Akahana was intrigued by this offer from Jin and Ran. It appeared that her brother suggested that she might be in the market for a familiar. She had already given it a passing consideration as her roots in the city began to grow. Her businesses would claim all of her time if she allowed them the opportunity but she had far more important things to worry about. A helpful hand, or two, would be a nice change of pace.
Not to mention she had been feeling a little out of sorts and alone since returning to the Anantya fold. Her family welcomed her and it was slowly starting to put back to rights the sense of home that she needed but there was still the disconcerting and overwhelming persona of rebel and outsider that she had maintained for years with Mahesh. Quite often when she was with him she still had to remind herself that his version of her was not who she was.
Being what other people needed was what she did best and it was hard not to be what Mahesh needed. It left her out of sorts and that was lonely.
She had sat down at the bar and waited for Jacob to arrive, interested in seeing him first before he knew that she was there and watching. He looked to have taken special care with his appearance and she approved. He was cute; though he currently looked a little lost.
She smiled when he ordered a coke and thought that was incredibly adorable and also perhaps showed good sense. So far so good.
Standing up, Hana collected her turquoise clutch and made her way to his table. She hadn't dressed as formal as she had the night that she had met Ran but they weren't at a gala event either. The dress was well tailored and expensive, appropriate for both day and night. The coral coloured lace dress was cut just above the knees and had three quarter length sleeves. It was certainly not the most racy thing she had ever worn. A long gold pendant necklace and some gold and turquoise bangles added some extra detail to the simple dress. Tonight her hair was down to soften the over all effect of her attire, making it appear more evening and less day appropriate. She didn't want him to think he was going to a business interview, even though they would most likely discuss that as well.
Sliding into a chair in front of him, Akahana smiled. "Mind if I join you?â€
A Unique Interview (invite only)
Jake smiled shyly at the bar owner, Shades, as he entered the smoky, dimly-lit blue interior of the jazz club. He liked it here. It was a lot more old-fashioned than some of the places Mina favored, which played loud stomping music and made it so you could barely hear anyone around you. Those places had their moments, but Jake could feel the energy of Shades' too, a different kind of life, a different kind of music.
He was nervous tonight because he was meeting a friend of Ran's, a woman who might have use for him, both with accounting and... other things. He was a little worried about the other stuff but Mina seemed happy. More than happy, she seemed thrilled. And Ran was a decent guy, a lot of fun. What attracted Jake was the way he really seemed to take care of Mina. There were no schmoopy comments, no promises of undying love or anything of that nature, but Ran obviously had some affection for Jake's petite blonde friend and showed it.
He wanted to find someone like that, too. Jake wasn't silly enough to think about love... but he'd led a sheltered, strict life and there had been no hugs, no kisses, no words of affection or praise even when he performed well on tests, graduated early, earned scholarships and awards.
He knew what he was getting into would be more complex than a relationship, but he wanted that complexity. He needed to explore, but he wanted a place to belong as well.
He straightened his shirt; he was dressed nicely but not, he hoped, overdressed. Ran seemed to hold Hana in high esteem and had expressed his affection for her. Jake wanted to make a good impression so he was wearing a nice dress shirt tucked into well-fitting jeans, leather shoes, with a leather jacket hung over his arm. It wasn't truly representative of his style, but he was used to wearing many things. Suits when he worked; dress clothes when with his mother; casual clothes for school; punk outfits for clubbing.
Jake found a quiet table in the corner and sat down; the music currently playing was low-key, a gentle swing. He wanted to order a drink, but he had no idea what would be appropriate for this kind of meeting, so he settled for a Coke instead and hoped it wouldn't make him look too... well, lame. For all he knew, Hana wouldn't need the services of a scrawny Asian nerd. He'd try not to get his hopes up.
Akahana Yoshida
11 years ago
Aishe_NPC
11 years ago
Jake looked up when a slim, beautiful woman sat down at the table with him and asked if he minded.
"Oh no, I don't mind, but I'm meeting someone here in just a few..."
He took in her appearance and matched what he saw before him with what Ran had told him of Hana's looks. How many woman could be here tonight, matching the description?
"Are you Akahana?"
Hurriedly he stood, remembering his manners, which he almost never forgot. But Akahana, if that's who she was, was simply stunning. Ran had said she was beautiful, and Ran seemed to be a bit of a connoisseur. She had pretty golden eyes, and incredibly long hair that she hadn't pulled back. She was wearing heels, and she looked taller than him with them on, but he thought she might actually be a little smaller without them. It didn't matter to him, really. His mouth went a little dry, though, and he waited for her to seat herself before taking his own again.
Normally he wouldn't have been so nervous; he wasn't that badly off socially, but he had an inkling of what he was getting into and it was so far away from how he'd been raised that he couldn't help but experience a little anxiety over it. He wanted it, though, if he could find someone who wanted him in return.
