Dayle cracked an evil grin. "You never know, she might want to take you back home to meet Mum and Dad."
"Truthfully there are periods of 'where did -that- come from?' in relation to her, but they're fewer and further between." Dayle smiled at her sister. "Moments like that, when I figure her out, make me feel closer to her."
Lots of New Friends
The phone rang in the middle of the commercials. It was a boring American beer commercial, and Dayle wasn't too annoyed.
When the heavy British accent flowed out of the receiver, Dayle heard her own laughing echoing off the walls of the kitchen.
"Hello Mum."
"Greetings Blissot!"
"Mum, call me Dayle, please? I've asked you for years..."
"I know you have, poppet, but you do realize that I've been your mother for longer than you've needed a less strange name?"
"Mum, do you know how many people know what Blissot means anymore? Probably only folks who know Olde English and maybe people who pay attention in their language classes."
"Speaking of Olde English, I'm not calling you too late, am I dear?"
"No Mum, we're five hours behind you."
"You know I'd rather you be getting good sleep than worrying about the time."
"Thank you, Mum, I do try to keep my sleep patterns regular."
"Glad to hear it. You know I do still worry about you. How are you? How's your sister?"
"We're fine, Mum, we're both working now and ..." Dayle realized maybe she shouldn't tell Elsa about Ysabel's boyfriend. "It's quite a lovely city. Much more open than London, wider streets. Less rain, but we do have hurricane warnings."
"Oh, dear. Now that you've told me that you know I'll worry more than I already have."
"Mum, be serious. Just because your daughters moved to the other side of the pond -" she made a mock gasp "- and are living near and among Colonials doesn't mean we're destined for some nasty end."
"Don't be flippant with me, girl-"
"Mum. Flippant is my middle name. You should know that by now." She held her tongue in check, knowing the conversation was only going to become a mudslinging match. "How's Father? Still off on his Asian tour?"
"Oh, he's fine, he rang me earlier. Found himself a nice geisha to play with while he was there. He said the Japanese blood is a bit thinner than we're used to but the texture's quite different. Must be all the different food they eat. You remember Mrs. Hodges? Amelia, the upstairs maid? She died last week, had a heart attack while cleaning the Armory. I don't know why she insisted upon doing it, she couldn't even barely open the door let alone pick up the swords to dust them..."
"Oh, Mum, I'm so sorry. I know she was one of our oldest living familiars... Did she have any kin?"
"None that have come forward. We've put out the usual inquiries but she was over fifty years older than most of her kin would expect to remember."
"Well, I hope you find someone."
"We shall. If we don't, we'll manage. I suppose I could learn what some of the new cleaners do, instead of hiring someone for a few years."
Pursing her lips to prevent herself from laughing again, Dayle simply replied, "Whatever you think will work, Mother."
Dayle
17 years ago
Ambrose
17 years ago
“Meet the folks?”
Ambrose made a very odd almost thoughtful but clearly reluctant face.
It must have been something ingrained in the Y chromosome. Meeting the parents never sounded like a good idea. Not when he was human and sure as hell not now, maybe even less so as the parents in question weren’t mortals.
‘So how did you two meet?’ ‘I was hungry and she looked like a good snack.’ That would go over brilliantly.
“Some how I didn’t think I’d ever have to worry about that again.”
He’d work on ways to get out of that later, if it came up, which it probably would.
“I like those moments, they keep me on my toes.”
Although he’d never say so he also thought, they were rather special. Because he doubted that everyone got to see them, in fact Ambrose was willing to bed very few people did.
Ambrose made a very odd almost thoughtful but clearly reluctant face.
It must have been something ingrained in the Y chromosome. Meeting the parents never sounded like a good idea. Not when he was human and sure as hell not now, maybe even less so as the parents in question weren’t mortals.
‘So how did you two meet?’ ‘I was hungry and she looked like a good snack.’ That would go over brilliantly.
“Some how I didn’t think I’d ever have to worry about that again.”
