Post by binkyboo on Jun 10, 2010 21:53:05 GMT -5
James Binks-Rakosi blinked and stared at the building, mostly because of its smell. It smelled... fresh, but it wasn't. the building was old. This thuroughly confused him.
Cley puttered around the room before settling behind the counter, staring down at the papers infront of her.
James Binks-Rakosi shrugged and turned to move on his way. Not that he had anywhere in particular to go... he just.. felt like walking in huge curcles. Theraputic and all of that...
James Binks-Rakosi wandering the streets most that evening until finally he made it near the over pass that lead into Old Towne. He was unsettled thinking of walkign there alone and instead turned from it and walked back past the police station. He stopped on the sidewalk edge and loked up towards the forests and the Wilds and stared back at the trees that stared back at him. It -was- part of whom he was to be in tune with Nature. Wasn't it? Fae were beings of nature.. they were in tune with the earth more than any living and unliving being. So why was he that he could not walk five feet without Nature kicking his ass in some way? He frowned. He never had a good memory when it involved nature. Except maybe the seaside. Yet even then, he was sure that was mostly in part of Jehan's help. This only made him frown more. He knew Jehan was tense over something but if it were vampiric related he wouldn't share from fear of scaring Bink. And Bink would just be clueless to it all because he was safer and happier that way. Which was true to the point that he got lonely... like now. Sure he could go out and 'talk with the living', and he did... but he really didn't quite fit into the existence of human well as he ofte nproved himself time and time again. That went double for any type of Shifter. So what was he left with on the restless evenings like the one he found himself in where wandering was the only thing that made him feel better because if he wasn't moving.. he'd have to stand still. A half a bag of wheat bread, peanut butter and grape jelly that was what! He had all the items plus one butter knife strapped into his belt.. to wander and eat.. and wander some more.. until Jehan called or he got sleepy. whichever happened first."
James Binks-Rakosi wandering along, Bink found himself on the streets of a normal neighborhood. As normal as he had ever seen on a television show. If he thought far back enough he could almost remember the times with the family he thought was his own as a child... they lived in a neighborhood... like this... kinda of. Towards the end of the road was a smaller house with grungy, foggy glass windows that overlooked the sea. Bink smiled andstepped away from teh sidewalk to approach the house. It was unfurnished and abandoned. Even the foor was unlocked. He stepped inside and inhaled the dust aroud him that clung to the air like a net. It was so old and dusted he coulddraw on the interior panels of the glass. Which he did after awhile. He drew stick figured depictions of a house and family. HE could imagine the one that lived here before. A young family, starting out on their own. A mother and father.. and probably one child.. and a dog. Every good young family had a dog. They'd move on now with their livs as people tended to do, but Bink could sit o nthe floor of the house and listen... listen to the echoes they left behind them and at least for a little while pretend they were his. He loved where he lived. And Jehan, but he was finally feeling the pains of a house with no windows... no sunlight.. a life spent mostly after dark. It was slowly beginning to suffocate him. Even now the sun was down, but his life for the day was still in full swing. "Well..." he said aloud to himself as he watched the moon drift through hazy windows. "...the light from the sun reflects off the moon and that's how we get moonlight... I guess... in a way I indirectly got some sunlight today..""
Eventually Bink made his way into Old Towne, braving his way through the shadowed underpass towards the bright colored sign of Fang Bangers. He crept inside, through the early crowd and sighed gently as he ran into the sight of Jehan and the other lady. He gave a faint smile to them, but didn't bother to approach. If Jehan wanted him near he'd call otherwise, Bink could find things to entertain himself with.
Nikki Robbins smirked lightly but it was not a happy one. "Everything I have spoken...tells you nothing of me. It only allows your mind to create a story to suit vague words. Others have asked similar things to me before when I would mention such things. Asking without a question about my reasoning for mentioning anything to them. The words can mean as many numerous things as mine own. Yet, if you were to try and cause me harm with my secrets. That I am causing enough harm to myself on my own with my secrets that anything else...would be like a feather on the back of an elephant." She glanced away hearing someone else and saw Bink standing nearby. "Seems your Bink has come. Shall I leave your company so that you might have his?" She looked back to Jehan.
Jehan glanced the direction she indicated and offered Bink a smile in greeting before he spoke back to her," Would his pressence prevent you from speaking as you wish? For I tell you he is mine but I do find I want to hear more what you wish to say . Afterall I am not honestly trying to hurt anyone here
James Binks-Rakosi stood where he was and just returned the smile of greeting back in kind. He did lean back to brush against the cutrains at the entraneway, however. Jehan looked busy and he hadn't told him to come, so he knew he must have jsut been busy. He gave a look tothe bar at the people about it and made a slight face, thinking of havign to sit there... and.. talk.. to people. He looked back towards the room of red and the other bar and felt much the same about it. So in the end.. he just stood still. It was the easiest route to follow.
Nikki Robbins slowly shook her head. "No, his presence would not stop my words. Not in the least. I would welcome his presence. Speaking as one who as spent many years alone, that being in a crowd of people...does not make one less alone. It only makes the feeling of being alone more unbearable."
Jehan bowed his head a bit to her " Bink would probably understand that more than I . "then held out his hand in Bink's direction. lifting his voice jsut a bit , " Bink, my heart. come and sit with me
James Binks-Rakosi did a momentary prancign in place like that of a puppy that was about to be fed its favorite treat. He walked though calmly towards them both after the prancing outburst and kept his head lowered. He sat by jehan and cleared his throat, lifting his head abit to acknowledge and greet the woman. "heyla, Miss!"
Nikki Robbins looked over to Bink as he came over and sat down. She smiled and the serious and nearly jaded expression on her face melted away like an ice cube laying out in the sun. "Hello, my name is Nikki. It is nice to meet you."
Jehan reached over to draw a gloved hand along Bink's arm as he smiled to him," you still smell like salt water . It suits you . " looking back to Nikki he chuckled," seriousness does not suit you . I should ask Bink to sit with you more often .
James Binks-Rakosi brightened his smile just a bit to her introduction, "it's nice to meet you too, Miss Nikki! Are you one of Jehan's friends?" he blinked twice and blushed as Jehan made his own comments. ".. you make that sound like I'm a magnet some kind of charm. I'm not a charm.. i'm.. a Binky."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to Jehan. "I prefer happiness to seriousness always. Yet, there is a time and place for both." She looked back to Bink and softly laughed flashing a bit of her teeth. "Well, I do believe that it is up to Jehan as to whether we are friends. But Bink, you do make people smile."
Jehan nodded," yes.. happy always tastes better . Sad makes my stomach hurt ." looking back to Bink he nodded," yes..I think I can say that Nikki is a friend . And she also makes very good drinks that I can drink with you when you are having milk and cookies here .
James Binks-Rakosi oozed out the joy on that last comment, " oh really!?!" He bounced in his seat and looked quite childish doing so. "I hate drinking anything by myself.. and eating.. but you don't... well.. YAY!" He chirped the ended before clearing his throat and tryign to settle like he had never had his joyous fit. "Well... um... yeah.. that is good." He settled down completely and half drooped over hsi bean bag. "... how do I make people smile, Miss Nikki? I.. I don't really know anyone that well here."
Nikki Robbins smiled as she softly laughed. She finished her own drink. "Bink, you make people happy...simply by being you. The way you are right now. I know that is true for me at least. Simply watching you bounce in your seat and smiling and joyous. It makes me want to smile." Nikki looked between them. "Now, would either if you like something to drink?"
Jehan found it was true. Watching Bink he could not keep from smiling ," you make us smile by finding your own joy in things we forget to look at " he shook his head a bit to Nikki," and no.. at the moment I do not thirst . Thank you .
"I'd like some juice if that is ok!" He was blushing as he asked, and though the force of his voice was enthusiastic, overall he was quiet. "I mean.. if its not too much trouble. PB and J sammiches make me thirsty..." Not to mention walking in circles about the city half the day didn't help... but who was counting anyway? "Oh.. you only forget because you're forgetful. Stop being forgetful and you'll remember smiles more."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently as she slowly rose. "Of course not Bink. What kind of juice would you like? She slowly levitated herself upward as she now floated there before them.
Jehan smirked at Bink as he settled back in his own seat," oh my how forgetful of me I shall attempt to not forget that anylonger . Unless I forget." As Nikki floated up he watched her carefully , almost as if he would be able to understand jsut how she did the levitating .
James Binks-Rakosi hmmed loudly as he tapped on his chin," well I've been in a mood for pomegranate juice, but that doesn't go too well with grape jelly. I could use some grape but that is over grape and I think too much in the grapeness. Orange juice just sounds silly as does lemonade. and well.. hm.. I'm not sure. I guess.. whichever is easier to find here!" the strangest part was his honesty in making juice drinking such a big deal. It was one of the best parts of his meal... the drink.
Nikki Robbins softly smiled as she looked to Bink. Her expression gentle as she listened to him. "Would you care for some apple juice perhaps? Or maybe a mixture of juices. Say...orange and banana. I can mix types together."
Jehan watched Bink a moment then slid gaze over to Nikki as Bink revealed his thought process," Somedays he makes me doubly glad that my own dietary needs are so ... simple. then he makes it a game of where will you bite today . I think he likes to see if I will pick up the same process in thinking. " he blinked a moment" hrm I think I do at taht sometimes
Aydryan came down from the upstairs rooms and made his way to the blue lounge couch. He saw Jehan, Bink and Nikki...glad that it was those particular three at the moment. It would remain quiet, hopefully, for a little bit. However, his outward expression was a mask of beautiful calm, porcelain perfection, except for the patch over a missing eye. He sat gracefully and stretched his lean frame out, content to simply sit still as stone watching and listening.
James Binks-Rakosi giggled softly, "You do..." Though to Nikki he gave a sheer look of confusion. In fact the look was so dominant upon him that it echoed about his head. One could almost see physical question marks squeezing out frm his ears to float up over his head in a true cartoon like manner. "...fruit juices... can mix....?!?" He was happy.. and frightened and anxious all at once by this startling discovery. Why.. he'd never thought to -mix- his juices. This was gettign complicated now!
Taja pads quietly to the curtains edge, drawn to the voices. Her footsteps are slow, cautious as see looks around, eyes weighing those in the room
Nikki Robbins softly giggled at Bink. "I have an idea. I will mix one for you and see how you like it. How is that Bink? And is there any juice you do not like?" She did not notice Aydryan's arrival as she was taking care of Bink.
Jehan lifted his head as Aydryan walked in . The smile he offered was actually real seeming though one really couldnt help but admire that graceful stretch . Head tilted slightly pondering him then glanced back to the flabergasted Bink and reached over to pat his hand," easy my heart. breathe..it will be ok .
James Binks-Rakosi bobbled his head, " Coconut! But that's not really a juice. And I think I solely hate it because it wants to be a juice but can't. It's a milk and its jsut gotta learn to accept what it is." He exhaled and blushed as he was patted. "I -am- calm.. its just.... coconuts are so nutty... they just.. oooo! silly coconuts!"
Aydryan spotted the smile offered by Jehan and nodded in return, a slight upward tilt to the corners of a full lipped mouth. From his peripherals he was aware of a woman to his left, though he did not look at her directly. As he sat there his senses slowly extended about the room, listening to conversations, heartbeats and so on.
Taja slips nonchalantly into the room and toward the bar, glancing over the room's occupants as she does so, letting her gaze linger on each just an instant. Long enough to feel out the room's tone, but not long enough to draw attention.
Nikki Robbins smilef and gently laughed. "I will go fix you a drink Bink. I will be right back." She turned slowly in a circle in the air. Then, she hovered herself over towards the bar seeing a woman standing there. Nikki smiled gently as she levitated around behind the bar to look at the woman. "Hello Miss. What drink might you care for this evening?" She was all ready starting to work on a mix of juices for Bink as she pulled out the pomagrante juice along with some berry juices to blend.
Taja smiles warmly at the woman "Evening, I'll... have the strongest you happen to have back there, but I'm in no rush." Watches the woman for a moment more, intently
Jehan watched Nikki float off a moment and then with another light pat on Bink's shoulder he slowly stood with his own bit of a stretch" I will be right back Bink"It was a slow stroll over till he was in front of Aydryan and he spoke," Am I interupting your thoughts?
