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.

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[conjuredskies]

There's something hard and bitter in Felix's eyes when he looks up, but he meets Jim's gaze and his expression softens. He smiles a little, grasping Jim's arms tightly.

"To us," he agrees softly. He leans closer, drinking in Jim's presence. The reassurance of his support, his sympathetic anger. If he's spoiled the evening a little, it almost feels worth it. "You were right to ask. You needed to know. I should have talked to you about it before, but..." He shakes his head. "I didn't want to get you mixed up in it. They aren't your enemies to worry about.

"For now, you're right. Let's enjoy the food and the shows. And then, if you're still in the mood, we can take a couple of those kites for a test flight..."

[smartass_captain]

"Hey, no. Listen."

Jim pulls Felix close, hands moving from Felix's arms to his back and pressing him against Jim. Felix is slightly larger than he is, but Jim can support his weight. For a minute at least. He touches his head to the side of Felix's and breathes his promises into the Imperial's ear.

"Your enemies are my enemies. Your struggles are mine. I'm here for you." For now and in the future. And for once, Jim isn't afraid of this notion. If there's one thing he's good at, it's fighting for a cause.

"There's plenty to enjoy." He nods against Felix again and sighs. "Don't worry for now. I'm here for you."

[conjuredskies]

Felix thinks he's good with words, but he'd be hard-pressed to describe how he feels when Jim murmurs that quiet vow in his ears. He clings tightly and shuts his eyes, letting out a long exhale that's part relief and part shock and part gladness. It's a promise he never wants to call on. The implications are terrifying-

But that's for another night. Here and now, he has Jim and he has his family and the Empire stands strong. None could harm them. He relaxes in Jim's arms and breathes in the sweet smells of home.

There's a fanfare from the city's inner walls, then, drawing everyone's attention in the direction of the White-Gold Tower in time for the fireworks to start. Tamriel has no holograms or lasers or the technology that Jim's people do - but they've been practicing their fireworks for a very long time, and there's more than a little illusion magic enhancing the display. The sky is soon alight with ribbons and starbursts and fountains of all colors - and then whales and ships and eagles, auroras and spriggans and minotaurs. There's a particularly good bit where they outline the symbols for all twelve major constellations in order, starting with the Ritual and ending with the Thief.

And dragons, of course. Those are the recurrent theme. Stylized creatures, it's true, little like the predatory lifeforms that menace Skyrim. But the Imperial pyromancers make sure to have flames appear to leap from their jaws and the children love it. The grown-ups love it. Ushug is cheering, but she did say she was here to see some explosions. Felix just leans against Jim and watches happily, plate cleaned of food and a second cup of wine in hand.

[smartass_captain]

Whoa.

Jim is speechless by the display in the late night sky. What should be a chill night is warmed by fires and more than a little magic (not that Jim would know if it were). His breath comes in small clouds and his eyes are wide.

He knows whales, ships. Eagles. But there are many creatures he doesn't recognize and some he had no idea if they were real or legend. In Skyrim it tends to always be a bit of both. Jim hears the cheers but his voice has absconded, leaving him in a silent wonder when the fireworks turn from symbols he only vaguely finds familiar to full on stylized dragons.

His grip on Felix's hand entwined in his tightens when it it breathes a shower of gold sparks as flames. A few breathless swears fall from his lips absently.

A night sky like this is a sight the captain has never seen before.

[conjuredskies]

A winter beneath the auroras of Skyrim have gone some way to inuring Felix against the sheer wonder of lights in the sky. But there's nothing truly like the Emperor's court wizards putting on the greatest show of the year. You can see the display all the way from the heights of Bruma if the skies are clear.

Home at last, he thinks, drinking in the work of master illusionists and master alchemists alike. He knows just enough to appreciate how difficult some of those tricks are, how little he understands the craft that accomplished them.

But there is a view he likes better - the one he gets when he sneaks a look at Jim's expression. Felix grins, very satisfied indeed. The Imperial City at New Year is the greatest party in Tamriel. Even enough to impress a space captain from beyond the stars. And yet... there's a simple pleasure in watching Jim's delight that really doesn't care about Imperial honor or one-upping far-off Federations.

"Will you be up to joining me for a dance, after this?"

[smartass_captain]

The Emperor's court wizards and their magics make it difficult for Jim to pull his gaze from the sky and pay attention to Felix's offer. He's so caught up in the display he had nearly forgotten everything else.

Yet Felix isn't the only one enamored by the soft smile of his lover. Jim's smile softens.

"I suppose it's only right you teach me the dances of your world. I have it on fairly good authority mine would get us kicked out of any proper establishment."

The memories of borrowed costumes and close spaces are as fresh in Jim's mind as though they had happened only yesterday. Of music and liquor flowing freely. Of a cunning smile and promised words. The first of many healing sessions and oh the talent in those fingers and that mouth. Felix Caelus is a magic all unto himself.

"Let us hope I'm half as good a student as you were."

[conjuredskies]

"And that I can match your teaching." His smile only grows at the reminder of their first night together. Of how well Jim recalls it.

He'll wait until the show ends and the musicians turn their lutes and drums to dancing tunes before he pushes himself to his feet and offers Jim a hand up. There's much else to come this night, but first he'll do his best to show Jim the jigs and voltas popular here... and perhaps, then, some of the less restrained dances already being demonstrated by Bosmer and Khajiiti celebrants in other parts of the gardens. Jim's still unlikely to find anything he considers racy, but he'll notice not everyone pretends to Imperial notions of propriety... including a lot of Imperials themselves. Especially after a drink or two.

But whatever they're dancing, whoever their partners, Felix will never be more than a couple of steps away.

[smartass_captain]

It won' be too difficult to learn these dances. Jim's not entirely sure more than a couple of these even count as dancing where he's from to be perfectly honest. A few of the jigs are pretty fun and the captain casts a keen eye over at the Khajiti dances going on across the gardens with a grin on his face.

Don't think he missed the one that looks most like what he'd call fun.

Though as they're out in public, Jim does his best not to attract unwanted attention. It's a good thing Felix stays close though. He'll have to shoo away some of Jim's more appreciative partners.

A fine way to begin the year anew, with liquor and light under the night sky in the thrumming heart of the Imperial culture.