Kem nodded at Nikhila and began to carefully put the journal away in its drawer. As he did so, he briefly considered asking Nikhila about the virus she seemed to be studying. But he decided that might be too obvious and he certainly didn't want to look too curious... or too correct. So he stuck to a more generic and broad question which she could answer any way she liked, since their previous topic of conversation was waning as she found something, he guessed, that was of interest to her.
"What are you looking for in these journals, if you don't mind my asking? They're incredibly obscure; I'm surprised anyone knew to ask about them."
Something with a virus and something canine. Funny how dogs and wolves seemed to be popping up around Nachton so frequently. Briefly he wondered if Nikhila herself was Reign and Bastian's midnight visitor. How many wolves could there be in Nachton, anyhow?
He shook his head to himself and waited, curious as to how Nikhila would answer his question, and quite certain that he needed to do a little digging on the Stafford Academy as well as the Foundation and its leaders.
An Evening Meeting (Attn Kem)
Thank god the head of Meridian's archives was amenable to her schedule. She truly wanted to meet with him as Meridian had some data she couldn't get anywhere else, but she also couldn't make her schedule work any other way.
Her plan was to meet him at the library on her way to the lab, as such Nikhila was dressed very conservatively, very little jewelry and her hair was up in an efficient scientifically sound manner. One couldn't have several feet of dark hair in a microscope or another test of one sort of another.
With a brilliant smile she checked in at the main desk. Nikhila spent a fair amount of time at the library and as such had developed quite a relationship with the head librarian and several of his assistance; pleasantries aside he efficiently showed her to the study room she'd reserved.
It was that what she had to say during this meeting was that top secrete but she wanted to be able to concentrate on what was presented. If Nikhila was honest she didn't want this more public than it had to be. She already had plans to keep the fact that she'd investigated these records from the lab.
Laptop open, notebook set out pen, highlighters ready and copy card paid up she was more than ready. He wasn't late yet, even if he was she had no room to complain he was already extending quite the courtesy meeting her after dark; so Nikhila simply set about reviewing some student papers. It was much easier to find a break point with students than lab work.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Nikhila
15 years ago
The question caught Nikhila flatfooted. Of course, she should have been expecting it, after all she’d dragged the head archivist for a very large company out in the middle of the night to look at some ancient articles and to dig through equally old records of experiments. Even if he was, you’d pardon the expression, dumb as a box of rocks, she should have anticipated some curiosity. And from his manner and their conversation she knew he was nowhere need box level
Nikhila continued to let her attention be absorbed by the journal, using it to stall for time. She had now what she needed, an understanding of where the study Meridian had possession of came from and a good idea where it, and the research she was eavesdropping on might go.
She shivered very –very- slightly. It was all very The Island of Doctor Moreau and needed to be stopped.
Looking up to her host she smiled.
“Thank you, I think I’m done with this one as well.”
Standing up straight, she stretched slightly to ease a crick in her back.
“Would you mind if I took one final look at the records you brought? I’d hate to miss any thing or let the opportunity go to waste.”
Receiving an affirmative she headed back toward the study room with Kem.
“As far as what I’m working on… its rather complicated. I’m not even quite sure where the research is headed myself”
It was all said naturally and with confidence. It was, after all, the truth. She was simply leaving out the details, all of them.
“I’d run across the articles once before very early in my career though and thought they might help. As you said, history does repeat itself. That holds true in any science I suppose.”
Again, it was all true and thank good for it. If she hadn’t known about these articles, she would be missing quite a bit. Hopefully, this gave her an edge over the others in the lab.
Nikhila continued to let her attention be absorbed by the journal, using it to stall for time. She had now what she needed, an understanding of where the study Meridian had possession of came from and a good idea where it, and the research she was eavesdropping on might go.
She shivered very –very- slightly. It was all very The Island of Doctor Moreau and needed to be stopped.
Looking up to her host she smiled.
“Thank you, I think I’m done with this one as well.”
Standing up straight, she stretched slightly to ease a crick in her back.
“Would you mind if I took one final look at the records you brought? I’d hate to miss any thing or let the opportunity go to waste.”
Receiving an affirmative she headed back toward the study room with Kem.
“As far as what I’m working on… its rather complicated. I’m not even quite sure where the research is headed myself”
It was all said naturally and with confidence. It was, after all, the truth. She was simply leaving out the details, all of them.
“I’d run across the articles once before very early in my career though and thought they might help. As you said, history does repeat itself. That holds true in any science I suppose.”
