"I clearly can take a few lessons from Emma considering what happened to Clayton. I didn't even realize it was him with how charred his corpse was.", Jasmine quickly shuddered at the sight. At least everything worked out well with what happened; since at that moment, they all thought Kyle was dead.
Logan nodded, "True. A mother's fury plus a dragon's instincts, that's a dangerous combination for anybody to mess with. But Emma was like a big sister to me and Jason in our team back in the army. No one messes with family, especially when we are all knitted together like a blanket.", looking at Jasmine with a determined look.
"I mean, I was shocked to be recognized as uncle to the kids like the others, uncle or aunt...Either way, whoever the rest of the team meets and falls in love with, including us, Emma's kids will be cousins to every kid from the others in the future...", Logan finished thoughtfully.
"I wonder if that's going to affect their love lives.", Jasmine chuckled. "I'd be surprised if any children from our little band end up with each other if they all grow up knowing each other and may just see themselves as cousins.".
"That'd be a bit awkward, you're right.", Logan rubbed the back of his neck with his paw, "As long as it's not our and if Jason has any of his own, they're all unrelated to each other... it's just more of what they decide and all.".
Jasmine nodded, "Very true. I read stories of biological children falling in love with their adoptive siblings as long as they are unrelated.", wiggling under Logan with a look at him, "I think you're all empty, love. You can pull out now.", and Logan nodded with a blush on his scales as he pulled out, and with a relieved smile as it went back into his sheath.
He then laid down besides Jasmine, his tail curling with Jasmine's tail, nuzzling her tenderly, "And to think we got a week alone to ourselves, with detours to Corona City to buy some food and such.".
"It's gonna be hard for me not to keep my hands off you the whole time.", Logan laughed as he gave her a few licks of the cheek.
Jasmine giggled softly, "Oh, don't worry, we will make the best of this before we have to go back to the team and help out with the biggest problem or the smallest issue.", nuzzling him back before a yawn came, and she grabbed Logan's shirt with her paw, shifting back to human form, and taking the top back on.
Jasmine smiled wryly, "I couldn't mind a little nap before doing it all over again, love.", and Logan growled, loving the sight of his wife in his shirt, and grabbed his trousers with his paw, shifting back to human form as he got them back on, "You're lucky that it's a warm night.", sighing contentedly as Jasmine cuddled back up to him.
"True, but you make a better pillow than anything, Mr. Valkara.", Jasmine giggled, and Logan smiled, "I can't deny that, Mrs. Valkara...Gods, it's still a bit hard to imagine that you're my beautiful wife...", kissing her forehead as he caressed her shoulder lovingly.
"You don't need to imagine, it's the truth, it's reality.", Jasmine kissed him right back on the lips as she started to walk away with him following. "Now, please, be a good husband and come to bed with me... we have to get our energy back if you want to satisfy me again.", she teased.
Logan smiled softly, tenderly looking at her, "As you wish, my princess.", reaching to hold her hand, heading to their tree spot, wanting to sleep under the stars, and fell asleep in each other's arms.
The whole week went so happily fast for the newlywed couples of John and Emma, and Logan and Jasmine, yet at the same time, the first few days was incredibly slow for Jason as he got to know Mulan more as they traveled through the south of Narnia.
Then in the middle of the week, while resting in one of the guest rooms of a resident's home, everything changed for him...Unknown to him, the town they are staying in was Shang's hometown whose name is Kuju, and well, the memories of Sarip and his death returned to Mulan in a nightmare.
Senses already heightened, thanks to being a soldier and all, he heard sobs and cries from the next room, waking him up in fear and concern, and he ran out and over to the room, opening the door to see Mulan deeply wrapped in a nightmare.
"Shit.", Jason cursed as he ran over next to her. He wondered what he should do; it might not be a good idea to wake up while sleeping and all; risk to health and such, especially when having a nightmare as it could cause an issue. On the other hand, he had to do something for her, and something needed to be done in a hurry.
Jason bit his lip before deciding to sit down on the mattress, his hand reaching over on her back, rubbing it up and down as he spoke, pretending like he was rambling about something funny in mention, "You know, I've never met a unicorn yet. I met shapeshifters, speaking animals, Pegasi, Centaurs in that town a day back, but I haven't seen a unicorn...I wonder if I could get a chance to meet one, or maybe a Golden Stag...Not to kill it or anything, but ask him if he invented the myth of the story if he was caught, he would have to do some magic for a wish to come true.", feeling Mulan's body trembling less, but her sobs and cries still pierce the air...
