Bene venisti (for
smartass_captain )
Dec. 8th, 2018 11:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The last time Jim came to Bruma was upon the tail-end of a waking nightmare. The last time he walked the streets was just before he descended into a crypt to rescue Felix from himself. Hardly the circumstances to let him appreciate the snowbound town perched high in the Jerrall Mountains above Cyrodiil.
How much has changed, though. It’s afternoon in Bruma, and Felix is leading them out of the alleys behind the house, the pair of them bundled up against the cold. The snow has been swept to one side of the streets, and the town’s citizens are going about their day, from rugged fur-wrapped hunters to young women in bright cloaks heading for the chapel. The smell of smoke is on the wind as Felix takes his fiance’s hand and leads them up to the old familiar door under carved low-slung eaves. The front window shutters are open, and he’s sure they’ll have been spotted already. He lowers his hood and shares a look with Jim, a small smile before he knocks on the varnished wood.Terentius doesn’t move too fast these days, and he’s half-consciously expecting a couple of minutes’ reprieve while they wait. Instead the door opens within seconds. He finds himself looking – up – at- gods, he does look so much like Stratos, doesn’t he? His complexion’s lighter and his face is lined; perhaps this man is a little heavier built than Stratos… and he’s smiling. Widely, genuinely, stepping back to gesture them both in. He’s clearly had time to change, whatever clothes he traveled in exchanged for a set of dark blue and gold robes.
“Come, come, it’s too cold to stand in the street.” Time in foreign parts has diminished his Brumese accent, but it’s still stronger than Felix’s: the vowels more drawn out, the hard consonants softer. “And here you are at last. Felix-” and now he’s pulling his slightly dazed son into an embrace as fierce as it is brief, before standing back to look at him, “I’m glad to see you. And to congratulate you!” He turns to look at Jim properly, eyes bright with interest. “This must be-?”
“Captain James Tiberius Kirk,” Felix says with quiet pride. “My betrothed, father. Jim, may I introduce my father, Legate Nereus Caelus of the Seventh Legion.”
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-09 12:19 am (UTC)Impossible to miss really, with Felix holding his hand as though they're sneaking off somewhere. He can't help but to smile back though his heart leaps into his throat with the door answers so swiftly. Rather than affable Terentius who has Felix's easy grin he's staring at a man Jim's never seen before even if the bone structure and shoulders scream Stratos at him at top volume.
Jim's hyper aware of every breath he makes, every shift in his posture as he's all but herded into the entryway watching Felix nearly lifted from the ground by the intensity of his father's earnest hug.
"L-legate Caelus. It's an honor to meet you." He remembers all of Felix's lessons in manners and is quick to bow the way he's always seen it done.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-11 10:51 pm (UTC)Whatever his private thoughts, he seems to snap out of them quickly, and he gives Jim a kind smile. "The honor is mine, captain. I must confess I've spent the past six weeks wondering just who my son has pledged himself to. It's a relief to finally see you in person." A moment's pause, looking between the two of them. "But come, take off your cloaks and join us by the fire."
He steps back, gesturing at one of the other doorways... in which Terentius is already leaning with a smile, careful not to interrupt until now.
"Welcome home to you both," he says, while Felix is taking both their cloaks and hanging them by the door. I'm glad you made it in one piece."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-11 11:32 pm (UTC)There may be a trace of the Breton knights' accents in Jim's own as they were his most boisterous study partners whenever he wasn't talking with Stratos or Felix but the quick way he speaks is all thanks to Jim's own upbringing. And funnily enough, neither of them look or smell like they've spent a day travelling hard.
Though some of Jim's nerves ease visibly when he spies a familiar face in Felix's Uncle. His smile is easier and a bit less formal though he won't notice it in himself.
"I appreciate the hospitality. As pretty as the weather outside looks, I'm glad for a warm fire and friends to spend the afternoon with." He lets Felix help him with his cloak and waits for him before following Father Caelus and Felix's Uncle further inside. He's seen these carefully carved doorways before. The rugs and knick-knacks settled on every shelf. It feels tidier in here now than when he was last here, but then, this time Terentius had time to plan for his guests' arrivals.
"I'd wager Felix is happy to be home after all our time stomping about the forests around Solitude, for certain."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-16 03:05 pm (UTC)But his name is spoken, and the conjurer looks up in a hurry to find his father giving him another smile.
"Yes, indeed. Are you coming, Felix?"
"Of course." He flashes a smile back and hangs up the cloaks. No doubt his father will just think he's nervous. No doubt. It's so easy to forget the kind of work Nereus does.
"Have you been on the road all day?" he asks as they settle down. Terentius has his preferred seat near the fire, next to a heavy jug which he uses to dispense drinks to the new arrivals. They're warm, and turn out to contain a kind of mulled cider. Someone took notes on Jim's preferences back in Cyrodiil. "I was starting to fear none of us would arrive before the snows."
