Teresa - Moving Through Darkness III

Post » Tue May 17, 2011 1:11 am

Well, here we are, topic #3 in Moving Through Darkness, and #4 overall.

You can find the previous topics in the Teresa Fiction below:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1047284-teresa-not-a-hero/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1054548-teresa-moving-through-darkness-i/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1063261-teresa-moving-through-darkness-ii/

You can also find the entire TF on my website http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/fiction.html.

http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/fiction_not_a_hero.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_01.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_02.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_03.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_04.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_05.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_06.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_07.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_08.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_09.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_10.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_11.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_12.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_13.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_14.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_15.html
http://home.comcast.net/~subrosa_florens/witch/moving_through_darkness_16.html

We are now on Moving Through Darkness III, and start with Chapter 13d.

For those who have not read the entire TF (which is short for Teresa Fiction), here is a brief recap to bring you up to this thread: Teresa is a stringy wood elf who dyes her hair red. Generally shy and timid, she is an orphan who spent most of her life on the streets of the Imperial City, until a fate arranged her to be in the Imperial Prison when the Emperor was making his escape from Mythic Dawn assassins. Meeting the Emperor changed her forever, as in the brief time she knew him, he taught her to respect herself, and that her life had meaning. She would have done anything for him, and did, carrying the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre at Weynon Priory at his behest, where the Grandmaster of the Blades took over.

Teresa returned to the Imperial City after a brief stop in the village of Weye, where she met a sultry innkeeper named Nerussa and a fisherman in need of her help to catch some slaughterfish for him. After doing so, she contined home, only to find that it was not where she belonged anymore. Not because it had changed, but because she had. The forest was her home now, the only place she felt she truly belonged. Given that, she began a career of harvesting alchemical supplies and then making potions from them to sell. She was in the Imperial City selling potions from one such expedition with her adoptive mother Simplicia when the Daedra of Mehrunes Dagon attacked in an attempt to kill the new Emperor Martin before he could relight the dragonfires. She holed up in a shop along with Simplicia, a legionary named Volsinius, and several others and fought off wave after wave of Daedra, until it was over.

Afterward she was hired by a mysterious Altmer named Umbacano to collect curious Ayleid statues called Ancestors. She also learned the chilling truth of how Simplicia had been brutally tortured and maimed before she was born, leading her to skooma addiction and eventually becoming a beggar. She had been about to kill herself when she discovered the infant Teresa abandoned in an alley, and caring for the wood elf became her reason for living. Teresa also learned of Volsinius' own part in the horror, for it was he who tracked down Simplicia's assailant and murdered him in revenge, losing his own humanity in the process.

Whetted by Umbacano's promise of gold, and a few chance encounters with bandits and a single exploration of the Ayleid ruin of Vilverin, Teresa broadened her horizons from simply gathering alchemical ingredients to full-on ruin exploration. While exploring the ruins of Fort Magia she was nearly killed by a ghost because she was poorly prepared. This was the first of several occasions where she realized that she had much to learn about the life of an adventurer. She also discovered a pair of bottles of Shadowbanish Wine, which Nerussa had asked her to look out for.

Returning to the Imperial City to sell her loot and buy new clothes, Teresa ran into Volsinius again, and was present when rather than arresting a young girl stealing food, he fed her instead. This was a powerful experience for Teresa, as when she was the same age Volsinius had caught her doing the same, and knocked out one of her teeth. Teresa was left to wonder if perhaps knowing her had caused the gruff legionary to change.

Teresa continued to Weye, where she met Nerussa and sold her Shadowbanish Wine. More importantly, she lost her virginity to the innkeeper, who she learned was a former courtesan. This was another experience that would change Teresa forever, as Nerussa taught her to follow her desires and be confident in herself.

Afterward she found that she was no longer welcome among the dregs of society in the Imperial City, thanks to her friendship with Volsinius. However, she managed to retain her childhood friend of Methredhel, who had just entered the Thieves Guild.

Learning that the Ancestor Statues which Umbacano was looking for where located in south-eastern Cyrodiil, Teresa headed south for Bravil, intending to stay there indefinitely while she searched for the artifacts. Along the way a chance encounter with bandits and a legionary made her think about joining the Fighters Guild, lured by the promise of training. A stop at the Faregyl Inn only reinforced this idea. By the time she reached Bravil Teresa decided to try out for the guild. After a friendly greeting by the vice commander Tadrose Helas, she endured a torturous examination by the commander, Pappy Vitellus, and was told to wait while he performed a background check on her.

During just her first few days in Bravil Teresa also met Aia, a beggar who reminds her of her adoptive mother Simplicia, and who knows a great deal about the comings and goings of the people in Bravil. She also met an orc warrior-poet named Ancondil, who was also a new member of the Fighters guild. At the Mages Guild she became friends with their alchemist Ardaline, a young high elf who shares her passion for alchemy.
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Isabell Hoffmann
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 4:49 am

Hwut! No story post! If it were possible to sue you for internet torture I would!!! :P
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Trista Jim
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 2:33 am

Congratulations on Thread IV!

