Chapter 3
Loxy Isadora Bliss arrived in the living area at the same time as Jon. It appeared he had just exited the bedroom, but she knew enough about magic and trajectories that she could discern he was arriving from elsewhere in the Universe and that it just appeared he had crossed from the bedroom. She smiled at her brain’s determination to provide her continuity. If she went with continuity, she would have to wonder if he had slept in. He paused suddenly, as if stopping to avoid colliding with someone or something. His hesitation was further evidence that he was arriving from elsewhere. Either way, she diverted to greet him, touching his arm. She came at him slow, making sure he registered her, not wanting to trigger his fight or flight. She had recognized in him an unsettledness; she brought energy to bring him down.
“You okay?” Loxy asked.
“Did you see a couple kids go tearing through here?” Jon asked.
“Time traveling again, are you?” Loxy asked. “What?” Jon asked.
“The kids are in the future,” Loxy reminded him.
Jon frowned. “Am I losing it?”
“I don’t know, are you?” Loxy said, meaning it to be playful. She responded to his look by steering him back to the bed room by the arm. She managed to turn him, but he dug his feet in and brought her up short. She looked at him questioningly.
“What are you thinking?” Jon asked her.
“You’re out of sorts,” Loxy said. “I thought I’d sort you out properly and put you in different frame of mind.”
“Um, maybe I should sort myself out,” Jon said.
“Okay,” Loxy said, steering him back around into the direction they were both originally headed.
“Just like that?” Jon asked.
“Oh, were you wanting to dance? You protest, I escalate, we engage?” Loxy asked.
“No,” Jon said.
“I didn’t think so,” Loxy said. “Look, Jon, you’re an adult. You’re a magician. And here, in this world, you and I sometimes have the telepathic thing going on, but it’s an erratic connection and so sometimes I will have to trust my intuition that you got this. I trust you to communicate your needs with me.” “What about your needs?” Jon asked.
Loxy steered him back around into the direction of the bedroom. Again he held his ground.
“See, now I am confused,” Loxy said.
“So you want to?” Jon said.
“Jon, I always want to,” Loxy said.
“With me?” Jon asked.
“Preferably with you,” Loxy said.
“If I say ‘no?’ Jon asked.
“Is this a ‘right now’ no or a ‘forever’ no?” Loxy asked.
“Just a right now no,” Jon said.
Loxy steered him back around and led him into the kitchen and into a conversation that was already in progress. She let go of his arm to greet Fersia with a hug. Their human cat, and friend, greeted Loxy as affectionately as a needy Labrador retriever. Jon tuned out of the conversation that was in play, aiming for the counter and breakfast. He put two flour tortilla on his plate, scooped eggs from the pan into it, then sprinkled cheese, added pink salt and pepper, an impossible stack of crispy bacon, and proceeded to the table. Again he faltered as he became aware of the others, no longer in a conversation but apprising him. There were the usual subjects, Keera, Alish, and Lester. Not usual in any normative way, but not out of the realm of explainable possibility. Thuy was there. He would have sorted her further, as their history and connection was a bit complicated, but he was flabbergasted by the presence of the newcomer, Tipsy.
“Ah, where are my manners,” Lester said. “Jon, Loxy, meet my new friend Tipsy. Tipsy, Jon and Loxy.”
“Oh, we’ve met,” Tipsy said.
“We have?” Loxy asked.
“Sorry, I meant Jon and I,” Tipsy said.
“Of course,” Thuy said.
“Are you fucking with me?” Jon asked Lester.
“Do you want me to fuck with you?” Lester asked.
“Jon never asked you to fuck him before,” Fersia said.
“Jon, you need to heat the food up,” Thuy said.
Jon took his seat at the table. No sooner than he set his plate down, Thuy was picking it up to go heat it. He rolled his eyes and was going to protest, but Loxy put a cup of Joe in his hand. She sat next to him. Fersia took Thuy’s seat, and was a bit antsy, as if scratching her butt on the seat before she settled.
