Realizing that had been her outside voice, Nikhila lightly kissed his cheek in apology, both for the growl and leaving him in the first place. It was still probably more than she deserved to come here and find him willing to try again. So far, she thought, they were doing relatively well. Not perfect, but making progress and certainly better than their first attempt.
If only he had stopped at the first thought that would have been a perfect answer. Out of reflex Nikhila hit him with a throw pillow.
“I’m sure even Hammer gets hungry now and again and he might even let me cook something and possibly eat his greens.”
She goaded him slightly pausing for a moment before continuing.
“All things considered though I’d rather he –didn’t- knock down my door.”
Using Proper Bait (attn: Nikhila)
It had been a long day, and a fruitless one. In spite of several Kadzait coming to him with bits and snatches of information they hoped would help solve the mystery of their murdered packmates, Xeph didn't think they were any closer to even knowing where to begin looking.
Feeling somewhat defeated he headed in the direction of the dining room, hoping at least to find food before aiming himself back at his rooms. He stopped before he reached it though. Debating a moment or five, he turned down that idea. He wasn't feeling entirely sociable, and the great room in the Den was almost always occupied.
A better idea came to mind and he headed toward his rooms, which were conveniently in the same direction as Nikhila's. They hadn't seen much of each other recently, with things as hectic as they were, and he didn't want her to feel neglected.
That, and she'd gotten into the habit of stocking her kitchen with Xeph-friendly snacks like raw meat and fish and the occasional shellfish. He suspected she did it because he was a horrible shopper and more often than not had drinks but nothing else in his own kitchen. Maybe it was because that was the kind of caring and considerate woman she was.
Then again, maybe she was just trying to get him to stop over more often. He wouldn't put it beyond her. It worked, whatever the reason.
She'd given him leave to enter without knocking but he couldn't bring himself to. He reached her door and give it a good pounding, just in case she was further inside than the living room.
Nikhila
15 years ago
Xeph
15 years ago
"I eat my greens," Xeph insisted. "Cows eat grass, right? And I eat cows. Therefore, indirectly, what the cow ate I ate. I'm just letting the cow do the work for me."
Xeph hunched down against the couch, gathering Nikhila closer as if to hide behind her. "No one better be knocking on your door at all," he muttered. "It's been a rough week."
He wasn't one to dodge responsibility, far from it. But he really needed a breather. If he didn't get one, he was liable to get cranky. And if he got cranky, he was going to go furry and eat someone's cat.
He might do that anyhow.
Xeph hunched down against the couch, gathering Nikhila closer as if to hide behind her. "No one better be knocking on your door at all," he muttered. "It's been a rough week."
He wasn't one to dodge responsibility, far from it. But he really needed a breather. If he didn't get one, he was liable to get cranky. And if he got cranky, he was going to go furry and eat someone's cat.
He might do that anyhow.
Nikhila
15 years ago
“Ah the food chain at work. Is this what you’re teaching your students?”
She snuggled back against him as he almost hid behind her. That is to say half snuggled and half tried to squash him back into the couch cushions.
This was an interesting balance to try and manager, business and pleasure. Her own concerns had waited a day or two already and she felt they could wait a bit longer.
“Then we just won’t answer the door even if they do knock. See how simple that is?”
She stopped trying to squash him and instead simply sat still and rested her head on his shoulder. Nikhila didn’t have Xeph’s gifts but she had no doubt this was taking a lot out of him and she was worried. Not obsessively or stiflingly worried but actively concerned about him.
“How are you doing?”
She asked very softly holding his hand in her lap.
She snuggled back against him as he almost hid behind her. That is to say half snuggled and half tried to squash him back into the couch cushions.
This was an interesting balance to try and manager, business and pleasure. Her own concerns had waited a day or two already and she felt they could wait a bit longer.
“Then we just won’t answer the door even if they do knock. See how simple that is?”
She stopped trying to squash him and instead simply sat still and rested her head on his shoulder. Nikhila didn’t have Xeph’s gifts but she had no doubt this was taking a lot out of him and she was worried. Not obsessively or stiflingly worried but actively concerned about him.
“How are you doing?”
She asked very softly holding his hand in her lap.
Xeph
15 years ago
"Totally," Xeph said mischievously. "I'm grooming them for your course. Next semester you're going to have fifteen students who learned the Xeph food chain."
As the mood grew somber Xeph sighed, long and deep, into Nikhila's hair. Then he shrugged. "I'm doing way better than Melissa and Jake," he grumbled. His two dead Packmates, murdered. "No way it was a suicide."
