Mara kept her hand at the nape of Jin's neck and held her breath as he drew close. She stilled her entire body except for her other arm, which she wound around his waist. Leaning her head on his shoulder she didn't flinch as he caressed her neck. She rather enjoyed it, actually, and even that admission was in conflict with her mind because she knew what was coming and that was what scared her.
It wasn't the bite; it was what came with it.
Mara had been bitten before but in most cases she knew the person who was doing it very well. Jin was new to her, and he wasn't familiar to her, not yet. Maybe in time he would be, and she wasn't opposed to learning that in spite of the fact that she feared it. But his mouth closed softly down on her neck and her head still told her 'not Amir!'
She silenced it. Amir trusted Jin. Therefore Mara trusted Jin. Granted, she was certain Amir's request had not included this... and that is why you offered, Mara, she reminded herself firmly. You had ample time to back out and you didn't. Wouldn't anyway. This was all right.
Mara finally relaxed and let the bite happen; all of it, not just the mechanics. For once she didn't resist the emotional pull. She curled herself tightly into Jin's arms and clung to him. One hand splayed over his back and the one at the base of his neck dove into his soft hair, stroking gently.
Carefully, so as not to disturb him, she nuzzled a little deeper against his shoulder. Closed her eyes. Sighed and let him in.
People-Watching
Mara didn't see Jin's language change as at all unusual. As he spoke, she understood the need for the obscurity. She listened quietly, nodding her head as she thoughtfully nibbled on a piece of tuna. As she and Jin spoke she kept her chair close to his, legs nearly brushing, and both of them angled themselves so that they could see peripherally to the doorway while still looking like they were having an intimate conversation.
Blending in with a crowd was not difficult for Mara; in fact, it was her usual tactic whenever she was unable to become a cat and hide away. After Jin spoke she laughed, laying one hand on his arm as if he'd just said something witty and charming. Her smile stayed in place as she responded to him in the same language.
"Even if that is the case, what can we do?" She asked. It was their job to observe and take note; not to step in and try to effect immediate change. "What did she discover that has her upset?"
It hadn't been very long. What could Sorcha have learned in such a short time? Mara had faith in Amir... if he had let these people come in he couldn't have believed they were an immediate threat. Amir wasn't above shedding blood in a public place if it was necessary, although he could act with subtlety and was apparently doing so now.
She kept her eyes on Jin's face although she had already extended her senses all around them. She could hear a woman's voice speaking to the doorman in a British accent.
"Are they remaining outside for now, or following them in?" She suspected Sorcha and Amir were staying outside for the time being or they might not have opted to send a message in the manner they did.
Mara
13 years ago
Jin
13 years ago
Jin still sucked on the wound gently, knowing that her body's regeneration would close it soon but unwilling to be more insistent. The hunger was there but it was contained and controlled with the taste of blood and the promise of more. He could wait.
Mara relaxed into him, letting the pleasure of the bite take over. Jin could feel her arm holding him tightly, her inhuman strength both exciting and comforting. The feather light tug of the hand in his hair made him moan softly against her neck. His embrace tightened and he drew more forcefully from her neck.
Jin's heart, now clear of all traces of the drug, beat rapidly against his chest for an entirely different reason. He took a few more precious swallows of the sweet gift he'd been given and then pulled away. Catching his breath, Jin leaned down to lightly lick the wound clean of all traces of blood.
He planted a kiss gently on Mara's neck and then her cheek. Still holding her close, Jin murmured softly.
"You honor me with something very precious. I promise to always do my best to be worthy of your trust, Mara."
Mara relaxed into him, letting the pleasure of the bite take over. Jin could feel her arm holding him tightly, her inhuman strength both exciting and comforting. The feather light tug of the hand in his hair made him moan softly against her neck. His embrace tightened and he drew more forcefully from her neck.
Jin's heart, now clear of all traces of the drug, beat rapidly against his chest for an entirely different reason. He took a few more precious swallows of the sweet gift he'd been given and then pulled away. Catching his breath, Jin leaned down to lightly lick the wound clean of all traces of blood.
He planted a kiss gently on Mara's neck and then her cheek. Still holding her close, Jin murmured softly.
"You honor me with something very precious. I promise to always do my best to be worthy of your trust, Mara."
Mara
13 years ago
The soft pressure of Jin's mouth wiped away any reservations Mara may have had left. He was, indeed, being gentle with her. He didn't need to be so. Mara was no newly-turned vampire, meek as a kitten. And still the little voice of independence was trampled into oblivion by the raging horde of fan-girl kitty-ness that went *squee* in an ultra-high voice at the idea that Jin was really that kind of a person, to temper his own need out of caring. Imagine, knowing two such people... Mara was lucky.
