Surprise of brotherhood

It was quite a journey to visit his brother's university. The trip from Antiva to Orlais would take a normal travel week but through his talents of manipulation of shadow, Julian was able to cut a few days off his travels. Allies were to be made through his own personal business as a crow. Not even his father knew of his interactions with the things he did. Things needed to be put in motion, years in the making. Julian had the patience to play the long game, he had to because even with his own power as heir to the 3rd talon family, what he was planning would not be advised. He enjoyed playing in the shadows, being unseen, and living a whole different life. He had conducted business near the university for his client. Masking himself as Teowolf, the wolf unseen.

After his business, he decided he would surprise his brother and escort him home. No one knew he was there, except his twin sister who would be covering for him with his father. With everything happening in Antiva and with the king, it was better that he make sure Tomas gets home safely. No one would expect Julian to be here. He was wrapped up being groomed by his father to take on his rulings of the family. 

Julian managed to easily find his brother's dormitory. He thought it would be more of a challenge to sneak in but it was easy to slip in unnoticed. Julian sat in a chair and picked up a random book that was nearby and opened its pages. His eyes narrowed on the words scribbled in the book. He imagine his brother would arrive shortly. With a bit of investigation work, the class he was attending would be over at any moment. So Julian waited patiently. Would his brother be shocked? Excited to see him? Or would he scold him for coming all the way out here as his sister did? It had been several months since he saw his older brother, and he deeply cared about him. His motives stemmed from him. To heal him. To find a cure. To save his brother. Have him be the heir to the name.

Tomas enjoyed his time in Orlais, enjoyed going to the University even if he couldn't take a full class load at once due to his health condition. If he had his way he'd have just moved to Orlais for four years until he got his degree, and hell maybe even more after that. Since he'd been passed over for heir due to those health conditions, he was able to have relatively more freedom than he would have had.

He'd also made a number of friends in Orlais, as well as reconnected with some old friends who had moved away from Antiva and in one case he hadn't seen the person in quite a few years, since he'd still been just a child, the former heir to the First Talon who had run away from his father. Tomas wasn't sure what he'd have done if he'd been healthy enough to be heir, it wasn't something he'd ever wanted, hell not even heir to his mother's banks and vineyards had interested him. All he'd ever wanted to do was write.

Of the two classes he'd been taking, he'd had one final the day before and one final today. He was both sad and glad to be done with them, sad because it meant a couple of months before his next classes, but happy to be that much closer to his degree. After meeting up with Imogen briefly, he made his way back to his dorm room. He hadn't been expecting to run into his brother waiting for him, but it was a relatively nice surprise, assuming that everything was alright at home. He smiled warmly at his brother.

Hey Julian, what brings you here, is every thing OK at home?

Julian didn't move his attention away from the book he was reading as he listened as the door opened. Nothing was wrong at home, though if his father found out about him leaving will, he would for sure send people after him, which would lead to a very brutal conversation. He hoped that his sister would do a great deal of covering him. Which reminded him before he left, he needed to grab some sort of gift for her. 

"You know what this book needs? Dragons. Where is the excitement in books these days? The thrilling adventurers? The dramatic deaths?"

Turned another page to give the book another shot but the book only disappointed Julian further. Closing the book, his eyes looked at his brother. Tomas looked tired and fatigued. A soft smile echoed toward his older brother. 

"It's good to see you too brother. You look tired as shit. You getting enough sleep?..." Julian paused and got up from the chair and took a few steps toward his brother. "Same old, same old...rather more tense than usual but that's the cause of recent events....if father knew I was here well I'm sure he strain an eye vessel or something....I came only to visit my handsome wonderful older brother and escort him back home safely.....It's been too long..." 

Tomas raised an eyebrow at his brother's tangent about books, which Tomas found a bit amusing. The whole thing with dragons wasn't a surprise, Tomas remembered Julian having a thing for them since he was a little kid. In some ways it was refreshing to know that Julian was still so into them, the idea that while so much in the world around them changed, there were some things that never did. There were also things that Tomas hoped would never changed, like how well he and his brother got along. Even though he'd been quite young at the time when it was decided that they would skip over Tomas in favour of Julian being the heir, Tomas had worried how that would effect their friendship. Tomas smiled and shrugged.

