Pak narrowed her eyes at Kem in a suspicious manner, but didn’t say anything, after all she had been driving when his car met its untimely end. However, since Kem was playing nice and not saying anything more she’d play nice and not mention being treated like a rag doll, losing a perfectly good pair of shoes or schlepping bare foot through the sewers. See, she could play nice too. Although, The little raccoon might disagree, given the way she was tugging at the nail and making it jump about. But, she did stop playing with the nail; smiling when the little thing seemed perplexed it was no longer trying to escape.
She laughed softly at Aishe’s question.
“Yeah, Metharom Industries. That would look good on any one’s back.”
she shook her head a little.
“No it's not quite like that. They don’t –need- a sponsor, in her case it was just a money thing. She couldn’t afford the first few entry fees a coach and whatever else.”
It sounded off hand, but not snobbish.
“So I sort of… bought into her. She’s offered to buy me out once or twice, but it’s an unusual investment sponsoring a pool player.”
It was sort of a toy for Pak. The idea, her ‘share’ of the earnings that was, Reign wasn’t a toy. How many people got to tell their accountant they had a five percent share in a pool player? Besides, she’d started out with a much higher percent.
“I’ve let her buy me most of the way out though.”
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors (PM for invite please)
Pak loved her 'Lil Bird. She'd made Kem help her get the hard top off and stored because it was an extremely nice night out. She wished it was a full moon, but you couldn't have everything. She swung the car easily down the streets now torn between enjoying herself and sulking. Either the drive or the company was perking her up and she wasn't sure which. She also wasn't convinced she wanted to be, or even deserved to be, perked up.
"Are you ever going to get a new car?"Â?
She did feel a hair bad about his BMW but it had been a life or death situation. And as bad as she felt about his car she was grateful it wasn't hers. How the hell did one replace a car like this. Especially one that had only one owner from new.
Knowing Kem had no car she pulled into his driveway; at least she wasn't blocking any one. She wasn't sure what the hell he intended and she didn't care either. She'd put in her hours tonight and if IT needed her they could get her.
Scanning up and down the street she ask.
"Which one?"Â?
As she got out of the car and started to put the top back on so she could lock it. Not that she was paranoid or anything. But if this car got stolen, it would be bad.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
As he put he finishing touches onto the lattice, Kem listened with half an ear to Aishe and Pak's conversation. He caught what Pak said and for some reason it struck him as funny. Really funny.
Biting his lip, he tried not to laugh, but the more he tried the less successful he was. It was unusual for him... laughter didn't always come that easily, but every time he tried to stop the image came back and made him laugh harder.
Finally he gave up, after missing with the hammer several times in a row, and just leaned back on his hands and pointed at Pak and laughed, unable to tell them exactly what it was that was making him do so.
He could send, however, which he did to Pak first since she would understand the joke.
[Metharom Industries... perfect for our roller derby uniforms.]
If only he could send images along with words, he could describe to Aishe the beauty of fifteen or twenty rampaging vampires poorly balanced on rollerblades. Armed with screwdrivers.
Biting his lip, he tried not to laugh, but the more he tried the less successful he was. It was unusual for him... laughter didn't always come that easily, but every time he tried to stop the image came back and made him laugh harder.
Finally he gave up, after missing with the hammer several times in a row, and just leaned back on his hands and pointed at Pak and laughed, unable to tell them exactly what it was that was making him do so.
He could send, however, which he did to Pak first since she would understand the joke.
[Metharom Industries... perfect for our roller derby uniforms.]
If only he could send images along with words, he could describe to Aishe the beauty of fifteen or twenty rampaging vampires poorly balanced on rollerblades. Armed with screwdrivers.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe listened with interest as Pak detailed how exactly one puts stock in a person, chuckling at the raccoon's curiosity with his nail. Kem relieved the little one of the sharp object before the pup could get into any more trouble with it. Something seemed off somehow, though. As Kem held the nail up with the hammer he took a swing and missed, the hammer coming down with a solid thunk nearly six inches away.
As Aishe furrowed her brow, Kem repeated the process. From where she was she couldn't see his face but his shoulders had begun to shake. She would have been concerned, except that the emotions she felt from him were not bad ones. Leaning to the side, she saw as he leaned back that he was laughing, quietly, trying not to be noisy.
"What...?"
When his sending reached her she cocked her head in puzzlement, turning to Pak and gauging her reaction as well. Obviously it was a joke between them.
"Roller derby?"
Still, the image it conjured was amusing enough to make her join in the fun. Particularly imagining either Kem or Pak muscling their way through a throng of aggressive skaters.
Looking at the raccoon pup, who was staring at both Pak and Kem in turn and finally to Aishe, she shrugged. "I don't really get it either," she said to the little creature.
But the two of them were amused enough by it, which made Aishe happy. It was rare to see Kem laugh like this.
As Aishe furrowed her brow, Kem repeated the process. From where she was she couldn't see his face but his shoulders had begun to shake. She would have been concerned, except that the emotions she felt from him were not bad ones. Leaning to the side, she saw as he leaned back that he was laughing, quietly, trying not to be noisy.
"What...?"
When his sending reached her she cocked her head in puzzlement, turning to Pak and gauging her reaction as well. Obviously it was a joke between them.
"Roller derby?"
Still, the image it conjured was amusing enough to make her join in the fun. Particularly imagining either Kem or Pak muscling their way through a throng of aggressive skaters.
