Jin had sent him a message saying that someone from their clan was headed his way. The information that he had to share with Anantya was not dire. It probably wasn't all that helpful but he wasn't going to be giving it out over the internet for all and sundry to pick up, nor was he going to use a viable encryption program when dealing with Anantya, the very people they were often hiding information from.
He saw the tall man enter the building and head to the front desk. It was within the time frame that Jin had given him for his clanmate's arrival. Not long afterward, MARI informed him that one Tristan Alpin had introduced himself at the front door.
Getting up, he made it way across the lobby toward the front desk, taking the measure of the Anantya spy as he went. He was tall, bronze and had the look of someone who spent a great deal of time outdoors in the sun that he likely hadn't seen in a great many years. Cris noted the blue black ink, typical of ancient western European tattoos peeking out of the shirt sleeves. It marked the man as quite old or really good with faking a decorative detail and then nearly hiding it. Hand done tattoos just had a different look than a modern tattoo of the same design and woad was popular only in a certain region.
"Security has found you, Mr. Alpin.†Cris smiled and held out a hand. "Christian Bern, A pleasure to meet you.â€
He looked at the clerk at the desk. She handed over a sign in sheet and a pen to Tristan. "After you sign in then you can follow me and I can get you those files.â€
Cris texted Pak Pao to let her know that Anantya had sent someone to claim the information they had from Blaise and Jerrod. He let her know that if she was interested in meeting the guy that they could arrange to head upstairs for coffee at Barney's after he had delivered the files.
He also sent a text to Rowan because he was going to get coffee one way or the other and he would prefer to share his break with his husband if at all possible. If Pak wasn't interested in speaking with him then he supposed they could get Tristan a coffee for his troubles and then send him back home.
Fetch!
It had taken a bit longer than he thought, to get cleaned up and out the door. Part of that was Tristan had forgotten to get the name of the servant who took his bags and then there was the minor detail of where he was going to stay followed by the arranging for a car. He had, however, still managed to keep his word and was on his way over to the Towers in less than an hour, it was just closer to fifty minutes than thirty.
Now, smelling faintly of soap, and hair still slightly damp he was settled in a car, doing his best to remember to drive on the other side of the road off to meet Evenhet security. The shower and change of clothes had done their job and he felt miles better and slightly more alert. If this meeting went well he'd probably even stop to hunt.
Parking and leaving the car behind Tristan slung his satchel over his shoulder and was thoroughly impressed by the Towers. The Elder was right, they were hard to miss. He couldn't help but look up, and up, at them and admire. For all their hippie tenancies this was not a random collection of vampires. This was a clan, a real one, and they were not to be taken lightly the two giant buildings of glass and steel made that quite clear. Tristan suspected that was quite deliberate on their part.
Rather hoping that security was on the ground floor he walked in and looked about for a 'you are here' sign or something similar. It didn't take long to find a customer service desk and check in. He flashed the woman at the desk a charming smile, hoping it wasn't the Pakpao Jin had mentioned, oblivious to his large teeth. People either noticed or they didn't, he'd given up trying to hide them.
"Evening Miss. I was hoping you could point me to security, my name is Tristan Alpin.â€
His distinctive Aussie accent, Sydney specifically, hardly raised an eyebrow proving that the woman was either very professional or Nachton was so cosmopolitan an accent wasn't worth noting any more. It didn't bother him, he hadn't expected to be met at the front door with a basket of mini muffins or anything. In fact, he was hoping to have half a chance to poke around a bit, or at least dawdle on his way to security or back to the front door. The Towers were like nothing he'd seen in years.
Given his surroundings though, Tristan was glad he'd opted for la long sleeved button down again. It hid most of his tattoos. Those he was certain would have brought some comment or at least note from someone. You could see the edges of some peaking out from around the cuffs at his wrist but people rarely noted those, or at least they rarely said anything. The few that did were usually his students who thought it was very cool to have a Prof with some ink.
Christian Bern
10 years ago
Tristan
10 years ago
"That isn't always a good thing.â€
Tristan answered with a good natured smile. Usually when security found you, you were in trouble after all. He took quick note of the man who'd greeted him. Very business like and rather surprisingly slight. That probably had some very distinct advantages though, mostly involved with being underestimated.
The anthropologist in him couldn't help but try and place Mr. Bern's heritage. There wasn't much to go on, probably northern European, but that covered a lot of territory. Tristan thought that the name Bern might be German or possibly Swiss, there was a city named Bern in Switzerland after all. The last name, though didn't mean much either, after all he wasn't using the one he'd been born with and there was no reason to think Mr. Bern was. It didn't matter one way or another, it was just a curiosity. For now though he let the minor puzzle go.
"Tristan works.â€
He said absently as he signed in as requested, he wasn't one to stand on formality. However, unless other wise invited he would continue to address the Evenhet security agent as Mr. Bern, it was only polite and he didn't want to ruffle any feathers with the other clan.
Satisfied he'd past muster with the Customer Service folks he flashed another smile at the woman, who only polity returned it before turning her attention to another person. Apparently his charming and winning personality wasn't working tonight. Just as well given what the Elder had said about the Evenhet woman.... damned what was her name? He should have written that down. Oh, wait he did. It was in the small notebook in one of his pockets. Out of habit Tristan pulled the small notebook out and checked it, Pakpao. He'd have to remember that.
"So two little vampires tried to take on a whole clan? That must have been fun for you.â€
Or a two second training exercise. Tristan couldn't help but think that it was stupid and suicidal. The men were lucky they were still alive. Personally, under those circumstances, he wouldn't have left them in once piece. Blaise and Jarrod must have missed something -big- to try and pull that mission off. Which meant Alfred had missed something, which meant they could get him.
Tristan answered with a good natured smile. Usually when security found you, you were in trouble after all. He took quick note of the man who'd greeted him. Very business like and rather surprisingly slight. That probably had some very distinct advantages though, mostly involved with being underestimated.
The anthropologist in him couldn't help but try and place Mr. Bern's heritage. There wasn't much to go on, probably northern European, but that covered a lot of territory. Tristan thought that the name Bern might be German or possibly Swiss, there was a city named Bern in Switzerland after all. The last name, though didn't mean much either, after all he wasn't using the one he'd been born with and there was no reason to think Mr. Bern was. It didn't matter one way or another, it was just a curiosity. For now though he let the minor puzzle go.
"Tristan works.â€
He said absently as he signed in as requested, he wasn't one to stand on formality. However, unless other wise invited he would continue to address the Evenhet security agent as Mr. Bern, it was only polite and he didn't want to ruffle any feathers with the other clan.
Satisfied he'd past muster with the Customer Service folks he flashed another smile at the woman, who only polity returned it before turning her attention to another person. Apparently his charming and winning personality wasn't working tonight. Just as well given what the Elder had said about the Evenhet woman.... damned what was her name? He should have written that down. Oh, wait he did. It was in the small notebook in one of his pockets. Out of habit Tristan pulled the small notebook out and checked it, Pakpao. He'd have to remember that.
"So two little vampires tried to take on a whole clan? That must have been fun for you.â€
Or a two second training exercise. Tristan couldn't help but think that it was stupid and suicidal. The men were lucky they were still alive. Personally, under those circumstances, he wouldn't have left them in once piece. Blaise and Jarrod must have missed something -big- to try and pull that mission off. Which meant Alfred had missed something, which meant they could get him.
Rowan Murphy
10 years ago
Rowan saw his phone light up from where he was in the corner of the clinic, even though it was across the room. The interesting thing about being the Towers doctor was that there wasn't a ton of demand. He had a case here and there, and last week there had been a flu epidemic that swept through many of the humans living here. Today, though, had been very quiet. A few checkups here and there but now he was cleaning. Again.
When he saw Cris's text he gave a soft whoop of delight and turned to Becky. "So yeah, have fun cleaning, I'm gonna go have some coffee with my husband."
"Jerk," Becky said.
