Ren was a little nervous as the impulse began to rise in him to pull away, but Jaz followed his lead graciously, and her eyes met his with open gratitude. Her skin had nearly all changed to the blue that touch summoned, save for a splotch on her forehead that retained the more familiar beige. Fleetingly, Ren imagined bringing his thumb up to tenderly caress the spot, but his body did not move.
Jaz turned her attention toward her blankets, then, contemplating her next steps toward bed, and Ren's gaze trailed toward his own bed to begin doing the same. Awkwardness flared back up--some old, chivalrous guilt about making a guest sleep on the floor--but he reassured himself that this was the wise course of action. Besides, realistically, it wasn't as though his own hosts had ever slept on the floor for him; the impulse was a mysterious one. With a soft sigh, he shook his head and settled into bed, back facing the wall as always.
"Sleep well, Jaz."
---
Ren did not sleep much. Some nights were like that anyway, and with the awareness of another person in the room, it had been nearly inevitable. But at least the sounds of Jaz breathing were not unpleasant, and Ren had much to meditate on about the day.
There were some moments of resentment, when tiredness truly gripped at him but sleep still would not come. He thought unkind thoughts about Jaz in those moments, but he let the thoughts pass as clouds in the sky. It was not Jaz's fault that Ren had so much trouble sleeping in the same room as another. And, it was not Jaz's fault that Ren had not been sleeping well for some nights, even alone. He did wonder, at other moments, if her arrival was somehow related to his fitful dreams, but he couldn't even conceive of why or how it would be. He couldn't remember anything about the dreams to hold onto.
Finally, the thought occurred to him that perhaps Jaz staying with him might actually help him. With the dreams, with the shadows that flickered in his periphery, perhaps even with the need to sleep with his back to the wall. Caution bloomed in the wake of the thought--all that was far too much to put on Jaz, of course. But, perhaps on a goddess... Ren recalled the warm embraces of Sankera's cloak, how it felt to offer himself as a host and anchor to Jaz. And, finally, with a wordless offered prayer, Ren closed his eyes and found his way to sleep.
---
Ren was awake again early, the dim stirrings of pre-dawn light mixing with memories of his doorknob rattling the morning prior. He reoriented himself quickly, though, and returned to a meditative rest as he took in the slow, gentle coming of morning's ambient light. While he hadn't slept much, his dreams at least had been far kinder. Not that he remembered them still, but he felt a serenity this morning that had eluded him of late. He thanked Sankera for it.
He waited until Jaz began to show signs of stirring before got out of bed, stretching quietly in the small free space next to his bed.
"Good morning," he said to her with a soft smile once it seemed that she was awake enough to hear it.
Leaving the Djinn
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz lay down, and Ren followed her lead, both of them settling into an independent quiet. There were a couple times when the urge to say something to him struck--a question to ask about Ti'la, a curiosity about the forests that lay beyond the meadow--but ultimately, she didn't want to break the silence. Instead, she warmed herself with the memory of Ren's embrace and held it close in her mind as she tried to fall asleep.
Without another body nearby, though, Jaz found it difficult--even moreso since every time she rolled over, she had to navigate her dress. But, soon enough, she was lolled to sleep by the fire.
--
Dark, reaching hands. The suddenness of being in a new place. More grasping, grabbing hands--her lovers just out of reach. Monica's sad smile.
--
Jaz awoke suddenly in the night, the darkness enclosing intensely as much of the fire had gone out. Jaz sat up and rubbed at an arm just to have something to do with her anxious energy. She thought about getting up, thought even about going outside, but she didn't want to wake Ren. Still, the fire was nearly out, and she wanted to be warm. As quietly as she could, Jaz eased the metal door open and added another piece of wood to the fire. When it didn't quite catch on the coals--too large, perhaps, she wondered if she could give it a little help. Looking briefly at Ren to confirm that he was still asleep, she decided she would try again.
Reaching her hands into the stove near the log, where the warmth licked her hands, Jaz closed her eyes and willed flame to kindle, gently greeting again the strange, slumbering magic buried deeply in the earth. This time, the flow came easy--perhaps aided by the heat of the yellow fire--and Jaz very nearly made an excited sound of success. At the last possible second, however, she refrained, closing the metal door as soundlessly as she had opened it.
