A new day. (Invite only by me and bipp)

[Duke Bippwatt]

(If you want, Grace can hear all of this. With or without Nikolai knowing it.)

Niko grinned like an idiot. "Yes, ma'am!" He began getting together the ingredients for a steak marinade.

He sighed. "Well, my story starts off a sad one. When I was born, there was an unknown complication and my mother died. My father had gone missing shortly after my mother got pregnant" He started forking the the steaks, putting little holes in them.

"Well, I got put up for adoption, without any known next of kin to take me. I was adopted by a single man. He had lost his wife a few years before. But to assume that I would be raised with a single parent was foolish. I had about twelve parents and another twenty some odd siblings. Obviously, not by blood, but true enough." He started mixing the various items into the glass pan he had the steaks in. A little Worcestershire sauce, some balsamic vinegar, salt, basil, oregano and a few other things.

"But, it turns out, my "family" was actually a werewolf pack. Thus why it was so big. As I grew, I was afforded a natural status in the pack, as the alpha's child. But, I began to have trouble, because, as I became older, I was more of a "threat" to some members of the pack." He opened the fridge and slid the pan of steaks in a short shelf.

"I got a valiant defender, though. Derak Falconer, self-styled Derak Halfhand. One of his early battles in attempting to climb the pack ranks, he lost the last two fingers of his right hand. So, he calls himself a halfhand. I just told him, that if he gets a ring of white gold, he should stay far away from me." He shook his head. "Ah, nevermind that. It's our own joke." He pulled out a pack of green beans and a pack of bacon.

"Well, Derak became my hero, basically. Other members of the pack knew that if they f*cked with me, they f*cked with him, and he was well respected as someone who didn't fight fair. He was a down dirty fighter. Hair yanking, crotch kicking, slapping, scratching. There was no fighting like a girl in Derak's book. Fighting was fighting. Still is." He lifted the steamer on the pot of water and dumped the green beans into the boiling water. "No point in wasting another pot.", he stated.

"But, eventually, it became that Derak couldn't be with me at all times. And it wouldn't be much good if I was killed. I may be well trained in most hand to hand combat techniques, but I couldn't handle a 150 pound or more wolf. So, I left. Worked my way around the world, started working in private investigation. My talents are rather useful in such fields." He began frying the bacon in a frying pan, multi-tasking quite well. He checked the cauliflower and looked at his watch again, then nodded.

"But, I wound up calling him, realizing that there are quite a few dangers out there. I found myself wishing I had a partner with a pair of assault rifles to clear out an alleyway of unpleasant types." He smiled. "So, I called Derak up, he agreed to come out here and we've been partners ever since. And you know the rest."

"I'm not sure what to do here. I mean, I feel like I need to step carefully or I'll set off the landmine that is Ardolf. Or, even though I never met her, Amira. Or Peanut. Or Hawk. Or Grace. Hell, I feel like I need to be care not to set myself off!" He grimaced. "I wish like hell I knew what Grace getting the touch off of me meant."

(And yes, she can hear the last part if you want her to. She needs to find out about it at some point.)

(Historical post is historic.)

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ariel smiled at Nikolai. "When it comes to this were must all tread lightly. We will be there for support but we are just outsiders looking in. It sucks yes but its the ugly truth."

........

Grace layed beside Ardolf feeling safe with him when suddenly she began to here Nikolai voice in her head. She froze note sure what to think of it but listening to his voice made her feel safe. Now smiling she heard Ardolf say something then sqeezed her hand. She looked over at him.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yes, I think so. I mean, I don't know for sure. See Nikolai and I touched hands and something happened between it. Note sure what but I "feel" him if that's makes sense."

"You connected. He has and amazing gifted and maybe it went a little beyond this time."

"What do you mean?"

"Well maybe with his gift you made a connection that's bonded your souls and spirits together. That's is rare but I have seen it before."

"Even be able to hear him now?"

"Its possible sweety. All of it is."

"Cool," she said smiling. Then thinking harder she said hello in her head wondering if he could hear her two.

.....

