Walking the Dog (open-outside the mausoleum)

Amir put his nose to the ground and followed the scent of the woman, which was fairly distinctive and fresh. It lead unsurprisingly down to the front gate. He didn't follow it out onto the street. Instead he turned and began a wide circuit around the graveyard, avoiding Cheap Perfume, Pothead, and Stinky.

There were more people out here than previously but no one as interesting as the woman and the blond guy.

[Just be careful,] Amir warned Sorcha, sure it was unnecessary but compelled to add it. [She felt you tampering once. Twice, we may not get off so lightly from.]

He wasn't certain it was wise to pursue this course. But it wasn't his decision. It was between Jin and Sorcha, really. And the other guy.

[You'd think at least one of them would belong somewhere,] he said. [Unless one or the other of them has access to some pretty good resources. It's hard to beat the advantages of having a family around you.]

It was as diplomatic as he could get, given that diplomacy was never Amir's strong point. Technically, he really thought Anantya should be the only recognized Clan. But the Evenhet weren't to be snubbed and they at least had roots that were tied very closely to Anantya. If their morals were a little... well, off, then that was a shame. But nonetheless he decided they could be a Clan for the duration of this discussion.

Sorcha nodded at Amir.

[True enough. I think he was sort of waylayed by the first bit though. I'm sure he'll be better now. Seems to have gotten the hang of it at least.]

She should probably take his advice and leave well enough alone. Jin would probably like to advise the same thing. There was just something about the ghost and the guy himself that made her want to help him even though it was none of her business.

Amir seemed to agree that they likely belonged to some clan or the other. He didn't say much more than that though. Sorcha had been kind of hoping he knew something more. Maybe she belonged to Evenhet and She could find something out with a little more digging. If the woman belonged to Anantya then Sorcha had hoped that either Jin or Amir knew who she was.

She was old right? If the Russian was to be believed.

[Backing does make it easier to live without people troubling you. Resources are hard to amass without the clans taking notice. It can be done but you'd have to be very careful. She just didn't strike me as that careful.]

Sorcha sighed and amended.

[I know that's an unfair assumption on my part. She was just so bloody annoying.]

Not helpful. She needed to be objective in order to think this all through clearly.

The blonde answered her questions.

[Evgeni it is then.]

The man was bonded against his will. What a horrible invasion! Sorcha couldn't imagine what it must be like to have someone unwanted constantly in your thoughts and emotions, never having privacy and even feeling their feelings. It was like raping someone's soul. Sorcha shuddered and resolved to try and help him any way she could.

He was Tacharan. Sorcha didn't know much about them or how to contact them but certainly they would care that one of their own was being held against his will. Unless Sofia was also Tacharan and then they might not care. Hell, they might not care either way.

[Perhaps I could contact them for you. If I could manage that I would need a way to find you again.]

She sighed and gave him what was likely news he didn't want to hear.

[I don't think we can manage to resolve this tonight. But I don't want to give up on you.]

Sorcha wondered how that sounded, maybe she was being presumptuous. She let the matter of politeness drop and went on with considering how she could find him again if she needed to.

Amir half-focused on Sorcha's words, but something about their entire encounter was nagging him. A lot.

He'd seen that woman before. Where had he seen her before?

Then it hit him, and he turned his head sharply, forgetting for a moment that he was stuck on a collar and leash and yanking on it uncomfortably.

[That woman belongs to Anantya,] he sent to Sorcha. [I regret not recognizing her earlier, but I didn't get a good look at her the first time I met her. She has a reputation for being harsh on her food.]

Not that Anantya typically had an issue with that, but in the case of this woman it had attracted some attention. Amir had escorted one of the Rose to the woman's home to request that she keep her activities a little more low-key. He couldn't remember her name, but he could now place her face.

[I agree with your assessment of her character,] he said. [Both careless and annoying.]

If you were going to feed heavily, best to simply kill the human and have done with it than to keep them hanging on indefinitely and draw the wrong kind of attention. Very foolish.

