Jade

Season of the Solstice – 20 Years later

Mila held his fat belly and bent his elbows over the cold glass counter.
Glass. He’d encountered it through a trader. It had not been such a miraculous discovery, but had proved useful. It kept things well protected from dirt and dust. Also, since he had acquired it, robberies had lessened.
“Should be in any minute now,” he said aloud. He fingered his gray beard with rough digits. On time, the spoken of arrived. Ris’ arm was draped carefully over Jajan’s shoulder. It was a farce, he knew. The drape was not a show of ownership. It was a show of affection. If not the twist of the well-manicured fingers nails in the folds of the new robe; so loose and moving-caressing slowly the soft burgundy material; then it was the spark in both pairs of eyes that gave the couple away.
Then again, maybe it was he, and his jolly misgivings. Doubtful.
He grinned slowly. His hair was white and his face was wrinkling with age. They, he noticed, had not aged at all. The world all around them did not even notice. Change abounded, and the people of it were too busy with their own musings. With the changing times came a sort of freedom. The freedom was to run around aimlessly with those musings and have few eyes drawn to you. The solstice was near again. With the passing years, it had become more of a festival, and less of a fiasco. The year’s theme was costume. Ris had come to pick up his elegant slave costume. Jajan was to go as his Master. This would prove to be an interesting night.
“Less robe and more “modern” tight-fitting pants. I don’t like it at all.”
“You seem to digest their speech quite well. More and more you attach two words together as if they were one.”
“It isn’t so!”
“It “isn’t?” Ris pouted suddenly.
“Oh, damn you to hell.”
“Cursing now too? You are not getting older as I have previously said. No, I think that you are regressing!”
“Your implication is incorrect.”
“He still has his vocabulary, Mila.”
“So, it would seem. Though, I don’t know if perhaps he’s just barely hangin’ on to it.”
“Oh, I hope the both of you rot!”
“Joy! He is in a mood!”
“And even more so when he does see that wonderful robe that you have made for me!”
“Almost like a poet, you are with the flow of your words.”
“I try,” Jajan grinned widely, following Mila into the back for his Master’s type robe.
“And it’s a right good way that you try. I’ll tell you one thing,” Mila lowered his voice. “That man has never been more alive or more vibrant. He’s never smiled so much. And I dun believe I’ve ever seen so many tiff’s in my life. Dear, what he must be like at home,” Mila laughed. He had that look in his eyes too. Jajan’s continence turned mischievous again.
“You old badger.”
“Here,” Mila handed him the robes and Jajan donned them. He checked himself in the mirror, pulling his hair out of the collar.
“Tell me, Mila. If you could be any one of us, what would you be?” Mila paused in his movement for a moment.
“A Master Elemental. Then, so many things I could do.”
“A Master Elemental? For power?”
“No, Jajan. Pure curiosity. I want to do as many things as I can. That’s why I merchant so many things. I don’t specialize. The wonder of all things you can sell.”
“Diversity. Ah, Mila, if you were one of us; I have absolutely no doubt that you would be a Master Elemental. The greatest there had ever been and would ever be.”
“You…that makes me blush. You mad and old man blush.”
“He has that power with words,” Ris cut in.
“Ris, my dear Rai, how do you love these robes?” After the simple statement, Ris blushed brightly. Mila glanced quickly back and forth. This was a private joke. Jajan’s feral grin assured him of that.
“They…they are quite befitting.” Jajan pouted.
“Befitting? I know that they fit me well. Mila tailored them for me. I asked you, how you loved the robes…”
“Ah…you look like a Master.” Jajan grinned farther, but continued.
“That is not the answer that I seek from you either.”
“Jajan…He glanced over at Mila, or at least in that direction. Jajan laughed gently.
“Mila left moments ago, so that you could try on your robes. He does seem to know how coy you can be.” He emphasized his words softly, walking toward Ris. “Now Rai, a question I asked and a correct answer I seek.” Ris licked his lips and leaned forward.
“I love the robes like the man in them.”
“Perhaps out of them, as well?” Jajan quipped.
“Mmm, so very true.” He paused and noticed his lover for a moment.
“I suspect that if you like the robes so much, I must definitely wear them.”
“Of course.”
“And again, I shall be your Master and you,” He slipped off Ris’ shirt and took down his buttons, “Shall be my slave. Mmm, continue dis...dis…damn! That would the word be now?”
“With no robes? Not disrobing.” Jajan looked flustered. “At a loss,” He slipped in, laughing. Jajan seemed to have a revelation, and pointed at Ris’ chest.
“Take your damned clothes off!” A triumphant look settled on his face.
“Are you positively serious right about now? Mila…”
“Oh, I am not going to take advantage of you yet. You will put that robe on. And then, I can speak the word disrobe!”
“Ha! But when, my sweet?”
“Hmm…I think in the height of the festival.”
“The anticipation of knowing what will happen, then? Are you attempting to tease me?”
“Yes. I shall harass you until that time.” Ris shut his eyes for a trice. Jajan snapped his fingers. “Alive, pet?”
“As much as you.”
“Very much so, then.” He gave Ris a quick kiss. “Robe,” He ordered commandingly. Mila winked at him from the doorway and walked back in a moment later.
“I see that they fit well.”
“As if you would not know our sizes exact,” One of them tutted.
“Too longer I’ve been your tailor.”
“And supply for house arrangements, food, clothing…”
“Et cetera, et cetera. I know.”
“I suppose you make the things even before we ask. Perhaps you know us just that well.”
“Perhaps I do.”
“Mmm,” Jajan tilted his head. “A customer be in the main room for you, Mila.”
“Truly there be. Pay for these on your way out. I must attend to him.” Jajan saluted him. He grinned widely.
“Hee. Old badger.” Ris stared at him for a while.
“We have issues.”
“Emotional and with commitment wise. I agree with you.”
“Hmm.”
“Give me a kiss and we shall talk of it later, yes?”
“This does sound like a good idea.”
“Hmph. You just want a kiss.” Ris smiled slowly and the same smile dropped from his face, when he cupped his lovers own, and was replaced by something more compelling.
“Perhaps I do.” He leaned forward, carefully capturing Jajan’s lips and stayed there for a moment. He took in a deep, long breath, savoring the feel of the warm, short breaths on his face.
“We should pay for these. Maybe even get back in our own clothes.” Ris chuckled against Jajan’s mouth.
“I guess we should.”

