Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Elandra on 15-08-2007, 20:47:22</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>15-08-2007, 20:47:22</strong>
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				Published for the second time in his short career, Dr. Derek Colin Parker, stood in front of his dead wife’s parent’s home, his six year old daughter in his arms, her blonde curls framing her oval face as she beamed a smile up at him. She wore her favorite pink dress, one with frills along the hem and sleeves and the locket his wife had given her for her fifth birthday, her piercing green eyes staring at him with such innocence, her bravery bringing warmth to his heart. <br><br>Kissing her little cold nose, it a small white button on her otherwise tanned face, one that reminded him of his wife, Catherine, he whispered before knocking on the door,&nbsp; ”Promise me you will be a good girl, Beth, and do as you are told.” &nbsp;Giggling, she replied, ”Don’t be silly, daddy, I am always good.” Deciding it was the best he was going to get from the rambunctious girl; he nuzzled her nose and then knocked on the door, his mother-in-law opening it almost immediately, afterwards as if she were standing there waiting for him.<br><br>Her smile was genuine and infectious, ”Afternoon Derek and Elizabeth,” &nbsp;she said, her voice soft and melodious, and before he could get a word in edgewise, his girl dropped from his arms and ran the short distance to her, ”Hi grandma, did you bake me cookies like you promised?” Chuckling, the father, stepped forward and hugged her, ”good afternoon mom and thank you for taking her for the next two weeks.” Returning the hug, she whispered, ”It is no trouble at all, you deserve some time to yourself, son.” To Beth, ”They are in the kitchen, but you better hurry before grandpa eats them all,” barely jumping out of the way as the kid tore through the house and towards the kitchen, squealing at the top of her lungs.<br><br>Grabbing her two bags, one full of toys and the other full of clothing he brought them to the room his in-laws always kept for Beth, it had used to be Catherine’s, a place he had visited on many occasions when they were dating as high school sweethearts. Swallowing deeply, burying those memories for now, he placed the bags just inside and handed his mother-in-law, Amanda, his itinerary. ”I should return early on the 30th and will be by to pick her up, please call and leave a message at the hotel if there is an emergency.” &nbsp;She nodded; they had taken their granddaughter several times before, he making a point of keeping them in her life. <br><br>At the front door, he called out, ”Are you going to say goodbye to your dad?” &nbsp;Again running, Beth, chocolate smeared on her lips clings to his leg, ”Bye daddy!” Leaning down and picking her up, he kisses her, ”I love you, sweet heart.” She giggled and painted his nose with a chocolate chip covered finger, ”Love you too.” &nbsp;He put her down and she returned to the kitchen to continue eating her way towards a sugar rush. <br><br><br>~~~~<br><br><br>That had been a few days ago, before the long plane trip across the ocean followed by a train ride from Paris to Avignon, he had spent the following day resting attempting to adjust to the new time zone. This trip was all about pampering himself, a time to reflect on the new school year, a time to remember his wife, a time to recover from her devastating loss. He had reserved the “Luxury Bedroom” at <em>Hotel Auberge de Cassagne</em> just east of Avignon in Le Pontet. With a private terrace overlooking the magnificent gardens, he could not believe his fortune, ordering breakfast in as he listened to the songbirds and bees buzzing around the blooming floors as he enjoyed his poached eggs, freshly squeezed orange just and delicate pastry, espresso steaming in a dainty cup nearby. His breakfast finished at a lazy pace, he stood, his hotel-supplied bathrobe falling just above his knees and entered his rooms.<br><br>Inside, he stripped and showered, relaxing under the spray of the jets as they massaged his airplane weary muscles until he was ready to face a day of walking along the city streets of Avignon, visiting the many museums and cafes, taking in the sights. Drying, he shaved his stubble, using an old fashioned straight edge razor, shaving cream and brush, preferring it to an electric one. Slow strokes he made, each removing the unwanted whiskers and when he was done, he splashed warm water upon his face and patted it dry.<br><br>Donning a pair of black boxers, a Juicy Couture white military Oxford shirt and beige linen cargo pants, and a pair of Sanuk Vagabond sidewalk surfers with no socks, he quickly brushed his sandy brown hair with his hands, running some gel into so that it would remain messy but neatly so in the slight breeze of the morning. Leaving, he grabbed a pair of sunglasses and wallet and strolled towards the hotel lobby. If he knew he was sexy, he did not show, nor did he acknowledge the looks he received from several of the vacationers in the hotel, all of them women, all of them admiring his well-toned body.<br><br>Taking the free shuttle to town, he spent the morning walking in and out of small shops and some of the smaller museums. Towards noon, he found himself strolling along the banks of the Rhone, the ruins of the Pont Saint-Benezet towering over it, in search of a café to enjoy a light luncheon when he spied what he thought was an old acquaintance from when he TA’d “modern French art history” five years prior. Racking his memory, the name Callum snuck its way in and stuck, approaching the man, a sketchpad balancing upon his knee; his focus on the bridge, Derek stood and admired each stroke of the pencil, watched as his hands worked deftly, the ruined bridge slowly appearing on the blank page. Tentatively he called out his name, ”Callum?”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>16-08-2007, 03:13:49</strong>
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				Oxford had been difficult, an arduous task that was endured and tolerated by both Callum, and his father, Graeme, a barrister and a professor of law at the world renown university. Neither men cared to know one another, their relationship failing when Graeme separated from his wife of twenty years, an American girl by the name of Melinda.&nbsp; Callum, at the tender age of sixteen years, deliberately chose to live with his mother in the States, Salem, Massachusetts to be precise, and his sister, now a solicitor, chose to reside with Graeme: the sister's personality reflected that of their father, and the carefree spirit of Melinda flourished and lived within Callum. After eleven years of formal visits, out of family duty, Callum, on leaving his father's home, had extended his hand one last time and said his final farewell to Graeme, yet he knew that Graeme had been too self absorbed to not realize it at the time being. With the death of Melinda almost six years prior, there was nothing between them, nothing worth salvaging. It left Callum feeling hallow inside, another chapter of his life ending, changing forever, and he reflected deeply on this, churned it in his mind until the airplane landed Paris, and for days it haunted him. With a heavy backpack slung over his shoulder, and a map within his hand, he lost himself in the richness of France, forced himself to, and he weaved a wayward path throughout the country. Two weeks later, Callum found himself in Avignon.<br><br>The sketches of France, the paintings of the land, the buildings, the people, were neatly disbursed in several artists books with thick paper that easily absorbed watercolors, and easily absorbed hours of Callum's life. His fingers were calloused from years of pencil sketching, stained with inks, and a yellowing, a blemish from the nicotine between his index and middle finger was apparent from the&nbsp; cigarettes that he smoked. He did his best to quit, but always failed, was always drawn back to the comfort, and his travels in France did not help, in fact, it worsened. A cigarette lazily clung to his lower lip, as his eyes looked to the ruined bridge while his right hand deftly, accurately drew the image upon the paper; the sketch pad rested on his knee, and close by was an almond pastry untouched, something that was supposed to be lunch. <br><br>Drifting between his world, and that of the past, idly dreaming of what life might have been like centuries ago in Avignon, Callum was struck stupid when a voice called to him; a dazed expression washed upon his young face. Familiar it sounded, the voice, and Callum placed the pencil down and then adjusted the Versace sunglasses that had slid down his nose. He peered around, and at first he noticed no one in particular, but then too he thought he saw his third year professor, Dr. Parker. The man, Callum greatly respected, and loved his lectures and tutorials, but with his mother's failing health, he had dropped out of Dartmouth and never returned to school to complete his BA. A smile crooked across his lips, and Callum rose to his feet. His jeans slinked down his body to vaguely rest on his hips, and his white shirt was wrinkled, untucked, and glided across his torso with ease as he moved closer to the professor, choosing to abandon his drawing for the time being.<br><br>Tossing his cigarette onto the stones, crushing it with his runner, Callum nodded to Dr. Parker. &nbsp;“Hey, Dr. Parker!” The words that tumbled from his mouth were hoarse from the cigarette, and the lack of liquid intake, but the coarseness was soft much like it was years ago. He extended his hand in disbelief at their meeting. &nbsp;“It's good to see you again, Sir. It's been awhile, hasn't it?” He knew not what else to do, and restrained himself from plaguing the man with questions. He wondered if the professor was on sabbatical, and if so, what he might be working on; Callum had the professor's first publication sitting on his bookshelf at home, and it was well read, a favourite.<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>16-08-2007, 19:43:48</strong>
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				The professor took it all in, the man that stood before him look much like the student he had taught several years prior, not much had changed, except for the third earring he could have been the same student who slouched in the back of class, hearing every word that was spoken and yet feigning disinterest. Potential, Derek had seen it in the young man, anything he put his mind to, he had done well, but therein lay the problem, Callum rarely focused on anything choosing to live where life took him, wasting his potential except for in one discipline, art. Here he excelled, the sketch of the bridge, the penciling able to catch the shadows the sun cast upon the bridge, the shimmer in the water, the imperfection that was the bridges reflection, truly he was talented.<br><br>His focus returned to the man, he had stayed fit despite his carefree attitude, laughing, his laughter being carried across the slight breeze, the first time he had done so without a thought since, since he had lost her. ”Derek or Cole, only my students call me Dr. Parker.” &nbsp;he replied, closing the gap between them and giving the man a hearty handshake, uncaring if his hands were stained with the ink that dotted Callum’s hands. <br><br>With a practiced motion, Derek slid the shades from the top of his head and slipped an end into his collared shirt so that they hung down and flat against his chest. He took a moment to study the man before him, his purple eyes roaming up and down his body, noting the stressed jeans, the smudged white t-shirt, and the life that still clung to him, Callum always had an energy about him, living for the moment. Derek had always admired him for it, his own life centering around the past, his research, his personal life, all of it focused on the past.<br><br>Noting the hoarseness of the artist’s voice, the cigarettes and most likely not had a sip of water since he started his work, everything lost to Callum when he worked, Derek had seen this when he had caught the man doodling in class, the scrap of paper he still kept in his office at Dartmouth. The artist had taken the <em>Self-Portrait in a Striped T-shirt</em> by Henri Matisse and superimposed Derek, the blending of the two was superb. ”I am doing well, if not a little starving, how about yourself?” &nbsp;It had been a long time and Derek wondered how the man had held up after his mother had passed. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>17-08-2007, 05:25:18</strong>
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				A whimsical smile, one that was generous and serene, one the showed a sliver of perfect white teeth, danced across Callum's lips as he clasped the professor's hand between his own. The grip was self assured, strong yet friendly, and one in which was reserved for Callum's best mates, and although he only knew Dr. Parker as a professor, the man had been a mentor,&nbsp; and gave support when Callum was facing the nightmare of his mother's terminal illness, and eventual death. Never would Callum forget that kindness, nor did he know how to repay the man, but over the years an idea needled at his mind: he wrote a fantastical fairy tale, the script all in elegant calligraphy in inks of black, red, green and gold, and was currently the process of sketching scenes for the tale, and all to bind into a homemade book which he was going to give to Elizabeth Parker, the professor's daughter, when it was complete. It had been five years in the making, and eventually it would be couriered to the girl who had only been a babe years ago.<br><br>&nbsp;“Derek then,” Callum said, and did so in a whisper, the name strangely foreign to him, and as he released the man's hand, his own fingers trailing lightly over it. Although Callum found Dr. Parker to be attractive years ago, Callum's sexual nature in his school days being curious, and still remained that way, he swore that Derek aged well, and had grown more handsome with time. &nbsp;“I'm doing well, thank you.” There was another winsome smile, and a slight laugh as Callum ran his hand through his mop of chestnut curls while glancing at his backpack and uneaten pastry. &nbsp;“Although from the looks of things, that may be questionable to many. I'm backpacking across France this summer, and eating far too many pastries that'll make me pudgy.” He had a weight problem as a child, being overly plump, almost obese, and the mockery he endured from other children was practically unbearable; he did crunches every morning, two hundred, which firmed his torso, and then there was the push ups. He shrugged the thoughts from his mind. It was then that he realized Professor Parker's wife was absent, as was his daughter, and perhaps they were shopping or elsewhere in town, but for now, Derek looked abandoned by them and Callum seized the opportunity. <br><br>&nbsp;“If your not busy, and since you are starving, we could grab a bite to eat, and catch up on times,” Callum suggested, and then regretted it, thinking it daft, thinking that Derek had better things to do with his time, especially on holiday, than to chat with a former pupil whom dropped out of school. Absentmindedly, he lightly sighed, and fumbled with his Seahorse Zippo lighter, a nervous habit he acquired when his parents were separating, and one that never left him. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>17-08-2007, 21:55:27</strong>
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				There was not an ounce of fat on the man from what Derek could tell; he knew Callum religiously exercised had encouraged him to do so, even rode with him on a couple long bike rides just after the young man’s mother had passed. It was on these rides that they had talked of everything and nothing, Derek quickly learning that for all of his charms, Callum’s carefree nature prevented him from having any truly close friends. <br><br>Shifting his bag, not quite a backpack, but smaller, a leather carry all he used to carry his journals and wallet when abroad. To his former student’s question, Derek smiled genuinely, chuckling softly as he was about to suggest something similar, his voice clear and scholarly, not quite as loud as it would be in front of a lectern, but close, he replied, ”I would like that but would not want to take you away from your work,” &nbsp;<br><br>The people of Avignon, a city known for its artist as well as its history, had come to expect all sorts wandering into their cafés and would think nothing of how the men dressed, whether chic or casually, as long as they were not impatient food would be served. ”What are you in the mood for? A light meal or something more substantial?”&nbsp; he asked of the artist.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>19-08-2007, 16:29:21</strong>
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				A smile, one that was wholesome and genuine, one that was adored by older women, and one that gave him a boyish charm crooked upon his lips and a faint laugh came from him. He never regarded his sketches, none of his art, as work but as a passion that constantly consumed him. Luckily, he had landed a job working in a used bookstore, one that was owned by his landlady, Agnes. Many hours he spent there doodling, or reading for not always was it busy, and never did he disappoint Agnes: that, he believed, was&nbsp; work. &nbsp;“Don't be daft, man.” Callum said, warmly and stepped over to his sketch pad, or more honestly, the spot that he claimed as his for the day. His belongings were scattered about, and he squatted down to carefully put away his drawings, neatly arranging the items in his backpack. <br><br>His dark eyes stole a glance at Derek, admiring his neatness, and perhaps his organization, that Callum never quite possessed, and he grinned. &nbsp;“I would suggest something more substantial, but I'm not really dressed for the occasion.” After his mess of papers&nbsp; and pencils were cleaned, he rose and slung his bag over his right shoulder. He lit a cigarette, and offered one to Derek, a habit that flourished of recent. &nbsp;“Perhaps a nearby café?”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>21-08-2007, 01:01:12</strong>
