The priestess hesitated only a brief moment when she saw Jaz's hand. She flicked her eyes briefly to Ren, and saw whatever she needed to see in his expression, even flat as it was. Perhaps it was his calm attentiveness mixed with his lack of alarm or surprise. Trusting that, she returned her attention to Jaz's hand as she clasped it in both of hers, thumbs gently caressing over Jaz's knuckles, now undeterred by coloration.
After a moment, one hand tentatively reached up to gently caress Jaz's cheek as an offering, the priestess' gaze warm and sympathetic and welcoming. If Jaz shrank back from her, she was attentive to that, unattached to whether the gesture made contact or not.
Once the moment felt complete, the priestess withdrew, and Ren requested to speak in private. She nodded to Ren and then to Jaz again, offering a gentle, reassuring smile. Then, she led them both to the side of the temple, where overlapping layers of light, airy woven fabric draped over an entryway into an adjacent building. Ren subtly gagued Jaz' pace to check if she seemed to be leaning more toward following the priestess or following him. He was content either way, and settled his posture comfortably into the role of gently leading Jaz or watching her back, depending.
The room on the other side of the curtains was something of an apothecary's workshop, with tools and jars of plant life and tinctures gathered on a couple shelves against the front wall and a table in the middle of the room, a chest storing more out of sight beneath the window lighting the room on the far wall from the fabric-curtained door. A few things seemed a little out of place--some herbs half-ground in a mortar on the table next to a couple jars open with their lids strewn beside them; a couple things on shelves that seemed to be the odd thing out in their cluster. Most things seemed to be quite at home where they sat, happy neighbors with the other items in their proximity.
The priestess picked up a lantern from a shelf and turned it on, then led Ren and Jaz to another curtain on the side wall further away from the temple's entrance, this one dressed with overlapping layers of thick, soft hides. Whether Jaz went ahead and followed the priestess or waited to follow Ren, the one who led her looked back to her as they passed through, making sure to pass the hides back to Jaz rather than let them fall on or in front of her. It seemed like a considerate gesture that either was very happy to make--for each other, and for their visitor as well.
Past that curtain was a smaller room with no windows, lit dimly with the lantern the priestess placed on a small table in the middle of the room. She gestured in the dim light for Jaz and Ren to sit down on cusions by the table, herself moving to sit down on one of her own.
((OOC: And I think whether Ren speaks up first or Jaz does depends on whether Jaz was following first or second after the priestess on the brief journey there.))
Leaving the Djinn
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Leaving the Djinn
The priestess did seem startled at Jaz's skin, but after a look to Ren, the priestess did take Jaz's offered hand. The warmth of the priestess' skin was comforting, and Jaz felt better. Jaz sensed only a bright and comfortable white light from her when they made contact. No indication that the priestess was at all put off by Jaz's inner turmoil.
Then the priestess lifted a hand as though to touch Jaz's cheek, and Jaz stepped back immediately and shook her head quickly, her eyes widening as the corners of her mouth fell in surprise.
No, no, she couldn't have her face turn blue in front of all these people, even if it did turn back to something the humans would find normal shortly thereafter. She hadn't had any time to experiment with it. How long did it take for the skin to turn blue? And how long to turn back? It wasn't worth the risk.
The priestess, however, was gracious and understanding, not taking Jaz's alarm as a slight at all. She nodded at Ren's request and led the two of them out of the temple room through a set of light curtains. Jaz noted that the woman did not knock on the curtains. She just went through them.
Home, Jaz thought. This is the way we do it at home. She supposed she was honored, happy even, to see humans revere the practice of walking through a curtained door, even if only in the temple. By accident? Jaz wondered.
She was happy to follow the woman first, throwing a casual look back at Ren as she went through the curtains and gesturing to him silently as though to say, Now, this is a door.
Once through, however, Jaz stopped and fear sparked at her back. She was glad Ren was close behind her and had half a mind to reach for his hand. They had left the temple and entered a walkway. The fabric separating the walkway from the town was intricately woven, and Jaz admired it deeply, but she was still nervous.
One more set of curtains, and they were in what Jaz understood to be some kind of apothecary. She looked around quickly at the plant powder of every color in various states of processing but followed the priestess to a much heavier set of curtains, these ones made of thick and heavy furs.
Jaz shivered and grew afraid. She looked back at Ren, nervous. She wanted to clutch him, cling to him, jump into his arms. But, she held still.
She didn't know either of these people well. Ren did not especially like her, and this priestess? Worshipped a foreign god in a land of humans who thought djinn were... were... demons.
