"Bao Hoang?" Xeph wrinkled his nose as he tested out the unfamiliar name. "What about the girl? Any idea?"
The female vampire had come upon them quickly and had managed more than all right. Hell, she'd killed one of the Nakubili and then gone right through Lily to Nikhila as if there'd been almost nothing in her way. Granted, she'd had the element of surprise - barely.
"We have to find her. We have to get as much information on those three as possible."
He was burning to tell them what he knew of the jackal. Even though he didn't know the man's name, he had sufficient information on him to cause trouble for him, Xeph thought - but he couldn't. There were steel bars across his mind, imprisoning certain things. The light of the full moon had allowed him to get around them and unleash his rage, but even with that behind him the jackal still lived.
"Make them your priority," he said to Hammer.
The Morning After (attn: beat up wolves)
Xeph opened his eyes, which was a marked improvement from several hours before, when he couldn't.
He was in his bedroom, next to Nikhila, and they were finally human again. It had been difficult to come back here still under the effects of the madness, but they hadn't had much choice. It was amazing the amount of damage one vampire could do. It was time for Xeph to stop underestimating him.
He had assumed they were mortal, like everyone else. And he still assumed it, but he'd hit the jackal with everything he had last night, and he hadn't forgotten the sheer volume of sedative he'd pumped into the silu just a few weeks prior. Xeph was even more driven, now, to fight him. He just had to figure out how.
Nikhila had been returned to them mostly unharmed; that was the important thing. She was a little bit cut and battered, but she seemed more shaken than anything. They'd managed to get themselves back to their apartment before collapsing on the bed, both falling instantly asleep for once.
Now, Xeph bit back a few moans and groans as he rolled off the bed, careful not to disturb Nikhila. Things were really bruised and broken up inside, but he could move around - carefully. And he wanted to check on Lily and Hammer.
Stumbling around in the darkened bedroom, he managed to find shorts and a shirt, arranged them on his body in an appropriate manner, and staggered out the door to Hammer's apartment nearby, where he knocked softly.
Xeph
14 years ago
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer blinked slowly as he listened to Lily fuss in his kitchen, but turned back to Xeph as he relayed his command.
The Pipers had been researching the VR's in the area, trying to pin point where their hierarchy was hiding. Ringo would have to be put on the back burner, for now.
'Done,' Hammer replied softly. Leaning back into the couch, he entwined his fingers in his lap and considered the female vampire.
'I have never seen her before. Again, maybe Marthinus might recognize her description - or his other resources might.'
And it circled back to the Duban woman. Hammer felt his nose wrinkle with disgust at the thought of her, but it would appear that they were now in a position to test out the truce, tenuous though it was. Still, Hammer hoped he would not have to rely on her.
The Pipers had been researching the VR's in the area, trying to pin point where their hierarchy was hiding. Ringo would have to be put on the back burner, for now.
'Done,' Hammer replied softly. Leaning back into the couch, he entwined his fingers in his lap and considered the female vampire.
'I have never seen her before. Again, maybe Marthinus might recognize her description - or his other resources might.'
And it circled back to the Duban woman. Hammer felt his nose wrinkle with disgust at the thought of her, but it would appear that they were now in a position to test out the truce, tenuous though it was. Still, Hammer hoped he would not have to rely on her.
Nikhila
14 years ago
Honestly, she just wanted something to do, to be busy and useful so Nikhila seized on Lily's offer for another set of hands. In one fluid movement, she rose from the floor and found her way to the kitchen. Although, her nose rather wrinkled at the sight of -everything-. She was hungry but... well it could be worked out as they went. She started making toast and boiling water for tea. She had no idea if there was tea in the kitchen, but it was habit.
Even though no one would see it, she shook her head when Aidan asked if anyone knew the female vampire. She had no idea. But she might have a business card for Hoang somewhere. She'd double check her things from the lab and if she found it get it to Hammer or the Pipers. It would be a start.
The lab. Oh dear. Nikhila realized she'd left quite a bit there. Nothing unrelated to the project. Nothing personal but they'd have her notes and know what she'd been trying to do, or more appropriately keep them from doing. She'd have to bring that up later.
Even though no one would see it, she shook her head when Aidan asked if anyone knew the female vampire. She had no idea. But she might have a business card for Hoang somewhere. She'd double check her things from the lab and if she found it get it to Hammer or the Pipers. It would be a start.
