"I think he was. But you can't make up for lost time, you can start fresh though.â€
That was where she and Bao would hit stumbling blocks here and there. He'd forget that she was basically self made and want to assume a father's attitude. She would rebel, he'd get a bit put out and they'd have a bit of squabble, they'd each take a deep breath and move forward again. It was slow work, but they were making progress. Pak more or less liked Bao now, despite his tendency to be an arrogant bastard now and then.
She did, however, quirk and eyebrow when Amir side stepped the hint he should ask her to dance. She didn't mind there was no offer forthcoming, but he could have faked it. Odds are good she would have declined.
"I haven't played for years, not since I gave up my first career.â€
Music just wasn't Pak's thing. While she enjoyed it she'd just never invested much time in it. Maybe she should fix that.
"Perhaps I should take something up...â€
Mara kind of ambled toward her actual conversational goal and Pak was slightly surprised. She gave Amir a speculative glace, looking for his reaction. Pak had been asked to help keep Kem and Amir apart... She didn't even bother to answer the question about how she was, it wasn't the point.
"He's good... busy, far too busy if you ask me but still good. Staying out of trouble, but I try to fix that when ever possible.â€
Pak said with a grin. She needed taking out of herself on a regular basis, but she did try and return the favor now and then.
"Even got him out to a beach party a while ago.â€
Oh and By the Way (invite only)
Amir entered Shades' through the back door. Although he didn't work there, the members of Shades' immediate family were all fairly familiar faces and had access to all areas of the building. Amir alone did not have an apartment upstairs, but had used Mara's in times of need. Hopefully those times were done for the immediate future, but who could say. Amir's job was always dangerous.
From the side hall he emerged into the smoky club with its dim blue glow. He slunk along the shadows, unnoticed by many but not Shades. Amir felt his gaze through the tinted glasses that were his namesake and turned to acknowledge his predecessor. Shades excused himself from behind the bar and came over.
"You look like you could use a drink," he said mildly.
Amir glanced at the big man and considered. "Maybe," he said, nodding. How was it that Shades always managed to make him feel like a little boy? Was it the height?
Shades nodded, gesturing Amir over to the bar with his chin. Amir followed, acknowledging the greetings of the people who worked in the bar as he made his way easily through the crowd. Even though this wasn't the place he came most often he was still recognized. More as Mara's hapless dance partner, he suspected, than as Shades' grandson.
He sat at a bar stool at the end of the bar, away from the other patrons there. Shades filled a glass and handed it to him, and Amir sipped it. Then he raised an eyebrow at Shades. "Coke?"
The big man grinned at him, white teeth flashing in his face. "Come on, son, everyone knows you're too young to drink alcohol."
Amir almost scowled at him but the expression didn't quite make it out. He paused, looked down at the drink, and then chuckled softly. He held the glass out to Shades. "No cherries?"
"They're not for everyone," Shades said. He did bring Amir two cherries, though, tossing them into the glass. Amir nodded and sipped the soda through the straw while Shades watched him. Finally the dark man spoke again. "You look better."
His voice was soft but Amir could hear it just fine even with the energetic swing playing. Amir nodded at Shades. "I feel better."
Shades smiled. "Where's my kitten tonight?"
Amir was about to answer when he was attacked from behind.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Amir
12 years ago
When Mara brought up the subject of her father, Amir did his best to look completely unaffected. He hadn't realized the point to which Mara had kept herself aware of his location and actions. He should have. Why she hadn't told him she existed, though, was beyond him. It was something he meant to talk to her about. He had a feeling it had to do with himself, and he couldn't really hold that against her. It was something Subira could have and would have used against them both.
When Pakpao glanced at him, he lifted one shoulder and nodded his head toward Mara ever so slightly. He wasn't going to deny her anything, much less an update about her beloved father. He felt a little spike of jealousy and irritation. Jealousy that she should care for Kiamhaat so much, even though he understood it. Irritation because the man wasn't worth such devotion. He should have either died or come to terms with himself a long time ago. If Amir had been able to find him, he would have been stronger than he was now. He didn't raise those he turned to be emotional weaklings.
