She wandered, feeling small and lost in the fast pace of the place, that when she came upon a french bakery she was compelled to stop. She wasn't likely to find a place out on the busy strip to use her usual methods of stalking prey.
Once inside she breathed deeply of the scents of strong coffee and flaky pastries mingled with savory spices. She looked around and found the counter at which she could order something.
Crossing to it she waited for the young woman there to come take her order. She chose a large coffee with cream, and the three pastries she couldn't choose between.
Leaving the little shop she returned to the walkway and sat at one of the little bistro tables, and to do some people watching.
It's so bright in this city (open)
In the five nights she'd been in Nachton, Dana, had gotten completely lost in her new home, entangled in a particularly thorny bush in the gardens of the estate, and spent thirty-odd hours unpacking the boxes that had arrived her second day. At one point completely removing everything from the bookshelves, re-doing over four hours of work. Now, it was time to hunt.
Not know what the city offered she asked the driver to take her somplace she could find a willing or not so willing meal. Nervous and more than a little afraid she climbed from the car and squinted into the bright lights of down town Nachton, a place called The Strip.
"My goodness, but it's bright in this city."
"Yes, miss."
Sighing she pulled a pair of sunglasses from her purse and slipped the light blue tinted lenses over her eyes. She was able to relax and looked the place over. She had no idea where to start.
"Well, no time like the present."
"Indeed miss."
She lifted an eyebrow at the driver and had to chuckle, then the delima of finding him when she was finished presented itself.
"How do I find you later?"
He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and handed her a tiny silver cell phone. "Open this and hold down the number two until it beeps, that will call me. Tell me where you are and I'll be there promptly."
She took the phone and slipped it into her purse, then smoothed the non-existent wrinkles from her bright yellow dress. "Thank you."
With that she walked away, looking for somewhere to find a meal.
Dana
15 years ago
Lily
15 years ago
Lily fully intended to enjoy a nice walk that night, having spent the better part of the past week or so at the Den on Pack business and meetings for Stafford. She'd already made a stop at a little bookstore nearby, but passing the little bistro she was inspired to stop and have tea.
With a steaming mug in hand, she made her way out to the tables in front of the shop. They were all full, but a couple of them had only one person sitting there. She didn't really want to sit inside, so instead she picked a table near the street and walked up to the sole occupant, a young woman.
In her softly accented tones she asked, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? If not - might I? It's quite busy tonight."
With a steaming mug in hand, she made her way out to the tables in front of the shop. They were all full, but a couple of them had only one person sitting there. She didn't really want to sit inside, so instead she picked a table near the street and walked up to the sole occupant, a young woman.
In her softly accented tones she asked, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? If not - might I? It's quite busy tonight."
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon twirled his car keys by its silver ring in rapid succession. Once. Twice. Three times in a circle and then he'd catch them in the palm of his hand. It was an off night, meaning no one was chasing him, pointing a gun at him, running his car into a marina, and sadly Ellis was not climbing all over him while wearing nothing but red nail polish. His course was set, his gait swift, and his disposition was friendly, so why not partake in a blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee.
The bakery was warmly lit and filled with the aroma of baked bread and strong coffee. His eyes glazed over as he poured the cream into his coffee, listening to the hustle and bustle of the city around him, letting the pings from his perception vibrate off his senses. With coffee in hand, Simon caught the door as it gently closed in front of him, giving it a push back into the warm evening night.
Simon walked slowly back to the street as he blew softly across the top of his hot coffee. The outside tables were nearly filled, occupants enjoying the seasonably warm summer evening. His eyes were drawn to a brunette standing at a table with a sole occupant, a young woman. Simon automatically walked over and gently pulled at the chair. With a small smile he nodded at the women, politely offering the brunette the chair.
'Ladies. Good evening.'
The bakery was warmly lit and filled with the aroma of baked bread and strong coffee. His eyes glazed over as he poured the cream into his coffee, listening to the hustle and bustle of the city around him, letting the pings from his perception vibrate off his senses. With coffee in hand, Simon caught the door as it gently closed in front of him, giving it a push back into the warm evening night.
Simon walked slowly back to the street as he blew softly across the top of his hot coffee. The outside tables were nearly filled, occupants enjoying the seasonably warm summer evening. His eyes were drawn to a brunette standing at a table with a sole occupant, a young woman. Simon automatically walked over and gently pulled at the chair. With a small smile he nodded at the women, politely offering the brunette the chair.
'Ladies. Good evening.'
