Division of Worlds

CH 8


Two weeks.

Then three.

Finally a month had passed since Vespat had arrived in this dimension and now it was soon the peak time for his magics to be restored to make the portal. Sitting on the roof with Jocelyn sitting beside him, he looked up practically giddy with the idea of returning home. Returning to his own bed, to his work…

Of course, he wouldn't be alone in this venture. He had still promised to take his 'partner' to the other side. Jocelyn had taken the time from work to make it a 'research' trip so there would be no questions. Her bag was packed and ready downstairs, notebooks tucked into pockets so she could record anything that intrigued her.

And maybe a few scattering sketches of Ves while he was asleep on the couch a few times.

"Can you believe that it's almost time?"Jocelyn said, hardly restraining her excitement.

"Home sweet home. The desert flowers should be blooming around this time and the planting season begins in the just a few short weeks after."Vespat sighed wistfully and tucked his knee up under his chin, his arms wrapped around it. Both of them sat up high on the air conditioning unit, staring up at the night sky.

The woman gave a shiver, pulling her shawl about her a little more. "Desert means warm weather on this side…"She shivered. "What I wouldn't give for decent weather…It's rain or sleet here."

"I would rather this weather…You don't know how vital water is in my dimension…Everything here is readily available to you. Perhaps some time there will change your opinions of your own dimension…"Ves said as he removed his heavy cloak, bringing it about her and settling back down again. Jocelyn pulled it tighter about her, realizing just how thick the fabric was.

"What is this thing made of?"She asked randomly.

"The hair and hide of a Kersh. They're quite similar to your…Sheep?"Ves said, scratching the side of his head. "No…A mix of your sheep and your cows."

"There are highland cows that look like big sheep in a country across the ocean. I would see why this is so heavy and warm."Jocelyn chuckled and started to wriggle off of the unit, turning so she could slide off and land on her feet. "We should both get some rest. Tomorrow we've got a whole day to pack and plan."

"Right…"Ves sighed, hopping off easily from the unit and landing right in front of her, his hair falling about then billowing forward with the breeze. Jocelyn reached up and tucked a bit of his hair away behind one of his long ears.

"You should really think about tying your hair back."She chuckled warmly, turning and striding over to the fire escape.

"That is not for you to decide about my hair, woman…"Ves huffed as he joined her, climbing down the fire escape first and helping her down. When they stepped back into the room where the fire escape was, Ves fingering a bit of his own hair a little. Jocelyn had disappeared but that was enough time for him to contemplate.

Was this woman crazy and off her rocker or did she really want to move to what was the 'beyond'?

A head of curly hair peeked over around the doorway, looking at him oddly. "Are you coming or what?"Jocelyn huffed.

"I am…There is something important we need to discuss before bed. Some things that will save your hide when we go."He answered, striding over and poking her on the forehead then striding past her. "I can't wait to go home and get away from this awful, wet dimension."

"You've gotten awfully snooty in a few minutes…"The woman frowned, following behind him and meeting him in the living room. Jocelyn sat on the couch while Vespat took her big reclining chair, his feet propped up as he contemplated even more so than the other room.

"Rule one…"He started, Jocelyn's head perking. "You must keep your face and hair hidden while we're in the male city…if you're in the city out of season, there is the more likely chance that you will either be arrested to sent to work in the pleasure quarters."

"That won't be a problem…but the pleasure quarters? I may end up getting sent off to be some other dimensional man's home to be a cook mores than a sex slave."Jocelyn huffed.

"You would be surprised…"Vespat sighed, rolling his eyes some and holding up two fingers. "Rule two: You are for absolutely no reason step away from my side or out of sight unless you are told otherwise. I have an idea for an identity for you if you are discovered to be female so don't worry about that."

"And what is it?"Jocelyn pondered, leaning in some.

"You will find out if the situation calls for it. I trust your acting skills are as good as your social ones."Ves said as he inclined his head. That just made her redden angrily and jerk her eyes away. "Rule three: when you're in my home, touch only to what I can indicate for you to touch. I don't want your human smell all over the place and especially your womanly one. People will begin to think I'm hoarding females away for my own personal use but I'm far from that type."

