Roleplay City
Infusco => DOMICILES => INFUSCO: Enter The Shadows => ShadowHaven Estate => Topic started by: Seragil on July 04, 2014, 07:12:54 PM
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(Reserved for Idrial)
With her hands placed delicately on the balustrade Shea leaned over the balcony slightly so that she might look down the drive way for her visitor. She hadn’t told Saraekiel Sam was coming for dinner, let alone that she was also staying for a few days. The surprise would do him good. He had been far too broody as of late and it was high time he pulled his head out. Shae smiled softly at the thought of her angelic friend then laughed softly as a gentle wind caused a few strands of her midnight locks to waft gently across her face. His reaction to her little surprise should be interesting at least. Sam should be able to handle whatever attitude Saraekiel decides to through their way, she had certainly showed spunk the night at the bistro, what was it…a month ago now, two? After two centuries it was hard to keep track of the passage of time. She trailed a finger along the cool marble balustrade as she took a few step along the balcony, her sleek, black, silk Jovani evening gown shimmered in the deepining light, the diamonds embossed along the outer edge of the lace nude panels that curled down her sides sparkled with cold fire as they caught the last of the light. She smiled again as she ran her hands down the gown. She might be over dressed but figured what was the point of owning such lovely things if she never wore them. She leaned against the cool marble column beside her and watched the driveway in silent patience and waited for her guest to appear as the gently breeze continued playing with her hair.
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Many troubling things had happened a little more than a month ago, it had been hard for everyone that had been involved in Sam's life. An evil man she never wanted to see again had escaped the very fortress Jake had taken care to build with perfection in mind; but it wasn't enough. She still didn't know the whole story of how Mitchelletto escaped, truth was Sam didn't want to know. It was bad enough he came back.
The drove east of the city in her small pick up truck to the Mansion as Shae called it seemed long and a little nerve wracking, it been a while since she stayed a place more than just one night. Now with her only working three days a week, one of them being more or less an tutoring class. It was weird after working at the now faded Risk she had her weekends off, she was still getting use to the change. Just like the change of spilling her guts to Jake about her sister, she still didn't know how he felt about her whole admission to him. However she decided not to bring up the subject about her sister being an angel with Kiel nor Shae, just about what evil roamed the streets. She would take baby steps with the delicate relationship the three seemed to share.
It was a very nice part of the city, it was still classified as a ritzy place but it somehow gave off a more nature vibe, somewhere calm and private. As she made her way to the address given by Shae whom was the one that talked to Sam initially, having no clue she Kiel did not know she was coming; the two lived together. She had bought a shit ton of groceries for the few days she would be there, she liked cooking even though she could not eat, but after seeing the front gates she wondered if the had any maids. The large gate had been opened by Shae yet she still couldn`t see the Mansion through the thick brick walls, she drove through not yet leaving as she locked the gates behind her as Shae had instructed.
She was amazed at the estate that they both had owned, it was secluded from the world and that reminded her of back home. The woods was a nice touch and it soon came to a clearing where Shae stood on top of the balcony. She did not honk her horn but rather waved at Shae from the truck, nice dress she was wearing and still somewhat shocked at the lovely home that the two shared. She hoped to have a something like this one day, similar but not quite the same. Parking her pick up truck in the cul de sac that surrounded a fish pond at the front entrance, the quartz dragon was a nice touch.
Sam seemed a little under dressed compared to Shae, she wore a bright red boxy blouse with a pair of black leggings, a pair of softened red open toed shoes laced her feet. They only thing she had remotely pretty was the hair clip, she chose to wear her down tonight. A Rosie Midnight Purple Feather hair clip that held the right side of her hair back just a little, giving her hair a feathered look near the hairline. She hopped out of the truck and started to grab the groceries as she waited for Shae and eventually Kiel; wherever he was to make their way down to the front entrance.
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Shae smiled and waved back in welcome towards Sam only to raise a thin feathered eyebrow as the young vampire jumped out of her truck and started unloading what appeared to be bags of groceries.
“I’ll be right down” She calls down to Sam as she leans over the balcony slightly. “And don’t worry, the Pigeon isn’t here at the moment” She finished with a wicked smile before turning away and goes to exit the balcony doors only to stop and smile again. “What am I thinking?” she exclaims softly before turning back towards the balcony and jumps off, only to turn into a raven and with a few flaps of her ebony wings and a smooth glide she lands on the front steps and returns to her human form.
“ Welcome to our humble home Sam” She says as she walks down the few but broad curving steps towards the Vampire.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
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Sam thought it was a little odd that Kiel was not present, at the moment.The two seemed inseparable, maybe they had a fight? That part remained unclear, she hoped Kiel was just out on a nightly stroll. She hoped to see him at some point in the night.
Sam had all the bags looped through her arms when she turned around. Catching a brief glimpse of Shae in flight, she was such a graceful being. Landing softly like a feather in free fall Sam couldn't help but smile at the shape shifter. Sam used her foot to shut the ajar truck door with a solid thunk. All those bags strung on her arms looked heavy but indeed they were not for the fledgeling.
"I thank you for having me," she said in a humble tone. This was the first time she had been invited to their home and she wanted to make a good impression.
"I thought I would make you guys a nice dinner over the next few days, as thanks for inviting me. It's the least I could do for you guys." Walking up to Shae unhindered, bags rustling in her arms. She would grab her over night bag later from the small truck.
"Now, where is this probably massive kitchen?" Implying Sam's awe with this beautiful mansion that Shae and Kiel shared together.
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“Oh it is entirely my pleasure, I’m just glad you could come” She replied as she watched Sam carry all the grocery bags as if they were nothing, deciding her help wasn’t needed she so smiled brightly at the vampire before her.
“ A home cooked meal, now that is a treat. Kiel tends to bring back whatever he last passes on his way home, or we go out. The kitchen is this way.” So saying she turns around and walks back up the steps, the diamonds on her evening gown flashing brightly as she waves her hand and telekinetically opens the double-arched, glass and dark wooden panelled entry doors before her.
Evening light falls across the white marbled floor enhancing the light grey veins that weave through the marble giving one the impression of smoke tendrils floating along the floor. Warm red oak panelling covers the walls breaking up and complimenting the marble flooring. The arched windows and crystal wall sconces enhance the illumination created by the crystal domed ceiling of this grand foyer.
With a wicked smile blooming across her lips Shae turn around to Sam “Welcome to my parlour” she says with amusement.
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"Well I hope he doesn't waste his money tonight," feeling good about the choice she had made to show her gratitude. Besides it wasn't everyday that she was invited to a mansion.
As Shae turned the doors opened with a flick of her hand. That puzzled Sam, she thought Shae was a shape shifter? They were not known for their telepathic abilities, much less telekinesis. Perhaps over the next few days she would learn more.
Climbing the stairs and making it through the large and magnificent looking archway doors, which were combined with glass and dark wood. She emerged into the largest grand foyer she had seen yet. Her footsteps slowed almost to a crawl, taking in the master craftsmanship of the room. Eyes bright with curiosity she could only imagine the rest of this place. Even the marble on the floor, she almost felt bad stepping on it. It looked so gorgeous.
"Shae, this place... I can not find the words. It's not what I imagined, do you and Kiel live here all by yourselves?" Her head slowly twisting and turning around the room as Sam tried to take it all in.
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At hearing Sam’s compliment Shae couldn’t but help look around to admire her home too. It was a Haven, a Sanctuary albeit a dark one.
“Thank you Sam, in fact it was my parents’ home and was left to me at their deaths.” She stopped as the memory of their murder overwhelmed her for a moment, overcome she closed her eyes as old grief swamped her, filling her with old rage and despair. Taking a deep breath she calmed herself and turning smiled at her guest.
