: STAR-CROSSED SPIES AU :

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek Thelyss had been set up on a double date by his friend Jester.

He was not one who particularly enjoyed social interactions. He had enough of them both in his profession as a model, as well as his moonlight job as a spy for the Dynasty Government. Both sides of him did not have much in the way of time for such frivolities as dates. Certainly he was seen on the arm of quite a few men, but those were for publicity only and otherwise he eschewed any such interactions.

But Jester was Jester, and she was insistent.

Jester had caught him reading some tome on the intricacies of Dunamantic Technology and said that she knew just the man for him. To which case it became a Hurricane; Hurricane Jester coming in to whisk him away. So he decided to go and then at the end of the evening he would tell Jester's mystery man that he was not interested and thank you for his time. But that did not mean that he was going to show up being anything less than the model Essek.

So of course he would dress with care; even though he was sent on crushing this man's hopes he at least wanted it known that he was quite the prize, because he did have a bit of vanity to him.

A small local restaurant was selected on the seaside of Nicodranas, where he was currently on location for a beach shoot. One that specialized in fresh seafood. He wear tight white velvet pants and an off the shoulder slinky tunic, his hair was styled immaculately with little sparkly stars that still managed to hang in those waves.

Jester had told him to carry the book and so he had it tucked underneath his alongside his little beaded clutch. He walked into the cozy little seafood restaurant and glanced around as he surveyed the people to see if he could possibly guess who his date would be. That is, if his date had even arrived yet. ]

Comments

[ausgebrannt]

That much I would not have guessed.

[Essek seems to confident. Caleb's smile turned a bit wry.]

I am terrible at them. If Jester were not so aggressively friendly, I would have likely messed that up as well. It is not my strongest suit. I am much better with books and theories and spells than I am with people...

[And magic and assassination. But that was not really something one brought up over dinner.]

But I am glad that I let myself be bullied into agreeing to this.

[zauberdecke]

[ It appeared as if they were both experts in their fields, both above table as well as under the shadows of perception and reality. He thought the other man was.. worthwhile, charming even, in a very nerdy way. Was this the sort of people he was attracted to? He wondered if that was the truth, he did not experience much in the way of it.

He had only agreed to this date because Jester had been a force. ] She does certainly bully, does she not? And then the waiter came by with the wine, pouring into crystal glasses before leaving it in a little silver vase, then their orders were taken with Essek rattling off what he wanted and then handing the menu back to them.

Once that was done, Essek continued. ]

I have found that books tend not to disappoint one in the end.

[ausgebrannt]

She does, but it is done with the best of intentions.

[Caleb adored Jester, clearly. There was an affection in his voice that was unmistakable. For admitting his lack of ability in socializing, Caleb was at least extremely fond of the people he did manage to become friends with.

He paused long enough to give his order as well, choosing seafood as well -- they were in Nicodranus, it would be silly not to take advantage of the proximity to the ocean and the specialty cuisine -- what sounded like a very appetizing seafood stew and brown bread.

And then it was back to his companion.]

That is true. People are... more complicated.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek should be sociable, he realized this. Or at least make some sort of awkward attempt, so as he picked up his glass of wine to sip he lodged another question at the other man. ] What do you enjoy doing, do you have any hobbies?

[ Essek was not sure that shopping counted as a hobby, but rather a distraction and perhaps even stress release. He'd not discovered other more interesting forms of stress relief, the times that he had.. well-- it had not been enjoyable in the slightest. ]

[ausgebrannt]

I'm afraid I'm very boring. I keep myself busy with my job, between researching and writing. I like reading though, when I have free time.

[He made time for reading, honestly. He would not admit that a lot of that reading was romance novels. Shush. He was a romantic at heart, deep down. Beneath all the anxieties and nerdery. And espionage.]

And what about you? What do you do when you are not modeling or studying Dunamancy?

[zauberdecke]

I am afraid I am very boring as well, I have not had a great deal of time to develop any hobbies other than dabbling with subjects that I find incredibly fascinating.

