Baby, it's cold outsid

[ausgebrannt]

[It was Caleb's first Winter's Crest in Rexxentrum, in the small cottage that he had taken to calling home now that the Nein had taken a step back from the more intense part of their adventuring. Lucien and Cognouza were dealt with. Trent Ikithon was imprisoned. The war between the Dynasty and the Empire ended. Jobs well done, he supposed.

He had Essek had plans to travel back to Aeor, to seek out the T-Dock and the other mysteries of magic that lingered there, but the trip had not yet been undertaken. After all, Caleb knew that the drow had to be careful. The eyes of the Dynasty and the Bright Queen would eventually fall on him in regards to the stolen beacon. But that didn't mean he didn't look forward to the evenings that Essek managed to drop by to spend time.

He treasured those times, when they'd discuss magic and theory. He'd make tea -- or sometimes break out something a bit stronger -- and they'd talk until all hours.

All that talking but some thing still remained unsaid, unspoken, and lingering on the tip of Caleb's tongue where he could taste the bittersweetness of it, of a longing and a desire that he genuinely believed he did not truly deserve to ever really satisfy. How could he? He was a tainted thing, hands still blood-covered, despite his continued attempts to atone.

But he was still too selfish not to want.

Tonight he was seated in his chair, glancing at the door with an undisguised anxious hope. It had been a while since Essek had come, and Caleb missed him. And with Winter's Crest upon them, well, he wanted to share that with the drow, to show him the traditions he had grown up with.]

Comments

[zauberdecke]

[ Much had happened in the ensuing months; the first thing that Essek had done was find some sort of base of operations within Tal'dorei which was beyond the Dynasty reach. Oh, he did not fool himself into thinking that he was precisely safe, but there was much that the Dynasty had better to do then to send their legions out when there were still matters to take care of within the Kryn. Which was why it was not as often as he would've liked it to have been.

The times that himself and Caleb had spoken, he'd taken to heart the bidding not to make himself a stranger.

Perhaps the first month he'd been very sparse about it, but after the first visit with Caleb greeting him as one would a friend (and he was a friend, wasn't he?) he found himself drawing footprints back to the cottage, always underneath disguise. They would spend a pleasant evening in cozy quarters, they would talk until dawn, discussions of magic turned into conversations about other things-- a sharing of memories. Stories of their mutual youths, where Essek started to become less afraid of being vulnerable.

The days had gotten shorter and the weather colder and Essek was heading through the streets, a cloaked figure in disguise. Careful of course, always careful. Until he came to the little cottage that was Caleb's, then he charged up the walk. There was a cat in the window, a comforting sight indeed-- and the lights were lit, which meant Caleb was home. (he knew for a fact that his friend was very careful about extinguishing flames when he was not around, a perennial caution toward fire). And thus did Essek come to the door and then rap lightly upon it.

It was in a very particular pattern, would let the other man know that it was he and no one else by the rhythm. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[That first rap at the door and then the rest of the familiar pattern, and Caleb's heart when and leapt over itself. Essek. It had a smile on his lips, something dangerously warm spreading through his chest as he stood to go open the door to the drow-in-disguise, immediately opening it wide enough and stepping back to beckon the other wizard in.]

I was hoping I might see you tonight. I had a feeling. Something in the air, perhaps... but come in, come in. The air is cold, but I have a warm fire and I will put on some tea, ja?

[He reached out for the drow's hand to urge him inside so he could shut the rest of the world and the cold out behind him.]

It is good to see you, my friend.

[zauberdecke]

[ The hood was pushed back to reveal the visage of a Wood Elf, though in a few moments, the skin deepened to that dark lavender hue, the blond hair turned into it's properly coifed style and the eyes went from blue to the heightening purple of star-filled twilight. He unclasped his cloak and then hung it on the little place reserved for him. Glad, of course, that he was given that-- everything felt like a gift to Essek nowadays. ]

It is good to see you, I am glad to be here-- I did not know when I was able to get time however.. [ and then he said this with a wry smile, somewhat apologetic but also somewhat pleased as well. ] I realized that there would be no one chasing me down this time of the year, as it draws closer to Luxontide which will be weeks of ceremonies.

[ He clasped his hands together in front of him as he continued. ] They are a pious lot, the Kryn and thus there will be rituals and celebrations so I thought that this would be a prime time to come visit.

