A Moonlit Stroll

[Seragil]

Reserved for Idrial

Saraekiel slowly followed behind the attractive dark haired woman infront of him, admiring the view Shae presented as she walked along the boardwalk pretending to check out the different stores and small seaside restaurants. It was a nice night for it, the moon was full  the air was brisk and cool but not overly cold and he loved how the Boardwalk was lit with old-world tiki lamps with only a few modern ones to give the extra light needed to lighten the area but not so it was too overly bright; it kept the area well lit but still filled with enough shadows and darkness to give it an air of mystery, romance and a little danger, an image not unlike himself and the woman he followed. 

“Why are we here again Kiel?” Shae asked, impatience and irritation ripe in her voice as she held up a homemade crystal necklace for her inspection, distain evident in her every action.

“You said you wanted to go shopping.”Saraekiel answered with a hint of amusement. Shae could be a snob but he knew she enjoyed coming to the boardwalk as much as he did, it was always different and there was always something new to see and more often then not trouble to find. He grinned wickedly at Shae as she turned around and looked at him in affronted surprise.

“This is not shopping Kiel, this is slumming.” Pretending to be insulted Shae strides over to the railing and sits atop it, tucking her feet behind the second rung beneath her, but not before she used telekinesis to unobtrusively slide the necklace she had admired into a pocket of the coat she wore over her jeans and halter top. The moon shone brightly behind her, glinting on the softly breaking waves as a gently sea breeze blew strands of her hair around her; almost as if it was trying to caress her with her own hair. Grinning suddenly at the dark angel she raised a knowing eyebrow at him. Ädmit it, you came her in the hope of finding that other dark angel thats suppose to rule this area, whats her name again? Zuhash, Zohestri?”

“Zoheret” Saraekiel corrected amusedly as he leaned up against a lamp post and crossed his arms as he grinned back at her, ignoring his own shoulder length hair as it to started to move around in the gently evening breeze. He knew she knew Zoherets name just as well as he did, this subject had been a bone of contention between them ever since they had found out Zoheret had claimed this area as hers shortly after the Oligarchy disbandment a few months ago. “ and who know, she could be here, we do own the place after all.”

Shae laughed softly at his own presumption. “ She owns it sugar, you are another one of her subjects.”  Shae quickly cast a look around at the small throng of people moving around the boardwalk and shrugged. “She doesn’t appear to be here, can we please now go to Venture!? Its been open for a few weeks now and I’m dying to check it out,”

Saraekiel grunted in disgust as the club was once again brought up” I am not going to a damn fang bangers buffet. Take yourself if you’re that determined to go, you’re a big girl and can look after yourself.”

Shae grinned wickedly and battered her eyes at him, knowing it would irritate the shit out of the dark angel. “ But Kiel, I want to go with you.” She whinned.

[Idrial]

Samantha bobbed too and fro between the people that occupied the boardwalk, she had her headphones in as she was listening to a mixture of music. People were less likely to interrupt you with their stupid questions if you looked uninterested in the world around you. Jake had been really good lately with giving Sam a little more freedom, as long as she told him where she was going and when she'd be back everything was fine. It was even more relaxing when she didn't have one of Conner's stupid agents following her, she'd given them the slip more than once. It was almost a natural talent that she could disappear with ease. A small smile lit up her face and those silver eyes shined through the darkness. 

Besides she had no attention on grabbing someones attention tonight, not with the plain Jane clothes she was wearing. Of course Sam was wearing her favorite brand of jeans, Riders. At one point and time they were a dark colored denim but they had since faded, but they were so comfortable. She wore a simple white belt that matched her white running shoes that were a little scuffed up on the toe. She wore a simple blue and white jacket that kept the cold wind out, under that jacket was a plaid shirt in the colors of dark blue, white and pink. Her hair was tied up in a high pony tail with a her bangs surrounding her face, she had to admit she looked like a simpleton.

The smell of seafood and the ocean air was tantalizing, she took in a deep breath letting the particles in the air waft over her tongue. It was a shame that this would be as close as she would get to tasting anything again. Food to her now was like a poison and now blood was what she needed to survive. She felt a small hunger pang in her stomach but it wasn't for blood it was for actual human food. She knew she couldn't eat the fabulous food and with a small sigh she made her way away from the crowd and down the darker part of the boardwalk.

