Ancient Carthage Dreamed in Blood

[raventonbeauty]

from here.

Ashley had never seen so many dogs in one place, and had never imagined that there would be so many dogs in the entire city of Carthage. There were so many of them, in all shapes and sizes, some sweet and affectionate and others ferocious and designed to kill. Ashley could remember encountering a total of four dogs in his life until now, so the large kennels seemed to him to hold all the variety of the world.

He made friends easily with the good-tempered dogs near the entrance, delighting in their energy and enthusiasm, even once they realized that he had brought no treats for them. But the danger of the more ferocious dogs drew him. He exerted his will over them without realizing that he did it, since he had spent all his life spoiled and loved, and simply expected that it was the natural order of things that all creatures should fawn over him.

Looking up at Mago's entrance, Ashley's eyes widened with hope, grateful to see him and wanting to earn his approval. He had imprinted upon Mago as his anchor in this new life. Zyabqot was his new master and deserved his obedience and trust, but it was Mago's attention that he craved.

Comments

[raventonbeauty]

"I understand." Ashley makes careful note of that, turning it over in his head to consider what he wants of Ragnar and how to proceed. He still needs more information, but he's learning fast.

He falls into step beside Ragnar, lifting his chin and pulling his shoulders back. He is royalty here. Beauty and grace is not sufficient. He must behave regally, as well. He makes his posture like his mother's at her most dignified, his father's at his most gracious.

He gives his hair a toss, smoothing it down to check for stray bits of hay from the stables. "Let's go."

[reunite]

Ragnar smiles Ashley as the other man pulls himself together, clearly trying to aim for a specific kind of representation. It's good to see that the vampire that feels a bit like ...well, like his godchild, though he wouldn't be able to put that name to it himself, try to find his place and incorporate his words at that. And he's got a good feeling about this; Ashley should get the hang of it soon enough.

"Let me..." he reaches over to pluck small pieces of hair from the long red hair in places that Ashley likely cannot see.

[raventonbeauty]

Ashley ducks his head to allow the touch, shy and submissive as Mago checks him over. "Thank you," he says, basking in the attention. Once it has finished, he lifts his chin again, all pride. His eyes still linger on Mago more frequently than they should, but he otherwise keeps himself regal and aloof. When they speak to others on the tour, Ashley's manners are pretty and elegant, though sometimes there's a note of wheedling petulance that shows through, and other times Ashley falters entirely, mind slipping back into the lost, half-mad child that he was at first. That always takes a few moments for him to recover, and he hovers closer to Mago for reassurance whenever it happens.

[reunite]

Time passes; the household continues the same way it has been functioning for many decades, and Ashley is integrated into it more and more. Zyabqot introduces him to some local allies and dignitaries both human and vampire, starts to teach him about accounting, seafaring and other items important to their business, starts to explain both human and vampire society, orders Mago to start and teach Ashley the basics of various ways of fighting with and without weapons, and everyone around seems to be getting used to the new household member.

It's been over a month when Ragnar shows up one evening, knocking at Ashley's door with a grin and an air about him that doesn't speak of picking him up for fighting or other practical lessons.

"There's a festival in the city," he explains when Ashley opens, "and the lady would not mind if we took the night off. Would you like to come?"

[raventonbeauty]

Ashley blossoms under Zyabqot's guidance. Though he still falters and struggles often, emotional facilities permanently handicapped by his upbringing, Ashley has natural strengths in intelligence and charm. He learns most of the scholarly topics quickly, and adapts even more quickly to the social niceties expected of him. The combat lessons are more of a struggle. Ashley's attention wanders and his interest lags. He tries to focus in order to please Mago, but it's clear that he has no interest or aptitude for combat aside from the inherent gifts of his bloodline.

The young man who opens the door is almost unrecognizable in comparison to the wild, half-mad creature that Mago found starving to death in a remote manor. Clean and composed, fingers ink-stained, Ashley looks like a wealthy young scholar. His hair is pulled forward over one shoulder, which is the best way Ashley's found to keep it out of his eyes as he reads, since he still refuses to tie it back or cut it. He favors white shirts and black trousers, simple styles in expensive fabrics, and the simplicity of it sets off the radiant beauty of his face and the exotic color of his hair.

He smiles at the sight of Mago. Around Mago, he has more tendency to show shy submissiveness, while around most others he has developed confidence and even a sense of command. Ducking his head a little, Ashley gives him a shy but delighted grin. "I'd like that."

