Never again, never again was she going to have two children so close together. Nikhila was certain she was losing her mind at this point. She could not sleep most nights and when she could her nightmares were terrible and as a result the little sleep she did get was only barley restful. On the other hand, she did have a new respect for what Aidan dealt with on a daily basis. Not to mention the normal aches and pains that went with this stage of pregnancy. That and she was -very- pregnant and it was hot out, Nikhila could not get cool. The worst of it this time was the full moon. She'd only been able to shift four months out of the last year, the pull of the moon was physically painful now leaving her irritable, frustrated and in tears more than once. Aidan did everything he could, but, unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do about some things.
So when she'd dozed off after class and office hours, he'd let her sleep. Which was much needed, and very sweet, but also meant she was now late. Nikhila had tried to get out of this meeting, she'd refused, rescheduled, ignored, and anything else she could think of but this Hunnisett woman could not be put off. Her shear determination made Nikhila curious, especially considering that the only meeting times proposed by the woman were in the evening and she was interested in the lab.
While the lawyer, Bao Hoang, hadn't bothered her since the Stafford Foundation's lawyers had stonewalled him it was impossible to just forget the silu. What he was, how he'd defended that one in the preserve that night and the spirits she'd seen around him at their first meeting. It was very possible that this woman was some how associated with him. As such she'd be a fool to meet with her alone or without saying anything.
Pulling herself out of the car took some effort but once she was back on her feet it was much easier to make her way up the steps and to the reference desk to check in for her study room, once inside that small meeting space Nikhila sank gratefully into one of the chairs. It wasn't overly comfortable but it was good to sit again.
Looking For A Lead
The damned lab was like a fortress. Honestly, Damaris hadn't expected that but she didn't deal with a lot of academics she had no idea how touchy they could be about intellectual property and similar things. Still, some of the secrecy and security seemed over the top to her sensibilities.
She'd tried finesse, it had failed on every single count. She managed to get appointments with various people and, since not a one of them would tell her anything and Damaris couldn't get anywhere with any of them, she had concluded Graham was on to something. What he was on to she didn't know, but she was happy to be on a scent, any scent.
Finally, Damaris, went with what she knew. She waylaid one of the administrative employees and with the judicious use of command wound up with some information and a meal.
Damaris had repeated the process a few times and the name Nikhila Gounder kept coming up. Some one who had just disappeared from the lab. There seemed to be some disagreement on that point, she'd left, she'd been asked not to come back, her contract hadn't been renewed, there were a number of versions of the story. That alone was enough to convince Damaris that this was some one she needed to talk to.
But if getting into the lab was hard getting to this egg head was even worse. She was apparently the dean of a small private college and lived in an ivory tower with seven hundred armed guards, or something equally ridiculous. Damaris couldn't find a way to even get on the grounds short of hopping the fence and that just wasn't going to work if she needed information. But she'd finally managed to get an appointment. Granted it was just barley dark enough for her to get out and she was probably going to be late but she had a meeting at the library.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Damaris
13 years ago
After finding out that Dr. Gounder had not arrived yet Damaris took to lurking around the reference section watching and waiting. She wanted to know who this woman was and had no idea what to expect.
Speak of the devil apparently. Indian she had expected, extremely pregnant she had not. Damaris wasn't sure if that made a difference to her plans. It certainly was a vulnerability and it automatically made the woman valuable as a hostage to some one some where, not that Damaris was planning on anything so drastic or had any reason to think that way, but it was something to consider.
Ultimately though it didn't change anything. Pregnant or not this woman had come out of the lab under some odd circumstances and might be one of the few people who could tell her what was going on. Glancing up at the clock on the wall Damaris noted the good doctor was late and almost absently categorized the woman as the absent minded professor type. Of course, she was also late so...
Deciding that this didn't really change her plan of attack, such as it was, and that she'd given Dr. Gounder time to settle in but not enough to get irritated she crossed to the small study rooms glanced in the window to confirm her quarry was there and gave a perfunctory knock before letting herself in.
She smiled brightly and extended her hand as she closed the door behind her.
"Dr. Gounder I presume? Damaris Hunnisett. Thank you so much for meeting with me."
No mention of how hard it had been to get a hold of her, no mention of the delay tactics, the rescheduling, no none of that. She wanted to play this nice, if she could.
Speak of the devil apparently. Indian she had expected, extremely pregnant she had not. Damaris wasn't sure if that made a difference to her plans. It certainly was a vulnerability and it automatically made the woman valuable as a hostage to some one some where, not that Damaris was planning on anything so drastic or had any reason to think that way, but it was something to consider.
