Jin took the misunderstanding with good grace, which didn't surprise Mara. She hid a smile behind her hand and then said softly, also in Japanese, "I'll never understand that."
Jin didn't look remotely Japanese to her, but Mara had spent hundreds of years in Asia's various countries and was used to the little regional differences that set the people apart from each other. Going to Europe the first time she had had similar difficulty telling the people apart from each other herself; in some countries everyone had been ten feet tall with blond hair and blue eyes.
She ordered a drink that promised to be sweet and fruity called a Tokyo Sunrise, something with pineapple and coconut and grenadine and rum in it that sounded delicious and might have a parasol or a tiny sword if she was lucky. Then Jin leaned into her and whispered, and the brush of his lips on her skin distracted her so thoroughly that it took her a moment to realize what he'd said.
Mara favored him with a little grin of daring and said, "I'd love to see exactly what you learned. But you aren't allowed to shuffle forward mumbling 'Imohotep' repeatedly."
Their drinks arrived and she smiled with delight at the purple plastic sword that speared an orange slice, a pineapple, and a cherry. Mara automatically offered Jin the little sword, indicating that he was welcome to share the tasty fruit. It was no perfect orange but it still looked fresh and juicy, if slightly rum-soaked. Then she placed an order for chicken and scallops, thinking that if Jin were inclined to he could share her meal and they would have many different selections. Before the waitress left Mara guiltily added a tuna roll to her order, knowing that her eyes were probably bigger than her stomach but unable to resist. It was her most favorite, after all.
This particular setting made her a little more nervous than their previous one had. The people sharing the table with them were very friendly but with Mara that tended to have an opposite effect on her, and she slid over in her chair as far as she could go to get closer to Jin without shoving him out of his. If she clung, perhaps they'd simply think she was feeling amorous and not realize she was reluctant to open her mouth.
Not that that was a far cry from truth, anyhow. Still, she glanced up at her date to make sure her proximity wasn't unappealing.
Cooking Quest (Attn: Mara)
Jin had arranged to meet Mara at a Starbucks on the strip for their dinner date. They had planned to go on an exploration for good restaurants in town. Meeting here made it easy to find each other and it served as a good place to come back to afterward.
He had his iphone out and was working on adding some notes to his research into the attacks on the command vampires. The information was still disturbingly sparse. Another vampire was gone and all they knew was the killer had left through the sewer. So many came and went through that method that it hardly seemed useful. Still it was more than he had.
The two men in the cell provided some more information. He had them taken to an Anantya safe house. They were given food and medical attention and then questioned. It would seem Sofia had been occasionally torturing them. Others had been in the cell with them, Russians. They don't remember those leaving but people came and went all the time. The sick one had been there the longest and was near dead when they had been pulled out of the room. He remembered a man, a young blonde with a Russian accent. He said that the man was a vampire, like the woman. The blonde had fed from him; he had been more careful, taken less than the woman. The Russians then became the sole targets of her attention since he had seen the blonde the one time.
It was all very interesting. It reminded him of Sorcha's encounter during the Halloween party. Yvgeni, she said his name was. He had been controlled by a woman, a vampire. How many Russian vampires could there be that were being held by a woman that liked to torture people as a hobby. Jin would have to speak to Sorcha, soon!
Looking up, he saw Mara arrive. Jin sent Sorcha a text and then put away his phone and stood up.
"Good evening, Mara." Smiling, he greeted her with a quick hug and a kiss. Still holding on to her shoulders, he leaned back. "Would you like a cup of coffee before we go or are you hungry?"
Mara
13 years ago
Jin
13 years ago
Jin chuckled at Mara's statement while watching the young people further down the table.
He frowned and looked crestfallen when she told him he couldn't to the mind controlled mumble from the movie.
"But I do a great zombie walk." Jin protested with a pout.
Their drinks arrived. He had a nice hot tea and Mara had something fruity with a sword in it. She offered to share with him and he leaned forward and slid the pineapple off the end of the little weapon with his teeth. Licking the juice and rum off his lips, he smiled. "That's good."
He was definitely going to find a place that sold the little paper parasols so that he could keep a whole stash of them at the Manor for her. The party saw they had drinks and lifted their tiny cups of sake. Several of them shouting "Kampai!"
Jin chuckled and held up his steaming glass of tea. He noticed that Mara had moved closer to him; this direction also took her further away from the others. He placed a protective arm around her shoulders by resting it on the back of her chair. Giving her a private smile, Jin said " I wonder if they have any private parties we can drop in on." His eyes twinkled with just the idea of the mischief they could make. The restaurant was a large square with two open areas of tables in the front, several smaller rooms divided with shoji in the back left and the kitchen and restrooms off to the right.
Their cook came out and grinned at all of them. Jin sensed that alcohol backed the amiable outward appearance. Bowing to everyone, the man then went around the table checking to make sure he understood what each order was. His eyes went to the larger group and he said. "You party?"
The young people all made their agreement known with nods, yeses, and claps on the middle kid's back. Definitely a party. The cook got the idea very quickly, no doubt seeing plenty of birthdays each week. He gestured to their waitress. "More sake!" She disappeared and brought out a small carafe of alcohol and a few more cups. Placing one in front of Jin and Mara, the waitress then placed one in front of the cook. The man took the little bottle and began carefully doling out the drink.
He then raised his cup to the birthday boy and waiting for everyone to do the same.
"Kampai!"
Jin raised his little cup and offered his toast, drinking his sake for the celebration, he then declined a second round. The other group, however, were inclined to continue and several began pressuring the kid to try a drink called a 'sake bomb'.
Wrapping his other arm around Mara, Jin turned away and focused on her. "I don't know what a sake bomb is exactly but the chant suggests that it is somehow embarrassing. I kind of feel sorry for the kid but he chose his friends." He shrugged philosophically and leaned in a little further to give Mara a light kiss on the cheek. " Ah well, knowledge for next time. As a great philosopher once said, 'Mind what you have learned. Save you it can."
He frowned and looked crestfallen when she told him he couldn't to the mind controlled mumble from the movie.
"But I do a great zombie walk." Jin protested with a pout.
Their drinks arrived. He had a nice hot tea and Mara had something fruity with a sword in it. She offered to share with him and he leaned forward and slid the pineapple off the end of the little weapon with his teeth. Licking the juice and rum off his lips, he smiled. "That's good."
He was definitely going to find a place that sold the little paper parasols so that he could keep a whole stash of them at the Manor for her. The party saw they had drinks and lifted their tiny cups of sake. Several of them shouting "Kampai!"
Jin chuckled and held up his steaming glass of tea. He noticed that Mara had moved closer to him; this direction also took her further away from the others. He placed a protective arm around her shoulders by resting it on the back of her chair. Giving her a private smile, Jin said " I wonder if they have any private parties we can drop in on." His eyes twinkled with just the idea of the mischief they could make. The restaurant was a large square with two open areas of tables in the front, several smaller rooms divided with shoji in the back left and the kitchen and restrooms off to the right.
Their cook came out and grinned at all of them. Jin sensed that alcohol backed the amiable outward appearance. Bowing to everyone, the man then went around the table checking to make sure he understood what each order was. His eyes went to the larger group and he said. "You party?"
The young people all made their agreement known with nods, yeses, and claps on the middle kid's back. Definitely a party. The cook got the idea very quickly, no doubt seeing plenty of birthdays each week. He gestured to their waitress. "More sake!" She disappeared and brought out a small carafe of alcohol and a few more cups. Placing one in front of Jin and Mara, the waitress then placed one in front of the cook. The man took the little bottle and began carefully doling out the drink.
He then raised his cup to the birthday boy and waiting for everyone to do the same.
"Kampai!"
Jin raised his little cup and offered his toast, drinking his sake for the celebration, he then declined a second round. The other group, however, were inclined to continue and several began pressuring the kid to try a drink called a 'sake bomb'.
Wrapping his other arm around Mara, Jin turned away and focused on her. "I don't know what a sake bomb is exactly but the chant suggests that it is somehow embarrassing. I kind of feel sorry for the kid but he chose his friends." He shrugged philosophically and leaned in a little further to give Mara a light kiss on the cheek. " Ah well, knowledge for next time. As a great philosopher once said, 'Mind what you have learned. Save you it can."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara cocked an eyebrow at Jin and said, with a wry little twist of her lips, "I've no doubt you do, but I much prefer my date thinking more and shambling less. The vacant, glassy stare is somewhat of a turn-off too." She flashed him a quick grin and nibbled the cherry off of the little purple sword, setting the stem aside on her napkin and offering Jin the orange slice, if he wanted that. She liked the little cherry best, herself.