Looking at the raccoon pup, who was staring at both Pak and Kem in turn and finally to Aishe, she shrugged. "I don't really get it either," she said to the little creature.
But the two of them were amused enough by it, which made Aishe happy. It was rare to see Kem laugh like this.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Between thinking about Kem driving her precious car and what she was going to do, if anything, with Reign, Kem's comment caught her completely off guard. She blinked once, twice before starting to giggle. She got from a giggle to a laugh as she remembered the conversation that night. And any hope she had at self control went out the window with the fact that Kem couldn't seem to stop laughing. It was contagious.
Managing a nod at Aishe she choked out confirmation.
"Roller derby."Â?
Oh god why the hell had they even continued speaking to each other after that. Possibly because they both recognized a mutual insanity and truly warped sense of humor in the other. Damned fortuitous being tripped over like that that night.
She couldn't keep going on that serious not though as images of storm troopers and capes and roller skating vampires kept dancing in her head. Getting some control, not much but a little, she continued to snicker.
"Metharom Industries on the shirts and Craftsman on the pants."Â?
She gave up trying to speak and wound up sending as well.
[Someone has to pay for all the screwdrivers.]
Managing a nod at Aishe she choked out confirmation.
"Roller derby."Â?
Oh god why the hell had they even continued speaking to each other after that. Possibly because they both recognized a mutual insanity and truly warped sense of humor in the other. Damned fortuitous being tripped over like that that night.
She couldn't keep going on that serious not though as images of storm troopers and capes and roller skating vampires kept dancing in her head. Getting some control, not much but a little, she continued to snicker.
"Metharom Industries on the shirts and Craftsman on the pants."Â?
She gave up trying to speak and wound up sending as well.
[Someone has to pay for all the screwdrivers.]
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem gave up trying to hold it in. Regrettably, laughing required oxygen, which involved taking big gulping breaths and generally looking pretty foolish, but what the hell. It was nice to use all this free air for something.
[Sorry,] he sent to Aishe. [Maybe Pak can tell you the story.]
He was about ready to leave, but that would give Aishe and Pak something more to chat about. Kem didn't think they'd need to be given a topic of discussion, as he was well aware the two women had met on their own plenty of times and liked each other perfectly well, but it never hurt.
Finally recovering, he set the hammer aside and got to his feet. Holding out his hand he helped Aishe up as well.
"I need to get back to Meridian," he said, regret plain in his voice. It would have been fun to spend the night here with Aishe and Pak, but there were things he needed to do. Turning to Pak he added, "I'll walk from here, it's fine. That way you can take your time and get back whenever you get back."
Driving would be faster, but even though it was the more tempting of the two options, he really did want Pak to have her car on hand. Call it chivalry, or what have you. He couldn't see himself driving her car while she walked. It was far better this way.
He wrapped his arms around Aishe and gave her a brief hug, saying, [I'm sorry to leave you again. I promise when things calm down some, you'll have to pry me off with a crowbar.]
With one last affectionate pat of the little raccoon's head, Kem headed out, back to Meridian and the desk-mess from hell.
((ooc: Kem out))
[Sorry,] he sent to Aishe. [Maybe Pak can tell you the story.]
He was about ready to leave, but that would give Aishe and Pak something more to chat about. Kem didn't think they'd need to be given a topic of discussion, as he was well aware the two women had met on their own plenty of times and liked each other perfectly well, but it never hurt.
Finally recovering, he set the hammer aside and got to his feet. Holding out his hand he helped Aishe up as well.
"I need to get back to Meridian," he said, regret plain in his voice. It would have been fun to spend the night here with Aishe and Pak, but there were things he needed to do. Turning to Pak he added, "I'll walk from here, it's fine. That way you can take your time and get back whenever you get back."
Driving would be faster, but even though it was the more tempting of the two options, he really did want Pak to have her car on hand. Call it chivalry, or what have you. He couldn't see himself driving her car while she walked. It was far better this way.
He wrapped his arms around Aishe and gave her a brief hug, saying, [I'm sorry to leave you again. I promise when things calm down some, you'll have to pry me off with a crowbar.]
With one last affectionate pat of the little raccoon's head, Kem headed out, back to Meridian and the desk-mess from hell.
((ooc: Kem out))
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe grinned along with Pak and Kem, able to simply enjoy the fact that they were laughing so hard. She'd sen Kem laugh like that on rare occasions, but it was the first time she'd ever seen Pak do it, too. It was sad, she mused to herself, that a duo like Pak and Kem, who were always goofing off with each other, should laugh like this so infrequently. She didn't know much about Pak's history, but from what she knew of her relationship with Kem they had one or two things in common and she supposed Pak had her demons like anyone else. She did know that Kem regarded Pak as a little sister and had heard him refer to her as such on several occasions. Pak was the only person who'd held that place in Kem's affections since his creation and that made her special to Aishe as well.
Aishe didn't need to wonder where she stood. As she held out her hand and let Kem pull her up from the grass, warmth and love were present in every bit of his sending, colored that way by the bond they shared. It was impossible to be jealous, even if Aishe were the type, of his shared laughter with Pak. Even if she were inclined, Kem's emotions were there in plain sight for her to not just see but to experience. There could be no mistaking the difference between the love he had for his sister and the love he felt for her.
She kissed him softly on the lips before he turned to go and answered, [Do what you need to do. I'm not going anywhere. Maybe I'll swing by later, too. And I'm just adding this time to our vacation.]
