Mara did not come here unless expressly invited; she had sent Pak a message not long ago and her friend had responded with a return message that she was taking a little break and would welcome some company. Mara had been to the Mall before but only once or twice, in the company of her Creator and his daughter or with Pak herself.
She knew roughly where Barney's was, though, and waved to Pak who was sitting outside. Mara stepped into the coffee shop, bought herself a drink, and then went to join her friend. She gracefully seated herself, the action unconsciously smooth, and blew on her cup of coffee.
"Hello Pak," she said with a soft smile. "How are you doing? You're looking well."
Pak was a snappy dresser in her work clothes. Mara's style was much different. Tonight she was dressed, as usual, from neck to toe to cover herself but in tight clothing that still managed to be somewhat alluring. She wore a fitted knit sweater in dark blue with pretty bell sleeves and a mock cowl neck. It displayed very nicely the phoenix necklace Jin had given her. Her legs were covered in light blue skin tight jeans that hugged her curves and tucked into brown knee high boots. She had light makeup up, just enough to accentuate her exotic cheek bones and angled eyes, and as always her nails were perfectly manicured, done in blue with accents of sparkling white.
Mara looked around a little warily and then leaned forward. Murmuring softly so that no one nearby could hear even if they were of the vampiric persuasion, she said, "Is this a safe place? He... isn't going to show up suddenly is he?"
I Think We're Alone Now...
Nervously Pak looked up and down the stores and practically tip toed into Barney's. Eiryk had a tenancy to hang out here, or stop here, or blow through here, or just materialize. It was actually rather scary but given the former Viking's coffee addiction it was also to be expected.
Unfortunately for Pak she shared the addiction, not on the same level, but enough that they crossed paths here more than any other place.
She'd finally gotten out of a rather nasty meeting, one of the departments was trying to put a new system in place and it wasn't going well. Half that management hated it and the other half wasn't going to let the idea go and they were sticking IT in the middle. She did not approve and she wasn't going to let their petty squabbling make her department look good.
Getting out of the meeting she'd decided that she couldn't deal with anything work related for a few minutes, not her office not her employees, nothing. So she snuck over to Barny's gotten a big cup of mocha and sat down with a nearly audible sigh.
As long as Eiryk didn't show up this was just what the doctor ordered. She was going to find the person who had but the bee in his bonnet and seriously hurt them. She loved Eiryk, he was a wonderful friend, but he could obsess like no one's business. It usually wasn't too bad, and if someone else was the focus of his energy it was even a little funny, but he'd settled on her like a laser beam and it was intense.
Mara
12 years ago
Pakpao
12 years ago
The Towers were home to all kinds and so it was hard to stand out. As Pak was working tonight she really didn't think she stood out. She might have looked a bit more polished than your average Joe though, a simple cashmere wrap dress knee length and long sleeved in a dark rich brown. Her heels, as usual, added inches to her height a lovely dark purple patent leather with a thick heel and an ankle wrap. Thank god she had skinny ankles and god bless Valentino, she might go back for some cute peep toe Mary Janes. She'd added a golden bead lariat necklace for some punch and pulled her hair back 'power hair' style. It helped in meetings. Mara had her beat though, at least Pak thought so. She might ask where she got the sweater it was very pretty.
Pak laughed at the question and the standard small talk.
"The answer to that depends on the context doesn't it? How about you?"
Mara's necklace was eye catching and she was about to ask about it before Mara sidetracked her. Pak looked up and down the mall quietly, subtly and then leaned back in her chair sipping at her mocha, which needed more chocolate in her opinion.
"We should be fine."
She reassured Mara, although she would keep an eye out for Kem. He did work here after all, as did Aishe, it would hardly be surprising at all for him to turn up. But Pak was fairly sure he was safely tucked away in the archives. So while it wasn't a 100% guarantee Pak thought she could prevent an accidental meeting. She also didn't want to stress Mara out about it if she didn't have to.
"We could take a walk down the street if you want. A few decent places for coffee around here if you'd rather."
Pak laughed at the question and the standard small talk.
"The answer to that depends on the context doesn't it? How about you?"
Mara's necklace was eye catching and she was about to ask about it before Mara sidetracked her. Pak looked up and down the mall quietly, subtly and then leaned back in her chair sipping at her mocha, which needed more chocolate in her opinion.
"We should be fine."
She reassured Mara, although she would keep an eye out for Kem. He did work here after all, as did Aishe, it would hardly be surprising at all for him to turn up. But Pak was fairly sure he was safely tucked away in the archives. So while it wasn't a 100% guarantee Pak thought she could prevent an accidental meeting. She also didn't want to stress Mara out about it if she didn't have to.
"We could take a walk down the street if you want. A few decent places for coffee around here if you'd rather."
Mara
12 years ago
Mara smiled again and nodded her head at Pak in acknowledgment. "I'm doing well," she said. "Life is good with Jin, and of course with Amir. You should come and visit us sometime."
