Aishe couldn't help but wince a little bit as Kiamhaat thunked his head against the elevator wall. Evidently her guess had been right. What her guess had been, she wasn't really sure, but both he and Pak seemed to have an inkling if Pak's response was any indicator.
The elevator jerked downwards and Aishe bit back a laugh of relief as Kiamhaat told MARI off. The AI, of course, refused to take insult and after a second the elevator smoothed itself out and descended normally. It was going to take a few minutes to get down to the ground floor, as the elevator seemed to be going a little slower than usual. That was all right for her, but she was uncertain as to whether Kiamhaat would survive. If he didn't panic to death, Pak might murder him.
"I don't supposed either of you might want to let me know what exactly this is all about?"
She looked back and forth between Kem and Pak. Clearly the two of them seemed to have a notion as to what had just transpired in the elevator, and she was curious.
...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
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Knowing there was a reason for Pak's anxiety didn't make him feel any better, particularly as he had been the reason, if Aishe was right... and it seemed she might be. Once he understood why she'd smacked him it seemed clear as day.
He did have the decency to apologize to Pak, however. "Sorry Pak. We'll try puppies next time. Downstairs."
Those thoughts fled, however, as the elevator continued its way down. His stomach was protesting in a very loud voice that was nearly impossible to ignore. Weak-kneed, he tried to slither up the wall into a standing position. Pride demanded he not meet their rescuers on his ass curled in a fetal position. It might not have been a good idea.
With one hand he gripped the rail; with the other he finally accepted Aishe's offer of support and leaned against her, closing his eyes once more. When she asked for an explanation he waved weakly at Pak. Let her explain. He was otherwise occupied.
He did have the decency to apologize to Pak, however. "Sorry Pak. We'll try puppies next time. Downstairs."
Those thoughts fled, however, as the elevator continued its way down. His stomach was protesting in a very loud voice that was nearly impossible to ignore. Weak-kneed, he tried to slither up the wall into a standing position. Pride demanded he not meet their rescuers on his ass curled in a fetal position. It might not have been a good idea.
With one hand he gripped the rail; with the other he finally accepted Aishe's offer of support and leaned against her, closing his eyes once more. When she asked for an explanation he waved weakly at Pak. Let her explain. He was otherwise occupied.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak nodded curtly accepting the apology but also fully expecting to get to try out some of the potentially more entertaining aspects of Kem’s new talent. She might have been a bit more forgiving but her head hadn’t quite cleared of the effects of his glamour, she might still receive some of those effects from him, however hard they were both fighting it.
Satisfied that Kem wasn’t going to flip any further out she took his unspoken queue to explain. She wouldn’t make him go into detail and try and keep from freaking out.
Fuck this, Pak stuck the unlit clove in her mouth for a second before trying to make this make sense.
“Our dear Kem here has, from the look… feel of things has found a new talent. It’s called glamour. If you have this particular talent and think about it hard enough you can get people to feel what ever you want them to. I’ve known one or two in the clan that could make people see things as well.”
She stuck the clove back in her mouth and debated lighting it. The only problem was that it might set off the sprinklers.
“This one could get you in trouble.”
Pak noted. It just went to show what you didn’t know could indeed hurt you, or some one else.
Satisfied that Kem wasn’t going to flip any further out she took his unspoken queue to explain. She wouldn’t make him go into detail and try and keep from freaking out.
Fuck this, Pak stuck the unlit clove in her mouth for a second before trying to make this make sense.
“Our dear Kem here has, from the look… feel of things has found a new talent. It’s called glamour. If you have this particular talent and think about it hard enough you can get people to feel what ever you want them to. I’ve known one or two in the clan that could make people see things as well.”
She stuck the clove back in her mouth and debated lighting it. The only problem was that it might set off the sprinklers.
“This one could get you in trouble.”
Pak noted. It just went to show what you didn’t know could indeed hurt you, or some one else.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe slid her shoulder under Kem's arm and did her best to sned soothing thoughts along the bond they shared. She could feel him shaking still, and she was sorry for his having to go through all of this, but she really thought he'd done all right. In spite of trying to beat his way out of a metal elevator car. She'd have to apologize to the maintenance crew for that.
She listened to Pak and watched Kem's face while she explained. "Huh. A new party trick? Why?"