The spell 'anolyze Alchemy' should have been added to the game instead of just telling you what is in each bottle. The higher the player's mysticism skill, the easier it would be to tell what is in each bottle. Weak potions could of course be readily identified by even an apprentice of mysticism, but strong spells would need the rank of at least expert to identify. It would make things interesting if whenever you drank a potion there was an element of risk involved.
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Ryan Lutz
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 8:28 am

Congrats on Thread IV !!!
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Siidney
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 11:37 am

Congratulations! :twirl:
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Ross Thomas
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 9:24 am

How can I not click on something that has the word Bravil in the title??

More, more O sage Subrosa. :read:
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Jordyn Youngman
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 7:32 am

Congratulations on starting a new thread. It means you still have the passion to keep going.
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Krystal Wilson
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 3:25 am

Thank you all. :)

A Warning to all Men, the following post contains girl-talk, so some of you may be horrified.

* * *

Chapter 13d ?The Lucky Lady


"I have some things in here that I did not know how to make potions for," the wood elf explained as she began to draw various leaves, roots, mushrooms, and other plants from her bag. "I know they are good though, because they are in Patvir's Guide."

"Oh you are using that old thing!" Ardaline exclaimed, and Teresa instantly felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Not that it's bad mind you," the high elf quickly said as Teresa's eyes fell to the counter. "We used it for reference at University. But it is horribly organized. Everything is arranged by school, but that does not help you when you are in the field and trying to figure out what something is. What you need are Grognak's Regional Guides. They are arranged by plant and animal type, to easily identify what you are looking at. The illustrations are better as well, since they are all in color. He has separate volumes for the ingredients you will find in each part of Cyrodiil, plus one master edition with everything together."

The high elf walked over to the bookcase, and drew forth a book with green binding. Stepping next to Teresa, she opened its pages and showed it to the wood elf. The forester marveled at the brilliant colors of the picture of a somnalius frond, and quickly noticed how the text explained several key features of the plant that made identifying it easier. Even better, she saw a list of its magical effects listed under that, and recipes it could be used in.

"This is amazing," Teresa marveled as her eyes feasted upon the book. "You know, I think I have some of these in my bag here!"

"Why don't you keep that," Ardaline walked back behind the counter and began going through the ingredients. "That is the Bravil County guide. We can put that toward your payment along with the spells."

"Thank you Ardaline," Teresa said with honest gratitude, clutching the book to her briast. The alchemist at Chorrol had not been nearly as helpful, she thought, let alone as nice to look at.

She began to wonder what it would feel like to put her arm around the high elf, or lay her head on her shoulder. But Ardaline was probably not like that, Teresa thought with a sigh. Not many women seemed to be. Remembering Ancondil's mistake the previous night, she was determined not to repeat it. "You really are such a nice person."

The high elf blushed once more. Combined with her wide eyes, it made her look seductively innocent. Suddenly Teresa wondered if that was how she looked to Nerussa; awkward, shy, and irresistibly beautiful?

"I have some silphium there too," Teresa said as the high elf drew forth a small jar of powder. "I already ground it down. I don't really use it myself."

"Oh excellent!" the high elf smiled now. "We always need more of this! I am very irregular, so I use it to even out my periods, not to mention make them lighter."'

"Really, you can do that?" Teresa asked, feeling her eyes grow wide in surprise. She had always been regular. Every month on the New Moon her courses would start, she thought. She could set a calendar by it. She knew other women, like Methredhel, were not so lucky however. "I had no idea."

"Oh yes," the high elf explained as she put the powder away. "As long as you take it every day, you will not get your courses at all. You can use it to time when you do have your period that way. As soon as you stop, it comes. I take it three weeks straight, then stop for a week to keep a normal cycle." The high elf's eyes lifted then, glancing at something in the lobby outside. "Of course some people need it for other reasons?"

Teresa looked over her shoulder and saw the object of the alchemist's statement. She was a young Dunmer woman, with blue skin soft as the twilight sky. Her long hair was milky white and spilled along her shoulders, and her eyes were pools of fire given an even deeper, more smoldering look by the heavy black makeup that lined them. Her lips and nails were also ebony in color, and she wore a dress of velvet and lace that was the same dark shade with ivory highlights. Girding her torso was a corset of black leather and brocade, stitched with delicate silver patterns that looked like vines twisting around one another.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/oblivion/Oblivion294.jpg

Teresa felt her heart skip a beat as she gazed upon the other woman. Where Ardaline had a certain innocent charm, this woman was a virtual promise of dark and sensual desire. By Dibella, Teresa thought, would she like to do more than just put an arm around her!

