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2009-09-20
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Retired
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Just Like Jesse James
Hepsi narrows her eyes thoughtfully, "What... wait. Are you saying you don't really want to be marked by her? Or what?" Remiel gives a small, faintly amused snort, but says nothing. Instead he rolls fluidly to sit on the edge of the bed, where he takes a moment to wipe off with his towel before pulling on a pair of soft, almost threadbare jeans.
Jason can't help but wonder if he's actually being unclear, or if Hepsi hears what she wants to hear. Hell, why choose: it could be both. "I love her," he says simply, bluntly, "and I willingly took her mark. That doesn't mean I don't like you, or am not willing to work and travel with you. There's no need to worry about Diana. This journey, sadly, was meant to happen without her... but you, you are important to what comes next. I can see this. And..." he ducks his head, as if shy, "I have many questions for you, honored Hepsi."
The small girl abruptly drops Jason's hand and whirls half away from him, her expression frustrated as she hisses something half under her breath. The two Norse don't really hear, being busy with their conversation, but Remiel looks over with a small smile and shakes his head once. Jason purses his lips. He was trying to play this right; not have Hepsi feel slighted. She's clearly far more intense than he first realized. He sits on his real questions, though, and instead asks a simpler one. "Have I offended you, Hepsi?" he inquires gently, though he does not touch her without her approval.
Hepsi doesn't say anything immediately, until Remiel murmurs quietly, "Just because you have to share doesn't mean you cannot benefit, child." At that she folds her arms and glares at the angel, then turns and sort of flumps down to sit on the bed next to Jason. She sighs, then mutters, "No, no, not offended. Just... really tired now. Want to go home."
Jason looks at Remiel gratefully for his assistance, then sidles closer to Hepsi, giving her his full attention. "You said that earlier. Where is home, Hepsi? And how can I help you get there?" He turns his head around, trying to get her to look him in the eyes. "Remiel is right. I want to help you, and I am willing to do what it takes to do so." The small woman looks a bit uneasy, leaning back slightly as she glances around at the others. She opens her mouth to speak -- and there's a quick tapping at the door.
Jason glares at the door. All the interruptions! One wonders if this is a plot to keep him from talking to Hepsi -- who is clearly the crux of the issue! "Yes? Who is it?" he calls, a little unkindly.
Hepsi is clearly twitchy -- she's already jumped up and slipped around behind Guthrum. Remiel chuckles, rising to pad to the door and open it, "Hello?" At the door is Carrie, wringing her hands and looking unhappy and worried. "I'm so sorry t' bother y'all, but -- well, you really wanna know about this, I think?" She's clearly distraught enough that it takes a second for her to be caught by Remiel's "look" -- but when she looks at him her jaw drops and she makes a small squeak... then simply stares for a few moments. Remiel smiles at her, causing a pleased flush to rise in her cheeks, and gently draws her into the room, closing the door after her. His voice is kindly, "Carrie, what a pleasure. What can we do for you?"
Jason is beset with a wave of feelings. First, of course, the frustration at being interrupted. Then worry, seeing it's Carrie in a state of anxiety -- and then amusement at seeing Carrie's reaction to Remiel, which was probably not unlike his own... except, of course, that Remiel was naked then. He's not now, of course, but what if he was? These thoughts, of course, lead Jason's mind down a very different path, the one he was getting close to when it was just Remiel and him at the table, and he was wanting to kiss the beautiful angel...wanting to do more than that, to be honest. Even with the worry and curiosity in the air, his mind still goes there... Carrie, Remiel, himself, even Hepsi. After all, maybe a little intimacy would help Hepsi feel better, and kissing her was nice... wait, what is he thinking?
Jason's face is burning at the mental imagery he just conjured up -- and he's starting to wonder whether being with Diana has changed him in ways he's having a hard time handling. But he refocuses. "Is there something wrong, Carrie?" he queries, partly to bring the anxiety back to the fore. Ah, anxiety. Who'd have thought it could be helpful?