Jacob cleared his throat. "I'm sorry... uh, Ran said you were beautiful but he seems to have understated that somewhat. I'm Jacob. Jake, if you prefer."
"Oh no, I don't mind, but I'm meeting someone here in just a few..."
He took in her appearance and matched what he saw before him with what Ran had told him of Hana's looks. How many woman could be here tonight, matching the description?
"Are you Akahana?"
Hurriedly he stood, remembering his manners, which he almost never forgot. But Akahana, if that's who she was, was simply stunning. Ran had said she was beautiful, and Ran seemed to be a bit of a connoisseur. She had pretty golden eyes, and incredibly long hair that she hadn't pulled back. She was wearing heels, and she looked taller than him with them on, but he thought she might actually be a little smaller without them. It didn't matter to him, really. His mouth went a little dry, though, and he waited for her to seat herself before taking his own again.
Normally he wouldn't have been so nervous; he wasn't that badly off socially, but he had an inkling of what he was getting into and it was so far away from how he'd been raised that he couldn't help but experience a little anxiety over it. He wanted it, though, if he could find someone who wanted him in return.
Jacob cleared his throat. "I'm sorry... uh, Ran said you were beautiful but he seems to have understated that somewhat. I'm Jacob. Jake, if you prefer."
Akahana Yoshida
11 years ago
Akahana smiled and gave him a small bow when he stood up and waited for her to be seated. Crossing her legs and taking a sip of her drink, she watched him over the rim of her glass.
"Yes, I am Akahana." She set her drink down and reached a hand across the table for him to shake.
So Ran said she was beautiful? Hana fluttered her eyelashes at Jake when he said that Ran had underestimated that somewhat. "Thank you."
Reaching a hand across toward him, she laid it gently over his hand. "I know this is awkward. I will admit to never having done things this way before myself." There was always a first time for everything, even arranged familiars.
She leaned back in her chair and smiled softly. "I will explain a little about myself and then we can discuss more from there." Hopefully it would put him a little more at ease if she spoke first instead of asking him a barrage of questions.
"I was born in Japan several millennia ago." Akahana spoke softly so that it would be difficult for anyone else further than their table to have a difficult time hearing her voice much less understanding what she said. If someone happened to overhear their conversation then she could always claim to have misunderstood the English word and actually meant to say that she was born a few decades ago. "My parents sent me to live at one of the temples. I lived there for the rest of my...life. I was very ill when my mother found me. Some villagers were blaming the temple for the famine and when they found me, sick and different, they thought I was possessed of a fox spirit. In their "mercy" they decided to beat it out of me and then left me for dead. " Her voice held no anger or sorrow; the event had happened many many years ago. Akahana sighed softly at the folly of mankind and took a sip of her drink before continuing. "I have been many things over the years: a dancer, singer, musician, and geisha. These days I run an escort service and a flower shop, among other things, here in Nachton."
And now it was his turn unless he had some further questions for her. "So, Jacob, tell me about yourself." She smiled at him. "And why you want a relationship with one of my kind."
"Yes, I am Akahana." She set her drink down and reached a hand across the table for him to shake.
So Ran said she was beautiful? Hana fluttered her eyelashes at Jake when he said that Ran had underestimated that somewhat. "Thank you."
Reaching a hand across toward him, she laid it gently over his hand. "I know this is awkward. I will admit to never having done things this way before myself." There was always a first time for everything, even arranged familiars.
She leaned back in her chair and smiled softly. "I will explain a little about myself and then we can discuss more from there." Hopefully it would put him a little more at ease if she spoke first instead of asking him a barrage of questions.
"I was born in Japan several millennia ago." Akahana spoke softly so that it would be difficult for anyone else further than their table to have a difficult time hearing her voice much less understanding what she said. If someone happened to overhear their conversation then she could always claim to have misunderstood the English word and actually meant to say that she was born a few decades ago. "My parents sent me to live at one of the temples. I lived there for the rest of my...life. I was very ill when my mother found me. Some villagers were blaming the temple for the famine and when they found me, sick and different, they thought I was possessed of a fox spirit. In their "mercy" they decided to beat it out of me and then left me for dead. " Her voice held no anger or sorrow; the event had happened many many years ago. Akahana sighed softly at the folly of mankind and took a sip of her drink before continuing. "I have been many things over the years: a dancer, singer, musician, and geisha. These days I run an escort service and a flower shop, among other things, here in Nachton."
And now it was his turn unless he had some further questions for her. "So, Jacob, tell me about yourself." She smiled at him. "And why you want a relationship with one of my kind."
Aishe_NPC
11 years ago
When Akahana gently pressed his hand Jake smiled at her. Ran was right; she did seem kind. His heart thudded in his chest. Could she use him? Even if she needed him just as an accountant... he craved being needed.
"It's okay," he said, trying to ease the awkwardness in his own way. "I do want to learn about you."
