World of Darkness: Balance of Power - [Vampire] [Fic] Disciples [Fin]

[Shosuro Miren]

January 3rd, 2010

The house was overflowing with flesh, living and dead. The two separated branches of India's descendants mingled cautiously, except for the young children who took to one another with the simple understanding that there were now more playmates to be had. Beds were found or made for the newcomers and India was installed in Puck's suite of rooms as if she had always been there. The first couple of days and nights were a cacophonous unending family reunion, interrupted only for the meeting with Lord Ezekiel.

The third night saw the house unusually quiet. Most of the mortals had hit the point of frenzied exhaustion and finally passed out on couches or wiggled into to dog-piled beds. Now, it was time to introduce the Kindred to one another more formally and to see how the old and new of Puck's Requiem mixed. India wasn't Crone, and Puck would never force her to be, but she was every bit as important to him as the cult he'd slowly built over the past thirty years. He'd dressed nervously this evening and was pacing through the front hall and front sitting room of the house as he waited for the three he'd asked to meet with him to rise or finish dressing for the evening.

He twirled a pewter medallion of a stag between his fingers, and waited.

[Craig Harker]

Animal sounds and moans echoed from above the stairway that led down to the hall, the source of the strange sounds became apparent as Craig and a red haired young woman backed against the wall at the top of the stairs while making out passionately, Still kissing the Goth woman, Craig blindly hang the clean shirt he was holding on the rails of the stairs, smears and traces of blood covering their half-naked bodies and mouths, he fed on her as she fed on him in flowing mutual ecstasy.

His shirt has since lost its balance and fallen off the rail and down on the hallway's floor.

Craig stopped slowly as he could sense Puck's had intruded on the display, he kissed the redhead gently pushing her back against the wall before licking the blood off his lips as the mortal leaned down and slowly sank to the floor drunk with pleasure or exhaustion.

He looked at Puck, not really attempting to fix his long dark brown hair, flowing down on his bare shoulders, still wild and messy. Wearing only black leather pants and underwear he descended the stairs of the now quiet house to meet the host.

[z-Sam Vimes]

Sam moved through the house, her eyes downcast. Normally, she would have been looking around wide-eyed, eager to learn anything she could. Right now, she was all too aware what was going on - or what had been going on for the past few days. Several times, the party had spilled over into the pool house Puck had moved her into.

Puck. The strange man who had taken her in was an odd source of fascination for her. She was scared of him, but she was also drawn to him - not just his physical attraction, but his gravitas.

She entered the main hall, seeing Puck there. She started to smile, but a movement caught her eye. She saw a flash of bare skin and hastily averted her eyes, before she saw something else she didn't want to see and wouldn't easily forget. "Hey, Puck," she said from behind a shielding hand. "What did you need from me?"

[Shosuro Miren]

Puck grinned at up at Craig as the other Kindred strutted down the stairs, reaching out to trace the faint and fading lines Caroline's nails had left on his bare chest. "Hmmn, I think perhaps the three of us should take to hunting outside for a few nights. Most of the family is starting to look a bit wan."

He had leaned up to kiss away the last few drops of blood clinging to Craig's lips when Sam wandered in from the pool-house; he chuckled in wicked amusement when he saw her shielding her vision. "Oh, come now, Sam, certainly a kiss isn't so shocking anymore? You'd think Victoria was still on her throne, the way you carry on."

Still amused with himself and his latest "acquisition", he shooed both of them into the sitting room. "We're almost ready; India should be about any moment. I wanted to formally introduce all three of you to each other and talk about the new arrangements we'll need now that the family as a whole is together again."

