winderlust | i tried to think of a wind pun for this title

[His jaw sets a little at the news about the tent's owner. He's gotten better at not showing expressions for sad news, and he didn't even know who lived here, but it still strikes him. But isn't it inevitable? While he's here he's going to see all the other side of lives lost in this war.

He nods a little numbly, because this still seems surreal.

Chores might be a relief just for something to do that isn't being awkward with a guilty conscience. But for now he doesn't know if he wants to try the whole eating thing, it'll mean venturing out of a tent that suddenly seems more like a shelter than a prison, when he's being offered free roam of a strange enemy territory. Still, he'll fight the urge to hide in here because he's not a coward.]

...Thank you. I don't know your name.

Ah, yes.

[Names. Right. It would be polite to share.]

My name is Lacan Worzel. You can use it if anyone gives you trouble. I already know who you are, but you may want to be careful when introducing yourself to others.

[Y'know. Cause its not a monolithic group and some people may not like it. But he's leaving now, so Jusis can do his thing til the next morning when he's absolutely going to get prodded at by a curious soulmate.]

[He will take a while to steel himself to go out and at least see what he's dealing with. Fortunately for him when he does leave his tent Fatma has some food to put in his hands more kindly than he ever expected. After he eats sitting down out of the way, making eye contact with some curious kids, he retreats back to his tent, feeling both silly like a skittish rabbit and also really wary and nervous and exceedingly alone.

For all that he doesn't actually sleep too badly, in the dead man's tent, the exhaustion of the day dragging him down so he wakes up a little later than the camp in general.]

[Gaius is up bright and early, and no amount of doctor's worries can keep him from getting out of bed and trying to be useful. Normally he'd be fine with resting, if it was the reasonable thing to do, but since the war broke out he's been less and less able to sit still. Everything he does or doesn't do feels like it could save or kill someone else, so he wants to be helping at all times.

There's only so much one can do with an arm in a sling, but he's carried a few things and brushed some horses and smells thoroughly of dirty sweaty country boy by the time he peeks into Jusis' tent.

He's really not sure what his dad is trying to accomplish here, but he can't stop the strangely urgent need to get another look at the man who's thrown an unexpected wrench in his life.

But he's also polite, so he brought bread and cheese and a covered pot of tea in a heavy sack. He's strong. He can carry it with one arm.]

Good morning.

[At least Jusis is more comfortable with sweaty horsey farm hand smell than most nobles, Lambert aside. He still feels caught off guard, sitting up and running a hand through his mussed bedhair as the man from yesterday comes in looking like he's been up and useful for hours. It makes Jusis feel kind of lazy.

Actually everything about these northerners makes him feel inadequate in general and this one in particular makes him feel like a soft pampered noble even though he's muscled and lean from a fairly active martial life and even more active horse riding routine. But he'd have to do a lot more to achieve arms like THAT and no amount of working out save a divine miracle would grant him the height.

He's really not used to feeling puny, he's not actually puny, but the lithe warrior in front of him up close and not across a sword and spear is somehow even more intimidating.

He's not going to dwell on the fact that that might just be because he's absolutely gorgeous.

There are plenty of other awkward things to occupy all his time anyway, and he gets up to instinctively offer to take the sack from Mr. Muscles, the man is injured, should he really be carrying things?]

Let me hold that.

[And then he realizes, right, he does... Know how to be polite. Adding as a sort of afterthought:]

Good morning.

[He lets Jusis take the sack, chuckling at the awkward attempt at being nice. He's not sure why, considering how they met, but all Gaius can think of looking at Jusis is that he's cute.

They just met, they were trying to kill eachother less than a day ago, but it feels like he's known this man forever.]

Thanks for the help. I guess I shouldn't be surprised you look so tired.

I'm surprised you don't.

[He's careful, taking the sack, not to touch Gaius. He's somewhat worried about another of those strange shocks. Still, he sets the sack and its unknown contents down gently, trying not to stare at Gaius's arms or like be otherwise more awkward.]

I didn't catch your name, yesterday.

