Amir might have felt downright silly except for the fact that this particular dance kept the dancers far too busy to realize how frenetic they appeared. And, he supposed, it was fun. Dana, as he expected, was a good partner, although a little smaller than Mara. As a result, she spun a bit fast. He hadn't ever used a vampire as a physical weapon before and didn't plan to start that evening, so he was careful with her. The idea was amusing though.
He returned her hug and answered her curtsy with an ironically formal bow, the opposite of the dance they'd just done. He hid his relief behind another of his slow smiles, teeth flashing white in a quick grin against the darkness of his face.
"I had to try," he said. "I had a reasonably persistent teacher."
Amir's eyes flickered to Mara, who still stood beside their recently vacated table clapping her hands, a wide smile on her pretty features. Looking back to Dana he said, "She is my first child. My oldest."
As if to make a point, he didn't immediately return to the table with Dana, but instead gathered her close. The music had slowed slightly, to an east coast swing that was, if not really slow, at least a bit easier to talk through than the previous jitterbug. It lent itself well to uncomplicated steps that they could perform with clasped hands and, having proven that he could step it up if necessary, Amir once again took the lead and kept them busy with easy footwork.
A Little Exploration Never Hurt Anyone...(Open, Attn: Amir)
Their shower had been long and incredibly satisfying, and made Dana very grateful for the never ceasing hot water of the Manor. By the time they had finished, the small room roiled with steam. She had sat quietly while Amir combed her hair free of tangles and pulled it into a pony's tail at the nape of her neck. She assumed this particular choice was so that it would be out of her way when riding the bike, but he could still run his fingers through it, should he so choose.
When he'd completed the small bit of pampering, he kissed the top of her head, pulled on his damp and wrinkled pants, and went to his room to dress. She did the same, choosing a pair of black linen pants, a soft green button down with three-quarter sleeves, and a pair of red strapy, roman inspired sandals.
With a diaphanous scarf, the leaves of the multi-hued flowers the same color as her shirt, and a small wrist-let type purse, she met Amir at the garage, just as he was bringing out his bike.
With out any firm plan in mind, they set off, with Dana's scarf tied firmly about her head, and her body snug against Amir's. She delighted in the wind against her face as they sped toward the bright lights of the city.
Amir
14 years ago
Dana
14 years ago
Her chest still heaved slightly as he spoke, but stilled as she eyed Mara with a newer sight. That explained much, if not all that she had seen in her brief encounter with Mara thus far. He spoke of her with affection she was not entirely certain he was aware of, and wondered at how long Mara had been in his life. She did not have any children of her own and honestly had no desire to create any. Her life had been beautiful, peaceful, loving and secure, she was not certain she could offer that to another and would not create a child because of it.
She easily slipped into the dance with Amir, knowing its steps as well as the first. She was still a bit baffled by his revelation, and many questions teetered on her tongue. "May I ask about her?"
She did not usually ask questions, thing came as they would between them, and she generally liked it that way, but there were just too many to keep quiet. He gave her a slight nod and she smiled softly at him.
"Has she been with you long? Why did you choose her?" She held her teeth together against the five or ten more that were there, it would be rude to rattle off questions and not give him time to answer. The questions she had asked were bold and much to intimate, but they were asked and he would answer them or not.
She easily slipped into the dance with Amir, knowing its steps as well as the first. She was still a bit baffled by his revelation, and many questions teetered on her tongue. "May I ask about her?"
She did not usually ask questions, thing came as they would between them, and she generally liked it that way, but there were just too many to keep quiet. He gave her a slight nod and she smiled softly at him.
"Has she been with you long? Why did you choose her?" She held her teeth together against the five or ten more that were there, it would be rude to rattle off questions and not give him time to answer. The questions she had asked were bold and much to intimate, but they were asked and he would answer them or not.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir noted Dana's breathing and took special care to keep their steps as basic as possible without being insulting. He wasn't breathing hard at all, but then, Dana had a tendency to be nervous in crowds. it might have affected her in some way. It would be difficult to converse if she couldn't speak.
She asked about Mara; that was natural and he didn't mind so he tilted his head at her to indicate that she proceed.
