: 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. ]

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[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb knew it was a bad idea too. This life he was pretending was his only life, it was perhaps the exact life that would want to go and fall in love with a beautiful, fascinating, whip-smart man. But the other half of him? That would only complicate Essek's life, perhaps even endanger it if Caleb ever did anything to get himself burned.

But there was something he couldn't shake, a pull towards the drow that felt impossible to even begin to resist.]

This is true. International tensions are high. It is too bad, I think. It would be better if we could live in kinder times.

[Of course, in kinder times he might be nothing more than what he appeared to be.]

From near there, ja. A small town in the Zemni Fields.

[Oh yes, he was Zemnian and Empire-born as they came, Essek.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Thus begged the question, perhaps it was curiosity that inspired the next that came from Essek's mouth. It was curiosity as the Shadowhand, but it was also from Essek himself-- who he was at his core. ] It is not many from the Empire that would want to be seen with a member of the Dynasty, perhaps you surprise me a little bit.

[ Yes, perhaps interesting to contemplate. ] Though perhaps I should not be surprised, what with your interest in Dunamancy which is a Dynasty related field.

[ They walked down the street, having such a conversation. ] Kinder times, you are an idealist then?

[ausgebrannt]

I am of the Empire, but... I like to think more than that, I am of my own mind.

[And right now he'd made up his mind about Essek being thoroughly fascinating and intriguing, and not only for the Dunamancy discussions, but for all the things he was learning about the Dynasty man, who liked jasmine and bookshops and did not believe in romance.]

I've found myself, quite recently, with an interest in another Dynasty related field.

[A playful light in his eyes, the subtlest tug of a smile over his lips, always that awkward hesitation at the edges of his emotions, as if he wasn't entirely certain he deserved to be having them quite so loudly.]

No, perhaps just a realist who stubbornly wishes to be hopeful... that we can be better than who we have been.

[zauberdecke]

[ Oh, well that hit him square in something that he was not familiar with. Was it the heart, or the fact that the interest in him was not cloying or overpowering. Most men, when they attempted to hit on him, tended to throw their weight and power around as if that would be the deciding factors to which that he would deign to offer his time. Not really the best method for someone like Essek who did not need power nor did he need anything that anyone else could provide him with.

But the statement, it caused him to flush and he was hoping that Caleb did not see that or else his cover would be blown as being cool, calm and collected at all time. ]

Dunamancy is perhaps far more lucrative; Remember that I do not believe in romance. [ He said as casually as possible, but there was no real force behind it. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ah yes, I have not forgotten. But I did just admit my stubbornness, ja?

[He'd make a believer out of Essek yet, if he had his way. He was, however, somehow oblivious to the flush on Essek's face (which honestly was a tragic roll of the dice), likely because this was all happening as they reached their first destination for the evening, the tucked away little bookstore that he'd mentioned the night before.

Caleb shifted ahead without letting Essek off his arm to open the door and escort the drow through.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek almost seemed to glide through the door that was opened for him, and then he was awash in a realm very comfortable to him, a realm of books and parchment; the scent of an old bookshoppe, of leather and slight must as well as paper.. this was pleasant to him and he drifted off to peruse the shelves.

It was not a bookstore like he was used to, this one was cozy and held little nooks filled with books-- the organization was very lax as if it was a banquet for surprise. He was a man who knew his way around a bookstore, much like Caleb was.. and while perhaps he was a little bit too dressed up for a bookstore, he still managed to look completely at home with the way that he pulled out a tome and opened it gingerly and with careful and reverent fingers. ]

You have made a mistake in bringing me here, Caleb Widogast.

[ Or maybe not so much a mistake, perhaps this was one of the routes to Essek's heart. ]

[ausgebrannt]

If it is a mistake, I'm happy to have made it.

[Because Essek did seem at ease entirely in this place, as if he'd stepped into a setting that had been made for him, or that he had been made for. Either way, Caleb tilted his head as he watched him.]

Shall I show you my favorite section?

[He might have planted a few little things for Essek to find in that section. ...look he'd had the whole day to put this together, and he was determined to make the best attempt at giving Essek a romantic date that he could.]

