#dah’ni

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Team Dragonborn!

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“No bandit is safe from Khajiit!”

Being boing Source: YouGetNOLove0 on catpictures.

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Naughty dovahkiin get put in air jail for their crimes (“borrowed” Berwhale)

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Jokes on him Dah’ni is a master flutist

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If I only had a friend like you…

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Popped a tire on the way to Whiterun. Make the most of the sights while you wait for the spare to get here.

Ngl I’m very in love with an elder scrolls modern au and figured I’d give my Team Dragonborn a little taste of it. I’d love to explore this modern fantasy Skyrim au more tbh

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Wrote a lil thingy here and this image refused to leave my head teehee

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There are formalities among the first meeting of the dov

But one of them found out the other used to be a Thalmor and is out for blood oops

@ariquar :3c

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OH MY GOD THIS IS AMAZING THANK YOU SO MUCH AAAAAA

hey @cruisingheightswithdragons i’m bad at drawing khajiits but happy borth !!!!!

[cruisingheightswithdragons]

Can Mer Float?

With gentle water lapping at the Riften Docks, the clear sky shone its light onto Lake Honrich, glistening the rippling waves and turning them golden. A pleasant breeze washed itself over the surface of the water, carrying the crisp scents of autumn leaves.

Dah’ni’s head had just breached surface, gulping in a mouthful of air. The water had soaked into their fur, but the heaviness that came with it was actually welcome. It was the perfect day for a swim.

They leaned back and kicked their feet softly to stay afloat. “Come on, the water is very refreshing!” Dah’ni called to the Altmer and Imperial men who were both sat on the edge of the dock, both pairs of legs dangling over the water.

“Must you always forget that I never learned how to swim?” The Altmer, Taliesin tutted, his brow furrowed in annoyance, “I’m quite comfortable up here, thank you!”

The Imperial, Cicero let out a brief chuckle. “And Cicero doesn’t like the water!” He raised his legs and let his knees touch his abdomen, recoiling at the thought of diving in.

Dah’ni swam up to the dock and placed their hand against one of the wooden masts to anchor themself. “Khajiit could teach you!”

“Absolutely out of the question.” Taliesin retorted promptly.

Looking up with big, blue eyes, Dah’ni insisted. “Perhaps, just how to float, then?”

Taliesin stared down at his Khajiit companion. Gods… their big, round eyes and adorable face was difficult to resist. Already having a weakness for cats made his mind tug in two directions. He had to silently admit to himself that this strangely warm day would be quenched with a quick dip, but that aching fear of drowning still lingered. Alas, the adorable display that Dah’ni was unintentionally giving was too much to bear.

Sighing, Taliesin caved. “Fine,” He grumbled, “But only by this side where it’s shallow enough to stand.”

Cicero wasted no time cackling at his elven friend for giving in.

As he undid his robe and let his undershirt breathe, he whipped his head to face the red haired jester. “Keep laughing, and I’ll push you into the water as well!”

Cicero fell to his back and continued to laugh through his teeth. “Oooooh, so threatening, so humiliating! Cicero is soooo scared!” He chortled, his laughter muffled as Taliesin threw his robe onto his face. He removed the clothing from his face and sat up. He held the robe to his chest like a comforting blanket.

Gulping, his nerves were tingling with anticipation as he stepped into the water. His linens were soaked as the lake swept around him, blanketing his body until it reached his naval. “This… isn’t so bad, now.” He muttered to himself, admittedly adding in his mind that the water was indeed refreshing.

Dah’ni pushed through the small waves and reached the elf effortlessly. Standing on the lake floor with their tip-toes, Dah’ni held out their arms. “Stand next to me like this—“ They crossed their arms over their chest. “—then lean back. Khajiit will hold you.”

Biting back a sharp tongue, anxiety prickled up his spine as Taliesin took a breath of air and leaned back into Dah’ni’s arms with his arms folded over his chest. He hesitated, but let his body’s buoyancy lift his legs to the water’s surface. His ponytail snaked along the waves when the back of his head touched the water. Tense with nerves, he held himself like that, unmoving in Dah’ni’s arms as he tried not to panic.

