(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric's exploration of Milliways rooftop yielded another discovering - an observatory. A tall tower projecting from the roof and lined in floor to ceiling glass as well as a dome that can be opened to the night sky. Around the inside are deep, comfortable couches as well as astronomical equipment Sinric has never tried to work out.

Instead he invites Athelstan to join him on the couch facing to the east, a blanket draped over the back and room enough for two to lay together.

"The glass has been treated with some coating that make it safe to watch the sun without harm to the eyes." He explains, setting their bottle down on a near table.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope it brings you comfort to come here. As it had for me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I think it will. I like to look at the stars, as well as the dawn."

[thewidewideworld]

"The stars are very beautiful but I've always found them cold, too distant for me. It's the sun I crave."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Living where you do", he says with a slight smile, "you must have learned how to be careful not to burn."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric chuckles. "I have had to learn to wear veils like the women of court of I'm out too long, go keep from burning. And not to stay out too long when the sun is high. I fell asleep in the sun when we were out celebrating the Emperor's birthday. I ended up red as a lobster and hurt for days. My skin came off in great long strips and I itched terribly!"

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan winces.

"There are lotions that can help with that, but even they can only do so much."

[thewidewideworld]

"I was much younger then and very foolish. Argus who was first of the Birds then covered me in lotions and soaked me in long cold baths to ease the pain. But I was never so foolish again."

[athelstanthescribe]

"The same kind of lesson as a small child putting their hand on a hot pan, I suppose."

[thewidewideworld]

"Just so. I suppose children of the north must learn the same thing of the dangers of cold?"

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods.

"Their parents watch the smallest ones very closely in winter, once they begin to walk, so that they can't wander far from the house unnoticed."

[thewidewideworld]

"Very wise. The golden horn rarely freezes but I have heard tales of torturous ice that grows thin where most it looks safe."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh yes", Athelstan says, shivering slightly at the thought. "All children - even in England - are told most strictly not to walk on ice without testing it first."

[thewidewideworld]

"Then when I come to the north, you and Ragnar will have to teach me how to test the ice." He nuzzles Athelstan's hair, watching the sky turn warm and yellow.

[athelstanthescribe]

"We will." He turns his face towards the sun, letting the first rays strike it.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric sighs, face upturned to the light. The dawn always has a renewing effect on him, the birth of the new day bringing new life and new hope.

[athelstanthescribe]

"It's done", Athelstan says absently, "with a stick. If you hit the ice as hard as you can with a stick and it doesn't crack, it's probably safe."

[thewidewideworld]

"Ah, that is wise." He answers, eyes still raised as the room fills with light.

[athelstanthescribe]

"How this room floods with light", he says, closing his eyes and just feeling the warmth on his face.

[thewidewideworld]

"Like being in a bath of light." Sinric sighs, "Washing me clean and making me afresh." He hugs Athelstan warmly. "Thank you for sharing it with me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You're the one who shared it with me", he points out, leaning into the hug.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric smiles and watches the sun crest over the mountain, grateful for whatever allows them to look at it so without pain. "This place is yours now too. And the door can be barred from within, if you find yourself in need of privacy. I sometimes come up here and strip to my skin so I can feel the sun on all of me, when the mood takes me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I may do that. It's too high for people to see into from the ground, I think."

[thewidewideworld]

"I have walked all around the gardens and the edges of the woods and I have found no place I can even see this tower from."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps that's part of the magic of this place. That from the outside, it isn't there at all."

[thewidewideworld]

"Like the doors to our rooms being on different floor but leading together." He nods.