"Nothing wrong with my timing," Kem snarked back to Pak easily. "Clearly, it's your reception that's off."
He nodded against Aishe's hair when she defended him, enjoying the novelty of having her stick up for him even if the entire matter was in jest. He leaned away from her for a moment to offer his hand to Amir. "Nice to meet you."
When Aishe asked if he wanted to play he shook his head. "No, I'm good with watching the showdown here, at least for now. It's just good to be away from work for a little while."
Something Old, Something New (open)
Aishe frowned at Pak.
"You cheated."
The frown wasn't genuine, although the sentiment was. How could anyone score that perfectly in skeeball unless they were employing dubious, underhanded methods? It might have been jealousy; Aishe almost sort of wished she had telekinesis too, if only for the fact that Kiamhaat and Pak seemed to have no end of fun with it.
They had come out to enjoy a night off, but Aishe half suspected Pak of still being slightly shy of the Nachton streets. She couldn't really blame her, she supposed. And she didn't mind spending time with their friend. The arcade had beckoned, though, and they had followed its brightly-lit entry to the fun within. Aishe had already lost at air hockey. Skeeball was only the latest in Pak's repertoire of arcade-driven accomplishments.
Kem`Raaisu
14 years ago
Amir
14 years ago
Kiamhaat - Kem, Amir reminded himself, joined in the conversation seamlessly. It was obvious that these three had a long-standing friendship. How long, he couldn't know. Amir knew how long it was in Kem's case, and Aishe certainly had the look of someone who would have fit in in their time. Pak, too, could have stepped out of any century in Siam.
If he took one, he would have to take them all. And he wasn't sure that was possible, with Kem there now.
The thoughts flitted through his head as he clasped Kem's hand and gave him his most earnest smile. "You too," he answered.
Catching Pakpao's silent question Amir flashed her a brief grin and a similar nod, his equally silent 'of course.' There must be a tiebreaker. He popped another token into the machine and turned back briefly to Kem and Aishe.
"Excuse me a moment. We're into overtime."
With that he took off the proverbial gloves and did his best to hammer Pak into skeeball oblivion.
If he took one, he would have to take them all. And he wasn't sure that was possible, with Kem there now.
The thoughts flitted through his head as he clasped Kem's hand and gave him his most earnest smile. "You too," he answered.
Catching Pakpao's silent question Amir flashed her a brief grin and a similar nod, his equally silent 'of course.' There must be a tiebreaker. He popped another token into the machine and turned back briefly to Kem and Aishe.
"Excuse me a moment. We're into overtime."
With that he took off the proverbial gloves and did his best to hammer Pak into skeeball oblivion.
Pakpao
14 years ago
“What did you want me to run up with hugs and kisses? I think that is under control.”
She didn’t even bother to so much as nod at Aishe, it was pretty obvious. It also wasn’t the first time she’d felt a vague twinge of jealousy when around both of them together. You’d think after having been single for so long she’d be used to it by now. Ah well, that was the brilliant thing about immortality, eventually she’d have to find some one. Right?
Amir, however, snapped her out of those thoughts and she put her game face on again. She considered saying something semi flirtatious but A) couldn’t think of anything and B) she had a feeling it would sound slightly desperate. Instead, she just grinned wickedly with a bit of a challenge.
“Bring it on. I’ve been playing skeeball since before you were born.”
Well… maybe. Lord only knew how old he was and when had skeeball been invented any way. Pak decided neither mattered and simply did her best to answer Amir shot for shot. She was starting to suspect they might wind up in a tie.
She didn’t even bother to so much as nod at Aishe, it was pretty obvious. It also wasn’t the first time she’d felt a vague twinge of jealousy when around both of them together. You’d think after having been single for so long she’d be used to it by now. Ah well, that was the brilliant thing about immortality, eventually she’d have to find some one. Right?
Amir, however, snapped her out of those thoughts and she put her game face on again. She considered saying something semi flirtatious but A) couldn’t think of anything and B) she had a feeling it would sound slightly desperate. Instead, she just grinned wickedly with a bit of a challenge.
“Bring it on. I’ve been playing skeeball since before you were born.”
Well… maybe. Lord only knew how old he was and when had skeeball been invented any way. Pak decided neither mattered and simply did her best to answer Amir shot for shot. She was starting to suspect they might wind up in a tie.
