Mara blinked as Jin reappeared with a sigh. She cocked her head at him, wondering at the reason for his posture, slumped against the wall and heading in a downward direction. She crossed back over to the other side of the room and knelt in front of him, but she didn't smell blood on him. What, then, was the trouble?
Oh.
She carefully took the little injector from Jin and glanced back at the unconscious human. Well. That was unexpectedly clever. And not at all welcome. She looked up from the injector to Jin again. Her fellow Nightsman was looking slightly worse for wear... or at least, not as together as he had before their little scuffle. Mara bent the needle on the injector and noted Jin's chest moving far more rapidly than it should be. Putting her hand out she brushed her thumb across his cheek and felt for his pulse with her forefinger. Way too fast.
"I'll get them out of the way. Hang tight, Jin," she said.
Out of the room seemed out of the question. For starters, Mara wasn't about to leave Jin by himself. And to further complicate matters she had no idea if the other rooms were empty. She wasn't about to risk carrying two senseless humans around while she checked. So she made the best of what she had.
Quickly she moved the humans, and after some thought, the vampire too, into the alcove. It was a tight squeeze but hey, no one was complaining. Using their previously up-ended table Mara built a hasty barricade. Hopefully it would do. Finally she went to the heavy door they had first come in and looked for a lock, which it had. She would wonder why later. For now, she gratefully clicked it closed.
That finished she returned to the wall where Jin was slumped over and crouched before him warily.
"I'm here Jin," she said. "Try to look at me."
People-Watching
Mara didn't see Jin's language change as at all unusual. As he spoke, she understood the need for the obscurity. She listened quietly, nodding her head as she thoughtfully nibbled on a piece of tuna. As she and Jin spoke she kept her chair close to his, legs nearly brushing, and both of them angled themselves so that they could see peripherally to the doorway while still looking like they were having an intimate conversation.
Blending in with a crowd was not difficult for Mara; in fact, it was her usual tactic whenever she was unable to become a cat and hide away. After Jin spoke she laughed, laying one hand on his arm as if he'd just said something witty and charming. Her smile stayed in place as she responded to him in the same language.
"Even if that is the case, what can we do?" She asked. It was their job to observe and take note; not to step in and try to effect immediate change. "What did she discover that has her upset?"
It hadn't been very long. What could Sorcha have learned in such a short time? Mara had faith in Amir... if he had let these people come in he couldn't have believed they were an immediate threat. Amir wasn't above shedding blood in a public place if it was necessary, although he could act with subtlety and was apparently doing so now.
She kept her eyes on Jin's face although she had already extended her senses all around them. She could hear a woman's voice speaking to the doorman in a British accent.
"Are they remaining outside for now, or following them in?" She suspected Sorcha and Amir were staying outside for the time being or they might not have opted to send a message in the manner they did.
Mara
14 years ago
Jin
14 years ago
Jin was vaguely aware that Mara was moving back and forth. It was weird; He could see a little golden trail as she moved. It looked like the tail of a comet and it was getting longer and longer as she walked back and forth. Jin wondered if she'd fall on it once it started filling up the room. That would be most ungraceful for someone so agile. The idea of Mara tripping over the light trail struck him as amusing and he chuckled to himself.
Oh, she was back in front of him again. Jin blinked and smiled up at her. "Your eyes are ..." Why was it so hard to think? "Prettier" Yes, that was what he was going to say. He was looking at her eyes. Focus, she had asked him to look at her. Jin rocked his head back until it bumped against the wall.
"That's impolite"
He said to whoever hit him.
Watching Mara, Jin sighed happily.
"White"
Oh, she was back in front of him again. Jin blinked and smiled up at her. "Your eyes are ..." Why was it so hard to think? "Prettier" Yes, that was what he was going to say. He was looking at her eyes. Focus, she had asked him to look at her. Jin rocked his head back until it bumped against the wall.
"That's impolite"
He said to whoever hit him.
Watching Mara, Jin sighed happily.
"White"
Mara
14 years ago
Mara sighed softly to herself as she observed Jin. He focused on her, all right, smacking his head against the wall with an audible thump. His words made little sense to her. Her eyes were neither impolite nor white, not at the moment anyway. Whatever was in his system was having a blast with him.
Sitting against the wall beside him she slipped her arm behind his head. No more of that, thank you. She scooted close to him and pulled him against her. Then she reached over with her free hand and gently finished pulling his tie from around his neck, tucking it into the pocket of his coat since she had nothing to put it in herself.
