#tes writing

[boiledkwamaegg]

Does Faenil has any history/lore with the Great War? At the time of Skyrim it had only ended 25 years ago so I imagine they were around for it but it’d be cool to know if they were affected or involved in it at all.

Okay hello again Mx. Schnauzer I'm finally answering this one because the last ask made me think about it and I'm starting to have Faenil's age and timeline figured out...

MASSIVE wall of text about wartime Faenil incoming, so I'm putting it all below a cut.

I need to study the lore of the war more, but I mentioned before that Faenil never left Summerset until they were forced to flee after fucking everything up back home, and this was when they were around 93 years old. The journey across Tamriel took around 5 years, so when they were eventually captured at Skyrim's border, they were 98. So the calculator is telling me that they were 73 when the war ended, and I'd say that was when Faenil was, although very briefly, perhaps at their peak when it comes to performance.

They never left Summerset because they were born and raised in luxurious nobility (but not without a lot of skeletons hidden in a lot of closets) and with their line of work being pretty stationary in nature, they never had any reason to leave. And honestly, when you're an aristocrat with a fancy office and fancy home, why leave the safety of the city walls only to die in war? There's no sense in that. They had everything they needed in Alinor and all the best equipment and resources were there. The people came to them if they needed their help.

But I do think Faenil had some controversial opinions in regards to the war that they couldn't say out loud. For example, Faenil definitely doesn't condone any sort of genocide, and as ignorant as they can be, Faenil doesn't discriminate, they're a doctor and doctors can't afford that. You don't have to be racist to be an asshole high elf! ☝️ But they were already too deep in the political cult bubble to properly do anything about it. But, uh... I'll get back to this later...

My point is: as someone working for the Aldmeri Dominion, they obviously did get involved in the war, but only kind of indirectly. Most if not all of their patients were high standing aldmeri officials that needed to be stitched up only by the best of the best, or had some other medical complications that needed immediate tending to, because the Dominion can't afford to lose such important people. And I mention Faenil being at the peak of performance by the end of the war because they had gained so much experience through the osmosis of it. And well, war means you get more patients. But Faenil was also very overworked and was basically held at gunpoint (destruction-staff-point?) to do their job. Non-compliance was out of question, but at least they got paid well and had all those servants in compensation... Yay?

But now we get to the funny part. Since Faenil disagreed with some of the Dominion doctrine, they were sneaky and evil about it in the sense that they killed a few important political figures that they disliked during surgeries, with the alibi that there was a weird medical complication that was out of their hands. For the most part, they got away with it, since it absolutely didn't happen often and most people around them knew nothing of medicine, but their reputation did indeed suffer. And uh, they most likely got some cool gnarly scars as punishment, but that's not a huge deal when you've been (half-metaphorically) put through a meat grinder all your life. I guess Faenil is based in the sense that they got the right idea, but they're going about it in their own fucked up surgeon way. I've also mentioned before that they had a little illegal underground organ harvesting scheme going on, and while they definitely didn't get any body parts through ethical means, most of the buyers were working against the Dominion. Something something sometimes you sell a poor prisoner's liver for the greater good.

But yeah, I think soon after the war ended, Faenil got burnt out from working too much and their mental health started to gradually plummet... Uh, very catastrophically. Re-emerging traumas and re-emerging addictions and such. The organ harvesting scheme became a bigger side gig, they got sloppy and less sneaky about it, they were horrible to everyone around them, and eventually this all just imploded in on itself. They only managed to flee at the last minute, lol. But I'll talk about that some other time.

[redyn-nerevarine]

I love this part so much.

[ego-osbourne]

Snippet + Doodle

‘Tis Raven. His ass cannot cook

Based off of this piece of a oneshot I’m doing

Big part of MI is going to be this family dynamic, so I wanted to write some calmer, more domestic moments

[jorrvaskrmoons]

@delavairess This was called Duty :) it was good writing practice for me

The slamming of the jail door jolted Arisa awake and she peered up bleary eyed  at the guard who stood before her. Rising to her feet from the dirty cot she had been laying on, she clutched her aching head and  peered up at the guard in  confusion. 

.

