Mai watched the woman disrobe and change from her perch on a nearby tree branch. A bold werewolf. So many that she had encountered were skittish, perhaps new to the life as something more wild;no real fun to hunt at all. This one seemed comfortable in her other skin.
Scurrying down from the tree, the ancient little stoat decided to take a closer look at this fierce predator. This should be fun. She liked having fun.
Bouncing up so that her head could be seen above the lush grass, the white coated animal chittered and then took off for the woods.
Let the hunt begin!
Running Erands
Parking the rental at the edge of the preserve Thérèse slid out of the car and breathed deep. God yes, it had only been 48 hours since she last ran as a wolf, with her pack, but she'd missed it. Some how the plane ride had made it seem -much- longer than that. Possibly, she should have run on pack ground her first time in Nachton, but the idea didn't appeal to her. She didn't know any one yet and wished to avoid misunderstandings, at least tonight.
Without even a pretense of modesty, she shed her cloths, walked to the forest's edge and embraced her other self. She gloried in the pain came sheer freedom such that others could only dream of.
Shaking out her fur she immediately put her nose to the ground, yes there were other wolves here but the scent wasn't fresh. There was game too, but with other wolves around the game would be wary. That wouldn't stop her, she was alone and too small to take down something large but there would be something.
Once she got the hunt out of her system she could worry about that errand she had to run. She had to do it soon though, but she had some time to enjoy herself. Moving at a slow almost lazy trot Thérèse skirted around the edge of the preserve, learning what was there.
(OOC.. yes she does have something she needs to do but it is open)
Mai
13 years ago
Amir
13 years ago
The jackal crouched in a tuft of long grass, his sides moving only slightly as he opened his mouth and tasted the wind. He felt it, heard it, and smelled it before he saw it. Flattening himself to the ground, ears pressed back against his head, he watched the wolf bounding along, swiftly and smoothly.
No one followed her; was she really alone? Recent activity here had caused them to be careful. Amir found them in threes and fours, sometimes in pairs, almost never single.
He waited for her to pass and then slunk out from his hiding spot, following in the wake of her passage. For now, he was just tracking.
No one followed her; was she really alone? Recent activity here had caused them to be careful. Amir found them in threes and fours, sometimes in pairs, almost never single.
He waited for her to pass and then slunk out from his hiding spot, following in the wake of her passage. For now, he was just tracking.
Therese
13 years ago
Her trot slowed to a walk and then stopped. Prey was supposed to be wary, but this little one was almost inviting it. If she didn't know, better it was asking her to follow it. Well why not. She would have been happy with a rabbit but this would be more of a challenge.
She didn't follow directly, no that wouldn't do. She circled around a bit, moving slowly, making sure her scent didn't reach her prey. Once out of the grasses and into the woods had to be careful of the brush, not to make too much noise. Impatient, feeling restless from her long trip and even longer day Thérèse rushed in and pounced, paws and jaws both snapping aimed at the smallish rodent.
She didn't follow directly, no that wouldn't do. She circled around a bit, moving slowly, making sure her scent didn't reach her prey. Once out of the grasses and into the woods had to be careful of the brush, not to make too much noise. Impatient, feeling restless from her long trip and even longer day Thérèse rushed in and pounced, paws and jaws both snapping aimed at the smallish rodent.
Mai
13 years ago
The circle around was a good tactic, Mai applauded the wolf's understanding of the hunt. Unfortunately for the larger animal this particular prey had very good senses indeed. Mai could also tell that the hunter was being hunted. The smaller canine was further back but still she could sense its movements.
Ah, impatience would be this wolf's undoing. Mai was surprised by the quick choice to pounce but wolves were not used to hunting solo, even the more human ones. Perhaps that was the problem.
Mai waited until she could almost feel the canine's breath on her fur and then she sprang straight up. Twisting her long body in the air, She landed neatly on the wolf's back and clamped down on the fur with her teeth and tiny claws.
She knew this would be fun. Mai just hoped the hunter behind her did not spoil her ride.
Ah, impatience would be this wolf's undoing. Mai was surprised by the quick choice to pounce but wolves were not used to hunting solo, even the more human ones. Perhaps that was the problem.
Mai waited until she could almost feel the canine's breath on her fur and then she sprang straight up. Twisting her long body in the air, She landed neatly on the wolf's back and clamped down on the fur with her teeth and tiny claws.
