Enlightenment [Jersey]

[Peter Parkman]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--


<Jersey> She had spent most of her day off sitting on her bed, glancing at the journal of hurriedly written notes and then at the picture that had been sent to her by Peter the evening he’d left her hotel room in a hurry. It was beginning to be a cycle when they spent time together; he’d be relaxed, something would cause him to panic, he’d relax and it seemed that most of the time, when he was panicky he was more likely to let something slip, but as Jersey headed to the cabin door, she had the feeling the picture itself had been unintentional.

And he couldn’t lie to her about it. Removing the keychain from the pocket of her light wash blue jeans, she knocked a few times before opening the front door and calling out, “Peter? It’s me.” She tucked the keys away once more, pulling the sleeves of her slightly baggy sweater over her knuckles. “I think we should talk about something that is a few details that have been nagging at me.” She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her and pulled her hair over her shoulders, her arms crossing in front of her chest.


<Peter Parkman> This time when Jersey walked through the door, Peter had been awake for a while. Although he was still padding around the cabin barefooted, he was still dressed to go out, should he need to. In fact, he hadn’t yet been out – normally he’d hike to the Asylum and get something to ‘eat’, before slowly making his way back to the cabin. Every now and again he’d stop in at the library, but in the end he always wanted to come home; to this place, with its warmth and its familiarity. It was an anchor.

All the dogs were inside with him, only because they were an anchor, too. They were the creatures that he could be himself around, without judgment. They were all curled up in front of the fire – Peter included – when Jersey knocked. Peter was stretched out on the couch, book open in his hand. He peeked over the back of the couch when Jersey walked in. Didn’t wait for him to answer the knock, just walked on in.

“Hello do you, too. I’m fine. The weather out there is grand, isn’t it?” he said, trying to tease but in fact trying to dissuade her from whatever it was she wanted to talk about.

[Attire]

<Jersey> At least he wasn't shirtless. That probably would have had her a little bit distracted, or at least had her silent for a few moments and as bent over to remove the boots that she wore. "Sorry. Hello Peter, how are you?" She gave a soft chuckle, moving over to the back of the couch once she was barefoot and crossed her arms before her green eyes peered down at the man. "It's warmer. Can't wait for summer." Quick chit chat, but she wasn’t going to sway onto a different topic for once as she reconfirmed her thought the moment she looked at his face. “Everyone has one, but no one can lose it. What is it?” She questioned, deciding against beating around the bush.


<Peter Parkman> He had already answered that question. He had said that he was fine. He wasn't going to answer it again. The weather itself didn't bother Peter, but he did like this; sitting in front of the fire. He was about to open his mouth, to say that he preferred Winter, when Jersey asked her question. His mouth snapped shut again and he frowned. Slowly, he closed the book in front of him. He thought about the riddle for a second or two before shaking his head. "I have no idea."


<Jersey> "A shadow." She answered softly, removing her phone from her pocket and scrolling through her pictures to find the one he'd sent her before leaning forward to set the device in his lap and moving to sit down near him. "Which brings me to my first question, how do you not have one?"


<Peter Parkman> Peter laughed. How ludicrous! "Of course I have a shadow!" he said. And of course, when such an accusation is flung, a person needs to immediately prove how utterly stupid it is. Peter moved, not even looking at the phone as he stood to get closer to the fire; to show Jersey the shadow that he would cast on the mat. What he saw, however, was nothing. No shadow. It was as if he wasn't even there. The dogs perked up and watched him, curiously. They cast shadows. He did not. Peter launched himself away from the fire as if he had been burned. "Ohmygod," he murmured, before clapping a hand over his mouth. He'd backed into the dining table. A fake apple rolled from a bowl and bounced to the floor with a plastic clatter. Peter's very wide eyes found Jersey, though he remained utterly still. This was news, even to him.


<Jersey> Her lips tilted up in what would be a cross between a smile and a grimace as he got up, watching the man with a concerned expression before he started backing up. Despite the thing itself, Jersey didn't seem too bothered as she stood up and bit her lip as she considered what to say or do. Clearly, he didn't know about it and lightly, her lips parted before they closed. What could she say, exactly? "Peter?" She asked after a few moments before wetting her lips and lightly stepped to him. "I don't care what you are, if this is just some kind of a mental thing from me, but... whatever it is, I'm not scared of you."


<Peter Parkman> "I don't have a shadow!" he said, his voice tremulous. He pointed to the fire as if in accusation. Jersey got closer to him and Peter shook his head, rounding the table in order to put it between them. "How could she have failed to tell me I don't have a shadow?!" he asked. He wasn't really accusing Keara of being careless. He assumed she had a lot going on, and maybe it just slipped her mind. And maybe it wasn't her fault. It was such a common thing, Peter himself should have noticed. He folded into one of the dining table chairs and folded his arms in front of him. He groaned as his forehead fell forward.


