Obligations
by Wiebke Fesch
Same disclaimers and notes as Part 1.
-----CHAPTER 12-----
Upon returning to the main floor, Ashmael invited Swift to come to his bedroom. What he had to say, he noted, was a matter he wished to remain private. Swift wondered what could be more private than what had just been shared, but he didn't question Ashmael's motives. He needed all the help he could get.
Ashmael's room happened to be just across the hall from Ranat's. Swift glanced at the door, wondering if he should go in and check on the boy. Even if he'd enjoyed a long bath, he should have been in his room by that time. In all likelihood, he'd been sitting there waiting alone for some time. He was probably worried.
"You must let him be, Swift," Ashmael softly advised, apparently having guessed his concern. "He should face the Forale on his own."
They entered Ashmael's bedroom. On the far side was a large window with a window seat. For a short moment, Swift was reminded of his room on the night of his Feybraiah, he and Cal sitting together naked, talking. Strange how the old house brought up memories of Forever.
Ashmael took a place on the cushion and gestured for Swift to join him. "So, Swift, tonight you and I can have it all arranged -- the room, the attendants, the ceremony."
"In other words, my three-point plan will be implemented," Swift noted.
"Just so," Ashmael replied, looking out the window into the back yard. "I will perform the Harhune in the open air. As you know, there is no temple here."
"We didn't have one in Galhea either," Swift said. "We had an inception at Forever once, out in the yard."
"Did you?" Ashmael asked. Swift realized that his companion had no way of knowing about that particular event, although it was true the Gelaming were aware of many events in Swift's past.
"Yes, when I was a harling, not long after Tyson was born," Swift noted. "Peter..." The words died on his lips. He didn't want to think about Peter, because to do so would force him to think about Gahrazel. Now was not the time. He shifted his answer somewhat. "A human was changed through Cal's blood."
"Cal's?" Ashmael sounded surprised. "He was busy in those years, it seems -- he took you at your Feybraiah, didn't he?"
As usual, a prickly feeling began to creep inside of Swift; they were speaking of Cal. For all Swift knew, save for the night he had appeared at Forever to see Terzian, Cal had vanished from the face of the earth. Swift had repeatedly asked about his whereabouts but no one -- not Thiede, Ashmael, Seel, nor Pell -- could (or would) offer an answer.
"Yes, it was Cal," Swift replied unashamedly.
"Hmmmm, well we needn't dwell on that," shrugged Ashmael. "Although what I wanted to talk to you about is related."
All at once Swift realized why Ashmael had desired privacy. "My role in the Althaia," Swift guessed.
"Exactly. I simply want you to understand how it will be." He shifted to sit sideways against the window frame. "This isn't a lecture about aruna, Swift. You are a har and require no instruction in that. What you do need to know, however, is that the act you will engage in is more than aruna."
Swift listened attentively. He could hardly believe Ashmael was going to spell this out for him.
"It is very important to remember that you will be dealing with a new creature," Ashmael continued. "Ranat will not have had long to discover this, but his body will have changed, become something that is alien to him. He will never have been touched, he will never have felt the feelings of a har body.
"He will be filled with longing, a deep craving. He may be confused or despairing. When you come to him, he may be shy but you must always bear in mind that he desires you. His body needs you to become complete. His heart will cry out to you. He may not be able to speak, but his heart will cry out.
"Be gentle with him, Swift. It sounds obvious but of course this was not always the way. Some of us were rushed. I have met hara for whom the experience was like pelki. Be gentle. Every part of him you will touch is new and yearning. He will be in pain, Swift, as you take him, but it is a necessary pain."
Swift nodded, understanding exactly what Ashmael meant. His own first time was still so vivid in his mind. "Make him rise above the pain and give him the gift of pleasure," he said.
"Yes, Swift, but remember, as I said, that the gift will be received with new flesh. When he becomes soume, he will realize in a new and deeper way how much he has changed. He may be frightened; do not let the fear last. Be assuring. And be gentle."
"Of course," Swift replied. "I understand completely. And then later?"
"Later I suggest you let Ranat take the lead. He may be gentle with you or he may not be. Everyone has their own style."
Swift nodded and smiled but said nothing. He would not tell Ashmael about Cal, how he had gone wild with Swift that first time, gouging and chewing on his shoulders and neck as he writhed beneath him.
Ashmael slipped up off the window seat. "That's all I really wanted to tell you, Swift. I know you haven't had the sort of guidance you might need and obviously without Cobweb to help you and--"
"My father dead," Swift finished for him. "Yes, I know." He rose and walked to the door, wanting to go back to the master bedroom and rest, think awhile, before dinner. "Thank you, Ashmael. I sincerely appreciate your guidance."
