Every once in a while Nikhila wondered if Aidan would be happier with some one more like him, less quiet less serious. And something about what Lily said sparked a possessive jealous feeling. Nikhila smacked it down, blaming it on hormones. Instead, she focused on the humor in the other woman's words and smiled.
"Everyone does need a hobby."Â?
No one escaped a certain amount of teasing and needling from her mate, and truthfully, she enjoyed his playfulness. And he was one of the few people she could freely needle back.
Nikhila wasn't a tea totaller, but she wasn't much of a drinker either and honestly couldn't remember if she'd ever had a margarita.
She laughed though, both at the suggestion and at Lily's response to it. Oddly enough, it did sound fun. Perhaps part of that was her being a little stir crazy, but not all. The idea did have appeal.
"Then we have a lot of time to plan. Even without the margaritas I'm sure in a few weeks I'd make quite the sight on the dance floor."Â?
Nikhila appreciated Lily not pointing out her restrictions. It had let her response be relaxed and humorous rather than sullen. She also could only imagine that in a few months she wouldn't mind a night out as well.
She was doing her best not to be too quiet, but it was so easy to fall back into her roll as observer. She didn't know Vivienne very well yet after all. Not bothering with false modesty though she answered simply.
"I'm the dean. I just try and keep everything running smoothly. It might not be too much different from what you do."Â?
Profiling the Pipers was simply a way to keep them running smoothly after all. A different skill set to be sure, but there were similarities.
Busy, Busy, Busy (open)
It had been nearly two weeks since the last full moon, the first time in years Nikhila had not been able to shift. It had been an odd experience, both thrilling and frightening. They knew with out a doubt she was pregnant now though. She'd still come outside, just to the edges of the Long Run while she couldn't partake fully the camaraderie, the feel of being around the pack during the full moon, it was something she needed. She couldn't simply be cut off. It was the closest they'd come to making an announcement. For those three days there were -very- few reasons Nikhila wouldn't have run with her mate. Of course in a few more weeks she'd probably start showing as well, not that they were hiding anything. Nikhila had simply felt a bit cautious since the incident in the preserve.
Apparently though the release of her wolf form was something she needed. Her nightmares had been worse than usual and she was doing her best to do without sleep. Not quite as bad as Aidan but close. And her runs were getting longer as she got some of her energy back. But more and more often they took her to the edge of the property and left her staring out beyond the fence feeling caged. None of this was quite how the books said it would be. However, she reasoned, none of the books were written by werewolves so she was just going to have to wing some of it. Her waistline was expanding a bit, some pants were fitting snug, and she'd taken to tackling Aidan for little or no reason, not that he seemed to mind. Both of those the books did say might happen. So they weren't all wrong.
At least she'd been busy. The start of a new school year was always hectic and she'd been able to throw herself into that. It was always enjoyable trying to sort out all the professors and classes and students. They'd managed though and things were starting to run smoothly. This semester would have a small graduating class, but it would be the first to award Masters Degrees. Something she was inordinately proud of, the Academy had come quite a long ways since she'd been here. And they'd broken ground on the cabin. Nikhila hoped very much that would be a good distraction, maybe it would even kick the nesting instinct in early. As it was watching the foundation being poured was a little soothing. But she had lots to keep her out of trouble, or at least help keep her focused.
Tonight, though, Nikhila was almost taking a break. Her hair was up in a soft French twist, and she wore light tan linen pants that were a bit forgiving in the waist, and a turquoise sleeveless cotton tunic, she'd found a gazebo on the Tikerak and brought her laptop and some papers and was eking out every last second of the setting sun and the late summer warmth. It would be dark soon and folks who chose to run on four feet rather than two would be out and about. There was nothing wrong with living vicariously after all. She breathed deep inhaling the smell of the heat, humidity, the earth and the recently cut grass and catching a faint whiff of the construction sight. It wasn't as sharp as a human, but it was still there. She took some strength from that and turned back to the email from Hoang's office. Some how it was easier to face correspondence from the silu out doors and it was the one thing that made her keep to her promise not to leave the grounds.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
Viv just smiled at Nikhila's comparison of their jobs. 'I would love to go back to school, most of what I do was self taught and I'm such a slow reader,' Viv chuckled.
