Ran raised his brows at Pak. "Yeah, they're real. At least, I've always seen them there. We've known each other for long enough that I'd probably know."
Tristan had worn his tattoo sleeves since the time Ran had met him. Back then, it was real or it was bust. Plus the guy was a Pict - it was sort of standard uniform. Still, Ran wasn't going to go into too much detail. He liked Pak a great deal but he wasn't going to blab about Tristan behind his mate's back.
Not a whole lot.
Like, not a ton.
He could be discreet.
Ran nodded noncommittally when Pak explained how she'd met Tristan. He didn't recognize the name Cris from Pak's immediate acquaintances but that wasn't a big deal. Cris was a pretty common name.
Mina wriggled on his leg and Ran squeezed her tiny waist, trying to instill patience. When Pak asked about Tristan's relationship status Ran cocked his head at her curiously.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I've known him for a long time but we're not that tight. I haven't seen him with anyone, but then again I haven't actually seen him recently at all. You should ask though. Tristan's a good guy."
He had said that before but it bore reiteration. Ran wouldn't always support relationships... and he was certainly no matchmaker. But Pak seemed like she would enjoy being in a relationship. Ran couldn't give that to her. Maybe someday he'd meet a woman who he was ready to be all committed to but... well, it hadn't happened in several hundred years so he wasn't holding his proverbial breath.
Work and Play (Attn: Ran and Pak)
The humans who came into The House of Pain had to really want to be here, at least that was Tristan's thought. Coming in through the sewers and then up twenty floors, this was not something you did on a lark. All for the best really as if you weren't careful you might not walk out again, because although he was careful with his meals not everyone was and he doubted anyone in the club would judge those that weren't.
It wasn't really his favorite place either, fantastic people watching but it was also loud and often crowded and a just not as much fun as it could be. Tristan was an adaptable sort and he settled in to the club well enough, he just didn't seek it out terribly often. He'd ducked in for a quick bite before and would again and he knew it was a good place to hear rumors and running into people there wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Although he'd not been in Nachton long enough for too many people outside of Anantya to be aware that he was here, it was still safer to meet his source here. Bridget Swindoll, a member of the Night in Australia, had a clanless source who'd drifted to Nachton. A rather risky life style choice in Tristan's opinion, but he apparently was making it work, he'd lasted more than a century without any official clan affiliation. It also made him old enough for some younger clanless to look to him for advice so the man heard a lot. Tristan wasn't sure if the man wanted a favor from Bridget or if he owed her one, but he'd given her a bit of a heads up and she'd shared it with Tristan. He was supposed to meet the man here, but he didn't know anything about the guy other than his name was Marcus. He wasn't too worried about it though, Bridge said the man was reliable and he'd be there and he trusted her.
So he'd dressed appropriate for the venue, but not over the top, in tight denim that he'd been told clung in all the right places and faded concert shirt that fit extremely well, he'd not been to the concert and didn't know who the band was, but it was comfortable and good camouflage. He didn't bother hiding his tattoos tonight, they fit in quite well in the club and he typically got a compliment or two on them, tribal work was popular these days and his were the real McCoy. He didn't bother with any other accessories not wanting to compete with the old, old ink. It was amazing that the tattoos hadn't faded over the years. His body, like all vampires, regenerated just about anything you could throw at it, he hadn't anticipated the art work sticking with him all these years. It was oddly comforting that it had though, at least one thing about him didn't change as the years went on.
Carefully avoiding the clan areas he made his way up to the bar, wanting to go as unnoticed as possible he consciously mellowed out his accent, it was still there but only faintly. With Nachton being as cosmopolitan as it was a mild accent didn't raise many eyebrows at all, assuming one could even hear it over the bass in the music. He ordered a beer and lounged up against the bar, well toward the end where he could watch everything that was going on, and there was a lot. A lot of skin, a lot of bumping and grinding, and probably a lot of biting.
