conjuredskies | Vita Nova (for smartass

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Vita Nova (for smartass_captain)

It’s taken a great deal of effort and no small subterfuge to obtain the right co-ordinates. But at long last it’s done, and when Felix and Jim appear it’s beneath the clear blue skies and on the gentle green grass of central Cyrodiil. They’re in a low hollow, surrounded by hillocks that block them from view, though atop one is a small circular structure of worn white columns. The air is cool, but much milder than in Skyrim this time of year. Felix draws a deep breath and turns to Jim with a smile, gesturing toward one of the hills. He’s out of uniform and wearing his own leathers for this trip - it simplifies things.

From the top, he already knows, there’s an excellent view of the grassy slopes stretching down to the shores of Lake Nibenay, its vast waters stretching out to the horizon both left and right… and beyond that, seeming equally vast, the towering white walls of the Imperial City, shadowing the tiny isles and the full-masted ships that ply the waters around it. Only one building rises above those walls: the shining spindle of the White-Gold Tower, impossibly tall from this angle. There’s a road below, following the general line of the shore, and even from a distance the sound of horses and carts and chatting travelers can be heard. It takes a lot of traffic to keep the heart of an Empire beating.

“Welcome to the Imperial City,” Felix says softly.

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"No, no."

Jim shakes his head. He's quick to put his hands up in a placating manner as if to prove this point.

"Entirely human, no special abilities whatsoever. I can't even do magic. I'd be dead inside a day in this world without Felix here, and that's a fact." The laugh he gives is sincere but tinged with nervousness.

"And if you must know, I'm involved with Felix." He folds his arms over his chest and gives a shrug. It was going to come up eventually, might as well get that out there right now and get allllllllll of the awkward on the table and out of the way so they can go back to enjoying themselves.

"Now that at least makes sense," is Terentius' reaction, the old soldier letting out a chuckle. He's still appraising Jim, though in light of this news his speculation has just taken a very different turn.

Marcella stares at them both for a minute. "So you've been summoning up... people. And you want us to help hide him." She's frowning very directly at Felix now. "And is this how you- no, you're right, I shouldn't ask.

"I don't know about anyone else," Terentius says, settling himself in a chair, "but I need a drink before I wrap my head around all this."

"Excellent idea, uncle." Felix touches a hand to Jim's back, reassuring, more than ready to guide him to a chair and pull one up alongside. His breath caught a little when Jim announced their involvement like that. But his family don't seem entirely surprised, and now it's out in the open he has no reason to stifle his affection so much.

"If it helps, I do have a home of my own that I'm quite able to go back to. I really am just visiting for the festival."

The captain rubs at the back of his neck, unsure of how to ease the tension in the room but Felix wanted them to tell the truth, or as much of it as they're able to. Jim's trying to accommodate here and he's hoping that this hasn't just completely upset the festival plans. He looks enough like the locals in his outfit, Jim figures. No one stopped or questioned him on his way into the city.

Jim goes where he's lead to a chair and glances at Felix to make sure he's not just ruined everything by opening his mouth. What he sees instead is support and affection and he can't help but to relax slightly. Put on a small smile again.

"My apologies. I didn't intend to upset anyone."

"I suspect they're more afraid that we're up to some nefarious scheme," Felix says lightly, to cover his own tension. Marcella's offering them both mugs and ale, her face still scrunched up in thought. "And that mainly because you arrived with me..."

"Felix, since you were three years old there isn't a day you haven't been up to something," Terentius says dryly. Even Marcella twitches a smile. "But, well. Stendarr knows if that's all there is to it..."

"Of course we'll help," Marcella says bluntly. "I just wish you knew how annoying it is to be the one kept out of the loop all the time." At which Felix opens his mouth, frowns, and then shuts it again, because... that hits a bit close to home.

Terentius, meanwhile, is quite happy to wave the whole business aside for now. Ssssort of. "So, how long have you two been 'involved'?" The only reason he can refrain from winking is that this is his nephew he's talking about.

"I promise to try and not cause anyone trouble while I'm here."

