"That is quite the change of plans."Â?
Nikhila observed. She also wondered about this disappearing the Mexico aspect to this. It sounded like something out of the movies, but art did imitate life and these things apparently did happen occasionally
One could swear the Pipers never did anything quietly, but they did seem finished, with their food at any rate, if not the day. Refusing to even crack a smile at the sidelong glances and LT's expression, she simply returned the nod.
"It was a pleasure sir."Â?
After they had left Nikhila picked at her grapes a bit, they were no longer as appealing as they had been. But she was still a bit hungry and not the sort to waste anything she did continue to nibble at them rather than throw them away.
"So you have no specifics at all yet?"Â?
Huh, Different...
When all was said and done with Jaston Alexander, the CEO of Nachton Universities Marine Sciences Center and Aquarium, which by the way, Kai had had no idea universities had CEOs, she was able to take some time to swim in the waters off the beaches of the Nature Preserve. She'd made her way there via a small hand drawn map from Jaston.
And now she was pulling into the long drive of the Kadzait's home in Nachton, using a map emailed to her by her father. How her father had the map, Kai could only guess. The aquarium had given her a car and it's shiny new silver self had been sitting in the parking lot, complete with her bags from the rental, when she'd finished swimming. It wasn't a shock, as Jaston had told her he would be doing it, but it was still a little unnerving.
Still, nothing beat driving a new car. It was something called a Ford Taurus Hybrid. Kai had not kept up on car trends, but she liked the little thing, even if it was a little slow on the get up and go. Following the drive she came to a little parking lot, and slid the car into a space, before getting out and stretching her arms above her head.
Before her was what amounted to a giant log cabin with tons of windows and skylights.
"Huh, different."
With a shrug she walked across the lot, the always there on a paved surface gravel crunching beneath her feet.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Kai
13 years ago
She smiled at LT and waved at his men, it was the only polite thing to do. "Nice meeting you."
She watched the group leave the communal area and offered a indulgent smile. "They remind me of the boys back home. All noise and bluster."
Laughing softly, she slid the last bite of beef into her mouth, and gave Nikhila a shrug. "I have a job description, expectations and benefits, beyond that I'm walking in blind. I don't mind really, I love trying new things."
She finished up her meal with a sad little sigh and grinned at her pack mate. "Thank you, that was lovely, and exactly what I needed."
She watched the group leave the communal area and offered a indulgent smile. "They remind me of the boys back home. All noise and bluster."
Laughing softly, she slid the last bite of beef into her mouth, and gave Nikhila a shrug. "I have a job description, expectations and benefits, beyond that I'm walking in blind. I don't mind really, I love trying new things."
She finished up her meal with a sad little sigh and grinned at her pack mate. "Thank you, that was lovely, and exactly what I needed."
Nikhila
13 years ago
Nikhila smiled and didn't dispel that notion. Right now, relaxed and comfortable they ere just as Kai had described them. She knew, however, that wasn't always the case. But this wasn't time for serious matters. They still had a few items on their list.
Finishing her grapes, with out enthusiasm, she laughed softly.
"Well then I'd say you will do fine."Â?
She'd walked blind into the Academy and was quite proud of how well it was doing. They had graduated several classes, granted they were small but still they had graduates and she'd managed to put three masters programs into place and two more were in the works.
Nodding at Kai's satisfied look she agreed.
"I don't know why but food is one of the first things I need after a trip. Shall we see about some rooms next?"Â?
Finishing her grapes, with out enthusiasm, she laughed softly.
"Well then I'd say you will do fine."Â?
She'd walked blind into the Academy and was quite proud of how well it was doing. They had graduated several classes, granted they were small but still they had graduates and she'd managed to put three masters programs into place and two more were in the works.
Nodding at Kai's satisfied look she agreed.
"I don't know why but food is one of the first things I need after a trip. Shall we see about some rooms next?"Â?
Kai
13 years ago
With another grin, Kai stood and gathered up her tray, but had absolutely no idea what to do with it. She was rescued by the same young man that had helped her obtain her meal. She gladly handed him the tray with a smile. She had no idea if she should tip him, but it didn't seem like the right thing to do. She'd ask later and if it was needed, she'd come back.
"Works for me."
They left the communal area and Kai looked around her again, completely at a loss for where to go next. "I don't need much, just a bed to lay my head on and a dresser for my clothes, and maybe, if it's possible, a private bathroom."
