#damn it alduin

[puzzled-pegasus]

Gormlaith in that one cutscene: Alduin approaches!

Alduin:

[acrowwithakeyboard]

Drea is a Nord woman of simple principles: Be nice to others, ask questions if you don't understand, and don't start fights, just make sure you end them.

[strigital]

so a new yearly adventure 'bout to drop and half of the players are already simping for ithelia while another half is grieving her boring design. me? i'm more interested in the fact that zenimax gave us a lore-friendly way to make our own dardric prince ocs and uuuh lemme just grab a sketchbook real quick and cook up an opposite to mepahala and probably/possibly her twin whose sphere are energies of the afterlife, death and being the shepherd of the undead and the restless dead 👀 and maybe a babygirl of a dardric prince who is the opposite of hircine and oversees the wild beauty of natural world, shapeshifers, sentient trees and talking animals, and mysteries of wild magic and secrets of the untouched wilderness, who has the bottom half of a deer whereas hircine has a head of an elk🦌 ooh! maybe even some opposite to namira whose domain is beauty, poetry and all that is aesthetically pleasing and dreamy and nice who may look like one of those fairies with butterfly wings all over them 🧚‍♀️

anyways, feck the lore, i'm here to 100% milk herma mora's ability to just "conveniently hide" entire dardric princes outside of reality thus making any and all stupid little dardric blorbo ocs we make "technically lore-friendly"

[sylvienerevarine]

me, who is in charge of everything sophrine says and does: sophrine what the hell

[yanderemommabean]

Playing Skyrim again and damn Alduin can get it with that voice! Listening to all of his voice clips, used and unused, and when he acknowledges and praises you. I get the feeling that "my teeth to your neck dovahkin" for a yandere Alduin doesn't mean he wants to kill you lol.

"My teeth in your neck and my seed in your womb" is more along the lines of what he'd say. You're telling me he isn't down bad for someone able to kill him? Please.

"Such a strong warrior, wasted. Betrayed and belittled at every turn. The arrogance of your kind never ceases". You'll be trapped and curled in his tail, looking up to see the true eyes of evil as he stares at you almost amused.

Try as you might, fighting is futile, this beast is going to do with you as he pleases. You're the fearsome Dragonborn, surely you can survive whatever he dished out right?

Until you land in his nest in what seems to be another world entirely, and realize he didn't exactly plan on killing you.

-Mommabean

[obsidiancreates]

"Can you believe this?" Sheogorath gestures at the image of Mundas playing out in the bowl between them and Martin. "Banning Talos worship."

Martin shakes his head. "A troubling path for the world to take."

"I didn't collect all those damn armor pieces including his for him to be declared not a true divine! I should tell my followers to start saying I'm not a Daedra just to prove a point."

"I'm not sure it'll have the impact you hope for."

"Because if the madness?"

"In part."

"Mmm. ... We should reach out to that Dragonbornthat Akatosh has spent all this time crafting once they get their destiny rolling. They'll be a good errand runner!"

"They're meant for much more."

"After the whole Alduin thing then."

"... I don't see why we shouldn't. Once Alduin is dealt with."

"There's my Martin." Sheogorath winks. "But we'll set them against Imperials and Stormcloaks alike, right?"

"Of course. To force them to chose one side or the other with no alternatives would be ridiculous."

[the-elder-polls]

its friday, so may I request your craziest headcanons 👀🫵

sure why not im insane for fun

nerevar was a shezzarine and the nerevarine is a shezzarine by extension

every player character carries/embodies an aspect of lorkhan and can be considered a shezzarine (can you tell i have a thing for shezzarines)

pelinal was something almost like a Prisoner. not fully a Prisoner, but very damn close

nerevar's murder was a dragon break; thus, voryn killed him, the tribunal killed him, dumac killed him, and so on. they're all right and they're all wrong

miraak had the raw strength to kill alduin, but lacked the discipline and strategy to do so safely. he could've done it, yeah - he just would've died in the process

[umbracirrus]

Sujamma Sundas

Tagged in this by @skyrim-forever, and I will take literally any excuse to ramble on about my idiots <3

This week, Sujamma wants to know about YOUR OC's special someone. What makes their relationship special? How did they meet? Were they enemies to lovers? Lovers to enemies? Lovers AND Enemies? Are they romantic or platonic? What's their favorite way to cuddle? Favorite date night? Anything and everything you can think of 💕

Tagging @thequeenofthewinter, @hircines-hunter. @illumiera, @friend-of-giants, anyone else who wants to do this <3

As I said, of course, I'm going to talk about my idiots Elyse and Balgruuf-!!

