Aishe slipped into the elevator just ahead of Pak, moving to one side to let their friend in with them. Who knew elevator rides were getting so popular? She knew Kiamhaat didn't really mind though. At least, not her and Pak. Aishe suspected he'd be less inclined to put himself in such a potentially embarrassing position in front of others, but so far every trip up she'd taken with him had gone smoothly.
Clearly Kiamhaat hated the ride up - almost as much as he hated the ride down. But Aishe had to admit he'd been doing remarkably well. Stubbornness wasn't one of Kiamhaat's overwhelming attributes, a fact she'd never have guessed from witnessing this spectacle every night for most of the past year.
Usually they stopped up at the mall and had coffee, but on this occasion Kem apparently decided to take it to the next level, several stories higher than the bridge that connected the two towers.
Raising her eyebrows at him she said, "Sixty five? My we're bold tonight."
...Must Come Down
For the better part of a year now Kem had been riding Liefde's elevator, usually in the middle of the night. He'd chosen Liefde in particular because most if not all of the vampire population were out and about this time of night, and it was rare for him to bump into many people in the course of his vertical travels. That suited him best. Things like this were best done with as much privacy as possible.
Aishe, however, had taken to coming along, a fact which he didn't mind one bit. Early on, he had been afraid that her ever-present calm would turn into a crutch, but it hadn't seemed to. Over the bond they shared, it was a simple matter for them to get a feel for which direction the other's thoughts were running to, but not to experience those for themselves. Kem's fear remained entirely his and while Aishe claimed to know he was feeling it, she had never seemed to suffer from it. So they decided it was safe for her to come along, and Kem had company while he experienced the terrifying elevator rides.
Today Pak was along as well, which wasn't surprising given her recent run-in with the man she thought was her creator. She had been understandably clingy, not venturing out of the towers in the week since Kem had gone breaking and entering. She had shown up in the archives far more frequently than usual, pretending nothing was wrong in her way - which Kem and Aishe both saw through but were far too polite to mention.
As they loaded in for the trip, Kem reflected that not so long ago this would have seemed impossible to him. Heights were something he was never going to be comfortable with, and even though they lacked windows, elevators made him very nervous. It was the sensation, he supposed, and the knowledge that beneath him was absolutely nothing. Every time the elevator rose he couldn't help imagining what would happen if something went wrong and somehow the floor fell out from beneath him or, well.. any number of possibilities.
Today was no exception, but at least he had a handle on himself as he reached out and hit the button.
Aishe
15 years ago
Pakpao
15 years ago
It had taken three days after she and Kem had had their little chat for Pak to go back to her office. She’d been taking advantage of being able to telecommute. Recently she’d gone back to her office and her own department but she still wasn’t leaving the towers, was avoiding the mall and in general didn’t like to be alone. Pak really was trying, with moderate success, to give Kem and Aishe their space but she was still a bit on the scared and jumpy side. Not that she would admit it in a thousand years. Of course she was sure they both knew but that was a different story.
She’d gone on elevator rides once in a while with Kem before this, after all he had on more than one occasion distracted her from a nasty storm so it seemed only fair. He seemed to be getting better at it and tonight it seemed an inconspicuous way to gain some company as well.
“Bold with a hint of sophistication, like a good red wine and nothing like this music.”
The elevator music was getting old. Pak idly wondered who she had to talk to about changing it. Granted she could get MARI to play anything but there was a question about legality. Did one have to pay for elevator music?
“We probably have a whole department dedicated to picking this wretched stuff out.”
She muttered half to Kem and Aishe and half to herself.
She’d gone on elevator rides once in a while with Kem before this, after all he had on more than one occasion distracted her from a nasty storm so it seemed only fair. He seemed to be getting better at it and tonight it seemed an inconspicuous way to gain some company as well.
“Bold with a hint of sophistication, like a good red wine and nothing like this music.”
The elevator music was getting old. Pak idly wondered who she had to talk to about changing it. Granted she could get MARI to play anything but there was a question about legality. Did one have to pay for elevator music?
“We probably have a whole department dedicated to picking this wretched stuff out.”
She muttered half to Kem and Aishe and half to herself.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem turned to Aishe and shrugged, a slight smile on his face. "I have to risk it at some point. You know, getting out of the comfort zone and all that."
He settled against the back wall of the car as it began to rise, hating the lurch in his stomach and watching the digital display as it lit up from floor to floor. Liefde's elevators ran blessedly fast, at least, but he couldn't help wincing as his ears popped. That should never happen.
He raised an eyebrow at Pak's comment though. "Just a hint? What's the rest of it, blatant barbarism?"
Ahh, the comfort of snarky banter. Just the thing to take his mind off of the flip-flops his stomach was doing as they rose up up and away.
He settled against the back wall of the car as it began to rise, hating the lurch in his stomach and watching the digital display as it lit up from floor to floor. Liefde's elevators ran blessedly fast, at least, but he couldn't help wincing as his ears popped. That should never happen.
He raised an eyebrow at Pak's comment though. "Just a hint? What's the rest of it, blatant barbarism?"
