Rune 02: Uruz

[psiignlanguage]

While I understand that as students you are on holiday for Easter, I would like to take this opportunity to express that you do have a small assignment due the week after we return from break.

This does not mean you can hold off on the assignment until the night you return.

For all students of my classes, prepare for me an analysis, no less than ten inches of parchment, of how you might find and use runes in Easter ceremonies. Where can you see them playing a role, and where do you think their magic might be useful in the ceremony. A piece of advice, look into the pagan celebration of Oustre if you're feeling stuck.

That is your first part of the assignment, due the first day of class after break.

The second part will involve choosing one of those elements of runic magic that you felt would be helpful during Easter, and composing research.

Not an incredibly difficult assignment for my students who have been paying attention.

Enjoy your holiday.

[Filtered to Rhys]

Are you behaving?

Comments

[grandhighwizard]

I'll be busy, as I've said. [The older man reaches out, suddenly, taking Cy's hand and using it to start drawing him further back into the shelves and stacks, where it's not so well lit.]

Besides, I don't think Vantas would be too pleased to have me in his home, nor his lovely wife. [There was laughter in his voice as he said it - he found the couple quite amusing in their stodgy view of the world, sometimes.]

[psiignlanguage]

[Cyrus's breath catches in his throat as Rhys started to pull him over to the darker area. He stumbles momentarily over his own feet.]

I hear they're also having a number of students to visit as well, so I would imagine not.

[grandhighwizard]

Oh, as a professor I'm not trusted around students, now, is it? [Rhys did laugh for real this time, leading Cy around a corner, and then another, back towards one of the small nooks that were dotted here and there throughout the Restricted Section.]

[psiignlanguage]

[He moved along with the older man, as if quite literally being guided around by him. He stops suddenly, holding a hand up passively.]

It's Sal's family, for the most part. I'm not sure how he would feel.

[grandhighwizard]

He doesn't like me. I'm sure he would feel ... that he doesn't like me. [And without any preamble, he scoops Cy up from the ground, since he's stopped, and into his arms, to carry him back to to some dingy corner and set him down on the small desk here, pushing up close.]

What would you do, if he told you he didn't want you seeing me? [curiously - he doesn't even know if Sal knows what's going on between him and the younger man]

[psiignlanguage]

I can't imagine Sal genuinely not liking someone. [And with that, he starts to sputter, body lifted off the ground, arms giving a slight flail as the man starts to carry him off.]

I-I'm sorry? [His head inclines, somewhat surprised and curious to hear that.] Not to offend, but I...didn't realize I was actually seeing you. I thought it was more of a fling...

[Denial everywhere.]

[grandhighwizard]

Oh? So you'd rather not do it again? [Rhys asks, sliding his hands over Cy's hips, up his sides, leaning in.] We're done?

[psiignlanguage]

[His breath hitches, trying to inhale calmly and quietly, but he actually lets out the quietest of sighs in response to Rhys's wandering hand. Cy's eyes dart around furiously, trying to distract himself.]

I-I never said that.

[grandhighwizard]

Then answer my question. [One big hand plays over Cy's chest, the other kneading at his hip, as Rhys smiles slyly.] And look at me when we're speaking.

[He's actually not sure what the answer will be. Maybe the younger man will agree that he would never see the Potions professor again, if he was forbidden it by his friend/lover. And that would be ... annoying. But Rhys had never been a man who balked at risks, and so he puts the question out there, wanting to know.]

[psiignlanguage]

[He can't breathe again, and he doesn't know what to say. Honestly. Cyrus appeared bashful, almost humiliated that Rhys would say such a thing.]

What if I genuinely don't know of an answer to the question? I don't know if you and I could be considered an item. I still hardly know you.

[And there is the whole you getting Cyrus drunk and in bed with you ordeal too.]

[grandhighwizard]

[And that says something about Cyrus, something for Rhys to file away, that he wouldn't automatically balk at the idea of his friend forbidding him anything. Cy came to him, the second time, but that might not mean anything. Rhys himself still isn't sure what to make of this, but the thoughts are starting to stir in his head - should he put effort in? Or treat it like some easy fun? If Cy is too attached to Sal and Di, he can't risk getting too emotionally involved.]

Do you want to? You came to me, last time, but you hardly stopped by to chat.

[psiignlanguage]

I don't know.

[His words come out very quickly, and very confidently. He genuinely doesn't know. He's always been married to his work, so having someone interested in him is kind of, well...It's a stretch for his mind to even imagine. He'd always been under the impression that he would be an eternal bachelor. But now that Rhys seems to show interest in him? He doesn't know what to make of it. Certainly Rhys wasn't...normal, so to speak, but he still was an intelligent man.]

Like I said. I hardly know you. I'd need to get the opportunity to actually know you as someone other than the potions master who got me to drink and climb in bed with him.

[grandhighwizard]

That's what I'm asking, my boy. [Rhys points out in amusement.] Do you want to get to know me? Though it's not as though you had no choice in the matter of drinking and what happened after. Take a little responsibility.

[Long fingers trail up to Cy's face, stroking along his jaw briefly.]

[psiignlanguage]

[He's quiet momentarily, then shrugs his shoulders.]

I suppose there's no harm in getting to know you, Rhys. But I admit that I'm...a little wary.

[grandhighwizard]

I would hope so, or I'd have to think you were a very stupid man, and I've never gotten that impression. [He leans in a little more, raising an eyebrow.] But really, where's the harm in talking? I'll even do it in a public place, if you wish. Like here.

[His knife's edge grin flashes, and he rubs his fingers along the younger man's thigh.]

[psiignlanguage]

Well this is hardly public--

[And then he's nearly instantly quiet, stifling the groan that he so very much wants to release now that Rhys is pulling the playful card and giving him a nice bit of stimulation.]

[grandhighwizard]

No? Good point. I suppose that means you won't mind if I do this, then. [Rhys's voice is casual as his fingers slip down to the inside of the smaller man's thigh and start running along the inside, sneaking up toward his crotch.]

[psiignlanguage]

[He nearly yelped, immediately squirming once Rhys's hands began to slide upwards and wander.]

But what if staff comes back here! We're adults, and we can still get in trouble!

[grandhighwizard]

Really? Is that what you're worried about? [Rhys sounds utterly amused by that, on the verge of laughter again, and he runs one finger up the front of Cy's pants, pressing down just lightly.]

[psiignlanguage]

[And then he crumples a little on himself and groans lightly, lightly glaring at the man through mostly-lidded eyes.]

I suppose this is going to lead where I think it will lead.

[grandhighwizard]

Well, if you'd like to have a cup of tea and chat first, we certainly can. [cheerfully] Or you can tell me to go. It's really up to you, my boy. [And a finger turns into a warm palm, rubbing in a terribly friendly sort of way.] Go on, tell me no, if you don't want it.

[psiignlanguage]

[He jerks forward, already groaning, but he waves a hand somewhat dismissively.]

I-I think that's hardly something appropriate to say...You know full well I'm enjoying this. But we are in a bloody library.

[grandhighwizard]

Are we? Hmm. [Rhys ponders thoughtfully, then leans forward to murmur in Cy's ear as he flicks the button on his trousers-] Makes it more fun, don't you think?

[psiignlanguage]

[He doesn't shiver. Instead his whole body lets out a rather involuntary spasm once Rhys's finger flicks against the button, simultaneous with his breath in his ear.]

...My argument won't have much footing here, will it?

[grandhighwizard]

Oh, I don't know, it depends on how eloquent you are. [Rhys says carelessly, then slips the first button free to begin opening the younger man's trousers, inch by inch.]