Dana chalked the end of her cue as she watched Amir make a neat triangle of the brightly colored balls. He'd set them up for eight ball, so it was her job to put a ball in a pocket so that their sides are chosen.
She set the cue ball in place, bent low over the table and studied the lay of the land for a moment. Pulling the cue back she held her breath and struck swiftly. The balls scattered with the solid purple rolling directly into the corner pocket.
"Looks like I have solids."
Early Morning Exploration (attn: Amir/open)
Dana hummed tunelessly to herself as she walked through the halls of Heolfor. Stopping occasionally to admire one of the many pieces of art. She had no specific destination in mind, just a need to be out of her four walls.
She come home from work just an hour before, and dawn was still a little while was away, not long enough to be outside, but enough that she wasn't interested in going to bed. She'd picked up her guitar to work on the song she was writing, but had not felt inspired in her room.
So with her guitar slung across her back, Dana was wandering the halls. She had no idea if Amir was home yet, or if he would be, so she was not heading to his rooms, though she'd very much like to. But how desperate would she look if he came home to find her waiting there for him?
Sighing she left the Monet she was admiring, and continued on her journey to no where.
Dana
15 years ago
Amir
15 years ago
"Nice break." Amir watched as the balls broke apart and scattered across the table, nodding as he also noted the purple number 4 ball dropping into a pocket.
There was something very smooth in the way Dana moved; maybe it was any woman playing pool or just her. Who knew. Either way the sway of her blue dress, the motion of her arm as she drew back... she was pleasing to watch.
He settled himself against the edge of the table to watch her shoot, wondering if he was getting hustled; he didn't particularly care. There were no stakes involved. Not yet, anyway.
There was something very smooth in the way Dana moved; maybe it was any woman playing pool or just her. Who knew. Either way the sway of her blue dress, the motion of her arm as she drew back... she was pleasing to watch.
He settled himself against the edge of the table to watch her shoot, wondering if he was getting hustled; he didn't particularly care. There were no stakes involved. Not yet, anyway.
Dana
15 years ago
"Thank you."
Straitening, Dana took a turn around the table studying the shots available to her. She found one, lined it up and sank the number seven, pushing several other balls out of the way.
She moved to the left, lined up another shot and sadly miscalculated, sending the yellow ball she'd been aiming for, well far of its intended pocket.
"Well, that didn't work." She chuckled and straightened again. "I believe it is your turn now."
Straitening, Dana took a turn around the table studying the shots available to her. She found one, lined it up and sank the number seven, pushing several other balls out of the way.
She moved to the left, lined up another shot and sadly miscalculated, sending the yellow ball she'd been aiming for, well far of its intended pocket.
"Well, that didn't work." She chuckled and straightened again. "I believe it is your turn now."
Amir
15 years ago
Surveying the table carefully, Amir noted the 12 and 15 close to a corner pocket. He left them there, knowing Dana would either have to knock them away or somehow try to shoot around them. Instead he went for the yellow 9 ball, which was at an angle to one of the side pockets.
Lining up his shot with the marks on the side of the table Amir bounced the 9 gently off the bumper and into a side pocket. The cue ball spun to a stop next to the blue 10 ball, making it an easy shot into the far corner pocket. He didn't have too much to go on from there; he wasn't about to touch the 12 or the 15, and the only one he might have a realistic chance at sinking was the 14. The 11 was tucked behind two of Dana's remaining balls.
Measuring once more, he carefully tapped the cue ball down the table. It hit the 14 perfectly but he hadn't put enough power behind it and the 14 only went about halfway toward the pocket he'd been aiming for.
"Well... good in theory, not so much in practice," he said, still satisfied that he'd at last calculated the angle properly.
Lining up his shot with the marks on the side of the table Amir bounced the 9 gently off the bumper and into a side pocket. The cue ball spun to a stop next to the blue 10 ball, making it an easy shot into the far corner pocket. He didn't have too much to go on from there; he wasn't about to touch the 12 or the 15, and the only one he might have a realistic chance at sinking was the 14. The 11 was tucked behind two of Dana's remaining balls.
Measuring once more, he carefully tapped the cue ball down the table. It hit the 14 perfectly but he hadn't put enough power behind it and the 14 only went about halfway toward the pocket he'd been aiming for.
"Well... good in theory, not so much in practice," he said, still satisfied that he'd at last calculated the angle properly.
Dana
15 years ago
Laughing softly, Dana pushed away from the wall she'd been leaning on. "Well, at least we're well matched."
She once more studied the table. She had only one shot opened to her that did not include sinking one of Amir's balls. She took longer to line up this shot than she had with the one ball.