He brooded for a few minutes. "The NPD wants to close it and call it done. I advised their families to let them do so, and told them we were going to keep looking into it. Everything was cold by the time we got there though!"
Frustration crept into his voice. That wasn't entirely true though. His mother had come to him after the full moon had passed, told him what she'd tried to tell him that night.
"Lily smelled something," Xeph said. "I'm glad we brought her along, because she was the only one of all four of us who actually found something almost identifiable. But the trouble is, she doesn't know what she smelled. She tried to get our attention with it, but none of us could pick up what she did."
His own plan had backfired on him, after all. Bringing Lily along had accomplished what he'd hoped it would. Her heightened senses had, indeed, detected something worth noting - or so she thought. At any rate it was something she said had set one scent apart from the other humans who'd been at the crime scene. None of them had counted on her not recognizing the scent, though.
"How do we figure it out? Everywhere we look are dead ends."
Xeph tipped his head back against the couch cushions, waving his free hand in the air as if to say "I give up!"
As the mood grew somber Xeph sighed, long and deep, into Nikhila's hair. Then he shrugged. "I'm doing way better than Melissa and Jake," he grumbled. His two dead Packmates, murdered. "No way it was a suicide."
He brooded for a few minutes. "The NPD wants to close it and call it done. I advised their families to let them do so, and told them we were going to keep looking into it. Everything was cold by the time we got there though!"
Frustration crept into his voice. That wasn't entirely true though. His mother had come to him after the full moon had passed, told him what she'd tried to tell him that night.
"Lily smelled something," Xeph said. "I'm glad we brought her along, because she was the only one of all four of us who actually found something almost identifiable. But the trouble is, she doesn't know what she smelled. She tried to get our attention with it, but none of us could pick up what she did."
His own plan had backfired on him, after all. Bringing Lily along had accomplished what he'd hoped it would. Her heightened senses had, indeed, detected something worth noting - or so she thought. At any rate it was something she said had set one scent apart from the other humans who'd been at the crime scene. None of them had counted on her not recognizing the scent, though.
"How do we figure it out? Everywhere we look are dead ends."
Xeph tipped his head back against the couch cushions, waving his free hand in the air as if to say "I give up!"
Nikhila
15 years ago
Her other arm, the one that wasn’t holding his hand wound around behind him into a semblance of a reassuring hug. There was nothing she could say to make him feel better about this.
“No, it wasn’t.”
She agreed. She didn’t have all the information, but from what little she’d picked up and what she’d heard around the Den about their two pack mates she agreed it wasn’t suicide. Nikhila also agreed with his advice to let the police close it, but part of her was worried if the officials started looking to hard at the victims it would be a whole new issue. That and she didn’t think that local police were prepared to deal with something to take out two experienced wolves.
Rather than say any of this though, she couldn’t have added to what he had said, so instead Nikhila let him vent. Perhaps she wasn’t the most useful in the field, but she was a good listener, a sounding board.
She didn’t know that Lily had scented something. But something she didn’t know? How very odd. And how terribly frustrating that none of the others could even smell it. She frowned, but thoughtfully not reproachfully.
“I hadn’t known that. Nothing about it was familiar at all?”
Not that she could fault Lily for that at all. In her own lifetime, Nikhila had forgotten more smells than she’d ever remember.
Absently Nikhila began to lightly massage Aidan’s hand, very aware of pressure points and trying to provide some comfort, some relaxation.
“They aren’t all dead ends, there is at least one that will point you in the right direction. You will find it.”
She encouraged.
“If Lily didn’t recognize it, what ever it is may be new to the city. I know in a city this size that isn’t much to go on, but it is something. Has anyone else had any encounters with odd things or smells?”
Undoubtedly this was an avenue he, Hammer, Lily and the Pipers had gone down already. She wasn’t questioning their skills or abilities and she was no Sherlock Holmes. Part of her hopped though if he talked about it a bit in a different setting he might sort out some of the details that may other wise have gotten jumbled up.
“No, it wasn’t.”
She agreed. She didn’t have all the information, but from what little she’d picked up and what she’d heard around the Den about their two pack mates she agreed it wasn’t suicide. Nikhila also agreed with his advice to let the police close it, but part of her was worried if the officials started looking to hard at the victims it would be a whole new issue. That and she didn’t think that local police were prepared to deal with something to take out two experienced wolves.
Rather than say any of this though, she couldn’t have added to what he had said, so instead Nikhila let him vent. Perhaps she wasn’t the most useful in the field, but she was a good listener, a sounding board.
