The Perks of Being a Vampire
((One last drabble, I think, is in order. Something I've had in my mind for a very, very long while))
ask-sheriff-caitlyn , vi-piltover-enforcer , summoner-nightcipher
“Tea time”, Kate always called it. The words themselves, when said in just that way, somehow always managed to get Arinwei to smile, even when she didn't want to. Honestly, the phrase was not wrong or improper in any way, when one looked at it, yet it still sounded silly to the mage. Maybe it was just the way Kate said it, as that was the way she always heard it in her mind when she thought of the words.
Arinwei's feet carried her without thought, having walked the same path countless times in the past, and it gave her the ability to let her mind and eyes wander. The city had changed since she had last seen it, though it was an ever-changing one, truth be told. One could almost smell the progress and science in the air within a few minutes of arriving, and while it had become plenty familiar to Arinwei, she could always pick it out with a little effort.
A flash of pink moved past in the corner of her eye, and Arinwei turned to catch it. She did, but let it go after a moment, a smile and a chuckle on her lips. Sometimes she forgot that there wasn't just one person in existence with hair like that. Besides, considering where she was and her friend's reputation, who's to say she might not have become a figure worthy of imitating?
Hopefully not too much, but that was beside the point.
It was a shame that Kate couldn't come, but she knew the gangster would manage to be there in spirit, somehow. Perhaps Arinwei would find herself greeting her friends with a two-fingered salute and a “Yo” as opposed to her usual hello this time, or maybe she would stop to buy a bottle of beer and a pizza on her way over. The image made her laugh, and the smile held onto her face all the way to her destination.
Just a short while longer and she'd finally be able to sit, but a familiar face caught her attention as she passed by, and after a moment's pause, Arinwei decided to rest and stop to speak. She was never one to be late to an afternoon tea session, but she could spare a few more minutes to say hi to another old friend; she had time.
He was less talkative than Arinwei remembered, but there was no doubt it was him, and as always, the vampire found herself rambling on about a new tome she had found within her castle's recesses, and about how she wished she had thought to bring it. Next time, she thought. Next time. She went on to talk about how she had read some of his published works from the time she was away, and then about how she always thought he would've made a fine teacher and instructor at the College of Winterhold; Divines know they needed a few more intelligent souls over there after the last mess they had created.
But, she couldn't ruin her own good record of being on time for tea, and so Arinwei bid her friend well, and expressed how good it was to see him again. Since she had returned to Skyrim for her day-to-day life, it was so rare when she was able to speak to someone about magic who was both knowledgeable about the subject as well as a good friend to her.
A bit more traveling, and- Ah, how could she forget? There she was, just as Arinwei remembered her. “I thought I had seen you earlier; seems there are other young women running about with hair likes yours. Starting to finally feel the fame your reputation has earned you, hm?” She laughed and shook her head. Their chats were always shorter than others, though only due to their large difference in general interests. It was always good to see her, though, and Arinwei was quite glad they were able to chat, even if just for a few moments. No doubt her pink-haired friend knew where Arinwei was off to, and if Kate were there the two would probably be imitating her, sipping loudly at imaginary teacups and speaking in exaggerated voices, talking nonsense about whatever it was they thought would be the day's discussion.
Finally, she was there. No one else in the city could match Arinwei's level of comfort as the mage took her seat and smiled at the woman across from her. No hat, this time, though no doubt it was somewhere nearby. “It's been quite a while since I was the one to make the tea, hasn't it? I admit, you always seemed fond of so many that I wasn't sure which to bring. Don't worry; I haven't forgotten your favorite, but I know that was what we had last time, so I thought I might make a change for once. Heaven's know I'm only getting older and 'need to keep things interesting,'” she said with a laugh.
A quick incantation, and Arinwei brought out the still-hot teapot and pair of cups with matching saucers, as well as some sugar, milk, and honey, all with their own serving spoons, of course. Storage magic was a wonderful thing, especially that which held record of an item's temperature and age.
She insisted that she be the one to serve them as well, a warm smile on her lips as she poured out a cup of tea for her friend, and then one for herself. A bit of sugar here, just a faint touch of honey there, and Arinwei truly felt herself settle, the sensation eliciting a soft sigh from the mage's lips. “I hope things have continued to be pleasant for you since my last visit. The city looks as lovely as ever, thanks to you, and I have only heard good things of its progress, though that's hardly a surprise, no? It wouldn't have the name it did if that were untrue.”
Arinwei smiled and sipped gently, giving the other woman a chance to respond before nodding slowly. “Mmm, yes. And I must say, the weather is lovely here for Fall, soon to be Winter. By this time, most every part of Skyrim is already cold enough to warrant a change of attire, and don't even ask about how things around the Castle are; all ice, I assure you,” she said with a chuckle. “Still, I suppose it's not really my place to make commentary, considering how little effect the weather has on me. I'm sure Kate and Vi both are saddened when they can no longer afford to dress like it's Summer every day.”
Things became quiet for a while, though the silence was just as enjoyable as their conversations, truth be told. When one was in the presence of a friend so close that they were like family, sometimes spoken words were hardly needed to express the pleasure of having the company.
“A change of pace from always meeting for tea in your office, hm? I admit, the outside breeze is nice, but the view is just a tad gloomy.” Arinwei turned her gaze back across the make-shift table she had made use of, and laughed softly. “Yet I say that as the one who lives in a black-stone castle in the iciest part of Skyrim. Ah well.” She began to feel it, then. That tugging on her heart that always took a hold of her whenever she visited, and the mage's bright golden lights finally began to dim.
“I do so miss our chats, Caitlyn. I hope you are well,” said Arinwei, her eyes unwavering as they stared into the marbled stone across from her, which held the name, “Caitlyn Blakemoore”, followed by the date of her birth, and the date in which Piltover lost its finest Sheriff.
