You certainly know how to throw in twists and turns and surprises! Like I said before, I never did the TG quests so all of this was new to me. The Count being a vampire was a total surprise! (maybe I should hold off on reading your next few posts until the rest of the Thieves Guild quests in them are done?). Once more Alix the moose mouse makes an adorable appearance, and I am so glad that the Count pointed out the irony behind a Khajiit keeping a mouse as a pet. You move very briskly, perhaps too much so, covering a great deal of ground in a relatively short space.

One nitpick:

I lit into the vampire with fire, throwing them

did you mean to say fireballs? or fire spells?

It also seemed kind of strange that Amusei was being held prisoner in a secret dungeon to be tortured to death in the near future. Once is believable, but the same thing two stories in a row with the same character seems to be stretching things a bit.

* Fixed to 'fire spell' - Thank you so much for the tip on that!

I will only be doing one more Thieves Guild quest, and only go part way through that one, it will not be next, and I will not be going into any details what-so-ever on it.

(Acadian said the same thing about the beginning, so I have edited it to slow it down some, hope that helped a bit, my humblest apologies)

* Actually, in game you don't find out the Count is a Vampire till the Mages Guild questline unless you break into his quarters. Maxical still doesn't know.

* Amusei's bad luck is all Bethesda's doing, this is straight out of the game. Amusei is all over that questline. Of all the quests in the TG line, I hate this one the worst, because of having to rescue Amusei past all the guards.

Thank you SubRosa !!!




@ Foxy - I think you will like a scene coming up in the next chapter, lol. RE: Lore - it is vampire lore, at any rate.

@ Acadian - I fixed the part you told me about, can you check it and see if it suits better?

Er...Alix is supposed to be a boy mouse. As far as I know that would exclude a pocket full of babies. Should I send a cup of coffee your way? A graphic email? ROFL!

Thank you so much for all your help! I appreciate it a lot!

mALX, you are a wonderful writer. It was not my intent to have you edit things, but simply to offer a thought to consider for future episodes. It is so very hard to decide what to lavish description on and what to gloss over or leave to assumption, I know. That said, the first portion on your story no longer gives me that 'rushed' sensation. I do indeed feel as if I'm there watching over Maxical's shoulder instead of reading about her report of the quest. :goodjob:

Please keep the minor pacing concerns you have fixed in perspective - Your story, as always, is BRILLIANT!

Forgive me on little Alix.... I recall when first introduced that Maxical was not sure if he was a boy or girl. Somehow I got it in my head, you would make Alix a girl to minimize confusion with Alix Lencolia. You certainly made it clear in your later accounts that the mouse was a he. I guess you do need to send me a cup of coffee.

Very nice. The rewrite definitely helped things... sometimes, we know where we want the story to go, and so we rush ahead to what we think of as the "pay-off." Good example, Athlain and Athynae's exiting the forest after the battle with the wolves... I should probably add just a bit more description of their journey to that section...

And that is the key- it doesn't take a Russian novel's worth of description to make things real- just a comment on scents, sights, sounds, lighting, etc.

Loved the scenes with Count Janus- esp. his reaction to the moose- ummm, mouse Maxical carries in that special mithril-reinforced pocket.

Oh, I will def have to read that!! Hassildor is one of my favorite characters in game, lol. Thank you so much!


@ Treydog - thank you for taking the time to re-read after I finished the edits, I was trying to keep the word count down, and edited all the meat off of it I guess, lol. Thank you!

@ Acadian - I am so glad! I appreciate so much your pointing things out to me, you ROCK!



********************** Did everyone see the screenshots of Janus Hassildor (Count Skingrad) ????

Yay! Screenies! :celebration:

Great chapter mALX.
My Bosmer assassin had a totally different reaction during this quest. A serene calmness, like the wind tossed waves of Niben Bay, swept over him as he saw the torture chamber and those lovely bottles of blood. I collected as many as I could, and keep them on proud display. But then again as an evil assassin you must keep up appearances I guess.

I love the screenpics. First the mouse (how many sugarcubes have gone into that fat stomach???????) and now the vampire, cool B)

Thank you very much Winter Wolf! Gaaah that place was gross, lol.

*** There is also special mention of D.Foxy's character "Foxy" in this chapter




Chapter 41: Doing Time In Skingrad Castle


I was humiliated, walking naked before the Count. I was trying to count the minutes out, and figuring how long it would take Amusei to be safely away. My calculations kept messing up, and I would start over.

