ooc: Some of us need to go to Bruma to get Uglius involved, but.. for now..

ic: Karst was exhausted, tired despite just having woken up. She was still recovering from blood loss and the mental fatigue of her dream confusion, and so she leaned on Zant for support. In return, he had his arms around her and was petting her hair while she essentially napped and walked at the same time. Her mind was on the edge of sleep, only conscious enough to make her legs work.

As they approached Cloud Ruler, the voice of one of the Blades brought her to full awareness. She stretched and yawned, slipping out of her sibling's embrace to do so. Hot food, warm bed, maybe some good tea.. and Erliore! I missed that little thing.. I hope he's okay. A smile pulled at the edges of her mouth for a moment until one of the Blades put a sword to Serena's throat. The small Khajiit pushed past a few of the others, drawing her bow as she did so. Within the few seconds it took to get there, she had an arrow nocked and her bow raised as she stopped.

"Hurt her and die." she growled.

Zant had reacted to the threat in a more calm manner, but he had drawn his weapon as well. "She's a friend. Stand down." he barked commandingly, walking towards the Blade and the two women.

ooc: I can wait.

ic:

Timothy scaled the walls, looking for missing bricks, or anywhere to stuff his bread, all the while clutching it to himself under his shirt. A few guards chased him off at one point but all the while, they seemed to leave him alone which made a change, the nordish blood in them made them brutish at best.

He ended up not finding anything, even after a full hour of looking! Frustrated; Timothy sat down next to an inn, the warmth from the outside flushed against him everytime someone walked in and out, it was extremely relaxing and was Tims tried and tested way to survive.

*deletes stuff*

ooc: Karst needs some air and thinking time, so I'll volunteer her for that later once Illusionary posts for Serena.

Dammit, I hate when it posts instead of editing. I usually don't use the Full Editor and that's why.. ><

Most Unrelated Edit: I got an idea while browsing the forums in between working in my Illustrator class and ran with it. Thought you guys might find it mildly amusing. I had to do a book jacket so..
~ http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a327/Aulakauss/Class%20Images/KarstGuideIsles.png ~

OOC: for some reason, I'm not suprised Karst has been to the Shivering isles. In fact, I'd be suprised if she didnt.

Paulus looked up at the massive walls of Cloud Ruler temple, the colossoal gates, and the grand stairs that led to the actual temple part of Cloud Ruler temple. His eyes widened as he saw the ornate and, in his opinion, excessive armour the Blades wore. Even though his armour proably cost as much as the armour the Blades wore, his at least accomplished something.

He snapped into attention however, when a blade was at the neck of the Dunmer women, Serena. He placed his hand on the Dwemer mace, ready to lay about and crush bone and armour with it if need be.

As Mia followed behind, she heard the commotion up ahead and sighed. pushing her way through she approached the blade and put a hand on her hip. "Everyone put down your damn weapons" she snapped, mainly towards the blade. "She was one of the ones who have rescued me from those caverns, after other agents took me. And unlike a coward like yourself who made the excuse of keeping the emperor safe being a reason to never leave these walls, and did not even care what would happen to the grandmaster's 'daughter' , these people who did not even have to care about consequences from the same man, aren't"

With this she calmly stepped between Serena and the blade and placed a hand on the hilt of the blade's sword as well as his hand. "So perhaps you should put that sword down, before i tell the old man something that would have you stripped of your rank hmm?" Mia again was acting different than her usual innocent self, but she wanted to be sure that Serena was safe, even if she had to lie about Serena being someone who helped free her i the mythic dawn headquarters. After all, the only thing worse than a cultist was a daedra, and the grandmaster certainly lets one walk freely.

The Blade slowly lowered the weapon that Mia was holding onto, glaring at Serena as he did so. It was Iris who dealt the final blow to the guard's pride however, as she walked up beside Mia.

"I don't think the threats are necessary, Mia." She said simply, before looking to the guard. "She's an ex-cultist. Which means she knows of the mindset of the people whom we fight against, and that is far more useful than your sword is to the Emperor. You are one of many, she is quite unique." The Blade looked about ready to retort to the spy, before Iris held up a hand to silence him.

"I'm a spy as a profession, don't think I would just allow her to walk into this group without suspicion. That's insulting. Jauffere trusts me to be an informant, and I've already deemed her legit, so enough of that."

