Amir was getting ready for a flight. He'd asked for assignments and he got them. In re-learning himself he was rediscovering that he really did love to fly. Nor had he lost any of his skills. They were all his, all intact, and all very much born of genuine enjoyment.
In this case it was not only his duty but his extreme pleasure to be both the chauffeur and bodyguard for his next passenger... one Acting Elder of the Night, Jin Han. It wouldn't be a long trip; a few hours at most and they'd be back in Nachton, but these things were necessary. Clan business stopped for no man. Or woman. Or kitten.
And since it behooved them all to remain together and Mara currently had no assignment to occupy her, she would be coming along. With Dodger, the new family member. Who, in spite of the tiny spiked collar Amir had bought him, refused to be anything other than adorable and cuddly and somewhat precocious.
This might be the most enjoyable mission he'd ever flown. It might not be entirely comfortable for Dodger but it was best he learn to fly now. With Jin and Mara to keep him relatively calm and occupied, Amir predicted the short flight would probably go just fine.
As he climbed down from the cockpit of the small luxury jet and jumped the short distance to the floor Amir heard a familiar voice. He looked up to see Evan Talkingwater, fellow pilot, fellow Huntsman, someone Amir respected even if they did not see eye to eye on every issue. His bloodline was as ancient as Amir's and he was a loyal member of the Hunt. Amir could forgive a difference of opinion, particularly when they didn't bring it up often.
"Evan," he said by way of greeting. He offered the taller, slightly younger man a brief bow, not nearly as deep as he would have for a respected Elder but still appropriate for a respected equal.
"I have a moment," Amir said, his silken tones tinted with amusement and curiosity. "Possibly two or three. How may I help you?"
Shop Talk (Attn: Amir)
Evan hopped down out of the plane, shut the door and wiped his hands on his jeans. He wasn't flying anywhere tonight; he was just checking up on his baby. There had been times when having a working vehicle for an escape route had meant saving lives; not his, but other people unfortunate enough not to have their own pair of wings.
He had been picking various different nights of the week to come visit the hanger in the hopes of catching Amir here as well. The other Huntsman was one of the few of their kind who also flew and currently had a plane in the hanger. They would hopefully be able to talk without much interferance from anyone save the familiars who kept watch over the building or did maintainance work. Those generally knew enough to stay away from two vampires having a serious discussion.
Tonight he was in luck; Amir had also entered the hanger while he had been checking over his own airplane. Evan walked towards his clan mate and spoke up, getting straight to the point. Hopefully this went well and there would be time for idle chatter about piloting and hunting afterward. Evan sincerly hoped that threats would not be needed. He was not sure he would make them anyway but he did not want to strain the relationship he had with Amir; they had much in common...aside from their differing view on werewolves. Most of the time they chose not to speak of the shifters. It made everything else go much easier.
"I need to talk with you, if you have a moment." Evan knelt down next to Amir's plane. He felt better about being in the middle of the large area rather than the edges where other unseen ears could possibly overhear.
Amir
12 years ago
Evan Talkingwater
12 years ago
Evan nodded to Amir and decided the straight forward approach would probably continue to be the best one. The Huntsman did not appear to be in a foul mood so that was a good start. However, if Amir was the one who had been using command on Therese, and Evan had every reason to believe he was, then that good humor might change very quickly.
"It is about that topic that we don't normally discuss or view...in the same light." Evan lowered his voice to a more private tone. "A friend of mine is having trouble with a vampire. This particular vampire has been seen several times on the security cameras at the Arch. He is about your height, dark hair and has been commanding the Curator."
He paused to see if any of this was making an impression on Amir. The other Huntsman looked almost surprised. His eyebrows rose higher the more he had said. Evan was beginning to doubt that Amir was the culprit.
"The only thing that did not ring true...aside from the obviousness of the approach, would be that the person had great taste in suits." Evan smiled. "Not that you don't have great taste...or wear suits." Evan had never seen Amir in a suit but surely the man had occasionally worn one. "but those things didn't seem like you. I was willing to believe that you had chosen different tactics but I am starting to suspect I have the wrong vampire."