She made her way towards the rail that separated the sidewalk from the ocean. She leaned on the rail not paying attention to the two people that were far off to the side. A woman and a man both supernaturals. She couldn't tell exactly what species but this time she didn't bother seeking them out. She also couldn't pick up on a familiar smell, the wind was blowing in the wrong direction. Not to mention the over powering smell of the ocean and seafood. That scent of a dusty road after being lightly dusted with fresh rain was just out of the way of Sam's sense of smell. So she watched the the oceans waves tumble and fight with each other, this filled her with a sort of inner peace.

[Seragil]

Shae smiled smugly as she watched Saraekiel glower angrily at her. Needling him was so much fun and nothing annoyed him more than a whinny, clingy, airhead and the topic of Zoheret always got him going but she had to admit even to only herself that she was concerned about his interest in this so called famously infamous Dark Angel. Saraekiel spoke somewhat highly of her and how she was said to help Angels fallen and dark get their wings under them so to speak after their transitions; not that Saraekiel had ever been helped by her, no....Saraekiel would be the last person to ask from help from someone who he didn’t really know. If there was one person who had trust issues it was Saraekiel; the Angel who wouldn’t even tell people his real name and insisted on being called “Kiel”for protection and safety precations. As for her request that she would only go to Venture with him by her side...Pffft.  She had already been to the new club...alot actually, she just loved the feel to the place, the buzz and the glam not to mention the oh so attractive people that visited there. Laughing merrily she hopped off the railing and smiled at her friend. “C’mon Mr Dark and Broody, let’s eat. I want to try that Italian Bistro we walked by earlier.” Smiling saucily she strolled ahead confidently knowing Saraekiel was only a few steps behind her, no doubt watching her ass. She had an idea when Saraekiel had said he would take her shopping that she wouldn’t be going anywhere near a Gucci or a Carla Zampatti Boutique so had dressed accordingly with slightly heeled open toed shoes, tight dark blue jeans, a light cream coloured, silk halter top  and a waist length, open,  blue cashmere jacket. Saraekiel  she acknowledged silently looked fantastic in his slightly scuffed boots, black, skin tight jeans, dark blue silk shirt and his ever present ankle length “coat”.

Smiling softly to herself with her loose hair blowing gently in the breeze she casually checked out the people around her, it was busy this time of night but then it was always busy on the boardwalk but she couldn’t help but notice the young woman leaning against the railing looking over the crashing waves, she was about to turn her gaze else where when she sensed the unmistakeable energy she associated with vampires. Unlike Saraekiel she had no problem with other supernaturals no matter the type, if they left her alone she left them alone but she culdn’t help but notice the strong readings she was picking up, this girl was strong, both in character and in ability, abilities she sensed that hadn’t even been tapped into yet. But ever since a few months ago; since the night of the Oligarchy disbandment actually, Saraekiel had been edgy whenever vampires where mentioned or around him so she figured she had better give him the heads up, just in the unlikely case he hadn’t noticed yet.

“female Vampire coming up on our left, young but strong. You gonna set her on fire and dump her in the sea?” She sent telepathically to the Angel behind her as they walked closer to the figure leaning against the railing before them.

Saraekiel couldn’t help but smile slightly as he once again found himself following behind Shae. The shifter could be irritating as all hell, but there was no one he trusted more. He ignored her silent message as he was already aware of the vampire leaning against the railing. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he looked at her, then realized she was familiar to him, though dressed a lot differently to the last time he had seen her.
“Sam?”he called out softly.

[Idrial]

Sams headphones had her hearing occupied with techno, she paid no attention to the movements of the two individuals walking her way. She was minding her own business and was soon getting tired of just leaning on the railing. Sam enjoyed being in the ocean a lot more than just watching it. She had her eye on a few stalls that remained open during the night time hours, maybe it was time to take a second look. Then the wind changed direction and along with it came that familiarity that made her feel welcome. As she turned she saw him, that magnificent man that gave her a small glimpse into his private life. She could never forget him, he was a true rebel in her eyes.

She pulled out her headphones only catching the word "am" and she could put two and two together. She faced Saraekiel with her hands clasped in the front. "It's an honor to be in your presence again," she directed to Saraekiel. A small smile on her lips, she wanted to be formal with him as a sign of respect.

"And it is an honor to be in your presence as well," she directed to the young lady with him. She was beautiful but she was different. What species she did not know and it peeked her interest along with meeting Saraekiel, the look in Sams silver eyes with speckles of gray glimmered. They had much to talk about and Saraekiel would be able to tell from the way she looked in his eyes. That look of comfort and a bit of joy of running into him again.

[Seragil]

Saraekiel smiled warmly as Sams feeling about him swarmed through his senses, he was glad Sam had survived the disbandment of the Oligarchy and the power struggle that ensued.