"Enough of this indeed." Came a stern, yet aged voice, as the Grandmaster of the Blades walked down the steps to meet the group. The hilt of his daikatana shimmered brightly in the noon snow-reflected sun, jutting out from behind his shoulder. He looked rather disgruntled as he approached. The guards both saluted.

"If you need to resupply, I suggest going to Bruma instead. Our stores are limited and Bruma could use the income boost. Ms. Marcy, I wish to speak with you as soon as possible. The rest of you, get rested. And Mia... Welcome back."

When the grandmaster spoke, Mia just glared at him. The man didn't sound relieved that she had returned, which made her wonder if he even cared if the group was going to find her. "Is that all you have to say after i was kidnapped, abused amongst other things?!" she yelled and then looked away. "Its almost like you never wanted me to be found.." she added quietly. Despite the fact she knew that he probably knew what she was before all of this, she felt hurt that someone that helped brought her up was so more concerned about the emperor than herself.

Karst smiled at Iris's verbal kick in the groin and patted the woman on the back. "Atta girl, Iris." she teased, beginning to walk towards the stairs when Jauffre came down and gave her a look that plainly said 'Wait.' The Khajiiti woman trotted down the stairs behind him to see what she was to wait for. At hearing of the resupply orders, she was about to light into the Blademaster, but Mia beat her to it for a totally different reason. She hadn't been aware Mia was capable of having such a sharp tongue. When the healer finished, Karst stepped up to her and gently embraced her.

"Calm down, babe." she said calmly into Mia's ear, "We still love you." Karst kissed Mia fondly on the cheek, then twirled around to add her own fury to the Blademaster. "As for you.." she set her hands on her hips in a manner that conveyed annoyance, "I sure hope that you intend to help with the expenses related to all these errands that we're doing.." she turned and grabbed the stray Blade under his throat and chin, lowering his head and glaring into his eyes. "..That you, Mr. Heroic Guardians-of the Emperor, are all too pussified to help with.."

Karst let go and the man reached for his blade. She had hers out and under his chin in half a heartbeat. "Don't you even, bitch." There was a hint of malicious playfulness behind Karst's voice and eyes and she pulled her lips from the left corner of her mouth in her typical grin. Her head tilted up a bit as she held the tip of the steel sword under his chin, a challenge in her gaze, and the Khajiit narrowed her emerald eyes, crimson eyebrows tilting in as well and giving her a truly mad appearance for a moment. The man let his sword fall back into its sheath with an annoyed sigh. "That's what I thought, rusty. As long as I'm doing your job, I own your stupid ass." she informed him almost arrogantly, "Anyway.."

Karst dropped her blade to her side where it hung loosely from her left hand and turned first her eyes and then her head towards the aging Brother of Talos. She trotted over to him casually. She seemed to be enjoying giving him and the poor Blade a piece of her rather eccentric, rebellious little mind. Karst walked up to the man and poked a finger into his brown monk robes, meeting his eyes. Zant sat back and crossed his arms, grinning as he watched Karst gleefully rip into their employer.

"You're going to pay us or I'm going to pawn every damn thing you own. You get me, grandpa?"

ooc: These are my favorite types of posts with Karst - the ones where I get to have her go nuts on someone in her own.. unique.. little way. :chaos:

Adeth stood at the back of the group but when the gates opened and the grand master came to the group to talk, all those Adeth thought hated him showed similar hate towards Jauffre. Adeth shook his head and shivered. His teeth had been clatter a while ago then when he had walked it had stopped. But now that he was standing still it returned.

Instead of keeping quiet though, he stepped up. 'I'll stay here by the fire thank you.' He told Jauffre and the others to interrupt the small word fight. He paid no attention to what Mia said though, and thus it might have been a bad idea. Adeth felt that way atleast. But he just didn't want to have something like that between the group and those who were helping them in a way.

(blah im losing my touch...)

OOC: *Swoops in*

SURPRISE ATTACK!!!

IC: Odeen watched the events unfold, holding his position in the further reaches of the group. Staring forward with but a feeble look in his eyes, he watched as the Grandmaster of the blades came down the steps, saying something that seemed to get a few all riled up. The Argonian ventured forward, seeking to hear what was being said; fortunately, he came just in time to hear Karst say something that just about summed it all up.

"You're going to pay us or I'm going to pawn every damn thing you own. You get me, grandpa?" She spoke slyly, making Odeen feel uneasy.

