By the Light of the Moon (closed)

[saedo]

Closed for Madame Nyx

"C'mon, Inara," Julie encouraged, pulling her friend along the path. "You don't want to be late." The lanky blonde had her arm wrapped around that of her caramel-skinned companion -- a maneuver somewhat complicated by Inara's petite height.

The pair emerged from the trees into a small clearing lit by a collection of torches arranged around the perimeter. A couple dozen other figures milled about or sat atop rows of ancient logs that formed a semicircle facing the center. Like Julie and Inara, the female figures all wore white robes; the smaller number of men were clad in dark gray.

"Sorry that my robe is bit snug," Julie whispered, nodding towards the accentuated cleavage peeking past out of Inara's neckline. "You're just a bit bustier than I am. But no one will mind, trust me. The Moon Goddess has boobs for days, so it's kinda expected."

Julie guided the two of them to an open space on a log. "Just in time," she whispered. "That's Marion, the leader of our coven."

A woman in white stepped to the center of the clearing. Her hair was gray with streaks of white and her eyes and mouth had deep lines when she smiled. "Greetings, children of the Wild," she declared. Her eyes glittered warmly in the bright light of the full moon. "I am pleased to see so many of you here. Tonight is a special night, indeed."

Julie provided a whispered explanation of events as Marion began the ceremony. "You picked a good night to attend, Inara. Next month is an annual celebration of how the Goddess of the Moon mates with the Horned God so that she can then give birth to the new year. However, this year that ceremony coincides with a special moon in a way that won't happen again for decades, so we're doing a special ritual next month to commemorate it. So this month, we select one woman and one man to serve as the representatives of the deities in the ceremony next month." Julie giggled with excitement. "It's such an honor to be chosen."

Marion completed her incantation and called to the crowd. "The Horned God stirs, children. Through his seed will life bloom anew and the cycle continue. Who amongst you will stand for him?"

"That's the call for the men," Julie explained. Indeed, the several gray-robed figures all stepped forward from the audience and assembled at the center of the clearing. "Marion is handing them each a branch of holly. They'll then wave it over a sacred moonstone to solicit the Horned God's blessing."

The men did as Julie described. Nothing happened initially, but the fourth individual's branch twitched. After a moment, it inexplicably began to steadily expand, sprouting new leaves as the wood extended. Gasps of amazement whispered through the audience. When the process ended as suddenly as it started, the mystical branch had expanded nearly half again its original size.

"Children, the Horned God has chosen!" proclaimed Marion. "Our brother Simon shall be His avatar!" The audience clapped and cheered.

"It was pretty much bound to be Simon Idris," Julie explained to her companion over the applause. "He's practically Brad Pitt gorgeous and a total sweetheart." Julie suppressed a giggle as she added. "Plus, rumor has it he's hung like a moose, so who better to represent the Horned God." She tittered again, deeply amused at her own joke.

Julie nudged Inara and pointed surreptitiously towards a white-robed figure whose platinum hair gleamed in the moonlight. If Inara felt any reservations about showing too much cleavage, the plentiful half moons curving out of this woman's bodice blew such concerns away. "Diana's probably a shoe-in for the Moon Goddess," Julie sighed. "What I wouldn't give to have her figure."

Marion dismissed the men and called forth again. "The Moon Goddess awakes, dear children. Through she does all life begin. Through she does the cycle renew. Who among you will stand for her?"

Nearly every white robe stood and walked to the center of the clearing. Julie grasped Inara by the arm and urged her onto her feet. "C'mon, Inara, join in the ceremony with us," she encouraged. "All the girls get to participate and all you have to do is stand there and hold the branch. It'll be a fun first experience with the coven. C'mon!"

 

[MadameNyx]

"C'mon, Inara,"

The young woman found herself smiling while she was dragged along by the tall blonde. Really, Inara had been lucky to have made such a good friend so soon after moving to Boston for her new job. They had been close during the month-long training and it was nice to have a friendly face in a city she knew no one. Living in the same apartment building, Julie had made it her mission to show her around and tonight had decided to take her to her own coven's festivities.

Finally finding a log to sit on, the brunette looked down at herself. She wore simple sandals that didn't help her 5'0 frame look any taller. The robe she had borrowed from Julie hid most of her curves, through it clung to the bosom that was slightly heavy for her petite frame. The hood hid her curly dark brown hair from the wind, the unremarkable brown eyes behind glasses and the full lips that graced her face.

While her friend explained all about Beltane and what would take place that very night, Inara allowed her eyes to examine those gathered around them. There was a sense of sameness with the men wearing grey robes and the women wearing white ones but, even then, she felt a bit out of place. Not so much uncomfortable, but more as if she was looking into a part of these people's lives that was perhaps kept private from others. She watched quietly while the males gathered around the altar and really didn't pay much attention until she heard the gasps.

What had been only a barren stick a second ago had turned into a flowing branch, bigger than before in the hands of the hooded figure that held it. Her brown orbs took notice of the broad shoulders and tall stature of the man, but nothing else was apparent behind his robe. Julie's commentary made her blush lightly, the change of color easily hidden by her dark coloring and the hood. She was startled, however, when the blonde grabbed her hand and dragged her forwards towards the altar.

"Julie what are you doing? I can't go up there..." the young brunette whispered frantically, even as her friend walked them to the altar and held them there "I'm not Wiccan. This isn't alright...."

Inara had never really identified with any religion, but that wasn't the point. She somehow felt like she was diminishing the faith of everyone around her just by taking place in such an important ceremony. Biting her lower lip, she watched as her fingers wrapped around the branch given to her, hoping against hope, that no one would realize that they had never seen her before.