Aishe watched Kem walk back around the front of the house and then bent to pick up the last bold raccoon pup who had stayed out to play with them for so long.
"I think this one needs a name," she said to Pak. "I'll have to think about a good one."
For the time being she brought the little guy over to the opening in the new lattice and gently lowered him, poking his nose in so he could see where his family was. As she let him down, he squirmed and squiggled his way through and ran to join them, tumbling his brother and sisters like a fuzzy bowling ball.
Aishe retrieved the hammer next, still pondering the idea of a raccoon name. "Maybe something Native American? What do you name a raccoon anyhow?"
Then, turning to Pak, she said, "And what is it about roller derbies?"
Aishe didn't need to wonder where she stood. As she held out her hand and let Kem pull her up from the grass, warmth and love were present in every bit of his sending, colored that way by the bond they shared. It was impossible to be jealous, even if Aishe were the type, of his shared laughter with Pak. Even if she were inclined, Kem's emotions were there in plain sight for her to not just see but to experience. There could be no mistaking the difference between the love he had for his sister and the love he felt for her.
She kissed him softly on the lips before he turned to go and answered, [Do what you need to do. I'm not going anywhere. Maybe I'll swing by later, too. And I'm just adding this time to our vacation.]
Aishe watched Kem walk back around the front of the house and then bent to pick up the last bold raccoon pup who had stayed out to play with them for so long.
"I think this one needs a name," she said to Pak. "I'll have to think about a good one."
For the time being she brought the little guy over to the opening in the new lattice and gently lowered him, poking his nose in so he could see where his family was. As she let him down, he squirmed and squiggled his way through and ran to join them, tumbling his brother and sisters like a fuzzy bowling ball.
Aishe retrieved the hammer next, still pondering the idea of a raccoon name. "Maybe something Native American? What do you name a raccoon anyhow?"
Then, turning to Pak, she said, "And what is it about roller derbies?"
Pakpao
15 years ago
They both seemed to be getting some self-control back. However, it just seemed to be so Kem could leave. Pak frowned a bit but not much.
“Don’t say I didn’t offer. I even meant it.”
Pak felt bad he wouldn’t take the car, and not exactly good that she was the cause of his not getting here before daybreak. She tried very hard to suppress and conceal that fact though. Returning to her slump would be a poor way of thanking Kem for putting up with her and her outburst.
Discreetly turning her attention to the little raccoon, she gave the two of them some little bit of privacy. Pak approved of their relationship, whole-heartedly. Hell if you could find some one, grab them, hold on to them make them our own, by all means. And having each other seemed to be endlessly good for both of them. She was just grateful that the PDAs were minimal. She couldn’t have handled that, no matter who was involved.
Damned she needed a clove.
The question about names gave Pak a lovely ‘deer in the headlights’ expression. What did she know about names?
“Stands with a Nail? I’m thinking … no… but you’re welcome to it if you want.”
It was the only thing that jumped to mind. But she had done a lot… a –LOT- of flying when a certain western epic got put on the planes and she’d seen it nine or ten times too many.
The roller derby question sparked another little giggle as she shook her head.
“I don’t remember how we got to roller derby. It started with unions and perfectly reasonable demands and having to enforce them with an army of roller skating vampires dressed as storm troopers. It was all perfectly logical at the time.”
She paused for a second.
“I’m also going to blame Kem for the whole thing too. If he hadn’t tried to kill me none of that would have happened.”
Actually they had both tried to kill each other. If she hadn’t left her screwdriver out on the floor he wouldn’t have tripped over it and tried to mow her down while juggling a box of paper. If it hadn’t been for that they never would have had any of this come up. They could have meet in a few months, years, decades, and then had a perfectly polite, boring, and professional meeting.
Thank –god- that hadn’t happened.
“Don’t say I didn’t offer. I even meant it.”
Pak felt bad he wouldn’t take the car, and not exactly good that she was the cause of his not getting here before daybreak. She tried very hard to suppress and conceal that fact though. Returning to her slump would be a poor way of thanking Kem for putting up with her and her outburst.
Discreetly turning her attention to the little raccoon, she gave the two of them some little bit of privacy. Pak approved of their relationship, whole-heartedly. Hell if you could find some one, grab them, hold on to them make them our own, by all means. And having each other seemed to be endlessly good for both of them. She was just grateful that the PDAs were minimal. She couldn’t have handled that, no matter who was involved.
Damned she needed a clove.
The question about names gave Pak a lovely ‘deer in the headlights’ expression. What did she know about names?
“Stands with a Nail? I’m thinking … no… but you’re welcome to it if you want.”
It was the only thing that jumped to mind. But she had done a lot… a –LOT- of flying when a certain western epic got put on the planes and she’d seen it nine or ten times too many.
The roller derby question sparked another little giggle as she shook her head.
“I don’t remember how we got to roller derby. It started with unions and perfectly reasonable demands and having to enforce them with an army of roller skating vampires dressed as storm troopers. It was all perfectly logical at the time.”
She paused for a second.
“I’m also going to blame Kem for the whole thing too. If he hadn’t tried to kill me none of that would have happened.”
Actually they had both tried to kill each other. If she hadn’t left her screwdriver out on the floor he wouldn’t have tripped over it and tried to mow her down while juggling a box of paper. If it hadn’t been for that they never would have had any of this come up. They could have meet in a few months, years, decades, and then had a perfectly polite, boring, and professional meeting.
