Once Upon A Summer Sunset

“Oh my gosh!” Sunset shouted upon seeing Talan. “What in Tartarus happened to you?!”

Talan groaned and limped into the living room, then collapsed on the couch. He tried to ignore Sunset but she was already sitting next to him with her hands caressing his face.

“I’m fine... seriously...” he said while trying to push her away.

“Your eye is swollen shut and you’re walking with a limp!” Sunset shouted. “Quit fucking around and tell me what happened!”

Talan clenched his fists and got up, “I got in a fight, okay?! Would’ve thought it was obvious!”

“Not just a fight,” Sunset said, her arms crossed. “A fight you lost. That doesn’t usually happen.”

“No shit,” Talan said. “It wasn’t Davis, it was Ryan and Alex.”

“Ryan?” Sunset asked. “The kid who faked being your friend and used you?”

“Yeah,” Talan replied. “We got into a disagreement at the gym and a fight happened outside. I’d rather not get into it.”

Sunset frowned and walked over to him, “Come upstairs, I’ll heal you and-”

“No,” Talan said, shaking her off. “You can’t just keep doing this all the time. People might notice. I’m gonna keep this until it heals by itself.”

Sunset shook her head, “At least let me help with the leg, please?”

Talan limped up the stairs to his bedroom, “No, I want to remain this way.”

“Whatever for?” Sunset asked.

“To remind myself what it feels like, and to give me ideas for the next time I see Ryan alone.”

“Talan!” Sunset scolded.

“I’m going to try and chat with Babs and Alyssa, so some privacy for a bit, okay?”

Sunset groaned in agitation and walked into the kitchen, “Human boys I swear...”

Talan hobbled into the bedroom and undressed. It was absolutely scorching today, same as the other day. He opened his phone and saw a message, then smiled. It was Zecora. The projector came in and she was ready for him to come over. Talan texted her back and said he’d be over later today.

After that, he limped into the bathroom and grabbed an ice pack for his eye. He winced when it was pressed against the swollen skin, then growled in anger. Ryan was going to pay dearly for this.

Talan went back into his room then closed the blinds, getting rid of some glare in the process. He booted his computer and opened the chat program, then made the call. He was told they’d be around at this time, and to call around then. He leaned back in his chair and yawned, each time he had tried it before they never answered.

Suddenly sound came from his headphones and his mouth dropped. On the screen, Babs and Alyssa were making out like they had not seen each other in years. Babs was sitting on Alyssa’s lap facing forward, as per usual, while Alyssa smirked down at her through each kiss. Both girls were stripped down to bras and panties.

Talan didn’t say a word. He simply watched and adjusted himself in the chair. It was a times like this he was thankful for the record button in these video chat programs.

“Babs?” Alyssa said through a kiss.

“Mm?” Babs replied.

“I think some perv is watching us...”

“Oh yeah? Let him watch... we’re just getting started.”

“Oh boy...” Talan said with a chuckle.

Both girls stopped kissing and turned to the computer screen, then gasped when they saw his face.

Talan groaned audibly, and for at least a second considered closing out of the program then and there.

“What happened to you?!” Babs shrieked. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just-”

“Who hit you?” Alyssa interjected. “It wasn’t that fat kid, was it?”

Talan deadpanned her, “You think fatass did this to me? A little respect here, girls...”

“So who did?” Babs asked. “What happened?”

“A disagreement with Ryan...” Talan hissed. “Don’t worry. I’ve had shiners like this before, I’ll be fine.”

“It’s swollen shut...” Babs said with a frown. “Aww... poor, Tally. I wish I could be there to kiss it and make it better.”

Talan frowned as well, “I miss you girls. How is the trip?”

“It’s amazing,” Alyssa replied. “We’ve met so many cool people... and some hot guys, too...”

Talan groaned as she raised her eyebrows up and down, “Oh yeah? Well I met someone new as well...”

“Oh yeah?” Alyssa asked. “Who?”

Talan got out his phone and plugged it into his computer. Normally he didn’t like taking candid pictures of people. It was rude, not to mention somewhat creepy. But there was no way he wasn’t going to show Zecora to Babs and Alyssa. When the picture finally sent, their reaction was more than worth it.

