Dana's head turned back to Amir with a puzzled look on her face. "Yes, it is. How odd, do you know her?"
Was Pakpao a clan mate, and she'd not been aware? What a very small world they seemed to live in. She turned back to Bao, still slightly puzzled.
"One can always use more challenges, Bao. I have this odd feeling that knowing how to defend myself in ways that do not include stealth and covert behavior might become necessary one day."
Why would he ask her to ask Amir, she was not in his employ and he did not pay her wages, though she didn't actually earn money. Bao paid for her time in time of his own, teaching her what she wished to learn, Russian diction and driving for now, but she would need to come up with something else when those lessons were complete.
Would it be odd to ask Amir to teach her such things? Was their relationship comfortable enough that she could take instruction from him and not be cross with him if he became frustrated with her? After a moment's thought, she decided that no it would not be odd and yes she could be reasonable enough.
Feeling a bit like a tennis spectator, she turned her head once more to Amir.
"Well then perhaps you could teach me a bit of martial arts."
Pop Quiz (Invite only)
Amir left his bike in the garage below Bao's office building and rode the elevator to the twenty-third floor. He exited and turned, following the bronzed plaques that served as maps to Bao's office. Entering quietly, he looked around but saw no one. It was close to two in the morning though, so he hadn't expected a full staff.
There was a shuffling of papers in one direction; perhaps Bao wasn't alone after all. He wasn't sure if Dana was working tonight although she'd been his ulterior motive in coming. He wanted to check in on Bao, and although he rarely ever visited him at his workplace Bao had hinted that he, too, wanted to speak to Amir in a private location. Something was bothering Bao and Amir wanted to address whatever the problem was. Bao was a capable vampire and Amir was justifiably proud of him. On occasion though, Bao still asked him for advice. It seemed this was one such occasion.
Glancing around one more time he made his silent way over to the door with Bao's name etched into it. He didn't bother knocking, just let himself in and then quietly closed the door behind him. Bao was there by himself, working on some sort of paperwork.
"Ask and ye shall receive," Amir said wryly from the door. He crossed the room, taking notice of the decor and the layout without actually looking at any of it, and went to the window to admire Nachton's nighttime skyline. "Nice office."
Dana
15 years ago
Amir
15 years ago
"We've met recently," Amir said smoothly. "It's a small world." He wasn't about to disclose Pakpao's history to Dana; that was Bao's issue, not his.
Dana's confusion on the topic of martial training was apparent; Amir brushed it aside. If she and Bao had some sort of arrangement that was well enough and he wouldn't stand in the way. He was sitting right here though; it was difficult to keep his mouth shut on a topic that was very much in his area of expertise. He had to at least offer.
It did cross his mind to wonder if Dana would be able to handle learning from him. Amir had been trained initially by Subira, and she didn't pull punches. Literally. He'd discovered very early on that no matter how immortal, a vampire could still suffer great pain when various parts of his anatomy were in the way of someone else's. As time had worn on he'd surpassed Subira's training, traveling extensively and learning more forms, more styles. Successive teachers had shown him that there were more ways to teach than through sheer brute force. Over the centuries one of his sporadic tasks for Subira was to train those she sent to him. He liked to think he broke fewer bones than she did.
Either way, Amir lifted a shoulder at Dana, smiling softly at her, his expression modest. "You can learn from whomever you like," he said. "Bao's likely to be a gentler teacher than me, but you'll learn more from me than you will from him."
There was no pride in his voice as he said it; Amir wasn't boasting. It was simple statement of fact. He had been created for this purpose. His entire life revolved around warfare and the physical.
In the end it mattered little to Amir, though. Eventually Dana would find the knowledge she sought. She seemed to be that sort. Like him, she was constantly learning.
Dana's confusion on the topic of martial training was apparent; Amir brushed it aside. If she and Bao had some sort of arrangement that was well enough and he wouldn't stand in the way. He was sitting right here though; it was difficult to keep his mouth shut on a topic that was very much in his area of expertise. He had to at least offer.
