[GP/EP] You're not clear of story out here

[st_arkcrowblack]

Even before she knew for certain that it was the first of a month, Snow’s body had started bracing for it. She was wary and tense, preparing to cope with yet more people in the space of the hotel. It seemed that no sooner had she adjusted to whoever had showed up the last time, there was someone new again.

She didn’t want anything to do with the lot of it. That was what those busy women on the welcome committee were for. She didn’t think the committee was a stupid thing, not at all. Focusing on settling new people in kept the lot of them busy and away from her, and that was where she wanted them. They terrified her.

Snow White had only come into the main building to forage for food. The original plan was of course to turn right back around and escape before the expected rush (small or large) of new people to flood in.

But that was of course not what happened. When a universe was a pocket, it had less to focus on and fewer people to fuck with, and so Snow was entirely certain it was fucking with her when she was the one in the lobby when a new face came through the door.

Comments

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin thought how he would feel if he had seen Anafiel dying... but hadn't seen him die, before he was brought here. Some hope, perhaps, but also the agonizing uncertainty.

He turned a bit his chair, and then pulled Ignis into a hug, sliding his hand up his arm as he did so, so that the increased contact did not come as a complete surprise. He realized that he still didn't completely understand the cultural norms here, but it was natural for him to want to provide physical comfort in response to someone's pain.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

Ignis froze, very briefly. Small touches to indicate direction were becoming commonplace, at least from Alcuin and Miss Fisher. The hand sliding up his arm evoked memories of Valentine's and broken dishes, but the hug itself was pure shock for a second or two. People had never, in general, even tried to hug him; no doubt they'd assumed that someone like him - cool, reserved, formal - wouldn't welcome it.

But he did, at least as soon as the shock passed. His arms slid around Alcuin in turn, holding him as closely as he was being held.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin was relieved when Ignis welcomed the embrace.

"It is so hard to understand the fates that cast us here," he said softly.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"I'm at a loss," he agreed. Not that there weren't pleasant aspects to the Inn - certainly Ignis had found a higher concentration of non-pitying people who were also pleasant company, but... ruined or not, however much grief and pain it contained, Insomnia was home.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin brushed his lips to Ignis' cheek as he pulled away from the embrace, though kept a grasp on one of his hands. "I hope that the pain we have been through has some purpose," he said quietly.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

Greatly daring (or at least it felt that way), Ignis tilted his head to brush his own lips on Alcuin's cheek in passing. Alcuin was clearly the affectionate sort - no wonder, given what he'd said of his homeland and religion - and it seemed wrong to receive those gestures without returning them. "And I hope we find out what it is."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

The gesture was appreciated, and it made Alcuin feel closer to him.

He sighed a little and dropped his head. And then made a confession, that he had not voiced to anyone.

"Elua is not vengeful," he said quietly. "But I also... I committed blasphemy. I was absolved of it, I thought, but still I cannot help but wonder... once I should finally know real love, that it was snatched away from me so quickly. It feels like punishment."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

Blasphemy, in a religion that held 'love as thou wilt' highest. There were only a few things that could look like, reasonably, and none of the were pleasant to contemplate. Without quite deciding to consciously, Ignis raised his free hand to where he judged Alcuin's head would be and stroked his hair.

It was soft, and longer than he'd expected, but Ignis did his best to ignore that. It was comfort for Alcuin, hopefully at least. "Just from what you've told me, I think the blasphemy might have been its own punishment. And I can't imagine a non-vengeful god would do this to you on top of that."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin closed his eyes and let himself lean slightly into that touch.

"Ignis, you've been so kind to me. I... I should tell you something about myself."

He really did not think that Phryne would tell anyone about his past, nor did he expect Jack to. But he knew that it would still feel like a weight between him and Ignis, not knowing how he might react.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

Ignsi kept stroking his hair, slow and gentle. Why not, if it seemed to be welcome? "Go ahead."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin took a little breath and said, "I was in Naamah's service. I'm not ashamed of that, but it was still... complicated." Before Ignis could react he added hastily, "I know that cultural norms towards sex are different here. I've already worked that out. And from books I've read here, I can tell that there is a terrible stigma around..." He winced. He didn't know a better word. "Whores. But I - I do not think it is the same."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"No, your service was religious, I think?" It was true, prostitution tended to be a profession of last resort, in Gralea almost certainly, but in Insomnia... well, the profession of last resort tended to be farming. Going outside of town, among the monsters, to grow things the wildlife may or may not allow you to harvest. "Perhaps I was sheltered or too much alone," or both, in turns, "but I see neither a reason to judge you nor a reason to let 'cultural norms' cost one of the few friends I have here."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[alcuin]

Perhaps Alcuin should be glad that Ignis could not see the relief that flooded his face. "Thank you," he said in a breath. "I did not think you would judge me, not really, but I did not want you to think I was keeping such a truth from you purposefully."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"I understand that, and appreciate your honesty." With some regret, Ignis left off stroking Alcuin's hair. The emotional moment seemed to have passed, and continuing was just enjoying the sensation, uninvited. "Even if you had kept it to yourself, I understand."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin had rather been enjoying the gentle touch, but he understood when Ignis stopped.

"It... really does not change how you think of me?" he said, sounding almost hopeful.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"Of course not." Touching seemed like the sort of thing that could become habitual quickly, as Ignis's hand twitched slightly before he overrode the urge to reach out. Even an affectionate man like Alcuin had limits, surely. "Who you are is far more important to me than what you do."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin was suddenly tempted to kiss him, but knew that was a terrible idea, after what had happened with Vax. He also felt... a sudden wave of guilt, and confusion, because... aside from Anafiel, had he ever kissed anyone simply because he wanted to?

So he simply said softly, "Thank you, Ignis."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"There's no need, but you're welcome." It was only the truth. Alcuin was a kind and affectionate man who seemed to only want the people around him to be happy. His choice of profession, or dedication, or however it was called in his world, only confirmed all of those impressions.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

After a moment, Alcuin said, "You seemed to have a note of surprise when you touched my hair. Because it's long, maybe? This might seem a bit odd to say, but - you are always welcome to touch me. If you want to know more about... how I am? Maybe that isn't typical for you, I don't know."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

"Longer than I expected, yes." After a brief pause, Ignis added, "I don't know what I expected, of course. I don't... touch in general isn't typical for me." He shrugged. "I can rarely tell whether it's welcome, and I've been given to understand, in the pas, that I don't invite it."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

"Is it welcome?" Alcuin asked him, wanting to be careful not to overstep.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

From Alcuin? Ignis didn't even have to think. "Yes. Decidedly."

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin smiled, and then took Ignis' hand again, and brought it to his own face, inviting him to explore if he liked.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_eadfast]

Only a little hesitant, Ignis accepted the invitation, using fingertips to trace the line of cheekbone and jaw, the shape of Alcuin's eyes and ears. And if his thumb swiped the younger man's lips and cheek, well, one or two touches for pleasure among the rest for curiosity were hopefully acceptable.

Ignis was committing it all to memory. Not what Alcuin looked like, not really, or even what he felt like but enough to sharpen impressions, to get an idea of how expression might brighten or darken a face like that. "Thank you," he breathed.

Re: Alcuin (and then Jack)

[st_unning]

Alcuin's heart beat a little faster as Ignis touched him. "You're - you're welcome," he said when he was finished.