Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 13:55:54 GMT -5
Zeph nodded slowly, hugging Jason a little and then pulling away. He looked at the menu, biting his lip a little. Everything looked so... odd. He glanced over at Jason and gave him a slight smile. "I think I'll have whatever you have, Jason..."
That way it was safe. Though he probably wasn't going to finish it. I am going to eat, though... Maybe not as much as everyone would like, but enough.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 14:13:31 GMT -5
"We can probably split something easily. The portions are pretty big," Jason smiled, looking back at his menu. "Hmm... the schnitzel with Bernaise sauce sounds good." Plus, if we split it, they won't notice as easily if you don't eat as much as you normally would.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 14:15:36 GMT -5
"That would work well for me," he said, smiling. Thank you so much, Jason... You know me so well... Now if only I'd understood what you just said sounded good...
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 16:58:29 GMT -5
Jason laughed a little, seeing the confusion in Zeph's face. "Schnitzel is pork. The sauce is made from egg yolks, butter and tarragon. It's one of my favorites."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 17:00:50 GMT -5
Zeph's face brightened as he understood, grinning a little in embarrassment. "Yeah... I really do not understand German at all... Except the occasional word that is also in English..."
He put a hand to the back of his head, ruffling his hair a little. The loose curls fell about his face yet again and he sighed, brushing them out of the way. "Maybe I should have cut it shorter..."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 17:10:39 GMT -5
"I like it that length," Jason smiled, resisting the urge to run his fingers through Zeph's curls. Now that Zeph was calmer and happier, Jason didn't want to risk bothering his parents by cuddling too much in front of them. He settled for holding Zeph's hand under the table instead, tracing little hearts on Zeph's skin with his thumb.
The waiter returned a few minutes later, and everyone placed their orders, with Jason ordering for himself and Zeph (and remembering to ask for drinks, he thought with a grin, recalling Venice). When the waiter left again, he sat quietly, wondering what they could talk about that wouldn't lead to awkward silences or painful memories.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 17:22:06 GMT -5
Zeph sighed slightly. Awkward silence again... He held Jason's hand, rubbing the back of his neck with the other. The muscles were getting stiff again. Well, Jason had gotten this tense after first meeting his parents... that was probably what was going on here.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 17:28:24 GMT -5
It was Helen who eventually broke the silence with a question. "Has Jason shown you any of his paintings, Zeph? They're beautiful."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 17:32:21 GMT -5
"Yeah... He painted one of Mary for my mother... and we actually met when I was talked into modeling for his art class. One of my friends shared the class and convinced me. All I cared about was getting out of my own classes..." He looked over at Jason. "I didn't think it would save my life."
He squeezed Jason's hand under the table, smiling at him. He didn't add the fact that Jason had painted him more than once... he knew for sure of three such portraits, including the one from the class.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 18:42:24 GMT -5
Jason smiled back at Zeph before looking at Helen. "I think it was divine will that landed Zeph and I in the same room that day. We've been through a lot together. Not all of it has been good, but what hasn't killed us has made us stronger." He shifted his hand a little in Zeph's, feeling the opal ring against his skin, and remembering the love that it symbolized... the love that on one occasion had nearly killed him.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 18, 2009 18:51:22 GMT -5
Zephyros felt the ring even more when Jason tightened his hand. He nodded slowly, though the word 'killed' had made him twitch badly. Divine will... but whose will? Jason's god... or the Fates?
He nodded. Who cares what god? It brought us together, and kept us that way. I don't need any more than that.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 18, 2009 19:41:13 GMT -5
"Sorry," Jason whispered, feeling Zeph flinch at his use of the word 'killed'.
Casper watched Jason and Zeph in silence, his dark brown eyes pensive. He had not missed Zeph's reaction to Jason's unfortunate choice of words, and something told him that the reasoning behind it ran deeper than the kidnapping of a month ago.
Jason's letters had been rather sparing on details of his day to day life, other than classes and time with friends. Certain characters who received prominent mention -- Aramis Aldin, for one -- were sorely lacking in context. Jason wasn't one to keep secrets, especially from his family. What could possibly have happened that he had felt such a great need to hide?
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 19, 2009 1:28:52 GMT -5
Zeph gave Jason a bit of a smile. "It's okay... You didn't mean to."
He rubbed the wrist of the hand that held Jason's nervously, an old habit he'd picked up after one of those 'not so good' times. His fingers brushed his neck lightly as he avoided Casper's rather piercing gaze. The man obviously didn't know... and Zeph was rather afraid to tell him. Everyone always got angry when they learned about that.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 19, 2009 1:42:26 GMT -5
Jason smiled back, but it was a halfhearted, rather ashamed smile. He avoided his father's eye, realizing it had only been a matter of time before his father realized that he hadn't been entirely truthful about his year at Dunehelden. He should have known he would have to tell him something eventually, but he really didn't want to. He had left those things out of the letters for a reason. What could he say that wouldn't make his father angry at both of them?