Something she did made Jin moan against her neck and draw harder; Mara would have loved to know what exactly it was. That more than anything made an impression on her. Just that one sound. It was so... real. She responded accordingly, arching into him, tightening her grip on him, and then finally breathing again as he withdrew, catching her breath as he appeared to as well when she rolled her head on his shoulder to look at his face.
Jin's words were sweet, almost lover-like in spite of their formality. Mara smiled at him with an almost sleepy sort of contentedness. "It is mutual," she pointed out. If she had trusted him, he had done the same. That trust was terrifying to Mara and didn't come easily, but she accepted that it was there.
It seemed like an all right thing, really.
"Maybe I should... let go of your hair," she said then, offering Jin a sheepish little smile, for she was still tangled happily in the soft strands. "Did that help? Will it be enough for now?"
He hadn't truly fed heavily. Mara didn't want him to lie for her sake.
Something she did made Jin moan against her neck and draw harder; Mara would have loved to know what exactly it was. That more than anything made an impression on her. Just that one sound. It was so... real. She responded accordingly, arching into him, tightening her grip on him, and then finally breathing again as he withdrew, catching her breath as he appeared to as well when she rolled her head on his shoulder to look at his face.
Jin's words were sweet, almost lover-like in spite of their formality. Mara smiled at him with an almost sleepy sort of contentedness. "It is mutual," she pointed out. If she had trusted him, he had done the same. That trust was terrifying to Mara and didn't come easily, but she accepted that it was there.
It seemed like an all right thing, really.
"Maybe I should... let go of your hair," she said then, offering Jin a sheepish little smile, for she was still tangled happily in the soft strands. "Did that help? Will it be enough for now?"
He hadn't truly fed heavily. Mara didn't want him to lie for her sake.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin smiled down at the woman in his arms. Truthfully, he was reluctant to let her go. He nodded that indeed the trust was mutual.
When Mara mentioned letting go of his hair, he sighed and smiled.
"If you must."
He lightly brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face before pulling away and coming to his feet. Testing his legs and sense of balance briefly, Jin then answered Mara's question.
"It was most helpful. I think I will be fine."
He hadn't been hungry before the unfortunate drug abuse and her blood was more potent than human blood so less was required, a very good thing since she needed it as well.
Reaching down both hands for her, Jin helped Mara to her feet and then nodded towards the alcove. The one he knocked out was surely awake by now. The man obviously had enough sense to keep quiet but they still had to deal with the four people.
He wished, as he had on many occasions in the past, that he had been granted command as one of his talents upon becoming immortal. It would have gotten him out of so many messes. Things happen for a reason and his lack of such a useful ability better taught him how to deal with the trouble he made...and might eventually teach him to stop getting into it. However, it hadn't managed that last lesson yet.
There was no reason to further use his abilities so for the moment he conserved his resources; Jin walked over to the table and looked down into the alcove.
When Mara mentioned letting go of his hair, he sighed and smiled.
"If you must."
He lightly brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face before pulling away and coming to his feet. Testing his legs and sense of balance briefly, Jin then answered Mara's question.
"It was most helpful. I think I will be fine."
He hadn't been hungry before the unfortunate drug abuse and her blood was more potent than human blood so less was required, a very good thing since she needed it as well.
Reaching down both hands for her, Jin helped Mara to her feet and then nodded towards the alcove. The one he knocked out was surely awake by now. The man obviously had enough sense to keep quiet but they still had to deal with the four people.
He wished, as he had on many occasions in the past, that he had been granted command as one of his talents upon becoming immortal. It would have gotten him out of so many messes. Things happen for a reason and his lack of such a useful ability better taught him how to deal with the trouble he made...and might eventually teach him to stop getting into it. However, it hadn't managed that last lesson yet.
There was no reason to further use his abilities so for the moment he conserved his resources; Jin walked over to the table and looked down into the alcove.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara freed her hand from Jin's hair, letting her fingers trail through it to gently untangle any snarls she might have inadvertently caused. She watched him regain his feet with satisfaction; there seemed to be no lasting effects from the drugs. Putting her hands in his she rose smoothly to her own feet, brushing out her skirt and attempting to straighten her disheveled self.
"Well, at least when we leave anyone who saw us come in won't doubt," she said with a soft laugh. Jin was in a state of similar disarray; she'd have been amazed if either of them had managed to remain polished and perfect after that fiasco.
