auspex_caelo | And the Stars Turned Back [for smartass

Jim's looking much smarter in his tunic, trousers, and boots than he was in his oversized undershirt. With his baby chick blonde hair and blue eyes he could almost pass for a Tamrielic youth, though decidedly not an Imperial one.

He very nearly blurts out that he's been to Skyrim already and that they can just use Felix's PINpoint, but one look from the younger but bigger Caelus brother makes Jim shut up on the subject immediately. Despite his size and changed age Jim is still remarkably independent. He needs to be coaxed into taking Stratos' hand when they begin their climb. Plus, he's never just..gone through the door to get into Tamriel, so this is something of an adventure to him.

His eyes are as wide as saucers the whole way, trying to take in everything he sees around him. He scrambles to keep up in the climb, resorting to using his hands to help himself along on the steeper bits of incline.

"A little bit." Comes the truthful answer as Jim struggles to keep his breath. He's got energy to spare, but he's also the smallest of the three of them and the climb is starting to wear him out. Not to mention all the running around he did in the Nexus before they headed this way.

It's not that Stratos is overprotective or anything. He just... wants to make sure Jim doesn't trip or fall. He slows down when he hears Jim trying to catch his breath; it's kind of frustrating, but on the other hand he's not really sorry for an excuse to delay the inevitable meeting ahead.

"Well, we can definitely get some food," he says.

"We have apples, I suppose," Felix interjects, hastily trying to think over what they have that's safe to eat and entirely unaware if Jim's requirements have changed a bit.

"You have to eat more than that, Felix." Stratos rolls his eyes at the cave ceiling.

"But I love apples!" Jim exclaims, raising his finger into the air as if to put more emphasis on Felix's point. Felix is the best, okay. Knows what Jim likes. "Though I don't think I"m allergic to a lot of stuff yet. It depends on if I"m really the me I was forever ago or If I'm Me-me and just small again."

That probably made no sense to anyone whatsoever except for Jim, but he understood what he means and that's what matters most.

"If I really am like I used t'be, then I haven't..." Even the chipper lens of youth doesn't stop Jim from tripping over his words with the memories of Tarsus and the torture he underwent there. The starvation, plague, abuse. He takes a shaky breath but bounces back alright. It has and hasn't happened to him in this body. His memory remembers it, but he's too young for it to have happened to him yet.

"Been exposed to th'stuff that made my body all messed up." Jim finishes quietly, serious for perhaps the first time since this whole ordeal started. Voice quieter.

Stratos reacts automatically to that shaky breathing, dropping back a step and wrapping an arm around Jim's shoulders. "Messed up?" he asks, trying to sound calm and reassuring. He's blissfully unaware of the startled frown Felix is giving him for jumping in.

"He has allergies," Felix explains, to save Jim talking about it more than he has to. "Quite a few foods make him sick... at least under normal circumstances. It would be great if you can try other things now, but I don't really want to risk killing you in finding out. Aside from everything else, I'm pretty sure your doctor would turn my hide into a new blanket."

"Mm, yeah. To lotsa foods and medicines."

Jim nods along, averting his gaze form Stratos's. he's grateful for Felix's input, saving him having to talk about it too much. For one thing, it's really hard for him to explain some of it the more his mind adjusts to being this young again.

"Bad stuff happened." He says simply, before glancing up at Felix. He's safe with them though, right? He feels safe with him and Stratos.

"Well, nothing bad is going to happen in our camp," Stratos points out with certainty. Felix nods, the smile he gives Jim only half hiding the determination on his face. Stratos has an important question though: "You aren't allergic to healing potions though... are you?"

"Oh no, those work fine."

"Felix." Stratos shoots a look over his shoulder, expression way too stern for a boy that young... and yet it seems about right, from what Felix remembers. "You shouldn't interrupt people."

Jim doesn't wriggle out of the half hug Stratos has him in while they walk, enjoying the weight of Stratos's arm across his shoulders. Enjoying being cared after. It's such a weird feeling. He doesn't remember....being cared for like this. Not really.

"As long as the bandits stay 'way." Jim doesn't like bandits they are smelly and mean. Huff. He's fine letting Felix talk for him but what Stratos chides him Jim shrugs slightly, looking up at Felix.

"Aren't you the big brother now? A..anyway, he's right. I don't understand a lot of it, but Felix's magic an' potions have never made me sick."

"Being bigger doesn't make him smarter," Stratos is quick to point out.

Felix sighs. "I suppose it couldn't be that easy."

"Anyway, there won't be any bandits. My friends are knights - do you have knights on Earth? They're great warriors. And they all know some healing magic, so even if Felix isn't there you'll be fine."

"I don't intend to stray that far, little brother." Despite the face he pulled at the idea of leaving Jim, getting that dig in makes Felix grin when Stratos glares - up - at him.

