Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 7:45:24 PM) ** It was a beautiful day in Denver, Colorado, and the weather was actually quite nice... humidity was low, weather was warm, wind was soft and cool... In other words, it was everything anyone who lived in the mountains could ever hope for. And that included Morgan, who was born in raised in this place; this weather was like a little slice of heaven for him. Normally, on such a day as this, he'd go out to the park and try his hand at something... like rollerblading, for instance... but after his last time out, he decided to stick to something quite a bit safer. And for this, one would have a great many things to do in Denver. ** Unfortunately, before he could actually get to ENJOY such a day, he was called on a short-notice thing by his boss. Apparently, he was going to go and be social at a very prestigious wine and cheese tasting event they were holding in the ritzy side of town. Yes, a wonderful day like today, spent indoors with a bunch of people sifting wine and spitting it out so they didn't get drunk... whatever he'd done in another life, apparently God was punishing him for it. ** And so, that is where he was. Dressed in a pretty decent suit, looking as sharp as he could, and moving through the group of people who ranged from the upper-middle-class all the way to the socialites of Denver themselves. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 7:48:52 PM) There's slink in her dress, the way it shines like it should be some sort of evening attire. She is lovely. People say so. They whisper like she isn't there. Like she were above them. She had to agree, more or less. But this was until they got close, saw things about her, felt things that made them shy away. It was her mark. Her pierced veil. Other women spoke of her in catty ways. Said she shouldn't be wearing that today. That it was meant for sun dresses and fancy hats. This was her favorite red dress. She was always up for a little stirring of the pot. She recognized him, perhaps from the television. She made her way to him, tapping the fingers of her right hand on her left elbow. It was getting a little dull anyway, he might liven it up.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 7:55:25 PM) ** The anchorman had not always been in the anchor's desk, and a journalist's instincts died very hard. His eyes were, unconsciously, still people-watching, observing everyone he could, and in the back of his mind he was writing stories about what he thought their lives were like. Some were most likely very off, while others were likely to be on the mark. However, his eyes soon caught the woman in the red dress, and he found himself unable to look away from her. ** (Thought) One of the socialites of Denver... on the lower scale when it comes to money, or I'd have heard of her by now, but still there. Likes showing off her money, or perhaps just likes throwing people for a loop, by wearing clothes like that, moving like that, and acting like that. Possibly a very nice person, but one would never know it, because she closes herself off to them... only making her more alluring, more interesting, to those around her. ** His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of her moving closer, and the feeling that swept over him... a feeling that made what he had seen with Khory as if a vague, half-felt dream. Seeing what he'd seen in her mind had shocked him to the core, though it gave him only vague impressions, but this, without even coming near him, hit him straight in the gut. Every part of him told him to run like hell, to get out of there. ** But that, in and of itself, was probably the main reason he DID stay, and why he smiled to her as she approached. ** Well hello there... I don't believe we've met... ** He was keeping the introductory part of his words short, allowing them to get past the pleasantries... or concentrate on them, depending on what it seemed that SHE preferred. Always better to play it safe, and play off of the other person. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 8:01:41 PM) Quiet. She's always quiet, with that eerie cat-like stare. The one that can unnerve and bring shivers to one's spine. The one that she levels on him now. Her smile grows with teeth that are just a little too pointed to be normal. "Zahara." Her accent is very hard to place. She is from Cairo, Egyptian, it's told in the slightly more almond shape of her eye. The caramel color of her skin. She is captivating. She extends her hand, giving nothing more than her first name to him, and she cants her head to the left. "And you?"