“So, where’d you and Lester meet?” Loxy asked.
“At the corner coffee shop, Safe Haven,” Tipsy said. “He agreed to punch my sex card.” “Seriously?” Jon asked.
“I’d punch your sex card,” Fersia said.
“I felt bad for her,” Lester said, not acknowledging Fersia, who was irritated for a second and then batting a sparkly fly. “Someone apparently turned her down and she was in such a state of shock that I felt obliged to assist her in this urgency.”
A bell chimed. Fersia did a ‘shout out’ for an angel getting their wings, then played with the bell on her collar. Thuy used a mitten to bring Jon his plate. The food was thoroughly heated, the cheese melted over the egg. He was hopeful the bacon had kept some of it’s crispiness. She set it in front of him. She wanted the other seat next to him, the one that Fersia had taken, and simply said ‘Squirrel’ and Fersia went immediately to the box seat window looking for it. Thuy sat down without Fersia even noticing she had been manipulated.
“You’re not eating,” Thuy said.
“It’s too hot,” Jon said.
“It is a little hot in here today,” Lester said.
“The sun is nice,” Alish agreed.
“Why did you bring her here?” Jon asked.
“I live here,” Lester said. “I am allowed to have guests.”
Jon had to sort that. This was his world, his home, and he had certainly invited folks to stay here, but really hadn’t made rules about his guest having guest. It was probably unreasonable to refuse guests of his guest, but maybe there could be an increase in immigration requirements…
“Jon?” Loxy asked.
“Oh, he’s just frustrated because he wants to fuck her,” Fersia said, again scratching her butt, this time against the corner of the box seat.
“The offer is still on the table,” Tipsy said.
“OMG, you were the one who turned her down?” Lester asked. “What a small Universe.” “No way,” Keera said.
“That would be an extraordinary event,” Alish said.
“Monumental,” Fersia said.
“Interesting,” Loxy said, touching Jon’s forehead with the back of her hand. “It would explain the tension I am feeling.”
“There is no tension,” Jon said.
“Yeah there is,” Thuy said. “Do you really need another partner?”
“It’s never about need,” Fersia said. “Sing a round of stray cat strut for me?” “How did you get around the Safe Haven compulsory engagement?” Keera asked.
“There’s an escape clause,” Jon said.
“Oh, is it Christmas time again?” Fersia asked.
Jon closed his eyes. When he returned he put a smile on, set his coffee down. “I am happy Lester is willing to help you out. I will be impressed if he is able to arise to the occasion.” Lester lifted his cane. “I have one of these, do you?” “Are you two always so adversarial?” Tipsy asked.
“Hamsters,” Fersia said. “You can’t put two in the same cage. Like Beta fish, they just puff up and you have to separate them into their own balls. You can put them in with females, but then you get baby hamsters. And then you have to eat them to keep the population down. Like Guinea Pigs in South America. I bet the Giant Andean condor could eat like 12 of them in one sitting. They sit perched on Coca Cola Mountain…” “Andes Mountain, Colca Canyon,” Jon corrected.
“Oh, that reminds me, you were going to take me to explore Machu Pikachu,” Fersia said.
Jon took a moment to sort that. Loxy patted his knee. “Machu Picchu,” Loxy corrected.
“I am confused,” Thuy said. Jon was about to explain Fersia’s mild ‘flight of ideas’ but Thuy continued on, suggesting she really wasn’t confused as much as exploring potential slights:
“If Jinn are superior to humans in intelligence, why are you attending Safe Haven?”
“My parents teach at the University. I was bored with the local elementary,” Tipsy said.
“How old are you?” Lester asked.
“Now you ask?” Jon asked.
“You really can’t compare human age with Jinn age,” Loxy said. Fersia was again
scratching, this time vocalizing a complaint. “Are you okay?”
“It won’t stop itching. I hope I don’t have worms again,” Fersia said.