Vivienne was fairly certain that the Alpha knew that psychological evaluations was only part of why she was there, or what she did. But then it wasn't as if Hammer had any idea just what she did, exactly. All well, everyone had the little secrets.
'But yeah, for men who are older than they appear, they don't seem to want to leave that college boy mentality. Interesting though, Marthinus Steyn being a Piper, but I suppose that is part of Nachton's charm - their vampires. Tell me,' Viv said getting almost a little giggly asking, 'are the vampires as beautiful as everyone seems to think they are. I mean, it's like you can't find an ugly one in the bunch.'
She hoped bringing up the situation wouldn't upset the ladies, what with their recent encounter with them in the past several weeks, but you couldn't talk about Nachton without talking about its apparent masters.
Vivienne was fairly certain that the Alpha knew that psychological evaluations was only part of why she was there, or what she did. But then it wasn't as if Hammer had any idea just what she did, exactly. All well, everyone had the little secrets.
'But yeah, for men who are older than they appear, they don't seem to want to leave that college boy mentality. Interesting though, Marthinus Steyn being a Piper, but I suppose that is part of Nachton's charm - their vampires. Tell me,' Viv said getting almost a little giggly asking, 'are the vampires as beautiful as everyone seems to think they are. I mean, it's like you can't find an ugly one in the bunch.'
She hoped bringing up the situation wouldn't upset the ladies, what with their recent encounter with them in the past several weeks, but you couldn't talk about Nachton without talking about its apparent masters.
Lily
13 years ago
"I'm not sure I'd call them charming," Lily disagreed mildly, her recent experiences fresh in her mind. She considered Viv's question, lightly meant as it was, and finally lifted her shoulders. "I don't know how many I've met," she said frankly.
She thought about it though, remembering the silver-armored vampire they'd run into in the preserve. Lily hadn't thought to look at his face; not much. And she'd spent the better part of the fight unconscious anyhow. She remembered opening her eyes and seeing him standing there, facing Aidan, both of them bathed in moonlight. Naturally, Aidan had been the more beautiful of the two, his amber coat shining in the light, his eyes furious in their anger.
But she had to admit, grudgingly, that Viv was right. The vampire, too, had moved with a particular fluidity and grace. Maybe if circumstances had been vastly different she would have enjoyed watching him.
"Beauty can conceal endless ugliness," she murmured. Vivienne hadn't meant to darken the mod though, so lily smiled once more. "I fear you're right though. There must be a fat, out of shape vampire somewhere."
She thought about it though, remembering the silver-armored vampire they'd run into in the preserve. Lily hadn't thought to look at his face; not much. And she'd spent the better part of the fight unconscious anyhow. She remembered opening her eyes and seeing him standing there, facing Aidan, both of them bathed in moonlight. Naturally, Aidan had been the more beautiful of the two, his amber coat shining in the light, his eyes furious in their anger.
But she had to admit, grudgingly, that Viv was right. The vampire, too, had moved with a particular fluidity and grace. Maybe if circumstances had been vastly different she would have enjoyed watching him.
"Beauty can conceal endless ugliness," she murmured. Vivienne hadn't meant to darken the mod though, so lily smiled once more. "I fear you're right though. There must be a fat, out of shape vampire somewhere."
Nikhila
13 years ago
"You're welcome to sit in on a class if you give me some advance notice, and of course with the professors' approval."Â?
Nikhila was proud of the school and her staff, and there were few people she could show it off too. However, she wouldn't obligate any of her staff to allow a stranger to sit in.
She raised an eyebrow at Viv's near giggle, but then Viv hadn't been there. Getting a first hand look at vampires, beautiful had not been the first word to spring to mind. Especially not after Aidan had gotten through with the one; Nikhila wrinkled her nose in distaste remembering his missing eye. The lawyer, however, she'd met under more civilized circumstances and had to admit he was attractive. Even the woman had been striking.
"I think I might be just as happy not knowing the answer to that question."Â?
She refused to think about that night in any detail right now. Bad enough she dreamed about it, thinking about it while awake wasn't something Nikhila tried to do. She forced a smile and countered Lily.