Funds would help us quite a bit, but I don't think we're doing this for the money...aren't we supposed to be the heroes? The ones who save Cyrodiil? He thought, before warping around his outlook to something that seemed more realistic. Maybe not heroes...or, at least, not me. I'm no hero. I don't think any of us really are. But it has to mean something to go into those hellish realms, fighting off demons, protecting our own realm...

Yeah, it means you guys can't let the people who do this as a living take care of the threat. Although, from what I've seen, I'm sure they'll let just about anyone who can hold a sword and talk trash into the legion these days. Hell, it's always been like that. I'd imagine the Blades aren't any different, when it really comes down to it. Corshanx commented, a snicker following his words.

Odeen frowned, or at least, would have been if he wasn't so involuntarily numb from the cold winds that shook him. It takes a lot of courage to join their ranks...don't slander them as if you're one to talk... He thought in disdain, shuffling up next to Karst awkwardly. He didn't feel like he really approved of how she went on about that, so he thought he'd mention it. "Isn't that sort of mean? A-and...do we really have to do this for the money?" The alchemist whispered, linking his hands together in front of him. He didn't feel it, but he knew the cold must be getting to him. He could hardly feel anything. His voice also sounded raspier than usual.

I thought I would be used to the cold now...I don't think it's ever affected me before.

Maybe because you usually don't make frequent trips to Bruma, hm? The gauntlet once again spoke, a mere echo in Odeen's already fragile mind. He sounded terribly bored now, as if he felt there was nothing better to do than carry on conversation with a rather timid Argonian.

"I guess..." Odeen accidentally said aloud, as a silent whisper; following that, he began to rub his scaly hands together to see if friction would even begin to help him feel again. It was as if he couldn't even feel the air or the wind, even.

I'm just...the numbest I've ever been right now, I guess.

"I would imagine the prospects of what awaits the end of this crisis would be enough to drive your purpose-" Jauffere replied to the Argonian's inquiry, for a moment ignoring the Khajiit. However, his anger was boiling. She'd just threatened one of their own; if the situation had been different, and they hadn't been told these people were so important, she would be dead by now.

If she openly threatened him, or Martin, however, no quarter would be given, and the best trained swordsmen in the Empire would be slicing her into lunch meats. An important person to the survival of the Empire was no longer important if she threatened someone who was even MORE important. But Jauffere wasn't going to instruct her on the pecking order; right now he'd love to teach her the hard way.

"I am afraid funds are stored here for the purposes of the Emperor himself, not for the Blades, and kept for emergency. However, informing the merchants of Bruma that Blades have sent you will give you a discount on your purchases. And as for you, my daughter-" Jauffere turned to look to Mia, again seeming to ignore Karst. "-I would say more, but business must be attended to. I would like to see you later in the evening, however, if you wish." Finally, he turned to Karst, eyes on her directly.

"And last I was aware, you were not 'hired'. You volunteered, did you not, by joining up with Adeth in this cause? I believe the definition of volunteering dictates a lack of compensation." He barely kept his voice level, but at the sound of the next voice his eyes widened slightly and he turned sharply around.

"That does not mean they shouldn't receive any." This calm, gentle voice came from Martin himself, as the man walked down the steps to Karst, and smiled. "The way I see it, they have to support themselves financially in order to be of use to the Empire, like any good worker. I am not sure how much would be considered a good wage, or how much is here, but I think a thousand to each should assist for now." Martin swept his eyes over the group, but they stopped on Mia for a moment, looking... apprehensive.

"Come in. It is not good to be out in the cold." Martin said as he turned around and walked up the steps. Jauffere delayed before following.

OOC: I was hoping IN would post... And if anyone wishes to take Martin from me, by all means go ahead. I've already gotten a stake on Mankar and Jauffere anyways.

OOC: Bleh. I think I'm out again. This RP is impenetrable to me, which is sad. Mira and Serena may return, I don't know. For now, consider them gone from the group.

Illusionary out.

:sad: Why, Illusionary, whyyyy? Mira and Serena were like.. the best things since toast. And I love toast..

Come back if you can, mm'kay? I misses you. And FC, you do Martin well. Keep it up. You're like.. the Official Game NPC Guy. But I wanna use him for a second, lol. I'm borrowing your emperor.

ic: As Jauffre ignored her, Karst's leatherclad hands balled into little black fists and she glared. She heard Odeen in the back of her mind, but was too angry to think about what he'd said. Right now, she wanted to hurt the old man in front of her. "Why you stingy son of a--" she started to growl to herself when Martin came down the steps in a gray robe and put in a word in her favor. The pissed-off cat woman's expression softened and she smiled, then turned to Jauffre and patted him on the shoulder in mock reassurance. "It's okay, grandpa, we all lose sometimes. Just don't break your hip going back up the stairs." she said in a motherly tone, then let out a witchy cackle, let go and trotted off victoriously.