[India Hamilton]

True to Puck's statement, the soft click of shoes on stairs heralded India's arrival a few moments later. She was dressed in a long black and red printed skirt that hung to her ankles, made out of some expensive-looking velvety material, and a black corset bodice with red trim and red ribbon laces down the back that accentuated her figure. India liked this new fashion of wearing corsets - she had always felt just a tad uncomfortable wearing clothes that were too lose-fitting, but at the same time women didn't strap themselves into them so tightly now that they were uncomfortable. It was a pleasant mix of the old and the new, and she was quite fond of it as a fashion statement. Simple black shoes and a lack of jewelry at the moment however marked her as being in "casual mode", though she still wore a touch of makeup to enhance her image.

She descended the stairs gracefully, jet black hair spilling in gentle waves over her shoulders and down her back, her fingertips resting lightly on the wooden handrail, and stepped into the doorway of the sitting room, smiling warmly at everyone there, and stepping over to Puck's side as she spoke, the soft Southern drawl in her words like a caress to all present.

"Terribly sorry about the delay, I hope I didn't keep anyone waitin' too long. These last few days have been so much fun I haven't gotten around t' unpackin' yet so it took me some time t' make myself presentable."

[z-Sam Vimes]

"A kiss isn't shocking, but I'm on porno overload," Sam whined, peeking out from her hand to make sure that Craig wasn't letting everything hang out. "I like fucking as much as the next girl, but three days of it is excessive."

Sam fell silent as the lovely India joined them. Sam had always been the awkward girl in social situations, and being paired against the pretty, exotic girl brought out all the old insecurities. It didn't help that she was dressed in plain blue jeans and an over-sized flannel shirt with house slippers. She felt awkward and dowdy. You're going to have to learn to dress up around here, or feel like that all the time, she chastised herself.

"Alright," she said to Puck after nodding a greeting to India. Because she hadn't participated in the sexcapades, she hadn't really had a chance to hang out with the new girl. Honestly, she was glad that they were getting a more "normal" meet and greet.

[Craig Harker]

Craig couldn't help but smile at the priceless way of Puck's new pet shying behind her hand, almost wishing she could've gotten the full view she was deniably expecting to see but he had already put on pants by then and planned on wearing a shirt if it wasn't for the over-indulgence of the last few days have left him careless and relaxed. He lazily put on the thin black and white woven shirt that was hanging loosely on his figure, he didn't bother buttoning it up, returning India's warm smile as he brushed his messy hair away from his eyes.

"Three days hmm? time passes quickly"

,,

[Shosuro Miren]

"Hmn." Puck's opinion of Craig's sense of time was given with his usually eloquence when discussing eternity. The Daeve arranged himself in the middle of one of the couches in the room, smiling at the other three in invitation to sit where they would. Once everyone had tucked themselves into the overstuffed furniture, he began.

"Well, first, let's make sure everyone knows each other's names. This is India, my childe. Craig, a member of the Crone that decided to stay with us for the time being." He motioned to each of them in turn, then grinned at Sam. "And this is Sam, who has the dubious distinction of being the only living person in the room at the moment. Part of why I called this meeting is to update the two of you on her situation." He leaned back, contemplating the mortal for several long moments after the others had murmured the appropriate social noises at each other. He studied her, his eyes vasilating between his usual flippant sexual appraisal and some deeper examination that succeeded in making her blush and feel exposed on a number of different levels. For a moment she could truly believe that he was inhuman.

He finally blinked and grin, breaking the spell and looking again like nothing more than another goth Adam Lambert wannabe. "Sam isn't a ghoul. She was a journalist, an...umm...'alien conspiracy nut', if I remember correctly? Unfortunately for her, she wandered far enough off the map to actually find some monsters. Fortunately for her, she did it where I could swoop in and rescue the fair maiden." His eyes twinkled in amusement and pleased pride with himself. "I've taken her under my wing instead of seeing her turned into a casualty of the Masquerade or some mindless, addicted blood doll for one of the Invictus in the city. They're frightening enough most of the time without handing them someone with a brain, just in case they might actually put her to some use other than feeding."

