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

[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.]

You've already figured out what's natural for me?

[That could be an offended question, but in Gaius' case it's not. It's all in good humour, a little twinkle of mischief in his eyes as they meet Jusis'.]

I wonder what's natural for you...

[Oh. That look takes his breath in a totally different way. Oh dear. He should not assume the very handsome practically a stranger enemy warrior is flirting with him, but he gets a little flustered anyway, even if he tries not to show it.

Flirting is definitely not natural for him, that's for damn sure. His tone is haughty and yet it's not that he's being aloof so much as, while his tone is softly refined, he just appears unsure how to respond.]

Hmph. I didn't mean to imply I had you figured out. You just gave me a good impression, that's all.

[He says it like he's not giving a compliment, or that it's you know, not a big deal!!]

I'll accept the compliment.

[Even if it's bizarre considering everything.

Or maybe it's less bizarre than it seems. Now that he's actually thinking about it, Gaius can feel it. The fact that his emotions aren't what they would normally be. The fact that he's more comfortable than he should ever let himself be around someone like Jusis. There's a very real sense of a link -- it feels like an invisible cord, slowly winding up and tugging him, gently, towards the man in front of him.

It's an old wives' tale, but Gaius isn't the kind of person to reject something that's right in front of him. There's no real benefit to that, unless he's really completely wrong about the kind of person Jusis seems to be. In fact, it might be helpful to his people, and perfectly pleasant for the two of them.]

Can I tell you a story?

[Honestly Jusis still hasn't considered any reason he likes Gaius so much. He's had enough other things to be freaking out about, lowkey, that not being able to impale this man yesterday hasn't been on his mind as much as it should.

He's flustered, still, but calming down from his gay panic again enough to be curious and intrigued. Gaius is such a good story teller, though he has no idea what he might want to say now that the children are gone, he knows he wants to listen to it, whatever it may be.]

Yes. Of course.

You'll have to forgive me. It's an old one, so I can't give you a good performance.

[Yeah, he can't remember the details. It's not something commonly recited, so even in this culture of oral history he can't "tell the story" properly. But he has to tell it somehow, because just coming out with the hypothesis will sound crazy and probably creepy. But since he isn't reciting anything, his story is a little halting, coming out with more and more visible embarrassment as he goes.]

...A long time ago, when the winds here blew more harshly, it was a much bigger burden to... find the right person. The tribes were smaller and farther out. People died more often. So occasionally two people would be given a guide, that they could find one another across plains and battlefields. Those so entwined would be drawn towards their partner, against all odds, and even against their own desires. Following their call would bring fortune and happiness, but not everyone would accept the pull of fate. To prevent tragedy, the entwined were unable to harm one another by any means, by intent or not. Physically, at least... But the winds don't blow anyone in the wrong direction. They'll make it easier to love, but they won't send you to someone you couldn't--

[Oh now he's speaking in present tense. Oops. Hold on let him breathe--]

...It's something unseen in generations. But when I heard this story once, I was told you could feel it with a touch. Like something rushing into you.

[Kind of like yesterday... He's uncharacteristically flushed and he knows it. This is embarrassing and potentially disastrous, even if he's right, but... It's like he said. The winds don't send you the wrong way. So, hesitantly, he extends his hand in offering.]

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