#i'm like. on the verge of a panic attack so i'm hoping that Fluff(tm) will help calm me down

[peacefiresky-archive]

take a break!

(rasara belongs to @skyrimlesbian!)

Cloud Ruler Temple was getting a bit crowded.

First and foremost of the new additions was Martin, the shy bastard prince and heir to the throne. Along with him came a solemn, gloomy Dunmer named Jak who seemed to have a soft spot for him and him alone. There was Rasara, Martin’s ‘official’ champion and pirate lord of the high seas, and with her came Aldra, a cheerful High Elven mage and scholar. Not to mention the Hortator and current ruling queen of Morrowind, Riis, flitting in and out to help as much as her duties would allow her.

A mangly crew indeed. The bastard heir to the Ruby Throne itself, a Daedric Demiprince of the woods and a Demiprince of the seas, a pirate queen, and an actual queen who happened to be the reincarnation of an ancient king and warlord. 

Tamriel had a way of bringing strange folks of all sorts together, Aldra thought.

Aldra sat with Martin, helping with the Mysterium Xarxes. He was a lovely fellow, Xarxes, very intelligent, as befitting the god of secret knowledge and champion of their father, and Aldra made a note to go visit him sometime, though Aldra wondered at the name of the Mysterium, as they didn’t recall Xarxes being involved with Mehrunes Dagon, and Dagon himself was said to be the author, and it was really quite the puzzle  -- 

But that hardly mattered. 

Yes, they had work to do. No time for visits with Xarxes, they had a book to translate!

They mentioned something quietly to their current partner-in-learning - “The tinder of Anu, if I’m translating correctly. Could it be referring to something related to the Aedra? How are we meant to get that?” - when Jakesh came up behind Martin and slithered his arms around his lover’s neck.

“You need to rest.”

Martin mumbled quietly, something Aldra couldn’t quite make out. He glanced over to them, his tired eyes asking the question he was too tired to voice.

“It’s quite fine, Martin,” Aldra said, with a kind smile. “We translated it. We’ve made good progress. Now we simply need to figure out this riddle - something we can do tomorrow.”

Normally, Martin would argue. Today, though, he simply nodded and said his goodbyes before Jakesh and he retired to their shared chambers. 

Aldra waved as they left, before slumping in their seat. Being mortal was so exhausting at times. If they were in their true form, a shadowy being of ink and shadows held together by hundreds of eyes, they could have translated the Mysterium Xarxes easily. But now that they’d chosen to walk the land, they had to be cautious. They only had one body and one mind, and they doubt their father would allow them to return to Nirn if they damaged either too badly. Not to mention, with the mortal body came mortal worries. The first time they’d felt physical pain had been terrifying, and they struggled to remember that they must eat and drink and sleep or they’d cause themself harm, and they had to take their time with the Mysterium Xarxes lest they damage their psyche with forbidden knowledge. 

Why had they agreed to this? They enjoyed the company, yes, but was it really worth the price?

Warm arms gently hugged Aldra from behind.

Aldra felt their face heat as an involuntary smile pulled at their lips. They leaned back into the familiar embrace. Ah, yes. She’s why.

“Speaking of needing rest…”

“I’m alright, dear,” Aldra protested. “I can continue working on -”

“No, you can’t.” Rasara moved so she stood in front of her lover, her face one of quiet amusement and fondness. “At least take a break, alright?”

Aldra looked at Rasara and then back at the Xarxes. Rasara took their face in her hands, guiding them to look back at her. “Please?”

Aldra nearly stammered, their face turning a brilliant red. “I - um - I shouldn’t… ohalrightfine.”

Rasara beamed - yes, definitely worth the price - and pressed a brief kiss to their lips. Aldra smiled in turn, letting Rasara pull her up. “Let’s go in the courtyard?”

“It’s dark, and it’s cold. We’re not going outside unless you put on a shirt.”

Rasara frowned. “Shirts are overrated.”

“At least a coat?”

“We could use each other for body warmth!”

Aldra laughed fondly. “We could stay inside by the fire.”

Rasara hummed in contemplation. “...We can steal Jauffre’s blankets. Make our own fort. Sailors and sirens only.”

Aldra beamed, interlacing Rasara’s fingers in their own. “Sounds like a plan.”