Vita Nova (for smartass_captain)

[conjuredskies]

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.

Comments

[smartass_captain]

Jim's never been someone you brought home to meet the family before. It's a pretty big first time for him so he may be working a little bit harder than normal to impress. Or at least not whisper shameless things in Felix's ear while she's looking right at him. He has some manner of self control, despite what Bones tells anyone who will listen to him grumble.

Her commentary of the journey almost makes him speak up, but it's occurred to him he has no idea what Felix has told Marcella or anyone else about Jim and where he's from, so instead he inclines his head politely in his best impression of his first officer and follows them inside.

It's the first time he's ever been in a legitimate house while visiting Felix's world and he stops in the entryway to take it all in with a look of wonder on his face. He has to blink when he realizes Marcella is speaking to him and he worries his bottom lip in his teeth before shaking his head.

"I..I shouldn't, probably. I'm allergic to most berries." He shoots an apologetic look Felix's way. He's still not sure what's safe for him to eat or drink here but he hardly wants to ruin the trip before it's even properly started. He hopes Marcella won't take offense or think he's making it up. He'll dutifully follow to the sitting room, now too nervous to properly take in the decor and home around him.

[conjuredskies]

"Oh. Yes- of course. Felix mentioned that." Marcella frowns sharply, reprimanding herself. "Ale, then?" She shoots Felix a querying look.

"We've traded drinks before; I'm sure we have something to suit Jim," he assures her. He has a smile for both of them, but it's trained longer on Jim - and so he misses the flicker of a mischievous smile on Marcella's face.

"You'd better come and see what there is," she says firmly. She gestures at the cushioned chairs around the fireplace. "Please, captain, make yourself at home. We'll be no more than a moment."

She's off quite briskly, but Felix stays to draw close, hands sliding around Jim's waist for a minute. "It's not quite a starship, but I hope you like it..."

He hopes he sounds relaxed and reassuring, too. Because what he's feeling is a kind of terror he's not at all used to.

[smartass_captain]

"More than fine, thank you."

Jim's trying his best to cover his own nerves with a wide country boy smile, still desperately trying to give Felix's family a good impression of himself before he gets a chance to put his foot in his mouth and fuck this all up.

A tension that eases when Felix's hands find his waist after MArcella's hurried out of the room.

"Grew up on a farm, remember? It fits, this place. It fits you. A lot more than my ship does....much as I hate to admit it." He gives a low chuckle and leans some of his weight onto Felix while they're close like this. "I'm sure your family home fits you even better..."

[conjuredskies]

"Being with you fits me." He leans into Jim, close enough to brush the other's cheek with his lips as he murmurs, "But if you really want to see Bruma, we can arrange that sometime-"

"Felix!" Marcella's voice calls from the kitchen. He lets out a breath, half a chuckle, and gives Jim an apologetic smile as he steps away. He's not gone from the room long when Jim will hear a muffled exclamation, followed by laughter from the kitchen. Sounds like there's another man there, perhaps?

Marcella appears a moment later, having washed her hands and bearing a plate of flower-shaped sweetcakes. "Felix said these should be safe, captain. I sprung a little surprise on him, so he'll be another minute bringing the drinks."

[smartass_captain]

"I want to learn everything about you that you'll let me." His hands are slipping down to find Felix's waist and he breathes in deep the smell of Felix's leathers and skin and--

The hail snaps the moment they are sharing and Jim chuckles under his breath at the same time his lover does and moves to keep his hands to himself once more with the barest traces of a nod. They've left him alone in the sitting room so Jim will take the opportunity to look around on the shelves and at any books left sitting on the small endtables or shelves. Which he puts down at the sound of another person's voice and turns back around.

There won't even be time to take a step toward the hall before Marcella is back with food in hand.

"Oh, thank you Marcella." Jim quirks his lips into a smile and turns around to face her properly. "He usually likes those. Surprises, I mean."

[conjuredskies]

The objects littering the shelves look more like accumulated clutter than carefully-picked ornaments: a trio of purple soul gems, facets glinting in the light; a couple of pewter tankards decorated with embossed stags; spare paper and charcoal. The books are tidier, though there's not much order to them. Jim probably won't be surprised to find the big tome left out is a well-used catalogue of armor and weapon styles from all over Tamriel, accompanied by detailed illustrations. There are concessions to more general interests, though - a couple of history books, a small collection of novels.

