Adventurerers! Planning [Closed to lilgiastar and The Dark L

September 8th 1932

Adriel mentally groaned while he continued to build the camp fire because he could see from the corner of his eye that Art was checking him out again. They had gotten a lot closer since the curse was removed a little over three weeks ago, and he had deliberately made sure he was very sexed out by the time they left the District about two weeks ago. Art had artfully avoided any of 'The Talk' conversations, was still firmly in denial about having a lot of basic human functions like feelings, and he had been checking Adriel out off and on for over a week now. And Art didn't even realize he was doing it! How can someone look at another person like that without even realizing they were doing it! He kept looking at Adriel like Adriel was one of his Greek statues and all he was doing was building a fucking fire and it was driving him nuts so he really needed to say something about it.

"You have been checking me out for days, Art," he said once he shifted the last log so that he was done. He gave Art a firm look when he saw the scholar about to open his mouth and deny it. "Are you comparing me to paintings? Animals? Statues?" Ah, a small blush. "Greek statues?" And now Art was completely red and looking off to the side. "I keep telling you I am fine with... Well, no, maybe not." He sighed since he knew for sure that talking Art into touching him now would definitely not help his own situation at all. "Look, I'm fine with being checked out, but you need to be aware of what you are doing because the ignorance is driving me nuts."

Art was very embarrassed since he did not even think he was doing it. He wasn't! "You said checking someone out was for uh... that and I don't want that," he mumbled to the ground. "I just... admire you like the statues is all. I keep thinking Apollo would have wanted to carve a statue and uhm... It has nothing to do with that."

Adriel sat down on the ground in front of the fire pit and leaned back on his hands to groan up at the sky. Nope, sorry Artemis, your innocent little son is playing with fire here. Blame Athena - she still has not given him a drop of wisdom. "You worship the statues with your eyes, Art," he said in a dry tone. "You admire every curve, want to touch the smooth surface, and you want to commit every bit of detail to memory. You look at me like that. I'm really not sure how that is much different from checking someone out when you eye me like you want to run your hands all over my body."

Art blushed harder and curled inward. Was Adriel right? He had been comparing him to Greek statues, but... He did want to run his hands on them, yes. Did he want to run his hands on Adriel? He wasn't interested in men like that! Was he? He wasn't interested in dating, that was for sure! "I'm not interested in dating," he mumbled.

Adriel snorted. "You don't have to want to date someone to want to kiss, pet, or fuck them as I said when we had dinner that one night," he pointed out - Art had been torturing him for over a week with his eye-fucking so he definitely was not going with the kid glove method since politely ignoring things was not an option anymore. Ah, but seduction was. He twisted his body so he could sit with his back to the fire and face Art. "And if you want to run your hands all over me like that, well..." He pulled off his shirt and shifted a little so his muscles would ripple while he smirked at Art. "Come here and touch and learn the difference between stone and flesh. Unless you want to run like a coward?"

Art had looked up at the first signs of movement since he was about ready to run, but no, Adriel just sat down. Then he removed his shirt! And Art really was going to run, but then his muscles did that and it really did need to be properly carved and... Adriel just called him a coward! He scowled as he looked away. "No thank you," he said as sternly as he could. He wasn't going to run because he wasn't a coward! Maybe not brave, but definitely not a coward! "You should put your shirt back on and can stop with the friendly flirting like the spoon. I don't need to touch to know the difference between stone and flesh."

Adriel smiled since even the tips of Art's ears were red. "I'm really starting to question your credentials as a scholar since you never seem to want to go anywhere near an uncomfortable truth," Adriel commented, careful to make sure his tone was not scathing or mocking, just matter-of-fact. "While you might read a bit about the stories of Patroclus and Achilles, I wonder if you even know how the mechanics between men work. Not that I am implying anything by that comment, but if you are not interested, what is the harm in you allowing yourself to touch me like you have been wanting to do?"

"I do not want to touch you!" Art immediately argued as he scowled even harder. "I was just looking! You aren't a statue!"

"I'm not," Adriel agreed as he leaned back on his hands again and used the movement to subtly flex his stomach muscles and biceps. "Maybe I should just pose for you then so you can look your fill?"

Art stiffened his back up at the offer. "No!" he yelped, then cleared his throat. "I mean, no, that is not necessary. I am sorry, I will stop looking at you."

Adriel shook his head and smirked. "Don't apologize, I am fine with you looking at me," he purred. "I want you to look at me. I've asked you many times to touch me. What is so wrong in indulging if you want to do either or both? You like looking at me just like you like to look at Greek statues."

Art couldn't help but glance over for a brief second with the way Adriel had said 'I want you to look at me,' and seeing the light of the setting sun hit him from in front with the fire silhouetting him from behind was entrancing. He averted his eyes away. "I can't think when your shirt is off!" he complained in an echo of what he had said many weeks ago. He wrapped his arms around his stomach to curl inward since his stomach felt very strange. Adriel was right though, he did like to look at him like he liked the Greek statues. But... "It's wrong to look at someone like an object," he mumbled down to his lap. "Or to look at anyone. Statues are fine."

Adriel paused for a moment to think. That definitely sounded like mind healer material - he was pretty sure there was something wrong with thinking that statues were fine to look at while people were wrong to look at. "How is it wrong if I want you to look at me, and you want to look at me?" he gently asked. Even if he wasn't a mind healer, he could at least try to help a little bit. "Safe, sane, and consensual. Neither of us is hurt, it is perfectly normal to want to look at someone whose body you admire, and it is perfectly fine to do so if you get their permission. Even if they don't say it is ok, if they notice, smile at you, and continue with their task it means they are okay with it. If they are not ok with it, they will frown or tell you to stop." He gentled his voice into a coaxing one. "Come on, raise your eyes and look... I know you want to and now you know you want to, so there is no need to hide though I will keep it a secret from everyone else for you."

Art knew it was wrong regardless of what Adriel said because it was not normal at all! At least not normal for him! Everyone got angry and nobody wanted to be around him! But then Adriel used a gentler tone and promised not to tell anyone and... Well, he had been looking so apparently he did want to look even if he had not really realized that he had been looking until Adriel had pointed it out and sounded upset at first. But now he was sounding nice about it like he wanted it and... Maybe he did want it then? And it wasn't like Adriel could just ignore him like everyone else had, not now that they finally found Atlantis a couple days ago and just had to figure out how to get inside it. He peeked up to look at Adriel's expression and saw that he was smiling so... Maybe not unhappy or upset.

"There you go, not so bad, right?" Adriel said in a soothing tone. "Would you like me to make Greek statue poses? Then you can see what the ancient sculptors would have seen when they had their models do their posing, too."

Art really wished he had not left Mr. Bear in the tent since he wanted to hold him now, but he gave a small and shy nod. It would be interesting to see those poses, and Adriel was no longer talking about checking him out or touching him so it was fine like this. He just had to think of Adriel as a model now. That was much easier.

Adriel's eyes sparkled since he finally got Art's attention which was honestly the hardest part of seducing the man - he always tried to deny and dismiss but Adriel finally broke that pattern. He winked at Art then reached into his pouch for a block of wood, shaped it into a circle, and enlarged it. "The Fallen Warrior of the Temple at Aphaia," he stated after he stuck a strip of leather inside of it like a shield handle, then laid out on his side as approximately as he could and flexed to make sure his muscles were showing like it would on statues. "Feel free to point out where I am wrong at or readjust me yourself."

Art's stomach was doing more flips as he watched Adriel move into position after he made the shield, then he announced the name of the statue! And there were all those muscles and he kind of did want to touch them and then Adriel made his offer and Art made a little squeaking sound that was very embarrassing. But Adriel didn't move or say anything, just stayed still like a statue, so after a couple minutes, he started eyeing the position a little more critically. "Your knee needs to point higher up - the sculptor wanted the thighs spread out for the genitals to be seen probably," he said. "A little more, and the lower leg the knee needs to be a couple inches off the ground. Uhm, your wrist isn't right either, but I don't think you can do what the statue does there because the handle is all wrong and is supposed to strap on the forearm rather than be held, but you do need to pull up your upper body more since the statue's torso is not on the ground at all - it rises up starting from the hips. Like that, yes, but higher and you can use the arm on the ground to help your balance though all the weight is held up by the shield for the statue. Huh, I wonder how the model held the pose for that long, it looks difficult?"

Art stood up and moved closer to circle behind him while Adriel held the rather very difficult pose. He was slowly breathing out through his mouth while breathing in through his nose to keep his shield arm from getting shaky and he very much wondered that same thing Art had wondered at the end. That task got even more difficult when he felt Art run his hand up the straining muscles on his back, but he stayed very still just so he wouldn't scare Art off since it would probably be his one chance for this type of seduction.

Touching Adriel's back muscle was very very different from a statue or even touching his own muscles, Art decided. Since Adriel had not moved or said anything, he kneeled down to run both hands on Adriel's bicep with the shield arm to admire how that felt, then moved the braid so he could see and feel the shoulder muscles. He gave a thoughtful hum since the statue was not as detailed as Adriel was, and he lightly trailed his fingers down the back to compare that to the smooth skin of marble that he had admired before, and decided that as soft as the marble looked, Adriel's skin was a hundred times softer in texture and look. He heard Adriel make a very soft sound though and he jerked his hands back as he looked towards his head, but Adriel was still looking down like the statue did so he was probably getting very tired. "Uhm, sorry, you can stop now," he mumbled.

Adriel had found the bold groping of his arm amusing and the touches on his shoulder nice, but that delicate trailing of fingers made him have to swallow a whimper and redouble his focus on keeping himself up because it had felt nice. He was apparently not quiet enough though since Art yanked back his hands, but Adriel took the offer to stop the pose and huffed out a breath as he laid out on his stomach over the grass. "Give me a moment to rest and I'll do the next one," he panted while partially sprawled out. "Yeah, no idea how the model stayed in that pose, either. I'm guessing there was probably cushions and stuff involved."

Art nodded an agreement and ran his eyes on Adriel's back and how it was flexing with every breath now in the relaxed pose. He leaned forward to touch and compare it to earlier, felt the muscle under his hand twitch, then it relaxed and he leaned in more so he was nearly bending forward over Adriel's body to feel the difference with both of his hands. It was softer like this though he could still feel and see the muscles, and it did make him think of other statues so he thought maybe Adriel was right. "The Fallen Warrior of the Temple at Aphaia did not have muscles as defined as they should have been," he agreed as he put one hand on the center of Adriel's back for balance so he could reach out to squeeze the bicep. Touching Adriel was no longer so scary since he still wasn't moving or saying anything mean to him about it. "There are other statues like that, but some statues also have a lot of active muscles."

Adriel thought Art could actually be good at massages if the firm exploration of his back was any indication towards it, and Art was light enough that suddenly being used as support for his bicep to be squeezed had been just fine, too. "Feeling my back like you did just now was nice and similar to a massage," he said in a positive tone, figuring it wouldn't hurt and might help if he made it into a compliment. "I'm ready to get up for the next pose when you are done."

Art blushed and scrambled back, then yelped as he felt himself falling back towards the fire because he forgot the firepit had been behind him. Adriel was suddenly moving in a blur though, and caught him by his chest belt and yanked him forward even as he grabbed Adriel's arm in an attempt to save himself. Art shivered because he had nearly been burned alive and that was probably as bad as being eaten to death by a mule though it wasn't as bad as being nibbled to death by an evil cat which is the worst with their tiny claws and teeth that could make a death last way longer. Adriel was making his calming noises too while he... he was straddled in Adriel's lap and pressed tightly to Adriel's chest. He was also still holding Adriel's arm though the arm was pressed against his stomach - no, he was holding the arm tightly to his stomach - and he froze and waited.

Adriel had not intended to pull Art into his lap, but it had happened again. He inhaled sharply when Art wiggled in as tight as he could against him because he also wiggled against his hardon, and expected Art to start crying like he had every time every time they had been in this position. He had to keep them both propped up with his right arm since Art had stolen the other one he had grabbed and was clutching so tightly to. He started to make soothing noises to head off any crying and that seemed to work, but then Art froze up in his lap so he went quiet and waited to see what Art would do next. Nothing happened for a full minute, so in a quiet and calm tone, he said "It is not the first time you have been in my lap or even the third time, yes? If you still want to touch and distract yourself from your fright, that is ok." Art still didn't move though, so he twisted the arm between them a little so he could splay his hand on Art's stomach and send out his warming magic to offer comfort.

Heat bloomed in Art's stomach that increased that ticklish flipping feeling into something more that completely vanished all his doubts and fears. Art moaned as soon as it hit and gripped the arm tighter to press it in even as he started to instinctively squirm in Adriel's lap for more, then he felt a very nice bolt of pleasure that curled his toes when Adriel shifted making their crotched rub together. Less than a second later, a second warm hand was placed on his back making him arch into it while he moved his hips some more to try to feel that really nice feeling again, but Adriel was shushing him why was he shushing him oh, he was still moaning and making sounds like Adriel had that day in the hotel when he had walked in and... Oh.

Adriel absolutely refused to be held responsible for this thank you very much, Artemis. There is only so much one can do when there is someone sexy writhing and moaning in your lap like a highly paid escort, and Art had gotten very enthusiastic when all he had done was just move a little so he could try to hold Art better before the silly little thing tumbled back into the fire with all his squirming. He really needed to calm Art down though before the scholar came in his own pants, so he started to make shushing noises that went unheard at first but then Art's eyes went wide with realization and he was so adorable when looked so shocked while he blushed that hard. "It feels a lot nicer if there is no clothing in the way," he purred in a quiet voice, the tone low to make sure that Art would stay focused on him to hear it. "We can try with just your shirt off - I have seen you without your shirt many times and have touched your chest to put on bandages and stuff. Rather than for pain, it will be to feel nice instead."

