Thread: Old Heroes, Young Villains (Absinte & Aida)

Sabra arched an eyebrow, jaw cradled in the palm of his hand. At first, he pouted. Was that any way to greet a friend, and one as charming as him? But he was used to this by now. Oh, who knows? he said, voice flat, and then turned his head to call to someone. Darling, come here. He scratched his chest, bare beneath his heavy, leather jacket. When no one came, he leaned toward Daniel. Good help is a myth. The desk surface between them was too long for Sabra to make it, but his face grew close to Daniel. Sabra bared his teeth in a friendly smile and patted the other man's cheeks. Too fast, he sat back, and the distance between them re-materialized. The whole room was like that. At times, if Sabra wished, the whole world was like that. Bending and stretching to meet his will. Some claimed he had power over reality, over illusions. He preferred to think his animal magnetism was too strong for even the world to resist. Darling! he hollered and a muffled sound answered him. Then from the same darkness behind Sabra, the sound repeated itself. This time in a husky voice that grew clearer as it went on. Your voice begins to grate, love of my life. He barked a laugh. When will this long wait end? he replied, playing at upset. A small smile tugged at his lips. A beautiful woman slunk in from the shadows, smirking. Camilla rolled her eyes, conspiratorially at Daniel, from behind Sabra's back. Finally, he sighed, without turning, even though she arrived without a sound. Tell me, how many times has Danny informed us that, ah what was it, we don't get to call meetings? Camilla blinked at Sabra, then Danny, and she broke into a loud fit of giggles. Too many times. She grinned. He should give up, but we love following orders, don't we? He chuckled, swung his chair towards her and gestured for her to come to him. We need to talk to you about our daughter, Danny. Your daughter, Sabra, she corrected, dropping easily onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Mine have power to worry the gods. It's only your little cub that lags behind them all. Camilla meant, of course, Quade. He was the oldest of her children with Sabra and the apparent golden boy. He harassed his half siblings and pulled stunts that were more violence than style. Not the Ananse trademark. Sabra ignored her. He loved all his children, but some more than others. Ursa had more passion for the work than any of his other children, a trait at least ten times the worth of Quade's flash. And no, it wasn't because he felt threatened by the boy. It's Ursa. She's a young lady, about this high-- He stretched his arm up to a few inches over five feet--takes after her mother. Lovely woman. Oh? Tell us her name. She's got a good heart, a real can-do attitude-- Except, she can't. It's just, at times her ambition has a knack for reaching beyond the scope of her ability. He concentrated on keeping a warm and open appearance. The distance between them closed. The room grew less dark, brighter, but the edges and details remained obscured. You know, I've always admired you, Dannny. He means, babysit the child. Make her less hopeless, if you can. We'd do it, but responsible behavior gives us hives. You know that, Danny Bear. You're our only friend who wouldn't kill or, well, take advantage of the girl. She gave him a sharp look, but then shrugged. Her manicured captured her attention. God knows there've been brighter stars. Milla doesn't know what she's talking about. Ursa was on the honor roll. He beamed. The two of you will get along like a city on fire.