It takes a second, but Carrie's gaze is finally dragged away from Remiel -- and when she sees Jason again the worry floods back into her face, "Oh! Yeah, yes, sorry!" She's quite pink, almost babbling as she carefully doesn't look at Remiel again, "I, uhm, yes! Right -- so yes, we have a police band scanner here -- nothing bad, you know, just so if there's a fire or other disaster, the community can pull together quickly to help, you know? And, um, right. So..." Oddly, she looks a bit embarrassed now, her gaze flicking to the others, "So, um... well, I was wondering how well you knew the Riders here? B-because, um..." Her worried gaze returns to Jason as she says, "B-because I just heard the deputy sheriff put out an APB on someone that looks just like you!"
Jason's face goes pale. "Fuck," he says, the first epithet he's said in a while. "Fuck, fuck, stupid, stupid, stupid!" he says, railing at himself more than anything. "I had to get clever with that goddamn..." he trails off, when he realizes everyone's looking at him. "If I'd just done what you said, maybe he'd think I was dead or something." he finishes lamely, talking in Herftjotr's direction. "That's going to make traveling more hairy..."
It's clear the supernaturals have no idea what's going on, by their blank expressions. Remiel murmurs carefully, "Is having an... apey bee on one a bad thing?" Hepsi stares in awe at Jason, "Wait... you're a shapeshifter too?!"
Jason clears his throat, trying to calm and think about this. "APB. All Points Bulletin. Joe..." he blinks at Hepsi. "No, no, not a shapeshifter. I couldn't possibly be a shapeshifter and a mortal succulent." He returns to his original explanation. "Joe, the guy who attacked, he's the deputy. That means he has authority to send out information to all other lawmen in the area. He's just told all of them to be on the look out for me, obviously because I'm wanted for 'questioning' in response to the 'crime' I supposedly committed." He uses finger quotes and everything. "Another policeman sees me that's read the report, and he'll take me into custody."
Everyone there stares at Jason with varying degrees of consideration, worry, or consternation. Finally Herfi breaks the silence, "This is... a request from the warrior who hates us, to all of his clan? A request to seize you if you are spotted?" Carrie whispers with a kind of awe, "Deputy Joe's a bit... intense, but he's usually real p'lite. What did you do?!"
Jason sighs. "Something like that, Herfi. Only the lawmen transcend clans. They are the keepers of justice. He just informed anyone with his position that watches over different towns to detain me. That could span the entire area state we are in, if not more." He looks at Carrie, unsure what to tell her. "I told him he was a murderer and to stay out of my business." he says honestly, without going into more detail. He looks at Hepsi. "I don't suppose you know any way to disguise me? Any of you?"
Carrie looks shocked and confused, while Herfi simply nods once, her expression thoughtful. Guthrum watches her, waiting for her lead, and Remiel looks unhappy, but gently urges Carrie to have a seat while he gets her a drink of water. Hepsi thinks for a while -- then grins mischievously, "Well, I can think of one way that might work -- but it'd take a lot of energy!" Remiel shushes her with a quick gesture, and Herfi glares in disapproval.
Jason looks between Remiel and Hepsi. "I don't understand?"
Remiel busies himself comforting Carrie, and Jason can see her relax as he speaks earnestly in soft tones to her. Hepsi looks abashed, while Herfi's stern gaze slides from the slight woman to Jason. With a tilt of her head she indicates Carrie, then murmurs, "We shall talk more later. For now, let us see to the aid of our staunch and true ally, aye?" She murmurs to Guthrum, who grunts and rises, pacing out of the room.
Jason ahs. Okay, yes, this he understands. Carrie only knows so much; best not to make her more agitated than she is by giving her more than she can handle. Bonnie-Jean was hard enough to explain things to. "Yes, okay, right. Guh. Do you think it's still safe to spend the night? Probably, this is no major town, and they don't know where exactly we went. But we need to think up a plausible lie in case Joe comes here after I'm gone... I sure as hell don't want Carrie to get into trouble for letting me stay here."