As he watched Tristan's brows knit together as he thought he saw someone familiar. It was hard to tell though. It could have been Pakpao, the woman was small and probably Asian with long dark hair, but he hadn't seen her face yet. Tristan smiled to himself for a second allowing himself to remember meeting the Thai vampire. He'd done his best to remember the Elder's cautioning words but they hadn't entirely put him off. He'd even managed to run into her at a lecture at the library. She'd been polite, if not friendly, but had vanished right after the talk before he'd had a chance to suggest going out for a drink. He simply hadn't been able to get a read on if she was interested or not, but he wasn't giving up yet. If it was her it was a shame she was here tonight, chatting her up while working was going to be hard, especially if he wanted to stay approachable.
Still he couldn't help himself, when the woman turned and Tristan was able to confirm it was her, he raised his class to her in greeting. She was dancing with another woman, but she still noticed him and flashed a quick smile, fangs apparent. Given her fangs she was either really into this woman or she was looking for dinner. As the woman turned and was no longer facing Pakpao, Pakpao gestured that she'd be a second. Tristan smiled broadly and nodded. He was stupidly pleased that she had acknowledged him and in a positive light. She wanted to come see him. How the hell was he going to manage this with his meeting? Fuck he hadn't thought this all the way through. Still, he could make it work.
Ran Iyala
10 years ago
Pakpao
10 years ago
If they were real, he'd had to have had them done as a human. Pak figured that made Tristan either relatively old or fairly young. Tattooing, in her mind, was either old or a recent trend. Given Ran's response she was going with the idea that he was old. It would be nice if she could just hand him a questionnaire and review the responses and run a background check.
It occurred to Pak that she shouldn't be this paranoid. She hadn't been that badly wounded, she hadn't fail at romance too badly too often, she should be able to take something of a risk. It didn't make sense that she was so hesitant and holding back like she was. She was an idiot, she knew it but she couldn't stop it. Maybe she should have her head examined.
Pak hadn't bothered to order a drink and noticing Mina teasing Ran, trying to convey her anxiousness to be gone Pak swore she wouldn't keep her friend much longer. He'd come out to play with his familiar, not play agony aunt. Besides, given his own admission that he wasn't much for relationships it was likely she'd be better off talking to Mara or Kem and/or Aishe. They were all in apparently successful stable relationships and would be in a better position to advise her.
Since she hadn't even been asked out though, Pak realized she just might be jumping the gun here.
"You think he's interested, maybe... a little?â€
If she could get that much reassurance Pak thought she'd be able to open up a little, she might even ask him out. Although that question was serious, her next was playful.
"You'll growl at him if he's rude about shooting me down?â€
He was hardly going to stomp on her heart at this point. They weren't madly in love, just circling each other trying to asses the situation. So there was no point in asking, even in a teasing manner, if Ran would do more than growl or maybe glower. That was all she'd ask though.
It occurred to Pak that she shouldn't be this paranoid. She hadn't been that badly wounded, she hadn't fail at romance too badly too often, she should be able to take something of a risk. It didn't make sense that she was so hesitant and holding back like she was. She was an idiot, she knew it but she couldn't stop it. Maybe she should have her head examined.
Pak hadn't bothered to order a drink and noticing Mina teasing Ran, trying to convey her anxiousness to be gone Pak swore she wouldn't keep her friend much longer. He'd come out to play with his familiar, not play agony aunt. Besides, given his own admission that he wasn't much for relationships it was likely she'd be better off talking to Mara or Kem and/or Aishe. They were all in apparently successful stable relationships and would be in a better position to advise her.
Since she hadn't even been asked out though, Pak realized she just might be jumping the gun here.
"You think he's interested, maybe... a little?â€
If she could get that much reassurance Pak thought she'd be able to open up a little, she might even ask him out. Although that question was serious, her next was playful.
"You'll growl at him if he's rude about shooting me down?â€
He was hardly going to stomp on her heart at this point. They weren't madly in love, just circling each other trying to asses the situation. So there was no point in asking, even in a teasing manner, if Ran would do more than growl or maybe glower. That was all she'd ask though.