Then, she lay back down and tried to sleep once more. It took her some time, but again the growing heat of the stove and her own focus on the sound of Ren's breathing pulled her into sleep.
--
She whispered in Ren's ear, playing with his hair and letting it fall softly through her fingers.
"I'll help you," she found herself telling him. "I'll help you."
--
Just as a stream of light found its way from the floor toward Jaz's closed eyes, she squeezed her eyes further shut but began to rouse. She had slept deeply and warmly, and she was grateful for Ren's generosity. She hadn't yet made it to a seated posture before Ren said, "Good morning." When she looked at him, he was stretching, shaking off the stiffness, no doubt. Jaz smiled, her heart leaping forward in her chest. Something about waking up together delighted her. She smiled widely, genuinely happy to see him. But immediately thereafter, Jaz heard her stomach grumble. Stunned for a moment, she sat up and looked down at herself. Sure enough, her skin was entirely beige again. She really was going to have to get accustomed to that.
Jaz looked at Ren with eyebrows raised and pulled together, unsure exactly what she wanted from him, maybe just a moment to commiserate her situation.
She sighed, shaking her head, returning to the echoes of the sensation she had felt in her chest. "Good morning." She adjusted her dress a little bit so it was no longer askew from all the turning she had done in the night. Then, she reached for her bag, searching for one of her wafers.
Without another body nearby, though, Jaz found it difficult--even moreso since every time she rolled over, she had to navigate her dress. But, soon enough, she was lolled to sleep by the fire.
--
Dark, reaching hands. The suddenness of being in a new place. More grasping, grabbing hands--her lovers just out of reach. Monica's sad smile.
--
Jaz awoke suddenly in the night, the darkness enclosing intensely as much of the fire had gone out. Jaz sat up and rubbed at an arm just to have something to do with her anxious energy. She thought about getting up, thought even about going outside, but she didn't want to wake Ren. Still, the fire was nearly out, and she wanted to be warm. As quietly as she could, Jaz eased the metal door open and added another piece of wood to the fire. When it didn't quite catch on the coals--too large, perhaps, she wondered if she could give it a little help. Looking briefly at Ren to confirm that he was still asleep, she decided she would try again.
Reaching her hands into the stove near the log, where the warmth licked her hands, Jaz closed her eyes and willed flame to kindle, gently greeting again the strange, slumbering magic buried deeply in the earth. This time, the flow came easy--perhaps aided by the heat of the yellow fire--and Jaz very nearly made an excited sound of success. At the last possible second, however, she refrained, closing the metal door as soundlessly as she had opened it.
Then, she lay back down and tried to sleep once more. It took her some time, but again the growing heat of the stove and her own focus on the sound of Ren's breathing pulled her into sleep.
--
She whispered in Ren's ear, playing with his hair and letting it fall softly through her fingers.
"I'll help you," she found herself telling him. "I'll help you."
--
Just as a stream of light found its way from the floor toward Jaz's closed eyes, she squeezed her eyes further shut but began to rouse. She had slept deeply and warmly, and she was grateful for Ren's generosity. She hadn't yet made it to a seated posture before Ren said, "Good morning." When she looked at him, he was stretching, shaking off the stiffness, no doubt. Jaz smiled, her heart leaping forward in her chest. Something about waking up together delighted her. She smiled widely, genuinely happy to see him. But immediately thereafter, Jaz heard her stomach grumble. Stunned for a moment, she sat up and looked down at herself. Sure enough, her skin was entirely beige again. She really was going to have to get accustomed to that.
Jaz looked at Ren with eyebrows raised and pulled together, unsure exactly what she wanted from him, maybe just a moment to commiserate her situation.
She sighed, shaking her head, returning to the echoes of the sensation she had felt in her chest. "Good morning." She adjusted her dress a little bit so it was no longer askew from all the turning she had done in the night. Then, she reached for her bag, searching for one of her wafers.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz smiled to Ren from down on the floor, just waking. He smiled gently in return. She looked in good spirits, and Ren felt a hopefulness bloom about the day. It would be strange, accompanying someone two days in a row--and who knew how many more--but he was looking forward to visiting Baer, and he was pleased to note that he felt comfortable with Jaz right now, serene in the idea of introducing her to Baer and spending more time out here in the woods. Really, a fair bit of his tension yesterday had just been going to town; it was always a bit strenuous, in some ways, navigating all the people there. The woods were far, far easier for him.