Those thoughts tumbled around in his head while he watched Pakpao and Mara. They were obviously friends.What else had he missed while he'd been wrapped up in himself in the past few years? Yet Mara was still here, his eyes and ears, even after he had been freed to be his own man again. Clearly she had her own interests and her own agenda, but she stuck with him. What was this feeling? Guilt?
He didn't like it one bit.
When Pakpao glanced at him, he lifted one shoulder and nodded his head toward Mara ever so slightly. He wasn't going to deny her anything, much less an update about her beloved father. He felt a little spike of jealousy and irritation. Jealousy that she should care for Kiamhaat so much, even though he understood it. Irritation because the man wasn't worth such devotion. He should have either died or come to terms with himself a long time ago. If Amir had been able to find him, he would have been stronger than he was now. He didn't raise those he turned to be emotional weaklings.
Those thoughts tumbled around in his head while he watched Pakpao and Mara. They were obviously friends.What else had he missed while he'd been wrapped up in himself in the past few years? Yet Mara was still here, his eyes and ears, even after he had been freed to be his own man again. Clearly she had her own interests and her own agenda, but she stuck with him. What was this feeling? Guilt?
He didn't like it one bit.
Mara
12 years ago
Mara smiled softly when Amir gave his tacit approval for the conversation to go on. Long ago, the mention of his lost child, her father, would have made him angry. Now he just let it go and acted uninterested, although she knew he was anything but. Maybe it was possible, in the not so distant future, for the two of them to meet and actually talk. For Mara to... she caught her breath quietly. Oh yes, she wanted her father to know she was alive and well, and happy. Very happy.
She looked at Pakpao and nodded. "We heard that he had become the Elder of Nachton," she said. Then her lips curved up. "I can only imagine how much he loves that."
As far as she knew, her father had never wanted power or control; had shied from it. He liked his archives, his libraries, places of peace and thought. In the past few years though he'd begun to change, to come out of himself. Mara had attributed it to Aishe but she realized that Pakpao had also had a hand in it.
"A beach party? He must have loved that."
Her father loved water, the oceans, rivers, anything. "When I was a little girl he would swim with my brother and I in the Nile, and we would make little pyramids on the banks out of sand."
Her voice was fond and warm; Mara didn't have very many good childhood memories but those she did were of her father. They had been close. Her mother had seemed to have more in common with Mahematen, but Mara had been daddy's girl all the way.
She looked at Pakpao and nodded. "We heard that he had become the Elder of Nachton," she said. Then her lips curved up. "I can only imagine how much he loves that."
As far as she knew, her father had never wanted power or control; had shied from it. He liked his archives, his libraries, places of peace and thought. In the past few years though he'd begun to change, to come out of himself. Mara had attributed it to Aishe but she realized that Pakpao had also had a hand in it.
"A beach party? He must have loved that."
Her father loved water, the oceans, rivers, anything. "When I was a little girl he would swim with my brother and I in the Nile, and we would make little pyramids on the banks out of sand."
Her voice was fond and warm; Mara didn't have very many good childhood memories but those she did were of her father. They had been close. Her mother had seemed to have more in common with Mahematen, but Mara had been daddy's girl all the way.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Pak grinned a little at the idea that Kem now had an official elder job, somewhere along the line it had become rather amusing. Now that she knew he could handle it and wasn't freaking out that he was all work and no play. It might even have been easier for Kem now that he knew all of this too and with Alfarinn back in town as well.
"Teach him to be old and stationary. A moving target is always harder to hit.â€
She teased her adopted brother even though he wasn't there. Although she was proud of him and very much approved of the way he'd stepped up to the plate and was becoming a leader.
"It was a good party, I think everyone had a nice time. Of course it didn't hurt that Aishe had found a nice new swim suit....â€
It was a good group of friends and even though most of them were couples Pak hadn't felt like too much of a third wheel. Most of the people there wouldn't have let her. She'd enjoyed the outing enough to hope for a repeat in the fall, maybe a clam bake before it got too cold. Although, why they'd bother with food she didn't know. Most of them, other than Alexander, didn't seem to eat too much.
Listening to Mara Pak couldn't help but smile. It sounded very much like Kem. It also, of course, reminded her of some of the quite times with her children. She wondered if Bao or the people he'd had looking after them had ever done such things.
