As Dana stood Amir watched her for a moment, as if testing himself. Yes. The urge to kiss her was still there. It was almost a relief, and it was an annoyance at the same time. Normally his relationships were chosen much more methodically. He didn't think of himself as cold, but he put work before pleasure on every occasion he could remember, and any lover he had had in the past either did something similar, or had been acquainted with him long enough to realize where his priorities lay. Those guidelines could not be applied to Dana, who for some reason made him feel as if things were much further along than they actually were. He didn't like it. It upset the order of things; it disturbed the careful precision with which he set up his life.
He set the thought aside to be pondered later, pulling away reluctantly with a wry smile the only indicator of his mental debate. Off-balance or not he wasn't going to turn away her company. In theory the more he had of it, the better he would be able to strategize a new plan for dealing with her. Thank you, Sun Tzu.
With her on his right arm, they made their way deeper into Heolfor's gardens. Backing the conversation up just a little, he gave Dana a belated nod of agreement.
"Bao is exceedingly interesting, once you get to know him."
The topic of Bao was safe enough. It kept him focused on something more neutral. For once, perhaps Subira's lecture about curbing his impulsive behavior had sunk in.
He turned to look slightly down at Dana. "Don't get too hung up on manners, or formalities. Otherwise you may spend hours beating around the same bush."
Amir had long since learned that sometimes kid gloves were a pitfall with Bao. The two of them held the same regard for procedure, manners, and processes but of the two, Bao was the one more likely to stick to it. Maybe it was because Amir was used to "being" so many different people, but more often than not he found himself meeting Bao's formalities with bluntness in order to get to the point of a matter.
"I know you would have come across that on your own, but you might be surprised at how many times I've seen him trap someone in a ceaseless cycle of routine and ritual."
Amir's smile was a little wicked at the thought; watching Bao do so in court was a lot of fun. Hours could pass before a person figured out that almost nothing of any relevance had been said. Amir wouldn't put it beyond Bao to test Dana that way, and while Dana could sink or swim on her own a heads up never hurt.
Under the Radar (open)
In the six days since his little romp in the park, Amir had been laying low. He would have loved to see the ensuing and no doubt mostly fruitless search of his well-made crime scene, but the unplanned addition of a were had caused some difficulty. He had been some few days recovering after having dragged himself bleeding and dripping innards through the Manor. Low activity and a good number of extra meals had helped put him to rights though, and he was mostly recuperated. His insides were safely back where they belonged and the numerous injuries sustained were now vague echoes. There were some very pale bruises just disappearing in places yet, mostly his stomach and his regenerated left shoulder, which was still giving him a small amount of trouble. The skin had healed over but he suspected not all the bone had yet filled in. It hadn't made any difference though; he'd been able to hunt for himself for the past two nights rather than relying on Bao.
He grinned to himself at the thought. Bao had been less than pleased to discover his creator had gone off and had some fun without him. Amir had still been suffused with the heady exhilaration of the hunt when Bao had found him so he hadn't noticed right away, but the next time he'd seen Bao the man had fairly dripped with disapproval. Amir was having a hard time feeling guilty about it; Bao had his own agenda and Amir stayed out of it, mostly. Bao could do the same.
It was nearly time for him to make another trip into the Park; perhaps further. The investigations were over by now and Amir was anxious to keep whittling away. Nearly, though - not just yet. So tonight he was reading, an activity that calmed him when he was restless. Heolfor's vast acreage was dotted with numerous parks and gardens, and it was into one of these Amir had wandered, one not too far from the Manor itself but enough that the normal nightly traffic wasn't a disturbance.
Tonight's book, a work by a man Amir wished he'd known; Sun Tzu. He'd memorized the Art of War from front to back long ago but it never hurt to refamiliarize himself with its welcoming pages. Subira had been proud of him, yes, but also in her words he'd sensed a note of exasperation. He was her most willful child, he knew, and she cared for him in her way. She had berated him for acting rashly, for using himself as bait when he could have let someone else bear the load. Her harsh words had hidden fear, fear that Amir would someday bite off more than he could chew.
He had laughed at her. Of course he would - someday. That day was in the future. For now, his objective was best achieved by using his own strength and resources. This fear of Subira's - it wasn't born of love, or of any soft sentimentality. No. It was because of all her children, Amir was the oldest, the strongest, the most resilient. There had been others before him but they had perished in one way or another. Amir had remained, a youngling with potential at first; a juvenile with promise next; then one day he'd been someone, older, wiser, stronger... and her favorite.
He didn't worry for his future for the reasons Subira did. He was a tool to her. A well-loved and favorite tool, to be sure, but he was still a piece on her chessboard. To her. To Amir, his loyalty was not to Subira but to the Clan. His values had been put in place by her, and he was ready to give himself for his cause if that was what it took. Amir couldn't help but suffer a selfish hope that it wouldn't get quite that bad, however.