James Binks-Rakosi was content and fully lost in this ideal of juice mixing to the point that he was muttering to himself about it! " ...but grape jelly doesn't tastes as good with strawberry... mebbe the juices are different... no....! but oooOOooo... blueberry... and raspberry now that's an interesting combination... ooh.... peach...peach-eee Keen!" And there he went, giggling to himself as he talked... to himself... in a very selfless way?
Aydryan turned his head to focus on Jehan when he caught movement from that corner. He considered the question for a moment and then shook his head, "Not at all. Sometimes it's best to not let yourself get bogged down in some thoughts." He bowed his head slightly, "How are you tonight, Jehan? Bink?"
James Binks-Rakosi heard his name and sat up his back straight as he chirped loudly his greeting to Aydryan. " Peaches!!" So perhaps it wasn't the most profound or helpful of greetigns in the world.. but he did have juice o nthe brain. He blinked several times before it dawned on his overlouded little brain that 'peaches' was not a greeting. He blushed deeply and sank into his beanbag, clearing his throat as he added much softer. ".. i..um.. i mean heyla, Sir..."
Nikki Robbins smiled to the woman and nodded. "Of course miss." She moved to mix that drink up for her since it was quite easy. Her motions fluid and graceful. Nikki moved down and placed the drink in front of her. "Here you are miss." She glanced up and saw Aydryan in the corner with Jehan talking to him before she looked back to the woman. "Excuse me for just a moment please." She picked up the glass of mixed juice and floated back around the counter heading back to Bink.
Taja watches the woman behind the bar mixing drinks and plays with the hem of her sleeve, noding vaguely as she excused herself
Jehan glanced back at Bink's exclamation and shook his head with a chuckle," I think you can hear that Bink is quite himself tonight . Other than a few disturbing..dreams.. I myself am doing rather wellI hope youa re doing ok? " It was a genuine question that he offered.
Nikki Robbins moved back over to Bink and held out the glass of mixed juice to him. "Here you are Bink. Give this a try."
Taja wraps her hand around the glass on the bar and watches the two small groups across the room, alternating from one to the other
"Hmmm," again, he had to consider that. And he answered as he lifted his hand in greeting to the now quite adorably blushing Bink, "For the most part..all is well. Of course...there are always the concerns that come with the position Hikaru and I hold." One side of his mouth curled upward slightly, "I'm glad that you and Bink are settling alright and that ... the dramas haven't been too traumatizing."
Denalius hadn't been to this Fang Bangers joint yet, and for obvious reasons. It was like drawing that line in the sand and saying *Here I am*. So many of his kind had taken to hiding their lycanthrope, living under the radar. Hanging out in places that publicly advertised and promoted the fact that it catered to the preturnatural ... it always made him feel like he was wearing a sign that said *Here we Are!!* Anyways, he did want something to drink, and it was the wolf in him that led him here. The scent was instantly familiar from a hundred other such establishments, but this one actually felt -peaceful- for lack of a better word. After a few reflexive spasms through his broad shoulders he gave the few occupants within a cursory nod as he associated faces with various scents and sounds. He just watned a drink and he was looking for a deserted section of bar to drink it. He couldn't help but notice the hair raising across his arms in tiny electric fingers as he passed the three -obvious- vampires while heading through to the next section. He gave them a curt nod from behind an arched brow though did not slow down to make friends just yet."
James Binks-Rakosi lifted his hands up to take the glass Nikki offered. For the sake of his own eccentricities...he decided agaisnt commenting until after he had his first drink. Which didn't take too long. Jehan had affirmed out loud Nikki was considered a friend. Friends of Jehan's could be trusted otherwise why would he have befriended them at all. So the glass went to his mouth and GULP! in went the strange juicy concoction. He pulled the glass away and licked his lips, and smacked them together in an all too Bink childlike manner. "...this... tastes... awesome!! It's like the produce section exploded into my mouth!! I couldn't get this much taste unless i started shoving fruits into my mouth while shopping. " He blushed deeply and leaned in towards Nikki to stage whisper. "I do not reccomend trying that when the grocery attendants are near by. They aren't very friendly when you do that..."
Taja watches the new arrival and follows him acorss the room with her eyes, until being drawn back to the juice experiment with a small smile
Jehan lifted his own hand as if to wave away the question ," There are always spitting matches when new blood arrives . Usually its not between the new bloods themselves . I apologise again for making your job harder. I already have respect for you and I well know the work that it is
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to him as she giggled lightly. "I am so glad you like it Bink." She leaned towards him to listen though she did not need to. Nikki whispered softly back to him, "I promise to keep that in mind. Thanks." She smiled happily to him as she leaned back. "If you would like more please do not hesitate to ask me." Nikki looked up as someone else entered but merely walked through. She shrugged as she turned and floated back to stand behind the bar again.
Jerusalem thought at least.. this was the area of the infamous club where she could get a drink that would clear out her pounder. Pounder as in, massive bloody headache that damn near resembled an aneurysm, of course. She had followed the waitress who gave her something that she herself would call ten thousand proof killer, she was a little stack of shit and it was her first time drinking, she probably couldn't hold liquor like a baby could hold water. Once the drink is made, she retrieves a cloth from her pocket, wrapping it around the glass and giving it a tip. "Oh, no offense lady. It's not like I'm a germ-a-phobe or anything. I just don't touch stuff that other people touch. Weird, yeah.." Passing on the money, she hears voices and offers a slight grunt, and with a sharp turn she takes her drink towards a more favored side of the club with her tongue clicking as loud as her boots.
Taja leans over the counter slightly, trying, albeit just a little, to get the bartender's attention, her face cringing as if she wasn't happy that she was doing this.
Aydryan sat up a bit straighter in his seat and leaned forward with a slow bowing of his head before moving back again. "I appreciate your apology. It seems so few are willing to bend enough to give them these days. As for the respect, again...thank you. It's refreshing to hear it said." He spoke carefully and quietly, doing his best to not let his own inner issues concerning himself color his words. "Granted, I accept the idea that of Hikaru and I, I am the .... the more disciplinarian."
Denalius stopped in the center section of the cross over, peering into the bar area to see what was making that noise. Eyes narrowed, he spots the little woman clicking her tongue through the club. How annoying. He didn't see, however, a bartender at that bar so he looked back in a double take and spotted the one he figured to be the barkeep and headed back in toward that bar, leaning into it casually as he continued to glance around.
Dodgeguy Woodward: I'll give "me" to you for gift...
Hikaru let his shoulders fall, seeming to realize that somewhere between here and there and his hesitation he had bunched them up. So he forced himself to relax and take a deep breath, glancing to the dark haired man as he passed but he was just another face in the crowd that had filled the bar. He pushed aside the curtain and stepped into the lounge, looking around and for the moment, staying silent. He didn't want to interrupt conversations already in place. He was back to second guessing himself again, and keeping most of himself hidden. He actually didn't step too far into the room either but he did move over closer to Aydryan.
Nikki Robbins looked over to the woman with her jade eyes as she leaned over to get her attention. "Is there something you need miss?"
“actually..." she started a bit quietly as she noticed the big man walk to the other end of the bar. "I was hoping you may be able to point me in the right direction." She takes an unneeded breath and looks at teh bar top " I understand the city's master may be found near here? would you know where?"
Jehan laughed softly and moved over to lean agasitn the couch a bit though he didn't sit ," I think .. from my own experience that is usually how it is . The second gets more leeway to be friends with others." still smiling he crossed an arm over his chest and rested the elbow on hand as he drew figners across his lips, " but then I suppose that was why I oathed to you . you are the heart here . The pulse . In what I tasted.. and hear when the sun sets. I know that you need to be supported here.
James Binks-Rakosi slurps down his drink, just watching the people around him now, particularly the corner Jehan had wondered to. His eyes held mixed emotions. Those were Masters, and granted.. he had only had experience with one other Master of the City... and it wasn't good, these two stil always left him jsut a tad nervous. But then Jehan seemed so... happier near them, and this only confused him more. PLus.. they smelled nice and he was sure that masters of the City were not supposed to smell nice! He huffed into his near empty glass. They had to stop being confusing to him.
Dodge yawned as he pushed open the doors leading into the quieter side of FangBangers. As he stood there waiting for his eyes to adjust to the lite he glanced around taking note of anyone who happened to be in the room. AS he stepped further in he noticed his two favorite vampires over on the couch, and gave them both a smile and a wave as he walked towards them. " Aydryan.. Hikaru.. good evening to you both.."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently and nodded, "I can certainly help you." She motioned to the man on the couch and the one standing in front of the picture near the couch. "They are right there." Nikki looked back towards the man at the bar now and smiled to him. "Evening sir. What drink would you like this evening?"
Taja glances, repeatedly through her long, wavy hair and the growing group behind her and mumbles to her self "yep, perfect couldn't have worked out better. lovely" She starts and stops repeatedly, apparently working up the courage to move, before finally pushing herself away from the bar and sauntering around the outskirts of the room and over toward the couch.
Aydryan felt more than saw Hikaru come closer to him. His left hand extended outward to his partner. The feelings that Hikaru was experiencing echoed through their bond. <<Ami..please..do not doubt yourself for last night. I would have done the same...if not something more...violent.>> To Jehan he allowed a slightly larger smile to form, how could he not after what the man said. It was simply...the best thing anyone of Wood Bourne, other than Hikaru, had ever said to him. His left hand fell to pat the couch beside him, "Please, Jehan...sit, relax." Then the sound of a greeting reached him and looked up, "Ah, Dodge...a pleasure to see you..always. I hope that you're feeling well."
Denalius was feeling a little crowded in all of a sudden. He couldn't quite get himself positioed just right to feel all warm and fuzzy about the place. He had been on the road a long time though and his nerves just needed some settling. He ehard the question from teh woman at the ed of the bar, asking about the Master of this city. he kept his ears up as he looked directly back to the woman behind the counter. His voice was deep enough to thrum its way through the buzz of the crowd, "A really cold draft in a frosted mug if you ot that, please." He didn't hesitate with the -please-, but it was almost over-pronunciated, as if he was trying to remind himself of his manners.
Nikki Robbins nodded to him. "Of course sir. Just a moment." She glanced over to the Masters in the corner with Jehan and Dodge and now this woman. Nikki moved to fix the drink as the man had asked. She moved back over and placed the mug in front of him. "Here you are sir."
James Binks-Rakosi was beginning to chew... on his glass's edge. Not hard enough to cut or crack it, but enough for his teeth to feel it. Another quirky Binky habit it seemed. More people began to surround the Master pair and Jehan and Bink suddenly felt quite glad to be in his corner of the room. Not that he didn't dislike anyone.. but... there were soooo many! It made him nervous jsut to see all those people nearby.
Taja sidles over to the men at the couch, trying, as unusual as it was for her, not to be stealthy. Her slow steps and curiousity with the rest of the room at large gave away her hesitation with this current mission, and she moves toward the door to the rest of the club more than once, but stays. Finally she comes to within the limit of the group and casts a brief, not quite sultry look to the most recently addressed man, and then turn her eyes to these masters
What Jehan had said gave him a reason to look at him a bit longer than the others, though he did nod to Dodge of course. Jehan's words gave him a new respect for him and that showed for a second on his face until he heard Nikki sending someone looking for the Master of the City over their way and he mentally winced, wondering what next. His right hand reached out as he moved closer, lacing his fingers with Ayd's without looking. <<I cannot help it. I'm not doubting... >> He stopped his train of thoughts realizing it was a lie. He was doubting himself, but not over last night in specifics, but the whole thing. <<I know what I did had to be done.>> Violet eyes slid over as the woman approached, watching her, studying her.
Jehan returned the smile and started to settle on the couch there then he noted Hikaru and turned the smile to him , Evening Hikaru ."glancing back at Aydryan he chuckled ," As much as I wouldn't mind getting between the two of you .I almost feel I should be the one holding up the wall not Hikaru. Morion was rather strong on protocall and well one jsut doenst forget the way their first raised them to act sometimes " he offered a soft laugh with that but he too heard of one being directed this way and he settled a bit into his own stillness but turned slightly as he glanced around the room taking in all those that were gathering here tonight
Dodge paused as he got closer, the crowd of people seemed to get larger and the masters seemed busy so Dodge simply smiled speaking back.. " I am well, thankyou Aydryan." Dodge continued to walk past them and out into the other room, perhaps for a bit of dancing.