“Holy fuck...” Alyssa said.

“That’s a big woman...” Babs said. “And that ass...”

“Any guys down there compare to her?” Talan asked with a shit eating grin.

Their silence was his answer.

“How did you meet her?” Babs asked.

“You know that thing I was telling you about? The business? Well I started it, and she was my first client.”

“Ooooh,” Alyssa said with a smirk. “You gonna go fix her stuff, Talan?”

“Oh yeah,” Babs joked, resting her head on Alyssa’s chest. “He’s going to offer all kinds of services... aren’t you, Talan?”

“Oh you know me...” Talan said while placing the ice pack on his eye again. “Amateur porn star, Talan Magnum.”

Alyssa and Babs burst out laughing. Likely due to both the joke, and how unlike a porn star he was. In fact it was definitely the latter.

“No but seriously,” Alyssa said, now cradling Babs in her lap, “She’s even taller than me.”

“And curvier...” Talan said.

“Bro,” Babs said. “If you went after that neither of us would bat an eye. That’s a woman. Literally fetish material.”

“I wasn’t aware,” Talan said sarcastically. “But nothing is going to happen. I don’t want to do that with a client and ruin things. After installing something later tonight I’ll be done with her.”

“That’s a shame,” Alyssa said. “Maybe we can meet her when we come back?”

“Heh, maybe...” Talan said, then realized they were breaking up.

“Our connection seems to be dropping,” Babs said. “We should get to bed anyway. Goodnight, Talan. Now go get that booty!”

“Yeah, alright, Babs...” Talan said with laugh. “Miss you girls, love you.”

“We love you, too,” Alyssa said. “Not long now and we’ll be back. Then it’s nothing but quality time... excited?”

“You have no idea,” Talan replied. “Night girls.”

He smiled as they blew him a kiss and closed the chat. Talan sat back in the chair and decided to take a nap before heading over to Zecora’s.

It was starting to rain as Talan arrived at Zecora’s house. The sun would probably be setting in a few hours, hopefully he’d be done quickly. That chat with the girls really made him depressed. Only after talking to them did it hit home how much he actually missed Alyssa and Babs.

Talan limped to the door and rang the bell. He prepared himself for the questions about his eye and took a deep breath.

“Hello, Talan... goodness! What happened to you?”

Talan lowered his head and examined his shoes, “I got into a fight. And uh... I kinda lost.”

Zecora stepped to the side and watched as he walked indoors and took off his shoes.

Talan slowly stood up while leaning on the wall and took in Zecora’s figure. She was wearing another dress, and her silver hair was tied in a ponytail. No heels today, though. It took off a few inches, and you could definitely notice the difference.

“You didn’t strike me as someone who would get into a fight. Is everything alright?” Zecora asked.

Talan looked up at her and saw something. For a moment, and only a moment, her sex appeal disappeared. Instead, Talan saw something he hadn’t seen in a long time. A genuine, motherly worry. It made him feel... strange. Like this should feel normal, but it wasn’t. Talan shook his head and cleared his mind. He was here to do a job.

“I can still work, Zecora. The projector, where is it?”

Zecora frowned and lead him into the living room, “Here, this is all I have for you today.”

Talan picked it up and recognized the brand, he turned to her and smiled, “This is a good one. Nice pick.”

Zecora watched his features change to joy for a second, then return to a defeated default. She had seen that look many times before.

Talan brought a chair over to the center of the room and climbed on top of it. He took out his drill and used a device to find a solid beam to mount the projector on. After that he drilled it in place and started to check the lens and resolution. Once that was done he calibrated it’s settings and ran a few tests.

Before he was finished, however, Zecora came in the room and sat down on in one of her large comfy chairs.

“Talan... do you want to talk about your fight?”

Talan was irritated at this point, she was a client and had no right to pry into his business. Attractive MILF or no.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Miss Zecora,” Talan began, then looked down at her. “But I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

Zecora shook her head, “I don’t wish to pry, but I feel I should tell you why. You see, where I come from I was a... how to put... mentor? A guide to my people.  My new job here is an advisor and counselor.”

