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]

"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?"

[conjuredskies]

"Not everyone's so readily polite to Orcs," Felix says, though only once he's sure the two women are out of immediate earshot. Terentius has moved up to join in the chatter, leaving the two lovebirds to each other for a few minutes. "I know that won't matter to you, and it's not that they're bad people on the whole, just... Marcella will appreciate it. Ushug too, I think. She won't show it, but that's just her way."

At least in the capital most people are too sophisticated to sneer openly - and it helps that there are more and wealthier Orcs here than in Skyrim. The family can enjoy their stroll into the city unmolested. The two smiths cast critical eyes at the gate guards' polished armor, but Felix just tips his head back to look at the massive arch of the gate itself and shiver as they pass under it.

"I wasn't even raised here, and yet it feels like home," he admits to Jim. It's the heart of the Empire - and its pulse is in the crowded flow of people through the orderly streets. They're entering the Arena district, and said arena is visible immediately, looming ahead of them at the end of the main thoroughfare. It's no Colosseum, but then the games here were never important enough to become a focus of Imperial public relations. The outlines are similar though: a tall circular construction of stone on the lower storeys and wood on the upper, dwarfing the little buildings of the surrounding district.

There's a lot more merchandising going on along this street, and posters advertising the New Year's games starting at midnight, though Felix ignores all of that. He points out the lanterns hung along the rooftops, and the ponds covered with lotus plants. ("Just don't eat any of them, they're toxic.") Getting close to the arena reveals that it's surrounded by sweeping lawns on which various fighters are talking themselves up to admiring crowds. The family group's just going to skirt around the arena to the city's inner wall and the gate thereon.

Although by the sound of it Ushug and Marcella are really struggling not to taunt any of the would-be gladiators. Felix is more concerned about any of them hitting on Jim, and there's a possessive arm around the captain the whole way. He knows Jim doesn't care for the arena, but he can explain whatever the captain wants to know, and point out that this is where about half the kite flying takes place later.

[smartass_captain]

"Why not?"

This time Jim's confusion is very evident. He clearly doesn't get it in the slightest. If anything he'd think her looks would demand respect considering she looks as menacing as a Klingon and could probably bench press him with one hand. "She seems fine to me."

The architecture of the capital doesn't escape Jim's notice. He's pleased to take it all in from what he can see from the main road. The arena is of less interest to him, though he does notice the more firm grip Felix has on him when they pass by.

Jim wonders if the combatants are dangerous or unscrupulous. Jealousy doesn't even cross his mind.

"You weren't? Is your home near Skyrim then?" Especially if that's where he and Stratos are based for their works. It would make sense to Jim if it were. "Can we see your home some day?"

[conjuredskies]

"Yes, but- well, Orcs." Felix shrugs, unwilling to get too far into it with the risk of being overheard. Besides, there is a little bit of him that thinks it's kind of obvious. "Ushug could explain better... if you want to try asking her sometime."

With all the crowds gathering (plenty of people are here just to gawk, or local families killing time on the grass before the main events) it's going to take some time to skirt the arena. Felix makes sure they stay close to the others, trying to keep an eye out for pickpockets. Hopefully they'll notice he's alert and go for easier targets.

"Near the border with it, yes," he answers, while they duck around a couple of elf children dueling with toy weapons. "It's a town in the mountains. Very different to this." He gives Jim a smile. "Next time, we'll go there."

[smartass_captain]

Jim's no stranger to pickpocket's himself. It helps that he's got nothing of value on him though, so he doesn't fret too terribly much over the thought of them. Just leans into Felix's one armed embrace while they walk.

There's a life in the city that thrums through them all and into the stone walk underfoot. Jim can feel it as sure as he can the warmth of Felix's hand at his waist. An energy that makes him smile. A city full of hope and promise for the coming year. A vitality that rips the colorful wrapping over the emptiness this time of year brings him and refuses to leave him voided as he is.

