Jess & Joie Reunited

[Joie de Mornay]

I woke up slowly, curled still in the same position I'd fallen asleep in. It had been a long, long time since I'd slept all night without moving, some little piece of my mind told me, and even longer since I'd done it in Jess's bed.

Startled a little, I rose up on my arms and looked around me. Jess's bed? Why in Eluas sweet name was I here? Sitting up the rest of the way, I rubbed at my eyes and realized too that I had my robe on, and my hair had the same feel as it gets when I sleep on it wet.

Memory came, then. Flashes of Beltane, of dancing and laughing, then... everything that came after. My face fell and I sat stock still for a moment, torn between laying down and trying to go back to sleep or getting up and making my mind do other things. Tugging my robe further around me, I stood after a moment, replacing the book I'd borrowed with a slow step.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

With a great deal of glee in my step I came into the house, closing the door probably a bit too loudly in my enthusiasm and calling my apologies to those who grumbled about still nursing Beltaine headaches I dashed up the stairs to Joie's room, knocking and then opening the door. Hmm, not there- she must've had a night out, and I smiled slyly at the idea. Well, at least she'd enjoyed herself.

Looking at my rumpled gown and answering over the stairs that no, I didn't need any breakfast but could someone please bring hot water for a bath I headed to my room and opened the door, squealing in surprise to see my wayward sister in there rather than off in some man's bedroom. Still, she looked somewhat peaked and unhappy. "Good morning," I trilled, then cocked my head sideways. "Wild night?"

[Joie de Mornay]

I thought I'd heard something, but wasn't sure if it was a maid or my sister when suddenly the door popped open, scaring me badly enough that I jumped and the book flew up into the air half a foot before I could catch it. Gasping, I stared at her for a moment before hurridly putting it back and launching myself at her, hugging her tightly. "Gods Jess, I missed you!"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I can see that," I managed with a laugh, hugging her in return. "How were things during my absence? I see the house is still whole, which is nice. Oh, I brought gifts- or did you scrounge around and find them already?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"Things?" I asked, somewhat surprised and not at all sure why I was. "They were alright, nothing extraordinary." I fiddled with my dress as I stepped back, looking around at her room. "I haven't looked for anything yet... I came home.." Late? Early? Sigh. ".. from Beltane last night, took a bath and went to bed." I gave her a slightly abashed look. "I'm sorry if your pillow is wet."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I'll switch it for another one," I told her, noticing her fidgeting and knowing that she didn't do it when she was excited and happy, as I did. "Why didn't you sleep in your own bed? Not that I mind, I'm just curious."

[Joie de Mornay]

"I.." I opened my mouth, then closed it again, then reopened it once more. "I couldn't, not last night. Don't worry, I won't make you sleep with me tonight," I said, forcing a laugh.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I'm sorry," I replied reflexively, hugging her lightly in sympathy and knowing that she would have to speak on her own time about things that truly hurt her- with little things i could force them loose, but if I pushed her too far right now she'd only lock up tighter. "But I'm about to get a bath and dress in some fresh clothes, and you should stay here and talk to me while I do, so I can tell you the stories of my travels."

[Joie de Mornay]

"Oh," I said, slightly surprised but willing to go with the subject change. Jess knew me as much as I knew her, and I was pretty sure at her tactics. "Alright. Let me put on a dress and I'll meet you back here in a little bit, ok?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Sounds like a plan," I replied as one of the kitchen maids brought in a bucket of hot water for the bath, followed by a few more, and they all moved through to the nearby bathing room.

[Joie de Mornay]

Giving Jess a soft smile, I moved past her without another comment and slipped through the door just before another maid brought in another bucket of water. Part of me wanted another bath, but I shuddered thinking on it after recalling my dark bath the night before.

I didn't want anything fancy, nothing ugly either. A piece of me hoped Quinn would show up at any time, knocking on the door, looking so godly handsome, with the late morning sun illuminating his body against the dark frame of our door.

The thought made me choke up as I pulled on a soft cream dress of linen, little in the way of embellishment, but still comfortable. And presentable, just in case he did...

