Star of Shimal
Chapter 4
The sun was high the next day, and as midday approached, an intense heat overtook the Taphrenian capital. Most of the citizens took refuge in the shadows of buildings or trees in the summer air, and Kou was no exception. He sat in the shade of a lattice in his garden, breathing the saturated smell of plants and flowers as he worked on the canvas set before him. A few of his servants were currently uncrating all of Lord Khar's paintings, and seeing them had ignited a spark of inspiration. He moved the sable brush across his canvas, calling forth another window from the world of creation. Kou hadn't painted in a quite a while, and his body and spirit were awash with vitality.
Kou's eyes were momentarily taken from his work as a bowl was set on the table beside him. He dipped his brush into it, studying the texture of the newly mixed paint. Seeing that the substance was rich but not too thick, he nodded approvingly.
"Perfect. Thank you," he said, turning to Kisa and smiling.
The slave bowed his head in response, though Kou could see a bit of a blush coloring his cheeks. It might have been from the heat, but Kou didn't think that was the only cause. The master and his new slave had feasted on each other's flesh till the sun rose, and Kisa was acting a little differently than yesterday. Every now and then, Kou could sense Kisa's large eyes staring at him, and the slave would grow flustered if Kou met his gaze or acknowledged the attention.
As he pondered their warm embraces amidst the sheets, Kou realized his feelings were Kisa changing. The heat and passion was still there, but a softer, tender feeling had emerged as well. Kou could not yet put words to his emotions yet, but he reasoned that they would come in time, and while he waited, he could enjoy Kisa's company. In addition to be attentive and most delightful at night, Kou had also discovered that Kisa had vast knowledge of art as well. He knew how to mix paint, build frames, wrap canvasses, make brushes, and many other things. Jareth hadn't been kidding when he said Kisa was valuable.
Kou's brow furrowed and his eyes drifted from his work to where Kisa was standing at the other side of the terrace. He held a pitcher in his hands and was watering some of the plants. Kou studied Kisa for a moment, a little bothered by his choice of words. Kisa wasn't one of Khar's paintings or a war horse. He was a beautiful, intelligent, and intricate being. Even after their short time together, Kou saw him as much more than a possession. But as for what feelings he held for Kisa, Kou decided more reflection was necessary.
Footsteps echoed up the stone stairs in front of the terrace and Kou turned from his canvas as he heard a hearty voice.
"Ah Kou, I thought you would be out here today," Reiva said as he approached with a young boy on his arm. Kou immediately recognized him as Lize, Reiva's personal slave. Lize was just about eighteen and as petite as Kisa. He had lighter skin than most Taphrenians and fiery red hair that fell to his neck in loose waves. Reiva had acquired him at a port city about a year ago and had been enamored with the boy ever since. Reiva had ever changing interests in his personal life, but it seemed he hadn't grown tired of this one yet.
"Afternoon, my friend," Kou said, gesturing for Reiva to have a seat on a cushioned bench in the shade. Reiva took a seat, and Lize kneeled down to sit on a cushion at his feet. Reiva chatted about business and the newest gossip from the Senate as Kou continued to paint, though he studied the two from over the top of the canvas. Reiva absentmindedly stroked Lize's hair as he prattled on, and the boy curled into his touch like a fond dog. It was obvious Lize was drawn to his master as well, which could have explained Reiva's impassioned interest as of late.
"So," Reiva asked coyly. "How was your sleep last night?"
At that precise moment, Kou was in the midst of a very delicate part of his composition, and being distracted as he was, answered more bluntly than he normally would have.
"There was very little of it."
Reiva's lips curled as he heard Kou's words and noticed a blush cross Kisa's face. "I had a feeling you would indulge."
Kisa suddenly moved to Kou's side, and looked like he was about to speak when Reiva suddenly lifted his voice.
"Kisa and Lize look like they're about the same height. Age probably too. How old is Kisa?"
"Uh, I'm not sure," Kou said, glancing at Kisa in question.
Kisa's cheeks flushed again and he almost seemed reluctant to answer. "Thirty, my lord."
