Showing posts with label Jean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jean. Show all posts

Friday, 22 February 2013

Chapter 28 - Unfinished Business



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Sorry for the long wait! As some of you know, my old computer has lived its life. Flat lined about a month ago... There I was with back-ups in hand, waiting for my new laptop to arrive; delayed, because of another problem I won't bore you with. After a week or 5 later, she's finally here and we can get back to business.

If this chapter seems a bit everywhere, forgive me... it wasn't at all flowing right. It gave me a headache and I was demotivated for almost a week before I made the decision to cut off a huge part. And then towards the end, I got tired of it and just wanted to get it DONE!
(lack of pictures says it all)
But enough of that... go read!
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Warnings:
**Adult situations, Nudity**
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Jane jumped back when the door suddenly opened and she was once again greeted with the naked torso she got all up close and personal with just a day and a half ago. With her luck, of course she'd get the right room immediately.
'Hello Jane' Damian said smiling and leaned against the doorpost. Does he always dress like that, or un-dress like that when he's at home? Or are they simply his PJ's? Jane willed herself to keep her sight limited to just his face -as if that would help-
'How...' she cleared her throat to release more voice, 'How did you know it was me?'

'Your shadow was cast underneath the door. When no one knocked I got suspicious... but I did sneak a peek through that little hole, right there' he pointed at the door behind him. 'So I decided to save you the trouble of knocking since you were just about to' he laughed.
Jane noticed that when he laughed it reached his entire face, especially his eyes. They had a sparkle in them...
'Please, come in' he offered, stepping to the side to let her through. Jane was contemplating if that'd be a good idea and looked down the hall she came from. There was a bench at the end...
'I promise I won't bite...'
'...hard' he added watching her face as she walked passed him. It was enough to make her look up at him, that's for sure.

In contrast to the cold exterior of the motel, the room was decorated in brown and cream creating a very intimate setting. Intimate, now there's a word! Jane thought, taking another step inside. She only turned around at the sound of the door closing.
'Don't look at me like that'
'Like what?' Damian asked, still grinning.
'I don't know, like that! Like you've seen me naked'
If possible the grin on his face widened a few inches and he let his eyes wander. From her eyes to her waist then lower towards her feet. All the while he said nothing and just tipped his head to the side when he met her eyes again.
'Oh my God!' Jane exclaimed, 'You haven't h-have you?
Damian laughed at her distresses expression. 'Relax, no, I haven't'
'Oh' she breathed out, wondering how long she had been holding her breath. 'It's just Julie wouldn't tell me and... I'm glad nothing happened...'
'I didn't say nothing happened. Just that I didn't see you naked. Some things don't require the removal of clothes, you know'

Her face went completely white at those words. 'Damian, I'm serious! What happened two nights ago?'
'Well...' He moved away from the door and searched for something in his suitcase, '...it started with some dancing... then cuddling... kissing...'
He walked back to where she stood nailed to the floor, with something in his hand; he was looking at it.
'Rin made it sound worse than it actually was, so I called in a buddy from the club and he emailed me this, this morning. I don't think this screams of desperation. It certainly didn't feel that way... what do you think?' he said, turning the piece of paper around. It was a photo of the two of them latched onto each other with both lips and bodies.

'Oh no...' Jane whispered taking the picture with her free hand. Damian noticed she still held onto her briefcase, every now and then switching arms, when there was a perfectly able surface just behind her. He wondered if there was a special reason for that?
'Oh no...' she whispered again and again.
'I'm a regular at the club, so those booth-cams should've been turned off, but I'm kind of glad they weren't. That's a nice souvenir'
Jane didn't even hear him. 'How did this happen? I don't remember any of this- why do you remember?'