“Wha- what's going on? Where am I? “ she demanded, instantly  regretting it as the pounding in her head was made worse by her tone.

Somewhat alert now, she glanced around her surroundings. She was in a cell, the small dirty cot and bucket of water the only things of value in it. Ah.. a jail cell by the looks of it. She took in the sigil of the guard who was eyeing her impatiently. The sigil of Whiterun. Ok, That answered the question as to where she was. Now to find out the why , she thought.

“Guard! why am I here?” she repeated.

The guard snorted in annoyance. 

“ You know why, girl. Now hurry up. The Jarl wants to see you.”

The shove he gave her was anything but gentle. Staggering, she shot him a glare that could have melted snow. Bastard.  Raising her chin, she marched out the cell, the guard humming "The dragonborn comes" in a toneless tune behind her.

As she trailed behind the guard up the winding steps to  Dragons Reach, she struggled to remember what happened the night before. A  series of memories drifted into her thoughts and she mentally unpacked them. She vaguely remembered boasting that she could outdrink anyone in the Bannered Mare. The whoops and hollers of the patrons as she bested some of the more seasoned drinkers.Her dancing to the tune of the "Maiden in the Rye". Crooning a sappy love song to a tall dark haired nord in black war paint as he stared at her in shock. Wait.. what was that last memory?!   She reddened as the memory replayed loud and clear.  

She had been dancing a merry jig when the tall nord had walked in. Hearing the raucous greeting from those all around, she looked up and at that moment, she felt her heart leap into her throat. Vilkas. The man whose heart she had broken when she had left Whiterun 3 years ago to escape her destiny. She watched as he made himself comfortable at the bar, affably chatting with Hilda as he ordered a drink. He hadn't  noticed her but yet he would. 

Before she had time to think, she snatched the lute from Mikael hands and began to strum a familiar tune, one he was sure to recognize. She ignored the bard's outrage for the moment. All that mattered was the song. At the sound, Vilkas paused, lowering his raised mug and slowly turned around. His widened eyes gazed into hers and it felt like time stood still. She didn't know what prompted her, but in that moment, she only knew she had to sing. 

" My heart belongs to You. 

My life is yours till the end. 

Oh, love Let this moment last forever 

Safe in your arms the way we intend."

As the last lyric fell from her lips, she felt someone grasp her arm. Without thinking, she elbowed them  hard in the face. Consequences  be damned.  At the surprised grunt of pain, she turned and found herself facing an angry guard, nose broken and bleeding, with his  sword raised and ready. "By the order of the Jarl, stop right there!" He barked. 

"FUS!"

The shout she sent in his direction was enough to stagger him and as he stumbled, she saw her chance. She raced to the door but unfortunately, her trembling legs gave out halfway there. As the guard shackled her and began to drag her out the inn, she could gaze shame faced at Vilkas who turned away.

A snap of fingers chased away her thoughts and she stared wide eyed at the annoyed guard who pointed at the great Dragons Reach door.

"You've been warned, Dragonborn. Harm the Jarl and  this will be your last day on Tamriel."

At her nod, the guard  pushed open the heavy doors and they entered the keep.

As they approached the throne, Arisa kept her  eyes downcast, staring at the polished floorboards. Anything  but to look at the man who had commanded her 3 years ago to go to the greybeards.  Because  of her, the dragons had grown stronger and more and more, skyrim and its people suffered. 

As the guard stopped, she peered up, meeting  the steely eyed gaze of Jarl Balgruuf.

"You. What are you doing here, Dragonborn? Why are you here causing problems in my city instead of being with the greybeards or trying to help with the dragon attacks?"  He said grimly.

Arisa stared defiantly at him, chin pointed high. 

" What I do is my own business. I answer to no one." she snapped and the Jarl arched an eyebrow at her tone.

" I didn't realize the dragonborn of legend was a coward." He said coldly. "Fit only for hounding men like a lovesick bitch."

Rage filled her mind at his words. She took a step forward and opened her mouth, prepared to respond in the same vile manner.  The tip of a blade in her back stilled her. The guard was too close to her for her to Shout him away. That sword would be in her guts before she could.  The Jarl eyed her sharply and continued on.

"Nevertheless, you have been brought to me for judgment and judge I shall.”