"Mara was created when I was just over five centuries old." He didn't think he and Dana had ever discussed age, however, so that gave her no baseline for how long they'd been together. He shrugged and did the math. "So, she's a little over sixteen hundred years, herself."
He knew Dana would add two and two and come up with the obvious answer. Having never considered it before, he briefly wondered if she would see him any differently knowing he was one of the Clan's Ancients. He hadn't realized, either, that Mara was, herself, very nearly in that category. Amir still viewed himself as on the young end of that spectrum, considering his creator's age... and her creator's before her. Tempus fugit, even for their kind. He doubted it would affect Dana any. She didn't seem the type.
As for the second question, it was harder to answer. He knitted his brows for a moment, for not all of it was his story. "I chose her because she asked," he finally answered. "She had a sad life, and I inadvertently contributed to it. I was young, and I was still trying to prove my worth to my own maker. Because of something I did some years before, I was part of the reason Mara was in such pitiful circumstances."
He didn't want to reveal too much. He rarely spoke about this topic to anyone, for it included the humiliation of his own first enormous mistake as a potential parent, and that topic was still a sore spot for him even after all this time. Dana was an exception, though. It appealed to him to have these two women get along.
Amir lifted his shoulder. "I don't know where she found the strength to ask me. I was going to feed from her." He shook his head. "Her reaction was so unexpected, so unique. There was still spirit there, and something to offer. So I took her with me."
He crossed in front of Dana as they clasped hand-over-wrist and executed a few simple turns. When they completed the move he shrugged at her in partial apology. "The rest is really hers to tell, not mine."
He let Dana absorb it all and waited for the next round of questioning, if it came. This Q and A game was one they had played often when they'd first met, and Dana must by now realize that Amir's point of view was: a question never asked is an answer never received.
Well, in most cases.
She asked about Mara; that was natural and he didn't mind so he tilted his head at her to indicate that she proceed.
"Mara was created when I was just over five centuries old." He didn't think he and Dana had ever discussed age, however, so that gave her no baseline for how long they'd been together. He shrugged and did the math. "So, she's a little over sixteen hundred years, herself."
He knew Dana would add two and two and come up with the obvious answer. Having never considered it before, he briefly wondered if she would see him any differently knowing he was one of the Clan's Ancients. He hadn't realized, either, that Mara was, herself, very nearly in that category. Amir still viewed himself as on the young end of that spectrum, considering his creator's age... and her creator's before her. Tempus fugit, even for their kind. He doubted it would affect Dana any. She didn't seem the type.
As for the second question, it was harder to answer. He knitted his brows for a moment, for not all of it was his story. "I chose her because she asked," he finally answered. "She had a sad life, and I inadvertently contributed to it. I was young, and I was still trying to prove my worth to my own maker. Because of something I did some years before, I was part of the reason Mara was in such pitiful circumstances."
He didn't want to reveal too much. He rarely spoke about this topic to anyone, for it included the humiliation of his own first enormous mistake as a potential parent, and that topic was still a sore spot for him even after all this time. Dana was an exception, though. It appealed to him to have these two women get along.
Amir lifted his shoulder. "I don't know where she found the strength to ask me. I was going to feed from her." He shook his head. "Her reaction was so unexpected, so unique. There was still spirit there, and something to offer. So I took her with me."
He crossed in front of Dana as they clasped hand-over-wrist and executed a few simple turns. When they completed the move he shrugged at her in partial apology. "The rest is really hers to tell, not mine."
He let Dana absorb it all and waited for the next round of questioning, if it came. This Q and A game was one they had played often when they'd first met, and Dana must by now realize that Amir's point of view was: a question never asked is an answer never received.
Well, in most cases.
Dana
14 years ago
Great day in the morning, she was fraternizing with an ancient. Was there some special hell for her? She chuckled softly at such an odd reaction. What did it mater his age or her own? Lady Erin was very nearly an ancient herself and Dana had never considered that in her associations with Lady Erin, nor the fact that she was nearing middle age for their kind, it simply didn't matter, well it did but only a little.
