| Logs |
2006-12-25
| Dreams |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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Take the Hand-off and Go All the Way
Jason is in a physically very comfortable situation currently -- Diana's curled up half across him, and he's relaxing on pillows outside in the warm night. It's easy for him to drift off asleep... which means he jerks awake startledly at the hammering noise. He instinctively starts to get up, and then remembers there's a Di on top of him. "Di? Did you hear that?" he queries, trying to worm out from under her. He doesn't want to wake her, but considering how successful he is getting out from under her when she's asleep... Diana is already rolling gracefully off Jason, and her voice in the darkness is worried, "Lollipop, were we expecting anyone?"
Jason's brow knits. "I don't think so..." he murmurs, getting up with her and feeling around for his skirt (as that's still the only clothing he has) to put it on. "You think I should answer it, or you?"
Diana's already pattering inside, calling softly over her shoulder, "Let me shut Mike's door before I get the light, okay?" There's the quiet *click* of a door as Jason dresses, followed by the dim glow of a low lamp. The hammering has stopped, but a muffled voice outside calls, "Hello? Is everyone okay in there?"
Jason hurries to the door then, not wanting to call out for fear of waking Mike. He opens the door a crack. "Yes... yes, we're fine?"
Standing outside is Kira, her hands on her hips, and Rafael, who is reaching towards the door with a key. She blocks his hand easily, murmuring, "It's okay, Rafe." She nods to Jason, "Sorry. We were starting to get worried when no one called at moon fall, and no one answered the door."
Jason blinks owlishly at Kira, confused... and then his eyes widen. "Wait... when is moon fall? I thought that meant, like... dawn or something."
Kira raises an eyebrow, and Rafael covers a grin. She says slowly and patiently, "Moon fall is when the moon goes down, Mr. Bu- er, Jason. This often happens before dawn...?" She holds out her hand, the back of the wrist towards Jason, showing the watch she's wearing, "It's only a few hours until dawn now?"
Jason blinks and works this out in his head. "Oh, I see. So... midnight? I'm sorry, I wasn't really making the connection. Also, Di was a little upset, so I was trying to... never mind. I'm sorry; clearly I've held things up." He looks back at Di. "I'm ready to give my answer."
Kira looks relieved, "Excellent. So, which of you first?"
Jason looks a little puzzled. "First? I thought Phyx was just looking to me to give the answer... oh, unless you're asking if Diana has another offer -- and no, she doesn't. We've decided to go ahead with the offer the Lady proposed." He looks back at Di reassuringly.
Kira's eyes suddenly narrow. She draws a slow breath, then says slowly and carefully, "Tell me, please, the offer Phyx proposed?"
Jason looks confused. "She said that in exchange for me being hers for a month, she would answer any questions I had... why?"
Rafael makes a small choked noise, still covering a grin. Kira, on the other hand, blinks... then puts her forehead into her hand, growling half under her breath, "Phyx... you are such a cat!"
Jason looks utterly perplexed. "What?" He does not respond to her assertion, even though part of him agrees... it wouldn't be polite.
Kira shakes her head, her voice exasperated, "Rafael, please stay here. I'll be back." Rafael nods, still grinning, and steps towards the door. Kira turns fluidly to stalk off, then glances over her shoulder, "It was a yes, yes?"
Behind Jason, Diana's hand rests on his shoulder, and she whispers in his ear, "What's up, lollipop?"
Jason looks like a dog when you do something confusing. "Er, yes..." he replies even as Diana comes up behind him. "I'm not sure," he murmurs in reply to her, making room for Rafe.
Kira nods once, and trots off swiftly in that deceptive lope wolves use to cover a lot of territory. Rafael grins at Jason, then freezes for a second at sight of Diana. He draws a quick breath, then bows deeply to her, "Lady, may I enter?"
Diana blinks, automatically replying, "Yes, certainly. Er..." she looks at Jason a bit confusedly, "Did... I miss something here?"
