OOM: Who?

[gorlim]

Eilinel is doing magic with her plants again. Which is some wonderful magic, but it makes her husband sneeze. Therefor Gorlim has sought respite in Namo's room, a book in tow. He has claimed Namo's couch in the name of bad taste, and is lounging there reading Dracula and utterly enthralled with it.

Comments

[gorlim]

Gorlim continues to Pout Cutely.

"Ellie's working on her potions," he explains. "She's chased me out with plant dust. And that really is quite a good read. You ought to try it. I like reading. It's taken me this long to be able to do it in English, see?" He points proudly to the book's Roman lettering.

[halls_of_mandos]

He glances at it.

He had learned it the first week he was in the bar.

He doesn't mention that.

"As I said, this rots your brain." Námo slips off Gorlim's lap. "But, I can think of something that might both please you and enlighten you, if you are up for it."

[gorlim]

There is an instant of hesitation -- a gnawing fear in the pit of his belly that chains him to here and now and safe and quiet. But he is a warrior who has only ever known how to grapple with that and rise above it. So he puts on the bravest smile he can muster.

"What is it, love?"

[halls_of_mandos]

He bends down, smiling with understanding, and kisses him.

It isn't a lustful, passionate kiss, but something sweet and savoured and cherished. He takes his time, fingers gently stroking Gorlim's face, and then he pulls back an inch or so.

"Trust me, dove. I will not hurt you, just as you will not hurt me."

He goes to the door, pauses with his hand on the knob for a moment, then opens it. It doesn't open onto the hallway outside Námo's room. It opens into an airy home, the scent of heather and marigolds, of the sea and a coming storm on the air.

"That is what I think will both please and enlighten you. Walk through it. Go see what waits for you on the balcony beyond the bed. And when you want to come home, come back to the bedroom door, hold the gem that gives you the power to shape change, and open it. You will come right back here, where I will be waiting."

[gorlim]

Gorlim stands, his arm around Namo's waist.

"Must I go alone?" he asks, his gut fear gnawing harder.