He felt her hand in his and held it tightly, it was small and soft. Only now was he starting to realize she had stayed with him. She did not need to, she'd done all she could for Amir there was little Claire could accomplish by waiting with him. He would have to find a way to thank Claire later.
He let her guide him back to the sofa and sat with her. He only barley heard what she said. It wasn't until she started to reach behind her that the words penetrated. He watched fascinated as she moved her dress away. Despite the bra being modern it seemed perfectly appropriate for Claire.
Bao was truly touched she would offer this to him. And selfishly he found that he would rather offer himself to Jin again than have Jin take from Claire. Without a second thought Bao found himself in her arms, holding her close he buried his face in the crook of her neck. He gently kissed the delicate skin there. Yes he very much wanted to accept her offer, he needed too.
He wanted to pull her roughly to him, to bite without restraint, but he couldn't not this first time. That would be a poor way to repay such a generous offer. Softly and with great care he slid his fangs into her neck and drank. Between his own hunger, the sweet rich taste of Claire's blood and the feel of her chest pressed to his Bao was dealing with sensory over load. It took a great deal of focus and self control be he pulled away taking approximately half of what Jin had taken from him.
Some where along the line his hand had moved to cradle her neck. And even as he pulled away Bao held her carefully. He finally regarded her with a calm sincerity.
"Thank you. Very much."
Like a Box of Chocolates... (invite only)
Mara, Jin, and Bao tumbled out of the car once they reached the manor. Mara turned to lift Amir from the back of the car where she and Jin had been sitting with him sprawled across them to find Jin already doing so.
Bao had driven like a maniac to get here. Mara and Jin had done their best to assess Amir's condition. It was dire. There was very little else to say aside from that. He needed blood and he needed it soon. And even after that it was a gamble as to whether or not he would be the same Amir they had known before.
Jin carried Amir into the Manor. Rupert met them at the door, his face professionally neutral as if people wandered randomly in every day with corpselike Clan-mates. Mara stepped closer to him.
"We need blood," she requested softly. "As quickly as you can possibly bring it to us."
That said she followed Jin quickly through the halls toward Amir's apartment by mutual unspoken consent. Not knowing when he would wake or how he would feel upon doing so, it seemed prudent to surround him with things that would be familiar to him. Or at least Mara hoped they would be familiar to him. Even she didn't understand the extent to which Subira had invaded his own mind and memories.
It saddened her to think that they had done this not so long ago. Back into Amir's apartment they went, only this time he was not nearly in such good condition. But, Mara thought with a tiny flicker of hope, this time might be the last in a long while. If Amir's gamble had worked out at all, he would be free.
Bao
13 years ago
Claire
13 years ago
Bao felt so good in her arms. Claire held him close, her body relaxing just with his nearness to her.
His kiss was tender and she sighed softly, tilting her head to give him more access. She found his bite to be heartbreakingly gentle; it made her cling to him all the more. How could people see Bao as cold and unfeeling? The truth was illustrated so eloquently in his soft touch; his concern for her well being, despite his hunger. Claire shuddered in pleasure, her eyes sliding closed as he drank.
She laid happily in his arms, smiling softly at him when he pulled away enough to look her in the eye.
"You're very welcome."
Claire reached out a hand to stroke his cheek. "I am very glad that it was you." She tilted her head sideways slightly to indicate that she was speaking of being happy that Bao was the one who had bitten her.
Turning around, she exposed her back to him and asked. "Would you be so kind?" The tiny cloth covered buttons were done up so much easier by another.
His kiss was tender and she sighed softly, tilting her head to give him more access. She found his bite to be heartbreakingly gentle; it made her cling to him all the more. How could people see Bao as cold and unfeeling? The truth was illustrated so eloquently in his soft touch; his concern for her well being, despite his hunger. Claire shuddered in pleasure, her eyes sliding closed as he drank.
She laid happily in his arms, smiling softly at him when he pulled away enough to look her in the eye.
"You're very welcome."