As Jin went to the barricade Mara picked up the water, pitcher, and napkin and replaced them on one of the tables before joining her Clanmate. She looked down as well, and then turned to Jin. Once again he was her superior. She knew how Amir would handle this, but she had no idea what Jin's preference was. Somehow, she suspected his method would differ.
"Well, at least when we leave anyone who saw us come in won't doubt," she said with a soft laugh. Jin was in a state of similar disarray; she'd have been amazed if either of them had managed to remain polished and perfect after that fiasco.
As Jin went to the barricade Mara picked up the water, pitcher, and napkin and replaced them on one of the tables before joining her Clanmate. She looked down as well, and then turned to Jin. Once again he was her superior. She knew how Amir would handle this, but she had no idea what Jin's preference was. Somehow, she suspected his method would differ.
Jin
13 years ago
He smiled at Mara and looked down at his own attire, smoothing a self conscious hand over it.
"A good time was had by all."
When he moved to the alcove he considered their options for cleaning up the mess in the room. Jin clasped his hands behind his back as he looked down at the humans on the floor. The vampire would be dealt with later.
"Your heart beat tells me you are awake. So let's end that farce."
He reached down and pulled the blonde up by his shirt and raising him easily with one hand high enough to dangle the man's feet off the ground.
"The problem with dealing any drug is gaining unwanted attention but I believe you have figured that out."
Setting the man back onto his feet but not letting him go, Jin rummaged into the man's pockets with his free hand. The wallet was easy enough to find. He took it out and flipped it open to reveal the license inside.
"Justin Alan Chase..."
He bent down and bit the man on the neck. Jin's lip curled and he only took one draw of the man's blood. It was disgusting, tasting of grease, alcohol and drugs. He did his best not to shudder in revulsion.
Leaning back, he licked the blood from his fangs while watching the human.
"I have a taste of you now and I will be watching you. Don't bother to run. I would find you but I highly recommend you find a different line of work. Understand?"
The man wasn't likely to know that Jin couldn't find him by the taste of his blood. He doubted even the vampire would have been entirely certain it couldn't be done. Jin put the wallet in his pocket and let the man go. He had no need for the man's money but the items inside would be useful for tracking the man down later, a skill Mara just so happened to have.
"A good time was had by all."
When he moved to the alcove he considered their options for cleaning up the mess in the room. Jin clasped his hands behind his back as he looked down at the humans on the floor. The vampire would be dealt with later.
"Your heart beat tells me you are awake. So let's end that farce."
He reached down and pulled the blonde up by his shirt and raising him easily with one hand high enough to dangle the man's feet off the ground.
"The problem with dealing any drug is gaining unwanted attention but I believe you have figured that out."
Setting the man back onto his feet but not letting him go, Jin rummaged into the man's pockets with his free hand. The wallet was easy enough to find. He took it out and flipped it open to reveal the license inside.
"Justin Alan Chase..."
He bent down and bit the man on the neck. Jin's lip curled and he only took one draw of the man's blood. It was disgusting, tasting of grease, alcohol and drugs. He did his best not to shudder in revulsion.
Leaning back, he licked the blood from his fangs while watching the human.
"I have a taste of you now and I will be watching you. Don't bother to run. I would find you but I highly recommend you find a different line of work. Understand?"
The man wasn't likely to know that Jin couldn't find him by the taste of his blood. He doubted even the vampire would have been entirely certain it couldn't be done. Jin put the wallet in his pocket and let the man go. He had no need for the man's money but the items inside would be useful for tracking the man down later, a skill Mara just so happened to have.
Stranger
13 years ago
The problem with living life in the fast lane was that eventually you were going to find yourself wiped out in some spectacular fashion. JC had been running on very little sleep, using drugs and caffiene to keep himself going. At the party he had indulged in more Eternity as well as alcohol; it would seem his body decided that enough was enough.
He had been out like a light until very recently despite the very desperate nature of his situation. JC had turned his head upon coming back to consciousness only to find himself staring into Marshal's glassy gaze. Fuck!
Panic set in and his mind went into overdrive trying to find a way out of this mess. They killed Marshal! How could they possibly have killed a vampire?! He still had not come up with a good way to remain living when the Asian man came over and spoke.
JC found himself easily lifted off his feet. Well, he guessed that answered what had happened to Marshal. He looked at the new vampire with a small amount of defiance, if he was going to die then so be it but he wasn't going to beg and blubber. JC didn't really believe that he had a high life expectancy anyway.
Why was the man bothering to banter? Just do it already. Did it make him feel better that he had just cause to kill a drug dealer? Puhlease...He'd have shot someone like him in a heartbeat and then gone home to sleep like a baby.