James Binks-Rakosi now left alone... to himself.... without a soul to talk to... Bink found that his nervousness in focusing on the gathering was taking its toll on him. This.. wasn't good. So he wriggled in place, sliding his hand over the surface of the beanbag to find somethign to distract him... and quickly. His fingers were quite lucky too. He found his fingertips ticled.. by a stray thread. from out of the beanbag! Goodness that was not good. THe thread may snag the material! He held the thread between his fingers, stuck out his tongue to the side of his mouth and fiddled with it to try and pull it off without damaging the clothe of the bean bag in the process.
Taja watches their attention settle on her and nods gently, somehow making it seem something of a curtsy in her skirt. Her cool grey eyes study those watching her, these masters, looking for what will most quickly put them at ease. It is her gift after all. Carefully, as though the floor might give way beneath her, she steps closer, lowering her voice, hiding the heistation and falling, just a little back into her original accent in the attempt. The romani is evident in her words "Good evening Gentlemen. I understand it is my responsibility to seek you out as this is... your city. I am Taja"
Denalius watched the barkeep in her proficient performance of her job. She had a frosted mug and was immediately a friend that deserved a smile. It was warm enough, but apparantly not often practiced, looking a little awkward on his face. "Thank you." He was still casting a few glances to the woman and her approach to the men in the corner. He looked back to Nikki, this time with a slightly more genuine smile, "I'm gona head in there, " he nods to the next section over, "Could you check on me time to time? I'm gonna want a few moreof thee, I'm sure." He gathered his mug and readied himself to move across the club again.
Aydryan mentally wrapped his loving support around Hikaru, sending him energy as well. Heaven knew that the last few days Hikaru had been doing the same for him. <<Be strong, Beloved. I am sorry I was not there.>> His hand patted the couch again, "Please, Jehan...sit...Hikaru and I will not mind, besides...no one can truly come between us for we are always close." His own gaze slid to the woman, Taja. His hand shifted slightly until one long nailed finger was pointing to the couch, a silent further encouragement to Jehan. His other hand squeezed Hikaru's fingers, pulling the held hand to his lips where he kissed the knuckles gently. Then, quietly, "And so it is. Good evening, Taja and welcome to Wood Bourne. Why has our city drawn you to us?"
Nikki Robbins smiled softly. "I will see what I can do. Yet, it seems things are becoming busy around here tonight." She glanced back over to the corner then back to the man as he got ready to move back into the main part of the bar. Her eyes then moved to Bink all alone. Nikki smiled softly as she head back around the bar and back towards Bink in the corner.
Taja stands more confidently at the civilized response. As though she had been ready for a fight that is no longer apparent, her shoulders ease giving her the graceful pose of a dance. She delayed her response as she thought about it, finally answering "I have long been a wanderer, but find, I very much miss a place to return to. This city... it has a good feel about it, little trouble, peace. These are things that have eluded me for too long"
James Binks-Rakosi whimpered in dismay as this tugging of the string only seemed to draw out more string. " ..n-n-noo.." he sighed and peered about, not noticing Nikki approaching, but also not noticing anyone staring at him. He took a deep breath and dived in.. almost literally. He lay on his side and pressed his cheek into the beanbag, holding the string betwwen his teeth. He moistened it with his saliva to make it softer and in one quick jerk of his neck, attempted to RIP the string right out from the bean bag... and he did. RIIIIP! The seam busted and a thumb sized hole now remained where before it was loosely sewn. TO add further insult to injury.. there was a small waterfall of bean bag inside spilling out onto the floor. "oh goodnes!! oh goodness!!" He chirped in a panic. Now there was a frantic bink, laying on his side, scooping pellets into a oddly form and deflating bean bag and trying his best... -not- to be noticed for... killing the chair.
Hikaru nodded to Jehan and looked to Aydryan, something lightening in his eyes as he shifted to half sit on the arm of the couch. He turned to Taja as she poke of peace and glanced back down to Ayd,the brim of his hat hiding that his brows had furrowed. Until he heard a soft ripping sound and glanced up, watching as Bink tried scooping up the pelleted lifeblood of the bean bag. (LOL Binks)
Jehan didn't ask or hesitate even though the movement was completely natural and he settled there on that couch with a graceful lounge though he did not quite touch Aydryan . He offered a plesant though guarded smile to the woman even though he appeared to be admiring her multicolored skirt mostly
Nikki Robbins saw the happening at the bean bag. She hurried over while she levitated making it look as though she might rise to fly but she did not. Nikki lowered herself down onto her knees next to the bean bag. "Here Bink. Let me help here. Would you please sit on the other bean bag please while I try to fix this?" She smiled gently to him.
James Binks-Rakosi looked up at Nikki, with a handful of pellets in his hand and wide eyes filled with stereo-typical crocodile tears. " I swear i'm not a murderer!!" If there was a crime for killing beanbag chairs... Bink would have found a way to plead insanity to it. He crawled off the beanbag, on his belly, still holding the pellets of beanbag in his hands and inched over to another bean bag to sit... and sulk. "... i .. I was only trying to help it.. it... it had a snag..." And yes, he did pout. One of those pathetic pouts a kitten would give when it realized it couldn't sit on your lap any more... though with more honest feeling. ".. i'm sorry..."
Aydryan canted his head ever so slightly in the direction of the bean bags, but resisted turning his head to look. He just didn't want to know. Besides, he could feel that Hikaru's attention was already focused on it. There was a nearly imperceptable nod from Aydryan as Jehan settled on the couch. During this, his eye's focus never left Taja. He debated telling her that sometimes Wood Bourne wasn't so peaceful, however...sometimes it was best to let individual discover things with time. "So..to ask you where you've come from recently would probably be an ... unanswerable question ... yes?" His tone was pleasant and as always he was softly spoken. "Can you tell me who the last Master was that you oathed to?" Meanwhile, his hand had flattened on the couch, long slender fingers spidering over the rich fabric.
Taja 's growing confidence sputters to a grinding halt as the master asks his questions. She looked full in his face, intent on getting this over with. "I have recently been in europe. I travel, as has always been my way. I have never sworn oath to the master of a city. I have never had one command my actions. Since I left my people, it has been only me. This has... not always gone over with. But who would oath to one they could not trust?" Her head cants at the last question, accent thick there is no anger in her voice, but a strong determination.
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to him. "Bink. It is all right. I promise. The beanbag will be just fine ok? Cheer up Bink." Nikki looked down to the bean bag and flipped it up so the hole was not on the side anymore and the beans would not spill out. "Now Bink. If you like to to be my little helper, I going to go get the needle out of the first aid kit. If you would try and put the beans back in the bag I would really like the help. You can make it up to the bean bang that way." She rose and hurried back to the counter to dig into the first aid kit.
James Binks-Rakosi so to a normally sane person they'd may have gotten that feeling that they were treated liek a child. Bink.. was not any of those things. He, on the other hand, seemed to brighten up to this ideal of being a little helper and bobbled his head frantically like one too. He crawled back to the fallen bean bag, pet it and murmured, " i'm really...really sorry!" And began to slow and thurough task of putting pellets back into it. He was sniffling, but not as much as before. He was back to being happy... well as happy as a former bean bag murderer could be....
Hikaru pulled his cellphone out of his back pocket when it vibrated that he had recieved a text, glancing to the screen his hand unwound from Aydryan's fingers <<I have to go check on this Ami... >> And he quickly left the room, heading for their office.
Jehan idly ran fingers through his own hair as he watched the woman then rested his elbow on the pillow at his side while the other hand absently traced the velvet of the couch . Gaze flicked over to Bink and he almost bit his lip to not laugh though he smiled fondly , However, it seemed that Nikki had him well in hand and he was sure she could comfort him with this minor disaster . Eyes slid back to the woman as he heard the last part of her statement and brow rose ever so faintly . But it was not his place to speak here at this point. For now he would remain quiet as a presence there beside the Master.
Aydryan listened intently to Taja as she spoke and did not take offense to what she said. "A very valid question, Taja. However, trust or not, to reside within our territory requires that you either blood oath to myself or to Hikaru. There is not debate on that issue. Our essence will support you from the moment you wake to the moment you sleep. You will grow as we grow, but... you must agree to our rule." His head turned as Hikaru's fingers left his own, a slight frown forming for a moment before that unreadable mask slipped back into place. Aydryan's awareness of Jehan was also there and was made known by his hand moving to rest upon the other vampires knee.
Taja stands very still as she thinks, a lack of motion that made her former constant sway only now evident. Her face shifts though a myriad of emotion that she can't seem to completely contain anger, confusion and for a moment she looks ready to bolt, but this changes, smooths out after a moment and she finally takes a slow sigh. "Things change, many places are no longer allowed for those who do not accept chains. I am no one's servant..." She seems to struggle with the next part, "but... I will oath to you, I can live with rules." She looks anything but happy with her decision
Nikki Robbins found the needle, a little spool of thread and the scissors. She gently picked up these things and hurried back around the bar with her feet still off the groun. Her focus had not been broken for a second or she was merely doing it by natural reaction. In any case, she came back to the beanbag and settled back down onto her knees near Bink. She smiled kindly, "Such a good job Bink. You are doing very well." Nikki started to unravel some of the thread to be long enough to sew up the hole.
James Binks-Rakosi shovelled the last of the pellets into the beanbag and smiled up to Nikki gratefully as she came back," I did?" He sighed out and sat back on his legs, " Thank goodness! I wouldn't be able to live withmyself If I really killed a bean bag in the Masters' club...." He wrapped his arms about himself and bounced where he sat, anxious to see if the beanbag would really make it out ok. Yes... worrying... over a bean bag's well being.
Jehan actually seemed to relax from Aydryan's touch even ventureing to lightly lay his own hand agasitn that one. leather glove tracing the back of the hand and a smile curling his lips up a bit but he tilted his head a bit and ventured," It is not servitude ..slavery ..it is not chains we wear . It is the heart beat. The hands and fingers. and for one to be alone.. for so long.. this could be coming home if it is done of true willingness.. especially for one that is used to skirting the rules perhaps?
Taja blinks at the man's words, mulling them inside her head and thinking about what is meant by them, and by who says them, slowly she nods. A movement that grows more confident as she does. "yes" she says "this is what I seek. A home. I think, maybe, this may be it"
Nikki Robbins nodded to him. "Yes you did Bink. You have been a great help to me." She smiled. "Thank you Bink." Nikki easily threaded the needle while she was talking to him. She looked back to the bean bag and started to sew up the hole. Her hand moved fluidly as she stitched up the hole with a very practiced ease.
Dodge finished off his beer and started to get up, noticing Niki was busy with the emergency bean bag surgery, Dodge took care of the empty bottle himself, then wiped the bar top where he had been sitting. He placed a tip for Nikki next to the till and silently turned and walked out of the bar into the cool evening air, and headed for home.
James Binks-Rakosi winced and looked away as the bean bag began to be sewn. It wasn't that he was squeamish, but remorseful for his own mess up. He didn't cover his face so that pain in the wrong was more evident upon his face. he chewed on his lower lip and tighten then handed fists atop his knees as he waits for the all clear. It had to be all clear.. otherwise he'd owe an even bigger apology to the Masters... and a new bean bag!
Aydryan turned his head slightly toward Jehan with the touch of warm leather and then his words. Jehan swiftly scored several points on the 'very important' list within Aydryan's mind. He turned a warm smile toward Taja, which was atypical for him, but tonight was going well and it came easily. "Hikaru and I do our best to support the vampires in our Kiss, to lead them fairly and protect them. All we ask in return is respect and equal support." He extended his left hand to her, palm up and fingers extended. Those fingers quirked slightly in a 'come here' motion. "To oath to me to create a bond with me. Your voice will be within my mind until you leave me and my territory."
Taja steps easily to the master's outstretched hand, her mind made up now, there is no hesitation left. Slowly she nods in understanding and acceptance
Nikki Robbins finished stitching up the bean bag as she hummed softly. She tied off the end and getnyl wove the needle into the hem of her shirt. Nikki flipped the beanbag and fluffed it a bit with a smile on her lips. "See here Bink. The bean bag is back to normal."