Dana
15 years ago
Dana had watched the averaged height woman with lovely brown hair walk into the bakery, then dismissed her from her mind, until that same woman was asking to join her. Hoping her face didn't betray the sudden beating of her heart, and glad for the protection of her sunglasses Dana turned what she thought was a pleasant smile up to the woman.
"Please do."
She managed not to jump when a rather nice looking man pulled the woman's chair out for her.
"Good evening, sir."
See she could interact with complete strangers with something close to aplomb and not let shyness fuse her lips closed, though it was a struggle and her throat was constricted because of it.
"Please do."
She managed not to jump when a rather nice looking man pulled the woman's chair out for her.
"Good evening, sir."
See she could interact with complete strangers with something close to aplomb and not let shyness fuse her lips closed, though it was a struggle and her throat was constricted because of it.
Lily
15 years ago
Lily was pleased enough to be accepted into the woman's company, and even more pleasantly surprised to turn and see a man holding her chair for her.
"Thank you," it was said with an acknowledging smile at each of them, and Lily took the offered chair by sinking gracefully into it, the folds of her light purple skirt drifting about her ankles as she did.
Glancing back and forth between the other man and woman she determined she wasn't breaking up a meeting of some sort, particularly when the young woman greeted the man with no specific name. Nonetheless, she wanted to make certain, so she asked, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. It was just too lovely a night to spend inside."
Indeed it was. Perhaps later on, a run would be enjoyable. She had been spending a great deal of time on her own, as was her habit. On a night this fine though she imagined many Kadzait would be about the Long Run and she found company suited her mood well.
"My name is Lily, by the way." Present company included, she thought. She was not opposed to making new acquaintances.
"Thank you," it was said with an acknowledging smile at each of them, and Lily took the offered chair by sinking gracefully into it, the folds of her light purple skirt drifting about her ankles as she did.
Glancing back and forth between the other man and woman she determined she wasn't breaking up a meeting of some sort, particularly when the young woman greeted the man with no specific name. Nonetheless, she wanted to make certain, so she asked, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. It was just too lovely a night to spend inside."
Indeed it was. Perhaps later on, a run would be enjoyable. She had been spending a great deal of time on her own, as was her habit. On a night this fine though she imagined many Kadzait would be about the Long Run and she found company suited her mood well.
"My name is Lily, by the way." Present company included, she thought. She was not opposed to making new acquaintances.
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
'Not at all. I was just passing by.'
Simon figured good manners were few and far between these days, probably what prompted the brunette's, Lily she said her name was, question.
'Just out for my evening jolt of caffeine.'
He sat Lily and introduced himself politely. 'My name is Simon. Nice to meet you Lily and...?' Simon looked curiously at the young lady.
Simon figured good manners were few and far between these days, probably what prompted the brunette's, Lily she said her name was, question.
'Just out for my evening jolt of caffeine.'
He sat Lily and introduced himself politely. 'My name is Simon. Nice to meet you Lily and...?' Simon looked curiously at the young lady.
Dana
15 years ago
Frozen for a moment, Dana had to look out onto the busy street before she could answer. "Dana, pleased to meet you both." Her voice was quiet, and she was certain her accent made it all the more difficult to understand her words, but she wasn't about to repeat herself. How mortifying.
They were both looking at her, maybe more was expected of her. Oh right... "It's a lovely evening, warmer than I am used to."
How inane, and she guessed normal, her interactions with complete strangers was limited to service personnel, this was a whole new game. Granted Dana was raised in courtly manners, but they had no place in this world and she was left foundering a bit.
They were both looking at her, maybe more was expected of her. Oh right... "It's a lovely evening, warmer than I am used to."
How inane, and she guessed normal, her interactions with complete strangers was limited to service personnel, this was a whole new game. Granted Dana was raised in courtly manners, but they had no place in this world and she was left foundering a bit.
Lily
15 years ago
Lily smiled at Simon. What a small world. And he was quite handsome in real life, if that term wasn't wildly inappropriate. Naturally, she'd done her research on Tacharan, reaching into public files as well as more recent information gleaned from Iov, Aidan, and even Marthinus. This was certainly not the man she would have expected to pull out a chair for her.
However, to mention so would push the bounds of all propriety and Lily, introverted as she was, kept her thoughts to herself and merely smiled at Dana. "Yes, I imagine it is, if you're newly-arrived to Nachton."
It was impossible to misplace the woman's Irish accent. About as impossible, she figured, as it was to mistake her own. Muddled by years in Australia though it may be, Lily's Scottish lilt was still very much apparent.
However, to mention so would push the bounds of all propriety and Lily, introverted as she was, kept her thoughts to herself and merely smiled at Dana. "Yes, I imagine it is, if you're newly-arrived to Nachton."