Sighing in frustration, he said. "Well, if you know who it is and it is one of our people then they are about to be in a whole world of hurt."
((OOC: Amir's Reaction with advice and permission by the jackal himself. ))
"It is about that topic that we don't normally discuss or view...in the same light." Evan lowered his voice to a more private tone. "A friend of mine is having trouble with a vampire. This particular vampire has been seen several times on the security cameras at the Arch. He is about your height, dark hair and has been commanding the Curator."
He paused to see if any of this was making an impression on Amir. The other Huntsman looked almost surprised. His eyebrows rose higher the more he had said. Evan was beginning to doubt that Amir was the culprit.
"The only thing that did not ring true...aside from the obviousness of the approach, would be that the person had great taste in suits." Evan smiled. "Not that you don't have great taste...or wear suits." Evan had never seen Amir in a suit but surely the man had occasionally worn one. "but those things didn't seem like you. I was willing to believe that you had chosen different tactics but I am starting to suspect I have the wrong vampire."
Sighing in frustration, he said. "Well, if you know who it is and it is one of our people then they are about to be in a whole world of hurt."
((OOC: Amir's Reaction with advice and permission by the jackal himself. ))
Amir
12 years ago
Oh really?
Amir's only change of expression as Evan spoke was to raise his eyebrows. He only knew one vampire that matched the description Evan provided and it certainly was not him.
"What sort of trouble is your... friend... having?" The word came out somewhat distastefully yet delicately. Evan was a good man, but he had a tragic lack of taste where such friends were concerned. It was sad. And would prove difficult to continue to ignore if they had to keep talking about it.
However, since the other Huntsman had not define the nature of the problem Amir wasn't about to assume. Trouble could mean anything.
He did nod his head once, shortly, when Evan said he had the wrong man. "I have had very little to do with any of the Packs around and in the city since last year," Amir said. "Elder Mai has asked me to apply myself elsewhere."
Evan was aware of the Elder's concerns; he would probably understand, with those who Commanded being targeted by some sort of strange killer, why Amir was no longer doing that particular work at the moment.
What the other man said next though made him tilt his head slightly, curiously, sideways. "Please elaborate. I may be able to help if one of ours is in danger."
Amir's only change of expression as Evan spoke was to raise his eyebrows. He only knew one vampire that matched the description Evan provided and it certainly was not him.
"What sort of trouble is your... friend... having?" The word came out somewhat distastefully yet delicately. Evan was a good man, but he had a tragic lack of taste where such friends were concerned. It was sad. And would prove difficult to continue to ignore if they had to keep talking about it.
However, since the other Huntsman had not define the nature of the problem Amir wasn't about to assume. Trouble could mean anything.
He did nod his head once, shortly, when Evan said he had the wrong man. "I have had very little to do with any of the Packs around and in the city since last year," Amir said. "Elder Mai has asked me to apply myself elsewhere."
Evan was aware of the Elder's concerns; he would probably understand, with those who Commanded being targeted by some sort of strange killer, why Amir was no longer doing that particular work at the moment.
What the other man said next though made him tilt his head slightly, curiously, sideways. "Please elaborate. I may be able to help if one of ours is in danger."
Evan Talkingwater
12 years ago
Evan narrowed his eyes slightly. "So you might have an idea of who meets this description?" His own expression was one of curiosity but after a moment he continued onward. Amir could tell him if he wished or not. It did not concern him overly much. He would be happier to know who he might be keeping out of trouble but he might find that out one way or another, especially if the vampire kept messing with werewolves.
"As you can guess the trouble that the curator is having is being commanded. I am not sure what this vampire wants from her but I do know that not only does she know about it but so does the pack, including their leader." Evan shrugged. "So if this vampire is a friend of yours and you don't want him to end up and dog food then you might want to consider telling him to let this one go."
He was interested that Mai had requested that Amir stop commanding the werewolves but he had heard that there was someone targeting people with command. A slender thread of an idea wove its way through his current train of thought. Did Mai ask all her people to stop using command openly so that they wouldn't get caught by this murderer or was Amir a specific case? If he was, then did the murders have to do with werewolves? He knew that they were guarding people with command that were high risk targets here in Nachton. He knew that the older the vampire the more likely they were to die. Interesting.