The girl's dark eyes followed the progression of the ritual as each of the women before her lightly touched the branch they had been given to the moonstone. The stone took her attention for a moment. Instead of the usual small, oval shape she was used to, this one had a somewhat rectangular shape with jagged edges. Even though it hadn't been polished smooth, the plays of purple, blue and white on its center somehow mesmerized her.

Feeling a nudge on her shoulder from Julie, she realized it was her turn. Here goes nothing. Hopefully, I won't be struck down or engulfed in flames by this goddess they keep mentioning...

Leaning forwards, she lightly brushed her branch along the slightly cloudy stone.

At first, Inara felt nothing. A few seconds later, she could feel a light warmth in the center of her chest that slowly spread up her shoulder, down her arm and into her fingertips which made them tingle. Even as she heard the women gasp around her, she dared not look at the branch in her hand. Her eyes, instead, focused on Julie's smiling face.

What the hell did I do?

 

[saedo]

Julie stepped forward and swept her branch across the sacred moonstone, silently hoping that the honor might be hers. The blessing of the Moon Goddess, torrid nights with Simon Idris. . . she bit her lower lip at the prospects.

But after a brief pause, Marion signaled her to step back. The Goddess hadn't chosen her. Julie sighed softly. Ah well, she knew it was a long shot. She'd always heard that the deities favored avatars that resembled them. Hence Simon was such an obvious choice, what with his broad shoulders, muscled frame, and. . . other attributes.

She glanced down the line at Diana. With her natural curves and pale skin, she was almost a living portrait of the Goddess already. Might as well have skipped right to her.

Still, at least Inara was getting a taste of real Wicca. Julie knew from trying to explain to others that it was too easy to dismiss the coven as a bunch of hippies who cavorted around half-naked in the woods. Outsiders too often failed to understand the importance of their practices if they merely watched. Wicca had to be experienced. Perhaps by participating in the ceremony, Inara might better appreciate their beliefs.

Julie nudged Inara to step forward. Her friend nervously swept her holly branch across the moonstone. Another couple of seconds and Marion would signal her to step back and. . . .

Except that didn't happen. To Julie's -- and multiple others' -- profound amazement, Inara's branch trembled a moment. Then with deliberate speed, bright red berries began to appear across the branch. Each swelled into plump little spheres till a dozen tiny bunches peeked out from amongst the leaves.

The remaining audience -- most of them were already standing at the center of the clearing -- oohed and ahhed. Marion proclaimed, "The Goddess has chosen! Sister-!"

The coven leader paused and squinted curiously at the diminutive figure. "I don't know you, child. What is your name?"

"Inara!" Julie blurted before her friend -- clearly stunned at these unexpected events -- could respond. "Her name is Inara Laurel!" She calmed herself slightly and continued. "She's my friend. I brought her as a guest tonight. . . ."

"A guest?!" Diana ordinarily flowed like warm maple syrup, but her indignation sounded shrill and harsh. "She's not even a member of the coven?! This can't be!"

Diana waved her own branch across the moonstone. When nothing happened, she whipped it back and forth several times with increasing fervor. "No! This can't be. This can't be! It was supposed to be me!"

The pale blonde glared down at the petite brunette. "It can't be her!" she asserted, none to subtly thrusting out her impressive chest. "She's far too dark-skinned to represent the Goddess of the Moon. This has to be a mistake!"

"Mistake?" Marion's question was posed quietly, but somehow it chilled to hear. "Mistake?" She repeated, bringing everyone to an immediate hush. "The branch bears fruit as all can see, but you suggest that the Goddess has made a made a mistake?"

Diana's pale cheeks almost glowed red as the blush bloomed. "I. . . I . . . no. . . no. . . of course not. I would never. . . ," the blonde beauty stammered.

Marion nodded, her point made. "Sister Inara, though you are new to her children, the Goddess has always known you," the coven leader declared, patting the stunned girl on her shoulder. "Thus has she chosen you to be her avatar!"

Julie grinned with delight as she joined in the covens applause and cheers. She made sure she was the first to embrace her in a hug. "Oh, this is so wonderful, Inara! You're the chosen!"

 

[MadameNyx]

Even though she could vaguely understand what was going on around her, Inara's eyes traveled from Julie's face to the branch that she held in her small hand. It seemed rather extraordinary that this was happening to someone as normal as her or, perhaps even more importantly, to someone that didn't necessarily believe. Before her very eyes a small seed, looking very similar to a pearl, turned slowly redder and plump. A finger's breath farther, a small white flower bloomed to accompany others that already adorned the branch, their aroma surrounding her in its pleasant fragrance.

The sudden exclamation from a woman - Diana, she remembered Julie calling her - snapped her out of her quiet contemplation. Allowing the jab at her skin color to roll off her as if it mattered not, she examined the woman. At that moment, the face that had looked serene at the start of the ritual seemed somehow ugly, marred with the harsh lines of the woman's anger.

Marion's soft voice and gentle touch turned her attention elsewhere. Her blush returned with a vengeance at the kind and accepting manner she was being spoken to and she felt a relieved smile appear on her lips at the woman's words before she was enveloped in arms.

"Julie, I'm going to need some help through all of this." the young woman murmured quietly while others cheered around her.

What had she gotten herself into? She remembered Julie mentioning that a special ritual would take place the next month but what did it entail? The bits of information she had mentioned about the man chosen seemed trivial unless they would be dancing around naked.

As if drawn by the thought of him, Inara's eyes searched for him throughout the crowd, though she knew not how she would recognize someone she hadn't seen the face of.

 

[saedo]

"Julie, I'm going to need some help through all of this."

"Oh, sure, sure," Julie assured her friend. "But don't worry, you're going to be great." Her eyes were still wide with surprise. Inara had been chosen. Who could have predicted that.

The next several minutes, the petite brunette was repeatedly embraced by the rest of the coven. The general sentiment was that everyone was slightly mystified that a first-time attendee had been chosen for such an honor, but otherwise they were quite pleased to welcome Inara into their fold.

