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 Oct 26, 2009 23:56:54 GMT -5
Zephyros chuckled weakly, nodding. "Yes'm."
His right hand held one of Jason's, but he pulled it free to offer it to Paula. "Thank you, Detective Harris. If there is anything else you need... It is no problem. At the very least we can offer you repayment for the fare down here and pay for your return..."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 27, 2009 0:07:56 GMT -5
Paula took Zeph's hand and shook it. "Don't worry about it. The money is not an issue - Chief Avramidis' department will cover it. My reward will be the joy of torturing you two and Aritha next year in my class. And a nice bottle of wine when I get back to Paris."
She withdrew from Zeph's bedside and turned so that she was facing the entire room. "I'm afraid that, as much fun as this has been, there is a overanxious boy on his way back to Paris from his girlfriend's house in London, and he gets nervous when I don't show up on time. There is a cab waiting for me on the mainland, my flight leaves in three hours, and I need time to check in, get through customs, and pick up birth control pills for him. Yes, children. I do have a sense of humor." She picked up her mug of tea and drained the last of it.
"Excellent tea, by the way."
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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 Oct 27, 2009 0:15:57 GMT -5
Jason smiled, his face radiating gratitude toward the detective-turned-professor. "I don't know how to thank you... we could never have done this without you. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I -- we -- owe you everything. More than we could ever say. Thank you, professor. Thank you so much."
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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 Oct 27, 2009 0:22:14 GMT -5
Zephyros nodded slowly, still smiling. When Paula released his hand, he took Jason's again.
Euros watched her, smirking slightly. "You could always take some of the leaves with you," he said softly. He couldn't put to words his grateful-ness. He couldn't even really express it any more.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 27, 2009 0:49:52 GMT -5
Paula shook her head. "I'll be fine. They have excellent tea in Paris, too." She handed the cup to a nearby servant and turned to smile at the room's occupants. "Goodbye. Let's hope I won't see you again until the new school year." Then she turned and headed out of the room, down the hall, and out of the Aetai Mansion.
As she walked down the path, a cool breeze blew on her face, tousling her hair and playing with her nose. She chuckled to herself. This island was a magical place indeed. Perhaps someday, when she retired, Paula would come here and sit on the beach. She would listen to the birds calling to each other and the waves lapping against the edges of the island.
But that was a day in the distant future. A day after the world's evils had been dealt with. Until then, Paula Harris was going to continue her job, be it detective or professor. Until the day she could finally quit.
Once she was inside the cab, Paula pulled out her cell phone and dialed Ian's number. "Ian?" She said quickly and professionally when he answered. "I'm on my way to the airport right now. No, everything's fine. Zeph is recovering nicely. Yes, Jason's fine as well. Everyone is recovering nicely. Anyway, we need to talk now, before I arrive at the airport. I spoke with Chief Avramidis - you remember him, right? The Greek police chief I told you about? - and he told me something he'd heard that we might be interested in. If we want, we can check in with the local police and start our own investigation..."
There is more to Paris than a simple vacation... Paula thought to herself, chuckling. ...and I've never been the vacationing type 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 Oct 27, 2009 1:05:14 GMT -5
Jason sat back in his chair a little, rubbing Zeph's hand gently and looking into his face. For a minute or two he sat in silence, unsure of what to say.
"Are you doing okay?" he asked eventually.
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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 Oct 27, 2009 1:39:39 GMT -5
Zeph nodded, squeezing his hand a little. "Hurt... I don't like the painkillers they want me on, though. It makes me... more out of it than I am. I want to know it's you when I look at you..."