She didn't speak again for a few moments, letting Amir lead her in simple easy steps, ones that her mind didn't need to be engaged in overly much. She wasn't sure what to do with this information now that she had it, and wasn't entirely certain she wanted to do anything with it.
She stepped out an back in a quick triple step, then was back in his arms. Her gaze finally shifted to his and she gave him a small smile. It was all she was able to offer at the moment. She felt badly for the girl and for her own behavior toward her, she truly wanted to know more, but wasn't sure what to ask or how and if she should ask Amir or Mara. Certainly not Mara, she did not know her well enough to ask such intimacies. She said the only thing she could think of. "Thank you."
She didn't speak again for a few moments, letting Amir lead her in simple easy steps, ones that her mind didn't need to be engaged in overly much. She wasn't sure what to do with this information now that she had it, and wasn't entirely certain she wanted to do anything with it.
She stepped out an back in a quick triple step, then was back in his arms. Her gaze finally shifted to his and she gave him a small smile. It was all she was able to offer at the moment. She felt badly for the girl and for her own behavior toward her, she truly wanted to know more, but wasn't sure what to ask or how and if she should ask Amir or Mara. Certainly not Mara, she did not know her well enough to ask such intimacies. She said the only thing she could think of. "Thank you."
Amir
14 years ago
Amir waited while Dana ingested what was, from him, a decent amount of information. He tilted his head at her soft words of thanks and lifted one shoulder. "You're welcome."
There didn't seem to be anything more for him to add so he simply danced with her until the song ended. As their feet stilled he glanced at the table and raised an eyebrow at Dana in question. "Enough dancing yet?"
If she wanted another song he was more than happy to oblige. Mara was waiting patiently though, and Amir did want to get back to her before too long. Dana seemed to accept that she needn't be threatened by the other woman's appearance and that was good enough.
There didn't seem to be anything more for him to add so he simply danced with her until the song ended. As their feet stilled he glanced at the table and raised an eyebrow at Dana in question. "Enough dancing yet?"
If she wanted another song he was more than happy to oblige. Mara was waiting patiently though, and Amir did want to get back to her before too long. Dana seemed to accept that she needn't be threatened by the other woman's appearance and that was good enough.
Dana
14 years ago
The breath she blew through her lips this time, was not mental. She really had no reason to keep Amir here on the dance floor, beyond her own selfish enjoyment and it was terribly rude to keep another waiting, even if Dana's inner self had taken an extreme prejudicial dislike toward said person.
It was all a bit too much for her to sort out here and now, so she nodded to Amir with a small smile. "For now."
She would call Lady Erin after the noon hour, when she had some distance, sleep and blood between her and this particular conundrum, and talk the matter through with her. She did not understand this feeling and did not like it in the least. She'd never, in her over nine hundred years, felt such violent envy. Oh she'd coveted, but never had she had reason to or affections for anything worth jealousy. Lady Erin and she shared a great deal and her oddness tended to lend itself to preventing such intimacies. No one wants to be attached to the crazy girl. Dana chuckled mentally as Amir lead her from the dance floor, her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow.
It was all a bit too much for her to sort out here and now, so she nodded to Amir with a small smile. "For now."
She would call Lady Erin after the noon hour, when she had some distance, sleep and blood between her and this particular conundrum, and talk the matter through with her. She did not understand this feeling and did not like it in the least. She'd never, in her over nine hundred years, felt such violent envy. Oh she'd coveted, but never had she had reason to or affections for anything worth jealousy. Lady Erin and she shared a great deal and her oddness tended to lend itself to preventing such intimacies. No one wants to be attached to the crazy girl. Dana chuckled mentally as Amir lead her from the dance floor, her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir gave Dana an assessing glance and just shrugged mentally to himself. She either dealt with things or she didn't. her reaction to Mara was interesting, to say the least. At any rate, he led her from the dance floor as another fast-paced song started up, heading back toward where Mara waited for them.
It was useless to worry about whether or not the two women got along. Mara never really got along with anyone right off the bat; this sort of social ostracism was the norm for her. Whether fueled by her own faux pas or someone else's, there was a reason Mara had few close friends. Dana, too, had her own set of insecurities. Amir wouldn't have guessed jealousy was among them but of course they didn't know everything about each other.