Herfi smiles grimly, "That, we can handle -- you are with us, and sometimes it seems people simply do not see us. It is the afterward that concerns me. There are few enough of us that the loss of even one is a worry -- and loss of a succulent, if you are all they say, would be a tragedy." She keeps her voice pitched low, so it won't disturb Carrie, and a moment later Guthrum comes in with a bag in one big fist. Herfi murmurs to Hepsi, "Do you know how to make tea with modern tools?" When the slight woman nods, the Valkyrie looks relieved, "Excellent." She nods to Guthrum, who hands the bag to Hepsi and then flops relaxedly back in the chair.
Jason scratches his chin. "Maybe the best lie is the one that's mostly truth. I did stay here, one night, left the next day..." he's starting to say, and then stops as Herfi shares an interesting tidbit. "Oh! Okay, that is interesting and helpful... that may solve all Carrie's problems..." Then he gets it. "I'm sorry, you were saying... I thought you were saying 'Carrie' was your staunch and true ally..." he murmurs, abashed.
Herfi raises a golden eyebrow, her voice faintly amused as she murmurs, "I did. You have been friendly to date, but I do not yet know if you are an ally. And you are already bound in service to another whom I do not know at all."
Jason clears his throat. "That's fair," he murmurs agreeably. "So... tea? Why tea?" he queries then, moving on and feeling self-conscious.
Herfi's gaze on Carrie couldn't be said to be precisely fond... but it is at least kind, "She finds it soothing, she says... and she always has an open area in her inn where there is tea available." Sure enough, shortly thereafter Hepsi starts handing around small mugs of flowery-scented tea to those who wish it. Carrie and Remiel receive theirs first, then the two Norse -- the mug looks diminutive in the fire giant's huge fist, and he handles it with worried concern -- then Hepsi serves herself and Jason. After that there's a moment of calm, and Carrie looks much less worried now.
Jason nods agreeably as he sips tea. Never underestimate the healing power of tea. It's as much ritual as drink, even in this day and age. He lets the silence sit as he ponders the situation, not wanting to stir things up again after all the hard work of Remiel and tea. Unfortunately, it also precludes discussion of the situation, any parts of it. But he cultivates patience.
Carrie and Remiel chat happily over the tea about some of her planned renovations for the hotel, and Hepsi curls up next to them and makes occasional cheerful suggestions. Were it not for the silent, not-quite-looming Norse, and Jason's knowledge of why Carrie came to the room, it would all seem incredibly mundane. As it is, when Carrie leaves a short while later, after a hug from Remiel and a promise to help her with some heavy lumber she needs moved, the scene feels more... surreal than not -- especially when Remiel's face has gone still with concern as he turns back from the closed door. "So... now what?"
Jason's lips purse. "Well, first of all, what happened exactly? Was that little exchange exactly what it seemed? Or has she forgotten all about me and what she heard about Joe's call for assistance?
Remiel smiles, "Oh, she remembers -- but she knows we'll take care of it, and everything will be fine." He tilts his head curiously as he pours a bit more tea for himself, "Why do you ask? More tea?"
Jason does hold out his glass for more, with a polite nod. He could use some more liquid calming. "I just want to be clear about what's happened here. This effect that you describe, about not being noticed. How does it work? Joe has been supposedly hunting you, which means tales have gotten back to him... and even if Carrie is calmed for now, I am worried what might happen if Joe comes here looking for me. Will she have to lie, or will this whole matter be forgotten?"
Remiel pours tea, then settles back relaxedly against the headboard of the bed, his hair falling with roguish grace over one eye as he smiles at Jason. Herfjotur says thoughtfully, "Clear, eh? Very well. We don't know, and no." Her raised golden eyebrow at Jason is accompanied by her cool smile, "We know somewhat of ourselves. How you and your kind see us -- that is still a mystery we are working out." Hepsi sighs unhappily and slides onto Guthrum's lap, curling up with her head resting against his hirsute chest as she watches Jason.
Jason rubs his forehead. "Well, there's nothing for it, I suppose. But if it's not entirely under your control, then perhaps the easiest thing to do is let things be. She wasn't knowingly aiding and abetting a known criminal or criminals... even though we're not. The problem is not really hiding our tracks. The problem is, how do we get where we're going without being stopped. Which brings up two more questions." He looks squarely at Hepsi. "What is this idea you had to hide me that takes a lot of energy? And where exactly are we going?"