"For the crime of thievery, the cost of the crime is 300 septims.

Arisa snorted. " Thievery?! I'm no thief! Who did I supposedly steal from?!"

The Jarl glared at her. "You stole a valuable instrument from our local bard to serenade some man like a fool. That instrument  was vital to him and thanks to you, it was broken during your scuffle with the city guard. As for your attack on my guard,  the cost of the crime is 1000 septims and 1 year of imprisonment."

For a moment  the Jarl paused, and then he leaned forward and gazed at Arisa grimly. 

"Fortunately for you, someone took pity and paid your fines. But it leaves the question  of what to do with you and your imprisonment."  

Jarl Balgruuf motioned to his steward and whispered  something  in his ear.  Avvendici nodded and left, heading towards the stairway leading towards the Great Balcony.

Arisa glared at the jarl as he began to speak again.

" And fortunately  for me, I have a solution for the dragonborn to serve me instead of rotting in the cells."

At the sound of clanking metal, the Jarl smiled and greeted the figure striding into the hall.

“ Harbinger, I'm glad you came.”

Vilkas nodded and gazed coldly at Arisa before turning his attention to the Jarl.

“How can I serve you, Jarl Balgruuf?”

The Jarl nodded towards Arisa.  “The dragonborn once served your guild. While her punishment is imprisonment, a better use for her would be to rejoin your guild and do her duty to Skyrim's people by thinning out the dragon menace. “

Vilkas frowned at the idea. “ The Companions are bound together by Honor. We don't force anyone to join our guild. The very idea is absurd. And Besides, the dragonborn dishonored herself from the guild by leaving when we were facing a difficult time after Kodlak's passing. It can't be done. I'm sorry.`

The Jarl hmphed and scowled at the Harbinger. 

“It is vital that the dragons be taken care of right away. Skyrim and her people have suffered enough under the yoke of those beasts. The Dragonborn is no use to Whiterun in a cell. Come now, be reasonable. Let her rejoin your guild and take care of the dragons.”

“ You mean watch her to make sure she does the job.” Vilkas said flatly.

Balgruuf shrugged. “ Maybe that too. She seems to be in the habit of abandoning her duties.”

Arisa stared angrily at both of them. “ You bastards, Talking about me as if i'm not here! How about asking me what I like to do?!” she snarled.

Jarl Balgruuf waved an impatient hand in her direction. “ Join the Companions or rot in the cells, dragonborn.” 

It was Vilkas's turn to look outraged.  “I never said that she could rejoin the guild, Jarl. You overstep your bounds.”

Arisa contemplated her choices while the Jarl and Harbinger argued amongst themselves. 

Sitting in a prison cell was not how she intended to spend a year of her life. But she had no urge to rejoin the companions, to face the soundless accusations either.  

She studied Vilkas and suddenly she felt the urge to cry. Not a year. Not a year of knowing he would shun her for leaving the way she did. Angrily pinching herself, she stilled the flood of tears and swallowed back the lump in her throat. It was foolish to think of that now.

“ Jarl Balgruuf, wouldn't it be better for me to serve you in the company of the guards instead?” she asked, the tremble in her voice the only sign of the internal turmoil she was facing.

The Jarl shook his head. “ No. Again, it's either join the Companions or serve your time in the cells. “ 

With that, Arisa sighed and nodded dejectedly. 

“ I will rejoin the Companions.” 

Vilkas snarled in frustration. “ I never said you could join, Dragonborn!”  he said harshly.

She clenched her fists. “ You would rather see me in jail?!” she shot back just as harsh.

Vilkas exhaled slowly and rubbed his face. “ No.” 

Stormy blue-gray eyes suddenly met her own and she drew back uneasily.  There was an angry fire burning in those eyes.

“Before I let you rejoin, swear to me that you won't run. That you won't abandon your duty to fight the dragons for a year. Swear it and you may rejoin.”

Arisa hesitated  then nodded. Kneeling before Vilkas, she looked up at him.  “ I swear not to abandon my duty. I swear I will fight the dragons on behalf of Skyrim and her people. On my honor I swear it to you, Harbinger.”