[ Though there was something, of course there was something. And he allowed himself to admit this to Caleb Widogast as if he could somehow trust him. Perhaps that was the furthest from everything but it felt authentic in this moment. ] No matter where I go for a shoot, I do try to go somewhere such as a museum or an art gallery, or a historical site.

[ He wondered if being a tourist was a hobby? It was certainly something that he generally did alone. He would grab a map and take a self-guided tour in the time that he was allowed. ] I do quite a bit of traveling with my career, though I have never really had a full-fledged extended vacation, it is usually an hour here or there where I can get time to do so.

[ There was a look of utter chagrin from Essek's eyes. ] What genre of books are your favorite? [ Yes, he is asking that very loaded question, Caleb. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ah! That is a very worthwhile way to spend in new places. I enjoy museums very much.

[And history. He found himself drawn to those sorts of things as he traveled too -- in between the assassinations and infiltrations and guest lecturing. He was a busy man, clearly. Too busy really to date.

And yet. There was something about this man across the table from him that had caught his attention, more than he had expected.]

...oh. You asked that question. What I should say is that I read a lot of treatises on magical theory and innovation. And that is true. But I also enjoy more, well, romantic tales.

[zauberdecke]

[ Both of them were too busy to date and yet here they were at the behest of their mutual friend Jester, who just happened to know two spies inadvertently, and be completely oblivious to all of it, and Essek had not really thought that this would go over quite as well as it did but he found he was enjoying the presence of the other man from the thimblesfull of time he'd been granted. ]

Museums are as a matter of fact my favorite places to go, though I do have a fondness for old historical houses, how they were decorated and how they were lived in.

[ A sip of his wine then. ] Oh, so you share Jester's love of reading smut.

[ He'd seen the books, of course he had. Jester was always attempting to read him aloud passages when they were on a shoot together, as if she thought that would kickstart his blood or something. Unfortunately he was not sure that was even possible. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb did not bother trying to hide the smile as Essek talked about the things that he enjoyed. He could see Essek touring through historic houses, could see him taking in all the details. He had a feeling that the drow had an eye for decoration, for design and fashion in general.

He ducked his head with a nod, a quiet chuckle.]

Guilty as charged, ja. We trade recommendations.

[Caleb was well aware the tiefling was partial to the ongoing series about Oskar and Guinevere. He enjoyed that one well enough, though his favorites were, unsurprisingly perhaps, the sort of smut with a bit more intrigue.]

[zauberdecke]

That is very very endearing.

[ Perhaps Essek would enjoy books like that, though he'd never dabbled and never really thought to. The server came back with the salads and the bread basket and took their orders then, to which Essek ordered his own dish-- something light but decidedly from Nicodranas, and displaying a mutual love for seafood as the case may be. It was likely he shared Caleb's view that when in Nicodranas, order the seafood.

Once they were both ordered and squared away, he woudl continue. ]

Honestly, if not for Fjord.. it is likely I would have attempted to set her up with my brother.

[ausgebrannt]

She is very smitten with Fjord. Thankfully he is equally as smitten with her.

[Or Caleb might have had to set him on fire. But now he was curious.] Your brother, hmm? Is he also a Dunamancy-inclined model?

[Caleb had no siblings. He'd been raised an only child, though there had always been a feline 'sibling' or two around. Even now he was very partial to cats, and though his lifestyle did not lend itself to keeping a pet, having a familiar was a very useful thing in his true career.]

[zauberdecke]

[ There was a soft laugh at that, the idea of Verin being locked-in enough to ever study Dunamancy, that felt nearly ridiculous. He shook his head then as he swirled the liquid in his glass, rather quick to amend. ] Oh absolutely not, he certainly has the looks for being a model however he is a Captain in the Dynasty Military.

[ A high ranking official, though he only shrugged at that. Not even his brother knew about his career and for that he was rather happy for, the less Verin had to get embroiled in things, the better. ]

He is what Jester would define as a 'himbo', I suppose. All brawn and enthusiasm and brains only when it's down to the wire.

[ausgebrannt]

[Essek had a beautiful laugh. That was the first thought that flitted through Caleb's mind as the drow answered, and he was certain for a minute that he looked a bit embarrassingly smitten. Pull it together, Widogast.]

