(no subject)

[wanderingsin]

Sin rushes home to shower and change his clothes, texting Athelstan as he goes.

Sorry, long night at school. I'm on my way to you now. <3 Sin

He looks at himself in the mirror, noting the bags under his eyes. He hesitates a moment before grabbing a bag out from under his sink. He hasn't worn make-up in a while but he still has some stashed somewhere. He manages to find some concealer, using just enough to tidy himself up.

Dressing a clean outfit, rather more casual than normal seeing Athelstan won't care what he wears, he dashes downstairs, a slice of toast between his teeth as he pulls his jacket on.

A quick bus across town and he's standing outside Athelstan's building, tapping the buzzer lightly.

Comments

[wanderingsin]

"And it increases the chance of getting something wrong during the performance." Sin nods. "And there's nothing more embarrassing during the maiden performance of any piece."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh yes", he says with a nod. "At least that's not a problem with a painting."

[wanderingsin]

"All artistic endeavours have their own challenges. But that's what makes them worth doing." He smiles. "And why they take so much of our hearts and souls to do."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes. And why it can be so difficult to share them with other people."

[wanderingsin]

"Your art is beautiful, Athelstan. Deep and soulful." He offers Athelstan a warm, confiding smile. "That's why I agreed to model for you. Because I knew you saw more than flesh."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan smiles back.

"I don't just use any model, either, if I can help it."

[wanderingsin]

"Then I hope I can continue to be your muse." He grins playfully. "As long as you keep showing my good side."

[athelstanthescribe]

He laughs. "I'll do my very best."

[wanderingsin]

Sin smiles and drifts over to the window, looking out over the city. "I've always loved the view. As if I'm a pigeon, perched on the city's rooftop."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan follows, leaning on the window ledge.

"It's why I took this place. The same day I saw it."

[wanderingsin]

"An artist must be able to soar." Sin smiles, his eyes on the distant horizon. "This is a city of strange wonders." There's a bitter sweet note in his voice.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan glances at him sideways.

"It is. Some more than others."

[wanderingsin]

Sin's eyes are distant, his body still for a long moment.

He blinks, coming back to himself and sighs. "I ran into Dr. Fell again this morning." He needs to confine in someone and he trust Athelstan more than anyone else.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh." He thinks for a moment, choosing his words. "Did he - say something else?"

[wanderingsin]

"He looked me up, got my name from the enrolments office of the university. I never gave it to him when we meet."

He wraps his arms around himself. "I'm attracted to him. But at the same time, he frightens me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Why does he frighten you?" he asks gently. "Because he's too interested?"

[wanderingsin]

"Yes and no." Sin curls up a little tighter. "Maybe its the way he's interested? To got to the length of finding out my name, after a five minute conversations. And then to run into me again when I was sitting on a bench down by the river early this morning. Was he looking for me or did he just happen by? And if he hadn't found me there, did the enrolment office give him my address? Would he have found me at home?"

"And why? I'm no-one special. Why would he go to such lengths?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"I don't think the enrolment office would just give out people's addresses", Athelstan tries to reassure him. "And maybe he doesn't think you're no-one special. I don't."

[wanderingsin]

"I hope not." He nods, still thoughtful.

Sin shrugs, still hugging himself. "I try very hard not to be someone special, someone who stands out." He says, half to himself. "I worries me, to have someone watch me so closely."

[athelstanthescribe]

"There's special and special", he says gently. "I know there are - things you'd rather not have attention for. But then there's your voice."

[wanderingsin]

He nods. "There's a reason I focus on the violin and the flute. I'd rather people not know about my singing. It raises too many questions." He pushes his hair back fingers carding distractedly. "Perhaps I should have been born a thousand years ago, when people like me were more common."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You know, just because it's not so common, people might not know what it means that your voice is how it is."

[wanderingsin]

"Perhaps. And perhaps that is why Dr. Fell worries me so. Because he strikes me as the sort of man who would notice such things."

He rests his head against the cool glass of the window. "And part of me wants him to." He sighs. "I'm glad I have you, to trust and confide in. And I'm very grateful you've never pushed me to talk about my past."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Nor will I ever", he says simply. "You're not whatever happened to you."

[wanderingsin]

Sin rests a soft hand on Athelstan's sleeve. "And that means more to you than I can ever say."

"We all have stories we don't want anyone to know, but at the same time - desperately want to tell. I pour it into my music, just as I know you put it into your art. I feel like... Dr. Fell could open that closed door. And that both scare and thrills me."