The look that Vilkas gave her was indescribable. He made a motion for her to rise and as she slowly got up, she noticed his own clenched fists.

Jarl Balgruuf, who had been quiet so far, beamed in delight.  “The matter is resolved then, Harbinger.”  With a nod to them both, he left them, heading upstairs towards the great balcony.

Vilkas gave Arisa a tight nod and headed to the main doors. As Arisa followed him, she already regretted her choice to rejoin.

[reagan-the-saunders]

Chapter 3: Warm The Blood

The Star is dropped off at the forger, and Val gets Maevynn to spend some time with him. Meanwhile, Viper attempts to find some leads as to what she is.

“So, we find this chest in the freezing Northern end of Skyrim, take the amulet inside of it, get a copy made, and trick the guard captain into believing it's the real one.” Viper says, recounting the information she just had unloaded on her as she trudges through the snow, the moons and stars lighting up whatever path she can make out. “And that then clears Val’s name and we no longer have to worry about being flagged as fugitives… I see.”

“She’s right! She can be taught!” Maevynn laughs with an eye roll, hopping off a snowy boulder onto the grass below.

Viper exchanges a sassy look with Val, before she sighs and follows behind Maevynn. “I assure you, I can be taught a great many things.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Val laughs, walking alongside her. The only one who isn’t overly bothered by the snow and… More snow.

“Hands to yourself, sailor.” Viper says with a slight grin.

“You said it was by the shoreline, Val?” Maevynn says as she stops to look out over a rocky outcrop, the Solitude lighthouse and another docked ship just beyond.

“That’s right. Down here, follow me.” Val replies as he makes his way down the outcrop by the shore. He walks out to what looks like a small wooden dock jutting out just outside a cave entrance.

Maevynn catches up and stands beside him, Viper not far behind. “Here?”

“Yeah. This is it. It’s just under the pier there.” Val sighs, pointing down below the wooden planks.

Viper struts up next to them and crosses her arms assertively, still shivering, though. “Well, I am not diving down there. I’m already too cold to tolerate.” She groans.

“And you think I’m not?” Maevynn shrieks, whipping her head towards her.

“I have a strange weakness to the cold. I cannot handle it as well as any other race. Taking a swim in that water, in this weather, at night, could be lethal.” Viper yelps as she wraps herself in her shawl.

Maevynn’s features and shoulders drop with a sigh as she looks over at Val. “You’re the nord! You get it!” She squeals.

Val steps back for a moment, a cheeky and almost amused look on his face. “Do you just want to see me shirtless again..? Or-”

“Yes- No- Urgh, fine! Fine.” Maevynn yaps as her face goes red. She begins to pull her clothing off until she’s only in her undergarments, throwing them into the least snowy patch of rock or soil she can find. “Wet clothing… would induce… hypothermia…” She shivers. She takes her hat off and presses it to Val’s chest. “Do. Not. Lose it.” Maevynn grunts before diving into the water, swimming down under the pier.

Val and Viper stand there waiting for her, both with bewildered looks on their faces. A moment later, Maevynn emerges with the chest, gasping, shivering, and going pale. Val grabs her arm and helps her out of the water, only for Maevynn to pull herself out of his grasp once she’s merely ankle deep in.

Maevynn places the chest down on the ground and rummages around her clothing pile for the key. Once she finds it, she unlocks the chest with shaking hands, grabbing the Star and looking up at Val. Val seems to be admiring the body art Maevynn has all over her, looking to be of multiple styles from multiple cultures. But he shakes his head and returns his focus to the Star once Maevynn shakes it a little to get his attention.

“I have it. I hope you’re happy!” She shivers, trying to pull on her clothing as best she can, struggling as it sticks to her wet skin. “Oh, for Shor’s sake-”

Viper rolls her eyes with a scoff and helps pull Maevynn’s shirt back over her. Maevynn huffs at her, then puts on the next garment. “You’re welcome.” Viper grumbles lightheartedly.

“Well, let’s get this to my contact in the city. I'm even beginning to freeze up now.” Val groans.

“Yes. Please. Let’s go. By the gods...” Maevynn grunts before trying her best to jog back the way they came, attempting to warm herself up again.