He really meant her as a person, not as a vampire. She was captivating. He listened quietly while she spoke, nodding his agreement with her idea, grateful for the ease with which she seemed able to navigate this situation.
Her story raised so many questions, like how she was sick or different. She seemed wonderful to him. He didn't ask her, though, because she made inquiries of him first and he thought it was important to answer her. He wanted to answer her... if she wanted his questions she'd invite them, wouldn't she?
So he addressed the ones she did have, sipping at his soda and taking a moment to organize his thoughts. "Well," he finally said, "I just turned 21 a few months ago. I'll be graduating in a month with my accounting degree. I had a pretty strict upbringing. My mom is Japanese, my dad is French. They've been separated for a while and it's been just me and mom. She's, well... she's pretty tough."
He shrugged his shoulders. His story seemed pretty lame after hearing Akahana's recounting of her own history. Jacob had never been beaten, or abandoned. He always had food and shelter. That was about it, though.
Trying to define his own needs though, and trying to explain why he wanted what he wanted was difficult. He traced the pattern of a water droplet down his glass with his fingertip. "As for this... I don't know if I can explain it. It's appealing to me, I guess. I mean, I need to discover the world, and this is sort of a hell of a way to do it. It's new, and it's kind of fascinating. Okay, really fascinating."
Did she want to know everything? That he'd already been bitten? Twice, actually, and it was... incredible. Better than drugs, not that he'd ever tried. He just wasn't really sure how else to explain his desires and he felt like he had probably failed miserably on that score.
He tried again. "There's something in me, that I'm just starting to figure out. I want... I guess, I want to have someone to please. Nothing I ever did was good enough. I just want to be good enough for someone."
"It's okay," he said, trying to ease the awkwardness in his own way. "I do want to learn about you."
He really meant her as a person, not as a vampire. She was captivating. He listened quietly while she spoke, nodding his agreement with her idea, grateful for the ease with which she seemed able to navigate this situation.
Her story raised so many questions, like how she was sick or different. She seemed wonderful to him. He didn't ask her, though, because she made inquiries of him first and he thought it was important to answer her. He wanted to answer her... if she wanted his questions she'd invite them, wouldn't she?
So he addressed the ones she did have, sipping at his soda and taking a moment to organize his thoughts. "Well," he finally said, "I just turned 21 a few months ago. I'll be graduating in a month with my accounting degree. I had a pretty strict upbringing. My mom is Japanese, my dad is French. They've been separated for a while and it's been just me and mom. She's, well... she's pretty tough."
He shrugged his shoulders. His story seemed pretty lame after hearing Akahana's recounting of her own history. Jacob had never been beaten, or abandoned. He always had food and shelter. That was about it, though.
Trying to define his own needs though, and trying to explain why he wanted what he wanted was difficult. He traced the pattern of a water droplet down his glass with his fingertip. "As for this... I don't know if I can explain it. It's appealing to me, I guess. I mean, I need to discover the world, and this is sort of a hell of a way to do it. It's new, and it's kind of fascinating. Okay, really fascinating."
Did she want to know everything? That he'd already been bitten? Twice, actually, and it was... incredible. Better than drugs, not that he'd ever tried. He just wasn't really sure how else to explain his desires and he felt like he had probably failed miserably on that score.
He tried again. "There's something in me, that I'm just starting to figure out. I want... I guess, I want to have someone to please. Nothing I ever did was good enough. I just want to be good enough for someone."
Akahana Yoshida
11 years ago
Akahana listened to what Jacob had to say, how he said it and what he didn't say. He explained his accomplishments first, which was hardly surprising given the background he just stated. It was also typical of any normal interview. She smiled and waited for him to continue.
She nodded when he said he was part Japanese and part French. It was an interesting mix. The two cultures probably couldn't get more different. The Japanese were known for their tradition and discipline and the French were known for their love of freedom and a rather lax attitude toward life. Laissez-faire said quite a bit about that attitude.
The thought that he might be a very different person had his father been responsible for his upbringing came immediately to mind. Akahana wondered if Jacob thought about that very thing often himself. It was obvious that his relationship with his mother was lacking and probably somewhat strained...at least from his point of view. His mother might believe everything was perfect; if so then there might be a large surprise in her future. She couldn't imagine him continuing to allow her to run his life for him.
If she took him as a familiar that would be her job.
The beginning of Jacob's reasoning for wanting to be a familiar worried her somewhat, as did his age. He was at that stage in modern life where kids find themselves finally able to try new things and to explore what it meant to be adults and true to themselves. That meant that they changed quite a bit in the next few years. Being a familiar was something that was difficult, if not impossible, to pull away from. He needed to know that before becoming one and she needed to make sure he understood fully what he was getting himself into. How much had Ran explained?
His final words of explanation made his reasoning more plain and she felt a little more easy with the possibility of having him as a familiar. Jacob wanted a relationship and he seemed to understand the kind of relationship that a familiar would have to a vampire.
