Jin looked up from his laptop, giving the person on the web cam two fingers in the air, universal symbol for pause, and then turned to the person at the door. Bao was one of the last people he had expected to see. Did the Rose need something from him?
After a polite greeting, he listened to Bao's very short explanation and request for his assistance. Or to be more accurate Mara's request for assistance.
"We will continue this later, Subedra. Keep me posted." He shut the laptop and stood up from behind his desk. His cell phone and tablet were with him. He sent Mara a quick text and let her know that her message had been received and that he and her brother were on their way.
The car ride was rather quiet but that was not entirely unexpected. Bao was not very talkative at the best of times. "So there is Mara and an Evenhet with the ability to send to you on the way to where Pak is being held. Is this correct?" He would have liked to know this other person's other qualifications but going into the unknown was what the Night did better than anyone.
* Tell me what you can. When you can. * He sent another text to Mara. Jin trusted her to let him know what was most necessary for him to know. She was an excellent member of their Order and information was her specialty.
Pushing his glasses back up onto his nose, Jin stared out the window and waited for more information to come his way.
Date Night
"Tonight's the night.â€
Jarrod said cheerfully as he strolled into their shared living space. Alfred had bought up an abandon housing development way out in the suburbs of Nachton; so far out in the suburbs it was almost the boondocks if not the country. Blaise was told people in the real estate business called this a zombie lot. He found that rather appropriate. Other than the three model homes, including the one they lived in, there were only half finished walls, plumbing and electrical roughs, cement slab foundations and the occasional roughed in basement. It attracted the occasional group of slacker punk kids looking to do some damage, but they had their uses. The fact that some of them hadn't come back from these late night jaunts had started the rumor the place was haunted. That tickled Cecile.
She might be Alfred's but he was having her stay here with he and Jarrod. He enjoyed that. It was living with Jarrod that was a pain in the ass. He was playing cock of the walk to the hilt, coming on to Cecile (even though there was no way that was going to happen as long as she was Alfred's familiar), bossing them both around, and delighting in keeping him 'in his place'.
He'd been getting ready for a date with Pakpao, although date was a relative term as he still hadn't gotten any action, when Jarrod breezed in. The fact that the older vampire was practically giddy immediately but Blaise on edge.
"You finally get a date Jare? Some one you don't have to bite first?â€
Blaise taunted him, even money on whether or not Jarrod would clock him one for that. Blaise, however, couldn't resist. A cloud passed over the older vampire's face, it was obvious he was thinking about it, but so far luck was with him tonight he just scowled.
"Considering you can't even get a bite.... but no that's not it. We're going to get even with Hoang tonight.â€
Blaise froze. That meant that he was finally going to get some action with Pakpao but not the kind he wanted. No wonder Jarrod was so damned chipper though. He loved this kind of thing, no doubt it was why Alfred kept him around, ever self important evil genius had to have a henchman who was a little prone to violence.
It took some effort but Blaise kept his voice dead when responding.
"Still would have though you'd want the job.â€
"Oh I do boy, I do. But Alfie says this one is all you. He said he said we could even have some extra fun with her. I'm in such a good mood about this I'll even let you go first.â€
It was hard not to gag at the very idea of Jarrod touching Pakpao, even shaking her hand but to consider him... it made Blaise sick. He didn't even acknowledge the comment.
"Why tonight? We've waited for ages.â€
"I hope that is you being anxious.†Jarrod quipped still in high spirits. "But it's Hoang. He's not being cowed by Alfie's threats any more. That or he's guessed it is Alfie behind them. He's started tying up and locking down assets. It is getting difficult for us to conduct business.â€
That would get Alfred's attention. The man was possessed. He was determined to start this stupid biology project up again. Blaise was increasingly of the opinion that Alfred wasn't right in the head, old age had finally caught up with him, but he didn't say anything, he knew better.
"Good. I was starting to doubt our fearless leader had any balls left aft that last fiasco.â€
OK, almost better. That got him clocked. Hard. Blaise felt his head snap back and blood start running from a cut along his eye.
"You're going to have to change that shirt mate. We don't want to tip of our bit of Asian ass something is wrong.â€
Jarrod purred before strolling off. Blaise sighed and took a second to stop the bleeding. He'd have to change and feed before meeting Pakpao now. He wanted to ensure the cut would heal so he didn't have to explain it. Although he suspected if he left it, she wouldn't even remember the cut by the end of the night.
Jin
10 years ago
Mara
10 years ago
Mara pulled her phone out when she felt it vibrate and smiled immediately. She was so nervous about being here with Kiamhaat, hiding in plain sight; even knowing Jin was aware of it calmed her.
*I'm tracking Pakpao. Something has happened to her. We don't have a lot of details yet, but I'm with him. You know who. And he doesn't recognize me. I'll see if he can update you, it's faster his way and I have to focus on this shoe.*
And with that bit of cryptic texting, which, oddly enough, she knew Jin would understand, Mara closed her phone.
"Would you be so kind as to let Jin know where we're headed as we get closer? And update him, if you would," she said softly. It felt odd to be making requests of her father like this, like they were complete strangers. She didn't feel that way, and she wondered if he did. He kept looking at her strangely, and who could blame him? They looked so much alike, even with her eyes covered by nondescript brown contacts.
Mara closed her eyes and touched Pak's designer shoe again. "Get off soon," she said. "The next exit or two, maybe."
It saddened her that Jin wouldn't arrive until well after they did. Hopefully they could just wait, if Pak seemed all right.
*I'm tracking Pakpao. Something has happened to her. We don't have a lot of details yet, but I'm with him. You know who. And he doesn't recognize me. I'll see if he can update you, it's faster his way and I have to focus on this shoe.*
And with that bit of cryptic texting, which, oddly enough, she knew Jin would understand, Mara closed her phone.
"Would you be so kind as to let Jin know where we're headed as we get closer? And update him, if you would," she said softly. It felt odd to be making requests of her father like this, like they were complete strangers. She didn't feel that way, and she wondered if he did. He kept looking at her strangely, and who could blame him? They looked so much alike, even with her eyes covered by nondescript brown contacts.
Mara closed her eyes and touched Pak's designer shoe again. "Get off soon," she said. "The next exit or two, maybe."
It saddened her that Jin wouldn't arrive until well after they did. Hopefully they could just wait, if Pak seemed all right.
Kem`Raaisu
10 years ago
[Good job senet,] Kem sent. [Don't pass out. You'll heal up fast, and we'll be there soon. And try not to piss them off too much okay? We're getting closer, I promise. They really dragged you a way out of the city.]
Mara asked him to contact Elder Jin directly and Kem thought he could do that; he didn't need to know someone personally to send to them although it did help a lot. While he'd never really been introduced to the Elder they had met in passing on one or two formal occasions.
He had to focus, though, so it was good that Mara was telling him where to go. He nodded slightly absently at her, kept half his attention on the road, and reached out with the other part of his mind, picturing clearly the Oriental man, slight of stature, remembering long, very long, white hair.
[Elder Jin?] His sending was tentative, not a hesitance of personality but of destination.
[Most days, yes. To whom am I thinking?]
The response was neutrally polite. Kem's lips tilted up a little bit at the mild-mannered humor. [Forgive the interruption. Mara asked me to contact you. This is Kem Nevrat of Evenhet.]
He had been using Aishe's last name for a while now; he could only agree with her that the moniker he'd chosen so long ago was no longer appropriate. There was very little about his life these days that was a nightmare, unless you counted all the paperwork. And that hardly warranted a dramatic title. Speaking of titles, he left his off as well. Jin knew who he was, and even if he didn't giving it would be pretentious and pointless.
[I understand you're coming along with Bao.] It was a struggle to keep his tone neutral there; Kem bore Bao absolutely no love at all. [Thank you, in advance, for your help. The situation, as I understand it, is that our Clanmate has been taken against her will by at least a pair of vampires. Why, we don't know. Something to do with Bao. He may be able to give you more details there. I'm just concerned for Pak's well-being.]
He continued down the highway at a speed that would surely attract the authorities if they were out, but luck was with them in that regard at least, or so it seemed.
[Evenhet security should be coming soon as well. I really don't know what we're going to find when we get there but I'll keep you informed. This is where we are so far...]
He carefully detailed their route so far so that Jin could follow it or relay it to whoever was driving if it wasn't him. Then he had to cut the conversation short as Mara had him turn down a bunch of side roads. This was where they might lose time, narrowing her search down. Fortunately her signal was stronger here, but they turned into a development and had to make several turns down side roads. They were close, though.
[Pak, we're almost there I think. What's happening right now? Are they both in there with you? You're downstairs? Upstairs? What's going on?]
When Mara said they were very close, Kem turned his headlights off and parked the car. They would proceed on foot. It would be foolish to drive around looking.
Mara asked him to contact Elder Jin directly and Kem thought he could do that; he didn't need to know someone personally to send to them although it did help a lot. While he'd never really been introduced to the Elder they had met in passing on one or two formal occasions.
He had to focus, though, so it was good that Mara was telling him where to go. He nodded slightly absently at her, kept half his attention on the road, and reached out with the other part of his mind, picturing clearly the Oriental man, slight of stature, remembering long, very long, white hair.
[Elder Jin?] His sending was tentative, not a hesitance of personality but of destination.
[Most days, yes. To whom am I thinking?]
The response was neutrally polite. Kem's lips tilted up a little bit at the mild-mannered humor. [Forgive the interruption. Mara asked me to contact you. This is Kem Nevrat of Evenhet.]