"That'll be easy."

"I'm sure…"He rolled his eyes. "Last rule: If you see your other self on that side, then you absolutely NOT contact them or make contact with them. That will make a huge flux in the dimensional realms."

"Flux?"

"Let me put it this way…if two bodies from two different dimensions meet and one perhaps kills the other, they're strength and knowledge will increase ten fold but it will also cause an adverse reaction. If one dies, another in another dimension will die. That beast man made an error and forgot the most important rule."Vespat said as he rose to his feet. "While we're in my home, I'll explain some customary things to be wary of."

"Right."Jocelyn said as she got to her feet but when Ves stepped over, he shoved her back onto the couch.

"Do you completely understand…what I am doing could bring danger not only to myself but you if ever you were caught…I…There are only a few scattering dimensions that know of the ability to travel to others and this one isn't even on the cusp of finding it…It could spell disaster."Ves said as he squeezed her shoulders, looking deeply into her eyes and further into her soul. She stared, back in surprise but unwavering.

"I do…If I do something out of line…you've got every right to take the Discus and send me back here."Jocelyn agreed, bringing her hands to his wrists. "It's okay…I know what I'm getting myself into."

"I highly doubt that."Ves said as he removed his hands.


As the night passed and moved into day, Jocelyn packed lighter than she had initially planned and made a small dinner before they made a long walk. It was pouring again as they trudged down the bank to the stream that emptied into the bay. Ves stood, drenched even though an umbrella was being held over his head. The elfling looked up to the sky, waiting and looking down to Jocelyn who was minding the time. Slowly the rain started to shrink down to nothing, the clouds scattering around as Vespat raised his gloved hands over the river bank.

One spark. Then another. Ves's hands electrocuted with energy as he forced it forward, a white open pocket opening in mid air. Jocelyn pushed back her sopping bangs, looking at it in all. It really was like a science fiction movie.

She was half expecting a Doctor to walk out of the portal in a telephone booth.

"I'll step through but you must come immediately behind me."Ves warned, starting to move forward, Jocelyn following behind immediately. The portal on the inside was warm as she stepped through, looking around the vortex with awe. Looking forward, she saw that Vespat was walking and she quickly caught up with him. Around them, it seemed like the park was breaking away in pieces and rebuilding in a collection of darker colors with tans and reds.

The sound of other languages poured from the other opening of the vortex and when they stepped out, Vespat and Jocelyn were standing in a large building with pillars that opened up to a city-like area made out of sandstone and clay. Vespat looked about, whipping around and wrapping his wet cloak about her, pulling the hood up. "Follow closely behind me. Hold onto the back of my shirt if you must."

"R-right…What is this place?"She spoke lowly, glancing about at all the strange men. She could see variations of Vespat's own race, a few of them standing together with their hair in an assortment of different colors: Orange, teal, blue…she wondered if they represented tribes or families of some sort. Ves cleared his throat, Jocelyn reaching forward and grabbing his coat.

As the building opened up, the area they were in was a large plaza which Vespat walked briskly through, pushing through people with his head held high. It too was made of stone but there was a fountain sputtering water while men of all sorts gathered water and took it back home in buckets or vases. "Is that the only water source?"She asked, making her voice sound deeper.

"No. There are more of those dotted around the city. We're getting closer to my home."He said as he slowed his pace a little.

"Oh…What's this city called?"Jocelyn asked, Vespat bringing his arm about her and walking a little faster.

"Barugidanash. In your common tongue, it's similar to "Mankind's Prefecture of the Priests"…It's a holy city for a very broad religion in this dimension…One I do not follow."Ves said as he pulled off into another street heading towards an iron gate. He stopped, waving his hand in front of it as the wrought iron squeaked open, closing behind them as they passed through.

"Master?"A voice called from above, Vespat looking up and moving in front of Jocelyn.