I don't have many with dragons in them, but I'm sure the library would. The university library is huge, quite possibly the biggest library I'd ever seen before now. Though I've heard the library in the Nevarran city of Cumberland rivals even this one. I can't even imagine... Books definitely made Tomas geek out quite hard, the only thing he loved more than writing was reading books. Tomas shrugged at the question about whether he was getting enough sleep.

Normally, but I ran out of the last of my potion last night but I had a final yesterday to take and then my last final today, I've been kinda swamped with studying, kinda forgot about getting more of the potions. Tomas nodded as Julian spoke about recent events, despite being tucked away studying day in and day out, the news about the King of Antiva had reached him, partly because he was close with the family and partly because the news had spread like wildfire. He brightened up a bit to hear that planned to travel back with Tomas. It was always more fun travelling with someone than making the journey on his own, especially with his condition.

OH, that's cool! We'll have to stop at the apothecary before we leave, last thing I want to do is make the trip without my potions being replenished, that would be a nightmare. Tomas didn't even want to think about what the journey would be like without his potions, especially considering how tired he was already feeling, there was a slight tremor in his hand and a pain that felt like it was shooting up and down his spine. He hid most of his discomfort quite well, at least for people who didn't know him as well as family or close friends like Imogen.

"It would be nice to spend some time in the library for such books but time restraints. One day maybe we both can take a trip out there. I know your love for books is great....even talking about the library I can see your excitement." Julian smiled and took another step forward. He was close enough to embrace his brother with a long hug. It had felt too long since his last visit. Everything at home had been tense due to the assassination. Letting go, he could see the precursors to the tremors. It pained Julian to see his brother have to go through so much pain. He didn't deserve any of it. 

"Well, then we need to get you your potions then. I don't need anything to go wrong. Does the apothecary have interesting trinkets? I need to get our sister a gift?" He owed his sister for this special surprise for his brother. She would cover for him during the week of travel. It was one of her many talents that she was able to pull off. Everyone believed her. She was innocent to the eyes. Plus he made sure to make contact with his own business he had in town before coming. 

"So Finals are done with? Now you can enjoy a nice long trip back home. I'm sure you missed all the formal meetings and parties. Most of all you must have missed me the most....and our dear sister....So tell me....anything exciting happening here? I'm sure you have some sort of stories?"

Tomas beamed a bit when Julian mentioned maybe taking a trip to see the books, Tomas really appreciated that Julian cared about Tomas's interests. Tomas had met enough families to know that it wasn't always case, which made him appreciate his brother even more. He nodded and agreed about maybe going there some day, but Tomas didn't feel it really warranted a deeper response beyond the excited looks. Tomas nodded as Julian responded about the potions and then tipped his head to the side as he asked about the 'interesting trinkets'.

Not sure they have anything interesting, mostly just potions and ingredients. There's a place on the top level that specialises in unique trinkets and fancy things, some of it I don't even understand. He paused for a moment as he thought. If you wanted, I could go to the apothecary, while you go there and then we can meet up at the road leading out of Val Royeaux. It seemed to make the most sense if Julian wanted to get their sister a gift. Tomas started throwing some of his stuff in his bag, since he'd be back in a couple of months he didn't have to take *everything*, but that was mostly because he'd paid off the person in charge of rooms, nice benefit to being from a rich Antivan family. He talked as he sorted his things.

It's definitely that I miss you and our sister, for sure. Well I suppose I missed dad a little bit but emphasis on little. I mean did he even notice I was gone. As far as stories, nothing super interesting, I've mostly had my head down in my writing and books and studies. There was a student that got suspended for putting a cow in the dean's office, that was kinda funny. No idea where the fuck they got a cow, they must have had to have gone out in the countryside and walked it all the way back here, that certainly took dedication!!!