"Oh I don't know. Immortality and a bowflex should fix just about any figure flaws they might have. And I understand the financing on them is quite good when stretched over a few hundred years."Â?
Nikhila was proud of the school and her staff, and there were few people she could show it off too. However, she wouldn't obligate any of her staff to allow a stranger to sit in.
She raised an eyebrow at Viv's near giggle, but then Viv hadn't been there. Getting a first hand look at vampires, beautiful had not been the first word to spring to mind. Especially not after Aidan had gotten through with the one; Nikhila wrinkled her nose in distaste remembering his missing eye. The lawyer, however, she'd met under more civilized circumstances and had to admit he was attractive. Even the woman had been striking.
"I think I might be just as happy not knowing the answer to that question."Â?
She refused to think about that night in any detail right now. Bad enough she dreamed about it, thinking about it while awake wasn't something Nikhila tried to do. She forced a smile and countered Lily.
"Oh I don't know. Immortality and a bowflex should fix just about any figure flaws they might have. And I understand the financing on them is quite good when stretched over a few hundred years."Â?
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
'Cool, thank you,' Viv replied to Nikhila's offer. It would give her something to do, instead of chasing after sweaty, muscled men. Viv paused for a second - trying to decide if that was a bad thing after all.
Her eyes flicked back to the ladies as they gave their opinion on the vampires. Probably was too soon, all things considered, especially for the Alpha's mate. The vampires were an interesting lot.
'They are extremely wealthy, aren't they? I was at Duibne Industries' lobby the other afternoon,' Viv whistled, 'it must be coming out of their ears after being able to cultivate investments over hundreds of years, millenniums if you believe the rumors. I don't think I've met any, but then I haven't been out in Nachton proper at night much.'
A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. Yeah, she had been busy at night. Speaking of which...
'In any case, ladies. I'll be on my way. Thank you for letting me intrude on your conversation. It is nice being able to meet the others in the pack.' Nodding respectfully, Viv took a step back, turning to leave. Snapping her fingers, she turned back and suggested something.
'You know we could always have our own lime and coconut here at the Den. I make a mean virgin pina' colada, Nikhila. It'll be fun. Us girls. No icky boys. Have a glorious evening, ladies!' Viv finished with a friendly wave.
((OOC - Viv out pending responses!))
Continued in A morning walk
Her eyes flicked back to the ladies as they gave their opinion on the vampires. Probably was too soon, all things considered, especially for the Alpha's mate. The vampires were an interesting lot.
'They are extremely wealthy, aren't they? I was at Duibne Industries' lobby the other afternoon,' Viv whistled, 'it must be coming out of their ears after being able to cultivate investments over hundreds of years, millenniums if you believe the rumors. I don't think I've met any, but then I haven't been out in Nachton proper at night much.'
A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. Yeah, she had been busy at night. Speaking of which...
'In any case, ladies. I'll be on my way. Thank you for letting me intrude on your conversation. It is nice being able to meet the others in the pack.' Nodding respectfully, Viv took a step back, turning to leave. Snapping her fingers, she turned back and suggested something.
'You know we could always have our own lime and coconut here at the Den. I make a mean virgin pina' colada, Nikhila. It'll be fun. Us girls. No icky boys. Have a glorious evening, ladies!' Viv finished with a friendly wave.
((OOC - Viv out pending responses!))
Continued in A morning walk
Lily
13 years ago
Lily enjoyed the fact that Nikhila and Viv seemed to get on well. Vivienne had had a rough reception in Nachton, but since Nikhila didn't really know who she was she was inclined to be her usual friendly and welcoming self. It was good for them both, the older woman decided. No one could survive on work alone, and even the men in their respective lives needed some space from time to time.
From Viv's words, Lily felt a little alarm. Not shock, just caution. She conveyed it to the younger were. "See that you bring friends if you do decide to play in the city after dark," she said. Werewolves tended to hang out in groups as it was, so Viv would likely be safe, but Lily couldn't help herself. The urge to protect was strong.
She agreed that under different circumstances, a vampire might make an interesting object of study... if one could get around the thousands of years of inherited memories that screamed "evil bloodthirsty killer" at the mere sound of the word.
