| Logs |
2007 February 28
| Law |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Law Logs |
More gifts.
Shateishael will carry Peony into the house, calling out, "Hey, anybody home?" and settling her on the couch. He absently drops the clothing next to her as he asks, "Y'wanna drink'r sumpin', sweetheart?" Peony starts wriggling into her clothes, not exactly sure Slate's mates will want to see her bare self. It doesn't actually occur to her that Slate is just as naked as she is. Shateishael watches Peony curiously, wondering if he's said something wrong... then decides not to worry about it. She did promise to tell him, after all, if she was offended. He looks around, "Thea, 's th'Rosebud 'r Bella home?"
Bella sticks her head in from the hallway, grinning as she sees Peony, "Hey, you!" She looks around at Slate, face amused as she realizes that Slate is indeed even more bare that usual, "You need something?" The Bright's hands are covered in clay.
Shateishael 's face brightens, and he grins, "Yeah, sweetheart! Wanted t'ask -- y'ever hol' back wi' me durin' sex? 'N is walkin' funny a fun part a' sex f'you?" As usual, he's asking with genuine, serious curiosity. He looks around, wondering where Rosenstern is -- he wants to ask the little Mercurian as well.
Bella makes a silent 'Oh' of understanding and laughs, "Uhm... yes, feeling my thighs and ass being sore is lovely. And, uhm, I do. A little. I, uhm, don't want to scare you."
Shateishael looks both intrigued and puzzled, "Y'do? How? 'n how'd y'scare me, beautiful?"
Rosenstern pokes his head into the room from the kitchen of the house as well as he hears people in the commons. He brightens when he sees Peony and Bella and Slate. "Hello there, all," he says smiling, wiping his hands on his apron. "Just in time for breakfast, I think!"
Shateishael says, "Heya, Rosebud! Soun's lovely, but I wanna ask ya question first, please? First, d'y' ever hol' back in sex wi'me? 'N second, is walkin' funny part a' good sex t'ya?"
Bella has wandered over to Peony and the two women are whispering together. The very short conversation ends with Bella laughing softly, "Mmm... I've been afraid to ask you to be a little... rough maybe. But rough isn't always what I want, so it's not always a holding back."
Shateishael looks back at Bella a bit bemusedly, "Um... sweetheart, how c'n I know whutcha want if'n y'don' tell me?"
Rosenstern blinks a bit, pausing in wiping his hands on a cloth. "Hold back?" he asks. "I... don't think I ever have." He blushes. "I... I do kind of... you know... get into, uhm... really become submissive," he finally gets out, blushing. Shateishael tilts his head interestedly at Rosenstern, not quite sure what the little Mercurian is trying to say.
Peony smiles quietly, getting her clothes more into place. Bella walks over and hugs Slate from behind, kissing the back of his shoulder, "Because I don't need it. And you aren't a rough person, love. It's not like it's unfulfilling."
Shateishael is distracted from Rosenstern by Bella; he smiles, running one hand lightly over her arms about him, and rumbles thoughtfully, "Is it sumpin' y'might enjoy, though, sweetheart?"
Bella smiles and shrugs, resting her cheek between Slate's shoulder blades, "Sometimes. But it's not something I absolutely have to have."
Shateishael nods thoughtfully, "Well... 'kay." He studies Peony thoughtfully for a few moments, still gently stroking Bella's hands around him -- and either not noticing or caring about the clay smears... then looks up curiously at Rosenstern again, "Wait, whut wuz that 'bout what you get into when y'r being really subbie, pretty petal?" He adds quietly to Peony, "If y'r 'kay t'morra 'n still wanna, maybe we c'n talk more then 'bout how t'do this safely?"
Rosenstern coughs a little, blushing. "I meant, that, I, uh...." He glances to Peony and blushes more. "That, you know, I get really, really submissive, so I don't 'hold back' but I.... don't be aggressive? Is that what you're asking?"
Shateishael considers Rosie's answer, then rumbles, "So... not aggressive, but'cha don' hol' back, 'n... y'do 'r don' like th' walkin' funny?"
Rosenstern clears his throat, "As for walking funny... uhm.... I guess I do kind of walk funny if I'm tied up on tiptoe or wearing heels-" He breaks off, blushing deeply. "Ah... I'm sorry, Peony, that... might be way too much information and I think I hear the timer on the oven buzzing so I should go and get lunch ready!" And he zips off to the kitchen.
Peony smiles slightly, murmuring, "I saw how he was dressed at the Burn. I'm not surprised."
Shateishael thoughtfully watches Rosie leave... then mutters, "Huh! Who'da known?" At Peony's words he looks a bit taken aback for a moment... then chuckles, "'Kay, I get it... everyone knew but me?"
Peony smiles, "I meant I'm not surprised about the heels."
"Oh." Slate's silent a moment, considering... then grins, "Well, wouldn' s'prise me t'other way as well." He smiles at Peony, "Well, thanks f'talkin' it through wi'me, pretty lady." He blinks at a sudden thought, then studies the little leprechaun carefully, wondering if anything's changed on her. As far as he can tell, Peony looks exactly the same as when she first arrived. He relaxes slightly... then curiously asks, "Hey, Pe-" then abruptly realizes maybe this would be a question better saved for later! He rumbles, "Uhm... later... y'all hungry?"
Both women nod and smile, "Food sounds great."
Shateishael turns in Bella's arms, if she'll let him, and hugs her close for a moment, just because it feels so good... and maybe just a little bit to reassure her. He's rather surprised she'd worry about scaring him. Bella watches Rosie go with a smile, stepping away from Slate and looking over the Seraph almost appraisingly, "I'm a little surprised you don't have nail marks."
Shateishael gives Bella a puzzled look, "Whut? Uh... I don' usually do carp-" He cuts off, thinking... then tosses his head back with a booming laugh! A moment later he grins over his shoulder at Peony, "Think that one's yours t'answer, pretty lady!"
Peony goes a little pink herself, shrugging, "I was busy grabbing at the grass and the ground. It got a little..." She makes a waffling motion with her hand, "Frantic."
