Reality Fault - Waking Dreams: Logs

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Falling in love is amongst the loveliest of places to be; having to stay apart from the desired can then become agony. Jason quickly discovers his words about waiting were more bravely spoken and less easy to live with. It's even harder than it was before, with this looming expectation of this date he promised Diana, and the promised culmination of such a night. He finds himself daydreaming often of her, and those daydreams often turn rather... 'prurient' is the most delicate way he can put it.

It doesn't help matters that the recent revelation of her needing to leave, and his promise to follow, has turned his life somewhat upside down. He's going through the hoops to put his studies on hold until he's settled down, which involves a lot of paperwork and more than a few white lies to his teachers and the college. It's not as if he can tell them the truth, after all.

Thoughts of Diana, and of himself, only make things that much harder. For in addition to this growing longing, he also wonders what exactly he's turning into. Diana implied that he was turning into something supernatural too. And so he can't help but wonder now... what else will that involve? And will he end up less human as a result? He finds himself also wishing for Mike's presence, in the hope of figuring out those answers. Because he's somewhat attuned now to Mike's name, it catches his attention when he sees a flyer up at the college. Apparently Mike's most recent book has just been released, and in the "whirlwind promotional tour" there'll be a book signing at a nearby major bookstore chain in about a week or so. Now that's a nice, convenient way to pay for visiting someone across country!

Although it seems like it takes forever, his next scheduled evening with Diana does finally arrive. Hopefully this one will be a bit calmer... Croaker (looking large but very human this time) waves Jason in with a companionable nod, rumbling in Jason's head, "Go on upstairs -- she's waiting." At the bar, Joe looks up sharply as Jason heads directly for the stairs -- then recognizes him and also nods calmly before continuing work. One of the girls pats Jason on the shoulder as he goes by, cheerily greeting him, and a few of the patrons give Jason distinctly envious glances. Jason just shakes his head in regards to all this... it feels oddly similar to his dream, and he's not that comfortable with being recognized by so many.

As he heads up the stairs, the bone-deep, throbbing sound system starts to fade under the effects of the excellent sound dampening system in the building. In fact, he's starting to hear singing... something light and cheerful, like birdsong. Jason blinks curiously and closes the door behind him as he reaches the top of the stairs, to better hear the singing... if it is singing, and not Succubae-speak.

The surreality of the moment is somewhat enhanced when he closes the door at the top of the stairs also, as he notices a large, clear sign on it. It says, "STOP! Don't forget! Are you dressed? Do you need money?" The singing is coming from down the hallway, and like usual it looks like all the bedroom doors are open. Beatrice must be out, since it sounds like Diana's slightly lower tones singing. Jason blinks at the sign in bemusement, but it only holds his attention for a few seconds... Diana singing is much more compelling. He follows the song, moving quietly as he doesn't want to disturb that lovely music...

The song is indeed in succubae-speech, although it sounds vaguely like a prayer as much as a song. As Jason walks down the hallway, it comes clearer,

I am Protennoia, the Thought that dwells in the Light;
She who exists before the All.
I move in every creature.
I am the Invisible One within the All.
I am perception and Knowledge, uttering a Voice by means of Thought.
I am the real Voice.

As waves upon my head the circling curl,
So in the sacred dance weave ye and whirl.
Dance then, O heart, a whirling circle be.
Burn in this flame -- is not the candle She?

As Jason looks into Diana's room, he can see a pretty dress tossed onto the bed -- in preparation for the upcoming evening, perhaps? The singing comes through the doorway into the bathroom, where the shower is running. Like all the other doors in this hallway, the bathroom door too stands open. Jason ponders calling out to her, then... but something in him makes him hesitate and move towards the bathroom quietly, just wishing to look on her for a moment before making his presence known.

Just as Jason peeks in the door, the shower abruptly is turned off, and the clear curtain pulled swiftly back -- leaving him face to face with a damp, startled looking Diana. She blinks... then giggles, "Well, hello, pet! Couldn't wait?" Her grin is mischievous as she steps out of the shower towards Jason, still dripping.

Jason flushes... his interest wasn't as lustful as she implied... not exactly. "I just... I liked your singing. I wanted to watch you sing," he explains. Even soaking wet, she's arousing like nothing else.

Diana smiles, her golden eyes warming as she slides up against Jason, disregarding how wet she is for a squirmy, snuggly, rather distracting hug, "Mmhmmm... well, want to go someplace where we can sing, then?" She nibbles contentedly on his throat, softly purring, "Got some good news for you too, I think...?"

Jason heard only about half of that... he doesn't even mind that his clothes are soaking through as she playfully nips at his throat, instinctively embracing her back. He groans, and then blinks. "Er... good news?" he murmurs.

Diana sighs happily, rubbing her head gently under Jason's chin, "Mmm... it feels so good to taste you again, sweetness!" She's still for a moment, her tongue lazily running along the curve of his throat... then she takes a deep breath and stands back from him. "Ohhhkay. I better dry off and dress, or we're going to find out just how comfortable this floor is!" She grins mischievously again, winking as she grabs a towel.

Jason is frozen a moment still in the position he was left in by Diana's hungry greeting, and he slowly comes back to himself, and makes a discontented sound at the state of his clothes. "Right... you, uhm... better," he says belatedly, absently looking at the floor. It doesn't look like it would be that uncomfortable...

As she briskly dries her hair with a towel, Diana's voice is a bit muffled, "Yes, good news! I talked to Mother about not hurrying you, and getting a mark on you soonest, and she had some suggestions. Apparently there are supernaturals who use blood energy, not just sexual energy, to give marks to their Chosen pets. So if you don't mind my using a bit of your blood, I can give you a mark right away!"

Jason does instinctively cringe at the idea... but giving it some more thought, he finds himself nodding. "I suppose that wouldn't be so bad..." he agrees. "I mean, it's not as if I want to wait that much longer, but we probably want to get that mark right away..." He looks around for a hair dryer to use on his damp clothes. There's not much out and visible in the bathroom, actually. Toothpaste and toothbrush, hairbrush, tissues... ah, there's the hair dryer, in a basket with the towels. Aside from a row of bottles of various scented lotions and massage oils, that's pretty much it.

"Oh, just a simple nip of your ear would probably do it, pet. We'd be sure to have bandages to hand, too -- blood's nasty-tasting stuff." Diana doesn't really seem conscious of how deliciously her body moves -- she just always moves that way! She flips the towel onto the hanger, then steps past Jason with a grin, brushing languidly up against him as she does so. Her fingers linger, causing little lightning tingles of pleasure -- and then she's in the bedroom, walking towards her bed as she continues talking. "I also asked her about postponing sex until you felt ready, and she said-" She cuts off, thinking for a moment, then starts over, "One of the things she said was if I wanted to do that, I should have my first time with Mike, and then when you're ready I should spend an evening with Mike first, so I was sated before being with you." She pulls her dress over her head, then grins at Jason happily, "What do you think, baby?"

Jason has picked up the hair dryer, and is using it on himself as he watches the tantalizing sway of Diana's body, listening and nodding as she talks. But he is unprepared for the sudden pulse of jealousy he feels wash over him at Diana's last suggestion, and the dryer almost falls from his suddenly slack grip. Diana wriggles a bit, smoothing her hands down her hips to make the dress fall into place on her body -- ooh, shouldn't have watched that! -and then flips her damp hair out, fluffing it with her fingers. She glances expectantly at Jason, obviously wondering why he's not yet answered. A small groan escapes Jason's lips, and he abruptly sits down, looking away from her. "I guess... we could discuss it," he says slowly, processing what just happened.

Diana looks puzzled, coming over immediately to lean over and gently touch Jason's face, "Baby? Are you okay?" It doesn't help any the dress does wonderful things for her cleavage when she's leaning, unfortunately. Slowly she adds, "You... something's wrong. You don't taste wonderful any more. What's wrong, sweet?"

Jason struggles to stare at her face rather than her cleavage, an old Chris Issak song coming to his mind:

What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do
To let me dream of you...

"I... it's complicated, Diana," he murmurs, suddenly ashamed.

Diana shifts, crouching easily on her heels to look up at Jason, and smiles encouragingly, "Tell me, please, sweet? Maybe we can fix it?"

Jason isn't eager to discuss it, the very notion that it came to his mind being something disheartening and a little humiliating. But he does know why he reacted that way, if he's honest. "I... it's just... when you told me that it would be your first time, and you wanted it to be with me... it felt like you were offering me something special. And when you suggested that Mike surrogate in for that..." he trails off. "I'm sorry. It was unworthy of me. Of the values I'm trying to represent."

Diana leans a hand on Jason's knee, and lightly runs the fingers of her free hand along his face. Softly she says, "Baby, I'm sorry, but I can't give you everything you want without possibly endangering your life. I would if I could... but I'm not as strong as Mother."

Jason gives a little self-mocking laugh. "Can't have my cake and eat it too..."

Diana flinches a bit, then looks away, her voice low, "I'm sorry, Jason."