"Fortunately no, we stayed overnight at an inn. The climb up to Bruma takes long enough with a hot meal and a night's rest behind you."
"True." But his father's curious attention is turning back to Jim. "How did you find it, captain? I take it you're a landsman yourself, so perhaps Skyrim has prepared you well for our mountains."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-16 05:07 pm (UTC)Jim lingers in the doorway for Felix to choose them a place to sit before he settles in next to the conjurer and passes him one of the cups Terentius is pouring out for each of them. He gives a startled hum of pleasure at the cider once he's sniffed it, blue eyes bright. He can definitely have this without difficulty. His murmured thanks is quiet so as not to talk over Nereus or Felix.
"We were lucky the border is so quiet, these days, or there mightn't have been a place to stay at the inn with how idyllic the scenery has been." Jim's only traveled North to Bruma before but he imagines the road from Skyrim south must be equally as lovely so far as the sights are concerned. "Even the constant hiking won't stop my legs from hating me come morning but they'll forgive me this, I'm sure. When Felix said I hadn't seen anything yet at my complaints of some of the steep roads near Solitude he wasn't jesting."
What starts as a curious sip of the cider becomes an eager drink. It's so good! Mm.
"Ah, but how did your own travels fare? I had been lead to believe your trip might have been enough to make ours seem like a...like alight jaunt by comparison." He has to lick at his lip a moment to find the words he wants but so far Jim's keeping up easily in conversation.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-18 10:19 pm (UTC)He's almost too preoccupied to take in Jim's conversation, or the way his father chuckles at the invented description of their uphill trek.
"Longer, certainly, though I did have the advantage of traveling by ship. The road from Anvil isn't entirely comfortable, but I gather it's a good sight safer than crossing Skyrim these days. Ah- tell me, is it really true there are dragons up there?" The elder Caelus leans forward a little, his intense curiosity about the man sitting beside his son momentarily sidetracked by this equally urgent question.
At that, Felix actually laughs, seeming to forget his nerves. "Yes, actually. They're terrifying beasts, but you ought to see them, father - from a long distance."
"I did tell you, Nereus," Terentius chides as he refills his cup.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-19 05:40 pm (UTC)Felix's crafted background for Jim hangs at the forefront of Jim's mind. He would have had to take a boat to get from whatever small isle he was supposed to come from. Maybe a trade boat to the mainland? From there, he supposes it would all have been on foot or by cart. The maps Stratos keeps in his tent have all been studied carefully, even if Jim doesn't know many of the places mentioned on them by anything other than name.
He's so busy trying to get his geography straight that he nearly misses Nereus' question entirely. Jim chuckles and nods along to support Felix's claims.
"I didn't believe it at first, either. Solitude has been blessed so far though. Nothing so dangerous has come near."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-20 12:07 am (UTC)The latter is subjected to a fond paternal look; he hopes his smile in answer will cover the way his heart is hammering. Jim's got this one. And Felix is ready to jump in and help him with the second part at least.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-20 04:30 am (UTC)"I hardly qualify as a mystery, sir. There's not much to tell, I'm afraid. Wasn't much on the isle I called home save for fishing to turn into a trade, but I'm not the kind of man who can stay still for that long. Worked until I had enough saved and bought passage on a merchant's runner to the mainland."
He gives a self conscious chuckle then before sipping at his cider and not letting himself look toward Terentius while he talks. Felix's uncle knows that none of this is true, he must have put it together by now. He's seen Jim in his own world's cloth.
"If I'd have known now how different the world would be from home, I think I'd have left even sooner. There's so much to see out here. Even more to do and explore. A fellow could spend many a year and not document even a fraction of it all."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-20 10:52 pm (UTC)Terentius gives a snort that might solely be amusement at his nephew's expense. The old soldier is stoking the fire, mild expression giving nothing away. Nereus stifles a chuckle.
"No doubt you'll understand then when I say that you've given me the excuse to escape a very long winter sheltering on one island or other," he says to Jim. "The open sea is no place for any ship at this time of year. Long though the journey was, I can't pretend to be sorry that I'll spend this New Year by my own hearth - and with my own family. That is a tremendously rare pleasure for me."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-21 03:37 am (UTC)"Aside from my barely passable skill with a bow, I needed some way to earn a living." He's quick to agree but there's a nuance to Felix's euphemism that passes right over Jim's head until Terentius snorts and Jim doubletakes with a look of mild disbelief. Felix don't talk about bedroom affairs in front of your father. That Dunmeri swear he just muttered is definitely not anyone's imagination.
Thankfully Nereus isn't touching that remark. Jim isn't sure he could keep a straight face if he had to talk about that part of his getting to know Felix in any real detail with the man's father. Not that he's ashamed of any of it just, that seems really awkward.