He leaned forward, towards her, though his tone was more pitched for Craig to listen. "And while I would enjoy adding you to my family, I'm not so far gone down the Jabberwocky trail to use addiction to acheive it. So that's our secret in the house, one of the few. If anyone outside of the four of us asks, Sam is my devoted ghoul: under my protection and in thrall to me." He leaned back again, fingers trailing thoughtfully over the upholstry. "It's a risk on both sides. Some of the other Kindred in the city might decide to try to move against me through you, and you won't have some of the power that ghouls gain through the Vitae. I'm considered responsible for you regardless, so if you get in trouble I'm the first person to call and these other two are the next on your list if they're not with me or I can't be reached. If you don't call me, someone else will."

He glanced at the other Kindred. "I'm not a fan of ignorance, and I view the Masquerade as a practical guide, not an iron law." To Craig he added with a smirk, "You can see why the Invictus and I parted ways. Anyways, the point is, I'm not going to tiptoe around her or try to keep her out of things. She's shown the intelligence, dilligence, and guts, to get her this deep down the rabbit hole. She's got a fairly good idea of what goes bump in the night now, so the better armed she is the more likely she'll survive. And the nicer we are the less likely she'll be to turn the keen intellect and willpower on us. Unless we ask real nicely." He grinned again, not being able to help himself from the insinuation.

He winked at her. "Any questions or comments or outrage so far?"

[Craig Harker]

"This is an outrage..." Craig declared clamly as he gazed at India's beautiful eyes in wonder. He was seated comfterably at the edge of one the sofa.

He looked to Sam, regarding her intently "Too long since Iv met with one who had such untamed capacity for awkwardness and blush, for emotion... I love it". he said with a hint of a smile spreading on his expression. "And the grey Invictus, our paths separated because of their blind mainstream dullness, so you can count on me to keep your secret Samantha, as long as you keep mine."

He leaned his head back into the sofa as he looked at Sam with interest as if wondering what reaction he had inspired in her.

[z-Sam Vimes]

I think he just called me charmingly socially retarded, Sam thought, trying really hard to be offended by Craig's remarks. Sadly, he was a hard man to argue with - as was Puck. "Yeah," she said, deciding to just answer his question. "No worries. Puck explained that it's my head as well as his if I spill the beans. Though... if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you about your life, at some point. The history you've experienced... that sort of thing." She licked her lips, hating the blush she felt creeping up her face. "That is, if you don't mind."

She hoped he wouldn't mind. Even if all she was doing was hearing his history, he might let some interesting tidbits slip about the more interesting things.

[Craig Harker]

Craig glanced at Puck wondering how much the kindred have already revealed to her about their condition. "Sure, you may come by my studio later if that is ok with Puck" He said

"A good talk can be inspiring while I paint". He rested his horizontally to lie across the sofa, He was mildly curious about India, waiting for the fashion-forward Toreador to welcome her Sire's new protege or ignore her entirely with insinuated snobbery.

[India Hamilton]

India listened quietly as Puck introduced the young woman, regarding her with a contemplative gaze as her sire explained the situation and as Craig interacted with the intriguing mortal. Contrary to the other kindred's thoughts however, snobbery was nowhere on the list of possible reactions that flickered through the beautiful Daeva's mind. She did briefly contemplate jealousy, but a glance at William's face - Get it right, it's Puck now! - and a brief recollection of his enthusiastic greeting the other night and all the devoted attention she had received from him in the days since quelled the thought almost immediately. She hadn't been the first of Puck's family, and she certainly hadn't been the last either.

Puck selected the members of his family not only for the beauty or talent or charm, he chose them for their personalities, and India was no exception. Nor did he appreciate or tolerate much in the way of dissension between them anyway - the few family members that had occasionally expressed jealousy had been swiftly reminded that they were all equal in Puck's (and India's, once she'd transitioned from ghoul to Kindred) time and thoughts. Had there been some accidental lack in their inclusion in family events and time spent together, the situation was always quickly remedied, for neither Puck nor India had ever wanted any of their "darlings" (as India was wont to call them) to feel neglected. The elegant kindred was, therefore, only too happy to welcome the possible addition.. even if she didn't recognize the fact that that's what she was. She knew that rarely did anyone who caught her sire's attention escape the fate of falling in love with him, or at least the lifestyle.