Art wanted. No, he really needed. He wasn't sure exactly what he had to do to get what he needed when Adriel had stopped him, and had just stared hoping there would be more, but then he suggested his shirt be taken off to get more and said it was like bandages only for nice instead of pain so he nodded. He still didn't know what to do, and Adriel provided that answer a few seconds later when he felt the back of his over shirt get bunched up. Art released Adriel's arm so the top could be pulled off, and he didn't look away from Adriel's eyes as his chest belt was carefully unbuckled and laid to the side. Adriel's hand slipped under his shirt at the back, and his mouth fell open because it did feel very good to have that large hand spread out on his back with the heat and moving up and he arched back against that and moaned as he closed his eyes.

Adriel gave a hum of satisfaction when Art turned into putty because of the right hand on his back. "You need to pull off your shirt if you want to feel my hand on your front as well, Art," he prompted, then smiled when he saw Art flop his hands up for a moment like he was confused on what to do before he grabbed the hem of his shirt and practically ripped it off in his haste to obtain what Adriel was offering. Art went limp into Adriel's right hand, and Adriel continued to hold Art up while he placed the left hand on Art's belly once more. Poor Art didn't know what all Adriel was offering, but he would hopefully learn by the end of the night. He slowly started to move his left hand up and got more moans from Art who stayed relaxed in Adriel's lap now.

This wasn't sex like Art's father had told him, and he idly wondered if this was Adriel had meant by 'the mechanics between men.' If so, he could definitely see why Patroclus and Achilles stayed with each other - this felt really nice. He didn't know what he was supposed to do with his hands still and felt a little self conscious that they were just at his sides with the shirt still around one wrist, so he shook the fabric off to the ground and brought his hands up to hold Adriel's left wrist again as the hand moved to the top of his stomach. The spot somehow elicited even more nice throughout his chest and shot all the way down to his groin that caused another toe curling bolt of pleasure, and he was pretty sure he was starting to drool a little bit but he didn't care.

"Is this enough?" Adriel asked when Art continued to hold his arm still. "Or do you want more?" Art moaned then nodded at the last question. "My hands are full, but we can adjust a little bit so relax." Art opened his eyes a little and nodded, then he closed his mouth and swallowed as Adriel carefully shifted so their crotches wouldn't rub together while he brought his knees up to help him keep Art propped up. He would have suggested laying him out on the grass, but Adriel was trying to keep this as slow as he could to avoid spooking Art, so that meant still staying with his hands and Art in his lap rather than suggesting kissing or lying down just yet.

Art settled back on the really strong thighs he had been propped against and wiggled down into Adriel's lap better so his own knees didn't have to stay digging into the ground like they had been. He could feel something hard poking against his bottom for a second, but then Adriel shifted and pulled his hand back for a second to adjust his pants a little so whatever was in his pocket slid more comfortably up against his crotch and he stopped thinking about it when Adriel's hand was gently placed on his side for more of that warmth. Art moved his left hand from the left arm to hold the right wrist as he closed his eyes and moaned again, then both hands completely covered his stomach which made him buck up with a louder moan because it felt really good, too.

Adriel quietly panted as he felt Art's ass rubbing along his length but he stayed focused on Art's body. The sun was almost completely down, so it was mostly the fire light that gave Art a beautiful orange glow. He smoothed his right hand up to Art's chest and splayed the left out to cover most of the belly, and Art curved back over his knees to push his chest up. Adriel reminded himself that it still was not time to suck on a nipple, but he did move that hand so his thumb could rub against it, and Art's hold on his wrist tightened a lot more as he gasped out a surprised 'aah.'

Art had heard locker room and dorm room talk about how girls liked having their breasts played with, of course. He didn't know it applied to guys though when Adriel's thumb kept rubbing over his nipple. He kept trying to move the hand on his stomach down lower because everything was telling him that that was what he wanted even though he didn't know why he wanted Adriel's hand there, but the warmth felt good everywhere else so it would feel very good there he was sure. Adriel wasn't moving that hand though, it stayed firmly on his belly and also kept him from trying to slide his crotch up to it, so he started to grind down into Adriel's lap where the hard thing was in hopes that that would help. "More," he finally managed to gasp out when the hand on his stomach also prevented him from getting the same angle as he got earlier when his crotch had rubbed against the thing in Adriel's pocket.

Adriel swallowed since that was the signal he had been waiting for - Art on the edge of begging for what he needed even if he didn't know what it was. "Are you sure?" he asked as he fought to sound normal with the way Art was grinding against him. "This is already heavy petting. Next would be sex, but I can use my mouth to kiss your chest instead."

Art whimpered. This wasn't sex? How was this not sex? No, Adriel was right, sex was with a woman where he put his thing in her hole only he realized he probably wanted his thing touched and he blushed because he couldn't ask Adriel for that. Another part of his brain - one that had never spoken up before - said he could. That he should. That Adriel was already doing all this for him so he would do that for him, too. Art didn't want to take advantage of their friendship and he didn't date but he couldn't say no, either. He had never felt this way before and 'the mechanics between men' was... Well, now he could understand why Adriel seemed to like having Kon's hands on him that day... And he remembered 'kiss marks' too and wondered if that was what Adriel was offering.

Adriel could almost hear that Art was frantically thinking even if he didn't know what he was thinking about. He gave Art a minute, but when he still got no response, he lightly pinched Art's nipple between thumb and his first finger in an 'OK' type of gesture so he didn't raise his hand off the chest. That wrung a strangled sound out of Art and Adriel grunted and had to close his eyes for a few seconds to stop himself from bucking up into Art's renewed grinding, then he rolled that nipple in between his fingers and he gently smiled at Art who had managed to raise his head enough to look at him. "Would you like me to stop?"

No. He gripped that wrist even tighter as he swallowed and furiously shook his head no. He wanted the hand on his stomach to move down lower, but Adriel had offered to kiss his chest. "Kiss m-marks," he stuttered out with a moan, then dropped his head back since it took everything in him to admit he wanted that out loud.

Adriel was a little surprised since he had only said kiss and Art was demanding hickies, but he recalled he had a conversation about how good they were to Art when Art had thought he had been assaulted. How cute. He twisted his left wrist so Art was forced to let go of it, then moved that hand around from the belly to the upper back so he could pull Art forward. Next, he moved his right hand over to the other nipple so he could suck on the one he had been playing with and felt Art start trying to get friction to his dick using Adriel's stomach now that he wasn't preventing Art from grinding his crotch. Since he knew it wouldn't be enough for Art, he let him do it so he could run his hand down Art's back to slip his fingers beneath the waist band of his pants, then gently used his teeth to graze the top of the nipple.

Having a hot mouth on his chest was doing all kinds of things to increase that nice feeling, but Art kind of wanted to cry because none of it was enough. He even felt Adriel slip his hand into his pants a little, and he didn't care at all because he felt teeth on his nipple that sent the best spike of pleasure through him yet. Yes, he noticed he had also cried out loud enough for a couple birds to fly away, but he didn't care about the birds. No, he wanted more of that, so the hand that Adriel had twisted off of his wrist went to hold Adriel's shoulder for balance and he let go of the other wrist to grab that braid and started to pull on it. "More!" he demanded as he rubbed his thing against Adriel's stomach. Surely it would be enough? Then he felt a hard suck on his chest and nipple that almost hurt but in a very good way, and as the skin pulled back, the teeth scraped along it until it dragged along his nipple and he let out a sob because no, it had not been enough.

Adriel heard Art start to sob with need, then Art dropped down into his lap to grind their dicks together. It lost him the nipple, but he was able to start licking that neck, and Art angled his head back with a moan to give Adriel complete access. He slipped his hand down farther into Art's pants, and just as Art's movements started to get a little more frantic because he was starting to get close, Adriel moved his other hand around to Art's ass and he held him still in a position where their dicks were firmly pressed against each other through their pants. "You are asking for sex with your body, Art," he breathed by Art's ear and ignored his hair being yanked on. "I want to give it to you, but you need to say that is what you want."

Art yanked on the braid with a sound of anger because he was sure he almost had what he needed only Adriel suddenly stopped him. What? "I-I wasn't asking for sex," he whined out. "Just... Just more?"

Adriel rolled his hips up once to grind up against Art as he kept the librarian's hips pressed tightly against him. "That's my dick you've been grinding your own up against," he huskily stated just to fully clarify things for Art. "I can give you more... I want to give you more. You have to say you want sex since sex is more."

Art gasped since that push had felt really good... Way better than he had managed for himself. That was sex? 'Mechanics between men?' He remembered when he rubbed himself in the shower that one time and it didn't feel this good. Adriel knew all about sex though so maybe that was why it felt so good? "I thought... I was um... I p-put my thing in a woman's h-hole?" Art stuttered out since it was very embarrassing to say out loud, and now he knew why his father acted like he did.

Adriel lowered his head a little to slowly lick up on Art's neck where he had had the best reactions earlier as he moved the hand in Art's pants to brush a finger between the butt cheeks. "Men have holes as well, and I can make it feel very very good," Adriel said in a tone that promised more. "Just tell me you want sex, and I'll take care of you."

Art whimpered because he didn't want sex, did he? He had rubbed himself on Adriel's thing though and apparently made Adriel want it! Adriel had also said he had been looking at him like he had wanted sex this whole time. Maybe he really did want it since he was in this situation where he needed it now. 'He was asking with his body for sex' so it was his fault he had put himself and Adriel in this position. He felt really bad since he kept asking for more and more and now more was sex and it would make Adriel had to take care of him. Adriel said he wanted more, but that was because Art had been doing what he had. "Are you sure you are okay with it?" he asked in a quiet and uncertain tone. "I am sorry that-"

"Ssshhh," Adriel reassured as he ran his right hand up Art's back while the other stayed in Art's pants. "No apologies - I have been wanting your body a lot, but your friendship even more. We can still be friends - I like to share pleasure and fun with my friends remember?"

Art quietly moaned as the heat and strength went up his back and he bucked once before he made himself go still. Adriel said they could still be friends after and that he liked to share and Adriel had said many times before he liked to have fun with his friends. And that he didn't have sex with the ones that didn't want sex but apparently there were friends he had sex with since he sounded like he was okay with Art accidentally manipulating him into this position. He started to breathe hard as he panicked about what the right answer was, but then he felt Adriel start to suck on his other nipple and that one other voice he had never heard in his head until today said 'Just say you want it since you already know you do!' "I want sex," he breathed out as he pressed his chest into Adriel's mouth and moaned.

Adriel slipped his hand out of Art's pants so he could start unbuttoning the front while he continued to suck on the nipple. Art had apparently given up the mental battle that he had been fighting since he dropped his braid to pull Adriel's head tighter to his chest by holding the back of his neck. Adriel included the light nips Art seemed to really enjoy to his nipple as he pulled Art's pants down to his thighs, then he brought his hands back up to hold Art as he twisted himself and reverse their positions so Art could be laid out on the grass.

One second, Art was on Adriel's lap feeling conflicted about his pants being unbuttoned ('Of course it is being unbuttoned, you need nudity for sex,' the other voice reminded) and the next second he was gently being laid out in the grass after a dizzying flip. He stared blankly up at the darkening sky wondering how he got there, but then he felt Adriel's hot mouth making more sucking kisses down the center of his stomach as his pants and underwear was pulled down. He gasped when he felt his thing being exposed to the air and he reached down to hide it with his hands as he looked at Adriel in shock, but Adriel only moved to Art's side and lowered his head to suck on his hip bone which made Art moan and press his hands down on his thing.

Adriel moved one hand to Art's belly to send warmth there while the other scooped up the back of his knees to raise then while he sucked on the hip bone. Art startled a little, but seemed fine now that he had hidden his dick, so now that Art's knees were up he stroked the spaced between the balls and the hole with more heat magic. Art bucked up and moaned, and now that he knew that even that felt good, Adriel pulled back so he could untie the boot laces so he could finish pulling off the pants. "It's ok, just relax," he reassured in a soothing tone. "I would really like to see what you are hiding under your hands though. Will you move them to the side for me?"

Art whimpered a little as he looked up at Adriel. He really wanted to stroke himself now like he had in the shower since he suspected that that was what he wanted, but there was no way he was going to do it while Adriel watched. He could also feel wetness around the head and smeared on his belly, and he was terrified he might have wet himself a little so he shook his head no even though he was afraid Adriel would get upset. Adriel just smiled though and pulled off one boot and then the other, then tugged his pants the rest of the way off and tossed it to where his over shirt was. Then warm hands on each ankle slid up to his knees and then down to his hips before they went back up along the top of his thighs, and Adriel gently pulled apart his knees enough for those hands to slide back down towards his inner thighs.

Adriel watched as Art's eyes closed, and Art's knees fell open when he reached the groin. He ran his hands back and forth on the sides of the crotch until he saw him relax all the way with a quiet moan, and he shuffled himself forward a little and used his knees to encourage Art to move his feet apart as well. When Art moved them and spread himself open a little more in the process, he was able to get far up enough to lower his head and lick up Art's inner thigh. Art bucked up sharply enough for his hands to slip away, and Adriel quickly moved his left land over to cup Art's dick right before Art's hands got back to hiding it. Art loudly moaned at the new touch, then tried to press Adriel's hand down so he would put more pressure on Art's dick, but he just continued to lick and suck on the inner thighs while he removed a bottle of lube from his pouch with the right.

Art couldn't force Adriel's hand down since it was cupped, so he also tried to buck up into it at the same time. Then there was the tongue now licking on the same spot under his balls that Adriel had touched earlier, so he whined as he held his hips up. "More," he begged, and was rewarded when that tongue dragged up to the bottom of his balls. There was a feeling of hot breath going over them for a couple seconds that made them tighten up in anticipation, then he felt Adriel gently suck the both of them into his mouth while something very slick started to rub along the outside of his asshole. Oh. Adriel had mentioned holes, but he thought he was the one that was going to stick his thing in? He whined in a mix of fear, confusion, and pleasure.

Adriel sucked on Art's balls and just spread the lube around the outside of his hole for a bit. Art had whined, but he was still moving his hips while keeping them up. He withdrew his hand when to pour more lube on in a well practiced but messy one handed method and pulled his head back with one last gentle suck. "Ssshhh, relax," he said in a calming voice. "I'll be very gentle and it will feel very good like I said. I'm just rubbing the outside, see?" He gave Art's dick a gentle rub as his finger started to rub the outside of the rim, and Art's whimpering sound turned into panting. "There you go, just lower your hips so you don't tire yourself out."