Justin watched the man pull out his wallet and struggled a bit against the arm that held him. It was one thing to just stand there and die but he'd appreciate being killed -before- being looted.
The man bit into his neck and JC thought well here it is. He closed his eyes and waited. As deaths went the bite of a vampire wasn't the worst one he could think of. JC had about that much time to ponder his upcoming afterlife before the bite was over.
He watched in dumbstruck aww as the man told him that he had been tasted and was known. JC nodded vigorously in understanding. Marshal had done some wierd shit and Justin knew better than to underestimate the guy in front of him. Again, anyway.
"I...I won't."
He had been out like a light until very recently despite the very desperate nature of his situation. JC had turned his head upon coming back to consciousness only to find himself staring into Marshal's glassy gaze. Fuck!
Panic set in and his mind went into overdrive trying to find a way out of this mess. They killed Marshal! How could they possibly have killed a vampire?! He still had not come up with a good way to remain living when the Asian man came over and spoke.
JC found himself easily lifted off his feet. Well, he guessed that answered what had happened to Marshal. He looked at the new vampire with a small amount of defiance, if he was going to die then so be it but he wasn't going to beg and blubber. JC didn't really believe that he had a high life expectancy anyway.
Why was the man bothering to banter? Just do it already. Did it make him feel better that he had just cause to kill a drug dealer? Puhlease...He'd have shot someone like him in a heartbeat and then gone home to sleep like a baby.
Justin watched the man pull out his wallet and struggled a bit against the arm that held him. It was one thing to just stand there and die but he'd appreciate being killed -before- being looted.
The man bit into his neck and JC thought well here it is. He closed his eyes and waited. As deaths went the bite of a vampire wasn't the worst one he could think of. JC had about that much time to ponder his upcoming afterlife before the bite was over.
He watched in dumbstruck aww as the man told him that he had been tasted and was known. JC nodded vigorously in understanding. Marshal had done some wierd shit and Justin knew better than to underestimate the guy in front of him. Again, anyway.
"I...I won't."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara watched the scene before her, not really bothering to hide a grimace of distaste as Jin bit into the human's neck. Gross, Jin. Mara couldn't imagine what that had to taste like. Raw sewage came to mind.
All for the sake of a mental psych out too. Mara noted that Jin kept the man's wallet and made her own assumptions. What Jin intended to do when he met this man again, she wasn't sure. A checkup, maybe, to see if he'd seen the error of his ways?
Amir's method might have been more direct and brutal but in this case Mara suspected it might be for the best. There was nothing like Eternity. There should never have been anything like Eternity. Selling it.. the idea of using a vampire that way made her cringe again. It was rape.
She remained silent, watching the interaction, almost feeling slightly sullied herself... she hadn't expected her contribution to Jin's well-being to be followed by a human chaser. Blech.
Mara was tempted to peek at her handiwork with the other vampire, but she realized it might be Jin's intention to be the only recognized vampire of the two of them. Therefore she remained poised and ready to take whatever role, if any, Jin preferred for her - cohort, eager familiar, hired entertainment... or nothing at all.
All for the sake of a mental psych out too. Mara noted that Jin kept the man's wallet and made her own assumptions. What Jin intended to do when he met this man again, she wasn't sure. A checkup, maybe, to see if he'd seen the error of his ways?
Amir's method might have been more direct and brutal but in this case Mara suspected it might be for the best. There was nothing like Eternity. There should never have been anything like Eternity. Selling it.. the idea of using a vampire that way made her cringe again. It was rape.
She remained silent, watching the interaction, almost feeling slightly sullied herself... she hadn't expected her contribution to Jin's well-being to be followed by a human chaser. Blech.
Mara was tempted to peek at her handiwork with the other vampire, but she realized it might be Jin's intention to be the only recognized vampire of the two of them. Therefore she remained poised and ready to take whatever role, if any, Jin preferred for her - cohort, eager familiar, hired entertainment... or nothing at all.
Jin
13 years ago
Frowning down at the other two humans, Jin turned to Justin.
"What did you give them, exactly? And do you know if they are ever done this before?"
Trying to keep tabs on three humans who might decide to continue their vampire blood habit would be an irritating distraction but he could not in good conscious let a thug live but kill two people who had just made one very poor decision.
"Help me pull them out of there and let's right the place."
Jin looked up at the wall and the blood on it.
"As best as possible."
He reached down and pulled the young man out of the alcove and plopped him down into a seat. The human looked up at him with a stupid grin and leaned heavily on his hand, rubbing his face against the fabric of Jin's sleeve. He pushed the human backwards into the chair with a frown of distaste.
"I will be back."
