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Laura
Laura had decided to let both hair and fur down and do some partying. A little more time out of the house, love it and the other occupants as she did. This has resulted, however in a slightly sleepy and hungover hyena. Even though it was later in the day she was sprawled out on the couch in an ungainly pose, wearing a long night shirt and with one foot hanging over the edge as she snored like a thunderstorm.
Bones
They slipped into the door of the D.A. house, and smiled at the sound from the 'thunderstorm' ahead. Maneuvering through the rooms, they lowered the hood of their sweatshirt and their swooshy skirt. A different set from yesterday, but not that Laura would know either way.
They got some cider in a glass and then followed the sound to Hyena. Sitting in a nearby chair, they studied Laura with a grin, before coughing to get her attention.
Laura
"Mhh...." She stirred, a leg kicking in her sleep and fingers plucking at the arm of the couch like she had claws before her eyes slowly opened and she blinked to try and take stock. "Wassat?" She rubbed at her face, brushing tangled hair from her face and half sitting up before she identified the source of the cough. "Oh, erm, Bones." She smiled ruefully, her cheeks pinking some. "Er, been there long?" Another rub of her face and a wince. "Why is the sun bright?"
Bones
A wave of their hand and the lights in the room dimmed to about that of a dim tavern.
"Better? And no, not long. I just grabbed a drink and sat down. Thought I'd check in now that it's been a few days... sorry I didn't get to talk after seeing your true self... I was a little fucked up in the head."
Laura
Now, given everything that had happened, Laura would likely have realized that that was about what had happened to Bones and not tied to her spots. But that insecurity still remained, even if it wasn't as pronounced as it had once been. Combine that with her hangover and she misread the statement. Nodding once she sat up more, drawing her legs on the couch to curl up in a sitting pose at one end. "Better, thank you." She gave a slight smile. "Sorry. I got overeager, and I shouldn't have hit you up with that."
Bones
They moved to Laura and wrapped an arm around her, "You are a gorgeous woman, and you are a gorgeous hyena. I told sigrun, just the other day, that you are a Stud Muffin in female form..."
"You have nothing to be sorry about. You are fucking gorgeous and it was worth the headache. It was more that I didn't realize the entire realm would attack me."
Laura
She blinked once, twice. And then she leaned into Bones, arm wrapping around her in turn. "Really?" She asked quietly, then grinned slowly. "A Stud Muffin, huh? Okay, that's better than I thought. A fuckton better, in fact. I'm.. glad you like my spots." She tapped on Bones' knee. "How's your head doing now? I know the Hedge can be a lot. Literally. Even for a pretty potent mage."
Bones
They kissed Laura's cheek and then her temple, "I'm imagining all the spots, everything I've seen. Using my advanced imagination as a mage..."
A grin and a squeeze around Laura's hips with both arms, as tight as the average-strengthed human could squeeze.
THey tilted their head, "It was fine. It was enlightening. Just... Sigrun mentioned it. It's what you all feel. All the time. Especially if something hits some of those triggers."
Laura
"I have more you haven't seen." Laura teases with a laugh, then dials it down when she makes herself wince. "But I think you've got a pretty creative imagination." Bones gets a nod. "She's a way with words, and better than explaining it than me. We've got ways to deal with it, or at least try to, but it's still bad when triggers do get hit, yeah. Do you have anything lingering you want to talk about?"
Bones
She blushed deep red at the teasing, "Oh my. I have a good imagination, but that makes me just as curious as ever... do you have your own little den in the hedge?"
"And no. It was more... I haven't felt powerless in so long. It didn't damage my body, or my mind, but my confidence."
Laura
Laura shook her head. "I don't have my own Hedge place no, I'm afraid." A rueful smile. "Though I appreciate the question." She nodded slowly. "Ah, right. Well, again Sigrun is better at this then me. But let me try like an Autumn. Did fear come into this at all? Fear at feeling exposed, at not being able to draw on abilities that come to you as naturally as breathing? When you can affect reality, I imagine losing that must be like being adrift."
Bones
"Yes. It was fear. If we were really attacked... or if my spells drew some threat into Sigrun's home... and I couldn't defend myself or those I put in danger? I haven't... I mean... I'm not martial. I'm not some Arrow, ready to fight every comer... but knowing that I can? Knowing that I could quite literally turn something to dust with a thought, if I had to? Or burn it with the fires of Creation? Yeah... it's just... " a shake of the head, "I... I know better now. And I want to go back to places with my friends, right? But in that moment, I had a thousand thoughts."