"My sexy, handsome husband," Rowan said, pulling off his white coat.
"Double jerk," Becky called.
"And then I'm gonna try to convince him to go home for a nooner!" Rowan yelled as he headed for the door. "Or maybe a quickie bent over his desk!"
Becky's response was lost behind the closing door but it sounded like it had something to do with the amount of information Rowan had given away, and the fact that it could possibly have been just a tiny bit too much. He grinned to himself, turned the expression to Ume, who he could see in her office, and waved happily at her.
Rowan didn't have far to go to the lobby, and he entered it with his smile still plastered in place. It only got bigger when he saw Cris. He walked right up to his husband, wrapped his arms around him, poker face and everything, and kissed him soundly. And really thoroughly.
"Hi. Did you say coffee?" Rowan looked up at the stranger with Cris. "Hi to you, too. I'm Rowan."
When he saw Cris's text he gave a soft whoop of delight and turned to Becky. "So yeah, have fun cleaning, I'm gonna go have some coffee with my husband."
"Jerk," Becky said.
"My sexy, handsome husband," Rowan said, pulling off his white coat.
"Double jerk," Becky called.
"And then I'm gonna try to convince him to go home for a nooner!" Rowan yelled as he headed for the door. "Or maybe a quickie bent over his desk!"
Becky's response was lost behind the closing door but it sounded like it had something to do with the amount of information Rowan had given away, and the fact that it could possibly have been just a tiny bit too much. He grinned to himself, turned the expression to Ume, who he could see in her office, and waved happily at her.
Rowan didn't have far to go to the lobby, and he entered it with his smile still plastered in place. It only got bigger when he saw Cris. He walked right up to his husband, wrapped his arms around him, poker face and everything, and kissed him soundly. And really thoroughly.
"Hi. Did you say coffee?" Rowan looked up at the stranger with Cris. "Hi to you, too. I'm Rowan."
Christian Bern
10 years ago
"Christian.†Cris said with a smile though he was beginning to be distracted by a conversation taking place in a nearby room just down the hall. He wasn't sure about the beginning of it but he heard the rest of it well enough.
He looked at Tristan and tried to concentrate on what he had said and not what his lovely exuberant husband was declaring to his nurse, openly and cheerfully.
"I do not think it had time to be fun.†Cris replied, looking around for the redhead invasion that he knew was going to be happening any second. "With two clans there to deal with the small group of people it was over almost before it began.†Pak Pao was the only one who would say otherwise and with good reason. For her rescuers it had not taken long to get in, get her and the people involved and get back out again.
"This way.†He gestured toward his office but stopped again.
Rowan came around the corner and came straight for him. Cris smiled at his husband until that was totally covered and he was kissed, very personally, in front of friends, strangers and Anantya members alike. Cris returned the kiss with ease and plenty of enjoyment, having become far more publicly flexible thanks to years of involvement with Rowan's more expressive nature. Only the descriptive goals that had been given to Becky gave him pause, inwardly, while he considered both options with anticipation.
He turned to Tristan and smiled a slight smile. "My husband†As if that hadn't been made abundantly clear with the description of what Rowan wanted to do that involved a desk. [Who was being bent over my desk? I am just curious.]
"I did mention coffee.†Cris answered Rowan. "Let me get the files for Tristan first and then we can head to Barney's. If you care to join us, Mr.Alpin, We would be delighted.†He could tell the man that Pak was joining them after they got there.
Leading the way, with one arm wrapped around Rowan's waist, Cris walked around the corner to his office. He let go of his partner long enough to start up his computer and then look up at Tristan expectantly.
He looked at Tristan and tried to concentrate on what he had said and not what his lovely exuberant husband was declaring to his nurse, openly and cheerfully.
"I do not think it had time to be fun.†Cris replied, looking around for the redhead invasion that he knew was going to be happening any second. "With two clans there to deal with the small group of people it was over almost before it began.†Pak Pao was the only one who would say otherwise and with good reason. For her rescuers it had not taken long to get in, get her and the people involved and get back out again.
"This way.†He gestured toward his office but stopped again.
Rowan came around the corner and came straight for him. Cris smiled at his husband until that was totally covered and he was kissed, very personally, in front of friends, strangers and Anantya members alike. Cris returned the kiss with ease and plenty of enjoyment, having become far more publicly flexible thanks to years of involvement with Rowan's more expressive nature. Only the descriptive goals that had been given to Becky gave him pause, inwardly, while he considered both options with anticipation.
He turned to Tristan and smiled a slight smile. "My husband†As if that hadn't been made abundantly clear with the description of what Rowan wanted to do that involved a desk. [Who was being bent over my desk? I am just curious.]
"I did mention coffee.†Cris answered Rowan. "Let me get the files for Tristan first and then we can head to Barney's. If you care to join us, Mr.Alpin, We would be delighted.†He could tell the man that Pak was joining them after they got there.
Leading the way, with one arm wrapped around Rowan's waist, Cris walked around the corner to his office. He let go of his partner long enough to start up his computer and then look up at Tristan expectantly.
Tristan
10 years ago
"Christian then.â€
Tristan nodded agreeably following along. Having seen pictures of both Jarrod and Blaise he was keeping half an eye out for them. He wouldn't say no to the opportunity to waylay one and casually question them. It seemed extremely unlikely that he'd encounter Jarrod, that man was probably in the Evenhet dungeon. Although it was hard to imagine what a dungeon for these sleek modern buildings would look like, and where they would keep it.
"Fun or not, everyone needs a damsel in distress to rescue once in a while.â€
He answered distractedly. Someone was quite happy about something, Tristan was doing his best to concentrate on Christian and give the enthusiastic man as much privacy as possible, but it wasn't easy. Like a lot of members of his order he couldn't resist information and collected it just to have.
It didn't take long before he had more information than he'd anticipated as a rather well built red head glommed onto his security escort. He was a little surprised by the enthusiastic kiss and had to smoother a grin before coughing and discreetly turning away giving the lovers a little bit of privacy. This wasn't like any security department he'd ever dealt with, but he wasn't ready to pass judgment in the span of five minutes. It wasn't like this was a high stress complicated assignment, escorting a random Anantya through the building and turn over some information. That could be done with a touch of informality.
"I'm glad you're not strangers, that would be a hell of a first meeting.â€
Tristan rubbed the back of his neck feeling just a touch awkward, as he would around any sudden and unexpected PDA between folks he didn't know. As soon as the red head spoke up though he got over it and returned the extremely open smile of the man who introduced himself as Rowan, offering his hand as he did so.
"Tristan.†He confirmed Christian's semi introduction. "I'd be pleased to join you if I'm not interrupting.â€
It had after all, sounded like they might have plans. He might press them to keep that invite though, not out of spite or anything, it was simply a matter of how often was one invited into the Evenhet strong hold?
Between the kiss and the arm around Rowan's waist it wasn't much of a challenge to guess the two of them were clearly in love. He wondered how long they'd been together.
The expectant look from Bern didn't go unnoticed, he probably was angling for information of his own. That wasn't at all unreasonable, one of his clan had been used as a pawn and his people had gone into rescue mode. If things had gone badly Evenhet would have been well within their rights to be more than slightly upset with Anantya. Tristan didn't think it would have resulted in war or even a skirmish. Harsh words certainly, Anantya might have had to relinquish their claim on Alfred and Hoang might have been in some hot water, although that seemed like a stretch it hadn't been his doing after all.
"This is recent information that you've come across then?â€
He asked innocently wondering what he'd been sent after and why it couldn't be sent electronically. While any file transfer had inherent security risks there were ways to minimize them. If he was here there must be a certain sensitivity to the information.
Tristan thought it was a possibility that Christian wouldn't answer or side step. Husband or not, Rowan might not be privy to the details of Security. He might also be the oldest vampire in Evenhet and know everything that went on in the clan down to the color of everyone's underwear too Tristan reminded himself before jumping to any conclusions.
