| Logs |
2006-09-03
| Dreams |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Strange Dreams: A Magical View
The next morning Jason wakes up to a thin beam of sunshine warm on his face. He's comfortable, relaxed, and pleasantly weary. His head's resting on Mike's shoulder, and he can see one of Diana's reddish arms wrapped around his waist. Curiously, he can also see they're not in the Airstream. It's... hm... looks much like Phil's cabin?
Jason mmphs, lifting his head slightly as he squints, trying to get his bearings... check out how folks are. Hazy memories come back to him of the day before, and he smiles. That ride with Phillip was great... maybe not as good as sex with Di, but very much not bad. And the way he felt after... well, that would seem to be the answer, hmm? "Hope I was filling," he mutters.
There's a faint noise outside, and Phil ducks his head to enter. Watching something as large as a centaur try to tiptoe is a bit funny looking, but Phil seems to be doing his best, and being pretty quiet as well. He grins when he sees Jason looking at him, nodding amiably as he hangs up his hat and jacket. He's got some saddlebags over his withers, which he also hangs up. Unfortunately he's not as successful with the stove, which squeaks loudly as he opens a vent on it to stir up the embers within. He winces, glancing guiltily at the threesome... and Diana giggles. Mike yawns, resting one hand on Jason as he stretches lazily with the other.
Jason beams quietly back at Phil, and starts to get up as his lovers stir... and then it hits him. Dull pain, all over his thighs and legs, making him stiff. "Ow. Fuck, ow. Oh dear... paying back for that lovely ride today..." he grunts ruefully.
Phil gives Jason a sympathetic glance, reaching a jar of ointment down from a high shelf, "Here, try this, son. It'll help loosen up th'muscles."
Diana curiously accepts the antique-looking jar from the centaur, carefully unscrewing the large lid and taking a sniff -- then wrinkling up her nose cutely, "Whew! Strong stuff!"
Mike chuckles, still lying relaxedly with Jason's head on his chest and lazily stroking his hair. "It's menthol, sweetheart. It'll numb a bit, and warm the muscles. Why don't you rub it on for him?" He pauses, glancing at the centaur, then grins and adds, "Um... you might wanna go for a run for -- for some water, sir?" Phillip gives Mike a puzzled look -- then blushes suddenly as he realizes Diana is unconcernedly removing Jason's jeans! A moment later the three are alone in the cabin, Phillip having hastily decided he'd forgotten something important at the general store. Diana is purring contentedly, enjoying herself by rubbing ointment all over Jason -- far more than is really necessary, but she seems to be having fun!
Jason just reaches down and strokes Diana's hair as she most definitely helps... the ointment is strong, but it does seem to help... and the experience is enjoyably intimate in a non-sexual way -- more like a healer tending his charge. The overall feeling does lead him to a little nuzzling and playful kissing with Mike if he's willing. "There are worse things," he murmurs. A thought occurs to him, then. "What do you think would happen, Di, if you fed us energy like you fed Phil? I mean... would it do anything for us?"
Mike chuckles again, "Yeah... although I remember my first lengthy riding lesson. Thought I was going to die for sure!" He's relaxedly amenable to lovemaking, although he does caution Diana against her usual exuberance. She's slow and gentle, and it's incredibly pleasant there in the log cabin in the sunshine, on a simple rough-woven Indian blanket, with the chirping of birds and the strong scent of menthol winding through his senses.
It's later that Diana purrs lazily, "Mmm... don't know, lollipop. Want me to try?" Mike rumbles quietly, "I checked last night and you were low, Jason, but I've not checked today. Can if you want?"
Jason nods a little. "Do that. 'M curious how this whole thing works... that we get back energy naturally where folks like Di and Phil don't."
Mike squints a bit, studying Jason up close, then nods a bit, "You're better. I thought sleeping here over the ley lines might help you, and I think maybe it did. If you hadn't fed Phillip so much I'd have worried about taking all his energy source... but he's practically glowing like Diana today! We asked him to make you a nice big breakfast too, to help you recover." He grins cheerfully, adding, "Which I shan't mind also -- he makes wonderful bacon!"
