| Logs |
2006-06-18
| Dreams |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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Dancing with the Alien
Jason and Mike are mostly quiet after that, seeming to mull over the conversation, and recent events... Jason's not quite ready to talk more about what happened with the 'almost-kiss.' But as he eats, his mind is still working... Mike steals a shower himself, and then all three are in the car, with Mike driving now, wanting to show off his recent acquisition. Jason's in the back with Diana -- it was generally agreed it might not be a good idea for Diana to ever be in the passenger seat, for safety reasons -- and Jason looks thoughtfully at Diana as she cuddles against him. "Di... I never asked you... did you have the same dream Mike and I did?"
Diana hmms in lazy inquiry at Jason, since her mouth is currently pressed to his throat. He can feel her teeth nipping gently, and her nails scoring lightly along his skin where she's slid one hand inside his shirt. Spending the night with one of her lovers certainly seems to greatly encourage her cuddlesomeness the next day!
Jason groans and squirms a little... the decision to sit back here comes to his mind. At first, he'd considered sitting up front, but that might make Diana unhappy and cause problems of its own. So he resigned himself to staying in back with her -- such a burden! But it becomes obvious now if he wants to have intelligent conversation, it is an issue. "Diana... nnngh..." His eyes go wide as her fingers dig in, seeming to enjoy that as much as her teeth on his neck. "Diana, this is important. Did you dream of me and Mike, and a woman you called Grandmother?"
Diana giggles softly, then whispers against his throat, "What do I get if I tell you, mmm?" From the front there's an amused cough.
Jason giggle-snorts. "Mike, what's up with this? All of a sudden she's this big-time bargainer?!" he queries half-seriously, and lifts a hand to stroke her hair. "What do you want, love?" he asks with a smile, enjoying her pressed up against him.
Diana sighs contentedly, her breath warm and tingly against his slightly damp throat, then wraps her arms around his neck, half laying across him, "Mmm... think I already got it, lollipop..." Her voice is low, throaty, and almost dreamy... and a moment later she curls her tongue slowly and thoroughly around his mark, teasing deliberately at the strength of its emotional connection to Jason.
Jason has a sharp intake of breath... he's not paralyzed, not precisely. It's as if he's touched live current, and it's running all through his body... but it's not electricity. It's something there is no name for, an energy that defies definition, other than it opens him up to sheer bliss, like the moment after orgasm intensified, and he clutches at Diana in response, for several glorious moments able to think of nothing else but her. "N-not fair..." he laughs weakly a while later... he's not sure how long.
Diana's half slumped across him, her head resting under his chin, purring softly. Mike's voice is soft, almost awed, as he glances at them in the rearview mirror. "Holy cow, Jason... I actually felt that! You all right?"
Jason looks back at Mike with slightly glazed eyes and a sheepish grin. "I think you'd be able to tell if it was 'bad,' Mike." His fingers find and trail along Diana's chin. "But I think maybe I'd better wait till I'm not in direct proximity with her if I want to get any answers... the temptation is just too great to do... things like that."
Diana sighs in quiet contentment, then mumbles, "Din' have dream, loll'pop... just make 'em!"
Jason blinks. "Huhwah?" He tilts his head around, trying to look at her. "You don't dream... but you can encourage them to dream about certain things?" he queries, trying to clarify.
Diana is relaxedly limp in Jason's arms, her eyes half-closed -- she looks rather deliciously sated, her lips dreamily curled up at the corners. She half-nods, "Mmhmmm..."
Jason gives Mike a significant look, if he's still watching. "Did your mother ever mention a Lamia? A half snake woman?"
Diana is silent for a while -- long enough that Jason wonders if she's drifted off -- and then she shakes her head slightly, "Don't think... well, we've examined books about monsters, but that's it?" She turns her face into Jason's chest, adding softly, "We're not... monsters..."
Jason looks thoughtful. "So... you have no reason to think a Lamia might be an ancestor of you and your mother? Or perhaps ancestor is a wrong word..."
Diana's face is hidden, but her slender fingers resting on Jason's wrist tighten for a second. She murmurs in soft frustration, "Don't know, lollipop. Mother can't remember; I don't know. Believe me, we've tried!"