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 8:26:13 PM) ** The closer she got, the more unnerving the feeling became, but he refused to let it bother him. That was, after all, part and parcel with his job; being able to work with ANY people, no matter what they do, or who they are... and he wasn't going to just step back because he got a weird feeling from this woman. When she introduced herself, he smiled to her, and took her hand, shaking it firmly, but like a gentleman would. ** Morgan Smith. A pleasure---- ** And then it hit him. Like a mallet between the eyes, wielded by Andre the Giant at his height of power. ** Loneliness... such intense loneliness... that it permeated every other feeling. Desire, playfulness, hitting every part of me... of her... of them... And then... the screams... Screaming... screaming? Yes, screaming. Screaming children. Running... No, don't run, I'm not going to hurt you! Lonely... so very sad... And then it all shifts into black and white. No, wait, there's red... so that's what desire looks like. What? Desire? Yes. Desire. Fear, in deep purple... no, not sights, smells, smells in my eyes, sights in my nose. No, stop... but I can't stop, it's too much, too powerful, too quick. I'm moving so fast, so gracefully, I feel like I'm dancing as I run... running... low to the ground, with smells dancing in my eyes now. It's so dark, but I can see perfectly with the vague lights around and the scents in my vision to guide me. Now it's different, like I'm on someone's shoulders... Big, huge, feral... anger, where is all this anger coming from? Is it me? Yes. Me. Anger. Rage. Throughout me. My hands... what? No, not my hands... claws... anger is everywhere... I can't concentrate... I HAVE TO CONCENTRATE! ** She could see him blink for a moment, as if growing dizzy, and for half a second... though it seemed an eternity to him, he began to sway back and forth. And then, he gripped the table behind him, and took a deep breath, forcing control on himself. Somehow, he managed to push it all to the side, and make a very reasonable seeming smile. ** Ok, that'll teach me to eat before I come to a wine-tasting contest. VERY sorry about that...