He had been using Aishe's last name for a while now; he could only agree with her that the moniker he'd chosen so long ago was no longer appropriate. There was very little about his life these days that was a nightmare, unless you counted all the paperwork. And that hardly warranted a dramatic title. Speaking of titles, he left his off as well. Jin knew who he was, and even if he didn't giving it would be pretentious and pointless.
[I understand you're coming along with Bao.] It was a struggle to keep his tone neutral there; Kem bore Bao absolutely no love at all. [Thank you, in advance, for your help. The situation, as I understand it, is that our Clanmate has been taken against her will by at least a pair of vampires. Why, we don't know. Something to do with Bao. He may be able to give you more details there. I'm just concerned for Pak's well-being.]
He continued down the highway at a speed that would surely attract the authorities if they were out, but luck was with them in that regard at least, or so it seemed.
[Evenhet security should be coming soon as well. I really don't know what we're going to find when we get there but I'll keep you informed. This is where we are so far...]
He carefully detailed their route so far so that Jin could follow it or relay it to whoever was driving if it wasn't him. Then he had to cut the conversation short as Mara had him turn down a bunch of side roads. This was where they might lose time, narrowing her search down. Fortunately her signal was stronger here, but they turned into a development and had to make several turns down side roads. They were close, though.
[Pak, we're almost there I think. What's happening right now? Are they both in there with you? You're downstairs? Upstairs? What's going on?]
When Mara said they were very close, Kem turned his headlights off and parked the car. They would proceed on foot. It would be foolish to drive around looking.
Bao
10 years ago
If he hadn't been so focused on the situation and weaving in and out of traffic, this whole situation, driving in near silence with the Elder of the Night, could have been extremely awkward. In fact, it was awkward and Bao wasn't certain of the social protocol and so simply held his silence. Undoubtedly it was extremely rude but small talk seemed inappropriate.
As he drove he heard his phone signal an email. Under the circumstances it didn't take much imagination to guess what it was. Even as he speed through traffic, knowing it was a bad idea Bao still pulled the phone from his pocket and pulled up his email. It was indeed one of the videos. It would burn itself out as soon as he hit play, there was never a way to re-watch them, but he still hit play.
A sudden lane change in front of them forced him to drop the phone on to the center console, but he could still see the display even if he couldn't exactly watch the video but he could get impressions. Her dress was ripped and hiked up awkwardly, her hair was a mess, she was obviously hurt there was blood, and she was on a bed. Bao assumed the worst.
Although he knew it would fail he tried to reach Pakpao but as they weren't bonded and he couldn't send Bao was alone with his thoughts.
"I lost her."
He said, much to his dismay it sounded a bit like a sob. That his hobby might harmed Pakpao was surprisingly painful. Not being accustom to such emotion Bao did his best to ignore it as he shifted gears and asked his car for even more speed. He would probably ruin the transition, or timing belt, or some other integral part of the engine but he didn't care.
Having not heard from Kem in a bit either Bao was driving rather blind. It did not slow him down. Perhaps he should have indulged in a bit more study with this skill but he locked his jaw and speed on.
"Are we any where near where we need to be? I am hoping that you are in contact with either Mara or Kem."
Bao knew that Jin and Mara were involved, he knew Amir was involved as well, but right now he was relying on Mara. As to the Evenhet Elder, Bao had no illusions Kem had never given any indication of liking him. Undoubtedly putting Pakpao in harm's way would do nothing to improve their relationship.
((OOC... up to you if Jin sees the video or not, it wasn't hidden and probably pretty easy to see. I also vote we get them caught up to Kem and Mara soon))
As he drove he heard his phone signal an email. Under the circumstances it didn't take much imagination to guess what it was. Even as he speed through traffic, knowing it was a bad idea Bao still pulled the phone from his pocket and pulled up his email. It was indeed one of the videos. It would burn itself out as soon as he hit play, there was never a way to re-watch them, but he still hit play.
A sudden lane change in front of them forced him to drop the phone on to the center console, but he could still see the display even if he couldn't exactly watch the video but he could get impressions. Her dress was ripped and hiked up awkwardly, her hair was a mess, she was obviously hurt there was blood, and she was on a bed. Bao assumed the worst.
Although he knew it would fail he tried to reach Pakpao but as they weren't bonded and he couldn't send Bao was alone with his thoughts.
"I lost her."
He said, much to his dismay it sounded a bit like a sob. That his hobby might harmed Pakpao was surprisingly painful. Not being accustom to such emotion Bao did his best to ignore it as he shifted gears and asked his car for even more speed. He would probably ruin the transition, or timing belt, or some other integral part of the engine but he didn't care.
Having not heard from Kem in a bit either Bao was driving rather blind. It did not slow him down. Perhaps he should have indulged in a bit more study with this skill but he locked his jaw and speed on.
"Are we any where near where we need to be? I am hoping that you are in contact with either Mara or Kem."
Bao knew that Jin and Mara were involved, he knew Amir was involved as well, but right now he was relying on Mara. As to the Evenhet Elder, Bao had no illusions Kem had never given any indication of liking him. Undoubtedly putting Pakpao in harm's way would do nothing to improve their relationship.
((OOC... up to you if Jin sees the video or not, it wasn't hidden and probably pretty easy to see. I also vote we get them caught up to Kem and Mara soon))
Pakpao
10 years ago
Pak knew that she should get up off the bed and find the key in Jarrod's pocket but she couldn't move. Every time she tried she went woozy. All she could really do was take stock of her injuries.
[I'm getting too old for this Kem.]
As she tried to sit up Pak heard the door open. Her shoulder hurt like hell and wouldn't support her when she went to move. Pak let herself collapse as the door closed. At least no one was bothering her right now. She was very much regretting jumping into the middle of that fight though.
Holding as still as she could hoping that Kem was coming soon, wondering if Bao really was moving her only goal was to stay conscious. When the door opened again she hoped that whoever it was, Jarrod, Blaise, another person, would think she was out of it and not do anything. Although she got her wish and nothing else happened, that didn't reassure Pak at all.
[I'm down stairs. I think that at least Jarrod is upstairs somewhere. The door has opened a couple of times... there might be a third one... maybe. I'm not sure any more.]
Laying very still she thought there was ragged breathing in the room too. Not hers either. Whimpering a bit as she forced herself to move saw Blaise, crumpled in a corner. If she looked and felt like she'd been hit by a bus he looked like he'd been hit and dragged. He was very clearly out of it, but he was breathing.
[Blaise is in here too, he's out and hurt. I guess this means he is on our side now though.]
That seemed right, the only alley she had there with her was sprawled out on the floor wandering around in dream land. Lowering herself back down on the bed Pak sighed. All things considered this was probably going better than it could be. Realistically there was probably going to be a ransome demand of some kind, being made at this point. Maybe swapping her for information or a person or thing Bao had.
She wasn't relaxed by any means but she was feeling better than she could be. Better yet she was able to think and reason and wasn't freaking out, well not totally. That was probably Kem's influence. She was still scared and hurt and a few other things but she was hanging on.
[Just be careful Kem. I'm not sure how many there are now. Blaise and I are alone... they probably want something and might leave us a lone for a while.]
A hostage, even one as inconsequential as she was, was worth nothing if they were dead. Already being damaged whoever these people were probably... -probably- wouldn't push their luck any further. At least that was Pak's logic, she didn't know.
[I'm getting too old for this Kem.]
As she tried to sit up Pak heard the door open. Her shoulder hurt like hell and wouldn't support her when she went to move. Pak let herself collapse as the door closed. At least no one was bothering her right now. She was very much regretting jumping into the middle of that fight though.
Holding as still as she could hoping that Kem was coming soon, wondering if Bao really was moving her only goal was to stay conscious. When the door opened again she hoped that whoever it was, Jarrod, Blaise, another person, would think she was out of it and not do anything. Although she got her wish and nothing else happened, that didn't reassure Pak at all.
[I'm down stairs. I think that at least Jarrod is upstairs somewhere. The door has opened a couple of times... there might be a third one... maybe. I'm not sure any more.]
Laying very still she thought there was ragged breathing in the room too. Not hers either. Whimpering a bit as she forced herself to move saw Blaise, crumpled in a corner. If she looked and felt like she'd been hit by a bus he looked like he'd been hit and dragged. He was very clearly out of it, but he was breathing.
[Blaise is in here too, he's out and hurt. I guess this means he is on our side now though.]
That seemed right, the only alley she had there with her was sprawled out on the floor wandering around in dream land. Lowering herself back down on the bed Pak sighed. All things considered this was probably going better than it could be. Realistically there was probably going to be a ransome demand of some kind, being made at this point. Maybe swapping her for information or a person or thing Bao had.
She wasn't relaxed by any means but she was feeling better than she could be. Better yet she was able to think and reason and wasn't freaking out, well not totally. That was probably Kem's influence. She was still scared and hurt and a few other things but she was hanging on.
[Just be careful Kem. I'm not sure how many there are now. Blaise and I are alone... they probably want something and might leave us a lone for a while.]
A hostage, even one as inconsequential as she was, was worth nothing if they were dead. Already being damaged whoever these people were probably... -probably- wouldn't push their luck any further. At least that was Pak's logic, she didn't know.
Jin
10 years ago
Jin listened to the deep mental voice of Mara's father and compared it with her own voice. How had they changed over the centuries and had genetics kept some sounds the same? It was in the back of his mind but the rest of him listened intently to what the Evenhet Elder had to say. [Good evening, Kem.] The greeting was a standard one but he hoped the evening would get better for everyone involved soon.
Bao was driving at a speed that would have been alarming if there weren't very good odds of them both surviving an accident. His clan mate reached for his phone when it went off and opened a file. A video began to play. At first he couldn't see it but then Bao dropped the phone and he got an image of a woman on a bed, looking the worse for wear. It was obvious what they wanted to suggest but the question was whether or not that suggestion had happened in actual fact or not. If it had been Mara then he would have jumped to the worst conclusion and it would shatter his calm entirely. It was a very effective tactic.