Jason nods slowly. "Maybe that's one of the things we should find out. What we experienced last night, Di... it was more than a dream. Our choices echoed into waking. A Lamia called you granddaughter and asked us to make a choice about which world we would live in. We chose you," he explains. "We chose you over the Christian God."
Diana doesn't move at all for several moments again... then she sighs quietly and hugs Jason very tightly, her face still hidden. Softly she murmurs again, "We're not monsters..."
Jason says, "Is there something wrong, Diana?" He shakes his head. "I never said you were, love. You're not," he agrees, squeezing her hand.
Diana doesn't shift, just clinging silently to Jason. In the front Mike murmurs gravely, "If I understand correctly, Jason, we can imagine it. Say you're different -- you're a supernatural -- and everything you can find about those like you is seen through the Judeo-Christian lens. What is not angelic is demonic -- there is no in between." His eyes study Jason for a moment in the rearview mirror as he adds quietly, "Might make you doubt yourself after a while, mm?" Diana gives one small nod at Mike's words, then sighs, still clinging to Jason but relaxing slightly.
Jason scoffs, "That's what happens when one side gets powerful enough -- the truth is distorted in favor of the winners. And because Judeo-Christian has been the truth for so long, it's hard to get information from the other side... it's impossible to find." He strokes Diana's hair musingly. "I wonder if maybe Lilith -- Adam's twin sister that was cast out of the Garden of Eden -- is the ultimate grandmother of all supernaturals... if maybe even she was the one we saw. I think I remember reading somewhere that the serpent was associated with her as well... that could explain much."
Mike chuckles, "Wouldn't surprise me to discover we had a common ancestor with them. I'm not sure I'd believe there was an actual Garden, though." He considers a bit, then adds, "I... guess I could see powerful individuals being deified over time, perhaps? And then whomever was the conquering religion would either absorb or demonify the previous religion. That'd make sense." He frowns, adding musingly, "But then... why did we have the Age of Reason if the supernaturals were here already? And... why can't Beatrice or Croaker remember past a certain point?"
Jason says, "What does the age of Reason have to do with the supernaturals?" He grimaces... history was never his forte. Mythologies, yes, but not how they fit in with history.
Mike says slowly, "If there were supernaturals around then, how could the Age of Reason have occurred? It was the lack of concrete evidence for Christianity that started to cause it to fray at the edges around that time. Well..." he grins wryly, "That, and the excesses of the Catholic Church..."
Jason looks thoughtful. "Maybe the supernaturals were all driven underground? The, uh..." he struggles to remember, "The Spanish Inquisition ended in the 1800's, right? Does that coincide with the Age of Reason?"
Mike grins, "Um... need to check your dates there, Jason. The Spanish Inquisition was the late 14, entire 1500's, if I remember correctly, while the Age of Reason was more the late 16 through early 1800's?" He adds thoughtfully, "Although I could be remembering wrong. Wonder if the Spanish were aware of the supernaturals?" He frowns, "I could understand driven underground... but then why can't Beatrice remember anything?" He calls quietly, "Diana, sweetheart... do you know the first thing your mother remembers?"
Diana's silent for a while, thinking... then she straightens up a bit and says, "She woke up with a broken wing in a forest. That's where a strange looking man found her... that's what she's told me." She leans her head against Jason's shoulder, interestedly listening to the two men talk.
Jason looks startled. "That's... that sounds like the beginning of the dream..." he murmurs.
Mike glances curiously at Jason, "You saw a broken winged thing? Huh... not what I saw." He pulls into a parking lot in front of a small building, which has signage on it stating it sells mobile homes. There are several very nice looking, large Winnebago type vehicles parked nearby. Mike grins, a note of pride in his voice, "Here we are! Everyone out." He pulls another set of keys out of his pocket, adding, "We're parked around back. The owner has given us permission to leave the beast out there until we leave."
Jason regretfully leaves Diana's side, though he helps her out, tabling the conversation for just a minute while they're in public. "Lay on, McDuff!" he asserts.
Mike grins, waving a hand dramatically, "And damned be he who first cry, 'Hold! Enough!'" The three head out to behind the little building. There, shining like a huge silver whale in the afternoon sunlight, is the simply enormous Airstream -- easily dwarfing all the Winnebagos out front. Diana stops, her eyes widening, "Oooh... is that it?!" Mike grins at her and nods, "All ours, sweetheart." As she darts curiously past, he grins at Jason, adding, "All hers, really."