Ah, I see. Then you must have been an interesting combination growing up.

[Caleb was clearly picturing it. Himbo brother and very poised and particular Essek. It was a genuinely adorable picture.]

[zauberdecke]

[ And here was this borderline insufferably adorable man having gotten him to speak of his family. He had not expected the conversation to go quite here and the other man was fishing that information out of him skillfully, he tried to hide the aftereffects of his laugh and the ensuing smile from his lips. ]

That does not happen very often.

[ And then he clarified as he set down his glass and then reached for a piece of bread which with perfectly manicured hands he methodically started to rip apart. It looked precise the way he did so, but perhaps also with a strangely erotic quality to it. Certainly Caleb would be looking at fingers that could perhaps form sigils beautifully. ]

Talking about myself, I had hoped actually to get yourself talking about you so that I would not have to be pressured to reveal things about myself in case I found I did not like you. Most people are quite content to talk about themselves for an unspecified length of time, just from personal experience.

[ausgebrannt]

No? Then I will count myself very fortunate to have that peak behind the curtain.

[Blue eyes sparkled with a soft, undeniably pleased light, that Essek had allowed him that much at least. He did indeed watch those precise, elegant fingers as they plied at the bread. There was a hypnotic grace about the drow that Caleb found himself not even slightly immune to.]

Perhaps I'm being too optimistic to think that this means that you like me, at least a little?

[Caleb could hope, right?]

[zauberdecke]

I suppose that is dependent upon how this meal plays out, now does it not?

[ A lift of his brow, the barest hint of a teasing smile as he bit into the bread and then tore an even smaller bit lightly with his teeth; perhaps it was a demonstration of his teeth and how they could lightly vore-- but he said neither yay nor nay so it was a maybe. It was also hope. ]

So was it just because of our mutual friend's insistence that you accepted this date? Curiosity or perhaps something more?

[ Essek lightly directed the conversation back to Caleb with a deft skill. Though not without his own mild curiosity as well. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ja, I suppose it is.

[Caleb admitted with a sip of his wine, though there was still a smile lingering in the faint crinkling at the sides of his eyes. Did he notice those sharp, precise teeth? Of course he did.

He considered the question.]

One does not easily say 'no' to Jester Lavorre, of course. So there was that, of course.

[But that hadn't been all.] I admit I was curious as to who this was that she thought would be such a certain match. I have not been very fortunate in my romantic life. I tend to be subsumed by my work and my studies.

[zauberdecke]

You are correct, one cannot simply say no to Jester Lavorre. It is nigh impossible to do so-- though there are a few things perhaps I have put my foot down upon, but this was perhaps not it.

[ He clasped his hands together. ] I suppose that we have that in common-- being subsumed by work and studies though I should inform you that while I have been on dates, I have never been in a relationship, nor have I ever been inclined to remedy that. Mainly because of being married to my life choices as well as the fact that I have never met anyone that has sparked a need to know more about them.

[ The book that he had been reading though, and Jesters own assertion that she had the perfect man for him? He could not help but want to know what she thought would be his perfect match.

And sitting across from him was an unassuming Professor who looked like he was out of place in a nice outfit and yet strangely comfortable talking about Dunamancy and magic, and he could not have gotten up even if he wanted to. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Neither have I. Not since a teenage fling, so to speak, when I was first at the Academy.

[Since then, well, Caleb had been busy with both his magic professor persona as well as his life of a worryingly effective spy. There were whispers of the Empire spy who was called by the single name of Scourger, hushed and entirely unverifiable stories of a ruthless and efficient infiltrator and assassin. Half ghost story half man. But in the end very real, and very, very single. For what was probably good reason.]

Still, and this is a secret -- though Jester has dragged it out of me -- I am something of a romantic at heart, deep down.

[And of course he was a nerd, and Essek had lit up all his nerdy side with the magic talk.]

[zauberdecke]

Ah, a secret.

[ Essek was rather good at sussing out secrets though he had not been trying with this man; worrying indeed. He leaned back in his chair as if considering this-- he was not surprised of course, moreso surprised by his own reaction. ]

I do not think I am particularly romantic, if I am then it has not been unlocked within me-- [ and then a question, yet another question. ] Then let me ask you, what would you consider a suitably romantic date that would make a believer out of a non-believer?