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe nodded to Kiamhaat with a smile. She was just as glad to get in a little snuggle and stay wrapped up in his arms for a few more minutes. Pak and Amir seemed wrapped up in their competition anyway, completely content to try to out-do each other. It didn't seem possible.
"They need to make a basket that's smaller then the ball is, so these two have something to beat their heads against," she said. "I've never seen anyone get so many 100-pointers."
They were even trash-talking each other a little, which she found amusing. All in all she was glad to see Pak waking up and enjoying the world a little bit.
"They need to make a basket that's smaller then the ball is, so these two have something to beat their heads against," she said. "I've never seen anyone get so many 100-pointers."
They were even trash-talking each other a little, which she found amusing. All in all she was glad to see Pak waking up and enjoying the world a little bit.
Kem`Raaisu
14 years ago
Kem just found himself shaking his head with a little disbelief at Aishe.
[How did you get Pak to socialize, anyway? I'm impressed.]
Awaiting her response he grinned at the idea of making skeeball impossible. "I know Pak, at least, would spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure that one out," he laughed. "I'd like to record her efforts to watch again and again."
He wasn't necessarily trying to break her concentration, but if he did he wouldn't feel horrible... after all, it's not as if she hadn't ever done that to him during, say, air hockey. Or anything.
[How did you get Pak to socialize, anyway? I'm impressed.]
Awaiting her response he grinned at the idea of making skeeball impossible. "I know Pak, at least, would spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure that one out," he laughed. "I'd like to record her efforts to watch again and again."
He wasn't necessarily trying to break her concentration, but if he did he wouldn't feel horrible... after all, it's not as if she hadn't ever done that to him during, say, air hockey. Or anything.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir shot Pak an unreadable glance and answered, "Try me," in a good-natured tone of voice. He did know how old she was, and while he didn't see the need to disclose his own age it would be counterproductive to lie to her. Or any of them, for the time being. With Kem's arrival he doubted strongly that he would be able to turn that one, at least, toward a higher purpose. But that option was preferable to the others.
He worked it through in his mind while he matched Pak ball for ball. He wasn't about to drop this game if he could help it. it was a matter of principle.
He worked it through in his mind while he matched Pak ball for ball. He wasn't about to drop this game if he could help it. it was a matter of principle.
Pakpao
14 years ago
She hadn’t thrown many perfect games in her life, a few but not many. This one was one of the few. Unfortunately, Amir seemed to be doing exactly the same. She was rather disappointed there were only nine balls, it was nice to have some serious competition. Finished with her set Pak sat down on one of the unused lanes and crossed her legs to wait for Amir to finish.
“If they made a slot smaller than the ball I could just use it as a strategic advantage lure the other player into aiming for it. That or invest in a portable lathe to resize the balls. One of the two.”
Pak didn’t see anything wrong with the fact that she had two potential solutions for this eventuality right off the top of her head.
She snorted at the idea of Kem recording her efforts and just shook her head.
“I doubt watching me play perfect games of skeeball could be considered anything less than inspiring.”
“If they made a slot smaller than the ball I could just use it as a strategic advantage lure the other player into aiming for it. That or invest in a portable lathe to resize the balls. One of the two.”
Pak didn’t see anything wrong with the fact that she had two potential solutions for this eventuality right off the top of her head.
She snorted at the idea of Kem recording her efforts and just shook her head.
“I doubt watching me play perfect games of skeeball could be considered anything less than inspiring.”
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe smiled at the sound of Kiamhaat's voice in her head. She'd gotten so used to it in the last few years it was hard to believe she'd once thought it odd. her reply came as easily as his question had.
[She mostly did it herself,] she answered. [I maybe encouraged her a little. Not much though, I think she's trying to prove a point.]
She watched the balls fly, amazed that the two seemed perfectly capable of tossing ball after ball into the 100 point baskets. Was it vampire perception and reflex, or did these two just spend WAY too much time at it over the years? It was impossible to say, but it sure looked like Pak and Amir had a few things in common.
"Maybe we should blindfold them," she murmured thoughtfully.
[She mostly did it herself,] she answered. [I maybe encouraged her a little. Not much though, I think she's trying to prove a point.]
She watched the balls fly, amazed that the two seemed perfectly capable of tossing ball after ball into the 100 point baskets. Was it vampire perception and reflex, or did these two just spend WAY too much time at it over the years? It was impossible to say, but it sure looked like Pak and Amir had a few things in common.