Tristan nodded agreeably following along. Having seen pictures of both Jarrod and Blaise he was keeping half an eye out for them. He wouldn't say no to the opportunity to waylay one and casually question them. It seemed extremely unlikely that he'd encounter Jarrod, that man was probably in the Evenhet dungeon. Although it was hard to imagine what a dungeon for these sleek modern buildings would look like, and where they would keep it.
"Fun or not, everyone needs a damsel in distress to rescue once in a while.â€
He answered distractedly. Someone was quite happy about something, Tristan was doing his best to concentrate on Christian and give the enthusiastic man as much privacy as possible, but it wasn't easy. Like a lot of members of his order he couldn't resist information and collected it just to have.
It didn't take long before he had more information than he'd anticipated as a rather well built red head glommed onto his security escort. He was a little surprised by the enthusiastic kiss and had to smoother a grin before coughing and discreetly turning away giving the lovers a little bit of privacy. This wasn't like any security department he'd ever dealt with, but he wasn't ready to pass judgment in the span of five minutes. It wasn't like this was a high stress complicated assignment, escorting a random Anantya through the building and turn over some information. That could be done with a touch of informality.
"I'm glad you're not strangers, that would be a hell of a first meeting.â€
Tristan rubbed the back of his neck feeling just a touch awkward, as he would around any sudden and unexpected PDA between folks he didn't know. As soon as the red head spoke up though he got over it and returned the extremely open smile of the man who introduced himself as Rowan, offering his hand as he did so.
"Tristan.†He confirmed Christian's semi introduction. "I'd be pleased to join you if I'm not interrupting.â€
It had after all, sounded like they might have plans. He might press them to keep that invite though, not out of spite or anything, it was simply a matter of how often was one invited into the Evenhet strong hold?
Between the kiss and the arm around Rowan's waist it wasn't much of a challenge to guess the two of them were clearly in love. He wondered how long they'd been together.
The expectant look from Bern didn't go unnoticed, he probably was angling for information of his own. That wasn't at all unreasonable, one of his clan had been used as a pawn and his people had gone into rescue mode. If things had gone badly Evenhet would have been well within their rights to be more than slightly upset with Anantya. Tristan didn't think it would have resulted in war or even a skirmish. Harsh words certainly, Anantya might have had to relinquish their claim on Alfred and Hoang might have been in some hot water, although that seemed like a stretch it hadn't been his doing after all.
"This is recent information that you've come across then?â€
He asked innocently wondering what he'd been sent after and why it couldn't be sent electronically. While any file transfer had inherent security risks there were ways to minimize them. If he was here there must be a certain sensitivity to the information.
Tristan thought it was a possibility that Christian wouldn't answer or side step. Husband or not, Rowan might not be privy to the details of Security. He might also be the oldest vampire in Evenhet and know everything that went on in the clan down to the color of everyone's underwear too Tristan reminded himself before jumping to any conclusions.
Rowan Murphy
10 years ago
Rowan beamed at Cris when his kiss was returned. There was something so delicious about his husband's willingness to express his feelings in public. The in-your-face part of Rowan basically got off a little on the public display, although if Cris had given him any sort of 'back off' signal he would have immediately done so. No such signal was forthcoming, so Rowan decided whatever was happening now was all right.
With Cris's arm around his waist Rowan accompanied them back toward Cris's office. The stranger was Rowan's height, looked pretty normal, streaky brown/blond hair, nice build. He'd turned away while Rowan and Cris kissed, and Rowan had missed the little cough. Oh well, too damn bad.
[Oh, I was hoping to be,] he answered Cris, [but if you want we can take turns. I wouldn't mind coming inside you that way.]
His response was cheeky; he could almost certainly stave off an orgasm long enough to bury himself inside his husband. Almost. Sometimes Cris was just too fucking hot for Rowan to maintain any sort of self-control, even though his own control was something he'd once been very proud of.
He tabled those thoughts for the moment since scrubs weren't the best clothing for hiding his physical response and Rowan did actually have some sense of decorum lurking beneath the piercings and leather he wore. The stranger commented on that possibly being a first meeting and Rowan coughed a laugh into his hand. "Actually that's not horribly far from the truth," he said.
He shook Tristan's hand with a firm grip and looked back and forth between him and Cris. "No, I'm pretty sure I did all the interrupting," he pointed out.
Once they reached Cris's office Rowan crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, content to wait quietly while they conducted whatever business they needed to. Retrieving files didn't sound like it would take long. Rowan fiddled with his bracelet, the one that would let him chat to Cris any time. Smiling innocently to himself he got out the little stylus and poked at the display, sending a message to Cris.
/I'd kill to be blowing you under your desk right now./
He was waiting quietly - not patiently. He hit the send, wondering if Cris would look or if he would ignore it for the sake of being professional. Even odds, he figured, it sort of depended on how important this Tristan person was. Rowan wouldn't be offended if Cris opted not to read the message. Given that Rowan was standing right there and was the only one who'd be sending Cris a message at all, he knew his husband would quickly figure out that any such message probably wasn't important, just mischievous.
With Cris's arm around his waist Rowan accompanied them back toward Cris's office. The stranger was Rowan's height, looked pretty normal, streaky brown/blond hair, nice build. He'd turned away while Rowan and Cris kissed, and Rowan had missed the little cough. Oh well, too damn bad.
[Oh, I was hoping to be,] he answered Cris, [but if you want we can take turns. I wouldn't mind coming inside you that way.]
His response was cheeky; he could almost certainly stave off an orgasm long enough to bury himself inside his husband. Almost. Sometimes Cris was just too fucking hot for Rowan to maintain any sort of self-control, even though his own control was something he'd once been very proud of.
He tabled those thoughts for the moment since scrubs weren't the best clothing for hiding his physical response and Rowan did actually have some sense of decorum lurking beneath the piercings and leather he wore. The stranger commented on that possibly being a first meeting and Rowan coughed a laugh into his hand. "Actually that's not horribly far from the truth," he said.
He shook Tristan's hand with a firm grip and looked back and forth between him and Cris. "No, I'm pretty sure I did all the interrupting," he pointed out.
Once they reached Cris's office Rowan crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, content to wait quietly while they conducted whatever business they needed to. Retrieving files didn't sound like it would take long. Rowan fiddled with his bracelet, the one that would let him chat to Cris any time. Smiling innocently to himself he got out the little stylus and poked at the display, sending a message to Cris.
/I'd kill to be blowing you under your desk right now./
He was waiting quietly - not patiently. He hit the send, wondering if Cris would look or if he would ignore it for the sake of being professional. Even odds, he figured, it sort of depended on how important this Tristan person was. Rowan wouldn't be offended if Cris opted not to read the message. Given that Rowan was standing right there and was the only one who'd be sending Cris a message at all, he knew his husband would quickly figure out that any such message probably wasn't important, just mischievous.
Christian Bern
10 years ago
Cris coughed softly and hid a smile at Tristan's statement. "Perhaps" He agreed about needed to ride to the rescue of a fair maiden. "but I would not put it to Pak that way." They did not seem to understand one and another but he did not think the programmer would be pleased at the idea of being a 'damsel in distress', true or not.
He smiled and did not disagree when Rowan said that their meeting happened not far different from the public display of affection that Tristan had witnessed. "Yes, we love everyone here in Evenhet. I am sure you've heard. Stick around long enough and I am sure someone will greet you in a similar fashion." [We could certainly arrange for it happen if it doesn't.]
Rowan's response to his sending sent a thrill through him. [I guess that depends on how much time we have.] He forcefully pushed the thought and accompanying visuals out of his head.
Once he was in his chair and had the laptop started he looked to Tristan expectantly. Instead of a means to transfer the files, he received a question about the information on them. He hadn't been told by Jin what exactly Tristan's role was in Anantya's investigation. It stood to reason that he was probably more than a simple courier but that still didn't mean that he knew everything.