Tomas was always one to be of the logical sense out of the family. Julian nodded in agreement with his suggestion.

"Perfect. Then that's settled. I'm sure it shouldn't take too long." With a bit of energy, Julian moved toward the door as if he was ready to leave Tomas but turned and waited to see his brother finishing packing. Listening to the story, he couldn't help but give off a small chuckle. Someone really had the guts to bring a cow into the office. That seemed like it would take so much work and effort to get through the city and into the college unseen. Most have done it at night he thought. Expelled? Sheesh, Julian thought to himself. A big much for punishment but maybe that was a cover-up? Or maybe that was his mind diving passed the simple story that was spread. Julian wanted to see what else was there. A cow seems like a slap in the wrist, no harm no foul. But It wasn't Julian's school and it didn't have any effect on him so he pushed the thought away. [/i

]"That punishment seems a bit harsh....I mean it's just a cow...I think the effort in itself would have been punishing enough...have you seen a cow and how they act. I bet it was a nightmare trying to get that thing to move...if you asked me....I think it might be more than that but that's my own imagination looking for trouble...." [i]Julian shrugged and went toward the door and open it. "You almost ready? I'd thought you be ready by the time I got here." 

Julian leans outside the dorm waiting for his brother to finish packing, while still loud enough for him to hear his comments and conversation. "Sister missed you. I missed you. Father might have mentioned you a bit....so sure he missed you. I mean your his firstborn. But he is never around to have an actual caring conversation. Always business with him....makes me wonder what it would be like if..." Julian's words soften while they trailed off in silence..."mother was still alive." Julian mumbled the last few words to himself. The guilt of pain hit him. It was his birth that took her away from him. It was he that caused her death. Julian missed her dearly and wished he had a mother to talk to when things got hard. 

As they talked, Tomas finally finished packing his bag, not that it had taken too terribly long, but first he took a minute to choose which book he wanted to bring with him since he didn't want to carry a pack weighted by books. Then he'd nearly forgotten his journal, he was quite glad he hadn't forgotten that since he never went a day without writing in it. In fact, his room back home had numerous full journals that he'd kept, refusing to ever get rid of one, and he'd been writing in them every day pretty consistently for at least twelve years.

I think the Dean is just generally an ass any way, though the cow had also defecated quite a bit while it was in the office, but really I think it was just that he took it way too personally. Guy couldn't catch a joke if it hit him upside the head. It was nice knowing he'd been missed, not that he didn't imagine he would be, but sometimes the depression and anxiety he got because of his condition made him feel rather detached and lonely. Once he slung his bag over his back, he turned towards his brother.

All set, the marketplace isn't far from the school, shouldn't take us long and the apothecary isn't too far from the shop I was telling you about, it's just that they are on different levels. Tomas was eager to get home to see the rest of the family, but also getting home meant the sooner he'd be back when the next semester began, which he was also looking forward to. Though really deep down he was most excited about being back to see Imogen, he wished that things had been different with Imogen's family, if they had been then perhaps Imogen never would have left Antiva.

Julian shrugged to himself in response to the dean's comment. Hearing his brother approach him, he snapped out of his internal monologue regarding his mother. His brother didn't need to see him sad because that meant questions and questions means a full-on conversation about it. Julian would rather bury those feelings away and not have to open up or deal with those sorts of feelings. He smiled and gave his brother a nod. "Perfect. Let us be on our way then." 

Julian began walking out in the hallways of the dorms. His speed would match his brothers. As they both walked away from the dorm room, Julian had a small evil grin across his face. "Soooo.....how is Imogen? Did you proclaim your love for her yet? Write her a poem about how you have loved her since the day you met?" Julian teased his brother, and as he spoke his questions grew a bit more dramatic. He knew Imogen but he also knew his brother was friends with her. There was a connection between Imogen and Tomas. Julian saw it clear as day. He knew his brother had a crush on Imogen but had always denied it. Julian would always ask every time Tomas would come back from the semester. 