Jason's heart broke a little more, but he continues talking, "I know when you wish upon a star, or on a birthday cake, you can't tell it to anybody, but when you are wishing out of nowhere, should that come true too? Wanna know my wish, Mulan? I know you can't hear me, but I have to get it off my chest...I wish for a woman with brains, a woman who always speaks her mind, a woman who has bravery, beauty, and heart inside and out, a woman who is more than she is.".
His words clearly had some affect as Mulan seemed to slowly start to relax, whatever nightmare she was having was passing for the time being as a more pleasant, if neutral, look was on her face. "Wow, can't believe that worked." Jason gave a small chuckled, he honestly didn't think that would do anything.
Jason looked at her with a smile, his heart healing a bit more, and exhaled softly as he rubbed her back, seeing her sleep like an angel, and he nods to himself as he then grabbed the light blanket that has been thrown off in her nightmare, tucking her in softly, "Sleep well, Mulan.", his fingers brushing back her hair as he grazed his lips on her forehead.
He yanked himself back like he has been burned, "Idiot...She cannot be touched like that...", before muttering, "But she's so perfect...", with a heavy sigh, getting off the mattress gently not to jostle her awake, not wanting to imagine the scenario if she discovered that Jason tended to wear only trousers to bed when he does it in a private guest room or such.
He sees Mulan snuffle as if she was bothered in her dream, and by default, he reached out before stopping, "Damn it...Darn your people-helping issues, Jason.", muttering to himself as he walked to the door, and he looked back to see Mulan, looking serene in the slight moonlight. He smiled tenderly and walked out, closing the door behind him lightly.
He knew what he was doing wasn't the right thing to do it. He was just glad he caught himself before doing something he regretted. A kiss on the forehead was one thing; and it still wasn't right, but at least he didn't kiss her lips and all. Still, either was wrong but so far, nothing bad had happened and last thing he wanted to do was upset her or drive her away and ruin any remote chance he may have with her.
Unknown to him, she woke to the feeling of the blanket being put on her. She used to be a heavy sleeper, but after training in the army for years, she became a light-medium sleeper of sorts. The nightmare caught her off guard, and she was deep in...
She felt the gesture and recognizing Jason's voice in frustrated and angry whispers, she faked sleeping until she heard the door close...
She had a small smile on her face, pleased that he was trying to help her with things. The memories of where they were obviously were having an effect on her mind.
Mulan was so conflicted because Jason was clearly honoring her by respecting her with not touching her intimately on one hand. There isn't as much religion as there's culture here in Enchantia, and unmarried women in her culture of sorts are not to be touched without permission, but Mulan isn't a traditionalist much to her parents' annoyance, but she tries to obey their rules for she loves them dearly...But on the other hand, Jason has hints of affection, maybe even love if she dares think about it...
But the memories of her brief tragedy of losing Shang is clashing with the memories of her short joy of journeying with Jason...She sighed heavily as she sat up against her pillow, now awake...Should she try a relationship with him, or keep to her past, not wanting to hurt Shang's feelings, even if he's dead?
She needed more time to think; or better, not think about it and get her mind forced on the conflict again; despite the victories, the war was not over yet and Scar and Frollo might be starting to get desperate with how fast the tide had shifted against them.
Mulan is the general, and she needs to head back to Captains Phoebus and Helga so they can report to her with news and information...Jason is part of the United Talons team, and he has to go back within four days by Martag from King Mickey's castle to Atlantis after Mulan takes him across the south of Narnia to the castle...
She nods to herself; if Jason haven't told her about his feelings by the last day before he and she has to separate, she will not take the chance to try a relationship, long-distance, that is...After all, Jason said things about the Congo region, even if Clayton is dead, it might be possible that one of his lackeys is in charge of everything now.
She sighs, falling asleep once more, pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind for the time being. The following morning was nothing weird, just casual talk as they left Kuju, riding horseback through the forests, and Jason gratefully didn't notice that Mulan was slightly distracted, or that Mulan hadn't noticed that Jason was slightly guilty for what he did.
The day passed, and they made camp in a clearing of sorts at sunset, and after supper aka dinner, they went to sleep in their tents, unknowingly that it was time for another surprise expedition to have trials and tribulations tonight, and it was Jason's turn to do it.
A chirping call pierced the air about 11 o'clock, and Jason groaned lightly as he woke up, the sound literally next to his tent, and he looked outside, opening the flap to look for the sound. A caw then called out, and Jason looked up to see a Piped Raven, slightly annoyed before he froze, remembering his brother's adventure of receiving his amulet and trials.
"P-Pops?", Jason spoke in shock, looking straight at the Piped Raven with brilliant green eyes, and the raven cawed, flying off the branch, scuffling his hair as he flew right above his head, and Jason 's eyes followed him, and he glanced at Mulan's tent before hearing his Pops caw again, "I'll be back, Mulan.", grabbing his crossbow, and jammed his feet into his boots, and sprinted after Pops.
