May your path be Adventurous

Roleplay Blog for all things OC and Fantasy. TES, Dragon Age, D&D, and many others.

[sneakylittleelf]

Thila was grinning ear to ear, taking a moment to briefly enjoy the attempt at steering the conversation back to business. “If you don’t mind being a little patient, I would ask a couple of weeks to get in contact with a few people so I’m not simply leaving with no notice, and tidying up a job or two. You’ll still be in town, won’t you?” She gave a much softer smile this time, hoping the answer would be yes.

Aerin was still blushing a little bit as she would nod her head and smile wider. “Oh, of course. I wouldn’t expect you to drop everything to hike me up a mountain.” She’d laugh and look down to her plate, taking in another couple bites and chewing. “I’ll be here more or less exclusively, unless my sister manages to get herself into some predicament that requires her rescue…” She’d pause a moment. “She does seem to have a knack for getting into trouble. But, barring that, yes I will be here. You can send word for me by way of Honeyside, the small cabin in the corner of town.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

[these blogs are pretty much completely dead, but I miss this so very much. If you ever see this, know that I think about these interactions extremely fondly once in a while. I miss you and hope you're doing alright!]

[sneakylittleelf]

tamriel-and-beyond

With an almost giddy tone to her voice, Thila chimed in. “I would be happy to offer such a service. I have little else to do, and one really should never have to travel alone in these parts. It’s quite dangerous for an outsider.” She tossed a teasing little glance at her breakfast companion. She didn’t doubt the woman had the skill to fend for herself, but it was all in good fun.

Aerin smirked, quirking a brow up. “Oh… I do know a few good tricks. I can be quite dangerous myself… but avoiding a fight whenever possible is better. Plus you can help keep me warm.” As soon as those words left her lips the Bosmer would blush, looking down to her plate, pretending to be very focused on her food for a moment as she cut out another bite of meat. “I… I just mean, I’m so unaccustomed to the cold.” Finally she looked up and mustered a smile. “When would you be able to go?”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

@sneakylittleelf Thila was grinning ear to ear, taking a moment to briefly enjoy the attempt at steering the conversation back to business. "If you don't mind being a little patient, I would ask a couple of weeks to get in contact with a few people so I'm not simply leaving with no notice, and tidying up a job or two. You'll still be in town, won't you?" She gave a much softer smile this time, hoping the answer would be yes.

[sneakylittleelf]

tamriel-and-beyond

Thila chuckled. “I’ve never been accused of that be before. Maybe the dancing lights of the northern night brought you to me. They say that they have a rather powerful effect on those who seek strength, fortune, and romance.” She gave a sly grin and fluttered her eyes a bit, tilting her head back and forth on the upturned palms of her hands, as if to put her face on display. “Though it’s not easy to see them from here. You’re far more likely to get a nice view from high atop a mountain. It may be cold, but the sky is absolutely dazzling.”

Aerin couldn’t help but laugh as she watched Thila, her hands covering her cheeks a moment later as she was certain she was blushing.

“I can’t say I’ve had the opportunity to do that yet… Not completely sure which direction to even set out in if I were to try on my own…. there’s a great many mountains, but the mountain roads can be fickle and lead you into the dens of bandits if you aren’t familiar with them. It sounds beautiful though, perhaps if I had someone with me who knew the way.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

With an almost giddy tone to her voice, Thila chimed in. "I would be happy to offer such a service. I have little else to do, and one really should never have to travel alone in these parts. It's quite dangerous for an outsider." She tossed a teasing little glance at her breakfast companion. She didn't doubt the woman had the skill to fend for herself, but it was all in good fun.

[sneakylittleelf]

“I love to lend a hand to a stranger in a strange land.” Thila’s smile was soft with a hint of sly. “If you’re looking for warm, you don’t get much warmer than here or Falkreath. I know someone who has unused land out there, likely to sell for a fair price. Maybe Iverdstead or Riften, though they don’t have quite the same protection as one of the holds.” She pondered for a moment.