"Yes, I'm home Morago…"Ves sighed as a figure descended down the stairs inside and met them at the front door. Jocelyn peeked around Vespat as she witnessed the sight of a lean, tall man standing gracefully before them. His black hair grew well past his bottom and he was decorated with a series of gold patterns painted along his forehead with a single gem in the middle. His eyes were a striking, icy blue but his skin was dark and creamy like ground hazelnuts.

"And who is it that you have brought with you? Another servant for the house or perhaps a guest?"Morago smiled gently, peeking around. "Master, you are kind, I could always use an extra hand."

"We'll discuss this privately now go inside and prepare a room why don't you?"Ves hissed as Morago smiled, bowing and turning. Vespat walked forward, dragging Jocelyn easily in front of him with a strength he didn't have in that other dimension. Stepping inside, it was like stepping into a mansion carved from tan stone with scatterings of objects and paintings about the place.

"Your home is amazing…And this is just the foyer…Morago is a servant? I could have mistaken her for your wife…"She asked as she took a few steps forward but still keeping pretty close.

"Morago isn't female. He's all male. He's from a race called the Arahats here…A ambiguous race. You can't really tell who's male or who's female unless you see what's beneath they're clothing."Vespat said.

"So how did you find out?"Jocelyn asked, looking almost appalled.

"By accident."Vespat said as he looked upstairs to see Morago staring down, stepping down slowly and gracefully as he went to greet them with a shy smile. "Is the room prepared?"

"Indeed…Can they understand what I am saying?"Morago asked as he looked to the person underneath the cloak, leaning down slightly.

Vespat looked down to Jocelyn who peeked up at him. She nodded some, indicating to her backpack with a shrug. So the discus was translating things to her? What an odd turn of things…He was almost curious to see if it would translate her words as well. The elfling nodded, the beautiful male smiling at the stranger gently.

"Then it is nice to meet you…I did not know Master was intrigued by female company?"Morago purred almost, looking over to the taller elfling with a rather curious expression.

"H-how did you know I was…"Jocelyn sputtered, pulling back the hood of the cloak from her face.

Morago's eyes rose some, glancing back to Vespat then back to her. "It wouldn't be quite obvious wouldn't it?"The Arahat pointed out, indicating to her bosom which he ran a long finger down. "She is quite the curvaceous one, Master…I'm sure I can find some clothes that will suit her to this environment well."

"That will not be a problem. Go prepare dinner, I will give Jocelyn my own guidance throughout the manor to the guest bedroom."Vespat said as he put his hand on her back.

"As you wish, Master Vespat…Mistress Jocelyn."Morago bowed, the servant walking off. Ves watched him and immediately guided her up the carpeted stairs toward the second floor. He slowed, exhaling a long sigh of relief as he lead her along the hallways. He didn't even bother to point things out, instead taking her to his chambers where he flopped down on his bed.

"Phew…I didn't think that would be easy but we're here."Ves said as he removed the glasses from his face. "And I can see again."

"So much for the grand tour…but that was nerve wracking. Your dimension is so amazing though! I'm still in awe just from the big building with columns we walked out of."Jocelyn said as she removed his cloak, setting it on a coat hook by the door.

"That was the main transportation temple. The only one in the city in order to prevent mass problems of putting too much wear on the dimensional bridges."Ves explained as he sat up on his bed. "Come. Sit."

"Right…On your bed. I don't think so. You've been jerking me around since we've gotten here…"Jocelyn said as she sat in a chair covered in a quilt made of different kinds of fabrics. "Right here is fine…So tell me, what is it that's changed about you once we landed here?"

Vespat let a smile spread across his face, rising from his bed and striding over. "I'm surprised you picked it up so quickly…Then again, you were already on your toes in your own world."He said as he removed his gloves. "My hearing is so much better along with my sight…my strength and speed are ten fold…And my magics as well. Don't worry though…I have taste and I always keep my promises."

"Oh gee we should all be blessed with your poor taste in women."Jocelyn threw up her hands and crossed her arms right after. Ves stood in front of her, chuckling deeply.