At Viv's parting words, Lily thought she sensed a little bit of the same feeling of arousal from her as she had earlier. So... perhaps there was something, somehow... the irony didn't escape her a bit. All the same she brightened at Viv's suggestion and nodded as she glanced down at Nikhila once more. "That sounds like a wonderful plan," she said. She wished Viv a good night as the other woman turned to leave.
From Viv's words, Lily felt a little alarm. Not shock, just caution. She conveyed it to the younger were. "See that you bring friends if you do decide to play in the city after dark," she said. Werewolves tended to hang out in groups as it was, so Viv would likely be safe, but Lily couldn't help herself. The urge to protect was strong.
She agreed that under different circumstances, a vampire might make an interesting object of study... if one could get around the thousands of years of inherited memories that screamed "evil bloodthirsty killer" at the mere sound of the word.
At Viv's parting words, Lily thought she sensed a little bit of the same feeling of arousal from her as she had earlier. So... perhaps there was something, somehow... the irony didn't escape her a bit. All the same she brightened at Viv's suggestion and nodded as she glanced down at Nikhila once more. "That sounds like a wonderful plan," she said. She wished Viv a good night as the other woman turned to leave.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Nikhila very much hoped Vivienne would take her up on the offer, but she wouldn't press.
She wondered why Vivienne would have been at Duibne, but with Marthinus, it made some sense. Not that she had any room to talk having worked with Meridian, not with Drew there on a regular basis. Everyone had their jobs.
She refrained from saying anything about the vampires, although she did nod in agreement with Lily's caution.
"It wasn't an intrusion, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again."Â?
Nikhila smiled at the other woman. She was a bit surprised at Vivienne's offer and responded without thinking, and genuinely meaning it.
"I'd like that. Have a good night."Â?
Waiting for Vivienne to get out of earshot, Nikhila reflected on the conversation. She had the feeling she'd missed something and it felt significant. Perhaps she'd ask Aidan to enlighten her, for now she turned to Lily with a questioning gaze.
"She seemed nice."Â?
She wondered why Vivienne would have been at Duibne, but with Marthinus, it made some sense. Not that she had any room to talk having worked with Meridian, not with Drew there on a regular basis. Everyone had their jobs.
She refrained from saying anything about the vampires, although she did nod in agreement with Lily's caution.
"It wasn't an intrusion, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again."Â?
Nikhila smiled at the other woman. She was a bit surprised at Vivienne's offer and responded without thinking, and genuinely meaning it.
"I'd like that. Have a good night."Â?
Waiting for Vivienne to get out of earshot, Nikhila reflected on the conversation. She had the feeling she'd missed something and it felt significant. Perhaps she'd ask Aidan to enlighten her, for now she turned to Lily with a questioning gaze.
"She seemed nice."Â?
Lily
13 years ago
"She is nice," Lily agreed. No one was ever naturally evil, she believed. Everyone was fundamentally good. What they did and said caused perceptions to shift, and sadly Vivienne was surrounded by actions and events that caused peoples' view of her to change. That and, on a completely biological level, she simply didn't belong with the Kadzait. But if the Alpha agreed to let her stay, then Lily accepted that and would treat Vivienne as she treated anyone else. She knew, however, that if Aidan ever changed his mind on the issue then all of Vigo's considerable influence wouldn't make a difference. A good deal of the reason Vivienne was able to stay here was because Aidan allowed it. Sometimes, there was just no changing the fact that ninety-five percent of the time, a wolf pack was a dictatorship.
That said, it was to Aidan's credit, Lily thought, that he did his best not to seem like a dictator. Liam had been just the opposite. Every tiny bit of minutia had been under his claw every second of every day. To some, that was comforting. To others, it was oppressive.
Shaking her head to herself as she watched Viv disappear, Lily smiled at Nikhila once more.
"Did you plan to work all evening?"
That said, it was to Aidan's credit, Lily thought, that he did his best not to seem like a dictator. Liam had been just the opposite. Every tiny bit of minutia had been under his claw every second of every day. To some, that was comforting. To others, it was oppressive.