'I've been ordering that drink for a few years now Jane. Surely I've built up some resistance to its effects'
'The drink? Effects? Why would you need to build up resistance?' she knew the answer to her question before she even asked it, but it flew out anyway.
'So it can't be used to drug me. Kind of obvious no?'
'You DRUGGED me?' Jane didn't think hearing it out loud instead of just thinking it would upset her so much.
'No, Jane, I didn't! You ordered that drink all on your own remember. I had nothing to do with it' he held up his arms.
'Nothing to do w... You could've told me- you SHOULD'VE told me!' she flared, poking a finger in his chest. God, his chest was distracting even in her angry state. 'You don't care about other's feelings- about how I felt'
'Oh, I know what you felt, trust me'

'I said 'how' not 'what' you inconsiderate bastard' Jane lifted her hand, aiming for his face, but he caught it just as fast. The laughter gone from his face replaced by a deep frown.
'Inconsiderate, am I?'
Jane tried to pull her hand free from his grasp. Can you spell vice-grip?
'If I was as inconsiderate as you say, I would've slept with you that night. And with the fire you tackled me with it would've been a sheet-wrestle to remember. It's because I used my head that the only thing that happened is there on that picture'
Damian's eyes drilled a path through hers down to the very center of her being and even though she was still trying to free her hand, she couldn't look away.
'I'm glad I didn't tell you about the drink. We would've never known otherwise...'
'Known what?' Jane asked, her voice a bit squeaky.
He closed in the space between them, moving forward while slightly pulling her towards him. 'That you're as attracted to me as I am to you'

'I-I'm not attracted to you'
'Really?' Damian countered. Before Jane had a chance to register what was happening the briefcase she was clutching to prevent any rash actions from either her or him, was on the floor and she was underneath him on the bed.

'Damian!' she exclaimed, flailing her arms in front of her before he pinned them on the bed above her head.
'Darling Jane; Aphro disagrees with you on that... and so does your body. It's warmer now. Even your heart is beating faster...' he let his free hand caress the side of her body from her elbow to her waist and back up, '...just like that night'
Jane shook her head from side to side. 'I was drunk...'
'On desire, yes, nothing else. Aphrodite is a virgin cocktail'
'I-I was drunk...' Jane held on.
'Okay, fine, you were drunk! ...but you aren't now... what's to stop me this time?' he nuzzled her jaw line, taking in her sweet scent.
'I- have to go home a...'
Damian took possession of her lips to drown out her words. 'No, you don't...'

Her cheeks colored at the feel of her body betraying her. His kiss was passionate, rough and very demanding. If it weren't for air, she would find no mercy at all. 'Jean... prophecy' she managed before being attacked by his mouth once more.
'Hmm, let the elders handle it'
With one skilled hand, Damian removed her waist-belt and was now moving under her top across bare skin. He caressed her breasts through her bra.
Jane had to think of something to make him stop before this got out of hand... MORE out of hand... but it all felt so good, so right... Had it really been that long? she wondered.

She hissed when he pinched her nipple, but felt the after-effects of the sting way down in her pants. Damian smiled when her cheeks colored again; a deeper red this time. She was very responsive and in no time her nipples rose up in search of his hand. He removed his hand from under her top to tease the now visible nubs on the outside. Jane closed her eyes and gasped when he bit one; leaving a wet stain on her top. She wiggled her body and arms to try to free them. Not sure anymore if it was to push him away or to pull him closer...
Damian's  mouth left her right breast and travelled back up her neck, licking and nibbling along the way. Jane suddenly arched her back and let out a moan so loud it scared her.
'Yes, I remembered you liked that' Damian whispered, before sucking on the spot between her collarbone and neck again.

Jane bit her lip hard to keep from screaming it out. He was working her body like it had never been done before and she felt a shiver move down the side of her body. Jane was beside herself with the feel of it all. She purred softly and arched her back again. It was Damian's turn to moan now. Her movement had caused her thigh to rub against the front of his pajama pants. He became strangely aware of the bulge, begging to be freed. Readjusting himself to make it more bearable, he turned a bit to the side and refocused his attention on Jane.
She felt another shiver down the side of her body. Her eyes flew open when Damian fumbled with her jeans-belt, realizing the shiver was actually his hands moving down. She looked down and saw him remove her belt... with both hands. How long had her own been free? It didn't matter- she got up and tried stopping his hand from unbuttoning her jeans. 'Damian, no...'

