Idk why I made this because it’s all clear in my head, but anyway, a visual guide to how the Puuri, Sillonan, and Vareryn families are connected.
Like I’ve mentioned before, the Puuri family originates from a bosmeri clan (Rosestone). The family is massive and has members from all races of Tamriel (however, Kajo’s line is mainly bosmer). Not everyone connected to the family uses the name, so it can be difficult to track down every member. (I hc that the Adoring Fan is a Puuri.)
Sillonan is a very OLD altmeri family, no one really knows how old exactly, but the family records tell that their aldmeri ancestors already used the name during the Merethic Era. The members of this family are mainly purely altmer or half-altmer.
Vareryn was a small dunmeri family, who once were part House Redoran. Sadly, Urtielle (yes, she is still out there somewhere in the fourth era) and Rali might be the last remaining members of this family.
Thinking about Kajo and Cailon having heated arguments while switching between languages rapidly and people listening to them are so confused.
Both ofc speak Tamrielic fluently, but Kajo's mother tongue is Bosmeri and Cailon's Altmeri. Cailon is more fluent in Bosmeri than Kajo in Altmeri, but both know enough to scream at each other in any of the three languages and it's fun to switch between them. Sometimes Kajo spices things up and starts saying things in the Dragon Language.
(Yes, the cousins think it's fun to bicker with each other, they've always done that.)
Despite the Thalmor having a grasp of Valenwood, Kajo’s family has managed to avoid being bothered by them too much. The Puuri family reputation of being harmless weirdos helps a lot, but Cailon’s father, Angaornacano Sillonan, plays a role in keeping their relatives safe. Although he is not part of Thalmor, he is still an important altmeri representative and has some say in the politics and even has the coin for bribes if needed.
Puuri and Sillonan families have no love for the Thalmor, but they aren’t very vocal about it, because of how dangerous it can be. Kajo, however, is more open about opposing them in Skyrim, trying to ruin their plans the best she can. Which then means extra work to Angaornacano.
Although her family has been safe so far, Kajo very much sympathizes with people whose lives have been drastically affected by Thalmor.
With "people like us", Cicero refers to their roles in the Brotherhood, their purpose in life. Is it wise for the Listener and Keeper to initiate a romantic relationship? It's not forbidden, but what if it'll make things difficult?
By "someone like me", he means that he still thinks he is probably cursed somehow, since in the past everyone important to him has died. What if he is not meant to develop any meaningful relationships, so that nothing will distract him from devoting his life to Sithis and the Night Mother?
Faurin is good with bows and daggers, but prefers big swords. She is trained as an assassin, knows how to be stealthy and all, but why not just whack things with a sword? It often solves problems quicker. (She has also noted that big swords get more attention from ladies :) A sword lesbian)
Very familiar with her bosmeri heritage and values it greatly! Ever since little Faurin began showing interest in learning more, Kajo has gladly taught her everything about the bosmeri culture, history, and traditions. Even the language! Faurin's mother tongue is the common tongue, but she does understand and speak some bosmeris as well, enough to have conversations with her mother.
Since it is important for Faurin to understand her roots, she is a bit bummed that she doesn't know much about her imperial side. She is curious and would like to understand the imperial culture and traditions better, but sadly it's not part of their family really, since Cicero feels very differently about it. He isn't very interested, it's not something he feels like is part of him, so he doesn't really know what to teach to Faurin. Even though it would be nice to learn these things from her parent, she tries to understand and isn't mad him.
Cicero wishes that Faurin would one day become a Keeper like him (but of course, the new Black Hand will hopefully be making such decisions) and has taught her some of the incantations and tasks, but Faurin doesn't show too much interest in the role itself. She gladly learns everything he is teaching her, but for her it's more about spending time with her parent rather than preparing for the future. (Although Cicero wishes Faurin would be more present in the DB, he is happy that she does what feels right for her. And it's not like she isn't part of the family, oh no, she does very much consider the DB an important part of her life, even worships Sithis, just doesn't wish to be an assassin.)