Seeing Martin, Karst bounded up the staircase and assaulted the Emperor with a hug from behind, making him let out a soft cry of surprise. The man looked down at the small hands on his chest and then turned around. "Oh, hello Karstine." he said, sounding a bit shocked at the surprise hug, "You got new gauntlets?"

"Huh?" Karst sounded a bit surprised herself, then recalled she'd had her old fingerless ones on last he'd seen her a few days ago. It seemed like an eternity. "Oh, yeah. Hey, thanks for the help down there. Are you.. sure you can afford a thousand dragons for each of us though? I mean.. a couple hundred would suffice for a week or so."

"If you expect to be done with this within the week, you have far greater confidence than I do. Besides, funds are no concern. What good is it to have gold if all it does is sit? It will be of better use to the Empire in the hands of you and your companions." Martin said in his soft, concise manner, sounding a bit depressed.

"No.. I.. I don't." the Khajiit let go and looked down at her armored feet, then let out a sigh that curled away from her nostrils like smoke. "This [censored]'s tough."

Martin placed a hand on Karst's shoulder and she looked up. The man's gaze seemed to broadcast reassurance and calm and she relaxed in his grip. Her ineloquent manner of speech had always both made the priest a bit uneasy and amused him at the same time, but the way she spoke clearly said she was losing hope, and that would certainly not do.

"I know it's hard. I.." he faltered a moment, "I'm expected to command these men, but.. I have.. no idea how to. I'm a priest, not a leader. I know that it is nothing in comparison to what you and your companions face, but do know that I sympathize even if I cannot relate. Do not lose hope, Karstine. Sometimes, that's all you have to hang onto to keep yourself going and without it, well.." the illegitimate Septim trailed off, sighed and looked down a moment before returning his gaze to the diminutive feline and smiling at her. "Just don't give up. I know you're strong enough to survive this, just like you survived everything else before. The Nine won't let us lose, I know it."

Karst looked up him and couldn't help but disagree with some of his statement. He inspired confidence with his tone, regardless of what his words were, and seemed like as good a leader as they could hope for to her. Straightening her shoulders, Karst smiled and, after a small hesitation, pecked him on the cheek. "Thanks." she said softly as she turned in a whirl of coat, hair and tail to go meet the others where they were on the steps, leaving Martin to stand there in mild bewilderment.

"Did she just.. kiss me?" he asked softly, then smiled and chuckled, continuing up the steps to the temple.

Down at the end of the stairs, Karst spotted one thing immediately, and that was frost on Odeen's snout scales. Yanking her gauntlets off and stuffing them in her pockets, Karst walked up to him, grabbed his snout in one hand and ran the other over the top of it. The frost came off on her hand and she noticed how cold his scales were to the touch. "You're frosting over again. Get inside and I'll make you some warm tea so you don't--" she stopped and grabbed her face, sneezing three times into her hands before sniffing and wiping them on her coat, "Get sick like me. Ungh. C'mon."

Grabbing the sleeve of the alchemist's robe, Karst veritably dragged him up the steps to the front door, tossed him into a chair and plodded off to boil water. Zant sat down across from him with a laugh and smile. "Commanding, ain't she?" he asked with amusemant.

He floated his way up towards cloud ruler, he had seen the group head that way and hadn't been able to catch them in time. Word had spread about their actions and he wanted apart of it. Mostly due to lack of anything to do but his skills would prove very useful to them. It was cold, like ice as he approached the massive building, keeping a thick cloak wrapped around his body, the furry body of his keeping him warm but not to good.

He approached the massive doors, banging on them loudly.

I could sit and stare at this from afar all day. A timid little lizard man being dragged around by a furry wench by his robe sleeve. Corshanx commented, his voice perking up a little bit; he sounded obnoxious once more. Ignoring the rude gauntlet he unfortunately created, he followed Karst inside, peeking at the fire in front of him. He didn't feel much of a change in anything until about a few moments, in which the numbing feeling died down gradually.