He grabbed her hands and once more lifted them above her head. 'You only seem to relax and enjoy this when your hands are tied. That's a bit naughty Jane' he whispered against her lips. She wanted to protest, but he silenced her with his mouth again. Damian covered her entire body with his and Jane moaned inside his mouth. His bodyweight on top of hers was a wonderful crushing feeling, but it wasn't enough for Damian. He wanted to feel her, feel them together and let his hand move to her jeans again.
'I-I can't'
'If you keep telling yourself that, you'll start believing it one day Jane!' Damian teased her earlobe; pulling it between his teeth while successfully unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans. He played with the area just beneath her stomach before letting his hand slip inside her jeans. Oh dear, this was really happening... Quick Jane think of something or this will end in you screaming his name! But was that really a bad thing? She needed to think about this for a minute and his hand slipping into her pants was making it very hard to do so.
'Damian, I-I........I'm in my period'

Jane couldn't believe she actually said that. A feeling of disgust and nausea came over her at the very idea of it, had it been true... Ugh! It did work, though... he stopped dead in his tracks and lifted his head to look at her. She camouflaged her face to make what she said believable.
Damian frowned, waiting for her to say she was only kidding. She didn't and he felt his stomach turn a little. He started to withdraw his hand when he noticed how far down it already was- no feminine pad. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and heard her gasp as his hand moved around the cramped space of her jeans to the sides of her underwear. She was bluffing and he, even given the grossness of the claim, was calling her out on her bluff; searching for tampon strings. And what a surprise... there were none!

Jane cowered under the weighted look Damian gave her. She never in all her years thought he'd check. 'I...uhm...'
'Yes, Jane' Damian said flatly, waiting for the next excuse.
She sighed the mother of all sighs and if her hands were free, she's throw them up for effect. 'I've run out of excuses'

'About time' he whispered.

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Allen-Bison Residence

'Another pinch of Rosemary should do the trick' Rosalie said, chopping the leaves as fine as possible.
Jean was helping her make the potion. There wasn't that much she could do since it was Rosalie's potion and only Rosalie knew it's ingredients, but cutting up or weighing the ingredients and the occasional stirring in the pot was doable.
'I remember when we did this at Milly's house and the potion just blew up in her face!'
'Maleficent was as clumsy a witch ever. She blew up everything even a simple tea recipe... It did make for some laughs though' Rosalie cackled and added the Rosemary to the table-sized bubbling cauldron, 'That should do it'

Rosalie put an empty vial into the wooden holder just when Julie entered the kitchen. 'What are you guys doing? Planning on hexing anyone?' she giggled.
'Yes-' Rosalie whispered.
'You-' Jean whispered, pouring the liquid into the vial, 'for burning the soup'
'You're joking right?' Julie informed seeing neither of them smile, 'Right?! Grams?'
Jean looked at Rosalie and both burst out laughing.
'Oh, that's mean Grams! Seriously, reliving the old days with your friend by making fun of me is NOT cool! It's not even close to funny!'

'Sure it is! We're laughing aren't we?'
'Well, I'm not' Julie said sitting down next to Jean.
She bumped against the table in doing so, causing the vial-holder to shake and quite a lot of the liquid to spill. It moved in a stream over the table into the pot-plant on the other side.
'Julie!'
'Oh, dear, I am so sor---' Julie grabbed a towel and started mopping it off the table. 'Uhm, grams... Is it supposed to do that?'
Both Rosalie and Jean looked at her and then at the instantly, VERY much, dead plant. The potion was still foaming through the dirt. Jean sneaked a quick worried glance at Rosalie, who gave her a small head shake -new batch, she mouthed.
'Hmm, yes...' Rosalie answered Julie, 'See, a human can survive this cleaning process, while it's way too strong for plants. It's perfectly fine. Although, I'm sensing I put a bit too much Marshmallow root in it this time. Where's Jane? I believe she has the recipe book... Julie? Julie!'