<Jersey> "And that's okay," She held her palms up, speaking softly as she watched him and had to avoid rolling her eyes. After a thought, Jersey removed the pistol and knife, going to her shoes to put them there before returning to where she had been standing. "You...really didn't know." It had meant to come out as a question as her green eyes widened and it was only until he sat down that she stepped forward once more, keeping a distance for his comfort. Jersey sat down quietly afterwards, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she bit her lip. "You aren't human, are you?" Her voice was quiet and soft as she leaned forward.


<Peter Parkman> "Nooo," Peter groaned, the single, lengthened word loaded with the despair of a man who has lost, who has given up. How the hell could he explain a lack of a shadow? He wasn't Peter Pan. It wasn't something that could be found and stitched back onto the soles of his feet. His forehead still rested upon his forearms, his voice muffled against the table, and his chest.


<Jersey> She closed her eyes for a few moments before she got up and moved to rub his back a bit, setting her hip lightly against his side. "Peter, honey, talk to me." Her voice was surprisingly soft and calm while she kept her action lightly. She wasn't sure if he'd answered her or not.


<Peter Parkman> Peter tensed at her touch, at her proximity. He remained exactly where he was, like an emu with its head tucked into the sand. Maybe if he couldn't see her, than she couldn't see him. Of course he knew that was not the case, but he found it easier, nonetheless. "No," he said. "you'll think I'm one of those crazy people you see so often at the bank," he added. His head was reeling. Enver had said it was fine, so long as Jersey could be trusted. Peter believed she could be trusted, but he was still struggling because Keara made it sound as if any human who knew should die. But she hadn't said it in those exact words, had she? She, too, had mentioned trust. So maybe it would be fine...


<Jersey> Watching his body language while she tucked some of her hair behind her ear, Jersey leaned forward a bit more, "Try me." And she slid her hands to his shoulders to give them one final squeeze before she adjusted to lean into the table. She wasn't moving from him. "Peter, I know you aren't crazy. Strange, that I can't deny, but you aren't crazy. You're sweet and protective, intelligent and possibly a little too skiddish at times," She crossed her arms in front of her chest so she wouldn't touch him again, "but certainly not crazy."


<Peter Parkman> Peter finally raised his head to look at Jersey. To really look at her, as if trying to imagine how she would react. Enver was so blase. It's fine to let someone know you're a vampire if you can trust them. If it turns out you can't, it's fine. Just kill them. Thing was, Peter didn't want Jersey in that kind of danger, regardless if it might hurt him if she ran from him. "Okay. I'll tell you. But you can't... I mean it, Jersey, you can't tell anyone, even if you think I'm nuts," he said, and then he cringed. Of course he would say that if he was nuts. And of course, if she thought he was nuts, she'd dismiss the warning completely.


<Jersey> "Peter, I promise you," She reached over and set her hand over his, squeezing it with a frown playing across her lips, "I'll never say or do anything that can get you hurt, even if I think you're absolutely batshit crazy." She could hear the complete honesty in her voice and knew it reflected in her eyes, and that was the truth. She didn't want to risk anything to hurt the man sitting there beside her.


<Peter Parkman> "I don't care about me," Peter said, shaking his head. "It's you I worry about. If they found out - any of them - they'll kill you, just for knowing. It's a secrecy thing," he said; if Jersey's eyes reflected complete honesty, then Peter's reflected complete worry, and absolute terror that it would all go terribly wrong. He was giving her the chance to back out and retain complete ignorance.


<Jersey> Jersey leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, if anything, just for the man to stop talking. "I promise anything that you tell me will stay between us, alright? Lips sealed." She whispered before leaning back in her chair to watch him, "You worry about me regardless." She pointed out afterwards, adjusting the neck of her sweater while she was red and glanced to the dogs.


<Peter Parkman> The kiss caught Peter completely off guard. He did not respond, or react physically to the intimacy; could only just stare at her for a long five seconds. In those moments he remembered the conversation about fadebeasts, and how they were created. Would always remember that, regardless of how blasé Enver had been about that, too. Maybe it was best, at this point, if she were to run for the hills. And so: "I'm a vampire," he said. Just like that. He swallowed, and continued to stare.


<Jersey> "That was to shut you up." She muttered in explanation before she tucked her hair behind her ear once more. As he admitted it, Jersey's green eyes blinked owlishly as the thoughts ticked through her head. Run and scream wasn't going to happen. This was Peter, no matter what and he had just admitted that he was a vampire. Had she not seen that monster thing, or seen for herself that the man didn't have a shadow. "Alright," She swallowed lightly, "and let's say that for some strange reason, bells aren't going off in my head, I'm not scared for my life, and I can somehow accept that you're a vampire without freaking out. What happens then?" She asked, curious.


<Peter Parkman> "What do you mean?" Peter asked, straightening up just a little bit. "What do you want to happen?" he asked. He was wary. It seemed odd to him that she wouldn't be the smallest bit surprised. Alarm bells might not have been going off in her head, but they were going off in Peter's. "You can't believe me. That's what I think. If you're not freaking out just a tiny bit, you can't actually believe me," he said, matter-of-factly.


