ITL 24

[blondiechic0]

            After his talk with Bade, Orinakin was much more productive, and he completed a good deal of his correspondence before a familiar knock came at his office door.

            “Come in,” he called, marking a final envelope with his seal.

            “I was going to wait to speak with you at dinner,” Selorin said, entering the room, “but if you aren’t required to entertain our guests, no doubt you’ll want to hide away with Bade somewhere, so I decided that catching you beforehand would be best.”

            “You decided correctly,” Orinakin said, sitting back.

            “I know the basics,” Selorin said, settling into a chair across the desk, adjusting his robes.  “You’re in love with him, he’s in love with you, you’ve had lovesex, and now you’re floating.  Correct?”

            “Correct,” Orinakin said with a smile.

            A smile played at the corners of Selorin’s mouth, tugging them upward.  “I like seeing you blissfully happy.”

            “He does make me happy,” Orinakin admitted.  He suspected that his expression was sappy, even goofy, but he couldn’t help it.  “He’s so special.  He’s passionate, but he doesn’t even realize it.  He-”

            “Passionate,” Selorin repeated.  “Let’s linger on that point for a while, shall we?”

            Orinakin could read the interest in Selorin’s eyes.  “He’d be embarrassed if I told you too much.”

            “He’ll have to get used to the fact that you tell me everything,” Selorin said.  “Better break him in early.  We’ll start simply.”  Selorin grinned.  “Does all of that fur tickle your nose?”

[Mountie]

I Loved that piece of conversation between Selorin and Orinakin 

I thought this was important too:

“You are a gift to the world.”  T’rin tipped him back, easing him down until his spine melted across the mattress.  “A blessing of life and love and generosity.”  T’rin was over him, kneeling, one hand resting on his stomach, fingers spread, and he couldn’t breathe when T’rin was looking at him like he wasn’t a part of this world.  “You remind me that the gods haven’t given up on us.  You remind me that men can be good and giving to each other.  You remind me of the hope and purpose that I must keep alive.”

            “People are good,” Rini said, bringing his hand up to cup the side of T’rin’s face, needing the physical contact, wanting to erase T’rin’s pain.  “Your people are good, and that’s why you fight so hard for them.  Those other clans and tribes, they’re made up of people, too.  They’re collections of families and friends, too.  The gods will never give up on you, T’rin, they’ll never give up on any of us.  They love us more than we love ourselves, more than we love each other.  They’re proud of all that you’ve achieved in your life, and they believe in you.  They know the great things that you’re capable of, every single one, and they want only the best for you.”  He was crying, he could feel the hot tears slipping from his eyes, why was he crying?

            “Kuladin,” T’rin whispered, and when Rini’s eyes closed, he felt the soft brush of lips against his cheek, then an inch to the side, then by his temple, as T’rin kissed away each one of his tears.  He made a small, hurt, whimpering noise when T’rin’s kisses feathered across his mouth, and then he felt precise, gentle fingers wrapping around his wrist, kisses across his fingers, as T’rin pried his grip open.

            “No,” he whispered, opening his eyes, refusing to relinquish his gift.

            “You should not have this thing,” T’rin said, darkness gathering behind his expression.

            “Neither should you,” Rini whispered, feeling sick with it.  A weapon.  Used against another human being.  Bloodshed for survival.

            Looking as if he’d been slapped - - which on T’rin meant one sharp, fierce blink - - T’rin held Rini’s gaze for a long moment.  Then, “Someday,” he said, “I won’t.”

            His heart throbbed at the determination in T’rin, at the intense commitment to a better future.  It took great strength to maintain that surety of purpose, especially in the face of war.  “You have given this to me,” Rini said, “and I mean to keep it.”  He took an even breath.  “I will give it back to you when you no longer need it.”

            Slowly, the darkness seeped away from T’rin’s gaze, and something like a smile quirked his lips.  “You inspire me.”  Now his gaze was assessing.  “I will keep the thought of you with me.”

[Mountie]

I also believe that this conversation between Talin and Remin was very influential and shows us lots about Talin and Anosanim and their future as Royal Artist and Royal Architect.

There’s great beauty in Anosanim’s art, and you’re correct to be as proud of him as you are.  But you must stop being threatened.  You know that he’s not threatened by you.  He seeks your approval too much, but that’s another matter entirely.”  Tucking his hair back, Remin brought himself back on-topic.  “Each generation contributes something different.  We each have our own way of doing things, within the boundaries of tradition.  Selorin’s rulings don’t strictly follow Dimi’s.  Orinakin’s strategies aren’t an exact replica of Riturihi’s.  Desin’s already made decisions that Rituriri never would have risked.  You, too, have your own path.  There’s great power in your work, Talin, and that power is realism.  Many artists interpret reality for us, and show us what they see.  You show us reality in its starkest forms, and force us to confront it and interpret it for ourselves.  There’s genius in that.  There’s raw power in it.”

            “Art should be an escape,” Talin argued.  “An inspiration.”

            “Sometimes it is an escape,” Remin said.  “Sometimes it’s more important for us to see what we’re trying so hard to escape from.  Reality is an inspiration.  It inspires us to learn, to change, to grow.  The realism in your art turns your paintings into captured moments, memories to be kept and cherished for all time.  There’s a great place for Anosanim’s kind of art in this world, and there’s a place for yours, right beside it.  I can’t wait to see how your two styles work together and how they’ll change the face of our nation.  We’re all eager for it.”

[Mountie]

This is a lovely finish to the conversation Selorin and Orinakin were having that blondiechic quoted first

“I don’t see you often enough as it is,” Orinakin said.

            “I see you every time that I look into a mirror,” Selorin said, embracing him.  “Enjoy your work, Orinakin, and enjoy your lover.  You and I will always have each other.  We’ll always find time together.  Now,” he gave Orinakin a push toward the door, “go and be with him.  His lips await your kiss.”

I especially loved the bolded part.

[SilverMoon28]

Awe, yes, that's a great line 

I love Bade and Orinkin's love.  It would feel innocent if they didn't have wild monkey sex every three hours *cackle*

Vani

[Mountie]

I am currently re-reading this chapter and I am absorbed in how much is happening here.  So many important events take place, in this and the previous Chapter.  Here we have T'rin gifting Rini with the blade that has shed no blood and never will, where we first see how much Rini inspires him to create a future for himself and his people where young men and women like Rini can grow up and flourish. 

And I am always amazed at the potential of the welding of Anosanim and Talins work together.  When this whole rub between Anosanim being a better artist and Talin being a amazing architect I am eager to see them collaborate on a structure, where there will be a true blending of their talents.  Remin is completely right when he says "I can’t wait to see how your two styles work together and how they’ll change the face of our nation.  We’re all eager for it.”  I too am eager for it and can't wait for them to work through this predicament and begin to create both beautiful art and structures together.

Of course I love anything that is mentioned about Bade & Orinakin and Selorins discussions with Orinakin on the matter.

[anaskee]

Here we have T'rin gifting Rini with the blade that has shed no blood and never will, where we first see how much Rini inspires him to create a future for himself and his people where young men and women like Rini can grow up and flourish. 

No matter how many times I read this part, it always makes me tear up.