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				He smiled when Callum called him daft, never had a student, former or otherwise even considered to call him their professor, foolish, and yet it seemed so perfect a word escaping from this man’s lips. ”I believe that is the first time someone has every accused me of being daft,” he replied jokingly as he watched Callum gather his items. As he watched a swift breeze ripped through some of the papers, causing some of them to scatter, Derek chasing them down, bending over several times, the cargo pants tightening around his hardened thighs. Standing he handed the artist the papers and watched as he neatly arranged them in his backpack.<br><br>As he lit a cigarette, a habit they had shared on several occasions, particularly when he had first come to Derek about the death of his mother, Derek dropping what he was doing, grading freshman papers, and taking the man to a quiet coffee shop to talk about it, it obvious Callum needed a friend. But now, since his wife’s death, he had quit cold turkey, as if he were granting her final wish for him to be smoke-free, a gift to her and their daughter. ”No thank you,” &nbsp;he replied watching in reverie as the smoke lifted from Callum’s lips. <br><br>”I know of just the place,” he had said, having visited this particular café several times during the research of his first book, it was a small restaurant and not too far from where they now stood, best part about it was not many tourist knew of it, the Mediterranean food served there was fantastic, and Callum would not be considered underdressed there. ”I know a place not too far, La Ferigoulo, it should fit our needs,” &nbsp;he suggested. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>21-08-2007, 16:52:22</strong>
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				A grin weaved across Callum's handsome face when Derek spoke of being called daft for the first time, and Callum had a chuckle about this. Perhaps it was a little cheeky of him to have spoken to his former professor and mentor in that regard, but he did not regret the words. &nbsp;“There's always a first time for everything, Derek, believe me,” Callum said, and then thanked him for gathering the sketches that strayed from his notebook and hand when the wind blustered. <br><br>He tucked his cigarettes away into a pocket hoping that they would not get squished; his cigarette case, his sister had 'borrowed' and he suspected that it was lost to her, but he did not mind. He could always purchase another one. On hearing the recommendation that Derek made, Callum gave him a brief nod. &nbsp;“By all means, man, lead the way,” the words were softly spoken, almost lost on the summer breeze and the chatter of tourists that cluttered in the air. The languages of the world seemed to entwine around the men, and their voices blended well within it. Derek had an clear American accent, and Callum's English accent was subtle and elegant although when upset, it strengthen. Seldom did he, however, become upset or angry. Life was too short for those emotions.<br><br>As they walked, Callum's strides were more leisurely than Dr. Parker's, more relaxed, and he felt like a child doddling behind a parent. He picked up his pace, and crammed his one fist into his pocket; his fingers jingled and played with coins and a set of house keys. &nbsp;“If I might ask,” Callum began, curiously, &nbsp;“are you here on business, working on material for school, or pleasure? Just that I don't see Catherine with Elizabeth, and your wife spoke so fondly of your trips to France.” 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>21-08-2007, 23:33:11</strong>
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				As they strolled along the Rhone, Derek stole glances at the young artist, he had aged well despite the tragedy that had befell him, the professor only hoped he had landed on his feet, knowing the man did not get along with the rest of his family. He had noticed Callum strolled slowly, leisurely and despite his grumbling stomach had consciously slowed his pace, chuckling as they reversed roles for a moment, Callum striding quicker, Derek at a leisure pace. Finally they settled upon something in between, all of this done without speaking, a silent negotiation.<br><br>Running a hand through his hair when he heard the inevitable question, he looked away, composing himself, he having talked about his wife’s death many times in the past months. ”You can ask me anything,” he said genuinely, his voice crisp and heard easily above the noise of the crowd, practice makes perfect after all and teaching a freshman course at a university certainly gave one a lot of practice. <br><br>Sighing, he continued honestly and bluntly, ”The trip is more therapeutic than anything. Catherine was killed by a drunk driver about nine months ago. It has been rough for me and I cannot imagine how Elizabeth feels, but I needed to escape and get my head on straight before the new school year, so I can be a better father to her, one she deserves.” &nbsp;His heart was heavy, but he was able to talk of her death without stammering, a feat he only recently was able to accomplish.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>22-08-2007, 18:50:55</strong>
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				Callum stopped walking. Like before, when he learned of his mother's illness, of her inevitable death that was pending on time, his world fell into disbelief, shock, and one never knew what to say, and so silence fell heavily onto the men. Moments passed into a minute, and soon, Callum softly clapped his hand onto Dr. Parker's shoulder, and struggling for words, Callum finally spoke. &nbsp;“Christ! Derek, I'm sorry.” His dark eyes that had been sparkling with life, with laughter, took on an intense look, that which only expressed grave concern for his professor, and his daughter, Elizabeth. <em>To lose a mother at such a tender age...she must be around five or six years old now.</em> &nbsp;“I'm so sorry. Had I known,” His words trailed off into silence. Had he known, he would have went to Derek, supported him in a time of desperate need as the man had done for him only a few short years ago. <br><br>Callum had grown fond of Catherine; she had see that he ate proper meals,&nbsp; that he didn't drown his sorrow with alcohol or the drugs that he had once been addicted to in his teenage years. So easy, it was, to become a victim of bad habits, and Catherine saw to it that he remained strong. She was a lovely woman, and one that Callum measured other women by, set a standard, and perhaps it was a reason why he could never date a woman for too long, that and his sexual nature. &nbsp;“My God, man, are you doing well? Is there anything I can help you with?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>24-08-2007, 00:00:22</strong>
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				A darkness appeared around his eyes as he remember that fateful day, one in which Derek quickly banished it. He had come here to move on, to spend time in the place Catherine had deemed her favourite above all others, and to collect himself so that his could return a better father. Stopping completely he turned to Callum, putting his hand on the man’s shoulder, he closer than a man should be to another, ”Thank you for your sentiments, Callum, but how could you have known?” &nbsp;he replied, his voice calm.<br><br>A slow and steady smile appeared on his lips, ”I am doing well, she passed almost a year ago and this vacation is to finish the healing process while Beth spends time with her maternal grandparents.” &nbsp;He let his hand drop from the man’s shoulder and continued walking with a sideways glance towards Callum, ”As for anything you can do to help, yes there is, show me a good time while I am here, after lunch perhaps we can visit some of the art galleries in the area,” he replied smoothly as they neared the restaurant, the smell of Mediterranean cooking seeping into the streets.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>25-08-2007, 16:50:06</strong>
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				Callum paled.<br><br>He had watched Derek speak, watched his lips move, heard the words, yet the news, those words, left Callum hollow inside, empty. Not knowing what else to say, his hand sought Derek's when it was on his shoulder, clapped it lightly, felt his fingers, and then slipped his hand away, and into his pocket. He nodded and began to walk away, and although he knew Derek was still speaking to him, his mind drifted into thoughts of Catherine, then his mother, and lastly, how he lost Katie, his girlfriend of three years; she broke off their relationship while his mother was wasting away, being devoured by cancer.<br><br>He sighed, and cast a glimpse at Derek, catching his former professor looking at him. He raised his eyebrows, and scrambled over the last few minutes of conversation. He tried to recall what the man might have been speaking about, and again, he nodded even though he did not fully know what he was agreeing to, and the memories of daydreaming in Dr. Parker's class flooded through him. He almost laughed. Too often, Callum was absorbed by the thoughts in his mind, by his drawings, and he could only hope that Derek forgot that aspect about him.<br><br>&nbsp;“For sure,” Callum said, his voice had a hint of apprehension to it, but soon he caught the scent of food lingering in the air, on the wind. He gave Derek a brief smile, and tried to focus on the conversation before he was accused of being daft.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>27-08-2007, 23:16:47</strong>
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				Laughing, Derek shook his head, recognizing the look that had been upon his former student’s face as one lost in his day dreams, ”You’ve no idea what I just asked of you, do you Callum?” he said as they entered the restaurant, it unlike North American counterparts, was small held eight tables of varying lengths and in this early afternoon there was but two other couples.<br><br>In a fluency and without accent that most likely did not surprise Callum, Derek smiled at the hostess and spoke, ” Bonjour, Monsieur. Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît?” &nbsp;The hostess smile and waved her hand to a table at the window, one bathed in the warm light of the afternoon sun, following her lead, Derek slid the bag from his shoulder and propped it against the wall before taking his seat, sliding the chair inwards as he took the menu from her hands. <br><br>Smiling at the two of them and in a soft spoken voice, she stated her stained apron rising and falling as she spoke, ”Le Spécial du Jour est trois cours, une soupe, suivie par un kabob d'agneau a mariné dans les huiles d'olives, la sauge et le romarin et finir avec une souris de chocolat. Il est servi avec un Bordeaux rouge.” He nodded his thanks and as she left them to decide upon their meal, he turned to the young man in front of him, ”I have forgotten if you speak French.”<br><br>Seemingly the professor wanted to put the awkwardness behind him, unwilling to let passed events, those of his wife’s untimely death affect him on this vacation.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>28-08-2007, 14:06:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum lightly laughed, and his face coloured a pale pink hue in his cheeks that were tanned from the sun. &nbsp;“I do know!” Callum exclaimed with a chuckle. &nbsp;“Perhaps not the entirety of it, something about a museum, but I do know.” &nbsp;He reassured the professor and smiled at the man. &nbsp;“And you shouldn't recall my habits, not those that take me drifting in thoughts, but then, you probably have a sharp memory.” He said as they entered the small restaurant. He slid he backpack off of his shoulder, placing it near his chair and tucked under the table before sitting, but not before the hostess arrived. He gave her a charming lopsided smile, and eventually took his seat leaving Derek and her converse in French.<br><br>He leaned back in his chair, lounging, when she left and looked at Derek. &nbsp;“I'm a little rusty with the language, but I've managed for the time being.” A sheepish grin curved his lips. “When my 'rents were together, they used to take us, me sister and me, regularly to France or Spain, but since the move to the States, it's been rare to come here.” Callum told him and lazily stretched out his long legs. &nbsp;“An' lets face it, there's not a need to speak French in America.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>28-08-2007, 23:19:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With all the seriousness he could muster and with an ease that sharing long nights of emotionally filled discussions could bring a pair, Derek replied, ”How could I forget the brilliant but aloof student that sat in the back of my classroom with his witty responses no matter what I asked of him, regardless of whether it was on topic or not?”&nbsp; Truthfully the professor had an uncanny ability of never forgetting a face or a term paper for that matter and Callum’s were always creative, perhaps not as technical as the others but his interpretations of old art and connections with modern art were truly unique.<br><br>Flashing Callum a spectacular smile, the hostess returned and was somewhat disappointed when Derek ordered the special of the day for both of them, hoping to have more of an excuse to look at the dreamy artist that the man was with, so odd these two were here together she thought. Chuckling, Derek asked ”So tell me Callum, what have you been up to, these past few years? Seen much of your sister?” &nbsp;Sitting with his elbow resting on the back of his chair, his chest muscles straining at the top of his buttons just barely as he stared at the artist, it was good to see him and Derek was looking forward to loosing some time in France with the man.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>31-08-2007, 14:48:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum laughed. He couldn't help himself as memories reemerged in his mind; it was fond moments, university life, at least for the most part, at least until the end of his career as a student.&nbsp; His ink and nicotine stained fingers fidgeted with his cigarettes as he looked up at Derek, who, unlike him, was sitting upright instead of comfortably lounging. &nbsp;“You hated me at first, if I recall correctly. There were many sharp comments and remarks made to me by you, and I feared that you would be the one professor to fail me and bring my average down, and yet those smart ass replies to your questions made your mornings. I could easily tell from your facial expressions. I may not have attended all the lectures, they being rather stupidly early in the morning, but I always did the readings whereas it was opposite the others. I loathed them, sitting there all tight lipped because they couldn't contribute anything of use to the class. I was once amused when I heard Tamara speaking to another girl, that redhead, can't remember her name, wondering if she'd get a better grade if she gave you head.” Callum said, his voice low, but as he lit another cigarette, he caught sight of a young woman who had overheard his last remark or perhaps the entirety of the conversation. Callum casually leaned over to her and offered her a cigarette, but not an apology.Their eyes met briefly as she took it, and a smile graced her lips. &nbsp;“Merci.”<br><br>Settling into his chair once again, Callum lit another cigarette, and glanced at Derek. He had sketched him many times, and over the years those drawings weaved into folios that were almost never looked at. He had forgotten how beautiful his face was, and had they been alone, he would have drawn him once more. Derek had aged well, and Callum honestly thought he looked better now. Callum shrugged his shoulders. &nbsp;“Joyce is well,” he began, commenting on his sister. Memories stirred. &nbsp;“She's a solicitor, now and that comes to no surprise. She is a lot like Graeme. I've seen them both about two weeks ago before coming here.” Callum stared at the small line crack in the painted plaster. Minutes passed.<br><br>&nbsp;“Christ, Derek, out of all this time, the man has never changed. He's cold and aloof, and as always, critical of my laziness and disappointed with me brain cell count. Apparently, I'm not doing shit all with my life, save for living it the way I want, and I should attend law school at Oxford because everybody knows that is the be all and end all of life.” Callum blew a ring of smoke into the air and gazed at Derek. &nbsp;“They haven't changed. I have, I guess.” There was another shrug of the shoulders, and he ran his hand along his chin.<br><br>&nbsp;“I'm doing well, or at least I think so and really, that is the only person it matters to,” Callum said, curbing his rant and his minor irritation at his father. &nbsp;“My landlady gave me a great job at her bookstore. It's just the two of us that work there, and she's a lovely woman. She's sort of adopted me as her son, or at least that's how it feels. I do odd jobs about the house for her, and she keeps inviting me downstairs for meals when she cooks too much food.” Callum smiled. The woman always cooked too much food, and always complained of Callum's lean body that needed more fat on it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>01-09-2007, 01:03:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he listened to Callum talk of days past and of more recent memories, the shadow of pain lifted from the professor, he had missed companionship, just being with someone who would not talk constantly of his Catherine or the troubles of raising his daughter as an only father, he desperate to move on with his life, no longer wanting to be held back by her death. When he heard the former student talk of the two girls, he had remember them well, Samantha was the redhead, she always going by the name Sam. ”The funny thing is, she actually came to my office hours and offered, I turned her down of course, Catherine would have had my head if she found out,” he said able to use her name without tearing up.