"Do not think to pull a fast one, little Khajiit. If you are thinking to escape yourself, I can have your friend hauled back down into the dungeon, and you will reside down there with him. And the invisibility spell you have readied for use will do you no good here, for I can find you regardless. Have I not already proven that?"

"Yes sir." I hung my head. What was he going to do with me? Hang me for trespass?

"Did I not say you would come to no harm?"

We were entering what must be his quarters. A bed stood in the middle of the huge room. I eyed the bed, leery. Did he plan to take privileges with me?

"Foolish child, my body guard will be in here with us at all times, does that make you feel safer?"

I wondered how he would know what I was thinking.

The body guard whispered something to the Count, and his cowled head turned towards me quickly.

"It seems your sentence must be extended further. For it appears my entire jail has been emptied...and you carry a mouse. Is it possible that you were a recent visitor at the Imperial City Prison? Is this your signature calling card perhaps? Are you making the rounds of Cyrodiil emptying dungeons and dispersing rodents? Should I be contacting an exterminator? I have already informed you how I feel about the beasts, it would be much better for you to admit it now than have me find out later."

I hung my head, shaking it. "No sir. Alix is my pet. I could never disperse him. He is the only mouse I brought with me."

"But you don't deny emptying out the Imperial City Prison and filling it with rodents?"

"No sir. That was an accident. I admitted my deed to the Emperor, and he has already granted me pardon for my actions there."

He hesitated, still staring. "An accident you say? How does one 'accidentally' break into a prison, release all the prisoners, and fill it back up with mice?"

"Well sir, I don't count well?" I couldn't think of anything else to say.

The Count waited, and when I didn't continue he said, "Never mind, I just want to know what your fascination with rodents is, since you will be incarcerated here. I need to know if I should have some concerns."

"Oh no sir! I didn't like any of those mice that I put in the Imperial Prison! They did not fascinate me at all. Alix is the only mouse I have ever liked."

"And yet you happened to have them on your person when you visited the jail, and 'accidentally' released all the prisoners?"

"Yes sir, and I did not release all the prisoners, there was one left?sir."

"The man whose face was bitten up by the creatures?"

"Yes sir."

"But you have not explained; since you say you were not fascinated by them, why you happened to be carrying so many mice around with you."

"Well, I had large pockets? and I don't count well?" I drew a blank again.

"A white Khajiit. A white Khajiit??Dear Gods, are you the one that blew up the Arcane University and put the horse in Traven's bedroom? The one he said was pulling the University down around his ears? Fifteen of your fellow students in the chapel for healing during your archery lesson? Turning Daedra loose on the campus? Tormenting Jarol till he nearly had an apoplexy? Humiliating half the academy along with Raminus Polus by loosing their bladders in the night?"

I hung my head even further. "Yes sir. But those were all accidents. Not the horse, that was just an experiment?sir. Well, and Irlav and Raminus, but they?incited me?sir."

The Count held up his hand and appeared to be trying to make a decision, his cowled head still turned towards me as if he stared.

"Sir, if you fear I may bring harm to your castle or staff, I can give you my solemn oath that I will never bother your dungeons again as long as I live if you let me leave. I am good to my word sir." I tried not to sound too hopeful, and wondered if I should have lied and said I had a mouse fetish.

"No. You must serve out your sentence for trespass and the sentences of those you released." His voice was firm.

Then he went to a dresser and pulled out a richly thick black velvet dress. It looked as expensive as the Count's own clothing.

"You may wear this." He did not turn away.

"This is a prison gown? I thought it would be made of sackcloth."

"Are you disappointed? Would you prefer I have sackcloth sent up from the dungeon?"

"No sir. It is just?" I didn't know what it was.

"My name is Janus. As your sentence will be served where you were caught trespassing, I will tell you that I have an aversion to sackcloth."

I had never worn a dress, and didn't know how to put one on.

"I am afraid I am quite dirty from crawling in your dungeon. I would not want to soil the dress." My voice reflected my own disappointment. I was dying to try on a dress for the first time in my life.

"There is a bath, you may clean up." The Count pointed to a bath of gold at the far end of the room.

I walked over to it and looked around. "Where is the water?"

"You have to draw it." He watched me looking around before saying in an exasperated voice, "Oh, never mind. Have you never drawn your own bath?" He drew the bath himself, and dropped scents in, and then lay a bar of scented soap to the side.