She knew vampires often grew stronger or experienced new abilities as they aged; was that the cause? She'd certainly experienced something like this herself, when she'd discovered her own talents. She also remembered the panic she'd felt when it seemed like she was going crazy - and that had turned uot to be her interesting knack of talking to the raccoons under their porch.
"How odd, to discover it now. And you must have had it on the bridge a few months ago too. But I've never felt anything you did."
She listened to Pak and watched Kem's face while she explained. "Huh. A new party trick? Why?"
She knew vampires often grew stronger or experienced new abilities as they aged; was that the cause? She'd certainly experienced something like this herself, when she'd discovered her own talents. She also remembered the panic she'd felt when it seemed like she was going crazy - and that had turned uot to be her interesting knack of talking to the raccoons under their porch.
"How odd, to discover it now. And you must have had it on the bridge a few months ago too. But I've never felt anything you did."
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem gritted his teeth, praying for the ride back to a reasonable level to go uneventfully. He would have prayed for "quicker" but he had a feeling that would only lead to a repeat. He very nearly had a handle on himself now, insofar as he could get a grip on his own irrational freakout.
"Because," he grumbled at Aishe's question, "life apparently wasn't difficult enough ten minutes ago."
It came out snappish and pointed; far more so than he'd intended.
[Sorry, merit,] he sent, finally having his head together enough for that abiity to work. [I didn't mean to snap.]
He shook his head weakly when Aishe wondered aloud about not feeling anything herself. "We're bonded," he reminded her. "Even if I'd been doing something unintentionally you might not have realized it."
The elevator came to a grinding halt and he swore he heard a choir of angels or something as the doors slid open. He almost fell over himself in his haste to stagger out, taking in the faces of the two employees at the control panel, working under MARI's direction.
"I love you both."
Assuming Pak and Aishe were following, he lurched over to the closest chair and fell into it, propping his elbows on his knees and resting his head in his hands.
"Because," he grumbled at Aishe's question, "life apparently wasn't difficult enough ten minutes ago."
It came out snappish and pointed; far more so than he'd intended.
[Sorry, merit,] he sent, finally having his head together enough for that abiity to work. [I didn't mean to snap.]
He shook his head weakly when Aishe wondered aloud about not feeling anything herself. "We're bonded," he reminded her. "Even if I'd been doing something unintentionally you might not have realized it."
The elevator came to a grinding halt and he swore he heard a choir of angels or something as the doors slid open. He almost fell over himself in his haste to stagger out, taking in the faces of the two employees at the control panel, working under MARI's direction.
"I love you both."
Assuming Pak and Aishe were following, he lurched over to the closest chair and fell into it, propping his elbows on his knees and resting his head in his hands.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Fortunately, Kem took to explaining the wherefore and the why about its sudden appearance and Aishe’s failure to notice it right away.
She, however, was not going to let him stay there and fawn over the maintenance workers. Oh no Pak had been through an ordeal too and she needed that damned clover. Grabbing Kem by the elbow she pulled him outside. He leaned a bit on her but she didn’t mind. There was a bench and an ashtray right outside the door and she took it as a given Aishe would come as well. They both immediately flopped on the bench, there was still room for Aishe, and she lit the longed for clove inhaling deeply.
Oh thank good that was better.
“That love had better have been directed at least partially at your girlfriend and I.”
Pak frowned a bit realizing that Kem was going to have learn to get this under control and potentially Aishe wasn’t going to be the best partner for practice.
“You might want to keep this a bit on the quiet side.”
She said between drags.
“If you can freak me out that bad there might be some kind of tactical advantage in it.”
No Pak wasn’t a fighter, but she was a chess player and it never did pay to bring the queen, well Kem, out too early. Not that she had a clue how one used glamour offensively but maybe…
She, however, was not going to let him stay there and fawn over the maintenance workers. Oh no Pak had been through an ordeal too and she needed that damned clover. Grabbing Kem by the elbow she pulled him outside. He leaned a bit on her but she didn’t mind. There was a bench and an ashtray right outside the door and she took it as a given Aishe would come as well. They both immediately flopped on the bench, there was still room for Aishe, and she lit the longed for clove inhaling deeply.
Oh thank good that was better.
“That love had better have been directed at least partially at your girlfriend and I.”
Pak frowned a bit realizing that Kem was going to have learn to get this under control and potentially Aishe wasn’t going to be the best partner for practice.
“You might want to keep this a bit on the quiet side.”
She said between drags.
“If you can freak me out that bad there might be some kind of tactical advantage in it.”