"We will get her back. Ask her status when she or Kem contacts you again.â€
The emotion he heard in Bao's voice made him turn and look at his clan mate. He blinked once or twice behind his glasses and silently turned to look back out the window. It would be best not to remark at all.
At least they would go in knowing the truth. Believing the worst would likely cause Bao to be unable to reason, and that was already looking like it might be a problem. The man kept a tight leash on his emotions, a crack in them was likely to open a flood gate. If it happened after they got Pak Pao back safely then that might not be such a bad thing but if it happened before then someone might get hurt that they didn't want to have hurt.
Kem told him a little about the situation. [I believe I understand why she is involved. Unfortunately that is because Bao cares about her. It had to do with unsanctioned research that was disbanded and destroyed. It would seem there are those that blame Bao for that loss.] The Order of the Night had been watching since the incident with Bao, Amir and the R'asa werewolves. He had not expected petty revenge to be high on the priority list. Clearing what was left and possibly going underground to try again was what he had been expecting and mostly that was the Night's interest in the entire affair. This revenge situation was more personal and, while he might have an interest in Bao's well being, the Night as a whole did not. [If we make it there in time then I can go in without being seen and get an idea of their numbers for us.]
The Evenhet Elder then gave their current position and heading. Jin relayed it to Bao. It was nice to work with people, even from a different clan, who were level headed and detail oriented. [Thank you.] He wanted to ask Kem to keep Mara safe for him but that wasn't Kem's responsibility or at least it hadn't been in a very long time. And his kitten could take care of herself; he trusted that every time she went on a mission for their Order.
Bao was driving at a speed that would have been alarming if there weren't very good odds of them both surviving an accident. His clan mate reached for his phone when it went off and opened a file. A video began to play. At first he couldn't see it but then Bao dropped the phone and he got an image of a woman on a bed, looking the worse for wear. It was obvious what they wanted to suggest but the question was whether or not that suggestion had happened in actual fact or not. If it had been Mara then he would have jumped to the worst conclusion and it would shatter his calm entirely. It was a very effective tactic.
"We will get her back. Ask her status when she or Kem contacts you again.â€
The emotion he heard in Bao's voice made him turn and look at his clan mate. He blinked once or twice behind his glasses and silently turned to look back out the window. It would be best not to remark at all.
At least they would go in knowing the truth. Believing the worst would likely cause Bao to be unable to reason, and that was already looking like it might be a problem. The man kept a tight leash on his emotions, a crack in them was likely to open a flood gate. If it happened after they got Pak Pao back safely then that might not be such a bad thing but if it happened before then someone might get hurt that they didn't want to have hurt.
Kem told him a little about the situation. [I believe I understand why she is involved. Unfortunately that is because Bao cares about her. It had to do with unsanctioned research that was disbanded and destroyed. It would seem there are those that blame Bao for that loss.] The Order of the Night had been watching since the incident with Bao, Amir and the R'asa werewolves. He had not expected petty revenge to be high on the priority list. Clearing what was left and possibly going underground to try again was what he had been expecting and mostly that was the Night's interest in the entire affair. This revenge situation was more personal and, while he might have an interest in Bao's well being, the Night as a whole did not. [If we make it there in time then I can go in without being seen and get an idea of their numbers for us.]
The Evenhet Elder then gave their current position and heading. Jin relayed it to Bao. It was nice to work with people, even from a different clan, who were level headed and detail oriented. [Thank you.] He wanted to ask Kem to keep Mara safe for him but that wasn't Kem's responsibility or at least it hadn't been in a very long time. And his kitten could take care of herself; he trusted that every time she went on a mission for their Order.
Mara
10 years ago
Mara and Kiamhaat drove in silence but Mara knew her father was busy talking to Jin now as well as following her directions. He had to be worried sick about Pak but he was calm and seemingly unruffled. She knew her father had strength. She'd watched him for so long, and she knew he was loving and loyal to his friends. It showed now. She wanted to be one of them again.
They pulled up in a subdivision outside Nachton; Mara was certain Pak was here. The division was still being built, not many houses were currently occupied. Some were half-finished. The model homes were up though. A good hiding spot really, no neighbors, lots of construction noise during the day, no one wandering around at night. Unfortunately it made their presence more conspicuous.
Before Kiamhaat could get out of his car Mara placed her hand on his arm to still him.
"Let me go scout first," she suggested softly. "I can go quickly and quietly. You wait here... you're, well, very conspicuous."
With an apologetic smile she touched a strand of his long silver hair. And felt a shiver run through her that seemed to course through him, too. His lips parted and she thought he might say... something. Anything. But instead he closed them tightly together again and nodded.
"Be careful," he cautioned.
Mara smiled.
Carrying the shoe, she slid out of Kiamhaat's blue BMW, leaving him to guide Bao and Jin to their location and coordinate any other backup he had coming. She walked a little way down the road, the shoe guiding her. When she was a little closer to her destination, which seemed, from what she could see, to be one of the model homes, she laid the shoe down, shifted, and picked it up in her mouth.
There weren't many streetlights on the road yet; that would help hide her not only from Pak's attackers, but from her father as well. He would know Mara in her mau form. And she wasn't quite ready for that explanation yet.
When she finally figured out which model home it was, Mara laid the shoe aside behind the tire of a car parked on the kerb. Then she trotted right up to the house and began to peruse its exterior, looking for people, cameras, snares, tripwires, anything that might tell her what was going on inside or how many people were there, and if they'd managed any kind of defense.
((ooc: If Pak could PM me with those details...
))
They pulled up in a subdivision outside Nachton; Mara was certain Pak was here. The division was still being built, not many houses were currently occupied. Some were half-finished. The model homes were up though. A good hiding spot really, no neighbors, lots of construction noise during the day, no one wandering around at night. Unfortunately it made their presence more conspicuous.
Before Kiamhaat could get out of his car Mara placed her hand on his arm to still him.
"Let me go scout first," she suggested softly. "I can go quickly and quietly. You wait here... you're, well, very conspicuous."
With an apologetic smile she touched a strand of his long silver hair. And felt a shiver run through her that seemed to course through him, too. His lips parted and she thought he might say... something. Anything. But instead he closed them tightly together again and nodded.
"Be careful," he cautioned.
Mara smiled.
Carrying the shoe, she slid out of Kiamhaat's blue BMW, leaving him to guide Bao and Jin to their location and coordinate any other backup he had coming. She walked a little way down the road, the shoe guiding her. When she was a little closer to her destination, which seemed, from what she could see, to be one of the model homes, she laid the shoe down, shifted, and picked it up in her mouth.
There weren't many streetlights on the road yet; that would help hide her not only from Pak's attackers, but from her father as well. He would know Mara in her mau form. And she wasn't quite ready for that explanation yet.
When she finally figured out which model home it was, Mara laid the shoe aside behind the tire of a car parked on the kerb. Then she trotted right up to the house and began to peruse its exterior, looking for people, cameras, snares, tripwires, anything that might tell her what was going on inside or how many people were there, and if they'd managed any kind of defense.
((ooc: If Pak could PM me with those details...
))
Kem`Raaisu
10 years ago
Kem listened to Jin's explanation, the words ringing a bell for him, too. [I think I know something about it, too. Something about research on werewolves.]
It had been Nikhila, Xephier's wife. Reign was wrapped up in something similar. Was Bao involved in that? It seemed highly unlikely to be a coincidence. He would check on his familiar before he went back home tonight; sadly, he thought there might be a chance he would need her blood. They'd have to see.
When Mara laid a hand on his arm to stop him from getting out Kem listened to her. She made a good point; his hair made him very visible in the dark. Stealth wasn't one of his strong points. Then Mara raised her hand, as if to make her meaning clear, and touched his hair with her perfectly manicured fingertips.
For a moment the soft moonlight hit her eyes and he almost thought he saw a shimmer of silver in their depths. As if the warm chocolate brown wasn't really there. Her face could have been etched in a thousand reliefs in a million walls, so perfectly did she resemble the men and women of his home city.
And then the moon went behind a cloud and the moment was gone, as was Mara. Shaken, alone in the car, Kem sighed to himself and fought off what he assumed was just memory. Old feelings dredged up; he'd fought them off many times before and they emerged far less frequently. Of course they'd appear now, with her face so familiar.
[We're fine, Pak. You watch out for yourself. Let us worry about things out here. And don't trust Blaise. You can't be certain of who's side he's on. Don't talk to him. Don't listen to him. Just focus on us, we're coming to get you. Mara's scouting the house and Bao and Elder Jin from Anantya are coming. Jin says he can come in unnoticed and we'll know exactly what we're up against. Cris is coming, too, with a team.]
And Kem couldn't honestly think of anyone more reassuring to have than Cris Bern. While Evenhet's security detail might be slightly farther behind, owing to Kem's belated information, they would be there. Kem was hoping they were bringing a gun to a knife-fight in this case. Clean them all out, get Pak out of there, round up the thugs, call it a night.
Best case scenario, that.
Sending to Jin again, Kem said, [Mara has gone on to scout around the house.]
He watched for her, and saw after a minute or two a small feline shape trot out from in front of a car. Useful; no one would notice a stray cat. In the darkness she looked like a mottled grey and black cat. A tabby or something. Satisfied that she would be safe and probably perfectly unnoticed, Kem settled down to wait, lowering himself in the seat and trying to be as unnoticeable as possible.
