The almost joke that came with paperwork (Calix)

Something strange was going on. If the general part of her being summoned to the Principia as a Legionnaire wasn't enough to give off that image, plenty of other things were. Lúthien had, so far, adamantly refused to participate in any kind of paperwork. If Calix wanted to know how things had gone on guard duty, he could just ask. If he wanted to know her progress, he could ask or just challenge her. Pretty much, everything remotely interesting for a Praetor to be known about a Legionnaire could be asked. Lúthien wasn't going to waste time writing it on paper when telling her husband or brother was twice as fast and much less time consuming. As if that wasn't reason enough on it's own, Lúthien also found there never was a thing to report. Goodness knew how Calix and Elijah managed to burry themselves in paperwork. Maybe she didn't fill in a quarter of the things she ought to or something. Maybe that was why she got an official summon this time, to tell her she actually had to do paperwork of some sort. Well, she figured both Calix and Elijah knew that was a lost case before they even brought it up. If they wanted to push their point, they'd be getting a lot of post-it's with 'absolutely nothing to report' in various different permutations. 

Nothing happened today.
No events to report.
Nothing worthwhile went on today.
Guard duty as boring as before.
No visitors during guard duty today.
Nothing really happens here. 

That was just the start of the potential 'paperwork' they'd get if they made Lúthien write her reports. Either that or plan two, which would be a lot less pleasant. Lúthien felt an evil smirk creep up her face. 

Today one single Roman passed through the gates while I was on guard duty. He had dark hair, big busy eyebrows and a slight tan. His eyes were a light brown and he had Italian features. He was wearing sneakers, the brand was nike. They were white but hadn't been cleaned well enough recently to pass as white. So more like beige and dusty. He wore jeans with one single hole, probably fabricated at the height of his left knee. The other side of his pants was surprisingly free of any kind of damage, leading to the suggestion the hole was fabricated. He wore a simple polyester shirt of a deep red colour. Not quite blood red but close enough. It didn't match his skin tone all that well. He had a very strong Italian accent and seemed to work at the pizza store in his free time as he had boxed pizza's as he came in. His hair was short but just long enough to be slightly curly. I think that's about all the details I can manage to get in about this guy. Oh, as you probably guessed it's Legionnaite...

Yes, extensive descriptions of already known Legionnaires. Would take a lot more time to sort those kinds of reports in the long run. Lúthien didn't really feel like writing them too much either, although odds were she'd try it for a while to see how long they'd go through with making a Legionnaire write such reports if they had to work through them. Lúthien didn't expect that to take all that long. Paperwork and reports and the likes were for people with a rank, people that were some sort of important. Lúthien didn't have such a thing as a common soldier and it wasn't like she felt like she should have all that much need for such a position. As long as the current centurions were doing well, she could just sit back and let them enjoy the perks of leadership. Did those even exist? Lúthien chuckled. Well, the Principia probably counted, right? And her using it came with being married to one of the men in charge. Still, she would have liked having a place for her and Calix to stay. Somewhere less official with more space, if possible. Somewhere that maybe one day kids could grow up or something. Yes, Lúthien was longing for her future with Calix, no matter what it brought. As long as she had him, she was certain that nothing could destroy her happiness. Well, apart from maybe paperwork. That stuff was a horror.

Lúthien entered the Principia after mockingly knocking in the rythm of one of her usually played mocking tunes that Calix was extremely familiar with. She used her flute a lot to talk to him these days. She wasn't sure how much she'd done it before but the language was slowly returning to her. Even though she wasn't quite sure if it was still the same it had been before, the music all came so naturally to her that it was more than a little surprising at first. She'd gotten used to it now and although part of the flute still felt strange to her, she played quite often. Not quite as much as before. She realised that losing most of her memory on a slightly permanent basis had done that to her. Her hand softly touched the flute on her belt again, seeking reassurance in it's presence. When she was certain that it was there, she felt a strange sort of unease. It was almost as if part of her tried to tell her she no longer was that girl. She depended on other things now. Her eyes had briefly passed over the ring that showed her to be wed to Calix. He was the one she depended on. Despite the fact music was still a large part of her, that part was not what it had once been. Part of her then promised her that one day, it would return to her. That one day she'd once again have that same meaning within music, only sharing it with somebody she cared about as much as Calix. It was a strange feeling but Lúthien easily accepted it. The ways of the Gods were strange at best. 