“But if you’re looking too experience Skyrim to its fullest, deep snows and all, I would suggest Windhelm, or somewhere in what’s left of Winterhold… The latter if you’re more magically inclined.” She stopped for a moment as she recalled something.“I spent some time in the college there myself. Good people for the most part, highly competitive lot though. And by the eight do they love to bicker. In fact, maybe scratch living in Wintethold, a visit will do.”

After a brief pause, she continued. “Most of the rest are either averagely pleasant, heavily fortified, or both. Solitude is a fair city but pricey. Markarth is built on dwemer ruins and near impenetrable, but they have a problem with nobility snobbery and it’s so drab. And then there’s Whiterun, protected well enough, some house warring but not enough to really bother, and I know several people there who quite enjoy the scenery.”  Continuing her chair balancing act and mental mapping, she searched for anywhere else she could think suitable to make a new home. “I haven’t been to a few of these places but I’m well connected, and my brother has been across the country and back three times at least already. It’s really not that bad out here once you get used to it.”

Aerin listened intently, giggling at moments, and smiling as she watched this animated womer go through her descriptions. Earlier that morning she’d felt lost, alone, cold. Now this person was opening up the doors, painting this land in a new light for her. It was amazing to her how a chance meeting could change the way she felt about literally everything.

“Hmm… well, I am actually magically inclined. So this college interests me. Might be worth pursuing… but then Whiterun also sounds very tempting. I’ve heard it’s lovely. Protection is also appealing.” She sighed and cut into her meat, taking a large bite and chewing happily. “It almost feels like fate I ran into you today. Things were looking a little bleak for me before, but you’ve given me a little glimmer of hope.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Thila chuckled. "I've never been accused of that be before. Maybe the dancing lights of the northern night brought you to me. They say that they have a rather powerful effect on those who seek strength, fortune, and romance." She gave a sly grin and fluttered her eyes a bit, tilting her head back and forth on the upturned palms of her hands, as if to put her face on display. "Though it's not easy to see them from here. You're far more likely to get a nice view from high atop a mountain. It may be cold, but the sky is absolutely dazzling."

[sneakylittleelf]

tamriel-and-beyond

Thila chuckled a bit. “We’ve all had our moments.” She answered briefly. “Though I dare say not a man alive or dead could claim to be one of them.” As their meals arrived and patrons came and went, Thila kept careful watch on whoever stepped through any doors. “One learns more from mistakes than perfection, though. So don’t wrinkle your nose too much about it.” Thila gave a little smile and a wink.

“So, now you’re free of smelly men and on the road to independence, that’s good! If it’s your own home you’re looking for, I could likely talk to a few people here and there. Are you looking to settle in the Rift, or perhaps the Pale is more to your liking?” She was rather animated when speaking, hands sweeping across as if pointing to a mental map. “I don’t normally help out just anyone, but I remember what it was like being a lone mer in a man’s land. Personally wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

No man dead or alive… this comment made Aerin smile knowingly. At least she felt she understood the meaning of those words. This beautiful and cunning womer sitting before her seemed to have everything together, to have figured out all the secrets. Aerin looked on with a bit of awe in her expression that she didn’t realize was showing through.

“You would do that?” A smile grew on her lips, her large brown eyes lighting up. “I would be indebted to you, and someday I’ll find a way to repay that kindness. As to my liking… I’m not sure. I’m used to a warmer climate, but I suppose the reason I came here was to see something new.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

“I love to lend a hand to a stranger in a strange land.” Thila’s smile was soft with a hint of sly. “If you’re looking for warm, you don’t get much warmer than here or Falkreath. I know someone who has unused land out there, likely to sell for a fair price. Maybe Iverdstead or Riften, though they don’t have quite the same protection as one of the holds.” She pondered for a moment.

“But if you’re looking too experience Skyrim to its fullest, deep snows and all, I would suggest Windhelm, or somewhere in what’s left of Winterhold… The latter if you’re more magically inclined.” She stopped for a moment as she recalled something.“I spent some time in the college there myself. Good people for the most part, highly competitive lot though. And by the eight do they love to bicker. In fact, maybe scratch living in Wintethold, a visit will do.”

