Still Grrr

Title: The Lioness on The Cheese Grater
Author: Rebcake
Prompt: 152 – Classic Lit (Lysistrata by Aristophanes)
Rating: PG13 for multiple entendre
Word count: 275
Character: Giles
Summary: An evening of light reading turns a young(ish) man’s thoughts to, um, spring.
A/N: Yes, I’ve quoted the play rather liberally. Once you get started, it’s hard…

CLEONICE: And why do you summon us, dear Lysistrata? What is it all about?

LYSISTRATA: About a big thing.

CLEONICE: And is it hard too?

LYSISTRATA: Yes, very hard.

CLEONICE: And we haven’t all come immediately! Imagine!

Giles adjusted his position slightly and turned the page.

LYSISTRATA: Thebes! The city of eels and perfectly trimmed gardens.

(CLEONICE peers up the dress of the fancy Thebean lady)

CLEONICE: I see that’s not all you trim, in Thebes.

Sighing, Giles allowed the book to fall into his lap. He dropped his head back to regard the ceiling. When he was in school, the tantalizing prospect of this play had caused many a young man to apply himself to mastering Attic Greek. The theme -- women withholding sexual favors until their menfolk stopped warring -- struck too close for unfettered enjoyment tonight.

He’d dropped Olivia off at the airport this morning, and he was almost certain that his on-going war against evil would mean the end of their budding romance. She understood the issues now, and she could make an informed decision. There was some comfort in that. He didn’t want to force her into the kind of darkness and danger he lived with, but he couldn’t help but feel bereft. He’d sacrificed enough, surely?

He picked up the book and skipped ahead to his favorite bit.

MAGISTRATE: Are you a man or a Priapus?

HERALD: Don't be an idiot! I am a herald, of course, and I come from Sparta about making peace.

MAGISTRATE: But look, you are hiding a lance under your clothes, surely.

He chuckled. His was a prodigious burden, indeed.

FIN