Diana giggles happily, gently stroking Jason's front now Mike's done, "Roll back, lollipop, okay?" A moment later she's lying across Jason's front, purring softly as she slowly runs a finger along her Mark on him, and gently bites his ear. It's literally electrifying! Jason lets out an astonished gasp, ill prepared for the experience... but trying not to lose himself to it, to instead try and understand it, analyze it... not easy with Diana atop him like that...
Jason can hear/feel Mike draw in his breath slowly, on a rising tide of pleasure he's getting from Jason and Diana. Sensations blur madly in a kaleidoscope of sweet-tasting sound and delicious smelling touch; Jason feels like he's falling forever, his head spinning, down the rabbit hole with Diana's soft laughter pouring through him like sweet-burning water... Jason thinks his eyes might be rolling into the back of his head... there's a quality to it that's almost psychedelic, and he wonders if certain illegal substances somehow do something similar to what he's feeling right now... ssso good...
~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ .
It's cold. The wind is frigid, roaring in the rigging and causing the ropes to sing so with vibration that ice cannot form on them. He can hear the powerful beating of straining, tiring wings, and the heavy panting of the great beast propelling the air-boat forward against the storm. The navigator stands next to him, clawed hands holding the helm steady as he also strains to see through the heavy, scudding clouds. He turns his shaggy head in a sharp gesture, the icicles on his beard swinging slightly. His voice is a worried but respectful growl, "You are sure, Seer? This is the right direction?" In the darkness his slitted eyes glow golden.
Jason grits his teeth against the cold and pulls the scarf over his face down to speak. "I'm positive! We have to press on!" he assures, pulling the scarf back up to protect against the frozen rain. It doesn't help much, already getting damp from the spray, but it is better than nothing. His face and lips are already chapped from the cold. Staring into the storm, he almost tries willing the port to appear... they have to reach safe harbor soon. The drake pulling the ship is clearly tiring, and his certainty about the direction will not help one bit if they cannot reach it. His gloved fist pounds against the railing in frustration.
There it is again -- that wonderful laughter! Diana's soft chuckle pours through him like sweet-burning water, warming him from the inside out, and he smiles in spite of himself. Her hands slide over his shoulders, and one huge wing curls around him, protecting him from the sleet like a cloak of ravens-wing-dark feathers. "Of course he's sure... he's a human Seer, Navigator." The navigator grunts once, turning his gaze back towards attempting to pierce the inky, rain-sleeting darkness. Despite the succubus' reassurance, his nervousness is apparent in the slight clatter of hooves as he shifts position, clenching more tightly on the wheel's spokes.
Diana murmurs softly, just for Jason's ear, "Astaria's with the children; Michael's keeping the other passengers calm with stories. Any idea how much longer, sweetheart? Should we start considering jettisoning weight and having the flyers take their chances?" The wind screams suddenly, whipping the light ship sideways in a startling lurch -- until once again the ship's drake fights it level again, with a bellow of frustrated fury.
Jason half-turns to face his love. "I wish I knew... my powers don't tell me everything," he whispers. "But I'm not putting anyone off this ship to fly on their own... I would sooner put myself off than anyone else if it came to that." He does not add the obvious -- she's one of the 'flyers,' and he knows that she wouldn't be able to stay with the ship in winds like this. She might not even survive. "Is there any weight we can afford to lose, Diana? And is there anything that I might do that would be more valuable than staring at the storm? Keeping watch for the port does not mean it will arrive faster."
Diana sighs softly, her hug warming. "Okay. I admit... I'm pretty sure the ship's drake is the only flyer strong enough to handle this weather, but I had to ask. Let me check below about what we can jettison." She starts to turn away, then turns back and smiles, "You are doing valuable work, sweetie. You're keeping us in the correct direction!" She starts to turn away again, just as the navigator gives them a sharp, worried look, asking Diana, "What's that?! I need him here, Lady -- don't take him away unless it's an emergency -- a worse emergency than here -- please!" Diana smiles, patting his arm, "No worries, Navigator -- I was just reassuring him on that point also." He nods once, glances worriedly at Jason again, then goes back to staring grimly out into the darkness. His curving goat-horns are starting to gleam with a thin sheen of ice in the dancing golden mage-light.