<Jersey> "You have no shadow, your lips are very cold as if you'd been sucking on ice although you've been sitting in a room with a fire going for who knows how long and I've never once seen you actually eat something." She lifted an eyebrow, "And some of that was hypothetical. I'm not freaking out." The last bit was a clear lie as her heartbeat sped up. Honestly, she was afraid to stand up because she knew she'd likely faint.


<Peter Parkman> Peter narrowed his eyes. Even across the distance he could hear her heartbeat; preternatural hearing allowed him this much. He had always been aware of her heartbeat, and the latent humanity of it. It was a heavy thing, compared to the staccato rhythm of the dogs' heartbeats. "That was a lie," he said, calling her out on it.


<Jersey> "Fine. If I stand up, I'll likely pass the hell out." She narrowed her eyes right back, "so yes. I'm freaking out on the inside." She crossed her arms in front of her chest before it dawned on her and she blinked, "Wait. How did you know I was lying?"


<Peter Parkman> "I can hear your heart beat," he said. Classic Peter, straight to the point, no ********. Not when ******** could be avoided. If this was the time he was going to be coming clean, then so be it. He would come clean. Any and all questions that she had, he would answer honestly. He was slowly beginning to realise that perhaps he could trust Jersey, and this would all work out absolutely fine.


<Jersey> "Then you know I wasn't lying when I said that I'm not going to say anything." She wondered what else he'd heard her heart do randomly at times but didn't bother asking. "How old are you, really?" She asked, "and how long have you been... what you are?" She inclined her head.


<Peter Parkman> Peter laughed. "Don't get your hopes up. I'm still only thirty four. Maybe four weeks, if that," Peter said. "I'm not exactly... comfortable.... with it yet," he said. He glanced again toward the fire; of course, there were still things he himself was finding out. For example, the fact that he didn't have a goddamned shadow.


<Jersey> Her lips twitched in amusement, "I was more so amused at the fact you're a historian and the possiblity that you were older." She reached over lightly and squeezed his hand, "Want to go sit by the fire? And... that's understandable. I take it you actually do drink blood... which is why you've asked me not to bleed near you?"


<Peter Parkman> Peter nodded. He did want to go sit by the fire. He enjoyed the fire, if only because it felt like the ghost of the warmth that the sun might give; the warmth that he could never feel again. He stood, the chair's legs scraping against the floor, and wandered over to the couch; he went the long way around, still wary of Jersey and the way he felt about her. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Yes. And no. I wasn't lying. I uhm... I just really don't like the sight of blood," he said as he dropped into the corner of the couch.


<Jersey> She watched him from the corner of her eye while she pushed the chairs back in, rolling up her sleeves lightly as she went back to the couch. This time, though, she sat down beside the dogs and set her back to the fire, looking up at him. It wasn't because she was scared, but because she'd taken note of how he'd moved. "Can't blame you." She smiled a bit, before lifting her eyebrow, "You've never had the idea to eat me, have you?"


<Peter Parkman> Peter shook his head. It was a lie, really. Of course he had wondered, but never had he considered actually doing it. He didn't think that he would be capable of it. He pulled his own legs up so that he was sitting awkwardly cross-legged. He licked his lips and again shook his head. "I have to buy my blood and tell them to give it to me in a styrofoam cup. With a lid. And a straw," he said, almost certain that Jersey would start to truly freak out, would run out that door. Any second now.


<Jersey> While her pulse quickened just a bit, she remained calm otherwise as she pulled her knees to her chest and watched him curiously. "That's a pretty amusing thought, but... I can definitely see it." She pursed her lips softly, "Tell me everything you can without going into a panic like you normally do?" It was more an offer for him to vent if he wanted or needed to. And after a few moments, she lifted her lips in a small smile, "Other than hiding this from me, were you faking anything you felt or said about who you were?"


<Peter Parkman> There was a certain amount of relief that settled in Peter's gut. She knew, and she wasn't running for the hills. And he didn't have to hide anything anymore. Rather than panic, he tried to settle into the knowledge that he didn't have to.. make too much of a fool of himself anymore. Along with the relief came a small, quavering smile. He shook his head. "No," he said in response only to the second question.


<Jersey> "I'm really happy to hear that." She gave a soft, warm smile in return as she inclined her head and studied his features. A vampire. That explained quite a bit and she spoke once more, "So I take it when we kind of ran into each other while you'd just woken up, you weren't sick. Just awkward sleep schedule."


<Peter Parkman> "That's it exactly," Peter said, the awkward smile only becoming a little more awkward, broadening that little bit more. "It's probably a really good thing that you didn't come walking on in here during the day. You probably would have thought I was dead, because I kind of just pass out and I don't wake up, and I don't have a heartbeat. And I would have looked dead. And then you might have... I don't know, pulled down the tarp," he said, talking really fast now as he gestured to the windows, "... and I'd have burned to a crisp."


