Bloodletting, Chapter 3
When Atrios returned to the study, Basil was alone, standing in the midst of his Alchemy lab and looking thoughtful as he swirled a potion bottle around, the dark red color of the liquid looking like blood. Atrios walked up to the tall Aundae, quietly watching Basil as he sniffed at the concoction, then tipping a bit into his mouth. Standing beside the vampire, Atrios cocked his head to the side curiously as Basil swished the liquid about in his mouth before swallowing it.
“Ah, Atrios,” he finally said, taking notice of the Flame Atronach standing beside him. “I have an.. odd request of you. Well, maybe not so odd given the circumstances. ” Setting the bottle down, he turned to face the Atronach. “Something occurred to me a few moments ago and I fear I don’t quite remember enough to be sure about it. When I drank your blood, at the time nothing seemed odd about it, but my mind wasn’t quite in the right place then. Earlier though, I was thinking over it and believe there is something odd about it indeed.”
“Handssome Basil want ssome Atrios’ blood tasste now?” he asked, catching on to what Basil was wanting immediately.
Smiling, Basil replied, “Yes. Specifically, something about the flavor of it is bugging me, but I want to be sure. You do not mind, do you?” Golden glowing eyes watched the Atronach as he shook his head then traced the patterns into his right bracer, letting it fade away and offering Basil his wrist. “Thank-you, Atrios. This should only take a moment and I only need a few mouthfuls.” At Atrios’ assenting nod, Basil took hold of the offered arm, bringing the wrist close to his mouth. Just before he was about to cast a resistance spell on himself, he could already feel the cooling magic course through him as Atrios completed casting the same strong spell he’d used yesterday. While he knew he still had the benefit of added fire resistance given to him by Atrios’ blood, he didn’t want to take any chances.
Acknowledging Atrios’ help, Basil nodded to him before turning his attention to the glowing wrist. He bit into the veins there, teeth sliding into orange skin with as little pain as possible, and that being soothed as he let the blood contact push the pain away. Slowly taking one mouthful of the rich, fiery blood, Basil held it in his mouth a moment, releasing Atrios’ wrist from his teeth as he contemplated the flavor of it.
Unlike when he fed from Atrios, this time he concentrated on the blood itself, not the qualities it carried. It tasted like any other blood, with that same metallic tang, though nearly completely covered by the taste of fire. There was something missing, though, and with Basil having his wits about him, he could taste it clearly. He swallowed and leaned close to Atrios’ wrist, sniffing at the trickling wounds his teeth had left. Again, he could smell the fire and heat in the strong blood and also the dull metallic sweetness that normal blood carried. The smell too was missing something. Basil licked the wound clean and healed it, releasing Atrios’ arm as he began to pace, thinking about what he’d just learned.
Finally he stopped in front of Atrios again, looking at the Atronach carefully even as he flared his nostrils, taking in Atrios’ scent. What was missing from the blood, Atrios’ own scent made up for and Basil frowned. “Atrios, I’m going to ask you something possibly very strange, though you may already know and there is probably a perfectly reasonable explanation for it. Your blood.. it has no gender. It does not taste nor smell male nor female. Yet, you are obviously male, in both physical appearance and your own scent. Dremora blood definitely carries the scent of masculinity or femininity, but yours does not. I’m curious, is this a quality of Atronachs?”
Atrios looked into Basil’s eyes, which were currently full of open curiosity and the almost wild look the man always had from the enthusiasm for research and magical study. I’ve told him everything else, Atrios thought to himself. He’d likely come to the correct conclusion in time, anyway.
Just when Basil thought Atrios might not answer, the hissing voice spoke up, “No, iss not Atronach, iss Atrios only.” He turned his head to make sure the study’s door was firmly shut before continuing, “Atrios not have gender jusst asss Firestorm not have gender. Atrios’ blood from the fire, iss why Basil tasste Firestorm in. Atrios have male form becausse like being male, iss only reasson. Atrios be female if wissh. Other Daedra choosse gender, but only when become, not after. Atrios choose gender whenever wissh. Even choosse no gender, or both if want.”
The bright glowing eyes opened a bit wider with the information and Basil’s mind set to work, already filing it away and correlating it with what he already knew about Atrios and the Firestorm. Finally, he asked, “Does this mean you can change your gender whenever you like, or is there an involved process required?”
