An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
It had been a long day— by Azura, it had been a long week! Erra sighed to himself as he weaved through the bustling streets of Maar Gan. The second Turdas of every month was always a little chaotic in the market square as vendors set up their stalls for the Monthly Night Markets. He did not mind; it is just that so many people in one spot still left him a little overwhelmed at times. Even after fifteen years of living with the settled Dunmer, the crowds were something he just could not get used to. Especially when he had been on the road for days.
He supposed that was why he chose to settle in Maar Gan, rather than Ald’ruhn or Vivec City. The outpost, with its sizable Velothi population situated on the edge of the Redoran-Ashlands, made him feel less homesick. Yes, business in Ald’ruhn was more lucrative, and it would have been smarter to try to set up in the heart of Redoran lands. Those would have been smarter decisions, yes.
But he would have been miserable.
The Champion of Boethiah challenged anew or something.
I had this urge to draw Nevri back before the beginning of Dealings with Daedra, when she was still Champion and her daily bread was slaughtering people. Badass little baby 💕 Anyway, I was so unsure of the sketch but now that I decided to make line art of it, I am amazed. God, how I dread the armour but honestly, this will be an exercise in patience for me. Next step will be blocking in the colours and damn, I need to decide on a lighting situation 😭 Apparently, I like to make my life difficult.
Thursday was the one year ficiversary of having completed my Oblivion series, so here's a creepy Nim, my HoK failgirl, to celebrate :)
The Illusionist
Fandom: TES IV Oblivion
Rating: Explicit
Relationships: HoK/Raminus Polus, HoK/Lucien Lachance
Relevant Tags: Slow Burn, Angst, A Little Whimsy Here and there, Dark Romance, Love as Horror, Descent into Madness, I Make Everyone Worse
Darkness burned across the underside of her lids, a cold and swallowing nothing. The murder of the countess had undoubtedly changed her tapestry, just as the hymn of the Webspinner foretold: Pluck one thread and the whole weave comes undone.
And whatever the Dark Brotherhood was offering was bound to cost a piece of her soul. After all she’d done, all she'd destroyed, Nim wondered if there was anything left of it to sell.
Writing this story got me through the last years of undergrad and has now carried me through the last year of my PhD. For as much time as I'd spent beating my fists against the keyboard trying to string it all togeether, I always knew one day I would finish it. Sometimes I get really embarrassed when it picks up a new reader, because the earlier chapters are a very different tone, style, and quality of writing compared to where the fic ended. Still, it blows me away to think of how much I've grown as a writer through this project, and I'll forever be baffled at how many people took a chance on it, let alone enjoyed it. For that, I am incredibly grateful :')
So for those who read and enjoyed and for those who read and didn't, thanks for giving it your time! It means more to me than I could ever put into words <3
The Mage, The Lord, And The Ritual (Vestige!OC x Darien Gautier x Gabrielle Benele)
TESgala fic. I think im satisfied for my first event themed fic. But also very nervous AO3 version
thanks to @/tes-gala for hosting the event. Loved the theme <3
“Aileth, we're going to be late if you don't come down!” Gabrielle called out.
The Mages Guild was holding a formal gathering. Gabrielle didn't really want to attend, but Vanus insisted everyone of some status in the guild must show. He also had the grand idea to give it a theme — birth signs. She had to hand it to him, for a party celebrating the safe return of the mages sent to Craglorn and their excellent job containing the anomalies there, it was perfect.
Vanus hadn't said whether or not she could bring guests, however she decided it wouldn't hurt to bring her partners. Why spend time alone at a boring gala, when she could spend that time with the two people that she loves? It would also give her a chance to congratulate her little sister. Unfortunately, that did mean they'd all have to dress up.