And really when it comes to Jim Kirk and his luck, the only thing he can really promise anyone is to try. His track record isn't so great when it comes to these kinds of things and only some of them are his own fault.

Jim thanks Marcella for his mug and takes a drink of the ale while Terentius side eyes his nephew and Jim a moment.

"A year and two months now." Which is still mind blowing to Jim every time he has to put a quantifier to their relationship. He feels a bit less terrified every time he has to though and a little bit more proud. But only a little. If the universe catches on that he's happy with his life, something's bound to happen.

"A year?" Marcella looks around at them in patent surprise. Terentius echoes that look, but then nods slowly, as if things are starting to make more sense.

"So that's why you've been sticking out that post," he says to Felix, who makes a noncommittal shrug behind the beer he's lifting to his mouth. Terentius smiles and lifts his own. "Well, congratulations to you both. It's about time Felix brought you for a visit."

"At least they didn't get married first," Marcella says distractedly, feeding a log onto the fire before she settles on a chair. Felix has to swallow his beer rather hastily.

"...Well, I know it's overdue, but I wasn't going to wait that long." He gives Jim an embarrassed smile. "I've been looking forward to showing him all of this." And looking Jim's way while he says it means he misses the look his cousin gives him - the one that says dear Mara, you genuinely have it bad. This is a novel sight for her.

Jim makes a slight tut sort of sound when Marcella uses the 'M' word about the pair of them. How has he come from being terrified of being sworn to anyone to irritated because he can't become more with Felix in just a year?

But it has.

The fact of the matter is he can't imagine his life without the conjurer now. Nor his family. This place and these people mean much to him even if it isn't his home. It's Felix's home and that's more than enough for Jim.

Jim can't take Felix away from his home any more than he can stay here for any extended time. And that's no union. Months ago he would have kicked himself saying this is why you don't get attached. Now? He just shrugs and pretends he's not trying to find a way to do exactly that and sips at his drink.

Though he gives Felix a reassuring smile. Worry not. He's not scared off by the prospect.

"It's rather difficult given the nature of my job, and that's even before Felix's own."

Felix is shooting him quick glances to see how he's taking all of this. He still takes it as a blessing that Jim wants to be with him so openly, never mind how the captain's welcomed Felix into his home, his life. The last thing he wants is to make Jim nervous about how closely they're becoming entwined.

...Only Jim doesn't look nervous. Not as much as Felix feels, for certain. The conjurer swallows a little, relaxing beside Jim and trying not to wonder what that means. Save that thought for later.

"Exactly. Jim doesn't have many opportunities for leave and as for me- well, Stratos is my commanding officer." He shrugs at the others.

"Glad you came when you did," Terentius says sincerely. "It's been much too quiet without you running around the place, Felix. How long will you boys be sticking around? We'll have to make the most of it."

This time Jim's expression does fall, but it's for an altogether different reason. He recovers quickly but some of the light has left his expression.

"I usually take a few days for myself around this time of the year." He says quietly. "I'm not sure how long Felix is free, but I've nowhere to be until after the fourth."

Felix notices, the moment he glances Jim's way. Maybe it's hard to tell, if you don't know Jim and don't know what to look for. But Felix does. Felix has been watching like a hawk for exactly those subtle shifts in his lover's demeanor, because it is that time of year and Jim is far, far too skilled at hiding his wounds until they drain him dry.

He doesn't address it directly, but he shifts his mug to his other hand so he can slip his arm through Jim's. "And I'm certainly not going anywhere without him."

"Or hurrying back to face the music, I'd wager," Marcella says dryly. "Still, a few days... you'll see most of the festival then. Would you like to visit the arena? I can arrange us good seats for the games - I know half the smiths in the district."

The touch has the captain flitting his glance over to Felix, and the smallest apologetic smiles crossing his face before he tries to look his best toward Felix's relatives again. He doesn't pull away and shifts so he can lean into it instead ever so slightly.