Art cautiously lowered his hips but the finger didn't poke in at all so he relaxed a little after half a minute of gentle rubbing on his hole and the petting on his thing. It felt very nice - not as intense as before but that was a good thing now with how strained his body was feeling. He still needed ('sex,' the perverted part of his brain whispered) but now he was able to relax like his body knew it was getting what it wanted. That was all then, right? His body just wanted it and it didn't mean he wanted it. Like... Eating. Sex was a fundamental part of like like eating and sleeping was. "Just... Just my body needs this, right?" he asked before Adriel did anything more. "Like sleeping and eating?"

Adriel slowed down the rubbing a little though he didn't stop so he could think of the right answer. He wanted Art to understand that Art wanted this and should stop running from it. "Reproducing is a basic survival instinct so that means sex, yes," he calmly explained, then started to rub his thumb on the head of Art's dick in slow circles as he took him fully in hand. "Yet, you have favorite foods that make you happy like chocolate. It makes your mouth pool with saliva and you want with your mind. You have been looking at me with that want off and on - I recall your expression that concussion night - it has just intensified in frequency and length for the past eight days or so. So while your body might send you urges to have children, to want children, wanting me would be because you want sex with me since I am a male and lack the ability to get pregnant. Can you say you don't want this?"

Art moaned and gripped Adriel's hand. Oh. He was feeling this good because he did want sex with Adriel? "I... I want this," he whispered, but squeezed his eyes tightly shut because he felt ashamed for causing all of this again. He was such a hypocrite this whole time thinking he didn't want sex outside of a relationship only to find out he did but with his friend! "I'm sorry, but I want th-this, I'm so sorry Adriel!" Then he felt Adriel's hand do a twist over the top of his thing where it was all wet, the movement made his hands lose their grip, and his eyes popped open with shock when he felt Adriel start to lick up his thing! "No, don't, it's wet and gross," he yelped, trying to push Adriel's head away because it would be awful if Adriel actually licked his accident and then threw up and hated him! Not that he wouldn't deserve the hate, but not for something like that!

Adriel lifted his head up since Art was panicking. "It's just precum, and I like the taste of it," he reassured Art since he guessed Art found bodily fluids gross and stopped rubbing his finger over Art's pucker so the touching would not make the panic worse. "Relax, I promised it would feel good and you don't need to apologize for wanting this. Trust me, I want it, too."

Art stayed tense with his arms straight to keep Adriel from going back down, and they both just looked at each other until Adriel gave him a gentle smile that made his stomach flip and resumed rubbing a circle on his thing. Right. Trust. He has had to learn a lot about trust over the last month. He could do this. He relaxed and let his arms fall to his sides, though he did grip the grass since he was still nervous and ashamed. He gripped it even tighter as he watched Adriel lower his head again, only this time he put his thing in his mouth and started rubbing it with his tongue! And now that hand was on his belly and he thrust up with a moan and didn't even notice he had ripped up the grass in his hands.

Adriel had to gently pin Art down with the hand on Art's belly, but Art's arousal that had started to flag was quickly filling up again with his gentle suckling. He didn't want Art to cum yet, but he did need him needy, so when Art really started to try to buck up again, he used that motion to let his finger finally slip into the hole and Art stilled with shock. "Did it hurt?" he asked after he lifted his head again, and when Art shook his head no with a wide eyed look of surprise, he started to lick up Art's shaft until he felt Art start to relax.

Art was getting used to this new feeling of having something in his hole and he couldn't help but wonder if it was gross. But Adriel kept licking him and it felt very nice though not as nice as when he was in his mouth. He couldn't ask for that, though! He realized he had clumps of grass in his hands and dropped them, wondered what he was supposed to do with his hands now, and remembered Adriel wanted him to touch him. He wiped his hands off in the grass and put one hand on Adriel's arm that was on his stomach and the other on top of Adriel's head since that was all he could touch, then closed his eyes, spread his legs a little more, and relaxed since he apparently did want this and it wasn't just his body.

Adriel relaxed a little as Art finally seemed to accept what he had said, them he slowly started to move his finger in and out. Art gave an uncomfortable squirm, but Adriel rubbed his hand over Art's belly and sucked one of his balls into his mouth and made him moan. He pushed his finger in a little deeper until he found the prostate, rubbed it a few more times until Art was panting and pushing back on his finger, then moved his finger a little so he was just barely missing the spot and moved up to give Art's dick some attention again. He started by lapping the precum off the tip while his hand moved up to play with Art's right nipple, and he felt Art start to grip his hair and his wrist as he moaned and tried to push his penis into Adriel's mouth. He pressed a second finger to the entrance of the hole as he stuck his tongue out to hold the penis head on, and opened up his mouth so the head could go in and feel the heat of his mouth but get no real friction or suction or anything.

Art let out a yell of frustration and pulled on Adriel's hair because now everything was almost! Almost in his mouth. Almost against that spot inside of him. Almost getting what he needs because of the hand on his nipple only it also made things worse! He whined since he couldn't get more from Adriel's mouth even when he managed to push Adriel's head down a little because the mouth was staying open instead of sucking like before, so he started pushing his butt down and moaned when he got the second finger to actually go in and the finger inside brushed the spot he wanted. He was still pushing on Adriel's head, but it was to help himself push back and forth on the fingers until the second one joined the first, and then he started to cry out because it was going to happen now only the hand that was on his nipple was suddenly around the base of his dick and squeezed it to stop the it from completing and he hated Adriel in that very moment until the fingers in his butt started to scissor open and closed right over the spot he really wanted.

Adriel groaned because he really wanted to take Art now, virgin or not, but he absolutely needed to make this as painless as possible or Art would hate him forever for seducing him into this. Art's pulling, pushing, and yanking on his hair was starting to give him a headache, but he was tormenting the guy and even stopped him from ejaculating so he would deal with it. He was having to be careful with his fingers because Art was seriously trying to fuck his hand while he stretched and prepped him, so a third finger was easily slipped in and the hair pulling got worse as the shrill and needy cries got louder. He still didn't let Art cum and just closed his mouth around the head to lick and suck up the pre-cum that was really starting to ooze out. He pulled out his fingers which made Art make a terrible sound of loss, but he continued to suck his dick which got Art bucking up so he could add more lube on his hand, then immediately put in one finger as deep as it could go while Art's hips were up in the air.

Art froze where he was when he felt that deep penetration and gasped for air. It felt so good that he didn't want to move and lose it - he could only describe it as electric pink and soft static. When the finger started to pump, he let out a guttural moan and dropped his hips back down into the grass, and that was good since the finger was able to go even deeper before it then curled up and really hit the spot that had him see stars. By the time he blinked them away, Adriel was licking and sucking on his inner thigh which felt shaky while still holding onto his dick and there were two fingers moving in and out. "W-what was that?" he moaned as he pulled his hand out of Adriel's hair.

Adriel gave the new hickey one last suck - Art would easily have over a dozen hickies all over his body tomorrow - then scissored Art open again to slip in the third finger which got him an uncomfortable squirm. "Anal orgasm," he replied. "There are different types of orgasms, and the one you would know is ejaculation - when the sperm exits the penis. Then there is prostate orgasms - when you are wanting sex really really badly for at least two hours then get penetrated in the right way so there is friction against your prostate, you can keep ejaculating for much longer than normal and it is more like a female orgasm. If they don't stop penetrating you, as in the sex act continues, then you can have multiple ejaculations throughout the experience, but it can get painful if you run out because it goes on for a long time. Finally, there is anal orgasm - my holding your base is called orgasm denial which means you cannot ejaculate no matter how much you want to or how much friction your penis gets. However, your prostate is stimulated so much that you orgasm through that touch but with no ejaculation. There is no risk of painful dry ejaculations then, and you can have as many as I can give you as long as I don't let you ejaculate."

Art moaned and understood that he was not being allowed to ejaculate, but he could still get orgasms from his prostate according to that lecture. "Does that mean we can have sex now?" he asked since if just a finger caused an orgasm, two felt good, but the three in there now was already making his toes start to curl again, surely sex itself would be the best.

"Not yet, I don't want to hurt you," Adriel said with a gentle smile. "Honestly, it will hurt anyway - everybody's first time being penetrated hurts at least a little. But I can make even the pain feel good if I do this right."

Art doubted that claim since no pain ever felt good, but he already trusted Adriel so far and Adriel really was making him feel good like he promised he would. Why had he fought having sex for so long? No wonder why everyone had sex and why the boys in the dorm at Hogwarts talked about it as did the men in the public restrooms that he had been forced to overhear until he could finish and escape. He let go of Adriel's wrist so he could bring his hands up to his nipples and tug on them himself since Adriel wasn't able to and he liked that feeling. It didn't feel as good as when Adriel did it, but with the fingers rubbing his spot ('prostate'), the pleasure mixed together in his stomach and it wasn't long before he was pushing himself back into Adriel's hand, especially since his balls started getting sucked on too.

Adriel was finding it harder to maintain his self control when Art started to pinch his own nipples and start fucking himself again on Adriel's hand, but on top of all that was Art's social obliviousness that had him moaning and crying with zero restraint. He had to rip his eyes away from the sight and duck his head to suck on Art's balls so he didn't take Art up on the offer of sex since the little librarian had no idea of what the differences between three fingers and one penis was. He worked on loosening the hole some more and wished he could pour some lube directly on the hand to finger fuck into the hole, but there was already a lot of slick so it wasn't needed. He pull back his three fingers until they were only one knuckle deep, bunched them together with the pinky right outside the hole, then let Art fuck the fourth finger into himself.

Art knew something had changed a little - he felt a little more stretched out, but it also felt like it was a little deeper. He moaned when he realized he had the full length of the fingers inside of him and there was the fourth one now since Adriel flattened his fingers back out and he realized it was the last set of knuckles that his hole was too tight to pass. Ngh, but now there was warmth coming from that hand and inside him and Adriel's thumb was rubbing on that spot right under his balls that made the root of his penis feel like it was being massaged, and he had raised himself up again to suck on the end of his sensitive penis. He was so close to another one of those anal orgasms as Adriel had called it that he could feel his muscles inside rippling with anticipation, but he just needed it a little deeper. "Moooore," he moaned, and felt Adriel spread his fingers out inside a few times before he applied just enough pressure for Art's own pushes to get those knuckles in.

Adriel hummed into the dick shoved into his mouth as Art thrust up and cried out in ecstasy with another orgasm. A lot more precum oozed into his mouth as did a tiny amount of ejaculation going by the taste, but definitely not a real ejaculation. He could feel the base of Art's penis throbbing while his fingers in Art's ass felt like they were being crushed, but Art came down from the pleasure a little quicker this time since he knew what to expect though he was breathing a lot harder. Adriel had to wait until his muscles went lax from exhaustion, but as soon as they did, he could move his hand in and out so his knuckles could do the last bit of stretching needed.

Art moaned with the new movement in his hole and he pressed his palms down over his nipples since they were feeling very sensitive now. He thought he might have pinched them too hard with his last orgasm, and it gave him a little bit of an idea on what Adriel might have meant when he talked about pain and pleasure. It had mixed together there at the end so he hadn't even realized he hurt himself until he relaxed again, but catching his breath this time was harder than it was before. His body felt very limp and tired, and he almost wanted to stop now, only it felt very good to have those knuckles rubbing in and out of his rim, plus his whole penis except where Adriel held it at the base was being sucked on. He wanted to know how Adriel kept making it feel more better, but he could already feel himself start tensing up again as his body prepared for a third one even though he just had one, and he started to sob because it was too much but he didn't want it to stop. He lifted up his left leg so he could drape it on Adriel's right shoulder since that would give the right hand in his arse better access, then found out that the new position also made it a lot easier for him to push back when Adriel pushed in and if he moved just a little bit harder, he might get those knuckles to rub on that spot and get what he needed again.

Adriel was glad that Art was trying to figure out how to make it easier for the both of them, but he had to be careful that Art didn't hurt himself with how hard he was trying to push back. He figured Art was very close again because of the sobbing, so he genuinely started to suck like he actually was giving Art a blowjob rather than the idle sucking and tasting he was doing before. He moved his thumb away from the perineum to rub on the outside of Art's rim, and Art was pushed over the edge again since he cried out and tightened up with an orgasm. There was another small and salty burst in his mouth of precum, and he curled the four fingers inside of Art into a cat's paw fist. He rubbed it against the prostrate to extend the orgasm until Art's voice cracked with how loud his cries got, then pulled his hand out when Art went silent so he could undo the buttons on his own pants. As soon as his member sprang free, he picked up the bottle of lube, poured it on his member, stroked himself while he sat up to make sure he was very slick, then scooted forward and gently shrugged Art's leg off his shoulder so Art was fully on the grass again.

Art groaned as he came to and was very unhappy with the feeling of emptiness. He started to frown at Adriel until he Adriel's thing being rubbed and how big it was, swallowed hard, then raised his hips as Adriel scooted into the position he probably needed to have sex. Art expected to be filled again as soon as he felt the head of Adriel's penis rubbing back and forth across his rim, but that was all he was doing! Art frowned again as he focused on the area to time things, and as soon as he felt the head coming back down over the middle of his hole, he pushed down to try to get it in. It didn't work and he felt a pinching sensation, but it reminded him of the end of the last orgasm right before he blacked out when it felt like something large was inside of him. He wanted that feeling again, so he tried to force more in, but Adriel started shushing him.