“Come sit here,” Loxy said, patting the table in front of her as she scooted her chair back to make room.
Fersia hopped up on the table. Jon quickly shifted his coffee and plate over even as Loxy was pulling Fersia to the edge and pushing her legs apart.
“Hey!” Lester complained. “We eat on this table!”
“It’s just a cursory exam,” Loxy said. She was aware of Jon turning away at an angle.
“You’ve seen it before, Jon.”
“Yeah, Jon. You don’t want to see your pussy’s pussy?” Lester asked.
“I haven’t finished my coffee yet,” Jon said, focusing on that. He puzzled over the reflection in his coffee, and wondered how that got in there. How is it some coffee surfaces have sheens and some are empty voids. He preferred the clouds.
“Lester does have a point. This is the kitchen table. We all use it,” Thuy said.
“Yeah, we do. Just not all in the same way,” Keera said.
“Seriously?” Lester asked.
“Did Jon eat you on the table, too?” Alish asked.
“Seriously?!” Lester said.
“Jon did you eat Alish on the table, too?” Loxy asked Alish.
“Me, too,” Fersia said. “I walked in on him and Janet, and so I joined them.” “It’s a really sturdy table,” Loxy agreed.
“And the perfect height for engagement,” Keera said.
“It’s magically adjustable,” Loxy explained.
“I think I need a cold shower,” Jon said.
“Oh I am available if you want me to help you now…” Fersia said. “Hold up there, kitty. What did you put in here?” Loxy asked.
“Just Jon. Why?” Fersia asked.
“Jon, don’t force it. More lube, and take your time on entry,” Loxy said.
“Oh, he wasn’t aiming for that hole and I may have forced it, as it was a really vigorous session,” Fersia said. “By the way, Jon, do you like your Peruvian Coati Dung Coffee? It’s like the most expensive coffee in the world…”
Jon froze his coffee at his lips. Lester spit his coffee back into his cup. Tipsy paused, then sipped some more, and then nodded. “That explains the taste.” “You should warn someone you’re giving them shit,” Lester said.
“That would take the fun out of it,” Jon said, and gave him a ‘cheers’ with his coffee cup and then drank heartily.
“You’re disgusting,” Lester said.
“I don’t see what the fuss is all about,” Tipsy said. “Why do humans feel the need to categorize matter into different piles? It’s all stardust to me.” “The deal is off,” Lester said, getting up to go away.
Tipsy stood. “You said breakfast first,” Tipsy said. “I held my end of the bargain.” “That was before I knew you drank shit. Hell, you probably don’t swallow and would kiss me with my own stuff, and I don’t take gifts back,” Lester said.
“But you take your words back?” Tipsy said.
“I sort words like you sort my matter,” Lester said. “You’re a jinn. You can navigate from here, can’t you?”
Lester turned and disappeared through the arch, not arriving into the living room. Tipsy stared in disbelief. She was not disturbed by the fact that he had disappeared, but rather by being experiencing two rejections in one day.
“Well, that was awkward,” Thuy said.
“You okay?” Loxy asked Tipsy.
“What kind of Universe is this where a girl can’t get laid?” Tipsy asked.
“Welcome to my world,” Thuy said.
“I thought this was your world,” Tipsy said.
“Jon, help a lady out,” Keera said.
“Yes, Jon,” Thuy said.
“We’re related,” Jon told Thuy.
“Didn’t stop you before,” Thuy said.
“Didn’t know before,” Jon said.
“So, we have to be related?” Tipsy asked. “It helps,” Jon said.
“Jon doesn’t care about that,” Keera said.
“Or even species,” Alish said.
“He does care if you’re male,” Fersia said. “Mostly. There are those ambiguous species and a couple trans that have helped him realize you can’t have absolute rules.”
“Do we have to discuss all of this while doing that at the breakfast table?” Jon asked. “Jon, this is just anatomy and physiology and general interests,” Loxy said. “I am curious, though. Why did you turn her down?”