She made the offer with a knowing look; Amir and Pak had an interesting history but as far as Mara knew, the two were on fairly neutral terms. Amir didn't dislike Pak and that was saying something - Pak didn't seem to dislike Amir either, really. And Jin, well, Mara knew her lover would treat any guest respectfully and kindly. Jin knew no other way but an honorable one and that was largely why she and Amir loved him so.
When Pak offered to go elsewhere Mara lifted her cup. "Well I have the coffee already," she said, "but perhaps we could walk around here?"
There were many stores to browse around in. They could walk and talk and, perhaps, see Mara's father coming before he was right on top of them. Paranoid of her maybe but she just wasn't ready to face the possibility of a meeting with him just now. She had visited his house in her other form several times, as if preparing herself for it, but she hadn't gotten there yet. She hated conflict, and introducing herself to her father after sixteen hundred years would create conflict... and pain. She didn't want to bring him pain.
"So how are things with your own Creator?" Mara asked. That was always a loaded question with Pak. The answer was usually explosive, one way or another.
She made the offer with a knowing look; Amir and Pak had an interesting history but as far as Mara knew, the two were on fairly neutral terms. Amir didn't dislike Pak and that was saying something - Pak didn't seem to dislike Amir either, really. And Jin, well, Mara knew her lover would treat any guest respectfully and kindly. Jin knew no other way but an honorable one and that was largely why she and Amir loved him so.
When Pak offered to go elsewhere Mara lifted her cup. "Well I have the coffee already," she said, "but perhaps we could walk around here?"
There were many stores to browse around in. They could walk and talk and, perhaps, see Mara's father coming before he was right on top of them. Paranoid of her maybe but she just wasn't ready to face the possibility of a meeting with him just now. She had visited his house in her other form several times, as if preparing herself for it, but she hadn't gotten there yet. She hated conflict, and introducing herself to her father after sixteen hundred years would create conflict... and pain. She didn't want to bring him pain.
"So how are things with your own Creator?" Mara asked. That was always a loaded question with Pak. The answer was usually explosive, one way or another.
Pakpao
12 years ago
"I might take you up on that some time."
She meant it too. Pak would like to meet Jin, she was rather curious about him and she didn't hate Amir. Although, she doubted he would be thrilled with her company. Still a visit was different than moving in, they'd both be just fine.
Pak shrugged, she knew that Mara was leery of meeting Kem and she understood why so this would be her call. They could wander, it wouldn't hurt anything.
"I don't see why not. Barny's might prefer we get a 'to go' cup though."
That was a question she probably should have seen coming. Bao and Mara were siblings after all and Mara seemed to have a vested interested in them working things out. They were, in Pak's opinion, making progress well that or at a stand still. But it wasn't a bad thing.
"He still looses when we play chess."
And she kept falling on her ass when Bao tried to teach her martial arts. Although, he said she was improving it was hard for Pak to see it. After all she was a novice and he'd been doing this for how long? So every time she got better, he stepped it up a notch.
"He's not in any more trouble is he? He's been rather reserved these days."
For Bao to get more reserved was impressive, maybe subdued was a better word. She wondered if he was still worried about some one doing something stupid. That was something that seemed less likely with each passing day with nothing happening.
She meant it too. Pak would like to meet Jin, she was rather curious about him and she didn't hate Amir. Although, she doubted he would be thrilled with her company. Still a visit was different than moving in, they'd both be just fine.
Pak shrugged, she knew that Mara was leery of meeting Kem and she understood why so this would be her call. They could wander, it wouldn't hurt anything.
"I don't see why not. Barny's might prefer we get a 'to go' cup though."
That was a question she probably should have seen coming. Bao and Mara were siblings after all and Mara seemed to have a vested interested in them working things out. They were, in Pak's opinion, making progress well that or at a stand still. But it wasn't a bad thing.
"He still looses when we play chess."
And she kept falling on her ass when Bao tried to teach her martial arts. Although, he said she was improving it was hard for Pak to see it. After all she was a novice and he'd been doing this for how long? So every time she got better, he stepped it up a notch.
"He's not in any more trouble is he? He's been rather reserved these days."
For Bao to get more reserved was impressive, maybe subdued was a better word. She wondered if he was still worried about some one doing something stupid. That was something that seemed less likely with each passing day with nothing happening.
Mara
12 years ago
"Please do," Mara said. "Just give me a call, we can get together. I'll make dinner." Her eyes sparkled at that; since discovering that she enjoyed cooking last year she had made full use of the beautiful kitchen in their new home. Dessert remained her favorite thing to make but she had tried many things, with a reasonable amount of success. It made her feel happy to put a smile on Jin's face, and while Amir's smiles were rarer she had noticed several times that it was his hand sneaking back to grab a cookie or some other treat as often as it was Jin's.
