“Pack my bags, it’s guilt trip time,” Jade muttered.
You couldn’t get angry at HuanJen; not really psychotically, enjoyably angry. There wasn’t the right kind of personality for her to get very angry at.
So, that meant it was time to apologize.
She paced in the living room for a few minutes until HuanJen returned, a bag under one arm. He gave her a curious look as he shut the door.
“Dear?” Eyes carved out of night looked her over curiously.
“I’m sorry,” Jade said flatly. “I’m sorry I didn’t pick it up, I’m sorry I yelled. I was meditating, I was really getting into it. But I shouldn’t have yelled.”
“I see. Bad times, dear?”
Jade blinked. It was like asking if an atomic explosion was a smidge hot.
“The Historain. Usual crap. Bad, yes. Sorry, I was just getting really, you know, centered. I didn’t need the requirement of wiping our asses to drag me back to the real world.”
The Vulpine mystic felt a tightness in her throat. It was happening again. Sometimes when she was at peace and it all made sense and something dragged her back, her body … contracted. Tightened.
“I … see. I’m sorry.” HuanJen set the bag on the coffee table. “I didn���t mean to upset you, love.”
“I’m trying to be mystical and peaceful, damn it!” Jade paced a bit, finally leaning against the wall next to the armoire that held the computer. “Sorry, sorry.”
“If it helps, I am not at my best either, dearest.” HuanJen walked over to his lover and caressed her cheek. “I could be more considerate.”
“Yeah, but you’re usually relaxed and mystical and stuff. Why does it take so much effort?”
“You’ve been my apprentice only six months, give yourself credit,” HuanJen’s voice was pitched deep, relaxing, like waves on a beach. “Let go, feel the Great Form …”
“It isn’t going to work.” Jade shook her head. HuanJen forgot what life was like for people without his background. “It’s still hard for me to think of things like Ziggurat who-the-fuck and higher prices as part of the great scheme of things. It takes time. Gods I feel tense.”
“I understand. I may be able to help.”
“Sure, whatever …”
Much to Jade’s surprised, HuanJen kissed her. He wasn’t known for his aggression, he though curiously.
Then she realized she didn’t really need to think at the moment. HuanJen’s heat was pouring into her body like molten metal. She ran her fingers through his white-streaked dark hair.
The Magician-Priest’s tongue gently stroked the inside of her mouth. Jade moaned, and returned the favor, feeling her breath and her lovers intertwine. A timeless moment later, their lips parted.
“That was a good idea,” Jade said softly, “My compliments.”
“How do you feel?” HuanJen’s question was sincere, mixed with worry.
“I’m still tense, just in a lot more relaxed and slightly horny way,” Jade answered curtly.
HuanJen nodded. “Why … don’t I go take a walk. A little time apart. You can calm down.”
“No,” Jade breathed. “No you don’t. You don’t kiss me like that and walk away, HuanJen.”
“Then, what do you want?” HuanJen ran a hand along Jade’s jawline and over her lips. The Vulpine sighed and leaned back against the wall. Under her fur, her skin was on fire.
“No games, Okay?” Jade hissed affectionately. She touched HuanJen’s cheek. She could feel his arousal, his interest. It was subtle, but it radiated through his body, readable in his eyes, in his stance. The barriers between them were disintegrating.
“None, then.” HuanJen leaned in for another kiss. As his lips met hers, Jade wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her fiercely.
HuanJen leaned against his lover, his hands roaming her body unabashedly, fingers dancing along the most sensitive parts of her thighs, breasts, and neck. Jade’s reached back and cupped his buttocks, pulling him against her.
“I love you,” HuanJen whispered, biting Jade’s furred ear with less delicacy than he normally would have used. “I love you, let go dear, let go …”
“Ah … I love you too, yes …” Jade’s voice was a silky pur, a glass of fine brandy turned to sound. “Would you mind terribly getting naked?”
“Why rush?” HuanJen asked, each word a silken band curling around her heart.