“Relax, Sweetness,” Dah’ni purred encouragingly, “You’ll float easier. Now, hold your arms out.”

Taliesin whimpered, but complied. Fighting back instinct, he forced his body to relax as he held his arms out either side of him. “P-please don’t let go.” He was terrified he’d sink no matter what, with a mouthful of lake water entering his lungs and swallowing him beneath the waves.

“Oh, but then you won’t float on your own!” Dah’ni noted with a smile.

Cicero leaned forward, anticipating something entertaining enough to satisfy him. “Oh! Push him down, that would make him learn!”

“No!” Taliesin cried. He knew the jester was only teasing, but the thought of sinking made his heart skip a beat.

Dah’ni’s ears turned towards Cicero’s voice in acknowledgment, but otherwise kept their warm gaze on Taliesin. No amount of silly poking would make them change their mind. “Ready?”

His breath caught in his throat as Taliesin’s holder slowly lowered their arms, releasing their soft grip from his back. He felt his weight sink, and a flash of hot panic whirled through him. “H-help!”

“Relax!” Dah’ni reminded.

Muscles tensed up, unable to comply with that command. Taliesin cocked his elbows and started to tip over. He shut his eyes tightly as a splash washed his face. Sputtering, he flailed his limbs around as he tried to balance himself and find his footing. Through the splashing, he could hear Cicero howling with laughter at his humiliating demise that drew ever closer.

“That’s floundering, Sweetness, not floating.” Dah’ni reached out their hands and firmly grabbed the elf’s sides.

Taliesin quickly gripped their shoulders as Dah’ni set him upright enough to plant his feet onto a flat rock underwater. Huffing out a labored breath, he glared his yellow eyes defiantly at the Khajiit. “You can never make me do that ever again.” He growled.

“Oh, but we were having so much fun!” Cicero hollered from the dock. He bent forward with his hands grasping the edge of the wood.

“We?” Taliesin echoed dryly. Raising a brow, he glanced towards Dah’ni, who returned his gaze with a mischievous glint in their eyes.

Together, the two waded through the water to the wooden platform. “Perhaps it’s your turn, then!” Taliesin challenged as both he and Dah’ni grabbed Cicero’s arms and pulled him into the lake alongside them with a loud and satisfying splash.

[cruisingheightswithdragons]

With Friends Like These…

The sky was pitch black, given that the overcast skies blocked out the light from the moons. It was lucky, then, that Dah’ni could see in the dark. The swamps of Hjaalmarch were alive with sound as crickets chirped and unseen frogs croaked. It would have been a serene moment, if Dah’ni hadn’t just escaped being kidnapped and forced to kill.

They turned back to see the abandoned lodge they were held in through the fog as they strode further away. Their kidnapper was a woman who had welcomed them into her “family” upon the condition of khajiit taking the lives of the other hostages inside. Needless to say, Dah’ni now had a family waiting for them within the forests of Falkreath.

It was just a matter of getting there now, to say nothing of returning to their home in Whiterun where their party was hopefully waiting for them. Perhaps one of them awoke to the sound of Dah’ni’s capture, or they all slept through it. It was the middle of the night, after all. Regardless, the khajiit wanted first and foremost to return home to their friends, Kharjo, Lydia, and Taliesin.

Could that Altmer be a friend? Or is he perhaps looking for his chance to sell them out? Dah’ni shook away those thoughts. With Lydia and Kharjo to keep their eyes on him, there was no way he’d have the chance to return to the Thalmor— that’s what Dah’ni hoped at least. They still didn’t trust that he was telling the truth about him abandoning the Thalmor…

The snap of a twig brought the khajiit out from their thoughts and back to the present. Walking for so long had led Dah’ni out of the marshes and into the snow. Ears perked, they looked around and parted their jaws to let the scent glands on the roof of their mouth get an idea of what could be nearby.

By the time they caught the putrid scent of a bear, the beast came shambling out from the shadows of the trees, grunting and growling as it glared hungrily into its newfound prey. Dah’ni stiffened as they searched their person for their bow or axe, but only then just noticed that they were unarmed and defenseless, recalling having used their thu’um back at the abandoned lodge. Their weapons and armor were in their house in Whiterun, meaning they were in nothing but their sleepwear! The gods were playing a cruel trick on them this night.

