An RP Blog for the Black-River Family. Ari is an outlaw, wanted for murder of a Whiterun Guard and he will speak in normal text. Isak is a skooma dealer, not currently wanted for anything. He speaks in italics. Steinn is a Priest of Talos, wanted by the Thalmor for obvious reasons. He will speak in bold. Talia is a ranger, poacher and proficient thief. She has a constant bounty on her head in Riften for crimes against Maven Black-Briar. Steinn Black-River is the oldest and is married to Talia Black-River. Ari and Isak are their only children.
"Good evening." Isak stopped for a moment and briefly glanced over this... newcomer. He wasn't sure what to think that someone could find him on the road. Perhaps he should take the wild routes instead. "And how fares your travels... my lady?"
“Well, as far as I can tell, I’d say the gods gave them all distinct differences, probably so they can keep track of who is who,” she replied with a smile. “Unless they’re going around and painting on each other. Which would be quite the sight to behold.”
He chuckled again. "Perhaps they are. I heard a legend once that they were the ones who gave us dreams from the gods. Perhaps painting is their way of expressing themselves.
"Who will you show these interesting findings? I do not know of a college in Skyrim that would be interested...?" He asked simply. He was curious.
She hummed in what could have been agreement, if he thought she was traveling, then so be it. There was truth to it anyways, she was always traveling. Her innocent smile morphed into a small grin and the hands behind her back tightened in excitement, oh this one was going to be fun.
Her dark eyes flicked briefly towards his hands and she noted the tapping; truthfully she couldn’t figure out if it was out of nervousness or boredom. Thea was interested in finding out which one it was.
“Oh, how interesting,” she stepped forward out of the shadows, her face in an innocent mask. “I’ve always been curious about Talos, never understood why there is a war going on about him…” she turned to the side, watching him out of the corner of her eye, “I mean… he’s nothing special, right?”
He didn't like that little shudder of excitement. Not in other women. Not in strange women that wandered through the night. It meant Dark Brotherhood, bandit, Thalmor, Thieves Guild or worse. What that worse was he wasn't sure, but he didn't like it. Not one bit.
"Any true Nord can tell you that he is our patron. He cares for us in the manner that the gods do." He watched himself carefully as he explained. It felt like he was lecturing his boys again, but that was the best way to approach this topic. He was almost certain she was a Thalmor agent.
The bad part in choosing a great sword is that it is obvious that a blow is coming. That and you can throw your back out hefting the damn thing.
"We would rather die than to be dishonored in such a way."
“Ah,” she replied and nodded her head. Something her father had done many-a-time before. At his question, she couldn’t keep a small smile from forming.
“Well, at the moment I’m just trying to catalog the markings on their wings,” she explained and reached into her bag to pull out a worn journal. “I noticed that similar to butterflies, moths have tiny little differences when it comes to markings. I’m trying to figure out if it has anything to do with the area in which they live, or if its just nature’s way of giving them individuality like humans and the like. Fortunately for the little guys, I have no alchemy recipes that call for their delicate wings as of now.” The young Nord realized she was rambling, and forced herself to wrap up what she was saying, before she offered the man an apologetic smile.
“Uh… basically, I’m just drawing the markings on their wings.
He didn't bother hiding the chuckle that rumbled in his chest. She reminded him of a younger Ari. The boy had always gotten so excited when he found those carvings on those old nordic weapons. Ah, how age changed men. The last time he'd brought Ari an old war axe, he'd complained that the rust would spread to his newer pieces. It was good to have such passion.
"That is a noble purpose," He nodded. "And it is a question that I had not thought to ask. What do your findings suggest so far? Have the gods marked their wings individually or is it like our Nordic war paints?"
Brushing the bangs from her eyes, Thea crossed her arms casually in front of her, the perfect picture of ease. “Oh you know…” she trailed off, a hand waving nonchalantly in the air, letting him finish the sentence in whatever way he pleased. So what if he thought she was a crook or an innocent girl, human imagination truly fascinated her and she was on the edge of her seat just imagining what he was thinking.