She was a girl of simple tastes and had no need for fancy things.
"Works for me."
They left the communal area and Kai looked around her again, completely at a loss for where to go next. "I don't need much, just a bed to lay my head on and a dresser for my clothes, and maybe, if it's possible, a private bathroom."
She was a girl of simple tastes and had no need for fancy things.
Nikhila
13 years ago
"I think we can manage that."Â?
Nikhila said with a small smile. Poor Kai didn't want to know how little she'd arrived her with. One bag and a few boxes that followed her, that was it, and she'd been looked after well enough.
"It is important to be comfortable though, especially if you do intend to stay for a while."Â?
For a second she felt guilty about taking up a room she wasn't really using. They really did need to finish moving her out of those rooms. Soon enough though they'd be vacating two sets of rooms, she reasoned, so the guilt didn't last long.
Escorting Kai to the front desk they were informed there were a few rooms available on the second floor of the wing Drew was living in. Kai had some other choices as well, but those were the ones she noted.
"Why don't you pick, the floor plans do vary from room to room but I have yet to see a bad one. While you decide I'll find you some help for your belongings."Â?
Nikhila didn't want to hover. Kai was bright and self-sufficient she did not need to be shepherded like a child. That said she temporarily excused herself to waylay the two students, now apparently three, she'd noted in the common area while they ate.
Giving their new arrival plenty of time to officially check in, decide and arrange for keys and such Nikhila and the students chatted about their classes. She was even able to answer one or two questions for the young lady who'd just joined the boys and who happened to be taking her class. Judging enough time had passed they rejoined Kai at the front desk.
"This is William, Jared and Celeste. I think between the five of us we can get anything short of an elephant to your rooms."Â?
The boys grinned enthusiastically and Celeste discreetly elbowed Jared. Apparently he was too enthusiastic.
Nikhila said with a small smile. Poor Kai didn't want to know how little she'd arrived her with. One bag and a few boxes that followed her, that was it, and she'd been looked after well enough.
"It is important to be comfortable though, especially if you do intend to stay for a while."Â?
For a second she felt guilty about taking up a room she wasn't really using. They really did need to finish moving her out of those rooms. Soon enough though they'd be vacating two sets of rooms, she reasoned, so the guilt didn't last long.
Escorting Kai to the front desk they were informed there were a few rooms available on the second floor of the wing Drew was living in. Kai had some other choices as well, but those were the ones she noted.
"Why don't you pick, the floor plans do vary from room to room but I have yet to see a bad one. While you decide I'll find you some help for your belongings."Â?
Nikhila didn't want to hover. Kai was bright and self-sufficient she did not need to be shepherded like a child. That said she temporarily excused herself to waylay the two students, now apparently three, she'd noted in the common area while they ate.
Giving their new arrival plenty of time to officially check in, decide and arrange for keys and such Nikhila and the students chatted about their classes. She was even able to answer one or two questions for the young lady who'd just joined the boys and who happened to be taking her class. Judging enough time had passed they rejoined Kai at the front desk.
"This is William, Jared and Celeste. I think between the five of us we can get anything short of an elephant to your rooms."Â?
The boys grinned enthusiastically and Celeste discreetly elbowed Jared. Apparently he was too enthusiastic.
Kai
13 years ago
Kai thanked Nikhila and got down to the business of picking a home. There were several things to choose from and it took her a bit but she finally decided on a room on the second floor with a large open floor plan, several sky lights, a bathroom with a claw-foot tub and a small kitchenette. Kai really didn't need more than a fridge, cupboards and a small bit of counter, so she'd picked one that didn't have cooking abilities. If she felt the need to feed another living thing, she'd take them someplace besides her room.
She was given specific directions and a set of keys, just as the final pleasantries were taken care Nikhila rejoined her with young people in tow.
"A pleasure to meet you all." She shook hands and offered warm smiles. "It's great you guys are going to help. Though I really don't have much."
She led the way out to her car. After popping the trunk she indicated the three duffel bags. "Just these and a couple of boxes."
Kai opened the rear door and pulled out a large box, set it on the ground and pulled out another of equal size. One of the young men took it from her, the other grabbed the other box. She pulled out one of the duffels. Once Nikhila and Celeste were situated she led the way up to her new room.