Diana laughs delightedly, "Oh! It must be bigger than our whole second floor!" Mike unlocks the door, courteously holding it open and waving Diana, then Jason on through. She darts up and flits around the place, exclaiming happily over it, running her hands over everything, almost rubbing herself against some of the furniture!
Jason just... stares. "Fucking huge," he marvels as he stares at it... and the inside is even more impressive, looking like the lap of luxury. It almost makes him feel uncomfortable to be in a place that looks that nice. Seeing Diana rubbing up against things like a cat marking its territory, though, makes him laugh. He just looks at Mike and grins. "Think she likes it?"
Diana is rolling around on the huge double bed, giggling happily -- and inadvertently flashing both of them! Mike smiles in some relief, "Think so." He looks at Jason, adding very quietly, "This is ours, Jason. I'm going to need you to sign some papers to make that so... but I've set up changes in my will to cover this, in case I die. I want to be sure she's taken care of."
Jason nods thoughtfully. "Somehow I doubt she could ever not take care of herself... in some ways we're children next to her, even though she's barely an adult," he muses. "Children of the universe." He sighs and shakes his head. "I'll sign the papers... but it might be me that bites it first anyway."
Diana rolls over, landing in a crouch next to the bed. She looks around the bed carefully, then does something involving her soft murmuring, a sudden flash of smeary color, and her swift-twirling fingers, on the wall next to the bed. She tilts her head, regarding it thoughtfully... then bounces to her feet and grins, "Door too, I think!" She slips lithely past them and out the door... leaving the two men studying a brand new, brilliantly whirling mark next to the bed.
Mike blinks, then looks over his shoulder towards the door Diana's disappeared through -- then looks back at Jason unsmilingly. "Make sure your will's up to date, Jason, please? I'd... rather be prepared for the worst, grim though that sounds."
Jason barks a laugh devoid of humor. "Mike, I don't even have... I'm 23. I live out of a shoebox on campus. I doubt I have anything worth willing off." He shakes his head, hating the grim turn this conversation has taken. "I'll do whatever you think is wise, though. I... should be prepared, like you say," he replies, walking up and studying the mark... wondering if this is in fact the supernatural equivalent of marking territory.
The mark is sort of eye boggling, seeming to dance and whirl a fraction of an inch or so in front of the wooden wall. It's a bit like trying to stare at a psychedelic pinwheel, and he can feel a faint, pleasant ache just under his left ear, where his own mark rests. Jason resists the urge to touch it, wondering if it will fade with time. "What did you see? At the beginning of the dream."
Mike sighs, sitting on the bed near to where Jason is, and considers. As he does so, Diana darts through the door, practically glowing with happiness, and slips into the driver's seat way up front, studying the wide dashboard with interest. Mike smiles quietly in spite of himself, his eyes warming as he watches Diana... then he glances at Jason, "A... it was this huge, anomalous, carved stone archway, in the middle of what looked like open prairie." There's a quiet note of awe in his voice as he adds, "There were... there were herds of animals grazing around it, Jason. I... I'm not sure what kinds of animals they were."
Jason shakes his head. "I saw the archway too... but I saw a body with broken wings that came hurtling through it, not herds. Was there anything else?"
Mike is lost in thought for several moments, then says slowly, "I... think they were ground sloths, Jason..."
Jason says, "Is that significant?"
Mike gives Jason a small, worried grin, "Jason... that's from the Ice Age. There supposedly weren't any humans around then! So... where'd the archway come from? Who made it? Certainly not the sloths."
Jason smiles wryly. "I think, Mike... we're going to have to do away with the word 'supposedly.' We already know the truth isn't all the books and histories say they are. What we want to know may not be written in any book." He reaches up, putting a hand on the older man's shoulder. "But we'll figure it out," he assures Mike, squeezing his shoulder and trying to comfort the worried author, smiling into his uncertain eyes.
Diana comes back, walking now, her eyes bright with happiness and her hips swaying alluringly. She rolls gracefully onto the bed behind Mike, grinning mischievously at the two men, and happily announces, "All marked! Mmm... you both look so serious. Can I cheer you up?" She licks her lips slowly, her gaze starting to smolder seductively, and lazily trails the fingernails of one hand along the back of Mike's hand. He draws in his breath in a slow sigh, turning his head so he can see Jason and Diana both, then grins, "You're hungry again, sweetheart, aren't you?" She chuckles -- a low purr, like velvet against their skin -- and whispers, "For you? Always, pets... come, kiss me?"