Jaz's stomach grumbled, and she sat up and examined herself--her skin, all the blue drained from it. How strange that must be for her. She looked at him with her eyebrows furrowed, and Ren frowned a little. He felt an impulse to touch her, but it got stuck in freshly-tensed muscles. He was not ready to give her more touch yet.
Jaz sighed and shook her head. "Good morning," she said, and Ren relaxed, letting his mind move on to pondering some breakfast for them both. Jaz adjusted her dress and reached for her bag, and after a moment, Ren realized she was pulling out some of the food that she had brought with her.
"Save your food," he said--and flinched a small frown when he immediately realized his phrasing. What a way to start the morning. He sighed heavily, briefly debating which of their agreed amends he would make for that slip. "At least until I've offered the food I have. You can ask me a question for the accidental command while we eat."
He was quiet for a brief moment, perhaps gauging how that sat with Jaz, but he didn't wait for her to answer before he continued.
"I've got eggs and vegetables I can cook up, and some jerkey to share. Crackers, too."
Jaz's stomach grumbled, and she sat up and examined herself--her skin, all the blue drained from it. How strange that must be for her. She looked at him with her eyebrows furrowed, and Ren frowned a little. He felt an impulse to touch her, but it got stuck in freshly-tensed muscles. He was not ready to give her more touch yet.
Jaz sighed and shook her head. "Good morning," she said, and Ren relaxed, letting his mind move on to pondering some breakfast for them both. Jaz adjusted her dress and reached for her bag, and after a moment, Ren realized she was pulling out some of the food that she had brought with her.
"Save your food," he said--and flinched a small frown when he immediately realized his phrasing. What a way to start the morning. He sighed heavily, briefly debating which of their agreed amends he would make for that slip. "At least until I've offered the food I have. You can ask me a question for the accidental command while we eat."
He was quiet for a brief moment, perhaps gauging how that sat with Jaz, but he didn't wait for her to answer before he continued.
"I've got eggs and vegetables I can cook up, and some jerkey to share. Crackers, too."
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz had just found her wafer and had begun to unwrap them when Ren interrupted her.
"Save your food." The command sent a shock through her body, and she froze staring at her own hands, utterly caught off guard. She considered reaching for one of them regardless, trying to resist the command the way they had played with last night, but her fingers wouldn't move. "At least until I've offered the food I have. You can ask me a question for the accidental command while we eat."
Jaz relaxed a little at that. At least the command wouldn't last for long. She heard Ren sigh, but she couldn't meet his gaze. She was still stunned, too stunned even to think of a question to ask at this immediate moment. There would be time for that later, she thought distantly.
There was a pause, perhaps them both taking stock of what-all just happened, but soon enough, Ren spoke again. Jaz couldn't help flinching, expecting another command. "I've got eggs and vegetables I can cook up, and some jerky to share. Crackers, too."
Jaz still couldn't meet Ren's eyes, blinking still from the shock. Finally, she managed to move, tucking the wafers back into her bag at least. Now that he had offered her food, the command had resolved, but... she felt dizzy, aching. Her breathing was shallow.
Finally, she laid back down in her blankets with a heavy sigh, her hair splayed out around her as she stared at Ren's ceiling. Briefly, she wondered what would happen if Ren commanded her skin to return to blue. Would it just... change? Would she be compelled to touch him? She grinned mischievously and giggled a little, which helped relieve some of the tension and melancholy she felt.
Blinking away tears that had snuck out of her, she said, with as much playfulness as she could muster, "At this rate, I'll know everything about you."
"Save your food." The command sent a shock through her body, and she froze staring at her own hands, utterly caught off guard. She considered reaching for one of them regardless, trying to resist the command the way they had played with last night, but her fingers wouldn't move. "At least until I've offered the food I have. You can ask me a question for the accidental command while we eat."
Jaz relaxed a little at that. At least the command wouldn't last for long. She heard Ren sigh, but she couldn't meet his gaze. She was still stunned, too stunned even to think of a question to ask at this immediate moment. There would be time for that later, she thought distantly.