As they went outside Pak eyed Artemis not totally displeased with the idea of getting him to remove some clothing.

"It isn't my fault the keep holding these things in the middle of winter."Â?

She teased. Of course, Pak's version of the middle of winter started on about October first. She really did not like the cold at all.

Pak had been much better about guiding them through the crowd this time and she was happy enough to just walk together. She was debating a clove but hadn't quite made up her mind just yet.

It seemed like a number of couple had escaped outside when the band stopped playing. So as not to intrude she just kept wandering farther and farther from the chapel. Only one person seemed to be out alone, and that was an amazon of a red head. Noting the dog Pak reached the logical conclusion why she was out by herself. She waved, but didn't intrude.

"I think ultimately the trouble is that when I get you out of your clothes, I just put them on. You know I still have that cloak of yours."Â?

Sorcha understood that Evgeni couldn't offer more help. She wracked her brain for some way to help him even if it required that she do so later.

[Do you have something you can give me? Something's that's yours?]

It was probably best to explain why she wanted such a thing; it might help him decide what was best to use.

[ I personally don't have tracking but I might be able to find someone who does. It would let us find you again.]

Explaining her newly hatched plan to Jin, Sorcha then sent to Evgeni.

[Do you see the white haired Asian man? He is my Creator] She hoped that would convey the trustworthiness of Jin. No doubt Evgeni had no reason to feel very trusting; however, he wasn't in a position to turn down aid. Sorcha didn't want to point that out though; his pride had to be pretty wounded as it was. [Perhaps we can come up with a way to get this sorted]

Looking down at Amir, she raised her eyebrows.

[Anantya, huh? No doubt not one of your clan's finest choices.] She gave him a kind smile [I suppose they can't all be like you and Jin.] Frowning she considered what this might mean for Jin and Amir if they were to get involved him helping Evgeni. [Do you think Anantya cares that she's holding another vampire prisoner?]

He was Tacharan but she doubted that mattered to most of the elder clan. Evenhet barely recognized the Orphans and Anantya...well, many of them disliked the idea that her own clan had been finally granted legitimate status, Tacharan would be the dregs of the dregs as far as those were concerned.

Still a vampire was a vampire and while humans might be food to many ancients they might feel differently about another immortal.

Sorcha looked up at the woman who waved and gave her and her companion a friendly wave in return.
[It looks like we're about to have company.]

Amir would have frowned; as it was, he looked up at Sorcha with ears pinned back against his head.

[I can't speak for anyone else in my Clan but I do disapprove of her methods.] Amir didn't specify any further. He disagreed with the Evenhet too, who would likely frown on the number of times he left his own prey lifeless. That didn't need to be said though; the point was, he disapproved of toying with your food.

When Sorcha asked her next question, Amir couldn't answer it without potentially offending her but he knew Sorcha was familiar with the differences between their respective Clans. [I don't think it'll even be a blip on their radar,] he answered her truthfully. Anantya had other things to worry about that were of sufficient weight to make one of their older members controlling a younger, inexperienced, non-Clan vampire seem insignificant. [Unless,] he added, [he is one of yours.]

There was a slim likelihood that if the young man were Evenhet it might cause some concern. Evenhet was a recognized Clan and, at least as far as Amir was concerned, they were not to be trifled with lightly. If he were orphan, or non-affiliated at all, well, he was on his own.

They were distracted momentarily by the arrival of another person. Amir perked up visibly when he saw Pak. It was half-subconscious; he actually liked Bao's Evenhet child. Like Sorcha, it was a pity about the Evenhet thing. Pak wasn't aware of him in this form, intentionally, so Amir did nothing but wag his tail like any dog would.

[That is a Clanmate of yours,] he informed Sorcha helpfully. [Her name is Pakpao and like you, her Creator is from Anantya. She won't do any harm. You might enjoy her company. I don't know the man with her.]

Being out in the open air was nice. He could have danced with Pak all night, without a question. But, the farmer in him still enjoyed being outside. He rubbed a hand against the back of his neck as they walked. With his hair tucked in his hat, it did feel a little bare. Artemis half smiled at the idea of trying to talk Pak into taking the hat too.