He’d work on ways to get out of that later, if it came up, which it probably would.
“I like those moments, they keep me on my toes.”
Although he’d never say so he also thought, they were rather special. Because he doubted that everyone got to see them, in fact Ambrose was willing to bed very few people did.
Ysabel
17 years ago
Any number of pert remarks went through Ysabel's head as her sister and her lover continued to banter back and forth at her expense. She held her tongue, however, well aware that for Dayle and Ambrose she was the most obvious common ground. She enjoyed hearing them chat and seeing them together, and if that meant she must be the subject matter, then so be it.
She almost dipped another strawberry into her wineglass absently, but thought better of it after remembering Ambrose's reaction to it. Instead she nibbled demurely and went after something less suggestive, like a broccoli floret.
Ysabel did smile widely at the idea of bringing Ambrose to England to visit Richard and Elsa. "You know, I'm not sure who would be more shocked at the notion," she said as she regarded Dayle with arched brows. Both their parents had rather rigid notions about who they considered acceptable for their daughters, not because they feared Ysabel or Dayle would be treated badly, but because they expected all suitors to measure up to their rather exacting standards in other areas.
Ysabel, always the obedient child, always the one who made few waves, was suddenly somewhat tempted to see what her parents might think of Ambrose, the very first lover she'd ever really chosen for herself. It was intriguing.
She almost dipped another strawberry into her wineglass absently, but thought better of it after remembering Ambrose's reaction to it. Instead she nibbled demurely and went after something less suggestive, like a broccoli floret.
Ysabel did smile widely at the idea of bringing Ambrose to England to visit Richard and Elsa. "You know, I'm not sure who would be more shocked at the notion," she said as she regarded Dayle with arched brows. Both their parents had rather rigid notions about who they considered acceptable for their daughters, not because they feared Ysabel or Dayle would be treated badly, but because they expected all suitors to measure up to their rather exacting standards in other areas.
Ysabel, always the obedient child, always the one who made few waves, was suddenly somewhat tempted to see what her parents might think of Ambrose, the very first lover she'd ever really chosen for herself. It was intriguing.
Dayle
17 years ago
"Worry or not, the opportunity is presenting itself. Whether Ysabel decides to have you meet them or not, there's some things you need to prepare yourself for. Like explaining how you met. Your intentions for their daughter. Your heritage and lineage for up to a thousand years." Nodding at her sister's arched brows, she too was curious to discover which of their parents would be more likely to have a holy canary when they met Ambrose. Pursing her lips to keep from snorting or laughing out loud at mental images of Richard taking Ambrose out pheasant or fox hunting or Elsa asking all sorts of family questions, Dayle looked around for her can and realized she'd emptied it. Sighing, she stood. "Things like that. Not that there's any pressure, mind you. Anyone need a drink refill?"
Ambrose
17 years ago
Oh holy shit that wasn’t promising not at all. The last time he’d had one of those discussions it had nearly become a fistfight, actually it had, and that was with a guy who could sort of relate to Ambrose. You’d think at 600 odd years old the girl friend wouldn’t be obligated to bring him by to chat and meet with their approval, not that he’d exactly be waiting with baited breath for their blessing.
Ambrose tried to stop thinking about it and took Dayle up on her offer yeah he needed a drink, even on in a can. Whisky would be nice, or scotch, or bourbon, or all of them. At that thought, he shook himself, why should he be worried? He shouldn’t , no reason hell it might even be interesting.
“You don’t suppose they’d just settle for me mailing them a resume do you?”
He asked with his lazy arrogant smile. Belle was his, family or no, approval or no, and that was the end of it.
Ambrose tried to stop thinking about it and took Dayle up on her offer yeah he needed a drink, even on in a can. Whisky would be nice, or scotch, or bourbon, or all of them. At that thought, he shook himself, why should he be worried? He shouldn’t , no reason hell it might even be interesting.
“You don’t suppose they’d just settle for me mailing them a resume do you?”