I did not hesitate. I did not like being nvde in front of him and his body guard.

The scent he added was of such a fragrance, the like of which I have never smelled before. I became light-headed from breathing in deeply so many times and had to grip the sides of the tub till my head stopped spinning. When it stopped, I started breathing deeply into the fragrance again, then clutched the side of the tub again.

"Will you stop that! Take your bath!"

The only source of discomfort was the Count watching me. The cowl obscured his face so I could not tell if he looked, but his head was facing my direction.

I scrubbed myself quickly, feeling awkward having someone watching. I washed my braids intact. I would not ask for assistance from these two men to take them down.

Alix lay on the low stand beside the tub, his little whiskers dancing as the perfumed scent wafted to him. When I was done bathing I picked him up and dipped him in the waters and lathered him with the soap, hoping he would not mind smelling of a woman's fragrance.

"Good Gods!" The Count sputtered. A snort sounded from the body guard..

The sight of a rodent being bathed in his golden tub gave Janus the realization that before he bathed again he would need a new tub.

I looked around for a towel to wrap in. The count held one up. I reached for it, but he continued to hold it. I finally stepped out, and when I did he wrapped it around me. I was getting very nervous. I would hate to have to kill a Count, but if he thought to take privileges it would happen.

"The name is Janus. And you can serve your time with me as your jailor here, or down in the filthy dungeon you just washed off yourself. I have told you already I will bring you no harm."

"I have not spoken, sir." I needed to stop thinking, Janus could read my mind. He must have some magic power.

I wrapped a corner of the towel around Alix and buffed him dry with it.

"Dear Gods!" Janus said it more like a curse. The snort sounded again from the body guard.

Janus saw his thick bath towel wrapped around a rodent, and decided the towel must go into the trash with that bar of soap.

"Come, put this dress on. I wish to see you in it." Janus held it up to me.

I took the dress tentatively, turning it around several times. I could not tell if the V should be in the back or front, nor if I should step into it, or bring it over my head. How did one crawl into a dress?

Janus took it from me and showed me how to put it on, sliding it over my head and arms till it fell in rich folds around my legs. I breathed in, looking down at the thick velvet fabric, touching it with my fingers. I had never seen a more luxurious dress in my life, nor felt such softness. I rubbed the soft sleeves of it on my face, then tried the other sleeve on the other side of my face. I couldn't tell if one side felt more soft, so tried it again.

"Don't wear that dress out the first night." His voice did not sound mad, more amused.

A dinner was brought up and laid out, then the servant withdrew. Janus led me to the table, stopping when he saw Alix in hand.

"The rodent cannot come to the table with us." A choking sound came from the guard.

"Oh, I will not set him on the table. He sits in an empty chair usually." Snorting accompanied the chokes.

I noticed Janus did not eat, only sipped the wine. I took a couple strawberries, one for myself and the other for Alix. Alix turned up his nose, pointing with it toward the other side of the table where sweet rolls lay on a plate.

"No no, Alix, no more sweet rolls. Remember you are on a diet." Choking and snorting sounded from the body guard. I looked up and he was wiping his eyes.

Janus talked while I picked at the strawberry I had taken. He told me about Skingrad, its history. I wished I could see his eyes to read him, but he continued to wear the cowl. His voice held a touch of loneliness though.

"I have been very alone. You have no idea how hard it is to spend all your time with only the company of a bodyguard."

He had read my thoughts again. His voice was sincere. It has obviously been agony for him, being alone. He pvssyred like a magpie at first, as if a dam had broken allowing a deluge of words to flow. The things he talked about were interesting, intriguing. I found myself responding back spontaneously.

The evening was drawing late, and I wondered what would happen, there being only one bed. I was sure these were his personal quarters.

"I do not require sleep as you do. You may safely sleep on the bed without fear."

"I have never slept with anyone in the same room. I doubt I could."

"Suit yourself. Stay awake then. You were caught in trespass, and helping prisoners escape. Special privileges are bought, my dear. Not freely given. I believe you have been fairly treated so far. Whether you get a good night's rest or not is not my concern."

His voice sounded harsh, angry. Had I offended him? I was in his power, and did not wish to antagonize him. I had no idea what Amusei's term of confinement was, nor that other man's. A tear rolled down my cheek. I could not have left that boy in prison, even with the vampire that was harming him dead. He was a frightened child, and I would stand in his stead again if given the choice.