Mara lifted her glass with everyone else but didn't move away from Jin to do so; if anything the table was getting louder by the second. She clutched her drink in her hands and stared, wide-eyed, at the guy with the birthday, feeling sorry for him. He didn't look to be enjoying it all that much and she sympathized.
She felt Jin's arm around her shoulders and settled somewhat, pleased that his presence had the same soothing effect on her as her creator's. She did trust Jin. Every time they were together he gave her more and more reason to do so. His understanding now was a relief.
"We could always start our own," she said with a soft laugh. They had nearly done so at Halloween, after all.
Her train of thought was derailed when the chef made his appearance, checking their orders, and immediately demanding they drink a toast, which Mara did. She didn't want to be rude. She followed Jin's lead, though, declining a second round. She had a drink already. She didn't want to end her date drunk. She had only planned to sip at hers, which she did slowly.
She quickly put it down, however, when the atmosphere in the restaurant became a little more intense than she liked. The poor birthday kid was being chanted at, and everyone in the restaurant was picking it up, repeatedly calling out, "sake" in louder and louder tones. It didn't frighten her, exactly, but loud noises on top of already being in a crowded place was a little overwhelming to her.
Jin seemed to know that. He turned toward her fully and his other arm came around her. Mara gave a little sigh. She definitely wanted to be held by him, but this hadn't really been how she'd seen it happening in her head. When he brushed his lips on her cheek she leaned toward him and pressed her face against his shoulder.
"I don't think green is really your color," she whispered up to him, knowing he'd hear her over the increasingly loud "sake" chant.
Apparently the guy relented because there was a great roar of approval and a flurry of activity beyond Jin's shoulder. Mara peeked around him to watch what was happening and then looked up. "I think we're about to find out," she said softly, nodding her chin in the direction of the birthday boy. She didn't want Jin to miss out on learning about sake bombs.
What happened next was enough to make her stare some more, this time with fascination. Two chopsticks were balanced over a glass of what looked like beer, and then a shot of sake was placed upon them. The birthday kid as well as all of his friends suddenly slammed their hands down on the table and began to count.
"One!"
Mara immediately jumped, not expecting the thumping. Two and three followed in a similar manner, and suddenly the shot of sake dropped into the glass of beer. The kid immediately grabbed the glass and chugged it down to Mara's horror. She didn't have any words for that... it looked disgusting to her. She looked up at Jin, aghast.
"Let's go someplace else on my birthday," she hissed softly into his ear.
After that, however, the atmosphere settled down and things got back to normal. The birthday guy looked pretty relaxed now, too. he shot Mara a speculative glance but she blinked at him with wide, pale eyes and merely slipped an arm around Jin's waist to watch the chef go to work.
Mara lifted her glass with everyone else but didn't move away from Jin to do so; if anything the table was getting louder by the second. She clutched her drink in her hands and stared, wide-eyed, at the guy with the birthday, feeling sorry for him. He didn't look to be enjoying it all that much and she sympathized.
She felt Jin's arm around her shoulders and settled somewhat, pleased that his presence had the same soothing effect on her as her creator's. She did trust Jin. Every time they were together he gave her more and more reason to do so. His understanding now was a relief.
"We could always start our own," she said with a soft laugh. They had nearly done so at Halloween, after all.
Her train of thought was derailed when the chef made his appearance, checking their orders, and immediately demanding they drink a toast, which Mara did. She didn't want to be rude. She followed Jin's lead, though, declining a second round. She had a drink already. She didn't want to end her date drunk. She had only planned to sip at hers, which she did slowly.
She quickly put it down, however, when the atmosphere in the restaurant became a little more intense than she liked. The poor birthday kid was being chanted at, and everyone in the restaurant was picking it up, repeatedly calling out, "sake" in louder and louder tones. It didn't frighten her, exactly, but loud noises on top of already being in a crowded place was a little overwhelming to her.
Jin seemed to know that. He turned toward her fully and his other arm came around her. Mara gave a little sigh. She definitely wanted to be held by him, but this hadn't really been how she'd seen it happening in her head. When he brushed his lips on her cheek she leaned toward him and pressed her face against his shoulder.
"I don't think green is really your color," she whispered up to him, knowing he'd hear her over the increasingly loud "sake" chant.
Apparently the guy relented because there was a great roar of approval and a flurry of activity beyond Jin's shoulder. Mara peeked around him to watch what was happening and then looked up. "I think we're about to find out," she said softly, nodding her chin in the direction of the birthday boy. She didn't want Jin to miss out on learning about sake bombs.
What happened next was enough to make her stare some more, this time with fascination. Two chopsticks were balanced over a glass of what looked like beer, and then a shot of sake was placed upon them. The birthday kid as well as all of his friends suddenly slammed their hands down on the table and began to count.
"One!"
Mara immediately jumped, not expecting the thumping. Two and three followed in a similar manner, and suddenly the shot of sake dropped into the glass of beer. The kid immediately grabbed the glass and chugged it down to Mara's horror. She didn't have any words for that... it looked disgusting to her. She looked up at Jin, aghast.
"Let's go someplace else on my birthday," she hissed softly into his ear.
After that, however, the atmosphere settled down and things got back to normal. The birthday guy looked pretty relaxed now, too. he shot Mara a speculative glance but she blinked at him with wide, pale eyes and merely slipped an arm around Jin's waist to watch the chef go to work.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin smiled and said "But what if I promised to be -your- zombie?" He gave her a sly little grin and then took the orange off the sword. It was not quite the orange of his childhood but he might have one more good memory to add to eating the fruit.
The idea of starting their own private party seemed more and more tempting as the place suddenly became very loud.
Somewhat surprised that Mara had seen Star Wars, Jin laughed. She was a woman of many facets and the more he learned about her the more intrigued he was and the more enamored. "No, green is not a good colour for me but... Short I am, white hair I have."
Twisting half back around, he laid he his hand on Mara's knee and tilted his head to look back at the other end of the table. Jin watched the set up for the alcoholic beverage. To him it appeared that the main appeal of the drink was the peer pressure involved in its consumption and the large spectacle that it made.
He chuckled at Mara's request and nodded his head. "I can think of much better past times for your birthday. But just so that I have plenty of time to prepare, when might that be?"
Jin followed his companion's gaze to the birthday boy and saw that his attention was focused on her. He gave Mara a comforting little squeeze while regarding the kid with serene but non compromising scrutiny of his own. The boy looked somewhat embarrassed and quickly turned his attention elsewhere. Jin felt he had been almost rude to stare and felt somewhat guilty for the bad manners. However, he reasoned the stranger started it and knew better himself, hence the chagrin at getting caught.
Turning his attention to the cook, Jin found that a little onion ring pyramid was forming on the center of the grill. It was soon filled with flammable liquid,set on fire and sent scooting across the cooking surface with a spatula. The cook gave them all a big grin and hooted "Choo choo" repeatedly, just in case any of his inebriated guests might have been too slow to get it the first few times it was said.
Next came a delightful twirling, tossing and catching of an egg. Jin watched it as it bounced on the back of the spatula not far from his seat. Following the motion was mesmerizing and he was very tempted to reach out and snatch it before it could be caught. Casting a glance at Mara, Jin wondered if she felt the same way. He gave her a grin and then turned back around. The egg had been broken and for the moment the chef had gotten back to the business of cooking the food instead of playing with it.
The idea of starting their own private party seemed more and more tempting as the place suddenly became very loud.
Somewhat surprised that Mara had seen Star Wars, Jin laughed. She was a woman of many facets and the more he learned about her the more intrigued he was and the more enamored. "No, green is not a good colour for me but... Short I am, white hair I have."
Twisting half back around, he laid he his hand on Mara's knee and tilted his head to look back at the other end of the table. Jin watched the set up for the alcoholic beverage. To him it appeared that the main appeal of the drink was the peer pressure involved in its consumption and the large spectacle that it made.
He chuckled at Mara's request and nodded his head. "I can think of much better past times for your birthday. But just so that I have plenty of time to prepare, when might that be?"
Jin followed his companion's gaze to the birthday boy and saw that his attention was focused on her. He gave Mara a comforting little squeeze while regarding the kid with serene but non compromising scrutiny of his own. The boy looked somewhat embarrassed and quickly turned his attention elsewhere. Jin felt he had been almost rude to stare and felt somewhat guilty for the bad manners. However, he reasoned the stranger started it and knew better himself, hence the chagrin at getting caught.