"You will hurt yourself, trust me to do it," Adriel said in a soothing tone. It was difficult to penetrate Art since he was still holding the base of Art's penis, and Art holding his hips up with his legs wasn't helping since it was making him too tight to enter. "Put both of your legs on my shoulders and lock your ankles behind my neck if you want to help - I need you to relax because if you are flexing your butt or thigh muscles, you are too tight to push inside of." Art gave him a nod, then followed Adriel's suggestion though it took a minute to do. Adriel figured Art was not used to this kind of position at all, but at least he was physically capable of doing it once he figured it out. Adriel sent warmth down the hand holding Art's penis to get him to relax, and once Art started to, Adriel carefully started to thrust against the hole until his head pushed past the tight rim and then he stilled to look at Art's expression for discomfort. Art's eyes showed a little pain with the strain in the corners, but overall he looked impatient so Adriel started his careful thrusting up again while he kept an eye on Art since he was trying to his the prostate again.

While it had initially pinched, the pain had turned into an interesting burn that mixed with the warmth around his penis, and he could feel Adriel slowly inching his way in. He really wanted him to just get in already so he could feel good again (shameguiltembarrassment) and stop feeling bad about causing the whole thing to happen, but since it was his fault and he wanted the sex, he let Adriel go at his own pace for this. Then Adriel's careful thrusting got to the good spot and he relaxed some more, but then Adriel stopped! Oh, he pulled his hand out from between them and was moving positions so now he had to let go of his ankles or get bent to an uncomfortable position because Adriel was moving to lay over him like the normal sex position should be. He let his legs slide down and looked up at Adriel.

"Wrap them around my waist now," Adriel suggested as he kept himself held up with his free hand. "Move your hands off your chest as well since I want to kiss it again. Ah, your nipples are red, I will be gentle with them and help them feel better. Are you okay? Do you still want sex?"

Art had obeyed Adriel again since it was easier to follow his lead - Adriel knew how to have sex and what to do while Art did not. He nodded at both questions, but when Adriel gave him an expectant look, he cleared his throat. "I still want sex," he quietly confessed as he blushed with shame. Adriel had told him not to apologize about this either, so he didn't even if he was a hypocrite.

"Me too, you feel really good," Adriel said as he started to move over that spot that Art looked like he was starting to enjoy. It took him a few thrusts to find the right angle again even if he had the right depth, and he had to be careful since it was still shallow enough that he would slip out if he pulled back far enough. Thankfully Art was sensitive enough to need very little friction in the spot after he forced that extended orgasm, so once he had it right, he lowered his head to start lapping on Adriel's nipple like a cat to help soothe it and make it feel good at the same time.

Art was glad he was patient enough to wait since he now felt so full and Adriel was right about how good sex felt. There was still the burning and the pinching, but like Adriel had promised, the pain just mixed with the pleasure and even his nipples were added into the mix. He started to moan again and reached up to hold Adriel's shoulders, then he used his legs to try and get Adriel in deeper and moaned even louder when he succeeded. It seemed like Adriel wasn't going to stop him since he got a hum of approval, so he started to match Adriel's pace to get even more deeper and appreciated how long the strokes started to get.

Adriel felt himself start to sweat since Art's enthusiasm was about to make him finish early even though he was barely over halfway in. The quiet librarian was a firecracker and definitely should have come with a clear warning label. He almost lost the battle when Art suddenly started to cum around him when he gently sucked on the nipple he had been licking, but he pulled out enough that he didn't feel like he was being milked and just thrusted directly against the prostate as he had initially been doing while he kept hold of Art's dick through his squirming and sobbing. Art's passage was exceptionally tight so it was difficult to push in each time, but Art seemed to really like that since he held on tightly with hands and legs until his sobs turned into needy whines. He began inching back in deeper at that point and started sucking marks into Art's chest while he quietly moaned when Art still kept matching his movements.

Art felt so good. He could feel Adriel sinking deeper into him again and he welcomed the intrusion and didn't bother to try to control his body. He was... Well, there was a tiny part inside that felt very unhappy that he didn't do this with someone he loved, but at least Adriel was his first friend so he was doing it with someone important. His forever friend. It had been only a few weeks, but it felt so much longer with all the new experiences, and now even this. Adriel started to put in even deeper than his fingers had gone though, and he stopped thinking and just became a pure bundle of pleasure receptors when he began to undulate in a different way for more more more.

Adriel closed his eyes and had to start his breathing exercises when it felt like Art's hole was trying to suck him in. He heart Art quietly start to beg for more but kept with his careful pace until he bottomed out. Then he stopped for a second and sat up while he pulled Art up with him so Art was in his lap like he had been when they had first started. It was made easier when he realized Art had locked his fingers behind his neck, and the new position made holding Art's dick more comfortable for him. Art didn't move at first which was fine with Adriel since he needed that extra few seconds, but then he started to wiggle his bottom so Adriel pushed heat into the hand on Art's back and stroked it all the way down to his tailbone and played his hands out across the top of Art's ass making him buck forward and relax at the same time.

It took Art a second to realize he was in a new position, and he only noticed because Adriel had gone still again. He wiggled his hips and found Adriel was sitting almost cross legged under him which helped keep his ass up because his weight was on his thighs. Then Adriel's hand stroked down his back and he gasped as he undulated under under the hand like a cat until it reached his bottom. With the heat and how he was still impaled by Adriel, it automatically made him flex his hips because it was just like when Adriel had his fingers in him then added the heat, and he groaned since the new motion was even better than that had been. Then he felt Adriel shift under him which did delicious things to his insides that made him unwrap his legs so he could shift to his knees.

Adriel move his hand from Art's ass to his hip to keep him pinned down. "Give me a second or I'm going to cum," he breathed out before he had an idea. "Just... Stay still." Adriel let go of Art's dick and flexed his fingers to get the blood flowing in them again. He reached into his pouch to pull out a silk ribbon, then let go of Art's hip who was frowning at him a little so he could tie the ribbon tightly around the base of Art's penis. Not enough to cut off blood flow, but definitely tight enough to keep Art from ejaculating. Then he sent heat into his hand as he started slowly stroking Art' penis and groaned when Art started to squirm in his lap. With the new position, Adriel's back was to the fire and the sky was now dark, so the firelight played across Art's body as he writhed in his lap. Art's body was covered in hickies, his hair was a mess, grass was stuck to him in various locations, his groin and stomach was sticky with precum, and he looked completely debauched. Adriel wondered if there would be any innocence left to Art after tonight - he hoped so and could imagine Art unable to meet his eyes and blushing around him for the next few days. He moved his right hand back around to Art's bottom and slipped a finger down his ass crack just to feel where they were joined.

Art had not been happy about being stopped and wondered why Adriel said he was about to go somewhere if Art didn't stop for a few seconds. He stopped trying to chase that feeling deep inside and when Adriel let go of his thing, he flinched because there was a rush of heat to it as the blood flowed in. It didn't hurt, but it wasn't comfortable either, but he stayed still and quiet because he didn't want Adriel to go. Adriel just tied a ribbon tight around his thing though, and that was a little uncomfortable, but it didn't hurt. Then that hand started to stroke him like he had tried stroking himself in the shower only it felt a million times better so he started to grind into Adriel's lap like he had done earlier when they were fully clothed still. Then the other hot hand started to rub around his hole and he tightened up as he gasped in surprised, then he lifted himself up a little and felt a second finger slip in on the other side to stroke him down there. He slowly started to grind down but was tentative since he didn't want to hurt Adriel's fingers, but then Adriel bucked up into him and he got that earlier pleasure he was chasing after and he didn't care about it anymore.

Adriel moaned with Art since he was still very close and Art didn't need to be told or shown what to do here since the earlier incident gave him an idea on what to do in Adriel's lap. Not that doing all the work to get Art to the point of penetration had bored him - there were a few points where if he had been able to rub himself even through his pants, he would have came. He was still wearing them and would have to change into a different pair later, but having a completely naked Art when he was still half dressed was just more fuel for him. He bucked up even harder as he felt Art get close, and this time when Art came, it was around him and he pulled his hand away from Art's ass to hold his hips down as he ground himself up to release deep inside of him.

Art felt more wetness inside of him as he came down off his rush and wiggled his hips. "Did you uh..." he started to ask, wondering if Adriel had ejaculated in him but to embarrassed to ask. Adriel still felt hard inside of him though and he recalled he had gotten soft after he his experiment in the shower, so maybe it was precum as Adriel had called it?

Adriel gripped Art's hip to keep him still as he heavily breathed. "Ejaculated," he panted, then gave Art a smile as he rubbed his thumb over Art's penis head in slow circles. "Also called come, spurt, climax, or orgasm. There are other words for it as well, but yes, you feel really good and are doing great. When you orgasmed, you tightened up inside and made me also cum." Ah yes, there is that innocence since Art was blushing furiously and looking at anything except for him. He had been wanting to talk dirty to him all night, but he didn't want to make Art feel humiliated or too nervous to enjoy himself. He slid the hand on Art's hip up to the center of Art's back as he leaned in to breath into Art's ear. "Would you like to try kissing as well?"

Art blushed harder and shivered when he felt Adriel's hot breath on his ear, but then he heard the question and stiffened up because no, he did not. He already gave his virginity over to Adriel so he wanted to save something if he fell in love. He couldn't say no though, not with Adriel's thing still in him or how he made him feel so good. Adriel wanted a kiss. So he reluctantly lifted his head and closed his eyes.

Adriel realized his question might have pushed Art a little too far because of his body language, so he lowered his head and sucked on the top of Art's shoulder while he twisted the hand on Art's dick to press the warmth into his stomach which made Art gasp. "Shhh, it's ok if you don't want to kiss," he soothed. "I love the taste of your body is all - I have been wanting to run my tongue all over you for a long time."

Art blushed again and leaned forward until his thing was pressed against Adriel's stomach and his face was buried in Adriel's neck. "I'm sorry," he mumbled before he swallowed hard. "I... want to kiss someone I love."

Adriel nuzzled Art's hair since he was right there. "Mmm, there are many people that enjoy sex but won't give a kiss to someone unless they love them," he reassured as he rubbed Art's back, then with the other hand he pulled the ribbon to undo the bow. The ribbon was put to the side and he went back to slowly stroking Art's penis to keep him hard. "I am delighted to taste your body and give you pleasure, and we are friends so we love each other in a different way and that is more than fine. Do you want to stop here or one more time?"

Art was already slowly rocking into the stroking when he was asked that question since it felt so different now because there was blood flowing and it was almost too much. However, the strokes were slow and careful so it wasn't painful like he thought it should be - it felt like it was keeping things from being painful and felt very good like someone soothing pins and needles sensations. Adriel also wasn't mad - he said a lot of people didn't like to kiss anyone except who they loved. But Adriel also said he loved him? Like a friend? People love their friends? He tentatively licked Adriel's neck to see what it was like since Adriel said he liked kissing his body so it would be different from kissing him - a good compromise - and Adriel tasted salty with sweat but it wasn't a bad salty. Adriel apparently also liked to have his body kissed like Art did since he groaned and tilted his head a little to give him better access to his neck so Art tried sealing his lips around the spot and sucking it, too. Adriel bucked up into him and groaned again, and Art lost the spot because of the movement but latch on to a higher part of his neck with his own moan since it felt empowering to know he could actually do something simple like this to make Adriel also make sound.

Adriel shivered when Art latched on to his neck with his mouth a second time and groaned again. That first one had taken him by surprise, and that tentative exploration had made him buck up. Just like everything else though, Art immediately started to enthusiastically participate on giving him hickies, and these ones he would not heal at all and would wear with pride. "You are doing so good, Art," he moaned as he started to lazily thrust up with Art's slow grinding that matched his hand strokes. "I would love to have you on my dick all night if you want more than one more time." Normally he really disliked sleeping with virgins unless they asked with a want to actually learn about pleasure because otherwise it was just doing all the work for someone who expected to only receive the pleasure. Not that they were intentionally selfish in bed like that, but they were too inexperience and too shy to do otherwise. "We'll take it one climax at a time from here on out - untying the bow to let you ejaculate will feel different than the other ones." Seducing and teaching Art was such a delight though - Art was not very experienced at all with any physical pleasure and had a whole lifetime's worth to catch up on now. "You can also bite me when you finally cum, I love being bitten."

This slow pace felt very different for Art - he could feel the pleasure building from his stomach and his groin that tingled along his spine and zipped along his skin. He groaned to acknowledge Adriel's words though he wasn't too sure on the biting part. He did start moving towards the front of Adriel's throat and felt a thrill when Adriel tilted his head all the way back and gave an open mouthed groan to the stars, and he tried to increase the pace of his movements. Adriel must have been fine with that since he also matched Art's movements with his hips and his hand, and Art really started moaning as the pleasure continued to build inside and out rather than just the deep within it was before. "Is sex always like this?" Art panted once he got to the other side of the neck. "This good?"

Adriel slid his hand down to Art's ass to rub on his butt cheek and hip. "Ah, no," he huskily replied before he slipped his hand down to the hole to feel his first ejaculation around Art's hole. Art resumed sucking on his neck where it met the shoulder and he sharply inhaled before he started explaining the rest. "Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is not. Mmmm... I always like to make my partner feel good, but some people are selfish and make others do all the work. You are doing a great job - even for your first time, you are doing better than over half the people, and because it is you, I am getting so much more enjoyment. Sex is half in the head, too - if you really want someone, it is much better and I have wanted you for a long while ah since before we left England. When you find someone to love, sex with them will be better than this as long as they love you enough to also want to make sure you feel good. Sex with a woman will also feel different from sex with a man."

Art had picked up a little more pace while Adriel explained that and figured out that different undulations felt different inside. Adriel's moans while talking was gratifying as well, especially since he said that Art was better than over half and even more than that because he had been wanting him since England. Art recalled that Adriel had said even back then that he was handsome, but he had no idea that Adriel wanted him even that far back. Just when Adriel mentioned checking him out in Naxos. Ah, but now that he was thinking about it, his first thoughts of Adriel was that of a Greek statue as soon as he walked into his tiny office... Did that mean he had wanted Adriel as far back as then? He kind of wanted to know, only now he was feeling pleasure down to his toes and even his scalp was prickling and he knew he was getting close again. "I think I'm... I..." he started to try to say, but then he felt the explosion that had him keening and frozen. Warmth splattered all over his chest and stomach even as he felt Adriel take over the movements by continuing to thrust up into that spot inside of him, and it was all he could do to stick his ass out a little bit more to encourage that spot to be hit. Some part of him was also very embarrassed about the sounds coming from his throat, and recalling what Adriel had said, he bit down into the shoulder he had been licking on and heard Adriel give a loud moan and thrust up even faster. The hand on his thing was also moving jerkily, but Art could still feel himself ejaculating and there was so much slickness everywhere and just like that, he was unfrozen enough to start meeting Adriel's thrusts hard though he bit down even harder just to not drift away.