It didn't matter in the long run. He had to speak to Mara soon; it would be best if they were alone when he did. She'd come to the Manor eventually and then he'd get her impressions from her. She wouldn't say anything about them before then.
It was useless to worry about whether or not the two women got along. Mara never really got along with anyone right off the bat; this sort of social ostracism was the norm for her. Whether fueled by her own faux pas or someone else's, there was a reason Mara had few close friends. Dana, too, had her own set of insecurities. Amir wouldn't have guessed jealousy was among them but of course they didn't know everything about each other.
It didn't matter in the long run. He had to speak to Mara soon; it would be best if they were alone when he did. She'd come to the Manor eventually and then he'd get her impressions from her. She wouldn't say anything about them before then.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara watched her creator make a reasonable showing on the dance floor amongst the other patrons of the club. Some were better and some were worse. She watched mostly Amir although her eyes strayed to Dana now and then. The woman was a pretty dancer, light on her feet with a good sense of rhythm. They made a very pretty couple, with Amir's darkness contrasting Dana's fair skin and light hair.
They stayed on the floor for another song and Mara could see them talking. She nodded to herself. Amir had only ever taken a lover a handful of times that Mara could think of in the last thousand years or so. If he enjoyed Dana's company, Mara was happy for him.
As they finally made their way back to the table she now sat at, Mara smiled. "So you haven't forgotten everything," she teased Amir gently. Glancing at Dana she added, "What do you think? Did he satisfy your challenge?"
The urge to excuse herself was strong, but she couldn't see Amir at Shades' and not speak with him. He was her creator. He was her best friend. And, as much as she loathed the idea of being polite and making small talk, if he had chosen to spend his time with Dana then Mara would have to get to know her, at least a little. So she smiled and tried to be pleasing.
They stayed on the floor for another song and Mara could see them talking. She nodded to herself. Amir had only ever taken a lover a handful of times that Mara could think of in the last thousand years or so. If he enjoyed Dana's company, Mara was happy for him.
As they finally made their way back to the table she now sat at, Mara smiled. "So you haven't forgotten everything," she teased Amir gently. Glancing at Dana she added, "What do you think? Did he satisfy your challenge?"
The urge to excuse herself was strong, but she couldn't see Amir at Shades' and not speak with him. He was her creator. He was her best friend. And, as much as she loathed the idea of being polite and making small talk, if he had chosen to spend his time with Dana then Mara would have to get to know her, at least a little. So she smiled and tried to be pleasing.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana was determined to bury the little monster and present a more proper manner. She took the chair Amir held for her and smiled at him. She turned that smile to Mara, as she smoothed the legs of her pants.
"For now." She chuckled softly, left off brushing at her legs, and crossed them at the knee. "I must admit, he kept me on my toes, and I wonder how he would do with a salsa dance or two."
There, that was civil and polite, and the little monster was left to grumble and smolder in her belly, curled up in a little ball. It was ludacris that in just a short amount of time she'd embraced the creature, and given it the shape of a small brightly scaled green dragon. She desperately needed to speak with Lady Erin, that would solve all of this. Or perhaps she should just talk with Amir. On second thought, no, Lady Erin was best.
"For now." She chuckled softly, left off brushing at her legs, and crossed them at the knee. "I must admit, he kept me on my toes, and I wonder how he would do with a salsa dance or two."
There, that was civil and polite, and the little monster was left to grumble and smolder in her belly, curled up in a little ball. It was ludacris that in just a short amount of time she'd embraced the creature, and given it the shape of a small brightly scaled green dragon. She desperately needed to speak with Lady Erin, that would solve all of this. Or perhaps she should just talk with Amir. On second thought, no, Lady Erin was best.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir feigned irritation as Mara and Dana discussed his dancing skills as if he weren't present. He crossed his arms and slouched a little bit in his chair, raising his brow at Dana. Glancing at Mara he muttered out of the corner of his mouth, "He can do the salsa just fine."
His mouth twitched at the thought of having to, though. Dancing was Mara's thing. There were occasions when he'd literally been dragged to the floor. Salsa was definitely not as enjoyable as swinging.
