| Logs |
2009-08-23
| Dreams |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
I Have the Touch
Carrie is standing behind the cash register, working on it. She looks up at sight of Jason and smiles, "Hey there. What can I do fer ya, sir?"
Faced with a relative stranger, the heat that was running through Jason a moment ago cools slightly. He knows he was already flushed, but now it's more with light embarrassment. "Ah... this is going to sound like a strange request. Do you happen to have any, ah, scented oil I can borrow or purchase?"
The young woman blinks at Jason with a bit of confusion, "Scented..." and then understanding flashes across her face, "Oh! Like -- like that Kama Sutra massage stuff? Sure, we've got some. It's not as expensive as the perfessionally made stuff, but it still smells good 'n feels nice." She's bustling out from behind the counter as she speaks, waving Jason to follow her, "Gotta nice local girl makes it, sells it here and on line, you know?" She leads him into the tiny store and peers into the glass counter, "Lessee... we got unscented and sandalwood and rose. Any of those sound good to ya?"
Jason follows her in, rubbing his hands, and when she mentions sandalwood, he perks. "The sandalwood. That's perfect. I had a roommate that once swore by that for a room incense. Ring up a bottle, please," he replies, getting his wallet. "By the way, thank you again for the delicious meal," he adds while he thinks about it -- meaning the compliment, but perhaps just keeping the conversation flowing, rather like a man trying to distract a clerk from the fact that he's buying condoms.
Carrie seems unfazed by Jason's purchase, cheerfully chatting with him about how nice sandalwood smells and what a lovely job the young lady who does the crafting does and would he like some scented soaps and lotions too? Jason passes on the soap, but is talked into purchasing some unscented moisturizing lotion, as well as sun screen. These are things he should have thought to buy before, were he not in such a hurry -- and if he's going to be spending more time out under the desert sun...
He takes care of his and Hepsi's meal all in one go, handing over his card and making a note to get a little more petty cash when he has a moment. Finally he bids Carrie good night and makes his way to the room Remi told him, bringing his bag with him. Carrie thanks him cheerfully, wishes him a pleasant night, and adds, "If you're helping the Riders, then God bless as well! They're good folks and answers to prayers. A little kindness their way is the least we can do for them, I say!"
Jason flashes a grin. "I couldn't agree more -- and thank you for your hospitality."
Jason knocks politely on the door when he gets there. He's not nearly as pent up as he was a moment ago. Well, perhaps things will go smoothly, then. Remiel opens the door and beams at Jason, "Welcome, enter freely!" The angel is not wearing a shirt. He's not wearing anything but a towel, in fact, with his shining hair down and tumbling over his shoulders. His face is almost aglow with happiness, and it's a bit like being hit with the full wattage of a spotlight.
Jason's brain doesn't quite turn to jelly. But in all honesty, he became intimate with Mike in a roundabout manner: he became attracted to him only after they had been together a couple times. This time, it's different. Remiel looks very much like an angel in all his glory. His smile is enough to make Jason's heart beat faster. His body is flawless in every respect -- milky skin, toned musculature... wait. The towel is around his neck. That means... Jason looks down, half expecting to see that Remi, like angels have been depicted before, is without genitals. That's not the case with Remi.
Remiel's expression shades into slight concern, "Jason? Is aught wrong, sweet mortal?"
Jason works his jaw. "Do you greet everyone who comes to your door this way?" he queries. Actually, no; he doesn't say that except in his head. What comes out is a sort of muffled exhortation of amazement. He abruptly thinks about Remi with Herfi, and then censors the thought. "I'm, ah... I'm fine." His face feels afire as he struggles to look Remi in the eyes again, feeling all the more self-conscious now, how he looks in comparison to this angelic Adonis. His body works a little faster than his brain, and he abruptly closes the door behind him, putting his pack to one side.
