Jin tried not to fidget nervously with the edge of his sleeve. He would have paced back and forth behind the barred off area if there weren't so many people also waiting for loved ones to walk through the exit that lead from the international section into the main portion of the airport. Instead he stood there and worried and waited. It would have been nice if Amir had stood up here with him, at least then he would have had someone to talk to, but the Huntsman seemed determined to hang back and let him greet Mara first. He hoped that she had missed him as much as he had missed her. He hoped that in the time apart she had not changed her mind about him or them or however else that might possibly go? He hoped he looked good.
He watched as people began once more to trickle out of the long hallway, looking tired, worn, thoroughly harassed and generally treated like cattle or suspicious looking potential terrorists by security. Jin chewed on his lip, dark eyes scanning each face for the familiar one he most wanted to see.
It did not take long. She was right up at the front of the pack, weaving through the slower moving people with all the uncanny grace of her feline nature. Jin drank the sight of her in, every move, every curve. Soon enough Mara's eyes found him. The worry he felt dissipated in less than a second as she rushed straight for him with cheerful exuberance. Jin smiled, relief, love and longing causing his heart to near beat out of his chest. He held his arms out for Mara, the fear that she might somehow not be real, subsiding only after they closed around her.
Jin soothed her with soft comforting murmurs, brushing a hand lovingly through her hair and kissing her forehead, ignoring the twin trails of tears that ran silently down his own cheeks.
"I've missed you too, Xiao Mao, so so much."
He smiled down at her and kissed her tenderly. "Never again. I don't think I want you going to the store without me, Mara." Jin smiled, chuckling despite the tightness in his chest, and squeezed her tighter. " Maybe... in a few years. We'll see."
She kissed him again and he savored it, the touch and the feel of her, real and present. Jin was afraid to close his eyes and so he watched her from lowered lashes even as he asked for another kiss and another....and maybe one more.
Homecoming (private)
Mara practically glided down the runway, making short work of the distance between their landing gate and the waiting area. She had thanked Elder Mai and Akahana several times before they'd finally landed in Nachton and now, after hours and hours and endless hours on the plane back from Africa, she was desperate to see Jin and Amir. Cell phone signals were not easy to come by in the areas they had been in and the occasional text and short, static-y phone call were the best they could manage. She had information for them both but most of all she missed them, and it was difficult to say which one, if either, she had missed more.
Catlike agility made it very easy for her to duck and weave her way through the clusters of people in her way but she didn't pause, continuing on with a softly murmured word of pardon as her fluffy Hello Kitty backpack bounced over her shoulders. She burst out of the doorway to see people waiting for their friends and family who had come in on other flights, her eyes immediately searching, searching...
Ah!
There, at the end of the roped-off partition that separated the two groups of people, was a face she had dreamed of for several weeks now. Jin had dressed up for the occasion but Mara only took it in in bits and pieces as she ran toward him.
"Jin!"
Mara threw herself into his waiting arms, simultaneously bursting into tears as she was plucked easily out of the air and crushed against a hard chest clothed in black and cobalt silk. Mara buried her face against his neck, breathing in his scent and listening for his heart beat, which was far more rapid than it ought to be. It felt like a year before she could pull away enough to kiss him with a little whimper of delight, unashamed to be in public, not at all worried about what anyone else might think. She simply twined her arms around his neck, buried her hands in his thick silken hair, and tried to drown herself in him.
"I missed you so much," she whispered when she was finally able to pull away and look at his handsome face. "I don't want to go away without you again. Ever."
She hadn't seen Amir yet but Jin had said he'd planned to be here, so he must be - somewhere. The longing to see him, though, was temporarily eclipsed by Jin's closeness. Mara clung tightly; sniffing softly as she reined her tears in and tried to stop making a spectacle of herself. In the end she just gave up and kissed Jin again.
Jin
13 years ago
Akahana Yoshida
13 years ago
Akahana looked at the back of her Creator and just shook her head. The plane ride home had been a long one but Mai had taken it better than the initial trip. This time her tiny ancient Creator had sat in her seat with a white knuckled grip on the arm rests. -At least she didn't pull one off, this time.- Once they were in the air, Mai had been more at ease. She had then occupied herself by making origami out of anything that could possibly be folded. Sometimes the Ancient would chat cheerfully and other times she would watch one or both of them in solemn silence, thinking whatever mysterious thoughts four thousand year old vampires thought while riding around in a metal contraption high above the ground.
Going through customs was a different matter altogether. Once on the ground Mai did not seem to see the need for human convention. It was extremely difficult to convince her Creator to leave the various weapons she chose to bring on the trip with the luggage. The strange metal-eating gates, as Mai understood them, were of no concern to her. It took explaining, in foreboding detail, the repeated and very annoying high pitched sounds that the 'metal-eating' machine was going to make if it sensed some of the prohibited material on her for Mai to decide upon wooden weapons. Thankfully the Elder considered two collapsible clubs to be ample protection against an entire airport.