Shateishael chuckles. Watching Peony turn attractively pink, he rumbles happily, "Thassa nice color on you, sweetheart..."
Peony snorts, "Redheads don't look good in pink." She brushes some of the grass out of her hair and sits down. Bella perches on the arm of the couch, one brow arched, "Slate got... frantic?"
Shateishael rubs the back of his head, his gaze shifting away a touch guiltily, "Umm... yeah..." He adds hastily, "Din' break nuthin', though... thank goodness."
Bella looks at Peony, looking impressed, "How did you manage a frantic Slate?"
Peony shrugs, smiling sheepishly but managing to look self-satisfied, "I... really, really wanted him to let go and just... let go." She shrugs, realizing she just repeated herself.
Shateishael settles next to Peony, leaning down to gently take one of her ankles and straighten her leg so Bella can see the darkening marks on Peony's thigh. His voice is low as he answers Bella's question, "Poorly, 'm 'fraid. Tha's why I'm worried 'bout her bein' hurt... but she said walkin' funny was parta good sex." He shakes his head once at the prints on Peony, then looks up at Bella, "That true f' most folks, Bellisima? 'M I jus' real inexperienced, 'r whut?"
Bella examines the bruises and blinks, reaching out to touch them, "Holy fuck. You bruised someone, Slate?" She looks at him in amazement and Peony shifts a little bit, "It's really very hard to hurt me. I'm not strong, but I'm resilient."
Shateishael almost flinches at Bella's words, going absolutely still for a moment... then he gently puts down Peony's ankle and unhappily murmurs, "Um... think I'll go getta shower..."
Bella smiles and leans in to kiss the corner of Slate's mouth, "It's sort of a joke, I think. I like walking around with sore thighs and a little bit of an ache between them sometimes. But I don't literally walk funny." Shateishael nods silently at Bella's comment, his face carefully expressionless as she kisses him. He doesn't know how to express how worried he is for Peony right now, or how guilty he feels... so when Bella's done he just gently strokes her thigh once, then rises and heads for the bathroom.
Both Bella and Peony reach out for Slate as he tries to go away, "No! Wait!" Peony looks worried; Bella looks like she's trying to figure out how to say something. Eventually the Bright says, "Hon... love... I've just never seen you let go that far."
Shateishael pauses, looking down with a bit of surprise at both lovers grabbing him at once. At Bella's comment he just nods once, "Think only Thea has. She's been in battle wi'me." He looks back at Peony, unsure again as to what to say.
Bella wraps her arms around Slate from the front and tips her head back to look at him, considering, "How did it feel? While it was happening? Before your brain kicked back in and poured guilt over your head?"
Shateishael takes a deep breath, his hands sliding up reflexively to gently hug Bella as he carefully considers her query... finally he says slowly, "I... felt... strong. Pow'rful... like I do in battle when I don' hafta worry 'bout holdin' back." He looks away a little guiltily, rumbling quietly, "I know it's not really fair t'th' humans 'cause I'm so much tougher 'n stronger'n 'em... but it is kinda relief sometimes t'jus' let go. But... tha's f'destroyin' things that need destroyin'... not f'... not..." he sighs again, not even precisely sure how to express what's worrying him.
Peony murmurs, "Not for making love."
Shateishael nods, then adds consideringly to his previous thought, "'R demons -- lettin' it rip wi' them once't they've 'ttacked somebody I'm tryin' t'protect c'n be a relief."
Bella whispers softly, "You've not had much chance to do that lately... did it feel good? Did you feel like you were trying to hurt her?"
Peony shakes her head, smiling, her expression almost like the one she wore as she and Slate were recovering, "No, he wasn't trying to hurt me. I could tell."
Shateishael sighs quietly and nods, "Yeah, not much opp'tunity f'lettin' it all out 'ny more... 'n yeah, it did kinda feel good at th' time. But... well, wuzn't s'much I wuz tryin' t'hurt her as that I know I din' care if I did, at that moment?" He looks away again, his expression tight as he adds quietly, "An' I dunno really whut mighta happened if'n she'd done sumpin' like struggle, y'know?" He thinks about that, then adds, "Well, 'kay, I'm guessin' Peony'd have said sumpin' if'n she really wanted me t'let go. But Bellisima, whut if'n she'd needed me t'release, 'n din' realize she needed t'tell me so first? 'R whut if it'd been Rosie, 'n he panicked 'n f'got his safeword -- or worse, wuz so far inta subspace he jus' accepted it?" He winces slightly at that thought.
Bella nods quietly, watching Slate's face, murmuring with her voice soft and gentle, "You're afraid her struggling might have excited you." Her brows draw together, "You... you're afraid you were going to... what? Accidentally rape her?"
Shateishael says, "Nah, more 'fraid I'da damaged her f'real, sweetheart. Like torn 'r broken sumpin', y'know?" He hesitates, struggling for words, then finally waves a hand vaguely, "Y'know, like inside? How's she s'pposedta know if'n I've broken sumpin' there wi'out meanin' to? Hell, how'm I s'pposeta know? 'R if she tried ta pull 'way, 'n I yanked back." He thinks for a moment, then says very carefully, "I... er, human vessels are kinda... fragile, I know..." He sighs quietly, looking away with a troubled expression. He's used to people being shocked when they realize just how strong he is, and he really doesn't want to see that on the faces of his lovers... that would break his heart. But he also doesn't know how to politely say, 'I could probably easily pull you apart with my bare hands.' As far as he's aware, there is no polite way to do so.
Peony blinks slowly and says carefully, "Slate. I'm not human."
Bella reaches up and tries to get Slate to look back at her. Shateishael's head turns easily at her touch, and he looks inquiringly at her. Neither Bella nor Peony are looking shocked or frightened. Both sets of green eyes are, in fact, filled with kindness. Shateishael smiles faintly in spite of himself... being around Bella just feels good, right down to his soul. Peony stands and walks over, taking Slate's hand and turning it over to kiss the palm of his hand, "Slate. I. Am. Not. Human."