So once Sam's attention shifted from Craig to herself - as she knew it would - she flashed the young woman a dazzling smile, stepped over to her, and took both her hands, giving her a once-over that seemed surprisingly non-judgemental. Then she leaned forward and gave the young woman a gentle kiss on each cheek before pulling back, though Sam could still feel the touch of cool, well-manicured fingertips against her own warmer, living ones.

"Well then, welcome to our home. Ah'm lookin' forward to gettin' to know ya', an' don't feel any hesitation to come talk ta' me about anythin' if you want to, even if it ain't trouble. We should spend some time gettin' ta' know one another anyway - maybe some shoppin'. You're welcome to wear whatever you like around the house o' course, we like to be comfortable an' all. But we'd better dress you up a little bit when you go out - otherwise people might notice. Some things never change in this family, and we have a tendency to be a fashionable bunch. Ah' do hope ya' don't mind - it'll help keep up our little version of the "masquerade", afta' all."

[z-Sam Vimes]

Irritation was clear on Sam's face as she listened to the two vampires. "First," she said to India, "my clothes are find. I don't have to shop, I do own more than jeans, and you shouldn't assume I don't just because I still have to breathe and can get sore feet. Women's dress clothing is not comfortable, but I am socially functional enough to know when I have to woman up and fuckin' do it.

"And you, Craig," she turned smoothly from India to the other Daeva, "should understand that Puck just said I'm people, not some damned blood doll, and I don't need his permission to do shit. I know I have to scrape myself on the floor around other Lestats, but here, I don't have to be a fuckin' slave." She looked at Puck, waiting for him to deny that he's said just that.

[India Hamilton]

An equal measure of annoyance flickered across India's lovely expression as she listened to the tempestuous young mortal, though she did her best to keep the true measure of her anger hidden for her sire's sake. But the difference in tone was distinct - where her first words had been warm and welcoming, her response to Sam's apparent rudeness was cool and withdrawn.

"My deepest apologies for any insult. Women's modern "dress clothin', as you put it, is a walk in the park compared to what I wore during mah days as a mortal, so you'll have ta' forgive me my lack of empathy in that regard. Besides, ah said 'fashionable', not 'dressy' - there's a distinct difference. Ah suppose ah've still got some old fashioned habits - ah've always considered the kind of introductions we're havin' ta' be a more formal affair, th' kind one dresses up for a bit. Ah suppose that's my mistake. As long as you keep up appearances enough not put any member of this family in danger, it's none o' my business what you dress yourself in."

Puck could tell from the expression on India's face and the tone of her voice that she was offended at the girl's attitude. The cuss words didn't bother her - India had heard far worse in her day and said it too, on occasion. It was the manner in which they were delivered that bothered the socially-conscious Daeva, and the apparent lack of gratitude for the depth of the favor she was being extended, considering the danger they would all be in if this breach of the Masquerade was discovered.

[Craig Harker]

Craig's initial response at Sam's bratty tone was a shot of cold glare at mortal eyes which quickly changed to an amused smirk as he realized the content of her words.

Apparently Puck didn't account for Sam's low self esteem and fear when saying he was not going to tiptoe around her. Despite being compared to an Anne-Rice character, On some part He felt sorry for the Mortal, her Insecurity and Paranoia shining through, robbing her of any chance at social etiquette. She was fortunate, India was not a snob , although from his experience the polite and undue apology that was not a good sign if he had to guess.

"Uh, Dressing up didn't really go as planned so I had to go with it, Id hate for it to be cause for others apologize for their good fashion taste and habits." He said as he seated up again to look at them.