Remiel looks more concerned as Jason flushes hotly, reaching out to lay his palm against the mortal's forehead, "Gracious, are you fever-" He cuts off in startlement as Jason abruptly steps in and nearly yanks the door closed out of his hand. "Er... are you angry, Jason?" Now he's inside the room, Jason can hear the sounds of a shower running, and a woman calmly singing.
Jason huhs? "Oh! Nonono. Uh..." The act has brought him closer to Remi inadvertently, and when the angel touches his face he half nuzzles against it. "No, I'm just..." He struggles to find words. "You're beautiful," he blurts, "and it's very affecting. But I didn't... I suppose you don't understand mortal modesty that much." It takes him a moment to realize he's not actually kissing Remiel's palm and pulling him into a close embrace. Darn imagination. "I was just... ensuring privacy."
The angel listens with bemused intentness, then nods slowly, "Ah. This is that modesty thing, yes? I should cover up more?" He obligingly holds the towel in front of himself and smiles unselfconsciously, "Do you mind if I take a shower before I clothe myself again? If that would make you uncomfortable, please say so, yes?"
Jason chuckles ruefully. "Actually you should shower first, by all means... but getting dressed after would defeat the purpose." He shows Remiel the oil, uncapping for him to smell. "A proper massage is done naked. It's one of the few things that's as intimate as you can get without actually being deliberately sexual." He puts a comforting hand on Remiel's bicep. "If I was uncomfortable about your body, it was only because I was worried about someone else seeing you. Although I suppose that's not for me to be concerned about."
Remiel sniffs the oil interestedly, then brightens, "Oh, sandalwood! Mm, I remember that. They used to have some really lovely sandalwood incense in the temples." He grins cheerfully at Jason, "Nudity does not disturb me, sweet mortal. Our bodies are our own personal temples, after all."
Jason's head tilts. "I've heard that said before, but I'm not sure what it means?" he queries. His hand tentatively snakes into Remiel's, lightly encouraging him over to sit on the bed.
The angel smiles, "May I tell you more later, after I have cleaned myself?" The towel is still politely held before him as he moves with Jason towards the bed.
Jason ohs! "I'm sorry, then. Please, don't let me hold you up. I'll wait." He lets go of Remi's hand to undo his hiking boots. He's relieved his feet have gotten used to them... they ached and chafed the first couple days.
Remiel grins, then courteously bows over Jason's hand, "Then I shall return anon." He turns and heads relaxedly for the bathroom. Since the towel is in front, Jason has an excellent view of the angel's... rather pristine rear.
Jason has never been one of those people fascinated with a person's backside before Diana. She had a marvelous one. His eyes lingeringly follow Remi, even leaning to follow as the beautiful man disappears. "I am such a pervert," he mumbles to himself as he removes his socks as well, and uses some of the lotion he purchased on his feet to sooth the skin and remove the odor.
Shortly after Remi enters the bathroom, the woman stops singing with a throaty laugh. Jason has maybe twenty or thirty minutes of relaxation before Herfi emerges, wrapped in a towel. She's using another to dry her heavy mane of wet hair, and she's humming contentedly. She nods to Jason, murmuring, "Remiel will be out in a few minutes." She pulls out a very large T-shirt from her saddlebag, shrugging easily into it before she curiously adds, "Maybe you know. Why are tunics made so simply nowadays? No embroidery, cheap cloth... they barely last a few years, rather than for most of one's life, now." In comparison to Remiel, Herfjotur has a very sturdy, earthy, and well-used body. Muscles shift and flow distractingly under her skin, where the occasional scar stands out pale against it.
Jason absently wonders how to handle this. It's clear, watching Remi with Herfi, that the angel understands intimacy, even if he doesn't have urges the way mortals do. But Jason is going to keep his own urges in check. He'd never expected to be drawn so to another man, so this had taken him quite by surprise. When Herfi appears, though, he thankfully doesn't feel nearly so self-conscious. She's beautiful, but not in the same way -- and she's covered, and she could break him in half. "It's not just shirts. It's most clothing. Garments are made cheaper so that they sell for cheaper. But they're also made cheaper to encourage people to buy more of them, when old ones get worn from use. It's a ploy of business in order to make more money that finds its way into most forms of commerce."