"Who is that?" the wood elf breathed, unable to take her eyes off the Dunmer woman as she sauntered across the lobby. Her hips rolled from side to side like a ringing bell, and the wood elf noticed that she stepped with her feet heel to toe, rather than side to side as most women did. It reminded Teresa of Nerussa, whose every motion glided into the next as if she were dancing.

"Oh don't you get all moon-eyed over her too. It's bad enough how the men are," the Altmer woman grumbled. "That is Saya Aren, our new battlemage, and the biggest harpy on Nirn. From what I have heard she spends more time on her back than her feet?"

"Meeoow!" Teresa found herself giggling as she turned back to face the other woman, whose face lit up with mirth. Before she knew it the two of them were laughing.

"What's going on in here?" the voice of another woman cut through the air of the alchemy chamber. Teresa looked up to see a blond-haired high elf sweeping into the room. She wore an elegant dress of crimson and purple velvet, and her golden hair was tied behind her head in a ponytail. She carried herself with an air of dignity and professionalism that Teresa was used to seeing in Altmer. Yet what surprised the wood elf was the twinkle of glee in the other woman's eye.

"This is the Mages Guild, we cannot have any merriment here!" the Altmer grumbled in a low tone, and Teresa had the distinct feeling that she was emulating the voice of someone that the mages must know. "We are part of a long line of distinguished true seekers. We must look to their example as we go about our duties. We are all dour and dedicated mages."

"Aryarie!" Adraline exclaimed with a grin. The young high elf contained her laughter, but could not repress the glint in her eyes. "Have you seen Kud-Ei? This is Teresa, she has brought us some wonderful treasures. Could you or Kud-Ei teach her anolyze Alchemy and Mark Potion? We are going to deduct it from what we owe her."

"I have not seen our guild magister at all this morning," the older high elf said in a normal tone. "Or Henantier. If I did not know better I would think those two were up to something, if you know what I mean?"

"Henantier?" the younger Altmer nearly laughed again. "Are you kidding? He makes me look like a courtesan in comparison."

The older woman smiled as she looked from Ardaline to Teresa. The wood elf wondered who this Henantier was that they were talking about. She gathered that Kud-Ei was the leader of their chapter, and that Aryarie must be someone important herself from the way that Ardaline deferred to the older woman.

"Henantier is one of the best enchanters in the entire guild." the older high elf said in a somewhat scolding tone, which then lightened with that same glint in her eye that Teresa had seen when she had entered. "But he cannot help it if he is a bit? challenged in other areas."

Then she took Teresa's hand with a warm but soft touch. "I am Aryarie, the assistant magister here in the Bravil Chapter. My morning is free, so I would be glad to help you. Let us leave Ardaline to take care of things here, and we can go teach you those spells."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/oblivion/Oblivion293.jpg

Teresa allowed the older high elf to lead her through the lobby to a quiet study room. There the magician produced a pair of pamphlets that described both of the spells she was going to learn. "You can keep these for afterward," the high elf explained, "in case you have any trouble remembering."

Then the other woman walked Teresa through the process of forming the symbols needed to cast each spell. The forester already had a basic understanding of how magic worked thanks to Methredhel and the priestesses of Mara from the Temple of the One. So she at least understood how to draw upon her magicka and channel it into a spell.

Yet how to focus it was the issue, Teresa thought as the other woman coached her. One lapse in the creation of the symbol in her mind would cause the spell to fail, or worse, go off with unexpected results. She had many of these false starts and miscues as she fumbled her way through learning the spells.

Aryarie said that both were novice level spells, and Teresa certainly felt that title was appropriate to her crude attempts at learning. Yet even as the hours dragged by, Aryarie remained patient and supportive, even taking a break for a moment to bring them both some cool juice and cinnamon rolls.

As the chapel bell tolled the midday hour however, Teresa had finally mastered both. With the Mark spell, she found herself etching any symbol she desired upon the glass potion bottles. Aryarie even taught her how to use the spell to remove existing symbols. All of which were listed on the pamphlet that she had given Teresa, giving her a reference for what each was for.

Casting the anolyze spell, the wood elf could see the symbols that channeled the magical power within the potions that Aryarie had brought with her. Once more by referencing the spell's pamphlet, Teresa could see what each symbol stood for. She could even judge how powerful a potion's effect was from seeing the intensity of the magicka stored within it.

Teresa could not contain a real smile as she emerged from the study room and crossed the lobby to see Ardaline again. The youthful high elf had not only her new book set aside, but a healthy-looking bag of coins along with it.

"How did it go?" she asked, smiling in return as the wood elf collected her things.

"Wonderful!" Teresa bubbled. She felt practically giddy at her successes. Before she even knew what she was saying, more words spilled from her mouth. Instantly she regretted her recklessness, remembering Ancondil the previous night. "Would you like to go and have lunch with me? You seem like such a nice person, and I am new here and do not know anyone, or even know where anything is. Oh, and I need to buy some clothes, I cannot wait to get out of this leather!"