Jehan smiled warmly and inclined his head watching her approach . He closed his own hand about Aydryans and then realised what he was doing and relaxed fingers to jsut lay them over that hand though he did softly add ," excelent choice.
Aydryan turned his hand over beneath Jehan's. He would not deny the touch, especially when physical touch was important to himself as well. The fingers of his other hand curled around Taja's hand and drew her gently forward. "I always give a choice to those that would drink my blood, bond to me." He continued to drew her to him until it was obvious he was going to direct her to sit upon his lap, "The choice is to either take the blood from my wrist," and here he let her hand go so that he could touch his fingertips to his own chest, "or...here." He looked at her quietly as he waited for the answer.
James Binks-Rakosi squeaks, "Oh! you're a magician with the needle, Miss Nikki!" he raised his hands and clapped gently to the 'show.' he was blushing, but it in a faitn and admirable way. "um.. Miss Nikki... not that I want to sound ungrateful... or like I;m asking too much, but.. I ... I gotta know something..." he fidgetted abit to sit more comfortably on the floor and watch her with a not so twisted up body. "...is it... possible... I mean only if its no trouble possible... ifI can.. well.. borrow.. jsut for a bit!... but um.. yeah.. can I borrow your Pixie dust?" He smiled hopefully and wiggled in place. "I have a lot of happy thoughts, you know! .. I.. i jsut can't make my own pixie dust. I've tried. I really realyl have... but...I don't think that's the half of me.. to make pixie dust... so.. I need to borrow it."
Taja curls her fingers around his as he pulls her onto his lap, sitting comfortably and lightly there, her bare feet off the ground. She studies his face as he offers her and blinks slowly before gently tapping her fingers where his had been upon his chest. THen looks to him, waiting for direction
Jehan half closes his eyes and lightly laces fingers over Aydryan's. He leaned a bit closer jsut from his own memory of the moment and how the energy had felt . Free hand lifted to play with the ends of his own hair .
Nikki Robbins smiled to Bink. Then, hearing him speak, she tilted her head in confusion. She blinked her jade eyes at him getting more and more confused by the second. Nikki looked towards the group then back to Bink. "Bink...I...I do not know what you are talking about. Pixie dust? What is pixie dust and why are you asking me for it?"
Aydryan moved that freely moving hand once more, letting it disappear into a pocket and reappearing with an intricate ring that presented a sharp blade beneath one extended finger. He felt Jehan move closer, also remembering the night that he had oathed to him. Smiling quietly, he lifted his hand and passed it elegantly over his left pectoral, the flesh parting easily, allowing dark crimson to well upward. As he did this he allowed his power to rise around the three of them like warm tidal waters that supported and lifted them. "Drink, Taja...oath to me with your kiss and blend your power with ours."
James Binks-Rakosi frowned abit. "I saw you fly earlier...." he sighed softly. It wasn't really high or nothing.. but.. I thought you could well.. you know... fly. And.. and well.. some fly with pixie dust and happy thoughts. And you said earlier you liked being happy over serious.. so I thought that was how you were doing it.. and I wanted to fly too..." He blushed more, his head lowering more and more as he went into his explanation. "...I guess that's a 'no, Bink... you don't fly, huh?"
Taja leans in and down, her hair falling about her face as she places her lips to the blood welling on his chest. Carefully, gently she pulls, taking his blood into herself, feeling the power behind it and what it brings with it. A short moment and she purses her lips, stained red, and shifts, straighening herself to look at the vampire
Nikki Robbins softly smiled to Bink as she shook her head. "No Bink, I do not know what pixie dust is or what having happy thoughts has to do with flying. I simply hover because that is one of my abilities. I have never truly flown Bink. Never higher than you saw me tonight."
Jehan parted lips to the feel of that power aroudn them and he made a soft sound. then sighed to the scent of that blood but then he caught himself and he tried to bite back a chuckle at his own hunger . how embarassing . He shook back his hair again and opened up a bit of his own power in answer as if trying to offer it back to him though the glove prevented him from actually offering more than the Master would take himself.
James Binks-Rakosi frowned gently and nodded to her, " Nothing really.. it is just something that I read pixies can do.. and well.. i was just.. um.. being silly!" He laughed then, his blush remaining with a returning smile. HE wasn't about to go blabbing off that he wanted to know because he wanted to know what kind of Fae he was. That wasn't openly sharable information. Instead.. he could blame it on him.. being him. It worked. "Either way... thank you, Miss Nikki.. for helping me save the bean bag from my own destruction. It really was unintentional."
Nikki Robbins simply nodded but was still confused. However, she never asked. "Of course Bink. I am sure it was an accident. You did not mean any harm Bink." She smiled softly. "The bean bag will be just fine now."
Aydryan 's head tipped back with the touch of his mouth to his flesh, with the feel of that slow pull against his system. As Taja drank she would hear the sound of ocean waves sighing against a beach, exploding against rocks, such was the tone of his power. It was like water, deep and alluring, dangerously unfathomable. His fingers had tightened slightly within Jehan's but then slowly relaxed again. When Taja pulled back, his other hand rising to let his thumb gather the red from her lips. Then he turned to Jehan and offered that thumb to him, purring quietly, "I offer you my thumb...or to seal the cut, Jehan." His head swiveled to Taja then, "You are now one of our Kiss, protected, cared for....find peace with us."
Taja bows her head at his words, having felt the power of this man, the elemental strength flowing not only through the blood but deeper. She shifts, moving so that he can turn toward Jehan, though not yet out of his lap
James Binks-Rakosi smiled gently. it felt nice to not be yelled at or scolded for his little mistakes. He was use to both occuring... alot. "may I.. ask another strange question?" he chewed on his lip abit though right after asked without waiting for a complete reply. "How is ot... all the vampires here.. well... -most- the vampries here... how can they all be nice... i mean... not jsut to me.. but well.. just nice in general. It's like they don't know they are all supposed to be vampires and ... well... mean to everyone else. why.. why is that?"
Jehan blinks a moment and tongue touched lips before he smiled crookedly . Sliding over on that couch and turning towards them he put an arm about Taja lightly and hugged her a bit," Welcome home. " he was still slightly holding her when he turned that bright gaze to Aydryan and leaned in to ever so slowly draw tongue over the cut while watching him though his lashes.
Aydryan accomodated Taja as she moved, supporting her as he could until she was settled. Leaning back against the couch allowed more room for Jehan to get closer. With Jehan's whisper, he smiled and let his head fall back to rest. His lips parted with a quiet indrawn breath as his tongue was drawn across the cut. It was this, moments like this, that verified what he was doing, being a Master of Wood Bourne. It was indeed comforting to feel the Kiss within his mind, to feel their closeness and their acceptance of him and Hikaru. He opened his link to his lover and let him feel this as well, this sharing. It was sweet and something that they both needed. Words fell in a whisper, "We are as much yours as the Kiss is ours."
Taja Buridan quietly, she spoke to both men " I thank you for this. This I did not expect, to be home... I had forgotten what it felt like." She sighed, relaxing, letting down a few of the walls that had been built over so many centuries
Nikki Robbins listened to Bink's question in silence. She looked at him as she thought over how to answer him. Nikki nodded as she seemed to make her decision. "Well Bink. I know how movies and books and humans want to portray vampires. That vampires are evil and mean things that do not care for anything other than their own kind and for blood. Bink, there are some vampires like that. Some vampires are mean vampires. However Bink, there are good vampires too. What makes a vampire good rather than bad is different for each vampire. I can not speak for other good vampires Bink. But I am a nice vampire because my parents raised me to be a good person. They showed me being a good person was much better than being a bad one."
Jehan lingered there with his lips pressed to the other man's chest for a long moment and then slowly , reluctantly sat back up again and settled to the pillows once more ," you never know what you will find behind all our masks . Sttrength is a good thing to have and strength together is the best .
James Binks-Rakosi kept his head lowered a bit as he listened to Nikki's words.. and took them in. really took them in. It seemed to only confuse him more which lead.. to more questions. "...Jehan... his adopted father, the master of the city from where we came from. He was a very bad man. He.. he still is a very, very bad man.." he paused a moment... hat fear he often carried with him rising into his throat. "All the vampries there were very.. very bad men and women... except for Jehan. Jehan's not bad at all... I.. i always thought that it was just because he was different... or special.. that he wasn't a bad vampire.... but.. if what you say is true. I'm glad... glad he didn't lsiten to his parents.... good vampires are much better than bad ones."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently. "Bink, whether a vampire becomes a good one or bad one is all up to the vampire. They have to make the decision, one way or the other. There are simply some vampires that do not like being mean to people even if they had bad parents and bad makers. They made the decision to be good. I listened to my parents because when others did not love me they did. I thought and still think that is good. They love me for me."
Aydryan remained quiet for a moment, relaxed with Jehan beside him and Taja upon his lap. He listened to the soft buzz of their presence in the back of his mind, felt the tinge of their power intertwining with his own like a complex strands of DNA. The cut sealed until there was no mark to be seen except the pale streak of blood. Lifting his head, that one turquoise eye focused on Taja, "Welcome Taja." The feel of his power flowed around them, easy and relaxed, licking across their skin like the softest of caresses given by adoring fingertips..
James Binks-Rakosi smiled to Nikki then, "Well I'm glad its that way. For you.. and here. I.. i don't much like the bad kind of vampire.... they... they hurt." He blushed as he said that and unconsciously went to hug himself. It wasn't so evident in the dark lit room the evidences of the statement that solidfied their memory upon his flesh, but even if it was, He didn'ts eem to outwardly acknowledge such. He focused more instead.. on the happy now.. and the petting of the bean bag. His way of apologizung to it for the unintentional boo-boo.
Taja closes her eyes and breaths in the essense of the men around her, draws on the power and lets her own drift to caress and join in it. Such a contented feel. Gently she reaches out to encompass both in small pale arms. After a few long moments, she pulls back, slipping from Aydryan's lap and to the floor, her bare feet soundless. " I" she begins, but stops "pardon me this night...thank you" and, with a look torn between happiness and confusion, slips to the door
Nikki Robbins smiled and nodded as she slowly moved over on her knees to kneel beside Bink. She gently touched his shoulder and smiled. "You do not need to worry now Bink. You are safe in this room tonight. No one here will ever hurt you."
Jehan shivered slightly and sighed at the flow of power then chuckled," Careful I could get used to that feeling . But then I adapt well to all sort of things ." smiling still he squeesed Aydryans hand , " See you can have good nights too. even in the middle of all these things " he nodded thoughtfully perhaps even knowingly then glanced over to Bink and Nikki," even the beanbag murder was averted tonight . "
James Binks-Rakosi was glad the not so scarred shoulder was touched for that night. The one worse off never quiet felt the same and it often left him flinching. This time he could enjoy the comforting touch and keep up the smile. "And not only that... but one gets really great mixed juice drinks in here! " he giggled. Yep.. it certainyl seemed teh fear of killing the bean bag was long forgotten.
Nikki Robbins giggled softly in a way that seemed to light up her face and put a happy shine in her jade eyes if they were the stone their color came from. "And whenever you want one of those drinks you come right to me and I will make it for you."
James Binks-Rakosi gave another series of happy claps to that response and even bounced in his seat. "And the next time I bring Wooby... or Peanut... or Mr. Snoogles.. or Hobbes.. or..." He gasped then, standing up quickly, " ...oooh HOBBES!!" he chirped frantically and bounced up and down. "i almsot forgot!! I left Hobbes and my bunny slippers here yesterday so they wouldn't get wet! He must be soooo worried now!"
Aydryan nodded to Taja and did not think badly of her for leaving quickly. Oathing to a Master that you weren't incredibly sure of could be very overwhelming. Then he looked passed Jehan to where Bink spoke with Nikki. Still speaking quietly, for once he was genuinely at peace, "Bink is...terribly endearing. He would be the ruin of me."
Nikki Robbins slowly rose to her feet and looked to Bink. "Then we will have to find him Bink." She smiled. "Where did you leave him? We will find him together."
" On the couches in the room of red... but that other lady... The one that ..like.. -knows' the masters moves.. she was watching. I think she may have moved them sompleace safe." As he said knows he pushed out his arms and wiggled his fingers to imply something mysterious about... Jeanette's connection to the Masters. It was mostly his exlanation on being on top of her game.