<br><br>He watched as he friend charmed the woman next to him, he could see what she wanted as plan as day on her face, even though Callum, clearly was not interested, not that he passed up a chance to flirt with her. The artist always did seem to get along with strangers, it was when he was placed in a formal setting that he always had trouble, an informal setting always suited the man. He seemed so relaxed where ever he was, a talent the professor wished he had, but alas it was not to be. <br><br>”It is good someone is taking after you, you could use some fattening up, you know. If it were not for others you would waste away sketching the most brilliant of sceneries,” he said as their soup and wine arrived, the woman pouring each of the a healthy glass of the glowing red wine. ”Merci,” Derek said, nodding to the hostess before taking a spoonful of the soup, falling into a comfortable silence as he slowly devoured it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>03-09-2007, 17:05:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum looked at the steaming hot bowl of soup before him, heavy cream based no doubt, and unconsciously, his hand roamed over the flat of belly, feeling his taut roped muscles from the numerous crunches he did every day, and feeling for fat. He made efforts to eat healthy, not starve himself; his diet in the States consisted of a lot of greens that was balanced with protein and fruit with a trace of starches. Never again had he wanted to be teased because of his weight, and yet occasionally, he found himself eating buttery pastries, or a piece of dark chocolate, and in France, the foods were rich, and everything seemed to be served with a sauce, and his landlady liked using butter and had a fancy for gravies and dips. Thoughtlessly, as he watched Derek eat the soup, he languidly stirred his, cooling it off.<br><br>&nbsp;“One cannot blame Tamara, not really. You were gorgeous then, Derek.” Callum admitted and tried the soup. One spoonful, then another, and yet another. He gave his companion a lopsided grin. &nbsp;“And with age, even if it is only five years, I think the girls would and still consider you quite handsome, and the offers from them, no doubt, are still there. Luckily, you're professional and won't risk your career not unlike Professor Johnson. He's like an alley cat in heat with the female students.” Callum stated, and then continued to eat, slowly. Callum had a special dislike for Professor Johnson especially after the suggestion he made to Katie in order to improve her grades. Pushing the foul thoughts aside, Callum looked at Derek, and sought those violet eyes that were intensely exquisite to look at. Callum smiled at the man. He understood perfectly well why the girls would offer themselves to Dr. Parker.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>05-09-2007, 00:40:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Derek knew of Callum’s youth, knew of the trouble with his weight, it had been one evening, where Derek and his wife had invited the young student for dinner, their young daughter, for once was being good. During dinner she was adorable, her eyes constantly watching the artist, following his every movement, Callum having a go at feeding her, she cooing as he held her, the bottle being sucked dry as she reached out and wrapped her tiny fingers around his index finger. He had laughed, the first time since his mother’s death and the young married couple had decided to keep the night going, a silent look between them as they realized how good it was for their guest.<br><br>Catherine had excused herself and put the kid to sleep, her soft melodic voice could be heard as she sung a lullaby to Beth, the girl quickly falling asleep in her crib, resting her head on the pillow, thumb between her small lips. When Cat had returned, the boys had retired to the living room, where Derek had started a roaring fire to stave off the cold of the New England autumn. Callum had busied himself by opening another bottle of wine, a red, and the three of them had settled into a night of truth speaking. It had started as a game and as they drank more heavily from the bottle, a third and fourth having been opened, it turned into a soul searching event.<br><br>The memory was a fond one; one Derek enjoyed more than he ever admitted himself, his student before him, no longer the pudgy student he always feared he would become, to the point of starving himself sometimes. Playing it up, the professor brushed an imaginary hair from his face in an exaggerated gesture, ”thank you, darling, I try to keep in shape,” &nbsp;he said amused, blinking his eyes, though Callum would catch the prideful gleam in them. <br><br>Not one for gossip usually, he thought that Callum would love to hear the following little tidbit, especially after what had happened to Katie, ”The man no longer teaches, in fact he is serving some time for approaching an underaged freshman a year ago,” Dr. Parker stated matter-of-factly, his disgust of the man’s tastes apparent.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>09-09-2007, 03:30:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum pushed the unfinished bowl of soup aside, and stretched his lean muscular legs out. His hiking boot accidentally brushed against Derek's pant leg, and startled, he moved his foot aside. The young man looked comfortably lanky, and with the grin upon his lips from Derek's words, there was a certain appeal to him that was indescribable. Perhaps it was the charm and fascination of him being an artist, or perhaps it was knowing who he was,&nbsp; or his leisurely concept of time and personal space; no one seemed particularly to mind how physically close he became with them which was unusual for many.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Darling?” he said with amusement. &nbsp;“After all these years of conversations, and the odd comfort of a late night dinner, that is what it has come to? Only darling? Shit, my charm must be slipping into nothingness,” Callum teased, and took a drink of his wine.&nbsp; He laughed then and played with his zippo, craving another cigarette, and the only distraction for that was his current company that he adored, and upon hearing Derek's words, those of Professor Johnson, he laughed, coldly.<br><br>&nbsp;“I wonder if it ever occurred to him that he would some day get caught?” Callum mused and shook his head in disbelief. &nbsp;“A fine career into the gutter, but hopefully he'll be replaced by somebody brilliant, and inspiring to students.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>09-09-2007, 07:49:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His spoon clanking a little too loud for his tastes, Derek placed his bowl next to Callum’s and then turned his attention back to the artist, listening to his words with an amused smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the hostess as she arrived and exchanged the bowls with plates of lamb, it is a small portion, just enough for a taste, but certainly not enough to overstuff even the smallest of men. The garlic was apparent almost immediately, the professor for the moment allowing the meat to rest as he leaned forward on the table and replied, his voice teasingly seductive, ”Did you want me to kiss you, instead?”<br><br>The lamb too tempting, he sliced a bit of it off and lifted it to his lips, eating it slowly as he watched his friend, so comfortable with him despite the years of absence.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>09-09-2007, 17:17:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The voice, the alluring soft mellow sensuality of it, the tease of it, drew Callum's attention towards Derek. The artist observed the man before him, looked at him as a subject, one he desired for years, the longing for the professor developing while he was a student. The man was impressively becoming, Callum would not deny that, mentioned it even, and on more than once occasion the artist had thought of kissing him, but had always controlled that urge which was hard to resist. Callum shifted in his seat; his ankles crossed. &nbsp;“That would only prove to be cruel to you, Derek, after all, once kissed by me, you shall be spoiled for all others.” Callum whispered to him, and although there was a grin on his face, there was little tease in his voice. &nbsp;“I wouldn't want that for you.” he finally said as the lamb was brought to the table by the hostess.<br><br>&nbsp;“Thank you, love,” Callum said to her, and surveyed the lamb; the garlic he could smell, and he leisurely picked up his fork and knife to slice into it. &nbsp;“Now, seriously, Dr. Parker,” Callum said, and then caught his error, &nbsp;“Derek, what would you like to do this afternoon? You mentioned something about a museum, at least I think you mentioned something about a museum.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>12-09-2007, 07:46:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He laughed and it was soft and melodic, with a hint of his tenor voice, a wicked gleam in his eyes, one Callum would recognize from their long nights of fireside chats as one that preceded teasing his wife. ”Perhaps it is worth the risk, Callum, that is if your kiss is truly that good,” his voice low enough so it could not be overheard by the others in the restaurant. Loosing interest in the food, he stared at the artist watched as he flirted with the hostess, how easy it was for him, how cool and suave the man was around complete strangers, a gift the professor admired and envied.<br><br>Unconsciously, as he contemplated which Museum would be the best to visit with his long time friend, the professor cut his lamb into small bite-sized pieces, slicing all of it before he took his next nibble, his teeth delicately scrapping it from the fork. Swallowing, he gazed into Callum’s eye’s and stated, ”I was thinking we could visit the Calvet Museum, I am sure you have been several times, as it has an exquisite collection of 17th and 18th century paintings as well as 14th and 15th century wrought iron works”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>16-09-2007, 16:39:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum smiled, one that many would have found sensuously delicious, when he heard the soft murmured words of Derek. He was confident, the young artist, in his abilities of seduction, in pleasuring a person; Kate complained of his lust, yet never did she resist, always yielding to the man which she found desirously devilish. Callum pushed his package of cigarettes in front of Derek, and he rested the zippo lighter on top of it. His index finger remained on the lighter, and he tapped it once. &nbsp;“Mankind should not have vices, Derek, for indeed vices are cruel, wicked, and sinfully evil, but if we do not have temptations, if pleasures in life are absent, if we never yield to delights then certainly we never experience life, not fully, and that would be the worst sin, the worst vice ever.” Callum drew silent then, and slid his hand free of the lighter, of the cigarettes, and in leaning back in his seat, he picked up his fork and poked at the lamb that was still hot upon his plate.&nbsp; He then delicately stabbed a piece and bit into it, pondering the moment and the offer of the museum that Derek mentioned. He laughed.<br><br>&nbsp;“I spent the day there yesterday, and I became highly engrossed with the silverware, mesmerized by it, awed at the talent,” Callum confessed and a blush coloured his cheeks. &nbsp;“Strangely I lost time there, and they politely asked me to leave. It had closed and I didn't realize,”&nbsp; Callum took a sip of wine, let it linger on his tongue before swallowing it. &nbsp;“If I accompany you, I may get to see more than the silverware.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-09-2007, 23:48:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man was roguish in his appeal, articulate in his words, his charms all but overwhelming, ones the professor was sure Callum was attempting to use upon him, idly he wondered how far his student wanted to go, though he was too shy to ask this of him and unsure himself. Smiling almost self-consciously, Derek slid a cigarette from the pack, cupped his hand around the edge of it and lit it before passing the pack and lighter back to the incubus before him. ”I see you have kept up on your readings of Oscar Wilde and Marquis de Sade, <em>darling,</em>”&nbsp; he said with a wink, inhaling slowly the first cigarette in almost a year, the taste of it bringing back memories of happiness.<br><br>Leaning back and crossing his ankles, the lamb long forgotten as he stared at the man whom he had considered his closest friend until Callum had disappeared five years previous, he missed their long conversations, realizing now how close they had become, perhaps scandalously so. Sighing, and laughing softly at the confession, the professor could not help but ask, ”And what is it you hope to find beyond the silverware, Callum? I, unfortunately have no special privileges there, as it is not a museum I’ve spent much time, despite their exquisite pieces.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>21-09-2007, 21:37:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum smiled contentedly at Professor Parker, and with his napkin, he gave his mouth a quick clean wipe and discarded the piece of white linen onto the table. Those dark eyes, chestnut in hue with coppery gold flecks woven within them, carefully studied the man, noted the smoke that thinly crinkled in the air, and a slight laugh came from the artist. &nbsp;“I was not asking for privileges, Sir, but to be guided beyond the silverware and paintings may be idle.” Callum reached for his cigarette pack and lighter, the grin on his face widening. &nbsp;“And apparently they are offering the public displays of wrought iron that I was unaware of,” His face reddened as he mentioned it, and his slender stained fingers slipped out a cigarette and lit it.<br><br>&nbsp;“Do you remember Katie?” Callum asked, changing the subject rather whimsically, nonlinear. He wrinkled his brow, and with the name being mentioned, a darkness roamed into his once sparkling eyes. Callum was certain that he introduced Katie to Derek, was positive of it, but with time, memories fade.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>26-09-2007, 23:31:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His thin red lips curling around the smoke, the habit coming to him naturally despite several months without, already he vowed not to bring it back to the States, he must remain healthy for his daughter, he was all she had left and he would not deny her a parent. Even so, the taste of it was glorious, the nicotine was intoxicating, more so than the wine, but not nearly as much as the man that sat before him, ”Sir, is it now, tsk, tsk, Callum, let us remain on first name basis, unless you wish me to become your Master,” &nbsp;he stated whimsically, with no such intentions.<br><br>He watched those stained fingers withdrew another cigarette and lit it, how laisse-faire, his former student was, so full of life, nothing to stop him from doing what it was he wanted to do, roaming the world and living from day to day. ”I would be more than happy to guide you past the flatware and open your mind to the works of iron, my dear student; I think you will appreciate the detail and precision of the pieces.” he replied, as he leaned back, the hostess returning to their table and removing the remnants of their meal. Derek ordered two coffees, perhaps surprising Callum as he ordered one exactly how he used to drink it, before she vanished once again.<br><br>”She was your girl, was she not? You two were pretty serious if I remember correctly,” &nbsp;the thought of Callum ever settling down was a frightening one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>27-09-2007, 16:43:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum deeply inhaled his cigarette, let the smoke filter through him, let it roll in his mouth and lungs before it was exhaled through his nose in two thin lines and as that happened, he pushed his plate aside. He leaned his elbows on the table, and languidly rested his head in his hands; the cigarette was dangerously close to his unmanageable hair. Carelessly,&nbsp; his fingers knit through the wild locks and he massaged his scalp. &nbsp;“Three years with her,” Callum hoarsely said in a whisper. &nbsp;“Katie.” He closed his eyes for a moment as if to savour the memories or block them from his mind. It was difficult to tell, but soon chestnut coloured eyes stared into those gentle violet eyes of the man who sat opposite him.<br><br>&nbsp;“I was good to her, Derek.” Callum murmured and took another drag of his cigarette. &nbsp;“For three years, I attended church with her every Sunday, and it wasn't even my religion, and in the end it didn't really matter. When Mum was dying, she left me because I couldn't make a commitment to her then. I couldn't promise to get a job, work five or six days a week, buy her things, marry her and raise rug rats. I thought it rather selfish of her considering things, and you know, she took every precious thing I had, things that meant something to me, and burned it, got rid of it, put it in the rubbish bin.” Callum reached for his wine and swallowed the last of it recalling the artwork that would never or could never be replaced. He sighed with exasperation. “That included Wilde and my beloved Marquis de Sade as well as other authors and their works. They were all gone when I came home from the hospital one day, the day my mum died. I cannot begin to describe the vexation that I had directed towards her.” Callum admitted, never telling Derek this before or anyone for that matter. He leaned back in his chair, the bitter tears in his eyes apparent and he smiled at Derek, and luckily the hostess came with the coffees. Callum stared at his double double and soon cradled the mug in his hand. He looked at Derek. &nbsp;“I apologize, Derek. You mentioned two authors that I adore, and Katie destroyed their works that I had collected. I'm still mildly peeved, and it reminds me to browse through bookstores while I'm here.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>02-10-2007, 18:54:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He listened to his friend’s memories, nightmares really, to know someone that well, to be intimate with her and then when he needed her the most, she turned her back on him for her on selfish needs, it had been devastating, Derek had been there to pick up the pieces, to help Callum recover from his mother’s death, but had not known or asked why Katie had not been there in his stead. ”It is unfortunate she was so inconsiderate of you, Callum, but honestly if that is the way she was willing to treat you during a crisis, she was not the right person for you.”