There was a pause, perhaps them both taking stock of what-all just happened, but soon enough, Ren spoke again. Jaz couldn't help flinching, expecting another command. "I've got eggs and vegetables I can cook up, and some jerky to share. Crackers, too."
Jaz still couldn't meet Ren's eyes, blinking still from the shock. Finally, she managed to move, tucking the wafers back into her bag at least. Now that he had offered her food, the command had resolved, but... she felt dizzy, aching. Her breathing was shallow.
Finally, she laid back down in her blankets with a heavy sigh, her hair splayed out around her as she stared at Ren's ceiling. Briefly, she wondered what would happen if Ren commanded her skin to return to blue. Would it just... change? Would she be compelled to touch him? She grinned mischievously and giggled a little, which helped relieve some of the tension and melancholy she felt.
Blinking away tears that had snuck out of her, she said, with as much playfulness as she could muster, "At this rate, I'll know everything about you."
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz seemed stunned, blinking for a moment and not moving. Had Ren already set them on such a terrible path? His fist clenched at his side, but he resolved to be patient. Hopefully she'd just need some time.
She at least put the wafers back into her bag after a moment, though Ren grew more alarmed when she laid back down. Was she all right? But then she giggled, and he relaxed considerably. Hopefully they were safely past whatever had transpired.
"At this rate," Jaz said playfully, "I'll know everything about you." Ren thought he caught a waver of unsteadiness in her voice, though. He let out a breath, his throat adding just enough friction to let out a quiet "ah" at the start. Maybe a scoff, but he smiled, if a bit wryly.
His mind chewed on a witty reply, but none made it past the threshold of his present caution with his words. He even thought about telling her to feel free to rest while he cooked, but would 'feel free' even be a command? 'You are welcome to' should be safe - it was undeniably a statement of fact - but again, the awkwardness of it coupled with his present caution kept him silent as he began to move about the cabin to gather supplies.
He did need to get in the cabinet by Jaz, but he was content to crack it and reach inside so Jaz wouldn't need to move. He pulled out a glass jar first, which he opened and then set on the floor by Jaz's blankets. Inside were some crackers.
"If you'd like to go ahead and snack," Ren managed to say before he returned to standing, and fished around in the cabinet for some spices, which he brought over to the counter to set down for future use. Then, he moved to crouch by the stove and get the fire going fresh for cooking.
She at least put the wafers back into her bag after a moment, though Ren grew more alarmed when she laid back down. Was she all right? But then she giggled, and he relaxed considerably. Hopefully they were safely past whatever had transpired.
"At this rate," Jaz said playfully, "I'll know everything about you." Ren thought he caught a waver of unsteadiness in her voice, though. He let out a breath, his throat adding just enough friction to let out a quiet "ah" at the start. Maybe a scoff, but he smiled, if a bit wryly.
His mind chewed on a witty reply, but none made it past the threshold of his present caution with his words. He even thought about telling her to feel free to rest while he cooked, but would 'feel free' even be a command? 'You are welcome to' should be safe - it was undeniably a statement of fact - but again, the awkwardness of it coupled with his present caution kept him silent as he began to move about the cabin to gather supplies.
He did need to get in the cabinet by Jaz, but he was content to crack it and reach inside so Jaz wouldn't need to move. He pulled out a glass jar first, which he opened and then set on the floor by Jaz's blankets. Inside were some crackers.
"If you'd like to go ahead and snack," Ren managed to say before he returned to standing, and fished around in the cabinet for some spices, which he brought over to the counter to set down for future use. Then, he moved to crouch by the stove and get the fire going fresh for cooking.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz listened carefully for Ren's response, unable to see him. He sighed, making half a sound that carried something like disbelief. She wasn't sure what that meant, exactly.
Before long, however, Ren was closer than she expected, and she thought for a moment that he would touch her, but instead, he reached into the cabinet near her and pulled out a jar of thin bready things. The crackers, probably. He set them by Jaz.
"If you'd like to go ahead and snack," Ren said. She could tell it was an effort not to issue yet another command. Dizzy and emotional as she was, she couldn't help another giggle, rolling her eyes playfully in the process. She wanted to reach up and grip his arm, pull him down to her and tell him he was being ridiculous while she kissed his face sweetly, but of course, she refrained. The last thing they needed this morning was another infraction.
