Who: Ro and Merrick When: Sometime before Samhain Where:Ro's Their apartmentp What: House rules Warnings: Some reference to previous adult situations with questionable or no consent
Merrick had resumed his usual routine of going on long walks through Las Vegas before returning to Ro’s residence to pace in front of the window and then disappearing into his vessel. The djinn didn’t need to sleep, but he found it enjoyable among other mortal things. Right now, he stood in front of his new mistress’s window, dressed in a deep purple business suit minus the jacket and vest. His fingers lightly chimed with the rings that still encircled each of them.
It had been easy to pretend Merrick wasn't actually here. Ro had been avoiding her apartment, going out, going to work, going back out and starting the cycle all over again. When she did have to come for something, there was no sign of Merrick beyond his jar. Of course the streak couldn't last. Neither could Ro's avoidance of her own apartment.
She set her keys down on the countertop, still in last night's party clothes. And there was Merrick at the window. "Hey," she sighed. "You hungry? I'm making eggs." She didn't wait for a response, just went to the fridge and started pulling out eggs and butter.
The djinn slowly turned as he heard Ro unlock and open the door. He noted that her clothing looked like it had been slept in or wore longer than just a few hours. “Perhaps.” Merrick offered as he slowly walked over to the kitchen counter. “You were out a while. Did you get fed?”
“Yes,” Ro answered without shame. “That’s a specific question. Not with this kind of food, though. I’m assuming you’ve been eating? Or getting whatever it is you need?” Honestly Ro wasn’t sure what to say to Merrick besides complimenting him on his taste in suits. Eggs were easier to manage. Ro decided she was in the mood for sandwiches. Bread was added to her ingredients, along with cheese and sriracha.
“I eat sometimes. Drinks. I’m all right.” Merrick replied, the corners of his mouth tugging upward. “I will take mine scrambled, but only two eggs.” He pulled out a stool and sat it down.
Ro nodded and set out a second skillet, falling quiet as she worked. It was easy for her to stay silent instead of looking for chatter and amusement while she was cooking. Busy hands, still mind. After not that much time, she set out two plates. The first was scrambled eggs and bacon for Merrick, which she handed over to him. The second had her sandwich, which carried over to sit next to him.
“So,” she said finally. “I don’t know how much longer I can avoid being home.”
Unbuttoning the cuffs of his sleeves, Merrick rolled them up next to just above his elbows as he watched Ro cook. Sighing, he smiled at her knowing that she had a lot going on in her mind. “Thank you,” the djinn nodded and regarded her before picking up a fork.
“I take long walks and I have a couple of acquaintances in town in case you want some time here alone.”
Ro raised her eyebrows. “How long can we actually sustain that? I think I have to start getting used to the idea that you’re here.”
Merrick paused after a bite of scrambled egg. “Probably not long.” For some reason, he liked Ro. But many times in the past, that affinity didn’t last long.
“Then help me out, man.” Ro said. “I’ve never done this before. I don’t usually like having people around my private space but I can try and get over it. But you’ve done this bit before, you gotta let me know what’s going to help. I have no idea what you need.”
“I do not have to stay here if you would prefer,” Merrick offered as he looked Ro in the eye. “Allowing me to go further than a few hundred feet from my vessel was one way. And that’s done. I need many things, but the highest one isn’t anything we need to worry about.” The djinn really wanted to be free of his servitude, but there were too many possibilities of such a wish would cost. “I am a living being...like you - with needs, wants.”
"Why keep you so close? I mean, I don't care where you go. What makes people want to keep you around? Don't you poof back when I touch the jar anyway?" Ro wasn’t going to disagree that Merrick was a person.
“Possessiveness, wanting to have me at the ready in case they want to make a wish or have their way otherwise,” Merrick spoke bluntly. His dark brown eyes seemed darker. “Yes, I do poof back when you touch the jar.”
Something in Merrick’s words caught Ro's attention. "Have their way?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "Meaning…?"
The djinn’s hand had still minutes ago, his scrambled eggs beginning to get cold. “Exactly what you think.” Merrick answered.
Ro shook her head firmly at that. "No. No no no. Nope. I like sex as much as the next lust vampire but even ignoring the consent issues, it's too close to home. My home is where I come to relax and unwind from doing that. Just having another person here is intimate enough without entering that into the equation."
Merrick nodded. “And I promise if I were to find someone and the mood struck, I would not bring them back here.” It was a slight diversion from the seriousness of non-consensual, servitude-bound subject.
"Appreciated," Ro said. "I don't like to let people know where I live. I've had situations where angry partners turned up at my home. Not pleasant."
She shook her head and took another bite of her sandwich. "So I don't care where you go. Travel where you want. What else?"
“You’re welcome. Yes, that sounds unpleasant.” Merrick nodded and stabbed a piece of scrambled egg.
“I think that is all I want for now. The rest can wait. We are at an understanding, ground rules and all. But do not hesitate asking more questions when they arise.” Merrick spoke and then ate the bite of egg.
"Then I guess I'll let you know if I have a wish. Might be awhile. There's not a lot I actually want." Ro shrugged.
“Sounds good to me,” Merrick spoke once swallowing the bite of egg. “There isn’t any rush. I promise.”