He tried to suppress the laugh as Pak explained the trouble with disrobing him in public. Ultimately, he gave up and just laughed. Who cared if the other couples thought he was mad, he didn't. He had the costume to prove it. Unless Pak took it away from him.

"Yes, I agree completely. You putting on more clothing is definitely a problem."

After a brief pause, and a cheeky grin, he continued.

"Keep the cloak. It is a reminder of being a Roman. Not a part of my history that I am particularly attached too. It looked better on you anyway."

Truthfully, he didn't completely hate being a Roman. There was some aspects such as the influence on culture and science that he was quite pleased with. It was being a soldier he hated, and the rampant corruption of those with authority. Now he could just say he was Italian. From that, people either assumed he was a great lover or asked him if he could make pasta. Naturally, the answer was 'yes' to both.

Smiling at her as they walked, he looked toward the person that she had just been waving to. It was the tall redhead that he had noticed. And her little dog too. Artemis smiled and nodded politely as the woman returned Pak's greeting. She seemed friendly enough, but something about her still reminded him of Morrigan. It was probably just the hair and the height. He turned back to Pak, letting her lead him wherever she wanted to go.

"Do you still want to know how I know Jin?"

Pak stepped playfully into Artemis' path for just a second at the idea that she shouldn't put more clothing on.

She cocked her head at that statement, but didn't say anything. She sort of understood though. She didn't have anything left from being human. Nothing. Her husband hadn't exactly given her time to pack. The evening was going so well though, and Pak chose not to go down that road. Instead she shook her head at the other

"I'm sure it will look smashing once I grow into it."Â?

He had nearly a foot on her after all. But she would keep it safe for him, even if it didn't fit, at all.

The seemed to be ambling toward the lady with the dog and Pak didn't object. . She nodded at his question.

"Unless he has some serious dirt on you... no wait... in fact especially if he has something on you."Â?

Sorcha smiled at Evgeni's words, happy that she could reassure him of something at least.

[Of course you can have it back. I will make absolute certain of it.]

How utterly terrible of her! Sorcha realized they discussed his name but in the rather urgent nature of the situation she had never mentioned her own.

[My name is Sorcha, by the by, and the man with the adorable white cat ears is Jin.]

She didn't feel right about introducing either Amir or Mara, they were not her's to speak for but as Jin had already agreed to help her in her plan, Sorcha felt that he would not begrudge the man his name.

Returning her thoughts to Evgeni and what Amir had said about his clan's thoughts on Sofia's activities, Sorcha said.

[No, sadly, he's a Tacharan...even members of my own clan wouldn't give bugger-all about him.]

Looking towards the woman who was introduced by her canine companion, Sorcha's curiosity was piqued. She was Evenhet? And he knew her? Ah, her Creator was Anantya. Still, Amir seemed to be much more forward thinking than a lot of his clan mates.

Impulsively she knelt down and gave him a small hug, resting one arm over his shoulders as she watched the couple approach.

[I wonder who he is then. I suppose we might soon find out.]

[Then no,] Amir confirmed. [I would be vastly surprised if any Anantya raised so much as an eyebrow for a beleaguered orphan.]

He should have found his way to a real Clan if he wanted protection, Amir thought silently. But he didn't say that to Sorcha. He really was making an attempt at being cordial to Jin's daughter, because she was Jin's daughter.

When she knelt down at put her arm around him he blinked at her. What was this? Why was he being hugged? What had he said that warranted this unusual and unasked for physical contact? Who hugged crusty irritable Anantya Ancients dressed like German Shepherds anyway? Help!

What really happened, was he simply turned his face to her, tried not to pant jackal-breath in her face, and wagged his tail. Amir was too used to being in-character to fall out of it. He did wonder if she really was that soft-hearted, that her sympathy for a fellow vampire, even an orphan, prompted a physical expression.

[I expect that's so,] Amir answered her. [Pakpao won't recognize me this way,] he said, subtly informing Sorcha that the woman heading toward them was definitely not 'in the know' about his form, even if he weren't dyed and stuck on a leash.

