nexus_sages | Single Guard Seeks Thief…

"Felix she's a senior citizen. She doesn't need to be witness to my...interrogation skills. Have some decency for the common folk. But we should investigate her diner. Nobody can resist stopping in there for a bite to eat, especially before pillaging and rampaging."

"And then we should investigate some off the beaten path areas where hooligans would get to. I will make sure you leave no stone unturned in finding these ruffians."

He bows his head, conceding the justice of these observations as they saunter toward the Commercial District.

"Some of those quiet spots in the Parklands? I've seen a few that could hide enemy encampments." Also, if they head that way, he'd prefer to steer them away from a certain spot he has plans for. "We may have to encamp ourselves and keep watch for a while."

"I like the way you think, soldier. We have to get inside the enemy's head. Scout 'em out. Wait and see if they'll tip us off to their base of operations." It has been a long, long time since Jim has met someone willing to go along with Jim's shenanigans with as much gusto as Felix seems to. Someone who isn't asking questions, or making things awkward, or getting too attached. Someone who just wants to have fun, too.

Jim is going to stay on the train bound to hell yes as long as he can with this one.

Nana's diner is a rather picturesque slice of Americana--really nothing more than a converted double wide trailer into a small restaurant off the highway somewhere in the Midwest United States. The proprietess is a darker skinned woman overflowing with maternal charm and sass who wanders right on up and breaks up the party to scoop Jim into a hug.

"Jimmy! It's good to see you lookin' put together for a change. Look at you all suited up, off in some god knows where end of the multiverse. I swear boy, you...you.." She cuts off and gives Felix a long look then looks back to Jim. Back to Felix. "Jimmy! You ain't told me you made a new friend! Well go on, child, come on in." Jim is ignored completely now as she pulls Felix inside and pats him on the shoulder while she gets them to Jim's usual table by a window. "Any friend of Jimmy's is family here, so you call me Nana, son. You want something to drink?"

It's all novel to Felix, save the woman in charge, who radiates matronly authority even before she swoops in to greet them. Felix does his best impression of a well-mannered Cyrodilic boy and bows slightly when she turns her attention his way. He has the feel of being sized up (possibly for dietary deficiencies).

"Thank you. And my name's Felix, ma'am- I mean, Nana." He looks around the interior curiously, not resisting in the slightest as she ushers them toward a table. "Er, I'll just have an ale or... whatever's usual."

They're a long way from the inns he knows, but frankly he's content with almost anything that isn't mead.

"Ale he says, like it isn't 'fore noon even. You're from one of those don't drink the water type worlds aren't you love? The usual it is, I'll be right back." Coffee number three is going to be poured for Felix and Jim in short order. She'll bring a menu for Felix and just asks Jim if he's having his usual.

"Thanks, Nana." Jim settles into the booth and sips at his coffee. "So? MOre fun than sitting at the desk yet?"

"Well, not standing water," he murmurs, feeling like he ought to stand up for his people's choice of drink. (But for serious, you don't ever ask for water in a Skyrim tavern. Outside pretty much Riften there's nothing wrong with it, except the reaction you'll get.)

"You have to ask?" Felix isn't even concentrating on the menu: he shoots Jim a grin and goes back to glancing around. There's no hiding his curiosity. He's actually having a hard time sitting still - Jim's company must have him more excited than he realized, which he thinks a good sign. "I haven't seen anything like this place before. So light, too. The taverns back home are great, but terribly closed in. Especially up north."

"Hey, means you probably hold your liquor better than most." Another friend Jim will get wasted before he ever sees drunk. Damn these people and their superhuman constitutions.

"Well, you know. A guy wants to make sure playing hooky is worth it, all things considered. Oh and if you're a meat all the time kind of guy, Nana makes amazing biscuits and gravy. Steak and eggs are good too." It's probably safe to assume Nana makes amazing everything though. "You'll have to take me sometime. I'm as eager to see your world as you are mine." Jim winks over his coffee cup, sipping to hide the smirk on his face just a bit.

“That would make an interesting change,” he laughs.