Mike sways, and Jason can feel it too -- Diana's 'calling' to them both. Jason is a little uncertain at first... it comes back around to the unresolved stuff about him and Mike. How he feels about the other man... whether or not that dream image of them will actually come to pass. But then he can feel the tug of her need, and it all goes out the window. "Well... maybe a little while... but don't forget the... party," he murmurs. Kinda. He's not sure how much of that response actually makes it out of his mouth as he closes against her like a magnet, his lips finding hers hungrily. His hands caressing, clutching at her silky curves, suddenly unable to resist his burning need. Not wanting to....
It's dim and quiet, and Jason feels very, very comfortably relaxed when he comes clearly to himself again. His head is resting on a pillow which moves slightly as if it is breathing, and someone's gently stroking his hair. There's a cool, silky spill of faintly shining sable across his chest, and someone's partially sprawled across him, purring softly and contentedly. Tilting his head slightly, he can look down and see Diana's head resting on his stomach, her curving horns twisting back through the sable mane he can feel spilled across him. She appears to be sort of reclining partly across him, and partly across whatever his pillow is. One arm is curved across him, holding him securely close.
Jason is startled for a moment... he remembers this. A small laugh bubbles through him, shock mingled with joy. "How was it, Mike?" he queries softly, smiling and putting his hand over the other man's, cuddling back against him while feeling strangely unbothered by it. He tilts his head to try and look back at the other man, knowing his face must be burning with blood.
Mike goes still, then sighs, "I'm sorry, Jason. I tried, really I did."
Jason blinks. "I don't understand?"
A moment later, through their strong physical connection, Jason can feel the emotions surging powerfully through Mike -- the same raging need for Diana, only slightly less overwhelming. The effort to not butt in, the painful physical struggle to rise and move away -- followed by a sudden and horribly abrupt loss of control as Diana unwittingly yanked. At that point Mike hadn't cared -- hadn't even been able to tell who was who. The three of them had joined together rapturously, linking through Jason's body. Jason can feel memory trickling blurrily back in smears of color and ecstasy -- who knew 'orgasm' sheened with iridescent royal blue, flavored in chocolate mint and the scent of patchouli, to Diana?
Jason smiles again as he processes everything. "Wait, let me get this straight... you're apologizing because you joined us?" He ignores the ache in his muscle as he tries to twist, to look Mike in the eyes without disturbing Diana. "You're apologizing because you made love to me?" he says softly.
Mike draws in his breath at Jason's words, his face worried in the dim light. Jason can feel him cautiously 'touching' Jason's emotions as they flood through him as well... then he says slowly, carefully, "You... you're not upset... at what happened?"
Jason doesn't shy back from the touch. "Mike... I saw this... not the lovemaking, but this, this moment, in the afterglow... I dreamt of it. I didn't know what to think at the time, but I've been... I've been thinking about it and wondering ever since. I'd never... I didn't know what to think. But how I felt in the dream stayed with me... I wasn't repulsed. I was happy." He squeezes Mike's hand. "I'm happy now. This isn't what I intended... I wanted... to broach the subject carefully. And I... I still think we should talk. But no, I'm not upset at all. I only... " he pauses, trying to choose his words carefully, "It is... was... a little disconcerting to have my will usurped by Diana. I would have proceeded differently, given a choice. But I'm not upset at bringing you pleasure. I don't regret helping you heal."
Jason smiles at Mike in the dim light. "You were happy too," he says softly, trailing his fingers around in Mike's palm. Feeling so... odd. Like he's living with his skin off, and doesn't mind. The misgivings he had about pursuing Mike this way are very far away right now, seen through a glass darkly.
Jason can feel a slow, almost embarrassed trickle of relief from Mike, growing into a small stream of half-guiltily savored sensuous memory intertwined with emotion, much the same as the three of them intertwined in mental and physical union short moments ago. Mike sighs softly, causing Jason's head to shift where he's pillowed on Mike's stomach... and then, slowly and carefully, Mike starts quietly stroking Jason's hair again. Diana turns her head so her face is towards Jason's. She half-opens one slit-pupiled eye and smiles, purring, "Didn't usurp your will, lollipop... just called you both to help me mark our new home. You're my lovely succulent pets, remember? For me to force you, you'd both have to not love me."