It was impossible to misplace the woman's Irish accent. About as impossible, she figured, as it was to mistake her own. Muddled by years in Australia though it may be, Lily's Scottish lilt was still very much apparent.
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon looked at Dana and took in her appearance - the shy demeanor and almost frightened responses. She was a delicate waif of a girl and he wondered if maybe the Nachton night life would be too dangerous for her. Any city, after dark, is dangerous he decided - Nachton was just a little bit worse than some others.
Turning to Lily he caught her eye as she smiled at him and barely noticed the flash of recognition on her face. She was a lovely looking woman, not as young as Dana but still built beautifully with soft auburn curls and a warm Scottish brogue. Lily turned away and spoke to Dana again, but Simon continued to stare at her. Then it hit him like a sledge hammer in between the eyes.
He nodded with a wry grin. 'You're Lily Stafford.'
The Kadzait Alpha's mother, in the flesh, as it were. Marthinus had spoken about her, and with great warmth which surprised Simon, and her prominent stature in the city's social hierarchy was impressive. He should have recognized her right off, but then auburn locks and luscious green eyes had a way of distracting him.
Turning to Lily he caught her eye as she smiled at him and barely noticed the flash of recognition on her face. She was a lovely looking woman, not as young as Dana but still built beautifully with soft auburn curls and a warm Scottish brogue. Lily turned away and spoke to Dana again, but Simon continued to stare at her. Then it hit him like a sledge hammer in between the eyes.
He nodded with a wry grin. 'You're Lily Stafford.'
The Kadzait Alpha's mother, in the flesh, as it were. Marthinus had spoken about her, and with great warmth which surprised Simon, and her prominent stature in the city's social hierarchy was impressive. He should have recognized her right off, but then auburn locks and luscious green eyes had a way of distracting him.
Dana
15 years ago
Returning Lily's smile, Dana tried not to let the racing of her heart get the better of her. "I've a week here so far and I fear I'll never get used to the heat."
She opened her mouth to say something about looking forward to autumn, but the man...Simon, spoke Lily's name as though it was some great revelation.
Confused, Dana turned her attention to her coffee, stirring the contents though they didn't need it. Placing the spoon on the saucer, she picked up the large mug and sipped from it.
She opened her mouth to say something about looking forward to autumn, but the man...Simon, spoke Lily's name as though it was some great revelation.
Confused, Dana turned her attention to her coffee, stirring the contents though they didn't need it. Placing the spoon on the saucer, she picked up the large mug and sipped from it.
Lily
15 years ago
Lily laughed softly at Simon's expression. He seemed surprised, oddly enough.
"I hope so," she answered in her soft, hesitant tone. "Otherwise I've been spelling my name wrong." The joke was delivered in a gentle voice, lacking sarcasm, for Lily didn't share that trait in common with her son.
She turned her smile on Dana. "Simon and I have a mutual friend," she told the young woman by way of explanation before returning to Dana's topic. "Rest assured though, you'll get used to the warmth here. And if not, well, there's plenty of winter to be had too."
"I hope so," she answered in her soft, hesitant tone. "Otherwise I've been spelling my name wrong." The joke was delivered in a gentle voice, lacking sarcasm, for Lily didn't share that trait in common with her son.
She turned her smile on Dana. "Simon and I have a mutual friend," she told the young woman by way of explanation before returning to Dana's topic. "Rest assured though, you'll get used to the warmth here. And if not, well, there's plenty of winter to be had too."
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon watched Lily with curious eyes and his grin spread into a genuine smile. It was odd for him, all this smiling. He never thought being back with Ellis would have this affect on him. Nodding slightly more to himself, he turned his attention back to young Dana who seemed to be alternating between embarrassed blushing and downright nervousness. Making small talk seemed difficult for her.
'The seasons here are beautiful, not all that different from Europe.' Her Irish accent was indication enough that she was European, apparently new in the states. 'What brings you to Nachton, Dana? School?'
Again Simon cast a glance down, but opted not to sit beside her at the table. The ladies hadn't extended an invitation, so maybe he'd make pleasantries and leave, but till then he'd try and get a feeling for the female werewolf next to him.
'The seasons here are beautiful, not all that different from Europe.' Her Irish accent was indication enough that she was European, apparently new in the states. 'What brings you to Nachton, Dana? School?'
Again Simon cast a glance down, but opted not to sit beside her at the table. The ladies hadn't extended an invitation, so maybe he'd make pleasantries and leave, but till then he'd try and get a feeling for the female werewolf next to him.