Laura
The hyena nods, then kisses Bones' temple. "Here's my thing about fear, as I see it." She tells them. "Fear tries to help us, guide us. It warns us of danger and of threats. But it often lacks insight. There may be a true danger, or only one we imagine. You found yourself without powers, without defences. There was absoluately nothing wrong with being afraid, or not knowing how to act. It was a new situation that you were learning on the spot." She waves a hand lightly. "If you don't want me to try the psych thing, let me know. I'm happy to just chat, or listen, or snuggle, or do some cooking. Okay.. maybe not cooking, I'm not in the right state for that sort of thing at the mo."
Bones
"...Not in the right state to cook?" they turned, kneeling on the couch and faced Laura. Their eyes flickered over the Lost's body in concern, "What's wrong? Can I help? Are you Sick? Something bothering you ? Anything I can do?"
Laura
"Mm..? Oh!" She laughs, shaking her head. "That doesn't sound like me, does it? No no, I'm okay. Well, not completely okay. I'm just fighting a hangover and too much indulging though. If I tried any cooking right now, it'll be a mess. Could still be fun, but not the sort you'd want to eat." She smiles at Bones, kissing their cheek. "Thank you for asking though, it's appreciated."
Bones
"Would you mind if I try to help?" the blush returned at the kiss.
Laura
"Not at all. I feel a state right now, and imagine I look it too."
Bones
They pulled out a flask of steel and gold... though it looked red-yellow instead of the normal gold. It was also incredibly hard compared to normal. Bones plucked one of Laura's hairs out and made a zig-zag over the flask.
Then they offered the flask to Laura to drink. As the water in the flask passed through the Lost's mouth, it filled her like she had a full meal, a full day's water, a good night's sleep, and the ability to resist the 'poison' that was alcohol with even more capability.
"Better?"
Laura
Her eyes widened and she blinked, then laughed brightly, eyes sparkling as she stared at Bones. "Fuck! Oh holy fuck that's good stuff!" A wink and a bone squeezing hug. "I know what's on with you and Sigrun, but I wanna have you around too, even more than before." A keen nod. "Not that you're not amazing without magical pick me up drinks but still, fuuuuuck."
Bones
They blushed deeply at all of that, but then gasped, "Breathing. I ... breath... please."
And then they leaned in and kissed Laura softly on the lips.
"I... I'd like that too. I mean, I already have been offered as ... something? to Teagan. And Vorpal and I have something I don't know what... but yeah. This sounds good too. I've had a draw to you too, my spotted one."
Laura
Laura grinned, loosening her hold slightly. A hand stroked Bones' arm and she murmured happily as she was kissed. "What would you like to be to Teagan? Because he is indeed very hawt." A content nod. "And you have no idea how happy I am to hear words like that."
Bones
"Yes he is. But it's more that... well.. " they blushed as neon red as possible they described it, "I... I kinda promised to be Sigrun's submissive, and they gave me an alternate name. They were gifting me to Teagan for the HOlidays... but then life happened and I had to help Papi... so I don't know what is all intended there yet."
Laura
"Ah." She nods slowly, then squeezes Bones' hand. "Well. Do you still wanna do that? 'Cause if everyone involved is happy, would totally want to watch and observe." A wink and a chuckle. "I might like seeing you blush, but my suggestion is earnest."
Bones
"At this point...." she trailed off, embarssment hitting her as she wiggled a bit in Laura's grip.
Laura
"Mm?" Laura leaned back some, releasing her grip to let Bones have more movement. "Tell me if I've nudged you a little too far?"
Bones
"No... it's just admitting things. At this point, I think I would be happy to be the partner, submissive, whatever you want to call it for the entire Direct Action household... It is leading that way as is..." and then she fanned herself, "I... I don't like to lie... and I don't even like to obscure... but somet things are hard to even admit to ones' self."
Laura
"Ah." A nod and slow smile before she offered them a hand. "Learning new things about yourself, or adapting to change can both be like that, yeah. We all understand adjustment and figuring things out, so I can promise that no one would push you. We'd let you work things out at your own pace, and give you a hand where we can."