Well, almost everyone. Diana offered naught but a curt handshake to Inara. "Congratulations," she grumbled with only a semblance of sincerity. Her baleful green eyes swept over Inara in a cold appraisal. "You expect her to handle him?" she sneered at Julie. "A tiny thing like her?"

"Oh, you hush, Diana, "Julie shot back defensively. "Inara will handle him just fine when the time comes. Just you wait and see!"

Diana merely snorted and moved on. Julie glared after her, but felt her confidence wane as she considered Diana's point. Inara was definitely the shortest person here by at least a couple inches. Might that be a factor? Especially if the rumors were true. Was Inara up to the task ahead of her?

Julie paled suddenly. How could Inara be up to a task if she had no idea what was now expected of her? Inara knew nothing of Wicca. Yet because Julie had coaxed her to volunteer, the poor girl was the chosen avatar of the Goddess. What if it really was too much for her? What would happen?

Before Julie could give voice to any of her burgeoning concerns, a tall figure appeared before them. Julie stepped instinctively behind her friend as a gray-robed figure approached and pushed back his hood. Sandy blond hair framed a face with a firm jaw and sultry lips, but Julie found it difficult to see anything but the boundless depths of his piercing blue eyes.

Julie's nipples hardened into rocks against Inara's shoulder blades despite herself. Oh Goddess, he was so dreamy. She vaguely heard herself make introductions. "Oh, Simon, this is my friend Inara. Inara Laurel. Inara, this is Simon Idris."

The lightly tanned face split into an uneasy smile as he stared down at them. Julie felt small next to Simon’s 6'2", so no telling how Inara did. "Uh, hi," he began, his deep voice rumbling slightly with uncertainty. "Congratulations. Um, I suppose maybe we should get together and talk before the big event . I mean, if you want. Just feels like we might want to get to know each other first. So maybe get together for. . . coffee?" He shrugged, awaiting her response.

 

[MadameNyx]

It was surprising to her how welcoming the coven was. The young woman would've expected a reaction not unlike the one Diana had yet somehow, after the third or forth hug, she somehow felt like she belonged there now. Her awkward smile had turned into a real one and her arms embraced the others as strongly as she was embraced. She had never felt so serene in any religious gathering before.

Though Inara was busy hugging and greeting the rest of the coven still, she followed Julie's conversation with Diana. Handle him? Handle whom and how? The frown on the blonde's face worried her, but her attention was drawn elsewhere.

The tall man heading towards her was handsome, true, but she had long learned not to get swept away by a pretty face. Still, with Julie's nipples pressing against her back, the young brunette pulled her own hood off and allowed them both to appraise the other.

Simon was certainly what could be described as hunky: tall, broad-shouldered. His face was a handsome one but, unknowingly, she agreed with Julie. His eyes seemed to draw her in, somehow drowning her in their blue ocean. The deep voice seemed to resonate inside of her, but what disarmed her was the uncertainty in his voice and the smile that seemed rather nervous. This man, that many of the women around her seemed to regard as the epitome of maleness, was somehow as surprised about this as she was.

"Thank you. Congrats to you as well." Inara said softly, her slight accent a little more noticeable due to her own nervousness. She tried very hard not to glance towards Diana, who certainly looked like more than a match for this man than she. Not that she didn't think herself pretty, but she was certainly not ethereal beautiful like the other woman. Locking her eyes with his blue ones, she wondered what was going through his mind. "Coffee sounds... good. Thank you."

 

[saedo]

"Coffee sounds... good. Thank you."

"Okay, how about this Saturday, say 10 AM? At the Houndstooth off Lamar Blvd?" Simon suggested, referring to a well known coffee bar.

"She'll be there," piped up Julie. She blushed slightly as Simon's blue gaze found hers. Her knees felt weak as he nodded in response.

"Okay, good. Well, I'll see you then. Night." Simon waved and turned towards the trail of followers wandering back toward the parking lot. He was joined at the clearing's edge by Diana, who glared back at the pair before falling in step with Simon.

"Yeep," squeaked Julie. "Bet that's going to be a rough car ride home." Catching Inara's curious expression, the tawny blonde explained. "See, Diana and Simon are sort of an. . . item. Yeeeeah. They haven't been together long, so I don't think it's super serious, but . . . ." Julie trailed off, trying to pick her words. "So in addition to Diana thinking you stole her spot, you also kinda sorta stepped in with her guy. . . . Oops."

"Please don't be mad at me," Julie pleaded as they began to follow the crowd. "I just thought you'd have more fun if you participated in the ceremony rather than just sitting and watching. I mean, Wicca is so amazing when you get to experience it. Under the moon with the smell of nature all around as you feel the night breeze on your face. I mean, there's nothing else like it. I mean, did I ever tell you about the time I first called the spirits of the wind? It was so incredible!"

Julie's story monopolized the conversation all the way back to the car. It was only when they were both buckled in that the blonde managed to loop back to her original thread. "So I had no idea that you could be chosen and wind up taking part in the Beltrane ritual next month. I'm sorry if I put you in a tight. . . ."

Julie trailed off as an icy realization slid down her spine. She giggled nervously as she glanced over at her friend. "Uh, funny thing. I don't suppose I might have already mentioned that the Beltrane next month is a fertility ritual? No? Well it is. Ha. Funny, huh? Ha. Ha ha." Julie's voice constricted to a tight, high-pitched whisper. "Please don't hate me."

 

[MadameNyx]

"Goodnight," Inara replied softly while she watched him walk away. She caught the glare Diana sent her way before she raised her eyebrows at what Julie had just said. Great. Now I'm the other woman without even being interested she thought to herself while they made their way to their own car.