These have their first meeting, as is typical for many dragonborn and the Jarl of Whiterun, with Elyse going to Dragonsreach to seek aid for Riverwood on the behest of the town residents. Elyse hurts herself on the journey there though, so rather than immediately sending her to Farengar and Bleak Falls Barrow, he sends her to the Temple of Kynareth to be healed and pays for a meal and a room at the Bannered Mare, asking for her to return after she has rested to do that favour. To be completely honest, Balgruuf has already started falling for her at this point. This survivor of Helgen, with little to her name, putting her life at risk to protect his people and asking for nothing in return? And she's pretty? And she's the damned Dragonborn?!?! Making her Thane of the city and giving her the axe of Whiterun is basically flirting with the way that he's giving her heart eyes, even if he doesn't realise or think of it as such.

So yeah, main quest happens, he remains a stalwart ally of hers through it all, is over the moon(s) that she decides to buy Breezehome, and lingers on the Dragonsreach porch for ages after she flies off to defeat Alduin. Then when he hears that she's returned, he doesn't wait for her to visit him in Dragonsreach, he goes to find her to check up on her. These idiots get drunk, dance, almost kiss, and don't remember any of it. Only Lydia does.

Elyse meanwhile, she starts falling for Balgruuf bad when he defends her from Ulfric, allows her to stay in Dragonsreach, does everything in his power to keep her safe. She's in denial about it for ages, at least until she gets teased about it by Lydia, then it hits her like a tonne of bricks that she's down bad.

From there, they are both just... oh, they are pining. They are pining bad. The majority of Whiterun seems to think that they are already together, so when they finally get together...? It's not a surprise for the people of the city (though it is for people beyond, who had no idea just how painful their pining was). Hrongar likely had some sort of bet going on with Irileth, Lydia, and other people in Dragonsreach about how long it takes for them to finally kiss and/or sleep together.

The thing is, when these two are together, as soon as behind closed doors they are completely sappy and affectionate. Holding hands, cuddling, the works. And they are sentimental. They get engaged exactly four years after their first meeting, for example. Balgruuf takes interest in her hobbies of gardening and alchemy for her, and Elyse likes to listen to him read history books aloud simply because he likes them and she likes his voice.

And nobody dares interrupt them when they are on the balcony atop Dragonsreach, that is their place, their sanctuary from their responsibilities, and Divines forbid somebody interrupt their intense make out session/stargazing/cuddle time out there.

Even better about their relationship is that Elyse gets along well with each of Balgruuf's children, and Balgruuf appreciates it beyond belief - she somehow manages to help with bringing them closer together whereas in the past they ended up quite distant, even more so when the idiots have their daughter Aina after being married for a few years.

[blackmonitor]

Alduin Inspired by Surrogate from @mighty-peacock and @thebeastinsideusallarchive

And also Daedras be Damned, from @mighty-peacock

Watch the (sky) tags!

[argisthebulwark]

TES Summer Fest Day Five: Crown/Gentle

summary: She's done it. Alduin is slain, the war is settled, finally Skyrim will know peace - but will she ever get a shot at a normal life? f!LDB/ Bodyguard Vilkas warnings: just a lil bit of angst i guess a/n: Characters taken from my Bodyguard Vilkas story - i just felt like they'd fit :) @tes-summer-fest TES Summerfest Masterlist

"Dragonborn." Balgruuf's voice demands the crowd's attention and Rin flinches at the weight of their gaze. She counts each breath, sucking in the stuffy air and focusing on the Jarl's boot to keep herself steady.

"We are honored to recognize the contributions you have made to the people of Whiterun and Skyrim." She should be honored as well but the most she can manage is a stiff nod. Her neck muscles scream as the weight of that damned crown is placed so carefully on top of her head, sweat already gathering under its rim.

"You, the Last Dragonborn, Alduin's Doom - too many titles to recount. We offer this crown and a place of glory in our fine city." The Jarl's good natured chuckle does little to calm her nerves. Rin's sweaty fingers wrap around the hilt of that decorative sword she'd been instructed to hold. Apparently the actual weapon that had slain Alduin wasn't flashy enough.

"Thank you." She pants, joints and armor creaking as she attempts to raise from a kneel. Rin stares out at the crowd, faces blending together into one mess of smiles and wide eyes. She should say something heroic, something inspirational for all the hopeful little faces peering up at her but her mind is utterly blank.

"Dragonborn." Vilkas' smooth voice cuts through all the noise and drags her back to reality. "Someone's asking for a moment with you."

"Who?" Rin and Balgruuf inquire in unison, her heart racing at the thought of carrying a conversation in her state. She can stomach their platitudes and offer vague thanks but anything deeper may be beyond her.