[Does he not look tired? (He doesn't. He just looks fresh faced and unfairly handsome.) He feels tired, that's for sure.]

It's Gaius. And yours? I was told you're staying, but that's all Dad would give me.

[Why does his father want him to hang around this stranger? Why does he want to? It's odd, but rather than voicing those questions he just sits down on a cushion to unpack breakfast.]

[Lacan said to be careful introducing himself but Gaius called the man dad so it probably can't hurt to say his whole name.]

Jusis Albarea.

[Jusis is as confused by Gaius's dad as Gaius is. But he sits across from him, feeling kind of scruffy and in need of a bath. He's just in his shirt and trousers, he abandoned his armor nearly in a corner. It's not as if it'll help him to wear it here.

Instead he's watching Gaius with deep curiosity. He's trying not to be too openly fascinated but he has so many questions and he's not sure Gaius has any of the answers. Well, not to the really pressing ones, like why couldn't we kill each other or why are you so attractive. He'll start with something easier.]

Where do I get a bath, here?

Albarea, huh... Well, it's nice to meet you properly.

[He'll do his best to be openminded. He'd rather a friend than an enemy any day, that much is for sure.

In the name of peace, he hands Jusis a bit of flatbread and a hunk of sheep cheese.]

You'll have to bathe in the river, of course. Where else?

You too. Thank you.

[The second is to the bread and cheese. It's... A different kind of breakfast than he's used to but it all smells good, even the cheese in a cheesy way.

He tries not to look surprised by the river thing. He'll just have to adapt. He's not going to be prepared for freezing snowmelt river bathing but it's fine. He's being treated like a guest despite being a prisoner, he's not ever going to complain.]

We generally bathe indoors. Would you mind pointing me that way, after we eat?

[He's trying to sound casual like that's not a big deal. Anyway, he has other questions.]

I appreciate you bringing me breakfast, despite your injury. Your father said I should pull my own weight, is there anything I should be doing?

[Sitting around in his tent brooding would just be self torture.]

He did, did he?

[Yeah that sounds like his dad. It's kind of funny actually. Not just that Jusis is being asked to do chores, but that he genuinely looks like he wants to help. It makes the fighting seem even more absurd, but it's also in a way comforting. On the battlefield, seeing people dying, it always feels sad. He's never wanted to hurt anyone. But thinking about it after the fact, seeing the injured and dead, counting the friends he's lost and wondering when it's his turn to lose a family member... Two years of anger and grief has built up perilously close to the hatred Gaius has always denied, no matter how much those around him succumb to it.

Lately, the feeling of feeling of resistance when his spear pierces a human body has ceased to disturb him.

Seeing Jusis trying so hard not to look as confused and scared as he must be lifts some of that weight. Like he's always insisted, the people on the other side aren't any different. Still, it probably isn't wise to let a prisoner of war handle anything that could damage their cause, even if he's cute.]

Well, what are you good at? It'd be a waste to spend your day working and not accomplishing anything.

[He smiles easily, despite the complicated feelings bubbling under the surface. It's hard not to. Something about that face makes him feel bafflingly warm.]

[Gaius makes him uncomfortably self-conscious but at the same time his smile is really... Nice. Radiant, honestly? It's strange because it makes him want to open up, and that's just confusing, given he should be very guarded in this situation.

He takes a sip of the strong, aromatic tea, eyes widening at how good it is, and how it compliments the simple bread and cheese.

But he's being asked a question he doesn't know how to answer. He's good with horses, but he's not so stupid as to think the northerners, as strangely kind as they've been, so far, would let him work with their most important animals.

So what else is he good at?]

I can learn anything that needs doing.

[He says finally, because he's sure he can. He'll try, anyway. He hates the idea of being useless, even in an enemy camp.]

You don't have any skills?

[C'mon Jusis. Gaius is sure there has to be something, even if it's not something he can use right now. Maybe it's not actually relevant if it's something he won't be allowed to do here, but... Gaius wants to know. He's curious -- what does Jusis like to do? What kind of person is he? Being friendly and open is normal for him so he's not questioning it, but it's definitely a more focused, urgent interest than he'd normally have, especially in someone who's supposed to be an enemy.