Jaz had half a mind to summon fire right then and there, but she took a deep breath and decided to trust. She wasn't going to get far if she didn't trust them.
The priestess gingerly held open the heavy furs for Jaz, and Jaz walked in, grateful for the lantern that illuminated the dim space. The furs looked soft, but Jaz did everything she could not to touch them. She had no idea how the furs had been harvested or even what animal they had been taken from. They were large and numerous.
The room held only cushions and a small table, which the priestess promptly sat down at. Jaz took a deep breath and sat down as well, trying to calm herself. She felt... underground almost. The thought was a little disconcerting.
Once the three of them were settled, Jaz asked the priestess, "Do you recognize... what I am?"
Then the priestess lifted a hand as though to touch Jaz's cheek, and Jaz stepped back immediately and shook her head quickly, her eyes widening as the corners of her mouth fell in surprise.
No, no, she couldn't have her face turn blue in front of all these people, even if it did turn back to something the humans would find normal shortly thereafter. She hadn't had any time to experiment with it. How long did it take for the skin to turn blue? And how long to turn back? It wasn't worth the risk.
The priestess, however, was gracious and understanding, not taking Jaz's alarm as a slight at all. She nodded at Ren's request and led the two of them out of the temple room through a set of light curtains. Jaz noted that the woman did not knock on the curtains. She just went through them.
Home, Jaz thought. This is the way we do it at home. She supposed she was honored, happy even, to see humans revere the practice of walking through a curtained door, even if only in the temple. By accident? Jaz wondered.
She was happy to follow the woman first, throwing a casual look back at Ren as she went through the curtains and gesturing to him silently as though to say, Now, this is a door.
Once through, however, Jaz stopped and fear sparked at her back. She was glad Ren was close behind her and had half a mind to reach for his hand. They had left the temple and entered a walkway. The fabric separating the walkway from the town was intricately woven, and Jaz admired it deeply, but she was still nervous.
One more set of curtains, and they were in what Jaz understood to be some kind of apothecary. She looked around quickly at the plant powder of every color in various states of processing but followed the priestess to a much heavier set of curtains, these ones made of thick and heavy furs.
Jaz shivered and grew afraid. She looked back at Ren, nervous. She wanted to clutch him, cling to him, jump into his arms. But, she held still.
She didn't know either of these people well. Ren did not especially like her, and this priestess? Worshipped a foreign god in a land of humans who thought djinn were... were... demons.
Jaz had half a mind to summon fire right then and there, but she took a deep breath and decided to trust. She wasn't going to get far if she didn't trust them.
The priestess gingerly held open the heavy furs for Jaz, and Jaz walked in, grateful for the lantern that illuminated the dim space. The furs looked soft, but Jaz did everything she could not to touch them. She had no idea how the furs had been harvested or even what animal they had been taken from. They were large and numerous.
The room held only cushions and a small table, which the priestess promptly sat down at. Jaz took a deep breath and sat down as well, trying to calm herself. She felt... underground almost. The thought was a little disconcerting.
Once the three of them were settled, Jaz asked the priestess, "Do you recognize... what I am?"
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Ren was glad that Jaz seemed comfortable enough to follow after the priestess, and he fell comfortably into step behind her, just as glad to have her back. Some folks in the temple did cast curious glances their direction again as they moved toward the side curtain, perhaps a little more anxious now that the priestess was disappearing into private with a stranger. Ren offered a reassuring glance where it felt prudent to do so, and that seemed to be enough.
Jaz tossed a look back at Ren when they reached the curtains, gesturing toward them pointedly. He quirked his eyebrow, not entirely sure what she was directing his attention toward, but as she moved through the curtains with comfort and confidence, their conversation about doors came to mind. A subtle smirk tugged at his lips as he followed behind her.
He admired the workshop they stepped into. He'd seen it before, but it always sparked curiosity. What all was there, what was being made? He eyed the projects on the table, but only long enough to pass the brief moments while the priestess collected the lantern and led them over to the fur curtains at the back.
Jaz seemed to get nervous at the sight of the hides. She looked back at Ren, and while he looked briefly puzzled--did the furs bother her somehow?--he set that aside and offered her a gentle nod, hoping that was the reassurance she was looking for. The priestess held the furs back for Jaz, and Jaz seemed just as grateful not to touch them. Noticing that, the priestess let Jaz pass her inside, and she lingered by the furs, passing the weight of them back to Ren before she gestured for them all to sit down.
