Bene venisti (for smartass_captain )

[conjuredskies]

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.”

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[conjuredskies]

"Chorrol has roast boar, Hammerfell style," Terentius claims. "And a town where the sun shines more than once a year." He looks at the grins around him and sees they're not entirely buying his tale. The lot of them get a snort before he slugs his drink. "You wouldn't be smirking so much if your dinner tonight only tasted of salt."

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."

[smartass_captain]

Again Jim falls quiet, listening to the conversation from the sidelines rather than joining in. His knowledge of the Imperial Legion is much better than it had been months before but this is a family of soldiers who live and breathe the Legion life. Better to keep quiet and only speak up if he has to answer than to risk saying something horribly wrong about the subject.

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?

[conjuredskies]

"And I really can't say anything about cold knees if my betrothed likes it," Felix adds. He squeezes Jim's arm back, quietly grateful for the support. His father may not know and even his uncle may only have enough of a glimmer to watch this all play out with a hint of caution in his eyes. But his brother knows - and Jim understands, better than any of them. Jim knows everything Felix isn't saying to his father.

"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.

[smartass_captain]

"I'm not sure that's the best way to word it, if I'm being honest."

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.

[conjuredskies]

"This is starting to sound like a noble's wedding," Terentius teases. "No-one told me there'd be a political alliance in it."

"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..."

[smartass_captain]

Way Jim figures it, there needs to be a good reason Stratos would be so willing to let his younger brother and personally trained agent run off into who only knows where for months at a time rather than just recruiting Jim and his entire company into the Legion if they were truly staying here, especially in Skyrim. This sounds plausible to him, even if Terentius is giving him remarks.

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."

[conjuredskies]

"Felix has become quite skilled with restoration magic," Stratos agrees, trying to help. Felix laughs a touch nervously.

"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."

[smartass_captain]

It's strange to hear Felix say as much so openly, even here. Jim doesn't miss the look that crosses Stratos and Terentius' face for a short moment either. He wonders if his own expression flickers at the word. Hopes not, because Jim truly doesn't find a fault with his betrothed's preferred school of magic. The spectral wolf and flaming companion seem a world away from the horrors of Rielle. It's hard to imagine them being the same school.

"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.

[conjuredskies]

"That is because a skilled fighter doesn't need to cheat," Stratos says loftily.

"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...