Jim's smile is small but genuine while they walk to try and catch up with the rest of his family. He doesn't even notice that he's worn one nearly all day.

"It sounds lovely. You know how I love that sort of scenery." He could easily be drowned out by the chatter and life surrounding them, but Felix always seems to understand him fine, regardless.

[conjuredskies]

"And I love to make you smile." He's been watching Jim's reactions hopefully all day, and that constant little smile certainly hasn't escaped notice. "Maybe we can even go sledding the next time..."

Despite the barely-contained chaos around them, the inner circle wall eventually looms ahead. Just as well, since by now the walk feels as long as the one they took earlier. In deference to Terentius as well as their sore feet, the group takes a breather now and then to admire the festivities. And Ushug turns around to crack a joke or two about the two lovesick boys needing to keep a hold of themselves until later. As they approach the gate, the walls dividing the city districts become more visible above the surrounding streets, each as tall and impassable as the outer wall. Even the gate ahead is reached by a bridge over a lotus-strewn moat.

So it might seem odd that on the other side isn't an obviously military keep, but a garden. A huge garden threaded with neat paths and lined with young trees (a few older ones that seem blackened and dead) and flowers bordering well-tended lawns. Ahead, however, rises the white tower that Jim would have seen from his first glimpse of the city. It's huge, but impossibly tall; surely magic must hold it up. The paths around it are absolutely lined with guards in much fancier armor than the ones chasing a drunken Khajiit around the garden.

"That's the White-Gold Tower," Felix murmurs. "Home to the Imperial Palace, and the very heart of Tamriel. When I was small my father told me it held up the sky, and I'm not sure he was joking." Every time he sees it, he feels the weight ot its presence, like the lynchpin of the world. The Imperial world, at least.

[smartass_captain]

"And as such your emperor."

He's never seen a tower designed such a way that wasn't built as part of a starbase, away from the troubles of gravity. It is quite grandiose as well as the immaculate garden. He hopes such a person (man or woman makes no difference to him) rules with compassion and inclusiveness. From what he's seen of the city, it certainly seems culturally accepting. All walks of life have been out in the streets today.

Surely that is a good sign.

Even if the man were a tyrant, there is little Jim could do about such things. And Felix seems quite reverent toward their leader. He wishes he could happily accept such authority without a second glance but after the corruption he's seen it's first nature for him to be wary of such leaders.

"I'd wax on about atmospheric pressure and gravity, but then I remember your moons and planets are dead gods and I'm not sure anything I know applies here."

[conjuredskies]

"We have gravity," Felix laughs. He is a little curious what Jim would actually say on the matter, but that's for another time, perhaps. Another time when they aren't surrounded by crowds, or when Felix isn't just enjoying the feeling of walking the gardens of the capital with Jim at his side.

The shadows were already getting long when they entered the city, and when they reach the Temple District the flames are being lit on wall sconces and lamp-posts. That leaves a couple of hours to kill, so Felix soon tugs Jim away to show him around the sights of the district (mostly temples, but there are a lot of libraries and the architecture’s interesting). By the time they return they have to push through the gathering crowds to the spot Ushug’s picked out. They’re up beside a raised fountain, with steps to sit on and a clear view of the sky as well as the massive domed temple that dominates the center of the district. It also puts them nearly in direct line with the great temple doors, and the huge unlit brazier in front of them – both watched over by a complement of the Emperor’s elite guard.

There’s only one place in the plaza with room left to move, and that’s around the contingent of Thalmor taking up the best spot at the front. Felix is looking for them, but they do stick out in all that identical golden armor and the berth all the citizens are giving them. Felix’s mouth twists, even though he can’t see anything besides the guards really. It’s enough to know they’re there, where they have no right to be, looking on things they shouldn’t.

He sighs and looks instead at Jim, a smile creeping back onto his face. The crowd is buzzing with anticipation in between complaints about their feet and how hungry they are. The others have all found friends and acquaintances to chat to (the two boys will get introduced as soon as the family decides they’ve had enough romantic personal time).