"Let's do that, then," Mara suggested. Being here made her nervous. She had spent so much time avoiding her father yet keeping tabs on him. She had been here to Liefde and Meridian several times but always in her feline form. Walking around here without her silver and black fur coat made her feel naked and exposed.
As they headed into Barney's to exchange their porcelain for styrofoam Mara laughed softly at Pak's response to her question about Bao, then shook her head at the next question. "I don't believe he is," she said. "Amir impressed upon him the value of laying low for a little while. Something about having been in enough trouble for one century."
She shook her head with a smile, but truthfully the situation had been much more grave than she was making it out to be now. It was fortunate that everyone had made it out all right. It was behind them now, too, so she tried not to dwell on it.
They walked down the row of shops, looking at each one. "I have never seen these before," Mara mused. "It seems like such a nice place to be able to come and spend some detox time on a work break. Do you have a favorite store here?"
"Let's do that, then," Mara suggested. Being here made her nervous. She had spent so much time avoiding her father yet keeping tabs on him. She had been here to Liefde and Meridian several times but always in her feline form. Walking around here without her silver and black fur coat made her feel naked and exposed.
As they headed into Barney's to exchange their porcelain for styrofoam Mara laughed softly at Pak's response to her question about Bao, then shook her head at the next question. "I don't believe he is," she said. "Amir impressed upon him the value of laying low for a little while. Something about having been in enough trouble for one century."
She shook her head with a smile, but truthfully the situation had been much more grave than she was making it out to be now. It was fortunate that everyone had made it out all right. It was behind them now, too, so she tried not to dwell on it.
They walked down the row of shops, looking at each one. "I have never seen these before," Mara mused. "It seems like such a nice place to be able to come and spend some detox time on a work break. Do you have a favorite store here?"
Pakpao
12 years ago
"You cook?"
Pak asked somewhere between astounded and impressed. She could manage a few dishes, nothing terribly fancy, and mostly food from home. While most of her diet was liquid, both the obvious and tea, wine and such, Pak wasn't exactly shy about eating. If there was food, she'd nosh on it especially when it was socially appropriate. So if Mara cooked, she'd eat. She'd probably even enjoy it.
"I'll bring the wine and might be able to help a little bit in the kitchen if you need. Or do the guys scurry about to do your bidding?"
It was surprisingly easy for her to tease Mara. She had a rather calm and reassuring disposition with a good sense of humor and Pak felt very comfortable with her, perhaps it was a family trait. Regardless Mara had become a good friend.
For as often as Mara had popped by her place it surprised Pak a bit to realize they'd never been down to the shops.
"We'll you're hardly appropriate company when you slide in on little cat's feet. Not unless you want to perch on my shoulder or lay around my neck like a stole and even then they might kick us out of most places."
Without even thinking about it Pak started down the way to the book store. Although the further they walked the more she wondered if their coffee would be a problem. Well they'd cross that bridge when they came to it.
"The books. I haven't gotten the hang of shopping on line for them. Anything else, fine, books I like to look at first."
She thought it would be safe. Eiryk was a bit of a collector but it had to be safer than the coffee.
Pak asked somewhere between astounded and impressed. She could manage a few dishes, nothing terribly fancy, and mostly food from home. While most of her diet was liquid, both the obvious and tea, wine and such, Pak wasn't exactly shy about eating. If there was food, she'd nosh on it especially when it was socially appropriate. So if Mara cooked, she'd eat. She'd probably even enjoy it.
"I'll bring the wine and might be able to help a little bit in the kitchen if you need. Or do the guys scurry about to do your bidding?"
It was surprisingly easy for her to tease Mara. She had a rather calm and reassuring disposition with a good sense of humor and Pak felt very comfortable with her, perhaps it was a family trait. Regardless Mara had become a good friend.
For as often as Mara had popped by her place it surprised Pak a bit to realize they'd never been down to the shops.
"We'll you're hardly appropriate company when you slide in on little cat's feet. Not unless you want to perch on my shoulder or lay around my neck like a stole and even then they might kick us out of most places."
Without even thinking about it Pak started down the way to the book store. Although the further they walked the more she wondered if their coffee would be a problem. Well they'd cross that bridge when they came to it.
"The books. I haven't gotten the hang of shopping on line for them. Anything else, fine, books I like to look at first."
She thought it would be safe. Eiryk was a bit of a collector but it had to be safer than the coffee.
Mara
12 years ago
Mara grinned quickly at Pak. "I do. It's a very recent hobby, but I have been enjoying it."
She laughed softly, musically, when Pak asked about her helpers. "They have been known to help on occasion. Some more cheerfully than others."
Pak would read between the lines, but even if she didn't Mara supplied the filler. "There was one instance where a certain Creator of mine ate most of one batch of cookies and had to be threatened into helping to make more. Since then he has become quite adept at kitchen assistance."