Claire reached out a hand to stroke his cheek. "I am very glad that it was you." She tilted her head sideways slightly to indicate that she was speaking of being happy that Bao was the one who had bitten her.
Turning around, she exposed her back to him and asked. "Would you be so kind?" The tiny cloth covered buttons were done up so much easier by another.
Bao
13 years ago
"It is perhaps presumptuous, but I would prefer to keep you to myself.�
Bao didn't entirely understand that sentiment, especially as it was very clearly a double standard. He had no issues sharing himself with Jin. That was, perhaps, different as it was done only to aid Amir. Granted Bao was one step removed from the process of feeding his father, but it was one step closer than should Jin take from some one else.
"You should find something to eat yourself.�
He said quietly, regretting that he could not offer to return the favor at this point.
When she turned he nodded and quickly redid each of the tiny buttons. There were quite a few, he found himself intrigued with each and every one. But, manners and propriety dictated he do them up quickly and making as little contact as possible, although it was quite tempting to let his fingers caress the skin of her back. But he resisted and acted as a gentleman.
Helping Claire with her clothes made Bao realize he was still only half dressed, less as he had neither a jacket nor tie on. Quietly he stood and retrieved his clothes from where he'd neatly lay them and dressed himself shirt, tie and all.
Reattired Bao looked from Claire to the door to Amir's bedroom and back. He didn't want to leave her but it was nearly painful to be shut out like this. Finally he decided that Amir's well being out weighed any intimacy issues, if he were asked to leave he would but not until then. He knocked softly on the door before just barley putting his head inside the dark room.
"Is there anything else that is needed?�
He trusted Mara's ability to read between the lines and know that what he was truly asking was if he was intruding.
Bao didn't entirely understand that sentiment, especially as it was very clearly a double standard. He had no issues sharing himself with Jin. That was, perhaps, different as it was done only to aid Amir. Granted Bao was one step removed from the process of feeding his father, but it was one step closer than should Jin take from some one else.
"You should find something to eat yourself.�
He said quietly, regretting that he could not offer to return the favor at this point.
When she turned he nodded and quickly redid each of the tiny buttons. There were quite a few, he found himself intrigued with each and every one. But, manners and propriety dictated he do them up quickly and making as little contact as possible, although it was quite tempting to let his fingers caress the skin of her back. But he resisted and acted as a gentleman.
Helping Claire with her clothes made Bao realize he was still only half dressed, less as he had neither a jacket nor tie on. Quietly he stood and retrieved his clothes from where he'd neatly lay them and dressed himself shirt, tie and all.
Reattired Bao looked from Claire to the door to Amir's bedroom and back. He didn't want to leave her but it was nearly painful to be shut out like this. Finally he decided that Amir's well being out weighed any intimacy issues, if he were asked to leave he would but not until then. He knocked softly on the door before just barley putting his head inside the dark room.
"Is there anything else that is needed?�
He trusted Mara's ability to read between the lines and know that what he was truly asking was if he was intruding.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin was surprised to be asked to stay by Amir but the request, spoken so forlornly, touched him. He pulled the covers back and climbed into the bed. Jin laid down facing Amir and once more pressed himself tight against the Huntsman, giving him what body heat he could.
"As long as you wish me to."
He wrapped an arm over Amir, placing it on Mara's waist. They were all snugly sandwiched together ; if the situation had not been so serious then he would have found it enjoyable. Jin did acknowledge that it was comfortable; he rested his head of the pillow with a small sigh.
They had not been there long before Bao leaned in and asked if there was anything that was needed. Jin figured he was not the best to answer the question and cast his glance to Amir and then to Mara. After a thoughtful frown he did think there was something that might be useful.
"Do you think you or Claire could ask Rupert if we have any electric blankets?"
Jin gave Amir a soft reassuring smile. He was not planning on leaving but the heated covers might help provide a more even warmth to help the Huntsman as he healed.
"As long as you wish me to."