After a brief pause, she continued. “Most of the rest are either averagely pleasant, heavily fortified, or both. Solitude is a fair city but pricey. Markarth is built on dwemer ruins and near impenetrable, but they have a problem with nobility snobbery and it’s so drab. And then there’s Whiterun, protected well enough, some house warring but not enough to really bother, and I know several people there who quite enjoy the scenery.” Continuing her chair balancing act and mental mapping, she searched for anywhere else she could think suitable to make a new home. “I haven’t been to a few of these places but I’m well connected, and my brother has been across the country and back three times at least already. It’s really not that bad out here once you get used to it.”

[sneakylittleelf]

tamriel-and-beyond

“Oh, I may have seen such a person around. I think my brother has known her for a time, as I’m sure guildmates would cross at least once in a while.” She rested one arm on the table to help her balance. “Though, man trouble sounds far more urgent than talk of siblings. Please, unpack the burden, I want to know exactly how many fingers I need to relieve him of to chase off such a pretty lady.”

Aerin gave a shy smile, her cheeks heating up a little at the unexpected compliment. “Oh, he’s…. he’s a burden that has already been dealt with. I doubt I will ever see his face again.” Her shoulders slumped a little and she seemed to deflate. “I was the idiot, to be honest. I didn’t even like him that much and I knew he was a bad person… I just really liked the freedom he offered. He was living an adventure, and he had power.”

Then she was quiet for a moment, before looking up to Thila and smiling weakly. “It’s in the past. I won’t be so naive next time. I don’t suppose you ever did anything stupid like that?”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Thila chuckled a bit. "We've all had our moments." She answered briefly. "Though I dare say not a man alive or dead could claim to be one of them." As their meals arrived and patrons came and went, Thila kept careful watch on whoever stepped through any doors. "One learns more from mistakes than perfection, though. So don't wrinkle your nose too much about it." Thila gave a little smile and a wink.

"So, now you're free of smelly men and on the road to independence, that's good! If it's your own home you're looking for, I could likely talk to a few people here and there. Are you looking to settle in the Rift, or perhaps the Pale is more to your liking?" She was rather animated when speaking, hands sweeping across as if pointing to a mental map. "I don't normally help out just anyone, but I remember what it was like being a lone mer in a man's land. Personally wouldn't wish it on anyone."

[sneakylittleelf]

“I can never be sure with that one.” She stated quite plainly. “He travels a lot, but he has friends in several holds. Sometimes if I feel gracious I’ll linger around, so that when next we meet I can fill him in.” Thila sighed a bit. “He hardly takes me on his adventures. The ‘lone wolf’ as the Nords put it. Which is strange, wolves are hardly ever alone. Either way, I think he was last headed to…Solstheim?” She paused for a moment to be sure she remembered correctly. “I do believe that’s what it was called. The um, Dunmer settlement in the northeast. When he’s around here, it’s usually between here, Windhelm, and Whiterun. The man never stays in one place.” Thila scooted her chair a little more toward the wall so she could lean it back without falling. “But it’s always about my brother. Blah blah, he’s the town hero or something of the sort. What of your sister? If she has ties in THIS town, there must be something interesting to be said about that, yes?”

Aerin rested her cheek in her hand as she listened. “Ah, I see. Well my sister is anything but a town hero, as you can probably guess. She works here, in the guild apparently. Maybe you know her. Short red hair, sneaky archer type.”

She ran her fingertips along the grain of the wood that was their table. “I’m only staying in Riften with her until I can manage a place of my own. Things went a little… sour… with my boyfriend.” Sour of course was an understatement. 

[tamriel-and-beyond]

"Oh, I may have seen such a person around. I think my brother has known her for a time, as I'm sure guildmates would cross at least once in a while." She rested one arm on the table to help her balance. "Though, man trouble sounds far more urgent than talk of siblings. Please, unpack the burden, I want to know exactly how many fingers I need to relieve him of to chase off such a pretty lady."

[sneakylittleelf]

Her eyes widened, watching Thila place her order with a bit of awe in her eyes. She’d only been here a year and seemed so well acclimated, so comfortable and know with the people. Could she be this at ease in a year’s time?

After a pause she realized it was her turn, and awkwardly stammered for a moment before requesting a piece of grilled venison and some water.