Mai had taken her promise of protecting Mara as a sacred duty. Akahana was not certain her brother fully understood how seriously their Creator would take such a task but, after losing Emma, Mai rarely defended anyone voluntarily. There were other responsibilities for the Hunt that she felt herself much better suited to undertake. Ironically, Mai was actually an extremely good bodyguard. Akahana was certain that Mara would be happy enough to shed her miniature shadow.
Now Mai walked leisurely through the hallway while chatting happily in Japanese to a little girl that she had met in the customs line.
"Are you no longer concerned for Mara's safety?"
Her Creator blinked slowly at her and Akahana felt as though she had somehow asked a question that the little girl would have been smart enough to know the answer to.
"Jin-kun is here, Hana-chan. I can sense him."
Akahana fell silent. She nodded at her Creator and then walked along behind her, staring at the small figure in amazement. Mai could sense Jin this far away, amongst a sea of other people.
Mai turned to her after a moment, tilting her head and smiling slightly to herself.
"Mara-chan has managed to find him. We should hurry now."
Her Creator turned to her little companion and they said their 'Sayonara's. Then Mai hurried down the pathway, dodging people easily as she made her way toward the exit. Her Creator turned back toward her and flashed her a child-like grin. "Faster, Hana-chan!"
Dutifully Akahana jogged through the rest of the hallway to eventually catch up to Mai. They stood just into the larger area. She looked for her brother. Finding him was not difficult; all she had to do was locate the Hello Kitty backpack and Jin's white hair.
She smiled at the very personal reunion that her very private brother was currently engaged in. Akahana glanced sideways at Mai. Was this why she wanted to hurry? So they could both watch? Who really knew with Mai. However the Elder still sported that little private half smile of her's.
Going through customs was a different matter altogether. Once on the ground Mai did not seem to see the need for human convention. It was extremely difficult to convince her Creator to leave the various weapons she chose to bring on the trip with the luggage. The strange metal-eating gates, as Mai understood them, were of no concern to her. It took explaining, in foreboding detail, the repeated and very annoying high pitched sounds that the 'metal-eating' machine was going to make if it sensed some of the prohibited material on her for Mai to decide upon wooden weapons. Thankfully the Elder considered two collapsible clubs to be ample protection against an entire airport.
Mai had taken her promise of protecting Mara as a sacred duty. Akahana was not certain her brother fully understood how seriously their Creator would take such a task but, after losing Emma, Mai rarely defended anyone voluntarily. There were other responsibilities for the Hunt that she felt herself much better suited to undertake. Ironically, Mai was actually an extremely good bodyguard. Akahana was certain that Mara would be happy enough to shed her miniature shadow.
Now Mai walked leisurely through the hallway while chatting happily in Japanese to a little girl that she had met in the customs line.
"Are you no longer concerned for Mara's safety?"
Her Creator blinked slowly at her and Akahana felt as though she had somehow asked a question that the little girl would have been smart enough to know the answer to.
"Jin-kun is here, Hana-chan. I can sense him."
Akahana fell silent. She nodded at her Creator and then walked along behind her, staring at the small figure in amazement. Mai could sense Jin this far away, amongst a sea of other people.
Mai turned to her after a moment, tilting her head and smiling slightly to herself.
"Mara-chan has managed to find him. We should hurry now."
Her Creator turned to her little companion and they said their 'Sayonara's. Then Mai hurried down the pathway, dodging people easily as she made her way toward the exit. Her Creator turned back toward her and flashed her a child-like grin. "Faster, Hana-chan!"
Dutifully Akahana jogged through the rest of the hallway to eventually catch up to Mai. They stood just into the larger area. She looked for her brother. Finding him was not difficult; all she had to do was locate the Hello Kitty backpack and Jin's white hair.
She smiled at the very personal reunion that her very private brother was currently engaged in. Akahana glanced sideways at Mai. Was this why she wanted to hurry? So they could both watch? Who really knew with Mai. However the Elder still sported that little private half smile of her's.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir was hiding, more or less, from multiple things, but currently from the reunion between Mara and Jin. They had both invited him in; that didn't mean he wanted to step all over their meeting. He'd hung back behind the waiting friends and families, leaning against the wall in a slouch with his hands in his pockets looking every bit like a bored teenager, one foot cocked up against the wall. He could see Jin from here which was important to him although he wouldn't express that in words.