"I suppose since Godzilla hadn't been invented yet he didn't feel a need to stomp on the pyramids and destroy the city either.â€
Pak grinned, although that sound more like something -she- would do. But still, Kem might!
"Teach him to be old and stationary. A moving target is always harder to hit.â€
She teased her adopted brother even though he wasn't there. Although she was proud of him and very much approved of the way he'd stepped up to the plate and was becoming a leader.
"It was a good party, I think everyone had a nice time. Of course it didn't hurt that Aishe had found a nice new swim suit....â€
It was a good group of friends and even though most of them were couples Pak hadn't felt like too much of a third wheel. Most of the people there wouldn't have let her. She'd enjoyed the outing enough to hope for a repeat in the fall, maybe a clam bake before it got too cold. Although, why they'd bother with food she didn't know. Most of them, other than Alexander, didn't seem to eat too much.
Listening to Mara Pak couldn't help but smile. It sounded very much like Kem. It also, of course, reminded her of some of the quite times with her children. She wondered if Bao or the people he'd had looking after them had ever done such things.
"I suppose since Godzilla hadn't been invented yet he didn't feel a need to stomp on the pyramids and destroy the city either.â€
Pak grinned, although that sound more like something -she- would do. But still, Kem might!
Amir
12 years ago
Amir remained quiet as Pakpao and Mara discussed Kiamhaat. What could he possibly add? He was the one who'd turned the man and, for all appearances, subsequently left him to flounder. He felt bad about that part. Amir took pride in his children and the fact that they were, with this one exception, loyal and well-adjusted Anantya members. Kiamhaat could have been the same.
He turned his thoughts to the woman Kiamhaat was with now. A new vampire, hardly old enough to have cut her fangs in their world yet. But Amir actually liked her, if their past interactions were any indication. Would he have turned her? Probably not; she was nothing special on the outside. But obviously someone had thought something of her and done it. He didn't know what her circumstances were. He just knew she seemed practical and reasonably well-educated, and she was definitely a fiercely loyal partner. That, Amir approved of, even if she was in opposition to him.
He glanced up and saw Shades watching him, a knowing expression on his face. Amir glared at him for a moment before sliding his gaze away. Subira's Creator. he always seemed to disapprove of Amir, who generally didn't need approval from anyone. Shades nodded his head to Amir, indicating that he should accompany him.
You didn't ignore a request from Grandpa in his own establishment. Amir slid from his bar stool and gave Mara a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I'm going to go talk to Shades for a little," he said, keeping his voice carefully neutral. "You two enjoy. Take care, Pak. I'll see you in a little bit, Mara."
With that he followed Shades into the back of the bar and down the hallway to the little study they had all found themselves in at one time or another.
((ooc: Amir out))
He turned his thoughts to the woman Kiamhaat was with now. A new vampire, hardly old enough to have cut her fangs in their world yet. But Amir actually liked her, if their past interactions were any indication. Would he have turned her? Probably not; she was nothing special on the outside. But obviously someone had thought something of her and done it. He didn't know what her circumstances were. He just knew she seemed practical and reasonably well-educated, and she was definitely a fiercely loyal partner. That, Amir approved of, even if she was in opposition to him.
He glanced up and saw Shades watching him, a knowing expression on his face. Amir glared at him for a moment before sliding his gaze away. Subira's Creator. he always seemed to disapprove of Amir, who generally didn't need approval from anyone. Shades nodded his head to Amir, indicating that he should accompany him.
You didn't ignore a request from Grandpa in his own establishment. Amir slid from his bar stool and gave Mara a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I'm going to go talk to Shades for a little," he said, keeping his voice carefully neutral. "You two enjoy. Take care, Pak. I'll see you in a little bit, Mara."
With that he followed Shades into the back of the bar and down the hallway to the little study they had all found themselves in at one time or another.
((ooc: Amir out))
Mara
12 years ago
Mara giggled at the idea of her father crushing sand pyramids. "No, my brother did that," she said. "Not like Godzilla, just like a little boy having fun crushing sand pyramids. He always helped us build them back again."
They had been a happy family, back then. Mara enjoyed her memories of her childhood.
