FicWad

The Enclave, The Zark Family Compound, 11 December




With eyes closed and his head bent forwards until his chin rests between his collarbones, Charlie relaxes, completely at ease. The smell of Sandalwood and Agarwood incense, burning in a censer, permeates the air. Sitting naked on a small wooden stool, he submits to the almost ritualistic ministrations of Mayumi, as she thoroughly cleans his body before they enter the larger, spring heated, family bathing pool. Her hands gently rub the sea sponge over the soapy skin on his back and shoulders, then down over his chest. She lifts his chin, smiling at him serenely, as he opens his eyes briefly. She washes his neck and the backs of his ears, then his face. She then takes each arm and washes it, careful to get his armpits, too.




Earlier, after passionately consummating their reunion, Charlie had held May in his arms, carefully relating to her all that had happened the previous three days during his visit home. May had shown particular interest in learning more about Fleur DelaCour, and the story about the unfortunate Muggle and the Death Eaters. She also listened aptly to everything concerning Charlie's family, for they still fascinated her.

He talked to her about about how his Mother's blood relatives had gathered to 'predetermine' the paths of the children, following their births. May had listened closely, and even smiled once. Intrigued by her response, Charlie had asked why she had smiled.

“Because, Charlie, in my experience, that is what women do,” had been her simple answer.

Seeing that he looked perplexed by her answer, May had gone on to draw a parallel between Molly's family, the Prewett's, and her Mother's family, the matriarchal bloodline of the Sato. She told him about the times that her Aunties and Grandmothers would gather together, and gossip about the various youngsters in the different branches of the family. Every child was looked after, even her, she said. May used Michio as an example, pointing out how he had been escorted all the way from Hokkaido, and was now with her parents, under their guardianship and tutelage.

May went on to relate that she had been told, once, that in their society, while the 'big' men ran the 'big' things, it was often the women who were in charge of the household.

Charlie accepted her explanation, adding that he thought his mother would get along fine with her mother. They both laughed after that.

May had then told him that someday, she hoped their mothers could both meet. Charlie smiled and kissed her. Then, wrapping her up in his embrace, he made love to her again.




A cascade of hot bath water pours over Charlie's head, as May removes the soapy film from his head and upper body.

As May leans against Charlie, her smooth stomach next to his face, he turns and softly kisses her flesh.

“Iie, not here, lover,” she whispers. She moves away from his reach, a playful smirk of admonishment on her face. “Not in the family area, Charlie!”

He moans his acquiescence, not being in any sort of mood to argue.

As she squats down beside him, her unbound breasts touching his arm, she whispers, “If you don't behave, I'll use ice water to rinse you off!” she finishes, with a laugh in her voice.

Charlie looks up, peering beyond the steam, out into the open view of the snowy landscape beyond. He turns to her and laughs, saying, “You're such a tease, my love!”

Smiling, she attacks his legs with the fragrant sandalwood soap and the sea sponge. Briskly she attends to their entire length, before nonchalantly cleaning between his legs. He grunts his appreciation. She smiles and hands him the sponge, saying, “Here, finish cleaning yourself, while I prepare to rinse you.”




Several minutes later, after cleaning her own body and rinsing it, the two of them are soaking in the hot bathing pool, up to their necks in the luxurious heat of the natural spring, which had been incorporated into the planning of the Zark family compound when it was built by May's Great Grandfather. Outside, beyond the walls which enclose the pool on three sides, the darkness of the late night is broken only by the dim glow of the paper lanterns in the distance. Around the pool itself, clusters of candles burn, illuminating the warm wooden panels, and the old stone masonry. A few chimes tinkle musically in the distance, as a gentle wind blows across the rooftops of the compound, scattering a few flurries of snow.

“May?”

“Ummm?” she replies, her eyes closed.

“You still haven't told me what you did for the last few days.”

Opening her eyes, she scoots over to Charlie, who, turning slightly to look at her, sits himself up a little higher, and places his left arm around her shoulders. She rests her head on his shoulder, snuggles in close, and says, “Well, on Monday, I finished all of the log entries for my shift work, then floo'd them into the office. Monday night,” she begins, as her left hand and fingers slowly rub along Charlie's chest, and lower, beneath the cover of the water.“Monday night, I was all alone in that big, empty tower, with no one to warm my bed.” Her hand slips lower still, teasing Charlie to distraction.

Gulping, Charlie asks, “What about Tuesday?”

With a happy lilt to her voice, and smiling eyes, which she tilts upwards to meet his gaze, she says, “Tuesday morning was bright and cheerful! Pernalia and her new babies were out and about, stretching their wings and legs.”