These thoughts of disquiet were distracting though. He'd ridden into Nachton ealier that night and sated his thirst but the hunt had been too easy, not challenging enough. After returning to Heolfor he'd excersized and it had done some good. He'd considered looking for Dana, unable to deny that her company was welcome, but in that area, too, were restless thoughts. She would find him when she was ready, and he would enjoy her company again.
Social interaction must have been on his mind, though, he mused as he flipped the pages of the book and idly skimmed over Chapter Two: Waging War. Surely something in his subconscious was looking for company, or else he would not have chosen a fairly obvious location to sit with his book. Heolfor had many other places for solitude and while he was a little out of the way, this particular garden wasn't one of them.
Amir
15 years ago
Dana
15 years ago
Dana's own smile turned wry. It would be interesting to play a game of rituals with Bao. She'd lived her life in court, playing the game of formalities. She was better at it than anyone she knew, including Lady Erin. It had made her invaluable to her maker. She was not arrogant enough to say these things to Amir.
"I shall keep that in mind."
It had not been uncommon to lead her quarry around in circles, revealing nothing of herself and learning all the other had to offer. She doubted she could get anything from Bao, but she did know she could keep everything from him, should she choose. It would be fun to find out.
"How is it you know Bao? Are you old friends?"
She was genuinely curious, wanting to know as much about this man as she could. Wanting to move their relationship along into a deeper friendships, so that perhaps one day soon, he might be willing to make the dreams she had in the day a reality.
"I shall keep that in mind."
It had not been uncommon to lead her quarry around in circles, revealing nothing of herself and learning all the other had to offer. She doubted she could get anything from Bao, but she did know she could keep everything from him, should she choose. It would be fun to find out.
"How is it you know Bao? Are you old friends?"
She was genuinely curious, wanting to know as much about this man as she could. Wanting to move their relationship along into a deeper friendships, so that perhaps one day soon, he might be willing to make the dreams she had in the day a reality.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir said no more about it; Dana's response was enough. She acknowledged the tip he gave her. He wasn't going to press her. She either had sufficient confidence in herself to pass any such tests, or she was an idiot. The former option, however, was far more appealing and likely than the latter.
He nodded to Dana when she asked the obvious question. "We're old friends, you could say that," he answered. "He's also one of my numerous contributions to Anantya."
Amir hadn't exactly been a turning machine; he was very picky about those he chose. He generally didn't hesitate once he found someone compatible and willing though. He did his research first and never turned anyone without sufficient information. Not after the first time he'd done so, anyhow. But he'd been very young, and mistakes happened. Since that one mistake, every one of his children had remained in the clan and contributed in their fashion.
Because he wanted to continue speaking to her, he elaborated a little. "Bao and I understand each other," he said. "We work well together, and he's one of the few people I call friend. It was advantageous to both of us to turn him, and he's never let the clan down."
Amir had no small amount of pride in Bao. He really was, for the most part, a good and loyal clan member.
He nodded to Dana when she asked the obvious question. "We're old friends, you could say that," he answered. "He's also one of my numerous contributions to Anantya."
Amir hadn't exactly been a turning machine; he was very picky about those he chose. He generally didn't hesitate once he found someone compatible and willing though. He did his research first and never turned anyone without sufficient information. Not after the first time he'd done so, anyhow. But he'd been very young, and mistakes happened. Since that one mistake, every one of his children had remained in the clan and contributed in their fashion.
Because he wanted to continue speaking to her, he elaborated a little. "Bao and I understand each other," he said. "We work well together, and he's one of the few people I call friend. It was advantageous to both of us to turn him, and he's never let the clan down."
Amir had no small amount of pride in Bao. He really was, for the most part, a good and loyal clan member.
Dana
15 years ago
"He seems a good man, I very much look forward to working with him."
It pleased Dana to have found herself connected with one of Amir's children. His pride for his child was clear in his voice, making her like him all the more. She had not made any children, never finding it a task she wanted to undertake. She wondered if Amir would hold that against her.
A soft sigh managed to escape her. Why did she care one way or the other what Amir thought? Her sense of self did not rest with this man. What was it about him? It was disturbing and she did not enjoy being disturbed.
She did not wish to dwell on it.
"Speaking of Bao, how do you feel about Hide and Seek?" A mischievous little grin curled her lips as she looked up at Amir.
It pleased Dana to have found herself connected with one of Amir's children. His pride for his child was clear in his voice, making her like him all the more. She had not made any children, never finding it a task she wanted to undertake. She wondered if Amir would hold that against her.
A soft sigh managed to escape her. Why did she care one way or the other what Amir thought? Her sense of self did not rest with this man. What was it about him? It was disturbing and she did not enjoy being disturbed.
She did not wish to dwell on it.
"Speaking of Bao, how do you feel about Hide and Seek?" A mischievous little grin curled her lips as she looked up at Amir.
Amir
15 years ago
"I look forward to it, too," Amir said pleasantly. He interacted enough with Bao that he was certain to be able to find a reason to stop by his office now and then. Not that he would use Bao as a pretense to see Dana. Not at all.