“Atrios change whenever like. Only drainss Atrios, takess energy make change, musst sshift sskin, sskeleton, musscless. Atrios only do once ever, though. Prefer male.”
Curiosity getting the better of him, Basil asked, “Would you show me?” At Atrios cocking his head to the side, Basil couldn’t help being amused. For someone so ancient, he can manage to look so innocent. “I want to see how it works, what happens. It’s all part of the process; I want to know as much about you and the Firestorm as I can and this may be an important bit of knowledge. You do not have to; I only ask because I’m intensely curious.”
“Atrios think,” was his only reply. He churned it over in his mind, wondering if he really wanted to show Basil this. The only other time he’d done it, he decided he didn’t really enjoy being a female. There was nothing wrong with females, he just didn’t feel much like one. Though, this was also only for study and he wouldn’t have to stay that way too long. With this in mind, he finally made his decision, “Atrios sshow handssome Basil. Becausse trusst and becausse know only for sshort time.” He looked around again, then carefully grasped the man’s shoulders. “Pleasse not tell any of thiss. Only other who knowss iss Daeinde. If otherss find out, might be bad for Atrios.”
The vampire nodded, “Of course I wont tell anyone. This is for my own research and I plan on living a long time, so nobody is going to ever get ahold of my notes!”
Taking a few steps back, Atrios stood a distance from Basil so he could watch. Thinking a moment, he asked, “Basil mind Atrios take armor off? Iss eassier for sshift and alsso ssee more what happen.” At the man’s assenting nod, Atrios began removing the thick, ornate armor, starting with his mask and stopping when he reached his feet. The only armor that remained was the large crest that rested atop his head and the long, slender horn, both not needing to be retracted for the change as they would not change anyway.
Orange eyes closed and Atrios braced himself, spreading his legs apart a bit to get a good footing. Female, he thought, become female. The shift was slow at first, his skin flowing and distorting, preparing for the changes that would occur under it. Muscles and skeleton changed first, his shoulders becoming more narrow and hips getting slightly wider, muscles and skin flowing to accommodate the new structure. His muscles stretched out and became more sleek and thin, his body already looking much more feminine. Face and jaws changed next, cheekbones shifting upwards and features becoming more delicate. Finally, the shift reached his genitals and his penis retracted, folding up into his body, testicles following soon after. Breasts formed from his chest as the muscles and skin there shifted. Panting heavily, Atrios opened his eyes after the change was complete and had to use the chair next to him to remain upright.
Basil had watched the entire scene with rapt fascination. He was amazed at how easily it seemed that Atrios could will his body to do such a thing. Atrios as a female still looked like Atrios, but it didn’t, and it was hard for the vampire to wrap his mind around. Noticing how drained Atrios seemed, he helped the tall Atronach walk around the chair and let him collapse into it, still breathing heavily. It was plainly obvious how much energy that had taken out of Atrios.
Taking the seat across from Atrios, Basil also noticed that while Atrios was definitely now female, even the smell was right, he had no concept whatsoever of being a lady. The Flame Atronach lay splayed out on the chair, resting, his legs spread apart and leaving nothing at all to the imagination. It was hard for him to admit it, but Atrios made a very fine-looking woman, the feminine flesh spread out before him only driving the point home further as he caught a whiff of the obviously female scent. Only his knowledge of Atrios being male, at least as far as Basil was concerned, kept him from being aroused by the sight. Atrios had always been male to him and would not cease to be such just because he could change the look of his body.
It wasn’t just the look though, which was painfully obvious. Basil found himself intrigued and fascinated, making him ask a question he never thought he’d ask of someone, least of all Atrios. “You really are a female. I’m wondering, though, just how female you’ve become. Does it just change your appearance and scent, or is it a complete change? Would you mind if I.. checked?”
Handssome Basil wantss check what…? he trailed off, then his eyes widened in understanding. Oh, check that, he caught on as he saw Basil narrowing his eyes lower down Atrios’ body, not making eye contact. Iss okay with Atrios, know handssome Basil not hurt.
Standing up, Basil scooted his chair closer to Atrios until he could sit down and inspect the Flame Atronach’s body closely. “I’ll be as quick as I can. If anything is uncomfortable, tell me.” He reached out, testing the surface of one orange breast, feeling how the skin gave under his finger. The thought of this having sexual connotations was firmly pushed out of his mind as he cupped his hand around the same breast. The skin felt right, even when he squeezed it and felt how it moved in his hand. He let go to watch how it fell back into place. Assuming the other would be the same, he looked further down, eyes sweeping down the stomach that had only a few moments ago been packed with tight, clearly visible muscles. Now the muscles were less pronounced, the skin soft as he pushed against it.
