| Logs |
2006-07-03
| Dreams |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Heading downstairs, now decked out in nice outfits, Jason does one last check of everything to make sure things are ready before heading outside to greet his 'guests', as it were... he breathes a sigh of relief as everything seems in order. He does go over to one side where BJ and Croaker are together. "Bonnie... look out for Cr- Michael, hmm? I don't want him to feel trapped or anything if folks get a little too touchy."
BJ grins at Jason, "You're a sweetie, you know that?"
Croaker tilts his massive head to regard Jason a bit curiously, "How could they possibly trap me, Seer? They are much smaller than I, and I would scent their growing hostility long before it became an issue, surely?" BJ gets an abstracted look, studying Croaker's hands as he signs, and checking the motions against a well-thumbed paperback of sign language.
Jason flushes. "Hey, I'm just looking out for my family, here," he says in all seriousness.
Croaker smiles at Jason's comment, putting a huge hand lightly on Jason's shoulder. "Thank you, Seer. You are good for us, to remember what good humans are capable of."
BJ nudges Croaker, studying the book intently as she does so, "Hey, do that fourth sign again, please? The one after smallness?"
Jason shakes his head at Croaker, "I'm not talking about hostility, pal. You know how to deal with hostile folks. I'm talking about girls -- and possibly guys -- that might want to feel your muscles." He grins wryly.
Croaker grins at Jason, then slowly repeats his signing for BJ. In Jason's head he hears, "If it is anything like what my lady and this lady have done, it is quite pleasant. Do you not enjoy the touching?"
Jason tries to remain calm as BJ starts checking the translation. "I'm just saying, C, that you might not be prepared for the concerted interest of so many folks at once, is all. But don't worry. BJ will look after you." BJ is muttering to herself, trying to understand the signing Croaker is doing, flipping back and forth absorbedly in the book. Croaker nods, obviously not sure precisely what Jason is worried about, but making a note to be careful since the Seer has warned him. Jason hmms and decides not to further muddy up the waters as BJ checks her translation -- he makes tracks. Then he straightens his collar, gives a thumbs up as Kendra does one last sound check, and puts his hands on the outer doors. "Showtime," he murmurs, sounding nothing like Mr. Incredible.
A half hour later the party seems to be in good swing. Kendra switches from the canned music, and starts things off with some upbeat musical stylings of her own. She begins with the Indigo Girls' Get Out The Map, which Jason ironically notes is quite appropriate considering their imminent trip. All around, folks seem to be uncertain at first: many of the folks here aren't those that go to parties regularly, but they take their cues from those who are a little more outgoing. Jason makes sure to keep an eye on Croaker... BJ is close at hand, to keep him from getting too flustered from interested girls (and boys) from coming up and talking to him, maybe even feeling a muscle or two.
- Get out the map
Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down
We'll leave the figuring to those we pass on our way out of town
Don't drink the water, there seems to be something ailing everyone
I'm gonna clear my head
I'm gonna drink that sun
I'm gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young
There are a handful of other young men (whom Jason had Alan's help to pick) taking drink orders in muscle shirts and shorts -- and occasionally, like Croaker, bare-chested. Beatrice has yet to make her debut, but it's made up for by Diana's presence, as she gleefully fields questions from the interested young men crowding around her. To Jason's delight, a few people have quietly recognized Mike as well, and are sitting and chatting with him; he urbanely deals with his excited fans. Meanwhile, Kendra has segued to a crowd favorite: Speed of Sound by Coldplay -- that gets people to start dancing on the makeshift dance floor.
- Look up, I look up at night,
Planets are moving at the speed of light.
Climb up, up in the trees,
every chance that you get,
is a chance you seize.
How long am I gonna stand,
with my head stuck under the sand?
I'll start before I can stop,
before I see things the right way up.
At the bar, Joe seems to be having an okay time of it, filling folks' orders for wine coolers, malted beverages like Smirnoff Ice, hard lemonade and cider, and a whole mess of Twisteds. Some even take beers, but on the whole are not overall disappointed by the harder stuff being denied them: forethought in picking the invitees comes into play once again. Forethought also provided a modest buffet from a local caterer, seeing that Dante's doesn't usually serve food beyond beer nuts and the like. Kendra's performance is responded to with applause, which prompts her to sing another popular tune: Breathe by Anna Nalick:
- Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe
Jason mingles a little, but for the most part continues to oversee, making sure that no one is overburdened... Kendra is now passing the mike over to some young man who starts singing a John Mayer song. Around the time he finishes, Jason starts to wonder when Beatrice will make her big entrance... that's the only thing that wasn't planned, was Beatrice. Not that anyone could prepare for her... Alan comes up then, seeming about to ask Jason a question... and then just stares dumbly past him. Jason thinks he has never seen a man's jaw actually hang open like that before. He knows then Beatrice has made her entrance. He looks to where the young freshman is staring... and has to admit, it's quite a sight.