"Felix knows more 'bout my illnesses than just about anyone, cept for Bones." Jim points out quietly, gaze falling. Felix is always looking after Jim. He wants to protect Felix, too. But he never gets the chance to. He wants to be strong too.

Childhood determination mixed witha quick temper means Jim is a bit on edge, but it's not a temper tantrum in the making. Just a quiet childhood promise that he'll protect Felix and Stratos no matter what.

"Sorta. Security specialists. Soldiers. We've got a whole squad on th'ship. They're s'posed to keep the scientist folks safe and junk when we're on missions."

"Who's Bones?" Stratos asks, puzzled. Ideas about pet skeletons float through his mind before he gets to explaining further. He misses the smile on Felix's face, the tinge of proud affection. "Anyway, knights are a special kind of soldier. They dedicate themselves to the gods and go on quests to help other people. They're very honorable. They won't let us down."

They're coming out into a bigger cave with a flatter floor now, still broken by the remains of pillars and steps. There's daylight trickling in from a short tunnel on the left side, and that's the way they're headed.

"My best friend." Jim says quickly, looking up again. "An' the best doctor in Starfleet. Like a healer, 'cept with science." The idea of giving Bones magic is downright terrifying to Jim. The good doctor is dangerous enough with his hypos. He hurries to keep up, knowing they must be close. But he's definitely starting to tire.

"The gods are pretty real here." Jim concedes. What with space being their dead bodies and other crazy things Felix has said. It fills Jim with curiosity and wonder every time he thinks about it. It's so different form his own world and the sky beyond. "Must be a very good job." Respectable, he means.

Jim hangs back a little once the ground evens out, reaching up with one hand to hold onto Felix's hand as they head for the mouth of the tunnel.

Stratos has to admit he's honestly disappointed they don't have a pet skeleton. His age must be getting to him. "Oh. Will... won't he be upset if you don't tell him about this?"

"It's better not to worry him until this is sorted out," Felix suggests. A justification he'll surely retract when faced with an angry Bones but never mind.

Felix reaches down to take Jim's hand, giving him a reassuring smile. "They're good people. Especially Celann. He's my friend, and Stratos's best friend." Stratos looks aside, frowning at this accusation of human attachment, but Felix ignores it. "He might seem a little strange, but he's one of the nicest people I've ever known. I think you'll like him."

"He's always upset." Jim points out with a shrug, but then quieter and to the ground. "I don't wanna worry him over somethin' he can't fix. If we can't fix it soon, I'll tell him but..."

Jim's afraid they'll try to stop him from coming and going to the Nexus if he says anything.

"Anyone who's your guys's friend can't be bad. I'm sure I will." Nodding eagerly he squeezes Felix's hand and seems to get a second wind of energy to make it to their camp with no complaints.

Stratos peers at Jim's face, then nods. "Okay. We'll just have to get back to normal really soon, right?"

It seems the tribune's a little more flexible about propriety than he generally acts... or at least his teenage self is more understanding about dealing with adults. Seeing as Felix has Jim's hand, Stratos pulls away a bit and steps out of the cave entrance ahead of them. It's past noon in Skyrim, and the sky is bright despite the white clouds swirling overhead. They're above the trees that blocked Jim's view of the camp on their last visit, perched higher still on the slopes over that winding river valley. The camp itself is fairly sizable considering the cramped geography - at least two dozen low tents in heavy brown cloth and leather, marked with the red banner and black dragon of the Legion.

The three figures waiting for them are not, however, wearing Legion gear. Their armor is curved, gold-tinted and far more elegant than the solid, efficient plate Stratos wears. The two to the back wear red cloaks draped over it, but the woman in front has no such hindrance as she steps forward, sharp eyes flicking over the two children and landing on Felix, who shifts a little closer to Jim unthinkingly.

"Auxiliary." Her pale face is skeptical, her tone distinctly unimpressed beneath the High Rock accent. "I assume you have good reason for bringing children into a war camp. Assuming they are children..."

"Sir Yolande," Stratos says firmly, addressing his third-in-command with the authority of habit... even if it just makes her give him a surprised look right now. "He hasn't brought us here. I have. But you are right that we're not children- or at least we shouldn't be. I am your tribune - I'm just under a Nexus spell. And this is Captain James Kirk, one of our allies."

Personally, Felix is going to try and remember Yolande's face at this moment. One doesn't often get to see that perfect blend of alarm, incredulity and dumbfoundment. He's trying not to look too smug.

The last time Jim was here it was in the midst of winter in Skyrim and it was gorgeous then. It's gorgeous now, too, with more greenery visible along the steep slopes and the deciduous trees in full leaf to match the conifers and their year round deep emerald.