Amir was suspiciously quiet, and Mara felt a little guilty about that. She knew that even though Amir professed no regrets out loud, he did feel like he was responsible for robbing her of that happy family. Mara felt otherwise; her family had been torn apart by other forces before Amir had come onto the scene. Her father would have been executed for murder, her future just as uncertain as it was without her mother. Yes, her mother would have been alive... maybe. Who could say? The point was, in Mara's mind, that her trouble childhood had only a little to do with Amir's actions.
He had admitted to her that turning her had, indeed, been his choice and not Subira's. But he didn't seem to be completely at ease with that confession until Mara had reassured him of it several times.
When Amir stood and excused himself, Mara reached out and squeezed his hand. She glanced at Shades, arched her brow, and tried to convey her concerns in her look. He simply grinned at her and left with Amir in tow. Mara turned back to Pakpao.
"So what do you think of all this?" Mara said, waving her hand to indicate the bar. "Now that you know it's... well, part of your heritage?"
They had been a happy family, back then. Mara enjoyed her memories of her childhood.
Amir was suspiciously quiet, and Mara felt a little guilty about that. She knew that even though Amir professed no regrets out loud, he did feel like he was responsible for robbing her of that happy family. Mara felt otherwise; her family had been torn apart by other forces before Amir had come onto the scene. Her father would have been executed for murder, her future just as uncertain as it was without her mother. Yes, her mother would have been alive... maybe. Who could say? The point was, in Mara's mind, that her trouble childhood had only a little to do with Amir's actions.
He had admitted to her that turning her had, indeed, been his choice and not Subira's. But he didn't seem to be completely at ease with that confession until Mara had reassured him of it several times.
When Amir stood and excused himself, Mara reached out and squeezed his hand. She glanced at Shades, arched her brow, and tried to convey her concerns in her look. He simply grinned at her and left with Amir in tow. Mara turned back to Pakpao.
"So what do you think of all this?" Mara said, waving her hand to indicate the bar. "Now that you know it's... well, part of your heritage?"
Pakpao
12 years ago
"It was nice talking to you Amir. Thanks again for the heads up."
Pak watched him leave a little perplexed, but she was used to that. It was a little challenging liking him but hating how hurt her friend and brother was because of what Amir had done. She did, also, feel a strong dislike for him acting as a messenger for Bao. But, Pak had to concede, that she didn't -quite- understand the relationship between the two men. Maybe that wasn't as bad as it seemed.
It was with a faint feeling of relief that she turned her attention back to Mara. The conversation and the feelings were simply easier to deal with. She echoed Mara's laugh at the pyramid crushing.
"I don't think boys ever change."
For hundreds of years they had played the same kinds of games and even when they 'grew up' they still payed those games, on one level or another.
If there had been a back on her chair, she would have leaned back contemplatively. But as she was perched on a barstool it was a little trickier to look thoughtful.
"To be honest, I don't know. I'd never thought about having a heritage. Finding out I wasn't alone was a bit of a shock years ago."
The first vampire, other than Bao, Pak had encountered had inspired a mixture of fear and fascination. It had taken some time to adjust to the idea that she wasn't alone and not all vampires were vicious and uncaring. Of course, that one had problems of his own that she preferred not to remember.
"Its a bit like that, but not so big. I knew about Bao and you and Amir... this is just another step. There is something about him," here Pak nodded to where Shades had disappeared with Amir, "that feels... big."
Pak made a face and shook her head realizing that was a less than articulate sentiment, especially given the size of Shades, who did not in any way shape or form qualify as diminutive.
"I think I might have to come more often now though. How long have you known him?"
Pak watched him leave a little perplexed, but she was used to that. It was a little challenging liking him but hating how hurt her friend and brother was because of what Amir had done. She did, also, feel a strong dislike for him acting as a messenger for Bao. But, Pak had to concede, that she didn't -quite- understand the relationship between the two men. Maybe that wasn't as bad as it seemed.
It was with a faint feeling of relief that she turned her attention back to Mara. The conversation and the feelings were simply easier to deal with. She echoed Mara's laugh at the pyramid crushing.
"I don't think boys ever change."
For hundreds of years they had played the same kinds of games and even when they 'grew up' they still payed those games, on one level or another.
If there had been a back on her chair, she would have leaned back contemplatively. But as she was perched on a barstool it was a little trickier to look thoughtful.
