A Moment's Pause (Closed)

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan looked down at the young man sleeping beside him. Flawless skin unmarred by battle. Athletic build of one young and active. His face was relaxed in sleep, the clean lines of his jaw and cheekbones softened slightly as one in repose. He was handsome, and would become more so as he grew older. The world was still ahead of him and his youth, as yet, unmarred by tragedy. How long would it stay that way? Is ignorance truly bliss? Which was worse? Not knowing the storm was coming, or knowing full well and be unable to stop it.

"You can come out. I know you are there. Did you enjoy yourself?"

Mushroom scampered from the shadows. "You are truly a master, Master Mason. Rarely have I witnessed such expertise. You put others pleasure before your own, even when not employed to do so. I think you may have ruined the lad for others."

"You're very kind."

"You are as well, which surprises me. Tell me. Do your clients know just how dangerous you are?"

"He and others like him have nothing to fear from me." Nathan gazed down at the young man. "He truly is beautiful. I'd no more harm him then I'd destroy a stained glass window. I love beauty in all things, Mushroom, but yes, especially in men.

There is beauty in this man's youthful perfection and sweet disposition, but there is beauty as well in the grizzled warrior hewn hard from years of battle. There is beauty in the peasant farmer that works day after day in the unrelenting sun to provide for his family. There is beauty in the thief that skitters from dark place to dark place looking for his next mark and constantly wary. There is beauty in the earnest squire and the noble Knight in which he serves. There is beauty in a dwarf, even if others are too arrogant to see it."

Mushroom smiled behind his mask. "You truly care about the men you share your bed with?"

"Most, not all, but I have reached a point where I can pick and choose. The money does not even matter anymore." Carefully and gently, Nathan affixed the sleeping young man's mask back in place from where it had fallen.

"Do you not grow tired of being the Bartheld whore?"

"Do you not grow tired of being the fool?" Nathan chuckled. "We are who we are. Of course, there is a difference between us. While I may be a whore, you are certainly not a fool. Which one of us is pretending?

I do not wear a mask because I do not need one. Most of the others here wear masks every day of their lives, even you. Perhaps, especially you. The ones they wear tonight are simply a welcome change from the routine. In fact, the masks they wear tonight allow them to indulge in who they really are, however briefly. Is it not interesting that such a deception allows people to be more honest?"

"We are the same in one way." said Mushroom. "Most people do not take either of us seriously."

Nathan laughed softly. "Would either of us accomplish even a quarter of our goals if they did?"


Intrigue

Eloquent
ID: 9
DR 4
Composure: 12
Frustraition: 0

Yield Offer: +1 Disposition raise for +1 Disposition raise.