Jason watches his love leave with an uncertain look... he hates this, being in a leadership position and with the responsibility of so many lives. He hates that others look up to him, when he does not have the same confidence in himself. There are days he wishes he was not a Seer.
There! There in the dark, a fiery bolt of light aimed straight up into the darkness -- was it his imagination, or was it real? Did he want to see it so badly that he -- no! There it is again! Jason stares. "There!" he barks, pointing at where he saw the spire of illumination "Navigator, look!"
The satyr stares, wiping wet fur out of his eyes -- then cheers suddenly, "Port! Safe port, safe port dead ahead!" The drake roars, a mix of relief and sudden, crushing exhaustion in her voice. A gout of flame follows the roar as she alerts the port of the approaching air ship. The navigator turns, his eyes shimmering in the uncertain light, and gives Jason one tight, quick hug -- then turns back to keeping the ship steady just a bit longer. His voice is gruff, "Thank you, Seer -- we are in your debt."
Up ahead the night is suddenly repeatedly pierced with bolts of lightning, all aimed directly upwards, waving back and forth to alert the weary ship's drake which way to go. Darting through the cloudy darkness, the slender, winged ribbon shapes of several other drakes suddenly whip and writhe about the ship, each grabbing a trailing line to assist the tiring ship's drake on the final approach. For a split second one huge head regards Jason and the Navigator -- then that drake also has swept up a line, and the ship practically bolts ahead towards the warm, awaiting port.
Jason shakes his head... just when he was about to lose hope -- an incredible concept in and of itself, he who has far more optimism than is warranted some days -- he is reprieved. The faith of the people renewed in him, though doubt still gnaws at him that he is worthy of it. "Do not thank me, navigator," he says softly, uncertain that the satyr can even hear him. "I am only one man. You held the course; the drake flew the ship. I only pointed the way. I am nothing without you."
The navigator chuckles, slapping Jason's padded shoulder companionably, "Ah, I've heard of you humans -- either too modest for words, or real monsters! I'm just glad you were here to tell us where to go, Seer." People come boiling out of the ship, responding to the drake's bellow more than they're listening to the crew trying to herd them back below, "Mind the wind, lads, mind the wind! Won't do ye no good to be swept overboard on the last approach now!" A tiny voice yells, "Daddy, Daddy!" and Jason can see the little bundle clinging tenaciously with one arm to the hands of the big bull-man carrying her. She waves frantically as she notices him looking her way, "Daddy, I tole 'em you'd save us!"
Jason's mouth splits wide into a grin under his scarf. For his daughter... he supposes he does feel like a hero. Of course, it is easy to kiss away tears and sooth small cuts. "I suppose I did, gumdrop," he says loud enough as he approaches her and her keeper, taking her from the minotaur's arms thankfully, cuddling the warm bundle to him as he takes a step towards the railing and pointing out the port as they're pulled in. "See?" he coos at her, showing her the light show that first caught his eye and lit the way to safety. "They're welcoming us."
The big minotaur grins, his large bulk blocking the sleet a bit. The smaller bundle he wears on a "front-pack" harness blinks sleepy eyes at Jason and sucks on one finger. Mike appears next to them, grinning, "She couldn't wait to get to Daddy, eh, Astaria?" The minotaur grins in return, rumbling, "She's certainly got your human impatience, kshatriya."
The little girl wriggles, suddenly rebellious, "I can stand on my own, Daddy! I'm gonna be a warrior too -- I gotta hold my own like other-Daddy!"
Jason wouldn't think of denying his Shar, especially now safe harbor is assured. "Whatever you say, imp," he agrees, giving the girl a kiss before putting her down, though still hugging her against him to help protect her from the freezing rain. He looks at Mike, reaching out a hand to squeeze his shoulder. "How are you feeling, hon?"