[zauberdecke]

Of course.. you must forgive me, I tend to forget myself when it involves books.

[ A rather sheepish smile before he closed the book and then slid it back into it's place, and then he nodded for Caleb to lead on toward his favorite section. Essek was absolutely unsuspecting of whatever Caleb had planned which was probably a good thing.

He did not read romance novels, and the Drow were very not romantic by nature so he would have no idea as to whatever it was up a certain sleeve. ]

[ausgebrannt]

I am guilty of the same thing.

[They were nerds of a feather in this, Essek. And the whole of it was an attractive look on the drow, this other side of the elegant worldly model that Caleb expected few people had the opportunity to glimpse.

He led Essek down a few rows of shelves to a little alcove with a chair (that may have found its way here as the owner realized it kept the ginger wizard from sitting like a hobo on the floor. These were the books of magical theory, of arcana beyond the basic mechanics of spells and cantrips long known.

Caleb had wagered a guess on a few volumes that might catch Essek's attention, and tucked inside one or two of those there were small cards with the drow's name and a few lines in Caleb's handwriting, that when put together were the components and sigils of a spell that was not in any common curriculum, one that was of Caleb's own making. It was a wizard sharing a glimpse into his spellbook -- his heart and mind more than anything else could be said to be -- with another, a perhaps startlingly intimate thing when one thought closely about it.]

Here we are. I spend... perhaps a bit too much time in this little corner.

[zauberdecke]

[ As they walked, Essek perused the covers and allowed his well manicured hand to lightly trail against the leather book covers, the bindings were a comfort to him as well as a much needed pleasure after much time spent on the beach modeling the latest in Nicodranas swimsuit fashions. Such would circulate within the Dynasty, the Menagerie Coast and then overseas to Tal'dorei and Marquet.

For someone who was drained easily by the demands of people, this was a welcome excursion.. date, if you will. He found a volume on Ad Astra Celestia and then opened it up, and flipping through the page. A little notecard caught his eyes of which he plucked out, his name written on it in a handwriting he was not familiar with. He held it up between two fingertips and looked at Caleb Widogast with a raise of his brow.

Then he turned the car over and looked over it and saw part and parcel of something. ] Is this.. a spell? [ Well only part, but he had to smile to himself. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[HA. He'd guessed right. This was a very gratifying moment to have his little plan actually start taking shape. He'd thought long and hard about how to best do this, after all, had wanted to make this, well, special for the drow. Essek deserved to be treated that way, to have someone try to give him something magical in the romantic sense, rather than the arcane.

Caleb tried to pretend he wasn't watching him, but the twitch of a smile on his lips as he saw Essek look at the card out the corner of his eye. He made a show of leaning over to peek at it.]

It looks like it, ja. Though it is incomplete... how mysterious.

[zauberdecke]

[ Around this point in time Essek was rather considering that it would be nearly impossible not to invite this man back to his hotel room tonight, especially with the murmured 'how mysterious' as if he did not know what he was doing. A hmmmm sound came from Essek before he carefully shut the book and glanced at the various covers, though he was considering carefully. He finally selected one that appealed to him, one that was written by one of his mentors. Not a spellbook so much as a book of 'theory' and then he opened it up carefully, flipping through it.

Though this time with intent. ] You are not fooling me, Chathtiu. [ Essek said as he finally located it, a card tucked in between the pages. ] Rather funny how someone could have known my name and slipped these cards inside.. before our date.

[ He was attempting to look stern but the sparkle to his eyes rather gave his own amusement away. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Oh. Two for two. Caleb was living the dream right now. He'd thought that particular connection might pay off, and he had done his research on the Dunamancer as best he could given how narrow the flow of information from the Dynasty to the Empire (and vice versa) was.

A tilt of his head at that little piece of Undercommon, committing sound to memory so he could try to look it up later, because surely it meant something it.]

Ja that is strange. It must be a very clever wizard indeed. He's also probably a little sexy. If I had to guess.

[zauberdecke]

To think of something so clever, he would have to me more than a little sexy.

