The Learned Society of Nexus Geographers

[conjuredskies]

Felix wasn’t strictly untruthful to Verity, and perhaps that’s good enough.

He is, after all, free. It’s just that rather than waiting to be sent off-duty, he waits until Stratos disappears into their home portal, then scribbles a note to say that it’s been six hours(!) and he needs food. He leaves it pinned beneath a rock at his desk.

How could that possibly backfire?

He’s delved into the streets of the Nexus before, but as usual it’s an education in architecture – and food, and commerce, and the entertaining arts. His map holds him true though. Aside from a bit of shock when he learns what an Escher bridge actually is, he makes it safely to the Fox and Crozier. It’s a surprisingly pleasant place, opening onto a tree-shaded yard of its own. The clink of glasses and murmur of pleasant conversation drift through the open doors. Rather impressed, Felix glances around the lane to check if Verity’s waiting outside before he heads in.

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

If they keep this up, with the good manners and paced eating, people might start thinking they're civilized.

"That's a good way of putting it. You're very philosophical, aren't you?" This is an attractive quality to her, so say yes.

"Hmm? It's called polenta. It's cornmeal porridge. Want to try some?" Her plate is slid closer to him in invitation. "It's really good."

[conjuredskies]

He needs some kind of cunning disguise, doesn't he?

One should always accept a compliment, and he lifts his ale in salute. "You need to be, in my line of work. Especially when you're trying to understand otherworldly beings. It's important to have... perspective."

And, incidentally, a willingness to try things. He'll scoop a little of the polenta into his bowl. "Thanks. Would you like to try the pasta? You've had it without the goslingroot, so you'll know what difference that makes."

[brave_heart_verity]

Ah, very sneaky.

"Perspective, or the ability to see other perspectives anyway, isn't much prized where I'm from. I suppose I shouldn't judge them too much, I didn't always worry much bout other perspectives either." She sips her ale and blinks in surprise as the rosemary in it. Hmm.

"Thank you." She deftly hooks a few long noodles with her fork and winds them up. He'll be able to do it that neatly too with a little more practice. "Mm. Green but earthy at the same time. I like it."

[conjuredskies]

"My people appreciate that kind of skill more than most, I think. They just... often think they're better at it than they really are." He pulls a wry smile as he tries the polenta, with and without sauce. Every combination must be examined! "Do you get concerned about other people's opinions much now?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She smirks at the admission but doesn't say anything... for now. Possibly because she's more interested in how he likes the food. "Mm... not generally, but I've learned to value the perspectives and opinions of my friends. No man is an island, though gods know I tried."

[conjuredskies]

He devotes a moment to contemplating both her words and the food. "Hmm. What stopped you trying? If you don't mind discussing it."

[brave_heart_verity]

Boy, she is suddenly really into turning that piece of rabbit into slivers with her fork.

"I made a friend, and he taught me to... let myself feel."

[conjuredskies]

"Ah. Well, I'm glad of that, for one," he says, giving her a small smile. "You know, this polenta's delicious stuff. Much lighter than it looks."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Me too." She can smile about it, for all it's a sad subject.

"It is. It's amazing what can be done with a few simple ingredients, isn't it? D'you have corn, or maize, where you're from?"

[conjuredskies]

Felix looks interested. "Corn as in the big yellow ears? On the really tall stalks? Because we have that all over Cyrodiil."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Yeah, corn like that," she agrees with a grin. "You dry it, grind it, then cook it to make this. It's the same stuff you make cornbread with."

[conjuredskies]

"There's bread too? I must investigate whenever I make it home. Either the farmers have been holding out on us, or I have something new to show them."

[brave_heart_verity]

"There is. It's also very easy to make. But if nobody's tried milling corn yet in Cyrodiil, well, you're going to be very busy when you get home."

[conjuredskies]

"It shouldn't be that hard to convince them: they mill just about everything else in the lowlands. Though I think I'll leave the cooking part to people with some skill for it."

[brave_heart_verity]

"What, you can't call one of those fire ladies to do it for you? Controlling fire should make cooking so much easier."

[conjuredskies]

"Asking for a fire is easy. Asking for edible food from a being who doesn't eat, that's almost as hard as trying to conjure it yourself. Which doesn't work at all, might I add."

[brave_heart_verity]

"It doesn't? Huh. I wonder why dad was always so worried about magic food..."

She's going to be wondering about that for a moment (and the rest of her life).

"I guess you'll have to learn to do it for yourself."

[conjuredskies]

"Food can have magical effects - especially if you lace it with some kind of potion. Maybe that's what worried him?" he suggests. It seems like the most logical answer.

Her latter comment makes him grimace a little. "At this rate I'll be learning to do it for the whole squad. Curse of the apprentice, you know. Not that it'll be anything this nice."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Maybe." That makes as much sense as anything, so she'll shrug the question off to worry about later.

"Everyone loves a good cook. Would it really be so bad?"

[conjuredskies]

"There's a difference between being a cook and being the one who gets ordered to do all the drudge work." And for all the ways he haas of earning gratitude, his cooking is not one.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm sorry." She'll drop it. She never likes seeing a nice person sulk.

"So what is Cyrodiil like? That's where you grew up, right?"

[conjuredskies]

Sulking is definitely no way to spend an excellent meal; given the opportunity, Felix gladly abandons the subject and his discomforted look turns to a quick smile and a nod.

"It is - though, I must confess, my hometown isn't very representative of the province. Most of Cyrodiil is green and warm, and - well, the Nords would call it gentle. Having lived there, I can't say the same. But it is beautiful."

He toys with the remains of his food for a moment, deciding how to describe it. "At its heart is a great lake and the Imperial City. The whole region around it is - nearly - full of forests and meadows and quiet riverbanks where lotus flowers grow. Sometimes it seems like every bend or hillock is hiding some ancient fort or broken marble arches. The people are courteous and educated and- disciplined, might be the word. It's a bastion of civility and order. The center of civilization in Tamriel. Even if that is what I'm supposed to say."

The last bit is said dryly, but the patriotism does seem to be genuine, nearly down to the word. He has a sip of ale to wet his throat after all that, so he can add, "Naturally, I come from the one city in the northern mountains. The part covered in ice and snow and surly Nords."

[brave_heart_verity]

It sounds beautiful, the way he describes it. She's leaning with her chin in her hands by the end, intent on the story and the imagery. It almost sounds too perfect.

But, of course, he's from Bruma. The disappointment makes her laugh, not at him, just at the situation. "Aww. Well, someday you can move south and have your very own broken marble arch to admire."

[conjuredskies]

It really is too perfect, but that's what you get for asking a slightly homesick Imperial. And he doesn't want to dwell on Cyrodiil's misfortunes, not when they've just got their conversation back on track.

"Mmm. Someday after I've made my fortune cleaning out some Ayleid treasure vault. Maybe I'll buy a nice townhouse in Cheydinhal - even the Imperial City. Of course, the south has its own hazards." He leans forward a bit and drops his voice. "Cousins, you know."

[brave_heart_verity]

She wouldn't be half so interested in visiting if he told her about all the Thalmor. They'd just get along so well.

"Cousins?" She doesn't quite get it, not having any (that she knows of). "I thought people like having cousins."