Maevynn is still shivering by the time they get back into Solitude, she still has an angry and cold scowl on her face. She squeezes her crossed arms as her jaw chatters. 

“The person we’re looking for is inside Radiant Raiment. We’ll have to wait until it’s open.” Val says to her softly.

“So that means I’ll get some time to warm up at the inn? Oh, damn. Shame that.” Maevynn grunts, stamping off in the direction of the Winking Skeever.

Viper pulls her hood over her head to shield her face from onlookers. “Nord food leaves something to be desired, but I would not object to a warm fire right now.” She sighs, still freezing in her own right, as she and Val follow behind Maevynn.

Maevynn scurries right to the fireplace once they enter the tavern, and Viper takes a seat at the closest table to it. “Would you like to come sit up at the table like a normal person?” She laughs.

“Does a normal person jump into a freezing ocean to grab illegal contraband?” Maevynn groans with a shudder looking up at Viper. “Besides, you’re hardly ‘normal’ yourself, Viper.”

“Hey now-” Both Val and Viper say in sync. They glance at each other annoyedly. 

“Order some drinks or something. I could use something strong right now.” Maevynn sighs, still pressing herself against the warm stone.

“I don’t want anything.” Viper shakes her head as she readjusts her hood, shaking her leg anxiously. She hates being in places with so many people, especially taverns at night, taverns full of drunks. She doesn’t let anyone see her face, but she shifts her eyes about the room nervously. “I’m going to rent a room for the night and turn in before someone sees me. I could use some rest anyways.” Viper groans as she stands up, still clutching her hood. “I’ll see you two in the morning.”

Val nods to her and then turns back to Maevynn. “There are better ways to warm up, you know.” He sighs with amusement.

“...Like hard liquor.” She grunts.

Viper walks up to the bar with her head down and places some gold on the counter. “A room, please.”

The bartender eyes up the gold suspiciously. “I’ll need to see your face… Please.” He takes the gold and watches Viper carefully.

Viper sighs. “Of course you do…” She takes her hood off and looks into his eyes, the piercing glow of her own acting as a frightening sight despite the soft look on her face. She watches as the bartender begins to panic silently and become too stunned to speak. Some other people in the bar begin to watch, and one mean drunk, a large nord man, walks into her.

“You’re in my way.” He growls.

“Then step around me.” Viper hisses back at him stoically. 

His face twists into a look of anger and hate as he takes a swing at her face with his fist, knocking her to the floor and causing her to bleed from her mouth and nose. She looks up as he stands over her, drawing even more attention than before. Val and Maevynn watch, too, ready to jump to her defence if needed, but decide to watch this play out instead. 

“I don’t take orders from animals.” The man snaps.

Viper gets back up slowly, looking him dead in the eyes. “Are you done? Or shall we really dance?” She says softly. Viper bares her fangs with a rabid hiss, she’d rather scare him off rather than fight him, but she’s not afraid to.

The man drunkenly stumbles toward her, but doesn’t take any aggressive actions. “Don’t show your face here again.” He grunts at her, but leaves the bar.

“I believe I’ll be taking that room now. You have your gold.” Viper sighs, wiping blood from her face with a grimace. She walks past Val and Maevynn, and stops to talk to them. “Don’t worry, this isn’t the first time this has happened.” She sighs as she looks at the blood on her hand. “And it sure will not be the last.” Viper makes her way past them and up the stairs to her room, Maevynn and Val looking at each other with both surprised and worried expressions, for multiple reasons.

Maevynn’s delighted when she sees sunlight peer through her inn room window, sighing with relief as the temperature outside begins to pick up. She’s also glad that this mess with Captain Aldis is almost dealt with, though she’s yet to even drop off the Star of Solitude for copying, and she’s sure that won’t be a quick job. She climbs out of bed and tosses her hair about a little, then wanders over to grab her clothes and get ready to go.

Maevynn meets up with Val and Viper outside of the inn, despite how early it is, both of them are up before her for some reason. “You haven’t been waiting for me very long have you?” She asks.

“Only a few minutes.” Viper says honestly. “The shop should be open in a moment or two, if you two want to take the Star over.”

“Are you not coming with us?” Maevynn grumbles, rubbing her eyes gently.