Lily
15 years ago
Lily had never been near a vampire before. She had heard of them, of course... and in greater detail since moving to Nachton than, perhaps, she'd ever wanted to. Simon seemed friendly enough though. His smile certainly reached his eyes, and was as genuine as Lily had ever seen. It didn't exactly surprise her, though, as Marthinus had told her of Simon in the past. Although he'd claimed not to have known him very well for very long, he'd spoken highly of him.
She knew it would be polite to invite him to sit, but of course it wasn't her table. Dana had been here sitting quietly, and they had interrupted her. She didn't say anything, but looked expectantly at Dana along with Simon, waiting for the young woman to answer the question he'd asked.
She knew it would be polite to invite him to sit, but of course it wasn't her table. Dana had been here sitting quietly, and they had interrupted her. She didn't say anything, but looked expectantly at Dana along with Simon, waiting for the young woman to answer the question he'd asked.
Dana
15 years ago
Briefly Dana wondered if she could just run away, but propriety and her own sense of dignity would not allow that. Instead she took a final sip and returned her shaded eyes up to Simon.
"No, I've finished school. I came for a change of scenery. My...mother recommended Nachton, as we have...family here."
She hoped her pauses reflected her nerves and did not speak of the lies she'd just told. She glanced at the other empty chair at her little table and with a small flutter of her heart,
"Would you care to join us Mr...Simon?"
Well that was nicely awkward. She did her best to stifle the sigh in her chest.
"No, I've finished school. I came for a change of scenery. My...mother recommended Nachton, as we have...family here."
She hoped her pauses reflected her nerves and did not speak of the lies she'd just told. She glanced at the other empty chair at her little table and with a small flutter of her heart,
"Would you care to join us Mr...Simon?"
Well that was nicely awkward. She did her best to stifle the sigh in her chest.
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon listened to the soft beat of heart as she answered his question. The rapid rhythm vibrated within him via his perception and with what he hoped was a disarming smile, nodded and pulled a chair out for himself.
Family in town. That could mean a number of things, with Nachton being the center of two immortal species, it was often the first thing that crossed his mind. It would have been rude to ask and inappropriate to assume, so he left it at that.
Setting his coffee down in front of him, he pulled a leg onto of the other and casually leaned back in the chair.
'I can only stay for a moment, but thank you.' Leaning an elbow onto the arm of the chair, he rested his fingers against his temple. 'So Mrs. Stafford, I hope your family is well.'
Ellis must have been wearing off on him. He was never suited for ill placed sarcasm.
Family in town. That could mean a number of things, with Nachton being the center of two immortal species, it was often the first thing that crossed his mind. It would have been rude to ask and inappropriate to assume, so he left it at that.
Setting his coffee down in front of him, he pulled a leg onto of the other and casually leaned back in the chair.
'I can only stay for a moment, but thank you.' Leaning an elbow onto the arm of the chair, he rested his fingers against his temple. 'So Mrs. Stafford, I hope your family is well.'
Ellis must have been wearing off on him. He was never suited for ill placed sarcasm.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana watched Simon sit, she couldn't seem to help it, now that she let her eyes fall on him, they just stuck. "You're welcome."
Her body reminded her that she'd not eaten since before leaving Ireland. She could go nearly a month if she needed to, but there had rarely been a need, and so she was spoiled to regular meals.
The thinly veiled sarcasm in his question confused her again. Behind the small protection of the sunglasses she studied him, her eyes uncontrollably going to the thick pulse at his throat. She wanted to listen to that pulse, smell the blood running beneath his skin, but that required closing her eyes. She still wasn't very good at extending her senses as it was a newly acquired skill. For some reason closing her eyes struck her as a rather bad idea while sitting with the lovely woman and handsome man that had intruded on her people watching.
Her body reminded her that she'd not eaten since before leaving Ireland. She could go nearly a month if she needed to, but there had rarely been a need, and so she was spoiled to regular meals.
The thinly veiled sarcasm in his question confused her again. Behind the small protection of the sunglasses she studied him, her eyes uncontrollably going to the thick pulse at his throat. She wanted to listen to that pulse, smell the blood running beneath his skin, but that required closing her eyes. She still wasn't very good at extending her senses as it was a newly acquired skill. For some reason closing her eyes struck her as a rather bad idea while sitting with the lovely woman and handsome man that had intruded on her people watching.
Lily
15 years ago
Lily sipped her tea, now that it was cool enough to do so, and smiled at Dana. "It's good that you have family to come visit. I do, too. My son Aidan lives here."
Simon had accepted a chair and looked rather at ease. Lily was relieved rather than surprise to hear the drip of sarcasm from his tone. That had been a bit more of what she'd expected, and yet she was hardly about to return his innocently phrased question with any of the same. She had no doubt Aidan or Iov would have responded differently but, well, she was neither of the two.