Julie had been staring at the plant -RIP- thinking about what they have been digesting all this time without even knowing it. What if too much could kill them too?
'Julie!'
'W-what?'
'Jane...'
'Oh, she's not home. She's at... the... motel...' Julie said side-glancing at Jean, 'If it's about the book, I have it! It's in my room, I'll be just a minute!', she tried to fast-talk, but Jean stopped her on her way.
'What motel? Where I'm staying?'
'Yes...'
'What for?' Jean put a hand on her hip and leaned on the table.
'She and Damian had some unfinished business to take care of since Belladonna Cove... I don't know anything about it' Julie lied with crossed fingers behind her back.

'Unfinished business you say?' Jean then smiled, 'That sly dog of a son of mine... I'm sensing I should stay away for a while'
'With Jane? Don't get your hopes up. That girl's legs are practically glued together' Rosalie scuffed.
'Yeah, my sister is kinda stuck up when it comes to men...'
'Damian can help with that... He looks like my husband, God rest his soul, so if he's anything like his father he knows a thing or two' The smile left Jean's face and the frown returned, '...and talking about this is kind of uncomfortable'
'I agree!' Rosalie answered, looking like she had a bad taste in her mouth. Jane wasn't a kid, but the thought of her in a position like that was a bit unsettling. 'Julie, the book?'

'Oh, right. Excuse me' she said to Jean and moved to the stairs.
'Is your son a player or something?' Rosalie continued when they were alone.
'No, quite the contrary, but he does have charm... and he knows how to use it. The twins don't know about this, do they?' Jean dangled the empty vial in front of Rosalie after washing out the fatal contents. She was no simpleton and noticed when Rosalie lied to Julie about its purpose.
'The less people that know about this, the better. And I am also making the cleansing ones for them as a cover up, so...' Rosalie pointed at the green vials next to the wolfs bane, 'I don't know what messed up this batch though?'

'Maybe because I made it? Is the spell/potion that sensitive?'
'It could be, but I don't think it's likely... Maybe I just messed up the amount of something. I'll need the book to be sure'
'Okay, but just to be safe, I'll cut up the ingredients and you add them to the cauldron' Jean said, shoving the cauldron to Rosalie's side of the table.
'Btw, do you know how to make the cleansing potion?' Rosalie informed.
'Yeah, I make it for Rinka too... why?'
'I need to distract Julie. She'll want to stay and watch us make it, but the ingredients differ. Jane is adept at potion making. If Julie by chance mentions one of the other herbs to her, she'll ask questions. Perhaps you can help Julie refine her cutting techniques. She still needs improvement; there's another cutting board in the cupboard over the sink. That should take her mind off what I'm doing'


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Roadside Motel

Jane moaned out loud when she finally found her release. So loud she had to cover her mouth as she rode out the waves of the third orgasm he'd spun her into. The skill he showed made her feel like it was her first time all over again... or maybe the long time without had something to do with it. She closed her eyes as she slowly descended back to earth, feeling all warm and fuzzy, but somewhere still a bit wanting.
Damian placed a kiss on her flat stomach before lying next to her. He enjoyed looking at her and right now she was more beautiful than ever. Her cheeks were red, her breathing was returning to normal and she was warm all over. The look of a just satisfied woman; and the fact that he was responsible, made him enjoy it even more. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible, so he took his time with her.

'Are you okay?' he whispered, sliding a finger down her shoulder.
'Are you kidding me?' she looked up at him and he smiled, 'Wait, you can pillow-talk?'
'Yes, I have quite a lot of energy... but you know that by now... It usually takes a third or fourth go to get me exhausted or like most men incoherent'
'Really?'
'Really'
'You're very sure of yourself, you know' Jane said squinting her eyes.
'How so?'
'Most men would be offended by all the excuses I made to not let this happen'
'Then I guess you're lucky I'm not most men'
'And it just turned into cocky! If only for that reason I think I would enjoy seeing you incoherent'
'Would you now? That can be arranged you know...' Damian whispered, moving back on top of her.