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 8:32:15 PM) Her hands come, to stop him from falling. He looks as if he'll fall. She wants him to stay on his feet. He isn't moving from her. One of the few that aren't her kind. One of the few who don't turn away. Her hands come to his bicep and forearm. Deceptively strong. Unnaturally. For a girl her size. So sinewy and graceful. To be able to hold up a man of his size. But she seems confident that she can. "Yes. You should eat before these events." Her eyes narrow, he's not telling the whole truth. Her fingers tighten in places on his arm, but she releases him none the less. "But sometimes, you have to be careful doing that as well. Sometimes these events are so pretentious, you may not keep what you eat..." She draws back then, after touching him that way, as if she expects him to leave her side. To run. To go away. She should become jaded to such things. But she is not.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 8:37:54 PM) ** Her touch was powerful, and it took an act of will to keep from pulling away from her. Not because of her predatory nature, or how he felt about it, but because he did not wish to see anything more... and touch seemed to be the most powerful way for him to do that. But Morgan refused to be rude... he had a reputation to uphold, and it would not help him if he did that. Besides... he HATED bein rude, and didn't want her to think badly of him because of a part of him he could never tell ANYONE about. ** Yet another very good reason he couldn't run as well... ** You're right about that... though not so much as you might think. It's really a pretty nice place... Hey, it could be worse, anyway. ** She was trying to be polite, he believed, but it seemed as if she wasn't very good at it. The way her eyes narrowed, the way she looked at him, felt oddly like how a mouse must feel when looking at the cat about to play with him. After the images he saw, he couldn't get THAT picture out of his mind. Him, with big ears and a long tail, and her with cat ears, a tail and sharper fangs than even SHE had. ** But, again, I'm really sorry about being rude like that. Like I was TRYING to say... my name's Morgan Smith. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 8:43:25 PM) "You look familiar." She was trying, it was hard when she had very little to practice with. She had few friends. She had few social circles, if any. Her smile broadened, however, as he finished introducing himself. "Ah, the news. That's how I know you then. I knew I had recognized you." She took yet one more step back, and she glanced down to perfectly pedicure feet in strappy heels. Every part of her looked impeccable. "Are you sure you are alright? I could get you some water."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 8:51:33 PM) ** It was weird, how he felt as she stepped back. He knew that he shouldn't' feel like this, that what he'd seen shouldn't bother him this much, but with each step Zahara took back, Morgan seemed to relax just a bit more. She'd probably think it was the same as with everyone else... but there was no way she could know exactly what he'd seen. And, there was no way that Morgan could know what it was either... ** Similar, yet so different, to what he'd seen when he first touched Khory. Could the reasons be the same? Or was there something more, something... very strange... going on around him? ** Yes, that's me. I'm glad you're pleased to see me... I keep worrying I'm gonna meet someone and they're gonna start hitting me for giving them bad news. ** Talking about his job made him relax, and let his breaths come easier... and allowed his answer to her next question to become more sincere. ** Promise, I'm fine. I just need to get me some more of this cheese here... *taking some from the patter on the table* ...and get some food in me. Would you like some? It's bree... but it's very good.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 8:55:20 PM) Her eyes then leveled on him. "You really wouldn't want me to hit you, might change your career..." Her eyes darted from his and she cleared her throat, one more step back. She didn't want to appear so threatening. But she was threatening. Was so very. "I can..manage." She didn't want him to have to near her again, he looked better now. She wasn't sure what had happened with her touch, but she was sure it had something to do with the reason why most people ran from her. "Your reports are ...lovely." She managed to find something other than cheese and hitting to talk about.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 9:01:08 PM) ** Yipes. He's never had anyone outright threaten him, and, if Morgan didn't know better, he'd suspect that she was actually doing so. Now that was a scary thing... woman like her, seeming already so frightening, coming out and saying she was going to hurt him? No, she couldn't have meant that. If she had, she'd have already attacked him... earlier, when he had been more vulnerable. That was how things like that worked, wasn't it? People who liked violence were violent on the weak and helpless? ** But he still couldn't shake that bit of worry from his psyche. ** I'm... glad you like them. It's... the best I could do to give back to the community. I... grew up here, and all, and I love this place. ** He couldn't keep the edge of worry out of his voice, no matter WHAT he did. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 9:04:26 PM) Edgy. He was worried. He was about to run. Wasn't he? She could feel it, hear the worry in his voice. It made her step toward him. Her innocent act might seem dangerous with how worried he already was. Finally she took the last steps to him, her hand went to his forearm and she spoke quietly to his ear. "I really won't hurt you. I know it may seem that way, but I'm not going to. Please...don't leave."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 9:17:04 PM) ** He could see in her eyes that she was lonely, the loneliness in his mind resonated, almost, with that look. And he knew, then, that whatever was making him feel this way was not within her control, and not something she wanted to do. Hence why he didn't wince, or flinch, when she moved to touch him again... she deserved better than that. Or he hoped she did, at the very least. But then, Zahara touched him once more, and the visions came to him even more clearly than before. ** It was a beautiful creature... in black and white, surrounded by the sight of smell once more. Fear. Apprehension. Outright terror. It knew I was hunting it, and it knew its time was up. And then, I launched. Blood. So much blood. I relished in it, reveled in it, and knew within my heart of hearts that this is what I was made for, what I was born for. The taste was exquisite... ** And then the taste was horrible, as he actually threw up a little in his own mouth. Forcing it back in, he actually managed to keep the fear, the apprehension, and even the feeling of being physically ill out of his expression, and smiled gently to her. ** I won't go. I promise. Why... is it so important to you, though? ** Hey, he was a reporter, after all... even in fear, the questions came to him very powerfully. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 9:21:41 PM) Whatever happened before happened again. She didn't like it, so much so that she took another step back, and she glanced away. Her resolve was weakening. She wanted to run as well. She didn't belong here. She belonged out in the wild. It was what she was made for. "Everyone does. I would like to have someone...who doesn't." Short and sweet, she's sipping from a glass of wine then, trying to calm her nerves.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 9:27:20 PM) ** He saw the look in her eyes, that look that suggested she might run, and it tugged at something in his heart. She was so lonely... though why, he did not know... but that loneliness was so deep that he ACHED at the chance to help her. Forcing his face, his entire body, to become more relaxed, he smiled and spread his arms and hands just a bit... in a very welcoming gesture. ** Though for some reason he had an urge to hold out his hand and let her sniff it... but he pushed that back as well, not even knowing where it came from. ** Then I won't run. But you can't either... ** What was it with him meeting women who had something to do with blood and furr and anger and death? This was becoming a rather BAD habit. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 9:31:18 PM) "Promise?" There was a hint of something like hope behind her eyes. She held her breath for a moment and she took in a deep breath. She had sniffed him, a while back, she was simply good at hiding that fact. He smelled. . .clean. "Why don't you want me to run?" Her arms slip about herself, and she takes yet another sip.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 9:44:32 PM) ((Spending a willpower for the scene, to get past Mark of the Predator.)) ** With a gritting of his teeth, he brought out a smile... and suddenly, with a bit more of a REAL smile, it seemed that he was now capable of tolerating whatever was going on with her. Whatever made him feel this way, whatever it was he had seen in her mind... right now, it would be best to concentrate on HER, on the HERE and NOW, rather than worrying about things he could find out more on later. Besides, if he wanted to treat her properly... to treat her like every human being deserved to... he'd have to get past it anyhow. ** Promise. You wanna go to a table and... talk? Maybe talk about what's... going on? ** A part of him wanted, desperately, to look into her mind and see what it was causing him to see these things, to feel these things. But even if he did... now was not the right time. Maybe later, but not now. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 9:49:51 PM) A table? An invitation? How...how wonderful! Her smile became nearly beaming as he seemed to accept her for what she was, or at least, get over this mark of the predator. "I would love that." She stepped toward a table, in the direction, so that she would take the initiative to getting to the table. One that was available that wasn't already littered with empty plates and wine glasses. When she walked it was notable that her dress was not the only slink she carried about her, but she seemed to be a bit smooth in her movements as well. She'd then sit, legs crossed at the knee, and she'd wait for him

