Thérèse really did not like to be out at night any longer. Certainly her keeper had taken a large step back since she'd told him that the Pack knew about him, but he hadn't left her entirely. He'd simply made himself invisible, yet he was no less able to pull on her leash he still had control.
Knowing that Vaughn was aware of her predicament and surmising that some one must be keeping some kind of tabs on her did make Thérèse feel a bit better. She did not, however, feel invincible and didn't take unnecessary chances. If something happened, she wasn't about to be a liability. So it was with some reluctance she'd accepted Navid's invitation.
It was an impressive undertaking. She'd thought as much when she'd dropped Kiyoshi off one evening. She opted not to drive on one of the baggage trains and walked t the lobby. She was rather surprised and pleased to find a dance floor right away, it had been quite some time since she'd gone dancing.
Any further exploration or observation was interrupted by her cousin. Thérèse didn't know quite what to make of or to do with Guillaume since his arrival. While she would welcome any additional support or assistance he didn't quite seem to be comfortable with her. But this invitation showed he was trying.
She smiled as he greeted her.
"Oui. Of course show me one of the things that keeps you so busy."
That may have been slightly uncalled for, but he did need reminding that she had looked for and missed him on more than one occasion.
Catching Up
Between classes and his job and more or less avoiding the Pack Navid hadn't seen as much of his cousin as he would like. As he should have. He had been sent here after all to keep an eye on her, to make sure she wasn't causing trouble. That fact that she was had made things difficult, but he'd stayed to make sure things didn't get out of hand.
So far things withing the Pack had been calm enough, there had been the occasional spot of trouble mostly directed at his cousin but nothing overt or ground shaking and nothing she hadn't handled well enough. At least, nothing he'd seen or heard about had been bad but if Guillaume were totally honest he knew that he'd been avoiding not just the Pack but Thérèse as well.
Even so, he'd slowly started to notice this was not the Thérèse he knew. She wasn't as open with those she didn't know. She was less eager to seek out new acquaintances, she didn't go out into the city at night. In fact, she was more often than not back to Shady Pines before sun down. It was all quite odd.
This evening though he'd persuaded her to met him at Terminus. After all, she'd never actually been inside. Guillaume had been out and about making himself useful here and there when Thérèse walked in and he had to laugh, he doubted Thérèse knew what a geek was as she was certainly more dressed for the night club aspect of Terminus that the gaming.
Excusing himself from the busy work he'd invented he greeted her.
"Bonsoir cousine." He quickly and familiarly kissed each of her cheeks "Vouliez-vous le grand tour?"
Therese
12 years ago
Guillaume
12 years ago
"Of course, gladly."
Navid deliberately over looked the slight jibe. He knew this was not how they should have renewed their acquaintance. He knew they should not have quarreled on their first meeting and he knew that he should not have been avoiding her sense. There had been attempts to mend fences though, on both sides. As such he continued to try and she continued to be receptive, that was all that mattered.
He took her through Terminus pointing out some of the details and explaining the different concourses. Her responses were open and interested, although an enthusiastic Xbox match had resulted in her having to hop lithely out of the way of some exuberant gamers Thérèse kept her sense of humor. She also received several admiring glances and one comment of 'out of your league dude' as they continued on.
While Evan was responsible for the majority of Terminus Navid had helped and offered in put and had a certain pride in the rather massive venture. Once they finally completed their tour he continued to avoided any serious conversation.
"And where was your wine from this year?"
It was a family tradition that members of the kumpania that were not together sent wine to those who were away. And those that were away sent wine back to the others.
"I sent some back from Texas of all places. I did not think cowboys drank wine, let alone made it."
Speaking of wine neither of them had gotten a drink so he lead them back up front to find something, although he didn't think they would have anything to eat. Dietary preferences and the health department didn't always mesh.
Navid deliberately over looked the slight jibe. He knew this was not how they should have renewed their acquaintance. He knew they should not have quarreled on their first meeting and he knew that he should not have been avoiding her sense. There had been attempts to mend fences though, on both sides. As such he continued to try and she continued to be receptive, that was all that mattered.
He took her through Terminus pointing out some of the details and explaining the different concourses. Her responses were open and interested, although an enthusiastic Xbox match had resulted in her having to hop lithely out of the way of some exuberant gamers Thérèse kept her sense of humor. She also received several admiring glances and one comment of 'out of your league dude' as they continued on.
While Evan was responsible for the majority of Terminus Navid had helped and offered in put and had a certain pride in the rather massive venture. Once they finally completed their tour he continued to avoided any serious conversation.
"And where was your wine from this year?"
It was a family tradition that members of the kumpania that were not together sent wine to those who were away. And those that were away sent wine back to the others.
"I sent some back from Texas of all places. I did not think cowboys drank wine, let alone made it."
Speaking of wine neither of them had gotten a drink so he lead them back up front to find something, although he didn't think they would have anything to eat. Dietary preferences and the health department didn't always mesh.
Octavia Emiliano
12 years ago
Tavi bounced into Terminus almost literally. There was this whole gaggle of slow moving gamers in front of her talking, complete with very animated hand gestures, about the new Star Wars MMORPG. They were doing more talking than walking but they were a massive wall of slow moving geek. Eventually she got around them, sliding under one guy's arm as he brought his imaginary light saber up for a two handed, cross body sweep of his opponent. She was sure it was impressive but she didn't stick around to find out. She did hear him yelp in surprise behind her. Oh well, he should have sensed her coming up behind him with the force.
She had been to Terminus once or twice since Kiyoshi had invited her the first time. Now she was stopping by for some potential fun and de-stressing after a long, boring stake out that ended with not finding out that the guy was cheating on his wife but that he did have disgusting personal habits while the woman was gone. Maybe he always had them. What a catch.
With no hard evidence of an affair, she would have to go back tomorrow and possibly the next day. The contract was for watching the guy while the wife was away. It also involved checking into some other stuff that might be less than legal. If she found something that looked suspicious then maybe she could narrow down the potential love interest or find a time when they usually meet. The wife gave her his office trash to sort through in the hopes that she might find some information like dinner expenses or purchases that might be gifts. Yippee! So far it only showed that he spent way too much time eating at Biggie Burger.
Kiyoshi was standing at the bar but his shift should be ending soon. Then they could go play some games and such. She wanted to get something to eat too. She was starved and Terminus, bless the werewolves who worked here, had sushi and other dishes that she could stomach. Kiyoshi had the same problem so he probably ate at Terminus a lot.
As she was heading toward the bar she saw a tall lean figure that looked recognizable talking to someone else that she thought she had seen once or twice around Shady Pines. Tavi wouldn't have been sure about the guy but feeling that he was vaguely familiar looking and seeing him with the woman she thought she recognized made her a little more certain that the person she was looking at was, in fact, Therese.
Tavi waved at Kiyoshi, hopping up and down and making sure that he could see her over the crowd. It would probably be difficult to miss her. She had taken off the wig she had been wearing for the stake out earlier; her hair was back to being several shades of electric blue. It was a vivid blue on the top and underneath it was low-lighted a deep cobalt. Her eyeshadow was also a similar shade of shocking blue near her brow fading into a purple on her eyelid; it was finished off with heavy black cat's eye eyeliner. She was wearing a white tee shirt with a black men's suit vest (actually probably a boy's) over the top. There was a thin bright red tie hanging down above the buttoned up vest. Her jeans were long and belled at the bottom. (but not longer than the floor. She took running very seriously and did not believe in wearing fashion that would cause her to trip) They were faded with a few holes in them. She had on a pair of red converse with zebra print laces. All in all, pretty tame for her.
After making certain Kiyo knew she was here, Tavi walked over to the woman and the dark haired man.
"Hello Therese, I never would have pegged you for a closet gamer." Won't dad be surprised! It occurred to her that she might have interrupted a date or something. Perhaps she should have hung back and watched. However, Tavi doubted it. Therese and her dad seemed pretty happy together and Terminus would be an odd, even stupid, place to meet a lover. It was a known werewolf hang out and word would quickly get back to the pack, which meant getting back to the Sarkis.
Nope, Therese didn't strike her as crazy or stupid so these two must just be friends.
She had been to Terminus once or twice since Kiyoshi had invited her the first time. Now she was stopping by for some potential fun and de-stressing after a long, boring stake out that ended with not finding out that the guy was cheating on his wife but that he did have disgusting personal habits while the woman was gone. Maybe he always had them. What a catch.
With no hard evidence of an affair, she would have to go back tomorrow and possibly the next day. The contract was for watching the guy while the wife was away. It also involved checking into some other stuff that might be less than legal. If she found something that looked suspicious then maybe she could narrow down the potential love interest or find a time when they usually meet. The wife gave her his office trash to sort through in the hopes that she might find some information like dinner expenses or purchases that might be gifts. Yippee! So far it only showed that he spent way too much time eating at Biggie Burger.
Kiyoshi was standing at the bar but his shift should be ending soon. Then they could go play some games and such. She wanted to get something to eat too. She was starved and Terminus, bless the werewolves who worked here, had sushi and other dishes that she could stomach. Kiyoshi had the same problem so he probably ate at Terminus a lot.