The bear bellowed out a roar and charged. Dah’ni’s tail bristled and they spat, hissing at its foe. They unsheathed their claws, and were intent to ward off their adversary. The bear slammed its broad head into the khajiit, knocking them onto the ground. The beast reared up onto its hind legs, ready to slam heavy, clawed paws onto Dah’ni.

Before the creature could loose its weight onto its prey, an ice spike made its way from the shadows of the wilderness and lodged into the bear’s shoulder. Another found its way into the bear’s thigh. The beast roared and set itself onto all fours, its eyes glistening with pain as it rounded back to its pursuers.

“You want them? You’ll have to get through us, first!”

Taliesin…?

Dah’ni could see their friends erupting from the snow. Lydia readied her Nordic sword to slice through the creature, while Kharjo charged with his steel war hammer. Taliesin’s hands glistened with glowing frost as he prepared another ice spell.

Kharjo came first and swung his hammer at the bears legs before it had a chance to react. The creature fell to its side, roaring in pain from the impact. Taliesin’s ice spikes sunk into its flank, pinning it to the ground while Lydia finished it off by slicing its neck with a downward slash. The bear shook with a quick spasm before lying still in the blood stained snow.

Taliesin was quick to rush to Dah’ni’s side, looking them over for injuries. “What were you thinking going off on your own?” He scolded. Was that concern etched in his voice?

Dah’ni laid in the snow motionless, jaw dropped in astonishment. Slowly, they got up from the snow with the help of their Altmer companion, shaking their wool clothing to free it from snow chunks lodged into the fabric. “How did these ones find khajiit?” They asked.

Lydia spoke first. “Taliesin woke us up and said you were missing, and wanted to look for you right away,” she explained, “He had Kharjo sniff out your scent, so we followed the trail and it led us here.”

Dah’ni’s ears perked up and they glanced at the Altmer. “This is true?” They could scarcely believe that it was him of all people who was first into action to retrieve them. He really was worried? A warm feeling rose into their chest, but was swiftly pushed away.

The elf huffed and regained his composure. “Well, if my own captor was held hostage, what would that make me?” Taliesin jeered sarcastically, “Now that would be embarrassing enough.”

“Khajiit picked up another scent that kept up with your own,” Kharjo said, “You were taken, yes?”

Dah’ni nodded as they approached the rest of the group.

Taliesin unsheathed his dagger he lovingly named Berwhale. “I suppose a manhunt is in order?” He asked, “We can’t very well let these scoundrels walk free after this!”

“Not necessary.” Dah’ni held up a hand to silence him.

Taliesin gasped dramatically, putting a hand over his chest as if he had just been victim to the worst offense one could pull. “You were kidnapped! Need I remind you?”

Lydia took a step forward. “You’re usually quick to fight bandits, whoever they are, so I have to agree,” She said, casting a quick glance at the Altmer who returned the gesture. “It’s not like you to turn down a chase.”

“You are right about that.” Dah’ni laughed. They turned back to where the bear lay before gazing further into the fog and snow from where they had come from. It had been enough time to mull over their options. Whatever that woman was talking about in that lodge seemed to hold a lot of promise. They figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring themself to visit their newfound family. It was settled, then. Returning to their companions, the Khajiit spoke again. “As soon as I’ve got my things back, I suggest we take a trip to the forests of Falkreath…”

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Ok this is just me spitballing some oc stuff now that I’ve got mods going lol

Upon their first meeting of Taliesin, Dah’ni was ready to finish the job the Talos worshippers had started. Something in them, however, kept their claws sheathed as he made his little speech. Honestly, it was quite charming, the Khajiit finding this situation to be genuinely entertaining. Dah’ni, already being an enemy of the Thalmor, figured this mer could be a good bargaining chip should the chance arise.

