Nano Modern Myth 2.5.3

This one just starts I'm afraid. The scene is: Eurig, Eluned, Felix, Tom, Cerys and Aoife (new character) are in the sitting room. Eurig and Eluned have just arrived. Euan and Callum are upstairs in their rooms.

Eurig wraps an arm around Eluned and directs her to a sofa in the corner of the room.
“Let’s sit over here, babe,” he said soothingly.
“That’s a nice necklace,” she said pointedly, staring at Cery’s neck.
Cerys reached up protectively and touched the fine-spun, heavily jewelled necklace.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied.
“She’s always wearing that necklace,” chipped in Felix. “It’s her most prized possession.”
“It is at that,” Cerys replied with a sigh.
“Not surprising given the price she paid,” Felix sniggered wickedly.
“It was a present,” she replied admonishingly. “I don’t know what it cost.”
“But that’s not really the issue, is it?” Felix said in a sing-song voice. “It’s more a question of what it cost you.”
“Oh, shush, you,” she replied irritably. “I’m going to the loo. You can pick a fight with someone else while I’m gone.”
Cerys got up and left the room.
“Yes, that’s enough, Felix,” Tom growled from his corner.
“Fine, whatever,” Eluned said, rolling her eyes. “I was only asking. Come on, Eurig, let’s go to your room.”
Eurig blushed slightly, but got up nonetheless and the two of them headed for the doorway.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” said Felix with a leer.
“And what exactly would that be?” Tom snapped at him.
“Fair point!” Felix sniggered, rubbing his hands on his thighs.
“Maybe I should go too,” said Aoife, shifting slightly uncomfortably in her seat.
“No, don’t go on his account,” said Tom, leaning forward in his chair.
“No, do stay,” said Felix quickly, “if you go I won’t have Tom’s cow-eyed expressions to entertain myself.”
Aoife blushed, looking down at her hands.
Tom spluttered incoherently.
“So what is it with you two then?” Felix continued, quirking an eyebrow. “Just fuck-buddies or are you in a proper relationship or what?”
“That’s none of your business!” Tom managed to articulate, his face flushed red.
“So you are sleeping together!” Felix exclaimed. “That would explain it.”
“Explain what?” Aoife replied sharply, narrowing her eyes.
“Oh, everything!” said Felix loftily. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep the secret.”
He tapped the side of his nose with his hand.
“But I have to tell you guys,” he continued, shaking his head. “It’s not much of a secret. Everyone knows that something is up.”
“Well everyone else shouldn’t be poking their nose into other people’s business!” said Tom hotly, shifting restlessly in his chair.
“I’m going,” said Aoife, getting to her feet. “I’ll speak to you again sometime.”
She hastened from the room.
“You’re ever so tense,” said Felix, winking at Tom.
“Are you surprised?” said Tom fretfully. “Why do you want to go messing things up between me and Aoife?”
“Whilst she does have very beautiful blonde hair,” said Felix contemplatively, “I must admit I wouldn’t have thought she was your type.”
“What do you mean by that?” said Tom tensely, a frown crossing his brow.
“I just thought you were more the other way inclined, that’s all,” said Felix loftily, swiping imaginary dust from his top.
“Leave me alone!” snapped Tom, jumping to his feet. “In fact, you can get out of my house! You don’t live here, you know!”
“Fine,” said Felix quietly. “Seems I’ve hit a nerve.”
He stalked towards Tom, paused half-way passed him and looked back. Meeting his eyes, he smiled and then winked.
“You know, there’s an offer there, if you ever want to take it,” he muttered in a deep voice.
“Just get out,” Tom snapped back, his body tense.
Felix shrugged and left the room, bumping into Cerys in the hallway.
“There’s only Tom left in there,” he said gesturing over his shoulder. “Everyone else has abandoned ship I’m afraid.”
Cerys was about to reply when there was a knock at the door. Felix strode over and opened it to reveal a tall man with short-cropped dark brown hair framing the doorway. His dark brown eyes met Felix’s pale ones and the two paused, their postures tense.
“Do I know you?” Felix asked cautiously.
“I’m here to see Eurig,” he replied in his slow, deep voice.
Cerys sprung down the hallway and peered over Felix’s shoulder.
“Ryan!” she exclaimed happily. “Come on in!”
“You know this man?” said Felix, still defensive.
“Yes, yes,” she tutted, pushing Felix aside. “Let him in, man.”
Ryan stepped into the hallway as Felix backed off.
“I’m going now anyway,” said Felix, still eyeing up the stranger.
He pushed through the doorway and slammed it shut behind him.

***

Eluned sighed and rolled out of the bed. She flung on Eurig’s dressing gown and picked up her clothes. She left the room and was heading towards the bathroom when another door opened and Euan stuck his head out.
“Ah, sorry Eluned,” he said, darting his eyes away, “I thought it might be Eurig.”
“No it isn’t,” she replied boldly, staring at him.
“I just wondered who was at the door. I couldn’t catch what Cerys said,” he added, still more awkwardly.
“I think she said it was a bloke called Ryan or something,” Eluned replied, shifting the weight of her clothes in her hands.
“Ah, really?” he said with a nod. “Thanks.”
“So what have you been up to all secretive?” Eluned asked, pushing towards his door and trying to look over his shoulder.
“Just some work,” said Euan, slightly alarmed.
“Work, eh?” she said doubtfully. “What kind of work?”
“Just stuff that’s part of my English degree,” he said, backing away slightly and trying desperately not to look too closely at her barely concealed nudity.
“What’s that you’ve got on your desk?” she asked, leaning so close to look past him, that the towel of her bath-robe was brushing against Euan.
He glanced over his shoulder nervously.
“A family heirloom,” he blurted suddenly, then cursed himself inwardly. “Just a book from the library.”
“Really?” she replied. “It looks very old. Is it valuable?”
He shook his head.