Ahh, the comfort of snarky banter. Just the thing to take his mind off of the flip-flops his stomach was doing as they rose up up and away.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe shook her head at Kiamhaat and reached out to poke him in the ribs. "You're a brave man," she said. In all seriousness though, she meant it. It took a certain strength of character to keep doing this every night, when he obviously hated it.
Turning to Pak, she grinned. "It's not that bad," she said. Tilting her head, she furrowed her brow. "Er - what is it?"
It seemed like a jazzy version of some song she ought to know but couldn't place.
"I wouldn't put it beyond them to pick this stuff out on purpose. Someone probabyl asked MARI for cheesy elevator music at some point. Can't imagine anyone around here with that sort of sense of humor."
She studiously avoided looking at both of the people in the evelator with her.
Turning to Pak, she grinned. "It's not that bad," she said. Tilting her head, she furrowed her brow. "Er - what is it?"
It seemed like a jazzy version of some song she ought to know but couldn't place.
"I wouldn't put it beyond them to pick this stuff out on purpose. Someone probabyl asked MARI for cheesy elevator music at some point. Can't imagine anyone around here with that sort of sense of humor."
She studiously avoided looking at both of the people in the evelator with her.
Pakpao
15 years ago
“You lose claim to anything beyond a hint of sophistication until I either see you in a tux or you give up your latent geek-like tendencies.”
Neither option seemed terribly likely to Pak who was feeling very generous that she had giving him a choice. She smiled a sweet yet challenging smile up at Kem daring him to take her up on the options.
Wrinkling her nose at the music, Pak concentrated. She wasn’t terribly musical but through the years, any number of her departments had been fans of everything from chamber music to Anthrax.
“I –think- it’s that damned song about shook me all night long.”
If she remembered right, the original group’s name had something to do with power supplies. Pak just shrugged, she’d given it her best effort.
“No the music’s been bad ever since I’ve been here. Maybe when MARI came on line she learned what to play in the elevator and hasn’t bothered to change it thinking it was right or required for elevators.”
Knowing MARI that actually seemed very likely. Pak’s eyes lit up at the thought of something new to teach the AI. It was a silly little thing to do but it would mean she and MARI got to play a bit and that idea made Pak’s night. They could start tomorrow night, after she worked out if they had to pay royalties on the stuff she wanted.
Neither option seemed terribly likely to Pak who was feeling very generous that she had giving him a choice. She smiled a sweet yet challenging smile up at Kem daring him to take her up on the options.
Wrinkling her nose at the music, Pak concentrated. She wasn’t terribly musical but through the years, any number of her departments had been fans of everything from chamber music to Anthrax.
“I –think- it’s that damned song about shook me all night long.”
If she remembered right, the original group’s name had something to do with power supplies. Pak just shrugged, she’d given it her best effort.
“No the music’s been bad ever since I’ve been here. Maybe when MARI came on line she learned what to play in the elevator and hasn’t bothered to change it thinking it was right or required for elevators.”
Knowing MARI that actually seemed very likely. Pak’s eyes lit up at the thought of something new to teach the AI. It was a silly little thing to do but it would mean she and MARI got to play a bit and that idea made Pak’s night. They could start tomorrow night, after she worked out if they had to pay royalties on the stuff she wanted.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem sighed melodramatically at Pak. "I did live through the Regency," he pointeed out. "As well as the Victorian era. And let me remind you, the fashion trends were ridiculously frivolous."
He hadn't minded at the time however. Kem was notoriously unconcerned with fashion. The extent of his interest was that he'd learned to simply buy what everyone else was wearing at the moment. He'd had very little desire to stand out over the course of his years. His hair and eyes already did that plenty without trying to blaze new pathways into he world of haute coteur.
"And geeks are sophisticated!"
Crossing his arms he raised his eyes to the digital display and watched the numbers rise, past where they'd have gotten off for the mall, up into the 50's. It wasn't so bad, he thought. Just a few more seconds than previously.
Suddenly his outlook took a drastic reversal as the elevator lurched to a halt. Caught off guard, Kem gripped the rail along the back of the elevator and sucked in a quick breath. What the hell?
The power suddenly cut; the lights dimmed and the detestable music stopped. A chill raced down his spine as a feeling of utter weightlessness came over him - the elevator was descending.
The drop was tiny. Perhaps three inches or so, before the power came on, the music began again, the brakes kicked in, and MARI appeared on the wall with an apology... or something.
Kem didn't hear any of it.
He hadn't minded at the time however. Kem was notoriously unconcerned with fashion. The extent of his interest was that he'd learned to simply buy what everyone else was wearing at the moment. He'd had very little desire to stand out over the course of his years. His hair and eyes already did that plenty without trying to blaze new pathways into he world of haute coteur.
"And geeks are sophisticated!"
Crossing his arms he raised his eyes to the digital display and watched the numbers rise, past where they'd have gotten off for the mall, up into the 50's. It wasn't so bad, he thought. Just a few more seconds than previously.
Suddenly his outlook took a drastic reversal as the elevator lurched to a halt. Caught off guard, Kem gripped the rail along the back of the elevator and sucked in a quick breath. What the hell?