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 9:53:36 PM) ** Well... that was a MUCH nicer smile. It looked sincere, and happy, without quite so much of the whole angry wolf-in-sheep's-clothing she had going on. Feeling quite a bit happier, Morgan motioned for Zahara to follow him, and lead her to a table that was a bit away from everyone else. Where she might be more comfortable, and where they might be able to talk more peacefully. Crowds... did things to people, sometimes, and he wanted to err on the side of caution. ** Moving to sit, he motioned for her to take the chair across from him, and smiled to her, putting his elbows on the table and his head on his hands. ** So... ** What DID one say in a situation like this? **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:00:00 PM) Seated. Looking to him. She found that she wasn't sure what to say. She had never really had the opportunity to speak at length to anyone before. Not before this. "Yes, so." She took the last sip of her wine, and she cleared her throat as she sat the glass to the side. She felt a bit awkward, even if she shouldn't. "How long...have you been a reporter?" It's a way to let the talking begin.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 10:06:13 PM) ** She'd chosen a very good topic to start off with Morgan on. It was a way for him to talk... about something he is comfortable with... and perhaps even bring forth an entire SERIES of conversation pieces... all without having to try very hard. After all, he knew himself better than anyone else... and was more comfortable discussing his own life than anything else. ** Not vanity... just the truth. ** Well, I started just after I finished college... Batchelor's Degree in Journalism. Started with some simple jobs, went up to the actual reporting... one thing lead to another, and I got offered the sweetest gig outside of CNN. No, sweeter... with CNN I'd be reporting around the world. Here... I'm reporting to my hometown, the place I love the most. No, nothing could be better than doing the job I do right now. ** His smile was more sincere now... and more relaxed as well. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:08:47 PM) She doesn't get to hear people talk about themselves very often, in fact, she can't remember the last time it has happened. She leans forward on her elbows, her wrists holding her chin, and she appears greatly interested. "World travel as apposed to your home town. Hmmn. I suppose, here they won't throw you into a war torn country with nothing but your trusty camera man." She grins, and when she does, it causes her eyes to glitter brilliantly.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 10:16:17 PM) War? ** Morgan chuckled, softly, shaking his head... and forcing down, once more, the feeling of bile rising up into his throat. War, violence... he'd seen what it did in his mind, the way very few other people could. He, more than anyone, KNEW why violence was a bad thing. No, there's no way that Morgan could handle being in such a place... it would probably tear his mind apart just being around it. ** Nah, not my style. I prefer here... being around the people, the places, the events. Hell, I'd rather be covering the State Fair or the Botanical Gardens than any sort of battle. ** He meant it, too, with all of his heart. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:19:17 PM) "I know, it's probably what pushed the local as apposed to the world wide." She'd been agreeing with him, and so she was still smiling. She's been all over the world, she found she liked Denver the best, even more so than the lands of her birth. "But I've been all over, I can tell you, there are few places as lovely as this."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 10:34:18 PM) ** So, she was a traveler, was she? That showed him a lot about her, and told him a little more about her life. Perhaps he was closer to right than he believed he was... when he'd first seen her in his People Watching moment, back there... but, in any case, it made him only want to learn more about her. The fear gave way to curiosity, and his journalistic instincts began to go off within his brain like a fire alarm. ** Tell me about that... where are you from? I can't... place the accent, or the look. ** Now it was her turn. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:40:04 PM) "I am from Cairo. It is very busy, yet very beautiful." Her smile dims a bit, and she glances down to her fingers. "I miss it, very much." She then lifted her eyes to him. "To see the desert kiss the ocean..." She trailed off and glanced off to the side, her family, her home, everything about it was missed, was longed for.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 10:44:40 PM) ** Egypt... a place he had never imagined outside of movies or the occasional news report on something going on in that nation. It was very interesting, he'd been told, and the pictures looked... well, dirty, dusty, and either very poor, or very rich, with little in-between. But pictures were only photos, and rumors were nothing more than words. To Zahara, it was home, and more beautiful than any other place in existence. ** He'd have to keep that in mind. ** Cairo... and from there, you just started up and traveling? Or was there a method to it all? ** Always the reporter... **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:48:38 PM) "No method. Wanderlust." She grinned a bit more broadly then, and she glanced to her empty wine glass. She sighed out a bit before lifting a brow. "And enough money to fund any trip I wanted." She chuckled then. Upper crust of society. Rich. Very rich.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 10:53:04 PM) ** A-HA. He'd been right. A great deal of money, the resources to do whatever she wanted, and the attitude to go with it that meant she didn't care what people thought of her. The eccentricities of the rich... that was something he'd learned he could ALWAYS count on. And so his mind began to work now, working out the story within his mind. ** And so you just started leaping from place to place, hopping back and forth... doing whatever you want, whenever you want to? Sounds like the life to me. Not much for travel, but I WOULD like to be able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to do it. THAT sounds like fun. ** He was trying to keep her talking. That was the important part of this. Keep her talking, let her tell him things... keep her relaxed. The more relaxed she was, the less of that he seemed to feel from her... that predatory side, like he'd felt from Khory. ** What was that, anyway? **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 10:56:46 PM) Keeping her talking. That's what he's doing, keeping her talking. She has some idea that he is, some knowledge of it. She smiles some and she chuckles. "If you'd like to be lonely, it is the life." To bring down the conversation. To add a dash of salt to it. She's good at that. Good at keeping people's enthusiasm curbed.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 11:00:15 PM) ** Oh, she's good, but Morgan is just as good at keeping a conversation going. Taking every topic as if it was simply another step in the right direction... for the simple fact was that, in an interview, EVERY direction was the right direction. So she'd decided to take the darker tone, the less enjoyable twist. Well, then he could learn from THAT. ** I find that hard to believe. A woman as beautiful as you? Can have probably any one she wants for a night, and all the friends she could get her hands on. ** He spoke it with a bit of a gentleness... knowing of her loneliness, but not wanting to admit to it. The explanation on that would most likely come as a surprise, or perhaps simply be disbelieved as impossible. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 11:03:50 PM) "Somehow, I don't think even you believe it." She chuckled none the less, and she uncrosses her legs, only to recross them, and she chews on her bottom lip as if searching for words. And then her voice dips into sly tones as her hands reach out just to take his own. "So are you saying...if I wanted you..."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 11:10:56 PM) Believe it? I do believe it, of course I do, or I wouldn't have said it. I said if you WANTED to... and I doubt for a second that you were WANTING to, back there... ** He looked to her as she uncrossed and recrossed her legs... and just smiled gently to her... allowing her hand to touch his, and not pulling back. This time, though, nothing happened... for which he was VERY glad. ** And I know for a fact you DON'T want me... so your point is moot.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 11:14:18 PM) "For a fact, mm?" She chuckled, turning his hand over in hers, running fingers over and under. Palm and back. she let her fingernails touch to his skin, but not scratch or harm. Just letting him know they were there. "How can you know for sure?" She uncrossed her legs again, and then recrossed them in a way that the top of her foot touched and then caressed at the back of his calf.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 11:32:15 PM) I'm psychic. ** He smiles to her in a smile that suggests, beyond a doubt, he is teasing... but that's the fun part of keeping this secret. He can actually admit to everyone that he is what he is, but as long as he smiled in that way, no one will EVER believe him. It's the fun part of it all... and, with thinking about it like that, his mind can't help itself. It starts to extend outward, invisibly, unnoticed by anyone, and slips along her own mind, just around it... just outside it... searching for what she is thinking about, right then and there. ** And the things he comes back with, intrigue him more than just a tad. However, there is no way he can just come out and say it. He'd let everyone know what he was... and they'd have him in a mental institution with part of his brain taken out in no time flat. ** Or maybe you're just enjoying that I haven't run away yet. You seem to think EVERYONE is just going to run from you... why is that?