Everything certainly sounds good. Hearty food, the kind you need when it’s winter on the other end of your portal. Felix only hums over the menu briefly – biscuits and gravy sounds newer, so it wins. “This is a good start, if that’s what you have in mind. It’ll take some practice to get past my commander.” He cocks his head at Jim, eyebrows lifting a little in amusement – challenge, perhaps. “I should warn you, the province I’m stationed in isn’t exactly… hospitable.”

"So when you say 'inhospitable'....does that mean like bumfuck nowhere? Because I was born in that kind of environment. Or is it more....'Jim eating monsters around every corner and the weather hates you forever'. Because I've done that too, and it was not enjoyable, I'll be the first to admit."

Jim waits until after Nana has come back and collected Felix's order before he lets his curiosity get the better of him.

"So, your commander? Strict much? Overly paranoid? What are we looking at here. Because I don't mind talking to him. I'm used to stuffy military types. And I've yet to meet anyone I couldn't charm the pants off of." Literally. Figuratively, it doesn't really matter does it? Actually it might but Jim doesn't know that.

"You at war then or what?"

“Freezing mountains full of bandits, beasts… and the occasional monster. Skyrim’s beautiful, but she’s not kind. And it really is the back end of the Empire, unless you count the parts that have already exploded.”

He makes sure to give Nana a charming smile and his thanks with the order. On the other hand, he blinks at the idea of Jim trying to charm Stratos – and nnno, he’s choosing not to visualize that.

“Ah- paranoid and uptight. The best of both worlds.” He sips his coffee and reflects that it’s going to come up, so probably better mention it sooner: “Also, my elder brother. I’ve never seen him respond to charm… but then I’m sure you’ll have an advantage.” Okay, the concept is still mostly amusing.

That said, he moves on to answering Jim’s last question. “Perhaps he wouldn’t be so paranoid, but we have a civil war on our hands in Skyrim. Rebels running over half the province or more, civil unrest, some… unpleasant political consequences. It just makes travel a little more exciting. Especially if you don’t happen to be a born-and-bred native Nord.”

"Your older brother is your commanding officer? Oh man, that has to suck ten ways to Sunday." Jim shakes his head. "No way I could handle that. I'd go bananas. So you're related to officers and you still get stuck on a boring as hell 'desk job' equivalent. Nepotism never worked so poorly. Good thing I got you out of that."

"The world itself sounds like one big adventure. Also, pretty dangerous."

"Oh, I'm grateful. It's not the worst post he could have saddled me with - at least it's actually related to my abilities. But I think he was just waiting for an excuse to get me into the Legion." He sighs. Family, tch.

"It is. And both kept me happily employed up until recently. But your world doesn't seem so different. I mean, maybe you don't have dragons, but there must be thousands of adventurers out there, venturing across the stars in search of treasure and glory..."

"Your world has dragons. And you sit and guard a post. Dibs on whoever's job it is to tame those sons of bitches. Do you know how many chicks you could pick up if your ride was a dragon?" Jim sets his cup down before Felix can answer.

"All of them, Felix. What I just said is only real on the front of classical metal band album covers."

“I… don’t know what any of that means.” But Jim’s sheer earnestness is funny in itself. “Dragons can’t be tamed, anyway. They’re more likely to tame you.”

"Says you. Have you ever tried?" Jim he probably knows about this kind of thing better than you. You don't even have dragons. Also, it's probably safer to not try. Trust Jim Kirk to think of the most dangerous activity he could in Tamriel.

Dragon Riding, Skyrim's ultimate extreme sport.

"Seems like a cool place, is all I'm saying."

"I know a man who has," he insists, lifting his chin. Hah! Authority! Although Vanyel probably succeeded so... not the best example to call upon.

"Very well," he says, setting aside his mug and leaning forward. "You show me your world and I'll sneak you into mine. I can even show you where a dragon lairs, if you're determined to try getting roasted."

"You act like I wouldn't be sneaking you into mine. Starfleet doesn't know about the door on my ship, and I intend to keep it that way." He's seen what corrupt men do with power, and the possibilities the nexus provide are not a temptation he wants to allow them to have.

And they say Jim Kirk isn't responsible.