If Foxy knew of my incarceration he would break me out, of that I am sure. But there is no way for him to find out. I cried more then, the tears coming in streams. I had no way to let my family know I was in jail. No one could rescue me.

I suddenly felt very tired, but did not know what to do. Should I just walk to the bed and lay down? What about Alix, who looked like he may be in a stupor he was so worn out? Would Alix sleep beside me in the bed?

"There will be no vermin in that bed if that is what you have in mind. What does the rodent require for his sleeping quarters? I will send the bodyguard for 'Alix's' requirements."

"He prefers a fluffy cushion, but he?" The body guard went into a fit of coughing. "But he will sleep on a shirt of soft flannel."

Janus looked at his body guard. "Go bring me one of your good flannel shirts, a clean one."

The shirt was a good one, not worn at all. I fluffed it in a corner of the room.

"On the floor? He may get loose in here! You had best put him high up, that he cannot wander."

"Alix is afraid of heights." The body guard was doubled over, snorting.

"How do you know this?"

I picked Alix up and set him on top of Janus's bureau. Alix set up a series of loud squeals. I removed him right away, kissing him to calm him down.

The body guard was having trouble standing, and I expected a puddle to form below him he was struggling so hard to keep the laughter in.

If he is so worried about what a clean mouse will touch, I wonder how he will feel when his bodyguard wets himself laughing and soils the carpets? And I hope he heard that, since he reads my thoughts! I thought it, looking directly into the Count's cowl, my eyes lit with mischief.

The Count surprised me with a low chuckle. He had heard my thought. How pleasant the sound of his laugh was.

"We could place a drawer down, something that would?contain him." Janus suggested, his tone starting to relax.

"He will sleep in your lowest bureau drawer if you would like."

"Absolutely Not! I will not have vermin sleeping in my drawers!"

The body guard was stomping his foot and choking. The Count looked over at him for an extended minute.

Are you worried I may be right? I sent the thought to the Count, hoping he would hear it. He spun his head back quickly to me. I gave his cowl an impish smile and continued aloud.

"Well, he has just had a bath with perfumed soaps and scented bathwater, he is clean and smells pretty." I said, doubting I could keep the mischief from my eyes, but still looking directly into that dratted cowl of his.

Janus quickly escorted the guard out and shut the door till his guffaws would cease, obviously concerned for his carpet. I would not be surprised if he didn't tear up the rugs and throw them out just in case the guard left a piddle.

"This is rapidly becoming an incident." Janus glanced around.

"The mouse has already tainted the bath, it is dry now. Set his shirt bed up in there."

I did. I could tell Alix was getting on Janus's nerves. He must be squeamish about mice.




*** Screenshots!!

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/6/l_3c0c21e13bfc43a48c5990b7262a6e32.jpg



http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/101/l_7b23ef39be3c4107aac1107999036ce9.jpg


http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/104/l_f4ca37ae09a0427fbbef20e786458f86.jpg


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/52/l_9a846293ecd74d55a91cf6175efdd3dc.jpg


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/9/l_bdba740e0869420ab590906406e87f48.jpg

I love light, subtle humor - this does it, and is so very... Maxical. ^_^


Same as above.


I'm assuming you were trying to create an image of the Count that is dark, foreboding, powerful, yet with traces of loneliness and humanity. The magpie anology seems somewhat inconsistent with the image I had garnered.


I believe you mean man's


Maybe it is just me, but I paused at the tense jumping between past and present. I suppose an active thought can certainly be expressed in present tense, but even that does not seem consistent above. Again, I am no expert here. :shrug:

* *

Your pace in this chapter seems perfect. I would absolutely keep lavishing the detail you do, even if it means breaking up chapters to avoid long installments.

This is a great story, with plenty of imagination, creative description, humor and wonderful dialogue. WELL DONE mALX! :goodjob:

It is so good to be at home, where I can snortle to my heart's content.

Great update- I love the effect Maxical's clueless earnestness has on the Count.

One again you demonstrate your mastery of light-hearted storytelling. As the doggie said, it is good to be at home and reading this and not at work. Otherwise I could get in trouble for having too much fun!

@ Subrosa - I almost warned you while I had your 'ear' earlier that it may be one not to read at work, lol.

I am so glad you liked it, and thank you so very much for reading it.



@ Acadian - thank you so much, I appreciate all the help a lot! - (dark, foreboding, powerful) - "pvssyring like a Magpie" is Maxical's description. She obviously does not fear the Count.