<br><br>Smiling, he reached for the black liquor of the gods, sipping the deep, dark roast, black and pure as he always took his coffee, he commented, ”We will make a point stopping in a couple of bookstores during our adventures in the museum.” &nbsp;As an afterthought and with a twinkle in his eye, as he knew how much his former student adored his writing, he added, &nbsp;“perhaps they will have my new book and I could sign it for you.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>09-10-2007, 03:40:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum looked at his milky coffee, one that was heavily laced with sugar, double double as he always ordered it, and he caught how dark the professor's was, and he couldn't help but to wonder how the man could endure such bitterness. Now tea, Callum could easily drink black; the cigarette clung to his bottom lip as he stirred his coffee with a spoon and contemplated the differences between himself and the professor. Callum smiled at the mention of bookstores, and in particular Dr. Parker's latest, and dexterous fingers caught his cigarette as it slipped off his lip. &nbsp;“Perhaps I already have a copy of your book,” Callum quietly said, and sipped his coffee. Indeed, the book was by his bed. Page 208, Chapter Eight, and the bookmark was the receipt with the price faded. He bought it the first day it hit the store shelves. &nbsp;“It's brilliantly written, as always, although I do have a few questions concerning the material in chapter five. Perhaps, if you are not busy later on, we can discuss it unless you fear it too challenging.” Callum joked, brushing the memories of Katie away from his mind, and concentrated on his friend whom he hasn't seen in years.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>10-10-2007, 23:40:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As a professor’s assistant, he had met Callum in an art history course required by all freshman at Dartmouth, though there were those more interested in what was being taught than the grade they would receive, they were rare and far between, the man he sat across from was one of these gems. But art was not Derek's true interest, the professor was a man who lived in the past, studied what was and how it affects what is to come, his true passion that of France during the reign of its kings and the surrounding of the Revolution, the chaos of the Reign of Terror, the Inquisition, and the Papacy taking up residency in Avignon he found intriguing, so much so he had written not one but two books on the subject, his latest was about Pope Clement V, his suppression of the Templars and his break from Rome when he took up residency in Avignon.<br><br>In the controversial chapter, Derek had put forth new evidence that indicated the Pope had indeed bound himself to the French King prior to elevation, throughout the chapter he presented several letters eluding to this theory, explaining in depth the nuances of each of them, though none actually confirm the statement to be true. A sly smile played across the man’s lips as a wisp of smoke escaped them, ”I welcome any challenge, Callum, be forewarned though, I am well versed and more than likely you will lose.” &nbsp;He informed the hostess as she passed by to serve another table that they were ready for the bill, the French believing it rude to bring the bill to the table without having first been asked. <br><br>Waving off any attempt by the starving student to pay for the meal, Derek produced the exact number of Euros needed and returned to sipping his coffee, ready to leave whenever Callum was, but not eager to do so immediately. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>17-10-2007, 02:45:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum smiled at the professor's comment, one that was overwhelmingly confident and winsome, and one that was devilish charming. &nbsp;“I do not doubt that you are well studied in the area, my good friend, especially considering your degrees and quite frankly, it is your occupation to know the material.” Callum murmured, and after finishing one cigarette, he immediately lit another indulging in his addictive habit. He took a long drag from the cigarette, let the smoke roam in his body and dance in his mouth and roll over his tongue until he exhaled through his nose. <br><br>&nbsp;“Unfortunately, however, you have barely any courageous and confident let alone intelligent students to ask and doubt the material ever presented to them, that is, if I recall correctly.” Ashes were flicked into the glass ashtray that rested between the men. &nbsp;“A conversation with me on the matter ought to keep you skilled at deflecting that one odd student who will find the cheek to ask you a dozen devious and vague questions on the material at hand.” He leaned closer to Derek, and gave him another smile. “And you damn well know I am well learned regardless if I have a degree or not, and I am vainly bold enough to challenge any person be it you or the Pope himself.” he chuckled out, and when Derek spoke to the hostess, when he reached into the pocket of his jeans seeking those euros, Derek made a slight gesture to him that halted and silenced him.<br><br>Callum leaned back in his chair to finish his coffee and cigarette. &nbsp;“Thanks, Derek.” An odd smile adorned his lips. It had always been difficult to pay for a coffee let alone a meal when he was in Derek's company, and many times he had to assure Derek that he was not a starving and destitute artist, yet this time there was no protest and perhaps because it was a little too close to the truth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>24-10-2007, 00:30:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughing at his former student’s brazen words, the professor leaned forward and slipped another cigarette from his pack, noting there were not many left, smiling as Callum offered to light it with the tip of his own. Inhaling deeply, drawing the intoxicating smoke into his lungs, he released it slowly, wisps of smoke circling around him as he stared at the man before him. ”You are correct, there are very few students who have given much thought to the subject and even less willing to speak against their professor, fearing I would somehow hold it against them.” Callum had known this not to be the case; in fact Derek had welcomed their discussions and arguments, enjoying the connections he was able to make from one aspect to the next.<br><br>For Derek, the more personal connection, even the more adversarial ones, the better the grade, if he understood where the student was coming from, how he came to those conclusions it was easier to accept them. ”It would mean we would need to spend more time together while I am in France, unless you have plans to return to the States any time soon,” &nbsp;he said idly, making no move to vacate their table, the hostess returning to her discussion of the night’s supper, caring not that they remained.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>04-11-2007, 23:45:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				&nbsp;“They are not willing to exercise their opinion, their brain, to take a measure against their professor because they fear their grades will be penalized because that is the typical backlash of making a professor look foolishly incompetent.” Callum said, passion rising in his voice for he had suffered the consequences of correcting a professor, giving a challenge of theories, and it was not appreciated. Callum had failed the course; a forty-eight percent he received, and it plummeted his general average. Even after all the years, it was still a sore topic, but he had not been the only student to suffer at the hands of an pseudo-intellectual dullard. Callum tried to shrug it off, and laughed. &nbsp;“Perhaps it was for the best that I didn't return to school.” He muttered, his cigarette clinging to his lip and he searched his backpack for his passport and plane ticket. He had not checked the departure date since he arrived in Paris, and as his dark eyes scanned the ticket, he also glanced at his watch, at the date.<br><br>&nbsp;“I depart for Zurich in four days time.” Callum stated, and furrowed his brow at the thought of time slipping by him yet again. He had not been in France long, and he stared at the credit card that was paper clipped inside the ticket; his last gift from his aunt who, too, was an irritation in his father's side yet Callum was hesitant at spending the old bird's money, and yet little he had. &nbsp;“Until then though, my time can be yours if you wish, unless, of course, the idea of a challenge frightens you.” Callum chuckled out, and rose from his chair. He slung his knapsack over his shoulders ready to depart the cafe.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>09-11-2007, 23:52:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man, the student always amused the professor, he was polar opposite, disorganized, artistic, and uncaring of where life took him, compared to his on ways, analytical, methodical and always, always organized. If he had been ask when he left the country, Derek could have told the man the exact day, hour and flight number he was on, without the need to look at the ticket, it was the way his mind worked, details were how he had found success, his knack of remembering them had also served him well. ”Never discount an education, Callum, sure there are many tenured professors who do not deserve to teach, but then there are those gems you find among, those professors or students that change your life or at least modify your outlook of it.”<br><br>Stubbing the last of his cigarette, Derek rose with grace, swooping his bag over his shoulder and stepping behind the man too close as he had expected him to move forward a little. His whisper ended up being a bit more intimate that he had wanted it too, if those around them were not convinced they were at the very least bisexual, they were convinced now. His lips close to the man’s ear, ”Nothing about you frightens me, Callum, though you might tire of the old man after four full days with me.”<br><br>Smiling devilishly, Derek did not wait for an answer, but instead stepped around the student and strode out the door, a quick nod and ”Merci,” to their hostess as he went, walking towards their first destination, a museum he was sure Callum would love, a place he himself had not been in some time. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>11-11-2007, 20:18:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum had stumbled for a moment, stopped to fix his travel mug that hung recklessly on a loose strap, and never had he expected to Derek to rise from his seat, and stride after him with vigour. Callum was always lax in stride, in attitude in general, and he should have been more aware of Derek, of the space between them, yet he was not. The words Derek spoke, those so close to his ear, those that lingered and caressed his skin, were spoken in a peculiar softness that made a sensation throb in the base of Callum's skull, and slink downwards throughout the spinal cord in waves of warm tingling impulses. Drawing in a deeper breath, the artist felt his chest tighten, and all too aware he was of the sudden feelings his body was developing for the professor. He tried to stay still, to resolve the sensual flutterings that began to enliven his body, stir in his nether regions, and for a moment he knew not what to do. <br><br>In the past, yes, he had long acknowledged his whimsy sexually, enjoying both the sensual and erotic form of the female, but there was a strength in men that was to be worshipped whether it was in character, in personality or form. He had devoted his university life, those years to Kate, and thrived in her love or what he had thought was love, but afterwards, he let himself stray and become waywardly involved with a fellow artist, and he enjoyed the liberty of just being a man. He had not, however, offered himself fully to the artist, fear gripping and tugging him a little, but this was not the artist. It was Derek; a man he had been held by, a man whom consoled him while he uncontrollably wept for the loss of his mother. Derek had been the only man whom ever saw him at his lowest point in life, save for the time he went on the acid binge for a week straight, and too, Derek had seen the brilliant moments in Callum's life; smart ass comments, biting remarks, the challenges and laughter, and the sheer laziness that he was compelled to succumb and yield to as an artist.<br><br>Callum was at a lost for words and was grateful that Derek walked past him. A hue of pink, extraordinarily faint, blushed his cheeks as he felt his arousal begin and he took a moment to himself. The hostess smiled at Callum, and as he walked by her, her fingers stole his last cigarette that he just lit, and on taking it into her mouth, she whispered to him words that only he could hear. &nbsp;“Un homme heureux qu'il est avoir un tel bel amour d'homme lui si.”&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Callum's blush grew deeper, and a demure but careless smile roamed across his face. &nbsp;“Merci.” He murmured, stealing his cigarette for one last drag before offering it to her, and then idly roamed outside to find Derek.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>12-11-2007, 23:34:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If the professor noticed the discomfort he had caused the poor student, there was no indication of it, none whatsoever that he had caused the man to blush, that he had aroused secret passions in a man that had learned to bury them, at least for the professor. The professor liked to think he had an open mind when it came to dalliances of the heart, he never experimenting beyond masturbating with a bunch of his fraternity brothers as part of a drunken stunt back in the day. He had not remembered much of it when he awoke the following day, but had also felt no shame in it, his body; his physique was not too shabby. <br><br>Remembering his student preferred a meandering pace, he slowed his stride, relaxing and enjoying the moment, a rarity for the professor, his thoughts usually racing ahead to the next lecture, the next book, even on vacation, one look at his notebook would tell you he had his time divided on exactly what he was to do each and every day, today he was supposed to have spent in some of the smaller museums of Avignon, tomorrow a day trip to look at some of the Roman ruins in the area, perhaps he would take Callum with him, he could sketch some of the designs the fallen columns have created. <br><br>”What are your plans in Switzerland or do you have any?” &nbsp;What the professor truly wanted to ask the man was when he was going to return to the States, he having realized how much he has missed companionship since his wife had died.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>19-11-2007, 05:07:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum's mind had wandered, and all to calm himself, to rest the sensations that roamed throughout his body, those that stirred the desires for Derek, but then, it did not work. The focused concentration to dismiss the arousal seemed futile, concentration seemed futile considering his innate nature, and on realizing it, feeling it, Callum chuckled to himself as he stepped outside the café. He simply dismissed it, after all, if Derek saw, if he questioned, if he was bold enough to ask or tease, he'd simply tell him; Callum was one for truth, for the most part, and always he took that route with his professors and close friends, after all, life was too short for convoluted obscure dialogue. Usually, it was appreciated, but then again Callum had few friends. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans with a gruffness that made them slide lower, only a smidgeon lower over his hips, and he looked utterly perplexed and lost at Derek's question. He was unprepared for it, and a smile, one that was charmingly demure adorned his lips and it was accompanied by soft laughter.<br><br>&nbsp;“I'm on a quest to purchase a coo coo clock for my aunt Mavis,” Callum admitted sheepishly, and even to him, he thought it sounded too peculiar. He shrugged his thin shoulders. &nbsp;“She's paying for the trip.&nbsp; Her favourite and only nephew needed to experience an artist's life by travelling frivolously, learn of new landscapes and sketch the Alps, and deep down inside, we both know that aunt Mavis is annoying my father with her generosity. <em>'I only request that you buy me a coo coo clock, Cal,'</em>” He mockingly said in a feminine voice and then ruffled his hand through his hair and stepped in stride with Derek. After a few moments of silence falling between the men, Callum looked at Derek. &nbsp;“I know nothing about the fineries of coo coo clocks. It is absurd although by the end that week, I shall have a better knowledge of them. Best put your order in now and I shall personally deliver it to your home.” He jested, and then grinned. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>20-11-2007, 19:46:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He stopped dead in his tracks and turned on his friend as he spoke of coo coo clocks, ”Are you serious?” &nbsp;he asked quizzically, highly amused that his friend had taken on such a mission. As he continued with his story, Derek began to nod, realizing that the quest was more of a way for the man’s aunt to get back at the brother, reminding the man that she was a better mother than he would ever be a father. No matter it was good for Callum to have a benefactor, God knows he would not survive without her, the man was too addled brained, loveable and extremely well-meaning, but still he had no structure in his life, it left the man vulnerable or so the professor believed. He thought about a clock, it could be something his daughter would enjoy, he could just imagine her staring at the clock in anticipation of the bird escaping its home, his smile broadening. Clearing his throat, mirth slipping into his purple eyes, ”If your offer is serious my dear man, I could use a clock,” &nbsp;he stated, knowing full well the man was jesting, as he suddenly realized how much he would like to see this man again, beyond this one encounter in a foreign land.