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Alcuin no Delaunay ([personal profile] st_unning) wrote2017-03-20 07:15 pm

Day in the Spa

After Alcuin's conversation with Phryne, he had a small sense of purpose. She'd pointed out a marketable skill that hadn't occurred to him -- massage. He had come across the spa at the inn during his exploring, and it did not really seem to be in use.

After a few cooking lessons, Alcuin had offered to read to Ignis, and so when he'd seen him last he suggested they meet the next morning by the pool, which also happened to be right by the spa. Perhaps he'd be interested in helping him explore that, as well.
st_eadfast: (Default)

[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-11 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
There was a lot of tension, mostly generalized rather than in painful knots. Immediate reactive tension was actually comparatively minor; most of it was long-term tension, born most of a lifetime trying to seem unflappable, untouchable, immune. In honesty, Ignis hadn't even realized it was there (fish didn't think about water) until Alcuin's gentle rubbing started smoothing it away. "You are not wrong on either point."
st_eadfast: (I can be cute sometimes)

[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-11 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Likely to return, then, sooner or later." But not now. Now was fantastic, learning what relaxation actually felt like on top of the simple guilty pleasure of warm hands - Alcuin's hands - on his bare skin. Despite not being able to see, Ignis let his eyes drift closed behind his shades, as if that would let him concentrate better on the sensations.
st_eadfast: (I can be cute sometimes)

[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-11 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"It feels amazing." It was, in fact, difficult not to make wordless pleasure-noises every time one of Alcuin's hands found what had apparently been a particularly troubling spot. In fact, he was only able to stop the little not-exactly-gasps-or-moans about half the time. "You can be - aaah - very confident in your skills. I think."
st_eadfast: (I can be cute sometimes)

[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-11 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wish I could be of more help to you." Cooking lessons aside, he didn't do very much but provide company when Alcuin wished it. And even that felt uneven at moments like this. At the very least, someone like Alcuin deserved an equal measure.
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-12 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
If he'd been braver or more carefree (or was that careless?) that might have been a good cue to turn over and kiss Alcuin, to share how good he felt. But Ignis was neither or none of those things, and surely - his profession being what it was - he'd had more than enough of uninvited (unwanted, his inner self added) physical expression.

So he stayed where he was and tried to use words instead. "I cannot express how much more pleasant this place is for me, since meeting you. You are... human sunlight, if you'll forgive the maudlin phrasing."
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-12 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
How odd that not being able to see how beautiful someone was ended up being a benefit to complimenting them. Ignis wasn't going to question it. Instead, he responded, "You're welcome. I've had very little experience with compliments, so I'm glad that wasn't hugely embarrassing for you."
st_illunsmeared: (cutie)

[personal profile] st_illunsmeared 2017-04-13 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Notebook in hand, Phryne entered the spa and let her gaze drift over the space while noting--

Alcuin and Ignis. How delightful!

--what needed to be done to make the place more congenial. As she was not, in fact, alone, nor did she wish to intrude, she began to back away toward the door. She did hope her shoes didn't give her away and disrupt what might be the start of an intimate moment.
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-14 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Years of trained habit made Ignis tense up at the sound of footsteps, undoing at least some of Alcuin's (wonderful) effort at relaxing him. He spared a flicker of guilt for that before speaking up, "You might as well come in, especially if you were looking for Alcuin."
st_illunsmeared: (cutie)

[personal profile] st_illunsmeared 2017-04-15 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
Caught out, as she so rarely was, Phryne gave in to the invitations with a charming smile. "Ignis, Alcuin. I can scarcely imagine a more delightful chance encounter."

She moved toward them slowly to give Alcuin a chance to wave her off if he didn't want more of an interruption than she'd already been. "Although you've quite spoiled my surprise."
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-15 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
Back to the real world, then. Likely not a moment too soon, but sad nonetheless. Ignis slid off the table, carefully avoiding the space Alcuin occupied, using his hand to track back and find his shirt. "In our defense, the book Alcuin was going to read was terrible."
st_illunsmeared: (aristocrat)

[personal profile] st_illunsmeared 2017-04-16 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Phryne waved that away with a dismissive gesture. "Hardly." She did allow herself a little look at Ignis before he put his shirt on, but only a glance. He preferred men and she... preferred Jack. "I'm only mildly disappointed," she continued as she neared them. "I'd planned to see if the Inn would permit me a little redecorating before you opened. As a treat for you."
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-16 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps it will. This isn't, after all, a bedroom. I'd expect a location such as this to make alterations regularly, depending on current style." Current style, new fads, what-have-you. "And one tryout is hardly a grand opening." It would be a poor opening, if so.
st_illunsmeared: (over the dark lenses)

[personal profile] st_illunsmeared 2017-04-16 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
"No more fortunate than I to have friends who will permit me to help."

Phryne smiled at both men, boys really, both of them in spite of Ignis's age. Both had much to learn of the world outside the boundaries of their knowledge and they were so gentle in their ways that she felt immediately protective of them as she had with both Dot and Jane.

"And you may be right, Ignis. We can but try, and this way, I needn't risk making changes that Alcuin won't like."
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-16 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Ignis nodded, then smiled a little lopsidedly. "I expect I'll be very little use in any redecoration effort, but I imagine I'll enjoy listening to the design phase nonetheless." It had occurred to him, briefly, that he should excuse himself to let Alcuin and Miss Fisher get on with things, but... he wanted to stay near Alcuin until he had to go. How difficult could staying out of the way really be?
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[personal profile] st_eadfast 2017-04-16 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah-" Somehow he'd thought that Alcuin wouldn't refer to the massage in front of Phryne, but... why wouldn't he? It wasn't anything, really. Despite effort to suppress it, Ignis flushed slightly. "Yes. I mean, no - no criticism. You're... very skilled."

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