Again, it was all true and thank good for it. If she hadn’t known about these articles, she would be missing quite a bit. Hopefully, this gave her an edge over the others in the lab.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem wasn't horribly surprised to get a really vague answer that didn't tell him much about the study whatsoever. It did, however, confirm his suspicions. Yes... he was now officially suspicious.
Nothing showed on his face, he hoped, as he smiled at Nikhila and began to put the second, equally fragile journal away. As he did, he looked up at her and said, "I can meet you back in the study room so you have a few minutes to get what you need before I take off."
Remembering his promise to her from earlier he added, "I'll see what I can do about getting a copy of them released to you, but in he meantime if you want to come by Meridian this week just send me an email and I'll arrange to escort you down from the lobby."
He pondered the situation as Nikhila left. She was bright, friendly, and well-mannered. Didn't seem like a werewolf to him, but then again who knew? He didn't seem like Dracula either. He took his time, stopping to greet one of the evening librarians who told him they'd received a large donation of old books a few weeks back and they might have some work for him, if he wanted it.
The idea was appeaing but Kem regretfully shook his head. Meridian and Evenhet were all he could handle for now. He jotted a few names down on a piece of paper, interns of colleagues who would probably jump at the chance, and gave it to her to pass on to the head librarian.
All in all, Nikhila had a good 25 minutes or so to look back over the notes he'd brought. He wouldn't feel too guilty, then, about taking them back... she could always come check them out at Meridian for the time being.
Nothing showed on his face, he hoped, as he smiled at Nikhila and began to put the second, equally fragile journal away. As he did, he looked up at her and said, "I can meet you back in the study room so you have a few minutes to get what you need before I take off."
Remembering his promise to her from earlier he added, "I'll see what I can do about getting a copy of them released to you, but in he meantime if you want to come by Meridian this week just send me an email and I'll arrange to escort you down from the lobby."
He pondered the situation as Nikhila left. She was bright, friendly, and well-mannered. Didn't seem like a werewolf to him, but then again who knew? He didn't seem like Dracula either. He took his time, stopping to greet one of the evening librarians who told him they'd received a large donation of old books a few weeks back and they might have some work for him, if he wanted it.
The idea was appeaing but Kem regretfully shook his head. Meridian and Evenhet were all he could handle for now. He jotted a few names down on a piece of paper, interns of colleagues who would probably jump at the chance, and gave it to her to pass on to the head librarian.
All in all, Nikhila had a good 25 minutes or so to look back over the notes he'd brought. He wouldn't feel too guilty, then, about taking them back... she could always come check them out at Meridian for the time being.
Nikhila
15 years ago
She was ecstatic to have the time to herself with the old study. If she had been someone else she would very probably tried to push her luck and copy the pages. But the thought never even crossed her mind.
Her precise neat handwriting covered pages of her notebooks now as well as several formulas and more important and exact work taking up space in her laptop.
“I think that’s all I can take in tonight. I cannot thank you enough for your help tonight.”
Armed with Kem’s generous promise and the hope she might get her own copy Nikhila decided she’d taken up enough of Kem’s time for one night. Although, she did rather hope to see him again.
“I just have a few things here to wrap up.”
She gestured to her note book and laptop. Nikhila had some cleaning up to do, although she had put the Meridian documents back as neatly as she'd been handed them.
Certainly, she didn’t want to dismiss him, but she didn’t want to hold him up either. The statement was an offer he could choose to accept or not.
Her precise neat handwriting covered pages of her notebooks now as well as several formulas and more important and exact work taking up space in her laptop.
“I think that’s all I can take in tonight. I cannot thank you enough for your help tonight.”
Armed with Kem’s generous promise and the hope she might get her own copy Nikhila decided she’d taken up enough of Kem’s time for one night. Although, she did rather hope to see him again.
“I just have a few things here to wrap up.”
She gestured to her note book and laptop. Nikhila had some cleaning up to do, although she had put the Meridian documents back as neatly as she'd been handed them.
Certainly, she didn’t want to dismiss him, but she didn’t want to hold him up either. The statement was an offer he could choose to accept or not.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Kem took Nikhila's statement as proof he wasn't needed for further assistance. He was happy to help, but the hours at meridian had been longer and he hadn't been home in over 48 hours. He was looking forward to spending at least half the evening napping, preferably with Aishe next to him. Later on he'd go back to the archives. Probably. Maybe.