"It'll only take a moment." Vilkas avoids answering, though the strong fingers at her elbow are insistent. He drags her away from the slowly encroaching crowd, leaving Irileth and Balgruuf to regale the civilians with stories in her stead.

Luckily, the patio is free of people. Rin shuffles toward the railing overlooking the gorgeous plains that surround the city and sucks down a deep breath. The air is sweet and fresh, blessedly free of the rich scent of food and drink she's been stuck in for hours. Vilkas appears at her side without a word, a comforting hand placed on her back.

"Who requested my presence?" She asks far too late, pink coloring her cheeks at her carelessness. Scanning the horizon she feels the hammering of her heart slow to a crawl.

"Me." Vilkas grumbles, already unlatching the hefty armor. A laugh bubbles up through all the tension and Rin rolls her shoulders, grateful for his intuition. She allows Vilkas to remove the gaudy golden plates, tossing them carelessly into a pile.

"Be careful, that likely cost a fortune."

"Don't care." He keeps working until she's left in plain clothes, a tunic and trousers that seem awfully out of place among all the nobles. Rin gazes up at Vilkas, each breath unlabored as she sucks them in.

"That looks ridiculous on you." He sneers, poking playfully at the crown weighing her head down. Rin rolls her eyes and shoves it back into place despite the tension building in her shoulders.

"The council would throw a fit if I took it off." She grumbles, leaning eagerly into his touch. Vilkas' fingers mindlessly swipe at the hair falling into her face and gods, she wishes she could thank him for all he does. He's always there to hold her up when she's ready to crumble, a quiet presence that keeps her going.

"You're more than their shiny hero to trot out." He reminds her, gruff voice suddenly so soft. Rin nearly melts into his arms at the words only he bothers to say. Vilkas isn't one for flowery words or poetry but gods, Rin's never felt loved so wholly than when his rich brown eyes stare down at her.

"Feelin' better?" He finally asks, a quick kiss pressed to her sweaty brow.

"As good as one can be in this situation." Rin clears her throat, ignoring the nervous racing of her heart at the thought of reentering that hall. Vilkas offers her the customary arm, allowing her to cling to his side as he leads her back into the horde.

"Your armor is gone." Farengar instantly notices, brows tightening at her appearance. She opens her mouth, ready to ramble off some excuse before a sharp elbow cuts her off.

"The Dragonborn worried that appearing fully armored would make the people worry there's another foe." Vilkas lies so smoothly even Rin begins to believe it. "Unarmed conveys safety - and isn't that what you're always prattling on about?"

"Very well."

The rest of the evening is fairly easy; recounting the same story until her mouth runs dry, a migraine building behind her temples with each hour the crown weighs down her head, Vilkas' comforting touches keeping her from mouthing off to whatever noble simply insists that she join them for dinner. Her smile is false and her cheeks burn but somehow they make it through the evening.

"Vilkas." Balgruuf's voice cuts through the relatively comfortable silence and Rin's heart nearly stops. "Allow me a moment alone with the Dragonborn."

"I'm not to leave her side."

"No harm will befall her in my halls."

"I will be back in one minute." Vilkas' voice is deadly and cold when he exits the room, surely just outside. Rin can hardly contain the litany of questions when the Jarl rounds on her once more, pointedly staring at the crown she's placed atop the table.

"It will be quite the adjustment." He comments, voice thick with what sounds almost like melancholy. "I know how hard it can be to live such a life, Dragonborn, but I commend you for your commitment."

"What commitment?" Rin has no more capacity for platitudes, her voice harsh from nerves worn too thin.

"The crown, the sword, your place in our city - many changes will happen in the coming days as you settle into your new life."

"Please, fill me in on these changes." Rin's voice quivers but she holds her chin high. Suddenly the weight of that crown seems far heavier than she'd known.

"Well, you are a symbol to the people." Balgruuf steeples his fingers, still staring down at the crown. "I'm afraid that you cannot return to the life you once led."

"Why?"

"You could become a political target or the rumors of cultists crawling over our shores could prove to be an issue."

"I slay dragons. I can handle it." Her voice wobbles pathetically at the prospect of being stuck in this gilded cage for the rest of her days. She'd gone through hell and returned in one piece for the chance at regaining her life.

"We simply cannot allow the hero of our people to be harmed, surely you understand." Balgruuf sighs, clearly exhausted from their most commonly rehashed argument. "We will of course allow Vilkas to return to Jorrvaskr and a rotation of our finest guards will take his place."

No.

No.

"If I accept this crown - this position, whatever it is you're offering me, I lose him?" Rin feels so far from her body, mind floating out of reach at the mere thought of losing Vilkas. She can stomach a lot of bullshit but this is too much.