“I’m going to go stop by the Bards’ College. There’s something I need to take care of there. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“The College? What’s so important over there?” Val asks as he crosses his arms.

“They have a wide selection of books that, while they don’t allow anyone to take and keep, I intend to look through anyways.” Viper says. “I’m merely looking for something, don’t worry. I’ll see you soon.” She walks off towards the end of town the Bards’ College resides in, adjusting her hood once more as she goes.

“Well, in that case it’s just you and me. Let’s go meet with the forger.” Val says, and Maevynn nods back to him.

Maevynn looks around a bit inside the shop, plenty of expensive items in here, but it would have to wait for another time. She watches as Val walks up to the counter and speaks to the high elf woman behind it.

“Hello, Endarie.” He says to her as he leans on the wooden counter.

“Oh it’s you. What a delight.” Endarie grumbles, not taking her eyes off some piece of cloth she’s hemming.

“It’s delightful to see you again, too. I’ve missed you.” Val replies in a charming voice, as usual.

“You expect me to believe that? Points for creativity, if nothing else.” Endarie sighs, looking over at him then back to what she was working on.

Maevynn laughs with a small sigh quietly. She should have known Endarie was the contact. She’s never met her or her sister, but has heard rumours of how they are, both in and outside their shop.

“All right, I surrender.” Val says, his voice turning a little bit more serious. “I wish I could say this was a social call, but I need your expertise on a specific item. I’m in a bit of a bind between two parties.”

Endarie scoffs. “Gold solves most problems, doesn’t it?” 

“Not this time. I need to pull one over on Aldis, and probably the castle steward and court mage, too.” Val groans, pressing his fingers to the side of his forehead.

“Fools I could do without.” Endarie sighs, finally putting her cloth down and looking up at Val. “Okay, just this once. I do hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Don’t I always? I’ll see you in a day.” Val says to her in a low voice, and Maevynn walks up to the counter to hand her the Star discreetly.

Maevynn stretches her shoulders as she and Val exit Radiant Raiment, her muscles still a little tight from the cold. “I guess we have a day to kill.” She sighs.

“Well, there’s plenty to do in Solitude.” Val says, turning to look at her. He smiles softly at her. “Say, mind if I buy you a drink?”

“Thoughtful of you, but honestly, I’ve spent enough time in that inn for a while.” Maevynn says. “Besides…” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a large bottle of Cyrodilic Brandy. “I’ve already… acquired some. From last night.” 

“At least you chose a drink worth stealing.” Val laughs. “Well, if you don’t want to go to the inn, let me show you something.” He then gestures for her to follow him through the city.

“Alright…” Maevynn says cautiously.

“Oh, don’t be like that.” Val chuckles. “I want to show you one of my favourite spots in the city. It’s on top of the city walls. You can see for miles on a clear day, as rare as those are on the Sea of Ghosts.”

“Today happens to be quite a clear one.” Maevynn says. She follows him up the castle dour, and on the way she and Aldis exchange a distrusting look. They begin climbing up the steps to the top of the wall. She watches as Val stops and leans on the wall, looking out at the freezing ocean and mountains beyond.

“Here we are…” He sighs. “How do you like the view?”

“It’s certainly different from when you’re out on the water. Everything looks so small from up here.” Maevynn replies, pulling the bottle of brandy out once more. She uncorks it and looks down at it. She shrugs and takes a swig straight from the bottle. “Ah, but it always gets better with a drink.”

Val looks her up and down with a small smirk as he watches her drink brandy in a rather unorthodox way. “Care to share?”

Maevynn laughs and passes the bottle to him, crossing her arms as she leans against a stone wall. “As pretty as the Sea of Ghosts is, I wouldn’t recommend swimming in it.” She then glares at Val. “And no amount of gold is making me do that again, Val. You can do it yourself next time!”

Val quickly swallows his drink so he can laugh safely. “As you say, captain…”

Maevynn laughs as she takes back the brandy and has a little bit. “In any case… I got to see you shirtless, you got to see me in next to nothing and freezing my ass off. We’re even now, eh?”

“We’re even… For the moment.” Val says softly. “By the way, care to tell me a little bit about your tattoos? I noticed a few of them when you jumped in the water, and now I’m curious.”