With that he walked behind the human in the chair and slid himself through the back wall and outside.
"What did you give them, exactly? And do you know if they are ever done this before?"
Trying to keep tabs on three humans who might decide to continue their vampire blood habit would be an irritating distraction but he could not in good conscious let a thug live but kill two people who had just made one very poor decision.
"Help me pull them out of there and let's right the place."
Jin looked up at the wall and the blood on it.
"As best as possible."
He reached down and pulled the young man out of the alcove and plopped him down into a seat. The human looked up at him with a stupid grin and leaned heavily on his hand, rubbing his face against the fabric of Jin's sleeve. He pushed the human backwards into the chair with a frown of distaste.
"I will be back."
With that he walked behind the human in the chair and slid himself through the back wall and outside.
Stranger
13 years ago
JC looked up at the question and shrugged.
"Just some ecstasy and then some of Mar...His blood."
He gestured with his chin back towards the alcove. JC couldn't exactly say what stopped him from finishing his compatriot's name. The man was dead so it wasn't like he'd care that he was ratted out.
Not sure whether the living vampire was telling him to help or the lady with him, JC went over and struggled to the get the woman to her feet. She wasn't being very helpful to him in the process. Giggling at him, she leaned forward and kissed him and then continued kissing his face, while running her hands over him. JC sighed and scooped his arms underneath her bottom and pushed her up onto his shoulder.
After some more struggling on his part, he was able to get up and deposit the woman in the chair next to her boyfriend.
He started putting the furniture back in order like he was told, ignoring the broken one and continuing on with the others. JC tried not to jump when the white haired man vanished through the wall. THAT was cool. Marshal had done some freaky awesome things but he had never done that.
"Woah..."
JC looked over at the woman and gave her a sheepish grin. He didn't know her story but he decided it was wise to be polite, just in case.
"Just some ecstasy and then some of Mar...His blood."
He gestured with his chin back towards the alcove. JC couldn't exactly say what stopped him from finishing his compatriot's name. The man was dead so it wasn't like he'd care that he was ratted out.
Not sure whether the living vampire was telling him to help or the lady with him, JC went over and struggled to the get the woman to her feet. She wasn't being very helpful to him in the process. Giggling at him, she leaned forward and kissed him and then continued kissing his face, while running her hands over him. JC sighed and scooped his arms underneath her bottom and pushed her up onto his shoulder.
After some more struggling on his part, he was able to get up and deposit the woman in the chair next to her boyfriend.
He started putting the furniture back in order like he was told, ignoring the broken one and continuing on with the others. JC tried not to jump when the white haired man vanished through the wall. THAT was cool. Marshal had done some freaky awesome things but he had never done that.
"Woah..."
JC looked over at the woman and gave her a sheepish grin. He didn't know her story but he decided it was wise to be polite, just in case.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara thought it best to continue letting the human think Jin was responsible for the carnage by himself. No sense in both of them being out in the open, right? So she let the human do the heavy work and contented herself with generally straightening up the room.
When he commented on Jin's disappearance and offered her a grin Mara continued to say nothing; she regarded him coolly and arched her brows with no suggestion of a return smile. He disgusted her. And after what he'd done to Jin he was hardly likely to find her a friendly companion.
What to do about the humans was another story... they obviously couldn't allow them to be addicted to vampire blood. The next best thing to a real cure, though, was within convenient reach. It wouldn't be difficult to gloss over the details and let Amir know before he left that they required his talents. The two humans could easily be Commanded to lay off any and all drugs.
Waiting for Jin to return Mara used the previously wet napkin and the pitcher of water to soak the blood stain she had left on the wall. She turned her back to the man but that didn't mean she wasn't paying attention; as she scrubbed at the mess with some success she was perfectly aware of what everyone in the room was doing.
When he commented on Jin's disappearance and offered her a grin Mara continued to say nothing; she regarded him coolly and arched her brows with no suggestion of a return smile. He disgusted her. And after what he'd done to Jin he was hardly likely to find her a friendly companion.
What to do about the humans was another story... they obviously couldn't allow them to be addicted to vampire blood. The next best thing to a real cure, though, was within convenient reach. It wouldn't be difficult to gloss over the details and let Amir know before he left that they required his talents. The two humans could easily be Commanded to lay off any and all drugs.
Waiting for Jin to return Mara used the previously wet napkin and the pitcher of water to soak the blood stain she had left on the wall. She turned her back to the man but that didn't mean she wasn't paying attention; as she scrubbed at the mess with some success she was perfectly aware of what everyone in the room was doing.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin came back with some cleaner to find Mara already working on the wall.