Shateishael smiles down at Peony, rumbling with quiet amusement, "Well now, sweetheart... I did kinda notice..."
Peony rolls her eyes, "I'm a faerie, Slate. You've studied myths. What do you know about faeries?"
Shateishael shakes his head slowly, "Not whole lot 'bout leprechauns, sorry." His fingers curl to gently stroke her cheek as he adds, "Guess I jus'... don' wantch'all t'get that look, though... th'one where y'get that horrified look in y'r eyes, 'n fall silent, 'n start keepin' carefully outta arm's reach, y'know?"
Bella is softly stroking Slate's back, pulling herself as close as she can. Peony smiles whimsically and does the same thing so that the Seraph is as surrounded as he can be by the two women, "You have to use iron to kill us. Have to. If you're going about it physically, anyway."
Shateishael thinks about it for a long moment, then adds slowly and thoughtfully, "Although... t'be fair, Rosie din' when he saw me kill th'Calabite in town that 'ssaulted him..." Then he gives Peony a faintly squicked look, "Ma'am, don' hafta kill someone t'make their life awful no fun. Jus' hafta pull'n arm off 'r sumpin', y'know?"
Peony nods, "I know, Slate." She smirks slightly, "Should I promise not to push you like that again?"
Shateishael sighs quietly, thinking aloud, "I'd liketa say yeah... but I like seein' m'lovers happy more'n anythin', jus' 'bout." He thinks a bit more... then slowly adds, "C'n... y'warn me when y'r feelin' that way? Then I c'n least'ways letcha know if'n it'sa bad time f'that?" He's starting to relax a little -- it really makes him feel remarkably better to have his lovers touching him, and unafraid, and willing to talk to him.
Peony smiles and holds Slate's hand more tightly, "It's a deal." Bella is smiling quietly, head resting against the Seraph's chest.
Shateishael looks a little surprised, "It... yeah?" He blinks, considering as he hugs both women, drawing perhaps more comfort from them than they realize... then rumbles with a touch of relief, "That... all it takes? 'N y'all're 'kay wi'this?"
Bella asks, "OK with what? With the fact that Peony seems to drive you crazy?"
Shateishael shakes his head, "Nah... wi' th'fact that y'r makin' love t'someone who's sometimes outta control."
Bella shrugs and smiles, "I've known you for a long time, Slate. Everyone gets out of control sometimes. Hell, I get out of control sometimes."
Shateishael grins ruefully, "Yeah, but I think I c'n weather that, sweetheart, wi' all due respect... 'n if'n y'were really outta control, I figger y'gotta good reason, y'know?"
Peony chuckles, "You, too."
Shateishael tilts his head to regard Peony, his fingers lightly stroking her hair back from her face, "Me too whut, please?"
Peony smiles slightly, "You don't lose control without a reason."
Shateishael looks rueful, "Sweetheart, y'already know th'point worryin' me's more damagin' someone I care 'bout." He takes a deep breath, then sighs gustily, non-consciously hugging both women tightly for a moment... then he rumbles, "'Kay. Not gonna stress n'more 'bout this." He takes another breath... then tilts his head at Bella and grins faintly, "Which leads t'th'next question -- you not tellin' me whutcha really want, beautiful?"
Bella shrugs, looking sheepish herself, "It's not what I want all the time, lover. Believe me, spending hours with you, kissing and playing with kundalini energy... it's amazing."
Shateishael smiles, rubbing his cheek gently against the top of Bella's head, breathing in the warm, slightly clay-ey scent of her with pleasure. "Sweetheart, if'n y'wanna try other stuff tha's fine too, but'cha gotta tell me whutcha want, please? I know y'said once't y' were scared sometimes t'do so... but if'n y'never ask me, aren'tcha decidin' for me whut I want 'r not?" He grins, adding mischievously, "Shouldn' I have th'freedom t'd'cide that m'self?"
Bella smirks and sticks her tongue out at Slate, making Peony laugh. The Bright takes a deep breath, "You're right."
Shateishael laughs, really relaxing once he sees his lovers are truly not spooked by him. He closes his eyes and sighs quietly, his face lighting up with happiness... then leans and gently brushes his lips against her forehead as he murmurs softly, "I love you, beautiful... thank you..."
Bella closes her eyes and smiles, whispering back, "And I love you..." She pulls back slightly and looks closely at Slate, "So... one of these days, would you like to try being a little less gentle?" She smiles impishly and slides a hand up to tangle in the Seraph's hair, pulling very lightly, "We can take it in baby steps." Peony has nestled herself against Slate's side, watching the interaction between him and Bella with a small, quiet smile. [And he wonders why people seem to think he's such a catch...]
Shateishael hugs them both tightly to him for a few heartbeats, feeling the Symphony swelling joyously around and through him, so much so that for a moment he almost wants to shift to Celestial form to Sing with it... but he holds back, instead almost euphorically savoring the sensual richness of being so physically close to two such wonderful, amazing, beloved entities. Then he nods, opening his practically glowing eyes to regard Bella in quiet joy. He rumbles, "Happy to, sweetheart." He glances down at Peony, his face still alight with Seraphic ecstasy in the Symphony, and murmurs, "Thanks, lovely, f'bein' patient."
Peony laughs softly, "You're welcome. I'm good at patient. Sometimes."
Bella smirks slightly, "Somebody has to be. God knows I'm not."
Shateishael grins lazily at Bella, one large hand gently caressing down her back with slow pleasure, "'S 'kay, beautiful... I'll try t'be patient f'both a' us, if you'll try t'be creative f'both a'us, 'kay?" His tone is gently teasing.
Bella holds up her hands, "Oh, hell, I've just been creative all over you." She steps back and laughs, "Maybe you should go shower." She looks Peony over as well, "Maybe both of you should. I can wash up and go help Rosie..."
Rosenstern peeks his head into the room. He's dressed lightly, with a light button-down shirt and shorts, the apron now back in the kitchen. He pads over to the group, smiling softly and not unaware that what transpired is a somewhat Serious Conversation. "I could still use the help in the kitchen," he says quietly. "And you can both use the new shampoo I put up there -- the herbal one that's supposed to be soothing."