Taliesin was essentially held captive by Dah’ni in the beginning. The elf looking for a good time to slip away, while Dah’ni was waiting for him to inevitably betray them so they’d have an excuse to kill him (that, or give him to the Thalmor in exchange for their own safety). Obviously, that didn’t happen. Being on the road together, they actually started to bond, and Dah’ni started to sympathize with him upon learning more about his past, and Taliesin the same as Dah’ni opened up about their own self. Tally ended up becoming an invaluable companion and member to Team Dragonborn.

Dah’ni will continue to bat at him whenever he calls them kitten, that’s just an undeniable truth. To be fair, they are small and cute. That’s on them, really.

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A Bloody Blizzard

Even through a cloak, wool underclothes, and a thick pelt of fur, the blizzard cut through Dah’ni as if their layers meant nothing. The expanse of white was unyielding, like they were in a void. Nothing could be seen aside from the ravaging walls of snow.

Dah’ni was alone in the storm. Cicero, their loyal, jovial keeper, had gotten separated from them. The khajiit’s nose was too dry, and too distracted by the flurries to make out his scent. Not even calling out his name was enough, as the wind drowned out their voice.

Crossing through the deep snow, Dah’ni’s winterwear was growing heavy as the snow clung to their legs. Should they allow themself to succumb to the power of the storm, or trudge on? It was only when they spotted a mass of gray amongst the blinding white that pulled Dah’ni from their fantasies.

“Cicero!” Dah’ni called to the silhouette. The dry air cracked their voice, and they sputtered a cough.

The figure drew closer, only it was clear it wasn’t Cicero. The shadow was much larger than him. White fur flicked in the storm, and accompanying it was a low growl from the frost troll that stepped out from the blizzard.

Dah’ni hissed, spitting at the creature that towered over them. Through their layers of clothes, they felt their fur stand on end, their tail fluffed out to double its size. They were quick to grab hold of their ebony war axe, but the troll was surprisingly fast.

In an instant, Dah’ni was pressed against the thick blanket of snow, the troll holding them down with massive, clawed hands. Curling its lips back to reveal long, yellow fangs, the troll erupted into an ear crushing roar. Its foul breath raked Dah’ni alongside the knife-sharp winds.

Before the khajiit had time to ready a flame cloak spell, the frost troll’s teeth sank into their side. It tore through their clothing like nothing, striking skin and sinking until teeth scraped bone. Dah’ni let out a yowl in pain. Hands shook as they cast a flame cloak, burning at the troll and causing it to dislodge itself from its prey, blood leaving a trail in the air before splattering onto the snow.

The troll leapt back, roaring once again as its three eyes glared daggers into Dah’ni. The khajiit hoped that by fighting back, the troll would lose interest in this kill. Unless, of course, Dah’ni’s gaping wound would bleed out too fast for them to muster the energy. Which is precisely what began to happen.

Unfortunately for the troll, three arrows quickly found their way into its chest, and one in its third eye. The beast fell back, letting out one last cry before falling silent. Dah’ni couldn’t even turn their head to see who their savior was.

“Listener!” Cicero’s voice echoed through the storm.

Dah’ni couldn’t even call back to him, their voice gurgled as their throat filled with blood. The flame cloak soon evaporated, and in an instant, Cicero was at their side, knelt down and pressing his hands into the large teeth marks, his gloves darkening as it was soaked with the khajiit’s essence. He tipped his listener’s head to the side to let the blood in their throat drain onto the snow. Dah’ni started coughing, although the pain in their side made them wish they could do anything but.

Despite the cold, Cicero was sweating. He looked around helplessly at the blizzard. Was he hoping that help would come? There was nothing but the endless stretch of white. Beneath a hooded fur cloak, the keeper took off his jester’s cap and pressed it firmly on Dah’ni’s wound and placed their arms atop to keep a weight on it. Carefully, he tucked his arms underneath them and hoisted them up as he stood.

The long trek back to somewhere, anywhere, was grueling and cold. His lips had already split from the dry storm as Cicero trudged on through the snowdrift. He could feel his beloved listener getting limp. One arm fell to the side, swaying lamely in rhythm with the steps taken. He looked desperately at Dah’ni in his arms, their eyes half closed and their breathing shallow. This situation was anything but funny, but Cicero couldn’t help himself.