Beatrice is done up in a ravishing green gown, her scarlet hair done up in curls that frame her creamy neck. Her dress makes her look like she stepped right from a period piece, complete with underskirt, bodice, beads draped over the hemline of the top piece, the neckline cut low enough to reveal plenty of her bosom without being too scandalous. The crowd parts for her, and some of them even startledly kneel, without even understanding why they're doing it. She seems so... regal. Jason makes a cue then, and she's bathed in a soft light... if folks didn't realize she was there before, they do now. The noise level in the party drops off to almost nothing... people still talking, but almost being afraid to do so over a whisper.
Beatrice smiles beatifically, helping up one trembling freshman girl that went to her knees. She whispers something to the girl, who blushes not from embarrassment so much as happiness. The radiant lady then glides among her throng of fans that watch her, the soft glow keeping her highlighted without being too intense. She looks around them all, as if window-shopping, then stops in front of one of the dance majors, who looks like a deer in the headlights -- then he bows with perfect poise. Beatrice seems pleased with this, and offers her hand. When he takes it, she allows him to lead her to the dance floor.
Jason needs a moment to get Kendra's attention, as she's staring herself. After shooing the last singer off the stage, he finally does catch her eye. Jason's first idea for a potential song is shattered by the fact that Beatrice chose to wear green instead of red, but he's adaptable... he's already got a second idea, and he fumbles with the disc, putting it in. His choice actually has no words at all: it's off a Sarah McLachlan CD, titled simply The Last Dance. While not entirely period, it's a quite solemn, beautiful collection of piano, flute, and cello in a lovely air. When the two take the stage almost everyone clears off it, giving them room. The young man easily leads, as his education was quite thorough, and the two waltz around the dance floor to the gentle tune, the succubus remembering the steps like it were yesterday... which to her, it might very well be.
Jason has a confusing moment, muttering with Kendra as the two try and figure out what song to play next. He has an idea then, but the problem is that she doesn't have the actual song, just the music. He's running out of ideas, and the song is running out of time, being barely three minutes long... so he loads the CD and prepares. As the music begins, his voice lifts in song:
- A friend of mine called up said "I finally had some luck
Could I have a minute of your time
I met a girl last night and try as I might
I can't get her off of my mind
She walked through the room and right then I knew
I finally found somebody for me
But to tell you the truth I don't know what to do
should I go ahead or wait and see
- I said, Give it all you got, no holding back
Let a light in your soul
Ain't it better to lose in love than to never love at all
than to never love at all
Beatrice gives Jason an amused look then, but keeps dancing, shifting to a slightly more modern style of dance, which the young man adapts to, looking into Beatrice's eyes with adoration. The other folks then start to re-enter the dance floor, though giving the two a wide berth.
- Now I'm the kind of guy who's normally quite shy
On romance I don't know a thing
But when she led me to the floor -- I'd never danced before --
Suddenly my feet had wings
I know that she wants me; I want her too
but I'm so confused I can't think straight
I feel so alive but on the other side
should I go ahead or should I wait?
Jason segues back to the chorus, and absently notes Diana has taken the floor with a happy Mike, which makes him smile. Those who don't pair off just quietly watch from the sidelines. As an afterthought, Jason looks for everyone else during the instrumental bridge... Joe is just quietly watching and smiling from the bar, and Croaker is watching with a broad smile on his face, clearly pleased to see his ladies so happy. Jason does shift his gaze curiously to BJ then, wondering on her reaction...
BJ is watching as well in silent wonder, although there's a thoughtful tinge to her wide-eyed stare. A moment later she glances up once at Croaker. Noticing his calm but unbewitched smile, she too smiles quietly and gently leans her head against his upper arm (since that's as high as she can reach), going back to watching the entrancing succubus dance. Croaker glances down at her light touch, then with delicate care puts an arm around her -- which causes her to beam happily up at him for a second before they both go back to watching Beatrice gliding across the dance floor.
- So when the music starts to flow from your hearts
like the coming of an early spring
when the river starts to flow between you soul to soul
may no man ever come between
Die in her arms if she wants you to
Be thankful for each passing day
When your eyes collide let your spirits fly
and pray to God it's here to stay
- I said, Give it all you got, no holding back
Let a light in your soul
Ain't it better to lose in love than to never love at all,
than to never love at all
Diana, interestingly enough, is watching Jason with a quietly dreamy smile. Jason finds himself flushing as he notices... pretty much because he thinks he knows why. He wonders then if this was the source of Beatrice's amusement... the fact that it could apply to this stately woman, but could also be sung about Diana -- which would make even more sense, considering the singer.