She knew this would be fun. Mai just hoped the hunter behind her did not spoil her ride.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir ran silently, following the wolf. He hadn't planned to catch up so quickly but he did. And he drew up short, tilting his head in consternation. What the fuck was that? The wolf actually pounced, catlike, at something. The something sprang straight up and somehow latched itself onto the back of the wolf's neck in an impressive display of agility. The wolf gave a yelp, more of surprise than pain, and immediately began hopping around before giving up on that tactic and rolling, ducking its head, onto the ground.
Amir blinked.
He wasn't sure whether to close in and make a quick easy kill or find a video camera, capitalize on this moment by sending it into one of those cheesy funny video shows, and then kill the wolf.
The laugh started low and worked its way softly out; jackals didn't bark like normal canines; instead they alternated between something like a scream and a strange chuckling laugh. The latter emerged forth now, betraying Amir, who wasn't particularly worried.
He could always kill the wolf after the show was over.
Amir blinked.
He wasn't sure whether to close in and make a quick easy kill or find a video camera, capitalize on this moment by sending it into one of those cheesy funny video shows, and then kill the wolf.
The laugh started low and worked its way softly out; jackals didn't bark like normal canines; instead they alternated between something like a scream and a strange chuckling laugh. The latter emerged forth now, betraying Amir, who wasn't particularly worried.
He could always kill the wolf after the show was over.
Therese
13 years ago
Thérèse had -never- had anything she was stalking behave like this. Ever. She didn't have any idea how to deal with it. She'd done her best to twist back around and bite its little head off, but it was in just the wrong spot. Instead she shook violently, threw herself on the ground and rolled trying to squash it.
The damned thing must have rabies, this couldn't be good. Her first day in a new city and she'd been bitten by a rabid rodent. First her luggage and now this.
An odd sound suddenly became more important than the stoat. It was annoying but she was considerably bigger than it was. Serious effort would be required for it to injure her. The laugh, that didn't belong here.
Scrambling back to her feet she spun to face the sound, immediately defensive. She bristled, lowered her head and growled in the general direction of the laugh. She could smell something too, it was a scent she knew. Jackal. But they didn't belong here.
Still she and the pack had dealt with them before. One on one Thérèse could probably manage, or at least chase it off. After all the Golden Jackals she was used to dealing with were considerably smaller than a wolf and tended avoid areas where wolves were present. Which made it all the more unusual that it was here, where there was wolf scent in abundance. So while this should be easy, she didn't let her guard down.
The damned thing must have rabies, this couldn't be good. Her first day in a new city and she'd been bitten by a rabid rodent. First her luggage and now this.
An odd sound suddenly became more important than the stoat. It was annoying but she was considerably bigger than it was. Serious effort would be required for it to injure her. The laugh, that didn't belong here.
Scrambling back to her feet she spun to face the sound, immediately defensive. She bristled, lowered her head and growled in the general direction of the laugh. She could smell something too, it was a scent she knew. Jackal. But they didn't belong here.
Still she and the pack had dealt with them before. One on one Thérèse could probably manage, or at least chase it off. After all the Golden Jackals she was used to dealing with were considerably smaller than a wolf and tended avoid areas where wolves were present. Which made it all the more unusual that it was here, where there was wolf scent in abundance. So while this should be easy, she didn't let her guard down.
Mai
13 years ago
Mai held on through the dancing and snapping that the wolf did; amused by the ride. The larger animal then tossed itself on the ground and started trying to scrap her off or squash her. She wasn't sure which really but it worked. Mai, forced to let go, wiggled around to the topside of the rocking, squirming wolf. Standing on her hind legs briefly she flicked her whiskers at it and then bounced off and back onto the ground.
There she stopped and sat down next to the growling wolf to consider the newcomer. She was glad that he had not interfered with her entertainment and for that he was due some courtesy. Pulling herself up tall, she waited to see what he wanted.
There she stopped and sat down next to the growling wolf to consider the newcomer. She was glad that he had not interfered with her entertainment and for that he was due some courtesy. Pulling herself up tall, she waited to see what he wanted.
Amir
13 years ago
The odd sound of Amir's laugh seemed to end the game prematurely. A tiny shape bounded away from the wolf and Amir trotted closer. As he approached the wolf he immediately, instinctively, flattened low to the ground in a preparatory crouch, the corners of his lips curling up slightly.