The lab. Oh dear. Nikhila realized she'd left quite a bit there. Nothing unrelated to the project. Nothing personal but they'd have her notes and know what she'd been trying to do, or more appropriately keep them from doing. She'd have to bring that up later.
Lily
14 years ago
Lily busied herself with preparing an omelet and dicing potatoes, glad for Nikhila's company.
"Aidan and I will eat the same thing," she advised the younger woman, "and Iov, maybe an omelet, some scrambled eggs, and coffee."
She saw the water Nikhila set out to boil and rummaged around for the tea bags she knew were there; Iov had served her tea once before. Nothing special, but any port in a storm.
She raised her voice and added her thoughts to the two mens' conversation. "I thought you said once the vampires were organized into families of some sort. If these were from a different family than Marthinus' then would he be able to give us any information at all?"
"Aidan and I will eat the same thing," she advised the younger woman, "and Iov, maybe an omelet, some scrambled eggs, and coffee."
She saw the water Nikhila set out to boil and rummaged around for the tea bags she knew were there; Iov had served her tea once before. Nothing special, but any port in a storm.
She raised her voice and added her thoughts to the two mens' conversation. "I thought you said once the vampires were organized into families of some sort. If these were from a different family than Marthinus' then would he be able to give us any information at all?"
Xeph
14 years ago
His mother had brought up a good point. "One more thing we'll have to ask him," Xeph said, putting it on sort of a mental list. "I got the impression the Clans of vampires didn't exactly cooperate with each other all the time."
He would have to hope for the best though; Steyn was their best shot, for now, unless they found other resources.
"We have to be on our guard," he said, more to himself than anyone in the room with them. "I don't know how they interact, who gets along with who."
He sat on the couch at the opposite end from Iov. "We just don't know enough. I hate doing this to Marthinus. I don't want to set him against his family. But we need more information than we have."
He would have to hope for the best though; Steyn was their best shot, for now, unless they found other resources.
"We have to be on our guard," he said, more to himself than anyone in the room with them. "I don't know how they interact, who gets along with who."
He sat on the couch at the opposite end from Iov. "We just don't know enough. I hate doing this to Marthinus. I don't want to set him against his family. But we need more information than we have."
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer was momentarily distracted by the smell of eggs wafting in from the kitchen. He looked back up at Xeph and nodded again.
'Only way to know is to ask him.' He stood gingerly, still wary of his ribs and shrugged slightly. 'I'll call him in now and get it over with, if you like.'
'Only way to know is to ask him.' He stood gingerly, still wary of his ribs and shrugged slightly. 'I'll call him in now and get it over with, if you like.'
Nikhila
14 years ago
Nikhila was glad for the simple dishes; she didn't think her mind could have worked out anything complicated this morning. At least not without a repeat of the eggplant fiasco and she didn't think Hammer would appreciate his kitchen going up in flames. You'd never know that under ordinary circumstances she was a good cook. At least she could manage scrambled eggs and an omelet or two (one of which was very veggie heavy in deference to her own tastes). She also started some bacon, figuring on cooking it to different values of done from nearly raw to crispy should cover every one.
The smell of food over came any reluctance to eat and Nikhila found she was really quite hungry.
Keeping at least half over her attention on the conversation she couldn't help but wonder about this Marthinus. It sounded like he had family ties to vampires. Was it even possible for one of the Pack to be tied to them?
"Who is Marthinus?"Â?
She asked Lily, very quietly, as she helped load up plates with food as various things finished cooking, or not cooking in Xeph and Lily's case.
The smell of food over came any reluctance to eat and Nikhila found she was really quite hungry.
Keeping at least half over her attention on the conversation she couldn't help but wonder about this Marthinus. It sounded like he had family ties to vampires. Was it even possible for one of the Pack to be tied to them?
"Who is Marthinus?"Â?
She asked Lily, very quietly, as she helped load up plates with food as various things finished cooking, or not cooking in Xeph and Lily's case.
Lily
14 years ago
Breakfast was quickly made; it was no great difficulty to assemble several styles of eggs and raw meat. Nikhila made food for herself as well, and before long they had a decent meal to lay out on the small table. As they did, Lily answered Nikhila's question as best she could.