<br><br>His pursuit of the museum continued as he turned and continued their waltzed down the Avignon streets, turning this way and that as if he were walking aimlessly through the town, but the professor knew exactly where he was walking, he had been to this town so many times he knew it better than his hometown. Finally they arrived in front of Calvet Museum, he turning to his former student, ”Are you ready for an education in wrought iron works?” &nbsp;he joked, tilting his head towards Callum.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>21-11-2007, 01:39:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum had been dawdling. His pace was two steps behind the professor's even though they were walking leisurely, casually with no set schedule. His mind roamed over the peculiar conversation put forth between them, but his gaze caught sight of the clouds breaking and he was lost amongst the white drifting beauty. When Derek stopped to ask his question, Callum stumbled into him. The artist was dazed for a moment, and lazily he put his hand on Derek's broad muscular chest to steady either him or Derek, he knew not which one, and he drew a step backwards to collect his wits although his hand lingered on Derek's chest for a moment. <br><br>&nbsp;“Christ! What is it? Why did we stop?” The words left Callum's mouth in a confused hurried state, his voice unusually soft and velvety, and then the younger man had an epiphany regarding the recent past moments and he laughed. He shook his head. &nbsp;“I'm sorry, Derek.” He quietly said, and laughed. &nbsp;“I fear I've never been one for elegance; rather all limbs and clumsy at least that is what I have been told.” He drew in a breath and smiled at Derek. <br><br>&nbsp;“I believe the coo coo clock is a ridiculous point to irritate my father, but I cannot help but to conspire with Auntie Mavis. My offer to personally deliver a clock to your doorstep, however, is quite genuine although the question remains if you trust me with your credit card, after all, I expect they are not cheap.” Callum blathered on about coo coo clocks until they reached the Calvet Museum, and alarmed he seemed when they were entering the building. The journey from the café to the museum was relatively short. <br><br>He laughed at the teasing jest Derek made. &nbsp;“I'm always ready for an education of some sort, Derek.” Callum retorted, and entered the museum.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>26-11-2007, 22:36:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Curious thought the professor as he watched his friend attempt to gain some semblance of composure, the man was clearly lost in thought and if Derek did not know better he would suspect the man was love-struck, but that could not be, they had been friends for far too long for Callum to keep that from him. The moment was a swift one, Callum’s warm, painted fingers, felt through the soft linens of his shirt had been removed and the man was once again moving forward, babbling almost incoherently as if to cover for some dark secrets about coo coo clocks, the professor already having decided he would not risk his credit card with the artist, the man too flighty for the risk.<br><br>The museum had been a short distance and again the professor was thankful, the subject having changed once again to art and history, two subjects he vastly preferred to the more awkward moments which he would rather forget, though the memory of the man’s fingers upon his chest lingered. Clearing his throat, Derek stepped up and paid for their passage into the museum or rather paid for Callum’s he having been earlier in the week and purchasing a weeklong pass.<br><br>”If you will follow me, Monsieur,” &nbsp;he said, heading straight for the wrought iron exhibit, curious as to what his ex-student would think of bent metal.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>03-12-2007, 18:27:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum was fascinated by the ornamental French wrought iron, and for well over an hour he stood mesmerized by it. His head occasionally tilted slightly, and his body turned, angling himself differently to get another perspective of the metalworks. &nbsp;“The decorative style swept through the great English country houses during the eighteenth century, after the British ironwork era of the seventeenth century, after the introduction of cast iron and milled steel,” Callum rambled more to himself while writing a quick note in his journal; in not finding a pen or pencil, he used charcoal: his clean fingertips darkened from it. &nbsp;“And I find it fascinating now,” Callum waved his hand in dismissal of the word 'fascinating', and searched his mind for something more suitable to which he wished to express. &nbsp;“Nay, more interesting I suppose, that the blacksmiths, at least in England, are beginning to adopt the ancient traditions of the wrought ironworks of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries once again.” He closed his journal and wiped his fingertips on his jeans, and looked at Derek. A grin appeared on his face. <br><br>&nbsp;“Some people are pc nerds and geeks,” he explained, his voice low as other people moved closer to them to look at the exhibit, &nbsp;“I suppose I am that to the world of art although because of art, and much can be learned in a faculty of education, many would think I am pretentious.” He stepped away from the group of others that surrounded them, paranoid of being that close, uncomfortable, and then he laughed. &nbsp;“You'd fit into that group as well, Derek.” His feet picked a direction, and he began to leisurely stroll away from the wrought iron exhibit. He needed to ease himself away from the crowd.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>04-12-2007, 00:33:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lost the professor was in the ironwork, though there were sideways glances to the carefree student, Derek admiring how Callum could stand perfectly still as he stood at art, truly the professor thought it was the only time the man was at peace, when he was either creating or studying artworks. For his part, Derek drifted away from him, studying just the one piece he had come to see, fascinated at how even the slight rust was an integral part of the object, how it twisted, symbolizing life itself and reminding the man that his path was not set but a set of twists and turns ones that could take him to new destinations. For his part, Derek remained silent, he listening to the rakish man’s mutterings but not taking them in account by any means, more so he was interested in what the man had written in his journal, desperately he kept his prying eyes from those pages, not wanting to intrude on something so private and yet his curiosity nagged at him. <br><br>The wash of humanity was a disappointment, Derek much preferring the more intimate setting they had had alone with the artwork, even though he immediately recognized the academics and like-minded individuals. Somehow the man’s words cut deep, though he knew the man did not mean them as an insult, ”Perhaps you are correct, but I would prefer your company or that of other artists to that of academics, they not nearly as boring or strict as my colleagues,” &nbsp;he replied, lightening his own mood and hiding the pain he felt from the accidental jab.<br><br>Slipping away from the crowd they entered a long stark white hallway of the mansion, one in which there were many paintings upon the walls, ones Derek had view several times, ones which the man could view hundreds more times. He admired the much of the art especially the oils done by Nicolas Mignard, his gift always amazed the professor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>06-12-2007, 15:20:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum mind was torn from his world of fascination, from the art, by the sudden clustering of people and he could not focus or at least not well. He stood near Derek, and while the professor studied Mignard, Callum studied the people gazing at the ironwork; whispers broke the silence of the museum, fingers pointed, bodies slouched and eyes stared at different aspects of the rusting iron. In itself, that scene, those people drew Callum into being mesmerized, drew him into his own little world where colours and lines knew no boundaries, and imagination flooded it until there was a realization that slipped through to the Englishman: eye contact was made with one of the young men in the group, one whom stared at Callum. Hazel eyes met those of dark chestnut. The gaze lasting for several moments, a slight smile given to the artist by the stranger, and although Callum should have been used to the attraction, the mild flirtation, it made him step closer to Derek. <br><br>Callum turned to stand directly behind the professor whom was about an inch or so taller than him, and in not thinking, not paying heed, Callum's thin chest pressed against Derek's muscular back, and Callum's breath could be felt along the professor's skin; it danced along the neck and ear. The personal space of the two men, of the friends became one. Callum said nothing, but he sought the security of Derek. A long time had it been that men were drawn to him, or more correctly, that more than one took interest in him. &nbsp;“You've always liked Mignard.” Callum whispered, still feeling the stranger's gaze on him, and a flush came to his cheekbones making him look a little healthier with the glow. He tried to focus on the painting, but couldn't. Instead, he looked at Derek, at the curve of his jaw, how the light played upon his skin that was delicately scented and for the first time, he wished he never came to France. The artist could not trust himself not to risk the friendship, and he knew by the end of his visit with Derek, he would either ruin their relationship or let it flourish differently. His mind was swimming, and it was anywhere but on the artwork hanging on the wall.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>07-12-2007, 00:35:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Absorbed was the professor in the piece of art, following the lines of each brush stroke how the melded into one another, how the colours that were chosen blended and contrasted with one another, that he had not noticed the crowd that had gathered to their left, nor had he noticed Callum’s little plaything or the fact that there had been flirting. It was the sudden warmth of the man against him, he could sense as the man breathed, could feel the sensuous motion of his chest rising and falling against his back, the man’s breath as it caressed his ear, the scent of wine drifting towards his nose, that brought him from Mignard to the present. <br><br>Too he sensed the insecurity within his friend, instinctually as he would for Beth, he reached backwards for the artist’s hand, grasping for his fingers and bringing it around his waist so that Callum was embracing him with it, Derek’s hand resting upon those charcoal-darkened fingers. He knew, perhaps not in his head, but in his heart there was more to their friendship, there was something else, it had not dawned on the professor yet, but the man knew. His breathing shallow, his gaze again turning to the painting, he replied, softly ”The man has a self-assuredness that is lost amongst most artists today, he knows what it is he is painting and he does so, there is no vagueness to it.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>07-12-2007, 23:07:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum closed his eyes. The embrace between he and Derek stirred a crazed madness deep within him, and the desires he had struggled with in the café emerged once again and with a ferocity . The throb in the base of Callum's skull, the beginning sensations of arousal, tingled and danced along the young artist's spine sinking lower and lower until it flooded and washed completely through him. There was no avoiding the obvious tenting in his loose jeans, jeans that seemed as if they would slip off the artist's waist and hips had it not been for the worn brown leather belt, and regardless of the bagginess of those pants, the tightening started to become uncomfortable and there was no doubt in Callum's mind that the professor could feel Callum's hardness pressed against him. Callum said nothing, and accepted fate, accepted the broken boundaries between friends, and casting aside all that he valued, and all that he could lose, the former student rested his chin on the professor's muscular shoulder. Long forgotten were Derek's words, and a silence settled between them for a moment until Callum stole a glance at the man who had offered him comfort. &nbsp;“Derek,” Callum whispered in his ear, the faintness of the word barely audible, the accent velvety, and the tone was unmistakable. It was only one word, and that was all that was needed to tell the professor of Callum's affection for him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>08-12-2007, 00:43:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He should have been shocked, dismayed, there was not question of it, he understand every nuance of Callum’s body language, he could feel the excitement of the younger man as he stood behind him, could feel the man’s desire for him. <em>For him.</em> He wasn’t. He had not known until that very instant, that what he shared with Callum that he wanted to share with Callum was more intimate than a friendship, he wanted to know every inch of the man’s body, and yet he could not wrap his mind around it.<br><br>Breathily, his voice barely audible but easily showing his affection for the man, he whispered, ”We should go elsewhere, somewhere private.” He did not make a move in any direction not yet, unwilling to loose the feel of the man against his back, it had been so long since he had been with another, never with a man, and the sudden arousal rushed through him, making his stance in front of the painting uncomfortable is his already tailored-fit trousers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>11-12-2007, 17:34:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum remained impossibly still. His heart barely beat, his lungs struggled to breathe: soft whispered words had been exchanged between the two men, and all positive, and all eased the artist's anxiety, and the despair that would have ceased him had the friendship been ruined due his attraction for Derek. His lean body gently rested against the warmth of the professor, flourished in the heat and the security of his friend, and Callum's charcoal stained fingers hooked into one of the front belt loops of Derek's pants. Callum's embrace was not extraordinarily firm, yet not loose; it reflected a gentleness, a need, a yearning or desire and little difference was there between that, and how he used to hold his other lovers. <br><br>&nbsp;“Are you certain?” Callum whispered, silkily, the words barely audible as his lips brushed softly against the professor's ear. &nbsp;“We can depart, go our separate ways, but once one strays into unknown territory, Derek, one can become lost and I would not have you regret. I could not bare knowing that you may live with self-condemnation or self-disgust.” Callum murmured, and for a moment the artist closed his eyes and dreamed of a heaven that the professor could offer him, yet seconds later Callum tore himself from the man he desired, and walked away.<br><br>Derek had been happily married, had a wee girl, had a good life regardless of his wife's death. Callum was not that selfish, not that self absorbed to ask the man to risk it all for a tryst that may end in ruin; it had been the hardest friendship to walk away from, and tears swam in the artist's eyes, and flooded, they darted down his face as he struggled to weave his way out of the museum.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>12-12-2007, 00:27:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was as if the world stopped for his friend, the professor could feel the tenseness of him as he stood there awaiting his answer, could sense he was waiting for his world to end, and yet Derek did not want that for him, nor Callum. It was in these few moments that he vowed no matter what happened between them, their friendship would not be lost, he valued it too much to allow lust or love to disrupt it. The warmth of the man as he realized he had not lost his friend, the feel of his strong willowy arms around him as he pulled even closer to him, felt right, a sudden veil lifting from the professor’s eyes. He had always been accepting of all types of relationships, but never had he realized he could have feelings for another, or perhaps more accurately, for Callum, for he did not believe there would be others.<br><br>The words in his ear, the murmur, the brush of the man’s lips on his lobe, they brought shivers to the man, he wanted, nay needed to turn to see his eyes, to show him the sincerity in his conviction, but before he could do so, Callum had run. Fear had consumed the artist’s heart, fear the professor sought to alleviate as he strode down the hall after him, his footfalls heavy upon the tiled floor. <br><br>It was in a small room, near the entrance of the museum that Derek caught up with Callum, his arm outstretched as he rested his hand upon the man’s shoulder, his fingers curling around and holding tightly, until he closed the gap between them. He stood directly behind him now, alone in the room, too close for friends as he wrapped an arm around the artist’s chest and whispered into his ear, ”I am sure, Callum.