Amir was no less susceptible than any other man to the 'no nonsense woman in the kitchen' face, as it turned out. Perhaps it was simply that it was Mara who wore the face. However it worked, he'd been very helpful after that incident. And she hadn't had to cut off any of his fingers or toes.
Pak headed them toward a book store and Mara went along happily. She loved books. It would have been hard not to, given the influence of the people around her. Her father, of course, adored them. Amir was a huge reader as well, and the two of them were big influences on the young Mara.
"I shop online for them all the time," she admitted. "I have quite the collection. Fortunately we have plenty of room for bookshelves."
Between her, Amir, and Jin, they had quite the book collection. It was only likely to grow. They all had some subjects in common but for the most part their interests were widely varied. Mara liked that; it meant when she ran out of material there would be plenty there that she hadn't yet touched. She could expand her horizons.
She laughed softly, musically, when Pak asked about her helpers. "They have been known to help on occasion. Some more cheerfully than others."
Pak would read between the lines, but even if she didn't Mara supplied the filler. "There was one instance where a certain Creator of mine ate most of one batch of cookies and had to be threatened into helping to make more. Since then he has become quite adept at kitchen assistance."
Amir was no less susceptible than any other man to the 'no nonsense woman in the kitchen' face, as it turned out. Perhaps it was simply that it was Mara who wore the face. However it worked, he'd been very helpful after that incident. And she hadn't had to cut off any of his fingers or toes.
Pak headed them toward a book store and Mara went along happily. She loved books. It would have been hard not to, given the influence of the people around her. Her father, of course, adored them. Amir was a huge reader as well, and the two of them were big influences on the young Mara.
"I shop online for them all the time," she admitted. "I have quite the collection. Fortunately we have plenty of room for bookshelves."
Between her, Amir, and Jin, they had quite the book collection. It was only likely to grow. They all had some subjects in common but for the most part their interests were widely varied. Mara liked that; it meant when she ran out of material there would be plenty there that she hadn't yet touched. She could expand her horizons.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Amir had a sweet tooth? Pak's mind rather drifted as she considered that fact. He had never particularly struck her as appreciating sweets of any kind but from the way that Mara said it Pak doubted it was really about the cookies.
"Chocolate chip?"
She asked her face a study in innocence as she deliberately misunderstood.
"Oh don't get me wrong I think on-line shopping for them is fine but..."
Pak just shrugged indicating it wasn't her thing.
"How big is this new place of yours any way?"
Being just one person Pak never really worried about space. Sure you accumulated things over a couple of centuries, but she was just as happy keeping them in storage rather than in a larger residence. The two bed room that Eiryk had talked her into was more than enough space for her. It had actually encouraged more visitors as well which had been half the point.
Rather uncharacteristically Pak didn't just go right to the shelves instead she made a quick survey of the stacks looking for Eiryk or Alexander. Alexander, however, would probably be able to keep Eiryk under control. At least well enough for her to make a rather hasty retreat.
"Chocolate chip?"
She asked her face a study in innocence as she deliberately misunderstood.
"Oh don't get me wrong I think on-line shopping for them is fine but..."
Pak just shrugged indicating it wasn't her thing.
"How big is this new place of yours any way?"
Being just one person Pak never really worried about space. Sure you accumulated things over a couple of centuries, but she was just as happy keeping them in storage rather than in a larger residence. The two bed room that Eiryk had talked her into was more than enough space for her. It had actually encouraged more visitors as well which had been half the point.
Rather uncharacteristically Pak didn't just go right to the shelves instead she made a quick survey of the stacks looking for Eiryk or Alexander. Alexander, however, would probably be able to keep Eiryk under control. At least well enough for her to make a rather hasty retreat.
Mara
12 years ago
Pak inquired as to the kind of cookies Amir had stolen and Mara raised an eyebrow curiously. Was Pak planning to make him some herself? She didn't have to think; she remembered exactly what kind of cookies they were.
"Ginger snaps," she said with a smile.
As they walked along, Pak asked how big the house Mara, Amir, and Jin lived in was. She had to think for a moment, for she couldn't recall the exact square footage. "It's large," she finally said simply. "We wanted enough room for three people, not to mention any guests we would be entertaining."
She shrugged; between herself, Jin, and Amir, they weren't exactly paupers. And while it had been Mara and Jin doing the shopping (the invitation to Amir had come later), they still had had three in mind. Perhaps less permanently at that point, but Mara enjoyed where their relationship had evolved to. She never would have thought she could be happy in any relationship at all but when she was with Amir or Jin everything was perfect; give her both of them at once and she was in heaven.
They found the bookstore, Ex Libris, and entered it. Mara did not see a 'no drinks' sign anywhere, and at any rate they were carrying to-go cups which of course had covers on them. She smiled at the elderly gentleman at the counter and followed Pak inside.
"I love the smell of it in here," she said. It was like stepping into an old archive or something. Paper, ink, the leather of older bound tomes. "Is there something in particular you're looking for?"
"Ginger snaps," she said with a smile.