Jason looks stricken, then. "No, Diana, no... this isn't your fault. It's... it's my own fault." He places his hand over hers on his face. "This is all... very difficult."

Diana clasps her hands over Jason's, then rests her cheek against them. "I... I know, sweet. I'm so sorry I'm still immature yet."

Jason tilts his head, her words suddenly reminding him of a question, which his mind clutches to like a life preserver, to move away from this difficult moment. "How... how long have you lived, in human years?"

"I don't know, pet. Mike asked me that too, but, uhm, we weren't really keeping track when we first arrived." She considers, then thoughtfully adds, "But it was before airplanes were really common, I know that. I was horrified when I heard he used them to come here to visit. He had to explain to me they weren't very successful supernaturals, but rather simply mechanical things like the cars." Diana smiles happily up at Jason, adding, "It was nice to learn we didn't have to avoid their sight any longer."

Jason blinks at the implications of that. "So long... and yet still so far to go," he murmurs, shaking his head in wonderment.

"So far to go to what, baby?"

Jason smiles wryly. "I just meant... you've lived so long, and yet still a child. And you have... much, much longer to live, if there's any indication." He does not add that she will likely far outlive him: Mike and he had discussed that before, but he'd chosen not to think about it too much at the time.

Diana smiles, tilting her head to regard Jason, then grins mischievously, "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black, baby?" She giggles, bouncing lightly to her feet and whirling to head back out into the bedroom. The silk of her dress's skirt trails like a caress across his hands and face, and for a moment he can smell the spicy-sweetness of sandalwood. She calls over her shoulder, "So is that a yes on the mark, baby, and you want to think about the sex part still?"

Jason's eyes are drawn to Diana like a magnet, and his body soon follows... his fingers reach out to her slightly, tracing over her elbow. "Yeah... that's more or less the state of affairs," he murmurs. Then he tilts his head. "Where's your mother, by the way?"

Diana turns at the touch, looking up at Jason and smiling as she reaches in turn to lightly run her fingers along his jaw line. At the question she smiles again, "Out. I think she's searching for that rapist in the park. She hasn't found him yet."

Jason doesn't remember anything in the papers about a rapist, but in a city this size, he supposes there must be a few at any one point in time. He blinks. "I didn't know your mother was a... well, vigilante." He chews on his lip. "That changes things a little, too."

"She's not, really... she just doesn't like people that are violent to women." Diana considers a moment, then carefully asks, "Do you... have problems with that?"

Jason shakes his head firmly. "With her trolling for rapists to punish... not at all. It's just... after taking you to this place on Market Street, I had a plan to take you to the Conservatory of Flowers. A friend of a friend was going to let us in after hours. But if there's a rapist in the park..."

Diana brightens at Jason's words, then chuckles, "We'll be fine, sweet. From what we've read, he doesn't strike accompanied women." A bit shyly she adds, "Besides... that sounds really nice. I'd like to go with you."

Jason congratulates himself for thinking up that last bit. Ironically, he's never been one for sightseeing, and had never been anywhere in the Golden gate Park except very casually. "All right, then." He beams. "It's supposed to be beautiful..."

Diana happily hugs Jason, then whirls again, "Shoes! Must have shoes to go out..." A moment later she's ready to go. She's wearing a simple daffodil yellow pull-over dress that matches her golden eyes, her cloud of midnight hair is loose, she's in simple slip-on shoes with a stuffed over-the-shoulder handbag... no makeup, jewelry, or other accessories -- and yet, she looks good enough to die- er, to eat.

Jason smiles fondly at her done up so. "You look ravishing, Diana," he tells her happily. And then he remembers something as he's walking with her in the hall. "Oh... what's that sign about?" he queries, pointing it out.

Diana beams with pleasure at the compliment, then curiously asks, "Which si- oh!" She laughs, slinging the bag over her shoulder, "That's so Mother and Croaker and I don't forget to dress if we're going out. We're more used to not troubling with clothes while we're here." She takes his hand, smiling up at him with warmth, and adds, "Shall we? We have an outside door over there." She points down the hallway.

Jason blushes at the implications. "I guess so... oh!" He snaps his fingers. "We almost forgot... the mark." Diana hesitates... then turns, drawing Jason after her to return to her bedroom. Jason follows. "Do you need a knife? -or... I seem to remember you saying you might just bite my ear?"

Diana leads him to the bed, gently pressing on his shoulders to encourage him to sit down, "Sit, sweet. There are a few things we need to cover first."

Jason blinks at her serious tone. "All right," he says agreeably.

Diana moves around the room, collecting a few things, "First, you might want to lie back -- Mother says it can be a bit, um... overwhelmingly sensual, even if it's not a 'true' mark for our kind. Second, I want to apologize ahead of time for how it'll look." She glances over her shoulder at Jason, her gaze troubled, "I wanted it to be lovely for you, sweet... but I can only do so much with blood, I'm afraid. I'll make it nicer once you feel ready for sexual love with me, all right?" She heads into the bathroom, coming out with a towel, "And finally... just so you know, a mark is a connection, a link between the supernatural and the Chosen. Initially it may not be felt much, but over the years Mother and Croaker assure me it gains in strength and power."

Jason lies back... he did say he would trust her, and do as she asks. "What does this, er... growth manifest as?"

Diana kicks off her shoes, then slides onto the bed, straddling Jason so she's kneeling astride him. It's... more than a little suggestive-feeling, even though she doesn't seem to have done so deliberately. She neatly folds and tucks a towel under the left side of Jason's head, then lays out a few other things on another towel... a warmly damp washcloth, some band-aids, what looks like a fresh tube of antibacterial cream, a few other similar things. As she does so she replies, "First, we'll be able to sort of, um... 'feel' each other, even when we're apart. Strong emotions are the easiest, of course. So if one of us gets hurt, the other will know. From what I've been told, it can become a bit of a beacon the supernatural can follow to the Chosen, if they need protection or something."

She settles back upright, causing a small explosion of sensation in Jason as she adds, "I've been told long-term mark holders can even hear their supernatural speaking to them, but Mother says that might just be a myth." Perhaps unsurprisingly considering the strength of the sensations she's causing in Jason, Diana reacts to his reaction -- she blinks, then purrs softly, "Ooh, that's... verry nice... don't stop, sweet!"

Jason coughs embarrassedly, as he tries not to think exactly about what it is she's doing that's causing this reaction in him. "It's... not that I want to..." he says a little hoarsely. If things like this keep happening, waiting might be a pipe dream, thinks a clinical part of Jason's mind.

Diana mmms with pleasure, her eyes going half-closed -- she has bedroom eyes to die for -- and languidly rolls her hips back and forth where she sits astride Jason, "Then we won't... you don't have to do a thing except enjoy, sweet. I'll help..."

Jason gasps. If her just straddling him was suggestive, then that mark has been way overshot now... just watching her hips gyrate like that is enough to make him faint with pleasure, let alone the resulting friction going on beneath her skirt. "Diana, I..." he whispers breathlessly...

Diana tosses her head back and slowly purrs, "Yyyesssss, Jassssonnnn..." Jason's hands reach up with the intent to stop Diana's rocking, but that's not what ends up happening. His hands grip her hips firmly, pulling her against him, fingers sliding over that smooth skirt, over luscious curves, his flesh afire in this sultry dance. He's losing the battle to stop... and wouldn't it feel so good to just give in?

For a moment it seems he's given up completely. And then, in his mind's eye he gets this image of Beatrice looking at him, this smug look -- proven right in the end, that all men are the same. And that's enough to shock him back to reality. "No, Diana, please... not like this," he barks a little louder than he'd intended, trying to bring a halt to her sensuous rocking.

Diana blinks, drawing a slow breath and opening her eyes, "Mmmwhat's wrong, sweet?" She leans forward, placing her hands above his shoulders, the curtain of her jet-black hair swirling down to momentarily enclose both their faces in a small, private, sweet-scented bower as she murmurs, "Am I doing it wrong? Did I hurt you?"

Jason tries to ignore the heady scent as he smiles up at her. "No, Diana... it was good... too good," he whispers to her, aching, his body and mind protesting at what he's denied himself. "I want you... I want you so bad I feel like I'm crawling out of my skin. But I'm not... when I make love to you, I want it to be a deliberate choice," he murmurs, his mouth dry. "Just... give me a little more time, Diana."

Diana blinks -- then understanding floods her face, and she flushes, "Oh!" She sits up, pushing her hair back -- then starts again as that causes another powerful reaction in Jason, "Oooh! Oh, sorry!" Hastily she scrambles off Jason, sliding over to the side of the bed, her skirt swirling up around her thighs as she does so, "Sorry, sorry!" She gives Jason a half-sheepish, half-laughing look, "You just taste so good, sweetness -- it's easy to want to swallow you up!"

Jason giggles helplessly. "God... this is like some farcical sex comedy..."

Diana grins a bit confusedly, "A what?"

"You know... a performance. For entertainment. The idea of us wanting so badly to make love, and keeping on stopping... it's so crazy it's funny." Jason chuckles wryly.