With an easy tap, she set the cue off the eight ball, it angled into the blue two sending it into the pocket nearby. Her second shot was used to move the three back into a good place to sink it on her next round.
She once more studied the table. She had only one shot opened to her that did not include sinking one of Amir's balls. She took longer to line up this shot than she had with the one ball.
With an easy tap, she set the cue off the eight ball, it angled into the blue two sending it into the pocket nearby. Her second shot was used to move the three back into a good place to sink it on her next round.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir smiled at Dana and nodded. "So it would seem."
He made a circle of the table, very intent on the positions of the remaining five striped balls. Two of them he liked where they were; Dana couldn't use that corner pocket without losing her turn and helping him out. The 14 was now hung up on a rail thanks to his botched shot from last time, but Dana's last move had freed up the 11.
He sighted that one next and popped it off the wall into the opposite side pocket with a banked shot. After that he sent the 13 sailing down the side, but it too came up short, balanced precariously right on the lip of the pocket without falling in.
He scratched his head as he straightened. "Well... I always say if you can't win it, do your best to screw your opponent up." He shot Dana a grin and shrugged. He had three easy shots for the future, and for now he was effectively blocking two of the pockets. He was okay with that.
He made a circle of the table, very intent on the positions of the remaining five striped balls. Two of them he liked where they were; Dana couldn't use that corner pocket without losing her turn and helping him out. The 14 was now hung up on a rail thanks to his botched shot from last time, but Dana's last move had freed up the 11.
He sighted that one next and popped it off the wall into the opposite side pocket with a banked shot. After that he sent the 13 sailing down the side, but it too came up short, balanced precariously right on the lip of the pocket without falling in.
He scratched his head as he straightened. "Well... I always say if you can't win it, do your best to screw your opponent up." He shot Dana a grin and shrugged. He had three easy shots for the future, and for now he was effectively blocking two of the pockets. He was okay with that.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana laughed softly again. "That seems to be the best strategy when you rely on math and not skill to win a game."
Her 3 was still in good play position, so she took that easy shot then studied the table again. Her 6 was trapped by two of Amir's balls and her 1 ball pocket was blocked by another of Amir's balls and the 5 was stuck out in the middle of the table with no way to really move it close to the pockets.
She would have to hand Amir a shot in order to get one for herself. Lining up she gently tapped the cue ball, sending the 6 into the 12, sadly knocking them both into the hole.
"Oh who does that one count for?"
Her 3 was still in good play position, so she took that easy shot then studied the table again. Her 6 was trapped by two of Amir's balls and her 1 ball pocket was blocked by another of Amir's balls and the 5 was stuck out in the middle of the table with no way to really move it close to the pockets.
She would have to hand Amir a shot in order to get one for herself. Lining up she gently tapped the cue ball, sending the 6 into the 12, sadly knocking them both into the hole.
"Oh who does that one count for?"
Amir
15 years ago
"Well when they're one and the same I'm much better off than if it were the latter alone."
Amir smiled and watched Dana help him out with her next shot. Her question made him pause to think. "We didn't really declare any rules, so how about you keep going," he crossed behind her, stopped, rested his hands on her shoulders and dropped his lips to the inviting paleness of her neck, "and I just thank you for your help?"
He nibbled very gently at her neck, brushing her fine hair aside. "My way, of course."
Standing back, he gestured to the table for Dana to take her next turn.
Amir smiled and watched Dana help him out with her next shot. Her question made him pause to think. "We didn't really declare any rules, so how about you keep going," he crossed behind her, stopped, rested his hands on her shoulders and dropped his lips to the inviting paleness of her neck, "and I just thank you for your help?"
He nibbled very gently at her neck, brushing her fine hair aside. "My way, of course."
Standing back, he gestured to the table for Dana to take her next turn.
Dana
15 years ago
A soft sigh fluttered Dana's chest as his lips met her neck. His touched soothed and ignited her. "That works for me."
She felt the flush of desire color her cheeks as he nibbled gently at the sensitive skin of her neck. Her heart sped up and her lungs forgot how to work, then he was pulling back and expecting her to shoot pool.
"I believe that is called cheating."
A soft chuckle passed her lips as she worked to get her brain back in control of her body. A long slow blink cleared her visiion and she once more surveyed the table. The 5 was still out in the center, but the cue had lined up with it in a way that she might be able to sink it.
Bending low over the table she lined up the shot and sent the white ball into the bright orange one. It bounced wrong off the bumper and went to the opposite end of the table instead of into the pocket she'd intended.
"Yes, definitely cheating."
She lifted an eyebrow at Amir challenging him to deny it.