Jane closed him in an embrace as he suckled on that little spot in her neck that drove her crazy. It had quickly become his favorite spot for exactly that reason. He murmured soft words against her skin making her squeal. His hand tickled and caressed its way up the inside of her thigh stopping just in front of her mount before resting on the bed next to her.
'Tease' she whispered in his ear and gave it a nibble.
'If we had more time I would go for that incoherent third, you know I would' Damian caressed the tiny red circle he left on her neck, 'You still haven't answered me... Are you okay? I wasn't exactly that gentle the sec...'
Jane silenced him by pressing her lips against his; keeping them occupied for another minute or so before he lifted his head to look at her. She played with the piercings in his left ear noticing them for the first time.
'I'm fine'

'Honestly, I haven't felt this alive since... well, a long time'
'...you're welcome...'
'Cocky' Jane chuckled and squirmed when he scraped his stubble beard against her skin. 'Apart from alive, I also feel a bit dirty'
'Dirty?' Damian frowned a bit. 'How so?'
'How so... Damian I just slept with you in a motel-room'
'No, I slept with you in my temporary residence'
Jane had to smile again. She was doing it a lot in his presence she just realized; or was she still after-glowing?
'Doesn't change the fact that it's still a motel-room'
'No, it doesn't' he said pressing a kiss on her collarbone, 'but mine sounds classier'

Jane enjoyed the caresses and just the nearness of him thinking about how a girl could get used to it, but then it dawned on her; the reason he was in a motel in the first place. He lived in Belladonna Cove and she here in Riverblossom Hills with an entire day's journey between the two.
'Damian... what are we doing?' she whispered.
He knew exactly what she meant and sighed with his head on her stomach. 'Not now Jane… don't ruin what we have right now'
'I know, I don't want to, but…'
A knock on the door interrupted her. Damian stared at the door and motioned for her to be quiet. He wasn't expecting anyone other than her, and she was already in his room. The knock on the door came again and this time, to not sound suspicious, Damian answered. Blocked by the vast door, they heard the muffled voice a man.

'Excuse me, sir, but this is the manager to remind you that check-out is at six. If you stay past that, we'll have to bill you for another day. Have a good day sir'
The man moved away from the door and Damian relaxed. He looked at his watch and then back at Jane who then slipped into the bathroom. It was already 4.30… So much for not ruining the moment… Following her lead, he quickly washed his face and important parts of his body after she came out. Jane sat on the bed, silently watching him throw a few items in his suitcase; mouthwash, toothbrush, deodorant… There was another suitcase in the corner which Jane assumed was Jean's. She got up; picked up her briefcase off the floor and set it down on the bed beside her; placing the neatly folded picture of them inside.

Damian watched her as he buttoned up his shirt. The warm and fuzzy feeling was gone the minute the manager knocked on the door, but just now he noticed it on her face. She was uncomfortable again; fidgeting with her briefcase. He wanted to say something to her, but he didn't know what. Even his witty humor would probably be received poorly.
'Come on, let me take you home'
Jane flashed a smile when they moved out the door, but it didn't reach her eyes. Damian unlocked the car door for her to sit while he put the suitcases in the trunk. She felt her stomach turn with the 'slam-bam, thank you m'am' cold business-like feeling that washed over her as she watched him walk to the front-desk to check out. If she felt dirty just a moment ago…

… now she felt plain cheap.

Damian called his mother from the car saying he was on his way and they arrived just as Jean was saying goodbye. Now that she knew what the prophecy was about she wanted to be close to Rinka at all times. The minute Damian and Jane stepped inside Jean's eyes were on her; expressionless, which made Jane a bit uneasy. After introducing Damian to Rosalie, Jean made the promise to stay in touch and that the next time she visited she'd bring Rinka along.
'I'll see you around Jane' she whispered, hugging her while eyeing her son. They'd need to have a little talk when they were alone.