"Here this might help."
He handed her what he had found and then took out his cellphone. Finding Sorcha's number he typed in a text page..
*Could you and Amir come to the second small chapel room. Will explain then.*
Before sending it he looked over at JC who was now just standing there apparently wondering what to do next.
"Off you go. Remember what I said."
The man nodded and quickly left the room. Jin listened to the retreating footsteps for a moment before turning to Mara. He showed her the text that he had yet to send.
"Do you think he will help them? I can guess what solution a member of the Hunt would offer but their only mistake here was trying the wrong past time."
Jin looked at the two humans who seemed just a bit more sober than before.
"It would be a shame to have to pay with their lives for that. I know I've made bad decisions in my lifetime."
He shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile.
((OOC: JC Out! Don't have to tell him twice! ))
"Here this might help."
He handed her what he had found and then took out his cellphone. Finding Sorcha's number he typed in a text page..
*Could you and Amir come to the second small chapel room. Will explain then.*
Before sending it he looked over at JC who was now just standing there apparently wondering what to do next.
"Off you go. Remember what I said."
The man nodded and quickly left the room. Jin listened to the retreating footsteps for a moment before turning to Mara. He showed her the text that he had yet to send.
"Do you think he will help them? I can guess what solution a member of the Hunt would offer but their only mistake here was trying the wrong past time."
Jin looked at the two humans who seemed just a bit more sober than before.
"It would be a shame to have to pay with their lives for that. I know I've made bad decisions in my lifetime."
He shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile.
((OOC: JC Out! Don't have to tell him twice! ))
Mara
13 years ago
"Thank you." Mara took the cleaner from Jin and continued to scrub at the wall. She glanced at the retreating human, her face still cold. She wondered if he knew just how close he was to becoming history.
When Jin showed her his text she smiled up at him. "Of course he'll help. Amir isn't big on killing off a perfectly good food supply." Mara glanced at the staked vampire still in the alcove. "We may want to do something about that, though."
She cast her worried eyes back up to Jin. "That, he'll fight you on."
Amir, like Jin, was an old vampire set in his ways. And, probably unlike Jin, he was dealing with forces outside of his control that were influencing his decision-making. If she was correct about that, at any rate. Either way he had little or no tolerance for rogue vampires... and one dealing Eternity, well, it probably went into negative values. And, she thought a little reluctantly, rightly so. You were blessed with superhuman speed, strength, and longevity... none of them should have to resort to dealing to make a living.
When Jin showed her his text she smiled up at him. "Of course he'll help. Amir isn't big on killing off a perfectly good food supply." Mara glanced at the staked vampire still in the alcove. "We may want to do something about that, though."
She cast her worried eyes back up to Jin. "That, he'll fight you on."
Amir, like Jin, was an old vampire set in his ways. And, probably unlike Jin, he was dealing with forces outside of his control that were influencing his decision-making. If she was correct about that, at any rate. Either way he had little or no tolerance for rogue vampires... and one dealing Eternity, well, it probably went into negative values. And, she thought a little reluctantly, rightly so. You were blessed with superhuman speed, strength, and longevity... none of them should have to resort to dealing to make a living.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin sent the text page to his daughter; it wouldn't be long before she and Amir arrived. Now they had the other problem in the room to deal with. Looking down into the alcove, he frowned.
"I doubt he will disagree."
He turned his gaze to Mara and said soberly.
"Or more to the point I wouldn't."
Returning to their earlier mode of communication, Jin spoke the rest of what he needed to say in Arabic. The two young people were of mixed European decent; he doubted they spoke the language. It wasn't one normally taught in schools.
"I brought some other things to take care of disposal but I think it best to wait until our two little friends leave. I can then bring them inside or we can take the trash out."
He shrugged, not concerned over it either way. A vampire selling vampire blood was a traitor to his own kind and that did not earn leniency in his eyes.
"I doubt he will disagree."
He turned his gaze to Mara and said soberly.
"Or more to the point I wouldn't."
Returning to their earlier mode of communication, Jin spoke the rest of what he needed to say in Arabic. The two young people were of mixed European decent; he doubted they spoke the language. It wasn't one normally taught in schools.
"I brought some other things to take care of disposal but I think it best to wait until our two little friends leave. I can then bring them inside or we can take the trash out."
He shrugged, not concerned over it either way. A vampire selling vampire blood was a traitor to his own kind and that did not earn leniency in his eyes.
Mara
13 years ago
Mara nodded at Jin, feeling both relief and shame. Relief that it would seem everyone would be in accord and shame for the relief. Killing one of their own kind was never a good thing, in her opinion. Of course it happened on occasion. Every culture, every society, had their share of deviants, some of them very dangerous. There was no prison for vampires though. No rehab. Great power, great responsibility and all that.
