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It wasn’t the first time she’d been back since New Years, but it was the first time she’d used her key. Melisande’s heart was beating faster as she nodded to the doorman, the elevator doors sealing her away. She clutched her pair of over packed bags close. The plan was simple…she just hoped it was something that the boys would like! The Muse flattened her hand over Zavier's ring, pressing it close to her heart. Would he be happy, seeing the light on her face after so many dark days?

The doors pulled open again silently, and Pasha floated down the hall. She remembered New Years Eve perfectly (the beginning of it, anyway) and smiled at the memory of Zul watching her from the doorway. The entire thing still felt like something she would have dreamed, rather than lived. Hopefully the weekend would be just as memorable. There was a time, not so long ago at all, that Melisande wouldn't have been able to picture herself here. Picture herself happy. They'd already given her quite a gift. Now it was her turn.

She was wearing a grey athletic jacket with a tall, asymmetrical collar and had her curls pulled back into a high ponytail…a decent hint as to the nature of their surprise if they considered it! The key turned easily in the lock, and the Muse let herself inside. Entering the Loft felt like…waking up late and taking a long bath. Melisande took a deep breath and set her bags beside the door. It swung shut behind her, and she caught it to close it more gently.

”Zul? Rivener? I know it’s not a lot of warning, but…time to pack!” She’d made sure they had the days free, but hadn’t told them a lot else. Pasha’s smile was dazzling, and her wings were wide in excitement. ”Where are you two?”

Rivener had made sure he wouldn't work today and he was so infinitely curious as to what the Muse might have planned for the day. He'd tried to watch TV to distract himself, he'd straightened up the apartment a bit, he'd gone through his closet and picked out a few outfits to cover all the possible bases of what might be going on, but there was no calming him. By the time Melisande arrived and called for them, having let herself in, Riv had been by the far windows peering into their as-of-yet unstarted balcony garden. He couldn't wait to see what Pasha would make of it!

Her voice after hearing the door open and close without a knock had Riv's soul soaring. She had used her key!! She was truly making herself at home and the Scorpion was just delighted!! He jumped and twirled on himself once with a flap of wings, both fists pumping into the air with glee. "Meli!" he called as he zoomed to the front entrance, finding her and Zul already exchanging greetings. The dark Sigel jumped onto the pile with a laugh, lacing an arm around either of his loves' shoulders and giving first one then the other a kiss on the cheek. He wore his usual black and red vest, having no idea what he should wear either.

"You look lovely, my Sweet." He winked at Pasha, still thrilled of those few times he'd caught her calling him "sweet boy". "Dressed for... a hike?" He ventured a guess, grinning, then waited for her explanation.

The demon arched a dark brow at the instructions, but he wore a crooked, amused smile and dipped his head in understanding and acknowledgement. With Rivener's greeting and her delicate fingers against the curve of his arm, his hand covered hers, enjoying their brand of affection. Zul couldn't help but smile warmly at the two, his blue eyes resting in happy crescent moons; he always felt awash in utter satisfaction when he had both of his important ones together again.

When Melisande procured her phone and raised it towards them, Zul slid up against the Scorpion's side, arm around Rivener's middle, turning his head to kiss the darker male's cheek before the click sounded. He lifted his free hand and cupped Rivener's cheek to turn the other to face him, stealing another kiss -- properly on the lips, this time. A playful smile curved his lips before his expression softened, looking between the two. "Happy Valentine's Day, Riv, Melisande. Now. Shall we pack? Come, come. Approve what we decide on!" They had to pack, but there was no reason Melisande had to wait out in the foyer. Besides, it still gave him a thrill to take her to the bedroom.

The demon extended his hand and took Melisande's within his own, keeping his other arm around Rivener, floating them both with gentle insistence to the room, releasing them only once they got to the door (for he was certain all three of them would not pass side by side). Zul dug through the closet and procured a duffle bag, intending to share with Rivener. He grabbed the undershirt he had been gifted for Christmas by the Scorpion, laying it out for inspection before he went to retrieve two towels: a plain red-wine one for himself and a black one with red markings reminiscent of Rivener's shirt, checking to see if it was acceptable for the Scorpion by holding it up for his approval or denial.

Pasha snapped a picture silently, glancing down at the captured image just in time for the camera to go live again as they truly kissed. Blushing, she snapped a second picture before tucking her camera away. She could already picture Rivener's smile once she sent it to him.

