A Bit with the Men Again

I’m afraid I’ve been spending a certain amount of my energies on my growing friendship with R, and ignoring my writing altogether. Mind you, there have been other things keeping me busy, like moving my daughter back into my house and taking her to her appointments and such. Her due date is today, the 22nd, and I’m not letting her go too far without me, nor am I going too far without her, although I did toddle youngest daughter and her friend off to a kids’ Christmas do yesterday. I got roped into the pine cone craft table, which involved glue, sparkles, paint brushes and various sizes of pine cones. Need I explain more?

As for R, well, I played taxi to the ferry so R could spend Christmas and New Year’s over in New Brunswick with other friends and I’m supposed to be playing taxi again on the fifth when R is due back on the ferry. In the meantime, with R gone, the amount of mischief I can get into is limited. ºÜº

Now let me see what story Torin and Sunshine are willing to share with me.

*****

Torin listened to Rojer’s story with an expression of fascination, as if such sexual escapades were new to him. In truth, he couldn’t begin to imagine anything more mundane than the experiences Rojer related with growing confidence and animation.

He avoided making eye contact with Husin after the first time their gazes connected. Both had had to turn suddenly away, Husin consumed with a sudden choking fit on his wine and Torin busy with fishing imaginary dust motes from his goblet with his forefinger, his head bent deeply to the cup. Rojer continued, heedless of the amusement he had caused his host. Ranid sat by his brother, all rapt attention.

“And what did you think of the baths, then?” asked Torin, when his wine was sufficiently dust-free. He sucked the wine from his forefinger absently.

Rojer’s face turned a deep red. “Most, erm, most enjoyable,” he said.

Torin gave him a bland smile. “I’ve always been partial to them, myself,” he said. “Especially with company. There’s something free about floating in warm water, surrounded by warmth while part of you is surrounded by even nicer warmth.” He grinned at Ranid, thinking of Sunshine’s warmth in particular.

“Well, you know, it’s something you have to get, erm, used to, I suppose,” said Rojer. “It seems unnatural somehow.” He cleared his throat.

“More wine?” Husin rose from his chair and refilled Rojer’s cup. He sat again and smiled, his own goblet cradled on his ample belly. “I agree with Torin,” he said. “There is great pleasure in a big hot bath.”

Ranid’s head bobbed up and down. “Oh, yes, yes. Mmhmmm.”

Rojer looked at him. “You didn’t?!” He stared. “You did?”

Ranid smiled nervously. “Well, you know, Rojer, when in Chav–” His voice trailed off. He sipped his wine.

“Do tell, Ranid,” said Torin. He rose fluidly to refill his cup and stretched out again, his attention focussed on Ranid.