Adriel was having a hard time not cumming as he continued to pound into Art's prostate to milk the prostate orgasm for as long as he could. Hopefully he had not ruined Art for future sex encounters - it would be hard for Art to find someone who could give him an anal orgasm, let alone a prostate one like this or even both in one night. If Art actually did find love in the future though, he was honest about what he had said - sex with someone he loved would be different since feelings added more to the experience if they could give him pleasure or it would make the experience different but still good because it was with someone he loved. He almost came when Art bit into his shoulder muscle, then did actually lose the battle when Art started slamming down into his thrusts with a cry of pleasure as he threw his head back. They both still kept up their frantic movements for half a minute longer before Art started to whine and just started to grind, and Adriel sat heavily back down and grabbed both hips to hold him firmly against his lap since his cock was softening inside of him.

Art still kept twitching even with Adriel's hold since his insides were still spasming though it was slowing down now. He was clinging to Adriel like a lifeline and it took two attempts for him to remove his mouth from Adriel's shoulder. He winced a bit when he saw he had broken through skin and that it would definitely leave a painful bruise the next day. Plus both of their fronts were covered in his semen and his precum. "I'm sorry," he apologized and then remembered he wasn't supposed to when Adriel groaned at him. "I uhm... made you bleed and made us messy."

Adriel was enjoying the feeling of Art's final hard spasms milking his spent dick when Art let go of his shoulder and apologized. He groaned with a little bit of exasperation since he was hoping to enjoy the post-coital high, but reassuring Art came first. "I loved that bite, and I love having your cum all over me," he murmured to try to put Art at ease. "I would like to lick that off of you in a minute and wish I had been able to swallow all of it. Why don't you try tasting yourself a little again? Cum tastes different from pre-cum."

Art nodded and pulled back a little to scoop some of the cream off of Adriel's chest, though he couldn't see it very well since Adriel was facing away from the fire so his torso was pretty dark. He brought his finger up to his face and sniffed it, but stopped when he saw how intently Adriel was watching him and blushed. Adriel smiled though and ran both of his hands up his back which relaxed him, so he stuck his finger in his mouth then scrunched his nose up since it did taste different and wasn't as pleasant as it was before which was saying something since he didn't really care for the salty flavor either way. There was this weird bitter taste with a chlorine kind of smell-taste and he wondered how Adriel could like the taste of that.

Adriel was amused by the look of disgust on Art's face and wished he had obtained permission to kiss Art earlier. Well, maybe not - he had been very greedy tonight as it was, so wanting a kiss on top of that was selfish. "Some people like the flavor, a lot of people don't, and for some that don't, they decide to acquire the taste because find the thought of tasting their partners sexy," he explained. "I didn't like or dislike the flavor at first, but I enjoyed how much more excitement it could give my partners when I gave them oral sex - the act of using your mouth as a hole for men or licking a spot right above a woman's hole that looks like an up V since their pleasure spot it towards the top of the V. May I lick you clean?"

Art considered that and figured it was probably no different than how some people liked broccoli, most did not, and how the latter learned to eat or even enjoy it so he turned his head a little to give a shy nod. He felt a pang of loss when Adriel's thing slipped out of him, then blushed even harder when he felt his butt start to push wetness out, and he hoped Adriel did not notice the mess on his pants now as he was laid out on the grass once more. His embarrassment melted away though when he felt Adriel put his thing in his mouth and start to suckle on it, then a finger slipped into his hole and thankfully plugged him up even if it did ache a bit. He realized he was pretty sore everywhere now, but Adriel's other hand started to rub his inner thigh in a massage with heat and everything, and while everything felt good and he groaned, it wasn't the same kind of good as it was before and more a massage kind of good. Then Adriel started to lick his balls as he pulled out his finger and stopped the massage, and he wondered what he was doing when he heard a bottle being opened.

"Essence of murtlap so you won't hurt tomorrow," Adriel paused to explain while he carefully coated it on his finger. "Just relax, I will take care of you." He slipped his finger into the slick hole, then applied heat as he started to rub it around inside. He lifted up Art's right leg by the back of his knee to expose the hole more, and lowered his head to lick around the area and under the balls as well. Art was still limp despite the treatment which meant that he was physically sated and probably wouldn't be able to get it up again for at least an hour or two, so after he set Art's leg down, he took his own dick in hand and started to lick Art's lower stomach clean while he stroked himself.

Art felt cool relief as soon as the finger slipped in, then Adriel started stroking his inside and he never knew that getting a massage there was possible but it felt really good and also like an itchy spot was being relieved. He almost didn't notice that Adriel had started licking his belly because he was enjoying himself that much, but when he did, he placed his hands on Adriel's head and gently started to pet his hair since Adriel had said many times he liked having his hair played with. It was apparently the right choice since Adriel groaned into his stomach and started to include that open mouthed kissing with his licking, and that felt nice along with the finger in his butt so he burrowed his fingers into Adriel's hair to encourage him to keep going.

Adriel wasn't sure if Art knew he was jerking himself, but being pet while he fingered Art and licked him clean was definitely part of the fantasies he had this past week. Even sated Art was still responsive, so he kept sucking and cleaning up his body while he stroked himself, and when he got up as much as he could see, he gave Art's nipples some attention until he was able to cum on Art's inner thigh. Art apparently didn't know what he had been doing since he made a sound of confusion, and Adriel smiled as he lifted his head. "Like I said, I have been daydreaming about running my tongue all over you for a long while," he explained before he went back down to lick Art's inner thigh clean of his cum and gently pulled his finger out of Art's ass. "You can take a shower first to clean, then start dinner for us while I take a quick shower. I'm sure you are hungry, but if you are up for more sex later, I will also be good to go."

Art blushed hard at the offer and pushed himself up to hide his body a little bit. Adriel had seen him, yes, but it felt different now. "I'm uhm... I will be fine," he mumbled before he reached out to grab his chest belt to hold like he would Mr. Bear. "I'll go shower and make dinner."

Adriel smiled as Art turned as he got up and stumbled off into the tent. That innocence had returned a lot quicker than he thought it would - he had expected it tomorrow but not as soon as they had hit a pause. That just meant he would get to think of new seduction techniques to attempt on Art from here on out to see what else might work for the rest of the expedition and possibly even while they were in London. He would love to bend Art over his own work desk and take him there since Art would always be reminded of that every time he entered his office. Sadly for now, he had to button himself back up and gather both of their clothes, rebuild the fire, then keep watch until Art came out so he could clean himself off real quick.

Adriel and the Mavros followed a few feet behind Art and Athena after they finished lunch to walk back to the bank. "Lunch was delicious," the blonde purred to Adriel in high Ottoman. "That comment about fifty oysters a day was a very nice touch."

Art glanced back at them since it was again a different language, but he immediately looked forward so he didn't have to watch. Why did Adriel have to 'politically flirt'?! They both knew the other was doing it for information according to Adriel, so what was the point?! No, he didn't need to think about these things - books were better than people to understand, and he was happy with his books.

"And the insinuation of salmon making certain activities more pleasurable for women was rather bold," Adriel replied back with a smile though he didn't take his eyes off of Art. Still, he watched her from the corner of his eye since her movements were very much like a cat lazily prowling after a lizard to bat in between its paws for fun. "I do like learning new things like that, however. Does it really intensify orgasms?"

She smiled up at him with amusement. "Some women would say so, yes," she said. "I'm not too sure for myself since I haven't tested it yet, though I would welcome assistance with that tonight if you wish."

Adriel's eyes flicked to her for a split second before he resumed his watch on Art. "Hmm, well, I had plans to meet up with Konstantinos tonight to talk about what had been keeping me from making any solid plans for Sunday," he said as the four of them entered the bank. "You are welcome to join if you want to talk, and I could introduce him to you and see if he finds you intriguing at all. He prefers his women to not be delicate so I don't think you being a Mavros would be a deterrent, but honestly I am not too sure how you plan to join the he and I if you are serious about that offer since nobody is supposed to know your identity."

She looked down at his hand, then lightly brushed her leather clad ones against it. "Oh, that one is easy," she said in a lower tone of voice. "You give me a name, I show up as a civilian. He doesn't need to know I am Mavros... I can easily pass as an officer in MIS. I technically do have an MIS ID in case I have to give one when crossing borders and the like."

"We need to go left here, Art, not right," Adriel said in English before Art took the wrong turn in the corridors. "So I could introduce you as Irta?" he asked with amusement, and when he got a smile and a nod, he grinned. "Go on in, we just need a few minutes," he told Art since they were ten feet away from the door. "Call my name if anyone bothers you at all. Greetings are fine, politely tell them you are waiting for me if they ask any personal questions outside of 'Was lunch good?'"

Adriel looked back and frowned at how close the other two were standing. They weren't holding hands like he and Athena was, but she just brushed her hand against Adriel's and why was he even thinking about this? He scowled as he nodded at Adriel then walked into the room with Athena. He did not want to know if they were going to snog or something, but surely not in the hallway of a bank? No, nope nope nope, he wasn't going to think about it. Books. Books were safe.

"Sent him off?" Irta quietly cooed as she moved to press her hands against Adriel's chest and leaned into him, then gave Adriel a sultry smile when he put his hands on her hips. "I am very serious about my interest in bedding you. Yes, there are ulterior motives like you told your friend, but there is no reason at all to not mix business with pleasure."

Adriel lowered his head to rub his cheek on her neck, then lightly blew hot air into her ear. "It wouldn't be just me," he said in a low and and slightly rumbly voice that women usually loved. "Do you really think you could handle the both of us? We both enjoy playing rough, and I am currently teaching him the beauty of tying a person up."

Irta ran her tongue over her bottom lip to make it glisten since she couldn't use bedroom eyes with her hat disguising them. "I could handle anything you want to throw at me, Adriel," she huskily breathed out as she pressed herself against him to tease him a little by rubbing her hip sensually against his crotch. His pants made it very difficult to ascertain if he was hard or not, but she did snuggly fit something into the hollow of her hip.

Adriel let go of her left hip so he could shake his wand into his right hand as she rubbed herself against him to put up a privacy ward, then dropped it into his pocket so he could pick her up by her waist and pin her against the wall. "I am sure you would look very gorgeous wrapped up in silk ropes and suspended from the ceiling," he purred into her ear as her legs wrapped around his waist. That opened her up enough for him to push his hard length right against her core and grind against it to hopefully stimulate her clit, and she seemed on board for that since she arched her back so make sure he was giving her friction there. "Both of our hands rubbing oil all over your body while you are helpless, and neither of us removing our clothes while you are fully bared to us both. I would lick you and keep you on edge, not allowed to orgasm, and he would have a finger up your ass to make sure we could use whatever part of you that we want. I would make you want to orgasm so much that you would be begging for release after edging you for a long time. Maybe we would share the same hole from the front and from behind just so we can feel each other while inside of you? Imagine it - one of the dungeon play rooms, a bag of new sex toys, maybe some spanking, then perhaps we will leave a toy in you while we fuck each other and you can only watch. How explicit is my file?"

Irta could imagine that, and she was a little embarrassed to find that her underwear was getting soaked between his dirty talk and the grinding. "Nothing detailed like that," she gasped out as she rubbed right back and held his shoulders tightly. "That you sleep with both genders, there seems to be no obvious preference except uhm... some experience at least. You don't keep them for more than one night unless they are interesting, we are guessing? Those that have been overheard talking about it seem very ah satisfied. I can handle the both of you - I have used toys for both. I have uhm... I have only had a man have sex while I gave the other oral, but I am willing to try new things. I-"

Adriel took half a step back since he could hear the echoes of footsteps and gently set her down with a wink. "Sadly, we are about to be interrupted," he explained with a smile as she adjusted her shawl while wearing a pout. He leaned in to give it a light nip before he pulled out his wand to remove the charm he had cast just as Ganas stepped into the corridor several doors down. Adriel gave him a casual wave before he turned his attention to her and saw her wearing her playful mask once more. "I'll introduce you tonight, but I won't promise more than that."

Irta ran her eyes down Adriel's body even as she gave a nod and a smile. "I'll dress appropriately," she said before she turned her head a little to give Ganas a smug smile and walked into the conference room. She had no doubt that if he had kept talking to her like that while grinding, she would probably have had an orgasm in five more minutes. As it was, she would have a long negotiation ahead of sitting in a goblin chair with wet underwear. She would also very much appreciate it if they would stop making comments about who was seducing who - she would like to see any of them try to take her place and do better. They could also try to puzzle out why he wanted to know what they had on his sex life themselves, but no, she did not think they should try to collect detailed information on that since Adriel would probably be able to figure out who was only pretending interest.

"If I may?" Ganas said to stop Adriel from going into the conference room, then gave him a slightly strained smile since he was very suspicious of how the Mavros had been standing so close to Adriel. "I am eighty seven years old, so please believe when I say the Mavros are very dangerous people. They are like... American SEALs or spy agency. You should not get caught up in her wiles - she is the type to seduce a man then leave his shattered heart on the ground."

Adriel gave Ganas a smile of appreciation. "Thank you for the warning, but I know she is playing games," he said as she shrugged off his coat and folded it on his arm rather than try to straighten it out. "I think it would be fun if she actually was interested in sex since I am a free love kind of person, but I will refuse if it is just for the job. If you are worried about me favoring her in negotiations just because she knows how to draw a man's eyes through subtle movements - don't be. I had a very busy morning with my current bed partner, so the Mavros and I really are just playing a game with each other. She's trying to get personal information out of me, I'm trying to get personal interest out of her, so it is all harmless."