Turning his attention to the cook, Jin found that a little onion ring pyramid was forming on the center of the grill. It was soon filled with flammable liquid,set on fire and sent scooting across the cooking surface with a spatula. The cook gave them all a big grin and hooted "Choo choo" repeatedly, just in case any of his inebriated guests might have been too slow to get it the first few times it was said.
Next came a delightful twirling, tossing and catching of an egg. Jin watched it as it bounced on the back of the spatula not far from his seat. Following the motion was mesmerizing and he was very tempted to reach out and snatch it before it could be caught. Casting a glance at Mara, Jin wondered if she felt the same way. He gave her a grin and then turned back around. The egg had been broken and for the moment the chef had gotten back to the business of cooking the food instead of playing with it.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara suppressed a little purr at the thought of 'hers' and stifled the possessiveness. "I will admit," she said, "that the idea is tempting enough for me to reconsider the appeal of a vacant stare."
She shook her head in slight reprimand at Jin's further comparison to Yoda and countered back. "Yes, you're full of wisdom too and I've no doubt you can handle a sword but let's be frank, Jin, you've certainly aged a lot better. Must be something in the blood."
Still leaning against him, using him as a physical barrier against the shouting, she favored him with an innocent expression at the double meaning. With the restaurant atmosphere dying back down to believable levels and Jin's comforting presence nearby, the noise and crowd together were starting to bother her less. She sat back up properly in her chair so that Jin could pay attention to what was going on around them and eat unencumbered by a clinging cat-girl.
As the cook actually began to cook she pondered Jin's question for a moment. "I don't know the exact date," she said with a smile. "It never seemed important. I do know it was right in the middle of the dry season of the Nile, so somewhere in March would be about right. Do I get to know yours too?"
It felt good to realize that not only had Jin noted the hopeful glance in her direction but he'd squashed it with a return stare of his own. Mara could hold her own but having someone in your corner always helped. Turning her attention to the show she found herself just as fascinated as her companion by the flying egg. She glanced over at Jin, met his eyes, and gave him a sheepish, knowing little smile.
The next part was her favorite. The cook was only seasoning their food but he did so in the manner of hibachi cooks everywhere, with flair. He flung salt and pepper shakers around, flipped knives and spatulas over each other, and made an ordinary event seem amazing and dangerous. Which, she supposed, it might be depending on how much sake he'd actually drunk before coming out here.
During this display the tuna roll she'd ordered earlier arrived and Mara slid the little dish between her and Jin so they could share it. Filling her dipping bowl with soy sauce she plucked a piece of maki from the plate with her chopsticks, tapped it very lightly against the salty soy sauce, and then ate it with a little sigh of pleasure.
She shook her head in slight reprimand at Jin's further comparison to Yoda and countered back. "Yes, you're full of wisdom too and I've no doubt you can handle a sword but let's be frank, Jin, you've certainly aged a lot better. Must be something in the blood."
Still leaning against him, using him as a physical barrier against the shouting, she favored him with an innocent expression at the double meaning. With the restaurant atmosphere dying back down to believable levels and Jin's comforting presence nearby, the noise and crowd together were starting to bother her less. She sat back up properly in her chair so that Jin could pay attention to what was going on around them and eat unencumbered by a clinging cat-girl.
As the cook actually began to cook she pondered Jin's question for a moment. "I don't know the exact date," she said with a smile. "It never seemed important. I do know it was right in the middle of the dry season of the Nile, so somewhere in March would be about right. Do I get to know yours too?"
It felt good to realize that not only had Jin noted the hopeful glance in her direction but he'd squashed it with a return stare of his own. Mara could hold her own but having someone in your corner always helped. Turning her attention to the show she found herself just as fascinated as her companion by the flying egg. She glanced over at Jin, met his eyes, and gave him a sheepish, knowing little smile.
The next part was her favorite. The cook was only seasoning their food but he did so in the manner of hibachi cooks everywhere, with flair. He flung salt and pepper shakers around, flipped knives and spatulas over each other, and made an ordinary event seem amazing and dangerous. Which, she supposed, it might be depending on how much sake he'd actually drunk before coming out here.
During this display the tuna roll she'd ordered earlier arrived and Mara slid the little dish between her and Jin so they could share it. Filling her dipping bowl with soy sauce she plucked a piece of maki from the plate with her chopsticks, tapped it very lightly against the salty soy sauce, and then ate it with a little sigh of pleasure.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin laughed and sat up straighter when she said he was full of wisdom. Giving her a smile, he gave her an dismissive shrug of his shoulder tinged with a slight blush at the mention of him aging better than the mythical green master of the force.
He listened thoughtfully at her explanation of when her birthday had been. "I suppose we will just have to celebrate the entire month of March then." Jin nodded when she asked for his and said "The twenty eighth of October by the western calendar." Births were recorded in his family even that far back with meticulous detail.
Watching her pick up the first piece of Sushi, Jin smiled at Mara's little sigh of pleasure. He opened the package of chopsticks and picked up a piece. It smelled nice and fresh. Dipping a roll into the sauce, he carefully brought it to his mouth, holding the other hand up underneath the sushi in case it should spill. It was delicious. Jin savored the maki slowly and then sat for a moment before turning to Mara.
"Now, that's excellent."
His rice had been placed in front of him and now the cook was doling out shrimp. Jin noticed that everyone got a few pieces, even those who ordered something else. A couple of pieces were left. The cook smiled at the birthday boy and held up the shrimp on the spatula. The guy looked a little confused, the cook opened his mouth and gestured with the spatula to get the point across. Too much sake.
Turning to Jin, the cook raised his eyebrows. Jin obliged. Opening his mouth and watching the cook as he tossed the shrimp. It landed where it was supposed to and the cook turned back to the boy. Now understanding, he looked a little nervous again but opened his mouth just the same. The kid seemed to think he was going to have to catch the seafood when it was actually more about the skill of the cook's toss. The shrimp landed in his mouth and he looked happily surprised by it. Jin chuckled and the chef enthused "Very good!" grinning to himself as he went back to preparing the rest of the food.
He listened thoughtfully at her explanation of when her birthday had been. "I suppose we will just have to celebrate the entire month of March then." Jin nodded when she asked for his and said "The twenty eighth of October by the western calendar." Births were recorded in his family even that far back with meticulous detail.
Watching her pick up the first piece of Sushi, Jin smiled at Mara's little sigh of pleasure. He opened the package of chopsticks and picked up a piece. It smelled nice and fresh. Dipping a roll into the sauce, he carefully brought it to his mouth, holding the other hand up underneath the sushi in case it should spill. It was delicious. Jin savored the maki slowly and then sat for a moment before turning to Mara.
"Now, that's excellent."
His rice had been placed in front of him and now the cook was doling out shrimp. Jin noticed that everyone got a few pieces, even those who ordered something else. A couple of pieces were left. The cook smiled at the birthday boy and held up the shrimp on the spatula. The guy looked a little confused, the cook opened his mouth and gestured with the spatula to get the point across. Too much sake.
Turning to Jin, the cook raised his eyebrows. Jin obliged. Opening his mouth and watching the cook as he tossed the shrimp. It landed where it was supposed to and the cook turned back to the boy. Now understanding, he looked a little nervous again but opened his mouth just the same. The kid seemed to think he was going to have to catch the seafood when it was actually more about the skill of the cook's toss. The shrimp landed in his mouth and he looked happily surprised by it. Jin chuckled and the chef enthused "Very good!" grinning to himself as he went back to preparing the rest of the food.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara raised her eyebrows at Jin. "Happy Birthday, a little late," she said. "I'm sorry I missed it."
By three days apparently. Well... hopefully Jin would have many more birthdays that Mara would be aware of and able to celebrate. She definitely thought it was worth adding October 28th to her list of 'days I'm thankful for.' She continued to ponder her own birthday as she nibbled on another piece of maki.
"Well, I suppose you could do that," she said with a flush and a laugh, "but it seems to me even after our family's records were gone, we kept celebrating my birthday on or around the fifteenth. That would do just as well."
The idea of it enchanted her; Mara hadn't celebrated her birthday since she'd been turned. It hadn't seemed important, although that was almost certainly Amir's influence. Mara knew from experience Amir had no idea when his own birthday was. He knew the general time of year and that was about it. She had followed his lead and not bothered with her own. Talking to Jin, however, was making her dig far back into her memory for little details she thought she had forgotten and she remembered more than she thought she did.