Shateishael gives Bella a mock-chagrined look, "I wuz tryin' t'go shower earlier, y'know, b'fore y'stopped me!" He laughs at Rosie's comment, "D'I need soothin', then?" then grins, wrapping an arm around Peony and lifting her easily to his shoulder, where he looks up at her, eyes dancing, "Wanna get wet t'gether 'gain, 'n be herbally soooothed?"
Peony snorts, "I'm not sure we should shower together. Rosie's cooking, after all..." She doesn't, however, try to get down.
Shateishael nods gravely, rumbling, "Quite right," as he heads for the bathroom... with Peony. The bathroom door closes behind the Seraph and the leprechaun as Slate rumbles teasingly, "Gotta maintain m'sterlin' reputation, after all, right?"
Bella smiles, going over to kiss Rosie's forehead, "You take such good care of everybody, sugar."
Rosenstern blushes, smiling to Bella. "I try," he says quietly. "Is everyone all right?"
Bella watches Slate carry Peony off and smiles quietly, "I think so... let's get to the kitchen and I'll fill you in." She pads off, bare feet not making much noise, and starts washing her clay-covered hands in the kitchen sink. Rosenstern nods to Bella, heading into the kitchen with her. Bella smiles at Rosie, lowering her voice slightly, "Peony apparently did something to make Slate stop being careful." She dries her hands and chuckles, "And Slate, of course, was feeling guilty." She holds her hands up like a nurse getting ready to go into surgery, "Just point me where you need me."
Rosenstern blinks in surprise. "'Stop being careful'? You mean... stop having rigid control over everything he does? Or... it goes deeper than that."
Bella smiles lopsidedly, "Peony has bruises on her thighs."
Rosenstern nods to a bowl filled with a thick brown concoction, with a grin. "Help me make the macadamia nut brownies?" He proceeds to work on the chicken, and frowns at Bella's admission. "He's... I see what you mean. One part of me is envious of her, but... I can see why Slate would be disturbed. The whole Stone 'Do unto others only after they've done unto you' thing."
The Bright nods and starts working on the brownies, smiling crookedly, "Hell, I'm jealous myself. I had to assure Slate that sometimes having your thighs aching so that you feel like you're sort of hobbling around is actually a good thing."
Rosenstern makes a quiet sound. "And because he bruised her he's worried about it ever happening again and that he won't be able to back away from being that rough?"
Bella starts to tap herself on the nose, but catches herself before she gets flour on her face, "Yeah. Something like that." She smirks slightly and drops her voice to a confidential pitch, "Between me and you, I say we chain him to a bed and see just what he's like when he's not being so careful."
Rosenstern blinks to Bella, then says softly. "That sounds like a lot of fun, actually. Think that might help him?"
Bella grins and glances in the direction of the bathroom, "It might make him less nervous about hurting one of us." She eyes Rosie for a moment, thinking. "And now I have to ask if I've been too gentle with you?"
Rosenstern smiles softly, "We'll have to conspire upon him to do that sometime. I think he might enjoy it, actually, if done right." He blinks a little startledly. "Too gentle? How do you mean?"
Bella pads over and kisses Rosenstern on the cheek, then nips his earlobe, careful not to get brownie-makings on him, "I mean I treat you like a little doll sometimes -- because you're just so damn sweet and adorable. Though I guess most girls wouldn't put their dolls in fishnets and a waist-cincher."
Rosenstern gives a soft, surprised purr at the kiss and nip. "I've never minded any of that, Bella -- in fact, I've always enjoyed it. But if there's something you've wanted to do, and you've been worried about how I'd handle it... I still remember my safeword."
Bella smiles and nuzzles against Rosie's shoulder affectionately. The Bright has, in fact, been much more physically affectionate with the Mercurian since Burning Man, "Mmkay." She steps back and looks at Rosenstern carefully, asking, "There's something I want to try... but..." Her eyes move down the front of Rosie's body, "Not everyone is OK with having sensitive bits pierced."
Rosenstern blinks a little, tilting his head to the side at Bella's comment. "What sort of piercing?"
Bella smiles and lets her eyes linger on Rosie's hips, "One I could attach to your nipple piercing with a little silver chain." She shrugs, laughing quietly, "But that's just me being deviant."
Rosenstern blinks, and glances down, "How-" Then he gets it -- or most of it -- and blushes, shivering. "Uhm... does it hurt?" he asks quietly.
Bella smiles slightly, "I'll ask Ian, but I think he cheated and sung Healing on himself when he got his done." She raises both eyebrows, looking pointedly at the little Mercurian, "You don't have to. Seriously."
Rosenstern smiles and shakes his head. "I'm just wondering if it does, Bella. I don't have a lot of experience with genital piercings, that's all. It... sounds interesting, though. I know I don't have to."
Bella kisses Rosie on the cheek again and then on the lips, resting her forehead against his, "We should finish up before we get distracted, too."
Rosenstern blushes, half closing his eyes with the kiss. "Y-yes, my Lady -- er, Bella," he murmurs, looking flustered for a moment. "If that's something you and Slate would like to do to me, I'd... I would like to."
Bella has to take a very, very deep breath and step back, "I'll have to keep it in mind." She clears her throat, "I should put the brownies in the oven."
Rosenstern nods and smiles brightly to Bella. "And I should get the chicken out of the oven. The brownies should be ready by the time the main course is served."
Meanwhile, once in the bathroom, Peony chuckles and does start to scramble down. Shateishael releases, holding still so she can bounce off him more easily, then smiles down at her, "Don' hafta if'n y'don' wanna, 'course, lover." He grins, cheerfully adding Peony's line, "I won' be 'ffended!"
Peony looks up at Slate, taking her turn at not being sure what he means, "Won't be offended if we don't what? Shower together?"
Shateishael says, "Nope, if y'don' wanna. Y'said y'weren't sure we should?" He steps into the long, multi-shower-headed area of the completely tiled bathroom, turning several of them on as he adds over his shoulder, "Figgered y'were teasin', but if I wuz wrong, 's okay!"