Ganas pursed his lips but nodded. "Ah, youth," he sighed out. "At least you seem to be enjoying yours as much as you can - I worked mine away. Not that I regret it, I love the forges and the secrets I have pulled out of metal. I do wish I spent a little more time chasing skirts, though."

Adriel grinned then nodded at the doorway to signal they should stop delaying and started walking towards it. "Skirts, adventure, and magic," Adriel said with a smile. "Then when I am too old for adventure, I will change that one to crafts. Maybe find a wife and start a family since I will not be travelling as much at that age, though I have a feeling I will still have a hard time settling down since I love the Mediterranean countries too much to stay away and have family in Ireland as well." He sat down in his chair then grinned at Art. "Is everything okay?" he asked him. He wasn't worried about spells since Axebane was here, but he wanted to make sure Art was not harassed by Theo. When Art nodded, he looked at everyone else with a friendly smile and started to ask how lunches went.

Adriel offered Healer Cromp a warm oil massage, and she did think it sound nice. She had had massages before, but they never seemed sensual in any way. However, he then offered to explore... daydreams which she could only assume meant fantasies and she had to shift her feet again. And then he started talking about a captive princess or being the captor and again her wand stopped working as her brain very much stopped focusing on the spell to envision something like that. At this rate she was going to need to excuse herself before she could heal 'Art'. Though perhaps she would not, so that way if they did decide to play a bit she would be extra turned on if she didn't touch herself until then. She pushed those thoughts away and smirked at him "Don't make promises you can't keep, since you don't know if you will be able to uphold them if your current partner does not leave," she said because it was true and because if he continued she might not be able to finish healing him! She tried to push the thoughts away again. "Now shush, I need to finish healing your arm," she said in a reprimanding yet flirting tone as she started healing up the last teeth marks.

Adriel was delighted when the healer flirted back with him - he had not been sure if her earlier question of 'So... how do you plan on finding a new partner if things don't go well with your current one?' was one that was asked with genuine curiosity or because he had gotten her attention with his talk of bondage. He smirked at her as he leaned in a little closer under pretense of watching her heal his arm, and in a husky tone, he said "No strings attached kind of person, so if you would like to see if I keep my word, I am wearing this toga the traditional way." He smoothed his robes down on his leg so she could see how big he was at the moment, and his movement drew her eyes.

Gala was pretty sure she should be annoyed, but with how wet she was, she licked her lips at the visible outline she could see. She reached out and placed her hand on it as she looked up to meet his eyes, and felt a thrill when she saw how intently he was looking back at her. It made her feel like she was the only person in the world, and she didn't notice that she dropped her wand on the bed as her other hand came up to his chest to feel the muscles hidden below the fabric. This man was so fit that even his hard penis moved her hand a little when it twitched, and she smiled at him as she wondered what he was wanting to do with his invitation.

Adriel leaned forward a little to wrap his right arm around her waist and chuckled when she made a squeak of surprised as he pulled her towards him. Though she acted surprise, she was apparently very interested since he didn't have to pull her into his lap - she moved up with his help and straddled his upper thighs. He smiled at her as he pulled her tightly up against him making her bring the hand that was fondling up to hold the back of his neck. "Comfortable?" he purred as he pushed his hips up a little to rub against her core. Not happy with that angle, he reached in between the two of them to adjust his dick, then did it again so he would rub up against her clit.

Gala replied with a quiet moan of agreement and wrapped both arms around Adriel's shoulders as she began moving with his thrusts. She didn't know a man could pleasure her through clothes like this, and his firm body and the heat it gave was better than any of her toys at home. It wasn't until she felt his left hand move up to brush across her nipple over her clothes that she remembered she was in the middle of healing him, and she groaned as she smacked his shoulder in frustration because she needed to fix that first, discharge him, then have fun with him. She did lean in to give his bottom lip a small peck though when he looked up at her with puppy eyes and a pout. "Later," she reprimanded with a smile before she climbed back down, realized her wand was missing, and spotted it on the bed. "I need to heal you first."

She was very relieved she made that choice, too, since 'Art' came out of the bathroom a moment after she resumed the spell. Had she decided to stay in that lap for the few minutes to reach an orgasm since she had been so turned on that it probably would have been that fast, he would have caught them in the act. She blushed with embarrassment over the lapse in professionalism she had for a minute there.

Adriel was very pleased even if she had stopped. He discreetly readjusted his toga so nothing would seem amiss a moment before Art came out with his complaints about clothes and gave his friend an innocent smile. "Feeling better?" he asked Art as he let the healer work, though he watched her pretty blush out of the corner of his eye. "I think I'm getting over my shock now - the healer has been very gentle with me and her work is impeccable. I'll grab your clothes when she is done, though."

...

Chartreuse was gleeful when he got the message from the council that a group was being gathered to help model a boat. Finally! His genius in interior decor could be acknowledged! Especially with how lenient the list of themes look. Oh! And a pirate den?! A pirate den that said "Oh, just put together all the decadent pirate things into something comfortable - I just want a hammock with lots of pillows in a corner, and lots of silks and velvets. He ran to the project room so he could claim the pirate den first, but apparently he wasn't the only one who wanted to do it.

"No, I have the best idea for the pirate den!" Magenta yelled as she pulled out a dagger and threatened Maroon with it. "Move over! If you are lucky, I'll make you my cabin bitch, but you need to be committed if you think you are getting to steal my room!"

"I called dibs first," Aquamarine whined off to the side, not wanted to get near the crazy lady with the sharp and pointy weapon but not wanting to give it up either. "I want to make it a huge treasure pile! Gold! Gems! Statues! Jewels! Chests! Everything! His file says he likes shiny things, so we should make it all gold!"

"We can't make it all gold!" Maroon argued back, and Chartreuse quietly agreed with that. "They didn't put a cap on our budget, but there is a cap, and that is draining the account and we will be lucky if we aren't obliviated back to childhood and dumped in the middle of Athens if we do that!"

"That's right," Magenta agreed without putting away her blade or pointing it away from Maroon. "He wants silks and velvets, and a woman would know that better than you peasants!"

"How about a team effort?" Chartreuse interrupted as he glanced around the room. There were some others already quietly working on plans, but it was for the other parts of the boat. He had no doubt the workshop would be absolutely perfect knowing their people, and he wondered how the greenhouse would turn out. "We all have ideas, and there is no reason we cannot work a little on the idea of 'velvets, silks, and treasures' wrapped around a pirate theme. We could set it up more like a lounge with privacy curtains like a wizarding tent."

Maroon, Aquamarine, and Magenta all looked at Chartreuse with a feral grimace that almost made him take a step back, but he was Mavros so he would not show that weakness. He stood firm, and finally Magenta nodded. Since she was the scariest of the lot, the other two followed her lead and also nodded an agreement. "I get the main lounge," she declared.

That nearly started up the arguing again, but Chartreuse cleared his throat. "How about we all draw up ideas of what we are thinking about, then we can try to fit it together like a puzzle piece," he offered. "We know velvets and silks is a must, and if we think about pirate tales, there are secret storage areas, jeweled weapons, nettings, lounging areas, alcohol, tables, more weapons, chests, artwork... Anything that wasn't nailed down was looted, and even nailing it down didn't guarantee it would not be looted. He also didn't mention a navigation room, and that is important on a ship so... We are obviously dealing with someone who knows almost nothing about sailing so we could throw that in as well under a pirate theme. And a brig. Maybe we could throw in another room into the storage or the engine room for that. Really, it's too bad he didn't mention cannons and the like - we can't authorize it, but he could have tried to barter for it."

Everyone else nodded glumly at the idea of not being able to make canons. "I would have made it shoot lava," Aquamarine gloomily muttered. "That would have even chased off dragons. It would have gone right on the prow like a mast and been able to move at any angle except at the ship itself. There is just a teeny tiny itsy bitsy problem with overheating that I'm sure I could have fixed, but there is no longer an issue with the recoil and all it needs is dirt mixed with dragon dung which could easily have been packed into spheres and made to look like cannonballs with a little bit of clay and paint."

Everyone stared at Aquamarine for a second since that could very well be a national security risk, then shrugged and nodded that such a cannon had an awesome factor so high that bending the rules a little for that would have been worth it. "I wanted a to put in a torpedo launcher that shot sharks," Maroon admitted. "Or giant squids. Either would have worked."

"No giant sharks or squids!" Magenta snapped, making Maroon flinch away from the blade that was still pointed at him. "That is the stupidest idea I have ever heard! You are on brig duty with your terrible tastes. No using live creatures whatsoever - we know the other guy hates animals so nothing living! Even if it could be used for torture and interrogation sessions."

Maroon looked offended at being excluded from the main den, but when he saw the judgemental looks, he slumped and went to an empty desk to begin working on the prison. Stupid people not understanding how terrifying animals could be! Half the battle was won with psychological terror, damnit! That Artemios guy no doubt would understand what he meant.

"Okay, so let us put some rough sketches together," Chartreuse said, then turned to go do exactly that and the other two followed suit.



"Okay, let's throw down our initial ideas," Chartreuse said as they got together at the center table once more. A few others also sat down to listen. "Lounge room first."

"No, I want to put in my idea of the brigs first," Maroon stated. "That way I am not overshadowed by all the shiny things."

"Fine," Aquamarine agreed, smug in the knowledge that his ideas would be the best.

"So, there is the traditional ship jail for the average pirate," Maroon said as he threw down one picture. "Or we have THESE! Mwahahaha, first there is the four cell prison with lots of chain and plenty of material for torture - there is a cell in each corner with the center being used for interrogation. A fifth holding cell through that center grate is actually the same size as the entire first floor! Torment your prisoner while the rest have to look on! Someone will quickly break." He grinned at the ooohs and aaahs that that one got, and moved on to the next. "I call this next one the Sanctus Box. Have a prisoner or beastie you want to keep imprisoned forever? This is the cell for you! Plenty of hanging cages, but this box in the middle will make sure your prisoner doesn't need food, water, or sleep! The will definitely starve and go thirsty while being exhausted, and it will take them to the brink of death, but they won't die! And for those that don't need such torment, plenty of cages are on the ceiling that can be lowered by levers." That one got several thoughtful looks and he was very pleased with it. "Finally, we have The Mansion. Just toss your enemies in, and they will wander the maze of rooms until you pull one out. The prison will provide properly nutritious but terrible tasting gruel, and you can collar them with a velvet choker they cannot remove to prevent them from using magic. The large steps in the central lobby will allow them to go down, but as soon as someone with a collar tries to go up, it turns into endless steps for them. The maze continually shifts as well, so as soon as they wander off, they can never find the central room until the warden mentally indicate they are summoned. If they are wandering the halls, they will wander in, and if they are in a room, that room will be the first one the warden enters. The rooms right off the central room are only accessible by the warden and contain proper torture equipment, too!"

It took very little voting - everyone pointed at The Mansion since it looked elegant in a terrifying way, there was the proper torture rooms, and there was velvet involved. "Okay, now that that is settled, lounges, please," Chartreuse sighed. This one is mine with three private rooms couches and pillows, tables and mirrors on the walls that are secret compartments, and a bar in one area with the hammocks he wanted in the other corner. The hallway is through the second curtain. Then I have private rooms one and three with a dining lounge for the second private room."

Aquamarine nodded. Those examples did look nice but... "Not pirate enough!" he declared. "I take your measly little bar, and raise it to this one! Private rooms should also have the booty and the captain's good, so we have this! A pile of treasure in one room, but with a booby trap! Anyone can lay among the coins like a proper pirate would, but as soon as someone picks up any of the treasure with the intent to keep it, they get sucked into the chest! Then we have captain's quarters one and two, with two having three couch beds in it! Plenty of table space for feasting or plotting the next takeover! And this is my lounge with that pirate bar I first showed as part of it - this was the first drawing before I decided the bar needed a right and proper upgrade. There are secret doors in the walls to go to the private rooms, and a hallway right behind the bar that I messed up drawing but is there!"

Chartreuse scowled since that one did look nicer than his, but still... "Not enough velvets and silk!" Magenta declared before she tossed down her first rough draft. "Velvet and silk furnitures, and a small and secret area for the elves to work above!" she declared. "Only one of those doors come in from the top deck, the rest are all illusioned to also appear like they go outside, but they are actually private rooms. A magnificent crystal and gold chandelier above looted from some noble or cathedral, plenty of knick knacks in cubbies and shelves along the walls that can also hold secret compartments, and a false window on the side that is an obvious false door into the hallway for the kitchen and library on one side and the three bedrooms on the other. And since he isn't giving us a lot of space to work with since we have a small closet and about two thirds of that bathroom, I min/maxed what is available for this library." I do have one other velvet lounge idea - there are ten curtained off private areas - five on each wall - the bar, and one of the private rooms is actually the exit to the hall. We can make another one a theater stage, though - one that has a pull down tab for a projector to play films on... The file says he has a filmmaker friend or lover in France and often goes to muggle theaters. We can put all the pirate things in the other private rooms then, and if you really really want to, you can replace my bar with your pirate one."

"It wouldn't be the same," Aquamarine said with a scowl. "All that velvet and those drapes and everything will detract from the overhead sails! I say you do away with that bar, put the exit there, and I can put my pirate bar in the private room on one side of it with the theater on the other so those drapes only have to be opened for either or both entertainment to be available."

Chartreuse sighed. The 'fitting together like a puzzle piece' was supposed to be the easier part, damnit. "You weren't supposed to do a hallway or a library," he reminded her with a flat look. "Just the lounge and the private rooms, but now you don't have a private room, you have two lounges, and none of it is piratey at all! All that drapery is just an extension of his bedroom! The furniture is damned nice, though. No argument on the library, either... Well, maybe the chair should be red, but the porthole window is a nice touch."

"What are you lot arguing about?" Sepia demanded and she walked in with a scowl. She had not gotten that date, there was now a mysterious redhead in the picture, and the kitchen at least needed to be done by Tuesday which she suspected was a date night with one or the other partner. Or maybe even both? She peered at the pictures while the boat crew froze up in terror. "What are these... Is that a torture chamber? Why is there a torture chamber? What exactly are you lot getting up to in here?!"