He brushed his hair back and locked his eyes with Sam

"Sam , I was the one asking for Puck's permission for my own sake as a gesture to him, not because you are his but as a courtesy since I had just offered to steal your delightful company and attention." He explained calmly, trying to conceal his amusement at Sam's feistiness.

[Shosuro Miren]

Puck laughed at Sam's outburst, letting the others have their say before leaning over and kissing the young journalist on the cheek. "My dear, in my years I have been both blond and French, but thankfully my childe is nowhere near as whiny as his." He glanced over at India as he continued, "As for the clothes, I wouldn't pass up the offer so quickly. India can get you outfitted to blend into most social groups without getting a second glance, which is an advantage in journalism and generally learning enough to keep that heart of yours beating in the nights to come. She wasn't insulting your own fashion sense...well, not much...but you simply haven't had the time or experience to have her expertise."

His grin extended to Craig, though he spoke to Sam, "A little patience might be in order while you learn the rules here. Craig doesn't need my permission to hang out with you, but the social rules and norms of Kindred are practically fossilized in antiquity. Think of it this way: most of the time that these two are going to be interacting with me in public with other Kindred, my station to them is like a fuedal lord. I'm responsible for them, what they do reflects on me, and in turn they are protected and provided for by me. While we're not quite that hidebound at home, when you have to act that way most of time it tends to bleed over." He leaned back and stretched unecesarily, smiling dazzelingly at her. "So take a deep breath, chill out a little, and realize that the three of us are trying to help and be friends."

[z-Sam Vimes]

His cool lips on her cheek made her blood rush to her cheeks. As much as she tried to be self-aware of the unwanted social tell, she couldn't stop herself at all. But the blush only worsened as Puck spoke.

"Yeah, yeah," she sighed, running her fingers through her tangle of hair. "I'm... I'm sorry. Look, Puck's been telling me all about how yo- vampires make people like me slaves, and then you're talking about clothes I have to wear, and asking permission of Puck for stuff... You get why I thought what I thought, right?"

Clearing her throat, the girl tried again. "I think Craig got it right, I am a charming social retard." She grinned ruefully and hoped that her self-depreciating joke appeased them.

[India Hamilton]

India seemed to relax, her concern over the affront gone as fast as it had appeared. She smiled and sat down next to Puck, crossing her legs and leaning against him, looking.. well, appeased, or so Sam could hope anyway.

"Quite alright.. ah' didn't mean for it ta' come across in that particular manner, an' for that ah do apologize. If ya'd shown up in a pair a ripped up jeans, a Crüxshadows t-shirt, barefoot with some studded bracelets around your wrists, ah' wouldn'ta said a word. I was concerned only with the style of clothin' because of the particular situation.. for both your own safety an' ours, ah' figure it's best if ya' blend in as best as possible. An' that don't mean fancy.. just.. diff'rent, darlin."

Despite her pretty southern belle drawl and elegant attire, something about India reminded Sam of a cat, swinging her leg slightly the way a cat might flick it's tail back and forth before pouncing a mouse. It was alluring and somehow predatory at the same time, even as India's voice and beauty radiated appeal and charm.

[Craig Harker]

Slaves, self-depreciation and this plead to appease them... Watching her in his mind Craig could see Sam in the cloths India described them. "Goth style would suit you, Maybe you will feel freer to express yourself that way..." he mused.

He got up rising slowly from his seat "I can't blame you for your prejudice, after so long I can probably be accused of some of what Puck told you about our kind Sam but I never forced anyone to serve my will let alone drink my blood and you can be sure I won't do anything to harm you." Craig said as he moved sitting down next to Sam on the side opposite to Puck and India. He moved his arm up, reaching to caress the back of his neck as he leaned sideways against the sofas to look at Sam meeting India's predatory eyes. "There really is nothing to be afraid of" he said calmly with a smile hidden in his eyes. ..

