I know I said I was done with my modlist but... I'm weak. And I'm tearing chunks of it up haha. I want it to feel older, grittier, and organic. Not like those elements aren't there at all already, but I want to make some changes so that the land feels more wild and the settlements feel less polished. Like changing my roads from lightly cobbled to just dirt for example. But places that are meant to be more buttoned-up (to me) still are and will feel more so I hope. 🤭
I realized I finished this a few days ago and never shared!
This is actually part of the story WIP that I posted several weeks ago, and I loved the idea of having Astra and Ondolemar spending some time outside in Solitude (in part to get away from the omnipresent perfume of the Thalmor Headquarters). Now this piece is extra special because I actually got to see the aurora!
Thank you @changelingsandothernonsense for suggesting I add some pink into the sky <3 I had been toying with the idea but wasn't sure if it would work, and your advice pushed me to try it (and I'm so happy with how it turned out).
A little bit of fluff and story for context under the cut <3
~
She was grateful for his company, but even more thankful for his silence, as they sat on the stoop of the Thalmor Headquarters. The air was frigid, and blessedly fresh, carrying the scent of settling frost. Flickering green aurora danced in the sky above, casting the night-lit city in vibrant color. Astra breathed deeply, enjoying the way the icy air burned her sinuses and chilled her lungs. It was grounding, comforting despite the cold. If she squinted, she could pretend she was back in Winterhold, or Windhelm at the very least.
She leaned back against the wall. Her fingertips and toes were starting to go numb, but it didn’t bother her very much. She’d been in Skyrim her entire life, and although she was no ice-blooded Nord, she tolerated the cold far better than most Altmer. Which reminded her . . .
She looked away from the aurora for a moment, glancing at Ondolemar. The poor mer looked miserable, though he was doing his best to hide it. He had his hands stuffed under his armpits and had tucked his feet underneath him and although she suddenly felt very badly for him, she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. She’d never seen him so entirely out of his element, so undignified. The laughter bubbled out of her like a kettle letting off steam, releasing the tension that had gripped her.
He started, eyes going wide for a moment before crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “Thank the Divines. I was half-worried you’d never speak to me again.”