Thank –god- that hadn’t happened.
Aishe
15 years ago
Stands With a Nail... maybe asking Pak for a good name hadn't been such a hot idea, certainly not with her in this mood. Aishe grinned and shook her head. "Maybe I'll look around online," she said noncommittally.
Pak's explanation of the entire incident make her giggle. It was just the sort of thing she could see the two coming up with. For all that he could be somber and mirthless, Kem made up for it by having a very good sense of humor. Hadn't he consented to wearing a ridiculous Hawaiian tourist getup to Fallion and Cyrus' party last summer?
Aishe did raise her eyebrows in surprise when Pak blamed the entire incident on Kem, however. "He did tell me some of it," she said with a mischievous smile, "and by his reckoning, it was mostly your fault for misplacing a screwdriver."
Brows arched expectantly, she waited for Pak's response.
Pak's explanation of the entire incident make her giggle. It was just the sort of thing she could see the two coming up with. For all that he could be somber and mirthless, Kem made up for it by having a very good sense of humor. Hadn't he consented to wearing a ridiculous Hawaiian tourist getup to Fallion and Cyrus' party last summer?
Aishe did raise her eyebrows in surprise when Pak blamed the entire incident on Kem, however. "He did tell me some of it," she said with a mischievous smile, "and by his reckoning, it was mostly your fault for misplacing a screwdriver."
Brows arched expectantly, she waited for Pak's response.
Pakpao
15 years ago
“I –never- misplace my screwdrivers!”
Pak protested. Quite adamantly and sincerely protested in fact, because she –didn’t- lose her screwdrivers, or her allan wrenches for that matter.
“I will, however, concede the screwdriver and myself were both on the floor. It would have been good if he’d been looking where he was going.”
To this day that bit of programming that she’d taken down to the archives that night was one of her favorites. It was an above average bit of work that had done quite well by the archives. If Kem was to be believed, and she believed him, at least about this. But that wasn’t why it was her favorite, next to MARI, it was because she’d run into Kem. And as such Aishe. Having these two about gave her some idea how alone she’d been even while living at the seat of her clan.
“Maybe we can call it mutual fault. I –might- not in this one instance be totally innocent.”
Pak protested. Quite adamantly and sincerely protested in fact, because she –didn’t- lose her screwdrivers, or her allan wrenches for that matter.
“I will, however, concede the screwdriver and myself were both on the floor. It would have been good if he’d been looking where he was going.”
To this day that bit of programming that she’d taken down to the archives that night was one of her favorites. It was an above average bit of work that had done quite well by the archives. If Kem was to be believed, and she believed him, at least about this. But that wasn’t why it was her favorite, next to MARI, it was because she’d run into Kem. And as such Aishe. Having these two about gave her some idea how alone she’d been even while living at the seat of her clan.
“Maybe we can call it mutual fault. I –might- not in this one instance be totally innocent.”
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe grinned at Pak's string of logic, and the fact that it ended it a truce. Or at least mutual guilt, which to her was the same thing.
"I think he'd settle for mutual guilt," she said. "I believe I am qualified to act as his agent in such matters. I'll see that the proper forms are filled out and filed with the authorities."
Brushing her hands off on her jeans, she gave the hammer a little flip. "Would you like to come in for a drink? I know Kem's stocked up since the last time you were both here and thirsty."
It was said with some mischief. Aishe knew for a fact that Kem tried to keep on hand anything a guest was likely to want, and in the last few years as he went from being completely anti-social to having a girlfriend and a sister, his pantry and wine rack had grown accordingly.
Okay, so most of it was chocolate and alcohol, but no one seemed to be complaining!
"I think he'd settle for mutual guilt," she said. "I believe I am qualified to act as his agent in such matters. I'll see that the proper forms are filled out and filed with the authorities."
Brushing her hands off on her jeans, she gave the hammer a little flip. "Would you like to come in for a drink? I know Kem's stocked up since the last time you were both here and thirsty."
It was said with some mischief. Aishe knew for a fact that Kem tried to keep on hand anything a guest was likely to want, and in the last few years as he went from being completely anti-social to having a girlfriend and a sister, his pantry and wine rack had grown accordingly.
Okay, so most of it was chocolate and alcohol, but no one seemed to be complaining!
Pakpao
15 years ago
“I believe you failed to notify me that you were acting in a professional capacity and therefore any confession, or perceived confession, is null and void. But thank you for playing.”
She did have something of a reputation to protect and as such couldn’t totally cave, it was part of the game. Aishe was family now, even if she hadn’t been turned, hadn’t been part of the clan she was with her big brother and was therefore both family and fair game.
Gracefully standing up she made an odd half frown half scow half smirk (yes that was 1.5 but who was counting?) at Aishe’s comment.
“I don’t believe I’m quite –that- thirsty tonight. But I wouldn’t say no to something.”
Pak was quite happy to follow Aishe in. She also wondered how much the shiny new vampire knew about her, about her past. Ultimately, Pak decided, not much. She trusted Kem, she knew he wouldn’t say anything with out talking to her first. Not that she had anything to be a shamed of, except maybe the prostitution, but it wasn’t exactly a pedigree and past she advertised.
“So how are things in security these days?”
She did have something of a reputation to protect and as such couldn’t totally cave, it was part of the game. Aishe was family now, even if she hadn’t been turned, hadn’t been part of the clan she was with her big brother and was therefore both family and fair game.