She was given specific directions and a set of keys, just as the final pleasantries were taken care Nikhila rejoined her with young people in tow.
"A pleasure to meet you all." She shook hands and offered warm smiles. "It's great you guys are going to help. Though I really don't have much."
She led the way out to her car. After popping the trunk she indicated the three duffel bags. "Just these and a couple of boxes."
Kai opened the rear door and pulled out a large box, set it on the ground and pulled out another of equal size. One of the young men took it from her, the other grabbed the other box. She pulled out one of the duffels. Once Nikhila and Celeste were situated she led the way up to her new room.
Nikhila
13 years ago
"Better to be over prepared than under prepared."Â?
Nikhila said, speaking from experience.
She was happy enough to let Jared and William, who had corrected her introduction with 'just call me Wil', take the boxes. They didn't look to heavy but better safe than sorry, instead she and Celeste took a bag each.
"You do travel a bit on the light side though."Â?
Again happy enough to drift to the sidelines she let the younger people chatter at Kai, just friendly banter, getting to know the new arrival, as she followed behind. She was glad they reached the door in short order as she felt a wave of fatigue wash over her.
Maybe something of a nap was in order, although she seriously balked at that idea. it was a waste of time. She would just shower and sit down with some tea and prepare for that meeting. Either way she wasn't sure she'd be able to make good on that promise of a tour, at least not right now. If Kai wanted, she'd manage though.
Nikhila said, speaking from experience.
She was happy enough to let Jared and William, who had corrected her introduction with 'just call me Wil', take the boxes. They didn't look to heavy but better safe than sorry, instead she and Celeste took a bag each.
"You do travel a bit on the light side though."Â?
Again happy enough to drift to the sidelines she let the younger people chatter at Kai, just friendly banter, getting to know the new arrival, as she followed behind. She was glad they reached the door in short order as she felt a wave of fatigue wash over her.
Maybe something of a nap was in order, although she seriously balked at that idea. it was a waste of time. She would just shower and sit down with some tea and prepare for that meeting. Either way she wasn't sure she'd be able to make good on that promise of a tour, at least not right now. If Kai wanted, she'd manage though.
Kai
13 years ago
Kai chatted with the three pack mates helping her. They were an interesting little bunch and she was happy to meet them and get to know them a bit.
They finally reached her room and Kai opened the door and gasped softly. It was much larger than she pictured, the living space was spacious, but minimally furnished. One wall was a sliding glass door and another had a door that must lead to the bedroom. A large skylight let in light to the living area, along with the glass of the door.
She walked fully in and set the duffel on the couch. "Uh, just put everything here and I'll sort it out later."
They finally reached her room and Kai opened the door and gasped softly. It was much larger than she pictured, the living space was spacious, but minimally furnished. One wall was a sliding glass door and another had a door that must lead to the bedroom. A large skylight let in light to the living area, along with the glass of the door.
She walked fully in and set the duffel on the couch. "Uh, just put everything here and I'll sort it out later."
Nikhila
13 years ago
Nikhila smiled as Kai seemed quite pleased with the room. Xeph was rightly proud of the Den he'd done a wonderful job of making sure his people were comfortable and here, again, was proof.
The students carefully set things down and waited to be sure there was nothing else Kai needed before taking their leave. Nikhila set the duffle she'd been carrying on the couch next to Kai's.
"It looks like this was a good find for you. Would it be appropriate to say welcome home?"Â?
She said with a soft, quiet yet warm smile. Nikhila hoped that the new arrival was as pleased and felt as welcome as she seemed. She felt a little bit responsible for the young woman having found her on the drive.
The students carefully set things down and waited to be sure there was nothing else Kai needed before taking their leave. Nikhila set the duffle she'd been carrying on the couch next to Kai's.
"It looks like this was a good find for you. Would it be appropriate to say welcome home?"Â?
She said with a soft, quiet yet warm smile. Nikhila hoped that the new arrival was as pleased and felt as welcome as she seemed. She felt a little bit responsible for the young woman having found her on the drive.
Kai
13 years ago
Kai offered Nikhila a bright smile. She loved the room, it was so lovely and so much more than she expected. Putting her hand on her hips, she sighed.
"Yes, I think so. Thank you. And thank you for all of your help. It was quiet nice to have met such a friendly person on my arrival. I was kind of worried."
She chuckled softly and dropped her hands to her sides. "Now the only dreaded thing left for today is to see if I can find the Alpha."