Peony laughs and shakes her head, taking her ponytail down yet again, "I was teasing you, Slate. You know. Implying that we might get distracted. But I promise to be good."
Shateishael chuckles, leaning against the wall and watching her moving with quiet pleasure. "Y'r good already, sweetheart."
Peony laughs and ducks under the shower heads, humming to herself as the water soaks into her hair, "I meant I'll behave and keep my hands to myself."
Shateishael smiles, moving silently over to gently rest his hands on her shoulders. He leans down to gently kiss the top of her head, eyes closed to let the warm water run smoothly over his head, and rumbles quietly, "I din'." He adds a moment later, "'Less y'really want me to." He tilts his head thoughtfully, grinning faintly, "Um... you usually shower in clo's, sweetheart?"
Peony laughs and starts stripping out of her clothes, blushing, "Uhm... no... I don't. But I got distracted."
Shateishael grins mischievously, politely keeping his hands out of the way as she does so, "That mean I'm doin' it right?"
Peony throws her wet shirt at Slate with a smirk, "Yes, you're doing it right..."
Shateishael laughs, easily swinging a hand to re-direct the shirt to a corner of the bathroom, where it lands with a wet splat! He steps forward, gently running his hands over her shoulders and arms again, and rumbles, "C'n I ask 'favor, though, pretty lady? You willin' t'let th'li'l Rosebud Sing a Healin' f'you, please?"
Peony arches into the petting like a small, damp cat. She works on getting wet denim off, which is surprisingly difficult, "I guess. But it's just bruises..."
Shateishael settles to one knee to help, his fingers carefully dexterous at sliding the wet shorts off, "Onna outside, yeah... but we don' know if'n there's any damage onna inside, sweetheart... 'n I don' want'cha t'find out later there wuz, y'know?"
Peony blinks at Slate, then gets a light-bulb-going-on expression, "You're afraid that your...." She motions rather vaguely toward Slate's hips, "Uhm... well, I'm not bleeding and I don't feel anything worse than a rather nice ache, but if it'll make you feel better, he can."
Shateishael smiles a bit tightly at Peony, one hand pushing back damp blonde bangs, the other still resting on one of her hips, "Thanks, lover. Jus'... wanna be sure, y'know?" He'll gently and thoroughly help Peony wash after that, very much enjoying just touching and stroking her for the sheer pleasure of it. He takes his time over her hair, if she lets him, probably massaging it far more than it really needs for a complete washing. Peony is happy to let herself be washed, making happy noises and shifting this way and that to make it easier. If washing her hair takes longer than necessary, she doesn't seem to mind.
Shateishael also (because he is who he is) takes the time to carefully check the extent of her bruises, to his own satisfaction. Not seeing anything herniated, like seriously torn major blood vessels would cause, goes a long way to helping him finally sigh and relax completely, giving her a quiet, very tightly enveloping, very sincere hug. Peony hugs back and smiles up at Slate, examining him in turn to see if he needs help getting himself clean. Shateishael is somewhat rinsed off by now, although he's still got the occasional muddy spot on his legs or torso from not having really bothered to soap up yet. He looks a bit sheepish, wiping off where he got mud on Peony, "Um, sorry 'bout that... moment, lemme clean m'self up too..."
The leprechaun does her very best to help Slate clean up, though she's rather careful to keep her hands out of any area that could blatantly be considered an erogenous zone. Shateishael sighs happily -- he's always enjoyed, on a deeply visceral level, the slow, sensual pleasure of his lovers' touch. Peony gets several hugs and lazily savored stroking caresses as she helps him, although he also does try not to be deliberately erotic. He marvels slightly at the size difference, his large, calloused hands almost reverently gentle, his eyes alight with happiness... and at some point he grins, rumbling quietly, "Never met anyone s'small b'fore, that wuz s'burstin' wi'life, lovely. Y'r like... like a bird, almos'... th'fire inside ya's so burnin' bright! 'S beautiful..."
Peony smiles up at Slate, laughing and shrugging, "I can't help it. The world is just fucking amazing. You have to go out and grab it."
Shateishael grins down at Peony, his eyes shining in the dim bathroom light, "Guess so... gotta 'member that more m'self, I think." He starts to reach out for her again, then pauses, "Um... y'done cleanin' up, pretty lady?"
Peony ducks beneath the water to rinse off one last time, wringing excess water out of her hair, "I am now."
Shateishael nods, watching the pretty leprechaun do distractingly wonderful things with water and shining wet hair and her graceful body... then, still watching her with pleasure, rumbles a bit distractedly, "Hey, sweetheart? Whut'dja mean 'bout my knowin' if'n y'fell in love wi'me? Sumpin' weird -- well, weirder'n usual, I guess -- happen?"
Peony smiles up at Slate and shrugs, "I could be wrong. I know we -- Ethereals I mean -- can tell with one another." She tips her head and touches herself behind the left ear, "There's usually a sign." Shateishael leans to check where Peony's indicating, wondering if she can feel something there already. Peony laughs and reaches up to tug on Slate's multi-colored lock, "I meant like this, hon. Nothing there on me."
Shateishael says, "Oh! 'Kay, thoughtcha were indicatin' I should check there now." He smiles... then gently touches her face, "Sweetheart... seriously, now I'm not freakin' out'r nuthin'... y'okay wi'this? Wi'me?"
Peony laughs softly and lays her delicate hand over Slate's larger one, "Yes, Slate. I'm very OK with you. With this." She beams, wrinkling her nose up, "I'm glad you've relaxed."
Shateishael looks a bit embarrassed, "Well... wuz kinda scared f'ya, sweetheart. All kinda hit me alla once, y'know? Sorry f'bein' a bother... but 'm 'fraid tha's jus' what I'm like -- don' like m'frien's 'n community t'get hurt. 'Specially 'cause a' me, y'know?"
Peony rolls her eyes again, laughing, holding her arms up toward Slate and silently asking to be picked up, "You aren't a bother. You're a big sweetheart, but you aren't a bother."