Maybe once or twice.
They had walked through several moonlit gardens, each one prettier than the next, and were emerging on the edge of the cultivated lands onto the wilder acreage of Heolfor. Now quite far from the manor itself, even the light evening traffic had diminished, leaving them poised on the edge of civilization.
Dana's abrupt change in conversation had Amir cocking an eyebrow at her quizzically.
"Bao reminds you of hide and seek?" That was a new one. She seemed serious enough though, so Amir considered it. "A good game. Great for training."
Then he let his slow sinuous smile spread across his face, his demeanor taking on a different sort of wickedness than Dana's. Personally, he thought hide and seek could have great potential for other things too, tempting fun things that he shouldn't really be thinking about. Things that would be beyond rude to mention to Dana just here and now. So instead he let his gaze linger for a moment before adding, "If that's an invitation I accept."
With that he stepped off the cultured, gravelled path and onto the worn dirt path leading out into the hills and woodland that made up a vast part of the Heolfor estate.
Maybe once or twice.
They had walked through several moonlit gardens, each one prettier than the next, and were emerging on the edge of the cultivated lands onto the wilder acreage of Heolfor. Now quite far from the manor itself, even the light evening traffic had diminished, leaving them poised on the edge of civilization.
Dana's abrupt change in conversation had Amir cocking an eyebrow at her quizzically.
"Bao reminds you of hide and seek?" That was a new one. She seemed serious enough though, so Amir considered it. "A good game. Great for training."
Then he let his slow sinuous smile spread across his face, his demeanor taking on a different sort of wickedness than Dana's. Personally, he thought hide and seek could have great potential for other things too, tempting fun things that he shouldn't really be thinking about. Things that would be beyond rude to mention to Dana just here and now. So instead he let his gaze linger for a moment before adding, "If that's an invitation I accept."
With that he stepped off the cultured, gravelled path and onto the worn dirt path leading out into the hills and woodland that made up a vast part of the Heolfor estate.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana wanted to giggle, a very girlish thing to do, so she repressed it. "Well, no speaking of Bao reminded me of a conversation I had with him about playing hide and seek."
Her cheeks flushed softly, and she hoped the moonlight hid it. "And that conversation had me wanting..." Oh, great God in heaven, she'd just about said something very unseemly. Well in for a penny...
And then he looked at her like that and she felt things go loose and then tight and then begin to squirm in her belly. That was a wonderful sort of look.
"Really? Now?"
Her bare feet touched soft dirt, and the change felt both good and strange all at once. She'd not realized how far out from the house they had come, her attention having been with Amir the entire walk.
Why was it men thought the mention of the game was an invitation to play right away? Not that Dana didn't want to play with Amir, and she was actually dressed in something that would do for a game.
Her surprise turned into a grin. "Alright. You're it!" She pulled her hand from Amir's arm, flashed him another grin and darted off the path and into the trees. As she ran, she belatedly remembered the rules so meticulously outlined to Bao. She didn't particularly want rules with Amir. No she wanted many other things that broke a lot of rules.
Her cheeks flushed softly, and she hoped the moonlight hid it. "And that conversation had me wanting..." Oh, great God in heaven, she'd just about said something very unseemly. Well in for a penny...
And then he looked at her like that and she felt things go loose and then tight and then begin to squirm in her belly. That was a wonderful sort of look.
"Really? Now?"
Her bare feet touched soft dirt, and the change felt both good and strange all at once. She'd not realized how far out from the house they had come, her attention having been with Amir the entire walk.
Why was it men thought the mention of the game was an invitation to play right away? Not that Dana didn't want to play with Amir, and she was actually dressed in something that would do for a game.
Her surprise turned into a grin. "Alright. You're it!" She pulled her hand from Amir's arm, flashed him another grin and darted off the path and into the trees. As she ran, she belatedly remembered the rules so meticulously outlined to Bao. She didn't particularly want rules with Amir. No she wanted many other things that broke a lot of rules.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir took pleasure in the fact that Dana's thoughts apparently mirrored his. it didn't matter in the long run, he supposed, but he was starting to enjoy that smile on her face.
When she suddenly decided they were to play hide and seek right then and there he held up a hand to forestall her, but she was already off and running. He thought he was impulsive. Dana had it all over him. No rules? Just them, right there? No predetermined boundaries? Were they allowed to use their vampiric abilities, or not?
"I guess right now," he said to the thin air with a grin.
He'd been thinking more of arranging a time and place, as they had always done in training. He was game though, if Dana wanted to be playful. Moving away from the path into the shadows, he leaned against a tree and turned his head up to the sky, counting stars. When he reached one hundred, making sure to end directly north with Polaris, he struck out in the same direction as Dana had disappeared.
It was probably best to assume some kind of basic rules. When they used such games in his youth, you used everything you had whether it was shapeshifting, becoming ethereal... anything. More challenging not to though.