@ Treydog - that was one of my favorite lines too, just for the double meaning - (also, the Count's reactions like you pointed out, he doesn't know what he is getting himself into on this, lol) - and it is awesome that you caught the hidden jokes as well! Glad you were home too, I put out a warning on my Myspace to not have a drink handy when reading - I have read it a billion times for editing and still laugh at certain parts. - thank you so much Treydog!

That is certainly our Maxical, no doubt about it. :lmao:

It was a great idea to bring this story in at this time, the mouse / count a lovely contrast with the mixed up emotions that are bubbling away inside Maxical.
Our cat-girl needs time (like all woman do) to collect her subconscious thoughts and the people who sidetrack her help her to this agenda.
The excessive concern and worry over the mouse shows this.

Plus it makes a great read. :woot:

A hip and a hip and a hoo and ray,
I am back at my desk today...

Yep. Had to take a quick trip to the boondocks, and now my teeth have stopped pvssyring in sympathy with the heli rotors, I can finally sit down and do justice to your beautiful and hilarious post.

1. Grandma and Swearing.

Oh dear. Oh dear. Been reading too much 'Edward the Imperial' and all that. Well, as you have guessed by now, it's actually Grammar and Spelling.

1.1. Did he plan to take privileges with me?

Alas, here we have a common misuse - arising from misunderstanding - of what the word 'privilege' truly means. You want to say "Did he plan to take liberties with me"?. "Privilege" is a special right: it comes from the Middle English period, derived from Anglo-French, from Latin privilegium law for or against a private person, from privus private + leg-, lex law. For Maxical to use the word "privilege" would imply that Hassildor had a legal right to have sixual relations with her, somewhat like the mythical 'droit de seigneur' said to exist in medevial times.

1.2. "No sir. Alix is my pet. I could never disperse him".

Again we have misuse through misunderstanding. You mean "I could never dispense with him". To dispense with means to lose, give away. To disperse means to scatter, throw to the four winds (five if you include the Mexican chili I had for dinner).

1.3. Humiliating half the academy along with Raminus Polus by loosing their bladders in the night?"

Swearing AND Grandma!!! First, you have mistaken the spellining of 'loosening' for 'loosing'. And then you cannot make bladders a direct object of the verb - it doesn't conjugate colloquially. You have to use the clumsy but correct phrase 'making them lose control of their bladders'. Ah well. That word has made a bladder fool of me once or twice.

1.4. I am good to my word sir."

Wrong preposition. You mean "I am good for my word. "

1.5. He told me about Skingrad, about the history of it

Bad Malxi, were you asleep in English class? You mean "about its history!"

1.6. I could not have left that boy in prison, even with the vampire that was harming him dead.

You mean 'without' the vampire, don't you? And you don't harm a person dead. You harm him to death.

1.7. The mouse has already tainted the bath, it is well dry now.

The correct idiom, ma'am, is well AND dry.

1.8. "On the floor? He may get loose in here! You had best put him high up, that he cannot wander."

You mean either SO THAT he cannot wander, or THEN he cannot wander.

2. Of Amusemant, Bemusemant, and other -ment(al) states

2.1. Yes, that guard was my stand in. I had exactly the same emotions at exactly the same times in the story.

2.2. By the way...regarding the statement of Hassildor that He would not have Vermin sleeping in his drawers...I am rather surprised, doesn't he have a trouser rat? :angel:

2.3. "I have never slept with anyone in the same room. I doubt I could."

So, she sleeps with them in DIFFERENT rooms...

:rofl:

You mean "I have never slept with somebody present in the same room!!

To quote Shakespeare

"Fie, what a question's that, we'rt thou near a lewd interpreter!"

Said lewdie being yours truly...

:rofl:

2.4. Finally...the first time I read "My name is Janus" my treacherous eyes missed out the first letter.

I swear I was not making that up.

:rofl:

***




@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much, I appreciate your continuing to read Maxical's story, you are really catching the subtle clues to Maxical's inner turmoil!







* That is exactly what I was saying - Privilege = A right or immunity attached to a position or an office - (he is the Count) - like the old "King's Privilege (It's good to be the King) - Liberties would be used if it was a peer, or someone without the position in which they could demand it as their right.

1.2. "No sir. Alix is my pet. I could never disperse him". - Foxy, it is not like you to miss a joke, that was supposed to be funny, she used his word (this is Maxical talking, remember her brain is not exactly...)