Kou and Reiva's mouths dropped simultaneously. Not only was Kisa much older than Lize, but he was older than both of them.
"By the gods," Reiva said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Your slave might as well be from Shangri-La."
"But that would make sense," Kou added. "Jareth said my uncle acquired Kisa during the campaign in Valchiria, and that was almost two decades ago. Kisa, how old were you when you came here?"
Kisa swallowed hard but spoke clearly. "I was twelve."
Reiva whistled. "Lord Khar probably started his training early. Though that seems to be in the fashion right now. Personally, I prefer mine to be a little more raw."
As he spoke, Reiva traced his fingers along Lize's neck down to his collarbones, dipping into the sweat drenched white tunic he wore. The boy's breath hitched and he was lost to himself for a flicker of a second. Revia smiled, taking his hand out and resting it back on Lize's head.
"Might I inquire as to what you are painting, Kou?"
"Oh nothing, really," Kou smiled. In truth, he's gotten a bit lost in the planning of his composition and wasn't feeling too hopeful about the result. "Just trying to capture the beauty of emotion and solidify it in this fleeting life I have."
"What a melancholy and egotistical philosopher you'd made, Kou," Reiva sighed. He perked up, however, when he stumbled upon another thought. "But if you'd like to capture beauty, you should paint these two."
"Hmm?" Kou said, looking up curiously.
"Kisa and Lize. Perhaps embracing each other. Now that would be a thing of beauty."
When Kou didn't immediately object to the idea, Reiva took the opportunity and urged Lize to sit up.
"Lize, go stand by Kisa."
Lize looked at Reiva and Kisa looked at Kou.
"Go on, little one," Reiva smiled.
Lize began to rise and Kou shrugged at Kisa. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to see a pose."
Kisa nodded and the two slaves stood in front of a stone pillar with blooming vines creeping up it. Kou had to admit that his heart started beating faster when Lize and Kisa slowly embraced each other. He had to admit it would be a beautiful composition. The two were almost the same height, and were turned to the side, their arms wrapped around each other and their cheeks pressed together.
In fact, both masters at that moment started feeling a heat that had nothing to do with the weather.
"Lovely," Reiva murmured. "They compliment each other well, especially with their hair. Like a soaring raven with wings of fire."
"Please stay as still as you can," Kou said, hurriedly grabbing a loose piece of scroll paper and sketching an outline of the two. Even the quick drawing looked wonderful, and Kou knew it would make a fine painting. However, even when he was done, he looked carefully between the sketch and the subjects.
Reiva laughed when Kou hesitated in telling the slaves to release their pose and leaned back, crossing his arms.
"You know, my friend, if you wanted to see them have a taste of each other, all you need to do is say so."
Kou felt Kisa's dark eyes on him and he blushed.
"Well, go on," Reiva said, gesturing to the boys. "No need to be bashful."
Lize took a deep breath and leaned in, but Kou's eyes widened as he saw Kisa's gaze flicker to him for a brief moment before they kissed. Both slaves knowing what their masters wanted, they steadily advanced, moaning into each other's mouths as they passionately kissed. Kisa's hands travelled down to Lize's waist embraced his lower back, and Lize threw his arms around Kisa's neck, tangling his fingers into the dark hair.
Both of them were breathless and sweaty when they broke their kiss, and their masters both knew that there would be two or three couplings in order by the time the sun set.
"Uh, my lord," Kisa said as he came back over to Kou. He still had a slight blush that Kou rather liked. "Would you like any refreshments? Wine or fruit perhaps?"
Although it was quite obvious that the only thing Kou wanted at that moment was Kisa, he smiled and nodded.
"Wine, please."
Kisa nodded and bowed, and was surprised when Lize began to follow him out of the garden. Kisa looked at him curiously and Lize smiled nervously.
"My master is very picky about his wine. I know what he likes."