"All information in this matter is recent." Cris said and reached out a hand to make his request more clear. "Do you have a flash drive or do I need to provide one?" Surely Jin sent someone who knew about computers, at least minimally. He had heard that some of their vampires spent their nights with oil lamps, old clothing and dusty tomes but Tristan didn't look like he was one of those stuck in a begone era, ancient body art aside.
His bracelet blinked and he flickered a glance up to Rowan who was leaning roguishly against the wall, looking more like some young street punk than a doctor. An incredibly sexy street punk. While he waited for Mr.Alpin to provide a way to transfer the files he looked at his bracelet.
Seeing the message there, he repressed a sigh. [Tempting, but then we would take even longer to get the coffee...] Cris looked up into his husband's sea green eyes, amusement danced in his own on an otherwise impassive expression. [And then you might miss private office time.] He was happy to be wearing a suit coat, which would hide much even when he stood up from behind his desk. Rowan probably should have kept the doctor's coat if this type of discussion was going to continue.
Returning his gaze to Tristan, he said. "I have included the frequencies to our taps." Cris smiled knowingly. "It will save Anantya from trying to hack them." Because they would and he knew it.
He smiled and did not disagree when Rowan said that their meeting happened not far different from the public display of affection that Tristan had witnessed. "Yes, we love everyone here in Evenhet. I am sure you've heard. Stick around long enough and I am sure someone will greet you in a similar fashion." [We could certainly arrange for it happen if it doesn't.]
Rowan's response to his sending sent a thrill through him. [I guess that depends on how much time we have.] He forcefully pushed the thought and accompanying visuals out of his head.
Once he was in his chair and had the laptop started he looked to Tristan expectantly. Instead of a means to transfer the files, he received a question about the information on them. He hadn't been told by Jin what exactly Tristan's role was in Anantya's investigation. It stood to reason that he was probably more than a simple courier but that still didn't mean that he knew everything.
"All information in this matter is recent." Cris said and reached out a hand to make his request more clear. "Do you have a flash drive or do I need to provide one?" Surely Jin sent someone who knew about computers, at least minimally. He had heard that some of their vampires spent their nights with oil lamps, old clothing and dusty tomes but Tristan didn't look like he was one of those stuck in a begone era, ancient body art aside.
His bracelet blinked and he flickered a glance up to Rowan who was leaning roguishly against the wall, looking more like some young street punk than a doctor. An incredibly sexy street punk. While he waited for Mr.Alpin to provide a way to transfer the files he looked at his bracelet.
Seeing the message there, he repressed a sigh. [Tempting, but then we would take even longer to get the coffee...] Cris looked up into his husband's sea green eyes, amusement danced in his own on an otherwise impassive expression. [And then you might miss private office time.] He was happy to be wearing a suit coat, which would hide much even when he stood up from behind his desk. Rowan probably should have kept the doctor's coat if this type of discussion was going to continue.
Returning his gaze to Tristan, he said. "I have included the frequencies to our taps." Cris smiled knowingly. "It will save Anantya from trying to hack them." Because they would and he knew it.
Tristan
10 years ago
"Love at first site then?â€
He asked Rowan, noting the piercings and leather along with the scrubs, very interesting combination. That was something Tristan had never experienced and didn't quite believe in. Lust at first site, abso-fucking-lutly; but he didn't know either Christian or Rowan well enough to say that especially not as Rowan had been introduced as a husband not a boyfriend.
Christian's response brought forth a chuckle.
"It is better than flowers in my hair I suppose.â€
Well that was two rather interesting comments about this Pakpao. He also knew that she had been turned by Bao Hoang. Tristan hadn't met Hoang personally but Fadil had. His own creator could be a bit emotionally distant, so what the man said Hoang was a piece of granite Tristan had to wonder if Hoang was even human. Then there was always the curiosity regarding how a child wound up in a different clan. It wasn't exactly a common occurrence; not rare or unheard of just not common.
He very much wanted to ask that question but held his peace. Maybe later. And, given how badly Jarrod and Blaise had blundered from the outset Tristan also wondered if the two were even aware they were pulling another clan into an already volatile mix. So many unanswered questions would drive him nuts. Hopefully Christian would have some of those answers.
When Christian clarified his request Tristan shook his head at himself. Of course that was what the man had been waiting for. Bloody obvious now.
"Sorry, jet lag. It isn't a pretty site.â€
It would be a lot nicer if he could sleep on planes, but the best Tristan could manage was a doze when in coach, probably because he didn't fit as well as he might in a coach seat and it seemed like someone was always climbing over him or the service trolley was always hitting him in the elbow.
He checked two pockets and found two flash drives, one of which he didn't recognize and probably belonged to a student before he remembered the drive the Elder had given him was in his coat pocket zipped up tight. He really was better than this, he thought as he handed the drive, kola sticker and all, over to Christian.
"Apparently I need that coffee more than I realized.â€
There was no point at all in trying to look innocent about the frequencies so Tristan just gave a Cheshire Cat smile.
"You can't expect me to know something like that. I just landed, barley been briefed you know.â€
Of course Tristan had every reason to believe that had their rolls been reversed Evenhet would have had just as little reluctance to try and poke holes in Anantya's systems. He wouldn't blame them for doing so either, although he wasn't sure Anantya would be as reasonable about sharing information, unless of course they were afraid Evenhet would do damage to a program they might.
He asked Rowan, noting the piercings and leather along with the scrubs, very interesting combination. That was something Tristan had never experienced and didn't quite believe in. Lust at first site, abso-fucking-lutly; but he didn't know either Christian or Rowan well enough to say that especially not as Rowan had been introduced as a husband not a boyfriend.
Christian's response brought forth a chuckle.
"It is better than flowers in my hair I suppose.â€
Well that was two rather interesting comments about this Pakpao. He also knew that she had been turned by Bao Hoang. Tristan hadn't met Hoang personally but Fadil had. His own creator could be a bit emotionally distant, so what the man said Hoang was a piece of granite Tristan had to wonder if Hoang was even human. Then there was always the curiosity regarding how a child wound up in a different clan. It wasn't exactly a common occurrence; not rare or unheard of just not common.
He very much wanted to ask that question but held his peace. Maybe later. And, given how badly Jarrod and Blaise had blundered from the outset Tristan also wondered if the two were even aware they were pulling another clan into an already volatile mix. So many unanswered questions would drive him nuts. Hopefully Christian would have some of those answers.
When Christian clarified his request Tristan shook his head at himself. Of course that was what the man had been waiting for. Bloody obvious now.
"Sorry, jet lag. It isn't a pretty site.â€
It would be a lot nicer if he could sleep on planes, but the best Tristan could manage was a doze when in coach, probably because he didn't fit as well as he might in a coach seat and it seemed like someone was always climbing over him or the service trolley was always hitting him in the elbow.
He checked two pockets and found two flash drives, one of which he didn't recognize and probably belonged to a student before he remembered the drive the Elder had given him was in his coat pocket zipped up tight. He really was better than this, he thought as he handed the drive, kola sticker and all, over to Christian.
"Apparently I need that coffee more than I realized.â€
There was no point at all in trying to look innocent about the frequencies so Tristan just gave a Cheshire Cat smile.
"You can't expect me to know something like that. I just landed, barley been briefed you know.â€
Of course Tristan had every reason to believe that had their rolls been reversed Evenhet would have had just as little reluctance to try and poke holes in Anantya's systems. He wouldn't blame them for doing so either, although he wasn't sure Anantya would be as reasonable about sharing information, unless of course they were afraid Evenhet would do damage to a program they might.
Rowan Murphy
10 years ago
Rowan grinned at Tristan. "First sight, no. It was more like lust at fourth sight, then a drunken stupor, more lust, and a healthy dose of love, which was maybe, I dunno, around fifth or sixth sight by then." He pretended to be ticking events off on his fingers, then held his index finger up. "That last part, the love thing, yeah, it kept right on going."
He beamed. Rowan never tired of talking about Cris, especially the parts where Cris loved him and he loved Cris. Those were his favorites. And they were most of them, so really, it was all good.