Felix will smell their food coming before it arrives. Jim has a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and an apple sliced into quarters. Felix will have two giant fluffy buttermilk biscuits covered in sausage gravy set down in front of him with a motherly smile from Nana before she refills their coffee and wanders off again. Felix is going to be so wired today.

"So where did you want to take me after we were done 'investigating' this place?" Oh apples, Jim loves you. Om nom.

“Hmm. Perhaps you really will get along with my brother.” He’s not disapproving, in spite of that. There’s something intriguing about the contrast between Jim’s recklessness and responsibility. He insists that he doesn’t care for politics, but apparently he’s not oblivious to them.

Felix tucks in to the food first with curiosity and then enthusiasm. He’s used to lingering over his meals and slows down after a couple minutes. There’s rarely any reason to rush on a cold winter’s day.

“I was thinking to show you some quiet spot where it’s hard to be disturbed. But I’m starting to think your taste in entertainment calls for something more exciting.” He peers at the coffee mug – full again? Well, the taste isn’t bad, especially combined with the food.

"Mmm, guess I shouldn't be surprised you're into exhibitionism. Potentially." Jim is reckless and irrational but he means well, and he takes his job seriously. Most of the time. When it warrants being taken seriously at least.

"What makes you think I'm not? Then again, I can't say no to excitement either. Unless quiet exhibitionism was going to be its own brand of exciting?" Really it's an excuse to tease Felix, and to maybe get the other to grin again. Jim likes his smile, okay.

Don't read into that.

“It’s not exhibitionism unless you get caught.” He rolls his eyes and keeps his voice down, but he’s obviously trying not to laugh. “And I didn’t plan on our being interrupted. I just need to know it doesn’t take leaping out of a spaceship to excite you.”

He knows perfectly well he’s leaving that wide open.

"True, true...I think we've established that i'm not exactly stealthy, however. How would you keep me quiet? I could very well jeopardize the whole 'mission' by accident." Eyebrow waggle, eeeh? Eehh? Aw, Felix isn't grinning yet.

Jim is trying. But there's only so many ways he can insinuate naughties before Nana comes over and slaps him on the back of the head, so he wisely eats his food without being improper.

All is not lost – Felix would really have to be trying to resist that eyebrow waggle. He waits until Nana’s out of range before he breaks down laughing. He's had far too much practice at evading detection. Only when he’s caught his breath does he leans closer and can lower his voice: “I’ll think of something. You’re obviously too good at getting caught.”

He settles back and adds, slightly louder: “This is delicious, you know. Reminds me of the food in Bruma. Do people normally drink so much coffee? Because that raises an interesting question.”

"I survive off of coffee." Comes Jim's immediate response. "Seriously, you ever need to be awake for three days straight, you'll be thanking whatever gods Tamriel has for caffeine." Felix has earned himself a triumphant smile from the proprietress as she disappears back behind the counter.

He can't stop smiling. Felix's laugh is infectious and Jim catches himself grinning despite his attempts to be coy.

"I had to learn meditation," Felix says, a touch plaintively. Not that Tamriel doesn't have alchemical mixtures for everything including unnatural alertness. But he wasn't allowed to depend on them because Stratos.

"You, I can understand. But is it only you or does everyone in your realm need to be kept awake? And then why? What's keeping them all up at night?" The caffeine might be kicking in, but Felix only knows he's taking Jim's smile as encouragement.

"Me, work. Clint? Work. Verity? Wwwwwwork? I don't know, admittedly, on her part." Jim shrugs and tucks into his eggs. It's worth noting that his meal is significantly less food than Felix's is. Bones doesn't complain about Jim's coffee problem because he's even worse. Even in the future there is a need for coffee.

"There's a certain social pressure on a lot of worlds that values overworking oneself. Fast paced lifestyles. Sleep too little, work too much, and caffeine is the glorious bitch that lets you do it without dying. Or wanting to die, at least." Jim shrugs and pointedly sips at his own cup. "Personally, I hate sleep. Keeps me from doing what I want to do. Work, hobbies, people."

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His cousin's out fighting dragons... (no, she is not)

Their icons match omg i just noticed this.

haha awesome!

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