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>17-12-2007, 16:39:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum's heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel his blood pulsate throughout his body, crawling through it especially near his ear where Derek whispered. For a moment, Callum wondered if Derek could hear his heart beating, or know that he struggled to breathe; the breaths he drew in were shallow and light, rapid. His eyes focused on the glass cases of eighteenth century silverware that surrounded him, the room that mesmerized him beforehand, but now it was Derek that mesmerized him and stole his complete attention in the room that was void of people. <br><br>At first, Callum did not know how to respond to Derek, his confession of mutual attraction or the curiosity to be with him, to enjoy all the pleasures that an intimate friendship can entail and hold, and briefly the artist's ink and charcoal stained hand reached up to stroke Derek's fingers. They lingered there but for a moment, yet it did not seem right, seem comfortable, and Callum turned to face Derek. His dark eyes, those that were the warmth of chestnut or chocolate coloured hue with a hint of amber in them met his pale gaze, and steadily held it. He searched for truth of Derek's statement within those eyes. &nbsp;“I never meant for you to know,” Callum murmured to the professor, his voice almost beyond the point of a whisper. &nbsp;“and yet I am relieved of it, Derek.” The last word, the professor's name, was breathed against Derek's lips as Callum dared to steal a kiss from the older man; his lips were silky and warm and tasted heavily of wine with a trace of smoke mingled within it, and for Callum, it was a sliver of heaven.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-12-2007, 00:20:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Under his fingers, next to his ears, he could feel and hear the man’s heartbeat, it accelerating the moment, he heard the professor’s words, as if the love he had held for Derek had been held back for far too long and finally it was released, the fear of being rejected was no more. As he felt those calloused fingers slip into his own, he clutched at them briefly, held them tightly until they were tugged free and Callum turned to face him, Derek staring directly into those eyes, his lips slightly parted as he was unsure how to precede, his confidence lost.<br><br>”How….Why would you not tell me,” he whispered, his words stuttering a little as he fell into those eyes, he suddenly seeing the man before him differently. His dark tresses, they way he held his upper lip just so just before he was too speak, the sparkle of amber in his eyes, the scruffiness that adorned him always, just enough to look sexy, but not enough to seem unkempt. The man was beautiful if one took the time to look at him that way, why Derek, a critic of artwork had never done so, was beyond the professor. It was then the artist dared to press his lips against his professor’s, it was then Derek fell back on memories, his fingers sliding behind the man’s neck and pulling him closer into a deeper kiss, tasting the wine, the smoke and Callum, he no longer held back but allowed himself to feel for the man.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>24-12-2007, 15:40:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The kiss lingered, not hungrily, not passionately, not in lust, but gently and tenderly even as it deepened and was inflamed by Derek's affection. Callum had been pleasantly startled by the reciprocation, and hesitantly but with a need did the artist cup the professor's face, trace his charcoal and ink stained fingers along the man's shaven cheek while they embraced. For that time, for that moment, Callum closed his eyes and savoured the sweet chance encounter with the man he thought of as beautiful for years; buried it, Callum did, the memory of them and their shared kiss deeply within his heart to be treasured once alone for always was the artist alone, always so forgotten.<br><br>&nbsp;“Derek,” Callum murmured softly against the man's lips, breaking the embrace yet his body remained nestled close to the professor's in so much that there would be no mistake of Callum's arousal. &nbsp;“I just couldn't tell you, not with you being my professor, not with you being married and having a newborn babe,” His dark eyes sought those of Derek's, and he leaned in to rest his head against the other man's. &nbsp;“I could not be that selfish.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>25-12-2007, 02:54:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				They had rushed from the crowds to talk of what it was between them, of the emotions that had sparked in Derek and of those that had existed in Callum’s heart for years; he too afraid to reveal them for all might be loss, but in that one kiss no more need be said, a great understanding existed between the two men as they stood there amongst flatware of old and held each other, their arousals so dangerously close to one another’s as they stood staring into each other’s eyes. It was as if the professor had opened his eyes for the first time and here before him stood a man that he might love, a man who understood him for who he was and had accepted him, as a professor, as a father and as a man, they could be more the two of them, Derek ached for companionship and had not expected it so far from home.<br><br>Again he tasted those lips, his eyes swirling with emotions, including confusion and excitement, this was uncharted territory and yet familiar for the professor, above all he did not want to lose what he already had with Callum. ”Had it not been for this chance encounter, would you never have approached me?” he whispered as he slipped his hand down the back of the man’s arm, once again grasping his hand, prepared to lead him from the museum and to somewhere they could be alone, a place where they could explore this new twist.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>31-12-2007, 01:47:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The kiss lingered, slowly and delicately between the men, not chaste yet not full of a burgeoning hunger. Callum gently sucked on Derek's lower lip, teasingly, enjoying the frail blossoming moment between them. As he parted from the older man, a velvety murmured sigh escaped his lips, those that tasted of wine and cigarettes; the moment well savoured. The artist chewed on own his bottom lip, apprehensively as stared into Derek's eyes while he spoke, the words low but comprehensible. As fingers intertwined, Callum timidly looked away and focused on the tarnishing silverware locked in glass cases that were brilliant lit by hidden bulbs.<br><br>Gently, slowly, Callum shook his head, the loose strands of dark hair caressed his skin. He would never have told, never have confessed; the opportunity long lost and never to recur. It was how Callum was, how he always had been, and never would he change: a gentleman putting his own desires, his own needs last, and wishing well for others. &nbsp;“Fate is my goddess,” Callum murmured to answer Derek's question. &nbsp;“She has always provided well for me even though sometimes it feels dismal. If it were meant to happen, then She saw to it.” Callum whispered, his breath warm against Derek's skin, and within seconds of those words spoken, Derek began to lead Callum away from the silverware to&nbsp; a place where they could converse, privately, and discover their deeper friendship.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>03-01-2008, 23:28:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was then, the two of them heard the girlish giggling from behind one of the display cases that held several of the larger serving platters just before a red-headed pig-tailed twerp skirted out from around it and tore off into another room. The heat swelled into the professor’s cheeks and for the first time in years he blushed, it radiated, could easily be felt by the man at his side and yet Derek did not stray from his conviction, keeping his hand firmly within the artist’s as they strode out of the Museum. In his heart though he was squeamish and full of questions, was this the right thing, would his career survive if someone found out, but above all, how would it affect his daughter, Elisabeth. None of these surfaced as the man considered them in silence, only speaking to ask, his voice perhaps a tad distant, ”Do you need to return to your flat for anything?” before hailing a taxi.<br><br>A perfect gentleman, Derek opened the door and gestured his Callum to enter and slide over, ignoring the looks the driver gave the artist; it must have looked like he was taking a boy back to his apartment for a dalliance. If the answer to his question was yes, then he allowed Callum to direct the driver to his current residence, if not he gave the address of <em> Hotel Auberge de Cassagne,</em> thankful the driver recognized it and he would not have to give him directions. Looking to his former student, he whispered, ”I do not mean to be too forward in taking you back to my hotel suite,” he paused and smiled, his lips brushing against Callum’s ear, ”it is quiet and will afford us the privacy we cherish.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>04-01-2008, 22:50:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Much like a child himself, Callum laughed, softly, light heartedly, velvety, at the giggling pig-tailed girl who ran away from witnessing their kiss, their first private tender moment, and then on seeing the professor blush, the pinkness that coloured almost covered the entirety of his face, Callum bit back the laughter. Always shy, Callum had been, when telling one of his sexuality, and never truly did he come out of the closet; his father did not know, nor his sister, but his aunt did, his mother's relatives did, his landlady. He had no true friends to speak of, and so if the adjustment and apprehension was difficult for Callum, he did not know how difficult it was for an all American man such as Derek. They left the museum with hardly a word spoken, but when asked of his flat, Callum could only smile. &nbsp;“I sort of go where the day takes me, Derek; my backpack carries all that I need for my vacation.” It was chaotic, that sort of trip for many, but Callum could not comprehend travelling with a suitcase. There was something strangely awkward about it.<br><br>Callum sat in the back of the taxi, close to Derek, choosing to ignore the driver whom he caught looking at him. <em>Rent boy</em>.&nbsp; If all men looked like Derek and had his personality, he would consider taking up the profession, but they were not. Callum always had luck with men, and women too, but he understood fellows more so; women were fickle at best, and moody, and had this peculiar need to change a man either in appearance or in manners. &nbsp;“Derek,” Callum murmured, on hearing him speak of quietness and privacy; a shiver shot through him when his ear was caressed by Derek's lips, and the warmth of the man's breathing made his heart race. &nbsp;“Everything will be fine. We'll be fine. Now please, stop fretting.” Callum whispered, and gave a reassuring squeeze to Derek's hand. &nbsp;“Let's just talk, and take it from there. I don't want you regretting anything about yourself, or me or us, or having doubts about Elisabeth's opinions or your family's. I don't want that.” He nuzzled close to Derek. &nbsp;“And if this is all that will become of it then I shall lovingly treasure it, and keep you as a dear friend.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>08-01-2008, 01:15:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Relaxing against the dark fabric of the taxi’s backseat as she leaned slightly away from the artist, his far shoulder resting upon the cold somewhat dingy window, no doubt leaving a smudge upon his pressed shirt, the professor took a moment to look at Callum. It was no ordinary look, his eyes roamed the entirety of the man, it would be enough to make even the least self-conscious of one uncomfortable, every detail, every stain, from the man’s worn backpack to his devilishly playful grin, to the hand still gripped within his own. For certain, his eyes noticed the man’s chest behind the shirt, Callum may not exercise regularly, but he was fit, his lack of funds forcing him to either bike or walk across Avignon to find his muse amongst the drivel of ordinary life and downwards to the bulge the man still held behind the fabric of his trousers, the thin cotton hiding nothing from Derek’s prying eyes. Perhaps not perfection, but Derek reveled in the artist’s mind as well as in his appearance, the writer’s eyes finally meeting Callum’s once again.<br><br>The left side of his upper lip rising, an expression the artist had seen before, usually right before the professor was about to make a witty argument or when he was deep in thought and the idea had yet to coalesce, yet he spoke it anyways. ”Callum,” he paused, suddenly the wisp of a thought escaped him, only to return a moment later, his eyes lighting up a little in the dark of the cab, ”I trust you to be the perfect gentleman, to put my needs above your own, perhaps even to your own detriment and heartache, but I will also want you to … assert yourself at times, I will need you to push me beyond some of my roadblocks.” He was sure he had not made completely sense, if any at all, and was relieved when the cab arrived at the manor; he paid the fare and stepped from the vehicle, again holding the door for the younger man.<br><br>They entered the lobby, it was elegant and cozy, but for the most part, Derek ignored the beauty held within it, heading instead for the stairs leading o his second floor suite. At the door to his rooms, his hands were steady as he fished the keys from his trouser pocket and opened the door, swinging it wide so that the artist could see the room. It was huge, expensive, even by the professor’s standards, the balcony’s French doors had been left open, the smell of the sweet honeysuckle just below wafting into the room. To the left there was an opened door that led to the bedroom and private bath beyond. He stepped through the door and closed it behind them, watching as Callum took in everything, ”Welcome to my home, would you like anything from room service, perhaps a bottle of wine or sparkling water?” he said whimsically.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>18-01-2008, 20:28:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum had not said a word in the cab after he felt Derek's scrutinizing gaze upon him. It was a look that he was used to seeing applied to other students, occasionally T.As, and not himself, and so to be faced with it made the young man almost at a loss for words. There was much Callum could have said, much in his defence of his appearance and his apparent lax attitude regarding employment, but instead the artist fell into silence, and did so on purpose.&nbsp; He didn't need to argue, didn't want to argue and chose not to exchange possible heated words with a man whom he'd lose to by the end of it all. It was pointless save to make a few bitter remarks on all the people who had judged Callum before, in the past, and so he eagerly accepted the silence, and embraced it as a friend. It was only then that he wondered what in hell was he doing with his former art history professor, a person whom he held in admiration, in esteem, travelling now by taxi to some hotel, and yet all the while Callum's hand, his ink stained fingers remained in Derek's. <br><br>The beauty of the hotel was not lost on Callum, far from it, but hardly did he stop and stare at the architecture, or the allure of the woodwork, and instead he trudged behind Derek; slowly he climbed the stairs, his leg muscles used to the exercise, and on entering the suite of rooms, Callum dropped his knapsack by the front door. &nbsp;“No, thank you, Derek.” He quietly murmured, and stepped onto the balcony to enjoy a different view of the town, or more correctly to passively avoid Derek. He leaned on the balcony, his hands tightening around the wrought iron, and he stared at the clouds in the light blue sky silently cursing himself for revealing a sliver of his heart to Derek.<br><br>&nbsp;“Derek, I'm not perfect, and what you see is pretty much what you get with me.” Callum eventually said, not truly knowing if his voice could be heard, or in fact where Derek was in relation to him. He just continued to stare at the clouds. &nbsp;“Hardly will I ever be seen wearing a suit, but when I do, I clean up well, but I prefer the comfort of jeans and a rag of an old shirt any day. I bathe every day too, but I don't always shave. I don't always eat. I get lost in what I am doing and forget to eat. I like pastries, and I don't always eat veggies. I drink. I smoke, and I love swimming, biking and hiking. I do things to my body that aren't great, but are, but that is who I am, and you either accept that or you don't, Derek. I cannot promise to be a perfect gentleman, but you know me well enough to know that I am a good person, that I am not selfish in relationships, not all of time, and that I know you have more responsibilities in life than I do. You've a little girl to think of, and your reputation as a professor. I don't, and so if we walk away from this, whatever this is, then I can accept that. You know my feelings for you, and I of yours, and that is all that is important.” The words came out feathery light, his accent a little more noticeable than before, and as he lazily stretched, Callum turned to face Derek. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>21-01-2008, 22:31:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Stunned the professor stood just inside the doorway to his rooms, watching as his former student crossed them and walked out onto the balcony. It was there he spoke his soliloquy of how imperfect he was, how he felt he had ruined everything by revealing his love for the man, a love that he had held hidden for years and allowed it to fester and give him such heartache. Before he could finish it, Derek approached him and when Callum faced him, what he saw was love and lust in his host’s eyes. There was no hate, no condensation, no second guessing, just a man who had a door opened to him and now as he stepped through the patio doors, was willing to see where it would lead him.<br><br>When he was close enough, he pressed one pristine index finger against those beautiful lips and shushed the artist, ”Stop, be the carefree artist I know and have always admired, don’t try to better yourself for me. Perhaps I said the words incorrectly, what I meant was that I would need your guidance, that is all, I have never been with a man, but that does not mean I don’t want to be with you. As for my reputation and my daughter, let us cross those bridges when we come to them, we are here alone in France, two grown men wanting to learn more of each other.” He pressed closer to Callum, so more than his finger was touching him, the heat wafting off their bodies pleasant and heady, Derek staring directly into the younger man’s eyes, their lips perhaps less than six inches apart. ”Can we try that, enjoy our time together and worry about where to go from there afterwards?