[z-Sam Vimes]

"I'm, uh, not big on the emo/goth thing," Sam confessed, looking a little nervous. "I mean, I'm wearing my style, my sense of myself, is clothing like this. Nice. Relaxed. Comfortable. I know it doesn't match, and I'm willing to help out you guys - and me - by blending in as much as possible."

She was very aware of the vampire setting next to her, her eyes flickering over his form and back to his eyes again. Puck had hinted at some of the pleasures that she would find with a vampires, and Sam would be lying if she said she wasn't curious. She'd also be lying if she said she wasn't afraid. Her eyes followed the movement of his hand as it shifted up to his neck, and she wondered what it would feel like to have those cool fingers play with the soft skin of her neck. A hot blush fled up her face, drenching her skin in a powerful blush.

"I'm not afraid," she said, not really managing to sound convincing. She looked at Puck trying to ignore the predator next to her with as much success as a bird ignoring a cat. "I'm cautious, right, Puck?"

[Shosuro Miren]

"As a canary in a silver mine, my dear." The glint in the Toreador's eyes was both amused and just a touch cruel. He waved away the concerns on the clothes, "We'll get you some particular clothes for when there's an absolute need to fit in. Otherwise, you can look like our resident responsible adult."

"On that note," he said, pulling India in so she was propped up against him, "with the family all back together again, it looks like we're going to need more room. We can share rooms for sleeping, but there are times when privacy or at least quiet is needed for work and studies. What do you three think? Should I look for a larger single property in the city or see about purchasing out one of our neighbors? I have yet to find an adequate space for studios, either. It might be that I'll just build what we need, if we decide on a purchase that includes open land. Pix suggested buying an apartment building or small duplex complex as an option as well. It would certainly give us more room."

[India Hamilton]

India lounged against Puck, looking more than happy to be back at her sire's side and making plans for the immediate future. She glanced around and the room they were sitting in thoughtfully, then shrugged a little.

"Building a place has some definite potential, with so many of us it would be nice to personalize it all to our needs. I don't know if we'll be able to find any place that suits our needs as they stand, with the number of people. Then again, you know I love bein' in the heart of the city, near all the excitement. I think I like the idea of buyin' out an apartment buildin'.. that way we could personalize some of it, you could rip out some walls and make some studios.. we could do whatever we wanted to!"

She glanced over at the other two, tilting her head and smiling with excitement. India's smile was normally subdued and coy, meant to conceal the unnatural-shaped pearly white vampiric canines. But here with her family she was more relaxed, and her smile was genuine and open - and possibly just a touch unnerving to the lone human girl in the room. Not that India seemed too concerned - if the girl was going to reside with predators, she'd best become accustomed to everything that came with it.

"So, what do you two think? Any opinions?"

[z-Sam Vimes]

"Well, there are probably a lot of buildings in the heart of the city that need renovation," Sam suggested. Part of her wanted to bite her tongue around these dangerous predators. But not only did they want her opinion, they might look down on her if she refused to allow them to treat her as an equal. "That way, you could be near the excitement... if you have the funds to pour into building a building, you also have them to fix up one of those large buildings downtown."

[Craig Harker]

"I love the idea of buying and renovating our own Bauhaus building, kind of reminds me of the start of SoHo in NYC."

Craig said, his hand gently touching Sam's hair, casually moving it back to reveal the graceful form of her smooth neck

"May attract some attention but there is some irresistable thrill in starting something new."

[India Hamilton]

India slipped her arms around Puck's waist, leaning closer to him and smiling sweetly up at him.

"Oh, that sounds just perfect. I love the idea.. can we do it, Puck? Can we, please darlin'?"

She batted her eyelashes at him prettily, turning up that playful, Scarlett O'Hara southern charm. Her smile was teasing and her eyes danced mischievously and he she did it more because it always amused him than because it was really who she was. But he could see the truth of her excitement at the idea in her eyes. It had been so long since India had been settled anywhere, part of her was glad that Puck had gotten attached to this city, even if it was some little "cow-town" in the middle of the United States. The idea of settling down with the family, having a home again instead of jumping from place to place.. it hadn't appealed to her at all when he was gone, but now that they were back together it was all she wanted. Constant travel was for people without a home. India had finally found hers again.