The valkyrie stands stock still, her head slightly tilted as she listens to Jason and considers for a moment. Finally she gives a slow nod, "I understand, I think. This is a people of former artisans and trade, not of warriors and honor, ja?"
Jason considers Herfi's query. "For the most part, yes. There are so many people now, nations spanning entire continents, that most people can focus only on art, trade, and other things of little importance to immediate survival, like fighting. Some choose to be soldiers or peacekeepers, but that's a small minority compared to how many do not. Things like honor are for the most part a lost virtue. It's not like this everywhere, though."
Just before Jason answers, the shower turns off. Shortly thereafter Remiel strolls out, also wrapped in a towel and with another being rubbed briskly over his hair. He smiles with warm affection at Herfi, "Such a serious subject! I thought we were to relax and heal here, dear heart?" Herfjotur's smile is slightly wry in return, "It flowed naturally from my curiosity over their cloth -- if you can call it that." She nods to Jason, "That is well to hear, then. Perhaps we should migrate again; it would be meet to be once more amongst honorable warriors." Remiel's glance at Herfi is a bit worried, but he says nothing to that, instead simply murmuring, "Jason, explain to us please this backrub, so I will do what is correct, and you are not uncomfortable?"
Jason smiles at Remiel. "I'm a student myself, but I find more and more that I also have become a teacher. I enjoy it, so answering Herfi's question was no hardship." He notices Remi's reaction to Herfi's assertion that they migrate, and he half agrees. He makes a note to make it clear what it is like in less developed nations -- like parts of Africa and the Middle East -- before they choose to embroil themselves in the conflicts in those places. Later. "You are supposed to lay on the bed, Remi, face down... keep the towel on for now. I anoint my hands with the oil and work it into your skin. It's suppose to relax tension in the body and mind, soothe aching muscles."
Both entities raise thoughtful eyebrows, and Remiel lays down gracefully on one of the hotel beds, "Like so?" The angel has kept the towel wrapped around his middle, and laid the other around his wet hair, mostly covering his face. Herfi watches with interest as she unpacks and sorts the contents of one saddlebag.
Jason smiles and sits on the bed next to Remi, putting just a little oil into his hands and rubbing them together. Mike taught him that you don't slather it on -- just a little at a time. The point of a massage is not for them to feel oily and disgusting after. "Just so. Turn your head, though, so you don't smother," he murmurs in a soothing tone. He focuses on the angel as he starts working his hands over those beautiful shoulders, his hands firm as he gets to work, daubing a little more oil in after a bit as his hands explore the contours of that perfect body.
Remiel shifts slightly as directed, his eyes half closed and his expression peaceful. Herfi sits in a chair by the bed, watching with silent interest as she quietly works on some of her leathers. Softly she murmurs, "Is it pleasant, Remi? Can you teach this, Jason?" The angel mms contentedly, nodding once. A moment later there's some noticeable thumping and noise from the room next to them. Herfi looks up swiftly -- then snorts softly at a muffled bellow and goes back to her work and her fascinated regard of what Jason's doing.
Jason smiles at Herfi, almost fond. Giving a massage is almost as relaxing as getting one. "It's easy to learn -- and you should be good at it. You have strong hands," he assures, letting her watch. At the noise, he smiles himself. "Someone else is having fun," he drawls wryly. The smell of the oil brings out memories in him, good memories. His hands work over the breadth of the angel's shoulders... and then finally, with a mild warning, he climbs up atop Remi and starts in on his back, daubing a little more oil. He shows Herfi it's mostly about attention to detail.
A song comes to mind that his roommate listened to, and as Jason's mouth opens he finds the lyrics so very apropos to what they -- not just Remi and Herfi, but many supernaturals -- must feel:
When the evening falls and the daylight is fading,
from within me calls -- could it be I am sleeping?
