While he might not be rigidly scheduled Bao did have something of a routine he liked to follow. He had work that he needed to do for his practice, then for a few clan members, one had been a particularly sticky situation and had taken extra time to handle and then he had planned on going to the art museum. That had change when he'd checked his almanac. They were in the middle of a meteor shower.
He'd found a servant with nothing particular to do and had one of his best telescopes carried down and set up in a distant and one of the darkest corners of the garden. He followed it down with a few other tools he might need and proceeded to make some minor adjustments with the positioning aim and focus.
Now it was just a matter of patience. While at its height this shower could produce fifteen to twenty meteors per hours you would still have to wait. Bao had patience in spades, so tonight, especially given that it was only a quarter moon, should prove successful.
Just Like Old Times (attn: Bao)
Mara had promised to spend time at Heolfor so here she was. She hadn't bothered to check in with anyone. She knew where her rooms were and didn't imagine anyone else had taken them over; if they had, it was no concern. She would stay wherever was convenient.
Tonight, though, she was looking for someone specific. She'd started out in the Manor itself but hadn't discovered him. She had gone to his rooms but a knock on the door had produced no response. There was always the possibility that he simply wasn't there tonight, but Mara figured she'd best rule out all options first. So here she was, just outside the Manor in the gardens.
Seating herself on a bench alongside a pretty stand of flowering bushes, Mara closed her eyes and expanded her senses. If her "little brother" was here anywhere, she would feel him coming.
Bao
14 years ago
Mara
14 years ago
After half an hour or so, Mara heard what she'd hoped; the steady tread of someone approaching. The sound was not Bao's. She would have recognized him. But, tuning in her sense of smell she caught his scent. This person, servant, she realized as she opened her eyes and watched him pass, had recently been with her sibling.
There was no need to stop and ask where he'd been. Mara could easily retrace the servant's steps. Hopefully, when she did, she would find Bao at the end of the trail. She smiled and nodded at the human who passed her, and her gesture was returned respectfully.
Standing gracefully, Mara kept her senses open, filtering through the myriad noises, scents, and visual details. The paths felt especially textured beneath her feet and she felt every tiny pebble, smelled every flower, heard every rustling breeze. It was a simple matter to sort through them all to find the unique combination of signals that suggested where her brother had gone.
She found him, sure enough, not as far away from the Manor as she would have expected for sky-watching. Being Amir's child as well, Mara had done her fair share of peering through a telescope, but Amir preferred to view the skies as far away from the light of civilization as possible. She was glad he wasn't here tonight, though, for as much as she enjoyed her creator's company, what she had to discuss with Bao was most definitely something to be kept from Amir.
Mara watched Bao for a few moments. he was very intent on what he was doing, otherwise she didn't imagine for a moment she'd really have been able to sneak up on him. Finally she gave a small clearing of her throat, though, and padded toward him on quiet feet.
"Not too bright here for that?"
There was no need to stop and ask where he'd been. Mara could easily retrace the servant's steps. Hopefully, when she did, she would find Bao at the end of the trail. She smiled and nodded at the human who passed her, and her gesture was returned respectfully.
Standing gracefully, Mara kept her senses open, filtering through the myriad noises, scents, and visual details. The paths felt especially textured beneath her feet and she felt every tiny pebble, smelled every flower, heard every rustling breeze. It was a simple matter to sort through them all to find the unique combination of signals that suggested where her brother had gone.
She found him, sure enough, not as far away from the Manor as she would have expected for sky-watching. Being Amir's child as well, Mara had done her fair share of peering through a telescope, but Amir preferred to view the skies as far away from the light of civilization as possible. She was glad he wasn't here tonight, though, for as much as she enjoyed her creator's company, what she had to discuss with Bao was most definitely something to be kept from Amir.
Mara watched Bao for a few moments. he was very intent on what he was doing, otherwise she didn't imagine for a moment she'd really have been able to sneak up on him. Finally she gave a small clearing of her throat, though, and padded toward him on quiet feet.