Jason quits the stage then, and though his rendition was quite beautiful, no one claps -- they're all still focused on Beatrice, who is winding up the dance. She clearly picked the right first one, as he gentlemanly takes her hand and kisses it. She seems delighted by this, touching his cheek as if in benediction. She then turns and looks... and picks another handsome gentleman, who takes her hand respectfully, accepting the unspoken offer. Kendra takes the mike now, a little less muddled. She then kicks up a new song, another slower tune, and Jason can't help but appreciate its appropriateness:
- All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore
It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh
It's my mouth that pushes out this breath
- And if I shed a tear I won't cage it
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love
Jason goes and gets a drink of water, wiping sweat from his brow. "So far, so good. She's amazing," he murmurs to Joe. The bartender just nods once, his smile quiet and almost glowing with internal happiness.
- Companion to our demons
They will dance and we will play
With chairs, candles, and clothes
Making darkness in the day
It will be easy to look in or out
Upstream or down
Without a thought
- And if I shed a tear I won't cage it
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love...
Hands rest on Jason's shoulders as he drinks, running slowly down his arms as a low voice purrs next to his ear, "Mmmmdance with me, pet?" There's the warm pressure of a female body behind Jason, and she closes her teeth lightly on his ear as she hugs him close. Jason groans... he starts to wonder how Diana does that, when he could have sworn she was still on the dance floor with Mike. The teeth on his ear make him melt, though, and any fleeting desire to say no (if it ever existed) is gone like fog under the sun's glow. "Sure, love," he smiles, giving Joe a rueful grin as he's swept off by Diana. Amusingly enough, he quickly discovers Diana knows quite well how to ballroom dance, but her idea of dancing with her sweethearts is a bit more... lascivious than Beatrice's. By the end of the song, Jason's both keenly -- almost painfully -- aware of her entire body, and in rueful agreement with the old saying about dancing being vertical sex!
The party proceeds apace... Beatrice's radius of affect seems to diminish a little, and people start talking again as she continues to cut a swath through the young men. At one point, though, one of the better singers in the group decides to do Chris De Burgh's Lady in Red. It's then that Joe turns the bar over to Jason, striding to the floor... and Beatrice apologizes to her throng of admirers as she quite happily takes her husband's hand, and dances more intimately with him than she had with the others, clearly taken by his choice of songs to cut in on.
- I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance, given half a chance
I have never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes; I have been blind
The lady in red is dancing with me cheek to cheek
There's nobody here, it's just you and me, it's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
More than a few young men and women seem to twig to the fact that they're husband and wife, and seem to sigh and swoon over the picture the two make. When the song comes to a close, Beatrice gives Joe a kiss and glides off the dance floor, indicating she's taking a break. She makes herself at home in a chair which she perches in as if it were a throne, and quietly answers questions of students bold enough to ask.
Joe re-takes control of the bar, and the party returns to normal... as normal as it could be with Beatrice present, at any rate. More excitable tunes make their way back to the dance floor. From his own lofty perch on lighting, Jason then notices two events taking place... BJ coaxing Croaker to the dance floor; and Rita pacing back and forth, her eyes locked on Diana, as if trying to work up her nerve. Croaker is no match for the insistent BJ, and actually looks quite happy once there, though he does seem a little awkward at first, trying to understand how to dance to this music.
Finally Rita bites her lip and slides over, putting a hand on Diana's shoulder and querying her something. Diana smiles dazzlingly and seems to acquiesce, which makes Rita slightly giddy. As she follows Rita to the dance floor, Diana's eyes find Jason's, where he's sitting in the lighting booth. She gives him a sly grin, as if wondering what he thinks of the matter. Of course, she can doubtless already tell, what with the waves of his own amusement and flusteredness rippling back over their link. He absently wonders what else Rita might work up the courage to ask...
A couple of songs later, Kendra reclaims the microphone. "Will Jason and Diana please come to the stage?" Kendra's voices echoes from the speakers... Diana looks up curiously from a conversation with Rita, and Jason finds her gaze and nods. It's time. She perks up, though with a tinge of apprehension... they only had a couple of days to practice this. But, smoothing her clothes, she heads to the stage, meeting him and taking a proffered microphone from Kendra.