The Nightsman was dressed beautifully in black silk shot through with cobalt blue threads, accents of the same blue here and there. His fantastic white hair was mostly down save for a topknot in the back and two long tendrils in front of his ears held with beads. Amir couldn't even attempt to look that good. So he was under-dressed, in a pair of semi-preppy plaid board shorts with big pockets on the sides and a dark blue tee. His outfit wouldn't matter to anyone. He was just glad Mara was coming home in one piece.
Amir knew how much he owed her, and how much he owed to Mai and Jin's sister Hana for going along. He was uncomfortable knowing what they might have risked for him and determined to pay it back at some point. At the same time he was eager, almost desperate, to know if it had worked. If Subira believed him dead it could be months, maybe a year, before she learned otherwise. Amir needed that time, to figure himself out, to work out a plan.
Commotion drew his eyes upward where they immediately located Jin. He couldn't resist the tug of his lips as they pulled up into a soft smile at the intimate reunion. The love between them was clear. His eyes lingered on Jin for a moment before settling upon Mara. She looked so happy there in Jin's arms. Amir cared too much for her to feel jealous; he was just relieved and happy.
As Mai and Hana joined them Amir did too, finally pushing himself away from the wall and approaching on quiet feet. He bowed to the Elder and to Hana, standing slightly behind and to one side of Jin, who was still kissing Mara.
"I'm glad you made it home safely," he said, addressing them both, "and thank you for what you did."
Subira wasn't always a pleasant woman. Amir was humbled that they had all gone to her on his behalf. He wished he were worth the effort; he would probably spend the next few months, at least, trying to be.
The Nightsman was dressed beautifully in black silk shot through with cobalt blue threads, accents of the same blue here and there. His fantastic white hair was mostly down save for a topknot in the back and two long tendrils in front of his ears held with beads. Amir couldn't even attempt to look that good. So he was under-dressed, in a pair of semi-preppy plaid board shorts with big pockets on the sides and a dark blue tee. His outfit wouldn't matter to anyone. He was just glad Mara was coming home in one piece.
Amir knew how much he owed her, and how much he owed to Mai and Jin's sister Hana for going along. He was uncomfortable knowing what they might have risked for him and determined to pay it back at some point. At the same time he was eager, almost desperate, to know if it had worked. If Subira believed him dead it could be months, maybe a year, before she learned otherwise. Amir needed that time, to figure himself out, to work out a plan.
Commotion drew his eyes upward where they immediately located Jin. He couldn't resist the tug of his lips as they pulled up into a soft smile at the intimate reunion. The love between them was clear. His eyes lingered on Jin for a moment before settling upon Mara. She looked so happy there in Jin's arms. Amir cared too much for her to feel jealous; he was just relieved and happy.
As Mai and Hana joined them Amir did too, finally pushing himself away from the wall and approaching on quiet feet. He bowed to the Elder and to Hana, standing slightly behind and to one side of Jin, who was still kissing Mara.
"I'm glad you made it home safely," he said, addressing them both, "and thank you for what you did."
Subira wasn't always a pleasant woman. Amir was humbled that they had all gone to her on his behalf. He wished he were worth the effort; he would probably spend the next few months, at least, trying to be.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara returned every one of Jin's kisses happily, not concerned about breathing or really even talking, except to whisper, "I love you," as she kissed him again.
Pulling back just a bit she raised her hand and gently swiped the tears away from Jin's cheeks. She wanted to stay there in his arms, never wanted to leave. But she knew Amir was here somewhere. He hadn't been standing there with Jin. So where was he?
Mara looked around and nearly jumped when it seemed as though Amir had simply appeared out of thin air to stand behind and just a bit to the side of Jin. She blinked at him. There was something very different about him.
His hair was longer than she'd seen it in hundreds of years, actually bordering on shaggy now. But it was something else that struck her. He was less than 'there.' The presence he usually had around him, that air of control and confidence, wasn't there. That was it.
"Amir!"
His dark deep eyes were on her but he made no move toward her until she pulled away from Jin with mingled reluctance and anticipation. His arms came up as she moved close, though; in all the centuries she'd known him they had never failed to do so.
Mara wrapped her arms around her Creator and felt his strong embrace, so comforting after the last time she had seen him pale and still in his bed. She looked at him, raising her hands to frame his face. "You look good," she said softly.
Amir lifted his shoulders at her, a tiny inscrutable smile on his face. His eyes flickered over to Jin and then back to her. "Jin took good care of me," he murmured back.
Mara smiled and reached out, wrapping her arm around Jin's waist and tugging him close. "Jin wouldn't know how else to take care of someone," she said.
She basked between the two men for a moment, comforted by their presence, happier than she could possibly say to be home. Finally she turned to Mai and Hana, smiling at them. She had learned a good deal about Jin's family on their trip. It had been terrifying to Mara, who had had to give the performance of her life in front of Subira in order to be believed, but she'd had plenty of support.
