Among the trees

[onceaviking]

Eric seems to have a very specific tree in mind, steering Athelstan down paths invisible to the human eye.

The tree turns out to be an oak, widespread and solid.

Comments

[onceaviking]

"A very nice hand painted fan with a reclined nude in a boudoir scene," Eric says, clearly pleased with himself.

"I did want an all female orgy, but for some reason the dead, Frenchman had objections to that."

Dead Frenchmen.
Really.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps you could find someone else who might paint an all female orgy." He smiles. "I hope Pam will like it anyway."

[onceaviking]

"She will," Eric says, confidently.
"Though I am sure she would have liked the orgy better."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You could organise a real one for her instead."

...how much difference five years in the pagan North makes.

[onceaviking]

"That is not a bad idea," Eric says, slowly.

He notices the change.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Dancers from your club, perhaps."

[onceaviking]

"I was thinking of finding some attractive young ladies in Reykjavik, actually."

Smiling at the thought.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"They would be new faces."

[onceaviking]

"She wouldn't be terribly interested in their faces," Eric says with a small and almost proud smile.

[athelstanthescribe]

"No, that's true. New all over, then, I imagine you must get bored."

[onceaviking]

Eric shrugs.
"Most of you don't keep long enough for that to happen," he says. Offhandedly.

Sort of.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan starts to say something, stops, then changes it to, "Still. Everyone likes something new once in a while."

[onceaviking]

"I am not disagreeing with you there," Eric says, as they reach the steps of the porch.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And there must be women in Iceland, as anywhere, who would be willing."

For money or just for the thrill.

[onceaviking]

"Where I am, there are always women," Eric says, with no hint of modesty.

[athelstanthescribe]

He chuckles. "But I thought this was to be an all-female occasion, for Pam?"

[onceaviking]

"I have to make sure that they're worthwhile," Eric says, not in the least deterred by this.

[athelstanthescribe]

"So you would be in charge of recruitment and - testing - before bringing them to her?"

[onceaviking]

"I think so, yes. Unless they're strictly into women in which case they'll go straight to her."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods. "And hope for the best."

[onceaviking]

Eric leans against the railing.
"They will have the time of their lives, I'm sure," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan watches him.

"I suppose willing goes a long way."

[onceaviking]

"It does," Eric says.

They both know that willingness isn't necessarily a prerequisite. Not when he's at home.

[athelstanthescribe]

But it might make it better to have, where he can.

"I'm sure she'll like Reykjavik."

[onceaviking]

"I'll make sure she has a good time," Eric says. Confidently.