The Antipodean Opaleye is a favorite of all the Wardens, especially Charlie. Pernalia had laid three eggs earlier in the year, her very first clutch at the Dragon Preserve, though only two had been fertilized. She had come to the Dragon Preserve from New Zealand the very day that Charlie had arrived for his first day as a member of the Dragon Wardens. The trip had been rough for her, and Charlie had spent much of his very first month, working under the tutelage of Senior Warden Tarall, making sure that Pernalia returned to good health.

“I'm surprised! I thought she wouldn't come out until the weather warmed,” he answers.

“Well maybe she just wanted some fresh air before the weather worsened.”

“Did she feed at all?”

“We flew her in eight sheep from the lower pastures.”

“Booster shots?”

It was common practice to give the animals booster shots of nutrients, and boluses of oral medicine, before offering them to the Dragons, especially the newly hatched, as food.

“Yes, they stuffed them with meds, and gave them the boosters. We were also able to tag the two babies with tracers.

“Did anyone name them yet?”

“'Acrux' and 'Gacrux',” she answers.

Charlie smiles at the new name assignments.

“And this morning, as I waited for you, Lord Aramys-san showed up and asked me to join him as we waited. He said that you would be returning with a package for him, so we might as well wait together.”

After they had hugged and exchanged greetings this morning, Charlie had introduced Mayumi to Fawkes, the Phoenix. Lord Aramys had proceeded to claim his parcel from Fawkes, and then excused himself to read the message inside, before sending Fawkes back to Albus Dumbledore.

“Before you arrived, he sat down with me again, like last time...”

“You mean, he used that 'mind' speech again?”

“Hai. He talked to me about Dragons; about their physiology, reproduction, and their behavior.“ She lifts her face to his, her eyes seeking his again, saying, “It is almost as if he talks to Dragons, Charlie! He knows so much about them.”

Charlie leans forward to kiss May lightly, before giving her a small hug.

They both relax and close their eyes, giving in to the warmth of the water, as they ponder the mysteries of Lord Aramys.




The Enclave, 12 December




The next morning, they walk together, beneath bare trees and amidst snow capped, mossy statuary, that border one of many winding paths in a garden park that surrounds a small shrine.

Charlie, looking sharp in the new black leather long coat, black clothes, and boots, that May had presented to him earlier that morning as a birthday gift, marvels quietly at the serenity of their surroundings. Growing up a Weasley means many things to Charlie, but there was very little serenity in his life before coming to the Dragon Preserve; before he met his Mayumi.

Mayumi, keeping close to her lover, is wearing a completely white outfit. Instead of her usual, close fitting, white Dragon hide riding outfit, she wears a long, leather, fleece-lined robe and cowl, over her inner garments, which, beneath two intermediate layers, was a beautiful, satin, embroidered kimono, that she had worn only once before. Her long hair is braided again, though this time, with Charlie's help, two long narrow ribbons, one white, and the other bright red, were woven in with her hair.

When Charlie had inquired earlier about why they were going out so early, and in these new outfits, May had asked him if he remembered that Lord Aramys had said that he had earned 'special recognition'.

Charlie had flashed back to the moment, when Aramys, in his head, had told him to 'be prepared'and had shown him an image that had surprised him. Though he knew that May was due to have more work done to her own tattoo, he had almost forgotten that image of himself standing in front of May with a tattoo on his chest.

Seeing the spark of realization in his eyes, May confirmed that today was the day. She went on to say that he did not have to have the tattoo, of course, but if he refused, the offer would never be extended again.

So, here they are, walking in the park, in and around the grounds surrounding a small Shinto shrine, where they are supposed to meet the Master who will tattoo them.

“When Spring returns, my love, you will see how beautiful it is here with the trees in bloom, and green all around.”

“It's already beautiful, May. Especially with you here!” Charlie smiles tenderly, pulling her closer, wanting to kiss her.

She wraps her arms around his broad back and kisses him, then hugs him tightly.

Resuming their stroll, now hand-in-hand, they approach the arched entrance to the temple itself. Flanking the entrance, mounted on pedestals of heavy blocks of native stone, a pair of the traditional Shishi statues stand guard.

Charlie is strangely drawn to them. He notices how similar they look to the image he had seen on his chest in the vision that Lord Aramys had shown him, though in that vision, the body of the tattoo upon his chest was of a dog. The face of the tattoo, however, was eerily similar.

As he reaches up to touch the open mouthed guardian, a voice from behind him asks, “What is it about the statue that fascinates you, Weasley-san?”

