Glancing back over his shoulder, Xeph continued to laugh quietly. The smaller wolf was sitting quite protectively by Reign's side, and she did not seem the least bit shocked by that. Well enough, Xeph figured. He'd wanted to make sure the wolf scent around her house wasn't related to her odd break-in and it would appear, at least for the moment, that it was not. She apparently had some connection to the Vyusher Pack.
Xeph let out a few short yips as he headed around the house and off into the night, unconcerned, as was typical of him when he was feeling mischievous, over whether or not he woke the neighbors.
((ooc: Xeph out))
Pick a Home, Any Home (Attn:Bas)
Reign flopped on to the couch with little or no grace, pushed her glasses up on to her forehead letting the world go fuzzy and popped the cap off a Newcastle. Sirius was snuffling about somewhere. He had been, off and on, since they got here this morning. The worst of it had been when they came in, he liked the smell of something in the yard. Stupid dog. Reign figured he was just glad to be home, or maybe some wiseass neighborhood cat. Whatever.
She half blindly fished about for a remote and managed to turn on a movie, she could tell by the dialog it was one of the Ocean's movies. But she wasn't sure if it was Eleven Twelve or Thirteen and quite frankly she didn't care. She'd driven up here to practice early today and must have been at the table for twelve hours. If the rumbling in her stomach was to be believed twelve hours straight.
"Why didn't you remind me to have lunch?"Â?
She demanded of her mutt as he rounded a corner. The dog, however, didn't answer and just lay down beside the couch. Sirius was doing much better since her visit to Xeph. They'd moved more of his things, and her things, out to Bastian's. In fact, even though she hadn't formally accepted his offer to move in, she was staying with him more and more often. Her house, however, was much more convenient to the city meeting with Hans or Janie or one of her favorite pool halls. That and her table wasn't exactly a small easily portable piece of furniture so she always wound up here to practice.
Reign sighed. The real problem wasn't that she didn't want to move in with Bas, it was she liked her house and didn't have a clue what to do with it if she should move in with him. This would not be a problem if she'd rented a place like Janie suggested.
Rubbing her eyes Reign muttered.
"Maybe I should learn to take advice huh? Just a little?"Â?
Xeph
15 years ago
Bastian
15 years ago
Bastian heard her question, but didn't even glance her way. Until the intruder was gone, he was remaining focused, and ready.
Plus, he was still a bit out of sorts by Reign's intervention, no matter how timely, or successful it had been. He was relatively convinced he could have died tonight, had the other wolf wanted him dead, and that alone was reason to be thankful for Reign stepping in as she had.
But dammit! He shouldn't have needed her help. He should have been able to defend himself, and her, in the face of such an attack. That he had failed angered him more than what she had done. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to take the responsibility for his failure yet, and decided to sulk a while first.
He did look up at her then, and shook again, spraying her with water. Turning he walked to the place behind her shed, where he'd changed earlier, and shifted. Normally he would have just changed there, not caring if she saw him or not, but with his temper smoldering, he chose not to have an audience.
"I don't know who he is, but I plan on finding out."
He grumbled, as he walked past her and toward the house, meeting up with the delivery woman, both arriving at the front door from opposite sides.
Not feeling the least bit social, Bastian tossed his head back toward Reign, and went inside.
"She'll help you."
He mumbled again, though not as testy as he could have. It wasn't the girl from the Chinese restaurant that had him irritated.
A stop in the bathroom, and brief toweling off did little to change his attitude, and he wondered if it would be better for everyone if he went home. For no real reason, he seemed assured the other wolf would not return tonight. Roughly coughing out a laugh, he doubted Reign would need him even if that possibility changed.
Standing in the bathroom, rubbing the towel over his hair, and staring into the mirror, Bastian began to make plans.
Plus, he was still a bit out of sorts by Reign's intervention, no matter how timely, or successful it had been. He was relatively convinced he could have died tonight, had the other wolf wanted him dead, and that alone was reason to be thankful for Reign stepping in as she had.
But dammit! He shouldn't have needed her help. He should have been able to defend himself, and her, in the face of such an attack. That he had failed angered him more than what she had done. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to take the responsibility for his failure yet, and decided to sulk a while first.
He did look up at her then, and shook again, spraying her with water. Turning he walked to the place behind her shed, where he'd changed earlier, and shifted. Normally he would have just changed there, not caring if she saw him or not, but with his temper smoldering, he chose not to have an audience.
"I don't know who he is, but I plan on finding out."
He grumbled, as he walked past her and toward the house, meeting up with the delivery woman, both arriving at the front door from opposite sides.
Not feeling the least bit social, Bastian tossed his head back toward Reign, and went inside.
"She'll help you."
He mumbled again, though not as testy as he could have. It wasn't the girl from the Chinese restaurant that had him irritated.
A stop in the bathroom, and brief toweling off did little to change his attitude, and he wondered if it would be better for everyone if he went home. For no real reason, he seemed assured the other wolf would not return tonight. Roughly coughing out a laugh, he doubted Reign would need him even if that possibility changed.
Standing in the bathroom, rubbing the towel over his hair, and staring into the mirror, Bastian began to make plans.
Reign
15 years ago
Ordinarily Reign would have laughed as Bastian shook himself off, but even as a wolf, there was something about him that came off as brooding. Letting him shift, change and talk off Reign sighed and rolled her eyes. Fucking brilliant she was going to get to deal with wounded pride.