She didn’t know that Lily had scented something. But something she didn’t know? How very odd. And how terribly frustrating that none of the others could even smell it. She frowned, but thoughtfully not reproachfully.
“I hadn’t known that. Nothing about it was familiar at all?”
Not that she could fault Lily for that at all. In her own lifetime, Nikhila had forgotten more smells than she’d ever remember.
Absently Nikhila began to lightly massage Aidan’s hand, very aware of pressure points and trying to provide some comfort, some relaxation.
“They aren’t all dead ends, there is at least one that will point you in the right direction. You will find it.”
She encouraged.
“If Lily didn’t recognize it, what ever it is may be new to the city. I know in a city this size that isn’t much to go on, but it is something. Has anyone else had any encounters with odd things or smells?”
Undoubtedly this was an avenue he, Hammer, Lily and the Pipers had gone down already. She wasn’t questioning their skills or abilities and she was no Sherlock Holmes. Part of her hopped though if he talked about it a bit in a different setting he might sort out some of the details that may other wise have gotten jumbled up.
Xeph
15 years ago
Still leaning against the couch cushions, Xeph rolled his head back and forth in a negative. "No one knows about it, really. We haven't made it common knowledge because it's not enough to go on. And I can't have everyone in the Den coming to mom with any odd thing they want her to smell."
The thought of that had a sort of macabre humor to it; helpful Packmates trying to identify the strange scent Lily had found by bringing her things they found unique. They'd drive her crazy. She was quiet and solitary enough as it was; such an occurrence would have her living out her days as a hermit.
He address Nikhila's other question. "No. Nothing odd. No one's come to us with anything really strange. Well... except Drew."
Xeph quickly described Drew's encounter with an unknown small furry creature, watching Nikhila's face for a reaction and waiting for her opinion. Maybe she'd see it at a different angle.
The thought of that had a sort of macabre humor to it; helpful Packmates trying to identify the strange scent Lily had found by bringing her things they found unique. They'd drive her crazy. She was quiet and solitary enough as it was; such an occurrence would have her living out her days as a hermit.
He address Nikhila's other question. "No. Nothing odd. No one's come to us with anything really strange. Well... except Drew."
Xeph quickly described Drew's encounter with an unknown small furry creature, watching Nikhila's face for a reaction and waiting for her opinion. Maybe she'd see it at a different angle.
Nikhila
15 years ago
Nikhila nodded. That made sense, no pun intended. She might keep her nose to the ground as it were but what would be strange to her might not be strange to Lily and visa versa so it probably wouldn’t be much help.
“No, no you can’t. In fact if you do I may move out for a while I don’ think I care to be overwhelmed by ‘strange smells’.”
Shiye? Nikhila raised an eyebrow as Xeph retold the young were’s story. How very odd. She absently switched to Aidan’s other hand.
“It manages to sound like nothing I’ve ever seen and something incredibly familiar at the same time. How frustrating.”
He would be able to identify most common wild life at close range, for the most part she would have thought he’d be able to recognize the smell of something like a coyote or a fox. But possibly, not, if it had rolled in something or he had gotten something up his nose that, among other things could throw him. What Xeph related about Drew’s feeling that the creature was trying to avoid being seen was what really intrigued her and she was certain it had caught his attention too.
“It sounds very far fetched but…” She offered the last bit hesitantly, aware that it didn’t make much sense at all “I’d almost guess it did have something to do with the attack some how.”
But how? Something that small couldn’t have inflicted that kind of damage on two much larger wolves.
Not relinquishing his hand she turned her head to the side and rested it against his chest feeling just the tiniest fraction of frustration that Xeph must be and have been feeling.
“No, no you can’t. In fact if you do I may move out for a while I don’ think I care to be overwhelmed by ‘strange smells’.”
Shiye? Nikhila raised an eyebrow as Xeph retold the young were’s story. How very odd. She absently switched to Aidan’s other hand.
“It manages to sound like nothing I’ve ever seen and something incredibly familiar at the same time. How frustrating.”
He would be able to identify most common wild life at close range, for the most part she would have thought he’d be able to recognize the smell of something like a coyote or a fox. But possibly, not, if it had rolled in something or he had gotten something up his nose that, among other things could throw him. What Xeph related about Drew’s feeling that the creature was trying to avoid being seen was what really intrigued her and she was certain it had caught his attention too.
“It sounds very far fetched but…” She offered the last bit hesitantly, aware that it didn’t make much sense at all “I’d almost guess it did have something to do with the attack some how.”
But how? Something that small couldn’t have inflicted that kind of damage on two much larger wolves.