[ausgebrannt]

[There he was. Those cut glass features, sharp and beautiful and so sweetly familiar beneath the magical disguise. Essek Thelyss, who had so caught his attention -- intellectually and then, much more dangerously, emotionally -- and who only continued to become more and more spellbinding the more that Caleb knew him.

He brightened as Essek spoke.]

Then perhaps you can stay a while? I do not know the Kryn traditions, but you are here on the eve of Winter's Crest... and I would happily share that with you. It is a time meant for friends and family, after all.

[And Essek was... well. Caleb rather wanted him to be both, quite selfishly.]

[zauberdecke]

As long as it would not be an imposition, I would be more than happy to stay for a time, for a little longer.

[ More than a simple evening, perhaps two or three days-- perhaps even a space longer than that, depending. He was not aware or any traditions outside of the Dynasty-- and he had little interest in a holiday that he shared a birthday with for his own name day had been overshadowed by the pomp and circumstances of the Luxon. ]

You do not need to know about the traditons of the Luxon and I am not interested in dwelling upon them-- it is a holiday of religious intent and for someone as heathen as I? [ a shrug and then a grin full of chagrin, something that was more humorous, a human quality cultivating as he had metaphormsized from a statue of perfection to someone made of quirks and flaws. ]

I would be interested in learning of your traditions, Caleb Widogast.

[ausgebrannt]

Good! Ja, very good. Then this calls for a proper celebration.

[There was a look in Caleb's eyes that only seemed to surface when he was looking at Essek, something that Jester at a minimum had noticed and asked what exactly there was between him and the drow. The best he'd managed to explain was that it was complicated.

But was it really so complicated? Essek Thelyss had found his way to fit into a spot in his heart carved out in his exact shape, molded by each interaction. Caleb had fallen hard.]

Heathens are very welcome here. But ja, come. I will summon the tower, and I will show you how we celebrate these darkest, coldest days so they may be filled with warmth and light.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek had not been completely oblivious to the energy, he knew that it was there-- but he had no true basis for comparison really, so it felt like friendship that he felt far warmer about than others such as his friendship with Jester or the rest of the Nein. Caleb was his favorite, his chosen person and he would come around for as long as the other man desired his company.

A quiet space and companionship, the impassioned talk amongst magical colleagues and the burgeoning ties of two men learning how to feel up this thing called 'friendship' and how it tied in with their personal traumas and hangups.

Could Essek ask for anything more than that? He still did not feel wholly worthy himself. ]

I have never truly had cause to take part in the celebration of the Dynasty.. nor the desire but I think it would be good to share in this. [ He hoped that he would not be too awkward. ] Though be warned, I am going into this utterly blind.

[ausgebrannt]

That is okay. I am here to be your local tour guide.

[Caleb assures him, that soft and subtle spark of amusement lighting up blue eyes. He pulled his spell book out to begin the ritual of summoning the tower. It would look a bit different than usual when they entered, decorated for the season. Twinkling lights and candles, garlands of evergreen and pinecones and holly. And here and there, sprigs of mistletoe -- though those might have been a subconscious addition from Caleb's secret desires.

The scent of something sweet and spiced, cinnamon and vanilla, lingered in the air. The fare they had set out for them would include mulled wines sugared pastries and gingerbread, roast goose and dumplings. It was clearly a rustic spread, one that would be customary in many a Zemnian household.

But before they entered, Caleb paused to grab up a little package wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, a sprig of holly tucked in the string.]

Shall we?

[In any case, once they entered the tower, they'd be greeted by the cats, dressed for the holiday as well, guiding them into the main hall where a smaller group of fey felines was playing soft but festive music that filled the space without overpowering.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Upon entering, Essek's senses were attacked-- all of them, and in rapid succession. The scent of spices carried through the air along with the aroma of food, fresh baked treats and roasted meat; then there was the twinkling lights. He was so spellbound that he did not notice the wrapped gift-- he turned around in the foyer to catch the sight of all of them.

He felt the warmth, to counter the cold outside-- and he knew that it had been chilly outside, the hint of winter frost in the air; he was used to cold though but Rexxentrum possessed a cozy sort of cold where the people bustled pink cheeked and bundled up, going about their daily lives. ]

This is.. this is your traditions, correct?