"Will you be coming home with us?" she asked them both. They had met her at the airport on the trip out, so Mara wasn't sure if they'd been driven or if Hana had a car here. They might be able to fit all of them in Jin's car, which she was pretty sure Jin and Amir had arrived in. It would be tight, but several of them could turn into smaller forms if need be. Luggage might be an issue though.
Pulling back just a bit she raised her hand and gently swiped the tears away from Jin's cheeks. She wanted to stay there in his arms, never wanted to leave. But she knew Amir was here somewhere. He hadn't been standing there with Jin. So where was he?
Mara looked around and nearly jumped when it seemed as though Amir had simply appeared out of thin air to stand behind and just a bit to the side of Jin. She blinked at him. There was something very different about him.
His hair was longer than she'd seen it in hundreds of years, actually bordering on shaggy now. But it was something else that struck her. He was less than 'there.' The presence he usually had around him, that air of control and confidence, wasn't there. That was it.
"Amir!"
His dark deep eyes were on her but he made no move toward her until she pulled away from Jin with mingled reluctance and anticipation. His arms came up as she moved close, though; in all the centuries she'd known him they had never failed to do so.
Mara wrapped her arms around her Creator and felt his strong embrace, so comforting after the last time she had seen him pale and still in his bed. She looked at him, raising her hands to frame his face. "You look good," she said softly.
Amir lifted his shoulders at her, a tiny inscrutable smile on his face. His eyes flickered over to Jin and then back to her. "Jin took good care of me," he murmured back.
Mara smiled and reached out, wrapping her arm around Jin's waist and tugging him close. "Jin wouldn't know how else to take care of someone," she said.
She basked between the two men for a moment, comforted by their presence, happier than she could possibly say to be home. Finally she turned to Mai and Hana, smiling at them. She had learned a good deal about Jin's family on their trip. It had been terrifying to Mara, who had had to give the performance of her life in front of Subira in order to be believed, but she'd had plenty of support.
"Will you be coming home with us?" she asked them both. They had met her at the airport on the trip out, so Mara wasn't sure if they'd been driven or if Hana had a car here. They might be able to fit all of them in Jin's car, which she was pretty sure Jin and Amir had arrived in. It would be tight, but several of them could turn into smaller forms if need be. Luggage might be an issue though.
Jin
13 years ago
"And I love you." Jin smiled back at her, happy to be able to say that in person and not over the phone or through some woefully inadequate email.
He watched the exchange between Mara and Amir, smiling at the man behind his beloved's head. Jin gave the Huntsman an encouraging nod, hoping that it silently conveyed 'I'm not jealous. Enjoy it. Its okay." all in one tiny gesture.
Then he turned and bowed to Mai, lower than he had in centuries. She had done as he requested, begged really, and had done it well. Mara was back, safe and he was relieved and happy beyond words.
"Arigatou gozaimasu."
She bowed in return and then gave him another solemn nod before favoring him with a small smile. Jin hugged her tightly, for which, she rewarded him with a girlish giggle. Letting his Creator go, he bowed to Akahana, giving her a quiet thanks as well before giving her a light peck on the cheek. 'You owe me...big time.' was conveyed quietly to him with a wry smile and a quick hug.
He turned his attention back to Mara and Amir just in time to receive an hand wrapped around his waist. Jin smiled at them both, sliding an arm around Mara and giving Amir's shoulder a comforting squeeze before turning back to his family.
He watched the exchange between Mara and Amir, smiling at the man behind his beloved's head. Jin gave the Huntsman an encouraging nod, hoping that it silently conveyed 'I'm not jealous. Enjoy it. Its okay." all in one tiny gesture.
Then he turned and bowed to Mai, lower than he had in centuries. She had done as he requested, begged really, and had done it well. Mara was back, safe and he was relieved and happy beyond words.
"Arigatou gozaimasu."
She bowed in return and then gave him another solemn nod before favoring him with a small smile. Jin hugged her tightly, for which, she rewarded him with a girlish giggle. Letting his Creator go, he bowed to Akahana, giving her a quiet thanks as well before giving her a light peck on the cheek. 'You owe me...big time.' was conveyed quietly to him with a wry smile and a quick hug.
He turned his attention back to Mara and Amir just in time to receive an hand wrapped around his waist. Jin smiled at them both, sliding an arm around Mara and giving Amir's shoulder a comforting squeeze before turning back to his family.
Akahana Yoshida
13 years ago
"You are most welcome." She answered and noticed that Mai nodded silently to Amir's statement.