“Really … oh . .. “
HuanJen gently slid his left hand beneath Jade’s skirt and under her panties. Forcefully, if respectfully, he toyed with her sex, flicking the jewel, exploring the soft folds of her femininity. There was an unstoppable feeling to his touch, a sense of finality. For timeless heartbeats, Jade let herself be suspended in a web of pure sensuality.
“Yes.” Jade nipped at HuanJen’s neck. “Careful there. Ow. Ah. Yes. That’s good. Let’s see how you’re doing … “
Her finger’s ran down her lover’s belly, finally running over his groin. HuanJen let out a satisfied groan as Jade’s fingers stroked his erection through the cloth of his pants.
“Doing quite well,” Jade commented, breathing heavily.
“I’m with you, love. You always make me feel aroused.”
Jade growled. “Mmmm. Yes. I … let me slip out of a few things … please?”
“Just a few.” HuanJen stepped aside.
“Oh, enough …” The vulpine sauntered forward.
Jade turned around, reached under her skirt, leaned over, and slid her panties down her long legs. She could feel HuanJen’s eyes running across her thighs, his gaze like a real touch. She flicked her white-tipped tail playfully.
“Enjoying the view?”
“Of course.” HuanJen stepped forward. “Irresistible. A song made flesh.”
“You definitely know what to say.” Jade stood and stretched. “Now, the next thing to go should be …”
Two sinewy arms wrapped around her waist. Hot breath stroked her ear. “You’ve done enough.”
“Really …”
“Hmmmm. Yes.” HuanJen but Jade’s shoulder playfully, eliciting a moan. Slowly, he began to lower himself, pulling Jade down with him and bending her forward, playfully nibbled her shoulders and the nape of her neck. Jade lay over the couch, giving herself some support.
“Oh, you definitely enjoyed the view.” The Vulpine swung her black-furred hips back and forth sensually. She could feel her partner’s arousal pressed between her buttocks.
“I did. Beautiful. Tempting. Divine.” HuanJen husked.
“Mmmmm. You make me feel beautiful …” Jade smiled as she heard him undoing his belt. “And what are you doing?”
“I think that’s fairly obvious.”
“Yes,” Jade looked back as HuanJen shed his boots and pants. She arched her body, tail flicking backwards across his erection. The mystic gasped, then laughed.
“Oh, hmmm, that’s rather nice, is it?” Jade purred, continuing her efforts. Her back was already beginning to ache from the odd position, but the results seemed worth it. Having a fifth limb did come in handy on some occasions.
“Yes.” Huan-Jean leaned back for a few moments, letting her tail do its work, the soft fur playing across his sex in silken strokes. “Very.”
“Yes …” Jade felt the heat between her legs grow, the tensions in her body fading into the soundlessness of the world. “Hmmm, if I’m not careful, I’ll be cleaning my tail off, but this is fun …”
“No worries.” HuanJen batted aside Jade’s black-and-white tail playfully, then leaned forward, kissing the base of her spine. His hands gently caressed her thighs and buttocks, teasing at the edges of her womanhood.
Jade let the flames of her arousal overtake her, melting into the feelings. Each touch stroked away another tension, another fear.
“Oh …” Jade groaned. HuanJen was gently running his shaft between her legs. Hardness against softness.
“Yes …” The mystic slowly entered her, her softness surrounding his har
dness. He felt her heartbeat within her.
“Now, dearest, that is wonderful …” Jade’s voice was a pleased whisper.
Slowly, HuanJen began to thrust back and fort, holding Jade’s things firmly. The vulpine responded by moving her hips in time with his strokes.
The cleric felt his body merge into his lovers. She held him within her like rain held the promise of life. Open, receptive, she received him totally.
Jade’s world consisted of HuanJen’s touches and his body within her. She was open like a field, a plain, and he was everywhere in her, yet she surrounded him. Time didn’t seem to mean anything, it was just a world of sensation in the now.
“I love you …” Jade whispered. “Gods, yes. I can’t say enough, how much …”
“Don’t say anything, you don’t have to. And I love you.”