Lúthien just walked straight in as she always did. The formalities were not made for her and she would refuse to knock on the door of her own home at any moment, official visit or otherwise. Plus, she wanted Calix to know all this formal stuff wasn't exactly needed where she was concerned. She wasn't go to make paperwork without good reason, she wouldn't turn herself into a gold (tin) can just because that was uniform and she certainly wasn't going to start knocking on the door to her own home. Calix was supposed to love that part about her, the chaos and the lack of formality to balance out his own extremely formal ways. Lúthien loved that about him, the fact he was so unlike her in so many aspects. Usually just order and formality. They were things she couldn't control or possibly hope to achieve, so she admired him for being able to do them as a second nature. As normal to him as breathing was. Something about that was just very sexy. Plus, how he managed to keep his orderly appearance at times with her taunting him was nothing but stunning and always made her heart jump a little. She knew she could distract him but he made her work for it. He was devoted and true to his upbringing and own nature as well as true to her and respecting her and her less than strict ways of working with things. They had that strange sense of balance between them that Lúthien wouldn't exchange for anything else. 

As she stood still before his desk she curtsied for him with a slight smile on her face. "Praetor Kiril, Legionnaire Kiril, at your service." She said, not at all resisting the temptation to wiggle her eyebrows at him with that last part. She enjoyed those little taunts and teases, even more so on formal occasions. She didn't do well with the formal things after all and they usually grew tiresome rather quick. Standing still for quite some time was not her idea of a good party. Yet again those differences that really weren't all that big. "May I ask what caused you to summon me today? I'm used to far more intimate briefings after dinner." She said with a slightly raised eyebrow, almost as if asking him without words if he had a reason to try and get himself out of that situation today. She hoped he had no such thing in mind... if he intended to sleep in his own bed that was. Lúthien briefly wondered if she actually could make him sleep on the couch. Well, she could always threaten to sleep in third if it came down to things. She had a severely neglected bunk there somewhere, provided nobody had stolen it from her yet due to her rare presence there. Maybe she ought to stop by there to dust off more than once every few months. She peeked in more often though but hardly ever really did anything there. Most of the things she needed were in with Calix anyway. What was the use of double storage when one was married? 

Lúthien patiently waited for her husband to answer, silently letting her eyes wonder across his face and the rest of him. It didn't matter how long they had been together, she still couldn't quite take her eyes off him. That perfect blond hair, his eyes and smile and the look he gave her when he saw her. She could see and feel he loved her in everything he did, making it unneeded for him to actually say it. He still did though, bringing those familiar butterflies to her stomach every single time he did. It probably wouldn't really help with the formality if he did that now. She'd be forced to give him a kiss to thank him for being the sweet and perfect husband he was and that wouldn't help.. whatever plan he had. Why had he been so formal anyway? It was very strange and if Lúthien hadn't been so sure of what they had as a couple, she would have been extremely nervous now. Yet she trusted him and guessed he had some sort of reason for not doing things the usual way. Probably some formal Praetor Legionnaire talk that happened once every half year or something? Well in that case there would be plenty of catching up to do, right? And he probably had a bunch of other people he needed to sort through. Best to get it moving. With one last subtle glance at his lips, Lúthien sat down. She could kiss him later. 

((O.O It's been a while since Lúth came out to play... I think it's showing in her post length... Also, sorry about the gif. It's just, most of them didn't want to work today >.>))

Calix had a very important meeting that afternoon. He had discussed the purpose of the very important meeting with Elijah in depth, and it was decided it would be the legacy of Bellona to conduct it. Calix did well in a professional setting with protocol and rules and personal feelings set aside. They were tenants of being a leader, and Calix would not be thrown off no matter who he’d be meeting with. Or, at least, that’s what he liked to tell himself. He’d try his hardest of course, Calix saw himself as a very unbiased man. He did not give special treatment to any Legionnaire because of a friendship. Strategic. That’s what all of Calix’s relationships in the Principia were. The second someone he considered a friend on the outside stepped into his office (so to speak), their friendship did not matter. It wasn’t anything personal, of course. Just business. Always business. Only business. And he intended to keep it that way during this meeting. But Calix knew it would be difficult this time around, the person he was meeting with being his own wife. If not difficult, then a very interesting and trying situation, considering that Lúthien acted as his complete opposite in matters of work. And there was no doubt in his mind that his lovely soul mate would make him work and think throughout the entire conversation. And he was ready. And he wouldn’t let her dominate… much.