Jason smiles at Rafe, blushing faintly -- as this is the first time he's seen him since... well... the tangle of lovemaking brought on by the wine. "We both missed it, love. Kira seems to have issue with the bargain Phyx and I made." He takes Rafe's hand, tugging at him. "Come in, you silly. Di won't bite, she's over that... well, won't bite unless you ask nice," he murmurs. "Are you... you know... okay?"
Rafael relaxes a little, but is still happy to keep Jason between him and Diana. "Um, yes, I'm fine. I just..." he gives Diana an apologetic glance, then leans to whisper to Jason, "Jason, does she keep grudges?"
Diana raises an eyebrow... then grins, "Why don't I just go check on Mike, hmmm?" She winks at Rafael, then heads off relaxedly, her walk doing interesting things with her normal hip sway.
Jason stares at Raphael. "Rafe... why would she hold a grudge? You didn't do anything," he murmurs. "If anything, I should worry that you might hold a grudge..."
Rafael relaxes visibly as Diana walks away, then sighs and grins ruefully at Jason, "Hey, wait until you've been the sole member of the visible greeting committee for angry supernaturals a few times... you'll know what I mean then." He shakes his head, "Your lady seems really nice, but some of them..." He winces slightly, then adds ruefully, "Some of them, once they lose a dominance challenge, take out their frustrations on their pets, and the pets of those they lost to." He looks back at Jason, adding seriously, "Jason, if my lady's ever really, truly angry with you? Kneel and cover your head, and don't move, even if she smacks you."
Jason doesn't know how to respond to that -- which is not to say he's not grateful, but this doesn't fill him with confidence. "Diana wouldn't do that," he says firmly. "It might have been embarrassing and all of that, but she doesn't hurt defenseless people. She's not that cruel or petty."
Rafael opens his mouth to say something -- then stops, thinking... then just smiles politely at Jason. "That's nice." He walks into the room, adding, "Anyway... Kira wants to speak with Mike, which is why the deal offered was supposed to be two weeks for each of you, in whatever order you both wanted." He flashes a grin over his shoulder, his teeth white against his brown skin as he adds, "I'm guessing my lady got greedy, and was hoping to work something out. Kira'll be back soon."
Jason purses his lips. "Rafe... am I going to have to worry about Phyx's other pets?" he queries, giving voice to a concern that came to mind after his conversation with Diana.
Rafael pauses from checking the food dishes laid out appetizingly on a table in this room, and gives Jason a surprised look, "What? Why would you worry?"
Jason stares at Rafe, then shakes his head, smiling only briefly -- he's thoroughly unsurprised, but he's not thinking about that right now. "Because of the reaction I got when I first came here. One of the other boys -- I don't remember his name -- he seemed to be irked at my presence."
Rafael laughs, then grins at Jason, "Oh, Gabriel. He's just insecure -- don't worry about him. He'll be your bestest friend for the two weeks you're with Phyx -- he's new and doesn't want to be sent away." He glances down, then back at Jason, waving a hand at the food, "May I?"
Jason chuckles. "Oh, by all means," he murmurs as he sits, looking thoughtful. "That's fine. I just don't want to step on anyone's toes. Phyx is... she is marvelous. But it's Diana that holds my heart," he murmurs. He finds his eyes going to Rafe's body. "I didn't... I didn't make love to you too harshly, did I?" he finally queries.
Rafael murmurs, "Thanks," as he pours himself something to drink. He has a sip, his soft brown eyes teasing over the mug as he takes his time answering... then he grins, setting the mug down. He drawls amusedly, "Sweetie, my lady is a cat. She's patched me back together more than once, and not always due to her actions."
Jason's brow knits. "Wait... so are you saying I did hurt you? I'm sorry, chugging the wine wasn't the brightest thing I could have done..."
Rafael sighs, still grinning, then comes around the table to rest his arms on Jason's shoulders, resting his forehead against Jason's, "Hon, you didn't hurt me. Your lady did when she grabbed me and hauled me upstairs, but I've survived worse... and I wouldn't have volunteered if I didn't... ah, enjoy my work." He smiles, running one finger lightly over Jason's lips, "Am I making more sense now?" This close Jason can tell Rafael's surely not older than 18 or 20 -- 25 at the absolute most -- yet despite Rafael's smile he's got weary, almost ancient-looking eyes.