Asking him if he felt all right was redundant. She wasn't sure she'd get a reasonable answer anyhow. Mara wished she knew what had been in that syringe. Whatever it was, it seemed like he was dealing with it so far.
"Don't worry. It'll pass," she said confidently to her companion. "Whatever he put in you, we'll wait it out."
She hoped. How long it would take, she had no idea. Vampires were, of course, able to rid themselves of foreign substances faster than humans. But some drugs literally took hours before they faded, and Mara didn't relish the idea of having to explain this to anyone else.
((ooc: permission to move Jin))
Sitting against the wall beside him she slipped her arm behind his head. No more of that, thank you. She scooted close to him and pulled him against her. Then she reached over with her free hand and gently finished pulling his tie from around his neck, tucking it into the pocket of his coat since she had nothing to put it in herself.
Asking him if he felt all right was redundant. She wasn't sure she'd get a reasonable answer anyhow. Mara wished she knew what had been in that syringe. Whatever it was, it seemed like he was dealing with it so far.
"Don't worry. It'll pass," she said confidently to her companion. "Whatever he put in you, we'll wait it out."
She hoped. How long it would take, she had no idea. Vampires were, of course, able to rid themselves of foreign substances faster than humans. But some drugs literally took hours before they faded, and Mara didn't relish the idea of having to explain this to anyone else.
((ooc: permission to move Jin))
Jin
14 years ago
He was fairly certain that he didn't say what he wanted to say, Jin frowned and thought harder. It didn't help.
Mara sat down next to him and he decided not to worry about his malfunctioning brain. He was content to... oh, Jin smiled as Mara's arm came around behind his head. He happily leaned against her with his forehead against her neck. She smelled good, clean, and a bit like a cat.
"...nice"
Jin smiled against her skin as Mara tugged on his tie. It was like that? He remembered finding her very attractive and so smart but he didn't remember being so...familiar.
Well, he was in no state to complain. If she wanted to take advantage of him then he'd happily let her. Jin chuckled at that idea. He'd help.
He moved his hand up to the buttons of his shirt. Hey, his limbs were working again! That was a good thing; Mara wasn't likely to find him very impressive if he just sat there. Jin seemed to remember his fingers doing better most of the time but eventually he got the first button undone.
((OOC: Permission to smell Mara
))
Mara sat down next to him and he decided not to worry about his malfunctioning brain. He was content to... oh, Jin smiled as Mara's arm came around behind his head. He happily leaned against her with his forehead against her neck. She smelled good, clean, and a bit like a cat.
"...nice"
Jin smiled against her skin as Mara tugged on his tie. It was like that? He remembered finding her very attractive and so smart but he didn't remember being so...familiar.
Well, he was in no state to complain. If she wanted to take advantage of him then he'd happily let her. Jin chuckled at that idea. He'd help.
He moved his hand up to the buttons of his shirt. Hey, his limbs were working again! That was a good thing; Mara wasn't likely to find him very impressive if he just sat there. Jin seemed to remember his fingers doing better most of the time but eventually he got the first button undone.
((OOC: Permission to smell Mara
))
Mara
14 years ago
Apparently it was that kind of drug. Maybe whatever the eternity was mixed with? Mara didn't think Eternity had the same effect on vampires as humans, but the compounds they used could very well have been in that syringe.
Jin was leaning against her quite comfortably, and he didn't seem to be suffering any further physical effects from the drug aside from his rapid breathing and hammering pulse. Mara gently tangled the fingers of her free hand into his fumbling one.
"Let's just sit here for a little bit," she suggested softly.
She wanted to soothe, not excite. Aware that what goes up must come down, she figured it was a good thing to continue holding onto Jin. All the same she didn't want him too hyped up before the crash, if there was to be one. There were humans across the room. And one of them might wake up at any given time.
"Bet you didn't expect this tonight," she murmured, half to herself and half to Jin. "I'm sorry."
Although, it was mutual curiosity that had gotten them this far. It was a shame, though, because Mara had been enjoying Jin's company and she wasn't sure he'd want anything to do with her after this episode.
Jin was leaning against her quite comfortably, and he didn't seem to be suffering any further physical effects from the drug aside from his rapid breathing and hammering pulse. Mara gently tangled the fingers of her free hand into his fumbling one.
"Let's just sit here for a little bit," she suggested softly.