Kisa and nodded and allowed the younger slave to follow him up to the kitchen. They both began to select and prepare refreshments, and though Kou had only specifically said wine, Kisa was fixing an entire platter of meat, bread, and fruit as well. Master Kou had not eaten much today on account that his thoughts were on his art. Once the wine hit his stomach, Kou would probably grow rather hungry. It would always be like this on days that the Master painted. Kisa paused for a moment, remembering how similar Lord Khar had been in that aspect.
"Umm Kisa, was it?"
Kisa looked over to Lize, who had a rather serious expression. "Yes?"
"I was just wondering why you hesitated when we kissed. I assumed you already knew this, but it isn't good form to keep your master waiting."
Kisa stared at Lize with wide eyes for several moments, then turned away, making a small choking sound. Lize reached over and touched his arm, having the awkward thought that Kisa may be crying, but he was astounded when he saw that Kisa was laughing. He snickered for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and turning to Lize with a smirk on his face.
"Child, I've been doing this since before you were born. And I could make your master attack me like a lion with a single glance. You have promise, I'll admit, but there is still much for you to learn."
A deep blush spread over Lize's freckled cheeks at Kisa's words and he looked away in embarrassment.
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Kisa smiled. "Not everyone has the fortune of actually having affection towards their master. You are lucky. And you should take advantage of the fact."
Lize finally turned back towards Kisa. "What do you mean?"
"A good slave knows how to increase his master's anticipation without exhausting his patience. Slow your advance a little. From what I've witnessed, Lord Reiva is the type of man who likes to be teased, even if he won't say it outright."
Lize's blue eyes widened in shock, and he pondered what Kisa had told him for several minutes as they finished preparations and began to carry the large platters back to the garden.
"And one more thing," Kisa said. "Never be too quick to touch another person. Nothing pleases a master more than the realization that he is the only one who can satisfy you."
Lize nodded, but his brows were furrowed as they walked. As they neared the garden, he finally spoke.
"You're a lot different than you appear at first glance."
Kisa smiled again. "A person like us wears three masks in his lifetime: the one he shows to his master, the one he shows to others, which can be very different from each other."
"What's the third one then?"
"The mask he shows to no one," Kisa said, switching masks at that precise moment as headed in the direction of his master.
The rest of the day passed along and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. Kou was still out under the garden lattice, but he had stopped painting quite a while ago. He lay on one of the benches, listening to the sounds of chirping insects and the wind rustling the leaves. Reiva and Lize had left later that afternoon, and Kou imagined they had barely made it home before they were entangled in each other. Kisa was putting away his tools, and was now approaching the garden again, carrying an oud. Kisa sat on the ground near his master, starting to tune the stringed instrument.
"A song, my lord?"
"Yes," Kou replied. "Do you sing as well?"
"I do, my lord."
"Then something to honor my late uncle, perhaps. I thought of him quite a bit while I worked today."
Kisa bowed his head and began to strike the same note over and over, creating a strong rhythm as he began to add other notes as well. It struck Kou as solemn, almost eerie. And as Kisa began to sing in a low, melodic voice, Kou's eyes closed.
"Saw the demonstration
on remembrance day,
lest we forget the lesson
enshrined in funeral clay.
History is never written
by those who've lost.
The defeated must bear witness to
our collective memory loss.
"With every generation comes
another memory lapse.
See the demonstrations of
failing to learn from our past.
We live in the dream time,
nothing seems to last.
Can you really plan a future,
when you no longer have a past?
"Memories fall from the trees.
Memories like autumn leaves.
Amnesia…"*
So I'm currently housebound and I needed a break from getting my ass handed to me in the DRAMAtical Murder game. I'm pretty sure I'm in the Mink route right now and that guy is a huge dick, what with raping me like four times. I guess this is what happens when I decide to wing a route instead of following the cheat sheet. I mainly just want to unlock the Ren route already...
*The song lyrics used in this chapter are "Amnesia" by Dead Can Dance, and the oud scene was one of the first ones I imagined when I first came up with this story.
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Next up we are switching back to sexy fun time.
Kiss Kiss,
TBF101
P.s. Follow my Youtube channel under the name "Get Norse." I have Yaoi AMVs.