The power suddenly cut; the lights dimmed and the detestable music stopped. A chill raced down his spine as a feeling of utter weightlessness came over him - the elevator was descending.
The drop was tiny. Perhaps three inches or so, before the power came on, the music began again, the brakes kicked in, and MARI appeared on the wall with an apology... or something.
Kem didn't hear any of it.
Aishe
15 years ago
It was business as usual - snarky comments, good-natured teasing - until the elevator jostled to a halt between the 58th and 59th floors. She felt a rush of surprise and a moment of alarm as the elevator dropped a tiny bit, and then MARI appeared to apologize for the delay. The AI cordially explained that the electronic network that directed the elevator's travels had been interrupted briefly by an unknown surge. Everything was back online, but evidently the short drop had caused a minor jumble in the cables and something or other needed to be realigned before they could continue. Maintenance had been notified and someone was already on their way. In the meantime, they should all just remain calm.
She glanced at Kiamhaat.
Not likely.
She glanced at Kiamhaat.
Not likely.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak had been just about to make a rather caustic comment about corsets and a real man when things dropped out from under her, quite literally. It wasn’t a very long fall but she hadn’t been prepared for it and involuntarily let out a little yelp of surprise.
Of all the stupid annoying idiotic things to have happen; Pak rolled her eyes at the screen more irked by the situation than anything. There wasn’t much they could do about it though. She did, however, ask MARI to turn the music the hell off as it was more than slightly irritating.
“I guess we should have done that when we first got on.”
She wasn’t stupid, or unaware of the situation and cast a guarded glance at Kem to see how he was doing. Pak, however, didn’t say anything. If he could ignore her current ‘glitch’, she could ignore what might get to be a nasty situation. Although, in her opinion this was better than the sewers.
Of all the stupid annoying idiotic things to have happen; Pak rolled her eyes at the screen more irked by the situation than anything. There wasn’t much they could do about it though. She did, however, ask MARI to turn the music the hell off as it was more than slightly irritating.
“I guess we should have done that when we first got on.”
She wasn’t stupid, or unaware of the situation and cast a guarded glance at Kem to see how he was doing. Pak, however, didn’t say anything. If he could ignore her current ‘glitch’, she could ignore what might get to be a nasty situation. Although, in her opinion this was better than the sewers.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Maybe he would have been all right with it if the elevator had simply stopped. It was the little drop at the end that did him in, Kem thought, upon later reflection. As it was, when the elevator jerked to a halt and MARI appeared on the wall he dropped to his knees, letting go of the rail to place his hands flat on the floor, palms down.
They were far too high up for this. The floor already seemed to be dropping out from beneath him, leaving his senses reeling as he tried to comprehend the length of the drop. A wash of very uncomfortable sensations began from there; his heart felt like it was about to take off on its own and go galloping off; his hands were sweating; what had felt like cool and comfortable air conditioning was now an ice box settling into the vicinity of his stomach.
He might have knelt there for an eternity, waiting for the inevitable fall. It was going to happen. Physics were pretty clear on that score. They could not remain suspended in mid air indefinitely.
Aishe's voice came to him, as if from miles away, and he really did his best to focus on it but he had no idea what she was saying. He realized he was panicking, that this fear was completely irrational and unfounded, and none of that helped a bit. Knowledge, in this case, was not power.
They were far too high up for this. The floor already seemed to be dropping out from beneath him, leaving his senses reeling as he tried to comprehend the length of the drop. A wash of very uncomfortable sensations began from there; his heart felt like it was about to take off on its own and go galloping off; his hands were sweating; what had felt like cool and comfortable air conditioning was now an ice box settling into the vicinity of his stomach.
He might have knelt there for an eternity, waiting for the inevitable fall. It was going to happen. Physics were pretty clear on that score. They could not remain suspended in mid air indefinitely.
Aishe's voice came to him, as if from miles away, and he really did his best to focus on it but he had no idea what she was saying. He realized he was panicking, that this fear was completely irrational and unfounded, and none of that helped a bit. Knowledge, in this case, was not power.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe was careful to thank MARI for her timely appearance; normally Meridian and Liefde functioned like the well-oiled machines they were, but she supposed even the latest innovations had their little hiccups. She didn't pretend it was any more than that; if it were anyone else in here, this wouldn't be such a problem. She didn't have to look closely to know how it was effecting Kiamhaat, however, and she winced as all his hard work over the past year seemed to come undone before her eyes.
Still, perhaps this what what he needed. Sure, he was getting very good at riding the elevator, and he seemed a lot less twitchy when on the higher floors - but this had never happened. It had always been completely fine. And Aishe knew you could never reach the next level of achievement without a test of those skills you'd already learned.
With that reasoning in mind, she knelt beside Kiamhaat and touched his shoulder.
"Look at me," she said gently, repeating the request a few times until he did. "It's all right. Maintenance is on their way and MARI knows we're here. In five minutes we'll be on our way again."
She held his eyes with hers, smiling and trying to exude calm. "Isn't this what you've had all this practice for? You're going to laugh about this tomorrow."
