“Is there any time that I should stop trying?” Angelo was worried that he might miss some sign that he was using up more than his magic, and so was hoping that Shadow would know and tell him what to look for. Angelo’s main problem right now was concentration. He would do fine if he could just get the thoughts of everything else out of his head. Thoughts kept jumping in at the oddest moments that made him forget what he was supposed to be doing with the water.

"Try to clear your mind, Angelo. Don't think about anything else, and give the water your complete, utmost attention. Concentrate," Shadow urged, softly. "You should be able to get it, then."

“I am trying shadow but things keep pushing in.” he looked up sadly at Shadow. “Like that last one was this itch that just won’t go away.” He reached behind him trying to scratch between his shoulder blades.

Shadow shuffled himself behind Angelo and, affectionately, scratched his back for him. "Better? Try again." His tone was almost teasing, playful. But, he was serious.

Angelo shivered slightly at the closeness of Shadow to him. Trying not to think on how close he was Angelo pulled up some more water and started moving it again. It was still not as much as Shadow had done but then Angelo was not trying to use that much. He only wanted to get it right before trying more.

Shadow monitored him closely, and then smiled, nodding. "You have the hang of it. Try a little bit more...see how far you can get on your first try," he pressed, pleased.

Leaning back against Shadow he tried it one last time, this time with more water. It faltered as he started to pull it up and then collapsed back into the pool. Sagging Angelo sighed. “It hurts to try more.” In fact it was not the trying more but that he was just not used to using the magic that much. If shadow were to look he would see that Angelo would not be able to do any more magic for the day without using up his own life force.

Shadow gathered him up into his arms, in a very caring, protective manner. "All right. That is enough for today. Any more could be dangerous--you are a beginner, after all." He seemed concerned for his safety.

Smiling up at Shadow, Angelo looked tired. Waving his hand towards his head he said. “is that what that fuzzy itchy feeling means?”

"...Maybe." Shadow hoisted him up fully into his arms and headed back for their home, satisfied with his learning for the day. He seemed to be proficient with water, so he probably didn't need to work on it too much.

“Thank you for taking the time, I know how you have things you wish to do today.” It had been a weird set of days for him and he still was hurting from what had happened yesterday. He wanted to feel Shadows hands over him again. “I have heard that the baths here have people that give massages, can you do that?”

"With my extensive history of lovers, how could you think I couldn't? I could, if that is what you wish." Shadow slipped back into their home, pleased to find it untouched. He was going to be a little warier of possible attacks by villagers, now.

“Well it is only a new thing here and I have only heard that it recently come to Rome. I did not know how far east you have traveled.” Looking around Angelo sighed, this was not going the way he felt it should. “yes I would like one, my body hurts from all that spell casting.”

Shadow, feeling it would probably not do well to have him around water, where he might be tempted to try casting again, took him into their bedroom and laid him down, contently. He stretched out his hands for a moment. "Where would you like me to start?"

“Lower back and work up?” Angelo looked up at shadow then flipped over on his stomach as he pulled off his tunic. “And maybe the legs but we will see on that."

"I can do that..." Shadow shifted until he was seated in a comfortable position, and then stretched his hands out, beginning the relaxing massage with his lower back. As he'd hinted, his hands were quite skilled...

Sighing Angelo relaxed under Shadows hands. Little points of pleasure seemed to star burst along his skin at the touch. He sighed at the tough and closed his eyes.

Shadow continued to work his hands on Angelo's lower back. He waited for him to feel that area was relaxed enough, and ask for him to shift his touch.

Sighing he rolled over so that Shadows hands brushed a crossed his lower chest. “Your touch is more relaxing then I thought it would be.” Angelo reached out for Shadow. There was a slight sadness in his eyes as he touched him.

"I will take that as a compliment..." Shadow paused, and then began to work his hands along Angelo's lower chest, and stomach. It was still quite a relaxing touch.

“You should.” He sighed and arched into his touch. “You could do this all day and I would not stop you.” His eyes closed in bliss.

"I suppose I would if I could..." After a long moment, Shadow moved to work on his shoulders, which were very, very tense. He wanted Angelo to relax.

“And why could you not?” he sounded a little bit sadden by his change of where he was touching him. Directing Shadows hands Angelo pulled one under his lower back, which in turn pulled Shadows face closer to his.

"My hands would get tired," Shadow replied, teasingly, grinning. He made no moves to do anything, at this point...he would let Angelo lead. He did rub his lower back, gently, though.

“You know Shadow when I said touching I did not mean just massaging just your fingers on my skin feels good.” Moving so he could get a bit more comfortable under Shadow he reached up and ran his fingers through Shadows hair. “Would you do to me what I do to you?” the question was more of him wanting to know if that is what he would do not a request for him to do it.