HuanJen leaned over Jade, pressing himself against her as best he was able. Warm fur ran along his exposed skin, he felt her softness against his hips, his thighs. He felt …
With a moan that grew in intensity, he spent himself, feeling the lightning-fire of climax running down his spine and into Jade. Second stretched into eternity as he felt her accept him, accept is essence.
“Dearest?”
“I know.” Jade could tell his thoughts. “Stay in me, love, touch me …”
“Yes.”
Shifting position slightly, keeping his softening manhood within his lover, HuanJen’s long fingers ran over Jade’s womanhood. He caressed and touched her most sensitive areas. He seemed to know her body as well as his own.
… Jade sighed, letting him work her body like a musical instrument. His touch, his body within her, his love, it was a moment of sheer harmony …
Her climax built slowly, growing in intensity until it overwhelmed her. Silver light gushed down every nerve, ever muscle; it was as if she was floating in the sky, and she wasn’t alone …
“Wow.” Jade managed.
“An apt summary,” HuanJen draped himself over his lover. Carefully, he curled around her until they were both leaning against the couch, she tight in his embrace.
“You have an excellent way of relaxing me … and yourself.”
HuanJen shrugged. “It’s a gift. Nice job with the tail, by the way. I admit I’d wondered …”
“I was inspired. I feel wonderful.”
“I do as well, surprised I came so quickly though. I blame you for being so incredibly attractive..”
“Bullshit artist.” Jade brought one of HuanJen’s hands to her mouth and kissed the palm. “I think it’s because you’re always more relaxed than me.”
“I think that’s always a given. But I share my relaxation.”
“Very well indeed.” Jade tried to hold her lover closer. “Want to head to the bedroom, just cuddle? It’d be nice.”
“I’d like that,” HuanJen stood, doffing his shirt, leaving himself completely nude. “There, much better. I … dear?”
“Huan?” Jade asked distantly.
“Yes, dear.”
“I was thinking, this may be a bit sudden …” Jade trailed off, mind spinning like a hurricane. “Are we moving too fast. Gods, I’ve known you less than a year.”
“I am not concerned.” The mystic knelt and nuzzled Jade’s neck affectionately. “But that is not the question you want to ask.”
“No.” The Vulpine smiled. “Do you think, we, well, I know things were tense, but why not …”
“Share a room?”
“Thanks for the interruption. You want to go to the bathroom for me as well Mr. psychic?”
“No. I think I’d like that though. There’s room in the closet for your things. We can move in the dresser. And I could wake up with you ever morning. I … we share so much, why not.”
“We’d have the room for any guests or emergencies,” Jade mused. “Wow, that’s a really unromantic approach. I’ve been around you too long.”
“No, no dear, I don’t think we’ve been around each other nearly long enough. Whatever happens, too many more years together.”
“Yes … and HuanJen?”
“Dear?”
“You’re good at relieving tensions. Do work on not causing them. Like interrupting my meditation.”
“Of course dear.”
FAITH IN DRAGONS AND SERPENTS
“Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord God had made …”
- Genesis 3:1, Revised Standard Version Bible
“Now in him, I have finally seen a dragon! Coiled up, his body is complete; extended, his scaly patterns are whole. He rides on the cloudy vapors and is nourished by yin and yang.”
- Attributed to Confucius(K’ung Fu-tzu) upon meeting Lao-Tzu, from the Chuang-Tzu “Heavenly Revolutions.”
April 30, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar
Riakka Bale lay her head against the window of her small apartment. Outside, a Cross-storm blazed across the sky in otherworld-flickers of lightning and pounding rain.
Lightning-streak-flash illuminating wide brown eyes. Thunder.
She was going stir-crazy. The Cross-storm was a mild one, with only the occasional flash of another Earth in the sky as the dimension-opening storm played out. However, it was still advisable to stay inside - and after having spent months staying “out of the way”, having to avoid the storm was the last straw.
Lightning. Thunder-crash. A slight form in a Historians robe trembles.