No Pak wasn’t a fighter, but she was a chess player and it never did pay to bring the queen, well Kem, out too early. Not that she had a clue how one used glamour offensively but maybe…
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe was happy to be heading in a slow, controlled, downward direction. She hadn't even noticed Kiamhaat's snappishness, and if she had it wouldn't have bothered her.
[No need to apologize,] she sent back cheekily. [I'll just assume you're going to live through this after all, if you're snarking at me.]
Kiamhaat was out of the elevator in a hurry when the doors finally opened. Aishe paused to thank the maintenance team properly, watching out of the corner of her eye as he oozed into a nearby chair and was immediately dragged right back out of it by Pak, who appeared to be on a smoking mission.
She followed them outside, leaving the mostly-distracted workers to finish up repairing the elevator. Indeed, Pak was lighting up while Kiamhaat had resumed his folded-over position on the ornate bench just outside the apartment building. Aishe sat beside him, sliding her arm around him and letting him slump against her.
"Oh I know I'm loved," she assured Pak. "Kem was totally going to hurl the other way in the elevator, if it came to it."
She favored Pak with a cheerful smile, knowing their friend was just falling back into their good banter routine. She didn't think Pak needed any further reminder of what had transpired in her own apartment barely a week past.
She nodded, though, when Pak mentioned tactical advantage. "Of course there must be. You'll have to experiment some, see if you have to be feeling a certain way to make others feel it, or if you can just -zing!- make someone freak out."
In the meantime, though her voice was cheerful, her hands gently snaked up underneath Kiamhaat's hair and her fingertips rubbed firmly at the back of his neck and shoulders.
[No need to apologize,] she sent back cheekily. [I'll just assume you're going to live through this after all, if you're snarking at me.]
Kiamhaat was out of the elevator in a hurry when the doors finally opened. Aishe paused to thank the maintenance team properly, watching out of the corner of her eye as he oozed into a nearby chair and was immediately dragged right back out of it by Pak, who appeared to be on a smoking mission.
She followed them outside, leaving the mostly-distracted workers to finish up repairing the elevator. Indeed, Pak was lighting up while Kiamhaat had resumed his folded-over position on the ornate bench just outside the apartment building. Aishe sat beside him, sliding her arm around him and letting him slump against her.
"Oh I know I'm loved," she assured Pak. "Kem was totally going to hurl the other way in the elevator, if it came to it."
She favored Pak with a cheerful smile, knowing their friend was just falling back into their good banter routine. She didn't think Pak needed any further reminder of what had transpired in her own apartment barely a week past.
She nodded, though, when Pak mentioned tactical advantage. "Of course there must be. You'll have to experiment some, see if you have to be feeling a certain way to make others feel it, or if you can just -zing!- make someone freak out."
In the meantime, though her voice was cheerful, her hands gently snaked up underneath Kiamhaat's hair and her fingertips rubbed firmly at the back of his neck and shoulders.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
No sooner had he landed in his chair when Pak was dragging him out of it again. Kem wasn't about to complain however. He was back on solid ground, at ground level, and all that remained was to convince himself of where he was and that, yes, they were doing going upwards for the night.
He simply grunted at Pak when she expressed a desire to be loved. When Aishe joined in, sitting down next to him, he shook his head and roused himself enough to look at her.
"Can we ix-nay on the url-hay?" it came out as half-plea, half-groan. Things were still flopping around inside. While he was in full control of his mental capabilities, his body was still trying to settle itself. It didn't need any further encouragement.
He dropped his head back into his hands and bemoaned Aishe's enthusiasm. "There will be no going 'zing' tonight. Not at all. I mean it."
Kem sighed as Aishe kneaded his shoulders. "We're going home. I have sick leave. I'm taking it."
He simply grunted at Pak when she expressed a desire to be loved. When Aishe joined in, sitting down next to him, he shook his head and roused himself enough to look at her.
"Can we ix-nay on the url-hay?" it came out as half-plea, half-groan. Things were still flopping around inside. While he was in full control of his mental capabilities, his body was still trying to settle itself. It didn't need any further encouragement.
He dropped his head back into his hands and bemoaned Aishe's enthusiasm. "There will be no going 'zing' tonight. Not at all. I mean it."
Kem sighed as Aishe kneaded his shoulders. "We're going home. I have sick leave. I'm taking it."