Bones
They crawl into the tall strong woman's lap and smiled at that, "Thank you, Laura. I've learned a lot about myself lately. I even have a dominant side... a primal one at that. Currently at four for sure partners, with Sigrun, Titania, Cookie Monster, and Kenzie. I want to figure out what Vorpal and I could be... but honestly? This house has helped me realize that there's enough love for anyone. Or rather, if I care for someone, the numbers don't matter. I keep thinking I'm going to be done... and then someone like you, handsome, beautiful, strong, caring, witty, smart, and interested? Yeah. Makes me suuuuuuuper interested."
Laura
A hand strokes Bones' back, Laura nodding and half closing her eyes at finding them curled up in her lap. "I often defer to others, but I don't mind taking the lead either, and they give me the space and comfort to do that." She smiles contently. "I'd like to figure out what you and I can be too, yes. You say such nice things about me.." Her cheeks do colour a little, once again.
Bones
"Plus, a way to someone's stomach is through their heart... wait, strrike that, reverse it," a grin, "And so it's easy to fall for you..." a nip at her jawline, "...so why were you hung over? Did you actually go out like you mentioned the other night?"
Laura
"Yeah." She smiled slightly. "It wasn't that much fun in the end. I needed to push myself to spend more time outside the house, but I think I went too far in the wrong direction. And as for the heart and stomach thing, mm.. I like to feed people, try to win affections that way."
Sigrun
Sigrun comes trundling out of her room with her sewing basket in one arm and a pool of silk ribbon in the other. She is humming to herself, clearly a little bit in her own head. Possibly due to the Airpods in her ears. She plops down onto the couch, pulls the silk into her lap, grabs a needle from the silk, and resumes her embroidery work. It looks like she's making little bees and clover along the edge of the band of silk. There's a little tap at her ear so she can greet the pair, "Hey, you two! Not interrupting, I hope?"
Bones
"Oh, no... I was just talking to Stud Muffin here. She and I are going to see what we might be. She asked if I would mind, since you and I have something," a blush and smile, "Honestly," she laughed again, "I just told her that at this point, I feel like I could be the Direct Action's partner, submissive, whatever, since it seems to be leading that way. I also still am unsure as to what you want me to be for Teagan, or what you see me as... you started to say something on Christmas, and then Papi needed me."
Laura
"Sigrun!" Laura beams happily from where she and Bones are tucked together on the other end of the couch. "You are not. You never would be." She reaches out one hand towards the Valkyrie, her other arm wrapped around Bones as they cuddle. "How are you, hon? I'm sorry about the food thing. Let me snuggle you too and make up for it some?" She nudges Bones. "And I love being vain and being called Stud Muffin, I've discovered."
Sigrun
"Want?" Sigrun purses her lips. It's thoughtful. She scoots closer and closer still to lean in against Laura, tucking her head in under Laura's arm to rest against her chest. She'll even plunk her head down against Bones's if she can. "I want Teagan happy, and smiling. All the time. I want him to have the people he loves close at hand, and to be surrounded by their love. Always. I want him to never doubt his worth. To always know his place in the world."
She nuzzles in against Laura a little more purposefully, then lets out a little sigh. "Teagan won't let you be anything to him. He won't let you in. It takes time. And trust. It takes demonstrating your commitment. Which you are doing. Just realize that he's a mirror. A broken mirror. So you see what you want to see. And if you start flinching, what you're doing is telling on yourself. If you ask him to be honest, it will be honest. And it will maybe sound cruel, when what he is being is precise. And thorough. I want you two to have trust first. And then, whatever else you become? I will be happy for it. You see?"
"He can say 'nothing you do can ever break up my marriage so don't even try' and it sounds like an accusation, or an insult. And when I say I love Teagan more than I love life, and nothing can damage that? It means the same thing. But people hear them very differently. And just because I love him more than life, does not mean that you are nothing to me. Or a toy, or a distraction. You are the only one of your kind I have ever taken to my bed. So it's important to me you understand that, and don't talk yourself down around me."
A pause. "Wait. You like being called stud muffin? Cos I have a pair of panties that says 'if my ass isn't pink, slap harder' and I will absolutely go put them on for you, stud muffin." She's teasing. She's also not teasing. The joy of Sigrun.
Bones
ONe would think someone that could use magic to control their own body and mind wouldn't blush so much, but apparently Tommy never takes that into consideration. Instead, she had teh neon blush and even some happy tears at everything Sigrun said, "Thank you. Also, I only meant toy in the... degradation? way. I realize now in retrospect that it is likely not a good behavior pattern around the family here, or others that have traveled the Thorns.