Distracted from her train of thought by the chef once more, Mara grinned as Jin played along with the game and benefited by another piece of shrimp. Better him than her, she mused, gazing at the growing pile of food on the hibachi grill. She was going to have to offer to bus tables to work off this meal, or curl up someplace warm and sleep it off for the next day.
By now the various meats and vegetables were sizzling away and the scent of the grill was delectable and nearly overwhelming in a good way. Mara inhaled and gave a soft hum of satisfaction. "Your nose does a reliably good job too," she said to Jin with a smile. Noise aside, it was a lovely restaurant. And fun!
One by one the various vegetables and meats were cooked up and passed out. When the plates were full the chef gave a little bow and made a flourish with his knives as he put them away. He continued to chatter at them politely as he cleaned the grill off and all of them had a chance to sample the fruits of his efforts.
By three days apparently. Well... hopefully Jin would have many more birthdays that Mara would be aware of and able to celebrate. She definitely thought it was worth adding October 28th to her list of 'days I'm thankful for.' She continued to ponder her own birthday as she nibbled on another piece of maki.
"Well, I suppose you could do that," she said with a flush and a laugh, "but it seems to me even after our family's records were gone, we kept celebrating my birthday on or around the fifteenth. That would do just as well."
The idea of it enchanted her; Mara hadn't celebrated her birthday since she'd been turned. It hadn't seemed important, although that was almost certainly Amir's influence. Mara knew from experience Amir had no idea when his own birthday was. He knew the general time of year and that was about it. She had followed his lead and not bothered with her own. Talking to Jin, however, was making her dig far back into her memory for little details she thought she had forgotten and she remembered more than she thought she did.
Distracted from her train of thought by the chef once more, Mara grinned as Jin played along with the game and benefited by another piece of shrimp. Better him than her, she mused, gazing at the growing pile of food on the hibachi grill. She was going to have to offer to bus tables to work off this meal, or curl up someplace warm and sleep it off for the next day.
By now the various meats and vegetables were sizzling away and the scent of the grill was delectable and nearly overwhelming in a good way. Mara inhaled and gave a soft hum of satisfaction. "Your nose does a reliably good job too," she said to Jin with a smile. Noise aside, it was a lovely restaurant. And fun!
One by one the various vegetables and meats were cooked up and passed out. When the plates were full the chef gave a little bow and made a flourish with his knives as he put them away. He continued to chatter at them politely as he cleaned the grill off and all of them had a chance to sample the fruits of his efforts.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin smiled. "Thank you." He was now looking forward to next year's birthday a little more. Of course they still had Mara's before then, Valentines, Chinese New Year... They'd be celebrating a lot of things before they got back around to the date of his birth. Mara narrowed her birthday to around the fifteenth of March but Jin wasn't sure he was giving up on the original plan. "Beware the Ides of March... for there will be a large party at the Manor."
Using his fork, he scooped up a few pieces of his steak and sat them on the edge of Mara's plate.
"This is very good. If you'd like to try it." If not he would most certainly consume it himself.
The kids had become quiet now that they were eating. The cook finished and everyone clapped. Jin gave him a small bow and said "Arigatou gozaimasu." which he noted that Mara also expressed. The man looked up a little surprised and gave them a bow in return before heading back to the kitchen with his cart.
Favoring Mara with a smile, he nodded his head about the food. It was good, hopefully tasty enough to put up the party and noise. He wondered what trouble they could get into before wanting dessert. Perhaps they could find a nice park or some interesting stores to look into.
((OOC: Mara's Arigato with permission ))
Using his fork, he scooped up a few pieces of his steak and sat them on the edge of Mara's plate.
"This is very good. If you'd like to try it." If not he would most certainly consume it himself.
The kids had become quiet now that they were eating. The cook finished and everyone clapped. Jin gave him a small bow and said "Arigatou gozaimasu." which he noted that Mara also expressed. The man looked up a little surprised and gave them a bow in return before heading back to the kitchen with his cart.
Favoring Mara with a smile, he nodded his head about the food. It was good, hopefully tasty enough to put up the party and noise. He wondered what trouble they could get into before wanting dessert. Perhaps they could find a nice park or some interesting stores to look into.
((OOC: Mara's Arigato with permission ))
Mara
13 years ago
"Oh, my," Mara said. "I suppose... so long as there's no 'pin the tail on the mau' game involved."
Never having actually celebrated her birthday since her turning, it hadn't occurred to her that it was right around the time of that important historical assassination. Mara chewed a small piece of scallop thoughtfully and swallowed it before turning to Jin. "Did I say March? I must have meant April. Or February." Her smile clearly showed that she was joking, however. The date of her birth coinciding with the death of persons real or fictional was purely coincidental.
"Gladly," Mara said, accepting the pieces of steak, "but we may have to trade or you might need to carry me out in a food coma."
Turning her hand over she used the untouched ends of her chopsticks to place a few pieces of chicken and scallop at the edge of Jin's plate. Mara never minded sharing food, and she was happy that Jin didn't seem to either. It made trying new things so much more fun when everyone had a little of everything.
Thanking the chef as he left the table, Mara was happy to find that the party at the other end was eating more or less quietly. There were no more riotous interruptions for the course of their meal and they were able to eat and talk peacefully. Knowing dessert was yet to follow, Mara paced herself. She hated to have food left over so she finished everything in front of her, but there would definitely need to be some walking or biking involved before she tried to fill herself up again.
When they were finished and once more bundled up to brave the cold again, Mara and Jin headed back out the door with a last "Happy Birthday" wish to the kid who'd done the sake bomb and several more drinks after, and now looked pretty pleased with himself.
It had only grown colder as the night aged on and Mara felt the chill the second they opened the door. Her breath puffed up as she turned to Jin and said, "Back again, or front?"
Either way he might have to defrost her from the bike seat when they stopped again. It was definitely a bit cold for her tastes. Looking at Jin, though, she did her best to ignore the chill. She'd happily suffer more than a little cold weather for the pleasure of his company.
Never having actually celebrated her birthday since her turning, it hadn't occurred to her that it was right around the time of that important historical assassination. Mara chewed a small piece of scallop thoughtfully and swallowed it before turning to Jin. "Did I say March? I must have meant April. Or February." Her smile clearly showed that she was joking, however. The date of her birth coinciding with the death of persons real or fictional was purely coincidental.
"Gladly," Mara said, accepting the pieces of steak, "but we may have to trade or you might need to carry me out in a food coma."
Turning her hand over she used the untouched ends of her chopsticks to place a few pieces of chicken and scallop at the edge of Jin's plate. Mara never minded sharing food, and she was happy that Jin didn't seem to either. It made trying new things so much more fun when everyone had a little of everything.
Thanking the chef as he left the table, Mara was happy to find that the party at the other end was eating more or less quietly. There were no more riotous interruptions for the course of their meal and they were able to eat and talk peacefully. Knowing dessert was yet to follow, Mara paced herself. She hated to have food left over so she finished everything in front of her, but there would definitely need to be some walking or biking involved before she tried to fill herself up again.
When they were finished and once more bundled up to brave the cold again, Mara and Jin headed back out the door with a last "Happy Birthday" wish to the kid who'd done the sake bomb and several more drinks after, and now looked pretty pleased with himself.
It had only grown colder as the night aged on and Mara felt the chill the second they opened the door. Her breath puffed up as she turned to Jin and said, "Back again, or front?"
Either way he might have to defrost her from the bike seat when they stopped again. It was definitely a bit cold for her tastes. Looking at Jin, though, she did her best to ignore the chill. She'd happily suffer more than a little cold weather for the pleasure of his company.
Jin
13 years ago
As they left Jin wondered what they could do in the area to pass the time. There were plenty of shops and it might be nice to see what sort of things interested Mara. March was not that far away after all. They could also see if there were movies or a place with music or maybe just a park to walk and talk in.
Jin turned to suggest such things when something, or it would be better to say someone caught his eye. The figure that stood in the darkness between the restaurant and the store next to it had not been there before. He was sure of it.
Taking hold of the bicycle, he said.
"I'll drive, you navigate. Where would you like to go next?"
The man looked normal enough for someone who had not been there a second ago. Still, Jin did not want to get involved in whatever brought him here. A meal, a shady deal, it didn't matter to him so long as he left the two of them in peace. He'd be seriously put out if someone ruined his first real date with Mara.