For a moment I stray, then it holds me completely
Close to home -- I cannot say
Close to home feeling so far away.
As I walk there before me a shadow
from another world, where no other can follow
Carry me to my own, to where I can cross over...
Close to home -- I cannot say
Close to home feeling so far away.
The angel's musculature is much like that of an extraordinarily fit human, but without the usual damage one would have after a few millennia of life. There are a surprisingly few number of scars, although there are some rather tight knots of tension -- some of them quite deep -- as if the angel's body was relatively new but his anxieties were very old indeed. Jason can feel the low, contented hum underneath him as Remi relaxes, and Herfi listens with a silent smile. Jason is thoroughly enjoying himself... he loves to sing, and he loses himself in the moment as he works over Remi's back, attentive to every noise he makes, every muscle he touches. This is meant to be an act of thankfulness, and he puts his all into it.
Forever searching; never right, I am lost
In oceans of night. Forever
Hoping I can find memories
Those memories I left behind.
Even though I leave will I go on believing
That this time is real -- am I lost in this feeling?
Like a child passing through, never knowing the reason
I am home -- I know the way
I am home -- feeling oh, so far away.
Time passes peacefully as Jason concentrates on what he's doing, and beneath him the angel's skin gleams warmly, like oiled marble. Remiel's breathing is slow and deep, and his body is stretched out firm and solid below Jason; the angel seems utterly relaxed. His eyes are half-closed, although Jason can notice an odd lightening of the room in front of him. Jason doesn't seem to care at first, his hands working an endless array of perfect flesh; removing the towel without an ounce of self-consciousness now, and keeping going. But then his curiosity kicks in and he dares open his eyes wider, wondering at what is there to see.
It takes a bit before Jason realizes what's happening: Remiel is starting to glow! A faint golden light is being shed from the angel's face and hair, and where Jason's hands are working. Jason's face is a mask of quiet wonder, and as he works Remi's glutes he looks at Herfi, to see if this is normal from her reaction. Herfjotur looks quietly content as she watches. By now she's cleaning and sharpening her weapons, and the scent of clove oil mingles curiously pleasantly with the sandalwood. She looks up at Jason with an inquiringly raised eyebrow when she realizes he's looking at her. Jason is loathe to speak, at first; to break the moment. "Is he supposed to glow?" he whispers in the valkyrie's direction.
There's a soft breath of amusement from Remiel, and Herfjotur smiles quietly as she watches the relaxed angel, "Ja. In the best of times he glows all over, and can change his shape to the wheel of flame." Her ice-blue gaze returns to Jason as she adds simply, "Your worship is doing him great good. Thank you."
Jason had never thought of it this way... that his offering of his
life force to a supernatural is a form of worship. Oddly, he doesn't
have a problem with it. Offering worship to tangible people that have
done right by him, rather than having a patriarchal sky god demanding
it, is not so bad a thing. Even if they offered nothing in return but
friendship, he would still be willing to give a gift of his love. He
returns his focus to Remiel, swiveling to face the other way to work the
angel's thighs, now. Jason segues to a new song, appropriately titled
'Exile' -- but even though his voice is dreamy and lingering, he shows
that it is not a song of sadness, but a song of hope; remembering the
dream he had, of the mighty dragon flying the supernatural peoples to
a place of safe harbor. He lets his voice be his worship.
Jason sings it not just to Remi, but to all the supernatural peoples
he has met since that fateful day with Diana -- even those that have made
homes for themselves are still cast off from the world they came from, and
he wishes safe harbor for them all. By the time Jason finishes, Remiel's
shadow is shedding light instead of darkness, and his curling mane is a
shimmering golden mass. Herfjotur sighs softly, her voice slightly awed,
"Bright Lady's blessing on your hands, mortal. Would that we could keep
you with us."