Ultimately though it didn't change anything. Pregnant or not this woman had come out of the lab under some odd circumstances and might be one of the few people who could tell her what was going on. Glancing up at the clock on the wall Damaris noted the good doctor was late and almost absently categorized the woman as the absent minded professor type. Of course, she was also late so...
Deciding that this didn't really change her plan of attack, such as it was, and that she'd given Dr. Gounder time to settle in but not enough to get irritated she crossed to the small study rooms glanced in the window to confirm her quarry was there and gave a perfunctory knock before letting herself in.
She smiled brightly and extended her hand as she closed the door behind her.
"Dr. Gounder I presume? Damaris Hunnisett. Thank you so much for meeting with me."
No mention of how hard it had been to get a hold of her, no mention of the delay tactics, the rescheduling, no none of that. She wanted to play this nice, if she could.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Hearing the knock Nikhila stood, just as the door opened. She did still manage the simple task with some grace when she put her mind to it. Accepting the offered hand she almost immediately gave her attention to the spirits and energies that surrounded this woman. They were an odd mix, some very protective, some loving, some spiteful, hostile, envious and fear as well. There were so many of them, it was unsettling.
Sitting back down Nikhila looked at the other woman herself. Damaris appeared rather young and was quite striking. There was something very familiar about this woman as well. Nikhila was certain they'd never met but at the same time she was equally certain she knew Damaris, at least by site. It was irritating.
Instead of asking though she returned the smile. Although, she didn't bother to correct her name. She and Aidan hadn't been married long. That and on a very instinctual level Nikhila didn't want Damaris to know more about her than she had to.
"Very nice to meet you Ms. Hunnisett."
"Damaris please."
"Damaris the. Now what can I help you with? I'm sure you understand there isn't much I can tell you."
Unconsciously Nikhila settled an arm protectively over her round belly. No, she didn't trust this young woman.
Sitting back down Nikhila looked at the other woman herself. Damaris appeared rather young and was quite striking. There was something very familiar about this woman as well. Nikhila was certain they'd never met but at the same time she was equally certain she knew Damaris, at least by site. It was irritating.
Instead of asking though she returned the smile. Although, she didn't bother to correct her name. She and Aidan hadn't been married long. That and on a very instinctual level Nikhila didn't want Damaris to know more about her than she had to.
"Very nice to meet you Ms. Hunnisett."
"Damaris please."
"Damaris the. Now what can I help you with? I'm sure you understand there isn't much I can tell you."
Unconsciously Nikhila settled an arm protectively over her round belly. No, she didn't trust this young woman.
Damaris
13 years ago
As no one else had yet to willingly assist her Damaris wasn't terribly surprised that the good doctor would start out telling her how little help she could be. She only smiled.
"Of course. I've spoken to a few people involved in this project and that seems to be a common concern."
The doctor smiled softly. Damaris noted she was a very lovely woman.
"You do have to admit it is a bit odd you'd be be questioning any one. You're not with the lab or a regulatory agency. Certainly with proprietary information and non-disclosure agreements there is very little any one can say."
Damaris inclined her head in silent agreement. That certainly had been part of the problem. Of course, she had ways around that...
"Still there are some things I don't understand from the little that has been published from the lab. Exactly what are you working on?"
Unsurprisingly Dr. Gounder answered with the company line giving very little detail leading Damaris to wonder if perhaps it had been an amicable parting after all.
"And have you had any success?"
"Some, but it has been very slow."
Nodding doing her best to appear thoughtful Damaris weighed her options. Should she ask the million dollar question now? Why had this woman left the lab. That would set the tone of the rest of the meeting, it would determine if the doctor was a good source. In just a matter of seconds Damaris decided there was no point in wasting time.
"Could you tell me why you separated from the lab? I'm afraid there was some confusion on that point."
Apparently, given the look on her face, she'd caught Dr. Gounder by surprise. Damaris was hard pressed not to smile pleased with that result.
"Of course. I've spoken to a few people involved in this project and that seems to be a common concern."
The doctor smiled softly. Damaris noted she was a very lovely woman.
"You do have to admit it is a bit odd you'd be be questioning any one. You're not with the lab or a regulatory agency. Certainly with proprietary information and non-disclosure agreements there is very little any one can say."
Damaris inclined her head in silent agreement. That certainly had been part of the problem. Of course, she had ways around that...
"Still there are some things I don't understand from the little that has been published from the lab. Exactly what are you working on?"
Unsurprisingly Dr. Gounder answered with the company line giving very little detail leading Damaris to wonder if perhaps it had been an amicable parting after all.
"And have you had any success?"