Shateishael grins in quietly relaxed relief, scooping Peony up and settling her against himself with easy enjoyment. He gently kisses her cheek, then rumbles, "So... ready t'go back out now?" He grins mischievously, adding, "'N if'n y'don' mind, I wanna be there when y'tell Bella y'got gifts -- she's jus' incredibly cute when she gets all bouncy!" He pauses on his way out of the bathroom with Peony, then grins at her, "Oh, yeah... f'got y'r namesake! Y'll wan' clothin', 'm sure." He paces easily into the room given to her and settles her carefully down.
Peony slips into a dress that looks like it's just an extra-long tank top dyed a startling purple. She doesn't seem to bother with putting anything else on and puts her hair up into a loose ponytail as she gathers up her packages for the angels, "What about my namesake?"
Shateishael is leaning against the wall, arms folded, still casually nude. He smiles lazily, his eyes warm as he rumbles, "Traditionally inna language a' flowers, peonies mean bashfulness. That why y'chose it f'y'r name?"
Peony snorts, "Slate. Have I ever seemed bashful to you?"
Shateishael says, "Sometimes." He considers, then adds thoughtfully, "On'y here, though." He tilts his head curiously at Peony, "We make y'nervous 'r sumpin'?"
Peony chuckles, "No. You don't so much make me nervous as make me afraid I'll make you nervous. You're very much like a horse sometimes."
Shateishael looks a bit taken aback... then grins ruefully as he considers a moment. "Waall... c'n think a' worse things t'be like?"
Peony laughs, one arm full of packages, "Much worse things. I like horses, after all." She moves toward the door and takes Slate's hand, "Come on. Presents." She pauses as something occurs to her, "Were you thinking I was bashful when I was putting my clothes back on downstairs?"
Shateishael nods, "Yeah. Din' wanna call 'ttenshun t'ya though, 'n mebbe make it worse." He grins, "Moment... lemme getta pair a' jeans, 'kay?"
Peony nods, chuckling to herself as Slate moves off after his jeans, muttering to herself, "Too damn much time around the humans," and shaking her head.
Shateishael is back a moment later, fastening the jeans as he paces over to her. He tilts his head thoughtfully, then grins, "Y'wanna hand wi'that, pretty lady?"
Peony shakes her head, "Not on your life. You don't get to even try to guess what these are until you open yours." She makes the best shooing motion she can, "Go on. I'll be behind you."
Shateishael laughs, then grins affectionately at Peony, "Drat, m'brilliant tactics 're discovered!" He heads on out through the living room to the kitchen, slipping on his silver ring and Thor's Hammer as he goes, and grins at Bella and Rosie, "Hey there! Gotta moment b'fore lunch's ready? Peony's got some stuff f'us... presents!" He settles easily into a chair, so he can easily see (and enjoy!) Bella's reaction. Peony wanders in after Slate with her packages, each one done up in brown paper that's been decorated with stamped designs in colored ink and tied with brightly dyed jute twine. The paper looks as if it has been hand done and the twine is somewhat color coded: butter yellow, emerald green, and a rich, almost burgundy red.
Bella reacts, well, predictably. Her face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning and she bounces, but carefully so as not to disturb anything in the oven, on the balls of her feet, "Oooo. Already bribing us?" Shateishael chuckles quietly, his face lighting up with pleasure at Bella's enthusiasm.
Rosenstern looks pleasantly surprised at the gifts, and beams to Peony. "I don't have anything to give in return," he says, "except for what I hope will be a good dinner!"
Shateishael looks interestedly at the packages... then at his ring. Hm... color-coordinated, perhaps? He grins -- that means the yellow is for him, the green for Bella, and the red for Rosie! He chuckles quietly again, "Rosie's always so modest 'bout his cookin'. 'S wunnerful, though... always is."
Peony rolls her eyes at Rosie, "I'm the guest. I'm supposed to be the one bearing gifts, anyway." She picks up the red one and takes it to the Mercurian, "Ayra helped me with the wrapping paper. That girl knows too many crafts." Before Rosie can start opening his, she gives the yellow-twined one to Slate and the green to Bella. Rosenstern blinks a bit at the paper, and glances around, waiting for Bella and Slate to get their own before starting to open his
Shateishael grins cheerfully, accepting the gift and leaning to give Peony a gentle kiss on the forehead, if she doesn't mind. "Thanks, pretty lady. Th' colors're lovely too... jus' like our rings. Thanks f'helpin' Bellisima wi'that too."
The designs stamped on the paper in multicolored ink are flowers, suns and butterflies. They'd be feminine if they weren't in a rather rough-sketch style. Peony grins at the kiss, "You're welcome, hon." Once the boxes are distributed, she hops up to sit on the edge of the kitchen table, swinging her legs, "Well?"
Shateishael takes a moment to admire the stamped paper, nostalgically reminded of Japanese paper crafting for a moment... then grins at Peony as he neatly slips the twine and unfolds the paper open. Bella is nothing even close to gentle opening her gift, tugging off the twine and only barely restraining herself from completely shredding the paper to get to the box beneath it. Shateishael laughs softly, watching Bella with bright-eyed delight. Rosenstern is a little more sedate, clearly of the school of 'the wrapping is part of the gift'!
The boxes are all alike, roughly six inches by six inches, and when opened are filled with rafia colored to match the twine that had held them closed. Once the rafia is pulled out, each cardboard box is shown to hold a glass box. Rosie's is octagonal in shape and made of faceted ruby-colored glass with silver fittings and a rose etched into the top panel. The clasp on the front and each of the eight tiny feet are made of roses as well, shaped of silver. Rosenstern oohs! and holds the box up to the light. "Peony, it's beautiful! It's wonderful work!"
Shateishael's is a simple but elegant square shape with flames etched into the side panels and an eight-spoked wheel cut into the top more deeply than the etching on the sides. The metalwork is all in gold and the glass gleams deeply yellow enough to look like a sapphire. Slate blinks, impressed by the handiwork. He turns the delicate little box over in his large, calloused hands, admiring it and studying the iconography with interest. A wheel, and fire... interesting! He rumbles slowly, "Peony... this's gorgeous work!"
