Life is not a Song

Independent TES: Skyrim Roleplay blog for Bergitte Frost-Song, an aspiring Bard. Occasionally NSFW. Mod is 21+. Tracked tag: southronsongbird. .

[southronsongbird]

Helping Hand [Tommy/Bergitte]

[southronsongbird]

lifesadogfight‌:

“Well, I can’t say I blame yer employers, these aren’t the most fun things to lug ‘round,” he replied with a short laugh and a smile. Still, he seemed not bothered by the weight or length of the bolt, and instead focused on keeping it balanced and not accidentally whacking someone in the face. 

“I’m Tommy,” the Breton replied, his smile widening slightly. “It’s nice to meet you too, Miss Bergitte. Glad I could help. Are ya… from Solitude? I could use some directions when we’re done, if it ain’t too much trouble.”

Truthfully, she could not blame them either, however it seemed rather unfair to expect her to handle them all on her own. Perhaps one of them would have taken pity on her and offered to help if she’d told them how busy the dock workers were, but she had not. She doubted they would have paid it any mind. They had much more important things to do than lug heavy things around. This thought, however, Bergitte decided to keep to herself. It would not do to complain so much to someone she’d only just met.

“Um...not originally, no,” she admitted, shaking her head, “I came here from Anvil -- in Cyrodiil -- about six months ago, so I suppose I know my way around well enough by now. Taarie lets me take a break about midday, and it’s nearing that time, so I could walk around with you for a bit, if you’d like,” she glanced at him, and smiled, “Help you get to where you’re going.”

As they approached the shop she hurried ahead, pulling the heavy door open and holding it so that he could pass through, “You can set it on the counter, we’ll take it back to the workroom later.”

After stepping inside behind him, Bergitte closed the door and then headed for the counter herself, “Just a moment and I’ll give you some coin for all your trouble.”

[southronsongbird]

Helping Hand [Tommy/Bergitte]

 lifesadogfight

Tommy had only just noticed the woman struggling with the bolt of fabric, but it took him less than a second to ask to help. He had only moved fabric once before, when he helped a Khajiit repack their carriage, and he knew it was heavy for most people, especially when they were longer.

“No, it’s no trouble at all,” he answered, taking the bolt from her gently and hoisting it onto his shoulder with a grunt of effort. Steadying the fabric, he nodded towards the city.

“Lead the way?”

There was a moment of surprised hesitation after he took the bolt from her. That was not what she had expected at all, and in truth, she felt rather bad. Bergitte still for a moment, as if wanting to make sure he really meant to carry it on his own. It would be easy enough for them each to take an end if it turned out to be too much, but it seemed he was managing quite well on his own.

“Thank you so much,” she smiled, and started up the road again, wiping the sweat from her brow, “Usually the dock workers help me, but it seems they were too busy today, lots of shipments to be unloaded I suppose. And it’s just my employers and I in the shop and...well, they don’t like to be troubled with this sort of thing.”

Kind and generous as he was, somehow she doubted that he cared all that much about the details, “...I’m Bergitte, by the way. I’m very glad to meet you.”

[southronsongbird]

“Hey hey, no need for that I’d just like to talk.”

Walking back to the College after dark was not one of her favorite things, especially when it was so late and the streets were mostly empty. 

She’d only just passed Angeline’s when she’d felt someone walking behind her, and suddenly wished she’d waited for Jorn to finish his performance at the Inn so she could walk back with him. Finally, when the stranger had grown too close for comfort, Bergitte whirled around, dagger in hand.

“You oughtn’t creep up on ladies in the dark, it’s frightening!” she snapped, voice trembling. She studied him for a moment, and decided that maybe he meant no harm, but how could she be sure? It was not as though he was a respectable looking man, in fact, he looked a bit like someone who could be found passed out on the floor of a tavern. Her eyes narrowed, and she kept the dagger raised, “....What do you want?”

[southronsongbird]

“Do I know you? Cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend.”

Bergitte stared at him a moment, wondering if she had heard him correctly. When it seemed that she had, she smiled, and tilted her head. He wasn’t bad looking, and to be honest, she wasn’t all that offended. But he didn’t need to know that.

“Oh?“ she laughed, and shook her head, “Does that sort of line really work?”

[southronsongbird]

(Roark) “Do you need help with that?”

She was not sure how he had managed it -- perhaps he’d just bumped the box with his elbow when he turned -- but suddenly there were buttons everywhere. Endarie would be so angry if she saw, or if -- gods forbid -- any were lost. 

Some had to be plucked up individually, and other she was able to scoop into a pile, and then into her hands. All the while she kept glancing at the door to the back room, praying that Endarie would not come out and see the mess.

