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

[conjuredskies]

"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.

[smartass_captain]

"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."

[conjuredskies]

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."

[smartass_captain]

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."

[conjuredskies]

"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.

[smartass_captain]

"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.

[conjuredskies]

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."

[smartass_captain]

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."

[conjuredskies]

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.

[smartass_captain]

"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.

[conjuredskies]

"Never." Felix's assurance is immediate, his smile widening when Jim leans into his hands. "But I know you like it to be perfect."

He leans forward to kiss Jim lightly. "Now, shall we see to these kites? I'm sure Marcella is waiting."

She's not, exactly: she's taking the time to give the forge floor a bit of a sweep, that being the part of the house most fanatically kept in order. But she does have everything they'll need laid out on a workbench already, and the shutters open to throw as much light on the interior as possible.

[smartass_captain]

"I do."

It's quiet. Murmured even as Jim lets his eyes slip closed and returns the kiss. Felix knows him so well by now. The downside to this is he knows just how much teasing he can get away with because he pulls away all too soon and this time Jim does pull a pout that relents once he mentions the kites.

"Can't wait. I love making stuff." The engineer in him revels in it.

He follows Felix back to the workshop and a wide grin breaks out across his face when he sees the materials.

"Chores're done."

[conjuredskies]

"Thank you." Marcella sets the broom aside, smiling a little at how genuinely eager he looks. Some of the work has clearly been done already: there are strips of prepared bamboo laid out alongside the spool of silk thread and cords and the small stack of silk pieces dyed in simple, brightly colored patterns. There are some paints left out beside a bigger covered jar, in case anyone wants to get creative with detailing.

"Ready to learn how it's done?" the enchanter asks, steadying the helm on a mannequin with one hand as she moves it out of the way. "It's really not that difficult if you have some patience. You can pick out whichever color you'd like; we're just going to cut it into the shape you want after the frame is on."

Felix leans back against the forge, left to go cold just for this day. He's watching them get down to work with a faint smile, and a nod to Terentius when he limps in from the house with a bucket of ashes. "Would you like some help, uncle...?"

[smartass_captain]

"Of course."

Especially since he can't just pull out his PADD and look something up on the subject. No better teacher than someone in person, after all. Jim takes a look over the dyed silks. His fingers linger on the yellows but ultimately he decides on a brilliant red.

It reminds him of the Imperial banner and Felix.

And since it's the New Year Festival, may as well choose a fitting color for the celebration.

"With a knife or...?" He can handle that, Jim's certain. The frames get a carefully scrutinizing look as well. Jim moves to take a seat quickly. He's going to throw himself into this with the best of his ability.

[conjuredskies]

"With a knife, yes." There are a couple of frames already made up, so Jim has an example of what they need to make. But Marcella will show him how to choose the right strips of bamboo and bend them over a lamp flame to get the right shape of curve. Then how to bind them into a frame with the silk thread, before that's glued onto the silk with the contents of that larger pot...

The hearth ashes set aside for sale after the festival, Terentius pulls up a stool, sitting in the sun with his back against the open door. Felix sits next to him on the inner side, watching the others work. There's a bit of murmured conversation between him and his uncle: how things are faring in Bruma, which of their friends in the guard got promoted or requested leave this year, Indara Carvain's betrothal to some noble boy from around Kvatch. How Stratos is faring, because Terentius wants to hear it from Felix.

[smartass_captain]

Jim spends a good few minutes watching Marcella work and listening to her explanations. The intricate dragon kite sounds a bit too artsy and advanced for him to try with no practice and besides, he knows of a much simpler design that he can probably pull off pretty damn well.

Rather than curving the bamboo Jim settles on a rough 't' shape with several strips of bamboo glued together to make a more rigid frame. He doesn't need delicate curves when the tried and true diamond kite will work just fine here. It's simpler to make, and frankly, he knows how to control one of these and that's a lot better than not as far as flying them is concerned.

Jim chews at his bottom lip while he works, lost in thought and picking up his kite to be several times to check the weight and balance of the thing He'll anchor two different points for the string to come back to him since that will allow more control when he's flying it and sets about making a counterweight for a tail.

It's only after about thirty minutes of solid work that he smirks and gets up. It's not the prettiest kite anyone will see but Jim's confident it will fly damn well and control fairly easily once all the glue dries and sets. He gets up from his seat and gives Felix a grin.

"Think you're up for decorating this thing? It's never been my strong suit. Just don't put too much on, I don't want to make it too heavy."

[conjuredskies]

Marcella isn't going to scold Jim for going off-lesson - he's a guest, not an apprentice, and more to the point she's got a good view of the eyes her cousin is making at the man. Even Terentius is looking back curiously every time Felix gets distracted and trails off in his end of the conversation.

He gets to his feet and comes over fast when Jim actually grins at him, too. All the better to trail admiring fingertips over the new kite's wings. "Are you sure you trust me with it?"

[smartass_captain]

If someone hadn't mentioned a challenge about flying them, Jim would have loved to try and follow Marcella's lessons for a chance to learn something new. As is, pride demands he make the best kite physics and his own meager skill will allow so he can hopefully show off when it comes time to fly them and knock into others'.

His creation is sturdy and should control well. Magic he may not have, but it's as good as a normal is going to get without being an expert in such things.