Jason is slightly distracted by the almost sensual caress coming from Rafe, not to mention the look in his eyes. He's never been with any man save for Mike, and considering his mental state at the time he can't really have been said to have 'been with' Rafe... in body, yes, but in his mind he wasn't really differentiating people out -- and then he comes back to himself, blushing, "I'm not..." and then his eyes go wide, "oh. Oh. You mean you like..." he makes a little vague gesture, and sees that that's not going to cut it, "...pain?"
Rafael chuckles softly, straightening and turning to walk back to the table. His voice is casual, "You could say that. Phyx gets the more submissive ones; Kira the more aggressive." He looks over the table thoughtfully, taking the occasional nibble and licking his fingers with sensual pleasure as he eats.
Jason nods absently, watching the younger boy. He wants to ask, but isn't sure he'd like the answers; maybe at a later time. "Is there anything else I should know?" he queries finally. "In regards to... serving Phyx."
Rafael looks back at Jason, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he flips his long black hair back and grins, "You sound so... careful! Yeah... if you're wondering something, ask her. Pregnant pauses make her impatient or cranky -- she likes to know, you know?"
Jason looks wry. "When you're dealing with sphynxes and succubae, and all manner of other things, you learn to be careful. We are fragile creatures compared to them. But that's just the physical harm -- I don't want to offend or cause problems through ignorance, merely because I don't know the right questions to ask," he murmurs, picking at food.
Rafael chuckles quietly, pulling a chair over and kneeling on it to continue picking out small delicacies to eat. "Yep, fragile's right. But there are things they can do to help us -- well, some of them can, at least. From what I've heard, your lady's one of them. You'll be fine, I'm sure. I'm guessing mostly my lady wants to play with you a bunch, so once she gets it out of her system she'll be fine. Expect to be run ragged, though -- she takes her promises seriously, and she'll return you to Diana in better physical shape than you arrived."
Jason blinks and then groans. "Oh dear," he drawls in wry amusement. "Though I guess that makes sense... the nautilus wasn't just there for show." He leans forward then, hands on his knees. "What are we expected to... you know, do? Besides the waiting on hand and foot... or maybe that should be paw and paw?" he says dryly.
Rafael grins, eyes sparkling, and shakes his head, "Don't ask me, Jason. It could be anything from so much chess that you're sick of it and never want to see another checkerboard in your whole life... to being hunted until you're so turned around you can't even conceive of yourself as a sapient biped any more... to a simple philosophical dreamquest." He pauses, considering, then adds slowly, "The one thing I can assure you is... making her happy is well, well worth the effort. She..." he falls silent a moment, then shivers once, closing his eyes and drawing a slow breath. His voice is a little husky as he continues, "she... is incredibly generous when she's happy."
Jason arches a brow. "You seem to know a lot about what went on between us. Was she speaking openly about it earlier?" he queries -- not accusingly, simply curious.
Rafael licks his lips slowly, then shakes his head at Jason, "No. Just things I've seen." He sighs softly, adding, "I'm supposed to replace you while you're with my lady, in case your lady needs anything."
Jason blinks, and his lips quirk. "Hmm. She will. You might need to help her understand what you enjoy, however... I'm not sure she knows how to indulge that sort of play," he murmurs -- then he smiles. "If she's hesitant to indulge, you can assure her you have my blessing."
Rafael shakes his head, "No, I'm not here for that. I'm here as a thoughtful gesture from my lady and Ms. Kira to a guest. It's up to her what she wants, you know?"
Jason tsks. "It's not that simple, Rafe. Diana... may be different from what you're used to. Very likely, the only thing she would want from you -- the only thing that she even really wants for anyone -- is for them to be happy. That's what makes her happy. It doesn't have to be sex, though that's one of the more direct ways," he explains gently.