Jane felt her face turn red when she followed Jean's gaze. Does she know what happened between her and Damian or was she fishing? She was probably fishing…
Damian made a head gesture, wanting her to walk them out. He took her hand the minute they were outside stopping in front of the fence. He waited for his mother to get into the car before turning towards Jane.
'Don't think so hard about this. You'll start forming negative thoughts' She wanted to cut in, but he left her no chance. 'Yes, so our first was in a motel, but it wasn't meaningless Jane… not to me. And I sure won't call it a one-night stand, or one-day stand if you will' she smiled weakly. He caressed her face and pressed a long, but very soft kiss on her lips.

'Give it a chance Jane, don't give up on us before we've even begun'
Jane knew he was right; she was over thinking this, but just going with it was going to be hard. That's not who she is at all…
'I know it's going to be hard. It's you after all'
She quickly looked up at him. 'You read minds now?'
'No, but your face said it all' he kissed the tip of her nose, 'I have to go! I'll call you as soon as I arrive in BC'. 'As soon as you arrive?'
'Immediately after' he smiled one of his charming smiles and took a seat behind the wheel.

… and he did!

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A/N:
Special thanks to Ts3 Pose creator and Story writer Brooke (Mypalsim) for allowing me to use her "Make-Out Pose" (<-- click to see which one). Told you I could use it :)
You can find her Ts3 poses on her site: Mypalsim's Poses for the Sims 3


...and yes, I had written the scene for Jane & Damian, but decided to cut it for various reasons. The chapter works without it as well... I knew I couldn't fool you guys! :)

Monday, 14 January 2013

Chapter 27 - Prophecy


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BellaDonna Cove
DiGorgio Auction House

‘You’re certain, mother?’
‘Yes, Damian. It’s the only explanation that makes sense! But why they want Rosalie dead for it… that I can’t figure out. I’d have to talk to her, maybe she can fill in the blanks’ Jean scribbled some protection wards on a piece of paper and handed them to Rinka, ‘I’ll try to find a train today if possible’
‘No need! I’ll drive you!’ Damian offered, already fumbling with his keys.
‘Alright then’ Jean smiled at her son, ‘Rin—‘

‘Don’t worry! I’ll draw up these wards as soon as you’re out the door. This is important. I’ll take care of the ‘van Gogh’ expo too; it’s too late to cancel it anyway’
‘You guys are making me feel old! Where did my two babies go?’ Jean mocked, ‘Damian, pack only the necessities, we won’t be there long’
‘If we leave now, we’ll avoid most of the traffic and be there by tomorrow morning’
‘Then we shouldn’t waste time’ Jean said, grabbing two of the three orbs and followed her son out the door.

Say hello to Jane for me, D Rinka whispered to the closing door.

Damian drove through the entire night to save time, but in the early morning he was exhausted and they needed to stop at a motel. They located one just as they arrived in RiverBlossom Hills North. He fell asleep almost instantly, but Jean was a bit anxious. It had been a long time since she was here and even longer since she last saw Rosalie. She wondered just how much had changed in the past 25 years.

4 hours later the sun showed its face and Damian was still asleep. Jean let her son rest and took the trip to Rosalie’s house by herself. Driving through the streets left her emotional. Everything was exactly the same as she remembered; like time stood still the moment she left 25 years ago…

Jean paid the cabdriver and crossed the street. Even the house remained the same, she thought as she climbed the stairs. She raised her hand to knock, when the door flew open and one of the twins, she didn’t know which one, came out.
‘Whoops, I’m sorry, I… Mrs. DiGorgio!’
‘Hello again—‘
‘Julie. Please, come on in! I’ll get my grandmother; she’s out back in the sunroom’ Julie answered, stepping aside to let her in.

The same nostalgic feeling hit her when she entered the living-room. The room even smelled the same and she sank down on the sofa. Jean closed her eyes and tried to remember the last time she was here. A sound of haste coming from the back brought her to her feet and Rosalie appeared in the archway.

‘Jean…’

‘Hello Rosalie’ Jean answered with a voice full of emotion, ‘It’s good to see you again! You’ve gotten old my friend!’
‘So have you! Under all that age-freezer potion’ Rosalie countered, making them laugh; just like old times…

---------------

‘Shoo! Shoo-shoo-shoo…’ Iridessa squirmed at the spotted cat at her feet, ‘I hate cats!’
‘Aww, I think he’s rather cute’ Jane patted its little head, making it purr.
‘Gross Jane, really… Shoo!’
This time she managed to scare the poor animal into leaving, but not before he hissed her a step back. Jane laughed at the sight of Iridessa’s disgusted face.