Could it be the same as what Logan did? Surely not, Jason thought to himself, but he wasn't going to pass this if this was the case. At least he knew he was being careful; just in case this might have been a trick. Better safe than sorry he always thought and in this case; he was keeping that in mind. If anything seemed amiss, he was running right back to the campsite.
Jason followed his Pops, sprinting up a hill, and he gasped, seeing Aslan, the great lion, in the distance. Aslan smiled warmly, and he flicked his tail, touching a rainbow shield that shimmered, and became clear, revealing a huge building that's combined of a London lamppost and Aslan's How, almost like a hobbit's home has enveloped over a lighthouse like a cave.
Jason can see something faint in the top of the lamppost lighthouse...He saw the Narnia movies as they are related to Disney. He noticed Aslan softly murmuring to his Pops who then shifted into his spirit human form, and he looked at Jason.
Gasping in joy and shock, Jason sprinted down the hill, "Pops!", hugging his adoptive father earnestly, and Frederick laughed heartily as he hugged him, "Well, hello to you too, my boy.".
"I don't... I don't...", Jason clearly couldn't find the right words to say for this moment. "It's alright, boy... it's alright.", Frederick assured him.
Jason looked at him, and chuckled, "Logan was right. You are younger. You...are you happy?", and Frederick warmly smiled, ruffled his hair, "Happier than ever, Jason. I have so many friends I don't know anything to do with!", with a laugh.
Jason snickered, "I bet. What is in there?", and Frederick smiled patiently, "I can't tell you, only that you must depend on yourself, and I know you, son. You are persistent when you can be. Especially when you are aiming for a wish to come true.".
"First, you're sounding like Yoda with the Dark Side cave there.", Jason chuckled as he took a deep breath. "And yeah, you're right about that; I'm hoping, wishing, that things can work between me and Mulan... she's... she's got a hold on my heart, Pops.".
Frederick nodded, "Indeed. She's a lovely woman of incredible skills inside and outside. Don't worry, you will find a way to tell her. Now, I must not keep you.".
Jason smiled, hugging Frederick once more, "I love you, Pops.", and Frederick hugged him back, "I love you too, son.", with a ruffle of his hair before shifting back into his Piped Raven form, flying out with a screech.
Jason looked at him with a smile, and Aslan walked up beside him, speaking with his deep, velvet voice, "Your ring, the one that conjures, that was created of Deep Magic, and quite sentient yet shy.".
"How did it get all the way up to Andalasia?", Jason looked at him in surprise and curiosity, and Aslan chuckled, "It was traded between powerful hands, even sailed on the seas, and saw many things of great magnitude, and got stolen, of course. Now, in those trials that await before you, you must not rely on the ring, only yourself of your wits, your strength, and your faith. Do you swear it, Jason Valkara?".
"I swear it.", Jason nodded as Aslan gave one of his own, "I believe you; but be forewarned; this will truly be a test, not in any that you have experienced so far.".
Jason took a deep breath. Now he was starting to feel a bit of nagging doubt in his mind as Aslan's words kept ringing in his head about being tested in ways he never experienced. The war and fighting were one thing that he could handle, but if this was different to that?
Jason nodded, "I'm ready.", and Aslan smiled sincerely, "I know you are. And oh, I appreciate your respect and honor for Fa Mulan as she's a born Narnian. She will see you in time.".
Jason smiled softly, and Aslan nodded before giving out a deep, resonating roar, and Jason shivered in awe and amazement as he had dreamed of seeing Aslan doing this in front of him, and not a moment later, a great stone door appeared on the front of the building.
Jason turned to thank Aslan, but he blinked, seeing an empty spot, and chuckled, "That Mr. Tumnus was right...Aslan is not either tame or wild, but he's good.", before taking another deep breath and walked forward, making out words in French right on the stone door. Being in Canada, he was taught both English and French just like his brother throughout school as it was required.
'Préparez-vous à affronter tout ce qui vous attend au-delà de cette porte. Croyez en vous, faites confiance à votre cœur et faites confiance à la Magie Profonde. Mettez tout votre passé derrière vous et avancez.', and Jason spoke English to translate it, "Prepare to face all what awaits beyond this door. Believe in yourself, trust your heart, and put faith in the Deep Magic. Put all your past behind you, and step forward.".
Jason stepped forward, placing his hand on the door as there was no doorknob, and then there was a warm buzz and a pinch, and Jason drew back to see a tiny pin of skin wounded, but healing right before his eyes, and he then saw the doorknob forming shape into view.