AU week - telling the tale.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin takes Athelstan's hand and leads him through a door and then another, and up a narrow flight of stairs that seem to be hidden in the walls. To another door that looks like it should be locked but isn't. (Or isn't locked anymore.)

The journey leads them into the roof and a flatish section of tiles where they can sit and look out over the lake, protected from the breeze.

"Come, sit with me." Sin strolls across the tiles, sure as a mountain goat till he finds a good spot to sit with their backs against a chimney.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"You must have met real First Nations shamans in your travels", Athelstan says thoughtfully.

[thewidewideworld]

"Damn right you deserve that." Sin can't help but giggle, failing to stay serious.

"I try to. I feel very connected to the spiritual side of the land. In fact the course is being taught by a friend of a friend of the people who run the retreat we're going to after the festival."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Is he or she based out of that part of the country?" Ragnar asks.

He leans over Athelstan to kiss Sinric's shoulder, and then kisses Athelstan's as well as he's at it.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan lifts a hand to brush Ragnar's face in passing.

"I'm looking forward to meeting them."

[thewidewideworld]

"From what I understand, he's a bit of a wanderer like me. The retreat is on land that was considered sacred to several of the native tribes of the area. When Jack inherited the land from his father in the 60s, he got rid of the cattle and stated replanting and rehabilitating the land. He invited the traditional owners back to help preserve the sights. It's become a bit of a crossroads for the spiritual and alternative life style community."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"So you met your teacher there, when both of you happened to pass through?" Ragnar says. "It'll be great to have some days there, after the festival and before we head back."

[athelstanthescribe]

"How long is this course he teaches?" Athelstan asks. "And is it a regular thing?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I did, last time I passed through that way. He told me he coukd feel the spirit energy in me and I begged him to tell me more. We talked then about him teaching but he didn't feel he was ready. That was a couple of years ago and I get a message through the grapevine he was pulling things together to run it as a full retreat and I should let him know if I was still interested." Sin bites his lip. "I think it's something that could be very enlightening for me."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"So you'd be among the very first students?" Ragnar says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I hope he'll think I'm as much worth teaching", Athelstan says shyly.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin kisses Athelstan sweetly. "I can't make any promises that White Raven will be at Jack's while we are but if he is, I promise to introduce you. I'm sure he's see your spirit as brightly as I do."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I'm sure you'll learn a lot as it is," Ragnar says, "because what you're looking for is actually inside you, not outside knowledge."

[athelstanthescribe]

"But I might need some more help to get it out."

[thewidewideworld]

"All the time in the world, lovely Athelstan." Sin promises, kissing him softly. He yawns and cuddles close. "I don't know about you two but I'm exhausted. I hope you both plan to stay? I like this much warmth in my bed."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"You couldn't drag me away with a monster truck," Ragnar assures him. "This is just too nice for words."

Beat.

"And I'll be good and shut up. One last kiss from each, though?"

He winks at them with what he might think is a winsome smile.

[athelstanthescribe]

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be", Athelstan promises, eyeing Ragnar, then leans in for the requested kiss.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar kisses him, long and gently, and then leans over him to get a kiss from Sinric as well.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin's kiss is long and slow and full of gratitude, as is the kiss he gives Athelstan. "My darling ones." He purrs before snuggling down and closing his eyes. "If I'm not here when you wake up, assume I've gone somewhere to watch the dawn but I'll find you later."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan snuggles back in with the two of them.

"I'll come and look for you on the roof."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Hm," Ragnar says, closing his eyes, as he remembers his promise to shut up already.

[thewidewideworld]

Sin smiles and drifts off, wonderfully content.

{ooc: wrap? Love these three so very much! I'll post this one and the last one now.}