Dana had taken off running in bare feet; it left a distinctive trail. Human eyes would not have been able to follow in the dim moonlight but his were more than equal to the task. She was light, but she still left a trail. The grass was bent in a regular pattern which he followed into the trees silently, his natural dark tones and black sweatshirt blending into the shadows.
When she suddenly decided they were to play hide and seek right then and there he held up a hand to forestall her, but she was already off and running. He thought he was impulsive. Dana had it all over him. No rules? Just them, right there? No predetermined boundaries? Were they allowed to use their vampiric abilities, or not?
"I guess right now," he said to the thin air with a grin.
He'd been thinking more of arranging a time and place, as they had always done in training. He was game though, if Dana wanted to be playful. Moving away from the path into the shadows, he leaned against a tree and turned his head up to the sky, counting stars. When he reached one hundred, making sure to end directly north with Polaris, he struck out in the same direction as Dana had disappeared.
It was probably best to assume some kind of basic rules. When they used such games in his youth, you used everything you had whether it was shapeshifting, becoming ethereal... anything. More challenging not to though.
Dana had taken off running in bare feet; it left a distinctive trail. Human eyes would not have been able to follow in the dim moonlight but his were more than equal to the task. She was light, but she still left a trail. The grass was bent in a regular pattern which he followed into the trees silently, his natural dark tones and black sweatshirt blending into the shadows.
Dana
15 years ago
A small giggle escaped her as she ran, light and swift her feet barely toughing the ground. She flew through the trees, her path straight. Knowing Amir would be able to follow it, as she'd done nothing to hide her passage.
After running for no more than two minutes, she stopped dead and took stock of her surroundings. To her left about ten meters from the trail grew a tree with many branches and thick clusters of leaves.
Carefully she picked her way to the tree, careful to leave nothing of her passing. Being barefoot and barely clothed, made the task easier. At the tree, she crouched and sprang up to the bottom branch of the tree. With careful quiet she snuggled into the "V" of the branch and the tree. A small debate with herself had her choosing not to use the abilities gifted her with her second birth.
Another soft giggle escaped her as she waited for Amir to try and find her.
After running for no more than two minutes, she stopped dead and took stock of her surroundings. To her left about ten meters from the trail grew a tree with many branches and thick clusters of leaves.
Carefully she picked her way to the tree, careful to leave nothing of her passing. Being barefoot and barely clothed, made the task easier. At the tree, she crouched and sprang up to the bottom branch of the tree. With careful quiet she snuggled into the "V" of the branch and the tree. A small debate with herself had her choosing not to use the abilities gifted her with her second birth.
Another soft giggle escaped her as she waited for Amir to try and find her.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir followed Dana's clear trail at a slow jog until it vanished abruptly. Not one to take chances, he continued to follow the path, looking for signs on either side that she had gotten back onto it. Not seeing any such indication immediately, he backtracked and looked around.
There was a good climbing tree off to the left, and several low bushes to the right. Out past the tree on the left was a large rock that seemed to back up to a second tree.
Not enough time had passed for Dana to get too horribly far, Amir concluded, so she was probably somewhere in proximity to where her obvious trail had ended. She'd done a commendable job of hiding her trail; all the same, there were a limited number of hiding spots nearby and if she wasn't in one of them he would simply continue to follow the trail again.
He checked to the right of the trail first, beneath the bushes and behind them, as far back as he saw coverage. She wasn't there. Next he swung out across the path, sweeping an arc to come in behind the boulder. Climbing up it with limited protests from his incomplete left shoulder he perched on top of it, crouched low. She wasn't up here, nor was she in the next tree over.
Amir reached out, grabbed the tree in question, and swung himself around to a decent resting spot. In doing so he glimpsed her in the large tree closest to the trail, her pale dress contrasting with the bark. The leaves of the low branch had hidden her from view of the trail; if he hadn't chanced upon her from behind he wouldn't have seen her unless he'd decided to climb that particular tree.
He wasn't sure if she'd seen him or not; her back was turned. As quickly as he could he leaped from the branch he was clinging to and hit the ground with a light thump, taking a few strides and jumping back up to the branch Dana sat on.
Teeth flashing in the darkness as he smiled at her, he leaned in close and said, "Tag."
There was a good climbing tree off to the left, and several low bushes to the right. Out past the tree on the left was a large rock that seemed to back up to a second tree.
Not enough time had passed for Dana to get too horribly far, Amir concluded, so she was probably somewhere in proximity to where her obvious trail had ended. She'd done a commendable job of hiding her trail; all the same, there were a limited number of hiding spots nearby and if she wasn't in one of them he would simply continue to follow the trail again.
He checked to the right of the trail first, beneath the bushes and behind them, as far back as he saw coverage. She wasn't there. Next he swung out across the path, sweeping an arc to come in behind the boulder. Climbing up it with limited protests from his incomplete left shoulder he perched on top of it, crouched low. She wasn't up here, nor was she in the next tree over.