No matter how much love might be involved there was an inequality to it. (though many Evenhet would argue differently she was sure. ) A vampire was not beholden by force to their familiar but the familiar was bound to the vampire by the blood they drank. It was customary and considered good form to take proper care of one's familiars but there were vampires who considered them an expendable steady food source.
"You sound quite wonderful.†She smiled and then continued. "I am sure that you would be more than simply 'good enough' at what ever you put your mind to.†That was obvious from his academic achievement already.
"I just want to be sure that you understand the commitment you are talking about. The bond a familiar has is chemical at first and those chemicals strongly effect your emotions.†Akahana tilted her glass watching the liquid swirl around inside. "those can manifest in many different ways. For instance, my mother's familiars tend to feel a sense of ...awe. It is not hard to understand, many vampires seem to have the same reaction.â€
"Some vampires inspire fear, some guilt...each vampire and human bond is different but I tend to have a...captivating effect on my familiars.†At least that had been the most often effect. Once or twice there had been a more even relationship and once or twice she found herself with a familiar that felt the same sense of awe that Mai's tended to feel.
Leaning forward, she tilted her chin into her palm and rested her elbow on the table. "Perhaps you have some questions? About me or the bond? Or both.â€
((OOC: I started out tagging the other thread but Jin was getting all wordy and I was getting sleepy so I switched. ))
She nodded when he said he was part Japanese and part French. It was an interesting mix. The two cultures probably couldn't get more different. The Japanese were known for their tradition and discipline and the French were known for their love of freedom and a rather lax attitude toward life. Laissez-faire said quite a bit about that attitude.
The thought that he might be a very different person had his father been responsible for his upbringing came immediately to mind. Akahana wondered if Jacob thought about that very thing often himself. It was obvious that his relationship with his mother was lacking and probably somewhat strained...at least from his point of view. His mother might believe everything was perfect; if so then there might be a large surprise in her future. She couldn't imagine him continuing to allow her to run his life for him.
If she took him as a familiar that would be her job.
The beginning of Jacob's reasoning for wanting to be a familiar worried her somewhat, as did his age. He was at that stage in modern life where kids find themselves finally able to try new things and to explore what it meant to be adults and true to themselves. That meant that they changed quite a bit in the next few years. Being a familiar was something that was difficult, if not impossible, to pull away from. He needed to know that before becoming one and she needed to make sure he understood fully what he was getting himself into. How much had Ran explained?
His final words of explanation made his reasoning more plain and she felt a little more easy with the possibility of having him as a familiar. Jacob wanted a relationship and he seemed to understand the kind of relationship that a familiar would have to a vampire.
No matter how much love might be involved there was an inequality to it. (though many Evenhet would argue differently she was sure. ) A vampire was not beholden by force to their familiar but the familiar was bound to the vampire by the blood they drank. It was customary and considered good form to take proper care of one's familiars but there were vampires who considered them an expendable steady food source.
"You sound quite wonderful.†She smiled and then continued. "I am sure that you would be more than simply 'good enough' at what ever you put your mind to.†That was obvious from his academic achievement already.
"I just want to be sure that you understand the commitment you are talking about. The bond a familiar has is chemical at first and those chemicals strongly effect your emotions.†Akahana tilted her glass watching the liquid swirl around inside. "those can manifest in many different ways. For instance, my mother's familiars tend to feel a sense of ...awe. It is not hard to understand, many vampires seem to have the same reaction.â€
"Some vampires inspire fear, some guilt...each vampire and human bond is different but I tend to have a...captivating effect on my familiars.†At least that had been the most often effect. Once or twice there had been a more even relationship and once or twice she found herself with a familiar that felt the same sense of awe that Mai's tended to feel.
Leaning forward, she tilted her chin into her palm and rested her elbow on the table. "Perhaps you have some questions? About me or the bond? Or both.â€
((OOC: I started out tagging the other thread but Jin was getting all wordy and I was getting sleepy so I switched. ))
Aishe_NPC
11 years ago
It was funny Akahana would use the term 'captivating' when he'd been thinking about how captivated he already was by her. "So then," he said, still a little shy and a bit nervous, "I'd feel the way I do now."
He offered her a little grin to show he did understand, he was just teasing a tiny bit. He wasn't trying to make light of the situation, and he knew the sort of effect she was referring to was one that might not have been his natural inclination. How convenient, if it were though. He had had a chance to see Ran's effect on Mina by now, and he actually thought the vampire did her good. Mina had a reckless streak in her, that streak that had prompted her to follow their friend's advice, dragging Jacob along to the House of Pain. It could have gone very, very wrong for one or both of them.
"I understand the commitment. My cousin, Mina, uh... belongs to Ran. I've seen a change in her, but honestly I think he's good for her. He lets her be wild, like she needs to be, but he keeps her safe while she's doing it. If that makes sense. I think, if anything, she's been even more focused on her finals too, because he wants her to be."
