Owner	Pose
Zatanna Zatara	It's morning. The sun light creeps through the windows, its reach extending ever farther into Zee's room. She's been awake for a while. At least long enough to do something she rarely does: cook a proper breakfast. She hasn't a clue if Satana actually eats food, mind you. She knows she is a succubus, but she hardly fits that species norms. Considering the nature of their contract, Satana is very far removed from the basic soul-sucking lust demons.     It's a typical American take on the meal. A bit on the heavy side, but then, they could both use a bit of a recovery, she imagines. Best part of being Homo Magi is that she has no fear of ruining her waistline with a bit of dietary indescretion.     In time, she will enter the room, pushing a cart with a perfectly prepped breakfast on it. She seems quite pleased with herself. Now... what is Satana up to, though?
Satana Hellstrom	*Dear Diary,* Satana's thoughts cynically go as the night passes and she listens to Zatanna's snoring beside her. As a demon (well, half-demon) she doesn't actually sleep. She merely feigns it very well. *Today I had my first Homo Magi and ... wow. They have endurance. And this one was so adorable to teach the ways of carnal sin.* Her thoughts go on in that vein about Zee's adorable lack of experience with women, her reaction to some of the toys Satana produced (and for once a partner will know full where how she produced them: reaching into a portal to grab them from her own home), and in general the odd innocence of demeanour of someone who's clearly sexually active. When Zee finally wakes and "sneaks" out of bed to "avoid waking" Satana and make breakfast, Satana finally stirs and stretches, quickly expelling the ... waste products, shall we call them? ... left all over her from the late night's activities. Another arm gesture and the wrinkled sheets get smoothed, after which Satana once again gets onto the bed, sitting cross-legged and waiting for Zee's return. "Smells lovely," she says as Zee rolls the cart back in. "Looks lovely too." Short pause as she lets the praise tickle Zee's social pleasure centres before flipping the script. "The food looks and smells wonderful too."
Zatanna Zatara	Zee is none the wiser on Satana's sleepless capabilities. While she might inquire at some point, this is not the time for such odd little questions. She is dressed, which may or may not disappoint Satana. She's not wearing her stage outfit, but rather a tight skirt and a cut off top. She's doing her best to look very good.     "You are such a flirt. But, well, you look amazing, too. Not a hair out of place, honestly." She playfully teases, "But maybe I can fix that later."     She is setting food out at a table not far from the bed. "I wasn't sure what kind of breakfast you'd appreciate," she admits. "You are a very unique woman with remarkable tastes." Is that... a little blush on her cheeks?
Satana Hellstrom	"Oh, my tastes are much the same as any other person you're likely to meet. I'm all about sensual pleasures, albeit with a focus on carnality. I only eat the occasional soul. The rest of the time I eat regular food." Satana uncurls from her position on the bed, sliding out without a lick of clothing on, approaching Zatanna from behind to wrap her arms around the magician's waist. And up a bit. JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUST on the edge of good taste. "I'm guessing from how slick my face was that you enjoyed your first time last night?" she murmurs in Zee's hair. "It's different than with a man, isn't it? Gentler. Slower. You get to build up to that urgency. I like both, but ... even as my insides tighten up to the point of nearly snapping it's somehow still relaxing." Satana lets her body heat penetrate Zee's clothing so her very near presence is very palpable. Then she releases her to sit down near the table. "You should watch it. I can be highly addictive. It starts with a romantic little fling and it ends with one or both of us crying out in the heat of mixed passion and pain for hours as our minds rot inside our skulls from the explosions of pleasure going off." She shrugs and chuckles. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Zatanna Zatara	Zee is not used to this kind of experience. Not in the least. Satana is pushing buttons she did not know she even possessed. Her swallow is a bit of a gulp when Satana embraces her from behind. She is a grown woman, but now she's blushing, her cheeks burning and pink.     "It was unlike anything I've experienced before," she says quietly. Satana can describe it so easily, but it's clear to her it is one thing to flirt, another entirely to dive into such detail.     She notices the ache that lasts just a moment as Satana releases her. "Thankfully we have an arrangement, so I will have time to enjoy this." She does not like to call it a contract, exactly. Even if her copy lays not far away, held in a magical display case.     She will sit down, trying and failing to tame her eyes and mind. She has faced demons before. Many times. And Satana is not the first beautiful woman she's seen without clothes on. She's just the first that she's ever set out to fall in love with.     She will serve Satana. It helps her find some balance and gives her something to focus on, other than the pressures of the moment. "Where do you live?" she asks curiously. It seems a safe enough topic!