Bruma didn’t work out, but perhaps the duo will find something in the Gold Coast? At least Kajo’s sister is there to make things stupid.
[Part I]
---
Anvil was nice; the weather was lovely, much warmer than Skyrim, but the sea breeze kept the heat from getting too unbearable. The little city was very lively too, ships sailing from its port all hours of the day and merchants habited its busy town square, as well as locals and non-locals rummaging through their ware or just chattering and enjoying the sunny day. It was fun to sit by the port and watch ships of various sizes set sail, taking goods and transporting people from Cyrodiil to other provinces.
What was even more fun to Cicero was to discover that the Listener had relatives living in the city! Or well, perhaps not too surprising, since many wood elves seemed to like this port city for it’s wonderful location by the Abecean Sea and quick access to Valenwood by land or water. But regardless, Cicero was excited and perhaps a bit nervous, too. Being the Listener’s “special person”, introductions to the family should come eventually, right? But oh, he had not prepared for it at all! Mostly these relatives were Kajo’s cousins, not very close blood family, but much to her surprise, they found out that one of her sisters resided in Anvil currently, doing apprenticeship underneath a local blacksmith. Kajo found it almost strange, for this sister, Kuura, had never really expressed interest in leaving Valenwood, but perhaps the offer had been just too good to skip, and she was happy to see her sister after such a long time.
Kajo’s family intriqued Cicero, as he had never really known what it was like to have blood family. Of course, he could imagine what it was like, but had really no personal experience with it, since he didn’t really count the elderly couple that had raised him. He had always suspected them to be his grandparents, but somewhat involuntarily looking after him, perhaps hoping for their child to return one day and take this rascal out of their hands or perhaps their child had passed, and they just couldn’t leave him on the streets. There had never really been a real family-like bond within the household, but Nonna was mostly nice to Cicero. Nonno, however, kicked him out right after Nonna passed when he was sixteen.
Joining the Dark Brotherhood had filled his need to belong, but still he couldn’t help but wonder if blood families were any different from these family-like relationships that often formed within Sanctuaries. Probably not too different, really. Family is a family, be it of blood or found.
Cicero chuckled and smiled as he watched Kajo play with her little cousins. They had been at it for like an hour or so, but the little mer showed no signs of getting tired. Kajo was always (well, mostly) full of energy too, but he could tell that she was getting exhausted, but still kept going even after fifth round of tag and third of hide-and-seek.
“Cicero knows a few funny tricks!”
The jester was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Kajo mention his name and suddenly the tiny bosmer flocked around him, their big eyes filled with excitement. Kajo gave him an apologetic smile, but Cicero didn’t mind! It had been a while since he had gotten to perform for such an enthusiastic audience, after all, and even though children weren’t his usual demographic, he still had some kid-friendly tricks up his sleeves, as a good jester should.
“I certainly do!” Cicero announced proudly, jumping up and the little mer cheered already. Juggling, tricks with little colorful scarves, tons of silly jokes, and pulling things out of his hat; anything Cicero did got the kids even more excited, and they demanded more and more. Her turn to sit down and rest, Kajo watched amusedly as Cicero so joyfully performed for the children, feeling happy to see him having so much fun. At first she had been worried of how her relatives would receive him, but they had shown nothing but kindness and curiosity. Well, it was very normal for members of the Puuri family to be extremely accepting of everyone and Cicero was already liked by her cousins, her parents and sisters wouldn’t be too different.
“He is kind of funny.”
Speaking of a sister.
Kajo was startled by Kuura sneaking behind her, having very quietly approached her older sister to surprise her. Or to spook her. Typical little sister behavior. Kuura just laughed when Kajo flinched and gave her an annoyed look.