“Naturally there have been changes, like the glass and the crystal domed roof above us which has been enchanted so as to allow invited guests such as yourself to walk around without harm during daylight hours.” Turning again she offers her back to Sam showing off the open back of her gown, the black silk a fine contrast against her creamy alabaster skin.
“Allow me to continue the tour as we make our way to the kitchen” Her hips sashaying with every step, she indicates a room viable through the open door on the left. “ to the left is Kiels receiving room and directly opposite on the right is the library” She says as she indicates the room with a sweeping gesture of her hand as she makes her way to the back of the foyer and the large glass wall finishing off the room offering the grand view of the large inside pool landscaped to appear like a garden oasis . “Now I’m not sure you noticed but the place is built in a horse shoe shape with the foyer being the central part, so the left corridor” She says as she once again turns to smile and address Sam” Will take you to the grand dining room and kitchens, whilst on the ground floor on the right side contains two guests suites, a gaming room, theater room, lounge and gym. The pool inside pool can be accessed by either the left hand or right hand wings as can be the formal garden and lake access. “She says warmly. “ the grand stairs goes up the upper level where there are more guest rooms, Kiels and my rooms, my personal library and studies. Feel free to pick which ever guest suite suits you. Now, why don’t you lead on to the kitchen so we can drop off those groceries and then we can get you settled in. As for you question.” She says with another smile and wink “Generally yes, we tend to live alone.”
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Sam studied Shae's posture carefully, learning Shae has inherited the mansion through the death of her loved ones. Sam could feel the tinges of rage in the air, the heavy waves of sadness lightly rolled over Sam. Over the last three and a half years Sam had become sensitive to emotions because of her discipline Presence. She could feel basic emotions, happiness, fear, anger, sadness and excreta without any problems. Although more complex emotions such as confusion or embarrassment were a little harder to pinpoint, however that would come with experience and age.
Sam kept quiet about her own parents and sister being murdered, a drunk driver. She understood Shae's feelings but she didn't want this to start off dark and dreary. The moment Shae was having seemed to have pass as the she smiled at Sam, continuing her description of the mansion. Sam followed in awe, some of the buildings in the city had something similar to the glass Shae had installed here. However the glass Shae had was much more beautiful, complimenting the mansion itself.
Shae pointed to rooms with a wave of her hand, left to right with a brief description. They had a wicked pool and she didn't even to think to bring a bathing suit. Telling Sam interesting facts of the way the building had been built in horse shoe shape and how the foyer was the center of the place. She could not wait to see the upstairs, she felt very privileged to be staying here for a few days. She nodded to Shae and took off towards the kitchen, eager to see what it looked like too.
Walking in through the door she had to stop and stare, she could not wait to start cooking in this kitchen. Placing the groceries gently on the counter, then gladly returned to Shae's side. "Lead the way I'm dying to see the rest." A curious smile danced on her lips.
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Shae watched as Sam placed her groceries on the counter and seemed to take a moment to admire the kitchen. She looked around and studied it with little interest since cooking held no interest to her, after all why milk the cow when you can hire someone to do it for you. Still she couldn’t help but admire the gleaming metal and cool marble countertops. If you are going to have something; have the best. As kitchens went it was a beautiful state of the art, modern kitchen.
“Well I suppose the question is where would you like to stay. In one of the lower floor guest suites or one of the guest suites near Kiel and I” She asked Sam with a curious lift of a feathery eyebrow and a friendly smile.
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Placing a hand above her lips, her thumb straddling the side of her cheek. Did she want comfort or adventure? She took a moment to answer Shae's question.
"Well... I think I'll go with a little adventure." Removing her hand to reveal a satisfied smile, her arm gently returning to her side.
"I'll stay in the lower guest room. Even if I get lost it'll be fun." She gave Shae a little chuckle.
The house from what Sam had seen so far was full of tasteful culture; antiques and art that a museum would be jealous of not having in their own collections. Sam was eager to follow Shae into more sections of the mansion.
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Shae smiled patiently as Sam seemed to take her time deciding which rooms would suit her
“A first floor suit then. Hmmm” she said as she tapped a finger against her cheek. “In that case follow me” with that she turned quickly and lead the way across the hall and into the dining room. The dining room was quit large with a darker feel due to the dark heavy dark wooden table and chair which were polished to a high sheen. The rest of the room consisted of a buffet serving bench and a large ancient looking china cabinet. The room was also filled with a plethora of candelabra and candles including a small chandelier above the table itself. The far wall of the room was made of glass and gave the impression of the outside coming in due to the fact that it led into the indoor swimming area and the tropical oasis like garden.
Shae turned and smiled at Sam as she slid the glass door open and offered for Sam to go first with a gesture of her hand
“The room I am thinking of is at the back of the house but has its own entrance into the pool and garden area so it would be quicker to go this way rather then back to the foyer and around”
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Shae moved with the grace of a high noble through her mansion. Full of pride as it was evident in the way Shae carried her shoulders. Her parents must of been educated and had an eye for culture. A shame she too lost her parents; both knowing the familiar feeling of emptiness.
Sam really liked the dark wood that lined the dining room but two more in the mansion caught her eye. An antique china cabinet and a buffet serving bench. Was there big dinner parties hosted here in the past? One could only imagine from the layout of the place.
The craftsmanship of the glass architecture was amazing. Scanning over the pool, still a minor bummer Sam didn't think of a swim suit. Her eyes sparkled with delight at the oasis. Various shrubs, flowers and trees. Some Sam recognized and some she had never seen.
"Thank you. I'll keep this short cut in mind," her voice could not hide her wonder. She stepped through the glass door, the oasis reminded her of home. It may not have been exactly like back home; rolling fields of endless green or the thick brush trials. But it brought a joy to her heart.
"You have a remarkable collection," complimenting Shae in an awed tone.
Sam definitely could get use to hanging out in this room. Maybe later when Shae and Keil slept, she could come back and sketch the plants she did not recognize. Something to keep herself amsued while they retired for the night. Sam did not expect both Shae and Kiel to stay up with her. After all she had an entire different sleeping schedule.
The bedroom it seemed was not far off from the oasis, moving to the side for Shae. Paying good attention to certian items in the house as makeshift landmarks. Her bag was still in the truck as she only grabbed the groceries. Hopefully everything would stick in her head.
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Shae looked around the room and oasis with a critical eyes at Sam's words, looking at it with almost new eyes and couldn't help to feel pride. This was her home, her sanctuary and she loved it.
"Thank you Sam, it has been awhile since i have had the pleasure of showing it off. We don't entertain much as I'm sure you can guess" she said as she looked at Sam and smiled. But then she frowned ever so slightly as she looked Sam over and couldn't help but think where this waif of a vampire fit in. She liked the girl/woman in front of her. She had spunk and sass and was quite bright. She hoped Saraekiel didn't plan to just use her then throw her away like he did to so very many.
"Now that your here maybe that too will change. I certainly hope so anyway" she said with another smile before she looked up to the crystal ceiling above them
"We have turned the oasis into a kind of green house so there are fruit trees and exotic flower throughout. Feel free to explore and swim whenever you want. The ceiling is charmed like the foyer"
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Sam did not see the frown on Shae's face, her eye's wandered over the different species of plants. Sam nodded at Shae's words as she thanked Sam. The small stall of silence between them went unnoticed. A sorely missed feeling in her heart rose looking at the oasis. Sam missed the country life and it was evident on her face for a moment. Then it slipped from her thoughts as Shae spoke up.
She did a little spin towards Shae, "I'll come as often as you would like me too," she replied in kind. Looking upwards after towards the ceiling with Shae afterwards.