He asked with his lazy arrogant smile. Belle was his, family or no, approval or no, and that was the end of it.
Ysabel
17 years ago
Ambrose's smile may have been wide and lazy, but Ysabel noted with amusement that the idea of meeting her family had caused him to drop his most snobbish rule regarding beer in cans. He was usually downright religious about it, so she took it to mean he was a good deal more rattled than he wanted to show.
She kept her amusement hidden, however, not wanting to embarrass him. Instead she chuckled and said, "You have a resume? Why didn't I get to see it?"
Huffing at him in mock indignation she put her hands on her hips. "These things are important, you know."
She kept her amusement hidden, however, not wanting to embarrass him. Instead she chuckled and said, "You have a resume? Why didn't I get to see it?"
Huffing at him in mock indignation she put her hands on her hips. "These things are important, you know."
Dayle
17 years ago
"We'd have to get it notarized then signed by the President, the Prime Minister, and then when we all go to visit the Grand Mum for tea, we can let you charm her, too."
She returned to the living room with a pair of beers in one hand, a glass of ice water in the other, and gave one can over to Ambrose. The water was placed on the table, just in case. "At least he didn't yell and scream 'no way no how'. I can't imagine very many vampire ladies have mothers. Er, surviving vampire mums, that is. I'd have to guess we're quite unique in that. The odd thing is," she noted as she popped the top on her can, "he didn't even think it was weird! These Americans, nothing's weird anymore for them after all the barmy telly they put on." Shrugging, Dayle tilted her can towards Ambrose in a semi-toast gesture. "But it's funny. That Reba woman." Dayle snickered, shaking her head minutely as she drank.
She returned to the living room with a pair of beers in one hand, a glass of ice water in the other, and gave one can over to Ambrose. The water was placed on the table, just in case. "At least he didn't yell and scream 'no way no how'. I can't imagine very many vampire ladies have mothers. Er, surviving vampire mums, that is. I'd have to guess we're quite unique in that. The odd thing is," she noted as she popped the top on her can, "he didn't even think it was weird! These Americans, nothing's weird anymore for them after all the barmy telly they put on." Shrugging, Dayle tilted her can towards Ambrose in a semi-toast gesture. "But it's funny. That Reba woman." Dayle snickered, shaking her head minutely as she drank.
Ambrose
17 years ago
“You didn’t get to see it because I was busy trying to make you dinner. Anonymity is a good thing in that situation isn’t it?”
Ambrose tossed back at her, sounding cross and gruff but easily fading into a smile.
Accepting the beer, he scowled at the can momentarily before cringing and drinking a good part of it. OK that felt much better, beer did help most things even if it was in a can. Maybe he’d send Dayle something nice but bottled by way of a thank you.
“Damned you Yolgraves are harder to get clearance with than most people. I suppose you’ll make me drink the tea… .. and with my pinky out too no less.”
Being more about music than TV Ambrose had no idea what Dayle was talking about but responded with a good natured smirk.
“Oh don’t worry this is plenty odd.”
Ambrose tossed back at her, sounding cross and gruff but easily fading into a smile.
Accepting the beer, he scowled at the can momentarily before cringing and drinking a good part of it. OK that felt much better, beer did help most things even if it was in a can. Maybe he’d send Dayle something nice but bottled by way of a thank you.
“Damned you Yolgraves are harder to get clearance with than most people. I suppose you’ll make me drink the tea… .. and with my pinky out too no less.”
Being more about music than TV Ambrose had no idea what Dayle was talking about but responded with a good natured smirk.
“Oh don’t worry this is plenty odd.”
Ysabel
17 years ago
Ysabel, torn once again between propriety and lightheartedness, chose the latter and offered Ambrose a haughty sniff. "I'd have won that one for sure. Age has its advantages!"
The image of Ambrose trying to drink tea, much less with a pinky sticking out, sent her into a fit of ill-concealed giggles. Propriety flew out the window as she tried to reconcile the image with the look of distaste and disgruntlement that was currently on his face.