“Hello to you too!” Kajo huffed with a frown, but playfulness in her tone. She had not expected her sister to sneak up on her like that, having thought that she was still busy at the workshop. Had been, obviously, as she had some soot on her face and sweat shining on her forehead. Perhaps the day’s work was done.
“Sorry to scare you, Shorty,” Kuura grinned and patted her older sister’s shoulder as she sat down beside her, turning her eyes to watch the enthusiastic imperial entertaining the children. “How’s the day going? I see you got flocked by the little ones.” She asked, pointing at the kids excitedly jumping around Cicero.
“Yup,” Kajo nodded, smiling widely. “They are really energetic! I played with them for a good while, but they are still like this.” Children were odd, she thought, but in a funny way.
“I hope your partner can get them to tire, otherwise I’m next in line,” Kuura joked, although wasn’t too excited about having to play with those little acorns after a long day at the workshop. At least not before she had some food and a bath. “He is doing a good job!”
“He is,” Kajo chuckled, now affectionately watching Cicero, which Kuura instantly noted. “I’m glad he is having fun.”
Kuura found it funny and endearing to see her sister like this, so enamored by someone special. Of course, she did remember the time when Kajo was seeing a girl back home, before she left to wander around Tamriel, but that had been rather awkward, very “teens in love for the first time” type of a thing. Witnessing Kajo so openly express her affection was new. Kuisma would absolutely love it and definitely make fun of her in a such a terrible yet loving little sister way.
And Kuura was no different from her twin.
“You know,” she began with a ridiculous grin on her face and when Kajo looked at her, she already knew that she was about to get slapped in the face with something absolutely stupid. “I didn’t expect you to have a thing for red heads. I bet it’s the freckles. Have you tried to count them all?”
Kajo huffed, feeling her cheeks turn red. ‘Maybe I have tried to count them, so what?’ she thought to herself, but would not tell Kuura that! But her face told enough and the younger sister grinned even wider now. “Right. Does he have them on his—”
“Okay, no, shut up,” Kajo slapped Kuura’s arm, making her burst into laughter.
“You two would have very cute, freckled children!” Kuura kept teasing and Kajo continued slapping her, mumbling curses at her sister.
The slap fight got Cicero’s attention and, after he apologized to the kids for needing a break, he curiously approached the two bosmer wildly pushing and poking each other now. Both looked at him once he stood right in front of them; Kajo with her face completely red and in a frown, whereas Kuura had the funniest grin on her face, obviously proud of what she had done. At the moment Cicero also noted how similar the two looked. Not identical, but close enough to instantly recognize them to be sisters. Kuura just had very short hair and was taller than Kajo.
“Do you have freckles on your bum?” Kuura suddenly asked, catching Cicero completely off guard. The jester blinked at the taller bosmer and Kajo made the weirdest little sound, slapping Kuura’s arm again.
“Maybe. Why? Do you want to see them?” Cicero asked jokingly, although felt a little bad when seeing the Listener more and more baffled and embarrassed by this conversation. But it was funny, he couldn’t resist joking with Kuura.
“Good to know, but no thanks,” Kuura laughed. “I’m only into women, sorry. But I’m sure my sister would gladly see them.”
“Oh, yes, she certainly would!” Cicero continued jesting, his own stupid grin matching Kuura’s when he looked at his partner. Kajo buried her face into her hands and groaned loudly. “What is it, Listener? Should Cicero show them to you now or wait for later? For a more private moment perhaps? I don’t want to make your sister uncomfortable!”
“I would prefer to be eaten by a dragon just about now,” Kajo rubbed her red face, feeling how hot it was from embarassment.
--
Back in the old days, the Sanctuary hidden within the hills between Anvil and Kvatch was dubbed as the Gold Coast Sanctuary. According to the records, it had once been home to a large family and operated for centuries, but by the time Cicero had joined the Brotherhood in Bruma, nearly all contact to Gold Coast had disappeared. It was suspected that it faced a similar fate as Bruma later on, raiders or soldiers, even locals deciding to rid the area of assassins. The unstability of the province was likely the answer, but Purification was another suggestion Cicero had about the fate of the Sanctuary, although those were usually kept record of, and he couldn’t remember seeing mentions of such. It was a mystery that might never be solved.
