Balancing the Books

[conjuredskies]

Here’s someone who hasn’t shown his face in public for a while. Felix is sitting on the old Legion desk in his Legion leathers, a small pile of books beside him. For those who get close enough to look, they’re all reference books about Earth, including a children’s encyclopedia and a dictionary. The mage himself still looks a little sleepless, but he’s in far better shape than the gaunt, distracted wraith who showed up for the Halloween party. There’s color in his face, an easy confidence in his posture… and with his hood down around his shoulders, his hair looks like it’s back to its normal black.

Felix draws a deep breath that has nothing at all to do with the letter he’s pretending to read, then folds it and flashes the nearest Nexus-goers a quick smile.

“How forgiving you are you of debts?” he asks. “Those you’re owed, and those you owe.”

Comments

[turningcolors]

"I keep immaculate records. Debts are not things to take lightly."

There's a woman with bright reddish orange hair standing nearby the desk, though when she's shown up or whence she came from are difficult things to ascertain. Ever mindful of the season and the weather Hazel is dressed in dark brown leggings underneath a deep red dress and boots. She wears a half jacket, gloves, and a scarf over her dress to keep out the worst of the Winter's chill. Definitely dressed like an Earther.

"What I owe, I pay. Promptly and respectfully. What I am owed I collect. It's the only way to keep the scales balanced. When one side doesn't hold their end of the bargain it breaks everything for any future transactions."

[conjuredskies]

Felix nods along agreeably enough, studying the unfamiliar woman all the while. So many new faces since he's been... preoccupied. He really needs to get back on top of things.

"And if the debt couldn't be repaid immediately?" he asks. "It's not always simple to repay a service rendered. Suppose you didn't know how to repay? Perhaps it's something you can't repay at all."

[turningcolors]

Hazel's green eyes follow Felix's every movement. She seems to be as curious about him as he is her, though she makes no attempts to hide that interest while she listens to the Imperial speak his mind.

"Why would you agree to a debt you couldn't repay? That seems ill advised. A deal with the devil, so to speak. An invitation for trouble." The woman folds her arms and brings one hand up to tuck her chin into thoughtfully.

"A negotiation over the terms is one thing. It's not always possible to pay right away. If a harvest does not align with a purchase one wishes to make, trading directly is impossible. But it's important to be responsible when drawing up a bargain. It's irresponsible to enter into an arrangement you knowingly cannot uphold."

[conjuredskies]

"It's certainly unwise. Sad to say, but not all debts are planned up with clear sight and a level head. Sometimes they come entirely by surprise. I suppose it's a clichéd example, but suppose someone stepped in to save your life in a desperate moment? Or gave you a chance when no-one else would? How do you begin to repay that?"

[turningcolors]

"Ah, a social debt."

She nods then, walking the length of the polished wooden table several times while she thinks. The loose snow swirls around her feet with every swift turn she makes at each end of the table.

"These are tricky because value is different to each person. The wisest thing would be to turn the question around. Suppose you risked yourself to save someone's life. Trusted them when they were ostracized and alone? What would you expect in return?"

[losthunter]

"For me, the debts that I feel I owe other people weigh heavy on my mind...." Hunter answers the question.

He remembers Felix, from the brief encounter during Halloween.

[conjuredskies]

Hard for Felix to be sure, but he thinks he's seen this man before? It must have been very brief: he wouldn't forget a look that distinctive in a hurry. He studies the stranger for a moment or two, trying to place where - but last time they met he was extremely distracted.

"And the debts that others owe you?"

[losthunter]

Hunter frowns for a second. "I used to hold those debts over the people that owed them to me. Whatever way I could."

He brushes a hand over his bald head. "But now... I don't even know if I would consider any debts to be owed to me."

[conjuredskies]

"That's quite a turnaround. Do you give so much less to people, these days?"

[not_the_question]

The Doctor only has a vague recollection of seeing Felix at the Halloween party. He was too busy playing his guitar on stage to have really engaged people properly in conversation. Which is just how he likes it when it comes to parties.

He approaches the lad, because let's be honest, being well over 2500 years old and with four and a half billion years of experience, he's far older than many parts of the universe. Older than all of his universe, if you consider that he rebooted it.

His grey curls flutter lightly in the breeze. Today, he is in his black velvet coat with the blue lining. A black shirt with holes in it and a black hoody, which is zipped up halfway against the chill.

"The only way anyone can live in peace is if they learn to forgive."

But the question brings him up short. He was about to go into his entire observation about forgiveness when the last comment is made. He squeezes his hand, because whenever he gets emotional, for some reason, it releases a bit of regeneration energy. He's not thrilled about that. And he has to focus to make it go quiet again.