Talan stepped down and began to put his things away, “So like a psych type thing?”

Zecora nodded, “You might say that, yes. Though I’m not here to practice, only advise others and coordinate. Also... to learn things myself.”

“So a desk job, then? You’re not interacting with patients?” Talan asked.

“No,” Zecora said. “I’m not. But I have experience with it. I’m willing to listen and give you some session time, if you’re interested.”

Talan rubbed his head, “No, sorry. I don’t think so, Miss Zecora. I’m trying to save my money, and those are expensive.”

“Honey, I do not want your money,” Zecora said with a chuckle. “I only want to help you. It is the least I can do for the help you’ve given me.”

“Zecora I really don’t think that’s wise, I’d rather deal with this myself. But thanks anyway. If you ever need any more help with your tech, you know my number.”

Zecora walked over to Talan and handed him his payment, then rested a hand on his shoulder, “Are you angry, Talan?”

Talan took the check and looked up at her, but didn’t say anything at first, “Pardon?”

“I see it on your face, and in your walk,” Zecora explained. “You’re angry. I’ve given anger therapy before, you know. I could help, if only you’ll let me.”

Talan hesitated a moment, then checked the time. It wasn’t too late yet. “What would we be doing?”

Zecora smiled, “We’d sit in my office, and I’d listen to you. I might ask a few questions. You might give a few answers. Hopefully you’ll feel better after.”

“I... alright... but just for a little while,” Talan relented.

Zecora smiled and rubbed his shoulders reassuringly, then bent down to his eye level, “Very good, follow me please.”

Talan nodded and followed Zecora into a room he hadn’t been in the last time he was here. Inside was a desk with various magazines and books, as well as two comfortable chairs situated opposite each other. The other things to catch his eye were the various cultural artifacts that decorated the space. Masks, gourds, sculptures big and small. Talan thought it looked pretty cool, honestly.

“Please sit,” Zecora said while walking to the other side and sitting down herself.

Talan sat down and set his bag to the side, “So...”

“So...?” Zecora repeated with a smile. “Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself. Specifically, if you had an anger problem before this.”

“Not really, no,” Talan replied. “I’ve been mostly quiet and non-confrontational.”

“Why?” Zecora asked.

“Well, I’m... you know...”

“Yes?” Zecora asked, leaning forward a bit.

“Short...” Talan deadpanned. “Was never really a fighter until my parents guided me into taking classes. I started to like it then.”

“How come?” Zecora asked.

“Because I could defend myself, and I no longer had to be afraid of those bigger than me. Also, I liked the discipline and self improvement aspect of it.”

“When you give your best, it’s more satisfying when you are put to the test. I understand.” Zecora replied. “So how did you receive your black eye? If you are trained in fighting, were you bested by another who is likewise trained?”

“Yeah,” Talan replied. “By a former friend, and now - soon to be beaten to a pulp - enemy...”

Zecora frowned, “Tsk tsk... you don’t strike me as a violent boy. Why does the thought of retribution give you such joy?”

“Because he deserves it,” Talan snapped, not realizing his tone escalating.”Because he used me for years, same with some others. When they saw I had new friends... and that they were females... they became jealous.”

Zecora raised her eyebrows, “Female friends? Did this start recently?”

“Yeah, it did,” Talan answered. “One was actually hired to watch me as my parents were off in Europe.”

“A bit old for a sitter, are you not?”

Talan groaned, “Yeah... but it was more for the house than me. Also my mother is very overprotective. But that’s another story. Anyway, she had two other friends. Eventually I became close with all three. Then, through random occurrence I made another friend. Her name is Babs, she moved into the neighborhood where I live. One of her friends also moved here. I’ve sorta been...”

“Hmm?” Zecora asked.

 “It’s kind of... well, I don’t like to talk about with many people.”

“It’s fine,” Zecora said. “Keep going.”

“Well we’re in a sorta open relationship.”

“Are you?” Zecora asked. “Fascinating. That is not common in this more conservative culture, is it?”

“No, hence my hesitation to talk about it,” Talan replied.

“Do you see them often?” Zecora asked.

“I do, yes,” Talan replied.

“You’ll pardon me for asking... but, are you sexually active?” Zecora asked.