Shaking her head to herself as she watched Viv disappear, Lily smiled at Nikhila once more.
"Did you plan to work all evening?"
Nikhila
13 years ago
She didn't think Lily was being difficult or deliberately avoiding her question. After all, she hadn't actually -asked- a question. She'd ask Aidan later, it probably didn't apply to her but she couldn't shake the feeling something else was going on.
Nikhila smiled at Lily and admitted sheepishly.
"For a while yet. At least until Aidan gets home. It is the beginning of a new school year, takes a while to get everything under control that and..."Â?
Nikhila hesitated a bit. This wasn't something she could handle on her own and she knew it. She opened up her laptop again and waited it for it to wake up. Damned lawyers, she never could get their verbiage right.
"Hoang has taken objection to my not coming to work any more."Â?
Nikhila smiled at Lily and admitted sheepishly.
"For a while yet. At least until Aidan gets home. It is the beginning of a new school year, takes a while to get everything under control that and..."Â?
Nikhila hesitated a bit. This wasn't something she could handle on her own and she knew it. She opened up her laptop again and waited it for it to wake up. Damned lawyers, she never could get their verbiage right.
"Hoang has taken objection to my not coming to work any more."Â?
Lily
13 years ago
Lily tilted her head at Nikhila as she spoke like a true workaholic. Well, at least it gave her something to focus on besides the idea that she was somehow being held captive in her own home.
The mention of Hoang's name, however, would have had her perking up her ears if she'd been in wolf form. This was a business matter between Nikhila and Stafford, and since the Park and Preserve incident Lily was even more cautious where any vampire was concerned... but this one in particular.
"What's been going on?" she said, her voice lowering instinctively. There was no one nearby, but wolf ears were sensitive and there were very few people who should know about this at all.
The mention of Hoang's name, however, would have had her perking up her ears if she'd been in wolf form. This was a business matter between Nikhila and Stafford, and since the Park and Preserve incident Lily was even more cautious where any vampire was concerned... but this one in particular.
"What's been going on?" she said, her voice lowering instinctively. There was no one nearby, but wolf ears were sensitive and there were very few people who should know about this at all.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Quickly calling up her email, Nikhila turned the laptop so Lily could see it.
"He's been... difficult. He confiscated all the research and materials I left there, which goes against the contract I signed. Some of the material belonged to Meridian. I've already alerted their archives. I can only assume they got their property back."Â?
She'd not heard back from Kem and could only assume he'd been successful. But that also meant he probably had been unable to retrieve her work, which Nikhila had expected. Fortunately, she'd never left much at the lab. They needed her and her full notes to recreate what she'd done.
Apparently, Hoang's scientists had told him the same thing as the vampire was trying a new tactic.
"He's starting procedures to sue me for breech of contract as well. I apparently have one week to return to the lab, with my work or go to court."Â?
It was defiantly a catch twenty-two, either way left her very exposed and she could hardly go into court with the Pipers or any other security. And she certainly wasn't going to the lab.
"He's been... difficult. He confiscated all the research and materials I left there, which goes against the contract I signed. Some of the material belonged to Meridian. I've already alerted their archives. I can only assume they got their property back."Â?
She'd not heard back from Kem and could only assume he'd been successful. But that also meant he probably had been unable to retrieve her work, which Nikhila had expected. Fortunately, she'd never left much at the lab. They needed her and her full notes to recreate what she'd done.
Apparently, Hoang's scientists had told him the same thing as the vampire was trying a new tactic.
"He's starting procedures to sue me for breech of contract as well. I apparently have one week to return to the lab, with my work or go to court."Â?
It was defiantly a catch twenty-two, either way left her very exposed and she could hardly go into court with the Pipers or any other security. And she certainly wasn't going to the lab.
Lily
13 years ago
Lily frowned as she glanced through Nikhila's emails. "He's quite persistent," she murmured.
"Don't worry about it," she finally said. "I'll have Stafford's law team on it first thing in the morning. If he wants to play on the legal ball field, I hope he brought enough resources for a few extra innings."
She worried about having put Nikhila in this position to begin with, but at least Aidan had already done the best thing for his mate, which was to keep her safe at the Den. Hoang's lawyers wouldn't be able to pry Nikhila away from this place, not if Lily had any say in it. Stafford's lawyers were very, very good.