"Not too bright here for that?"
Bao
14 years ago
Bao could be a fighter and a warrior when the situation called for it. But most of his battles were in a board room or a court room so he did not always keep his guard up and when he was quite certain he was in safe surroundings he had no issues letting himself become focused on something else and become less aware of what was going on around him.
However, he was not exactly startled by his sister's arrival. He was somewhat surprised to see her at all. Standing up slowly he offered a small half bow. While he was slightly jealous of his older sister he also respected her and recognized her as a valuable member of the clan. Besides, being older she did deserve some respect.
"It is rather, but I have a conference call early this morning. I cannot afford to be late, but did not want to pass this up either."Â?
Stepping back from the telescope he gestured toward it.
"Would you care to?"Â?
His experience with Mara lead Bao to believe she was here for a reason. However, he also knew she'd get to it when she felt it was appropriate.
However, he was not exactly startled by his sister's arrival. He was somewhat surprised to see her at all. Standing up slowly he offered a small half bow. While he was slightly jealous of his older sister he also respected her and recognized her as a valuable member of the clan. Besides, being older she did deserve some respect.
"It is rather, but I have a conference call early this morning. I cannot afford to be late, but did not want to pass this up either."Â?
Stepping back from the telescope he gestured toward it.
"Would you care to?"Â?
His experience with Mara lead Bao to believe she was here for a reason. However, he also knew she'd get to it when she felt it was appropriate.
Mara
14 years ago
"Hmm. All right."
Mara came all the way into the little secluded corner of the garden, a measure of her trust in Bao. Normally she'd never be alone with a man like this, but Bao was her sibling and Amir trusted him implicitly, so Mara did too. She bent and peered into the telescope, and her lips tipped up in a smile as she watched the sparkling stars above.
"Pretty."
A burst of light hit the lens just then and her lips rounded into a little "o" of surprise. She straightened and looked at Bao. "Lyrids?"
She didn't think she had very much in common with her brother, but this was one. No one could grow up with Amir around and not absorb something about astronomy. While Mara preferred history and literature to science and mathematics, she knew a good amount about each topic anyhow.
"Have you seen Amir tonight?"
The question was natural; with a meteor shower beginning, they could both probably guess where their creator was. It was a shared amusement and Mara needed Bao in a good, cooperative mood.
Mara came all the way into the little secluded corner of the garden, a measure of her trust in Bao. Normally she'd never be alone with a man like this, but Bao was her sibling and Amir trusted him implicitly, so Mara did too. She bent and peered into the telescope, and her lips tipped up in a smile as she watched the sparkling stars above.
"Pretty."
A burst of light hit the lens just then and her lips rounded into a little "o" of surprise. She straightened and looked at Bao. "Lyrids?"
She didn't think she had very much in common with her brother, but this was one. No one could grow up with Amir around and not absorb something about astronomy. While Mara preferred history and literature to science and mathematics, she knew a good amount about each topic anyhow.
"Have you seen Amir tonight?"
The question was natural; with a meteor shower beginning, they could both probably guess where their creator was. It was a shared amusement and Mara needed Bao in a good, cooperative mood.
Bao
14 years ago
"Yes, it is a good night for them as well."Â?
He was somewhat aware of Mara's apprehension around some men, not the why of it but something of the fact of it. So while his normal demeanor was not aggressive or imposing Bao made a moderate effort to be even less imposing around the older vampire.
The question was not terribly unusual and so he did not even think before he answered.
"No, not tonight."Â?
It wasn't that Bao was being deliberately close lipped, he simply assumed that Mara knew Amir's schedule as any one might. He was, however, careful to keep any concern from his body language and voice.
While not terribly worried about their maker Bao was fully aware he'd gotten into some above average scrapes since arriving in Nachton. That, however, was Amir's job. It seemed to Bao that perhaps that job was getting more dangerous.