"My family are all quite well Simon, thank you for asking. I hope yours fare the same. Aidan has shown me a great deal of Nachton since my arrival, and I find the night life not at all as disruptive as he said it could be."
Her own smile was quite genuine; perhaps her words could have two meanings and Simon could interpret them as he chose. Lily returned her gaze to Dana and reassured her as best she could.
"My son had told me that it can be quite lively at night but it only makes one more appreciative of the many tranquil little spots that are to be found."
Simon had accepted a chair and looked rather at ease. Lily was relieved rather than surprise to hear the drip of sarcasm from his tone. That had been a bit more of what she'd expected, and yet she was hardly about to return his innocently phrased question with any of the same. She had no doubt Aidan or Iov would have responded differently but, well, she was neither of the two.
"My family are all quite well Simon, thank you for asking. I hope yours fare the same. Aidan has shown me a great deal of Nachton since my arrival, and I find the night life not at all as disruptive as he said it could be."
Her own smile was quite genuine; perhaps her words could have two meanings and Simon could interpret them as he chose. Lily returned her gaze to Dana and reassured her as best she could.
"My son had told me that it can be quite lively at night but it only makes one more appreciative of the many tranquil little spots that are to be found."
Dana
15 years ago
Lily had directed her last comment to Dana, so she was forced to turn her head and drag her eyes from Simon's neck. She could only hope that the man had not noticed her stare's direction nor the implications of it.
Her heart sped up as fear jolted through her system. It would be her own personal hell to reveal things she should not with in a week of leaving the safety of her home.
"I shall keep, "her voice quavered only slightly, horrifying her, but she had to finish the sentence. "an eye out for those islands of tranquility."
Her heart sped up as fear jolted through her system. It would be her own personal hell to reveal things she should not with in a week of leaving the safety of her home.
"I shall keep, "her voice quavered only slightly, horrifying her, but she had to finish the sentence. "an eye out for those islands of tranquility."
Simon Huntington
15 years ago
Simon blinked slowly at Lily's response. He wasn't sure why he felt like antagonizing the woman, but she seemed to want to take the higher road; a woman of class, what a relief.
Looking over at Dana, Simon noticed the young lady staring at him; specifically, his throat. He tilted his head slightly as he considered what her body language might mean. The thump-thump of her heart raced with agitation and her voice was small and nervous. Again, he didn’t want to make any assumptions, but the wide eye stare at his throat was something he had seen before and been familiar with in the past. Maybe they had interrupted her at an inopportune time.
‘Is everything alright, Dana?’ She could answer it with honesty or more subterfuge as far as he was concerned, but if she needed something, he wasn’t about to be her first choice. ‘Are you sure we haven’t interrupted something?’
Looking over at Dana, Simon noticed the young lady staring at him; specifically, his throat. He tilted his head slightly as he considered what her body language might mean. The thump-thump of her heart raced with agitation and her voice was small and nervous. Again, he didn’t want to make any assumptions, but the wide eye stare at his throat was something he had seen before and been familiar with in the past. Maybe they had interrupted her at an inopportune time.
‘Is everything alright, Dana?’ She could answer it with honesty or more subterfuge as far as he was concerned, but if she needed something, he wasn’t about to be her first choice. ‘Are you sure we haven’t interrupted something?’
Dana
15 years ago
Deep solid breaths, one...two...three..., there she felt more grounded and carefully removed her sunglasses, her eyes protested to the lights. They weren't as bright under the store's protective awning so she was not forced to squint.
Her lips curled up in a small smile. He was a nice man, and she knew she brought out the protector in nice men. It irritated her more than she cared to admit, and his question should not have angered her in the slightest, but it did.
"No I'm quite well thank you."
She blinked several times, before leaning back in her chair. Her protesting eyes forced her to abandon her small show of wills and regain the protection of the shades. "I am simply having a snack before heading out to explore the city. There was really nothing to interrupt."
She smiled again, hoping to soften the unexpected tenacity of her response. She really needed to work on that. They really meant no harm these nice men.
Her lips curled up in a small smile. He was a nice man, and she knew she brought out the protector in nice men. It irritated her more than she cared to admit, and his question should not have angered her in the slightest, but it did.
"No I'm quite well thank you."
She blinked several times, before leaning back in her chair. Her protesting eyes forced her to abandon her small show of wills and regain the protection of the shades. "I am simply having a snack before heading out to explore the city. There was really nothing to interrupt."
She smiled again, hoping to soften the unexpected tenacity of her response. She really needed to work on that. They really meant no harm these nice men.