He wrapped an arm over Amir, placing it on Mara's waist. They were all snugly sandwiched together ; if the situation had not been so serious then he would have found it enjoyable. Jin did acknowledge that it was comfortable; he rested his head of the pillow with a small sigh.
They had not been there long before Bao leaned in and asked if there was anything that was needed. Jin figured he was not the best to answer the question and cast his glance to Amir and then to Mara. After a thoughtful frown he did think there was something that might be useful.
"Do you think you or Claire could ask Rupert if we have any electric blankets?"
Jin gave Amir a soft reassuring smile. He was not planning on leaving but the heated covers might help provide a more even warmth to help the Huntsman as he healed.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara lay back down with Amir when he went, her arm immediately circling his waist as he nestled against her, facing Jin, holding onto her lover's hand. Mara thought she might feel jealousy, or resentment, or some sort of negative feeling, having Amir turn from her and reach out to Jin instead. But the feelings weren't there. In fact, she understood Amir's reaction and it wasn't just because she thought Jin was worth clinging to, herself.
Jin had provided most of the warmth Amir had woken to, and all of his blood so far. She didn't know what Amir remembered of waking, but Jin must have featured prominently. She would give anything to know what was going through his head though. He was not himself. Or maybe he was himself. That was the trouble. The Amir who was waking up and healing now seemed very different from the Amir they had tracked to the home of Xephier's werewolves.
Jin did not deny Amir his request. He lay down on the other side of Amir with a small sigh and wrapped his arm around both of them, his hand coming to rest on Mara's waist. She lifted her own arm from where it was wrapped around Amir and gently touched her fingers to Jin's cheek, then laid her arm along his.
When Bao appeared Mara lifted her head and smiled at her brother, motioning for him to come in. She wasn't sure how awake Amir was but she thought he'd like to know Bao was there.
"That's a good idea," she said. An electric blanket would certainly help. She wanted to ask Bao to see if any of the staff would be willing to offer themselves, for she was slightly hungry and would like to remain close by. But she didn't think it would be a good idea to invite a human here just yet. She could walk downstairs and ask, herself, when Amir was asleep again.
Jin had provided most of the warmth Amir had woken to, and all of his blood so far. She didn't know what Amir remembered of waking, but Jin must have featured prominently. She would give anything to know what was going through his head though. He was not himself. Or maybe he was himself. That was the trouble. The Amir who was waking up and healing now seemed very different from the Amir they had tracked to the home of Xephier's werewolves.
Jin did not deny Amir his request. He lay down on the other side of Amir with a small sigh and wrapped his arm around both of them, his hand coming to rest on Mara's waist. She lifted her own arm from where it was wrapped around Amir and gently touched her fingers to Jin's cheek, then laid her arm along his.
When Bao appeared Mara lifted her head and smiled at her brother, motioning for him to come in. She wasn't sure how awake Amir was but she thought he'd like to know Bao was there.
"That's a good idea," she said. An electric blanket would certainly help. She wanted to ask Bao to see if any of the staff would be willing to offer themselves, for she was slightly hungry and would like to remain close by. But she didn't think it would be a good idea to invite a human here just yet. She could walk downstairs and ask, herself, when Amir was asleep again.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir was relieved when he didn't have to answer any more questions. Mara seemed content to just be there with him and he was satisfied, for the moment to not feel the need to answer things he wasn't sure of.
Jin joined them in the bed... his bed... and Amir sighed as he was ensconced between him and Mara. Immediately he closed his eyes and drowsed. That is, until he heard a familiar voice at the doorway.
"Bao?" he struggled free and sat up quickly; far, far too quickly. "Ow."
His head protested the sudden movement and he scowled. Between the headache and his disgusting voice he wasn't sure what sort of impression that might have had on his friend but he dropped back to the bed anyway.
"I thought you were dead," he ground out. Then he shook his head. He had thought a lot of things while he was experiencing some starvation-induced hallucinations, but he remembered that and it had stuck out at him in the worst way possible.
His throat hurt but it was getting slightly better with the passage of time. "You're not dead."