Jason chuckles wryly. "Di, it's not... I'm not suggesting you forced us. But your... whatever it is, your pheromones, or maybe just feeling your craving through our link... we did things without making conscious decisions to do so. And... well, men making love to each other tends not to be something guys just do." He nuzzles against Mike's hand, as if reassuring. "Matter of fact... why was I the focus rather than you?" he suddenly queries.
Diana looks curious, "Why not? You both seemed very happy...?" Jason can feel Mike blushing through the link, but Mike tries nevertheless to reply, "I, ah... I think you were between me and Diana, Jason?"
Jason is certainly bemused... in over a century of life, she hasn't learned this? "It's a cultural thing, Di. Right or wrong, it leaves a mark on most men." He laughs at Mike's reply, squeezing the other man's hand. "Decided to go through rather than around, hmm?" he drawls, face flaming... oh yes, Jason is embarrassed, but not at all in a bad way. How could it be bad, when he's cuddled up against the ones he cares for most?
Mike coughs, and Jason can feel his older companion's embarrassment as well, mingled with heartfelt relief at Jason's acceptance and lack of anger. Diana smiles, "I understand guys seem to not want to love each other in other parts of the country, Jason... I just don't know why. No one's been able to tell me any reason that made sense to me, you know?" She adds thoughtfully, "I think it's been getting worse in the last few years too -- their anxiety about it, at least?"
Jason smiles sadly. "You hit on the crux of our 'mighty' civilization, Diana... a lot of things that don't make sense are held to be self-evident, without question," he murmurs. "Things must have been simpler back in Croaker's time." A moment later he adds, "Mike, what time is it?"
Diana smiles with uncomprehending warmth at Jason, and Mike checks his watch. It looks like if they hurry, they can all arrive at Dante's with plenty of time to get the party rolling! Jason nods in realization of this. "Let's just... lay here a little longer," he whispers. "Just... a few more seconds. We can hurry in a moment."
Jason starts to feel like maybe he should always keep around a set of spare clothes whenever he's with Diana. Not that this is going to matter much soon... they're going to be around each other permanently, and so will all his clothes. But Diana and Mike manage to neaten up nice enough to head back to Dante's to get things working. Jason calls Alan, asking him to get a nice outfit from his room, deftly sidestepping questions on why he needs it. Kendra is already there and setting up her equipment, and Joe appears to have decorated in preparation for the celebration. Balloons, streamers, and glittering lights in a dimly lit room make a cheerful, cozy atmosphere.
Jason's eyes seek out Joe. "Beatrice getting ready?" he queries cheerfully as he sees the man stocking the bar.
Croaker looks over and down at Jason as he walks in the door, then grins and waves with one hand, "Seer! Welcome, and thank you!" Sitting on his broad shoulders, BJ is fastening up some electrical cords for Kendra, fixing them in place with gaffer's tape. Kendra glances up, eerily underlit by her board, and also smiles and nods. Alan looks around in awe, "Wow, nice place, dude!" Joe glances up, smiling faintly and nodding once to Jason.
Jason laughs, clapping Alan on the shoulder. "Yeah, well, it looks a little different without hollering, drooling men and brazen displays of flesh on every stage," he agrees, scooping up the clothes bag the younger man brought. Excusing himself a moment, he goes over to Croaker. "So, how are you two wacky kids doing?" he queries.
Alan stares after Jason in slightly envious astonishment, then looks around a bit uncertainly. Rita, wandering by with an armful of cleaning equipment, soon has Alan busily wiping down tables and chairs. Croaker looks a bit confused at Jason's query, and BJ glances down amusedly from her perch on Croaker's shoulders, "You're silly, Jason. Cute, but silly. Yes, I no longer believe Michael's being abused. There, feel better?" She grins down at Jason, then turns and calls to Kendra, "How's that?"
There's a snatch of music that's a little loud, causing Croaker's ears to go back -- then it quiets and becomes really nice background music. Kendra looks up, a slightly smug expression on her face, and holds up one fist in a thumbs-up, "We rock!" She adds, "Hello, Jason. Going to sing more love songs to that pretty lady with you last time?"