"This next song is a slow one, and is dedicated to our friend Mike," Jason explains into the microphone. Kendra sets it off, the beginning an understated melody played on a piano with a simple drum riff in the background. The overall tone is poignant. Jason lifts his voice to song:
- There was a man of confused and sad nature
Thought no one loved him; that was not true
He said he was a lost soul didn't fit in anywhere
Didn't know where to turn or who to turn to
Mike seems a little startled... he looks around as if to confirm there's no spotlight on him. Diana joins Jason on the chorus then:
- There's a lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We'll row the boat to the far shore
Row the boat of the loved lost soul
Folks on the dance floor seem to respond; some of them pairing off, some just swaying in place as Diana takes the lead then, her voice strong and vibrant:
- Ever since, oh I can remember
We all tried to ease the pain
Took him in when he needed some shelter
Tried to make him feel he was one of us again
There was one day, oh I can remember
He sat alone with a pencil in his hand
All day long he wrote careful on the paper
In the end just a picture of a man
The two join again for the chorus, looking at each other for a moment before, as one, their eyes seek out Mike. Their voices are clearly filled with the blooming love the song speaks of, and Mike looks like he might be a little choked up. Then Jason begins again with a new verse:
- Oh, Diana, do you remember
The day we went walking downtown
As I recall it was the eve of the summer
After work had just let out
Kendra looks curious at the diversion from the normal lyrics, but then seem to understand they've been replaced with more topical words, since this is a dedicated song. Diana then takes the lead from Jason as she sings the second part of the verse:
- When I see you on the street in the twilight
There's no need to keep your head down
Show your love, and know that you do deserve it
You've been called and now been found.
The two sing as one for the final time, strong and proud as they watch Mike, their voices twining together in beautiful harmony.
- There's a lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We'll row the boat to the far shore
Row the boat of the loved lost soul.
The applause is thunderous, and the two performers (somewhat sheepishly) bow to the audience as they come back down. A freckled art major in a leather jacket starts into a rendition of You're The One That I Want by Olivia Newton-John. Her song choice kicks the beat back up, but makes Jason cheerfully wince... every mainstream karaoke place he's ever been to seems to have someone who wants to do one or more tunes from "Grease." And given the time of year, he muses with glum amusement, a couple hardy souls will very likely sing Summer Nights late that evening... god, he's sick of "Grease" show tunes.
He quietly moves to sit with Mike, with Diana flanking the author on the other side. Jason himself is blushing right along with Mike... when he planned this song to be sung, it was not with the expectation of the day's previous events in their new mobile home. He looks at the other man expectantly, his hand tentatively covering Mike's. The older man blinks several times, looking deeply moved and gently closing his fingers around Jason's. Diana smiles and rests her chin on his shoulder, putting her arms about his waist... and Jason can 'feel' very clearly Mike's tangled emotional state as the three of them touch.
Mike's emotionally bowled over by Diana -- and unfortunately knows it quite well, with all the fear of rejection and incipient pain that brings. This time, though, it's not one but two people he's handed his much-wounded and vulnerable heart to. The mix of adrenaline, lust, and love is enough to make Jason's heart speed up as well in sympathetic reaction. Jason is a little disconcerted by this... dealing with his own emotions under the circumstances is bad enough, but feeling Mike's as well... it's enough to make him want to do something to still Mike's uncertainty and fear.
Fortunately, Diana isn't 'turned on' right now, and they are at an out-of-the-way table, so no one is paying attention to this, everyone else busily and cheerfully getting down. Mike, meanwhile, seems to be drawing on Diana's calmness and certainty and steadying himself... but he cocks an eyebrow at Jason's sudden emotional turbulence. Before he can ask a question, though, Jason is suddenly there, holding Mike's chin in his cupped hand as he kisses the other man. The storm of confusion is stilled, then, Jason's heart fluttering at the simple joy of this. His lips finally part from Mike's, and he stares into the other man's eyes.
Diana's quiet purr of pleasure is more felt than heard, and it is her calm certainty in the correctness of their affectionate togetherness that solidly anchors both men at that moment... since they can both intensely feel the other's sensations and emotions. It's... a little disconcerting, like they're both literally within each other's skin. Jason does find himself needing to sit then, for fear of losing his balance entirely. "This might work," he says softly.
Mike takes a deep breath, then mutters hoarsely, "Don't do that in public any more, please, Jason? I... I almost..." Jason can 'feel' the end of that sentence, especially since he felt the same thing himself -- it would have been very easy to simply passionately continue, despite their being in public.
Jason looks sheepish, trying to quiet his beating heart. "I'm sorry, it just... it felt like the right time... but your point is well made," he whispers, touching his lips absently. "I just... I wanted you to understand."
Mike keeps his eyes firmly on the stage, but under the table his hand lightly rests on Jason's thigh, and he whispers softly, "Thank you... thank you both. This means the world to me." Jason's body is suffused with warmth. Whatever else happens today, or in any day forward... he's happy now.