Such things did not appear to be in the cards, the hope that they had just picked the wrong moment to exit the building was dashed when the man stepped forward into the light. He nodded, looking towards Jin's companion. Turning to Mara, he asked quietly
"Do you know him? Please tell me he isn't the back up plan."
Jin turned to suggest such things when something, or it would be better to say someone caught his eye. The figure that stood in the darkness between the restaurant and the store next to it had not been there before. He was sure of it.
Taking hold of the bicycle, he said.
"I'll drive, you navigate. Where would you like to go next?"
The man looked normal enough for someone who had not been there a second ago. Still, Jin did not want to get involved in whatever brought him here. A meal, a shady deal, it didn't matter to him so long as he left the two of them in peace. He'd be seriously put out if someone ruined his first real date with Mara.
Such things did not appear to be in the cards, the hope that they had just picked the wrong moment to exit the building was dashed when the man stepped forward into the light. He nodded, looking towards Jin's companion. Turning to Mara, he asked quietly
"Do you know him? Please tell me he isn't the back up plan."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara smiled and nodded her assent to taking shotgun again. In the back of her head she noted the person that Jin was asking her about, but it wasn't until he stepped into the light that she really saw who it was. She backed up until she was pressed against Jin, looking up and down the street and the alleyway for companions. She didn't see any.
"No," she hissed softly at Jin, "the backup plan was to suddenly realize I had left the iron on and go running off, losing you in the alleys."
The man came a few steps closer, his hands held out in front of him. He was several inches taller than either her or Jin but otherwise there was nothing remarkable about him. He was Asian, Indonesian specifically. Mara knew him but she hadn't seen this man in several hundred years. He was older than she was, and one of Subira's creations.
"Ret, hi, I didn't mean to startle you," the man said. He offered her a little bow, doing the same to Jin.
Mara nodded her head to him, not returning the bow. "Cahyo." She used his name for Jin's sake but didn't introduce them. She didn't like Cahyo and last she'd seen him, the feeling was mutual.
He continued to speak. There was something in his tone Mara didn't recognize but then, she and Cahyo had never been close. His body language conveyed nothing but what she'd expect; some tension, which was understandable given their past history, but otherwise he stood openly before her with his arms spread.
"I have a message to deliver. I was told to give it in person." Cahyo looked at Jin and smiled. "Please excuse us for one moment. I promise I'll have her right back to you. Walk with me a minute, Ret?"
Mara glanced at Jin. The street was dimly-lit here although the alley was dark. She didn't intend to get out of Jin's sight, however. Walking anywhere alone with a man was counter-intuitive to everything in Mara's makeup. That she did so with Jin was an enormous measure of trust for her. But if Cahyo did have a message for her, it would do no good to ignore it.
Mara hid a grimace of distaste. "For just a minute," she agreed reluctantly, knowing Jin would have read all the signs so far; hoping he knew her well enough by now to understand that she didn't want to go anywhere with Cahyo.
Slowly she moved away from Jin and along the sidewalk with Cahyo. They went as far as the alley, stepping into it just a foot or so. Once there, Mara spun and faced the taller vampire, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Be quick please, Cahyo," she said. "Whatever message you have to give."
"No," she hissed softly at Jin, "the backup plan was to suddenly realize I had left the iron on and go running off, losing you in the alleys."
The man came a few steps closer, his hands held out in front of him. He was several inches taller than either her or Jin but otherwise there was nothing remarkable about him. He was Asian, Indonesian specifically. Mara knew him but she hadn't seen this man in several hundred years. He was older than she was, and one of Subira's creations.
"Ret, hi, I didn't mean to startle you," the man said. He offered her a little bow, doing the same to Jin.
Mara nodded her head to him, not returning the bow. "Cahyo." She used his name for Jin's sake but didn't introduce them. She didn't like Cahyo and last she'd seen him, the feeling was mutual.
He continued to speak. There was something in his tone Mara didn't recognize but then, she and Cahyo had never been close. His body language conveyed nothing but what she'd expect; some tension, which was understandable given their past history, but otherwise he stood openly before her with his arms spread.
"I have a message to deliver. I was told to give it in person." Cahyo looked at Jin and smiled. "Please excuse us for one moment. I promise I'll have her right back to you. Walk with me a minute, Ret?"
Mara glanced at Jin. The street was dimly-lit here although the alley was dark. She didn't intend to get out of Jin's sight, however. Walking anywhere alone with a man was counter-intuitive to everything in Mara's makeup. That she did so with Jin was an enormous measure of trust for her. But if Cahyo did have a message for her, it would do no good to ignore it.
Mara hid a grimace of distaste. "For just a minute," she agreed reluctantly, knowing Jin would have read all the signs so far; hoping he knew her well enough by now to understand that she didn't want to go anywhere with Cahyo.
Slowly she moved away from Jin and along the sidewalk with Cahyo. They went as far as the alley, stepping into it just a foot or so. Once there, Mara spun and faced the taller vampire, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Be quick please, Cahyo," she said. "Whatever message you have to give."
Jin
13 years ago
Jin was not comforted by Mara's immediate back step. His arms went around her automatically and he watched the guy for any sign of overt threat. Nothing like that was forth coming, in fact the man seemed to understand Mara's apprehension because he held both hands out in a gesture of harmless intent.
Ret? He'd have to ask her about that later. She seemed to recognize both the man and the moniker and even supplied a name. However she didn't appear to like him very much. Jin understood that Mara was not very comfortable in crowds and he suspected men were worse than women for her. A hold over from her human days when men were obviously stronger? He didn't know and now was not the time to guess.
"Shall we just go?"
The man, Cahyo, said he had a message for her. Jin looked at her questioningly but Mara appeared to agree. Jin was determined to keep his eyes on the two of them. He didn't like them moving off into the alley but since she had gone willingly there was nothing much he could say about the situation.
"Good Evening."
Jin turned his attention sharply to the side to find another vampire standing next to him. The situation was getting out of hand. One was harmless enough, no matter how old, but two could mean there were more.
Not taking his eyes off, Mara, Jin said.
"What does you friend want?"
The other vampire shrugged, unconcerned. "To catch up on old times perhaps?" The man wore an amused smile that he caught out of the corner of his eye. Jin repressed the urge to knock the grin off the stranger's face; he had done nothing hostile after all. The situation was just making him uncomfortable. Normally when he got into trouble it was of his own making so he usually knew what to expect. These men could be from anyone; they were obviously not very friendly with Mara but at the same time they had yet to make any overt threat. Jin was apprehensive but he did not want to make a tense situation worse by jumping to conclusions.
"Please, hurry, Mara. Its rather cold out here."
Ret? He'd have to ask her about that later. She seemed to recognize both the man and the moniker and even supplied a name. However she didn't appear to like him very much. Jin understood that Mara was not very comfortable in crowds and he suspected men were worse than women for her. A hold over from her human days when men were obviously stronger? He didn't know and now was not the time to guess.
"Shall we just go?"
The man, Cahyo, said he had a message for her. Jin looked at her questioningly but Mara appeared to agree. Jin was determined to keep his eyes on the two of them. He didn't like them moving off into the alley but since she had gone willingly there was nothing much he could say about the situation.
"Good Evening."
Jin turned his attention sharply to the side to find another vampire standing next to him. The situation was getting out of hand. One was harmless enough, no matter how old, but two could mean there were more.
Not taking his eyes off, Mara, Jin said.
"What does you friend want?"
The other vampire shrugged, unconcerned. "To catch up on old times perhaps?" The man wore an amused smile that he caught out of the corner of his eye. Jin repressed the urge to knock the grin off the stranger's face; he had done nothing hostile after all. The situation was just making him uncomfortable. Normally when he got into trouble it was of his own making so he usually knew what to expect. These men could be from anyone; they were obviously not very friendly with Mara but at the same time they had yet to make any overt threat. Jin was apprehensive but he did not want to make a tense situation worse by jumping to conclusions.
"Please, hurry, Mara. Its rather cold out here."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara could see Jin from where she was, but only the left half of him. Cahyo was blocking her view of the rest of the street and as he came far too close to her she realized it was intentional. Cold fear stabbed her in the chest and she was about to say something to Jin, to walk around him and leave, but he closed the gap between them swiftly and took her face between his hands.
"Don't move. Not an inch. And not a sound."