She felt the flush of desire color her cheeks as he nibbled gently at the sensitive skin of her neck. Her heart sped up and her lungs forgot how to work, then he was pulling back and expecting her to shoot pool.
"I believe that is called cheating."
A soft chuckle passed her lips as she worked to get her brain back in control of her body. A long slow blink cleared her visiion and she once more surveyed the table. The 5 was still out in the center, but the cue had lined up with it in a way that she might be able to sink it.
Bending low over the table she lined up the shot and sent the white ball into the bright orange one. It bounced wrong off the bumper and went to the opposite end of the table instead of into the pocket she'd intended.
"Yes, definitely cheating."
She lifted an eyebrow at Amir challenging him to deny it.
Amir
15 years ago
As Dana lifted her eyebrow at him Amir shamelessly studied her, drinking her up with his own dark gaze, the corners of his lips tipping up in amusement.
"What is it they say? Oh yes... Old age and treachery will win out over youthfulness and skill."
He and Dana hadn't discussed age between them, but he was reasonably secure in the belief that she was younger than he. With those few words he walked over to her again, standing right beside her, leaning down, and easily tipping the precariously balanced 13 into the pocket. The 15 followed with equal ease, the two shots simple enough for any beginner to get.
All he had left was the 14 and the 8. Wincing a little at the poor placement of the last striped ball he attempted to bank it off of the far end of the table into the opposite corner pocket, but missed by several inches and watched both balls roll harmlessly into the middle of the table.
"Good thing I have treachery on my side," he said to Dana with a wise nod.
"What is it they say? Oh yes... Old age and treachery will win out over youthfulness and skill."
He and Dana hadn't discussed age between them, but he was reasonably secure in the belief that she was younger than he. With those few words he walked over to her again, standing right beside her, leaning down, and easily tipping the precariously balanced 13 into the pocket. The 15 followed with equal ease, the two shots simple enough for any beginner to get.
All he had left was the 14 and the 8. Wincing a little at the poor placement of the last striped ball he attempted to bank it off of the far end of the table into the opposite corner pocket, but missed by several inches and watched both balls roll harmlessly into the middle of the table.
"Good thing I have treachery on my side," he said to Dana with a wise nod.
Dana
15 years ago
Her eyes narrowed at him as she watched, treachery. "Yes, because old age doesn't seem to be helping you in the least"
Dana could only assume he was older than she, though they had not spoken of such things. Perhaps she would ask one day.
It was her turn again, and she was determined now not to make a fool of herself once more. With much more study than she'd given before, she carefully lined up her shot.
A small shout of triumph echoed in the room as the 5 ball sank into the center pocket. Her 1 ball was free now, and she took the time to line that shot up as well, sinking the ball into the corner pocket.
"This is the one I have to call the pocket on, correct?"
She gestured to the 8 ball, grinning at Amir.
Dana could only assume he was older than she, though they had not spoken of such things. Perhaps she would ask one day.
It was her turn again, and she was determined now not to make a fool of herself once more. With much more study than she'd given before, she carefully lined up her shot.
A small shout of triumph echoed in the room as the 5 ball sank into the center pocket. Her 1 ball was free now, and she took the time to line that shot up as well, sinking the ball into the corner pocket.
"This is the one I have to call the pocket on, correct?"
She gestured to the 8 ball, grinning at Amir.
Amir
15 years ago
Amir let out a burst of laughter at Dana's jibe, an unusual thing for him to do, but he had to appreciate a well-placed barb. Miming a little clap, he gave her props for it as he stood out of the way.
She was one ball up on him now, and he nodded at her question. "Yes. If you sink it into another hole I win."
He was tempted to create mischief, but he had already done so on her last turn and it had hardly been fair one time; two would have been pushing it. Instead he watched her bend to take her shot.
She was one ball up on him now, and he nodded at her question. "Yes. If you sink it into another hole I win."
He was tempted to create mischief, but he had already done so on her last turn and it had hardly been fair one time; two would have been pushing it. Instead he watched her bend to take her shot.
Dana
15 years ago
Her best choice was the corner pocket directly across from her. "That corner there."
She pointed to it, then bent over the table to take the final shot. It was a glorious display of physics as the cue ball struck the center of the 8, transferring energy and sending the shiny black ball into the pocket she'd aimed form.
A mischievous little grin curled her lips as she straightened.
"To the victor go the spoils." She lifted one eyebrow at him again. "What is my prize, sir?"
She had several prize options in mind, but they did not exactly line up with the pace they had set for themselves, so it would be interesting to see what Amir would do or say.