Ren lingered just inside the fur curtain as he gently let it fall shut behind him, closing off the light from the window in the previous room. He watched Jaz in the dim lantern light as she took a deep breath before sitting down. She seemed so nervous... he supposed he could understand why, but he wished he could reassure her. This was the safest place that he knew of, here in this room with this priestess. Hopefully she could come to understand that herself soon. He was just about to turn his attention to the priestess, considering going ahead and telling her about the situation while Jaz calmed her nerves, but Jaz did manage to collect herself and speak up first.
"Do you recognize... what I am?"
The priestess smiled a little apologetically, gently shaking her head.
"I'm afraid not." She let a small silence stand as she looked from Jaz to Ren and back again, taking in the sight of the both of them. Ren took that as his cue to offer something, to also put a card down in this encounter.
"She is a traveler far from home," he said, eyes flickering briefly to Jaz. "...Like I was." The rest seemed like it wasn't his to say.
The priestess nodded in understanding, and turned her attention back to Jaz.
"Welcome, traveler. My name is Monica," she gently touched her hand to her chest before gesturing lightly toward Jaz, palm open. "What may I call you?"
Jaz tossed a look back at Ren when they reached the curtains, gesturing toward them pointedly. He quirked his eyebrow, not entirely sure what she was directing his attention toward, but as she moved through the curtains with comfort and confidence, their conversation about doors came to mind. A subtle smirk tugged at his lips as he followed behind her.
He admired the workshop they stepped into. He'd seen it before, but it always sparked curiosity. What all was there, what was being made? He eyed the projects on the table, but only long enough to pass the brief moments while the priestess collected the lantern and led them over to the fur curtains at the back.
Jaz seemed to get nervous at the sight of the hides. She looked back at Ren, and while he looked briefly puzzled--did the furs bother her somehow?--he set that aside and offered her a gentle nod, hoping that was the reassurance she was looking for. The priestess held the furs back for Jaz, and Jaz seemed just as grateful not to touch them. Noticing that, the priestess let Jaz pass her inside, and she lingered by the furs, passing the weight of them back to Ren before she gestured for them all to sit down.
Ren lingered just inside the fur curtain as he gently let it fall shut behind him, closing off the light from the window in the previous room. He watched Jaz in the dim lantern light as she took a deep breath before sitting down. She seemed so nervous... he supposed he could understand why, but he wished he could reassure her. This was the safest place that he knew of, here in this room with this priestess. Hopefully she could come to understand that herself soon. He was just about to turn his attention to the priestess, considering going ahead and telling her about the situation while Jaz calmed her nerves, but Jaz did manage to collect herself and speak up first.
"Do you recognize... what I am?"
The priestess smiled a little apologetically, gently shaking her head.
"I'm afraid not." She let a small silence stand as she looked from Jaz to Ren and back again, taking in the sight of the both of them. Ren took that as his cue to offer something, to also put a card down in this encounter.
"She is a traveler far from home," he said, eyes flickering briefly to Jaz. "...Like I was." The rest seemed like it wasn't his to say.
The priestess nodded in understanding, and turned her attention back to Jaz.
"Welcome, traveler. My name is Monica," she gently touched her hand to her chest before gesturing lightly toward Jaz, palm open. "What may I call you?"
Re: Leaving the Djinn
The priestess smiled sadly, and Jaz knew the answer before she said anything.
"I'm afraid not." The woman then looked from Jaz to Ren and back as though trying to understand what it was they wanted. Jaz wasn't fully sure she herself knew.
"She is a traveler far from home...," Ren began, and Jaz raised her eyebrows, fully aware that the priestess might not get the right idea from this statement, especially when Ren added, "...like I was."
Jaz swiveled her head to look at Ren. Where had he come from? What had he left behind?
But what Jaz understood more than anything was that he felt first at home here, if anywhere, after leaving, and with that realization, Jaz well and truly relaxed. There were no hidden people trying to trap or stab here and no enemy in sight. Not yet, anyway.
For now, at least, she felt safe.
"Welcome, traveler. My name is Monica. What may I call you?" Monica touched her hand to her chest when she said her named in a way that Jaz unconsciously copied, the movements bringing a calm happiness she didn't understand.
"I'm Jaz...," she said. Jaz looked at Ren briefly, trusting that if she was going to tell everything to someone, Monica was the right person to trust. "...and I am a djinn from Dehaljadrun's realm."
Jaz took a deep breath.
"When we come of age, something... happens. A compulsion to leave our home. It is tradition that we allow the fae gates--they are like... doorways to other worlds--to choose somewhere for us to go. And then we make our own way home," Jaz explained, although she quietly added, looking down momentarily. "Or don't.
"The gates close as soon as we go through. I have little understanding of when or how they open, only that they do. And..." Jaz lowered her head. "No idea where to start looking for how to go back."