Guthrum snorts, and Remiel grins ruefully, as Herfi murmurs dryly, "We'll add your advice to the information we've been gathering for the past few centuries; thank you, Jason." Hepsi stares wide-eyed at Jason from where she's curled in Guthrum's lap, as if she can't believe what she heard. Finally she almost whispers, "You... don't know where you're going?"
Jason smiles a little. "Sure I do. I'm going with you. I'm going to help you get home," he replies. "But seeing as you're the only one who knows where that is... I have to ask you find out where I'm going."
Hepsi looks a bit relieved at that, sitting up a bit, "Oh! All right, then." She thinks a moment, then nods, "All right. So, like Herfjotur said, lots of times people won't see us, especially if we don't look right to their way of sight. So I thought I'd just change shape back to my native form, and ride you, and that will distract people from looking too close. It'll take a lot of energy for me to shift shape here, though -- I won't be human looking any more, you know?" She beams at him cheerfully, "What do you think?" She adds a bit worriedly, "But, um... I'll need you to swear you won't abandon me, all right?"
Jason looks at Herfjotr. "Lies can be more problematic than they're worth, see. Especially if you can't control who's telling the lies. We don't need to rely on her to remember and tell a lie well. The three of you, of course, have been doing this a long time, and I'm sure you can hide yourselves easy -- and Carrie won't be harmed if she's honest, and Joe believes she doesn't know anything about who we really are."
The Valkyrie leans her head on one fist, silently watching Jason with icy blue eyes, and says nothing. It's Guthrum who growls, "Talk too much, boy. That's why the killer's after you." Remiel murmurs a quiet, "Peace... he's but a child still."
Jason doesn't say anything to Guthrum... he may be right. But it's harder when you're not a warrior, when you have no magic -- when all you have is your wit. Talking may get him into trouble sometimes, but it's the only weapon he has. He focuses on Hepsi instead. "I will not abandon you. I promise," he assures. "I was clearly sent to help you, among other things. But what exactly will you be shifting to that you'll be riding me? A bird. Some other small animal? A coat?" He stops in mid speech and laughs. "Now that's a spooky idea!" He wiggles his fingers menacingly. "Beware the curse of the mighty Were-coats! They will transform and flop onto the ground, unable to move unless someone picks them up!"
Hepsi blinks uncertainly at Jason, and Remiel laughs softly. The slight woman relaxes when she realizes Jason isn't making fun of her, and grins slyly, "Well, I could just show you. I'll need more energy, though, to do that?"
Jason holds up a hand. "Well, let's hold off on that for a moment. Do you use up energy every time you shift? Or do you just need more to use your powers right now? I don't want to waste energy just to show off. Also, if I can't communicate with you after you shift then I won't be able to properly consult with you?"
The three Riders are regarding Hepsi with curiosity as well. Hepsi bounces once in Guthrum's lap, making a slightly frustrated sound, "Yes! What a silly question of course shifting is hard!" Almost angrily she adds, "Do you think I'd stay in this stupid little girl's body if I could pull one off that really reflected my age and rank?! Especially in this mana-and-deity-forsaken place?!" She huffs a quick, angry breath, looking away and clearly collecting herself, then swivels her head around to glare at Jason, "And of course I'll be able to direct you in my native shape! I wouldn't have offered otherwise -- I'm not stupid!"
Jason clears his throat lightly, trying not to cringe before her anger. But he does have thoughts, and one of those is wondering how old she can be if she's this... immature. "I never said you were stupid, Hepsi. But I'm still in the dark about who you are and what you want. So I'm trying to learn. So... why don't I see about giving you what you need, so you can enlighten all of us," he replies, attempting to sound reasonable without giving ground.
Hepsi bounces immediately to her feet, relief flooding her face. She grabs Jason's hand, heading for the door, "Fantastic -- let's go!" She grins over her shoulder at the others, adding, "We're going to use the other room, 'kay?"