"He's a fine man." In a moment of unusual friendship, Balgruuf pats at her clammy hand. "But you are a hero. You are the Last Dragonborn - do not throw it all away."

"I refuse." She's gasping the words before she can process them, instinctively rejecting a life that does not involve him. Snippets of her future flash through her mind, each more terrifying than the last; stuck in Dragonsreach only to be trotted out on special occasions, married off to some political powerhouse she's never met, boring days and lonely nights spent languishing in a comfortable cage she allowed herself to be locked in.

"Dragonborn, you must think this through. This is the rest of your life, the hope of our people rely on you. He is a good man, but -"

"I don't care." Rin's laugh is high pitched and sounds off in her ears but she's breaking. She cannot stomach a life without him, isn't strong enough to grin and bear it for another day. "I cannot - I will not do this."

"I urge you to reconsider." The Jarl warns as she stands, that familiarity entirely gone from his voice. The crown scrapes across his table when Rin scoots it far away, retreating toward the door Vilkas exited only a moment before.

"You alright?" Vilkas' rough voice is like music to her ears. Rin is grabbing blindly at his arms and tugging him toward the exit, excitement bubbling up in her chest at the prospect.

"I said no." She grins, blissfully unaware of the many eyes watching her gracelessly drag Vilkas out of Dragonsreach. She traipses past the pile of gilded armor and beautifully crafted sword that would never see battle, head thankfully free of that heavy crown.

"Said no to what?"

"All of it." Her cheeks still burn but gods, it's the first smile that's felt real all day. "Let's go home."

[zozilly]

Art progress for my first big art project!! I'm painting things on my bedframe from my favorite games- I've started with Skyrim! This is Alduin, a bit rough but hey, he looks like a fucked up boulder in game so i think its okay. I've never really worked with paint correctly before, nor have I drawn dragons particularly well, but I'm pretty damn proud. It's a work in progress though.

[billveusay]

I watched Gundam Zeta and...

When looking at gundam series rankings, one name always hovers towards the top. The successor that did it better. The one that solidifed Gundam as a powerhouse franchise after the success of the movies in theaters with its darker and more mature storyline.

And I really didn't like it much.

It's one of those cases where the opinion seems so unanimously positive that I genuinely think I missed something. Maybe its partly the fault of the subtitles and some stuff got lost in translation. Also, it has been a few months since I finished Zeta and I could remember things wrong. So as usual, just my opinion, influenced by likely biases and misinterpretations, don't take it as an attack if you liked Zeta.

Let's start with how derivative it is. At first, I didn't mind because it was obvious the show was building itself as a mirror to Mobile Suit Gundam. A "What if Amuro picked the stormcloaks over the empire when Alduin attacked?", so to speak. However, the more the show went on, the harder it became to maintain my goodwill. Kamille, the simili-Amuro winds up on a simili-White Base, gets a simili-Fraw Bow taking care of simili-Katz, Kikka and the other one, plus a blonde rival. You don't even get a simili-Bright because they straight up bring him back. And sometimes it really doesn't make sense, like when they paint over the Titans colors on the Gundam MkII... with the Federation colors. Look, I'm french, I know how good red, white and blue look together but pick your own identity, guys, the federation are still your enemies.

And many of those echoes felt like a downgrade. For the first half of the show, Kamille is insufferable, and while that's intentional and I'll admit he gets better, he doesn't get that much better. He's less prone to angry fits over the slightest inconvenience and elevates to being prone to angry fits over moderate inconveniences at worst. Pop the champagne. I'm actually wondering if he doesn't come off as less of an annoying, impulsive kid because they add Katz to the team as a fresh, even more annoying impulsive kid, so Kamille looks better by contrast.

Fa Yuri is also just a lesser Frau Bow, and I wasn't the biggest Frau Bow stan ever. She mainly comes accross as catty (she says "Kamille!" with the same reprehensive tone so many times I can hear it in my sleep), and while Kamille provides her with ample reasons to be annoyed with him, what I don't get are reasons for why they are supposedly close enough for Fa to act jealous whenever Kamille looks at another female character.

But my main gryps... I mean gripe with Zeta is that everyone is stupid. All the time. Do you know how many times someone makes an unauthorized mobile suit sortie in the original ? Twice, and they both get locked up in the brig after the fact. Do you know how many times that happens in Zeta ? Neither do I, I've lost count. And most of the insubordinates get away with a typical Bright slap. "My superiors don't trust me, so I'm gonna go out and fight in a mobile suit to show them" is the most common occurence, "I'm a prisoner and I'm gonna steal a mobile suit to escape" happens at least twice... and the more it occurs the more it makes me wonder why there's not a system in place to prevent unauthorized launches. Cause once someone gets in the cockpit, everyone around just goes "damn, it's too late to stop them now!". At one point Bright just gives up and says "ah screw it, this will be character building".