"I'm not mad at you, Jules." the brunette said with a small laugh before she bumped the other woman with her hip lightly "I was just taken by surprise. To be honest, I felt very at ease by how accepting most of the coven were." Happily, she allowed the tall blonde to continue talking about her experiences while they reached the car and buckled in, wondering if she would experience such a moment herself. She fully expected to take the time now to study and understand Wicca. It was the least she could do now that she had been chosen, honoring the trust had had been placed upon her.

The next words uttered made her fingers freeze on the safety belt. Surely, Julie couldn't mean... "A fertility ritual? As in, dancing around naked, right?" Inara asked while she felt herself pale. Oh, hell no... she thought while she bit her lip and looked into the blonde's eyes. Julie knew quite well how badly her last relationship had gone and how she had run away from men like the plague for the past 5 years now. Even though they weren't talking about her having that type of relationship with Simon, they were talking about... what? Sex with a stranger?

"Julie..."

 

[saedo]

"A fertility ritual? As in, dancing around naked, right?"

Julie giggled nervously. "Well, yes. Definitely dancing. Definitely." She paused. "To start . . . ."

"Julie . . . ." Inara's voice became insistent.

" Okay, okay," Julie blustered, caving to the emotional pressure. "Normally it's just for show. You know, a metaphorical reenactment. So yes, it's a lot of dancing and chanting as we recognize the deities' role."

The blonde sighed. "But it's different this time because Beltrane and the rare tetrad at the same time." She inhaled sharply. "Marion says this time the chosen avatars will 'reenact the joining of the Goddess of the Moon and the Horned God that new life might spring forth once more.' Or something like that. Marion tends to get a bit flowery when she talks about it."

Julie glanced over at her friend as age put the car in gear. "That's not a problem, is it?" she ventured cautiously. "I mean, Simon is pretty easy on the eyes, after all. Granted, I know you said you haven't been with anyone in a while -- not since the Big Break-up -- but it's not like you've forgotten how everything works."

Julie gasped, clapping her hand over her mouth. "Oh Goddess, you haven't given up men entirely have you?! I mean, nothing against lesbians, of course. I've even tried it a few times. But if you're totally not into guys any more and now you've got to sleep with one . . .?!"

Julie quivered with anxiety as the implications of such a horrible combination flooded her mind. "Oh no, please tell me I haven't done that to you! Please tell me you're still into guys!"

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara rested her hands on her lap, making a visible effort to relax while she listened to Julie explain what was expected of her. Yes, Simon was good looking, but that didn't mean she wanted to jump in bed with him. And even though her friend was obviously right in saying that she hadn't forgotten how sex worked, the truth of the matter was she was afraid. She wasn't scared of the actual act, but what could happen after. As much as she wanted to believe she could enjoy a good rump and not get attached somehow... she really think she couldn't.

"Oh no, please tell me I haven't done that to you! Please tell me you're still into guys!"

The brunette couldn't help her laugh as she was brought back to the conversation. Giving Julie her trademark smile, she tried to calm her some. "I'm an equal opportunity provider, Jules. You now that." she replied with a chuckle before she turned a bit more serious and sighed "I just don't want to get myself into trouble."

Thinking a moment on the rest of what Marion had said, the young woman shrugged. She needn't worry about a child. It was the twenty-first century, for Christ'- Goddess', she thought to herself with a small smile- sake. She would just continue taking the birth control she was on.

Really, all that held her back was herself. And why should she? Perhaps a good roll with a random man, someone she wouldn't get attached to was exactly what she needed right now.

"It'll be alright. I'll be alright." Inara said the last with conviction before she placed her hand on Julie's and gave it a light squeeze. "Thank you for bringing me tonight. I won't let you down."

Laying back against the headrest, the brunette tried to calm her racing heart, deciding to read up on Wicca the moment she returned home. If she was going to do this, she needed to be as prepared as she could.

 

[saedo]

Simon absent-mindedly swirled his caffe mocha. His mind was a million miles away from the Houndstooth. Just a few days ago, everything had seemed to be falling into place. But now. . . .

Diana had been so sure that the two of them would be chosen. She'd been sure almost since Marion announced the fertility ritual to be performed at this year's Beltrane. That'd been last winter -- half a year ago. It'd only been a few weeks later when Diana had approached him about it. even that far back, Diana had been confident who the avatars would be.

"C'mon, Simon," she'd purred, placing an uncharacteristically familiar hand on his chest. "Look around. You're obviously going to stand in for the Horned God. And does anyone else here look the part as much as I do?" Then thrust her chest out at him.

Simon’s memory got a little hazy. After all, it wasn't like their coven lacked for nice racks. (He wasn't sure if women interested in Wicca just tended to be curvaceous or if that was one of the unspoken benefits of worshipping the Goddess of the Moon; a real chicken or egg situation, probably.) So when the bustiest member of such a group thrust her tits at you, it was pretty damn distracting.

Everything had seemed to go to plan, too. He'd been chosen, just as Diana predicted. But then out of nowhere, this totally random stranger got picked instead of Diana. Who the hell was this Inara? Her first night attending the coven and she gets picked for a once in a blue moon ritual? Was she even going to go through with it?

Simon felt even more adrift without Diana's input. Her confidence had been the driving force for months. But she'd glared at him a few nights ago as if he'd been the one to pick Inara over her. As if he could make a holly branch bloom. He'd tried to talk to her about it, but she'd stormed off without him that night. His calls and texts had yet to receive a response. He didn't know what to make of it.

The front door of Houndstooth swung open and a caramel-skinned beauty stepped inside. Simon rose from the table and waved her over. "Hey, Inara."

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara sighed and tried to relax while she made her way to the coffee shop they had agreed to meet at, The Houndstooth. It was still a bit chilly to be May, but Boston was famous for having whatever weather it damned well pleased. Still, it was comfortable enough to make the walk pleasant. Goddess knew she needed the time to try and calm her nerves.