Peony grins and swings her legs, "You're welcome." Her words are mild compared to her huge grin and the way her legs are swinging. "The boxes are pretty easy; it's the etching and glass cutting that's a pain in the arse.
The last one, Bella's, is deep pine green with silver metalwork and fittings. The designs along the sides and the top are abstract leaves and vines with a vaguely Hindu seeming symbol in the center of the hexagonal top. Shateishael glances over at Rosie's and Bella's boxes... then grins at Bella's symbol, "Ohm?" He chuckles at Peony's comment, then holds out an arm for her, should she wish to come lean against or sit on him, "This th'kinda thing y'wanna have help with, but wi'steel, pretty lady?"
Bella is smiling and examining the symbol, then shows it to Slate, "No, it's the symbol for the anahata chakra. The Heart."
Shateishael is silent for a moment, studying it... then smiles slowly at Bella. His quiet rumble is heartfelt, "Suits ya, beautiful."
Peony shakes her head and smiles, "No, softer metals are best for tiny little things like this. Steel is good for architechtural work, though." The leprechaun slides off the table and pads over barefoot to lean against Slate's side, grinning at the fact that everyone seems to like the gifts, "The rose I thought was obvious, the wheel is an old symbol representing the quarters and cross-quarters of the year."
Shateishael slides an arm about Peony, smiling with quiet pleasure at her as he gently brushes her hair back from her face, "Thank you s'much, lovely. This's really amazin'... I'm touched. Think we all are." He rests his forehead gently against hers, then grins, "So you think a'fire 'n th'changin' seasons when y'think a'me?"
Peony laughs and shrugs, "I know you're Stone. The wheel of the year is also an old symbol for earth. And the first time I met you, you were fire. So, yeah."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, "Tha's really nice, beautiful -- thank you! Don' have anythin' quite s'nice t'give t'you right now, but maybe sometime soon?"
Peony pokes Slate in the side, "You don't have to give a gift back! I promise." She peers over at Rosie, "There's, uhm, something inside that one -- a couple of somethings, actually. One from Ayra, one from someone else." Shateishael grins, obligingly 'oof!'ing quietly, then gently nuzzles against Peony's hair before he looks interestedly over at Rosenstern, who blinks in surprise to Peony and looks again at the box, then gingerly opens it. Curiously Slate looks at his own box, wondering if there's anything in it as well. He smiles slowly, once again entranced by the rich, glowing color... does his hair look anything as nice as that color, he wonders curiously.
Inside Rosie's box are two small things. One is just a tiny origami flower done in red foil paper. The other is a ruby-studded half-ring with a silver stick through it. It's the sort of thing one would use to hold hair back in a ponytail. Rosenstern takes in a surprised gasp, covering his mouth in surprise as he looks into the box.
Shateishael looks up and smiles at the lovely contents of Rosie's box, rather touched at Ayra's and Soma's gifts. Then he opens his own little glass box, moving carefully so his large fingers don't fumble. In Slate's amethyst box are four tiny origami cranes: black, red, yellow and white. He tilts his head thoughtfully, regarding them... then carefully brings them out, resting them on one calloused palm. Origami... Japanese, then? Black symbolizes determination to the Japanese, he knows, while white is death. Yellow... he doesn't remember off the top of his head, but red is... luck and life, he thinks? Peony peers at the cranes and grins, "Ayra said she couldn't remember what tribe you ran with, so she used the medicine wheel colors on the swans."
Shateishael brightens suddenly, "Oh! Comanche, yeah!" He grins, "Of course... th'quarters a'th'compass rose!" He grins, glancing up at Rosenstern's gasp and rumbling cheerfully, "Think mebbe Soma misses ya 'bit, pretty flow'r?"
Peony smiles as Rosie covers his mouth, "He told me to let you know he'd wanted it done before he visited, but it wasn't ready. So he sent it by me."
Rosenstern blushes, his fingers touching both the origami flower and the half-ring. "It's... they're both... oh, my..." Shateishael chuckles softly, watching Rosie with quiet affection. Bella has been unusually quiet, watching Slate and Rosie open their gifts. She's holding the green box carefully, running her fingers over the etched designs.
Peony smiles quietly, watching Rosie's face, "I guess he was right about what would suit you." Rosenstern is fascinated into speechlessness at the gifts, nodding in stunned muteness to Peony's comment.
Shateishael chuckles quietly again... then looks over to Bella. At her expression he rumbles curiously, "Sumpin', sweetheart?"
Bella smiles and shakes her head, "Just watching the pair of you."
Shateishael grins at Bella, then lays the little origami cranes out neatly on his palm, "White's f'winter -- spirituality 'n th'North. Yellow's f'East -- warmth, light, spring, physicality. Red's f'south: summer 'n love... 'n finally black's f'th'West, f'autumn 'n emotions." He looks up at Peony standing next to him, his ice-blue eyes warm, "Thanks, ma'am, t'you 'n Ayra both."
Peony smiles and leans her head against Slate, "You're more than welcome. Ayra's been really eager about the work that's getting done."
Shateishael says, "She is?" He smiles, running his free hand gently along Peony's side and hip as he rumbles, "Howso, sweetheart?"
Peony shrugs, still smiling, "She doesn't really remember things being different than they are. She's eager for them to change."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, marveling a bit, "A dryad tha's eager f'change... innerestin'!" He looks up at Bella and smiles at her, his eyes shining, "So whatcha see when y'r watchin' us?"
Bella smiles quietly and shakes her head, "Things." She grins, "I'm still thinking about it." She makes a go-on motion, "Pay me no mind."
Peony smiles, "She's young; still really a sapling. Young creatures like change."