Satana Hellstrom	Satana looks mildly amused at the focus on the food and the innocent question, eyes twinkling with dark mischief. "I'm a Lord of Hell, Zatanna. Where do you think I live?" She pauses just long enough for Zee to derive the obvious, but incorrect, conclusion before continuing. "Boston, obviously. I have a mansion in the outskirts. I didn't set out to go all Addams Family with it, but it came out that way anyway. I'll have to invite you sometime, but we should wait until you're used to me and a little less jittery about what you've done." Seemingly by second nature (protip: it's all calculated and conscious) she sits at the table in the way that displays all of the 'assets' that attract Zatanna's attentions and invoke specific memories of their first night together. Even the food, when she consumes it, is eaten in a way that vaguely reflects the way her mouth moved over Zatanna the night before. It seems (that word doing a lot of heavy lifting here) that she just can't help herself; she by nature just oozes sex. "Of course I split my time between Boston and my Domain in Hell. I can't pull the same trick that Uncle Lucifer pulled off and just abandon it. I have duties to the sinners in my domain."
Zatanna Zatara	It's so very hard for Zee to focus right now. She would never call what Satana does innocent, but that doesn't mean it's intentional, either. She made a deal with a Lord of Hell. She.. made a deal to fall in love with and be loved by a Lord of Hell. She wonders what made that seem like such a great idea at the time.     The train of thought does not last long, though. There's something about the way her... companion(?) is eating that makes it hard to think. It takes all of Zee's focus just to eat.     "Why Boston? You could live anywhere, couldn't you? Did you inherit that home?" Zee gestures to the house around her, "I understand being responsible for a domain. A whole treasure of magical secrets, just waiting to get into the hands of fools and consume the world. At times I wonder why I don't just destroy every tome in the place. The world is likely better off without it." She cannot help but ask.     "What do you do to the sinners, exactly? Is it flames and barbs and torment?" She wanted to make that playful, honestly, but she's rather thinking it is the simple truth of things.
Satana Hellstrom	"Oh, the old schoolers do that. Flames. Barbs. Flaying alive. Boiling blood. All the old-school stuff Dante cribbed from us in fever dreams we sent his way, packaged with his inimitable addition of punishments for his political enemies. Me, though, I'm a 21st century kind of girl. I mean sure, you gotta respect the classics, but ... creativity is a thing. And I like to be creative." Satana takes another nibble of the food, closing her eyes and smiling. "Delicious," she adds in a side track. "Is this like your performances: no actual magic? Or did you channel some great cook of the past to control your hands? Or perhaps control a pair of insubstantial helping hands?" She smiles coyly at Zee, then goes back to the main track. "So, as an example, I have Jim Morrison. He's in my choir, in fact. Anytime I want to hear that voice of his--you know, that voice that goes straight to the fun parts of the gut and tickles?--I have him serenade me in my throne room. Those are the moments of respite for him. The rest of the time he's in a mariachi band. With an accordion player. Whose accordion is slightly out of tune." She laughs at the image this puts in her head. "I'm kind of proud of that one."
Zatanna Zatara	Zee is very curious about this answer. And the mention of being a 21st century girl sparks another question from her. But just not yet. Soon! It will come after this. So will Zee, probably. She's blushing again. Dammit, what is Satana doing that always gets to her now?     "Oh, no, this is all me. No magic. It.." She frowns. "We are chasing love, right? As insane as that may be. I believe love is about real effort, not cheap shortcuts. I do know how to cook, you know. I've been taught a thing or two. There are books, and I have a lot of time to myself lately." Blush. She really hates the blushing. It's so unprofessional.     When Satana explains the hell for Jim Morrison she busts out laughing! She cannot help it. It's so shocking. So surreal. She's giggling and giggling. To the point of tears.     "Wow. That is amazing. I truly hope I stay on your good side. Hmm, and you said you are 21st century, huh? It does inspire a question. Does time mean anything to you? Do you live on forever?"     Wow her eyes are wandering. Zee tries to keep looking at Satana's eyes but then there's something in her posture that just demands Zee look down. She breathes out a ragged breath and desperately tries to focus on her food.