Not relinquishing his hand she turned her head to the side and rested it against his chest feeling just the tiniest fraction of frustration that Xeph must be and have been feeling.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph furrowed his brow at Nikhila. "Related to the... why would you think that?"
He hadn't really thought Drew's story had any real connection to their dead Packmates. There wasn't anything to suggest otherwise, and Lily hadn't smelled anything unusual other than the one thing she couldn't identify. She'd stated as much, that it wasn't an animal. Predators' scents tended to be very similar. A coyote, a fox, they would smell alike. Not exact, but alike. Lily should have been able to pick any one of those out in an instant, but she hadn't mentioned it.
Where Nikhila might get the idea that they were related, he didn't know. "You weren't at that crime scene at all were you?" he felt a flash of alarm. "I expressly told everyone to stick nearby the Den, and not to disturb that site. Nikhila - if you had been attacked..."
He bit the words off, his arms tightening around her. Not Nikhila. She coudn't defend herself, not against such violence. Oh sure, she had all the strength of a were and Xeph had taught her everything he could - but anything that could best two of the Kadzait... He shuddered to think of what Nikhila would look like, lying there pale and still under the moon.
He hadn't really thought Drew's story had any real connection to their dead Packmates. There wasn't anything to suggest otherwise, and Lily hadn't smelled anything unusual other than the one thing she couldn't identify. She'd stated as much, that it wasn't an animal. Predators' scents tended to be very similar. A coyote, a fox, they would smell alike. Not exact, but alike. Lily should have been able to pick any one of those out in an instant, but she hadn't mentioned it.
Where Nikhila might get the idea that they were related, he didn't know. "You weren't at that crime scene at all were you?" he felt a flash of alarm. "I expressly told everyone to stick nearby the Den, and not to disturb that site. Nikhila - if you had been attacked..."
He bit the words off, his arms tightening around her. Not Nikhila. She coudn't defend herself, not against such violence. Oh sure, she had all the strength of a were and Xeph had taught her everything he could - but anything that could best two of the Kadzait... He shuddered to think of what Nikhila would look like, lying there pale and still under the moon.
Nikhila
15 years ago
Nikhila frowned and shook her head. She couldn’t explain it, it was a strange intuitive response. Something that didn’t jive with the scientific and logical side of her personality.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense at all, but neither do the attacks. Some times when two things don’t fit any pattern that in it self is a pattern. No one else has reported anything like what Drew described and we’ve never had an attack like this.”
It was the best that she could explain it. She’d seen things like that with virus mutations and in other chemistry experiments so perhaps it wasn’t as far fetched as she had initially thought. It still was more random conjecture on her part than anything but she didn’t actively dislike the idea, it just wasn’t worth pouring resources into just yet.
She would have explained in more detail but he was off in another direction. Her initial reaction was mild irritation. How could he think that?
“No of course not.”
It was the way he his arm tightened around her that clued Nikhila in that he was worried about her and not upset that she might have involved herself in something she shouldn’t have. She shifted around so she could meet his mismatched eyes.
“Aidan, it’s all right. I didn’t go any where near the preserve. I promised you I would work where I was needed and right now that’s here.”
And while she wanted to be needed during this crisis, she knew she wasn’t at least not in the active manner she would like. It had been hard enough knowing that he, Hammer and Lily had all be out there together.
“I worry about you, it’s nice to know that you worry too.”
It was perhaps the most romantic thing he’d said all night, in its own odd little way.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense at all, but neither do the attacks. Some times when two things don’t fit any pattern that in it self is a pattern. No one else has reported anything like what Drew described and we’ve never had an attack like this.”
It was the best that she could explain it. She’d seen things like that with virus mutations and in other chemistry experiments so perhaps it wasn’t as far fetched as she had initially thought. It still was more random conjecture on her part than anything but she didn’t actively dislike the idea, it just wasn’t worth pouring resources into just yet.
She would have explained in more detail but he was off in another direction. Her initial reaction was mild irritation. How could he think that?
“No of course not.”
It was the way he his arm tightened around her that clued Nikhila in that he was worried about her and not upset that she might have involved herself in something she shouldn’t have. She shifted around so she could meet his mismatched eyes.
“Aidan, it’s all right. I didn’t go any where near the preserve. I promised you I would work where I was needed and right now that’s here.”
And while she wanted to be needed during this crisis, she knew she wasn’t at least not in the active manner she would like. It had been hard enough knowing that he, Hammer and Lily had all be out there together.
“I worry about you, it’s nice to know that you worry too.”