Pakpao
15 years ago
She had finished the first clove with undo haste. Slowly, deliberately, and thankfully calmly brought out the flashy case she kept the cigarettes in and the even flashier lighter she favored. This one would be savored, smoked slowly while she thought.
There was no further pushing on the love thing. Any friend who let you bite them was a better friend than most. It would have been simple enough to dig up some bagged blood, but he hadn’t. And neither of them had said word one about any of it. Eventually she’d probably have to talk to Kem about it but Pak was putting that off, -way- off.
“I’ll drive.”
It was said for limited shock value all three of them knew she wasn’t going any farther from the door than this.
“I think sick time is understandable this is at least one of those twenty four hour things.”
Pak thoughtfully scratched her head for a second.
“I wonder how much time they give you if you learn to levitate.”
It was all idle chatter on her end. She was simply keeping the two of them company until Kem had his land legs back. Although if she could be amusing and help take his mind off things that would be good too.
“You can look me up when you’re ready to ‘zing’ though. Just remember you promised me puppies this time.”
There was no further pushing on the love thing. Any friend who let you bite them was a better friend than most. It would have been simple enough to dig up some bagged blood, but he hadn’t. And neither of them had said word one about any of it. Eventually she’d probably have to talk to Kem about it but Pak was putting that off, -way- off.
“I’ll drive.”
It was said for limited shock value all three of them knew she wasn’t going any farther from the door than this.
“I think sick time is understandable this is at least one of those twenty four hour things.”
Pak thoughtfully scratched her head for a second.
“I wonder how much time they give you if you learn to levitate.”
It was all idle chatter on her end. She was simply keeping the two of them company until Kem had his land legs back. Although if she could be amusing and help take his mind off things that would be good too.
“You can look me up when you’re ready to ‘zing’ though. Just remember you promised me puppies this time.”
Aishe
15 years ago
It was a testament to how wobbly Kiamhaat was still feeling, that he wasn't planning to return to work that night. Aishe imagined he probably had several years' worth accumulated by now - not only did he never miss a night, but he had been working like a dog (well, two dogs) for over a year now. She simply nodded to him; she wasn't about to let him go home alone, and her shift was ending within the next three hours anyhow. No one would begrudge her an early night, she was sure; in fact, she had covered for one or two of her fellow security team on several occasions.
She snickered at Pak's jab. "Below the belt, Pak." Still, she grinned. "You drive and I'll let Kem have the run of your shoe collection."
Innocently, she stuck out her hand as if to shake on the deal.
At Pak's curiosity, Aishe chortled with glee. "You let us know when that happens," she said. "Floating Pak. The 8th wonder of the world."
Turning to Kiamhaat she stopped massaging his neck and lightly reached under his chin to turn his face to her. "Think you can drive?"
She still didn't know how to drive a stick and even if she did, she wouldn't want to climb behind the wheel of Kiamhaat's new "baby." It was far too spoiled and high-strung for her. Aishe was convinced he'd feel better, at any rate, if he drove for a little bit. It was one of the things he enjoyed.
She snickered at Pak's jab. "Below the belt, Pak." Still, she grinned. "You drive and I'll let Kem have the run of your shoe collection."
Innocently, she stuck out her hand as if to shake on the deal.
At Pak's curiosity, Aishe chortled with glee. "You let us know when that happens," she said. "Floating Pak. The 8th wonder of the world."
Turning to Kiamhaat she stopped massaging his neck and lightly reached under his chin to turn his face to her. "Think you can drive?"
She still didn't know how to drive a stick and even if she did, she wouldn't want to climb behind the wheel of Kiamhaat's new "baby." It was far too spoiled and high-strung for her. Aishe was convinced he'd feel better, at any rate, if he drove for a little bit. It was one of the things he enjoyed.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Face in his hands still, Kem mustered up a snort from somewhere at Pak's suggestion. Aishe had the perfect comeback, however, and Kem couldn't argue - the day Pak got behind the wheel of the new BMW was the day he did, indeed, ransack her shoe collection. One heel off each shoe. Sounded good to him.
When Aishe raised his head, looking him straight on, he managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I can drive." Then collapse. Sounded good too.
He shook his head at Pak. "I can't promise puppies. I'll get to work on the rainbows though."
