"Said as someone who hasn't really had the chance to get to know me yet." The words came with a laugh. "Though my friends would agree with you. They tend to get really upset when I make jokes at my own expense." And more than that, they really didn't like when he would talk down about himself. It was a stubborn habit of his. If his pain could make someone feel better about themselves then so be it.

Hm, a month. That didn't seem that long at all. "Fine, in a month I expect a fish dinner. Have always wanted to try it but being afraid of the water I'm not about to attempt it. Had too many instances of the water trying to kill me to risk it." Caligula had no problem with putting his issues out there. After all he had laid out his entire refusal to fight upon the very first meeting.

Caligula laughed heartily when Aquila came up with what he wanted for his end of the bet. His tail swished over to attempt to playfully swat against the High Sovereign's flank. "You don't have to resort to a bet for that. You can have as many nights like these as you want. I will admit I am far better at giving compliments than I am receiving them. Unless that isn't what you mean." Caligula's gaze drifted back to the stars. "I could finish naming off the lucky ones and showing them to you, let you see if they work out for you." Because it could just be the stars that Aquila was interested in.

"I know plenty of stories about the stars if that is what you mean by another night like this. It will take a few nights to tell you all of their stories." Teal gaze dropped from the heavens to once more look at the male at his side. "Or I could tell you my favorite story. It's not about the stars but about the sun and the moon instead." It was a story that Caligula could relate to.

@Aquila

Good for Something

Yeah well.. well... Aquila sighed. Touche. I don't. He let himself relax further, gave his muscles permission to sink down and his body to recline on the ground in all ways that it could. My cousins trusted you though, that's worth something. They had to like Aquila, they were stuck together and bound by blood and history. They by all accounts did not have to like Caligula or let him into their home. If Caligula had friends willing to stand up for him even against himself that too meant something.

Fish dinner? That's all? Just fish? It seemed straight forwards. Simple even. Aquila didn't have a fear of water to sympathize with but it still seemed odd that a small sort of meal would be anything special. You've really never tried? Aquila did not sound belittling- he didn't want to disrespect Caligula but his curiosity did get the best of him.

I won't- The still blushing lion cleared his throat, glanced straight up to the stars overhead. -save the compliments until that month is up. He said with a light sigh and against his own heart's wishes. He enjoyed the sweet talking but he didn't deserve it. The lucky stars... Quick abrupt topic change. ...I need all the luck I can get. So tell me about them. He looked away from the stars and to Caligula again, heart hopeful and face soft and subtle in those same feelings. Keep talking I like it.

"It is easy enough to like someone whom isn't out to cause trouble." And really, that was what the bronze male had felt it had been about. They had shared some ideals and Caligula had laid it out there that he had wanted peace. At the time peace had been something that had been easily attainable.

Once again Caligula was laughing. It had been years since he had laughed like this. "You say that like it is some small thing. When you are deathly afraid of the water then fish is off the menu entirely." So for Caligula it really was a big deal. Fish wasn't something he could easily get for himself. Granted he couldn't get most meals for himself unless he was scavenging or eating things most others wouldn't. But most land animals he had tried at some point or another. "I have really never tried it. The few times I have got close to the water it tried to kill me. I nearly drowned in the desert from a water sneak attack!" Because if anyone was going to drown in the desert it was Caligula.

"Good, because your eyes are amazing. They are like little stars all their own." And anyone that knew Caligula's passion for the stars would know that was a very high compliment. And then he was being asked to name off the rest of the lucky stars.

Teal gaze flicked back towards the sky to seek out the other stars. "There has already been Canopus. The next is Rigil Kentaurus." Once again the star was found low in the sky and Caligula pointed his muzzle towards it once he found it. "Arcturus, is number three." This one was higher in the sky, another bright spot being pointed out. But then all of the lucky seven were bright stars. "Then Vega." Another star was named and pointed out. "Capella is right there." Caligula motioned to another bright spot. "Rigel over there." That totaled up to six lucky stars so far. "And finally there is Sirius."

@Aquila

Good for Something

He couldn't disagree. A lot of lions ended up liking his cousins and they were among those who wouldn't be out to cause trouble. He on the other paw did often cause trouble. It was not the sole intention but he didn't fear that as a result of his actions either. And he was less liked than his cousins. It checked out, he nodded slightly his agreement to the sentiment.