Apologizing to the delivery person, she set out the food and plate in the living room on the coffee table, trusting Sirius implicitly not to snag a snack. He was very well mannered that way. Feeling she had given Bas more than enough time, she followed him into the bathroom while wishing men could be reasonable about things.
Ready for any fight she might be picking Reign perched herself on the counter. “Food’s here” would have been a nice neutral opener, but well he knew that. So she just plunged into things.
“How … well how do you find another werewolf?”
Apologizing to the delivery person, she set out the food and plate in the living room on the coffee table, trusting Sirius implicitly not to snag a snack. He was very well mannered that way. Feeling she had given Bas more than enough time, she followed him into the bathroom while wishing men could be reasonable about things.
Ready for any fight she might be picking Reign perched herself on the counter. “Food’s here” would have been a nice neutral opener, but well he knew that. So she just plunged into things.
“How … well how do you find another werewolf?”
Bastian
15 years ago
"I've no clue."
He answered her in a tone without anger. He was still pissed, but not really at Reign. Bastian was VERY angry, but at himself, and his ineptitude. Yes, he had done well finding out about Michael, and yes he had done well in his professional life. Now that he was back with Reign he even felt he had done well in his personal life, and tilted his head then to look at her.
"About the only place I can think to start with, is my pack. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can meet with the head...Alpha, and see what I can find out. I don't think that one..." Again he tossed his head in the direction of the yard. "...belonged to my pack, but I just don't know them all well enough to be sure. If there is another pack in Nachton, I need to know that, and find out if I...we...need to be concerned about them."
His look softened. Bastian understood why Reign stepped in, and was thankful, even if he couldn't admit it. Someday perhaps, when the sting of his wounded pride had left him.
"I got cocky. Everything is going so well...I let my guard down...I quit my training...I need to learn more."
Turning to face her fully now, Bastian walked the couple steps to stand in front of Reign, and put his hands on her thighs.
"I guess I should never expect you to do as I ask, right?"
He grinned sheepishly. His cautious words had been to protect her. There was much he didn't know, but he still knew a great deal more than she did, about the wolves. He wished he could convey the danger she had put herself in, but Bastian had finally come to understand...Reign would probably always do what she wanted.
His question was rhetorical, and his temper had finally cooled. Bastian was getting a lot better at letting off steam, which he attributed to his wolf ways. Controlling his shifting had involved a process similar to yoga, and meditation, and with that process he was also doing much better at regaining his cool.
He answered her in a tone without anger. He was still pissed, but not really at Reign. Bastian was VERY angry, but at himself, and his ineptitude. Yes, he had done well finding out about Michael, and yes he had done well in his professional life. Now that he was back with Reign he even felt he had done well in his personal life, and tilted his head then to look at her.
"About the only place I can think to start with, is my pack. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can meet with the head...Alpha, and see what I can find out. I don't think that one..." Again he tossed his head in the direction of the yard. "...belonged to my pack, but I just don't know them all well enough to be sure. If there is another pack in Nachton, I need to know that, and find out if I...we...need to be concerned about them."
His look softened. Bastian understood why Reign stepped in, and was thankful, even if he couldn't admit it. Someday perhaps, when the sting of his wounded pride had left him.
"I got cocky. Everything is going so well...I let my guard down...I quit my training...I need to learn more."
Turning to face her fully now, Bastian walked the couple steps to stand in front of Reign, and put his hands on her thighs.
"I guess I should never expect you to do as I ask, right?"
He grinned sheepishly. His cautious words had been to protect her. There was much he didn't know, but he still knew a great deal more than she did, about the wolves. He wished he could convey the danger she had put herself in, but Bastian had finally come to understand...Reign would probably always do what she wanted.
His question was rhetorical, and his temper had finally cooled. Bastian was getting a lot better at letting off steam, which he attributed to his wolf ways. Controlling his shifting had involved a process similar to yoga, and meditation, and with that process he was also doing much better at regaining his cool.
Reign
15 years ago
Reign frowned. Something was bothering her. Maybe the other werewolf seemed familiar; although why it would, she had no idea. Either way she wasn’t sure she wanted him found out. Yes, they’d had quite a fight but he’d also backed off, he hadn’t kept going after she’d doused them. It just wasn’t setting right with her; but she also couldn’t think of a good reason to protect him either.
“He could just be a lone wolf too, couldn’t he?”
She shook her head rather adamantly.
“You’re never going to know everything Lupo I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
The other wolf had made Bas look rather… not big. Reign thought it would have been one hell of a fight even if Bas had been practicing every day since the first day he was bitten. God only knew which way the battle would go but the she didn’t like to think about negative results there either.
Grinning she lightly kissed his cheek, quite relived he seemed to have cooled down some.
“Have I ever? And yes before you get going I know it was probably a dumb idea and it could have caused more trouble, but it worked. Besides turn about is fair play, you charged in and saved me I charged in, got a bit lucky and broke up a fight. Seems fair to me.”
Reign was not good at being a passive participant. Besides as much of a responsibility as Bastian seemed to have for her, she had for him. What ever it took this was a fifty fifty gig.
“He could just be a lone wolf too, couldn’t he?”
She shook her head rather adamantly.
