Making Friends (Attn: Amir)

As they drove through the streets of Nachton, Dana dug through her bags until she found the lovely little swimsuit that Cadence had talked her into.

She wiggled into the bottoms, before pulling her dress over her head, and fitting the top to her body. It fit nicely, and it was that moment she realized she didn't have a towel, well no matter, she didn't necessarily need one.

They finally left the noisy crush of the downtown area and into the lovely park that the sign denoted as the Nature Preserve. She wasn't sure how a nature preserve would provide water, but she chose not to question, the guy knew the city better than she did. He pulled to a stop in a small parking area and before her was the ocean, the beautiful, inviting ocean. Finally something familiar.

She gave the driver a smile, trying really hard to remember his name,
"Could you go pick up a couple of towels for me?"

He smiled back, "There are some in the trunk, we keep each car prepared for most things."

She should have known, the staff of the Manor was almost always one step ahead of her. She pulled the pins from her hair and ran a brush through it as she waited for him to come open her door. As she alighted he gave her two large black beach towels.

"Will there be anything else?"

She smiled again. "No, thank you. I'll call you when I'm ready to go home, but don't expect me before close to dawn."

He nodded and she set out for the surf foaming gently against the sand. As she walked, she noticed the beach was deserted, perfect. After walking two hundred feet or so, she dropped the towels, then turned to the water. She entered the salty waves until they licked her calves then sat, wrapping her arms around her knees and letting the waves swoosh around her body.

Amir 14 years ago
Apparently Dana intended to take him up on the offer, which was right and proper. He had stolen from her, albeit unknowing, yet he had still taken. Any vampire proud of him or herself would take back what had been removed, and Dana did so without a qualm. Silently applauding her he leaned into her questing mouth, unable to suppress a shiver of pleasure as she bit down. It was a rare occasion that Amir allowed this sort of intimacy; it was not one he and Subira had regularly shared while they were still lovers. Dana was an exception though. An eye for an eye, as it were.

When she broke off he sighed, shuddered slightly at the feeling of looseness in his no longer tightly-coiled muscles, and let her rest against him. It was a fair trade for her, Amir decided. His blood was very old blood, and strong. If she had been hungry previously, it should at least have helped take the edge off.

He sat for a few minutes, enjoying Dana's companionship, before breaking the silence, his voice steady and silky.


"So what are you doing in Nachton, anyway? Are you staying in the city?"

It didn't really matter. Or maybe it did? He couldn't deny he had enjoyed playing games with her before, but who was she really? That she was pretty, and intriguing, was undeniable. What someone was like while on the hunt, and what they were like while with family, now, that was something else altogether.
Dana 14 years ago
Dana liked the sound of his voice, it was strong and sexy. She wouldn't mind listening to him talk for the rest of the evening. Sighing softly, she slid down his body until she was once more lying along side Amir.

"I needed to get away. I have been with my maker for my whole life, I finally became restless and America is where I wanted to come. Lady Erin suggested I come to Nachton, and stay at the Manor. I have rooms there, they are surprisingly solitary in such a populated building."

She loved Lady Erin, and the love could be heard in her voice, but so could the need for him to understand why she'd left her maker. While she'd spoken her gaze had wandered to the star studded sky, now she turned her head to look up at Amir.

"What brings you to Nachton?"
Amir 14 years ago
Amir nodded with approval at Dana's reasons. Every vampire should spend some amount of time with their creator. He had been bound to Subira for three hundred years; each of his own children, save one, had been bound to him for a similar length of time. Eventually however, they all had to leave the nest sooner or later. Dana was obviously fond of her creator, but if she had been restless then she'd done the right thing. There was much to see and do in the world and to understand it all one had to experience it.

He tried and failed to recollect this Lady Erin. Whoever she was, Amir hadn't run across her in any of his travels. He had never spent a lot of time, though, in any of the regions he'd guess Dana to be from. Most of his time had been spent in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.