I was more surprised no one had brought you one before if I'm honest. Caligula's laughter was delightful, intoxicating. It had probably been months since there had been such a joyful sound in the Brook. There had been a lot of worry, a lot of sorrow that hung over them like a cloud. And here Caligula's laughter momentarily pierced through the thick veil, Aquila felt like this was any other evening in years prior. A night out with his family and friends just soaking up life to the fullest.

He had never thought of his own eyes as little stars. Or amazing. The times he saw himself in a water's reflection they always looked tired or angry. Nothing beautiful or remarkable about them. He wanted this feeling he was getting around Caligula to go on forever, that twist in his stomach and warm glow in his chest had long been absent from his life.

He thought he might look like he was paying attention to the stars overhead, throwing them a glance every so often. But in reality he ended up getting lost watching Caligula share his knowledge and passion, ended up watching the small bronze male more than the sky. He quickly though realized what he'd been doing and promptly looked up at Sirius over head. The last of the lucky stars. Hopefully there wouldn't be a quiz on them tonight. Six more nights of counting them right? He'd been thankfully paying more attention earlier on when he was less flustered and enamored by the kind attention. I might need you to meet me tomorrow night, help refresh my memory on them.

"For a long time there has been no one to present me with meals. Have been without a pride for awhile so meals haven't been easy to come by. My diet mostly consists of worms, lizards, and snakes." All things that Caligula could dig up and catch. All things that most others turned their noses up on. In hunts Caligula would always play the role of the chaser. He had the speed and endurance but he didn't have the strength for a take down. So hunting on his own didn't really turn out.

The bronze lion was so focused on finding and naming off the stars that he didn't even notice that at some point Aquila had stopped paying attention. If he had then he would have figured that he was boring the High Sovereign and not that he was being admired. To Caligula, there was nothing at all to admire about himself. He knew his own faults better than anyone else.

"Yes, six more nights. At least that is what they say. You know, they never really specified if it has to be in a row or not. Figure most do because it would be quicker to find love that way." And really, it sounded too weird to space it out. Why would you try to find love in the stars only to wait months in doing your counting?

Caligula nodded his head when Aquila specified that he might end up needing help tomorrow. "Consider it a date." He couldn't expect the other to remember all of the names after such quick instruction. But the sames weren't really needed to count them, only finding those bright spots and numbering them. But Caligula preferred to use their names. There felt to be a magic to it that would make it work better when knowing their names.

@Aquila

Good for Something

Caligula's logic about them being in a row for speed's sake actually held pretty true. Someone turning to stars to help figure out their fate in affection and love would be doing it for assistance and speed to begin with. May as well get the counting down every night that you could. His mind fluttered a bit, prospecting out his thoughts to the next night, then the next, the next. A date. He didn't believe it. He expected after every blink he might open his eyes and be in his den, alone or with Scipio at his side, and not out her arranging night time meetings with Caligula. Enjoying his company, craving more of it.

Aquila lifted himself to his feet, grumbling as his weight rose and he stretched out his shoulders and the muscles of his back by staying in a bowing position for a bit. The Sovereign would arise to his full height, silver eyes turning to Caligula's position. Call it crazy, call it convinced still this was a dream, but Aquila reached over and aimed to lightly brush his muzzle on Caligula's neck softly. Good Night Caligula. He said soft before turning to head for his own den. Hopefully he'd get there before the feelings he had in his chest faded and he could enjoy them into deep sleep.

/exit

Caligula was surprised by the bit of affection. And then it was gone before he could react and the High Sovereign was walking away. "Good night Aquila." He called after the other's retreating form. He continued to watch the other walk off until there was nothing to see of Aquila any longer.

He had wanted to follow. Caligula was a physically affectionate individual and he had been without contact for awhile. But no, it would be pushing it too much to try for something more so soon. But oh how he missed it and he craved it.

Trying to ignore the fluttering sensations in his chest and stomach Caligula rolled back over onto his back to continue his communion with the stars. But it was so hard to focus on them now when his thoughts continued to drift back to the feel of Aquila's muzzle against his neck. Eventually his mind fades into the dreamscape as he drifts off to sleep.

Caligula Exits Via Sleep

@Aquila