Having been abandoned for so long, the Sanctuary was rather difficult to find. The entrance was snuggly between two hills, surrounded by minotaurs habiting the area and lions roaming about, and even if you managed to get past these obstacles, it was difficult to locate the Black Door, as greenery had grown over it and hidden it well. Kajo would’ve never found the place on her own, but luckily Cicero knew exactly where to look and even remembered the passcode.
“A story tells that an ancestor of mine was a member of the Dark Brotherhood,” Kajo said as she and Cicero finally managed to pull the door open enough for them to slip inside. It had accepted the passcode and even greeted them with a familiar voice that all of the Black Doors were enchanted with, but having been shut for so long, the hinges fought back. “The founder of my family or at least the branch I’m from. My great-great-great-great-great-grandmother or something.”
“Really? How come you have never told Cicero about that? It sounds like a fun story!” the jester pouted playfully, not truly hurt that Kajo hadn’t told him about this before. Sometimes you just forget things.
“It’s more like a vague rumor, really,” Kajo admitted, trying to find something to use as a torch in the pitch-black corridor. A tiny bit of light seeped through the partially opened door, but it was not enough to illuminate the whole corridor, let alone the rest of the Sancutary. With nothing to avail, Kajo decided to give in and use magic instead, swiftly summoning an orb of light for them. Cicero made a small ‘ooh’ sound, always surprised by how the Listener knew magic. “So far no one has had any real evidence, but the story tells that she actually resided here for a time, so I wonder if we’ll find something.”
“That would be quite fun!” Cicero chuckled and clapped his hands together, the sound echoing in the walls. The Sanctuary was an old cave, very sturdy and didn’t seem to have suffered much decay over the many years of being closed off from the outside world. As they made their way through the corridor and entered the first hall with a small library, they were surprised to find that the cool air had kept everything in relatively good condition; the furniture that remained looked fine and even the books and scrolls on the shelves seemed to have avoided being eaten by bugs or rot. Old banners still hung on the walls, too, and it was as if they had stepped into a place where time had stopped. It was just empty of people, no soul to be seen, and not even skeletons to remind of the people that had once recided here. Not even spirits that often wandered the Sanctuaries, guarding them. Perhaps those sensed their presence, but recognized them to be the Listener and the Keeper and allowed them to visit in peace.
They wandered through the Sanctuary, impressed by its size, but every hall and corridor were the same, just old furniture and now unusable supplies here and there. A couple of times they stumbled upon things that might’ve once been someone’s personal possessions, making it feel like perhaps the family here had to leave in a hurry. There were no signs of fighting either. After a while, the two returned to the library, figuring that it was probably the best place to start with trying to find out what had happened here – and if Kajo’s ancestor truly had once lived here.
--
Most of the old books and scrolls did not offer much. Just vague markings of contracts and locations, how much they had paid and so on. Old contacts, people who could be trusted, and so forth, nothing that would have much value these days and nothing that offered any insight to what had happened to the place years ago. But perhaps that was not important, as what truly mattered was that this Sanctuary could be used again, since it was in relatively good condition and offered a wonderful location by the Acebean Sea. It would surely make it easier for them to take contracts in the nearby provinces like Valenwood and Hammerfell, Summerset Isles too!
Kajo sighed as she set aside yet another scroll that offered little to nothing and was content to call it a day, return to Anvil for the night and continue their trek the next day, but Cicero suddenly gasping in awe caught her attention. He was holding an old book, one that was almost breaking apart, but still readable, and when he lifted his gaze to meet with Kajo’s, his brown eyes were beaming with excitement.