“What do you think?” he asks softly. His hand finds Jim’s to curl around it. “Are you ready to see this year out with me?”

[smartass_captain]

Jim is a font of questions throughout their walk through the Temple District. Who built all of these? What are they worshiping? Can we visit the libraries while we're here? Is this architecture native to Imperials or adopted from one of the other races? His gaze is constantly moving from one building to the next with the same eager drive to learn that motivates him in his own career.

The guards are easy enough to pick out from where they're standing at attention, but Jim finds himself equally as curious about the elves stationed at the front of the crowd. He's not seen their style of garb before, and with the berth the citizens are giving he has to wonder what their purpose is. A neighboring country's nobles? Some elite old money family? He nearly asks Felix about them when he catches sight of Felix looking where he is as well and not seeming terribly pleased about it. It's enough to put Jim off of asking for the moment.

He'll settle for returning that creeping smile Felix offers him and glancing down at their entwined hands. This and every year after. Jim's conviction no longer startles him, though the unease of the strength of such convictions still lingers like a fly buzzing about the back of his head.

"I think I can give it a go." The captain chuckles softly with his answer. "Who knows what sorts of trouble we'll get into this year."

Jim's first Imperial Family Holiday

[conjuredskies]

“Nothing that’s a match for us,” Felix answers, smile warming like an ember fanned by Jim’s words. They’re not kept waiting too long. A few more guards are taking their places in front of the temple, and then there’s a short fanfare from a couple of trumpeters, just to get everyone’s attention. A herald announces Titus Mede the Second, Emperor of Tamriel. The crowd falls silent as the huge temple doors swing silently open. The interior glows with red-orange lamplight, flickering over the white stone of a colossal statue that lies within, too big to be seen fully. There’s a hint of a curling tail and raised talons.

From the gloom beneath it steps a man in elaborate robes, royal purple and imperial red, grey haired and quietly dignified as he walks out to meet the crowd’s roaring approval. He’s flanked by half a dozen high priests and priestesses of Akatosh in their simple robes – and behind them a captain of the guard, side by side by a man in armor and mage’s hood. The Imperial Battlemage. Despite the watchful entourage, they keep their ranks loose, making sure everyone has a clear view of the man on their coins. The crowd has to be quieted again by the Emperor’s lifted hands before he addresses them.

”My fellow citizens, faithful subjects, honored guests from across Tamriel. Once more I welcome you to observe this most sacred of moments. We stand here to witness the turning of the wheel from the old life to the new, by the blessing of mighty Akatosh…”

Felix shuffles closer to Jim and wraps an arm around him while the Emperor speaks on about reflection, and setting aside the sorrows and errors of the past to embrace renewal. There’s a bit about reminding them all that endurance often means weathering great change, as the Empire has done so many times in the thousands of years since its founding. That that which was born in covenant with the Dragon will never fade, which sounds like a quiet dig at the watching Thalmor. And then the bit where he asks Akatosh to grant them his steadfast invincibility as they meet the coming year…

”As the hour turns toward midnight, let the old year pass, the new year begin,” he winds up, taking the torch offered by a priest and stepping up to the huge brazier on the temple steps. ”And all that is just and worthy endure with us!” So saying, he casts the torch down, the fire roaring up immediately around it to cheers and applause. "Vita Nova! New life to us all!"

“Finally,” Ushug says in the shadows behind them. “Bring on the booze!”

“Hail to the Emperor,” Terentius says wryly. “Hungry, boys?”

I almost forgot to log off my OldSpock! account when i wrote this (that would have been awkward)

[smartass_captain]

"Course not. I've got you with me."

Later, there will be time for sweet words and promises. There's so much Jim wants to tell Felix. So many things he's come to realize about the conjurer. Things he needs to say and admit.

But that time is not now. The Imperial Emperor is making his appearance, along with what must be his most trusted retainers. Jim studies all of them carefully whilst leaning into Felix's embrace. Everyone gathered may have heard this all before but the speech and ceremony are new to James Kirk and he pays very close attention. While much of the symbolism and digs at factions goes over his head, the grand scale of the event certainly doesn't.