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 11:43:53 PM) "Everyone usually does. Admit it, you had the urge to." She knew it was something about her, something about how the way people viewed her wasn't complete. Wasn't right. She wasn't like other shifters. There was something wrong with the way the moon didn't quite cover what she really truly was. She then let his hand go, and she lifted a brow. "Why would you think?"

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/25/2006 11:46:12 PM) ** He just looked to her, chuckling softly, and responded a bit too quickly. Of course, considering she had pretty much answered a question with a question, Morgan figured he was allowed to do so. It was a little rude, but, more than that, it was just not a very nice thing to do when someone was trying to learn more about you. ** I don't know. That's why I asked you.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/25/2006 11:53:14 PM) She chuckled, tipping her head back and shaking her head. Oh how funny. But he was a bright one, he caught on. She shook her head, she was never one to give anything away, so she went quiet. She hadn't mean to be rude..just, she wasn't used to conversation. "You'll have to forgive me, I haven't been in a real conversation in years."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 12:00:35 AM) ** He smiled gently, watching Zahara and nodding gently at her explanation. It had to be something understandable like that, he knew, and now that she'd said it, Zahara's actions seemed much more reasonable. Now it was just time to teach her how to have a normal, enjoyable conversation... the kind where everybody learns a little about everyone else involved. Or... at the very least... Morgan learns a decent amount about HER. ** That's quite all right... though I'm still curious about the answer.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:03:55 AM) "I don't know." Her smile faded some. She simply gazed at him with an unsure look. One that begged to have answers, but had none. "I don't' know why people run from me, Morgan. She glanced down, chuckled some. "Maybe I'm just...jinxed."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 12:07:48 AM) You don't believe that and you know it. ** He chuckled and shrugged, showing that he believed, for a fact, exactly what he was saying. If she did, he'd have felt far different emotions when he touched her than he did. But he felt loneliness, sadness... and that lead him to believe quite differently. In fact, he believed he did know why they did, but just didn't want to share it with him... didn't want to reveal her inner most secrets. ** And, in truth, he couldn't blame her. ** But if you don't know, or don't want to tell me, I totally understand, Zahara.

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:09:56 AM) "It's difficult to explain, to someone who might not be ...understanding of the supernatural." She finally said something that might clue him in on her being different, on her being something not quite known by most. She did, however, lean closer. Quieter. "I'm a cat."

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:17:50 AM) "I'm not sure what ..clan that is." She said honestly. She'd never heard of such things. She ducked low. Kept out of the way. "I've hidden in shadow. I've kept to myself. I do not pierce flesh with my teeth, but with metal." She patted the swords that probably looked a bit out of place with the gown. "I've been lost. Always."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 12:26:25 AM) ** Supernatural? Oh, that caught his attention, but probably not in the way she wanted to. Rather, it made him think of the people he'd seen reports on, the ones who thought that they were vampires, or wolves, or whatever else... magic-casting teenagers and every other sort. But this was a new one... someone who believed they were a cat. Wolf? That he would've seen coming. But a cat? Nope, that's a new one to Morgan. He just looked to her... allowing his mind to slip along her own once more. ** And what he saw in her mind defied all explanation. He saw a giant form, one that looked quite feline, but walked on two legs, had two arms, and looked like it was meant only for killing. Considering the amount of blood and death that was in her thoughts... in her past... it did not surprise him that she would think of such things... though he wasn't sure it was exactly a SANE thing to do. ** A... cat? ** And no, he doesn't put together between what he saw before and what he saw now. His mind just doesn't seem to be able to link the two sights together quite so distinctively. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:28:50 AM) Her smile curls wickedly, showing flash of fang. She nods a bit, just gazing into his eyes, which her own suddenly become slitted, very much like a cat. "Were-cat. Bastet." There is a purr to her voice, one that hadn't been there before, one that pulled at her r's and made her voice sound more rich. "..a cat."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 12:40:22 AM) ** That was the funny thing. In her mind, he could see the images that popped up in her mind as she spoke... images of great cats, monsters by ANY standards, beasts that were mixes between man and cat. Standing on two legs, but with the furr and head of a feline, and the claws of a walking terror-factory. And then he saw what seemed to be something in a mirror. A quick glimpse, but in it he also saw arms from a FIRST person view... ** Exactly what he had seen when he had touched her. ** Immediately, one of his hands came down on the table, and the terror within his heart came back tenfold. She was being serious. Whatever it was he'd seen in her mind, she was telling him about it now. Something called a... Bastet. A were-cat? That was a new one to Morgan... but now, he was beginning to put 2 and 2 together. ** So why did he keep getting 22? ** You're... you're serious, aren't you?

