Jin looked over at Mara and then back at the large house in front of them. This was Nachton and he knew that they could get a realtor out here in the evening if they had wanted. Personally that was boring. It would take less time to look over the place themselves and they would not have some merchant trying to talk up the property and press them into a deal.
He decided to start with the biggest on the list. Perhaps that meant everything else afterward would be a let down but it could also mean they fall in love with the place and never need to look elsewhere. Besides they were going to explore and have fun.
Returning her kiss, Jin then watched Mara swap forms. He faded from view and walked up to the large home. This place had its own security, Jin pushed through the wall and brought out the device that would help him find the code to shut it off. Within a few moments he was able to open the back door for Mara.
"Shall we start this quest?"
It Only Counts If You Break Something (attn: Jin)
Mara stood on the shaded side of a large home in one of Nachton's more upscale residential areas. As far as floorspace went, she wondered if she and Jin would ever use this much room. But then he reminded her of all the visitors they would potentially (and probably) have and she had to agree, bigger was probably better.
It was Jin's opinion that they would get a better feel for each house that interested them if they went to check them out by themselves without a realtor to distract them. Mara, never having done this before, thought his logic perfectly sound. It wasn't like they were planning on breaking anything; just entering.
It would be up to Jin to get inside and let her in, something she was certain he would accomplish without trouble. For her part, she would get herself to whatever opening was available. Mara brushed her lips against Jin's and smiled at him as she shifted forms. Noting the enormous heavy lock on the front door she made her way around the house looking for a likely window or back door.
Jin
13 years ago
Mara
13 years ago
It took her a little while to find the back door. This house was right on the harbor and it didn't have a yard; she had to climb a little bit. Eventually though she made it to her destination just in time to find Jin cracking the door open for her. Slipping inside she swapped back to human shape, thanked Jin, and looked around.
"This is huge."
The house, well, townhouse, technically, was just over nine thousand square feet. It had five floors, six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and, according to their searches, more amenities than most hotels.
It was a little more than Mara had expected. For one thing they would need to ship in some staff to clean it, was her first thought. And she did relish the idea of having a stranger wander in an out of their living space. A familiar? Mara didn't have one and Jin had never mentioned any to her.
As they began to explore, though, she did have to admit it was a magnificent house. Their voices echoed through it as they explored with keen eyes, ears, and noses.
Mara was taken with the bedrooms, how large and spacious they were. She also had some interest in the kitchen. Having had some success with her cooking she was interested int trying it more, and it seemed prudent to have a fully equipped area in which to do that. Her glassworking concerned her too, but the house had four garages and Jin was the only one of them with a car; that, a small one that did not take up much space. She could easily steal a garage for her furnaces, couldn't she?
She turned to Jin as they wandered through the house. "How would we care for all of this?"
"This is huge."
The house, well, townhouse, technically, was just over nine thousand square feet. It had five floors, six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and, according to their searches, more amenities than most hotels.
It was a little more than Mara had expected. For one thing they would need to ship in some staff to clean it, was her first thought. And she did relish the idea of having a stranger wander in an out of their living space. A familiar? Mara didn't have one and Jin had never mentioned any to her.
As they began to explore, though, she did have to admit it was a magnificent house. Their voices echoed through it as they explored with keen eyes, ears, and noses.
Mara was taken with the bedrooms, how large and spacious they were. She also had some interest in the kitchen. Having had some success with her cooking she was interested int trying it more, and it seemed prudent to have a fully equipped area in which to do that. Her glassworking concerned her too, but the house had four garages and Jin was the only one of them with a car; that, a small one that did not take up much space. She could easily steal a garage for her furnaces, couldn't she?
She turned to Jin as they wandered through the house. "How would we care for all of this?"
Jin
13 years ago
Jin walked around the house with Mara. It was big and very elegant. There were lots of tall windows and a great view.
"Oooh a sauna."