“The pleasure is mine Sam and I am glad to see you survived the initial...mayhem...that our fair city finds itself in” he said with a wicked grin, remembering well the last time he had seen Sam and their parting Turning to Shae slightly he lifted his hand and gestured to her. “Allow me to introduce my friend...” Here he halted not sure how to proceed, he didn’t believe in the modern casual attitude of giving names. Names to him were a sacred thing and the giving of one a sacred trust as he knew that a name carelessly given could be used as a weapon and a tool of enslavement. It was why he insisted of only ever using the last part of his name. The fact Sam knew his real name was abit of a bother to him and he had meant to fix that the night they met but had become sidetracked by other events.

“Shae.”Shae said without hesitation when Saraekiel halted. She didn’t share his paranoid believe and attitude about names. “Its a pleasure to finally meet you Sam. Kiel here has mentioned you once or twice over the last few months.” She lied glibly, infact Saraekiel hadn’t mentioned her at all which she found more then a little irritating and she couldn’t help but wonder if she was the cause of Saraekiels recent paranoid attitude towards vampires. Smiling brightly she looked at Saraekiel and cocked a shapely eyebrow at him. Oh yes he had much to explain and she had no qualms about letting him know it.

“Hmmm, yes, well.”Saraekiel said with a small grin of amusement at Shae’s  cocked eyebrow before returning his attention back to Sam. “So what brings you here tonight?”he asked with a grin. “” Did you come to do some shopping too?”he finished with an amused smile.

[Idrial]

"Survived thanks to your warning. And more informed than the last time." She teased him. True she had known more about the the city itself. Partly cause her and Jake we're getting along better and in turn Jake had informed her of certain events.Plus it helped that with the two getting along better that he was putting a little more trust in thier relationship. A positive for Saraekiel. But unfortunately she still was a guppie in a big pond but so far she had faired quite well.

Sam stepped in to shake Shae's hand, "I hope he hasn't said too much." Her eyebrow was cocked at the stranger. Somehow that seemed very unlikely and she squeezed Shae's hand to show that her unusual statement was noticed. Shae was being watched now, Sam was attune to picking up small details. She turned her attention back to Saraekiel with a nervous gleam in her eye, she wasn't sure why he had mentioned her to this Shae person. She shrugged it off for now as nothing to throw Shae off. Hopefully it would work.

She released Shae's hand, she didn't hurt the poor thing. "I was actually just browsing for now. A few books caught my attention. I was on my way back up before I ran into you." She bowed her head at him with a smile. "Where are you off to with such a lovely lady." She was making conversation for now, she knew at some point Saraekiel would be wanting information soon.

[Seragil]

Shae looked at her released hand with a small frown before looking at Sam with a look of surprise. Well Sam had turned out to be more then she had expected. At first she had assumed Sam might have been Saraekiels most recent bed partner for a night or two but apparently she had been wrong. Shrugging silently to herself she decided to keep quiet for now but she was going to keep both eyes on the feisty little vampire.

“Play nice” Saraekiel admonished telepathically to Shae before smiling at Sam “We weren’t really off to anywhere, just thought a nice stroll along the boardwalk would be nice.  When Shae here decided she felt like trying out the little Italian Bistro down the way. Food smelt great and it wasn’t overly crowded.” Tilting his head slightly he grinned “Would you like to join us?” He hadn’t missed Sam's hint of gained knowledge and had no doubt that it most likely retained to vampires so he curious indeed to see what she had to tell him but he hadn’t missed the slight tension between her and Shae and so was willing to play it cool and casual for now.

[Idrial]

Sam took in consideration the frown she received from Shae, it meant something but she wasn't quite sure what. Jake had always told her to be two steps ahead and for now his advice was working. Shae seemed to be put off by Sam a little, it reminded her of when Saraekiel learned about her bloodline they first time they met. It put a mischievous smile on her face, nothing against Shae but who knows how she might take Sams  smile.

"If you don't both mind then yes I would like to accompany you." Her hands no longer clasped in front but they now  fell loosely to her sides. She shoved her hands in her jacket pockets for the moment. "May I suggest you try their sixteen layer lasagne. It's quite tasty." She was here a long time ago with her school colleagues when she was still human. She waited for them to move not sure were she should walk.     

[Seragil]

Chuckling softly Saraekiel linked arms with both women and walked them to the Bistro. It was a simple setup, mainly alfresco  so that people can watch the ocean and the people walking past but with a few tables and booths inside with the service counter that displayed their deserts and alcohol selections.