[ Essek said with a raise of his brow, a Mona Lisa smile before he put the book back and then he set the two cards together before regarding it. Components on one card and sigils on the other, this was not a spell that he recognized in its entirity, but it bore parts and pieces of spells meticulously stitched together.

It took him a few moments as he regarded it and then he glanced up at Caleb, touching the cards to his lower lip as he regarded the Professor. ] Did you homebrew this spell, perchance?

[ Essek was slowly coming to realize that he could just not fuck this clever wizard who stood there next to him with an almost smug smile on his face. ] Show me...?

[ Oh yes, Essek could feel the tendrils of metaphysical arousal fluttering against his heartstrings. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb managed to only flush faintly at that. More than a little huh? He would gladly have Essek believe that about him. He watched the drow consider the spell cards and what the shape of the magic was, and he nodded his affirmation of that first question.]

I did. It is some parts of other spells, but I did indeed make it my own.

[Oh? A demonstration? Well, Caleb was the exact sort of wizard who liked showing off his magic... which was basically a trait all wizards shared. He liked other people showing off their magic too.

Besides, he wasn't really inclined to say no to anything that Essek Thelyss asked of him.]

Of course.

[He reached into his pocket to slip out the usual components, taking a step back and going through the quick somatic movements, lips shaping the incantation. And then the spectral form of the giant cat's paw appeared between them, moving to wiggle its fingers in a wave at Essek.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek perceived the finesse that was evident in Caleb Widogast, the precise hand movements, the murmured incantations with every syllable enunciated perfectly, and then the magic buoyed itself off of the wizard in a wave that Essek was familiar with however he'd never really thought to appreciate it in someone else.

But perhaps this Professor was just built of different stuff then what normally fascinated him.

Parted lips, his tongue licking his lower lip at the energy; and then a surprised incredulity at the spectral vision, the giant toe beans and the wiggle, a glance past it and he saw that Caleb was wiggling his own fingers as if controlling it like a puppet.

Oh no, that was hot.

Essek was in no small amount of trouble. ] That was highly interesting, I have never been so spellbound by someone else's use of magic as much as I've been of yours. [ He said this with a raise of his brow, a quirk to his lips-- he was delighted and it showed in such soft and subtle ways. ] What else have you created? Somehow I do not think that this is just it.

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb could not help the smile that tugged at his lips as Essek said such sweet words. Spellbound, was it? He liked that very much, because gods knew that the drow had certainly caught his attention entirely. More than that though, it was the subtle signs of happiness on Essek's face, the realization that the other man was actually enjoying himself, which was Caleb's entire goal.]

It is not. I have crafted a number of spells of my own making. Though... that is perhaps the only one that I can demonstrate in a bookstore without being asked to never come back...

[There was a lot of fire involved, Essek. Such was his general predilection.]

[zauberdecke]

[ That did not terrify Essek but it would be a shame to do anything to this bookstore and all the books that lay therein. He placed a hand lightly on that forearm and quirked a slender brow. ] Perhaps one day you will give me a demonstration of that too though I will agree that destructive magics are not..

[ Well he had access to as well though he would never reveal them, those were guarded secrets.. except for perhaps one.

He pulled out a pearl from the side pocket of his purse and then he drew a sigil with one hand, am simple one with very little in the way or design, he passed the pearl through it and spoke the words and then he pressed it against Caleb's forehead.

It was not a showy spell but the pearl sank in and give Caleb a mote of possibility with which to use, it would fill the other wizard with a glow of confidence among other things. ]

[ausgebrannt]

I'd be very happy to, ja, around less distressingly flammable environments.

[Oh Caleb knew several brutally destructive spells -- and at least one was indeed of his own crafting. The others he'd created were less violent. Cat's Ire had its potential, but his Amber Vault was most a utility. He was quite proud of that one, really.

Though now his curiosity was caught as he watched Essek draw out a pearl. The Zemnian wizard recognized a spell component when he saw one, so he watched with rapt fascination as the other man went through the somatic pieces of the spell -- and then in surprise as that pearl was touched to his forehead, breath catching at the feeling of something sweeping over him. Magic yes, but a sort that he had never felt before. This was Dunamancy then?]