Zant sat in front of him, amused. At what he said, Odeen only nodded, seeming far off as usual. That, plus his numb body, made him appear zombie-like. "I feel numb..." He complained, raspy voice overly pronounced. He let his pack slide down onto the floor, which, luckily, had no contents spilling from it.

Mia just nodded silently to Jauffere, and sighed as the old man walked back into the building with Martin. The way Matin looked at the healer concerned her, and she wondered if he knew what she was. That thought made her shake her head. How would he know such a thing unless.. Two things came to mind. one was that maybe Martin was a daeedra worshipper, and the other more obvious choice was maybe Jauffere told the soon to be emperor about Mia. the second thought was much easier to understand, as she wouldn't think that Martin was the cultist type.

When they were inside, Mia just looked at Vivian for a moment, wondering why he wasn't the one that came to comfort her after her little outburst. But her thoughts were cut short when a Khajiit started knocking on the already open fort gate doors. "Er.. okay then" she said out loud wondering if the furball knew that most of the group was standing there.

: o hey sib

He had made his presence abit better known with a single bang on the door, walking up the cold, snowy steps his pale almost white fur. His tail swishing alittle as the steps, seemingly like the stairway to heaven, being incredibly steep he stopped near the top. Where the large group of people where. Many blades soldiers watching him intently. "hey there!" he said with a smile, spying the female khajiit whom held the demeanor of being the 'leader' of the group since she seemed to hold that dominant air of a sort. "Hello there Miss.." he looked at the female khajiit. All a beam. "Your the lot thats been closing those gates right? Doing all those things around the province? I would like to hook up with you all." he gave a polite bow "my name is Do'Rhadi and I have many skills, that could prove very useful to you. As doing such feats you need more as many hands you can get right?" he was calm, smiling, though alittle nervous as to not make a fool of himself, as his tail seemed to gently twitch, the tiny tip of his tail ticking slightly, as an expression of nervousness.

ooc: Sib, I'm gonna assume Do'Rhadi is inside, since he's talking to Karst and she's inside.

ic: Karst was busy starting a fire and boiling water when Do'Rhadi walked in. At being addressed by an unfamiliar voice, her hand went momentarily to her blade before she realized it wasn't hostile. She was so damn jumpy these days it wasn't funny. Turning away from the stove and letting go of the Dremora weapon, Karst turned towards the Khajiit and looked up at his tan-furred form. She couldn't help but smile at his optimism.

"Yeah, we're the ones. I'm not sure you'd call what we do 'feats' so much as 'suicidal insanity,' but.." she smiled a little at him, his smile and flicking tail, that air of nervousness that flowed off him into that strange sixth sense of hers and conflicted with his calm, confident appearance. Life was so much different when you could read people like she could. "We could use you, for sure. Every little bit of assistance helps. I was just making tea for my friend so.. if you'll excuse me, I've got stuff to do. Go talk to Vivian if you need anything else. Vivy's the more lithe looking of our Dunmer."

Turning back to the teapot, she felt the side and nodded, then grabbed the little metal ball she'd stuffed with a mint-flavored tea and stuck it in the pot, grabbing a couple mugs from a cupboard. As she left, she looked over her shoulder at Do'Rhadi. "Oh and.. Vivian's a guy. The females're Iris and Serena. Just so you know."

Leaving, Karst came up to Zant and Odeen and set the mugs down in front of them. She sat on the edge of the table and poured the Argonian a cup, then pushed it gently over to him. "Drink. You'll feel better." she instructed him, then looked to Zant, "Tea?" she asked, holding the pot up. He shook his head.

"I'm more of a coffee person, but thanks. I'll let you sit." Zant replied and stood, walking off downstairs. He needed to find a spot where he could fix his armor. Karst shrugged and poured herself a cup of tea, then drank deeply of it. Relocating her body from the table to the chair, she leaned over her mug to look at the Alchemist.

"So.. is it good?"

Odeen looked at the liquid in front of him, as if examining its contents. When he seemed to realize that he was extremely thirsty, he held the mug and took a gulp of the tea. Instantly, a rush of flavor invaded his mouth, thawing his insides from his tongue to his esophagus and beyond. After a few more gulps, he spoke. "Yeah...it tastes good." He replied to Karst's earlier question, now once again staring at the mug he held in both hands. "From what I can taste...it's mint. The generic supplement of it, correct?" He asked out of nowhere, just wanting to talk. "I could have something in my bag that would enable me to make tea like this on the road..." Odeen broke his sentence off, tasting more of the tea. "...Except with more mint for my tastes."