Ran Iyala
10 years ago
Ran really was trying to be a good friend, but it was hard to concentrate when Mina was grinding on his leg like this. He bit his own lip and listened to Pak's words, unaccustomed to her insecurity. She must have it bad for Tristan. He hadn't thought they knew each other that well.
"Eh? Didn't I say he seemed interested? The whole rain check thing? I doubt he'd bother with that if he weren't interested. Besides, he came onto you. I don't know him that well but I don't think he and I are all that alike in that respect."
Ran was pretty sure Tristan had a different dynamic when it came to relationships. Ran was definitely not the commitment man, and Tristan might not be either but Ran would have put money on Tristan being more for it than Ran was.
He snorted at Pak, then gave a soft, reconciled moan and leaned down to gently bite Mina's neck, a promise for the near future. She whimpered softly and squirmed in Ran's lap.
"Sure. I'll growl at him for you if he's rude, but he won't be, because a, he won't shoot you down and b, he's not a rude person from what I've seen."
Was Pak blind and deaf? The guy was clearly interested. Why was she so set on talking herself down? How the hell had she gotten any work as a prostitute that way? She was like the Eeyore of prostitutes. Oh, okay, if you want to fuck, that would be all right, but it's okay if you say no. I'm used to it. No one wants me anyway.
Nobody wanted to screw Eeyore.
And Ran was quite possibly becoming distracted by Mina, which meant he wasn't giving Pak the attention she deserved. He allowed himself to be tugged from the barstool and cast Pak an apologetic grin. "Pak. Sorry. He's not gonna shoot you down. Totally gonna growl. Just... getting really thirsty now."
Mina was tugging him toward the back rooms and Ran wasn't really inclined to say no, since he'd come here to meet her and had just happily bumped into Pak. He could make it up to her...
((Ran only temporarily out.))
"Eh? Didn't I say he seemed interested? The whole rain check thing? I doubt he'd bother with that if he weren't interested. Besides, he came onto you. I don't know him that well but I don't think he and I are all that alike in that respect."
Ran was pretty sure Tristan had a different dynamic when it came to relationships. Ran was definitely not the commitment man, and Tristan might not be either but Ran would have put money on Tristan being more for it than Ran was.
He snorted at Pak, then gave a soft, reconciled moan and leaned down to gently bite Mina's neck, a promise for the near future. She whimpered softly and squirmed in Ran's lap.
"Sure. I'll growl at him for you if he's rude, but he won't be, because a, he won't shoot you down and b, he's not a rude person from what I've seen."
Was Pak blind and deaf? The guy was clearly interested. Why was she so set on talking herself down? How the hell had she gotten any work as a prostitute that way? She was like the Eeyore of prostitutes. Oh, okay, if you want to fuck, that would be all right, but it's okay if you say no. I'm used to it. No one wants me anyway.
Nobody wanted to screw Eeyore.
And Ran was quite possibly becoming distracted by Mina, which meant he wasn't giving Pak the attention she deserved. He allowed himself to be tugged from the barstool and cast Pak an apologetic grin. "Pak. Sorry. He's not gonna shoot you down. Totally gonna growl. Just... getting really thirsty now."
Mina was tugging him toward the back rooms and Ran wasn't really inclined to say no, since he'd come here to meet her and had just happily bumped into Pak. He could make it up to her...
((Ran only temporarily out.))
Pakpao
10 years ago
Apparently one should not pump their 'uncle' for information when his allures and apparently horny familiar was more or less humping his leg. Pak understood why Ran was distracted but it was a bit hard to have a sensible conversation with him this way and she certainly couldn't go into detail this way. Not that the HoP was the right place for this any way. As much as she liked Ran, he really was a good friend, Pak was starting to realize he was the wrong person to talk to as well.
She wasn't hurt or offended or even worried about it really. It simply was what it was. In the meantime it might be best to keep this whole situation to herself until she sorted it out.
Later though. It could be worked out later.
Now Pak hid a laugh behind her hand.
"Yeah. You're starving. Haven't eaten in days."
Her eyes danced as she teased him. Pak made no effort to stop, distract, or even slow Ran and Mina down. They had an evening planned and she wasn't part of it.