“You’re never going to know everything Lupo I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
The other wolf had made Bas look rather… not big. Reign thought it would have been one hell of a fight even if Bas had been practicing every day since the first day he was bitten. God only knew which way the battle would go but the she didn’t like to think about negative results there either.
Grinning she lightly kissed his cheek, quite relived he seemed to have cooled down some.
“Have I ever? And yes before you get going I know it was probably a dumb idea and it could have caused more trouble, but it worked. Besides turn about is fair play, you charged in and saved me I charged in, got a bit lucky and broke up a fight. Seems fair to me.”
Reign was not good at being a passive participant. Besides as much of a responsibility as Bastian seemed to have for her, she had for him. What ever it took this was a fifty fifty gig.
Bastian
15 years ago
"According to the local authorities, no, there aren't any known rogue wolves in the area, which was how I knew this one was like me. I guess he could be a lone were, which would definitely prove that he isn't Vyusher. I just don't understand why he was here...what he wanted."
His gaze grew vacant for a few seconds, as he did come up with a couple options, but neither one was conducive to allowing him a good night sleep, so they were dismissed almost as quickly as they popped up.
Her response pricked at him, reminding him of all he didn't know.
"I don't expect to ever know EVERYTHING, but there is still so much I CAN know, if I just put forth the effort. This is my life, Cara, I want you to share it with me, all of it, but I'll understand if this part is something you can't grasp. Someday..."
Dropping his head, he rested it in the curve between her neck and shoulder, sighing. There wasn't any point in going into the dangers she placed herself in. It would forever scare him, and God forbid anything did ever happen, because he knew he would never forgive himself, or be able to live with it. But this was Reign, and if he wanted to share 'her' life, he had to accept her idiosyncrasies. Fair was fair.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Softly biting her neck, Bastian laughed. He was hungry, but he was also close to exhausted. The scuffle with the other wolf had taken more of a toll than he initially realized, and he just wanted to eat, then curl up with his arms around Reign, and sleep for hours. There would always be time later to talk about this, and anything else relative to their happiness and well-being.
Standing back up, he took her hand.
"Mind if we sleep here tonight? I took care of feeding the menagerie before I left, and have no real reason to go back tonight."
His arm around her shoulder, Bastian didn't think Reign would object. Whereas she never listened to his requests for caution, she was pretty laid back otherwise. She'd bluster, and babble about some things, but he knew she was very accepting when it was necessary...when it counted.
"What say you, Lady of the Water Bucket, Cooler of all Wolf Hostilities, and Saviour of Mine Own?"
Yes, he was very tired, and starting to feel a rare goofiness that he only ever experienced in her presence.
His gaze grew vacant for a few seconds, as he did come up with a couple options, but neither one was conducive to allowing him a good night sleep, so they were dismissed almost as quickly as they popped up.
Her response pricked at him, reminding him of all he didn't know.
"I don't expect to ever know EVERYTHING, but there is still so much I CAN know, if I just put forth the effort. This is my life, Cara, I want you to share it with me, all of it, but I'll understand if this part is something you can't grasp. Someday..."
Dropping his head, he rested it in the curve between her neck and shoulder, sighing. There wasn't any point in going into the dangers she placed herself in. It would forever scare him, and God forbid anything did ever happen, because he knew he would never forgive himself, or be able to live with it. But this was Reign, and if he wanted to share 'her' life, he had to accept her idiosyncrasies. Fair was fair.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Softly biting her neck, Bastian laughed. He was hungry, but he was also close to exhausted. The scuffle with the other wolf had taken more of a toll than he initially realized, and he just wanted to eat, then curl up with his arms around Reign, and sleep for hours. There would always be time later to talk about this, and anything else relative to their happiness and well-being.
Standing back up, he took her hand.
"Mind if we sleep here tonight? I took care of feeding the menagerie before I left, and have no real reason to go back tonight."
His arm around her shoulder, Bastian didn't think Reign would object. Whereas she never listened to his requests for caution, she was pretty laid back otherwise. She'd bluster, and babble about some things, but he knew she was very accepting when it was necessary...when it counted.
"What say you, Lady of the Water Bucket, Cooler of all Wolf Hostilities, and Saviour of Mine Own?"
Yes, he was very tired, and starting to feel a rare goofiness that he only ever experienced in her presence.
Reign
15 years ago
Logic wasn’t always Reign’s strong suit, but some times things slithered inside her consciousness, sat there, marinated, twisted and turned and ideas came. Sometimes they were right and good and sometimes they were so far off base it wasn’t even funny. Some how she was sure the other wolf had to do with the break in. She also suspected he might have been looking for Bastian the same way Bas was now looking for him. She needed to dwell on this more. When she liked the idea a bit better, she’d present it to Bas.
“Given the way he just left, I’d say what ever he wanted he got.”
No way a werewolf, at least in Reign’s opinion, would let one cold bucket of water stop him. Huh, that was something else to think about.
Reign didn’t argue with Bas about the other though. There were some things she just wasn’t going to understand. It wasn’t a great analogy but he didn’t understand her obsession with the table, but he let her go, let her have it. So, if he felt he needed something more she’d let him look for it.
Very softly, she ran her hand through his hair, shivering slightly as he nibbled her neck, before enthusiastically agreeing with him and pulling them to the living room. She was hungry.
“If you don’t have to go back, no point in making the drive now is there?”
