Old Friends (Diana, Later Mari)

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"I'm happy with just a touch up, Daddy. Highlights would be okay." she murmured as she looked up at him and he seemed to be distracted. She didn't want to miss anything subtle going on with his mood and took the time to listen to his mind tone. Taking on her quietly attentive pose that would not annoy him or distract him.

"I'm glad you got to see Venice again. It was beautiful there." she said to Diana as she sensed there was more going on than she knew about. Her eyes looking troubled as she regarded the older pair. Her feet were finished and she wiggled her toes.

She's an old lover of Trenton, Darling. We may have to back off to keep you safe. I don't want you getting hurt.' Her father said in her head and her shoulders dropped and she looked sad, "Trenton's been talking to me while I recovered from my injuries. I didn't know you knew him, Aunt Diana." there was a flush to her cheeks from what her father said to her.

"I hope you have a lovely time with Trenton, Aunt Diana. He's been very charming." that much was sincere and true. The fact that Mari felt like the biggest idiot in the planet was kept hidden as much as she could. She didn't stand a chance in hell against someone like Diana and knew there was just too much that two vampires have in common for her to ever stand a chance. And after all what kind of a chance did she have with a vampire boyfriend? It always came down to being changed or someone dying and leaving the other alone.

Yup she was stupid. Very stupid for thinking that she could get along in their world. Anneleise was right. She was an idiot. Outwardly none of this sadness showed. Inwardly she was bawling like a huge baby on her dad's mental shoulder. The feel of the dye made her scalp feel wet and odd as the salon professional did her job silently.

[Diana McKenzie]

Diana smirked again as she listened to how Reginald told her that she might be right and then told Mari that she got the choice and gave her a look that she was welcome, because she was honestly of the opinion that Mari should have more freedom for herself, especially with things like that. 'Of course I am, when am I not?' She asked him in a teasing way and grin on her face about her being right. Once Reginald asked her if there was something about Trenton she did not tell them about and then shrugged with a thoughtful look. 'Not much that you shouldn't already know, we were friends, hunting buddies, with some extras but hey, you have to kill some time when you don't have something else to kill yet.' Diana said nonchalantly as she laughed and looked from Reginald to Mari and back not seeing any harm in what and how she said it.

Diana hadn't really said anything yet which concerned what Reginald told her further about how Mari knew Trenton and how it came to Trenton wanting to protect Mari and then tilted her head sightly to the side as she looked at the both of them. 'Oh I already catched up with him, little geek was studying.' She said as she sighed and shook her head and then smiled again. 'You thought I would come to you first thing?' She asked Reginald with a face that said that she was overly pretending as if that was very cute. 'No, I just really have to get to work, I got a job at the hospital as a nurse.' She said, again with a smile as if it was the most normal thing ever for her.

Diana looked at Mari straight again eventually when she explained how Trenton had been taking care of her while she recovered from her injuries and that she didn't know that Diana knew him. 'I can't blame you, it's not something I usually thought about, it has been quite some time since I saw him before now, but I didn't know he had such a caring side to him...' She said that last part thoughtfully because it made her think of her own possible humanity still left in her, but she didn't want to think about that, absolutely not if she had a choice. She still wondered though, what exactly was there between Trenton and Mari? Was there more involved? Did Trenton have real feelings for her? Would he become even more caring and... Human-like if there really was something between them? If there was... She wasn't sure if she could actually handle that, she also always thought that Trenton was the same as her on that front, especially when she'd heard of his plans for LA, which turned out to be less spectacular when she ran into him at the library, but still.

[Reginald Edmund Sinclaire]

Reginald nodded quietly as she spoke, "Its understandable. I did not think to ask him about his private life." He could see Mari's cheeks flush a dark crimson and felt her mentally squirming. He checked and he was assured. The girl was worried Diana would think she was poaching.

"Indeed, it does pass the time." he chuckled and looked over at the progress the other woman was making with his daughter's hair. It should be beautiful when finished. "I think Marina had a small crush on him; but it will no doubt pass with time." Might as well put it out in the open to mend any issues that may come up, "Its my own fault. I should have realized Trenton was a very popular being. They've only gone on a picnic thus far. Nothing that should cause problems. You know Marina is a good girl."

"I would never make an assumption like that, Diana. You are your own woman and for me to assume I was any woman's first choice would be very arrogant." he laughed softly and waved one of his hands good naturedly, "Its expected that you'd have a lot of friends in the city. You're a wonderful woman." he smiled and flashed one of his most charming smiles at her.

"Oh don't write him off as a tree hugger yet, Diana. Marina walked in on him throwing some girl's body in a ditch after he frightened the girl near to death and fed on her. He's not gone soft. Its just he respects Marina because she can handle the site of blood and not flinch. He was going to feed off her when he first saw her. Her training in dealing with folks like us served her in good stead and she convinced him not to do so just by talking to him." He patted his daughter's shoulder, "I'm very proud of her. She's been quite the little spitfire but I think she gets that from you. You are the closest thing to a mother she has."