<Jersey> "Honestly? I thought you were at work so you kind of scared the hell out of me." She laughed lightly before she gave a soft shake of her head, "I don't go back to your bedroom, or really in that area. It's generally just where you keep the treats, I put their leashes down/get them and then leave." She stated quietly and then set her chin on the tops of her knees while she watched him, "I think I probably would have cried, too, either that or screamed. Called the police."


<Peter Parkman> "Well let's just be happy that it never happened, then," he said. "And now you know, so now when you come through that door during the day you can remember not to get curious about my bedroom," he said, before swallowing. "I don't really work anymore for the obvious reasons. You probably would have figured that out sooner or later too, especially if you went looking for me there. And you didn't find me. And they told you I changed to night time... and that I don't come in so often anymore," he said, still ranting perhaps a little too much.


<Jersey> There was a comment on the tip of her tongue that she had to bite back and it was clear across her features that it would have been said specifically to embarrass him. When she felt the comment slip away and that it was safe for her to talk without it appearing, she gave a soft nod, "Well, then knowing your condition," A smile graced her lips as she chuckled, turning her head to look at the dogs, "maybe your idea of becoming just an academic might be best for you. And yes. Rather very happy on the end of not having to think my friend was killed or died randomly in his sleep." And then she pondered on something before she looked at him, "You know, if you can hear my heartbeat, why were you getting jealous when I was talking about those college boys? You would've known I wasn't being truthful in the least."


<Peter Parkman> It looked as if she were going to say something and decided against it. Peter didn't know whether to be glad or curious, and in the end decided to let it slide. Peter gave a shrug. "I might not be strictly human anymore, but I'm still human. And as humans we are bound to caught up in certain things, personal things, you know, one's own thoughts and emotions and .... things," he said, circling his hand in the air. "Certain other things don't get noticed when you're caught up in other things," he said, assuming he was being perfectly clear when he actually was not.


<Jersey> She couldn't have looked any more confused, "English please, Peter." He had almost completely just talked her thoughts into a circle as she slowly got to her feet and finally moved to sit on the couch opposite of him, "Not the rambling." She chuckled, setting her head against the back of the couch as she gave him a warm smile.


<Peter Parkman> Peter huffed and seemed to pull his crossed legs closer to him as Jersey moved in. He swallowed as he gathered his thoughts and continued to watch Jersey, slightly dejected but again indulging in the fact that he could at least be honest. "I didn't like that you were being hit on by other men, or that you might have given away your number. I was too preoccupied thinking about how surprised I was at my own unhappiness and trying to tell myself that there was nothing I could do and that it was better for you anyway. See, too caught up in my own things to notice anything about how fast or slow your heart was beating," he said.


<Jersey> She kept her distance for him, listening to him while she smiled a bit from his words, "I take it your vampirism is the reason any time I complimented you or hinted that I'd like to be more than friends with you, you about jumped out of your skin?" She asked, her green eyes studying him quietly.


<Peter Parkman> "Yes," Peter said with a sad smile. "And it's probably not going to change. You're going to grow old and I'm going to stay the same. We'll never be able to have a picnic in the park with the dogs, throwing a frizbee. And just the fact that you... you want to spend time with me or could, or would, and if we were seen... it puts you in more danger than I care to admit, regardless of whether I would ever hurt you or not. Which I wouldn't," he explained.


<Jersey> "You do realize I think you're an idiot for that, right?" She questioned, her hair falling lightly in front of her eyes before she pushed it back behind her ear as she frowned at him. Jersey gave a soft sigh and leaned forward a bit, "Those things don't particularly matter to me, and there's always throwing frizbees in the evening with the dogs. Picnics bring ants and bugs." She gave a soft shake of her head, "This falls under the 'Peter thinks too much' category. It puts me in danger, but so long as I seem to remain ignorant, there's no reason for me to be considered a threat. I'm just a young woman that's got a crush on an older man that just happens to be a vampire, and for all they know, you could prefer to feed off me." Her eyebrows pushed together, "And technically because there are vampires in this city and I have a heartbeat, I'm in danger any time I step outside when you aren't with me unless I'm in direct sunlight."


<Peter Parkman> "Exactly, which is why I think you should not step outside unless in direct sunlight," Peter said. The warmth that he felt didn't emanate just from the fire, but from Jersey herself. Her own body, whether she knew it or not, was like a heater all on its own. He didn't actually know how the other vampires in the city would react; he had only two voices in his head, that of Keara and that of Enver. And they both told him distinctly different things. He had no idea which path he should go down and thus was quite happy to stand still and take no path at all. The thought that others might think that he kept Jersey merely as some kind of blood doll caused a similarly split reaction; one of horror and one of a strange kind of arousal. The latter he smothered. "No... no I couldn't. I don't know if I could actually... I don't like the sight of blood and I might lose control and kill you," he said. That's what Keara had said, right? It was a legitimate concern.