"We should all indeed…Morago, I know you're listening."He spoke, looking over his shoulder. Morago opened the door, bowing and holding a bundle of fabric in his arms.

"Your hearing is as keen as ever. I've brought the Mistress a change of clothing for dinner."Morago said, holding up a dark blue gown that made the woman raise a curious eyebrow. She glanced at Ves who contemplated thoughtfully before nodding. "Please follow me, Mistress Jocelyn."

"A-alright…Ves, I'm taking the bag with me."Jocelyn addressed as she picked up the pack and shouldered it, following Morago. The elfling stood there, watching as she left before turning to get changed from his own clothing. In the guest bedroom, Morago helped her into the gown, buttoning her up in the back and sitting her down at the vanity.

"Master…Were you the one caring for him in the time he was away?"Morago asked bashfully as he brushed back her hair to tie it back with some silver threading.

"Well…He found me and we made a deal…but yes, he stayed with me in the time he was away from home. I hope that is alright with you?"Jocelyn asked as she looked at him through the mirror, squinting a little as she tried to watch him work. Morago smiled, reaching down and setting the frames on her face.

"It is perfectly fine. I am glad Master Vespat is back and safe. Now, let us get you down stairs…he gets impatient when he has to wait for a lady to come downstairs. He'll explain things further in time."Morago said as he gently took her hand, holding it up and guiding her out gracefully. Jocelyn reached back, grabbing a separate bag that the Discus was being kept in, shouldering it and carrying it with her downstairs.

Vespat had gotten up when he heard the doors upstairs open and close, Morago talking in hushed whispers to Jocelyn, who hummed with interest. Curse that Arahat and his sly ways…Standing at the bottom of the stairs, he saw the draped figure of Jocelyn descend, Morago standing up top. The elfling stared, watching her come down further until she touched down in front of him.

"Ves…I see you have a taste for women's clothing…"The siren teased.

"I-…I do business with the female cities as well. Some spend the night but I pay no mind to them."Ves said, clearing his throat and turning away. Jocelyn peered at him, seeing that he was wearing black compared to his red and purple clothes that he wore in her dimension. Adjusting her glasses with a slight push with her fingers, she smiled coyly.

"Really…Well, I am interested to see what Morago has cooked up."Jocelyn said as she looked over her shoulder to see the Arahat's face beam with surprise. "But please, do continue on your ramblings about females."she then addressed to Ves with a chuckle.

The elfling gave a growl, whipping his head about and leading the way to the dining room grudgingly. Morago pulled a chair out for Jocelyn, starting to serve them before taking his own plate off to a different room. Dinner was very quiet. Even though Ves gave her a few details of what exactly Morago made, she found each dish more exotic than the last but each had a homely flavor that wasn't completely different from her own cooking. By desert, the elfling was leaned back in his chair contently.

"I have truly missed home…"Vespat said as he rubbed his stomach.

"My cooking his not horrible and you even admitted to liking it to an extent."Jocelyn said, pointing a fork at him. "Morago should be very lucky that you aren't a picky eater."

"I beg to differ, Mistress Jocelyn…"Morago chuckled sweetly as he slid a plate of something that reminded her of flan.

"How so?"She asked.

"Well…when I was first under service, he didn't quite like any dishes I served to him. It took a while to find what he did like…What was served tonight was his favorite dish and I hope you enjoy the sweet ending before bath and bed."Morago smiled as he slid another plate in front of Ves who raised a dark eyebrow.

"Of course."Jocelyn smiled. When the servant left, she turned back to Ves. "He's a very sweet man. I don't know why you get so grouchy when he comes around. He tells me more about you than you will about yourself."

"That's because you're a temporary guest and 'coworker' for a brief time until the Discus is decoded."Ves huffed, pushing away from the table and striding out of the dining room but not without taking the dessert with him to his room.