It had been Nikhila, Xephier's wife. Reign was wrapped up in something similar. Was Bao involved in that? It seemed highly unlikely to be a coincidence. He would check on his familiar before he went back home tonight; sadly, he thought there might be a chance he would need her blood. They'd have to see.
When Mara laid a hand on his arm to stop him from getting out Kem listened to her. She made a good point; his hair made him very visible in the dark. Stealth wasn't one of his strong points. Then Mara raised her hand, as if to make her meaning clear, and touched his hair with her perfectly manicured fingertips.
For a moment the soft moonlight hit her eyes and he almost thought he saw a shimmer of silver in their depths. As if the warm chocolate brown wasn't really there. Her face could have been etched in a thousand reliefs in a million walls, so perfectly did she resemble the men and women of his home city.
And then the moon went behind a cloud and the moment was gone, as was Mara. Shaken, alone in the car, Kem sighed to himself and fought off what he assumed was just memory. Old feelings dredged up; he'd fought them off many times before and they emerged far less frequently. Of course they'd appear now, with her face so familiar.
[We're fine, Pak. You watch out for yourself. Let us worry about things out here. And don't trust Blaise. You can't be certain of who's side he's on. Don't talk to him. Don't listen to him. Just focus on us, we're coming to get you. Mara's scouting the house and Bao and Elder Jin from Anantya are coming. Jin says he can come in unnoticed and we'll know exactly what we're up against. Cris is coming, too, with a team.]
And Kem couldn't honestly think of anyone more reassuring to have than Cris Bern. While Evenhet's security detail might be slightly farther behind, owing to Kem's belated information, they would be there. Kem was hoping they were bringing a gun to a knife-fight in this case. Clean them all out, get Pak out of there, round up the thugs, call it a night.
Best case scenario, that.
Sending to Jin again, Kem said, [Mara has gone on to scout around the house.]
He watched for her, and saw after a minute or two a small feline shape trot out from in front of a car. Useful; no one would notice a stray cat. In the darkness she looked like a mottled grey and black cat. A tabby or something. Satisfied that she would be safe and probably perfectly unnoticed, Kem settled down to wait, lowering himself in the seat and trying to be as unnoticeable as possible.
Bao
10 years ago
"She is not... has not.... spoken to me since. I hope it is only that she is angry with me."
Angry he understood. It was very like Pakpao to hold a grudge. That was something he would understand, even welcome. Having to rebuild his relationship with her after this would be nothing to having them do her permanent harm.
If she was, had been killed, he would retaliate. It wasn't a conscious thought it was more of an instinct. Alfred would pay, he irrationally blamed the wolves, both of them the good doctor and his former pet. Bao was already searching for ways to use them as leverage, but that seemed unlikely. No he'd have to find whoever Alfred had set after Pakpao, he'd haven't kill whatever resources Alfred had found to launch this retaliation. Obviously he'd not done enough to cripple the man's assets.
As much as the research had fascinated him, the dance of moving assets and the entertainment of moving intellectual property from one entity to the next had provided over the years Bao found that he would give that all up for the brief time he'd had with his only daughter. She had provided so much to him it was difficult to quantify. Even though she was nearly three centuries old it was as if he'd been a father for the first time since he'd been human.
"I hope you do not think less of me... this is not how I prefer to conduct my business."
Even blinding rage couldn't make Bao completely forget appearances. He was in a car with the Elder of the Night, it didn't matter if the Elder was the equivalent of his brother/father-in-law. He'd consider himself lucky if the clan, or Evenhet for that matter, didn't take issue with this situation and how out of control this had gotten. Perhaps Evenhet would over look it if Pakpao wasn't damaged.
Other than that one comment he drove with single minded purpose, following the direction Elder Jin relayed to him. As he got closer Bao's driving got less frantic he did not want to attract any more attention that necessary. The half completed development felt ominous to him. Rather post apocalyptic in actuality but, in spite of himself, Bao admired the choice. It would give them a great deal of freedom. Turning off his head lights he relied on his night vision to find what he had to assume was Kem's vehicle and pull up along side it. He only saw one body in the car and assumed Mara was out conducting reconnaissance. He wanted, more than anything, to fling the door open and charge after Pakpao but he didn't know for certain where she was and as such was forced to remain, quietly, in his seat. For now.
Angry he understood. It was very like Pakpao to hold a grudge. That was something he would understand, even welcome. Having to rebuild his relationship with her after this would be nothing to having them do her permanent harm.
If she was, had been killed, he would retaliate. It wasn't a conscious thought it was more of an instinct. Alfred would pay, he irrationally blamed the wolves, both of them the good doctor and his former pet. Bao was already searching for ways to use them as leverage, but that seemed unlikely. No he'd have to find whoever Alfred had set after Pakpao, he'd haven't kill whatever resources Alfred had found to launch this retaliation. Obviously he'd not done enough to cripple the man's assets.
As much as the research had fascinated him, the dance of moving assets and the entertainment of moving intellectual property from one entity to the next had provided over the years Bao found that he would give that all up for the brief time he'd had with his only daughter. She had provided so much to him it was difficult to quantify. Even though she was nearly three centuries old it was as if he'd been a father for the first time since he'd been human.
"I hope you do not think less of me... this is not how I prefer to conduct my business."
Even blinding rage couldn't make Bao completely forget appearances. He was in a car with the Elder of the Night, it didn't matter if the Elder was the equivalent of his brother/father-in-law. He'd consider himself lucky if the clan, or Evenhet for that matter, didn't take issue with this situation and how out of control this had gotten. Perhaps Evenhet would over look it if Pakpao wasn't damaged.
Other than that one comment he drove with single minded purpose, following the direction Elder Jin relayed to him. As he got closer Bao's driving got less frantic he did not want to attract any more attention that necessary. The half completed development felt ominous to him. Rather post apocalyptic in actuality but, in spite of himself, Bao admired the choice. It would give them a great deal of freedom. Turning off his head lights he relied on his night vision to find what he had to assume was Kem's vehicle and pull up along side it. He only saw one body in the car and assumed Mara was out conducting reconnaissance. He wanted, more than anything, to fling the door open and charge after Pakpao but he didn't know for certain where she was and as such was forced to remain, quietly, in his seat. For now.
Pakpao
10 years ago
[Don't get hurt Pee chi. Please.]
The rest of the thought, that she wasn't worth it, Pak kept to herself as she sent the same to Mara. The only person she wouldn't mind getting hurt in all of this. She'd gone from focused and logical to completely erradic in a very few minutes. Pak decided to just lay there and bleed and ache and discuss things with her children. Even though they'd lived long and happy lives they were incredibly negative and did not improve her mood at all.
Blaise moved about a bit and groaned but didn't actually attempt to stand up or say anything. He would be fairly easy not to listen to him. She was, however, rather encouraged that he wasn't dead. Pak decided to heed Kem's advice and kept up on the bed and made no move to console or revive Blaise even though she was fairly certain he was on her side.
Pak wanted to engage in mindless chat with Kem, anything to keep her mind occupied, but he was trying to help, he said Cris was coming so undoubtedly he was doing a lot of sending trying to coordinate things. He might even be talking to Bao, someone should she wasn't. Pak thought briefly of sending to Ran. Right now Pak missed him, he was sweet and funny and a good friend. He didn't provide the same sense of security and comfort that Kem did but she was longing for anything familiar and comforting. Either Kem or Ran she just wanted to curl up again one of them and cry.
She did, in fact, curl up around a pillow as much as she was able, probably bleeding all over the linens. Even curled up though she did her best to angle herself toward the door so she could see what was going on. Other than that, all she could do was listen and she couldn't hear anything.
The rest of the thought, that she wasn't worth it, Pak kept to herself as she sent the same to Mara. The only person she wouldn't mind getting hurt in all of this. She'd gone from focused and logical to completely erradic in a very few minutes. Pak decided to just lay there and bleed and ache and discuss things with her children. Even though they'd lived long and happy lives they were incredibly negative and did not improve her mood at all.
Blaise moved about a bit and groaned but didn't actually attempt to stand up or say anything. He would be fairly easy not to listen to him. She was, however, rather encouraged that he wasn't dead. Pak decided to heed Kem's advice and kept up on the bed and made no move to console or revive Blaise even though she was fairly certain he was on her side.
Pak wanted to engage in mindless chat with Kem, anything to keep her mind occupied, but he was trying to help, he said Cris was coming so undoubtedly he was doing a lot of sending trying to coordinate things. He might even be talking to Bao, someone should she wasn't. Pak thought briefly of sending to Ran. Right now Pak missed him, he was sweet and funny and a good friend. He didn't provide the same sense of security and comfort that Kem did but she was longing for anything familiar and comforting. Either Kem or Ran she just wanted to curl up again one of them and cry.
She did, in fact, curl up around a pillow as much as she was able, probably bleeding all over the linens. Even curled up though she did her best to angle herself toward the door so she could see what was going on. Other than that, all she could do was listen and she couldn't hear anything.
Jin
10 years ago
He nodded to Bao and considered the implications of the lack of contact. "You are most likely correct. If she were too injured to send then I am sure the Evenhet Elder would let us know. Since he has the ability to send also I would imagine that he is keeping adequate tabs on her situation. There is no reason to lie to us that I can come up with other than an ambush when we arrive but I do not believe that this situation was staged because it would gain Evenhet very little and cost them greatly. Even if they had only intended you as a target." The idea that it was all a set up was far into left field. He had to briefly consider the possibility but he had already tossed it out, seconds after considering it. "Besides I doubt he would readily relay Mara's message if his motivations were less than honest." Which went back to Pak Pao likely being angry with Bao. "Does she know why she was kidnapped?"
