: 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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[zauberdecke]

[ Even then Essek could taste the breath, and effortlessly slipped closer into that embrace-- guided there by Caleb's hand that pulled him ever closer, lips parting as if wanting to inhale the scent while he tucked himself into the safety of the arms that enfolded him. The sun had finally disappeared, the last of it slivered just underneath the ocean and now Twilight was here, the oranges effortlessly fading into night, giving the purple it's due. Just as one day the purples would hand the reigns over to the oranges.

A give and equal take.

Oh yes, he liked this quite a bit and wanted more kisses. Oh indeed, he found it so very pleasant and agreeable, but maybe it was just that he had not yet found the one person who's kiss could melt his rigid icyness. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb had never had a kiss steal every last shred of breath from his lungs or curl his toes inside his shoes. But here he was, breathless and swept up int he taste of Essek's lips, like snow giving way to spring in icy sweet blooms of jasmine and candied violets.

Parted lips were irresistible, and his tongue brushed along that lower lip, dipping past to sip at that mouth like taking a holy sacrament. Fingers pressed more firmly to the small of Essek's back, but eventually he broke from those lips and gentle leaned his forehead against Essek's.]

I could get lost in kissing you, I fear. [For hours or days or the rest of his life.]

[zauberdecke]

How dare you, Caleb Widogast.

[ Essek's eyes opened as if he was awakened from the deepest of sleep, his breath caught in his breath and with the taste of ginger fire and cinnamon on his tongue. He looked down at those lips, framed by scruff and then back upward to Caleb's crystal clear blue eyes, the way that the edges crinkled as if he was happy about something.

This was the first time that perhaps Essek had noticed the worry lines that etched the forehead, like brows that had furrowed one too many times. He wondered what had caused that, but he did not ask. This was the first date and he would not give his life story so he did not expect it from his date. But kissing? Yes, that was very agreeable indeed. ]

I have been brought many places with the intention that a kiss would attempt to be stolen-- but never was I asked to be kissed.

[ That would likely give Caleb an idea of the life that the drow led, one where his own personal wishes were not regarded, and all of the power plays that he initiated.. he'd had to initiate for himself. That probably explained his hesitance to succumb to something like romance. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb looked down at him, eyes taking in those features, lingering longer than they needed to on those lips, as if he could not shake the memory of how they felt on his own, the taste of them.

But he listened to what the drow was saying, heard those words and understood the implications of it, that line between taking and being given, of presumption and permission. A light brush of the back of his knuckles along the sharp angle of a cheekbone.]

You deserve better. [From those who were thought they were entitled to steal what was not theirs to have. From those who did not recognize the force of nature that was Essek Thelyss.] I will never try to take anything from you that you are not willing and eager to give.

[zauberdecke]

[ That was such an impossibly tender promise; it was Essek's inherent nature not to believe that because to be honest? Trust did not come easily to him, but for some reason something compelled him to believe this man who ran his knuckles against his cheekbone so tenderly. He did not know who Caleb was, perhaps if he had he would not have been so inclined to trust.

But then he was not someone who could be trusted either, now was he?

There was nothing in the world though that could compel Essek to hurt this civilian, though the Dynasty tended to think all people of the Empire as enemies. Though not Essek, not really-- he did not have meat with anyone who he thought was innocent, the fact that his actions had led to a few war crimes? Well, he did not think much of the consequences because he had not been caught yet. ]

You are a wonder, but I think that I may in fact be compelled to give willing and eager consent to future kisses.

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb Widogast meant those words. He tried to be a good man, in his day to day life, better than he could ever hope to be in his other identity. Maybe he was trying to convince himself that he wasn't only a weapon, wasn't only a tool that was made for (and was exceptionally talented at) lethality and infiltration.

He had so much blood on his hands, and he told himself it was better he bear that burden than anyone else. He was already a sinner. But here he was, taking this charade of Caleb Widogast and involving someone else. He ought to be ashamed. But no, here he was so smitten, forgetting that Caleb wasn't who he actually was, deep at heart. Maybe it was less a mask than he told himself, at the end of the day. Maybe this was as much him as anything else.

So the smile on his face was earnest and genuine, soft and tinged with affection.]

Is that so? This is excellent news, Schatz. I've tasted your lips now, and I'm afraid I may have developed a bit of an addiction.