It was perhaps the most romantic thing he’d said all night, in its own odd little way.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph nodded at Nikhila's logic. He hadn't thought about the two occurrences quite that way. He would remember that - two things not fitting in a pattern being a pattern in and of themselves.
He also took her promise seriously, and he knew she wasn't lying. So he apologised, since his leap to conclusions was obviously misplaced.
"I'm sorry. And of course I worry." he allowed indignation into his voice. "All I do is worry, especially the last week or so. Worry, worry, worry."
Maybe he hadn't been the most sensitive of boyfriends lately. Xeph knew that mushy stuff was not really his forte. He pulled Nikhila gently toward him and kissed her lightly.
"I worry about you all the time. I love you, and I want you to stay safe."
He wouldn't tell her he feared that the vision he had just seen would come to pass - Nikhila lying there, dead, waiting to be found. Bad enough that he was sure he'd see it in dreams tonight.
He also took her promise seriously, and he knew she wasn't lying. So he apologised, since his leap to conclusions was obviously misplaced.
"I'm sorry. And of course I worry." he allowed indignation into his voice. "All I do is worry, especially the last week or so. Worry, worry, worry."
Maybe he hadn't been the most sensitive of boyfriends lately. Xeph knew that mushy stuff was not really his forte. He pulled Nikhila gently toward him and kissed her lightly.
"I worry about you all the time. I love you, and I want you to stay safe."
He wouldn't tell her he feared that the vision he had just seen would come to pass - Nikhila lying there, dead, waiting to be found. Bad enough that he was sure he'd see it in dreams tonight.
Nikhila
15 years ago
“You don’t need to apologize, its part of your job. And part… well… let’s go with I’m glad it’s you.”
She would have giggled at his ‘worry, worry, worry’ statement if the situation hadn’t been so serious. He had more than enough on his plate without an indignant woman on his hands especially one who laughed at his concerns or gave him more to worry about.
She returned his kiss and added one of her own for good measure.
“It is still good to hear. I also expect you to remember the same is true from me. I’m rather fond of you and would strongly disapprove should something happen to you.”
Her words were rather light but that wasn’t true of her feelings.
Some days she’d give a great deal to know his thoughts, tonight was one of those days. Well she wasn’t a mind reader, no matter how much she might wish it. Perhaps they should have stuck to watching the movie rather than potentially deep conversation.
Regardless, she’d continue to worry and do her best to take care of him where she could. The rest would come.
She would have giggled at his ‘worry, worry, worry’ statement if the situation hadn’t been so serious. He had more than enough on his plate without an indignant woman on his hands especially one who laughed at his concerns or gave him more to worry about.
She returned his kiss and added one of her own for good measure.
“It is still good to hear. I also expect you to remember the same is true from me. I’m rather fond of you and would strongly disapprove should something happen to you.”
Her words were rather light but that wasn’t true of her feelings.
Some days she’d give a great deal to know his thoughts, tonight was one of those days. Well she wasn’t a mind reader, no matter how much she might wish it. Perhaps they should have stuck to watching the movie rather than potentially deep conversation.
Regardless, she’d continue to worry and do her best to take care of him where she could. The rest would come.
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph let his head fall back on the couch cushions once more.
"Oh good," he exclaimed to thin air. "She's fond of me!"
He eyed Nikhila again, eager to bring the levity back to their evening. "Define 'something happening' for me please? I mean, waking up and getting out of bed in the morning is something isn't it?"
He shook his head. "That hardly seems like a good reason for displeasure, don't you think?"
While Xeph spoke, though, he focused that 'other' part of himself on Nikhila, trying to determine if there was something else she needed. She was making an effort to be supportive, but there was something almost hesitant about her demeanor tonight.
"Oh good," he exclaimed to thin air. "She's fond of me!"
He eyed Nikhila again, eager to bring the levity back to their evening. "Define 'something happening' for me please? I mean, waking up and getting out of bed in the morning is something isn't it?"
He shook his head. "That hardly seems like a good reason for displeasure, don't you think?"
While Xeph spoke, though, he focused that 'other' part of himself on Nikhila, trying to determine if there was something else she needed. She was making an effort to be supportive, but there was something almost hesitant about her demeanor tonight.
Nikhila
15 years ago
Grinning, Nikhila gave him a good poke in the ribs for that.
“I am only ‘fond’ of one man at a time. I’m quite discriminating thank you very much.”
She was more than happy to shift back to a lighter mood. Ultimately being so serious and focused did not always resolve things.