And then a tilt of the head, "Oh! How did the thermometer work for you? And did shaping all that metal help you?"
And then the stud muffin comment, "While I don't see how the pink ass matches the stud muffin, it does make me wonder just how you would shine once spanked."
Laura
Laura rests her head atop Sigrun's, nuzzling at her hair quite, quite happily. "I can back that up. I was a mess when I first met Teagan and the others and I made any number of mistakes. Things weren't easy. But.." A fond smile to Sigrun. "We found a way forward." She nods along, happy to let the Valkyrie lead the conversation, though she does speak up again, looking between them with a curious expression and a teasing smile of her own. "Stud muffin." She stage whispers in Sigrun's ear. "Kinda love it. As for the panties thing." She glances between them again. "You should both know I was hungover enough earlier, and Bones makes the most fucking amazing hangover cures ever by the way Sig, that I'm not 100% sure I have panties on under this nightshirt.."
Bones
"You don't," she blushed, "I could tell when I sat down... and woke you up."
Sigrun
Sigrun goes reaching to find out with a big ol' smile and takes a hand full of Laura's rump once she's had her conversation. "I mean, I can grab you a pair while I'm up there changing unless you've got a better idea." Sigrun very nearly giggles at that. Laura being terribly fun to tease, after all.
"Although any other reaction I might have to this news might be better undertaken not in the living room." Sigrun tilts her head back a bit to peer up at Laura, trying to hide the extent of her brattiness.
"Seriously, though, Bones? Ask to hang out with Teagan, maybe. Don't be presumptuous with them or with their time. They're Dominican. They like Dominican food. Their dog, Oso, they love that dog. And their kid, Bailey. Like. There's a lot going on under there, you just gotta stick around to see it. I think a lot of people look at our relationships which are the work of literal years and wonder why they can't just plug into it somehow. It's cos, like Laura said, none of us did. I sure as fuck didn't. And Sturm and I, holy shit. We almost killed each other first time we met after getting out. Shit takes work sometimes, and Teagan definitely respects people that are here for it. Cos there's just no other way with them. None."
Laura
Laura's eyes almost cross at the rump grab and she wriggles back against Sigrun's hand, her nightshirt working in a manner that keeps this a mostly PG-13 rating. "No minding here." She tells them both wryly. "For that, or your spot counting Bones, learnt to be comfortable in this house." A gentle rap to Sigrun's shoulder. "And no thank you for the pair grabbing, I'm all comfortable as is." She winks at Sigrun, kissing her slowly before looking back to Bones as more is disclosed and suggested. "In the end Bones, be yourself. Friendly, open, you. Spend the time with them like Sig said and work on starting to build that relationship."
Bones
"Hey. I like the work. Obviously. Or I wouldn't have the degrees and magics that I do. And I've managed to be your first magi, and so on. I can do the hard work," a grin, "And he is certainly worth it, considering all of the loves they have."
"And the thermometer? And the metal? Was I a good Petal?" they blinked as puppy-dog like as they could... until they saw Sigrun being a Brat and that made them tilt their head and grin. That could be a fun time indeed.
And then to both, "And of course, I'm fine just being friends! If that's what he wants. I just, if I was being presented, I wanted to be the right kind of gift, if that makes sense.
A drink of their water from the flask, before shifting to allow Laura to adjust her shirt.
"I'm just learning to love life, not just ancient life."
Sigrun
"I was hoping he'd like you like that. But sometimes I just get over-eager, and ahead of myself. You know? And I think that's what happened that night. That I got ahead of myself, not the other way around, or anything. So. Yeah. I was presenting my Petal. And was kinda hoping he'd want to share, yeah. But. I should have had that conversation ahead of time a lot more clearly, and all." Sigrun dismisses the matter with a little wag of her hand.
"And, yes. The thermometer worked flawlessly! All the metal you recovered is-- honestly, that's so helpful? I buy my scrap by the pound, and a lot of it I can't recover. So it just goes right back into fill. But if I can bring you out every month or so and have you do that for me? Heck! All I'd need to do is billet 'em, and I can do that in a half hour's work a bar if it comes to it."
Laura
"Teagan is." Laura agreed with Bones quietly, one hand stroking Bones' arm, the other fussing with Sigrun's hair. Happy hyena right now. "And hey, if you're able to do what kinda thing with the forge, well, hey." She hums thoughtfully. "Much more material for you to be a genius with Sig." A chewing on her lip. "Do you think you could teach me a thing or two at some point? That might partly be an excuse to watch you working the forge, but I would like to learn a little."
