slipping away with Ragnar

[thewidewideworld]

{From here}

Sinric leads Ragnar into the bathrooms, glancing around to see if anyone is around before slipping into one of the stalls and closing the door behind them.

"Do you want me to paint your prick with my lips or lift my skirts and take me standing?" He asks with a list-filled purr.

Comments

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"I am," Ragnar says, finishing his beer. He leans over to kiss Sinric again, then stands.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric sticks close to Ragnar's side, not so much shy as just a little clingy as they head down to the garage. The lift always makes him nervous.

Jay's workshop has grown considerably since Ragnar stole a bike, even since he was last down the sing to the babies.

The canvas walls have been moved to take up a space three times the size. One half of it dominated by a glowing blue concaved structure, covered in niches the size of adult drones. Not unlike the inside of a bee hive. It has a very organic feel for something made of plastic, glass and metal.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Have they built themselves homes of their own?" Ragnar guesse, marvelling at that structure.

[runningred]

Jay nods as some of the drones swarm out to meet them, others busy building and repairing tiny pieces of machinery. "The hives act as a charging station as well as a focus of communication. I still only have half a clue as to what they're doing most of the time but I think the hive stores memories and ideas to share."

Lock spots Ragnar and comes floating over, greeting him with a friendly hum, like a snatch of song.

The most noticeable change it that the tank for the babies is missing.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar puts an arm around Sinric to make sure he doesn't get intimidated or feels left out. "Where are the little ones?" he asks. "We were going to sing to them."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric is still in open awe of this strange and a little frightening sight. So much out of his experience, even here.

Lock gives the youth a gentle purr, brushing against Sinric's outstretched fingers.

Jay nods towards a larger opening near the centre of the hive. "The others have taken over keeping the little ones on line now that they've calmed down a little. They still get excitable though so watch yourself."

Six little shapes, still blotches with black and red peek out of the nursery, three larger white adults flanking them.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"There they are," Ragnar says, pointing for Sinric's benefit. This must be hardly more than lights and noises for him, strange beyond description!

He reaches out to greet Lock with a touch, as well, as this is a friendly machine person who can be trusted. "Hello again," he says. "Can we sing to your little ones?"

[runningred]

Lock gives an emphatic little buzz of approval and zips off, coming back with chairs for Ragnar and Sinric, sitting them close to the hive so the little ones don't have to venture far from the hive to listen.

Sinric can't help but giggle at the little drones antics as Lock fusses at making them comfortable. "You are most kind, thank you."

Jay watches from the workshop bench, keeping an eye on the babies just in case they get over exited.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar takes a deep breath and starts singing the stanzas of the havamál that deal with hospitality, its duties and pitfalls -- it seems apt, here in Milliways.

[thewidewideworld]

The babies settle from their excited buzzing to sway slowly in the air, following the soothing rhythm of the poem.

Sinric listens too, still learning the epic in parts. This part he does recognise and mouthes along, his voice low.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Singing this is almost meditative, even though some of the verses are slightly funny -- this is the everyday wisdom of Ragnar's people, something every child knows, words that can just leaves his mouth while his worry about the little one in question slowly ebbs.

[runningred]

Jay listens too, reaching up to pat Stock as she comes to land on his shoulder. Other are gathering too, most of the adults put down their work to listen.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

So Ragnar keeps singing, with all that rapt attention around him.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric joins in on the sections he knows, his voice soft and sweet so he doesn't detract from Ragnar's singing.

Jay leans against the bench, a drone on each shoulder. Ragnar has managed to bring the entire workshop to rapt silence.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Finally, Ragnar stops and looks around for some water.

"It seems they like Norse poetry," he says, sounding almost surprised.

[runningred]

Lock goes darting off to get him a bottle of water as the others emit a chitteting sound which Jay related as applause. "Seems like. And I suspect a few of them were translating bits into their own language as you went. Don't be shocked if they start taking some of that advice."

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar chuckles, and then accepts the water bottle he's given. "Thank you," he says to Lock. "Viking machine people. There could be worse."

[thewidewideworld]

Jay chuckles. "Now there's a scary thought!"

"May I sing to them?" Sinric asks softly. "I don't know anything quite as wise as the epic of Ragnar's people but I know many songs from my own court."

Jay nods and gestures him to go on if he wants to.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar has a few sips of water, then offers the bottle to Sinric to wet his throat before he starts.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods his thanks and wets his lips and throat before beginning to sing.

He chooses a simple child's song at first and is a little shocked when the drones pick up the tune and in their own humming tones, sing back the repeats.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar grins at that, and puts his arm around the startled Sinric in a gesture of affection and protectiveness.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric leans into the touch gratefully but doesn't let the song fall, instead he switches to a more complex song, still one of call and answer that the drones take up eagerly.

Jay notices the youth's surprise and give the adults a subtle signal to chill. He doesn't want them frightening Sinric in their enthusiasm.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

With the answering parts of the song, Ragnar joins in as well -- he doesn't sing well, but he sings, as most parents will have to.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric laughs softly as Ragnar joins in, leaning in to squeeze his hand.

He sings three or four songs more before stopping to sip more of the water.

"I think you made some new friends." Jay chuckles as the drones click and chirp their approval.

Lock comes back and tugs lightly on Ragnar's sleeve, wanting to show him something.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar gets up, offering his hand to Sinric, to ask him to come along if he wants to.