"I didn't think to bring a swim suit. But, I will definitely take you up on the exploring part." Sam beamed with delight at Shae. Sam felt honored to be in a such a place and would treat it with the utmost respect.
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“Swimsuits…?” Shae asked with amusement rich in her tone.” Sugar I am way too old to bother with such body shame.” She said with a smile as she flicked her gaze over Sams body “ and you are far too immortal to keep such prehistoric attitudes. Swim whenever you want love and do it as free as you were born.’ She finished with a soft laugh.
“ Now let us go to your room, then you can get your stuff and we can meet back at the kitchen where we can sit and…relax…” Shae said with a small smile simply because it had been a long time since she had sat in the kitchen like a normal person and just chatted whilst someone cooked for her.
With a small sweep of her gown she walked past Sam and headed to the other side of the oasis, following a winding trail. The path was filled with exotic flowers, orchids and trees, small seats lined the path and could be seen scattered throughout the greenhouse, poolroom, oasis. She finally led Sam to a small garden patio with the garden, although there was no fence the area was clearly marked with carefully placed stones, plants and chaises and a table, stepping past these she slid a mirrored door aside offering Sam a look into her suit.
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Too old? Shae's appearance seemed to be close to Sam's age as a mortal. Maria looked older than Shae and she was a thin blooded vampire. There was more to Shae and Kiel that meets the eye. Raising an eyebrow at Shae in response, swim in the nude? Sam smiled and shook her head a little in reply. Not like Sam could tan naked anymore, she would be a pile of ash.
Sam was a few steps behind Shae as she took in the view leading up to the guest room. So much beauty and yet no one to admire it. Other than Shae and Kiel it seemed a little lonely here, she hoped her visit would rejuvenate Shae in some way. The way Shae's oasis had tickled her heart pink with memories of the country side.
When Shae opened the glass doors Sam poked her head inside and gasped. It was such a pretty guest room, walking to the center of the room. Her eyes gleaming with delight at the new surroundings.
"I'll grab my stuff I should be able to find my way back. Again thank you for having me." Sam was excited and took off like a bat out of hell. Making her way back to her truck she grabbed duffel bag. She found the guest room with ease and put her bag on the bed before returning to the kitchen.
"Now Shae what foods do you not like?" She asked with a smile. Sam could make a lot of things thanks to her Baba when she was alive. Being a vampire however it was a nice treat to cook again.
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Shae watched Sam take in the room and was pleased to see her open admiration and pleasure in it. As Sam left to get her things Shae exited the way she came in; making her way back through the oasis and formal dining room. The house was so empty really, maybe she should raise the question with Kiel again about hiring some live in servants, people of their world. Ordinary humans just wouldn’t do, but Kiel was so damn secretive he hated the idea of strangers in his personal space. Still as much as she loved Kiel it was her house maybe it was time she put her foot down.
Back at the kitchen she opened a bottle of chardonnay, pouring herself a glass and wondered if Sam could drink one when the apparently young vampire walked back in.
“ Umm there isn’t much I don’t like to be honest” she replied with a small playful smile. “Cook what you love.” She said as she raised her glass slightly “can you drink? Would you like a glass?”
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"Ukrainian it is!" Sam exclaimed a little loudly as she started to pull food out of the grocery bags. Cabbage rolls, perogies and a dessert called kutia she would make for Shae and Kiel. Recipes she knew fairly well and she had the ingredients to make it all here. She may have gone over board with the groceries just a little.
"Also yes and no to your question," she smiled tenderly. "I can drink but only if your blood absorbs the alcohol first. If I drink it out of a glass I'll throw it up. My body rejects it as poison." She missed a good glass of chardonnay.
She opened the first drawer in front of her while she stood at the island in the kitchen. She giggled a little and held up a knife, "First try. And don't tell me where anything is either. Part of the fun is looking for it." She gave Shae a mischievous grin.
"May I ask?" As she started to peel and chop potatoes for the perogies. "Your library. Is that a collection of just your books or Kiels too?" Her library was massive and she loved books even more now as a vampire. Access to knowledge that would never touch a mortals finger tips.
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Shae took a small sip from her glass as she watched Sam start to pull items out of her grocery bags, her description of what she was preparing sounded delicious and Ukrainian was not something she was use to, but at her response to her question she put her glass gently on the counter and leaned forward slightly.
“So your saying you are affected by what is in someone’s blood? What of drugs or disease, illness.?” She asked with fascination. This information could be crucial. If vampires could be affected by what was in the blood they ingested, not that she planned on drugging her guest, but Sam wasn’t the whole vampire species and knowledge was power, always.
“The library?” She asked in response to Sams question. “ Yes, no and yes” she answered with a broad smile.” We have several. The one one the lower floor is a general one, although I say general it holds many of Kiels and my rare first editions. We also have our private libraries”
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Shae's broad smile matched her delicate motions to place her wine glass on the counter. So they did have their own private sanctuaries. Away from prying eyes, this did not surprise Sam and it was also a valuable information. It was a good indication those books had supernatural sources and not written by mortal hands.
Sam could hear the fascination in Shae's and her questions amused her greatly. As she finished cutting the potatoes it was now time to boil them. She needed a pot and stepped away from the island. Opening drawers and cupboards while answering Shae's question.
"Disease and illness we can not be affected by them. Nor can we carry them or pass them along. We are somewhat dead after all. But drugs is a more tricky matter." Finally finding a suitable pot down near the stove.
"Alcohol and certain psychoactive drugs we can feel the effects but only after it has entered your bloodstream." Filling the pot with water and placing it on the stove.
"However, if you wanted to try and drug a vampire into submission it would be extremely unwise." Placing the potatoes in the pot with a solid plop in the water.
"You would have to drug yourself before we drink from you. And that seems quite counter productive. Don't you think?" Returning to the island with Shae. Sam was sure many had tried and failed. And she was sure Shae was not the first to ask a vampire that same question.
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Shae smiled contentedly as she watched Sam bustle around the kitchen, she thought about offering to help as it looked kind of fun but knowing herself to be completely useless in that area she figured she would only get in the way so she quickly squished the sudden desire and so took another sip of her wine and continued to watch and listen to Sam
“Ahh,” she said with amusement at Sam’s reasonable and understandable reasoning of the cons of the idea behind Shae’s original question. “You are not thinking Machiavellian enough Sam, or should I say Kiel like enough, nor strategically enough. If I were to try this on a vampire, I wouldn’t be offering my own blood but that of another. A gift, a Trojan horse, someone who means little but can accomplish a lot.” She said with a small shrug of her shoulder as she traced the tip of her finger around the rim of her nearly empty glass.
“Could it be done do you think? I mean surely this idea has presented itself before.” She clicked her nails against the base of the glass as she thought the idea through.
“I would guess it would have to be a very strong dose, perhaps even a lethal dose, or do drugs and alcohol effect your kind more?” She asked as she lifted her gaze and looked at Sam.
“And please if this is making you uncomfortable we can drop the subject, it is only hypothetical after all, deceiving then drugging someone in the hopes I could entice a vampire to drink from them is a little…dark…even for me, and we will NOT be bringing this topic up with Kiel” she said with a large smile and a theatric shiver.
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Sam gave a little giggle, "No it does not bother me. I have had the same conversations with my own Sire." She looked back at the pot still not boiling yet. Returning her attention to Shae.
"And I may not be thinking like Kiel and that's exactly the point. Why would I take a gift of blood from a stranger? Vampires would have their own people or places to get blood. Not only that the only vampires you could target are fledglings."
Sam crossed her arms across her chest in an inviting way. "Older vampires have much greater senses, they could probably sense within the first sip something was up." A small smile returning to Shae's own.