His grip on Felix tightens when the emperor welcomes in the new year. In just a few days time he'll be the same age as George Kirk was. His chest tightens but there's cheers all around them. New life, huh? He takes a long, deep breath when Felix's relatives head to them again and makes sure his best smile is in place.

"Lead the way."

Haha that would've made a very different party!

[conjuredskies]

The music is striking up as they join the crowd heading for the Arboretum. A low, pulsing drumbeat fills the air, a couple of hopeful pipes rising and trilling above it before the rest of the lutes and pipes come crashing in with a joyfully complicated tune. The air smells of spices and fragrant wood-smoke (and unwashed fellow travelers, it's true) and above them silk and paper lanterns in all shapes and colors are coming alight.

The crowd's gotten noisier than before too, making it a bit of a challenge not to lose track of their family as they go. But they make it through another set of gates to a new district of the city - and this one appears to be a huge park. They get some space as the crowd scatters over the grass, and the little clan follows Ushug's nose for one of the sets of long food-laden tables spread along the paths. The noise makes it easy for Jim to avoid making more conversation than he needs, and pretty soon Felix is helping point out safe foods for him anyway. Cyrodiil is unfortunately fond of berries, but there's plenty of other food, quite a lot of it inspired by recipes from the various other provinces. Sweet Khajiit treats, spicy Hammerfell staples, meaty Bosmer recipes... and plenty of beer and wine to wash it all down of course.

Ushug's plate is already piled high. At Terentius's grin she stares at him and pointedly sinks her teeth into a leg of goose. "Look, we both know I'm not here for your Imperial rituals. I'm here for food, fireworks and the chance to piss on some damned Thalmor."

"Ushug!" Marcella hisses, spluttering wine all over her dress. She swats her mentor, trying not to laugh as she looks around them. They seem to be safe, so she sighs and looks at Jim instead. "Well, I hope you're enjoying all... this, so far."

[smartass_captain]

By the time his father was standing where Jim Kirk is now, he already had a wife and son. He'd be only months away from making sure Jim was included in that family. While Sam lived with his grandmother, they were out in space. And what has Jim done with that time?

The gift his father died to give him?

He's spent it picking fights and breaking laws. Pissing off his mother's new suitors and polite society alike. Cheated the Kobayashi Maru and ruining every good thing he's ever had. Everything but the Enterprise.

And Felix.

The lights of the lanterns catch on the Imperial's dark hair and eyes, giving his profile a warm glow that Jim allows himself to be swept up in admiring while they make their way to food. He's opened his home to Jim. His family. His way of life. What Jim has done to deserve this, he cannot possibly say. Not when he's hidden things from Felix, lied about his past and so much more. But here they are, all the same.

With Felix's knowledgeable help, Jim soon has a mostly full plate and (more importantly to him) a large mug of beer to enjoy with it. He watches Felix's family and tries his best to put his own from his mind, for now. It's rude to his guests, for one.

"Are we shushing the pissing or the Thalmor part of that sentence? Because regardless, i would pay to see whatever this is."

[conjuredskies]

Felix is almost totally relaxed by this point, enjoying the music, the spectacle, the innocent nostalgia and good feeling around them- and most of all, sharing it with Jim for the first time...

"Thalmor," he answers automatically, and then his expression changes as he realizes. Ah. Shit. Much lower, "I didn't explain the Thalmor..."

Blast. He'd hate to spoil Jim's dinner but this needs to be addressed. Enough so that Jim knows what not to say, anyway. Felix places a hand on the captain's back and guides him away from the crowd, to the shadows beneath a lantern-hung tree. It's on a bit of a hillock so they can get a good view of the festivities while they eat... and talk. The others give Felix a bit of an exasperated look - how could you not give your boyfriend the Talk, really? - but follow along and sit nearby, exchanging rumors about which performers they should look for and when the fireworks will begin.