Ariel kept cooking the fish and smiled at his goofy look on his face. "You look like youve been hit by lighting or a love arrow." She chuckled. "Maybe its a love connection. Ardolf and I have that. Just a I know how the other one is feeling kind though. Still its a connection and its wonderful. If I were you I wouldn't let it or her get away. You two seemed to have something wonderful even though you dont see i. Just trust me. I know all."

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai smiled as he pulled the cauliflower off the stove. He tested it.
"Perfect." He said. He drained it and put it into the pot. He pulled out sour cream, salt and pepper.

"Well, I suppose that might be....." He stopped. He felt a slight tug. He dumped some sour cream and added the salt and pepper. Mixing it with a potato masher, he handed it to Ariel. "Mash this, please.", he asked.

Before she had taken it from him, he left the room, seeming distracted. He walked down the hall and came to one of the doors. He knocked on the door. "Grace?" The door creaked open, as it hadn't been latched closed.

"Sorry...I-I'm not exactly sure why I came back. I just felt....something." He shook his head. "Dinner will be ready in about ten to twenty minutes." He walked back out to the kitchen. "Sorry about that. I just got a...feeling."

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Grace was smiling at Ardolf then sat up. Ardolf sat up beside her. "Everything ok?" He asked.

"Nikolai is coming," she's whispered.

All of a sudden Nikolai opened the door. Grace's eyes light up with excitement to see him but then quickly changed knowing she was doing that she didn't want him to see but Ardolf saw it.

He nodded as Nikolai and said, "Be right down. Thank you." As he left Ardolf turned to Grace and said, "Well, I saw that."

Grace jerked her head towards him. "Saw what?"

"The way you're eyes lite up when he watched in and not to mention you're heart is racing 90 miles a second right now."

"No...I...I just. What's going on? Why do I feel liked this now?"

"Well it might not had wanted to show itself until now. Nothing bad though."

"But what if it could be?"

Ardolf put a hand on either side of her shoulders after moving in front of her to make eyes contact. "Grace my dear. Just talk with him. Thats all you can do, ok. But just make sure you listen to both you're heart and you're mind."

She nodded. "Ok, Ardolf. I will."

"Good. Now lets go downstairs because that food is making me so hungry."

Grace chuckled. "Agreed."

So they both headed out of Ardolf so room, down the hall to the stairs and walked down them and into the kitchen.

.........

Ariel looked considered as Nikolai walked back into the room. "Everything ok?" As the last of the food was almost done she's listened to Nikolai as about 15 minutes later Grace and Ardolf walked in.

He walked over to Ariel kissing her on the cheek then a 3rt second kiss on the lips. "Something smells so good."

"Well go sit and we'll bring it over to you."

Ardolf walked over and sat beside Grace with a big smile on his face waiting for their food and with his big dumb grin, Grace couldn't help but smile too.

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai shook his head. "I don't know. It was weird. Almost like something compelled me to go check on Grace. I don't know."

He looked up as Grace walked in. He smiled at her and felt his heart stick in his throat. Geez. One might think I was a fluttering school girl, not a tough as nails private investigator.

---

In her mind, Grace hears a small muttering that sounds like Nikolai.

(It's what he thought to himself. She might not even know he didn't say it out loud, so she might respond.)

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Grace chuckled. "A school girl?"

Ardolf and Ariel look at her oddly.

But Grace looked at them and looked at Nikolai and when no one spoke she lowered her head a little in hoping the embracement would pass. When it was as food was brought over to the table everyone sat and began to eat.

Then Grace looked up at Ardolf and asked, "So is Amira really a powerful leader?"

"Yes," Ardolf said taking a bite of Nikolai steak. "Damn this is good. Sorry Grace but damn this is good. Ariel what seasoned combos did you try this time?"

Ariel smiled. "I'd taken the credit gladly if it was I that did it but Nikolai cooked them."

Ardolf eyes grew wide a little as he turned his attention to Nikolai. "This is really good. You're a really good cook." He took another bite happly. "What seasons did you use?"

....

Grace sighed to herself. She was used to being cut off but she did want to talk about her sister. At moments now it was like pulling teeth to get Ardolf to talk about Amira but he would get back on topic. She just had to wait him out.