Jaz felt like maybe she had been talking for too long, but now that she was talking, it was spilling out of her, quicker with every breath.
"Not that I want to go back right now. I've only just arrived and everything is so new and interesting. I ate a raspberry today and I'm in this gorgeous temple and I met Ren and you and..." she tried not to think too hard about the dark fae or Jarrett.
"But... eventually?" Jaz winced, imagining how the ache she felt for home now would grow into a chronically familiar sensation over time.
"Ren thought you might have some advice. Or... information." She felt strange and awkward and finally managed to shut her mouth, only to open it again.
"And I didn't mean to... I mean, I did... I pulled away because, my skin and... but it's okay. You can touch my face here if you still want to," Jaz said nervously, her eyebrows lifting and furrowing at the same time.
"I'm afraid not." The woman then looked from Jaz to Ren and back as though trying to understand what it was they wanted. Jaz wasn't fully sure she herself knew.
"She is a traveler far from home...," Ren began, and Jaz raised her eyebrows, fully aware that the priestess might not get the right idea from this statement, especially when Ren added, "...like I was."
Jaz swiveled her head to look at Ren. Where had he come from? What had he left behind?
But what Jaz understood more than anything was that he felt first at home here, if anywhere, after leaving, and with that realization, Jaz well and truly relaxed. There were no hidden people trying to trap or stab here and no enemy in sight. Not yet, anyway.
For now, at least, she felt safe.
"Welcome, traveler. My name is Monica. What may I call you?" Monica touched her hand to her chest when she said her named in a way that Jaz unconsciously copied, the movements bringing a calm happiness she didn't understand.
"I'm Jaz...," she said. Jaz looked at Ren briefly, trusting that if she was going to tell everything to someone, Monica was the right person to trust. "...and I am a djinn from Dehaljadrun's realm."
Jaz took a deep breath.
"When we come of age, something... happens. A compulsion to leave our home. It is tradition that we allow the fae gates--they are like... doorways to other worlds--to choose somewhere for us to go. And then we make our own way home," Jaz explained, although she quietly added, looking down momentarily. "Or don't.
"The gates close as soon as we go through. I have little understanding of when or how they open, only that they do. And..." Jaz lowered her head. "No idea where to start looking for how to go back."
Jaz felt like maybe she had been talking for too long, but now that she was talking, it was spilling out of her, quicker with every breath.
"Not that I want to go back right now. I've only just arrived and everything is so new and interesting. I ate a raspberry today and I'm in this gorgeous temple and I met Ren and you and..." she tried not to think too hard about the dark fae or Jarrett.
"But... eventually?" Jaz winced, imagining how the ache she felt for home now would grow into a chronically familiar sensation over time.
"Ren thought you might have some advice. Or... information." She felt strange and awkward and finally managed to shut her mouth, only to open it again.
"And I didn't mean to... I mean, I did... I pulled away because, my skin and... but it's okay. You can touch my face here if you still want to," Jaz said nervously, her eyebrows lifting and furrowing at the same time.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Monica's eyebrows certainly rose with surprise when Jaz declared more than just her name. But if she felt any alarm, it wasn't apparent in her expression. She listened calmly as Jaz continued explaining her situation, her expression relaxing into an attentive neutrality. At least, until Jaz started tripping over herself at the end.
"And I didn't mean to... I mean, I did... I pulled away because, my skin and... but it's okay. You can touch my face here if you still want to."
Monica smiled just a little bit crookedly at that, eyebrows drawing together sympathetically. She took in a slow breath and exhaled, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she did so--though, certainly as comapred to Ren's, they hadn't seemed particularly tense to begin with.
"I only reached out because..." her eyes looked down at her hands, palms floating absent-mindedly in front of her. "You seemed quite distraught. I wanted to offer comfort." She looked back up to Jaz, hands settling back down into her lap, and she inhaled and exhaled again slowly before continuing. "I'm glad you indicated the gesture would not, in fact, comfort you." Her eyes held a subtle apology, and briefly slid to Ren with the same expression. He seemed a little surprised to be regarded in that moment, but gave the priestess a small, crooked smile of his own.
"I... know of the goddess Dehaljadrun," Monica said as she drew her gaze back to Jaz. "But... much is not known about her. Even less, I'm afraid, about djinn. There have, at least, been stories of fae in these woods. I warned Ren about that before he settled in." She tossed her gaze to Ren again there, this time her smile waxing playful.
"Yeah, well, it's been three years and I haven't run into anything strange until now," he said with a slight frown.
"Strange is relative, Ren. You might yourself appear a fae creature to those who once knew you."