He was somewhat aware of Mara's apprehension around some men, not the why of it but something of the fact of it. So while his normal demeanor was not aggressive or imposing Bao made a moderate effort to be even less imposing around the older vampire.
The question was not terribly unusual and so he did not even think before he answered.
"No, not tonight."Â?
It wasn't that Bao was being deliberately close lipped, he simply assumed that Mara knew Amir's schedule as any one might. He was, however, careful to keep any concern from his body language and voice.
While not terribly worried about their maker Bao was fully aware he'd gotten into some above average scrapes since arriving in Nachton. That, however, was Amir's job. It seemed to Bao that perhaps that job was getting more dangerous.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara straightened up from the telescope, her quirked lips not losing their slight humor. "Hopefully he's not missing this."
She moved away from the telescope, allowing room for Bao to get back in and continue his meteor-gazing. "Please, don't let me disturb you."
She seated herself nearby on a convenient chair next to a small end table, a perfect setup for reading by twilight. There were small lights discreetly placed in the bushes but they had been turned off.
"I have a request to make of you," she finally said after a sufficient number of silent minutes had passed. "A favor, if you will."
She moved away from the telescope, allowing room for Bao to get back in and continue his meteor-gazing. "Please, don't let me disturb you."
She seated herself nearby on a convenient chair next to a small end table, a perfect setup for reading by twilight. There were small lights discreetly placed in the bushes but they had been turned off.
"I have a request to make of you," she finally said after a sufficient number of silent minutes had passed. "A favor, if you will."
Bao
14 years ago
He smiled a bit at her comment. Bao appreciated that Mara was always aware of what would give their maker pleasure. She as Bao, knew he'd enjoy this.
"I'm sure he will see at least some of it."Â?
Always polite she let him return to the telescope and observations. Mara was good company in her way, she understood when and how to be silent. It allowed Bao to make several notes on the meteor shower.
When she finally decided to speak it still wasn't terribly distracting to what he was doing. Although again, as another mark of respect, he stepped away from the telescope to give her his full attention.
"If I am able I am always happy to assist you."Â?
Even for Mara he would not unconditionally promise assistance. Only Amir could secure that from him.
"I'm sure he will see at least some of it."Â?
Always polite she let him return to the telescope and observations. Mara was good company in her way, she understood when and how to be silent. It allowed Bao to make several notes on the meteor shower.
When she finally decided to speak it still wasn't terribly distracting to what he was doing. Although again, as another mark of respect, he stepped away from the telescope to give her his full attention.
"If I am able I am always happy to assist you."Â?
Even for Mara he would not unconditionally promise assistance. Only Amir could secure that from him.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara crossed her legs primly as she sat on the chair, her hands folded properly upon her knees. What she had to ask Bao was no doubt a delicate topic, but if she read him right it wouldn't surprise him that she knew.
"I need to make certain you remain hidden from a certain young Evenhet," she said with a smile. "I don't know how you managed to impress yourself upon her so... thoroughly, but she's quite afraid of you."
Bao would understand she meant Pakpao. And he would assume, if she was correct, that Amir had enlightened Mara and enlisted her help.
"It seems a woman's touch was required to sooth her, and I reassured her that you weren't going to jump out of her closet with a chainsaw."
Mara made light of it as best she could. Here was where her ability to understand people came in handy. Another person might have gone straight to Amir and told him that they either didn't want Mara involved, or thanked him for using her to handle the situation.
Not Bao. Bao was as proud as Amir in his way. He would hate that the topic was being brought up at all, and pride would keep him from mentioning anything more to his creator on the subject than was absolutely necessary. If she was wrong, she would have some quick thinking to do.
Mara didn't think she was wrong.
"I need to make certain you remain hidden from a certain young Evenhet," she said with a smile. "I don't know how you managed to impress yourself upon her so... thoroughly, but she's quite afraid of you."
Bao would understand she meant Pakpao. And he would assume, if she was correct, that Amir had enlightened Mara and enlisted her help.