Rafael listens intently -- Jason gets the feeling Rafael takes advice re handling other supernaturals very seriously -- and nods when Jason stops speaking. "Good, that's a relief to hear. Does she have a position she just can't hit you in? I mean, when you're in it she can't bring herself to strike, like I told you about with my lady?"
Jason grimaces, but realizes he's only responding from his own experience. "Rafe... putting aside for a moment that you enjoy certain kinds of stimulation, how do you think the average person would feel about being hit?" he queries gently.
Rafael's eyes narrow a bit at Jason's tone, but he answers politely enough, "They get upset. They're not used to it."
Jason smiles and nods. "They would be unhappy, right? And remember what I just told you, about Diana wanting people to be happy? Well, it causes her distress to have someone be unhappy. Someone who matters to her, anyway. Given that... the likelihood of her ever hitting you would require you to do something pretty awful... like attacking her or me or Mike. Which is something I doubt you'd do."
Rafael snorts amusedly, folding his arms, "Sweetie, I already know what she'd do in that situation. The only reason I'm not still bruises all over is because of my lady."
Jason inclines his head in wry concession. "It's true, that situation was out of our experience, but that is more the exception that proves the rule. Diana, as long as I have ever known her, has never hit me. Hell, she's never ever been angry at me. Maybe that's only because of our unusual relationship, but I think there's more to it than that. The only time she's ever gotten irate was in response to the idea that someone had hurt me or Mike, physically or otherwise -- out of a desire to protect us. Now while you're not me or Mike, in my humble opinion it is still extremely unlikely that she would ever hurt you without you doing something very obviously offensive."
Rafael nods, conceding the point, "True. And I did know what I was getting into when I offered. But what I said still stands: I'm here for her comfort. If she tells me she wants to know what I want, that's different, of course." He relaxes half on the table, resting his chin on his hands, and grins, "You've not been around supernaturals much, have you? Your lady is really the exception, from what I can tell."
Jason smiles, and reaches up to squeeze Rafe's shoulder. "If I know her at all, she'll ask. Just relax around her. Tension will only make her worry. But yes... Diana is very different. Maybe because she is half mortal... I don't know. Her mother is far more like Phyx." He pats Raphael's shoulder. "I will tell you this... if I or Mike think there's any reason to worry, that she might be boiling over, we'll step in. To be fair, we don't know all her trigger points yet. We've only been together a few months."
Rafael nods, his eyes bright with interest, "That is weird, yeah. I've never met a half-blood before." He considers for a moment, then smiles, "Y'know, even when she was really angry she didn't do anything... deliberately designed to hurt or harm. Oh, I got shaken and slapped, but that's nothing compared to some of the things I've seen... and she was actually careful of me afterward, when you were drunk." Then he raises his eyebrows in surprise, "Only a few months?! Whoa. She really is easy going! I've been my lady's pet for most of my life!"
Jason chuckles. "She's been alive for a lot longer than that. But she's only... how should I put this. Reached maturity very recently? She's never had a pet before us, even though she's been growing for over a century."
Rafael blinks again, and his voice is musing as he murmurs, "A... baby supernatural... what a concept." He grins amusedly, "All the ones I've known of were adults." He shrugs, "Anyway... you got any questions you want to ask me before Ms. Kira returns?"
Jason nods. "And yes, again, it's that whole happy/unhappy thing. You never posed a threat to her. Look at you, you're a teddy bear. If you'd been holding a gun she'd have put you down hard, like she did the other fellow. But as it was, you were just a sweet boy, and when she got caught up in the feelings that were going through me and Mike... well, she just went with the flow." Jason smiles, and touches Rafe's hair. "And her flow can be awful fun."
Rafael grins amusedly at Jason, "You love her so much you can't really see what she's capable of, can you?"
Jason's smile fades. "You couldn't be more wrong. I do know," he says softly. "But I also believe in her. She is not the sort to harm without just cause. She is a good person, inside and out... perhaps naive and innocent in small parts, but at the core of it she just wants everyone to be happy."