"I'm somewhat in between tasks myself at the moment and the wait has been positively killing me. I want to be out there doing things and making discoveries, not lounging about an outpost's commons waiting for a pass to clear."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-22 08:06 pm (UTC)"That sounds rather familiar. It doesn't seem so long ago that I was hearing about a certain son of mine sneaking off to forbidden ruins and dragging his elder brother after him." He's not talking about Rielle. He can't be. Not when he's smiling that way- though it takes Felix a split second of panic to remember that.
"I was ten," he tells Jim. "And I simply wanted to see what the fuss was about." Relaxing, he adds, "Speaking of Stratos, we traveled down with him. He had some letters to attend to, but he should be along soon." He's glad he said that, seeing how his father's eyes light up a little more.
"Excellent. We'll have to leave enough cider for him, then." Not that Nereus is doing all that much drinking, if one pays attention. "You and he must be very well-acquainted by this stage, Captain- where does the title stem from, if I might ask?"
"Oh, he's in charge of a small company of adventurers," Felix pipes up - out of sheer pride, of course.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-22 08:36 pm (UTC)Is this going well? He thinks this might be going well. Terentius is here at the least and doesn't seem to be worried at all so they're probably doing this right?
"I think he was glad to be rid of us for a few hours, personally. Can't say I'd know why..." Felix, try to tease and mess with his brother? Say it isn't so. And his panic at having to make up a faction isn't even allowed to fully manifest because Felix has him covered once again. Jim tries to look knowledgeable when he nods. Confident.
That's exactly what he was going to say, yep.
"All of whom are very grateful for this turn of events I'm sure. Gives them a chance to have a holiday for the New Year celebrations."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-24 06:30 pm (UTC)"Adventurers," Nereus echoes thoughtfully. If he notices how Felix rushes to chip in for Jim, he's not going to make a point of saying so. He seems a little hesitant about this revelation, however. "A dangerous line of work, if exciting. Do your explorations take you delving into ruins, then? Or seeking treasure in ancient tombs?"
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-24 09:41 pm (UTC)It's more polite than Jim would word it, but what vocabulary he has has been heavily influenced by Stratos and Felix. He simply doesn't know enough slang and casual grammar to be more loose with his words. "I wouldn't say overzealous. Just the right amount. I could do more but you won't let me."
How pesky to have someone force him to eat and sleep more than the bare minimum for survival. But Jim's smiling. He knows that his drive is not one shared by Felix. Which is probably for the best considering how unhealthy it can be for him at times.
"Yes." He confirms for Nereus but then checks his next smile at the expression the man wears. Dangerous? Well. With bandits and vampires skulking about in every curious bit of ruins that might be so. Draugr and worse. Jim nods more slowly. "Treasure is of no import to me. What I seek is knowledge and to uncover lost truths. History unearthed. The unknown discovered. I want to stand somewhere no one has been before, or unearth something lost to the ages. Compared to that, money is..." Jim shakes his head. It's laughable to think that's something he'd be interested in. But this world does use it, he remembers his economy lessons.
"A means to an end, nothing more."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-26 04:00 pm (UTC)It has the effect of interrupting Nereus's thoughtful nodding, the elder mage breaking into a laugh. "Yes, indeed. I never expected to hear that Felix was the one marrying so soon, but I'm beginning to understand." He remembers to sip his cider before it gets cold.
"You may not be a mage, but you prize much the same things," he goes on. "And I couldn't agree more. Gold is useful, but knowledge is truly valuable. Still, I'm glad to know you have a company at your back on your excursions. I certainly hope you'll invite some of them to the wedding." Jim has no chance to answer that before Nereus adds with mild concern, "And what of your own family? It must be a tremendously long way for them to travel..."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-26 05:08 pm (UTC)It means he's not looking at any of them when the suggestions they've all been dreading finally sees light. He's on the cusp of agreeing to at least invite people, whether or not they agree to come is another matter but Nereus keeps going. At least this question he's prepared for. He doesn't have to pretend to close off his expression and kill any happiness on his face at the mention of family.
"I have no family to ask after."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-30 01:10 pm (UTC)He's glad he did, then, because Nereus almost immediately gets a taste of why Jim isn't accustomed to such familial teasing. The elder Caelus's expression sobers along with everyone else's. His gaze on Jim's face is searching as ever, but there's something softer to it now. A touch of understanding.
"I'm sorry for that, captain. In that case I am all the more glad to welcome you into ours." He's too polite to ask more, for now. Felix sees his father's eyes lift to him a moment and knows he'll face some questions later. "We must make sure to give you a proper introduction to Bruma, over the next few days. It's no Imperial City but it has its own charm and share of sights to explore."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-12-30 05:21 pm (UTC)He's got the crew. Plus Felix and Stratos. It's more than enough and soon he might have even more to count among the number.