He's so busy craning his neck every which direction to take in the views that he doesn't notice the soldiers waiting for them at the entrance to the camp. Jim startles when the woman speaks, and Felix's shifting closer to him makes it easier for him to tighten his grip on the other's hand. Stranger danger is a very real thing in Skyrim. Jim has already had to learn that the hard way.

"Hi." He waves with his free hand to Yolande. "I'm not s'posed to be little neither. But they don't have magic where I'm from so I gotta get help from these guys. Also, you shouldn't talk down to Stratos an' Felix. Stratos is super important, duh. An' Felix is th'best..." Words are hard. Big boy words, Jim. "Th'best envoy form your world. Really helpful, always watching your door thing."

Nailed it.

Edited 2016-07-06 13:42 (UTC)

Yolande's green eyes widen under the concealing helm, her sharp gaze snapping between the little blond stranger and Stratos. Nonetheless, she inclines her head to Jim slightly on sheer reflex at the partial introduction, sparing a moment to eye Felix suspiciously. She's not used to him having adorable little kids to rally to his defense, and the good knight has no good way to respond. Yet.

She fixes her attention on the part she can deal with - her commander and his plight. The two knights behind her look about equally flabbergasted. "I- I apologize, sir. But- what-"

Stratos waves off all questions for now, shaking his head emphatically. Then he points to one of the two unnamed knights.

"Get C- Sir Celann to meet me in my tent, and don't speak of this to anyone until I allow it." Stratos is still perfectly capable of sounding like he knows what he's talking about, it seems. It's almost convincing coming from the boy. Certainly good enough for the knights: the one instructed hurries off on his errand while Stratos hastily leads the others over to slip into one of the bigger tents. Yolande walks alongside him as an escort, trying to ask questions - mostly trying to find out if he's hurt or if this was the result of an attack.

There aren't too many people in the middle of the camp right now - and the few present are busy sharpening swords or checking the feet of a pair of big sturdy chargers. For whatever reason, they all seem to be wearing plain clothes rather than Legion gear. Still holding Jim's hand and keeping a slower pace for the youngest person in the group, Felix takes the chance to lean down and murmur, "Thanks. I've never seen Yolande so flatfooted."

Good because Jim will defend Felix to his last no matter what size he is. And he supposes Stratos now too. Definitely Stratos now too for being an awesome big brother that he never really had.

"I thought magic was like common here." Jim pipes up, looking disappointed in the knights. "How hard is this to understand?" His arms craossed in a facsimile of his captain face and stance, but really lacking in any real authority when he's just so small and precious and saying stupid kid things.

Jim tugs at Felix's hand and nods toward the men as they move toward Stratos' tent. "Why's everyone dressed like their help? I thought the banners and pomp an' circumstance was like the Imperial's thing. Also, she should be nicer to you." HUFF.

"Magic like this isn't common at all, youngster," comments the remaining knight with them, shaking his head. The initial alarm is starting to wear off, but he still mislikes all of this. "And depending on where it comes from, some magic is much worse than other kinds..."

That warning delivered, he moves out of ready earshot as they head for the tent, and Felix is free to offer his own explanations. Jim has short legs, they have an excuse for lagging behind.

"Most of the troops here are knights," he says, "which always means they bring their servants and squires along with them. Our ones don't have many followers, actually - you see him? And her? They're knights too, they just don't wear their armor all the time. It's too heavy, and it spends most of the time being cleaned and polished anyway."

He chuckles. "As for Yolande, she's... never liked me very much."

"Oh, so some of them are the help." This makes a lot more sense to Jim, having chosen to ignore the remaining knight's warning as that of a guy who doesn't know anything because clearly magic laden Tamriel should know about magic and he's obviously wrong. You know, until Felix confirms this at some point in the future.

As for Yolande well, Jim actually clicks his tongue at that, seemingly in disbelief that there is anyone in any world who wouldn't like Felix. Were he his normal self he'd find it amusing and even sarcastically offer a 'i wonder why?' with an accompanying knowing grin. However, his childlike black and white loyalty doesn't allow for such humor. Which means he's affronted that someone could not like Felix for any reason other than them being objectively wrong or bad.

"You need to hang out with people who appreciate you more." Ideally people who appreciate Felix AND have something to eat or a place to sleep because man Jim is getting worn down.

Edited 2016-07-07 19:38 (UTC)

"Exactly." Felix laughs softly, not to attract attention. "Being a legionnaire is better, I think. Even if we sometimes get worse jobs, at least we're not here to hold someone else's cloak."

He's never really been what people call 'good with children', but as far as Felix is concerned, young!Jim is just as charming as his adult counterpart. Albeit in a very different way, obviously. Sure, he may never live it down if Yolande starts on his being defended by a little boy, but still. How could he not smile at that loyalty?