"I have rooms there too," he said, nodding once more to signify his agreement with her assessment of the Manor. "I like the quiet."

When she asked what he was there for, he lifted his shoulders. "I work for the Clan," he said. "Keeping it strong, keeping it safe. Unblemished. My work takes me everywhere. For now, it keeps me here in Nachton. I don't know where I'll be after that."

Amir considered the task set before him. It could take him years. Possibly decades. It may never be accomplished. But it was worth attempting.
Dana 14 years ago
He was living in the manor. That would give her an opportunity to enjoy his company when his time was free. It seemed to her his free time would be limited. She wondered what it was that needed to be done to keep the clan safe. She knew Lady Erin employed men that protected their home, but since the Industrial Revolution, they'd not had all that much to do.

"It's a noble thing you do."

Her hand had moved to gently stroke the bare skin of his arm, on the inside where it was soft and smooth near his elbow. Her fingers had brushed briefly on the set of scars, down on the lower half of his arm, but not wanting to embarrass him or herself she avoided them.

Small talk was not a forte of hers, except when used as a means to gather information or to help her listen to a near by conversation with out seeming to ignore her companion.

This intimate kind of conversation, the kind between a man and woman, was not common in her life. She spent most of her time studying or taking lessons, or engaging in lady-like pursuits. Lovers were not uncommon, but it had never been necessary to get to know them.

She found she wanted to get to know this man, this member of her clan, and engage in a relationship outside of anything she'd ever known. Even if it was just being a friend. She'd never had a friend other than Lady Erin. It was an exciting prospect.


"What do you do when you are not protecting the clan?"
Amir 14 years ago
Amir inclined his head in acknowledgment of Dana's statement. Protecting the Clan was a noble goal, and he was committed to doing it however necessary whether through Command, culling, or other means.

He paid no regard to her questing fingers. Over the years he had shared intimacies with various members of the Clan. There was no weakness, no shame, in sharing physical pleasure. In fact, doing so without concern or requirement to create offspring only made it that much more enjoyable. If Dana felt better for touching, that was well enough. Certainly, his education from Subira had included all manner of new things, and sex had been one lesson they'd both had fun with.

Dana's next question took him aback slightly, though he didn't show it. What did he do when he wasn't protecting the Clan? He looked at her, blinking his dark eyes once, a small wrinkle appearing on his brow.


"I was created for that purpose. That is what I do."

He considered a moment more, and then elaborated. "I fly sometimes, if it's needed. I travel, and I learn. The more knowledge we have, the better armed we are for any occasion."

His last few centuries had been full of nothing else. Traveling, using his abilities in various cities, running errands for Subira and any of the Anantya leaders who needed them done, engaging in mostly covert tasks that he simply couldn't discuss with Dana, no matter how pretty or engaging she might be.

He thought back, and back some more, but came up with an amusing lack of anything very personal to tell her. Was that a reflection on him, he wondered? Maybe Dana would give him some clues.

"What of yourself? What do you do, and what do you plan to do here in Nachton?"
Dana 14 years ago
She didn't actually do anything, she had no real purpose as Amir did. Lady Erin had made her as a daughter and friend and that was what she was. Her nimble mind had made it so that she'd needed to study and learn, read and experience all that she could, but it had been done under the supervision of Lady Erin.

She held his gaze, would he think less of her, if her own goals for life in Nachton were not as lofty as his own? She could not know unless she spoke.


"I want to know what the world is like." A soft sigh escaped her. Her fingers moved up under the edge of his t-shirt. "I have spent my entire life learning what I can in books and I want to really experience those things I've read about. I feel a bit like Ariel the Mermaid, I know my own life, but there is a bigger world out there and I want to be a part of it.

Lady Erin gave me all that a person could want or need, but I want to know what it feels like to have my heart broken, or get lost and find my way home. I want to understand why women throw themselves at men, without regard to their own preservation."

