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]

"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."

[smartass_captain]

Jim stands back and tries to focus on watching Marcella work. This isn't his world, these aren't his rules. It just seems like such a dangerous thing. What would stop someone from using these stones to trap--

And Marcella confirms it. Nothing. Nothing would stop someone from trapping a person's soul or any other sentient being into those crystals.

What horrible machinations use those kinds of crystals? How would anyone stop them from doing it? And do these people even want it to be stopped? It's not....it's not for him to decide. As much as it shakes Jim, he has to respect that his point of view doesn't necessarily fit in this world sometimes.

Still.

A person's soul.

He hopes it isn't...you know..actually that. Their being. Their essence. What makes them unique and individual.

"So what's this enchantment do then?" He asks finally, in his quiet and reserved tone that he usually uses on duty. Jim is trying to be diplomatic and friendly. He needn't upset Felix's family just because of his own discomforts.

[conjuredskies]

"Fire resistance." Marcella takes his tone as quiet attention to her explanation, which at least has the bonus of making her happy (even while Felix tries to relax enough to concentrate on the paintbrush in his hand). "The streets - and sometimes the sky - will be full of paper lanterns and torches at this time of the year, and the last thing we need is a flaming kite coming down on our heads. This way even if one of us singes the wings, it won't matter too much."

"Marcella doesn't spare any effort even if she's only crafting a toy," Terentius comments from where he's drowsing comfortably.

"I have pride in my work," Marcella retorts lightly. The magic she's weaving has started to shift subtly in color as the pattern becomes more intricate, from brilliant blue to white, and then slowly toward a fiery red. This is an enchantment she knows quite well, and it doesn't hurt her concentration to talk. "I'm sure Jim does as well." He didn't play around with the kite he was building, and she noticed.

[smartass_captain]

"That makes a fair amount of sense."

Having a flaming kite come down onto unsuspecting people wouldn't be good and at worst could cause a more serious fire. Jim can't really deny that and it's good foresight on Marcella's part.

"You could say I'm a bit competitive." Understatement of the year there, but who's going to say so? He shifts his weight onto one leg and relaxes his posture again, arms folded over his chest. It seems like for now he's gotten over his shock about the soul gem thing.

"When I heard there was a bit of a challenge in flying them I figured it would be in my best interest to make something I was familiar with."

[conjuredskies]

"Oh? Your people fly kites as well?" Marcella finishes weaving the little enchantment with one last connection and a complicated twisting of her callused fingers. The intricate lines of magic glow bright and orange for a minute before slowly fading, as if they're sinking into the silk and thread to which they're bound. Marcella hands the kite to Jim; it's faintly warm now, but otherwise feels just like normal.

"Would you pass me the next one? And does this mean Felix won't get to teach you how to fly them?" She's teasing her cousin a little, smiling when she hears him huff behind her.

While they talk, Felix concentrates on the pattern he's settled on trying, painting a few stylized feathers on the kite's wings. Stylized, because he's basing them on the shape of the Starfleet insignia, mirrored and stretched to fit the shape of the kite. He paints them in golden yellow and black - but mostly gold, trying to use no more paint than necessary.

[smartass_captain]

"It's not a common hobby, but I learned how to as a kid."

Jim carefully selects one of the other kites Marcella has made and inspects it. Turns it over in his fingers a moment before handing it over for her to begin her work again.

He turns to shoot Felix a grin when the other huffs. Felix must be working if he's not going to fuss and argue over the comment. And so he is. The choice of design and deftness with which he works has Jim staring, a look of wonder underlied with more than a little need to go with it.

"....That's beautiful, Felix."

[conjuredskies]

"I'm glad you approve. It felt... fitting." Felix shoots him a pleased smirk, trying not to miss his place with the brush while he does. Marcella glances over and studiously refrains from rolling her eyes at the way they're gazing at each other. They're guests and she's being a gracious hostess.

She can tease Felix tomorrow.

"Supper should be ready once we're finished with the kites," she says. "I doubt you'll find it very impressive, but it's just something to keep you all on your feet before the feast tonight."

"You don't want to spoil your appetite when the Emperor's buying us all dinner," Terentius agrees dozily.

[smartass_captain]

If she's only teasing him and not throwing him out of her house then it will have been a rather fortuitous night indeed.

With the day flying by like it has been, Jim hasn't really had much of a chance to brood over the date nor the time he's spending with company. Perhaps that's why the laugh he gives rings more true than it otherwise would.