"Marthinus is one of our newest brothers," she said. "He has some unique connections to our... well, hmm. Adversaries." She chose the word carefully. She didn't know that Marthinus had any link at all to those who attacked them in the park. They could possibly find out though.
"Come and eat," she called to Iov and Aidan. As they did so, she asked Iov, "Is it wise to ask Marthinus to come here now? Would he not feel slightly intimidated by all of us being here?"
Marthinus, as far as she knew, still struggled to find his place within the Pack while not betraying his friends outside of it. If they were going to ask for his help in gathering information, he might be most cooperative if he felt he weren't being forced to it. Iov knew him best, though. He would know what setting was the most proper for this sort of questioning.
"Marthinus is one of our newest brothers," she said. "He has some unique connections to our... well, hmm. Adversaries." She chose the word carefully. She didn't know that Marthinus had any link at all to those who attacked them in the park. They could possibly find out though.
"Come and eat," she called to Iov and Aidan. As they did so, she asked Iov, "Is it wise to ask Marthinus to come here now? Would he not feel slightly intimidated by all of us being here?"
Marthinus, as far as she knew, still struggled to find his place within the Pack while not betraying his friends outside of it. If they were going to ask for his help in gathering information, he might be most cooperative if he felt he weren't being forced to it. Iov knew him best, though. He would know what setting was the most proper for this sort of questioning.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph was about to answer Hammer in the affirmative when Lily's question reached his ears and gave him pause. If he'd been Changed his ears would have flattened. Part of him didn't care at all for what Marthinus thought; his Pack needed this information. Lily was right to ask, though. If it was within his power to secure Marthinus' help voluntarily that was best.
As they made their way to join Nikhila and Lily, Xeph also looked at Hammer expectantly. "Whichever way gets it done with the most cooperation," he said grudgingly. "If you think he will at all, that is."
There were other ways.
As they made their way to join Nikhila and Lily, Xeph also looked at Hammer expectantly. "Whichever way gets it done with the most cooperation," he said grudgingly. "If you think he will at all, that is."
There were other ways.
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer hadn't considered Marthinus feelings - well, not with any real compassion. He shrugged, more to himself, when both Lily and Xeph asked if Marthinus would feel comfortable with everyone present. He really did not know - but if he had to guess - he'd say 'no, he would not feel comfortable'. However, Xeph's response seemed off, definitely not as considerate as Hammer usually thought he was. Last night's events had apparently rattled him to the core, of course his pregnant mate had been in danger...Hammer would concede that he would probably act no different, but Xeph seemed more determined to gain information, regardless of anyone's feelings. Was Hammer guessing...yeah, but he learned to trust his gut instincts since they were usually right.
'I'll talk to him first then.' Half snorting, he corrected himself. 'I'll have Brig or LT approach him about it.'
As Lily called them in, he drifted toward his scrambled eggs and inwardly giggled like a little girl. With a wrinkle of his nose, he gave Nikhila the most grateful acknowledgment he could muster.
'Thank you,' he grumbled hungrily.
'I'll talk to him first then.' Half snorting, he corrected himself. 'I'll have Brig or LT approach him about it.'
As Lily called them in, he drifted toward his scrambled eggs and inwardly giggled like a little girl. With a wrinkle of his nose, he gave Nikhila the most grateful acknowledgment he could muster.
'Thank you,' he grumbled hungrily.
Nikhila
14 years ago
Lily's answer puzzled Nikhila a great deal. You couldn't Gift a vampire, so Marthinus was either related to or working for them. How did one become Kadzait with those kinds of ties? Wouldn't it have made more sense for the vampire to take him in, to make him one of them? How very odd. Perhaps at some other time she might ask for more information or possibly, she would get to meet him. Nikhila filed the idea away for future consideration. As, apparently, her curiosity about this man would have to remain unsatisfied as Lily thought about his feelings.
Nikhila set a plate of steak and bacon down in front of Aidan. She had a feeling he was still weighing options regarding the information that this man might have, but she also thought food might temporarily distract him. And he did need to eat.
That was down right cheerful for Hammer and Nikhila half smiled, glad some one enjoyed cooked food from time to time.
"You are quite welcome."Â?
She nibbled delicately at a bite or two, waiting to see if she was going to go queasy before she ate too much.
Nikhila set a plate of steak and bacon down in front of Aidan. She had a feeling he was still weighing options regarding the information that this man might have, but she also thought food might temporarily distract him. And he did need to eat.