Gabrielle smoothed her fitted, strapless gown out. It was a lovely indigo with golden accents, detailed with faint stars on the fabric — among these, The Mage constellation had been embroidered onto the gown in a periwinkle colour — it had a high slit and reached down to her calves. Magicka Clasp earrings adorned her ears. She wasn't a big fan of dresses, but even she couldn't deny it looked beautiful. Made of soft fabric, the gown was rather pleasant to wear, too. Wrapped around her left leg — under her gown, yet visible because of its slit — was a royal blue sash.
Her and Darien were already dressed. They were just waiting on Aileth, who was still getting ready upstairs in the bedroom. The party would be starting soon, but Aileth was struggling to feel comfortable while being dressed up.
“Thunderbug?”
“I'm coming, I'm coming…” Aileth replied with a sigh as they walked down the stairs.
They wore an azure one-shoulder dress that went down to their knees with a navy blue mantle, both accented with gold — matching the clasp shaped as the symbol of The Ritual that held the mantle shut — and the dress was detailed with faint white stars forming The Ritual constellation. Aileth also wore a bone circlet and soul gem earrings. It was a rare for them to willing be in a dress, but the soft and comfortable fabric made it bearable to wear. Wrapped around their right leg was a royal blue sash.
Aileth rubbed the back of their neck, “Sorry for making you both wait.”
“Don't worry about it, sweetheart,” Gabrielle sweetly reassured, “We understand.”
“You look great, love.” Darien complimented.
Darien was wearing a white tunic with a navy blue waistcoat, accented with gold and detailed with faint white stars —- the Lord constellation was embroidered in gold on the waistcoat, as well — and black breeches. His earrings were an eye-catching gold. Around his arm was a sash that matched Gabrielle's and Aileth's.
Aileth felt their face heat up, “Thanks. You both look amazing, too,” they smiled.
Gabrielle opened up a portal to Eyevea. Taking her partners’ hands, Gabrielle stepped through it with Aileth and Darien. The portal closed after they arrived on Eyevea. They walked to the guildhall together and Vanus greeted them when they entered.
“Gabrielle! I am pleased you could make it,” he announced. Vanus side-eyed Aileth and Darien, “And I see you've brought guests…”
Aileth tensed up, “Well, we are married to her,” she sassed, glaring at him.
Darien placed a hand on Aileth's shoulder. A silent plea to not escalate things. They relaxed.
“I am very aware of that fact, Aileth. Just don't cause any trouble. Either of you,” Vanus warned. He walked away from them.
Gabrielle led Aileth and Darien towards a table away from the other guests. They ran into Valaste on the way there, but she quickly left the moment Aileth attempted to greet her.
She sighed, “Sorry about that. He still doesn't really trust you, Aileth. And I guess he's uncertain about you too, Darien,” she rubbed the back of her neck.
“Vanus isn't the only one here that doesn't trust me, it seems…” Aileth mumbled.
Gabrielle gently squeezed their hand, “Don't take it to heart, Thunderbug.”
Darien placed a hand on Gabrielle’s cheek, “It's alright, dear. Doesn't matter what Vanus thinks, it's not like we're here for him. Besides, what trouble would Ail and I even get into?”
She leaned into his touch, “Who even knows,” Gabrielle laughed, “Thank you both for agreeing to come with me.”
“You know we'd do anything for you,” Aileth smiled.
“Aileth's right!” Darien took his hand off of Gabrielle's face, “So, what's the plan for tonight?” he asked Gabrielle.
“First, seeing my sister. After that? I do have something special planned.”
Gabrielle grabbed two glasses of wine off a tray. She handed both Darien and Aileth a glass. Her eyes searched the room. She frowned and her eyebrows creased.
Darien kissed Gabrielle, “Sara will show up, Gabs. Don't worry.”
The worry on her face gave way, melting into a warm and loving smile. As if on queue, a familiar voice called out to her.
“Gabrielle!”
Sara ran up to her sister and gently hugged her. Her dress had The Apprentice constellation embroidered onto it. Gabrielle held her little sister in her arms.