"One less factor to worry about for the preparations, at least. It's not a fresh wound, sir. Do not trouble yourself about it. You had no way of knowing."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-06 05:12 pm (UTC)"We all have our sorrows to bear," Nereus says quietly. His tone lightens carefully then, offering a shift back to more comfortable ground. "I hope my sons have been taking care of you on your travels. Cyrodiil is a far gentler place than Skyrim, but I'm sure it can be quite strange in its own way, when you are newly arrived..."
A knock on the door makes them look up, and Felix rises swiftly. "That must be Stratos- there's no need to stir again, Father, I'll let him in." He hurries out, leaving Jim to handle the conversation alone for a minute. However, Terentius takes the chance to start in with a story about coming back home after his time in Hammerfell, which should give the captain some reprieve.
Felix, meanwhile, lets Stratos in and tells him where to find the others. While his brother is knocking snow from his boots and unclasping his cloak, the conjurer's attention returns to the flicker of magic Jim carried in with him. He's inspecting the brooch when Stratos leans over his shoulder.
"An illusion?"
"I suppose so." If Stratos thinks so, that's likely what it is. "It's not... ah. Can you tell what it's for? I don't know where he'd acquire something like this." Something foreign to this plane. Something subtle enough that trying to sense it is like trying to catch a faint star in the corner of one's eye.
"I could-"
"Stratos-!" Their father is in the doorway, though he hesitates just a fraction on seeing the two huddled together by the cloaks. He rallies, however, and chuckles. "How long are you planning to keep us waiting? Come in, before the rest of us finish the cider."
"Father." Stratos hangs his cloak up and steps forward to meet Nereus's embrace. Felix envies how at ease he is with the gesture. Stratos is supposed to be the one with the stiff neck.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-06 06:57 pm (UTC)No sharp objects anywhere to hand.
Just a loving father welcoming home his eldest son from his travels. Yes, yes. Jim's already inside. Though you could have said more about the man in your letters, Stratos! He does seem to get along remarkably well with Terentius in any case, if the laughter from further within is any indication.
"And I wonder how I ever took to question which side of the family you fell on." From what little Jim has heard of Salatia Caelus he really should have guessed sooner that Terentius was a relation to her rather than to Nereus. Though the two families seem exceptionally close given how the man spoke to Nereus before. "With the border closed now, is Bruma faring alright though? It looked busy enough when we walked in but one has to wonder..."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-12 03:51 pm (UTC)"I'm sorry for that, Father- it's just that I thought Felix the better one to tell you..." he's saying as Nereus herds them back inside. Terentius is leaning forward on his chair, chuckling as he refills Jim's cider and pours a cup for Stratos.
"Better than you might think, only because of the Legion. Bruma's half a fort as it is. All the extra soldiers heading north need meat and drink, weapons, clothes- taverns to sneak off to. On the other hand, soldiers can't pay top coin for the finer things in life. Not so many merchants want to haul their carts up the Silver Road just to get stuck here selling to the Count and a handful of nobles. They can travel south when they please anyhow."
"That might change," Nereus points out as the others find their seats again. Stratos is giving Jim a reserved smile, relieved that all has gone well without him. "When the traders here are making gold hand over fist, they'll want something to spend it on."
"I damn well hope so. I'm tired of bouncing my old backside round a cart to Chorrol every time I want some real food in the pantry."
"Lies," Felix whispers, leaning closer to Jim. "He goes for the company."
"I heard that, boy."
Nereus laughs softly, and his smile... might be a little too innocent? Maybe Felix doesn't only take after his mother after all. "I don't think any of us can begrudge your uncle for needing to get out of the town now and again, Felix."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-12 04:20 pm (UTC)Considering he's something of a lightweight on his world, it's all the more noticeable here where at least ale can be found accompanying nearly every meal. There's a slight color to his face that doesn't fade along with his nerves and embarrassment now and his chuckles come more freely and unguarded. Where Stratos' smile is reserved Jim's in return is easy and bright as sunshine especially once he glimpses Felix's way and shifts to make room once more for the conjurer at his side.
"What's Chorrol have that's worth the trip? The food was lovely at the inn." Of course, for a man who's supposedly spending most of his time off in the wilderness living on travel stores and whatever they can scavenge for to cook over a campfire any home cooked meal probably tastes divine. Besides, they were in Skyrim to boot. Surely the food here in Bruma is more refined to an Imperial palette.
"Though a spot of adventure is good for the soul now and again." But Felix is whispering and Nereus if putting on his best innocent smile and Jim has to think again before a more knowing smile flits across his face and he ducks his head to chuckle at that. "I'm afraid I'll need to apologize for being part of the reason Felix hasn't come home more often to visit."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-12 07:04 pm (UTC)Felix leans a little against Jim as he speaks again, shrugging. "They can't complain too much that someone's keeping me out of trouble."
"He's making you practically respectable," Stratos agrees dryly. "Not that Felix would have many opportunities to return in any case - I've been keeping him rather preoccupied myself."