Aerin returned her focus to Thila then, her fingers fidgeting with the small pieces of bone and fang on her necklace. “So your brother is away then? For how long?”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

“I can never be sure with that one.” She stated quite plainly. “He travels a lot, but he has friends in several holds. Sometimes if I feel gracious I’ll linger around, so that when next we meet I can fill him in.” Thila sighed a bit. “He hardly takes me on his adventures. The ‘lone wolf’ as the Nords put it. Which is strange, wolves are hardly ever alone. Either way, I think he was last headed to...Solstheim?” She paused for a moment to be sure she remembered correctly. “I do believe that’s what it was called. The um, Dunmer settlement in the northeast. When he’s around here, it’s usually between here, Windhelm, and Whiterun. The man never stays in one place.”  Thila scooted her chair a little more toward the wall so she could lean it back without falling. “But it’s always about my brother. Blah blah, he’s the town hero or something of the sort. What of your sister? If she has ties in THIS town, there must be something interesting to be said about that, yes?”

[parviocula]

“Hermaeus Mora is the daedric prince of fate, knowledge and memory. In his rare dealings with mortals, he often chooses to appear as a grotesque mass of tentacles.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Thila smiled. “Aerin. A good name.” Walking through the tavern, she nodded at the keep, a lovely Argonian woman, and took a table to one side against a wall.

The place was fairly empty, too early to draw a real crowd, with just a few other usual patrons either having a bite or recovering from the night before. Thila took a chair to one side of the table and motioned for Aerin to sit in the other. Sure that this was a much better place to speak than out in the open, she placed her elbows on the table and her chin on the back of her hands.

“Siblings with ‘friends’ in Riften, huh? Honestly what are the chances.” She chuckled with a knowing glance. “It seems we would make great allies. Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself? Get to know one another.” She offered.

[sneakylittleelf]

Aerin was all eyes and ears as she stepped into the tavern, quietly following the other to the table. It was warm and inviting inside, despite the musky scent of ale soaked floorboards. She noticed an Imperial man who seemed to be nursing a bad hangover, slouching in the corner over a pint of mead. At another table a couple Nords were having an argument.

She took her seat and focused on Thila now, giving her a small smile. “I would like that. I’ve lived in Valenwood my whole life. Greenheart is where I grew up. I’ve only been away for a few months.” She sighs and rubs the back of her neck. “Still getting used to being so far from home. I’ve been staying with my sister Luth here in town for a week now, but I’m going to need to find my own place. What about you? You seem like you’ve been living here a good while.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

"Greenheart, Hm? I'm from Malabal Tor." Thila replied. "Though I haven't been gone from there as long as you would think. A bit over a year, I believe." Thila motioned to the other Argonian tending other customers when he had a moment, expressing what she wanted with just a few looks and gestures. "Long enough to be known in the area, however. Thanks to my brother mostly." She smiled once again. "I am watching over the place in his absence, in a sense."

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Thila smiled. “Aerin. A good name.” Walking through the tavern, she nodded at the keep, a lovely Argonian woman, and took a table to one side against a wall.

The place was fairly empty, too early to draw a real crowd, with just a few other usual patrons either having a bite or recovering from the night before. Thila took a chair to one side of the table and motioned for Aerin to sit in the other. Sure that this was a much better place to speak than out in the open, she placed her elbows on the table and her chin on the back of her hands.

“Siblings with ‘friends’ in Riften, huh? Honestly what are the chances.” She chuckled with a knowing glance. “It seems we would make great allies. Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself? Get to know one another.” She offered.

[sneakylittleelf]

She arched one brow as she watched something small and shiny slip into her pocket, glancing over to the unaware merchant and then back again. Aerin was no thief, but she also had no serious moral qualms with those who were. If she’d ever put forth the effort to learn the craft, she could have made a fine thief herself. But on some level she felt it beneath her. She was too proud. Something about how smoothly this other Bosmer had done this impressed her, though. “Aye… so I have heard. My sister lives here, and she did warn me not to let my coin purse swing from my belt. But I should be… protected from anyone, um, professional? If that’s the right word. The people she works with. Something about being a part of the family, I suppose.”, she shrugged.