"To be honest, I don't know. I'd never thought about having a heritage. Finding out I wasn't alone was a bit of a shock years ago."
The first vampire, other than Bao, Pak had encountered had inspired a mixture of fear and fascination. It had taken some time to adjust to the idea that she wasn't alone and not all vampires were vicious and uncaring. Of course, that one had problems of his own that she preferred not to remember.
"Its a bit like that, but not so big. I knew about Bao and you and Amir... this is just another step. There is something about him," here Pak nodded to where Shades had disappeared with Amir, "that feels... big."
Pak made a face and shook her head realizing that was a less than articulate sentiment, especially given the size of Shades, who did not in any way shape or form qualify as diminutive.
"I think I might have to come more often now though. How long have you known him?"
Mara
12 years ago
It was easy to smile around Pakpao. She and Mara always seemed to have plenty to talk about, although Mara knew that wasn't always the case with Pakpao when interacting with others.
"Shades is big," Mara said, nodding her head. "He's very old. And very strong. You should talk to him some more. He has some interesting ideas. Some people find him antiquated, and some find him revolutionary. It really depends on how long you've been alive I suppose."
She grinned. She had known older vampires who considered Shades' philosophy a thing of the past. Younger vampires, who had never known anything but Clans, sometimes considered him a forward thinker.
"There are many people in his family," Mara said. "All around you, really. Many of the people working here belong with him. See that woman there?"
She nodded her head toward the stage. Kaeva sat at the piano regally, looking suspiciously like a Nubian princess as she played, her long delicate fingers dancing over the keys, head tilting to the music. The beads in her hair danced as well, and Mara could hear them, so faintly, if she stretched out her keen senses and listened for them underneath the music.
"That is Kaeva," Mara said with a smile. "Maybe you should meet her too. She's sweet. She's older than I am, too. About two thousand. She's from Nubia."
"Shades is big," Mara said, nodding her head. "He's very old. And very strong. You should talk to him some more. He has some interesting ideas. Some people find him antiquated, and some find him revolutionary. It really depends on how long you've been alive I suppose."
She grinned. She had known older vampires who considered Shades' philosophy a thing of the past. Younger vampires, who had never known anything but Clans, sometimes considered him a forward thinker.
"There are many people in his family," Mara said. "All around you, really. Many of the people working here belong with him. See that woman there?"
She nodded her head toward the stage. Kaeva sat at the piano regally, looking suspiciously like a Nubian princess as she played, her long delicate fingers dancing over the keys, head tilting to the music. The beads in her hair danced as well, and Mara could hear them, so faintly, if she stretched out her keen senses and listened for them underneath the music.
"That is Kaeva," Mara said with a smile. "Maybe you should meet her too. She's sweet. She's older than I am, too. About two thousand. She's from Nubia."
Pakpao
12 years ago
"I think I'd like to talk to him some, if he had time."
Keeping up with a faamily that could grow exponentially couldn't be an easy task. Pak had to belive that he only dealt with a fraction of his family and it wouldn't surprise her to find she was too far removed to warrent much attention. Amir and mara were, to all appearences, special cases.
Turning a bit to get a better look at the piano player her eyebroes rose as Mara told her about the woman. Even though Pak was closer to her third century than not the age of some vampires was astounding. She didn't know how you kept your head on straight that long, how you found a reason to stay around that long. But the piano player didn't seem to be having any such problems.
"I'm not even sure I know exactly where Nubia is. But I wouldn't say no to meeting her. Is she family as well?"
She had to wonder what constituted "very old" to Mara. Apparently two thousand didn't cut it...
Keeping up with a faamily that could grow exponentially couldn't be an easy task. Pak had to belive that he only dealt with a fraction of his family and it wouldn't surprise her to find she was too far removed to warrent much attention. Amir and mara were, to all appearences, special cases.
Turning a bit to get a better look at the piano player her eyebroes rose as Mara told her about the woman. Even though Pak was closer to her third century than not the age of some vampires was astounding. She didn't know how you kept your head on straight that long, how you found a reason to stay around that long. But the piano player didn't seem to be having any such problems.
"I'm not even sure I know exactly where Nubia is. But I wouldn't say no to meeting her. Is she family as well?"
She had to wonder what constituted "very old" to Mara. Apparently two thousand didn't cut it...