Diana grins, then leans to lie against Jason's side, her lips resting against his left ear. Softly she murmurs, "Tell me how badly you want, dear heart..."

Jason smiles embarrassedly up at the ceiling. "My blood is so hot right now I'm amazed I don't burn up the mattress I'm laying on, Diana... if we were any less clothed, I doubt I would have been able to resist..." he rumbles.

Diana sighs happily, then murmurs, "Keep thinking about that for a bit, please, sweet? What does it feel like inside when you're this hot, mmm?" She draws in her breath slowly, 'feeling' Jason's reaction as she lightly trails one fingernail along his throat. The fingernail is sharp, but the sensation is curiously erotic, combined with his thoughts. She trails her finger completely across his throat, then makes a curiously twirling, complicatedly continuous pattern under his left ear. As she does so she also nuzzles his ear, her small fangs nibbling along the lobe and encouraging his heated thoughts... and as he's most feeling as if he could burst with the heat of his desire, she closes her teeth sharply on his ear.

Jason takes in a shuddering breath... it takes all his willpower to remain still, even as he remembers that image of her in his mind, from that first night -- her clad in nothing but living flame licking up around her as she smiled at him invitingly. And he adds to it now, himself there with her... a more idealized version of himself, perhaps, but him nonetheless. The conflagration embracing both of them as their own naked bodies too clasp each other, her practically mounting him while they're both still upright, leg wrapped around him, "...from what I've tasted of desire... I hold with those who favor fire..." he whispers, remembering that old poem... and then he gasps at the pain of her bite, but it's bliss at the same time...

One of Diana's hands slides down his front, making it even harder to think coherently. The other is cupped behind his head, and he can feel the slow, warm flow of blood on his neck... no, wait, is that her tongue? Is his blood on fire, or is it her inner fire coming out to scorch him with pleasure? Sensation and emotion tangle and writhe in his consciousness, bound together with her hands, her touch, her scent and taste...

Jason's chest heaves, gasping in needed air as his eyes glaze over... so intense, too intense... he aches even harder than before, his underwear feeling too, too constricting... and then it all comes to a head and he lets out a helpless exhortation of pure joy as he suddenly, unexpectedly goes over the edge...

Jason's eyes flutter open... he can't seem to move, but he can see Diana laying across his front, her dark mane of hair flowing across her back. It looks somewhat longer than he remembered... and her bare shoulders look a little paler, too. It's a lovely, warm feeling, looking down at her like this, with him half propped up against something.
He sees his left hand reach forward to lightly stroke the back of her head. Huh, her horns are longer -- about 6" long, curving, and correspondingly larger in circumference. He remembers his arms being a bit less hirsute too... and is that a gold band on the left ring finger? He feels so deliciously warm and full... his hand bends to gently cup the curve of Diana's cheek, and she lifts her face from his bare chest, arching her back and stretching languorously, her eyes half closed with pleasure as she draws in a long, slow, contented breath through her soft, scarlet lips... her shining raven-black wings unfurl and stretch out hugely on each side...
Jason's eyes fall on the delicate gold chain about Diana's slender throat, and the two gold bands dangling there. Diana rests one scarlet-nail tipped hand on Jason's chest, over his heart where her lips had been a moment ago, and smiles at him, her golden eyes bright as she asks, "How do you feel, lollipop?" There's a long moment of silence as the fullness and joy swell up within him, and then he smiles and slowly says, in a voice thick with pleasure and warmth, "Beloved." Diana flushes with pleasure, her pale skin turning almost as reddish as he remembers her now, and gently rubs her cheek against his hand, her eyes flame-bright with happiness.

A moment later she glances over Jason's shoulder and happily asks, "How about you?" There's a quiet chuckle, and Mike's voice replies in the same blissfully languid tone as Jason's, "Sharing like this means there's no hurry. When you're ready, love..." Jason realizes it's Mike he's leaning against, half cradling him. Diana's slow, quietly joyous smile glows with warmth... her face looks more angled, more mature now -- then she lowers her head again to Jason's chest, murmuring, "Let me just clean up a bit then..."

Inside, deep inside, Jason finds himself flummoxed, this situation being so far outside anything he could have imagined... or is it? Slowly he comes to the realization this perhaps is something like the dream he had about Beatrice and Mike. It makes as much sense as anything. What, then, does this dream mean? Is this merely an odd fantasy dredged from the recent thoughts whirling around his brain, or something more? A message from the subconscious?

As he absorbs what is going on, he finds the situation... not altogether displeasing, though. It would seem to involve some elements he would certainly wish for the future, and some he could never have expected... if his face were his own, he'd be blushing to be in Mike's embrace. But... he also processes that it's not precisely... a bad feeling. Odd, certainly, but not bad at all. The bower of Mike and Diana is comforting and pleasing and... even sensual in ways he cannot begin to describe or actualize. All he can do... is watch with eyes wide, wondering particularly at this notion of Diana appearing to wear two wedding rings... one for each of them.

Jason's eyes flutter open... he can't seem to move, but he can see Diana laying across his front, her dark mane of hair flowing across her back, ebony against the daffodil-yellow silk. His ear is still stinging slightly where Diana bit him for the blood for the mark -- does that mean he's not been unconscious long? Standing next to the bed, Beatrice is almost singing the birdsong of succubae-speech. In his head her voice sounds tired, "Pull her off, Croaker." Curiously, Beatrice looks... wrong somehow. Her flaring firestorm of hair seems subdued, one wing is canted slightly at an odd angle, and her clothing is ripped down the front. Behind her looms Croaker, who leans around her to wrap both large hands around Diana's waist, then abruptly yank her clear of Jason.

Diana pulls clear with a startled hiss of protest, her nails grabbing at Jason's clothing -- then Beatrice steps forward to lean over Jason, pressing two fingers on his chest over his heart, where Diana had been feeding a moment ago. Her voice in Jason's head is annoyed, "What a mess, child! What did you think you were doing?!" She crouches over Jason, her long forked tongue neatly swirling around her fingers as if she were licking him clean, like a cat -- then she jerks back in startlement! The fingers of her free hand come up to gently touch her lips, and she murmurs softly, wonderingly, "Dear heavens... a succulent..."

Behind her Croaker is having problems of his own. It's not hard for him to hold Diana as she struggles and hisses to get back to Jason. It's when she suddenly twists upwards in the bull-man's arms and starts kissing him instead that he's shocked. He staggers slightly, releasing her and dropping to one knee as she strongly hauls his head down to her level and continues hungrily kissing him. Both his huge hands come up, half protectively, half protestingly -- then pause, hovering near her as if he's not sure what to do next. A moment later he shudders and groans softly, his eyes closing. Despite himself his hands cautiously rest on her shoulders, holding her lightly as she continues drinking deeply of him.

Jason swallows... the overwhelming waves of fiery passion he'd been feeling while Diana drank of his energy are fading, and he's starting to be able to move again, even if slowly and with difficulty. He wonders why Diana had a smudge of blood on her lips, and he can feel his toes curling reflexively at the memory of the pleasure he felt only moments ago...

Beatrice turns around to say something -- then makes a sharp, exasperated sound. She reaches out, grabbing a handful of Diana's hair, and yanks hard, breaking Diana free of Croaker as she's hauled unceremoniously into the bathroom. Croaker falls forward onto all fours with a gasp, his chest heaving as he pants for air. From within the bathroom Beatrice snaps, "Croaker, put your fingers on the boy's energy wound so he'll seal -- but no pressure or you'll crush him!"

Jason cannot see Croaker's face, but the huge bull man manages to crawl over to the bedside and lay one hand carefully on Jason's upper chest. The minotaur glances towards the bathroom, and for a split second Jason can see the anguish on Croaker's face... then the big bull-man tucks his face into the crook of his free arm, resting on the bed. He heaves a huge sigh, then is silent. From the bathroom, however, comes both the sound of running water, scolding birdsong that's too low to hear clearly -- and then an outraged shriek, "Mother! I can wash my own face!"

Jason blinks, confused... no less so that before, wondering if this is still a dream... except he can feel himself blink this time, and his arm moves to his will as he slowly lifts it. "What... what is... going on?" he murmurs slowly, blinking at Croaker's hand on his chest. Croaker has carefully laid his head so his horns don't accidentally poke Jason. At Jason's murmur he tilts his head enough to clear one eye, silently watching the young man. In the bathroom the water is abruptly turned off, and Beatrice walks heavily back into the room, a much subdued Diana behind her.

Beatrice leans over, one hand braced on one of Croaker's horns, and checks Jason's chest, then nods as she straightens. "All right, Croaker, he's fine. You can move now." There's no visible wound on Jason's chest, nor does he hurt. He actually still feels a little high, in fact. The big bull-man slides sideways to the foot of the bed, still sitting on the floor, then just leans against the wall behind him, studying his hands in his lap. Beatrice tiredly sits on the bed next to Jason, her wings shifting a bit stiffly behind her, and looks up at Diana, "Dear heart, he's definitely a succulent. Having him is going to be nothing but trouble. I can trade you for one of mine if you want."