Talan paused, that really was none of her business, but at the end of the day what harm could it bring in telling? “I’ve had sex at least three times. Twice with Babs, once with Alyssa. It was... good.” Talan said with a shy smile.

“Have you had any recently?” Zecora asked.

“Recently? No, they’re gone on a trip out of the country. Have been for a few weeks now. Almost a month, I think.”

Zecora nodded thoughtfully, “And... have your relieved yourself in their absence?”

Talan chuckled, “You mean jerk off? No, not really. A few times, but not recently.”

Zecora smiled and stood up, walking around her desk, “I see, I think we’ve arrived at the problem.”

Talan leaned back, “Oh, and what’s that?”

“Your frustration and anger tend to increase when you are denied release...” Zecora said with a chuckle. “Fairly straightforward.”

Talan rolled his eyes, “That’s not the reason why I’m so angry. There’s got to be more to it than that.”

“Why?” Zecora asked, picking up a book from her drawer, “You are a young male, coming into his own. These feelings are just bursting out now, and with ferocity since they were denied release for so long.”

“I never needed to ‘release’ them before,” Talan said. “I’m not some ape.”

Zecora looked down her glasses at him, “We’re all animals, child. It seldom does us good to deny these natural instincts. Simply because you thought you never needed to act on them doesn’t mean they weren’t there. I assure you they were.”

“So what am I to do, Miss Zecora?” Talan asked with a laugh. “Go home and jerk it til I’m not angry anymore?”

Zecora walked around the desk and sat down again, “You could, but that would only satiate the desire for a time. It’s much better with a woman.”

Talan gulped, “A... w-woman?”

Zecora smiled, “Correct.”

Talan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, “Are you coming onto me, Miss Zecora?”

Zecora crossed her legs and took off her glasses, “Not yet, but I admit thinking of the prospect gets me wet.”

Talan’s head nearly exploded, and he couldn’t even process which head that was. This was some teen movie tier shit. No way this was happening. He had half a mind to call Luna and have her end this dream. He jumped up and backed toward the door.

“I can’t,” Talan said. “I mean, we can’t! You’re a woman! And I’m just a-”

“You’re old enough,” Zecora said. “Think for a moment on exactly what’s happening here, and I promise all will become clear.”

Talan shook his head, “I don’t know...”

“Please,” Zecora implored while motioning to his chair. “Hear me out, that is all I ask.”

“Okay... fine...” Talan said.

Zecora ran a hand through her hair and shrugged, “I realize how this must appear, but you have nothing to fear. I’m not seducing you. We’re merely adults talking of things to come. I can help you, and you can help me. I’ve no man, and I’ve traveled a long way to get here. A very long way...”

Talan cracked his neck, “It’s true... you haven’t exactly been seductive, at least not compared to what I’ve seen elsewhere.”

“There is no manipulation here, Talan. I have a desire, and so do you. That is, if you find me attractive. Do you?”

“Oho yes...” Talan said with a smirk. “And you must find me attractive as well?”

“Indeed,” Zecora said while placing a hand to her chest. “And, if I interpreted you correctly, your friends in the open relationship wouldn’t likely care.”

“No...” Talan replied with a shake of his head. “In fact they think you’re incredibly attractive.”

“How do they know?” Zecora asked. “Have you been naughty, taking pictures of my body?”

“It just kinda happened...?” Talan said with a shrug.

Zecora giggled and pushed up her glasses, “So, what do you say?”

Talan rubbed his head, unsure, “So... it’s just you out here? Must be tough, and kinda lonely. I... I don’t know. Can I think about it?”

Zecora nodded, “Take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere. But I will say I’m glad we’re talking freely about this. This culture, for all it’s great traits, is stubbornly puerile about sex and carnal pleasures. I’ve traveled extensively, and I don’t think it helps to keep things repressed. But remember... if you are uncomfortable, you can always say no. You are mature, unlike several others I’ve seen.”

“Well thanks,” Talan said. “I’ll remember that. And... I’ll be in touch.”

“Have a good night,” Zecora said with a wink. “You know the way out.”