As she was heading toward the bar she saw a tall lean figure that looked recognizable talking to someone else that she thought she had seen once or twice around Shady Pines. Tavi wouldn't have been sure about the guy but feeling that he was vaguely familiar looking and seeing him with the woman she thought she recognized made her a little more certain that the person she was looking at was, in fact, Therese.
Tavi waved at Kiyoshi, hopping up and down and making sure that he could see her over the crowd. It would probably be difficult to miss her. She had taken off the wig she had been wearing for the stake out earlier; her hair was back to being several shades of electric blue. It was a vivid blue on the top and underneath it was low-lighted a deep cobalt. Her eyeshadow was also a similar shade of shocking blue near her brow fading into a purple on her eyelid; it was finished off with heavy black cat's eye eyeliner. She was wearing a white tee shirt with a black men's suit vest (actually probably a boy's) over the top. There was a thin bright red tie hanging down above the buttoned up vest. Her jeans were long and belled at the bottom. (but not longer than the floor. She took running very seriously and did not believe in wearing fashion that would cause her to trip) They were faded with a few holes in them. She had on a pair of red converse with zebra print laces. All in all, pretty tame for her.
After making certain Kiyo knew she was here, Tavi walked over to the woman and the dark haired man.
"Hello Therese, I never would have pegged you for a closet gamer." Won't dad be surprised! It occurred to her that she might have interrupted a date or something. Perhaps she should have hung back and watched. However, Tavi doubted it. Therese and her dad seemed pretty happy together and Terminus would be an odd, even stupid, place to meet a lover. It was a known werewolf hang out and word would quickly get back to the pack, which meant getting back to the Sarkis.
Nope, Therese didn't strike her as crazy or stupid so these two must just be friends.
Therese
12 years ago
"And when did you fly to Texas and why did I not get a hat, or some of this wine?"
Thérèse teased as they waited from some one to get them a drink, she doubted they'd wait long while busy the bar seemed to be tended efficiently. Trusting her cousin to know what to get her Thérèse engaged in people watching, it was one of her more favored hobbies. This crowd was quite entertaining as well. Unlike some night clubs there was not just one type of person here, there were some that she would qualify as hipsters and some she would call nerds and everything in between.
While here eyes had been drawn to the dance floor, bouncing at the bar caused her to look that way. Something about the small figure was familiar and so she kept half an eye on them wondering if she had an escort, although she didn't think any one tailing her be they pack or from her keeper would be so obvious.
Finding the bouncing figure was Tavi Thérèse smiled and with minimal rearranging found room for her friend, and she did consider Tavi a friend, at the bar.
"Does solitaire count?" She asked with a light laugh. "Non my cousine insisted I meet him for a drink and this was his choice of location, speaking of which... Tavi this is my cousine Guillaume, Guillaume, Tavi."
Navid stepped away from the bar long enough to offer his hand. "Enchante."
"What brings you here?"
Thérèse teased as they waited from some one to get them a drink, she doubted they'd wait long while busy the bar seemed to be tended efficiently. Trusting her cousin to know what to get her Thérèse engaged in people watching, it was one of her more favored hobbies. This crowd was quite entertaining as well. Unlike some night clubs there was not just one type of person here, there were some that she would qualify as hipsters and some she would call nerds and everything in between.
While here eyes had been drawn to the dance floor, bouncing at the bar caused her to look that way. Something about the small figure was familiar and so she kept half an eye on them wondering if she had an escort, although she didn't think any one tailing her be they pack or from her keeper would be so obvious.
Finding the bouncing figure was Tavi Thérèse smiled and with minimal rearranging found room for her friend, and she did consider Tavi a friend, at the bar.
"Does solitaire count?" She asked with a light laugh. "Non my cousine insisted I meet him for a drink and this was his choice of location, speaking of which... Tavi this is my cousine Guillaume, Guillaume, Tavi."
Navid stepped away from the bar long enough to offer his hand. "Enchante."
"What brings you here?"
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyo hated nights like tonight. Normally he preferred to work all night at the bar, but tonight his shift ended a few hours earlier than Evan's and Evan would close up the bar himself. Kiyo only had five or ten minutes left to work, but if Evan let him he'd stay and close with him.
His plans changed, though, when he caught sight of Tavi bouncing around in the crowd as she entered the club. She was difficult to miss. Sure, she was smaller than many, but the blue hair and the makeup, well, they stood out. He was busy mixing a few drinks, his way, but he gave the bottle he was holding an extra high toss for a few flips and waved a hand at her in greeting.
He followed her with his eyes as he finished the drink orders he was working on, and did his best to hide a grimace as she crossed over to where Guillaume stood with... oh... with Therese, if he recalled the woman's name correctly. She had kindly given him a ride to Terminus one evening after tripping over him on the stairs outside the Arch, but to say they had rubbed each other the wrong way, well, that would be entirely too accurate.
Kiyo glanced at the clock; five minutes left. He did want to see Tavi. He'd been scarce at Shady Pines recently and he enjoyed her company. But Therese and Guillaume made an intimidating couple over there.
Smiling at Evan, Kiyo reached into his pockets and held up his poi. Every now and then he danced out in the nightclub. His flair tending was well-received and the poi dancing seemed to be as well. So he moved around the outside of the bar and let the toys dangle from his hands. The regulars there who noticed him got out of the way in a hurry and those who didn't recognize him were quick to catch on. In just a matter of moments Kiyo had a nice clear space on the dance floor. The beat of the music was heavy and fast, and he was able to jump right into a dance, making it up as he went. He liked it this way. Much as he wasn't a fan of performing, the act did calm him. He immediately forgot about the crowd and simply lost himself in spinning away, feet turning, tapping, skipping along the smooth floor.
When he finished his shift was over, officially. Kiyo gave a little wave to the patrons and, with a sweeping gesture, invited them back onto the dance floor. It had been fun, he admitted to himself. He hadn't actually done a decent poi dance at Terminus for a couple of weeks now.
And on top of that, he felt a little better about approaching his boss and his cousin. Turning back to the bar Kiyo said farewell to Evan, although it burned to do it so casually. He wanted to hug Evan, press up against him, feel his warm hands against him, but he couldn't. So he didn't glance back as he turned to walk away toward where Tavi stood.
He tucked his poi away into the pockets of his uniform as he approached. He had several different styles but tonight he was in a pair of silver 'jeans' that were distressed to let bits of electric blue show through. His shirt was a fitted v-neck tee, again in silver, with electric blue 'spider webbing' across the chest and shoulders. His hair, as usual when working, was bound into a long, loose braid that hung down his back.
As he neared his three Packmates Kiyo felt himself tightening up, growing nervous. The person that he was around Evan retreated and the person he was with his fellow R'asa came out. He slouched a little, shied a bit to the side, and didn't, couldn't, approach any of them directly. Well, maybe Tavi... maybe... but she was with Guillaume and Therese.
Edging over to them, his eyes downcast, Kiyo glanced up. He turned his head away briefly, flashing his neck in token submission.
"Evening Tavi. Therese, Guillaume."
His voice was very soft but he knew they could hear him. Almost without realizing it Kiyo slid in behind Tavi a bit. Brave, he chastised himself. Hide behind the tiny one.
Tiny but fierce! His inner self argued. He sighed. He was happy to see Tavi. He wished he could show it like she did.
His plans changed, though, when he caught sight of Tavi bouncing around in the crowd as she entered the club. She was difficult to miss. Sure, she was smaller than many, but the blue hair and the makeup, well, they stood out. He was busy mixing a few drinks, his way, but he gave the bottle he was holding an extra high toss for a few flips and waved a hand at her in greeting.
He followed her with his eyes as he finished the drink orders he was working on, and did his best to hide a grimace as she crossed over to where Guillaume stood with... oh... with Therese, if he recalled the woman's name correctly. She had kindly given him a ride to Terminus one evening after tripping over him on the stairs outside the Arch, but to say they had rubbed each other the wrong way, well, that would be entirely too accurate.
Kiyo glanced at the clock; five minutes left. He did want to see Tavi. He'd been scarce at Shady Pines recently and he enjoyed her company. But Therese and Guillaume made an intimidating couple over there.
Smiling at Evan, Kiyo reached into his pockets and held up his poi. Every now and then he danced out in the nightclub. His flair tending was well-received and the poi dancing seemed to be as well. So he moved around the outside of the bar and let the toys dangle from his hands. The regulars there who noticed him got out of the way in a hurry and those who didn't recognize him were quick to catch on. In just a matter of moments Kiyo had a nice clear space on the dance floor. The beat of the music was heavy and fast, and he was able to jump right into a dance, making it up as he went. He liked it this way. Much as he wasn't a fan of performing, the act did calm him. He immediately forgot about the crowd and simply lost himself in spinning away, feet turning, tapping, skipping along the smooth floor.
When he finished his shift was over, officially. Kiyo gave a little wave to the patrons and, with a sweeping gesture, invited them back onto the dance floor. It had been fun, he admitted to himself. He hadn't actually done a decent poi dance at Terminus for a couple of weeks now.