“Glad to hear that you were looking so closely…” She sighs with a flirtatious smile. “Well, you probably noticed that not all of them are tattoos, per-say. The one on my lower back is redguard henna, and I have nordic warpaint on my hands.” Maevynn says as she pulls back her sleeves and holds out her hands, blue wavy streaks and dots painted on the backs of them. “There are other bits of body art of varying styles from various cultures I’ve picked up over the years but…” Maevynn looks at him with a mischievous face.

“But..?” Val asks with intrigue.

“...If you want to see anything else, you’ll need to earn it this time…” She sips the brandy again with flushed cheeks.

“That sounds like a challenge.” Val says as he scans her with his eyes. “I like challenges.”

Meanwhile, Viper enters the Bard’s College and peers around, grasping her hood tightly. She looks at the books lining the many shelves in the entryway, and she looks through a doorway to see many more in the other room. She picks up a book and flips through it, but after finding nothing useful inside, she decides to put it back. She hears footsteps coming up from behind her and tries to keep her head down.

“I don’t believe I’ve seen you around here before, can I help you?” A male altmer voice says behind her.

“I just wanted to look through some of these books, that’s all.” Viper says, still turned away from him.

“That’s fine, I suppose. I am Viarmo, I’m the head of the Bards’ College here in Solitude.” His face turns to confusion and morbid interest when he notices the slight green light reflecting off of an open page that Viper holds out in front of her. “One moment…” He grabs her shoulder and turns her to face him, she gasps quickly. “What are you?” 

Viper’s voice goes shaky and worried. “That’s what I’m here to find out, I just need to look through some bo-”

“Get out. Now.” Viarmo says, his fear and paranoia taking over.

“I swear to you, I’m not going to hurt anyone, I just-”

“Now!” He barks.

Viper quickly puts the book back and runs out of the college, leaning against the outer wall and pressing her hands to her head. “That went as well as was to be expected.” She sighs and begins walking back to the front end of the city with disappointment and hurt.

[changelingsandothernonsense]

First Line, Last Line, Best Line (Fanfic WIP Edition)

So the gist of this game is to share the very first line of your current fic WIP, the very last line of it, (you may cheat a bit if your last line is too spoilery) and your favorite line so far. You don't have to explain why. You can just leave it there with no context. Tagged by @mareenavee, @thequeenofthewinter and @archangelsunited Thanks for including me! Tagging @paraparadigm, @friend-of-giants, @snippetsrus, @saltymaplesyrup, @tallmatcha and @thana-topsy and @orfeoarte because I know you're writing something! Look at me trying to tag people...please don't kill me! HELP XD Dumping stuff from the ongoing fic Serious Mistakes. First Line (Chapter One) Sydari threw the flyer back onto the bed. Last Line (Chapter Six) There was a series of old buildings on the far side of town, most having been destroyed in the wake of Red Mountain’s eruption.

Best Line (Chapter Four)

“Oh, great Nerevar guide me!” Teldryn mumbled sarcastically, he made a point of using Dunmeris, “Obviously the intention was to fuck my foot!” (Sass Nerevar when Nerevar is sassing you? Of course!)

[orfeoarte]

First Line, Last Line, Best Line (Fanfic WIP Edition)

So the gist of this game is to share the very first line of your current fic WIP, the very last line of it, (you may cheat a bit if your last line is too spoilery) and your favorite line so far. You don't have to explain why. You can just leave it there with no context.

tagged by the lovely @changelingsandothernonsense Sorry it took me so long aaaa I appreciate and love being tagged I promise!! I'm tagging my beloved @fantasydrowsy <3

First Line

Certain things didn't bother Vanus these days as they had before.

Last Line (the last one I can share. the rest is uh spicy)

Mannimarco was quick on his wit.

Best Line (Bit more than just a line but ohhhhhghghg)

He'd stared upon death's face once, and kenned less fear for it than for a rough handler. Mannimarco was no rough handler. If he was to die, he'd want him there, puncturing the fatal artery.

[malfahliil]

looking for….. a resource that talks about the plants and herbs of tamriel and their real world equivalents/what they taste like….