Calix knew that Lúthien liked to play games with the mind: finding the right thing to say, trying to make someone speechless… it was her brand of chaos. Nothing physical like Elijah’s… but mental. And Calix found that very attractive. He’d fallen into her trap many times and once he did he only fell deeper. Like quicksand. Or when he fell in love. How the two were comparable may not have made sense to a lot of people: something as dangerous and unpleasant as quicksand and to the wonderful feeling of falling in love didn’t have anything in common. But it made sense to the praetor. Another way, he reasoned with himself, how Lúthien altered his point of view. And the thought well distracted him from the job currently at hand just as the daughter of Discordia herself did every day. Calix shook his head. From the moment Calix and Lúthien met, his life changed in a way he didn’t plan. It taught him that he couldn’t plan out every single aspect of his life or hope that it went a certain way. It was an adventure. Full of chaos. And he loved it. He loved her. Lúthien knew that and knew it well. She used it against him… in the best and worst of ways. And he couldn’t let her get away with it this time.

So he took the time before the meeting to prepare himself both physically and mentally. Calix pulled his tunic over his head. Somewhere in the back of his mind an image of one day sprung up. Him, very focused on paperwork, on a roll like he hadn’t been in a long time. He actually had hopes in finishing. Then Lúthien wrapped her arms around him from behind, and it was over. The thought made him smile as well as tie an extra knot to the belt. No distractions tonight. As much as he loved them, they had serious business to take care of that night. Not like it mattered much to his wife. ‘Serious business’ with her usually involved a much less restricting dress code. Calix strapped on his armor over the tunic and fastened the purple cape. After the caligae he looked in the mirror again. The professional dress was just a formality or at least that’s what he told himself. It was no secret to him or anyone that knew the couple that one of Lúthien’s favorite things about Calix was his tendency to be professional. And the armor. Especially the armor. Calix glanced at the clock near his desk. A few more minutes to spare. Might as well wait.

So he exited their room and made his way to sit behind his desk. Under any other circumstance he may have tried to get started on a report or something similar. But he didn’t want to be in the middle of something and be completely thrown off… so he sat and waited. Not for long. Before he knew it, the doors to the Principia opened again and Lúthien walked in in all her chaotic glory. The first thing Calix noticed about her (besides the fact she looked absolutely gorgeous as always) was her lack of uniform. It didn’t have to be armor (did Lúthien even have armor?) but the purple Camp shirt would have sufficed. From the get-go Calix knew he had a long meeting ahead. The praetor stood from his chair slowly. He kept his face void of emotion as she curtsied, though his heart decided to do a little jump. Her introduction nearly made him smile, and he inclined his head, partially to hide the whisper of a smile that appeared. The hardest part began now.

He cleared his throat at the mention of their usual ‘briefings’ as she put it, as if there was someone around to hear. He wouldn’t give in to her, but he also wouldn’t risk Elijah walking in and hearing the exchange. He liked his jaw unbroken. Calix trained his eyes on Lúthien. He noticed the little ways she moved. Watched her eyes trail over his body and her breathing. He found himself straightening his back and even puffing out his chest a little. “Business, Legionnaire Kiril.” He coughed again. “My eyes… are up here.” He walked around the front of the desk and stood so it would only take two or three steps for her to reach him and… he ran a hand through his hair. “I’d like to speak with you about your performance.”

Lúthien really liked exactly what she saw when she entered, although she had half expected Calix to be working on paperwork. To see him waiting for her was somewhere between intriguing, alluring and ominous. Like he had somehow prepared himself for something very serious, knowing that she fought his serious side with abundant joy on her side. Joy at seeing that professional mask crack to reveal her husband and joy to know that she could have that effect on him. She could break through his professional behaviour and shake him just a little. It was something she absolutely loved to do, so walking in on him with paperwork was always a fun challenge. To see that she was summoned and he was waiting for her all prepared for her usual shenanigans made her a little nervous in the best of ways. A slightly more difficult challenge perhaps?

He seemed to notice her lack of camp regulated attire. Lúthien wasn't quite sure why she thought that was it but the fact his attention seemed to be on her clothes themselves already gave her a hint. Since when did he want her to wear that stuff anyway? She liked purple but not the kind they made her wear. She liked purple corsets and lace tops and things in that direction. Not simple purple shirts that camp made and did nothing for her figure or comfort. Lúthien didn't really like wearing tents, as she called the camp shirts. Form fitting things suited her style much better. Plus, unlike most other campers on the Roman side, Lúthien didn't even have armour. She wasn't quite sure why but it probably had something to do with the fact it limited movement too much for her liking. Lúthien had spent a lot of time hunting back in Austria and climbing trees as well as stealth tended to help a lot for bringing home a catch. Perhaps some leather armour as extra protection wouldn't be too bad though. Not that she knew of any Roman that could make those.

