time came, she'd know and she'd do what she could to help. Until then, she tried to keep life as normal as she could and do the jobs she had; classes, meetings, the lab and her new Aikido training.
The lab was getting stressful, she'd learned that the rogue on their team was experimenting with animals, particularly dogs. But as she wasn't supposed to know this, she was having to keep up appearances there. The Aikido was getting harder; she'd started it almost immediately after her 'visitors'. And while her sensei at the dojo had accepted her rather pacifistic attitude but that didn't mean getting thrown to the grown multiple times during the course of an evening was warm and fuzzy. At least the Academy seemed to be running smoothly.
In the mean time what free time, she had Nikhila spent running. Tonight she had left the den, it felt confining for some reason and ventured into the nature preserve. She was making laps through the parkland, along the beach and back through the parkland. Fortunately at this hour, there weren't many people around to witness her great stamina, the way she was able to run and run. Finally, she paused on the shoreline and braced her hands on her knees panting a bit. Perhaps she should return to the Den if she was going to keep this up, the buses only ran so late. Actually the ran all night but the schedule became more sparse.
As she thought this, she heard a rustling behind her, some one approaching. Abruptly jerking herself erect, she turned and watched a gentleman with a cane limp down toward her and the water. She smiled a greeting and went back to staring out at the ocean and trying not to worry.
Ambrose
16 years ago
Nikhila
16 years ago
Watching how he leaned on his cane and how he struggled through the sand to the water’s edge Nikhila decided it wasn’t an act. And so she relaxed dropping back to her semi hunched position trying to get her breath back. She’d run for, glancing at her watch, hours.
Forcing herself to breath, deeply several times she could feel her heart rate continue to drop and her breathing return to normal. Soon enough she was able to stand straight. Not only did she stand straight, she unconsciously stood as straight as she was able, squaring her shoulder. Nikhila might not have been shifted but she was still attempting to communicate if not dominance a lack of submission. She wasn’t a warrior not likely to engage in violence outside of the full moon but she no desire to be pushed around tonight.
Noting that he was keeping a respectful distance, she was slightly tempted to offer some form of sympathy to the man. It had to be hard to make the trek to the ocean, but there was an air of pride about him that suggested he would not approve and so she refrained. As he was being polite, she responded in kind.
“I haven’t been sleeping well. I thought the exercise and fresh air might help.”
How long had he been watching? Probably not long at all, it was probably assumption biased on her body language.
“But you are right. It’s a beautiful night out.”
What would draw him out thought. She knew her problems and worries. Of course, every one had their issues.
The sea breeze changed direction and she was able to catch his scent. Clean, not clean per say the scents she did catch mixed in with the salt water were those of a stable, horses. Certainly not a wolf, not that in human form scent was reliable at all but the lack of that scent helped her relax a bit more.
Forcing herself to breath, deeply several times she could feel her heart rate continue to drop and her breathing return to normal. Soon enough she was able to stand straight. Not only did she stand straight, she unconsciously stood as straight as she was able, squaring her shoulder. Nikhila might not have been shifted but she was still attempting to communicate if not dominance a lack of submission. She wasn’t a warrior not likely to engage in violence outside of the full moon but she no desire to be pushed around tonight.
Noting that he was keeping a respectful distance, she was slightly tempted to offer some form of sympathy to the man. It had to be hard to make the trek to the ocean, but there was an air of pride about him that suggested he would not approve and so she refrained. As he was being polite, she responded in kind.
“I haven’t been sleeping well. I thought the exercise and fresh air might help.”
How long had he been watching? Probably not long at all, it was probably assumption biased on her body language.
“But you are right. It’s a beautiful night out.”
What would draw him out thought. She knew her problems and worries. Of course, every one had their issues.
The sea breeze changed direction and she was able to catch his scent. Clean, not clean per say the scents she did catch mixed in with the salt water were those of a stable, horses. Certainly not a wolf, not that in human form scent was reliable at all but the lack of that scent helped her relax a bit more.
Ambrose
16 years ago
What a coincidence, I can make you sleep. Lose enough blood and you’ll be damned tired, I promise. Ambrose managed not to leer at the idea.
She wasn’t bad looking, pretty enough if you liked sticks; fucking tall stick though. Damned. She was a tall as he was. More importantly, she looked clean and healthy. All that damned running probably meant she went in for clean living, an excellent nosh.