[ It felt very much like the other Wizard, it was like he was looking into the soul-- the soul that Caleb gave to others, gave because of the boundless love in his heart. It was humbling, of course it was, to be included on this. He knew nothing of the traditions of course, he did not know of holly or the significance of the mulled wine, nor the lights festooned upon bannisters and within every nook and cranny. ]

This feels like a conglomeration of many stories...

[ausgebrannt]

Ja... more or less. ...there are usually fewer cats, admittedly.

[A sheepish smile, but Essek by now knew that Caleb was fond of felines, even with Frumpkin released back into the fey aether from whence he'd came. He ushered the drow inside so that the door could close behind them, leaving them secure in this magical sanctuary.]

It is that, I think. Folklore and legend and tradition from the various corners of the Empire. But at its heart it is a celebration of coming out of the darkest parts of the season with the winter solstice. Evergreen for the signs of life that make it through the winter. Light to push back the darkness. Family and friends to chase the cold. And the giving of gifts to those we care about to spread that warmth.

[Here he held out the little wrapped package.] So, this is for you.

[Inside Essek would find a scarf, a soft deep violet brushed wool, homespun though not made by Caleb. Well, not the scarf itself. The enchantment on it was his doing, a simple warmth spell that could be invoked with a word, which was written on a piece of paper tucked inside the scarf, Zuneigung.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The cats were part of the charm, of course they were. He had come to associate the felines with Caleb, he had never been allowed pets at all so he was constantly fascinated by the ones who hung around Caleb's house, or the Tower cats who were so friendly, and then Frumpkin whom he remembered had come to him after Caleb let him go and allowed for the Drow to say goodbye too.

He could not even realize that it had been Frumpkin asking Essek to take care of his Wizard for him.

With rapt attention, Essek followed the line of Caleb's words, the way that everything seemed to symbolize something, from the light to the greenery and then finally to celebrating the season with friends and family. The Light was not unlike the Luxon, but the rest? It was completely foreign.

Confusion though as he saw Caleb offer the package to him and he took it a bit gingerly. ] A gift.. ah, I did not get anything for you.

[ A bit of a shamed tone of voice as he settled on one of the chairs and then very delicately unwrapped it, finding an unlooked for blush on his cheek; finally he pulled apart the paper and his fingers brushed wool. ] Oh....?

[ He'd never had a scarf before.

He glanced up at Caleb then and looked almost shy. ] This is very lovely, I... I do not know what to say. [ The paper fell into his hands and then he looked down at it. ] What does this word.. mean?

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb took a seat in a chair beside Essek's, watching the drow with a shy sort of curiosity as to how the other wizard would react to it. It was only a small thing after all, and far from what he knew that Essek would be used to as Shadowhand to the Bright Queen.

He shook his head at the mention of not getting him anything.]

You are here. Your company is the best gift I could ask for.

[There was an earnestness in the words, a simple truth. Essek was here, and would stay, and Caleb counted that as the only present he would have thought to ask for.]

Ah... its meaning is not important, really. [Said the wizard who was not ready to admit the truth of it, that it was the Zemnian word for affection, because his absurd sentimental thoughts had brought him to the realization that he would like Essek to carry his affection with him, and that perhaps, just maybe, it could keep him warm.] It is the trigger word for the enchantment. It is not much, only a simple warming spell. But it will chase off the chill a bit, I hope, if you ever have need of it.

[zauberdecke]

[ But this gift had meaning, there was care behind it, he could feel it in the way that the warm wool seemed to caress his fingertips gently, bestowing it's warmth upon his starving skin. The drow took the two ends of the scarf and held it up before he glanced over to Caleb. ] May I wear it now? Is that allowed?

[ And then another smile as he held it over for Caleb. ] Would you? I do not know how to put one on.

[ He felt rather dumb all told, but it was true that scarves were not something worn by the higher echelons, they had mantles and furred cloaks; nothing like this. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ja, of course.

[If Essek smiled at him, Caleb would allow him to do anything he wanted. The Wizard was smitten, and he knew it. He rather thought, in his boldest moments, that Essek might feel the same. Still though that quiet voice that he did not deserve, could not deserve, something like love. It was what held him back from speaking it, putting it into words.

Action though? That spoke for him, his heart on his sleeve and in the things he did. He stood and took the scarf and set about wrapping it carefully around Essek, smoothing his fingers over the soft wool, murmuring quietly,] Zuneigung.