Changing the topic was definitely in order before Dana got ideas. Maybe introducing them was not the best thing, after all. Yes. Definitely not. Perhaps they would develop a bitter rivalry and avoid each other like the plague.
Perhaps pigs would fly.
Keeping a poker face on, he smiled softly at Dana, with a little of his usual impishness, and pointed out in a quiet voice, "Just bear in mind that the amount of salsa dancing might have a direct impact on the number of throws in your next lesson."
It was an empty threat, made in fun. Dana would know he certainly wouldn't take out his frustrations on her, real or imagined.
His mouth twitched at the thought of having to, though. Dancing was Mara's thing. There were occasions when he'd literally been dragged to the floor. Salsa was definitely not as enjoyable as swinging.
Changing the topic was definitely in order before Dana got ideas. Maybe introducing them was not the best thing, after all. Yes. Definitely not. Perhaps they would develop a bitter rivalry and avoid each other like the plague.
Perhaps pigs would fly.
Keeping a poker face on, he smiled softly at Dana, with a little of his usual impishness, and pointed out in a quiet voice, "Just bear in mind that the amount of salsa dancing might have a direct impact on the number of throws in your next lesson."
It was an empty threat, made in fun. Dana would know he certainly wouldn't take out his frustrations on her, real or imagined.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara noted Amir's dissatisfaction with the current topic and bit her lip a little to hide her smile. It had been a very long time since she'd seen him entertain a female companion, and Dana was clearly important. Otherwise her creator wouldn't be going out of his way to make light of the situation.
Amir's mock threat made her raise her own brows back at her creator, mirroring his expression unconsciously. So he was training Dana? Interesting. She watched the small woman again, wondering if she knew what Amir did, about their lineage, things of that nature. Mara filed those questions away for future pondering. It wasn't worth pursuing at the moment, but she was curious just how close Dana was to Amir.
Instead of dwelling on it she pinned her pale gaze on Amir once more. "Smooth subject change," she noted pleasantly. "Have you been practicing that too?"
Amir's mock threat made her raise her own brows back at her creator, mirroring his expression unconsciously. So he was training Dana? Interesting. She watched the small woman again, wondering if she knew what Amir did, about their lineage, things of that nature. Mara filed those questions away for future pondering. It wasn't worth pursuing at the moment, but she was curious just how close Dana was to Amir.
Instead of dwelling on it she pinned her pale gaze on Amir once more. "Smooth subject change," she noted pleasantly. "Have you been practicing that too?"
Dana
14 years ago
Dana's soft snicker at Amir's dissatisfied mutter, lightened her mood a bit more. Her left eyebrow rose at him. "I guess once more I shall have to be the judge of that."
She offered him an impish grin which turned quickly to her brows knit into her own mock dissatisfaction and facade of deep thinking. "Very well, eye for an eye and all of that."
It was difficult to keep the serious look on her face at Mara's quip, but she managed.
She offered him an impish grin which turned quickly to her brows knit into her own mock dissatisfaction and facade of deep thinking. "Very well, eye for an eye and all of that."
It was difficult to keep the serious look on her face at Mara's quip, but she managed.
Amir
14 years ago
It was difficult to keep up the pretense of anger at either woman, especially when Mara was taking a page out of his book and calling him out. Amir put his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender and laughed softly. "All right, you've got me."
His eyes flicked to Dana as he spoke the words and his head nodded very slightly in acknowledgment of the double meaning. He relaxed back against his chair and eyed Mara speculatively next.
"How long were you planning on hiding here before making an appearance at Heolfor?"
His eyes flicked to Dana as he spoke the words and his head nodded very slightly in acknowledgment of the double meaning. He relaxed back against his chair and eyed Mara speculatively next.
"How long were you planning on hiding here before making an appearance at Heolfor?"
Mara
14 years ago
Mara gave Dana a wide, genuine smile. The woman was funny, and sharp. And a good dancer. That counted for something in Mara's opinion. Not that she expected Amir to be with anyone who wasn't exceptional. Nor did he need her approval, or any of his other childrens', for such a liaison. Still, Mara felt somewhat... well, maybe possessive was the term. She was, after all, Amir's favorite - or she saw herself that way.