Bones
"I'd be happy to do it. Maybe about when I have to come and refuel the thermometer," she adjusted and placed Laura's hand on their hip. "It only takes me a little effort. I might also watch you get all sweaty in the forge...I mean learn things about creating."
Teagan
"It's also a pretty good bet that if you say something in a public part of the house, I'll hear it, and if I don't, I'll hear about it." How long has he been there, just off to one side of Sigrun, leaning against the wall? Who can say? But here Teagan is, in a tank top and sweats, leaning against the wall, arms crossed lazily. One corner of his mouth draws up just a little.
Sigrun
Sigrun grins more broadly when Teagan turns up. She seems neither surprised nor chagrined, because she always tells the truth as she knows it. "Husband! I am snuggle-fondling Laura and cuddle-chatting Bones. And discussing your mysterious and sexy intrigues. I need to go hop in the shower, if you'd care to take my spot?" She wiggles her fingers from the couch.
Before she gets up, she leans up to give Laura a good and proper kiss. "I'll happily train you in all the best ways of pounding hot hard rods. Of metal. With a hammer." Another quick kiss, and she's getting up and putting aside her embroidery
Bones
"Hello again, Teagan," they bobbed their head and smiled, "Nice to see you once again!
They tilted their head, "Though, that veiling technique, whatever you want to call it... is ... phenomenal."
Laura
Laura hums, half turned to lean into that on so delightful kiss. "I would be so pleased to learn all the best ways. In intricate detail." She squeezes Bones' hip gently before waving at Teagan, while taking the chance to sneak glances at Sigrun's behind until she's out of sight. "You should. I'm cold on this side now. Also." She winks at Teagan. "You remember the beach, way back when? When you nearly made Sigrun melt through the chair she sat on. Well." She indicates Bones with her free hand. "You've met Bones. Bones is hoping to get to know a sexy, suddenly there Mirrorskin a little better to find out where things might go, with things both parties are amenable to and would find enjoyable." A smile is cast between them. "Without rushing into things, but for both to get to know one another a little better."
Teagan
"They are mysterious," Teagan deadpans, "and sexy." He is -- as always -- inscrutable to Bones. Damn that Rigid Mask. Laura and Sigrun may be forgiven for thinking he's slightly easier to read, because for them? He is. They push away from the wall, frowning mildly at the possible disappearance of Sigrun. "But... shower," the Mirrorskin answers, as if that's all the explanation he needs for just about anything. It is a pretty compelling argument for following Sigrun elsewhere, one must admit.
They pause, though, when Laura talks, and even Bones can see the slow smirk which slides lazily across their face like a cat luxuriating in a sunbeam. "It would be very difficult to forget that, even if my memory were not literally perfect." One hand reaches out to pet Laura's ears -- it probably looks weird out of context, even though Bones knows the ears are there -- and he leans down to kiss Laura in turn. "So I'm told." The only real advantage that Bones has in terms of reading Teagan's expressions is that his Mask has eyes. Lost don't ever get to see exactly where he's looking, but Bones can tell that they're given a long, considering look, from scalp to soles and back again. "Much depends on Player One's opinions, I think, and Mine's, and my doll's," the Mirrorskin says, "and how you handle not being the only sub around. We have a couple of 'em." Who are these people? Teagan does not elaborate, nor upon who 'we' are, or if it's just the royal we, and Teagan means his submissives.
To Bones' comment on his veiling techniques, Teagan answers, "The light and I have certain agreements." He seems serious about that. There's another look after Sigrun, and he sighs. "Sorry. Siren song," and then he's gone again -- there's a subtle pulse on peripheral Mage Sight, and shadows follow Sigrun down the hall. The promise of a naked wife is too strong a call.
Bones
"How does the entire world not implode with that man's gravitas and appeal? Good Lord."
Laura
Laura laughs at that, her eyes having closed for the ear petting and the kiss and she now peers the way Sigrun and now Teagan have gone with a happy little sigh before leaning back into Bones. "That is an excellent question." She hums, getting comfortable. "You wanna stay around, cuddle for a bit? I can cook us food at some point, and just, you know, be comfortable and enjoy the day with whatever happens?"
Bones
"It would be an honor and a pleasure."
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