[Jersey]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--



<Jersey> "I work sometimes in the evening, Peter, and I'm not going to let the concept of vampires actually being real scare me into never leaving my hotel room/apartment if I manage to save enough." Her stubborn side kicked in and as she huffed softly. "And, I never said you'd have to bite me, Peter. You've already said you don't want to hurt me, and while I may not be able to hear your heart beat, I know you aren't lying to me about wanting to keep me safe." She considered the idea of pushing him off the couch, "Maybe rather than worry about things that could or might happen, embrace what makes you happy, Peter. You're a wonderful man and I swear you just make me want to slap you sometimes."


<Peter Parkman> "But I still might lose control and kill you," Peter said, the set of his jaw tightening. He, too, could be stubborn, and he wasn't being this was for the sake of being infuriating. When he spoke next it was with a hardness to his tone; one that he hoped would brook no argument. He could be awkward and malleable, but he was not weak when he required himself to be strong. "You might not let the concept of vampires actually being real scare you, but it scares the **** out of me. It scares me that I am one. It scares me that I still don't know everything about myself now that I should. I don't know what I'm fully capable of and as far as I have been told, I'll develop new abilities every day. I don't know when that'll happen or how. Of course I don't want to hurt you but I'm terrified that I will anyway, because I don’t know any better," he said. "I became this. One night everything was normal, the next nothing was normal. I still don't know whether I like it. So I'm sorry if you want to slap me, but that's just the way it is."


<Jersey> "And I never said that it doesn't scare me, I've said that you do not, Peter. There's some damn creatures running about, and people drinking blood. That woman that shrieked about being attempted to drink from wasn't lying." She tensed her jaw lightly, "If you got a hair up your ***, you could kill me. That scares me. Monsters being real? Sadly, I don't think it's a huge concept considering human beings are capable of being ******* terrible to each other." She wasn't incapable of reading or listening to the news, "If you hurt me, then we can ******* cross that bridge when it comes to that. I might look helpless, but I can fight back and I will." She didn't want to fight with him, and lightly, she sighed softly to dip her head, running her fingers through her hair before looking back up at him and speaking softly, "You make me want to slap you because... one moment, you have your arm around me and then the next, you've tensed. You say that you like me a lot, but then you have to fix things - and that's okay. But saying that, and then saying you don't think it'll change? Mixed signals there."


<Peter Parkman> Peter considered for a moment. He was a man who could admit when he'd made a mistake, or done something wrong. He could admit to his flaws, and he knew that he had them. He frowned at Jersey and continued to keep himself to himself, regardless of the voice that urged him otherwise; regardless of Enver's lax suggestion about condoms and thanks. "I'm sorry. I had my arm around you because I didn't want you to slip over. I didn't want you to hit your head and start bleeding," he said, and he was both telling the truth and lying. He would admit that he did enjoy having her close. "It's why I told you to do what makes you happy, but to be careful doing it. I might want to...." he cringed, but continued "I might want to call you mine but I still think I shouldn't, and it's not fair of me to tell you otherwise," he said, resigned to his own decisions, whether they were rigid, over-thought decisions or not.


<Jersey> She wanted to hit him with a shoe, so she leaned over and looked for one of his only to have to resort to a squeaky toy she'd bought Hunter before aiming for his head. "Take your own damn advice, Peter. Caution? Caution is okay." She huffed and then blinked at the last set afterwards. "Peter... maybe I want you to call me yours, even if you think you shouldn't because maybe I want to be able to say the same for you." She then reached behind her in search of a pillow or something, her shoes were too far away.


<Peter Parkman> Peter lifted his arms to shield his face from the flying chew toy; not that it would have hurt him at all, but it was an instinctual reaction. The toy bounced off his forearm and when flying over the back of the couch; there was a scrabble of claws on the wooden floor as one or two of the dogs went chasing after it. It was obvious Jersey was looking for something else to hit him with, and Peter didn't stop her. "You really don't understand..." he said, almost pleaded with her. "I AM taking my own advice and my own advice tells me to keep my distance," he said.


<Jersey> She frowned before she sighed and watched after the dogs, stopping her search when she heard the tone. "Is that the only advice in your head? And I meant the advice you gave me."


<Peter Parkman> "What advice? To do what makes you happy? What makes me happy is seeing you safe and unharmed and out of harm’s way," he said sternly. He did see his selflessness as a good thing, but didn't realise that sometimes it might go a little bit too far. He was tense, now, still expecting some kind of onslaught.


<Jersey> She gave him a look, "And what makes me happy is you, so technically that would be a very full circle." Reaching behind her, Jersey found a cushion and sat up enough to attempt to smack him with it. At least she wasn't hitting him with anything that would create permanent damage.