Reign laughed at his bizarre quip and managed a reasonable facsimile of a curtsey.
“I’m certain we can find food and lodging for a handsome battle weary knight.”
“Given the way he just left, I’d say what ever he wanted he got.”
No way a werewolf, at least in Reign’s opinion, would let one cold bucket of water stop him. Huh, that was something else to think about.
Reign didn’t argue with Bas about the other though. There were some things she just wasn’t going to understand. It wasn’t a great analogy but he didn’t understand her obsession with the table, but he let her go, let her have it. So, if he felt he needed something more she’d let him look for it.
Very softly, she ran her hand through his hair, shivering slightly as he nibbled her neck, before enthusiastically agreeing with him and pulling them to the living room. She was hungry.
“If you don’t have to go back, no point in making the drive now is there?”
Reign laughed at his bizarre quip and managed a reasonable facsimile of a curtsey.
“I’m certain we can find food and lodging for a handsome battle weary knight.”
Bastian
15 years ago
He wasn't the least bit convinced the other wolf had got what he was after, and it was this that concerned Bastian the most. There was no way in hell he could watch after Reign twenty four-seven, and that scared him. This wolf wasn't interested in Bastian...he had been at Reign's house before, and returned...
"I hate to be the one to break this to you, but that wolf has been here before. Its because of that I'm afraid I don't agree. You are of interest to him, and I don't like it."
One of the first things Bastian had thought, when he discovered the wolf's scent earlier, was whether or not he had been involved in the break in. But because Bastian hadn't scented wolf at the time of the break in, he threw away that idea swiftly.
"I think we need to call your neighbors...Kem and Aishe...and let them know, so they can be aware. In fact, why don't you try now? They seemed like good people, and I'd hate to think how bad it would be if anything happened and we hadn't given them warning, and the information we have."
The easy teasing between them was something he loved, and he hated putting a damper on it with more talk of the wolf, but he couldn't help it. It was all he could do not to leave her side now, shift, and take off to follow the wolf's trail. That he was relatively sure he would meet up with the were again, was the one thing that helped him remain with Reign now. She had been pretty shaken up after the break in, and only now seemed to have put that behind her. He didn't want to do anything else to stir that back up again, unless it was positively necessary.
He dished out two plates of food, making himself at home in her kitchen, and grabbed two beers from the fridge, managing to juggle the plates and bottles successfully to the coffee table. Removing the tops from the beers, he took a long swallow, before picking up one of the pair of chopsticks that came with the food.
"Dig in, or it will be cold in no time."
"I hate to be the one to break this to you, but that wolf has been here before. Its because of that I'm afraid I don't agree. You are of interest to him, and I don't like it."
One of the first things Bastian had thought, when he discovered the wolf's scent earlier, was whether or not he had been involved in the break in. But because Bastian hadn't scented wolf at the time of the break in, he threw away that idea swiftly.
"I think we need to call your neighbors...Kem and Aishe...and let them know, so they can be aware. In fact, why don't you try now? They seemed like good people, and I'd hate to think how bad it would be if anything happened and we hadn't given them warning, and the information we have."
The easy teasing between them was something he loved, and he hated putting a damper on it with more talk of the wolf, but he couldn't help it. It was all he could do not to leave her side now, shift, and take off to follow the wolf's trail. That he was relatively sure he would meet up with the were again, was the one thing that helped him remain with Reign now. She had been pretty shaken up after the break in, and only now seemed to have put that behind her. He didn't want to do anything else to stir that back up again, unless it was positively necessary.
He dished out two plates of food, making himself at home in her kitchen, and grabbed two beers from the fridge, managing to juggle the plates and bottles successfully to the coffee table. Removing the tops from the beers, he took a long swallow, before picking up one of the pair of chopsticks that came with the food.
"Dig in, or it will be cold in no time."
Reign
15 years ago
Well that gave Reign a pause. Really?
"I've got a wolf stalker? Why the hell would any other wolf give a damned about me?!"Â?
Not that she was at all edgy since the break in, nope not her. She hadn't been pricing out alarms and security companies with out telling Bastian. Hell, she'd heard of rabid fans but this was ridicules.
Reign slouched as she let Bastian finish setting things up. This was going to get added to her list of things that were freaky. Reign was more and more certain she knew this wolf, as a person. But who? It wasn't like she knew a ton of people in Nachton. Ok so Pakpao was a vampire and Bastian was a werewolf but that didn't mean that every one in this city was some sort of mythological critter. There was no centaur bagging groceries, no elves driving cabs.
She did like the suggestion of calling her neighbors, who were also normal people, though. That seemed like a good idea, and it wasn't like Bas hadn't ordered enough for nine people, so she batted his hands away from the food.
"Why don't you pop it in the oven? We can call now and if they're home and not busy we can at least offer to feed them. Its not that late, they might not have eaten."Â?
Hadn't Aishe said something about being a night person or odd hours or some such?
"I've got a wolf stalker? Why the hell would any other wolf give a damned about me?!"Â?
Not that she was at all edgy since the break in, nope not her. She hadn't been pricing out alarms and security companies with out telling Bastian. Hell, she'd heard of rabid fans but this was ridicules.