[ausgebrannt]

[Not unlocked, hmm? And here was Caleb wondering, perhaps, if he could somehow find an appropriate key to open that particular door. Ah but he was getting ahead of himself. Essek Thelyss, despite what Jester thought, was entirely out of his league, and likely deserved better than a spy pretending at having a civilian life.

But oh that question. That was interesting that Essek was asking.]

Mm... well. That would depend on the particular non-believer. For a bright, clever model who is married to his work but having a secret torrid affair with Dunamancy on the side...

[He considered, gesturing around.] Dinner is nice, but this is not quite what I am thinking. Instead...

[Caleb's voice was thoughtful as if he were imagining the scenario as he spoke it.] In Nicodranus, in particular, there is a small used bookshop that is too often overlooked. It has the sort of arcane volumes that you can only really find in places like this where so many cultures come and go. One can get lost in the shelves there for hours, but it's important to mind the time. There is garden that is built around several fascinating sculptures as an ode to the port city's history... and it's very pretty at sunset. And after the sun goes down, perhaps, a shared blanket on the beach and we teach other the pictures our countries see in the stars.

[zauberdecke]

[ Despite Caleb's low self-opinion of himself, Jester thought that Caleb deserved the world, including a hot model boyfriend, and then she could have the bragging rights that she set them up and she would be the bridesmaid at the wedding and it would be 'Oh So Romantic' because she was planning their wedding already.

A smile twitched once again at the corner of Essek's mouth at the description, especially the lead-in. Well that was rather apt, wasn't it? Secret torrid affair with Dunamancy on the side; he liked that weaving of words and found himself leaning in despite himself. ]

That could make a believer out of an unbeliever. [ But he was not going to say nothing more on the matter, after all-- he rather thought that if Caleb asked him out on such an excursion, he may take him up on it. But that was one thing where the other man had to take that chance to shoot his shot.

The food came out and was laid out before them. To which point Essek picked up his fork. ] I had no real time to do anything today as the shoot took up most of my time, most of my swimsuit shoots had to happen at sunrise because of a drow's sensitivity to the sun.

[ausgebrannt]

Ah yes, that would make a midday photoshoot rather challenging.

[But that also opened up the opportunity that Caleb Widogast was, perhaps, just brave enough to take. He was not throwing away his shot, okay? Something about this drow was intriguing in a way that Caleb was not used to often experiencing. So there was no stopping the faint flicker of a smile as he looked across the table at him.]

That is too bad that you missed out on exploring today. Perhaps you'd let me help you make up for the missed opportunity? [A playful spark in skyblue eyes.] I know this bookstore, you see...

[zauberdecke]

[ Well look at that, the Professor did shoot his shot after all. Essek inclined his head as he picked up his fork, it could've been held as a precursor to his response. It was not exactly a second date, was it? Except it was, and Essek Thelyss knew that it was. ] I suppose that if you are offering so graciously, that I should take you up on the offer.

[ A forkful of fish, leaving Caleb to hang on to the pause before he continued. ] After all, I am rather weak to books, especially the sort of bookstores you've described where I may perhaps find hidden treasures.

[ Essek would consider lately how this man managed to charm him into another meet-up when he had been rather adamant before that he would let Jester's chosen date down easy. This was decidedly not letting him down easy.

He valued his privacy however, and it did not seem as if the other man would force him into public situations involving the press. The less he had to deal with them, the better.

His eyes flicked upward to meet those meltingly blue eyes. ] Clearly I will have to watch myself around you, Professor Widogast.

[ausgebrannt]

Ja, it is a bit of a treasure hunt. That is a very good way to put it. I think you will like it.

[Or he hoped he would anyway. His plan was to make it a good time for Essek if it was the last thing that he did. He was already putting together the details of this second date in his head.

He looked startled by that comment though, smiling in soft amusement.] No, I am entirely harmless, Herr Thelyss.

[He lied. He was lethal, when the need called for it. But not for this man.]