Photograghic Memory

Photographic Memory
Warnings: Drug use
Word Count: 3070
Disclaimer: Still just fiction. I don't own the people or the characters. I make no claims about their sexuality or lifestyles. Still no profit being made.

Chapter 20
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Viggo paused by the door leading into the dining room, listening to the subdued tones of the conversation before saying anything. Judging by what he heard everything was going according to plan. Everything would go according to plan; he was prepared for anything.

"Orlando, its time." He closely observed Orli's body language as he leaned close, "too close", to Eric.

"We are coming, Babe." He flashed Viggo a smile before turning his attention back to Eric.

"I am so excited for you, Eric. This is going to be amazing. I'll take care of everything, I promise you."

Orlando stood up and helped Eric to his feet. He seemed alright, didn't really stager when he walked or anything. Orli didn't want Eric too drunk. He wanted him to remember this; a person should remember their first time, even if through a drunken haze. He turned to gaze at Viggo. His own first time he had been terrified. Viggo's soothing touches and calm low voice had lured his fears away.

"Yeah.." Eric paused as he tried to focus a train of thought, "I trust you, Orli."

Orli frowned and bit his lip, locking eyes with Viggo. Trust. Fuck. Viggo offered him a small smile and nodded his head slightly.

Orlando abruptly spun around, clapped Eric on the back and said, "You know I will take good care of you, what are brothers for?" He quickly ran his tongue lightly over Eric's ear.

Then, quick as flash, he stepped back. Throwing one arm around Eric's shoulders he ushered him from the room, exchanging a glance with Viggo as he passed him.

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"Viggo? Can't.." he panted, "No more, pleeese." They were greeted with Orlando in surround sound as they entered the room. Viggo immediately stopped the tape and ejected it from the VCR.

Orli breathed a sigh of relief when he did. He remembered this one, some were foggy at best, but this one stood out. What they had heard was the beginning of an insane plea that Orli had spewed when he really just couldn't take it anymore. It had gone from what they heard, to out-right begging before Viggo had gagged him. He really didn't want them to see that.

Viggo moved to the bar, placing the tape and his special little lock box on top. Stepping behind it, he unlocked the cabinet and took out a bottle of wine.

"First we must all have a toast, then we shall start our bonfire, and afterwards I have gifts for you. He patted his case.

Orlando led Eric to the sofa and motioned for Billy to peel himself off of Sean and slide down. He then maneuvered Eric to sit between the two. Moving to the bar, Orli took a seat on a stool behind Viggo.

Elijah pulled himself up off the floor as Dom walked over. He tentatively ran his fingers lightly down Dominic's arm.
"Didya get lost Dommie?" His eyes darted quickly to Viggo and back to Dom. He knew that at one time Dominic had really had it bad for Viggo and being well aware of Viggo's obsession with Orlando did little to ease his mind. One just never knew what Viggo might do.

He wouldn't even fathom a guess as to whether or not Dom would willingly crawl back into the man's bed. Elijah was almost afraid that he would smell Viggo on Dominic if he leaned close.

Just like in New Zealand, when Dommie had been seeing that other guy. The mystery man that he protected and never would name, Elijah could always smell him on Dommie after they had been together. It was not a bad smell, really, just a scent, kinda like.. the outdoors, with an under lying musk, and maybe scented oil. His eyes drifted up to rest on the man at the bar. Exactly when was Dom sleeping with Viggo in New Zealand?

Remembering the welts they had seen on Dominic, Elijah's eyes moved slowly to Orlando. Looking at his posture, his body language, anything that might indicate something similar. Orlando was being his usual happy, bouncy self.

Elijah was torn from his thoughts by the gentle flutter of a hand against the side of his face.

Dom could see questions and fear in Elijah's eyes. He pulled the slightly shorter man close in a tight hug. Whispering in his ear as he did so. "We talked Lij. Just talked. I'm fine, really. There were just some things that needed to be said, s'all. I'm ok."

"Dom? Lend a hand please." Viggo asked as he watched the exchange between them with interest.

Viggo opened the wine.

Inside the cabinet, out of sight on the top shelf, were two bowls. The bowl in front had several capsules with a clear liquid pre-measured into each.

The other bowl, pushed farther back, had only four capsules in it.
These capsules also contained a clear liquid. Viggo really didn't want to use them; he much preferred subjects that were responsive. But, he would not hesitate if it became necessary. This night would go according to his plans, despite recent developments. These capsules would insure willing participants.

On the bottom shelf was a tray of thick, heavy, glass goblets. The crystal was etched with many ornate designs. What you saw when you looked at them was determined by how you held the glass. Tilted one way you might see numerous well-endowed naked males in various sexual positions. Tilted the other way one might see Fairies or Pixies, also without the benefit of clothing, chasing one another and scattering what might have been stardust. Except that it was coming from their little penises.