Artemis laughed at her playful indignation. He stood by his statement though. Pak putting on more clothing was definitely a bad thing. Especially, if she was stripping him of his. Still amused, he took her hand as they continued to walk. He was glad she had not asked for further clarification about his Roman past. It was a conversation that they would have eventually, but he would rather it not be tonight.

He chuckled and nodded, as the conversation turned to Jin. Both he and the Anantya had been friends for a long time. Just how much of that he could actually share with Pak here, was the question.

"Yes, Jin does have a bit of dirt on me. Unfortunately, most of the dirt I have on him comes from things Alfarinn and I talked the poor man into."

Artemis considered how best to explain their association. Some things probably shouldn't be discussed openly, when there was the possibility of humans walking by. That day in the cafe, he had used DC as a kind of code for Anantya. How exactly was he going to explain Mai? As Jin's mother? Artemis shook his head and laughed. The Elder of the Hunt could be described a lot of ways, but maternal figure probably wasn't one of them.

"When I was in Anantya, I was in the Order of the Night with Jin. But also, Jin's....um...benefactor was one of my teachers"

He smiled at the memories of his lessons with Mai. There were no Japanese battle cries being yelled tonight, so he figured he was safe for the moment. Though, he should probably make arrangements to meet with both Mai and Morrigan now that he had returned. Glancing up from his thoughts, he realized that he and Pak had come to where the redhead was standing. Not wanting to be rude, Artemis smiled politely at her.

"Hello, lovely evening isn't? Are you enjoying the party?"

"Yeah? I might have to take for a cup of coffee some time then."Â?

Pak was not above using other sources to gather data. Data, dirt, it was all the same.

She couldn't remember if she knew Artemis had been part of Anantya or not. Either way it didn't surprise her and it certainly made sense knowing who his maker was. It was a funny old world, if her husband hadn't chased her out of the house and Bao had come back for her, she would be too. Well, he hadn't and she wasn't, so Pak didn't dwell on it.

Thanks to her renewed relationship with her creator Pak was a little more familiar with the orders than she had been. She cocked her head and considered Artemis and his choice of order. It made as much sense as any of them, more than some. The way he said it though made her raise an eyebrow.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"Â?

She might not find out for a while as they'd caught up with the red head. The dog seemed happy enough and the woman seemed to like her pet. But then again, the dog, unlike her cat, wasn't trying to eat something he shouldn't. Regardless Pak smiled as Artemis said their hellos.

Sorcha sighed at Amir's confirmation of what she believed to be correct as well.

[Its a cold hearted world we live in.]

She listened to Evgeni talk to her about her name. He then said to thank -them- very much and Sorcha wondered just what went on in the chapel. She had visions of the two cats taking to the air in a flying tackle, neatly knocking the raven haired wench off her incredibly insensible shoes.

Not likely, Jin had his moments but he wasn't crazy. Though there -had- been a few stories to make her wonder.

Sending to her creator, Sorcha relayed the message.

[Evgeni says to thank you both very much. What the bloody hell did you two do?]

Smiling at Amir and his addition to the information concerning her arriving clan mate, she replied.

[Understood. Fritz it is then.]

Standing, she brushed her hands down the sides of her dress. Sorcha gave them both a nod and answered the man's question with a gesture.

Flipping open her little notebook to the first page, Sorcha showed it to the two of them.

It read: My name is Sorcha. I'm mute but I can hear.

She took it back to write a message.

It has been quite lovely so far. If a bit uneventful.

[It's simply a world,] Amir replied philosophically. [It has no nature of its own, cold hearted or not. It's just what we make it to be.] He happened to think it was a vampire's world himself. Humans had this arrogant perception of themselves as being on top of the food chain. Maybe that was why a midnight snack was always so pleasurable. Nothing like thinking, 'think again, sucker,' while you were sinking your teeth into a warm jugular.

