They made me do it (Attn Kem and Aishe)
Pak had thrown up every wall she could trying to hide how nervous, scared, and angry she was. She had desperately -not- wanted to leave the towers, in fact she hadn't left in days or was it weeks? It didn't matter the towers had everything she could need or want and beyond that she had the internet and things could be delivered the only thing that was a little trick was eating. She was managing that though through a combination of bagged blood and the occasional odd snack supplied by Aishe or Kem. More often than not Kem though, Pak was a bit hesitant about biting Aishe. Even with that though, she had a slightly drawn look about her. Although whether that was from fear or from a lack of hunting, it was hard to say.
Apparently, though they had decided that it was time for her to leave the nest. Repeated subtle suggestions to get out and get some fresh air had turned into direct suggestions. Pak had finally succumb but, not to put to fine a point on it, she was worried. Worried he could have followed her and worried he'd try and hurt her friends and there was no way she could stop him if he did something. And of course, they thought that the walk would do her good.
"I still think an armored car counts as getting out and getting some fresh air."Â?
Pak was exaggerating slightly, a regular car would have been just fine. At least the gardens weren't crowded. She felt like she could keep an eye on everything and didn't feel trapped. It was probably something that was driving Kem and Aishe both crazy but Pak kept glancing about watching people and checking for potential escape routes.
Pak quipped at Kem. She knew he was right. She had no idea what this bastard wanted, if anything. Maybe she should just relax until she found something out, -if- she found something out. It had bee nearly three hundred years since she’d seen this man maybe it was just a coincidence and it would be that long before she saw him again.
As far as pretending to not be rattled well…
[I think he’s already gotten that satisfaction pêe chaai. My reaction to him out west was less than subtle.]
It had been a lovely mix of stark terror and homicidal rage and then back to the terror. Even if he didn’t give a rat’s ass about her Pak didn’t think he’d forget the encounter terribly quickly.
The long an the short of it was that Kem was being the sensible one here and she did have to –try- and start living her life again.
[Why do you have to be right all the time?]
Pak’s sending sounded just a touch irritated, she really disliked being wrong.
She flipped back to the much easier conversation with Aishe, quite aware they were doing a good cop bad cop sort of thing with her. Even if they were both being the good cop. Hey it was working and Pak genuinely appreciated both their efforts more than she’d ever be able to say.
“I might not have cooked in a while but I don’t recall killing any one or inducing vomiting on the spot. You’re probably safe. By the by you do plan on trying some of this haggis stuff too don’t you?”
Smiling sweetly at Pak she said, "You know, I don't believe that was part ofthe bargain."
Aishe saw no need to try haggis herself; by all accounts it was pretty disgusting.
"You should have thought of that before we began negotiations."
That was the truth. Sure, when it came to his emotions or feelings, he was horrible at coping. He acknowledged that. He wasn't too bad at sorting things out for others though; most of the time they just needed a sounding board.
[If you want to keep insisting I'm right all the time though, go right ahead. I won't stop you. Could I get it in writing?]
He flashed a quick smile at her, trying to look hopeful. Such a statement would be priceless.
Turning his attention back to the public chatter, he laughed softly. "I think she has you cornered there Pak," he shook his head. "I wouldn't argue."
Pak gently reminded him that she felt she owed both Kem and Aishe for trying to keep her from becoming a total hermit, basket case, recluse of a vampire.
Some how she did feel better having actually spoken about her fears. It was still possible this bastard was hunting her, but it was equally possible she’d never see him again. So, she had some hope. Maybe keeping things bottled up wasn’t –quite- the right way to handle this. She also didn’t feel like she had to face this alone. Granted she couldn’t hide behind her friends or her clan or even her company forever but no one was making her go out and slay dragons right now, she just needed to get back up on the horse for a little bit every day. And if she did find a dragon, she could call for help and no one would hold it against her.
It was a completely different situation from when she had been turned, she wasn’t being abandon or tossed out on the street. Pak marveled slightly both at that concept and that she’d even thought other wise.
Pak raised an eyebrow at Kem’s hopeful look.
[I’ll see what I can do about that.]
It would take a while to get the wording on such a statement correct and it was possible she’d encrypt it as well. And it might take her a few hundred years to get around to.
Aishe was as bad as Kem. Perhaps she should separate them, oh wait she was. Even though she’d relaxed a great deal since they’d started their walk Pak was still firmly wedged between her friends.
“Who’s arguing? From where I stand negotiations were never completed and the terms of the contract weren’t finalized so if she chooses not to accept this new clause we can simply call the deal off.”