He waggled his eyebrows at Mara. There was a hot tub and a pool on the roof where they could enjoy the night air and the scenes of the harbor. Of course Jin figured he might be the only one using the pool unless they had guests.
Further inspection uncovered a media room and Jin grinned mischievously.
"We'd have to ask Bao over for movie night."
Jin noticed that Mara seemed to approve of the kitchen and the bathrooms. He too was very impressed with the large shower and tub in the master bath.
Answering Mara's question, he shrugged.
"Housekeeping? Or we don't make a mess?"
Looking slightly crestfallen, he said.
"We can go look at another one if you like."
Making their way back to the door, he let Mara out and then reset the alarm. By the time they were at the next place, Jin was eager to explore again.
"Oooh a sauna."
He waggled his eyebrows at Mara. There was a hot tub and a pool on the roof where they could enjoy the night air and the scenes of the harbor. Of course Jin figured he might be the only one using the pool unless they had guests.
Further inspection uncovered a media room and Jin grinned mischievously.
"We'd have to ask Bao over for movie night."
Jin noticed that Mara seemed to approve of the kitchen and the bathrooms. He too was very impressed with the large shower and tub in the master bath.
Answering Mara's question, he shrugged.
"Housekeeping? Or we don't make a mess?"
Looking slightly crestfallen, he said.
"We can go look at another one if you like."
Making their way back to the door, he let Mara out and then reset the alarm. By the time they were at the next place, Jin was eager to explore again.
Mara
13 years ago
Exploring the mansion was fun. Mara exclaimed over many of the same things Jin did, although she tilted her head at the hot tub and gave it some consideration before admitting that she would likely be in there with him if he climbed in. She did not enjoy water for the sake of being in water but Jin made a great many things seem attractive to her that she might not normally enjoy.
His crestfallen expression made her sad; she would have agreed to buying this place if he were that in love with it already. But they did have an entire list of houses to look at. So they may as well check them out just to look. If at the end of the night Jin was still making big adorable eyes at this monster, she wouldn't say no.
The next house they visited was tempting to Mara. It had the look and feel of a historical carriage house. A very large one. It wasn't over the top but rather, large and quaint at the same time. It was surrounded by a stone wall and boasted a small side and back yard. There was a little fountain in the back and a decent sized storage building as well.
The house was about 4300 square feet with all of the bedrooms located on the second floor. Mara almost immediately fell in love with the large master bedroom, which had its own sitting area and a fireplace. She squeezed Jin's hand as they wandered through it, already imagining lying before a crackling fire with Jin on a cold Nachton winter night.
"This one is cute," she said as they continued through it. She looked at Jin, trying to gauge his reaction.
His crestfallen expression made her sad; she would have agreed to buying this place if he were that in love with it already. But they did have an entire list of houses to look at. So they may as well check them out just to look. If at the end of the night Jin was still making big adorable eyes at this monster, she wouldn't say no.
The next house they visited was tempting to Mara. It had the look and feel of a historical carriage house. A very large one. It wasn't over the top but rather, large and quaint at the same time. It was surrounded by a stone wall and boasted a small side and back yard. There was a little fountain in the back and a decent sized storage building as well.
The house was about 4300 square feet with all of the bedrooms located on the second floor. Mara almost immediately fell in love with the large master bedroom, which had its own sitting area and a fireplace. She squeezed Jin's hand as they wandered through it, already imagining lying before a crackling fire with Jin on a cold Nachton winter night.
"This one is cute," she said as they continued through it. She looked at Jin, trying to gauge his reaction.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin looked around the house. It was definitely smaller than the other one but very charming. He didn't think they'd have as much room for family members and guests that might need to stay for a while. He didn't know about Mara's relations but often there were long stretches of time between visits but sometimes those visits lasted...well, sometimes they lasted for years.
The master bath was nice and large, so was the bedroom. Jin liked the entrance hallway and could imagine sliding through it quite easily. The backyard was nice and fairly private.