He was relieved. Wasn't he? Yes, this was relief. It was the first real emotion Amir could label as his since waking. He gave a long sigh and closed his eyes. "That's good."
Jin joined them in the bed... his bed... and Amir sighed as he was ensconced between him and Mara. Immediately he closed his eyes and drowsed. That is, until he heard a familiar voice at the doorway.
"Bao?" he struggled free and sat up quickly; far, far too quickly. "Ow."
His head protested the sudden movement and he scowled. Between the headache and his disgusting voice he wasn't sure what sort of impression that might have had on his friend but he dropped back to the bed anyway.
"I thought you were dead," he ground out. Then he shook his head. He had thought a lot of things while he was experiencing some starvation-induced hallucinations, but he remembered that and it had stuck out at him in the worst way possible.
His throat hurt but it was getting slightly better with the passage of time. "You're not dead."
He was relieved. Wasn't he? Yes, this was relief. It was the first real emotion Amir could label as his since waking. He gave a long sigh and closed his eyes. "That's good."
Bao
13 years ago
Logically Bao knew Jin was not chasing him away, but that was how it felt. Bao's heart sank, but if that was what they wanted he would honor it. He didn't even blink, only nodded and took half a step back.
"Of course."
It was Mara who drew him up short. He didn't know if she had read into his question or if was something else. He didn't care. Entering the room as quietly as he could so as not to disturb Amir Bao looked at his maker. He did actually look better than he had, not that that took terribly much but it was something.
When Amir spoke and moved though Bao looked to both Jin and Mara to keep him quiet. Concerned or not the relief Bao felt to hear Amir's voice, even distorted and rough, was palpable. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard keeping himself controlled. Until that second hearing his father speak his name Bao had not admitted how close to losing him they'd come, and he had no idea what he would have done if they had.
Moving to the foot of the bed he lightly placed a hand on Amir's leg.
"No Cha. We thought you were."
He actually smiled, very faintly as Amir closed his eyes.
"You know I would not do anything to disappoint you, including die."
There was another side to that coin, but tonight he didn't want to think about it. He was simply grateful they were all there and all alive, or in Amir's case, recovering. But back to work, to find an electric blanket or two and possibly put some of the staff on alert. Although they had all shared, all four of them should eat yet tonight.
"Rest. I will be back very shortly."
He didn't run but he may as well have for as fast as he walked. Bao paused only to squeeze Claire's hand and allow some of his relief to show before going to accomplish his errand.
"Of course."
It was Mara who drew him up short. He didn't know if she had read into his question or if was something else. He didn't care. Entering the room as quietly as he could so as not to disturb Amir Bao looked at his maker. He did actually look better than he had, not that that took terribly much but it was something.
When Amir spoke and moved though Bao looked to both Jin and Mara to keep him quiet. Concerned or not the relief Bao felt to hear Amir's voice, even distorted and rough, was palpable. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard keeping himself controlled. Until that second hearing his father speak his name Bao had not admitted how close to losing him they'd come, and he had no idea what he would have done if they had.
Moving to the foot of the bed he lightly placed a hand on Amir's leg.
"No Cha. We thought you were."
He actually smiled, very faintly as Amir closed his eyes.
"You know I would not do anything to disappoint you, including die."
There was another side to that coin, but tonight he didn't want to think about it. He was simply grateful they were all there and all alive, or in Amir's case, recovering. But back to work, to find an electric blanket or two and possibly put some of the staff on alert. Although they had all shared, all four of them should eat yet tonight.
"Rest. I will be back very shortly."
He didn't run but he may as well have for as fast as he walked. Bao paused only to squeeze Claire's hand and allow some of his relief to show before going to accomplish his errand.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin sat up when Amir did and reached out for him. It seemed that the man was okay and so he sat silently and listened to the conversation. He wondered why Amir believed that Bao was dead but at least that misconception was able to be cleared up.