Jason lets himself be pulled, in his surprise at Hepsi's mercurial emotional state. Of course, why wouldn't she be happy? She's about to get what she's wanted since she kissed him back at the butte. "Uhm... see you guys in a bit, I guess..." he says to the others, wondering what he's gotten himself into...
Guthrum and the Valkyrie look faintly amused; Remiel looks a touch concerned. Hepsi grins at Jason as she tugs him into the other room, adding, "Remember now, you gotta do what I tell you when I'm in my other shape, so it'll work correctly. Promise?"
Jason nods agreeably. "Sure. You're the expert on yourself," he rumbles.
Hepsi beams at Jason, her eyes almost sparkling like gems as she shuts and locks the door, then whirls happily back to him, "Excellent! So, first the sex -- then the blood-letting for the best energy!"
Jason's eyes get wide. "Whoa! Wowowowo, time out!" He even makes the time out signal, even though she probably has no idea what it means. "Bloodletting? Why do you need my blood?"
Hepsi throws herself relaxedly across the bed, casually shedding clothing, "For the energy, of course." She grins at Jason, her sharp little teeth showing, "Weren't you listening, mortal?" The slight girl sits up lithely, moving like liquid mercury as her grin widens, "Or were you busy thinking how to tell us to live our lives?" She adds amusedly, "Don't worry, I don't want the actual blood itself. I just want the energy that comes of the gift of life energy. It's potent worship."
Jason is not in a hurry to strip, and talk of blood makes it easy for him to ignore her nudity. "I understand that apparently the process by which you gain energy from me includes bloodletting... now, now that you've finally mentioned it," he explains. "And while I'm happy to give to you, just as I did to Remiel, it's a little disconcerting that the process requires pain." Talking about it, though, he relaxes a little. "I'm not saying this is a deal breaker -- it's entirely preferable to requiring that you eat me to gain energy. I'm just trying to understand why... although, as you talk about it, I guess it makes perfect sense. I just would like to have been told before I agreed to it, is all."
Hepsi grins wickedly, "Yes, you definitely should have asked first, don't you think?" She pats the bed next to her, adding cheerfully, "And now you've gone and promised already, before you knew all the pitfalls." She laughs. "I think I'm going to be good for you!"
She's certainly going to be something for him. This, he understands now, is what Phyx was trying to warn him about. Did he act foolishly and without forethought? Yes. But it wasn't for lack of trying. She's been manipulating him this whole time. Appealing to his emotions, diverting his attention from the critical questions he had been trying to ask of her. If she's not a trickster, she's the next closest thing. For now, at least, he's going to flow with it, and accept the mistakes he's already made. Certainly, giving her energy may be a step towards building trust, as well as seeing, rather than having her tell, who and what she really is -- and for the future... well, he'll just have to be on his guard, won't he? This pairing is clearly going to be a mixed blessing. But he thinks about all of this while removing his clothes, and then crawling onto the bed next to her. "It's certainly going to be... interesting." he rumbles evenly.
Hepsi laughs again, putting an arm around his neck and drawing him down to lie next to her, "Oh, a response with good grace -- well played! I do prefer those who don't whine." After that she happily enjoys herself with Jason, and cheerfully makes sure he receives pleasure also. She doesn't feel loving, like Diana, but she is bubbly and enthusiastic, as well as careful, with him.
It helps that Hepsi is an attentive lover, even if the sex is far different than any he had had before. Diana, Mike: he loved them -- and Diana, of course, is all about the sex, drowning in passion and pleasure. But it's also different from how it was with Ratel and Nilgai: they were far more warm and emotionally considerate... available, as it were. Yes, there was a goal there, to sire children on them. But they were also just so human, and friendly. There was a connection. With Hepsi, the feel of the sex is more like it was to be with a mortal rather than a succubus. But it's just sex. Shared pleasure, but no real intimacy. It's an interesting realization. In addition, as they are resting in afterglow, he realizes that she's actually not all that warm. Not ice cold, but cooler than a human should be. He wonders what that means, but once more exercises patience. He does wrap his arms around her, though, as if trying to warm her up, as he recovers...
