Necroheals

Alchemy, healing and forces of Oblivion

[poisonanddiamonds-blog]

"Yeah well, the Guild’s always looking for people and supplies," she chuckled at that, "But hey, we’re colleagues, you and I, whether it’s for Martin’s venture or for Maven, so if you need anything, you come talk to me, alright?"

Marina opened her arms to hug him, but she stopped half way, remembering, “Ah, well,” she cleared her throat, “It’s good to be back. Good to have you back, for as long as you are, that is.”

[necroheals]

'Likewise Marina. I am glad you two did not disappear forever. I could have sworn you eloped to get married though.' A soft chuckle. And then awkward silence, as he didn't know either, how to react to the halted embrace or how to continue the conversation. He cleared his throat as well.

'By the way' he started finally, deciding to change the topic 'does anyone even know why the Empire outlawed Nighteye spells and potions? I swear they disappear the moment I finish preparing them.'

[necroheals]

[And in regards to the just-posted meme, did you know Dalne was once trying to become a priest of Julianos? No, of course you didn't, I established that yesterday.]

[howthedreamgoes]

Pick an age or point on the character's timeline, and ask a question. The character will respond as that age.

[poisonanddiamonds-blog]

Marina frowned, but she was determined to get Martin to behave. Still, she wouldn’t force the issue on Dalne, he didn’t deserve Martin’s anger; no one did.

"I’m sorry, I really wanted things back the way they were," she admitted with a sad sort of smile, "But… does this mean you’re leaving?"

[necroheals]

'I may travel a bit. My ties to Riften have been loosened quite significantly now and I have some long overdue business to attend to in Markarth. But if I will not be burned on sight... I may actually come back. It is... new to have something to fall back on.'

He turned to Marina and smiled under his scarves. Of course it only showed in the slight narrowing of his eyes, but perhaps she was already accustomed to this.

'And it seems by some miracle I am welcome back. Thank you Marina. I promise to tell you when I'll be leaving. But it will likely be soon. I have one more person to talk to. And I need to make supplies for the Guild. But other than that...'

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

I. Don’t. Care. [ Martin grinds his teeth until he can taste blood, metallic and sharp and so, so bitter. ] I refuse to give sanctuary to daedra sympathizers, much less someone who’s putting this entire store—not just myself—at risk!

Have two centuries made the citizens of Tamriel this foolish!? You claim to know who I am yet act surprised at my reaction, as if Martin Septim hadn’t fought a total war against a daedric prince! [ A non-committal sound of disbelief. ] I can excuse the Colovianiation through ignorance and Imperial revisionism, but surely someone, somewhere, must’ve been written about my hatred for daedra. And if it was not written, I think sacrificing myself to end the Oblivion Crisis is enough of a clue as to what my proclivities towards daedra would be!

[necroheals]

Not everyone has a choice Martin. Sometimes the daedra are the only ones who'll listen. [He mouthed quietly, more to himself than to the dragon. But afterwards he straightened properly and looked him in the face.]

Nevertheless, I believe this is enough proof that our cooperation is very unlikely to continue. As I suspected, but at least now Marina's involvement has not been for naught. Whatever you might think, it was a pleasure, Martin, [He lowered his head in an almost ceremonial bow, but without any mocking reverence.] I wish you, the both of you, the best,

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

There are simpler, smarter ways to conceal yourself without throwing your soul away to daedra.

[ At the revelation that Hermaeus-Mora himself is in interested in Martin, he visibly bristles, eyes wild in something akin to fear. ] You were spying on me for Mora!? [ Graceless, he pulls the chair from underneath Dalne, tossing it aside. ] Get out! GET OUT OF MY STORE!

[necroheals]

[Dalne fell quite ungracefully on his behind and it took a moment for him to actually realize what was going on. Once he did, he calmly brought himself back to a standing position and patted his robes to clean them.]

Would you calm yourself down? Past tense. And if not I then someone else. Mora is quite persistent. As it is all he has is a report more on how the store has done than you. You were away far more often than in sight after all and I did not make it a point to follow you.

[necroheals]

poisonanddiamonds replied to your post:Hey, Dalne. Everything alright? Just thought I'd check up on you.

"I brought some pie," she smiled and placed a plate of the dessert on the table, "Did everything go well with Martin? He wouldn’t say much to me about it."

'We talked and I walked out of it alive. I consider that an unexpected success. But I highly doubt he has any desire to see me back at... his establishment.' He nodded in thanks to the gift and stared at it blankly for a few seconds. What was this again? 'It seems that if he is mad, he will stay mad.'

[necroheals]

Hey, Dalne. Everything alright? Just thought I'd check up on you.

The sudden voice completely surprised him, as Dalne utterly forgot he left his door open. Luckily, he decided to eat in his bedroom for a change, which provided him time enough to cover up both his face and a wedge of cheese before Marina poked in her head to check if he was home.

'Ah, Marina, hello' he started as if he just noticed her. Dalne was thankful for the fabrics obstructing his face right now. 'It's good to see you. I'm, I'm fine, thank you. And how are you? Would you like something? Tea, water, sk-- sweets?'

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

[ Martin bites the inside of his cheek. ] You fool. To ‘make occasional deals’ is to serve them! Mora worst of all. [ His influence, insidious. Unlike Sanguine’s, it seems benign at first. What is nobler than the pursuit of knowledge? But the Prince whets your palate for it into starvation, until you know nothing but the hunger. ]

It is a spell. It keeps me anchored to this plane. Without it, I would become what I was in Kvatch, and the Imperial City—a rampaging dragon.

[necroheals]

Perhaps. But, as you have possibly seen, considering I had to fix my concealment after fleeing here, I have little to lose.