“A shrine huh…? Hm… and what kind of shrine is this, I’m intrigued,” she leaned forward a little so that he could see her face, even if it was still cloaked in shadow, it was enough that he could make out her features. Putting just the right amount of innocence into her smile and lightness in her voice, Thea kept her eyes blank, hiding the mischief that was brewing inside of her. Who said she couldn’t have a little fun? Besides, she was bored and the night was such a lonely time for this mysterious girl.
"Traveling?" He offered warily still barely making out the ouline of her form. If he could not divulge what she wanted or in the very least determine that she would not stick a dagger through his chest and send him to Sovngarde, he would run and if he could not do that... well he hoped Talia wasn't sleeping too hard.
"Several shrines. All of them in fact." His thumb tapped the sword hilt just a little faster. He kept his voice even. If she wasn't over observant he knew she wouldn't see the distress on him. "There is one to Zenithar, Talos, Dibella and Julianos near by. I would advise staying away from the one to Talos. There seems to be a priest keeping it and you know how dangerous those are."
Sibby had attempted to be quiet. Though she hadn’t been out on her own for long, she knew a good majority of people camped in the woods wouldn’t take kindly to strangers. Especially strangers sneaking out in the middle of the night. Still, there was no point in trying to hide from the man that called out to her.
“Hail, stranger,” she replied and walked until she could see the man who had called out, and so he could see her as well. “I apologize if I disturbed your sleeping or anything. Luna moths only come out at night.”
A smile despite himself crossed his weathered face. He scratched his beard and shifted his weight to one foot, a much less aggressive posture. Young Nord adventurers rarely worked with Thalmor agents. That sort of thing usually lay on the shoulders of wood elves or khajit.
"Hardly, traveler. I was praying for protection for my family. If I may ask, what are you going to use the moths for?"
Curious black eyes found themselves enraptured by the sight of an unfamiliar face. Tilting her head to the side, Thea’s lips split into a delighted grin and she stepped forward, her hands clasped behind her back, “Why hello…” she purred, licking her lips.
It was hard for anyone with normal eyes to make out Thea’s dark form; as she had meant for it to be as such when she picked her outfit, for her job was to blend and to not be seen. “What’s a man such as yourself doing out here all by yourself?”
Steinn's thumb beat an anxious rhythm on the hilt of his great sword. He couldn't see this figure well and he didn't like that much. He could smell the crush of grass toward the left and that's where he assumed the owner of that feminine voice to be.
"What some men should do and other do too much of: Praying. I keep a shrine not too far from here." He knew he did not give too much away. He'd chosen this shrine to keep because of the location. There were four in the immediate vicinity. Let her guess the one he kept if it mattered to her. "What is a woman such as yourself doing out here? Only vagabonds or pilgrims come this far."
She eyed his teeth, then his eyes, and then back to his teeth. Reminded her of.. vampires. If he were one, wouldn’t he have attacked her when they first crossed paths? It must have depended on the kind of vampire she remembered from old movies and books. Her grip around his arm tightened without her knowledge, eyes wandering away from Isak’s face.
“Really? Huh. Must get pretty borin’ up there. But if they’re guardin’ some sorta’ knowledge or whatever, I bet they’ve got plenty ta’ keep ‘em busy.” A soft snort left her, followed by a slight grin. “Uh, sure, I can try. S’lot different than here. It snows, sure, but it ain’t half as much as here. And it only snows in the winter. There’s a lot more cities, way denser than the ones here with giant skyscrapers—big buildin’s made of metal and stuff.” There were a great many details she didn’t include, but mentioning them might confuse him just a bit.
He noticed her sudden interest in his eyes. He lowered them. Let her think them a strange brown. They should not be too bright yet. He'd ensured that they wouldn't be too bright tonight.
"I suppose. I should think they have had more to ponder recently with the return of the dragons. They called Dovahkiin not too long ago. That means they will be training an apprentice." He frowned at the description of the place she seemed to be describing. If she meant a Dwemer ruin then she was certainly choosing odd words to describe it.
"I have heard Dwemer ruins described many ways, including some in verses in languages not spoken any more, but that is the most interesting that I have heard. How long did you live in this place?"