As soon as Julie had dropped her off at her apartment door, the brunette had dived into research. She bought about five different books on Wicca and devoured them between work breaks, her usual swims every evening and read some more before falling asleep. Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to talk to Julie again due to a big project being assigned to the blonde so she still felt like she was walking in the dark.

Taking a deep breath, the petite woman walked into the coffee shop, glad that she had chosen to wear comfortable jeans, boots, and a simple long-sleeved cardigan over a tank top. Hearing the male voice call her, she adjusted her path towards him.

"Hi Simon," she responded in a soft voice while she took the seat right across from him. Catching the eye of one of the servers, she ordered a mocha with whipped cream before allowing her eyes to settle on the man in front of her. Her brown orbs examined him discreetly, a hand rising to twirl one of her curls around a finger in a distracted gesture before she took a breath and said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble with... Diana, was it?"

 

[saedo]

Simon sat down when Inara took her seat. Another minute passed as she placed an order. He took the time to observe his counterpart.

In the light of day and with her face no longer shrouded by a ceremonial robe, she seemed far less mysterious than their first encounter. She looked younger than he remembered, though perhaps that was her size. Even seated, her petite frame seemed almost childlike.

Of course, that hint of youthful innocence wavered somewhat when his eyes glanced lower. The cardigan she wore to fend off the wind on this somewhat blustery day gaped enough to reveal a tank top that was only just containing her impressive bosom. Not quite Diana's size, he noted, but then Diana had several inches on the diminutive Hispanic. On a proportional basis. . . Simon had to resist the urge not to whistle.

He flicked his gaze up to her face a few blinks before her brown eyes turned to meet him. For a moment, they just looked at each other in silence.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble with... Diana, was it?"

Fortunately Simon was between sips and avoided the need for a spit take. How the hell had she known what he'd just been thinking?

He stared at her for a few uncomfortable beats before logic reasserted itself. Obviously hadn't known what he was thinking. Everybody in the coven had heard how poorly Diana had taken the news. As the new girl, it was only natural that Inara be concerned that she'd earned someone's hostility. It was just coincidence he'd been pondering something similar just moments earlier.

"Sorry," he began. "You just caught me off guard with that question. It's just that . . . well, no matter." He waved a hand to brush away his attempt to explain his crazy thought. "It's not your fault. I mean, the deities choose who they choose." He shrugged.

Besides, he wasn't sure that Inara had necessarily caused a problem so much as exposed an existing one. He shook that thought away as well. Now was not the time or place.

"Well, I suppose I thought we should get to know each other a little.. . . You know, what with the stuff we have to do. . . . You know, at the ceremony next month. . . . ." Simon paused to take a deep breath. He normally spoke with an actual semblance of coherent thought, so his halting delivery was proof that his mind was distracted.

Forget about Diana and that tangled bird's nest of their relationship. Focus on Inara. She was the one he needed to know about. Start with the obvious.

"Do you know what happens next month?" Simon began. "Do you know what being the avatar means?"

 

[MadameNyx]

The brown orbs watched Simon quietly while he thought of a response. Inara hadn't missed the way his eyes wandered down her body. Biting her lower lip, she stifled a shiver than ran down her spine, glad the cardigan hid the goosebumps that appeared along her arms and the slight hardening of her nipples. Whatever else she might think of this stranger, he had an effect on her as well as any other woman close to him. She couldn't know if it was somehow the Horned God's doing, or if there was just an extra something about Simon himself that called to her in a somewhat primal way.

"Do you know what happens next month? Do you know what being the avatar means?"

Snapping out of her own thoughts, the brunette adjusted the glasses framing her eyes in a practiced gesture before she sighed softly "Apart from knowing we'll have sex, no." she said bluntly, yet in a gentle voice.

"I've read a couple of books on Wicca this past week, all of them very educational. None of them, however, mention a ritual quite like this one," the young woman said before she continued, "'Skyclad' rituals seem to be the choice of both the practitioner and the coven, and I haven't had a chance to talk more to Julie about it. So I still feel a little in the dark."

A server brought her drink, earning a thankful smile from Inara before she wrapped her hands around the warm cup. No matter what she had said to Julie in the car that night, she was definitely nervous and more than a little worried too.

"What do you know of this ritual, Simon?"

 

[saedo]

"Apart from knowing we'll have sex, no."

Simon felt the color rise in his cheeks, as if he'd been caught ogling. It felt oddly embarrassing to talk about this out loud. Usually sex just happened -- or didn't happen, as he'd often found. Either way, he wasn't used to discussing it as a foregone conclusion weeks in advance.

I've read a couple of books on Wicca this past week, all of them very educational. None of them, however, mention a ritual quite like this one,

Simon shook his head. "No, not likely. I mean, we do a similar ritual most years, but it's all symbolic. Mostly pantomime about the two deities. The two avatars memorize a few lines. Bit like a school play, really."

He instinctively glanced around and lowered his voice. " But this. . . . This stuff is completely different. Marion says this is some old school, ancient tradition shit we're doing. Like as in thousands of years ago. This lunar event stuff happens decades apart, so not not many folks alive to see the last go round. It's definitely not going to be something you find in a book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble."

He glanced around again. While he doubted anyone in Houndstooth was listening in, just as well some total stranger didn't hear him talking about archaic rites performed by light of the moon. "This stuff is powerful, too. And not in a spiritual sense, either. You saw what happened with the holly branches? That's not some magic trick. So when they talk about us bring infused with blessed essence, best take it seriously. Things will definitely be different."

Simon leaned back and tried to relax. With Diana in the wind, he was having to do this on his own. She was the one who had studied all this stuff; he felt a bit lost without her.

Of course, Inara probably was, too. It wasn't like she was any better prepared for this than he was. She was having to learn as she went.