"If you need anything, you know where to find me," he said to Nikhila. He held his hand out and shook hers when she clasped his firmly. "It was nice to meet you. Good luck with your research."
With that he was out, shutting the study room door quietly behind him and heading out and down the front steps of the building. passing underneath an oak tree with wide, spreading branches, he set his sights on home.
He made it about two steps before a dark shape dropped down in front of him.
"If you need anything, you know where to find me," he said to Nikhila. He held his hand out and shook hers when she clasped his firmly. "It was nice to meet you. Good luck with your research."
With that he was out, shutting the study room door quietly behind him and heading out and down the front steps of the building. passing underneath an oak tree with wide, spreading branches, he set his sights on home.
He made it about two steps before a dark shape dropped down in front of him.
Aishe
15 years ago
Aishe waited patiently for Kem to finish up his meeting, trusting their shared bond to inform her if anything bad happened. After everything they'd talked about, after all Kem's worries, this was just the kind of thing he'd pull. He didn't know this woman, yet he'd arranged to meet with her on his own time outside clan property without anyone along for support.
Aishe didn't consider herself any more or less paranoid than the next person, but these were uncertain times and with the murmurings of vengeful werewolves running rampant (alright, almost rampant. A little bit of rampant... ness), he could have at least let her know where he was going and when to expect him back!
So she was engaging in a little bit of off-the-clock surveillance. She'd thought to surprise him at Meridian early in the evening, just after sunset, and had arrived to find him gone. It took a few minutes of questioning to figure out his destination, and she'd been waiting out here ever since.
Her relief was nearly palpable when he came strolling out the front doors of the library, looking tired but otherwise whole. As he passed beneath her, she swung off her perch on a tree branch and dropped down in front of him, satisfied in seeing him jump.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?"
Crossing her arms, she favored him with her most sincere and grave expression, tapping her left foot on the pavement.
Aishe didn't consider herself any more or less paranoid than the next person, but these were uncertain times and with the murmurings of vengeful werewolves running rampant (alright, almost rampant. A little bit of rampant... ness), he could have at least let her know where he was going and when to expect him back!
So she was engaging in a little bit of off-the-clock surveillance. She'd thought to surprise him at Meridian early in the evening, just after sunset, and had arrived to find him gone. It took a few minutes of questioning to figure out his destination, and she'd been waiting out here ever since.
Her relief was nearly palpable when he came strolling out the front doors of the library, looking tired but otherwise whole. As he passed beneath her, she swung off her perch on a tree branch and dropped down in front of him, satisfied in seeing him jump.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?"
Crossing her arms, she favored him with her most sincere and grave expression, tapping her left foot on the pavement.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
The voice was immediately recognizable, and if Kem's heart were capable of stopping to begin with, it would have started up again when he heard it. As he got a better look he confirmed that, yes, Aishe had just jumped out of a tree and scared him halfway out of immortality.
Ignoring her question (that kind of thing was almost always rhetorical, right? Historically, once she got to the point where she was using this tone of voice, nothing he could say or do would extricate him from whatever mess he was in, anyway), he put his hands on his hips and resolved to refuse to be chastised.
"Wait... did you just jump out of a tree at me?"
He lifted one eyebrow quizzically at her and glanced up. "Funny. No clouds."
Ignoring her question (that kind of thing was almost always rhetorical, right? Historically, once she got to the point where she was using this tone of voice, nothing he could say or do would extricate him from whatever mess he was in, anyway), he put his hands on his hips and resolved to refuse to be chastised.
"Wait... did you just jump out of a tree at me?"
He lifted one eyebrow quizzically at her and glanced up. "Funny. No clouds."
Aishe
15 years ago
Kem's answer-in-the-form-of-a-question almost had her chuckling and she had to work to remain stern. "Seriously, Kem, why didn't you just tell me where you were going? I could have come along."
She didn't need to elaborate; he knew why she was worried. Kem wasn't stupid by any stretch of the imagination. That said, he was sometimes quite willing to ignore his own advice, or how else could he justify warning her to be careful where she went and who she spoke to, while not doing that same thing himself?
"What if that had been a setup?" The fear in her voice was real. Kem could handle himself hand-to-hand, one-on-one, in most situations. But he was just one man, and anyone could be taken in by a cleverly-laid trap.
She didn't need to elaborate; he knew why she was worried. Kem wasn't stupid by any stretch of the imagination. That said, he was sometimes quite willing to ignore his own advice, or how else could he justify warning her to be careful where she went and who she spoke to, while not doing that same thing himself?
