I really liked Jel - especially during Friendship Level 4. However, I have to admit that I was disappointed with his Romance Route. It felt weak and repetitive - especially when compared to the others. Therefore, I wrote my first Palia fic to add a bit more to his post-route story in the way that my imagination wanted it to go.
Also, the player characters for my Palia fics will always be female, but they will remain nameless for increased reader compatibility.
Inspiration
"Oh, my dearest Muse!" Jel called out joyfully as soon as his most welcome patron entered the tailor's shop. "It has been so dreary here without you!"
The young human woman in question returned the affectionate greeting with one of her own as she approached the Majiri man with blue-toned features who stood behind the front counter in his usual elegant attire. She, on the other hand, still wore the sturdy and rugged field outfit that had been designed by Jel himself to withstand the hard grind of the many physical outdoor activities which filled the majority of her days.
It was not his usual design style, of course - especially since it was obviously meant to be far more utilitarian than fashionable. Nevertheless, the woman's continued comfort and safety during her endeavors when they were apart were of the upmost importance to him. Therefore, even though it was obvious that she was an extremely capable person who could take care of herself out there, he still did his part as well by funneling all of his considerable skills into her field outfit. Therefore, he made sure to add a little extra padding here and a little more reinforcement there...as well as plenty of ventilation...into the creation...the armor...she would wear out into the wild areas she tended to frequent.
To appease his artistic tendencies, though, he had chosen the specific cuts and colors of the fabric and design simply because he knew they would create the perfect contrast with the fairness of her skin tones and highlight her unconventional (at least by Majiri standards) beauty. Consequently, he ended up being very pleased with the end result - especially since it had turned out to be both quite stylish and extremely functional at the same time.
Accordingly, it was readily apparent to others at the first glance of the two of them together that the relationship of the couple was definitely a case of Opposites Attract. However, the insignificant details of the differences in their physical appearances and occupational choices did not seem to matter to either of them in the slightest. After all, it was equally as obvious that they had eyes only for each other.
As a result, it actually took the woman a few minutes to realize that they were not alone in Jel's shop. In fact, she had just enough time to throw a wave and a smile to the set of siblings on the other side of the counter...their best friends who always tried to join them for dinner there after closing time each night...before Jel continued to gush with the obvious delight that was in direct contrast to his previous state of constant blue melancholy that had been the norm before they had found each other.
He still retained his flair for the dramatic, however.
"I am so pleased that you have finally arrived to calm the chaotic maelstrom in my psyche!" he exclaimed fervently. "Even better, you are just in time to see the last sketch of the set I have just completed - especially since they depict none other than the ultimate dress that you have inspired with your continuously generous patronage of heartfelt gifts from your body and soul. Consequently, I just know that this is The One! Such a masterpiece is guaranteed to grant me the right to claim the name of Omiata for my own personal designs. In truth, if my own mother cannot appreciate the beauty of this magnificent work of art, then perhaps it will be time to stop seeking her approval and for me to finally create my own label...and earn my own reputation rather than relying on my family name...instead. At any rate, whichever direction the Dragon leads me, I still know that I owe it all to you, my most treasured Muse. After all, you were such a vision of loveliness last night that I could not get the memory of our time together out of my mind. As a result, I was inspired to create my greatest work ever!"
At his passionate words, both the woman's instantaneous blush and concerned countenance as she warily glanced over at their suddenly extremely interested companions were proven to be immediately justified when his next statement indeed contained the very details she had feared would follow.
"After all, the recollection of the exquisite curvature of your spine as you arched your back with pleasure and gazed at me over your shoulder with so much Phoenix fire in your eyes has consumed both my thoughts and my soul since it occurred. Finally, however, the seed that our latest delightfully physical encounter planted in my mind took sprout and flourished until I could take no more and I simply had to give in and draw out the creation that our acts of love inspired! As such, I have barely looked up from my sketches today. The process has proven to be quite the catharsis for my various woes, as well. Come, though, and see for yourself the unique lines of this bodice and skirt that were meant to mimic the loveliness that is your own lissome form in the throes of passion. For myself, however, I dare not gaze upon it too long - less the sight causes me to swoon in physical bliss all over again."
Since Jel was completely focused on the large stack of drawings on the counter of the admittedly breathtaking gown, he failed to hear Tish gasp in surprise at his explanation...or Reth chokeon the mouthful of soup he had just sipped from his ever-present flask.
"Jel...our favorite human...physical encounter...passion...bliss?" the cook muttered in shock when he finally managed to finish swallowing the offending liquid completely as he processed the information he had just received in order to come to the logical conclusion.
His sister still beat him to the revelation, however.
"Oh...My...Dragon!" Tish squealed in delight as she crossed over to hug her human friend. "My shining superstar has been holding out on me! I knew that you two wore each other's pins, of course, but I didn't know that you were together in that way, as well! How long has this been going on? No wonder Jel has been so inspired recently! I knew something must have happened because he has been in such a creative mad frenzy lately...even more so than me when I think about redecorating my foyer. I never guessed that it was because of that, though. Maybe I should have, however, because he has actually been smiling every time I have seen him, too. Not only that...but now that I think about it...I realize I have not heard one cry of despair from him all week, either!"
"I've noticed the difference, too," Reth murmured, still obviously astounded by the turn of events as his sister returned to his side. "He's even been almost friendly to me, so I seriously considered the possibility that he'd been bodysnatched. In fact, I was thinking about bringing in Elouise to perform a cleansing ritual, but it turns out he has just been...um..." Reth paused as he search for the best word to use at the moment. His eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief, though, as they met the set of obviously mortified human ones in front of him.