The thought jogged a memory. "Are you going to select a handmaid?" Her uncertain expression prompted him to explain. "Sometimes the chosen of the Goddess select a handmaid to aid her in preparation for the ritual. Doesn't seem to be mandatory; you can go it alone if you rather. But might be nice to have someone to lean on."

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara saw the blush appear on his cheeks and felt her own blush appear. She hadn't meant to be so blunt about it, but the sex was already a given. They were left with the task of trying to make it less awkward between them when the time finally came to 'do the dirty'.

"Are you going to select a handmaid?"

The brunette listened to him explain what he meant while she ran a fingertip along the whipped cream of her drink and brought it to her lips. She frowned for a moment, before returning her hands to holding the warm cup and replying in a soft voice "I suppose Julie would be my choice. I don't know any of the other women in the coven."

"How would she help me prepare, exactly?"

What he had mentioned before about the magic finally registered in her mind and made her freeze.

"So even though there were medical advances, I should be...ready to..." she said in halting words before she felt the color drain from her face. Of course, she had brushed off the magic that had made the holly branch bloom. Of course, she had wanted to believe there was at least some sense of control left in all of this for her. She had wanted to believe it hadn't just been dictated- that there was a very high chance that she would have a child. Simon's child. All without being asked if she even wanted to.

Biting her lower lip, the young woman raised her eyes to his once more. What about him? He hadn't asked for this either. He had probably resigned himself to the fact that he would just have a child with Diana before they were ready, nothing more. Not have one with a total stranger.

 

[saedo]

"How would she help me prepare, exactly?"

Simon could only shrug. "I don't know exactly. Marion mentioned it once when she told the coven about the special ritual. I don't think it's just for show; it sounded like something with actual duties." Simon held up his palms. "I confess I wasn't paying that close attention."

"Maybe ask Marion?" he suggested. "Or Julie? I think she was there. Or maybe. . . ." Simon trailed off. Well, of course, Diana would know; she'd learned everything she could about it. But he doubted she was ready to lend a helping hand to Inara. She wouldn't even take his phone calls and they'd been together for months. No, that was a bad idea. "Julie, yeah, I'm sure she can help."

" So even though there were medical advances, I should be . . . ready to . . ."

Simon’s eyes narrowed in confusion as he tried to follow her meandering question. Medical advances? Ready to? Fortunately, Inara's accompanying hand gestures added sufficient context. Eventually.

"You should be ready to. . . build a snowman? No? Ready to . . . get fat?" He smiled eagerly as the mental light bulb turned on. "Oh! You mean get pre-!"

Simon remembered their public surroundings and bit off the last syllables. Chastened by his near-mistake, he began again in a whisper. "You mean get pregnant." He nodded. "Yeah, that's a possibility."

"Apparently the essence of the divine in large part will make us super fertile. I mean, according to legend, 'thus when her womb was swollen with his seed, did the Goddess declare it to be good'. Or something like that." Simon shrugged.

"Anywise, it's apparently not a given, but just a strong possibility. But it's not something we can definitely control. Or maybe it's just that we shouldn't try. I think that's bad luck. Or maybe it means a bad harvest? It's definitely not something good."

Simon paused. His next question seemed a bit bold to ask a girl he barely knew. But then he was already talking with this near-stranger about having sex and possibly even a baby as if they were scheduling an oil change. She seemed pretty comfortable with following a tradition dating back thousands of years thusfar. Perhaps she planned to follow through on all of it, right down to the letter.

"So, does that mean you plan to. . . I mean, if it happens. . . if you do get pregnant. . . do you plan to follow tradition and put up for adoption?"

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara listened to the rest of his words while her hand made its way to her forearm, her thumb pressing lightly against a cylindrical bump under her skin. I guess I have to get rid of this... Wouldn't want to upset the gods, would we? she thought with hollow acceptance. She allowed her mind to wander, to concentrate on remembering to set up the appointment, on thinking that she'd have to ask for Monday off work for it before his last words snapped her out of her wanderings once more.

"So, does that mean you plan to. . . I mean if it happens. . . if you do get pregnant. . . do you plan to follow tradition and put up for adoption?"

"I... what? It's tradition?" the brunette answered in a startled voice. She blushed at her outburst and frowned down at the remainder of her drink. She had always thought that putting a child through adoption was somewhat cruel, though she understood that sometimes it was necessary for the good of those involved. Biting her lower lip, she locked her eyes with his again.

"I... I don't think I could do that." Inara replied truthfully before she looked down at her drink again. "I don't expect anything from you. But I don't think I could leave my child to go through this world thinking they were not loved or wanted."

The petite woman knew it would be hard for her to raise a child, and she had never really had any plans to have one, but she knew what she said was the truth. Smiling a little ruefully at her cup, she continued, "I'll figure it out. I have nine months to do so if it happens."

Looking out the window, the woman sighed. This conversation was making her very anxious. She wished they would just step outside.

Raising the cup to her lips, Inara drank the last of her mocha and rummaged about her purse. Placing enough money to cover both drinks and the tip, she stood up. "C'mon Simon. Let's stop talking about things we can't change."

At his weird look, she found herself shrugging, a somewhat shaky smile on her lips. "If we're going to get to know each other, we might as well pretend this is a date. And I, for one, think it's a lovely day to walk through the park." With that, she offered him her hand and waited.

 

[saedo]

"I... what? It's tradition?"

Simon nodded. "Yes. How did Marion put it? 'For as the Goddess births the Spring for all the world, so too must be the birth from their avatars also be given freely to others.' I suppose it's sorta sacrilegious if we act opposite of the deities, what with us being their chosen representatives."

"But I don't think I could leave my child to go through this world thinking they were not loved or wanted."