“Interesting story, there,” Jon said. “Remind me to tell you about it sometime.” “We will meet again, Jon,” Tipsy said, and was gone in a flash and smoke.
“OMG,” Fersia said. “Jinn are so dramatic. They’re not like cats at all.”
Loxy pushed Fersia’s leg closed, patted her knee. “Come with me,” Loxy said, getting up. She crossed over and washed her hands.
“Tearing?” Keera asked.
“External hemorrhoids,” Loxy said.
“Am I going to die?” Fersia asked. “I am not ready to die. And I don’t want to cash in on one of my lives…”
“You’re not dying,” Loxy said.
“Want help?” Keera said.
“If you like,” Loxy said.
“You’re just treating the symptoms,” Thuy said. “Maybe you should fix Jon.” “Oh, it’s just clean fun,” Loxy said. “It happens.” “Will Jon and I still be able to enjoy sex?” Fersia said.
“Yes, Fersia. This is a simple procedure,” Loxy said.
“They said that to my brother and now he can’t have kittens,” Fersia said. “And he gained a lot of weight. Of course, he’s treated like royalty and people just bring him food. People love his Dom Deluise imitations.”
“I didn’t know you had a brother,” Alish said.
“Oh? I thought I told you I came from a litter of nine,” Fersia said. “I am the seventh, and the runt, but all grown up in all the right places!”
Loxy hugged Jon and kissed his cheek. “Eat your breakfast, love,” Loxy said. She took Fersia’s hands and led her. Keera took Fersia’s other hand and helped, as Fersia was going a bit slow.
“I am feeling a bit skittish,” Fersia said.
“Don’t worry. We got you,” Keera said.
“You haven’t eaten your breakfast,” Thuy told Jon, bringing his attention back to the table.
Jon touched his food, found it cool enough he could enjoy it. “So, what brings you to my quiet little abode?” Jon asked, eating.
“Hardly quiet,” Alish said.
“I want to ask you if I can live here,” Thuy said.
“What’s wrong with your world?” Jon asked.
“I don’t like my world. I like your world. I am graduating soon. I want to live here, with you,” Thuy said.
“This house is really full,” Jon said.
“Not your house; my house, your world,” Thuy said. “I would like to visit your house.
You’re my only family.”
Jon finished his bite. “Thuy, you are welcome to live on my world. In my world. Above it if you like orbital platforms. The moon is actually quite nice. It’s more a senior retirement home. You can even live in my house. You just have to understand…” “That we can’t be intimate?” Thuy asked.
“Why is that such a problem? Plants intermingle with family all the time,” Alish said.
“It’s not a problem,” Jon said. “Well, for me, and that ship already sold, and we didn’t die, and I am of course, interested, but the thing is, you need to find your own fellow, or your own group of special friends, cause I have a pretty large group, and I am busy, and you need someone who can be more readily available because you have needs that I am not going to be able to address. And some of my issues will likely exasperate some of your issues. You’re already making that I am rejecting you face. I am not rejecting you. I am inviting you to live here and even be around me and we can continue to help each other, in intimate ways even, but you and I won’t be a nuclear family or exclusive.”
Thuy was silent.
“You really shouldn’t eat your food cold,” Thuy said. “I like it room temperature,” Jon said.
“Thank you for letting me stay here. Can you show me the room I can use until I find a place to settle?” Thuy said.
“You can join us in our bed,” Alish said.
“The bed is full,” Jon said.
“Not always at the same time,” Alish said. “You just got to be careful not to kick Fersia off the end of the bed.”
“I think I would prefer to sleep alone,” Thuy said.
“Okay, well, come on I will show you a room and help you sort it,” Alish said. “Eat your breakfast, Sir.”
Thuy and Alish went to explore the accommodations. Loxy, Keera, and Fersia returned. Fersia was wearing a cone. S