He went along with them, quiet after that, letting them talk business. He smirked and answered Cris's sending though. [Once upon a time I'd have volunteered for that duty, but now I'm only interested in it if you're the one I'm going to be welcoming. Repeatedly. And I won't be stopping with one kiss.]
He found it amusing to gauge the level of importance of this business contact by whether or not Cris checked his bracelet. It obviously wasn't a failsafe method but it wasn't bad as far as measuring sticks went. The response from Cris would have made him laugh if his self-restraint were less.
[I don't want to miss out on private office time. Doctors need Security, too. We have verra dangerous jobs.]
He let his accent grow thicker even through the sending. He knew it always did when he was turned on, so he may as well let Cris have it. Idly, since he was dwelling on accents, he wondered if Tristan was affecting one or not. Rowan's own voice was a mystery to some people. He was perfectly capable of speaking with an American accent and frequently did while at work. He could also pick and choose any of the numerous accents that colored his speech otherwise, and could mimic pretty much any other accent he heard. It was his natural voice that threw people off, and he didn't always use it. He had been tonight, though, in all its German-Irish-French-English glory. Near as he and Henri had been able to figure out, that was what it was, anyway.
He stifled a guffaw when Cris politely mentioned frequencies and taps. How very neighborly! God, he loved his husband. Tristan seemed ok with it but Rowan recognized Cris's brand of dry, sardonic humor. He pushed himself away from the wall and took a few steps forward until he stood closer to his husband.
"Don't worry, it's not far to Barney's," he said to Tristan. "Best coffee in Nachton."
He gestured to his deep teal-colored scrubs. "And if it doesn't help, I can hook you up to an IV of it."
He beamed. Rowan never tired of talking about Cris, especially the parts where Cris loved him and he loved Cris. Those were his favorites. And they were most of them, so really, it was all good.
He went along with them, quiet after that, letting them talk business. He smirked and answered Cris's sending though. [Once upon a time I'd have volunteered for that duty, but now I'm only interested in it if you're the one I'm going to be welcoming. Repeatedly. And I won't be stopping with one kiss.]
He found it amusing to gauge the level of importance of this business contact by whether or not Cris checked his bracelet. It obviously wasn't a failsafe method but it wasn't bad as far as measuring sticks went. The response from Cris would have made him laugh if his self-restraint were less.
[I don't want to miss out on private office time. Doctors need Security, too. We have verra dangerous jobs.]
He let his accent grow thicker even through the sending. He knew it always did when he was turned on, so he may as well let Cris have it. Idly, since he was dwelling on accents, he wondered if Tristan was affecting one or not. Rowan's own voice was a mystery to some people. He was perfectly capable of speaking with an American accent and frequently did while at work. He could also pick and choose any of the numerous accents that colored his speech otherwise, and could mimic pretty much any other accent he heard. It was his natural voice that threw people off, and he didn't always use it. He had been tonight, though, in all its German-Irish-French-English glory. Near as he and Henri had been able to figure out, that was what it was, anyway.
He stifled a guffaw when Cris politely mentioned frequencies and taps. How very neighborly! God, he loved his husband. Tristan seemed ok with it but Rowan recognized Cris's brand of dry, sardonic humor. He pushed himself away from the wall and took a few steps forward until he stood closer to his husband.
"Don't worry, it's not far to Barney's," he said to Tristan. "Best coffee in Nachton."
He gestured to his deep teal-colored scrubs. "And if it doesn't help, I can hook you up to an IV of it."
Christian Bern
10 years ago
Rowan explained the beginning of their relationship. He was amused that his husband did not claim it was love at first sight but instead chose to sum up their encounters after that. [The other parts kept going also.] He reminded Rowan unnecessarily. That very thing had been the topic of Rowan's discussion with Becky just a moment ago.
Tristan handed over a flash drive. Cris saw the sticker and smiled faintly. Tristan must have caught Genesis's eye. He had a similar drive, older but impressive for its day, with a little robot sticker on it. It was from another situation in which Anantya and Evenhet had found themselves more or less on the same side.
He stuck the drive in his computer and started loading the files. [I will have to keep a close eye on you then, Doctor.] Cris suppressed the shiver that Rowan's heavily accented words had sent down his spine. [I wouldn't want you to come to any harm.]
Jet lag and a need for coffee was expressed. It was a good thing the files were nearly done. Cris stood and agreed with Rowan. "Yes, It is the best coffee around." He reached for the flash drive when his computer chimed that it was done. "Let's hope that you do not need an IV. That seems a terrible waste."
Coming around his desk, he handed the drive back to Tristan. "This way." Cris indicated the elevator that they had passed to get to his office. He leaned into Ume's door and told her about the coffee run and took her order. Once they were in the elevator, he settled next to Rowan, his hands clasped together in front of him.
"By the way, I invited PakPao to join us."
Tristan handed over a flash drive. Cris saw the sticker and smiled faintly. Tristan must have caught Genesis's eye. He had a similar drive, older but impressive for its day, with a little robot sticker on it. It was from another situation in which Anantya and Evenhet had found themselves more or less on the same side.
He stuck the drive in his computer and started loading the files. [I will have to keep a close eye on you then, Doctor.] Cris suppressed the shiver that Rowan's heavily accented words had sent down his spine. [I wouldn't want you to come to any harm.]
Jet lag and a need for coffee was expressed. It was a good thing the files were nearly done. Cris stood and agreed with Rowan. "Yes, It is the best coffee around." He reached for the flash drive when his computer chimed that it was done. "Let's hope that you do not need an IV. That seems a terrible waste."
Coming around his desk, he handed the drive back to Tristan. "This way." Cris indicated the elevator that they had passed to get to his office. He leaned into Ume's door and told her about the coffee run and took her order. Once they were in the elevator, he settled next to Rowan, his hands clasped together in front of him.
"By the way, I invited PakPao to join us."
Tristan
10 years ago
"Good that you took your time then, no sense rushing into these things."
He answered Rowan. It might be an Anantya type bias but Tristan just assumed both Rowan and Christian were vampires. He knew that Evenhet was more open minded about these things and that it was possible that one or both of the men were human but it wasn't his first thought. He'd just watch the conversation and not say anything that flagged him immediately as undead until he was relatively certain one way or another. If even one was a vampire he'd feel safe in assuming the other was at least aware of them, hell of a secret to keep if you were married.
God computers made something so much easier it wasn't even funny. He remembered a day and time when you couldn't even get paper and had to just remember things. Those hadn't always been his most shining moments. He took the drive and tucked it back in its secure pocket inside his coat.
"I hope I'm not that far gone. I have a sneaking suspicion and IV drip of coffee probably burns."
Well you could do iced coffee, but he wasn't a huge fan of iced coffee. Having noticed the scrubs Tristan decided if that tilted the scale human or vampire but quickly decided it didn't. He did, however, wonder how his patients felt about Rowan's rather unorthodox appearance. Given the man's personality, which even in this short meeting came off as warm and friendly, it probably wouldn't matter to them much past the first encounter.
He happily followed along when directed back to the elevator. Although he'd not been able to do much while traveling, Tristan wasn't so much of a workaholic that he'd feel guilty about stopping for some coffee.
He raised both eyebrows at Christian's casual mention of inviting Pakpao and had to admit that was a time saver. Certainly she'd told Evenhet everything she knew, but he'd been hopping to meet her and maybe ask a question or two of his own.
"I'm sure that will be nice. She must have a fairly vested interest in resolving this matter too."
He answered Rowan. It might be an Anantya type bias but Tristan just assumed both Rowan and Christian were vampires. He knew that Evenhet was more open minded about these things and that it was possible that one or both of the men were human but it wasn't his first thought. He'd just watch the conversation and not say anything that flagged him immediately as undead until he was relatively certain one way or another. If even one was a vampire he'd feel safe in assuming the other was at least aware of them, hell of a secret to keep if you were married.