He nodded his head at Mara's description. It was cute.
"No media room." Jin gave her a sad little pout." And definitely no pool or sauna."
There went some happy day dreams right there.
The next home looked promising from the outside. It was a mixture of whimsical curves and Italian charm. The little gate in the front created a tiny courtyard in front of the entrance. He fell in love with the patio and the outdoor fire place. "That looks cozy."
While it wasn't as big as the first home, it was bigger than the second. Jin loved the soaring ceilings and the warm wood and stone work that was everywhere. He pointed out the unique kitchen design to Mara.
"This is nice." He smiled and looked innocently hopeful."should you want to cook some more."
The stove was actually set in the middle of the kitchen, built into the island. Jin thought it was nice that the person cooking didn't spend all their time with their back to the rest of the room. In fact, he could sit at the end of the table on his laptop and talk to Mara while she cooked if she were inclined to do so again. The dark wood and drop down lighting in the kitchen was also very elegant without looking cold.
"So what do you think of this one?"
There was still no media room, pool or sauna but he could settle for the nice kitchen and outdoor fireplace if she liked this one better than the first.
The master bath was nice and large, so was the bedroom. Jin liked the entrance hallway and could imagine sliding through it quite easily. The backyard was nice and fairly private.
He nodded his head at Mara's description. It was cute.
"No media room." Jin gave her a sad little pout." And definitely no pool or sauna."
There went some happy day dreams right there.
The next home looked promising from the outside. It was a mixture of whimsical curves and Italian charm. The little gate in the front created a tiny courtyard in front of the entrance. He fell in love with the patio and the outdoor fire place. "That looks cozy."
While it wasn't as big as the first home, it was bigger than the second. Jin loved the soaring ceilings and the warm wood and stone work that was everywhere. He pointed out the unique kitchen design to Mara.
"This is nice." He smiled and looked innocently hopeful."should you want to cook some more."
The stove was actually set in the middle of the kitchen, built into the island. Jin thought it was nice that the person cooking didn't spend all their time with their back to the rest of the room. In fact, he could sit at the end of the table on his laptop and talk to Mara while she cooked if she were inclined to do so again. The dark wood and drop down lighting in the kitchen was also very elegant without looking cold.
"So what do you think of this one?"
There was still no media room, pool or sauna but he could settle for the nice kitchen and outdoor fireplace if she liked this one better than the first.
Mara
13 years ago
There was nothing about the cute little home that made Jin's dark eyes light up so Mara immediately stopped thinking about it. While she did like it, she wanted a home they both loved living in. They would keep looking and that was fine with her.
The next home, they spent a good deal of time admiring from the outside as well as the inside. "That does look cozy," Mara breathed, taken by the outdoor fireplace and imagining cool sunsets.
This home seemed to be hitting more pleasant notes with her tiger, so she looked at it closely. She was taken with the kitchen, which was very unique indeed with it's central stove top on the island. "I like this," she said with a smile. "And I do want to cook some more."
The living room was large and open, too, and seemed almost perfect for not just them but any company. The bedrooms were all large and the master bedroom was really a suite separated from the rest of the house by a parlor.
They wandered down to the basement last, discovering an unfinished theatre, a rec room, another guest suite and a built in bar. Mara turned to Jin and smiled, nodding. "I like this one," she said affirmatively. "This is pretty. There's something about the outside that makes it interesting and it just gets better from there."
So far, she thought this was her favorite. The last one had been cute but didn't seem able to meet their needs. This suited them much better, she thought, falling in between the two they'd already seen. Larger and a little better set up than the last one, smaller, a little less elaborate than the first, which, in truth, felt a little cold to Mara.
She explained her impressions to Jin, holding his hand as she did one more walkthrough to try and remember this place.
The next home, they spent a good deal of time admiring from the outside as well as the inside. "That does look cozy," Mara breathed, taken by the outdoor fireplace and imagining cool sunsets.