Hepsi sighs happily, curling up half over Jason and making a small pleased noise. "Mmm... nice 'n warm... this's going to be a nice trip from now on, I think..."
Jason is quite content to give of his warmth for a while. But finally he speaks up, "Should I offer the gift of my blood, now? I have to admit I'm itching to see you in your proper glory," he murmurs into Hepsi's ear.
Hepsi doesn't quite preen, but she does stretch with languid pleasure, "Really? Let's do so now then, yes!" She rolls back just enough that Jason can rise if he wishes, "You'll need a few things... do you have a sharp knife or pin? Also a bowl, hmm..." She looks around, frowning thoughtfully, "I don't think we need to burn it for it to reach me, since I'm right here. Oh, you'll want a way to heal yourself afterwards -- bandages or something. You mortals take so long to heal, after all, and I don't want you to get sick and die, or wear out on me." She adds cheerfully, "Oh, and there's a chant to say as you bleed too. I'll say it and you can repeat after me, all right?"
Jason doesn't smile, though he does feel a flush of pride: he can be clever too -- and Hepsi, in some ways, is easy to figure out. "I have a knife, yes, and it's new and sharp, so it should be just fine... I also have a first aid kit. That should be all I need... I shopped thoroughly before my journey."
The small woman nods, sliding fluidly to her feet with clearly supernatural grace -- she's not trying to hide what she is so much now. She happily pulls the table out a bit and clears it, puts two chairs by it, then looks around thoughtfully, "Want to lay your ceremonial tools out? Bowl?"
Jason collects his things... boiling would take too long, and he doesn't have the proper tools at hand for that. Instead he disinfects with alcohol, also preparing bandages and antibiotic ointment. For a bowl he uses what came with his compact cooking set: a tin pan. He looks at Hepsi. "What is traditional for the bloodletting? I should do it in a place that is not likely to impair me later."
Hepsi kneels on her chair, her eyes bright with excitement. She wrinkles her nose a bit at the tin pan, then sighs amusedly, "No flowers, no bright colors... ah, well. It's the sincerity that counts, really." She smiles at Jason, not quite wriggling with impatience, "Ready? Got a particular place you- ah." She falls silent at Jason's query, thinking and studying him with unblinking thoughtfulness, "Hmm... well, there are a variety of places used, but you should use the one you're most comfortable with. For example, driving a thorn through the tongue works, or into the calf or forearm..." She tilts her head curiously, "What do you think?"
Jason wishes for the first time that he knew more about anatomy. "Tongue is not wise. A leg that hurts is also unwise, since we'll be doing a lot of walking. Let's do left forearm -- and I'm sorry that I'm not well prepared or schooled in proper etiquette: I chose my belongings for form and usefulness, not beauty. I would sing for you, perhaps, except I'll already doing ritual chant -- and honestly, since I'm not regularly accustomed to pain, it's probably just as well." He removes the knife from the alcohol. "I am ready." As ready as he can be, considering there's a huge personal imperative to not deliberately self-injure. His tone, as a result, is that of someone trying to keep his voice even and sounding confident, but there is a clear undercurrent of anxiety.
Hepsi looks a bit surprised, then quickly shakes her head, "Nonono, I'm not complaining! Believe me, freely gifted blood is a treasure -- the trappings are just... just pretties, not the real thing, you know?" She considers a moment, then with nimble fingers she quickly unbraids her hair, fluffing it out into a dark cloud of midnight that falls down to almost her waist. She smiles at Jason, leaning on her elbows on the table, and happily adds, "Don't be afraid -- I promise I'll take care of you! Now. When you're ready, just start the chant. Give your full name, list your lineage and praise your ancestors, praise your tools that serve you so well, then ask me, Hepsiburadayunanca, to accept the praise and offering you're about to present to me." She's wriggly with excitement, and there's an almost mischievously delighted gleam to her eyes as she waits for Jason.