“Thank you for coming! I was worried you'd be too busy for your own sister,” Sara jested.
Gabrielle pulled away from the hug, “I'm never too busy for you, Sara. Congratulations, I'm so proud of my baby sister!” she teased.
Sara had a smile on her face as she rolled her eyes, “Mind if I borrow Aileth, real quick?”
“Just make sure to return them,” Darien joked.
He grabbed Gabrielle's hand and led her over to wear other guests were dancing.
Aileth watched their partners with a smile before turning her attention to Sara, “What's this about?” they questioned.
Sara rubbed the back of her neck, “I just wanted to thank you again. Honestly, before you three got married, I haven't seen Gabrielle this happy before. And it's nice to not have my sister constantly spending her time worried about me or her work.”
She swirled their drink, “I should be thanking you. You put your trust in me even when I gave you no reason to … you took a risk on something that neither of us knew would work. And you kept it to yourself!”
“Didn't I tell you already? My sister trusted you. That was good enough for me. And now she actually has a chance to live a life. Yeah, you basically severed all trust with the Guild to do it. But I'm glad you did,” Sara admitted, “Anyways. Tell Gabby I'll visit soon. I've got to go speak with Vanus, but it was wonderful getting to see her again. And I'm glad you and Darien came with her. She really loves you both.”
Sara hurried away, leaving Aileth by themself. They stared into their half-full glass of wine. Aileth took another sip before setting it down on a table. Darien and Gabrielle came back over to her, holding hands.
“Already done dancing?” Aileth asked with an amused smile.
“We are,” Darien held his hand out to Aileth, “Unless you’d care to dance, my love?”
Aileth blushed, “I— I'm no good at dancing,” they nervously chuckled, “I don't even know how to…”
Gabrielle brushed part of their hair behind their ear, “You’d just be following our leads, Aileth. You're good at that, aren't you?” she purred.
The tip of their ear twitched. They averted their eyes, “I’ll dance with you both later. P-Perhaps we could do something else, first?”
Gabrielle couldn't stop herself from giggling at how flustered Aileth had become.
“Only if I get to have your first dance,” Darien winked.
The heat spread from their face to their ears, “I promise you will, darling.”
Darien suddenly got an idea. He picked Aileth’s drink up, “Not going to finish this?” he asked with a smirk.
“Not this time. You can have it, if you want, D.”
He drank most of it, took a small sip, and kissed Aileth. They melted into the kiss as he passed the sip he took to them. Aileth swallowed the wine. She watched as he finished the rest of the drink and placed the glass down on the table next to his own empty one. Darien proudly smiled.
“Come on, Gabrielle has something she wanted to show us. Isn't that right, dear?
“Yep!” Gabrielle excitedly grabbed Darien and Aileth's hands.
She led them both down the hallway and through a door to the upper floor. The upstairs hallway candles were unlit — it seemed the gala was only taking place in the far back courtyard and the first floor of the guildhall — and they exited onto the upper balcony. A couch was outside, but Gabrielle chose to lean on the bannister. Darien and Aileth were leaned on it with her.
The stars twinkled in the sky. A chill breeze hit them. Gabrielle held her hand out and cast Candlelight. Instead of one orb of light, she created multiple smalls orbs that danced around the three of them. Blue light illuminated the area, and Gabrielle.
Aileth's eyes lit up with astonishment, “Wow,” they breathed, “It's like you made a bunch of stars…”
Darien held his hand out to one. It landed on his palm, “They’re gorgeous … but not as gorgeous as you,” he played with the light.
Gabrielle brushed her hair behind her ear, “You’re such a sap, Darien,” she blushed, “I figured we spend so much time stargazing, why not alter a spell to mimic them?”
“I’d say you nailed it,” Darien praised.
“It's perfect,” Aileth leaned in and gently kissed Gabrielle, “and almost as stunning as you.”
