Honesty

IMortiMascherati: After leaving Aislara's Stefano went to Singapore and returned the dragon statue to the Suey Sing Tong. Debt paid, all was well again between the two groups. He lingered, to share stories of how scared Escobar had looked before he died, apologized again for the small mishap with the Hung, and then left. He wanted to linger in Singapore for a few days, so he went to the family owned hotel. He was in the elevator, riding up to his suite when he searched her out. Where are you tonight? Busy?

Wei X Lin: Wei Lin was in her quarters at the pagoda, sitting at an antique vanity. Its mirror was speckled with age, but it had been in the family for centuries, and she was very fond of it. She had just pulled the jade pins out of her hair and picked up her brush when Stefano called for her. Home, she told him, and no, I'm not busy.

IMortiMascherati: A brief smile touched his mouth when she responded. As the elevator doors dinged open he was gone and now standing in front of the Pagoda's main door. Good, because I'm standing outside the door.

Wei X Lin: Smiling with simple, feminine pleasure, she pulled a section of her very long hair over her shoulder and ran the brush through it. At the same time, the pagoda's massive front doors swung open. I'm upstairs.

IMortiMascherati: He stepped through the growing familiar space. He'd never felt such energy as the kind that existed with such consistancy here. She'd know, the thought echoing privately in his mind as he began climbing the staircase, she'd probably know the moment she saw him. He clucked his tongue, walked down the hallway to her room and pushed open the door. His gaze found her easily within, the steel in his eyes softening subtly.

Wei X Lin: If she did know, she gave no outward indication. Her smile deepened as his reflection stepped into her mirror, and she turned on the stool so that she was facing him. She drew another section of hair over her shoulder. "Have the Suey Sing been appeased?"

IMortiMascherati: "They have." He crossed the threshold and closed the rooms door behind him. "Back in their good graces, though they weren't able to tell me anything about the Hungs." He stepped across the room, bending down so he could set a kiss on her mouth. "How have your days been?"

Wei X Lin: "Thank you for smoothing things over with them." She tipped her head back as he stepped into her, and met his mouth with a welcoming kiss. "Quiet. Most of the family has left for the Qingming Festival."

IMortiMascherati: "We have the place nearly to ourselves then? That has potential." He squatted down in front of her, touching her legs as he looked up at her. He was quiet a brief moment, then simply said. "There is a minor indescretion to bring to attention."

Wei X Lin: Her smile returned, slow and filled with promise. "It does. You have yet to see the sunrises here. The eastern corner on the topmost balcony is the best place for watching. It also happens to be off of my sister's empty bedroom." Then he knelt, and her smile changed, filling with knowing. "Oh?"

IMortiMascherati: Devilish amusement flickered briefly through his eyes at the first bit of information. They'd come back to that. He watched her smile change just slightly, but left little doubt to what he'd suspected earlier. "I'm sensing that I need not expect sharp objects to suddenly appear and come flying at me in anger."

Wei X Lin: Her eyes danced. "Hardly," she said, taking him by his hands and pulling him up, to sit beside her. "But do tell me what happened."

IMortiMascherati: "I could just show it to you." He clucked his tongue, paused then said, "Aislara, I would say Calebs favorite female friend, and I had an interesting, innenudeo heavy rapport. On Escobars boat, I let her kiss me before using her ability to knock me out and take the statue. Something to remember her by. When I went to retrive it, it happened again. It was not a chaste encounter. It ended with me leaving the thought in her mind that we'd slept together, simply to spite Caleb."

Wei X Lin: Of all the reactions she could have had, Wei Lin laughed. "Thank you for being honest with me. And for loving me enough to be concerned about how I might take news such as this." She picked up her brush and worked it through another section of hair. "You're human, Stefano. You're a man. An Italian man, no less. It is very hot blood that runs through your veins, and this is a strange, new world in which we live. I would be a fool indeed if I chose to believe that such temptations don't exist. If you ever find yourself desiring the company or intimacy of someone else, you need only tell me. There is no room for hurt or for resentment if there is honesty."

IMortiMascherati: He watched her motions, silent for a moment aftewards. He lifted his hand, running his fingers through a section of her soft, brushed hair. "I'm not that italian man. I enjoy flirting with temptation and walking the line more than most but, I don't require another. There have been time's and situations in my life where it's been a fun addition but nothing more." He guided her hair back so he could learn in and press his mouth against the side of her throat. "I want you."

Wei X Lin: She loved the feel of fingers sifting through her hair. Lowering the brush to her thigh, she closed her eyes and leaned into him, relishing the attention and the familiar weight of his mouth on her throat. "You have me," she said softly. She nuzzled his cheek, then lifted her eyes to his. "Your desire and your ability to walk that line is one of your many traits that makes my heart beat faster. I would be an even greater fool to condemn you for simply being the man I love."

IMortiMascherati: He turned his face so he could nuzzle it in the softness of her hair, hiding the smile that slide briefly across his mouth. "You do wonderful things to my ego. Perhaps to the detriment of the rest of the world." He slide his hands around her waist, urging her into his lap. "Thank you for understanding. If you ever desire another, I'd enjoy watching it. But I cannot promise he'll remain alive long after it."

Wei X Lin: She went quite willingly into his lap, abandoning her brush altogether to comb her fingers through his hair. A grin flickered in the corner of her mouth. "What a double standard."

IMortiMascherati: "In that instance, I am very much an italian man." He pressed his lips against her jaw, pulling up the taste of her with the quick swipe of his tongue. "How long is your family at this Qin quom whatever celebration?"

Wei X Lin: She closed her eyes again and leaned into his affection. Her fingers tightened in his hair. "Qingming," she murmured. "A festival that honors our ancestors and our dead. One more day, at least."

IMortiMascherati: "Good." He swept his arms underneath her and stood up. "Point me in the direction of this topmost balcony. I feel the urge to prove my affection."

Wei X Lin: Wrapping one arm around his shoulders, she glanced up and pointed to the ceiling. But rather than make him walk all that way, she leaned in, kissed him, and took them not to the eastern corner of the topmost balcony, but to her sister's very room. "The sun won't rise for a few hours yet," she said against his mouth. "We might as well enjoy the empty house."

IMortiMascherati: When they arrived in her sisters room, devilish laughter parted his lips, and he walked right over to her sisters bed. Now I'm forced to do the most obsence things to you." He bent his head and murmured against her mouth. "And when she comes home make sure to tell her, this was all my fault."

Wei X Lin: She toppled onto the bed and pulled him with her, stealing another rousing kiss as she did. "I will be very convincing," she promised. "The look on her face is well worth it."

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