1.3. [i]Humiliating half the academy along with Raminus Polus by loosing their bladders in the night[/i]?" - loosing = "to let loose, to free from restraint" - this is the correct usage for what I was saying, the word wrong would be bladders which should be urine, but that would be a bit crass, so I used bladder. The point comes across that way without the need for the graphic word.




- Maxical killed the vampire that was harming the boy in the last chapter, she is saying, even though that vampire is dead, she still could not leave the frightened boy in the prison, and would take his place again if she had it to do over.





Well and dry? I think that would open that sentence up for confusion of meaning. He was saying it had been dry for long enough that there was no dampness in there. I can take the word well out, and have him just say it is dry now.






*** Foxy, I wrote the part where he questions her on the Imperial City mouse incident to get a laugh from you - ARGH !! I put a couple hidden jokes in that part to get the Foxy in you laughing, (Treydog caught them - Yeah!) - The Count is reading her mind when he questions her about the Imperial City Prison - and it is totally blank (when she is saying "I don't add well," or "I had large pockets") - ARGH! You must be tired from your trip, it is not like you to not see the humor hidden below the surface! Still, I hugely appreciate your critique, thank you so much Foxy !!




*

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/685/alixmoose1.jpg

ROFL!!!! Lol !!!! ROFL !!!! Choke !!! Gaaaaah !!! ( mALX just died laughing at her keyboard) - Thanks Treydog! You ROCK with that Photoshop!

Holy....

:blink:


:rofl:

...


....


....


I can just see him in Anus (OOOOOPS) Janus' drawers now...


:rofl:

There is a special cameo appearance of Treydog in this chapter as the Reporter for the Black Horse Courier, and also a special cameo appearance of Mrs. Treydog as the Artist that paints the portrait of Alix. Mrs. Treydog made todays screenshot of Alix, and Treydog wrote the Black Horse Courier Special Edition.

Please be sure to give them both the kudos they deserve for the Photoshop work and the great humor! Mrs. Treydog's screenshot was the inspiration behind the section of this chapter that contains the Courier, and I thank them both heartily, I don't know when I have laughed so hard! Thanks Treydog and Mrs. Treydog!




Chapter 42: Janus And Alix




"What should I wear to sleep in?" I looked down at the rich soft dress. It would be ruined by sleeping in it. I was feeling very tired by now.

"I'll buy you another," Janus said quietly under his breath.

I could not have heard him right. He would not have said that. Why would he buy an expensive dress for a prisoner? I must have misunderstood.

My eyes were drooping, and suddenly I felt exhausted. I pulled back the covers on the bed and crawled in, pulling them up over me.

I did not think I would sleep with Janus and the body guard standing over me, but for some reason I slept well. I opened my eyes and found Janus had pulled a chair up beside the bed and sat watching me as I slept. His cowled head was turned toward me, at any rate. I could not see his eyes. The heavy curtains were drawn, and the room stayed dark, although I was sure daylight had already arrived.

I began to quietly slide to the opposite side of the bed. How I wished I could see his eyes and know if he slept. My foot touched the floor, and I eased the other leg off the bed and pushed myself up into a stand without a sound. I looked over and the chair was empty. I tried to spin around, but instead mashed my face into Janus's chest. He was standing right behind me. How did he move that fast? I never heard a sound!

I did have to go to the bathroom, especially after the jolt of finding him behind me. But I made a show of it being an emergency.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to wake you. I have the need to use the bathroom desperately. Where do I go?"

"I was not asleep." He led me to a gold urn.

"I must pee into gold? I can step outside for just a second if it will be more convenient." I looked hopefully into his cowl.

Janus just pointed to the urn.

I cannot understand why he is offended by a mouse bathing in his bathtub, but will allow a cat to pee in his gold urn. And I hope he heard that thought!

I heard a soft laugh behind me. He had heard it. His laugh was such a pleasing sound. I got the feeling it was rare that he allowed others to hear it.

***

It was humiliating to have to go with someone standing there, but Janus did turn away and go to the other end of the room. I was grateful to him for that.

A ewer had been placed on the sideboard for washing up, accompanied by another bar of the scented soap. I leaned over the water and sniffed. It was scented, and I breathed it in deeply several times. I have never smelled such a fragrance! As I was breathing deeply to inhale that aroma, a quiet rapping came upon the door, and the bodyguard opened it for the servant to bring in the morning meal. I leaned back over and breathed in the wonderful scent, so delicate a fragrance! My head began to spin from too much breathing in, and I tried to reach out and grab the sideboard, but instead knocked over the ewer.