“What is it?” Kajo asked curiously, scooting closed to Cicero to take a peek at what he had just found. He instantly started tapping a section on the page he had been reading; it was a list of names and ranks.
“A Puuri!” he said excitedly, his tapping intensifying. “Cicero found a mention of a Puuri on this list!”
“Huh?” Kajo blinked suprisedly, staring at the page now too, having to move Cicero’s hand aside to be able to see the list for herself. And indeed, there was a familiar name.
Faundra Puuri. Silencer.
“Faundra,” the bosmer said quietly. It took her a moment, but once it sunk in, she chuckled and smiled widely, Cicero joining in on her excited laughter. “Faundra is my ancestor’s name! Exactly the one I’ve been talking about!”
So interesting to find out that to be true! However, it was funny too, since Kajo had no idea that Faundra had used the name Puuri back then. The story also told that she only began using the name after returning to Greenshade. But well, who knows, perhaps the name had been brewing in her mind even before her eventual return to her roots.
“A Silencer, too, that is exciting!” Cicero giggled, impressed that Kajo’s relative once held such high rank, one bestowed only to the most skilled of assassins. And Kajo was no different, clearly having inherited her ancestor’s talent. Perhaps it just skipped over many, many generations? Or who knows, perhaps her family had even more ties to the Brotherhood.
The old book was carefully wrapped in Kajo’s scarf and stuffed into her backpack, and with this wonderful discovery, they finally decided to return to Anvil. They were excited to write a letter to Dawnstar, to let the others know that there was at least one Sanctuary in Cyrodiil that could be opened again! This was good news for the Brotherhood.
The year is 4E 206. After all the trouble with dragons, the civil war, an ancient dragonborn and rampant vampires and so on, Listener Kajo has decided to focus on what is really important to her: The Dark Brotherhood. It is about time to begin proper rebuilding, spreading back into other provinces, and what could be the better place to start than Cyrodiil, the center most province of Tamriel. Surprisingly, Cicero wishes to tag along, eagerly offering his help once again, and who is Kajo to deny his wishes. He is the last remaining member of the Cyrodiilic Brotherhood, after all, and knows the secrets of the old Sanctuaries better than anyone else.
And of course, who else she would even want to bring into new adventures with her?
---
Bruma looked almost exactly as Cicero remembered it; Small, quiet, a bit rugged due to its location up in the mountains, but somehow quite homely. The walls surrounding the town were still somewhat damaged by the war that had ravaged around the province, but masons were busy setting the new stones, and life seemed to continue as normal. It was nostalgic, really, walking down the streets of Bruma again, just looking around and seeing if anything interesting from the past waited around the next corner. The houses did look exactly as Cicero remembered them, but it was funny to him notice how similar they looked to the houses back in Skyrim. Made sense, though, since many Nords favored this little town right by the border between Cyrodiil and Skyrim. Not too far from home for them.
“It really hasn’t changed much,” Kajo pointed out as they sat down on a stone fence by the market area, wanting to eavesdrop on people for a bit. “Or at least I don’t think so, but I only visited very briefly before crossing the border.”
“Not too much,” Cicero chuckled, nodding in agreement. It had been much longer for him since his last visit. Fifteen or so years, closer to twenty now! Yes indeed, he had been in his very early twenties when moving to Cheydinhal. “Bruma is very much the same as Cicero remembers it!”
“Have you seen any familiar faces?” Kajo asked curiously, wondering if people from Cicero’s childhood still lived here. The jester thought for a bit, furrowing his brows deeply as he stared at the people wandering around the market area.
“The current stablemaster looked quite familiar,” he scrathed his head then, humming in thought. “Cicero thinks he might be the son of the master I used to work for a short bit after getting kicked out.” The kind stablemaster let young Cicero stay in his barn for a while, even gave him food, only asked him to help with the horses in exchange. Not his favorite job, but it did lead to a fateful night when he killed a fellow teen who he had thought to be a horse thief and even got away with it, no one ever finding out what exactly happened. Well, except for the Dark Brotherhood, that is how they found Cicero and invited him into their family. Oh, how he fondly reminiscenced that night, how he found his passion!