"Maybe we should blindfold them," she murmured thoughtfully.
Kem`Raaisu
14 years ago
[Huh. Good for her,] Kem sent back to Aishe. He was silent on the topic after that, not having much to add in the way of speculation about Pak. Of course he was worried about her, but she seemed to be slowly coming out of her creator-induced funk. He had tried, over the course of the last few months, to put himself in her shoes. He didn't know how he would react though, if he were ever faced with his own creator. He'd been left with a laughing voice in the dark and had never known who it was who had done this thing to him. Over the centuries, particularly after finding his way to Alfarinn and Evenhet, he'd simply stopped wondering. Pak's experiences had made him curious again but it was too abstract for him to really wrap his head around.
Focusing his attention back on Aishe's soft voice, he laughed. "Now that's an idea I could get behind," he said. "Pretty far behind, just in case."
There wasn't much more to say or do for the moment and he stood, leaning lightly over Aishe, just enjoying a little bit of free time. He observed that Pak, sitting on one of the unoccupied skeeball ramps, even looked like she might be having fun. His eyes went to the newcomer once more, this time assessing him. He was handsome, seemed quick to smile, and hadn't thus far melted under fire from Pak. Thus far, Kem approved. Would there be another meeting in the future? That was a big step for Pak.
Focusing his attention back on Aishe's soft voice, he laughed. "Now that's an idea I could get behind," he said. "Pretty far behind, just in case."
There wasn't much more to say or do for the moment and he stood, leaning lightly over Aishe, just enjoying a little bit of free time. He observed that Pak, sitting on one of the unoccupied skeeball ramps, even looked like she might be having fun. His eyes went to the newcomer once more, this time assessing him. He was handsome, seemed quick to smile, and hadn't thus far melted under fire from Pak. Thus far, Kem approved. Would there be another meeting in the future? That was a big step for Pak.
Amir
14 years ago
Bao's wayward child rolled herself a perfect skeeball game, so Amir focused and concentrated on doing exactly the same. He was nettled that his only option was another tie rather than a decisive victory but that couldn't be helped now. He finished his own game off shortly after Pak, with the same result, turning to her and shrugging his shoulders.
"I believe we are at an impasse," he said with a smile. He returned her bow from before, a variation on her elaborate courtly bow with a few flourishes of his own. "Therefore I must respectfully request the honor of a rematch. The gauntlet has been thrown down, my lady."
He straightened and leaned against the divider of two of the ramps, close to where Pak sat. "Name the time and place, and we'll see if we can't come out with a winner."
To Aishe, he raised his eyebrows and said, "I'd give it a shot." The idea of upping the ante appealed to his ten-mile-wide competitve streak.
"I believe we are at an impasse," he said with a smile. He returned her bow from before, a variation on her elaborate courtly bow with a few flourishes of his own. "Therefore I must respectfully request the honor of a rematch. The gauntlet has been thrown down, my lady."
He straightened and leaned against the divider of two of the ramps, close to where Pak sat. "Name the time and place, and we'll see if we can't come out with a winner."
To Aishe, he raised his eyebrows and said, "I'd give it a shot." The idea of upping the ante appealed to his ten-mile-wide competitve streak.
Pakpao
14 years ago
Impressive. Of course, he could be a less scrupulous vampire in possession of a telekinetic gift. Pak couldn’t let that idea go, but she was good mannered enough not to say anything about it. He’d just better hope she didn’t catch anything floating about in his presence any time soon. She’d call him on it with out a doubt. For now though, she applauded politely, after all perfect games were hard to manage.
The bow and the challenge to a rematch caught her off guard and made her slightly nervous. Those feelings were –quickly- hidden though, both from Kem and Aishe (whom she still suspected of keeping an eye on her) and from Amir, after all you couldn’t show weakness to an opponent. Deciding that it would be safe enough to accept the challenge, she gave him a small smile and a nod.
“Verily m’lord. Should Tuesday eve suit you, I am certain we can resolve this impasse. In my favor of course.”
Kem’s suggestion and the subsequent agreement all around, yeah she’d get him for that. For now, she just glowered at him. Would it be cheating, or even possible, to give the balls a bit of ‘help’ while blindfolded? She might practice at home a bit.