Nikki Robbins smiled gently. "Yes, she would keep them safe for you. Let us go to the red bar and check there and see if she left them there for you."
Cley puttered around the room before settling behind the counter, staring down at the papers infront of her.
James Binks-Rakosi shrugged and turned to move on his way. Not that he had anywhere in particular to go... he just.. felt like walking in huge curcles. Theraputic and all of that...
James Binks-Rakosi wandering the streets most that evening until finally he made it near the over pass that lead into Old Towne. He was unsettled thinking of walkign there alone and instead turned from it and walked back past the police station. He stopped on the sidewalk edge and loked up towards the forests and the Wilds and stared back at the trees that stared back at him. It -was- part of whom he was to be in tune with Nature. Wasn't it? Fae were beings of nature.. they were in tune with the earth more than any living and unliving being. So why was he that he could not walk five feet without Nature kicking his ass in some way? He frowned. He never had a good memory when it involved nature. Except maybe the seaside. Yet even then, he was sure that was mostly in part of Jehan's help. This only made him frown more. He knew Jehan was tense over something but if it were vampiric related he wouldn't share from fear of scaring Bink. And Bink would just be clueless to it all because he was safer and happier that way. Which was true to the point that he got lonely... like now. Sure he could go out and 'talk with the living', and he did... but he really didn't quite fit into the existence of human well as he ofte nproved himself time and time again. That went double for any type of Shifter. So what was he left with on the restless evenings like the one he found himself in where wandering was the only thing that made him feel better because if he wasn't moving.. he'd have to stand still. A half a bag of wheat bread, peanut butter and grape jelly that was what! He had all the items plus one butter knife strapped into his belt.. to wander and eat.. and wander some more.. until Jehan called or he got sleepy. whichever happened first."
James Binks-Rakosi wandering along, Bink found himself on the streets of a normal neighborhood. As normal as he had ever seen on a television show. If he thought far back enough he could almost remember the times with the family he thought was his own as a child... they lived in a neighborhood... like this... kinda of. Towards the end of the road was a smaller house with grungy, foggy glass windows that overlooked the sea. Bink smiled andstepped away from teh sidewalk to approach the house. It was unfurnished and abandoned. Even the foor was unlocked. He stepped inside and inhaled the dust aroud him that clung to the air like a net. It was so old and dusted he coulddraw on the interior panels of the glass. Which he did after awhile. He drew stick figured depictions of a house and family. HE could imagine the one that lived here before. A young family, starting out on their own. A mother and father.. and probably one child.. and a dog. Every good young family had a dog. They'd move on now with their livs as people tended to do, but Bink could sit o nthe floor of the house and listen... listen to the echoes they left behind them and at least for a little while pretend they were his. He loved where he lived. And Jehan, but he was finally feeling the pains of a house with no windows... no sunlight.. a life spent mostly after dark. It was slowly beginning to suffocate him. Even now the sun was down, but his life for the day was still in full swing. "Well..." he said aloud to himself as he watched the moon drift through hazy windows. "...the light from the sun reflects off the moon and that's how we get moonlight... I guess... in a way I indirectly got some sunlight today..""
Eventually Bink made his way into Old Towne, braving his way through the shadowed underpass towards the bright colored sign of Fang Bangers. He crept inside, through the early crowd and sighed gently as he ran into the sight of Jehan and the other lady. He gave a faint smile to them, but didn't bother to approach. If Jehan wanted him near he'd call otherwise, Bink could find things to entertain himself with.
Nikki Robbins smirked lightly but it was not a happy one. "Everything I have spoken...tells you nothing of me. It only allows your mind to create a story to suit vague words. Others have asked similar things to me before when I would mention such things. Asking without a question about my reasoning for mentioning anything to them. The words can mean as many numerous things as mine own. Yet, if you were to try and cause me harm with my secrets. That I am causing enough harm to myself on my own with my secrets that anything else...would be like a feather on the back of an elephant." She glanced away hearing someone else and saw Bink standing nearby. "Seems your Bink has come. Shall I leave your company so that you might have his?" She looked back to Jehan.
Jehan glanced the direction she indicated and offered Bink a smile in greeting before he spoke back to her," Would his pressence prevent you from speaking as you wish? For I tell you he is mine but I do find I want to hear more what you wish to say . Afterall I am not honestly trying to hurt anyone here
James Binks-Rakosi stood where he was and just returned the smile of greeting back in kind. He did lean back to brush against the cutrains at the entraneway, however. Jehan looked busy and he hadn't told him to come, so he knew he must have jsut been busy. He gave a look tothe bar at the people about it and made a slight face, thinking of havign to sit there... and.. talk.. to people. He looked back towards the room of red and the other bar and felt much the same about it. So in the end.. he just stood still. It was the easiest route to follow.
Nikki Robbins slowly shook her head. "No, his presence would not stop my words. Not in the least. I would welcome his presence. Speaking as one who as spent many years alone, that being in a crowd of people...does not make one less alone. It only makes the feeling of being alone more unbearable."
Jehan bowed his head a bit to her " Bink would probably understand that more than I . "then held out his hand in Bink's direction. lifting his voice jsut a bit , " Bink, my heart. come and sit with me
James Binks-Rakosi did a momentary prancign in place like that of a puppy that was about to be fed its favorite treat. He walked though calmly towards them both after the prancing outburst and kept his head lowered. He sat by jehan and cleared his throat, lifting his head abit to acknowledge and greet the woman. "heyla, Miss!"
Nikki Robbins looked over to Bink as he came over and sat down. She smiled and the serious and nearly jaded expression on her face melted away like an ice cube laying out in the sun. "Hello, my name is Nikki. It is nice to meet you."
Jehan reached over to draw a gloved hand along Bink's arm as he smiled to him," you still smell like salt water . It suits you . " looking back to Nikki he chuckled," seriousness does not suit you . I should ask Bink to sit with you more often .
James Binks-Rakosi brightened his smile just a bit to her introduction, "it's nice to meet you too, Miss Nikki! Are you one of Jehan's friends?" he blinked twice and blushed as Jehan made his own comments. ".. you make that sound like I'm a magnet some kind of charm. I'm not a charm.. i'm.. a Binky."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to Jehan. "I prefer happiness to seriousness always. Yet, there is a time and place for both." She looked back to Bink and softly laughed flashing a bit of her teeth. "Well, I do believe that it is up to Jehan as to whether we are friends. But Bink, you do make people smile."
Jehan nodded," yes.. happy always tastes better . Sad makes my stomach hurt ." looking back to Bink he nodded," yes..I think I can say that Nikki is a friend . And she also makes very good drinks that I can drink with you when you are having milk and cookies here .
James Binks-Rakosi oozed out the joy on that last comment, " oh really!?!" He bounced in his seat and looked quite childish doing so. "I hate drinking anything by myself.. and eating.. but you don't... well.. YAY!" He chirped the ended before clearing his throat and tryign to settle like he had never had his joyous fit. "Well... um... yeah.. that is good." He settled down completely and half drooped over hsi bean bag. "... how do I make people smile, Miss Nikki? I.. I don't really know anyone that well here."
Nikki Robbins smiled as she softly laughed. She finished her own drink. "Bink, you make people happy...simply by being you. The way you are right now. I know that is true for me at least. Simply watching you bounce in your seat and smiling and joyous. It makes me want to smile." Nikki looked between them. "Now, would either if you like something to drink?"
Jehan found it was true. Watching Bink he could not keep from smiling ," you make us smile by finding your own joy in things we forget to look at " he shook his head a bit to Nikki," and no.. at the moment I do not thirst . Thank you .
"I'd like some juice if that is ok!" He was blushing as he asked, and though the force of his voice was enthusiastic, overall he was quiet. "I mean.. if its not too much trouble. PB and J sammiches make me thirsty..." Not to mention walking in circles about the city half the day didn't help... but who was counting anyway? "Oh.. you only forget because you're forgetful. Stop being forgetful and you'll remember smiles more."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently as she slowly rose. "Of course not Bink. What kind of juice would you like? She slowly levitated herself upward as she now floated there before them.
Jehan smirked at Bink as he settled back in his own seat," oh my how forgetful of me I shall attempt to not forget that anylonger . Unless I forget." As Nikki floated up he watched her carefully , almost as if he would be able to understand jsut how she did the levitating .
James Binks-Rakosi hmmed loudly as he tapped on his chin," well I've been in a mood for pomegranate juice, but that doesn't go too well with grape jelly. I could use some grape but that is over grape and I think too much in the grapeness. Orange juice just sounds silly as does lemonade. and well.. hm.. I'm not sure. I guess.. whichever is easier to find here!" the strangest part was his honesty in making juice drinking such a big deal. It was one of the best parts of his meal... the drink.
Nikki Robbins softly smiled as she looked to Bink. Her expression gentle as she listened to him. "Would you care for some apple juice perhaps? Or maybe a mixture of juices. Say...orange and banana. I can mix types together."
Jehan watched Bink a moment then slid gaze over to Nikki as Bink revealed his thought process," Somedays he makes me doubly glad that my own dietary needs are so ... simple. then he makes it a game of where will you bite today . I think he likes to see if I will pick up the same process in thinking. " he blinked a moment" hrm I think I do at taht sometimes
Aydryan came down from the upstairs rooms and made his way to the blue lounge couch. He saw Jehan, Bink and Nikki...glad that it was those particular three at the moment. It would remain quiet, hopefully, for a little bit. However, his outward expression was a mask of beautiful calm, porcelain perfection, except for the patch over a missing eye. He sat gracefully and stretched his lean frame out, content to simply sit still as stone watching and listening.
James Binks-Rakosi giggled softly, "You do..." Though to Nikki he gave a sheer look of confusion. In fact the look was so dominant upon him that it echoed about his head. One could almost see physical question marks squeezing out frm his ears to float up over his head in a true cartoon like manner. "...fruit juices... can mix....?!?" He was happy.. and frightened and anxious all at once by this startling discovery. Why.. he'd never thought to -mix- his juices. This was gettign complicated now!
Taja pads quietly to the curtains edge, drawn to the voices. Her footsteps are slow, cautious as see looks around, eyes weighing those in the room
Nikki Robbins softly giggled at Bink. "I have an idea. I will mix one for you and see how you like it. How is that Bink? And is there any juice you do not like?" She did not notice Aydryan's arrival as she was taking care of Bink.
Jehan lifted his head as Aydryan walked in . The smile he offered was actually real seeming though one really couldnt help but admire that graceful stretch . Head tilted slightly pondering him then glanced back to the flabergasted Bink and reached over to pat his hand," easy my heart. breathe..it will be ok .
James Binks-Rakosi bobbled his head, " Coconut! But that's not really a juice. And I think I solely hate it because it wants to be a juice but can't. It's a milk and its jsut gotta learn to accept what it is." He exhaled and blushed as he was patted. "I -am- calm.. its just.... coconuts are so nutty... they just.. oooo! silly coconuts!"
Aydryan spotted the smile offered by Jehan and nodded in return, a slight upward tilt to the corners of a full lipped mouth. From his peripherals he was aware of a woman to his left, though he did not look at her directly. As he sat there his senses slowly extended about the room, listening to conversations, heartbeats and so on.
Taja slips nonchalantly into the room and toward the bar, glancing over the room's occupants as she does so, letting her gaze linger on each just an instant. Long enough to feel out the room's tone, but not long enough to draw attention.
Nikki Robbins smilef and gently laughed. "I will go fix you a drink Bink. I will be right back." She turned slowly in a circle in the air. Then, she hovered herself over towards the bar seeing a woman standing there. Nikki smiled gently as she levitated around behind the bar to look at the woman. "Hello Miss. What drink might you care for this evening?" She was all ready starting to work on a mix of juices for Bink as she pulled out the pomagrante juice along with some berry juices to blend.
Taja smiles warmly at the woman "Evening, I'll... have the strongest you happen to have back there, but I'm in no rush." Watches the woman for a moment more, intently
Jehan watched Nikki float off a moment and then with another light pat on Bink's shoulder he slowly stood with his own bit of a stretch" I will be right back Bink"It was a slow stroll over till he was in front of Aydryan and he spoke," Am I interupting your thoughts?
