Yes, I've returned. I've also determined that I'm, as speculated, royalty in the court of Procrastination. In any case, enjoy - the next part won't take nearly as long to post - of this you can be certain.

Maîtriser - to Control

Madame Julie's was on the outskirts of London, almost near the countryside. The building had been a polished and cozy 2-story chateau, but as Asher caught a glimpse of it in the distance all that was left was the seemingly forlorn, abandoned ghost of its former glory. Windows were boarded shut, and he wondered if indeed he was going to the right home, if "home" could be the word for it. Previous cobblestone walkways gave way to a muddy road beneath his boots, and he glanced at the darkening sky above. He froze as an ominous voice murmured behind him, "Where do you think -you- are going?"

Leaping away from the voice to get a safe look, he spun to catch Icarus with a small grin. A grin which spilled into a larger one as Asher, landing on a small mud-covered rock, slipped into a large puddle with all the grace of a drunken ballerina. The water made a helpful 'splish,' and Asher felt the heat as it crept across his face, making a small giggle escape Icarus's lips. "Good evening, Asher! You seem a tad jumpy today!"

He felt a mutual smile tugging at his lips, "At least I don't giggle like a woman."

A frown replaced the smile as though it had never been, "Are you mocking me?"

"Perhaps, but why are you here? i thought you were going to be.. home.. today." He looked up to see Icarus staring at him, eyes unreadable and dark, "Icarus? What is it?"

He blinked, shaking his head quickly, "N-no, it's nothing." Face a mask, he walked forward, extending a pale hand to him, "Here, you wished to see where I.. live, right?"

Asher nodded, taking the offered hand as he stood, "Yes, thank you.." He felt his heartbeat quicken as he looked at their clasped hands, his warm skin feeling as though it was holding soft marble - smooth and cold. They stood, silent, as the air became thick with... with what? Asher couldn't place the feeling, but Icarus released his hand quickly, almost jerking his arm back to his chest.

"Sorry, we should go, shall we?" Icarus smiled, thought it hadn't kept a tinge of nervousness from his words.

"O-of course, lead the way," he returned the look though his mind was reeling as to why it felt his heart had shot to his throat, fluttering like a hummingbird. He shook his head, ignoring it as he followed Icarus, hoping his mud-stained clothing would go somewhat unnoticed.

By the time they reached the old door, smaller details of the building had become more clear - the many small, white flowers that surrounded the house, the faint scent of lavender that seemed to cling to the area, and the soft glow of lamps that whispered through the openings of the boarded windows. Icarus turned, eyes staring into Asher's, "Are you certain you wish to enter this place..?"

"Is there some reason i should leave?" Asher tried to keep his eyes from traveling upward, where odd, muffled noises could be heard from some of the upper rooms.

"...Fine then, but you can only blame yourself for this," He opened the door then, and the two quietly entered into a dim parlor room.

The intricate, Baroque-style furniture was faded, and the lavender scent was almost overpowering. This rugs covered a bruised wooden floor, and candles cast a faint glow throughout. A narrow stairway led into darkness in a far corner, down which a young woman was rushing to greet them.

Hair fell to her shoulders in soft, mahogany waves, and her skin was as overripe peach in color. She wore a long, green silk robe that was tightly closed, leaving little to the imagination as she neared and recognized Icarus. Her pace slowed to a casual walk, a smile gracing her features and making her dark blue eye shimmer. Black lace covered her left eye like a bandage, wrapped in a long strip around her head to disappear beneath her hair. Close up, her features seemed less youthful, though the candle light hid most signs of her age, "Icarus, it is good to have you back," words left her full lips like warm cream with just a faint brush of a French accent, "But who is your friend?"

"Merely a friend, Miss Rose. Madame Julie isn't here,is she?" Icarus sounded as though her not being there would be a truly wonderful thing.

"Why do you not simply call us Auntie Rosie and Auntie Julie, like you used to?"

"Miss Rose, is she here or not?" At the sad stare he received, a sigh escaped as he averted his eyes, "..Auntie.. Rosie.. Is she here?"

She smiled, small wrinkles appearing near her eye, "Yes, though she is currently with a-"

"DARLIIIING! Oh, Icarus, you're home!" A voice like gilded venom chimed from the top of the stairs as another woman glided down them in a crimson dress, her breasts threatening to spill from her corset underneath. Her long, dark blonde hair brushed her waist in tussled strands, and her angular face beamed at the three, grey eyes flashing dangerously, "And where were you this day?" The expression of cheeriness was strained, "You were missed."