<Peter Parkman> Peter caught the cushion before it could whack him over the head. Technically, in fact, he caught Jersey's wrist, the heat of her skin in his cold grasp a shock to him. A gentle shock, one that sent a wave of indiscernible emotion rolling through his core; that had the Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as whatever he was about to say disappeared completely. He was a man possessed, and though he had all these grand mighty ideas that he should keep his distance from Jersey, the only reason he did was because he knew it would come to this. Deep down he knew he didn't really want to control himself. He remembered the way her lips felt on his earlier, and they hadn't even lingered. He leaned forward now, his opposite hand reaching behind her neck to tangle in her blonde hair, tipping her head up so that he could kiss her, full on the lips; so that he could hold her there, in a lingering kiss that would show her exactly how he felt without having to say it out loud.


<Jersey> She shivered at his touch, brushing the chill aside as she looked at him with a slight glare until he leaned forward; her annoyance with him melting away the moment she felt his lips on hers. She dropped the cushion lightly, her free hand moving to clutch the collar of his shirt so he wouldn't be able to go too far if he changed his mind and she tenderly returned the kiss as she relaxed completely.


<Peter Parkman> In that moment of absolute abandon, Peter was subject to roiling excitement, like bolts of energy strobing through his body. In that moment he wasn't Peter the vampire, he was just Peter, who was kissing a girl for the first time in God knows how long. He let go of her wrist so that he could cradle her head in both hands; his lips opened, his head canting to the side only slightly as he deepened the kiss, tongue flicking along the enticing pout of her lips, indulging in this roiling emotion that he had long forgotten about. One leg moved out from beneath him only so that he could get a little closer to her.


<Jersey> When she needed to breathe, she waited as he adjusted to take a quick shot of air before she scooted closer to him and let her hand fall lightly in her lap while the other pulled him just a bit closer. Parting her lips, Jersey was very aware of her heart beating against her chest before she slid her other hand along his side, caressing it affectionately.


<Peter Parkman> Peter definitely knew what he wanted to do, right there on the couch in front of the fire. In front of the dogs. Jersey's caress at his side stirred all kinds of needs; specific desires that reminded Peter exactly why he'd decided to keep his distance to begin with. That very memory, the information that Keara had fed directly into his head, had him reeling away, breaking the hot kiss and clambering haphazardly over the arm of the couch to get away. The dogs immediately zoned in on the person who'd ended up on the floor, crowding around Peter, utterly oblivious to his dismay. "Nooo," he wailed. "We can't do that. We can't," he said, as if in those few words she'd understand exactly why.


<Jersey> When it ended, she almost considered pouted as he moved to the floor but settled for lightly biting her bottom lip and then frowned. "Peter, get back up here." She huffed, moving to look down at him while she crossed her arms and she looked down at him. "It was a kiss, a very... very nice kiss." She breathed lightly, "Why can't we?" She was confused, and just a little bit disappointed.


<Peter Parkman> "Because. Because," he was sounding like a broken down record. He stayed on the floor, safe from his baser urges. He sat up in order to look a little more dignified. He pushed Hunter away as the larger fought amongst the other dogs for a place on Peter's lap. The large dog satisfied himself with sitting beside Peter, and Peter threw an arm around him. Hunter flopped, his large head resting on Peter's knee. "It was," he said, clearing his throat. "A very nice kiss. Nice and warm," he said with a low hum. "But kissing leads to.... other stuff. And we can't," he said.


<Jersey> "Hunter, squish him for me." She mumbled in the dog's direction, watching the animal simply wag his tail in response before Jersey got up and adjusted slightly, sitting back down. "Kissing leads to other stuff eventually, down the road," She patted the seat cushion and gave him a pointed look that showed she was more than content, "kissing is safe. If we can't... do the other stuff, settle."


<Peter Parkman> "No really," Peter said. He knew he was doing that thing again, where he overthought; he couldn't enjoy himself now without thinking of the inevitable consequences. "I've never actually seen one. But that think you saw? I asked Keara about it. It's called a fadebeast. And do you know how fadebeasts are born? They're the consequence of vampires having sex," he said, staying right where he was while he waited for the information to sink in.


<Jersey> "First off, who is Keara, secondly, what type of sex, because there is multiple levels of that." When he didn't move to sit with her, Jersey got up and walked over to him, stepping between his legs before she crouched down, "And while that is a horrifying thought that thing comes out of a person, I don't know if this has gone through your head or not, but you don't have to have a sex in a relationship."


<Peter Parkman> "Keara is..." he started, and then stuttered. She was crouched down in front of him, so close that the heat from her body washed over him. Again his Adam's apple bobbed uselessly in his throat. Of course he couldn't stop himself from imagining the 'multiple levels' of sex. He didn't quite know how to respond; she was speaking with a reason that he couldn't argue with. "...she is the one who turned me," he finally answered, before snapping his mouth shut and swallowing.