James Binks-Rakosi was content and fully lost in this ideal of juice mixing to the point that he was muttering to himself about it! " ...but grape jelly doesn't tastes as good with strawberry... mebbe the juices are different... no....! but oooOOooo... blueberry... and raspberry now that's an interesting combination... ooh.... peach...peach-eee Keen!" And there he went, giggling to himself as he talked... to himself... in a very selfless way?
Aydryan turned his head to focus on Jehan when he caught movement from that corner. He considered the question for a moment and then shook his head, "Not at all. Sometimes it's best to not let yourself get bogged down in some thoughts." He bowed his head slightly, "How are you tonight, Jehan? Bink?"
James Binks-Rakosi heard his name and sat up his back straight as he chirped loudly his greeting to Aydryan. " Peaches!!" So perhaps it wasn't the most profound or helpful of greetigns in the world.. but he did have juice o nthe brain. He blinked several times before it dawned on his overlouded little brain that 'peaches' was not a greeting. He blushed deeply and sank into his beanbag, clearing his throat as he added much softer. ".. i..um.. i mean heyla, Sir..."
Nikki Robbins smiled to the woman and nodded. "Of course miss." She moved to mix that drink up for her since it was quite easy. Her motions fluid and graceful. Nikki moved down and placed the drink in front of her. "Here you are miss." She glanced up and saw Aydryan in the corner with Jehan talking to him before she looked back to the woman. "Excuse me for just a moment please." She picked up the glass of mixed juice and floated back around the counter heading back to Bink.
Taja watches the woman behind the bar mixing drinks and plays with the hem of her sleeve, noding vaguely as she excused herself
Jehan glanced back at Bink's exclamation and shook his head with a chuckle," I think you can hear that Bink is quite himself tonight . Other than a few disturbing..dreams.. I myself am doing rather wellI hope youa re doing ok? " It was a genuine question that he offered.
Nikki Robbins moved back over to Bink and held out the glass of mixed juice to him. "Here you are Bink. Give this a try."
Taja wraps her hand around the glass on the bar and watches the two small groups across the room, alternating from one to the other
"Hmmm," again, he had to consider that. And he answered as he lifted his hand in greeting to the now quite adorably blushing Bink, "For the most part..all is well. Of course...there are always the concerns that come with the position Hikaru and I hold." One side of his mouth curled upward slightly, "I'm glad that you and Bink are settling alright and that ... the dramas haven't been too traumatizing."
Denalius hadn't been to this Fang Bangers joint yet, and for obvious reasons. It was like drawing that line in the sand and saying *Here I am*. So many of his kind had taken to hiding their lycanthrope, living under the radar. Hanging out in places that publicly advertised and promoted the fact that it catered to the preturnatural ... it always made him feel like he was wearing a sign that said *Here we Are!!* Anyways, he did want something to drink, and it was the wolf in him that led him here. The scent was instantly familiar from a hundred other such establishments, but this one actually felt -peaceful- for lack of a better word. After a few reflexive spasms through his broad shoulders he gave the few occupants within a cursory nod as he associated faces with various scents and sounds. He just watned a drink and he was looking for a deserted section of bar to drink it. He couldn't help but notice the hair raising across his arms in tiny electric fingers as he passed the three -obvious- vampires while heading through to the next section. He gave them a curt nod from behind an arched brow though did not slow down to make friends just yet."
James Binks-Rakosi lifted his hands up to take the glass Nikki offered. For the sake of his own eccentricities...he decided agaisnt commenting until after he had his first drink. Which didn't take too long. Jehan had affirmed out loud Nikki was considered a friend. Friends of Jehan's could be trusted otherwise why would he have befriended them at all. So the glass went to his mouth and GULP! in went the strange juicy concoction. He pulled the glass away and licked his lips, and smacked them together in an all too Bink childlike manner. "...this... tastes... awesome!! It's like the produce section exploded into my mouth!! I couldn't get this much taste unless i started shoving fruits into my mouth while shopping. " He blushed deeply and leaned in towards Nikki to stage whisper. "I do not reccomend trying that when the grocery attendants are near by. They aren't very friendly when you do that..."
Taja watches the new arrival and follows him acorss the room with her eyes, until being drawn back to the juice experiment with a small smile
Jehan lifted his own hand as if to wave away the question ," There are always spitting matches when new blood arrives . Usually its not between the new bloods themselves . I apologise again for making your job harder. I already have respect for you and I well know the work that it is
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to him as she giggled lightly. "I am so glad you like it Bink." She leaned towards him to listen though she did not need to. Nikki whispered softly back to him, "I promise to keep that in mind. Thanks." She smiled happily to him as she leaned back. "If you would like more please do not hesitate to ask me." Nikki looked up as someone else entered but merely walked through. She shrugged as she turned and floated back to stand behind the bar again.
Jerusalem thought at least.. this was the area of the infamous club where she could get a drink that would clear out her pounder. Pounder as in, massive bloody headache that damn near resembled an aneurysm, of course. She had followed the waitress who gave her something that she herself would call ten thousand proof killer, she was a little stack of shit and it was her first time drinking, she probably couldn't hold liquor like a baby could hold water. Once the drink is made, she retrieves a cloth from her pocket, wrapping it around the glass and giving it a tip. "Oh, no offense lady. It's not like I'm a germ-a-phobe or anything. I just don't touch stuff that other people touch. Weird, yeah.." Passing on the money, she hears voices and offers a slight grunt, and with a sharp turn she takes her drink towards a more favored side of the club with her tongue clicking as loud as her boots.
Taja leans over the counter slightly, trying, albeit just a little, to get the bartender's attention, her face cringing as if she wasn't happy that she was doing this.
Aydryan sat up a bit straighter in his seat and leaned forward with a slow bowing of his head before moving back again. "I appreciate your apology. It seems so few are willing to bend enough to give them these days. As for the respect, again...thank you. It's refreshing to hear it said." He spoke carefully and quietly, doing his best to not let his own inner issues concerning himself color his words. "Granted, I accept the idea that of Hikaru and I, I am the .... the more disciplinarian."
Denalius stopped in the center section of the cross over, peering into the bar area to see what was making that noise. Eyes narrowed, he spots the little woman clicking her tongue through the club. How annoying. He didn't see, however, a bartender at that bar so he looked back in a double take and spotted the one he figured to be the barkeep and headed back in toward that bar, leaning into it casually as he continued to glance around.
Dodgeguy Woodward: I'll give "me" to you for gift...
Hikaru let his shoulders fall, seeming to realize that somewhere between here and there and his hesitation he had bunched them up. So he forced himself to relax and take a deep breath, glancing to the dark haired man as he passed but he was just another face in the crowd that had filled the bar. He pushed aside the curtain and stepped into the lounge, looking around and for the moment, staying silent. He didn't want to interrupt conversations already in place. He was back to second guessing himself again, and keeping most of himself hidden. He actually didn't step too far into the room either but he did move over closer to Aydryan.
Nikki Robbins looked over to the woman with her jade eyes as she leaned over to get her attention. "Is there something you need miss?"
“actually..." she started a bit quietly as she noticed the big man walk to the other end of the bar. "I was hoping you may be able to point me in the right direction." She takes an unneeded breath and looks at teh bar top " I understand the city's master may be found near here? would you know where?"
Jehan laughed softly and moved over to lean agasitn the couch a bit though he didn't sit ," I think .. from my own experience that is usually how it is . The second gets more leeway to be friends with others." still smiling he crossed an arm over his chest and rested the elbow on hand as he drew figners across his lips, " but then I suppose that was why I oathed to you . you are the heart here . The pulse . In what I tasted.. and hear when the sun sets. I know that you need to be supported here.
James Binks-Rakosi slurps down his drink, just watching the people around him now, particularly the corner Jehan had wondered to. His eyes held mixed emotions. Those were Masters, and granted.. he had only had experience with one other Master of the City... and it wasn't good, these two stil always left him jsut a tad nervous. But then Jehan seemed so... happier near them, and this only confused him more. PLus.. they smelled nice and he was sure that masters of the City were not supposed to smell nice! He huffed into his near empty glass. They had to stop being confusing to him.
Dodge yawned as he pushed open the doors leading into the quieter side of FangBangers. As he stood there waiting for his eyes to adjust to the lite he glanced around taking note of anyone who happened to be in the room. AS he stepped further in he noticed his two favorite vampires over on the couch, and gave them both a smile and a wave as he walked towards them. " Aydryan.. Hikaru.. good evening to you both.."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently and nodded, "I can certainly help you." She motioned to the man on the couch and the one standing in front of the picture near the couch. "They are right there." Nikki looked back towards the man at the bar now and smiled to him. "Evening sir. What drink would you like this evening?"
Taja glances, repeatedly through her long, wavy hair and the growing group behind her and mumbles to her self "yep, perfect couldn't have worked out better. lovely" She starts and stops repeatedly, apparently working up the courage to move, before finally pushing herself away from the bar and sauntering around the outskirts of the room and over toward the couch.
Aydryan felt more than saw Hikaru come closer to him. His left hand extended outward to his partner. The feelings that Hikaru was experiencing echoed through their bond. <<Ami..please..do not doubt yourself for last night. I would have done the same...if not something more...violent.>> To Jehan he allowed a slightly larger smile to form, how could he not after what the man said. It was simply...the best thing anyone of Wood Bourne, other than Hikaru, had ever said to him. His left hand fell to pat the couch beside him, "Please, Jehan...sit, relax." Then the sound of a greeting reached him and looked up, "Ah, Dodge...a pleasure to see you..always. I hope that you're feeling well."
Denalius was feeling a little crowded in all of a sudden. He couldn't quite get himself positioed just right to feel all warm and fuzzy about the place. He had been on the road a long time though and his nerves just needed some settling. He ehard the question from teh woman at the ed of the bar, asking about the Master of this city. he kept his ears up as he looked directly back to the woman behind the counter. His voice was deep enough to thrum its way through the buzz of the crowd, "A really cold draft in a frosted mug if you ot that, please." He didn't hesitate with the -please-, but it was almost over-pronunciated, as if he was trying to remind himself of his manners.
Nikki Robbins nodded to him. "Of course sir. Just a moment." She glanced over to the Masters in the corner with Jehan and Dodge and now this woman. Nikki moved to fix the drink as the man had asked. She moved back over and placed the mug in front of him. "Here you are sir."
James Binks-Rakosi was beginning to chew... on his glass's edge. Not hard enough to cut or crack it, but enough for his teeth to feel it. Another quirky Binky habit it seemed. More people began to surround the Master pair and Jehan and Bink suddenly felt quite glad to be in his corner of the room. Not that he didn't dislike anyone.. but... there were soooo many! It made him nervous jsut to see all those people nearby.
Taja sidles over to the men at the couch, trying, as unusual as it was for her, not to be stealthy. Her slow steps and curiousity with the rest of the room at large gave away her hesitation with this current mission, and she moves toward the door to the rest of the club more than once, but stays. Finally she comes to within the limit of the group and casts a brief, not quite sultry look to the most recently addressed man, and then turn her eyes to these masters
What Jehan had said gave him a reason to look at him a bit longer than the others, though he did nod to Dodge of course. Jehan's words gave him a new respect for him and that showed for a second on his face until he heard Nikki sending someone looking for the Master of the City over their way and he mentally winced, wondering what next. His right hand reached out as he moved closer, lacing his fingers with Ayd's without looking. <<I cannot help it. I'm not doubting... >> He stopped his train of thoughts realizing it was a lie. He was doubting himself, but not over last night in specifics, but the whole thing. <<I know what I did had to be done.>> Violet eyes slid over as the woman approached, watching her, studying her.
Jehan returned the smile and started to settle on the couch there then he noted Hikaru and turned the smile to him , Evening Hikaru ."glancing back at Aydryan he chuckled ," As much as I wouldn't mind getting between the two of you .I almost feel I should be the one holding up the wall not Hikaru. Morion was rather strong on protocall and well one jsut doenst forget the way their first raised them to act sometimes " he offered a soft laugh with that but he too heard of one being directed this way and he settled a bit into his own stillness but turned slightly as he glanced around the room taking in all those that were gathering here tonight
Dodge paused as he got closer, the crowd of people seemed to get larger and the masters seemed busy so Dodge simply smiled speaking back.. " I am well, thankyou Aydryan." Dodge continued to walk past them and out into the other room, perhaps for a bit of dancing.