And on top of that, he felt a little better about approaching his boss and his cousin. Turning back to the bar Kiyo said farewell to Evan, although it burned to do it so casually. He wanted to hug Evan, press up against him, feel his warm hands against him, but he couldn't. So he didn't glance back as he turned to walk away toward where Tavi stood.
He tucked his poi away into the pockets of his uniform as he approached. He had several different styles but tonight he was in a pair of silver 'jeans' that were distressed to let bits of electric blue show through. His shirt was a fitted v-neck tee, again in silver, with electric blue 'spider webbing' across the chest and shoulders. His hair, as usual when working, was bound into a long, loose braid that hung down his back.
As he neared his three Packmates Kiyo felt himself tightening up, growing nervous. The person that he was around Evan retreated and the person he was with his fellow R'asa came out. He slouched a little, shied a bit to the side, and didn't, couldn't, approach any of them directly. Well, maybe Tavi... maybe... but she was with Guillaume and Therese.
Edging over to them, his eyes downcast, Kiyo glanced up. He turned his head away briefly, flashing his neck in token submission.
"Evening Tavi. Therese, Guillaume."
His voice was very soft but he knew they could hear him. Almost without realizing it Kiyo slid in behind Tavi a bit. Brave, he chastised himself. Hide behind the tiny one.
Tiny but fierce! His inner self argued. He sighed. He was happy to see Tavi. He wished he could show it like she did.
Guillaume
12 years ago
Ah the beauties of being the boss, one of them any how, two drink orders were given and made fast and accurate. Of course, he wouldn't have expected anything less given who was tending bar. Although he liked Kiyo well enough and he was a good employee Navid tended to be cautious around the other wolf. It was often too easy to ... ah well the awkward moments were fewer than they had been.
It was something of a relief that his cousin had run into some one she knew and whom she seemed to like. If she wasn't turning into a total hermit he was happy. Perhaps that was something of a glass house statement given how social he'd been, but that didn't occur to him.
Conversation stopped for a minute while their flair tender danced. He was impressive, confident coordinated it really was fun to watch.
He watched as Kiyoshi joined them. He was a little surprised that the shy were would know any one from the pack, and he assumed from Thérèse's reaction that this Tavi was part of the pack. He also assumed that Kiyo must like this small woman given how he tucked in behind her.
"A very nice show Kiyo. I think you might becoming a bit famous."
He said with a smile.
As for Tavi herself, as polite as he was the hair and make up was quite stunning and it took a bit not to stare, but he was certain she must hear a lot about such a striking look and so he refrained.
"A pleasure to meet you Tavi. You seem quite popular."
Guillaume joked slightly. After all both Therese and Kiyo seemed to know and like her, that said something about the woman.
It was something of a relief that his cousin had run into some one she knew and whom she seemed to like. If she wasn't turning into a total hermit he was happy. Perhaps that was something of a glass house statement given how social he'd been, but that didn't occur to him.
Conversation stopped for a minute while their flair tender danced. He was impressive, confident coordinated it really was fun to watch.
He watched as Kiyoshi joined them. He was a little surprised that the shy were would know any one from the pack, and he assumed from Thérèse's reaction that this Tavi was part of the pack. He also assumed that Kiyo must like this small woman given how he tucked in behind her.
"A very nice show Kiyo. I think you might becoming a bit famous."
He said with a smile.
As for Tavi herself, as polite as he was the hair and make up was quite stunning and it took a bit not to stare, but he was certain she must hear a lot about such a striking look and so he refrained.
"A pleasure to meet you Tavi. You seem quite popular."
Guillaume joked slightly. After all both Therese and Kiyo seemed to know and like her, that said something about the woman.
Octavia Emiliano
12 years ago
Tavi laughed at Therese's gaming experience and shook her head. She sounded nearly as hopeless as her dad. Maybe she should get them a wii. It would be kind of fun to watch them hop around and play. In fact, that was a perfect idea.
Therese introduced her cousin and up close she could see the family resemblance, especially after it was mentioned. It might have taken her half the night to sort it out otherwise but really they were both tall and dark haired and French. Now that she thought about it; it would have been obvious pretty quickly actually, despite his darker skin tone.
She smiled at his greeting and answered in kind. "Bonsoir, Monsieur. Je suis enchante aussi."
Her friend explained that Guillaume had asked her to meet him at Terminus. She wondered whether he was visiting Nachton or if he lived here. Guillaume's attention seemed to be caught by something further away so she glanced behind her back toward the dance floor.
It was not hard to spot Kiyoshi; an area had been cleared for him so that he could spin his poi. She watched while her friend performed. Kiyo was beautiful to watch, graceful and serene. He finished after a few moments and came over to join them. Tavi regarded him with knowing eyes as he slid hesitantly up to them. She couldn't miss the signs of submission and the change in attitude from the calm bartender to the nervous pack member.
Tavi reached back and wrapped a protective arm around Kiyoshi's shoulder, drawing him forward to stand next to her but hugging him close by her side. She was not afraid of either of the taller werewolves, nor timid in their presence. She was an alpha's daughter and backed down to no one, except her parents, and rarely even then. Tavi considered Kiyoshi a friend, part of her own smaller circle of friends and pack mates and she protected her own.
Neither of the two others seemed like bad people. She knew Therese and thought the woman was charming, intelligent and witty. Tavi liked her a lot. Guillaume probably wasn't bad; she couldn't imagine Therese tolerating him for very long if he were, cousin or not. Tavi wondered what made Kiyoshi nervous. Was it because they were tall or because they were Paterna?
It became clear that Guillaume knew Kiyoshi by what he said and that he was here at Terminus often enough to have seen a change in Kiyo's popularity. Evan had mentioned a R'asa partner. She didn't remember his name. Maybe this was him? Evan said that they both liked to fly so it was a natural choice for them both to open this place at an airport and something about the guy putting up with him. Evan had said it all in a joking sort of voice but when it came to relationships with a vampire and one of her own kind it was saying something indeed. If this was the guy who was willing to go into business with Evan then he had her respect. That was pretty damn brave and open minded of him.
Giving Kiyo's shoulder a gentle squeeze, she smiled at him. "Are you going to play with me tonight? I have missed you."
Shrugging at Guillaume's statement, she grinned. "That might be a first in my life. Quick! Someone take a picture so I can blog about it on Facebook."
Looking from one cousin to the other, she raised her eyebrows. "We aren't interrupting family time are we?"
Therese introduced her cousin and up close she could see the family resemblance, especially after it was mentioned. It might have taken her half the night to sort it out otherwise but really they were both tall and dark haired and French. Now that she thought about it; it would have been obvious pretty quickly actually, despite his darker skin tone.
She smiled at his greeting and answered in kind. "Bonsoir, Monsieur. Je suis enchante aussi."
Her friend explained that Guillaume had asked her to meet him at Terminus. She wondered whether he was visiting Nachton or if he lived here. Guillaume's attention seemed to be caught by something further away so she glanced behind her back toward the dance floor.
It was not hard to spot Kiyoshi; an area had been cleared for him so that he could spin his poi. She watched while her friend performed. Kiyo was beautiful to watch, graceful and serene. He finished after a few moments and came over to join them. Tavi regarded him with knowing eyes as he slid hesitantly up to them. She couldn't miss the signs of submission and the change in attitude from the calm bartender to the nervous pack member.
Tavi reached back and wrapped a protective arm around Kiyoshi's shoulder, drawing him forward to stand next to her but hugging him close by her side. She was not afraid of either of the taller werewolves, nor timid in their presence. She was an alpha's daughter and backed down to no one, except her parents, and rarely even then. Tavi considered Kiyoshi a friend, part of her own smaller circle of friends and pack mates and she protected her own.
Neither of the two others seemed like bad people. She knew Therese and thought the woman was charming, intelligent and witty. Tavi liked her a lot. Guillaume probably wasn't bad; she couldn't imagine Therese tolerating him for very long if he were, cousin or not. Tavi wondered what made Kiyoshi nervous. Was it because they were tall or because they were Paterna?
It became clear that Guillaume knew Kiyoshi by what he said and that he was here at Terminus often enough to have seen a change in Kiyo's popularity. Evan had mentioned a R'asa partner. She didn't remember his name. Maybe this was him? Evan said that they both liked to fly so it was a natural choice for them both to open this place at an airport and something about the guy putting up with him. Evan had said it all in a joking sort of voice but when it came to relationships with a vampire and one of her own kind it was saying something indeed. If this was the guy who was willing to go into business with Evan then he had her respect. That was pretty damn brave and open minded of him.
Giving Kiyo's shoulder a gentle squeeze, she smiled at him. "Are you going to play with me tonight? I have missed you."
Shrugging at Guillaume's statement, she grinned. "That might be a first in my life. Quick! Someone take a picture so I can blog about it on Facebook."
Looking from one cousin to the other, she raised her eyebrows. "We aren't interrupting family time are we?"
Therese
12 years ago
Ah yes, Kiyoshi. They had met and Thérèse wasn't quite sure what to make of the young man. He had seemed nice enough but he had some odd views, and her own troubles may have caused her to be a bit sharper than usual. Regardless of her issues, possible issues real or imagined with him, he was quite graceful on the floor though and she did enjoy watching him dance though. Quite a showman and the crowd obviously enjoyed his performance.