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai's eyes widened at the school girl comment. Oh, f*ck. How did she hear that. She's a damn werewolf, not a telepath. Or is she? He sat down at the table and began eating.

Nikolai looked at Ardolf at the complement. "Uh. I used little Worcestershire sauce, some balsamic vinegar, salt, basil, oregano and a few other things. Just something my father taught me. Marinate them for awhile and they come out juicy and tender."

He looked at Grace. "But anyway. Grace wanted to ask you a few things, I think. Stop trying to dodge them." He softened the comment with a friendly smile.

(Okay. Anything that Nikolai thinks now, Grace knows. Kay?)

[Lady Amira Nuit]

(kk.)

"I dont know how either but I did hear you," She said to Nikolai. Then she turned too Ardolf.

"Sorry hun," Ardolf said with a sigh. "Amira is known as the chosen one because yes she is powerful. Half vampire and half werewolf is unbelievable even more so when her mother was the vampire."

"So?"

"Vampires cant have a child and even if they could they couldn't give birth. They would die. Her mother lived."

"How do you she lived?" Grace asked.

"Because I met her," Ardolf said, "She wasn't like any other woman I new. So sweet and kind. She was a good woman, wife, friend, and mom."

"Sounds like you cared alot about her too."

"I did but she loved Greek more. Boy if I would have known he had..." He slammed his fist down on the table making everyone jump. "Sorry. Its still hard too get my head around it."

"That he wasn't truly loyal to her?"

Ardolf caught Graces eye then. "Yes, that he was just a mutt looking for a warm blooded fix."

All was silent for a little while, then, "Sorry. I did love her and it pains me that even though he had it all he still wasnt truly happy. He was always like that. That baster always wanted more and no was something he never heard. It always ment yes to him. Even as kids. You could never say no to Greek Nuit." He shook his head as a tear rand down his cheek. "I loved him like a brother but most times he got out of control. It was hard to stop him. I even one time had to take him out. He got drunk and well didn't really know how to control our beasts yet. Well he manged to tranform and a group of girls came walking out of a bar. He jumped down and grabbed ahold of one of them and began to hurt her. Well lucky for me our master has me carry around a gun that has a special dart with his own sleep aid in it.. Its put him right out." He sighed then reliving the girls screams as he did lift up her dress and tare off her patties. He then entered her while in werewolf state but totally drunk so he couldn't think straight at all. His friend was out of his mind and Ardolf did freeze at the sight of what his friend was doing to this poor girl. Then Ardolf remembered the gun. He got it out and took aim. His friend was out cold son he rushed to help the girl. He pulled Greek off of her and called his master who called the right people but before they got her to the hospital she bled out and died. He never repeated the end of that story to anyone but his master, greek, and of course Ariel. It was to hard to relive its but to speak of it, never again.

After a few minutes Grace asked, "Does Amira know this side of her father?"

Ardolf smiled but there was nothing behind it. "No. Thats why explaining you will be hard. I am not sure I am strong enough for this."

"Then be strong for her," Grace said with a light smile. "She loves you and I can tell you love her too. It will work out. It always does." She began to eat as did everyone else too. Night was falling fast and soon sleep was to come with an early road trip to Red Blood City.

[Duke Bippwatt]

The bite of steak on Nikolai's fork froze right in front of his mouth as his damnable ability sent Ardolf's thoughts through him....and into Grace.

It was a case of thinking about the purple elephant. Nikolai heard it, thought of it, so it became his thoughts. So, Grace heard it and it became her thoughts.

So, when the fork began to move again, it froze again, almost in his mouth when the same thoughts flowed through Grace's mind.

Oh, sh*t . Not again., he thought, then cursed himself for thinking it.

He stood up. "Uh, I have...to...uh...make a call. I'll...uh...be right back."

He fled the room, hopefully taking his thoughts with him.

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Grace looked a little concerned when she heard "Oh sh*t not again" and then Nikolai getting up and racing out the room. She sighed.

"What's wrong with him?" Ardolf wondered.

"Not sure," Grace said curioused. "You know I need to go get something. Be right back." She stood and walked into the other room and hid so she could hear his phone call.