Remiel's small smile is gentle as he murmurs, "Only of his own free
will, my heart... and he has told us he is a-questing." He's silent a
moment before he softly adds, "I would gladly offer a kiss of friendship
and thanksgiving before you left us, though, sweet Jason."
Jason laughs lightly. "I could not possibly say no." ["No, no you
couldn't." "Shut up, inner pervert."] He cups Remiel's cheek and leans to
kiss those glowing lips. He'd dismounted after he'd finished the massage,
leaving Remiel free to turn and rise. The angel reaches up with a relaxed
arm, drawing Jason down against his chest. For just a heartbeat his eyes
seem to glow from within, and then his faintly smiling lips meet Jason's.
Jason doesn't entirely understand what happens. At first, it's just
the delicious pressure of lips on lips. But what happens next is entirely
different from anything he'd experienced with Diana. There is pleasure,
certainly, but it takes the form of falling into light. Totally exposed,
bathed in warmth, tingling, inhaling the most wonderful scent (light
has a smell?). All of these sensations, and yet he's no longer in his
body. He is cast off from his shell, and with it go all the cares and
worries that are wrapped up in his mortal life. He could be here forever,
if he was allowed.
Jason returns to himself laid out flat on the bed. Remiel is gently
stroking his face, running slender fingers through his hair, the glowing
eyes regarding him with quiet interest. When Jason groans softly, his
eyes fluttering open, the angel grins. His voice is a touch apologetic,
"Your pardon, sweet mortal; it has been long and long since I was so
energetic. I did not mean to overwhelm. You are feeling well?"
'Well' doesn't begin to describe it, actually. 'Euphoric' might be
closer. Jason giggles a little. "Wonderful," he murmurs, snuggling
against Remiel. Of course, he did have the intense experience with
Jackalope and Coyote recently. But that had an entirely different feel to
it. That reminds him, of course. He's got to leave out trail mix like he
promised. "It's just as well you're moving on. You are far too tempting,"
he adds softly.
Remiel chuckles softly, "Alas, this is not a thanksgiving I can offer
frequently, dear mortal. But I am glad you enjoyed it; it should offer
you relaxing dreams for some time." Herfi glances up, her expression
dryly amused, "You so love doing that, Remi. Be careful you do not harm
yourself in the giving of pleasure." He smiles with lazy affection back
at Herfi, opening his mouth to speak -- and the door bangs open with a
cheerful bellow. Guthrum strides in, slamming the door behind him. He's
speaking some foreign tongue, but Hepsi -- looking diminutive next to
him -- is tucked into one arm and giggling relaxedly. Neither of them
are wearing much.
Perhaps it was because of the mention of dreams, which has been so
central to his recent quest. But when the door bangs open, Jason jerks
out of his restful, relaxed state into tension -- until he sees who it
is, and flops back against Remi. Remiel chuckles relaxedly, continuing to
run his hand in slow, relaxing strokes along Jason's body -- and that's
when the young man realizes he's wearing no shirt.
Herfi snorts exasperatedly at the giant, putting away the pistol she
nearly teleported to her hand, and answers Guthrum in the same language.
Hepsi gets an interested look at sight of Jason on the bed, and scrambles
down from Guthrum's arm to wriggle up onto the bed on the far side of
Jason. She glances down at him with unblinking interest, then looks up
at Remiel, "Is he ill?"
Jason laughs! "No. Nonononono. Far from," he assures, smiling at
Hepsi as his hand rests atop his chubby belly. Bare. Hmm. He lifts his
head slightly and slides his hand down, suddenly wondering if his shirt
is all he's missing... both entities watch him in silent interest. When
Remiel blinks his eyes, those thick, soft lashes seem to almost caress
his cheeks; Jason doesn't catch Hepsi blinking. The rough feel of jeans
under Jason's fingers reassure him that he's still decorously clad.
Hepsi watches the movement of his fingers and Remiel's hand, then says,
"I found him first, you know!" There's a faint sibilance on her S's,
and she seems to almost coil up a little in defiant preparation as she
lays one small arm over Jason's chest. She's staring warily at the angel
as she speaks.