Words flowed from her. Why was she telling this stranger all of these thing? She'd been wanting to really explain what she felt to someone, but she was worried that dumping all of this on Amir, after knowing him for only a few moments was going beyond what he'd wanted to know. However, to her chagrin, she couldn't seem to stop.

The excitement of it, had her sitting up, her hand wrapping around his upper arm.


"I want to see how relationships work. I want to eat things that sound awful, but taste amazing. I want to try everything. Did you know people tie ropes around their ankles and jump off of bridges letting the rope catch them and bounce them about just feet from the hard surface of a rushing river? I want to do that."

Her words wound down, but her chest was moving with the heaving of her lungs. She knew her eyes were wide and bright, her cheeks flushed, but some how she didn't mind. The painful, almost intense shyness she usually felt, seemed to have been washed away in the waves.
Amir 14 years ago
Amir had no idea who Ariel the Mermaid was, but Dana's point was well-elaborated as she continued to speak, throwing away what had apparently been just a suggestion of shyness. She was sheltered, then. It clicked into place for him as she spoke. Perhaps she was young, perhaps not; either way she hadn't experienced any of these things for herself. Amir had gone through a similar stage after leaving Subira's side and going off on his own. Exploring the world was a good goal, the only goal one could really have if one's life was to last centuries in a world of constant change.

His eyes glittered at her as she continued, a smile of amusement on his lips. Tonight was full of surprises. And even as he had reminded Bao not to forget to play while in Nachton, he reminded himself. Here was the perfect playmate, it seemed, fallen right into his arms. Amir wasn't about to complain.

He stood smoothly, causing Dana's arm to fall away, but he immediately offered his hand to her.


"All right then," he said. "What first?"
Dana 14 years ago
Startled she stared up at Amir. "What?"

He was really offering to help her on her way. She was shocked by him once more. Well, what did she have to loose, she was safe with Amir. Putting her small hand in his, she pulled up to her feet.

Sand clung to her body, but she didn't mind, it would fall away when she dressed.
"Oh, all of my clothes are in the car."

She spun around and found her tiny silver cell phone half buried in the sand near the top corner of her towel. Bending down she grabbed the shiny bit of plastic and depressed the number 2. "I need a dress and shoes... No, no just those clothes... I don't care, just bring them to me."

She hung up and smiled at Amir. "He's coming. Then I want to... I want to..."

Looking about her she tried to decide what to do first. "I want to go dancing in one of those loud, seething with humanity dance clubs. Can we go there?"
Amir 14 years ago
So his spontaneity surprised her, but Amir had an impulsive streak a mile wide. He knew it, Subira had often chastised him for it, it didn't matter - it remained a part of him as unchangeable as any of the rest. And now, it seemed, he would pay for it by having to enter one of his least favorite sorts of establishments. Full of humans - drunken, smoking, uninhibited, loud and riotous cattle. Ugh. An expression of distaste crossed his features before he shrugged and smiled at his clanmate.

"All right. I know a few."

He supposed as beginnings went, it could be worse. For one thing, maybe she'd realize just how gross they could be, especially in clubs like those - all those sweaty bodies pressing and rubbing against each other. Amir frequented bars and clubs as little as possible, hating the noise, the chaos, the absolute disorder. Still, he did go when the occasion called for it, because his thirst was often a more powerful motivator than his hygienic preferences and uninhibited humans were easy prey for a quick fix.

He walked with Dana back toward the parking lot to wait for her car, carrying her towels on one arm and offering her his other. She seemed to require physical contact, or at least enjoy touch, so if she preferred to stay that way it was fine with him. With anyone else he probably wouldn't have bothered considering their feelings, but, he admitted to himself, he liked Dana. She showed many of the qualities Subira had taught him to appreciate.

When they reached the parking area he tossed the towels over the seat of his bike and leaned against it. It was a simple model, just a little Suzuki Bandit, but reasonable for the image he was putting forth in Nachton; that of your average college guy.