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>22-01-2008, 17:36:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum had watched Derek approach, and he was going to say something, say anything, but a firm finger against the artist's lips finally silenced him while Derek took the opportunity to clarify his words and feelings. The two men drew near one another, naturally, and pushing himself off of the railing, Callum stood upright. &nbsp;“Do shut up.” Callum mumbled, and slipped his fingers into the short well trimmed hair that Derek had, hair that was styled perfectly until Callum's fingers weaved into it and messed it; the sensation of the fine hairs against the fingers were exquisite. Only then did&nbsp; Callum smile, faintly, slightly, and letting instinct guide him, the artist pressed his lips against the professor's and hungrily kissed him. As he pressed his intentions to deepen the kiss, Callum's hands and fingers trailed down Derek's neck, felt the strength in the man's shoulders, and stroked the man's upper back: hands settled on either side of Derek's spine, gently stroking, and fingers kneaded into tense muscle that was knotted. <br><br>The embrace broke, and Callum looked into the paler eyes of Derek. &nbsp;“I have have no intention of hurting you,” Callum breathed out, drawing himself nearer to the man, almost impossibly close. The material of his jeans, that which was neatly tented, pressed and brushed against the fine cotton trousers of Derek's. &nbsp;“And I will stop if you wish me to, if you've the need to, but otherwise all I can tell you is to forget the world save for me, and let your instincts guide you to love me.” Callum lightly brushed another kiss onto Derek's lips, tenderly sucking on his bottom lip as hands lowered over Derek's back and wandered past the waistband to drift lower still. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>24-01-2008, 06:28:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Only a sly devilish grin graced the professor’s expression as his words were silenced by the hungry kiss, his speech garnering the appropriate response from the artist, Derek stopped holding back, following the man’s advice. He slipped his hands around the man’s waist, pulling him closer still, pressing against his chest, murmuring softly as he felt the man’s fingers entangle within his short well-kempt hair and roaming down his back, the professor wondering what was going on in the man’s devious mind. And then Callum stepped back and Derek’s eyes met his, the man’s grin broadening further. ”Nor I, you Callum,” he murmured.<br><br>Words were lost then, slipped into the wind, the professor no longer interested in them, written or oral, he only interested in the touch of the man before him, drawing him closer, increasing the intensity of the kiss from light and playful to something more fierce and needy. He drew the man back into the rooms affording them more privacy to discover what it would be like to be lovers. He found himself intrigued more than he thought he would, pulling the man’s t-shirt from his jeans and caressing his lower back with fingers, feeling the warmth of the artist’s skin, tracing the hemline of the jeans, looping a finger in a belt loop, as they kissed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>26-01-2008, 04:17:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Inevitably, the kisses, the cravings of desire, the yearnings deepened within the young artist, and he drew in the softest of breaths on feeling Derek play and toy with the waist band of his jeans, the belt loops, and he purred lowly as his tongue grazed against Derek's. It only furthered to arouse him, his member straining against the fabric of the jeans. Although eager and wanton, although overwhelmed by lust, Callum broke the kiss and leaned his cheek against Derek's to savour the moment; fingers trailed down the professor's back feeling the taut muscle. &nbsp;“You're rushing things,” Callum breathed out, his voice warm against the man's ear. Only then did Callum step away from the professor, from Derek, and he took a moment to soak in his appearance: the slight lines on his face, the tug of smile curving his lips, and the life and lust that was endlessly noted within those violet eyes. Nervously, he bit a nail wondering if he would be able to remember that moment between them so that he might sketch it later. Turning, he pulled his shirt off to reveal swarthy skin that the sun recently blessed, the muscles in his chest and abdomen well toned instead of bulky, and he tossed the shirt aside onto a nearby chair. Callum loosened his belt with deft fingers, loosened the button and fly of his jeans, and as he began to lower them, the navy boxers could be seen as well as the tattoo of the Celtic knot that was near the hollow of his pelvic bone. He stepped out of his jeans, drew closer to Derek, and nuzzled his warm face against the professor's. &nbsp;“Tell me you are certain. Tell me you want this,” Callum mumbled, and pulled Derek's zipper in his trousers down with nimble fingers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>01-02-2008, 05:45:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The purr that resonated from the artist was a rare jewel, he could feel it vibrating against his tongue, his own eyes lighting with fiery lust. By the time they broke the kiss, Derek was breathing hard again, panting as he felt the warmth of Callum’s cheek against his own, shivering with the tender touches of the man’s fingers down his back. About to reach down and toy with the man’s stressed jeans, the man stepped from him, the professor’s hands falling to his side. <br><br>Taking a brief moment to adjust his jeans, he gazed at the man with lust abandoned, the way his t-shirt curved around his muscles just before he stripped from his body, his bronzed skin revealed. But the man did not, his belt was undone followed by his fly, his jeans slipping from him, the older man’s eyes were riveted to him, his eyes slipping to the bulge amidst the boxers. With open arms, he welcomed his good friend and perhaps lover into his arms, fingers tracing the Celtic designs as he whispered into his ear, lips brushing against it, ”I am sure.” <br><br>Unbuttoning his shirt, he removed his shirt, showing of his ropey muscles and tight abs, he still having his six-pack, despite his age and threw it so that it landed upon the artists. ”I am not sure how far I am willing to go tonight, Callum, but so far I all I can think about is feeling your body against mine.” Hurriedly he helped the artist with the zipper of his trousers, allowing them to fall to the ground, leaving him in just his black silk boxers. As the dropped he drew the artist back into his arms, kissing him softly, sucking on the man’s upper lift.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 06:23:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A soft sigh emanated from Callum as Derek kissed him, sucked on his lip, and teased his senses. Ink and nicotine stained fingers, those of the artist, curved around the professor's face, and knit through his short hair as he deepened the kiss with passion and vigour. His tongue sought Derek's, skilfully, delicately glided a smooth caress against the professor's, and for a brief moment it seemed like time stood still, like an eternity, he savoured the taste of the man. <br><br>&nbsp;“It's all I could ask for,” Callum murmured softly against the man's lips, and then he smiled, &nbsp;“for now, until you want more, until you crave me, and long for me, and I promise that you will.” Callum boldly, and confidently declared as he steadily and slowly walked the professor back to bed. His idle hands curiously glided over Derek's well muscled body; fingertips felt the outline of muscles, well defined, toned, hard, tense yet at ease, and lightly they trailed over Derek's spine, and fingertips curled inside the waistband of those black silk boxers. &nbsp;“Let me tempt you to love me.” Callum's dark eyes, intense and mesmerizing, met Derek's gaze, and while holding that contact, Callum slowly began to lower the black silk boxers wondering if Derek would stop him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-02-2008, 07:03:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Staring into the eyes of his artist, Derek desperately kissed him, tasting him, inhaling all that was Callum, wanting this very moment of wonderment to never end and yet yearned to know more of the man. As their lips parted and his lover spoke, Derek was lost in what could be, the touch of the artist so close, the feel of his hands slipping down his back, the strength of those arms as he had wrapped them around the professor, it was all Derek could have asked for and still Callum was willing to give him more.<br><br>The words boldly spoken brought laughter to the professor’s eyes, as he was inched backwards towards the large luxurious bed; he made no attempt to stop the man from removing his silken boxers. Lost in those eyes, Derek had not realized they had reached the bed until the mattress bumped against the back of knees. Smiling he whispered softly to his seducer, ”Now what?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>18-02-2008, 23:46:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				&nbsp;“Now what?” Derek whispered, and during that moment Callum was distracted by the idea of black silk boxers sliding down the man's legs to reveal a turgid member that bobbed for a moment when it was unleashed from the undergarment. Callum stepped closer to Derek, pressed&nbsp; the professor's manhood against his hip and smiled, one that conveyed many emotions of his heart. Callum cupped the man's face, tenderly, and teasingly, longingly, kissed him fully on his parted lips. Callum breathily spoke as the two held the embrace. <br><br>&nbsp;“Just follow your instinct.” Callum managed to say while his hands roamed over the professor's body with delight to eventually cup, cradle and caress delicate heated skin that hung freely between the professor's legs. &nbsp;“And enjoy the pleasures.” Callum suggested as his fingers stroked Derek's manhood for a moment or two, taking gratification in it. Within seconds of that, Callum went onto his knees before the man he adored for years, lingeringly licked the length of Derek's cock, swirled his tongue along the tender underside and all before he buried it deeply within his mouth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>21-02-2008, 00:14:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				For the briefest of seconds the professor balked, he closed his eyes and fought with his urges and the memory of his wife and hated himself for it. This should be his time with Callum, a man whom he had loved, at least his mind in spirit for many years, his one student he had considered to be a prodigy. Swallowing he closed the door on his wife, in time he would need work through any lingering issues with his memories, but this was not the time and he knew she would want him to be happy. <br><br>Groaning softly, he urged the younger man to take more of his erection into his hand, gasping as he felt those stained fingers curl about him. As the artist sank to his knees, so did the professor sink to the edge of the mattress, his legs spreading to accommodate the man between them, he toying with the man’s hair as Callum encircled his manhood with his mouth. ”Oh Callum, it has been too long,” he confessed sweetly, resisting the urge to push himself further into the man’s mouth. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>22-02-2008, 17:20:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum felt Derek tense, and for a moment the artist wondered if he made a mistake, if Derek was regretting their encounter, perhaps not ready for this particular relationship, but then again Callum found himself on his knees in front of Derek. The professor did not fuss, did not protest, but groan softly and collapse onto the bed. Fingers entwined into Callum's hair, pulled on the curling tresses, tugged lightly. It made Callum practically purr, and sent a slow tingle through his body that further consumed him with arousal. <br><br>Callum could not remember the last time he gave a man head, and didn't need to, had no desire to think of them. Derek, the man was his focus, to please him, and longings, cravings, the desires to be with him stretched over years, and he was more then determined to enjoy this new found closeness between them, and more yet, he wanted Derek never to forget him.<br><br>Dark eyes, those that were sultry, those that burned with unspoken intense lust, peered up at Derek while he pushed the man to the absolute farthest he could in his mouth. Callum's throat tightened for a moment, but then he continued his worship of Derek. Muscles, those of his throat and cheeks and tongue, milked the hardened cock luxuriously slow with deliberate intent to make the experience for Derek delightfully memorable.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>27-02-2008, 00:07:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The artist dropped to his knees and enveloped his heated skin with such care, the professor could not help but moan, arching his back as those lips took him; that he was purring as he did it brought joy to the professor in more ways than he could count. For long moments, he shuddered and relaxed, closed his eyes and opened them, sat motionless and caressed the man’s tresses. Eventually as he felt his climax rise, his breath became more ragged as the chance for his cravings to be satiated neared, when suddenly he brought his hand to the man’s cheek and caressed it. <br><br>”Stop, Callum, please,” &nbsp;he begged, denying them both the pleasure they sought and pulling his best friend into his arms. He was not ready, not yet, needed more time, for what he was unsure, but he knew he would regret the moment if he allowed it to continue. Tears threatening, he rolled onto the bed bringing the younger man with him so that they lay in each other’s arms. <br><br>Comfortable and before the man could speak or apologize, Derek kissed him tenderly and then more passionately, tasting the nicotine and wine as he wrapped a leg around him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 04:17:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum needn't have asked, did not want to, but rested entangled in Derek's arms as the kiss, the passionate endearment, the one that heated and boiled the artist's blood, heightened the arousal within him, and sent a throbbing sensation down his spine from the base of his skull to his turgid masculinity that strained against the cotton boxers. Stained fingers which were calloused from pens and pencils slid along the professor's jaw, affectionately bathed Derek's shaved skin in caresses, and as the kisses leisurely lingered between them, sweetly deepened, Callum securely pressed and nuzzled himself against his love's body, and melted almost into one with him. Carelessly lounging upon the bed, and lost somewhere between lust, desire and love, the artist finally withdrew a sliver away from Derek and gazed down at his magnificent body, but not before he teasingly stroked the hard length the professor's shaft. “We needn't do anything more than this,” Callum murmured, trying to reassure the other man, to soothe any doubts, and although he longed for more, craved more, Callum accepted what was offered to him, and never would he ask or beg or force Derek into something that he did not want or wish or desire. All too well did Callum know that nothing good was bred from those emotions or acts of guilt, of regret and of force; a haunting memory fluttered in his mind, and he rose from the bed to find his cigarettes, to have a smoke, and to lose, to drown and wash the past from him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 07:06:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The professor shivered at the touch, the man’s calloused hand rounding his already sensitive and needy manhood, a smile gracing his features as he heard those words whispered between them. They were music, a song heard by the artist that he was at once grateful and guilt-ridden for asking him to stop pleasure he was sure Callum had wanted for as long as he had desired him. He gazed into the man’s eyes as the emotions slipped across him, something had happened in the man’s past, but Derek would force it from him, if Callum wished to speak of it, he would.<br><br>He rose behind him, wrapped his arms around the man’s chest and rested his head against his shoulder, ”Smoking is not allowed within the rooms and though I certainly would not mind if you stepped out on the patio, I believe there might be laws against it,” &nbsp;he voice was teasing. He turned the man with in his arms, a wicked smile appearing, the way his eyebrow ticked gave away to anyone who knew him that he was thinking something mischievous. <br><br>”The shower or the tub is large enough for two,” he whispered against the man’s ear, nipping the lobe very gently.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 15:37:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum lit a cigarette. A thin trickle of blue-grey smoke fluttered and flitted through the air, a careless toxic dance in the atmosphere, one that Callum knew too often, was too familiar with, and an exhale of the same smoke darted out his nose. As the paper wrapped tobacco clung to his lip, Derek had stole behind him, nipped at his earlobe which sent a surge of heat and tingles coursing and pulsating through his spine, pooling at the nape of his neck, caressing and seducing his every sexual urge; his boxers twitched, and a smile graced the artist's lips even though he was lost in memories and thoughts that streamed miles away from Derek. It was more than evident when he faced the professor, something that he wished he could permanently hide, but his sullenness, his brooding moods, he was never good at lying about those feelings that overwhelmed him. Oddly, it was what attracted many to him, that and his looks, his smile, and it was a smile he offered Derek.<br><br>&nbsp;“A shower then,” Callum whispered, his voice hoarse and husky, and he draped his one arm over his lover's arm. &nbsp;“but a drink first,” He nuzzled his nose against the professor's cleanly shaved cheek, breathed in the scent of aftershave, and as Callum purred with pleasure from it, his lips brushed a kiss on the skin that was perfumed. &nbsp;“to relax the pair of us, but not to intoxicate us. Please.” Callum pleaded, and shifted closer to Derek to steal the lightest kiss from him.