Mara
12 years ago
Mara sipped at her milk. "He always has time," she said, "but he may try to recruit you."
She held up a slim hand, polished fingernails shining in the dim blue lights. "Don't worry. Not for anything nefarious or anything like that. He just has eyes and ears everywhere. Shades likes to know what's going on."
Never in all of her years knowing him had Shades asked Mara to do anything that would be bad for their kind. Some of her tasks for him had been dangerous, yes, but she had never been forced to do anything she didn't want to. But then, Mara had rarely said no to Shades. She had been terrified of him when they'd first met but Amir had helped her, as he had whenever she had to meet strange men, a process she usually hated.
When Pak looked toward Kaeva and asked about her, Mara smiled and shook her head 'no,' then reconsidered. "She is family by virtue of the fact that she is Shades' lover, and has been for nearly her entire life. But he didn't Create her, and she has no contact with the person who did, if he or she is still alive. It's a very pretty love story."
Mara watched Kaeva play some more. The woman had a wonderful way with a piano. She had learned from Shades, who had studied the instrument first as it had evolved through the years.
"She comes from royalty," Mara added. She personally thought Kaeva looked the part no matter what she did. There was a very African Queen vibe about her that she had never really been able to be rid of throughout the centuries.
She held up a slim hand, polished fingernails shining in the dim blue lights. "Don't worry. Not for anything nefarious or anything like that. He just has eyes and ears everywhere. Shades likes to know what's going on."
Never in all of her years knowing him had Shades asked Mara to do anything that would be bad for their kind. Some of her tasks for him had been dangerous, yes, but she had never been forced to do anything she didn't want to. But then, Mara had rarely said no to Shades. She had been terrified of him when they'd first met but Amir had helped her, as he had whenever she had to meet strange men, a process she usually hated.
When Pak looked toward Kaeva and asked about her, Mara smiled and shook her head 'no,' then reconsidered. "She is family by virtue of the fact that she is Shades' lover, and has been for nearly her entire life. But he didn't Create her, and she has no contact with the person who did, if he or she is still alive. It's a very pretty love story."
Mara watched Kaeva play some more. The woman had a wonderful way with a piano. She had learned from Shades, who had studied the instrument first as it had evolved through the years.
"She comes from royalty," Mara added. She personally thought Kaeva looked the part no matter what she did. There was a very African Queen vibe about her that she had never really been able to be rid of throughout the centuries.
Pakpao
12 years ago
"Recruit me?"
She asked some what startled, but Mara quickly explained. It didn't sound as bad as she first through, and forewarned was forearmed. So Pak wouldn't worry about it she'd just make a choice if and when the time came. It was rather interesting how many of their kind seemed to like to keep well informed, of course you couldn't stay hidden and one step ahead of the game if you kept your head buried in the sand.
"Well that doesn't sound too ominous. He must have some one else floating about in Evenhet though..."
Still you could never have too many sources.
That was love, loyalty, something really impressive. Two thousand years with the same person. You couldn't hold a grudge, that was certain, because you'd have one hell of a lot of baggage to throw back at your partner. 'You remember that night in 537 BC when you....' Yeah, that would be bad.
"Is there a knight in shining armor type vibe to it? I'm a sucker for those."
She was too, not that she often admitted it.
"It shows..."
The woman just had a way of sitting, of moving her hands and he head that seemed very regal. It wasn't something you could acquire or fake. Pak only hoped she didn't give herself away as an uncultured dirt poor farmer. She didn't think so, but she wasn't ever going to pass for royalty.
"How does royalty wind up like this? I would have thought they'd be more protected."
She asked some what startled, but Mara quickly explained. It didn't sound as bad as she first through, and forewarned was forearmed. So Pak wouldn't worry about it she'd just make a choice if and when the time came. It was rather interesting how many of their kind seemed to like to keep well informed, of course you couldn't stay hidden and one step ahead of the game if you kept your head buried in the sand.
"Well that doesn't sound too ominous. He must have some one else floating about in Evenhet though..."
Still you could never have too many sources.
That was love, loyalty, something really impressive. Two thousand years with the same person. You couldn't hold a grudge, that was certain, because you'd have one hell of a lot of baggage to throw back at your partner. 'You remember that night in 537 BC when you....' Yeah, that would be bad.