"Don't worry about it," she finally said. "I'll have Stafford's law team on it first thing in the morning. If he wants to play on the legal ball field, I hope he brought enough resources for a few extra innings."
She worried about having put Nikhila in this position to begin with, but at least Aidan had already done the best thing for his mate, which was to keep her safe at the Den. Hoang's lawyers wouldn't be able to pry Nikhila away from this place, not if Lily had any say in it. Stafford's lawyers were very, very good.
Nikhila
13 years ago
"Rather."Â?
Nikhila agreed.
Her email conversation with Kem was in there as well, neatly filed under a folder marked "Meridian"Â? if Lily wanted to see that.
Nikhila found it odd that after the events in the preserve that Hoang would be the most persistent of the vampires. Or perhaps her viewpoint was skewed because she was restricted to the grounds. But if there had been any other, attacks Nikhila felt certain she'd know about it. Aidan wouldn't take it laying down and any further injuries or death would upset him a great deal.
Lily's words reassured her a great deal. Nikhila sighed and visibly relaxed. That was just what she hoped Lily would say. With a bit of dark humor she quipped,
"Immortality and wealth. I'm sure he can put up something of a fight."Â?
But clearly, Nikhila believed that once in the hands of Stafford's lawyers she'd not be forced away from the Den.
Nikhila agreed.
Her email conversation with Kem was in there as well, neatly filed under a folder marked "Meridian"Â? if Lily wanted to see that.
Nikhila found it odd that after the events in the preserve that Hoang would be the most persistent of the vampires. Or perhaps her viewpoint was skewed because she was restricted to the grounds. But if there had been any other, attacks Nikhila felt certain she'd know about it. Aidan wouldn't take it laying down and any further injuries or death would upset him a great deal.
Lily's words reassured her a great deal. Nikhila sighed and visibly relaxed. That was just what she hoped Lily would say. With a bit of dark humor she quipped,
"Immortality and wealth. I'm sure he can put up something of a fight."Â?
But clearly, Nikhila believed that once in the hands of Stafford's lawyers she'd not be forced away from the Den.
Lily
13 years ago
"Something of," Lily agreed with good humor, "but we can keep him tied up for a good long time, if not shut him down altogether. He's not taking you out of here."
Lily was certain of that and didn't hesitate to reassure Nikhila on that score.
She glanced briefly at the emails between Meridian's head of archives and her son's mate. Kem Raaisu. The name was familiar. She didn't know where she'd heard it, but it seemed important. She tapped it gently with a fingernail.
"Who is this? It looks like he was trying to help. Is he a friend?"
Her tone of voice made it plain that she didn't mean 'friend' as in, 'someone you hang out with' but rather, 'someone who knows about us and can be trusted.'
She dropped her voice even further. "Isn't Meridian one of theirs? Why would he be helpful?"
Lily was certain of that and didn't hesitate to reassure Nikhila on that score.
She glanced briefly at the emails between Meridian's head of archives and her son's mate. Kem Raaisu. The name was familiar. She didn't know where she'd heard it, but it seemed important. She tapped it gently with a fingernail.
"Who is this? It looks like he was trying to help. Is he a friend?"
Her tone of voice made it plain that she didn't mean 'friend' as in, 'someone you hang out with' but rather, 'someone who knows about us and can be trusted.'
She dropped her voice even further. "Isn't Meridian one of theirs? Why would he be helpful?"
Nikhila
13 years ago
Nikhila shook her head in the negative. She'd not trusted Kem with what she was, what they were. If he knew it was through different sources.
"We met... just after I started at the lab. Meridian had access to some documents I needed. You remember the historical data I showed you? It was theirs."Â?
Even if Meridian was one of theirs they had the resources Nikhila had needed. She felt a bit guilty about collaborating with the enemy and flushed a bit, but nodded the affirmative.
Why would Kem help her? That was something Nikhila had wondered before, but had no answer for. Her best guess was that Kem didn't know about either vampires or werewolves, but after having spoken to Drew a bit that didn't seem to be likely. It did, however, make her worry about the young man a bit more than usual. Still, she trusted their Alpha not to do anything terribly rash or risk any one unnecessarily.