"It seems a woman's touch was required to sooth her, and I reassured her that you weren't going to jump out of her closet with a chainsaw."
Mara made light of it as best she could. Here was where her ability to understand people came in handy. Another person might have gone straight to Amir and told him that they either didn't want Mara involved, or thanked him for using her to handle the situation.
Not Bao. Bao was as proud as Amir in his way. He would hate that the topic was being brought up at all, and pride would keep him from mentioning anything more to his creator on the subject than was absolutely necessary. If she was wrong, she would have some quick thinking to do.
Mara didn't think she was wrong.
Bao
14 years ago
Bao was surprised, not shocked, but surprised that Amir had confided in Mara. Perhaps he shouldn't be, but he had hopped Amir would have understood how much Bao wanted to keep this mistake quiet. He knew, however, Mara was nothing but discreet and Amir trusted her implicitly. What was done was done though.
He managed not to bat an eyelash at her request thought. He chose not to elaborate at all on the circumstances behind his turning of Pakpao. If Mara required the information he would oblige, but he would not offer.
"There has never been a chainsaw involved."Â?
That she offered him some humor and a rather dignified 'out' was appreciated. He did very much want to ask her how she had approached Pakpao and what had been said and what had been promised. He still hoped, as unlikely as it might be, that she might be brought into the clan.
He managed not to bat an eyelash at her request thought. He chose not to elaborate at all on the circumstances behind his turning of Pakpao. If Mara required the information he would oblige, but he would not offer.
"There has never been a chainsaw involved."Â?
That she offered him some humor and a rather dignified 'out' was appreciated. He did very much want to ask her how she had approached Pakpao and what had been said and what had been promised. He still hoped, as unlikely as it might be, that she might be brought into the clan.
Mara
14 years ago
"I don't doubt it for a moment." Mara's eyes betrayed her sense of humor as she dropped the subject. Bao would do as he said, and, as she had suspected, he wasn't happy to have that particular failure brought up.
That wasn't the reason she was here though. Mara's true reason was something she didn't necessarily want Bao to know she had come specifically for, and to that end she stood and crossed the tiny spot in the garden as if to leave. Pausing, she looked back up at the sky and bit her lip.
"Do you really think Amir is watching right now?"
She let her pale eyes fall on Bao, fixing him with her typical stare. He was probably well past letting it unsettle him.
"We've been in Nachton before but this is different this time."
She watched Bao's face for any sign of expression; the man had a fantastic poker face.
"I feel like we're missing something."
That wasn't the reason she was here though. Mara's true reason was something she didn't necessarily want Bao to know she had come specifically for, and to that end she stood and crossed the tiny spot in the garden as if to leave. Pausing, she looked back up at the sky and bit her lip.
"Do you really think Amir is watching right now?"
She let her pale eyes fall on Bao, fixing him with her typical stare. He was probably well past letting it unsettle him.
"We've been in Nachton before but this is different this time."
She watched Bao's face for any sign of expression; the man had a fantastic poker face.
"I feel like we're missing something."
Bao
14 years ago
Perhaps in a week or two he would ask Mara what exactly transpired between herself and his wayward daughter. But not now.
It seemed that Mara had accomplished her goal and he nodded as she made to leave before returning to his telescope. He heard her stop and again looked up. The question made him smile.
"Perhaps not right now but he either has or will."Â?
Possibly with Dana. Bao, however, didn't bring that up. It would be rude and disrespectful to his sister.
Here steady gaze didn't bother him, it was simply her way. His own expression was even and unreadable. Despite the fact that he agreed with her. He suspected Amir was engaged in more than he had been previously.
"I happen to agree."Â?
Still being cautions he offered no more. If she chose to confide something in him, he would reciprocate but there was a tiny bit of sibling rivalry, on his part any way, and giving ground was not something he liked to do.
"But as always we know what we need to."Â?
It seemed that Mara had accomplished her goal and he nodded as she made to leave before returning to his telescope. He heard her stop and again looked up. The question made him smile.