"Sure, let's see!" Pasha would never admit it, but she had been hoping to have a chance to visit their room. The smell of the shirt they had let her borrow had made her smile for days. It was amazing, how much smiling she did now. She slipped her hand into Zul's and followed.

Melisande beamed at their choices, hanging back as they laid out clothes. They were lovely, with their banter and intimacy. She wasn't jealous, but…in a way, she wished she could be so affectionate. The Muse drifted forward to settle on the edge of her bed, smoothing her hand over the covers. Rivener's pondering earned him only a flash of a smile, and she nodded at his vest instead of the sweater.

"That one! Doesn't need to be warm. If we get cold, we can...always…" Her eyes flicked to Zul as she realized what she was about to suggest, and she had the grace to blush again. Pasha pushed away from the bed, tucking her hair behind her ear even though it was captured in a ponytail. The blossoms at her temples were full and sweet.

"The car is waiting! I'll meet you down there when you're ready!" Melisande pressed her cheek Rivener's with an inaudible kiss, and brushed against Zul's with a feather light touch before she darted for the door.

***

Melisande waved from the back of the van when they finally made it to the street. The side door pulled open, thankfully obscuring the logo on the side of the vehicle. "Here!" The seats were large enough to sit three wide, and the driver had put her bag into far back to make room. A few cars slowed as they passed the van, watching the Raevans curiously.

"It's a little bit of a drive…" She admitted as they loaded in. The van driver adjusted his rearview mirror, glancing at the boys for a moment. "Zul, did you bring music? I never got a chance to sing for you at New Years. We could take turns and pass some time, if you'd like!"

The driver sighed to himself, and passed the aux cord back. He made sure someone shut the side door firmly before tilting his mirror back again and pulling the van away from the curb.

Rivener nodded thoughtfully at Melisande's hints. So they didn't need warm clothes? Maybe they weren't picnicking then. Walking somewhere, hiking, but once there it would be warm? What a puzzle! With a grin he picked up the shirt and vest, packing those then donning his coat and following the other two outside. Climbing into the van was no new thing for Riv, but he laughed softly at Zul's comments. "You can enjoy the sights along the way, Flower," he teased before turning to Pasha. "You've dropped a few hints, but I'm curious too. You truly know how to interest someone, Sweet."

The question about singing had Riv's wings rustling in delight as the van set into motion. His face lit up. "I've got plenty that's better suited! I bet I can find a song you don't know," he challenged the Muse, looking amused and determined as he began sifting through the songs saved to his phone. He had a wide ecclectic range of things, from jazz to pop to jrock and everything in between. Operatic metal is what he resorted to in his quest to stump Pasha, showing her songs from bands like Epica, Leaves' Eyes and Nightwish.

The car ride went by in a blink, Rivener daring to sing along to Pasha's voice once in a while when his humor allowed him to laugh at himself. His efforts were not nearly as graceful as the Muse's and after a few verses he'd usually descend into blushing guffaws, aware that he was a very poor student. Sometimes the Scorpion attempted to pull Zul into singing, turning to the Demon and poking at his arm playfully, goading him. A few times he sat in silence looking at the scenery, but most of the trip was occupied by his talking, telling joking anecdotes about Aphismet and Isi back in the days when Riv lived in the old haunted mansion house by Durem Caves North.

When the van finally pulled to a stop, Rivener was actually surprised. "Already?" he asked, unaware of how much time had passed. "Where are we?"

For the majority of the trip, Zul was stricken by something that he rarely ever endured -- silence. From the moment Pasha parted her sweet lips, the demon was enthralled. His bright blue eyes were wide and fixated, not just lulled by the call of the Muse, but by the way her voice tugged at the demon in him. The Sigel watched with a wide-eyed wonder, listening for certain but paying much more mind to the way Melisande seemed to blossom, to thrive. He'd never seen her like this, and the shock it incited in the demon was no small feat.

When the two tried to get him to sing, he could only slightly shake his head and smile faintly. Zul had no voice in the face of the Muse and the Scorpion like this. He lost all grasp of words.

The silence that followed as they relaxed and listened to music, viewing the passing scenery seemed to jar him out of his own quietness, putting an arm delicately around Melisande's back to cradle her, his fingers seeking Rivener's. Their destination seemed to be the furthest importance in his mind; the songs that had filled his ears and still lingered in his very being were precious to him in a way he could not explain.