<Jersey> When he didn't argue against the relationship bit, Jersey had to hide a smirk before she leaned down to whisper softly in his ear, "besides, if sex sex can't happen... well. There's always toys and you have a hand." She didn't really think about how it might go on in his head before she sat down as he told her who turned him. Keara. "Does she treat you alright?" She asked softly, "Like, for someone that did that?"


<Peter Parkman> The images came thick and fast; the two of them sprawled naked on that rug in front of the fire, with the dogs banished outside. Pleasuring her with only the basics. A tremor spread the length of his body, helpless there on the floor with Jersey leaning over him. She leaned away, though. She stole those images right out of his head with her question. He cleared his throat and furrowed his brow. "She treats me just fine," he said.


<Jersey> "Good." She smiled gently, unaware of his thoughts before she leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "I'm glad to hear that." Getting up once more, Jersey pulled off her sweater, the tank top underneath lifting to reveal the calligraphed 'because I say so' tattoo along her left hip before she had the shirt down and she went to put her sweater on the back of the couch..


<Peter Parkman> Peter had a perfect view of the tattoo as she removed the sweater. He canted his head to the side to read it, only for the tank top to fall back over it. Before he even knew what he was doing he was up on his knees, crawling toward her, his face at the height of her torso. His finger lifted the hem of the tank top so that he could read the words, cold fingers inadvertently brushing her warm skin. He lifted his eyes to Jersey's face. "You're so stubborn, you had to have it etched permanently into your skin?" he asked, a little amused.


<Jersey> Her breath hitched as his fingertips sent a shot of pleasure down her spine from the cold shock while she looked down at him. Giving a soft smirk, her hand moved to brush through his hair affectionately. "Yep, definitely as a constant reminder that I'm always right." She joked, not really knowing the true meaning and not minding it, either.


<Peter Parkman> He snatched his hand away, as if burned. He folded his hands behind his back, still kneeling there in front of her with all the obedience of one of the dogs--the dogs who still trotted around the two of them, tails wagging, wanting to know what their humans were doing. Her hand felt good as if pushed through his hair; Peter relaxed only slightly as he tried to remember that it was going to be alright. But of course he couldn't guarantee that, and remained a little cautious. "I beg to differ," he said, even as he pushed he lifted his chin in welcome of the fingers through his hair.


<Jersey> Her eyebrows lifted softly as she watched him move his hand before realizing what happened, a blush playing across her features, "Sorry, it felt good. Cold, but good." She continued to lightly run her hand through his hair before she giggled a bit and bit her lip lightly. "Only you could." Afterwards, Jersey cupped her hand against his cheek and studied his features. "Tell me what you're thinking?"


<Peter Parkman> "Why do you always want to know what I'm thinking?" Peter rumbled. He kept his hands behind his back - which were now being licked to death by Lady - and continued to gaze up at Jersey. "Wouldn't like to keep a little mystery?" he asked. The only reason he wouldn't tell her what he was thinking, of course, was that he feared he couldn't or wouldn't actually be able to follow through, and that she'd be terribly disappointed.


<Jersey> "Because I like to know your thoughts." She responded with a chuckle before slipping her arms gently around his neck and grinned at Lady. Biting her lip lightly, she looked back to the man curiously and then down at his eyes lightly. "I'm yours, if you want me, Peter." As she said it, she felt her heart flutter from nerves and she blushed.


<Peter Parkman> The blush was the thing that undid him. It was a magical thing, a wave of heat that touched every part of her skin. He liked that blush, just a little bit too much. There'd been a battle between the voices in his head - between Keara's voice and Enver's - and Enver's was beginning to win out. Not because Peter respected Keara any less - he was in fact terrified should she find out about his actions tonight - but because Enver's words aligned with Peter's own desires. He did want Jersey. He had wanted her for quite a while. The tattoo still showed and Peter leaned forward to press his lips to it, one hand reaching up to grasp Jersey's thigh.


<Jersey> She gave a soft little sigh at the feel of his lips against her skin, his hand on her thigh and her eyes fell shut contently. "Mm, keep it up and I'm not going to want to leave the cabin tonight." Not that she really wanted to, anyway. She brushed her fingertips once more through his hair, this time at the base of his neck before she opened her eyes halfway and looked down at him contently.


<Peter Parkman> Peter didn't particularly want her to leave, either. The way she was looking at him was very 'come hither', and he didn't disobey. As soon as he had kissed her he'd opened the floodgates; he'd had one taste and now he wanted more. He slowly stood, hand slipping from her thigh and up over her hip, to slip beneath the tank top and rest upon her waist. The other again cradles her head as he kisses her, exploring those soft lips of hers with near-relaxed abandon.


<Jersey> She smiled lazily as she slid her hands from his hair and her arms from around his shoulders, she let them rest against his chest while he stood up. She focused on the feel of his lips, the way they felt against hers and the sensations that rolled through her body in waves. After a minute, she grinned and parted enough to chuckle out, "Mm, nope. Not going back to the hotel" and took another breath, his scent going in with it before she returned back to the kiss.