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She wanted to crawl under the chair she sat in. This was almost as bad as when he brought home a screamer. Those were the reasons she left for the forest. She just didn't want to deal with it any more. She was afraid it would break her mind and she'd end up killing herself.

If it wasn't for her dad holding her in place she'd have sunk onto the floor, she just didn't know what to do. She didn't know if this would cause a fight but she prayed it wouldn't. "I didn't mean to poach, Aunt Diana. Please don't be mad at me." her lower lip trembled and she blinked to keep her eyes from leaking at the thought that a guy she liked was spoken for by a relative. Only in the Supernatural community could this possibly happen. She was doomed to be alone forever.

"I don't want to cause problems for you or Trenton. I didn't think knowing him would cause him problems." she bit her lip and the hair stylist moved her to the sink to wash out the dye. The water hid a few tears that leaked out of her eyes as she exhaled and then was guided to a dryer to let her hair finish. "Its nice that you work in the hospital. My doctor is there. Dr. Holem. He helps take care of me." she didn't dare say that he healed the beatings she got. That was a nono.

[Diana McKenzie]

Diana looked at Reginald again for a moment when he quietly nodded as she spoke and then listened to what he said and nodded to that herself before she smiled. 'Yeah I didn't really expect that anyway, there's not much more than I think you already know.' She said as she grinned slightly so she wouldn't have to go further into it than that.

She nodded again as she chuckled for a moment when Reginald said that it did indeed pass the time, but she already knew he would think the same way about it more or less. She looked at Mari again as she noticed that it did look like it was going to look pretty good, but then again, Diana never thought anything less than good of Mari, even though the next words didn't make her feel any better when she heard Reginald say that he thought Mari had a small crush on him and so she wasn't really convinced to be honest with how he said it would with no doubt pass with time. She only made a slight "Hmhm.' sound to let him know that she was listening and if she was agreeing while still looking at Mari and then walking closer to her as she didn't really answer Reginald any further.

'Come on now, relax I'm not mad.' Diana said as she got a reassuring smile on her face as she saw Mari's reaction and the trembling lip, while also easily hearing how her body reacted too. 'It doesn't cause any troubles for him, and it's not like I actually made a deal with him to meet here, he was quite surprised I think when I kind of slightly drove him crazy and then revealed myself.' Diana told Mari open with a laugh that followed before she smiled calmly again and crossed her arms in front of her chest. 'Oh yeah, I know him, that's a very good looking guy too, but I don't know, I think he already has his head somewhere else, so I'll leave him to it and helping the poor sick and injured.' She said chuckling slightly again before looking from Mari to Reginald again.

'Oh Reg, I know all of that by now, not that I mind after all, but still, we've had our fun again, you don't necessarily have to keep flattering me.' She teased him innocently as she took a few steps toward him again. She looked somewhat thoughtfully as she listened to him telling her about not signing Trenton off as a tree hugger yet and then nodded before she didn't really go into it but glanced over her shoulder at Mari and smiled. 'Well done.' She complimented her, hiding the small part that was sarcastic and only letting the part where she meant it show. She was then quiet for a moment with Reg's words about that he thought that she got that from her, since she was the closest thing she had to a mother and couldn't help but still feel honored in a way by hearing that even if she didn't feel so happy with the thing with Trenton and Mari. 'Well that depends if Mari sees it that way.' Diana told Reg with a laugh and short wink before looking at Mari and tilting her head slightly to the side. 'So before I really go, what about we go shopping soon?'

[Reginald Edmund Sinclaire]

Reginald moved closer to Diana and smiled, "I'll lay off the flattery." he nodded with a slow smile as he watched the salon attendant finish drying his daughters hair and begin styling it. Gentle curls showing up with ease as a makeup attendant worked on her face.

He relaxed as he noticed that Diana wasn't pissed at Marina. The chances were that Trent would forget all about her with the thrill of the hunt and Marina could go back to her normal routine. She'd been adjitated lately and it could be soothed when things went back to normal.

Don't worry, Darling. She's not worried about you just have fun shopping with her." He looked between the ladies and smiled, "I think that is an excellent idea, Diana. Marina needs some nice things. She's had a bit of stress in her life lately." He leaned against the wall and watched the makeup artist step away as his daughter was lead behind a screen to change her blouse and slip into her braces. Mari walked out in short order and he smiled, "Now that is lovely indeed. Just what was needed to brighten things up."

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Marina looked relieved when Diana told her not to worry and the tension in her body relaxed as she was finally free to hug Diana, "Thank you so much, Aunt Diana. I wouldn't want to make you unhappy. You've always been there for me." she said as she looked into her eyes and smiled.

"He was nice to me but I don't know a lot about him." Mari said shyly as she put her hands in her pockets and looked at her with a smirk, "He looks like superman."

