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

[conjuredskies]

"With the world on your doorstep, it's a miracle you find time to travel. Is New York your capital, then?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"No, it's not the capital of the country or the state. It used to be the capital of the country, but they built a new city for that. They needed more room and wanted it to be more centrally located, you see." Flipping back to the big country map, and this time she points out D.C. "When the country was founded, it only took up these places near the ocean. Americans moved westward slowly, in stages, over the next century. Which would have been fine if they hadn't committed genocide in the process. And maybe it wouldn't have been fine with the people who used to live there."

She doesn't like admitting that part, but it's the truth and it's important to know these things.

[conjuredskies]

"Ah. Yes, that's... unpleasant. I think something similar happened a couple of times in Tamriel. Like the Nords conquering Skyrim from the Snow Elves and Bretons." People aren't usually so sensitive- okay, the descendants of the victors aren't generally sensitive about these things, in Tamriel. But Verity is very somber about it, so he's following her lead. And there's something to be respected in a people who don't forget the bloodshed behind their triumphs.

[brave_heart_verity]

Plenty of people still sensitive about that, Felix, haven't you ever been to Markarth? "I hope it doesn't happen again, for any of us."

Verity's sensitive about a lot of things. It's part of why she spent so long trying to isolate herself. It's hard to deal with deep feelings and constant truth at the same time.

"So, would you like to see some pictures of New York?"

[conjuredskies]

Is it in any way surprising that no, he quite deliberately hasn't been to Markarth proper? The Forsworn have really interesting hobbies but last time he asked, they wouldn't let him in their club.

"I'm sure either of our governments would have quite a lot to say about it, if it did." It's a reassurance, so long as you don't over-analyze it.

"Oh, there are engravings? I'd love to see them." His is a world not yet saturated with Youtube videos and selfies and Google maps, and his immediate keenness reflects that. Getting actual pictures of a mysterious foreign land is a rare pleasure.

[brave_heart_verity]

Oh, but they've got plenty of clubs for a handsome Imperial like him.

"Yeah, and most of it wouldn't mean anything." She knows how these things work. She's seen plenty of politicians on the news, talking and talking and saying nothing.

"Not exactly..." Prepare to be amazed: she has a smartphone, and an album of photos she's taken around the city. Once it's open she turns the screen to him. "Rub your finger lightly over the screen in either direction to switch to the next picture." She will demonstrate: right to a new pic, right to another one, left goes back to the one they'd just seen, left goes back again, another left is another picture. Magic.

[conjuredskies]

And he'd like to stay handsome, so he'll stick to making friends with daedra.

He shrugs a little, not willing to dispute it: most of what the powerful say is of questionable honesty and that's undeniable. He can't really blame Verity if she finds that less endearing than he does.

Ah, he's noticed a few people wandering around with devices like that. He peers at it while she fiddles, then blinks when he's shown the pictures. "Oh." It's so bright and detailed and- he breaks into a delighted grin.

"Hah! Well, look at that!" He has to try swiping between pictures, although it might take him some fumbling to get the right combination of pressure and movement. Motor skills of the future, here he comes! "What a fine little device. No wonder I keep seeing them around." Although to be fair, he doesn't differentiate between different small rectangular gadgets yet.

[brave_heart_verity]

In her defense, J. Jonah Jameson is the mayor of New York where she's from. Nobody could love politics after that. Nobody but the villains.

He can play to his heart's content. She's enjoying the show. "Pretty great, huh? It stores information for me, it can connect to other devices to retrieve even more information, I can use it to communicate with other people, it even takes pictures. All those pictures you're looking at, I took with that phone."

[conjuredskies]

He seems all the more impressed by its versatility. "All of that? Wait, how do you mean it 'takes' the pictures? I mean, I suppose you have to receive them from somewhere..."

[brave_heart_verity]

They're pretty damn impressive things. "You see that small round glass piece? That works sort of like an eye. It takes in all the light and the machine makes a picture from it. Then it shows the picture on the screen when we tell it to. "

[conjuredskies]

Felix leans his head to take a look at the lens. "That's interesting. And it's all just mechanical and... electrical? Hmm." His fingers twitch a little over the phone. "So these are all places you've really been, not just places the artists like." The technical aspects are fascinating, but it's worth remembering the other implications.

He's almost too caught up in the moment to notice the older man come in the door. The newcomer is armored in segmented steel, polished and gleaming - although in style it otherwise resembles Felix's uniform, down to the skirt. He sweeps a cool glance around the dining room and strides straight for their table. Felix is careful not to let his expression change.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Yes, it's mechanical and electrical. Next time I'll bring something with a bigger screen so you can see the details." Because there are so many more details than he realizes. "They are. This is exactly how they looked when I was there. Those people were all there, the weather was really like that. No artistic license." She doesn't even use filters.