Trying to look irritated she rolled her eyes at him as she resettled herself this time stretching out on the sofa, her head and shoulders in his lap. Stretching out was a relative term as well, her long frame didn’t quite fit, but she made due.
“Ah, you want specifics. I could have something drafted up for you by tomorrow, just a dozen pages or so and of course you’d have to leave now as you can be quite distracting.”
She paused momentarily letting that bit of thread hang in the air. It was a completely idle threat though, she’d probably tackle him if he tried to leave.
“Or you can just use your best judgment. On second thought, we can just tattoo some basic rules on your forehead. Yes that might be best.”
“I am only ‘fond’ of one man at a time. I’m quite discriminating thank you very much.”
She was more than happy to shift back to a lighter mood. Ultimately being so serious and focused did not always resolve things.
Trying to look irritated she rolled her eyes at him as she resettled herself this time stretching out on the sofa, her head and shoulders in his lap. Stretching out was a relative term as well, her long frame didn’t quite fit, but she made due.
“Ah, you want specifics. I could have something drafted up for you by tomorrow, just a dozen pages or so and of course you’d have to leave now as you can be quite distracting.”
She paused momentarily letting that bit of thread hang in the air. It was a completely idle threat though, she’d probably tackle him if he tried to leave.
“Or you can just use your best judgment. On second thought, we can just tattoo some basic rules on your forehead. Yes that might be best.”
Xeph
15 years ago
With a mischievous grin at Nikhila, Xeph pretended to check a watch. "Just one at a time? Damn, how much time do I have left?"
He listened to her spout some technical crap at him before settling upon the tattoo idea, which he gave all the consideration it was worth before shrugging and saying, "All right that's fine - but that means I get to tattoo my own rules to some portion of your anatomy too."
She had shifted position, leaving him free to play idly with her long hair. Xeph pulled a few locks out and braided them absentmindedly.
"I wonder where I'll put the one about searing my meat?"
he said speculatively. "That's an important one. It needs to go someplace memorable."
He listened to her spout some technical crap at him before settling upon the tattoo idea, which he gave all the consideration it was worth before shrugging and saying, "All right that's fine - but that means I get to tattoo my own rules to some portion of your anatomy too."
She had shifted position, leaving him free to play idly with her long hair. Xeph pulled a few locks out and braided them absentmindedly.
"I wonder where I'll put the one about searing my meat?"
he said speculatively. "That's an important one. It needs to go someplace memorable."
Nikhila
15 years ago
Nikhila flicked her eyes up to his, and half shook her head. He was lucky she was comfortable or she might have jabbed him for that.
"More than you some days deserve."Â?
Sighing, content for the moment she felt him playing with her hair and thought about smiling. His extending the tattoo idea to her earned him a short half laugh. They were going to play that game were they?
"I'll need to see it when I cook so probably no where interesting. But if we were to draft it up in Sanskrit or something I'm sure it will be quite pretty. I'll get lots of compliments."Â?
She really didn't want to break the mood they were just re-establishing, but who knew when she'd get him to herself for this long again? Nikhila didn't think it was taking advantage of their relationship to interject just a bit more business into their evening. Ordinarily she wouldn't have even mentioned it beyond the report she'd sent to Xeph and Lily but something about that lawyer bothered her.
"Did you by any chance have you read the latest report I sent off to you mother?"Â?
Nikhila CC'd Xeph on them more as a courtesy than anything, the assignment had come from Lily after all. And under the circumstances she didn't think either would have read it just yet. That was, of course, as it should be there were more pressing, active and visible concerns; but it was possible he'd skimmed it. She just didn't think so and wouldn't be hurt by a negative response.
"More than you some days deserve."Â?
Sighing, content for the moment she felt him playing with her hair and thought about smiling. His extending the tattoo idea to her earned him a short half laugh. They were going to play that game were they?
"I'll need to see it when I cook so probably no where interesting. But if we were to draft it up in Sanskrit or something I'm sure it will be quite pretty. I'll get lots of compliments."Â?
She really didn't want to break the mood they were just re-establishing, but who knew when she'd get him to herself for this long again? Nikhila didn't think it was taking advantage of their relationship to interject just a bit more business into their evening. Ordinarily she wouldn't have even mentioned it beyond the report she'd sent to Xeph and Lily but something about that lawyer bothered her.
"Did you by any chance have you read the latest report I sent off to you mother?"Â?
Nikhila CC'd Xeph on them more as a courtesy than anything, the assignment had come from Lily after all. And under the circumstances she didn't think either would have read it just yet. That was, of course, as it should be there were more pressing, active and visible concerns; but it was possible he'd skimmed it. She just didn't think so and wouldn't be hurt by a negative response.