She watched from the corner of her eye as Ren reached over her again, adding firewood to stir the coals. She was happy to see they had made it through the night. Jaz did sit up then, moving her blankets out of the way to give him more access. In the meantime, she felt her mind turning on something just out of view. She didn't want Ren to have to be... quite so careful with her. But what permission could she give him that would offer some kind of middle ground? And she couldn't deny that she enjoyed that it meant he so frequently owed her something as a result.
"You know," she started very tentatively. "It feels... well," her words got a little stuck in her throat as an unexpected shyness reared up in her. "The sensation of the command, when it happens," she couldn't look him in the eye, "it is pleasurable. If sometimes surprising. And occasionally annoying." She smiled at him, then, her eyes full of soft sympathy, and maybe just a little bit of a mischief.
Before long, however, Ren was closer than she expected, and she thought for a moment that he would touch her, but instead, he reached into the cabinet near her and pulled out a jar of thin bready things. The crackers, probably. He set them by Jaz.
"If you'd like to go ahead and snack," Ren said. She could tell it was an effort not to issue yet another command. Dizzy and emotional as she was, she couldn't help another giggle, rolling her eyes playfully in the process. She wanted to reach up and grip his arm, pull him down to her and tell him he was being ridiculous while she kissed his face sweetly, but of course, she refrained. The last thing they needed this morning was another infraction.
She watched from the corner of her eye as Ren reached over her again, adding firewood to stir the coals. She was happy to see they had made it through the night. Jaz did sit up then, moving her blankets out of the way to give him more access. In the meantime, she felt her mind turning on something just out of view. She didn't want Ren to have to be... quite so careful with her. But what permission could she give him that would offer some kind of middle ground? And she couldn't deny that she enjoyed that it meant he so frequently owed her something as a result.
"You know," she started very tentatively. "It feels... well," her words got a little stuck in her throat as an unexpected shyness reared up in her. "The sensation of the command, when it happens," she couldn't look him in the eye, "it is pleasurable. If sometimes surprising. And occasionally annoying." She smiled at him, then, her eyes full of soft sympathy, and maybe just a little bit of a mischief.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
"You know..." Jaz said tentatively as Ren tended to the fire. "It feels... well..." Her words seemed to get stuck in her throat, and Ren paused what he was doing, turning his gaze over his shoulder to offer her more direct attention.
"The sensation of the command, when it happens... it is pleasurable."
She kept her gaze averted from him, shy about her confession, and Ren recalled more about their interactions last night--the sensation she'd shared with him when she finally followed the command she'd resisted.
"If sometimes surprising. And occasionally annoying." She did look at him then, smiling, her eyes gentle and playful. Ren turned his own gaze down, his head tilting a little bit back toward the stove, but not completely, and Jaz would be able to catch that his own lips held a soft smile.
"Well," he said after a moment. "I'm glad that the sensation itself is not unpleasant."
He turned his attention fully back to the stove, then, and after a moment he added, a bit more soberly, "Just--" he very nearly said know that, but caught himself, his throat tightening around the words. He swallowed, and then moved past them--or, reshuffled them, at least. "I don't mean to be insensitive about it. And, I want you to know that."
Then his throat loosened, and he let out a breath of quiet surprise as a realization struck him. It was a little bit uncomfortable in its own way, but he felt much of the tension that had built up in him dissipate. He finished with the fire and stood, one hand touching briefly to his chest as if minding an ache. Just as quickly, his hand moved on to pulled down a pan to start warming on the stove, and he set about adding a dollup of animal fat to it. Then, he grabbed a zucchini from a bowl on an open shelf to begin chopping.
"The sensation of the command, when it happens... it is pleasurable."
She kept her gaze averted from him, shy about her confession, and Ren recalled more about their interactions last night--the sensation she'd shared with him when she finally followed the command she'd resisted.
"If sometimes surprising. And occasionally annoying." She did look at him then, smiling, her eyes gentle and playful. Ren turned his own gaze down, his head tilting a little bit back toward the stove, but not completely, and Jaz would be able to catch that his own lips held a soft smile.
"Well," he said after a moment. "I'm glad that the sensation itself is not unpleasant."
He turned his attention fully back to the stove, then, and after a moment he added, a bit more soberly, "Just--" he very nearly said know that, but caught himself, his throat tightening around the words. He swallowed, and then moved past them--or, reshuffled them, at least. "I don't mean to be insensitive about it. And, I want you to know that."