Jason blinks stupidly. "Huh-whu...? Someone want to fill in the human, here?" he queries groggily. He purses his lips... he glances over at Croaker and quickly realizes that if he was hoping for clarification from the minotaur, he's out of luck. Croaker is still traumatized -- or something like it -- from Diana's heated kiss.

Diana rubs the back of one hand over her lips, her expression a mix of worry and obstinacy, "I... no. He's mine, Mother. Mine. That means I'm responsible for him, right? I marked him. He said he wanted to be with me."

Beatrice glances wearily at Jason, then looks back up at Diana, "I don't think you really understand, sweetheart. Succulents are rare and valuable commodities. They don't just get you higher than usual -- they're incredibly nutritious. It takes less of their energy to fill you up. Other supernaturals are going to want him, either to eat him or trade him. You're a new adult going walkabout -- you don't need this kind of trouble right away, when you're young and weak and not yet settled in your territory." Diana opens her mouth to heatedly reply, and Beatrice holds up an admonishing finger, "If you won't think of yourself, sweetheart, think of him. Can you defend him? Can you keep him from getting hurt -- or killed?"

That one hits home -- Diana suddenly deflates, looking like she's fighting tears. She glances at Jason, biting her lip... then slowly crouches next to the bed, picking up the damp washcloth she'd laid out previously, and starts gently wiping Jason's bitten ear clean. Her voice is low and a bit thick as she says, "I... I am not inept, Mother. I'm forewarned now... I know he's a succulent. Yes, I'd do my best to defend him if necessary. Shouldn't I at least get a chance?"

Beatrice folds her arms and says firmly, "How do you know he even wants to go with you now, dear?"

Jason's brow creases, and he's suddenly angry. "You make it sound as if I'm an infant, Beatrice. I'll grant you that I'm not exactly Rambo, but if you're saying I'm in some kind of danger because of what I am -- which I suspected from the very beginning, once I realized you folk are real -- then it's rather in my best interest for me to learn how to defend myself, hmm?" he says in a cool tone.

Beatrice glances at Jason and replies just as coolly, "And how will you do that?" As she leans over Jason, Diana's face is shielded by a curtain of hair from Beatrice's view... she smiles slowly when Jason speaks.

Jason's anger flares a little hotter. "I'll learn, dammit! The same way anyone does! Maybe in your eyes I am a child, but I'll tell you one thing I am not!" Beatrice raises a lazily inquiring eyebrow. Jason sits up fully, and points a finger at Beatrice. "I. Am Not. Yours. Not to grant, and not to take away. If I go with anyone it is with my own free will, or not at all. And that doesn't change whether I'm just a human, a Seer, a succu-whatever, or the god Thor himself!" Jason abruptly finds his heart trembling in his chest at the silence after his peremptory declaration -- especially considering what happened the last time he got angry with Beatrice.

Beatrice studies Jason tiredly for a few heartbeats... then sighs and shakes her head. She rises, one hand on Diana's shoulder to brace herself, then says to her daughter, "Well, at least he's not an emotional pushover; that should help some. Sweetheart, I wish I could change your mind..." She leans over to study Jason's throat, still leaning tiredly on Diana, her fingers brushing lightly along his jaw line... then she straightens, nodding, "Nice work on the blood mark. Change it over as soon as you can, so it's clear he's not a physical meal for anyone. I'm off for a shower."

Perhaps disconcertingly, the gentle brush of Beatrice's fingers on Jason's throat bring back keen-edged memories of his straining passion of only moments ago. Fortunately she doesn't seem aware of the effect her touch has... or perhaps it's old hat to her. She turns and paces out of the room, and it's then Jason can see blood streaked down her hair in the back. Diana sighs, looking down at her hands resting on the edge of the bed, and murmurs softly, "I am so sorry, pet. I... please believe I didn't know you were a succulent when I nipped you."

Jason is still frozen for a little bit, warring emotions and sensations raging for control over his body. In his defense, he didn't faint this time. Diana pulls him back to himself then, with her words, and he looks sheepishly at Diana. "Di... I didn't know I was a... 'succulent' when you bit me," he murmurs, instantly forgiving her -- especially since it's not as if he felt any pain or loss of self from what she did. He looks between her and the door Beatrice departed from. "I'm not sure... was that a good ending?"

Diana sighs again, shifting to sit on the edge of the bed and hug Jason. He can feel the tension flowing out of her as she relaxes against him. Her voice is low, "I... don't know, baby." Behind Diana, Croaker rises almost silently, straightening and stepping carefully towards the door, his face averted.

Jason unhesitatingly embraces her, instinctively wanting to try and reassure and comfort. But then Croaker's movement catches his attention. "Croaker... are you okay?" he calls to the bull-man. Diana stiffens, then straightens as Croaker nods once, stepping a bit more quickly towards the door. Jason hesitates... he doesn't want to cause trouble, or butt in where he's not wanted. But he's not sure he can just let this pass. "Hold on a second, Croaker," he says firmly. "It's clear something happened here, and I don't like the idea of pretending something didn't. It's a bad idea. Why don't you come over here so we can discuss it?"

Diana looks down, her face averted, and Croaker freezes, one large hand reaching for the doorknob. He's very still a moment -- then he looks over his shoulder at Jason. His expression is difficult to read... pleading, weariness, pain, envy, resignation...? Then he sighs softly, his shoulders slumping, and paces over to drop down by the bed, sitting with his back to the other two and leaning against the bed.

Jason shakes his head, putting a hand on the minotaur's shoulder. "God, Croaker, you make it seem like I just passed a death sentence on you. I realize you're likely feeling vulnerable right now, but you're not going to feel any better by just holding what you're feeling inside," he murmurs sympathetically, almost stroking the minotaur's shoulder blade. He looks at Diana. "And I realize you feel ashamed at what you did, but the same goes for you too." He looks between the two. "Talking, believe it or not, is the best way to heal most relationship wounds."

Diana's face is still hidden, but she murmurs, "I... I apologize, Croaker. What I did was... hypocritical of me -- stealing from you, after all my fine words to the contrary. I -- I would give it back if I knew how."

Croaker's ears lower as he rumbles, "My lady, I..." He falls silent for a long while, his face averted, then finally murmurs very softly, "...didn't mind."

Diana sighs softly, relief on her face, then smiles at Jason, "We didn't have that kind of relationship, sweet, but thank you anyways." Curiously, behind Diana Jason can see Croaker wince slightly at her words.

Jason nods sagely as the two each offer an olive branch to the other. "It's a start," he murmurs, squeezing Croaker's shoulder and half-hugging Diana's waist. "And maybe you didn't. But I didn't mean just any kind of relationship... I meant all of them. You're important to each other, you two. And that shouldn't change just because of a mistake made in the heat of the moment."

Diana smiles, picking up a tube of antibiotic cream from the tumble of stuff left by the bed. As she applies a bit of it to Jason's bitten ear she says, "Croaker and I are old friends, that's all, sweet. I'm glad he can forgive me for... for being a little high on you for a bit." She pats Croaker's broad shoulder, then collects up all the stuff she'd laid out previously, "Be right back! I want to put all this away," and heads into the bathroom.

Croaker glances at the bathroom doorway, where they can hear her humming softly to herself... then he turns and gives Jason a long, silent, thoughtful look. Jason looks back at the minotaur wryly. "Gold piece for your thoughts, big guy?"

Croaker's eyes drop. He hesitates for a moment, his glance flitting to the bathroom, then back again... then he just shakes his head slightly once. As he rises he murmurs very softly, "Thank you for trying, though." He stands, looming over Jason on the bed for a long moment as he regards the bathroom door... then he sighs, turning away. Almost below hearing, Jason catches the voice in his head, "Take good care of her, please..."

"She doesn't understand, Croaker. The effect she has on people," Jason says solemnly. "Maybe some day she will. But right now, she's her mother's daughter..."

The complicated little mark under the point of Croaker's left jaw glows as he glances back down at Jason, rumbling, "She will always be her mother's daughter, Seer. At least she sees you." He nods once, almost formally, then quietly paces for the door.

Jason sighs. He should be used to this, only half knowing what is going on, only half being told what is going on, and feeling like there's no one else he can talk to that would understand. Or, rather... perhaps one. Absently, he feels in his pocket for his cell phone. Suddenly next week isn't soon enough. Then Jason shakes his head... this is not the right time. He'll talk to Mike eventually... he has to. But maybe there's something else he can fix in the meantime. He looks to the bathroom door, and suddenly gets up, following through the hallway door after the minotaur. "Croaker?" he calls.

The big minotaur is heading slowly down the hallway towards the stairs down to the bar. At Jason's call he pauses and turns, careful not to knock his horns against the walls, then looks down at Jason inquiringly. In the airier bedrooms it's easy to forget, but in the narrow hallway it's more obvious just how big Croaker is. His massive, broad-shouldered form easily fills the hallway. Jason spreads his arms. "I can't fix what you're feeling. But... is there a way I can at least replace what she took from you? I mean... if I can nourish her, surely I can do the same for you..."