The Historians had become virtually paralyzed while Dean Paldayne was away, off at Piscion until things blew over with the Guild Council. The Historians largely ran without him, but noting new seemed to be happening, and old tasks and duties became dull. The City had gotten more complex as the Guilds wrangled over how to reorganize the Communicants, and yet life slowed down for the Historians.
She didn’t blame Paldayne. The University had gotten involved in the Communicant mess as well, wanting their share of the Guild that had controlled broadcast and telephony. Paldayne hated that kind of thing; he’d always said it would be trouble.
Rain, running down the window in light-distorting streaks. Distant lightning-glow.
The Guild Council had made its first proposal for controlling the Communicants yesterday. It hadn’t gone well. The Technologists came out against anything that left the Communicants remotely independent, and then the Messengers had joined in despite the mistrust focused on them. The Mercantile Alliance’s latest representative barely put up a fight, and the University’s representative had wondered what the hell had happened.
In the end, it all went back to committee. Everyone was a bit angrier. The natives and the immigrants sighed and waited and went on, and the visitors wondered why the legendary Crossworld was so confused. Prices went up for goods and services, people got grouchy.
She felt more helpless.
A sudden flash and a throbbing thunder-rumble.
The University cosied up to the Travelers and tried to do so to the Rancelmen, hoping they’d influence policy. The Mercantile Alliance wanted whatever was best for trade, but their far-flung guild wasn’t that organized. The Technologists waited for the Communicants to get screwed. The Messengers, the deliverymen and cross-Earth carriers, were sick of living in the Communicants shadow and wanted them crippled …
Riakka groaned. She was running through it in her head, automatically. She felt like a machine, filing and recording and extrapolating.
The key factor was the Communicants. They barely had to do anything and the others would fight, and every fight would make them look better. She thought about the bombing, the roaring of the fire-trucks built in Kraftburne, and wondered what rumors they spread, and everyone fought …
“Stop it, damn it …”
… and you sat back and wrote it down for future posterity, for reference. The great hall of Archimal, the great archives of the Historians. Even if no one paid attention.
Rain splattering against the glass.
She did her jobs. She lectured. She
graded. She researched. All the things a young Historian would do. And that’s all she did. Paldayne had some vast plan to study social trends before the Vote on the Communicants, and then he’d left. She’d hoped to move back to the University, but no real plans had been made to assist her.
She missed everything there. Being near her friends, the known buildings, the peaceful libraries heavy with words. The news. The City Council had supposedly moved their Emergency Broadcast facilities there for the duration of the vote and Riakka had only just heard of it.
A thunk outside the window, on the fire escape.
Riakka squinted. A fish lay gasping on the fire escape. Of course - typical Cross-storm weirdness when the sky became where worlds met.
She looked at a letter that was sitting on her television. Nicely typed and signed, with the seal of Guild Esoteric. From HuanJen, the Zone Cleric of her area. Asking to discuss things with her, matters about history.
A paper whose prose felt like a cage, like a silk scarf tightening around her neck. Between the words and the kindness there was something else, she could tell. She’d felt something had been going on for awhile, something she wasn’t told about. He knew, or he suspected.
Another thunk. Splashes. Several soft sounds. Thunder and lightning.
More fish joined their dying companion.
“Damn.” Riakka closed her eyes. At least dinner was taken care of.
May 2, 2000 AD, Xaian Standard Calendar
… the ever-busy streets of Metris were bit less busy. Figures walking in the glare of streetlights. A black-furred Vulpine woman whose green eyes were focused on nowhere in particular …
Jade sniffed the night air. A rainstorm - a real storm not a dimension-twisting Cross-storm - had left the air with that delightful alive feel. Sure the humidity wasn’t always the best for her fur, but the smell, the freshness made the walk home from the usual Nax get-together that much more relaxing.
She was surprised she was relaxed, all things considered. It came and went, but at least currently it was present.
“Dear?” HuanJen’s voice tapped on the side of her consciousness. Suddenly, she became aware of her lover’s presence.
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