#ɪs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ϙᴜᴇᴜᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴏ; ϙᴜᴇᴜᴇᴅ

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “I’M GONNA DO IT! I’M GONNA SAY A REALLY BAD WORD!!”

misc asks | always accepting

     “ Are you now? ” Press x to doubt. There’s no way Jackson was going to actually say a bad word, even if he’d heard more than enough of them from the guildmaster’s own mouth. “ By all means. The floor is yours. ”

[gvildmastcr]

thana-topsy‌:

Mercer is done with your shit.

[mcrcer]

The moment he hears Mercer's voice, and the following moment where his hand is on his shoulder, he shuts his eyes tight and turns away from him, still biting back sobs. He can't say anything, he can't, it would only make the sudden loss of breath that much more painful-- "D-Don't hi-it me, plea-ease---" It's choked out, and he actually sounds his age, if not younger, for once. When nothing comes into contact with him past that contact that's been there a while, he becomes confused. (1/2)

“Y-You’re… You’re n-not…?” He’s still shaking, he can’t control it. Everything hurts, and he can’t breathe. He can swear he feels the sting of the back of someone’s hand on his cheek, but no one has touched him other than Mercer. He can’t focus, he can’t, that’s not Mercer, it’s— “A-Ah, I’m sorry d-daddy, I’m sorry, I w-won’t speak out ag-gain, I’m sorry, I w-won’t do it again!” He’s having a complete meltdown right in front of Mercer.

     There’s a furrow of his brows, a frown tugging at his lips the moment Fleur starts to apologize. There’s a questioning look in his eyes, and the same questions go unspoken past his lips. He doesn’t want to ask anything prying, but he’s–

                       He’s scared.

     “I’m not going to hit you, Fleur.” His voice is clipped, tone uncharacteristically soft; he’s worried, more than anything, about the young Nord. The fact that the boy is having a meltdown concerns him more than anything else.

          ( The fact that Fleur had expected him to lash out has him fuming inwardly. )

     “Hey, look at me. Focus on me.” The other hand rises up slowly to settle itself on the boy’s other shoulder. It’s Mercer’s attempt at grounding him. “It’s me, Fleur. It’s Mercer. I am not going to hit you. It’s just a jug - we have plenty of others lying around just like it. Accidents happen, okay? I’m not mad.”

     The one he’d sent to fetch a broom comes shuffling over just then, and the Guildmaster turns his attention to them for a moment. “Get that cleaned up, would you? I don’t want anyone getting hurt on the shards of glass.” With instructions given, the Breton’s gaze turns back to Fleur. “Breathe for me, alright? Focus on my voice and breathe. In five, out six. It’s okay.

                       Nobody here is going to harm you.”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “I cUT MY HAND REALLY BAD!” He then takes one look at Mercer, bursts into tears and yells, “I don’t want you, I WANT MAMA.” Pause for thought. “OR BRYN.”

misc asks | always accepting

     “ Then go to one of them, ” he spits, despite already having bandages in his hand, “ instead of sitting there wailing and bleeding all over the floor! ” Gods, this kid was insufferable even on the best of days. It was hard for him to work with all of this shouting and crying going on. Oh, how he longs for sweet, sweet silence.

[gvildmastcr]

@itsraiyninmuses​ said: "think ye fergot somethin', mercer." The draugr spoke, flipping a dagger in his hand.

misc asks | always accepting

     “ Hm? ”

     He spares a glance up at Hazard, and even in the cistern’s dim lighting, it’s clear that he hasn’t slept in several days. Hasn’t been able to, between the Key weighing more heavily on him as he learns to cope with Fleur’s death. How long had it been, now?

     Exhaustion and confusion mingle together in his expression, and he blinks. “ I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean. ”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: Six year old Jackson. Sneezes on Mercer directly. “Oopsie...I’m sorry.” And he is, genuinely.

misc asks | always accepting

     disgusting.jpeg

     He sighs, takes a moment to run a hand over his eyes. An attempt to shoo away whatever exhaustion had begun to weigh on him, and a gesture of exasperation. “ I know you’re sorry, ” he replies. “ But you’ve gotta be more careful. Sneeze into your elbow from now on, yeah? ”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “I don’t like how you did this.” And he starts reorganizing Mercer’s books and papers. “Who let you do this. Honestly. How old are you? I’m ten and I know better.”

misc asks | always accepting

     “ What’s wrong with how I organize my books? ” Did other people not do it by color? He glances over at Elona, who’s too busy laughing to try helping him. Of course. “ It’s easiest for me to have them on the shelf that way. Leave them alone. ”

     Jackson will not, in fact, leave them alone. The papers he can understand - they’re tossed about haphazardly - but his books? Really?? They’re fine the way they are!

[gvildmastcr]

@dovwahlaan / Mjadveig.

