auspex_caelo: (Damnit Felix (or Jim))
Stratos Caelus ([personal profile] auspex_caelo) wrote2019-06-23 08:39 pm
Entry tags:

Incognito, Incorrigible (for [personal profile] smartass_captain)

Organizing a proper wedding is no small affair even on Earth. In Tamriel, without the benefit of instant communications, instant transport and year-round amenities, it requires a good deal more planning. Particularly when it comes to guests who live any distance away. Roads and seaways alike are dangerous. Bandits prowl the land routes. Inclement weather closes mountain passes and keeps ships in their berths. Everything, above all, takes time.

With spring in full flight, snows melting and roads well and truly open, the excuses for delays in invitation replies and guest arrivals are both running out. Mostly this hasn’t been an issue. The arcane side of their guest list have their own ways of sending word, and the military side have first call on the Imperial courier network. Everyone who matters is accounted for. Except, that is, for one…

In the library of the Bruma house, Stratos leans on a desk covered in papers and rubs his eyes. Another day, another absence of word. Marcella did warn him that her mother would be nigh-impossible to contact. She was almost too resigned to the fact to be grumpy about it. But Stratos had thought his connections would get him where his cousin had been unable to reach. The trouble, he sees now, is that he really can’t be sure where that is.

One guest. Perhaps it’s not a disaster if she can’t be there. But this is his mother’s sister, and they have so few near relatives left, since the War….

And he’s getting worried.

Stratos rises then, and tidies away his writing implements. He heads downstairs to his room and changes into better gear for travelling- not too warm, he doubts he’s going to end up in Skyrim – and then he goes to knock on Felix’s – well, his and Jim’s – door. Nereus is out visiting with Terentius, so there’s nothing else to distract the youngest two, nothing else that ought to be occupying them. And if they’re still resting on the Enterprise - well, he’ll just have to go there and fetch one of them.

smartass_captain: (Nirn I don't follow)

I do that, too. Perpetually have the wrong change in every program

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-05 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"THE volcano? Because it's the biggest, or...?" Not to say that it's not damned impressive. It's a huge mountain spewing and smoldering however far two hundred leagues is in Galactic Standard. But Jim's seen volcanoes before of quite a number of sizes. "What do you call the uh...giant fungi over there? Do they have names too or is 'Kynareth be kind that's the biggest mushroom I've ever gods damned seen' the shortest way to talk about them?"

Red Mountain. Sounds vaguely ominous to Kirk's ears. Maybe it's just how the words sound in the mouth. It doesn't appear like they're venturing any closer to the phenomena, at least. That's probably for the best knowing his luck. Were-crocodiles are bad enough but natural disasters are on a whole other level.

"So. Morrowwind. Home of the Dunmer if I'm remembering right? Anything I should know?"
smartass_captain: (Away Mission Exploration)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-07 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"I didn't realize it was so populated, before." But it's not as though plenty of other species have built their civilizations far too close to natural disasters waiting to happen before. Humans are guilty of that too. Especially back before anyone knew any better. But they're walking away from the area. Jim's all too aware that humanitarian aid isn't why they're out here today. Presumably if anyone could stop it or temper the damn thing they would have already.

Besides, Stratos is remarking on Felix not being brought along. It drags Jim out of his reveries and makes him wince. He's more aware than he probably should be of the tempestuous relationship between the two brothers. "Let's. Please. It feels wrong to be out here without him as is."

"Of course it was." This world feels like everyone is occupying everyone else at some point or another. His jaw ticks slightly but it's hardly Stratos' doing. He keeps his mouth shut on the matter. "Hope they want steel and glassware more than they want to mug us then."
smartass_captain: (Looking over shoulder (beyond))

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-08 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
"I try to keep in mind that he wandered off first, if he does try to sulk. I didn't exactly get invited out with him, either." But it doesn't really matter whether Jim is here or not. It likely matters more that Stratos took someone that wasn't his baby brother out on this adventure. He'll have to make it up to Felix as best he can later. Or at least work to frame it in a good light for Stratos's case later.

"It's not so bad, that." Stratos has seen a glimpse of it for himself, even.

It's not going to be terribly long before both of their eyes are stinging with discomfort from the ash, even heading away from the towering blight on the horizon as they are. They're protected from the worst affects by the scarves round their mouth and noses but it's not going to be the easiest trek. Jim hasn't bothered to wipe at his face any either.

"Best not to rub at your eyes, even to dry them. They'll only water again and you'll be rubbing the irritant into them further."
smartass_captain: (Nirn Now see here)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-08 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Protective eye wear, from what I can see of the travelers we've passed by. It's possible to get used to it a bit too, but we aren't going to be out here long enough for that I'd wager."

Jim's honestly less bothered by it than Stratos is. It stings and its uncomfortable but it's temporary and he's been in much worse hospitable terrain than this over his years. For a little while at least he can tough it out. It stings like a motherfucker but he was ready for this the moment Stratos mentioned needing protection from ash.