Jason finds it interesting that neither Remi nor Hepsi knew
instinctively that he was 'owned' -- he had to show Remi. So he heads
this off at the pass. "No, Hepsi. You didn't," he says gently, putting
his hand over hers and tilting his head to one side, turning so she
can see the mark on his neck. He looks up at Hepsi calmly. "I'm sorry,"
he murmurs, hoping that a gentle demeanor and honesty keeps this from
flaring up into a problem.
Remiel smiles faintly, continuing to gently stroke along Jason's
front. The small girl looks down alertly at Jason -- then blinks, her
eyes widening. She leans forward, reaching her fingers out to touch
the mark lightly. An instant later she yanks her hand back, hissing,
"Ow, shit!" Jason can feel a gentle warmth along the side of his neck
-- it reminds him of nothing so much as Diana brushing kisses along his
throat -- and Remiel chuckles quietly, "Hepsi, little one, did you think
he'd be undefended?" She hmfs around her fingers, which she's put into
her mouth, then mumbles around them, "Coulda been old!"
As she leaned over him, Jason caught sudden sight of her eyes: wide
and bright blue. When she swore and yanked back, though, he had the oddest
impression the pupils narrowed suddenly to slits. Jason wonders at those
eyes. He knows cats can have slit pupils, but he's not sure what other
species do. Snakes? There is still the lack of explanation as to what
exactly Hepsi is. "She'd be with me, but I was told I had to make this
journey alone," he rumbles, sitting up a little. "It's nothing against
you, Hepsi. I'm still willing to help you, to travel with you, if you
wish it," he explains, deciding not to reveal what Herfi intuited. "But I
had to be honest. It's the only way to be, under the circumstances." He
wonders at the fact that Hepsi experienced pain: is it like that all
the time, or does it mean that Diana's getting stronger? She'd like
that. "I'm sorry it hurt. Is it supposed to?"
Remiel remains stretched out on the bed, his formerly caressing hand
now resting on his hip; he's still magnificently, relaxedly nude. Hepsi
sits back abruptly as Jason moves -- then gives a startled squeak as she
falls backwards off the narrow bed! Guthrum and Herfi are still talking,
almost yelling in that foreign tongue, and without hardly looking Guthrum
puts one large hand out and catches the tiny girl -- who was already
starting to twist frantically to break her fall. Remiel's voice is calm,
"It does not, no -- unless someone attempts to fight it, and the previous
owner is still actively defending."
Jason had somehow completely missed that Herfi and Guthrum were
agitated, and is all curious -- but then Hepsi loses her balance... but
Guthrum catches her. Crisis averted! "Sorry about that, Hepsi," he drawls,
sitting up fully and offering her a hand so she can regain her vertical
state. "But I did warn you."
The lithe, smaller woman glances up at Guthrum and gives a little,
almost pixie-ish smile of thanks. When she turns back to Jason, standing
next to him as he sits on the bed, she's not quite at eye level for him.
She takes his hand, her voice curious, "When did you warn me?" Behind her,
Guthrum goes back to his usual enthusiastic bellowing.
Jason hmms. "Well, wrong choice of words, maybe. I couldn't really
warn you, because I didn't know what would happen. I never inquired
fully about her mark. But I am still sorry."
In December mornings,
Cold
is the cry that rings
From this far distant shore.
Winter has
come too late
Too close beside me.
How can I chase away
All these
fears deep inside?
I'll wait, the signs to come
I'll find a
way
I will wait the time to come
I'll find a way home.
My
light shall be the moon
And my path, the ocean
My guide, the
morning star
As I sail home to you.
I'll wait, the signs
to come
I'll find a way
I will wait, the time to come
I'll
find a way home.
Who then can warm my soul?
Who can quell
my passion?
Out of these dreams, a boat
I will sail home to
you.