“You both are saps,” she laughed. Her eyes were full of adoration as she stared at Darien and Aileth.
The three of them finally sat down next to each other. It fell silent as they relaxed next to each other and watched the lights dance around. Gabrielle and Aileth both rested against Darien. He took their hands in his own. The party could wait. For now, they just wanted to relax away from it all. Together.
Thank you my beloveds for tagging me @hircines-hunter @honeybeebunny111 @nerevarbean @enver-gortash @theflowergrrl 🩷 It was such a busy day packing that I didn't get to really open Tumblr until the end of the day. But -packing update- the knick knacks atop my piano have been safely packed away and Lucille (the piano in question) has been dusted and polished. Progress! but I'm tireeeddd.
Some of my writing projects are in the 'still cooking' stage, mostly due to time, but also because I wanted to finish the Runelle oneshot by the 30th (silly deadline, but it was a goal of mine), so today I offer a small peek of a future part of TLOTK.
(very much still a wip - 1,207 words)
The campfire was smoldering slightly by the time Aoife was finished heating up some poultices. With how much Kaidan got hurt during their escape from the Ratway and the journey that still lied ahead, she was going to need more than she thought.
She let the mixtures cool and stored them away in their respective pouches before tucking them with the rest of her things. Esbern snored contentedly at the fire, his arms crossed and his chin almost touching his chest. 'Closing his eyes for but a moment', or so he said. She shook her head. He reminded her of her father, and a pang of longing nestled inside her chest.
Somewhere in the dark, she hears the strike of a sword against wood. Kaidan.
He swung again and again against the makeshift enemy, vision bleary, but his focus unwavering. Behind his eyes, Aoife's yelp of pain and the sight of her being cornered repeatedly played like a cursed vision. He hadn't been guarding her flank, she got cornered, and could have paid dearly for his mistake if it wasn't for her quick wits and a well placed dagger into the mage's ribs.
It had almost happened again. She could have been taken. Killed…
The straw-packed wooden stake formed a different shape. Crepuscular dark robes formed around it, and at the top grew a twisted grin. Somewhere on the breeze, past the distant snaps of the burning wood on the campfire and the chitterings of the nighttime wildlife, a droning horn resonates. The dew on his brow turns to ice as his mind flashes back to memories of the countless raids he had been apart of in Dagon's name. It was the sound of the horn they would blow when the killing and pillaging was done. The sound of victory, signaling to Dagon himself to gain his favor, or so they were led to believe. Hoisting his sword upright, he uses the momentum of his turning body to power the blade towards the top of the dummy, cleanly lopping the top part away from the rest. The laugh dies away as the broken piece falls to the ground. He stares at it, wondering why he's so close to tears.
"Kai?"
He flinches, pointing his sword and sighing when he saw that it was only Aoife. "What are you doing still up? And what are you wearing?"
Aoife glances down at the simple shift she wore as if double checking that it was still there. It was sleeveless, and a shade of white that had obviously aged to a more ivory tone. "First, I could ask you the same thing. Second, I was making more poultices. And third, Sylgja was kind enough to let me wash up in her house. She gave this to me, seeing as my dress needs washing."
"Did any of the men see you?"
"Who cares if they did?"
"Because there isn't much to it, lass."
"I know there isn't. That's why I came to see you…" she insinuates slyly, leaning his sword against the wooden pole. She had just picked up his hands to lay them upon her when he slides them out of her grasp and picks his sword back up. Her arms cross themselves out of diffidence. "Kai—"
"It's nothing personal. Just… need to keep my distance for a while," he says, recommencing his practice.
"Is this about earlier? We've talked about this—"
"I'm not saying I'm feeling bad for myself. I'm just being cautious. I'm not myself." He drops his voice, along with his sword arm. "Besides… I obviously don't know my own strength."
Aoife rolls her eyes in the dark, a smirk growing. "Last night I very much enjoyed your strength…"
"Aoife, I'm serious."