She put plenty of confidence behind the words, because she really thought they were true. Kiamhaat had a strong will and once she broke through the knee-jerk panic reaction he'd had, Aishe was certain he would be fine. Perhaps it was a little baised of her, but if she thought he could do anything who could blame her?
Still, perhaps this what what he needed. Sure, he was getting very good at riding the elevator, and he seemed a lot less twitchy when on the higher floors - but this had never happened. It had always been completely fine. And Aishe knew you could never reach the next level of achievement without a test of those skills you'd already learned.
With that reasoning in mind, she knelt beside Kiamhaat and touched his shoulder.
"Look at me," she said gently, repeating the request a few times until he did. "It's all right. Maintenance is on their way and MARI knows we're here. In five minutes we'll be on our way again."
She held his eyes with hers, smiling and trying to exude calm. "Isn't this what you've had all this practice for? You're going to laugh about this tomorrow."
She put plenty of confidence behind the words, because she really thought they were true. Kiamhaat had a strong will and once she broke through the knee-jerk panic reaction he'd had, Aishe was certain he would be fine. Perhaps it was a little baised of her, but if she thought he could do anything who could blame her?
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak had been trying to over look Kem's issues and let him get his feet, so to speak. She'd chatted with MARI a bit and figured out exactly what the problem was and absently corrected Aishe when she said it would be five minutes.
"Five to get maintenance here probably another ten to get us out. Still and all that's not too bad."Â?
Young vampire sounded reassuring and confident and yet Pak was starting to get nervous. She started absently fumbling for her cigarette case and lighter. Remembering this was a no smoking zone she shoved the lighter away but couldn't stop fidgeting with the clove.
"Really we won't be here much longer than it would take to get to the sixty fifth floor, not really. Only difference is we aren't moving."Â?
Pak absently wiped her hands, which were suddenly rather sweaty, on her pants and glanced toward the door wishing it would open.
"Five to get maintenance here probably another ten to get us out. Still and all that's not too bad."Â?
Young vampire sounded reassuring and confident and yet Pak was starting to get nervous. She started absently fumbling for her cigarette case and lighter. Remembering this was a no smoking zone she shoved the lighter away but couldn't stop fidgeting with the clove.
"Really we won't be here much longer than it would take to get to the sixty fifth floor, not really. Only difference is we aren't moving."Â?
Pak absently wiped her hands, which were suddenly rather sweaty, on her pants and glanced toward the door wishing it would open.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem stared blankly at Aishe as she spoke. Her words finally filtered to him and he did his best to give her a wan smile, more of a grimace really. Nodding, he rocked back and sat himself in the corner farthest from the elevator door, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. Consciously, he took several deep breaths. This was stupid; they were fine and there was no reason to panic.
Breathing did very little except to make his stomach roll over uncomfortably, so in the end he just gave it up. Ducking his head down to rest it on his arms, he tried to ignore the fact that he was shaking like a leaf. He hated every moment of this, and hated himself for feeling it. It was a weakness, one of many, only this one he'd been trying so damned hard to get over and he had thought he was making progress!
Something further down the elevator shaft gave a creak and a groan, and Kem threw his head up. Forget trying to cope. He wanted out.
Standing smoothly and crossing the elevator car, he did his best to wedge his fingers into the door and pry them open, but even vampire strength was useless without good leverage. He ended up doing nothing but chipping his fingernails apart. Finally he gave up, with something between a growl and a frustrated sob. resting his forehead against the cold, unfeeling doors, he hauled back and punched them once, a good one, leaving a fist-sized dent in the right side of the door along with a generous bit of blood as his knuckles split.
At the moment he didn't care. He didn't trust himself to speak to Aishe or Pak; anything he said right now was bound to be thoroughly unreasonable. Glancing around, he wondered if he could possibly reach the emergency hatch on top of the roof. Maybe he could pry that off, and they could get out that way... no. Just the thought of it made him cringe. Bad enough to be stuck here, but climbing up an elevator shaft fifty-eight and a half stories up? Once again, he was stymied by his own inability.
It was maddening.
Breathing did very little except to make his stomach roll over uncomfortably, so in the end he just gave it up. Ducking his head down to rest it on his arms, he tried to ignore the fact that he was shaking like a leaf. He hated every moment of this, and hated himself for feeling it. It was a weakness, one of many, only this one he'd been trying so damned hard to get over and he had thought he was making progress!
Something further down the elevator shaft gave a creak and a groan, and Kem threw his head up. Forget trying to cope. He wanted out.
Standing smoothly and crossing the elevator car, he did his best to wedge his fingers into the door and pry them open, but even vampire strength was useless without good leverage. He ended up doing nothing but chipping his fingernails apart. Finally he gave up, with something between a growl and a frustrated sob. resting his forehead against the cold, unfeeling doors, he hauled back and punched them once, a good one, leaving a fist-sized dent in the right side of the door along with a generous bit of blood as his knuckles split.
At the moment he didn't care. He didn't trust himself to speak to Aishe or Pak; anything he said right now was bound to be thoroughly unreasonable. Glancing around, he wondered if he could possibly reach the emergency hatch on top of the roof. Maybe he could pry that off, and they could get out that way... no. Just the thought of it made him cringe. Bad enough to be stuck here, but climbing up an elevator shaft fifty-eight and a half stories up? Once again, he was stymied by his own inability.