Both May and Charlie, startled by the man now standing several feet behind then on the path, turn in place.

May, recognizing the man, gathers her hands in her lap and begins to bow, only to have him wave the need for her obeisance away with a hand gesture and a warm smile. She greets him, saying, “Ohayō gozaimasu,Master Takumi-san.”

“A good morning it is, Mayumi-san.”

“Charlie, may I introduce Master Takumi?”

“An honor to meet you, Takumi-san.”

May watches as Charlie bows, and does so correctly; she has been teaching him more and more of her culture's customs and etiquette.

Takumi-san returns the bow, then steps forward to be beside them. Folding his hands behind his back, he smiles to Charlie and nods, signaling him to proceed with his answer.

Charlie clears his throat slightly, then says, “I know the statues are guardians of the Shrine. The open mouthed lion, to me, looks like he is ready to attack. He appears fierce, with sharp teeth, and a snarling grimace.” Charlie pauses as his right hand moves over the statue. Continuing, he says, “The lion looks hunched slightly, as if readying itself to leap.” He lets his fingers explore the carved features and the muscular back, worn smooth over the years by the hands of others. Then, with a slight frown upon his face, he asks, “I can't help but wonder, though, is it just a mask he wears? Is his grimace simply meant to scare off evil?”

“That is a very interesting observation, Weasley-san!” Master Takumi says, looking impressed. Then, turning to the other Shishi, he asks,“What about this one?”

Charlie steps over to the close mouthed lion, with May on his heels. He reaches up, once again, to touch the guardian. He notices the ever vigilant eyes, calm and serene, echoing the peacefulness of their surroundings. Like the first statue, this lion exhibits a broad chest, and powerful stance, though without the sense of impending aggression. A sudden shiver raises goose bumps on Charlie's arms and the back of his neck.

“I sense that this one is the protector. He is serene, yet eternally vigilant; silent, but powerful. He shows no fear, but he doesn't threaten, either.”

“And if I asked you which one of the Shishi you identify the most with, which one would you choose?”

Now Charlie understands what is really going on here.

“I would choose the second one, Master.”

“So be it, Weasley-san! You have chosen well!” Master Takumi smiles brightly as he steps back, and addressing both May and Charlie, says,“Please, both of you, follow me!” He extends his arm, using it to indicate the path they will walk. It is then, for the first time, that Charlie sees a hint of the artwork beneath the Master's garb, for his sleeve rides up slightly, as the arm extends.

May takes Charlie's hand first, pulling him close, before entwining her right arm around his left one. Seeing his smiling response, she beams her own happiness back to him. Together, they follow Takumi-san to where he leads them.




Many minutes later, the three of them arrive in front of a long building near the northern end of the Enclave, where most of the craftsmen live and practice their trades. The northern winds blow scattered snow flurries about, as the sun struggles to poke through the thin cloud layers overhead.

Charlie follows the lead of Takumi-san and Mayumi, as they remove their outer coats, before stepping inside. Inside, all three remove their shoes and boots, turning them to face the outer door, before stepping up onto the wooden floor, and placing their feet into the slippers provided.

Takumi-san leads them deeper into his home/shop. The air warms considerably as they proceed. Sliding open a long paper and wood door, Master Takumi says, “You both may change in here. Weasley-san, follow Zark-san's lead, as she has been here before.” Then, turning to May, Takumi-san gives her some brief instructions, all in rapid fire Japanese.

May simply replies, “Hai,” and bows quickly. She then withdraws the parchment given to her in November by Lord Aramys and hands it over to Master Takumi. Takumi-san receives it and withdraws. May turns back to Charlie and leads him into the room.

“We remove our clothes in here, love,” she begins. Shutting the door behind them, she indicates to Charlie where he can change. She walks over to a small set of drawers and begins to open and close them, until she finds what she wants. She removes a lightweight pair of drawstring trousers for Charlie, and sets them on the small table next to his seat. Seeing the nervous smile on Charlie's face, she kneels down in front of him and leans forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kisses him.

Charlie, at first, settles his sweaty palms on May's hips, as he kisses her back. As the passion inside of him begins to overwhelm the sense of cold feet that he had been feeling, his hands and arms move to encircle her waist, pulling her closer.

May begins to laugh, breaking the kiss, then wiggling herself free of his grasp. Then, quietly, she peers into his eyes, asking, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Charlie smiles and kisses May on the forehead, then whispers, “Hai.”

She smiles back and kisses him lightly on the lips. Hands on his knees, she pushes herself up into a standing position. “Be sure you use the bathroom. We're going to be in there several hours.”

“Will we be in the same room?”