“If you’re afraid you can’t beat me fair and square we can do blindfolds… at fifty paces if you’d like.”
[And if you open your mouth again I’m making you referee.]
Pak added for Kem’s benefit, after all it had been his idea.
The bow and the challenge to a rematch caught her off guard and made her slightly nervous. Those feelings were –quickly- hidden though, both from Kem and Aishe (whom she still suspected of keeping an eye on her) and from Amir, after all you couldn’t show weakness to an opponent. Deciding that it would be safe enough to accept the challenge, she gave him a small smile and a nod.
“Verily m’lord. Should Tuesday eve suit you, I am certain we can resolve this impasse. In my favor of course.”
Kem’s suggestion and the subsequent agreement all around, yeah she’d get him for that. For now, she just glowered at him. Would it be cheating, or even possible, to give the balls a bit of ‘help’ while blindfolded? She might practice at home a bit.
“If you’re afraid you can’t beat me fair and square we can do blindfolds… at fifty paces if you’d like.”
[And if you open your mouth again I’m making you referee.]
Pak added for Kem’s benefit, after all it had been his idea.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir took Pak's hand and gave a shorter, more cursory yet still courtly bow over it. He looked up, dark eyes sparkling beneath thick black lashes, favoring her with an impish smile full of slightly boyish charm. "Tuesday it is then. I'll meet you here at ten, perhaps?"
When Pak nodded in response he grinned. "I look forward to it... blindfolds or no."
Turning to Aishe and Kem he offered his hand to each. "It was great to meet you both. I feel certain that we'll see each other again soon."
The words were delivered with gentle intensity, and no small amount of sincerity. Amir watched their faces for a moment, committed them to memory even though he couldn't (and hadn't) forgotten Kem's in a thousand years. Hundreds of thoughts went through his head but he allowed nothing but warm pleasantry to show on his face.
"Thank you again for humoring me tonight," he added, remembering his initial excuse for approaching them. "It's nice not to be alone in such a large city."
With a final smile and a wave, he took himself off. The second he was out of the arcade, his happy demeanor changed to one of urgency and instead of heading toward Heolfor he turned downa few side streets, looking for one building in particular. His game had, indeed, changed.
((ooc: Amir out))
When Pak nodded in response he grinned. "I look forward to it... blindfolds or no."
Turning to Aishe and Kem he offered his hand to each. "It was great to meet you both. I feel certain that we'll see each other again soon."
The words were delivered with gentle intensity, and no small amount of sincerity. Amir watched their faces for a moment, committed them to memory even though he couldn't (and hadn't) forgotten Kem's in a thousand years. Hundreds of thoughts went through his head but he allowed nothing but warm pleasantry to show on his face.
"Thank you again for humoring me tonight," he added, remembering his initial excuse for approaching them. "It's nice not to be alone in such a large city."
With a final smile and a wave, he took himself off. The second he was out of the arcade, his happy demeanor changed to one of urgency and instead of heading toward Heolfor he turned downa few side streets, looking for one building in particular. His game had, indeed, changed.
((ooc: Amir out))
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe looked on with pleasure as Amir and Pak apparently decided to make a second... date? Meeting? Competition? Over their mutual affinity for, and apparent prowess at, skeeball. She didn't disapprove at all, as if it would have mattered if she did... well, maybe it would have. Pak obviously didn't mind using Aishe as a radar. As she shook Amir's hand though, she didn't get anything from him but what she had before. Pleasure, a little intensity, some hidden reservations... all normal things for one of their kind just meeting others. So she bid him farewell with a smile, watching him go before turning back to Pak and Kiamhaat.
"All right, what am I missing?"
Pak was looking at Kiamhaat with an almost vicious expression and Aishe's lover was returning her stare with something that looked a good deal like a scoff. Clearly someone was talking to someone else here, and she didn't want to miss out on a private joke.
"All right, what am I missing?"
Pak was looking at Kiamhaat with an almost vicious expression and Aishe's lover was returning her stare with something that looked a good deal like a scoff. Clearly someone was talking to someone else here, and she didn't want to miss out on a private joke.
Kem`Raaisu
14 years ago
[You honestly think that after all the things you've thrown at me over the years, a few skeeballs will take me out? Give me a little more credit, Pak.]
Kem shook hands with Amir as he said his goodbyes, nodding with approval to Aishe as Pak and the young-looking man made arrangements for a rematch a few nights from then. "Good to meet you too," he said. "We're usually around."