“But he did not seem to recognize Cicero at all!” the jester suddenly exclaimed sorrowfully, sniffling in such a manner that Kajo instantly knew him to be faking his grief. “Cicero has gotten old, that is why! No one recognizes his wrinkly face!”
The bosmer snorted amusedly and slapped his thigh playfully, to which he giggled stupidly. “Maybe you have some wrinkles, but you are that not old, silly!” Kajo said, shaking her head.
“Maybe not really, but Cicero sure feels like it!” Cicero shrugged. He had been through so much it felt like at least two lifetimes, and he was only barely 40! The same age as Kajo, yes, but age worked differently for mer, as she would live at least hundred years longer than him. “It feels almost like a thousand years have passed since I’ve been here.”
All things considered, knowing Cicero’s story, Kajo didn’t continue arguing and only nodded. “Right,” she said, resting her head against his shoulder and felt Cicero lean towards her a little, accepting this little show of affection. “How are you feeling, though?” the bosmer decided to change the subject a little, worrying that being here might be bringing back unpleasant memories. He didn’t seem uncomfortable at the moment, but it was sometimes difficult to tell with him and Kajo wanted to be sure.
After thinking about his answer for a bit, Cicero nodded. “I’m doing fine,” he admitted. “Bruma is not too bad. Cicero has memories here that he isn’t too fond of, but… not too bad. Quite funny to be back, even if just for a bit!”
“That’s good,” Kajo smiled widely, feeling relieved for now, although the slight bit of worry would probably never leave. “But do tell me if something is feels too much.”
“Cicero will!”
--
“There isn’t much left here,” Kajo sighed disappointedly as they cautiously rummaged through the old Sanctuary. A lof of it had been completely burned to ashes nearly twenty years ago, as Cicero had already told her, but Kajo hoped to find something, anything. But the damage of the fire that had once ravaged here was bad, and clearing the place would take forever and perhaps too much coin to do it discreetingly without rousing any suspisions in the town. Having been sealed away from the outside world for so long, the blackened walls still smelled of fire and ash, already causing Kajo’s head to hurt. Bruma would be a wonderful location, but this was a little too much to deal with.
“Cicero told the Listener,” the jester said as he kicked an old piece of charred wood out of his way, melancholically wandering around the old hall. There was a slight sting to his heart as he looked around and remembered that day. He had been out on a contract when raiders or soldiers – whoever, it didn’t really matter – managed to find their way into the Sanctuary and burned everything down, killing everyone within. He should call himself lucky, but it didn’t feel right. Such a tragedy and it felt sad to be walking these halls again, not being greeted by his dear dark siblings, many whose faces he couldn’t remember clearly anymore, faded over the years. “Nearly everything burned. Cicero did manage to save some old records and brought them with him to Cheydinhal. But other than those, I found nothing.”
Only the scorched corpses once the fire had calmed down enough, which he had carefully gathered to the tomb… gave them the best burial he could. Thinking about it hurt. Really, really hurt.
Kajo noted the jester’s sudden silence, and gave him a quick glance and saw him struggling to remain composed. He was on the verge of tears, she could see it, having hard time pushing aside the memory of that day. His family, a family that finally felt like one, gone in just a moment and he couldn’t do a thing about it. Life was unfair.
“Cicero.”
Kajo’s gentle voice snapped the jester out of his thoughts, and he saw her standing right by him now, tenderly touching his arm. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out; he didn’t really know what to say without breaking down. Instead, he reached for Kajo’s hand and held onto it tightly. She smiled softly and rubbed his hand with her thumb. “It’s alright. I think I’ve seen enough, we don’t have to say.”