"I would be glad to," Ardaline said after a long pause, and Teresa breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe the other elf did like her, she thought, at least enough to be friends. "We can go by Nilawen's, she has wonderful sandwiches at lunch time, and we can get you something new to wear at the same time."
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Euan
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 2:47 am

Yes, I have noticed that a certain proportion of female to female conversations regarding females sound meeow-ish...

:rofl:

Such a nice post! The Atmosphere! The Settings!
















...and, of course, the Babes.


:lol:
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Danny Warner
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 3:02 am

Again, great descriptions. Your integration of the detail with such natural conversation and interactions was wonderful. Well done, and a pleasure to read! :)

Nice introduction of Saya and Aryarie.

I think Teresa will enjoy her new anolyze and mark spells. Thanks for providing cool juice and cinnamon rolls. :liplick:

It's nice to see her reaching out to others.
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GRAEME
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 9:54 am

A real smile this time, not just a faint one?

Wonderful chapter! I really enjoyed the girl-talk, especially the gossip.

"Spends more time on her back than on her feet . . ." Meeeeeouch!

And I'm curious to see how Teresa deals with lovestruck Varon Vamori!
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Ann Church
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 4:06 am

admittingly, two paragraphs of 'wimmings bits' followed by 'screenshot' had me slightly worried at hitting the link.. her eyes do look rather red, don't they.


Wow, I'm reading fantasy.. And liking it. And have zillions of chapters to catch up on. And I still gotta find time to write as well. And have to check my usage of 'and'...




..


uh.. did I mention I like it :unsure:
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Causon-Chambers
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 8:01 am

Yeah, Saya! I have been waiting for this storyline! Awesome Write!
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Campbell
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 2:25 am

Nicely written! I can't help but notice how her experiences, I'm guessing largely those with Nerussa, LOL, have transformed Teresa...she used to be so innocent and timid, but now she's got quite the eye for the ladies...and she's developing enough courage to pursue her interest.
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-__^
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 9:40 am

Bye all for 10 days!!! Keep up da good work, girl!!!

And as for YOU, Andy, I ain't TALKING to you.

Hmmmph!!!

:meh:
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Madison Poo
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 10:30 am

I'm interested in finding out where lunch with Ardaline leads (besides Nilawen's). And, like Teresa, I am already intrigued by Saya Aren. . . meeoow indeed. :hubbahubba:
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Mélida Brunet
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 10:39 am

Gasp, choke, cough- sorry, had to clear the estrogen fumes.... Need a Volsinius or Pappy scene, STAT! :P

You write alchemy better than anyone I have ever seen, and you do it in such a way that the story keeps moving forward. I love the depth you have now given to the Mages Guild, those little touches that make me slap my head and think- "Of course! Why didn't Bethesda put that in?"

And why do I sense a "Saya-colored" storm on the horizon? :whistle:
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Khamaji Taylor
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 7:31 am

D.Foxy: Thank you Fox. :) So have you noticed that the Bravil Mages Guild is almost wall-to-wall women? It is a veritable chick-fest. ;)


Acadian: Thank you Acadian. :) There is more food, and more new characters being introduced this chapter. Ever since coming to Bravil Teresa has been meeting tons of people. The irony is that when she lived in a huge city like the IC, she barely knew anyone. Yet in a small town like Bravil she knows lots of people.


hauteecole rider: Yes, a real smile. What were the odds of that! I am not going to use the Varon Vamori subplot (for some reason when I hear his name in the game it always sounds like Baron Vamori...). I think I am just going to go with Buffy having done that in the past.


old_andy: Hi Andy! :wave: I am glad you are enjoying the adventures of my stringy wood elf. If the girliness of this chapter is too much, you could look back to http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1063261&view=findpost&p=15464820 and http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1063261&view=findpost&p=15469882. Both are quite manly, as that chapter is told from the pov of Volsinius, an old soldier like yourself.

I am sorry I have not been able to keep up with your Fallout story. RL has been keeping me busy, and I have had to cut back on a lot of the fan fics I used to read. A common vulpine friend did tell me about the litter, so I took a peek at that. I am most honored. :wub:


mALX1: Yes, the Gothmer battleconjurer herself has arrived in Bravil. Now her and her uncle Fathis can compete to see who can have six with more people!


Rachel the Breton: I am glad you noticed that. That was one of the reasons for this chapter. Not only does it introduce many new characters, but it also shows us how Teresa has become more confident in establishing relationships.


Destri Melarg: Your wish is my demand. Lunch follows below.


treydog: Well, the super bowl is tonight, so that might even out your testosterone! Pappy does appear in the beginning of the next chapter, and another chapter from Volsinius' pov is coming soon as well.