"We'll talk later."
Pak agreed as they left. With Ran gone and Tristan gone and as she'd already feed and hadn't ordered a drink it didn't take Pak long to decide to excuse herself and head back to the towers.
((Ooc... Pak out))
She wasn't hurt or offended or even worried about it really. It simply was what it was. In the meantime it might be best to keep this whole situation to herself until she sorted it out.
Later though. It could be worked out later.
Now Pak hid a laugh behind her hand.
"Yeah. You're starving. Haven't eaten in days."
Her eyes danced as she teased him. Pak made no effort to stop, distract, or even slow Ran and Mina down. They had an evening planned and she wasn't part of it.
"We'll talk later."
Pak agreed as they left. With Ran gone and Tristan gone and as she'd already feed and hadn't ordered a drink it didn't take Pak long to decide to excuse herself and head back to the towers.
((Ooc... Pak out))
Tristan
10 years ago
It had been a good meet, Marcus had been just as informative and helpful as Bridget had said. The man had a clock stopping African accent, which had made communicating a little bit slower than he'd have liked. Still Tristan now know that Alfred was in Nachton, knew he was recruiting, both for a new lab and to take revenge on Bao. The man was a little focused and a touch nuts. Not healthy at all.
He let Marcus leave the back room first and took a few minutes to type some notes into his phone. Tristan would have liked to just keep things in his head but he knew better than to trust himself with these kind of details. With what he had from Marcus they'd be able to stop Alfred, the only question would be take him alive and let the Clan handle things officially or just have things go a bit wrong and make sure Alfred never had a chance a 'justice'. Tristan favored the later, He owed Fadil the satisfaction of knowing his youngest had been avenged. Personally..
Tucking his phone back in his pocket, a bit of a challenge given how tight the damned jeans were, he stretched and left the room. Tristan wondered about stopping for another beer, maybe a bite to eat. Maybe Pakpao was out there too. That would be nice. He doubted it, but it would be nice.
Just as he slid out of one room he caught sight of Ran leaving another. His fellow Nightsman was saying he'd be right back. That was... unexpected. Ran had been there with his familiar so him being back here wasn't a surprise at all. Tristan wouldn't have thought anything about it at all, except Ran had also been with Pak. Were all three of them playing together?
He was kind of jealous if they were.
Not that he was into Ran but....
Mina was adorable, but he wasn't really interested in her. Sad really. He shouldn't be so intrigued by one woman this fast.
"What you can't get a waitress back there? No call buttons?â€
He asked in a joking manner. The words were out before he could think better of it. Really Ran should be left to his own devices, everyone deserved a little bit of privacy and it wasn't any of his business if Ran was back there with Mina, Pakpao, Mina and Pakpao, Mina, Pakpao and the whole of the Nachton symphony orchestra. Although that last one might be a violation of the fire code.
He let Marcus leave the back room first and took a few minutes to type some notes into his phone. Tristan would have liked to just keep things in his head but he knew better than to trust himself with these kind of details. With what he had from Marcus they'd be able to stop Alfred, the only question would be take him alive and let the Clan handle things officially or just have things go a bit wrong and make sure Alfred never had a chance a 'justice'. Tristan favored the later, He owed Fadil the satisfaction of knowing his youngest had been avenged. Personally..
Tucking his phone back in his pocket, a bit of a challenge given how tight the damned jeans were, he stretched and left the room. Tristan wondered about stopping for another beer, maybe a bite to eat. Maybe Pakpao was out there too. That would be nice. He doubted it, but it would be nice.
Just as he slid out of one room he caught sight of Ran leaving another. His fellow Nightsman was saying he'd be right back. That was... unexpected. Ran had been there with his familiar so him being back here wasn't a surprise at all. Tristan wouldn't have thought anything about it at all, except Ran had also been with Pak. Were all three of them playing together?
He was kind of jealous if they were.
Not that he was into Ran but....
Mina was adorable, but he wasn't really interested in her. Sad really. He shouldn't be so intrigued by one woman this fast.