It's several hours later, and the party is going swimmingly -- due in no small part to Beatrice's and Diana's great pleasure in the evening's proceedings. However, Jason's quite aware (both from watching and from being so told) that their pleasure is a direct result of his planning and forethought. Diana's direct happiness with him is a bit... overwhelming when she's close, and so she's considerately taken Mike upstairs with her to work off some of her, ah, energy.
This produces both good and bad results, of course. While Jason's not getting erotically bowled over by his half succubus being close by, she's apparently enjoying herself thoroughly with Mike -- and despite his best efforts, Mike cannot always control what goes through the link to Jason! He tries his best, knowing Jason's rather committed to seeing the party through to the end for Beatrice.
It is disconcerting... but in a way that doesn't seem to bother Jason at all. He knows he's got a foolish grin tucked inside that creeps out onto his countenance now and again, his face flushed, his clothes feeling tight. He hasn't had a thing to drink, and yet folks watching him might think he'd been hitting the sauce. The link is almost a marvel in and of itself to Jason... he can be with them without even being physically there. Which is good, because he takes his responsibilities seriously.
Speaking of Beatrice: she's being a good hostess, slowly and thoroughly working her way through the room, making sure she talks to everyone -- even those too shy to come up to her. Jason can see the swath of effect she leaves behind her, with those she's talked to already having that slightly stunned, slightly dreamy-eyed look as they watch her. She pauses next to the seated Jason long enough to gently caress his hair and smile down at him, her bright fangs gleaming slightly between her full lips. As her scarlet fingernails slowly close on his earlobe in a sharp nip of sensation, she murmurs softly, "You've done well, my dear. I shall not forget this."
Jason holds back a groan, trying very much to keep his head around Beatrice. The way Diana makes him feel, and the way Beatrice makes him feel are two very different things: with Diana, although there is an incredibly compelling charge to her nature, she still feels human to him. Beatrice is a hurricane of lust, a firestorm of passion and craving. With her, there is far more danger of losing his sense of self and just drowning in her undertow. Fortunately, her presence is only akin to the waves looming close, without actually breaking over him and dashing him against the shore."You can thank me, my lady, by seeking this on your own. I am no expert, but it seems to me that folk such as these are far better for your health. Physical and mental. Here, you are admired with awe and wonder... but the men that come to see you here on working days tend far more towards baser cravings," he finally says -- once he's stilled his breathing.
Beatrice's slitted golden eyes narrow in quiet amusement at Jason's words. She leans down to whisper in his ear, although her words are a bit blurred in his head by the fact he's suddenly got a truly magnificent view of her décolletage."I understood the first time, little Seer; you do not need to repeat yourself again. Nevertheless, I shall maintain the favor for you, should you ever be in a need my daughter cannot satisfy." She chuckles softly, standing straight again, and moves gracefully off. It's probably a good bet that after about 150 years she knows just how disconcerting her personal effect is... but she doesn't seem to mind at all wiping rational thought out of the heads of those she's turned her attention to!
Jason just shakes his head in bemusement as he watches her go. A need that Diana couldn't satisfy? He can barely keep up with her as it is! Besides, as beautiful as Beatrice is, she is almost too desirable. He doesn't dislike her in the slightest, but the idea of coupling with her doesn't even begin to enter his brain. He does not desire pleasure for its own sake, but pleasure shared. And the former is all Beatrice has to offer to him. He would not feel special in her embrace, because he knows her effect is not real. Not real in the ways that matter to him, after all.
When they're not bewitched by Beatrice's passing, the party-goers are having a fun and rowdy time. There's singing, dancing, music, drinks... in fact, now he's watching Jason can see Croaker is quite popular as well! His body language shows the same careful deliberation as always, despite the fact that at some of the tables he serves he gets... 'patted down,' as it were, fairly thoroughly! He doesn't seem to mind, though, casually shifting and moving as folks request, as long as they're polite. At another table BJ is sitting and watching thoughtfully, leaving Croaker alone as long as he seems calm and unruffled. With her is Rita, who appears to have drunk quite a few beers currently, if the bottles on the table are any indicator.
Several folks come over to congratulate Jason on a great party, and thank him for inviting them. A few leave -- mostly couples -- and eventually the buffet closes down. Kendra seems to be going strong, though, enjoying herself tremendously. After Beatrice pauses next to her, Kendra looks even happier, and gives Jason a cheerful thumbs-up gesture if she catches him looking her way.