Croaker tilts his head a bit puzzledly... then smiles faintly. "Thank you for the offer, but for me to benefit directly from a human would require I consume them physically. I prefer not to do that, and even if you for some reason wished to end it all, I would not care to so hurt your lady."

Jason blinks, suddenly feeling ill at ease. "Well, no, I'd rather not do that..." he murmurs wryly. Even as he searches for the words to say, though, he becomes aware of part of the reason Croaker is still uncomfortable... what he felt when Diana kissed him has not abated. He gives the air of someone who was intensely aroused, and trying to hide it. Jason can see that clear enough since he's seen it in himself, and in Mike as well. "I... I wish I could help you, though. This... this isn't easy for any man who's attracted the attention of these ladies. Human or not," he murmurs slowly.

Croaker gives a soft ghost of a laugh, although it doesn't quite reach his eyes, and looks away. Jason sighs and looks sad. "If there is anything I can ever do for you Croaker... I want you to feel you can ask it of me. You seem in need of a friend."

Croaker sighs softly, then rumbles, "She... used to ride on one horn when she was small. So light..." He pauses, his gaze far away, then murmurs, "We were traveling west because we'd heard San Francisco was more tolerant of single women with children and large strange men. We hitched rides when we could, and walked the rest of the time... she... used to m-make daisy chains and wrap them around my horns..." He falls silent for a long moment, then takes a long, shuddering breath and straightens. His horns thud against the ceiling as he does so, but he ignores it, simply nodding politely, "Thank you, Seer. I don't exactly know what it is I long for, but I appreciate your consideration."

Jason studies the minotaur. "Croaker... are you in love with her?"

Croaker tilts his head again to curiously regard Jason. His voice is calm, "Isn't everyone?"

Jason smiles wryly. "That's different, though. Yes, she and her mother both have this power over men that inspires awe, lust, hunger... but what you feel is more than that. I didn't truly understand at first... I thought you cared for her only because of what she'd done for you, what she will do for you, but I see now that it really is love." He sighs. "And I'm taking her away from you."

Croaker smiles quietly, "She was never mine to lose, Seer. If anything, she is taking you away." He looks away, adding very softly, "Although... I admit I would gladly give anything to be able to go with you." He sighs gustily after a moment, and puts a large hand on Jason's shoulder, "Please take good care of her. This is the second most dangerous time in a supernatural's life -- she'll need you more than she knows."

Jason shakes his head. "We'll never know, will we? Perhaps if I were never here you three could have stayed and lived in peace. Couldn't it be possible, too, that my presence, and not Diana's onset of maturity was what tipped the scales?" He shakes his head. "We'll probably never know, now. But... I want you to know you're always welcome to visit, Surely a visit now and then wouldn't be bad enough to tip the scales again..."

Croaker smiles a little wistfully, "It is a nice dream, but eventually the young lady would have had to leave anyway... and I cannot go with her, for all I might long to. Leaving my lady Beatrice would be unwise -- I need her assistance to remain sapient. If I went walkabout with the young lady she would at some point have to put me down when I lost my intelligence and turned bestial again." He falls silent a moment, then adds softly, "I... will not allow myself to do that again... and I would not do that to her either."

Jason shakes his head. "Surely she could have found the healing potion you need just as well elsewhere, as here... it's not a given that such a thing would have happened," he replies firmly.

Croaker smiles quietly again, "It is not the healing potion alone, Seer. It is that my lady Beatrice is an adult who can manage my, um... dietary as well as sanity needs -- and the young lady cannot do that." He adds with a sigh, "Believe me, I have daydreamed about this frequently." He falls silent for a moment, then adds a little wistfully, "I wish... I wish we could go out to a green field again, somewhere, and spend a day there. Just... just to see her enjoy herself again, and listen to her laughter one last time before she goes."

Jason purses his lips... from the way Croaker puts it, he gets the feeling he doesn't want to inquire too closely into his words about 'diet.' But pushing that uncomfortable subject aside he says, "I'll ask her, Croaker. I sincerely doubt she'd refuse."

Croaker blinks, looking hopeful for a moment... then hastily adds, "No, wait -- don't tell her, please? I -- I don't want her to realize I'm in love with her -- it'd make her feel bad, I'm afraid. And... it would be awkward if her mother figured it out. She was kind enough to give me her mark, even though she can't really gain much life energy benefit from me. I don't want my lady Beatrice to think I don't appreciate all she's done for me."

Jason shakes his head. "I think love is something Diana needs to understand and appreciate if she's ever going to grow..." he sighs. "But, your second point is one I cannot argue with. I don't want to cause trouble, so I will say nothing... but I regret it more than you'll know."

Croaker thinks a moment... then says shyly, "Would you... be willing to invite me along to such an outing? Er..." he quickly adds, "-if that's not too forward of me to ask? I could, um... pack a picnic for you maybe?"

Jason smiles, then. "Now that... I would happily do, Croaker." He's rather amazed and heartened at his happiness at being able to honor this request. It makes him feel better in regards to his earlier bout of jealousy concerning Mike.

Croaker goes still for a moment, then says slowly, wonderingly, "You... would? You mean it?"

Jason places his hand on... well, he was going to place it on Croaker's shoulder, but that's just too far to reach. So he settles for the beastman's bicep. "As much as I care for her, Croaker, I cannot honestly say I'm in love with her... not yet. It would be wrong of me to deny someone who truly does," he says solemnly.

Croaker stares down at Jason for a long, slow moment... then leans to carefully envelop Jason in a tight, warm hug which almost lifts him off his feet. Very, very softly in his head Jason hears, "Thank you... this means more than my life to me." A moment later Croaker takes a deep breath, "I... should return to my work." He straightens and hastily heads down the hallway. The walls boom hollowly as his horns knock against them, but he just hunches his head down and keeps moving.

Jason was taken aback initially by the hug, but... as Croaker walks away, seeming much more content now, Jason can't help but feel his heart lift, as he feels like he did something right. "Be well, Croaker. Wherever life takes you," he whispers to the empty corridor. He turns and looks back down the hall, then, at the door to Beatrice's room. There's unfinished business there... but he's not sure he's up to it tonight. Soon, but... not now. He turns and goes back into Diana's room, straightening his collar.

Standing just inside the door, hands covering her mouth and eyes wide in shock, is... Diana. Jason blinks. "Is something wrong?"

She just stares at Jason for a moment... then whispers hesitantly, "I... I heard. All of it. I -- I had no idea, baby. I didn't know! I must've hurt him so many times without realizing it... I d-didn't know, Jason, really...!" She looks like she's on the edge of tears.

Jason oddly finds himself not all together unsurprised. He greets this realization with surprising calm. "Diana... it's okay. Really," he shushes her, backing her back into her room and shutting the door. "I'm sure he forgives you... he knows you never meant to hurt him." Diana bites her lip as he shuts the door -- then wraps her arms around him in a tight hug, nuzzling her face snugly against his throat. If he'll let her she'll stay that way for a while, shivering occasionally.

Jason just strokes her hair, murmuring soothing noises in her ear. As painful as this may be for her... some part of him is almost glad this has happened. Secrets poison the holder, sometimes. "It's okay, sweetie, it's okay..."

Jason can feel dampness against his skin as Diana cries silently. Some time later she takes a long, deep, shaky breath and wipes her face, then straightens and smiles determinedly up at Jason, "Y-you're right, of course -- I shouldn't panic about this. I'll just -- I'll just make sure he has a very nice day to remember." She pauses, rubbing her eyes with the back of one small hand, then adds in a small voice, "Every time I think I'm growing up, something happens to remind me what a baby I am... I can't believe now I didn't realize. P-poor Croaker!"

Jason smiles, stroking Diana's tear streaked face, wiping them away. "Oh, Diana... we're all still growing. A wise woman once said that we're all works in progress, no matter how old we are, no matter how much we've grown. Remember what I said earlier? We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them."

She sighs quietly, relaxing a bit at Jason's touch and silently regarding her hands where they rest on Jason's chest. Finally she murmurs softly, "I... am sorry to say it, but Mother's right too, Jason. I... may not be able to properly protect you while I'm on walkabout." She takes a deep breath, then straightens and determinedly looks up to meet Jason's eyes. "If -- if you don't want to go with me any more on walkabout, I will understand, Jason."

Jason shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "Don't let your mother undermine you like that. The only way I'm not going with you at this point is if you seal me in cement and dump me in the ocean. We're going to go together -- you, me, and Mike... and we're going to protect each other. It is not your job to be the sole line of defense, no matter what your mother says." He smiles ruefully. "Besides...if I really wanted to be safe, I'd have run out of Dante's that first night, and never come back."