“I think so. I haven't been tattooed along side anyone else before, though. Also, there should be a small bowl of water to be used for cleaning, over there, inside that small cabinet.”

As Charlie undresses, he occasionally asks small minor questions. Mayumi, from behind an unfolded changing screen, answers as best as she can.

Finished with his ablutions, Charlie sits quietly waiting for his lover, twiddling his thumbs as he does.

May walks out from behind the screen, wearing her white, embroidered kimono and white socks. Just as she prepares to tighten the sash around her waist, Charlie says, “May? Wait... don't tie that yet, please. Would you let me see your tattoo once again, as it is now, before we go in there?”

“Sure, love!” She turns, and lowers the kimono, exposing the Dragon one more time to Charlie. He walks over to her and gently touches her skin, tracing the contours and lines, connecting himself to her, and to it. It suddenly strikes him, that he has chosen the Lion with the closed mouth for his tattoo. May's Dragon is open mouthed. A feeling of some sort of weird cosmic karma comes over him, raising goose bumps on his skin. He gives a little shudder as he gently lifts May's kimono back into place on her shoulders. She turns around in front of him. He reaches for her sash, noticing for the first time she wears only a gauzy white thong around her hips and between her legs. He slowly closes the front of her kimono and ties the sash for her.

“Ready, lover?”

“Let's do it, May!”

Together they enter the studio.




The brightly lit room, heavily scented with burning incense that immediately has the effect of bringing Charlie and May to a full state of awareness, is Spartanly furnished. Several small tables, each short in height, surround the central area, where two colorful area rugs are spread out. Atop each rug, a crisply starched, white sheet lies. Small pillows rest at each end of each sheet.

Two men are in the room. Master Takumi-san, now wearing a thin white smock and latex gloves, beckons Charlie and May into the room. Beside him, a younger Japanese man stands, dressed as Takumi-san, though his smock is light blue.

Both Charlie and May bow to the two men, who return their bows.

In English, out of deference to Charlie, Master Takumi introduces the other man.

“This is Horitaku-san, my student. Today, he begins the tests to be a Master of Irezumi, and to earn his own name.”

Horitaku bows once again to all three of the others, who return his bow. He then turns to Charlie and begins a few long sentences in Japanese, not speaking English as of yet.

Master Takumi translates, saying, “Weasley-san, I have trained many years with Takumi-sen and learned many things. Will you grant my humble self the honor of creating for you, the tattoo which Master Takumi has told me about?”

With no hesitation, Charlie replies, “Horitaku-san, it is I who is honored to be able to help you attain the title and rank of Master in your craft. Hai! Please, will you create for me my very first tattoo?The tattoo that will bond my soul to this woman that I love? A tattoo worthy of a man who loves a Dragonrider?”

A short gasp escapes May, as a tear rolls down her cheek.

The briefest of moments then passes, the room as silent as it can be, before Master Takumi translates for Horitaku-san.

Horitaku listens, then stands stiffly straight, before bowing once again. A soft, “Hai,” is his only reply.




Four hours later, Charlie lays down again on his back, after having been granted a chance to get up and walk a bit, and to refresh himself. He had purposely avoided any mirrors, and he chose not to look at his chest. His skin felt hot and numb, as the constant tapping of Horitaku-san's tools, and the jabbing of the needles that injected the ink beneath his skin, had tested his pain threshold as nothing else had before. At the start, he and May had held each other's hands across the small space between the two rugs where they lay. May's feet were opposite Charlie's head, and were propped up slightly atop the pillow at the end.

Charlie has his pillow beneath his knees, to keep them bent and his legs relaxed. He eschews having one beneath his head, choosing to turn his head away from Horitaku-san.

During his short break, he did chance to view the progress Master Takumi was making with the new features on May's back. More definition had been added to the Dragon, as well as new atmospheric enhancements around the body of the Dragon. One of the forelegs was being extended inwards, towards the center of her back.

To Mayumi's credit, she seemed to be feeling no pain, as there was alook of rapture on her face. Only once did Charlie see her wince slightly.

The touch of the needle to his chest brings Charlie back to the present, then the sound of tapping becomes all he can hear. He closes his eyes again, and breathes.




Two hours later, and the tapping has stopped. Horitaku wipes Charlie's chest clean of excess ink, then applies an antiseptic liquid to it.

Charlie takes several, lung expanding, deep breaths, then stretches his whole body. He sits up, careful not to do so too quickly. He waits for his head to refocus, then begins to stand.

Horitaku guides him over to a full length mirror. He stands beside Charlie as he moves to stand in front of it.