Her speculation had to come to an end as Amir actually questioned her openly about her habit of avoiding the Manor. She flushed slightly.
"I was going to check in soon," she said, evading the question just a little. "After all, I had to make sure you were..." Mara broke off, seeing Amir shake his head once, quickly, sharply. "...in residence."
She quickly changed the last bit of her sentence. So, evidently Dana didn't know everything. His head shake had been fast, almost unnoticeable, but Mara was used to her creator's ways. Still, she glanced at Dana. She didn't want her new acquaintance to be angry at her again. Secrets were meant to be kept very quiet, and Mara had just bungled one, so to speak.
Her speculation had to come to an end as Amir actually questioned her openly about her habit of avoiding the Manor. She flushed slightly.
"I was going to check in soon," she said, evading the question just a little. "After all, I had to make sure you were..." Mara broke off, seeing Amir shake his head once, quickly, sharply. "...in residence."
She quickly changed the last bit of her sentence. So, evidently Dana didn't know everything. His head shake had been fast, almost unnoticeable, but Mara was used to her creator's ways. Still, she glanced at Dana. She didn't want her new acquaintance to be angry at her again. Secrets were meant to be kept very quiet, and Mara had just bungled one, so to speak.
Dana
14 years ago
Dana watched the exchanged between Amir and Mara. She did not miss his head shake, but also did not know its meaning. Only that it caused Mara to change her words. She sighed inwardly. There was a great deal about Amir she did not know, and that was all well and good, except when she felt so utterly out of the loop.
Ah, well, it was not as though she was going to call Amir on it. He had a job to do, and not to mention her new knowledge of his age, meant that questions simply could not be asked, regardless of their relationship. If he wished her to know his business he would tell her.
Still she was put off by this small almost telepathic exchange between child and creator. She found that oddly she envied their subtle closeness, and quite suddenly missed the company of Lady Erin.
Softly clearing her throat Dana smiled at Mara. "What brings you to Nachton? I know Amir is here for business. I'm here...well I'm here for life." She made and odd kind of grimace at her lack of eloquence there, before smiling again. "So I am curious what brings you here."
It had not struck her deaf and dumb to be friendly, and the little dragon in his little den only grumbled. She would slay the damned thing, but for now keeping him quiet was enough.
Ah, well, it was not as though she was going to call Amir on it. He had a job to do, and not to mention her new knowledge of his age, meant that questions simply could not be asked, regardless of their relationship. If he wished her to know his business he would tell her.
Still she was put off by this small almost telepathic exchange between child and creator. She found that oddly she envied their subtle closeness, and quite suddenly missed the company of Lady Erin.
Softly clearing her throat Dana smiled at Mara. "What brings you to Nachton? I know Amir is here for business. I'm here...well I'm here for life." She made and odd kind of grimace at her lack of eloquence there, before smiling again. "So I am curious what brings you here."
It had not struck her deaf and dumb to be friendly, and the little dragon in his little den only grumbled. She would slay the damned thing, but for now keeping him quiet was enough.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara gave Dana a look that was almost grateful. In her head she was calculating, as always, and she saw the glimmer of opportunity that could mean that if she played her cards right, she might find an ally in Dana in spite of their unsteady beginning. Dana must care for Amir. Mara was a very good judge of body language and invisible signals. The way they'd been acting both at their table talking, and on the dance floor, indicated genuine affection. That sort of thing was very difficult to feign.
Not looking back at Amir, Mara smiled and answered the question in all honesty. "Amir called for me, and I came. I work for him. Not..." she broke off there, biting the words back. The effect was calculated on her part. She shook her head. "I work with Amir. I go where he goes."
Now she looked at her creator, whose black, black eyes were sparkling with amusement. He saw through her. He knew which parts of her personality were contrived and which were not. Mara didn't mind that... it was appropriate, to her, that he should know.
Not looking back at Amir, Mara smiled and answered the question in all honesty. "Amir called for me, and I came. I work for him. Not..." she broke off there, biting the words back. The effect was calculated on her part. She shook her head. "I work with Amir. I go where he goes."