Once there he seated them both before seating himself then he turned his smile and gaze to Sam, knowing Shae would be happy listening for now till she figured out exactly how Sam and he knew each other. He also couldn’t help but be amused at the fact that the not knowing would be irritating the absolute crap out of his shifter friend.

“So Sam, what has been happening with you since last we met?” He asked as they waited for the waiter to arrive to take their drink orders.

[Idrial]

Sam blushed immediately when Saraekiel looped his arm through hers, she tried to avoid Shae's gaze as they walked towards the Bistro. She remained silent as they walked, she was trying to get the redness to go from her lips. She didn't want anyone to notice, especially Shae whom she just met.

They arrived at the Italians Bistro in a timely fashion, Sam let Shae and Saraekiel pick their seating before she sat down. " A whole lot actually." She quipped including Shae in the conversation by making eye contact. She smiled to herself as she continued her conversation.

"Since the Oilgarchy fell everyone of a different species took a different part of the city to rule. They call them Districts. My Sire got his own District so did the Dark angels." She added in for Saraekiel which she thought would make him happy.

[Seragil]

Shae narrowed her eyes as the Vampire started talking about the Oligarcy then raised an eyebrow when she mentioned her Sire owned one of the vampire Districts, then groaned loudly when the dark angel territory was mentioned. Bloody Zoheret again she couldn’t help but think to herself. Well at least she now understood why Saraekiel was interested in the vampire and apparently she had been right about her earlier assumption about this vampire being the reason Saraekiel was more wary of vampires recently. Not that he was scared of them just that she was tired of the constant ranting about how did vampires become so powerful and why hadn’t anyone tried to stop it and blah blah. Still Sam was an interesting creature indeed and she hadn’t missed how Sam had seemed to blush when Saraekiel had taken them by the arms earlier and had to smile at herself. Saraekiel did seem to have that effect, had even had that effect on her once and truth be told still did sometimes. Finally feeling relaxed and at ease around Sam she leaned back in her chair and watched them both without commenting.

Saraekiel ignored Shae groan at the mention of the Dark angel and focused on Sam, though he was tempted to kick her under the table just for shits and giggles. “Your Sire owns one of the territories? Is it Jake or Vomas?”he asked excitedly and a little warily. Sam was even better connected then he though which raised some questions about loyalty and trust...could he trust her...was she one hundred percent loyal to her Sire and what was their relationship exactly. Still there was no rush and he could get to those questions later. “Do you know where the dark angel ho has taken over this territory is?” He finally asked with a small hint of excitement. He couldn’t wait to speak with Zoheret...not because she was infamously famous within his own race but because he had plans...and he really wanted to talk to Zoheret about them...he also wanted to grill her over her involvement with the damn Oligarchy, if she was the Oligarch for angels that is.

[Idrial]

Sam listened to the groans that came out of Shae's mouth, they sound of her groans told Sam a lot. Shae wasn't happy about the Dark Angels. It also gave her an insight on why Saraekiel was on the board walk in the first place. Rumor has it that this was the territory that Zoheret  was suppose to occupy but all Sam had heard was rumors. Especially rumors about Zoheret herself, most we're about her power as a Dark Angel. Now Saraekiel without knowing it gave Sam the information she was missing.

"Jake is my Sire, not Vomas." She corrected nicely on the spot. "I know her name now," she continued. "Her name is Zoheret. Rumor is she is powerful, some say she's Lucifers sister but not sure on that resource. On the down side I'm not sure where she is currently held up but I'll probably be able to find out over time." She didn't mention that Jake didn't like Zoheret, that was his opinion not Sams. Although she was slightly loyal to Jake a Ventrue had to make his or her way into the world.

Sams unusual choice of people wasn't always an accident, Saraekiel was but he was a good accident.  Sam carried blue blood in her viens. Like Jake said she had to make her own way into this world and if that meant associating with a Dark Angel then so be it. Sam knew the meaning of loyalty and trust, this was the core  of her character as well as keeping secerts. A plus for Saraekiel in the long run.

[Seragil]

Saraekiel leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers against his lips as he pondered the information Sam had just divulged. He didn’t know anything about Jake nor Vomas for that matter but now he at least knew Jake use to be the Oligarch for Vampires. He found the information intriguing; not that he had any idea what do with that information yet but he figured all information was worth having. Feeling it was time to build a little trust between himself and Sam he decided he would give a little tit-for-tat. “Your resource is accurate, Zoheret is Lucifer's sister” He said simply with a nonchalant shrug, making out that being such a thing wasn’t any big deal. Which to him it wasn’t as he didn’t give a damn about Lucifer and his unholy war with Heaven nor did he really care where Zoheret fitted in with it. No he was interested in Zoheret for entirely different reasons. “Its a shame you don’t know where to find her”he continued “as I really want to talk with her.” He finished with another little shrug before grinning at Sam and winking in a cheeky conspirator fashion.