"What's at the arena?" Jim's certain he can guess but he hopes the words 'non lethal' and 'sport' play into it. He doesn't really have a lot of interest in watching folks fight for others' amusement if there's real danger there. For fun, sure. That's half the reason Jim still goes out to back water bars now and again. An occasional brawl is good for your character.

He sips at his drink.

"Felix mentioned something about competitive kite flying. I haven't ever made my own kite. I have to admit I'm curious." Something his engineering leaning mind is much more intrigued by.

Terentius is still watching them with affable bemusement and hiding it behind his ale. Marcella seems momentarily flummoxed by Jim's unfamiliarity with the arena, but that's just Felix's cue to explain.

"Combat for sport," he supplies, only now wondering if this is something he ought to have forewarned Jim about. Doesn't Earth have something similar? He can imagine getting kidnapped for the Nexus fighting ring might have soured Jim on the whole concept, of course... "Either in teams or one-on-one duels. It's an exciting business... but, ah, not to everyone's taste."

"Well, if it's kites you want, it's a good thing I've been making a few this year." Marcella might be a little disappointed she can't put her arena contacts to good use, but on the other hand the subject of actually making things is one she's much more at ease with too. She gives Jim a slightly speculative look. "I haven't finished yet, though. You could help me if you're interested. I need time to enchant a few of them as well."

"Ah."

Jim knows even as the noise leaves his mouth that Felix will hear so much more than the faux boredom he has laced the simple syllable with. No, for as much as Jim Kirk will stand up for people and pick fights for every single thing he believes in, will throw himself in harms way because he can't willingly lose a single life....for as much as that violence is a part of him he does not enjoy pain for sport. Pain is for failed eugenics experiments and for survival. For Witness 6.

Jim Kirk is not that person anymore.

But there's a startling clarity that he's not wrecked to have those thoughts. It's unpleasant, certainly. But he's still sitting here, holding a conversation. Smiling in all the right places. And even meaning some of them. There's such affection and concern in the touches at his arm. He's not alone.

Felix sees Jim in a way he has never let anyone else before and it's terrifying. And yet. He's never felt safer. So he smiles for Felix and is pleased to find that it takes and he means it and everything is back to normal.

He sets his ale aside and gives Marcella a charming grin.

"Are you kidding? I love building things. I know enough about aerodynamics and physics to feel like I can try my hand at making one." And it doesn't occur to Jim that they may not know what those words mean but maybe it does and he just doesn't care because he knows Felix knows and he knows Felix likes it when he waxes on about warp theory and astrophysics.

Felix does love it. He can already imagine Jim explaining to him exactly how this kite works and the clever ideas he has to make it fly that little bit better... and just maybe this is part of the reason his hand has found Jim's, his fingers curling around the other man's with absent affection.

"Looks like we have another scholar on our hands," Terentius remarks good-humoredly. The old soldier's happy to sit back for now and watch the younger family members - old and, he suspects, new - find a shared interest they can bond over. Marcella's smiling quite genuinely at the prospect.

"There's more to it than knowing your numbers and drawing a few sketches," she warns him, but there's no bite to it. "We'll see how you do once you've rested your feet for an hour, anyway. And Felix can finish putting the decorations up outside."

"Certainly."

"Ha! I'm sure Felix wishes I was just a scholar. I'd probably get into less trouble that way."

He leans forward in his seat then and takes in Marcella's challenging tones with a raised eyebrow and a grin that just speaks volumes as to how eagerly he's going to take her up on it. Okay, so he doesn't know magic of any kind. But he is smarter than a lot of folks give him credit for and he's pretty sure he can build a kite that kicks plenty of ass if he puts a genuine effort into it.

"Need any help with the chores, Felix? I'd be happy to lend a hand..." He sounds so innocent when he offers but he still looks far too cocky and self assured for it to truly be as such.

"If that were true, you wouldn't be the man I fell in love with," Felix counters, watching Jim grin. Ohh, his cousin has no idea what she's starting, offering Jim that hint of a challenge. Felix isn't going to warn her, though. That wouldn't be any fun and he doubts she'd listen anyway.