She gave him time to ask questions and he pondered. "I'm not sure if there's enough time in the night for all my questions," he admitted. He took a stab at it, though, opting for something less personal than some of the other questions she'd raised.
"Your businesses... where I come in. Would I be expected to, um, serve... others? In any capacity?"
Jake's cheeks grew red when he asked. She ran an escort service, among other things. He had no issues with that. But would he strictly be an accountant? Or would he be put to work elsewhere? And would he care at that point? Also, he wasn't asking just about his skills. He tried to clarify there, too.
"And about my blood," he said, dropping his voice. "I would assume that belongs to you? Do you ever share?"
He mumbled and stammered a little, not sure if he was making a foray into the land of taboo. He took his hands off his soda glass and twisted them together in his lap.
"Is it shameful?" he asked a little suddenly. Surely, with her range of experiences, she'd come across quirks of all kinds. "Is it wrong of me to need this? Or something like it? I've tried dating. But the girls my age are all about equality. And I don't even know how to begin to tell them what I want..."
Dating had been an occasionally embarrassing experience when Jake had found himself on the submissive side of the equation. One of them had even asked him if he was gay, which was what had made him start wondering about guys. That experience had led him to believe that he could pretty easily be bi, and kissing Ran (and, yeah, fooling around with him a little) had confirmed that, but mostly what Jake had discovered was that he wanted an older, more experienced partner who understood that Jake didn't want to be in control.
If his mother knew, she'd die. Or lock him up in his room. He glanced up at Akahana, the thought flitting through his head that he'd be happy to be locked up in his room by her. And that was probably shameful, too, but he just couldn't help it.
He offered her a little grin to show he did understand, he was just teasing a tiny bit. He wasn't trying to make light of the situation, and he knew the sort of effect she was referring to was one that might not have been his natural inclination. How convenient, if it were though. He had had a chance to see Ran's effect on Mina by now, and he actually thought the vampire did her good. Mina had a reckless streak in her, that streak that had prompted her to follow their friend's advice, dragging Jacob along to the House of Pain. It could have gone very, very wrong for one or both of them.
"I understand the commitment. My cousin, Mina, uh... belongs to Ran. I've seen a change in her, but honestly I think he's good for her. He lets her be wild, like she needs to be, but he keeps her safe while she's doing it. If that makes sense. I think, if anything, she's been even more focused on her finals too, because he wants her to be."
She gave him time to ask questions and he pondered. "I'm not sure if there's enough time in the night for all my questions," he admitted. He took a stab at it, though, opting for something less personal than some of the other questions she'd raised.
"Your businesses... where I come in. Would I be expected to, um, serve... others? In any capacity?"
Jake's cheeks grew red when he asked. She ran an escort service, among other things. He had no issues with that. But would he strictly be an accountant? Or would he be put to work elsewhere? And would he care at that point? Also, he wasn't asking just about his skills. He tried to clarify there, too.
"And about my blood," he said, dropping his voice. "I would assume that belongs to you? Do you ever share?"
He mumbled and stammered a little, not sure if he was making a foray into the land of taboo. He took his hands off his soda glass and twisted them together in his lap.
"Is it shameful?" he asked a little suddenly. Surely, with her range of experiences, she'd come across quirks of all kinds. "Is it wrong of me to need this? Or something like it? I've tried dating. But the girls my age are all about equality. And I don't even know how to begin to tell them what I want..."
Dating had been an occasionally embarrassing experience when Jake had found himself on the submissive side of the equation. One of them had even asked him if he was gay, which was what had made him start wondering about guys. That experience had led him to believe that he could pretty easily be bi, and kissing Ran (and, yeah, fooling around with him a little) had confirmed that, but mostly what Jake had discovered was that he wanted an older, more experienced partner who understood that Jake didn't want to be in control.
If his mother knew, she'd die. Or lock him up in his room. He glanced up at Akahana, the thought flitting through his head that he'd be happy to be locked up in his room by her. And that was probably shameful, too, but he just couldn't help it.
Akahana Yoshida
11 years ago
Akahana smiled at Jacob's comment about feeling the way he already felt about her. She wanted to tell him that he might feel differently in a few days if left to his own feelings but that the bond would make him feel differently. However he seemed to understand that.
He went on to explain about Ran's bond with Mina and she listened with interest. She was happy to hear that Ran was convincing the girl to be free but responsible at the same time. It definitely seemed like the kind of thing that he would do based on the person she had met at the gala not too long ago.
She couldn't help but grin and arch an eyebrow at his first question. Taking a sip of her wine, she looked him over with an appraising eye. "Would you like to?†Akahana was interested in hearing the answer to that question but she supplied an answer to his as well.