She pointed to it, then bent over the table to take the final shot. It was a glorious display of physics as the cue ball struck the center of the 8, transferring energy and sending the shiny black ball into the pocket she'd aimed form.
A mischievous little grin curled her lips as she straightened.
"To the victor go the spoils." She lifted one eyebrow at him again. "What is my prize, sir?"
She had several prize options in mind, but they did not exactly line up with the pace they had set for themselves, so it would be interesting to see what Amir would do or say.
Amir
15 years ago
"Well played. I'd better learn to be a little more treacherous next time," Amir said as Dana's shot went in beautifully.
He raised his eyebrows at her mention of a prize. They'd not mentioned terms at the outset, and he had nothing particular in mind. Several ideas occurred to him almost immediately but they were hardly polite.
"Let's see," he said. "Having no predetermined stakes, we'll not make it a huge prize." He grinned evilly at her. "You'll have to earn those in subsequent games. Thus, we'll make it smallish. And personal."
He moved around the table, collecting the balls from the pockets and rolling them toward the center, grabbing the rack to reset them for the next players.
"You may either ask one question, or demand one service. Mind you, they can't countermand my duties for the Clan. For my part, I will answer honestly or perform until it is finished."
It occurred to him Dana could twist that "prize" to something completely unsuitable, but he trusted that she wouldn't do so. It was simply done in fun, and it pleased Amir to not know the outcome of his own prize.
"You have to choose now, too," he added. "No standing on it for nights."
He grinned at her again, enjoying the potential for mischief. It was a little like truth or dare, perhaps, but that game was underrated and should be played far more often in his opinion.
He raised his eyebrows at her mention of a prize. They'd not mentioned terms at the outset, and he had nothing particular in mind. Several ideas occurred to him almost immediately but they were hardly polite.
"Let's see," he said. "Having no predetermined stakes, we'll not make it a huge prize." He grinned evilly at her. "You'll have to earn those in subsequent games. Thus, we'll make it smallish. And personal."
He moved around the table, collecting the balls from the pockets and rolling them toward the center, grabbing the rack to reset them for the next players.
"You may either ask one question, or demand one service. Mind you, they can't countermand my duties for the Clan. For my part, I will answer honestly or perform until it is finished."
It occurred to him Dana could twist that "prize" to something completely unsuitable, but he trusted that she wouldn't do so. It was simply done in fun, and it pleased Amir to not know the outcome of his own prize.
"You have to choose now, too," he added. "No standing on it for nights."
He grinned at her again, enjoying the potential for mischief. It was a little like truth or dare, perhaps, but that game was underrated and should be played far more often in his opinion.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana's eyes followed him as he moved around the table. Her eyes could not get enough of him, as her brain stored this memory away to take out and watch again later.
Her finger tip went to tap gently on her lips. "May I have a moment?"
His nodded assent, had her eyes narrowing just a little in thought. If she chose the question, the prize would be over in just a short time, especially if she chose the wrong question. However, she could learn something of him she might not otherwise. No, she believed that whatever she would learn of him would come in its time.
The service on the other hand had so many possibilities it made her head spin. She knew it was offered in fun, and she would make her choice in the same vein.
"I shall take a service from you. Anything I could wish to know will come in it's time."
She grinned mischievously at Amir. "How soon do I have to choose?"
Her finger tip went to tap gently on her lips. "May I have a moment?"
His nodded assent, had her eyes narrowing just a little in thought. If she chose the question, the prize would be over in just a short time, especially if she chose the wrong question. However, she could learn something of him she might not otherwise. No, she believed that whatever she would learn of him would come in its time.
The service on the other hand had so many possibilities it made her head spin. She knew it was offered in fun, and she would make her choice in the same vein.
"I shall take a service from you. Anything I could wish to know will come in it's time."
She grinned mischievously at Amir. "How soon do I have to choose?"
Amir
15 years ago
Amir smiled at Dana, his eyes crinkling a bit at the corners. He finished racking the balls, put his cue stick back on the wall, and spread his hands to indicate he was free.
"You may have a few minutes," he said with an air of graciousness, as if already doing her a favor. His eyes glinted with his usual subtle, understated humor. "Five, I suppose. I can wait."
He flickered a glance at the ornate clock upon the wall, noting the time, and then moved to the dart board. He pulled the darts loose, offered three with blue ends to Dana, and kept the red ones.
Casually he tossed one up and down in his hand, weighing it and checking the balance.
"No stakes," he said, tipping his head toward the dartboard. "Just filler while you consider."
"You may have a few minutes," he said with an air of graciousness, as if already doing her a favor. His eyes glinted with his usual subtle, understated humor. "Five, I suppose. I can wait."