Once again, silence hung in the air; a fog of it. In only a matter of minutes, the alchemist had managed to completely drain the contents of the mug, which he stared down at, sleepy eyed. Suddenly, he looked up. "Hey. Are you ok?" He asked, now facing the Khajiit instead of the mug.

Karst was staring into her own mug, listening, yet dead to the world beyond the reptile in front of her. What does he want from me? What do they want from me? And why do I get the feeling I've seen that freak before somewhere? she thought, then lifted her hand a bit to look at the blood on her fur where she'd been stabbed. Lucien wanted me for something that I can't do. Not at will at least.. I told him that but still he.. but.. why?

"Hey. Are you okay?" The words snapped Karst out of her trance and she looked up, meeting the worried purple eyes that gazed upon her. She tried to speak but, for a moment at least, found herself unable to do so. That same feeling of eerie and unknown familiarity rang true with Odeen as well, but she had the feeling whatever meeting she may have had with him was more pleasant than any encounter with the homicidally insane Khajiit could ever be. She frowned. My life fails logic.

"Ah.. I.." Karst shook her head and sighed, ears falling back to rest against her hair. She lifted the mug to her nose and sniffed it. "Yeah. I'm.. fine." she told him unconvincingly, then took a drink. They all need to die. She looked into her mug, picturing herself ending the life of Va'Rahkshi in its dark, swirling contents. The thought was frighteningly appealing and a wicked smile formed on her lips, eyebrows tilting in as she watched the Khajiit choke on her blade and die in her mind's eye. I will not be some cult's little slave, dammit.

Realizing again that she was sitting in front of Odeen, Karst jumped a little and the murderous look vanished from her face abruptly. She was a bit startled at how good it felt to imagine herself killing someone. "I just.. I have a lot on my mind." Karst admitted dully, then set the mug down. Seeing Odeen's mug was empty, she grabbed the teapot and reached over to refill it, then set the pot down in the middle of the table. "I'm not sure which is worse: being literally trapped or.. figuratively trapped. I've had both now and they both svck."

After a couple seconds of silence that felt to her like an eternity, Karst spoke again, changing the subject. "Have you ever.." she started, then looked down, feeling silly. Probably not. But.. it won't hurt to ask, I guess. Her head tilted up again and she looked at Odeen, though more at his chest than his eyes. "Have you ever met someone and felt like you've met them before? Like.. karma from another life binding you to them or.. an encounter you never took note of years in the past?"

Odeen's eyes widened, and suddenly he spoke up, in an excited tone. "How did you know that I've been feeling that way!?" He asked her, in wonder. It took a few seconds of meager thought to actually determine that she was the one who seemed to feel something along the lines of that, with someone. As usual, the Argonian could only hope that she felt that way with him, so the feeling would be mutual. "Well...I mean...sorry...uh...yeah, I do. I know how it feels. You know...I feel like I've met you before, at some point...but like just about everything else, I can't quite recall where I could have." He told her, sipping some of the new tea, freshly poured from the pot.

"Ooh! This might be interesting..! Corshanx rudely butt in, making Odeen physically jump in his chair and spill some tea on himself. Instantly he felt burned, and he involuntarily winced from the sensation. Thankfully he hadn't spilled too much on himself.

"Oops..."

Mia began shivering outside in the cold, and wandered in with Karst and Odeen, amongst others. Entering the warm hallways, she sighed at the warm as it warmed up her body. It had been a long time since she had been comfortable like this.. or was it when she was in Vivian's arms the night before..

that bit made her smile a little as she sat down and watched the blademaster walk past. Mia remembered that he was going to talk to her about something in the evening and she knew what exactly. She could see it in Martin's eyes, and the way Jauffre talked to her just before. It was about time she got some answers.

OOC: I suppose I should finally scrounge up some manner of a post, shouldn't I?

IC: The Marcy siblings entered Cloud Ruler Temple side-by-side, but parted ways quickly as Iris went off after Jauffere and Martin to give them her report. Now that she was being utilized by the Blades as a freelance spy, the report was sadly a necessity. I'd rather be curling up with Zant by that fire. She thought to herself, as the Grandmaster and Emperor-to-be lead her towards a single room near the back of the Temple, sliding the door open and beckoning her to follow. The door closed, and her report began.