Orlando had dubbed it stardust when he first saw them. "Pixies, and/or Fairies, could very easily ejaculate stardust", had been his reasoning. Viggo saw no reason to dispute it, so stardust it was.

If you should look at the goblet, as you turned it up to empty the contents, what you saw was a star burst. Bright, brilliant, vibrant colours that seemed to twirl and explode into a prism of colour.

With one hand Viggo picked up a goblet from the shelf. With the other, he grabbed a capsule and crushed it over the glass, letting the liquid quickly pour into it. With one smooth move, he tossed the crushed capsule back on the shelf and reached for the wine as he stood up.

Setting the goblet down on the counter top, he filled it with wine. Using both hands he handed the goblet to Dom and said a name. Dom took the goblet from him the same way, using both hands, and carried the first one to Sean.

Viggo continued filling the goblets in the same manner, handing them one at a time to Dom with the name of who it should go to.

"Halloween is a time of traditions," he said, "Hence the filling of each goblet is a symbol in itself. Each and every little thing that we do is important. Important enough to take your time and devote your entire attention to the smallest of details." He continued filling goblets and Dom delivered each one. The second one went to Eric, the third to Billy, and on, following the sitting order, to Karl and David.

When Dom handed Elijah his glass their eyes met and Dominic froze. Elijah's fingers intertwined with his to take the goblet from him. Time seemed to stand still as Dom looked into Elijah's trusting face. He couldn't do it. He could not give this to his lover without even knowing what Viggo may have put in it.

He hadn't been in a position to see what Viggo was doing behind the bar, only Orlando was able to view that. Orli was the only one to see Viggo's slight-of-hand trick with the capsules. Dom wasn't even 100% sure he had put anything in the wine; but he was pretty damn sure.

"Dominic." Viggo's voice right next to his ear jolted him back from his thoughts. He hadn't even been aware of the man's movement. All of a sudden, he was behind him.

Elijah tugged gently on the glass. "Give it to him, Dominic, then sit down. I have yours." He spoke with a calm, low, authoritative voice and Dominic did what Viggo told him to. It was a habit he had never been able to break.

"Dominic?" Viggo raised his eyebrows as he looked at the man. He was mentally cursing Dom in several languages. If he blew it now, it would take every man in this room to pull Viggo off of him. "Your wine." He smiled and leaned in close, "Relax." he whispered, feeling certain Dominic would remember this command.

Dom took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax.. and forget. Dom actually equated this command with going numb. Blocking out all rational thought and just going with the minute, forgetting all your fears and just enjoying. Viggo could see it on his face when Dom reached the point he was looking for. Dominic nodded at his host and reached for his wine.

Elijah missed the entire exchange; he was trying to check out the pictures on his goblet without spilling any.

Viggo returned to the bar and prepared Orlando's wine. Orli stood and moved to his side as Viggo handed it to him. Finally he poured his own glass, pausing to lock his cabinet, he then raised his drink into the air.

"Should we stand up for this?" Sean asked.

"No, sitting is fine." Viggo really would have preferred they stand, more for structure and formality, than for anything else. One good look at Eric in his current state of inebriation and he just didn't think it would be a good idea. Most importantly, he did not want Eric to spill his wine.

"Halloween," he began, "it is sometimes called All Hallows Eve, Devil's Night, Spirit Night, Samhain, it goes by many names. In some countries it is celebrated as a festival or feast for the dead. The spirits of the dead are welcomed home to visit with loved ones left behind. It is a night for celebrating the dead and for divining the future. It is a night of great power.

The ancient Druids believed that death was simply a transition from this life into an Otherworld. This realm was much like the one we live in and death was a continuation of their life before. The Otherworld was very close to this one and hauntings were very common as spirits could easily cross back and forth between the two. Stonehenge, the great circle of standing stones, was believed to be one of the doors through which the dead could enter this world.

This was before Christianity; there was no belief in heaven or hell. Spirits weren't viewed as evil or lost. Running into a spirit was a good thing. They were wiser than mortals and grasped things on a grander scale. If you should meet up with one it was best to listen to what they had to say.

The Celtic people also had a different way of viewing time. They believed that darkness came first and the light emerged from it. Their day actually began at sunset, not sunrise. Their year was divided by the seasons. Samhain, or as we call it, Halloween, wasn't just the transition from autumn to winter, it was the end of their year. It was a very special day, a day of great significance. They believed that on this one day, the time between sunset and sunrise, the barrier between the worlds ceased to exist. The dead could roam freely and the people spent much time preparing for visits from the dead. They anticipated and celebrated this time; it is a variation of these traditions that have passed down through the generations.

Tonight we honor the dead. We drink a toast to them and as we empty our glasses, we welcome them into our home."