“Can you scoot forward a bit and lean back?” As Atrios did so, Basil finally let his eyes settle on what had fascinated him the most about Atrios’ change. He couldn’t fathom how a full, intact set of male genitalia could retract and create full female genitals, nearly certain that something here would be off somehow. Leaning in close to get a better look, he got another whiff of the very female scent–at least that was definitely spot on. Feeling no sense of shame or fear, he reached out to inspect the seemingly perfectly formed labia. As he did so, he noticed the golden ring pierced through the clitoral hood, realizing the piercing that normally rested on the tip of Atrios’ penis had found somewhere else to be when he’d shifted. Curiously, he tugged on it and Atrios made a whining hiss of sound, the scent coming off him becoming sharper, starting to be tinged with arousal. Basil calmly accepted that, not really faulting Atrios for it.
Long fingers inspected the seemingly normal female sex before him. He discovered that everything seemed perfectly normal, nothing out of place. Labia were exactly where they should be, both inner and outer, the skin not feeling strange or unusual. Pulling the clitoral hood back, Basil took note of the nub of flesh nestled exactly where it should be, touching it very carefully with one fingertip and listening to the hissing moan the contact caused. Finally he moved on to the part that he was most curious about: was there a complete vagina here?
It took every ounce of willpower Atrios had to not arch his back and growl in pleasure as a finger wriggled its way into him, searching a part of him he’d not felt in millenia. Even so, his body readily reacted to the feeling and he soaked Basil’s hand, the scent of female arousal overpowering now. As a male, Atrios could control these responses, but he just didn’t know what to do with female anatomy, his control over his body like this completely unreliable because of having never practiced or even tried to learn how to control this. His eyes clamped shut as another finger was added and Basil pushed them deep inside, pressing on his abdomen with the other hand as he felt around inside Atrios’ body.
The vampire knew Atrios was probably one step away from losing it completely and so tried to complete his task as quickly as possible. He’d done this to many females in the past, not for pleasure, but to check the health of their bodies. One could learn of several internal ailments with this type of exam. Though, the purpose of this specific exam was more of discovery than of health. He felt around inside Atrios, using the pressure of his other hand on the Flame Atronach’s abdomen to feel around for any organs therein. While he knew there would be no ovaries or uterus, for obvious reasons, he still felt two spherical objects on either side and wondered if that’s where Atrios’ testicles had receded to, becoming psuedo-ovaries.
Finally, much to Atrios’ relief, he retracted his fingers from the slick passage and noticed that they were coated in a slightly slimy substance. At first he felt disgusted, but upon further inspection, he realized it wasn’t the release of a male, but the natural lubrication of a female. The heady smell of female greeted his nostrils as he sniffed at the gooey substance, thought it also had that same scent of fire that all of Atrios had. From a mortal, this would normally be clear or white, but Atrios’, much like his blood, had an orange, glowing cast to it. He couldn’t resist the surge of curiosity to taste it and brought the slick fingers to his mouth, carefully licking a bit of it off one fingertip. It definitely tasted like female and he decided he liked it, though if he were to ever taste it again, he’d go to one of those little female Flame Atronachs for the pleasure. The taste also had that same spicy flavor to it that Atrios’ own blood had. Pulling a hankerchief out, he wiped the remainder off his fingers.
Basil couldn’t help but notice the stricken look across Atrios face as he finished his inspection and smiled at him knowingly. He scooted his chair back to its former position. “You’re a bit uncomfortable, aren’t you?” he asked, amusement coloring his voice. “If you need a few moments to get it out of your system, go on. I would offer to help but.. you know how I am. I still know you as male and I will always think of you as male.”