Rafael tilts his head thoughtfully at Jason, "You do realize my lady and Ms. Kira feel much the same, yes? That's the whole point of their faction, as I understand it?" There's a firm knock on the door again, and Rafael looks over with a grin, "That'll be Ms. Kira now, in fact... so, do you know if your lady wants you or Mike to go first?"
Jason nods. "I do see that. But from what I know and see, there is a clear division. Phyx and Kira want that merely because it's the right thing to do. They work from a place of morality, of 'do unto others', and all that. But to Diana, who can sense what you, what I, what everyone else is feeling -- it's more than that. And I totally get that: when you can feel what everyone else feels, when their mood directly affects yours, making them happy becomes critical to one's own mental stability," he replies as he stands. He looks at the door to Mike's room. "I don't know... but I suspect that Mike might not be up to it yet. I'll go first. Diana already expects that much anyway."
Rafael blinks, also rising, "Uh... don't you want to check with her first, to be sure?"
Jason tilts his head. "Hmm. That would be the wise and thoughtful thing to do. The expectation has changed slightly since I laid out the terms for her. She should know about the change, at least." He goes over and knocks gently on the door.
Diana opens the door and grins, "Hey, lollipop! Mike's awake. How're you doing with Rafael?" She slides her arms around Jason's neck and gives him a kiss.
Mike wanders up behind her, yawning hugely and tying a robe shut. He grins sleepily at Jason, "Hey, guy."
Jason laughs lightly at the sudden embrace and kiss. "We're talking some things out. Listen, there's been a slight change... instead of me for a whole month, Phyx would like me for half and Mike for half. Rafe is here, to er... stand in for whichever of us is attending Phyx," he explains, then reaches over and ruffles Mike's hair. "I hope you like chess."
Mike blinks, looking suddenly far less sleepy and a bit alarmed. Diana also looks a bit startled, "Er... that's new, I..." Her tone shifts to frustration, "Darnit, I wish they'd make up their minds!" From behind Jason, Kira's voice says politely, "I do apologize, Ms. Diana, for Phyx's, um... cattiness." Mike is starting to look worried -- he runs a hand through his hair and rests the other on Diana's shoulder.
Jason puts his hand on Mike's shoulder. "You don't need to worry, really. Neither of you do. Besides, I'm sure you have many questions of your own, Mike, questions I might not think to ask. It's only fair that we each get our turn." He decides not to tell Mike just yet about the 'hands covering head' bit -- they don't need more reason to balk. "This is going to be just fine. Rafe can tell you what to expect while I'm taking my turn, and in the meantime, you get to enjoy yourselves in a palace. There are much worse fates." He kisses each of them in turn. "Trust me."
Diana sighs, clinging to Jason and growling softly, then grouses, "I just... I don't want to lose you both for so long!" Over Diana's head, Mike gives Jason a long, thoughtful, slightly dubious look... but then just nods and murmurs quietly to the smaller woman, "Sweetheart, it's all right. He's been alone with her already, and he's back safe and sound... and if he's anything like who I know, he's still head over heels for you and likely always will be." Diana doesn't say anything to that, although her arms tighten for a moment around Jason's neck and she turns her face into his chest.
Jason hugs Diana's head, kissing her brow. "Don't fret, Di. I would never stop loving you. Remember the dream. We'll be together, all of us," he whispers. He gives Mike a grateful look, projecting nothing but reassurance. Diana sighs again, releasing with obvious reluctance. Mike loops his arms gently about her from behind, and she leans back against him, her expression troubled. When Jason turns from facing Diana he can see Kira standing at what looks like modified parade-rest, with Rafael kneeling on her left. They both look completely natural and relaxed in their respective poses, as if they have all the time in the world to wait.
When Diana is visible, Kira straightens and nods politely, "Ms. Diana. The lady sends her regrets for... misinforming your pet, and wishes you to know she'll abide by your decision: would you like to loan them one at a time or both at once, for two weeks each?"
Diana blinks, straightening, then looks uncertainly between Mike and Jason, "Um... do either of you have a... preference?" Mike makes a small grimace when Diana's not looking at him, but raises an eyebrow at Jason immediately thereafter.