It did cross his mind to wonder if Dana would be able to handle learning from him. Amir had been trained initially by Subira, and she didn't pull punches. Literally. He'd discovered very early on that no matter how immortal, a vampire could still suffer great pain when various parts of his anatomy were in the way of someone else's. As time had worn on he'd surpassed Subira's training, traveling extensively and learning more forms, more styles. Successive teachers had shown him that there were more ways to teach than through sheer brute force. Over the centuries one of his sporadic tasks for Subira was to train those she sent to him. He liked to think he broke fewer bones than she did.
Either way, Amir lifted a shoulder at Dana, smiling softly at her, his expression modest. "You can learn from whomever you like," he said. "Bao's likely to be a gentler teacher than me, but you'll learn more from me than you will from him."
There was no pride in his voice as he said it; Amir wasn't boasting. It was simple statement of fact. He had been created for this purpose. His entire life revolved around warfare and the physical.
In the end it mattered little to Amir, though. Eventually Dana would find the knowledge she sought. She seemed to be that sort. Like him, she was constantly learning.
Bao
15 years ago
Fortunately, they weren’t going to linger on the topic of his wayward daughter. Perhaps, however, he could find more information from Dana. One never knew what might prove interesting.
Bao smiled faintly at Dana’s apparent misunderstanding regarding any possible training. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to teach her, he would be happy to, but he also knew sire and to not refer her to him first would irritate him.
“If you live long enough it’s almost a certainty you will need to know. If you haven’t needed to know yet you’ve been lucky.”
Or extremely sheltered.
“The short answer is either of us would be happy to teach you. Why don’t we meet some evening, we shall see what you already know and what interests you and then you will be able to make a better decision.”
Bao would be able to gauge her abilities well enough and he knew if the styles he was proficient in didn’t suit Dana almost certainly Amir would.
Bao smiled faintly at Dana’s apparent misunderstanding regarding any possible training. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to teach her, he would be happy to, but he also knew sire and to not refer her to him first would irritate him.
“If you live long enough it’s almost a certainty you will need to know. If you haven’t needed to know yet you’ve been lucky.”
Or extremely sheltered.
“The short answer is either of us would be happy to teach you. Why don’t we meet some evening, we shall see what you already know and what interests you and then you will be able to make a better decision.”
Bao would be able to gauge her abilities well enough and he knew if the styles he was proficient in didn’t suit Dana almost certainly Amir would.
Dana
15 years ago
It was ridiculous to continue to swivel her head back and forth between the two men. Dana solved this, by turning in Amir's lap, and resting her back against the leg thrown over the arm. Her own legs draped over the opposite chair arm. She would apologize to Bao later for taking such liberties.
"That should work well for me. When would be best for the two of you?"
"That should work well for me. When would be best for the two of you?"
Amir
15 years ago
Amir nodded agreeably with Bao's words. Whoever Dana chose to learn from, they could probably both offer her something equally stimulating. As Dana shifted herself on his leg, Amir smiled at her, raising a shoulder noncomittally.
"Whenever you like will be fine," he said. His schedule was fairly flexible. There was yet some work to be done this week, but nothing that couldn't be worked around.
"It'll be good to see if Bao has kept himself in shape, as well." Amir turned his mischievious gaze to his offspring, letting him know with his silken smile just what he was in for.
"Whenever you like will be fine," he said. His schedule was fairly flexible. There was yet some work to be done this week, but nothing that couldn't be worked around.
"It'll be good to see if Bao has kept himself in shape, as well." Amir turned his mischievious gaze to his offspring, letting him know with his silken smile just what he was in for.
Bao
15 years ago
Perhaps this was why he didn’t encourage social visits to his office, his furniture took such abuse. Ah well the chairs were reproductions, it was really only the desk he was worried about and Dana was keeping Amir from it so that was acceptable.
That expression didn’t bode well. Bao only closed his eyes. He was still in shape, he practiced regularly and, frankly, was damned good. However, no matter how good he was Amir had always been better. He had been training longer and in more disciplines than Bao. It also so seemed to be more of a passion for Amir than it was for Bao.
“I think perhaps the weekend would be best. I am not in the habit of arriving here with broken bones and black eyes. A day or two to heal would be beneficial.”
That expression didn’t bode well. Bao only closed his eyes. He was still in shape, he practiced regularly and, frankly, was damned good. However, no matter how good he was Amir had always been better. He had been training longer and in more disciplines than Bao. It also so seemed to be more of a passion for Amir than it was for Bao.