Settling back down in the bed when Bao stepped back out, Jin once more pulled close to the other two next to him. Jin wrapped his arm over them both once more. Tucking his head beneath Amir's chin, he snuggled tight against the Huntsman and closed his eyes. It would be difficult for Amir to move without it waking him should Jin happen to drift off to sleep as well.
Settling back down in the bed when Bao stepped back out, Jin once more pulled close to the other two next to him. Jin wrapped his arm over them both once more. Tucking his head beneath Amir's chin, he snuggled tight against the Huntsman and closed his eyes. It would be difficult for Amir to move without it waking him should Jin happen to drift off to sleep as well.
Mara
13 years ago
From both Bao's and Amir's reactions, Mara was hopeful. She wanted to keep reminding Amir of people her cared about, who were important to him, so of course Bao had to be there. Bao looked, well, happy. He smiled which for him was nearly the same as flat out celebration.
As Amir lay back down and Bao disappeared to locate an electric blanket, Mara snuggled back up to her Creator, waiting a few minutes until she was fairly certain he was asleep again. This was how it would go for some time; probably into tomorrow while his body healed. Maybe longer. She'd never seen him so close to death before. It was easier to think about it now, now that Amir was so clearly going to recover.
Once she could speak without fear that Amir would wake she lifted her head. Jin had been very quiet, and was lying there snuggled up against Amir with his eyes closed, but she didn't think he was asleep. Nonetheless she kept her voice very soft. If he really was sleeping, it wouldn't wake him.
"I have to go to Africa," she said, barely above a whisper.
As Amir lay back down and Bao disappeared to locate an electric blanket, Mara snuggled back up to her Creator, waiting a few minutes until she was fairly certain he was asleep again. This was how it would go for some time; probably into tomorrow while his body healed. Maybe longer. She'd never seen him so close to death before. It was easier to think about it now, now that Amir was so clearly going to recover.
Once she could speak without fear that Amir would wake she lifted her head. Jin had been very quiet, and was lying there snuggled up against Amir with his eyes closed, but she didn't think he was asleep. Nonetheless she kept her voice very soft. If he really was sleeping, it wouldn't wake him.
"I have to go to Africa," she said, barely above a whisper.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin heard Mara's soft spoken voice. His first thought was to object immediately even though they discussed needing to tell Subira that Amir was dead and bringing her as much proof of that as possible. He just didn't want it to be Mara that went. Jin selfishly thought a nice letter and a UPS package would suffice.
He realized that it would not be very convincing.
What would Subira do with Amir gone? Would she care about Mara at all? Would she want Mara under her control as well?
Jin didn't remove his head from its snug resting place but he opened his eyes. "I understand." He said equally quietly. "Is she going to want to control you? If so then its not worth the risk."
It took Amir's desperate and insanely dangerous actions to get him free of his Creator. What benefit would it be if Subira gained Mara just as she lost Amir? Of course there would not be the many years of command on her which meant that it could be broken. However, all it would take is some well chosen questions and use of the ability for the whole journey to be all for nothing.
He tilted his head so that he could see her more clearly. "I will go with you. I refuse to lose you." Frowning thoughtfully, Jin said. "A member of the Hunt should accompany you also. I will ask Mama about it."
He realized that it would not be very convincing.
What would Subira do with Amir gone? Would she care about Mara at all? Would she want Mara under her control as well?
Jin didn't remove his head from its snug resting place but he opened his eyes. "I understand." He said equally quietly. "Is she going to want to control you? If so then its not worth the risk."
It took Amir's desperate and insanely dangerous actions to get him free of his Creator. What benefit would it be if Subira gained Mara just as she lost Amir? Of course there would not be the many years of command on her which meant that it could be broken. However, all it would take is some well chosen questions and use of the ability for the whole journey to be all for nothing.
He tilted his head so that he could see her more clearly. "I will go with you. I refuse to lose you." Frowning thoughtfully, Jin said. "A member of the Hunt should accompany you also. I will ask Mama about it."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara wasn't surprised to hear Jin's soft voice. With her head raised, she could make out his dark eyes in the dim light of Amir's starlit bedroom. "No," she said softly, certainly. "Subira thinks I'm useless."