Diana lets her breath out in a soft, relieved sigh, her eyes closing, and whispers, "Ahh... thank you..." This was obviously something which had been worrying her greatly. A moment later she leans her head against Jason's neck again, relaxing against him. She just stands quietly that way for several minutes if Jason doesn't mind. He's certainly in no hurry, not minding this embrace in the slightest -- just stroking her hair some more and kissing her forehead every now and then. But he does finally encourage her to stand straight again, brushing her hair back. "Still feeling up to that night out, dear?"

Diana looks up at Jason for a long moment, her face still a little vulnerable... then she smiles slowly, her eyes lighting up with quiet pleasure. "Oh, yes. Please." Her gaze falls to Jason's throat and her face warms even more with happiness as she gently brushes her fingertips along the new mark. Jason smiles at Diana's simple joy, tingling a little as she touches the mark, remembering how he felt when she first gave it to him. But beyond that... its presence is profound to him, a symbol of what he's chosen. His mind wanders back to that odd experience, with him and her and Mike... and wonders if indeed, that is his future. He finds himself hoping so.

Unfortunately, Jason is not exactly rolling in the dough... he's not even a successful writer like Mike. So the journey to Market Street is by way of BART. Finally depositing them there, he takes the lead, his hand in Diana's as he shows her the way to the place he has in mind. It's a Friday night, so the streets are packed... and absently, he finds himself watching the folks around, curious if they'll react to Diana's presence...

Diana is alight with happiness tonight, and it shows -- practically glowing from her. She's radiant, joyous, absolutely bright-eyed with enchantment on this lovely warm evening, walking along hand in hand with Jason... and absolutely unaware of the effect she's having on folks. People stare as she walks by, hastily averting their eyes if she glances their way. Others try hard to look nonchalant as they approach, but Jason catches a few of them doing double takes to get a better look at her once they've passed by.

Jason has rather mixed feeling about this. On the one hand... she 's totally conspicuous. On the other hand... he's the one she's with. Which then he feels guilty about, as this isn't supposed to be about ego stroking. But looking at Diana himself... her happiness seems to wash away all doubt again. Her happiness is almost intoxicating. She glances at Jason at that moment, and as her gaze meets his she beams dazzlingly at him. "So where are we going, sweet?"

Jason grins. "You'll see. Someplace special." He finally leads her down a back alley towards a non-descript door, and knocks on it. A small slot opens, with eyes peering out, eyes that blink just before it slides shut again. A cheerful looking guy about Jason's age then gives him five after opening the door. "Jase, good to see you again. Who's your friend?" Jason smiles and introduces Diana, after which they're both ushered down some stairs.

Down below, another door opens up into what seems to be a small cafe. There can't be more than a couple dozen people present, all seeming to be either students or older folk in semi-formal dress. There's also a stage, where one longhaired girl is currently singing an Indigo Girls song. Jason stops and listens to the lyrics for a moment with Diana...

Oh, how I wish I were a trinity
So if I lost a part of me
I'd still have two of the same to live
But nobody gets a life time rehearsal
As specks of dust, we're universal
To let this love survive be the greatest gift we could give...

Tell all the friends who think they're so together
That these are ghosts and mirages
All these thoughts of fairer weather
Though it's stormy now I feel safe within the arms of love's discovery.

Diana smiles wistfully as she watches the singer. Unconsciously she's swaying slightly with the music as she listens, and lightly running the fingers of her free hand along Jason's arm. The crowd claps as the girl comes to the end of her song, and she bows and vacates the stage. Jason smiles and looks at Diana. "This is a private place... not just anyone is allowed. Everyone who comes is expected to perform for the others... now, you being a guest, that doesn't hold firm for you, but... if you'd like to sing for them, I'm sure they'd be appreciative."

Diana blinks, her eyes widening... with a bit of trepidation she says quietly, "I... don't really know how to sing, sweet. I just dance, you know?"

Jason laughs. "Diana, your voice sounded like an angel's choir in the shower... how can you even begin to suggest you don't sing?"

Diana looks a bit taken aback, but then considers for a moment. "Um... well, because I've never sung for anyone but you and Mother and Croaker? Not even Mike, yet." She hesitates, then adds, "But... if it'll be nice for your friends, I... guess I could try?" A heartbeat later she hastily adds, "You first, though?"

Jason squeezes her hand. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, sweetie... but yes, I'll go up and sing first, while you think about it. But I assure you... I think you'll be a big hit," he assures her, as he goes over to get a chai latte and a large brownie, bringing her to a small table soon after. Putting his booty down, first he pulls the chair out almost instinctively, waving her to the seat. She beams at him, neatly tucking the silken skirts of her bright yellow dress under herself as she sits.

Jason then excuses himself to go talk with someone to one side of the stage... as the next person comes up, it seems clear the setup is meant to cater to several different styles: the person at the mike at that instant reads some poetry he wrote, but there is room for a capella singing, performance of an instrument with or without singing... and the woman that Jason is currently speaking with appears to have some sort of setup that can provide either commercially recorded instrumental for popular songs, or recorded instrumentals provided by the performer.

Jason is apparently put in a queue, as he is not the next to go up... the poetry reader is replaced by a flautist to performs a lovely rendition of 'Pachabel's Canon,' and after her comes a man that sings 'And So it Goes,' a song by Billy Joel. Jason hums along to the simple melody, clearly not wanting to overshadow the performer, though it is a song he appears to like:

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along.

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense.

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon, I suppose.

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break.

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well, for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows...

Diana blinks as she listens, then leans to whisper softly to Jason under cover of the applause, "Sweet... is, um, love always this painful? I mean... how do you know when you're there?"

Jason smiles calmly at Diana. "Love is one of those things, Diana. No one can tell you you're in love. You just know it. Yes, love can be painful, especially when the one you love doesn't return that love. Part of love is being vulnerable, vulnerable to someone that can so easily crush your heart under their heel." Jason's voice takes on a different cast, then, imitating Sean Connery, "How peaceful life would be without love. How safe... how tranquil...and how dull."

Diana blinks again, "But... their heel?! That... doesn't make sense...?" She falls silent as Jason speaks again, then remains quiet, thinking hard about his words as the next person comes on stage.

The next person appears to be an older black man with a saxophone, who gets several cheers before even beginning. He does a cheerful rendition on his instrument, which is joined by a recording not long after including other instruments. There's another loud round of applause after, and then Jason's name is called.

As he rises, he looks at Diana. "I didn't mean literally crushed, Diana. And here... let me show you the positive side of love." He smiles warmly, and takes his place. There are a few cheerful catcalls, which Jason bears with good will: clearly, he's not unknown here. "This song is for Diana," he proclaims, giving a nod towards his companion, which causes most folks to turn and look. Diana looks startled, then pleased. She grins and waves happily. A guitar instrumental comes on, and Jason starts singing, his voice clear and bright:

I'll walk in the rain by your side
I'll cling to the warmth of your hand
I'd do anything to keep you satisfied
and I'll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me
little birds will sing along in time
and leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

I'll be there when you're feeling down
to kiss away the tears if you cry
I'll share with you all the happiness I've found
a reflection of the love in your eyes.

And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow
and whisper of the joy that is mine
and leaves will bow down when you walk by
and morning bells will chime.

As the first verse repeats over, Jason's eyes find Diana's. "I'll do anything to help you understand... and I'll love you more than anybody can..." he belts out, seeming to say those words directly to her. And then the song slowly draws to and end, and the crowd applauds loudly, more than a few looking speculatively between Diana and Jason. Diana beams delightedly at Jason as she applauds, her eyes bright with pleasure, and Jason suddenly realizes he's giving her something she's never had before: sincere, genuine admiration.

The woman by the sound system suddenly speaks up. "Lovely, as always, Jason... though it's rather nice to see you have someone to sing those love songs to." Jason blushes and tries to play it off, and there are a few other catcalls from the audience... including an article of clothing that hits him in the face. As he takes it off, it clearly seems to be a pair of men's boxers. "Frank!" Jason says in mock annoyance, and the crowd laughs. The woman speaks up again then. "Has Diana decided if she wants to perform, yet?" Jason looks at Diana. "It's up to you, dear," he says encouragingly.

Diana hesitates... then takes a breath and braces herself, "I -- all right, I'll try!" Jason leads a round of applause then, encouraging Diana up to the stage, and he kisses her cheek as he passes her, giving her a fond look. Diana blushes, then grins nervously at Jason before turning to look out at the crowd.

It's clear Diana's a bit unsure of herself -- she nervously rubs her palms once down her hips before taking the mike. She studies it for a moment before she figures it out, then takes a deep breath and murmurs softly into it. Her voice is too soft to be heard, though, and she has to try again, "I, um, I'm sorry... this is the first time I've ever done anything like this so, um..." she grins nervously, "-so if it's awful, blame Jason there!"

"We blame him for everything!" calls a male voice from the audience. There's a spattering of laughter.