Saya herself will have a chapter from her pov in the future as well, although that is further off.

Thank you for noting the effort I have put into bringing the MG to life. I still have things to do with them to convey the full picture I want though.


All: now the conclusion of Chapter 13. This has been a big one, with 5 posts and 11,000 words.

* * *

Chapter 13e ?The Lucky Lady

Teresa discovered that Nilawen's was actually a general store known as A Fair Deal, sitting right beside the inn she had rented a room at. Inside she found Nilawen was the owner, a middle-aged wood elf dressed in simple linen clothing. The two floors of her shop were a confusing affair of tables, shelves, and racks containing all manner of goods. From dresses to pick-axes, she seemed to have everything under the sun.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/oblivion/Oblivion292.jpg

Several small tables were arranged at the front of the ground floor, next to the windows to the street outside. Teresa saw that two other wood elves were sitting at one when they arrived. One appeared to be a similar age to Nilawen, and sat with his back to the door as he munched on a sandwich of rolled pita bread that appeared to be stuffed with meat.

The other Bosmer sat across the table from the first and faced the door. He was definitely younger than his companion, yet still clearly older than Teresa and Ardaline. His brown hair was somewhat unkempt, and he wore a black cloak with dark clothing underneath. Riding his hip was a curved short sword whose hilt bore elaborate, leaf-shaped carvings which spoke of elven manufacture.

What Teresa really noticed were his slate grey eyes however. They had that cold, hard look that she knew all too well. He was a killer, she thought, and did little to conceal it. His body lacked that stiff uprightness that most military men had though, something she guessed must come from hundreds of hours standing at attention. Instead he slouched in his chair like a lazy serpent, relaxed now, but able to strike at any moment.

Ardaline paused a moment to greet him before they sat at a table on the other side of the door, and Teresa felt distinctly nervous with the other Bosmer sitting behind her. But she forced herself to put on a carefree demeanor as Nilawen brought them a pair of the Redguard-style pita bread sandwiches like those the two men were eating. Except that Teresa's was filled with tomatoes, cheese, and greens rather than meat.

"So are you two friends?" Teresa asked in a low tone, half glancing over her shoulder toward the black-clad wood elf.

"Aradroth?" the Altmer said between bites of her sandwich. "He has been by the guild a few times to buy ingredients is all, and learn some illusion spells from Kud-Ei."

"So he's not someone special then?" Teresa asked, allowing the ghost of a smile to crest her lips.

"Oh goodness no Teresa!" Ardaline coughed, and had to take a sip of juice to clear her throat before continuing. "What would make you even think that?"

"Well look at you Ardaline," Teresa said, gesturing toward the high elf with a free hand. "You're smart, beautiful, and kind, all rolled up into one. There must be plenty of people who wish you were their girlfriend."

"Not hardly." The youthful high elf rolled her eyes. "I am a alchemophile. I live inside a potion bottle. Not what anyone is looking for."

"Don't be so sure," Teresa said, looking into the high elf's deep blue eyes. Was she really going to press this? Teresa thought. How might Ardaline react? Was it worth losing the alchemist as a friend if the high elf was mortified by her feelings?

"I know at least one person in Bravil that feels that way." Teresa finally said, silently praying to the Lucky Lady that her good fortune of the day held out.

"Who then?" Ardaline said, "Not even Fathis Aren looks twice at me, and he has slept with nearly every woman in the county!"

Teresa looked down at her sandwich. She knew what she wanted to say, yet her throat choked on the words. Feeling warmth spread through her cheeks at her floundering, she forced her eyes to raise and meet Ardaline's. Biting her lip, she held the young woman's stare. She said nothing, hoping that the high elf would somehow understand.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/oblivion/Oblivion291.jpg

"Oh Teresa, you mean?" Now it was Ardaline's turn to flush crimson. "You are sapphic?"

"What?" Teresa blinked, that was the last thing she had expected to hear.

"You like other women," Ardaline blurted out in a whisper, looking guiltily to either side, as if she were afraid someone else might hear. "Like the poet Sappho."

"Well, yes," Teresa said. She could already see in the other woman's eyes that she was not the same way. For some strange reason that brought a sense of relief flooding through the wood elf, as if just knowing how Ardaline felt had lifted a great weight from her shoulders. "But I have never heard of Sappho?"

"Well she lived back in the First Age, in the Summerset Isles," Ardaline explained. "She wrote some really? sensual things about other women. I mean really boiling stuff! Ever since then Altmer women who were attracted to other women have been called sapphic."

"She sounds like someone I know?" Teresa said with a faint smile, thinking of Nerussa. She would have to ask her about Sappho. The innkeeper would certainly have some of her poems, she thought. For all she knew, Nerussa had probably been reciting them to her during their nights together! "Sapphic, you say, I like that. But I can tell already that you aren't?"