He wasn't entirely sure what to think of the onset of what did seem to be a new "party trick," as Aishe put it - a term she had gotten from him initially. What it was, what it meant, it was for the most part, kind of irritating. The last of his abilities to manifest itself had been his bonding, as far as he knew, and look where it had gotten them! And the psychometry... that had taken decades to get used to. It still made him sick if he used it too many times in succession. Feeling slightly disgusted, he decided that the onset of a new "gift" was something akin to vampiric puberty. Who the hell wanted to go through that?
Well... at any rate he didn't seem to have much choice in the matter. He stood, considered going to get his bag from the archives, and then decided against it. His office was locked and no one would be going in there for any reason anyhow. It would keep.
When Aishe raised his head, looking him straight on, he managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I can drive." Then collapse. Sounded good too.
He shook his head at Pak. "I can't promise puppies. I'll get to work on the rainbows though."
He wasn't entirely sure what to think of the onset of what did seem to be a new "party trick," as Aishe put it - a term she had gotten from him initially. What it was, what it meant, it was for the most part, kind of irritating. The last of his abilities to manifest itself had been his bonding, as far as he knew, and look where it had gotten them! And the psychometry... that had taken decades to get used to. It still made him sick if he used it too many times in succession. Feeling slightly disgusted, he decided that the onset of a new "gift" was something akin to vampiric puberty. Who the hell wanted to go through that?
Well... at any rate he didn't seem to have much choice in the matter. He stood, considered going to get his bag from the archives, and then decided against it. His office was locked and no one would be going in there for any reason anyhow. It would keep.
Pakpao
15 years ago
“I’m going to do you both a favor and pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Pak said apparently studying her cigarette. How the hell had she developed a taste for these things? She couldn’t remember. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t as if she was addicted (she wasn’t) she was just more than slightly fond of them. What she was actually doing was watching her brother and his girlfriend trying to make sure they were both OK. She was a bit worried about Kem, but trusted Aishe to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid or beyond him.
If she had to, she’d drive them both home. Although she’d also probably set a land speed record driving back here, with all the windows rolled up, the doors locked, and one or two good screwdrivers close at hand. Maybe if she drove fast enough she’d get a police escort. The speeding ticket would be worth the company.
“Besides, I meant my car. Aishe could drive you back tomorrow or the next day.”
For one brief second she looked horrified. Pak had –never- considered that –she- might learn to levitate. New gifts happened to other vampires not her. Besides she’d had more than enough trouble sorting out the few she had and saw no need to ‘improve’.
“I’ve never had much use for rainbows but we can negotiate the details later. I’m not worried.”
OK she was a bit worried about him right at that second. However, she also had faith Kem would get this worked out and be fine and that he probably wouldn’t kill her, or anyone else, in the process.
Pak said apparently studying her cigarette. How the hell had she developed a taste for these things? She couldn’t remember. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t as if she was addicted (she wasn’t) she was just more than slightly fond of them. What she was actually doing was watching her brother and his girlfriend trying to make sure they were both OK. She was a bit worried about Kem, but trusted Aishe to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid or beyond him.
If she had to, she’d drive them both home. Although she’d also probably set a land speed record driving back here, with all the windows rolled up, the doors locked, and one or two good screwdrivers close at hand. Maybe if she drove fast enough she’d get a police escort. The speeding ticket would be worth the company.
“Besides, I meant my car. Aishe could drive you back tomorrow or the next day.”
For one brief second she looked horrified. Pak had –never- considered that –she- might learn to levitate. New gifts happened to other vampires not her. Besides she’d had more than enough trouble sorting out the few she had and saw no need to ‘improve’.
“I’ve never had much use for rainbows but we can negotiate the details later. I’m not worried.”
OK she was a bit worried about him right at that second. However, she also had faith Kem would get this worked out and be fine and that he probably wouldn’t kill her, or anyone else, in the process.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Twisting back and forth as if to stretch his back, Kem finally waded through a good deal of the panic-induced fog to peer at Pak a little more closely. She was about a half-inch from mother-henning him, and he had to admit it was kind of endearing.
He tilted his head at her and dragged his smile out again. "It's all right Pak. I'll be fine. I'm just... really tired."
That was the truth of it. It wasn't like he hadn't freaked out when up high before. But any time anyone suffered emotional or physical stress it was bound to be draining, and that was exactly how he felt - drained.
He shrugged at his little sister, remembering the reason she'd initially accompanied them that night. Putting his own problems aside, for they were minor (would that everyone's troubles could be solved with nothing more than a good night's and day's rest), he frowned at Pak.
"What about you? Going to pull through, or did you want to come back with us?"