She didn't add that Subira was just as likely to try to kill her as she was to let her leave. But Amir's creator had never liked her. Whether it had begun as jealousy and turned into something else, or jealousy had never factored into it, Mara didn't know. All she knew was that for centuries Amir had been a buffer between the two women. Subira would definitely not want to keep Mara.
"If I act the part correctly she won't care what I do," Mara continued. She had to portray herself as distraught, hysterical but not violent or vengeful. Broken, perhaps. Grief-stricken. Mara's inclination when hurt was to fiercely protect those she loved but if Subira thought any retribution would be forthcoming from Mara then Mara would be in danger. Amir had taught her how to defend herself well, but she could not best Subira.
She nodded at Jin when he said he would accompany her. She very much didn't want to go face Subira alone. Nor did she want to be away from Jin at all. She laid her head back down, thinking about how to approach Amir's Creator. As she pondered it, she thought about Amir himself. Or, at least, the difference in him since waking. He was holding something back, she thought. Or, perhaps he wasn't fully aware yet.
He had responded to all of them but strongly toward Jin, who even now he was turned to for all that he had given Mara his back to guard. Should they both leave him? Would he be able to feed himself?
That more than anything concerned her. "Jin," she said reluctantly a few minutes after falling silent. "I think you need to stay with Amir."
There might be an argument. Mara didn't want that. She hated conflict. She hated even more the idea of being separated from Jin for any length of time, for any reason. With the arm she had in contact with his, she squeezed, trying to communicate her hesitation.
She detailed her worries to Jin, told him her reasons for her thoughts. Maybe he would have a counter argument.
"If we both go, he'll have to rely on Bao," she said softly. That wasn't a bad thing. Bao was Amir's favorite next to Mara, and they had spent many centuries working together, sometimes living together. Bao would know how to help Amir, but could he really offer the support Amir might need? And if Amir became too aggressive while hunting, could Bao truly stop him? Mara wasn't even sure she could.
"You might be the only one of the three of us who he trusts, and who can curtail him if his hunts go... badly," Mara said, her voice soft and sad. She felt like she was trying to pull off a limb. She didn't know it could be so hard to distance herself from Jin, even if only physically, for a short time.
"I won't be gone long. A week, maybe two. No more."
It felt like forever.
She didn't add that Subira was just as likely to try to kill her as she was to let her leave. But Amir's creator had never liked her. Whether it had begun as jealousy and turned into something else, or jealousy had never factored into it, Mara didn't know. All she knew was that for centuries Amir had been a buffer between the two women. Subira would definitely not want to keep Mara.
"If I act the part correctly she won't care what I do," Mara continued. She had to portray herself as distraught, hysterical but not violent or vengeful. Broken, perhaps. Grief-stricken. Mara's inclination when hurt was to fiercely protect those she loved but if Subira thought any retribution would be forthcoming from Mara then Mara would be in danger. Amir had taught her how to defend herself well, but she could not best Subira.
She nodded at Jin when he said he would accompany her. She very much didn't want to go face Subira alone. Nor did she want to be away from Jin at all. She laid her head back down, thinking about how to approach Amir's Creator. As she pondered it, she thought about Amir himself. Or, at least, the difference in him since waking. He was holding something back, she thought. Or, perhaps he wasn't fully aware yet.
He had responded to all of them but strongly toward Jin, who even now he was turned to for all that he had given Mara his back to guard. Should they both leave him? Would he be able to feed himself?
That more than anything concerned her. "Jin," she said reluctantly a few minutes after falling silent. "I think you need to stay with Amir."
There might be an argument. Mara didn't want that. She hated conflict. She hated even more the idea of being separated from Jin for any length of time, for any reason. With the arm she had in contact with his, she squeezed, trying to communicate her hesitation.
She detailed her worries to Jin, told him her reasons for her thoughts. Maybe he would have a counter argument.