Reign slouched as she let Bastian finish setting things up. This was going to get added to her list of things that were freaky. Reign was more and more certain she knew this wolf, as a person. But who? It wasn't like she knew a ton of people in Nachton. Ok so Pakpao was a vampire and Bastian was a werewolf but that didn't mean that every one in this city was some sort of mythological critter. There was no centaur bagging groceries, no elves driving cabs.
She did like the suggestion of calling her neighbors, who were also normal people, though. That seemed like a good idea, and it wasn't like Bas hadn't ordered enough for nine people, so she batted his hands away from the food.
"Why don't you pop it in the oven? We can call now and if they're home and not busy we can at least offer to feed them. Its not that late, they might not have eaten."Â?
Hadn't Aishe said something about being a night person or odd hours or some such?
Bastian
15 years ago
Bastian jerked his hand away, a little surprised when Reign smacked it.
Then he groaned audibly.
"Call them...all I suggested was to call them..."
Had he known his idea would be turned into a coffee klatch he would have held on to it until the morning.
But knowing if he wanted to eat at all tonight, and get any sleep, it would happen faster if Reign had her way, he reconciled himself to putting the food in the oven, and downing his beer.
A newly opened beer in his hand, Bastian went back to the couch, and proceeded to collapse upon it, resting his head on the back of the cushions, eyes closed. The noises around him seemed to swirl together creating a whitish type noise that he knew would lull him to sleep if he let it.
Sitting up sharply, Bastian was about to ask Reign to forget about inviting the neighbors over, then thought better, and fell back into his sleepy repose. If the neighbors were home, and did come over, Bastian would try to get Kem aside and see if he had any personal knowledge of wolves in the area. Not that Kem seemed to be much of the outdoor type, but starting from square one, where Bastian was, it seemed only right to get as much information as possible...even if at first glance it might seem unimportant.
Perhaps the neighbors had pets, and there was evidence of pet food being eaten...or maybe trash cans had been overturned...plants destroyed...any little bit of information could prove useful.
Sleepily Bas tried to focus on staying awake, and how he needed to plan to proceed accordingly.
Then he groaned audibly.
"Call them...all I suggested was to call them..."
Had he known his idea would be turned into a coffee klatch he would have held on to it until the morning.
But knowing if he wanted to eat at all tonight, and get any sleep, it would happen faster if Reign had her way, he reconciled himself to putting the food in the oven, and downing his beer.
A newly opened beer in his hand, Bastian went back to the couch, and proceeded to collapse upon it, resting his head on the back of the cushions, eyes closed. The noises around him seemed to swirl together creating a whitish type noise that he knew would lull him to sleep if he let it.
Sitting up sharply, Bastian was about to ask Reign to forget about inviting the neighbors over, then thought better, and fell back into his sleepy repose. If the neighbors were home, and did come over, Bastian would try to get Kem aside and see if he had any personal knowledge of wolves in the area. Not that Kem seemed to be much of the outdoor type, but starting from square one, where Bastian was, it seemed only right to get as much information as possible...even if at first glance it might seem unimportant.
Perhaps the neighbors had pets, and there was evidence of pet food being eaten...or maybe trash cans had been overturned...plants destroyed...any little bit of information could prove useful.
Sleepily Bas tried to focus on staying awake, and how he needed to plan to proceed accordingly.
Reign
15 years ago
Actually Reign would have given Bastian his way if he had said something. But he'd been too slow and now Reign had an idea in her head and was determined to run with it, besides she hated talking on the phone if she didn't have to.
"I've got a wolfey stalker and you want to play Judy the Time Life operator? Trust me on this Lupo."Â?
Besides there was no polite and casual way to say over the phone "Hey have you seen any giant wolves roaming the area?"Â?
She kissed his forehead and wandered over to the phone.
"If you want to take some food and hide out in the bedroom I can play Nancy Drew on my own. I can't imagine it will take long then I'll be in and flop with you."Â?
There, she'd given him an out, not that Reign though he'd take it, but she'd given it to him.
Out given, food in the oven, she dug up Aishe's number and made the call.
"I've got a wolfey stalker and you want to play Judy the Time Life operator? Trust me on this Lupo."Â?
Besides there was no polite and casual way to say over the phone "Hey have you seen any giant wolves roaming the area?"Â?
She kissed his forehead and wandered over to the phone.
"If you want to take some food and hide out in the bedroom I can play Nancy Drew on my own. I can't imagine it will take long then I'll be in and flop with you."Â?
There, she'd given him an out, not that Reign though he'd take it, but she'd given it to him.
Out given, food in the oven, she dug up Aishe's number and made the call.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe hung up the phone and replaced it in its cradle. Kem, sitting next to her on the couch, looked up from one of the files he was studying with a question in his expression.
"Reign," Aishe explained. "Apparently she and Bastian bought out that new Chinese place. She wanted to know if we were hungry."
The young vampire gave a mischievous grin. "You should note and appreciate my restraint in not making some kind of cheesy vampiric "having friends for dinner" comment."
Reaching out with her toe, she nudged Kem's leg. "Come on. You need to take a break at some point."
Kem wasn't due in at Meridian tonight, but that didn't matter. He'd been going in every night for the last several weeks, many of those turning into all-nighters. Or all-day-ers, as it were. Aishe hadn't seen much of him and now that she finally had him at home for a few hours she was hoping he'd relax a little and at least enjoy it for a little while. Reign's call was fortunate. Visiting the neighbors, for however short a time, would make it impossible for Kem to focus on business.