He smiled, breathing carefully. His ribs had been wired together... painful, but at least they didn't dig into his lung. He was healing slowly... it was frustrating considering how quickly he would have recovered at school from such injuries. The steady beep of the heart monitor kept him up sometimes, as well as the other sounds around him. But, he was healing. And Jason was always there, sometimes sleeping in the bed that had been set up for him, but still there. Still within Zeph's range of sight. The couple of times he'd been asleep when Jason had needed to leave the room and woke when Jason was gone, he'd panicked. If he couldn't see Jason, his bad dreams combined with the powerful painkillers he was being given convinced him that Jason was dead, or had left him... But always Jason came back at the sound of his heart-rate picking up, always came to calm him down.
It was going to take a very long time for him to be able to tell what was real and what was dream. Or until he got off these stupid drugs. Which could not possibly be soon enough.
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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 Oct 27, 2009 22:09:31 GMT -5
- - -
Zeph limped into the kitchen carefully, balancing awkwardly on his crutches. Only his leg and the last of his ribs really needed to heal now, and he'd convinced Doctor Herm to let him up. Which at least meant he could take care of himself. He'd not really seen Jason for a day or two... his own fault really, always being asleep whenever the werewolf was awake. Since he spent nearly twenty hours a day sleeping.
Stupid drugs. He was glad he didn't have to take them anymore. Or drink all that milk... he was being allowed to take calcium in pill form now. Super concentrated and really nasty, but milk-free. Hopefully it was around a meal time and he could catch Jason... Since Jason wasn't in his guest room. Not where Zeph could see him.
I invited you here so we could spend the summer together and now in the past two weeks we've barely had three days properly together... I wonder if I could persuade him to stay longer but... No, I shouldn't. He would want to spend time with his family too... and I won't be selfish. I just wish...
I wish I'd been more careful. If I hadn't gone alone, none of this would have happened. Ah well, what's done is done... now where is Jason?
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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 Oct 27, 2009 23:25:15 GMT -5
Jason, as it turned out, was in the dining room, immersed in the pursuit of art. The table had been moved aside to give him room to set up his easel and canvas (with newspapers layered underneath, of course), and he stood with brush in hand, watching the figure who was slowly taking shape before his eyes. He hoped the intended recipient of the painting would like the gift; he was putting extra effort into it.
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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 Oct 27, 2009 23:47:46 GMT -5
Zeph limped into the room, grabbing a chair and setting his crutches aside as he sank into it with a groan. His arms hurt... Mostly right where the damn crutches rubbed against his armpits. He put an elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his chin on that palm, watching Jason's painting take form.
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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 Oct 27, 2009 23:58:35 GMT -5
Jason busied himself adding light and shadows to the clothing of the woman on his canvas. She was young and beautiful, dressed in a hooded garment of pale blue; her face, when Jason finished painting it, would be graced with a serene and loving smile. She was a figure of love and nurturing, guidance and hope.
"Do you think your mum will like it?" he asked, looking over at Zeph.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:00:24 GMT -5
"I do," he said, nodding. "It's Mary, isn't it?"
His voice grew soft, thoughtful. "Were you Catholic?"
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:05:54 GMT -5
"Yeah," Jason nodded, turning his eyes back to the painting and gazing into Mary's unfinished face. "Until I came out gay. I never really gave up on Mary, though... I guess living with a houseful of older sisters along with my mother gave me a lot of respect for matriarchal figures in general, even though I obviously prefer the company of men."
He added a line of shadow to a fold of Mary's hood, lapsing into a pensive silence.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:12:23 GMT -5
Zephyros gazed at the painting thoughtfully. "I never could be Catholic... Maybe because Mother was so Catholic. It was just... cloying. I guess I don't truly believe in any 'higher power'. I sort of claim the old gods, but mostly because it irritates my mother."
His lips twisted into a half-sad smile, "I do a lot of things just to irritate my mother."
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:15:21 GMT -5
Jason half-smiled in return. "Why would you do that? Aren't you her favorite?" His smile turned to a grin. "Or is it because you're her favorite, so can you get away with more?" He winked cheekily.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:48:13 GMT -5
"I think it's more like "stop smothering me woman." I get away with very little, believe it or not. Doesn't stop me from doing it though... I could move out if I wanted but... well... At least until I'm done with school, it might be easier just to stay here."