His breathing was still heavy and he just couldn’t get himself calmed down. Yess, Atrios know. Alsso thankss handssome Basil for not being offended. Atrios have much trouble like thiss, not ussed to, not able control urgess at all. Deciding to just get it over with and out of his system right there, he spread his legs further, exploring the unfamiliar sex with dulled talons, aware of Basil still watching him. Atrios’ fingers were far thicker than Basil’s and it only took one to really fill him, adding the second stretched him to a point that it hurt, but somehow it hurt in a good way and he hissed with the feeling, pumping his fingers into the slick passage. Overcome by the unfamiliar pleasure, he tossed his head back, gasping and hissing as he increased the pace of his hand. With his other hand, he reached up to grab at one glowing breast, squeezing it harshly, letting his talons bite into the skin. Hissing whimpers and squeals escaped Atrios as he drove himself on, his entire body feeling like something was about to overcome it. The bright flash through his eyes as his orgasm took him blinded him and all he could see was sparks of light for a few seconds, completely losing control of his body and screeching loudly. Despite this, he went on, driving himself into another orgasm that made him nearly pass out, his eyes clamped tightly shut.
Gasping harshly, Atrios pulled his fingers out, hissing a bit with the feeling. Mindlessly, he brought his hand to his mouth and licked it completely clean, finding that he liked the taste of himself like this. He collapsed against the back of the chair, feeling especially sated and relaxed, letting his eyes open reluctantly. Taking note of Basil still watching him, he made a hiss of amusement at his friend. Atrios now know what Atrios do to pretty femaless when pleassure.
Basil laughed aloud, saying, “That must be terribly interesting. I guess the real thing is nothing like feeling it through a telepathic link.” His voice became serious, “I’m gathering that you never pleasured yourself as a female before?” At Atrios shaking his head in reply, Basil nodded. “I suppose if you dislike being female, then it never occurred to you to try it. I know I enjoy being a male!”
Iss not sso bad, Atrios commented. Feelss nice, thoughtss feel different, body feel different. Only problem iss jusst not what Atrios iss, not feel right. Atrios feel sstrange, thinkss look sstrange, too.
A perfect red eyebrow raised at that as Basil assured him, “Well, you don’t look strange. You make a very attractive lady, even if you don’t know much about acting like a lady.” He winked before continuing, “Maybe you just don’t like it because you don’t know how to act. That doesn’t mean you should try, though. Being male is perfectly acceptable! It’s definitely enjoyable to me!” His teeth glinted as he grinned with the last statement.
A hiss of amusement ended with the words, Handssome Basil think female Atrios pretty. Knowing he was joking, they both began to laugh. Atrios’ hisses of laughter faded and his mind-voice became serious. Atrios know handssome Basil not be with maless, not be with Atrios female becausse knowss asss male, but Atrios want assk one favor of big Basil before change back. Before Basil could protest outright, he added, Not ssex.
The vampire met eyes with Atrios levelly and the Flame Atronach looked back at him, features as neutral as he could get them but a lingering hope in the glowing orange eyes. “I want to hear of what you want before I give my answer. Understand that this is very difficult for me to accept, but I do trust you.”
Atrios knowss handssome vampire not like that. Iss why Atrios assk now, becausse little eassier to accept while female. Atrios only assk thiss once, never again. He stood up, indicating Basil stand as well. His growing desire for the lithe man was even more difficult to corral while his body was like this and it made him more bold, giving him the courage to ask for one thing from Basil, not only to satisfy some of the feelings he held, but also because he wanted to see how much Basil really trusted him. Atrios asskss handssome Basil for kisss. Atrios not do anything elsse, keepss handss to sself if want, only wantss thiss.
Inside Basil’s head, he was at war with himself. He could not stand, not even entertain the idea of being with another man. His brain just couldn’t do it, his thoughts not even allowing it. The very idea sent a shiver of revulsion up his spine. Yet, he considered it from another angle. Atrios was currently in a female form, even though Basil knew him as male and attached that property to him. The big Atronach had also been completely and utterly open with Basil, not hiding anything from the vampire, not even trying to hide his growing fascination. He’d been aware, though he wasn’t sure for how long, that Atrios liked him in more than just a friendly way, but would never act out on the feeling. It was also unlike the way Daeinde lusted for him, in that Atrios’ desire was not exactly of a romantic nature. More, it was an encompassing fascination, that just happened to include more carnal aspects. Also, he’d shared gifts with Basil, things that the big vampire found fascinating: the properties of his hot blood, the energy it gave him, and even a glimpse of the Firestorm itself.
Honor, friendship, and trust won out in the end. Atrios had showed him nothing but open kindness and caring, doing things he not only did not need to do, but were dangerous for him to do in order to help Basil, even telling him of his secrets that only one other knew. It made Basil feel humbled in a way, that Atrios trusted him enough for all this. Something inside him told him that showing his own trust and caring for his friend would be beneficial in the end.