It was nice hanging out with his brother, they hadn't properly hung out since Tomas had left Antiva to take this semester's classes. Despite the fact that father probably wouldn't be happy if he found out Julian had gone all the way to get him, Tomas was grateful. He was definitely beyond happy about not having to make the trek back to Antiva all by himself. Walking was beginning to get a bit shaky, so he started relying on his cane, he knew it was just cuz he'd let himself get over tired with all the studying and test taking the last couple of days, but it frustrated him nonetheless that he had to maintain a pace a bit on the slow side. He shook his head slightly as Julian spoke about Imogen.

I mean, it's not.... It's not like that precisely. He'd been realising lately that there was a bit of a crush there, but he had no idea of Imogen felt the same way, and they'd been friends for so long, what if making into something more caused them to ruin their friendship. Plus there was the fact she lived in Orlais and Tomas was only there when he was in school, which usually meant he kept pretty busy. He also knew there was no point in lying to Julian.

Look I think she... I mean they're.....ugh I mean he, he's great. Sorry it's just Imogen has come out as non-binary and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the correct pronouns. It's just we're such good friends, what if trying to make it into something more ruins that, I couldn't handle it if I lost him as a friend. Tomas wasn't sure how Julian felt about non-binary, or genderfluid or any of those things, but if it was important to Imogen, then it was important to Tomas.

Julian's smile crackled with laughter, watching his brother stumble and pause. He jabbed his brother jokingly quickly following his own hands wrapping around his brother's shoulder. His hands gripped him with a little bit of force as he pulled him closer to him.  

"See... I knew it..." It was moments like this, that he missed his brother. It was hard not having him around. He couldn't joke with his father, since everything was all business. The moment Julian acted his age, he would just get a look from his father and a light scolding on how he needed to take the moment seriously because one day he won't be there to help. Listening to his brother, he could see where the dilemma was.

"Right...I think I understand. You both have known each other for a long time and have a real solid friendship. And trying to venture into the unknown....well you may ruin something that you had....if your asking me...I think that is a bunch of blighted scum. If you like them, why not go for it. I can tell when I was around you guys had sparks. But I understand not wanting to change anything...but if you don't do anything then you will never know...." Julian's words were sincere and heartful. He loved his brother and he only wanted him to be happy. Non-binary, he, she, them, to Julian it didn't matter. He would respect the person on what they wanted to be called and he would be happy.

He didn't quite understand how hard the concept was for the older generations. He imagined old gentlemen in the court baffled and in a frenzy for such disrespect on them for ever-changing their own name or identity with a gender that wasn't what they were born with. It was those people who truly needed to be out of power. Maybe then he wouldn't have to hide the fact he was a mage. 

There was a piece of Tomas that didn't like that Julian was right, it was actually a bit infuriating, but then he wouldn't trade his brother in for anything in the world so, smug or not it would never effect the way that Tomas viewed Julian. Julian shrugged.

Not only all that but what if they don't feel the same way about me? Then it would just be awkward as fuck, and so what if she does like me, I'm only in Orlais like seven months out of the year and with all the shit with their family, them coming back to Antiva just isn't an option. I mean I may not have interest in any of the family businesses, but you guys are still family, I'm not sure I'm ready to move to Orlais full time. They sighed, yea sure, they were overthinking it all, but with his creative mind, overthinking things just came naturally to him. Eventually they found themselves at the Apothecary.

This is me, if you take those stairs right there to the right, it'll take you up to the third level and the shop is just right when you get to the top of the stairs, I'll meet you down here when I'm done. Tomas went into the apothecary, talked to the owner for a few minutes while his potions were prepared, paid the man and eventually headed back tot he meeting spot.