"Oh no!" Ardaline exclaimed, then she stopped herself and covered her mouth, as if she suddenly regretted what she had said. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with it of course," she stammered. "It's just not me is all. I have a hard enough time imagining being with a man, let alone a woman!"

"I understand," Teresa forced herself to smile, gently laying her fingers on the other woman's hand. Ardaline did not flinch, or draw her hand away, which brought the wood elf another feeling of relief. At least they could still be friends, she thought. Right now she would be overjoyed just to have a few friends in Bravil. Lovers had been something she had spent most of her life without. It was not like she was going to die without one. "So it does not make you feel? funny being around me then?"

"Oh Mara no!" Ardaline declared with a smile. "My brother was the same way after all."

"So your brother was attracted to women too?" Teresa could not resist the wry comment. That was just the thing Ancondil would say, she thought with a sudden feeling of pride. That made her wonder where the orc was, and if she could somehow make things up with him, after she had so ignorantly led him on the other night. Perhaps she could buy him a bottle of brandy with her newfound earnings?

"No silly!" Ardaline practically beamed now, then lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. "He liked other men! Our parents were so upset! They wanted him to marry and have children you see. Now they never stop haranguing me to make them grandparents!"

Teresa could not restrain a giggle. Ever since she had met her, Adaline managed to bring out that lightness in her. The high elf probably had no idea she was even doing it, Teresa thought. Again, she wondered if this was how she made Nerussa feel? What was it the former courtesan had said to her on the first night they had made love? "Nature's first green is gold."

"So where is your brother," Teresa asked. "Is he in Bravil too?"

"Oh no," Ardaline's features darkened like a storm front rolling across the Niben. She looked down at the table between them, and Teresa could see her swallow hard before she spoke again. "He lived in Kvatch. He had met someone there, someone special. Now he's?"

The high elf closed her eyes and did not continue the sentence. Teresa did not need to hear the rest. Everyone knew what had happened to Kvatch. Her heart fell, and she had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around the other woman and hold her tight. Instead she extended her hand further, and slid her fingers around the other woman's hand in a warm, yet soft clasp.

"I am so sorry Ardaline," she breathed, wanting to hit herself for not noticed how the high elf had been referring to her brother in the past tense. "I had no idea?"

"It's not your fault," Ardaline said, raising her liquid blue eyes to meet Teresa's gaze. "I've spent months thinking about it. I don't want to brood over it anymore." Then the high elf managed a crooked smile, as if she were forcing herself to lighten her mood. "Now how about we buy you some clothes before Aryarie starts wondering where I have gotten off to?"
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m Gardner
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 6:49 am

This was a real pleasure to read.

You continue to do a marvelous job of bringing the Bravil I love to life. Yes, ironic how much easier it seems to make friends in a smaller community sometimes. As always, I enjoyed the wonderful chow you provided - how considerate. :P

It was wonderful to see Winter Wolf's Aradroth appear!

I am so pleased Teresa and Ardaline successfully navigated some potential awkwardness and will, it seems, be good friends. The conversation between them was written with amazing skill and clarity.

"Oh no," Ardaline's features darkened like a storm front rolling across the Niben.

This perfect metaphor was made even more so by its 'TESness' of referring to the Niben.


Just one tiny thing to look at perhaps-
'For all she knew, the Nerussa had probably been reciting them to her during their nights together!'
Did you intend for the word the to be there?
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Cedric Pearson
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 5:58 am

Oh, what a wonderful moment here! I enjoyed the two women getting to know each other like this.

And yes, I'm with Teresa - I wouldn't want Aradroth at my back, either. I'd want him in front of me, where I can see him at all times! Just one question - was he taking bets on the side? :bigsmile:
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Eileen Collinson
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 10:40 am

This chapter turned out lovely. The contrast between the darkness of the assassin and the girls marked it wonderfully.
Great descriptive writing on Aradroth, exactly what I envisioned for the character.
I also loved the dialogue between the girls. You have a way of staying in the moment that we all can learn from.

Cheers. :foodndrink:
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Shelby Huffman
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 1:41 am

Aradroth seems to be getting around. You've managed to make Ardaline endearing and sweet without making her annoying. Lunch sounded excellent, I'll have what the two Bosmer are having please. :foodndrink:

Instead she found Nilawen was the owner, a middle-aged wood elf dressed in simple linen clothing.

I wonder if you meant 'Inside' here.
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Elena Alina
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 1:23 am

This was one to simply enjoy, in a quiet, introspective way. I like the fact that Teresa learns from her missteps, and that she is so aware and considerate of others' feelings. The key to any character-driven story is a character (or a whole cast of characters) who we care about. This one certainly achieves that goal.
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Captian Caveman
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 7:10 am

Acadian: Thank you Acadian. :) You started a trend with Aradroth. Now it is just a question of where he will appear next?


hauteecole rider Thank you h.e.r. :) Aradroth was not taking bets yet, but in a few more chapters...