He didn’t speak for he didn’t trust his own voice, instead taking Atrios’ face between his hands. Distractedly, he noticed how delicate and feminine the sharp, primal features were. Pulling Atrios head down, he stared into the softly glowing orange eyes a moment, seeing the gratitude and honest love in them. Basil closed his eyes, pulling Atrios closer until he felt his lips brush against pointed teeth. The fanged mouth opened and he opened his own mouth, pushing his panic to the side as the long, thin tongue snaked into his mouth, curiously exploring his fangs a moment before it brushed against his own tongue. Being this close, he could feel Atrios shaking with emotion, the desire to reach out and take Basil in his arms being held back by tremendous force of will.
If Atrios did touch him or not, he wouldn’t know as at that moment, his mind was devoured in flame, reality fading away as the heat consumed his entire being. He thought he might have screamed, but he wasn’t sure. Instincts went wild as he saw himself surrounded by nothing but fire, even the very ground he stood on being made up of lapping flames that hungrily reached up his ankles. Though it did not hurt him, the flames brushing against him almost tickling, he still panicked, not knowing where he was, not able to remember how he got here.
Calm, a voice whispered from the flames around him and instantly the panic left him, being soothed away by a gentle heat. We have watched you with our soulkin, his love and trust of you confusing us. We touched your mind and saw all that was there, all you have been and will be. We see how much the soulkin trusts you and you have shown how much you trust him, going against everything you are to allow him one thing he desired. We are Atrios, Atrios is us, but he only feels us, we rest in his thoughts and only come when he calls us or when important things need done.
The soulkin does not trust these things of himself with others easily, you are one of the few. Because your trust matches his own, we know you are right and that you can be trusted with us. Atrios has taught us many things, love, trust, kindness, things we did not know before. You, one who is made of these things, but readily lets anger and fury in as well, can still show this open trust.
You, Basil the Bastard, Basil Ieya-Sil, are granted a touch of our power. Not like that of Atrios–your body is too weak–but even a small trickle will be like a great flood to someone such as yourself. In this way, you are also bound to Atrios. As his blood leaves you, you will retain our link and that of our soulkin. Call to us, call to Atrios, you will need this strength, but we cannot tell you when. It is for you to learn.
Do not be frightened, our link is through us, utterly unlike the link our soulkin shares with the Daedric Prince, Daeinde. They share soul, we share magic. If you must, ask Atrios of us, of what you must do. We will warn you of one thing now. Do not abuse us, do not abuse the power granted you. Calling takes energy, if you call for too much of us, then your body becomes weakened and you would be vulnerable for a time. Overwhelm yourself with us and you will lose consciousness. Atrios knows these things well.
As the final whispers were spoken, Basil felt something like a spike lance through his mind, blurring his thoughts as it seemed to consume his very being in fire. As quickly as it started, it ended, leaving only the link of fire that had been there previously, but now it felt different, complete in a way, where as before it had felt fleeting.
A groan escaped his mouth as the fire finally left him, pushing him back to the world of waking. He was dimly aware of being held in someone’s arms, clicks and hisses reaching his ears and he opened his eyes, seeing the still very female Atrios fussing over him, running taloned fingers across his face and down his neck in careful, soothing strokes, licking at his face in an almost instinctual manner, like a mother animal washing its child. Instead of being horrified, Basil was intensely amused by it. He’d never been mothered over and it seemed Atrios was completely at the mercy of female maternal instincts on top of his own desire to help those he cared about.
He let his head rest back, closing his eyes again and let himself be fussed over. His entire body felt weak and shaky, his mind feeling raw. Had what just happened been a dream, or did something amazing and wonderful just happen to him?
“Atrios,” he managed to croak out, noticing his throat felt sore and he wondered if he had screamed after all. The licking stopped and Atrios pulled his head up, giving Basil his attention. “Did what I think just happen…”
Yess, Atrios’ mind-voice hissed inside his head. Atrios ssorry for sscare, not know Firestorm plan that. There was a lengthy pause as Atrios fussed over him a bit more before saying, Firestorm whissperss to beautiful Basil, Basil get very sspecial gift. Very dangerouss gift, too. Firestorm not know right or wrong, jusst iss. Hurt asss well asss help.