"Ah, yes!" Nereus's tone is all approval. "Learning to live up to his new uniform. I can't tell you how proud I was when I heard you'd taken the oath, Felix."
"Ah-" Now Felix looks embarrassed, shooting a glance at Stratos. In the language of brothers, this one says 'why in Oblivion are you doing this to me?' "Thank you, Father. It may take some getting used to, but I'm proud to wear it."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-12 08:39 pm (UTC)It's nice to sit back a moment and not have anything expected of him for a second or two. The arm that's twined with Felix's tightens his grip in support for the mage. Felix has his father's approval. His pride. His love. Like a family should be.
One that's built on lies, but. Nereus has no knowledge of the things Felix has done. The dangers everyone here has had to pull him back from and keep him from sinking into his own head in despair since. He has no inkling as to who Jim really is nor what kind of life Felix is destined to. It eats at Jim, chipping away at his smile ever so slightly while he stares into his mug.
This is for the best.
Besides? What's he supposed to say about the Imperial uniform? "It suits him." Okay that's probably innocent enough right?
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-13 12:49 pm (UTC)"It's a shame that you'll have so little time together," Nereus observes wistfully, "if the captain is away with his expeditions and you on duty..."
"Actually," Felix clears his throat, "that's something I meant to tell you, father. After the wedding I'll be joining Jim and his team."
Stratos steps in smoothly, before Nereus can ask the obvious questions. "It's fortunate that Felix reports to me. But in any case the Legion has an interest in mapping the province better- and in my opinion, we could stand to have a less... obvious presence in the area, at times."
The layers of meaning beneath those words he leaves for his father to think over for a minute.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-13 02:12 pm (UTC)Jim shifts then, leaning over Felix to find a safe place to set down his mug before he sits straighter in his seat. If everyone's attention is on him then that's alright. The captain's had a moment to collect his thoughts.
"There's plenty of Skyrim to chronicle and discover that I don't mind taking a bit of suggestion in the direction of our work. Which means Stratos likely needs a personal agent on my team as a go between for our collaborations." If only that were true and he could actually help Felix's brother. He's fairly certain if he tried Stratos would have to send a rescue team fairly quickly.
But as always Jim wants Felix to look as good as possible in every lighting. He doesn't want that brief moment of paternal pride snuffed out so soon. He will be joining Jim and his crew. Helping with their work. Jim's proud to have him along. He damn well wants everyone to know it, too.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-26 01:47 pm (UTC)"We're simply clever enough to arrange things to everyone's benefit." Is that the same innocent look Felix has been using on his elders since he was six years old? Probably. "And neither of us wanted to be apart for months or years at a time." He squeezes Jim's arm pointedly, flashing a grin at his betrothed. "I've only just convinced him to settle down with me."
"I am glad to hear that," Nereus says with some relief. Perhaps a thought lingers in the back of his mind, something reserved in his eyes that he doesn't give voice to. "Are your expeditions usually very dangerous? I'm quite aware of Felix's taste for adventure, and I couldn't possibly claim the Legion offers a safe life- I merely wonder, with a small team venturing far from civilization..."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-01-26 03:11 pm (UTC)The captain rolls his eyes but makes no effort to hide the curl of his lips when Felix leans into him. It's easy to see they'd not want to be apart for very long at all looking at them sit together like this. Maybe that's the reason Stratos is so willing to let Felix run off. They must be sickening to watch for long.
"I can't deny the dangers, no. But my people are well trained and used to the work. Scholars the lot of us though we may be, we're each quite willing and able to defend ourselves. Having a battle mage added to the crew will help immensely. My healer for certain will be pleased to have less work on his plate."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-25 07:19 pm (UTC)"When it's necessary. I'll leave the blood and bandages to the real healers otherwise. Conjuration is still my primary school."
"Some things truly never change." There's no hiding the worry that creases Nereus's expression for a moment, but he's not dwelling on that subject at this happy meeting. "I hope you still remember how to use a real sword."
"Stratos won't let me away with anything else. But he still cheats in training."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-25 08:51 pm (UTC)"I've never seen Stratos cheat in training." Jim admits only a hair's breath above a whisper. "But they don't let me often watch, either, so who's to say."
It's only slightly teasing Felix. Keeping the conversation to lighter less tumultuous waters. Trying now that the hard questions have been asked to use some of that charm he's known for on Felix's father.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-25 03:11 pm (UTC)"It's because Jim can't see when you give my sword the weight of a lead ingot," Felix retorts. And Stratos, despite himself, smirks ever so faintly, and both the other men laugh, and Nereus gives Jim a smile. It's a cheerier turn in the conversation, and for now it lasts. For now, they're easy and relaxed in each other's company.
At least, until after supper...