In fact, the biggest pity about not having anything over their eyes is that Jim has to remember to school his gaze. When the caravan approaches the man from the Void has to actively stop himself from gaping like a fish. Instead he shuffles to move off of the road for them to pass by. It's a chance to rest and catch his breath a little. To rearrange the scarf around his nose and mouth, and to carefully wipe the tears off of his exposed cheeks without rubbing anything more into his eyes.

"Well met." Jim murmurs politely. He has to squint through the wetness in his eyes a bit to see if any of them will give the pair of humans any attention whatsoever. If they will he's going to nudge Stratos slightly. Drop his voice to a whisper beneath the scarf. "Think they'd sell to us?"
smartass_captain: (Nirn If you say so)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-14 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
While Stratos is internally summing up just how overpriced their purchase is, Jim's obliviously murmuring a polite thanks to both the Argonian and the Dunmer merchant. They're both incredibly lucky that they've run into a merchant at all out here on these sparsely populated roads. One that's willing to trade at that and who has the gear they sorely would like. His farewell is probably more earnest than it should be before they're going their separate ways once more.

The sting won't leave their eyes for a while but it will gradually lessen the longer they're on the road properly equipped. They're both going to be nursing headaches by the time they stop to make camp but those at least can be more easily treated.

"Whew. That's a hell of a hike. I'm up for it though." Especially now that they're well and away from any giant beasts that would try to chomp either man in half. The last time Stratos had his brother-in-law to be along with him for a trek it wasn't for nearly so lighthearted a journey. This time Jim fills the air while they walk with stories about his ship, things he's seen across his version of Oblivion. Does his best to describe his seemingly impossible cosmos to the well educated Nirnish battlemage.

It helps to pass the time as they crest one hill that turns into a dozen, picking their way across an uneven path. Jim asks Stratos things too. About his time spent in High Rock (another place he's only vaguely heard of). Other people they pass by on the roads spread rumor about ghouls stacking chairs out in the ash wastes and other nonsensical stories that leave Jim wondering if he's missing some kind of explanation for a Nirnish idiom or another.

As the sun's setting, however, even the outdoorsy Kirk is breathing heavily. He's stifling with his mouth and nose covered. Head aching for the hindered vision and stiff leather of the goggles they wear. Body yearning for a meal, drink, and most importantly: rest. Conversation's dried up in favor of deep long breaths. Slower steps. They're nearly to the top of the most recent hill their winding road has lead them down.
smartass_captain: (Away Mission Exploration)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-16 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Next to the Imperial, Jim is bent over with his hands on his own thighs, breathing heavily. The cloth around his face sticks to him at every in hale before puffing back out with his exhales. "Yeah--yeah. I mean if you're needing to stop then we should..." Give him a second to catch his breath again, "We should definitely stop for the night."

What Jim means is that he needs the rest too. Admitting such things isn't very easy for him even on his own ship. Out here where Jim's all too aware of how little of a help he is the man's determined not to be a burden to anyone.

Thankfully it's a downhill walk from here. Not even the alien beauty of this place can slow Jim's steps for long when he's got to keep up with Stratos. (The promise of a warm meal and a place to sleep drives him forward too). Security seems a bit more lax than Jim's seen around other towns but perhaps with the volcano disrupting much of the land people are needed for more important work.

Not even Jim's aching feet nor grumbling stomach will keep him from admiring the architecture at least a little bit. With the sky stained with color these strange designs feel just familiar enough form Earth history books to draw his eye even if he knows this place is nothing at all like his home world. His fatigue works somewhat in the captain's favor as it keeps him from turning on the spot to gape at every new sight as they round a corner.

"Is Cyrodillic known here? If not I'm...not going to be much use seeing to supplies or our needs."
smartass_captain: (Casual Friendly)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-17 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
With their ash streaked hair and covered faces they both look like any other pair of human travelers making their way across the Morrowind countryside. Perhaps their only interesting feature is the fact that they are in fact human, although their well made and patch-free clothing certainly probably draws eyes a little bit as well.

Jim's bow is more of an afterthought than Stratos' purposeful one is. He clearly doesn't know his way around. Or maybe he's just that enthralled in the atmosphere and smell of the inn they're walking into. A huge sigh of relief escapes the man as he reaches up to pull his goggles off his head completely. It pulls his hair slightly to the side but it hardly matters when they remove their cloth masks. Underneath Stratos is every inch a fine Bruma man and very obviously Imperial. Jim's not nearly so strong jawed as his companion and though he carries the bow on his back there's not a fairer face for a hundred leagues in any direction.

They've clearly not been raised doing hard labor, even if neither man looks to be dressed like a nobleman. Neither carries any sort of accessory save for the goggles they walked in with and their packs are nowhere near full but they're of good quality like everything else about them.

"Like music to my ears." Stratos' companion agrees, his accent just a touch strange. "Any chance to wash up and I'll be beside myself."
smartass_captain: (Away Mission Concern)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-19 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
A day's march on top of climbing, spellcasting, and a good old panicked sprint at one point. It's been a busy day for both men. Jim's quick to divest himself of his gear until he's dressed down to his simple tunic and trousers taking a seat at the foot of the bed nearest to him.