When the van stopped, he blinked as though coming out of a trance, following Melisande out of the van with a wince against the sun, turning back to grab the two bags and heft them onto his shoulders; it was with his thumbs hooked beneath the straps and a curious brow lofted towards Melisande that the picture was snapped. "A hot springs," he mused out loud, understanding dawning on his features. She had literally booked them a vacation getaway! Zul finally grinned then, the expression more comfortable on his face than the vulnerable awe he'd felt before. "I could have heated the water for a group bath, Melisande. You know I'd be willing~"

He couldn't help but tease, hoping the mental image he painted with the soft, suggestive lilt of his words would be enough. Zul tilted his head to press a chaste kiss to Rivener's cheek as the other exited the van before turning his gaze quizzically to the Muse for her explanation before a heavy sort of seriousness settled in. "No thinking, Melisande. We are all in this and I daresay we would not have allowed this venture without stowing you away to come with us." He floated to her, but did not touch, wearing a smile since his hands could not yet dislodge from their hold on the bags. "This is beautiful, though -- all of us, here. You've an incredible heart to do this for all of us."

Zul politely faced the woman approaching with the mugs, bowing his head to her though eager to proceed and see the lodge. Already he was consciously raising his own temperature, unfettered by the promise of a brisk stay.

Surprisingly, Melisande didn't demure from the idea of a shared bath. She'd considered it more than once! Zul's talents were very tempting in this regard, as selfish as it was of her. Pasha blushed, and murmured thanks as her bag was pulled from the van.

"I'm glad we could all come together." The Muse agreed with both of them, nestling into Rivener's hug and moving in closer to Zul's warmth willingly. She accepted a mug as well, wrapping her hands around it just as the Scorpion had.

"We're in the…Peak Suite?" Melisande read carefully before handing the certificate over. The woman's brows furrowed, smile fading as she took the card with her free hand.

"You…were. I'm so sorry, but we had a bit of a slide with that last winter storm, a week or so ago? The trail is washed out, I'm afraid. We have a room in the main lodge set aside!"

Pasha's face fell. She'd picked the Suite especially, the agent's description of it had sounded so perfect. But just because there was no trail didn't mean they couldn't still go…did it? "Do you think…maybe…" She glanced up at Zul, considering the obvious alternative. If he was strong enough to carry her bag, they could go where the staff couldn't!

There was nothing Zul and Rivener couldn't do. Her slow smile chased away the momentary worry. "We should be fine! Just point us in the right direction?"

With a significant glance at their wings, and then a look up the mountain towards the highest plume of steam, the woman smiled uncertainly. "Are…you sure? We wouldn't be able to offer linen, towel, or dining services. You'd be welcome to refresh amenities at the main lodge, of course. We would be happy to offer you each a complimentary spa service as well, for the inconvenience."

Pasha looked again to both of the boys, setting her mug back on the tray and buttoning up her coat. "That would be wonderful. Thank you!"

___

The trip up the mountain hadn't been difficult at all. Not for Melisande, anyway, but she didn't have a bag to carry. Though she was normally strong in flight, the Muse babied her recently healed wing…staying low in the trees so she didn't have to fight the occasional gust. Crossing the little chasms that cut the mountain and the patches of mud and rock from the slides was a breeze for the Sigels, but she could see why the staff hadn't made it up the trail. It would take weeks before the mess was cleared.

The suite itself was a small, modern cabin. They'd been assured water and power were both intact, and sure enough, their key card worked without a problem. The wood tones and creams of the suite were inviting, and a lovely contrast to the green and gray of the scenery outside. Exposed beams and twists of long draping sheer fabric framed the spaces expertly.

A sitting room with a low table greeted them, the screen of the TV dark and boxes with games stacked neatly next to a wide variety of books. There was a small kitchenette, a generous bath, and the bedroom which looked out over a private hot spring. Irregular boulders surrounded the steaming water, and broad leafed plants leaned in from the sides.

Melisande paused, taken with the charming retreat, but something still seemed off. Slowly, she realized it was the bedroom. There was only one bed.

It was a grand, wide bed with four towering corner posts, each draped with a fall of the same sheer cream. The light was low, primarily coming from the french doors that opened out to the spring. She nibbled her lip for a moment, twisting to check their expressions. There were supposed to be two beds, she was almost positive. Or had that been the Ponderosa Suite…?