Satana Hellstrom	Satana looks down on her food, picking out a choice piece as she talks. "It's OK to look, darling," she says. "Anywhere you please. I quite enjoy it. There's a reason why I shape myself and dress the way I do. And after last night ... I hardly have any secrets from you." Beat. "Well, physically, I mean." She looks up and winks with a grin. "And there's always the option of..." she adds in a suggestive tone, her eyes flicking in the direction of the bed. She drops the coquette act (well, tones it down) and considers the question asked. "Time means something to me. I'm half-human and was born only 25 years ago. I didn't even know my heritage until I was 12. I mean sure, Daddy and I would do little rituals and summonings--that drove mother into an insane asylum when she found out--so I didn't have an ordinary upbringing, but ... against most demons, even those I rule over, I'm not merely young. I'm barely born. So yes, time means something to me." She toys with her food a bit with her fork as she ponders. "But I am immortal, yes. And that is something I know here." She points to her head. "But it hasn't quite reached here yet." That's her hand on her chest. 'Accidentally' jostling that for maximum distraction. "Short of one of the more powerful angelics coming after me with SERIOUS holy firepower, I will be around for eternity. My SHELL may be obliterated, but I will always come back in Hell and then make my way to the mortal world once more. I mean, that's why we have cults. To embody ourselves in the mortal world."
Zatanna Zatara	Zee laughs at herself. "I... I suppose that's true. I am free to look. But, well, as much as I obviously like how you look. And nobody is more shocked by that than I am, honestly, but it is true." She sighs. "Oh, sorry. Distracted. I just know I want more than your body. I want... that lovely heart, too. Body, heart soul, you and me." That's what she signed up for.     At the mention of angelics, Zee's eyes narrow. "I'd... like to see them try with me around." For just a moment, the veil is drawn aside. It is easy to just think of her as a lonely woman. She has her insecurities. But when she talks about protecting /her/ woman? Power just pours off of her, that magic is drawn to the very cusp of use, and it is a well of power that nothing on Earth or beyond is eager to face.     "And if anything happens to you, well, after I've obliterated whatever the cause was, I will just bring you back."
Satana Hellstrom	Satana raises an eyebrow with a bit of a sardonic smile. "Wait, lovely heart? That's a new one. I'm not even sure I have a heart!" She jests, of course. Zee knows there's a heart because she's heard it. And she heard it speeding up as things got hot and bothered. "But, ... much as this may in fact harm my chances of fulfilling our bargain, I would be wary of assuming too much of me. I *am* a demon. That comes with ... things that may not be immediately obvious because I'm so good at mimicking being a human." Her eyes undress Zatanna as she speaks. "..." Then Zatanna's power leaks and Satana's eyes widen. "Oh my... I haven't felt that kind of manna burst since Stephen fell to my tongue." Stephen? "What have I got my pretty little ass into?" The smile widens. "This is going to be FUN!"
Zatanna Zatara	Zee tilts her head and narrows her blue eyes. "You have a heart. It was singing last night, Satana. And as for the bargain, you sure seemed confident last night. Are you doubting yourself now? I won't let you out of it." She is a bit mulish on this, but if Satana knows her well enough, well.     "Stephen? You mean Dr. Strange?" She is.. is she upset? "I suppose you have had... commerce with many people in your short life. But still, we do have a deal, do we not?" How.. surprising. She sounds dangerous, even threatening and possessive.     "It had better be fun for both of us. I'd hate to have to settle for you failing to come through. Are you trying to brace me for that, Satana? Last night I sure thought we were moving in a pretty promising direction. But, I will warn you now: that's the easy part. You are amazing at it. Wonderful in my arms and incredible with physical pleasure. But getting to my heart, really getting to it? That takes so much more. I am eager to see you keep trying."