Charlie is awestruck by the first impression. As in the vision, the animal, a lion as opposed to a dog, spans the top of his chest, and down his right side. The hindquarters are below his left collarbone, with the right side, rear leg stretched out behind, ending on his left shoulder. The left rear leg was folded in front, it's paw close to his left nipple. The forequarters and head start over his right chest, with the legs and head spanning further downwards. The whole shape follows Charlie's natural musculature. The head faces inwards, and the left front leg is extended inwards towards the center of his chest, with it's paw resting on a pearlescent globe. On the globe, almost entwined with the fingers of the lion paw, is a nebulous outline of a dragon's talon-like claw.

Charlie begins to reach towards the pearl, but stops before making contact with the newly inked skin. He makes eye contact in the mirror with Horitaku, smiles, then continues his examination.

Though there is no color in the tattoo, there is incredible detail in the face and mane, and hints of delicate shading to come.

As Charlie studies the face closely, he feels May's hands grasp his arm, then her naked chest against his side, as she gazes at the fantastic image on his chest. A soft, “Oh,” escapes her lips, as she reaches towards the mirror, and the reflected image of the pearl in the center of his chest.

Softly, her eyes wide in wonderment, she says, “Charlie, this is your soul!”

Charlie chokes up slightly, then, remembering the extending leg of her Dragon, he grasps her hands in his, freeing his arm, and eases her forward. He moves behind her, to see that her Dragon now has the claw of it's foreleg grasping an almost identical pearl, that has a ghostly image of a lion's paw on it, it's fingers entwined amongst the talons of the claw.

“You have the same pearl on your back, May!”

May asks for a hand held mirror, then turns around, and gazes at the full glory of her Dragon reflected in the two mirrors.

Incredible detail has been added to her Dragon, defining more musculature and the wings. There is more character to the face, as if the Dragon is attaining an individuality. Around the body and the wings, gusts of wind swirl around, with flakes of snow scattered throughout. Whereas in most Dragon tattoos there are stylized waves of water, depicting the traditional mastery the dragon holds over water (and wind), Mayumi's tattoo has rocky cliffs and banks of snow in the background, marrying her tattoo to it's environment.

Whereas the previous tattoo swept upwards from the hip on her left side, across her lower back and then up to her right shoulder blade, the new work extended below the hip, sweeping around the thigh to the front, and partially onto her left buttock in the back. The upper edge now extended up and over the top of her right shoulder. A few small tendrils of wind curled around to her front beneath her right armpit, barely touching the edge of her breast.

Charlie had a hard time stopping his explorations, until he realized he was becoming turned on by what he saw.

Master Takumi, now standing behind the group, asks them both to step away from the mirror, and stand side-by-side, with Charlie facing him, and May facing away. He indicates to Horitaku to come and stand next to him. They proceed to discuss the two pieces of art, and how they work together in harmony. They talk about the work yet to occur.

Finally, Master Takumi says, “In January, you will both return for more work. Weasley-san, Horitaku will add shading, more detail, and color. Mayumi-san, I will also be adding more color and detail. In the next several weeks, your bodies will heal. Keep them clean and use the liquid we will provide you. After we place dressings over the skin, you may dress.

As Charlie begins to express his profound thanks and admiration for what he has received, Master Takumi quiets him, saying, “When we are done, there will be much time for thanks!” He smiles serenely, as does Horitaku, when Charlie turns towards him.

Swallowing the ebullient emotions he longs to express, Charlie straightens, and bows deeply to them both, feeling a twinge of pain as part of the skin on his torso stretches slightly.

They are both led to the work tables of the two artists, where protective dressings are applied to their reddened skin.




Minutes later, they are fully dressed, and putting on their outer coats, having stepped outside again. The sky has darkened, with only the slight coloring on the western horizon left of the day. They both breathe in the crisp, fresh air. Charlie looks up at the twinkling stars, noting the placement of Orion, the Hunter. Already, the dim band of the Milky Way can be seen, bridging the cosmos from one side to the other.

“Ready to go, my love?” asks May.

“Always ready to go with you, May,” he replies, holding her hand.

“What do you want to eat tonight?” she asks, as they begin to walk from beneath the lantern light of the closed doorway.

A deep rumble precedes Charlie's answer. “Anything you want, though a gazelle would taste just right about now!” he says, distressed at the loud noise from his stomach. “How about some Kobe beef steaks?”

As they walk away, May replies, “I know just the place, birthday boy!”

“Blimey, I keep forgetting! It IS my birthday!”

May laughs, and produces her wand. Grabbing Charlie's arm, she flourishes the wand, and they both Disapparate.