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:45:15 AM) "Of course I am." Why would she lie? He seemed to have such a good grasp of things here, but now he was starting to look afraid again. She reached over to grip his hand, he promised, but he made the promise when he didn't know better. When he couldn't have known. "We all have a veil...it keeps mortal men from thinking they saw one of us, instead they think they've seen a very large bear. It doesn't connect. My veil is pierced...but not only that...I carry a mark. I " She chewed on her lip. "Anyone can feel that I am a predator...that I hunt, that I kill prey with my own claws." She then chuckled. ":To this day, however, I've never killed another man..."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 12:51:44 AM) ** Morgan listened to this, listened to her telling him all this, and couldn't believe what he was hearing. Here was a woman, a strange, alluring, dangerous-seeming creature, telling him exactly what she was... That she was a very dangerous, very monstrous, killing machine with furr. And every image in her head... plus the things he'd learned from her touch... told him that she wasn't lying. But that was impossible. That just couldn't be true. Things like that couldn't exist... ** Could they...? ** I... have never... heard of anything like that before. ** Of course he was nervous, of course he was afraid. Even as she squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back, she should understand that at least. She was telling Morgan that she was a monster out of myth and folklore... how was he supposed to react? **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 12:57:45 AM) She rose from her seat, and she came to sit next to him rather than across from. She kept his hand in her gentle hold, and she shook her head. "Because of the veil. The earth and moon, they protect us by doing this, but for me, it can be seen through." She shook her head. "Humans kill to eat...I only kill what I must to survive, I've never harmed a human being so long as I've lived, Morgan. I will not hurt you." Trying to sooth, it had never been something she was good at, especially with the marks he carried.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 1:04:02 AM) ** As she does this, Morgan looks around, and pulls out a card from his breast pocket... it's his business card, it seems. His look is slightly apprehensive, and like someone who is unsure what to do at this point... and is making it up as he goes. Luckily, he was good at being Charismatic, and so he managed to speak in a somewhat persuasive manner. ** I... don't think this is the best place to talk about this, Zahara. Here, take my card, and call me later. We'll work out a time when we can... meet someplace more appropriate. ** His mind wouldn't let this topic go, especially because the anger and power he felt with her was very similar to how he'd felt when he touched Khory for the first time. Was... there any sort of connection? **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 1:07:02 AM) He was running. Maybe he was prettying it up with a 'here's my card' and a 'shouldn't talk about it here' routine, but he was running. She figured. What a waist her honesty had been. A very deep rumble of a growl lifted from her throat, as if this would make it more solid for him. She took the card with her fingertips, and she slipped it away to places unseen, just by tucking it beneath the neckline of her dress. Small piece of fabric sewn there. Meant for this. "Run.." Was all she said, turning herself from him, keeping herself closed off. It was easier when they ran right away, they didn't give you false hopes then.

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 1:11:32 AM) ** Her rumbling... growling... whatever you wanted to call it scared him even deeper than it had before, and she could tell. However, he forced himself to stay there, in place... standing still, but not moving... until she put the card away. After a few moments, and after she spoke, he realized that something was wrong... the taste in his mouth was very strange. ** Blood. He'd bit into his tongue. ** Swallowing it back and trying to keep from looking as scared as he was, he looked back to Zahara, and shook his head. ** Not running... Just... choosing a proper time and place. Call me on any of those numbers, though my cell phone is best. If you don't reach me, call my work line. ** Whether she believed him or not, they would be meeting again... unless she didn't call him back to give him some contact information. She had his interest, now, and no matter the fear, no matter what he felt the danger was... he would have to satiate his curiosity. ** A curiosity that would almost do a cat proud. **

Zahara ~ She of the Desert Winds (6/26/2006 1:15:19 AM) But she stood suddenly. She'd smelled blood on him, keenly. She grasped the lapel of his jacket and she pulled him toward her, her lips very close to his. Her gaze lifted to his own as she pushed herself forward, and she pressed her mouth heatedly, her tongue seeking to find the source of that blood, to taste him. She half purred as she pulled back, her mouth leaving his. "mmn..I will."

Morgan Jeffrey Smith (6/26/2006 1:20:08 AM) ** Ok, after everything else, THAT was completely unexpected. Morgan just froze, as she did this, feeling her tongue licking over his own... having NO idea why she had done this. But then she did pull back, he found he still couldn't move... was still unable to react. And then she spoke up, and he slowly nodded. ** Then... I'll... hear from you... then... ** Without any more hesitation, and slipped out from in front of his chair, slowly, but with purpose, walking away... What in the Hell just happened?!?! **

 

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