Regardless of those issues though, he was her cousine's employee and from the protective arm Tavi offered him her friend. She could and would be polite and over look these issues tonight, besides she didn't pick on another wolf once he'd shown submission.
"What are you playing tonight?"
She addressed the question mostly to Kiyoshi, attempting to engage him in conversation. Besides, was intrigued, other than chess and cards Thérèse didn't play many games. But some of the games they'd seen were rather fascinating, quite flashy and engaging.
Laughing lightly she didn't for a second believe Tavi's insinuation that she wasn't popular. The young woman had a strong personality and might not be everyone's favorite but she was lively and engaging and would certainly be popular with some.
"Mon Dieu, perhaps your life of exile shall come to an end. I just hope my associating with you doesn't tarnish my own popularity."
She looked to Guillaume for a moment, trying to determine if he had something that he'd wanted to discuss tonight. Thérèse did have things she wanted to discuss but there wasn't anything she could say. Perhaps she should find a way to get him to speak with Vaughn.... and perhaps Tavi was they way. They would see.
"Non, non, not at all besides I have not seen you recently.... by the way I do love the new color. So vibrant, how do you get such lovely shades?"
Regardless of those issues though, he was her cousine's employee and from the protective arm Tavi offered him her friend. She could and would be polite and over look these issues tonight, besides she didn't pick on another wolf once he'd shown submission.
"What are you playing tonight?"
She addressed the question mostly to Kiyoshi, attempting to engage him in conversation. Besides, was intrigued, other than chess and cards Thérèse didn't play many games. But some of the games they'd seen were rather fascinating, quite flashy and engaging.
Laughing lightly she didn't for a second believe Tavi's insinuation that she wasn't popular. The young woman had a strong personality and might not be everyone's favorite but she was lively and engaging and would certainly be popular with some.
"Mon Dieu, perhaps your life of exile shall come to an end. I just hope my associating with you doesn't tarnish my own popularity."
She looked to Guillaume for a moment, trying to determine if he had something that he'd wanted to discuss tonight. Thérèse did have things she wanted to discuss but there wasn't anything she could say. Perhaps she should find a way to get him to speak with Vaughn.... and perhaps Tavi was they way. They would see.
"Non, non, not at all besides I have not seen you recently.... by the way I do love the new color. So vibrant, how do you get such lovely shades?"
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyoshi blinked at Guillaume's words, which he knew were meant to be... maybe, encouraging? Was it bad to be famous? No... it was good business for the bar right? Was it the wrong kind of business? Neither Evan nor Guillaume seemed to have any complaints about his flairtending or his dancing.
"Thank you sir. Guillaume. Sir. As long as it was what you want. I mean, you pay me to do it for you. For Terminus I mean. Not for you personally."
Oh God, that sounded awful. Kiyo tried to rectify the situation before it got worse. "I mean I'd do it anyway because I like it but it's part of the job but if you want me to do it differently I can, there are lots of other things I could do instead."
It just went from bad to worse as he drew attention to it, rather than just letting it go. Any one of the three people standing here could have done a better job of socializing. Kiyo felt his face growing red. Sigh.
In the meantime Tavi, bless her heart, wrapped her arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. Awkwardly, not knowing where else to put his own arm, he slid it around her waist. It probably looked bad to both Guillaume and Therese and, hell, he didn't want to know what Evan would think of the gesture. Not to mention all the coworkers who'd seen him with Evalyn. Regardless, he squeezed her tight. Tavi was a friend. He wasn't sure how it had happened more easily with her; her open manner maybe, her forwardness.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't been around much."
Both Tavi and Therese were looking at him with questions in their eyes and he glanced back and forth at both of them.
"Uh, yes? We can play." He looked at Guillaume. "We can play, right?"
Then he turned back to Therese. "I don't know what. It's up to you." Then back to Tavi. "Or uhm... to you."
Then he glanced at Guillaume, sweating a bit. "Or you. I mean it's your bar. I don't know."
Why was everyone looking at him??
"Thank you sir. Guillaume. Sir. As long as it was what you want. I mean, you pay me to do it for you. For Terminus I mean. Not for you personally."
Oh God, that sounded awful. Kiyo tried to rectify the situation before it got worse. "I mean I'd do it anyway because I like it but it's part of the job but if you want me to do it differently I can, there are lots of other things I could do instead."
It just went from bad to worse as he drew attention to it, rather than just letting it go. Any one of the three people standing here could have done a better job of socializing. Kiyo felt his face growing red. Sigh.
In the meantime Tavi, bless her heart, wrapped her arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. Awkwardly, not knowing where else to put his own arm, he slid it around her waist. It probably looked bad to both Guillaume and Therese and, hell, he didn't want to know what Evan would think of the gesture. Not to mention all the coworkers who'd seen him with Evalyn. Regardless, he squeezed her tight. Tavi was a friend. He wasn't sure how it had happened more easily with her; her open manner maybe, her forwardness.
"I missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't been around much."
Both Tavi and Therese were looking at him with questions in their eyes and he glanced back and forth at both of them.
"Uh, yes? We can play." He looked at Guillaume. "We can play, right?"
Then he turned back to Therese. "I don't know what. It's up to you." Then back to Tavi. "Or uhm... to you."
Then he glanced at Guillaume, sweating a bit. "Or you. I mean it's your bar. I don't know."
Why was everyone looking at him??
Guillaume
12 years ago
An abbreviated, yet courtly kiss of the young woman's hand followed. A bright smile conveyed how pleased he was that she had greeted him in French. It meant something to him, as he knew it did to most of his family.
Given the reaction of the others to her he quickly concluded she was part of the pack. That being the case, and as Thérèse seemed to want Tavi's company he did not dismiss her at all and instead reassured her.
"Of course not. It is a pleasure to met you. You will let me buy you a drink? Both of you?"
He included Kiyo in the offer easily.
Navid did his very best not to notice as Kiyoshi practically groveled. Wolfish instinct and human responses conflicted slightly, Guillaume wondered if Kiyo had any idea he did that to other wolves. Fortunately they were not just animals and they could think and reason and he did not randomly decide to assert his dominance.
He smiled in what he hoped was a calm and encouraging manner.
"You are happy, the customers are happy, Evan is happy therefore I am happy. It isn't part of the job at all I wouldn't expect most bartenders to do it... so long as you are happy c'est bon. Let me know if -you- want to try something different."
It was painful how skittish Kiyoshi was. Navid was trying to encourage him, give him some support, he'd had absolutely no issues when Evan had wanted to give the bartender a key to Terminus. He wished that Kiyo would be a little more ... well more.
He was a little puzzled by Kiyo's reaction to Tavi. Guillaume could have sworn that he'd seen Kiyo with a blond bit of fluff. It seemed unlikely that the young man would be able to carry on two relationships. Perhaps one of the two was just a friend. It didn't matter, he did, however, refrain from mentioning to Kiyoshi that he could have more time off. That seemed to just upset him.
"Of course you can! That is what the games are there for."
But it was Thérèse who had surprised him. He turned a half amused half puzzled by his cousine's interest in the game.
"Since when have you played video games?" Attempting to give Kiyo a break and not unintentional intimidate him he grinned at Tavi. "What have you done to her? I've never seen her the least little bit interested..."
Given the reaction of the others to her he quickly concluded she was part of the pack. That being the case, and as Thérèse seemed to want Tavi's company he did not dismiss her at all and instead reassured her.
"Of course not. It is a pleasure to met you. You will let me buy you a drink? Both of you?"
He included Kiyo in the offer easily.
Navid did his very best not to notice as Kiyoshi practically groveled. Wolfish instinct and human responses conflicted slightly, Guillaume wondered if Kiyo had any idea he did that to other wolves. Fortunately they were not just animals and they could think and reason and he did not randomly decide to assert his dominance.
He smiled in what he hoped was a calm and encouraging manner.
"You are happy, the customers are happy, Evan is happy therefore I am happy. It isn't part of the job at all I wouldn't expect most bartenders to do it... so long as you are happy c'est bon. Let me know if -you- want to try something different."
It was painful how skittish Kiyoshi was. Navid was trying to encourage him, give him some support, he'd had absolutely no issues when Evan had wanted to give the bartender a key to Terminus. He wished that Kiyo would be a little more ... well more.
He was a little puzzled by Kiyo's reaction to Tavi. Guillaume could have sworn that he'd seen Kiyo with a blond bit of fluff. It seemed unlikely that the young man would be able to carry on two relationships. Perhaps one of the two was just a friend. It didn't matter, he did, however, refrain from mentioning to Kiyoshi that he could have more time off. That seemed to just upset him.
"Of course you can! That is what the games are there for."
But it was Thérèse who had surprised him. He turned a half amused half puzzled by his cousine's interest in the game.
"Since when have you played video games?" Attempting to give Kiyo a break and not unintentional intimidate him he grinned at Tavi. "What have you done to her? I've never seen her the least little bit interested..."