"Is there a knight in shining armor type vibe to it? I'm a sucker for those."
She was too, not that she often admitted it.
"It shows..."
The woman just had a way of sitting, of moving her hands and he head that seemed very regal. It wasn't something you could acquire or fake. Pak only hoped she didn't give herself away as an uncultured dirt poor farmer. She didn't think so, but she wasn't ever going to pass for royalty.
"How does royalty wind up like this? I would have thought they'd be more protected."
Mara
12 years ago
Mara lifted her shoulders; even she didn't know who Shades had where. "He might," she said. "It wouldn't surprise me, but his purpose isn't to gather information. he just... likes to know. About things. All things."
She personally thought Shades just didn't like surprises, but that could just be her.
Pakpao seemed interested in Kaeva and Mara approved; Kaeva was an interesting woman. "You should ask her about it sometime," she encouraged. Kaeva was wonderful. Sweet, kind, not so much motherly as much as like a big sister or dear friend to those at Shades. Mara didn't think Nubian court life led itself well to learning to be a mother but Kaeva wasn't supposed to be that.
"She loves meeting people. I think she'd enjoy talking with you."
More than anything, Mara wanted Pakpao to come here more often and learn about her vampiric 'family.' Of course, they weren't blood relatives in the human sense, but they did have blood ties. Not all vampires thought of others as kindred or related but she was glad Amir had taught her to think that way. As a human, Mara had loved her family. So as a vampire, she took solace in the fact that she had a new family of a different kind.
She glanced toward the back hall, wondering how Shades' conversation with Amir was going. She knew Shades had worried about Amir for a quite some time, but he was unwilling to step in. Subira was his child, after all, and Shades was notorious for his refusal to get involved in 'politics.' Mara knew he was reaching the end of his tolerance for Subira's behavior though. The woman was no longer rational. Mara suspected that if Amir hadn't made his desperate move last summer, Shades might have done something about it himself.
Now, Shades wanted Amir back. And Amir might or might not go. It was hard to say.
She personally thought Shades just didn't like surprises, but that could just be her.
Pakpao seemed interested in Kaeva and Mara approved; Kaeva was an interesting woman. "You should ask her about it sometime," she encouraged. Kaeva was wonderful. Sweet, kind, not so much motherly as much as like a big sister or dear friend to those at Shades. Mara didn't think Nubian court life led itself well to learning to be a mother but Kaeva wasn't supposed to be that.
"She loves meeting people. I think she'd enjoy talking with you."
More than anything, Mara wanted Pakpao to come here more often and learn about her vampiric 'family.' Of course, they weren't blood relatives in the human sense, but they did have blood ties. Not all vampires thought of others as kindred or related but she was glad Amir had taught her to think that way. As a human, Mara had loved her family. So as a vampire, she took solace in the fact that she had a new family of a different kind.
She glanced toward the back hall, wondering how Shades' conversation with Amir was going. She knew Shades had worried about Amir for a quite some time, but he was unwilling to step in. Subira was his child, after all, and Shades was notorious for his refusal to get involved in 'politics.' Mara knew he was reaching the end of his tolerance for Subira's behavior though. The woman was no longer rational. Mara suspected that if Amir hadn't made his desperate move last summer, Shades might have done something about it himself.
Now, Shades wanted Amir back. And Amir might or might not go. It was hard to say.
Pakpao
12 years ago
"Huh. He's a collector.â€
Pak mused aloud. She knew people like that, they just liked to know things to know them, a lot of hackers (herself included) simply liked to know they could get in, they didn't want to hurt anything. She didn't see anything wrong with it and in fact wondered if Shades liked computers, it might give them something to talk about.
The more they spoke the more Pak started to think she she should become a regular. A night or two a month could be worked into her schedule easy enough. Maybe she'd even see if Bao would consider playing here. Oh it wasn't exactly quiet but it looked like, if they were lucky, they could snag a booth out of the action. He'd grumble of course but the music and people wouldn't bother Pak at all.
"Perhaps I will, if she doesn't mind chatting.â€
She paused for a moment playing with her drink.
"I'm guessing even Bao comes in here now and then. Does he like it?