In various forms, functions, and capacities, anyway.
[You can even blindfold me,] he added smugly to Pak. [I'm not afraid of you.]
As Amir headed off, he turned at Aishe's question and grinned at her. "Pak seems to think she might be able t pull one over on me with a skeeball." Aishe gave a very unladylike snort and then quirked a smile at Pak, apologising to her.
"No no, I agree," Kem said. "She's on something."
Aishe had seen one too many heavy objects lobbed at Kem's head, apparently. Pak had certainly helped refine his skills in that area, that was for sure.
Changing the subject, Kem gazed at the path Amir had taken to leave. "So," he said to Pak, "rematch on Tuesday." He said the word "rematch" with implied 'quotation fingers' around it, knowing Pak would likely quail at the term 'date' whether it was appropriate or not.
"You want us nearby? I owe Aishe a night out."
The two of them could definitely arrange to be on the strip when Pak was, if she wanted. They didn't have to be at the arcade, but if Pak was jumpy at all it might help her some to know Kem and Aishe weren't too far off - just in case.
Kem shook hands with Amir as he said his goodbyes, nodding with approval to Aishe as Pak and the young-looking man made arrangements for a rematch a few nights from then. "Good to meet you too," he said. "We're usually around."
In various forms, functions, and capacities, anyway.
[You can even blindfold me,] he added smugly to Pak. [I'm not afraid of you.]
As Amir headed off, he turned at Aishe's question and grinned at her. "Pak seems to think she might be able t pull one over on me with a skeeball." Aishe gave a very unladylike snort and then quirked a smile at Pak, apologising to her.
"No no, I agree," Kem said. "She's on something."
Aishe had seen one too many heavy objects lobbed at Kem's head, apparently. Pak had certainly helped refine his skills in that area, that was for sure.
Changing the subject, Kem gazed at the path Amir had taken to leave. "So," he said to Pak, "rematch on Tuesday." He said the word "rematch" with implied 'quotation fingers' around it, knowing Pak would likely quail at the term 'date' whether it was appropriate or not.
"You want us nearby? I owe Aishe a night out."
The two of them could definitely arrange to be on the strip when Pak was, if she wanted. They didn't have to be at the arcade, but if Pak was jumpy at all it might help her some to know Kem and Aishe weren't too far off - just in case.
Pakpao
14 years ago
OK the bow thing was cute and Pak had to admit that she was more than a little interested in the rematch. But more than a little nervous too. What had she been thinking? She didn’t know this guy at all. Well it was too late now and it was probably ‘good for her’. Her sudden attack of nerves made her usual snark come out a little sharper than she intended.
“I didn’t say I was going to take you out with a skeeball!” Pak protested “I just happen to think referring a skeeball match between two rather intense players is a good threat.”
Having clarified her position and her level of threat Pak stuck her tongue out at both of them. She briefly considered stalking away, but as she was still on the skeeball ramp, it didn’t seem practical.
Kem’s little quotation marks made her cringe a bit. Lord it was a date wasn’t it? She didn’t date! Nervous or not she shook her head at Kem. She appreciated the thought but … no.
“No, I don’t think you need to do that. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you weren’t so wrapped up I’d worry about shouting at you though.”
Shouting for help that was, of course she left that unsaid. There, see Kem should be proud of her she was being mostly sane about this.
After a few, more games of various sorts and some affectionate banter they each drifted off to whatever else needed to be accomplished that night.
((OOC… all three out with permission))
“I didn’t say I was going to take you out with a skeeball!” Pak protested “I just happen to think referring a skeeball match between two rather intense players is a good threat.”
Having clarified her position and her level of threat Pak stuck her tongue out at both of them. She briefly considered stalking away, but as she was still on the skeeball ramp, it didn’t seem practical.
Kem’s little quotation marks made her cringe a bit. Lord it was a date wasn’t it? She didn’t date! Nervous or not she shook her head at Kem. She appreciated the thought but … no.
“No, I don’t think you need to do that. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you weren’t so wrapped up I’d worry about shouting at you though.”
Shouting for help that was, of course she left that unsaid. There, see Kem should be proud of her she was being mostly sane about this.
After a few, more games of various sorts and some affectionate banter they each drifted off to whatever else needed to be accomplished that night.
((OOC… all three out with permission))