As they walked along, Pak asked how big the house Mara, Amir, and Jin lived in was. She had to think for a moment, for she couldn't recall the exact square footage. "It's large," she finally said simply. "We wanted enough room for three people, not to mention any guests we would be entertaining."
She shrugged; between herself, Jin, and Amir, they weren't exactly paupers. And while it had been Mara and Jin doing the shopping (the invitation to Amir had come later), they still had had three in mind. Perhaps less permanently at that point, but Mara enjoyed where their relationship had evolved to. She never would have thought she could be happy in any relationship at all but when she was with Amir or Jin everything was perfect; give her both of them at once and she was in heaven.
They found the bookstore, Ex Libris, and entered it. Mara did not see a 'no drinks' sign anywhere, and at any rate they were carrying to-go cups which of course had covers on them. She smiled at the elderly gentleman at the counter and followed Pak inside.
"I love the smell of it in here," she said. It was like stepping into an old archive or something. Paper, ink, the leather of older bound tomes. "Is there something in particular you're looking for?"
Pakpao
12 years ago
"I like those."
Pak agreed with a small nod. Really she just liked ginger, and molasses, and good ones did have a bit of a bite to them. Maybe she would try and make some. She could either look for a cook book or Google a recipe. Googling had a clear edge here as undoubtedly this cooking urge would pass as fast as it had come.
"Good, as long as there is enough room that you're not all on top of each other." She paused and considered Mara's living arrangement. "Not unless you want to be that is."
Kem had half sort of kind of suggested an idea that was a bit similar, without the sex though. Pak hadn't really thrown it out. She liked her bigger place and was really quite happy living in the Towers, although sometimes it could be very lonely during the day (or night) and other than Mongkut there was no one to come home too. So she tossed the idea around every now and then, thus far there was no answer and Kem hadn't pushed the subject so she just let sleeping dogs lay, as it were.
"Me too. Libraries are good too."
Big chain bookstores, not that there were many of those left, never quite got it right. Too new, too yuppie, too trying to be everything at once, she didn't like them nearly as much.
"Not really, I almost never am. Just keep an eye out for a blond who looks far too happy or has knocked something over."
Pak agreed with a small nod. Really she just liked ginger, and molasses, and good ones did have a bit of a bite to them. Maybe she would try and make some. She could either look for a cook book or Google a recipe. Googling had a clear edge here as undoubtedly this cooking urge would pass as fast as it had come.
"Good, as long as there is enough room that you're not all on top of each other." She paused and considered Mara's living arrangement. "Not unless you want to be that is."
Kem had half sort of kind of suggested an idea that was a bit similar, without the sex though. Pak hadn't really thrown it out. She liked her bigger place and was really quite happy living in the Towers, although sometimes it could be very lonely during the day (or night) and other than Mongkut there was no one to come home too. So she tossed the idea around every now and then, thus far there was no answer and Kem hadn't pushed the subject so she just let sleeping dogs lay, as it were.
"Me too. Libraries are good too."
Big chain bookstores, not that there were many of those left, never quite got it right. Too new, too yuppie, too trying to be everything at once, she didn't like them nearly as much.
"Not really, I almost never am. Just keep an eye out for a blond who looks far too happy or has knocked something over."
Mara
12 years ago
Mara nodded at Pak; she liked ginger snaps too, and they reminded her of Amir which was why she'd been making those. The bite of ginger combined with the sweetness was very much like her Creator.
"There's plenty of room for everyone," Mara said with a soft laugh, "and no one gets in anyone's way, unless they mean to."
She let her eyes wander along the book shelves, browsing without touching, seeing if anything suited her at the moment. She did turn back to Pak briefly when she said to look out for a blond guy knocking things over or looking happy.
"Any blond, or someone in particular?" She asked curiously.
"There's plenty of room for everyone," Mara said with a soft laugh, "and no one gets in anyone's way, unless they mean to."
She let her eyes wander along the book shelves, browsing without touching, seeing if anything suited her at the moment. She did turn back to Pak briefly when she said to look out for a blond guy knocking things over or looking happy.
"Any blond, or someone in particular?" She asked curiously.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Pak looked up an aisle, didn't see any sign of Eiryk and happily started looking over the bindings looking for nothing in particular.
"A specific blond, cheerful, clumsy, attractive and suddenly dead set on setting me up with someone. Any one."
Oh, Lady Chatterley's Lover. She hadn't read that in ages, the plot was even a little fuzzy to her. Maybe she should reread that one. Of course as she didn't have a vested interested maybe a kindle for this one would be best.
"Eiryk. He's a friend of mine and I have -no- idea what has gotten into him. He can, however, be more than a little enthusiastic about things. I'm not sure I can survive another attempt."
She'd been very patent and understanding but Pak was starting to lose it. First the speed dating, then Henri and now Eiryk. The former Viking was a problem. At least with the other two she'd had some control. Pak could have said no to every single guy at the speed dating, she didn't have to ask Henri up to her place. Eiryk... Eiryk she felt guilty if she didn't at least meet his latest find for a quick drink.