It was hard to get a read on Bao, even after a year or more she wasn't quite sure what he was like outside of their training or chess games. He would occasionally show her glimpses of himself but not often. He'd cared for her children, something she'd not have suspected, he loved art, hell he even had a sense of humor and now his concern for her. A fondness for jazz and his 'family' wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pak mused aloud. She knew people like that, they just liked to know things to know them, a lot of hackers (herself included) simply liked to know they could get in, they didn't want to hurt anything. She didn't see anything wrong with it and in fact wondered if Shades liked computers, it might give them something to talk about.
The more they spoke the more Pak started to think she she should become a regular. A night or two a month could be worked into her schedule easy enough. Maybe she'd even see if Bao would consider playing here. Oh it wasn't exactly quiet but it looked like, if they were lucky, they could snag a booth out of the action. He'd grumble of course but the music and people wouldn't bother Pak at all.
"Perhaps I will, if she doesn't mind chatting.â€
She paused for a moment playing with her drink.
"I'm guessing even Bao comes in here now and then. Does he like it?
It was hard to get a read on Bao, even after a year or more she wasn't quite sure what he was like outside of their training or chess games. He would occasionally show her glimpses of himself but not often. He'd cared for her children, something she'd not have suspected, he loved art, hell he even had a sense of humor and now his concern for her. A fondness for jazz and his 'family' wouldn't be a total surprise.
Mara
12 years ago
"Kaeva never minds chatting," Mara said. "She's wonderful. You'll love her."
Mara still hadn't forgotten that Kaeva had been the one to give blood to Jin when they had both been attacked in the alley. That was a gift; Kaeva was very particular about who was allowed to bite her. Mara loved her even more for recognizing what a special person Jin was, even on that first meeting. Kaeva did seem to be genuinely fond of Jin. Mara had not missed the fact that there were always oranges and jelly beans in the back room now. She adored the fact that her family, such a tight-knit group, very much wanted Jin to feel like one of them.
She laughed softly when Pak asked if Bao liked it at Shades'. "Oh I think he does," Mara said. "Bao didn't used to be quite as serious as he has been in the last few decades. He's getting old and stodgy, is all."
She rolled her eyes upward, tapping one glossy fingernail gently against her chin in thought. "Let me see. He hasn't done anything outrageous, to my knowledge, in a while. But I do have a few stories I can tell you about Bao, lest he give you the impression he's always been moral and upright..."
Mara crooked her finger toward Pakpao conspiratorially and they slid their bar stools together, like a couple of gossiping schoolgirls. With the occasional fit of laughter, Mara aired some of Bao's dirty laundry... and there was, against all appearances, plenty of that. Mara had definitely known Bao long enough to see him drunk, awkward, guilty... and most of those situations had been pretty humorous for possibly everyone but him.
Mara didn't think it would be such a bad thing for Pak to know Bao had a human side, too.
((ooc: both out, with permission))
Mara still hadn't forgotten that Kaeva had been the one to give blood to Jin when they had both been attacked in the alley. That was a gift; Kaeva was very particular about who was allowed to bite her. Mara loved her even more for recognizing what a special person Jin was, even on that first meeting. Kaeva did seem to be genuinely fond of Jin. Mara had not missed the fact that there were always oranges and jelly beans in the back room now. She adored the fact that her family, such a tight-knit group, very much wanted Jin to feel like one of them.
She laughed softly when Pak asked if Bao liked it at Shades'. "Oh I think he does," Mara said. "Bao didn't used to be quite as serious as he has been in the last few decades. He's getting old and stodgy, is all."
She rolled her eyes upward, tapping one glossy fingernail gently against her chin in thought. "Let me see. He hasn't done anything outrageous, to my knowledge, in a while. But I do have a few stories I can tell you about Bao, lest he give you the impression he's always been moral and upright..."
Mara crooked her finger toward Pakpao conspiratorially and they slid their bar stools together, like a couple of gossiping schoolgirls. With the occasional fit of laughter, Mara aired some of Bao's dirty laundry... and there was, against all appearances, plenty of that. Mara had definitely known Bao long enough to see him drunk, awkward, guilty... and most of those situations had been pretty humorous for possibly everyone but him.
Mara didn't think it would be such a bad thing for Pak to know Bao had a human side, too.
((ooc: both out, with permission))