Amir reached out, grabbed the tree in question, and swung himself around to a decent resting spot. In doing so he glimpsed her in the large tree closest to the trail, her pale dress contrasting with the bark. The leaves of the low branch had hidden her from view of the trail; if he hadn't chanced upon her from behind he wouldn't have seen her unless he'd decided to climb that particular tree.
He wasn't sure if she'd seen him or not; her back was turned. As quickly as he could he leaped from the branch he was clinging to and hit the ground with a light thump, taking a few strides and jumping back up to the branch Dana sat on.
Teeth flashing in the darkness as he smiled at her, he leaned in close and said, "Tag."
Dana
15 years ago
Dana watched Amir come to the end of her trail. When he set off along the same line, she bit her lip against the giggle that threatened. And again when he reappeared at the trail's end. She gave into a silent form of those giggles when he went in the opposite direction.
She was quite certain he wouldn't find her anytime soon, and so gave herself the luxury of readjusting her position. The bark of the tree was beginning to hurt the bottoms of her feet and she did not wish to give away her position via the smell of blood from pressure cuts.
Long moments passed, before she heard a soft thud behind her. She looked down, seeing nothing she returned her watch to the area where Amir should appear. The branch moved of it's own volition, and as Dana turned to see why...
"Tag" The voice was low and unmistakable, and scared the life from her. Startled beyond control of his unexpected finding of her, Dana was unable to stop the yelp that broke the night's silence. Once more that evening her surprise turned into a smile.
"Oh, no fair!" She playfully pushed at his shoulder, her soft child-like laughter causing a night bird to sing at her.
She was quite certain he wouldn't find her anytime soon, and so gave herself the luxury of readjusting her position. The bark of the tree was beginning to hurt the bottoms of her feet and she did not wish to give away her position via the smell of blood from pressure cuts.
Long moments passed, before she heard a soft thud behind her. She looked down, seeing nothing she returned her watch to the area where Amir should appear. The branch moved of it's own volition, and as Dana turned to see why...
"Tag" The voice was low and unmistakable, and scared the life from her. Startled beyond control of his unexpected finding of her, Dana was unable to stop the yelp that broke the night's silence. Once more that evening her surprise turned into a smile.
"Oh, no fair!" She playfully pushed at his shoulder, her soft child-like laughter causing a night bird to sing at her.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir crouched on the branch next to Dana until she pushed him, the gesture light and teasing. Affecting a deeper injury he fell backwards, hooked his knees on the branch, swung downwards, and released himself face-down to fall on the ground, slapping palms-first in a controlled contact.
Rolling to his back he moaned dramatically and put his hand on his forehead. "Who's not playing fair? You didn't say it was full-contact." There was a bit of a whine to his voice, sounding very much like a melodramatic teen who wasn't getting his way.
He couldn't keep the smile off his face though. Hide and seek as a contact sport had a lot of merit in this particular company. Sighing to himself, blowing his cheeks out with a puff of air, he decided tonight was going to get them noplace good. Or maybe someplace very good. He wasn't sure.
Moving his hand away from his forehead he said, "So is it my turn to hide now?"
Rolling to his back he moaned dramatically and put his hand on his forehead. "Who's not playing fair? You didn't say it was full-contact." There was a bit of a whine to his voice, sounding very much like a melodramatic teen who wasn't getting his way.
He couldn't keep the smile off his face though. Hide and seek as a contact sport had a lot of merit in this particular company. Sighing to himself, blowing his cheeks out with a puff of air, he decided tonight was going to get them noplace good. Or maybe someplace very good. He wasn't sure.
Moving his hand away from his forehead he said, "So is it my turn to hide now?"
Dana
15 years ago
"Oh!" His fall scared her more than his sudden arrival. She pushed off from the branch to land lightly beside Amir. Her hands fluttering uselessly, as she leaned over him.
"Did I hurt you?"
At his smile, she blew out her breath pushing hair from her face. Her heart still hammered against her chest. With out letting the little voice in the back of her head stop her, she let her head come to rest on his chest.
"You idiot."
Her hand had come to rest next to her head, and she wanted very much to trace the lines of the hard muscles she felt there.
"Of course, you found me didn't you?"
"Did I hurt you?"
At his smile, she blew out her breath pushing hair from her face. Her heart still hammered against her chest. With out letting the little voice in the back of her head stop her, she let her head come to rest on his chest.
"You idiot."
Her hand had come to rest next to her head, and she wanted very much to trace the lines of the hard muscles she felt there.
"Of course, you found me didn't you?"
Amir
15 years ago
"Mortally wounded," Amir confirmed for Dana with a solemn expression and a nod.
Her head resting on his chest did nothing to allay the tempting little images his mind was coming up with, but now wasn't the time. Besides, she'd started this game... it was only fair to finish it. He lifted his right arm and gently wound his fingers into Dana's hair, remembering the silky softness of it. It was very fine, very light.
He grinned down at her when she called him an idiot. Subira used the same phrase on occasion. She might possibly have told him so last week after his romp in the Park. "So I've been told," he said with a nod.