Not that there's much time to examine them, of course. Marcella looks amused as she sets the cakes down, pulling a small table out into the middle of the room. "Hah! He does, doesn't he? I didn't quite plan it, mind - our uncle was already on his way down to visit when Felix sent his letter..."

She's interrupted by the other voices coming their way: Felix is joking about the food in Skyrim, but that cuts off as soon as he enters the room, ale bottles in hand. "Jim! Ah- this is my uncle Terentius, down from Bruma. Uncle, this is Captain James Kirk."

"Captain, eh? A sailor or a soldier?" The older man beside him sets down a bunch of mugs and gives Jim an amicable smile as he bows. He's darker than Felix and heavier-set, but there's a resemblance to both cousins in his features - and Jim's clearly found where Felix got that easy grin.

[smartass_captain]

Jim's caught sight of those purple gems before but has no idea what it is they're supposed to do. They look like rough dilithium crystals but he's never had a chance to scan them before and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't even a little bit curious about them. The books are the more immediate curiosity as well as determining if he can make sense of the script.

The captain nearly moves to help her with the table but realizes she's got it fine on her own. It leaves him awkwardly standing by the shelf and nodding along with her explanation. Another family member joining them? He's not sure if this is something to be celebrated or afraid of. Either way his nerves are making his stomach drop and his smile force itself a bit brighter.

"Sir Terentius, it is a pleasure. Felix and I were just speaking of Bruma." He's getting remarkably good at that bow. Thanks years of diplomacy lessons. "Of the two? Sailor, definitely. I see myself as a scholar though." and it's so much easier for his own smile to warm when he sees Felix's grin on the man's face.

[conjuredskies]

Marcella's going to busy herself arranging mugs and bottles on the table, more for the sake of her nerves than hospitality.

"Jim's an explorer above all," Felix says, giving the captain a smile of fond pride.

"Just Terentius, please. No sense in standing on formality when we're here to celebrate." Whether the man's noted Felix's expression or not, he's taking stock of their guest. "I can see why you'd come to Cyrodiil - Divines know we've got more buried ruins than we could explore in a thousand years. But whereabouts do you hail from yourself?"

Felix stirs at that, enough to draw a glance from Terentius. But the conjurer's gaze - and his murmured words - are for Jim. "Ah. Jim, I... think it best to tell as much of the truth as we can. Unless you object..."

[smartass_captain]

"If you say so."

Jim drops his 'diplomatic' tone of voice nearly instantly at the insistence of Felix's uncle. His posture relaxes and a grin that can only be described as eager has settled its way onto Jim's face. In another life he could easily see himself exploring every nook and cranny of this place. It's a calling. The question makes Jim react similarly, gaze automatically shifting to Felix as though to ask for a guide.

"Is he...aware of your brother's current orders in the Nexus?" He's not sure how to word it without sounding like he's stark raving mad, to be honest. "I'm from...quite a ways away. A different place...and a different time. Though I've made a pretty decent effort at fitting in here with the locals."

[conjuredskies]

By now Marcella has straightened up from reviving the fire, exchanging a look with Terentius before their scrutiny returns to the two men in front of them.

"No, but this is one of those cases where the less they know, the safer we all are." He pulls a wry smile, as if amused by saying it aloud. But he does take a step closer to Jim as he meets Marcella's frown and Terentius's patient look. "What Jim says is true: it's best you assume that matters in our, ah, plane are entirely new to him."

"Our time, our plane-" Marcella takes a hard look at Jim before she decides, "He can't be a daedra... can he?"

"He's not," Felix is quick to confirm, to her visible relief. "But it is a matter of conjuration. Jim is a friend to both- to all of us. I need to ask your help in keeping him safe while he's here."

"Why is he here?" Terentius asks, his mild tone belying how pointed the question is. "Or should I ask?"

"I invited him to join me for the celebrations, Uncle. It's truly that simple."

[smartass_captain]

"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.

[conjuredskies]

"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.

[smartass_captain]

"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."

[conjuredskies]

"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.

[smartass_captain]

"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.

[conjuredskies]

"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.

[smartass_captain]

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."

[conjuredskies]

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."

[smartass_captain]

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."

[conjuredskies]

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."

Hope you're feeling a bit better!

[smartass_captain]

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.

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

[conjuredskies]

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."

[smartass_captain]

"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.

[conjuredskies]

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."

[smartass_captain]

"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.