With that Viggo tilted up his goblet and everyone else followed suite.

When they had finished their wine Orlando went around the room with a tray to collected the goblets.

As Viggo extinguished the fire in the fireplace he briefly explained his actions. "The bonfire is purported to purify the land, drive off malicious spirits and bring good luck. The house fires, by tradition, are to be lit using flame carried from the bon fire. The fireplaces in the bedrooms are all set. After we light this one and the one in the dining room we will grab your bags on the way upstairs. We can figure out who is sleeping where as we light those fires."

He turned back to the bar when he finished with the fireplace. As he gently, lovingly, stroked the side of the lock box containing the pictures, he looked around the room carefully sizing up each person.

"I will give each of you your photographs once we get the bonfire started. The kindling has been gathered and everything is set up out side the cemetery. All I ask is that you look at them before deciding to toss them in the fire. Some of these pictures captured your, ummm, unique nature; it is like looking at your soul. Some of them are breath taking. Eric, of course we don't have any for you but I think Sean and Billy might be persuaded to share theirs with you."

Eric, for his part, was very drunk. Very, very drunk. Orli had pumped quite a bit of alcohol into him. He sat there with a silly smile and nodded his head rapidly. He had one hand on Sean's thigh, the other on Billy's. He squeezed and patted both as he bobbed his head.

Then Viggo turned to his lover. Orlando had set the tray of goblets on the bar and returned to Viggo's side. The older man cupped the side of Orli's face with his hand. Gazing at him with pure adoration he softly spoke. "I have no pictures of yours to burn. They are far too priceless, too sensual, too beautiful to ever dispose of."

Orlando smiled shyly and lightly blushed. Viggo's arms slipped around him and pulled Orli into a slow, gentle kiss. Hands roamed as soft lips touched and tongues mingled, Orli pressed his body into his lover's, or as close to it as he could get.

Viggo really enjoyed kissing Orlando, especially if others were around. Showing people what he had and the effect he had on the younger man was enough to make him hard. Combined with the hot, wet mouth his tongue was thoroughly exploring, the feel of each other's body pressed together and those little erotic sounds Orlando was making, Viggo knew that if they did this long enough he could come from it. Orlando too, judging by the way his cock felt as he was rubbing against Viggo.

When they finally broke apart, Viggo took his hand and led Orli to the door. "Shall we get started?" He asked as they crossed the room and everyone began getting to their feet to follow. He took them through the house and out the back door in the kitchen.

Outside, leaning against the house was two torches. Viggo took one and handed it to Orli, then picked up the other one for himself. They began to lead the small procession toward the well-worn path that led to the cemetery.

The moon was shining brightly and there was a gentle breeze blowing causing shadows from the trees to dance around them. They walked in relative silence, listening to the rustling sounds of wildlife in the woods all around them. Smells from the thick, rich undergrowth in the dark forest surrounded them and invaded their senses. The air seemed heavy and charged with static energy.

Viggo and Orlando were in front, followed closely by Dom and Elijah, walking side by side and holding hands. Karl and David were behind them. Karl was laughing softly as David had once again jumped and grabbed his arm with a death grip in response to some noise next to their path. Sean and Billy, with Eric between them, brought up the rear. Sean was doing his best to keep Eric from stumbling. He felt as if he were dragging both Billy and Eric up the path. Billy was nearly hyperventilating and clung to Eric for dear life. He kept looking back over his shoulder frequently, convinced he could hear something following them.

As they made their way up the winding path, a flickering light could be seen through the trees. As they got closer to the cemetery it got brighter.

Orli leaned next to Viggo's ear and whispered. "Vig, it looks like someone already started our fire."

"So I see." He responded as he paused to look back over his shoulder. Speaking to the people behind him, he quietly informed them, "It looks like we have company."

As they continued toward the graveyard the sounds in the woods around them seemed to get louder. The sounds of twigs snapping and scampering animals caused them to draw closer together as they trudged along.

As they left the cover of the forest and came into the clearing, a large blazing fire could be seen in the center of the cemetery.

"That's my tree!" Viggo yelled when he got a good look, "What the fuck is going on here? Who is here, show yourselves!"

Two figures wearing long, flowing dark robes appeared from behind the flames. Walking around it on either side, they moved to stand in front of the bonfire. Arms folded across their chests, they looked like they were standing guard. Others, wearing identical robes, began to emerge from the woods to surround Viggo and his group.

"I demand to know what is going on here!" This was not in his plans.

"I really don't think you are in the position to be making demands."

The voice came from the path they had just left. The tone was so soft it was hard to determine if they were male or female. This person stood out from the rest. The robe that shielded the face in shadows was of a silky looking material that was gold in colour and reflected the flames.

The elegantly robed figure approached Viggo and extended both hands, palm up. "We have been waiting for you."

~Continued~