Then his throat loosened, and he let out a breath of quiet surprise as a realization struck him. It was a little bit uncomfortable in its own way, but he felt much of the tension that had built up in him dissipate. He finished with the fire and stood, one hand touching briefly to his chest as if minding an ache. Just as quickly, his hand moved on to pulled down a pan to start warming on the stove, and he set about adding a dollup of animal fat to it. Then, he grabbed a zucchini from a bowl on an open shelf to begin chopping.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
She bit her lip, wondering if what she was saying felt redundant, given their conversation last night. But, she rationalized that it was different. She had talked about resisting before obeying being pleasurable--not obeying itself.
"Well," he said after a moment. "I'm glad that the sensation itself is not unpleasant."
He turned away from her, then, back to the stove and the fire.
"Just--" he started. "I don't mean to be insensitive about it. And, I want you to know that."
Jaz looked back over to her bag, then, thinking over what he had said to her. Save your food... at least until I've offered you some. She realized suddenly that she might have violated some guest custom by seeking her own food. Had it been rude? No, not exactly, Jaz thought. Perhaps Ren just wanted the opportunity to fully host her. She relaxed and smiled at that, softening, nodding, though he couldn't see her.
"I sense that," she said generously.
She had another impulse to touch him, this time to come behind him and rub his shoulders as he worked, hoping to loosen the tension balling there. Jaz smiled at his back instead, offering her warmth to his space, whether or not he would feel it.
Before she knew it, Ren had some oil, perhaps from a local animal, frying in a pan. The smell filled the small cottage quickly, and Ren found a vegetable of some kind from a shelf and began chopping.
She laughed a little at herself, feeling both spoiled and vulnerable. Perhaps getting dressed would help. Jaz dug through her pack and ultimately chose the dress and leggings she had been wearing the day before. They were mostly clean and were still Jaz's best travel clothes. Eventually, she would need to learn how to make or purchase her own clothes here as well, she supposed.
Sighing, she stood and turned her back to Ren after glancing at him--he seemed preoccupied with the pan and stove. He would need to change his clothes at some point, too, she imagined. With a last inhale, she lifted her light shift over her head and pulled on her leggings and dress. She was finished in only a few moments. She then began selecting items to put in a smaller satchel to bring with them on their journey.
"How far to your friend again?" Jaz asked, turning back toward Ren. "A day trip?"
"Well," he said after a moment. "I'm glad that the sensation itself is not unpleasant."
He turned away from her, then, back to the stove and the fire.
"Just--" he started. "I don't mean to be insensitive about it. And, I want you to know that."
Jaz looked back over to her bag, then, thinking over what he had said to her. Save your food... at least until I've offered you some. She realized suddenly that she might have violated some guest custom by seeking her own food. Had it been rude? No, not exactly, Jaz thought. Perhaps Ren just wanted the opportunity to fully host her. She relaxed and smiled at that, softening, nodding, though he couldn't see her.
"I sense that," she said generously.
She had another impulse to touch him, this time to come behind him and rub his shoulders as he worked, hoping to loosen the tension balling there. Jaz smiled at his back instead, offering her warmth to his space, whether or not he would feel it.
Before she knew it, Ren had some oil, perhaps from a local animal, frying in a pan. The smell filled the small cottage quickly, and Ren found a vegetable of some kind from a shelf and began chopping.
She laughed a little at herself, feeling both spoiled and vulnerable. Perhaps getting dressed would help. Jaz dug through her pack and ultimately chose the dress and leggings she had been wearing the day before. They were mostly clean and were still Jaz's best travel clothes. Eventually, she would need to learn how to make or purchase her own clothes here as well, she supposed.
Sighing, she stood and turned her back to Ren after glancing at him--he seemed preoccupied with the pan and stove. He would need to change his clothes at some point, too, she imagined. With a last inhale, she lifted her light shift over her head and pulled on her leggings and dress. She was finished in only a few moments. She then began selecting items to put in a smaller satchel to bring with them on their journey.
"How far to your friend again?" Jaz asked, turning back toward Ren. "A day trip?"
