two.

[thraxios]

The number of books available in the library is astounding. If not for the lack of comfortable bedding, I think I should be content to live there permanently.

I've started with books of philosophy; the selection is wide and many of the writers, unknown to me. They do present a curious problem, however, since most of them come from unfamiliar cultures.

A great number expect familiarity with a figure called Jesus Christ, which has stymied me for the moment. From what I've been able to gather, he was the central martyr or pacifist god of a mystery cult (perhaps both?). It seems a remarkably well-traveled one, which makes it all the more intriguing.

Reading with that assumption in mind is enough to make sense of the text. It's clear, however, that a deeper familiarity with the cult's theological tenets is required to fully appreciate the writers' arguments.

If anyone reading this is better acquainted with "Christianity," any recommendations for introductory readings would be appreciated. Its holy texts are rather long, and thus far, they offer little in the way of context.

[And if you're interested in bugging him, Gideon can be found in the library. He's sitting a table stacked high with books and sheets of paper, on which he's taking careful notes with pen and ink. Someday we've gotta introduce this boy to ballpoint pens. Among the open books are an atlas open to a map of the Mediterranean, several books of philosophy, a King James Bible, and his wax tablet (just in case).]

Comments

[thraxios]

[It is helpful, and it's help entirely unasked-for. Which means that it rubs Gideon the wrong way, regardless of Ashura's interest in what he's doing. He moves to write a response but thinks better of it, his hand stilling over the surface of the wax.

Civility, he reminds himself. The beauty of civility is just how cold it can be.]

I will keep that in mind.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Cold indeed, a coldness Ashura understands and can reciprocate. They would freeze each other, no doubt, with their civility. And in a sudden moment of pettiness, he feels as if he cannot let Gideon win this, freeze him out. ]}

The hymns are interesting too, when read objectively. I am sure you can find a book or two on them.

_{[ He had looked into them, found it... odd they would be a way of worship. ]}

[thraxios]

[Gideon pauses, staring hard at his tablet. He hadn't asked for advice and doesn't want it from this man. Ashura's comment comes off to him as condescending in the extreme, given the context of their relationship (such as it is); the idea that there would be any question in the first place of Gideon's ability to find a book in the library riles especially.]

Are you a follower of Christ? I had hoped for informed recommendations.

[The expression he gives Ashura is utterly deadpan. While he's underlined the word 'had,' he'd really rather put the emphasis on 'informed.' Whatever Ashura is, Gideon assumes that 'well-versed in Christianity' is not it.]

[wishmadeinfire]

No, I am not, but I did some research of my own into it during my first Christmas here, and it has cropped up in some of the novels I read.

_{[ He can read between lines, knows the other is being cold, sarcastic even. He could understand the coldness, but he bridled at the attempt at mockery. He did not like it, not that anyone would of course, and he found it unnecessary, crossing that line of civility that he thought had been set before them. ]}

If you do not wish to have advice, so be it. I only thought researchers were eager for leads when they came, and thought I should try and be helpful.

_{[ He set his shoulders ever so slightly, a shrug, but not quiet, dismissive, perhaps. ]}

[thraxios]

[One of the finest things about civility, Gideon has found from years within the Mirador, is that it can be used to couch insults to others while not technically giving offense. Among those one doesn't know well, it's quite possible to play catty games of give-and-take forever without destroying one's social standing. It's all rather tedious, but social standing is the currency of the Mirador, and it's a skill one must have.

(With those one does know, it's much faster just to have the words out and be done with them--in great part because Gideon's temper often speaks for him in those cases.)

But Ashura doesn't bother to play that game. His response seems petulant to Gideon, insistently transparent and childishly wheedling. But if that's the way Ashura would like to discuss things, Gideon will oblige him.]

Your largesse is noted. Tell me, why have you condescended to advise me? Surely Felix hasn't asked you to take me under your wing.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ And there it was. His eyes gazed for a long time at Felix's name, wondering on this very thing. He had given it much thought, actually, arguing with himself back and forth over what he would do should he meet Gideon outside of Felix's presence. Wondering what they had spoke of in the tower, without him. What Gideon thought of him. What he would do if...}

So many ifs. Gideon was made of so many ifs and it hurt his head and, at times when he was at his lowest after the dreams, he thought Gideon had more right to be with Felix than he himself did. Gideon knew his world, his ways, what Felix was and had done. Ashura realized he knew, in fact, so little...

But the underlined word caught his attention finally, and he was reminded of Mildmay. It seemed he was good at saying the wrong things to the people of Felix's world.

And he was to tired, now, to be coy and walk around and play with words. To tired and he hurt. ]

I am sure Felix would rather we not talk, actually. And I am rarely condescending, thank you - that you and Mildmay both chose to see it that way is none of my fault. As for why... I dare say I do not really know myself.

[thraxios]

[Gideon would be tempted to laugh if it didn't require making a sound before a man he's quickly coming to loathe. Keeping his mouth shut tight, he shakes his head at Ashura's words and begins writing even before the man is finished talking.]

You can't even state your lack of condescension without being superior about it.

[He pauses, looking wearily at what he's written so far on the tablet. Talking with Ashura has been an exercise in frustration more than anything. Just over a fortnight since his own death, his arrival not to the goddess he worshiped but an unknown, and the discovery that his lover has taken up with a different man--and now the rival in question is desperate to befriend him. He wants little at this juncture but to have the time and space to decide what to make of his situation, and yet he's arguing the relative condescension of a king.

Gideon cannot begin to guess why Ashura wants so badly to chat with him, given everything between them--and apparently, he isn't the only one.]

If you don't know why you're here, perhaps you should return when you do.