Xeph
15 years ago
"Oh, more than I deserve all days, I expect," Xeph corrected Nikhila, and meant it. She was patient with him; at least, she was learning to be. It couldn't be easy for her when his job so often took him away, placed him in danger, or otherwise made him inaccessible to her. They'd promised each other they would both work to support each other though, and he could never claim she wasn't holding up her end of the bargain.
"If you get sanskrit so do I," Xeph said. "Then I can be all badass-looking like that guy in the Mummy."
The idea made him grin. He could totally go for that! The mood was about to change yet again though, as Nikhila brought work back into it. Xeph listened attentively; maybe this was what he'd sensed before, the "whatever it was" she needed to talk about.
"Yeah I read it," he said. "Some lawyer decided to make an ass of himself. What else is new? Isn't there an "asshole" section on the bar?"
"If you get sanskrit so do I," Xeph said. "Then I can be all badass-looking like that guy in the Mummy."
The idea made him grin. He could totally go for that! The mood was about to change yet again though, as Nikhila brought work back into it. Xeph listened attentively; maybe this was what he'd sensed before, the "whatever it was" she needed to talk about.
"Yeah I read it," he said. "Some lawyer decided to make an ass of himself. What else is new? Isn't there an "asshole" section on the bar?"
Nikhila
15 years ago
Not that she would admit it freely, but The Mummy was one of Nikhila’s favorite movies. She couldn’t help but giggling at this idea.
“Then I will expect you to charge to my rescue on a black horse and wheedling a sword.”
She paused allowing that image to develop a bit and wasn’t terribly disappointed, even if it would never happen in a million years. Before he could say anything, she gave him an odd look and muttered.
“I am entitled to a fantasy or two.”
Well that was impressive. Nikhila hadn’t really expected that Xeph would have read the report. She suspected he either read it to take his mind off the murders or in a desperate attempt to find something to might relate to them.
“A much larger one than you might think.”
She grumbled. More often than not Nikhila did not get along with lawyers, she couldn’t figure out why.
Nikhila didn’t immediately say anything, she was quickly reviewing the meeting and what she’d put in her report. She didn’t want to dwell on things or blow them out of proportion.
“He was far too smug, too manipulative for his position. I’ve dealt with people doing the same job… it was as if he knew something. I think he has closer ties to the source of this than he let on. If I had to guess I’d say he knows something.”
But what she didn’t know. Aidan was a good listener and didn’t push or jump in but let her slowly work up to the last bit.
“He’s not a good person, what I saw around him… … none of it was good and there was so much of it. It was, un-nerving.”
Having lived with her gift for many years Nikhila was used to it. She wasn’t always right but she was more often than not. She’d seen a great deal as well, it took a lot to bother her.
“Then I will expect you to charge to my rescue on a black horse and wheedling a sword.”
She paused allowing that image to develop a bit and wasn’t terribly disappointed, even if it would never happen in a million years. Before he could say anything, she gave him an odd look and muttered.
“I am entitled to a fantasy or two.”
Well that was impressive. Nikhila hadn’t really expected that Xeph would have read the report. She suspected he either read it to take his mind off the murders or in a desperate attempt to find something to might relate to them.
“A much larger one than you might think.”
She grumbled. More often than not Nikhila did not get along with lawyers, she couldn’t figure out why.
Nikhila didn’t immediately say anything, she was quickly reviewing the meeting and what she’d put in her report. She didn’t want to dwell on things or blow them out of proportion.
“He was far too smug, too manipulative for his position. I’ve dealt with people doing the same job… it was as if he knew something. I think he has closer ties to the source of this than he let on. If I had to guess I’d say he knows something.”
But what she didn’t know. Aidan was a good listener and didn’t push or jump in but let her slowly work up to the last bit.
“He’s not a good person, what I saw around him… … none of it was good and there was so much of it. It was, un-nerving.”
Having lived with her gift for many years Nikhila was used to it. She wasn’t always right but she was more often than not. She’d seen a great deal as well, it took a lot to bother her.
Xeph
15 years ago
All joking aside, Xeph listened carefully to Nikhila. He had learned long ago to trust her observations and hunches, as well as to pay attention to her own sort of sixth sense about things. It wrked differently than his, but he often thought that somehow she'd "inherited" it from him.
In this case though, he wasn't sure what exactly she was implying. "What do you mean he knows something? What do you think he knows?"
