Homoventures Chapter 3, Part 4

Homoventures session logs Previous Homoventures Chapter 3, Part 4 Next

Summary

Xan & Justen speak with another of Pavo's guests, Kalman Vak'andres, and more with César, about the situation in the city and in the plane more broadly, then are invited for a private meeting with Pavo.

Session

Session date:

Diablotin date:

[DiablotinNarrator] So, after your late-night conversation with Ardent, you wake up in the morning... maybe late morning ;)

• Xandhil is draped over Justen as per usual, and takes a while to remember their situation due to cozyness

[DiablotinNarrator] This does demonstrate that there actually is daylight here. [Justen] mmm... [Xandhil] mmm :)

• Xandhil kisses Justen awake
• Justen smiles, stirring

[Justen] morning... I think [Xandhil] yeah [Xandhil] morning :) [Xandhil] with the sun! and everything!

• Justen nods

[Xandhil] remember to be properly impressed [Justen] right.

• Xandhil reminds you quietly

[Justen] "oooh sun :)"

• Justen tries out his impressed face
• Xandhil smirks

[Xandhil] pretend like you;re seeing me naked for the first time ;p

• Justen grins

[Xandhil] you should be... almost that impressed ^-^

• Justen chuckles

[Justen] okay, I think i can handle that [Xandhil] mmm [Xandhil] alright mister Bodyguard

• Justen nods, stretching
• Xandhil slps out of bed and gets dressed in his travelling things again
• Justen does the same

[Justen] I wonder what's on the agenda for today...

• Xandhil waits until you're ready

[Xandhil] no idea [Xandhil] I'm half expecting like... oiled wrestling [@_Pavo_] (That's Fourthdays) [Justen] hmm.. that might be more of an evening event. [Xandhil] oh I suppose [Xandhil] anyway, lets go find out :) [Justen] with the candlelight all shining on them... [Xandhil] hee [Xandhil] but the *sun*! [Xandhil] they can glisten in the *sun8! [Justen] well, true - if it's an outdoor thing. and maybe he doesn't want to get oil all over his nice house. [Xandhil] yeah [Justen] anyway, I'm ready :) [Xandhil] it is a nice house [Xandhil] if a little, um, eccentric

• Justen nods

[Xandhil] I think dad would approve though ;)

• Justen laughs

[Justen] yeah, and probably your father could pass his time in the library ;) [Xandhil] heh [Xandhil] well [Xandhil] we'll have to see what kind of books are in there... [Xandhil] oooh [Xandhil] exotic porn? ^-^ [Justen] maybe! [Justen] I mean, I assume yes. [Justen] probably any porn here is bound to be exotic. [Xandhil] this might be the first adventure where I can keep you in the library with me? ^-^ [Justen] mmm, yeah ].] [Justen] you might need me there. [Justen] for... help. [Xandhil] mmhmmm [Xandhil] well [Xandhil] lets go see what the day holds [Justen] okay

• Justen opens the door, putting on his 'impressed' face again
• Xandhil drags him to a window to wonder at the light

[Xandhil] we could go outside?

• Justen admires it

[Justen] Yeah... maybe we can find some food, too.

• Xandhil nods
• Justen heads in the direction of the patio, then, since at least he knows where that is.
• Xandhil goes with

[DiablotinNarrator] You arrive on the patio to find your host seated there, at a table with a large parasol over it for shade. He's looking out over the gardens, where some young men (half-naked young men ].]) are working. 03* NPC2 is now known as Pavo [Pavo] Ah, good morning :)

• Pavo greets you

[Xandhil] good morning, my lord..

• Xandhil attempts to look suitably awed

[Justen] Hello, my lord. It's so bright out here. [Xandhil] I guess we missed the sunrise

• Justen makes a point of blinking.

[Pavo] Ah well, another day perhaps.

• Pavo says with a smile, and offers you seats at his table.

[Xandhil] thank you

• Xandhil sits

[Pavo] Are you very famished? Let me have some breakfast brought for you. [Justen] That would be great.

• Justen can't suppress his enthusiasm for food ;)

[Xandhil] yes... thanks again [Xandhil] you've been so generous!