“I’m just a bit of a night owl myself.”
He responded to the unspoken question. Head her off at the pass and keep her from getting too nosey he decided. Maybe he could even play the sympathetic stranger. That tactic called for patience and tact, two things Ambrose was distinctly lacking. But this was a good time to dust them off and practice.
“Anything specific keeping you up nights or just one too many guys knocking at your door?”
That had sounded better in his head. Too late now. At least it didn’t sound creepy it was a nice blended of semi interested and nice guy wanting to help. He watched his rabbit watching for signs of flight. He must have hit just the right note as she half smiled and shook her head.
See who could say no to this… er…his face? Sweet, honest, harmless and lovable, that was him in a nutshell.
She wasn’t bad looking, pretty enough if you liked sticks; fucking tall stick though. Damned. She was a tall as he was. More importantly, she looked clean and healthy. All that damned running probably meant she went in for clean living, an excellent nosh.
“I’m just a bit of a night owl myself.”
He responded to the unspoken question. Head her off at the pass and keep her from getting too nosey he decided. Maybe he could even play the sympathetic stranger. That tactic called for patience and tact, two things Ambrose was distinctly lacking. But this was a good time to dust them off and practice.
“Anything specific keeping you up nights or just one too many guys knocking at your door?”
That had sounded better in his head. Too late now. At least it didn’t sound creepy it was a nice blended of semi interested and nice guy wanting to help. He watched his rabbit watching for signs of flight. He must have hit just the right note as she half smiled and shook her head.
See who could say no to this… er…his face? Sweet, honest, harmless and lovable, that was him in a nutshell.
Nikhila
16 years ago
“Only the same that keeps any one up at night, work, family and the like”
That had been a bit of a bold statement about men knocking on her door. Actually it had been the other way around, she had tried to knock down his door. Regardless it wasn’t any of his business, although it hadn’t been terribly rude either so she just ignored the comment.
She watched as he walked down to the ocean and stiffly bent down to pick up a pebble and threw it into the sea. After that short stroll, he walked back up to where they had been standing. This time, she couldn’t help but notice, he was much closer. Perhaps she should have mentioned the whole door thing after all.
Feeling fully recovered she decided discretion was the better part of valor and now would be an excellent time to return home.
“Have a pleasant evening.”
Nikhila smiled, turned and started to trot off but found she didn’t, well she wasn’t going any where, she couldn’t.
That had been a bit of a bold statement about men knocking on her door. Actually it had been the other way around, she had tried to knock down his door. Regardless it wasn’t any of his business, although it hadn’t been terribly rude either so she just ignored the comment.
She watched as he walked down to the ocean and stiffly bent down to pick up a pebble and threw it into the sea. After that short stroll, he walked back up to where they had been standing. This time, she couldn’t help but notice, he was much closer. Perhaps she should have mentioned the whole door thing after all.
Feeling fully recovered she decided discretion was the better part of valor and now would be an excellent time to return home.
“Have a pleasant evening.”
Nikhila smiled, turned and started to trot off but found she didn’t, well she wasn’t going any where, she couldn’t.
Ambrose
16 years ago
Hrumph, the shy type. She didn’t flirt back with him. That meant it had probably been the wrong card to play. Still she hadn’t bolted. He needed to get closer, the odds were he’d buggered this hunt.
Stalling for time and to make closing the distance less obvious he walked far enough to get his shoes a bit wet and toss a rock. He paused there, listening, feeling waiting for her to leave when his back was turned. She didn’t, that was good. Returning and closing the distance, Ambrose knew his rabbit was a bit on the squirrelly side, so to speak.
Ok he was going to have to cheat. He could live with that, the point was he didn’t want to lose. In the spirit of not wanting to lose, he went back to his old standby and simply commanded her cooperation.
“Stop. Just wait right there. Don’t move a muscle.”
Why was it always so damned rewarding to see them comply? That never got old.
Taking his time, he not only caught up to her but circled her and sized her up. Most of the sweat from her run seemed to have evaporated and that was all to the better, it wouldn’t get in the way. Her hair was in one thick braid down her back, some of it had come lose and clung to her neck.