"Dear Gods!" Janus spun around at the sound of the crash.

It shattered with a loud crash right next to Janus's golden tub frightening Alix, who popped straight up in the air as if he had wings. When he landed he ran, running straight for the servant who was carrying in trays of food. I did not know Alix could run! The trays of food went into the air and the man screamed, or maybe it was a shriek, for it was a very high sound.

"Good Gods! What are you doing, you fool! You have spilled food on my carpets!" Even as Janus hollered at the man, the man was barreling through the door and tumbling down the stairs, still screaming.

I would have thought Alix would stop to eat when the food dropped, but something from one of the trays landed on top of him, and his fright was renewed, sending him out the door after the man. The sound of the servant's shrieks were echoing up to the room.

"Alix! Oh Janus, Alix ran out the door, please catch him and bring him back! I cannot be without him!"

"What? I most certainly will no?" Janus refusal was interrupted by a loud crash from below, and several more screams were added to the servant's shrieking. Another crash was heard, further away, accompanied by more screams, and then a loud bang as the outer door was flung open and slammed back against the stone wall of the castle.

"I cannot lose Alix, please Janus, please bring him back to me or let me go after him!" I was crying, I could not be without Alix. I do not think I could stand it.

The sound of yelling was outside now, and then the sound of a frightened horse. I ran to the window, sliding behind the heavy curtain that covered it.

"There he is Janus, he is outside! You must go get him before he gets killed, please Janus please!" Janus sent the bodyguard to go get Alix.

"That guard that was on horseback appears to be injured, for he just lays on the ground. His horse has followed your staff across the bridge."

"Dear Gods! What the.." Janus pushed me aside and looked out the window in time to see the last three of his staff running in a funny leaping manner across the bridge, their hands in the air, still shrieking.

Janus looked down and saw his dis-mounted guard stretched out on the ground, but there was no blood. His bodyguard was running around the near end of the bridge in a funny pattern of circling and stooping.

"He has found Alix! Oh, I am so glad! Oh he will never be able to catch him doing that. Look Janus, Alix is waiting till he stoops then shooting under him. See him dance?"

I was surprised by a low chuckle from Janus as he watched his body guard trying to catch Alix.

"Oh look Janus, he has run up under that woman's skirt! See her sitting there painting? Oh dear, your bodyguard has just been slapped." Janus had seen it as well, and was beginning to laugh hard.

The bodyguard appeared to be dazed. He may have become dizzy from all the circling and stooping, or the woman had slapped him very hard.

"Look at his face, Janus! He has a large pink handprint across it! She has walloped him! He is reeling! Oh look, she has picked up Alix!" Janus was doubled over laughing.

"Janus, she is painting his portrait! Look, see? He is posing for her! She looks at him, then paints something! Oh please, will you purchase the portrait for me? Please Janus? I would love to have a portrait of Alix!"

Janus tapped on the window and signaled the bodyguard, who gratefully gave up trying to talk the woman into giving him Alix back. When he appeared in the doorway, Janus gave him the Septims for the artist, and told him to return with Alix and his portrait.

"Oh, thank you Janus, thank you!" I gave him a hug and kissed his jaw, then turned back to watch Alix's portrait being made. Janus stood for a few minutes staring at me, and then turned and walked back into the room, leaving me looking out the window.

The bodyguard returned with the portrait and Alix, who still had the item from the tray stuck on his head.

"Oh look Janus! The artist was the famous Mrs. Treydog! Can you purchase a frame for it that it may be hung on the wall? Oh, let me see where it would look best!"




_______________________________

The Black Horse Courier


GIANT MUTATED RODENT ATTACKS SKINGRAD CASTLE!
GUARDS AND STAFF TERRORIZED!


SPECIAL EDITION!
CREATURE MAY BE THE MISSING LINK!


INJURED GUARDS AND STAFF SPEAK OUT!


A giant mutation that has been described as a cross between a rodent and a moose attacked the staff at the Skingrad Castle earlier today. The injured are a mounted guard who appears to have only fainted, and another guard who refused comment; but this reporter witnessed a large red mark on his face that resembled a hand print. This creature must be colossal to have created a mark of that size, the imprint was as large as a human hand. The Count Skingrad, Janus Hassildor, could not be reached for comment, but all of the interviewed staff from the castle confirm that the Count has an intolerance for what he terms "vermin" and will go to any lengths to ensure Castle Skingrad is rodent free. This has also been confirmed by the local exterminator.