Julian understood where his brother was coming from. Uncertainty was never easy to deal with. Dealing with the unknown was always a difficult decision. But in Julian's eyes if you never tapped into that uncertainty then you would never know. [color=#c10300]"Tomas, your overthinking it all. Take out everything. The worry, the unknown. What do your feelings say? There is your answer...."[/color] Julian spoke pausing before he answered. He poked his brother's stomach, toward his gut. He smiled and continued to walk alongside him. [color=#c10300]"Trust in yourself. I'm sure time will tell. Ultimately, it comes down to you." [/color]

[color=#c10300]"Alright, I'll be down shortly." [/color]Julian stood at the stairs and gave his brother a nod in response to his statements. He waited till his brother went into the shop before he slowly made his way up the stairs. He was glad that his brother mentioned this place, he was counting on it. He made prior arrangements to meet a particular contact of his. As he made his way up into the shop, he noticed a female elf with a cloak over her shoulders. Julian walked passed and accidentally ran into her shoulder. From a glance, it was an accident, but between the two this was an exchange. Julian had a small pouch of coins ready to be exchanged with this person. Julian then received from this female, a purse which some sort of powder substance. [color=#c10300]"My apologies, mam. I wasn't paying attention."[/color] The item he was given was safely in his pocket. The female scoffed and gave Julian a small annoying remark but took her purchased items from the counter and left the shop. Julian took a few moments to look around the shop and his eyes glanced at a golden hair clip. The shape was formed with a blossom of flowers. He shook his head and kept looking. He found an old amulet that opened up. Something you could hide something within. He grinned and gave the shopkeeper the necessary coin and placed the silver-chained amulet into his pocket. 

The whole exchange took maybe about five minutes. Julian walked down the steps to wait for his brother. After a short bit of waiting, his brother appeared out of the potions shop. He gave his brother a smile. [color=#c10300]"Got what you needed? I'm ready...." [/color]

Tomas nodded, it sounded almost easy the way that Julian talked about it, even though he knew it was far from easy. The more he thought about his feelings the more he realised there were definitely feelings there, in some ways almost more so since Imogen had come out as non-binary. Not that they weren't attractive before, but they felt like they were more themselves somehow, if that was even possible.

As much as I hate to say the words, you're right, I just.... I'll figure it out. Tomas nodded and when they went their separate ways, Tomas entered the apothecary. He'd been in a lot since coming to Orlais, he'd gotten to know quite a bit about the proprietor, even the man's family. Tomas asked how they were doing and made some small talk while the potions were prepared. Once they were, Tomas paid the man and gathered up his potions, slipping them into his pack, but taking one to prepare himself for the long travel ahead. Then he made his way to the meeting spot and smiled when he saw Julian.

Yep, and I already took one of them to be prepared for the trip, hopefully I won't slow us down, much.... Tomas imagined that Julian would have been much faster on his own, but he was still happy that his brother had come to gather him and make the return journey with him. Tomas kept up with Julian as they made their way out of the city and towards the road that would take them northeast. So how have things been business wise, I mean with the Crows. I realise I don't usually show interest but with the state of the crown and our alliance with the Crown, I have been wondering.

It was a long journey and if it was just Julian he could take shortcuts but travel with his brother meant taking it easy. He was personally fine with taking it slow because it meant less time not dealing with court and talon business. He knew as soon as he made it home, he would have to play catch up on the things he wasn't able to do. Especially the things that his sister was covering for him. 

[color=#c10300]"I know I'm right. How could I not be right? I'm Julian. Your brother. I'm always right...."[/color] Julian said sarcastically. He chuckled after a few moments. Julian wanted to at least make his brother laugh. He knew how hard his brother's life has been with his condition. Seeing his brother smile was the moments he would always cherish. [color=#c10300]"I know you will figure it out. You always do. But in the meantime...your stuck with me and your favorite sister...." [/color]

He ignored Tomas's comment about him slowing down the trip. It was that talk that made Julian want to roll his eyes. His brother was putting in the work and there was nothing wrong with walking at a slow pace. No one was judging him. It was only a matter of time until his brother would ask about the crows and business. There was a slight silence in the air. Julian's eyes darted around them as they walked. He was being cautious of those around him when talking about such business. He let out a small sigh and continued to walk northeast on the trail. [color=#c10300]"Business as usual. Though with the King dead. The palace is uh busy. Dad has been extremely busy. I was able to talk to a contact and he should be making an effort to reach out to your professor, if not already...." [/color]