Octavia Emiliano
12 years ago
Tavi winced inwardly as Kiyo spoke to the other man. It was obvious from what her friend was saying that this man was indeed the VR that was Evan's partner. That was cool. Hot French guy, Hot vampire, Hot flairtender. This place was going to do a ton of business just for the eye candy. Course she doubted any of them wanted to hear that.
Squeezing Kiyoshi's shoulders she let him know it was okay.
She laughed at Therese's sarcasm and shook her head. "I do room in a padded cell...You've been warned. I wouldn't worry about your reputation though. I haven't managed to tarnish Dad's yet and I'd have to admit to actively giving that a good go in my misspent youth." Tavi grinned widely knowing she didn't even look legal to drink in this place much less to be past her wild rebellious phase.
Guillaume offered her a drink and Tavi considered what would be best. "Hmm, a nice glass of red wine I think." It was not something fruity and light with nearly no alcohol and not something so strong that it would knock her on her ass. And she enjoyed the taste.
Therese asked her a question about her hair and she smiled. "Thanks, I have dark brown hair normally so the trick is to bleach it to near white first. Then you put the colour in and then voila, bob's your uncle."
Considering the game situation, since it seemed they were not intruding upon family time, Tavi shrugged her free shoulder. Therese did not appear to know much about games and Kiyoshi did not appear to want to choose. Its okay she could cover both problems. "Lets play something on the wii or the Xbox kinect." She liked jumping around and having fun. It was great stress relief. Not only that it was something that would be easier for non video gamers to understand.
Shaking her head at Guillaume, Tavi raised up the hand not around Kiyoshi. "Hey, don't look at me. I didn't corrupt her. We've only gone shopping together and I suspect Therese was capable of doing that long before she met me." Now if they had a shopping video game....that could be awesome.
Turning to Therese, who seemed to be the newest at all things video game related, she explained her choice. "I figure we can all play tennis or bowl It is actually really fun and pretty accurate in how it feels with the controller. "
Tavi waved to Evan and gave him a smile when she noticed him looking over at their little group The tall vampire smiled and waved back at her and then his eyes drifted down to Kiyoshi before turning once more to the people in front of the bar. She hoped that he didn't want Kiyo to work some more. She had just gotten here. At least it seemed like both of her friend's bosses valued Kiyo's contribution to the success of Terminus.
"We could play some Mario Kart too if you like." Turning to her friend she said. "You have to Yoshi!" Tavi giggled. "He's cute."
Squeezing Kiyoshi's shoulders she let him know it was okay.
She laughed at Therese's sarcasm and shook her head. "I do room in a padded cell...You've been warned. I wouldn't worry about your reputation though. I haven't managed to tarnish Dad's yet and I'd have to admit to actively giving that a good go in my misspent youth." Tavi grinned widely knowing she didn't even look legal to drink in this place much less to be past her wild rebellious phase.
Guillaume offered her a drink and Tavi considered what would be best. "Hmm, a nice glass of red wine I think." It was not something fruity and light with nearly no alcohol and not something so strong that it would knock her on her ass. And she enjoyed the taste.
Therese asked her a question about her hair and she smiled. "Thanks, I have dark brown hair normally so the trick is to bleach it to near white first. Then you put the colour in and then voila, bob's your uncle."
Considering the game situation, since it seemed they were not intruding upon family time, Tavi shrugged her free shoulder. Therese did not appear to know much about games and Kiyoshi did not appear to want to choose. Its okay she could cover both problems. "Lets play something on the wii or the Xbox kinect." She liked jumping around and having fun. It was great stress relief. Not only that it was something that would be easier for non video gamers to understand.
Shaking her head at Guillaume, Tavi raised up the hand not around Kiyoshi. "Hey, don't look at me. I didn't corrupt her. We've only gone shopping together and I suspect Therese was capable of doing that long before she met me." Now if they had a shopping video game....that could be awesome.
Turning to Therese, who seemed to be the newest at all things video game related, she explained her choice. "I figure we can all play tennis or bowl It is actually really fun and pretty accurate in how it feels with the controller. "
Tavi waved to Evan and gave him a smile when she noticed him looking over at their little group The tall vampire smiled and waved back at her and then his eyes drifted down to Kiyoshi before turning once more to the people in front of the bar. She hoped that he didn't want Kiyo to work some more. She had just gotten here. At least it seemed like both of her friend's bosses valued Kiyo's contribution to the success of Terminus.
"We could play some Mario Kart too if you like." Turning to her friend she said. "You have to Yoshi!" Tavi giggled. "He's cute."
Therese
12 years ago
And Kiyoshi became more nervous and submissive. It was a wonder he didn't ask permission to breath. But, like Navid, she just tried to look past it. Although, she was a little surprised how patient her cousine was being. It was something that was not always his strong suit.
Thérèse raised an eyebrow at Tavi when Kiyoshi wrapped an arm around her. I looked... not quite lover like but not completely un-lover like; there was some intimacy there. It was hard to imagine this young man with the Alpha's daughter; he couldn't possibly know what he was getting into. No matter, at least it was better than that big Kadzait if nothing else Kiyoshi was part of the Pack.
"We do have an uncle Robert, but even so I doubt I could pull off such a look.â€
She grinned at her own, small, joke. Perhaps a touch of color could be fun though, something subtle. She'd heard of things called 'peek-a-boo panes' bright color hidden under the natural color that may or may not show. It was an idea.
"Mon Dieu, of all the languages I speak video games is not one. You pick, it might be better that I just watch at any rate, if you two do not mind us intruding on you of course.â€
She said while toying with the pinot noir Guillaume had given her. It was lovely with a background of berries and a very subtle hint of chocolate, she would anticipate him offering the same the same to Tavi. She smiled a belated thanks to the bar tendered, who seemed to know Tavi.
"What is a Yoshi?â€
Thérèse raised an eyebrow at Tavi when Kiyoshi wrapped an arm around her. I looked... not quite lover like but not completely un-lover like; there was some intimacy there. It was hard to imagine this young man with the Alpha's daughter; he couldn't possibly know what he was getting into. No matter, at least it was better than that big Kadzait if nothing else Kiyoshi was part of the Pack.
"We do have an uncle Robert, but even so I doubt I could pull off such a look.â€
She grinned at her own, small, joke. Perhaps a touch of color could be fun though, something subtle. She'd heard of things called 'peek-a-boo panes' bright color hidden under the natural color that may or may not show. It was an idea.
"Mon Dieu, of all the languages I speak video games is not one. You pick, it might be better that I just watch at any rate, if you two do not mind us intruding on you of course.â€
She said while toying with the pinot noir Guillaume had given her. It was lovely with a background of berries and a very subtle hint of chocolate, she would anticipate him offering the same the same to Tavi. She smiled a belated thanks to the bar tendered, who seemed to know Tavi.
"What is a Yoshi?â€
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
Kiyo shook his head vigorously at Guillaume. "No thank you," he said softly. In truth, though, he really wanted a drink. Maybe three or four. It might help take the edge off his nerves. He hadn't exactly hit it off with Therese, and Guillaume's gruff manner, while he understood it wasn't intentionally hurtful, scared him.
He glanced pitifully over at the bar while trying not to meet Evan's eyes. He didn't want to seem too terribly close to his fellow bartender. His boyfriend. Oh, he liked the sound of it, even if it was just in his own head.
Dragging his train of thought back to where it should be right now, Kiyo reflected that it'd look bad for him to be in his uniform, playing games and drinking. He did have a change of clothes in his backpack; he always did. He should go get into them.
First he answered Tavi. "Wii would be better," he suggested timidly. He didn't know about the Xbox yet, he hadn't played it. He could handle the wii.
For the most part, Guillaume and Therese took pity on him and let him duck away from the rest of the conversation. That made him happy. Well, happier.
"You should play," he said to Therese, hesitating but offering her a tentative smile. Then he turned to Tavi, "I'll be Yoshi, sure."
He didn't know what the heck Yoshi was but he'd been called Yoshi before as it was the last half of his name, obviously. There must be a Yoshi character. He hoped it wasn't ass-ugly, was all.
He dropped his arm from Tavi's waist and excused himself. "I'll be right back," he said. "I just need to change out of my uniform if I'm going to play."
Kiyo didn't want to be constantly interrupted if he was trying to be polite off the clock. He ducked behind the bar quickly, shot Evan a wan smile, and grabbed his backpack. He changed hurriedly in the employee bathroom and then returned his backpack to the bar. When he did so, Evan handed him a shooter and quietly instructed him to drink up. With a grateful smile Kiyo knocked it back wihout question, tasting apple and spices, and experiencing the unmistakeable rush of warmth that came from ridiculously strong alcohol. Everclear, if he recognized the drink. Kiyo gave a little shiver and swallowed the last drops. Evan then handed him a taller glass with a similar drink, slightly less, but almost as strong as the first. There was a fleeting, quickly concealed, expression of sadness on Evan's face and Kiyo wished Evan could join them. Unable to thank Evan properly as he wanted to, Kiyo brushed his fingers over Evan's as he took the glass and helped himself to a healthy swallow. Casting one last, thankful glance at Evan he rejoined his small group, now more comfortable in a dark green hoodie with a black tee underneath it, black wide-legged pants, and sneakers. And, possibly, a tiny bit inebriated. Just a tiny bit.