"And as for drugs or alcohol effecting us more I can't say for sure. We can't drink, or ingest it normally. But you can still smoke. I guess if you have a tolerance you might be harder to drug." Enjoying her conversation even if it did seem quite dark.
"So yes you could do it but the risk and the effort out weighs the reward by a long shot. And dont worry Kiel will have to somewhat work a little more for my information. I'm sure he will have other questions." Giving Shae a reassuring look then a little wink.
Kiel was a Dark Angel but somehow different just like Shae. But still with Kiel was had to be cautious when around. Although she did enjoy his teasing just a little.
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“Ergh!” Shae exclaimed as she raised her hand signaling, she at least had had enough of their current topic for conversation. “Enough, I didn’t think such a ploy would work anyway and this topic is … wrong” She said as she raised her glass to her lips and finished the last bit of wine in it before placing the now empty glass on the bench-top.
“Where did you learn to cook? Forgive me I can’t recall whether you told me this already or not” she said as she moved around the island counter and peered into the pot of boiling potatoes. “Do they have to cook for a certain amount time, like an egg? How do you know when they are ready?” she asked with interest.
Never having cooked before culinary art and knowledge was the one thing she was severely lacking in.
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"I agree the topic is unsettling. Unfortunately, we live in a world where one does not need a motive to commit extreme violence against strangers anymore."A frustrating truth as she watched Shae drain the last drop of tasty looking chardonnay.
"My Baba taught me. Its grandmother in Ukrainian." She moved over to Shae as she stared at the pot, a hunger for knowledge in her eyes.
"Yes kinda like an egg. This will be the filling for the perogies. I'll be adding cheese once the potatoes are done. Would you like to help me make the dough part?" Once they had the dough done she could start soaking the buck wheat for the kutia.
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Shae looked down at her self and the gown she wore and thought about getting covered in flour and other stuff that would be required to make a dough and smiled broadly at Sam.
“How about I get another glass of wine, ask questions and watch this time? However, I think I would like to learn to “mess about” in the kitchen. Maybe tomorrow we can make breakfast or something together?” she asked with a smile, yet she couldn’t help but think what kind of life Sam must live for with her last comment it sounded like it held a lot of danger and violence. Not that her life was all puppies and rainbows, befriending and living with a dark angel ensured it wasn’t but she tried to curb Saraekiels chaotic nature when she could and she certainly didn’t attack random people or innocents just for the fun of it either.
“How long have you been a vampire?” she asked as she went and pulled the bottle of wine off the rack in the cooling fridge and started refilling her glass as she continued talking. “I mean how long ago was it that you spent time with your grandmother?”
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"Sure we can make whatever you like I know a few good recipes." It warmed Sam's heart that Shae took an interest. Being a vampire had its draw backs, she loved to cook but had no one to cook for regularly. When Maria was in town Sam could cook for her but, even being a thin blood still had its challanges.
As Shae grabbed another glass Sam checked the potatoes. The water was boiling. She grabbed a fork after opening a few drawers, poking the potatoes. They were still hard and needed more time.
"My Baba passed when I was young. I was fourteen or fifteen?" Pausing in an unsure tone. Was it that long ago? "But my father was the youngest of six children so Baba was older when I came around." A faint smile crossed her lips as she mentioned her father.
"As for being a vampire I am quite young in my clan. I would be a fledging right now. Then it goes neonate, ancilla and then elder." Sam was a long way from being a neonate, holding the title ancilla was even farther away.
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“Fourteen? How old are you know if you don’t mind me asking” asked Shae as she settled back in her seat. She was being nosy but the vampire intrigued her as she had never really had much contact with any before. Vampires made her uneasy, unlike Kiel she had known that vampires ran the city and that they tended to be more power hungry even than her winged friend. She had no intentions of becoming an interest to them. Still she liked Sam and surely knowing one vampire and an apparently young one at that couldn’t get her into any trouble.
“Did you live with her, wait…clan? There are vampire clans?” Shit! Did Kiel know this, she hadn’t. She knew they had hierarchies but not actual clans. Shit…was Sam’s clan going to come knock on her door?
“Ummm Sam dear, how, how big is your clan” Shae asked, her voice a little breathy.
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"Well in human years I was twenty four when I was sired. So in vampire years I'm a little older than three years," not getting into the details of her embrace.
It had been a long three years, yet Jake and Sam started to get along. It was still awkward however their interactions were improving day by day. But with Oligarchy falling uncertainty was on the horizon. Yes Jake owned the Metropolis as his district but what of the future.
Shae's exclamation brought her back. Sam did not mean to laugh at first. Shae's calm composure in a now raggedy breath. She waved a hand at Shae still half laughing. It was clear she was not use too vampire company.
"Calm down Shae no one is coming for you," composing herself a little better. "I am sorry the look on your face was too much." Smiling gently at Shae.
"Yes we have clans and the Venture is quite big. But here my clan has broken off from the main group. However, we still have many allies in other clans." All true information without getting into the particulars.
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Kiel was an idiot if he wanted to take on the vampires, Shae thought to herself as she calmed her breathing and tried to smile back at the amused Sam. True Shae and Saraekiel were powerful in their own right but the vampires had the numbers as well as the strength, it would be suicide. Nope it wasn’t going to happen, if Kiel wanted to take them on he was on his own.
“ Ummm that’s good I suppose” she smiled weakly back at Sam “ Do, do vampires mingle with other creatures much? Or do they tend to err stick to their own kind?”
How much longer can we pass without notice? how much attention can we expect? Shae couldn’t help but feel a little bewildered and slightly overwhelmed, sure she was all for getting more power but she really wasn’t sold on the idea if it meant taking on the vampires.
“Sam, do you know what is happening with the power structure of the city now that the Oligarchy is disbanded? I hear it is like a small gang war out there with different groups fighting over the scraps.” Kiel wants some of those scraps, she thought to herself as she lifted her glass and took a gulp of wine, and what of the other creatures, what about us? Who stands for us within this new power structure?
-
"I try to mingle with others but my clan can be very distrusting. However, I'm not like the others in my clan." Sam wasn't even chosen for her clan, Jake had saved her and still cared for her all the same. When Shae asked about the political structure, now she had to think. Furrowing her eyes to a slat, she new a little about the struggle after Kerr was declared missing in action.
"The Oligarchy has disbanded," walking over to the potatoes. Poking them with a fork they were done. She turned off the stove.
"Many of those who help positions of power have now taken claim to their districts. My Sire controls the Metropolis district now." Reminded of how they had to move when the Oligarchy fell all in one night.
"However I hear there are districts that are not controlled vampires. And they have a place for each species to go too." Amused that Shae was so unfamiliar with vampires.
"Its wasn't like a gang war it was quite civil. Everyone claimed their own districts and not much was said in the end. I think a few places are still unclaimed." She gave Shae a small shrug. Rumors would have been spread and confusion would always follow.
-
Shae took a steadying breath as Sam talked, from what Sam was saying she gathered vampires stuck to their own as for the power struggle, well maybe she and hopefully Kiel could slide under the radar for now She so wasn’t ready to fight a war.
Well hopefully the shifters are fine” Hopefully they won’t be asking her for help as she hadn’t been involved in that circle since her parents were murdered and yet she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry for her kind, maybe she should stick her beak in and see how things were going for them …damn it.
“And hopefully Kiel will find something to distract him from any power vacuums.” She said with a sigh and another sip of wine. “ So, away from politics, what do you do? you know … I mean, do you work? Are you allowed to or are you provided for by like your clan or something?”
Shae settled down emotionally and mentally as she refocused on Sam and it would be interesting to know how much freedom she was allowed or to see if she was kept indebted to others.