Shaking myself away from causing more hope to stir in my chest, I made my way back to Jess's room, not bothering to knock before walking in. "Jess?" I called as I did, my eyes moving across her room.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Over here," I beckoned as I slipped into the tub, biting back a slight sound of pain as my woaded hip slid into the water. "Now, do you want to go first, or should I?"

[Joie de Mornay]

Gods, it was so good to see Jess again. Just knowing she was here was a salve on my wounds, even if a thin one. Pulling a light chair into the room, I sat down on it, smiling softly. "You first," I said, hoping to lose myself in her adventures for a moment or two before reality hit again.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"A story from Eire, or where i was last night?" I asked wickedly, picking up a cloth and some lotus-scented soap and then beginning to wash my arms. "When I get done I'll show you my woad, I got it done just a few days before I left, after I went on a raid with our cousins."

[Joie de Mornay]

My jaw literally dropped. "You got a tattoo?" I asked, immediately scanning her face and what skin that came out over the top of the water. "You're such a rebel Jess."

Smiling softly, I leaned back in the chair, plucking at my skirts as I arranged them. "Tell me more - did you meet anyone?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"My friend, Luke- he's from Serenissima," I told her teasingly, knowing she'd likely be a bit jealous about the adventure. "And a sailor. Likely he's back there now."

[Joie de Mornay]

I made an approving noise, my teeth showing a little through my smile. "That sounds fascinating," I said honestly. "Just a friend, though?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"A bit more, but nothing serious," I assured her cheerfully as I picked up some soap and a sponge to begin washing off. "What about you? Made it to the Night Court again?"

[Joie de Mornay]

"No," I said, blushing softly and not really knowing why I was. "Mostly I spent my time on the Parlor, getting it set up, shopping, reading... I bought you a few things while you were gone, too. I'll give them to you when you get out of there."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"I've got gifts for you, and for the rest of the family too," I told her with a smile. "I already gave Alain his, so the rest of the things in the biggest bag are for all of you. I've got a few things for the rest of my friends in the other bags."

[Joie de Mornay]

I nodded, listening to her. "Were you at Alains last night, then?"

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Yes," I told her with a wicked grin, then mellowed it to my usual smile. "I'm sorry if I bothered you with not arriving until this morning."

[Joie de Mornay]

"Oh, not at all," I said, trying to reassure her and at the same time fight back a blush. "I'm sorry to have slept in your bed, too... I just couldn't sleep in mine last night."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"It's alright, I don't mind," I told her comfortingly. "Though I wonder why, exactly."

[Joie de Mornay]

"I..."

My mouth opened before I closed it again, then opened once more only to close it again. I could feel my features take on a saddened cast and I struggled to correct it, though it seemed the more I struggled the more I wanted to cry. "I told him I loved him last night," I said at last. "He didn't return it."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Really?" I asked in amazement, leaning closer. "That surprises me."

[Joie de Mornay]

I lowered my eyes, mortified. "It did me too. I didn't know what to say, so I excused myself and went out into one of the gardens. Quick as I could without running, anyway," I added, my blush deepening even through the tears that were forming. "He came out and found me, but after just a moment of talking he went back inside, told me to take his carriage home since we went there together."

I choked softly, trying to keep my emotions at bay, though it seemed as soon as I started talking I couldn't stop. "I'm so scared Jess, I don't want to lose him, but if he doesn't love me ..."

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"It'll be alright," I said in a comforting tone, patting her hand and then brushing her hair back from her forehead. "Men are just senseless like that sometimes- like everyone, I guess, but the things they miss seem more obvious. He doesn't know what he was thinking or feeling, and if he doesn't love you he's more stupid than I thought."

[Joie de Mornay]

I scrubbed at my eyes, tired of crying, but not sure I could stop now that I'd started; either way I fought it. I wanted to laugh, but gods... gods. "I wish he had known," I said softly. "I wish I had, too... I never would have said it." I reached up and squeezed her hand, thankful beyond words for her support.

[Jessamine de Mornay]

"Don't wish for something like that, even if it's painful now- you shouldn't ever hide how you feel," I replied sincerely. "Even if he never comes around, at least now you know and can do as you like with that information. Still, I'd give him time and not worry too much."