Eventually Bao spoke again as seemed to regret the situation. Jin considered what to say about it. "The situation is unfortunate. I cannot imagine that a man of rules would find it very pleasant to deal with so many unpredictable variables." He hoped that it did not ruin Bao's relationship with his daughter. It did not seem to him that Bao spent much time outside the Manor for anything other than work. Of course he hadn't watched closely, perhaps the man had many hobbies but his many years of watching people said that Bao could use all the relationships he could get, and probably a few more.
They arrived in record time and, by some miracle, without a police escort. At times the terrain was going by so fast that he had wished he was in the driver's seat controlling the speeding vehicle. However, driving gave Bao something to do and that was better than sitting in the passenger seat worrying about what was going on while they tried to do the next best thing to teleportation.
They pulled quietly up to another car and his clan mate stopped the engine. Jin stepped out of the vehicle once Bao parked and walked over the other one. He leaned down and looked at the man sitting in the driver's seat.
"Good evening, Elder Kem."
He looked up over the car at Mara, giving her a soft special smile before nodding to her. "What have you found out so far?"
((OOC: We are assuming that Mara has done her check of the building and grounds by now and has come back to the car. ))
Eventually Bao spoke again as seemed to regret the situation. Jin considered what to say about it. "The situation is unfortunate. I cannot imagine that a man of rules would find it very pleasant to deal with so many unpredictable variables." He hoped that it did not ruin Bao's relationship with his daughter. It did not seem to him that Bao spent much time outside the Manor for anything other than work. Of course he hadn't watched closely, perhaps the man had many hobbies but his many years of watching people said that Bao could use all the relationships he could get, and probably a few more.
They arrived in record time and, by some miracle, without a police escort. At times the terrain was going by so fast that he had wished he was in the driver's seat controlling the speeding vehicle. However, driving gave Bao something to do and that was better than sitting in the passenger seat worrying about what was going on while they tried to do the next best thing to teleportation.
They pulled quietly up to another car and his clan mate stopped the engine. Jin stepped out of the vehicle once Bao parked and walked over the other one. He leaned down and looked at the man sitting in the driver's seat.
"Good evening, Elder Kem."
He looked up over the car at Mara, giving her a soft special smile before nodding to her. "What have you found out so far?"
((OOC: We are assuming that Mara has done her check of the building and grounds by now and has come back to the car. ))
Mara
10 years ago
Scoping out the house took longer than Mara thought, but she was positive they had the right one. It was rigged all around with cameras and security measures, even trip wires. Someone had obviously taken some time to make this place defensible. Sort of. That someone probably hadn't counted on a sixteen-hundred year old (literal) cat burglar. Along with the gathering of information, breaking and entering was, in fact, a specialty of Mara's. She made note of the locations of the cameras, and began to quietly disarm all the traps she could in order to clear them at least one safe route into the house, which was at the back sliding door for the moment.
Inside she could see a woman in the kitchen but she also knew there had to be another man somewhere. Pak had told Kiamhaat there were two men, and one of them was currently in the room with her. He wasn't downstairs but when Mara looked upstairs she thought she could make out a shifting shadow in one room. Probably him.
She nonchalantly walked around the house, sniffing at windows, pouncing on invisible bugs, meowing at any nearby strays and being a cat in general. After a time, when she was certain she'd disable enough defenses, she made her way down the street back to Kiamhaat's car, shifting forms and retrieving Pak's shoe before she reached it.
Wisely, he remained in the car. Mara leaned up against it and told him what she'd seen. Shortly after that Another car pulled up as Bao and Jin arrived. Mara smiled at Jin. Without any trace of shame or shyness she closed the distance between them and slipped her hand into his, standing on tiptoe and leaning in for a moment to brush her lips softly against his cheek. Then she spoke low, knowing everyone could hear her.
"Cameras, motion sensors, some trip wires and another trap or two. There are two people inside that I could see, a woman downstairs and another man upstairs, I think."
She shrugged. Mara didn't really think two vampires were capable of defeating the four of them. Bao was the youngest of them, and he was no newborn baby. She and Bao had been trained by Amir; Jin by Elder Mai, and Kiamhaat had once been more than competent with a kris among other things. Mara didn't know which skills he had kept sharp but she knew he was far from defenseless himself.
"A detailed picture of the inside of the house would be lovely," she said with a little smile at her lover. None of the traps would have any effect on Jin once he went incorporeal.
Inside she could see a woman in the kitchen but she also knew there had to be another man somewhere. Pak had told Kiamhaat there were two men, and one of them was currently in the room with her. He wasn't downstairs but when Mara looked upstairs she thought she could make out a shifting shadow in one room. Probably him.
She nonchalantly walked around the house, sniffing at windows, pouncing on invisible bugs, meowing at any nearby strays and being a cat in general. After a time, when she was certain she'd disable enough defenses, she made her way down the street back to Kiamhaat's car, shifting forms and retrieving Pak's shoe before she reached it.
Wisely, he remained in the car. Mara leaned up against it and told him what she'd seen. Shortly after that Another car pulled up as Bao and Jin arrived. Mara smiled at Jin. Without any trace of shame or shyness she closed the distance between them and slipped her hand into his, standing on tiptoe and leaning in for a moment to brush her lips softly against his cheek. Then she spoke low, knowing everyone could hear her.
"Cameras, motion sensors, some trip wires and another trap or two. There are two people inside that I could see, a woman downstairs and another man upstairs, I think."
She shrugged. Mara didn't really think two vampires were capable of defeating the four of them. Bao was the youngest of them, and he was no newborn baby. She and Bao had been trained by Amir; Jin by Elder Mai, and Kiamhaat had once been more than competent with a kris among other things. Mara didn't know which skills he had kept sharp but she knew he was far from defenseless himself.
"A detailed picture of the inside of the house would be lovely," she said with a little smile at her lover. None of the traps would have any effect on Jin once he went incorporeal.
Kem`Raaisu
10 years ago
Kem waited quietly in the car, fielding questions from all corners. Cris, for one, needed every scrap of information Kem could provide. Aishe, too, had questions, and was worried about their friend. Even Rowan relayed questions through Cris, wanting to know if Pak was injured. When Kem said she was, Rowan sounded as though he fully intended to arrive with Cris's security team. Kem didn't even want to know if that was going to spark a tiny little lovers' quarrel, but he did know how protective Cris was of the people he loved.
Mara returned shortly before Bao and Jin pulled up. Kem nodded his head at Jin. "Thank you for coming, Elder Jin."
He got out of the car as Mara crossed to Jin and made it known that there was clearly a relationship there. She offered no hesitation; obviously it was well-established and comfortable. He nodded as she spoke, then looked at Jin when Mara was done. She had said he was the best person to scout the house, inside and out, so clearly some more waiting was in order.
Mara returned shortly before Bao and Jin pulled up. Kem nodded his head at Jin. "Thank you for coming, Elder Jin."
He got out of the car as Mara crossed to Jin and made it known that there was clearly a relationship there. She offered no hesitation; obviously it was well-established and comfortable. He nodded as she spoke, then looked at Jin when Mara was done. She had said he was the best person to scout the house, inside and out, so clearly some more waiting was in order.
Bao
10 years ago
The Elder of the Night was surprisingly comforting. Bao didn't think that was his intention, not really, the man was simply being logical and it happened, in this case, that logic was reassuring. He nodded tightly. He wasn't completely convinced, it was possible that Pakpao was too injured to keep up more than one mental conversation at a time and logically she would keep in contact with Kem. It stung, but he understood the choice. Perhaps logic was all that comforting after all. Still he nodded tightly taking what he could from it.
"No... not the details. Just that I made some foolish choices.â€
Which would not help anything, that she was paying for his actions would undoubtedly not endear him to his only daughter. This would all be so much easier if he hadn't left her all those years ago. This all stemmed from that poor choice
"It will not help her disposition.â€
The carefully neutral response to his apology would have made him smile if he'd been at all inclined to humor at this moment in time. It did, however, give him some little bit of hope that perhaps this would not be held against him.
Once they -finally- arrived, and it took far too long for Bao's peace of mind, he couldn't remain in the car, he slid from the car. It didn't even bother him that Kem more or less ignored him. Along with not endearing himself to Pakpao he very probably had not enhanced his relationship, such as it was, with Kem. Mara's words, however, finally made him understand why he'd drug the Elder out here. It was something he should have thought of sooner, but Bao hadn't been thinking too terribly clearly.
"Alfred is paranoid and hostile. The inside will be rigged as well. I don't know who the woman would be though.â€
Bao racked his mind for Alfred's associates. There were a number of women involved with the project. He'd even had two humans working on some of the engineering. One was was a familiar and one was held with command. It could be someone he'd never met just as easily though. He's job had been more administrative than hands on and so personal was not his strong suit.
"If her report is accurate we could possibly just enter?â€
It wasn't a wise decision and he knew it but Bao was anxious he very much wanted to do something right now. He actually had it in him to just charge into the house regardless of the consequences but was afraid that might put Pakpao in more danger.
"No... not the details. Just that I made some foolish choices.â€
Which would not help anything, that she was paying for his actions would undoubtedly not endear him to his only daughter. This would all be so much easier if he hadn't left her all those years ago. This all stemmed from that poor choice
"It will not help her disposition.â€
The carefully neutral response to his apology would have made him smile if he'd been at all inclined to humor at this moment in time. It did, however, give him some little bit of hope that perhaps this would not be held against him.
Once they -finally- arrived, and it took far too long for Bao's peace of mind, he couldn't remain in the car, he slid from the car. It didn't even bother him that Kem more or less ignored him. Along with not endearing himself to Pakpao he very probably had not enhanced his relationship, such as it was, with Kem. Mara's words, however, finally made him understand why he'd drug the Elder out here. It was something he should have thought of sooner, but Bao hadn't been thinking too terribly clearly.