• Pavo will summon a servant and instruct him to bring you breakfast.

[Pavo] I do pride myself on making guests feel welcome ;)

• Xandhil smiles

[Pavo] Did you sleep well?

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] the room was very comfortable [Justen] Very :) [Pavo] Splendid ^-^ [DiablotinNarrator] The servant returns shortly with two bowls of porridge topped with honey, and a pair of peaches for your breakfast.

• Justen digs in enthusiastically
• Xandhil as well

[Xandhil] are these from the gardens? [Xandhil] they're so fresh! [Pavo] The peaches? yes - there's an orchard to the south. [Xandhil] mmm

• Pavo does seem to enjoy watching you lick the juice off your fingers ;)
• Xandhil licks juice off the corner off his chin

[Pavo] (there too ;) [Xandhil] (really anywhere? ;p) [Pavo] (yup, pretty much)

• Justen might be a bit messy on purpose ;)
• Xandhil enjoys watching Justen as well ^-^
• Pavo waits until you're both done before resuming much in the way of conversation.

[Pavo] Tell me, what is the latest news from the city?

• Justen glances to you

[Xandhil] well... [Xandhil] we were trying to keep our heads down before we left [Xandhil] so that we could slip away more easily [Justen] you must know how it is there lately... everything's a mess.

• Justen hazards.

[Pavo] I only visit the city very rarely - when I can't avoid it.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I'm sure your other visitors are much better place to receive interesting news than us, anyway :/ [Pavo] Oh, perhaps, but it's always interesting to hear other perspectives. [Xandhil] . o O (he's testing us ].]) [Pavo] In some ways they are nearly as sheltered as I.

• Pavo smiles.

[Xandhil] oh? [Pavo] By virtue of their wealth and standing, they're able to avoid the worst of the troubles - not that Kalman doesn't involve himself anyway, from behind the scenes... [Xandhil] oh, I guess that makes sense [Pavo] And of course being part of the elite has its own perils these days, hm? [Xandhil] well, that's not something we have too much personal knowledge about, but everyone hears about it, I suppose [Pavo] Yes, it's just terrible... [Xandhil] but we haven't heard about anything recently - like I said, trying to keep our heads down

• Pavo nods, seeming to accept that.
• Xandhil smiles a bit

[Xandhil] I guess people will be surprised to see us back [Pavo] Are you sure you want to return? [Xandhil] well

• Xandhil look to Justen

[Xandhil] I don't know if we just want to go back and try and go back to what we were doing before [Xandhil] something is giong to have to change [Xandhil] I just don't know what yet [Justen] if there's nowhere further to go, though... our plans are kind of up in the air.

• Justen nods in agreement

[Xandhil] we cut some ties, so...

• Xandhil shrugs

[Pavo] I don't want to give you the impression there's *nothing* out here. Just not the escape you might have been hoping for. [Xandhil] well, there's clearly not *nothing* [Pavo] Indeed :)

• Xandhil waves his hand at the field of boys
• Pavo admires it as well.

[Pavo] I've helped quite a few escapees like yourselves find their ways to ... a more satisfactory life. [Xandhil] oh? [Xandhil] doing what? [Pavo] Well... farming can be rewarding.

• Pavo says with a little wave.

[Xandhil] oh, I guess.

• Xandhil says, not sounding entirely convinced

[Pavo] The more... qualified ones assist me in other ways.

• Pavo gives you a suggestive smirk.

[Pavo] And then of course there's the village. Some prefer to make their own way there.

• Pavo adds more dismissively.

[Xandhil] right... [Justen] Do you think we're... qualified? ^-^ [Pavo] Oh I'm sure you would be. [Pavo] Perhaps later you might like to demonstrate your skills.

• Xandhil smirks
• Justen smiles, flushing a little.

[Justen] demonstrate how? [Pavo] Well, that is quite up to you

• Pavo smiles, looking from Justen to you and back.
• Xandhil blushes a bit at that too

[Pavo] But for now, make yourselves comfortable - ask the staff if there's anything you need.