Simon raised an eyebrow. "Don't see that happening. I mean, assuming you stay in Boston. The Maxwells are really lovely people, so I'm sure they'd want you to have an active role. They've been members since I was 12, so I don't doubt they'd be excellent parents." He paused. "Of course, I'm just guessing it'll be them, but seems pretty likely, what with their having no luck having one of their own. After all, you know what they say: the Goddess will provide." He shrugged.

Inara looked uncertain about the idea. Still, he probably should expect her to somewhat reticent. He'd been raised by Wiccans, so his faith came as second nature. Perhaps Inara was just now finding hers. Trust in the Path might take some time.

His companion rose, which proved only a modest change gives her diminutive stature. "C'mon Simon," she announced. "Let's stop talking about things we can't change. I, for one, think it's a lovely day to walk through the park."

Simon glanced towards the window, where the sun was making a vigorous showing. "Okay, if you like." He stood up as well, forcing her to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. He reached for her hand and enfolded it inside his long, tapered fingers. Despite it being their first time, her palm seemed strangely comfortable in his grip -- almost familiar.

Despite summer's imminent arrival, the temperature was just cool enough to make him glad he'd worn a windbreaker. They walked a block in silence that somehow didn't feel awkward. The park loomed as sea of green a few streets ahead.

Content as he was for the moment, he could hardly get to know her by touch alone. "So, I understand you're a somewhat recent arrival to the area," he began. "What brought you to Boston?"

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara listened intently while he tried to explain the tradition. The Maxwells? Perhaps he referred to Marion herself with her partner? Perhaps it was someone that had been part of the circle that fateful night. No matter. She would search for more clarification later, if... If I get pregnant, she thought to herself before sparing a thought for the family that had been trying for a child for so long. Perhaps her child, if the opportunity was given, would be just the blessing they were looking for.

The sound of the chair being pulled back captured the petite woman's attention. Her brown orbs met his blue ones while she felt his hand gently grab hers. It surprised her how comfortable her smaller hand felt in his. Usually, she felt a little awkward when holding hands with a man. Not because she didn't want the touch, mostly because she felt like a small child when doing so. With Simon, though, it was oddly comforting.

As they walked outside and slowly made their way to the park, Inara allowed herself to enjoy the light breeze that caressed her face and made strands of her long hair tease her face. She loved days like this. Not too warm, just chilly enough to warrant a light jacket. It was the perfect day to go to that special spot in the park.

"So, I understand you're a somewhat recent arrival to the area. What brought you to Boston?"

"Mmm work, for the most part," the young woman replied while they walked, "I had always wanted to move away from home. Puerto Rico is beautiful in its own way, but I wanted to live somewhere I wouldn't melt all year. And," she hesitated before continuing her thought, blushing lightly at the childishness of it all "I wanted to live somewhere I could see the leaves change color in autumn. I think it's beautiful."

"As for that night..." Inara smiled at the recollection and continued, "Julie asked me to come. She knew I had always considered myself spiritual, but I didn't really feel comfortable in a church. Back home, people aren't that ahh liberal when it comes to religion."

"But after reading some this week, after the meeting with the coven... Wicca feels right." she murmured before she chuckled and added in a lower, somewhat conspiratorial tone "Though now that I am an avatar of the Goddess, I can't really say otherwise, can't I?"

"What about you?"

Having reached the entrance to the park, Inara paused. Her attention turned back to their hands, seeming somewhat captivated by them. Slowly, almost as if she was waiting for him to pull away, she turned her hand a little in his. Her fingers slowly twined with his, her gaze catching his once more. Once she saw no desire to move away, she felt herself smile shyly and lightly pulled him towards the path ahead.

"I have somewhere to show you..."

 

[saedo]

"Though now that I am an avatar of the Goddess, I can't really say otherwise, can't I?"

Simon grinned and bumped playfully against her. "No, I suppose not."

" What about you?"

"Grew up here. Doesn't much sound it, I know. Mom didn't like me dropping my Rs. Wanted me to talk like a 'propah' gentleman," he said with a smile. "Folks moved to Arizona a while back. Dry air is good for Dad's lungs and Mom is glad to be done with Boston winters."

" I stayed here," he continued with a shrug. "Got a job, the coven, the Sox. . . . Just wouldn't be the same, I don't think."

Simon glanced down. Somewhere in the midst of his musing, Inara's fingers had become entwined with his own. Not that he objected. It was . . . nice.

A shy smile crept across Inara's face. "I have somewhere to show you," she murmured confidentially. She tugged him towards the park.

Feeling slightly bemused at letting a girl half his size pull him along like a balloon on a string, Simon yielded to her. "Okay. Lead on."

 

[MadameNyx]

Simon's gentle bump against Inara had made her smile. She was happy that they were getting to know each other a bit more. Already it was less awkward to talk to each other, and the touch of their hands felt comfortable to her. She listened intently while he shared more of himself with her.

"Hmm, so baseball is your sport of choice? Do you practice it as well, or just like to watch it?" the girl asked before she grinned "I haven't watched sports since Michael Jordan stopped playing for the Chicago Bulls. But I do love swimming..."

The petite woman's voice took on a softer tone while she led him down one of the main paths in the park. "Swimming is so peaceful to me, almost like meditating. It's the time of the day where I can stop worrying about everything else and just focus on the beat of my heart and the movement of my body. It's.... soothing."

Inara blushed at her words. He probably thought she was crazy. Spotting the huge willow tree that guarded the entrance to their destination, she led him off the path and started walking through the grass towards it.

"I found this place the first time I ran through the park. I was looking for some cover from a sudden rain shower and happened to stumble upon it."

The willow tree in front of them was big enough that its branches and leaves seemed to create a wall that blocked whatever was beyond from the rest of the park. Raising her hand, Inara gently pulled the tendrils of leaves to the side, nudging Simon lightly in front of her. "Go ahead..."