Ren's gaze shifted away toward the fur curtain at that, and Monica returned her gaze to Jaz, letting him alone.
"I'm sorry I'm not more help... is there more you can tell me about you, your goddess? You mentioned your skin... I'm not sure I fully understood."
"And I didn't mean to... I mean, I did... I pulled away because, my skin and... but it's okay. You can touch my face here if you still want to."
Monica smiled just a little bit crookedly at that, eyebrows drawing together sympathetically. She took in a slow breath and exhaled, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she did so--though, certainly as comapred to Ren's, they hadn't seemed particularly tense to begin with.
"I only reached out because..." her eyes looked down at her hands, palms floating absent-mindedly in front of her. "You seemed quite distraught. I wanted to offer comfort." She looked back up to Jaz, hands settling back down into her lap, and she inhaled and exhaled again slowly before continuing. "I'm glad you indicated the gesture would not, in fact, comfort you." Her eyes held a subtle apology, and briefly slid to Ren with the same expression. He seemed a little surprised to be regarded in that moment, but gave the priestess a small, crooked smile of his own.
"I... know of the goddess Dehaljadrun," Monica said as she drew her gaze back to Jaz. "But... much is not known about her. Even less, I'm afraid, about djinn. There have, at least, been stories of fae in these woods. I warned Ren about that before he settled in." She tossed her gaze to Ren again there, this time her smile waxing playful.
"Yeah, well, it's been three years and I haven't run into anything strange until now," he said with a slight frown.
"Strange is relative, Ren. You might yourself appear a fae creature to those who once knew you."
Ren's gaze shifted away toward the fur curtain at that, and Monica returned her gaze to Jaz, letting him alone.
"I'm sorry I'm not more help... is there more you can tell me about you, your goddess? You mentioned your skin... I'm not sure I fully understood."
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Monica smiled, her eyebrows pulled together in sympathy, and Jaz took a moment to catch her breath. Jaz had really let that all get away from her, hadn't she? The priestess took a long, slow breath that calmed Jaz's nervous system significantly, and the djinn found herself smiling. It really was miraculous that she was here at all. And she was... making friends, wasn't she? And Ren had touched her. The priestess had touched her. And even if the priestess didn't want to touch her face now, perhaps there was space for that in the future. The three of them... could be the start of a family, if they wanted that. Ren liked the priestess well enough, right? The thought warmed Jaz's chest.
"I only reached out because..." Monica looked down at her hands, "...you seemed quite distraught. I wanted to offer comfort." The priestess took another slow breath. "I'm glad you indicated the gesture would not, in fact, comfort you." It sounded like Monica was apologizing, which felt wrong. Jaz was the one with... a problem. And then Monica looked at Ren as though to apologize, too, which only further confused Jaz, at least until she thought about it. Maybe the priestess had tried to do the same to Ren, long ago. Jaz couldn't imagine him immediately taking to such a gesture.
"I... know of the goddess Dehaljadrun, but... much is not known about her. Even less, I'm afraid, about djinn. There have, at least, been stories of the fae in these woods. I warned Ren about that before he settled in."
While Jaz was sad not to be known, she suddenly realized that she might have a lot to offer the priestess by way of knowledge. How strange! Jaz had never exactly been someone to take keenly to her studies, and yet, there was a sharing of culture possible here. The fact that a trade might be valuable made Jaz sit up a little straighter.
"Yeah, well, it's been three years, and I haven't run into anything strange until now," Ren said, frowning a little. Jaz quirked a smile his direction. She knew the fae gates were drawn to particular places more than once, even if those places were numerous. More than Jaz had likely passed by Ren's cottage.
"Strange is relative, Ren. You might yourself appear a fae creature to those who once knew you." Ren looked away, and Jaz thought she felt some of his discomfort. Had he changed so much in the time he was away?
Turning her attention back to Jaz, Monica said, "I'm sorry I'm not more help... is there more you can tell me about you, your goddess? You mentioned your skin... I'm not sure I fully understand."
Jaz laughed a little. That was certainly her biggest, most present problem, it seemed. Jaz laid both of her hands palm up on the table, an offering to both Monica and Ren if they chose to accept.
"Right, yes," Jaz said, grateful to have had some time to compose herself. "I... We... the djinn... touch is sacred to us. We are beings of smoke and fire and love, and our bonds are fluid and many among our clan. Without touch, we quickly become ill. Or at least, our skin loses its color. Normally, I would be entirely blue without any of the splotches you probably saw earlier. But it's been days since I've been known by my clan, and Ren..." She dared a look over at the man, who was genuinely beautiful where the light caught his edges, "...has offered what he could."