• Pavo stands from the table

[Xandhil] okay, thank you again

• Pavo 's trousers are quite... form-fitting ;)
• Xandhil stands as he stands, to be polite
• Justen does as well, since everyone else is
• Xandhil is tryign to seem like he has been well trained in proper etiquettes, for the most part
• Pavo smiles and heads inside.
• Justen sits down again, picking at the last of his breakfast.

[Justen] ...I think that went okay? [Xandhil] I think so... [Xandhil] we're muddling through alright so far... [Justen] although I guess we might have a date later. [Xandhil] heh [Xandhil] well [Xandhil] we'll survive somehow ;p

• Justen chuckles

[Justen] I wonder if he just wants a show, or a more.. hands-on demonstration ;) [Xandhil] we can play it by ear, I guess... [Xandhil] but hey [Xandhil] we put on good shows ^-^ [Justen] I like to think so ^-^ [Justen] pretty sure we're welcome back to that club Taz took us to anytime ;)

• Xandhil grins

[Justen] well... what will we do now? [Justen] wander around, look for anything interesting? [Xandhil] sure [Xandhil] maybe we can talk to some more people?

• Justen nods.

[Xandhil] see if we run in to Ardent, maybe? [Justen] You'll have to point him out, I don't know what he looks like, but sure. [Justen] Maybe we should check out the library, too ;) [Xandhil] oooh, yes ^-^ [Xandhil] shall we wander then?

• Xandhil stands

[Justen] Sure :)

• Justen stands as well.

[Justen] He was totally showing off when he stood up, too ^-^ [Xandhil] oh yeah ;) [Xandhil] I noticed [Xandhil] ;p [Justen] he wanted us to ;) [Xandhil] he does have a nice butt [Justen] yeah, I can't argue with that.

• Justen heads back into the house.
• Xandhil will wander around the cockhouse then, clinging to Justen a little
• Justen asks a servant where to find the library ;)
• Justen receives a personal escort to the door ^-^
• Justen takes a look inside, curious what will be there.
• Xandhil ooohs

[DiablotinNarrator] The library is perhaps not as extensive as at a scholar's house, but the tomes that are there are quite luxuriously bound and, as you expected, explicit ;) [DiablotinNarrator] Sitting near the window, reading, is Kalman. 03* Pavo is now known as Kalman

• Kalman glances up as you enter, but doesn't seem perturbed.

[Xandhil] 9Do we see him beforew we see the porn books or is he tucked away in a corner? ^-^) [DiablotinNarrator] Some of the most...notable works are out on display stands, so you see those first :)

• Xandhil smiles politely but tries not to disturb
• Xandhil whispers to Justen

[Xandhil] see, I told you there widl be books for you here ^-^ [Justen] Oh yeah... this is my kind of library.

• Justen admires a colourful illustration in one of the books
• Xandhil smiles
• Kalman returns to reading his book, quietly turning the page.

[Xandhil] I'm going to see what else there might be...

• Justen nods

[Justen] I'm just going to look at this one a bit more ;) [Xandhil] . o O (All good books are porn!) [Xandhil] ^-^

• Xandhil will leave him to it and go oggle the other titles looking for things that might be of particular interest

[DiablotinNarrator] Amidst the porn, there are some more general books on history and religion, as well as some poetry and plays and other literature - although admittedly it's a smaller selection ;)

• Xandhil skims through some of the histories

[Kalman] They make for strange reading these days...

• Xandhil also skims the religion ones
• Kalman says, seeing where you're looking.

[Xandhil] I bet... [Xandhil] you have to wonder how much of these things actually happened at all... [Xandhil] and who really wrote them. [Xandhil] and all that

• Kalman nods.

[Xandhil] how much they're just props [Xandhil] its really weird to think about for me [Xandhil] but it does explain some things, I guess [Kalman] I stick to the literature. at least I know those were made up. [Xandhil] that's true [Kalman] ... I apologize for my rudeness last night. [Xandhil] but I guess the scope of it is interesting to me, to see how it plays out in the details like this... [Xandhil] oh, no need to apologize, we were an intrusion [Kalman] Nevertheless, it's not my house - it's not my place to complain if my friend wants to invite in other guests. [Kalman] And he does, quite often, so I should hardly have been surprised.