“I think perhaps the weekend would be best. I am not in the habit of arriving here with broken bones and black eyes. A day or two to heal would be beneficial.”
Dana
15 years ago
Broken bones? She did not think her first forray into martial arts would result in such injury. Perhaps she should rethink this whole thing.
"Tomorrow is Friday, so I look forward to our first lesson."
A deep breath settled her a bit. She did not think Amir would harm her so extensively as Bao suggested on their first go around.
"Where do we do this at?"
And what was she to wear? It seemed like she would have to go shopping again.
"Tomorrow is Friday, so I look forward to our first lesson."
A deep breath settled her a bit. She did not think Amir would harm her so extensively as Bao suggested on their first go around.
"Where do we do this at?"
And what was she to wear? It seemed like she would have to go shopping again.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir caught Dana's deep breath; it looked like she was fortifying herself for something. Of course, how could she not be, hearing the exchange between him and his offspring?
"It won't be as bad as that," he said lazily, quite comfortable thrown over Bao's armchair with Dana thrown over him. "You're just learning... Bao is being reminded. And challenged."
Bao was very good, but Amir needed to push him some. If they were to work together in Nachton they had to be able to rely on each other in all things. A little workout would keep him on his toes, and he was adept enough that Amir knew if he slipped and managed to injure himself it would be from his own oversight. Yes, Amir was perhaps a little quicker to react and slightly more agile. He also knew more about martial arts in particular and fighting in general, not just styles and forms but dirty, gritty "staying alive" fighting. He had the edge. He wouldn't needlessly pound Bao into the dust... but his student knew how to defend himself and to give as good as he got, and Amir would test that.
He kept those thoughts to himself; let Bao think what he wanted. He knew better than to psych himself out. Amir just said to Dana, "Down behind the Manor, before you reach the stable, is a building we use to train in. You'll see it if you walk out and along the woods' edge."
"It won't be as bad as that," he said lazily, quite comfortable thrown over Bao's armchair with Dana thrown over him. "You're just learning... Bao is being reminded. And challenged."
Bao was very good, but Amir needed to push him some. If they were to work together in Nachton they had to be able to rely on each other in all things. A little workout would keep him on his toes, and he was adept enough that Amir knew if he slipped and managed to injure himself it would be from his own oversight. Yes, Amir was perhaps a little quicker to react and slightly more agile. He also knew more about martial arts in particular and fighting in general, not just styles and forms but dirty, gritty "staying alive" fighting. He had the edge. He wouldn't needlessly pound Bao into the dust... but his student knew how to defend himself and to give as good as he got, and Amir would test that.
He kept those thoughts to himself; let Bao think what he wanted. He knew better than to psych himself out. Amir just said to Dana, "Down behind the Manor, before you reach the stable, is a building we use to train in. You'll see it if you walk out and along the woods' edge."
Bao
15 years ago
“Unfortunately I remember a great deal.”
Bao deadpanned. He did not, however, mind the reminder or the challenge. It wasn’t something he necessarily looked forward too but it was valuable.
He also caught Dana’s apparent nervousness and smiled at her, one of his best jury reassuring smiles.
“If I recall correctly Amir was even relatively… understanding with me when we first started.”
Gentle wouldn’t be the right word by any stretch of the imagination, but then he had started out this life with some skill in hand-to-hand combat. He also suspected that Amir might be a bit rougher with what was his or that which was sent to him than he would be with some one coming to him voluntarily as Dana was.
Bao deadpanned. He did not, however, mind the reminder or the challenge. It wasn’t something he necessarily looked forward too but it was valuable.
He also caught Dana’s apparent nervousness and smiled at her, one of his best jury reassuring smiles.
“If I recall correctly Amir was even relatively… understanding with me when we first started.”
Gentle wouldn’t be the right word by any stretch of the imagination, but then he had started out this life with some skill in hand-to-hand combat. He also suspected that Amir might be a bit rougher with what was his or that which was sent to him than he would be with some one coming to him voluntarily as Dana was.
Dana
15 years ago
And with that, Dana's apprehension was at an end. She had no reason to believe that Amir or Bao would placate her, so she had no reason to fear their first meeting.