Far from the only moments that made me wonder how both armies can even be halfway functional. Another is the legendary exchange between Jerid and Sarah (I will transcribe the subtitles so if this is a translation error, you can blame them and not me). "I didn't expect that I'd be ordered to babysit little children like you" "For your information Lieutenant, I've had sufficient training!" "You two are newtype candidates selected by Scirocco. But look at your hands, probably never hurt a soul in your life. Are you really prepared to kill?" "No, I will never kill!" "...then what are you a mobile suit pilot for?!"

Very good question Jerid. This somewhat diminishes the status of Scirocco as a master planner if he forgot to ask candidates if they were down for killing before sending them to kill people.

You also get Wong refusing to evacuate the city of Granada even as a colony is about to drop on it, because "if they evacuate, the public to lose confidence in the AEUG's abilities". And I think we're supposed to believe that he's right. This is the same episode where Sarah, then imprisoned in the Argama, convinces Katz to let her out, give her a normal suit and lead her back to her mobile suit so she can... teach him how to pilot better. And he falls for it.

Granted, he's a kid. But if he demonstrably cannot be trusted to not free a prisoner he was told not to let out because of a little crush, despite (this will become a theme) having only met her five minutes ago, then the whole command chain of the Argama looks stupid for ever trusting him again with a mobile suit or a fighter jet. An attribute he shares with Jerid.

One of the biggest mysteries to me is how that guy can keep seemingly climbing the ranks of the Titans and being put in charge of things when he doesn't get a single W. Every single time he makes a sortie, he fails. No exception. If we're supposed to believe that he's a genuine threat and an actual rival to Kamille, then it's a complete failure. If he is supposed to be a loser, then I wonder what the point is because... well they don't do anything with him. He gets angrier and angrier, but still doesn't accomplishes anything, impact other characters or come to any realization. He just repeateadly screws up and eventually dies, and his death doesn't even get much focus.

Otherwise... well you have Reccoa "Defecting to the side of genocide because she wants to be seen as a woman and not a soldier" Londe not bringing many prizes home either. There are pretty convincing arguments to explain why she's not that badly written, but I'd still say that she's at best an interesting character concept very poorly executed. I'll probably develop my opinion on how an author has some responsibility if a character he makes is (unintentionnaly) widely hated when we get to Quess Paraya.

God, this is running too long again. Er...

Paptimus has the vibes of a great villain but it never seems like he has much of a plan beyond "not slapping people makes them more disposed towards alliances" and using his newtype powers to charm girls. And between the fact that it is always girls, and that the two female cyber-newtypes are psychological messes, while the other cyber-newtype guy seem perfectly well adjusted... it feels iffy.

And coming back to the praises of Zeta being darker... I mean yes, more people die in Zeta, but then they also have much less impact. The crew is not the same after Ryu dies, Bright gets (literally) sick with grief. Same with Matilda. And the villains deaths are also given weight. Garma's becomes a propaganda tool in the hands of Gihren, to the despair of his father, which is the first time they show us how disfunctional the Zabis are. Plus, we get a whole episode where Garma's lover tries to avenge him by sacrificing herself to destroy the white base. They even did the same thing with Ramba Ral.

Meanwhile, the last 8 to 6 episodes of Zeta are almost hilarious with how many character get unalived in a small amount of time. BOOM! Rip Sarah. BOOM! Bye Jerid. BOOM! See you Katz. BOOM! So long Bask. And theoretically, yeah, it's darker to have more characters die but I wouldn't give the show props for it if its just tying loose ends with a damn chainsaw. They all happen so fast they become meaningless.

There's probably more things I have to say but the series also has a lot of qualities. So let's talk about those.

I really like how they handled the returning cast members from Mobile Suit Gundam. They pretty much all felt like natural evolutions from their characters (the Star Wars sequels could have taken a few lessons from it). Char Quattro is definitely one of the best parts of the series, and I like how they treated my boy Kai. Making him a full-time member of the resistance would have been weird given his dislike for the army, but they show how much courage he's gained by making him a badass war reporter. And Bright is... an unmoving traffic cone in the long winding road that is the Universal Century. As for the newcomers, despite most female characters being very hit or miss, two of the best characters are undeniably Emma Sheen and Haman Karn. The series gets much better once she gets introduced. And even though the atmospheric re-entry episode was another MGS echo, the ballutes concept still made it one of my favourite Gundam episodes period.

Animation has also improved leagues beyond MSG, so did the mecha design. The Gundam MkII looks great, I love the Hyaku ✨Shiny✨, and we even get a preview of the Sazabi (one of the best looking mobile suits ever) with the Marasai.