[zauberdecke]

[ In a way, with the truths they were keeping from each other, were they not perfect for each other?

But ah, they could not know that at this point in time-- and neither of them choose to look deeper into the brilliance of the other, so caught up and smitten with their narrative foils.

Essek Thelyss reached into his pocket then and pulled out a little pocket dictionary with zemnian phrases, flipping through it while he was in the other man's arms, the bit of scholarly bent more than apparent. Finally he located the word and then let out a huff. ]

Treasure?

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb watched Essek pull out a Zemnian dictionary and look up the endearment. He stared for a moment, shoulders shaking with a silent laughter. Well, he had been bested clearly.

The faintest start of a flush at having it called out as well.]

Ja, that's right... it seemed right for someone rare and precious.

[Essek was, most assuredly, both.]

You came prepared.

[zauberdecke]

[ Keep in mind, Essek had not wiggled out of Caleb's arms.. merely shifted so he could pull out the dictionary. A flush of embarassment crept into his cheeks and then he held the book there up against Caleb's chest. It was a pocketsized dictionary after all, so it wouldn't take too much room up there. ]

I am quite simply always prepared, Caleb Widogast.

[ Though he was quite pleased with the nickname and he hazarded. ] Chathtiu means Firefly, it seemed fitting what with your penchant for fire magic, that is alright.. I hope?

[ He looked then to Caleb, the darkening sky that managed to compliment his colouring quite nicely, making the pale skin stand out, the ginger appear almost auburn, and the freckles.. ah those freckles that gave the Professor an almost boyish charm. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Blushing Essek was extremely cute. Caleb had already been so fully charmed, it was no surprise that it only seemed to be growing as he looked at the drow.]

So I can see. Can I admit that I'm impressed? And that it is quite sexy?

[But oh. That was the endearment he'd heard earlier and noted to look up later. He blinked in surprise before his expression melted into a smile.]

More than all right. I like it very much, if you want to call me that.

[Please? Please.] Hopefully you do not mind being Schatz.

[He tightened his arms more securely around Essek.] And perhaps also, mein Sternenlicht.

[Just... throwing that little mein in there shh.]

[zauberdecke]

[ He tested that word upon his lips, saying it very softly. Although, he could not look it up because Caleb's arms were now encompassing and he did not want to escape, instead he rested his head against that shoulder in a manner that only felt a little bit awkward-- and that is because he had never done something like this before. Also Caleb's shoulder was at the perfect level where he could rest his head against it comfortably.

And the scent of this man, it was very very nice and he could not describe it except that he wanted to scent mark the other man like a cat.

How could he not fuck this man? ]

I do not mind being Schatz.. or Sternenlicht, whatever that is.. I am assuming it is something nice, yes?

[ausgebrannt]

[It was nice, being close like this, having the drow in his arms. More than nice. He was hoping he would have the opportunity to get used to it. It was still a terrible idea, but his heart was having none of the logic that his head was trying to introduce into the equation.]

It means 'starlight.'

[Which was, after all, what Essek reminded him of -- clear and bright and beautiful, wrapped in an air of subtle mystery that Caleb very much wished to unravel.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The most terrible idea, both of them were saying this in their own respective minds. That it was not fair to get a civilian involved in all of this and what they had to bring to the table. Essek certainly was thinking of his own life and how it may affect a Zemnian just as that was already precarious with his own position.

A Dynasty spy potentially seeing something from the Empire?

Perhaps this could be a fling, maybe it was better if it was just a fling. Pretend that there wasn't something so beautifully and wonderfully vulnerable about the other man that called out to something within himself, and made him melt. ] I think that you have caused me to lose my breath and that is not very fair.

[ That the Professor could have found that weakness. ] So should we walk around the gardens then? I do not know what else you have planned. [ but there was certainly a bit of time until the date's end.. and then Essek would likely invite the Professor back to his room, a first of course. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[It was a dangerous dance, wasn't it? And neither of them knew that the other man was also dancing it. There was, of course, some irony in this, but it would be a while yet before either one of them would come to realize this.

But then really, what could possibly go wrong anyway? A fling, yes. A fling. That was clearly all. Pay no attention to the way his heart went falling over itself every time Essek spoke.]