He's certainly more relaxed than he should be. He's totally unguarded right now, tucking into his share of the food with no consideration for the fact that Jusis has plenty of tools in this room he could use to attack, if he wanted to.]

You look more interesting than that.

[The dazzling smile has turned a little cheeky.]

I won't be stealing any royal secrets hearing about your hobbies, you know.

[There is just the barest bit of embarrassment in his expression. He didn't mean to be secretive. He looks at the tea, just a little to escape Gaius's very charming face. But then he looks back up because he's not going to be rude. It's just embarrassing, in general, to be teased.

He should be better at giving back but all he knows how to be is sharp at people, and he doesn't want to be, actually. How do you do soft teasing? He never learned.

Instead he just will have to answer with his slightly embarrassed expression.]

I don't know if my hobbies are very helpful. I like to ride and take care of horses, but that seems... [WELL.] Other than that I mostly work on my fencing or studies. My uncle taught me how to cook a few things but I'd say I'm more good at chopping ingredients than anything complicated.

[He doesn't know how to wash, or mend things, or herd animals, or forage, or anything. And he's leaving out "I'm good with kids because I like avoiding other nobles" because that's a lot to unpack to a stranger or like, anyone.]

Now that sounds more like you look.

[How would he say Jusis looks? He doesn't know. "Like a person who's refined, but kind of clumsy", he supposes. Gaius is totally unaware of his own charisma, but he's definitely feeling charmed by Jusis already.]

You can help out with food, then. We could always use another hand to peel potatoes.

How exactly do I look?

[He sounds a little huffy, but he's not offended because he's not sure he's supposed to be. What are you supposed to say to that though? Really. He finishes his cheer and bread, finding himself increasingly puzzled by Gaius. Not in a bad way, it's just... This whole situation is going to kill him for various reasons and he didn't expect an attractive and charming man to be one of them.]

I can peel potatoes.

[If that's what he's useful for!]

Edited 2018-05-21 18:11 (UTC)

Great. I'll have someone come get you in a bit.

[A solution has been found! So Gaius gets up, brushing breadcrumbs off of him and clearly ready to go back to working way harder than he ought to be.

At first it seems like he's not going to answer the question. But he pauses, halfway out the door, thoughtful and without looking back.]

You look... interesting.

[And then he's gone. He's not trying to look cool, though, he just didn't know what to say, and honestly being asked was... a bit embarrassing. Because the polite words wouldn't come, and all he could think is that he wants, desperately, to know more.

But for now Jusis is left to get himself awake and moving. Soon enough some youngster not yet old enough to fight will come and herd him towards the kitcheny area to be helpful. Everyone is for the most part kind, it turns out, even if some people aren't hiding their suspicion. They trust Lacan's opinion, so Jusis is not, at least very much, harassed.

It's somewhere in the afternoon when he gets shooed off to take a break. He has the freedom to wander if he wants, and if he does he might find Gaius back away from the busy part of camp, telling stories to a gaggle of captivated children. He's been banished from physical labor so instead he's babysitting, and going a great job of it. Even in a war -- maybe especially during one like this, so harsh families have no choice but to live close to the front lines, as every able-bodied adult has to fight -- it's important to pass on the myths and legends he himself was told as a kid. After all, what are they all out there dying for, except to preserve their own culture?]

[ Interesting... He can't say he doesn't feel the same about Gaius, and it's not a bad thing to be, so he is just thoughtful as Gaius leaves.

Jusis has more than a few cuts on his fingers when he's sent on a break, but he'll get used to potato peeling. More importantly he's allowed to roam, which he is still wary of taking advantage of.

He was going to investigate the river for bathing when Gaius and the gaggle of children catch his attention, and he finds himself gravitating that way instead, settling at the very edge of the circle and soon as rapt with attention to Gaius telling stories as any of the young ones.