His left hand covered the one that she rested on his chest. He turned her palm up, tracing the lines on it with a feather-light touch of his thumb. Then suddenly he grabbed her and rolled her carefully beneath him, supporting himself on his arms and dipping his head down so his lips were barely against hers.
"You're it," he said softly. Releasing her gently, he raised his brows at her and whispered, "I'll be waiting."
With that he let her go and stood smoothly, heading back toward the trail and taking it further into the woods at a run.
Her head resting on his chest did nothing to allay the tempting little images his mind was coming up with, but now wasn't the time. Besides, she'd started this game... it was only fair to finish it. He lifted his right arm and gently wound his fingers into Dana's hair, remembering the silky softness of it. It was very fine, very light.
He grinned down at her when she called him an idiot. Subira used the same phrase on occasion. She might possibly have told him so last week after his romp in the Park. "So I've been told," he said with a nod.
His left hand covered the one that she rested on his chest. He turned her palm up, tracing the lines on it with a feather-light touch of his thumb. Then suddenly he grabbed her and rolled her carefully beneath him, supporting himself on his arms and dipping his head down so his lips were barely against hers.
"You're it," he said softly. Releasing her gently, he raised his brows at her and whispered, "I'll be waiting."
With that he let her go and stood smoothly, heading back toward the trail and taking it further into the woods at a run.
Dana
15 years ago
She gave a soft squeal at suddenly being on her back. Her breath and heartbeat stopped as his lips brushed hers with his words.
She lay learning how to breath once more, as he ran off into the woods. She wasn't entirely certain how long she lay there before getting to her feet. Chuckling softly she followed his trail back out to the one she'd begun.
He didn't bother to disguise his passing and for the moment was easy enough to follow, with her own silent steps.
She lay learning how to breath once more, as he ran off into the woods. She wasn't entirely certain how long she lay there before getting to her feet. Chuckling softly she followed his trail back out to the one she'd begun.
He didn't bother to disguise his passing and for the moment was easy enough to follow, with her own silent steps.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir ran a good distance, perhaps half a mile into the woods. He split his trail several times when it forked, heading into what passed for wilderness here. Some of the trails were lit for those who preferred to travel by horseback; he avoided those. Finally he found a decent area and headed off the trail into the woods.
Balancing as best he could he traveled across fallen logs and branches, leaving little trail to follow. He didn't go too far from the main path; the serious work-related side of him was telling him to do a better job of hiding but the more carefree side reminded him he wanted very much to be found.
Hopping off the branch on his toes he sidestepped to the bank of a small pond. He stayed there for a second, considering crossing through the clear water, and then decided against it. He didn't mind sailing but swimming wasn't his favorite pass-time. Instead he carefully removed his shoes and left them for Dana to find, continuing barefoot with his jeans rolled up to just below his knees, ankle-deep in the water. On the other side of the pond he found a rock large enough to hold him. Drying his feet carefully with his sleeve so he didn't leave a puddle he stepped onto it with one and then the other. Surveying the area he decided on a trio of medium-sized boulders not far from where he stood, above the pond on a little bluff overlooking it. They were surrounded by the woods on all sides but above the bluff it was clear, with a view of the sky.
Settling back against the rocks, Amir unrolled his jeans and crossed his arms behind his head to do some stargazing while he waited for Dana to catch up.
Balancing as best he could he traveled across fallen logs and branches, leaving little trail to follow. He didn't go too far from the main path; the serious work-related side of him was telling him to do a better job of hiding but the more carefree side reminded him he wanted very much to be found.
Hopping off the branch on his toes he sidestepped to the bank of a small pond. He stayed there for a second, considering crossing through the clear water, and then decided against it. He didn't mind sailing but swimming wasn't his favorite pass-time. Instead he carefully removed his shoes and left them for Dana to find, continuing barefoot with his jeans rolled up to just below his knees, ankle-deep in the water. On the other side of the pond he found a rock large enough to hold him. Drying his feet carefully with his sleeve so he didn't leave a puddle he stepped onto it with one and then the other. Surveying the area he decided on a trio of medium-sized boulders not far from where he stood, above the pond on a little bluff overlooking it. They were surrounded by the woods on all sides but above the bluff it was clear, with a view of the sky.
Settling back against the rocks, Amir unrolled his jeans and crossed his arms behind his head to do some stargazing while he waited for Dana to catch up.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana considered herself a fairly decent woodsman, but she was not an expert tracker by any stretch of the imagination. It was this fact that soon after leaving the pathways, had her unable to find Amir's trail.
Panic was not part of her reaction, mostly it was frustration and the need for him to not become disappointed with her. Instead of tromping about Dana stopped, and decided that since he was much better at this than she, she could use a gift or two.
Closing her eyes, Dana let her senses free, pushing them out beyond herself and into the woods beyond. She smelled and heard many things that were not Amir, and then, there to the north she found the scent that was his alone.
A smile curled her lips, as she smelled water and trees mixed with his scent, though she heard nothing of his passing, he was simply to far way, she knew where to head.