With a quiet huff she quickly faces him and grabs his sword, freeing it from his grasp and tossing it aside into the grass. His mouth opens as he's about to react, but he isn't given the opportunity. Boldly gripping his gloved hand, she places it around her neck. Light from the campfire leaks through the trees, revealing the reds of his irises as his eyes widen in fear. She maintains their stare, holding fast to his hand when he tries to withdraw it. Kaidan's mouth becomes dry as she squeezes his fingers and forces a grip. The mixture of leather and metal against the softness of her delicate neck stirs something strange inside of him.
"See?" Her voice is soft, just above a whisper. She forces a harder grip to drive her point home. "You couldn't hurt me if you tried."
"No…" he agrees timidly, "but I scared myself today," he confesses at the same volume, barely wanting to even utter it.
"I know," she returns simply. "I could tell."
"I've been hearing voices… seeing shadows that aren't there…" Being open with the truth felt good, and he knew it was better to tell her than to let it fester inside of him. A hard lesson to learn but one he was getting the hang of nonetheless.
"I have too," she tells him. His eyes soften as he raises the hand around her neck to cradle her cheek instead. With his hands armored, the difference in size between her face and his hand was a stark one, but he couldn't deny how much he loved it. It was a precious thing, getting to hold the face of someone so strong. To be able to be the one to hold her when she let her defenses down and allow herself grow small. To be let. To be chosen.
"It isn't… Dagon?" He whispers it, but just barely, not wanting to risk it. He felt like a superstitious old man. To his relief, she shakes her head.
"No, my love. It isn't the same as what haunts you," she tenderly informs him, "but it is something. I dare not consider what, but it'll have to wait. For now, we stay close to one another."
"Aye," he swipes his thumb over a space he knew some faded freckles lived, the fear in his heart melting away the longer he stares at her. Here lied 'home'; packaged conveniently behind two colorful eyes and a wild heart he knew beat for him. He only hoped she knew just how much his beat for her.
"You know…" she continues, nuzzling into his hand and stepping closer, "it's possible for my bedroll to fit two."
He lets himself smile. It's hard not to. "As much as that tempts me, I'm going to camp here tonight."
"What? Propped up against a tree?"
"Yes."
"But—"
"I don't want to chance you if anything else was to happen. And I don't want to chance these folks seeing me like that either," he reasons, glancing up and checking past the trees. Everyone was in their respective homes, but that could always change. In the meager light, he barely makes out her saddened face.
"But I want you next to me…"
"Aye, I do too. But…" He gives a little sigh, kissing her forehead. "Humor me tonight, love. Alright?"
"Fine," she concedes, guiding his face down and giving him a long kiss; kissing his forehead, too, before letting him go. "Stay warm, won't you? It's cold."
Passing some no-obligation tags to @cresu @friend-of-giants @heavy-metal-dick @the-radic0le @flycasual @skyrimhusbandmaterial @blue-dartwing @sassybakalesbian @juliette-has-a-pencil and YOU 🫶 if anyone wants to share their goodies. If not, I'm giving everyone a digital hug and I will see y'all next week!
Also, for the new folks here, if you'd like to be included in the future, please don't be shy and let me know! :3 The more the merrier!
He wonders if there would ever come a time when he would be deprived of her, a time when he would have to live off a memory of her endlessly eating itself away like a day's cycle. Maybe it would've been easier if she hadn't been so conveniently tucked and sewn into the flesh underneath his breast, because she would've been nothing but an occurrence in his life, as sporadic as the valleys and hills on the horizon.
Nearly three years after their arrival in Skyrim, Erlind takes a path westward with the intention to return home to Daggerfall. Those plans go very astray, starting in Dawnstar with the request to help a Dunmer priest of Mara save the city from Daedric nightmares.
A talk with a sailor, a talk with a priest.
First (Full Cover and Cast List) - Next (2: Nightmares)
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