-
Sam could see the concern in Shae's eyes for her own kind. The shifters, which were safe. Amusement turned to tenderness. Shae was trying to steady her breath, as brave as an effort as she put she was still overwhelmed. Sam gave her a comforting look, not everyone was use to vampires and Shae was one. Sam needed to go a different approach to settle Shae's nerves.
"Kiel needs to a challenge to keep him busy," giving Shae a wink. Sam kept the Dark Angel at bay. The two were a pair one could rarely be found without the other.
Sam patted Shae's arm in comfort, "I do work I have just as much freedom as a human. Besides the drinking blood and no sun. And I do work I have a new job teaching at a academy." It felt good to say that out loud.
-
“Pffft” Shae snorted with startled amusement “ Kiel needs to stay the fuck out of everyone else’s business” she said a little heatedly before slapping her hand over her mouth in shock, after a mere moment she started to laugh a little and dropped her hand. “What am I saying? Kiel thinks everyone’s business is his business, the bloody Pidgeon.” She smiled as once again she found her equilibrium, enjoy today, enjoy the now. Tomorrow will look after itself was the mantra she repeated to herself as her breathing returned to normal
In her opinion Kiel was an adrenalin, chaos junky, always looking for his next fix, always looking for a way to change what he was, to be other than what he was, to be more, it had always been that way with him even way back when she first met him and he was naught but a crazed, vengeance seeking fallen angel and she couldn’t help but feel responsible for what he was now. After all she was the one who gave him the information, he needed to summon the Goddess of Chaos. She loved him, she did and respected him but he could also be exhausting, which is why being an immortal was fabulous as it allowed them to take a break from each other but also allowed them to know they were always there for each other too.
“Wait?” she said as she raised her hand. “Did you say you’re teaching? I thought Kiel mentioned you were a waitress?”
-
It was nice to see the old Shae back, more composed and calm. Sam did not mean to put Shae on the edge. But she did not want to keep Shae in the dark either. And Shae let off a good bit of information, Kiel thought everyone's business was his did he? That was useful and Sam could use that to her advantage.
"I was a bar manager," she corrected Shae. "But no longer due the Oligarchy falling I was fired due to political reasons." A hard blow for Sam at the time.
"Now I teach others who do not have a Sire or those who wish to grow. It's only recent it happened." Thankful to Ben for opportunity as she was young. But she had the knowledge and the drive thanks to Jake.
-
" Oh, so you teach at a vampire academy?" she asked with a little surprise. " I didn't know there was such a thing, I thought...well I simply thought you all learnt from who ever turned you" Shae said as she continued to watch Sam prepare their dinner. The vampire certainly knew her way around the kitchen better then she did and because she kept feeling like she was interrogating Sam she decided to give the vampire a chance to ask a few questions of her own, if she was so inclined.
" I am sorry Sam, it feels like I am grilling you, how about you ask me some questions, or tell me more about your grandmother and your family if you want" she offered with a smile. " I barely remember my Seanmháthair as she died when i was very young" she said with a hint of sorrow in her voice.
-
"Normally yes we do learn our abilities from our Sire. But some vampires have been abandoned or wish to test themselves against others." Now grabbing a strainer for the potatoes. Lifting the huge pot with ease, then once they were strained back into the pot to keep warm.
When Shae asked about more of her family and she felt a pang of sorrow. Best to tell Shae now. Sam did not want to darken the mood earlier when Shae shared she lost her parents. Even if Shae did give her another option to ask her a question, she felt it was best to share.
"My Mom, Dad and little sister were killed by a drunk driver when I was eighteen." Her tone emotionless as she talked to Shae.
"I don't speak to much to my mortal family anymore. Except for a few cousins and my grandfather. The family unfortunately drifted apart." More like none of them put in an effort after the accident.
-
Shae carefully placed her glass back onto the bench as Sam spoke of the loss of her family, she understood the young vampire’s sorrow and even though Sam spoke of it with an even, calm voice, Shae felt and understood that kind of loneliness.
“It is hard to lose those we love when we and they are still so young” she said carefully as she didn’t want to come across as patronizing nor overly motherly. They were just two women sharing a tale if similar loss and sorrow. “and I understand about the remaining relatives drifting apart. The say loss can bring a family together, I think it drives away more oft then not. I had no other family when my parents died, so both of us have that in common too. It is lonely, growing up alone, yet we both survived it, the loneliness and the sorrow, and here we are today with you cooking for me and I sitting here getting slightly tipsy."she smiled whimsically and with a little bafflement as she looked at yet another empty glass.
“How old do you think I am” she asked with a sudden randomness as she slid the empty glass a little away from her.
-
Shae was right it had been so lonely for a long time. Jake and Sam had fought all the time until recently. And she began to realise maybe it's because she had been alone for so long. In all honesty, she did not even know how to live with someone. Not even willing to give Jake a chance.
Sam felt she was giving her independence away. To a man she did not know. Rather than seeing it as an opportunity to grow. To learn something she would never have learned as a mortal. And to have a chance at a family again. No matter the situation leading up to her embrace. Shae's words and tipsy smile, along with the common ground they now shared. Made her feel at ease, for a moment.
"This sounds like a trick question," her lips turning into a coy smile. "To be honest you not a normal shifter." Her display of telekinetic abilities when she arrived gave her away.
"Now just to take a guess. After what I have seen of your abilities. I would say you are much older than the mortal average." That was about as close as a guess Sam would make. Without looking like a fool or bull shitting a guess.
-
Arching an eyebrow, she sat back into the breakfast stool, a look of amusement on her face. “Not a normal Shifter? How am I not normal? What is considered normal for my kind?” she asked, her tone sharp but with interest and curiosity rather then anger or derision.
-
"Well for one," she started. Grabbing the ingredients needed for the dough. A coy smile on her lips.
"You can use telekinesis to open doors. No shifter I know can do that and your not a vampire shifter hybrid. I would have smelled it when I met you the first time." Showing Shae her detection skills. Sam had been alert and aware this entire time.
"So no mortal shifter could have your abilities. Being different is good I like different." A comforting smile danced on her lips
"Which begs the question how did you acquire your abilities. If you do not mind me asking?" Adding the dry ingredients carefully and slowly.
-
Shae watched as Sam started working on the dough and digested what the young vampire said.
“Through vengeance and knowing the right people” she said distractedly in answer to Sam’s question. She wasn’t happy about Sam’s idea on what shifters could or couldn’t do; she was right, but it wasn’t always so. “You know, shifters were once more then just humans who could take animals for. Once we were clans unto ourselves, we were druids and shamans. We were the village cunning man and women, we were healers and people of knowledge.”
She sighed softly and shook her head. “Ah well, times change for everyone I guess” then with a flick and wave of her pointer finger and index finger she moved her empty wine glass from the counter to the sink, being careful so as not to have the glass collide with Sam and her cooking. “Or maybe not” she smiled with wicked amusement before re-answering Sam’s question.
“I hunted down and killed the sorcerer who murdered my parents then sold his soul to a necromancer in exchange for a little extra oomph and pizzazz to my natural abilities”
-
"I did not know shifters had clans." Hearing the sharp change in Shae's tone. It was clear to Sam needed to learn more about shifters of the past. The question not sitting too well with Shae.
Sam couldn't help but turn, watching the glass glide through the air. A world of druid and shaman shifters? Ones with access to knowledge and cunning. Wondering what sort of history Shae held. Sam's own question answered.
Looking at Shae with a wave of awe, "A necromancer?" More of a rhetorical question. However, Shae let it slip that her parents were murdered. Shae had only mentioned the inherited the mansion when they died. Let alone a sorcerer murdering her parents.
"I am sorry," that was enough talk of death. Hands full of flour while she kneaded the dough and idea came floating in her head and she looked at Shae with curious eyes.