<Peter Parkman> The thoughts that came to mind came unbidden. Peter wondered what it might be like if he did actually submit to the baser desires. If he banished the dogs and slowly began to undress Jersey. What would it be like for her, a woman who cannot remember her past? Just looking at her he had to assume that it wouldn't be her first time - but would it feel like it, anyway? If she had no other memory to compare it to - and then he doubted himself, yet again. How could he possibly make it worthwhile? But he continued to kiss her, regardless, and didn't argue with her. "Stay as long as you like," he said. He could already see the future, blooming in front of them. Why did he just tell her that? He pulled away and brushed the hair from her face, tucking it neatly behind her ears, gazing down at her thoughtfully. "Just don't tempt me, okay?" he said.


<Jersey> Jersey leaned up and pressed another soft kiss to his lips before she relaxed, inclining her head while she looked up at him innocently. "Me? Tempt you? I haven't a clue of what you mean." She knew that he'd know it was a lie even without listening to her heartbeat. "I'll behave."


<Peter Parkman> Peter frowned down at her, disbelief painted into the curve of his brow. "And then you go ahead and make me doubt you," he mumbled. "I mean it. If I accidentally impregnate you with a monster that rips out of your womb and leaves you a broken and bloodied pulp, I'll probably throw myself under a bus," he said.


<Jersey> "I can't promise I won't kiss you," She gave him a soft and gentle smile as she looked up at him, "but I will behave when it comes to tempting you because that image? Yeah, kind of so far from being arousing. The idea of you throwing yourself under a bus? No."


<Peter Parkman> Peter hesitated for a moment or two longer, before finally nodding. Underneath it all he did trust Jersey. And he would have to trust her in this, too. Besides which, even if she did tempt him, if it actually worked it would be as much his fault as it would be hers. He had to have the willpower to say no. "I do like kissing you," he said with a wry smile, though he didn't immediately lean down to kiss her again. Instead, he led her over to the couch where they could sit comfortably.


<Jersey> She grinned at him gently, her light green eyes bright as she followed him contently. "Good, because I like kissing you, too." Jersey winked at him before sitting down on the couch, her hair falling over her shoulder.


<Peter Parkman> She'd said she would behave, and Peter had hardly believed her. She said she liked kissing him but she didn't move to kiss him again. He wondered whether his admonitions had actually struck a chord - he, too, sat still, even though he still held Jersey's hand; his thumb caressed a circle over her knuckles. Perhaps the thought of fadebeast babies had given her pause - and so it should, too. The fire crackled. Jack jumped up onto the couch behind Peter; Ellie followed suit, the girl trying to push her way onto Peter's lap but not succeeding.


<Jersey> "You two are adorable, but," She chuckled and carefully nudged the dogs out of the way before she carefully slid into Peter's lap and squeezed his hand, peering down at the man's features, "I think I'm going to steal your dad's lap for this evening." Letting go of Peter's hand, she reached over to scratch the two quickly in apology before her arms went back around his neck as she leaned down and pressed her lips once more to his.


<Peter Parkman> Peter almost purred in contentment as Jersey slipped onto his lap, an instinctual reaction that he could not quite contain. He leaned back into the softness of the couch, his head resting against the back of it as she kissed him again. His arms wrapped around her, hand sliding up her back so fingers could dig and pull gently at the cloth of the tank top in order to hold her close. They could kiss. There was nothing wrong with kissing. It was perfectly fine. And perfectly normal. He gave in to the dizzying sensation of comfort and latent desire; the enjoyment he felt was a balm on his frazzled nerves.


<Jersey> She shivered with delight, her fingertips pressing and gently caressing the back of his neck as she settled against his body comfortably and relaxed. It didn't seem to bother her at all, his cold skin against her warm one - she could almost say it was refreshing as she leaned down more into the kiss before pulling back to breathe for a few moments. Her skin was flushed once more and she brushed her thumb against the skin below his hairline back and forth.


<Peter Parkman> And there they would stay, with the fire crackling before them, and the dogs ceasing their restlessness around them. At some point Peter got up to let the dogs out - they'd go do their business and would return to their kennels. Peter himself would return to the couch - a huge leather affair with rustic blankets drapes over - with Jersey. He'd revel in her warmth and he'd be both joyous and disappointed that they managed to keep their clothes on. The chatter was normal and near meaningless, and there wasn't much of it. He had to catch up on what he had missed out on. And when Jersey fell asleep in his arms he would watch her, lost to his own thoughts and wide awake until the sun started to ascend, at which point he would pass out, dead to the world and completely immovable.


<Jersey> While he'd gotten up and went to let the dogs out, Jersey had changed back into her sweater and gotten ready for sleep the best that she could, removing her bra before she returned back to the couch and curled up in one of the blankets. Every now and then when the conversation fell short, she would kiss him before sleep had finally won out as she snuggled up comfortably to his chest and drifted off in his arms with a content and happy smile dancing across her lips