While not a lawyer, she’s spent enough time in negotiations to keep from being too trapped. Pak just smiled innocently and Aishe. It was possible no one would be trying haggis this weekend and that would be fine with her.
"All right fine."
She pretended to be dismayed, although in truth she didn't mind giving it a try at least.
"I'll try it if Kem does."
She smiled sweetly at him, knowing the of the three of them he was quite possibly the least interested in food. Aishe loved to eat, and wasn't opposed to trying new things at least once. Kiamhaat, on the other hand, frequently forgot that eating was a normal human activity and should be performed in public on occasion. At home, forget it. She'd tried to convince him that a mignight grilled cheese sandwich was the epitome of comfort food but it had gone over his head. It was proof of what a man would do for a woman; while they'd been dating they'd gone out to dinner several times and never once had he given any indication that the entire process was uninteresting to him. The only thing she'd learned from it, in fact, was that he absolutely refused to eat Mexican. Not really indicative of vampirism.
The look he gave her in return was satisfying, if painful.
"How come I'm involved? I didn't want to be involved." He winced at Aishe's own extra-extra clause.
"And what's with the all for one and one for all crap? I didn't sign on to be a musketeer. I object."
Not that he thought it'd do any good. Besides, if that was what it took to get Pak to try it ultimately, it might be worth it.
"In other news, Pak says I'm always right. Isn't that right Pak? it's good to have it out in the open at last."
[Sometime this year would be nice,] he added quietly to Pak, a smug expression on his face. [Try not to red-tape it to death. A post-it will do.]
She snorted lightly at Aishe maneuvering Kem into the same trap, more than happy to relax fully into the lighter spoken conversation. Really, she couldn’t burden Kem with any more of her issues. He may be her brother but no one should have to deal with all of this. He’d been more understanding than she’d a right to expect or ask of him. It would have served her right if he’d turned into the Anti-Kem. Perhaps she should consider removing herself from the clan and Nachton for a decade or two, just to regain her focus and let him enjoy what he’d found in Aishe. It wasn’t right that he should have that positive and the wolf negative and then her issues thrown into that mess. How had she gotten so lucky as to find them both. Pak could have cried, she didn’t, but she could have. Instead she light a clove.
“Shut up and try your haggis like a good boy. Do you have –any- idea how long it's been since I’ve cared enough about a person to cook for them. Besides, you’ll like the tentacles.”
She neatly put her elbow into Kem’s ribs at the ‘always right’ comment and turned an innocent look to Aishe.
“I didn’t hear anything. Did you hear anything?”
Kem, regardless of how good he’d been to her, even though she didn’t deserve it, was only sent a laugh. He couldn’t be serious could he? Even if her creator was standing right next to her with fangs at her neck Pak wouldn’t put that in writing. Now if he had his fangs at Kem or Aishe’s neck she’d sacrifice her pride; but for her own life/unlife that wasn’t likely to happen.
She smiled at Kiamhaat, though, and offered him a consolation prize. "If you try the haggis with us I'll stop bugging you about the kilt, regardless of how sexy I think your knees are."
To Pak she said, "That's so sweet of you. I love tentacles."
Well... all right, she wasn't sure about tentacles but she was hardly going to give Pak the satisfaction. Aishe was starting to feel like she was losing out all-around. Haggis, tentacles, and no kilt?
"I think there's an Italian festival next weekend too," she said hopefully.
"Sold," he said to her. "One haggis sample in exchange for avoiding public humiliation in a kilt. I'll take it."
It wasn't like haggis could kill him, anyway. He returned Pak's elbow in the ribs and eyed her speculatively for a few moments. He was hatching a plan, and it was a good one. He owed her for several practical jokes, not the least of which involved a watergun outside of Barney's a few months back.
Aishe's sudden attempt to change their plans had him grinning as he followed her train of thought. "Lost every battle, huh?" he teased her back. "No can do. I've got a date for teh Celtic festival. Lasagna will have to wait."
Pak tried really hard not to laugh as Aishe tried to wiggle out of haggis and Kem didn’t let her.
“Lasagna doesn’t stay on the stick very well any way, hardly good street food. Now squid on a stick, that’s classy.”
And something she’d run into in China the last time she’d been there.
They walked about more, now concentrating on the lighter conversation. Pak still wasn’t looking forward to the Celtic festival but if she could manager that she’d be able to try going out along again. At least, that was her plan.
((OOC… all three out with permission))