"Its true Aunt Diana. You're the only one I've ever known who cared about me. I mean I know that sounds mushy and embarrassing but its the truth. You're the closest thing to a mother I have and I don't like the idea of hurting you in any way." she smiled and looked at her, "I'd love to go shopping with you. Just let me know when you're free and we can go." she said simply with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders as she stepped back from Diana to let her move about easier.

[Diana McKenzie]

Diana watched as Reginald moved closer to her and she smiled calmly with her arms crossed again as she tilted her head to the side slightly. 'Good, I'm sure you'll know when to start it up again.' She told him as she gave him an innocent wink and kept it as simple as that on purpose, knowing Reginald it would be enough anyway. She moved her eyes to look at Mari too and nodded as it did look good, as long as Mari thought the same too that would be perfect then.

She honestly still didn't know deep inside what to think or make of this whole thing with Trenton and Mari, she didn't even know why it bothered her so much, she didn't think it was actually jealousy because she actually liked Trenton, not that she knew of anyway even when she thought about it, but maybe it was the thought of what this girl would be capable of doing with Trenton and how he was and his humanity even, and she really didn't know what to think about that, she didn't even really want to think about it, especially not with these two around. 'It's okay, let's not make a big deal out of this, I wouldn't want to hurt you either so that's easy.' She said as she smiled.

Diana did notice that she got an opportunity just then when Mari said that he was nice to her but she didn't know much about him, and there were quite some stories that she could tell about him of course, some that she would think that the girl wouldn't really like and part of her wanted to do it, but she didn't and buried the thoughts as good as possible too. 'There's enough to find out about him.' She said simply then with a mysterious look to make it seem like she was making it out to be a good kind of mystery for her to find out. 'Oh yeah, he definitely does.' She couldn't help but agree with what Mari said about him looking like Superman and she smirked herself as she agreed to it. 'Only a lot better fashion sense.'

Diana was speechless then for a moment listening to how Mari agreed with it being true that Diana was the closest thing she had to a mother she knew and again that she didn't like the idea of hurting her. Honestly the words did mean a lot to her, she just didn't know what to do with them... She didn't really give about that part deep inside of her anymore, she just gave into being a vampire mostly and just keeping a bit of her humanity to just keep her sanity and not be a simple predator for blood all the time, but the rest? Damn, again she did not have to think about this near these two, so again she pushed it from her mind and smiled again and walked closer to Mari and put her hand on her shoulder as she looked at her. 'It does mean a lot, but you won't.' She decided to still say meaningfully to her and squeezed her shoulder sightly for a moment keeping all those thoughts from her at that moment and focusing on still letting her know some of the truth of what it meant to hear that.

'Soon, I need to pick a good day, but I think this week, max next?' She smiled and pulled her hand back and shrugged. 'You'll hear from me.' She said as she stepped back and looked at Reginald again. 'Don't be too creepy or bossy to her.' She told him with a smirk about Mari before stepping back some more toward the exit. 'I really have to go now, don't want to have to fix me getting fired.' She chuckled before turning around and walking away.

[Reginald Edmund Sinclaire]

Reginald quietly relaxed as the two women interacted, "Of course, my dear." he said with a courtly bow towards the vampiress with a slow appreciative smile as he looked between the two of them. He did tilt his head as she mentioned Trenton and he looked thoughtful for a few minutes. Diana was just a wellspring of conflictions and Reginald was glad that she was keeping it hidden which, for the sake of Mari's feelings was good.

He shifted lightly from leaning on the wall, folding his arms and picking up on his daughter's mood. She was calmer and that was good for her asthma but she suspicious of how light Diana's comments about Trenton were. She wasn't stupid and knew better than to have some silly romantic idea of what a vampire could do. She knew better than that.

He thought about what he could do. There was no guarantee that Trenton was still letting Diana grace his bed and even if he was Marina was a realist. She knew better than to expect a male to remain faithful; she'd grown up in his household after all. If nothing else she could stay home. That was always the back up plan.

When Diana mentioned not being too bossy or creepy to her he raised his hands, "Of course, Darling. She's not done anything to merit me bossing her around." he said with a charming smile as he walked her out of the house as a proper host should. He then went to his office to think about what he needed to do next.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Marina relaxed incrimentally, her aunt could make things very difficult and she didn't need that. Of course there was no saying she wouldn't still do so; but if Marina wasn't defying her the chances were that she wouldn't get too nasty about it. She nodded to her aunt and looked at her thoughtfully before she hugged her gently as she said she needed to go, "Of course. You know where to find me." she said to her with a smirk as she stepped back and let her father and Diana see themselves out.

Once they were gone she went into her studio to paint some pottery. It always made her feel good and it meant that all her father would pick up on was contentment and intent focus as she painted the cobalt onto the base coated piece. Her hands getting steady as she worked.

THREAD CLOSED

[/center]