"What you can't get a waitress back there? No call buttons?â€
He asked in a joking manner. The words were out before he could think better of it. Really Ran should be left to his own devices, everyone deserved a little bit of privacy and it wasn't any of his business if Ran was back there with Mina, Pakpao, Mina and Pakpao, Mina, Pakpao and the whole of the Nachton symphony orchestra. Although that last one might be a violation of the fire code.
Ran Iyala
10 years ago
Ran slipped out of the door leading away from the private room. Inside, Mina lay sprawled and sated on the shining satiny comforter. Ran felt pretty sated himself, in more ways than one, and he knew his familiar would be safe in the private room while he left to get her a drink. The familiar voice behind him as he closed the door was unexpected but amused.
He clicked the door closed, checked to make sure it was firmly shut, and turned to smile softly at Tristan. "Hey, she's in law school," he said. "The club is one thing but I'm not going to risk her career."
Even the club at the HoP was a dicey proposition. It wasn't exactly upper class. But while being seen in the club might raise a few eyebrows, Mina's presence in the back rooms could definitely smear her reputation. Given that the girl had just selflessly shared both her blood and her body with him, Ran wasn't opposed to going to get her a drink himself.
He shrugged his shoulders at his Clanmate as he turned into the hallway. "She's a sweetheart," he added. "I'm not above coddling her a little. Besides, she's worn the hell out now."
He gave Tristan a cheeky grin. He'd have shown off a little bit, but the bloody furrows Mina had left in his shoulder blades with her nails had already healed over, leaving, at most, faint pink lines which would be gone by the time he returned to her. Ran loved it rough and Mina knew how to oblige, especially after their being together for months now.
He glanced down the hallway, noting that Tristan was alone. "Done with business?"
He clicked the door closed, checked to make sure it was firmly shut, and turned to smile softly at Tristan. "Hey, she's in law school," he said. "The club is one thing but I'm not going to risk her career."
Even the club at the HoP was a dicey proposition. It wasn't exactly upper class. But while being seen in the club might raise a few eyebrows, Mina's presence in the back rooms could definitely smear her reputation. Given that the girl had just selflessly shared both her blood and her body with him, Ran wasn't opposed to going to get her a drink himself.
He shrugged his shoulders at his Clanmate as he turned into the hallway. "She's a sweetheart," he added. "I'm not above coddling her a little. Besides, she's worn the hell out now."
He gave Tristan a cheeky grin. He'd have shown off a little bit, but the bloody furrows Mina had left in his shoulder blades with her nails had already healed over, leaving, at most, faint pink lines which would be gone by the time he returned to her. Ran loved it rough and Mina knew how to oblige, especially after their being together for months now.
He glanced down the hallway, noting that Tristan was alone. "Done with business?"
Tristan
10 years ago
Even though it was none of his business and he knew it Tristan couldn't help but wonder who the 'she' Ran was referring to was. His first thought was Pakpao but that obviously didn't jive with the law school comment. Even if Pakpao wanted to be a lawyer she was undoubtedly savvy enough to take care of her own reputation. So it must be his familiar.
He didn't want to be, but Tristan was relieved. He had to get the hell over this.
Tristan dragged his mind back to conversation. He grinned back at Ran. It might be at bit locker room but no one was being crude and he wasn't a prude so, no worries.
"If she's that worn out the -least- you can do is bring her a drink."
If Ran had totally ignored his familiar and her needs Tristan would have thought him an irresponsible cad, maybe even something worse. Familiars were a privilege not a right.
"For now."
He answered.
"There is more to come but that's enough for one night. All work and no play or whatever that cliche is."
Truthfully Tristan would probably go back to the Manor organize his notes and come up with the next step and he did have some student papers to look over. He'd left Oz so fast he hadn't taken an official sabbatical or leave of absence so things job wise were a little sticky.
He'd sort it out eventually or he wouldn't and he'd get a new job. The only ones he felt for were the students.
"You fished playing for the night or should we leave the light on for you?"
He cheerfully turned the question around on Ran. If the answer happened to tell him if Pakpao was still here so much the better.