He recognized the form on the ground though, and it was that which drew him up in confusion. There could hardly be that many stoats running around Nachton. About as many as there were jackals, he imagined. Confused, Amir glanced from the small shapeshifted vampire to the wolf. The fur along the back of his neck rose at the wolf's proximity and while he knew it was entirely unnecessary Amir edged carefully along so he crouched between the stoat and the wolf.
Why did Elder Mai not attack the wolf? She was right here, an easy target, a lone wolf with no signs of Pack nearby. Amir could hardly do so himself when the Elder was here and hadn't moved. He stayed frozen, watching the wolf, darting glances at his Elder as if hoping for explanation or direction. Perhaps she had some other motive for leaving this wolf alone. He wasn't about to step on her toes.
He recognized the form on the ground though, and it was that which drew him up in confusion. There could hardly be that many stoats running around Nachton. About as many as there were jackals, he imagined. Confused, Amir glanced from the small shapeshifted vampire to the wolf. The fur along the back of his neck rose at the wolf's proximity and while he knew it was entirely unnecessary Amir edged carefully along so he crouched between the stoat and the wolf.
Why did Elder Mai not attack the wolf? She was right here, an easy target, a lone wolf with no signs of Pack nearby. Amir could hardly do so himself when the Elder was here and hadn't moved. He stayed frozen, watching the wolf, darting glances at his Elder as if hoping for explanation or direction. Perhaps she had some other motive for leaving this wolf alone. He wasn't about to step on her toes.
Therese
13 years ago
This wasn't how jackals were supposed to act around wolves. Thérèse knew that, but perhaps the jackal did not, perhaps he had never met a wolf before. Well he was going to now
Hackles raised ears pinned to her head and her head still lowered she trotted at him in a fearless non-nonsense pace guarding was was now her territory. He could have it back when she was through. She increased her pace, barked at him, snapped her jaws at him. She wasn't hunting him, just driving him off.
Her snack though, it hadn't fled. Not when she'd finally dislodged it, and not now. Too many things were not adding up tonight. Rabid rodents, ones that didn't scurry off, jackals in places they shouldn't exist, trouble was not far away, she knew it and her without back up.
Hackles raised ears pinned to her head and her head still lowered she trotted at him in a fearless non-nonsense pace guarding was was now her territory. He could have it back when she was through. She increased her pace, barked at him, snapped her jaws at him. She wasn't hunting him, just driving him off.
Her snack though, it hadn't fled. Not when she'd finally dislodged it, and not now. Too many things were not adding up tonight. Rabid rodents, ones that didn't scurry off, jackals in places they shouldn't exist, trouble was not far away, she knew it and her without back up.
Mai
13 years ago
Mai watched the beginnings of the new conflict between jackal and wolf. The larger animal did not know what trouble she was in; though, Mai thought the wolf must now be beginning to understand.
With an inward sigh at the end of her night's entertainment, Mai quietly slid back into her normal form. To her it was effortless. She had heard, and seen for herself, that this was not true for those creatures called werewolves by the English. She tried to remember back to her beginnings, was it always so easy or was there a time when it caused her trouble? The answer was lost to her but she remembered Thaddeus and his difficulty like it was yesterday. Then it was true that she too must have once found such a shift disorienting.
Standing, the slight vampire to a step towards the two canines. With her hands folded neatly in front of her, Mai tilted her chin up, looking at neither, but watching both.
"That will be enough."
With an inward sigh at the end of her night's entertainment, Mai quietly slid back into her normal form. To her it was effortless. She had heard, and seen for herself, that this was not true for those creatures called werewolves by the English. She tried to remember back to her beginnings, was it always so easy or was there a time when it caused her trouble? The answer was lost to her but she remembered Thaddeus and his difficulty like it was yesterday. Then it was true that she too must have once found such a shift disorienting.
Standing, the slight vampire to a step towards the two canines. With her hands folded neatly in front of her, Mai tilted her chin up, looking at neither, but watching both.
"That will be enough."
Amir
13 years ago
Amir hadn't made a move toward the werewolf yet, not really, but she decided to take the initiative. Not bright; this wasn't werewolf territory. As of two full moons ago, it was Amir's territory. Shame that no one had told her that. he crouched, prepared to rip her apart, when Elder Mai's voice cut through the night like a knife. Precise and exact.