Managing to grin through his soreness, Basil replied, “Well, then I should get along well with it.” He groaned again as he tried to sit up and Atrios shifted around, helping him to his feet. “Why do I feel like I was trampled by a herd of Clannfear?” he asked no one in particular.
Hauling Basil into a chair, Atrios responded, Beautiful Basil get touch of fire, body too weak contain, takess energy usse. Likewisse, takess energy lissten. Ussually not force lissten unlesss very important. Thinkss undersstand thiss time very important.
The Flame Atronach hovering about him and still fussing over him made him a little uncomfortable, but there were things he wanted to know. Looking up into the glowing eyes, he asked, “Will it feel like that every time I use the power it’s given me?”
Nodding, Atrios made an assenting series of hisses and clicks. Will weaken no matter what do. Call Firestorm, Call Atrios, both take energy. Call Atrios take lesss. Firestorm very draining to usse, becausse beautiful Basil body not of fire, even more difficult. Take much energy for Basil casst the fire from within.
A frown creased Basil’s handsom features. “Why are you calling me that? You used to refer to me as ‘handsome Basil’, now you use ‘beautiful Basil’.”
No, iss not what big Basil think. Atrios explain, part of link. Atrios share bit of Basil, Basil share bit of Atrios. Magical link through Firestorm. Through mind. Not like Atrios’ link to beautiful Daeinde, bond there iss more, iss magical and sshare of ssoul. No wordss in common tongue able explain emotion Atrios feelss for beautiful Daeinde, cannot desscribe. Atrios callss thosse with closse link beautiful, iss how Atrios iss, becausse not good at sspeaking, not know wordss to usse.
Finally assuring himself that Basil was unharmed, Atrios finally sat down across from him, sitting a bit more properly this time with his legs together. If anything ever need assk Atrios, usse telepathic link, not Firestorm link. Firestorm link only for emergency. Alsso, Atrios musst tell beautiful Basil, link goess both wayss, becausse iss sshared. Atrios call Basil if need, Basil mind resspond without Basil think about. Ssame if Basil call Atrios, Atrios resspond reflex, not think about, jusst do. Iss why bad idea usse for communication.
Those last words brought a dawning realization over Basil’s mind. “That’s what it meant when it spoke to me of trust. It told me it gave me this gift because my trust of you matches your trust of me. As you just said, it goes both ways. A sharing of trust is needed to make the final connection.”
Yess, wass time Atrios trusst no one, thinkss because Firestorm protect sself then. Atrios learned asss grew older, Firestorm learn with Atrios, learn of emotionss. Firsst learn of anger and hate, then ssadnesss and losss, finally happinesss, love, trusst. Took long time Atrios learn trusst. Iss sstill mosst difficult thing Atrios do. Atrios love eassily, not trusst sso eassily, because knowss dangerouss, Atrios’ power great, iss not eassy trusst otherss with sself in ssuch way.
Vacating his seat, Atrios stood and stretched out his back. Atrios sshift form back now, wisshess leave beautiful Basil with thoughtss. Iss okay?
“Yes, actually. I think I need to go have a good, long think. I have too many questions burning in my head right now and I can’t ask them until I get them sorted out.” He watched Atrios shift his form back into a male, the change no less fascinating than it had been the first time. “Are you sure you do not wish to rest here a while?” Basil asked, watching Atrios stagger from the exertion.
The black mask armor was brought forth as Atrios pushed on his face, but he didn’t bother with the rest. “No, Atrios ssore and tired. Wantss lay down for while. Body hurtss from sshifting. Not even want put on armor, sskin achess.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Basil replied, shaking his head. “Would you like a robe or anything to cover up with?”
Atrios tilted his head, lost in thought for a moment, then shrugged, “Atrios not ssee need. Anyone want look, Atrios not mind.” He bowed politely to Basil. “Atrios ssee beautiful Basil tomorrow, iss late now.” At Basil’s nod, he turned and walked out of the study.
When Atrios returned to his room, he found it empty. He’d been expecting Passht to be there, but wasn’t terribly put out by her absence: he was tired and sore, his skin and muscles hurt all over. Atrios didn’t really feel much like sex, instead just wanting to relax a bit. The bed was softly comfortable as he climbed into it and pulled the silken sheets over himself, sighing in contentment. The slick, cool fabric felt nice against his aching body.