Shateishael tilts his head curiously at Bella, but then just nods at her words. He chuckles quietly at Peony's comment, then continues thoughtfully, almost reminiscing, "Th'cranes 're th'cardinal directions on th'medicine wheel, 'n we also got Father Sky 'n Mother Earth, who get th'first breath from shared peace pipes... 'n then t' th'four directional elements too. Fire from th'east, where th'sun rises each day. Earth in th'South 'cause nuthin's so steady as true love; West f'th' almost emotional fluidity a' water, 'n Winter's airy winds from th'North." He considers a moment, studying the delicate little paper cranes, then smiles slowly. "Been whiles since I thought 'bout that... kinda miss th'balance. Need t'meditate on that more, 'm thinkin'..." He grins, adding, "Should etch a peace origami crane on Rosie's peace symbols plinth too, 'm thinkin'. Bet he'd like that."
Bella nods, smiling quietly to herself. If there was something in her box, she hasn't shown it off. Peony watches Slate explain the cranes, looking interested, "I never learned as much as I should about the native people on this continent." She shrugs sheepishly, "I never really got a chance to."
Shateishael runs his fingers gently over the little red crane, rumbling quietly, "Bear a' the Sun... wonder how they knew I wuz a' Earth..." He smiles at Peony, "Well now, 'm thinkin' th' former Thunderbird a'th'Lakota might be better source for ya than me?"
Peony smiles and leans against Slate even closer, "But not as fun to ask questions of."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, still gently resting one large hand on Peony's hip, "Y'r too kind, ma'am." He smiles at her... then looks inquiringly at Bella, "Whatcha got in y'r box, beautiful?"
Bella laughs quietly, "A pair of little tiny origami stars on earring wires and a letter. Haven't read the letter yet."
Shateishael blinks, "A letter? Huh! Who's it from?"
Peony answers for Bella, smiling, "Bacchus."
The Bright nods, smiling, "Yeah, Bacchus." She seems maybe a bit puzzled, but not unpleasantly so.
Shateishael thinks about that for a moment... then nods quietly, "Thanks, Peony, f'deliverin' alla these beautiful gifts t'us. We really 'ppreciate it, 'n if'n y'see 'em b'fore we do, tell everyone so, please?" Then he looks curiously at Bella, "Y'seem s'prised by that, sweetheart?"
Peony nods and stretches, yawning a bit, "Oh, I'll definitely send your thanks on."
Bella shrugs and smiles, "I just don't get many letters. It's a surprise like that. And they were here not too long ago."
Shateishael rumbles inquiringly, "Y'like gettin' letters?"
Bella laughs! "Yes, but I see you every day; you don't have to write me letters," she says, knowing how Slate is about things he knows his lovers enjoy.
Shateishael grins a touch sheepishly, "Um... well, wuz thinkin' more maybe 'bout some Japanese calligraphy for ya, actually...?"
Peony's eyes light up, "You do calligraphy?" Bella grins, winking at Slate as she watches the rather intense little leprechaun light up at the idea of the calligraphy.
Shateishael nods to Peony, a bit surprised at the reaction, "Yes'm. M' ole frien' Nick tole me I hadta learn how t'read 'n write when I left th'Comanche..." he grins, "'N that runic chicken scratchin's 'n illegible Asian ideograms din' work in th'white man's world." He rubs the back of his head a bit embarrassedly, "Now'days, though, 'pparently m'writin's bit too nice...?"
Peony looks curious but confused, "Too nice?"
Shateishael nods and grins, looking around, "Uh... yeah." He pulls over a pen and a pad of scratch paper left by the phone, then glances thoughtfully at the two women for a moment... then starts writing on the paper. A moment later he hands it to Peony, and she can read the following, written in an elegantly flowing hand:
She walks in beauty, like the nightShateishael quietly rumbles the lines aloud for Bella as well, watching her with his soul in his eyes. Bella smiles back at Slate, green eyes shining. She can't help but reflect back love at him. The big blonde won her over despite all her struggles against it. There's a twitch of humour in her smile as she realizes he quotes romantic poetry and she thinks of mid-90's pop songs.
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes...
Peony murmurs the poem, smiling, "I know this one."
Shateishael's face is alight for a moment, watching Bella smile... then he murmurs to Peony, "Lovely, innit?"
Peony nods, tracing the letters, "Byron had quite a way with words. Mab would have adored him."
Shateishael chuckles quietly, "Well now, guess he'll jus' hafta charm us f'now." He's silent a moment, still watching Bella in silent joy... then rumbles thoughtfully, "There really useta be an Oberon 'n Titania, 'r jus' Mab?"
Peony mms and nods, "There were. Before, yeah." She smiles lopsidedly, "Mab and Titania were the same, actually. Like Bran and Soma."
Shateishael blinks distractedly, then chuckles ruefully and refocuses as he remembers what Peony's talking about. He politely turns his attention from Bella's shining eyes back to Peony, "An' Oberon? Who wuz his other... side 'r half 'r whutever?"
Peony smirks, shrugging, "He didn't change his name. Said he felt no need to."
Shateishael nods slowly, suddenly uncomfortable. He doesn't want to think too hard about Oberon... but then he thinks of an excellent way to alleviate his worries about Bacchus' possible True Name. He murmurs casually, "Guess both a' them died durin' th'Crusade, yeah?"
Peony sighs softly and presses closer against Slate, "As far as I know, yeah. I haven't seen either of them since then, at least."
Shateishael nods quietly, gently looping an arm about Peony's waist again. He's relieved to hear that, figuring Oberon's people would doubtless recognize him were he still alive. Slate feels a little bad for bringing up such a sad subject though, so he tries to change the subject, "Sorry, sweetheart. Uhmm... so, see whut I mean 'bout m'writin' bein' bit formal f'nowadays?"
Peony laughs and looks way, way up at Slate, "Honey, you're a bit formal for nowadays. Period."
Shateishael grins a bit sheepishly, "Yeah, well... um... yeah." He gently puts the little origami cranes back into the beautiful glass box, then turns and kisses Peony gently on the forehead, "Thanks, sweetheart."
Peony closes her eyes and makes a little humming noise of happiness at the kiss, speaking quietly, "You're very welcome. I liked making them."
Shateishael smiles, lightly brushing back her flame-bright hair, and rumbles thoughtfully, "So... y'wanna tell me more 'bout makin' thin's wi'steel, like y'said y'needed help with, after lunch?"
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