"Inspired," he finished with a grin as he turned back to his tailor friend. "So I'm going out on a treacherously unstable limb here and guess that it was your first...?" The rest of Reth's question remained unspoken, but his meaning was still clear to everyone present.
"It is true that I was lost in a sea of lonely darkness and despair until my lovely Muse's soul appeared to guide me to warmth and safety," Jel agreed easily as he gazed with devotion at his human partner. "After all, while many have been attracted to the Omiata label over the years, not one being has ever decided to remain with the man who was not yet allowed to use the name for his own creations. That told me everything I needed to know about them and...unfortunately...about my own shortcomings, as well. Consequently, I have often looked, but never touched. I never even dreamt that someone would desire me in such a way for myself alone. At least that remained the case until I received the initial invitation to visit the bedchamber of my most treasured muse...who just so happened to also be the human who held my heart in her hands long before she held my physical body there, as well. That first extremely gratifying encounter that occurred as a result has since become a memory that I will always cherish and an experience that I still find I desire to repeat as often as possible."
"Jel, please!" The horrified woman interrupted in a faint voice once she could finally speak again after her initial shock at the unexpected turn the previously innocent conversation had somehow taken. "I really don't mind if they know about us, but I don't think they need to hear about all of that, too."
"Actually, they kinda do...or at least I do!" Reth interjected hopefully...but the woman paid him no mind.
After all, she did not know if her heart could take much more of the conversation before she died of embarrassment...even if it was all quite true. She had indeed been charmed almost from the very beginning of her unorthodox arrival in the valley as she looked past the outwardly reserved and practically standoffish demeanor of the fashion forward man in front of her to be able to discover the lonely, but loving and passionate, soul that resided within, instead. In fact, she had been beyond thrilled when they slowly grew close enough over time for him to finally ask her to wear his pin as his soulmate...and to also accept hers as they agreed to be each other's family, as well.
Nevertheless, Jel continued to seem uncertain of how to move on to the next physical step of their relationship. Therefore, once she had decided that she could wait no longer to finally have all of him, the woman took the initiative herself and desperately gathered up enough courage (After all, she was a Water type...and not nearly as bold as Fire or Earth!) to seduce him in a language she knew he would understand. In short, she asked him to help her test out the texture and quality of the new bed linens that she had created with all of the lovely fabric he had gifted to her since they had been together.
The wide-eyed look of wonder he had given her when he recognized what she really meant...and the shy eagerness of his acceptance of what he deemed "the utmost honor"...touched the woman's heart and thrilled her almost as much as the resulting night had.
After all, despite his previous inexperience in such matters, she soon discovered to her absolute delight and satisfaction that Jel's long, slender, and extremely dexterous fingers, plus his mastery at handling the most delicate of fabrics, as well as his exact attention to the tiniest of details could also make all of the difference in other areas besides his chosen Path.
Afterwards, his compliments on the progress of her stitching skills on the new linens as they lay close together underneath them...basking in the mutual afterglow of satisfied exhaustion...meant the world to her, as well. After all, he was the one who had taught her how to sew in the first place.
Hence, they had grown even closer than they had been before.
She had planned to tell Tish about the change in their status eventually, of course, but she dreaded the terrible jokes that Reth was certain to dish out if he knew the truth. Therefore, she would have happily continued to keep him in the dark if she could have done so. Unfortunately, the group's current conversation meant that particular ship had already sailed towards other horizons...never to be seen again.
"Dish the soup and spill the tea, already! I want to hear all about how you made our Jel a man...every little sordid detail, if you please!" Reth proved her point as he continued to tease his friends.
He seemed to find it especially fun to focus on the human since her normally pale peach countenance had turned as bright red as the star-quality tomatoes she grew in her garden...the same ones that Reth always begged for in his weekly gift requests since he loved to turn them into ingredients for his various soup recipes.
Fortunately, Jel came to the woman's rescue as soon as he realized the extent of her mortification.
"Ah, my love. Please do not be embarrassed or make yourself uneasy over such a trivial matter...for I certainly am not," he interjected soothingly. "After all, such acts are as natural as the air we breathe. Plus, the sights...the sounds...the sensations...how could such a physical manifestation of deep emotion not be inspiring – especially when it is also the ultimate consummation of your soulbond with the one you adore above all others? Can you blame me for wanting to boast about our deep physical and emotional connection – especially to one who has obviously never experienced something so wonderful and fulfilling for himself?"
"Ouch! No need to rub it in that you're so happy while I'm still pathetic and alone. Who has the time to find true love anyway...besides you two, of course?" Reth whined a bit and let out an almost Jel-worthy dramatic sigh as he scuffed the floor with his shoe. His good humor quickly recovered, however... just as it always did...and all of his soup-related puns started to flow freely once again to show that he was actually quite pleased for his friends.
For the woman, however, Jel's heartfelt and poetic words of affection warmed her soul and calmed her spirit, as usual. Therefore, she soon felt strong enough again to move past her discomfort and ignore even the most ridiculously suggestive of Reth's hot pot innuendos as she turned to his sister for a much more wholesome dose of conversation, instead. After all, the cheerful furniture maker was so thrilled that her two best friends had found such happiness with each other that she had apparently already started on the mental process of planning out the design of a new bedroom set for them...one that would seamlessly blend their two unique styles together into one perfect form.
It was truly wonderful that their friends were so happy for them. However, the human woman still knew that what other people thought and said about their relationship was not really important in the long run. In fact, the only thing that actually mattered was how she and Jel felt about each other. Consequently, she was determined that...just as he had vowed to do for her...she would continue to reside in the tailor's heart and forever stay by his side as his one constant source of love and inspiration!