"Perhaps not right now but he either has or will."Â?
Possibly with Dana. Bao, however, didn't bring that up. It would be rude and disrespectful to his sister.
Here steady gaze didn't bother him, it was simply her way. His own expression was even and unreadable. Despite the fact that he agreed with her. He suspected Amir was engaged in more than he had been previously.
"I happen to agree."Â?
Still being cautions he offered no more. If she chose to confide something in him, he would reciprocate but there was a tiny bit of sibling rivalry, on his part any way, and giving ground was not something he liked to do.
"But as always we know what we need to."Â?
Mara
14 years ago
Mara's eyes stayed glued to Bao, unblinking and comprehending. His reticence to speak was expected. It was unusual for either of them to criticize their creator, even indirectly. But Mara was worried.
"I think we need to get more involved, Bao," she murmured softly.
Briefly she detailed to him how she had found Amir the previous week, and Aidan Xephier's part in it. She explained how she had distracted the alpha, and trailed Amir to the back alley behind Shades'.
"Fortunately, he took him in," she said, her expression serious. "But he lay in that room for two days and two nights without knowing who he was or where he was."
Mara had sat with him, fed him, cared for him when he'd been restless; from Amir's state of mind she assumed that whatever Xephier had given him should by rights have killed a younger vampire, or a less resilient vampire. It had not been easy to overcome the effects of the drugs but Amir had done so, and he had insisted on leaving almost immediately upon being upright. His thanks to Shades had been brief; polite as always, and not lacking in gratitude, but hurried nonetheless.
"I'm worried about this time," she said.
"I think we need to get more involved, Bao," she murmured softly.
Briefly she detailed to him how she had found Amir the previous week, and Aidan Xephier's part in it. She explained how she had distracted the alpha, and trailed Amir to the back alley behind Shades'.
"Fortunately, he took him in," she said, her expression serious. "But he lay in that room for two days and two nights without knowing who he was or where he was."
Mara had sat with him, fed him, cared for him when he'd been restless; from Amir's state of mind she assumed that whatever Xephier had given him should by rights have killed a younger vampire, or a less resilient vampire. It had not been easy to overcome the effects of the drugs but Amir had done so, and he had insisted on leaving almost immediately upon being upright. His thanks to Shades had been brief; polite as always, and not lacking in gratitude, but hurried nonetheless.
"I'm worried about this time," she said.
Bao
14 years ago
This was very concerning. Bao had known things were not going all together smoothly but Amir was at least giving the illusion of control. Or he had been, mostly. His stone cold poker face never wavered, despite the gravity of this news. It certainly wouldn't have done any good for him to go to pieces.
"That is indeed very troubling."Â?
As she had contributed information he did not feel a need to hold back what he knew about the 'encounter' he'd had in the park. Bao actually suspected Mara knew some of this but he did ad detail as to just how bad Amir's wounds had been.
"I think that he's had at least one other encounter that did not go as well as planed. The wolves maybe more trouble than they have been."Â?
Under the circumstances he did agree with Mara's assessment it was just possible that Amir needed some help or more active involvement from them.
"That is indeed very troubling."Â?
As she had contributed information he did not feel a need to hold back what he knew about the 'encounter' he'd had in the park. Bao actually suspected Mara knew some of this but he did ad detail as to just how bad Amir's wounds had been.
"I think that he's had at least one other encounter that did not go as well as planed. The wolves maybe more trouble than they have been."Â?
Under the circumstances he did agree with Mara's assessment it was just possible that Amir needed some help or more active involvement from them.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara's gaze still did not waver as she listened to Bao. Like his, her expression didn't change. But she hadn't known of this encounter previously. Naturally, Amir wouldn't have told her. If it was bad enough for him to have gone to Bao for blood afterward, though, then it had been very close indeed. And the fact that he'd not simply summoned a human to him spoke volumes too. He clearly hadn't wanted to draw attention in any way at all.