He sidled up next to Tavi once more, not hiding behind her but not exactly willing to let her stray too far; for now she represented a safe haven.
He glanced pitifully over at the bar while trying not to meet Evan's eyes. He didn't want to seem too terribly close to his fellow bartender. His boyfriend. Oh, he liked the sound of it, even if it was just in his own head.
Dragging his train of thought back to where it should be right now, Kiyo reflected that it'd look bad for him to be in his uniform, playing games and drinking. He did have a change of clothes in his backpack; he always did. He should go get into them.
First he answered Tavi. "Wii would be better," he suggested timidly. He didn't know about the Xbox yet, he hadn't played it. He could handle the wii.
For the most part, Guillaume and Therese took pity on him and let him duck away from the rest of the conversation. That made him happy. Well, happier.
"You should play," he said to Therese, hesitating but offering her a tentative smile. Then he turned to Tavi, "I'll be Yoshi, sure."
He didn't know what the heck Yoshi was but he'd been called Yoshi before as it was the last half of his name, obviously. There must be a Yoshi character. He hoped it wasn't ass-ugly, was all.
He dropped his arm from Tavi's waist and excused himself. "I'll be right back," he said. "I just need to change out of my uniform if I'm going to play."
Kiyo didn't want to be constantly interrupted if he was trying to be polite off the clock. He ducked behind the bar quickly, shot Evan a wan smile, and grabbed his backpack. He changed hurriedly in the employee bathroom and then returned his backpack to the bar. When he did so, Evan handed him a shooter and quietly instructed him to drink up. With a grateful smile Kiyo knocked it back wihout question, tasting apple and spices, and experiencing the unmistakeable rush of warmth that came from ridiculously strong alcohol. Everclear, if he recognized the drink. Kiyo gave a little shiver and swallowed the last drops. Evan then handed him a taller glass with a similar drink, slightly less, but almost as strong as the first. There was a fleeting, quickly concealed, expression of sadness on Evan's face and Kiyo wished Evan could join them. Unable to thank Evan properly as he wanted to, Kiyo brushed his fingers over Evan's as he took the glass and helped himself to a healthy swallow. Casting one last, thankful glance at Evan he rejoined his small group, now more comfortable in a dark green hoodie with a black tee underneath it, black wide-legged pants, and sneakers. And, possibly, a tiny bit inebriated. Just a tiny bit.
He sidled up next to Tavi once more, not hiding behind her but not exactly willing to let her stray too far; for now she represented a safe haven.
Guillaume
12 years ago
Navid's accent was no where near as pronounced as his cousine's. In fact, it was so faint as to be nearly non-existent there was just a touch of something. Unlike Thérèse he had made an effort to blend in, but of course in her profession the accent was probably a benefit.
"Colored hair and video games? And you want me to believe that you have not corrupted her?"
It was surprisingly easy to be light and playful with Tavi, perhaps it was the colored hair, no one with such hair would be a pretentious snob after all.
He nodded in agreement with the Wii suggestion and the sports games would be simple enough, after all most people knew how to play the game itself. It was, as she said, only in learning to play with the computer.
Any one else, he might have questioned if they were sure, but he suspected that Kiyoshi wouldn't appreciate that. He wasn't sure if the man would accept a drink out of some kind of imagined pressure or decline more adamantly and feel badly. So he simply asked for another glass of the pinot.
He was pleased to see Kiyo actually speaking to Thérèse. He would have laid even money that Kiyo could have the whole evening without speaking to her. It wasn't something he'd thought of, Kiyo changing out of his uniform but it was a good idea. While Kiyo was gone, he collected the glass of wine and offered it to Tavi.
When Kiyo came back, it was with a glass of something, interesting. He didn't understand why he hadn't accepted his offer... but he didn't dwell on it. Instead he more or less started them to the gaming concourse.
"Shall we take bets on how long it takes for those heels," He nodded at Thérèse footwear, "to cause an accident."
"Colored hair and video games? And you want me to believe that you have not corrupted her?"
It was surprisingly easy to be light and playful with Tavi, perhaps it was the colored hair, no one with such hair would be a pretentious snob after all.
He nodded in agreement with the Wii suggestion and the sports games would be simple enough, after all most people knew how to play the game itself. It was, as she said, only in learning to play with the computer.
Any one else, he might have questioned if they were sure, but he suspected that Kiyoshi wouldn't appreciate that. He wasn't sure if the man would accept a drink out of some kind of imagined pressure or decline more adamantly and feel badly. So he simply asked for another glass of the pinot.
He was pleased to see Kiyo actually speaking to Thérèse. He would have laid even money that Kiyo could have the whole evening without speaking to her. It wasn't something he'd thought of, Kiyo changing out of his uniform but it was a good idea. While Kiyo was gone, he collected the glass of wine and offered it to Tavi.
When Kiyo came back, it was with a glass of something, interesting. He didn't understand why he hadn't accepted his offer... but he didn't dwell on it. Instead he more or less started them to the gaming concourse.
"Shall we take bets on how long it takes for those heels," He nodded at Thérèse footwear, "to cause an accident."
Octavia Emiliano
12 years ago
Tavi laughed at Therese's literal interpretation of what she had said. She waved her hand and head in an energetically negative gesture at the whole hair dying idea. "I think you could but if you came back with purple hair or something my father would kill me. Straight up, no questions asked. He would be sure I was involved." Tilting her head and looking sly, she added. "Of course if you just want to shock him. I have some extensions we can put in of all sorts of colour. It is no commitment fashion fun. I probably will only get maimed for that...if he can catch me." Tavi waggled her eyebrows. "Which he can't." Yes, she was speaking of playing a prank on their Alpha. A tiny part of her thought she should be mortified but, to her, he was still Dad. Besides, Vaughn was better at taking a joke than her mother and he had become much calmer these days. It seemed to be Therese's influence.
Kiyoshi declined a drink and she turned to look at him. A few glasses of something strong might do the poor guy a favor. Maybe he was worried about taking something from his boss? She was tempted to just ask Evan to make Kiyo something anyway but she didn't want to over step his denial of the offer. Not yet then, later.
Looking smug at Guillaume, she snorted. "If that's your idea of corruption then you must not get out much. That's pretty tame." She glanced at Therese and the tilted her chin back at Guillaume. "Could he keep up if we went running in the city?" Not that running through the city was really very much in the way of corruption either but a woman had to start somewhere. Tavi winked at Guillaume and took the glass of wine he offered her.
Her friend disappeared to go change his clothes after saying that he would play the character she had suggested. Tavi turned to Therese. "I'll explain when he gets back."
After Kiyo came back, looking much more comfortable. She smiled, took note of the drink in his head and glanced over at Evan, apparently she wasn't the only one who thought Kiyoshi might need a little something to take the edge off.
Looking between him and Therese, she said. "Yoshi is a little dragon, dinosaur, uhm, creature. I am not sure which he is. He's green and wears little red tennis shoes. He's cute."
Tavi glanced down at Therese's footwear and then back up at Guillaume. "I am betting after the first game they come off entirely." She certainly hoped so, jumping around reaching for tennis balls and other such movements wouldn't be good in heels.
Kiyoshi declined a drink and she turned to look at him. A few glasses of something strong might do the poor guy a favor. Maybe he was worried about taking something from his boss? She was tempted to just ask Evan to make Kiyo something anyway but she didn't want to over step his denial of the offer. Not yet then, later.
Looking smug at Guillaume, she snorted. "If that's your idea of corruption then you must not get out much. That's pretty tame." She glanced at Therese and the tilted her chin back at Guillaume. "Could he keep up if we went running in the city?" Not that running through the city was really very much in the way of corruption either but a woman had to start somewhere. Tavi winked at Guillaume and took the glass of wine he offered her.
Her friend disappeared to go change his clothes after saying that he would play the character she had suggested. Tavi turned to Therese. "I'll explain when he gets back."
After Kiyo came back, looking much more comfortable. She smiled, took note of the drink in his head and glanced over at Evan, apparently she wasn't the only one who thought Kiyoshi might need a little something to take the edge off.
Looking between him and Therese, she said. "Yoshi is a little dragon, dinosaur, uhm, creature. I am not sure which he is. He's green and wears little red tennis shoes. He's cute."
Tavi glanced down at Therese's footwear and then back up at Guillaume. "I am betting after the first game they come off entirely." She certainly hoped so, jumping around reaching for tennis balls and other such movements wouldn't be good in heels.
Therese
12 years ago
Thérèse couldn't help but laugh. The idea of shocking Vaughn, just a bit and in such a harmless way was rather entertaining. It sounded like fun. How could she not play along?
"Non, not purple. I had rather thought blue, or perhaps red. Would that make you less culpable?"
Nodding at the idea of shocking and extension Thérèse decided this was the perfect plan. Besides, it would only be practical to try out the color before making it permanent. What if the blue didn't look as good as she'd hoped.