Mike has casually moved in on the other side of the little girl, bracketing her securely between them. He smiles at Jason, his gaze calm, "We're fine; don't worry about us. We knew you'd need to focus, so we kept the kids and the other passengers busy." He puts one hand on the little girl's shoulder, and his arm about Jason's shoulders. Quietly, just for Jason, he murmurs, "See? You should have more faith in yourself, sweetheart." Jason can feel Mike's sure, calm affection within him like a warming hug.
Diana's voice murmurs quietly, "Shar, sweetie, what did Starry tell you about keeping your hood up?" The little girl glances up guiltily, hastily tugging up her hood, and for a moment the little horn buds on her forehead show clearly, as the wind blows back her jet-black hair.
Jason leans his head against Mike's shoulder. "It was hard. The cold without was not unlike the despair building within," he murmurs. Mike smiles, dropping a quiet kiss on the crown of Jason's head. Jason can feel the gentle internal shifting which lets him know both his lovers are connecting... then the warmth inside increases slowly but steadily, like growing flames coaxed from embers. The warm conviction of his lovers, their steady faith in him, is buttressing, shutting out the sleet and cold uncertainty. Behind him, Astaria (isn't that Croaker?) rumbles quietly and peacefully to baby David... it's a very warm, close moment, and the gentle kisses are wonderful... sensuous... mmmrather erotic actually... sooo... gooood...
Jason's eyes flutter open, and Diana's laughing golden eyes gleam at him. "Well? Did it feel nice, or what, lollipop?" Her voice is cheerfully teasing, somehow... younger sounding? -and he can hear the slow, steady heartbeat behind him, of Mike being a warm pillow.
Jason makes as close a noise to a purr that he could ever manage as a human. "With you at my side, everything is easier..." he murmurs, before he realizes that... that he was dreaming again. Or to be more specific, having a vision again. "Oh. My," he whispers.
Diana tilts her head inquiringly, a bit worried at Jason's tone. Her dark hair brushes across Jason's chest as she does so. "What is it, lollipop? You okay?" Mike's hand gently strokes Jason's hair out of his face in a slow, easy caress.
Jason smiles wryly. "I'm... I'm good," he murmurs. "Just... being fed back energy apparently does interesting things to my brain," he explains, still processing the vision. "What... do you call it anyway? Essence? Life?"
Diana looks puzzled, "Huh? Oh, what we eat? Um... well, I guess we didn't talk about it much. Energy?"
Jason nods. "Suppose that's as good a word as any. But I wonder why we regenerate it and you don't... maybe Mike is right. Maybe we're always making it, continuously, and the overflow makes those lines out there."
Mike murmurs, "It's the only explanation that covers all the data we have to date." He's silent a moment, then adds, "I'd sure like to talk to someone who knew more about it, though. There must be a reason supernaturals don't regenerate it and we do... what could it be?"
Diana cheerfully asks, "So what happened to your brain, lollipop?"
Jason considers. "It was a precognition, Di... very odd... seemed like we were on a ship being pulled through the air by a dragon, trying to find safety in a raging storm. Seemed like a scene out of a fantasy novel."
Diana's face is making Jason feel slightly like he's got double vision. He can see her almost as if in two ways currently -- the Diana he knows, and the Diana of the dream, her face paler, framed by the big, feathery black wings and with the big horns curling about almost into a full circle. Her face then had a touch more of... what was it... serenity perhaps? Maybe maturity... the lips had been a bit fuller, the cheeks not quite so plump with youth, and there had been small laughter wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, he remembered.
Mike grins, his voice intrigued, "Sounds like quite a story, Jase." Diana looks interested also, "Neat! Was it fun? Were we there?"
Jason boggles at this sudden carryover; "Whoa," he mutters, trying not to blink... trying to glean some measure of knowledge from it. "Yes... you were there, and you, and Croaker too," he murmurs, suddenly feeling like he's in the Wizard of Oz. "And our children."