He didn't want to be, but Tristan was relieved. He had to get the hell over this.
Tristan dragged his mind back to conversation. He grinned back at Ran. It might be at bit locker room but no one was being crude and he wasn't a prude so, no worries.
"If she's that worn out the -least- you can do is bring her a drink."
If Ran had totally ignored his familiar and her needs Tristan would have thought him an irresponsible cad, maybe even something worse. Familiars were a privilege not a right.
"For now."
He answered.
"There is more to come but that's enough for one night. All work and no play or whatever that cliche is."
Truthfully Tristan would probably go back to the Manor organize his notes and come up with the next step and he did have some student papers to look over. He'd left Oz so fast he hadn't taken an official sabbatical or leave of absence so things job wise were a little sticky.
He'd sort it out eventually or he wouldn't and he'd get a new job. The only ones he felt for were the students.
"You fished playing for the night or should we leave the light on for you?"
He cheerfully turned the question around on Ran. If the answer happened to tell him if Pakpao was still here so much the better.
Tristan
10 years ago
Even though it was none of his business and he knew it Tristan couldn't help but wonder who the 'she' Ran was referring to was. His first thought was Pakpao but that obviously didn't jive with the law school comment. Even if Pakpao wanted to be a lawyer she was undoubtedly savvy enough to take care of her own reputation. So it must be his familiar.
He didn't want to be, but Tristan was relieved. He had to get the hell over this.
Tristan dragged his mind back to conversation. He grinned back at Ran. It might be at bit locker room but no one was being crude and he wasn't a prude so, no worries.
"If she's that worn out the -least- you can do is bring her a drink."
If Ran had totally ignored his familiar and her needs Tristan would have thought him an irresponsible cad, maybe even something worse. Familiars were a privilege not a right.
"For now."
He answered.
"There is more to come but that's enough for one night. All work and no play or whatever that cliche is."
Truthfully Tristan would probably go back to the Manor organize his notes and come up with the next step and he did have some student papers to look over. He'd left Oz so fast he hadn't taken an official sabbatical or leave of absence so things job wise were a little sticky.
He'd sort it out eventually or he wouldn't and he'd get a new job. The only ones he felt for were the students.
"You fished playing for the night or should we leave the light on for you?"
He cheerfully turned the question around on Ran. If the answer happened to tell him if Pakpao was still here so much the better.
He didn't want to be, but Tristan was relieved. He had to get the hell over this.
Tristan dragged his mind back to conversation. He grinned back at Ran. It might be at bit locker room but no one was being crude and he wasn't a prude so, no worries.
"If she's that worn out the -least- you can do is bring her a drink."
If Ran had totally ignored his familiar and her needs Tristan would have thought him an irresponsible cad, maybe even something worse. Familiars were a privilege not a right.
"For now."
He answered.
"There is more to come but that's enough for one night. All work and no play or whatever that cliche is."
Truthfully Tristan would probably go back to the Manor organize his notes and come up with the next step and he did have some student papers to look over. He'd left Oz so fast he hadn't taken an official sabbatical or leave of absence so things job wise were a little sticky.
He'd sort it out eventually or he wouldn't and he'd get a new job. The only ones he felt for were the students.
"You fished playing for the night or should we leave the light on for you?"
He cheerfully turned the question around on Ran. If the answer happened to tell him if Pakpao was still here so much the better.
Ran Iyala
10 years ago
Ran scoffed at Tristan. "Of course I wore her out."
His Clanmate claimed to be finished with his business and Ran nodded, Pak popping into his head for some reason. He liked her. They were friends. And she was obviously kind of hung up on Tristan.
"Pak left I think," he said. "You missed your shot tonight."
He watched Tristan's face for any sign of a reaction; they were both able to school their faces quite readily. Perhaps more people would expect that of the older Nightsman than of Ran, but just because Ran preferred to be loud and brash didn't mean he'd never learned the subtle aspects of his trade. He had.
"I could give you her number."
He just preferred not to employ them when at all possible.