“FIRSTLY,” Mjadveig began, her tone calm, “I was alone and terrified. I had lost my father then, or so I thought. I sought him, asked about him, but no word was there of him. Before I knew it, I was dragged into a cart on my way to die for a crime I never had committed: rebellion.” Despite her calm, a storm of sorrow was stirred in her heart, bitter being the taste of such dark memories.

She faced Mercer’s gaze as to emphasize her honesty. The Nord then drank from her pint. Mead was often said to untie the tongue. There was no need for such effects. The woman owed him as much as an honest answer, or so she felt. “To learn I was not the only Dovahkiin came as a relief to me. In our journeys I came to care about you. A very unlikely pair, a maiden and a thief master, wouldn’t you think?” For a brief moment, Mya laughed. “I stayed with you as I felt there was some good left in you, that you had a heart. I believed that, behind this unmoved man you wished to seem, there was another who did not need to be so stone-cold most of the time.”

A sigh. Once the pint was empty, Mya set it on the table between them with a firm gesture, her gaze not once leaving his own. “I needed to believe in you so I would not need to go alone. Perhaps I was selfish, though I have no regrets. There is still some light to pierce even the darkest shade. You gave me a bittersweet taste of that fatherly love I so cruelly lost and which I wanted to retrieve at all costs, even at the very cost of losing myself to the darkness. I cannot thank you enough for that, Mercer, in spite of whatever improper words I might have said to you when we began our journey.”

     He would have laughed, if not for his sullen expression.

     The fact that she felt there was still some good in him, even after all he’d done, well... he wasn’t sure if he should call it admirable or foolish. He’d long ago accepted that he wasn’t a good person. He may well never be a good person again, even after returning the Key to the sepulcher and making amends with Gallus’ spirit. Even after apologizing to Karliah and coming clean about what he did, to which the guild may never forgive him but decided to let him stay regardless.

     The Breton heaves a sigh, then, and is forced to look away from Mya when he can no longer hold her gaze. What else could he do? What could he say? They were a rather unlikely pair, a battle maiden and a master thief. The same could be said of himself and Elona, one a master of the shadows and the other a master of the arcane. Ironic, really, that he seemed to grow attached to those who could not be more opposite him if they tried. Mya was a Nord, bound by honor and as bull-headed as the rest of her kin. Mercer, a Breton born into a wealthy family with no natural ability with magic. Mya, having lost her father, and Mercer having murdered his. It’s almost ironic, really.

     When he turns to face her, he wears an expression of defeat. And yet still he doesn’t speak. He can’t defend himself. He had treated her poorly in the beginning, and even now he wasn’t entirely sure he’d made up for his transgressions. So instead, he glances down, suddenly very interested in the floor.

[gvildmastcr]

@daedrichaggler​ | cont.

     The look that crosses the breton’s face is nothing short of amusement. “ Not always, ” he corrects airily, waving a hand. “ You Princes are fickle creatures, so I’m sure you know that first-hand. ”

[gvildmastcr]

❝ i had a nightmare . ❞

@dovwahlaan | meme | accepting

     “ Are you alright? ” What a ridiculous question; she hadn’t been ‘alright’ since they returned from Sovngarde. He may have suffered more physically in his old age, but the mental scars she held were far worse than any wound that had been caused. He wasn’t sure she’d ever be completely alright, but at least with time the scars would begin to fade. “ We can talk about it, if you want to. I can’t sleep anyway - my leg’s too stiff for me to get comfortable. ”

[gvildmastcr]

@bastardswxrd / Bezi.

Guilt niggled at Bezi. He had spent centuries ducking in and out of the Thieves’ Guild, coming and going, but this had been the first time in many years that he had really settled in for the long haul. Sure, he’d had his extra-worldly dalliances- only paralysis could REALLY keep him in one place- but they hadn’t been that long. Or, they wouldn’t have seemed that long to his guild mates.

      A lump formed in his throat. On top of his own emotions, Mercer’s were choking. He never would have guessed that the guild would have worried so much for him, especially their leader.

     “I’m sorry,” he mumbled lamely, receding into his cloak. He tucked it close, self conscious. His sightless eyes focused on the ground and he strained with his other senses, trying to put together a picture of what was around him. He could make out the broad strokes, but the details were fuzzy. Still, he could tell by the Breton’s body language…

     The sound of Mercer’s voice cracking made him cringe. Hesitant, he reached out to squeeze his shoulder.

     “If it makes you feel any better,” he mumbled, “I didn’t go by choice.” 

     He almost tears himself away from Bezi’s hand; shoulders jerk harshly, betraying his original intent, but he stops himself before he’s able to fully get away. ‘ He’s only trying to help me, ’ he tells himself. ‘ Bezi isn’t here to hurt me. ’

     “ By choice or not, ” he begins, his tone uncharacteristically soft, “ you still should have sent word that you’d be gone. A letter would have sufficed, unless you weren’t able to write one. I would hope that’s not the case, but... hell if I know anymore. Nothing makes sense. ” Nothing matters.