And it makes him so happy to see that grin, genuine and mischievous. Here, in his world and among his family. Now, in spite of everything that haunts Jim lately. He's wondered before what this meeting might be like. He never realized it would spark such warmth in his chest, such quiet happiness welling up and tugging his mouth into a smile more gentle than quick.

"Oh, you needn't. You're a guest here, after all." He returns that cocky grin with his own amusement. "On the other hand, you did want to learn more about our customs here..."

Marcella rolls her eyes. She feels she's going to need the practice. "As long as you actually mean helping and not... causing trouble."

"Or shocking the neighbors," Terentius chips in with a grin of his own.

Marcella lets out an unladylike snort. "Some of them could use a good shock. That's not a suggestion!" Why is she giving the pointed look to Felix? Because she has much to learn indeed.

"I already promised to try to keep out of trouble. What else could I possibly mean when I offer to help?"

Jim does a remarkable job of looking honestly confused by the suggestion, even going so far as to tilt his head to the side slightly and quirk one eyebrow up.

Though she misses the absolutely scandalous grin Jim gives her when she tosses her warning and Look Felix's way. He brings a finger to his lips slowly and shushes Terentius before getting up all proper smiles again and stretching slightly.

"While I appreciate the offer to put my feet up for a bit I'm always sitting about for my job. A bit of fresh air is good for the body. We'll have all of this finished before you know it Marcella. Come on then, Felix. Show me how it's done."

Edited 2017-02-26 22:56 (UTC)

Marcella looks like she wants to make a reply to that question of Jim's, but good courtesy snaps her mouth shut before she gets sardonic at a guest. She just raises her eyebrows doubtfully at him instead. Terentius is going to grin and keep his peace.

"The lanterns are all in the kitchen," she says. "And you'll have to finish setting out the poles."

"All right." Felix gets to his feet and swipes a couple of the sweetcakes, passing one to Jim. "Let's go to it."

They leave the other two to discuss the youngest Caelus's antics and his choice of companion, Felix leading Jim over into the stone-floored kitchen. It's bigger than the last room, making space for a large table and the contained firepit over which is built a recognizable sort of cooker top. That has a couple of covered dishes atop it, warmed by the dying embers of the fire beneath. It smells of charcoal smoke and food and herbs, and the Imperial has to resist glancing at Jim's reaction. This is a long way, in so many respects, from the spotless technological kitchen in Jim's... their... home, wood and simple knives and open fires in place of smooth counters and blenders and dial-controlled ovens.

All right. Try not to think about that. Try not to stare at Jim and wonder what he's making of all of this.

Felix strolls over to snoop at what's for supper before he turns his attention to the silk and brass lanterns set out on the table. There are eight of them, each in a different color, each themed in a pattern fitting one of the (eight) Divines. Felix sets aside the gold and red dragon-patterned one and grabs a few of the rest. He means to say something about putting them up, but when he looks at Jim what comes out is a hopeful smile and: "I think they like you."

It hasn't occurred to Jim that he is rather hungry after their walk into the city until Felix hands him a sweetcake. He barely gives it a glance before breaking off a bit and popping it into his mouth with a pleased hum. Tastes like honey and other things JIm can't quite put his finger on, but it's definitely good.

Dutifully he will follow Felix into the kitchen, pausing while he eats the cake he was given and taking the room in. This must be where the smokey smell the house has comes from. It gives the place a rather earthen sort of feel to it. Certainly nothing like what he's used to, but a glance down at the mostly eaten cake in his hands makes him smile. He'd never considered how one would go about baking without a covered oven before.

He feels all the more grateful for the treat.

It will only take him a few moments to finish the sweetcake and look for a place to wipe his hands off so as not to make the lanterns all sticky. Then he's right at Felix's side and passing on a soft smile to the Imperial.

"I hope so. I am trying to impress your family after all."

"It wasn't really in doubt. You're very good at impressing people." Felix looks aside, returning the smile. "And I fancy my good taste runs in the family."