Ran headed down the hall out toward the main club area and the bar with Tristan, assuming his Clanmate would follow since he had said he was getting Mina a drink. He didn't intend to make his familiar wait all night, after all. And he was planning to take her back home sometime soon, after they both recovered. From round two.
His Clanmate claimed to be finished with his business and Ran nodded, Pak popping into his head for some reason. He liked her. They were friends. And she was obviously kind of hung up on Tristan.
"Pak left I think," he said. "You missed your shot tonight."
He watched Tristan's face for any sign of a reaction; they were both able to school their faces quite readily. Perhaps more people would expect that of the older Nightsman than of Ran, but just because Ran preferred to be loud and brash didn't mean he'd never learned the subtle aspects of his trade. He had.
"I could give you her number."
He just preferred not to employ them when at all possible.
Ran headed down the hall out toward the main club area and the bar with Tristan, assuming his Clanmate would follow since he had said he was getting Mina a drink. He didn't intend to make his familiar wait all night, after all. And he was planning to take her back home sometime soon, after they both recovered. From round two.
Tristan
10 years ago
Fuck. Tristan wasn't sure if he was more irritated that Ran had read him quite correctly or that Pakpao had left. It could have been either and was probably both.
Although they hadn't worked together often Tristan did know Ran well enough not to under estimate him. Behind the flamboyant personality and appearance there was a great deal of skill. Still that didn't mean he wasn't being a bit obvious. Tristan still rather wanted to kick himself. He needed to keep his mind on work. Find Alfred either kill him or turn him over to the clan and then back home to Australia. No where in that plan was there room for any kind of relationship. He wasn't above a one night stand or a fling though and there was nothing that said he couldn't enjoy himself a bit while on this business trip. So he let his disappointment show.
"Teach me to try and mix business and pleasure.â€
Following along behind Ran he debated a second brew and quickly rejected it. Ran was here with or for his familiar they weren't super tight he'd not way lay his clan mate even for just a chat. Nope he'd just get on with what he had to do.
Still he laughed when Ran offered to drop Pakpao his number. The blue haired Nightsman sounded like one of his students trying to help out a mate with a rather elusive member of the opposite sex. His students would be on the floor laughing if they knew that even the hunky hipster, as he'd been dub by a few of them, Professor Alpin had trouble getting a date. Tristan himself might not have been on the floor laughing but he was rather amused by the situation.
Letting Ran give Pakpao his number seemed to be maybe just a bit desperate, not much just a tiny bit. Of course he'd promised Pakpao a rain check as well so this would just be making good on his promise and it was less aggressive than asking Ran for her number and he wasn't going to rely on chance meetings to get any where.
"I wouldn't say no to a bit of help, if you think she'd not mind... maybe even call.â€
Since he'd been flirting pretty hard and then disappeared Tristan suspected that he might have sent a bit of a mixed signal earlier. Not everyone appreciated or understood that. Pakpao had also seemed rather comfortable, if not affectionate with Ran, so he'd probably know how badly he'd put his foot in it.
"She wasn't too pissed I took off like that was she? I didn't want to but... you know how it is. It was that or lose my source.â€
Marcus hadn't been happy that Tristan had stalled as long as he had. It had taken a few minutes to smooth ruffled feathers there. It had been well worth it for the information he'd gotten though.
Although they hadn't worked together often Tristan did know Ran well enough not to under estimate him. Behind the flamboyant personality and appearance there was a great deal of skill. Still that didn't mean he wasn't being a bit obvious. Tristan still rather wanted to kick himself. He needed to keep his mind on work. Find Alfred either kill him or turn him over to the clan and then back home to Australia. No where in that plan was there room for any kind of relationship. He wasn't above a one night stand or a fling though and there was nothing that said he couldn't enjoy himself a bit while on this business trip. So he let his disappointment show.
"Teach me to try and mix business and pleasure.â€
Following along behind Ran he debated a second brew and quickly rejected it. Ran was here with or for his familiar they weren't super tight he'd not way lay his clan mate even for just a chat. Nope he'd just get on with what he had to do.
