Chapter 18: Good Advice
Joren heard about the fire festival from a young Yamani boy who served in the stables. The young blabbermouth was talking in mixed Yamani and Common he picked up from his masters, and Joren understood only his every other word. Still, he got the gist of the chatter, which was that the fire festival was next month, and the preparations were starting. Afire with curiosity, Joren went to talk to Baron Piers about it.
Apparently, the Yamani Isles celebrated a fire festival every year, and it was a big deal, because they believed that the fire god Yama created the entire group of islands, and bestowed upon the emperor his divine ability to rule.
Joren will have to take part in the festival, but mostly as a spectator. The locals usually take this chance to show off to everyone, and the decorations and parades were lavish and extravagant.
Ryoma had extended an invitation to Joren to be their guest for the festival. After his initial embarrasment, Joren found the smaller man a delight to be with. He was silent most of the time, and yet manages to show more emotion than Syuusuke does. Like most of the Yamanis, his every word was deliberate and well-chosen. He often spends an afternoon with Ryoma, reading papers while the other painted in a well-lit room.
On one such afternoon, Ryoma was painting as usual, his easel facing opposite the low desk where Joren was working. He was reading request letters from several small businesses to export their goods into Tortall. Most of their items are exotic, and would really be welcomed by the richer nobles back home. But there was supposed to be a delicate balance between the two, and so the requests had to be weeded out.
Joren was just about to finish separating the possibles, from the highly unlikely when Ryoma spoke.
"You seemed surprise to find out that Syuusuke and I were together. Is it true that such relationships are condemned in your home?" His Common was musical and precise.
Joren shifted on the cushion, thinking how to answer. "It is not very common where I come from. I don't know if it is because of the strong feelings against it. But the current king is an open-minded one, and I haven't heard of too many cases where couples of the same gender are harmed. If there are any, they are probably done by strict fathers on their erring sons." The last words were said in a bitter tone. Too bitter. Realizing this, Joren gulped, his face heating. He didn't mean to say all that!
Ryoma smiled at him gently. "Thank you for being honest." He walked to Joren's side, and sat gracefully on the floor. He extended a hand to Joren's face, but stopped when the younger man flinched. "You have been hurt for who you are?" The last was in a soft querying tone, somehow conveying his indignation.
Joren looked away. Although he had accepted his feelings for Neal, and he was becoming good friends with Syuusuke and his partner, a part of him still felt it was wrong somehow. The part that was the result of ten years living with his father, who hated how "girly" he looked. The part that was aggravated by his experience at the hand of Robert. He was afraid that he would never get over this.
Slender fingers touched his chin, turning his face towards Ryoma. "No one will hurt you here, chibi. In these islands, love is love, in any form it might appear. And it is too precious to waste."
Joren looked up at the dark eyes tilted at the corners, absorbing the sincerity he found in them. "Thank you." He bowed as deeply as he could.
He felt the fingers caress his hair before Ryoma spoke once more. "Love is of a higher value than gold. When you find it, don't let go, chibi. Fight for it. Even if you are fighting against yourself."
Joren nodded without looking up, blinking back his tears. Ryoma kissed him on his head, and stood up to go back to his painting. The rest of the day was spent in silence.