• Xandhil smiles apologetically

[Xandhil] well, we'll try not to bother you further, my lord

• Kalman nods politely.

[Kalman] You're not bothering me.

• Kalman manages a bit of a smile.

[Kalman] In any case, Cesar and I will be leaving tomorrow, so I won't be around to be bothered :)

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay, then [Kalman] And you as well. [Kalman] Do you expect to remain long? [Xandhil] thank you, my lord [Xandhil] And... we're not certain, at this point, what our plans are, though Lord Ar'seni has been very generous

• Kalman nods.

[Kalman] You and your ... companion, had best stick together, regardless of what you decide. [Xandhil] I think we'll be returning to the city as well, but yes. [Xandhil] We plan to. [Kalman] Everyone needs at least one person they can trust.

• Kalman says a bit wistfully.
• Xandhil nods
• Xandhil hesitates because it sounds like there is a story there, but he did say he wasn't going to bother Kalman anymore ].]

[Xandhil] I'm very lucky to have Justen

• Kalman does seem in a better mood today

[Kalman] how did you two meet? [Xandhil] We've actually know each other since we were very young - we've been lucky in a lot of ways. [Kalman] ah.. Pavo and I also have known each other since we were young. a very long time ago, it seems.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] A lot of things much have changed @_@ [Kalman] yes... they have :/ [Xandhil] ...has anything gotten better? [Kalman] actually yes. [Kalman] although it's difficult to see it sometimes.

• Xandhil asks, as if grasping for a teensy bit of hope

[Xandhil] oh? [Kalman] well... whatever happens now, we're in control of our own fates. [Xandhil] well... [Xandhil] on the grand scale, I suppose

• Xandhil smiles though, as though trying to keep positive

[Kalman] yes, but even on a personal scale. [Kalman] at least as much as anyone ever can be.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I suppose otherwise we wouldn't have been able to leave at all

• Kalman nods.

[Xandhil] and it does remain up to us how to... go along, or not, with everything that's happening [Xandhil] or to try and find some other way [Kalman] yes. [Xandhil] but there's always been some kind of contention, hasn't there? [Kalman] I have to keep believing there is another way - that we can find our way through this time of trouble and into something better. [Xandhil] was it just...permitted?

• Xandhil nods

[Kalman] at least now no one can pick us up and remove us from the game if they get tired of us, or undo things we've done if they prove inconvenient. [Xandhil] that's true [Kalman] well... I suppose they can try ;)

• Xandhil smiles

[Xandhil] but we can fight back!' [Kalman] but they can't do it with a thought, on a whim.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] its just....daunting to think about [Xandhil] but at least I am young... [Xandhil] can I ask maybe a strange question, my lord [Kalman] you may. [Xandhil] you dno't have to answer, if it is too personal

• Kalman nods

[Xandhil] but does it....feel different? [Xandhil] to have your fate in your own hands? [Kalman] I think it does. it's difficult to remember sometimes, how it was before. [Kalman] or ... to know that I can trust my memories, rather.

• Xandhil nods

[Kalman] It's not that at that time I felt as though I wasn't in control of my own life.

• Xandhil listens
• Kalman considers how to explain.

[Kalman] Did you ever know your parents? Did they raise you? [Xandhil] I don't really remember them

• Kalman seems to be grasping for an analogy, not just being randomly nosy.

[Xandhil] I remember other people, though, vaguely... [Kalman] Or some authority figure, perhaps - a mentor.

• Xandhil nods

[Kalman] When you're a child, you know that there is this person... you rely on them, you fear them perhaps, but you know they're there, watching over you. [Kalman] It's only when they're gone that you truly grow up. [Xandhil] ahh.

• Xandhil says, as though that makes sense

[Kalman] Some people might try to re-create that relationship, to find someone else who will protect them. [Kalman] But for others, it can be ... liberating. That is how I felt, anyway. [Xandhil] hmm [Kalman] Perhaps it doesn't make sense. [Xandhil] Do you think that's why things went the way they did, after? [Kalman] To some extent. I think we were not aware of the many ways we depended on her until she was gone. [Xandhil] obviously @_@ [Xandhil] hmm. [Kalman] It's easy for me to say I wouldn't go back to the way things were... many, I'm sure, would trade existential free will for a steady supply of food.