Talan nodded and made his escape. He got to his ride and quickly started the engine. His heart was racing, his pulse pounding. Did that really just happen? Talan gripped the steering wheel tighter than he ever had before. He felt like his heart was going to burst from his chest. His head ached. Was this all her doing? It didn’t make sense.

He backed out of her driveway and began the drive home. He knew that proposal was sketchy as all hell. But at the same time... she could have taken advantage of him a hundred different ways. A woman like Zecora? She could have him wrapped around her finger in seconds. However... she didn’t. Talan had heard stories of older women taking advantage of young men... but she didn’t seem like that. No... she was different. He couldn’t reason why just yet, but it was in his gut. They were both adults. There was no reason this had to be weird. But why was his body reacting so violently?

Talan took his hands off the wheel and realized he had worn marks into it. He was gritting his teeth as well. He opened his mouth and gasped at the pain. His lower jaw ached. He never acted this way before. Not with Babs, not with Alyssa, not even with the Sirens when they sang to him. Heck, when that happened he didn’t even know what was going on half the time. Talan looked at his face in the rearview mirror and did not like what he saw. His cheekbones were slanted and much more pronounced, and his green eyes were almost glowing. What the fuck was happening?

Later that night, Talan returned and threw his stuff in his room then went down to see what Sunset was up to. She had made herself a sandwich and put one away for him. Talan thanked her and took it upstairs. She was sitting on the couch talking to one of her friends about fashion. Whoever it was sounded super chatty, Sunset barely got a word in.

Talan gobbled down the food and checked his inbox to make sure he wasn’t missing anything. After that he decided to take a bath. He had a lot to think about.

After letting out a large yawn, Talan grabbed some towels and locked the bathroom door. He turned on the water and shed his clothes. As the tub filled, he remembered what Luna said. Something about running the gems under hot water to hear the Siren’s songs. Talan examined his ring and amulet. The ring was a solid gem belonging solely to Adagio, the elder siren. She was by far the most powerful. She sang to him and made him feel at peace, completely content to be in her care. She had told him that her gem could be considered a manifestation of her own presence. So long as he wore the ring, the only influence that could bend his will and assault his mind was her own. He would be safe, still under her protection.

The amulet was combination of gems. Sonata’s filled the left half, while Aria’s filled the right. When Talan had it made, he did not tell the gem cutter to shape it like a Yin Yang, but that’s what happened. In truth, he didn’t mind at all. Aria’s ferocity radiated in her gem, and Sonata’s serenity and peaceful calm resonated within hers. Talan rarely ever took them off, and when he did, never both at the same time.

While it was true that in magical terms, he truly was under their protection. Sunset was able to show him as much. With her help he saw their auras inside the gems. In certain circumstances they would spring to life and swirl around him. It still felt like they were so far away. They could be across the galaxy, and to Talan it really did feel that way.

Talan eventually got into the tub and slumped into the water. He began to ruminate on his experience with each siren. Aria was the most straightforward, but only after he won her respect. That took losing to her at a dancing game, and catching a wicked slap across the face. Talan placed a palm on his cheek, remembering the sting. It was a pain getting close to her, but it was worth it in the end. Aria went out of her way to protect Talan from bullies, and took on the role of a protective big sister. She even gave him some pointers for talking to Babs when they first met.

Sonata was the one who started it all. The catalyst that sent his life spiralling in a new direction. While kind and caring, she didn’t offer much advice aside from the time they went swimming together. She told him to learn from the sea. To never get too attached to a feeling or attitude. The sea was flexible and melded in different ways. She told him to not give up on his friends, and even though things went south with them, the advice still held true for the new ones he made.

Then it came to Adagio. Talan smiled at the ring and remember pulling the gem from her soft, squishy chest. That was when she took him swimming through the pitch black oceans at night. Something Talan never thought he would do. Even now the thought terrified him. But he had nothing to fear when he was with the elder Siren. Adagio didn’t look it, but according to her, she was several years older than her two companions.  Enough to grant her a stronger body, and a different look. Not to mention more potent voice powers and a certain amount of wisdom. Talan closed his eyes and remembered the feeling of being held within her tentacles. It was fitting they were so long and soft. If Adagio’s poofy hair had to turn into anything on a sea creature,, tentacles made the most sense.