Jin obviously wasn't any happier about it than she was, and she thought maybe they saw this topic similarly. Answering him in Arabic she lifted her shoulders sadly. "It doesn't much matter."
She sighed to herself, sorry it looked like they might end an otherwise enjoyable evening on such a sour note.
"Next time I need to pick a different door," she murmured, mostly to herself.
Jin obviously wasn't any happier about it than she was, and she thought maybe they saw this topic similarly. Answering him in Arabic she lifted her shoulders sadly. "It doesn't much matter."
She sighed to herself, sorry it looked like they might end an otherwise enjoyable evening on such a sour note.
"Next time I need to pick a different door," she murmured, mostly to herself.
Jin
13 years ago
Watching the two humans who seemed to have become more interested in each other, he replied.
"No, I suppose the how doesn't much matter."
Jin walked over and put an arm around Mara.
"I think you did a fine job of picking. We have probably saved several lives tonight."
He gave a nod to the occupied couple.
"And stopped another leading more down the same path."
Jin leaned over and gently kissed Mara on the cheek.
"If its any consolation, I'd follow you through any future doors you choose in the future."
"No, I suppose the how doesn't much matter."
Jin walked over and put an arm around Mara.
"I think you did a fine job of picking. We have probably saved several lives tonight."
He gave a nod to the occupied couple.
"And stopped another leading more down the same path."
Jin leaned over and gently kissed Mara on the cheek.
"If its any consolation, I'd follow you through any future doors you choose in the future."
Mara
13 years ago
Mara slipped her arms around Jin's waist when he stood by her. She glanced up at him, as if gauging his level of comfort with the gesture. He didn't seem bothered by it. And she didn't feel bothered by it either... which was probably the greater surprise.
"Well," she said honestly, "you did most of the work." She grimaced at the reminder if his biting the dealing human but smiled and banished the memory when he kissed her cheek.
"Oh," she said, surprised again at his next words. She tightened her arms around his waist and pressed her blushing cheek to his chest. She couldn't help a soft laugh.
"Well, there was one more door. And I suspect we might find a few others if we explore."
Squeezing him tightly for a moment she let him go and stepped away. Sorcha and Amir were on their way and it wouldn't be entirely appropriate to be seen clinging to Jin like a burr. While she suspected Amir might not voice an opinion either way, the woman who regarded Jin like a father might. Mara had more respect for their relationship than to present herself that way. Jin's words were encouraging; she suspected this would not end when the party was over.
"Well," she said honestly, "you did most of the work." She grimaced at the reminder if his biting the dealing human but smiled and banished the memory when he kissed her cheek.
"Oh," she said, surprised again at his next words. She tightened her arms around his waist and pressed her blushing cheek to his chest. She couldn't help a soft laugh.
"Well, there was one more door. And I suspect we might find a few others if we explore."
Squeezing him tightly for a moment she let him go and stepped away. Sorcha and Amir were on their way and it wouldn't be entirely appropriate to be seen clinging to Jin like a burr. While she suspected Amir might not voice an opinion either way, the woman who regarded Jin like a father might. Mara had more respect for their relationship than to present herself that way. Jin's words were encouraging; she suspected this would not end when the party was over.
Sorcha
13 years ago
Sorcha poked her head cautiously through the door that Jin had indicated. Sending to Amir, she said.
[He didn't indicate they were in danger so that's a comfort.]
There was a couple of people sitting in chairs towards the middle of the room. Coming into the room she could see the wall was dented and behind the couple a man was laying on the floor with a piece of furniture in his chest.
Looking at Amir, she said
[Apparently the cats had a much more interesting time at the party.]
She watched the two very touchy feelie individuals while sending to Jin.
[What is it that you needed?]
Jin briefly explained to her that the one in the corner was dealing his own version of Eternity and these humans had been convinced to give it a try. It hadn't been Eternity, which was so terribly addictive, but it would be best if the two humans didn't remember the situation or how enjoyable taking a mix of drugs and vampire blood had been.
Sorcha sent to Amir so that no one needed to explain with the people in the room. Sure, they wouldn't remember if the Anantya used his abilities on them but he could refuse.
[Jin said the vampire there was selling vampire blood as Eternity and gave these two a trial dose. He thinks it might be best to wipe their minds of the experience and then send them on their way.]
[He didn't indicate they were in danger so that's a comfort.]
There was a couple of people sitting in chairs towards the middle of the room. Coming into the room she could see the wall was dented and behind the couple a man was laying on the floor with a piece of furniture in his chest.