Akahana watched her brother with a mixture of fondness and amusement. Her suggestion that he 'owed' her was nothing more than the harassment he expected. She would call it even with a nice dinner and the ability to catch up in person.
Turning to her Creator, Hana could already see the answer to Mara's question in the way that Mai's attention had now wandered off to other things. The Elder's head tilted occasionally and she would smile at something the rest of them considered background noise.
She looked at Mara and shook her head. "I do not believe we could convince her to step into another machine tonight. I will have a limo pick our luggage up. We will make our own way home." She was tired and the prospect of chasing a stoat all the way to the Manor was a daunting one. Akahana looked over at Jin and mentally added a nice bottle of wine to the dinner.
"Shall we be going, Okasan?" She spoke softly knowing that Mai would hear her perfectly well.
Her Creator gazed at all of them for a moment before turning to Amir. "It is good to see you again, Amir-san." There was an interesting but subtle inflection on the 'you' that suggested she had not meant that she had missed him from the trip but that he had been away instead of them. "We will talk soon." Mai's white eyes flickered toward Mara. The Elder smiled at the woman and gave her a cheerful little wave accompanied by a short giggle. Then she began walking toward the nearest exit in quick steps, somehow making good time while still appearing graceful in a kimono.
Akahana watched her Creator for a moment before sighing softly. She gave the group a shrug before bowing her goodbye and hurrying after Mai.
((OOC: Akahana and Mai out pending response and what not.))
Akahana watched her brother with a mixture of fondness and amusement. Her suggestion that he 'owed' her was nothing more than the harassment he expected. She would call it even with a nice dinner and the ability to catch up in person.
Turning to her Creator, Hana could already see the answer to Mara's question in the way that Mai's attention had now wandered off to other things. The Elder's head tilted occasionally and she would smile at something the rest of them considered background noise.
She looked at Mara and shook her head. "I do not believe we could convince her to step into another machine tonight. I will have a limo pick our luggage up. We will make our own way home." She was tired and the prospect of chasing a stoat all the way to the Manor was a daunting one. Akahana looked over at Jin and mentally added a nice bottle of wine to the dinner.
"Shall we be going, Okasan?" She spoke softly knowing that Mai would hear her perfectly well.
Her Creator gazed at all of them for a moment before turning to Amir. "It is good to see you again, Amir-san." There was an interesting but subtle inflection on the 'you' that suggested she had not meant that she had missed him from the trip but that he had been away instead of them. "We will talk soon." Mai's white eyes flickered toward Mara. The Elder smiled at the woman and gave her a cheerful little wave accompanied by a short giggle. Then she began walking toward the nearest exit in quick steps, somehow making good time while still appearing graceful in a kimono.
Akahana watched her Creator for a moment before sighing softly. She gave the group a shrug before bowing her goodbye and hurrying after Mai.
((OOC: Akahana and Mai out pending response and what not.))
Amir
13 years ago
In public it was difficult for Amir to be expressive. Well, who was he kidding. He had a hard time being expressive in private, too, but he held Mara close and leaned into Jin's hand, quietly acknowledging them both.
At Mai's words Amir nodded at her. "It's.. good to be back, Elder," he said, but he wasn't sure his heart was in the words. When she said they would talk he nodded again, trying to mask the mingled relief and desperation in his eyes but certain Mai would pick up on them anyway. He needed advice, and he suspected his Elder might be the only one who could truly guide him, blind or not.
As Mai and Hana turned to go Amir bowed to them once again. He was certain Mai would make good on her words; she always did. He was surprised to take comfort in them. It had been a very long time since he'd felt like he needed help. He supposed he probably needed plenty of it now.
Amir turned to Mara and Jin and held his hand out to Jin. "Let me drive?"
It was Jin's car, but surely Jin would prefer to sit in the back seat with Mara? Amir would like that, for it was plain from even just Mara's actions that she wanted to be close to him. Amir half wished that she would cling like that to him, but he understood the many reasons why she did not. He and Jin had had weeks to come to terms with a relationship that Mara had only been part of in spirit. She didn't know what to expect from Amir since waking and, moreover, she loved Jin dearly. Amir admitted to himself that he had rather enjoyed seeing that passionate reunion.
Well, they still had to get Mara's luggage. If Jin wanted to argue they could do so on the way to the baggage carousel. Amir gave Mara one last squeeze and released her with a soft kiss to her forehead. They would sort things out soon; right now all that mattered was that she had come home safe and the three of them were together. It felt good. It felt very right to him. Amir glanced down at Jin, mildly amused to be the tallest of their trio, surely a first for him even if it was by the smallest of margins, and smiled.
At Mai's words Amir nodded at her. "It's.. good to be back, Elder," he said, but he wasn't sure his heart was in the words. When she said they would talk he nodded again, trying to mask the mingled relief and desperation in his eyes but certain Mai would pick up on them anyway. He needed advice, and he suspected his Elder might be the only one who could truly guide him, blind or not.