"It depends what your definition of 'debt' is."

But the Doctor clearly has several ideas in mind. His expression is thoughtful and yet, he gives off the aura of someone who's experienced great loss.

[conjuredskies]

In fairness to the Doctor, Felix was doing a rather good job of hiding his face at the party, and avoiding the dance floor in particular. At least until things went to Yharnam hell and he got excited trying to organize a summoning circle. He does vaguely remember the musician though. The Doctor has a way of standing out even among performers.

Felix is not yet an expert on Earth costumes, but this fellow's mode of dress seems odd even for them. The holey shirt says a lot, to him. But it's the flicker of energy from the man's hand that draws more of his attention. Another mage, he presumes?

"The intangible ones are more interesting, I think. Chances given and salvation provided, that kind of thing. But sometimes it's informative to see how people react to small debts - I've known men who get quite overexcited about sums of coin that would barely pay for a beer."

[not_the_question]

He looks over at the man with a quirk to his eyebrow at the suggestion of 'salvation provided.'

"I would say that the universe sometimes lacks forgiveness. I try to provide what is lacking. But I am far more generous to others than I am to myself."

[conjuredskies]

"Well, I can appreciate that. Every realm could stand to be more forgiving to us mere mortals, if you ask me. Not that I have to beg forgiveness that often." He grins, though he's sizing the man up, wondering if that last part is true.

"So, you hold yourself to a higher standard? Or are you one of those people who never learned how to be kind to themselves?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia is in the Plaza, and look! She brought a friend. She's holding hands with a man who is wearing a stylish gray suit, the orange of his dress shirt popping bright like spring on this typical wintry weather day.

"Hi, Felix." She gives the man a warm smile. She's glad to see that the younger Caelus brother has regained some of his vitality. Her own appearance is significantly less sunny than at the Halloween party, but a lot has happened since then. Both good and bad; she's holding the hand of the good, and if Felix has spoken to his brother recently, he'd know about the bad.

"I try not to keep any debts," she answers honestly. "Those that I owe I keep paying back as best I can. Those that are owed me can always be forgiven." She glances up at her companion briefly, who is giving the mage a serious, unblinking stare. "Felix, this is my boyfriend, Caspar. And, by the way, before I forget, congratulations on your engagement. Jim told me the other day."

[conjuredskies]

"Hello, Adia." There's an undeniable jolt on seeing someone he knows, but Felix tries not to show it. He expected this, after all. Even if he wasn't really expecting he'd see Adia, after what Stratos has told him. He finds he's more unsettled by her flashy companion with the over-intense stare, anyway... at least until Adia names him. So this is the machine man he's been hearing about. Maybe that explains the stare. At least he hopes it does. He rises from his seat on the edge of the desk to give Caspar a polite bow.

"A pleasure... ah! Er, thank you." Surprise at her congratulations turns to sheepishness, for a moment. "I'm not used to other people knowing, yet. And congratulations to you... both. It's good to see you looking well." And safe. He has a smile to offer both of them, Adia and Caspar both.

[chiron_survivor]

It's disarming to see Felix like this. His recent life lessons have made quite the impact on him. Adia hopes it lasts, she likes this version of him -- all the charm and none of the smarm.

Caspar returns the bow with a simple nod of the head, but at least he finally blinks. It's Adia who fills the silence, returning his sheepishness with a brief look of apology. "It came up in conversation, I know that neither of you want to make it a big spectacle." As for his own congratulations, she can't help but blush, her hand holding Caspar's a little more tightly. "Yeah. Um. A lot happened since I saw you last..." Her smile turns a touch teasing as she looks up at her boyfriend. "No proposal yet, though. I'm sure when that happens, the whole Nexus will hear about it."

This breaks the cool neutrality on the Cylon's face. He blushes as well and averts his gaze, a half-grin playing on his lips. "I won't be shy about it, that's for sure." Returning his attention to Felix, he raises an eyebrow and says, "I hope your brother's caught you up on what you've missed around here."

[conjuredskies]

An impact, certainly. For the better or the worse remains to be seen. Felix may be less quick with the compliments and the charm, but then his smile is fainter, too, his body language more distant. This sort of friendliness is likely more comfortable for Adia, but ironically, it's more of a pretense than before.

But then, any kind of normality feels like an act, still. He's just trying to practice.

He's watching how they act around each other, how different that smile is to anything he's seen from Adia before. Whatever their difficulties, Caspar is long forgiven, he can see. Adia's not even embarrassed to bring up the likelihood of their betrothal- ah. His eyes flick back to Caspar, and he nods.

"And told me who to watch out for, yes. I remember his handiwork well enough to guard myself, too. There's been no more news, I take it?"

