A Trip with Teja

[wheatencrown]

When they first step through the door, they're in the cold of France but Demeter is quiet and then steps and warm air hits them.

They're in the midst of a beautiful vineyard with a cottage visible just through the vines,

"Here we are."

Comments

[wheatencrown]

"No, you'll be far more comfortable in something lighter."

[ostro_goth]

After the meal, Teja goes inside and comes back, after a bit, in khaki pants and a light, pale shirt that covers most of his arms as well as chest and back -- because of the sun.

[wheatencrown]

While he changes, Demeter puts away the food and smiles when she sees him,

"Sunscreen, that's what you need or else you'll get sunburned."

[ostro_goth]

"What is that?" Teja asks.

That's what he wears the shirt for -- to protect his pale skin.

[wheatencrown]

"Its a useful modern thing that you put on your skin and protects it from sunburn. With your lovely paleness, you need it, my dear."

[ostro_goth]

"How does it work?" Teja asks.

[wheatencrown]

"I'm not completely sure, but something in it blocks the worst of the sun so that if you wanted to you could wear short sleeves. Or even no shirt, from what I recall the people here do enjoy their sun quite a bit."

[ostro_goth]

"I could wear a shirt with no sleeves," Teja says. "Where would I find any of that potion?"

[wheatencrown]

"Try the bathroom cupboard, I think I saw some there."

[ostro_goth]

Teja walks in again, and returns after a bit, wearing a sleeveless khaki shirt, and smelling of sunscreen.

And a leather hat that he'd found somewhere.

[wheatencrown]

The only shift that Demeter's made is that her dress and shawl are lighter now, crafted of linen and not wool,

"You look quite handsome."

[ostro_goth]

"Thank you," Teja says, somewhat confused -- he does not wish to look handsome. What for?

[wheatencrown]

She laughs and kisses him,

"Don't look so confused, my dear. Aren't I allowed to admire you?"

[ostro_goth]

"What for?" Teja says. "I would rather be admired for the work of my hands, or the battles I fought."

He does not wish to be handsome. He does not wish to be flirted with. Having known affection and tenderness for a while, Teja now feels himself pining to have it again.

[wheatencrown]

"Its not an either or, Teja. The fact that you're a striking man is simply a wonderful addition to all the other ways you're strong and good."

[ostro_goth]

"Striking -- yes," Teja says. He was that, always, and knew it -- dark and pale and grim, among blond, tanned, cheerful Goths. "But I would not be desirable, or desired."

He might give in too easily, now.

[wheatencrown]

"Even if being desirable makes no call for you to act upon any desires but your own?"

[ostro_goth]

"I miss being touched by my Charlie," Teja says, softly. "I know not what I would do, if one came to me and offered, one that reminds of somebody, so my attention would be captured."

Like Asher reminded him of Totila, at first.

[wheatencrown]

"Oh Teja."

She hugs him tightly,

"I think that you would tell them no but tie yourself into so many knots about it for the fear that you might have said yes."

[ostro_goth]

Teja chuckles ruefully.

"You know me fearsomely well," he says.

[wheatencrown]

"I simply listen to you, my dear. Now shall we take a walk and perhaps stop at a winery to pick something nice to go with our dinner."

[ostro_goth]

"Indeed," Teja says. "That would be much better than me standing here, pondering imponderables."

[wheatencrown]

"Its just part of what you do, and you can ponder them while we walk."

[ostro_goth]

"Well, then lets go," Teja says, and starts walking, strolling among the vines in the sunshine, on long legs, his bare shoulders glistening in the sun, from the sunscreen.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter laughs and follows after him towards the winding river that leads to the sea.