Winter Wolf: Thank you Wolf. :) I am glad Aradroth's appearance worked well.


Destri Melarg: Thank you Dest. :) Good eye there on that word choice. I like yours better, so I went with that.


treydog: Thank you dog. :) If I had room in my signature, I would quote that: The key to any character-driven story is a character :D




* * *

Chapter 14a - Through A Nightmare Darkly


Teresa returned to Silverhome On The Water clutching a pile of clothing and shoes to her briast, along with her spell pamphlets, a pair of books, and a bottle of brandy. She was barely able to turn the latch to enter the front door of the inn, and only managed it after dangerously shifting her load of goods around in her arms. Striding through the common room, she answered the publican's greeting with a nod and a faint smile.

She did not linger on the ground floor, heading straight to her room instead. She thought she heard the Altmer proprietor say something behind her, but could not catch his words as she scurried up the stairs to the second floor.

She could not wait to try on the green velvet dress she had bought, and hastened down the corridor. Its soft touch against her skin felt lovely, and the matching shoes that went with it were simply adorable.

No one back in the Imperial City would be able to even recognize her, the wood elf thought with a faint smile as she performed another act of juggling to retrieve her key and fit it into the lock of her door. Yet it did not click open when she turned it, for it was already unlocked.

She had been sure she locked it when she left. She always locked her doors when she had something valuable, like the ingredients she had left over from the previous day's potion making. Had she been robbed? she wondered as she carefully set down her things.

Her heart galloped like a racehorse as she fixed the symbol for her Flare spell in her mind. Cautiously opening the door a crack, she peeked within. The portion of the room she could see through the opening was empty, and better yet, undisturbed. Pushing the door open the rest of the way, she found the other half was occupied however.

Sitting at the small table beside her bed was the commander of the Fighters Guild. He was dressed in tan linen pants, a long-sleeved white shirt, and a dark brown vest. A longsword whose hilt bore the antenna design and golden cast of Dwemer manufacture rode his left hip. An opened bottle sat on the table in front of him, along with a pair of shot-glasses. His blue eyes rose from the book he was thumbing through and met Teresa's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v90/subrosa_florens/oblivion/Oblivion302.jpg

"Where have you been kid?" the Imperial said as he closed the book and set it on the table beside him. "I've been waiting for almost an hour, and this Ayleid history is nearly as boring as that other book you have about plants."

"If I had known I had a guest I would have arranged for some entertainment, old man," Teresa commented dryly, relaxing her stance. "Like maybe a grizzly bear, or a troll."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time for that!" the Imperial laughed and lifted one of the glasses to his lips. His head rocked back as he downed the contents in a single gulp, and Teresa detected a slight wince on his features as he set it down on the table.

She shook her head and stepped back into the hallway to gather her things. Carrying them into her room, she set them on the bed and shut the door behind her. "So do you make a habit of breaking into women's rooms?" she looked down upon him with her arms akimbo.

"I didn't break anything kid, the innkeeper let me in. He's a friend of mine." he said as he poured a dark brown liquid into each of the shot-glasses. That made the wood elf wonder if what the innkeeper said to her as she rose the stairs had been a warning about Pappy. "You know you missed your training session this afternoon."

Teresa closed her eyes. Damn, she silently cursed. She had been so caught up in lunch with Ardaline and shopping with the high elf that she had forgotten. She had even resolved herself to go to the Fighters Guild for the session, in light of what Ancondil and Aia had said the day before. By Nocturnal, she could be such an idiot sometimes!

"Sorry, I forgot," Teresa said, biting her lower lip. "I got caught up in things at the Mages Guild?"

"Really, they sell dresses and Surilie Brothers brandy there now do they?" Pappy asked. His eyes glittered with mirth as he nodded at the pile on Teresa's bed.

"Well, that came later," Teresa said, still biting her lip and turning back to her bed. Picking up the bottle of brandy and a book of poetry for Ancondil, she walked to the dresser and drew forth a small bag and placed them both within. "But I was with a mage so it still counts."

"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Imperial laughed. "Come on, sit down and have a drink, I have a proposition for you."

"Really? I've heard you have a talent for coming between women and their clothing." Teresa said, walking back to the bed and now taking her copy of Grogan's Guide and setting it with her alchemical bag next to the small table. "If that's what you're here for, you are out of luck."

"Settle down Teresa," the older man frowned. "I don't sleep with the women in the guild. It's not worth the headaches. Besides, there are plenty of other fish in the bay. Now are you going to sit down and talk or not?"

"I did not know I was in the guild," Teresa said as she sat across from him. "I am supposed to wait for two weeks remember?"

"Cut the bull kid," the Imperial said plainly. "We both know that if you aren't full of dreck you are in. Now have a drink and let's talk."