If it helps, my heart has decided to forget how to beat in rhythm since I kissed you. So we are something of a pair, ja?

[But oh yes, the date.] Let's walk. I have one more thing planned. There is a path at the other end of the garden that will lead us down to the seashore.

[He had a blanket and a basket stashed on the way as well.]

[zauberdecke]

[ He placed his arm within Caleb's quite trustingly as they walked through the twilight.

There were sections devoted to some of the more popular flowers, but also a little shaded bower from which some of the more night blooming plants grew, the soft scent of lotus and moon lilies floating undisturbed within a pond where koi-fish lingered and swayed.

Patches of evening primrose that was lovingly tended, enough to sweeten the musk of the other flowers around them.

Scattered around where Gardenias which were far more lovely then they had any right to be. It was a romantic evening and the garden was not crowded in the slightest to the point that they had the area to themselves.. and then talked as they strolled, just of their lives and of their plans for the next couple of days, perhaps with Essek it was to figure out how long Caleb would be in this city, dripping in a few hints here and there that he may be in for at least two more days before he left for his next shooting location. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[It was honestly a perfect evening so far as Caleb was concerned. Conversation with Essek felt effortless in a way that was rare for him. And the hints that perhaps he might be able to steal a few days of Essek's time before the drow had to leave Nicodranus was a thrilling prospect. His own sabbatical would have him here for a few weeks yet, a pre-planned meeting and study with the elusive Yussa Errenis.

As they reached the other end of the gardens, Caleb stepped forward to open a small wrought iron gate, producing a covered picnic basket from where it had been tucked in the bushes before he'd retrieved Essek for their date.]

Shall we walk to the water?

[This path would lead them down to the shore. The night was dark, but Caleb knew that Essek had dark vision being a drow, and he himself was cheating through use of his transmutation stone, so it would be fine.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek had noticed the same thing himself, the way that that nothing felt stilted the way that they talked-- there was no need to 'dumb anything' down with Caleb, nor did he feel the need to condescend or put on a barrier of airs with which to deter those with dreams of clout. He did notice the way that Caleb took up the picnic basket in something that was decidedly planned, however he wisely did not comment on it.

Perhaps it thrilled him a little bit that the Professor was putting in so much effort where he was concerned.

Authentic effort.

When it came down to it, Essek did not care about money spent or the high ticket items; he felt far more touched by the earnest gesture that this was parcel of-- and that was highly surprising to him that he had fallen hook line and sinker for such a thing (even though he was attempting to convince himself that he wasn't irrevocably smitten by this. ]

We shall.. [ And then Essek took a firmer hold of Caleb's arm, this was just as much for Caleb's benefit as his own. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb was a planner, Essek. It was in his nature -- both as a civilian, and as a spy. His brain stretched his thoughts out to the future in steps and stages. It had served him well in his magical studies, and perhaps it was also serving him well in his (dangerous, ill-advised, irresistible) attempts to woo the drow.]

Good. We have the benefit of being on the outskirts of the city here. The stars will be more visible to us.

[Caleb led them down the path that took them to a small boardwalk and then onto the beach, sand soft and shifting beneath their feet. Once he'd found a decent spot, he released Essek enough to take one of the blankets from atop the basket and spread it on the ground.]

Here. I thought we could have a drink together, and a few snacks. If you are willing to indulge me.

[zauberdecke]

[ There was something endlessly fascinating about the beach as it was presented within Nicodranas; in Jigow the waters were very cold and murky due to it's northern facing orientation. Certainly not suitable for swimming-- and while a festival of merit was held in Jigow on a yearly basis, any water activities as apart of the proceedings was with the full knowledge that the contestants would not know what was in them to begin with.

Here though, the waters were inviting and warm-looking. He'd dipped his toes in during one of the shoots and had marveled at how crystal clear and blue the waters were, like a sparkling ocean-hued topaz.

Once the blanket was spread out on the sand, Essek removed his sandals and then sank down to the ground cover, a very coy smile that lit the corner of his mouth as well as backlit his violet eyes. ]

I cannot imagine very many people who would not be willing to indulge you, Professor Widogast.

[ This was a candid observation; as this man's charm had worked so effortlessly on him.. he thought that everyone else must surely be easy targets. Which made him wonder why this man had not been snapped up yet? He was clearly single and also in a point in his life where dating was an option? ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ah well... perhaps you would be surprised. I am not the most socially adept person. Ask Jester about that.