"I do," he points out. "Why do you think I spend so much time in the Nexus?" He nudges Jim's shoulder playfully, just before they head into the tent. The heavy flap is held aside by the remaining knight, who's apparently set to guard the door.

Inside are lots of dragon sigils, plus space for a big square table and furniture to spare, including a whole bunch of simple folding chairs. Felix will help Jim settle onto one and pull another closer so they can sit together. Yolande lights a taper from one of the two covered braziers and goes around lighting some lamps for them.

Stratos has gone to one of the chests near the back, looking through the officers' snacks until he finds a small bag of apples to go offer Jim. Sadly it's a bit dry - fresh fruit is harder to come by in this world.

Jim squeezes at Felix's hand, as if to reassure the other that he cares very much for Felix. Even if he's a runt right now and can't show Felix the kind of affection he's used to getting from the captain. It's for the best, considering the state they're in right now.

Inside the tent things look a lot more like Jim expects them to in an Imperial camp. Lots of sigils and important looking things. The small captain thanks Felix quietly for the assist rather than fussing about how he can do it himself. He would fuss if there weren't so many people around. He doesn't want to draw attention to himself. Plus Felix sits next to him and that makes Jim give a tiny shy smile.

"Oh!" Sparkling blue eyes regard Stratos with wonder and gratitude at the snack. "Thanks!" He hadn't wanted to complain but he was really getting hungry and...oh well his mouth is already full of apple now. Dry or not, he makes a pleased hum to be eating one of his favorite things.

Stratos smiles a little, genuinely pleased. Not to mention approving of Jim's good manners. "You're welcome. We'll figure out what else you can eat after... we sort stuff out."

No sooner has he said it than another knight pushes his way into the tent. His armor is even shinier than the others, with panels of what look like green crystal worked into the golden metal, but he's not wearing a helmet. He's as pale and fine-boned as the others, with light brown hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. True, there's a sword at his back about as long as Jim is tall, but he practically radiates friendly concern as he looks around.

"Yolande! Felix! What's going on? I've just heard the most..." His gaze falls on the two boys beside Felix, and his expression softens automatically. Then he frowns, and peers closer.

Stratos shrugs, smiling ruefully. "Yes, Celann, it's me. And Captain James Kirk. We were cursed in the Nexus, but no, we're not hurt otherwise. Jim, this is Sir Celann Lemond of Wayrest, my second in command. And Sir Yolande Hawkwood of Glenumbra, of course. I didn't want to start introducing everyone until we were all together."

"Oh." Celann's eyebrows are knitted with concern, but he smiles at Jim all the same and sweeps a bow to him. Yolande bows more gently from the other side of the tent. "I remember hearing about you, of course. It's a pleasure to finally meet you... er, captain. Circumstances aside, of course..."

Jim freezes in his seat, a small piece of apple still sticking out of his very full mouth and a fruit in each hand. A less intimidating creature does not exist in Tamriel at this moment.

"Muh?" His voice is incredibly muffled by the apple in his mouth. He looks between Yolande and Celann, more than a little confused at the bows being turned his way. Not quite sure what to do, he scoots to the edge of the chair with a few wiggles and noises of effort before dropping to his feet and giving a hasty bow back, hands and mouth still full of apple.

He looks back at the seat and makes a face before continuing eating. He has to finish at least one to get a free hand to climb back up into the seat.

"Hi." Muffled.

Celann looks from Jim, to Stratos, and Felix has to grin openly at his face. The conjurer speaks up as he lifts Jim back onto his seat. "Don't worry, we're keeping him."

Stratos rolls his eyes at that, but focuses on his second. "Look, we have to find a way to undo this, but first I need your help to make sure... things... keep running smoothly. I don't want everyone panicking or... word getting back to Solitude."

"Of course," Celann assures him. Jim may have been disappointed by the knights' ignorance of such magic, but apparently they're not going to lose their heads about it either. Actually, Celann's drawing himself up proudly and declaring, "You're still our sworn commander, no matter your size."

"And we can't show weakness," Yolande agrees darkly. "But I haven't heard of a curse like this that wasn't daedric- not in the last century." There's a pointed look at Felix, who shrugs innocently. "It's going to be difficult to break if we can't seek help freely..."

"Imma space cap'n." Jim declares proudly around his snack while in Felix's arms. Puffs his tiny chest out even. It is apparently an impressive thing to be. Then again, coming from a nine year old it could be as made up a profession as 'professional sweets tester'.

Om nom nom go the apples in his hands.

Jim's quiet for a moment, mostly because he's eating but also because he's listening to Celann and Yolande talk to Stratos about being alone if people find out and wait...

"What's their Dad hafta do with this?" No that's daedric Jim and..actually that means nothing to him either as a term.

Edited 2016-07-12 17:33 (UTC)

And the Stars Turned Back [for smartass_captain ]

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