Casper watched his son in silence, debating whether to press the matter of what Jason had apparently omitted from his letters. Doing so here would not be wise; this was a matter best discussed in private, though whether or not Zeph should be included, he wasn't sure. The two of them had a strong bond, that much was evident. Even in Jason's letters it had been clear that the two were practically inseparable, and they shared everything. Zeph would be sure to find out about it eventually, even if he wasn't present for the conversation itself. He deserved to hear his opinion and reactions from his own mouth, Casper decided. Whatever those might be.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 19, 2009 1:51:18 GMT -5
---
The meal had somehow managed to pass without a great many awkward silences... though it had enough. Zephyros leaned against Jason's shoulder on the way home, beginning to doze almost immediately after they got on the road again. He sighed softly in contentment, happy to have Jason there. It wasn't like he could sleep alone anyway.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 19, 2009 2:06:06 GMT -5
Jason leaned quietly against Zeph, wrapping an arm around him gently and closing his eyes in contentment. He was very glad that the meal had gone over better than it could have. They had managed to have at least some conversation that wasn't overwhelmingly awkward. It hadn't been perfect, but they had survived.
Casper was silent throughout the drive home, his eyes on the road. He pulled into his driveway and got out of the car, heading into the house without a word. His family followed suit, as always. Once everyone was inside, he beckoned Jason and Zeph aside, leading them into his study.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 19, 2009 3:38:42 GMT -5
Zephyros looked at Jason quickly, suddenly feeling ill. This was worse than when they'd been called into Veronique's office after he'd slit his wrists. Worse because this was Jason's father, who could make him go home and separate him from Jason for three months of every year. June had been hard enough... he wasn't sure he'd survive June, July, and August away from Jason.
Though he probably wouldn't get in as much trouble... He looked at Jason again and smiled hesitantly. Jason was worth every bit of trouble their relationship might cause. Licking his lips a little, Zeph followed Casper into his study, his muscles so stiff he was developing a limp in the leg that was still healing.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 19, 2009 18:43:38 GMT -5
Jason smiled hesitantly back at Zeph, walking quietly after his father. His stomach was tying itself into nervous knots, and his palms were starting to sweat. Nevertheless, he stood up straight and tall, keeping his face calm as he entered the study, closing the door after himself and Zeph. His father had his back turned; Jason stood quietly to attention, waiting for his father to acknowledge him.
"At ease," Casper spoke up, turning around.
Jason obediently relaxed as much as his nerves would let him, glancing at Zeph and indicating that he was to do the same. He turned his wary eyes back to his father's face, trying to read his expression.
Casper watched Jason and Zeph quietly for a moment before speaking again, his words directed more at his son than at Zeph. "It seems to me that you have not been entirely truthful about certain happenings at your school, Jason."
"How so, Father?" Jason asked timidly, though he already knew the answer. The knots in his stomach tightened.
Casper's face betrayed no emotion. "Judging from Zeph's reaction to certain poor word choices earlier today," (Jason squirmed but did not look away) "I would assume that, to use your words -- with apologies to Zeph -- 'what hasn't killed you', and what has thus made you stronger, is much more than what can be said to have happened recently. I promised Jason I wouldn't speak of that, so I'll say no more about it," he said, looking toward Zeph. "My concern is for what happened during your year at Dunehelden. For example…"
He pulled a sheet of paper from a stack on the impeccably orderly desk behind him, reading it aloud with his eyes on the two boys. “‘There was a bit of an incident in the courtyard yesterday. A boy named Jonathan started a fight with Zeph, and Jonathan ended up ruining one of my paintings and a pair of my pants. Zeph got really angry; I was surprised. I’d never seen that side of him before, just his happiness and his distress. Now I know how dangerous his temper can be, but somehow I’m not afraid of him.’” Casper’s eyebrows lifted as he waited for an explanation.
Jason shifted slightly where he stood, uncomfortable with hearing his own words spoken back to him. “That was a one-time incident, Father. I’m not afraid of Zeph’s temper because it has never been directed at me.”
“Hmm.” Casper put the letter back and picked up another, reading aloud again. "'Zeph and I are doing well, all things considered. Professor Harrows is her usual loving self, and she has been helping both of us at every opportunity, as has Professor Hawk. I do worry about Aramis, though. He hasn’t been doing well this past week, especially since Zeph injured his wrists. And I’m still recovering from my fall.’”
Jason swallowed, not looking at Zeph, his stomach churning. Casper looked from one boy to the other, his gaze… not harsh, exactly, but not very pleasant either.
“Why,” he asked, pacing back and forth in front of the pair, “would Zeph’s injuries have any effect on Aramis’ well-being?”