He flickered a glance at the ornate clock upon the wall, noting the time, and then moved to the dart board. He pulled the darts loose, offered three with blue ends to Dana, and kept the red ones.
Casually he tossed one up and down in his hand, weighing it and checking the balance.
"No stakes," he said, tipping his head toward the dartboard. "Just filler while you consider."
Dana
15 years ago
Laughing softly, she took the darts from Amir. "Wow, five whole minutes."
She chuckled again as she weighed the darts in her hand. She pulled one from the group and held it between her fingers. She was not wholly unfamiliar with this game, as it had been around in some form almost her entire life.
Pulling her arm back she let fly, the projectile landed in the inner circle of the twelve triangle. Not a bad shot, not a good one, but not bad. Her mind circled the possibilities of her prize, as she pulled the second dart from her hand and let it fly.
She was obviously not paying as good attention as she should, as this one landed in the outer circle of the five triangle. Her third was better aimed and hit just short of the bull's eye in the twenty triangle.
"Well that was pitiful."
She crossed the floor and took her darts from the board and stepped out of the way.
"Please show me how it is done when one is paying attention."
She chuckled softly, playing with the darts now in her hand once more.
She chuckled again as she weighed the darts in her hand. She pulled one from the group and held it between her fingers. She was not wholly unfamiliar with this game, as it had been around in some form almost her entire life.
Pulling her arm back she let fly, the projectile landed in the inner circle of the twelve triangle. Not a bad shot, not a good one, but not bad. Her mind circled the possibilities of her prize, as she pulled the second dart from her hand and let it fly.
She was obviously not paying as good attention as she should, as this one landed in the outer circle of the five triangle. Her third was better aimed and hit just short of the bull's eye in the twenty triangle.
"Well that was pitiful."
She crossed the floor and took her darts from the board and stepped out of the way.
"Please show me how it is done when one is paying attention."
She chuckled softly, playing with the darts now in her hand once more.
Amir
15 years ago
This was a game he liked and one at which he had had a good deal of practice. Weapons of all sorts were what he excelled at, through practice and hard work, and even tiny little darts like these felt good in his hands.
He shook his head at Dana. "Four whole minutes, now."
He watched her toss the darts, noting how they sailed, and weighed his once more. He sighed as she retrieved hers and made her request. "I can't, you're distracting me."
Almost carelessly he tossed his darts one after the other, plunk, plunk, plunk, and turned away from the board to shrug at her. "Can you blame me? My fate is in your hands."
He moved to the dartboard and pulled his neat, tight cluster of three darts from the very center.
He shook his head at Dana. "Four whole minutes, now."
He watched her toss the darts, noting how they sailed, and weighed his once more. He sighed as she retrieved hers and made her request. "I can't, you're distracting me."
Almost carelessly he tossed his darts one after the other, plunk, plunk, plunk, and turned away from the board to shrug at her. "Can you blame me? My fate is in your hands."
He moved to the dartboard and pulled his neat, tight cluster of three darts from the very center.
Dana
15 years ago
Dana rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm very distracting."
How incredibly unfair, she considered herself an accomplished marksman, and to be defeated so thoroughly with out her opponent even trying was embarrassing. She took a deep breath, cleared her mind and concentrated on the board.
Her second round had each dart landing in the small red center. With a nod of satisfaction she retrieved her darts and circled around behind Amir.
As he lifted his arm to throw his dart again, she rose up on tip toe and spoke on a warm breath across his ear. "I know what I want."
How incredibly unfair, she considered herself an accomplished marksman, and to be defeated so thoroughly with out her opponent even trying was embarrassing. She took a deep breath, cleared her mind and concentrated on the board.
Her second round had each dart landing in the small red center. With a nod of satisfaction she retrieved her darts and circled around behind Amir.
As he lifted his arm to throw his dart again, she rose up on tip toe and spoke on a warm breath across his ear. "I know what I want."
Amir
15 years ago
Always be prepared for retaliation. In any form. It was a fundamental rule of any engagement, and Amir didn't flinch when he felt Dana right next to him. He popped three more darts into the center of the board and turned to Dana.
Tilting his head down so that his lips were very close to hers, he looked directly into her eyes and said, "Do tell."
Hopefully it wouldn't be something horribly awkward, because he had a feeling she wasn't going to be too thrilled with his dartboard pummeling.
Tilting his head down so that his lips were very close to hers, he looked directly into her eyes and said, "Do tell."
Hopefully it wouldn't be something horribly awkward, because he had a feeling she wasn't going to be too thrilled with his dartboard pummeling.