This home seemed to be hitting more pleasant notes with her tiger, so she looked at it closely. She was taken with the kitchen, which was very unique indeed with it's central stove top on the island. "I like this," she said with a smile. "And I do want to cook some more."
The living room was large and open, too, and seemed almost perfect for not just them but any company. The bedrooms were all large and the master bedroom was really a suite separated from the rest of the house by a parlor.
They wandered down to the basement last, discovering an unfinished theatre, a rec room, another guest suite and a built in bar. Mara turned to Jin and smiled, nodding. "I like this one," she said affirmatively. "This is pretty. There's something about the outside that makes it interesting and it just gets better from there."
So far, she thought this was her favorite. The last one had been cute but didn't seem able to meet their needs. This suited them much better, she thought, falling in between the two they'd already seen. Larger and a little better set up than the last one, smaller, a little less elaborate than the first, which, in truth, felt a little cold to Mara.
She explained her impressions to Jin, holding his hand as she did one more walkthrough to try and remember this place.
Jin
13 years ago
He was glad she wanted to cook again and that she liked the kitchen. They didn't need the room often but Jin appreciated that someone went through the effort to make it a more sociable environment. The central island with its chairs gathered around invited people to sit down together and talk, even while someone was cooking which was much better than someone slaving over the stove alone or people taking their food and wandering off to different parts of the house.
Jin liked the outdoor fireplace and could imagine sitting around enjoying the night with friends and family even during the colder months.
The mixture of the dark wood and pale walls looked elegant without being too somber. Jin liked the stone accents and tiles.
"I like this one too. Its not as big as the other one but its big enough...I guess." He feigned a heavy sigh before favoring Mara with a mischievous grin. "Did you notice how removed the master bedroom was?" He lifted his eyebrows, his smile becoming even wider. "Nice and private so we can... enjoy each other's company with worrying about disturbing anyone."
The master bedroom which was situated at the far right side of the home so that none of its walls were shared by rooms that other people might be using. The same could be said of the master bath. Over all, he found that rather comforting. It was like having their own little home inside the larger one. The parlor area was another added layer to their privacy and also a quiet private place to chat with someone without needing to bring them into the bedroom. Jin felt that some things were not everyone's to know and a bedroom can be a sanctuary if they wanted it to be.
Jin decided he could give up the sauna and the pool for this house. It really was a much better fit.
Jin liked the outdoor fireplace and could imagine sitting around enjoying the night with friends and family even during the colder months.
The mixture of the dark wood and pale walls looked elegant without being too somber. Jin liked the stone accents and tiles.
"I like this one too. Its not as big as the other one but its big enough...I guess." He feigned a heavy sigh before favoring Mara with a mischievous grin. "Did you notice how removed the master bedroom was?" He lifted his eyebrows, his smile becoming even wider. "Nice and private so we can... enjoy each other's company with worrying about disturbing anyone."
The master bedroom which was situated at the far right side of the home so that none of its walls were shared by rooms that other people might be using. The same could be said of the master bath. Over all, he found that rather comforting. It was like having their own little home inside the larger one. The parlor area was another added layer to their privacy and also a quiet private place to chat with someone without needing to bring them into the bedroom. Jin felt that some things were not everyone's to know and a bedroom can be a sanctuary if they wanted it to be.
Jin decided he could give up the sauna and the pool for this house. It really was a much better fit.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara watched Jin closely, trying to figure out exactly how badly he wanted to own a humongous mansion. But his grin told her he wasn't serious, and the next topic had her grinning back at him.
"Or, without disturbing them... much."
She stepped closer to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gently pressed her mouth to the side of his neck. Wherever they lived, it wouldn't matter. She didn't want Jin to think she didn't care at all about the home they were going to choose for themselves. She did. But it was enough to have Jin there, all the time, to be surrounded by things that were both his and hers. The idea of it made her delirious.