"Honestly, I don't know. But he's never been anything but polite, helpful and friendly."Â?
Nikhila was actually fond of Kem. If they weren't on opposite sides of the playing field she would consider him a friend. Her tone managed to convey that.
"We met... just after I started at the lab. Meridian had access to some documents I needed. You remember the historical data I showed you? It was theirs."Â?
Even if Meridian was one of theirs they had the resources Nikhila had needed. She felt a bit guilty about collaborating with the enemy and flushed a bit, but nodded the affirmative.
Why would Kem help her? That was something Nikhila had wondered before, but had no answer for. Her best guess was that Kem didn't know about either vampires or werewolves, but after having spoken to Drew a bit that didn't seem to be likely. It did, however, make her worry about the young man a bit more than usual. Still, she trusted their Alpha not to do anything terribly rash or risk any one unnecessarily.
"Honestly, I don't know. But he's never been anything but polite, helpful and friendly."Â?
Nikhila was actually fond of Kem. If they weren't on opposite sides of the playing field she would consider him a friend. Her tone managed to convey that.
Lily
13 years ago
Lily's brow furrowed as Nikhila answered her question as best she could. So who was this man, then? The younger woman seemed to think he belonged to the silu, but in what capacity? And it didn't answer the question of why he was willing to help, unless he was totally unaware of their identities.
"That's... unusual," she mused. Nikhila seemed to trust this man. Sort of. At least in this regard. Perhaps not in others.
"I wonder if we've managed to set them against each other."
From the look of the email, Hoang was going to be double-teamed by both Stafford and Meridian. Lily couldn't say that was a bad thing, necessarily. The more he had going on, the less time he'd have to complicate their lives. She hadn't even considered the possibility of playing vampires against each other.
"That's... unusual," she mused. Nikhila seemed to trust this man. Sort of. At least in this regard. Perhaps not in others.
"I wonder if we've managed to set them against each other."
From the look of the email, Hoang was going to be double-teamed by both Stafford and Meridian. Lily couldn't say that was a bad thing, necessarily. The more he had going on, the less time he'd have to complicate their lives. She hadn't even considered the possibility of playing vampires against each other.
Nikhila
13 years ago
"Drew Benally, have you met?, has been working in their archives for several months. He might be able to tell you more than I can."Â?
It was all Nikhila could offer. Aidan knew Drew was there and Drew had hinted he was there in a semi official capacity. Nikhila was proud of the young man, but did worry about him. The assignment could very quickly go wrong.
"Most likely. At least legally, Meridian has more than a few lawyers of their own and Kem was quite determined to get their documents back."Â?
But she could see where Lily was going with the idea. If they could play the vampires against each other, it might help the Pack. And if she understood correctly the clans didn't always play nice with each other.
She frowned.
"I wish I could be more help."Â?
And less of a liability. Stupid hormones, Nikhila forced her scattered emotions back under control. But the rest of her thought, though unspoken, was very clear, she'd do whatever the Pack needed to help mitigate this threat.
It was all Nikhila could offer. Aidan knew Drew was there and Drew had hinted he was there in a semi official capacity. Nikhila was proud of the young man, but did worry about him. The assignment could very quickly go wrong.
"Most likely. At least legally, Meridian has more than a few lawyers of their own and Kem was quite determined to get their documents back."Â?
But she could see where Lily was going with the idea. If they could play the vampires against each other, it might help the Pack. And if she understood correctly the clans didn't always play nice with each other.
She frowned.
"I wish I could be more help."Â?
And less of a liability. Stupid hormones, Nikhila forced her scattered emotions back under control. But the rest of her thought, though unspoken, was very clear, she'd do whatever the Pack needed to help mitigate this threat.
Lily
13 years ago
"I know Drew," Lily said. "I'll ask him. And Aidan, of course. I think it's time we told him about this."
She watched Nikhila for a reaction to see how she felt about that. But the woman's next words had Lily moving around to the side of the bench Nikhila sat on, her hand resting gently on the younger were's shoulder.