As Mai and Hana turned to go Amir bowed to them once again. He was certain Mai would make good on her words; she always did. He was surprised to take comfort in them. It had been a very long time since he'd felt like he needed help. He supposed he probably needed plenty of it now.
Amir turned to Mara and Jin and held his hand out to Jin. "Let me drive?"
It was Jin's car, but surely Jin would prefer to sit in the back seat with Mara? Amir would like that, for it was plain from even just Mara's actions that she wanted to be close to him. Amir half wished that she would cling like that to him, but he understood the many reasons why she did not. He and Jin had had weeks to come to terms with a relationship that Mara had only been part of in spirit. She didn't know what to expect from Amir since waking and, moreover, she loved Jin dearly. Amir admitted to himself that he had rather enjoyed seeing that passionate reunion.
Well, they still had to get Mara's luggage. If Jin wanted to argue they could do so on the way to the baggage carousel. Amir gave Mara one last squeeze and released her with a soft kiss to her forehead. They would sort things out soon; right now all that mattered was that she had come home safe and the three of them were together. It felt good. It felt very right to him. Amir glanced down at Jin, mildly amused to be the tallest of their trio, surely a first for him even if it was by the smallest of margins, and smiled.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara bid farewell to Hana and Elder Mai. She had, surprisingly, enjoyed her time with them when she hadn't been terrified to death of Subira. Mai's presence in particular had been reassuring.
She had also learned more about origami than she'd ever thought existed.
As Amir asked if he could drive Jin's car Mara found a soft laugh bubbling up... like a teenager asking dad for the car keys. Except, she thought she understood his reason and she loved him all the more for it. She couldn't bring herself to pull away from Jin again now that she'd greeted Amir. When he let her go she melted over to Jin's side and glued herself to him in catlike fashion, silently hoping he would let Amir drive so that she could sit with Jin all the way home and tell them both what she wanted to say about their trip to Africa.
To that end she wrapped both arms around her lover's waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. She was tired from the long trip and the several stressful weeks that had preceded it, but everything was good now. She was back in Nachton with the people she loved.
Her fingertips absently played with the texture of the silk of Jin's top. He looked gorgeous, now that she had slowed down to take him in. He had clearly dressed nicely for this occasion and while she wouldn't have cared if he'd decided to show up in a paper bag and a barrel, she certainly wasn't about to complain. Jin wasn't hard on the eyes by any definition... and with him looking so elegant here in the middle of the airport, she now noticed many people's eyes drawn to his exotic looks.
Surely they made an odd threesome; Jin in his elaborate dress, Amir looking like he was skipping out on High School Algebra, and Mara with her Hello Kitty backpack. And it was just fine with her. She thought they all looked wonderful together.
She had also learned more about origami than she'd ever thought existed.
As Amir asked if he could drive Jin's car Mara found a soft laugh bubbling up... like a teenager asking dad for the car keys. Except, she thought she understood his reason and she loved him all the more for it. She couldn't bring herself to pull away from Jin again now that she'd greeted Amir. When he let her go she melted over to Jin's side and glued herself to him in catlike fashion, silently hoping he would let Amir drive so that she could sit with Jin all the way home and tell them both what she wanted to say about their trip to Africa.
To that end she wrapped both arms around her lover's waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. She was tired from the long trip and the several stressful weeks that had preceded it, but everything was good now. She was back in Nachton with the people she loved.
Her fingertips absently played with the texture of the silk of Jin's top. He looked gorgeous, now that she had slowed down to take him in. He had clearly dressed nicely for this occasion and while she wouldn't have cared if he'd decided to show up in a paper bag and a barrel, she certainly wasn't about to complain. Jin wasn't hard on the eyes by any definition... and with him looking so elegant here in the middle of the airport, she now noticed many people's eyes drawn to his exotic looks.
Surely they made an odd threesome; Jin in his elaborate dress, Amir looking like he was skipping out on High School Algebra, and Mara with her Hello Kitty backpack. And it was just fine with her. She thought they all looked wonderful together.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin watched his family leave, happily surrounded by Amir and Mara, who were family of a different sort. He felt so happy and relieved that Mara was home that he almost felt light headed. He blinked at Amir for a moment before understanding what the hand was for and why Amir would want to drive.
"Oh" Jin fished in the pocket of the silk pants for his keys and handed them to Amir with a smile of thanks. It seemed odd to let Amir drive and a part of him thought that he should do it so that they could spend a little time together. Amir had been near dead when Mara had seen him last and he was sure that she would want reassure herself that he was alright.