Snuggling down into the softness, he got comfortable before reaching out with his soul, bringing that deep connection from the back of his mind where it would always be. Daeinde’s sleepy-minded voice greeted him and he realized he’d woken his lover from a doze, noticing that the Prince was in bed with another. Atrios not mean dissturb. Talk later if bad time.
He got the sense of Daeinde yawning hugely and stretching. Nah, I’m up now. How are things there? Missing from his words were “how are you?”, but the careful concern was apparent in both the voice and the feelings.
Ssomething very sspecial happen today. he began, trying to get his thoughts in order. Firestorm givess beautiful Basil sspecial gift, remember Atrios ssay Basil have link becausse blood? Now Basil have link permanent. Ssmall link, magical ssharing, but can call to Firestorm, call to Atrios. Ssame Atrios can call to beautiful Basil.
Daeinde had known about the calling ability. He, too, had that link with Atrios, besides their sharing of soul. It had been a recent discovery, but Daeinde had his own special link to the Firestorm, not just because of being bonded to Atrios, but also because of the open trust and loving they had for each other. This also told him that Basil, likewise, must have a great deal of trust for Atrios for the Firestorm to allow such a link.
What happened between the two of you to warrant the Firestorm giving Basil such a thing? I’ve been sensing all kinds of strange emotions from you today and couldn’t figure them out, so I stopped trying. Now, though, I’m curious. He knew that the Firestorm was very secretive and it took a lot to gain its attention.
Purring, Atrios rolled onto his side, curling up almost as if he was holding someone, if not in body, at least in mind, as he sent the feeling of him holding his lover to Daeinde. Beautiful Daeinde be jealouss of Atrios, the hissing mind-voice said, openly amused. Beautiful Basil find out Atrios’ true nature, not have gender. Assked Atrios change female sso could ssee what happen. Female Atrios assked Basil for kisss, for trusst enough to do. When kisss, Firestorm decide beautiful Basil worthy of gift, trusst Atrios much as Atrios trusst.
You lucky little bastard! Daeinde replied, mocking outrage, but soon began to laugh. While I’m horribly envious, I know that had to have taken a lot of trust from him to allow. Growing serious, Daeinde asked, How much power does he have? Is there any danger to the Mundus because of this?
No danger. Beautiful Basil body too weak call enough causse that kind desstruction. Even call casst fire weaken handssome vampire. Firestorm ssay iss important, will need in future, but Atrios not sstupid, know Basil not mind usse before. Iss okay though, Atrios expectss, Firestorm expectss. Not ssurprisse if happen. Musst learn calling firsst anyway, iss not ssomething can do without knowledge. Atrios sstay for longer than plan. Teach beautiful Basil of fire, of calling. Explore new link, sso no ssurprissess later.
Daeinde sat up in bed, running his fingers through his hair, knowing that Atrios watched him all the while. Shall I come as well? You’ve taught me a few things about casting the fire, so I may be of some help in teaching someone else. Besides, I miss you, and if you’re going to be gone for longer than a week, I really would like to join you.
Thinking about it a moment, Atrios realized he was right and sent an assenting feeling through their bond. Yess, Atrios think beautiful Daeinde be help. Atrios misss too, doessn’t like being sseparate sso long. Iss ssure beautiful Basil not mind Daeinde vissit. Slyly, he added, Iss ssure handssome Ra not mind either.
A laugh tickled through the link as they both shared amusement for a moment, Daeinde finally sending, Yes, I would like to know what you and Ra were up to earlier, anyway. I’m sensing something from you in regards to him that makes me smile.
Atrios and handssome Dremora work out ssomething bother Atrios long time now. Atrios not feel guilty for hurt Ra now, ssee Ra not really hurt, iss proud of sscarss. Daeinde vissit ssoon, but Atrios make requesst of beautiful Daeinde.
The smile that spread across the Prince’s handsome features was one of utter love and relief. He knew that the guilt Atrios had felt for what had happened had stirred up a bunch of other horrible memories. It was good that he finally resolved it. What is it? Do you need me to bring anything?
Yess, a mischievous tone colored Atrios’ mind-voice, Beautiful Daeinde bring pretty ssisster Oshias vissit too. Thinkss Basil like to get know little Oshias. Atrios felt his lover’s amusement at the statement, but also sensed the agreeing nod. Hope beautiful Basil not mind Daedra housse party, he added with a wink and their bond filled with laughter.