---

The AI stuff

---

Back to regular search












I very much love this tail



Damn, should have used this for Adriel xD

Nicholais paced his office since the Minister had not only given the okay for the Medallion ceremony to be held this Saturday to make sure that Art and Adriel was available, but he also gave an okay to his plans for theater. Like the ancient Greeks, the magical Greeks absolutely loved theater, so he knew he would have to hire a writer. An idea struck like Zeus' thunderbolt though, and he knew he absolutely had to add it as part of the performance. "Cassia!" he shouted to his assistant, then ran for his office door to open it and call her name again. "Cassia! I need a few things! Chinese acrobats! Get the best Chinese dragon acrobat performers to Greece by tomorrow! And their costume designer! And get me the popular play writer... Linus! That is his name. Tell him to be in my office within the hour! And refreshments for us, too!"

"Yes sir," Cassia replied, unphased one bit with his unusual request. She was a one hundred and four year old woman who had been a career secretary since she was sixteen years old, so nothing they asked of her anymore surprised her one bit. It was a little unusual for Nicholais to be running about in excitement, but the monotony of bureaucracy had long ago killed any spirit of curiosity in her. It made her a very efficient if very very boring and very very very unmovable secretary. In other words, she was a perfect government drone, and she would retire at the century mark to live in a nice little cottage in the old area of Athens that her family had owned for many many generations. "I will have all of that done, sir."

Nicholais knew Cassia was the reliable sort, so he walked to his desk and started scribbling notes while he looked over at the Mavros' report he got when he requested details about the battle the day before when morbid curiosity struck him. Well, he had requested it the day before, but he only got it this morning, but it gave him so many ideas! And both renditions of the fight were beautiful tales. It still needed some sprucing up though. No play was complete without the gods in play!

Linus came in looking a bit hungover with his toga on a bit crooked and a hickey he had missed healing on his shoulder. "It's a bit early to be summoned to the Ministry," he groaned with a hand on his head and squinting with pain. "Is there a pepperup or hangover potion in that tea tray?"

Nicholais sighed - it was such a pain to work with the artistic types. He really needed the man on this though. "Hangover and pepperup," he commanded out loud, and two potions popped up into the tea tray and Linus grabbed one as he flopped into the chair across from his desk to take. "The Ministry needs a play. Two plays, though the second one is going to be extra special."

"I can have it done in... Three months," Linus said as he finished gulping down the hangover potion, but had paused to give a shudder of revulsion since they tasted like raw egg and cold oatmeal.

"By Saturday," Nicholais said in an unimpressed tone. "This Saturday."

Linus nearly dropped the pepperup potion as he gaped at Nicholais in shock. "I can't do that!" he exclaimed, suddenly energetic without needing the pepperup at the extremely outrageous demand. "It is Tuesday! It takes time to make a masterwork play! And it had better be a masterwork piece - I will be offended if I am being hired to direct some subpar Broadway script."

Nicholais really hated working with the artistic types. "It is Tuesday, yes, but I have most of the details here," he tossed the Mavros' reports in front of Linus like it wasn't something that came from such a confidential source stamped on the top. "And I am hiring a Chinese acrobat team to help. Plus here are some of my own ideas."

Linus picked up the first set of papers and set the pepperup potion down, then did a double take at the Mavros' seal stamped at the top. He immediately started to drool knowing that he had a forbidden document in his hands, then his eyes widened when he realized what exactly it was he was reading. "Wait, you mean the story of the manticore slayer is true?!" he exclaimed. "I heard he was an Egyptian God that tired of how the people have been desecrating his temples and was seeking to ascend Olympus and that a manticore was his first task so I thought it was fake!"

Linus froze when he heard that, then got a devious smile. "That sounds like a wonderful twist," he said, but then recalled that Adriel was actually very proud of his heritage. "Hmm, but he is a Navajo Indian from the States. There is a bit of a contradiction of him even being a prince - the Navajos have confirmed it when asked, but only in the vaguest of ways. 'Representative of our people,' 'comes from a very long and noble bloodline,' and 'related to the last and final chief of the tribe' are some of the terms used, but never prince. They do back him, however, and they do appear to be a very powerful tribe, if not the most powerful American Indian tribe. He has also mentioned being the son of Coyote, and you will see even his patronus is a coyote, and according to Mavros research, he is a trickster god that is common among all of the American tribes despite their other gods not being common. We are hoping he will accept the offer to at least become a Greek citizen - him and Artemio both - but this will be the second play with the Chinese acrobats playing the part of the manticore."

Linus could see the fight scene with the manticore being played by a silk-and-fur dancing puppet manticore and nodded. "Hmm, as much fun as it would be to portray him being played as an Egyptian God turned mortal to ascend as an Olympian, you are right," he agreed. "We could portray him as the son of Coyote though... Partially divine already and a prince of his people! I must get Tryphone to play him - he is the most beautiful male actor right now, and he isn't famous though he is starting to become known. But to play one of two main leads in a play put on for the medallion! He will drop any other engagements he has - he must if I demand it for this. I must see this Adriel! And the master Smith will be played by Darius! He has the build of Hephaestus himself had Hephaestus not been crippled at birth. Ah, and I see that he made his own crossbow? Darius knows a bit of wandless enough to bend metal, so we can have him bed his metal walking staff into a bow as soon as the manticore pounces! Ah, and Athena - a librarian? - she can actually be the goddess that blesses Darius with intelligence in the play, Artemio can be the goddess Artemis instead who blesses the bow when the arrows cannot strike, and Poseidon himself will rise up out of the waterfall where you and the goddesses were flung into to bless Tryphone with the power of any trident he uses striking true! So the spears must be tridents coated with the paralytic poisons of the stingray... And then Coyote himself comes down to aide him for the final blow! I must find out what one looks like, though. This is marvelous! I can continue to make more plays based around this, too! With all of the rumors going on, everyone has been confused, but we could have a new magical Greek hero running around again! It has been a few centuries, really."

Nicholais frowned a bit, then tossed out another paper. "This is the other play, but it is more a theater presentation of the Medallion and the minister has already agreed to participate for it," Nicholais said. When he had left, the minister was demanding a large mirror to practice his lines, actually. "Ah, you will be signing confidential papers first before you read that, though." He pulled open another drawer to put on top of the papers with the plans for the first play.

Linus impatiently grabbed a quill and dipped it in the inkwell already open on the desk and signed the contract before pushing it away so he could grab up this other play. He read the very short description about two men entering a cave, finding the... "Truly?" he gasped. "The scepter of Zeus was found?" A single tear dramatically rolled down his cheek as he gave a joyous smile when Nicholais nodded, and he scanned the rest of the story of the two picking it up, taking it out of the cave, and presenting it to the minister himself who was outside of the cave who would then place the medallions around their necks as well as Master Smith Ganas after giving an impression of studying it and declaring it genuine. He put a hand to his chest and gave a sigh like someone who had just seen the best thing in life. "Oh, Nicholais, you have definitely come to the right man. I will make sure all of this is grand! Ah, and we have a Cyril here who put up shields, but we can have a faun play his part who puts up an earth dome to keep the beast from entering the river once the blessings are given to the Smith! Actually, if we change this up a little, we could have this battle happening right after the scepter is handed off, and Poseidon rides up in his chariot of coral with white Arabian stallions whose hooves form a spring that turns into a river as the chariot goes over it! He came to warn the Ministry and the heroes too late, but his river helps protect the minister, and the goddesses were watching and no... it won't work with the Smith, Adriel, and Artemio already on stage unless I can get them to cooperate and practice teaching them to-"

"No," Nicholais stated, unhappy about having his own part cut out and replaced by the minister. "Make sure to keep it with the real party - though you can have Athena being possessed by the goddess herself and Artemio possessed as well. I also don't mind if you have the person portraying me to be possessed by Poseidon - Adriel did throw me and Artemio both out of the way of the manticore. Most terrifying moment in my life - I saw a movement from the corner of my eye, the snarling visage of giant fangs and claws coming down on me from the rocks above, and then a blur of motion and pain before landing in water and realizing I had not died. He had taken the blow instead and shoved me into Art - which hurt - and all three of us fell into the river. When I next looked up, his chest and arm was covered in blood, the manticore was going for him again, and he ran straight at it with his patronus, the spirit guardian leapt up to attack, and the manticore tried to meet it while it was in the air. Adriel then took advantage of that very small window to stab deep into its brain, but the beast was so powerful it tried to deal him a death blow as well. Artemio was crying as he ran to his friend while the rest of us stood in shock thinking him dead, but he was still alive if partially buried under the creature where it had tried to claw him to death, and he healed Adriel up as best he could. Honestly, I am quite glad that Adriel survived since Artemio's cries were heartbreaking at first until it turned more towards angry when Adriel claimed the manticore kill in the way of his people if you read that report."

Linus shed a few more tears at the description of the crying as he nodded that he was quite happy that nobody had died. "Oh, we absolutely must add that scene," he sniffled. "The hero almost perishing, but the love for his friend made him cling to life. Ah, too bad Artemio is not a woman - I would have had a kissing scene at the end regardless, but with it being a political play that will have other countries watching, it is best to not open the two to anything that could be suspect."

Nicholais snorted. "I would agree where Artemio is concerned, but Adriel probably wouldn't care," he remarked. "He was flirting with the Mavros sent to check over the details of the cave and work on negotiations. England was insisting on having some kind of claim over the scepter, but thankfully the two absolutely refused from the get go despite the offers of knighthood and immunity along with nearly a king's ransom in gold from England. Adriel refused to have the Americans involved, too - he has citizenship in both of those countries and is saying allegiance to Greece as well could end up becoming a conflict of interest so he is waiting until the Europeans settle down more."

"Ah, pity," Linus sighed. "I hope there will be more stories of them in the future, though. I will have the first rough draft tomorrow and will need to get the acrobats choreographed in something simple. We can use silk ribbons to make it appear flashier, then work on more complicated choreographing for future shows when we allow it to go up again 'due to overwhelming popularity.'"

L

  --- Two man Chinese Acrobat costume

Trained animal prowling the rocks above the actors as they admire the waterfall but don't notice it.
---- Trained animal option A
--- Trained animal option B
---charmed animal costume C (puppet spell)
--- Charmed puppet D or alternative dancer costume




One of the many manticore statues along the stairs going up to the theater that overlooks the ocean.


Note: Magical Greece is now in gossip mode - Dios is being rented out by the Ministry Saturday afternoon, rumors about of a manticore killer with a couple dozen absolutely confirming they saw the corpse and many more claiming they did (they didn't), top secret discoveries, Mavros activity going around buying very very strange things like doll clothing and random supplies, and Gringotts closed down for a whole night. Totally have Athena tell Art the three different rumors she has heard so far about what kind of person the manticore slayer is - so far there is:

-Hercules walking among them again
-The son of Ra looking to join the Olympians


***The Greek people actually there are enjoying the theater of it all and are not telling people the truth, including Athena (who probably thinks those gossiping about it in the library are idiots, but finds some of the rumors funny and figures nobody would ever believe she was there.) Adriel is hoping to encourage the Egyptian rumors for his own sense of humor - hence the stone beads at the end of his braid, but he is also wearing Futhark gold and silver beads and his clothes are usually more Ottoman in style with the harem pants, but otherwise very mixed.

The Mavros council known as Roy G. Biv with Black, Silver, and White as the three final arbiters all scowled as they got the report of Nemean Lions being brought back from extinction. Not a single one of them uttered 'impossible' despite thinking it deep inside their minds where nobody would hear it. Every one of the ancient elders who survived their early Mavros years of experimentation, field work, and so much more knew impossible was not a thing. However, Hazel might as well have said that the dinosaurs were now an endangered species rather than extinct.

"Not my department," Red immediately stated. He was the R of Roy and was in charge of the artifacts department. That included Maroon and the sub department of sacred artifacts.

"Nor me," Orange stated. He was Spell research and development. It included sacred magic, so he and red shared Sepia. It wasn't uncommon for an agent to be in two or three fields, but he absolutely refused to take the responsibility of Maroon. Red lost the poker game and had to keep him instead.

"Not my department," Yellow stated. Her department was in charge of magical locations above the ground including the communities. She had absolutely nothing to do with living creatures.

"I refuse, I have enough to deal with," Green said. They worked with experimental plants, potions, and animals, and Nemean Lions were not experimental. Well, the lions could be, but Green highly doubted anyone would let them experiment on them with their 'Endangered' status.

"Not my domain," Blue decided. Ocean and archives were his duties. The lions fit in neither of them.

"Not mine, either," Indigo announced. "Would love it to be, but my department isn't equipped for it." No, her department dealt with the Mysteries (and making sure they didn't get out of hand) and the Halls of Hades ancient passages - sealing up the ones that the ministry demanded to seal and maintaining the secretly active ones and occasionally rescuing idiots lost within the darkness, though only if they swore off all other allegiances and joined her department for the rest of their life. She did not share agents unlike the others - no Indigo did.

"It belongs to the ministry," Violet said. "The Department of Magical Fauna in Artemis won't accept them since they are too dangerous just like they won't accept manticores or chimeras and will only do minotaurs simply because they can be held in mazes. Give it to Demeter - they are in charge of mostly flora, but some fauna as well and could easily support a small herd with their large farms."

Black, White, and Silver all looked at each other since Violet did have a point. Black and white took care of external dangers, and silver was in charge of finding new recruits - he was also dead set on acquiring Adriel and Art both and had been wanting Adriel since he was young because he would make the perfect Silver successor with that smooth tongue of his. Red also wanted him as his successor while Black wanted to see how he worked in foreign lands as an agent before putting his own bid, but all of them were aware that... Well... Nemean Lions would be resurrected from the dead before Adriel would join them.