Diana giggles, then takes a bracing breath again. Curiously, Jason can feel both a small flutter of anxiety inside himself, at the same time as he feels externally what he recognizes as the first stirrings of Diana's sensuous 'pull.' It's clear Diana's nervously throwing her heart and soul (if she indeed has one) into this, because her sensuous draw pulls more strongly as she starts singing. Her voice is low and smoky, throaty with desire, and Jason can see people falling rapt under her innocently meant spell.

There is something that I see
In the way you look at me
There's a smile, there's a truth
In your eyes...
What an unexpected way
On this unexpected day...
Could it be this is where I belong?
It is you I have loved all along...

Diana's confidence increases as the song continues successfully. Her gaze sweeps the crowd, then returns to Jason as she sings. The little flutter of anxiety Jason was feeling is gone now, replaced by a feeling of excitement and pleasure, and he can see people are leaning towards Diana as she sings.

Jason is startled by what he feels... it takes him only seconds to realize, though, that this must be the link at work... and what he receives from that, more than even the song itself, takes his breath away. As Diana finishes the last verses, her eyes are half closed, and she's smiling with quiet happiness. Her gaze strokes Jason almost palpably, soft as the fur of a cat against his tingling skin,

There's no more mystery, it is finally clear to me
Youre the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved, it is you I have loved
It is you I have loved all along...

The room is silent at the close of the song... but not because they didn't like it. There's more than one languid sigh coming from the audience, and the gathered folk kind of stare at her in mute adulation. Then Jason breaks the silence with his own clapping, and everyone joins in... the sounds is thunderous, many folks standing up in addition. Diana blinks, a bit entranced herself by the song and the moment -- then flushes hotly with pleasure at the applause. Jason can feel her surprise and happiness at the reaction of the audience, and she tosses her head back, drinking it in with unwittingly erotic delight. Jason cuts through the crowd then, embracing Diana and kissing her on the forehead. "I think you made some new friends, dear."

Diana blinks with startled happiness, "I, ah, I guess so!" She giggles, hugging him tightly and whispering, "I like your friends, sweetheart!"

Jason laughs. "Good, because one of them is going to take us to our next stop..." he confides, leading her from the stage back to their seat. People get out of the way, and there's animated discussion for a few moments before the woman DJ brings the crowd back under control.

Once they're seated again, Diana leans cozily up against Jason, still beaming. If she was glowing before, she's almost heatedly radiant with bliss right now. He can feel her purring contentedly, and her fingernails lightly brushing down his thigh. Jason blushes in response, but doesn't stop her... though after her hands starts to wander a bit during the next performance, he quickly decides to sidetrack her by suggesting they trot off to the Conservatory of Flowers before it gets too late... one of the audience members, a cheerful, bespectacled young man named Alan brings them both out to his car. "It's not that far a walk, but better safe than sorry, hmm?" he calls back to them, as they both settle in the back seat.

Diana murmurs softly, "Thank you for the ride!" and cuddles up contentedly against Jason.

Jason embraces Diana in response, though he restrains himself from getting too cozy... Alan is making eyes at him in the rearview mirror, and he glares at the far-too-cheerful other fellow as he takes them to Golden Gate Park. Traffic is moderately heavy, but they still make good time, Alan using a passcard to get into a gated parking lot. "Should I wait around for you, or do you expect you'll be a while?" he queries, eyes almost impish.

Diana looks between Alan and Jason, sensing subtext but not really sure how to interpret it. "Ah... Jason, what do you think?"

Jason glares at Alan. "It's just a flower garden, Al."

Alan smirks. "Yeah. And Diana's just a friend." He slaps the keys into Jason's hand. "Tell you what... I'm gonna go get myself some ice cream. If you're waiting outside when I get back, I'll give you a ride home... if not, expect some cab fare to be in an envelope by the front desk."

Jason groans. "Alan!" The other man laughs and starts up the car, turning and driving off.

Diana grins a bit uncertainly at Jason, "He's... a friend, right? That was nice?"

Jason sighs wryly. "He's a friend, yes. A friend with a dirty mind." He smiles at Diana. "He lives in the same dorm as me... I think he's hoping for a juicy morning after story."

Diana giggles, "Oh, like a sex story?" She takes Jason's hand and heads for the Conservatory entrance, cheerfully adding, "So what are you going to tell him, sweet?"

Jason blushes fiercely. "Nothing. No matter what happens in there," he says steadfastly. "I'm no braggart, needing to boast of my conquests..." He fumbles a little with the keys before opening the door.

Diana pushes back her hair and smiles, saying simply, "I think that's nice of you." She lightly brushes her fingertips across the back of Jason's neck as he looks down at the keys, enjoying the feel of his skin.

Jason shivers, hesitating before opening the door. "Well, I mean... it's only the gentlemanly things to do..." he murmurs abashedly, finally opening the door and leading them both in.

Diana grins and teases gently, "So I shouldn't boast of my conquests either, right?"

Jason smiles, looking around. "It might be a little embarrassing," he admits. "But you should never feel you have to keep secrets from me." It takes Jason a bit before he finally finds the primary lights. Diana giggles softly, following him in. He quickly decides, though, that the interior lighting might attract too much attention... and as they enter the main area they can see for themselves it might be unnecessary...the moon is full tonight, and illuminates the conservatory well enough to see through the glass ceiling. It gives the area a rather comfortable moody lighting. Something occurs to Jason then. "Di... can you go out during the day?"

Diana nods, looking around and appreciatively breathing in the warm, moist, richly scented air, "Mmhmm... although it's not my favorite time, and I usually need sunglasses."

Jason's hand worms into Diana's as he walks with her, looking around at the tropical blooms, rather enjoying the richness of the air himself. "Have trouble with bright light?" he queries. "Or is it something special about sunlight?"

Diana wanders around, entranced by the gorgeous blooms and richly thronging plants. At Jason's question she considers a moment, then says thoughtfully, "I think it's the bright light. I've never tanned that I've noticed?"

Jason laughs lightly, fingers running over one of her sleek, crimson arms. "I'm not sure you could tell, with skin like that..."

Diana grins, watching Jason's fingers, "Well, I figured it might get darker or something, right? That's what happens to humans I've seen. Or there'd be a line where clothing covered part of my skin. But I've not noticed that." Curiously she hooks a finger into the neck of his shirt and peers closely down his front, "Do you have any tan lines, baby?"

Jason laughs at her almost childlike curiosity. "No, no, actually... I don't usually go out to get much sun..." he replies, hands sliding up down both of her biceps now as she faces him, and he gives her this thoughtful look, staring at her in the moonlight.

Diana tilts her head and smiles up at him curiously, moonlight sheening on her sable hair. In the darkness her eyes glow redly as she slides her arms up and around his neck, leaning her front relaxedly against his. Interestedly she asks, "What's up, sweet? Something wrong?"

Somewhere off to one side there's the trickle of water from a nearby waterfall, a gentle soothing sound as Jason stares into her eyes. "God, you're beautiful, Diana," he whispers, somehow not at all discomfited by the unnatural glow of those wide eyes.

Diana's smile warms happily, and her fingernails gently trail along Jason's neck. She lays her head against Jason's neck, purring contentedly, "Mmmm, thank you, sweet. This has been a lovely evening out with you." She sighs happily, lazily trailing her tongue along his throat.

Jason shivers and melts at Diana's caress, leaning into her mouth with a sigh as his hands gently glide over her arms, down her sides... and then they finally come back up and oddly pull her hands from his shoulders... but a second later the reason is clear as he gently pushes the straps of her dress off her shoulders, exposing more of her creamy bosom... and giving her this oddly intense look, he dips his head now, his lips gently making their way over her exposed cleavage... Diana sighs softly again, although this time it's more from pleasure, and lets her head roll back while she gently holds Jason's head to her.

The next few moments are a bit of a muddled haze... the tropical atmosphere far too cozy, and when Jason comes back to full cognizance, he realizes he lost his shirt somewhere along the way, and Diana is half peeled out of her dress, her bosom pressed against his bare chest. They're both on the ground now, and Jason oddly finds it's not at all uncomfortable, though the fact that he's sharing it with Diana could have something to do with that. "I think I'm more ready than I could have guessed, Di," he says softly.

Diana purrs softly, rubbing her cheek gently against his, and murmurs, "Me too, sweet... I really want you a lot!" She takes a deep breath, lifting her head away and adds a bit sheepishly, "I, ah, if you're not absolutely sure, sweet, I better move. I'm... getting a bit, um... aroused myself."

Jason smiles... and with a slightly tremulous hand, cups the proof of Diana's arousal boldly. "Are you worried about hurting me?" he asks softly, staring into her eyes.

Diana nods, worry clouding her eyes. "I've lost control once tonight already, sweet, although we were lucky in that Mother came home early." She gently strokes Jason's hair back out of his face and adds softly, "If you're sure you feel ready, we could call her on a phone and she could fly out here to join us?"

Jason's eyes lower a little in thought. "If that's what you want, I guess we could do that. But..."

"Mmm...?" Diana's a little distracted, slowly drawing her fingers through Jason's hair.