"I'll be sure to save room, though with how involved Marcella makes the kite flying sound I'm sure we'll need a meal before we're dueling in the skies trying not to light our creations on fire."

The captain's hand finds Felix's shoulder and gives it a fond squeeze.

"And the food distraction should allow these to set up properly, am I correct?"

[conjuredskies]

Felix leans into his touch as much as he can, smiling at his work. "Exactly. I always find you have an advantage if you can restrain yourself from getting too drunk early on..."

It won't take long to finish off the kites, and then they stop to take their time over a light supper of chicken broth before they head into the city proper. They might dawdle longer - and Marcella wonders openly if Jim and Felix don't want to rest first - but Felix points out it's Jim's first visit. There's so much he might want to see, and they should try to get a decent view of the ceremonies before the crowd fills out.

So with the afternoon winding on, all four of them join the crowds crossing the long white bridge to the city gate. No carts or animals make the crossing with them, not even horses for the nobles. Imperial cities are livestock-free zones, normally, which does wonders for the state of the streets. The paving stones are downright clean-looking. Banners have been fixed along the guard walls at either side of the bridge, streaming in bright red and gold.

They've all had a chance to change into party clothes if required: Marcella's left her spotted and soot-darkened apron behind for a russet-colored dress that still has a hint of practicality to its cut. At least compared to the more extravagant outfits around them. They're joined by a new friend at the beginning of the bridge: an Orc woman with raw features, green skin and a pair of small tusks jutting up from her lower jaw. She's wearing a dress about as nicely made as Marcella's, though it's even less showy: sturdy, no-nonsense red wool.

"Jim, this is Ushug gra-Gruzbura," Marcella says, with a heartfelt smile to the woman. "My mentor and business partner. Ushug, this is Jim Kirk. Felix brought him to visit with us for the festival."

"It's good to see you again, Ushug." Felix grins at her.

"Glad to see you finally dragged your tail home, boy. And you look like you're in one piece, too." Despite the rough tone, there's something like honest affection in the way she scrutinizes him before turning that sharp look on Jim. If Marcella's wary of new people, it's very clear where she got that habit from.

[smartass_captain]

Jim's fur and leather armor may be suitable for travelling to the city, but it would hardly do for the actual festivities. He's more than willing to change into a silk shirt and actual pants for the ceremony and feasting proper. While the clothes may still not be anything like what he's used to, he carries himself with the confidence that he belongs right where he is alongside Felix and his family.

They're strolling to match Terentius' slower pace, with Felix pointing out everything that passes them by to Jim. He takes it all in in equal wonder, a look that only grows more curious when the Orc woman approaches Marcella.

"A vita nova to you, Miss Ushug." Jim doesn't hesitate in the least to approach her or to give her a bow just as sincere as the ones he had given to Felix's family. "I'm a friend of Felix and Stratos'. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[conjuredskies]

Marcella tries to hide her surprise, and Usug herself blinks at the unhesitating courtesy.

"Well, aren't those some pretty manners? Almost as pretty as your face." Her eyeballing takes in how close Felix is hovering to the newcomer, and the happy smile he's wearing. "Where'd they conjure you out of?"

"He's an explorer, not a daedra, Ushug." Felix rolls his eyes and pulls a face at her.

"That's too bad. I always wanted to see if I could out-drink a daedra." Ushug gives Jim an unladylike nudge as she moves to lead them onward to the towering white gates. She's withholding judgment yet, but for now the new guy seems like he might be less annoying than he looks. Maybe. Felix did bring him home. "We'll see how well you keep up. Now let's move, Imperials. I want to actually see some fireworks this year."

Felix slips an arm around Jim's waist as Marcella takes up chatting to her mentor, and murmurs in the other man's ear, "Well done."

[smartass_captain]

Jim's not sure what the pause is all about. If she's Marcella's mentor and business partner she's clearly important to Felix's family. The confusion is mild but evident on his face when he moves back to Felix's side and they continue walking.

"I enjoy a drink as well as the next person but I'm afraid my limit for consumption won't be impressive to any of you. I was never a heavywieght, and since an...incident a couple of years back I've not been able to imbibe even as much as I used to."

Felix's arm around his waist is comforting and warm and Jim can't help the find smile he gives the other. Though he licks at his bottom lip and hesitates before asking,

"Well done what?"