“Aramis helped heal Zeph’s wrists right after healing my leg,” Jason answered. “He’s a mage, and healing is his power. Or, something like healing, anyway. It helped Zeph, but it took a lot of energy out of Aramis. He wasn’t very trained at the time. Miss Ellie has been training him since then, to keep him from getting too exhausted after he uses a lot of his power at once.”
“I see. But your fall and Zeph’s injury occurred within days, correct? Why might that be? It seems too unlikely for coincidence.”
Jason fought to keep his dinner down, swallowing several times. He was deathly afraid to lie, and even more afraid of telling the whole truth. He risked a glance at Zeph, his eyes holding a silent plea for help.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 19, 2009 18:59:29 GMT -5
Zephyros flinched, looking at his wrists. Faint lines, almost invisible, cut straight across the veins and tendons. The light caught them, the scar tissue reflecting the light and suddenly blatantly visible. In his mind's eye, he could see Jason hugging Jonathan, feel the agony that burned in his chest... hear his own voice telling Jason to jump from the roof, see Jason turn and fall and then lying broken in the courtyard... his own blood, gushing from his wrists as everything around him turned black... the pain in Jason's face when he woke... And how ill Aramis had looked until Ellie had come back...
Zephyros looked over at Jason and smiled slightly, turning to look over at Casper. His fingers reached nervously for Jason's hand, but he stopped just short of grabbing his hand. He didn't know how to help... he was just as afraid of this man who was a soldier, and firm... and could separate him from Jason. Zeph felt himself panicking, afraid of losing Jason. Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to calm down. Casper wou... wouldn't separate them for events in October, that they had gone through counseling for, would he?
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 19, 2009 19:24:07 GMT -5
Casper saw Zeph flinching, then smiling at Jason, then looking back at him and clenching his jaw; and he noticed the thin scars across the boy's wrists. He weighed this together with what he already knew. The pieces seemed to fit together, but he didn't understand the finished puzzle. He looked from Jason to Zeph and back again. "Explain yourselves. I want the truth."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 19, 2009 20:17:56 GMT -5
Zephyros sighed, licking his lips a little. "I have a history of being cheated on... I thought Jason was cheating on me with a friend when we were still unsure of our relationship... I over-reacted. It resulted in Jason's fall... and I blamed myself for his broken leg. I guess I was pretty unstable already... while Jason was recovering, I... I tried to kill myself. Jason found me, and bandaged my wrists long enough for a healer, Aramis, to get to me. Between the two of them, they saved me from myself... And I went through extensive counseling at school afterward. But Aramis had to heal a lot of people in a short period of time without any training in how to do so. The school healer had disappeared for a while..."
Zeph stopped, biting his lip to the point he was afraid it was going to start bleeding. That was most of the truth... it would get him in trouble without, hopefully, getting Jason in trouble at all. It followed the story Jason had given about his legs, without explaining how Jason fell... or why. After all, that part definitely would have made Casper want to separate them...
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 20, 2009 19:33:33 GMT -5
Jason looked at Zeph for a moment, quite shocked at his sudden, very open confession; then he nodded to his father to confirm Zeph's story, the discomfort in his stomach easing.
"That is what happened. It was all because of misunderstandings and poor communication, and total foolishness on my part. I could have been hurt far more badly than I was when I fell, but Zeph was there to catch me and spare me worse injury." Or death, he added silently.
"We both went through extensive counseling from the school psychologist after that and Zeph's suicide attempt," Jason went on, "and he helped us to be able to manage our relationship maturely. Everything has been dealt with, healed and forgiven, and nothing of the sort will happen again. I promise you that."
Casper nodded, meeting his son's calm eyes. He trusted Jason to keep his word; not once had he broken a promise once it was spoken. He turned his gaze to look at Zeph as well when he spoke.
"Given that this has been long since resolved by professionals, and I have your word that it will not be repeated, I see no reason to punish you or detain you further. Thank you both for your time, and for your honesty. I understand that this must have been hard for you to bring up again. I appreciate your willingness to do so," he said, nodding at Zeph. "If there is nothing more you wish to add, then you are both dismissed."
Jason nodded, smiling again. "Thank you, Father." He slipped his hand into Zeph's and gave it a brief squeeze, giving his father a nod and leaving the room at a reasonable pace. They weren't going to be separated... everything was okay.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 21, 2009 1:22:16 GMT -5
Zephyros followed him gratefully, the tension easing in him a little. His shoulders remained stiff and he rubbed at them awkwardly, walking as close to Jason as he could for comfort. When Jason paused, he bumped his head against Jason's shoulder softly.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 21, 2009 1:24:29 GMT -5
Once they were back in the living room, Jason turned and wrapped his arms around Zeph, smiling in relief as he leaned his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. "That wasn't so bad, was it? Better than facing Veronique. We're not being punished. Everything's okay."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 21, 2009 1:34:47 GMT -5
Zephyros just moaned softly in reply, snuggling close to Jason's chest as he felt his boyfriend's arms around him.
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