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-25 03:05 pm (UTC)It’s only after the meal is done that he risks making a move. While Terentius starts clearing things away, while Jim is volunteering to help and his father is looking contentedly sleepy, he rises and turns to his brother. “Felix, come lend me a hand putting our things in the right rooms.”
His eye contact is pointed enough that he’s sure his brother gets the message, so Stratos isn’t worried about that as he heads back out into the hallway. He isn’t there when Terentius calls Felix aside to stop his betrothed doing all the work (you’re still a guest, Jim) and the three of them are distracted fending off one another’s protests.
He’s holding Jim’s cloak in the shadowed hall, all his senses turned to that strange whisper of magic, when a voice speaks from beside him, calm but very inquisitive.
“What have you found?”
Stratos doesn’t startle easily. He only jumps a little when he finds his father there, eyebrows lifted at him. “Ah! Sorry, father, my thoughts were somewhere else for a moment, I-“
Nereus is already taking the cloak from him, studying the brooch with a frown, a light brush of his fingers. “This is an illusion enchantment, isn’t it? Albeit a strange one… is that all it is?” He looks up, and the gaze that meets his son’s is hard, level. “It’s clearly not one of yours. What does it mean, Stratos?”
“Nothing, I’m sure. Jim’s picked up many unusual trinkets on his travels. I simply haven’t seen that one before. It caught my eye.”
“Stratos.” His father sighs. “It’s the nature of mages to keep secrets. Especially from each other. Especially us. I know this. Just as I’ve come to accept that I am always… at a distance to your lives. I know there must always be more afoot than I’m told. By now I understand… I expect that one of my sons will lie to me. And it is not you.”
He leans closer in the shadows, voice stern and demanding. ”Who is he really, Stratos?”
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-25 05:02 pm (UTC)Jim's the man who left Stratos notes so that Felix's absences in the Nexus at his post wouldn't be seen as shirking his duties. He's the man who showed up drenched whispering conspiratorially with Felix but risking his own reputation to defend Stratos' little brother the day they first met. He's a man from another world with a complicated past and abandonment issues that mirror Felix's own.
His tiny hand holding Stratos' in the dark of the Tribune's tent. His feminine one keeping Stratos upright aboard Jim's ship both times they were cursed.
Taking up a bow and swearing to their cousin Marcella and Terentius with steel in his gaze that he would bring Felix home when he was lost to the Runeblades. Jim's a man without a drop of magic in him from a foreign world without the warm guidance of the Gods he's grown up in the presence of. A man who trudged through rot, through icy waters, through grotesque shambling horrors of Felix's own creation despite lacking any kind of powers to protect himself.
He's the man who nearly froze to death holding Felix in the chamber they fought those cursed blades. Who's alien clothing sat in a heap along with Felix and Stratos' armors next to the fire they were all drinking in front of only hours before. Who didn't turn away from their family even after everything he was forced to endure.
Who invited Stratos to his farm house to see a night sky that would make the Tribune but a child again in wondering awe of a cosmos unlike his own. Who's made a rightful place for Felix in his own world. Has done everything he could to count Felix's family as if it were his own.
Who indeed is the man sputtering while he tries to remember Nirnish insults now that Terentius and Felix are trying to urge him to take a seat. The only callouses on his hands are fresh yet and small from practicing his archery. Hands that settle on his hips when he leans forward and mutters something quietly to the pair of them. Terentius knows something of what Jim is, if only to know what he is not.
There is no man in this plane like Jim Kirk. There can't be because he doesn't belong here.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-30 09:51 pm (UTC)“A man I trust absolutely,” he finds himself saying, his voice sure and steady. Few are the people that Stratos Caelus trusts the way he does Jim Kirk, a man not of his blood nor his homeland nor even his world. The very thought would have shocked him, a few years ago. Yet here they are. And here he is, advocating for the man to his own father.
“Are you certain of that?” Nereus presses. His gaze is searching. “You know as well as I do the risks we face. You know better the kind of company Felix has sought out in the past. The man claims to have no family, his home is conveniently obscure, everything he says about himself is measured out as carefully as glow dust. I fear there are secrets being kept here.”
“You’d be right about that, Father.” Felix’s voice comes from behind him. The younger of the brothers swallows as they turn to him, but he lifts his chin and tries to stand straighter as he looks Nereus in the eye. “But not from us. I know exactly who he is and where he comes from, and I swear to you that Jim would never do anything to bring this family harm. I know my… taste in company doesn’t always inspire your confidence. But he is no spy and he’s very definitely no cultist. I promise, father.”
Amid the clunk of dishes from the other end of the hall, Felix watches the lamplight play over his father’s face. He reads the expression there, startled and compassionate and not truly convinced, and something in him panics. Spurs him to throw out, headlong: “He saved my soul. And nearly lost his own to do it.”