[z-Sam Vimes]

Sam shivered despite herself, feeling Craig's cool touch like fire on her hair. She wanted to demand that he remove his hand and leave her be, but she didn't. She simply let him touch her, her body thrumming eagerly. She didn't understand what she felt so she pushed it away.

"Sounds about up your speed," Sam agreed with a laugh. "You guys should totally do this."

[Shosuro Miren]

Puck laughed too, his delight apparent in the sparkle in his eyes. "Well, I think we have a consensus then! I'll start looking into properties and what's who's on the undead side of things, and have Zach look into the rest of it once he's up and around again."

He followed the line of Craig's touch and Sam's tacit but tense approval of it with subtle interest, filing the interesting little conundrum away to look at later. He made a note to mention to Craig to go slowly with her; she didn't have many options in leaving them and he didn't want her to feel trapped into allowing familiarities she didn't want. Now, getting her to want them was an entirely different affair.

Idly he mimicked Craig's movements with India, his fingetips almost mortal-warm against her cooler skin. "Mmm, perhaps something near the Nelson. That would give us access to the Rack if we needed it and keep me close to my favorite Elysium."

[Craig Harker]

Craig leaned back and casually withdrew his hand away, her reaction made him realize that despite her curiousity she was not ready yet. Puck did not taste her which made doing so seems even more tempting. He would have to stay away at least until she felt more comfortable around him.

"Oh please forgive me Sam, I guess the past few nights have been too wild and I kind of forgot myself in that comfort." he said while resting his head on the sofa's soft back as he watched Puck and India, their beautiful contrast of darkness on pale light. "Yes, The Art Museum, sounds good"

[z-Sam Vimes]

"Hey, free rent sounds good to me. I could live in a studio off Prospect for that price," Sam attempted to joke. It came out a bit more breathless than she'd meant it to be. She could still feel Craig's fingers on her hair. It made her feel girly - not a bad thing, except when it also made her feel dumb. She'd never been the kind of girl to swoon over the guy, so actually coming close to doing just that was more than a little off-putting.

"So is there anything I can do to help with finding a new place?" she asked Puck, kicking off her slippers and pulling her feet up under her. Good god, he knows how to find comfortable furniture.

Click to reveal..

For those who don't know, Prospect is one of the most poverty-stricken and crime-ridden streets in KC.

[Shosuro Miren]

Puck continued his idle ministrations on his child, but tipped his head back and closed his eyes in thought. "Hmn...we'll need enough space for everyone, with some room to grow. Space for the studios, too, so if we could find somewhere already zoned commercial and residential that would speed things up. A pool." His lips curved in a lazy smile, "Definitely a pool. Something close to the Nelson, and while I can scare off the worst of the city's dangerous creatures, best just to start with an area that isn't already a meth lab or something. Less scrutiny from the police is also a good idea, as we all keep odd hours and aren't the sunday churchgoing bunch."

He peeked open an eye and caught Sam in his gaze. "You should be writing this down...." he teased.

[z-Sam Vimes]

"Yeah, I'm a journalist, not a secretary," Sam said, managing to keep her tone teasing instead of making another social flub. "I only write stuff down if its interesting," she added with a smirk.

"One way I can help - a better way than taking menial notes, would be to do some daytime research. I can look up information about buildings we're interested in, get some daytime information," Sam said, getting a little excited about this. Normally, real estate research was as interesting as watching blood dry, but it felt different when it was her potential home.

Sam turned her head to glance at Craig - and found herself caught in green eyes. Feeling like a mouse before the cat, she ducked her head and blushed hotly - again. "I mean," she added in a softer tone, "I could really help out that way."