Of course, the real unspoken question is whether Jim likes them, but Felix doesn't dare to ask yet. They've only just got here: let Jim have a chance to relax first. Let him make kites with Marcella and warm her up to him. Let him charm Terentius with his wit and good humor. Let him enjoy all the sights and splendor the city has to offer.

Maybe by the end of the night Felix will dare ask.

"Want to grab some of these?" he asks instead. The lanterns look collapsible but the others have already straightened them out and given the brass a good polish. "We can hang a few up and then I'll put the last couple of poles in." That won't take long. They aren't even very tall poles.

"Oh, yeah. Of course."

Jim snaps out of his thoughts about hearthside cooking and baking and moves to gather up as many of the lanterns as he can reasonably carry safely. The sooner they get the actual work done the sooner they can both work on relaxing properly.

As charming as Felix's relatives may be, Jim didn't come here to be with them. Well, he sort of did, but that's not really the point. He'd rather be working with Felix than resting inside without him.

"This is a nice place your cousin has here, by the way." Jim thinks it's rather quite nice. Homey. Something his own house lacks, though it is slowly changing thanks to the present company.

Felix will lead the way outside and show him how to hang the lanterns from atop the poles, one at each corner of the house and another in between each of those, save for the side where the front door is. At least, that's how they'll be arranged in a few minutes, once all the poles are up.

It also means they get to do a circuit of the low-slung house, and Felix shoots Jim a smile as they work. They're at the lakeward side, and over the low garden wall there's almost a clear view down to the shore, a clean cool breeze coming off the lake. Granted, it doesn't always smell so nice, but no industry is going on today and the wind's in a favorable direction.

"It is, isn't it? She and my aunt came here after the Great War; that's how they were able to take such a large house. The Emperor was offering grants to people to return to the city and, well... there was a great deal of free land." Okay, not the most heartwarming tale, that. "They seem to be doing very well with the business, though - Marcella ought to hire a servant or two at this rate. A house this size needs it."

With nothing to keep it in line, Jim's hair has become a fluffy mess during their hike to this lakeside house and the breeze off the lake isn't doing it any favors. Jim seems to take no notice of it whatsoever while he works on hanging up lanterns to the poles that are already in their proper places.

Besides, if it gets in his eyes he just goes a bit crosseyed and tries to blow it out of the way again so he can continue working. It is a large house and Jim can't imagine the amount of work it takes to keep clean. Though in a world with magic one has to wonder at how much work it really would be.

Although he has no proof such a spell exists, he assumes it does, since it's such a mundane task.

"So did she make these lanterns too?" Jim calls out once he's caught up with where Felix is finishing up with the poles. "I love the designs on them. It must have taken a lot of work."

Gods, watching Jim blow the hair out of his eyes is unexpectedly adorable. Felix ends up watching him intently over the pole he's ramming down into place, a faint smile on his lips.

(Jim is going to be so disappointed when he finds out Marcella's answer to housework is 'shut up most of the rooms during the year and clean it all out just before the holidays.)

"I'm quite certain the lanterns were bought in the city. Marcella's handiwork is more functional than ceremonial. Besides, they'll last for years if you get the silk replaced every once in a while." They are nice, though. Fine Cyrodillic craftsmanship. He feels rather proud. "We'll light them later, at the end of the night- but you'll see."

There's a bit of a creak as Marcella opens up the outside doors that lead to the forge side of the house, but Felix pays no mind to that. He's busy catching Jim once the last lantern is up, reaching up to tidy that fluffy nest of hair.

"Right. For the ceremony. You--hey!"

Jim squawks indignantly when Felix buries his hand in Jim's hair, but they both now it's more a complaint of habit than actual warning. Because Felix is the only one allowed to touch his hair and they both know how much Jim enjoys it.

"Watch the hair! I'm not useful here so my looks are my only meal ticket in this world." Jim's joke is also pretense because he's shivering just slightly at the touch and grinning already.

"...Is it really that bad?" Jim's voice goes quiet at the end, chuckling and leaning into the touch slightly.

Vita Nova (for smartass_captain)

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Hope you're feeling a bit better!

yes, thank you! :3 very tired tonight but getting some tags in

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