Mike and Diana are both still for a moment... and then Diana squeals delightedly, "Kids?! Oooh, cool!" She practically pounces on Jason in a wriggly, rather distracting full body hug. Behind Jason, Mike's soft, wondering, "Whoa..." is almost drowned out by Diana's delighted, "So I will be fertile?! I won't be a mule? Yay!"
Jason chuckles at Diana's exuberance "At least one, yes... which only makes sense. Being half human would logically make you more fertile, not less. That said, it would appear to have been far in the future... you actually looked older, Di. Perhaps it was the half-human part of you that made you more visibly age." Diana purrs happily, cuddled up against Jason's chest... then blinks, sitting up with a startled look as his stomach rumbles. Loudly. She giggles!
The slow thudding of hooves outside is covered for a moment by a quiet call, "Hellooo, y'all decent? Want some breakfast now?"
"My stomach does!" Jason calls out.
Diana laughs, jumping to her feet, and trots to the door, "Hello, Phillip! Come on in; let us help you make breakfast, okay?" Mike's half laughing, "Di! That's what he meant by 'decent'!" is completely missed by her. Phillip, however, snorts startledly at the sudden appearance of a very naked woman in his doorway!
Mike grins, shaking his head, and tucks a pillow under Jason's head, "You rest. We'll make you breakfast and save Phillip from Diana." Diana giggles, glancing over her shoulder at Mike, then turns back to the centaur, calling, "Oh, come on... surely you've seen a naked supernatural before?" Mike rolls his eyes amusedly, pulling on his jeans, and murmurs, "Sweetheart... he might not have!"
Mike's comment is echoed by the centaur, in fact, "Uhh... no'm!" Phillip belated adds, "Er... 'ceptin' myself, that is... uuhh... ma'am, could you, um... cover up, please?" He sounds terribly embarrassed!
Jason barks a laugh as he lays back, but grabs Mike's hand before he rises completely, and kisses it, giving him a warm look. "You help make me confident, Mike," he murmurs, his words echoing the thoughts of his dream self. "You both do."
Mike smiles, his eyes warming for a moment, and he squeezes gently back. Then Diana walks out of the house, her voice coaxing, "Don't be afraid, Phillip... supernaturals are comfortable when nude." Mike rolls his eyes amusedly, snatching up a blanket, and darts for the door, "Di! Sweetheart, don't push him, please? He's been around humans all his life, remember?"
Jason wants to get up to help... but then remembers the condition of his legs, and gives up that notion. "We're all alive long enough to have children of our own... thank you for that much, Grandmother," he whispers, amazed at how easy the words come to his lips. How he embraces the notion of the Lamia watching over him, like he never did the Judeo-Christian god.
There's a small commotion outside, but the sunshine and the warm affection he can feel inside both conspire to convince Jason it's nothing which needs his immediate attention. A short while later Diana's escorted back into the house, Mike holding the blanket about her shoulders as she says querulously, "But it seemed logical to me -- what better way to get him used to it?" while Mike makes calm agreeing noises. A short while after that Phil enters, quite trepidatiously, his tail swishing back and forth nervously. He relaxes minutely at seeing Diana's got her sun dress pulled on by now, and he determinedly turns his attention only to the making of breakfast.
Jason cranes his head to look at Diana. "It's not a good idea to thrust it on him, sweetling... horses don't take well to being startled, and it seems that logic applies to centaurs as well," he explains gently. Diana sighs, reluctantly accepting the situation, and instead goes to help make breakfast. Soon coffee is perking, and a mug is put in Jason's hands for him to drink while the flapjacks cook and the sweet, delicious scent of bacon permeates the air. Breakfast is as delicious as it was yesterday, and Jason is once again ravenous -- he eats like there's no tomorrow.
Jason notices almost immediately when Diana starts surreptitiously touching Phil -- stroking a hand over his flank when walking behind him, standing close enough that her arm brushes against his barrel, laying a hand on him for balance when she reaches for things on a high shelf.