Pulling away slightly she murmured into his ear, "So this goes on the acceptable list. Was there another one to look at?"
Mara nipped her way along Jin's jaw to his lips. "Because too much speculation about the acoustics in the bedroom and we may have to test them out."
"Or, without disturbing them... much."
She stepped closer to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gently pressed her mouth to the side of his neck. Wherever they lived, it wouldn't matter. She didn't want Jin to think she didn't care at all about the home they were going to choose for themselves. She did. But it was enough to have Jin there, all the time, to be surrounded by things that were both his and hers. The idea of it made her delirious.
Pulling away slightly she murmured into his ear, "So this goes on the acceptable list. Was there another one to look at?"
Mara nipped her way along Jin's jaw to his lips. "Because too much speculation about the acoustics in the bedroom and we may have to test them out."
Jin
13 years ago
Jin eyed Mara and then looked in the direction of the bedroom before returning his gaze to her again with a small sigh. Making love in public was one thing but doing so in someone's home was more than he was willing to do. Better to go on to other things and get back to their own place for the rest of the night.
" I think we best hurry along then so that we can get home and... do some further testing on the acoustics there."
The next house was also large but less pretty on the outside. Not that it was ugly but it didn't have that old world charm. On the inside it made up for its less than stellar outward appearance. The living room had vaulted wooden ceilings with huge windows looking out over the harbor.
The kitchen was smaller but pretty. It had an island but the stove was set in the corner not out in the middle. Jin supposed he could still sit in the kitchen and talk to Mara while she cooked.
He liked the little den set off to the side but would rather have the parlor that was a gateway to their private domain. In this home the master bedroom was against the wall of the living room and the other bedrooms were situation on top of it. Guests would certainly hear them in their more unrestrained moments.
Downstairs there was a pool table in the large rec room and a smaller area off to the side with a console and chairs for video games in front of the bar.
By far the strangest part of this house was a tunnel that looked like a mine shaft leading to a casino themed gaming area with a card table and small roulette wheel. Beyond that was large media room with rows of seating. There was also some unfinished storage space that could be turned into whatever they required.
"Okay the mine shaft...that's different. Certainly a conversation starter."
Jin wasn't sure that he liked that enough for it to win over his heart. He turned to Mara and shrugged.
"What do you think?"
" I think we best hurry along then so that we can get home and... do some further testing on the acoustics there."
The next house was also large but less pretty on the outside. Not that it was ugly but it didn't have that old world charm. On the inside it made up for its less than stellar outward appearance. The living room had vaulted wooden ceilings with huge windows looking out over the harbor.
The kitchen was smaller but pretty. It had an island but the stove was set in the corner not out in the middle. Jin supposed he could still sit in the kitchen and talk to Mara while she cooked.
He liked the little den set off to the side but would rather have the parlor that was a gateway to their private domain. In this home the master bedroom was against the wall of the living room and the other bedrooms were situation on top of it. Guests would certainly hear them in their more unrestrained moments.
Downstairs there was a pool table in the large rec room and a smaller area off to the side with a console and chairs for video games in front of the bar.
By far the strangest part of this house was a tunnel that looked like a mine shaft leading to a casino themed gaming area with a card table and small roulette wheel. Beyond that was large media room with rows of seating. There was also some unfinished storage space that could be turned into whatever they required.
"Okay the mine shaft...that's different. Certainly a conversation starter."
Jin wasn't sure that he liked that enough for it to win over his heart. He turned to Mara and shrugged.
"What do you think?"
Mara
13 years ago
Mara smiled knowingly at Jin's sigh. She hadn't expected that. She had meant to tease. Although she had to wonder, if Jin really had wanted to, right here? Would she have? The answer, she realized, was very likely 'yes.' How could she deny it after he'd recently demonstrated to her how powerful a force love could be?
It didn't take them long to locate the next address and break into that one, too. But she was in accord with Jin when he made his observations upon completion of their walkthrough.