Amir's response was immediate. He didn't show respect or obeisance to many but Mai was one of them. Amir was a member of a small group of vampires who worked under the radar, as it were, but they all belonged to the Hunt, of which Elder Mai was Mistress. He could no more disobey her than survive without blood.
He sidestepped the werewolf and halted at Mai's feet, still crouched in case it was necessary to defend himself. He rankled at the idea but if Mai wanted this wolf alive it would stay alive. Why, he didn't know. It wasn't his place to demand explanations of his Elder.
Amir's response was immediate. He didn't show respect or obeisance to many but Mai was one of them. Amir was a member of a small group of vampires who worked under the radar, as it were, but they all belonged to the Hunt, of which Elder Mai was Mistress. He could no more disobey her than survive without blood.
He sidestepped the werewolf and halted at Mai's feet, still crouched in case it was necessary to defend himself. He rankled at the idea but if Mai wanted this wolf alive it would stay alive. Why, he didn't know. It wasn't his place to demand explanations of his Elder.
Therese
13 years ago
Moderately satisfied that the jackal had moved away Thérèse was prepared to circle around and chase him further away. But the same thing that drew him up short shocked her into stillness.
The voice was where she'd left the stoat. That damned little rodent that didn't behave at all like a rodent. Vampire. There was no other explanation. The jackal too she quickly decided and was suddenly very aware she was out here on her own, with no back up at all. They hadn't attacked though, well the one had but it barely counted. It retrospect was more like she had been playing.
Thérèse angled herself so she was able to watch both of these monsters but also so she could beat a hasty retreat into the forest. She was going to have to count on being able to out run them or at least elude them. She certainly was -not- going to be shifting back to have a conversation with either of them. It was proving foolish to come out alone, she wasn't about to make the mistake of being totally vulnerable as she shifted back.
Why she didn't just run was beyond her. That would have been the smart thing to do and she was fully prepared to do it, just not quite yet.
The voice was where she'd left the stoat. That damned little rodent that didn't behave at all like a rodent. Vampire. There was no other explanation. The jackal too she quickly decided and was suddenly very aware she was out here on her own, with no back up at all. They hadn't attacked though, well the one had but it barely counted. It retrospect was more like she had been playing.
Thérèse angled herself so she was able to watch both of these monsters but also so she could beat a hasty retreat into the forest. She was going to have to count on being able to out run them or at least elude them. She certainly was -not- going to be shifting back to have a conversation with either of them. It was proving foolish to come out alone, she wasn't about to make the mistake of being totally vulnerable as she shifted back.
Why she didn't just run was beyond her. That would have been the smart thing to do and she was fully prepared to do it, just not quite yet.
Mai
13 years ago
Knealing beside the wolf, Mai placed a hand on the animal's shoulders.
"There will be no more hunting today. You are safe for now, young one."
She did not expect the werewolf to change back into her human form; it would have been unwise for the woman to do such a thing and Mai was gratified to see the girl had that much sense. Still, she was bold, or foolish not to run once it was obvious that she was in the presence of not one, but two, vampires.
"You were very brave. I thank you for the entertainment."
Focusing her attention on the jackal, Mai watched him and waited.
"There will be no more hunting today. You are safe for now, young one."
She did not expect the werewolf to change back into her human form; it would have been unwise for the woman to do such a thing and Mai was gratified to see the girl had that much sense. Still, she was bold, or foolish not to run once it was obvious that she was in the presence of not one, but two, vampires.
"You were very brave. I thank you for the entertainment."
Focusing her attention on the jackal, Mai watched him and waited.
Amir
13 years ago
Amir whuffed a hot breath at the wolf. She was getting off easy. Did she know Mai's presence here was the only that that kept him from fulfilling his purpose? Probably not. Brazen little whelp was still hanging around.
As Mai finished speaking she turned and waited patiently for Amir, who growled to himself. He didn't want the wolf to see him as he was. Not that it mattered anymore; Xephier had seen both of his shapes by now and had probably managed to convey that information to his Pack in spite of Amir's Commands.
With a sigh Amir relented. It went against his wishes and his better judgment but even an unspoken order from Mai was an order. He willed himself back into human form, the transition every bit as smoothly accomplished as Mai's had been, but he remained crouched low, dark glittering eyes fixed on the wolf for several long seconds before turning them to Mai.