"I'm sorry," Teresa breathed, willing the tension of the surprise visit to drain out of her. Why did the older man get on her nerves so much? she wondered. He did not seem like a bad sort at all. He was a lot friendlier than Volsinius, that was for certain!

She reached for the glass, and studied the dark fluid within. From the smell it must be some kind of whiskey, she thought. She did not normally drink anything that hard. Wine was more than enough for her. But she did not want to turn him down, at least not yet. Perhaps more importantly, she did not want look weak in front of him. Not after her display of tears the other day.

She lifted the glass to her lips and let the dark liquor slide into her mouth. Instantly she regretted it. The taste was simply awful, making her wince before she could even begin to swallow. Worse, it was freezing cold, as if she were drinking ice. Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of brown droplets.

Pappy laughed as she doubled over and coughed. At least she had managed to avoid getting it all over him, she thought, or the bed. "By the Nine, what is that cacat?" she wheezed, feeling a familiar warmth rise to her cheeks.

"That is Nordic Whiskey my friend," Pappy said. "It's not for everyone."

"Isn't that illegal?" Teresa asked. So much for not appearing weak, she thought glumly. Her mouth felt frozen, and she wished she could get the awful taste from her tongue. Finally she rose and lifted the pitcher of water next to the washbasin and took several deep gulps.

"I don't let little things like that get in my way," Pappy smiled. He seemed to be enjoying her discomfort, the wood elf thought.

"I've heard that too." Teresa said as she walked back to the table and sat down. She knew that she had made a complete fool of herself. She ought to be used to it by now, she mused, it seemed to be what she was best at after all. Biting her lip again, she tried to ignore the sting in what was left of her pride and continue talking. "I hear you don't like rules."

"No, I like rules." Pappy said with a smile that Teresa was certain would make most women melt. "I like to break them. That's why I'm here."

"So what are you breaking?" the wood elf could not contain a faint smile at his quip.

"I have a job for you," he said, pouring himself another glass. When he motioned to pour another for Teresa she held her hand up and shook her head. She was never going to even think of drinking that again! she thought. "A quiet job, off the books. That's why I'm here, and not downstairs."

"So you want something stolen then?" Teresa frowned. "I told you, I'm not a thief."

"No, not stolen," Pappy knocked back another shot of whiskey. "This is a favor for a friend. She needs someone no one in town knows. Someone with at least a little bit of magic, who can think unconventionally."

Teresa nodded, that certainly sounded like her, she thought. But it was awfully secretive. "So who is your friend?" she asked, trying to decide whether it would be a good idea to do this. On one hand it would certainly help her with Pappy, she thought. But on the other it could be illegal. While she was not one to shirk at breaking the law, she did not want to end up in prison again either?

"Kud-Ei, the head of the Mages Guild here in Bravil," Pappy said evenly, staring Teresa in the eye. "She won't tell me what it is, but from the rumors I am hearing, I think it has something to do with one of her magisters. She's a real straight shooter, if she's going outside of official channels like this, he must be in big trouble."

"Henantier," Teresa breathed, remembering what Aryarie had said earlier about neither of them being at the guild hall.

"You seem well-informed for someone who just got here?" Pappy cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Like I said, I was just at the Mages Guild this morning." Teresa shrugged. "They were talking about Kud-Ei and him being gone."

"Okay kid, here's the deal. I cannot pay you for this, and as far as the guild is concerned it never happened," Pappy said plainly. "But if you pull this off and Kud-Ei is happy, then I'll make you a probationary member when you come back."

"So this is another test then?" Teresa instantly regretted her words.

"No it's not another test," the Imperial said, and Teresa could not mistake the annoyance in his voice. "This is a favor for a friend, simple as that. Take it or leave it."

"Okay," Teresa said, wondering what she was getting herself into. "Where do I find Kud-Ei?"
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Austin England
 
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Post » Tue May 17, 2011 8:06 am

WooHoo! A quest! What a neat and mysterious lead in. It flowed perfectly and naturally.

Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of brown droplets.

Aye! :rofl: I hear that Nordic whiskey is some harsh stuff!

You continue to show how Teresa can be hard on herself for some of the reasonable decisions she makes. She displays an endearing mix of confidence, vulnerability and self-doubts.

Another very well-written and immersive story. :goodjob:


Not really a nit; more likely a formatting error when transfering to the forum:
"I'm sorry," Teresa breathed, willing the tension of the surprise visit to drain out of her. Why did the older man get on her nerves so much? she wondered. He did not seem like a bad sort at all. He was a lot friendlier than Volsinius, that was for certain!
She reached for the glass, and studied the dark fluid within. From the smell it must be some kind of whiskey, she thought. She did not normally drink anything that hard. Wine was more than enough for her. But she did not want to turn him down, at least not yet. Perhaps more importantly, she did not want look weak in front of him. Not after her display of tears the other day.

I wondered if you wanted a paragraph break.
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+++CAZZY
 
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