"So," Felix begins, clearly deciding how much to say. "I've mentioned the Great War that happened here, right?"

[smartass_captain]

The temperature in the group just dropped a collective several degrees by the looks being exchanged right now. Instantly Jim is on guard, expression shifting easily to one of controlled concern. He follows Felix atop the hill and under the tree. He can still faintly hear the cheers people are giving and the drinking songs that have already started.

It feels like they're apart from all of that now.

"You have." Short, to the point. He's thinking back on everything he's seen since they approached the city. It won't be more than a few seconds before his eyes narrow. "Those robed people at the front of the ceremony. That's who you're talking about. What did they do?"

[conjuredskies]

Felix nods at Jim's guess, looking surprised for a minute. Jim has a way of noticing and remembering things the conjurer didn't think he'd pick up on. He takes another few seconds deciding on where to start because, to an Imperial, 'what the Thalmor did' is an impossibly vast catalog of offenses.

"They invaded," he says quietly. "This was all a few years before I was born, of course. They swept up from the south and took or besieged almost every town in Cyrodiil. The Emperor was forced to abandon the Imperial City itself." There's a pang in his voice at that - he wasn't born here, wasn't born at all when it happened, and yet an echo of the pain and shock has been inculcated in him with every tale he's heard of the event.

"The Eighth Legion stayed behind," he adds a little more softly. "To defend the city and cover the Emperor's retreat. They died fighting to the last man." He looks up at the towering wall beyond the parkland, pristine as moonstone beneath the moons and dotted with distant torches. "My aunt Arvenna died on one of these walls." He sips the cup of hot wine in his hand. "The Thalmor sacked the city and slaughtered most of the people. They occupied it for a year before the Emperor was able to gather enough legions to retake the city and drive them out of Cyrodiil. After that, they agreed to a peace treaty. One that outlawed the worship of the Empire's patron god."

Felix doesn't easily incline toward anger. Jim knows this by now. But he also knows enough to recognize the coiled, venomous thing beneath the Imperial's deliberately cool and calm voice. Felix despises these people in a way he does no-one else. Perhaps even more than he realizes consciously. He can't hide it here, speaking of these things. Not from Jim.

[smartass_captain]

He hadn't missed the look Felix had given the people in the robes, and it's not a look Felix had worn during any other part of their trek and introducing Jim to the various facets of Felix's world. It doesn't take much deductive reasoning past that. Just a head for details and some pattern recognition.

"It's not a treaty if they still hold power over you and tell your people what they can and cannot do. I know you and your brother. No god the Imperials worship would be one of devastation and suffering. And the gods..they're important here. Not just some vague belief that may or may not exist. Tell me, does the Empire get a say in what the Thalmor do? They don't, do they? That is no peace treaty. You're effectively a colony. They own you. Or think they do, at any rate."

Jim can't believe this. All the cheer and pleasantries among these people, all the while living under the rule of some other species and for what? Because they had the stones to stand up to them and take their home back?

"And everyone is just...fine with it. Letting that be the state of affairs."

[conjuredskies]

The Imperial's expression darkens even in the shadows, giving away just how deep those words cut. Because they're true, in all the important ways.

"It's not like that," he protests. "Not... not completely. Neither side was able to keep fighting, that's why we needed the treaty. We can't afford to start another war yet, but neither can they. They can't just push the Emperor around." They just... have the stronger position at the bargaining table, and everyone with half a brain knows it.

"Like the ban on Talos-worship. The Empire barely enforced it for years. Sure, the big chapels had to close, but nobody was arresting priests or knocking on doors to see who had a household shrine. Even less if you lived out in the provinces.. Not until the rebellion in Skyrim gave the Thalmor leverage to demand more powers." His mouth twists like the name leaves a bad taste of its own, and thinking of exactly what the Thalmore have done with their free hand sickens him, makes him deflate before he speaks again.

"Nobody's fine with it, Jim. We just... can't change it, yet."