Justinian

MYAKES

You did that very well, Brother Elpidios: only two or three coughing fits the whole time. What? Is that what my first time was like? Oh, not that different. I was a year or two older, and Maria was a maiden, too, so neither one of us was sure what we were doing, but we managed, so we did. I was on top, not the other way round.

How about you, Brother?… What? You never? Vowed chastity before you could even think about breaking your oath, you say? That's- very holy, Brother Elpidios. No wonder you're so curious about what the real thing is like.

How does it compare to what, Brother Elpidios? I tell you frankly, I don't know. Sorry I can't tell you, but I've never found out, nor been curious, if you really want to know. Eh? What's that? No, of course the abbot doesn't have to know you asked the question. Nothing wrong with curiosity, I sa y. If you weren't curious, you wouldn't be reading Justinian's book, isn't that right, Brother?

Yes, you can read some more now, if you've a mind to. When you read, I hear his voice inside my head. Isn't that strange? I remember it changing, just as he says.