‘So anyway, your sister just called the office. They told me to give you this message and I quote’ Iridessa cleared her throat,
‘Dearest Jane-stop
Jean DiGorgio at our house-stop
Damian at Roadside Motel-stop
Go apologize for reckless behavior that night-stop’

Jane sighed at the telegraphic style message and also the questions that were soon to follow it.
‘Okay, first of all, Julie has quite the imaginative mind and secondly SPILL JANE ALLEN!!!’
‘Spill what, Iridessa?’
‘I read a man’s name and reckless and night. 1+1 equals…’
‘Nothing happened, okay!’
‘…Uhu…’
‘Or at least I think nothing happened’ Jane said unsure, but Iridessa needed more.

Damian DiGorgio is a family friend. The four of us, he has a sister, went on a group outing and I had one drink. A very potent drink apparently, ‘cause I wake up the next morning… draped across his chest…’
‘NAKED???’ Iridessa squirmed, closing her umbrella. It had stopped raining.
‘Thanks for thinking so highly of me. No, I wasn’t naked! But I also don’t remember what happened at the club that night and how we ended up in that position’
Jane regretted using that word when Iridessa’s smile spread even wider.

‘Julie won’t tell me either! She just said I was behaving very out of character’
‘Well, opportunity! He’s in town now. Maybe you could ask him what happened’
That made perfect sense, but she didn’t know what face to face him with, especially since she snuck out.
‘My advice’ Iridessa smiled, ‘Go after work. That way you’ll have an excuse that you need to go home. As a matter of fact, go now! We’re closing earlier because of the meeting anyway… besides, we’re running errands outside the building, they won’t know…’

‘Dessa! Your husband is my boss!’
‘Right! And your boss’ wife is your friend’ Iridessa flashed an angelic smile, ‘I won’t tell you again! Go! I wanna know what you did too!’
‘Thanks Dessa!’
‘Oh, I’m not doing it for you! This is for my enjoyment. Now go get me the juice!’ Dessa answered, swaying her perfect hips from left to right before she got in her car.


-------------------


‘I see some lines forming in your face. Why’d you stop drinking the potion?’
‘Because I’m starting to look like my daughter’s sister’ Jean smiled.
‘I see… how is my grand-daughter? Rosalie asked with a hint of sadness in her voice. It pained her she had to miss out on a part of her family.
‘She’s fine… Taking care of the business while I’m here! This… sadly isn’t a social call Rose’
‘I didn’t think it was… You found out which prophecy we’re looking for? The girls said you were still deciphering the links’

‘In a way, yes’ Jean said pulling the Astor orb out of the bag and handed it to Rosalie.
‘Ah, the Astor-Prophecy. I remember this one…

In the noble line of men
Two women shall be born again
One to aid the hunter’s hand
The other to change the vampire clan

Time shall reveal which witch is which
So they may be blessed accordingly
And receive a most powerful gift’

‘…a most powerful gift…’ Rosalie repeated absently.
‘I have it figured out for most parts’ Jean thought out loud, ‘The noble line of men… That’s the Astor Family Tree. They’ve only had male offspring until Marina’
‘…and Rinka’ Rosalie added, ‘The two women of the line’
‘Yes, destined for opposite sides, but we don’t know which one of them goes where’
‘The time isn’t right yet…’
Right, time! The rest is also easy. They’ll receive a powerful gift when revealed which side they go to. What bothers me is not being able to figure out why your life is tied to all of this?’

Rosalie smiled a weak smile. ‘Well, remembering this specific prophecy… I know exactly where I’m tied to it. –Time shall reveal which witch is which—That sentence must’ve been funny at the time, but point is… Marina is not a witch. She is by birth-right, yes, but her powers are dormant’
‘Why?’ Jean was a bit puzzled by this. Rosalie was a practiced witch. So were Jane and Julie. If Marina was born into this, surely Rosalie would know about it and train her.