She wouldn't have believed a vampire could look peaked and worn out, but kem was doing a very good impression. A break from staring at the laptop screen was probably for the best.
"Besides, you know I've been meaning to ask Reign about you-know-what for a few days now. This might be a good time."
That won him over; she grabbed his hand as he smiled and shook his head, saying, "All right, you win... but I really have to get to Meridian afterwards."
That was fine with her. A little time off was better than none! Aishe wasted no time in dragging Kem across the street and two houses down to Reign's place, knocking gently at the door.
((ooc: Kem moved and responded with uh... permission. Or something!))
"Reign," Aishe explained. "Apparently she and Bastian bought out that new Chinese place. She wanted to know if we were hungry."
The young vampire gave a mischievous grin. "You should note and appreciate my restraint in not making some kind of cheesy vampiric "having friends for dinner" comment."
Reaching out with her toe, she nudged Kem's leg. "Come on. You need to take a break at some point."
Kem wasn't due in at Meridian tonight, but that didn't matter. He'd been going in every night for the last several weeks, many of those turning into all-nighters. Or all-day-ers, as it were. Aishe hadn't seen much of him and now that she finally had him at home for a few hours she was hoping he'd relax a little and at least enjoy it for a little while. Reign's call was fortunate. Visiting the neighbors, for however short a time, would make it impossible for Kem to focus on business.
She wouldn't have believed a vampire could look peaked and worn out, but kem was doing a very good impression. A break from staring at the laptop screen was probably for the best.
"Besides, you know I've been meaning to ask Reign about you-know-what for a few days now. This might be a good time."
That won him over; she grabbed his hand as he smiled and shook his head, saying, "All right, you win... but I really have to get to Meridian afterwards."
That was fine with her. A little time off was better than none! Aishe wasted no time in dragging Kem across the street and two houses down to Reign's place, knocking gently at the door.
((ooc: Kem moved and responded with uh... permission. Or something!))
Reign
15 years ago
Sirius went into a barking fit at the knock on the door and that was the -last- thing Reign wanted to deal with right now. She was cross enough she barked, no pun intended, at the dog in Latin. Whoever was on the other side of the door could probably hear her. For some reason he responded to Latin better than English, at least it seemed to her.
Mutt under control she ushered her guests in and pointed them to the living room. Bas didn't seem to be unconscious, that was good.
"Hey. Sorry about the short notice. I keep meaning to plan something and I never quite seem to manage. Glad you could make it though. Make yourselves at home, sit where ever. The beast there is Sirius, he's pretty well mannered."Â?
It took effort but she took a breath and let people get settled before wandering to the kitchen. Sirius was intently sniffing them both, but with restraint. No jumping or shoving his nose where it shouldn't be, just legs and if offered hands.
"Lupo, we still have beer right? Wine? Did ya'll want something to drink?"Â?
OK so she was her grandmother's granddaughter. Good old Midwest beat them upside the head and demand they be comfortable and then when in doubt feed and drink them manners. For not being an incredibly social creature Reign could manage quite well.
Mutt under control she ushered her guests in and pointed them to the living room. Bas didn't seem to be unconscious, that was good.
"Hey. Sorry about the short notice. I keep meaning to plan something and I never quite seem to manage. Glad you could make it though. Make yourselves at home, sit where ever. The beast there is Sirius, he's pretty well mannered."Â?
It took effort but she took a breath and let people get settled before wandering to the kitchen. Sirius was intently sniffing them both, but with restraint. No jumping or shoving his nose where it shouldn't be, just legs and if offered hands.
"Lupo, we still have beer right? Wine? Did ya'll want something to drink?"Â?
OK so she was her grandmother's granddaughter. Good old Midwest beat them upside the head and demand they be comfortable and then when in doubt feed and drink them manners. For not being an incredibly social creature Reign could manage quite well.
Bastian
15 years ago
When the door was opened, Bastian came out of his daze and realized the neighbors had arrived. He stood up to welcome them, and hoped he didn't look as dragged out as he felt.
While Kem and Aishe were being ushered inside, Bastian crossed the distance between them and extended his had to Kem. The two men clasped each other's hands firmly, before Bastian stood back and gestured for the couple to have a seat.
He didn't wait for the duo to be seated, but instead excused himself to join Reign in the kitchen. He could be very sociable, when he wanted, and though he wasn't dead set against having company now, he was having just a little trouble focusing on anything besides the need to sleep, or visit. It was early, but the night's activities had taken a toll on him that he wasn't used to.
Another reason he had to do something about getting into better shape, and training.
"There is still some beer, and a couple bottles of wine."
He answered, as he opened the refrigerator, and removed some of each.
Carrying the bottles into the living room, Bastian held them up for Kem and Aishe.
"What can I get for you...good beer, or some good wine, both the red and white are a couple of my favorites."
While Kem and Aishe were being ushered inside, Bastian crossed the distance between them and extended his had to Kem. The two men clasped each other's hands firmly, before Bastian stood back and gestured for the couple to have a seat.
He didn't wait for the duo to be seated, but instead excused himself to join Reign in the kitchen. He could be very sociable, when he wanted, and though he wasn't dead set against having company now, he was having just a little trouble focusing on anything besides the need to sleep, or visit. It was early, but the night's activities had taken a toll on him that he wasn't used to.