"I will pen a letter to Nicholais since he runs Demeter," he announced. And how the head of magical artifacts ran an agriculture community was a story of its own from several centuries back that included illegal smugglers and the actual department head of flora declaring that a farmer couldn't handle so much illegal stuff, then handed the leadership position to what was supposed to be the second in command of the community. With Naxos being a huge port island that vied with Crete for top trade port of the Aegean Sea, a magical artifact office had been deemed absolutely necessary to watch the ports of Naxos for illegal magical artifacts going through muggle ports, and every term a new Agriculture Head got the position, they had the choice to accept the lead of Demeter. Every one since the original had declined, and the farmers that ran campaigns for the office took a certain pride in the fact that they were doing it for the farms and not for the power. Power that came with too much paperwork that made them neglect their own farms. "I'm sure he will understand."

'Nikolais Petrakou,
We, the Mavros, have determined the Nemean Lions found in the Cave of Zax on Mount Zax are now your responsibility to provide a habitat and food for. Your lands are vast. Your herds are healthy. The Mavros will assist in putting up protections, but please note they are endangered and are to be kept top secret until enough of them are bred that one can be offered up for experimentation and component purposes. We will also send a couple agents to keep track of their behavior, health, and needs for research purposes. Please remember they are an important part of our Ancient Greek heritage.

For further questions, you may approach Mavros Sepia - she is in charge of the team currently in Naxos and you met her at the negotiation table.

~By Order of the Ancient Order of the Mavros~'

"Make sure he gets this before dinner," Silver ordered as he cast a security spell on it so only the ring of Nicholais' office that he wore could open up the rolled up scroll only sealed with a blob of black wax. He handed the scroll to one of the silent council attendants - those foreign agents they caught who swore secrecy and loyalty to their order in exchange for their lives only to find out how binding their vows were only after taking them - then dusted off his hands. "Now I propose a poker tournament to see who has to send research agents to study the lions once they are settled in."

---

Marina Mackenzie was cleaning her cottage right after lunch in Greece when a Gringotts owl flew in and dropped an envelope off on the floor she was sweeping. They were the rudest owls she knew of, and only the Greek Gringotts deliberately trained them that way just to be passive aggressive assholes. She huffed as she picked it up expecting it to be another court date rejection letter, but saw it was addressed by Adriel who was in... Demeter District?! She tore it open and quickly read it. Oh... Oh! Shit! All those weird rumors about Ancient Egyptian Gods and Manticores and Mavros... She should have known it was Adriel! She dropped the letter to the floor and ran for her closet so she could get dressed and immediately head to Demeter District to find him.

Adriel was here! And she most definitely had questions his letter most definitely did not have any answers for!

---

Amon was lounging by the pool and smoking a cigarette at three in the afternoon while Heba chatted about the latest gossips she had heard from her lunch time wife gathering. Most men would be bored of what their wife was nattering about, but Amon was not most men nor was his wife an air headed socialite like she portrayed herself as. She had valuable information on what the other criminal lords of Egypt were doing, and it was all unwittingly being given to him by their vapid wives who had no problem talking about their day to day schedule. Most also would not see much relevant information in a day to day activity of a bored house wife who had servants to do all their work, but Heba was good at pointing out any changes to schedules as she analyzed the gossip, and Amon could then put together a bigger picture from all the other information to keep on top of his grandfather's criminal empire and make sure he stayed the favorite by offering invaluable advice on what to do next.

He was also still annoyed at Adriel as well - the idiot was supposed to keep Art's head down and make it seem like he was dead so it would be easier for him to find who the curse maker was, but the man had apparently gone to ground since England had gotten wind of Art doing something big. Art and Adriel, apparently. Something big enough that his contacts told him that England tried to bribe them them a king's ransom, titles, and immunities among other things, and they were turned down. Something secret enough that only a handful of government officials and university and museum directors knew about it, and they were all angry. Whatever the secret was, it was no doubt going to be exposed very very soon, but Greece was apparently also aware of it and were scrambling to put together some big event for the weekend. "What was that, dear?" he asked Heba as he realized that thoughts of Adriel had made him lose track of what was being talked about.

"I said that Adriel sent us a letter!" she declared as she opened up the envelope that was addressed to him, gods dammit. "Oh! It is an invitation. To the Hellenistic Medallion ceremony! And he promises a proper invitation card later but he only found out about it an hour before he sent off the letter. Which was sent off today! I am going."

Amon shivered as his wife made what should have been a question into a demand that hinted at a very sharp razor in the middle of the night if he didn't comply. "But love, you aren't magical," he pointed out, hoping to dissuade her. He didn't want her and Adriel meeting up. Ever, if he could help it. They hadn't even met, and they both absolutely adored each other. "You know you shouldn't be mixing with the magical community."

"That is only in Egypt, Amon," she said in voice filled with steel. "I will go, and you will take me. And I will have the most beautiful dress for the occasion. Plus a new matching necklace and earring set. I will be meeting the only man in the world you trust, after all. And while I will not cheat on you, I would not mind a threesome if you refuse my previous two demands."

Amon dropped his cigarette in his lap. "Fuck!" he cursed as he sat up and tried to pick it up, then he had to flick it off when it started to burn a hole into his pants. It landed in the pool and he scowled at it. "Don't say things like that, Heba! Besides, he has already told me he would not sleep with you unless I make you unhappy."

"And not taking me will make me very unhappy," she said with a frown. It turned into a smile when she saw Amon slump with defeat "What is a Hellenistic Medallion?"

Amon sighed and began to explain what it was, what it meant to get one as a non-native of Greece, and what it took to get one, and started mentally marking off what things he would not be buying himself this week just to make sure there would be money in the accounts not just for her new dress and jewelry, but also her shopping in Athens and whatever magical district the ceremony was going to be held in. That... would probably be his budget for the month, actually. Fuck. One more thing he was going to bitch to Adriel about since he was at fault for this, too.

---

It was five in the afternoon and Antoine was half hanging off his velvet divan with a silk scarf over his face to block out what little light there was in his room. He had a terrible terrible hangover after the previous night's party that had lasted until the early morning hours, and he had just barely dragged himself out of bed to get dressed before giving up and collapsing here instead. "Ze world ees so cruel," he quietly moaned. Thankfully, Matty very very silently came into his dark room from his dark sitting room and very very quietly set down a silver tea tray with a hangover potion and a letter with an envelope before taking a step back to wait for her master. He downed the potion, gagged a couple times because his stomach was always so sensitive after a night of drinking, then pressed the cool glass bottle to his forehead while he waited the eternal-seeming two minutes it took for the potion to work. His devoted house elf stayed silent throughout the ordeal, and when he finally heaved a sigh of relief to indicate he was fine, she finally spoke up.

"Master is having a letter from Master Chee!" Matty excitedly said in French, then smiled even larger when her master perked up at the news. "It is coming from a Gringotts owl! From Greece!"

"Light!" Antoine said as he reached for the letter to open it. It was much lighter and thinner than the usual letters he got from Adriel, but any letter from him was one to be treasured. Light came on, and he carefully opened it and pulled out the single sheet of paper to read it. Oh! An invitation! Oooooh, an invitation to a Hellenistic ceremony for his most precious heart! "Matty! Start packing all the bags I will need for a weekend stay in Greece, and immediately book the best suite at Dios!" he demanded as he got up and ran to his wardrobe. "I must go clothes shopping now and then cancel all my weekend appointments! Our beloved Adriel is getting the Hellenistic Medallion, and I will most definitely be getting a dance at the ceremony dinner from him!"

---

Catherine Pennington was having a perfectly normal Tuesday afternoon as she washed dishes after her and her husband's lunch when an owl pecked at the kitchen window. Normally they just dropped letters into the post box or the door slot, so she shut off the water and dried her hands off on the towel hanging from her apron pocket before she opened up the window to let the small but fast bird in. "Give me one moment, sweety, and I will put together a water and meat bowl for you before I take that letter off your leg," she said, then bustled to do that when the owl gave a grateful hoot in reply. When the owl was happily eating small chunks of raw chicken and drinking the clean water she prepared for it, she untied the letter and opened it up to read it. "Oh honey!" she called out to our husband. "Adriel just wrote. It was about battling a manticore with a Master Smith in Greece! We must send him a fruit basket and a letter of introduction and thank him for making sure our baby boy is safe!"

"Manticore this time?" David Pennington Sr asked. "Damn, I had a galleon down on a sea serpent when Gringotts notified us that he was heading to Greece. Meeting and befriending one since they said Aegean Sea region." He bolted upright and dropped the newspaper in his hands. "Wait, did you say he battled a manticore?!"

Catherine stepped into the doorway of the living room and smiled broadly at her husband. "Oh, not just battled it," she said as she waved the paper around. "Killed it and said he is making a coat from it! Definitely gets it from me. Ah, if only my parents were not muggleborns, I would have been allowed to take up curse breaking or some other adventurous profession! You were close though - he befriended a herd of wild hippocampi and claims they love sea apples."

"Yes, yes, and then saved some prince from a foreign land who would have fallen madly in love with you and made you his queen, but you married a farmer instead," David said with amusement as he got up to go to his wife, then gave her a kiss on the forehead to get the letter from her.  "As I said, I may only be able to offer you sheep and a nice and quiet country home, but I would give you my love and devotion for all of my life and will happily support you in all of your endeavors. And I knew I should have bet on hippocampi, but he had skipped them every year he has been down there!"

Catherine smiled at her husband, still as in love with him now as she was when he managed to woo her with his gentle manners and his willingness to make her happy when she was so unhappy about the rules her parents imposed on her to keep her a proper lady rather than a proper witch. "It's a good thing we had our son for me to live adventures by, and then our grandson who continues to do so," she said with a laugh. "And now we might have a Master Smith as a pen friend as well!"

"How he has not figured out yet that you have an entire network of spies around the world focused completely on him and his deeds is beyond me," David sighed as he read the letter. "Oh my, a medallion of honor, too. Better than an Order of Merlin, I think. The Greek one comes with benefits of sanctuary and national support unlike the English one. And the picture?"

Catherine pulled the picture out of her Apron pocket and cooed over it. "Awe, look at the darling boy next to him - he looks so grumpy and startled!" she exclaimed. "Like a kitten that was just woken up and hasn't realized it has cream on its nose. Ah, for him to have hired Adriel means his expedition would have gone terribly and some benevolent god decided to smile down on him and send out little angel his way."

David sighed at how his wife saw their grandson. "Or it would have been perfectly fine but Adriel's brand of chaos is causing the poor boy problems left and right," he commented, and got smacked on the arm for it. "Merlin, and he made it sound like all it took was a Patronus spell to kill the manticore. I suppose you will be looking to pack our bags over the next week since the ceremony can't possible be held for another couple weeks - those things take about a month to plan, especially with international presence which will require at least an ambassador and an English official since the both of them are English. And an American one, no matter how minor, though they probably won't risk angering Greece by sending someone too minor. Most likely an ICW representative with three countries involved, too. We probably should also inform Adriel's Grandfather about this - knowing him, he won't mention a thing."

"Hmm, I suppose," she agreed. "Well, I will go finish the dishes. And we get to see Greece! We haven't been there since our twenty year anniversary when David talked us into seeing Athens after his own trip there when he was touring Europe before he really settled in to work as a Cuneiform and religious historian specialist. Those early years were so rough on him, getting laughed out of so many locations."

David grunted and offered the letter back. "I'll put the photo in the album when I'm done looking at it," he said as he accepted the photo to look at, changing the subject before she got too maudlin over their son. "Then I'll start planning a list of things we will need for a trip to Greece and what locations we might want to rent a room in. I'll pick up a travel catalogue from Diagon Alley so it is all updated."

"Alright, dear," Catherine said with a fond smile at her husband, then tucked the letter into her apron for safekeeping and headed back to the kitchen. 


Catherine was cooking dinner that evening when a new letter came in. It was unusual for a letter to be delivered and night despite owls being nocturnal, and for it to be a Gringotts one meant it was probably Adriel. He had sent one earlier that day though, so she suspected it was an update of some kind. She set out a meat and water bowl for this owl as well and read the new letter. "Oh," she gasped as she read the uncharacteristically short letter from Adriel. "David! DAVID! Oh no!"

David dropped the travel catalogue he had been reading to run to the kitchen, expecting to see his wife hurt. But no, she was staring at a letter with the blood drained from her face and a Gringotts owl on the small side table she reserved specifically for delivery owls. He walked over and accepted the paper to read it, dread curling in his stomach that maybe Adriel had been even more wounded by the manticore than he had let on with how shaken Catherine looked.

"It is Saturday!" she wailed. "Oh, we must pack those togas though - he is right. They are of fine quality and will work perfect for the ceremony! We should also get there Thursday, but only so I can make sure he has all the proper clothes as well! We must spend tomorrow packing and leave immediately! Did you write that list?!"

David took a deep breath as he calmed himself down from the scare he had. "Catherine, I only got the travel log today, but we can write a list together after dinner," he said. "Actually, why don't you just put it all away and we can go to the pub for dinner to discuss what to pack while we eat a simple meal. Then we will go to bed early, wake up early, then pack and go shopping for anything we don't already have. You should write him now though, just a short message saying we will be arriving on Thursday so he has it by tomorrow morning, and sent it back with this own along with three sickles to pay to have the goblins deliver it to Greece. He also mentioned that he is working right now and won't have a day off until the weekend, so we will have Thursday and Friday to shop in Greece for anything extra we need. Now stop panicking, love, and start putting away everything here so we can go out. I will go collect a journal and the catalogue to take along with us for notes and planning. Remember we will need extra space since he will probably have gifts he wants to give us, but we can't give him gifts just yet since he is still travelling about."

"Hmmm... He does have that new boat," Catherine pointed out as she started calming down. "We should get him boat warming gifts. We will need to look at it and see what he needs, but we can give him the things we currently have ready since he can put them on the boat, and when he visits us before going to America, we can give him his boat gifts then."

"Yes, dear," David sighed since his wife was a force of nature and there was no point in arguing with her. At least Adriel would listen and take what others said into consideration before making a decision - his tribe had been very good about teaching him those skills. "Put away dinner preparations and we will head out." And praise Merlin she finally listened so he could leave the kitchen to collect the things they would need to plan over a dinner. Hopefully he could keep her mind on planning, otherwise it would be a long night of alternating panicking and random plotting.