"Some, but it has been very slow."
Nodding doing her best to appear thoughtful Damaris weighed her options. Should she ask the million dollar question now? Why had this woman left the lab. That would set the tone of the rest of the meeting, it would determine if the doctor was a good source. In just a matter of seconds Damaris decided there was no point in wasting time.
"Could you tell me why you separated from the lab? I'm afraid there was some confusion on that point."
Apparently, given the look on her face, she'd caught Dr. Gounder by surprise. Damaris was hard pressed not to smile pleased with that result.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Why did this woman look familiar? It was just at the corner of her mind and Nikhila couldn't let it go. Somehow it seemed important. Damaris didn't seem to be having the same issue, not as near as Nikhila could tell.
While she had no particular loyalty to the lab, and frankly abhorred the project, she also had no desire to call any attention to herself. It was Nikhila's hope that Hoang had forgotten her, even if he hadn't she had no wish to antagonize him. As such she phrased her answer carefully.
"My contract stated I could separate from the lab at any time and the project leaders and I disagreed on some procedural issues."
"Your contract said you could separate with notice and after an exit interview to ensure your line of inquiry could be continued. You simply didn't come back to work."
It was odd how this young woman could make that sound perfectly innocent and yet almost accusatory. Nikhila wondered again why she'd agreed to this meeting, other than her own curiosity it wasn't going to solve anything.
"My departure was... approved by one of the attorneys."
Approved was the best way to put it. Certainly he couldn't have expected her to come back. Nikhila took a deep breath willing herself to remain clam it was far too easy to remember the blade at her neck and the silver at her temple.
Those memories though lead to others and with a sudden clarity Nikhila knew why she knew this young woman and why Damaris didn't remember her. To all outward appearances she remained perfectly composed but Nikhila was suddenly very grateful they were meeting in a public place and that Aidan refused to let her go out without an escort. While he might not be in the meeting Nikhila knew the room was observed but still she was pregnant, unable to shift and alone with a silu. Perhaps they should wrap this meeting up quickly.
While she had no particular loyalty to the lab, and frankly abhorred the project, she also had no desire to call any attention to herself. It was Nikhila's hope that Hoang had forgotten her, even if he hadn't she had no wish to antagonize him. As such she phrased her answer carefully.
"My contract stated I could separate from the lab at any time and the project leaders and I disagreed on some procedural issues."
"Your contract said you could separate with notice and after an exit interview to ensure your line of inquiry could be continued. You simply didn't come back to work."
It was odd how this young woman could make that sound perfectly innocent and yet almost accusatory. Nikhila wondered again why she'd agreed to this meeting, other than her own curiosity it wasn't going to solve anything.
"My departure was... approved by one of the attorneys."
Approved was the best way to put it. Certainly he couldn't have expected her to come back. Nikhila took a deep breath willing herself to remain clam it was far too easy to remember the blade at her neck and the silver at her temple.
Those memories though lead to others and with a sudden clarity Nikhila knew why she knew this young woman and why Damaris didn't remember her. To all outward appearances she remained perfectly composed but Nikhila was suddenly very grateful they were meeting in a public place and that Aidan refused to let her go out without an escort. While he might not be in the meeting Nikhila knew the room was observed but still she was pregnant, unable to shift and alone with a silu. Perhaps they should wrap this meeting up quickly.
Damaris
13 years ago
How dumb did this egg head think she was? Damaris pointedly shuffled though some papers she'd brought with her before smiling as brightly and innocently as possible. If this kept up she was going to get irritated and just go with the direct route.
"I don't remember seeing any paper work along those lines. Not even a sticky note and you know how lawyers are."
She quipped lightly trying to infuse some humor into this meeting hoping the professor would lighten up and tip her hand. Dr. Gounder didn't even think about smiling. She only answered very calmly.
"No of course not he gave his personal consent it was rather unofficial and spur of the moment."
"And why would he do that?"
"Why don't you ask him. He is one of yours."
"Excuse me?"
She let a little of her irritation show. This was too much. In all there attempts to schedule a meeting she'd never claimed to be part of any organization. She'd only ever said she was doing an independent audit of the project for an investor. What was this woman talking about? That question was very quickly answered.
"I don't remember seeing any paper work along those lines. Not even a sticky note and you know how lawyers are."
She quipped lightly trying to infuse some humor into this meeting hoping the professor would lighten up and tip her hand. Dr. Gounder didn't even think about smiling. She only answered very calmly.
"No of course not he gave his personal consent it was rather unofficial and spur of the moment."
"And why would he do that?"
"Why don't you ask him. He is one of yours."
"Excuse me?"