Her mind was satisfied with this subject but not with another. "Tell me more about your meeting with Pakpao, Amir. I feel as though I am missing something."
More than one something, she was sure. However, if it was something she wasn't supposed to know, then it would be kept from her. If it was for the good of the clan to do so, then she had no argument with that. Though it would be up to Amir and Bao to tell her it was none of her business.
Her mind was satisfied with this subject but not with another. "Tell me more about your meeting with Pakpao, Amir. I feel as though I am missing something."
More than one something, she was sure. However, if it was something she wasn't supposed to know, then it would be kept from her. If it was for the good of the clan to do so, then she had no argument with that. Though it would be up to Amir and Bao to tell her it was none of her business.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir shot a glance at Bao, searching for insincerity in his offspring's tone. He found none, however; there was nothing for which to really give him a whipping for later. What a shame.
When Dana asked about Pakpao, he shook his head and shrugged. "In passing," he said. "We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. I don't really know her."
He wasn't going to delineate Bao's failure to Dana. If Bao wanted to elaborate, Bao could elaborate. Lies came very easily to Amir's lips, and he didn't often feel remorse for telling them as he never did unless he had a purpose.
"I do know she's one of our kind though," he added. No reason to keep that a secret. "Fallen in, sadly, with Evenhet."
There was a distinct note of distaste in his voice. Amir's disdain for anyone not of Anantya was no news.
When Dana asked about Pakpao, he shook his head and shrugged. "In passing," he said. "We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. I don't really know her."
He wasn't going to delineate Bao's failure to Dana. If Bao wanted to elaborate, Bao could elaborate. Lies came very easily to Amir's lips, and he didn't often feel remorse for telling them as he never did unless he had a purpose.
"I do know she's one of our kind though," he added. No reason to keep that a secret. "Fallen in, sadly, with Evenhet."
There was a distinct note of distaste in his voice. Amir's disdain for anyone not of Anantya was no news.
Bao
15 years ago
He refused to be leery or irritated by Dana’s inquiries. If she chose to be curious that was not something, he could control. Amir seemed to be doing a fine job of deflecting the conversation and not revealing his error. He probably was still going to have to pay a forfeit of some kind but at least Amir was keeping it between them.
“For better or worse you may run into any number of them around town.”
Like Amir, Bao was firmly resolved that it was all for the worse. Still, this one he wanted to salvage. She was… his.
“For better or worse you may run into any number of them around town.”
Like Amir, Bao was firmly resolved that it was all for the worse. Still, this one he wanted to salvage. She was… his.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana's brow crinkled, they were not telling her everything, and she knew it. It bothered her some, but not enough to pry. Prying would be improper.
"I was made aware of that very early in my arrival in Nachton." She grinned at Amir, remembering their meeting.
Dana did not know much about the other Clan and the Lost Ones, as Erin had spoken little of them.
"I know Evenhet is nothing more than petty rebellion, and it is a shame to loose one of our own to them. Was Pakpao one of our own? Can I help to help her see reason?"
Maybe she could use her tentative friendship with the woman, and do something more for her clan along with the paperwork.
"I was made aware of that very early in my arrival in Nachton." She grinned at Amir, remembering their meeting.
Dana did not know much about the other Clan and the Lost Ones, as Erin had spoken little of them.
"I know Evenhet is nothing more than petty rebellion, and it is a shame to loose one of our own to them. Was Pakpao one of our own? Can I help to help her see reason?"
Maybe she could use her tentative friendship with the woman, and do something more for her clan along with the paperwork.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir listened to Dana's opinion of their sister Clan and wondered how much of it was her creator's and how much her own. He couldn't necessarily disagree with the sentiment, but he did elaborate.
"They're misgiuded," he said gently. "They've become convinced that it is polite to play with your food rather than just eat it. And to compound the matter, they live with and sleep with their food as well." His voice added another, less innocent connotation to the word "sleep." He shook his head, his nose wrinkling slightly with distaste. "It's sad, but there may yet be hope for some of them."