He was a traditionalist at heart after all. Brushing the hair away from her neck, he flashed a predatory and fangy grin at her before positioning himself and effortlessly sliding his sharp fangs into her neck. He liked it better this way, let them be aware now and use command after to make them forget.
Not having feed in a day or two he greedily gulped down what he wanted, but something… something just wasn’t right.
Stalling for time and to make closing the distance less obvious he walked far enough to get his shoes a bit wet and toss a rock. He paused there, listening, feeling waiting for her to leave when his back was turned. She didn’t, that was good. Returning and closing the distance, Ambrose knew his rabbit was a bit on the squirrelly side, so to speak.
Ok he was going to have to cheat. He could live with that, the point was he didn’t want to lose. In the spirit of not wanting to lose, he went back to his old standby and simply commanded her cooperation.
“Stop. Just wait right there. Don’t move a muscle.”
Why was it always so damned rewarding to see them comply? That never got old.
Taking his time, he not only caught up to her but circled her and sized her up. Most of the sweat from her run seemed to have evaporated and that was all to the better, it wouldn’t get in the way. Her hair was in one thick braid down her back, some of it had come lose and clung to her neck.
He was a traditionalist at heart after all. Brushing the hair away from her neck, he flashed a predatory and fangy grin at her before positioning himself and effortlessly sliding his sharp fangs into her neck. He liked it better this way, let them be aware now and use command after to make them forget.
Not having feed in a day or two he greedily gulped down what he wanted, but something… something just wasn’t right.
Nikhila
16 years ago
All she could do was stand there and wait while trying to will herself to move. Her will, however, was failing her rather more than Nikhila would have liked to admit. Her normal reaction to this sort of thing, a fight or flight response was usually flight but she wasn’t being given that option right now and he was enjoying it. It didn’t take much to see the pleasure he took in her plight.
As he circled her, Nikhila saw something she should have paid more attention too. He had an odd amount of energy, spirits, if you will around him. Most of them did not seem happy, fear and anger seemed prevalent among them. This was a bad mistake, she should have been more weary. She cursed herself for being a trusting fool.
Fangs! Now there was no doubt, what he was. Generations’ worth of inherited memories all seemed to crowd inside her, each shouting and none pleasant. She snarled at him, a low warning sound almost like a growl but he laughed; just chuckled at her, still apparently having a good time with this.
The bite itself didn’t hurt much, not compared to some but the feeling of violation, humiliation and rape those were incomparable. Those feelings along with the combine memories of those that came before finally allowed Nikhila to shake free of whatever spell he’d cast over her.
Finally able to move she jerked away just as he pulled back, leaving a vicious long gash in her neck. It would heal. Suddenly extremely grateful for her new Aikido training she threw her attacker of her hip and to the ground. She probably couldn’t have managed it under normal circumstances but something had caught him off guard and she took advantage of that.
She turned on him warring with her other self and her memories. She should turn on him, kill him. Kill him? No. she had no right to take life. More than that, she couldn’t endanger the Pack. There was a chance he didn’t know what she was. If he didn’t know maybe, he wouldn’t come looking for her or the rest of the Kadzait. That thought kicked Nikhila back to her senses. This had all been considered in the space of two or three seconds, but felt much longer to her, an eternity. However, she now had her wits about her and resorted to her flight instinct and for the second time that night ran. This time, however, she meant it. She ran as far as she could on two legs until well out of sight of him or any other humans before giving in to her change.
Home, she wanted to go home now she knew the way, two legs or four she was returning to the safety of her Pack.
(OOC… Nikhila out)
As he circled her, Nikhila saw something she should have paid more attention too. He had an odd amount of energy, spirits, if you will around him. Most of them did not seem happy, fear and anger seemed prevalent among them. This was a bad mistake, she should have been more weary. She cursed herself for being a trusting fool.
Fangs! Now there was no doubt, what he was. Generations’ worth of inherited memories all seemed to crowd inside her, each shouting and none pleasant. She snarled at him, a low warning sound almost like a growl but he laughed; just chuckled at her, still apparently having a good time with this.
The bite itself didn’t hurt much, not compared to some but the feeling of violation, humiliation and rape those were incomparable. Those feelings along with the combine memories of those that came before finally allowed Nikhila to shake free of whatever spell he’d cast over her.