His hands closed around her jaw, palms pressing beneath her head, lifting her ever so slightly. Mara's eyes grew wide as she fought the Command laid so quickly upon her. She hadn't even known Cahyo possessed that ability, but it had literally been hundreds of years since she'd seen him.
Cahyo's thumbs brushed over her cheeks gently and he bent close to her, to whisper in her ear. Mara tried to scream, to say anything, but the effects of Cahyo's compulsion coupled with her own terror rendered her incapable.
"Subira sends her regrets," Cahyo said. "She says your creator is pushing his bounds, and we're to teach him what happens when he doesn't obey her explicitly." He grinned, a feverish gleam in his eyes. "She specifically told us to break his favorite toy. What do you think about that, kitten?"
With a swift, subtle motion Cahyo's thumbs moved down, pressed into Mara's mouth, and thrust viciously. There was a cracking noise and a sharp pain as he broke her fangs, both at once. Then there was the metallic flow of her own blood into her mouth, over her tongue.
"That's good," Cahyo said. He pressed his mouth against hers and she felt the intrusion of his tongue, unable to even shiver with revulsion at the touch.
He moved his head and bit down, hard, into her neck. Mara wanted to scream. This, he'd learned from Subira. It was the basest form of humiliation, castration, whatever you wanted to call it. Break the fangs, drain the blood. Make them feel weak and helpless while you taught them a lesson. Amir had never once used it on her or anyone else that Mara was aware of, although she knew it had been done to him on several occasions.
And now it was her. And she couldn't even cry. She fought against Cahyo's Command as hard as she could, as her entire body began to shake. He wasn't so much older than she.
He drank for ages, an although Mara was aware of a commotion on the street near where Jin had been standing, she couldn't see what was going on with her head tipped back.
Finally sheer willpower won out and with a jerking motion, Mara swiftly raised her knee. Undead or not, a knee to the junk still hurt. Unfortunately, it was apparently not enough to get her free. Cahyo's fangs tore from her neck with a ripping pain as he yelped and bent over, but his hands only tightened around her head.
He shoved her backwards, slamming her against the wall of the building hard enough that she saw stars. Still unable to speak, Mara tried to find Jin but all she could see was Cahyo's eerily smiling face as he bent toward her again.
"Don't move. Not an inch. And not a sound."
His hands closed around her jaw, palms pressing beneath her head, lifting her ever so slightly. Mara's eyes grew wide as she fought the Command laid so quickly upon her. She hadn't even known Cahyo possessed that ability, but it had literally been hundreds of years since she'd seen him.
Cahyo's thumbs brushed over her cheeks gently and he bent close to her, to whisper in her ear. Mara tried to scream, to say anything, but the effects of Cahyo's compulsion coupled with her own terror rendered her incapable.
"Subira sends her regrets," Cahyo said. "She says your creator is pushing his bounds, and we're to teach him what happens when he doesn't obey her explicitly." He grinned, a feverish gleam in his eyes. "She specifically told us to break his favorite toy. What do you think about that, kitten?"
With a swift, subtle motion Cahyo's thumbs moved down, pressed into Mara's mouth, and thrust viciously. There was a cracking noise and a sharp pain as he broke her fangs, both at once. Then there was the metallic flow of her own blood into her mouth, over her tongue.
"That's good," Cahyo said. He pressed his mouth against hers and she felt the intrusion of his tongue, unable to even shiver with revulsion at the touch.
He moved his head and bit down, hard, into her neck. Mara wanted to scream. This, he'd learned from Subira. It was the basest form of humiliation, castration, whatever you wanted to call it. Break the fangs, drain the blood. Make them feel weak and helpless while you taught them a lesson. Amir had never once used it on her or anyone else that Mara was aware of, although she knew it had been done to him on several occasions.
And now it was her. And she couldn't even cry. She fought against Cahyo's Command as hard as she could, as her entire body began to shake. He wasn't so much older than she.
He drank for ages, an although Mara was aware of a commotion on the street near where Jin had been standing, she couldn't see what was going on with her head tipped back.
Finally sheer willpower won out and with a jerking motion, Mara swiftly raised her knee. Undead or not, a knee to the junk still hurt. Unfortunately, it was apparently not enough to get her free. Cahyo's fangs tore from her neck with a ripping pain as he yelped and bent over, but his hands only tightened around her head.
He shoved her backwards, slamming her against the wall of the building hard enough that she saw stars. Still unable to speak, Mara tried to find Jin but all she could see was Cahyo's eerily smiling face as he bent toward her again.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin stood with the other vampire for a few moments watching Mara with fierce intensity. Any sign, flinch, twitch, glance in his direction and he'd be over there in a second. The two of them appeared to be speaking quietly. He took a step forward when the man's hands reached out to cup Mara's face.
Grinning man beside him put a hand on his arm. Jin spared the man a hard glare before turning his attention back to Mara. He smelled blood, potent, sharp and very familiar. Jin moved forward again pulling his arm away from the one next to him.
"Mara, run!"
Only by virtue of being closer to the two in the alley was Grinning Man able to push himself in Jin's path. Shoving hard, Jin pushed the vampire backwards and then continued forward, becoming incorporeal as he went.
Surely she would know to shift and run. Mara didn't break free from the man's grasp and that worried Jin. To be strong enough to hold her meant the man had to be old, maybe several thousand years old. These men were likely all dangerous and this was looking like an ambush.
He should have been more concerned for his own safety but Mara's pain was the only thing he was thinking about. Grabbing hold of the man and throwing him away from her was his only goal. Jin became material once more, his hands just managing to touch the fabric of Cayho's jacket when he was yanked backwards. The chain around his neck was heavy and the strength behind the weapon was inhuman. Jin was pulled violently backwards, landing on the asphalt with enough force to make him bounce. He looked up to see a third vampire on the other end of the chain, smiling wickedly down at him.
Grinning man beside him put a hand on his arm. Jin spared the man a hard glare before turning his attention back to Mara. He smelled blood, potent, sharp and very familiar. Jin moved forward again pulling his arm away from the one next to him.
"Mara, run!"
Only by virtue of being closer to the two in the alley was Grinning Man able to push himself in Jin's path. Shoving hard, Jin pushed the vampire backwards and then continued forward, becoming incorporeal as he went.
Surely she would know to shift and run. Mara didn't break free from the man's grasp and that worried Jin. To be strong enough to hold her meant the man had to be old, maybe several thousand years old. These men were likely all dangerous and this was looking like an ambush.
He should have been more concerned for his own safety but Mara's pain was the only thing he was thinking about. Grabbing hold of the man and throwing him away from her was his only goal. Jin became material once more, his hands just managing to touch the fabric of Cayho's jacket when he was yanked backwards. The chain around his neck was heavy and the strength behind the weapon was inhuman. Jin was pulled violently backwards, landing on the asphalt with enough force to make him bounce. He looked up to see a third vampire on the other end of the chain, smiling wickedly down at him.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara, free of the compulsion Cahyo had laid upon her, began to struggle when she heard Jin's voice. Yes, run Jin! Get out of here. She couldn't speak though, not with Cahyo's thumbs driving into her windpipe with crushing force.
She could feel blood running down her neck, the back of her head, and down her throat from her teeth. Lights were sparkling in front of her vision but she saw Cahyo's face. She thought she saw Jin for a moment, just briefly, and suddenly he was gone.
"Go, Jin," she rasped.
She continued to kick at Cahyo with as much force as she could but he was standing very close and she knew she wasn't hurting him. She reached up and grabbed his thumbs, twisting them forcefully. She was rewarded when his grip slackened and he dropped her. She fell to the ground and shifted as quickly as possible, slinking out beneath Cahyo and darting for the alley exit. If she could get away, Jin could go ethereal and leave too.. but she suspected he wouldn't run until she did.
Before she could get far a hand descended upon her, wrapping around the scruff of her neck and jerking her from her paws. Twisting and clawing, she was hurled back against the wall one more time.
Cahyo grinned at her. "I love it when you're feisty. Now shift back."
Mara had no choice but to obey.
She could feel blood running down her neck, the back of her head, and down her throat from her teeth. Lights were sparkling in front of her vision but she saw Cahyo's face. She thought she saw Jin for a moment, just briefly, and suddenly he was gone.
"Go, Jin," she rasped.