"Alfred is paranoid and hostile. The inside will be rigged as well. I don't know who the woman would be though.â€
Bao racked his mind for Alfred's associates. There were a number of women involved with the project. He'd even had two humans working on some of the engineering. One was was a familiar and one was held with command. It could be someone he'd never met just as easily though. He's job had been more administrative than hands on and so personal was not his strong suit.
"If her report is accurate we could possibly just enter?â€
It wasn't a wise decision and he knew it but Bao was anxious he very much wanted to do something right now. He actually had it in him to just charge into the house regardless of the consequences but was afraid that might put Pakpao in more danger.
Pakpao
10 years ago
There was a groan from the floor in Blaise's general area. Pak gritted her teeth and rolled away from the sound. She was a little concerned about Blaise but was listening to Kem, he said not to pay attention to Blaise, well she was going to try.
And fail.
"You just stay the fuck down there. Got it?â€
"Too right. I don't think I'm going to move for a bit.â€
Pak looked about the room for a weapon and was again stumped. Just to show her sincerity she mentally hurtled one of the books across the room. It didn't hit was quite the force or accuracy she was used to, but it did make her point, he cringed.
"I said I wasn't going to move!â€
"Good.â€
There was silence for a bit, until Pak's mind, which was currently going a mile a minute, wouldn't cope with the silence any more.
"Why did you nab me?â€
"It was my job, Jarrod said to.â€
The answer was vague and irritating. Pak chose not to follow it up. It didn't answer anything. Who was Jarrod? Why was anyone this pissed off at Bao? Why did they think she would influence his decision at all?
Pak huddled up in the corner of the bed, watching Blaise but not speaking to him. She thought about opening the door and just walking out.
"He didn't happen to leave you the key did he?â€
"Seriously? You think I'm going to lay here dying if I had the key?â€
"You were stupid enough to pretend to date me to get me here.â€
"Apples and oranges love.â€
Pak watched as Blaise used the wall to push himself into a standing position. It didn't last, he collapsed again almost immediately. It didn't seem like an act either. He was hurt, Jarrod had done a number on him.
And fail.
"You just stay the fuck down there. Got it?â€
"Too right. I don't think I'm going to move for a bit.â€
Pak looked about the room for a weapon and was again stumped. Just to show her sincerity she mentally hurtled one of the books across the room. It didn't hit was quite the force or accuracy she was used to, but it did make her point, he cringed.
"I said I wasn't going to move!â€
"Good.â€
There was silence for a bit, until Pak's mind, which was currently going a mile a minute, wouldn't cope with the silence any more.
"Why did you nab me?â€
"It was my job, Jarrod said to.â€
The answer was vague and irritating. Pak chose not to follow it up. It didn't answer anything. Who was Jarrod? Why was anyone this pissed off at Bao? Why did they think she would influence his decision at all?
Pak huddled up in the corner of the bed, watching Blaise but not speaking to him. She thought about opening the door and just walking out.
"He didn't happen to leave you the key did he?â€
"Seriously? You think I'm going to lay here dying if I had the key?â€
"You were stupid enough to pretend to date me to get me here.â€
"Apples and oranges love.â€
Pak watched as Blaise used the wall to push himself into a standing position. It didn't last, he collapsed again almost immediately. It didn't seem like an act either. He was hurt, Jarrod had done a number on him.
Jin
10 years ago
Jin wrapped an arm around Mara and hugged her tight for the brief amount of time that it took for the kiss. He continued to hold onto the hand she had slid into his, giving it a gentle squeeze also.
He listened as she detailed the number of people, cameras and traps that she had found while casing the house and grounds. Bao said Alfred was paranoid and there would be traps inside and that he didn't know who the woman was.
"She is a part of this situation so she's useful, perhaps not very useful but taking her captive would be helpful just the same. As would be the case with anyone else we find in there.†Death limited the usefulness of people; it was a wasteful practice to be avoided when possible. That was where the Night differed from the Hunt, who saw death as useful expedient and imminently practical. Dead people didn't stab you in the back while you were dispatching their buddy.
Bao suggested just going in. Jin turned cool eyes toward Amir's son. "You want to risk Pak's life by walking into the unknown while they have her in there? And Mara's life by asking her to go in there with you?†His own life and Kem's would also be at risk but they were less close to Bao so not an important. Besides, he was very survivable -and- unwilling to agree to such a plan. The way he saw it; if that was what Bao wanted to do then he would be doing it with less back up than originally planned because there was no way he was going to let Mara charge into a booby trapped house blind.
He reached out for Bao's shoulders, placing a hand on each one. "I know you are worried. I know you feel responsible and I know that you are angry and scared. But you are Amir's son and a man of great discipline all on your own. You know that logic is the best way to get Pak out of there alive and that is what we intend to do.†Jin squeezed the shoulders under his hands and then stepped back.
"I will be quick. I promise.†He turned to Kem. "If you will†He poked a finger at his temple. "chatter at me while I am gone then I can relay the layout and number of people on site.â€
"Hold on to these for me.†Jin smiled at Mara and placed his sunglasses on her head. He walked away from the circle of people and blended into the surroundings and then went ethereal as well. Booby traps rarely did much against people who couldn't be touched.
Jin walked through a wall near one of the windows. There was a neat pile of spikes laid off to the side. He smiled at Mara's handy work and kept moving. There was a man coming from upstairs as he entered the home. He spoke to the woman asking her to keep a look out from the top floor. A brief exchange, no he wasn't expecting problems but better safe than sorry and all that. She nodded and went upstairs.
He followed the other man through the kitchen and down into a basement. The house, up until now, had been very neutral, very beige. It was all quality furniture, pleasant but forgettable art, nice lighting, everything in cream, taupe, toast and every other colour that could be included in the not really a colour family. It screamed model home...or since screaming would suggest something loud and vibrant perhaps it said 'model home' in a politely cultured voice with an even soothing tone.
He was thankful his home would never look like this.
The basement though; that didn't appear very standard. Jin watched as the man opened a normal looking wooden door only to find that it had a heavy steel door attached behind it. There was a punch code and he stood over the man's shoulder and watched as it was entered.
Kem had been keeping up the mental sending so he sent back [There is a basement with a heavy steel door. The pass code is 5039305.] It was smart to repeat the numbers in case someone came in with a kit to dust for which keys were used. He followed the man down and then wandered around in front of him, occasionally poking his head through different rooms. [There are small rooms down here. So far none of them are occupied. I have seen two people. The woman has moved upstairs to watch out, perhaps the camera setup is up there. I haven't checked it yet.]
There was a winding path of what he supposed had been a large open floor plan made into smaller individual spaces. Near the end he found the woman he had seen on Bao's phone. [I have found Pak. There is an injured man in the room with her.]
Jin spared them each a moment. Neither looked close to death. He went through the rest of the house and found the woman upstairs sitting in a chair staring split screen feeds from the security cameras set up around the house.
[Okay, just the woman upstairs. The man downstairs. Pak and the injured man. That is all.]
He exited the building and walked back to the group. Once he was close, he returned to the visibility. Jin walked up to Bao and smiled. "She is safe and does not appear severely injured. There is only a tiny force. We have more people here than they have in there. Mara has already gotten us a way inside. If you want I can loop the security cameras.†Jin looked at Mara. "Unless you also brought your tablet.†She was more the break in specialist than he was but he had the program on his tablet because you never knew when it would come in handy even in a social event for when you wanted to go somewhere you shouldn't be or help someone else go somewhere they shouldn't be.
He listened as she detailed the number of people, cameras and traps that she had found while casing the house and grounds. Bao said Alfred was paranoid and there would be traps inside and that he didn't know who the woman was.
"She is a part of this situation so she's useful, perhaps not very useful but taking her captive would be helpful just the same. As would be the case with anyone else we find in there.†Death limited the usefulness of people; it was a wasteful practice to be avoided when possible. That was where the Night differed from the Hunt, who saw death as useful expedient and imminently practical. Dead people didn't stab you in the back while you were dispatching their buddy.
Bao suggested just going in. Jin turned cool eyes toward Amir's son. "You want to risk Pak's life by walking into the unknown while they have her in there? And Mara's life by asking her to go in there with you?†His own life and Kem's would also be at risk but they were less close to Bao so not an important. Besides, he was very survivable -and- unwilling to agree to such a plan. The way he saw it; if that was what Bao wanted to do then he would be doing it with less back up than originally planned because there was no way he was going to let Mara charge into a booby trapped house blind.
He reached out for Bao's shoulders, placing a hand on each one. "I know you are worried. I know you feel responsible and I know that you are angry and scared. But you are Amir's son and a man of great discipline all on your own. You know that logic is the best way to get Pak out of there alive and that is what we intend to do.†Jin squeezed the shoulders under his hands and then stepped back.
"I will be quick. I promise.†He turned to Kem. "If you will†He poked a finger at his temple. "chatter at me while I am gone then I can relay the layout and number of people on site.â€
"Hold on to these for me.†Jin smiled at Mara and placed his sunglasses on her head. He walked away from the circle of people and blended into the surroundings and then went ethereal as well. Booby traps rarely did much against people who couldn't be touched.
Jin walked through a wall near one of the windows. There was a neat pile of spikes laid off to the side. He smiled at Mara's handy work and kept moving. There was a man coming from upstairs as he entered the home. He spoke to the woman asking her to keep a look out from the top floor. A brief exchange, no he wasn't expecting problems but better safe than sorry and all that. She nodded and went upstairs.