He brought her attention back to the meeting, which probably wasn't a social call. Or at least, his lack of smiles and usual relaxation suggested it was for some sort of official thing. Lúthien frowned slightly as she came up with the idea somebody had finally managed to find a good enough reason to file a proper complaint about her. It was a bit odd as she was finally behind well rather than just doing as she pleased. Maybe it was better not to worry about that too much? Calix knew how she was, which could probably only make matters worse if anybody had complained. Still, it simply wasn't in her nature to behave as expected. 

His remark about the location of his eyes did manage to get her to relax again though. He did it rather perfectly, giving her an opening to squeeze in and pull this entire thing more to her own side again. The place where he might be the one in official wear but she was the one ignoring those little details where she wasn't interested in. This was one of those situations. "Yes Calix, I know perfectly well where your eyes are. It doesn't mean they get to steal all of my attention. The rest of you might start to feel neglected." Lúthien replied with a crooked grin. He was up to something, that much was obvious. He didn't usually object to her extremely obvious admiration after all and his official way of acting made it so obvious it almost drove her insane with nerves. Not to mention she missed his smile and wanted to try and lure that one out again. 

That was when he suddenly decided to talk about her performance. Although she was fully aware of the fact he was talking about Legion related business, that wasn't the thing she was interested in having on her mind at that moment. It was just a little too easy after all. "My performance? I was lead to believe it was plenty satisfactory." She said with a cheeky smile. He would know exactly what she was referencing and it certainly wouldn't be the most helpful thing for his professional demeanour. One that he was putting on quite clearly. If he wanted to discuss serious business he'd chosen the wrong person to do that with. All that she wanted to do as the seconds ticked by was kiss him for being so extremely adorable in his strict ways. Something about that was very attractive. She held in a longing sigh and just looked at him, for the first time getting a little bit curious about the reasons behind her summons.

Calix knew Lúthien’s games all too well. She could sit in his lap, grab his arm, say a few choice words or even give him a certain look and he’d break. And Lúthien knew it. Calix saw this as the ultimate challenge. What hundreds of ‘not now, Lúthien’s that turned into ‘right now’s (completely against his will of course) had prepared him for. Funny, the way Calix thought about the way he’d prepared himself for the inevitable onslaught… and just the fact that he considered it an onslaught, it was as if he were preparing for an actual battle. Against an opponent he knew he couldn’t overcome but would have a lot of fun trying. It started with her eyes. Lúthien must have known by now that he had a very strong weakness to those eyes. Words never had to be spoken. Calix could tell if Lúthien felt upset, nervous or even joyful by meeting her eyes. And the way they never remained in one place told Calix an entirely different tale. So he made her focus on him, but, of course, it would never be that easy. Lúthien, at least, could never go down without a snide remark. Calix fought hard to keep a smile from his face. “Don’t worry about the rest of me, Legionnaire,” he replied. “That can be taken care of at a later time.” Calix was never one to keep score, but he liked to think that that counted as a victory on his part… unless Lúthien had another comeback up her sleeve.

The slight frown that appeared on her face clued Calix in to what she may be thinking. That Lúthien may have had a reason to be wary of this meeting. It was no secret to him and to the majority of the camp that the daughter of Discordia was a trouble-maker. Calix was almost certain that they had met when Lúthien was supposed to be on guard duty. She didn’t play nice with others, she never liked to listen to authority (himself included)… and Calix loved her for it. That didn’t mean that the praetor went around approving everything she did. He remembered one instance where her headstrong nature landed her in the infirmary. Calix didn’t enjoy that encounter one bit. So there actually could have been a lot of things Calix could say. But if he really did have a problem with one of his lovely wife’s exploits, he wouldn’t force her to endure a meeting such as this. He liked to think he knew her too well for that. Just like he knew her response to his comment about her performance.

He couldn’t help but smile as his prediction came true. It baffled him sometimes how well they knew each other. Soulmates indeed. He took another step, closing the distance between them a bit more. “Your performance is actually more than satisfactory, I can assure you. But I meant your performance as a Legionnaire.” Calix raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a small smile. “You are not a regular soldier, my love. You’re reckless and question your superiors. You are never in the dress code and don’t even have a proper suit of armor.” Another step closer. “But you are strong and loyal and brave. You embody some of the best qualities of a Roman even though you may not consider yourself as such.” Knowing that Lúthien didn’t take too kindly to long speeches (and getting pretty tired of speaking himself), he stopped there and reached into his pocket. From there he pulled out a golden badge engraved with laurel leaves and the famed SPQR. He took Lúthien’s hand and passed the badge over to her. “Congratulations, Centurion Kiril.”