Evan had heard that Sophia had died. That was a shame. She hadn't been his favorite person but she did protect a lot of women. Sophia had been as constant and passionate in her cause as he had been with his, perhaps even more so.
Returning his thoughts to the conversation, he said. "You might consider cleaning up the mess." Evan tapped a finger against his head. "I don't know how much damage has been done but I do believe that she can't talk about the vampire or even what happened. So if she weren't able to remember him at all then that would be for the best. If done right then they might even suspect that their suspicions were wrong..." Evan frowned. "Though I doubt it. Her reaction to me was pretty volatile. They -know- a vampire has been messing with her. Making her forget everything about him and then getting him to stay the hell away might save his life."
There was some stress on the word might. Tavi and Guillaume seemed pretty determined and from the sounds of it a whole group of werewolves watched Therese's every move. If the wolves ever saw this vampire, whether Therese remembered him or not, then he would likely not live to see another night.
"As you can guess the trouble that the curator is having is being commanded. I am not sure what this vampire wants from her but I do know that not only does she know about it but so does the pack, including their leader." Evan shrugged. "So if this vampire is a friend of yours and you don't want him to end up and dog food then you might want to consider telling him to let this one go."
He was interested that Mai had requested that Amir stop commanding the werewolves but he had heard that there was someone targeting people with command. A slender thread of an idea wove its way through his current train of thought. Did Mai ask all her people to stop using command openly so that they wouldn't get caught by this murderer or was Amir a specific case? If he was, then did the murders have to do with werewolves? He knew that they were guarding people with command that were high risk targets here in Nachton. He knew that the older the vampire the more likely they were to die. Interesting.
Evan had heard that Sophia had died. That was a shame. She hadn't been his favorite person but she did protect a lot of women. Sophia had been as constant and passionate in her cause as he had been with his, perhaps even more so.
Returning his thoughts to the conversation, he said. "You might consider cleaning up the mess." Evan tapped a finger against his head. "I don't know how much damage has been done but I do believe that she can't talk about the vampire or even what happened. So if she weren't able to remember him at all then that would be for the best. If done right then they might even suspect that their suspicions were wrong..." Evan frowned. "Though I doubt it. Her reaction to me was pretty volatile. They -know- a vampire has been messing with her. Making her forget everything about him and then getting him to stay the hell away might save his life."
There was some stress on the word might. Tavi and Guillaume seemed pretty determined and from the sounds of it a whole group of werewolves watched Therese's every move. If the wolves ever saw this vampire, whether Therese remembered him or not, then he would likely not live to see another night.
Amir
12 years ago
Amir allowed his features to arrange themselves into a thoughtful frown. "I know exactly who fits that description," he said, "and I can assure you he has no business doing what he's doing. It isn't his job."
What the hell was Bao thinking? For it could only be his son who matched that profile. What business did Bao have with the werewolf Curator of the Arch? While they were spread slightly thin in the Command department, Amir would have known if Bao had been given any such directive from the Hunt, and it would have been unusual for a member of the Rose to have asked him to do so, particularly if she was a werewolf.
There was also some injured pride there, Amir admitted. He and Bao were close. He didn't realize Bao had been keeping a secret of this nature from him. Yes, they all had their private lives but this? This was foolishness. Bao was not equipped to handle the wrath of an entire wolf Pack. Who did he think he was? Yes, Amir had trained him to defend himself, as he had trained all those he created. But Bao was a lawyer. He waged war with words and documents and he was good at it. That was what he should be doing, not playing Command games with werewolves.
Amir nodded slowly at Evan's suggestion. "I can clean the mess up, yes," he said. "If you can get word to your friend, I can meet with her and undo what has been done. I can also keep her offender away from her."
He would lock Bao's ass in a closet for the next century if he had to. Better yet, perhaps he could have him surgically grafted to his desk chair and then chained to that. You're a lawyer, he thought irritably. Go lawyer something.