God computers made something so much easier it wasn't even funny. He remembered a day and time when you couldn't even get paper and had to just remember things. Those hadn't always been his most shining moments. He took the drive and tucked it back in its secure pocket inside his coat.
"I hope I'm not that far gone. I have a sneaking suspicion and IV drip of coffee probably burns."
Well you could do iced coffee, but he wasn't a huge fan of iced coffee. Having noticed the scrubs Tristan decided if that tilted the scale human or vampire but quickly decided it didn't. He did, however, wonder how his patients felt about Rowan's rather unorthodox appearance. Given the man's personality, which even in this short meeting came off as warm and friendly, it probably wouldn't matter to them much past the first encounter.
He happily followed along when directed back to the elevator. Although he'd not been able to do much while traveling, Tristan wasn't so much of a workaholic that he'd feel guilty about stopping for some coffee.
He raised both eyebrows at Christian's casual mention of inviting Pakpao and had to admit that was a time saver. Certainly she'd told Evenhet everything she knew, but he'd been hopping to meet her and maybe ask a question or two of his own.
"I'm sure that will be nice. She must have a fairly vested interest in resolving this matter too."
Pakpao
10 years ago
Pak was a little tired of answering questions about her unfortunate incarceration and she was still rather cross with Bao, having ignored all the overtures he'd made. It was surprisingly easy to let him fall out of her life again, although she got very little satisfaction out of being the one doing the abandoning. She was slowly warming back up to Blaise, not that she trusted him yet but she was getting to see more of who he really was and less of who he'd pretended to be and somehow that helped her opinion of him. Even if he was little more than a half educated thug, at least he was honest about it.
Tired of going over the situation or not she did want to ensure that the ringleader was taken out and she wasn't going to have to worry about something similar, or worse, happening again in the future. So when Cris texted her, she quickly agreed to meet them down at Barney's. Pak still didn't feel that she knew the Security Chief terribly well, but since he'd been in on bailing her out she felt better about him, he made her less anxious she might even like him. Kem, of course, had been the white knight in the whole situation, but it was hard for Kem to go up in Pak's opinion. But even though Cris hadn't broken down any door or gotten in a fist fight, he'd come himself rather than sending a team, that counted for something to Pak.
She was just as pleased to get there a bit before Cris and this new Anantya and got herself a cup of hot chocolate, Aishe was apparently rubbing off on her. Drink in hand she found an open table with four chairs. It wasn't that she was expecting anyone else, but most restaurants and such didn't have tables for three. Seeing Cris in his trade mark dark suit she gave a small wave so he'd see her and looked for the Anantya. The first person she saw was Rowan, hardly surprising given his colored scrubs and red hair, good thing she'd gotten a table for four. So the other guy with them must be him. He and Rowan were both not small guys, it was some sort of warped bookend or sandwich with Rowan on one side, Anantya on the other and Cris in the middle.
Pak waited for them to either order and join her or join her and wait for a server. When they approached the table she stood and wished she'd worn taller heels tonight. She'd been feeling casual when she'd gone to work and wasn't even as tall a Cris in these shoes.
Tired of going over the situation or not she did want to ensure that the ringleader was taken out and she wasn't going to have to worry about something similar, or worse, happening again in the future. So when Cris texted her, she quickly agreed to meet them down at Barney's. Pak still didn't feel that she knew the Security Chief terribly well, but since he'd been in on bailing her out she felt better about him, he made her less anxious she might even like him. Kem, of course, had been the white knight in the whole situation, but it was hard for Kem to go up in Pak's opinion. But even though Cris hadn't broken down any door or gotten in a fist fight, he'd come himself rather than sending a team, that counted for something to Pak.
She was just as pleased to get there a bit before Cris and this new Anantya and got herself a cup of hot chocolate, Aishe was apparently rubbing off on her. Drink in hand she found an open table with four chairs. It wasn't that she was expecting anyone else, but most restaurants and such didn't have tables for three. Seeing Cris in his trade mark dark suit she gave a small wave so he'd see her and looked for the Anantya. The first person she saw was Rowan, hardly surprising given his colored scrubs and red hair, good thing she'd gotten a table for four. So the other guy with them must be him. He and Rowan were both not small guys, it was some sort of warped bookend or sandwich with Rowan on one side, Anantya on the other and Cris in the middle.
Pak waited for them to either order and join her or join her and wait for a server. When they approached the table she stood and wished she'd worn taller heels tonight. She'd been feeling casual when she'd gone to work and wasn't even as tall a Cris in these shoes.
Rowan Murphy
10 years ago
[You take such good care of me,] Rowan returned to Cris, still in that thick 'fuck me' accent with a soft, deceptively innocent smile on his face.
To Tristan he said, "You kidding? I jumped all over that shit as soon as I knew he was interested too. I wasn't about to let him go."
His heavy accent didn't drop when he spoke; he didn't attempt to clean it up at all. So he practically growled those words out in his odd combination of brogue and French and who knew what else.
He remained quiet again, letting them do their thing with the flash drives. Once they were in the elevator though, and Cris stood there with clasped hands, Rowan slipped his own hand in to tangle with Cris's smaller ones. He liked having contact when they could.
Once they got out of the elevator and headed over toward Barney's Rowan saw Pakpao there at a table with four seats. He looked at Cris, then past him to Tristan. "Want me to go order for us all? You guys can do the whole introduction thing."
He could clear out of the way for a few minutes and let them do whatever they had to; Rowan was not the person who needed to be here, he was just tagging along because he wanted to be where Cris was. Other than curiosity, he had no vested interest in this conversation and he was actually capable of subtly stepping aside when the occasion called for it.
To Tristan he said, "You kidding? I jumped all over that shit as soon as I knew he was interested too. I wasn't about to let him go."
His heavy accent didn't drop when he spoke; he didn't attempt to clean it up at all. So he practically growled those words out in his odd combination of brogue and French and who knew what else.
He remained quiet again, letting them do their thing with the flash drives. Once they were in the elevator though, and Cris stood there with clasped hands, Rowan slipped his own hand in to tangle with Cris's smaller ones. He liked having contact when they could.
Once they got out of the elevator and headed over toward Barney's Rowan saw Pakpao there at a table with four seats. He looked at Cris, then past him to Tristan. "Want me to go order for us all? You guys can do the whole introduction thing."
He could clear out of the way for a few minutes and let them do whatever they had to; Rowan was not the person who needed to be here, he was just tagging along because he wanted to be where Cris was. Other than curiosity, he had no vested interest in this conversation and he was actually capable of subtly stepping aside when the occasion called for it.
Christian Bern
10 years ago
Cris nodded to Tristan's reflection in the shiny elevator doors. "I suspect she does.†He then glanced over at the news relay that ran underneath MARI's smiling helpful face. It displayed the time, temperature and any Tower, local or national news that MARI or someone with authority deemed important or interesting enough to display. It was habit to check it. "I doubt she would be coming for our charming conversational skills alone.â€
He exited the elevator and headed toward the coffee shop, keeping hold of the hand that Rowan had given him on the ride up. From the entrance PakPao was surprisingly easy to spot. She was sitting at a table with enough room for all of them.
Rowan suggested that he could order for them. "Okay. I can get Ume's before we leave.†No sense in ordering it now and bringing back a cold coffee.
Pulling out a chair, he gestured to the small programmer. "PakPao, this is Tristan. Tristan of Anantya, this is PakPao. Of Evenhet. We claim her and everything.†He cast a half smile in Pak's direction and then sat down to wait for Rowan's return with the caffinated goodness.
He exited the elevator and headed toward the coffee shop, keeping hold of the hand that Rowan had given him on the ride up. From the entrance PakPao was surprisingly easy to spot. She was sitting at a table with enough room for all of them.
Rowan suggested that he could order for them. "Okay. I can get Ume's before we leave.†No sense in ordering it now and bringing back a cold coffee.