Jason tries not to grin too foolishly. "Maybe. I think she knows by now, though," he replies to Kendra, glancing sidelong at BJ. Ironically, it's not BJ's earlier assertions he's worried about now... but that's for another time. "Do you ladies think you have everything under control while I go upstairs and make myself look pretty?"
Kendra, BJ, Rita, and Croaker all turn and blink incredulously at Jason... then all of them but Croaker start laughing! Through giggles, BJ says, "Oh, is that what we're calling it now?!" Kendra grins, going back to her sound boards, and Rita says enviously to Jason, "Oh, you tease!" Croaker looks faintly puzzled again.
Jason joins Croaker in his bemusement, and erupts in a hearty blush when he realizes what the girls think. "I meant I was going upstairs to change into nice clothes! Sheesh!" he asserts, overdramatically sweeping grandly away as if snubbed. But as a parting shot, before reaching the door he says loudly, "We did that before coming here." Cheerful laughter follows him up the stairs.
Coming up, Jason can see Beatrice's door is open, and he hears and sees Beatrice and Diana talking inside as they prepare. Mike's arms are burdened with dresses, and Jason gives Mike a grin as Jason goes into Diana's room. He doesn't do a complete shower, though he does swab off with some moist hand cloths before changing into his outfit... a classy blue print shirt, beige slacks, nice black shoes, and some select jewelry -- including, ironically, a necklace set with a Celtic knot and a silver ring decorated with a pentagram. Making sure he looks good, he heads out again, checking to see their progress.
Mike heads back out Beatrice's door as Jason heads towards it, his arms laden with a different heap of dresses of varying stages of antiquity. He grins ruefully at Jason, then continues back towards Croaker's room, where everything is stored. It would appear Beatrice is considering which era's fashions will be her choice tonight, because when Jason peeks in the door he sees Diana and Beatrice working together on Beatrice's hair, piling it up and pinning it into place with some pieces of jewelry. There's a simply astonishing variety of dresses scattered across the bed, and jewelry and makeup jars cover practically the entirety of Beatrice's low table before her huge antique mirror.
Jason chuckles, leaning in the door. "I hope you pick dresses you can dance in. Just because you're not stripping doesn't mean you aren't going to want to be able to move freely..." he comments cheerfully, watching Diana work.
Both women look up at Jason, and Diana grins, "Heya, lollipop!" Beatrice smiles faintly, then looks thoughtfully back in the mirror, trying to select between two different pieces of glittering jewelry in her hands. It's rather interesting to see how they modified dresses to accommodate Beatrice's wings. Obviously she cannot wear a corset, but they apparently arranged multiple decorated straps across the back to give the impression in the front that she was indeed properly attired for the time. The dress itself is rather beautiful, with a long, pearl-decorated, embroidered skirt and alluringly rustling petticoats beneath.
Jason continues to watch for a little while, gathering his courage. Finally he speaks up. "Di, can I have a moment alone with your mother?" he queries, trying to exude calm.
Both women look up curiously again... then Diana glances at Beatrice, raising an eyebrow. Beatrice smiles and shrugs, "We can finish my hair later, dear." Diana smiles and leans forward, giving her mother a hug from behind that Beatrice reaches up to return. Then Diana heads out of the room, grinning at Jason and lightly running her fingers along his arm as she passes him. Inside the room, Beatrice leans forward, studying her reflection in the mirror as she attaches a long, glittering, bejeweled earring, "Jason, I believe. What is it?"
Jason wonders if it's telling that Beatrice has to guess at his name, rather than knowing for sure. Or it could be an act, to seem aloof. He's been pondering a while what to say, and had discarded many possible opening lines. "You miss him, don't you," he finally responds calmly. "Diana's father."
Beatrice turns and raises an eyebrow at Jason, a faintly amused smile on her lovely face. A long, glowing scarlet tendril of hair curls down her shoulder and lingers on her décolletage, while the jeweled earring she's just put on sways distractingly, flashing brilliantly in the light. Then she looks back at the mirror, reaching for the other earring.