"You would be mine, not an employee.†She smiled softly, if that offered complete assurance then he didn't fully understand what belonging to a vampire meant. "However that doesn't mean that I might not occasionally want to you service someone...but that would be a special case and as a favor for me. It is quite probable that I would be right there.†She wouldn't leave her familiar alone to have sex with someone else, especially not another vampire, at least not one that wasn't a trained courtesan.
"Would that be something that you couldn't do?†If he didn't think he could handle the occasional act of sex with other people then she simply needed to know. It didn't mean that she wouldn't take him as a familiar; it just meant that she would have to be more careful with him and his role in her life.
"As a familiar, your blood would absolutely belong to me. Sharing with another vampire without my consent would be a crime, for the vampire and for yourself. For the vampire it would be theft and for you, something akin to adultery.†Akahana watched him carefully, did he want to be whored out to a multitude of vampires? Some people enjoyed a vampire's bite so much that they sought it out every chance they got and with any vampire that was willing. That dangerous behavior usually didn't last very long before some over zealous vampire took too much or the human got sick and died.
"I occasionally share, with very special friends but I would be there watching over you, and sharing the experience with you, in most cases.†She might be interested in only watching him with another vampire but most likely if the vampire was worthy of being allowed a taste of her familiar then they were likely worthy of her attention as well. "You aren't a trained courtesan and I wouldn't expect you to act like one.†Akahana gave him an amused grin. "unless you want to be one. I can make sure you have the best training in that area if you wish. How to make women, and men, swoon before you even make it to the bedroom...†And of course she could give him all the training he required to excel in that arena once he had gotten there.
He changed the topic suddenly and asked if his desires were shameful. Akahana stood up from her chair and then walked around to Jacob's side of the table. Kneeling down in front of him, she looked up at him with intense golden eyes. She placed both hands on the sides of his face and answered his fears. "No, it is not shameful to want or need what you are asking for. Every person is an individual and our needs are as unique as we are. How you love and want to be loved is personal to you and the one, or ones, you love and no one else has a right to judge you for it.†And anyone that dared to judge him would answer to her; she had already decided, familiar or not.
"You want to loved and needed. You want to serve and you want it to matter to someone; for them to love you for that service. Yes?â€
Going back around to her sit, Akahana sat down and smiled at him from across the table. "Then you came to the right place.â€
He went on to explain about Ran's bond with Mina and she listened with interest. She was happy to hear that Ran was convincing the girl to be free but responsible at the same time. It definitely seemed like the kind of thing that he would do based on the person she had met at the gala not too long ago.
She couldn't help but grin and arch an eyebrow at his first question. Taking a sip of her wine, she looked him over with an appraising eye. "Would you like to?†Akahana was interested in hearing the answer to that question but she supplied an answer to his as well.
"You would be mine, not an employee.†She smiled softly, if that offered complete assurance then he didn't fully understand what belonging to a vampire meant. "However that doesn't mean that I might not occasionally want to you service someone...but that would be a special case and as a favor for me. It is quite probable that I would be right there.†She wouldn't leave her familiar alone to have sex with someone else, especially not another vampire, at least not one that wasn't a trained courtesan.
"Would that be something that you couldn't do?†If he didn't think he could handle the occasional act of sex with other people then she simply needed to know. It didn't mean that she wouldn't take him as a familiar; it just meant that she would have to be more careful with him and his role in her life.
"As a familiar, your blood would absolutely belong to me. Sharing with another vampire without my consent would be a crime, for the vampire and for yourself. For the vampire it would be theft and for you, something akin to adultery.†Akahana watched him carefully, did he want to be whored out to a multitude of vampires? Some people enjoyed a vampire's bite so much that they sought it out every chance they got and with any vampire that was willing. That dangerous behavior usually didn't last very long before some over zealous vampire took too much or the human got sick and died.
"I occasionally share, with very special friends but I would be there watching over you, and sharing the experience with you, in most cases.†She might be interested in only watching him with another vampire but most likely if the vampire was worthy of being allowed a taste of her familiar then they were likely worthy of her attention as well. "You aren't a trained courtesan and I wouldn't expect you to act like one.†Akahana gave him an amused grin. "unless you want to be one. I can make sure you have the best training in that area if you wish. How to make women, and men, swoon before you even make it to the bedroom...†And of course she could give him all the training he required to excel in that arena once he had gotten there.
He changed the topic suddenly and asked if his desires were shameful. Akahana stood up from her chair and then walked around to Jacob's side of the table. Kneeling down in front of him, she looked up at him with intense golden eyes. She placed both hands on the sides of his face and answered his fears. "No, it is not shameful to want or need what you are asking for. Every person is an individual and our needs are as unique as we are. How you love and want to be loved is personal to you and the one, or ones, you love and no one else has a right to judge you for it.†And anyone that dared to judge him would answer to her; she had already decided, familiar or not.