She let a little of her irritation show. This was too much. In all there attempts to schedule a meeting she'd never claimed to be part of any organization. She'd only ever said she was doing an independent audit of the project for an investor. What was this woman talking about? That question was very quickly answered.
Nikhila
13 years ago
No, the conversation was over. She'd have nothing more to do with this creature. It was very likely that this Hunnisett woman and Hoang worked together. She was not going to be maneuvered into anything. Nikhila felt like a fool for even agreeing to this meeting. She found a polite smile and stood.
"I think perhaps you should speak to him and I will excuse myself at this point."
"Sit back down."
Gone was the polite moderately friendly facade. This was very clearly an order and one she couldn't seem to refuse. It was a sensation Nikhila had only felt once before and she never cared to feel again. She didn't seem to have a choice and resumed her seat.
"You will -not- do that again."
"Do what exactly?"
Hunnisett asked with a smug smile. Nikhila refused to answer her and the woman sighed slightly exasperated.
"What is your problem doctor this should be easy."
At least this time she didn't feel compelled to answer. She had no idea how much this silu knew and Nikhila really didn't have any idea how far she could push this monster. The baby kicked, she winced and decided she'd do just about anything to end this meeting.
"I know what you are."
She said simply and was rewarded by a very brief moment of confusion and surprise on the creature's face.
"I think perhaps you should speak to him and I will excuse myself at this point."
"Sit back down."
Gone was the polite moderately friendly facade. This was very clearly an order and one she couldn't seem to refuse. It was a sensation Nikhila had only felt once before and she never cared to feel again. She didn't seem to have a choice and resumed her seat.
"You will -not- do that again."
"Do what exactly?"
Hunnisett asked with a smug smile. Nikhila refused to answer her and the woman sighed slightly exasperated.
"What is your problem doctor this should be easy."
At least this time she didn't feel compelled to answer. She had no idea how much this silu knew and Nikhila really didn't have any idea how far she could push this monster. The baby kicked, she winced and decided she'd do just about anything to end this meeting.
"I know what you are."
She said simply and was rewarded by a very brief moment of confusion and surprise on the creature's face.
Damaris
13 years ago
"And what exactly am I?"
"Silu, Carrion, Tiglikte, should I go on?"
Two out of the three words Damaris simply didn't understand or recognized but she was quickly gathering that Dr. Gounder wasn't mistaking her for working for the CDC. And she apparently recognized the command for what it was.
Was she a familiar? Damaris had never seen a pregnant familiar before. After all why would you let your property get knocked up. You wouldn't be able to feed from her for months without risking the child. Maybe a former familiar. Regardless the woman knew about vampires.
And she'd said that the lawyer was one of theirs.
"No. I don't think that will be necessary I'll just assume you aren't my biggest fan."
The good doctor who's seemed almost mild when she first sat down only nodded. She now looked quite determined, still calm but uncompromising. It was a very interesting and sudden change of demeanor. Perhaps she'd under estimated.
Damaris leaned back in her chair her eyes never left the woman on the other side of the table. Certainly she could use command again, but some times you missed things if you didn't know what to ask for. There was also the possibility that she'd need this woman again and she was hard to get to. It might pay to play nice.
"Answer one question and we can be done here."
Dr. Gounder's eyes hardened and you could see her considering. It didn't take much to conclude that there were some questions the woman wouldn't answer, and so Damaris wasn't at all surprised by her response.
"Silu, Carrion, Tiglikte, should I go on?"
Two out of the three words Damaris simply didn't understand or recognized but she was quickly gathering that Dr. Gounder wasn't mistaking her for working for the CDC. And she apparently recognized the command for what it was.
Was she a familiar? Damaris had never seen a pregnant familiar before. After all why would you let your property get knocked up. You wouldn't be able to feed from her for months without risking the child. Maybe a former familiar. Regardless the woman knew about vampires.
And she'd said that the lawyer was one of theirs.
"No. I don't think that will be necessary I'll just assume you aren't my biggest fan."
The good doctor who's seemed almost mild when she first sat down only nodded. She now looked quite determined, still calm but uncompromising. It was a very interesting and sudden change of demeanor. Perhaps she'd under estimated.
Damaris leaned back in her chair her eyes never left the woman on the other side of the table. Certainly she could use command again, but some times you missed things if you didn't know what to ask for. There was also the possibility that she'd need this woman again and she was hard to get to. It might pay to play nice.
"Answer one question and we can be done here."
Dr. Gounder's eyes hardened and you could see her considering. It didn't take much to conclude that there were some questions the woman wouldn't answer, and so Damaris wasn't at all surprised by her response.