Gracefully standing up she made an odd half frown half scow half smirk (yes that was 1.5 but who was counting?) at Aishe’s comment.
“I don’t believe I’m quite –that- thirsty tonight. But I wouldn’t say no to something.”
Pak was quite happy to follow Aishe in. She also wondered how much the shiny new vampire knew about her, about her past. Ultimately, Pak decided, not much. She trusted Kem, she knew he wouldn’t say anything with out talking to her first. Not that she had anything to be a shamed of, except maybe the prostitution, but it wasn’t exactly a pedigree and past she advertised.
“So how are things in security these days?”
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe laughed; no doubt Kem would have had a witty retort to Pak, but she wasn't that good yet. Instead, she shook her head and held up her hands in defeat.
"I will let Kem hash out the details with you," she said as she led the way up the back porch stairs and into the kitchen. Pointing to the counter she said, "Take your pick, he just restocked a little while ago."
Pulling a coke from the fridge for herself, she grabbed the grenadine and a jar of cherries from the pantry.
"Unless you want one of these," she offered.
As she began to prep her own drink, she finally answered Pak's question about security. "It's a little quiet these days, but I've found a few projects to keep me busy."
As far as Aishe knew, Kem hadn't said anything to Pak regarding werewolves, and it was certainly not Aishe's place to do so. It was only a matter of time before they knew exactly what to tell their fellow Evenhet, and Aishe knew Pak would be among the first to receive that information; it simply wasn't her place to divulge it here and now, though.
Asking a question of her own, she said, "How did you get Kem to leave Meridian tonight? I'm impressed. I didn't think wild horses could drag him away."
It was said with a smile; for some reason Pak seemed to feel bad for something. Aishe wasn't sure what, but obviously Kem and Pak had talked at work.
"I will let Kem hash out the details with you," she said as she led the way up the back porch stairs and into the kitchen. Pointing to the counter she said, "Take your pick, he just restocked a little while ago."
Pulling a coke from the fridge for herself, she grabbed the grenadine and a jar of cherries from the pantry.
"Unless you want one of these," she offered.
As she began to prep her own drink, she finally answered Pak's question about security. "It's a little quiet these days, but I've found a few projects to keep me busy."
As far as Aishe knew, Kem hadn't said anything to Pak regarding werewolves, and it was certainly not Aishe's place to do so. It was only a matter of time before they knew exactly what to tell their fellow Evenhet, and Aishe knew Pak would be among the first to receive that information; it simply wasn't her place to divulge it here and now, though.
Asking a question of her own, she said, "How did you get Kem to leave Meridian tonight? I'm impressed. I didn't think wild horses could drag him away."
It was said with a smile; for some reason Pak seemed to feel bad for something. Aishe wasn't sure what, but obviously Kem and Pak had talked at work.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak smiled, a little cat that ate the cream smile and nodded graciously accepting her victory.
"My people will call his people I'm sure."Â?
Truth be told she wouldn't mind a glass of wine, but she was going to have to drive back. And while one glass wouldn't hurt anything Kem wasn't the only one who had work waiting for him back at the towers. Pak just didn't feel hers pressing on her quite so bad, it wasn't anything that couldn't be done in the morning from her own rooms.
"Why don't you hit me with one of your concoctions? Just not -quite- so many cherries."Â?
If it was so quite why did it seem she'd seen Aishe there so much? Probably just because Kem was there a lot and she was crossing things in her mind or maybe Aishe really was there that much but helping in the archives too. It could be anything, so Pak let her momentary suspicious evaporate and just nodded.
The next question made her squirm a bit. She did -not- like having temper tantrums and letting things get out of hand. It was a -very- bad thing. Some times it was inevitable though, she just couldn't help it or control it or even see it coming. It just happened. Somehow falling apart with Kem was... well not OK but bearable. She didn't think he'd hold it against her, even if she did feel rotten. She'd try and make it up to him later. It was much harder and down right embarrassing to admit to someone else. If it had been -anyone- but Aishe she would have lied through her teeth.
"We... ummm... I think we had a fight. At least I yelled a lot."Â?
Pak had taken to looking out the window, she wasn't quite able to make eye contact as she said it.
"My people will call his people I'm sure."Â?
Truth be told she wouldn't mind a glass of wine, but she was going to have to drive back. And while one glass wouldn't hurt anything Kem wasn't the only one who had work waiting for him back at the towers. Pak just didn't feel hers pressing on her quite so bad, it wasn't anything that couldn't be done in the morning from her own rooms.
"Why don't you hit me with one of your concoctions? Just not -quite- so many cherries."Â?
If it was so quite why did it seem she'd seen Aishe there so much? Probably just because Kem was there a lot and she was crossing things in her mind or maybe Aishe really was there that much but helping in the archives too. It could be anything, so Pak let her momentary suspicious evaporate and just nodded.
The next question made her squirm a bit. She did -not- like having temper tantrums and letting things get out of hand. It was a -very- bad thing. Some times it was inevitable though, she just couldn't help it or control it or even see it coming. It just happened. Somehow falling apart with Kem was... well not OK but bearable. She didn't think he'd hold it against her, even if she did feel rotten. She'd try and make it up to him later. It was much harder and down right embarrassing to admit to someone else. If it had been -anyone- but Aishe she would have lied through her teeth.