"Good evening, Elder."
As Mai finished speaking she turned and waited patiently for Amir, who growled to himself. He didn't want the wolf to see him as he was. Not that it mattered anymore; Xephier had seen both of his shapes by now and had probably managed to convey that information to his Pack in spite of Amir's Commands.
With a sigh Amir relented. It went against his wishes and his better judgment but even an unspoken order from Mai was an order. He willed himself back into human form, the transition every bit as smoothly accomplished as Mai's had been, but he remained crouched low, dark glittering eyes fixed on the wolf for several long seconds before turning them to Mai.
"Good evening, Elder."
Therese
13 years ago
She backed up slowly a few steps as the small vampire approached her. She couldn't help it she growled and her teeth remain bared, but it was more an intimidation tactic than a threat. And was shocked the vampire continued to approach. But then, there were two of them and one of her, Thérèse had no doubt if she made a hostile move toward either one they would retaliate and the odds were good she'd be dead. Or perhaps it was the woman's odd eyes that held her in place, she didn't know, but she did shudder when touched. This was wrong, un-natural.
Thérèse forced a sneeze and shook her head, she was -not- being entertaining and did nothing for her or her kind.
When the other one shifted back, she snapped at the air in front of her hating the way he held her eyes almost demanding he break eye contact. She was not subservient to him, he was not her alpha. Or maybe she just didn't like that he also could shift into a canine predator, perhaps both. She didn't know and wasn't about to reason it out.
Not entirely trusting the promise of safety, not when out numbered Thérèse loped off a few paces, well out of arms reach of either, but she stopped easily visible, still in easy hearing distance and waited. Maybe she could learn something, she was also curious about the one. The woman hadn't been out right hostile. How could that be?
Thérèse forced a sneeze and shook her head, she was -not- being entertaining and did nothing for her or her kind.
When the other one shifted back, she snapped at the air in front of her hating the way he held her eyes almost demanding he break eye contact. She was not subservient to him, he was not her alpha. Or maybe she just didn't like that he also could shift into a canine predator, perhaps both. She didn't know and wasn't about to reason it out.
Not entirely trusting the promise of safety, not when out numbered Thérèse loped off a few paces, well out of arms reach of either, but she stopped easily visible, still in easy hearing distance and waited. Maybe she could learn something, she was also curious about the one. The woman hadn't been out right hostile. How could that be?
Mai
13 years ago
Mai bowed slightly to the crouching man and replied to his greeting.
"Konbanwa, Amir-san. It is good to see you again."
Light girlish laughter filled the stillness of the night as the wolf trotted away from her and her clan mate. Turning back to Amir, Mai spoke conversationally for the benefit of both.
"Its seems the ookami no longer wishes to play with us now that she knows what we are. That is a shame but understandable."
Reaching down, she touched Amir's shoulder and for once her white eyes were focused on another's. She wished for there to be no misunderstanding her intentions concerning the were.
"Leave her be. The wolf is free to go."
"Konbanwa, Amir-san. It is good to see you again."
Light girlish laughter filled the stillness of the night as the wolf trotted away from her and her clan mate. Turning back to Amir, Mai spoke conversationally for the benefit of both.
"Its seems the ookami no longer wishes to play with us now that she knows what we are. That is a shame but understandable."
Reaching down, she touched Amir's shoulder and for once her white eyes were focused on another's. She wished for there to be no misunderstanding her intentions concerning the were.
"Leave her be. The wolf is free to go."
Amir
13 years ago
"You also, Elder."
A shame? Amir glanced once more at the wolf as his usual mask settled over his face and he regarded her neutrally in spite of his feelings. He disagreed. The only shame was in not having slaughtered the wolf where she stood, setting her free to go make dozens more wolves instead.
Amir was too well-trained to voice that particular disagreement to Mai. Had he really believed it was a matter of life and death he wouldn't have hesitated to give her his thoughts but this was hardly that sort of situation. When she looked at him he met her eyes and nodded once, rising to his feet steadily.
Turning to the wolf he gestured sharply with his hand, indicating he would perform no further action against her. "Salam," he said darkly, not caring if she understood the term or not.
A shame? Amir glanced once more at the wolf as his usual mask settled over his face and he regarded her neutrally in spite of his feelings. He disagreed. The only shame was in not having slaughtered the wolf where she stood, setting her free to go make dozens more wolves instead.