She wanted to soothe, not excite. Aware that what goes up must come down, she figured it was a good thing to continue holding onto Jin. All the same she didn't want him too hyped up before the crash, if there was to be one. There were humans across the room. And one of them might wake up at any given time.
"Bet you didn't expect this tonight," she murmured, half to herself and half to Jin. "I'm sorry."
Although, it was mutual curiosity that had gotten them this far. It was a shame, though, because Mara had been enjoying Jin's company and she wasn't sure he'd want anything to do with her after this episode.
Jin
14 years ago
He looked down at the hand holding his fingers and processed, after a few moments, the words she had said.
"Okay"
Jin could sit, he was quite content to sit. He nuzzled up more comfortably against her but he began sliding forward. Bringing his legs slowly, with great amounts of focus required, across Mara's, Jin nestled back comfortably against her.
Mara's skin felt so warm beneath his lips.
Sit, She told him to sit. Jin pulled away enough to look down slightly. He was sitting. That's good.
What didn't he expect tonight? Jin blinked and tried to sort it out. Maybe she was explaining why they were sitting. Jin listened for the answer and Mara said she was sorry. He guessed she didn't know either.
Settling back into the crook of her neck, he closed his eyes and sighed happily. It was hard to sit still, even though his limbs weren't working right. His heart was pounding and he really...
He'd never get to go on a date though if he couldn't at least do as she asked. Jin sat for what seemed like an eternity.
"Mara...I'm tired of sitting."
"Okay"
Jin could sit, he was quite content to sit. He nuzzled up more comfortably against her but he began sliding forward. Bringing his legs slowly, with great amounts of focus required, across Mara's, Jin nestled back comfortably against her.
Mara's skin felt so warm beneath his lips.
Sit, She told him to sit. Jin pulled away enough to look down slightly. He was sitting. That's good.
What didn't he expect tonight? Jin blinked and tried to sort it out. Maybe she was explaining why they were sitting. Jin listened for the answer and Mara said she was sorry. He guessed she didn't know either.
Settling back into the crook of her neck, he closed his eyes and sighed happily. It was hard to sit still, even though his limbs weren't working right. His heart was pounding and he really...
He'd never get to go on a date though if he couldn't at least do as she asked. Jin sat for what seemed like an eternity.
"Mara...I'm tired of sitting."
Mara
14 years ago
Jin was compliant for a while and Mara was thankful that this didn't seem like a horrible trip. With any luck they would be able to wait out the effects until Jin was able to throw them off. She considered trying to get him outside, maybe someplace safer, but he was already disoriented enough. She didn't think going back out into the music, crowds, noise, and sparking lights would be safe.
No sooner had he arranged himself in a comfortable manner, then he was informing her that he was tired of it.
"What would you rather do?" she asked cautiously. Mara didn't know a whole lot about dealing with people on drugs. She didn't want to give Jin free run of the room with their little macabre pile of bodies only half-hidden in the corner, but she was also afraid that if she continued to try to restrain him that might backfire.
She knew he wasn't entirely rational right now, but perhaps some small part of him understood the need to wait this out. If she could keep him talking, maybe they need not actually move anywhere at all. He still recognized her, so he wasn't completely out there. If she could strike the right balance of coercion and compliance there might be a way to keep him here with her, which would be ideal.
She rested her cheek on top of his head, waiting for him to respond but also not lapsing entirely into silence. Her father had a beautiful singing voice and he had passed that on to Mara. So in her soft mezzo, not quite singing but not exactly talking, she told him she knew it was difficult to sit, and that she was depending on him to stay where he was. She reminded him patiently that he was drugged. He was high, not stupid... something had to be clicking upstairs. For now.
No sooner had he arranged himself in a comfortable manner, then he was informing her that he was tired of it.
"What would you rather do?" she asked cautiously. Mara didn't know a whole lot about dealing with people on drugs. She didn't want to give Jin free run of the room with their little macabre pile of bodies only half-hidden in the corner, but she was also afraid that if she continued to try to restrain him that might backfire.
She knew he wasn't entirely rational right now, but perhaps some small part of him understood the need to wait this out. If she could keep him talking, maybe they need not actually move anywhere at all. He still recognized her, so he wasn't completely out there. If she could strike the right balance of coercion and compliance there might be a way to keep him here with her, which would be ideal.
She rested her cheek on top of his head, waiting for him to respond but also not lapsing entirely into silence. Her father had a beautiful singing voice and he had passed that on to Mara. So in her soft mezzo, not quite singing but not exactly talking, she told him she knew it was difficult to sit, and that she was depending on him to stay where he was. She reminded him patiently that he was drugged. He was high, not stupid... something had to be clicking upstairs. For now.