He found himself with a chestful of beautiful vampire and he was not about to complain in the slightest. Jin sighed happily, content to stand there for a moment and enjoy it. She was back and here in his arms, everything was now right with the world.
Mara though was likely exhausted. They should find her luggage and take her home. He leaned down and scooped her up into his arms so that he didn't have to part with her even the tiniest of amounts while they made their way to baggage claim.
"So" He smiled over at Amir. "Should we tell her about all the trouble we got into while she was gone...or should we wait and let her find out on her own?" Jin's eyes sparkled with light hearted mischief as he toted his treasure through the airport. He had what he most wanted to reclaim in his arms and Amir by his side. Jin thought he was the luckiest, happiest man on earth.
"Oh" Jin fished in the pocket of the silk pants for his keys and handed them to Amir with a smile of thanks. It seemed odd to let Amir drive and a part of him thought that he should do it so that they could spend a little time together. Amir had been near dead when Mara had seen him last and he was sure that she would want reassure herself that he was alright.
He found himself with a chestful of beautiful vampire and he was not about to complain in the slightest. Jin sighed happily, content to stand there for a moment and enjoy it. She was back and here in his arms, everything was now right with the world.
Mara though was likely exhausted. They should find her luggage and take her home. He leaned down and scooped her up into his arms so that he didn't have to part with her even the tiniest of amounts while they made their way to baggage claim.
"So" He smiled over at Amir. "Should we tell her about all the trouble we got into while she was gone...or should we wait and let her find out on her own?" Jin's eyes sparkled with light hearted mischief as he toted his treasure through the airport. He had what he most wanted to reclaim in his arms and Amir by his side. Jin thought he was the luckiest, happiest man on earth.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir returned the smile and took the keys to the Cooper from Jin. Impulsively he reached up and patted Jin softly on the cheek at his understanding and turned to the monitors behind them to see what baggage carousel Mara's things would be on.
"Looks like three," he said.
He turned back around to see Jin lifting Mara off her feet and cradling her in his arms. He laughed softly. It was really too cute. Mara wasn't complaining; she could barely take her eyes off of Jin.
Much as Amir would have liked to be in Jin's place, however, he didn't feel any jealousy. He'd had Mara for over a thousand years. Granted, not in the way it should have been. But that was his loss. She looked beautiful with her cheek resting against Jin's strong shoulder, his white hair tangling gently with her raven black. He knew she loved him. He had always loved her, and she knew that too or she'd never have stayed with him. They would sort things out soon. She was tired and needed loving arms around her, and Jin was far better suited to give that to her right now.
The question, to Amir, was what he should do with himself when they got home. He and Jin had been sleeping together but Amir was hardly going to impose himself upon the couple on their first night together again. He could spend a night in his own rooms. He and Jin had alternated between theirs, mostly depending on where Amir decided to be. Jin had been more than accommodating, and Amir was grateful to him. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly insecure, he'd wanted the shelter of his own familiar area. Other times that was the last place he wanted to be.
At Jin's question Amir turned to regard the Nightsman with a blank stare. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He blinked slowly, pulling his most innocent school kid face before turning back to watch where they were walking.
They reached the baggage carousel and Amir stepped in close to Jin. Quietly he slipped his arm around the Nightsman's waist, using his other hand to reach up and stroke Mara's hair. He didn't care what anyone else thought.
"Looks like three," he said.
He turned back around to see Jin lifting Mara off her feet and cradling her in his arms. He laughed softly. It was really too cute. Mara wasn't complaining; she could barely take her eyes off of Jin.
Much as Amir would have liked to be in Jin's place, however, he didn't feel any jealousy. He'd had Mara for over a thousand years. Granted, not in the way it should have been. But that was his loss. She looked beautiful with her cheek resting against Jin's strong shoulder, his white hair tangling gently with her raven black. He knew she loved him. He had always loved her, and she knew that too or she'd never have stayed with him. They would sort things out soon. She was tired and needed loving arms around her, and Jin was far better suited to give that to her right now.
The question, to Amir, was what he should do with himself when they got home. He and Jin had been sleeping together but Amir was hardly going to impose himself upon the couple on their first night together again. He could spend a night in his own rooms. He and Jin had alternated between theirs, mostly depending on where Amir decided to be. Jin had been more than accommodating, and Amir was grateful to him. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly insecure, he'd wanted the shelter of his own familiar area. Other times that was the last place he wanted to be.
At Jin's question Amir turned to regard the Nightsman with a blank stare. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He blinked slowly, pulling his most innocent school kid face before turning back to watch where they were walking.