He meant the offer; Pak had spent the night before and if she wanted company she was welcome to come along.
He tilted his head at her and dragged his smile out again. "It's all right Pak. I'll be fine. I'm just... really tired."
That was the truth of it. It wasn't like he hadn't freaked out when up high before. But any time anyone suffered emotional or physical stress it was bound to be draining, and that was exactly how he felt - drained.
He shrugged at his little sister, remembering the reason she'd initially accompanied them that night. Putting his own problems aside, for they were minor (would that everyone's troubles could be solved with nothing more than a good night's and day's rest), he frowned at Pak.
"What about you? Going to pull through, or did you want to come back with us?"
He meant the offer; Pak had spent the night before and if she wanted company she was welcome to come along.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Now that Pak understood, and she nodded slightly and tried to back off a bit. She was fussing, but she couldn’t seem to stop.
It was the closest Kem had come to mentioning her own issues and even now, he didn’t quite address them head on. She managed a bit of a laugh at his concern. The idea of going back with them was very appealing and more than slightly tempting. Pak, however, was trying to stand on her own two feet and meet this head on. She wasn’t doing such a great job, ok she was failing but she was trying.
“I’ll be fine. I thought I’d take a long walk and take in some fresh air.”
It was said with a bit of irony Pak was sure Kem would pick up on. She’d probably go back up to her office finish off the night, if she could think straight she was still a bit unsettled by Kem’s accidental glamour, and then lock herself in her apartment and either work more or start a new puzzle. She might down load a movie too, or didn’t she have a book she hadn’t read somewhere? It didn’t matter the point was she’d manage.
It was the closest Kem had come to mentioning her own issues and even now, he didn’t quite address them head on. She managed a bit of a laugh at his concern. The idea of going back with them was very appealing and more than slightly tempting. Pak, however, was trying to stand on her own two feet and meet this head on. She wasn’t doing such a great job, ok she was failing but she was trying.
“I’ll be fine. I thought I’d take a long walk and take in some fresh air.”
It was said with a bit of irony Pak was sure Kem would pick up on. She’d probably go back up to her office finish off the night, if she could think straight she was still a bit unsettled by Kem’s accidental glamour, and then lock herself in her apartment and either work more or start a new puzzle. She might down load a movie too, or didn’t she have a book she hadn’t read somewhere? It didn’t matter the point was she’d manage.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe watched the affectionate byplay between Kiamhaat and Pak with amusement, and no small measure of fondness. If anyone had told her five years ago that her two best friends would be vampires, she'd have laughed and envied them their imaginations. Now it seemed only natural to not only be privy to such a world, but be a member as well.
She waited quietly while the two made a ritual of checking over each other in covert glances and witty repartee, her own assessment having been completed already. Within a few moments they were all headed to their respective homes; Pak safely back inside the towers, she and Kiamhaat strolling hand-in-hand toward the parking garage. He was quiet; thoughtful. Aishe understood, and didn't press him to talk. They would get around to that later. One thing she'd learned, living with Kiamhaat, he always needed time to process new things. He certainly didn't fear change, but, perhaps because his life had encompassed several hundred years, he always liked to absorb things before reflecting upon them.
It was fine by her. She, in her turn, was simply proud he'd managed to hold himself together, more or less, in a situation she knew he'd been "practicing" for for a year, but that they both knew you could never truly prepare for. Success, even in limited measure, was still success. And when he'd rested and had time to think it over, Aishe was fairly certain Kiamhaat would reach that same conclusion.
((ooc: All out))
She waited quietly while the two made a ritual of checking over each other in covert glances and witty repartee, her own assessment having been completed already. Within a few moments they were all headed to their respective homes; Pak safely back inside the towers, she and Kiamhaat strolling hand-in-hand toward the parking garage. He was quiet; thoughtful. Aishe understood, and didn't press him to talk. They would get around to that later. One thing she'd learned, living with Kiamhaat, he always needed time to process new things. He certainly didn't fear change, but, perhaps because his life had encompassed several hundred years, he always liked to absorb things before reflecting upon them.
It was fine by her. She, in her turn, was simply proud he'd managed to hold himself together, more or less, in a situation she knew he'd been "practicing" for for a year, but that they both knew you could never truly prepare for. Success, even in limited measure, was still success. And when he'd rested and had time to think it over, Aishe was fairly certain Kiamhaat would reach that same conclusion.
((ooc: All out))