Vivian went straight to the fire, however, removing his bow from his shoulders and resting it beside the chair, followed by his quiver. When he sat down, it was more of a complete collapse into the waiting arms of the furniture before the flames. He watched the fire as he lounged there, contemplating. To be honest, he was anxiously nervous. He still remembered vividly promising Mia they'd set about a dinner with each other, or something of that caliber, upon reaching this temple. But he had no idea exactly what such a thing would entail; and he couldn't cook.

ooc: Vivian can't cook, but his two sisters can.

Also, I just remembered that Zant had his gear fixed at Cheydinhal, so.. I need a new reason for him going down there.

ic: Karst giggled in a rare, girlish manner at Odeen's excitement and apology. "I didn't, but I do now." she told him teasingly, reaching over and patting his hand. When Corshanx spoke, though, he jumped and spilled hot tea on both of them. Karst let out a yelp not too unlike a cat getting its tail stepped on and she shook her hand to get the liquid off it. "Ow ow ow.. Crap, ow."

Most of it had fallen on Odeen, though, and since she was somewhat fire-retardant, it didn't hurt her as badly. As she got up, she saw Mia walk by and would have waved to her if she wasn't busy. Sitting down on the table in front of Odeen, she placed her fingertips lightly on his chest, healing magick flowing into him and healing the burns. When done, she poked Odeen's hand, though she wasn't really poking Odeen.

"You're an ass, glove boy." she told the gauntlet, then hopped down, refilled both of their teacups and took a gulp of her own. "Sorry, Odeen. You okay?" she asked, concerned.
_______
Zan'Tarre's boots thumped on the wooden stairs as he made his way to the basemant where he knew their blacksmith was. Some of the Blades gave him odd looks and, in a spike of random playfulness, he stuck his tongue out at one of them that glared at him. The armored woman grunted in disgust and stalked off, leaving Zant to chuckle as he pushed the door open.

The Blades' smithy was, in a word, spartan. Nothing was there that didn't need to be. Swords hung in neat little racks and a hammer and tongs sat on a well-used anvil. An old Redguard looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want, furball? How'd you get in here?" he demanded gruffly. Zant narrowed his eyes and strode over to him.

"That's no way to speak to someone who's taking up the slack for your lazy comrades, sir." he said, a biting snap to the word 'sir.' This earned him an ever queerer look. The Khajiit sighed. "I'm one of the ones working for Martin and Jauffre in regards to the Oblivion Gates. Y'know, you're lucky my sister didn't find you first; she'd've verbally kicked your ass for that little wise-crack."

"Verbally?" the man laughed gruffly, "Ha! I bet she's a cute little ball of fluff. I've had my share of women [censored] at me, wouldn't be no diff'rent from the other times, I reckon. What can I do for ya, mister?"

"I want a dagger." he replied concisely, "But.. not just any dagger. Something light, but deadly. It's.. for a friend."

The smithy looked at him, then rubbed the 5 o' clock shadow on his face, his hand making a rough scraping sound against the stubbly whiskers. "Well, generally, tha's the point of daggers as a whole. You mean light for a dagger?" he asked, receiving a nod from Zant, "Well.. Elven and Glass come to mind, but both are fairly rare. I got an old Elven one, in good repair, but I ain't sellin' it cheap. If you want Glass, try the Imperial City."

Zant made a thoughtful growl for a moment, hand on his chin, then looked up. "Let me see the Elven one."

EDIT: Whoops. Meant to remove the quote before posting. Was just for reference. ><

In response, Odeen slid the leather piece off of his hand, and before Corshanx could protest, threw it across the room, acting as if he had payed no attention to where it had landed. Now done with that, he once again faced Karst. "Well, I feel a little better now...thanks for healing the burns." He said gratefully, pouring more tea inside of the container he had just spilled the contents of. "Just...he spoke out of nowhere and startled me. I'm sorry for spilling the tea on you, too..." The alchemist apologized solemnly, taking a sip of tea. His other hand went behind his chair, to make sure the staff he had brought in with him was still propped up against the chair he was seated in; he wasn't quite fond of how big the staff was, but he felt that he could physically feel the power festering within the magical materials. He hadn't really fought with it quite yet. "I'm glad this staff is rather light...it's pretty big compared to a dagger, really..." Odeen said, making idle conversation.

OOC: I JUST remembered Odeen had a staff. Silly Cyrodiilic Recycle Bin, staves are for alchemists!!11