"What if that had been a setup?" The fear in her voice was real. Kem could handle himself hand-to-hand, one-on-one, in most situations. But he was just one man, and anyone could be taken in by a cleverly-laid trap.
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
Aishe had a point; she pretty much always did. Kem dropped his hands from his hips and leaned in, brushing his lips gently across her forehead. Then he looked at her seriously. "It occurred to me that it might be, but only when I walked into the library. I couldn't exactly back out then, so I decided to chalk it up to paranoia and see what happened. I'll let you know next time."
He meant it, too. His own worries when he'd walked into the library might have been unfounded, but it wouldn't kill him to use caution for the next few weeks, particularly with the waters being a little rough not just between the clans but pretty much everywhere.
"I'm glad you came though." Then he looked up again. "A tree, though? Have you been scampering around behind bushes too?"
He meant it, too. His own worries when he'd walked into the library might have been unfounded, but it wouldn't kill him to use caution for the next few weeks, particularly with the waters being a little rough not just between the clans but pretty much everywhere.
"I'm glad you came though." Then he looked up again. "A tree, though? Have you been scampering around behind bushes too?"
Aishe
15 years ago
Well... it was hard to be angry at a boyfriend who readily admitted his mistakes and promised not to repeat them, particularly when he took his promises seriously. She hadn't really been angry anyhow. Just concerned. Aishe closed her eyes and smiled when Kem kissed her forehead and uncrossed her arms, moving closer, wrapping them around Kem's waist, and pressing her head to his chest.
"Don't scare me like that."
She did chuckle when he asked about the tree... and the bushes. "It felt right. Very double-oh-seven-ish. Besides, you didn't see me so it must have worked?"
She had been dressed appropriately, so she'd figured why not? She was wearing black khakis and a deep purple shirt that had both blended into the night shadows very well.
"I was actually never much of a tree-climber. I'm thrilled I made it up there."
"Don't scare me like that."
She did chuckle when he asked about the tree... and the bushes. "It felt right. Very double-oh-seven-ish. Besides, you didn't see me so it must have worked?"
She had been dressed appropriately, so she'd figured why not? She was wearing black khakis and a deep purple shirt that had both blended into the night shadows very well.
"I was actually never much of a tree-climber. I'm thrilled I made it up there."
Kem`Raaisu
15 years ago
"Better you than me." Kem looked at the tree and gave a mock shudder, although a real one wasn't too far off.
Returning Aishe's warm embrace he continued to stare thoughtfully at the tree until she noticed his preoccupation and got his attention again.
"You think you'd want to teach me what you know?" He asked in response to her "penny for your thoughts" style query.
"You know, martial arts. Self-defense. I'm rusty. I can do all right, but it won't hurt me to get a refresher."
Returning Aishe's warm embrace he continued to stare thoughtfully at the tree until she noticed his preoccupation and got his attention again.
"You think you'd want to teach me what you know?" He asked in response to her "penny for your thoughts" style query.
"You know, martial arts. Self-defense. I'm rusty. I can do all right, but it won't hurt me to get a refresher."
Aishe
15 years ago
Kem's preoccupation was transparent, at least to her, but she asked him about it anyway. His gaze at the tree was a giveaway. Kem was mindful of his weaknesses. He knew what they were and, most of the time, he tried not to let them get to him. With some exceptions, of course.
"I can spar with you, teach you to break holds and some throws you might not know."
She was willing to bet there were some things he could teach her, as well. The ancient Egyptians didn't exactly have a martial art form, but they had known plenty of hand-to-hand combat, in which Kem had been trained as a youth and which had served him throughout his life. She would be curious to know what he'd learned and how well he remembered it, and it was only practical for him to learn as much as he could from her. She wished, not for the first time in the past few months, that Chris were around though. He'd be a better teacher than Aishe could ever be.
Though, she reflected, perhaps Kem would be much more comfortable learning such things from her than from Chris. She knew he still felt somewhat awkward and inadequate around her creator, as if he should have been able to do what Chris had done for Aishe.
"If you really want to task yourself," she suggested, in all seriousness, "start riding the elevator. A lot."
Kem looked surprised, and then thoughtful, and then he nodded. Aishe twined her fingers in his. "Just... be a little more careful in the future? For me? We don't know what's out there... or who's who... anymore."