‘Her mother –Grace. She was scared Marina would be seen as a freak and hurt by other children, so she asked me to seal away Marina’s powers. She was 5 when she first levitated her teddy bear. A fast learner too. I didn’t want to seal he powers; such a gifted kid. But when her mother got sick, a fatal disease, she asked me once more. She wanted a normal childhood; a normal life for her daughter… I couldn’t refuse her then. She died 5 hours later that same day. I had to promise her to never let Marina come into her powers again’
Jean couldn’t believe her ears. ‘So Marina doesn’t know that she’s a witch? Does she know about you?’
Rosalie shook her head. ‘We’re very careful around her. I don’t think her knowing will do anything, but I don’t want to risk spiking her memory’
‘Yes, I can understand that…’ Jean said, playing with a dried leaf.

‘Since I’m the one that did the spell to seal her magic, it only makes sense that the spell can be undone if I uncast it…’
‘Or if you died’ Jean gasped, finally figuring it out.
‘…or if I die, yes. It’s all very clear now’
‘Oh my God, Rose!’ You… you need to drink my potion. I can make some for y—‘
‘No’ Rosalie waved her hand, ‘That won’t protect me from assassinations and even if it did, I refuse to live forever on this terrible earth, no thank you! I just have to find a way to re-route the spell… or strip her of her powers completely instead of just sealing them again. If you’d help me, we could figure it out faster. She’ll be here in 2 days, hopefully. Never missed one of my birthdays yet, so…’

Rosalie looked up when Jean got up and started to wheel her to the house. ‘It’s gonna rain’ Jean explained.
‘I know- I can still smell it you know. Even in my old age’ Rosalie smiled, ‘… are you staying? For my birthday I mean?’
‘I want to… you know I do, but I also don’t want to leave Rinka alone for that long. Especially after hearing all that. I’m sorry old friend’
‘I’m a mother too, I know how you feel. Your visit even if not a completely social one, is already a present for me’ Rosalie gave Jean’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘But you are staying for lunch… -ubuhbub, no buts. Julie is fixing us something that might just kill us, but it’ll give us some time to talk… relive some of the old days’

‘I won’t say no to that’ Jean smiled.
‘Oh, the girls said there were three orbs’ Rosalie remembered, having seen only one.
‘One is still with Rinka; It’s about her having to make a difficult choice later in life. Probably what the prophecy was talking about. The other is the blue one I also brought along’
‘Blue? That’s worldly isn’t it?’
‘Yes…’
‘So if the Astor-prophecy is fulfilled, Rinka’s will follow and she has to make a choice. Both of the prophecies will lead to a worldly scaled change?’ Rosalie groaned, ‘I hate the blue orbs! They never recall what’s going to happen. I should’ve mine down the first time I prophesized them’
 ‘I can’t stand their silence either. They would be a lot easier to prevent if we knew wh—Do you smell something burning?’

‘My soup!’ They heard Julie scream from the kitchen. Jean stifled back a smile and then remembered that she was eating too…

-----------------

RiverBlossom Hills
Roadside Motel

Jane paid the cab and walked up to the building. Her courage once again sinking with every step she took. ‘This is ridiculous Jane, get a grip!’ she reprimanded herself, ‘Just go in there, ask him what happened and if necessary apologize too and… move on!’ Oh, but what if it’s bad?
She shook her head; a cartoonish attempt to shake off the thought. Needless to say it didn’t work.
Damian’s car was parked at the far end of the parking lot. Taking a chance, Jane walked to the door adjacent the car hoping- and half not hoping- it was their room. She knew the concierge wouldn’t give her his room number; hotel privacy policy, so she skipped that option altogether.

Standing in front of the door, she took a deep breath. One that resulted in another and another and another. Jane lost count of how many breaths she took in those three minutes she just stood there –world record perhaps?- when the door suddenly swung open.

‘Hello Jane’