Shae watched the interaction between Sam and Saraekiel with interest and amusement not missing the small almost inconspicuous flirting between the two. What was Saraekiel up to this time she couldn’t help but wonder. Amused and intrigued she caught the waiters eye and smiled at them signalling that she at least was ready to order.

[Idrial]

Sam was taken aback a little that the simple rumors she heard about Zoheret were actually true. She was glad that Saraekiel was a little more informed than Sam originally thought, made things a hell of a lot easier when someone reliable could fill in the pieces. Besides Saraekiel himself seemed a little too causal with his answer, there was something else he was keeping for himself. She didn't blame him and perhaps over time he would reveal what he was up too, right now that seemed unlikely.

Sam caught Shae's smile that was directed to the waiter. Sam quickly addressed Saraekiel before the waiter made it too the table. "My feathery friend I could find out with a few discreet phone calls." She gave him a wink, it almost seemed like flirting but bottom line was Sam was just overly nice. Besides Sam couldn't flirt even if she wanted too, she rarely got the attention to even practice.

"Nothing for me," stopping the waiter in his tracks."Excuse me you two while I make a few phone calls." She exited the table with her phone already out of her pocket and in her hand as she made it out the door. She stood around the corner as she made a few phone calls to her somewhat reliable resources. She chatted for a few minutes with each person before hanging up, she wished she had one excellent connection but where the hell would she start looking for such a person to trust.

She made her way back to the Bistro, as she entered through the door she took off her coat to display the plaid shirt she was wearing in the colors dark blue with stripes of white and pink. She put her coat on the back of her chair and sat down with a smile on her face, "As of right now Zoheret may have control of this district but as of current date there is no current headquarters to meet." She placed her hands clasped together on her lap, it still wasn't what Saraekiel wanted to hear.

"Sorry my resources couldn't be more help but they are small and weak compared to my sires contacts or spies or whatever you want to call them." She ended on that note as she noticed she was doing most of the talking. She was sure either one of them had something to say, Shae had been very quiet up too this point while she and Saraekiel were doing most of the talking.   

[Seragil]

Shae watched Sam leave the table and couldn’t help but be intrigued with her; she wasn’t at all what she seemed. The first impression you got from Sam was if not weak then unassuming, quiet and therefore easily over looked. But Shae knew that underneath that exterior there was strength, strength of character and abilities or at least strong potential. She understood why Saraekiel; who was usually offstandish, uninterested in others and at times obnoxious to those he considered lesser then he, was actually giving her the time of day. Deciding to show a subtle sign of trust she turned to the waiter and ordered the sixteen stack lasagne with a small greek salad on the side and a bottle of water.

“You’re going to eat a sixteen stack lasagne?....All on your own? “asked Saraekiel with a cocked eyebrow and a hint of amused surprise in his voice as he waved the waiter away.

Shae looked at him darkly “Do you have a problem with that Pigeon?” she replied with a hint of a bite to her tone
.
Surprised by Shae’s tone Saraekiel cocked an eyebrow at her and switched to a telepathic communication thread. “Problem?” he asked dryly.

“I’m pissed at you for not telling me about Sam, not one single mention of her over the last few months.” She replied a little heatedly.

Saraekiel chuckled softly before answering. “You sound like a jealous girlfriend. I didn’t mention her because I didn’t see the point. I honestly didn’t think I would see her again. “ he finished with a slight mental shrug.

“Kiel!” She retorted hotly in disbelief “That little vampire is a treasure trove, in herself and for her contacts, you should have stuck by her like yellow on gold. Damn it you should be mining her like a pioneer during a gold rush. By the Dark Goddess, you so need a bloody Keeper.”

Saraekiel grinned widely at Shae then turned his attention back to Sam as she rejoined then at the table. “Hmmm yes, that's pretty much what we had found out too.”he shrugged after Sam finished telling them the little bit of information she had gleamed. “Its why we were here, in the hope we might just bump into making the rounds or something.”he finished lamely with a shrug.

Finally feeling comfortable to talk in front of Sam, Shae turned to Saraekiel in exasperation “Why are you so eager to meet with this Zoheret sugar?” She asked before smiling softly as her eyes shimmered with wicked amusement “What...you hoping to have some wild pigeon sex with her?”