Jason looks at Mike. "I don't like the idea of leaving you alone, without one of us," he says seriously. "You're in a bit of a... fragile state. You need one of us to help keep you grounded... remind you that you're loved. It may take longer, but I think it should be one at a time. And I reiterate that I should go first, being that I already know what to expect." Jason avoids looking at Kira while saying this; he doesn't want her to think he bears a grudge.
Mike chuckles quietly, "I'll be fine, Jason. Take care of yourself, though." He gently nuzzles the top of Diana's head without looking away from the others. Diana sighs unhappily, but just nods dispiritedly once, "All right then." Kira nods firmly, then adds, "The Lady sends her favorite pet to attend you, Ms. Diana, while you are short one. This is Rafael," the young man glances at Diana and smiles shyly, then sweeps a graceful Japanese bow to the half-succubus, "who has been instructed to see to your every need."
There's a moment of silence while everyone looks at Diana... and then Mike whispers something to her. She says, "Oh!" then adds, "I accept; thank you." Rafael grins, rising gracefully and moving to sink down into a kneeling position next to Diana. She looks rather startled at that, staring down at him for a moment, then looking back at Kira... who's watching Jason curiously -- almost... expectantly.
Jason puts his hand on Di's shoulder. "You make sure to take good care of him, Di, okay? As good care as you take of Mike and me. He's your responsibility," he says firmly, fondly. "He's a good boy, and eager to please."
Rafael's expression is hidden by his long hair falling forward from his head being bowed, but Mike's eyebrows go right up at that! Diana smiles a little tremulously at Jason, resting one hand on his for a second... then she whispers, "You better go now, lollipop... or I won't want to let you go at all..."
Jason smiles and kisses Diana's forehead. "You don't have to. I'm always with you," he whispers, before reluctantly leaving her side and going to stand by Kira, with no fear in his eyes. "I'm ready."
Kira nods once, then gives a small half-bow to Diana, "Thank you, lady." She tilts her head in a 'follow me' gesture to Jason, then turns and heads briskly out of the room. She pauses in the hallway. Jason looks at the others. "I'll be back before you know it," he says by way of farewell, then follows Kira out, closing the door behind him.
Kira nods again approvingly as he closes the door, then says simply, "Stay close." She heads off briskly again -- it's hard to imagine this woman ever just loitering -- leading Jason through the elegant but unremarkable hallways until he's somewhat turned around, and coming out at the elevator again. She stands relaxedly in that sort-of parade rest, watching Jason. Jason keeps up as quickly as he can manage, seeing that Kira goes at a clip... fortunately, he's had a chance to rest since his last mad dash. He is quiet as he moves to Kira's side in the elevator. As the elevator rises Kira speaks, studying the lit floor indicator over the door, "Did Rafael warn you about how to handle Phyx in anger?"
Jason nods. "Kneeling, cover the head. I'm good," he murmurs wryly.
Kira nods, "More cover the back of the neck, but yes." She sniffs slightly, then nods again, "Good, you're not spooky. Do you have any questions?" She thinks, then amends, "Keep your head down if she's angry, and don't meet her gaze either... and if you get flipped over, just stay relaxed and keep your chin up. Supernaturals with some animal mix in them, like she and I, have strong inhibitions against harming our young pack members."
Jason listens and nods as he considers. "Makes sense. And no, I've none... it seems clear she'll tell me what she wants, when she wants it... and for all else, I should follow the lead of the others."
Kira gives a small snort of laughter and nods, "Aye, she'll let you know. I doubt she'll actually get angry, but if worst comes to worst, you can always claim I said I wanted time with you too."
Jason blinks. "I'm sorry? I mean... why? What would that do?"
Kira gives a small, tight grin, "Chess can get... really old after a while." The elevator stops and the door opens. Leaping into the elevator with a cheerful roar -- is Phyx! She lands on Jason solidly and heavily, "You came! Let's play!"
Jason chuckles. "I don't know, I rather li-ACK!" He goes down like a straw dummy in response to a huge cat jumping on him. "Medic..." he wheezes, only half joking, grinning wryly up at Phyx.