She looks up at the man approaching but saves the questioning look for Felix. Not that she's going to stop the conversation now. "Further on there are some pics I took at night, you can see how the city lights up. It's really beautiful."

[conjuredskies]

"Oho! This could be a dangerous little gadget, you know..."

Felix looks up at her, expression flickering with something apologetic for a moment before he gets back to looking for the night-time pictures. "Where are those? I- oh. Sir." He rises politely. "This is an unexpected pleasure."

That's a double lie, and his innocent smile is no better. In his defense, the officer's giving him a very hard look.

"Auxiliary." That the tribune comes from the same region as Felix looks obvious - actually, there's a resemblance beneath the age difference, though Felix is sharper-featured and paler. Same accent, too. He inclines his head to Verity smoothly. "Pardon me for interrupting your meal, miss. I wanted to see for myself what my legionnaire was doing away from his post."

[brave_heart_verity]

Oh god. Office politics. She looks down at her phone to hide her reaction to the lies, but she's listening closely and watching what she can.

"Eating lunch." She knows he wasn't really asking her, but since he was technically talking to her, she's going to be difficult. "A lovely goslingroot tagliatelle. And making pleasant conversation." The phone is slipped into a pocket before Stratos can ask too many questions about it.

[conjuredskies]

Felix is going to have to make some profuse apologies after this, not to mention express his gratitude that Verity isn't giving him away. He really was hoping Stratos wouldn't do this to him.

"I did leave you a message, sir," he says, while Stratos is hesitating in his response to Verity. "Since we had no provisions, and it was so long since you left, I, er, took the opportunity to scout a possible source of safe meals. With the help of Miss Willis, here." All of which is true. In some fashion. Stratos still looks at him as if trying to discern the game.

"Yes, I found the note. Auxiliary, I don't think you understand yet the discipline I expect of you, or the penalties-" ...He lies. But he glances at Verity again, the book of maps on the table, and sighs. "If you'll excuse us, miss." Felix gets a look. "I'll speak with the auxiliary outside."

[brave_heart_verity]

What is there to give away? As far as she knows this is just lunch and a pleasant conversation. But yes, he'll have to find a good way to apologize.

"Okay. Bye, Felix." He gets a smile before he goes. Then her gaze slides to Stratos before dropping to the table. "Try being honest. He might respect that."

Who knows which one she was talking to. Maybe both of them. She's a troublemaker sometimes.

[conjuredskies]

Unaware of her ability, Stratos raises his eyebrows a little - if she has his brother's number down, he'll give the young woman some credit.

Or she's speaking to him, but surely that's- unlikely. He gives Felix a sidelong look, slightly disconcerted despite himself. He bows his head to Verity once more and takes a couple of steps back, looking a bit more like a scolding parent than a ticked-off superior.

"I'm so sorry about this," Felix says, with a duly sheepish smile, and a proper bow. "I'll settle the bill with our hosts before I go, of course. And thank you - this is still the most enjoyable meal I've had in months."

[brave_heart_verity]

Good luck with that, Stratos. She's an open book. But that book is a Choose Your Own Adventure and most people read straight through instead of following the prompts.

So long as he's properly apologetic he'll get an answering smile. "No no, my treat. Let me know when they let you come back and we can do it again." She's always down for this kind of troublemaking.

[conjuredskies]

Stratos never did like those books.

Felix looks relieved; if she's not mad at him, that's one front he doesn't have to worry about. He grins back, all the more so because of the frown she just elicited from Stratos. "I look forward to it. We still have so many maps to trade."

[brave_heart_verity]

Making Stratos frown is fun. She'll have to thank Felix for teaching her this game later.

"I'll show you more of my... magic pictures." Or maybe that's his thanks. Unless it does actually get him dragged out by the ear because he shouldn't be flirting while technically on duty.

[conjuredskies]

Next time he'll teach her how to score twitches.

"And I'll be your willing admirer."

"Felix." Fifty points!

"Right behind you, sir." He gives Verity a farewell grin and follows in Stratos's wake as the older mage strides out. There's an awkward and rather unpleasantly silly argument ahead. Maybe one of them will actually take Verity's advice. But probably not willingly.

[brave_heart_verity]

Oh, that is fun. It's hard to tell if the twitch or the tone sets off the giggles. She'll have to think about that.

They can argue whenever, wherever, and however they want. She'll take the side exit so she doesn't have to witness it. If they take her advice, great, and if not, more of the same right?

[conjuredskies]

Honesty is a difficult thing for them at present. But the row is saved for when they're back in their own world, so at least Verity will be spared whichever route she takes.

Scene?

[brave_heart_verity]

((That was a lot of fun, thank you. :D))

Sure!

[conjuredskies]

(( And thank you! XD Stratos had better beware of that sport catching on. ))