"Shae since you can use telekinesis. You want to try and knead this dough using your ability?" Telekinesis was an interesting skill and Sam wanted to see more of it. So why not try and combine cooking with it.
-
"We don't, well not anymore and I was referring to ancient history"Shae said with a small shrug
At Sams suggestion Shae raised an eyebrow as she looked at her then down at the dough she was kneading then back to her. It was an interesting request and would probably need more skill then just lifting and moving an object, which was mostly or Shae did with it.
"That sounds...interesting" she said with an amused smile playing across her lips. "Sure, I will give it a shot"
She looked at the dough and started making rolling and pushing motions with the first two fingers on both hands. The dough started moving but instead of getting kneaded it looked like someone was trying to turn it into a pizza base.
"Ummm" she narrowed her eyes and focused intently on the misshapen mixture and made a gesture with her hands only to have the flour on the board explode into a small cloud around them when Saraekiel walked into the kitchen
Kiel leaned against the kitchen door frame with an amused grin and raised eyebrow as the cloud of flour just exploded everywhere. Dressed all in black as he was he decided to wait for the flour storm to settle down before entering fully and he was curious to see how long it would take for the two women to notice him.
-
Sam watched in awe as the dough moved. Shae's telekinesis imprinted the dough making it into a flat looking pizza dough. It made Sam smile, telekinesis is harder with cooking.
If Shae could combine and master the skill, she be above the rest in Sam's eyes. Watching Shae intently as she concentrated even harder, a swift flick with her hand deliver surprised results.
POOF! Flour everywhere. It took every bone in Sam's body not to laugh. Shae did such a wonderful job, Sam did not want to discourage her. Waving her hands to clear the cloud.
"Shae you did awesome! You just need practice," calling out gleefully. Sam then felt a presence, she knew this aura. A shadow silhouette in the flour cloud.
"Hi Kiel. How are you today?" Asking in a chipper voice. Wondering how long he had been watching the two in silence.
-
Shae jumped slightly at Sams words and turning in her chair she looked at the silhouette in the door way. “Hello Pidgeon, I was wondering if you were going to show up this weekend.” Smiling wickedly through the sifting flour cloud she gestures towards Sam. “Look who I found at our front door”
Saraekiel didn’t know whether to be annoyed or amused. He had hoped to come home and have a quiet night. He had some serious thinking and planning to do, namely how to take over Saria Zoheret’s district before someone else did.
Still watching Shae learn to cook using her telekinesis was an amusing distraction and it had been awhile since he had seen the cute, blonde vampire.
“Hello Sam” he said softly from the doorway, a small smile playing over his lips. “It’s been awhile. I’m glad to see you got away from that burning bistro on the boardwalk” He finished, a wicked grin blooming across his mouth.
-
"Even though I can not fly I can run pretty fast," she smiled back at Kiel. His muscular frame filling the kitchen door frame. He leaning figure full of poise and grace. It was funny watching Shae jump and get all excited over Sam being here.
"Will you be joining us for supper Kiel? I am making perogies, cabbage rolls and kutia a dessert." She asked with a happy tone of voice, Sam loved to cook and the more the merrier to eat her meals.
-
Saraekiel smiled lazily as he strolled into the kitchen proper, avoiding the flour disaster he moved in behind Sam and peered over her shoulder at the shifting dough “ What cheese are you going to add to the potato and are you going to serve them with some fried bacon and sour cream?”
Smiling wickedly, he looks over Sams shoulder towards Shae. “You are stretching and pulling too much. You need to roll more and stretch the dough the pull it back rather than just stretch and pull”
Leaving Sam, he walked over to and opens the double refrigerator. He looks at the shelves before opening a draw and pulling out some cucumber and radishes. “How about a salad to go with the cabbage rolls? A cucumber and radish one?” he asked Sam as he continued to dig through the draws in the fridge.
Dinner would be a nice distraction from his continuous search for Zoheret and yet his hands trembled slightly as he reached for some green onion. Pierogis, cabbage rolls and kutia, food he hadn’t eaten since his wife died. He didn’t know how he felt as the situation was stirring a lot of memories. Grabbing a container of sour cream, he planted a smile on his face and turned back to the two women. “You got room for one more at your counter?”
-
Sam was surprised that Kiel knew something about cooking; even more surprised he wanted to join. Shae didn’t have a clue and she wondered who taught Kiel. He didn’t seem like the type who could be bothered with cooking at all, he had the money to buy all the take out he wanted. Making Sam’s curiosity lead the way again, maybe they would have a quiet moment tonight? Then again it might not be good to ask and bring up the past; perhaps it was better to let sleeping dogs lie.
"No I am going to kick you out of the kitchen," playfully sticking her tongue out at Kiel. She was only kidding of course, “Since you have an idea you can knead the dough.” Turning towards Shae now, “You can help me with the cabbage rolls. That’s easy.” A grin on her face. Grabbing a large head of cabbage from the fridge she then came to Shae’s side.
“All you have to do is peel it like an onion, make sure to get the leaves individually. This should be easier for you to use telekinesis.” Grinning at Shae again, “after that we will boil them before we put the filling into them and roll them up. I’ll show you how to roll them.” It seemed like a mediocre task but some things in cooking weren’t all grand. But the pride she would feel afterwards always outweighed the boredom. Plus she wanted to encourage Shae to use her telekinesis; it was a really cool ability.
“I think those two salads would be lovely Kiel. And I am doing buttered onions, bacon and sour cream. As for the cheese what would you suggest?” Sam was just going to put regular old cheddar in the perogies. But she also had some more exotic cheese in the fridge, old cheddar was just a good neutral choice.
-
Saraekiel plunked the ingredients for the salad on the counter and looked down at his black, Saint Laurent, step hem button down shirt then the flour all over the counter and sighed heavily. He happened to like his clothes and he liked keeping them clean, so with a dramatic eye roll at Sam he walked over to a set of counter draws and pulled three simple black aprons out from the bottom one and smacked them on the counter as well. "Cleanliness is close to Godliness" he said with a smirk
Once his apron was tied around him he pulled the frisbee shaped dough towards him and started to expertly knead it with quick, precise movements. "Cheddar is fine" he said in answer to Sam inquiry " I was just curious to know if your recipe called for something unique" His wife had also used whatever cheese they had available, or she stuffed them with mushrooms and sauerkraut or mince and onions depending on how she intended to cook them.
Shae's draw dropped as she watched Saraekiel, The Dark Angel of Chaos move around the kitchen and knead the dough as if he did it every day of his life. Where had the dark, broody and mysterious predator she knew him to be gone to? This was a side she had never seen before and at that realization she felt a small twinge if jealousy. How deep and true was their friendship? She thought there were no secrets between them and yet here he was, at home kneading dough like an ordinary smuck. Frowning slightly and feeling a little miffed but not wanting to cause a scene or ruin the little gathering she telepathically yanked the cabbage towards herself and started ripping the leaves off yet her eyes were dark with unexpressed questions and thoughts.
" So, what have I missed" Kiel asked as he turned and pushed the dough around with the heel of his hand. It had been awhile since he had laid eyes on the vampire and in truth he hadn't actually thought he would see her again. He really wanted to ask her about her sire and if she knew what was happening on a political level within the cities supernatural political scene but he held back. Interrogations tended to sour dinner parties, plus he didn't want to push Sam away or make her feel uncomfortable. There was plenty of time for questions later.
Unable to keep quiet anylonger Shae lifted her gaze off of the cabbage and looked square at Saraekiel. “How come this is the first time I have seen you cook? You have never cooked before, not in this kitchen anyway”
“I’m not cooking, I’m helping Sam cook” he said simply as he continued to knead the dough then with a sharp cheeky smile he looked up at Shae “ If you want to cook sometime I will gladly help you too. Otherwise we are dinning out.”