Jin
14 years ago
What would he rather do? Jin thought about that...and thought some more and nothing was forth coming. He felt himself sliping and he reached out to grab onto something to keep himself from falling. It was warm but it wasn't working; Jin felt himself dropping down a deep hole.
There was a bird or something. It was singing somewhere far above through the tunnel. The world became dark and then light. Light was everywhere.
"I remember him." Red hair fell down towards him. A face swam into view. "Do you think he can see us?"
"Who knows. Sorcha must have inherited the ability from somewhere right?" A deeper voice spoke but the owner couldn't be seen.
"Move. I am needing to speak with him." A third voice, beautiful eyes like a wolf. He wanted to call out to them but couldn't. The last speaker brushed light fingers across his brow. A woman with the hazel grey eyes watched him intently.
"The serpent strikes in pain. Show love. Tell him I..."
Whatever the third voice was going to say was lost. He waited in the darkness for her return.
There was a bird or something. It was singing somewhere far above through the tunnel. The world became dark and then light. Light was everywhere.
"I remember him." Red hair fell down towards him. A face swam into view. "Do you think he can see us?"
"Who knows. Sorcha must have inherited the ability from somewhere right?" A deeper voice spoke but the owner couldn't be seen.
"Move. I am needing to speak with him." A third voice, beautiful eyes like a wolf. He wanted to call out to them but couldn't. The last speaker brushed light fingers across his brow. A woman with the hazel grey eyes watched him intently.
"The serpent strikes in pain. Show love. Tell him I..."
Whatever the third voice was going to say was lost. He waited in the darkness for her return.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara was relieved that physical intervention didn't seem necessary. Before forming a coherent answer, Jin suddenly grabbed onto her tightly for a moment. Just as suddenly he fell away, tumbling backwards as if someone had pushed him. Mara reached to catch him but even as she did he was growing transparent and incorporeal.
"Jin!" she exclaimed, alarmed. This was not what she'd expected. How was she to keep tabs on him this way? And worse, what if he tried to solidify himself while he was in the floor? That could be disastrous.
She could see his hands, still hovering just above the level of the floor, as if they were reaching out. He didn't make any noise, didn't move... nothing. Mara reached out, her voice growing sharper as if she could penetrate whatever haze he was in.
"Jin, that's not safe." She didn't want to say 'come out' or anything that might actually be misunderstood as 'stop being a foggy white ghost-vampire' so she thought for a second. "Float, Jin. Maybe you should float up just a little bit, and come up here where I am."
She didn't know him well enough to know what other things might entice him. "Sorcha is here. She'd like it if you floated, too."
She put her hands inside of his, hoping their warmth would give him something to move towards although it was anyone's guess where the hell he was right now. Who knew if her words were doing harm or good, or even being heard at all.
Having done what she could, ready to clasp Jin's hands and pull should he randomly decide to turn solid again, Mara crouched anxiously and waited.
"Jin!" she exclaimed, alarmed. This was not what she'd expected. How was she to keep tabs on him this way? And worse, what if he tried to solidify himself while he was in the floor? That could be disastrous.
She could see his hands, still hovering just above the level of the floor, as if they were reaching out. He didn't make any noise, didn't move... nothing. Mara reached out, her voice growing sharper as if she could penetrate whatever haze he was in.
"Jin, that's not safe." She didn't want to say 'come out' or anything that might actually be misunderstood as 'stop being a foggy white ghost-vampire' so she thought for a second. "Float, Jin. Maybe you should float up just a little bit, and come up here where I am."
She didn't know him well enough to know what other things might entice him. "Sorcha is here. She'd like it if you floated, too."
She put her hands inside of his, hoping their warmth would give him something to move towards although it was anyone's guess where the hell he was right now. Who knew if her words were doing harm or good, or even being heard at all.
Having done what she could, ready to clasp Jin's hands and pull should he randomly decide to turn solid again, Mara crouched anxiously and waited.
Jin
14 years ago
The voices were farther away but he could still occasionally hear them.
"è·Ÿæˆ'æ�¥ !"
He frowned and tried to do what the voice said.
"快点�"
Jin tried again to move. The light was fading and the form ahead of him was running down a dark tunnel. He could feel himself follow. If felt very important that he get to the light at the end before...something.