"Sour puss…I wish I brought my kettle with me…"She grumbled, biting into a piece of the dessert. Morago fetched her afterwards, taking her to the guest bedroom where she could bathe. The entire bathroom was odd. Instead of doing everything in one space, there were two. One area for soaking another for doing the bathing routines. However, there was a dry, third area where she patted herself down, doing her typical routine as she dressed in her night clothes.

"Mistress, how was your bath?"Morago asked as he stood there with his hands folded,

"It was really nice. It reminds me of home almost…there's a country that bathes very similarly."She said as she tied back her hair. Morago smiled a little bashfully, looking down at his feet. "What?"

"I am very flattered…I don't receive compliments often…Master…even seems to have changed a little with being away from home. I thank you."He said, bowing respectfully.

"Please, Morago…You can call me Jocelyn. I'm no Mistress and I would rather be a friend. Even if Ves is a prick, don't be afraid to ask me questions."She said as she patted his arm gently.

"Thank you…J-Jocelyn…I will leave you to rest for the evening. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me."The Arahat bowed again and left, his white clothing trailing behind him out through the door. Jocelyn peeked out of her room, watching him as he headed down the hall, stopping at Vespat's room. The door opened and he disappeared inside.

"Master? You seem troubled."Morago frowned, seeing Ves' bothered face. The researcher sat down on the collection of pillows on the floor near the fire place, bringing his knee up to tuck under his chin.

"I'm having some thoughts…and some issues. Not with you, but having that woman in my home…Can you not smell it?"Ves asked, looking to the Arahat who stared, his eyebrows furrowing which caused the dry gold paint on his skin to move with it.

"Smell, sir? She had a very clean and tidy smell but I haven't…Oh…"Morago started, his eyebrows raising. "I see…Since you've come back here…you've started to notice more things? That is quite peculiar that it would bother you…"

"Her smell is like the strongest pheromones I've come across and something about her…just little things I failed to notice in that wet dimension are now coming into full light. I don't know what to call this feeling and it's making my stomach churn irregularly."Ves said as he looked over his shoulder. "What would you call this feeling?"

"Admiration…or Passion…Perhaps even an attraction?"Morago said as he kelt down beside the troubled man. "You will figure it out soon enough, Master Vespat. She is a remarkable female of foreign origin."


That night, Jocelyn lay tossing and turning. It wasn't the heat of the desert night or the coolness of it either. There was sand but she felt none inside her bed or even around the house. There was something missing in the bed. Something she wanted to grab onto and make these horrible flashes go away. Jon's tail would always be inches from her heart and she would be helpless in her dreams. Maybe it was all the beasts she saw walking on two legs through Barugidanash that reminded her of him.

A hand touched her shoulder, Jocelyn stirring and looking over to see Vespat frowning down at her. "I can hear your moans down the hall."He mumbled.

"O-oh…I'm sorry…"She yawned, sitting up and reaching for her glasses. Sliding them onto her face, she ran her fingers through her tossed hair.

"Even when you cross into a world full of them you're worried. Though I do think it's reasonable…Come on."Vespat extended his hand, the woman looking at him oddly. "I am inviting you to my chambers to sleep. My bed is large enough."

"I'm sure it is…"Jocelyn sighed with a roll of her eyes and then squeaking when the Elfling picked her up bridal style. She clung to him, digging her fingers into his bare back. "P-put me down! You're going to drop me!"

"I won't."Ves said as he carried her out, stopping to grab the discus's bag in a low stoop and walking out of the room. Jocelyn's fingers didn't even feel like they were breaking the skin and by the time they were in his room, she had relaxed some.

And then he dropped her but on the bed. He busily put some of the decorative pillows in a spot that divided the bed into two spaces. Ves took his place as Jocelyn removed her glasses. "Just like home…"She yawned and shook her head, pulling the blankets up

"This is temporary…"He grumbled.

"I know."She answered. "How do you say 'Good Night' in your native tongue?"

"Nacht. Gaida Nacht."Vespat answered.

"Gaida Nacht then."Jocelyn Mumbled, pulling the blankets up over her head.