He did not like having to clean up his child's mess. He liked even less that a mess had been made to begin with. These things had to be done with care, with precision. You did not leave yourself exposed, ever. You gave them no way to track you. There were certain Commands you could give, certain logic traps you could use. Bao was clever; Amir had no doubt he'd ensnared this Curator as best he could but sometimes it took practice to get the Command sequences down to an art, and when you botched it you didn't often get a second chance.
Damn him.
Amir lifted his hands helplessly. "I will do what I can," he reiterated. "We can set this right."
It would have galled him to say so on any other night, but in this case they had received orders to leave the wolves be, and therefore that made Bao the offender. Much as Amir hated having to help a werewolf, in this case it was the correct route. Above all things he respected the chain of command.
What the hell was Bao thinking? For it could only be his son who matched that profile. What business did Bao have with the werewolf Curator of the Arch? While they were spread slightly thin in the Command department, Amir would have known if Bao had been given any such directive from the Hunt, and it would have been unusual for a member of the Rose to have asked him to do so, particularly if she was a werewolf.
There was also some injured pride there, Amir admitted. He and Bao were close. He didn't realize Bao had been keeping a secret of this nature from him. Yes, they all had their private lives but this? This was foolishness. Bao was not equipped to handle the wrath of an entire wolf Pack. Who did he think he was? Yes, Amir had trained him to defend himself, as he had trained all those he created. But Bao was a lawyer. He waged war with words and documents and he was good at it. That was what he should be doing, not playing Command games with werewolves.
Amir nodded slowly at Evan's suggestion. "I can clean the mess up, yes," he said. "If you can get word to your friend, I can meet with her and undo what has been done. I can also keep her offender away from her."
He would lock Bao's ass in a closet for the next century if he had to. Better yet, perhaps he could have him surgically grafted to his desk chair and then chained to that. You're a lawyer, he thought irritably. Go lawyer something.
He did not like having to clean up his child's mess. He liked even less that a mess had been made to begin with. These things had to be done with care, with precision. You did not leave yourself exposed, ever. You gave them no way to track you. There were certain Commands you could give, certain logic traps you could use. Bao was clever; Amir had no doubt he'd ensnared this Curator as best he could but sometimes it took practice to get the Command sequences down to an art, and when you botched it you didn't often get a second chance.
Damn him.
Amir lifted his hands helplessly. "I will do what I can," he reiterated. "We can set this right."
It would have galled him to say so on any other night, but in this case they had received orders to leave the wolves be, and therefore that made Bao the offender. Much as Amir hated having to help a werewolf, in this case it was the correct route. Above all things he respected the chain of command.
Evan Talkingwater
12 years ago
Evan frowned a bit in confusion. Why would anyone voluntarily tangle with a werewolf and potentially bring down the wrath of their pack if that was not their job? It was possible that the person was not aware that Therese was a shifter and only wanted her because of her position at the Arch. That sounded like something the Order of the Rose might find useful, perhaps even the Night. It wasn't his place to guess; the complexities of intrigue and buracracy were best left up to the professionals.
Whatever the case, it sounded like a member of one of the other Orders got in over their head. Evan would normally assume they remained ignorant of Therese's nature but from what Tavi had explained the vampire knew and yet kept commanding her. He found that odd or ballsy. Amir seemed to think it was not the person's job and that there had been no orders to command Therese.
"Well if its not his job then your friend has some odd ways to pass his time." Of course the same could be said of him. He shrugged. "I don't want to see one of our own get hurt. If you can salvage the situation then that would be ideal."
He nodded. "I think I can manage to get someone to convince her to meet somewhere. It won't be me. For some reason she has an intense hatred for me...can't imagine why." Evan repressed a sigh. It was the backward attitude of some of their kind that seemed determined to shove them headlong into war with the werewolves again. Did these people not realize that if the werewolves managed to convince the bleeding hearts over at Evenhet to join them in their cause against the violent and unreasonable Anantya then this war might actually have a different outcome? Anantya was old and strong but the combined strength of werewolves and Evenhet, or even Tacharan would likely prove too much for them to supress.
"Good." Evan reached out and patted Amir on the arm. "Hopefully I didn't bring you too much trouble." Looking over at the plane, he said. "You headed out tonight?"