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-31 01:37 am (UTC)Jim looks up from his seat and cranes his neck but the conjurer has disappeared from the kitchen. Figures he'd insist Jim not help and then disappear himself so that he didn't have to do any chores. Jim 'tsk's before heaving himself back out of his seat to try and give their uncle a hand but he's a difficult man to dissuade once he's made up his mind.
It ends in Jim holding up both hands in a show of surrender, shirt slightly wetter for the splash of water that was thrown his way. He ducks back from another warning shot and backs into the hallway with a laugh in his throat that dies the second he turns and spies the somber faces on all three of the Caelus men. Adrenaline spikes through him but Jim keeps his expression carefully friendly.
"Here everyone is." He wants to ask what he missed, but a chill passes through him the moment Stratos meets his gaze. The expression on the man's carefully guarded face tight in a way Jim hasn't seen since Rielle.
"Oh shit." It's quiet, his slip back into Federation Standard, unintentional but there all the same.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-31 08:54 pm (UTC)“By the gods, Felix, what-“
“I can’t- I can’t speak of it, Father.” That’s no lie, even. Felix breathes deep, makes himself meet his parent’s eyes. “But it’s all right. I’m- it’s over. What matters is that Jim saved me. He and Stratos. I can’t tell you how much he- how he’s earned our trust. And my love. There’s no-one else I’d have by my side like him.”
Nereus nods slowly, and his voice is tight with emotion. “I understand, my son.”
And then he pulls Felix into a tight embrace, one the conjurer returns after a startled moment. When they pull back again, Felix reaches a hand back to Jim, glancing over his shoulder with wide eyes.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-05-31 09:23 pm (UTC)He wants to point out they had a fair bit of help, he and Stratos. But he can't speak to the close friends who aided them any more than he can his own world and if Jim mentioned Marcella or Terentius it would implicate them in keeping secrets from the Caelus Patriarch as well. Jim sits on his words and watches with a chest pulled uncomfortably tight for the emotions churning inside of him.
Yet he doesn't hesitate for even a second to reach out and take Felix's hand in his when the conjurer seeks it.
When the tension has eased a little Jim clears his throat.
"I would ask you let me speak of it, if anyone. Do not make Stratos or Felix relive it. It won't hurt me quite as bad to talk as it will them. What I remember of it, at least."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-01 11:21 pm (UTC)It’s hard to fathom the depth of feeling in Nereus’s gaze when he turns it to Jim. There’s worry there, and love, and a new gratitude for this strange young man… and a touch of contrition. Quietly he hangs the cloak back up before he speaks.
“I’m afraid I must apologize to you, Jim. I came… terribly close to making a grave misjudgement of you. I’m glad my fears were misplaced, and I hope you understand my reasons for being concerned about any new addition to our family, but…” he looks back at Felix, and his voice softens, “Clearly I owe you a better welcome than that, to make an understatement."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-01 11:39 pm (UTC)Jim knows he's veering off script here but he shoots anyone who looks at him askance a glance that Felix of all people knows. Nereus has figured out enough of the truth already, insisting on the lie wouldn't really do anyone any favors here and the man is their family. Marcella knows. Ushug knows. Terentius knows.
"I wasn't raised the way you were, Felix. The things that trouble me aren't the ones that bother you, I expect. All the Cyrodiil dialect I know your sons have taught me so I apologize if I sound more like they than myself. I'll leave it to Stratos to determine how much I should tell. But I can't stand here and pretend to be something I'm not. I won't insult us both pretending to think you'd believe it."
Nor should he.
"Just let me tell him, Felix. Whatever Stratos thinks he should know, I'm gonna do it." His murmur to his betrothed is quiet but Jim doesn't hide it's strangeness either.
"I'm sorry. I've been practicing for months for this. I had rather hoped I'd be better at fitting in here than I seem to be." Jim's stomach churns for the idea that he's screwed this all up somehow. But he has, and he'll own it now that things are a mess. It's practically his specialty.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 12:27 am (UTC)"No." Felix is shaking his head. "You can't, Jim. We prepared for this."
It's left to Stratos to make the call, and he might well look askance at Jim. His father is turning to look at him, too, and his eyes flit between all of them.
Father doesn't need to know about the blades," he says finally, looking apologetic at his father's consternation as Nereus realizes that both his sons apparently speak this completely alien tongue.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 01:04 am (UTC)"While I am fully human I'm not from Nirn. The planet, er." Jim licks at his lip and frowns intensely in concentration before he remembers Felix's preferred terminology for this. "Sorry. The plane I'm from is very different to this one. Due to extenuating circumstances and a very odd coincidence I had the chance to meet Felix. We couldn't ever quite seem to stop running into each other. Getting to know Stratos was really just a matter of time."
Jim doesn't outright explain that Nereus is the only one unaware of this much but well. Given that he's comfortable talking about it in front of Terentius it implies as much.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 01:36 pm (UTC)Whatever half-formed inferences Nereus has been putting together, it's obvious Jim's actual confession blows them out of the water. He turned a stunned look to each of the younger men. Stratos nods in silent corroboration.