"Okay what's kwahrmay scrib? I think...is risotto rice? Like a mixed vegetable and grain kind of dish?" Names are always tricky for Jim to remember, especially meals uncommon at either the Caelus table or a Legion's camp. "Gwarr has to be some kind of meat if it's being roasted, right? The only thing I understood was cabbage soup, to be honest."

Finding Stratos' aunt is still very important, of course, but dinner is an Immediate task.
Edited 2019-09-19 15:34 (UTC)
smartass_captain: (Nirn If you say so)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-09-22 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Insect larvae. Yum. Jim's eaten some weird things in his time out in the Black but there's always some things that are easier to wrap his head (or stomach in this case) around than others. Of course, he's eaten giant tarantula meat before thanks to Harrowheart and that honestly tasted pretty similar to shellfish. So while it's not the most appetizing option it might honestly taste just fine. Who even knows? Besides, Jim's got a small allergy kit wrapped carefully up in plenty of native cloth sitting at the bottom of his pack if he needs it.

"Whatever you end up trying I'll take as well." Simpler than trying to remember and pronounce all of those names again. The captain pauses where he's knelt over his pack tucking away his goggles and mask when the door opens. Dunmer aren't a race he's had a chance to meet many of, though in features they're not so different from some of the other peoples he has had a chance to meet during his time knowing the Caeluses.

"Thank God." It's a good thing the Dunmer girl has left already because Jim doesn't catch his own relieved exclamation until she's gone. "Damn, I mean--whatever. I need to be more careful about that." A chance to clean up sounds divine in any language. "I'll be quick." Jim murmurs before he sets about stripping down so he can shake out his clothes and clean up.
smartass_captain: (Nirn Profile)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-10-13 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right. I'll have to work on that."

He mutters the phrase under his breath a few times while seeing about washing up as swiftly as possible. Thank Mara, thank Mara. The water's far less cold than what Jim's used to using around Stratos' camp. A nice change of pace, really. His hurrying is more for Stratos' sense of decency than it is because he's freezing, for once.

"Ah, thanks." He hadn't thought to grab any soap for his pack. Stratos is well prepared. It won't be the kind of bath Felix always talks so fondly of (and yet Jim's never seen any real proof of them) but it's a damn sight cleaner than they walked in as.

"Your turn. I'm decent." Dragging a hand through his hair in an attempt to make sense of it as he moves to swap places with Stratos. His tunic's hanging open with the ties loose but at least he is dressed from head to toe. "Should we make our way down after eating then?"
smartass_captain: (Nirn Oh shit)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-10-16 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"I hadn't even thought about her taking a boat. Do we even have time to eat then?"

Jim's stopped fussing with his hair and clothes with that realization. A ripple of tension has overcome him once more, ready to head out at so much as a hint of a word from Stratos. Hard day's march, hunger or no, Jim's used to pushing himself harder than he probably should to see a job done. Even one as pleasant as this could end in fruitless chasing if Stratos' aunt sails far out of reach underneath their noses.

"I've got my allergy kit with me, so worst case scenario, I'm a little bit uncomfortable while we get the job done. I'm more worried about any drink to be honest, than I am the food." He's more than amenable to insectoid meat in his risotto seems like.

"If we've got the time to spare." Just to stress again, Jim is willing to put aside hunger in favor of seeing the job done. For all the areas he comes up short in adapting to Nirn in other areas, stamina is not one of them.
smartass_captain: (Casual Aw shucks)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-10-18 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Take proper care of...? What is Jim, a companion or a pet? Still he can't help but to pull a grin of his own. Felix when he's fussy and sulking is more adorable than Jim thinks the mage Wants to be seen as. He's never admitted it aloud but the smile on his face probably says as much to Stratos at least.

"We wouldn't want that. He tends to hold grudges better with you than he does me." Bug and rice for supper then and hopefully a glass of--well, probably ale. He knows better than to drink water in a strange place and wine's right out.

At least they're fit to be seen downstairs among the others after washing up properly. Which is all for the best ebcause Jim is going to be giving everything a curious and friendly eye. It may be the only time he gets to see this corner of Tamriel and he'd like to make the most of it.
smartass_captain: (Orly)

[personal profile] smartass_captain 2019-10-19 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
The human doesn't seem to be dissuaded by being watched in return. His smile stays friendly and though he doesn't seem to speak a word of Dunmeri (nothing that would be allowed in polite conversation at least) he's willing to speak up here and there in Cyrodillic whenever necessary. And if some of the locals laugh when Jim's eyebrows raise in shock for how heavy the mazte is, well. He's not a heavy drinker. Especially after a long day's march, he has to really go easy on the drink.

The food then is going to take the bulk of his attention. And while Stratos might hesitate Jim's hungry enough to dig right in.

"Mmh. It's really not bad. Good choice." With night coming the temperature is dropping to a dry cool that is only felt inside the tavern in wisps and bursts every time the door is opened. Even with the new meal to think over, Jim's gaze is lingering on the door before long.

"From the little bit's I've heard about her over the years...how much should I be steadying myself for meeting your aunt? She sounds like quite the trip from what I've heard."

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Mistakes are made

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Happy 100 comments~

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I'll drink to that~

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