Amir was too well-trained to voice that particular disagreement to Mai. Had he really believed it was a matter of life and death he wouldn't have hesitated to give her his thoughts but this was hardly that sort of situation. When she looked at him he met her eyes and nodded once, rising to his feet steadily.
Turning to the wolf he gestured sharply with his hand, indicating he would perform no further action against her. "Salam," he said darkly, not caring if she understood the term or not.
Therese
13 years ago
Salam her ass. Despite her rather foolish actions tonight, Thérèse was not stupid. That one might be offering peace, but at most it would be for this night only. Besides, since when had their kind kept their promises? She'd remember his name though.
Looking at them the both appeared so harmless, if Thérèse had walked by either of them on the street tonight she might not have looked twice at either of them. And that was a rather unsettling realization. She was going to have to be considerably more alert if she were to keep hunting on her own.
There were other things she had to do tonight and that compulsion pulled at her. But as there was no time frame given to her aside from 'as soon as possible after your arrival' she was able to dance away from it a little bit. She faded further back into the shadows her coat blending more and more into the shadows. They would probably know she was still there, but she settled down to watch any how. Thérèse had a gift for spotting her opponents weaknesses and if they were going to let her study them, she was going to take full advantage of it.
((OOC... and yes that is Thérèse practicing her Darwinian Insight. She's not about to go after either of them tonight. but she's got a good memory
))
Looking at them the both appeared so harmless, if Thérèse had walked by either of them on the street tonight she might not have looked twice at either of them. And that was a rather unsettling realization. She was going to have to be considerably more alert if she were to keep hunting on her own.
There were other things she had to do tonight and that compulsion pulled at her. But as there was no time frame given to her aside from 'as soon as possible after your arrival' she was able to dance away from it a little bit. She faded further back into the shadows her coat blending more and more into the shadows. They would probably know she was still there, but she settled down to watch any how. Thérèse had a gift for spotting her opponents weaknesses and if they were going to let her study them, she was going to take full advantage of it.
((OOC... and yes that is Thérèse practicing her Darwinian Insight. She's not about to go after either of them tonight. but she's got a good memory
))
Mai
13 years ago
The wolf moved further back into the woods and her fellow member of the Hunt did not follow. Mai knew that it was against his nature to let her go, but there were more important things to be concerned with.
Tilting her head down as though listening to something, Mai found what she was looking for. Though they were a stretch from the animal she was most familiar with, she could still make herself understood. Therefore, she kindly told the family of skunk nearby that there was a large predator near their home. That should give the wolf something to keep her busy for a while or if she wished to remain unscented then it was a good reason to move along.
Smiling up at Amir, she said.
"Come, let us go home. We have much to discuss."
Wrapping her arm in his, she led him to where she had left her clothes. Thaddeus had at last convinced her that such things were helpful to retrieve. She did admit that the humans seemed to agree with him.
((OOC: tsk tsk, eavesdropping is not very nice.
))
Tilting her head down as though listening to something, Mai found what she was looking for. Though they were a stretch from the animal she was most familiar with, she could still make herself understood. Therefore, she kindly told the family of skunk nearby that there was a large predator near their home. That should give the wolf something to keep her busy for a while or if she wished to remain unscented then it was a good reason to move along.
Smiling up at Amir, she said.
"Come, let us go home. We have much to discuss."
Wrapping her arm in his, she led him to where she had left her clothes. Thaddeus had at last convinced her that such things were helpful to retrieve. She did admit that the humans seemed to agree with him.
((OOC: tsk tsk, eavesdropping is not very nice.
))
Amir
13 years ago
Amir watched without expression as the wolf crept away. He could still feel her out there. She made his skin crawl. He ignored the sensation.
He looked down at Mai when she spoke again and took his arm. With one more nod and a slight bow he said, "Hai."
As they headed back out toward the front of the preserve to gather their clothing Amir was careful not to glance back. He wanted to, but if he did it would be the precursor to pulling away and finishing what he'd begun.
((ooc: Amir and Mai out, with permission))
He looked down at Mai when she spoke again and took his arm. With one more nod and a slight bow he said, "Hai."
As they headed back out toward the front of the preserve to gather their clothing Amir was careful not to glance back. He wanted to, but if he did it would be the precursor to pulling away and finishing what he'd begun.
((ooc: Amir and Mai out, with permission))