"We... ummm... I think we had a fight. At least I yelled a lot."Â?
Pak had taken to looking out the window, she wasn't quite able to make eye contact as she said it.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe nodded happily at Pak and fetched another coke from the fridge, and another glass from the cabinet right next to it. As she began to mix up both drinks she glanced up at her friend.
"You yelled at him?" An amused little smile passed over her lips. "I've had reason to want to do the same... maybe not recently, but since I've known him. What about?"
If anyone knew how infuriatingly stubborn Kem could be, it was Aishe. She remembered some of her previous vampire-catching techniques originally involving baseball bats and trip-wires. Still, Kem hadn't been terribly upset when he'd come home before. If he and Pak had had a serious quarrel she didn't doubt she'd have been able to pick up on that; no doubt something of that magnitude would have been immediately visible even to her untrained empathic eye. She'd known something must have happened to get Kem out of Meridian, but she hadn't expected it was a fight with his "little sister."
"For what it's worth," she said reassuringly to Pak, "Kem didn't really seem upset when you guys got here. Whatever it was, it must have had some truth to it - or perhaps you won."
From what she and Kem had silently discussed, and from Pak's previous comments about Kem wanting her out of his office, Aishe had a fair idea what their argument might have been about, but it wasn't entirely clear. If Pak were willing to open up and discuss it, she might be able to shed some light on things.
"You yelled at him?" An amused little smile passed over her lips. "I've had reason to want to do the same... maybe not recently, but since I've known him. What about?"
If anyone knew how infuriatingly stubborn Kem could be, it was Aishe. She remembered some of her previous vampire-catching techniques originally involving baseball bats and trip-wires. Still, Kem hadn't been terribly upset when he'd come home before. If he and Pak had had a serious quarrel she didn't doubt she'd have been able to pick up on that; no doubt something of that magnitude would have been immediately visible even to her untrained empathic eye. She'd known something must have happened to get Kem out of Meridian, but she hadn't expected it was a fight with his "little sister."
"For what it's worth," she said reassuringly to Pak, "Kem didn't really seem upset when you guys got here. Whatever it was, it must have had some truth to it - or perhaps you won."
From what she and Kem had silently discussed, and from Pak's previous comments about Kem wanting her out of his office, Aishe had a fair idea what their argument might have been about, but it wasn't entirely clear. If Pak were willing to open up and discuss it, she might be able to shed some light on things.
Pakpao
15 years ago
"Nothing really. Just giving him grief about the hours he's been keeping and it sort of... ... escalated."Â?
That was the best way Pak could put it. It had started out almost as a game, but was feeling more and more like an over reaction on her part, which she didn't like. But she also had no good way to explain that to Aishe. OK, there were ways but Pak didn't want to take them. Nope, she'd admitted to one person she had no idea what was bothering her and what had caused the blow up, she wasn't admitting that again
Recovering herself somewhat Pak offered a half smile as she toyed with her drink. Nice and cherry-y. Aishe did have a point there. For as fast as she'd gone from goofing around to exploding Kem had gone from annoyed to concerned. That only left one person to be cross with, and that would be her. She could do that later.
"No, I guess he didn't. I highly doubt I won though. I think it was a truce or cease fire. That is to say I stopped yelling."Â?
Personally she would have let her storm from the office. Why Kem didn't, she didn't understand. She appreciated, but didn't understand it.
That was the best way Pak could put it. It had started out almost as a game, but was feeling more and more like an over reaction on her part, which she didn't like. But she also had no good way to explain that to Aishe. OK, there were ways but Pak didn't want to take them. Nope, she'd admitted to one person she had no idea what was bothering her and what had caused the blow up, she wasn't admitting that again
Recovering herself somewhat Pak offered a half smile as she toyed with her drink. Nice and cherry-y. Aishe did have a point there. For as fast as she'd gone from goofing around to exploding Kem had gone from annoyed to concerned. That only left one person to be cross with, and that would be her. She could do that later.
"No, I guess he didn't. I highly doubt I won though. I think it was a truce or cease fire. That is to say I stopped yelling."Â?
Personally she would have let her storm from the office. Why Kem didn't, she didn't understand. She appreciated, but didn't understand it.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe made her drink after Pak's was finished, allowing a little more freedom with the grenadine and shoveling two spoonfuls of cherries into it. Closing the jar and putting it back into the fridge, she gave a little, "hmm" of acknowledgment as she listened to Pak.
Hopping onto one of the barstools at the kitchen counter, Aishe swung her feet and sucked thoughtfully on a cherry for a moment before popping it off its stem.
"The thing about Kem," she said, eyes on the ceiling, "is that you have to do everything the hard way with him."
Carefully placing the cherry stem on a napkin, Aishe stabbed her straw into another one and hoisted it out of the fizzy drink.
"He won't work himself into the ground," she continued, then thought better of that statement. "All right," she corrected, "he will work himself into the ground, but at some point he'll realize what he's doing and he'll alter course."
With a smile at Pak, she nibbled at the second cherry so as not to continue speaking with her mouth full. "I don't necessarily like the hours he's putting in now but I do know why he's doing it. Holding down two jobs is tough. He will learn how to manage them both, or he will eventually give one up."
Aishe knew which it would be. If Kem had to choose between the job he enjoyed at Meridian and the one his clan needed him to eprform, he would do what was required of him.
"But the reason you don't see me worrying is, I know he'll figure it out in his own time. I can't say I'd do anything differently under the circumstances. I'd probably have bitten someone's head off by now. Kem will get it done."
