Lessons in Advanced Door-Opening [for Amelia Ronsam rogueinladysclothing]

[conjuredskies]

It’s been some while since they made their informal arrangement, but Felix hasn’t at all forgotten the light-footed rogue or the dance he promised her. A pact is a pact, no matter how many duties – foreseen and otherwise – have demanded his attention.

For that matter he and Verity haven’t been meeting for Geography Club quite so regularly, and the smells when he steps through the door of the Fox and Crosier make him regret that fiercely. Alchemy study may have to be relocated whenever possible. He scrapes some of the snow from his boots and leather armor, then strolls up to the desk chicken to ask after Amelia.

Comments

[rogueinladysclothing]

"You mean you haven't figured it all out from the seat at your desk?" She grins right back at him. He'll figure out quickly that she's quick to pick up on the teasing, if he hasn't already. It's the habit of an older sister that she'll likely never grow out of.

She laughs softly, shaking her head to make sure he knows she's not laughing at him. "It's a variety of spiced sausage, I think. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure myself. It's delicious, though."

[conjuredskies]

Felix laughs. He's definitely used to fraternal teasing, even if Stratos' style is different. "Not yet. Clearly I need to buy a better telescope."

"Pepperoni and mushroom it is," he says cheerfully, once he's looked over the choices again. "We can find out together."

[rogueinladysclothing]

She tilts her head slightly in question. "What's a telescope?" Apparently she hasn't gotten to read about astrology in her reading of various sciences.

"I like this idea." She smiles and then turn to the waitress when she arrives with their ginger ales. Amelia then orders them two individual-sized pizzas, one with pepperoni and mushrooms, a second with oregano, sausage, and roasted red bell peppers. It seems like a well-rounded variety for them. "

[conjuredskies]

"Ah, it's a device like a metal tube, with glass lenses inside. The smaller varieties fold up so you can pocket them. They're used to see over long distances - by sailors and scouts, for example. Scholars often have them to look more closely at the heavens."

Felix lifts his glass to Amelia once the waitress departs, ready to clink glasses. His cheerful ease is going to be broken by spluttering as soon as he tries to take his first mouthful though - 'ginger ale' in Tamriel definitely doesn't come in a fizzy variety.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Oh! A spyglass!" She smiles brightly. "I've seen those before. Can't say I've used one myself, but it seems like something useful if you're going to be stuck at a desk for hours on end." More teasing. She really can't help it with him.

Amelia happily clinks glasses with him and then takes a big swig - which she then almost chokes on when Felix loses it from the bubbles. She sets her glass down and laughs for so long it starts to hurt a little. Dreams, how long has it been since she laughed like that? "I'm sorry," she finally manages after a few minutes. "I forgot to warn you about the bubbles. We can get you something else if you'd prefer." Her glass is staying firmly away from her for the time being, given she can't stop giggling. No need for both of them to splutter all over the place and waste the ginger ale.

[conjuredskies]

“Ah, that’s an excellent word for it. A spyglass – that’s exactly what I need.” The Imperial Legion: dare to be a better snooper.

Felix looks abashed, coughing and clearing his throat. “It’s- it’s fine. Fine!” He coughs squeakily, grabbing a napkin to mop up the mess he’s made. “Simply didn’t exp-” cough, “expect that. Ahem. Not quite the drink I expected.”

He takes a much more cautious sip before pronouncing, “I like the taste, I just… need to be careful with this one.”

At this rate, he may have recovered a whole fraction of his poise by the time their pizzas arrive.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"It's the term I'm used to on my world. We don't look up at the stars with something like that." She can see the draw, but why would her world focus on that when there's still so much going on around them for them to study?

...don't laugh at Felix, Amelia. Don't.

...okay, a few more giggles are fine. "I'm sorry I didn't mention them before. I honestly forgot." Which is to say she was too excited for her own that she didn't bother asking him what he would like to drink. "I promise not to buy before I ask what you want next time."

[conjuredskies]

"Oh, no- no need to apologize." He might say that anyway, but he is the one who assumed he knew what the stuff was and decided to gulp it down unthinking. "I like getting recommendations: it's a good way to find new and interesting experiences. Even if sometimes they take me by surprise."

He grins sheepishly: a sense of dignity is not one of his qualities, for better and worse. And it's quite nice to see his roguish companion break down giggling.

"So..." he adds, unable to restrain himself from asking. "How do your people track the stars?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I'll still try to let you know next time," she says with one more small laugh. Felix is so much more easy going than any of the men his age she's used to dealing with. Her brothers would have yelled for hours about this and the incident would have caused a fight between her and her closest male friend back home. It's refreshing, and it makes her smile a little more.