And finally, the memes. They're probably what made the show go from ok to enjoyable for me. The neverending slaps, "I'm an autistic child", "I have never betrayed anyone in my entire life", Kamille pointing to Katz saying "he's okay" seconds before Katz explodes... the show is very generous in that regard. Okay, calling it now. Again, this is my opinion of a 40 yo anime with probably imperfect subtitles that I watched several months ago. There are so many factors independant from the series that potentially prevented me from enjoying it as much as I could, so this post is not an analysis but just an explanation of why I didn't like, and I really hope you will! But please stop leaving the keys in the mobile suits.

...OH GOD! Almost forgot the best part: half of the episodes ending in tragedy, with a character in tears screaming in a cockpit or curled up in his bed, sad music, fade to black, and...

🎶 Ooooh, I can't help believing you! 🎶

Good night!

My gundam reviews :

> Hathaway's Spark > Mobile Suit Gundam > Gundam Zeta > 0083: Stardust Memory > 0080: War in the Pocket > 8th MS Team > The Witch from Mercury > Gundam Thunderbolt > The Origin > Turn A Gundam > F91

[aladaylessecondblog]

Faal Hah Wuld, pt. 22

The Son of the Void came first to KYNRT, and breathed for the first time the open air. Thus did he understand freedom.

----------------------------------------

Sigurd. My friend, my savior, my brother-in-arms--

One might suggest that we I you made a critical mistake in sending me along with the Dragonborn. This should never have happened

You ASS, do you not know what you've put before me?

-------------------------------------------

The paper was crumpled the instant Sadrith had finished reading that bit.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

Torovan tossed the paper into the fire, and whipped around to face her.

They were currently making a brief camp somewhere north of Largashbur, with the intent of a full sleep once they reached Riften. Jarla and Snow were tired, and happily nibbling at grass nearby.

"I can pretend I never saw it," she said quickly afterwards, then thinking, I'll likely forget it soon anyway.

Torovan had been...off kilter since their stop at the Hot Springs. That stoic wall was still there, but thinner than it had been before...at least, she thought so. She kept trying to shove the thought back - clearly she had been suffering a cold bed too long if she was reacting this way to him. And when that consideration would come she'd be forced to think - don't you want more from him too? A few moments wrapped up in those strong arms, like it had been back at Helgen.

My guardian, again...

But no, she was the dragonborn, she was not guarded. She was the one meant to guard everyone else, thanks to Akatosh's whims.

"No, it's fine," Torovan said, breaking her out of her flower-chained thoughts. "Because it ties into what we still need to discuss."

It had been more than a day. It must be something, she thought, for him to delay it.

"Well, talk." She shifted in place. "You keep saying it's important and then won't speak of it again."

"What do you know," Torovan started, more hesitant with every word, "Of Shezarrines?"

"Shezarrines?" Sadrith huffed a little. "The khajiit caravan I grew up with told me of Lorkhaj being cursed to wander Nirn...and then as I got older there were books about Pelinal, and someone I can't remember said something about Tiber Septim being Shezarrine..."

Torovan snorted.

"He is not a subject I wish to discuss." He paused. "I have made a study of...Lorkhan and his shezarrines. And from what you have mentioned, what you have seen...it leads me to believe that you are one as well."

Sadrith shrugged. "I've heard people say Shezarrines are heroes who come into the world 'in times of great need' and...I think I've already managed that great need."

"You're getting ahead of me."

"Sorry." She looked away, and then back at the fire. "I tend to do that."

"So I've noticed." There was a pause. "If your job was done then I don't think you'd be dreaming as you have been..."

"They're just dreams." It was meant to be flippant, even though she knew damn well it was turning into more than that. A hope, in a way. "Even if they're not, what's worse than Alduin? Whatever comes, I can defeat it."

"They are not just dreams," he insisted again, "And the presence of Dagoth Ur is--you should treat it more seriously than you are."

"I killed a dragon god...thing," Sadrith petered out, "Even if Dagoth Ur stepped before me - I could kill him as easily as I did Alduin."

His head tilted, and in the one eye she saw utter exasperation.

"Besides, the heart of Lorkhan's gone," she added, hoping to banish it.

There was a pause.

"And suppose, just suppose, that the Heart of Lorkhan beats in your chest? That the blood of this missing god runs through your veins?"

"Then it's my heart, not his. What do you expect of me?"

"I expect you to take the idea more seriously."

"I take it perfectly seriously." Sadrith sipped at her mead. "If an enemy appears I strike him down. If I don't know how, I find out how and then do it. I already have enough to worry about without anxiety over things that might not actually happen."

She worried about things like that too...but he didn't know how to do that.