     The Breton is only just holding himself together at this point, even if Bezi can’t see it. Gods, why was he so weak? Why couldn’t he keep up his tough facade instead of weeping like a damn child? He continues to berate himself inwardly, frustrated that he would dare show even an ounce of weakness in front of anyone. He trusted the other with his life, but it didn’t make coping with emotions he wasn’t used to any easier.

     “ Just don’t make a habit of it, ” he murmurs, trying too hard to get the usual snap back to his voice. It doesn’t work, of course, and it cracks again, like a wooden structure under too much pressure.

[gvildmastcr]

@bastardswxrd / Bezi.

He frowned, unable to help the worry even though Mercer was relatively alright. Seeing the people he cared about hurt wasn’t something he ever handled very easily.        “At least it’s nothing more serious; no one should notice anything after we get you cleaned up.” 

     “ Aye. Let’s hope nobody notices. ” He lets out a breathy laugh before struggling to his feet. Gods, his ribs felt like they were caved in! He must have been hit pretty hard with that shield. “ The sooner we get back, the better. I don’t want anyone worrying about me. ”

[gvildmastcr]

@mistwxlker / Robyn.

“  … A bit far from home, aren’t you, Frey?”

Robyn was as surprised as he ; Questioning her vision as warm amber eyes fell upon a shadowed ghost from the past.  It was difficult to forget the man -  His voice brought forth both a wave of nostalgia & a slight startled shudder up her spine.  Road weary && worn the woman boasted a few more scars since they last met ; faded markings tickling her chin &&& gods knew where else.  

A grimace of a smile sprawled across thin pale lips - a weary gust of a laugh filling the distance between them.  Oh ; but of course.  Who else was she to cross paths with but Mercer Frey himself as she took her exploits further from the Barrow than she’d liked.  Closer to home than she’d liked.  Closer to Guild territory.

“How ��� Dreadfully convenient.”

She dragged her darting gaze away - Tone meek with an air of vague amusement at her coincidental misfortune.  She knew it had been a gamble ; that she risked passing a familiar face - that was Mallory luck for you.  

“Dare I ask if you could be swayed into a favor ?  My lips will remain as sealed as yours. Delvin -” She paused , the name feeling nearly foreign on her tongue.  Guilt twisting her gut as if she’d swallowed stones. “Doesn’t need to know I’m around…”  Or so she preferred.

“But why oh, why, are you here – ?  ”

     “ I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you, ” he replies, sipping at his drink. “ Though I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of a ‘Dragonborn’ floating around recently. With as much as you travel, it would be a miracle if you hadn’t. Anyway, ” he waves one hand dismissively, “ turns out I’m the Dragonborn. Have to save the world or some nonsense like that. It’s the only reason I’m so far from Riften. ”

     He lets the statement settle between them for several long beats before he drains the rest of his tankard in one go, face scrunching on reflex as the taste of mead washes over his tongue. Gods, he never was a fan of the stuff. Once it’s settled he turns his full attention to her, one arm settled upon the wooden table and the other in his lap.

     “ You said you needed a favor? ” he questions, quirking a brow. “ Dare I ask for what? Delvin won’t hear a word about you from me, you can rest assured there. ” The Mallory sibling was a tough case to pin down anyway; meeting with her anywhere was always a rare and fleeting occurrence.

     “ You know I’m good one of the best at my job. Know how to keep a secret. ”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “I made you a crown!! It’s mountain flowers.”

misc asks | always accepting

     “ I hope you didn’t get those from that patch Elona’s been tending to the last few months. ” Though, he supposed if they were, she’d understand. Still, he just sort of blinks at Jackson, unsure of what to do. If he didn’t accept the flower crown, the kid would throw a fit. If he did accept it, the other guild members would look at him funny. So he hatches a plan.

     “ This corner of the cistern’s pretty bland, don’t you think? ” he muses. “ Tell you what, I’ll keep the crown on this bust behind me. It’ll help liven up my space over here. Sound good to you? ”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “You’re not my dad. I’m gonna do it.” (Choose your shenanigan)

misc asks | always accepting

     “ Jackson, ” begun with all the sternness of a father, “ if you do that, your mom will have my head for it. Now get down from there before you get hurt! ” How did the kid even manage to get up there without anyone seeing him? Who allowed him to do this? “ I’m not kidding. Don’t make me come up there! ”

[gvildmastcr]

@thehopefulones​ said: “No! No! Bad! No! You’re in time out! Get on top of the desk! NO.”

misc asks | always accepting

     “ This cistern is a fuCKING NIGHTMARE!! ”