She said the words softly even though there wasn't anyone around to hear them. They were meant for her and Kem alone. It wasn't that she doubted his abilities, but after trying so hard and going through so much to find him, she didn't want to be separated from him.
Her concerns were met with a squeeze of strong arms. "Let's go home," she said softly. "I don't want to think about 'what if' anymore tonight."
That was all the encouragement Kem needed, apparently, and they started on their way back home, a familiar walk they'd done many times that summer, easily pacing each other and chatting idly until they could close the front door on the world and forget about being worried for a few hours.
((ooc: Aishe and Kem out))
"I can spar with you, teach you to break holds and some throws you might not know."
She was willing to bet there were some things he could teach her, as well. The ancient Egyptians didn't exactly have a martial art form, but they had known plenty of hand-to-hand combat, in which Kem had been trained as a youth and which had served him throughout his life. She would be curious to know what he'd learned and how well he remembered it, and it was only practical for him to learn as much as he could from her. She wished, not for the first time in the past few months, that Chris were around though. He'd be a better teacher than Aishe could ever be.
Though, she reflected, perhaps Kem would be much more comfortable learning such things from her than from Chris. She knew he still felt somewhat awkward and inadequate around her creator, as if he should have been able to do what Chris had done for Aishe.
"If you really want to task yourself," she suggested, in all seriousness, "start riding the elevator. A lot."
Kem looked surprised, and then thoughtful, and then he nodded. Aishe twined her fingers in his. "Just... be a little more careful in the future? For me? We don't know what's out there... or who's who... anymore."
She said the words softly even though there wasn't anyone around to hear them. They were meant for her and Kem alone. It wasn't that she doubted his abilities, but after trying so hard and going through so much to find him, she didn't want to be separated from him.
Her concerns were met with a squeeze of strong arms. "Let's go home," she said softly. "I don't want to think about 'what if' anymore tonight."
That was all the encouragement Kem needed, apparently, and they started on their way back home, a familiar walk they'd done many times that summer, easily pacing each other and chatting idly until they could close the front door on the world and forget about being worried for a few hours.
((ooc: Aishe and Kem out))
Nikhila
15 years ago
Why was there always so much to do? Nikhila set about organizing her notes and her thoughts and getting out to the lab. It was late, but she was still expected, not that there would be many people there and that was just fine with her. She had enough to think about tonight with out worrying about being social.
Everything was packed up, except her laptop. After a moments hesitation she sent a quick note to Xeph. It was not sentimental or anything so frivolous. Nikhila was simply more aware of her surroundings lately and while she certainly didn’t expect any problems; but just in case she ran into more of Ford and Joes and their kind she had every intention of leaving a good trail for Xeph or any of the Pack to follow.
Leaving the library, she paused just outside and breathed deeply. The night air was warm, but not hot, slightly humid and carried the faintest whiff of the ocean mingled with the humidity, exhaust fumes and thousand other smells of a city. She could also feel it, the pull of the moon. She didn’t need a calendar or even to see it she knew it was three days until she’d be required to change.
She spotted Kem and a petite woman and smiled. Good, he had something other than his work. Nikhila wouldn’t have thought any more of it, but as she was walking to the bus stop, she caught some of the woman’s words. How odd. Careful? What and who are out there? Those words couldn’t possibly refer to her, what was remotely dangerous about a scientist. No, they couldn’t be about Kem’s meeting with her. Could they?
((OOC… Nikhila out too))
Everything was packed up, except her laptop. After a moments hesitation she sent a quick note to Xeph. It was not sentimental or anything so frivolous. Nikhila was simply more aware of her surroundings lately and while she certainly didn’t expect any problems; but just in case she ran into more of Ford and Joes and their kind she had every intention of leaving a good trail for Xeph or any of the Pack to follow.
Leaving the library, she paused just outside and breathed deeply. The night air was warm, but not hot, slightly humid and carried the faintest whiff of the ocean mingled with the humidity, exhaust fumes and thousand other smells of a city. She could also feel it, the pull of the moon. She didn’t need a calendar or even to see it she knew it was three days until she’d be required to change.
She spotted Kem and a petite woman and smiled. Good, he had something other than his work. Nikhila wouldn’t have thought any more of it, but as she was walking to the bus stop, she caught some of the woman’s words. How odd. Careful? What and who are out there? Those words couldn’t possibly refer to her, what was remotely dangerous about a scientist. No, they couldn’t be about Kem’s meeting with her. Could they?
((OOC… Nikhila out too))