Finally able to move she jerked away just as he pulled back, leaving a vicious long gash in her neck. It would heal. Suddenly extremely grateful for her new Aikido training she threw her attacker of her hip and to the ground. She probably couldn’t have managed it under normal circumstances but something had caught him off guard and she took advantage of that.
She turned on him warring with her other self and her memories. She should turn on him, kill him. Kill him? No. she had no right to take life. More than that, she couldn’t endanger the Pack. There was a chance he didn’t know what she was. If he didn’t know maybe, he wouldn’t come looking for her or the rest of the Kadzait. That thought kicked Nikhila back to her senses. This had all been considered in the space of two or three seconds, but felt much longer to her, an eternity. However, she now had her wits about her and resorted to her flight instinct and for the second time that night ran. This time, however, she meant it. She ran as far as she could on two legs until well out of sight of him or any other humans before giving in to her change.
Home, she wanted to go home now she knew the way, two legs or four she was returning to the safety of her Pack.
(OOC… Nikhila out)
Ambrose
16 years ago
What in hell’s name was that? God damned that hurt!
Ambrose ripped his fangs out of the rabbit’s neck and almost doubled over in pain. He was rather interrupted on that point. The rabbit wasn’t as delicate as he’d though because she’d tossed him over her hip and he’d landed flat on his back, getting sand in his eyes and mouth.
Wretching he rolled to his hands and knees, half expecting her to kick him in the gut, its what he would have done. She didn’t, although he wished she had. That way he’d have something to blame the vomiting on.
Thank god she was taking off, running hell bent for leather by the sound of it. Shit, shit, shit! He hadn’t gotten to the ‘after’ part of this mess. She was going to remember every thing. Another wave of cramps tore through him, he’d worry about this later. It was a big city and who the hell was she gonna tell that would either believe her or not try the same thing.
Fuck this shit, he hadn’t been sick since before he’d been shot. More vomiting. What was it? Something he ate? The rabbit looked healthy enough but maybe she’d been on something. You hung around a musical crowd long enough you had some questionable meals and ingested just about everything known to man, and a few things that weren’t known. So, Ambrose was no stranger to reactions from feeding on high, drugged up, drunk and other wise messed up groupies. But never anything like this.
Staggering to his feet he vomited again and of course it didn’t look pretty, all that blood and maybe he shouldn’t have stopped for dinner before looking for dinner.
God damned son of a bitch; he grimaced as more cramps twisted at his gut. He started lurching toward his truck. What the shit did you do if you were a sick vampire? ER? Urgent care? Find your girlfriend? He’d make it up as he went.
For now he threw himself into his truck started, it up and get the hell out of there before he threw up again.
(OOC… Ambrose out… barley)
Ambrose ripped his fangs out of the rabbit’s neck and almost doubled over in pain. He was rather interrupted on that point. The rabbit wasn’t as delicate as he’d though because she’d tossed him over her hip and he’d landed flat on his back, getting sand in his eyes and mouth.
Wretching he rolled to his hands and knees, half expecting her to kick him in the gut, its what he would have done. She didn’t, although he wished she had. That way he’d have something to blame the vomiting on.
Thank god she was taking off, running hell bent for leather by the sound of it. Shit, shit, shit! He hadn’t gotten to the ‘after’ part of this mess. She was going to remember every thing. Another wave of cramps tore through him, he’d worry about this later. It was a big city and who the hell was she gonna tell that would either believe her or not try the same thing.
Fuck this shit, he hadn’t been sick since before he’d been shot. More vomiting. What was it? Something he ate? The rabbit looked healthy enough but maybe she’d been on something. You hung around a musical crowd long enough you had some questionable meals and ingested just about everything known to man, and a few things that weren’t known. So, Ambrose was no stranger to reactions from feeding on high, drugged up, drunk and other wise messed up groupies. But never anything like this.
Staggering to his feet he vomited again and of course it didn’t look pretty, all that blood and maybe he shouldn’t have stopped for dinner before looking for dinner.
God damned son of a bitch; he grimaced as more cramps twisted at his gut. He started lurching toward his truck. What the shit did you do if you were a sick vampire? ER? Urgent care? Find your girlfriend? He’d make it up as he went.
For now he threw himself into his truck started, it up and get the hell out of there before he threw up again.
(OOC… Ambrose out… barley)