Another reason he had to do something about getting into better shape, and training.
"There is still some beer, and a couple bottles of wine."
He answered, as he opened the refrigerator, and removed some of each.
Carrying the bottles into the living room, Bastian held them up for Kem and Aishe.
"What can I get for you...good beer, or some good wine, both the red and white are a couple of my favorites."
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe greeted Reign warmly when she opened the door, in spite of her misgivings about the question she had to ask Reign... a slightly uncomfortable topic. Maybe she wouldn't bring it up at all.
She said her hellos to the humans and hen crouched to offer her hand to Sirius, scratching behind his ears when he decided she wasn't a burglar. She'd seen Reign walking the big dog around the neighborhood but this was their first time meeting in person, so she didn't want the dog to get the wrong impression.
Grinning at Reign she said, "Planning is overrated. We're pretty easy. It was nice of you to call us up."
Shaking head at the offer of a drink she said, "No thinks. Water's fine for me."
Aishe shrugged helplessly at Bastian when he offered bottles of varying sizes. "I've never been much of a drinker. Can I help with anything else though?"
She had a hard time being a guest in someone's house and not offering to help with a share of the hostessing.
She said her hellos to the humans and hen crouched to offer her hand to Sirius, scratching behind his ears when he decided she wasn't a burglar. She'd seen Reign walking the big dog around the neighborhood but this was their first time meeting in person, so she didn't want the dog to get the wrong impression.
Grinning at Reign she said, "Planning is overrated. We're pretty easy. It was nice of you to call us up."
Shaking head at the offer of a drink she said, "No thinks. Water's fine for me."
Aishe shrugged helplessly at Bastian when he offered bottles of varying sizes. "I've never been much of a drinker. Can I help with anything else though?"
She had a hard time being a guest in someone's house and not offering to help with a share of the hostessing.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem couldn't really argue with Aishe on this. He was overwhelmed with work, both in the archives and with the werewolf sightings concerning everyone in Evenhet, but Aishe had been patient, supportive, and incredibly helpful at digging up new information in the last few weeks while he educated himself on every file available to them and started to form a plan of action. To refuse to spend a couple of hours with new friends would be selfish of him; and besides, he liked Reign and Bastian well enough from their one meeting.
He walked with Aishe to their house and let her enter first, shaking Bastian's offered hand firmly and noting with some amusement that the man looked slightly out of it, like Kem felt.
The offer of both beer and wine elicited a little groan and accompanying sigh. "They both sound great," he admitted, "but I've got to go into Meridian at some point tonight. I can't see my co-workers appreciating beer-breath unless I brought something to share around. And I need to keep my job."
Meridian's archives were busy 24/7; while plenty of business correspondance happened during regular working hours, the lab was almost always usy doing analyses and testing and the archives of course had files coming and going nonstop. Kem hadn't had a chance to really get in there and work. he wasn't sure he'd get to tonight, but he was going to try if nothing more important arose.
He knew Aishe wanted to ask Reign about the problem she'd noticed a few days ago and he figured he could at least stay here and make sure everything went well. Not that he thought it wouldn't, but he knew she was uncomfortable bringing a problem to the attention of such nice neighbors, so if nothing else he could be moral support.
He walked with Aishe to their house and let her enter first, shaking Bastian's offered hand firmly and noting with some amusement that the man looked slightly out of it, like Kem felt.
The offer of both beer and wine elicited a little groan and accompanying sigh. "They both sound great," he admitted, "but I've got to go into Meridian at some point tonight. I can't see my co-workers appreciating beer-breath unless I brought something to share around. And I need to keep my job."
Meridian's archives were busy 24/7; while plenty of business correspondance happened during regular working hours, the lab was almost always usy doing analyses and testing and the archives of course had files coming and going nonstop. Kem hadn't had a chance to really get in there and work. he wasn't sure he'd get to tonight, but he was going to try if nothing more important arose.
He knew Aishe wanted to ask Reign about the problem she'd noticed a few days ago and he figured he could at least stay here and make sure everything went well. Not that he thought it wouldn't, but he knew she was uncomfortable bringing a problem to the attention of such nice neighbors, so if nothing else he could be moral support.
Bastian
15 years ago
Nodding his understanding, Bastian returned the bottles to the kitchen, and shrugging at Reign.
"Ice and water for guests, and beer or wine for me and you babe."
Thinking he should help her with the food now, rather than try to entertain the neighbors, Bastian took out dishes from the cabinets and set them on the counter for her to use. More chopsticks, along with forks, and napkins were gathered up to take back with the food.
He was being a coward of sorts, and under other circumstances wouldn't have hid behind Reign. Tonight just wasn't like most other nights. Tonight his temper was on a shorter tether than it normally was.
Now leaning against the counter, he watched, and waited.
"Ice and water for guests, and beer or wine for me and you babe."
Thinking he should help her with the food now, rather than try to entertain the neighbors, Bastian took out dishes from the cabinets and set them on the counter for her to use. More chopsticks, along with forks, and napkins were gathered up to take back with the food.
He was being a coward of sorts, and under other circumstances wouldn't have hid behind Reign. Tonight just wasn't like most other nights. Tonight his temper was on a shorter tether than it normally was.
Now leaning against the counter, he watched, and waited.
Reign
15 years ago
Oh yeah it was nice, purely little altruistic information gathering mission. But there was food!