[The spell awoke with a soft frisson of arcane energy, a gentle and spreading warmth.]

There. How is that?

[zauberdecke]

[ It was easy to mistake such gestures for friendship. As Essek understood that Caleb had the biggest and most vibrant heart and gave love freely to all of his friends, and now he was included within that sphere; it was not that he lacked perception, he just have very little precedence for what he felt for Caleb Widogast. Once in Aeor, it had been hard not to fall in love with him, to be even a little bit protective of him-- had it not been love that had cautioned the other wizard to keep his eyes on the goal at hand? Had promised to go with him to Aeor.

Love that had cried out when Caleb had fallen on the battlefield and he'd been in view to see it.

But right now in this quiet moment, he felt Caleb's hands exactingly adjust the scarf, and then huff out the enchantment word and then a sweet spiced warmth wrapped around him with the scarf radiating outward rays of heat. ] It is wonderful, I feel very warm already-- [ Even though he knew also that part of that warmth came from how dangerously Caleb's fingertips were to brushing against his cheek, against the lock of hair that kissed his cheek from where he'd not properly trimmed it. ]

It is perfect, Caleb Widogast; I love it.

[ He managed to glance upward at a tree that seemed very tall, undecorated (as of yet). ] And that, is a part of the tradition too? I do not think that it is probably normal to have a large tree inside of a house, even a demiplane house such as this.

[ausgebrannt]

I am very glad. [Caleb's expression softened -- relief and affection in equal parts, that Essek seemed to like the gift, and that the drow was not put off by the gesture of the gift giving to begin with. He didn't want to be presumptuous in any way, didn't want to put any more of a burden on Essek's shoulders than the Shadowhand already carried. And what if that was what his feelings and affection were, just another burden to be borne?

Still there they were in his gaze, all the wordless love he was too much of a coward to speak.

He followed Essek's gaze and the change in topic. Amusement found its way to spark in his eyes once more.]

It is. We decorate an evergreen tree. It is a bit of a centerpiece in the whole thing, really. When I was a boy we would have to chase the cat out of it frequently as he thought it was meant as a gift for him.

Essek Thelyss | Critical Role | M/M

[zauberdecke]

[ Just as love flooded Caleb's eyes, laughter flooded past Essek's lips at the thought of a small child Caleb chasing after a cat, as he was certain that it was Caleb who had done it. The tree though was massive, easily 9 feet tall.. he approached it and then turned to rest his hand lightly on Caleb's forearm as he asked a question.

The touch was gentle, knowing the wounds that lay just underneath the surface of shirtsleeves. ]

And what do you decorate the tree with? It seems rather barren at the moment, are we to decorate it right now? [ All of these words were tinged with curiosity and no small amount of wonder; he'd never seen such a tradition before in his life-- it did not seem like one that worshipped any sort of deity, or if it was-- it was very subverse. ]

I do not mean to brag by any stretch, but I could float up and decorate the top. [ Perish the thought that he would shove off for the other wizard with his ability to reach high ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Essek was not wrong. He was frequently on cat wrangling duty as a boy, which was not something he had ever minded. The cat was more likely to listen to him anyway. He followed along with Esesk, glancing over at the other wizard at that touch.]

Ribbons and garlands and lights -- candles when I was younger, though you must be careful with fire on a tree, of course. Magic is less hazardous in this case. But ja. Also small trinkets and ornaments, baubles. Sometimes berries strung together with popped corn.

[Another smile at the not bragging.] You could. That would be very handy actually to reach the higher branches. And at the very top, we will put a star.

[And already the cats were trooping out with various ornaments and decorations for the two wizards to make use of.]

[zauberdecke]

[ This was a new experience for him, one that he was excited to take part in-- but that excitement was tentative, not used to showing excess of emotion; the energy that he gave off though, the faintest sparkle in his eyes, that was enough of course to tell the tale, much like if Essek had seen a particularly wonderful book filled with information.

This was information of another sort. And well, Essek did have questions for the other wizard. ]

Berries and popped corn?

[ He walks over to look through through the boxes that had been presented for inspection, he took out glass ornaments, a few little round balls with cats painted upon them, and then he glanced upward at the top--- a star, hmmm. ] Is there a particular way or an order that you must do this in?