"Julie, please calm yourself," Rose murmured.

She frowned, staring at Icarus, "Well? Where were you?"

Icarus was stoic, eyes curtained by silvery wisps of hair, "I was.."

"He was with me," Asher intervened. Julie and Icarus both looked at him, surprise of varying degrees evident.

Julie seemed suddenly pleased, "Is that so? You do realize that he must be paid for by patrons beforehand, yes.?"

Ashe managed to hold a fiery blush from his face, "N-no, I'm afraid I did not."

A small smirk played across her lips, "He's 50 shillings for the day, are you buying?"

Icarus stepped forward, words about to interrupt, but Asher's hand touched his shoulder, stopping him, "Very well, I shall pay your price." He reached behind him to retrieve a small black pouch that had been tied to his belt. Retrieving 50 shillings, he reminded himself to thank Asmodeus profusely when he returned as he handed them to Madame Julie, whose expression was a delicate mixture of surprise and greed.

Her long fingers took, almost snatched the coins from him, a genial, impersonal smile firmly in place, "You may have the last room on the left, if you so.. desire," the last word was said with such an undertone that heat spread across Asher's face like a bright flame.

Rose chuckled, a low, amused sound, "Have fun, you two."

Icarus glared at them both, contemptuous defiance attempting to cover his own tinted cheeks, "Will the two of you -please- stay out of this! It's not like that at all!" Saying this, he hastily grabbed Asher's wrist before hurriedly leading him up the stairs, the sounds of laughter following them until they reached the room Julie had spoken of. The door opened with a small creak, and Asher was pushed inside as Icarus closed the door behind them. "You will have to excuse them, they can be a great source of vexation at time."

"Oh, it's no trouble. They're quite interesting, as it were," Asher stared at their new surroundings as he said this. A single candle softly illuminated the small space that simply consisted of a small table and what appeared to be a well-used bed. The dark wooden headboard had multiple slashes, dents, and other signs of rough usage that contrasted with the this lilac covers.

"As interesting as serpents can be, should you get to know them better," Icarus began removing his well-worn boots, "Which, by the way, is something I would advise against." Boots off, he glided with a natural sensuality to the bed, a small smile playing at his lips, "But enough about them, what do you want to do now, now that we're alone?"

The way he'd said it made Asher stiffen from where he stood by the only boarded window. Icarus languidly sprawled across the bed, keeping their eye contact as Asher's mind was suddenly plagued by thoughts - unfamiliar, carnal, a need so swift and urgent that he snapped his head away, mentally recoiling from their lustful clarity, "I..I-"

Icarus's laughter made him look back, startled as the perceived mood evaporated, smoke. "You thought I was making an offer, didn't you?"

Busted. "What was I supposed to think, with you lying..," he glanced at the way he was on his stomach, the fabric of his shirt draping like a flower petal along the curve of his back, "lying like that?" He didn't receive an answer at first, and only when Icarus stood to get off the bed did he realize that he'd been staring. Embarrassment and conflicting emotions knotted themselves as they coiled around his throat, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to.." To what? Want to ravage somebody he'd only just met? In a brothel, no less?

Icarus remained silent as he slowly walked toward him without a sound, until Asher was inches between the wall and him. His ice blue eyes were slightly narrowed, lips parted as his hand reached up to rest like a feather on Asher's chest. For a moment, there was only the sound of their breathing before he murmured, "You didn't mean to stare like you were just doing? Is that it?" The words were cerulean watercolors, smooth, bold.. fragile.

Never had Asher been so acutely aware of the racing of his pulse as his mind raced to find rational thought through a growing haze of emotion, "Yes," he breathed, less than a whisper. He had to do something, to leave, or.. or..

Icarus brought his other hand to lightly trace Asher's jawline, down his neck, "And yet you continue to stare.. Is this what you want?" His hand cupped his cheek, making him stare into his eyes, cold yet alight with a darkness he couldn't decipher.

Whatever reply Asher had been planning was abruptly wiped away as Icarus rose on his tip-toes, fervently pressing their lips together with enough force to press them both against the wall..