"You want to loved and needed. You want to serve and you want it to matter to someone; for them to love you for that service. Yes?â€
Going back around to her sit, Akahana sat down and smiled at him from across the table. "Then you came to the right place.â€
Aishe_NPC
11 years ago
Jacob bit his lip when Akahana bluntly asked him his preferences, but awkwardness aside, he appreciated her forthrightness. It was nice to have honesty, even if he wasn't used to having conversations like this with gorgeous vampire women. Surreal, but nice.
"I think so," he said. "Um... both men and women." He ducked his head, embarrassed yet relieved to be able to admit that to someone who wasn't going to censure him for it. "I don't have a lot of experience with either." His lips twisted up as he stated the obvious. Jake wasn't a virgin, but his few experiences had been brief and not horribly romantic.
When Akahana continued to speak he began to meet her eyes more. He was relaxing, given confidence by her words. What she said sounded like exactly the sort of arrangement he would be comfortable with. He didn't mind being shared, especially if it was what she wanted and if she was there. She would be his keeper, and that gave him comfort. It was what he craved, deep inside.
He actually gave a soft, pleased sigh when she addressed his question about blood. He didn't think he would like being passed around like a joint. But as a special favor, yes, he could absolutely accept that. The more she spoke the more he began to think he might actually have found someone who would treat him the way he wanted, who might appreciate him in return. Who might actually care for him, even if it was the way a master cared for his or her beloved dog.
Jacob was more than a little enthralled by her short speech about becoming a courtesan. Could she make him into that sort of person? Could he really become someone who made men and women swoon? "I want to learn," he murmured, his voice barely audible, but he figured she'd probably hear him anyway.
When she moved around the table to kneel in front of him, he felt awkward again because even now it seemed wrong that he should occupy a position like this, seated in a chair while she knelt before him. Her hands, however, were strong but gentle and he looked into her pretty golden eyes while she spoke. He nodded his affirmation of her assessment. Yes, yes, he wanted and needed that. So badly. Just for someone to think he'd done well, to reward him for a job done exactly the way it should be, rather than ignoring his efforts and putting another hurdle in his path.
He felt slightly breathless when Akahana moved away again. Jake wanted to follow her back to her seat and grovel, beg, plead, do whatever it would take to make this happen. He stayed where he was through an act of sheer will.
"Thank you," seemed about the only reasonable thing to say. "For understanding me. I was starting to think no one ever really would."
Even Mina, for all that they were best friends and blood relatives, didn't seem to understand what it was Jake wanted and needed. She was headstrong, stubborn, willful. Jake was the opposite. Oh, he could be stubborn, but those moments were rare and he was usually easy to talk into or out of just about anything.
He wanted to know if he was worth Akahana's time. Was she sitting there, thinking he simply wouldn't work for her? Wanting another kind of person, someone stronger, bigger, better? For all he knew, he was a poor match for her. He wanted to be a good match... he wanted to be useful to her. Ran had been right when he'd said his friend (whoever that was) had had a wonderful idea... she was glorious.
"I think so," he said. "Um... both men and women." He ducked his head, embarrassed yet relieved to be able to admit that to someone who wasn't going to censure him for it. "I don't have a lot of experience with either." His lips twisted up as he stated the obvious. Jake wasn't a virgin, but his few experiences had been brief and not horribly romantic.
When Akahana continued to speak he began to meet her eyes more. He was relaxing, given confidence by her words. What she said sounded like exactly the sort of arrangement he would be comfortable with. He didn't mind being shared, especially if it was what she wanted and if she was there. She would be his keeper, and that gave him comfort. It was what he craved, deep inside.
He actually gave a soft, pleased sigh when she addressed his question about blood. He didn't think he would like being passed around like a joint. But as a special favor, yes, he could absolutely accept that. The more she spoke the more he began to think he might actually have found someone who would treat him the way he wanted, who might appreciate him in return. Who might actually care for him, even if it was the way a master cared for his or her beloved dog.
Jacob was more than a little enthralled by her short speech about becoming a courtesan. Could she make him into that sort of person? Could he really become someone who made men and women swoon? "I want to learn," he murmured, his voice barely audible, but he figured she'd probably hear him anyway.
When she moved around the table to kneel in front of him, he felt awkward again because even now it seemed wrong that he should occupy a position like this, seated in a chair while she knelt before him. Her hands, however, were strong but gentle and he looked into her pretty golden eyes while she spoke. He nodded his affirmation of her assessment. Yes, yes, he wanted and needed that. So badly. Just for someone to think he'd done well, to reward him for a job done exactly the way it should be, rather than ignoring his efforts and putting another hurdle in his path.
He felt slightly breathless when Akahana moved away again. Jake wanted to follow her back to her seat and grovel, beg, plead, do whatever it would take to make this happen. He stayed where he was through an act of sheer will.
"Thank you," seemed about the only reasonable thing to say. "For understanding me. I was starting to think no one ever really would."