James Binks-Rakosi now left alone... to himself.... without a soul to talk to... Bink found that his nervousness in focusing on the gathering was taking its toll on him. This.. wasn't good. So he wriggled in place, sliding his hand over the surface of the beanbag to find somethign to distract him... and quickly. His fingers were quite lucky too. He found his fingertips ticled.. by a stray thread. from out of the beanbag! Goodness that was not good. THe thread may snag the material! He held the thread between his fingers, stuck out his tongue to the side of his mouth and fiddled with it to try and pull it off without damaging the clothe of the bean bag in the process.
Taja watches their attention settle on her and nods gently, somehow making it seem something of a curtsy in her skirt. Her cool grey eyes study those watching her, these masters, looking for what will most quickly put them at ease. It is her gift after all. Carefully, as though the floor might give way beneath her, she steps closer, lowering her voice, hiding the heistation and falling, just a little back into her original accent in the attempt. The romani is evident in her words "Good evening Gentlemen. I understand it is my responsibility to seek you out as this is... your city. I am Taja"
Denalius watched the barkeep in her proficient performance of her job. She had a frosted mug and was immediately a friend that deserved a smile. It was warm enough, but apparantly not often practiced, looking a little awkward on his face. "Thank you." He was still casting a few glances to the woman and her approach to the men in the corner. He looked back to Nikki, this time with a slightly more genuine smile, "I'm gona head in there, " he nods to the next section over, "Could you check on me time to time? I'm gonna want a few moreof thee, I'm sure." He gathered his mug and readied himself to move across the club again.
Aydryan mentally wrapped his loving support around Hikaru, sending him energy as well. Heaven knew that the last few days Hikaru had been doing the same for him. <<Be strong, Beloved. I am sorry I was not there.>> His hand patted the couch again, "Please, Jehan...sit...Hikaru and I will not mind, besides...no one can truly come between us for we are always close." His own gaze slid to the woman, Taja. His hand shifted slightly until one long nailed finger was pointing to the couch, a silent further encouragement to Jehan. His other hand squeezed Hikaru's fingers, pulling the held hand to his lips where he kissed the knuckles gently. Then, quietly, "And so it is. Good evening, Taja and welcome to Wood Bourne. Why has our city drawn you to us?"
Nikki Robbins smiled softly. "I will see what I can do. Yet, it seems things are becoming busy around here tonight." She glanced back over to the corner then back to the man as he got ready to move back into the main part of the bar. Her eyes then moved to Bink all alone. Nikki smiled softly as she head back around the bar and back towards Bink in the corner.
Taja stands more confidently at the civilized response. As though she had been ready for a fight that is no longer apparent, her shoulders ease giving her the graceful pose of a dance. She delayed her response as she thought about it, finally answering "I have long been a wanderer, but find, I very much miss a place to return to. This city... it has a good feel about it, little trouble, peace. These are things that have eluded me for too long"
James Binks-Rakosi whimpered in dismay as this tugging of the string only seemed to draw out more string. " ..n-n-noo.." he sighed and peered about, not noticing Nikki approaching, but also not noticing anyone staring at him. He took a deep breath and dived in.. almost literally. He lay on his side and pressed his cheek into the beanbag, holding the string betwwen his teeth. He moistened it with his saliva to make it softer and in one quick jerk of his neck, attempted to RIP the string right out from the bean bag... and he did. RIIIIP! The seam busted and a thumb sized hole now remained where before it was loosely sewn. TO add further insult to injury.. there was a small waterfall of bean bag inside spilling out onto the floor. "oh goodnes!! oh goodness!!" He chirped in a panic. Now there was a frantic bink, laying on his side, scooping pellets into a oddly form and deflating bean bag and trying his best... -not- to be noticed for... killing the chair.
Hikaru nodded to Jehan and looked to Aydryan, something lightening in his eyes as he shifted to half sit on the arm of the couch. He turned to Taja as she poke of peace and glanced back down to Ayd,the brim of his hat hiding that his brows had furrowed. Until he heard a soft ripping sound and glanced up, watching as Bink tried scooping up the pelleted lifeblood of the bean bag. (LOL Binks)
Jehan didn't ask or hesitate even though the movement was completely natural and he settled there on that couch with a graceful lounge though he did not quite touch Aydryan . He offered a plesant though guarded smile to the woman even though he appeared to be admiring her multicolored skirt mostly
Nikki Robbins saw the happening at the bean bag. She hurried over while she levitated making it look as though she might rise to fly but she did not. Nikki lowered herself down onto her knees next to the bean bag. "Here Bink. Let me help here. Would you please sit on the other bean bag please while I try to fix this?" She smiled gently to him.
James Binks-Rakosi looked up at Nikki, with a handful of pellets in his hand and wide eyes filled with stereo-typical crocodile tears. " I swear i'm not a murderer!!" If there was a crime for killing beanbag chairs... Bink would have found a way to plead insanity to it. He crawled off the beanbag, on his belly, still holding the pellets of beanbag in his hands and inched over to another bean bag to sit... and sulk. "... i .. I was only trying to help it.. it... it had a snag..." And yes, he did pout. One of those pathetic pouts a kitten would give when it realized it couldn't sit on your lap any more... though with more honest feeling. ".. i'm sorry..."
Aydryan canted his head ever so slightly in the direction of the bean bags, but resisted turning his head to look. He just didn't want to know. Besides, he could feel that Hikaru's attention was already focused on it. There was a nearly imperceptable nod from Aydryan as Jehan settled on the couch. During this, his eye's focus never left Taja. He debated telling her that sometimes Wood Bourne wasn't so peaceful, however...sometimes it was best to let individual discover things with time. "So..to ask you where you've come from recently would probably be an ... unanswerable question ... yes?" His tone was pleasant and as always he was softly spoken. "Can you tell me who the last Master was that you oathed to?" Meanwhile, his hand had flattened on the couch, long slender fingers spidering over the rich fabric.
Taja 's growing confidence sputters to a grinding halt as the master asks his questions. She looked full in his face, intent on getting this over with. "I have recently been in europe. I travel, as has always been my way. I have never sworn oath to the master of a city. I have never had one command my actions. Since I left my people, it has been only me. This has... not always gone over with. But who would oath to one they could not trust?" Her head cants at the last question, accent thick there is no anger in her voice, but a strong determination.
Nikki Robbins smiled gently to him. "Bink. It is all right. I promise. The beanbag will be just fine ok? Cheer up Bink." Nikki looked down to the bean bag and flipped it up so the hole was not on the side anymore and the beans would not spill out. "Now Bink. If you like to to be my little helper, I going to go get the needle out of the first aid kit. If you would try and put the beans back in the bag I would really like the help. You can make it up to the bean bang that way." She rose and hurried back to the counter to dig into the first aid kit.
James Binks-Rakosi so to a normally sane person they'd may have gotten that feeling that they were treated liek a child. Bink.. was not any of those things. He, on the other hand, seemed to brighten up to this ideal of being a little helper and bobbled his head frantically like one too. He crawled back to the fallen bean bag, pet it and murmured, " i'm really...really sorry!" And began to slow and thurough task of putting pellets back into it. He was sniffling, but not as much as before. He was back to being happy... well as happy as a former bean bag murderer could be....
Hikaru pulled his cellphone out of his back pocket when it vibrated that he had recieved a text, glancing to the screen his hand unwound from Aydryan's fingers <<I have to go check on this Ami... >> And he quickly left the room, heading for their office.
Jehan idly ran fingers through his own hair as he watched the woman then rested his elbow on the pillow at his side while the other hand absently traced the velvet of the couch . Gaze flicked over to Bink and he almost bit his lip to not laugh though he smiled fondly , However, it seemed that Nikki had him well in hand and he was sure she could comfort him with this minor disaster . Eyes slid back to the woman as he heard the last part of her statement and brow rose ever so faintly . But it was not his place to speak here at this point. For now he would remain quiet as a presence there beside the Master.
Aydryan listened intently to Taja as she spoke and did not take offense to what she said. "A very valid question, Taja. However, trust or not, to reside within our territory requires that you either blood oath to myself or to Hikaru. There is not debate on that issue. Our essence will support you from the moment you wake to the moment you sleep. You will grow as we grow, but... you must agree to our rule." His head turned as Hikaru's fingers left his own, a slight frown forming for a moment before that unreadable mask slipped back into place. Aydryan's awareness of Jehan was also there and was made known by his hand moving to rest upon the other vampires knee.
Taja stands very still as she thinks, a lack of motion that made her former constant sway only now evident. Her face shifts though a myriad of emotion that she can't seem to completely contain anger, confusion and for a moment she looks ready to bolt, but this changes, smooths out after a moment and she finally takes a slow sigh. "Things change, many places are no longer allowed for those who do not accept chains. I am no one's servant..." She seems to struggle with the next part, "but... I will oath to you, I can live with rules." She looks anything but happy with her decision
Nikki Robbins found the needle, a little spool of thread and the scissors. She gently picked up these things and hurried back around the bar with her feet still off the groun. Her focus had not been broken for a second or she was merely doing it by natural reaction. In any case, she came back to the beanbag and settled back down onto her knees near Bink. She smiled kindly, "Such a good job Bink. You are doing very well." Nikki started to unravel some of the thread to be long enough to sew up the hole.
James Binks-Rakosi shovelled the last of the pellets into the beanbag and smiled up to Nikki gratefully as she came back," I did?" He sighed out and sat back on his legs, " Thank goodness! I wouldn't be able to live withmyself If I really killed a bean bag in the Masters' club...." He wrapped his arms about himself and bounced where he sat, anxious to see if the beanbag would really make it out ok. Yes... worrying... over a bean bag's well being.
Jehan actually seemed to relax from Aydryan's touch even ventureing to lightly lay his own hand agasitn that one. leather glove tracing the back of the hand and a smile curling his lips up a bit but he tilted his head a bit and ventured," It is not servitude ..slavery ..it is not chains we wear . It is the heart beat. The hands and fingers. and for one to be alone.. for so long.. this could be coming home if it is done of true willingness.. especially for one that is used to skirting the rules perhaps?
Taja blinks at the man's words, mulling them inside her head and thinking about what is meant by them, and by who says them, slowly she nods. A movement that grows more confident as she does. "yes" she says "this is what I seek. A home. I think, maybe, this may be it"
Nikki Robbins nodded to him. "Yes you did Bink. You have been a great help to me." She smiled. "Thank you Bink." Nikki easily threaded the needle while she was talking to him. She looked back to the bean bag and started to sew up the hole. Her hand moved fluidly as she stitched up the hole with a very practiced ease.
Dodge finished off his beer and started to get up, noticing Niki was busy with the emergency bean bag surgery, Dodge took care of the empty bottle himself, then wiped the bar top where he had been sitting. He placed a tip for Nikki next to the till and silently turned and walked out of the bar into the cool evening air, and headed for home.
James Binks-Rakosi winced and looked away as the bean bag began to be sewn. It wasn't that he was squeamish, but remorseful for his own mess up. He didn't cover his face so that pain in the wrong was more evident upon his face. he chewed on his lower lip and tighten then handed fists atop his knees as he waits for the all clear. It had to be all clear.. otherwise he'd owe an even bigger apology to the Masters... and a new bean bag!
Aydryan turned his head slightly toward Jehan with the touch of warm leather and then his words. Jehan swiftly scored several points on the 'very important' list within Aydryan's mind. He turned a warm smile toward Taja, which was atypical for him, but tonight was going well and it came easily. "Hikaru and I do our best to support the vampires in our Kiss, to lead them fairly and protect them. All we ask in return is respect and equal support." He extended his left hand to her, palm up and fingers extended. Those fingers quirked slightly in a 'come here' motion. "To oath to me to create a bond with me. Your voice will be within my mind until you leave me and my territory."
Taja steps easily to the master's outstretched hand, her mind made up now, there is no hesitation left. Slowly she nods in understanding and acceptance
Nikki Robbins finished stitching up the bean bag as she hummed softly. She tied off the end and getnyl wove the needle into the hem of her shirt. Nikki flipped the beanbag and fluffed it a bit with a smile on her lips. "See here Bink. The bean bag is back to normal."
Jehan smiled warmly and inclined his head watching her approach . He closed his own hand about Aydryans and then realised what he was doing and relaxed fingers to jsut lay them over that hand though he did softly add ," excelent choice.