"You're from another plane?" He frowns. "There are other planes where humans dwell?"
"It's not a daedric realm," Stratos assures him.
"But then-" he gives Jim a hard look, "you're a plane-walker as well? A conjurer? I thought you had no magical ability." He turns his attention to Terentius setting their cups on the table. "And you knew?"
"Eventually. But Jim's not much to worry about. It's obvious he's not a real daedra; he's as human as they come."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 01:46 pm (UTC)"There's." Fuck, this is hard. Jim doesn't have the words for what he wants to say. He licks at his bottom lip and squints down at the table before raising his head again. "There's no one who is mage in my plane." That's close, right?
"I used to think it was impossible to...t-to cast there. But I've seen it done now. It's just harder." Repeated exposure to the climate seems to show that mages can acclimate to the area quite successfully given Felix's familiarity with his spells in Jim's world as the years have gone by but the captain doesn't even know where to begin if he wants to explain it.
"I'm not a mage. And I'm certainly no daedra. I just. It's my job to study things people haven't seen before. I ended up wandering into a place that let me meet your son." A beat. "Sons."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 02:52 pm (UTC)"This is extraordinary," Nereus says, peering at Jim and shaking his head.
"But true," says Stratos. "Father, you must understand why all of this demands secrecy. The things Felix and I have been studying must not fall into the wrong hands."
"Of course." He agrees with that immediately, almost on reflex. Still. He's frowning at Jim. Secrecy being the watchword, bringing a new husband home from another plane is a very dubious venture... but why they'd take such a risk is already obvious. Much too late to argue even if he wanted to.
Of all the questions he wants to ask, Nereus can't guess how many will go unanswered. He reaches across the table, however, extending a hand toward Jim's palm up. "May I... ah. Examine your energies, for a moment?"
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 03:39 pm (UTC)Work Felix was more than worth doing. Twice, even. Jim can't help the slight crook to one corner of his mouth. He doesn't regret it. The only thing he regrets is the months they spent apart after Felix's ordeal. The captain's bound and determined not to make the same mistake again.
"Ah?" Jim doesn't think twice about reaching out with his right hand to offer it to Felix's father. There's no ingrained suspicion of what a mage could do to him. "Sure, okay."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 08:14 pm (UTC)"I thought you might carry some trace of your plane's magic with you," he explains. "A residue of something truly foreign. And yet I don't sense anything strange. It must be true that your plane has very little magic. Perhaps you're at an advantage over a mage, in that respect."
"A conjurer could tell," Felix says quietly. "But only if they're good enough. And most of them only study the flashy spells, anyway."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-03 08:52 pm (UTC)To seek comfort once it's over with.
"I don't know, Felix does quite alright over there." Jim shakes his head slowly. "I'm studying it as well as I'm able. So far all I've done is raise more questions than answers." He'd really rather not bring up How Felix knows he can tell Jim apart from anyone else spiritually. The last thing they need to bring up is the shit that happens in the Nexus.
Alternates, curses. Felix has had to identify His Jim on more than one occasion even when he didn't look like himself.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-04 09:30 pm (UTC)"So when you say you intend to live with Jim..."
"In his world. Yes, Father. He's arranged everything. I'll have to keep my origin a secret just as his is here, but we've worked it all out. I'll be with him on his ship most of the time, anyway."
"His ship." Up go the eldest Caelus's eyebrows again. "Then you really are a captain?"
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-04 09:59 pm (UTC)He could probably invite a few people along to this if they had enough time to prepare. Uhura knows both of the brothers. Spock, Bones. It wouldn't be much more than that but it would be something at least.
Nereus' question makes Jim smile with more than a touch of pride, though his gaze strays toward Stratos again, eyebrow raising in a clearly unspoken question.
"I am. Though not what you would call a traditional one."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-15 11:36 pm (UTC)"Now," he says firmly, "I won't ask you to tell me anything that directly compromises your work. I won't ask the details of getting there and back, for example. But I will hear what sort of place my youngest son intends to run away to. And what manner of life he's going to lead."
The look he gives Stratos accepts no arguments. After a moment, his son looks at Jim and nods helplessly.
"Besides," Nereus adds more lightly, "if I am ever interrogated - and I have many ways to prevent that - it will not be about your escapades, believe me."
(no subject)
Date: 2019-06-16 04:02 am (UTC)Their questioning stares and potentially frustrated faces.
"Oblivion. The Void. Not yours, obviously. My ship is out among the stars. A research vessel. Mapping out uncharted regions of space and documenting whatever else we may find." It's the whatever else that's usually the part that gets them in trouble but Jim knows well enough what not to say.
All of this is hardly believable as it is. He's at least got the decency not to smile. He doesn't want this to be taken for a joke in poor taste.