Dana's offer to help didn't surprise him though. Amir knew she wanted to be of use to her Clan. "Pakpao could have been one of ours. Every vampire can, in some way, trace his or her lineage back to Anantya. Pakpao's is closer than most. You might be able to help Dana, but not just yet. Let me gather some information first."
Amir was impulsive but he didn't like to go off to battle without as much intelligence as possible, particularly on matters such as these. This would have to be handled with a good deal of delicacy, considering how Pakpao had reacted to Bao. It could be that Dana would be able to become closer to her than Amir would, but he would have to wait and see, and there were priorities before this one.
"In the long run she's a very small cog in a much bigger wheel," he said. "Give me a week or so, and I'll let you know."
He didn't question; Bao had asked for his help and in this he took the lead again. Dana's offer was appreciated and he intended to take her up on it, if that appeared the best way to approach this wayward grandchild of his.
"They're misgiuded," he said gently. "They've become convinced that it is polite to play with your food rather than just eat it. And to compound the matter, they live with and sleep with their food as well." His voice added another, less innocent connotation to the word "sleep." He shook his head, his nose wrinkling slightly with distaste. "It's sad, but there may yet be hope for some of them."
Dana's offer to help didn't surprise him though. Amir knew she wanted to be of use to her Clan. "Pakpao could have been one of ours. Every vampire can, in some way, trace his or her lineage back to Anantya. Pakpao's is closer than most. You might be able to help Dana, but not just yet. Let me gather some information first."
Amir was impulsive but he didn't like to go off to battle without as much intelligence as possible, particularly on matters such as these. This would have to be handled with a good deal of delicacy, considering how Pakpao had reacted to Bao. It could be that Dana would be able to become closer to her than Amir would, but he would have to wait and see, and there were priorities before this one.
"In the long run she's a very small cog in a much bigger wheel," he said. "Give me a week or so, and I'll let you know."
He didn't question; Bao had asked for his help and in this he took the lead again. Dana's offer was appreciated and he intended to take her up on it, if that appeared the best way to approach this wayward grandchild of his.
Bao
15 years ago
That was not how he would have described Evenhet’s issues. Obviously, his view on the situation was much closer to Amir’s.
He was worried that Pakpao wouldn’t be able to be redeemed, but he was hopeful she hadn’t been with the others so long that she was completely lost. Bao was also very interested in knowing how she had managed so long with out him. Had she hidden, found another vampire to guide her, or was she just that determined and that lucky? Soon, he hoped to have an answer.
His jaw tensed as Amir considered Dana’s offer of assistance. While Bao found her desire to help the clan admirable he didn’t want to share this situation with any one he didn’t have to. Still he didn’t question his maker or make his concerns known. Instead, he merely nodded his agreement to Amir’s request for time.
“One cannot get bogged down in minutia or even one stray vampire.”
He wanted to, very much, but he knew better. Even if he hadn’t known better, he had been reminded.
He was worried that Pakpao wouldn’t be able to be redeemed, but he was hopeful she hadn’t been with the others so long that she was completely lost. Bao was also very interested in knowing how she had managed so long with out him. Had she hidden, found another vampire to guide her, or was she just that determined and that lucky? Soon, he hoped to have an answer.
His jaw tensed as Amir considered Dana’s offer of assistance. While Bao found her desire to help the clan admirable he didn’t want to share this situation with any one he didn’t have to. Still he didn’t question his maker or make his concerns known. Instead, he merely nodded his agreement to Amir’s request for time.
“One cannot get bogged down in minutia or even one stray vampire.”
He wanted to, very much, but he knew better. Even if he hadn’t known better, he had been reminded.
Dana
15 years ago
It seemed though that Lady Erin's opinion of the Evenhet was not entirely accurate and she would have to remedy her lack of knowledge on the subject just as soon as was possible.
"That is good to know, Amir." Who would want to play with their food? Did the humans go out into the fields and play with the cows? Granted she hunted her own meals in a way that might seem like play, but she did not keep them as pets or sleep with them, for heaven's sake. She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
Dana studied the two men for a moment. While she was not satisfied with all of that it was enough for now. She would wait until they had need of her, it was not an unfamiliar place for her to be.
With a gentle kiss to Amir's lips, she stood on a sigh.
"I've a few things to finish before I leave for the evening. Bao, that set of new papers you needed will be on your desk before I walk out the door tonight."