-
Sam stifled a laugh through a small grunt at Kiel’s ‘cleanliness is close to godliness’ comment. Did the little Angel not want to get dirty? Smirking as she thought that to herself, she wanted to tease Kiel more but gave it a rest. Suppressing the urge to throw some flour at him, he wouldn’t see that coming. She politely shook her head at the apron; for it was much more satisfying getting a little dirty.
“Not usually just potatoes, my Baba was pretty plain Jane woman,” with everyone on task she went to grab the old cheddar, “but she was a farm woman, cheese is expensive so it was usually a treat when she got to use it.” Making herself some room at the counter, she started to cut the cheese into smaller sized cubes. Sam loved the smell of cheese, she really wanted to plop one in her mouth. It was sooo tempting as her thoughts on cheese were broken, she went to go answer Kiel then Shae spoke up. Her eye’s so intense towards Kiel Sam couldn’t help but notice the tension now.
Uh oh. What did I do? Not quite speaking yet, she wasn’t sure if Shae was going to accept his cheeky answer. Sam’s chopping of the cheese slowed a little as she looked at Kiel. Sam was more confused than anything, how the hell did Kiel cooking hit a nerve with Shae? Sam remained quiet as the two shared looks that could kill a bear, actually a supernatural bear. Yeah they both could kill a supernatural bear right now with a single look.
-
Shae narrowed her eyes slightly as she continued to glare at Saraekiel, she really, really wanted to yank a few invisible feathers out of his wings and slap him with them but with some effort she controlled her temper and the urge. She continued to pull the leaves off of the cabbage but by using her fingers instead of her powers, she needed to feel the snap and tear, it felt very satisfying at the moment.
Kiel was right, they never cooked anyway and she doubted she would bother learning how, still the idea of being in the kitchen, preparing food and chatting away with kiel as he helped was a pretty and slightly disquieting image in her head. Honestly he would probably end up saying something snarky and sarcastic and she would end up stabbing him
Saraekiel watched Shae for a few moments, he didn't understand where her sudden agro came from but he did know she was an emotional creature and tended to act on her emotions whilst caught up in them. Seeing her settle down and tear at the cabbage he waited a few more moments before looking at Sam and re asking his question.
"So....what have i missed?"
-
Sam wasn’t sure what had gotten into Shae, no longer using her telekinesis to de-leaf the cabbage. That was bummer for her and it was too bad. That something, whatever it was hit a sore spot with Shae. Sam decided to leave it alone as Kiel repeated his question, a devious grin on her lips. They had discussed many things and Shae would see what Sam was talking about, making Kiel work for his information. This was going to be fun; it was rare she met an individual with the wit to fire back.
“Oh you know normal girl stuff, like how to poison an individual,” a coy smile on her lips. The rhythm of cutting cheese slowed. Her stare holding Kiel’s own, she knew what he was after, “Even talked about my own clan… oh and the fall of the Oligarchy.” A flash of ‘speak up’ flew through her eyes; it was the talk of the town right now. That coy smile still on her lips, Kiel could ask whatever question he wanted. Just like Shae she wasn’t about to give out information freely, Shae had to ask to get her information.
-
Games, the vampire wanted to play game. So be it. Saraekiel smiled benignly as he placed the dough in a clean bowl and set it aside to rest. Next, he got another knife out of the draw and stated to expertly chop the cucumber into thin slices.
“Poison? Really? and how would you go about that exactly and who were you thinking of poisoning?”
Shae closed her eyes slightly in resignation as Kiel naturally chose the side topic and no doubt he will make it a main topic once he discovered the subject she and Sam were talking about was whether or not a vampire could be poisoned via a blood mule. Not that her winged friend needed poison when he could just set them alight.
Shaking her head slightly at the direction the conversation was about to take Shae sat back and once again focused peeling off leaves with her mind.
-
Sam gave Kiel a hearty laugh, of course he pick the poison subject. Seeing Shae shake her head slightly at the return of the ghastly topic. However, Sam would not go into detail like she did with Shae; for obvious reasons of course. With the cheese done she added it to the still hot potatoes, pureeing it once the cheese melted a little.
"Vampires," grabbing a pot for the cabbage leaves. "And as I explained to Shae it's a dumb idea." Walking over to the sink and filling the pot before speaking in a plain tone.
"Most vampires would smell or taste it in your blood and some bloodlines are immune to disease so that doesn't work either." Lifting the heavy pot and turning the stove on. Turning to face Kiel again but remaining at the stove to watch the water come to a boil.
-
Saraekiel raised an eyebrow at the mention of who the woman were discussing poisoning and blatantly ignored Shae's pointed sigh at his choice of topic.
“Vampires huh? My my” he grinned broadly with amusement as his smoke coloured eyes narrowed with speculation. Curious now he tilted his head and watched Sam as she filled up the pot. As she turned and looked at him, he raised his eyebrow again questioningly as a smirk played along his lips. She was the one who brought up the subject after all.
“So then Fangs, if poisoning is out, how would you kill a vampire then?”
Shae groaned softly in despair at Kiels question and closed her eyes in resignation. This was not polite conversation nor hypothetical girl talk this was, this was pure Kiel talk. She understood he was unhappy with the balance of political power in the city and that his obsession with vampires was out of fear, fear of them having power over him, of controlling him. He wanted to be able to stand equal if not above the city power structure with the freedom to be able to tell anyone who thinks to lord themselves over him to fuck off. She on the other hand was a small fish, she had money yes which was a kind of power but if it came to a physical fight, she didn’t stand a chance, she worked better from behind the scenes.
-
Sam took Shae's actions into account as she softly groaned at Sam and Kiel. Earlier in the night Shae had grown quite uncomfortable with the subject; but it was apart of the life of a vampire. It could be violent and bloody, one had to be prepared for such horrible things. However many vampires lived quiet and peaceful lives; they were not all blood sucking leeches.
"Murder or suicide. How you do the act is entirely up to you," she quipped at Kiel. Peering into the pot again before looking back at him.
"If I beheaded your pretty little head you be dead. Same thing applies to vampires, we do not die of natural causes. And with you being immortal Kiel neither do you." A small smile on her lips.
Sam would not give away to Kiel that her clan could withstand a barrage of bullets or even the sun over time. When they first met they had only discussed the history of her clan. For now until she like to keep it that way with Kiel. She was not sure of the Dark Angel's intentions as of yet, but maybe one day Kiel would earn enough of her trust to know.
-
Saraekiels lips curled up with amusement at the sharp bite in the Sams tone. This is what drew him to the vampire in the first place, from the moment her heels clicked angrily on the pavement as she confronted that drunken jerk at that club oh so long ago. He didn’t know what to make of her really or what to do with her. Could she be an ally? Or was she merely a tool? Either way she was pleasant company, even if she was the undead.
“You know Fangs.” He said with an amused tone “ if we can die that means we aren’t immortal right? No matter how long we get to live. It just means we are long lived, timeless …and hopefully very hard to kill”
“Oh, for crying out load” Shae said with exasperation. “Enough about killing and murder. And fyi I actually am immortal. Thank you very much” smiling sweetly she then proceeded to telekinetically pick up a knife and wave it around. “What do you want me to do next Sam”
*What the fuck?!* Saraekiel sent angrily to Shae *Why did you share that with her* He kept the metal communication on a tightly controlled wave length. He couldn’t remember if Sam had told him if vampires could hear thoughts, but he didn’t want to risk her hearing this conversation regardless.