[reunite]

Mago isn't quite sure of what to do with the shy submissiveness, but he mostly just rolls with it. It's not like he minds, at least not as long as people don't start talking too much. It's ...nice, really, especially with how the other option seems to develop more and more into Ashley showing a fairly dominant and commanding attitude towards most others.

"Excellent.

Do you wish to change before we head out?" Mago's own clothes are already adjusted to the event - clean, fresh, not the most elaborate but nicer than what Ashley would see him wear normally when he's around horses or the sparring area.

[raventonbeauty]

"This is fine." Ashley shakes his head, though he does turn away to fetch a cloth and scrub some of the ink from his fingers, checking to make sure he has no ink on his face. He takes a delicate set of combs from his jewelry box, tucking them into his hair with a dangling chain that hangs between them from the back, ornamenting the long red fall of his hair with a glitter of silver and crystal.

The expensive ornament signals nobility and wealth, while the simplicity of his garment speaks of freedom. He's starting to learn better how to signify these things, and to use his appearance for more subtle social manipulations. He wants to show off just enough to draw admiration, but not enough that anyone might see him as a threat.

Tossing his hair to check the fall of it once he's finished, Ashley returns to Mago's side, ready to set out. "Are we going with an entourage, or is it just the two of us?"

No need to respond if it's been too long, I'm clearing out my inbox after exams

[reunite]

"Just the two of us." He barely keeps himself from reaching out, wanting to run a hand through Ashely's hair, but he does manage not to and instead just holds the door for him. It would have been highly inappropriate.

"There is no reason to expect any trouble," and if, nothing bigger than they can handle, "and it will be perfectly appropriate to have only one person with you."

[raventonbeauty]

"Good." Ashley flashed him a smile, pleased by the response. "That would be my preference."

He stayed close by Mago's side as they left Zyabqot's residence. Chin slightly tucked but eyes alert to his surroundings, maintaining a careful balance between confident poise and dutiful obedience to his host. He belongs in Zyabqot's household, and wants to be sure to offer no challenge. He wants his position under her protection to be secure.

Only once they reach the relative freedom of the street outside does he relax a little more. As striking as Ashley is, he's not known in the city aside from a few of Zyabqot's acquaintances. He can be freer and less careful with his behavior.

"Am I allowed to hold your arm?" Ashley asks. He's been careful to refrain from touching, painfully aware of all the social cues and signals that he's learned. He understands that Mago belongs to Zyabqot, that he's bound to her, and if Ashley shows more than reasonable attachment to his favorite ghoul, it could indicate challenge or disobedience to Zyabqot's authority, and Ashley doesn't yet have a clear understanding of what is and isn't allowed.

[reunite]

"I wouldn't think that there should be an issue. We don't want to get separated, do we?"

He holds out his arm a bit, speaking while he's still mulling over the implications. He'd rather not make Ashley feel insecure about all of this.

"...And I'm sure it would be appropriate for reasons of support and security in many areas, too?"

Most of all, Ashley should have fun tonight. Be a bit more free. And properly see the city, tonight when most people won't look twice at others, too busy with their own fun and other activities, the crowds too thick to pay attention to everyone.

sorry I just haven't been in an Ashley mood all month, been neglecting my tags

[raventonbeauty]

As soon as he had permission, Ashley was happy to take Mago's arm. He grins at the freedom and pleasure of it. Tonight, he has Mago all to himself. Never mind the crowds and the festival. All of that is trappings, if he gets to enjoy Mago's company and to learn more about him in a different setting.

Fascinated by all the noise and the festivities, Ashley looks around with wide eyes as they make their way through the streets. His grip is tight on Mago's arm, trusting to his guidance. He doesn't want to risk being separated from him, for more reasons than one.

not like I'm the fastest tagger either

[reunite]

Mago steers them through crowds that are thick enough to grant them anonymity but not thick enough to be claustrophobic, pointing out the sights and scents around them to Ashley in a voice low enough to easily be heard, but only by the other man.

"That over there, do you see the man with the blue wrappings around his head? He is from far to the east, up the coast to the east of this sea and down the silk road, you can see it in his face and the robes that he is wearing. He's selling spices, mostly, and all kinds of expensive amulets, though I'm not sure how effective or safe they are - and there, look, that man must be from Egypt, by the style of his coat." He continues on, pointing out wares offered and people milling about, at times pulling Ashley towards a stand selling things. Never food, for obvious reasons - it would be cruel to lead someone towards treats that he can't eat, and that's why Mago made sure to have eaten before heading out - but all kinds of other things are offered, too, mostly of the not-so-practical kind.