Re: Leaving the Djinn
"I sense that," Jaz said after a moment. Her voice founded easeful, which he was grateful for. After a moment he heard her starting to shift around, and he started to turn to look over his shoulder, but quickly realized what she was doing and brought his attention sternly back to cooking. He supposed now was as good a time for her to change as any, though it soured his mood just a little to think about his own dressing logistics. But, that could come later.
"How far to your friend again?" Jaz asked, presumably once she was all finished, though Ren didn't look to confirm. "A day trip?"
"Mm. About as far as town." Ren shuffled the chopped Zucchini into the pan, smiling lightly at the sound of it sizzling in the melted fat as he sprinkled on some seasonings. Once the zucchini was seared, he grabbed three eggs and cracked them into the pan to scramble in with the zucchini. If nothing else, it was some small pleasure to cook for a guest.
"How far to your friend again?" Jaz asked, presumably once she was all finished, though Ren didn't look to confirm. "A day trip?"
"Mm. About as far as town." Ren shuffled the chopped Zucchini into the pan, smiling lightly at the sound of it sizzling in the melted fat as he sprinkled on some seasonings. Once the zucchini was seared, he grabbed three eggs and cracked them into the pan to scramble in with the zucchini. If nothing else, it was some small pleasure to cook for a guest.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
"Mm. About as far as town," Ren said. Jaz nodded, but he was still turned away from her.
He looked comfortable, happy even, as he stirred the vegetables in the pan. Having finished with her satchel, she took a couple tentative steps closer to him, looking in the pan. She didn't recognize the vegetable. As he sprinkled seasoning on it, the aroma made her stomach growl once again. She cast a mournful look at the cracker jar Ren had put in front of her, but she thought she could wait, surely. Ren was going to all this trouble, and she wanted to enjoy it fully. Jaz knew she probably wouldn't be able to eat very much.
He took an oblong, brownish object that looked very much like an egg and cracked it on the edge of the pan, adding the gooey insides to the sizzling heat. Jaz froze, dumbfounded. She had seen eggs before--the feradons laid them on rare occasions--but no one of her people had ever thought to...
Jaz's stomach rolled over nauseously, and she stepped away nervously, taking deep breaths. Closing her eyes, she brought her hands to her temples, trying not to cry. She tried to coach herself through what she was feeling, but Ren cracked another egg and then another, and Jaz sat gracelessly back down onto the floor in her mess of blankets, stunned.
One feradon egg, if someone had cooked them, would be an incredible delicacy--a feast fit for the king of the dark fae. But three? Granted, Ren's eggs were small, palm-sized or smaller. Jaz knew, on some level, that should couldn't judge humans by the standards of her own people--a people who only ate for pleasure--but it was difficult. Her body had already reacted, even if her mind was trying to make justifications.
"I thought of my question," Jaz said, breathlessly, staring at the floor. "How... how often do those sorts of eggs get laid?"
He looked comfortable, happy even, as he stirred the vegetables in the pan. Having finished with her satchel, she took a couple tentative steps closer to him, looking in the pan. She didn't recognize the vegetable. As he sprinkled seasoning on it, the aroma made her stomach growl once again. She cast a mournful look at the cracker jar Ren had put in front of her, but she thought she could wait, surely. Ren was going to all this trouble, and she wanted to enjoy it fully. Jaz knew she probably wouldn't be able to eat very much.
He took an oblong, brownish object that looked very much like an egg and cracked it on the edge of the pan, adding the gooey insides to the sizzling heat. Jaz froze, dumbfounded. She had seen eggs before--the feradons laid them on rare occasions--but no one of her people had ever thought to...
Jaz's stomach rolled over nauseously, and she stepped away nervously, taking deep breaths. Closing her eyes, she brought her hands to her temples, trying not to cry. She tried to coach herself through what she was feeling, but Ren cracked another egg and then another, and Jaz sat gracelessly back down onto the floor in her mess of blankets, stunned.
One feradon egg, if someone had cooked them, would be an incredible delicacy--a feast fit for the king of the dark fae. But three? Granted, Ren's eggs were small, palm-sized or smaller. Jaz knew, on some level, that should couldn't judge humans by the standards of her own people--a people who only ate for pleasure--but it was difficult. Her body had already reacted, even if her mind was trying to make justifications.
"I thought of my question," Jaz said, breathlessly, staring at the floor. "How... how often do those sorts of eggs get laid?"