Los Angeles

Jace

So that what's happened then.

I nod slowly and focus on Rayah for a few minutes. My mind wanders to Nic, and I begin to wonder what he's doing. He's never had to deal with something like this, and it obviously tears at him. What if he repeats the same mistakes I made him promise not to?

Guilt rises in my chest, along with worry, but I know that I can't leave. For one, Rayah wouldn't let me; and for another, Nic would just push me back here. I didn't take the hand he offered, and he wasn't going to take mine now.

"So you're through with him then?" I ask.

Jackie

I shrug, "I don't know. I still like him. But...things happen." I sigh and Rayah makes a puzzled face, coughing. I hush her and she relaxes. The thing that kills me is she's starving herself. She's already skinny, "You hungry?"

She shakes her head and I take a deep breath, biting my lip.

Jace

I take over stroking Rayah's hair back and hush her the best I can. As I do, I think about what Jackie said and about what Nic would say. This was a first for him, and it ended almost as bad as I thought it would.

"He's an a*h*le sometimes," I tell her, "but he's worth it once you get to know him."

I don't mean to, but I mumble the next part subconsciously.

"But tortured souls are never brought to light. We may light up, but we don't shine."

Jackie

I glance at him and sigh, nodding. Rayah looks up into Jace's eyes, just staring into them, and her eyes turn back to green. He's like her healing power. Makes her feel better when she's honestly feeling like crap. I want that.

Jace

I smile and move a hand to the side of Rayah's face, looking into her eyes only as she looks into mine. My thumb strokes against her cheek, and my head clears. When I remember what I was thinking about, I still keep looking at her.

"Can I ask what the problem with him was?" I ask Jackie. "So I can talk to him about it later, comfort him without humiliating him."

Jackie

Rayah giggles and I watch them, "I didn't want to lose anybody else. I didn't want to be in magazines. Nothing was wrong with him, it was me."

Rayah bites her lip, her skin not as pale as it was before.

Jace

My smile widens when Rayah giggles, and I nod slowly.

"But it was him," I say. "You blame yourself, but half of your problem was caused by him."

And then there's the other half, which doesn't make much sense in all honesty.

With a sigh, I break eye contact with Rayah and look up at Jackie. I study her a moment in hesitation before continuing.

"His problem was commitment," I say. "While he more than likely would have managed to be faithful, he doesn't quite know how to handle a relationship or friendship with anyone that lasts longer than a day. He would have self-destructed, probably is, so half of your problem was always him."

Jackie

I nod again, "I guess." Rayah has a cough attack and I hush her, getting a wet towel and putting it on her forehead to calm her down.

"You and Rayah have this...connection. It's weird. Like...I don't know. Just, its like you guys have known each other for a longer time," I whisper as she relaxes.

Jace

I calm Rayah for a bit before daring to respond to Jackie. Do I simply agree or do I bring up the connection between her and Nic that neither of them apparently see?

"You said she was of Aphrodite, right? Half, at least," I say.

Nodding, I glance up at Jackie again.

"In recent lore, it happens," I say. "They are the closest to the love goddess a mortal or half mortal can get, therefore the romance they dare to have and/or share is stronger and much more different, though somewhat the same. It's simpler, yet much more complex."

Jackie

I smile, "Oh. That makes sense. She doesn't look anything like her mother though. Like, her eyes are the same color, but everything else..." I study Rayah, "Her facial features are nothing alike if you've ever seen her. She doesn't even look like her dad, either. Posiedon. I've always wondered why."

Jace

I smile lightly and nod, looking back at Rayah. With a shrug, I continue to smooth her hair back and push Nic out of my mind. He wouldn't do anything too stupid.

Well, I hope.

"Aphrodite might have crafted her of a different model," I say. "That's the only thing I can think of."

Jackie

I nod, "Yeah. That's true. She does have that power, to change how people look."

Rayah opens her eyes and I hesitate, "Rayah's more blonde than Aphrodite. But still blonde. But she's as tan as her father. Same eyes as her mom. But...she controls fire. Weird."

Jace

I nod, studying Rayah. I get lost in her eyes for a moment, but shake it off.

"That is weird," I say.

My mind wanders to my appearance and that of Nic, and I soon find myself trying to distinguish who I look more like and who Nic does.

"I guess I look more like Hermes," I say. "Although I have my mother's smile and complexion. Nic is the opposite. He's shown me pictures--I've never seen his mother; she died when he was young--and they look like they could be siblings. The only thing Hermes left of himself is his eyes. Everything else is more mortal than god, yet more godlike than mortal."

Spoiler

Oh! This is Rayah in this time now-

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And then Jacks-

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Even with the piercing. XD

Jackie

I nod, "I look more like my mom. We could be twins."

Rayah chuckles that little laugh of hers and looks at me, "Thats true."

I smile at her and thank The Lord that she's talking.

Spoiler

Jace:

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Nic;

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He hasn't changed at all, really. I like this look of him.

Jace

I nod and smile back at Rayah, taking a deep breath. She's better. So, should I leave? Should I check on Nic? Or should I just stay and let him deal on his own?

I guess the question really boils down to whether I think he can deal with it on his own without hurting himself; and I don't think he can. Nonetheless, he wouldn't accept my help now, like I said before. I have to wait it out if I want to talk to him at all.

"How you feeling?" I ask Rayah.