"It's lovely, but a mine shaft isn't a good reason for us to buy a home."
She looked around them. "This one is nice. But I liked the last one better."
As they wandered around the house again she found herself thinking more and more about the previous home, its little outdoor fireplace, the little parlor.
"I can see us being at home there. I could actually see us sitting in those rooms, doing what we like to do."
She looked at Jin. "And you? Do you still like the first one best?"
It didn't take them long to locate the next address and break into that one, too. But she was in accord with Jin when he made his observations upon completion of their walkthrough.
"It's lovely, but a mine shaft isn't a good reason for us to buy a home."
She looked around them. "This one is nice. But I liked the last one better."
As they wandered around the house again she found herself thinking more and more about the previous home, its little outdoor fireplace, the little parlor.
"I can see us being at home there. I could actually see us sitting in those rooms, doing what we like to do."
She looked at Jin. "And you? Do you still like the first one best?"
Jin
13 years ago
Jin gave her an impish grin at the thought of them 'doing what they like to do'. At her question, he shook his head.
"If I want enormous then we can always pay the Manor a visit."
He was happy. It seemed like they had found one that they both loved; it happened to be the same one. Jin thought of waking up in their own house next to Mara every night, padding to the kitchen in his boxers to make them some breakfast coffee or tea, enjoying the media room and any other room with no worries of interruption... it was like a dream and he realized that it was very close to coming true.
Pulling her close, Jin smiled at her. "The last one we saw is perfect. Shall we call the realtor on the way home and set up an appointment to 'tour' it tomorrow?" Leaning down to her neck, he murmured against her neck.
"And then after that we can see how fast I can get us home. There's a different kind of touring that I'd like to do."
"If I want enormous then we can always pay the Manor a visit."
He was happy. It seemed like they had found one that they both loved; it happened to be the same one. Jin thought of waking up in their own house next to Mara every night, padding to the kitchen in his boxers to make them some breakfast coffee or tea, enjoying the media room and any other room with no worries of interruption... it was like a dream and he realized that it was very close to coming true.
Pulling her close, Jin smiled at her. "The last one we saw is perfect. Shall we call the realtor on the way home and set up an appointment to 'tour' it tomorrow?" Leaning down to her neck, he murmured against her neck.
"And then after that we can see how fast I can get us home. There's a different kind of touring that I'd like to do."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara smiled back at Jin. He seemed sure, now that they had seen the four houses on their list, that the previous one was right for them. She agreed. It wasn't the one with the most outrageous 'wow' features; they all had one or two of those. But it was the one with the most pleasing features all around.
When Jin pulled her close her heart fluttered and she wrapped her arms around him happily, excited and thrilled. "Yes, let's. You know, there was enough property that a sauna or a pool would not be out of place."
She made her suggestion with a little nuzzle against Jin's cheek. There was no reason not to put in the things that had attracted his attention with the first house. "Maybe the realtor will know a contractor who could help us set that up, too."
His next suggestion made her sigh with anticipation. "That's good," she said mischievously, "since the scenery has changed some since you were last through."
Having discovered a few things about sizing and online shopping recently, Mara had a few surprises in store for Jin that she thought might be worth breaking a speed limit or two for.
((ooc: Mara and Jin out!))
When Jin pulled her close her heart fluttered and she wrapped her arms around him happily, excited and thrilled. "Yes, let's. You know, there was enough property that a sauna or a pool would not be out of place."
She made her suggestion with a little nuzzle against Jin's cheek. There was no reason not to put in the things that had attracted his attention with the first house. "Maybe the realtor will know a contractor who could help us set that up, too."
His next suggestion made her sigh with anticipation. "That's good," she said mischievously, "since the scenery has changed some since you were last through."
Having discovered a few things about sizing and online shopping recently, Mara had a few surprises in store for Jin that she thought might be worth breaking a speed limit or two for.
((ooc: Mara and Jin out!))