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai began dialing. Then paused. Grace was eavesdropping. He snorted. At this point, he didn't care. He could fool her...oh, wait. No, he couldn't.

Damn! If only he had more info. He backspaced and input another number. "Yeah. This is Nikolai. Is Magus Nahrmahn there? Thank you."

He waited. Then..."Hey, Nahrmahn! I need a two-way teleport. Yeah. Anywhere and back again. Okay." A circle of light appeared around him and then...he was gone.

---

"Nikolai! Good to see you."

"Thanks for the assist. Give me a moment and I can get your payment. Just need to make a call."

He slipped outside and dialed. "Hello?"

"It's Niko."

"Ah. It's been awhile. Whatcha need?"

"Information."

"Ah, I see. What kind of info?"

"Telepathic."

"Okay. And?"

"Bonds."

"Okay. Let's see. Well, one common theme is true love. Another is hatred. Oh, this looks promising. Those who are bound thusly are bound to each other."

"Oh, f*ck. It is happening again.", Nikolai muttered.

"Ah, got a bond? Need it broken?"

"There is no way to break it. Not with out killing one of us." He hung up.

He went back inside and pulled out a wad of cash. "Here you go, my friend." The mage nodded and then made an arcane gesture and Nikolai vanished.

---

Nikolai reappeared and came out of the room. "Hi, Grace.", he said to her. "Hope you had fun trying to eavesdrop.", he said half-jokingly.

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Grace began to watch Nikolai then was shocked as he suddenly disappeared. She stand frozen for a moment then was about to step out when he reappeared. Remaining where she was she then came out of hiding as he comment about eavesdroping. "Sorry," she began as she looked down at the floor, "I just didn't understand something and sense you were off by yourself I wanted to ask you about it. How can I hear you when you're lips aren't moving and when you left just then I felt like I was lost because you left then I felt I guess happier or one when you came back." She paused for a moment. Then meeting his eye she said, "How is this possible?"

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai nods. "I know what you mean."

He returns to the dinner table and finishes the meal in silence.

[Lady Amira Nuit]

As Ardolf and Ariel finish they take their plates over and clean them. Then they turned to them. "I think tomorrow is the day we head out. Eight in the morning sounds good. So be up and at the car by then." He takes Ariels hands and leads her to their bedroom and close the door behind them.

Grace lets out a low sigh and looks at Nikolai. "So are you going to talk to me? Why do we have a connection Nikolai? Can you feel everything I do and can you hear me too? I have a right to know." She lay down her fork and just stared at him hoping he would start talking. It was a weird feeling but in a way she liked it. She was starting to like him alot and it was nice to have a bond like that with a man even though it wasnt ment to be like this. Feeling began to push their way threw as she smiled at him. He was cute and she could see something happening with him. She didn't know his feelings but something told her she was soon to find that out.

[Duke Bippwatt]

Nikolai cringed at Grace's words. Instead of speaking, he thought. Hopefully, she would do the same.

We have a connection. It's true. That connection can't be broke, not without one of us dying. In all likelihood, it would be you who died, given that you are the non-telepathic one in the bond. But, this bond isn't just going to be you hearing my thoughts. That is just the beginning. Eventually, you will become a full on telepath yourself. And there is no way to stop it. It's in a telepath's DNA. They have a number of things called photo-synapses. It is what allows them to feel emotions or hear thoughts. The number they have is how much or how far they can hear. Mine is 500 million parts per billion. About half. Your's will eventually come to about half that or a little more.

He shifted in his seat and began thinking again.

There is another thing, called transference. This sends, when skin contact is made, a small number of the photo synapses into the other person's body. This is how a telepath can see someone's life. When the person they do it with has some photo-synapses, but not enough to show an ability, say only 3000 parts per million, the synapses stay with that person. With "new blood", as it were, they begin to copy, slowly working upward. All skin contact afterwards accelerates the process.


His stream of thought paused and came in with some small random noise as he gathered his thoughts again. Then, he began thinking again.

So, you hear only my thoughts or others thoughts through my thoughts because you have a number of my synapses. And, as you gain more synapses, you will rely less and less on the crutch of my presence.

Then, he spoke, loud in the silence. "Make sense?"