A Misinterpreted Handkerchief

"I suppose that makes logical sense," he said. "I also have nobles to entertain at home--to be quite truthful, however, they're fairly dull. All of them think I'm rather...queer."

He cracked a smile.

"Yes, well...I suppose that would make sense given the circumstances." He chuckled. "My nobles and I get along wonderfully. Typically, we all enjoy a good beer and then play some sports. It's wonderful, really."

He laughed hollowly.

"I spend time with mine, but they refuse to put up with my antics. I think they see me as a shady character...it's rather problematic."

He chuckled.

"I'm not sure what type of men your used to being around, but I can't see why they wouldn't love you." He was just having fun teasing Eadric, at this point.

"I have a tendency to disappear for long stretches of time," he said without hesitation. "Official business and all that--it's highly unpredictable, but everyone seems to think I'm just untrustworthy. But surely you disagree, Kaiser?"

"Well, that would depend on whether or not you come to visit me often." He replied, laughing. "I don't have many close friends, so it would be nice if you did."

He smiled slightly.

"Well aren't you bloody straightforward? Fine enough--I'll see when I can return. But first, we have some business to attend to?..."

"Of course, of course." He ushered him into the room where they would be doing the business. "Let's make this quick?"

"Naturally," he said, sitting down at the table. The document lay in wait for them, next to two quill pens and some ink.

"Now, I suppose we should read this before we sign it again?"

"It is probably slightly outdated, but I would assume most of the conditions are still viable." He replied, leaning over the document.

"Yes, one would assume," he said poring over it himself. "But assumptions are for those with bullocks for brains." He scanned the length of the document; he had memorized the transcript on the ride over, and it seemed to be pretty much the same. He picked up his pen, pausing thoughtfully.

"...Any other conditions you would like to add before we bring in witnesses, Kaiser?" he asked.

He smiled.

"No. This is perfectly acceptable."

"Call them in, then," he said, dipping his quill into the ink. "Let's make this official."

-x-

About a mouth later, Wilhelm was lounging in his living quarters, waiting anxiously for Eadric to arrive. It had been some time since he had seen him, and better, he had been doing nothing but research. He was fairly confident in his ability to proposition Eadric at this point.

More importantly, however, he was lonely. He just wanted some company besides Else and his hunnys.

Eadric walked into the room with his usual confident, echoing steps. The servant who had lead him there quickly scurried away; he couldn't help but wonder why. During his last visit, it had become pretty clear that the Kaiser was not a man who overly enjoyed impromptu sexual encounters. If he was calling him to his room now, it must be important business.

He bowed formally at the waist. The medals on his jacket jingled softly against one another.

"Good evening, Kaiser--I hope you weren't waiting all day? We arrived as soon as possible."

"Hello." He greeted, grinning widely. He stripped of his jacket immediately, leaving him clothed only in a pair of military style pants. He broad, freckled chest was now completely exposed. "How are you?"

He stared, completely thrown off.

"...Fine. Well, to be honest, no--the weather's been more temperamental than a syphilitic brass on a bad day. Getting here was bloody irritating--turbulence like you wouldn't believe." He glanced around the room, trying not to stare at the Kaiser. "I'm actually quite cold, still--the heating unit on our ship is in need of repair."

He flexed on purpose, stretching out to look extra sexy. Unfortunately for Eadric, Wilhelm knew what positions made him look the best.

"Hmm, I know how we can really nice and warm." He grinned widely, flashing his white teeth at Eadric.

"Tea?" he asked, sitting down in an armchair. "If you're offering, I suppose I wouldn't turn you down. Why did you invite me here, if you don't mind me asking? Your request sounded quite urgent."

"No, I insist, sit on my lap." He replied, sitting up and motioning.

Eadric stared at him for a five long, extremely awkward minutes.

"...Excuse me, Kaiser?" he said finally. "I think your English is failing you--no offense."

"My English is fine." He insisted, smiling wider. "Fine, fine, I'll have my servant my bring you tea."

He shouted obnoxiously in German, and soon a trembling servant appeared. He looked angry as all hell, but Wilhelm ordered him to get tea for them, then shoved him out of the room.

"Thank you. But you just asked me to...'sit on your lap,'" he said, finishing the sentence in heavily accented but grammatically correct German. "You made a mistake."

He smiled, nodding.

"Yes. Exactly."

He sighed, shaking his head.

"...Kaiser, if you want something from me I suggest you ask directly. I have no patience for beating around the bush."