"This is her doing," Mara hissed softly. "This doesn't need to be."
She finally pulled her eyes away from Bao's passive face and walked back and forth slowly.
"He needs help, and she doesn't want him to have it."
Mara knew Bao would understand who 'she' was in this context. Subira Atieno, African psychopath and insane control freak, the one person in their Clan Mara detested without guilt or hesitation.
"But why?"
Mara continued to pace, glancing at Bao. "Why would she put Amir here, now? What is she trying to accomplish?"
In Mara's world, everyone had multiple motivators. Mara had many different agendas, therefore so did everyone else. In this case, though, she didn't think it was merely paranoia. It was just a matter of figuring out what Subira's plans were. In this, she thought Bao might be able to help. Moreover, he would probably be willing to.
Amir was blind to anything having to do with Subira. She was his creator, his trainer, and in his eyes she did little or no wrong. His loyalty to her was absolute, a faith that hadn't so much as wavered in the thousands of years he'd lived.
Mara saw a different person than Amir. And the person she saw, she would never even remotely come close to liking.
"This is her doing," Mara hissed softly. "This doesn't need to be."
She finally pulled her eyes away from Bao's passive face and walked back and forth slowly.
"He needs help, and she doesn't want him to have it."
Mara knew Bao would understand who 'she' was in this context. Subira Atieno, African psychopath and insane control freak, the one person in their Clan Mara detested without guilt or hesitation.
"But why?"
Mara continued to pace, glancing at Bao. "Why would she put Amir here, now? What is she trying to accomplish?"
In Mara's world, everyone had multiple motivators. Mara had many different agendas, therefore so did everyone else. In this case, though, she didn't think it was merely paranoia. It was just a matter of figuring out what Subira's plans were. In this, she thought Bao might be able to help. Moreover, he would probably be willing to.
Amir was blind to anything having to do with Subira. She was his creator, his trainer, and in his eyes she did little or no wrong. His loyalty to her was absolute, a faith that hadn't so much as wavered in the thousands of years he'd lived.
Mara saw a different person than Amir. And the person she saw, she would never even remotely come close to liking.
Bao
14 years ago
Yet again Mara had managed to moderately surprise him. He knew that she had not worked extensively with Subira and suspected that they did not get on. Given Subira's strength of personality 'did not get on' was undoubtedly an incredible understatement.
"I don't understand why he should not have help. There are others capable of managing the wolves at least to some extent."Â?
It wasn't surprising that they should agree. Both Mara and Bao did care a great deal for Amir, each in there own way.
"That is a question I wish I had the answer to. With that information it we would be better able to assist."Â?
He wondered if perhaps Shades himself would have some ideas along these lines. Bao did not have a good enough relationship with the ancient to simply ask.
"I don't understand why he should not have help. There are others capable of managing the wolves at least to some extent."Â?
It wasn't surprising that they should agree. Both Mara and Bao did care a great deal for Amir, each in there own way.
"That is a question I wish I had the answer to. With that information it we would be better able to assist."Â?
He wondered if perhaps Shades himself would have some ideas along these lines. Bao did not have a good enough relationship with the ancient to simply ask.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara stopped pacing for a moment and poked a well-manicured fingernail at Bao. "Exactly," she said to her younger sibling. "There are plenty of people who could help, but Amir refuses to let them."
She modified her thought though. "At least, in this regard. He did call us both here, and the others will probably not be too far behind."
There were seven of them, including Mara's wayward father. He didn't know that, of course. Would he feel any better if he knew he, too, had vampiric siblings? A whole family of sisters, brothers, and cousins?
She shook her head. This wasn't the time for speculations that she'd mulled over for centuries. Right now she desperately needed to figure out how best to get to the bottom of what was happening with Subira and Amir.
Mara crossed her arms, resting her weight on one foot, the other hitched out to the side.
"What would Subira gain if Amir succeeds?" She asked. "And on the other hand, what would she lose... or gain... if he fails?"