It was maddening.
Aishe
15 years ago
It wasn't easy watching Kiamhaat go through the motions, Aishe observed, but in the end it really did seem like he was trying to work through it. With limited success. She tried to give him space as he moved into the corner and sat curled up against the wall. Then she was distracted briefly by Pak's voice, sounding oddly shaken as well.
She hadn't known Pak to ever be afraid of heights. What had her so off? Perhaps she didn't like elevators? Was she claustrophobic? But Pak rode the elevator all the time.
Perplexed, Aishe drew upon her empathy, something that was becoming increasingly easier to control as time went on. With practic, she could actively block out emotions as long as she wasn't being overwhelmed. She found crowds a little distasteful, still, because her gift was fairly unreliable when there was so much input at one time. In this setting, however, alone with two people she knew well, she had a decent hold on it.
That said, the colors and shapes coming from Pak now were colors and shapes she'd have expected to see from Kiamhaat. Jagged little shapes of dark red and mingled murky blue... colors she'd seen before when Kiamhaat was feeling anxious or nervous. They faded in and out, as if Pak was only sort of feeling that kind of anxiety.
Aishe glanced back at Kiamhaat, who still hadn't spoken. She could feel his panic rising though, even without employing empathy. It stressed and strained the bond they shared, making her jumpy, but not causing her to feel the same.
Pak finished speaking and glanced toward the door at the same time as Kiamhaat, in one smooth motion, surged toward the door and tried, with futility, to open it, a horrible expression on his face; something akin to abject fear. Aishe was so startled she didn't try to stop him. She just looked back and forth between Pak and Kiamhaat, wondering what was happening.
Everyone in the car jumped as Kiamhaat suddenly put his fist into the elevator door. Aishe yelped softly and took a step forward as he dropped his head against the door.
Grabbing his injured hand, Aishe frowned as she watched it heal over. Whatever was going on here was more than a simple panic attack. Something strange was happening, and Aishe had a feeling if Maintenance didn't hurry, this situation would quickly escalate into something worse than what it should be.
"Pak," she said carefully, "are you all right?"
She hadn't known Pak to ever be afraid of heights. What had her so off? Perhaps she didn't like elevators? Was she claustrophobic? But Pak rode the elevator all the time.
Perplexed, Aishe drew upon her empathy, something that was becoming increasingly easier to control as time went on. With practic, she could actively block out emotions as long as she wasn't being overwhelmed. She found crowds a little distasteful, still, because her gift was fairly unreliable when there was so much input at one time. In this setting, however, alone with two people she knew well, she had a decent hold on it.
That said, the colors and shapes coming from Pak now were colors and shapes she'd have expected to see from Kiamhaat. Jagged little shapes of dark red and mingled murky blue... colors she'd seen before when Kiamhaat was feeling anxious or nervous. They faded in and out, as if Pak was only sort of feeling that kind of anxiety.
Aishe glanced back at Kiamhaat, who still hadn't spoken. She could feel his panic rising though, even without employing empathy. It stressed and strained the bond they shared, making her jumpy, but not causing her to feel the same.
Pak finished speaking and glanced toward the door at the same time as Kiamhaat, in one smooth motion, surged toward the door and tried, with futility, to open it, a horrible expression on his face; something akin to abject fear. Aishe was so startled she didn't try to stop him. She just looked back and forth between Pak and Kiamhaat, wondering what was happening.
Everyone in the car jumped as Kiamhaat suddenly put his fist into the elevator door. Aishe yelped softly and took a step forward as he dropped his head against the door.
Grabbing his injured hand, Aishe frowned as she watched it heal over. Whatever was going on here was more than a simple panic attack. Something strange was happening, and Aishe had a feeling if Maintenance didn't hurry, this situation would quickly escalate into something worse than what it should be.
"Pak," she said carefully, "are you all right?"
Pakpao
15 years ago
It bothered Pak watching Kem go crazy. She wanted to help but hadn't the faintest clue how to do it. She kept glancing at Aishe for a hint of some sort. Of course it didn't help she was going slightly crazy as well. What was worse is she could feel her subterfuge failing. It wasn't that she didn't love Aishe she just had a thing about empathy. Pak kept trying to get it back in place but she was sure there were cracks in it.
She was fighting an urge to pace. Although after Kem hit the elevator doors and she jumped Pak gave up on fighting that urge and started walking back and forth across the back of the compartment. That was also the last fragment of control she had. Her walls came tumbling down. It crossed Pak's mind to feel vaguely sorry for Aishe dealing with two crazy vampires.
Forcing herself to stop pacing she tried to take a few controlled deep breaths and made a stab at getting to Kem, but found she couldn't speak.
[Any one for tiddley winks?]
She sent to him. Pak was working so hard at staying calm, failing but working hard at it, she almost didn't hear Aishe. Swallowing hard she tried to banish and faint trace of panic from her voice. It didn't really work though.
"Yeah fine. No problems. Should only be another minute or two right?"Â?