Anchoring you... hmm, yes. Yes, I can see why Mora would hold an interest in you and why he would send someone to approach you instead of watching you himself. He probably can't. It's possible yours is an existence outside fate. My report on you was also most likely unsatisfactory. [He snickers a little under his scarves.]

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

I became a dragon. [ There’s no hint of sarcasm to Martin’s words. It is the truth—not the whole truth, but more truth than Dalne deserved.

His nails dig into his chair’s arm rest.]

Are you serving a daedric prince?

[necroheals]

Not serving per se, but I do make occasional deals with Hermaeus Mora. And yes, one of them was about you. [He answered, as if talking about the weather]

That tattoo, you snapped once I mocked it. I take it it is not a simple decoration then?

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

You will find me a lot less willing to be studied as you might a dissected skeever, joore.

If Marina knew what you were—who you are—it’s unlikely we’ve be having this conversation at the moment.

I might or I might not answer you questions. I know daedra are at play here. [ But he doesn’t know which one, and that irks him. ] I have found during the Oblivion Crisis that bargaining with them never ends well.

Ask your questions, then leave.

[necroheals]

I would have thought you would be more interested in asking me questions actually, but very well.

What really was the trigger for your departure?

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

Martin the Bookseller is not Martin Septim. If you think acting like a haughty pissant will put you on equal ground, you are mistaken.

You do not deal with dragons by appealing to their sense of civility. I do not have it, not for you.

Try again. Unless you’d like me to return to Marina with your charred corpse and a convincing tale that my magic slipped.

[necroheals]

Dragons... so you think of yourself as a dragon? Interesting... [He leans back, contemplating for a while.] Yes, it does make some sense considering the unique circumstances of the present. But that can be put back for later and is hardly the reason why I came here.

Marina has asked me to come back. Actually asked me. And implied that she would be happy to have me back. Trust me [he raises his hand to stop any interruptions] it's probably much more of a surprise to me than you. Still, since she went so far as to actually chase after me, I believe I owe her at least an attempt.

But we can both probably tell it's very unlikely. So I propose this: we both speak the truth. No more secrets and lies. We either answer or we refuse to answer. And after what we want to know about each other, we will see how it will resolve itself. I will not even object if you will want to kill me; I hardly have the power to stop you after all. How are those terms?

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

[ The sound that escapes Martin’s throat can only be described as deafening—it is lowly, a rumble that comes from the depths of his belly, amplified in his chest then out of his lips as swift and deadly as a dagger. Loose papers rustle, and the store itself shakes. ] And if you’d like to turn into a smoking crater in the next minute, by all means, continue to address me as if we were friends.

[necroheals]

A tempting offer. You must do great at sales. [He observes the books dancing in the tremors as if it were an everyday occurence and not worth much notice.] Martin, I think you have some vast problems with understanding the current situation. I am one weak, clothed Breton with a smart mouth. You are... something perfectly capable of carrying out that therat and much, much more. And yet, somehow, I am the calm one. Do you really percieve me talking as such a threat, or is this just a tantrum?

[Dalne leans in, his eyes curiously studying Martin's face.] We may not be friends, but we know of each other. There is no reason not to be civil about it.

[browborn-deactivated20150608]

necroheals replied to your post:

Come now, surely you know? Our mutual… friend has insisted we at least try to make up.

[ It takes all of Martin’s restrain not to explode into a maelstrom of flames, to keep himself curled tight and proper in the cage crafted for him. ] You can start by not calling me Septim.

[necroheals]

I feel that would be insulting to both your intelligence and mine. [He sits down on a free chair without even asking for permission.] But if you prefer for it to be through winks and knowing glances, very well. I won't call you such outright.

[keeperoftwelveflames-blog]

My hair doth be my bane, but at least the camera didn’t explode this time.

[poisonanddiamonds-blog]

"Things must’ve been really rough with Martin and I gone," she admitted after a while, as they waited, "I’m sorry that had to happen. But from what I heard, you managed to store terrifically, which is why I think you’d be great." She smiled, trying.

"Ah, seems like I’m trying to sell this to you, I’m really not, I’m impressed to be honest."

[necroheals]

'It... was not that difficult to be honest. Well, at the beggining it was at least. I observed you both a little so I knew what to do daily. The angry letters soon after guided me in the right direction and the rest simply... aligned itself. I did have to cut on the opening hours, but surprisingly that let the deliveries flourish - and with a small cut to the Guild I managed to convince some of their members to help with deliveries. That, khajeeti caravans and cart drivers helped with managing the business properly. It's surprising what some people will do for a... potency potion.'

'And considering my needs are few and my time is unoccupied I sort of became the store for a short while. That's probably how it managed to stay these first two months or so despite the cut in income and before it stabilized itself again.'

[poisonanddiamonds-blog]

Marina gave a resounding, “Oh.” But she tried not to let her host down, Dalne was trying, after all, “Well, that’s understandable, I mean, you have a… a… condition, right? Uhh, that is, if it’s not wrong of me to say, of course. Right, I’ll just shut up.”

[necroheals]

'It's not. And calling it a "condition" is quite generous actually' he nodded with a covered smile and went past marina, to prepare water for the tea. He even managed to procure some biscuits - which he himself usually combined with water to make them easier to swallow - and after several minutes he placed the wooden tray on the table. About that time he finally noticed the journal he abandoned on the table and quickly hid it within his robes murmuring something about 'forgetting it' and 'silly him'. Afterwards he sat in front of Marina and just stared at her with a slight curiosity.

He made a point not to put anything poisonous in the tea anymore. Critics.