He laughed. He laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

Seeing his all powerful leader so broken, so bloody, so helpless in his arms. What would Mother think of her chosen one? It was too much. Cicero dropped to his knees and clutched the khajiit close to his body as his shoulders rocked with laughter.

A glow in the corner of his eye caught Cicero’s attention. He saw as Dah’ni weakly raised an arm, their hand glowed with a yellow magic.

Twitching their fingers, their energy began to slowly return as the Khajiit began to heal themself. Their wound hadn’t closed, but it was enough to stop the bleeding. Light returned to their eyes. Dah’ni shifted their gaze to their beloved keeper.

Cicero could only laugh. Of course his listener couldn’t die in such fashion! There was no way that he’d ever see them die, no way, no way, no way! Tears poured from his eyes, warming his freezing face as he clutched Dah’ni tighter.

Finally, his laughter died down to rhythmic hums as he stood and carried on through the blizzard. The Sea of Ghosts was just in his vision. Cicero knew how to get to the Sanctuary from here. He would never allow his listener to die. Not now. Not ever.

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“You know, I do know who you are.” Taliesin spoke softly as he swirled his goblet of wine, staring intently at his khajiit companion.

Dah’ni looked up from their own mug of mead. A spark of panic flashed in their eyes for a brief moment. Where had this come from? “What does this one mean?”

Setting the goblet still on the table the twosome shared, the Altmer turned to face Dah’ni. “Not using an alias and giving me your real name wasn’t the smartest thing you could have done when we first met.”

Dah’ni did not like where this was going.

Taliesin continued. “You’re the youngest of five to a pair of farmers near Rimmen. You publicly rejected the Thalmor’s claims of recovering the moons and ending the Void Nights, resulting in you being detained.”

The fur on Dah’ni’s tail began to bristle. They looked around the busy tavern, but the twosome’s conversation was drowned out by rowdy chatter and the sounds of drums.

Yet Taliesin continued. “You roused other detainees into a revolt… an incident resulting in the death of three Thalmor agents, and the execution of those that revolted. And then, just as the dust had settled, you disappeared, never to be seen again…”

“You speak dangerously, elf.” Dah’ni hissed. Their lips curled back to reveal rows of sharp teeth stained yellow from bread and mead. The tip of their fluffed up tail twitched irritably while the grip on their tankard tightened.

Taliesin raised a brow, clearly not taking this threat display seriously. “You don’t deny it, then?” He took another sip of wine, annoyingly nonchalant.

“Why say this to khajiit now, hmm?”

Dabbing his lips with a cloth, Taliesin narrowed his eyes and leaned back into his chair. He raised his goblet and smiled. “You should try the wine.”

Dah’ni growled. “Do not change the subject!” They rose from their seat and leaned over the table, palms planted firmly on the wood. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Really good wine…” Taliesin was about to take another sip when Dah’ni lunged forward and grabbed the collar of his robes, pulling him forward and causing him to drop his drink. The goblet clattered and splashed wine onto the floor.

“You know who I am, and what I did, congratulations,” They began, “but you have neglected to mention this to khajiit until now? Let alone at all?” A growl escaped their throat. “Tell me, Thalmor, what makes you think I won’t sink my claws into your throat? I could erase this lead you slimy bastards have with the stroke of a finger!”

The Altmer simply glared his yellow and green eyes into Dah’ni. “I know you won’t, though.” His mouth curved into a teasing sneer.

Dah’ni huffed. They had just about had it with this mer. “What makes you so certain?”

“You liiiiiike meeeee~”

A fire burned in Dah’ni’s chest and warmed their face. A sharp retort was caught in their throat and wouldn’t come out. The khajiit relaxed their grip and finally lifted their hand from Taliesin, simply too stunned to speak.

The Altmer in turn sat back down, reaching to pick up his fallen cup and setting it back on the table. “If you had just let me say my piece, I would have.”

Words finally made it out of Dah’ni’s mouth as they sat back down. “Then speak.”

Taliesin cleared his throat. “Before I begin, you must remember I’m not part of the Thalmor anymore,” He said, “Regardless, you saved my life when we met. Whether it was out of the goodness of your heart or you wanted to get something out of me doesn’t matter now.”