He followed the other man through the kitchen and down into a basement. The house, up until now, had been very neutral, very beige. It was all quality furniture, pleasant but forgettable art, nice lighting, everything in cream, taupe, toast and every other colour that could be included in the not really a colour family. It screamed model home...or since screaming would suggest something loud and vibrant perhaps it said 'model home' in a politely cultured voice with an even soothing tone.
He was thankful his home would never look like this.
The basement though; that didn't appear very standard. Jin watched as the man opened a normal looking wooden door only to find that it had a heavy steel door attached behind it. There was a punch code and he stood over the man's shoulder and watched as it was entered.
Kem had been keeping up the mental sending so he sent back [There is a basement with a heavy steel door. The pass code is 5039305.] It was smart to repeat the numbers in case someone came in with a kit to dust for which keys were used. He followed the man down and then wandered around in front of him, occasionally poking his head through different rooms. [There are small rooms down here. So far none of them are occupied. I have seen two people. The woman has moved upstairs to watch out, perhaps the camera setup is up there. I haven't checked it yet.]
There was a winding path of what he supposed had been a large open floor plan made into smaller individual spaces. Near the end he found the woman he had seen on Bao's phone. [I have found Pak. There is an injured man in the room with her.]
Jin spared them each a moment. Neither looked close to death. He went through the rest of the house and found the woman upstairs sitting in a chair staring split screen feeds from the security cameras set up around the house.
[Okay, just the woman upstairs. The man downstairs. Pak and the injured man. That is all.]
He exited the building and walked back to the group. Once he was close, he returned to the visibility. Jin walked up to Bao and smiled. "She is safe and does not appear severely injured. There is only a tiny force. We have more people here than they have in there. Mara has already gotten us a way inside. If you want I can loop the security cameras.†Jin looked at Mara. "Unless you also brought your tablet.†She was more the break in specialist than he was but he had the program on his tablet because you never knew when it would come in handy even in a social event for when you wanted to go somewhere you shouldn't be or help someone else go somewhere they shouldn't be.
Mara
10 years ago
Mara was happy when Jin returned, although Kiamhaat had kept up a stream of soft conversation as he relayed Jin's findings to them. She slipped her had into Jin's, shaking her head when he asked if she'd brought her tablet.
"I didn't," she said softy, "I didn't realize it was going to be this sort of deal."
She'd known Pak was in some sort of trouble but Mara had had no idea it was this serious. Though, when Jin told them it was only two people and one of them was upstairs mostly out of the way, she straightened.
"Well there's no reason for Pak to stay where she is, is there," she said with a smile.
She turned to Bao. "Coming? This ought to be fun."
Turning back to Jin she realized there was someone missing. She looked back over her shoulder to see her father striding off down the road toward the house, his long legs eating up the ground beneath him.
[Pak says the man is down there with her. He's in the room with her, going over to the injured man.]
She realized he was sending to them each in turn, so quickly they all got the information pretty much at once. Shrugging at Jin she hurried to catch up with her father.
"The woman will see us coming," Mara said when they were all grouped up, almost there. They could have fixed the cameras but she thought she understood Kiamhaat's impatience. He appeared to be very much done with this situation. "I'll head her off at the stairs."
Mara was capable of holding her own, unless this woman was some strangely old vampire. It would free the others to go rescue Pak.
"I didn't," she said softy, "I didn't realize it was going to be this sort of deal."
She'd known Pak was in some sort of trouble but Mara had had no idea it was this serious. Though, when Jin told them it was only two people and one of them was upstairs mostly out of the way, she straightened.
"Well there's no reason for Pak to stay where she is, is there," she said with a smile.
She turned to Bao. "Coming? This ought to be fun."
Turning back to Jin she realized there was someone missing. She looked back over her shoulder to see her father striding off down the road toward the house, his long legs eating up the ground beneath him.
[Pak says the man is down there with her. He's in the room with her, going over to the injured man.]
She realized he was sending to them each in turn, so quickly they all got the information pretty much at once. Shrugging at Jin she hurried to catch up with her father.
"The woman will see us coming," Mara said when they were all grouped up, almost there. They could have fixed the cameras but she thought she understood Kiamhaat's impatience. He appeared to be very much done with this situation. "I'll head her off at the stairs."
Mara was capable of holding her own, unless this woman was some strangely old vampire. It would free the others to go rescue Pak.
Kem`Raaisu
10 years ago
Normally a very patient person, Kem decided he'd had enough of this. Elder Jin was very clear in the layout of the house and Mara said she had cleared them a way in through the back door. He nodded to himself and sent to Pak alone, [Fuck this. I'm coming, senet.]
He turned and walked down the road, sending to his companions as he did. He didn't give a shit if the security cameras picked him up; if they wanted to mess with him, fine. There was an Evenhet security team headed their way and he was pretty sure the three Anantya were no slouches either.
As he neared the house he sent to Jin first, [Would you like to head downstairs first? I can get the door open while you go down. If our entrance causes him to attack Pak, perhaps you can keep him at bay.]
Jin seemed to be the only one capable of getting to Pak in time, if that was what happened at their forceful entry. Kem slowed down his pace, allowing the Anantya Elder to go ahead first if that was what he decided to do. He turned and nodded to Mara when she said she'd go to the stairs and take care of the woman. Then he looked at Bao.
"Try not to get in the way."
He didn't have much respect for the man, but he didn't think he was expected to. He'd done nothing but jerk Pak around for three centuries. It would take a lot more than what he'd been doing to force Kem to accept him. It was even worse that he was one of Amir's offspring. The apple didn't fall far from the tree in their case, apparently.
He waited until Elder Jin had gone, impatiently tapping his foot. Then when he was given the word that Jin was in place, Kem simply ran for the back door of the house at vampire speed. Give them as little warning as possible. He was through he back door and at the basement door in just a few seconds, and Mara was past him in a near blur, heading up the stairs. There was a scream, and then a muffled thump.
Kem punched in the code and headed down the stairs.
He turned and walked down the road, sending to his companions as he did. He didn't give a shit if the security cameras picked him up; if they wanted to mess with him, fine. There was an Evenhet security team headed their way and he was pretty sure the three Anantya were no slouches either.
As he neared the house he sent to Jin first, [Would you like to head downstairs first? I can get the door open while you go down. If our entrance causes him to attack Pak, perhaps you can keep him at bay.]
Jin seemed to be the only one capable of getting to Pak in time, if that was what happened at their forceful entry. Kem slowed down his pace, allowing the Anantya Elder to go ahead first if that was what he decided to do. He turned and nodded to Mara when she said she'd go to the stairs and take care of the woman. Then he looked at Bao.
"Try not to get in the way."
He didn't have much respect for the man, but he didn't think he was expected to. He'd done nothing but jerk Pak around for three centuries. It would take a lot more than what he'd been doing to force Kem to accept him. It was even worse that he was one of Amir's offspring. The apple didn't fall far from the tree in their case, apparently.
He waited until Elder Jin had gone, impatiently tapping his foot. Then when he was given the word that Jin was in place, Kem simply ran for the back door of the house at vampire speed. Give them as little warning as possible. He was through he back door and at the basement door in just a few seconds, and Mara was past him in a near blur, heading up the stairs. There was a scream, and then a muffled thump.
Kem punched in the code and headed down the stairs.
Stranger
10 years ago
This was going totally pear shaped. He never should have let Alfred leave Perth, but you couldn't tell that bastard anything when he got an idea in his head. It was like Blaise. Jarrod had told Alfred how many times that the kid wasn't ready but Alfred had turned him any way and now they had an issue.
Not a major one of course, Blaise was still a pup and had easily been put back in his place. The woman had been a surprise. Cecile had reported he was taking lessons but Jarrod had still be surprised. She'd not acted at all like he'd though, she'd been aggressive and he'd had to hurt her pretty bad. He'd sent the video to Hoang and reported to Alfred, who'd not been pleased with that revelation, but that hadn't stopped Jarrod from going back down stairs armed. After sending Cecile back upstairs to watch the cameras, and to keep her out of the way, he'd brought down stairs with him two knifes and a gun. He wasn't going to hesitate to stick any or all of them in either Blaise of Pakpao. Oh he'd keep the bitch alive but she didn't have to be well. Blaise on the other had, Alfred had said he was expendable.
He punched in the key code to get down stairs and without any hesitation went down to the room/cell that Pakpao was in, along with his traitorous 'brother'. He was careful when he opened the door, not sure exactly what condition either of them was in. The woman was on the bed, pretending to be passed out, perception was a wonderful gift he knew a conscious prisoner when he saw one no matter how good the actor. Blaise was a bit of a mess, but he did make a half hearted lunge at him and Jarrod easily side stepped that before soundly kicking Blaise in the ribs.
"Try it again, go on I dare you.â€
He grinned, his larger than average fangs glinting in the dim light nodding to the wicked looking knife in his belt.
"You've chosen sides tonight and you're not of any value to us any more.â€
Blaise looked stricken, he looked ill and it didn't take much to figure out where his thoughts had turned.
"No... she doesn't know yet. Do you really think she's going to worry as much about you as you do about her?â€
Jarrod pulled the knife from his belt and moved to stab, to stake, Blaise. It was a sad and pathetic swan song but it was all the whelp deserved. He connected, but the scream wasn't masculine. Pakpao had thrown herself in front of Blaise and the blade had sunk, up to its hilt, into her shoulder. Damned vampire speed, he hadn't been concentrating on her and he'd missed the sudden move.