"æˆ'该走了。"
The voice sounded sad and then it was gone.
Float? A new voice spoke. The opening of the tunnel grew larger and a set of eyes, green. different. wrong? came into view.
Jin blinked and felt warmth touching his hands. He held onto that and tried to sort out where he was.
"O-namae wa nan desu ka?"
((OOC: In Mandarin: 1.Come with me 2. Hurry up! 3. I have to go. In Japanese he asked Mara what her name was. ))
"è·Ÿæˆ'æ�¥ !"
He frowned and tried to do what the voice said.
"快点�"
Jin tried again to move. The light was fading and the form ahead of him was running down a dark tunnel. He could feel himself follow. If felt very important that he get to the light at the end before...something.
"æˆ'该走了。"
The voice sounded sad and then it was gone.
Float? A new voice spoke. The opening of the tunnel grew larger and a set of eyes, green. different. wrong? came into view.
Jin blinked and felt warmth touching his hands. He held onto that and tried to sort out where he was.
"O-namae wa nan desu ka?"
((OOC: In Mandarin: 1.Come with me 2. Hurry up! 3. I have to go. In Japanese he asked Mara what her name was. ))
Mara
14 years ago
For an interminable amount of time Mara simply talked and talked, using Jin's name, her name, whoever's name she thought might give him a thread to fix on. Whether by accident, coincidence, or design, something worked and Jin eventually rose up to the level of the floor and solidified, his hands gripping hers.
She immediately responded to him in his language of choice. "Watashi wa Mara desu," she said, giving him her name once more. "Akiramenaide, Jin, you can do it. Come back to me."
He looked confused; she didn't blame him. Mara kept her hands firmly in his, as if she could physically pull him back from wherever he went. Hopefully that had been the worst of it.
((ooc: name response, and "keep trying."))
She immediately responded to him in his language of choice. "Watashi wa Mara desu," she said, giving him her name once more. "Akiramenaide, Jin, you can do it. Come back to me."
He looked confused; she didn't blame him. Mara kept her hands firmly in his, as if she could physically pull him back from wherever he went. Hopefully that had been the worst of it.
((ooc: name response, and "keep trying."))
Jin
14 years ago
"Mara?"
Jin blinked at the woman who spoke to him. Not Mai, Mara. Dancing...Mara.
His head was swimming and the room was spinning in a fashion that threatened to bring the steak he had eaten earlier back to torment him. He was not entirely sure what all had happened but it must have been bad if the expression of concern and relief was any indication. What had he done? Jin was almost afraid to ask.
"Mara"
He smiled at her weakly and gently squeezed the hands in his.
"Thank you."
Jin closed his eyes and continued to lay there on the ground for a few more moments.
"I make a horrible escort."
Jin blinked at the woman who spoke to him. Not Mai, Mara. Dancing...Mara.
His head was swimming and the room was spinning in a fashion that threatened to bring the steak he had eaten earlier back to torment him. He was not entirely sure what all had happened but it must have been bad if the expression of concern and relief was any indication. What had he done? Jin was almost afraid to ask.
"Mara"
He smiled at her weakly and gently squeezed the hands in his.
"Thank you."
Jin closed his eyes and continued to lay there on the ground for a few more moments.
"I make a horrible escort."
Mara
14 years ago
Confusion warred with comprehension and the latter seemed to win out. At least Jin recognized her again, which was a drastic improvement from the past ten or fifteen minutes.
When Jin closed his eyes and laid his head back on the floor Mara squeezed his hands back, released them and placed them gently down, and stood. The room had been set for a private party; there was a pitcher of ice water on the untouched buffet table. The ice had melted but the water was still cool. She took a glass from one of the undisturbed table settings and filled it, then wet a napkin as well. Bringing both items back with her she settled herself by Jin's head.
"You're a wonderful escort," she said softly but firmly, her voice warm and still very much relieved. "Can you sit up a little?"
She helped him do so; just enough to elevate his head off of the hard floor and rest it back against her leg, moving very slowly the whole while. The water she would offer when he was a little more recovered. There would be no sense offering it to him now if it were just going to come back out again. Best to wait and make sure.
The napkin, she also left to the side. Jin had looked all right... relatively... when he'd surfaced but now the she had the opportunity to make an assessment again, laying her fingertips against his forehead, he seemed cool. He had been shaking, too, when he'd moved. So instead, she pulled his coat around him as best she could and then curled her legs up, cradling his upper body against her and shielding him from the cold floor.
