Perfect Duet's paid account and the Oakum Meme (II)

[esteven]

Some lovely person was so kind to gift perfect_duet with two months of paid time. Whoever it was, please pm me, so I can thank you properly. :D The gift makes the Oakum Meme so much easier because it brought the subject headers back.

So, once more onto the breach:

Here at this post you will find all prompts/requests we have so far received on LJ and on DW

Comments

Re: Khat - Treason's Harbour - Khat's Cradle (1)- Rating: NC 17

[anonymous]

Stephen treated first the little bear and then Davis, whom he told in no uncertain terms about the right treatment of cubs while he bound his forearm and wrist. The animal, having resented being chucked under its chin, had swiped its claws across the man’s arm, nearly slashing open the veins. Stephen thought the lubber deserved that for mistreating the bear cub.

Now Stephen leaned against the walls of the loggia. He watched a number of Surprises creep out with great complacency as soon as night had fallen, and he very nearly rubbed his hands with satisfaction. All seemed to be going according to his plan; hardly anyone was around to disturb them.

He had also asked for large shades that could be drawn across the loggia, so that he and Jack could sit outside overnight without strange animals flying or crawling in, creatures that might bother them sooner or later. He was guilty of teasing his friend about his discomfort at the presence of snakes and insects, but for tonight Stephen wanted no disruption; it had been so long since they had snatched a few hours for themselves.

Stephen was glad that Jack had relaxed after Dr Simaika arrived. The prospect of having to write an official letter which must speak of total failure in every respect had depressed the captain extremely, so Stephen had encouraged him to chew khat, telling him that it might lessen the heat. He had always valued the leaves’ effects, finding that chewing them gave him a feeling of exaltation, a feeling of being liberated from space and time, and he had wished his friend to be free from the demands of duty tonight.

He hoped that he had not been too obvious during their conversation with Dr Simaika when their guest had pointed out the direction of Sodom itself, only a few days’ march east-north-east. Some of his colleague’s descriptions of the Egyptians’ more particular ways and customs had been very open and Stephen had not only seen Jack squirm in his seat but had also met the brightest blue eyes gazing at him with a devilish twinkle over the rim of a glass of sherbet. It was then that Jack had made mention of turning in early after he had seen Niobe off.

Stephen had just placed a phial of sweet oil near the bed and returned to the loggia when he saw Jack walk through the gate, looking hot and bothered. He called to a servant for a large pitcher of sherbet, two new glasses and the large tray of food he had ordered earlier. He had taken exceptional care when choosing fresh sardines with ginger paste, lamb with rosemary, saffron chicken, vegetables sprinkled with aniseed, cardamom rice and fresh figs for enhancing their ardent temperament. Everything had been delivered by the time the captain had gasped up the stairs.

When Jack arrived at their room he was sweating copiously as if he had run all the way from the harbour.

‘What a relief to take off my coat and boots! It is uncommon hot for night-time, do you not think? I was certain that in these climates the temperatures always dropped towards the night, but maybe we are not far enough into the country?’

While taking off his heavy broadcloth coat and his boots, Jack continued talking animatedly about Niobe’s departure and how it looked like she would have a good run. He sat on his bed while he rambled on about her mission, taking off his waistcoat and pulling his shirt free of his unbuckled breeches. He then threw his stockings over a chair and rose, only to sit down again at the loggia table, where he stretched out his bare legs and wriggled his toes. He looked at the floor, apparently lost in thought, before he spoke up again.

‘Maybe you were in the right of it, Stephen, when you lectured me about missing my daily swim. Maybe I should start running up to the masthead again. I feel so out of breath. It seems hotter to me than it was during daytime. Do you think I am getting old?’ The last was said low and as if Jack was depressed by the thought of advanced age.