Another small giggle tickled her lips as she ran fast and fleeting through the undergrowth, homing in on his scent. As she neared the water, she slowed to a meaningful trot, silencing her own noise.
It took all she had not to laugh when she found his shoes. Picking them up she tip-toed around the small pond until she came upon the distinct bending of grass blades by feet. Taking a moment to close her eyes once more, she pulled her senses back into their proper places. It would do no good to find Amir and drown herself in his scent.
Upon opening her eyes she scanned the area, and found a small cluster of boulders that seemed a likely place for Amir to hide. Though it could be he simply continued on. With a shrug, she loped silently to the boulders and using the momentum of her run sprung up onto the center boulder. Her body fell into a crouch close to the gray rock, as she scanned this new area.
It did not take long for her eyes to find him, resting lazily just below her. She could not tell if he had noticed her appearance or not, as his eyes were glued to the sky. A slow grin curled her lips, as she crept down the boulder. Once she was no longer above him, she slid down the rock to sit beside him.
"Tag" She said quietly, before turning her gaze up to the stars, while her heart tried to beat its way out of her chest.
Panic was not part of her reaction, mostly it was frustration and the need for him to not become disappointed with her. Instead of tromping about Dana stopped, and decided that since he was much better at this than she, she could use a gift or two.
Closing her eyes, Dana let her senses free, pushing them out beyond herself and into the woods beyond. She smelled and heard many things that were not Amir, and then, there to the north she found the scent that was his alone.
A smile curled her lips, as she smelled water and trees mixed with his scent, though she heard nothing of his passing, he was simply to far way, she knew where to head.
Another small giggle tickled her lips as she ran fast and fleeting through the undergrowth, homing in on his scent. As she neared the water, she slowed to a meaningful trot, silencing her own noise.
It took all she had not to laugh when she found his shoes. Picking them up she tip-toed around the small pond until she came upon the distinct bending of grass blades by feet. Taking a moment to close her eyes once more, she pulled her senses back into their proper places. It would do no good to find Amir and drown herself in his scent.
Upon opening her eyes she scanned the area, and found a small cluster of boulders that seemed a likely place for Amir to hide. Though it could be he simply continued on. With a shrug, she loped silently to the boulders and using the momentum of her run sprung up onto the center boulder. Her body fell into a crouch close to the gray rock, as she scanned this new area.
It did not take long for her eyes to find him, resting lazily just below her. She could not tell if he had noticed her appearance or not, as his eyes were glued to the sky. A slow grin curled her lips, as she crept down the boulder. Once she was no longer above him, she slid down the rock to sit beside him.
"Tag" She said quietly, before turning her gaze up to the stars, while her heart tried to beat its way out of her chest.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir didn't hear Dana until she was on top of the rocks he'd climbed to get here. As she sat beside him he turned his gaze from the stars to her upside down face.
"Good tag," he said.
He didn't make a move to continue their game; not yet. They had started the evening out getting to know each other better and Amir thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to continue. He raised his arm, pointing northward. "That's my favorite one right there," he said, indicating Polaris. "Sometimes I feel like I've lived my whole life by it."
He smiled at Dana, shrugging his shoulders against the rock. "Not a bad thing, only it hasn't always been the North star, did you know that?"
Amir looked at Dana for her answer; he didn't really know how old she was, or how much about the sky she'd studied. She struck him as experienced but naiive. Certain traits about her spoke of a long adjustment period; her attitude toward hunting and toward humans. But there were others that screamed of a sheltered life, obviously her desire to experience things for the first time. If he had to guess he'd have placed her as a young to middle-aged vampire, but someone who'd been kept out of the way of things altogether.
"There will be a different star in a few thousand years."
"Good tag," he said.
He didn't make a move to continue their game; not yet. They had started the evening out getting to know each other better and Amir thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to continue. He raised his arm, pointing northward. "That's my favorite one right there," he said, indicating Polaris. "Sometimes I feel like I've lived my whole life by it."
He smiled at Dana, shrugging his shoulders against the rock. "Not a bad thing, only it hasn't always been the North star, did you know that?"
Amir looked at Dana for her answer; he didn't really know how old she was, or how much about the sky she'd studied. She struck him as experienced but naiive. Certain traits about her spoke of a long adjustment period; her attitude toward hunting and toward humans. But there were others that screamed of a sheltered life, obviously her desire to experience things for the first time. If he had to guess he'd have placed her as a young to middle-aged vampire, but someone who'd been kept out of the way of things altogether.
"There will be a different star in a few thousand years."
Dana
15 years ago
Dana listened quietly as Amir spoke. She could do so, she thought, for hours on end. Her eyes did not follow where his finger pointed, they stayed instead on his hand. He had nice hands, a man's hands, large and warm and she imagined wicked things he could do with those hands.
"It has only been the North Star in my life time." Her words were soft and breathy, not doubt because of the images running through her head "Though I will admit that I did not begin to notice so much about the stars until I chose to study astronomy in the.."