He frowned at her next statement, or understatement. He knew Nikhila; he could hear the tact in her voice. "Say it plainly, Nikhila... what did you feel around him?"
It might be important; he couldn't afford to have her curb her intuitions just for the sake of diplomacy. Not when they were in private.
In this case though, he wasn't sure what exactly she was implying. "What do you mean he knows something? What do you think he knows?"
He frowned at her next statement, or understatement. He knew Nikhila; he could hear the tact in her voice. "Say it plainly, Nikhila... what did you feel around him?"
It might be important; he couldn't afford to have her curb her intuitions just for the sake of diplomacy. Not when they were in private.
Nikhila
15 years ago
Plainly? It was hard to relate something so vague plainly.
“I don’t think he knows about the Pack. He didn’t give any indication of that.”
Her first thought was family the family as a whole.
“I do think he suspects that I’m trying to delay or derail the project. He may even realize I’ve some idea what the ultimate goal is. He wanted my notes.”
That concerned her. Even if he didn’t know about the Pack if he though she had any idea what was going on it might eventually lead back to them. However, on the other hand if she just left the lab she might confirm those suspicious and cause him to dig deeper which might eventually lead back to them.
Considering her scientific nature Nikhila’s gift was a very odd one for her. She’d always assumed it was nature’s way of keeping her in balance of forcing her to balance the concrete and logical with faith and intuition; just as she balanced wolf and woman. Sometimes she wasn’t as good at it as she should be and she hesitated before answering.
“I didn’t pay attention to him, not that way, not until near the end of our meeting. When I did… I didn’t feel threatened but that’s the closest I can come to describing it. He’s watching something and staying is going to potentially be a risk but I think leaving might be the same or more of a risk. And no I don’t know what kind of risk. I might be over reacting and he just wants to sue me and potentially the Academy. Either way I don’t want to spend more time around him than I have to, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that much animosity and fear around one person.”
“I don’t think he knows about the Pack. He didn’t give any indication of that.”
Her first thought was family the family as a whole.
“I do think he suspects that I’m trying to delay or derail the project. He may even realize I’ve some idea what the ultimate goal is. He wanted my notes.”
That concerned her. Even if he didn’t know about the Pack if he though she had any idea what was going on it might eventually lead back to them. However, on the other hand if she just left the lab she might confirm those suspicious and cause him to dig deeper which might eventually lead back to them.
Considering her scientific nature Nikhila’s gift was a very odd one for her. She’d always assumed it was nature’s way of keeping her in balance of forcing her to balance the concrete and logical with faith and intuition; just as she balanced wolf and woman. Sometimes she wasn’t as good at it as she should be and she hesitated before answering.
“I didn’t pay attention to him, not that way, not until near the end of our meeting. When I did… I didn’t feel threatened but that’s the closest I can come to describing it. He’s watching something and staying is going to potentially be a risk but I think leaving might be the same or more of a risk. And no I don’t know what kind of risk. I might be over reacting and he just wants to sue me and potentially the Academy. Either way I don’t want to spend more time around him than I have to, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that much animosity and fear around one person.”
Xeph
15 years ago
Xeph grew concerned as Nikhila spoke. This lawyer did sound irritating, and possibly dangerous.
"Send me another mail, and cc the Pipers. Let's check out as much of this guy as possible. We have connections; we can dig into his background without him finding out about it."
Information would be key first. Xeph looked down at Nikhila, however, and asked, "What do you want to do though? Do you want out from this project? Because if you do, we can find a way to get you out."
He wasn't going to order her off of it. He knew better. While he'd prefer to keep Nikhila safely out of anything remotely dangerous, Xeph knew she wanted to be useful and in this case, she really was the best person for the job. It wasn't entirely essential though. They could do without it if they had to - especially if Nikhila felt threatened.
Xeph would leave that up to her, though. She knew all of his resources were at her disposal and they could formulate a plan to deal with this together, if she desired.
"Send me another mail, and cc the Pipers. Let's check out as much of this guy as possible. We have connections; we can dig into his background without him finding out about it."
Information would be key first. Xeph looked down at Nikhila, however, and asked, "What do you want to do though? Do you want out from this project? Because if you do, we can find a way to get you out."
He wasn't going to order her off of it. He knew better. While he'd prefer to keep Nikhila safely out of anything remotely dangerous, Xeph knew she wanted to be useful and in this case, she really was the best person for the job. It wasn't entirely essential though. They could do without it if they had to - especially if Nikhila felt threatened.
Xeph would leave that up to her, though. She knew all of his resources were at her disposal and they could formulate a plan to deal with this together, if she desired.