(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

To the east of the garden, hidden between the trees is what looks from the outside like small and simple marquee.

But inside it is something very different. Large as any room inside the bar, the floor is covered with richly patterned carpets, as soft underfoot as grass. The walls are draped with the finest silks. Silver lanterns hung from the roof cast geometric patterns from their cut work sides, coloured rainbow hues by glass inserts.

At the room's centre is a raised dais spread with silks and furs, cushions and bolsters; a bed worthy of a king.

Sinric waits by the door, dressed in a flowing silk robe of rich gold and scarlet, his hair elaborately braided away from his neck and a mask of lace covering his eyes.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"The effect lingers?" He asks, a little concerned.

He can feel it subsiding, little by little but the undertow of sensation is still very strong.

[onceaviking]

"Not as much here as it does at home," Eric replies a little flippantly.
"And there the effect is both ways."

So he is cautious. For his own sake.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods, sensing these questions are making Eric uncomfortable.

So he asks something different. "Did you ever travel to Byzantium in your time? I know you are from the Northlands but did you ever take the trade routes east?"

[onceaviking]

"Not when I was still a human. I have been there later, of course."

[thewidewideworld]

"What is it like later? I have heard the Turks will take it, after the Empire falls."

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.

"They did. It was still beautiful when I saw it."

[thewidewideworld]

"Will you tell me what you saw there? What it was like?"

[onceaviking]

"It was crowded," he replies. "With people everywhere."

Immensely pleasing to a vampire.

[thewidewideworld]

"It was always a city of life. Even at night." He says wistfully.

[onceaviking]

"Night is all I care about," Eric says which is not necessarily true.

[thewidewideworld]

"It is a pity you cannot see it by day. The golden done of the Hagia Sophia shines so brightly at dawn. Like a second sun."

[onceaviking]

"Hmm," Eric says. Noncommittally.

He reaches down again to take hold of Sinric's chin so he can take a look at his eyes. His fingers are strong. And growing cold again.

[thewidewideworld]

He flinches a little from the touch, his soft eye clear than they were before.

[onceaviking]

Eric lifts an eyebrow at him.

Really? it seems to say.

[thewidewideworld]

It's a reflexive gesture borne of old trauma but that's not something he feels like explaining to Eric. Instead he dips his lashes apologetically.

[onceaviking]

That's a wise choice as Eric wouldn't care.

"Your heart rate is stabilising, so you should be fine on your own soon."

[thewidewideworld]

"If you think best." In truth he is ready to be alone, knowing Eric had no interest in him.

[onceaviking]

"So meek and demure."
Eric smiles at him.

"How often do people figure out that it is an act?"

[thewidewideworld]

A small smile leaks through. "Less than you would think. But it isn't always an act. I enjoy being delicate for some people. For others, it's the only way to be safe - to be no threat to them."

[onceaviking]

"Mmm, and who would admit to being threatened by a gelded and pretty little thing like you?"
It's a rhetorical question.

[thewidewideworld]

"I am the ears, eyes and touch of a powerful man. Some people fear that, some people lust for that. And some people forget, because what they see is the mask."

[onceaviking]

"Masks are clever that way," Eric agrees.

[thewidewideworld]

"And useful. As too is your mask of genteel control. You play the part well."

[onceaviking]

"Why, thank you," Eric replies.
Genteelly.

[thewidewideworld]

"It must serve you well, outside here where you cannot be so true with your nature." Not that he was all that true to his nature with Sinric.