Membership had its benefits when you worked in politics. especially politics on an international scale. Mikhail was able to get the corner penthouse condo of a new highrise. HE had failed to get alot of work done as someone had to coordinate with the movers and make sure all of their things got in safely.
Currently though Mikhail was taking a break relaxing in the hammock that first made an appearence back in London, on the balchony of their home in the city. here it was also set up on the balchony. as Mikhail really thought an indoor hammock entirely defeated the purpose of a hammock to begin with. Of course that lead to a number fo disagreements witht he movers who insisted that the hammock was dangerous to have ont he balchony. Mikhail had them promptly replaced. And the new movers eager to please, accepted their lofty tip and placed the hammock on the balchony like he asked.
curled up on his chest was Loki the russian Blue cat that was adopted as a weeks odl kitten back in London. While she had not grown into her namesake, as was hoped she had grown into the mind that any home was hers. and Mikhail and Wani where only guests in the place. It certainly was nice of her to let them stay wasn't it?
Absently Mikhail pet the cat eyes, who was far more then willing to accept the attention of her most loyal subject. tail flicking idlely while she enjoyed the affection in the nice cool breeze of the early night. Mikhail's own eyes where fixed ont he sky above, simply enjoying the view of the night sky in a new home. It was certainly going to be an interesting.
"keun nee koon wang mai?" Wani's mask like features broke into a smile as the small amur leopard crawled to the hammock wrapping herself around Mikhail. Clad in a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, her unpacking was done. It would take several more days before those items she had shipped from Bora Bora arrived in New Orleans.
Their new home suited them in ways that only the pair of them could understand. Wani had at first been speechless, exploring each room, staring out over the view before turning to Mikhail and placing her fingertips beneath her chin in prayer like fashion, bowing and telling him 'thank you' both in Thai and English. For all their differences there were many similarities they shared.
"It reminds me of our residence in London, but better.." she smiled then looked up at the sky to see if she could pinpoint what it was that captured Mikhail's attention. The entire scape captivated her, however, and she grew silent for some time. After a while, she took a soft breath and exhaled, a small arm sliding over Mikhail's waist, her cheek finding rest on his chest.
"It feels like home." Though, in truth, where ever Mikhail was, was home to Wani. Be it an island in the South pacific or a high rise in a metropolitan city. The meek little Thai turned closet rocker, comic book lover, felt her muscles relaxing in groups, the gentle sway of the hammock, the warmth of the male with her, and the knowledge that they were, for at least now, home.
It was fantastic the ways that Loki's royal attitude just kicked in at the right at time, just as Wani came closer the cat swat at Mikhails hand before scampering off. Mikhail was convinced it was the fact they where conspiring against him. and once he had the proof, Loki would find herself exiled to a far room on the house. his attention broke its gazing when he felt Wani's presence grow near.
He turned his head down to offer her a smile as she crawled up onto the hammock with him. a single arm wrapping around her in a most comforting gesture. "For you, I am always free..." Times like this that Mikhail always thought back to the day he had met Wani, he was trying to bring laws to the attention of the people, and she was a translator. Oh how times had changed since then. Another smile at the thought , glancing about their apartment from where they lay " Yes, I think so too. The building is more then pleased to have us here."his words came out clear in his native Ukranian tongue. neither where native english speakers. and they each understood the others native tongues. it was funny how things worked out like that.
He turned his head and leaned it down against hers, arm tightening around her in a firm squeeze. Mikhail was really pleased Wani had liked it here. HE did as well, this city had a good energy to it. and there where others of their kind around. which was another nice thing."It does, doesn't it? the goddess there, very much approves of it as well." referring to the cat with a motion of a hand in the general direction of the house. that arm, its gesture made also around around wani in a nice squeeze before he spoke again. "Do you have something planned this evening?"
He was always free for her. It was a simple statement that held within it the solidity of their relationship. It made her smile grow deeper.
Listening quietly as Mikhail spoke, finding her solace in his company as always, bright dancing blue eyes crinkled at his reference to Loki as goddess. "Her approval is always necessary, of course..." The sing song cadence of her voice remained no matter what language fell from her tongue.
Wani too was reminiscing. They had a link, the pair of them. It was impossible to explain to another, but the time they shared, Mikhail being the very first leopard to teach her the ways of their kind formed a very real connection that only grew stronger over time. With Mikhail, she was comfortable, she was free, she could simply be Wani with no walls or guards up, she could read her comics and he pretended not to notice, she could drink from the orange juice container and he pretended it was fine. Though they teased, taunted and bantered, there was deep, lasting affection that was beyond the usual romantic relationship. Beyond conditions. That link was how she caught his train of thought; that and the fact that they had spent so many years together, sometimes just the two of them.
"I have nothing planned tonight." She slid her head back to look up at him, "Do you have something in mind?" It was not even a question that even if she had something planned, those plans would change for Mikhail.
"I had not thought beyond gazing at the night sky for a while." he said softly his eyes once again returning to the sky above them his body moving just a little bit to put some rock on the hammock while they lay in the nice evening. I have not yet dined this evening." he looked down at her again. " Have you eaten?" it was a genuine question. While they lived together and held an unshakable bond, Mikhail did not think she would simply hold her hunger until he asked. Lord knows that when he was hungry, he ate. Also, he too drank out of the orange juice container... though he always made sure she wasn't watching.
New Orleans had alot of culture in it, and that meant a lot of new food to try, or at least in his opinion. New york was that way. as was London, except in London Mikhail dare not sample the local flavors. The English are not known for their traditional foods. Here, The Ukrainian Leopard was fascinated by creole food and was rather excited to try it
"No, I've not eaten..." She moved her cheek back and forth against him before raising up. The black hair seemed even darker as the evening grew deeper, causing the gold streaks to be enhanced.
"Can we go out? There are many cafe's and restaurants in this city that allow us to sit outside. We can see the stars and try the local cuisine?" She knew what he was thinking. It was what consumed them their first year anywhere, the food. Cajun was calling her name as well and this was the perfect night to try it out.
"We can celebrate our new home by spending hours at a table, talking and eating. Like in Europe." It was something an American had difficulty doing, but in Europe, lounging for three hours over a meal was considered normal, any sooner and it was considered rude.
"Come, let us dress and wander the streets.." She grinned, small dimples showing in her cheeks, blue eyes eager and bright for their evening ahead. "You can even pick out your own tie, if you must wear a tie."
Mikhail smiled when she picked her head up bringing a hand to pet at her hair, eyes watching hers as she spoke. She was absolutely right.While Mikhail could cook, eating out was always a far simpler way to go about eating; They must have eaten at every single restaurant in French Polynesia when the lived in Bora Bora. It was an Island smack dab in the middle of the pacific ocean, it was absolutely possible.
"There is nothing I would find more pleasing." said the man who currently had a lovely asian girl laying ontop of him. Prioirities Mikhail... Priorities. a smiled formed upon the Leopards face when she mentioned a tie. " Perhaps, a more casual evening; I've no need for a tie during dinner."
He leaned forward and rubed his cheek against hers in a usual gesture of affection before he moved to stand, hopefully giving her the indication of standing as well. when they where both on their feet again. Mikhail immidiately went about getting dressed. He ended up going with a dark blue fitted T-shirt and some blue jeans, a sports coat over the ensemble.
Attention was given to her royal highness Loki while he awaited Wani.