• Kalman says with a bit of a shrug.

[Xandhil] it's a harder decision, the hungrier you are ].]

• Kalman nods.

[Kalman] I try... well, we try... to make that a little less difficult.

• Xandhil looks thoughtful

[Xandhil] Maybe that's is the best way forward, then [Kalman] It's the only tolerable way I've found.

• Xandhil sighs

[Kalman] If you do decide to return to the city, I may be able to put you in touch with some others of similar views. [Xandhil] I suppose if we stayed and worked in the village...wherever it is around here, we'd be helping some with that [Xandhil] oh?

• Xandhil perks up at that

[Kalman] you can no doubt find my house - if you don't decide to stay here. [Xandhil] thank you, we'll give it some serious thought

• Xandhil eyes where Justen is pawing through the porn books

[Xandhil] well... I will :)

• Kalman nods, smiling slightly.

[Justen] whoa!

• Justen exclaims at some particularly vivid drawing.

[Xandhil] hmm? [Xandhil] excuse me, my lord.. [Justen] oh just... well, come look, I can't really describe it. [Kalman] certainly.

• Xandhil nod/bows to kalman and will come look at the porn

[Xandhil] oh my :o [Justen] all books should have pictures.

• Xandhil sighs

[Xandhil] :p

• Justen is mostly teasing you ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] After a while, Justen gets bored even with picture books, and wants to explore a bit more. [Xandhil] okay [Justen] You can stay in the library if you like...

• Xandhil shakes his head

[Xandhil] I feel better when you're around, even here [Justen] Okay.

• Xandhil takes his arm
• Justen asks a servant when he spots one whether there's any kind of training grounds or the like

[Xandhil] mm. need to work off all that excess energy after spending an hour looking at kinky porn? ^-^ [Xandhil] there are other ways, you know ^-^ [Justen] yeah, but I feel like I should save my energy in that department for later tonight ;) [Xandhil] mmm.... true :) [Xandhil] see how many of those woodcuts we can recreate? ^-^ [Justen] see how many he recognizes we're going to the effort of recreating? ;) [Xandhil] well he had that one on display, I would guess he is pretty familiar ^-^ [Justen] yeah, it must be one of his favourites [DiablotinNarrator] The servant will inform him there's an archery range outside the house to the east, and also an exercise room downstairs. [Xandhil] well?

• Xandhil lets him pick

[Justen] Let's stay in... I don't want to get a sunburn ;) [Justen] I hear that's a thing that can happen... in the sun ].] [Xandhil] yeah [Xandhil] since you know [Xandhil] we've never been in it before ;p [Justen] indeed. [Justen] I'm very pale and fragile, see? I'll get freckles.

• Justen in fact already has a number of them, and is not very pale and fragile at all ;)

[Xandhil] mmhmmmm

• Xandhil stands on his tiptoes to kiss one of them
• Justen smiles and picks you up for a second.

[Xandhil] (well, not tiptoes, xan isn't that short) [Xandhil] [3!

• Xandhil squeaks

[Justen] [q] tonight do you want to show him your wings and really blow his mind? [3

• Xandhil shakes his head

[Xandhil] [q] I don't know how I would explain them at all @_@ [Justen] [q] yeah... and I do like having them just for me, too :)

• Xandhil nods
• Justen gives you another kiss before putting you back down.
• Xandhil nestles for a moment

[Xandhil] exercise room? [Justen] yeah. work off some energy ;) [Xandhil] ^-^

• Justen makes his way downstairs to the exercise room, then. There are a few other men training there - guards, maybe? and also Ardent and Cesar are there.
• Justen is happy to work out for a while.
• Xandhil is happy to sit and watch unless Justen drags him in to it
• Justen won't make you, no :)

03* Kalman is now known as Cesar

• Cesar seems mostly to be supervising, more than actually training himself, but he does have his shirt off and you can see he's still in pretty good shape... for an old guy ;)

[Xandhil] (how old?) [Cesar] (uh... I think he'd be about 40-something? lemme check :) [Xandhil] (that sounds right - mid 40's?) [Xandhil] (mid) [DiablotinNarrator] (he'll be about 48 when D3 starts, so this is about .. 4-5 years before?) [DiablotinNarrator] (early 40s, say.)

