getting out of the halloween costume

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lead Athelstan to his own room, rather than via the door to the spaces they share. It isn't overly large compared to Athelstan and Ragnar's part of the suite - a bed, a small wash room and a large wardrobe for all his things. But in the corner by the narrow window seat sits a harpsichord, resplendent in polished dark wood.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", he agrees. "They would tend to get in the way, as she goes about her chores."

[thewidewideworld]

"Or if she needs to move fast." Sinric folded the dress and under things, carefully setting them away in the wardrobe.

He sits to untangle the curls of the victory rolls, reaching for his brush.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You should wear your hair like this again", Athelstan says, moving to help him.

[thewidewideworld]

"I will have to learn how. It seems quite complex." He hands Athelstan the brush, closing his head in gratitude. He so does love having his hair played with.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps the Bar could give you instructions."

He's gentle as he begins brushing out the curls.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric closes his eyes as Athelstan brushes him, making a soft purring sound. "Thank you." he whispers, reaches back to touch Athelstan's hip.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I know how you enjoy it", he murmurs. "And I couldn't deny you such a simple thing."

[thewidewideworld]

"Simple but lovely." He sighs. "Yan and I sometimes spend all night just brushing and braiding each other's hair."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is his hair as long as yours?"

[thewidewideworld]

"Longer." Sinric smiles, his voice warm with affection. "He is a minor son of a royal line. It is their way never to cut their hair. His touch top of his thighs when brushed out."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He ties it up, for the day to day?"

[thewidewideworld]

He nods minutely, not wanting to move too much as Athelstan brushes his hair. "In a great braid he sometimes twists into a knot at the top of his head. It may be long but his hair is fine as silk. I take great joy in working it into complex braids for him."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles.

"The more complex the better, knowing you."

[thewidewideworld]

"For both of us. He too so loves having his hair touched and stoked. His father often shakes his head when we emerge in the morning and his hair is a great net of black tied with little silver beads."

[athelstanthescribe]

He laughs at that.

"It sounds a sight to see. And his father allows it, for his harmless happiness?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I understand use of eunuchs as pleasure slaves is less common in the Sino Court. When first they came, Yan's father choose me for him, wanting to show my Emperor how open he was to the ways of the West. And also, Yan was a virgin and pleasure slaves are seen as a good way for a young man to learn and practice the act in order to please a future bride."

He smiles playfully. "Little did his father know, what Yan needed best was a friend. We are dear and close but Yan has never desired me in that way. Nor have we done more than kiss and spend all night brushing each other's hair."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He has found few friends? I suppose if his father travels often, and takes Yan along with him..."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just so. His father intends that Yan will become ambassador after him and will, I think. He is wise, shrewd and softly spoken but lonely."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's a hard thing to be lonely", he says quietly. "And if he has little interest in sexual pleasure, he would not be hurrying to find a wife."

Because then he'd be expected to get her pregnant.

[thewidewideworld]

"He may be a by blow of a lesser branch, but he is still of royal blood. He would not get to choose his own bride. Nor is he likely to meet her before the wedding." He shakes his head sadly. "The ways of his court are not always kind."

[athelstanthescribe]

"He might be lucky in her all the same. Sometimes these arranged marriages turn out very well."

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope so, for his sake. He deserves to be happy." There's something wistful in Sinric's tone.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps you'll go back to see him from time to time, when you're wandering", Athelstan suggests. "Find out for yourself how he is."

[thewidewideworld]

"Or perhaps he will find me. As an ambassador, he will travel just as wide as I." He rests his head on Athelstan's shoulder. "It will be a marvel to see his lands."

[athelstanthescribe]

"It will", he says, and it's his turn to be a bit wistful. "A chance very few have had."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric turns to cup Athelstan's cheek, kissing him sweetly. "If the door will allow, I will bring you with me on my travels. Share with you distance lands and great adventures."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I do hope it will. I always wanted to see the world."

[thewidewideworld]

"We will travel together." He promises, kissing Athelstan again.

{ooc: shall we fade there?}

[athelstanthescribe]

[ooc: works for me!]