Looking at Amir, she said
[Apparently the cats had a much more interesting time at the party.]
She watched the two very touchy feelie individuals while sending to Jin.
[What is it that you needed?]
Jin briefly explained to her that the one in the corner was dealing his own version of Eternity and these humans had been convinced to give it a try. It hadn't been Eternity, which was so terribly addictive, but it would be best if the two humans didn't remember the situation or how enjoyable taking a mix of drugs and vampire blood had been.
Sorcha sent to Amir so that no one needed to explain with the people in the room. Sure, they wouldn't remember if the Anantya used his abilities on them but he could refuse.
[Jin said the vampire there was selling vampire blood as Eternity and gave these two a trial dose. He thinks it might be best to wipe their minds of the experience and then send them on their way.]
Amir
13 years ago
Amir listened to Sorcha relay Jin's request. He nodded his head and walked to Sorcha. [Would you do the honors, please?]
She removed the collar from his neck and he shifted smoothly, rising to his feet and stretching his arms and legs a little. He looked over at the body in the corner and raised his eyebrows. "Nice work," he said.
He took in Mara's appearance, calm but slightly disheveled. Jin looked similar. Whatever had happened had apparently not ruffled either of them. Having shifted back, he was happily greeted by Mara's tight hug. All right. Maybe she was a little ruffled. Amir wrapped his arms around her and dropped his lips gently to the top of her head.
"Would you like me to finish this one off before I take care of them?" He asked Jin, nodding his chin toward the staked vampire. "That way I can get it all in one go."
He released Mara. She moved back toward Jin and then stopped next to him. So... whatever had happened... she approved of the Nightsman. That was... good. Glancing back and forth between the tripping humans and the vampire behind them, he awaited Jin's response.
She removed the collar from his neck and he shifted smoothly, rising to his feet and stretching his arms and legs a little. He looked over at the body in the corner and raised his eyebrows. "Nice work," he said.
He took in Mara's appearance, calm but slightly disheveled. Jin looked similar. Whatever had happened had apparently not ruffled either of them. Having shifted back, he was happily greeted by Mara's tight hug. All right. Maybe she was a little ruffled. Amir wrapped his arms around her and dropped his lips gently to the top of her head.
"Would you like me to finish this one off before I take care of them?" He asked Jin, nodding his chin toward the staked vampire. "That way I can get it all in one go."
He released Mara. She moved back toward Jin and then stopped next to him. So... whatever had happened... she approved of the Nightsman. That was... good. Glancing back and forth between the tripping humans and the vampire behind them, he awaited Jin's response.
Jin
13 years ago
Jin shook his head and turned back to the wall behind the humans.
"No, I will clean up this loose end."
He pushed through the wall and brought back the small items he had left on the other side. A tarp and a small shovel. Laying out the tarp, Jin picked up the vampire and set him down on it. He looked up at the other three vampires in the room, shovel in hand. If any of them were squeamish now would be the time to look away.
Putting himself between the body and the backs of the humans, Jin brought the shovel down on the neck of the prone immortal. Perhaps he should have said something or made some gesture towards the man's soul but his thought on the matter was that the afterlife would take care of itself. Perhaps upon his next return to the earth the man would make wiser choices.
The body turned to ash and collapsed as he watched. Jin gathered up the corners of the tarp and took it with him back outside. He shook out the tarp and watched the wind pick up the dark flakes, carrying them away.
Pausing a moment, he wished the man a good journey.
He put the things he had used away, stowing the shovel out of the way but outside where it would conveniently get rained on and rusted.
He came back in and nodded to Amir.
"Its done."
"No, I will clean up this loose end."
He pushed through the wall and brought back the small items he had left on the other side. A tarp and a small shovel. Laying out the tarp, Jin picked up the vampire and set him down on it. He looked up at the other three vampires in the room, shovel in hand. If any of them were squeamish now would be the time to look away.
Putting himself between the body and the backs of the humans, Jin brought the shovel down on the neck of the prone immortal. Perhaps he should have said something or made some gesture towards the man's soul but his thought on the matter was that the afterlife would take care of itself. Perhaps upon his next return to the earth the man would make wiser choices.
The body turned to ash and collapsed as he watched. Jin gathered up the corners of the tarp and took it with him back outside. He shook out the tarp and watched the wind pick up the dark flakes, carrying them away.
Pausing a moment, he wished the man a good journey.
He put the things he had used away, stowing the shovel out of the way but outside where it would conveniently get rained on and rusted.
He came back in and nodded to Amir.
"Its done."