"I hope you at least said hello to Elvis," she murmured, keeping her voice low.
When Jin closed his eyes and laid his head back on the floor Mara squeezed his hands back, released them and placed them gently down, and stood. The room had been set for a private party; there was a pitcher of ice water on the untouched buffet table. The ice had melted but the water was still cool. She took a glass from one of the undisturbed table settings and filled it, then wet a napkin as well. Bringing both items back with her she settled herself by Jin's head.
"You're a wonderful escort," she said softly but firmly, her voice warm and still very much relieved. "Can you sit up a little?"
She helped him do so; just enough to elevate his head off of the hard floor and rest it back against her leg, moving very slowly the whole while. The water she would offer when he was a little more recovered. There would be no sense offering it to him now if it were just going to come back out again. Best to wait and make sure.
The napkin, she also left to the side. Jin had looked all right... relatively... when he'd surfaced but now the she had the opportunity to make an assessment again, laying her fingertips against his forehead, he seemed cool. He had been shaking, too, when he'd moved. So instead, she pulled his coat around him as best she could and then curled her legs up, cradling his upper body against her and shielding him from the cold floor.
"I hope you at least said hello to Elvis," she murmured, keeping her voice low.
Jin
14 years ago
Jin made a little incredulous noise at her protest that he was a good escort. He wondered what her criteria for the job was; probably quite different from Amir's. He did his best to comply with her wishes when she asked him to sit up; it were probably for the best. He was finding moving to be incredibly difficult though and his muscles shook as he tried to make them work. On top of that the world had not stopped spinning.
He was content to lay where she positioned him. Jin would worry about his dignity when he could reliably command his body once more.
Smiling at her witty remark, Jin nuzzled his cheek against her leg. She had been so good through this despite barely knowing him. The least he could do was return the favor as much as he was able.
"Don't be silly. Elvis lives in Las Vegas."
He was content to lay where she positioned him. Jin would worry about his dignity when he could reliably command his body once more.
Smiling at her witty remark, Jin nuzzled his cheek against her leg. She had been so good through this despite barely knowing him. The least he could do was return the favor as much as he was able.
"Don't be silly. Elvis lives in Las Vegas."
Mara
14 years ago
"Does he?" Mara mused. "You would think Graceland would get fewer visitors then."
After a minute or two she rested her hand against Jin's forehead again and looked for signs of improvement. She hoped this was the worst of whatever crash there was; she knew he'd be fine ultimately, but she was still sorry for his having gone through this.
"Feeling any better?" At least now that he was mostly sensible again he could answer her, instead of her having to guess. "There's water here if you want some."
There was nothing else to do at the moment; Mara spared little thought for the people she'd stuffed into the alcove. The humans would be high for a while yet; the vampire was staked, and if the other dealer had woken up at any point he'd been wise enough to remain quiet. She likely would have heard though, if he had. Jin had made very little noise while indisposed.
After a minute or two she rested her hand against Jin's forehead again and looked for signs of improvement. She hoped this was the worst of whatever crash there was; she knew he'd be fine ultimately, but she was still sorry for his having gone through this.
"Feeling any better?" At least now that he was mostly sensible again he could answer her, instead of her having to guess. "There's water here if you want some."
There was nothing else to do at the moment; Mara spared little thought for the people she'd stuffed into the alcove. The humans would be high for a while yet; the vampire was staked, and if the other dealer had woken up at any point he'd been wise enough to remain quiet. She likely would have heard though, if he had. Jin had made very little noise while indisposed.
Jin
14 years ago
"Hmmm, perhaps, but I think they'd have to know which Elvis is the right one."
Mara's hand felt good against his forehead. He eventually opened his eyes to check the state of the earth's revolution. It seemed to have slowed down considerably.
"Yes, better."
She asked him about the water and the truth was that he was indeed thirsty. However, water wasn't exactly what he was craving. Mara, herself was the only person in the room he'd consider drinking from in a sane state and Jin doubted that she was going to volunteer.
He sat up a little and rested his head on his knees for a moment.
"What did you do with the others?"
Jin sneaked a glance around the room with a tilt of his head and noticed the table barricading the alcove. He could smell blood, vampire blood. It made him even more thirsty. Never taking his eyes off the upended table, Jin said
"Perhaps that water is a good idea."
Mara's hand felt good against his forehead. He eventually opened his eyes to check the state of the earth's revolution. It seemed to have slowed down considerably.