"Some of us help not by going out and hitting things, but by using the tools at hand," she said gently.
She knew this was what worried Nikhila often. Lily wished she could demonstrate to her how she did help; just not in a flamboyant and obvious way. "We help differently," she said, including herself in the statement. "We have no need to bite things when we have perfectly good brains in our heads."
She reached over and carefully closed the top of Nikhila's computer. "In the meantime, walk with me?"
It would do them both good.
She watched Nikhila for a reaction to see how she felt about that. But the woman's next words had Lily moving around to the side of the bench Nikhila sat on, her hand resting gently on the younger were's shoulder.
"Some of us help not by going out and hitting things, but by using the tools at hand," she said gently.
She knew this was what worried Nikhila often. Lily wished she could demonstrate to her how she did help; just not in a flamboyant and obvious way. "We help differently," she said, including herself in the statement. "We have no need to bite things when we have perfectly good brains in our heads."
She reached over and carefully closed the top of Nikhila's computer. "In the meantime, walk with me?"
It would do them both good.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Nikhila nodded. She'd been trying to handle this on her own, but at least she'd finally recognized it was beyond her. That this problem was too big and she'd have to accept help from other people. Oddly enough, she was OK with this. There was no shame in needing help and no reason for her to feel she had failed. In fact, she was somewhat relived to have this problem given to actual experts.
Wait, her laptop was closed. How was she supposed to work with it closed?
Nikhila looked up at Lily and smiled weakly. She might be Aidan's mother, but she understood Nikhila far too well.
"Is it so wrong to want to do both?"Â?
The sun had set now, but there was enough light for them to enjoy a walk and nothing she was going to do tonight couldn't wait till tomorrow. Stashing the laptop and some files in its case she flagged down a professor who just happened to be crossing the lawn and asked that they place the laptop in the in box just outside her office. It would be safe enough there.
That done she stood and followed Lily. Nikhila didn't bother to try and defend or justify herself. Truthfully she had gotten much better over the years. She no longer felt a burden to the Pack. She didn't feel that she was holding Aidan back. Lily probably already understood that.
Wait, her laptop was closed. How was she supposed to work with it closed?
Nikhila looked up at Lily and smiled weakly. She might be Aidan's mother, but she understood Nikhila far too well.
"Is it so wrong to want to do both?"Â?
The sun had set now, but there was enough light for them to enjoy a walk and nothing she was going to do tonight couldn't wait till tomorrow. Stashing the laptop and some files in its case she flagged down a professor who just happened to be crossing the lawn and asked that they place the laptop in the in box just outside her office. It would be safe enough there.
That done she stood and followed Lily. Nikhila didn't bother to try and defend or justify herself. Truthfully she had gotten much better over the years. She no longer felt a burden to the Pack. She didn't feel that she was holding Aidan back. Lily probably already understood that.
Lily
13 years ago
Lily waited for Nikhila to hand off her laptop and then walked side by side with her around the Den toward the Long Run.
"Not wrong," she said, "but we each have our forte. I can hold my own when it comes down to it, but I know I'm better off working behind the scenes. Iov and Aidan will both just worry otherwise, and they need someone to help coordinate. The Pack needs someone to coordinate as well."
She gently reminded Nikhila that the Pack was everything. When push came to shove, if the Alpha was gone, another Alpha would take his or her place. The Pack remained.
"I suppose there's no harm in trying though, as long as you don't spread yourself too thin."
As they headed out into the forest, Lily laughed softly. "I think you're going to have your hands too full to worry about it at all in a few months."
((ooc: Lily and Nikhila out))
"Not wrong," she said, "but we each have our forte. I can hold my own when it comes down to it, but I know I'm better off working behind the scenes. Iov and Aidan will both just worry otherwise, and they need someone to help coordinate. The Pack needs someone to coordinate as well."
She gently reminded Nikhila that the Pack was everything. When push came to shove, if the Alpha was gone, another Alpha would take his or her place. The Pack remained.
"I suppose there's no harm in trying though, as long as you don't spread yourself too thin."
As they headed out into the forest, Lily laughed softly. "I think you're going to have your hands too full to worry about it at all in a few months."
((ooc: Lily and Nikhila out))