Bergitte looked at the man, and shook her head, offering a small nervous smile, “No, no. It’s quite alright, I’ve got it. Just...um...be more careful next time, please?”

[rp-meme-glaceon]

Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets

🌧- For a heavy, emotional secret

🙃- For a lighter, slightly embarrassing secret

🌟- For a secret wish or desire of theirs

🍏- For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

🍎- For something they secretly wish did exist

❤️- For a secret crush

📲- Talk about someone/something you dislike, but only pretend to like

👁‍🗨- Talk about someone/something you like, but pretend to dislike

🍻- For something bad/mischievous you did as a child or teen that your parents don’t know about

🌜- For a ‘weird’ habit or tic that no one knows about

💃- For a talent that they like to keep hidden from others

🏹- For a talent they wish they had

👻- For something that scares or disturbs them, but they refuse to tell anyone

☢️- For a controversy or scandal they have been able to keep mostly under wraps

🐇- For a secret item they keep (stuffed animal, comfort object, etc)

📒- For a secret journal/diary they keep (Bonus: Share an entry from it!)

📔- For a secret sketchbook they keep (Bonus: Share a sketch or doodle within it!)

🖤- For something they secretly wish they could do with your muse

❓- Free Space! Ask them about a specific secret!

[southronsongbird]

“You look vaguely familiar…”

“You know, you aren’t the first person to say that,” Bergitte smiled, though it was clear that she was a bit confused, “I’m sure you’ve seen me around the city, though I haven’t been here all that long. But, I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps I just have one of those faces...”

[southronsongbird]

“Are these guys bothering you?”

“No, they aren’t,” she shook her head, still frowning from the encounter. Of course, not everyone was friendly and wanted to chat, but his reaction had been unwarranted in her opinion. Bergitte nodded to the taller of the two men, “That one could stand to be taught some manners, though I think it may be hopeless. If he hasn’t learned them by now, he’s not likely to learn at all.”

[southronsongbird]

(Rafe) “The answer is no by the way, to whatever you’re about to say.”

Bergitte had barely opened her mouth to speak before the man cut her off. She stared at him for a moment, frowning deeply, and after a moment let out a huff, “Well, that’s just fine. I don’t wish to speak to such a horribly rude person anyway. Good day.”

[southronsongbird]

“Do you need help with that?”

Being sent down to the docks to retrieve bolts of fabric for Endarie and Taarie was hardly out of the ordinary. Bergitte had done it many times. Most often it entailed little more than signing for the shipments, maybe paying a tariff, and then leading a couple of dock workers back to the shop. However, today, the workers had all been occupied, and she’d been left to carry three bolts on her own.

Physical labor was not her strong suit, and she’d had no choice but take them one at a time. Had they been the smaller ones, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But these were nearly as tall as she was, and horribly awkward. She’d managed to wrestle one to the shop already, and was now struggling with the second. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead, and were now beginning to drip down her cheeks. 

“Oh...would you mind very much?” she asked, a hint of hopefulness in her voice, “I’d hate to trouble you but it’s quite heavy...I could give you some coin for your time.”

[southronsongbird]

“Nice to meet you.”

“It’s very nice to meet you as well,” Bergitte nodded, and smiled brightly. Although she’d not dealt with any outright unfriendliness so far, she’d also not made many friends either. And this seemed like a chance to maybe change that, “Um...I was just going to have lunch over at the Winking Skeever, I don’t suppose you’d like to come with me?”

[southronsongbird]

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

It was silly. Bergitte had only caught a glimpse of the woman, but she could have sworn it was...

But it couldn’t have been.

Well, it wasn’t completely impossible. She did live in Skyrim, and it was possible that she’d visit Solitude every now and then. And it had looked like her. But then, it’d been a long time since she’d last seen her cousin, and it was hard telling how much she might have changed. Besides, there were as many fair haired Nords as there were stars in the sky, she had to be mistaken.

“...No, it’s nothing,” she said at last, shaking her head and offering a small smile, “I thought I saw someone...I’m sure I was imagining things. I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

[southronsongbird]

“Are these guys bothering you?”

“Oh, they’re trying to,” Bergitte replied, rolling her eyes and shaking her head as she turned her back to the men in question, “But I’ve learned not to pay any mind to such childish antics, it only eggs them on and I have much better things to do.”

[southronsongbird]

“You look vaguely familiar…”

“I do?” Bergitte asked, both surprised and intrigued. No doubt there were many red-headed ladies in Solitude, and she was often out and about. She studied the woman, trying to recall if she’d seen her before, but found herself drawing a blank.

“Um...you may have seen me playing the flute with Pantea at the Inn. Or at the festival a little while back. All the students from the College were there,” she paused, tilting her head in thought, “I work at Radiant Raiment too...”