That was down right cheerful for Hammer and Nikhila half smiled, glad some one enjoyed cooked food from time to time.
"You are quite welcome."Â?
She nibbled delicately at a bite or two, waiting to see if she was going to go queasy before she ate too much.
Lily
14 years ago
Lily shot a glance at Aidan. Not just any glance but A Glance. His tone was brusque, almost unfriendly. She understood. He didn't like having things run out of his control, and the previous night had been just that. He didn't want to involve Marthinus either, she knew that, but he didn't have much choice.
"That would be best," she said, speaking for Aidan, who seemed oblivious as he sat down with them.
She bit into her own steak, which she'd quickly seared on either side but left raw throughout, and gave a little 'mmm' of happiness as she took dainty bites. Everyone, even Aidan, seemed content at least to be eating.
"If you think it would help for me to ask him, too, I'd be happy to," Lily offered. She hadn't spoken much to Marthinus since his arrival but their few interactions had been enjoyable and she liked him a great deal.
"That would be best," she said, speaking for Aidan, who seemed oblivious as he sat down with them.
She bit into her own steak, which she'd quickly seared on either side but left raw throughout, and gave a little 'mmm' of happiness as she took dainty bites. Everyone, even Aidan, seemed content at least to be eating.
"If you think it would help for me to ask him, too, I'd be happy to," Lily offered. She hadn't spoken much to Marthinus since his arrival but their few interactions had been enjoyable and she liked him a great deal.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph sighed as he sat down, still covertly watching Nikhila. He was worried about her. He hadn't officially asked her to remain at the Den yet, but he thought it would be important that she do so. Several of them had been forced into their Changes last night by the jackal vampire, but none so thoroughly as Nikhila, trapped in the arms of the dark-haired female.
Xeph couldn't even clearly remember the woman. He wished he did; he'd like to rip her apart. He swallowed down the unaccustomed ferocity with a piece of torn steak, chuckling a little as his mother mirrored the motion.
He glanced at Hammer when Lily offered to speak with Marty as well. Maybe that would be a decent idea. He didn't know; in the end, it was Hammer's call. he just wanted to find out everything they could about their antagonists - and he wanted the information yesterday.
The sooner they took care of that particular problem, the sooner, he hoped, the jackal would be out of his head and out of his Pack's lives.
Xeph couldn't even clearly remember the woman. He wished he did; he'd like to rip her apart. He swallowed down the unaccustomed ferocity with a piece of torn steak, chuckling a little as his mother mirrored the motion.
He glanced at Hammer when Lily offered to speak with Marty as well. Maybe that would be a decent idea. He didn't know; in the end, it was Hammer's call. he just wanted to find out everything they could about their antagonists - and he wanted the information yesterday.
The sooner they took care of that particular problem, the sooner, he hoped, the jackal would be out of his head and out of his Pack's lives.
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer hungrily dug into his mountain of eggs as Lily suggested helping with Marthinus, perhaps talking to him. It had been over a year since Marthinus had been gifted, but Hammer knew he wasn't as close to him as he should be, much less the Pipers. He'd have Brig approach Marthinus first. Hammer paused over his eggs, looking at them thoughtfully. No, he'd have the young LT do it. If Marthinus was to be included with the Pipers, the relationship between he and his LT would need to grow.
'I appreciate that, Lils. If necessary, I'll let you know.'
It wasn't as awkward to call her by his nickname for her that time, even in front of his son's mate. Maybe he was beginning to relax a little. He permitted her a small grin and continued consuming his protein.
((OOC - Hammer out!))
'I appreciate that, Lils. If necessary, I'll let you know.'
It wasn't as awkward to call her by his nickname for her that time, even in front of his son's mate. Maybe he was beginning to relax a little. He permitted her a small grin and continued consuming his protein.
((OOC - Hammer out!))
Nikhila
14 years ago
Helping to prepare the food had given her something to do and had helped Nikhila regain a bit of focus. Thus far her rather calm appearance had been more practice than anything, she was still dealing with worry fear and guilt and that was effecting her observations. As she ate though a few things started to slowly click. First, Xeph's handling of Marthiuns seemed out of character, almost too abrupt. Lily seemed to have picked up on that too judging by the look she gave him.