A lopsided grin curled her lips. "I've only ever spoken to him once, and that was over the phone. I'm kind of intimidated by the image that voice conjured up. You know?"
"Yes, I think so. Thank you. And thank you for all of your help. It was quiet nice to have met such a friendly person on my arrival. I was kind of worried."
She chuckled softly and dropped her hands to her sides. "Now the only dreaded thing left for today is to see if I can find the Alpha."
A lopsided grin curled her lips. "I've only ever spoken to him once, and that was over the phone. I'm kind of intimidated by the image that voice conjured up. You know?"
Nikhila
13 years ago
"It was no effort, and my pleasure. I am fairly easy to find if you need anything else, at the very least I would be able to point you in the right direction."Â?
It was a genuine offer. While this wasn't specifically her job Nikhila quite liked being helpful. And she rather liked what she had seen of Kai.
Nikhila allowed herself a -very- small smile. Perhaps if she'd known who Xeph was when they first met the prospect of greeting the Alpha would have been intimidating. And of course their first meeting her in Nachton had been slightly stilted, but now... well meeting him took on a whole different meaning. She cocked her head slightly and wondered what kind of images his voice did conjure up for others. Of course, her own opinions on the matter were defiantly biased.
"I'm not sure I'd worry about that if I were you. I certainly wouldn't dread it."Â?
Looking at her watch, Nikhila didn't expect Aidan back for a couple of hours yet, but he didn't always keep to his schedule.
"I think he is at the clinic right now. He'll be back later this evening. We could leave a message for him."Â?
Which he would might or might not see unless she gave it to him. Which, of course, she would.
It was a genuine offer. While this wasn't specifically her job Nikhila quite liked being helpful. And she rather liked what she had seen of Kai.
Nikhila allowed herself a -very- small smile. Perhaps if she'd known who Xeph was when they first met the prospect of greeting the Alpha would have been intimidating. And of course their first meeting her in Nachton had been slightly stilted, but now... well meeting him took on a whole different meaning. She cocked her head slightly and wondered what kind of images his voice did conjure up for others. Of course, her own opinions on the matter were defiantly biased.
"I'm not sure I'd worry about that if I were you. I certainly wouldn't dread it."Â?
Looking at her watch, Nikhila didn't expect Aidan back for a couple of hours yet, but he didn't always keep to his schedule.
"I think he is at the clinic right now. He'll be back later this evening. We could leave a message for him."Â?
Which he would might or might not see unless she gave it to him. Which, of course, she would.
Kai
13 years ago
Kai nodded, with a small shrug. "This whole day has been nothing but one gut-knotting encounter after another. I had to fly in a plane, which by the way is awful, and I think air travel is getting worse as technology improves. Then I had an interview with a man, who was an hour late, and then I came here completely unsure of how to even approach the building."
She gave another little shrug and grinned. "I will say that each of those turned out quite well in the end, the plane landed, I have a better job than the one I thought I was coming to America for and I met you, LT, the rowdy group of boys and three nice young people. I'm hoping meeting the Alpha turns out as well."
A bit of laughter at herself followed. "I think leaving him a message works well for me. I'm sure he won't want to size up the newest wolf right after a long day at work, so I can wait until oh...you know whenever. Next week is good right?"
She laughed at her own small joke. Kai had no trouble laughing at herself, in most cases her behavior warranted laughter and she knew she was being silly about the whole thing anyway. But really what girl in her right mind wouldn't be intimated by the whole supreme leader hat that comes with the word Alpha?
She gave another little shrug and grinned. "I will say that each of those turned out quite well in the end, the plane landed, I have a better job than the one I thought I was coming to America for and I met you, LT, the rowdy group of boys and three nice young people. I'm hoping meeting the Alpha turns out as well."
A bit of laughter at herself followed. "I think leaving him a message works well for me. I'm sure he won't want to size up the newest wolf right after a long day at work, so I can wait until oh...you know whenever. Next week is good right?"
She laughed at her own small joke. Kai had no trouble laughing at herself, in most cases her behavior warranted laughter and she knew she was being silly about the whole thing anyway. But really what girl in her right mind wouldn't be intimated by the whole supreme leader hat that comes with the word Alpha?