Even Mina, for all that they were best friends and blood relatives, didn't seem to understand what it was Jake wanted and needed. She was headstrong, stubborn, willful. Jake was the opposite. Oh, he could be stubborn, but those moments were rare and he was usually easy to talk into or out of just about anything.
He wanted to know if he was worth Akahana's time. Was she sitting there, thinking he simply wouldn't work for her? Wanting another kind of person, someone stronger, bigger, better? For all he knew, he was a poor match for her. He wanted to be a good match... he wanted to be useful to her. Ran had been right when he'd said his friend (whoever that was) had had a wonderful idea... she was glorious.
Akahana Yoshida
11 years ago
The corner of her mouth twitched ever so slightly when Jacob admitted rather cautiously that he was interested in both men and women. At least he understood that about himself; for some that took quite a long time to admit and accept. In truth, Jacob was far more stable and emotionally sound than he thought he was. Barely into his twenties and he already knew that he wanted something specific from a relationship and even had an idea of exactly what that was. Most people took half a life time to figure that out.
She nodded when he said he wanted to learn. "I am happy to teach.†Akahana loved to teach such skills; it was a part of her calling as far as she was concerned. Courtesans, good ones, were a part of a priesthood and the best ones, like her's, were trained to be companions, lovers and therapists. Some might also be trained to be spies but that was an entirely different situation. Someone quick, capable and willing like Jacob with his unique appearance could become a well sought after escort. If he was willing to be one then she would be thrilled to have him. It was hard to find good men to train; more and more men were interested in the occupation but not many of them were as accomplished as they thought they were.
If he didn't want to be an escort then she was still willing to teach him and still willing to have him as a familiar. She would be happy to teach him for his own personal use and it would help him become more comfortable with his own sexual identity and desires during the process.
"You are welcome, Jacob.†Akahana smiled at him and finished her wine. Understanding what he wanted and needed wasn't difficult. He had explained what he wanted and how he felt well enough for her to comprehend him quite nicely.
"Come, I will take you somewhere more intimate.†She stood and turned toward the door. "A surprise I have been working on. You will be one of the first to know.â€
((OOC Akahana out pending response. ))
She nodded when he said he wanted to learn. "I am happy to teach.†Akahana loved to teach such skills; it was a part of her calling as far as she was concerned. Courtesans, good ones, were a part of a priesthood and the best ones, like her's, were trained to be companions, lovers and therapists. Some might also be trained to be spies but that was an entirely different situation. Someone quick, capable and willing like Jacob with his unique appearance could become a well sought after escort. If he was willing to be one then she would be thrilled to have him. It was hard to find good men to train; more and more men were interested in the occupation but not many of them were as accomplished as they thought they were.
If he didn't want to be an escort then she was still willing to teach him and still willing to have him as a familiar. She would be happy to teach him for his own personal use and it would help him become more comfortable with his own sexual identity and desires during the process.
"You are welcome, Jacob.†Akahana smiled at him and finished her wine. Understanding what he wanted and needed wasn't difficult. He had explained what he wanted and how he felt well enough for her to comprehend him quite nicely.
"Come, I will take you somewhere more intimate.†She stood and turned toward the door. "A surprise I have been working on. You will be one of the first to know.â€
((OOC Akahana out pending response. ))
Aishe_NPC
11 years ago
Jacob's heart felt lighter, and he practically trembled with excitement. This was like a dream come true. A relationship, knowledge, a job, all the things he wanted so badly and they were all right at his fingertips. And there was no price to pay, not for him. Some might argue that he was giving up a sense of self or individuality but Jake didn't feel that way at all. He wanted this so very badly.
"I can't wait," he breathed when she said she would enjoy teaching. For all that he'd been brought up in a strict family Jacob had actually enjoyed the rules and formalities impressed upon him by his Japanese mother. He liked learning them, enjoyed the customs, and had always been fascinated by the culture of the geisha.
When Akahana stood and invited him along he did shiver. With anticipation. With excitement. With no small measure of desire. He left the last bit of soda in his glass and stood, following her to the door. There was, of course, someone already there to open it for them but he stood aside so she could proceed him, as any gentleman would. Even if he weren't raised to be mannerly, Akahana just had that way about her. He could hardly wait to get to know her better.
((ooc: both out))
"I can't wait," he breathed when she said she would enjoy teaching. For all that he'd been brought up in a strict family Jacob had actually enjoyed the rules and formalities impressed upon him by his Japanese mother. He liked learning them, enjoyed the customs, and had always been fascinated by the culture of the geisha.
When Akahana stood and invited him along he did shiver. With anticipation. With excitement. With no small measure of desire. He left the last bit of soda in his glass and stood, following her to the door. There was, of course, someone already there to open it for them but he stood aside so she could proceed him, as any gentleman would. Even if he weren't raised to be mannerly, Akahana just had that way about her. He could hardly wait to get to know her better.
((ooc: both out))