Jaz took a deep breath, trying to think of what was the next most important thing to impart.
"I suppose it will be complicated, navigating the complexities of blending in here as they relate to getting my needs met. I can eat instead, if necessary, to stave off anything worse that skin discoloration, but..." She hoped she didn't need to finish that thought.
"And the goddess? She took us in, my whole clan, many, many moons ago. But, we rarely see her. She doesn't..."
The goddess does care.
"...She hasn't visited our mountain in my lifetime."
"I only reached out because..." Monica looked down at her hands, "...you seemed quite distraught. I wanted to offer comfort." The priestess took another slow breath. "I'm glad you indicated the gesture would not, in fact, comfort you." It sounded like Monica was apologizing, which felt wrong. Jaz was the one with... a problem. And then Monica looked at Ren as though to apologize, too, which only further confused Jaz, at least until she thought about it. Maybe the priestess had tried to do the same to Ren, long ago. Jaz couldn't imagine him immediately taking to such a gesture.
"I... know of the goddess Dehaljadrun, but... much is not known about her. Even less, I'm afraid, about djinn. There have, at least, been stories of the fae in these woods. I warned Ren about that before he settled in."
While Jaz was sad not to be known, she suddenly realized that she might have a lot to offer the priestess by way of knowledge. How strange! Jaz had never exactly been someone to take keenly to her studies, and yet, there was a sharing of culture possible here. The fact that a trade might be valuable made Jaz sit up a little straighter.
"Yeah, well, it's been three years, and I haven't run into anything strange until now," Ren said, frowning a little. Jaz quirked a smile his direction. She knew the fae gates were drawn to particular places more than once, even if those places were numerous. More than Jaz had likely passed by Ren's cottage.
"Strange is relative, Ren. You might yourself appear a fae creature to those who once knew you." Ren looked away, and Jaz thought she felt some of his discomfort. Had he changed so much in the time he was away?
Turning her attention back to Jaz, Monica said, "I'm sorry I'm not more help... is there more you can tell me about you, your goddess? You mentioned your skin... I'm not sure I fully understand."
Jaz laughed a little. That was certainly her biggest, most present problem, it seemed. Jaz laid both of her hands palm up on the table, an offering to both Monica and Ren if they chose to accept.
"Right, yes," Jaz said, grateful to have had some time to compose herself. "I... We... the djinn... touch is sacred to us. We are beings of smoke and fire and love, and our bonds are fluid and many among our clan. Without touch, we quickly become ill. Or at least, our skin loses its color. Normally, I would be entirely blue without any of the splotches you probably saw earlier. But it's been days since I've been known by my clan, and Ren..." She dared a look over at the man, who was genuinely beautiful where the light caught his edges, "...has offered what he could."
Jaz took a deep breath, trying to think of what was the next most important thing to impart.
"I suppose it will be complicated, navigating the complexities of blending in here as they relate to getting my needs met. I can eat instead, if necessary, to stave off anything worse that skin discoloration, but..." She hoped she didn't need to finish that thought.
"And the goddess? She took us in, my whole clan, many, many moons ago. But, we rarely see her. She doesn't..."
The goddess does care.
"...She hasn't visited our mountain in my lifetime."
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz laughed a little and placed her palms face up on the small table by the lantern. Monica looked at them curiously, noting that the splotches of color she had seen before had faded. Ren also eyed Jaz's hands similarly.
"Right, yes," Jaz said. "I... We... the djinn... touch is sacred to us. We are beings of smoke and fire and love, and our bonds are fluid and many among our clan. Without touch, we quickly become ill. Or at least, our skin loses its color. Normally, I would be entirely blue without any of the splotches you probably saw earlier. But it's been days since I've been known by my clan, and Ren..."
Jaz looked to the man seated beside her. He stiffened a little under her gaze, his eyes flicking away briefly. Monica offered him a small, knowing smile as Jaz added, "...has offered what he could." Jaz took a deep breath then, perhaps collecting her thoughts before moving on.
"I suppose it will be complicated, navigating the complexities of blending in here as they relate to getting my needs met. I can eat instead, if necessary, to stave off anything worse that skin discoloration, but..." She let a beat pass, the trailed-off thought speaking for itself. "And the goddess? She took us in, my whole clan, many, many moons ago. But, we rarely see her. She doesn't... She hasn't visited our mountain in my lifetime."
Monica listened attentively, taking it all in. As Jaz spoke, she raised her knuckle to her chin in thought, her other hand crossing loosely over her waist. She let a few moments of silence pass while she contemplated what she'd heard. Ren watched the priestess silently, clearly interested in her thoughts.