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's good to see Felix looking so much like himself again. The man she saw at Halloween wasn't him, as far as the rogue is concerned, so seeing his face now? It earns a bright smile as she takes up a spot leaning against the desk.

"I have a hard time releasing people from their debts to me. I had dozens back home that I never had the chance to claim and I'm more than a little sad I'll never be able to collect." Or allow her family to collect in her stead, but she wasn't exactly going to leave a note for every person on the list explaining they now owed her family but not to tell them why. She crosses her arms loosely in front of her chest as she smiles down at him. "I believe in holding everyone accountable for their promises for as long as possible, either until the debt is paid or there's reason to forgive it. There's always a reason to let something go, but I'm never going to be looking for it on someone's behalf."

Shifting a little closer, she tilts her head to one side as her lips pull into a smirk. "As for me, you know I never let anything go. If I owe someone, I'll pay them back even if I've been given permission not to do so."

[conjuredskies]

If he's uneasy about seeing the rogue again, well, Felix is uneasy meeting most everyone lately. He's making sure not to show it, out here in public on his own, and Amelia gets a friendly smile back up at her.

"I can't pretend I'm surprised. You almost sound as if you enjoy your debt collections. I should be careful not to incur one."

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's understandable that this is hard for him and Amelia won't hold it against him if he falters. She's working on her own issues; It wouldn't make much sense for her to get after someone about things she's actively fighting with for similar reasons.

"I've no reason to hold anything against you, Felix. Don't you worry." She throws in a wink for good measure, just to be certain he doesn't think she's being dishonest. "As far as the others go, how could I not try to hold them to their word? If a deal has been struck, shouldn't we all be held accountable for such actions? There's always time and reason for leniency, of course, but one should never assume such things about a deal when they make it. Those kinds of assumptions only hurt all involved."

[conjuredskies]

"Yes, yes, contracts and obligations keep the wheels of empire turning." He feigns a yawn. "It sounds exhausting, trying to keep up with all the debts you have to collect on. Do you keep a little ledger somewhere?"

He's teasing. He wouldn't: solid evidence is just asking for someone to steal your leverage from you.

[boldygoing]

A small orange kitten scampers in the direction of the desk, excited to explore this endless Nexus place with its interesting smells and distracting fluttering banners. The fluffball skids to a stop near Felix's feet and bats at his footwear with a curious paw, investigating. Is this good to pounce on?

The bearded Jim Kirk is not terribly far behind, looking a little exasperated, though not terribly surprised. Crookshanks was a model citizen, compared to this little terror. This little guy has the heart of an explorer, and a fearlessness that would make Starfleet proud, but man. Zunar's found enough places to hide in Jim's small apartment that the thought of losing him in an infinite plane is intimidating as fuck.

"Come on, you gotta stay close," Jim says, scooping up the kitten, who mews in protest before realizing that he can see so much more up here, and begins to paw at Jim's shoulder to climb up.

Only then does Jim notice whose boots the kitten was attacking, and he pauses a moment as the question registers. “Depends on what kinda debt. People should keep their promises unless there’s a good reason why not, for the most part. Or make it up somehow, if they can.”

[conjuredskies]

Felix's reaction is immediate, though he makes one wrong assumption: "Oh, for Kynareth's sake. Tiber, how did you..."

Wait. The cat he's leaning over his knees to glare at looks... different. How many ginger kittens are running around the Nexus these days? Should he be glad Jim only brought home one? But speaking of Jim... there's that disorienting feeling of looking up into a face that is and clearly is not his beloved's. Felix nods to the man as he scoops up his pet, but the reply draws a small shake of the head from the conjurer. No getting off that easily, captain.

"But you personally, do you aim to collect on the debts you're owed?"

[boldygoing]

Zunar paws rather insistently until Jim relents, letting the kitten scramble up onto his shoulder, sharp little claws digging into his jacket until the chosen perch has been achieved. The kitten mews in triumph, purring happily, softly headbutting Jim's cheek. Yep. This is his life now.

"Not always immediately," Jim answers, once he no longer has a kitten actively trying to shove its furry little head into him. "Sometimes it's better to have someone owe me a favor I can call in. Kinda depends on how heavy the debt is though. Most of the time if it's something petty, it's not worth it to care."

[conjuredskies]

Felix glances at the kitten once in a while, taking note of the obvious bond between them. Not hard to guess this is another kneazle, and he's as cute as Tiber... not that Felix would admit it. He already has some sense of loyalty to the smallest member of their household.

They have a household. Gods, but that's strange to think.

"Good to know." Felix flashes a smile, then nods to the cat. "I see Jim's not the only one who brought one home."