"If we both go, he'll have to rely on Bao," she said softly. That wasn't a bad thing. Bao was Amir's favorite next to Mara, and they had spent many centuries working together, sometimes living together. Bao would know how to help Amir, but could he really offer the support Amir might need? And if Amir became too aggressive while hunting, could Bao truly stop him? Mara wasn't even sure she could.
"You might be the only one of the three of us who he trusts, and who can curtail him if his hunts go... badly," Mara said, her voice soft and sad. She felt like she was trying to pull off a limb. She didn't know it could be so hard to distance herself from Jin, even if only physically, for a short time.
"I won't be gone long. A week, maybe two. No more."
It felt like forever.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin frowned at Mara's words. How could anyone think Mara was useless? Everything he heard about this woman made him dislike her more...truly, dislike was not a strong enough word. Was it possible to hate someone you've never met? It seemed so.
He was lost in his thoughts when she spoke next. Sitting up a little, he questioned. "What? Let you go without me?"
Jin looked at the man curled up against him, settling down again, he stroked a soothing hand across Amir's shoulder, in case his movement disturbed the Huntsman. He didn't want Amir to believe he had been abandoned, even in his sleep and if he had felt Jin pull away it might trouble his dreams. Jin's eyes darted from Mara to her Creator and back again.
He didn't want her to go alone. Subira's lackey had nearly killed her already and Amir had gone through desperate measures to be out of her control. In the end that was perhaps the deciding factor, that and Mara was a member of his Order. He couldn't keep her from danger, sometimes he might have to even ask her to go into it. In this case, She had decided that it was the best way to ensure that Subira and her people truly believe that Amir was dead. Jin could not ruin that chance by asking her not to go, nor did he want Amir to be without support while he needed it.
"I don't like it." He sighed softly, looking up at her with sad eyes. "But I understand."
Jin squeezed her hand tighter. "But you're going with the best protection I can find." Even if he had to toss his mother onto the plane himself. He would talk to Mai as soon as possible and beg her to go with Mara.
He was lost in his thoughts when she spoke next. Sitting up a little, he questioned. "What? Let you go without me?"
Jin looked at the man curled up against him, settling down again, he stroked a soothing hand across Amir's shoulder, in case his movement disturbed the Huntsman. He didn't want Amir to believe he had been abandoned, even in his sleep and if he had felt Jin pull away it might trouble his dreams. Jin's eyes darted from Mara to her Creator and back again.
He didn't want her to go alone. Subira's lackey had nearly killed her already and Amir had gone through desperate measures to be out of her control. In the end that was perhaps the deciding factor, that and Mara was a member of his Order. He couldn't keep her from danger, sometimes he might have to even ask her to go into it. In this case, She had decided that it was the best way to ensure that Subira and her people truly believe that Amir was dead. Jin could not ruin that chance by asking her not to go, nor did he want Amir to be without support while he needed it.
"I don't like it." He sighed softly, looking up at her with sad eyes. "But I understand."
Jin squeezed her hand tighter. "But you're going with the best protection I can find." Even if he had to toss his mother onto the plane himself. He would talk to Mai as soon as possible and beg her to go with Mara.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara was prepared for Jin's reaction. She met his gaze when he sat up partway, ready to defend her case. But to her surprise Jin seemed to think it over and, after a few moments, acceded to her request.
"Oh Jin," she said sorrowfully, "I don't want to go without you. But it really is the best way for all of us."
When he said she would go with the best protection he could find she smiled into his beautiful dark eyes. Twining her fingers with his, desperate to stay in contact with him for as long as she could, she nodded. "Of course," she said.
She knew he would not send an army with her. He couldn't. Nothing would put Subira on her guard faster than that. But one or two good Huntsmen or women and Mara would be much safer than if she went alone. And Jin could easily request that. He was the acting Elder of Night, after all, a fact which Mara routinely forgot, due, she suspected, to the fact that she could not stop kissing him whenever they were alone and fairly often even when they were not.
"If this works," she said softly, "we could buy him time. Months, maybe. I think he may need it."