The smile lingers into something more when he catches Felix trailing his fingers over the kite. In due time, Jim. You're still behaving in front of Felix's family. save the suggestive commentary for later.

"I'd trust you with my life. I think a kite is fine." He winks and claps Felix on the shoulder with a chuckle. "Besides, if you decorate it it'll look a lot nicer."

[conjuredskies]

"I can get on with the enchanting while you do that," Marcella says. She's rolling up the blanket that she's just pulled off her enchanting altar; setting it aside, she grabs the lamp from the table to light the candles arrayed at the back. There's a chest in the back room from which she'll retrieve a handful of little soul gems, too small to contain anything but the smallest of petty souls. They look more like offcuts from the real gems.

Felix leans a little closer at the touch, flashing Jim a smile before he pulls up the stool and settles down. "I'll try not to disappoint."

There's no need to chuckle so much, Terentius. He knows he has it bad, okay?

[smartass_captain]

"Now that I definitely can't do."

Jim wants to watch Marcella work, enjoys watching the form and practice of all kinds of magic even though he doesn't understand it. It's fascinating to him. But at the moment it means tearing his eyes off of Felix to do so and that is much more difficult than one would think.

The captain gives Felix one more lingering sweeping gaze before he lets Felix get to work and-- almsot reluctantly-- moves to watch Marcella work.

"Felix was telling me about your enchantments on the way into town. How do they work? They're permanent, right? What do you have to give up for that kind of lasting magic? Surely there must be an equal permanent cost?"

[conjuredskies]

Marcella nods to about half his questions while she lays out her materials; the rest she's pleased to elaborate on, picking up one of the little gems to hand him. "We bind souls to power them. Ones this size are usually from some sort of small bird or animal."

She explains it so matter-of-factly that it clearly isn't a big deal. Just stealing creatures' souls to power our toys, nothing unusual here. She's busy picking out one of the gems to set amid the now-glowing symbols etched into the altar in front of her. She keeps on merrily explaining while she does.

"I'll bind a soul's energies into the form of the enchantment on each kite. Some materials are more reliable about holding an enchantment, but yes, once it's attached the enchantment should last just about forever... or until the object breaks, anyway. Of course, for the type of enchantment we usually put on weapons, the energy is depleted with use, so the owners need to recharge them with soul gems occasionally. But that's as simple as touching the gem to the weapon. Anyone can manage that."

[smartass_captain]

Something twists in Jim's insides at the mention of using souls to power the magics they're putting on such frivolous things. Maybe the definition is different here? He looks at the crystals as though trying to see if they had somehow been infused with or soaked in blood but they're all clear, small though they are.

The very essence of a being, captured into a tangible thing so small? Jim can hardly make sense of it.

He reaches out and intends to touch one of the stones, as if this will tell him some useful information. But Captain Kirk has no basis for sensing magic other than the odd smell that accompanies the summoning of Ghost Puppy faintly and the tingling warmth of Felix's healing spells.

And the rock feels like any other he's ever touched.

"Anyone can use these?" That doesn't sound like an invitation for their abuse, no. Certainly not.

[conjuredskies]

Marcella takes no notice of him handling one of the stones: it won't do any harm and he's to be trusted. "For recharging, yes. Trapping souls into a gem in the first place takes a certain skill with conjuration. It's not really my area of expertise: I just buy them already filled."

Felix is pretending not to shoot little glances their way, trying to catch Jim's reaction. He's going to get yellow paint on his face this way.

[smartass_captain]

Already. Filled.

And no one sees a problem with this?

He glances to Marcella and bites his lip. Maybe it's...just another way of utilizing a creature that's hunted. No waste. He doesn't understand magic, maybe that's what they call the....whatever it is they use to do magic. It isn't necessarily what he thinks it is. Whatever it really is. No one knows what makes someone an individual. What constitutes a soul. Not in his world, anyway.

Eat the meat, use the feathers and down. The talons. And harness some kind of energy into the stone. Surely that's all this is.

Jim sets the stone aside, trying his damndest to keep his mouth shut about things he doesn't know about and are outside his scope of moral grounds. But he doesn't have to like it.

"Pretty convenient way to circumvent the law of equal exchange." The comment slips out quietly when he sets the stone aside. On the one hand, he's glad performing lasting magic won't hurt people like Felix. On the other, he's very uncomfortable with the idea of who it is hurting.

[conjuredskies]

Uh-oh.

Felix can't see Jim's face properly, but the captain's gone awfully quiet even if Marcella doesn't know him well enough to notice it. And what Felix does see of his body language is... unsettled.

That's going to be a subject they'd better not discuss in future, then. For now, Marcella's much too wrapped up in the demonstration, picking up one of the kites in her hand. With her other she touches the altar and draws a skein of blue-white light up from the patterns etched into the stone.

She twists the magic around her fingers and then affixes it to the nose of the kite with what looks like a simple twist of her fingertips. Back and forth she passes her hand from one edge to another, weaving the base of the enchantment across the blue silk wings.

"I wouldn't call it circumventing," she replies, eyes on her work. "We still need to give up something. No different to feeding a log to the fire or meat to a dog. It's fine as long as you don't use a person's soul, obviously."