Jason is not disconcerted by Beatrice's non-answer. "For a long time, I couldn't figure out exactly why you were trying to let Diana down easy about me. About not getting attached. I thought maybe it was the violence issue. You've certainly had enough of that. There's a lot of that still going on. It was even more confusing that you were letting some of the worst examples of the male of our species into your little feeding circle. Your desire to protect others from those men answers some of that question, but not all." He folds his arms across his belly. "And then it occurred to me that it all comes back to him. Your first husband. Dare I even say... your first love." He moves closer. "You're afraid Diana will feel the same pain when she loses me... and she will lose me eventually. One way or another."
Beatrice goes still for a moment... then turns slowly to regard Jason, her expression shadowed. She says with soft emphasis, "Don't," then turns back to her jewelry selection.
Jason nods comprehension. "I'm not trying to be your shrink, here. I just don't want to be going around behind your back on this. I want you to understand... this party isn't for me. It's not for Diana. It's for you."
Beatrice deliberately examines the two elaborate necklaces she's holding, then carefully lays one down and holds up the other. Her voice is thoughtful, "What do you think? Does the jet go with the rubies?"
Jason absently wonders if she's even listening -- if she even cares -- if maybe this is all in vain. But he presses on, "You've spent a lot of time seeing to your responsibilities. Protecting your daughter. Protecting Croaker. Protecting the city, even. Things are changing now, though. Your daughter is striking off on her own. Croaker is starting to have more of a life of his own as well. Maybe you should start giving some thought to happiness, rather than duty. Maybe you should encourage yourself to have more joy in your life." He shrugs. "Anyway, that's all I came in here to say," he murmurs, his hand grabbing the doorknob. "And yes, the jet does go with the rubies."
Beatrice turns her head to regard Jason thoughtfully for a moment... then smiles. It's quite possibly the most genuine smile Jason's ever had directed at him from her. She murmurs throatily, "Very well; thank you." She turns slightly away from Jason, holding up the chain of the necklace, "Fasten it on, would you, dear?"
Jason crosses the room at Beatrice's encouragement, feeling heartened by that smile -- so maybe it's not all for naught. He takes the necklace and fastens it on. He absently wonders if Lilith is watching, looking at Beatrice's reflection in the mirror as he tries not to jostle her wings too much. Beatrice's wings spread apart accommodatingly so Jason can step up behind her, and she helpfully tilts her head forward. The gentle curve of the skin along the back of her neck is very soft, and a curl of her piled-up hair trails lightly along Jason's fingers as he lays the fastened necklace down. She watches Jason quietly in the mirror as he does so... then reaches back and puts one of her hands over his, gently pulling it onto her soft, bared shoulder.
Jason responds by squeezing her shoulder, smiling at her in the mirror. "You know we're going searching for where you came from," he offers. "Diana's making that the focus of her walkabout."
She continues to watch him in the mirror as she murmurs softly, "Yes, I miss him, and I suspect I always shall to some degree. Thank you for caring enough to create a party for me, and..." she hesitates, then continues, "and yes, I am trying to remind myself I can afford to be finicky now in my choice of pets. It is... a difficult habit to break, to not have to assume I have mouths to feed and must take everything in which I can, to keep everyone healthy." She lifts Jason's hand off her shoulder, drawing him around to in front of her, and gently pulling down on his hand. It's the most natural thing in the world, for some reason, to carefully drop to one knee before her and take her hand in both of his. She smiles down at him, gently brushing his hair back with her free hand.
Jason is a little nervous here... while her actions are not threatening, he's completely unsure of his footing. It feels like he somehow stepped backwards in time, and is now an anachronism kneeling before this regal, aristocratic lady. "Forgive me for presuming, Beatrice. I just... I was worried about your health. I wanted to encourage... a more positive diet," he mumbles, feeling awfully foolish for a moment, talking like this.
Beatrice smiles -- an almost kindly expression -- then leans forward, putting the index finger of her free hand under his chin to tilt his face up to hers. A moment later her soft lips are pressed against his in a gentle, lingering, tingly kiss -- a kiss as much out of time as she is... a kiss that draws Jason's breath and equilibrium from him, and pours something... something he doesn't quite understand, something thundering and powerful, like huge wings beating, into his head. Jason is afraid for a moment, not understanding... but remains still, letting it happen, sure that whatever it is, it is not harmful. He hopes.