"We have a few charts that have been made using sextants, but my world is very small. There's not usually a great need to navigate by the stars, because even the longest journeys take only a few days. And with a compass, there's no need to worry about losing your way." It's almost a sad thought for her, really, to realize how small and insignificant Kairn is compared to the rest of the multiverse. But it's home, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

[conjuredskies]

“Clever,” he teases back. “Now I’ll feel obliged to warn you in turn.” Being easy-going and attentive is Felix’s winning strategy, especially when he’s dealing with someone he wants to keep working with. He might be a touch of a people-pleaser (and this might be half the reason his brother worries about him).

His curiosity isn’t quite abated. It makes sense that they wouldn’t need stellar navigation, if all the destinations worth reaching are so nearby. But… “What about astrology? Or- oh. Do your people mark the influence of the stars at all?”

[rogueinladysclothing]

"That might not be necessary - I think I'm a little more cautious about new things than you." She flashes him a smirk before taking another drink of her ginger ale. Felix being a people pleaser isn't a bad thing in Amelia's mind, and it certainly makes for a more interesting time together. Then again, she isn't the one controlling his time or asking him to do things, so she's not a great judge of that particular trait.

She blinks at his question. "Influence of the stars? What do you mean? I thought the stars were just..." She flounders for the right word and ends up motioning vaguely into the air above her. "Just there. Are they supposed to mean something?" Different worlds means different beliefs, but she is thoroughly confused by his questions.

[conjuredskies]

“Ah. I don’t suppose you would be familiar with the subject, all things considered. But stars – in my realm, at least – are one of the main sources of magic. Their motions influence events and people on the mortal plane; the great constellations influence the nature of those born under them.”

He sips his ginger ale before adding thoughtfully, “Though if the moons aren’t magical on other worlds, either…"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"That's the thing about my world - there's no reason to believe in the influence of something when you don't believe it has significance." She takes another sip of her ginger ale before continuing. "My world is simple, its people pragmatic. If something doesn't have a practical application, it's likely hasn't been thought of." So she hopes, anyway. Given what she's seen on her world, anything's possible.

The pizzas arrive at an opportune moment, allowing Amelia to ask for more ginger ale while the waitress is at the table. After getting her refill, Amelia turns back to Felix and motions for him to grab the first slices. Once he does, it's time to dig in to the oregano, sausage, and pepper pizza, which turns out to be as delicious as it smells.

[conjuredskies]

From the way Felix blinks at her, this is a whole new worldview to him. Well- perhaps not quite, he's met hard pragmatists before, but it's hard to imagine a realm full of people inclined that way.

He considers this while they start tucking into the pizzas... and is then distracted, perking right up at the taste. "Mf!" Swallow... "This is good!"

[rogueinladysclothing]

She smiles brightly across the table at him. "I'm glad you like it. Try a piece of mine when you can. It's really good." Of course the ulterior motive for telling him to take a slice of hers is so that she, in turn, can take a slice of his. It's much simpler than hers, but equally delicious.

"Your choice of toppings was fantastic," she tells him after a few bites of his pizza. "I really like this, too." Add this combination to the list of 'would eat again.'

[conjuredskies]

Felix is clearly a man who enjoys clever tricks and sneaky motives: Amelia elicits another chuckle when her invitation turns into a trade. All the more reason to enjoy his not-very-hard-earned slice of her pizza.

“I didn’t expect the sausage to work so well on this,” he observes. “But you made a wise choice adding the peppers. Mmm… definitely my new favorite food in the Nexus. I’ll take a chance on some of the stranger toppings next time.”

He’ll let them enjoy the pizza for a while: he has something particular in mind to discuss, after all, but he’s not certain how much discomfort it will bring his roguish companion and he has more manners than to spring indigestion on her at the start of a meal.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Don't get too overzealous," she warns, pointing a finger at him to distract his attention while she snags another slice of his pizza. Dreams, it's good. "There's plenty of time and pizzas in the multiverse to try all those combination ideas floating around in your head."

After another refill of ginger ale and most of the pizza is gone (did she really eat the equivalent of a full pizza on her own? Yes. Yes she did.), Amelia leans back into the booth they're sitting in with a contented sigh. "It's been such a long time since I had pizza. Thanks for the excuse to come out." She gives him another wink, but it's well-intentioned this time. She's spent far too much time inside as of late and Felix has been a wonderful distraction from her thoughts.

Still, she notices the tension in his shoulders, the slow degradation of his posture. Something's on his mind, something uncomfortable, by the looks of things. She tilts her head to the side slightly. "Something on your mind?"

[conjuredskies]

"Oh, of course," he agrees (only to make a lie of it in the near future). "I'll have to space it out a little. Pizza once a week, perhaps." Did another slice disappear? Hmm. Better steal one back to make sure...