*I trust her* Shae sent back just as sharply *and I like her. We need to let more people into our inner circle Kiel. As strong as we are if we don’t start adding to our power source we will get swept away in whatever bullshit scheme you have stewing in that bloody brain of your*
She turned and looked at Sam with serious eyes. "Kiel is having a mental hissy fit because I chose to share something of myself with you"
-
The atmosphere of the kitchen suddenly changed from light and bubbly to anger and confusion. Shae waving around the knife didn't help either, what did Kiel think she was here for? To spy!? If Sam didn't know better she yell at Kiel but this needed a more subtle approach; it was obvious Kiel did not trust Sam. She did not blame him, after all, she knew his true name after a prank done by Shae.
"Shae you can put the leaves in the pot the water is boiling now, " addressing Shae first before Kiel.
"Kiel, " she started softly. "Whatever we discuss stays in this house." Her eyes had a serious look to them as she gazed back at Kiel.
"Foremost I am here as a guest. And if I can learn better on how to treat you as equals, then that's a bonus. Just because I am a vampire does not mean I hold myself above you." Many older vampires had this opinion, but Sam was not like other vampires.
She was not blind to the fact that they were not perfect creatures; everyone no matter what species had a flaw. Fighting among different species was common always trying to show who was the bigger dog. Not Sam, she wanted to change that way of thinking.
Sam is a blue-blood among the thirteen-clans, but instead of arrogance, she held a humble stance over herself. Perhaps it was the violent way she had been sired, she was not chosen but she would grow into the role. Sam wanted to make a new type of Ventrue that made her stand out from the rest; the time of arrogance must come to an end if one wanted to treat others as equal.
-
At Sam’s words Saraekiel’s anger at Shae dissipated. Sam really was a sweet and innocent creature. How did she become one of the undead, surely her purity of spirit had earned her a Watcher, an Angel of Light that would have helped guide this child to become a beacon of hope for humanity on some sort of scale at least? Why had she not been protected? Was the heavenly war so virulent t the moment that such people were falling through the cracks? His old self was abhorred at the idea yet the dark angel he was, was beyond intrigued for if that was the case then there was an infinite amount of chaos to be created. That however was a subject for another day when he had more time.
“Sam” he said with a small smile “If I thought you had even an inkling of being superior to me or thought me beneath you, I would have most likely turned you to ash that very first night” he said simply. There was no threat or animosity in his words, just simple truth. “ In fact I am more than intrigued by you, despite your undead nature, and I most certainly find your personality enjoyable. I think I may even like you.” He said with a cheeky wink before sitting back in the stool and watched Shae kinetically lift the cabbage leaves and place them on the pot. All the while she sat there at the end of the counter with her chin resting on her fist as she leaned over the benchtop and watched the conversation between them with amused yet intense focus.
“As for being a spy, I have never thought that of you. However, you yourself told me that your sire can easily enter your mind and dig through it as he pleased. So…as much as you say you will keep and protect our secrets and the things you learn here, you can’t, not really. Can you” he asked the vampire seriously.
Since they were talking about secrets Shae figured it was time she eased Sam’s fear about the big Angel no no one, plus it was time for a little subject change again. Saraekiel was seriously killing the mood. Maybe she should tell him to get lost for the weekend.
“Talking about secrets.” She said as she turned her dark amused filled eyes to Sam. “Saraekiel here isn’t so paranoid about his silly name anymore.” She then turned her eyes to Kiel and smiles wickedly. “Are you Pidgeon”
-
Sam nodded her head at his first statement, Kiel would have turned her into an ash pile. This did not just pertain to his species, vampires were also known to kill for the same reason. However, his the next statement put took Sam off guard. Did he just say an enjoyable personality and LIKE in the same sentence?! Her lips going bright red at his comment, still standing at the stove cabbage leaves floating by and into the pot.
She was glad to hear Kiel did not think of her as a spy, it warmed her heart. However, Kiel brought up the fact of how could she keep secrets from Jake? It was simple Jake had kept his promise to not micromanage Sam, to give her a little more trust. Besides, she needed allies of different species. With Dark Angels being most misunderstood, alongside Demons. She grinned at Kiel pleasantly. Going to answer Kiel but Shae threw her off.
"So what exactly changed with that?" Her tone serious on the matter. Her friend Maria had a sacred name, and Sam did know it. But with Maria's affinity with the old mother and father, no one held power over her; a trickle effect from the power of true faith. So how did Kiel achieve this without the help of the old deities?
-
Saraekiel rolled his eyes at Shae's revelation. Normally he would have become angry as his business was his business, but unlike practically everyone else he was acquanted with he trusted Shae explicitly and it also helped that this information could help rather then threaten him if it got out.
"Well" She exclaimed with barely contained glee as she tossed the last of the leaves in the steaming pot " After our meeting on the boardwalk I got really sick and tired of all this name stuff. So one day when he was in the library downstairs I did a summoning spell using his name. It didn't work, then i went down stairs and tried stabbing a voodoo doll inscribed with his name on it, in front of it. It didn't work"
She turned and smiled sweetly at Kiel "Did it Pigeon?"
"Call me Pigeon one more time and I swear the next time you shift shape I will collar you with silver and sell you to a pet store" he replied with a playful tone, his eyes however said he meant every single work as he smiled ever so sweetly back at Shae
She looked at Sam and rolled her eyes slightly before continueing. "We fought over my so called deplorable actions for a week or so and then he admitted i was right and we haven't mentioned it since"
Saraekiel grounded his teeth as he chopped up the celery and radish and imaged what Shae would look like as a pillar of flame. Maybe it was time they split for awhile, before he did something she would regret. "I never said you were right, ever"
-
Sam listened in awe and shock of Shae trying to summon Kiel by his true name. It was obvious Kiel was extremely annoyed by Shae's little antics, however, he did share a tidbit of useful information. Could Shae not shape-shift if she had silver on her person? That was more interesting that Kiel's true name, which obviously held no effect. The wheels in Sams' head were spinning, perhaps there was a reason.
Walking over to Kiel as he ground his teeth, her silver eyes gazing at him. "Perhaps there is another reason, " her tone wise and thoughtful.
"Maybe becoming a Dark Angel freed your bonds from your true name. Besides, you will always be Kiel to me." Kiel had always talked about how much he valued his freedom. Maybe she would get a chance to talk later and ask a few questions, to understand him better.
"And no more experiments on him, " giving Shae a playful smile. Turning her back to find a frying pan and another pot. Sam needed to start cooking the rice and hamburger.
She did not want Kiel to leave but would not blame him if he did. She would bring him supper and even let him eat in peace if he was still not up for company. Sam could wander the house throughout the night or visit with Shae until he was ready to talk.
-
Her lips twitched at Sam's admonishing suggestion, she so wanted to make a joking comment but she could sense she had pushed Kiel to his limit and so let it go. She trusted Saraekiel and they had a mutual respect for each other, well she assumed he respected her as far as his natural arrogance would allow but he was also a Dark Angel and she could only push or take the banter so far. In fact she had sensed that they were rubbing each other the wrong way too much as of late and maybe it was time they took one of the much needed breaks one from the other, but that was going to have to be a private conversation between themselves some other but not to far in the distant day.
"So what can I do now" she asked Sam instead, referring to the cooking.
Saraekiel considered Sams words and agreed with her, not that he would tell her that. Saraekiel was his real name, but it was the name he chose when he fell and as it was the only name he considered as identifying him he had thought it would be the same as his Creator given Angelic name. After the shock oh Shae's experiments had worn off, the fact he had been wrong was one of his happiest moments thus far. it meant even more freedom for him. no one could chain him or command him with his name.
"And you will always be Sam to me" he said in response to her comment "Now, tell me what has been happening in the city now that the Oligarchy has been disbanded" Enough games he figured. It was time to get down to business.