Beatrice sits back, tilting her head to study Jason. She hmms thoughtfully, reaching out her free hand to steady him when he sways a bit dizzily, and then smiles again, a touch ruefully this time, "How unfortunate; I'd hoped that would be a nice gesture of thanks. I think you may need to kiss Mr. Hellinger." She considers, then adds, "Of course, it will still benefit you, even if you cannot directly use it. Come, we shall find him at once, so you do not end up in pain." The huge wings are still beating inside Jason's head, and when he rises with Beatrice she braces him slightly again.
Jason is a little dazed at this sensation, feeling like there's a bat or a bird suddenly living in his head and battering at the inside of his skull... somehow he manages to keep his posture straight as he walks out with the regal Beatrice, needing her to keep him steady and moving. "Michael, could you come here a moment?" Beatrice calls out.
Mike looks over inquiringly from where he's pulling Croaker's door shut, then turns and walks over to them both. "Yes, Beatrice?"
Jason's eyes are a little out of focus... the flapping is getting harder, and he's unable to think straight. He has no idea why it has to be transferred with a kiss, but he takes it at Beatrice's word, and certainly doesn't want to refuse. He lurches forward a little ungracefully, grabbing the back of Mike's head and pulling the other man's lips against his, mouth open. It's not exactly the climactic kiss of your average romance movie, but it will do... though a part of Jason is once again irritated that outside circumstances dictate intimate acts not of his choosing...
Mike looks startled, stiffening -- but then Jason's lips brush against his, and it's like a small explosive release of pressure in Jason's head, and the heavy beating is gone. He can think straight again -- what a relief! Mike blinks and straightens, his hands gripping Jason's forearms as he gazes over Jason's head, "What... what was that?" Beatrice's smooth voice murmurs, "A courtesy for Jason's efforts in my behalf."
Michael blinks again, a faint look of wonder on his face... then his gaze goes to Jason and he smiles, his eyes warming, "Not of your choosing, eh? Um... want to try again now?"
Jason is cutely embarrassed at Mike's response, quite pink. "Uhm... not... right now," he murmurs, feeling self-conscious. He coughs, then looks inquiringly at Michael. "Is it okay? It felt like my head held a caged bird."
Mike grins, his eyes dancing, "If you insist." He releases Jason's arms and smiles, shaking his head, "Feels fine. I can see what you mean about the bird feeling, though -- I feel like it's riding along with me and watching, you know?" He confusedly asks Beatrice, "May I ask what it is, Lady Beatrice?"
Beatrice smiles, laying a hand on Mike's arm as she murmurs, "What lovely manners you have, Mr. Hellinger. It is a small memory gift, but it only fits where there's space. I suspect Mr. Burke, being both a succulent and a Seer, had no more room for supernatural effects in his head."
Jason makes a small noise -- an amused sound. "Make it sound like all my PCI slots are filled... just as well, though, I've got more stuff in here than I can handle as it is..." he mumbles, knocking on his noggin. He does look speculatively at Mike's hand at his side and tentatively reaches out, taking it in his own without trying to be obvious about it. Testing the experience.
Beatrice tilts her head curiously, "I do not know what a peeseeay is, nor why it is slotted, but if the analogy suffices that is enough. Now... I must go finish my hair. Would the two of you be so kind as to send my daughter to me?" She smiles, her slitted scarlet eyes gently amused, then turns and heads back into her room. Mike murmurs politely, "Of course, my lady." He remains quite still until she's out of sight, although his fingers curl around Jason's. Once she's departed he sighs softly, then turns his head and smiles at Jason. Curiously enough, Jason can 'feel' there's a quiet world of promise in that silent gaze.
Jason stares up into that warm gaze for several seconds before looking bashfully away. "Stop. You make me feel like I should be dragging my foot in circles on the ground," he mumbles, but not without affection, squeezing Mike's hand.
Mike grins quietly, but doesn't push. Instead he says, "Shall we head downstairs? I'm guessing the party will be starting soon, and you should be there to welcome everyone, right?"
Jason nods and clears his throat, straightening up. "Right on the money..." He looks at Mike again. "Have some fun tonight if you can. Go-... Lilith knows what the open road's going to be like, and what we'll find there."
Mike chuckles quietly, "We'll be with Diana, and as you noted, she's our world, yes? We'll be fine."
Jason blinks, then barks a laugh. "Oh, now you show some optimism...." he drawls, tone heavy with implication as he gives Mike a crooked grin before dragging him towards the stairs.