"A specific blond, cheerful, clumsy, attractive and suddenly dead set on setting me up with someone. Any one."
Oh, Lady Chatterley's Lover. She hadn't read that in ages, the plot was even a little fuzzy to her. Maybe she should reread that one. Of course as she didn't have a vested interested maybe a kindle for this one would be best.
"Eiryk. He's a friend of mine and I have -no- idea what has gotten into him. He can, however, be more than a little enthusiastic about things. I'm not sure I can survive another attempt."
She'd been very patent and understanding but Pak was starting to lose it. First the speed dating, then Henri and now Eiryk. The former Viking was a problem. At least with the other two she'd had some control. Pak could have said no to every single guy at the speed dating, she didn't have to ask Henri up to her place. Eiryk... Eiryk she felt guilty if she didn't at least meet his latest find for a quick drink.
Mara
12 years ago
Mara listened to what Pak had to say about her friend trying to set her up. "Perhaps he just wants you to be happy," she said. "You shouldn't always be alone."
Even Mara, somewhat notoriously reclusive now and then throughout her life, had someone to be with always. It hadn't been in a passionate, sexual sense of course, but she hadn't been alone. Not really. Amir had been there for her always, and now of course she had Jin too. Having spent the majority of her sisteen hundred years as single as they get, Mara could definitely say she was happier living with her lovers than she had ever been by herself.
Now and then she did escape to her apartment over the garage, but not because she wanted to be away from them - they were welcome to join her whenever they liked, and on occasion both of them had.
"So what sort of terrible dates had he set you up on?"
Mara couldn't help asking; it sounded amusing to her. How bad could it possibly have been?
Even Mara, somewhat notoriously reclusive now and then throughout her life, had someone to be with always. It hadn't been in a passionate, sexual sense of course, but she hadn't been alone. Not really. Amir had been there for her always, and now of course she had Jin too. Having spent the majority of her sisteen hundred years as single as they get, Mara could definitely say she was happier living with her lovers than she had ever been by herself.
Now and then she did escape to her apartment over the garage, but not because she wanted to be away from them - they were welcome to join her whenever they liked, and on occasion both of them had.
"So what sort of terrible dates had he set you up on?"
Mara couldn't help asking; it sounded amusing to her. How bad could it possibly have been?
Pakpao
12 years ago
"I've been single the whole time he's known me and I've never one to sing about the 'hills being alive' with anything... "
Pak muttered. She really had no idea what had gotten in Eiryk's head but it was a little disturbing. Of course he'd strongly hinted that she should get together with someone as he and Alex settled into their relationship and had even 'accidentally' brought round some friends of his on occasion but Eiryk had never pushed this hard before.
She'd been half tempted to hide out with Kem and Aishe for a bit but part of her suspected if they got wind of Eiryk's project they might join in. Although, they would probably be a bit more relaxed on the subject.
"You remember the speed dating? The guy bursting into tears?"
The story got more dramatic the more Pak told it but it had been a borderline disaster, well some of the dates had been. A couple of the guys she'd gone out for coffee with but nothing after that.
"Worse."
Stopping she turned to face Mara fully and debated if she should lead up to the finally or just cut to the chase.
"Well..." Pak drawled slowly, "I think the last one was more interested in dating Eiryk than me."
Poor guy hadn't a clue about Asian names and it had been pretty obvious that he thought he was being set up with a different kind of hot Asian.
Pak muttered. She really had no idea what had gotten in Eiryk's head but it was a little disturbing. Of course he'd strongly hinted that she should get together with someone as he and Alex settled into their relationship and had even 'accidentally' brought round some friends of his on occasion but Eiryk had never pushed this hard before.
She'd been half tempted to hide out with Kem and Aishe for a bit but part of her suspected if they got wind of Eiryk's project they might join in. Although, they would probably be a bit more relaxed on the subject.
"You remember the speed dating? The guy bursting into tears?"
The story got more dramatic the more Pak told it but it had been a borderline disaster, well some of the dates had been. A couple of the guys she'd gone out for coffee with but nothing after that.
"Worse."
Stopping she turned to face Mara fully and debated if she should lead up to the finally or just cut to the chase.
"Well..." Pak drawled slowly, "I think the last one was more interested in dating Eiryk than me."
Poor guy hadn't a clue about Asian names and it had been pretty obvious that he thought he was being set up with a different kind of hot Asian.
Mara
12 years ago
"Oh, my," Mara said when Pak claimed the dating had only gotten worse since her speed dating fiasco.
She sipped lightly at her coffee, enjoying the sweetness of it. It was a hazelnut mocha, with a little whipped cream on it and plenty of sweetener. She didn't enjoy bitter dark coffee. This was very tasty.