Her faith in her lover was fueled by the belief that he really could do anything. Aishe had seen Kem under all sorts of circumstances in the five years they'd known each other and she knew that he didn't buckle easily under pressure.
"Now, if it's something that directly involves his emotions, or his personal life, I can't say the same. But when others are counting on him, he won't let them down."
Aishe tapped her heels against the legs of the chair. "He did that once before, letting someone down who trusted him. So he's sensitive about doing his best."
Aishe normally wouldn't have been so open about Kem's past, but Pak knew of it and it seemed to her it would be all right to speak of it.
Hopping onto one of the barstools at the kitchen counter, Aishe swung her feet and sucked thoughtfully on a cherry for a moment before popping it off its stem.
"The thing about Kem," she said, eyes on the ceiling, "is that you have to do everything the hard way with him."
Carefully placing the cherry stem on a napkin, Aishe stabbed her straw into another one and hoisted it out of the fizzy drink.
"He won't work himself into the ground," she continued, then thought better of that statement. "All right," she corrected, "he will work himself into the ground, but at some point he'll realize what he's doing and he'll alter course."
With a smile at Pak, she nibbled at the second cherry so as not to continue speaking with her mouth full. "I don't necessarily like the hours he's putting in now but I do know why he's doing it. Holding down two jobs is tough. He will learn how to manage them both, or he will eventually give one up."
Aishe knew which it would be. If Kem had to choose between the job he enjoyed at Meridian and the one his clan needed him to eprform, he would do what was required of him.
"But the reason you don't see me worrying is, I know he'll figure it out in his own time. I can't say I'd do anything differently under the circumstances. I'd probably have bitten someone's head off by now. Kem will get it done."
Her faith in her lover was fueled by the belief that he really could do anything. Aishe had seen Kem under all sorts of circumstances in the five years they'd known each other and she knew that he didn't buckle easily under pressure.
"Now, if it's something that directly involves his emotions, or his personal life, I can't say the same. But when others are counting on him, he won't let them down."
Aishe tapped her heels against the legs of the chair. "He did that once before, letting someone down who trusted him. So he's sensitive about doing his best."
Aishe normally wouldn't have been so open about Kem's past, but Pak knew of it and it seemed to her it would be all right to speak of it.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak snorted somewhat. The hard way huh? She was a bit amazed that Aishe hadn’t noticed that seemed to be a trait she and Kem shared. It was not a novel concept.
It was a little, a lot, disconcerting that Aishe could be so calm about all of this. None of it was actually news to Pak. But it was new that had to be a bit unearthed from where ever she had stored it; probably in the deep dark recesses of her mind along with the lyrics to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The conversation was fast getting too serious, so Pak did the logical thing and ran. Sort of.
“I need a cigarette, do you need a cigarette? I didn’t think so. I’ll meet you on the porch.”
Pak would never dream of smoking in another person’s house. However, she did need a nicotine fix and was fairly certain she had a pack of cloves and a lighter in the Bird.
Trusting Aishe with the cherry coke Pak took the opportunity to find some space and decompress a little bit. She knew a bit about Kem’s past. She didn’t know everything, but then Kem had a hell of a lot of past. When you looked at it from that angle though… she’d once told Kem they were what death had made them. Maybe her own past was clouding her judgment, influencing her feelings a little bit.
Pay dirt! She found the cloves and lighter and made her way back to Aishe and the porch pausing only long enough to light up and take a long drag. That was better.
Settling back down with Aishe Pak picked up where they’d left off.
“No, I know that and oddly enough that’s part of the reason I worry. I suppose that isn’t my place any more.”
Kem had plenty of other people, better people, Aishe people, other clan types, to worry about him and keep him from being a total idiot. Not that she ever thought he –would- be a total idiot, not about what he was doing for others.
She hid behind another drag on her cigarette.
“But I haven’t had any family to worry about for a long time.”
And she wasn’t going to screw up this time, except she had. Pak sighed. This was –so- a no win situation.
It was a little, a lot, disconcerting that Aishe could be so calm about all of this. None of it was actually news to Pak. But it was new that had to be a bit unearthed from where ever she had stored it; probably in the deep dark recesses of her mind along with the lyrics to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The conversation was fast getting too serious, so Pak did the logical thing and ran. Sort of.
“I need a cigarette, do you need a cigarette? I didn’t think so. I’ll meet you on the porch.”
Pak would never dream of smoking in another person’s house. However, she did need a nicotine fix and was fairly certain she had a pack of cloves and a lighter in the Bird.
Trusting Aishe with the cherry coke Pak took the opportunity to find some space and decompress a little bit. She knew a bit about Kem’s past. She didn’t know everything, but then Kem had a hell of a lot of past. When you looked at it from that angle though… she’d once told Kem they were what death had made them. Maybe her own past was clouding her judgment, influencing her feelings a little bit.
Pay dirt! She found the cloves and lighter and made her way back to Aishe and the porch pausing only long enough to light up and take a long drag. That was better.
Settling back down with Aishe Pak picked up where they’d left off.
“No, I know that and oddly enough that’s part of the reason I worry. I suppose that isn’t my place any more.”
Kem had plenty of other people, better people, Aishe people, other clan types, to worry about him and keep him from being a total idiot. Not that she ever thought he –would- be a total idiot, not about what he was doing for others.