God let it be only another minute or two she prayed. Not that she was sure who she wanted to get out of this car the most, Kem, herself of Aishe but getting the heck out seemed -very- important right now.
She was fighting an urge to pace. Although after Kem hit the elevator doors and she jumped Pak gave up on fighting that urge and started walking back and forth across the back of the compartment. That was also the last fragment of control she had. Her walls came tumbling down. It crossed Pak's mind to feel vaguely sorry for Aishe dealing with two crazy vampires.
Forcing herself to stop pacing she tried to take a few controlled deep breaths and made a stab at getting to Kem, but found she couldn't speak.
[Any one for tiddley winks?]
She sent to him. Pak was working so hard at staying calm, failing but working hard at it, she almost didn't hear Aishe. Swallowing hard she tried to banish and faint trace of panic from her voice. It didn't really work though.
"Yeah fine. No problems. Should only be another minute or two right?"Â?
God let it be only another minute or two she prayed. Not that she was sure who she wanted to get out of this car the most, Kem, herself of Aishe but getting the heck out seemed -very- important right now.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
As Aishe took his hand, Kem turned his head, sort of rolling it along the elevator door. "Sorry," he muttered thickly. He was really trying not to make his problem everyone else's problem. And Aishe, as always, was right. This was exactly why practice was good. He could get used to heights all he wanted, but there had to be a test somewhere, right? Thing is, he was failing it miserably. He wanted off this elevator, ten minutes ago.
With an apologetic shrug, he slid his hand from Aishe's and returned to the corner of the elevator where he leaned against the wall and resumed breathing. At Pak's sending he barked a humorless laugh, but he didn't return it. He couldn't think of anything to respond with. Most of his concentration was on not dry-heaving for the next ten minutes, or however long it took to get back to ground level.
Sliding down the wall, he resumed his initial position, curled up in a ball, trying to be very small and unobtrusive. Aishe's voice brought him out of it again, and he turned his head to see why Aishe should be asking after Pak.
The sight of her startled him. She wasn't looking at all well, and Aishe looked worried. He closed his eyes once more, feeling muscles clench. If both Pak and Aishe were having trouble, he was screwed.
Totally the wrong way to think, he knew, but his brain was running rampant now and he was just a passenger. Was it going to hurt when they hit the bottom? Would they be squished against the top of the elevator as they fell? Did he have any regrets?
And who was going to feed Zoe?
With an apologetic shrug, he slid his hand from Aishe's and returned to the corner of the elevator where he leaned against the wall and resumed breathing. At Pak's sending he barked a humorless laugh, but he didn't return it. He couldn't think of anything to respond with. Most of his concentration was on not dry-heaving for the next ten minutes, or however long it took to get back to ground level.
Sliding down the wall, he resumed his initial position, curled up in a ball, trying to be very small and unobtrusive. Aishe's voice brought him out of it again, and he turned his head to see why Aishe should be asking after Pak.
The sight of her startled him. She wasn't looking at all well, and Aishe looked worried. He closed his eyes once more, feeling muscles clench. If both Pak and Aishe were having trouble, he was screwed.
Totally the wrong way to think, he knew, but his brain was running rampant now and he was just a passenger. Was it going to hurt when they hit the bottom? Would they be squished against the top of the elevator as they fell? Did he have any regrets?
And who was going to feed Zoe?
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe let Kiamhaat go, knowing he was trying to work through his irrational fear as best he could on his own. She wished she knew of a way to help him out, but even if she did she would just be undermining all his hard work. He really did have to handle it on his own, or he'd just question whether he'd done anything at all, or if it had been all her.
Pak, on the other hand, was turning into a little Kiamhaat-clone. The jagged shapes Aishe had gotten a glimpse of before were coming fast and furious as Pak spoke more. Aishe crosed the elevator to where Pak has stopped pacing.
"Pak. What's going on?" She pinned the older woman to the wall with her eyes, certain something unusual was happening. She was almost tempted to guess that Kiamhaat and Pak were somehow bonded, but for the fact that she shared that particular trait with him and knew for sure that their bond didn't cause them to experience the other's feelings - just to understand what they were.
"You've never had any particular problem with heights. It's just... now." Aishe glanced over at Kiamhaat.
"Has this ever happened before?"
Maybe thinking about it would take Pak's mind off of it. Aishe didn't have a clue what was going on with their friend, but she was pretty sure that having Pak flip out wasn't helping Kiamhaat... it almost seemed as if they were feeding off of each other; as Kiamhaat got progressively worse, so did Pak - and seeing Pak less than calm made Kiamhaat think maybe they were doomed after all. What a lovely little vicious cycle.
Pak, on the other hand, was turning into a little Kiamhaat-clone. The jagged shapes Aishe had gotten a glimpse of before were coming fast and furious as Pak spoke more. Aishe crosed the elevator to where Pak has stopped pacing.
"Pak. What's going on?" She pinned the older woman to the wall with her eyes, certain something unusual was happening. She was almost tempted to guess that Kiamhaat and Pak were somehow bonded, but for the fact that she shared that particular trait with him and knew for sure that their bond didn't cause them to experience the other's feelings - just to understand what they were.