"Oh Jin," she said sorrowfully, "I don't want to go without you. But it really is the best way for all of us."
When he said she would go with the best protection he could find she smiled into his beautiful dark eyes. Twining her fingers with his, desperate to stay in contact with him for as long as she could, she nodded. "Of course," she said.
She knew he would not send an army with her. He couldn't. Nothing would put Subira on her guard faster than that. But one or two good Huntsmen or women and Mara would be much safer than if she went alone. And Jin could easily request that. He was the acting Elder of Night, after all, a fact which Mara routinely forgot, due, she suspected, to the fact that she could not stop kissing him whenever they were alone and fairly often even when they were not.
"If this works," she said softly, "we could buy him time. Months, maybe. I think he may need it."
Jin
13 years ago
Jin sat up again, carefully pulling himself out from under the blankets, one hand rested gently but heavily on Amir's shoulder. He had not left, just moved. Crawling over to the other side of the bed, he took Mara in his arms. He spoke quietly to her while holding her close. "I don't want you to go either, Xiao Mao."
He sighed. "It scares me and I will miss you. I already miss you and you're right here."
Listening to her estimation of the time that they would buy Amir with the news of his untimely demise, Jin nodded. "I think so also, both that it will work and that he needs it to."
The Huntsman looked vulnerable in his sleep, curled up under the blankets. Amir was going to need family and friends in the next few months and Jin couldn't ignore that. He also knew that the Huntsman was a proud man and it would best to just be there quietly giving him the help that he needs. Amir might try to suffer in silence otherwise.
He sighed. "It scares me and I will miss you. I already miss you and you're right here."
Listening to her estimation of the time that they would buy Amir with the news of his untimely demise, Jin nodded. "I think so also, both that it will work and that he needs it to."
The Huntsman looked vulnerable in his sleep, curled up under the blankets. Amir was going to need family and friends in the next few months and Jin couldn't ignore that. He also knew that the Huntsman was a proud man and it would best to just be there quietly giving him the help that he needs. Amir might try to suffer in silence otherwise.
Mara
13 years ago
Just the thought of being afraid, alone, having to confront Amir's Creator by herself (or almost by herself) made Mara want to cry. As Jin moved around the bed and embraced her she did, softly, letting a few tears slip free while she clung to his arms around her as if she might never feel them again.
She couldn't tell Jin how much Subira truly despised her. Amir's mercurial Creator was, indeed, just as likely to attack Mara as send her off. Hopefully, with some protection there, she would simply choose to dismiss Mara. Especially if Mara could achieve the right balance of hysterical and useless. It was possible.
She turned her head enough to kiss Jin while still remaining curled around Amir. It was comforting to be tucked between them. She held onto that feeling while she could, knowing that all too soon she would be feeling the void left by the absence of both.
"I love you, Jing," she said softly, smiling at his murmured response. "I promise I'll come home as soon as I can, to be with you both. You don't know how much it means to me to know you'll be here with Amir. He couldn't have a better support."
She kissed Jin again, lingering, trying to make it last. And wondering how she could possibly make a plane flight to Africa go faster than normal. Because the sooner she went, the sooner she could return.
((ooc: All out))
She couldn't tell Jin how much Subira truly despised her. Amir's mercurial Creator was, indeed, just as likely to attack Mara as send her off. Hopefully, with some protection there, she would simply choose to dismiss Mara. Especially if Mara could achieve the right balance of hysterical and useless. It was possible.
She turned her head enough to kiss Jin while still remaining curled around Amir. It was comforting to be tucked between them. She held onto that feeling while she could, knowing that all too soon she would be feeling the void left by the absence of both.
"I love you, Jing," she said softly, smiling at his murmured response. "I promise I'll come home as soon as I can, to be with you both. You don't know how much it means to me to know you'll be here with Amir. He couldn't have a better support."
She kissed Jin again, lingering, trying to make it last. And wondering how she could possibly make a plane flight to Africa go faster than normal. Because the sooner she went, the sooner she could return.
((ooc: All out))