Still he laughed when Ran offered to drop Pakpao his number. The blue haired Nightsman sounded like one of his students trying to help out a mate with a rather elusive member of the opposite sex. His students would be on the floor laughing if they knew that even the hunky hipster, as he'd been dub by a few of them, Professor Alpin had trouble getting a date. Tristan himself might not have been on the floor laughing but he was rather amused by the situation.
Letting Ran give Pakpao his number seemed to be maybe just a bit desperate, not much just a tiny bit. Of course he'd promised Pakpao a rain check as well so this would just be making good on his promise and it was less aggressive than asking Ran for her number and he wasn't going to rely on chance meetings to get any where.
"I wouldn't say no to a bit of help, if you think she'd not mind... maybe even call.â€
Since he'd been flirting pretty hard and then disappeared Tristan suspected that he might have sent a bit of a mixed signal earlier. Not everyone appreciated or understood that. Pakpao had also seemed rather comfortable, if not affectionate with Ran, so he'd probably know how badly he'd put his foot in it.
"She wasn't too pissed I took off like that was she? I didn't want to but... you know how it is. It was that or lose my source.â€
Marcus hadn't been happy that Tristan had stalled as long as he had. It had taken a few minutes to smooth ruffled feathers there. It had been well worth it for the information he'd gotten though.
Ran Iyala
10 years ago
Ran raised his eyebrows at Tristan, knowing his words had been a statement and not a request.
"Well okay, I can do that."
No one mixed business and pleasure better than Ran. Really. No one. It was kind of his thing. He flashed Tristan a grin, knowing he was being cocky (also kind of his thing). It was all in fun though, and he knew Tristan's sense of humor could handle him.
As they reached the bar and Ran asked for a bottle of water, he watched Tristan's expressions carefully. Mostly, though, he just chuckled at his words again.
"Pissed? She wasn't pissed," he scoffed. Pak might be prickly sometimes but true anger wasn't something he saw from her a lot. "She wants to see you, so she was kind of disappointed you didn't stick around but I got your back. Told her you had a work thing happening."
He shrugged. Matchmaker totally wasn't his bag. Beating around the bush wasn't either. He'd been honest with Pak and he was being honest with Tristan. If they both wanted to hook up, they should hook up. Life didn't need to be complicated. Ran dealt with enough complicated in the Order of the Night. He didn't need complicated in his personal life.
He took his bottle of water for Mina and raised a brow at Tristan again. "I wouldn't wait too long," he cautioned. "Pak can be kind of... insecure sometimes. You leave her stewing, she's more likely to think you don't like her. Ok?"
With that bit of advice, he turned to go. "Oh yeah. Have fun."
((ooc: Ran out, but he will either take Tristan's number or give him Pak's before he leaves, whichever.
))
"Well okay, I can do that."
No one mixed business and pleasure better than Ran. Really. No one. It was kind of his thing. He flashed Tristan a grin, knowing he was being cocky (also kind of his thing). It was all in fun though, and he knew Tristan's sense of humor could handle him.
As they reached the bar and Ran asked for a bottle of water, he watched Tristan's expressions carefully. Mostly, though, he just chuckled at his words again.
"Pissed? She wasn't pissed," he scoffed. Pak might be prickly sometimes but true anger wasn't something he saw from her a lot. "She wants to see you, so she was kind of disappointed you didn't stick around but I got your back. Told her you had a work thing happening."
He shrugged. Matchmaker totally wasn't his bag. Beating around the bush wasn't either. He'd been honest with Pak and he was being honest with Tristan. If they both wanted to hook up, they should hook up. Life didn't need to be complicated. Ran dealt with enough complicated in the Order of the Night. He didn't need complicated in his personal life.
He took his bottle of water for Mina and raised a brow at Tristan again. "I wouldn't wait too long," he cautioned. "Pak can be kind of... insecure sometimes. You leave her stewing, she's more likely to think you don't like her. Ok?"
With that bit of advice, he turned to go. "Oh yeah. Have fun."
((ooc: Ran out, but he will either take Tristan's number or give him Pak's before he leaves, whichever.
))