Nikhila
13 years ago
Jetlag and stress was a wonderful combination, one she was familiar with. And it seemed to Nikhila that for Kai it had all finally caught up with her and she was decompressing a bit. At least she handled it well and not with a melodramatic break down.
Nikhila answered the concerns with a reassuring smile.
"You'll find he is quite reasonable and fair and even if he should walk through this door right now would hardly hold such a long day against you."Â?
Unless of course you did something incredibly stupid right off the bat, however, she didn't think Kai was in danger of doing that. She'd be a bit concerned that Kai was worrying too much, except the young woman seemed to be laughing at her own concerns.
"But you might want to find him before next week. He might think you were avoiding him."Â?
Nikhila teased Kai just slightly, almost cautiously. It wouldn't due to stress her out further.
Nikhila answered the concerns with a reassuring smile.
"You'll find he is quite reasonable and fair and even if he should walk through this door right now would hardly hold such a long day against you."Â?
Unless of course you did something incredibly stupid right off the bat, however, she didn't think Kai was in danger of doing that. She'd be a bit concerned that Kai was worrying too much, except the young woman seemed to be laughing at her own concerns.
"But you might want to find him before next week. He might think you were avoiding him."Â?
Nikhila teased Kai just slightly, almost cautiously. It wouldn't due to stress her out further.
Kai
13 years ago
Kai gave Nikhila a big toothy grin. "Alright, message it is. How do I go about doing that?"
She looked about the room, for a phone, or paper, or something with which to convey a message. She'd left her laptop out in the car. She'd have to go get it soon, hot sun was bad news for electronic brain.
"Oh and one more question, is that forest land out back safe for changing?"
She looked about the room, for a phone, or paper, or something with which to convey a message. She'd left her laptop out in the car. She'd have to go get it soon, hot sun was bad news for electronic brain.
"Oh and one more question, is that forest land out back safe for changing?"
Nikhila
13 years ago
"I'll take care of it."Â?
Nikhila said simply.
"You just worry about getting settled in."Â?
The question was expected and just nodded.
"Yes, quite. In fact that is what it is there for. Although it makes for lovely daylight runs too."Â?
She grinned, still very aware she hadn't changed from her running cloths yet. Deciding that it didn't seem that Kai needed anything else, Nikhila opted to excuse herself.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Kai. Again do let me know if you need anything."Â?
Once Kai had confirmed there was nothing else Nikhila took herself back to their rooms. She wrote a note about the young woman's arrival and stuck it on the fridge, in case she forgot, took a long hot shower and settled down in Aidan's chair to grade some papers. Those intentions didn't last long and she quickly fell asleep.
((OOC... Nikhila out))
Nikhila said simply.
"You just worry about getting settled in."Â?
The question was expected and just nodded.
"Yes, quite. In fact that is what it is there for. Although it makes for lovely daylight runs too."Â?
She grinned, still very aware she hadn't changed from her running cloths yet. Deciding that it didn't seem that Kai needed anything else, Nikhila opted to excuse herself.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Kai. Again do let me know if you need anything."Â?
Once Kai had confirmed there was nothing else Nikhila took herself back to their rooms. She wrote a note about the young woman's arrival and stuck it on the fridge, in case she forgot, took a long hot shower and settled down in Aidan's chair to grade some papers. Those intentions didn't last long and she quickly fell asleep.
((OOC... Nikhila out))
Kai
13 years ago
Kai saw Nikhila to the door and offered her thanks once more. She was sure she would have questions and it was nice to know there was someone who was willing to answer them.
Shutting the door she turned to the room and blew a breath through her lips. There was work to be done! But first she needed to go grab her lap top. A quick half jog/half walk down and she had the almost too warm machine cooling its heels on the kitchenette counter.
A quick survey of the rooms, and she was carting bags and boxes to where thier contents would belong. Two hours later she was sitting on her couch, glass of ice water in hand and all of her belongings in their places in her new home. Content she set the glass of water on a coaster on the table and promptly fell asleep.
Shutting the door she turned to the room and blew a breath through her lips. There was work to be done! But first she needed to go grab her lap top. A quick half jog/half walk down and she had the almost too warm machine cooling its heels on the kitchenette counter.
A quick survey of the rooms, and she was carting bags and boxes to where thier contents would belong. Two hours later she was sitting on her couch, glass of ice water in hand and all of her belongings in their places in her new home. Content she set the glass of water on a coaster on the table and promptly fell asleep.