She continued to kick at Cahyo with as much force as she could but he was standing very close and she knew she wasn't hurting him. She reached up and grabbed his thumbs, twisting them forcefully. She was rewarded when his grip slackened and he dropped her. She fell to the ground and shifted as quickly as possible, slinking out beneath Cahyo and darting for the alley exit. If she could get away, Jin could go ethereal and leave too.. but she suspected he wouldn't run until she did.
Before she could get far a hand descended upon her, wrapping around the scruff of her neck and jerking her from her paws. Twisting and clawing, she was hurled back against the wall one more time.
Cahyo grinned at her. "I love it when you're feisty. Now shift back."
Mara had no choice but to obey.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin lay there for a moment trying to breath. His windpipe felt crushed. The only thing that kept his neck from breaking was that the yank had been upward as well as back. He could see the vampire, levitating above him. He could hear Grinning Man getting coming closer.
Getting away would be easy but he wouldn't leave Mara.
Glaring up at the one floating above him, Jin grabbed the chain and gave it a violent downward yank. It caught the vampire off guard and the man hit the ground hard. Something, probably an ankle snapped. Jin reached for him again but the man thinned rapidly into nothingness.
That particular trick had its uses and those he knew well. Jin became incorporeal and then vanished. Making himself move, he would have grunted with the pain that caused his back if he could make much sound. Jin rolled to the side and stood.
He caught a glimpse of Mara; she was free. She shifted forms and started to run. The other vampire caught her. Grinning Man moved into his path, seeming to understand that Mara would still be his focus. Mind numbing rage filled him. Hurt, angry and frightened for his companion, Jin reached out for the thing in his way. Grabbing Grinning Man by two fists full of his clothes, Jin brought him close. He drove his fangs deep into the man's neck, tearing it and sucking savagely on the man's blood. It hurt to drink but the blood helped.
The other appeared again briefly, a glint of steel caught Jin's eye. He turned to the side with his captive and the blade hit Grinning Man instead. The man beneath him grunted, struggling to get free. Jin's fangs and the dagger seemed to be doing little to stop his fighting. Wrapping the man in a bone breaking bear hug, Jin pushed himself against the wall, watching for the next attack from the floating one.
Getting away would be easy but he wouldn't leave Mara.
Glaring up at the one floating above him, Jin grabbed the chain and gave it a violent downward yank. It caught the vampire off guard and the man hit the ground hard. Something, probably an ankle snapped. Jin reached for him again but the man thinned rapidly into nothingness.
That particular trick had its uses and those he knew well. Jin became incorporeal and then vanished. Making himself move, he would have grunted with the pain that caused his back if he could make much sound. Jin rolled to the side and stood.
He caught a glimpse of Mara; she was free. She shifted forms and started to run. The other vampire caught her. Grinning Man moved into his path, seeming to understand that Mara would still be his focus. Mind numbing rage filled him. Hurt, angry and frightened for his companion, Jin reached out for the thing in his way. Grabbing Grinning Man by two fists full of his clothes, Jin brought him close. He drove his fangs deep into the man's neck, tearing it and sucking savagely on the man's blood. It hurt to drink but the blood helped.
The other appeared again briefly, a glint of steel caught Jin's eye. He turned to the side with his captive and the blade hit Grinning Man instead. The man beneath him grunted, struggling to get free. Jin's fangs and the dagger seemed to be doing little to stop his fighting. Wrapping the man in a bone breaking bear hug, Jin pushed himself against the wall, watching for the next attack from the floating one.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara growled as she shifted forms again, the sound bubbling from her throat through clotting blood. She heard the sounds of fighting behind her and turned her head to see Jin struggling with a vampire she didn't recognize. Her stomach twisted but there was little she could do or say to help.
Cahyo was still on her, and as she twisted around to drive the heel of her hand up toward her throat he caught it, twisted her wrist, and pinned it up against the wall along with her other arm. She raised her leg again; he kneed her twice in the stomach. Mara tried to curl over and protect herself but Cahyo simply pressed himself against her. With a laugh of sheer delight he bit into the other side of her neck none too gently. One hand held her wrists in a painfully tight grip; the other pulled her coat open and crept in to slide up her side.
She desperately wanted to bargain with Cahyo. If she stopped fighting and let this happen, would he tell his partners to let Jin go? Would he even honor his word? And would Jin even go?
Mara didn't have many options at that point. She couldn't bite Cahyo; she was restrained too well to fight back too hard, and he was stronger than she was. He still drank from her but she felt none of the euphoria that might have come with it, just terror and panic.
"Please let him go," she choked as he glanced up at her.
He pulled away from her neck and looked at her. "Let him go? He seems pretty determined to me."
Mara turned her head away from Jin, shame welling up as she did. "Just let him go and I won't fight you."
Cahyo's hand stole up past her ribcage, resting heavily upon her breast. Mara shuddered.
"That's not very willing," he said with a frown. "You'd have to do better."
Mara's voice came out a broken whisper. "Let me go and I'll show you."
Cahyo threw his head back and laughed. "If only I'd been born yesterday."
"It is a shame," Mara agreed. She snapped her head forward, wrenching herself away from the wall and pounding her forehead into Cahyo's nose. He staggered back and dropped her hands; Mara shoved him back, curled her foot in and snapped it out twice, both times into Cahyo's kneecap. He fell away but Mara knew he wouldn't be down for long.
Shifting once more she darted toward Jin. As she did she suddenly felt the wind shift behind her. She turned and ducked to the side at the shape above her but it was faster; an enormous bird hurtled down from the sky and drove its claws into her skin behind her shoulders, closing them as she shrieked in pain. It couldn't rise with her weight, but it used its momentum to fling her back into the alleyway where she tumbled once again with a crash and a clang into a pile of scrap metal near the dumpster.
Cahyo was still on her, and as she twisted around to drive the heel of her hand up toward her throat he caught it, twisted her wrist, and pinned it up against the wall along with her other arm. She raised her leg again; he kneed her twice in the stomach. Mara tried to curl over and protect herself but Cahyo simply pressed himself against her. With a laugh of sheer delight he bit into the other side of her neck none too gently. One hand held her wrists in a painfully tight grip; the other pulled her coat open and crept in to slide up her side.
She desperately wanted to bargain with Cahyo. If she stopped fighting and let this happen, would he tell his partners to let Jin go? Would he even honor his word? And would Jin even go?
Mara didn't have many options at that point. She couldn't bite Cahyo; she was restrained too well to fight back too hard, and he was stronger than she was. He still drank from her but she felt none of the euphoria that might have come with it, just terror and panic.
"Please let him go," she choked as he glanced up at her.
He pulled away from her neck and looked at her. "Let him go? He seems pretty determined to me."
Mara turned her head away from Jin, shame welling up as she did. "Just let him go and I won't fight you."
Cahyo's hand stole up past her ribcage, resting heavily upon her breast. Mara shuddered.
"That's not very willing," he said with a frown. "You'd have to do better."
Mara's voice came out a broken whisper. "Let me go and I'll show you."
Cahyo threw his head back and laughed. "If only I'd been born yesterday."
"It is a shame," Mara agreed. She snapped her head forward, wrenching herself away from the wall and pounding her forehead into Cahyo's nose. He staggered back and dropped her hands; Mara shoved him back, curled her foot in and snapped it out twice, both times into Cahyo's kneecap. He fell away but Mara knew he wouldn't be down for long.
Shifting once more she darted toward Jin. As she did she suddenly felt the wind shift behind her. She turned and ducked to the side at the shape above her but it was faster; an enormous bird hurtled down from the sky and drove its claws into her skin behind her shoulders, closing them as she shrieked in pain. It couldn't rise with her weight, but it used its momentum to fling her back into the alleyway where she tumbled once again with a crash and a clang into a pile of scrap metal near the dumpster.
Jin
13 years ago
The vampire beneath him was weakening. Grinning Man's struggling had grown feeble; a spite filled sense on triumph noted that he wasn't smiling now.
Mara's torn voice broke through his pain and rage filled blood frenzy. She pleaded with her attacker to let -him- go. Her selfless courage broke his heart. Jin looked up to see her pressed against the wall with Cahyo on top of her feeding from her neck. The violation brought to mind her willingly trusting him with such an intimate act. Seeing her blood taken from her against her will filled him with blackest hatred. He was overwhelmed by guilt and helpless frustration at being a poor protector, Jin dropped the man he had and made another attempt to free Mara from her assailant.