The other things was, no one had even mentioned the vampire that started all this. Not one word. They had said something about Hong and about the woman but not a thing about the armored silu that had started all this. Perhaps they had discussed him before her arrival, but even so it didn't seem right. While it was obvious that both Hong, and especially the woman, were dangerous -he- was probably the worst of the lot.
Too many questions. Some, including the Vyusher, would just have to wait until later.
Catching Aidan looking at her Nikhila slid a piece of only barley cooked bacon on to his plate. Keeping her eyes down cast, seemingly on her food, she said very -very- quietly.
"I am sorry."Â?
And she was. She still believed she shouldn't have been captured and that it was her own fault. More importantly what if somehow someone should have been hurt or killed because of her mistake? God what if it had been Aidan? Nikhila didn't think she'd be able to live with that.
Nikhila had no doubt that Aidan would understand most of this without being told. She also was certain that especially with all this talk of what could, should and needed to be done that he would know she was anxious to help as well. Doubly so as she'd been the greatest liability last night. But she also knew that this was not her greatest area of expertise and she would not push for a job. If something needed to be done that she could help with, Nikhila knew she'd be told.
Guilt or no, she allowed herself another small grin as Hammer seemed to be quite enjoying his eggs.
The other things was, no one had even mentioned the vampire that started all this. Not one word. They had said something about Hong and about the woman but not a thing about the armored silu that had started all this. Perhaps they had discussed him before her arrival, but even so it didn't seem right. While it was obvious that both Hong, and especially the woman, were dangerous -he- was probably the worst of the lot.
Too many questions. Some, including the Vyusher, would just have to wait until later.
Catching Aidan looking at her Nikhila slid a piece of only barley cooked bacon on to his plate. Keeping her eyes down cast, seemingly on her food, she said very -very- quietly.
"I am sorry."Â?
And she was. She still believed she shouldn't have been captured and that it was her own fault. More importantly what if somehow someone should have been hurt or killed because of her mistake? God what if it had been Aidan? Nikhila didn't think she'd be able to live with that.
Nikhila had no doubt that Aidan would understand most of this without being told. She also was certain that especially with all this talk of what could, should and needed to be done that he would know she was anxious to help as well. Doubly so as she'd been the greatest liability last night. But she also knew that this was not her greatest area of expertise and she would not push for a job. If something needed to be done that she could help with, Nikhila knew she'd be told.
Guilt or no, she allowed herself another small grin as Hammer seemed to be quite enjoying his eggs.
Lily
14 years ago
Lily smiled when Iov used his nickname for her; no matter how grave the situation he always managed to somehow make her smile. Not a personality trait anyone would normally attribute to him, but then Lily had spent so much time in his company.
"Thank you," she said to him. She knew if Iov said he'd do a thing, it got done.
In the meantime she pretended not to hear Nikhila's soft apology to Aidan. No one blamed Nikhila for anything that had happened under the full moon, but it was for Aidan to disabuse her of the notion that any wrong had been done. And perhaps it would give him something new to focus on; discussing Marthinus didn't seem helpful.
"Thank you," she said to him. She knew if Iov said he'd do a thing, it got done.
In the meantime she pretended not to hear Nikhila's soft apology to Aidan. No one blamed Nikhila for anything that had happened under the full moon, but it was for Aidan to disabuse her of the notion that any wrong had been done. And perhaps it would give him something new to focus on; discussing Marthinus didn't seem helpful.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph raised his eyebrows at Nikhila as she apologized. He took the offered piece of undercooked bacon and snapped it down, giving her a quick shake of his head as he did. He would discuss this perceived wrongdoing with her later, when they weren't in front of his parents.
He wasn't happy, overall. He wasn't looking forward to having to request that Nikhila stay very close to the Den. He didn't like pushing Steyn, or dragging him into this. He didn't like this jackal vampire or his pals.
Xeph growled under his breath. The sooner they started to gather information on all of them, the better. It could hardly happen too soon.
((ooc: All out, with permission!))
He wasn't happy, overall. He wasn't looking forward to having to request that Nikhila stay very close to the Den. He didn't like pushing Steyn, or dragging him into this. He didn't like this jackal vampire or his pals.
Xeph growled under his breath. The sooner they started to gather information on all of them, the better. It could hardly happen too soon.
((ooc: All out, with permission!))