It has struck him as painful, that families are all together here, so close to the fighting. But where else could they go, what could they do? He hates this war, and he doesn't understand how anyone here can look at him and not hate him for what his side is doing, even if they don't know who his father is. Instead they treat him kindly, mostly.

And they have the most engrossing stories, he hardly notices how his own expression gets less guarded and more open as he listens to Gaius regale the children with legends.

And then one of the children asks Jusis for a story, when Gaius pauses, and he finds himself put on the spot. After a moment of deep surprise though he launches into one, voice more deadpan than Gaius's but still none of the kids he read to ever seemed to mind. It's not a story like the Nord legends, but some simple children's tale he remembers by heart because one of the kids back home wanted it read about five thousand times.]

[Gaius notices Jusis long before he acknowledges him. Even before looking up -- there's a tingle in the back of his head that he's never felt before. He could find that alarming, and he kind of does, but it's somehow hard to be mad about it.

He might play up the drama a little, knowing he's being watched by someone new. Just a little. And when it's Jusis' turn he gladly takes the break, letting the children turn their attention on the novelty of a foreigner in their midst. Gaius just watches, not even noticing how enraptured he is even in a silly children's story told in the graceful-but-awkward way Jusis seems to do things.

He starts out sitting straight, but he ends up with his elbow on his knee and his face leaning into his hand, taking in every detail of Jusis' face with a faint smile that's far too warm to be pointed at someone he tried to kill yesterday.

He's so relaxed, and such a generally easy-going person, that he doesn't even realize something strange and beautiful is happening.]

[Save him from the attention of this very handsome intriguing man.

He feels it in his stomach and chest, a sort of warmth he can't pinpoint. But he doesn't have to look at Gaius just feel his attention. Of course, he ends up glancing at Gaius a lot anyway, trying not to be unable to keep his eyes from being drawn by the man repeatedly.

After the first story the children want a second, and then they have a lot of questions which he tries to answer simply.

At the very least it keeps him from getting too distracted and staring at Gaius constantly, but by the time the children are being called off to their own small chores his voice is a little rough from talking so much and he's left sitting across from Gaius feeling very self-conscious and yet very captivated by the man's presence.

It's enough to be just slightly alarming.]

[It takes until the kids are gone for him to notice his own problem. As long as they're there he can kind of trick himself into thinking he's watching the whole scene. He's happy because it's cute, and it's cute by the nature of what's happening.

But then the kids are gone. He watches them go with the same dreamy smile, and then, after a moment, jumps like he just got startled out of a doze. Gaius might seem the impossibly composed type but in that instant he's flustered, blushing and covering his face to cough away the way his breath caught.

His first thought is "what in the world is wrong with me?!", but his second is a recall of the conversation he had with his father the night before, and the legend he didn't tell the kids today but that is now stuck solidly at the front of his mind.

No way. Absolutely not.]

Ah... You're good with children.

[And suddenly he's having an awkward moment of his own.]

[Oh. It's a new side to Gaius he hasn't seen before and it actually makes him crack the tiniest of little smiles before he catches himself.

So Gaius can be awkward too, huh? In a way that just makes him even more absurdly charming, but it's less intimidating than him being entirely calm all the time. Though it's not like he's known him so long a new side should be surprising it's just... Nice.]

I suppose. They seem to like me.

[He shrugs, dismissing his way with kids because.... Well, he just treats children normally, it's not like he tries to get along with them, he just isn't an asshole to them and when they want things from him it's always honest, like stories or games, so he doesn't mind indulging kids.]

They seem to like you too, though that's hardly surprising.

[Gaius laughs at that, a little embarrassed but also just... glad. Jusis is so different from what he expected. He's not sure what he would have expected from a prince of the invading nation, but it's definitely not Jusis.]

I must have made a good impression.

It seems something you're naturally good at.

[Good impressions. He can't help think Gaius is the most charming person he's ever met (maybe second to Rufus though--) and that laugh is also really wonderful.

He thinks he should be more wary, but somehow he really can't seem to force his guard up with Gaius. He just... He's so calming to be around, and he's known this man for maybe twenty-four hours. That alone should be alarming.]

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