Finally, Monica gently reached her hand toward Jaz's closest to her on the table. She was ever attentive to any signs of Jaz pulling back, but, if Jaz allowed her, she would warmly clasp the djinn's hand in her own, and pay close attention to how Jaz's skin changed--and whatever else seemed to come of the touch.
"Right, yes," Jaz said. "I... We... the djinn... touch is sacred to us. We are beings of smoke and fire and love, and our bonds are fluid and many among our clan. Without touch, we quickly become ill. Or at least, our skin loses its color. Normally, I would be entirely blue without any of the splotches you probably saw earlier. But it's been days since I've been known by my clan, and Ren..."
Jaz looked to the man seated beside her. He stiffened a little under her gaze, his eyes flicking away briefly. Monica offered him a small, knowing smile as Jaz added, "...has offered what he could." Jaz took a deep breath then, perhaps collecting her thoughts before moving on.
"I suppose it will be complicated, navigating the complexities of blending in here as they relate to getting my needs met. I can eat instead, if necessary, to stave off anything worse that skin discoloration, but..." She let a beat pass, the trailed-off thought speaking for itself. "And the goddess? She took us in, my whole clan, many, many moons ago. But, we rarely see her. She doesn't... She hasn't visited our mountain in my lifetime."
Monica listened attentively, taking it all in. As Jaz spoke, she raised her knuckle to her chin in thought, her other hand crossing loosely over her waist. She let a few moments of silence pass while she contemplated what she'd heard. Ren watched the priestess silently, clearly interested in her thoughts.
Finally, Monica gently reached her hand toward Jaz's closest to her on the table. She was ever attentive to any signs of Jaz pulling back, but, if Jaz allowed her, she would warmly clasp the djinn's hand in her own, and pay close attention to how Jaz's skin changed--and whatever else seemed to come of the touch.
Re: Leaving the Djinn
After a few moments of quiet contemplation during which the priestess brought one knuckle to her chin in a way Jaz thought was rather becoming of her, the priestess did finally reach out for Jaz's hand. Jaz had the urge to pull back but reassured herself that this was all right. They had done everything they needed to do to make this safe. Relaxing her arm even further, she closed her eyes and emanated gratitude. Jaz was far more confident that, if Monica were picking up on Jaz's emotions, they were primarily pleasant and truly enjoyable ones this time.
Gently, Jaz thought of the comfort she had felt with Ren's hand in hers as they walked to the market. She thought of her joy in seeing Ren interact with the kids on their way to the creek, even if she had been jealous. She thought of tangling with Tenaya, Tigre, and Suldana before she made her realization about her sorala. Briefly, she thought, too, about the ways she had refused touch with both the dark fae and Jarrett from outside the temple.
But what stuck out most in Jaz's mind about all the encounters she'd had in recent days was the moment Ren had touched her initially with just one finger.
Once Jaz had worked through her memories, what was left in the touch was warmth and gratitude, and Jaz's hunger for touch began to slowly subside. When Jaz opened her eyes, all the places Monica touched directly with her hand were fully blue, and they were spreading very, very slowly up toward her wrist.
Jaz looked up at the priestess, curious what she was thinking now.
((OOC: it's possible that Jaz is picking up on images and memories from Monica if she is thinking about them, but we kind of figured that Monica's mostly in a receiving/curious mode that isn't sending much, though I also imagine that's part of why her skin is slower to change color.))
Gently, Jaz thought of the comfort she had felt with Ren's hand in hers as they walked to the market. She thought of her joy in seeing Ren interact with the kids on their way to the creek, even if she had been jealous. She thought of tangling with Tenaya, Tigre, and Suldana before she made her realization about her sorala. Briefly, she thought, too, about the ways she had refused touch with both the dark fae and Jarrett from outside the temple.
But what stuck out most in Jaz's mind about all the encounters she'd had in recent days was the moment Ren had touched her initially with just one finger.
Once Jaz had worked through her memories, what was left in the touch was warmth and gratitude, and Jaz's hunger for touch began to slowly subside. When Jaz opened her eyes, all the places Monica touched directly with her hand were fully blue, and they were spreading very, very slowly up toward her wrist.
Jaz looked up at the priestess, curious what she was thinking now.
((OOC: it's possible that Jaz is picking up on images and memories from Monica if she is thinking about them, but we kind of figured that Monica's mostly in a receiving/curious mode that isn't sending much, though I also imagine that's part of why her skin is slower to change color.))
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Jaz did seem to hesitate for a moment, but then relax, and Monica warmly closed their hands together.