• Cesar wanders over to you as you sit and watch.

[Cesar] Not going to join in? :) [Xandhil] oh, um. [Xandhil] I mostly like to watch... [Cesar] That's fine - nothing wrong with that :) [Xandhil] I'm not as good at this kind of thing as Justen anyway [Xandhil] though he does tell me that is really only an excuse to train more ].] [Cesar] Only get better by practicing... but maybe you go in for other kinds of self-defense. [Xandhil] I prefer to avoid physical conflict when I can [Cesar] the sneaky type, then? ;) [Xandhil] sort of, I guess [Xandhil] not as sneaky as some :p

• Cesar nods, smiling.

[Xandhil] Justen made sure I can at least hold my own in a fight, though [Cesar] that's good - he might not always be able to protect you [Xandhil] no... but so far, so good

• Cesar nods.

[Cesar] I trust Kalman to take care of himself too, if he has to. As much as I'd rather be there for him, I know it might not always be possible. [Xandhil] you look out for him, then? [Cesar] and honestly, he's tougher than he looks ;)

• Xandhil nods

[Cesar] Yeah... informally. I'm not a bodyguard. [Xandhil] it seems like he's been through a lot - I was talking to him in the library before we came down here

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] what do you do?

• Xandhil asks, curious

[Cesar] well, when his kids were younger I trained them.

• Xandhil nods

[Cesar] now I'm ... semi-retired, I guess ;) [Xandhil] nice :) [Cesar] I don't want to get lazy about it, though, let myself go. [Xandhil] that's why you're down here today? [Cesar] I try to keep busy.

• Cesar nods

[Cesar] just habit, really. [Cesar] time was, missing training would have meant a whipping, or worse, so... it's hard to get out of that routine. [Xandhil] where was that? [Cesar] In the arena. [Xandhil] ahhh... [Cesar] Been out of there over twenty years, but you never really leave...

• Cesar says with a shrug.

[Xandhil] ...can I ask how you got out? [Cesar] Sure. He bought me. [Cesar] I mean, it was a little more complicated than that... [Cesar] but that was the upshot. [Cesar] I was lucky.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] but.... you're free now? [Cesar] Yeah. It was important to him.

• Cesar says as if it wasn't entirely important to *him*.
• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] He must be pretty...

• Xandhil tries to find the right word

[Xandhil] good? if you're still with him [Cesar] He is. in lots of ways.

• Cesar smiles fondly.
• Xandhil smiles back

[Cesar] Not like most nobles.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] I wonder why [Cesar] why he's good? [Xandhil] well, how did he managed to turn out so different [Cesar] I don't really know [Xandhil] well, fair [Xandhil] He said that he could put us in touch with people who are trying to help make things better, if we go back to the city, though [Cesar] Oh? [Cesar] I'm sure he could, yeah. If you're interested in that. [Xandhil] I guess I'm considering my option

• Cesar nods

[Xandhil] are you just... more interested in him? [Cesar] well, no... I mean, I am, but...

• Cesar tries to think how to answer

[Cesar] Even the people who are trying to help - who are, I guess, a better option than what we have right now - they're not always ... *good* people. [Xandhil] oh? [Cesar] it's complicated. [Cesar] I trust that Kalman wants what's best for people, and isn't trying to make himself richer or more powerful while he does it. I don't feel that way about most of them. [Cesar] Some people in the resistance, if they got power, they'd use it to kill the shadar-kai, for instance. Some of them already do. [Xandhil] :/ [Xandhil] ... [Cesar] for some people it's about revenge, or religion...

