Beauty With Purpose

Really? [Strange, to have someone agree so quickly and without any argument. She must really be new here. Better keep an eye on her, then. He might not have had the purest of intentions, but he still didn’t want to see her come to harm.] This way, then.

[He guides her through Riften, speaking up here and there to fill the silence. The sewers aren’t exactly pleasant, and the Ragged Flagon, surrounded by the sewer waters, is even less inviting. Still, he gestures to their destination with a broad sweep of his arm and a smile.]

Home sweet home. Doesn’t look nice, but the drink is good. And no one here will put their hands on you. Not as long as you’re with me, anyway. Can’t say the same for the Bee and Barb. Do you drink?

[The journey down was not as treacherous as she had feared it would be, but far more fetid. She knew that Riften didn’t always smell the best, but this... this was something else. But, they were in a sewer. That explained a lot. She wondered how they could keep their appetites while trudging through such nasty slop.

Still, the sight of the ‘tavern’ is incredibly welcome. She smiles broadly and clasps her hands together; this is all terribly clever! A little dank oasis under a particularly dank city.]

I don’t drink except for on special occasions... [She was a little coy.] This may be a special occasion?

The Ragged Flaggon’s a bar, my dear. A tavern. Same as the Bee and Barb, only down below the ground where the guards can’t see. And that’s a good thing here, actually. Half of them are as corrupt as thieves. Moreso, even. At least thieves have honor.

Mostly.

I can show you, if you’d like.

[That struck a chord. She knew firsthand just how corrupt the guards were. Uncomfortable memories of her old job started to seep in, so she spoke to keep them at bay.]

No, I know about the guards.... uh. Yes. I’m amicable to it, sir. We could go there. [What was she doing?]

I don’t mind a little rambling. I’m not making you nervous, am I? [He smiles, slow and smooth.]

Don’t bother your friend. I can help you. [He turns, and points in the direction of the Bee and Barb.] Bee and Barb. Food is shit. The Lachance will knock you on your ass if you’re not used to it. [And then, he points below their feet.] The Ragged Flaggon. Rough group, but won’t lay a hand on you. Not bad ale, either, if you’re not in the mood for mead.

There’s a Dunmer woman in the marketplace who sells fresh fruit and vegetables. Sometimes she has juice if you’re looking for something sweet. Otherwise? It’s cheap wine.

[Now that she’s realized he is attractive, yes, she is a tad nervous. Her cheeks became rosy, but she shook her head ‘no’.]

[As he lists the options, she realizes that he said a name she hadn’t heard before. The Ragged Flagon? What was that? It probably had ragged flagons, which wasn’t typically a good sign, but if he said that what they had was good, she’d trust it. Nothing could go wrong, right? He was a nice gentleman. Gentlemer.]

I’ve met the Dunmer lady, she does have good things, but... I’m not that hungry... and... What is the Ragged Flagon?

#sercrow #((CROW NO))

There are things that aren’t alcohol, but I can promise you that they won’t taste very good. [He looks her over, curious, and rubs one hand over his mouth.]

You’re not from around here, are you?

Not... originally! I’m from Cyrodiil originally, but I lived here for... a while...

Sorry. That probably wasn’t necessary information. [She’s sheepish.] I figured I would try the Bee and Barb first. Perhaps I could think of the mead as a bit of a treat. There’s also my friend’s inn, but she’s so busy, I’d hate her to think she has to stop working because I’m there...

It’s good! [and when he cuts it, he’s delighted, gold eyes twinkling with warmth]

It’s certainly a lot better than what I can do!

[She leans forward and gives him a soft kiss on his cheek, not wanting to move away. There’s his eyes twinkling like they did! She needed to see that. Probably more than anything.]

Riften has mead and not much else. If you’re looking for cider, you won’t find anything good here.

You lost, dumpling?

Oh! Uh, not really lost, no! Just wondering what they have to drink around here. I don’t really drink much alcohol but I don’t seem to have much of a choice.. [Smiles a bit, bundles her shawl a little tighter.] I think I’d prefer if it were cold snow and not this cold rain.

#((MIMI HAS NOT BEEN HERE IN FOREVER!))#sercrow

Riften is so chilly! And, Sontaire is working... uh, maybe I should have sent a letter first... You know what, I should get something warm to drink. Does... the inn have cider?

To See Old Friends

Camille,

Don’t worry! I won’t be gone long, I promise. I know it’s sudden, but I’m going to Riften. I realized that I haven’t visited with friends for a long time, and that’s exactly what I need to clear my head, and refresh me. I’ve been lonely, and probably not a very good wife to you because of how sad I’ve been. I’m sorry. I know this trip will lift my spirits.

I love you, and I’ll be back very very soon, and I’ll pick you up a nice gift!

XOXOXOXOXO, Yours,

Mimi

[ he smiles as he watches her set the cake down. He does as he’s asked, grinning as the cake is revealed. ]

You’re very talented, I’d feel bad for cutting something so pretty!

[ just as he takes the knife to cut, a vision flashes before him, of the ball in Sheogorath’s domain, of laughter, wine and drugs, the sickening pain of being bitten into. He gasps, but regains himself in time, cutting down into the cake before the vision could return. ]

But that’s the point. You have to cut it open to see everything pretty inside... [She smiles, concerned, but lets him follow through. She is trusting him. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have handed him anything that sharp.]

It’s honey and lavender, there’s flecks of it in the icing, I tried to pipe it to look like roses, but... I’m not that good at cakes, still. I’m learning.

I’m sorry, I… I can’t believe I forgot.

Let’s… Let’s go have some. [ he smiles, he’s trying ]

No! Let me bring it up. It’ll be nice. I’ll be right back. [She gestures for him to wait, and hurries downstairs to the kitchens. There’s some mild conversation, and all of it sounds concerned for how upset she looks. She clearly smiles and tells them it’s nothing. The cake is brought upstairs, covered with a silver dome. Underneath it’s lavender and honey, three layers, with a light violet icing, a gradient of coloured layers from purple to gold spongecake.]

Alright... [She places it upon an end table, setting down two plates with cakeforks.] Lift off the cover. And could you cut it?

What’s wrong?

It was our anniversary. So, I.... made a cake... it’s all covered so nothing bad has happened to it. I couldn’t get to you yesterday and I didn’t want to bother you, you seemed so busy, so....

You do?

Yesterday, uh... it was... a-again, nevermind. It’s not that important.

[ He smiles ]

I can. Don’t worry.

My Prince’s Summoning Day without incident.

[She tries to smile. Her lips just stretch a little.] Alright. That’s good.

I uh.... I have something, uh, planned -- um... nevermind.

[ He doesn’t turn to look at her, as he slumps against the doorframe ]

I can control this. I’m still me.

Just... just show me you can.

I… I don’t want to tell you what to do, Mimi, you know what’s best for yourself.

But I don’t want to force you to stay if you’re not happy.

I don’t know what’s best for myself. I have never known what’s best for myself. But I do know I couldn’t bear to be without you, I couldn’t bear to go back to my old life, and it’s my only other option, I don’t want to be all alone --