She was happy that Jaz seemed calmer now. She'd seemed so frightened at the temple door. It was hard to explain, exactly, how clear that had been when Monica had first held her hand. But just as clear as Jaz's fear and grief was then, so now was her comfort and joy... though after a moment Monica realized that fear did still linger. She thought of joyfully entangled limbs, and then of a separation--sad, at first, but then necessary. Needed. Fear and longing both brimming together.
But then, two pinkies touching, and a divine release.
Monica thought these things all while she watched blue bloom slowly from the places on Jaz's hand that she touched. She felt Jaz's gaze and raised her own to meet it, her hand offering a gentle squeeze as if to reassure Jaz, or perhaps even to share some of her own longing, before pulling slowly away.
"I want to help you," she said resolutely.
Ren let out a soft but palpable breath of relief. If Monica noticed, she didn't react.
"What is the next thing you need?" She asked Jaz, and almost left it at that, but then worried that Jaz might be so overwhelmed she may not know the answer. "More...touch? A plan for where to sleep tonight?"
She was happy that Jaz seemed calmer now. She'd seemed so frightened at the temple door. It was hard to explain, exactly, how clear that had been when Monica had first held her hand. But just as clear as Jaz's fear and grief was then, so now was her comfort and joy... though after a moment Monica realized that fear did still linger. She thought of joyfully entangled limbs, and then of a separation--sad, at first, but then necessary. Needed. Fear and longing both brimming together.
But then, two pinkies touching, and a divine release.
Monica thought these things all while she watched blue bloom slowly from the places on Jaz's hand that she touched. She felt Jaz's gaze and raised her own to meet it, her hand offering a gentle squeeze as if to reassure Jaz, or perhaps even to share some of her own longing, before pulling slowly away.
"I want to help you," she said resolutely.
Ren let out a soft but palpable breath of relief. If Monica noticed, she didn't react.
"What is the next thing you need?" She asked Jaz, and almost left it at that, but then worried that Jaz might be so overwhelmed she may not know the answer. "More...touch? A plan for where to sleep tonight?"
Re: Leaving the Djinn
Monica squeezed Jaz's hand, and the djinn felt some longing in the gesture as they separated. Was there something that Monica needed of her, too? Clearly touch was important to this woman as well, in some capacity. Jaz looked at her with her head tilted in curiosity and possibility.
"I want to help you," the priestess said, and Jaz stared at her blankly, unsure if there was a "but" about to happen. But Ren exhaled definitively, and Jaz began to trust it.
"What is the next thing you need?" Monica asked, and Jaz's lips parted a little. "More... touch? A plan for where to sleep tonight?" Jaz's eyes widened, and she pulled her hands off the table, at once overjoyed beyond her own capacity. She stared at the floor in disbelief for a moment, a little embarrassed that she could not control her reaction. But, Monica, if she really was going to help, deserved to know how much this meant to Jaz.
"Yes," Jaz said and laughed breathily, knowing she wasn't exactly answering either question. She was crying tears of happiness. Trying to collect herself, she wiped her eyes and looked at Ren, hoping to mirror some of his resoluteness.
"Somewhere relatively safe I know I could return to would help enormously." Jaz thought about what else she needed for a moment, and her cheeks darkened, almost turning blue, though it was a very subtle pigmentation. She looked at the ground again. "As for touch... I can... I would... More would be lovely. But I wouldn't want to impose." Jaz gathered some of her earlier confidence and looked at Monica. "Or be imposed upon."
"I want to help you," the priestess said, and Jaz stared at her blankly, unsure if there was a "but" about to happen. But Ren exhaled definitively, and Jaz began to trust it.
"What is the next thing you need?" Monica asked, and Jaz's lips parted a little. "More... touch? A plan for where to sleep tonight?" Jaz's eyes widened, and she pulled her hands off the table, at once overjoyed beyond her own capacity. She stared at the floor in disbelief for a moment, a little embarrassed that she could not control her reaction. But, Monica, if she really was going to help, deserved to know how much this meant to Jaz.
"Yes," Jaz said and laughed breathily, knowing she wasn't exactly answering either question. She was crying tears of happiness. Trying to collect herself, she wiped her eyes and looked at Ren, hoping to mirror some of his resoluteness.
"Somewhere relatively safe I know I could return to would help enormously." Jaz thought about what else she needed for a moment, and her cheeks darkened, almost turning blue, though it was a very subtle pigmentation. She looked at the ground again. "As for touch... I can... I would... More would be lovely. But I wouldn't want to impose." Jaz gathered some of her earlier confidence and looked at Monica. "Or be imposed upon."