"You're thinking in mortal terms again, this isn't the mortal realm. Slaves are very common." Sue pointed out.

"Enough Sue." Jin snapped, taking Carol's hand.

She smiled up at him. "Thank you," She said so only he could hear.

He pushed the large doors open to a huge hall, "Go n with Isaac, by evening we'll have dinner and after, if you really want, I -might- dance with you."

Isaac came up rather suddenly on Carol's other side, "We'll have fun, won't we?"

"You look like hell, you should get fixed up before you 'have fun.'" Came a drawling voice from the top of the stairs. An older woman wearing a long black strapless dress and smoking form a cigarette holder.

"Ida... A pleasure." He greeted her.

"She's... oh never mind." Sue said, taking the hint.

"Head of the house." Marcus finished her would be ramble in four words.

"Oh...nice to meet you...I think." Carol was stll very uncomfortable with the other women of the house, since the ones she'd met had attempted to harm her on the first meetings.

"Don't worry honey, a guest of Jin's is a guest of honor. You won't be mistreated here. After all, the help is trained to be nothing but pleasant. It -is- an entertainment home after all." She came down the stairs slowly, stopping before Carol. Several attendants had entered the room, ready to do as told. "Sue, Marcus, Elias...." She glared at Elias, "Ann will show you to your rooms. You sir, please follow Emile." The last part directed at Diah. "As for the two of you," She said to Carol and Isaac, "Please follow me."

She sighed in relief, glad for once she didn't have to worry about watching herself.
"I'd rather stay with Carol," Diah said firmly.

"No." Jin said just as firmly. "Carol will be staying in the room across the hall from mine."

"And I will be staying with her," Diah returned with a slight glare. "Why do you care anyway? You're kicking her out of your room, so I'm going to keep her company."

"Carol, would you prefer to sleep in my room?" He asked, unwilling to let Diah sleep with her. b

She looked surprised. "Oh, um...I don't really mind either way...."

"Choose." He said, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"Wha-? Why?" She frowned. "Diah...?"
"I'm fine as long as you're happy."
"Okay...I guess I'll stay with Jin..."

Jin gave Diah a smug smile, although he still felt like he'd lost.

"If you're finished debating, please come with me." Ida said in her usual slow drawl.

Diah placed a quick kiss on her head then followed Emile.
She took his hand, rolling her eyes at him. "You can be so silly sometimes. One day, it's completely terrible if we're in the same room. Now it's fine."

"It's not fine, it's just better than you sharing a room with him." Jin argued, following them.

"Why do you care so much?" She asked, a bit annoyed. "I mean, it's not like we're dating, and yet you act like some kind of jealous boyfriend."

"I just... really don't like him." Jin mumbled.

"I think it has more to do with it than that." She gave his hand a light squeeze. "Tell me."

"No. Stop questioning me." He said as he tried weakly to pull away.

"No." She felt a slight pain somewhere in her midsection, which took her a bit by surprise. Still, she pulled him closer. "Tell me?"

"Carol, stop asking." He said, pulling away slightly.

"No." The pain intensified, and she continued to ignore it. "Please tell me. Why do you act so weird when he's around?"

"Carol you're going to hurt yourself." He said, now starting to worry. "It just really bothers me to see you with him. I don't know why, and even if I did, I don't have to tell you."

Frowning, she reached up and stroked his face. "If you do figure it out, I want you to please tell me."

Jin nodded, "You know I can't get too close to you..." He reminded her.