"Richard and Elsa will love you," she promised as she tried to check her amusement. Well... that was a claim she shouldn't make, as she was fairly certain Elsa at the very least would have a series of small (faked) seizures. They weren't bad people though; Ysabel knew they'd eventually get used to the idea.
"Regardless of what they think, Ambrose, they won't change out I feel." Ysabel smiled at him, offering those words as well, since she thought poor Ambrose was taking quite a beating tonight. She caught his hand in her own and squeezed it reassuringly. For all his bravado, she had a feeling he wasn't nearly as confident about the prospect as he sounded.
She did, however, take a moment to wink at her twin, who she assumed got equal amusement out of the idea of the vapors Elsa would have.
The image of Ambrose trying to drink tea, much less with a pinky sticking out, sent her into a fit of ill-concealed giggles. Propriety flew out the window as she tried to reconcile the image with the look of distaste and disgruntlement that was currently on his face.
"Richard and Elsa will love you," she promised as she tried to check her amusement. Well... that was a claim she shouldn't make, as she was fairly certain Elsa at the very least would have a series of small (faked) seizures. They weren't bad people though; Ysabel knew they'd eventually get used to the idea.
"Regardless of what they think, Ambrose, they won't change out I feel." Ysabel smiled at him, offering those words as well, since she thought poor Ambrose was taking quite a beating tonight. She caught his hand in her own and squeezed it reassuringly. For all his bravado, she had a feeling he wasn't nearly as confident about the prospect as he sounded.
She did, however, take a moment to wink at her twin, who she assumed got equal amusement out of the idea of the vapors Elsa would have.
Dayle
17 years ago
Winking back at her twin, Dayle smiled and sipped from her can thoughtfully as she considered the implications of her sister's words. She could tell Ysabel had feelings for the American; even without empathic abilities, it was quite plain.
Standing up, she offered a quick tour to Ambrose. Seeing as she was hostess for the night, Dayle decided she should fulfill all the hostessly duties.
"This is my bedroom the inside of which you will never see." Turning to the stairs, she commented, "that's my sister's bedroom and her bath upstairs, which you might want to get used to, you've seen the living room and dining room, the kitchen's kind of boring, since Ysabel doesn't eat usually, though you're free to help yourself to whatever. Though she has a stash of the special red stuff in her room, just in case."
Finished with her whirlwind tour, Dayle flopped back down in her chair after divesting their snack area of dirty napkins and glasses, and empty cans. "Anyone up for a movie or bad midnight American telly?"
Once the decision was made, Dayle reserved drinks and replaced napkins, and joining Ambrose and Ysabel on the sofa, they watched Eurotrip followed by King Ralph.
As she climbed into bed later that night, Dayle reviewed the night and discovered she was relatively happy with her sister's choice.
(( Ysabel Ambrose and Dayle out with permission. ))
Standing up, she offered a quick tour to Ambrose. Seeing as she was hostess for the night, Dayle decided she should fulfill all the hostessly duties.
"This is my bedroom the inside of which you will never see." Turning to the stairs, she commented, "that's my sister's bedroom and her bath upstairs, which you might want to get used to, you've seen the living room and dining room, the kitchen's kind of boring, since Ysabel doesn't eat usually, though you're free to help yourself to whatever. Though she has a stash of the special red stuff in her room, just in case."
Finished with her whirlwind tour, Dayle flopped back down in her chair after divesting their snack area of dirty napkins and glasses, and empty cans. "Anyone up for a movie or bad midnight American telly?"
Once the decision was made, Dayle reserved drinks and replaced napkins, and joining Ambrose and Ysabel on the sofa, they watched Eurotrip followed by King Ralph.
As she climbed into bed later that night, Dayle reviewed the night and discovered she was relatively happy with her sister's choice.
(( Ysabel Ambrose and Dayle out with permission. ))