This reporter wonders if this is not some form of revenge that the rodents have exacted against Skingrad Castle for their harsh stance against the beasts.

Read full report and interviews below from our on the scene reporter Treydog!


Monster in Skingrad?

Our correspondent in County Skingrad has forwarded reports of odd sightings in Skingrad, specifically near Skingrad Castle. Although hard to credit, reliable witnesses claim to have seen a creature that appears to be "some kind of huge rodent, but with horns or antlers like a deer."

Related to Recent Events at the Imperial Palace?

One can only speculate that this sighting may be connected with the recent rodent eruption that occurred at the Imperial Palace, leading to the wounding of a number of Guards. Our correspondent was unable to get an audience with Count Hassildor, who is "indisposed," according to his spokesman. When our correspondent asked the spokesman about rodents, the Count's man replied:

"We do not tolerate vermin in Castle Skingrad. Not vermin of any kind. Good day."

We will provide additional detail as soon as more is known.


Special Edition Reporter Treydog, former Famous Palace Smith of the Imperial City

______________________________________________________



http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/685/alixmoose1.jpg




*** Me and Janus


http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/63/l_8122f705d71e4a4aae7294392880508f.jpg



http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/19/l_4e6ea3f37d5a4c9585fc05cf21cd01f6.jpg








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*gasps*

*slowly picks self...weakly....up from the floor*

You do realise...my dear Malx...that after reading this, no reader will see Oblivion in quite the same way again???

Oh my aunt...mutated rodent...moose antlers...Reporter Trey...

:rofl:

(Thank goodness I am a man, otherwise I might actually have a puddle on the floor)

:clap:

:bowdown:

This was a delightful break where you exploited what I expect, was an unanticipated opportunity. Very cleverly woven and wonderfully presented. Maxical at her very best! :goodjob:

Although the concept and storyline is brilliant, you may have rushed to press somewhat too fast - you missed some minor items that would likely have disappeared with a bit more time editing. Please bear with me:

-What should I wear to sleep in?" [missing opening quotation]

-"I'll buy you another." Janus said [I would use a comma instead of a period before the speech tag]

-"I must pee into gold? I can step outside for just a second if it will be more convenient." Janus just pointed to the urn. [although the context is clear enough, technically this clearly says the speaker here is Janus - I'm sure that is not your intent]

-I was crying, I could not be without Alix, I do not think I could stand it. [mixing tenses - I would recomment 'I did not think' ]

-"That guard that was on horseback appears to be injured, for he just lays on the ground. His horse followed your staff across the bridge. [missing closing speech quotation mark]

-his dis-mounted guard [dismounted]

Again, do not let my mention of the tiny missed edit items detract from the fact that this is indeed a very funny and clever story. mALX, you have done a wonderful job! Thanks to the doggie reporter and Mrs Treydog as well, for such clever contributions! :lmao:

Thanks so much Acadian! I was editing as you were commenting, but you saw some I missed anyway. On the above, I left it as is because that would imply he dismounted of his own free will and volition, but he was thrown off the back of the horse, or fainted and fell off - he did not dismount - I was not sure if there was a word for a man falling off his horse that would fit with the story, so used the dis-mounted.



@ Foxy - I am so glad you are back, see what you started with your distracting mice? Lol . - Thank you so much Foxy, You ROCK !!!!



PS - I added two lines in so everyone would know Mrs. Treydog was the artist.


@ Treydog & Mrs. Treydog - Make sure you take your credit for your creativity, humor, and being the inspiration for yet another chapter in Maxical's life!



@ EVERYONE - There is now a photo album for Alix The Mouse in Maxical's Myspace, the link is in my signature, just click on the link, then click on the word "pics" underneath Maxical's profile picture. (there is a never before seen pic of Alix in there!)





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You never fail to delight mALX! That was simply insane! Who ever knew Alix could move so quickly!

Since Alix is becoming such an integral part of Maxical's 'family' have you ever considered writing something from his pov? Think of how Black Beauty was done and do something similar.

Thank you so much SubRosa! I think Alix was inspired by Mrs. Treydog's portrait, lol. I am not sure if I could write one for Alix, I'd have to really think about what he would be thinking or feeling, lol. I really appreciate your enjoyment of it!