Pulling out a chair, he gestured to the small programmer. "PakPao, this is Tristan. Tristan of Anantya, this is PakPao. Of Evenhet. We claim her and everything.†He cast a half smile in Pak's direction and then sat down to wait for Rowan's return with the caffinated goodness.
Tristan
10 years ago
Rowan's accent was fascinating. If given half a chance Tristan would like to ask about it. He hadn't thought you could blend those accents let alone successfully.
Once again admiring the AI, but trying not to gush and look like a country cousin, he was sorry the elevator ride was so short. Maybe he'd have another excuse to come to the Towers and get to know the AI better, make more use of her. It would be interesting.
Not really caring what sort of coffee he was brought, as long as it didn't involve white chocolate or anything iced he followed Christian to a table with a small Asian woman. Tristan wouldn't claim to be an expert but she looked Thai to him. A Thai woman with the most striking blue eyes he'd ever seen, he looked closely to see if they were contacts and didn't think so which made him think it was a quirk of her turning.
Trying not to stare he held out a hand and smiled, but tried not to flirt.
"Nice to meet you Pakpao. I hear you had an interesting run in with some of our people."
He was loathed to claim Alfred as part of Anantya but every family had some black sheep. If she was here she probably understood that, at least to some extent.
Once again admiring the AI, but trying not to gush and look like a country cousin, he was sorry the elevator ride was so short. Maybe he'd have another excuse to come to the Towers and get to know the AI better, make more use of her. It would be interesting.
Not really caring what sort of coffee he was brought, as long as it didn't involve white chocolate or anything iced he followed Christian to a table with a small Asian woman. Tristan wouldn't claim to be an expert but she looked Thai to him. A Thai woman with the most striking blue eyes he'd ever seen, he looked closely to see if they were contacts and didn't think so which made him think it was a quirk of her turning.
Trying not to stare he held out a hand and smiled, but tried not to flirt.
"Nice to meet you Pakpao. I hear you had an interesting run in with some of our people."
He was loathed to claim Alfred as part of Anantya but every family had some black sheep. If she was here she probably understood that, at least to some extent.
Pakpao
10 years ago
Other than Kem most of the men Pak was habitually around weren't exceptionally tall, they tended to be right around Cris' height give or take. Pak found herself standing straighter so she didn't look so very short, or at least not like a push over. Not that she was suspicious of this guy or anything, it just seemed like the thing to do.
She grinned back at Cris when he said they claimed her.
"Its only because I have all the access codes, for everything..."
One of the advantages of being head of IT, good security clearance. And she hadn't used that for evil just yet. Mostly because she knew that others had higher clearances and she was fairly certain that she was replaceable it was a risk Pak didn't much care to take.
Tristan's accent took her by surprise. She was fairly used to a number of European accents floating about Nachton, Australian was a bit unusual. As were the tattoos she could just under the cuff's of his shirt. He was not at all what she expected, and that was sort of a good thing.
"I got stabbed. Twice. I'm not an expert but I think that qualifies as more than a run in."
She was still a little bitter about the experience but the reply wasn't as sharp or as snarky as it could have been. Pak did temper it with some humor.
"Is there a ruling on that?"
She asked Cris with a slightly cocked head.
"I would have thought Anantya would have had everything they needed to catch this bastard by now."
How hard could it be to catch one crazy bastard after all. And it seemed to Pak that she'd told half of Anantya everything she knew, which was next to nothing, about the whole scheme. Neither Jarrod or Blaise had told her anything about the grand plan after all. Just that they wanted to take out Bao, and as cross as she was with Bao Pak didn't wish him dead. So she did hope they put a stop to this.
She grinned back at Cris when he said they claimed her.
"Its only because I have all the access codes, for everything..."
One of the advantages of being head of IT, good security clearance. And she hadn't used that for evil just yet. Mostly because she knew that others had higher clearances and she was fairly certain that she was replaceable it was a risk Pak didn't much care to take.
Tristan's accent took her by surprise. She was fairly used to a number of European accents floating about Nachton, Australian was a bit unusual. As were the tattoos she could just under the cuff's of his shirt. He was not at all what she expected, and that was sort of a good thing.
"I got stabbed. Twice. I'm not an expert but I think that qualifies as more than a run in."
She was still a little bitter about the experience but the reply wasn't as sharp or as snarky as it could have been. Pak did temper it with some humor.
"Is there a ruling on that?"
She asked Cris with a slightly cocked head.
"I would have thought Anantya would have had everything they needed to catch this bastard by now."
How hard could it be to catch one crazy bastard after all. And it seemed to Pak that she'd told half of Anantya everything she knew, which was next to nothing, about the whole scheme. Neither Jarrod or Blaise had told her anything about the grand plan after all. Just that they wanted to take out Bao, and as cross as she was with Bao Pak didn't wish him dead. So she did hope they put a stop to this.
Rowan Murphy
10 years ago
Rowan had no problems being the waiter. Pak already had a drink, so after offering her a smile and a wave hello he got drink orders from Tristan and Cris and headed into Barney's. He was a common sight there, and particularly after certain (cough, cough) incidents which may or may not have involved the Force, he was very recognizable. He had a brief conversation with the barista working since the store actually wasn't too crowded for once, giving everyone outside enough time to make nice.
When he returned he offered Tristan and Cris their drinks, and then pulled the remaining empty chair at the table closer to Cris. Some people might call it the honeymoon phase (Rowan didn't think it was a phase), but he always sat as close as he could. He turned slightly in his chair and lifted his legs up, resting them across Cris's lap. Then he leaned his head back on his chair, closed his eyes, sighed happily, and sipped at his mocha. Yep. Life was tough. He should probably check and see if Becky wanted anything from Barney's, because he was already in trouble.
He should probably ask Cris to check with Becky and see if she wanted anything from Barney's, because he had absolutely no way to contact her from up here.
Life was still good.
When he returned he offered Tristan and Cris their drinks, and then pulled the remaining empty chair at the table closer to Cris. Some people might call it the honeymoon phase (Rowan didn't think it was a phase), but he always sat as close as he could. He turned slightly in his chair and lifted his legs up, resting them across Cris's lap. Then he leaned his head back on his chair, closed his eyes, sighed happily, and sipped at his mocha. Yep. Life was tough. He should probably check and see if Becky wanted anything from Barney's, because he was already in trouble.
He should probably ask Cris to check with Becky and see if she wanted anything from Barney's, because he had absolutely no way to contact her from up here.
Life was still good.
Christian Bern
10 years ago
He nodded when Pak said that they had to claim her because she had the access codes. "True enough.†She had proven herself trustworthy and Kem and Alfarinn seemed willing to allow her access to MARI and he couldn't see a reason why she shouldn't have the needed clearance to do her job efficiently.
"I am pretty sure that the rule is one stabbing is a run in and any further bodily harm qualifies as more than a run in. Perhaps there is a name for a two stab event. Meet up seems a little understated. A disagreement? A small scuffle?†Cris said thoughtfully, mulling over the imaginary rule book for such things.
Pak had a little bit to say about Anantya's inability to catch their wayward clan member. He sent some reassurance her way. [We can pick up the slack if they can't get it done. I know this programmer who is a genius with computers and we are the ones with the bait.] Cris looked over at Tristan and didn't envy him the position of being at the table with two senders. Oh the many things that could go unsaid.
Out loud, he smiled faintly in the Anantya's direction. "I am sure they believed the matter mostly concluded with the dissolution of the man's labs. Jin informed me that they were calling in all the Anantya involved but this Alfred had other ideas. He would have been punished but not hunted by his own people and considered an outcast if he had come in willingly.†Cris shrugged slightly. "Formalities tend to slow things down. I believe he has now thoroughly burned all his bridges. Wouldn't you agree, Tristan?†He had never been a member of Anantya but he understood rules and clan ties better than most.