He watched Jason pensively, unable to forget that he had barely gotten any time with Jason like he'd wanted. And all because he'd just wanted to get Jason a gift without Jason being there.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 0:57:16 GMT -5
Jason noticed the distress in Zeph's face; he set down his brush and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend tenderly, comfortingly. He kissed Zeph's hair and rubbed his back, grateful that he didn't have any paint on his hands yet.
"It's okay, Zeph... it wasn't your fault. None of it. Forgive yourself, and you can let it go... We can both let it go." He kissed Zeph's mouth softly and slowly, closing his eyes.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 1:03:00 GMT -5
Zeph wrapped his arms tightly around him. He kissed back, his eyes closed as well. Pulling back a little, he put his head against Jason's shoulder. "I don't think I will be able to let it go for a very long time Jason."
I can never tell you what all happened, Jason... I just can't. It would hurt you too much.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 1:09:06 GMT -5
"That's okay... we can start, can't we?" Jason looked at Zeph, his eyes full of pain. "I hate how much this hurts you... I hate seeing you suffer... it hurts me."
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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 Oct 28, 2009 1:27:00 GMT -5
You don't know the half of it, my love Zeph mentally snorted. He smiled at Jason, kissing him again. "I'm not always suffering. I just wish I had more time with you... I've been away or unconscious for most of your visit..."
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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 Oct 28, 2009 1:30:24 GMT -5
Jason nodded, reaching up to touch Zeph's cheek. "We still have time... even more now that you're mending. Besides..." A grin lit his face. "I've been thinking of getting permission to bring you to Germany with me when I go back. I can show you where I live, you can meet my parents, my sisters... we'll have the whole summer together."
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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 Oct 28, 2009 2:23:34 GMT -5
"I thought your parents wouldn't like you bringing home a boyfriend," he said softly. His parents wouldn't like the idea... but he didn't care. If Jason thought it would work... he would go. Anything Jason wanted... anything to get him away from what had happened. He was still having nightmares every night, but the drugs he was taking before going to sleep kept him from showing any sign of them.
The only drug he was taking willingly. Jason didn't know how much it was hurting him. He knew the... event, was still hurting him, but he didn't know how much. Of course, he didn't know everything that had happened unless those traitor doctors had told him. In which case... Well, there really wasn't anything Zeph could do. But something told him Jason didn't know.
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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 Oct 28, 2009 12:30:29 GMT -5
"They might not, but at the very least I can get us into a nice hotel, so we can be alone together," Jason answered with a smile. "And if my parents won't listen to me, I have two very persuasive older sisters who would be only too willing to help their little brother. Besides," he added, "I think we'd both appreciate the chance to get away from our memories for awhile..."
He pressed closer to Zeph, falling silent. He knew Zeph had a hundred times more reason to escape his memories than Jason did... which only strengthened his resolve to find a way to bring Zeph home with 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 Oct 28, 2009 18:40:37 GMT -5
Zeph smiled, leaning over a little to hug Jason closer. "I'd like that... Besides, I know I at least was all over the news, pretty much all over the world. That's what happens when the sons of very rich men get kidnapped. So your parents probably know what happened to me and that might put them in a better mood about it."
He kissed Jason's cheek. "Go finish your painting. I'm not planning on moving for a while."
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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 Oct 28, 2009 18:53:55 GMT -5
Jason nodded, nuzzling Zeph softly and slipping away from his side, returning to his easel. He was silent as he finished Mary's hair and clothing and started on her face, perfecting the love in her soft brown eyes and the serenity in her rose-lipped smile. He smiled himself at the finished portrait, stepping aside to let Zeph see.
"I really hope your mum likes it," Jason said again, a little nervously. He wondered how much a painting like that would mean to Mrs. Aetai, especially coming from someone with his... preferences.
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