At one point Jason's sitting alone for a bit, quietly drinking. He's caught his breath from Beatrice's touch, and the sensations from Mike have calmed down a bit... he looks up to see BJ and Rita both, come over to sit with him. Jason blinks and straightens up a bit, straightening his clothing as he gazes inquiringly at them both... he could be wrong, but this had the feel of an official visit, and not just a friendly mingling."Enjoying the party, ladies?" he greets them with a smile.
Rita looks, if anything, a bit haunted as she slumps in her seat. BJ smiles, however, and as is her wont she comes right to the point, "I'm having a great time, Jason, but Michael seems to think he can't leave until you give him permission, and I want to go upstairs with him to see the storage room. Can you tell him it's okay to leave the party now?"
Jason is concerned about Rita, but focuses on BJ first."That's Michael for you... so very concerned about fulfilling his duties. I'll have a talk with him." He glances at Rita sidelong, then back at BJ, giving her an inquiring look.
BJ beams, bouncing back to her feet, "Great! I'll bring him right over. Moment!" She heads swiftly off, weaving carefully between tables to where Croaker is patiently raising and lowering one arm -- with a giggling blonde hanging from it.
Rita watches BJ leave, then looks back at Jason with an undecipherable (to him) expression. Jason hnhs... either BJ missed his implicit question, or she doesn't want to talk in front of Rita... and then as he's mulling over that, he realizes Rita is staring at him. Jason stares back bemusedly at the quiet Rita, trying to decipher that stare... and then a few things lock into place for him. He takes a second to mull over possible responses, and the decides on one."Don't hurt yourself over this. It's not a contest," he says gently.
Rita blinks, looking confused."Huh?" A moment later she turns bright red, looking away almost angrily, "Wasn't thinking that!"
"But you do wish you were in my place," Jason replies calmly."You're attracted to her." Rita doesn't say anything -- just leans her chin in her hand so it half-covers her face, still looking away from Jason. He sighs."I won't lie to you, Rita... Diana is special. More special than you realize. But you shouldn't let any one person, no matter how special they are, determine your self-worth. In a couple days Di and I will be gone, and you're going to have to move past these feelings. Don't let them fester, please."
Rita glances over at Jason, her eyes gleaming through her tangled bangs. Roughly she growls, "What'd you do... to attract her attention?"
Jason ponders how to answer that."Nothing. Not a damn thing. Except be myself. She saw something special in me, and she liked that. So she pursued me, and caught me without a struggle." Rita sighs, her shoulders slumping a bit... then falls silent as she notices BJ returning with a faintly perplexed looking Croaker in tow.
Croaker looks between Jason and BJ, then signs, "You needed me, Seer?"
Jason shifts gears, "Only to tell you you're free from your party hosting duties, Croaker... BJ wants to have some personal time, and I say you've earned it." He smiles.
Croaker tilts his head thoughtfully at Jason... then smiles slowly, his gaze traveling to BJ. She grins hopefully at him, "You said you'd show me the store room?" Croaker ah!s silently, then sets down his tray on Jason's table and nods, signing, "Happy to, Lady." She seems to recognize those signs, since she beams and tucks one hand into his large arm. They head out together.
Perhaps it's Jason's preoccupation, but he doesn't seem to comprehend the signals in BJ's smile, body language, and tone of voice till after he's watched them disappear into the crowd. He blinks at the implications, and for a moment starts to worry... but then he relaxes. After all, he'd completely misinterpreted what happened when Croaker went home with BJ the first time, and it was okay with them then... and Croaker surely knows how to handle himself after being around Diana and Beatrice. So he wishes them luck... and that's when he notices that Rita's slipped away. It takes only a moment to locate her, and it seems like she's out to further drown herself in her sorrows. Jason muses how to deal with this... he doesn't want to spark a confrontation. That might send things in a bad direction for the party.
A loud voice calls out, "Jason! Dude! The man!" and Alan slides into the chair across from Jason. He's practically alight with excitement, holding out a business card in his quivering hand, "Dude, you were right! She likes me! She said I could come visit later!"
Jason's eyes widen, and he laughs in surprise."Well, well. Seems like you made an impression, Al," he grins, absently wishing he had a front seat for that interchange, wondering exactly what went on between them. He catches Joe's attention then and makes a quiet gesture across his throat, indicating Rita. Joe regards Jason thoughtfully for a moment, then smiles faintly, tilting his head in a 'come over here' gesture.
The business card is clearly Beatrice's. A chattering group of his friends call to Alan, and he bounces excitedly to his feet again, clumsily punching Jason in the shoulder, "Man, you were so, I mean, this party was sweeeeet! Gotta go -- see you later, dude!"