[ Essek was trying to do the fun thing, it was hard when he had such an analytical mind.. of course, but he relied on Caleb as the provider of his information. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb thought he knew Essek well enough to interpret the sparkle in that gaze, that there was a frisson of excitement beneath the drow's self-contained surface. He'd seen it in him when they were discussing magic, and watched that incredible mind latch onto something new with intensity and interest that Caleb quietly marveled at.]

Ja. Strung together into garlands.

[He picked up a few ornaments himself, stepping forward to hang one from a branch. A glance back at Essek and he shook his head.]

Not really. Except the star will go on last. Other than that, it is up to us to decide.

[For a moment Caleb fell silent before he spoke again, voice quieter.] Thank you, Essek, for indulging me in this. It has been... many years, since I have had space or cause to celebrate like this. And I'm grateful, to have someone I care for to celebrate it with me.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek picked up a an ornament and then followed suit, moving over to a part of the tree three feet from where Caleb was, and he settled the brightly coloured orange ball there amid the boughs, hanging it with the little ribbon; his ear did twitch though, just the hint of as he heard the gratitude in Caleb's voice.

He took a few steps back, partly to survey his handiwork and the other part was because he was considering how to respond back. ] It is not indulging, not really. You and the rest of the Nein have made me fond and now well, I suppose it is up to you with how you deal with a domesticated drow now. [ He allowed the hint of a pfft, a sideways glance at Caleb. ] I am glad that you have shared this with me however now I am calculating how to make this tree the most aesthetically pleasing, so you probably should curb me before I take over this tree..

[ It was a humorous threat, he would not really go Treezilla on Caleb. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Domesticated is it? I am not sure. There is still something of the wild in you, so far as I can tell.

[Caleb teased. Or was it flirting? Flirting. It was definitely the flirting. He hung another glass ornament on the tree before his eyes strayed once more to Essek. A quiet laugh, as he ducked his head.]

I'll do nothing of the sort. I trust your aesthetic sensibilities much more than my own.

[Essek was far more fashionable and, well, prettier than Caleb could ever hope to be. Of course he'd know better about aesthetics.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek picked up a few more ornaments and then at Caleb's prompted words, he smiled and it was one that bared his rather sharpened incisors. ] Domesticated for a few chosen individuals-- it means that I would be very careful that I did not gravity fissure, and I would not bite you.

[ That may be a shame depending on where Caleb's mind was when he saw those teeth, certainly the glory of the drow species was that they still were permitted fangs with which to bare though for the most part the Kryn had become far more civilized.

He adopted a float and started to hang some ormanents at a higher level, at an exact distance from each other. ] You seem to trust me very much with your tree, Chathiu, but I promise I will not lead you astray.. this tree shall be the envy of all other trees.

[ausgebrannt]

No? Das ist schade.

[It truly was a shame, because Caleb looked at those fangs with a definite level of interest. Essek's sharp edges were just as intriguing as the rest of him, the intellect and the polish, that brilliant mind and the hidden vulnerable pieces that he'd been allowed glimpses of.

A tilt of his head in curiosity at that... was it an endearment? Was he being foolishly hopeful to even entertain that thought.]

Of course. You have all my trust. But you are wrong about one particular detail. This is our tree. We are doing this together, ja?

[zauberdecke]

[ Our tree, Essek felt almost impossibly warm at that sentiment as Caleb uttered it, floating a few steps out from the tree, his hand for a moment stilling as his mind turned over the implication: Their tree, he chanced a quick glance at Caleb but he couldn't hold that contact, knowing that if he continued to look at Caleb, perhaps the other man would see the affection in his eyes that radiated so warmly.

Instead. ]

Our tree, indeed.

[ He placed two more ornaments within the boughs and then drifted downward so that he could replenish the ornaments. He attached them to the arm of his robe, seven of them to be exact, hooking them amongst the fabric and then glancing upward at the height of the tree. ] I like doing things with you, Caleb Widogast. This is a very pleasant tradition and I hope to learn more about all of them throughout this evening, if you would continue teaching me.

[ In this, Caleb was the teacher. Perhaps Essek had a hand up on formal magic training, but these warm nuances of humanity was something that he did not have a strong measure of so in this he would absolutely let Caleb take the role of teacher, and Essek would be such a willing student in such matters. ] I do like the idea of popping corn though.. and berries; and there are no birds here with which to I suppose mess it up.