She hid behind another drag on her cigarette.
“But I haven’t had any family to worry about for a long time.”
And she wasn’t going to screw up this time, except she had. Pak sighed. This was –so- a no win situation.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe laughed silently to herself when Pak disappeared out onto the back porch. She and Kem were so alike sometimes it wouldn't surprise her if they shared a common ancestor (or in Kem's case, a descendant) somewhere in there. She fished for cherries, giving Pak time to collect her thoughts, knowing she would be back in sooner or later and amused by the similar way she and Kem handled emotional stress.
Once Pak had resettled herself, Aishe softly said, "I never said not to worry about him. He's lucky to have family like you."
With a smile at Pak, she added, "We just have to worry about him quietly. If you blow up at him he's just going to get contrary and do more of what it is you told him he shouldn't do."
She stirred up the grenadine that had settled down at the bottom of her glass. "He'll come around, and he'll get used to the new workload. You'll see."
Hopping off her stool, Aishe added, "and it's always going to be your place to worry about him. But I decided a long time ago that the only way for him to learn to trust that I wasn't going anywhere was time. He's already begun to get that. You two are very alike that way."
If Pak could learn the same patience Aishe had, she would understand what she meant. Kem's strengths and his weaknesses could be frighteningly alike sometimes, and his past had granted him a slew of personal insecurities which sometimes made his closest friends, the ones he let in, forget exactly how capable a person he was.
Time would solve that though, on both ends.
Once Pak had resettled herself, Aishe softly said, "I never said not to worry about him. He's lucky to have family like you."
With a smile at Pak, she added, "We just have to worry about him quietly. If you blow up at him he's just going to get contrary and do more of what it is you told him he shouldn't do."
She stirred up the grenadine that had settled down at the bottom of her glass. "He'll come around, and he'll get used to the new workload. You'll see."
Hopping off her stool, Aishe added, "and it's always going to be your place to worry about him. But I decided a long time ago that the only way for him to learn to trust that I wasn't going anywhere was time. He's already begun to get that. You two are very alike that way."
If Pak could learn the same patience Aishe had, she would understand what she meant. Kem's strengths and his weaknesses could be frighteningly alike sometimes, and his past had granted him a slew of personal insecurities which sometimes made his closest friends, the ones he let in, forget exactly how capable a person he was.
Time would solve that though, on both ends.
Pakpao
15 years ago
Pak paused with the clove half way to her lips and raised a questioning eyebrow. Quietly? That was asking her to change hundreds of years of behavior. Maybe she could try it. It probably wouldn’t go well, but she could try it. Obviously, she couldn’t go on yelling at him, it wasn’t good for either of them.
But she did have a point and Pak knew it. If any one tired to pull away from something Pak was quite willing to admit she’d just dig her heels in and keep going. If left to her own to surface it would go a bit better. It was tricky.
Exhaling Pak burst out.
“God damned it girl how did you get to be so smart and patent?!”
Give her a problem, something logical and detached and Pak was unstoppable. Give her something with a human element or emotion and she had a tendency to trip over herself and her own issues for some time before reaching any kind of conclusion and often the wrong one.
((OOC… red is Siamese if you hadn’t guessed))
But she did have a point and Pak knew it. If any one tired to pull away from something Pak was quite willing to admit she’d just dig her heels in and keep going. If left to her own to surface it would go a bit better. It was tricky.
Exhaling Pak burst out.
“God damned it girl how did you get to be so smart and patent?!”
Give her a problem, something logical and detached and Pak was unstoppable. Give her something with a human element or emotion and she had a tendency to trip over herself and her own issues for some time before reaching any kind of conclusion and often the wrong one.
((OOC… red is Siamese if you hadn’t guessed))
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe paused, halfway across the kitchen for more cherries, and quirked an eyebrow up at Pak.
"I don't think I'm smart," she pointed out. "In fact I'm pretty sure many of my acquaintances here in Nachton would tell you it's a miracle I arrived safely at the point I'm at today."
As to the other, she grinned at Pak. "I don't know about the patience part. It's just a matter of having the willpower to sit back and wait for something. Mind over matter, I suppose. I mean, half the time I know my actions won't be productive. So why go through all the fuss when sitting back and waiting quietly will prove my point just as well if not better?"
Retrieving her cherry jar, she offered it to Pak first before giving up the pretense of putting them into her drink and simply plucking them by the stem directly from the container.
Pondering the situation a little more she shrugged. "I got nothing," she said. "I just know Kem. And it doesn't hurt to have a little Kem cheat-sheet in my head. Maybe with someone else I wouldn't come across as half so smart and patient."
"I don't think I'm smart," she pointed out. "In fact I'm pretty sure many of my acquaintances here in Nachton would tell you it's a miracle I arrived safely at the point I'm at today."
As to the other, she grinned at Pak. "I don't know about the patience part. It's just a matter of having the willpower to sit back and wait for something. Mind over matter, I suppose. I mean, half the time I know my actions won't be productive. So why go through all the fuss when sitting back and waiting quietly will prove my point just as well if not better?"
Retrieving her cherry jar, she offered it to Pak first before giving up the pretense of putting them into her drink and simply plucking them by the stem directly from the container.
Pondering the situation a little more she shrugged. "I got nothing," she said. "I just know Kem. And it doesn't hurt to have a little Kem cheat-sheet in my head. Maybe with someone else I wouldn't come across as half so smart and patient."