Pakpao and her date were upon them and Amir looked up at Sorcha as she stood. [My thanks,] he said with unaccustomed humility as she acknowledged that his form wasn't common knowledge in this company, in spite of his familiarity with Pakpao. Just because he half-liked Bao's child didn't mean he was willing for her to know all of his secrets. She was, after all, still an Evenhet. And she was disturbingly close to Kiamhaat.

While Sorcha went through the painstakingly awkward gestures of communicating without sending or sign language, Amir sat and waited patiently.

Jin and Pak spending quality alone time together? That could be bad. It was not that Artemis was worried that the other man would put the moves on Pak. That sort of thing didn't seem to be Jin's style. The issue was that the Anantya knew far too much. Only thing worse would be if Pak spent quality time with Alfarinn. No wait, Jin and Alfarinn together would be worse. Artemis resolved to uninstall various software packs from random computers around Meridian. That should keep Pak busy for awhile.

They had come to the young woman and her dog when Pak asked her question about the Order of the Night. It would be rude to continue a private conversation in front of the other woman. At least in an audible format anyway. Artemis shrugged and promised himself that he would answer Pak later.

He took a moment to consider the other woman. He had been surprised to find that she had write to communicate. Social gatherings like this one couldn't be easy for her. A part of him wanted to move himself and Pak along so that they would not burden Sorcha with having to write out a lengthy conversation. At the same time he knew how it had felt when he was human and the villagers would avoid him because he was different.

"My name is Artemis, and this Pakpao. I am glad you are enjoying the evening"

Artemis made up his mind. He wasn't a medical doctor, so he couldn't cure what ailed Sorcha. But, perhaps he could assist in another way. Eying Sorcha's dog for a moment, he began to slowly and deliberately open his coat. Holding the left side of the coat open wide, he was careful not to make any sudden movements which might startle the animal. Reaching into the inside pocket, he pulled out a business card. As he did so, he spoke calmly to the dog.

"Don't worry, I am not going to hurt her. I am just getting my business card. See."

He didn't know why he was talking to the dog. Perhaps it was all those centuries of talking to his cats. Artemis smiled. At least Sorcha didn't hear the dog's voice in her head the way he heard his cat's. To Sorcha, he explained the reason for the business card as he held it out for her to take.

"I am an inventor of sorts. I may be able to make something for you that might make communication a little less tedious. Unfortunately, I promised my date that I would be on my best behavior tonight. So sadly, I left all of my toys at home."

Winking at Pak, he buttoned his coat before once again taking her hand.

It didn't bother her at all when the conversation they'd been having trailed off. That was part of the hazards of socializing in mixed company, you got used to it.

Hmmmm this could be awkward. Part of Pak wanted to just send to the woman. It would speed things along and probably be easier for Sorcha. But, it might freak her out something terrible too. But she didn't immediately shy away from a conversation, probably too many did.

Uneventful? Rather indelicately, Pak snorted. She'd been flying, literally, around a dance floor. That was not uneventful.

"It's had its moments."Â?

It crossed Pak's mind that the dog might be a service animal and maybe it shouldn't be messed with. But how could a dog speak for you? Besides he didn't have a harness on. He was pretty enough though and she absently held her hand out for him to sniff before she petted.

"You cause quite enough trouble without them."Â?

Pak quipped with a playful eye roll. Pak felt a little bad about crashing the lady, and maybe she was looking for a bit of privacy, after all she was out here alone.

"We're not interrupting or anything are we?"Â?

My wasn't Amir just the philosopher; Sorcha was both amused and pleased.

[Indeed you have a point there.] She could have discussed personal beliefs and belief systems for quite some time but they had work to do and company as well. [What we make of it and how we react to the things not of our making are perhaps the most important parts of life.]

Sorcha nodded to the woman as she was introduced and gave her a smile. She then listened to Artemis speaking to Amir, as though he were a guard dog. Well, guard was right, dog, not so much. She liked that he was willing to talk to her canine companion and wondered what Amir would make of it.

She looked bemused at the tall man who gave her a business card but his words made the reasoning clear. He was not a door to door vacuum salesman nor was he here, at a cemetery, trying to get everyone to buy life insurance.