Now she looked at her creator, whose black, black eyes were sparkling with amusement. He saw through her. He knew which parts of her personality were contrived and which were not. Mara didn't mind that... it was appropriate, to her, that he should know.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir kept his eyes on Mara as he sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, legs stretched out in front of him. She was quite artful in her way. While her discomfort in social settings was not contrived, she was certainly playing it up for Dana just a little bit. There could be any number of reasons why. He would muddle out her reasoning later, but for now he accepted that perhaps Mara simply wanted Dana to like her.
He picked up speaking when Mara stopped, turning to Dana and explaining the reason for Mara's near-vehemence. "Mara and my own creator don't get along well," he said dryly. "Ultimately, she is who we answer to, but my children," he shrugged. "They're mine."
He offered Dana what was the closest to an apology he ever got; a slight tiled of his head, a regretful smile, and a lifted shoulder. "You know I'm here on business. On occasion I need a few hands and heads to help out when I can't be everywhere. And, of course, my strengths and theirs are very different."
Amir spoke nothing but the truth to Dana, as much as he could. His children had been chosen for various reasons. Bao for his obvious connections and legal savvy; Mara for her unrivaled skills at gathering information. Amir's job was, as always, to be the front man. He was the mover and the shaker, in a position similar to Subira's.
He picked up speaking when Mara stopped, turning to Dana and explaining the reason for Mara's near-vehemence. "Mara and my own creator don't get along well," he said dryly. "Ultimately, she is who we answer to, but my children," he shrugged. "They're mine."
He offered Dana what was the closest to an apology he ever got; a slight tiled of his head, a regretful smile, and a lifted shoulder. "You know I'm here on business. On occasion I need a few hands and heads to help out when I can't be everywhere. And, of course, my strengths and theirs are very different."
Amir spoke nothing but the truth to Dana, as much as he could. His children had been chosen for various reasons. Bao for his obvious connections and legal savvy; Mara for her unrivaled skills at gathering information. Amir's job was, as always, to be the front man. He was the mover and the shaker, in a position similar to Subira's.
Dana
14 years ago
It was not what she had expected in an answer from the vampire, there was an anger there that was startling in its abrupt appearance. Dana, however, did not comment, it was not necessary and was not a subject worth dwelling upon, especially after Amir's explaination.
"I see." She didn't really. Her understanding of the relationship between child and creator was only one-sided, and she did not think any child of hers would not enjoy the company of Lady Erin. Perhaps, she had a much easier upbringing than was typical for the Anantya Vampire. She would ask Lady Erin, or perhaps it was time to give a call to Sebastian, he might have a broader understanding of the clan than did her maker. And perhaps someday, in the quiet of a morning, she would be so bold as to ask Amir about his maker and his own upbringing.
Now, this she did understand. It was not uncommon to be sent out on a task for her Lady, one that she could complete herself, if she had a clone that was linked directly to her brain.
"Quite understandable." She offered Amir a soft smile, one that spoke volumes, telling him of her true understanding and her appreciation for the apology and the knowledge.
"I do hope you find time to enjoy yourself, while you are here on Amir's behalf."
She chuckled softly. "The night life here can be quite interesting."
"I see." She didn't really. Her understanding of the relationship between child and creator was only one-sided, and she did not think any child of hers would not enjoy the company of Lady Erin. Perhaps, she had a much easier upbringing than was typical for the Anantya Vampire. She would ask Lady Erin, or perhaps it was time to give a call to Sebastian, he might have a broader understanding of the clan than did her maker. And perhaps someday, in the quiet of a morning, she would be so bold as to ask Amir about his maker and his own upbringing.
Now, this she did understand. It was not uncommon to be sent out on a task for her Lady, one that she could complete herself, if she had a clone that was linked directly to her brain.
"Quite understandable." She offered Amir a soft smile, one that spoke volumes, telling him of her true understanding and her appreciation for the apology and the knowledge.
"I do hope you find time to enjoy yourself, while you are here on Amir's behalf."
She chuckled softly. "The night life here can be quite interesting."