[southronsongbird]

“Strange to see a fresh face around here.”

At first she thought it odd. Surely newcomers were not that out of the ordinary, but, with the civil war there probably were not too many people moving to Skyrim at the moment. Even to the capital.

“I suppose I am still rather new here,” she admitted, offering a small smile, “I’m a student at the Bard’s College, I’ve only been here a couple of months. And I’m afraid between lessons and work I don’t get out too much."

[memeroundups]

A few Starters - Ice Breakers

“Are you following me?”

“Hey, watch where you’re going.”

“You look vaguely familiar…” 

“I don’t know who you are but you don’t strike me as the trustworthy type.”

“I don’t know what you want but you’d better fuck off before I make you.”

“Sorry but I’m new around here, would you mind giving me pointers?”

“Strange to see a fresh face around here.”

“Hey you. It’s dangerous to be walking around here, you should leave.”

“Do you need help with that?”

“Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?”

“Do I know you? Cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend/boyfriend.”

“See my friends over there? They wanna to know if you think I’m cute.

“Hey handsome/beautiful.”

“You might be new, but you’re looking at the top dog around here.”

“Sorry but I’m not interested in your offer.”

“Are you as cold as you seem or do you always walk around like you own the place?”

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“The answer is no by the way, to whatever you’re about to say.”

“Don’t bother, I’m busy.”

“No no no, this can’t be right. You shouldn’t be here.”

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Happy to see me again?”

“It’s been so long since we’ve last parted, hm? We have some catching up to do.”

“You looking to start a fight or something?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice you watching me?”

“Us meeting wasn’t an accident.”

“Hey hey, no need for that I’d just like to talk.”

“Why the hostility? Do you treat every stranger this way?”

“I see no one has ever bothered to teach you manners.”

“Come with me, no time to explain!”

“Look, you’re in danger. You need to do as I say.”

“Are these guys bothering you?”

“Hey, leave him/her alone!”

“You look tired. Need a ride?”

“Shit shit, are you okay?!”

“Give me your belongings and you won’t get hurt. Sound fair?”

“Well look what the cat dragged in.”

“Never thought I’d see your face again.”

“Are you drunk? Hey, you can’t be walking around like that, be careful!”

“You look like bad news….”

“I hope I’m not being too straightforward, but are you single?”

“Nice to meet you.”

[southronsongbird]

Solitude was colder than she had expected. Of course, it was still technically summer, but even so, it was a far cry from Anvil.

Oh, it was beautiful though. When she’d first seen the city from the boat, it had taken her breath away. A city perched upon a great stone arch, it almost seemed like something from a fairy tale.

The voyage from Anvil had seemed to take ages and ages. She had known it would of course, but it was very different once you were actually out in it. Traveling by sea had always seemed such a wonderful, exciting thing to do. Romantic even. And it was, she supposed, but only for a time. Before long it bad grown boring, and lonely. There were only so many things one could do on board a ship, and she hadn’t known any of the passengers. Bergitte had been so relieved when they’d reached port. 

That relief had been short lived though. 

Her thoughts always seemed to shift back home and her focus wavered. She had traveled before of course, but never so far away, and never on her own. It was exciting and terrifying to be so far away from her family. In Solitude she was on her own, to make her own decisions and sort things out for herself. Which was what she had wanted, and pleaded for the chance to do, but that did not make it any less daunting. 

She wanted to be one of those brave ladies in the stories, who set of on their own, handling everything that was thrown at them with grace and determination, never once doubting themselves. But she did not feel like that, and it was disappointing. 

Everyone in Anvil had known her, if only by name or reputation. It was the same with her sisters and cousins. But in Solitude, and the Bard’s College, she was no one. The Frost-Song name was well known and did not go unrecognized, but that was not enough, she could not rest upon a name alone. Not that she wanted to, but it was a strange feeling. 

Of course she pretended not to be frightened. She smiled and went about her lessons and hours at work, holding her head up high when there were people around to see, only giving in to her homesickness and self doubt when she was alone in her room.

On top of all of this, the truth was, she felt guilty. Not for wanting to challenge herself with something new, but for the nagging doubts in the back of her mind. The ones she had not shared with anyone. Not even Mama or her sisters, with whom she'd always shared everything. She had not lied, not really, but often it felt as if she had and it made her stomach twist into knots. Never had she kept something so big from her mother and father before. But she’d seen this sort of thing before, and it did not go well. Not in her family.

Besides, there was no sense in causing and uproar when her mind was not yet made up. The family had already been through so much already, what with Auntie Anka’s passing and all the fuss over the cousin they’d all presumed dead for so many years. Bringing her doubts to light would only make things worse. And she would not make those same mistakes.

For now she would bear everyone on her own and hope that in time, she would find some clarity.