Rowan came back with their drinks and then settled down next to him. He made sure his partner's legs were secure in his lap, giving one calf a gentle squeeze before picking up his drink. "Thank you.†Cris sipped at his Christmas Cookie Latte and smiled. It wasn't a day for extra espresso. He didn't need something to wake him up and keep him going. Lately things had been fairly quiet...on a grand scale any way.
"I am pretty sure that the rule is one stabbing is a run in and any further bodily harm qualifies as more than a run in. Perhaps there is a name for a two stab event. Meet up seems a little understated. A disagreement? A small scuffle?†Cris said thoughtfully, mulling over the imaginary rule book for such things.
Pak had a little bit to say about Anantya's inability to catch their wayward clan member. He sent some reassurance her way. [We can pick up the slack if they can't get it done. I know this programmer who is a genius with computers and we are the ones with the bait.] Cris looked over at Tristan and didn't envy him the position of being at the table with two senders. Oh the many things that could go unsaid.
Out loud, he smiled faintly in the Anantya's direction. "I am sure they believed the matter mostly concluded with the dissolution of the man's labs. Jin informed me that they were calling in all the Anantya involved but this Alfred had other ideas. He would have been punished but not hunted by his own people and considered an outcast if he had come in willingly.†Cris shrugged slightly. "Formalities tend to slow things down. I believe he has now thoroughly burned all his bridges. Wouldn't you agree, Tristan?†He had never been a member of Anantya but he understood rules and clan ties better than most.
Rowan came back with their drinks and then settled down next to him. He made sure his partner's legs were secure in his lap, giving one calf a gentle squeeze before picking up his drink. "Thank you.†Cris sipped at his Christmas Cookie Latte and smiled. It wasn't a day for extra espresso. He didn't need something to wake him up and keep him going. Lately things had been fairly quiet...on a grand scale any way.
Tristan
10 years ago
Rowan rejoined them and Tristan thanked him for the coffee. Rowan and Christian seemed terribly at easy with each other he noted before giving his attention to the caffeine. The drink gave him something to do with his hands while Pakpao grumbled at him. He inclined his head acknowledging that 'run in' wasn't exactly the best phrase he could have used.
"Fair enough... maybe falling-out or quarrel? But you're right it wasn't a friendly cup of... er... coffee."
He grinned in spite of himself amused by this little aside and his unintentional comparison to their little sit down now.
She was a little harsher than he'd thought, but nothing over the top, at least not so far.
Her use of profanity did more or less confirm his suspicion that she was Thai. That was an interesting tick. Probably a good thing that the first words people tended to learn in any new language seemed to be the four letter kind.
He nodded at Cris, who was fairly well informed. He and the Elder must have a solid working relationships That was good though, Nachton might be a big city but it wasn't so big that the two clans could afford to openly butt heads too often.
"He flew under the radar for quite a long time as well and has a bit of practice at it as well, in the long run though we have the edge he can't stay ahead of us for much longer."
That Tristan was certain of, he'd give it a matter of days, maybe weeks but not much more than that. Alfred was a dead man walking.
"But Christian is right. The only question now is if he gets pulled in to be formally dealt with or if something happens in the heat of the moment."
Tristan delicately danced around the terms 'executed' and 'killed'. He had no idea if Evenhet dealt with their own people behaving badly that severely and more than that they were terms that were slightly awkward to bandy about in public. People tended to over hear them and wonder.
"Fair enough... maybe falling-out or quarrel? But you're right it wasn't a friendly cup of... er... coffee."
He grinned in spite of himself amused by this little aside and his unintentional comparison to their little sit down now.
She was a little harsher than he'd thought, but nothing over the top, at least not so far.
Her use of profanity did more or less confirm his suspicion that she was Thai. That was an interesting tick. Probably a good thing that the first words people tended to learn in any new language seemed to be the four letter kind.
He nodded at Cris, who was fairly well informed. He and the Elder must have a solid working relationships That was good though, Nachton might be a big city but it wasn't so big that the two clans could afford to openly butt heads too often.
"He flew under the radar for quite a long time as well and has a bit of practice at it as well, in the long run though we have the edge he can't stay ahead of us for much longer."
That Tristan was certain of, he'd give it a matter of days, maybe weeks but not much more than that. Alfred was a dead man walking.
"But Christian is right. The only question now is if he gets pulled in to be formally dealt with or if something happens in the heat of the moment."
Tristan delicately danced around the terms 'executed' and 'killed'. He had no idea if Evenhet dealt with their own people behaving badly that severely and more than that they were terms that were slightly awkward to bandy about in public. People tended to over hear them and wonder.
Pakpao
10 years ago
"Let's go with scuffle."
Pak quite deliberately left the word 'small' off. While it wasn't major for a vampire and Kem had her fixed up quite neatly fairly quickly and Rowan had finished the job Pak still felt that two stab wounds and a concussion wasn't 'small'.
Hearing Cris in her head Pak hid a wry smile behind her cup of chocolate. Sending was a wonderful strategic advantage, Bao had told her that at least a dozen times and his point had been proven when Jarrod and Blaise had been stupid enough to let her regain consciousness and send for help. She didn't see the need to advertise to Tristan that there as another conversation, possibly two going on knowing Cris and Rowan, that he wasn't part of. But she answered Cris almost amused.
[Are you implying I'm slacking? I thought we were being nice and letting them put their house in order?]
It was entirely possible she'd misunderstood the grand plan. Her job thus far had been to make sure the familiar was monitored nine ways to Sunday, and she was. Most of it was GPS tracking but Pak had one that she was quite proud of, it even relied vitals. It was programed into the woman's phone and buried so far in the system it was nearly impossible to find and it -was- impossible to remove without destroying the operating system. It wasn't perfect though, because it was in the phone it only gave vitals when Cecile had the phone in her had and occasionally if she put it in her pocket or on her arm while working out. In a few generations they'd over come that.
[You still think he'll come for the two we've got?]
It seemed like most of Anantya had some interest in those two so Pak was fairly certain Cris was right about having the bait. She just wasn't sure how she felt about it.
Tristan though was getting credit for being polite and professional about things though. He wasn't even making excuses, not that anyone had yet. Still it was a quality that always impressed Pak.
"Charming. Well I guess better late than never. Did they import you just for the occasion?"
He could be some sort of executioner for the older clan. It seemed like something they'd do. He probably had a black hood and an ax in his bags.
Pak quite deliberately left the word 'small' off. While it wasn't major for a vampire and Kem had her fixed up quite neatly fairly quickly and Rowan had finished the job Pak still felt that two stab wounds and a concussion wasn't 'small'.
Hearing Cris in her head Pak hid a wry smile behind her cup of chocolate. Sending was a wonderful strategic advantage, Bao had told her that at least a dozen times and his point had been proven when Jarrod and Blaise had been stupid enough to let her regain consciousness and send for help. She didn't see the need to advertise to Tristan that there as another conversation, possibly two going on knowing Cris and Rowan, that he wasn't part of. But she answered Cris almost amused.
[Are you implying I'm slacking? I thought we were being nice and letting them put their house in order?]
It was entirely possible she'd misunderstood the grand plan. Her job thus far had been to make sure the familiar was monitored nine ways to Sunday, and she was. Most of it was GPS tracking but Pak had one that she was quite proud of, it even relied vitals. It was programed into the woman's phone and buried so far in the system it was nearly impossible to find and it -was- impossible to remove without destroying the operating system. It wasn't perfect though, because it was in the phone it only gave vitals when Cecile had the phone in her had and occasionally if she put it in her pocket or on her arm while working out. In a few generations they'd over come that.
[You still think he'll come for the two we've got?]
It seemed like most of Anantya had some interest in those two so Pak was fairly certain Cris was right about having the bait. She just wasn't sure how she felt about it.
Tristan though was getting credit for being polite and professional about things though. He wasn't even making excuses, not that anyone had yet. Still it was a quality that always impressed Pak.
"Charming. Well I guess better late than never. Did they import you just for the occasion?"
He could be some sort of executioner for the older clan. It seemed like something they'd do. He probably had a black hood and an ax in his bags.