There was nothing for them here, it was alright to move on, especially since it was causing the jester a great deal of sorrow. Something Kajo had feared.
Yes, this place was nothing but a reminder of the death of so many who had once been important to him, but regardless Cicero fought with himself, wanting to be helpful and keep digging, but at the same time knew that he shouldn’t be here, that it was too much. He nodded weakly then, tears finally forcing themselves out and he let them fall, and Kajo reached to wipe them away with her cape.
--
“How are you feeling?” Kajo asked, watching Cicero with worried eyes. They had settled in for the night at a local inn, and although Cicero busied himself with his usual evening routine of helping the Listener get out of her leather armor and writing in his journal, he felt off. He was so awfully quiet ever since they left the Bruma Sanctuary and for a good reason, really, and Kajo worried for him. She already felt terrible for dragging him along on this journey, even if he had suggested it. She did love his company more than anything, but making him face the past that still causes pain felt wrong. And Bruma was just the beginning, in Cheydinhal he could potentially face his biggest trauma.
Laying on the bed, Cicero sighed and rubbed his face, but turned his head to look at his lover then. He didn’t know how to put into words what he was feeling at the moment, as his thoughts were a mess, but he did give her a small, melancholic smile, which told Kajo more than a thousand words could. He was feeling upset, raw, hurting, but still tried to retain his usual cheerful self. Kajo tenderly smiled back at him and crawled onto the bed, snuggling against his side to remind him that he was not alone in this.
“I’m sorry,” Kajo said quietly after a bit, drawing circles on Cicero’s chest with her finger. “I’m sorry for everything you have been through and for putting you into this situation.”
Cicero looked at Kajo, a bit puzzled. “Listener needs not to apologize for anything!” He said then, shaking his head fervently. “Cicero knew what he signed up for!” He had known that this wouldn’t be an easy journey to make and had tried to mentally prepare himself for it, but… well, it was difficult to predict what it would be like to be faced directly with such sad memories. “Cicero is in his head a little now, but he is fine. Sad, I admit and I’m sure Listener can tell, but I will be fine. Cicero will be fine as long as Kajo is with him.”
Kajo sighed and lifted her head to properly look the imperial in the eyes. He looked quite miserable, yes, eyes red from crying and like he needed a very long nap, yet still he seemed determined to continue with her. She watched him for a bit, but leaned down to press a small kiss to the tip of his nose then, smiling when she pulled away and was met with his usual goofy smile.
“You can always tell me if something is too much, okay?” Kajo reminded him once more. “I want nothing but happiness for you and don’t want to put you through situations that hurt you. There have already been enough of those.”
“Cicero knows,” the jester nodded, looking a bit more joyful now, and pushed hair behind Kajo’s elongated ear. How she cared so much for him and his wellbeing made his heart thud with so much joy he could sing about it. But not now, he was too tired for that. Right now it was enough to just get to hold her close. “I want to be here and help the Listener, but I will. I will tell you if something is wrong.”
“Good!” Kajo chuckled and smiled widely, giving him another little kiss, on the lips this time. “Now, we should get some rest. We have a long trek ahead of us tomorrow.”
Cicero having hard time accepting his feelings for Kajo, because he isn't sure is it proper for the Listener and Keeper to form a romantic relationship and also because he hasn't had meaningful relationships in such a long time and worries that something might happen to Kajo, since he sometimes wonders if he is cursed or something because everyone once important to him has died. 🥲
Sometimes he has wondered if it is a sign that he should only focus on serving Sithis and the Night Mother, the only purpose he is allowed to have. And for a while he accepts that as the truth, that he doesn't need anything or anyone else, doesn't even realize how much he missed being around other people until arriving in Skyrim and especially when forming a bond with Kajo. She makes him understand again that he can dedicate his life to the Dark Brotherhood while also enjoying other things. He is the Keeper, will be until his death, but it isn't everything.
Their adventures together make him happier. So, so much happier.