Initially Phil's horse skin tends to twitch nervously every time she does so... but eventually Jason can see it's working. Not only is Phillip not switching his tail all the time, but also he's unwittingly aiding Diana. He leans slightly towards her when she's near, and his hooves no longer shift nervously when her bare feet are near his. He even lifts her up at one point to sit on his back so she can reach things down to Mike while Phil's cooking... and that's when Jason notices one more detail -- poor Phil has no more control over his autonomous body functions than any other male being gently stroked by a woman. Jason would guess, though, Phil's not yet realized.
Jason's expression, as he watches, drifts somewhere between a smile and a frown. On the one hand, he likes the idea of getting Phil to relax. On the other, noting Phillip's other reactions, it makes him a little... jealous? And as soon as he identifies the truth of that, it makes him feel odd... why does he feel this way about Phillip? He seemed so willing to accept the idea of intimacy with Croaker, or even Rita... why not him? Is it the fact that he ran off with Di, however instinctively? His far more impressive... physique? Or is it the idea that she might offer herself to anyone they met, all out of a desire to encourage happiness in them. His brow knits even as he keeps eating, considering these difficult thoughts.
Phillip settles down with the other three for breakfast, and seems a bit... flinchy as he does so. However, he eats with everyone else, and Mike cheerfully keeps the flapjacks and bacon coming, so the big centaur doesn't have to keep getting up. Diana cheerfully settles against Jason for breakfast, lightly stroking his hair as he eats. Jason tsks, unable to keep up his troubled feelings with Diana so close to him. "It's a shame," he murmurs. "It would be fun to feed you from my plate... like lovers do." He tilts his head. "Do you sense my enjoyment of the food's taste, love?"
Diana smiles, kissing Jason lightly on the forehead, "You know I do, lollipop. I always feel any strong enjoyment, from the both of you." She sighs happily, nuzzling his ear and purring lazily with pleasure. Phillip hastily switches his gaze from her to his plate... very determinedly!
Mike murmurs thoughtfully, "Phillip... do you ever, um... bathe? Like, I dunno, in a nice cold river or something?" The centaur looks up at Mike, his face red as he nods. Mike smiles, "Well... could we ask you to show us your spot? We could use a bath too, after all?" The centaur's eyes widen slightly, and he glances uncertainly at Diana for a fraction of a second... then he keeps his face turned towards Mike as he says carefully, "I'd be happy t'show y'all my swimmin' hole, sir."
Jason laughs. "Well, I never thought of food as being strong pleasure... but I suppose it's relative to someone who lives on it..." he murmurs, looking at Phillip. And he remembers then something he forgot... Diana wouldn't just offer herself to anyone. Sure, she wants people to be happy... but she wouldn't have slept with Rita unless he asked it of her. That makes him feel a little better, though he too flushes when he notes Phillip's embarrassment. "It's okay to want her, Phil... everyone does. She likes that," he says gently to the centaur.
The centaur's head jerks around to stare wide-eyed and horrified at Jason. He stutters, "I don't! Er, didn't do -- uh, I mean she..." His voice trails off slowly as his eyes are inexorably drawn to Diana's curious and attentive gaze... and then, suddenly and quite without warning, his eyes well up with tears, and they start rolling down his cheeks. He looks down at his plate, his shoulders sagging, and cries.
Jason looks stunned. "Phillip, what..." He seems flabbergasted at that reaction and leans up... and then remembers moving hurts and winces. "What's wrong?" he asks through clenched teeth. Diana and Mike both also look utterly stunned -- that was unexpected! Phillip just fumbles with the bandanna about his neck, untying it and using it as a hankie as the tears keep rolling down his cheeks and he sobs quietly. His hooves are drawn up tightly under him where he's lying on the floor, and he looks utterly miserable.
Jason groans in frustration. "Would someone please hug the poor guy? I would, but I can't..." he queries, his heart going out to the sobbing old centaur, suddenly suspecting that the suggestion of being attracted to Diana might have stepped on the memory of an old lost love of Phillip's... it's the only rationale he can come up with.
Diana blinks, then hastily scrambles to her feet and darts over to hug Phillip. He tries to turn away, but she simply slides onto his back and wraps her arms around him, resting her head against his back between his shoulders. Mike says slowly, "How long... how long must he have been alone?"
