Day in the Spa

[st_unning]

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.

Comments

[st_unning]

"Yes, please stay," Alcuin said to Ignis. "Also, any constructive criticism? Would you recommend me to a friend?" He smiled brilliantly at him.

[st_eadfast]

"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."

[st_unning]

"Oh good, I'm so glad," said Alcuin sincerely. "And any time, really. I'm happy to help you relax."

He looked at Phryne. "You were right, it's so nice to feel useful."

[st_illunsmeared]

Rather fortunately, Phryne had sipped neither tea nor champagne before Alcuin spoke. She almost certainly would have choked on a stifled laugh.

Useful, indeed. She raised an eyebrow at him, smiling somewhat slyly.

"I'm quite willing to take credit for anything that makes you smile like that. But I do recall it was you who said you wanted to be useful." The slightest emphasis on 'useful' offered a double entendre she felt certain Alcuin would pick up.

"In any event, I've just remembered I'm meant to meet Jack in the cafe in a few minutes and I must freshen up." Of course, she had no such meeting, but neither would gainsay her as it concerned Jack. "Alcuin, Ignis, darlings, please excuse me and the interruption. Shall we say tomorrow, around the same time?"

[st_eadfast]

Ignis had the not-wholly-unfamiliar but always uncomfortable feeling that he was missing some meaning to Phryne's statement. Likely, as with other times that had happened, said missed meaning could have nothing to do with him, and accordingly he ignored her odd emphasis on words. "I had no other plans, so provided that timing is acceptable to Alcuin, it works equally well for me."

[st_unning]

Alcuin suspected that Phryne had picked up on sexual tension between himself and Ignis. He still was uncertain whether Ignis was blind to it, so to speak. But Alcuin could tell when someone was attracted to him - which still did not mean that Ignis had any desire to act on it. And for Alcuin's part, he did not want to risk their friendship; he felt as if he'd been lucky that Vax could brush things off so easily. Ignis struck him as someone more easily impacted by things. And besides which, Alcuin still felt so messed up, so confused; he would not even know where to begin in being with someone he just wanted for the sake of wanting.

"That is fine," he said with a little smile.

[st_illunsmeared]

"Wonderful." Phryne made a point of catching Alcuin's eye and dipping her head just enough to suggest accord. Her smile, too, offered forgiveness for any offense he felt he'd committed by giving Ignis the first massage, sweet creature that he was.

"Then I'll be off. Ciao, darlings!" she said brightly and then sailed out with twice the aplomb as she'd entered.