"You've never had any particular problem with heights. It's just... now." Aishe glanced over at Kiamhaat.
"Has this ever happened before?"
Maybe thinking about it would take Pak's mind off of it. Aishe didn't have a clue what was going on with their friend, but she was pretty sure that having Pak flip out wasn't helping Kiamhaat... it almost seemed as if they were feeding off of each other; as Kiamhaat got progressively worse, so did Pak - and seeing Pak less than calm made Kiamhaat think maybe they were doomed after all. What a lovely little vicious cycle.
Pakpao
15 years ago
[Well hide and seek in this little space just isn't going to work.]
She didn't really need him to reply. It was a bit of black humor as when she'd had her own freak out he'd started with a quip about hide and seek.
Oh good and if she wasn't having enough fun a small voice popped into Pak's head, it was her son.
"Mama I think you might be going crazy. I know -he- is."Â?
Without thinking about it Pak replied aloud.
"No I'm not. I'm perfectly fine and we are perfectly safe."Â?
The fact that she was nervously twisting her hands together, the clove safely tucked behind her ear, was at odds with that statement. But she knew her words were true, she couldn't seem to believe them but she knew she was right and knew she shouldn't be reacting this way. This was Kem's domain.
The conversation with her child might have gone on further but she was forced to concentrate on Aishe.
"No. I don't mind heights. Never have and it isn't the closed space either."Â?
Pak offered that before Aishe could ask. Calm down and -think- don't feel think! She told herself. She'd thought her way clear of stranger situations than this. It was hard to think clearly so she went stream of consciousness instead. What did bother her to this extent.
"Usually its storms, lightening actually and walking across the bridge on a night like that is always bad. Although, a while ago I crossed it wasn't stormy and I ran into you Kem do you remember?"Â?
That had been an odd encounter. She'd stopped just to make sure he didn't get stuck there and they'd wound up back at her place and she had been feeling a bit wobbly.
"I didn't feel so hot then, not this bad but it wasn't a good thing but it all worked out."Â?
Could the two be related? They almost had to be. Pak started trying to remember if she'd had any other odd encounters of late. Damned it if she wasn't so nervous she might be able to put two and two together.
She didn't really need him to reply. It was a bit of black humor as when she'd had her own freak out he'd started with a quip about hide and seek.
Oh good and if she wasn't having enough fun a small voice popped into Pak's head, it was her son.
"Mama I think you might be going crazy. I know -he- is."Â?
Without thinking about it Pak replied aloud.
"No I'm not. I'm perfectly fine and we are perfectly safe."Â?
The fact that she was nervously twisting her hands together, the clove safely tucked behind her ear, was at odds with that statement. But she knew her words were true, she couldn't seem to believe them but she knew she was right and knew she shouldn't be reacting this way. This was Kem's domain.
The conversation with her child might have gone on further but she was forced to concentrate on Aishe.
"No. I don't mind heights. Never have and it isn't the closed space either."Â?
Pak offered that before Aishe could ask. Calm down and -think- don't feel think! She told herself. She'd thought her way clear of stranger situations than this. It was hard to think clearly so she went stream of consciousness instead. What did bother her to this extent.
"Usually its storms, lightening actually and walking across the bridge on a night like that is always bad. Although, a while ago I crossed it wasn't stormy and I ran into you Kem do you remember?"Â?
That had been an odd encounter. She'd stopped just to make sure he didn't get stuck there and they'd wound up back at her place and she had been feeling a bit wobbly.
"I didn't feel so hot then, not this bad but it wasn't a good thing but it all worked out."Â?
Could the two be related? They almost had to be. Pak started trying to remember if she'd had any other odd encounters of late. Damned it if she wasn't so nervous she might be able to put two and two together.
Aishe
15 years ago
Wonderful. Pak was ranting in a foreign language and Kiamhaat was hiding in the corner. If she weren't so concerned about the both of them she'd have laughed her rear end off... as it was, she was looking forward to just maybe doing that when this was all over, but for the time being she focused on what Pak was saying, trying not to crowd Kiamhaat.
"So wait - what you're telilng me is this has happened before? And Kem was there then too, on the bridge?"
Aishe stared at Pak. Then she stared at Kiamhaat for a moment. It was like - reverse empathy. Or something. Could it be possible that Kiamhaat was causing Pak to feel the same thing as he was?
She bit her lip, took a step across the elevator, and gently touched his shoulder. He opened his eyes and she shook her head at him. "I'm really sorry, love."
Aishe smacked him across the face. Once. Pretty hard. She watched him register shock and surprise and then confusion as he looked from her to Pak.
Aishe turned as well. "So... how do you feel now, Pak?"
"So wait - what you're telilng me is this has happened before? And Kem was there then too, on the bridge?"
Aishe stared at Pak. Then she stared at Kiamhaat for a moment. It was like - reverse empathy. Or something. Could it be possible that Kiamhaat was causing Pak to feel the same thing as he was?
She bit her lip, took a step across the elevator, and gently touched his shoulder. He opened his eyes and she shook her head at him. "I'm really sorry, love."