Whatever the case, it sounded like a member of one of the other Orders got in over their head. Evan would normally assume they remained ignorant of Therese's nature but from what Tavi had explained the vampire knew and yet kept commanding her. He found that odd or ballsy. Amir seemed to think it was not the person's job and that there had been no orders to command Therese.
"Well if its not his job then your friend has some odd ways to pass his time." Of course the same could be said of him. He shrugged. "I don't want to see one of our own get hurt. If you can salvage the situation then that would be ideal."
He nodded. "I think I can manage to get someone to convince her to meet somewhere. It won't be me. For some reason she has an intense hatred for me...can't imagine why." Evan repressed a sigh. It was the backward attitude of some of their kind that seemed determined to shove them headlong into war with the werewolves again. Did these people not realize that if the werewolves managed to convince the bleeding hearts over at Evenhet to join them in their cause against the violent and unreasonable Anantya then this war might actually have a different outcome? Anantya was old and strong but the combined strength of werewolves and Evenhet, or even Tacharan would likely prove too much for them to supress.
"Good." Evan reached out and patted Amir on the arm. "Hopefully I didn't bring you too much trouble." Looking over at the plane, he said. "You headed out tonight?"
Amir
12 years ago
"I'll do my best," Amir promised. It was only by virtue of Mai's orders to him that he was willing to salvage anything at all. That, and he would prefer not to see Bao torn to shreds by a Pack of self-righteous wolves.
Amir raised his brows again slightly at Evan's sigh. Only Evan, he thought, would seem to care that a werewolf disliked him. Why did he care? Was it just a desire to be universally well-regarded? Amir did not know the intimate details of Evan's past or present; they weren't that close. Nor had he ever particularly cared to know, knowing Evan's little... hobby.
He nodded back at Evan when the taller man said he could get this werewolf to meet someone somewhere. At the apology he shrugged. "Better to learn now, when we have a hope of doing some damage control," he said practically. "If you let me know when and where I will make sure we meet her there and rectify these Commands."
He turned to look at his plane when Evan asked if he was headed out. "Yes, in a short while," he answered. "Escorting the Night Elder. We won't be gone long; back by tomorrow night at worst."
His expression became amused, his tone wry. "I had to finish... kitten-proofing the interior."
Not that Mara would let Dodger out of her sight, but while Amir wasn't the most outwardly affectionate person he wasn't going to let the kitten get stuck or lost in an undiscovered nook or cranny on his plane. He'd found every opening that might even be remotely interesting to a tiny feline and either covered it up or made it otherwise inaccessible.
Amir raised his brows again slightly at Evan's sigh. Only Evan, he thought, would seem to care that a werewolf disliked him. Why did he care? Was it just a desire to be universally well-regarded? Amir did not know the intimate details of Evan's past or present; they weren't that close. Nor had he ever particularly cared to know, knowing Evan's little... hobby.
He nodded back at Evan when the taller man said he could get this werewolf to meet someone somewhere. At the apology he shrugged. "Better to learn now, when we have a hope of doing some damage control," he said practically. "If you let me know when and where I will make sure we meet her there and rectify these Commands."
He turned to look at his plane when Evan asked if he was headed out. "Yes, in a short while," he answered. "Escorting the Night Elder. We won't be gone long; back by tomorrow night at worst."
His expression became amused, his tone wry. "I had to finish... kitten-proofing the interior."
Not that Mara would let Dodger out of her sight, but while Amir wasn't the most outwardly affectionate person he wasn't going to let the kitten get stuck or lost in an undiscovered nook or cranny on his plane. He'd found every opening that might even be remotely interesting to a tiny feline and either covered it up or made it otherwise inaccessible.
Evan Talkingwater
12 years ago
"Okay, I will talk to my friend and set up a time and place." Then might actually be solved without any bloodshed. How often did that happen? Even more rare, how often did that happen with two Huntsmen involved. They normally weren't all about stopping the violence. Unless it was a peace through superior firepower method.