Though that was not a bad idea really. It was probably difficult for a human not to think of their own mortality in a place surrounded by death. Sorcha wondered if any business saavy salesmen had seen this as an opportunity.

She looked down at the business card and read what it said. Her eyebrows rose and she wrote in her book.

Meridian? I just moved in less than a week ago.

The world was quite the small place. Thanks to Amir, Sorcha knew that the woman was a vampire and a member of her clan. The man's card said he worked at the Towers and Sorcha wondered if the chief of R and D was a human or an immortal. With Evenhet, either was certainly possible.

She wrote again

Do you both live there?

She wasn't sure what to make of his offer just yet, in fact she wasn't quite sure what he wanted to make exactly. Sorcha could, and had, used a digital medium for writing and showing people what she was trying to say. A pad worked just as well as a cellphone so she used one just as often as the other. Perhaps he had something very different in mind. It was certainly worth looking into, especially since they were now neighbors.

She wrote again

Thank you very much for the offer. In answer to Pak's question, she wrote No, Fritz and I were out for fresh air and to stretch our legs.

[I usually do,] Amir replied wryly. [Whether or not it is shared by others is another matter entirely.]

Not that he cared. His point was his point, and that was that as far as Amir was concerned. There were only a few people who had ever managed to sway him once his mind was made up.

When the man gave his name, speaking to Amir in a soft, calm manner he imagined would have served well if he'd actually been a dog, Amir perked his ears up. He recognized the name; it was fairly unique. So this was Artemis. They had never met but Amir knew something of the former Anantya indirectly. At least he wasn't the only one who'd ever turned someone only to have them defect. Deplorable, really, though.

He regarded the man's soothing tone of voice with one ear half-cocked, one down and relaxed, as if he'd been unconcerned. The same went for Pak. She held her hand out to him and he obligingly sniffed it and then allowed himself to be petted. Again.

He was going to shower when he got back to the Manor. And never come out.

Unable to follow the conversation in its entirety he simply soaked up the gist of it. He didn't expect any trouble from Pak or her date. So he kept his eyes and ears tuned to those around them who weren't involved directly in the conversation, far off as they were... he could still hear bits and snatches.

The evening had had its moments. Some he wouldn't mind repeating. Artemis smiled as he watched Pak pet the dog. Over all though, he found himself agreeing with Sorcha. It had been uneventful, almost boring. At least by his standards. Where was the mischief, the mayhem, the car alarms? Honestly, this party needed something.Best behavior. Don't scuff the shoes. Artemis was sure that if the right moment came along, Pak wouldn't pass it up. Otherwise, he should try to keep that little chant in mind.

"I haven't caused any trouble this evening. At least, none that I know of."

He might have said more, but Sorcha had written another message. And, what were the odds? Of all the random people to run into at this party it would be someone who had just moved into Meridian.

"Yes, I live there. Though I have been away, visiting some friends in Italy. So I have only just returned myself."

Artemis was about to answer 'Yes, we live there', but he realized that Pak might not appreciate him always answering for her. The man speaking for the lady was an archaic tradition that was not always appreciated in these modern times. He would let Pak answer the question however she saw fit. Though, he was glad that they had not disturbed Sorcha.

She just moved in? Pak wondered if maybe her sending would be less unusual. Of course living in the building wasn't a guarantee of anything but it did increase the odds a bit.

"Live in one work in the other. It does make for an easy commute."Â?

There was a little smile at her own joke. It wasn't a great joke but it was hers.

Fritz huh? Not that she had any room to talk. Pak knelt down to play with him, well offered to play any way he seemed like kind of a serious dog.

"Little cold for leg stretching."Â? She muttered. "You are going to dive Mongkut crazy you know that right."Â?

Pak stood back up after giving Fritz a final pat. She wasn't sure the cat had ever smelt a dog before.

"Evening isn't over yet. If you think you can cause trouble on the way out the door and not get caught we can work something out."Â?

She half teased half baited Artemis.