(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

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric laughs warmly. "Just so." He strolls under the trees, running his hands over the smooth bark of the trees.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan follows, slowly.

"You like this orchard?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Very much." He smiles, looking up at the darkening sky. "I have fond memories of dancing amongst the blossoms here. This is my home, this place."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles slightly.

"Somewhere to come back to, year after year."

[thewidewideworld]

"That it is. And I've grown less afraid. Even when the door is lost for years at a time, I know I'll find it again."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Sooner or later, that does seem to be the way."

[thewidewideworld]

"Even when it's longer than I might like." He reaches out a hand to Athelstan. "I've missed you, very much."

[athelstanthescribe]

He hesitates, uncertain, but takes Sinric's hand.

"As I likely would have missed you, if I had had time."

[thewidewideworld]

"Thank you, beloved." Sinric gives Athelstan's hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm starting to get cold, I might head inside. Would you like to come with me?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I think I will." He nods.

[thewidewideworld]

He offers to take the basket and strolls towards the bar. "Shall we sit by the fire and read a while?"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lets him take it, following.

"What are you reading now?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Tamil children's stories. It helps me get use to the language."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"What kind of stories do they tell their children? The same themes as we do?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Very similar. That same is true of Nippon stories. It seems the tales we teach children are similar the world over."

[athelstanthescribe]

"They all need to learn the same things, I suppose, more or less."

[thewidewideworld]

"And they are easier to read when one is learning the language. May I ask what you're reading at the moment?"

[athelstanthescribe]

He shrugs slightly.

"Nothing in particular."

[thewidewideworld]

"Would you help me find something you enjoy? Something I might read? I'd like to share that with you. I could find some of the stories of my youth if they interest you?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"There's so much to choose from." It's not a refusal. "But that might be a place to start."

[thewidewideworld]

"Perhaps we should head to the library? I know I've seen a book of Persian fairytale that has some of my favourite stories."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"The library itself might guide us to something."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and walks with Athelstan up to the library, touching the walls softly as they enter through the ornate doors. A sting tangles around his hand as he does, glowing softly as it winds around the shelves. "I guess we follow this to find the books we want."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan blinks at it.

"That's new. But something always is when I come up here."

[thewidewideworld]

"You should try it. The string feels a little bit alive, like it's singing."