Her quiet voice stopped as she tried to remember exactly when she became interested in the subject. Ah yes...
"Late thirteen hundreds, when one of Lady Erin's friends took me on a ship and showed me how to navigate with the stars. It was called the North Star then, though the constellations had different names."
When she actually looked up to see the North Star, she found it was not with in the portion of the sky she could see. Tilting her head away from Amir did not reveal the correct portion of sky. Dana moved her head in the opposite direction and was still unable to see what she wanted to. With a soft sigh, she wiggled forward a bit, turned her back slightly to Amir, with her hip touching his thigh, and looked up into the sky.
She knew if she leaned back, her body would rest against his, it would be lovely, but she would not do such a thing with out asking, and she was not about to make a fool of herself and ask. Another sigh caught in her throat as she stared at the star in question.
"Isn't it defining when you realize you'll be around longer than the stars?"
"It has only been the North Star in my life time." Her words were soft and breathy, not doubt because of the images running through her head "Though I will admit that I did not begin to notice so much about the stars until I chose to study astronomy in the.."
Her quiet voice stopped as she tried to remember exactly when she became interested in the subject. Ah yes...
"Late thirteen hundreds, when one of Lady Erin's friends took me on a ship and showed me how to navigate with the stars. It was called the North Star then, though the constellations had different names."
When she actually looked up to see the North Star, she found it was not with in the portion of the sky she could see. Tilting her head away from Amir did not reveal the correct portion of sky. Dana moved her head in the opposite direction and was still unable to see what she wanted to. With a soft sigh, she wiggled forward a bit, turned her back slightly to Amir, with her hip touching his thigh, and looked up into the sky.
She knew if she leaned back, her body would rest against his, it would be lovely, but she would not do such a thing with out asking, and she was not about to make a fool of herself and ask. Another sigh caught in her throat as she stared at the star in question.
"Isn't it defining when you realize you'll be around longer than the stars?"
Amir
15 years ago
Amir glanced at Dana as she settled herself next to him. He pulled his left arm out from under his head, stretching it out in a silent offer for her to rest her head on if she wanted. Turning his gaze back to the sky he considered her question.
"I don't know about defining. But it does give one a lot to think about. I do wonder if I'll be lost without it when it's no longer the star we guide by. Not that anyone really uses the stars a lot these days."
He was quiet for a few moments, and then his hand moved, pointing off into the constellation Cepheus.
"The next one will be Gamma Cephei," he said, pointing it out at the appropriate corner of the box the constellation formed. "Around 3000 AD. Then Iota Cephei."
He indicated that one as well, on the opposite corner of the same constellation. He wasn't about to get bogged down in a discussion about precession of the equinoxes, but some things were worth pointing out; there had to be a parallel in this somewhere.
"I wonder if I'll get to see it change," he mused. Amir was aware that, while immortal, he could still be killed. And the odds of that were favorable given his line of work and his clan duties.
He shook his head, settling it back next to Dana's. "I guess that's a self-centered thought process. Do think about that too?"
He didn't consider himself particularly self-centered but sometimes, when left to himself, he did ponder the future.
"I don't know about defining. But it does give one a lot to think about. I do wonder if I'll be lost without it when it's no longer the star we guide by. Not that anyone really uses the stars a lot these days."
He was quiet for a few moments, and then his hand moved, pointing off into the constellation Cepheus.
"The next one will be Gamma Cephei," he said, pointing it out at the appropriate corner of the box the constellation formed. "Around 3000 AD. Then Iota Cephei."
He indicated that one as well, on the opposite corner of the same constellation. He wasn't about to get bogged down in a discussion about precession of the equinoxes, but some things were worth pointing out; there had to be a parallel in this somewhere.
"I wonder if I'll get to see it change," he mused. Amir was aware that, while immortal, he could still be killed. And the odds of that were favorable given his line of work and his clan duties.
He shook his head, settling it back next to Dana's. "I guess that's a self-centered thought process. Do think about that too?"
He didn't consider himself particularly self-centered but sometimes, when left to himself, he did ponder the future.
Dana
15 years ago
His unspoken invitation was all she needed to lean her body against his, her head resting on his shoulder. She fit there against him exactly the a woman should fit against a man.
Content in such a place she watched his hand move, her eyes flicking to the starts he pointed out. She did not know all of the names for the stars, it had been too long since she'd learned their names, but she knew which constellation he spoke of.
They looked exactly the same as over the field in her home land, just much further away. She let her hand rest on his thigh, as she thought about his question.
"I did, a long time ago, when the world was less civilized and I had more fear of my mortality through someone else's hands."
Content in such a place she watched his hand move, her eyes flicking to the starts he pointed out. She did not know all of the names for the stars, it had been too long since she'd learned their names, but she knew which constellation he spoke of.
They looked exactly the same as over the field in her home land, just much further away. She let her hand rest on his thigh, as she thought about his question.
"I did, a long time ago, when the world was less civilized and I had more fear of my mortality through someone else's hands."