"Yes, better."
She asked him about the water and the truth was that he was indeed thirsty. However, water wasn't exactly what he was craving. Mara, herself was the only person in the room he'd consider drinking from in a sane state and Jin doubted that she was going to volunteer.
He sat up a little and rested his head on his knees for a moment.
"What did you do with the others?"
Jin sneaked a glance around the room with a tilt of his head and noticed the table barricading the alcove. He could smell blood, vampire blood. It made him even more thirsty. Never taking his eyes off the upended table, Jin said
"Perhaps that water is a good idea."
Mara
14 years ago
Mara helped Jin sit up and righted herself while he rested his head on his knees for a few moments. She watched him carefully, worried about him moving too quickly too soon, and couldn't help but notice his eyes on her hastily-made barricade. He was staring at it. Like a hungry cat eyes a caged canary.
She handed him the glass of water, mind working. Of course. His pounding heart, rapid breathing, using his abilities whether knowingly or not - he was probably famished. And she certainly wasn't going to let him stay that way. The sharing of resources was a personal thing for many of their kind, but she and Amir had shared on many occasions, and Mara had never been encouraged to be stingy when a Clanmate or friend was in need. If these weren't extenuating circumstances, she didn't know what were.
"Somehow I think water won't completely satisfy," she said, moving around in front of Jin and breaking his line of sight with the alcove. "This bar comes fully stocked though."
She smiled at him invitingly, brushing her hair from her neck and tilting her head a few times in a 'come hither' gesture. She couldn't think of anything else that would restore him faster, now that the worst of the drugs' effects were clearly passing.
She handed him the glass of water, mind working. Of course. His pounding heart, rapid breathing, using his abilities whether knowingly or not - he was probably famished. And she certainly wasn't going to let him stay that way. The sharing of resources was a personal thing for many of their kind, but she and Amir had shared on many occasions, and Mara had never been encouraged to be stingy when a Clanmate or friend was in need. If these weren't extenuating circumstances, she didn't know what were.
"Somehow I think water won't completely satisfy," she said, moving around in front of Jin and breaking his line of sight with the alcove. "This bar comes fully stocked though."
She smiled at him invitingly, brushing her hair from her neck and tilting her head a few times in a 'come hither' gesture. She couldn't think of anything else that would restore him faster, now that the worst of the drugs' effects were clearly passing.
Jin
14 years ago
Mara blocked his view and only then did Jin realize he was still staring at the alcove and the smell of sustenance beyond.
He looked up at her questioningly. Bar? Jin blinked once and mentally searched the room. Her meaning was made very clear when she removed her hair from her neck.
Jin pressed his lips together and closed his eyes. He should refuse. She deserved far better after everything that had happened tonight than to give up some of her blood for him.
The smell of life called to him.
Opening his eyes, Jin looked at Mara. This wasn't exactly how he wanted to get closer to her. Definitely not like this. It would be further irresponsible to go out into the crowd hungry as well as weak. If there was a threat to Anantya out there then he wouldn't be able to handle it at all. At the moment he wasn't sure he'd be a very good match for a human.
"I shouldn't."
He said that but still came up onto his knees in front of her. Gently pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms. Jin leaned back enough to watch her carefully.
"Are you sure?"
He looked up at her questioningly. Bar? Jin blinked once and mentally searched the room. Her meaning was made very clear when she removed her hair from her neck.
Jin pressed his lips together and closed his eyes. He should refuse. She deserved far better after everything that had happened tonight than to give up some of her blood for him.
The smell of life called to him.
Opening his eyes, Jin looked at Mara. This wasn't exactly how he wanted to get closer to her. Definitely not like this. It would be further irresponsible to go out into the crowd hungry as well as weak. If there was a threat to Anantya out there then he wouldn't be able to handle it at all. At the moment he wasn't sure he'd be a very good match for a human.
"I shouldn't."
He said that but still came up onto his knees in front of her. Gently pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms. Jin leaned back enough to watch her carefully.
"Are you sure?"
Mara
14 years ago
Mara, ever the consummate liar and actress, quelled the fluttering in her chest that told her very clearly that this man was not Amir and therefore an unknown variable. She stomped that down. Jin had behaved in every way the gentleman this evening, and furthermore she could supply what he needed and didn't mind that.
"Of course I'm sure." She reached out and gently tugged at one of his cat-ears, somehow miraculously still in place after everything he'd been through. "And you should. Otherwise I can't let you leave this room. Or leave it, myself. And as fun as this party has been, I don't intend to live here."
