|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 7, 2009 14:14:37 GMT -5
George caught it, for all that Nicolas was a fast throw; he turned his back on Nicolas to put it back in the drawer, the gleam of gold against the velvety darkness overlaid with the memory of a comb disappearing as it drew through a woman's black hair, but ruined any musing by closing the drawer carelessly, with his hip.
"Snarled as any peasant's. Well- " A shrug, and a quick flash of George's dark eyes; to Nicolas, and away again. "Leave it if you want."
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 7, 2009 18:59:54 GMT -5
"If you want it, do it yourself," said Nicki with cool youthful reckless pride, although peeking from beneath it was the steadily-growing-stronger worry that George was cunningly conveying contempt, or lack of interest, anyway - and flickering in his eyes was the slightest peak of intrigue as George twisted his hips.
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 7, 2009 19:30:11 GMT -5
A raised eyebrow, a moment of hesitation, then George slid the drawer open once more. He came towards Nicolas with comb in hand and pushed the violin's leg out of the way so he could sit down. "Turn."
Nicolas' hair was not Anne's, but the situation was similar enough that George had to hesitate once more before he drew the comb through the other man's hair. Slow, steady, without pulling on the tangles- Anne had requested him for his touch. But Nicolas' hair was astonishing, it was amazing how easily the matted strands came apart and curled sweetly at the lightest brush.
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 7, 2009 20:15:27 GMT -5
Nicolas drew in breath sharply, almost sweetly and became very, very still. The way his hair slid off his throat - the warmth of George's leg against his - George's breathing and his heartbeat... and Nicolas was almost frightened, and it showed. The sensation, however, was wonderful - a lovely tingling that spread down the back of his neck. He tilted his head almost cautiously. But his hands suddenly didn't know what to do with themselves, and tightened slightly.
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 7, 2009 20:52:45 GMT -5
Nicolas was too still. Perhaps someone else, concentrating on the strange, heavy silk of his hair, would not have noticed, but if George could not divide his attention multiple ways he would not be a courtier. The comb didn't so much as pause as he leaned forward as though to check, and caught sight of Nicolas' hands tightening in his lap at the same time as he tilted his head into George's touch. Unconsciously reassured by this sign of life in some instinctual way he would not have been able to name, it made the Boleyn smile with dark satisfaction.
"Any lady would kill for hair such as yours, my friend," he murmured, flicking the dust and dirt- which fell easily from Nicolas' hair, like it'd only been waiting for the comb- off the couch and his own lap.
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 8, 2009 7:18:44 GMT -5
"Oh, would she?" murmured Nicki, the faintest touch of crazy laughter on his lips. The irony was too grim to be funny, too funny coming from George to be anything else. "Do you take back what you said, then, hmm?"
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 8, 2009 7:28:29 GMT -5
"Why would I do that? If not for me, you'd be wandering the city fending off pigeons from your hair."
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 8, 2009 7:29:55 GMT -5
"I have never had pigeons in my hair," said Nicki in almost a drawl, insouciance negated by his tension, his closed eyes. "Don't tell me you've found feathers because you'll be lying."
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 8, 2009 7:57:31 GMT -5
There was a pause behind him- a real pause, as the comb stopped moving, leaving only the phantom tingling of its passing- as George calmly plucked feathers out of the couch pillow and then dangled one over Nicolas' shoulder.
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 8, 2009 11:01:17 GMT -5
The way Nicki's head jerked in a startled fashion, the surprise and guilt and possible mortification in his eyes when they met George's, the faint "unh!" sound of shock buried in his throat, made it very plain that he was, well, duped.
And somehow horrified at the thought that birds were landing in his hair and he wasn't noticing it. What would Armand say?
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 8, 2009 11:09:03 GMT -5
George put the feather down and leaned forward to whisper in Nicolas' ear. "Keep your hair combed, why don't you," he said gravely. "Lest this happen again."
He was, of course, amused beyond belief; in a minute or two he would laugh at Nicolas. But right now George had the straightest face imaginable. No proper Boleyn would let his amusement sparkle in his eyes unless he wanted it to.
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 8, 2009 11:13:17 GMT -5
It was George's seriousness that gave it away. Nicolas fancied that anyone who had actually found a pigeon feather in his hair would laugh at him; he knew he would laugh at them.
He jerked back, clearly greatly unnerved by this teasing for whatever reason, as well as affected by the feeling of George's breath on his throat, and managed to scoff. "Indeed, for if I don't comb it you will be playing foolish English tricks on me, now, won't you, as you comb it yourself."
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 8, 2009 11:15:32 GMT -5
"Exactly right." Now he smiled, and tapped Nicolas on the shoulder with the comb, meaning that he was done.
|
|
|
Post by Nicolas de Lenfent on Sept 8, 2009 11:17:32 GMT -5
He stood so quickly that he seemed to be standing in the next second, spinning around to face him with an almost anxious expression. "And I look...?"
|
|
|
Post by George Boleyn on Sept 8, 2009 11:25:56 GMT -5
George's smile only got wider, until it turned into a grin. Partly this was still that Nicolas had been so easily fooled, and part of it was seeing him now as he twirled like some great anxious puppy to seek George's opinion. "It looks better," he remarked casually, and rose to put the comb away.
It did look better. Combed, it was a great lively wealth of curls around Nicolas' face; George had never seen such beautiful hair, on no lady and on no man. It was quite astonishing, and astonishing still was the difference it made. Nicolas looked more attractive than ever. George was trying not to dwell on this.
|
|