"Oui this we should try. And I will take bets on whether you escape or not. It cannot hurt to make a little money on the side, I shall split the profits of course as you are doing all the work."
Coughing to cover the idea that Navid didn't get out much and had a tame idea of corruption Thérèse thought her brother should decide if he would elaborate or not. He only thought she was rather boring, and he did not know everything.
Tavi was an excellent running partner. Thérèse knew there was no way she could keep up on a level playing field but if they went free running and adding in her ability to hop about they made an excellent match. Regarding Guillaume though... Thérèse made a 'so so' gesture with her hand.
"Perhaps, at least for a bit, failing that he would wear at least me down."
She had no idea how Tavi's endurance was, but Thérèse only knew one person who might out last Navid. She couldn't quite smile as Kiyoshi rejoined them, but she did nod polity. He had apparently found a drink and she hoped it would do him some good. For her part she did try and include him in the conversation. "Do you run at all Kiyoshi?"
One eyebrow raised at the description of this character. What in the world was this game they were going to play?
"Dragon, dinosaur thing? I think I should like to see this.
They had progressed as far as the gaming concourse but Thérèse couldn't tell a Wii from an Atari and had to wait until some one found them not only the right machine but an available one.
"Non, not purple. I had rather thought blue, or perhaps red. Would that make you less culpable?"
Nodding at the idea of shocking and extension Thérèse decided this was the perfect plan. Besides, it would only be practical to try out the color before making it permanent. What if the blue didn't look as good as she'd hoped.
"Oui this we should try. And I will take bets on whether you escape or not. It cannot hurt to make a little money on the side, I shall split the profits of course as you are doing all the work."
Coughing to cover the idea that Navid didn't get out much and had a tame idea of corruption Thérèse thought her brother should decide if he would elaborate or not. He only thought she was rather boring, and he did not know everything.
Tavi was an excellent running partner. Thérèse knew there was no way she could keep up on a level playing field but if they went free running and adding in her ability to hop about they made an excellent match. Regarding Guillaume though... Thérèse made a 'so so' gesture with her hand.
"Perhaps, at least for a bit, failing that he would wear at least me down."
She had no idea how Tavi's endurance was, but Thérèse only knew one person who might out last Navid. She couldn't quite smile as Kiyoshi rejoined them, but she did nod polity. He had apparently found a drink and she hoped it would do him some good. For her part she did try and include him in the conversation. "Do you run at all Kiyoshi?"
One eyebrow raised at the description of this character. What in the world was this game they were going to play?
"Dragon, dinosaur thing? I think I should like to see this.
They had progressed as far as the gaming concourse but Thérèse couldn't tell a Wii from an Atari and had to wait until some one found them not only the right machine but an available one.
Kiyoshi Salinas
12 years ago
They moved along to the gaming concourse as they talked. Kiyo very badly wanted one last glimpse of Evan but that was not in keeping with their rule of secrecy so he clutched his drink in his hand and went with Tavi, Guillaume, and Therese.
Tavi's description of the Yoshi character sounded accurate enough; Kiyo supposed he was more than a bit green around the gills. The apple pie drink was helping though, giving him that tingly, slightly buzzed feeling.
When they found an available wii Kiyo helped set everyone up with their controllers and a tennis match. The question of Therese's heels had everyone talking but Kiyo had seen Therese move in heels before.
"I have evidence that she can run in them. Just, maybe, not jump so well," he said. His voice was still soft but he managed to not stammer too horribly much.
He gulped his drink much faster than he should have. It burned as it went down but the sweet cinnamon and apple flavors over the alcohol were welcome. He nearly inhaled it as Therese addressed a question to him. Choking back a coughing reflex Kiyo blinked at her.
"On purpose?"
He blurted it out without thinking and immediately realized how stupid it sounded. Of course on purpose, you moron.
"I run a lot. Usually when I'm late for work. Or sometimes when I get lost. Oh God that isn't what you meant."
Kiyo dropped his head down, blushing furiously. Shaking it back and forth with a sigh he backed up and glanced at Therese.
"I just run by myself. When... you know."
They had discussed this in her car when she'd driven him to Terminus that one time. He knew she didn't approve but he wasn't going to lie.
Tavi's description of the Yoshi character sounded accurate enough; Kiyo supposed he was more than a bit green around the gills. The apple pie drink was helping though, giving him that tingly, slightly buzzed feeling.
When they found an available wii Kiyo helped set everyone up with their controllers and a tennis match. The question of Therese's heels had everyone talking but Kiyo had seen Therese move in heels before.
"I have evidence that she can run in them. Just, maybe, not jump so well," he said. His voice was still soft but he managed to not stammer too horribly much.
He gulped his drink much faster than he should have. It burned as it went down but the sweet cinnamon and apple flavors over the alcohol were welcome. He nearly inhaled it as Therese addressed a question to him. Choking back a coughing reflex Kiyo blinked at her.
"On purpose?"
He blurted it out without thinking and immediately realized how stupid it sounded. Of course on purpose, you moron.
"I run a lot. Usually when I'm late for work. Or sometimes when I get lost. Oh God that isn't what you meant."
Kiyo dropped his head down, blushing furiously. Shaking it back and forth with a sigh he backed up and glanced at Therese.
"I just run by myself. When... you know."
They had discussed this in her car when she'd driven him to Terminus that one time. He knew she didn't approve but he wasn't going to lie.
Guillaume
12 years ago
Her father? That answered the question of her Tavi was. Navid was glad he had not gotten a glass of wine he would likely have snapped the stem. He was still not comfortable with the fact that Thérèse was involved with the man, whom he had still not met. Not wanting to cause a scene he took a deep breath and didn't say anything. At least the two women were having fun.
"Corruption may have been too strong a word.†He smiled slightly. At least the conversation turned to more neutral topics.
"No, I don't believe I would keep up terribly well.â€
There was no point in pretending otherwise. With his cousine and her tenancies to think vertical surfaces were a track. And if Tavi was keeping up, he was certainly out of the running. He could sprint for a while quite well and he was able to manage distances but...
While Kiyo's response had been soft Navid had heard it and laughed.
"Then your bet is on the shoes coming off as well Kiyo?â€
So close and yet so far, Navid winced as the young man stumbled all over himself to answer the question. Moving to help him finish setting things up, he hadn't failed to noticed that Kiyo was even now being helpful, he said softly.
"I think she was asking if you'd like to join them for a jog.â€
There was no sharpness, no reprimand just advice, clarification offered kindly. He hoped that Kiyoshi would accept it as it was intended and not become even more awkward, if that was possible.
"Corruption may have been too strong a word.†He smiled slightly. At least the conversation turned to more neutral topics.
"No, I don't believe I would keep up terribly well.â€
There was no point in pretending otherwise. With his cousine and her tenancies to think vertical surfaces were a track. And if Tavi was keeping up, he was certainly out of the running. He could sprint for a while quite well and he was able to manage distances but...
While Kiyo's response had been soft Navid had heard it and laughed.
"Then your bet is on the shoes coming off as well Kiyo?â€
So close and yet so far, Navid winced as the young man stumbled all over himself to answer the question. Moving to help him finish setting things up, he hadn't failed to noticed that Kiyo was even now being helpful, he said softly.
"I think she was asking if you'd like to join them for a jog.â€
There was no sharpness, no reprimand just advice, clarification offered kindly. He hoped that Kiyoshi would accept it as it was intended and not become even more awkward, if that was possible.
Octavia Emiliano
12 years ago
"Side money is good money. The detective business isn't always booming." Tavi smiled at Therese as they talked about taking bets on her father catching her after deciding she was the blame for the hair colour additions. "No one can keep up with me." It was very true. She could run in human form up to fifty miles an hour without much breaking a sweat, sixty or so if she were to push it. As a wolf, she outran pretty much everyone else, except others like herself. They could run flat out at a speed of one hundred and eighty miles an hour or so but rarely did they have enough free space to do that. Sometimes those like her would find a deserted stretch of highway...and drag run. There was nothing like going full tilt down a straight stretch of road with another wolf hot on your heels. She loved the muscle burn, the exhilaration and the speed. There was nothing else like it in the world.
Her smiled turned sly as she added. "Though my father has plenty of stamina..." She grinned then and arched an eyebrow at the Frenchwoman. "But I suppose you know that already."
"The trick in getting away would be to not let him know where I was doing..." She turned her attention back to the hair extensions. "Red would be nice. It would stand out well against your hair. Blue might get a little lost unless it was a light blue. Like... Kiyo's uniform piping. Oooh!" Tavi clapped her hands and turned to her friend. "Kiyo! I could put some of those in your hair. I have some that are UV reactive so they would be awesome under the black lights if you wanted to perform with some lighted poi. I even have some that are a nice electric blue so they would match your work clothes."
Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she said. "Now if I could just get Evan to hold still..." The bartender had a ton of hair, like Kiyoshi. It would be great fun to play with. Of course he would have to sit on the floor for her to reach the top of his head.
"What about you, Guillaume? Could I interest you in some temporary hair colour. How about a nice deep red? Subtle but striking."