She allowed herself to be pulled closer, snuggled into him as a way of subtly defying her own psyche. When Jin pulled back, still hesitating, she favored him with the look every woman inherently knows from birth, the one reserved only for stubborn men who obviously can't see the forest for the trees. Lips pursed, peering up at him, brows arched, with a no-nonsense expression.
"Jin," she said, and her hand was gentle as it reached up and slid around his neck to encourage him to come back to her, "it's all right. Really. I'm happy to do this."
And she wasn't lying. She was glad to help. Jin couldn't sit in here staring at the alcove all night, nor could he wander out into the party as he was. She could provide for him; after all he'd likely have offered the same if their roles had been reversed, right?
"Of course I'm sure." She reached out and gently tugged at one of his cat-ears, somehow miraculously still in place after everything he'd been through. "And you should. Otherwise I can't let you leave this room. Or leave it, myself. And as fun as this party has been, I don't intend to live here."
She allowed herself to be pulled closer, snuggled into him as a way of subtly defying her own psyche. When Jin pulled back, still hesitating, she favored him with the look every woman inherently knows from birth, the one reserved only for stubborn men who obviously can't see the forest for the trees. Lips pursed, peering up at him, brows arched, with a no-nonsense expression.
"Jin," she said, and her hand was gentle as it reached up and slid around his neck to encourage him to come back to her, "it's all right. Really. I'm happy to do this."
And she wasn't lying. She was glad to help. Jin couldn't sit in here staring at the alcove all night, nor could he wander out into the party as he was. She could provide for him; after all he'd likely have offered the same if their roles had been reversed, right?
Jin
14 years ago
Her mention of staying at the party made him smile slightly but he still watched a few moments more to be absolutely certain she meant what she said.
Then she fixed him with that look that made him feel about six years old. How did women do that? Was it a born talent or handed down, taught in secret from mother to daughter?
Jin gently ran the back of one finger down her jaw and nodded.
"Thank you, Mara"
One was taught to accept gracefully what was honestly given by others. He would not disrespect her offer by refusing again. Especially not since it was for his own good and they both knew it.
Jin leaned forward and lightly pressed his cheek against her neck, rubbing gently back and forth once or twice, letting her get comfortable with him being so close and, yes, giving her a chance to say no one last time before he bit her. This was no lightly made offer, some vampires loathed the very idea of being bitten again by -anyone-. He wasn't just old, he was considered ancient by many and that meant gaining enormous strength while she would be slowly losing it. Mara had to be at least slightly worried that he would lose control and never stop.
Jin vowed to be as gentle as possible.
Pressing his lips against her skin, he tenderly kissed her once, His fangs ached with the tight reign on his hunger. Mara's pulse could be felt beneath his mouth and jin parted his lips enough to lightly touch his teeth to her neck. He paused a second or two before sinking them slowly downward.
He allowed her blood, potent and exotic to seep into his mouth. Jin savored that first taste of her, so different and yet similar to his own. He breathed in the clean warm scent of her. Holding her gently against him, his eyes closed in pleasure and he drank.
Then she fixed him with that look that made him feel about six years old. How did women do that? Was it a born talent or handed down, taught in secret from mother to daughter?
Jin gently ran the back of one finger down her jaw and nodded.
"Thank you, Mara"
One was taught to accept gracefully what was honestly given by others. He would not disrespect her offer by refusing again. Especially not since it was for his own good and they both knew it.
Jin leaned forward and lightly pressed his cheek against her neck, rubbing gently back and forth once or twice, letting her get comfortable with him being so close and, yes, giving her a chance to say no one last time before he bit her. This was no lightly made offer, some vampires loathed the very idea of being bitten again by -anyone-. He wasn't just old, he was considered ancient by many and that meant gaining enormous strength while she would be slowly losing it. Mara had to be at least slightly worried that he would lose control and never stop.
Jin vowed to be as gentle as possible.
Pressing his lips against her skin, he tenderly kissed her once, His fangs ached with the tight reign on his hunger. Mara's pulse could be felt beneath his mouth and jin parted his lips enough to lightly touch his teeth to her neck. He paused a second or two before sinking them slowly downward.
He allowed her blood, potent and exotic to seep into his mouth. Jin savored that first taste of her, so different and yet similar to his own. He breathed in the clean warm scent of her. Holding her gently against him, his eyes closed in pleasure and he drank.