She modified her thought though. "At least, in this regard. He did call us both here, and the others will probably not be too far behind."
There were seven of them, including Mara's wayward father. He didn't know that, of course. Would he feel any better if he knew he, too, had vampiric siblings? A whole family of sisters, brothers, and cousins?
She shook her head. This wasn't the time for speculations that she'd mulled over for centuries. Right now she desperately needed to figure out how best to get to the bottom of what was happening with Subira and Amir.
Mara crossed her arms, resting her weight on one foot, the other hitched out to the side.
"What would Subira gain if Amir succeeds?" She asked. "And on the other hand, what would she lose... or gain... if he fails?"
Bao
14 years ago
"I don't think he can let them. I don't think she will allow it."Â?
Bao said simply. He knew something of his aunts and uncles, Amir's siblings Subira's other children. They were all fine in their own way but, stale stilted and lacking in Amir's flexibility and adaptability. It was amazing to Bao that one could nearly totally lose their independence and ability to think for themselves.
He wrinkled his nose at the idea that their other siblings would be joining them. He was a middle child and truly did not appreciate any additional competition.
They were valid questions, and questions Bao knew he needed to seriously consider if he did not want to become a clone of one of his uncles.
"She loses nothing if he fails, whether that be a failure with the wolves or with the others. Too many of her other children nearly require explicit instruction to accomplish these goals and it would be nearly impossible to blame them should things go awry. And yet Subira knows he will allow her to take all the credit should he succeed."Â?
There was more, Bao knew it, but this was his first reaction and he knew they were good instincts.
Bao said simply. He knew something of his aunts and uncles, Amir's siblings Subira's other children. They were all fine in their own way but, stale stilted and lacking in Amir's flexibility and adaptability. It was amazing to Bao that one could nearly totally lose their independence and ability to think for themselves.
He wrinkled his nose at the idea that their other siblings would be joining them. He was a middle child and truly did not appreciate any additional competition.
They were valid questions, and questions Bao knew he needed to seriously consider if he did not want to become a clone of one of his uncles.
"She loses nothing if he fails, whether that be a failure with the wolves or with the others. Too many of her other children nearly require explicit instruction to accomplish these goals and it would be nearly impossible to blame them should things go awry. And yet Subira knows he will allow her to take all the credit should he succeed."Â?
There was more, Bao knew it, but this was his first reaction and he knew they were good instincts.
Mara
14 years ago
"Huh."
Mara considered that for a moment. She didn't know Subira as intimately as Amir did, or even as well as Bao must. Her creator had sheltered her from Subira's worst rages and had overtaken her training himself, the only one of his children he'd done that for.
"Do you think she'd prefer him to fail?"
There was quiet in the little garden for a few minutes while they both mulled it over. It made sense in a way, to Mara. Amir was a strong vampire. He had, over the years, survived any number of ridiculously impossible situations. He had amassed a small army of vampires in his children, seven total, six who remained absolutely loyal to him, all over five hundred years old. He was dedicated to his work, loyal to his children, his creator, and his Clan...
... and absolutely without ambition of his own. But Subira wouldn't see that, would she?
Mara stared at Bao once more, for the idea had never occurred to her. Amir spoke nothing but praise of Subira. He wouldn't suspect.
"He loves her," she said in surprise. "He'd never believe that."
It was impossible. And yet it was logical.
"Bao," Mara said incredulously, "Do you actually think she expects him to succeed here?"
Mara considered that for a moment. She didn't know Subira as intimately as Amir did, or even as well as Bao must. Her creator had sheltered her from Subira's worst rages and had overtaken her training himself, the only one of his children he'd done that for.
"Do you think she'd prefer him to fail?"
There was quiet in the little garden for a few minutes while they both mulled it over. It made sense in a way, to Mara. Amir was a strong vampire. He had, over the years, survived any number of ridiculously impossible situations. He had amassed a small army of vampires in his children, seven total, six who remained absolutely loyal to him, all over five hundred years old. He was dedicated to his work, loyal to his children, his creator, and his Clan...