"Bitch!â€
He snarled as she came at him again. This time when he slashed he caught her in the gut. In a human it would probably be fatal, or at least difficult to repair. As she stumbled back though, he felt the blade go with her. He let it go, after all he had another. Before he could make use of that though one of the hardback books hit him, hard, in the temple. It startled him, but Jarrod was undeterred, he'd known Pakpao was telekinetic and was surprised she hadn't made more use of it before now.
Even as he drew his gun another book hit him, and another, and an other, or maybe it was all the same, he wasn't sure. The hit him everywhere, head, abdomen, his hand knocking the gun away, it was a storm of books, a tornado, it was something out of Twister.
Jarrod darted to Blaise and pulled the boy in front of him, using him as a shield, holding the other knife to his throat.
"Stop now.â€
He shouted. It did have the desired effect though, obviously she was trying to protect Blaise, although God knew for what reason, and took his threat seriously ceasing her assault.
"Now you're going to fucking cooperate until that dumb shit contacts us to make amends.â€
Pakpao was now kneeling on the bed, holding her her hands over her belly wound even as it continued to ooze under and between her fingers. She looked up at him, with a slightly crazed expression.
"I am not left handed.â€
Was all she said. Jarrod knew she was left handed and so the comment seemed ominous even if he didn't understand it for beans.
Not a major one of course, Blaise was still a pup and had easily been put back in his place. The woman had been a surprise. Cecile had reported he was taking lessons but Jarrod had still be surprised. She'd not acted at all like he'd though, she'd been aggressive and he'd had to hurt her pretty bad. He'd sent the video to Hoang and reported to Alfred, who'd not been pleased with that revelation, but that hadn't stopped Jarrod from going back down stairs armed. After sending Cecile back upstairs to watch the cameras, and to keep her out of the way, he'd brought down stairs with him two knifes and a gun. He wasn't going to hesitate to stick any or all of them in either Blaise of Pakpao. Oh he'd keep the bitch alive but she didn't have to be well. Blaise on the other had, Alfred had said he was expendable.
He punched in the key code to get down stairs and without any hesitation went down to the room/cell that Pakpao was in, along with his traitorous 'brother'. He was careful when he opened the door, not sure exactly what condition either of them was in. The woman was on the bed, pretending to be passed out, perception was a wonderful gift he knew a conscious prisoner when he saw one no matter how good the actor. Blaise was a bit of a mess, but he did make a half hearted lunge at him and Jarrod easily side stepped that before soundly kicking Blaise in the ribs.
"Try it again, go on I dare you.â€
He grinned, his larger than average fangs glinting in the dim light nodding to the wicked looking knife in his belt.
"You've chosen sides tonight and you're not of any value to us any more.â€
Blaise looked stricken, he looked ill and it didn't take much to figure out where his thoughts had turned.
"No... she doesn't know yet. Do you really think she's going to worry as much about you as you do about her?â€
Jarrod pulled the knife from his belt and moved to stab, to stake, Blaise. It was a sad and pathetic swan song but it was all the whelp deserved. He connected, but the scream wasn't masculine. Pakpao had thrown herself in front of Blaise and the blade had sunk, up to its hilt, into her shoulder. Damned vampire speed, he hadn't been concentrating on her and he'd missed the sudden move.
"Bitch!â€
He snarled as she came at him again. This time when he slashed he caught her in the gut. In a human it would probably be fatal, or at least difficult to repair. As she stumbled back though, he felt the blade go with her. He let it go, after all he had another. Before he could make use of that though one of the hardback books hit him, hard, in the temple. It startled him, but Jarrod was undeterred, he'd known Pakpao was telekinetic and was surprised she hadn't made more use of it before now.
Even as he drew his gun another book hit him, and another, and an other, or maybe it was all the same, he wasn't sure. The hit him everywhere, head, abdomen, his hand knocking the gun away, it was a storm of books, a tornado, it was something out of Twister.
Jarrod darted to Blaise and pulled the boy in front of him, using him as a shield, holding the other knife to his throat.
"Stop now.â€
He shouted. It did have the desired effect though, obviously she was trying to protect Blaise, although God knew for what reason, and took his threat seriously ceasing her assault.
"Now you're going to fucking cooperate until that dumb shit contacts us to make amends.â€
Pakpao was now kneeling on the bed, holding her her hands over her belly wound even as it continued to ooze under and between her fingers. She looked up at him, with a slightly crazed expression.
"I am not left handed.â€
Was all she said. Jarrod knew she was left handed and so the comment seemed ominous even if he didn't understand it for beans.
Pakpao
10 years ago
The longer they held her the better she felt. Her shoulder wasn't something she was going to be able to fix without help, and while not 100% she was recovering. She'd totally lost track of Bao and didn't feel bad about that. Son of a bitch had gotten her into this, she was getting out of it on her own. That was how their relationship worked after all. He was a jerk, put her in over her head and she figured out how to survive. At least she had Kem this time.
When Jarrod left she lay on the bed and pretended to be passed out. It seemed to work, Blaise left her alone, he didn't talk any more and Jarrod was gone. She could still feel Kem thought their bond and so she wasn't panicking.
She wasn't certain how much time had passed, but when Jarrod came back, he came back -mad-.
[Jarrod's back and he's not happy with Blaise.]
She didn't know why, and didn't care since that anger was directed at Blaise. Still she'd been told to let those two disagree and so she kept up her act not even flinching when Jarrod kicked Blaise hard enough to break ribs. It wasn't until Jarrod went to stab Blaise that she did something.
Pak wasn't sure what possessed her, but Blaise had stood up for her. Maybe it was all an act, maybe it was too little too late, but she put herself between Jarrod and Blaise and got stabbed for her trouble. It -hurt- she couldn't help but scream. It was a stupid move and she knew it, but it had been instinct and she was paying for it.
In for a penny, in for a pound, Pak attacked again. She couldn't even describe the pain when the knife cut into her belly. That, however, woke her up and she started to act like she'd spent some time sparing. She held on to the knife with her mind, she knocked the gun under the bed, taking it out of play and started to throw anything and everything she could get her mind on only stopping when Blaise was in danger again.
About then she heard Kem's voice in her head saying he was coming. Giddy with relief Pak quoted one of her favorite lines from the Princess Bride. They didn't know she could send, they didn't know she had help there. They couldn't. There was no way. It was just the three of them. That -had- to be it. If that wasn't it Kem wouldn't be storming the castle.
[Jarrod's armed all of a sudden. He's got a knife to Blaise's throat. He locked the door behind him though.]
Pak relayed everything she could think of to Kem. The door opened in and Jarrod and Blaise were off to one side of it, there was no way that the door would hit either of them in the face or anything so easy but Kem, and whoever else, was with him would need to know to turn as soon as they opened the door, Jarrod was in the blind spot.
"I don't give a damned if you're ambidextrous.â€
Jarrod snarled back.
"What do you want?â€
Pak was stalling for time, as she did so, an old trick occurred to her and she started mentally untying Jarrod's shoe laces, classic Converse, and tying them together so he wouldn't be able to run.
"Hoang.â€
Jarrod answered.
"So get me a phone and I'll get him.â€
Pak hissed trying not to breath and not to think about how much blood she was loosing. Stabbed in one shoulder, the other dislocated. Half healed cuts on her face and hand, the remnants of a concussion, and another stab wound that wouldn't stop bleeding. This is why she didn't date.
When Jarrod left she lay on the bed and pretended to be passed out. It seemed to work, Blaise left her alone, he didn't talk any more and Jarrod was gone. She could still feel Kem thought their bond and so she wasn't panicking.
She wasn't certain how much time had passed, but when Jarrod came back, he came back -mad-.
[Jarrod's back and he's not happy with Blaise.]
She didn't know why, and didn't care since that anger was directed at Blaise. Still she'd been told to let those two disagree and so she kept up her act not even flinching when Jarrod kicked Blaise hard enough to break ribs. It wasn't until Jarrod went to stab Blaise that she did something.
Pak wasn't sure what possessed her, but Blaise had stood up for her. Maybe it was all an act, maybe it was too little too late, but she put herself between Jarrod and Blaise and got stabbed for her trouble. It -hurt- she couldn't help but scream. It was a stupid move and she knew it, but it had been instinct and she was paying for it.
In for a penny, in for a pound, Pak attacked again. She couldn't even describe the pain when the knife cut into her belly. That, however, woke her up and she started to act like she'd spent some time sparing. She held on to the knife with her mind, she knocked the gun under the bed, taking it out of play and started to throw anything and everything she could get her mind on only stopping when Blaise was in danger again.
About then she heard Kem's voice in her head saying he was coming. Giddy with relief Pak quoted one of her favorite lines from the Princess Bride. They didn't know she could send, they didn't know she had help there. They couldn't. There was no way. It was just the three of them. That -had- to be it. If that wasn't it Kem wouldn't be storming the castle.
[Jarrod's armed all of a sudden. He's got a knife to Blaise's throat. He locked the door behind him though.]
Pak relayed everything she could think of to Kem. The door opened in and Jarrod and Blaise were off to one side of it, there was no way that the door would hit either of them in the face or anything so easy but Kem, and whoever else, was with him would need to know to turn as soon as they opened the door, Jarrod was in the blind spot.
"I don't give a damned if you're ambidextrous.â€
Jarrod snarled back.
"What do you want?â€
Pak was stalling for time, as she did so, an old trick occurred to her and she started mentally untying Jarrod's shoe laces, classic Converse, and tying them together so he wouldn't be able to run.
"Hoang.â€
Jarrod answered.
"So get me a phone and I'll get him.â€
Pak hissed trying not to breath and not to think about how much blood she was loosing. Stabbed in one shoulder, the other dislocated. Half healed cuts on her face and hand, the remnants of a concussion, and another stab wound that wouldn't stop bleeding. This is why she didn't date.