Mara
14 years ago
Mara managed to not look completely sullen while Amir diplomatically explained the reason for her sudden liveliness. Subira Atieno was not her friend, and she didn't think she was Amir's friend either. Not in the traditional sense of the word. It wasn't her place to try and convince anyone of that though. So she bit her lip and said nothing.
To Dana, however, she let her tense features relax into a more genuine smile. "I have been," she said, darting a glance at Amir. "I have found the night life quite amusing indeed, if not entirely hospitable."
Her run-ins with some of the least friendly Nachton residents had been limited to brief sightings in her cat form, save her one interaction with Aidan Xephier. Oddly enough he hadn't seemed horribly surprised to find himself on the receiving end of a kitty-cuisinart. That idea struck her just now, and stayed with her. Perhaps it was something she would have to do some looking into. She was certain Amir would appreciate the extra effort.
Smoothing her dress, Mara stood. "I should go," she said. "I just wanted to stop and say hello, not intrude on your night." She held her hand out to Dana once more. "I hope I'll be seeing you again, here or at the Manor."
Amir stood, gathering Mara close once more and pressing his lips against her cheek. His dark eyes sparkled at her. He knew she was up to something; she couldn't hide everything from him. And she knew, too, that she would be speaking to him again very soon.
"Until then."
With one last smile, Mara turned and made her way unobtrusively into the back hallway of Shades'.
((ooc: Mara out, pending responses))
To Dana, however, she let her tense features relax into a more genuine smile. "I have been," she said, darting a glance at Amir. "I have found the night life quite amusing indeed, if not entirely hospitable."
Her run-ins with some of the least friendly Nachton residents had been limited to brief sightings in her cat form, save her one interaction with Aidan Xephier. Oddly enough he hadn't seemed horribly surprised to find himself on the receiving end of a kitty-cuisinart. That idea struck her just now, and stayed with her. Perhaps it was something she would have to do some looking into. She was certain Amir would appreciate the extra effort.
Smoothing her dress, Mara stood. "I should go," she said. "I just wanted to stop and say hello, not intrude on your night." She held her hand out to Dana once more. "I hope I'll be seeing you again, here or at the Manor."
Amir stood, gathering Mara close once more and pressing his lips against her cheek. His dark eyes sparkled at her. He knew she was up to something; she couldn't hide everything from him. And she knew, too, that she would be speaking to him again very soon.
"Until then."
With one last smile, Mara turned and made her way unobtrusively into the back hallway of Shades'.
((ooc: Mara out, pending responses))
Amir
14 years ago
Amir was hardly surprised when Mara decided her role in their evening was over. She wasn't social on general principle, and had he not been here tonight, he doubted she'd have even made an appearance in the public area of the little club. He stood, as was proper, and embraced her before she left. Not something he did often with any of his other friends, or children, but with Mara it was habit. She seemed to expect it and he couldn't fail to provide for her.
As he sat once more, he looked back at Dana. She seemed to be in a better mood than she had before. Having Mara drop in had been a surprise to both of them, but Amir supposed he should have expected it here.
"Shades' has always been sort of a safehouse here in Nachton," Amir said, anticipating the possible question as he watched Mara head for the back section of the club.
Mara disappeared from his peripheral view and Amir focused his full attention back on Dana, still relaxing back in his chair as a new band struck up a lively beat behind them. He was content to let her ask questions, if she liked, or simply enjoy the night and the music. For his part, he hadn't expected to have a good time in Nachton this time through, and Dana had played a large role in that. It was almost a novel thing, to be sitting here at Shades' with no real agenda except killing time with a friend.
As he sat once more, he looked back at Dana. She seemed to be in a better mood than she had before. Having Mara drop in had been a surprise to both of them, but Amir supposed he should have expected it here.
"Shades' has always been sort of a safehouse here in Nachton," Amir said, anticipating the possible question as he watched Mara head for the back section of the club.
Mara disappeared from his peripheral view and Amir focused his full attention back on Dana, still relaxing back in his chair as a new band struck up a lively beat behind them. He was content to let her ask questions, if she liked, or simply enjoy the night and the music. For his part, he hadn't expected to have a good time in Nachton this time through, and Dana had played a large role in that. It was almost a novel thing, to be sitting here at Shades' with no real agenda except killing time with a friend.