Dah’ni’s ears perked up. He was a smart mer, they figured. It didn’t come as a surprise that he realized he was being held captive at first. It took time, but Taliesin had been relieved of being a potential bargaining chip to secure Dah’ni’s own safety by now, having now become a genuine companion. Still, Dah’ni’s mind raced with feelings they weren’t quite ready to take on yet.

His voice snapped Dah’ni back to the present as Taliesin went on. “I know who you are, what you have done, and what you’re capable of, yes. I just wanted to you to know I haven’t said a word about you to anyone, and I intend to keep it that way. Believe it or not, your identity is safe with me.”

Dah’ni forced themself to relax, the fur on their tail finally lying flat. “How can khajiit be so certain you are telling the truth?”

Taliesin lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on his hands clasped together around the empty goblet. “Simply put, I value your company.” His voice was barely audible over the chatter and music playing around them. “…rather enjoy it, really…”

Dah’ni blinked. Embarrassed to admit it to themself, they realized that they, too enjoyed his companionship. Taliesin was a valuable asset in travel and combat, and became someone the Khajiit could rely on. In spite of having been with the Thalmor in the past, his presence was warm and welcoming. Taliesin’s teasing from earlier wasn’t that far from the truth. Dah’ni truly did like him.

“Hmph,” Dah’ni huffed, trying to shake away their blooming thoughts, “Khajiit will take your word for it.”

Taliesin glanced up and smiled warmly, which brought back the fire within the khajiit’s chest. The Altmer leaned forward. “With that out of the way,” He said, “why not buy me a new drink? It was your fault for making me drop my wine, kitten.”

Immediately, the fire inside them was extinguished as Dah’ni’s face dropped. Claws unsheathed, they laid a loud smack to Taliesin’s annoyingly smug face.

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I was tagged by @ariquar to take this quiz, “what kind of suffering are you?” as an oc (I used multiple lol), and share the results!

Kris: Despair

- The tunnel never had a light. You wish for nothing because you know you'll receive nothing, and your hopes died out long ago. The only thing that keeps you going is the thrill of emptiness you feel when things don't turn out your way. It's bitter. It's proof. Proof that you don't feel this way for nothing.

Dah’ni: The Blackhole

- There's a hole where your heart used to be and nothing is filling that hollow void. You could drown in a world curated for you, and still nothing seems to fit. It eats you alive knowing you're unsure how to satiate the hunger of your soul. It's barely hunger, it's more like a blackhole.

Yugo Nora: Yearning

- The pain in your chest bubbles knowing that what you want may never be yours. You're lost in a fantasy world, or consumed by what you wish you were or had as opposed to what you do. It's hard to appreciate what's around you when you're appreciating the hope of what could be instead.

I’ll tag @ardate @vicekings @moonscape @chordsykat @goblin-a-gogo @dolly-macabre @pan-flute-skeleton to try this with your ocs too!

Forgot to turn rbs off like I usually do oops

[cruisingheightswithdragons]

A little drabble in which Dah’ni and co travel to the remnants of Cloud Ruler Temple :’)

Even through eyes blurred with blindness, Dah’ni felt as though they could see the temple as clear as day. It was as if they knew the layout by heart. How beautiful it would have been to see it in its prime.

Perking their ears, they excitedly trudged through a pile of ash, kicking away charred rubble and placing a hand on an upturned table. “He would be sat here with a table covered in books and notes, pouring over that collection…” Dah’ni explained. They closed their eyes and pictured themself with Him, the warm light of the sconces casting golden glows along his brown hair.

Lydia placed her hand on Dah’ni’s shoulder, which brought them back to the blurry, dilapidated hall. What for a moment was golden and clear was now dusty and bleak. “Who?” The nord asked.

Blinking, the memories drained away, evaporating like a mist. That warm smile of His faded, leaving Dah’ni aching for something they couldn’t remember. That’s right, they’ve never been here before. Only the flutter of their heart let Dah’ni know their feelings were still there somewhere. “I… I don’t know.”