They reached the baggage carousel and Amir stepped in close to Jin. Quietly he slipped his arm around the Nightsman's waist, using his other hand to reach up and stroke Mara's hair. He didn't care what anyone else thought.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara gave a soft gasp as Jin lifted her. Being pressed close to him, held as if weightless in his strong grasp, brought tears to her eyes all over again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled close. Under the curtain of his hair she pressed her lips to his neck and sucked softly, suggestively, nibbling lightly with her fangs. She pulled away quickly; they were drawing enough attention as it was.
She sighed against Jin's neck instead, nuzzling his jaw with her nose. This being carried thing felt incredibly good. She'd thought she would want to walk and move around but now that her journey was over she could have moaned with happiness at this floating feeling. She closed her eyes and relaxed, the rocking motion of Jin's steady walk lulling her into a lazy, barely wakeful state.
She smiled, eyes still closed, at Jin's question and Amir's innocent response. "I like surprises," she murmured muzzily.
Amir knew what her bags looked like. She felt him press close, felt his hand in her hair. Mara sniffled a little and felt a fat tear roll down her cheek. A happy one.
"It's so good to be home."
Back with Amir. Back with Jin. She was never leaving again. Amir moved away; she opened her eyes to see him gathering her two suitcases from the conveyer belt. She squirmed even closer to Jin, if that was possible, more than content to be carried out to the car.
She sighed against Jin's neck instead, nuzzling his jaw with her nose. This being carried thing felt incredibly good. She'd thought she would want to walk and move around but now that her journey was over she could have moaned with happiness at this floating feeling. She closed her eyes and relaxed, the rocking motion of Jin's steady walk lulling her into a lazy, barely wakeful state.
She smiled, eyes still closed, at Jin's question and Amir's innocent response. "I like surprises," she murmured muzzily.
Amir knew what her bags looked like. She felt him press close, felt his hand in her hair. Mara sniffled a little and felt a fat tear roll down her cheek. A happy one.
"It's so good to be home."
Back with Amir. Back with Jin. She was never leaving again. Amir moved away; she opened her eyes to see him gathering her two suitcases from the conveyer belt. She squirmed even closer to Jin, if that was possible, more than content to be carried out to the car.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin groaned softly at Mara's amorous attentions, wishing they were somewhere private, like yesterday.
He knew his love was tired when she didn't seem at all curious about what they had been up to. Jin looked down at Mara, nearly asleep in his arms, and then over at Amir and smiled. Oh well, they had not been up to anything earth shattering anyway so it would probably have been a let down.
When they reached the baggage claim Amir stepped closer and Jin felt an arm slide around his waist. The feel of the Huntsman warm and close was wonderfully comfortable; he had become very fond of that feeling over the last few weeks. Jin pressed closer, leaning into Amir.
He pulled Mara up higher and held her close when she spoke. "It is good to have you home again, Beloved."
And home was where he wanted to take her. The Manor was still home for the moment until they could furnish the house they had bought but she was back now and they could continue where they left off, which was somewhere close to the very beginning. They might have two lamps and a table that they thought was interesting sitting just past the entryway. That was it.
Amir picked up Mara's luggage and Jin followed his companion out to where they had parked the mini cooper. He did -not- relinquish his hold on Mara but instead continued to carry her through the parking lot. Jin did reluctantly settle her in the back seat, letting her go long enough to crawl in himself.
They heard the news from Africa on the way home. Jin wondered what Mara might be glossing over for the sake of their peace of mind but the important thing was that she was home safe and that their desperate plan seemed to have worked.
((OOC: All out to the Manor. ))
He knew his love was tired when she didn't seem at all curious about what they had been up to. Jin looked down at Mara, nearly asleep in his arms, and then over at Amir and smiled. Oh well, they had not been up to anything earth shattering anyway so it would probably have been a let down.
When they reached the baggage claim Amir stepped closer and Jin felt an arm slide around his waist. The feel of the Huntsman warm and close was wonderfully comfortable; he had become very fond of that feeling over the last few weeks. Jin pressed closer, leaning into Amir.
He pulled Mara up higher and held her close when she spoke. "It is good to have you home again, Beloved."
And home was where he wanted to take her. The Manor was still home for the moment until they could furnish the house they had bought but she was back now and they could continue where they left off, which was somewhere close to the very beginning. They might have two lamps and a table that they thought was interesting sitting just past the entryway. That was it.
Amir picked up Mara's luggage and Jin followed his companion out to where they had parked the mini cooper. He did -not- relinquish his hold on Mara but instead continued to carry her through the parking lot. Jin did reluctantly settle her in the back seat, letting her go long enough to crawl in himself.
They heard the news from Africa on the way home. Jin wondered what Mara might be glossing over for the sake of their peace of mind but the important thing was that she was home safe and that their desperate plan seemed to have worked.
((OOC: All out to the Manor. ))