(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{Continued from here}

Sinric heads down the stairs and out into the gardens, a wrap pulled around his shoulders and his hair still damp. He breathes in the scent of approaching evening as if committing it to memory before turning towards the lake.

He has no idea which way Athelstan might have gone but the lake always seems like a good place to start.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"If I knew it so clearly, I would tell you", he says honestly. "But I think I'm going to leave that room to the two of you, and go back to my brother's."

[thewidewideworld]

"Please don't, if it is on my account. I have my own room and am content there. And once the door is closed, I'm a whole floor away. If it is my return that drives you, I hope you will reconsider."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It isn't your simple presence", Athelstan assures him quickly. "It's - every moment you and Ragnar are in the same room, I can see how you want each other."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric considers that in silence a moment. "Beloved, I won't lie to you. I do desire him. And I am very grateful for the privacy you gave us to share that desire."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And so removing myself is just to continue that privacy. So you never need hold back in case I might come in and feel - unwelcome."

[thewidewideworld]

"You would never be unwelcome. As we both desire you as much as each other. Your company more than desires of the flesh that I know still lay dormant in you."

He offers Athelstan his hand. "But if you feel it best, I have no right to try to tell you otherwise. But I don't know that I will stay long. I have a long journey ahead to reach you."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods, touching Sinric's hand.

"The door may have other ideas about how long you will be gone. And my company is little enough to wish for."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric cups Athelstan's hand, threading their fingers together. "It often does. But it has never stops me from going, only slows my return."

He looks up at Athelstan, his eyes dark and large. "I have missed you. Like an ache in my heart. Your company means the world to me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Even now, when a turn in conversation may send me into silence or flight? And even I cannot always know what will bring it on? I'm not fit company for anyone."

So he spends as much time as he can get away with in solitude, or the company of animals.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then if it will bring you peace, I have no right to ask you to change your mind." He nods a bow. "But I hope you will allow me your company, until mine becomes tedious."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course."

He doesn't think he'll ever find it tedious, exactly.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then, with your permission, I'll keep you company a little longer. I need to learn more Tamil before I return. I already know more than I'm letting on but less than I'd like."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Tamil is the language they speak in India?" he guesses.

[thewidewideworld]

"For the most part. The people of the port speak many languages, as with all trade ports everywhere but the musicians speak mostly the Tamil of the provinces and inland. I can make out enough to follow most of the time but I'd like to learn more."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And here, there are many ways to learn even without a native teacher."

[thewidewideworld]

"And the Bar is very generous with her teaching tools. The tablet computer She gave me has been very useful."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Did you find it difficult to master? Being so different from all we know?"

[thewidewideworld]

"It is, but there are similarities in the way it's spoken to some of the other languages I know. Enough to pick up the way of it. It's a guttural language compared to some but in the right rhythm, it can be quite beautiful."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I meant the tablet computer - but the languages, too. And any language can be beautiful in song."

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh, of course." He smiles apologetically. "I have used it on several occasions and for several languages including Nippon. It is a very clever thing and quite easy to use. Would you like to see?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, please", he says immediately. "I've seen things like it, but probably not quite the same."

[thewidewideworld]

He reaches into the pouch at his belt, drawing out a slender book. A book that seems rather larger than should fit in said pouch.

He runs a finger down the spine and feels it open to the touch. Inside are two screens, each lighting up under his fingers.

He moves to sit beside Athelstan, showing how the tablet scrolls through the words, speaking them aloud at he touches them.

Likewise, he's able to speak to the tablet, the words appearing on the screen and letting him know where he's pronunciation is off.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan watches all this with fascination - and no surprise at the pouch's capacity, since he has one of his own.

[thewidewideworld]

And Sinric has cause every day to be glad of that pouch.

"And it can be loaded with any language I request. I need only ask."

[athelstanthescribe]

"There must be languages in the world we have never even heard of."