She laughed lightly at Pak's claim that her last 'date' had been more interested in her meddling friend than her. "Well," Mara said, "do you want to date, really? I might be able to find you someone nice, too, as long as all of your friends are jumping in and lending a helping hand."
Mara wouldn't go so far as to suggest anyone specific, nor would she make any promises, but she believed she might actually know a vampire or two in her own Clan who might enjoy spending time with the feisty, somewhat prickly Pakpao. She knew cross-Clan relationships were perhaps ill-advised but she didn't maintain the level of snobbery her own Creator did, and even his had somewhat calmed since separating him from Subira. It could work. If she recalled correctly, Evenhet's current leader was proof of that.
"Aside from hiding from Eiryk, what have you been up to? You haven't had a single enjoyable date at all?"
Surely they hadn't all been bad.
She sipped lightly at her coffee, enjoying the sweetness of it. It was a hazelnut mocha, with a little whipped cream on it and plenty of sweetener. She didn't enjoy bitter dark coffee. This was very tasty.
She laughed lightly at Pak's claim that her last 'date' had been more interested in her meddling friend than her. "Well," Mara said, "do you want to date, really? I might be able to find you someone nice, too, as long as all of your friends are jumping in and lending a helping hand."
Mara wouldn't go so far as to suggest anyone specific, nor would she make any promises, but she believed she might actually know a vampire or two in her own Clan who might enjoy spending time with the feisty, somewhat prickly Pakpao. She knew cross-Clan relationships were perhaps ill-advised but she didn't maintain the level of snobbery her own Creator did, and even his had somewhat calmed since separating him from Subira. It could work. If she recalled correctly, Evenhet's current leader was proof of that.
"Aside from hiding from Eiryk, what have you been up to? You haven't had a single enjoyable date at all?"
Surely they hadn't all been bad.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Pak narrowed her blue eyes at Mara as yet another one got on the band wagon. Granted, she was sort of encouraging things but still it seemed every member of a happy couple was wanting to set her up. Part of her suspected Alexander would take a stab at things eventually.
Even suspicious, even stand offish, she did grin at Mara. It was the thought that counted after all.
"Not everyone has tried just yet, but you're welcome to keep your eyes open. I'm not sure I want to date but I'm pretty sure I don't not want to."
Not the most clear she had ever been on any subject ever. As her feelings were not entirely clear on the matter though that was appropriate. She tried not to speculate on who Mara would set her up with. Part of her did briefly consider that she hoped it would only be one person. Pak was not ready to take on a relationship with three, far too complicated.
"I'm not sure I'd call it a date. Maybe it was, a fling at the very least."
Pak said it as casually as possible, teasing Mara with the information and feeling a little like a school girl as she did so. 'Girl talk' wasn't something Pak did often, sometimes with Aishe but very rarely. It was rather fun she decided as she attempted to shock, or at least startle, her friend.
Even suspicious, even stand offish, she did grin at Mara. It was the thought that counted after all.
"Not everyone has tried just yet, but you're welcome to keep your eyes open. I'm not sure I want to date but I'm pretty sure I don't not want to."
Not the most clear she had ever been on any subject ever. As her feelings were not entirely clear on the matter though that was appropriate. She tried not to speculate on who Mara would set her up with. Part of her did briefly consider that she hoped it would only be one person. Pak was not ready to take on a relationship with three, far too complicated.
"I'm not sure I'd call it a date. Maybe it was, a fling at the very least."
Pak said it as casually as possible, teasing Mara with the information and feeling a little like a school girl as she did so. 'Girl talk' wasn't something Pak did often, sometimes with Aishe but very rarely. It was rather fun she decided as she attempted to shock, or at least startle, her friend.
Mara
12 years ago
Mara waved her hand at Pak's narrowed eyes. "Relax," she told her friend with a smile. "I promise, no blind dates or anything like that."
If she found someone who might suit Pak, she would arrange for them to meet. Her way. Which was rather a lot more subtle than a blind date. Or even any date at all. Mara had her ways.
Then Pak responded to her comment by informing Mara that she'd had, at the very least, a fling of some sort. She raised her delicate eyebrows.
"Do tell," she said.
It was funny that she and Pak were friends now; what an odd couple they were to be sure. She could never have predicted that she would be walking around Meridian's Mall with one of her father's best friends. Nor could she have guessed they would be having this particular discussion, or that it would be Mara who had most of the relationship experience.
If she found someone who might suit Pak, she would arrange for them to meet. Her way. Which was rather a lot more subtle than a blind date. Or even any date at all. Mara had her ways.
Then Pak responded to her comment by informing Mara that she'd had, at the very least, a fling of some sort. She raised her delicate eyebrows.
"Do tell," she said.
It was funny that she and Pak were friends now; what an odd couple they were to be sure. She could never have predicted that she would be walking around Meridian's Mall with one of her father's best friends. Nor could she have guessed they would be having this particular discussion, or that it would be Mara who had most of the relationship experience.