"Then why--" Torovan didn't huff, but he seemed confused, "--why do you persist in acting as though these threats mean nothing? Are you not afraid of death? Were you not afraid that day at Helgen when you were soaked from both rain and blood?"

"Maybe a little, but...given who I am...I expected I'd eventually die like that." She paused. "If I ever die in your company you have permission to laugh at my corpse and say you told me so."

"You're not going to die in my company. Now before you change the subject again--"

"Even if I am what you seem convinced I am...what does it change, right now?"

"Right now? This moment? Nothing. But later..."

"Then I deal with it later. In my line of work I deal with things when they become a problem." She paused, and a random thought slipped out. "I establish, I don't maintain."

Then, another one.

"That armor you wore," she said, "Back in Ivarstead, I was just thinking...I've never seen you wear armor before. Why then?"

"Sigurd is paranoid and wished me to have some. He was in possession of the Lord's Mail, and said it was the best suited armor when combined with the ring."

"The Lord's Mail, I've read about that armor," she said. The term brought her back to a moment looking down at a book in the College of Winterhold, and she repeated word for word what she could almost see before her. "The Lord's Mail, sometimes called the Armor of Morihaus or the gift of Kynareth..."

Sadrith stopped on seeing the stare from Torovan.

"Me with Pelinal's armor, and you with the one belonging to Morihaus..." She laughed. "I'd almost call that too convenient."

"Much of warfare is of the mind, and a battle can be won before it has even begun with the right sort of thought, implanted in the right sort of way." Torovan smirked. "And nothing will panic the Thalmor like a sighting of the Crusader and one who even vaguely resembles one who once traveled with him."

"I'll bow to your wisdom then," Sadrith replied, "I'm more of a soldier than a general, and I prefer to be pointed in a direction and told 'kill in that direction' if there are many foes to fight."

"You should be wary of thoughts like that," he said.

"I already have a lot of thoughts to be wary about..." she mumbled under her breath. It was like a shooting gallery in her mind, no sooner would she fix one to the wall than another would pop up, bobbing and weaving and taking up energy she didn't have. "But perhaps I should stay close. Being close to you seems to quiet my head."

He didn't respond to that.

----------------------------

They entered Riften from the south, just after mid-day. Sadrith brought Torovan to a table in the Bee & Barb and said they could set out for the Guild early the next morning, before the sun had risen.

"This woman is in the sewers?"

"She is, yes," Sadrith replied, "There is another way in but as you aren't one of us I can't show you. So we go in the front way."

"Or, you could bring her up here."

Sadrith stopped. She honestly hadn't thought about that.

"It would take less time, but I don't know if she'd agree. I could go ask but that'd delay your operation a bit longer as there's something else I'm meant to pick up."

"That brush I saw mentioned in one of your letters, I assume?"

"And things to tend to...as guildmaster..." Sadrith trailed off, and ordered some food, which she quickly devoured. The skooma was wearing off, and as it fell her appetite rose. "Ah, that's better."

Torovan sat watching her. She greeted a few of those passing by - the two Argonians running the place, Haelga, and some of the Riften guards, and a courier who had a note for her.

"Your guild must have need of you."

"It's not from the guild," Sadrith said, groaning slightly. "It's an invitation."

"And why should that disturb you so?" Torovan asked. She could almost hear the raised eyebrow.

"It's an invitation to the wedding of Ingun Black-Briar in two days. I'm not sure what you know of this family--" Sadrith stopped, and took a shaky breath. "But this isn't the sort of invitation I can refuse."

"Again - why should that disturb you so?"

"I don't--I don't care for crowds," Sadrith protested. "Having to dress up, being in a crowd of people, expecting at any moment that--it doesn't matter. It would be open to the public anyway, but..."

She took a deep breath.

"I'd ask you to come along after your operation, if I wasn't certain you'd hate it too...and that there's likely not a tailor in town that could make you something suitable in time."

"I have something suitable," Torovan waved one hand idly. "If you're that worried for my welfare, I can appear with you."

"I'm being PAID to worry about your welfare," she said, "Something that clearly I don't need to. But if you insist on joining me..."

She could already see it. Her, walking through the crowd on his arm, struggling to speak and being unable to do so, while he laughed alongside her. Finding no words that wouldn't sound embarrassing, and remaining silent.

"Anyway," she said, "I am sorry for the delay, but...consider the Black-briar family...necessary to the operation of the guild here."

"And you're afraid of Maven."

"I am not afraid of her!"

"You are." There was a smirk she could see well even through all those bandages. "You will tackle dragons and gods but a mere woman frightens you?"

"Maven Black-Briar is no mere woman," Sadrith replied.

There was a lengthy pause. She'd ordered him a cut of meat, rare, and he proceeded to eat it in silence.