[raventonbeauty]

Ashley laughs with awe and delight at the sights and explanations that Mago offers him. After his sheltered life, all of it is wondrous to him. Ashley has read about distant lands and foreign peoples, but he's never seen any of it.

He stays close by Mago's side, often stealing glances toward him in between gazing at the sights.

As fascinated as he is by it all, he's careful and obedient, staying close by Mago's side and only straying with permission when he tugs at Mago's arm to go and look at some sight or some booth. He buys a paper lantern, a little scented pillow, and a cloth charm that's supposed to bring love, and then gets distracted by a stall full of wooden carvings that has a lovely array of delicate combs. "Come on, let's go look," he coaxes, kissing Mago's cheek without thinking about what he's doing.

[reunite]

Mago goes bright red at the kiss, because - they have been close enough to each other to play with the impression of being a couple all night, yes, and he's sure that Ashley doesn't mean anything by it, but he still just got kissed by a gorgeous young man who's been very close by his side all evening, and as much as he knows that it would be a terrible idea to be turned on...

...Looks, he's a young man himself, all right? There's only so much you can do.

"Sure," he says quickly and disentangles himself a bit from Ashley under the guise of trying to manoeuvre them through the crowd more easily. He doubts that Ashley would have missed his reaction, and frankly wonders if it was intended, because Ashley is a vampire and they tend to never do anything fully without having thought of the consequences, from what he's observed, but then maybe that's not how they start out, and Ashley is still very young and inexperienced for his kind.

[raventonbeauty]

Ashley can't help but notice the way the blood rushing through Mago's veins suddenly rushes to the surface of his skin, heating his cheeks. It's fascinating, both to the impressionable young man who has never been in love and to the young vampire learning his own powers.

He keeps hold of Mago's hand as they weave their way toward the booth. As he looks at the combs, he thinks about it, and thinks that he should speak to Zyabqot to ask permission before he lets the infatuation go any farther. Mago belongs to her, in service and by blood, and even though Ashley is of her household, he suspects it would be inappropriate to take too many liberties without asking permission first.

He barely sees the beautiful combs in front of him, thinking instead about the way Mago's blood beats in his cheeks. Tomorrow, he thinks, or late tonight. He'll ask permission to charm and seduce, and take more care with his behavior until he's done so.

"Which one do you think?" Ashley asks, trying to bring his attention back to the carven combs on the table.

[reunite]

"For yourself or someone else?"

Mago concentrates as much as he can, bringing his attention to the combs and away from the man next to him. Silly, he chides himself, doing his best to push the arousal away. The old Gatekeeper naked, the old gatekeeper naked...

Those things never end well. He needs to make sure to not let his thoughts continue any further into that direction.

[raventonbeauty]

"For myself," Ashley says, automatically, because he always thinks of himself first. He picks up one of the combs and tucks it into his hair, shaking his head to feel how it lays against his scalp. "Your hair is too short," he adds, teasing, and flashes Mago a smile. He can't help it that his joy naturally shapes itself as flirtation, especially not when he wants more than anything to flirt with Mago. "Do you think Zyabqot would like a set? As a gift?"

[reunite]

That, at least is easy to answer to, even though he has no idea how to respond to the teasing. Of course his hair is too short, he likes to keep it that way. He's very much a physical person, at least in his off time, long hair would just be in the way.

"I honestly can't tell." He doesn't know Zyabqot that well. She's his regnant, and has been for some time, but it isn't strictly a personal relationship, as much as he tries to find out as much as he can about her and please her, and would like to know her that well.

"You probably have a better chance of finding out." And there is a bit of envy in his voice. As much as his love for his regnant might not be natural, it is still very much there.

[raventonbeauty]

"Then I will. I think it would be an appropriate gift." Ashley chooses a pair of ornamental combs carved from dark, reddish-brown wood in a pattern of sharp-petaled flowers and set with glinting black stones. He sets those aside while he considers the rest, taking up a fawn-colored styling comb carved with the shape of a running hound.

Clasping Mago's chin in one hand, Ashley combs through his hair, teasing it into a different style to see how it flatters his face and smiling at the result. He sets that with the others and pays the merchant for the three of them, tucking the pair for Zyabqot into the little bag that he'd bought along the way to carry his purchases, and giving the other to Mago. "I suppose you do at least comb your hair, though you do not wear the combs as I would."

His smile is relaxed and playful. Here at the festival, alone in a crowd with Mago, he feels free.