“What color should the moon be?”
“I thought this had been previously discussed.”
“A shocking color,” A voice piped in.
“No. The brightness would blind the nations.”
“That doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.” There was a chorus of laughter.
“We could make it black.”
“A joint effort?
“Sounds horrid.”
“Sounds splendid.”
“Sounds perfectly marvelous,” Sand interrupted.
“Think of the wonderful lights the pixies would produce!” Water grinned.
“I resent that,” Several light Elements chimed in.
“Would not it be grand?”
“Supreme Elemental, what are your thoughts?”
“Atommmmmmm?” There was a short silence.
“Any paint job in which you work together is a splendid one indeed. To join your power and create one light…ah, what a thought!”
“Water! Air! Make it rain!”
“Make the world sparkle with dew!”
“Drown the Masters!”
“We cannot do that.”
“And, why not?”
“We would lose our abilities.”
“Where the hell is that written?” For a moment, there was a mass of voices. Not one could be deciphered.
“Sprites! This is a farce effort!” Some of the Elementals snorted furiously, at being called sprites.
“The times are getting better,” He ignored them. “Every festival we go through this. DO NOT attempt a murder. It IS legend. No. Shut up. I want to hear no more. I know it is an unfair way. Soon, we will get our revenge. Produce your black moon. We will discuss this all further. Water. Sand. I must speak with you privately.” Ris and Jajan stopped in the middle of their meal.
“Ris, what is this about?”
“I don’t know.”
“How would we privately speak with Atom?”
“I know Atom.”
“You what?”
“I believe that is the least articulate sentence I have ever heard you utter.” Jajan wasted no time on a retort. Instead, his face lighted up and he hopped across the table.
“You know the Master Elemental? Why the hell have not you told me about him? Who is he? What does he look like?” Ris laughed and pushed Jajan away from him a little.
“Goodness, Jajan. Calm down. Go take a bath and I promise I will tell explain everything to you.”
“Hn?” He glanced down at himself, only to discover his new pants, shoes, and hands covered in lunch. “Oh, wonderful.” Ris teared up with giggles.
“Well, hurry up.” Jajan cocked an eyebrow.
“And you don’t wish to join me. I feel mildly shocked.”
“Well, I do have to clean up the mess you made.”
“Suit yourself.” He pulled his new cashmere sweater over his head and tossed it on the kitchen table. Ris looked back at Jajan.
“I’m not doing you any favors!” Jajan turned, unbuttoning the first button on his pants. He raked his eyes slowly over his mate.
“Alright.” Ris shuddered. His lover’s eyes lowered, soft and bright, with a devious glint. He followed the now pants less Jajan into the bathhouse.