Steinn, tall and yellowing (as most red headed men are like to do) stared down his family, leaned on the broadsword that had protected him and his family for many moons. The night was cold, but he had thick furs thrown over his shoulders. A night watch was something he was very, very familiar.
When he heard the crackling in the bushes he didn't flinch or frighten away. No. Years had long ago beaten that reflex to death. EIther it was a friend or foe. Addressing the newcomer would find out.
“Trust me, they met a not-so-nice end. Not entirely pain-free, either.” She flashed a grin, darker than the previous one she wore on her lips. Those who crossed her path and thought they could do as they pleased with her had another thing coming. She was nobody’s play thing, even less so with their words. Fortunately, she had the means of doing something about it.
“Alrighty, sounds good ta’ me. The Throat of the World is that mountain there, yeah?” At least she picked up on some of the notable landmarks within the lands, mountains, towns and tombs included. At his question, her brow furrowed, lips pursing together. “Well… My home isn’t close ta’ here. It’s… kinda’ in another world. ‘Dunno how I got here, but I’m kinda’ stuck here.”
"Excellent." He smiled truly, his razor sharp teeth gleaming white and dark red eyes flicking from her face to the surrounding area. If some manner of bandit decided to show its filthy head, he'd make quick work of it, though not frightening the girl would be the difficult part.
"Ah, yes, that is the Throat of the World. They say there is a rip in the very fabric of time there and that is why the Greybeards guard the knowledge so fiercely." He patted her arm and nodded along with her commentary, trying to find the pattern in her speech. He could determine where she was from that way. "Oh yes, the differences between the lands are worlds different. Would you describe your world to me? Different worlds and lands fascinate me and I cannot claim that I have had the good fortune to travel so far."
“No worries ‘bout bein’ rude. People have called me much worse.” With a hesitance she hadn’t shown previously, Erin looped her arm around his and nestled closer to him. The fur provided a warm relief to the blonde’s near frozen cheeks, flushed pink from the nipping cold. Sure, it was a little strange for her to be so close to a stranger. She hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
“Ta’ be honest, I didn’t have a set destination. Now I’m just lookin’ for somewhere with an inn and some food.” That was her stomach speaking for her, as usual. “But I ain’t opposed ta’ travelin’ where you’re goin’. S’not like I got a home anywhere.”
"And those imbeciles should have their tongues ripped out for such obscenities." He sniffed and tried to keep the dangerously malicious tone out of his voice. If she thought his rage was for her sake, so be it. Words were more than just sound on a breeze. They had ways of changing men and mer's hearts and minds. To spew such filth was vile and it disgusted him.
"Hm. I have found that the most delightful visits are engineered in this way. Well come, once we are passed the Throat of the World, Riverrun is none too far away and there is a nice inn with food for your there." He shook his head and he felt the frost clinging to his red goatee. "Home is where you are fondest, my lady. Where are you most fond of?"
The remark elicited a small snort from the blonde, laughter bubbling from within her throat. She had never been regarded as much of a lady, not even in her younger years. No, people knew her as the rough-and-tumble tomboy who took on the worst of jobs and most difficult of hits. Though, through it all, it worked for her.
“Heh, well, whichever works for me, buddy. Erin, my lady, whatever.” With another snort, she shrugged, fingers balling up the edges of her cloak to wrap it around her nimble frame. The cold still managed to shake her to the very bone, despite her time in Skyrim. “S’pleasure ta’ meetcha’, then, Isak of Ivarstead.” A nickname was in order for her new acquaintance.
“Well, sure, why not. I haven’t had a travelin’ buddy in awhile, ta’ be honest. And I’d rather not get lost.” An eager nod dipped her head forwards and back, and her nose scrunched up just a bit. Seemed as though there was no need for blood to be spilt. A nice change, after all.
"My lady it is then. Perhaps I will use Erin when we are better acquainted. I hate to be rude." He nodded and then showed an impeccable row of gleaming white teeth. He offered her his arm, closer to the furs he wore atop his armor she might be warmer, but it also meant she would be closer to him. That is dangerous.. a corner of his brain warned.
"Shall we be off then, my lady? Or rather, I should ask, where is your destination so that I may escort you. It would make me a nuisance if I guided you the wrong way."