Jason is relieved that Alan plays true to his butterfly nature, and frees Jason up to deal with Rita... he approaches Joe then, leaning over the bar. "She's in a moody place... she doesn't need any more alcohol to make it worse," he whispers.
Joe sets a mug in front of Jason, a small smile on his face. He drawls lazily, "Reckon I never seen that here before, mmm?"
Jason rolls his eyes. "Okay, I'm sorry, I shouldn't tell you how to do your job... I'm just trying to figure out how to help her... or if I can."
Joe leans his elbows on the bar, giving Jason a thoughtful look, "You really want to help her, or you just saying that?"
Jason smiles wryly. "It's my modus operandi, Joe... helping Croaker, helping Beatrice, helping Diana, helping Mike... you think I want to be a teacher for the pay?"
Joe nods calmly, "Then you already have your answer as to how to help her."
Jason looks at Joe quizzically."You lost me."
Joe raises an eyebrow, "You helped Croaker, but you can't figure out how to help someone else in the same condition?"
Jason's brow knits then, and he wonders exactly how much Joe knows about what happened. "Croaker's situation was different. With circumstances impossible to reproduce. Unless you're suggesting I find her someone else to help her get over her crush?"
Joe smiles and shakes his head, "She's my step daughter, not my lover. Only you know what you can ask of her." He moves off to fill another drink order from a very happy, blonde young man hired for the evening. He, like Croaker, is shirtless and very athletically nice looking, practically bubbling about the wonderful tips tonight. Rita drinks morosely, her chin resting on her fist and her gaze far away.
Jason sits, musing, conflicted. Croaker's case was special... they had a history together and she knew how he felt; they had a connection spanning years, decades. Their joining was as much an intimate meeting of old friends and companions as lovers. Rita's longing is far less tangible, and muddled up with the fact that she's clearly influenced by Diana supernaturally as well as crushing over a spectacularly beautiful woman. Even if Diana agreed, would this really help or only make things worse when she left? Jason wishes then the party would end to free him up to go upstairs and talk with Diana about it.
As it gets later, the party slows down. Beatrice eventually pauses at the bar to give Joe a long, leisurely, steamy kiss -- leaving him gasping a bit -- and murmurs that she's going upstairs soon; would he like to come along? He chuckles and closes down the bar with alacrity, giving only a 10 minute last-call warning. Jason's lips curl up... that upstairs is getting mighty crowded! He's busy seeing to it that folks get home safely, and tries to keep track of Rita in the chaos...
Things close down more rapidly then. Croaker, Diana, and Mike come back downstairs to help with clean-up after Joe gives them a call. Kendra is tired but exuberant, giving Jason an unexpected hug and thanking him for both a wonderful time and a greatly profitable evening. Different friends are equally sleepy and happy, each bidding Jason good night in their own way. The hired waiters help a bit with clean-up, then depart. Soon thereafter, hands slide around Jason's middle, and Diana's voice purrs softly in Jason's ear, "Come play with me, lollipop -- the others can take care of the little that's left to do."
Jason was looking frustrated as he lost sight of Rita, and therefore didn't know where she was at -- which affects his immediate options for dealing with her. And then Diana is biting him, and he laughs helplessly, feeling all tingly. "Diana, do we have to leave tomorrow? Could we possibly wait another day?" he queries while he still has brain function.
Diana's teasing grin is practically audible in her voice, "Mmmmaybe you could... persuade me, mmm?" She giggles, her fingernails causing tingly sensations through Jason's clothing as she adds, "Later, though. Now, come upstairs with me please, lollipop? I've been ever so patient, but poor Mike's about to fall over with exhaustion!"
Jason groans and lets himself be dragged off, as it seems clear he's not going to get any intelligent discourse out of her while she's like this. "Don't you ever get tired, Di? I thought you stopped a while ago... have you been going all this time?" he laughs, stealing a look at Croaker in the process, wondering how his supposed tryst went...
Mike is indeed looking a bit worn, and gladly heads upstairs with the other two. Diana laughs happily, already pulling her top off as she leads them up the stairs, "Tired? With you two lovely darlings? How could I get tired when you're so exciting?" Mike yawns, then snorts amusedly at Diana, simply murmuring in response to Jason's last query, "Uh-huh. Gonna die happy at this rate." Croaker and BJ are still cleaning as the threesome leaves, and BJ is chattering happily to Croaker as they work together.
Jason hnhs... nothing unusual about the way BJ and Croaker were acting, though he didn't get a good look... must make a point of asking Croaker tomorrow. Not that he's nosy, but he doesn't want to get caught with his pants down. He wraps an arm around Mike's shoulder, and affectionately kisses his temple. "We all die of something... but maybe you can rest while I see to her needs..." he chuckles lowly.