He bows - or, between the stiff leather he's wearing, his full belly, and the enclosed booth, he tries to bow. "Giving my friends an excuse to live well is a fine purpose, in my estimation."

She's noticed his quiet contemplation though. Felix isn't the sort to hide his feelings by default (only when it benefits him), so he lets out a 'hmmm' and nods. "I've been thinking over what you told me of the- ah, demon in your world. I did offer to share my expertise, but I'm uncertain how much you wish to hear. Or whether you'd prefer to discuss it another time."

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's nice to be referred to as a friend. She doesn't think she deserves it yet, but she won't tell him that. No need to bring down the jovial mood.

She nods slowly before offering a small shrug. "I am feeling better. Talking about it earlier... it caught me off guard." She looks around a bit. "We can speak on it now, but perhaps somewhere more private would be appropriate." Discussing her world is hard for her and doing it in public is likely to make things worse. Surely Felix can see that in the way her body has begun to close in on itself.

[conjuredskies]

As far as Felix is concerned, she's a friend until proven otherwise. Even if she doesn't know it yet. Despite what one might assume, it's not naivety, just a knowing and calculated gamble.

Besides, half the trick to making unexpected friends is being willing to come out and declare them so.

"Of course. Some other time, if you prefer. I doubt there's any urgency." He gives her a reassuring smile: she can ask when she feels the need to know, and he won't push her.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Perhaps... after dancing," she offers with a small smile. Because that's certainly not something they should ruin with talk of such dangerous and sad things.

Despite the fact that Felix is supposed to be paying for their delicious food and drink - per the terms of their arrangement - Amelia offers a few gold coins to the waitress without comment when she comes to offer them the check. It's not worth waiting for her come back around again when Amelia's ready and knows how much everything cost without asking.

"Shall we go?" she asks, motioning toward the door.

[conjuredskies]

He accedes to her suggestion with a nod, followed by surprise when she beats him to paying. Whatever her thoughts on the matter, it strikes him as a generous move and he murmurs his thanks.

"Indeed." He rises, shooting her a grin. "I think I owe you a few drinks now - and any amount of dancing."

Despite their earlier talk of wandering in search, Felix can remember a few places where he's heard music of their preferred ilk around the Nexus. Naturally he uses that knowledge to take them the long way around, to give himself more time to digest his food. He's danced with Amelia before, he knows he won't keep up unless he gives himself every advantage.

Thus, the first place he suggests they try is a tavern where there may be music, but inside it's standing room only. No hope of a dance there. Perhaps the club across the way? ...No, apparently not.

[rogueinladysclothing]

She makes a small face at the offer of drinks. "I think... another dinner would be better, actually." That pink in her cheeks is most assuredly due to the sudden cold of the air outside, right? It would have nothing to do with embarrassing memories. Nothing whatsoever. Nope.

Amelia can tell that Felix is meandering, but she won't argue. The movement keeps them warm and they can laugh and talk as they go. Felix is an easy going soul, one so different from her own, and Amelia finds herself relaxing in spite of her ever present desire to keep track of everything. Laughter is such a rare thing these days, but with him? It's easy to forget her worries and sadness, if only for a little while.

After they've tried half a dozen taverns and clubs, though, she decides to call him out on his scheme. "I know you already have a place in mind," she says with a smirk. "Do you want us to lose our feet to the cold before we arrive?"

[conjuredskies]

“Not in the least!” he protests. “Just to wear you out so I might stand a chance of keeping up.” What’s the fun of ulterior motives if they stay ulterior?

Still, with a grin he leads them around another turn and almost at once they’re in the doorway of a long stone building with a high vaulted roof. Felix actually looks surprised to find it there, but he’s quick to step up and open the door for Amelia – sweeping a bow, of course. The air that flows out is warm and tinged with wood-smoke, bearing the strains of some promisingly lively music.

Inside is a great hall that wouldn’t be out of place in a Cyrodilic castle, though this one’s clearly open to the public. A typically mixed crowd has gathered, to drink and enjoy the crackling fires, or to dance in the open central space. Felix hands a few septims over to the elf attending the door, who promptly waves them through with a smile.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Although Amelia takes note of paying off the elf at the door, she's quickly too distracted to care. The sights, the smells, the sounds... It's like the largest tavern in her home city back on her world. She laughs with happiness as she turns back to Felix once they're a little further inside.

"How did you find this place? It's perfect!" She can't stop smiling. It's too perfect. It feels so much like home.

She stops and takes a deep breath before letting down her hair. After she's undone the tight braids that her hair had been pulled into previously, she quickly pulls it back into a single braid and carefully stows her hair pin. While it would likely be fine with the dancing, she doesn't see any reason to risk its safety.

"Do you need a drink to warm up? Or are you all right with at least one dance before a drink?" That grin is a challenge, Felix. Will you rise to it?