Once past the first layer of leaves, they were encompassed in an area that was actually surrounded by four willow trees. The area wasn't too big, but the trees provided shelter from the cool wind, the canopy thick enough that it made the place feel somewhat private. The curtain of leaves that surrounded the area somehow managed to allow small beams of sunlight through, the light making colorful plays on the grass as the wind moved the outer leaves.

"I like coming here," Inara murmured while she sat on the grass in the middle of the small space, leaning back on her elbows to look at the sunlight breaking through the leaves, "It's a quiet place to think and just enjoy what's around you."

Turning her head, she watched him with her dark eyes, wondering what he was thinking about.

 

[saedo]

Do you practice it as well, or just like to watch it?

"Track and field, actually. Tried swimming, too, but I wasn't quite fast to be competitive."

I do love swimming," Inara gushed in response. Her voice softened and her eyes became heavy-lidded as she continued to muse aloud. Swimming is so peaceful to me, almost like meditating. It's the time of the day where I can stop worrying about everything else and just focus on the beat of my heart and the movement of my body. It's.... soothing."

Simon pictured the petite beauty floating motionless in an otherwise empty pool. He could almost feel her tranquility.

Then his mind drifted to what the busty creature might look like in a form-fitting swimsuit. Things became somewhat less tranquil thereafter, particularly in his lower half.

Inara pulled him onwards, plunging off the path and into the denser growth. They emerged moments later in a sun-dappled clearing. The dense grass provided a thick carpet under foot. Inara squatted down and leaned back on her elbows. It's a quiet place to think and just enjoy what's around you." she murmured approvingly.

Simon’s eyes flicked over his caramel-skinned. With her elbows behind her, her chest was thrust out in a manner he found difficult not to ogle. He sat down beside her to distract his mind from some of the untoward thoughts he was having.

"So, you know a bit of the situation with Diana and me," he began. "But what about you? Is there a guy in your life? Have you told him about what happens next month?"

He paused. "Or is that presumptuous to assume it would be a guy? I mean, I guess the Goddess could choose a an avatar that was into other women." He flushed. "Sorry. Guess there's just a lot to learn about each other yet."

 

[MadameNyx]

Inara felt herself wince when Simon mentioned his situation. For a minute, she put herself in Diana's shoes and understood why she had been so angry. Had she been Simon's girlfriend, and had been so sure they would both be picked for the ritual... She blushed. It didn't matter now. Inara had been picked and Diana could've been a little less unpleasant if only to save face with the coven.

Shrugging it off, the petite woman pulled off her cardigan and sighed. The willow trees made a perfect barrier against the wind, so the small clearing was warm enough for her to be comfortable just in her tank top. Laying down completely in the grass, she turned towards the handsome man beside her at his question.

"But what about you? Is there a guy in your life? Have you told him about what happens next month? Or is that presumptuous to assume it would be a guy? I mean, I guess the Goddess could choose an avatar that was into other women. Sorry. Guess there's just a lot to learn about each other yet."

"There is no one, though I have no trouble finding beauty in both women and men," Inara replied calmly. She had come to terms with her sensuality long ago and had no qualms about what she enjoyed and what didn't work for her. Resolving to be completely honest with him, she continued "I enjoy sex with both women and men. As for a relationship, though, I only see myself with men. Probably sounds a bit weird, doesn't it?"

Thinking back on his comment about sports, Inara laid pensive. She knew the Goddess stood for femininity but she also stood for the hunt, which was something she admired. The Horned God was her equal in all things. Perhaps...

"I have a suggestion," the dark haired woman said, "Perhaps we could practice swimming together. It would help us get acclimated with each other, with our bodies being in less clothing."

Inara found herself blushing slightly and ran her fingers through her dark curls in a nervous gesture "I think it would be better for us than just showing up on the night of the ritual and just get naked out of nowhere..."

 

[saedo]

I enjoy sex with both women and men. As for a relationship, though, I only see myself with men. Probably sounds a bit weird, doesn't it?

Simon shot her a quick glance at her words. She liked it with both? That must mean she had experience with both, right? There was definitely more to this woman than he expected.

Recognizing that'd his silence might be misconstrued as disapproval, Simon shook his head emphatically. "No, not at all. I mean, it's not really my place -- or anyone else's -- to judge what makes someone happy. To each his own, right?" He smiled slightly. "It's nice how open you are about it."

He tried to tamp down the illicit thoughts he was having. His mind was picturing Inara sharing a tender kiss with a sultry blonde, the two women gradually peeling off each other's clothes. He closed his eyes and crammed the thoughts back down into his subconscious. Even if they were planning to have sex next month, it seemed rude to be having sexual fantasies about her. Particularly with her sitting right here.

"And it's good that you're single," he said, trying to distract himself from the warm tingling in his pants. "I mean, not that you should be single. Just that it's probably easier that you don't have to explain to anyone why you have to sex with someone else." Diana didn't even need an explanation and she wasn't talking to him. He couldn't imagine someone entirely outside the coven reacting favorably.

"Perhaps we could practice swimming together. It would help us get acclimated with each other, with our bodies being in less clothing."

Simon nodded. "Yeah, I was wondering how to suggest something like that. Great minds, right?" He flashed her a quick smile at the implied compliment.

"It just seems like we might not want to go into the ceremony totally cold. I mean, obviously we can't just do it all in advance, but surely going into it totally unfamiliar isn't the only option. There has to be a middle ground."

"I may have to go buy swim trunks; I can't remember the last time I was in the water. " He chuckled. "I mean, I probably have my swim team speedo tucked away at the bottom of a drawer, but I'd probably look ridiculous wearing that." He shook his head at the memory.

"So where do you go swimming?" Simon inquired. "Do you have a pool you favor?"