That was a very interesting thing. What was the spell?

[zauberdecke]

It is called Fortune's Favor and it grants a mote of possibility that allows you to see conclusions of various paths you may take, so that thereby you may pick the one with the more favorable outcome.

[ He had not created the spell but he had refined it to point-- worked the kinks out of it, it had always been useful when he was on a heist and he was more than happy to share a hint of it with this mild-mannered professor. Surely there was no way that could backfire at all, not even in the smallest of ways, even though it was clear that this professor was precocious and quick to learn and utilize. ]

It is helpful in social situations where I am uncertain of a certain answer and how it may benefit or hinder myself.

[ Essek stood back and regarded the Wizard, tilting his head thoughtfully to the side. ] Perhaps I should not have shown you a spell that is a closely guarded Dynasty secret but as I use it for predominately frivolous purposes, I saw no reason not to.

[ In a way, that was.. dare Essek say, 'trust'?

[ausgebrannt]

Ah... that is a very useful spell. And clever too.

[Oh yes, Caleb could see the use of that in social situations, but also in his other life. It would be extremely useful there. But he'd only been given the glimpse, and that was generous enough of Essek to offer him.

He'd totally use this particular mote of possibility for the kiss he was hoping to steal at the end of the date. Shh.

A smile found his lips and he reached out a hand to catch Essek's fingers with his own.]

I'm honored to have witnessed it. And it will be our little secret, ja? I will guard it closely.

[zauberdecke]

[ Caleb had the singular opportunity of seeing the other man unfurl for him, it was perhaps the way that the quiet but utterly clever and charming Professor caught his fingers with a grace that was very smooth; and Essek was charmed despite himself. Despite all of his better judgements, he wanted to see where the rest of the evening would take them.

Maybe this man would make a believer out of him yet in terms of romance; showing off that spell had been unaccountably sexy in nature.

He bit at his lower lip and ducked his head just a little bit. ] Watch that you do... [ He murmured for want of something better to say, though when he slipped his hand out of Caleb's it wasn't to get away but because a book was calling him-- the way that the skin connected as he drew out, not with a jerk but with a smooth little glide to prolong the contact for as long as possible, until tips said goodbye.

The next half an hour would be spent talking about books and spells, true nerd things. Essek also bought Caleb both the books that he had put the slips within, making a present of them in his own way. Book-gifting for nerds were also the height of romance. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[It was beautiful to witness really, the way those impeccably constructed walls were slowly coming down, the way that Essek was slowly opening like some rare night-blooming flower. The smile on his face softened at the way the drow ducked his head, and the slow way that their hands parted.

Yes, not bad at all, he thought to himself. It was a good idea, this little stop at the bookstore. The first stop. He was not done yet trying to sway the other man to the side of romance.

Their time among the shelves was pleasant though, and he found himself surprised and blushing in pleasure as Essek bought him books. The most romantic nerd gift, it was true.]

Will you join me for a walk now? I think we will be just in time for the sunset to give us a bit of a light show.

[zauberdecke]

[ To be honest, Essek was not the biggest fan of the sun-- it was not because he was a night person, it was the sensitivity. It was the reason why any outdoor shoots he had outside of Roshana would have to happen either in the morning or the late afternoon. It was starting to get darker and he did not think that it would be a hardship to go out walking, it was why he had brought a sun hat and shades.

He had not really taken the opportunity to enjoy a sunset, never had time nor the inclination.

But he found that he was willing to be swayed which was far more willing then he ever would've. ]

I would be delighted to walk with you, Professor Widogast-- after all you do know this town better than I myself do.. likely you will have an idea of the best vantage point?

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb was mindful of the fact that full sun was not kind to the eyes of a drow, and their evening excursion was timed to account for that. The sun would set in gentler shades of reds and violets and then leave them in the soft glow of golden hour.

And once the sun had slipped away and taken all illumination with it, leaving them with nothing but the stars above, then they could head to the final piece that he had planned for the evening.

He offered his arm to the other man.]

I do. There is a garden not far from here, overlooking the ocean.