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-03-2008, 22:42:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Playfully the professor reached up and as the smoke trailed from the lit end, he snuffed it out with his wetted forefinger and thumb, a look of pure innocence appearing as he smiled into the stolen kiss. ”A drink then to settle the nerves of two friends on a glorious adventure into uncharted territories,” he agreed, pressing his lips to the artist’s in a cherished, yet chaste kiss. He pulled the man toward the dry bar within the room, a luxury no man should be without while traveling alone in a romantic country, he poured them each a healthy portion of the single malt scotch. <br><br>Clinking the glasses together he proposed a toast, could not resist doing so, a twinkle within his eyes, ”To the artist who professed his lust for his professor.” He sipped at the liquid fire, savouring the burn as it slipped down his throat. Leaning closer to the younger man, he hooked a finger within his boxers, ”My dear Callum, you have me at a disadvantage,” he purred, tugging the elastic waistline downwards to expose the man’s hip. The tension between lessened as Derek relaxed, an effect of the alcohol and of his comfort level of the new situation.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>25-03-2008, 18:58:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The heady scent of peat moss tingled in his nose, and bathed his throat as the amber liquid, almost a crisp golden hue, slid down the artist's throat, and longed Callum did for that cigarette that Derek extinguished, the one in which he discarded only moments ago. What Callum longed for, desired more then the cigarette, was the professor, and a grin cut across his lips as Derek exclaimed that Callum had him at a&nbsp; disadvantage.<br><br>&nbsp;“Do I, now?” Callum purred out, the effects of the strong alcohol rather sudden for he was used to the subtleness of wine or cider. As Derek's fingers played along the elastic waistband of his boxers, the artist casually rested his arm across the man's broad shoulder, one that was well muscled, and Callum's unshorn cheek met that of Derek's smooth groomed face. &nbsp;“I would only have you at a disadvantage, at complete disarm if I were ten inches, my good professor.” Callum playfully whispered in his ear, his voice velvety, a sultry mewl, as he nipped at Derek's earlobe wondering if the man would recall an odd private joke from years past.<br><br>The boxers slid free of the artist's body, and pooled around his ankles.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>29-03-2008, 06:41:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He had been between sips of the fiery peaty liquid when his artist mentioned a past joke as he nipped upon his earlobe, Derek pressing his naked form to his former student, his hand sliding down the man’s flank and underneath the waistband he was sure was soon to slip from the younger man. ”That is fortunate, my love, for I am not sure I could handle one so large as ten inches,” he purred against the man’s lips.<br><br>He stepped back and gazed upon the physique that was Callum, that was his best of friends; that was the man he wanted to give his heart and soul, not to mention his lust and curiosity. Placing his crystal glass upon the nearby oak table, he took that which was held by the artist, ”Shall we go have that shower?” he whispered, though it was not a question. Slipping his fingers into Callum’s, he squeezed softly before leading him into the luxurious bathroom.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>03-04-2008, 14:54:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				An inundation of hot water played over the artist's lean muscular body, hugged the curves and outlines of his muscles, roamed into crevices, and matted&nbsp; his mop of hair. Dark curls clung to his neck and forehead, and his hands smoothed the stray tresses away from his face.&nbsp; With every droplet glistening on his body, his skin flushed with heat and warmth, Callum looked at Derek. His intense dark eyes were clouded with brooding thoughts, always lingering they were, but folly and lust danced within them, flickered with mischievousness and a lust that Callum could no longer hide from the professor.&nbsp; <br><br>Playfully, he pulled Derek closer to him, letting the water from the shower drench him, letting the water slide over his body and onto Derek's, and adjusting himself briefly, he leaned in to teasingly kiss the man, nip at his bottom lip; a pulsing sensation throbbed in his skull, that of arousal, that of lust, and it coursed down his spine, his nerves, and washed into every fibre of his being. There was no question about it: Callum wanted Derek, wanted to kiss every inch of him, touch him, lick him, and he would delight in fucking him, but he stifled that thought, that impulse knowing the man's lack of experience, and being a first time, it would be wrong. &nbsp;“And how may I make this shower memorable enough so that when you step into your shower at home you'll think of me?” Callum purred in Derek's ear, and softly sucked on his earlobe as his one hand trailed low on Derek's abdomen to rake fingers into the mass of curls that adorned the professor's masculinity. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>21-04-2008, 00:36:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Something about the rain of drops upon the artist’s body stole away the professor’s inhibitions, for it could not have been the peaty liquor he had just imbibed, as he glided with him under the constant fall of water. His hands not once left the younger men, always they were touching, exploring, at first so very chastely, upon his shoulder, along his chest and flanks. It was then they kissed and Derek did not hold back, pressing his lips to the long-haired man’s; his tongue catching Callum’s before the man boyishly nipped at him and pulled back. He laughed; it was melodious and low.<br><br>Mischievously, he pulled at the man’s nipples, smiling ruefully as it brought back memories of joy, of showering with his wife, somehow this; he sensed was what she wanted of him, as if she were whispering in his ear to enjoy the lusts of a younger man and to love another now that she had passed. He held back no longer, his fingers curling about the throbbing, heated manhood that was Callum’s as the man toyed with his own coarse hairs. Crowding his lover, so that he had no choice but to press his back against the cold of the tile, Derek whispered into his ear the answer he knew Callum had been waiting to hear, ”Show me how you would make love to me.” There was no hesitation, none.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>12-05-2008, 04:07:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hard tile, cold and sleek with hot pebbled water, pressed against Callum's back; water coursed over his being, followed the ridges of his defined muscles, penetrated through his mop of hair, and webbed over his body. For the briefest time, he closed his eyes and savoured the touch that Derek offered: the chaste caresses which turned otherwise exploratory, tender, needing, and Callum's breath quickened and entangled in his throat. <em>Had Derek not just asked to be made love with?</em> Heated prickles of electrical sensations pierced&nbsp; and riddled through his skull and raked down his spine to pool in his masculinity which throbbed and ached with life and desire, lust. It made Callum reach for Derek's hand, the one which wrapped around the density of his manhood, and hand in hand, Callum set a slow steady pace of stroking, one that fully encompassed his shaft, and one that allowed for a teasing torment of sexuality. <br><br>&nbsp;“To be vainly spoiled for all others, man or woman alike,” Callum murmured, his voice drowned in the patter of water that drenched the stall, and hungrily almost desperately, Callum parted his lips, kissed Derek fully, deeply, passionately; stole their breath, the artist did, and panting for air, a light gasp ragged between the two men, Callum cupped Derek's face. Ink stained fingers caressed his jaw, trailed over shaved and perfumed skin, and for a moment, Callum leaned against Derek. &nbsp;“I hesitate to take you fully.” He breathed in the professor's ear, and then suckled on his earlobe as his hands began to roam over the fullness of Derek's lean fit sculpted body.&nbsp; Every inch of flesh that was Derek, Callum yearned to lick, taste, fully delve into and sate his longing and offer his lover pleasures unknown to him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>24-05-2008, 23:31:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He too had closed his eyes, lost in sensations of lust and desire, lost in the heat of the man before him, the heated drips that cascaded over them and fell down their hardened bodies as they stood, their fingers entangled and stroked the artist’s throbbing manhood. Shivering despite the heat, Derek opened his eyes and stared into the deep pools before him, they shone with love, lust and perhaps a tinge of misery and anxiety if perchance the professor suddenly retracted his offer. His tongue darted out and tasted of the ink-stained finger that had ventured across his lips, teasingly swirling about the digit, enticing it to enter the warm well of his mouth as he suckled upon it. Only once he had the whole of it into his mouth did he release it, the longing in Callum’s eyes unmistakable. <br><br>Despite the man’s urges to the contrary, Derek kept his strokes slow, controlled, and long, encircling the whole of the man with in his hands, stroking from base to head repeatedly, not once increasing his tempo. ”If indeed you could spoil me for an eternity, my dear Callum, I would not need or want another, man or woman,” he whispered as he took the man’s lips once again, pressing hard and needful against them, until they were both left gasping for breath once again.<br><br>Seeking to lighten the mood, he whispered against those lips, ”Do you wish me to drop the soap and bend over for you, my dear?” More then once they had joked of dropping the soap and the dangers of doing so in a shower with another man present. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>09-06-2008, 14:55:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum could only groan, a low purr of a noise as lips hungrily met, desperately kissed warmly and deeply as fingers tenderly explored bodies. The thickened cock of Callum's that Derek held, that Derek fully and slowly stroked throbbed and pulsated with life, bobbed, and yearned for release but control was required and Callum drew a ragged breath into his body; his lungs struggled with the intake as a flood of sexuality washed over him, and breathing was his last concern.<br><br>As water danced over them, as beads slid across lean muscles, there was an unspoken need and want for affection that pressed upon both men, lingered in their minds, and stirred the once still and once occupied hearts. Memories of touch and love were housed there, those of Elizabeth for Derek, and for Callum, there were fragments, remains, slivers of a few times in which he knew heavenly bliss, the divine concept of love put into practice. It still seemed foreign for Callum, almost remote, and for what seemed to be a moment of eternity, the artist leaned against the professor while electrical sensations coursed through his body, excited him, piqued further arousal. <br><br>&nbsp;“Do you wish me to drop the soap and bend over for you, my dear?” Derek's words were said lightly, and were whispered against his lips. The phrase only made the younger man smile, and a delightful laugh slipped from his mouth.<br><br>&nbsp;“No,” Callum said with a chuckle. &nbsp;“besides, it's surprisingly highly overrated.” A smile formed on his lips as he spoke, and soon it vanished as those same lips sought to curve over Derek's jaw; Callum's warm pliable tongue playfully glided over the skin to teasingly taste the water that bathed Derek's flesh. The artist's fingers curled softly to cup Derek's testicles, to begin to lightly massage them. The smooth skin moved with ease, and Callum began to contemplate kneeling before Derek once more, or moving from the shower to the bed or to the carpeted floor or to any place that would offer a measure of comfort from the hard surfaces of tile.<br><br>&nbsp;“Take me to your bed,” Callum requested; his breath caressed Derek's ear as he suckled on the lobe, but the kiss was broken, and his dark eyes peered into the light haze of Derek's.&nbsp; &nbsp;“Please.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>09-06-2008, 16:57:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Steadying himself against the slick tile just beyond Callum, Derek moaned and gasped at the first caress of the man’s fingers upon his testicles, it had been too long and he luxuriated in the sensations, resisting the temptation to press into the artist’s hand. Through it all he had managed to stroke the throbbing, heated shaft between his fingers, marveling at the smoothness of the flesh, how it pulsed so willingly, bobbed as if to beg for more, a plea Derek would not ignore.<br><br>”Take me to your bed,” his lover had whispered into his ear, tugging softly at the lobe, Derek’s eyes alighting with mischief and laughter as he pushed back from the tile, his grin wide. ”As you command, mon petit artiste,” he whispered, his voice sultry, deep and velvety as he lifted Callum into his arms, holding him like a groom would a bride on their wedding night and stepping from the confines of the shower. Before striding purposefully toward the bedroom, he shut off the water and grabbed a towel, which he draped over the man modestly, mirth in his eyes.<br><br>Reaching the edge of the bed, he all but threw his lover onto the bed, climbing on top and crawling towards him so that their lips could once again meet, he kissed him fiercely, as he slid hand across the man’s chest, admiring the lean muscles just beneath, the towel pressed between them but doing little to dampen the heat.&nbsp; ”Mmm, now that we are here what do you plan to do with me?” he whispered playfully when the time came to break the kiss for breath.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Airindel</strong> on <strong>11-06-2008, 14:13:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Callum sunk into the luxuriousness of the bed, the opulent linens clinging to his lean wet form, and with a hesitant hunger, Derek crawled to him and greeted Callum with a kiss. The passion held within the kiss was tempered at first, slow and gentle, but as lips caressed lips and as fingers roamed and played with hair, the tenderness of the embrace was lost; gasped for air Callum did, his breathing falling ragged and coarse with the intensity of his aroused state. Tugged free the towel became, tossed aside onto the floor so that flesh could be felt against flesh, wet and heated, hard and muscular, lean, and Callum groaned softly as his tongue played lightly over that of Derek's. The kiss broke, and the sudden inhalation of crisp air made Callum cough; the crook of his elbow covered his mouth, and dark eyes glistened with a slight embarrassment. <br><br>&nbsp;“Mmm, now that we are here what do you plan to do with me?” Derek whispered, his voice hinting at playfulness. It was then that Callum cupped the professor's face with a particular&nbsp; fondness, and the artist could not help but to smile. Yes, he wanted to have sex with the man, make love with him ultimately, but Callum had no intention of forcing the issue and so he thought it wise to let the emotions of the two guide them.<br><br>&nbsp;“I do not want to do anything to you, Derek, but with you,” Callum murmured and leaned in to kiss him once more upon the lips. His mouth slowly parted from Derek's, and trailed along his jaw and his neck, savouring every kiss, delighting in the taste of the man's skin; salty, and bitter from soaps and the aftershave used. As Callum teasingly nipped Derek's shoulder, as his teeth glided across the heated wet skin and nibbled along the collar bone, Callum's hand became full of wanderlust, and fingers encompassed the heaviness of his masculinity; slow steady strokes followed, a perfect manipulation within the artist's hand as if Derek was fated to be his lover. &nbsp;“And I'm more than willing to let the emotions between us guide.” Callum confessed, and his tongue skilfully flicked over Derek's one nipple and then nipped at the hardened flesh. A low purr emanated from Callum as he sweet rained attention and affection upon Derek with every intention to keep him aroused, yet relaxed; the tension within the man he longed to have waned.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chance Encounters (elandra and Airindel)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>20-06-2008, 23:24:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The professor brushed his fingers down the artist’s flank, squeezing a little firmer as he admired the man’s body before the kiss stole his breath away, he moaned into those lips and pressed his body towards him involuntarily. Leaning backwards, air slipped through his lips in deep breathy gasps, as the man bit along his collar bone. ”Semantics, always you were a stickler, my dear boy,” he whispered curling his fingers about the man’s phallus and slowly stroked, carefully avoiding the head and more sensitive parts, at least for now.<br><br>Shivering as the man flicked his nipple, Derek cried out with pleasure, almost purring as the man took his manhood into his hand, he became needy and smiled mischievously and the tentative artist. Growling playfully he pushed off the bed and forced Callum flat on his back, raising above him enough so that he would need stretch to reach his manhood or nip along his flesh. He leaned down and kissed him fiercely, passionately, pressing his tongue into the younger man’s mouth, smiling. ”Perhaps I should do something to you?” he whispered, reaching between his lover’s legs and stroking his phallus and caressing his testicles.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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