Jason's eyes lift again to look at her. "I don't think she makes you feel ready, love," he says softly. "I think that with her present, it only makes you more anxious. More hard on yourself." He touches her chin, then. "I think you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. You know how dangerous this can be, how... tempting I am. And you're worried. Well, let me tell you something..." Jason stares into those eyes confidently. "I'm not. I trust you. If you don't want to lose control... then don't."

Diana gives Jason a shocked look, her hands going still. Jason smiles at her... there is no acting here, and it amazes him. He really does trust her, in spite of all that's come before. "It's up to you, Di," he whispers.

Diana starts to say something a few times, but then falls silent, considering. Finally she says slowly, "I... don't know, sweet. I mean..." She falls silent again, considering, then asks, "Will you help?"

Jason nods. "Of course." he murmurs, smiling a little. "I've got your back."

Diana laughs more naturally at that, then grins mischievously, "It's not my back I'm worried about!"

Jason blinks, and then emits a noise that's somewhere between a laugh and a groan. "Oh, Di..." he marvels in wry amusement...

She sits up, pushing back her heavy mane of hair with both hands, and grins confusedly, "What?" The moonlight shimmers like water down her hair, and her skin gleams softly as she smiles and tilts her head to regard Jason.

Jason shakes his head. "I just... I need to teach you about human idioms sometime soon," he replies, reaching up to cup her chin, pulling her into a light kiss.

Diana grins and gently nips Jason's lip, then stretches out lazily, lying half over Jason, "Later. For now, teach me about human love-making, mmm?" Jason just pulls her into another embrace and gives her a kiss that leaves her breathless...

Strange how my heart beats
To find myself upon your shore.
Strange how I still feel
My loss of comfort gone before.
Cool waves wash over
And drift away with dreams of youth
So time is stolen
I cannot hold you long enough.

And so this is where I should be now
Days and nights falling by
Days and nights falling by me.
I know of a dream I should be holding
Days and nights falling by
Days and nights falling by me.

Soft blue horizons
Reach far into my childhood days
As you are rising
To bring me my forgotten ways.
Strange how I falter
To find I'm standing in deep water
Strange how my heart beats
To find I'm standing on your shore.

Jason can't help but be a little nervous... in spite of his confidence in Diana's control, this is still huge for him... his first time with a woman, and he so wants to get it right. He fights to remain alert, to never fall too under the sway of pleasure... but oh, he wants to. Part of him is like a burning ember, and she the bellows that fans him to burn hotter... and another part of him feels afloat in a turbulent, storm-ridden sea, waves crashing over him, drowning him, carrying him, lost in a maelstrom... but a maelstrom of joy.

In motion she is as a passionate elemental of lust... but in her eyes, he sees something human as well, something tender and nervous; something yearning and vulnerable, and that touches him more than the other ever could. This is why he feels he could love her... not because of her sensuous, exotic power, but because of her simpler human nature... like two elemental sparks circling each other in the oldest dance of life, each burns more brightly in the shining mirror of the beloved other. Higher and higher, faster and brighter, whirling joyously, their thoughts and minds and bodies tangling and melding and becoming something more, something new, until they can bear no more and collapse together in the respite of the other's shelter...

Jason awakens slowly, groggily, to sensation. Sandalwood gently strokes his forehead with sweet notes of song, and softly lingers featherlight on his tongue. Jason shakes his head, quite muddled, trying to... oh. Oh. Yes. Now he remembers. He smiles and doesn't mind the muddledness now... thought he does make some effort to try and orient himself... very tired, but feeling oddly nice in spite of the drained feeling. Stew... he remembers that, the low rumble of Croaker's voice, drinking water -- ah! Yes, it comes flooding back...

High, pure, scolding birdsong his brain was too tired to translate, followed by Diana's low, clear tones -- much easier on his head: "We made the decision together, Mother. We both knew the risk. Yes, we overdid it a little, but it was our decision, and we'll do better next time. No, I'm not going to trade him with you. If he wants to, that's his decision, but I want him, not just a -- an energy battery. I -- I think I love him."

Jason blinks, and suddenly finds his heart swelling so full of pride in Diana it's a wonder it doesn't burst from his chest. He sees it was the right thing to do... by showing he had confidence in her, she would begin to have confidence in herself. He's smiling so hard he has to stop after a moment, as it makes his head hurt... the singing stops, although the gentle stroking on his forehead doesn't, and he hears a soft, "Jason? Sweet, can you hear me? Are you ready for some more food?"

Jason takes the wrist of the hand stroking him gently and brings it to his lips, kissing it, even nibbling it in a slightly erotic gesture of affection. He tilts his head up to look at Diana, ignoring the throbbing in his skull. "Uh-huh." he says simply.

Diana smiles at him, her eyes bright with warmth as she whispers, "Hello, sweetheart." She takes a deep breath, then adds a little shakily, "I... you scared me there, sweet. We're going to have to go slower next time, please!"

Jason nods simply. "We will. But we'll get it right. I have faith in you, love," he murmurs, so much at peace in spite of the pain.

There's a tap at the door, and Croaker leans his massive head in, rumbling, "More?" Diana looks up and nods once, her smile a little quivery, then rubs her eyes and looks back at Jason, lightly running her fingers across his forehead again, "Yes, please." She takes a slow breath, and Jason can feel a quiver of anxiety inside him slowing and calming as well.

Jason's face grows solemn... this can't be easy for Croaker. Seeing him with her... him being for Diana what Croaker craves to be -- what he cannot be, for risk of his life. He takes Diana's hand, squeezing it as the minotaur approaches. "You keep having to do this for me, Croaker... I hope you don't find it annoying..." he offers lightly.

Croaker chuckles, settling carefully next to the bed with a covered tray in hand. Diana smiles, squeezing Jason's hand gently in return. She reaches out with her free hand to Croaker, lightly running her fingers along his forearm. "Sit up, please, sweet, if you want to feed yourself." Her smile is warm on Croaker, and Jason can see the big bull-man almost seem to bloom under that regard, even though he hardly moves at all. Softly Diana says, "I asked Croaker if he'd go with us tomorrow to a park. I figured sunshine would be good for you, and if you're over-tired he can help me get you back safely. Is that all right, sweet?"

Jason wonders if Diana can sense the approval he feels as she knowingly reaches out to touch Croaker that way, to share of herself with the yearning male. He tries to straighten up, but then has a great deal of difficulty... his body feels so weak and unresponsive. He can easily believe he's never felt this tired in his life. "I think he might need to help me just sit up..." he groans ruefully.

Diana easily helps Jason sit up a bit, propping a pillow behind him and bracing him against herself. She's humming softly to herself as she does so... then she nods to Croaker, who sets the tray carefully across Jason's lap. The two of them watch Jason closely... he gets the feeling this is not the first time they've fed him. Jason blinks, suddenly turning his head to look between them. "What? Is there something on my face?"

They look confused for a moment -- then Diana giggles, "Oh! No, sweet... it's just you've not yet been up to feeding yourself, even though you kept insisting on trying. So we're ready to catch the spoon again, if necessary."

Jason looks startled then. "Did I... did I wake up before? I don't remember."

They both nod, and Diana adds, "It's, um... been quite a few hours, sweet." She sounds a little guilty.

Jason groans. "Oh, god... I've been blacking out?"

Diana grins, "No, sweet, you've been exhausted. We, ah..." She looks sheepish, "We... kinda... went overboard?"

Jason smiles wryly. "I remember. I didn't mind at the time... I still don't. But... I'm sorry. I think I gave my ego a little too much free rein..."

Diana gently strokes Jason's forehead, smiling quietly. Croaker rumbles, "It is nothing to worry about, Seer. Our ladies can have that short-term effect on memory, but it will come back in a bit." He adds with a touch of pride, "It simply means we made them very happy."

Diana lightly kisses Jason's ear, still beaming quietly. Jason barks a laugh at the way Croaker puts it. "Perhaps. But... I have to admit an ulterior motive," he replies quietly.

Croaker tilts his head inquiringly. Jason tentatively picks up the spoon, testing to see if he can lift it. "Doing it with Beatrice would have been the safer, wiser course... but I didn't want her present. I wanted to show her that we could do it without her. That Diana could be in control, with my help." He blushes, "-and... this was a personal moment. I wanted to be... alone with her."

Diana laughs softly. "Manipulator! Isn't that my job?" She grins, then teasing nips Jason's ear -- which has the unexpected result of sending a pleasurable bolt of electricity through him! Jason is suddenly glad he didn't lift the spoon that far, then, because it falls back into the bowl with a little plop. He lets out a little happy sigh. Croaker gives Jason a slightly wistful smile -- then he and Diana both reflexively dart their hands forward to catch the spoon as Jason drops it. They move shockingly fast, one catching the handle and the other the bowl before the spoon hits the stew. A little anxiously Diana says, "You all right, sweet?"

Jason chuckles. "I'm better than fine, you two soupspoon guardians... just don't bite my ear when I'm trying to eat..." he mock-chides.

Last modified: 2006-Apr-27 16:45:33

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