Their talk of running turned into a discussion on whether Therese's cousin could keep up. The Curator then asked Kiyoshi if he liked to run. He seemed to misunderstand the question. An easy mistake in a circle full of werewolves where the common slang for their full moon outing was also frequently called a run.
Reaching over, she took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Guillaume is right. We're not talking about the Lloer Vesha." Tavi wondered why he chose to run alone for the full moon. That didn't seem healthy, especially not in the city. She would have to talk to him about that sometime. Just not right now.
Going back to the topic at hand, she turned to Therese. "We could go easy on them and use a track....I suppose." Of course if it was not on the Vyusher R'asa grounds then they could not run all out anyway. "Or we could go to the preserve and run through the woods there. Its not exactly flat but its certainly not climbing buildings either." Which they did, often. She didn't run all out but Therese gave her a better work out than many werewolves. Her friend was physically fit, liked to run and was nearly fearless when it came to leaping and climbing. It meant they could go all over the city to places the human free runners could even begin to tackle. Not many people could run fast over wires, leap rooftops and bounce down fire escapes. It was nice to find someone with the same quirky hobby. "Then maybe your cousin would have a better chance of winning, yeah?"
If it was a race but then everything was a race. At least as far as she was concerned.
When they got down to the business of gaming, Tavi resisted the urge to make a new mii. It wasn't like they had the ability to have shocking blue hair on them anyway. She picked a blonde with big sparklie anime eyes and did her best air headed giggle while waiting for someone else to pick their mii's. Kiyoshi set them up with a tennis match with them on a team against the cousins. She let him stand on the outside edge and she took one of the places in the middle. Tavi swished her mii's racket around while she waited for the first serve.
"Just remember not to hit your partner in the head while reaching for a ball." This was said mostly to the taller people. She fit under almost everyone's arm reach. She might whack Guillaume on the ass while going for a return but she certainly couldn't reach his head.
An interesting way to get to know someone. Sorry, didn't mean to spank you with my controller...honest.
Her smiled turned sly as she added. "Though my father has plenty of stamina..." She grinned then and arched an eyebrow at the Frenchwoman. "But I suppose you know that already."
"The trick in getting away would be to not let him know where I was doing..." She turned her attention back to the hair extensions. "Red would be nice. It would stand out well against your hair. Blue might get a little lost unless it was a light blue. Like... Kiyo's uniform piping. Oooh!" Tavi clapped her hands and turned to her friend. "Kiyo! I could put some of those in your hair. I have some that are UV reactive so they would be awesome under the black lights if you wanted to perform with some lighted poi. I even have some that are a nice electric blue so they would match your work clothes."
Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she said. "Now if I could just get Evan to hold still..." The bartender had a ton of hair, like Kiyoshi. It would be great fun to play with. Of course he would have to sit on the floor for her to reach the top of his head.
"What about you, Guillaume? Could I interest you in some temporary hair colour. How about a nice deep red? Subtle but striking."
Their talk of running turned into a discussion on whether Therese's cousin could keep up. The Curator then asked Kiyoshi if he liked to run. He seemed to misunderstand the question. An easy mistake in a circle full of werewolves where the common slang for their full moon outing was also frequently called a run.
Reaching over, she took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Guillaume is right. We're not talking about the Lloer Vesha." Tavi wondered why he chose to run alone for the full moon. That didn't seem healthy, especially not in the city. She would have to talk to him about that sometime. Just not right now.
Going back to the topic at hand, she turned to Therese. "We could go easy on them and use a track....I suppose." Of course if it was not on the Vyusher R'asa grounds then they could not run all out anyway. "Or we could go to the preserve and run through the woods there. Its not exactly flat but its certainly not climbing buildings either." Which they did, often. She didn't run all out but Therese gave her a better work out than many werewolves. Her friend was physically fit, liked to run and was nearly fearless when it came to leaping and climbing. It meant they could go all over the city to places the human free runners could even begin to tackle. Not many people could run fast over wires, leap rooftops and bounce down fire escapes. It was nice to find someone with the same quirky hobby. "Then maybe your cousin would have a better chance of winning, yeah?"
If it was a race but then everything was a race. At least as far as she was concerned.
When they got down to the business of gaming, Tavi resisted the urge to make a new mii. It wasn't like they had the ability to have shocking blue hair on them anyway. She picked a blonde with big sparklie anime eyes and did her best air headed giggle while waiting for someone else to pick their mii's. Kiyoshi set them up with a tennis match with them on a team against the cousins. She let him stand on the outside edge and she took one of the places in the middle. Tavi swished her mii's racket around while she waited for the first serve.
"Just remember not to hit your partner in the head while reaching for a ball." This was said mostly to the taller people. She fit under almost everyone's arm reach. She might whack Guillaume on the ass while going for a return but she certainly couldn't reach his head.
An interesting way to get to know someone. Sorry, didn't mean to spank you with my controller...honest.
Therese
12 years ago
Thérèse chuckled slightly as Kiyoshi almost teased her. The drink was apparently loosening him up a bit and she approved but still protested mildly.
"It was the combination of jumping and steps that was the trouble.â€
She didn't even blush as Tavi speculated on her knowledge of Vaughn's stamina, she just smiled.
"I might have some insight into the matter and I could be persuaded to distract him so you will have a decent head start.â€
And if she distracted him well Tavi could probably be half way to the Mexican border before he had a chance to pursue her. Yes this would work out quite nicely and Thérèse found herself growing more and more keen on the idea of these hair extensions and the result of them. Her smile grew slightly more knowing.
"Red will be perfect I think. A nice bright red.â€
Apparently this idea inspired Tavi a great deal as she turned her inspiration to Kiyoshi. Thérèse was still surprised how much hair the quite wolf had. It was more than slightly impressive. She would make the most of such an asset if she had it.
"That would be very striking she agreed.â€
Although, she did make a disparaging sound at the idea of Navid loosening up enough to do something similar. Oh he might surprise her, but if he was going to imply that she had been corrupted, then she was going to bait him. As she did not know who Evan was, she could not offer comment there.
And then Kiyoshi fell apart. That had not been her intention at all. Thérèse wondered if it might be better to refrain from speaking to him all together. In that vain, as both Navid and Tavi had corrected the mistake she nodded with a slight smile.
"Not a track, I should die of boredom but the woods or even the beach would be an acceptable compromise.â€
The idea of running along the beach made her smile, but not an altogether happy smile. The last time she'd done that it had been with Nikhila, she'd tried to talk herself out of becoming involved with a married man, gotten caught in the rain, watched her friend happy with her then fiancée. None of that was exactly a cheerful memory, but... she had stolen a sweatshirt that day as well. That shirt was still one of her favorite things.
Watching what everyone else had done she picked a small character from the game, something with red hair. She figured it would be at least easy to locate on the screen.
Fortunately she was not the first to serve and spent some time experimenting, trying to work out what happened when she pushed buttons or, following Tavi's example, swung her arm. It was rather fascinating to watch her little character swing its racket as she flicked the controller.
"Does it matter how hard you swing?â€
Oh she was going to make a fool of herself, she just knew it. It might be fun.
"It was the combination of jumping and steps that was the trouble.â€
She didn't even blush as Tavi speculated on her knowledge of Vaughn's stamina, she just smiled.
"I might have some insight into the matter and I could be persuaded to distract him so you will have a decent head start.â€
And if she distracted him well Tavi could probably be half way to the Mexican border before he had a chance to pursue her. Yes this would work out quite nicely and Thérèse found herself growing more and more keen on the idea of these hair extensions and the result of them. Her smile grew slightly more knowing.
"Red will be perfect I think. A nice bright red.â€
Apparently this idea inspired Tavi a great deal as she turned her inspiration to Kiyoshi. Thérèse was still surprised how much hair the quite wolf had. It was more than slightly impressive. She would make the most of such an asset if she had it.
"That would be very striking she agreed.â€
Although, she did make a disparaging sound at the idea of Navid loosening up enough to do something similar. Oh he might surprise her, but if he was going to imply that she had been corrupted, then she was going to bait him. As she did not know who Evan was, she could not offer comment there.
And then Kiyoshi fell apart. That had not been her intention at all. Thérèse wondered if it might be better to refrain from speaking to him all together. In that vain, as both Navid and Tavi had corrected the mistake she nodded with a slight smile.
"Not a track, I should die of boredom but the woods or even the beach would be an acceptable compromise.â€
The idea of running along the beach made her smile, but not an altogether happy smile. The last time she'd done that it had been with Nikhila, she'd tried to talk herself out of becoming involved with a married man, gotten caught in the rain, watched her friend happy with her then fiancée. None of that was exactly a cheerful memory, but... she had stolen a sweatshirt that day as well. That shirt was still one of her favorite things.
Watching what everyone else had done she picked a small character from the game, something with red hair. She figured it would be at least easy to locate on the screen.
Fortunately she was not the first to serve and spent some time experimenting, trying to work out what happened when she pushed buttons or, following Tavi's example, swung her arm. It was rather fascinating to watch her little character swing its racket as she flicked the controller.
"Does it matter how hard you swing?â€
Oh she was going to make a fool of herself, she just knew it. It might be fun.