When he spoke up it was more serious. "And the Thalmor?"

"Right." Sadrith's face sunk into her palms. "Right, we've got to tell someone about THAT. I'll...make a round of the city and tell the Jarl, and then the guards, and head down to ask the face sculptor."

So once she had herded him to Honeyside, she proceeded to do just that. Jarl Laila appreciated the warning, was already in fact aware of the increasing Thalmor presence. She extracted a promies from Sadrith that she'd act in defense of Riften if there was an incursion while she was there, one which was quickly made.

"I expect no reward," Sadrith said, when asked. Then she gave a slight smile. "First pick of their weapons and armor, maybe, once they've passed. Honorhall could use the funds."

Jarl Laila bowed her head slightly and gave a smile, while Maven, who was in the same hall, merely gave the same passive stare she always had.

When she left she spoke to the guards, and then to Balimund, to whom she sold the elven daggers she'd picked from the bodies at Ivarstead. Then to the Pawned Prawn to pick up a few things. A few dresses, shirts, dolls, wooden swords.

And then, finally, to Honorhall.

Constance Michel greeted her with a smile, and then helped her get in the bag and packages she was carrying. "Children, the dragonborn is here!"

It only fit, Sadrith thought, to use profit from war to make these little faces smile.

---------------------------------------

The Son of the Void saw for the first time a child, and thus did the first seed of Doubt take root in his mind.

[globofhoney]

I have been thinking of a Skyrim fanfic that's I'm too lazy to write.

The LDB becomes the last boss for the modded followers to take down. Holy crap that would be good.

Damn, this is going to be mmorpg style fight.

Xelzaz (magic dmgdealer, buff provider)

Kaidan, Gore, Nebarra: (Tank)

Inigo, Lucifer, Khash: (ranged melee dmgdealer)

Taliesin: (pure magic dmgdealer)

Caryalind: (melee dmgdealer)

Remiel/scrap: (melee dmgdealer)

Jarek: (magic dmgdealer)

Xanthys: (Magic dmgdealer)

Lucien: (Magic dmg dealer)

The reason why LDB becomes last boss...?

Hell, idk, maybe madness? Become megalomaniac like Alduin?

How epic would it be if Paarthurnax is the one who give this quest to the dovahkrew? Knowing that the LDB has to be stopped.

[jackals-ships]

anyways "jackal is this all partially an excuse for jackals jumping alduin in later story arcs" yes it is 😌

[wellthebardsdead]

Kaidan: *pacing back and forth in the dragonsreach balcony, heavy bags under his eyes, legs wobbling under his own weight, over tired but too worried to rest* they’ve been gone for days now…

Caryalind: and they’ll come back alive.

Inigo: our friend is very capable brother. Please rest, they will return safely.

Lucien: I agree, you haven’t slept a wink since they’ve left Kaidan. I understand you’re worried, we’re worried too, but there’s no point in killing your self with exhaustion when they’ll come back alive and well.

Kaidan: They’re travelling to the god damned after life to kill the world eater! How can you all be so calm about this?! What if- *staggers to the ground as the castle shakes and the world is rocked by a chorus of dragons mourning their overlord*

The Dragons flying from their perch on high Hrothgar: ALDUIN HAS FALLEN!!! THE MIGHTY OVERLORD HAS BEEN VANQUISHED! ALDUIN HAS FALLEN! THE DRAGONBORN IS HIS SLAYER! ALDUIN HAS FALLEN!!

Kaidan: what’s going o-

Lucien: LOOK!!! *points towards the sky as Odahviing glides towards the castle, the dragonborn perched on his back*

Caryalind: We should move. Now. *picks up inigo and Lucien and books it out of the way grabbing Kaidan as he goes*

Odahviing: *lands on the table crushing it under his weight* Hm? Krosis. My apologies for an unfortunate landing. But I bring fortune on my wings… *shifts down revealing a very busted up but still alive snow elf on his back*

Kaidan: *staggers to his feet, breathless, staring at his beloved in awe* Youre alive! You really did it!

Henwen: *smiles and slides off Odahviings back* Kai… I’m… home… *takes a step forward and passes out, exhaustion and the aching of his body finally taking over*

Odahviing: *catches him gently with his nose and lays him down* it was a hard won battle. But a mighty one the world will remember for eternity.

Team Dragonborn: *all hurry over lifting Henwen into their arms*

Kaidan: m-my love?! Wake up! Please-

Caryalind: he’s alright but we need to get him to the temple healers at once.

Inigo: thank you for bringing him home my big scaley friend-

Jarl Balgruuf: *hurried upstairs hearing the commotion* Has the dragonborn retur- MY TABLE!!!!