"I'll drive," he said with a grin. Being chauffered around in the back seats of cars held little appeal for him. If Dana wanted to ride that way herself, he would meet her someplace, but he had a feeling the bike might appeal to her in her apparently liberated state.
Dana 14 years ago
She had opened her mouth to suggest they so something else, but he smiled and agreed to take her.

As they walked, her hand tucked in the crook of his arm, she wondered why he didn't like dance clubs. It was something she'd always wanted to do, but had no idea where these things were located or how to get into them, nor did with want to go alone. Amir offered her not only companionship, but removed the trepidation that fluttered under her breast.


"I'll drive."

She fairly clapped with glee, she'd never ridden on a motor bike. "How exciting!"

The dark car pulled into the lot, and parked in front of them. Grinning, she bound over to the car and pulled open the back door. "I thought I was bringing your things to you."

"I thought you were supposed to do what I asked and not question me."

He returned his gaze to the front of the car, she gave a firm nod. He'd decided to protect her, and she'd have none of it. Careful searching found the little white denim mini skirt and a white tank with pink and red flowers and vines embroidered on it.

Her back to Amir she pulled the top over her head, then removed the bikini top. The bottoms were a bit more problematic. She needed panties with such a short skirt, and the bottoms were still to wet to continue to wear. She tapped her finger against her lips for a moment.

With a shrug, she pulled the skirt over the bottoms, pulled the bottoms down and then shimmied into panties. After getting everything everything situated, she buttoned the skirt.


"You can return to the Manor, Amir will see me home."

The driver turned back to her, "Who's Amir?" She lifted an eyebrow at him, he sighed and put the car in gear.

Smiling she turned back to Amir.
"Ok I'm ready."

Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she returned to where he leaned on his motor bike.
Amir 14 years ago
Amir turned away while Dana changed and had words with her driver. He bristled slightly at having his identity questioned but apparently the driver was human, and ignorant. He rarely ever utilized the drivers' services at Heolfor, so regardless of how many trips he'd made to Nachton they wouldn't recognize his name. Dana set the man straight, a trait he enjoyed.

Turning, he was glad the driver hadn't quite taken off yet. Dana looked adorable, to be sure, but he raised one eyebrow at her with a wry smile, and glanced from the bike to her and back again.


"Are you sure that's what you want to wear? It's cute but it might get uncomfortable."

Unless she wanted half the Nachton population ogling her ass. Maybe even more than half. He couldn't imagine how she would manage to ride behind him on the bike without hiking that little number all the way to her hips. Not to mention the airflow rushing by. And up.

He raised a shoulder in a habitual shrug; his normal expression for when something didn't overly concern him.
"Then again I can't say as I've ever worn one, so it's up to you."
Dana 14 years ago
Her eyes glanced to the bike then back to Amir. She didn't want to go to her first dance club in the blue jeans, everything she'd read said that skirts and dresses were most appropriate.

The skirt only went below the curve of her bottom by just a couple of inches, so it should stay put, even with her knees open. It should be ok, and she really didn't want to take her clothes off in front of Amir again.


"I'll risk it." She winked at him, grinning. This would be an experience she'd not soon forget and she was eager to get started.
Amir 14 years ago
Amir nodded at Dana. What did he know about wearing miniskirts, anyway? Slinging his left leg over the seat of his bike he nodded to her. There were no helmets to put on, so he couldn't offer her one. He never used them. On the off chance that superhuman reflexes weren't enough to keep him out of trouble, he lived in the hope that they would, at least, provide him the wherewithal to have the sense to cover his head in case of an accident.

He started the engine, revving it a little until it settled into a deep purr, and called to Dana over the noise.


"Hop on."

Once she was settled,he reached around and took her hands, placing them securely around his waist. Her thighs were already pressed comfortably against his hips. One more reason to like having the bike around, he supposed. Checking to make sure her feet were well-anchored and away from the ground, he tilted the bike and accelerated smoothly away from the Waterfront, picking up speed as they headed back into Nachton proper for what Amir hoped would be an enlightening and educational night.

((ooc: Both out, with permission))