Mike blinks a bit startledly, then grins sheepishly, giving Jason a quick one-armed hug about the waist, "Unless you're a screamer, I'll probably sleep through anything right about now."
"I don't know. Diana, have I ever screamed?" Jason queries of Di, only half-joking. And then he's abruptly aware she's divested herself of the rest of her clothes and has a hand clenched around the fabric of his shirt. "Do you want to?" she purrs, pulling him in, the door closing behind them. There's a tearing sound then, and a small cry of dismay, "Aw, man, I liked that shirt..." comes Jason's voice.
It's some time later, and Jason's lying happily relaxed. Mike's curled up nearby, sleeping peacefully, and Diana's sprawled with sensual enjoyment across Jason, when there's a quiet but firm knock on the door. A moment later it opens and Joe looks into the darkness, "Hey. Any of you folks awake?"
Jason winces a little at the glare from the door as light is let in. "More or less, Joe," he replies, clearing his throat, abruptly wondering what time it is... he notices that time quickly loses all meaning when he's with Diana like this.
Diana just purrs in soft contentment, and Joe smiles, "'kay. You kids quit making noise, so I thought now would be a good time to ask. Think I got something of yours. Yes or no?" He shifts a bit, stepping through the doorway, and Jason can see Joe has someone over his shoulder.
Jason blinks stupidly. "What..." he queries, trying to sit up, his concern over who Joe's carrying becoming more important than not dislodging Diana as he peers at the figure.
Joe turns slightly so the light falls across his load. It's Rita lying limply across Joe's shoulders. Diana lifts her head enough that she's not shoved aside by Jason's shifting, murmuring puzzledly, "She's ours? Did you choose her, lollipop?"
Joe says quietly, "No, baby. She's yours. You've overwhelmed her." Diana's glowing red eyes blink twice at that... then she sits up suddenly, "Uh, what?! ...Jason?!"
Jason is taken aback by this sequence of revelation. "You're sure, Joe? She's not just..." he trails off, slightly stunned.
Joe says gently, "Not what, Jason?"
Jason has no answer."I didn't realize it was that bad. I thought it was mostly the drink," he murmurs quietly. "Where'd you find her?"
"She was in the restroom most of the time we were cleaning. She wandered out and had collapsed while heading up the stairs by the time I found her. Beatrice let me lay her out in our room for a bit." Joe grins quietly, "Her, ah... timing is much like her daughter's, it appears."
Jason can't muster up much humor in regards to the situation. "I should get her home, maybe... unless there's a private place she can crash for the evening..." he muses. Joe waits silently. Rita groans softly, and Diana blinks, giving Jason a puzzled look. Jason looks ruefully at Diana. "She's pining after you, Di, and very likely drunk herself into insensibility..." he climbs out of bed, fumbling around for his boxers. "Put her in a chair, Joe... I'll take charge of her from here."
Diana says puzzledly, "Lollipop... why not just let me take care of her?" Joe paces in and gently lays Rita's limp form across the foot of the bed, since there aren't really any chairs available.
Jason looks at Di. "What do you mean exactly? I mean... she's not conscious..." he queries, trying to be tactful as he tries to find out what's on her mind. "Or are you suggesting we let her stay here so you can take care of her in the morning, when she wakes..."
Diana brightens, "Oh! We could do that too, if you wanted. Do you think that'd help?" Joe chuckles quietly, turning to light a candle on the bedside table.
Jason smiles wryly. "It certainly wouldn't hurt, and it would give her certain opportunities. But what was your idea?" he queries.
Diana looks a bit uncertain, "Um... a dream? Would that be bad?" Joe grins, turning towards the door, "You kids have fun. Don't wear each other out." His voice is gently amused as he adds, "Gotta go... my wife's not known for her patience." He closes the door quietly behind himself.
Jason ohs! "No, actually, that's an excellent idea... but perhaps we should do both... I think it might help her work through it if she actually got a chance to talk to you, Di," he explains after Joe leaves.
Diana beams, "Okay!" then leans forward to take Jason's hand, "Come back to bed now?"
Jason didn't exactly get that far, but lets himself get dragged back. "Di... how much does Joe actually know? I get worried about talking too much about your, uhm... otherworldly aspects," he queries then.
Diana draws Jason down next to her, wrapping her arms and legs warmly around him and happily doing her best to distract him, "Mmm? Dunno, sweetness... can we talk about that later, mmm?"
Jason glances at Rita."What about her? How do you- mmmmph..." His queries are finally fully silenced by Diana's insistence, and the last shreds of resistance fall away as his mind is subsumed by an almost primal need she awakens in him. Time is once more fluid, but Jason can't bring himself to care.