Jason blinks... that's a thought too. Perhaps it is just loneliness. "Probably a long time, if the last time he was with people on any regular basis was back during the time of the cowboys..." he murmurs.
It takes a while, and Phillip's tears go on for a while, but eventually even they run out. He ends up half sprawled across the floor, hugging Diana tightly and with his head tucked up against her, like a lost thing that's desperately afraid of losing the only shelter he's ever found. Diana is crooning quietly to him, gently brushing his forelock out of his face and stroking his heavy mane of sorrel hair.
Jason doesn't know what to say... he's been doing some addition in his head from some of the historical facts Phillip related to him yesterday, and comes to the conclusion that the centaur has been living in near isolation for more than a century and a quarter -- maybe a lot more, depending on when he first came here to live. That figure is damning, and it makes his heart ache for the poor man. That might be cruel and unusual punishment, to live alone that long. Everyone needs human contact, even the most introverted person out there.
Phillip seems almost numb or groggy from his cry, his eyes half-closed and his breathing slow. Mike gets up slowly and moves to lay a blanket across Phil's equine barrel, then quietly fills everyone's mugs again with fresh hot coffee. Diana smiles at him, but Phil doesn't even stir. Mike settles back down next to Jason and sighs, murmuring softly to him, "Okay, am I being a softie... or does this just seem... wrong to you too?"
Jason is gnawing at a piece of bacon as Mike speaks. "I'm sorry... 'wrong'?" he queries.
"Having him stuck here alone, starving and barely subsisting on a ley line crossing?
Jason shakes his head, scowling. "Of course it's wrong. It's an affront to basic decency. And I plan to find him some place where he'd be welcome among other people at the earliest opportunity," he says firmly.
Mike looks heartened, then thoughtful, "So... where? Where would someone with a horse be welcome?"
Jason shakes his head. "I don't know. I was thinking maybe... maybe one of the Indian reservations. Are there any one near here that you know of?"
Mike considers, then says slowly, "Often the Indian reservations are very economically depressed. What would he do there?"
Jason grimaces. "I don't know. I thought of them because they would be more likely to accept him... some of them might even be able to see what he is. But there isn't much room for him in modern America... and he wouldn't be able to go just anywhere without there being danger of him being found out." He looks grim. "Makes me wonder about that dream I had. If maybe the ship was some kind of ark of supernaturals... bringing them all to a place where they would be safe. The way the navigator spoke to me didn't make me think there were many humans on board."
Mike nods slowly, "He'd need to be somewhere animals are commonplace... like a zoo or a circus -- but where there are people also. We know he needs to teach folks, or give them rides or something too, right?"
Jason nods a little. "But also some place where he'd have allies... not just a place to have a job, but a place with people that would protect him."
Mike grins faintly, "Like a carny! That's a subculture all in itself, I know. I wrote a story set in one once."
Jason huhs "Might be an idea, sure. Don't suppose you know one...?"
Mike considers for a moment... then grins, "How about Vegas? The city of shows! We were going to stop there on our way anyway."
Jason's brow knits. "I don't know, Mike... do you think that's wise? After 130 years, Phillip would be ill prepared for the modern world... and Vegas is a good example of it. It's also a good example of capitalism at its worst. How could we be sure he'd be safe there?"
"Well, we certainly wouldn't want to just dump him there. But what if we could find someone trustworthy, someone to help him? Didn't Beatrice say supernaturals tend to... sort of 'stake out' a city as their territory? So... maybe if we could find that person, they might be willing to help Phillip fit in, just as Beatrice helps Croaker fit in?"
Jason nods a little. "I suppose. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try," he agrees slowly. He reaches over and squeezes Mike's hand gently, looking at Phillip's tear-stained face as the centaur cuddles with Diana. "He deserves better than this. We'll figure something out, one way or another. If there is a supernatural in Vegas, I just hope they're friendly... we've lucked out so far on that front. Who knows when that luck will run out?"