Aishe smacked him across the face. Once. Pretty hard. She watched him register shock and surprise and then confusion as he looked from her to Pak.
Aishe turned as well. "So... how do you feel now, Pak?"
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
The falling feeling, the sick feeling, the dizziness and room-tilting were reaching critical mass. Kem was trying to hold it in, unsuccessfully. It was like it was being multiplied, as if there was too much feeling for him to contain. Or a duplicate of himself standing next to him. He couldn't describe it.
Suddenly Aishe was apologizing, and before he could ask why she decked him. The feeling that he was spreading out suddenly vanished, as if he'd sucked his fear back into himself and his panicky twin had disappeared. He stared at Aishe, and then Pak.
"Holy shit."
He went limp as sudden dawning came over him, or at least something resembling dawning. Instead of being tightly curled into a ball he let his head drop back against the elevator wall with a metallic thump.
"Now is not the time for this."
To make matters worse, the elevator lurched downward without warning, dropping several feet before jarring them all with enough force to knock them off balance. The weird feeling returned, tenfold, as Kem struggled to maintain both his own sanity and, apparently, Pak's.
When MARI appeared on the wall to warn them that the elevator was making a safe descent but the trip might be slightly rough, he growled something almost incomprehensible and entirely rude at her.
Suddenly Aishe was apologizing, and before he could ask why she decked him. The feeling that he was spreading out suddenly vanished, as if he'd sucked his fear back into himself and his panicky twin had disappeared. He stared at Aishe, and then Pak.
"Holy shit."
He went limp as sudden dawning came over him, or at least something resembling dawning. Instead of being tightly curled into a ball he let his head drop back against the elevator wall with a metallic thump.
"Now is not the time for this."
To make matters worse, the elevator lurched downward without warning, dropping several feet before jarring them all with enough force to knock them off balance. The weird feeling returned, tenfold, as Kem struggled to maintain both his own sanity and, apparently, Pak's.
When MARI appeared on the wall to warn them that the elevator was making a safe descent but the trip might be slightly rough, he growled something almost incomprehensible and entirely rude at her.
Pakpao
15 years ago
“I think you have gone crazy and Lawan thinks so too.”
At least this time Pak had the presence of mind –not- to reply aloud.
“I am not and neither is Kem go and play with your sister. We can talk later.”
Fortunately the voice that was her son did apparently wander off to play with his sister, at least she didn’t hear him any more.
“Yes he was there, I wouldn’t have stopped otherwise.”
Now that Pak had –not- expected, not in a few hundred years. She just stared at Aishe who had just popped Kem a good one. The funny thing was as Kem seemed to redirect his fear and nervousness to shock at what the young vampire had done her own sense of panic dissipated and seemed to clear.
A little light bulb went off in her head, there was room for it now that she wasn’t trying to keep from escaping the elevator.
“God damned son of a bitch! Could you not have picked a better time to do this to me? Something warm and fuzzy, with puppies maybe?”
She really wasn’t mad at him. OK a little irritated but it could wait until they got out of the elevator. In fact, now that she had an idea what was going on Pak was even a little impressed, not that she’d ever let Kem know that.
When the elevator dropped again Pak, like any sensible person, grabbed for the handrail but she didn’t feel the same sense of panic and desperation. Either she was able to keep control of herself now that she had a clue or Kem was able to keep his freak out to himself a bit better; possibly a bit of both.
Having already gotten cross with him once she didn’t even consider telling him off for being rude to the AI.
“Congratulations.”
She said with a bit of irony before continuing in a more supportive vein.
“I think, now that I have some idea what’s going on I can at least keep myself under control. You can go back to panicking if you need to.”
At least this time Pak had the presence of mind –not- to reply aloud.
“I am not and neither is Kem go and play with your sister. We can talk later.”
Fortunately the voice that was her son did apparently wander off to play with his sister, at least she didn’t hear him any more.
“Yes he was there, I wouldn’t have stopped otherwise.”
Now that Pak had –not- expected, not in a few hundred years. She just stared at Aishe who had just popped Kem a good one. The funny thing was as Kem seemed to redirect his fear and nervousness to shock at what the young vampire had done her own sense of panic dissipated and seemed to clear.
A little light bulb went off in her head, there was room for it now that she wasn’t trying to keep from escaping the elevator.
“God damned son of a bitch! Could you not have picked a better time to do this to me? Something warm and fuzzy, with puppies maybe?”
She really wasn’t mad at him. OK a little irritated but it could wait until they got out of the elevator. In fact, now that she had an idea what was going on Pak was even a little impressed, not that she’d ever let Kem know that.
When the elevator dropped again Pak, like any sensible person, grabbed for the handrail but she didn’t feel the same sense of panic and desperation. Either she was able to keep control of herself now that she had a clue or Kem was able to keep his freak out to himself a bit better; possibly a bit of both.
Having already gotten cross with him once she didn’t even consider telling him off for being rude to the AI.
“Congratulations.”
She said with a bit of irony before continuing in a more supportive vein.
“I think, now that I have some idea what’s going on I can at least keep myself under control. You can go back to panicking if you need to.”