TBC...
by Wiebke Fesch
Same disclaimers and notes as Part 1.
-----CHAPTER 12-----
Upon returning to the main floor, Ashmael invited Swift to come to his bedroom. What he had to say, he noted, was a matter he wished to remain private. Swift wondered what could be more private than what had just been shared, but he didn't question Ashmael's motives. He needed all the help he could get.
Ashmael's room happened to be just across the hall from Ranat's. Swift glanced at the door, wondering if he should go in and check on the boy. Even if he'd enjoyed a long bath, he should have been in his room by that time. In all likelihood, he'd been sitting there waiting alone for some time. He was probably worried.
"You must let him be, Swift," Ashmael softly advised, apparently having guessed his concern. "He should face the Forale on his own."
They entered Ashmael's bedroom. On the far side was a large window with a window seat. For a short moment, Swift was reminded of his room on the night of his Feybraiah, he and Cal sitting together naked, talking. Strange how the old house brought up memories of Forever.
Ashmael took a place on the cushion and gestured for Swift to join him. "So, Swift, tonight you and I can have it all arranged -- the room, the attendants, the ceremony."
"In other words, my three-point plan will be implemented," Swift noted.
"Just so," Ashmael replied, looking out the window into the back yard. "I will perform the Harhune in the open air. As you know, there is no temple here."
"We didn't have one in Galhea either," Swift said. "We had an inception at Forever once, out in the yard."
"Did you?" Ashmael asked. Swift realized that his companion had no way of knowing about that particular event, although it was true the Gelaming were aware of many events in Swift's past.
"Yes, when I was a harling, not long after Tyson was born," Swift noted. "Peter..." The words died on his lips. He didn't want to think about Peter, because to do so would force him to think about Gahrazel. Now was not the time. He shifted his answer somewhat. "A human was changed through Cal's blood."
"Cal's?" Ashmael sounded surprised. "He was busy in those years, it seems -- he took you at your Feybraiah, didn't he?"
As usual, a prickly feeling began to creep inside of Swift; they were speaking of Cal. For all Swift knew, save for the night he had appeared at Forever to see Terzian, Cal had vanished from the face of the earth. Swift had repeatedly asked about his whereabouts but no one -- not Thiede, Ashmael, Seel, nor Pell -- could (or would) offer an answer.
"Yes, it was Cal," Swift replied unashamedly.
"Hmmmm, well we needn't dwell on that," shrugged Ashmael. "Although what I wanted to talk to you about is related."
All at once Swift realized why Ashmael had desired privacy. "My role in the Althaia," Swift guessed.
"Exactly. I simply want you to understand how it will be." He shifted to sit sideways against the window frame. "This isn't a lecture about aruna, Swift. You are a har and require no instruction in that. What you do need to know, however, is that the act you will engage in is more than aruna."
Swift listened attentively. He could hardly believe Ashmael was going to spell this out for him.
"It is very important to remember that you will be dealing with a new creature," Ashmael continued. "Ranat will not have had long to discover this, but his body will have changed, become something that is alien to him. He will never have been touched, he will never have felt the feelings of a har body.
"He will be filled with longing, a deep craving. He may be confused or despairing. When you come to him, he may be shy but you must always bear in mind that he desires you. His body needs you to become complete. His heart will cry out to you. He may not be able to speak, but his heart will cry out.
"Be gentle with him, Swift. It sounds obvious but of course this was not always the way. Some of us were rushed. I have met hara for whom the experience was like pelki. Be gentle. Every part of him you will touch is new and yearning. He will be in pain, Swift, as you take him, but it is a necessary pain."
Swift nodded, understanding exactly what Ashmael meant. His own first time was still so vivid in his mind. "Make him rise above the pain and give him the gift of pleasure," he said.
"Yes, Swift, but remember, as I said, that the gift will be received with new flesh. When he becomes soume, he will realize in a new and deeper way how much he has changed. He may be frightened; do not let the fear last. Be assuring. And be gentle."
"Of course," Swift replied. "I understand completely. And then later?"
"Later I suggest you let Ranat take the lead. He may be gentle with you or he may not be. Everyone has their own style."
Swift nodded and smiled but said nothing. He would not tell Ashmael about Cal, how he had gone wild with Swift that first time, gouging and chewing on his shoulders and neck as he writhed beneath him.
Ashmael slipped up off the window seat. "That's all I really wanted to tell you, Swift. I know you haven't had the sort of guidance you might need and obviously without Cobweb to help you and--"
"My father dead," Swift finished for him. "Yes, I know." He rose and walked to the door, wanting to go back to the master bedroom and rest, think awhile, before dinner. "Thank you, Ashmael. I sincerely appreciate your guidance."
TBC...