At Kem's insistence he had to go into work yet Reign craned her neck back to check the time. It was -not- early. She'd seen it once or twice where her Pop had kept some odd hours when he was helping with something or other, but not often. Of course Pop was a professor and they kept pretty regular hours so it wasn't a perfect correlation. Ah yes. It had taken a second but she did remember, or thought she remembered, something about night shifts. Ok then never mind.
"I have breath mints and sodas too."
She said helping herself to another beer and pouring two glasses of ice water.
"Don't forget the plates Lupo."Â?
Reign would have accepted Aishe's help and shoved Bastian back into keep Kem company, but since he'd been a bit grouchy about having the neighbors over to begin with she didn't push her luck. Instead she headed to the oven to retrieve the food. The general chaos of a group setting down to eat was fun. Shame they were going to start trying to ask about werewolves without asking about werewolves. Setting everything down with a flourish she grinned.
"And there we have it the finest in my take out ordering skills. Although it will probably be better than usual as Bastian did the actual ordering, I just found the menu. Dig in!"Â?
At Kem's insistence he had to go into work yet Reign craned her neck back to check the time. It was -not- early. She'd seen it once or twice where her Pop had kept some odd hours when he was helping with something or other, but not often. Of course Pop was a professor and they kept pretty regular hours so it wasn't a perfect correlation. Ah yes. It had taken a second but she did remember, or thought she remembered, something about night shifts. Ok then never mind.
"I have breath mints and sodas too."
She said helping herself to another beer and pouring two glasses of ice water.
"Don't forget the plates Lupo."Â?
Reign would have accepted Aishe's help and shoved Bastian back into keep Kem company, but since he'd been a bit grouchy about having the neighbors over to begin with she didn't push her luck. Instead she headed to the oven to retrieve the food. The general chaos of a group setting down to eat was fun. Shame they were going to start trying to ask about werewolves without asking about werewolves. Setting everything down with a flourish she grinned.
"And there we have it the finest in my take out ordering skills. Although it will probably be better than usual as Bastian did the actual ordering, I just found the menu. Dig in!"Â?
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe and Kem both helped relieve their hosts of their various burdens when they returned, setting out food, plates, chopsticks, forks, and anything else they'd brought in. When requested to "dig in" Aishe regarded her chopsticks with minor suspicion. She had seent he forks, but everyone else seemed to be digigng the chopsticks, and it only seemed right when eating Chinese.
Watching Kem, she held the chopsticks out in front of her. She imagined he would know how to use them; she had known since the first few weeks they'd met that he'd done extensive travel and a good deal of it had been in Asia.
"Show me how?" She asked as she contemplated her empty plate.
Smiling at Reign and Bastian she explained, "Kem's been everywhere. I've learned if I can't figure it out, to go to him first."
Watching Kem, she held the chopsticks out in front of her. She imagined he would know how to use them; she had known since the first few weeks they'd met that he'd done extensive travel and a good deal of it had been in Asia.
"Show me how?" She asked as she contemplated her empty plate.
Smiling at Reign and Bastian she explained, "Kem's been everywhere. I've learned if I can't figure it out, to go to him first."
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Helping to spread out all the plates, napkins, utensils, and relieve Reign of some of the food, Kem looked at the spread on the table and had to laugh softly.
"When's the invasion?"
It did seem as if Bastian had ordered enough for a small army. No wonder Reign had called them up. "Thank you though. We hadn't made any dinner plans yet; it's nice to be surprised with some once in a while."
Aishe's request and accompanying praise were met with a small flush. He wasn't used to being praised like that, and she still got to him. "All right then."
Picking up a pair of chopsticks himself, he demonstrated to Aishe how to anchor the bottom one between the crook of her thumbe and her middle finger, then pinch the top stick and use that one to open and close the pincers.
"And since this is Chinese, you use the back ends of the chopsticks like this, to serve from common dishes."
He briefly showed her what he meant, turning his hand over and using the wide, clean ends of the chopsticks to pick up a piece of chicken from one container and drop it gently on her plate. Then he turned his hand back over and showed her how to pick the piece up with the tapered ends of the chopsticks.
As everyone began to help themselves he resisted the urge to serve Aishe himself, knowing she'd get a kick out of learning how to use the chopsticks and figuring if she really wanted to learn she could use the practice.
"When's the invasion?"
It did seem as if Bastian had ordered enough for a small army. No wonder Reign had called them up. "Thank you though. We hadn't made any dinner plans yet; it's nice to be surprised with some once in a while."
Aishe's request and accompanying praise were met with a small flush. He wasn't used to being praised like that, and she still got to him. "All right then."
Picking up a pair of chopsticks himself, he demonstrated to Aishe how to anchor the bottom one between the crook of her thumbe and her middle finger, then pinch the top stick and use that one to open and close the pincers.
"And since this is Chinese, you use the back ends of the chopsticks like this, to serve from common dishes."
He briefly showed her what he meant, turning his hand over and using the wide, clean ends of the chopsticks to pick up a piece of chicken from one container and drop it gently on her plate. Then he turned his hand back over and showed her how to pick the piece up with the tapered ends of the chopsticks.
As everyone began to help themselves he resisted the urge to serve Aishe himself, knowing she'd get a kick out of learning how to use the chopsticks and figuring if she really wanted to learn she could use the practice.