That night they officially crossed the border, and the men immediately declared an impromptu celebration. They've placed the wagons in a circle, and a fire pit was lit in the middle. Mercus had took out his lute and was began strumming a song. It was one of those songs, thought Aleci, observing from a safe distance as some of the men join in, the songs about returning home to a wife or a sweetheart. When Mercus's song ended, Kaeso stepped in to demand that he play a happier song, a reel. As the notes of the song began, Kaeso held out a hand to Finne.

"Come, you must know how to dance this," he said, grinning widely, "I liked this dance they do in Imruk."

Of course he would, thought Aleci, Kaeso liked all the dances and songs.

"Ah," Finne began, glancing uncertainly at where Iachos was entertaining Ediann with Aleci's deck of cards, to Ethain sleeping in the basket and finally at Edon excitedly talking to Domerc about his horse.

"Go on," Aleci nodded encouragingly, "dance."

The reel, as Icanne had put it, looked deceptively simple. There were two rows of dancers that faced each other, they would then pair up. All the dancers had to do was seemingly hold both hands up in the air, jump, join hands and step, kicking their feet occasionally. There were other steps as well, and Aleci could only guess that it was to some mystical beat that he could not decipher. Kaeso grasped it quickly enough, and joined in, much to the amusement of their host. In private, Aleci attempted it, and Kaeso had laughed himself silly at Aleci's red face. The steps he was doing with Finne now didn't involve much jumping, but the pace of the steps were definitely not for the faint of heart and Kaeso's hands were on Finne's waist as he and Finne twirled in a circle. Aleci felt a pit of something settle in his throat, and decided to reach for the drink Domerc offered him.

His other men had joined in as well, some of them had taken interest in the Imrukian's traditions, so it wasn't just Kaeso Finne was dancing with. Aleci took another drink, watching as one of them whispered something to Finne as they passed each other and Finne smiled. The song ended, and the pairs gave a half bow. He returned to where Aleci was sitting, offering a hand to him.

"You're a very good dancer," Aleci said, and immediately cursed his stupidity.

"I am?" Finne sounded amused, "Is this another area I can't teach you? It's like dueling, a step here," he made a step forward as Aleci stepped backwards, "a step there," he stepped backwards and pulled Aleci towards him.

As if on cue, Mercus took that moment to start playing again, a slower song this time.

"It is to music," Aleci protested, allowing Finne to lead him into another step, "I don't care for it. I mean, I don't care to match my steps to whatever tune is playing, I am sure the music is lovely-"

"You know, that is the opposite of what Kaeso told me," said Finne, with a bright smile. "Are you two so… opposite?"

"You mean different?" offered Aleci, "Kaeso just wants to be contrary. I'm sure he does it on purpose."

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"Oh?" said Finne, pulling Aleci closer, putting his hand on Aleci's hip.

It was the most forward thing he'd done so far, and Aleci returned the gesture. "He's fond of tricks. Well, not too mischievous mind, I think he does draw a line. Perhaps he thinks my life is too boring. No doubt if you ask him he'll say I need spice in my life or some nonsense."

"Spice?"

Oh not Finne as well, thought Aleci. "Like… the things you put in food, you know, sage, lavender, lemon thyme, catnip?" Finne continued to look bewildered as his list went on, even as Aleci only listed the less exotic of the spices he knew.

"Catnip? You mean cat-sìth? You put that in food?"

"Yes?"

"Why?"

"I don't particularly care for it but it tastes good to some people," said Aleci.

Finne made a face and shook his head, "Why would you put that in food?"

"Well, what do you put in food?"

"Salt…. Garlic and parsley. Not cat-sìth!"

The very pale looking soup that was served to him in Icanne's halls came to mind, and Aleci shuddered. He had been very polite, groomed to perfection under his mother's stern eye to ever cough or spit out food served by a host but his stomach did not forgive that particular transgression. "You know what, we will walk around the marketplace and I'll let you taste whatever takes your fancy."

He was looking forward to eating the spiced skewered meats that was sold by street vendors, though meat wasn't Thysdria's specialty. Fish would do, thought Aleci, already salivating at the thought.

Finne frowned at his suggestion, "I can't just walk around with Ediann. If Thysdria is as big as you say it is, what happens I lose him in a crowd?"

Aleci thought Finne should be more concerned about Edon's unbridled enthusiasm, but it was a fair point. Ediann couldn't write or speak the tongue, and he wasn't sure if the boy even knew his letters enough to explain his problem. Not to mention the inhabitants of Thysdria couldn't all be counted to be literate.

"I'm sure we can think of something," Aleci said, "if not, I feel Kaeso owes me many favors. I'm sure he can distract Ediann for one afternoon. What are you interested in eating?"

Finne's brows furrowed, "What I like to eat," he repeated, as if puzzled he was even asked the question, "What I like to eat," he said again, "I… haven't thought about it."

The one time Aleci had approached Aulius, his other friend from the academy, about food had resulted in him being involuntarily committed to try half a dozen new dishes over four days. He'd never dared ask again, and now suddenly found himself wishing he had Aulius's council on food and dining. No doubt Aulius would be horrified at the concept of not having a written and updated list of what one likes to eat, and how one likes such and such to be prepared. But Aulius was on the seat on the senate now, and was above being sent on diplomatic missions like Aleci. Though, Aleci supposed, Aulius did host his summer festivals, perhaps Finne would like to go.

"Well… how would you like it prepared?" Aleci suggested, nodding his head to where the deer was being cooked over the fireplace, "Fried? Roasted? Wrapped in-"

"Oi, Aleci, if you aren't dancing get out of the circle!" Kaeso roughly elbowed Aleci aside, taking Finne's hand into his own, "Did he bore you stupid? Don't worry, I'll save you from his clumsy feet."

Finne shook his head, "No, he was just asking what I'd like to eat-"

"Ah, they don't have those pickled vegetables in Thysdria, they do fish, have you tried that?"

"I have!" Finne nodded, and the smile on his face turned Aleci's stomach, "How do they do them?"

Aleci stepped out of the circle, watching Finne and Kaeso dance one of the jigs he'd seen the young men do around Icanne's fire. He reflexively crossed his arms, shifting from one foot to another as he watched the pair.

"You know jealousy's a rare look on you, Praefect," Domerc observed, placing a hand on Aleci's shoulder as he jumped in surprise. "He's not really flirting with Finne."

"And how do you know?"

"We'll be returning to your domnus won't we?" Domerc said, matter of factly, "Shouldn't we familiarize ourselves with our new domna?"