... and absolutely without ambition of his own. But Subira wouldn't see that, would she?
Mara stared at Bao once more, for the idea had never occurred to her. Amir spoke nothing but praise of Subira. He wouldn't suspect.
"He loves her," she said in surprise. "He'd never believe that."
It was impossible. And yet it was logical.
"Bao," Mara said incredulously, "Do you actually think she expects him to succeed here?"
Bao
14 years ago
That was a distinct possibility, one Bao hadn't considered. He didn't always see Subira through the same rose colored glasses Amir did, but he didn't always see her clearly. That, he supposed, was one of her great gifts.
"She has nothing to lose and everything to gain no matter the result. It is quite possible that even if she does wish him to succeed here he will be given assignments that will eventually ensure his failure."Â?
Failure or death, either way it would remove Amir from the picture and Subira would still have her reputation, her power and status intact. She was vicious, cut throat and ambitious. Some times these were virtues, some times vices.
"No, he won't."Â?
Bao agreed reluctantly.
Thinking about what Mara had told him regarding Amir's encounter with this Alpha and then his own assistance after those two wolves had attacked him Bao could only shake his head.
"I honestly don't know. I think it is probably she needs him to succeed, these wolves are getting above themselves. But it would certainly be convenient if they finished him. Undoubtedly if they did she would be able to use that to claim the wolves were out of control and that more aggressive measures should be taken to control them."Â?
It would probably result in Subira winding up with even more power. No, it was quite possible Amir was going to be sacrificed for his grandmother's ambition.
"She has nothing to lose and everything to gain no matter the result. It is quite possible that even if she does wish him to succeed here he will be given assignments that will eventually ensure his failure."Â?
Failure or death, either way it would remove Amir from the picture and Subira would still have her reputation, her power and status intact. She was vicious, cut throat and ambitious. Some times these were virtues, some times vices.
"No, he won't."Â?
Bao agreed reluctantly.
Thinking about what Mara had told him regarding Amir's encounter with this Alpha and then his own assistance after those two wolves had attacked him Bao could only shake his head.
"I honestly don't know. I think it is probably she needs him to succeed, these wolves are getting above themselves. But it would certainly be convenient if they finished him. Undoubtedly if they did she would be able to use that to claim the wolves were out of control and that more aggressive measures should be taken to control them."Â?
It would probably result in Subira winding up with even more power. No, it was quite possible Amir was going to be sacrificed for his grandmother's ambition.
Mara
14 years ago
As their theories resounded in her mind, Mara shook her head. "All right. That's one possibility," she said. "We could be wrong. I don't know Subira well enough and I don't think you do either."
Though Mara had done her information-gathering and she knew she wasn't too far off. She desperately wanted to be wrong. She was already caught in the thick of something that threatened to put her in a very difficult position; this was going to exacerbate it. So not only had she already gotten between Amir and Kiamhaat, but she was about to place herself between Amir and Subira as well.
Mara blinked, the sense of being in over her head growing to epic proportions. Would there be any sort of relationship left between her and her creator when this was done?
"We have to find out what's going on Bao," Mara said. "We may have to choose sides, if we're right."
She was certain Bao would be on her side - Amir's side. The trouble was, Amir was so stubborn that even Amir probably wouldn't be on his own side.
Though Mara had done her information-gathering and she knew she wasn't too far off. She desperately wanted to be wrong. She was already caught in the thick of something that threatened to put her in a very difficult position; this was going to exacerbate it. So not only had she already gotten between Amir and Kiamhaat, but she was about to place herself between Amir and Subira as well.
Mara blinked, the sense of being in over her head growing to epic proportions. Would there be any sort of relationship left between her and her creator when this was done?
"We have to find out what's going on Bao," Mara said. "We may have to choose sides, if we're right."
She was certain Bao would be on her side - Amir's side. The trouble was, Amir was so stubborn that even Amir probably wouldn't be on his own side.