Talan decided it was time to see if the hot water thing worked, or it if it was just bullshit. He drained some of the tubs water since it was now luke warm. After plugging it again, he turned on the hot water and sank lower and lower. His head just barely balancing on the edge.

The water was warm now, almost scalding. But strangely he didn’t feel burning. It just felt... distant. When running your hand under hot water it doesn’t burn right away, instead you have a short feeling of warmth before your brain registered the pain. Talan could only describe this sensation as that, but the pain never came. He could feel the scalding water, yet nothing was happening.

He felt a cool sensation on his chest and ring finger as the gems began to vibrate. At the edge of his periphery he could feel strange sensations. His eyes were heavy, so he decided to shut them, but not before turning off the water.

Talan soon found himself in a boat floating in a large ocean. He looked to his sides and found no oars. He was naked, just like in the bath. Another dream? No, this was something else. Talan felt strange here. It was something different. An echoing caught his attention in the distance. It was a song, one he knew very well.

A light fog rolled in from the side of his boat, blanketing the area around him. To his left and right bubbles broke the surface bringing with them more of the song. Talan smiled. This was like the old myths where sailors would be marooned at sea, and they’d be charmed by the spells of Sirens. Talan knew what that was like, but fortunately for him, they had no intention of harm. In fact, quite the opposite.

To his left a large golden dorsal fin emerged from the water, then submerged just as it appeared. Talan chuckled to himself and laid down on his back, staring up at the cloudy sky. He didn’t like this open water, but his fears were washed away when another bubble burst on the surface, this one carrying words.

“Come... to... me...”

Talan sat on the edge of the boat, then fell backward into the water. He opened his eyes slowly to orient himself. There was nothing around except for the black abyss below. Talan tried to ignore it, then felt something poke his shoulder.

Once he whirled around, his smile nearly burst off his face.

“Hello little one...” Adagio cooed through the calm open water.

There she was, in all her majestic splendor. Though she appeared even bigger now. Her tentacles waving to and fro behind her elongated equine head. Her body slithering and corkscrewing in place. Several tentacles reached around behind him and pushed him closer.

“Adagio...” Talan said, his voice sounding clear.

“Talan...” Adagio replied, leaning closer to him.

“This isn’t real.”

Adagio merely stared at him.

“This isn’t a dream... it’s a hallucination...?”

Adagio’s lips curled into a smirk as she let out a sigh, many air bubbles escaping her nostrils as she did so. She leaned even closer until her forehead was touching his, “Don’t drown, Talan.”

It took Talan a moment to process what she said. Then he realized he had been talking to her under water, expelling all his air in the process. His lungs were suddenly on fire. He kicked and clawed his way up, then felt two tentacles help push him to the surface.

The next thing Talan knew he bolted straight up from the tub, causing a wave of soapy water to splash against the wall and soak the floor beside him. He had to take a moment to realize what just happened. He almost drowned. He checked the time and saw it was just a little past midnight.

Talan rubbed his face with his hands and groaned. He was never doing that again. But... he did get to see Adagio. Even if it was just a hallucination, it was nice.

Before Talan got out he realized how misty the air was. It was practically a sauna. Talan looked at the bath water and realized he didn’t shut the water off after all, but the plug was only half in place. That was why it didn’t overflow. He could have swore he shut off the water.

Talan grabbed a towel as he got out and looked at the steam. He knew how hot the water had to be in order to fill the room like that. In a moment of curiosity, he removed the gems. He took off his amulet and his ring, then cautiously reached back into the tub. The water was absolutely scalding hot, there was no question. Yet... it only felt luke warm to him.

Talan stepped back and looked at himself in the mirror. His green hair was growing fast. He would have to get it cut soon. His face looked a bit different as well. He looked thinner, and a lot more boney. Though, he had been dieting, not to mention eating less overall due to the heat and humidity.

Well, he couldn’t really complain. It’s not like it was a bad look. Talan put the gems back on and smiled. After a good night’s sleep he would figure out what to do with Zecora. He left the bathroom and fell onto his bed. Whatever this was, it was probably nothing.