Aerin was dressed in leather pants and a cloth tunic. A dark green cloak hung around her shoulders. The cloak and tunic were like many you could find in abundance in Skyrim, but her pants had a foreign look to their style. As did her jewelry, thin leather straps wrapped around her neck, adorned with carved bone beads and the polished fangs and claws of various beasts. Her ears were pierced several times and decorated with fang earrings.

“Would it be too forward to ask your name?”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

“Most call me Thila.” She rested her hands on her hips with a bit of a chuckle and a grin. “Yours too then, hm? This town seems to call to those that are more. Street wise, as it were.” Thila looked the woman up and down. She reminded her of home, and the slightest feeling of longing tugged at her heart, though she didn’t show it. “I don’t believe I caught your name, either. Though, maybe that can wait for a table and a meal, hm?” She nodded over to the Bee and Barb, as a good chat deserved a good meal. “That is, if it won’t inconvenience you. I was headed there either way, and it’s a much better place to catch up on the goings on in the far south.” 

[kopiboys]

Know your Shadowmarks.

[sneakylittleelf]

@tamriel-and-beyond

The market was loud and raucous, as it is on any normal sunny morning in Riften. Aerin was still unsure of how she felt on a great many things that had happened lately, but she did know how she felt about Skyrim so far. It was full of elf-hating, backwards-thinking ingrates, and she could not understand why her sister chose this cold land as a home out of all the places in Tamriel.

Early that morning she had tucked a basket into the crook of her arm and slipped out the door of Honeyside. Luth always slept in so late, some things never changed. Aerin made her way to the market and walked slowly, trying to find something fresh and bloody to eat for breakfast. Auburn hair fell loosely around her shoulders, a mouth curved into a frown. There were so many Nords. When her eyes fell upon the form of another Bosmer she almost couldn’t believe it.

“Greetings sister.” she said with a slight smile, as she stepped closer to the womer. “I think you’re the only one here who’s breath doesn’t stink of rotten mead.”

[tamriel-and-beyond]

@sneakylittleelf

The other, smaller bosmer politely grinned at her unexpected guest. Pale as the moon with hair darker than midnight, one could say she fit in fairly well among the people of this cold land. Adorned in light armor and armed with daggers, but still very welcoming in expression, Hasathil nodded her head slightly in the direction of the other.

“Ah, well I’m a bit more of a wine person myself.” She chuckled a bit. “I don’t usually have the pleasure of seeing others like myself in these parts. New to the town, I take it?” She quickly pocketed what seemed to be a bit of jewelry and offered an extended hand in greeting. “Best keep an eye on your coin out here.” She added.

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Hadaahk- how did you feel after your experience in the Soul Cairn? As a follower of Hircine, I assume you sided with the Dawngaurd in the whole quest?

"Hm." Hadaahk leaned his elbows on the desk in front of him. "The Soul Cairne, at the time, was one of the more unsettling places I'd had to traverse. Having spent much of my time there with only half a soul and surrounded by the dead left a chill, a fear that's hard to match. I felt that were I to trade my beast blood for this...this half death then I'd remain in that state for all eternity, and would never see the hunting grounds." He paused for a moment, a bit of an expression of loss or sorrow in his eyes, but it way quickly shaken away. "I can't say that I would ever enjoy being a member of the undead, and find it unfortunate for those who had no choice. It left me grateful for where I was...and also with fairly intimidating new friends."

[tamriel-and-beyond]

Hasathil-- What is Valenwood?

The young bosmer tilted her head a bit, arcing a single brow. "Anyone in Tamriel knows of the living forest, Valenwood." She puzzled over the question for a moment. "But then I guess that would mean you aren't from Tamriel. Valenwood is a vast lush forest. Every shrub, every leaf alive and vibrant. Every plant protected." She casually placed her arms behind her head. "The place is full of hostile beasts and friendly mer and entire cities of trees that once strode across the land. Even dormant, they are truly a beautiful sight. Ah, but you can only stare at one thing for but so long before you grow bored of it. I love my homeland, I even miss it sometimes, but it's not going anywhere any time soon."

[justmagesthings]

Miniature enchanting corner :D like my miniature alchemy corner :) hope you like (all handmade by me)