Pakpao
12 years ago
"And thank god for that, especially since I can't retaliate."
Not that she would have any idea who to set Mara up with. In fact, she wasn't sure how you went about setting people up or why some people felt compelled to do so. Deciding that it just didn't matter Pak moved on.
"It was just..." Pak searched for the right adjective and gave up and went with the first one that popped to mind. "delicious."
Grinning a little self consciously she looked away for a second before continuing.
"A clan mate passing through town I had some car trouble and he was in the right place at the right time. He was very nice, very helpful and I more or less threw myself at him."
That still puzzled Pak slightly. She didn't usually behave like that, thank god Henri hadn't been opposed to it.
Pak wasn't so unrealistic to believe she was in love, but the memory did still give her shivers.
"It really is nice to know that everything still works. I hadn't played that game in a long time. It really is like riding a bicycle."
Even for an former whore semi-courtesan Henri had been able to surprise her a time or two, show her a trick here and there. So it might have been a bit of a souped up bicycle, but it road more or less the same.
Not that she would have any idea who to set Mara up with. In fact, she wasn't sure how you went about setting people up or why some people felt compelled to do so. Deciding that it just didn't matter Pak moved on.
"It was just..." Pak searched for the right adjective and gave up and went with the first one that popped to mind. "delicious."
Grinning a little self consciously she looked away for a second before continuing.
"A clan mate passing through town I had some car trouble and he was in the right place at the right time. He was very nice, very helpful and I more or less threw myself at him."
That still puzzled Pak slightly. She didn't usually behave like that, thank god Henri hadn't been opposed to it.
Pak wasn't so unrealistic to believe she was in love, but the memory did still give her shivers.
"It really is nice to know that everything still works. I hadn't played that game in a long time. It really is like riding a bicycle."
Even for an former whore semi-courtesan Henri had been able to surprise her a time or two, show her a trick here and there. So it might have been a bit of a souped up bicycle, but it road more or less the same.
Mara
12 years ago
Mara chuckled at Pak's lack of retaliation. She was currently full up on lovers. And considering her reticence to take on any at all for so long, she thought she would be well-satisfied with the two she had for a very long time to come. Certainly they had never left her wanting, and on the rare occasion she did not want to participate, she had definitely enjoyed the view.
Pak's little story about the fling with her Clanmate was sweet. "It sounds nice," she said. "No chance for anything to come of it?"
Perhaps he'd been traveling someplace local, they might still be able to see each other. Mara assumed not, since Pak hadn't said as much, but she couldn't always be sure with her Evenhet friend. Pak had a way of hiding her thoughts and feelings that even one such as Mara, with her acute senses and her talent for reading body language, had a hard time getting a read on her.
"A little excitement like that is definitely healthy for you," she said with a nod.
Pak's little story about the fling with her Clanmate was sweet. "It sounds nice," she said. "No chance for anything to come of it?"
Perhaps he'd been traveling someplace local, they might still be able to see each other. Mara assumed not, since Pak hadn't said as much, but she couldn't always be sure with her Evenhet friend. Pak had a way of hiding her thoughts and feelings that even one such as Mara, with her acute senses and her talent for reading body language, had a hard time getting a read on her.
"A little excitement like that is definitely healthy for you," she said with a nod.
Pakpao
12 years ago
Pak laughed even though she wondered if Mara would think badly of her for why nothing could come of it. It didn't seem likely though. Her friend had both Jin -and- Amir so it wasn't as if she could cast many stones, besides Mara was older than she was and that tended to lend itself to a more open minded attitude.
"No, I doubt it. He lives in France and as much as I love France, he is also married."
Henri hadn't hidden that fact and Pak appreciated it. She had liked him well enough that she wouldn't have minded becoming involved with him, but knowing going in that he was married put a different face on their encounter and ultimately kept her from getting hurt. The most she would even consider would be perhaps some day visiting France and paying a call on Henri, and maybe his wife. She was a bit open minded when it came to sex.
"It felt very good, and not just the rolling around but being with some one."
Pak confided. It was getting harder and hard to deny, even to herself, that she was rather lonely. Thank god for the few friends she'd managed to make. Without them she'd either be a total hermit or so miserable she was ready to walk into the sun.
"No, I doubt it. He lives in France and as much as I love France, he is also married."
Henri hadn't hidden that fact and Pak appreciated it. She had liked him well enough that she wouldn't have minded becoming involved with him, but knowing going in that he was married put a different face on their encounter and ultimately kept her from getting hurt. The most she would even consider would be perhaps some day visiting France and paying a call on Henri, and maybe his wife. She was a bit open minded when it came to sex.
"It felt very good, and not just the rolling around but being with some one."
Pak confided. It was getting harder and hard to deny, even to herself, that she was rather lonely. Thank god for the few friends she'd managed to make. Without them she'd either be a total hermit or so miserable she was ready to walk into the sun.