• Cesar shrugs.
• Xandhil looks like he is waffling about asking more

[Xandhil] he can't be the only one... [Cesar] well, no. [Cesar] the only good one? [Cesar] Pavo's a decent fellow too - even if he's a little more focused on his own pleasures, he doesn't use them to hurt people. [Xandhil] yeah

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] he seems relatively harmless, at least :) [Cesar] Yeah... I know the boys who stay here do so because they want to. Kalman makes sure of that too ;) [Cesar] He wouldn't let him get away with it otherwise.

• Xandhil nods

[Xandhil] that's good! [Cesar] And they're not the only ones. So I can't really agree with any of the 'kill all the darkies' types, because they're not all bad.

• Xandhil nods

[Cesar] anyway. [Cesar] you think about what you want to do, and if you decide to go back to the city, come talk to us when you get there. [Xandhil] we will [Xandhil] thanks [Cesar] no problem :)

• Cesar gets up to go back to his work-out/supervising boys working out ;)
• Xandhil goes back to watching boys ^-^
• Justen eventually wraps up, as do the others, when it's time to get cleaned up before dinner.
• Justen is nicely sweaty by then ^-^

[Justen] come on, want to help me wash up? [Xandhil] yes :D [Xandhil] mmm

• Justen gets satisfactorily cleaned up, although he's still making you wait for the more fun stuff until later ;)

[Justen] we don't want to be late for dinner ;)

• Justen says even as he's kissing and teasing you

[Xandhil] uuuung

• Xandhil sigh

[Xandhil] you're terrible [Justen] mmhmm :)

• Xandhil gives him a squeeze through his pants

[Justen] tell our host later, maybe he'll punish me. [Justen] ^-^ [Xandhil] what and let him have all the fun? ^-^ [Justen] maybe he'll tell you to punish me? ^-^ [Xandhil] :D [DiablotinNarrator] Dinner is a lavish affair in terms of the service and the surroundings, but the food itself is not exactly plentiful. It's presented very nicely, and there are fine herbs and seasonings to make it more savoury, but nothing can disguise the fact that the portions are quite small. [DiablotinNarrator] Nobody's complaining though - in fact most of the guests pay compliments on the meal.

• Xandhil will be sure to do the same
• Justen too

[Xandhil] . o O (these people need to know how to make lembas ].]) [Justen] . o O (I'm really glad I have that porridge spoon, I might need a midnight snack.)

• Pavo lingers after dinner, as his guests disperse.
• Justen glances to you

[Justen] [q] should we just... go up to him? [Xandhil] [q] umm... I don't now :o [Justen] [q] I don't think he'll complain... [Xandhil] [well], okay

• Justen heads over in Pavo's direction, then.
• Xandhil will approach him a little nervously as well

[Xandhil] Thank you, again my lord, for your generous hospitality [Pavo] You're very welcome :) Would you care to join me for a little something after dinner? A drink, perhaps? [Justen] I wouldn't say no :)

• Xandhil nods his agreement

[Pavo] Splendid!

• Pavo stands and will lead you through a door other than the one you came into the dining room by.

[DiablotinNarrator] The adjacent room is plainly set up for after-dinner amusements of various sorts - a table for cards, a drinks cabinet, a large couch... [Xandhil] (just the three of us?)

• Pavo pours you each a drink, some strong, clear, vaguely fruit-flavoured liquor.

[Xandhil] (pavo is boyhoarding ;) [DiablotinNarrator] Yes, just the three of you - well it wouldn't be fair to his guests if you weren't up to snuff - he has to test you first, clearly ;) [Xandhil] (hah)

• Xandhil will sample

[Pavo] The peach orchard has many benefits :)

• Justen sips it appreciatively.

[Justen] Very nice.

• Pavo settles himself down on the couch, stretching out comfortably, catlike.

[Pavo] Do make yourselves comfortable too. [Xandhil] (Is there only the couch? ^-^) [Pavo] (there are chairs for the card table) [Pavo] (but the couch is much more comfy-looking ;)

• Justen doesn't need much encouragement to lounge on the couch ;)
• Xandhil will sit with them as well, though more shyly

[Pavo] May I?

• Pavo asks Justen, leaning over to him.

[Justen] um... sure :) [Xandhil] . o O (Here we go ^-^)