Jason blinks. That... is a lot of hair. Wow. "I'm sure this would be easier if I was accustomed, my Lady. Anticipation, I expect, makes this worse. But once it has begun..." he trails off meaningfully. "It will be well," he finishes. If he can act confident, he can be confident -- and he has managed through far less difficult situations than this. He inhales... and exhales. In, and out. Just breathe. "I am Jason Alexander Burke. Son of Richard Burke and Sylvia Kiernan. Both my families come here from over the sea in the north; one from Ireland, the other from the Isle of Man. My grandfathers were a soldier and a carpenter... my grandmothers were a welder and a teacher. I do honor to them that lived well and raised their children with honor and grace and good teaching, that they found each other, joined as one, and gave life to me. Better still, because I am here to do honor to you."
"My tools are simple, but chosen by me and worthy of this offering because of the respect that I give them -- and now, in this place made hallow by our joining I ask you, Hepsiburadayunaca, to accept my praise and worship and to take this offering of blood as a symbol of that worship." The words come to him slow and even, but he feels good about them, and in the saying of them, he relaxes -- and so it does not hurt as much when the blade bites into his flesh.
Hepsi draws in her breath unwittingly as Jason uses the knife, her eyes nearly glowing with excitement and her gaze riveted upon his arm. Her upper torso is literally lying on the table as she pushes the little tin pan carefully under his arm so the blood will fall into it. Her voice is a soft, hissing singsong, and her face is alight with happiness at the first bright scarlet threads that roll swiftly over Jason's arm and plash gently into the pan. Jason finally puts the knife down, his hand managing to not tremble. He's proud of that as he holds his arm out over that pan, letting the blood flow even as the pain eats at him. But he lets it flow over him and continues to offer his arm in offering and supplication, waiting until she says 'enough.'
Hepsi is quivering herself, still staring in fascination at the blood. She licks her lips once -- a swift, flickering gesture -- then murmurs a bit hoarsely, "R-right... ohh, that feels amazing, Jason Alexander Burke!" She sighs softly, seeming to relax a little, and adds in a throaty voice, "N-now... say your name again and state that you will abide by the assurances you have given me -- and that you promise by your blood."
It helps to move past the pain by focusing on her with interest. First to see her... and then to See her, curious now to know what his sight will tell him as he feeds this creature with his worship. "I am Jason Alexander Burke, and I am a man of honor. I promise to you that I will not abandon you and that I shall do as you guide me on our quest in furtherance of our combined goal: to bring you home. I swear this on my blood," he intones as he opens himself up to see and know this one.
Hepsi laughs aloud at Jason's words, although it is a laughter of joy and relief, and straightens up in the chair. She tosses her head back in apparent ecstasy, raising her arms over her head and slowly swaying where she kneels in the chair. Her voice raises in an almost song-like chanting, like birdsong, and for a moment Jason can see patterns rippling over her translucent-dusky skin: delicate, soft scales that shimmer and swirl with her movements. Her midnight-dark hair flares up as if it were alive with static electricity, and an Aurora Borealis of colors flows through it in wavering ripples. Jason feels a gentle tugging from within him towards the supple maiden, and suddenly he's tired -- as, with a combined burst of ecstatic song and a small, sharply brilliant flare of jeweled light that leaves Jason dazzled and blinking away spots before his eyes... Hepsi vanishes from sight.
Facing Jason is a creature that can be called a snake only in the most drab of terms. The wide, unblinking golden eyes glow as brilliantly as chips of topaz lit from within; the scintillating scales seem to ripple and shimmer in a rainbow of beauty, even in the dulling fluorescent light of the hotel room. Most dramatic are the huge, flaring wings -- butterfly-like wings, although there look to be more than a butterfly usually carries. They sheen with a pearly glow all on their own, although the serpent's scale patterns seem to be repeated in gorgeously colorful stipplings and spots that dance across the delicate, translucent surfaces.
Jason is astonished by what he sees, this now mirroring what he saw before... the winged serpent next to the ring of fire. He doesn't not recognize her: Quetzalcoatl was the feathered serpent, and these are butterfly wings. It could be, he realizes, that this may be a goddess that none now remember. She is breathtaking to look on -- but of course then it comes to his mind that HE'S BLEEDING and he should do something about that... he holds gauze to his wound and puts the pressure on as he tries to refocus, turning off his Sight, to see what she has become in the physical world.