Aydryan turned his hand over beneath Jehan's. He would not deny the touch, especially when physical touch was important to himself as well. The fingers of his other hand curled around Taja's hand and drew her gently forward. "I always give a choice to those that would drink my blood, bond to me." He continued to drew her to him until it was obvious he was going to direct her to sit upon his lap, "The choice is to either take the blood from my wrist," and here he let her hand go so that he could touch his fingertips to his own chest, "or...here." He looked at her quietly as he waited for the answer.
James Binks-Rakosi squeaks, "Oh! you're a magician with the needle, Miss Nikki!" he raised his hands and clapped gently to the 'show.' he was blushing, but it in a faitn and admirable way. "um.. Miss Nikki... not that I want to sound ungrateful... or like I;m asking too much, but.. I ... I gotta know something..." he fidgetted abit to sit more comfortably on the floor and watch her with a not so twisted up body. "...is it... possible... I mean only if its no trouble possible... ifI can.. well.. borrow.. jsut for a bit!... but um.. yeah.. can I borrow your Pixie dust?" He smiled hopefully and wiggled in place. "I have a lot of happy thoughts, you know! .. I.. i jsut can't make my own pixie dust. I've tried. I really realyl have... but...I don't think that's the half of me.. to make pixie dust... so.. I need to borrow it."
Taja curls her fingers around his as he pulls her onto his lap, sitting comfortably and lightly there, her bare feet off the ground. She studies his face as he offers her and blinks slowly before gently tapping her fingers where his had been upon his chest. THen looks to him, waiting for direction
Jehan half closes his eyes and lightly laces fingers over Aydryan's. He leaned a bit closer jsut from his own memory of the moment and how the energy had felt . Free hand lifted to play with the ends of his own hair .
Nikki Robbins smiled to Bink. Then, hearing him speak, she tilted her head in confusion. She blinked her jade eyes at him getting more and more confused by the second. Nikki looked towards the group then back to Bink. "Bink...I...I do not know what you are talking about. Pixie dust? What is pixie dust and why are you asking me for it?"
Aydryan moved that freely moving hand once more, letting it disappear into a pocket and reappearing with an intricate ring that presented a sharp blade beneath one extended finger. He felt Jehan move closer, also remembering the night that he had oathed to him. Smiling quietly, he lifted his hand and passed it elegantly over his left pectoral, the flesh parting easily, allowing dark crimson to well upward. As he did this he allowed his power to rise around the three of them like warm tidal waters that supported and lifted them. "Drink, Taja...oath to me with your kiss and blend your power with ours."
James Binks-Rakosi frowned abit. "I saw you fly earlier...." he sighed softly. It wasn't really high or nothing.. but.. I thought you could well.. you know... fly. And.. and well.. some fly with pixie dust and happy thoughts. And you said earlier you liked being happy over serious.. so I thought that was how you were doing it.. and I wanted to fly too..." He blushed more, his head lowering more and more as he went into his explanation. "...I guess that's a 'no, Bink... you don't fly, huh?"
Taja leans in and down, her hair falling about her face as she places her lips to the blood welling on his chest. Carefully, gently she pulls, taking his blood into herself, feeling the power behind it and what it brings with it. A short moment and she purses her lips, stained red, and shifts, straighening herself to look at the vampire
Nikki Robbins softly smiled to Bink as she shook her head. "No Bink, I do not know what pixie dust is or what having happy thoughts has to do with flying. I simply hover because that is one of my abilities. I have never truly flown Bink. Never higher than you saw me tonight."
Jehan parted lips to the feel of that power aroudn them and he made a soft sound. then sighed to the scent of that blood but then he caught himself and he tried to bite back a chuckle at his own hunger . how embarassing . He shook back his hair again and opened up a bit of his own power in answer as if trying to offer it back to him though the glove prevented him from actually offering more than the Master would take himself.
James Binks-Rakosi frowned gently and nodded to her, " Nothing really.. it is just something that I read pixies can do.. and well.. i was just.. um.. being silly!" He laughed then, his blush remaining with a returning smile. HE wasn't about to go blabbing off that he wanted to know because he wanted to know what kind of Fae he was. That wasn't openly sharable information. Instead.. he could blame it on him.. being him. It worked. "Either way... thank you, Miss Nikki.. for helping me save the bean bag from my own destruction. It really was unintentional."
Nikki Robbins simply nodded but was still confused. However, she never asked. "Of course Bink. I am sure it was an accident. You did not mean any harm Bink." She smiled softly. "The bean bag will be just fine now."
Aydryan 's head tipped back with the touch of his mouth to his flesh, with the feel of that slow pull against his system. As Taja drank she would hear the sound of ocean waves sighing against a beach, exploding against rocks, such was the tone of his power. It was like water, deep and alluring, dangerously unfathomable. His fingers had tightened slightly within Jehan's but then slowly relaxed again. When Taja pulled back, his other hand rising to let his thumb gather the red from her lips. Then he turned to Jehan and offered that thumb to him, purring quietly, "I offer you my thumb...or to seal the cut, Jehan." His head swiveled to Taja then, "You are now one of our Kiss, protected, cared for....find peace with us."
Taja bows her head at his words, having felt the power of this man, the elemental strength flowing not only through the blood but deeper. She shifts, moving so that he can turn toward Jehan, though not yet out of his lap
James Binks-Rakosi smiled gently. it felt nice to not be yelled at or scolded for his little mistakes. He was use to both occuring... alot. "may I.. ask another strange question?" he chewed on his lip abit though right after asked without waiting for a complete reply. "How is ot... all the vampires here.. well... -most- the vampries here... how can they all be nice... i mean... not jsut to me.. but well.. just nice in general. It's like they don't know they are all supposed to be vampires and ... well... mean to everyone else. why.. why is that?"
Jehan blinks a moment and tongue touched lips before he smiled crookedly . Sliding over on that couch and turning towards them he put an arm about Taja lightly and hugged her a bit," Welcome home. " he was still slightly holding her when he turned that bright gaze to Aydryan and leaned in to ever so slowly draw tongue over the cut while watching him though his lashes.
Aydryan accomodated Taja as she moved, supporting her as he could until she was settled. Leaning back against the couch allowed more room for Jehan to get closer. With Jehan's whisper, he smiled and let his head fall back to rest. His lips parted with a quiet indrawn breath as his tongue was drawn across the cut. It was this, moments like this, that verified what he was doing, being a Master of Wood Bourne. It was indeed comforting to feel the Kiss within his mind, to feel their closeness and their acceptance of him and Hikaru. He opened his link to his lover and let him feel this as well, this sharing. It was sweet and something that they both needed. Words fell in a whisper, "We are as much yours as the Kiss is ours."
Taja Buridan quietly, she spoke to both men " I thank you for this. This I did not expect, to be home... I had forgotten what it felt like." She sighed, relaxing, letting down a few of the walls that had been built over so many centuries
Nikki Robbins listened to Bink's question in silence. She looked at him as she thought over how to answer him. Nikki nodded as she seemed to make her decision. "Well Bink. I know how movies and books and humans want to portray vampires. That vampires are evil and mean things that do not care for anything other than their own kind and for blood. Bink, there are some vampires like that. Some vampires are mean vampires. However Bink, there are good vampires too. What makes a vampire good rather than bad is different for each vampire. I can not speak for other good vampires Bink. But I am a nice vampire because my parents raised me to be a good person. They showed me being a good person was much better than being a bad one."
Jehan lingered there with his lips pressed to the other man's chest for a long moment and then slowly , reluctantly sat back up again and settled to the pillows once more ," you never know what you will find behind all our masks . Sttrength is a good thing to have and strength together is the best .
James Binks-Rakosi kept his head lowered a bit as he listened to Nikki's words.. and took them in. really took them in. It seemed to only confuse him more which lead.. to more questions. "...Jehan... his adopted father, the master of the city from where we came from. He was a very bad man. He.. he still is a very, very bad man.." he paused a moment... hat fear he often carried with him rising into his throat. "All the vampries there were very.. very bad men and women... except for Jehan. Jehan's not bad at all... I.. i always thought that it was just because he was different... or special.. that he wasn't a bad vampire.... but.. if what you say is true. I'm glad... glad he didn't lsiten to his parents.... good vampires are much better than bad ones."
Nikki Robbins smiled gently. "Bink, whether a vampire becomes a good one or bad one is all up to the vampire. They have to make the decision, one way or the other. There are simply some vampires that do not like being mean to people even if they had bad parents and bad makers. They made the decision to be good. I listened to my parents because when others did not love me they did. I thought and still think that is good. They love me for me."
Aydryan remained quiet for a moment, relaxed with Jehan beside him and Taja upon his lap. He listened to the soft buzz of their presence in the back of his mind, felt the tinge of their power intertwining with his own like a complex strands of DNA. The cut sealed until there was no mark to be seen except the pale streak of blood. Lifting his head, that one turquoise eye focused on Taja, "Welcome Taja." The feel of his power flowed around them, easy and relaxed, licking across their skin like the softest of caresses given by adoring fingertips..
James Binks-Rakosi smiled to Nikki then, "Well I'm glad its that way. For you.. and here. I.. i don't much like the bad kind of vampire.... they... they hurt." He blushed as he said that and unconsciously went to hug himself. It wasn't so evident in the dark lit room the evidences of the statement that solidfied their memory upon his flesh, but even if it was, He didn'ts eem to outwardly acknowledge such. He focused more instead.. on the happy now.. and the petting of the bean bag. His way of apologizung to it for the unintentional boo-boo.
Taja closes her eyes and breaths in the essense of the men around her, draws on the power and lets her own drift to caress and join in it. Such a contented feel. Gently she reaches out to encompass both in small pale arms. After a few long moments, she pulls back, slipping from Aydryan's lap and to the floor, her bare feet soundless. " I" she begins, but stops "pardon me this night...thank you" and, with a look torn between happiness and confusion, slips to the door
Nikki Robbins smiled and nodded as she slowly moved over on her knees to kneel beside Bink. She gently touched his shoulder and smiled. "You do not need to worry now Bink. You are safe in this room tonight. No one here will ever hurt you."
Jehan shivered slightly and sighed at the flow of power then chuckled," Careful I could get used to that feeling . But then I adapt well to all sort of things ." smiling still he squeesed Aydryans hand , " See you can have good nights too. even in the middle of all these things " he nodded thoughtfully perhaps even knowingly then glanced over to Bink and Nikki," even the beanbag murder was averted tonight . "
James Binks-Rakosi was glad the not so scarred shoulder was touched for that night. The one worse off never quiet felt the same and it often left him flinching. This time he could enjoy the comforting touch and keep up the smile. "And not only that... but one gets really great mixed juice drinks in here! " he giggled. Yep.. it certainyl seemed teh fear of killing the bean bag was long forgotten.
Nikki Robbins giggled softly in a way that seemed to light up her face and put a happy shine in her jade eyes if they were the stone their color came from. "And whenever you want one of those drinks you come right to me and I will make it for you."
James Binks-Rakosi gave another series of happy claps to that response and even bounced in his seat. "And the next time I bring Wooby... or Peanut... or Mr. Snoogles.. or Hobbes.. or..." He gasped then, standing up quickly, " ...oooh HOBBES!!" he chirped frantically and bounced up and down. "i almsot forgot!! I left Hobbes and my bunny slippers here yesterday so they wouldn't get wet! He must be soooo worried now!"
Aydryan nodded to Taja and did not think badly of her for leaving quickly. Oathing to a Master that you weren't incredibly sure of could be very overwhelming. Then he looked passed Jehan to where Bink spoke with Nikki. Still speaking quietly, for once he was genuinely at peace, "Bink is...terribly endearing. He would be the ruin of me."
Nikki Robbins slowly rose to her feet and looked to Bink. "Then we will have to find him Bink." She smiled. "Where did you leave him? We will find him together."
" On the couches in the room of red... but that other lady... The one that ..like.. -knows' the masters moves.. she was watching. I think she may have moved them sompleace safe." As he said knows he pushed out his arms and wiggled his fingers to imply something mysterious about... Jeanette's connection to the Masters. It was mostly his exlanation on being on top of her game.
Nikki Robbins smiled gently. "Yes, she would keep them safe for you. Let us go to the red bar and check there and see if she left them there for you."