Amir explained that he was taking the new Elder of the Night somewhere. He had yet to meet this acting Elder. He just hadn't had much time to hang around the Manor lately. Evan had heard that someone had come to Nachton to stand in as Elder until they decided what they were going to do about the position and the previous Elder who was still being charged with crimes against the clan but had yet to be brought to justice over it. He supposed there were other, more important, things to worry about than Sorin at the moment. He also knew that the previous Elder of the Night had command. The man had made heavy and frequent use of it over the years, especially when he was younger. Sorin was well known for the talent and was one of the most skilled users of the ability that he knew. The killer that the Order of the Night was trying to locate might actually find their wayward Elder for them. It would solve their problem without requiring any extra man power. Two non-magpie birds with one stone if that happened.
"Kitten proof?" Evan smiled at Amir. "Bringing along a little mid flight snack?" He laughed, knowing that to not be the case and thought it oddly amusing and endearing to imagine the ancient warrior in front of him trying to fly a plane with a baby cat crawling all over him.
He shook his head one last time. "Well I won't keep you. I am sure you probably have other things to do before getting off the ground." Evan turned to leave. He looked back over his shoulder. "Thanks for the help with this problem...and good luck with the cat."
((OOC: Evan Out ))
Amir explained that he was taking the new Elder of the Night somewhere. He had yet to meet this acting Elder. He just hadn't had much time to hang around the Manor lately. Evan had heard that someone had come to Nachton to stand in as Elder until they decided what they were going to do about the position and the previous Elder who was still being charged with crimes against the clan but had yet to be brought to justice over it. He supposed there were other, more important, things to worry about than Sorin at the moment. He also knew that the previous Elder of the Night had command. The man had made heavy and frequent use of it over the years, especially when he was younger. Sorin was well known for the talent and was one of the most skilled users of the ability that he knew. The killer that the Order of the Night was trying to locate might actually find their wayward Elder for them. It would solve their problem without requiring any extra man power. Two non-magpie birds with one stone if that happened.
"Kitten proof?" Evan smiled at Amir. "Bringing along a little mid flight snack?" He laughed, knowing that to not be the case and thought it oddly amusing and endearing to imagine the ancient warrior in front of him trying to fly a plane with a baby cat crawling all over him.
He shook his head one last time. "Well I won't keep you. I am sure you probably have other things to do before getting off the ground." Evan turned to leave. He looked back over his shoulder. "Thanks for the help with this problem...and good luck with the cat."
((OOC: Evan Out ))
Amir
12 years ago
"Very good," Amir said, nothing but professional courtesy in his tone. He was annoyed at having to do this; not at Evan, of course, nor even at his werewolf pal. No, he was angry at Bao, who had better things to do with his time than play Daddy and screw with what he should have left alone.
Amir had never had reason to second guess turning Bao. He wasn't now, but Bao had been acting differently lately. Distant. Amir had thought it was the fact that Bao was still adjusting to what had happened with Xephier and his Pack, the changes Amir was going through. Now he wondered. How long had Bao been keeping this particular little secret from him? He was about to go find out.
"Not exactly." Amir flashed a grin at Evan when he laughed about the kitten comment. Mid flight snack, perhaps, but Dodger would not be the one getting eaten.
He raised a hand in farewell to the other Huntsman as Evan left, giving a soft 'mmhmm' and nodding at the words of thanks. He finished up with his pre-flight work-up in short order. He didn't have time to visit Bao tonight, but he would think on the situation and see him first thing when they landed. Hopefully there was a logical explanation for this.
((ooc: Amir out))
Amir had never had reason to second guess turning Bao. He wasn't now, but Bao had been acting differently lately. Distant. Amir had thought it was the fact that Bao was still adjusting to what had happened with Xephier and his Pack, the changes Amir was going through. Now he wondered. How long had Bao been keeping this particular little secret from him? He was about to go find out.
"Not exactly." Amir flashed a grin at Evan when he laughed about the kitten comment. Mid flight snack, perhaps, but Dodger would not be the one getting eaten.
He raised a hand in farewell to the other Huntsman as Evan left, giving a soft 'mmhmm' and nodding at the words of thanks. He finished up with his pre-flight work-up in short order. He didn't have time to visit Bao tonight, but he would think on the situation and see him first thing when they landed. Hopefully there was a logical explanation for this.
((ooc: Amir out))