She turned her attention to Amir. "If you'd like to wait for me, I'd be most pleased."
Turning on her heel she strode through the door and into her "office"
"That is good to know, Amir." Who would want to play with their food? Did the humans go out into the fields and play with the cows? Granted she hunted her own meals in a way that might seem like play, but she did not keep them as pets or sleep with them, for heaven's sake. She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
Dana studied the two men for a moment. While she was not satisfied with all of that it was enough for now. She would wait until they had need of her, it was not an unfamiliar place for her to be.
With a gentle kiss to Amir's lips, she stood on a sigh.
"I've a few things to finish before I leave for the evening. Bao, that set of new papers you needed will be on your desk before I walk out the door tonight."
She turned her attention to Amir. "If you'd like to wait for me, I'd be most pleased."
Turning on her heel she strode through the door and into her "office"
Amir
15 years ago
Amir smiled at Dana and returned her kiss, pleased with her response to his opinion. He knew his faults; he knew he was prone to be opinionated, but he also knew he had a right to his own view. Dana, as always, seemed willing to mull things over and take it in stride.
At one point he might have agreed that the Evenhet were petty rebels, but by now, hundreds of years after the relatively peaceful split-off of their Clan, they couldn't be labeled that anymore. They had grown into their own, led by the most misguided of all, and now they had to be controlled.
As Dana left the room, Amir turned to Bao. "Love the new assistant," he said with a cheeky grin. "Very welcoming."
His face grew more serious as he considered everything they'd discussed. "She may be able to reach Pakpao if I can't. I don't know this woman of yours but she sounds, well, difficult. We'll see what happens."
At one point he might have agreed that the Evenhet were petty rebels, but by now, hundreds of years after the relatively peaceful split-off of their Clan, they couldn't be labeled that anymore. They had grown into their own, led by the most misguided of all, and now they had to be controlled.
As Dana left the room, Amir turned to Bao. "Love the new assistant," he said with a cheeky grin. "Very welcoming."
His face grew more serious as he considered everything they'd discussed. "She may be able to reach Pakpao if I can't. I don't know this woman of yours but she sounds, well, difficult. We'll see what happens."
Bao
15 years ago
Bao didn’t question that Dana would return to her work and was moderately pleased she didn’t ask or even hint that she might go early. He would have let her, especially if it Amir wanted to take her with him. It just never occur to him to cut hours short he always worked until the job was done and expected others to do the same.
“Thank you. I need to review them and leave them for Julie.”
Watching her leave he decided they again had a moderate degree of privacy again. However, he probably still wouldn’t say too much.
“That is as friendly as she’s been with any one.”
He raised an eyebrow in silent question rather wanting to know more about the relationship. How long had they known each other etc.
Bao nodded at the older vampire’s assessment. When he did respond Bao was very careful to keep his voice low so that it would not carry beyond his office. While he saw the potential in Dana assisting a bit, he did not want her to know the whole story.
“It is possible she would view Dana with less… apprehension. I wish there was more I could tell you about her Cha. All I know is that even the professional journals seem to suggest she has a bit of a personality.”
Something that wasn’t always professional but from the dry reading of technical journals he couldn’t glean more than that. He didn’t know if she had a temper or a sense of humor or a sense of loyalty just that she didn’t always quite play by the rules.
“Thank you. I need to review them and leave them for Julie.”
Watching her leave he decided they again had a moderate degree of privacy again. However, he probably still wouldn’t say too much.
“That is as friendly as she’s been with any one.”
He raised an eyebrow in silent question rather wanting to know more about the relationship. How long had they known each other etc.
Bao nodded at the older vampire’s assessment. When he did respond Bao was very careful to keep his voice low so that it would not carry beyond his office. While he saw the potential in Dana assisting a bit, he did not want her to know the whole story.
“It is possible she would view Dana with less… apprehension. I wish there was more I could tell you about her Cha. All I know is that even the professional journals seem to suggest she has a bit of a personality.”