[He was Jester's friend because she was aggressively friendly and had decided that they were going to do a friendship, and Caleb -- like most people caught in the little blue tiefling's wake -- had found himself with no defense against her charms and persistence. And he was grateful for it.

Since truly, social anxiety often got the better of him. Something about Essek though, about how effortlessly they connected, something that went far beyond charisma or charm, something about the drow's essence. Caleb was well and truly captured.

He stepped out of his shoes as well and settled on the blanket beside the other man. He reached into the basket and set out the rest of what he'd brought: a couple smaller blankets in case Essek caught a chill in the evening air, a bottle of wine and two conveniently plastic cups, and a container of fruit (cut strawberries, blackberries, cheese, all spelled to keep them chilled, along with the blush wine).]

[zauberdecke]

[ That was hard to believe with the way that Caleb talked to him so readily-- even asking if he could kiss him; those sorts of things that he could not imagine a shy person doing; or perhaps he saw just underneath the surface at the confidence that was an after-effect of the scourger, perhaps the only part of the scourger he recognized, a small thing and one that he would not be able to connect to his arch-nemesis.

He reached for a blackberry and popped it in his mouth, the layout was not one that anyone had ever tried when attempting to (unsuccessfully) woo him, but here he was-- not minding in the slightest. ]

I am very rarely fit for human consumption, it has been said. [ Essek said as he took up one of the blankets to spread it over his lap. ] The sea is so beautiful in Nicodranas.. I cannot imagine it is easy to leave, with the warmth evening in the evenings.

[ausgebrannt]

[One day, perhaps, if they both survived that long, they would laugh about all the ironies of two arch-nemeses encountering each other in their civilian identities without knowing and winding up immediately smitten with one another. Totally a story to tell their grandchildren.

Unless they murdered each other in the line of duty before they got to that point.]

That can't be true. You look entirely delectable.

[Awkward nerd was earnest enough that it was flirting but also the truth.]

It is difficult to leave, ja. Where I grew up we had small lakes and creeks, but nothing so majestic as the ocean.

[He opened the wine then and poured a cup for each of them, handing one to Essek.]

The sky though, it is the same.

[zauberdecke]

[ That was the crapshoot wasn't it? The fact that at any moment they could find out each others identities? Perhaps it was unlikely though because they were completely blind to anything but this moment and no other logic synapsis was firing in the brains, no logic.. nothing- just a 'wow, this man is hot' when it came to the other.

With am elegance, Essek took the cup and then brought it to his lips while he glanced upward at the sky that was spread out before them. The edges had darkened though there was still a faint rosy glow in the distance that spoke of sunset leaving night in it's wake.

"You are right, the skies are the same.. just positioned a bit different due to axis and axels." a nod then to Caleb. "Are you interested in the night sky?" while he tried not to focus too hard on how delectable this man thought he looked.

[ausgebrannt]

"I find them fascinating, ja. The constellations peoples have seen fit to draw among the star scape. And then of course, the thought of worlds far beyond and what they may be like, so far from us that we are only barely aware of their existence."

He was a nerd, Essek, full and completely. But he was also, at heart, a romantic. He'd grown up loving fairytales and folksongs, and even in his pursuit of the arcane in a very academic -- and espionage flavored -- bent had not shaken that from the foundation of him.

A hand lifted and he leaned in to point so that Essek could follow his line of sight. "Those stars just there, that bright group of them, in the Empire, that is the Great Stag."

[zauberdecke]

"Oh." Essek murmured as he glanced upward at the constellations where Caleb pointed them out, saw the pathway clear from the point of fingers to the glimmering stars in the horizon. He shifted a little bit closer so that he could look down the same vista, and slowly the image came alive for him. "Those are the antlers.." his fingertip tracing where he thought they were, though this was speculation of course.

"Not much else underneath the antlers because I have found though that most relied on symbolism within the trappings of history." he was so very close to just resting his head against Caleb's shoulder though he did not do it just yet.. perhaps he was choosing the most innocuous moment to do so.

"Though the two stars toward the bottom look somewhat similar to nostrils... almost as if the Stag is annoyed that he was placed up in the sky."