Satana Hellstrom	"That must be my human half," Satana says with a grin, waving off the heart thing with feigned dismissal. "It's my deepest weakness." And ... she's clearly joking. There may, in fact, be a bit of pride there. "And yes, we still have a deal. It's just quite the challenging one. I may have to do some research." She stands up and walks behind Zee, sliding hands down the magician's shoulders and ... *sigh* ... under her top. "This part? These nerves? I can make them sing. I trained for years with some of the best, and it turns out I have a knack." She demonstrates the knack with teasing flicks that never quite reach the naughty zones ... yet that make said naughty zones strain under the fabric's constraints. "But that heart thing of yours. That's ... different. I've never investigated how that works. I always thought it just pumped blood." Yeah. Tone of voice. That's feigned ignorance there. She's having fun. "I think, in the end, however, capturing your heart will be easier than the reverse." Wait ... is that faltering uncertainty in her voice?! And is that someone swallowing a lump in her throat? "I have feelings, of course. Rage. Anger. Hatred. Irritation. But ... I'm not even sure love is in the range." And if anybody within a hundred yards has any ability to detect a lie, IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAND! "Which would be too bad. I hate losing." What an odd tone of voice for those final three words.
Zatanna Zatara	The anger fades quickly. It's not an emotion Zee holds onto. She dare not. With a few words in anger she could bring the world to the brink of destruction. She's done it before without even trying.     Zee is just steadying herself and then Satana is touching her. It draws a gasp from her. The most forward action was a surprise. Not an unwelcome one, apparently. She makes no move to stop it.     "You know, considering who you are, I figured you would be a far better liar," she says softly. When Satana is done with her explanation, Zee rises. The chair is swept aside with a gesture. The distance between them is little enough to start, and she closes it.     "I will accept failure," she says softly. She's winding her arms around Satana now, pulling her closer yet. "But I won't accept excuses or not trying. You say my heart will be easy to capture? But that isn't enough. In fact, I think that misses the entire point. It's not real at all, nothing is achieved, if it's not true love. Both of us have to take that plunge together. You think you are the only one that is afraid? I try to even imagine what kind of views others might have of this."     Those bright, blue eyes meet Satana's. "And while I know they may treat me poorly for it, I do not care. Not if we get there together. With you I think there is one honesty, though. An honesty that others always denied me. The truth of your feelings. We'll know if we are in love with each other. And since it must be true, it won't end with the contract."     She laughs softly, and she brings her lips closer to Satana's. "My sweet, darling, Goddess of Bliss. I assure you this much: you want to get this contract. Not for the terms, but because my heart in your hands will protect you forever. I bring a lot of trouble, true, but you are starting to get a sense of what I can do. I will not let anyone harm you, Satana. I don't give a damn where they are from or why."     And this she will punctuate with a kiss. Not like the kisses last night. It's different. Softer, so very patient and careful.
Satana Hellstrom	Satana enjoys the kiss, apparently familiar with the slower, patient, and sweeter sort as well as the desperate ones of the previous night. "I'm that transparent?" The tone is resigned, not surprised. "I'm an excellent liar, I'll have you know. I'm just not used to having to lie about ... this." Personal things, apparently. She sighs and continues. "I have loved before," she says. "It didn't go well. It went ... very poorly, in fact." A stunning admission from the queen of sin. "I'm not sure I can do it again. I know the word. I know the feelings. I don't know the path anymore."
Zatanna Zatara	Zee's eyes are locked on Satana's. There's sympathy there. She nods slowly, "That we have in common, I think. All of it. Every time I've loved someone they used me, hurt me, and left me." She rests her forehead against Satana's. She stays here, just breathing. Trying to recenter herself in the moment and focus on what she wants. What her heart most aches for.     "I can't promise you that this won't hurt. It probably will. Love is too damn powerful a feeling not to be terrifying and painful from time to time. Between us, though? It is likely to hurt so much worse. You don't understand me yet. I don't understand you, either."     She laughs and pulls back just slightly. "This is arguably the stupidest deal either of us has ever made, you know? I guess I'm the world's biggest idiot, though. I believed you would manage it somehow. Bigger idiot still, though, cause I still do."     Her tone shifts, then. It is with pain, anger, desperation, and hope that she half-growls, "Don't you fail me, dammit. By the whoreson, I will haunt you forever if you do."     She turns away, and her eyes rest on the bed. Slowly Zee looks back. "We... we are going to do this differently. It's all backwards anyway. It's like we started with a marriage and are trying to find our way from the altar." She takes Satana by the hand, tugging her along, towards the bed. "Our altar isn't made of marble, though... Let's just figure it out together. This.. this much we understand, right?"