Something that wasn’t always professional but from the dry reading of technical journals he couldn’t glean more than that. He didn’t know if she had a temper or a sense of humor or a sense of loyalty just that she didn’t always quite play by the rules.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir assumed Dana's remaining work wasn't going to take her very long. He didn't think she'd keep him waiting for hours, nor did he intend to. If it took her much longer than he planned to stay and chat with Bao, then she could go with him or remain as she pleased. Amir wasn't used to waiting on others.
"I hadn't noticed any particular unfriendliness," was his mild response to Bao's raised eyebrow of curiosity. His lips turned up very slightly in amusement; of course Bao was curious, but Amir wasn't above teasing a little.
Finally he shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know this Pakpao at all," he admitted, "and I will be slightly busy in the next few weeks. If you want Dana's help, I would suggest being honest with her. It's not my place to tell her."
He let Bao think on that for a bit; Amir himself wasn't reluctant to be open with Dana, but this was not his operation. It was Bao's, and Bao had to do things as he saw fit. Amir could give him advice, and offer as much assistance as possible, but in this he thrust the mantle of leadership on his offspring's shoulders.
As for Pakpao's personality, he grinned. "I'm all right with personality. I'd be surprised if you'd turned a meek, mild-mannered farm girl, even if she does have remarkable eyes."
"I hadn't noticed any particular unfriendliness," was his mild response to Bao's raised eyebrow of curiosity. His lips turned up very slightly in amusement; of course Bao was curious, but Amir wasn't above teasing a little.
Finally he shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know this Pakpao at all," he admitted, "and I will be slightly busy in the next few weeks. If you want Dana's help, I would suggest being honest with her. It's not my place to tell her."
He let Bao think on that for a bit; Amir himself wasn't reluctant to be open with Dana, but this was not his operation. It was Bao's, and Bao had to do things as he saw fit. Amir could give him advice, and offer as much assistance as possible, but in this he thrust the mantle of leadership on his offspring's shoulders.
As for Pakpao's personality, he grinned. "I'm all right with personality. I'd be surprised if you'd turned a meek, mild-mannered farm girl, even if she does have remarkable eyes."
Bao
15 years ago
“I didn’t say she was unfriendly. She is always quite cordial.”
He suspected her manners were a product of either her era or her maker. And neither subject had come up in the talks so he didn’t know for certain, nor did it honestly matter.
“She also is not prone to lounging about in my furniture or on my elders.”
Bao clarified his position slight and left an opening for a more detailed response from his maker. He didn’t suspect he’d get an answer of any kind.
No, he didn’t like that option. It wasn’t that he minded Dana’s help, although he’d prefer to do with out it, however he did not want to admit this situation to be common knowledge. Additionally, while he liked and trusted Dana to a certain degree that knowledge was beyond what Bao was willing to share with anyone other than a very select few people. Perhaps someday, he would, but not just yet.
“I think she might do just as well, if not better not knowing the whole truth.”
The only question was how much Pakpao knew about him. Bao suspected it wasn’t much but he had no way of knowing. Anything he did would be a risk.
Bao found himself nearly laughing, not quite, but nearly at Amir’s observation.
“No, I would not classify her as meek at all. The night I turned her she fought, she even tried to throw off a command. She failed but she tried. She’s also given evidence of being rather protective of humans in her charge.”
He suspected her manners were a product of either her era or her maker. And neither subject had come up in the talks so he didn’t know for certain, nor did it honestly matter.
“She also is not prone to lounging about in my furniture or on my elders.”
Bao clarified his position slight and left an opening for a more detailed response from his maker. He didn’t suspect he’d get an answer of any kind.
No, he didn’t like that option. It wasn’t that he minded Dana’s help, although he’d prefer to do with out it, however he did not want to admit this situation to be common knowledge. Additionally, while he liked and trusted Dana to a certain degree that knowledge was beyond what Bao was willing to share with anyone other than a very select few people. Perhaps someday, he would, but not just yet.
“I think she might do just as well, if not better not knowing the whole truth.”
The only question was how much Pakpao knew about him. Bao suspected it wasn’t much but he had no way of knowing. Anything he did would be a risk.
Bao found himself nearly laughing, not quite, but nearly at Amir’s observation.
“No, I would not classify her as meek at all. The night I turned her she fought, she even tried to throw off a command. She failed but she tried. She’s also given evidence of being rather protective of humans in her charge.”