Floating Man pushed him with his telekinesis but it was not strong enough to make him entirely lose his footing. Jin continued to move towards Cayho, hoping to reach him before the other attacker could successfully intervene. He saw Mara's assailant push his hand into her coat. Bitter unthinking rage welled up inside him, coming out as a hoarse howl. The sound became a deep rumbling growl as Jin shifted into his animal form and bounded towards the man holding Mara.
She butted him in the face with her head. New blood flowed. Relief washed over him as Mara managed to push Cahyo away from her and shift into a cat again. He watched her run towards him. Skidding sliding halt, he slid and turned to run with her. The sound of wings beating the air could be heard over his head. A hawk swooped down and snatched up Mara. The bird fluttered awkwardly a moment as it flung the Mau into the nearby debris. He was too far away to swipe the bird out of the air. Lunging forward, Jin leaped, managing to grab a tail feather or two as the hawk flew away. Disoriented by the rapid appearance and disappearance of assailants in this fight, Jin wondered was this the earlier ethereal or another vampire entirely.
His question was answered when Floating Man appeared in front of him and flashed a harsh light in his eyes. Stabbing pain and utter blindness followed. His momentum was too much to stop but he was moving forward without knowing where he was going. Panic welled up inside him and Jin fought down the urge to run. Crashing his shoulder into a wall, he shifted back into his human form. Taking a few deep breaths to calm his fear, Jin blended and became incorporeal once more. He moved in the direction of Mara. If he could just find her then maybe they could still manage to run. Even though he couldn't see, if he were close enough then at least he could throw himself in the way of anyone trying to harm her again.
Mara's torn voice broke through his pain and rage filled blood frenzy. She pleaded with her attacker to let -him- go. Her selfless courage broke his heart. Jin looked up to see her pressed against the wall with Cahyo on top of her feeding from her neck. The violation brought to mind her willingly trusting him with such an intimate act. Seeing her blood taken from her against her will filled him with blackest hatred. He was overwhelmed by guilt and helpless frustration at being a poor protector, Jin dropped the man he had and made another attempt to free Mara from her assailant.
Floating Man pushed him with his telekinesis but it was not strong enough to make him entirely lose his footing. Jin continued to move towards Cayho, hoping to reach him before the other attacker could successfully intervene. He saw Mara's assailant push his hand into her coat. Bitter unthinking rage welled up inside him, coming out as a hoarse howl. The sound became a deep rumbling growl as Jin shifted into his animal form and bounded towards the man holding Mara.
She butted him in the face with her head. New blood flowed. Relief washed over him as Mara managed to push Cahyo away from her and shift into a cat again. He watched her run towards him. Skidding sliding halt, he slid and turned to run with her. The sound of wings beating the air could be heard over his head. A hawk swooped down and snatched up Mara. The bird fluttered awkwardly a moment as it flung the Mau into the nearby debris. He was too far away to swipe the bird out of the air. Lunging forward, Jin leaped, managing to grab a tail feather or two as the hawk flew away. Disoriented by the rapid appearance and disappearance of assailants in this fight, Jin wondered was this the earlier ethereal or another vampire entirely.
His question was answered when Floating Man appeared in front of him and flashed a harsh light in his eyes. Stabbing pain and utter blindness followed. His momentum was too much to stop but he was moving forward without knowing where he was going. Panic welled up inside him and Jin fought down the urge to run. Crashing his shoulder into a wall, he shifted back into his human form. Taking a few deep breaths to calm his fear, Jin blended and became incorporeal once more. He moved in the direction of Mara. If he could just find her then maybe they could still manage to run. Even though he couldn't see, if he were close enough then at least he could throw himself in the way of anyone trying to harm her again.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara landed heavily on a pile of metal and it took her a long moment... maybe several... to figure out what was going on. She could feel fresh blood on her arms and legs, running down her back, and she could feel gashes in her skin opening and closing as she moved weakly.
She heard a scream that ended in the unmistakable roar of a large cat and her heart threatened to leap out of her throat. Jin. He was out there. With them. It was her they wanted, and they would go through him to get to her. Mara knew how Subira's people worked. They might have passed Jin by initially but now he'd made himself disposable to them. That yell terrified her. She didn't know what was happening and she'd never heard anyone make a noise like that.
Mara tried to wrest herself free of the pieces of metal. Several of them were stuck in her flesh at various points and those she dragged with her out of desperation as she struggled to regain her footing. As she thrashed she caught sight of a bright light out in the alley. Lifting her head, she saw Jin, clearly disoriented, hit the wall of the next building and disappear.
Behind Jin, Cahyo had risen to his feet and was heading for her. Mara didn't know where Jin had gone but she knew he would be nearby, probably injured, possibly vulnerable.
Lunging from the stack of metal she took several steps forward, her feet unsteady. Cahyo smiled at her again. Mara shook her head at him. As he reached out to her she pulled her hand from behind her back, along with the heavy metal strut her hand had fallen upon as she'd risen. She hit Cahyo solidly on the side of the head and had the satisfaction of watching the side of his face cave in.
Unfortunately her momentum was too much for her to handle and she couldn't hold onto the strut. She felt her grip fail as she tried to follow through and opened her hand, attempting to catch herself as she twisted and fell to the ground.
In front of them were still two vampires bent on getting to them. But Mara didn't have anything left. She curled in on herself, shuddering as too much of her blood flowed far too freely onto the cold, gritty pavement beneath her.
"Jin," she said, hoping he could hear her. "I left the iron on."
He could still get away.
She heard a scream that ended in the unmistakable roar of a large cat and her heart threatened to leap out of her throat. Jin. He was out there. With them. It was her they wanted, and they would go through him to get to her. Mara knew how Subira's people worked. They might have passed Jin by initially but now he'd made himself disposable to them. That yell terrified her. She didn't know what was happening and she'd never heard anyone make a noise like that.
Mara tried to wrest herself free of the pieces of metal. Several of them were stuck in her flesh at various points and those she dragged with her out of desperation as she struggled to regain her footing. As she thrashed she caught sight of a bright light out in the alley. Lifting her head, she saw Jin, clearly disoriented, hit the wall of the next building and disappear.
Behind Jin, Cahyo had risen to his feet and was heading for her. Mara didn't know where Jin had gone but she knew he would be nearby, probably injured, possibly vulnerable.
Lunging from the stack of metal she took several steps forward, her feet unsteady. Cahyo smiled at her again. Mara shook her head at him. As he reached out to her she pulled her hand from behind her back, along with the heavy metal strut her hand had fallen upon as she'd risen. She hit Cahyo solidly on the side of the head and had the satisfaction of watching the side of his face cave in.
Unfortunately her momentum was too much for her to handle and she couldn't hold onto the strut. She felt her grip fail as she tried to follow through and opened her hand, attempting to catch herself as she twisted and fell to the ground.
In front of them were still two vampires bent on getting to them. But Mara didn't have anything left. She curled in on herself, shuddering as too much of her blood flowed far too freely onto the cold, gritty pavement beneath her.
"Jin," she said, hoping he could hear her. "I left the iron on."
He could still get away.
Jin
13 years ago
He heard the metal moving behind him. Jin could tell Mara had shifted forms. Putting one hand against the wall, he walked backwards trying to find her. If he could reach out and touch her then they could move away together.
There was a movement nearby and then the solid but strangely echoing sound of metal hitting bone hard enough for it to make a sickeningly wet crunch. Jin prayed that Mara was not the victim. Something fell nearly at his feet and Mara's voice drifted up to him, hollow and heart wrenchingly weak.
Her words and the sound of her voice pulled an involuntary sob from his throat. Finding her with his hands, Jin knelt next to her and spoke quietly.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with me. Hot appliance or no."
They were backed into an alley and there were at least two vampires left. He refused to believe that Mara was dying but every moment she was losing more blood. She could have as much of his as she wanted as soon as they were safe. Determined and desperate, Jin shifted forms once more and stood over his companion.
There was a movement nearby and then the solid but strangely echoing sound of metal hitting bone hard enough for it to make a sickeningly wet crunch. Jin prayed that Mara was not the victim. Something fell nearly at his feet and Mara's voice drifted up to him, hollow and heart wrenchingly weak.
Her words and the sound of her voice pulled an involuntary sob from his throat. Finding her with his hands, Jin knelt next to her and spoke quietly.
"I'm afraid you're stuck with me. Hot appliance or no."
They were backed into an alley and there were at least two vampires left. He refused to believe that Mara was dying but every moment she was losing more blood. She could have as much of his as she wanted as soon as they were safe. Determined and desperate, Jin shifted forms once more and stood over his companion.