She's just in love. Women fall for this trap very frequently (not being a man, can't speak for their species). Wishful thinking is powerful magic indeed, we tend to overlook what we don't want to see... until it is way too late. Not that I would be remotely speaking from own experience, obviously.

Fell a little behind here, so time to catch up...

Sigh. Laprima has a good point. It is odd for a supposedly reformed Chamany to be spending time here. And here's a good sign that this relationship simply isn't a good one: simply seeing him has sucked the joy from her job.

Huh, well this is a... pleasant surprise, at least? But there's definitely an ulterior motive here. I don't trust Chamany.

Good description of the party, though; gets that lively feeling across.

The morning after is when the other shoe drops. He denies that this task has anything to do with skooma. Here's the problem: I don't believe him. Sure enough, the request is sketchy. Glad Laprima is standing her ground!

Something's very suspicious about this crystal. Glad the next chapter is already here so I can keep going!

I hear you about arranging the party pics. NPCs can make it very difficult to get good shots of locations.

"So dreadful..." But what is it?

Okay, so this is reminding me of the Heinz dilemma: namely, whether or not it's ethical to steal, if you're stealing medicine that will save the life of a person who can't afford it. Obviously this is the more ethical choice, and Laprima knows this. However, the source makes it suspicious. Chamany's up to something, and he wants Laprima to take the fall if anything goes wrong.

Heinz Dilemma Wikipedia Entry

Laprima's reading up, but she's also suspicious.

Well, at least Laprima's got a knack for this kind of thing. She's certainly hypnotized Angeline. Also, I can definitely relate with the difficulty of finding a specific item in a shop full of clutter. Shows you the benefit of modern organizational systems!

Oof, okay, she got what she needed. But I think it'll be a long while before she rests easy.

'Rosa: I tried hard to find that crystal ball, too. There's gotta be a mod somewhere out there which adds stuff like this to clutter. 🔮 Chances are it'll be part of some overhaul, though. Which I'm really trying to avoid since overhauls often change too many things.

Chamany actually does a lot of work. It's why he's so tired this morning. Thing is, none this "work" is of the legal, ethical kind. And yes, what exactly is that potion?


Acadian: Thank ye kind sir, certainly is interesting to write. Wow, you and SR are definitely thinking on the right track, concerning all these little tricks Cham is somehow able to pull.

From my perspective as a writer, the whole "gaze into the device" thing is of course borrowed from all the devices a lot of us typically hold in our hands day to day, looking into them for texts, caller ID results, or, of course, "visions". 📱


Lena: YESSSSSSS!!!!!! Definitely in love. Just like the lady who's been stalking Wolf in your tale. 💘 Gosh you know, sometimes I'm so close to this story, thinking about all its technical aspects with scripts and quest dialog and so on, that I forget the basic reason why she won't just ditch Chammy.

Here's the thing, though. She can't just get rid of him, even if she falls out of love. You'll see why, probably next week's story.


Clavier: Mm hmm, put it all together, and things don't seem so Kosher, so to speak.

Did I write that party up well? Cool, thanks! I still think SubRosa's party had better detail! Thing is, the whole party idea was a late one. Typical Renee fashion with too many ideas cluttering my head even as the tale's going to this thread.

Correct, the Heinz dilemma makes sense. Love how all those options for better or worse are laid out. I wonder how that might work with a videogame with a lot of choices (like Mass Effect, which I'm currently playing here and there).

The Patty Hearst story is another example which is similar to that last chapter. Since her tale might be before your time, Patty was an ordinary citizen who got kidnapped by a gang, and then was forced to take part in bank robberies and other illegal activities. She was brainwashed, basically. By the time the gang got raided, Patty'd become completely on the side of the gang (although this changed eventually as she became a good witness during trial).

Partially what helped Patty decide to participate in the gang so fervently is a bit of a twist: during the early '70s, feminism was a huge thing. Women's rights getting onto equal ground with men's. Some of the members of this gang were women, as well as feminists.

So yeah, a bit of shady stuff going on in this story. From MY perspective though, this part of the story is a rather fun way to watch her skills level up. Lockpicking, in this case.

This post has been edited by Renee: Mar 12 2023, 10:42 PM

Try looking at Modder's Resource Pack at Skyrim Nexus - Mods and Community. There are a couple of Crystal balls in it which might work.
Yeah, I’m familiar with the Patty Hearst story. I can see some of that going on in this story although Laprima is a much more sympathetic character than Patty was.

Awesome, thank you macole. I'm getting to be reeeal picky about the stuff I add into my Skyrim, as I've had lots of problems over the years with stuff which screws other stuff up (including my own content!)

Just wanted to mention one more thing before the story goes up. When Angeline was tricked during that last quest this was caused by removing her from a faction. There's a faction which all shopkeepers have, which makes them act like those annoying Fighters Guild Porters who follow us all over the FG down in Cyrodiil. During dialog a script was used to remove Angeline from the Skyrim faction which causes this. Love little stuff like this!

Otherwise, Angeline Morrard would've tailed Laprima all over the place, eventually saying that dreaded "I think you should leave!"

This post has been edited by Renee: Mar 12 2023, 08:03 PM

.
_______________________________

And I ain't talkin' 'bout Chammy

_______________________________


No. No guards came after Laprima as she sat quietly in the Winking Skeever, slurping a bowl of cabbage soup. But this does not mean second thoughts didn't cross her mind.

And so the big question most observers might think if they viewed this scene from afar might be the very same question Lady Donnaugh was asking herself now: What did the bottle she'd pilfered from Angeline's Aromatics really contain? – Was it filled with some sort of curing agent, meant to bring the sickly girl she’d seen in the cup of that magical goblet back to full health? Or had that been another elaborate charade, similar to the trick pulled on Angeline?

She finished her bowl of soup and came to a decision. She would try a small sample of whatever was in the bottle. If it contained skooma, she would know. She'd already quaffed a phial of the brew with Chamany several days before; a regrettable experience she’d not soon forget. Skooma had a sweet odor, but a bittersweet taste. Let’s just say that Chamany would have lots of explaining to do, if this were the case.

Laprima left her seat and walked into the Skeever’s cellar. Here, she uncorked the bottle, took a whiff of whatever was inside.

“Mm, not sweet.”

To her relief, the bottle’s contents weren’t pungent. In fact, no aroma permeated her nostrils at all. She thought about dabbing some on the end of her pinky, just to see if the fluid tasted bittersweet, but decided against this. What if doing so compromised whatever magical essence the potion consisted of? - The girl in the goblet would then remain sick, and it'd be Laprima's fault.

“Alright then, Cham. You win this one.”

Though she did feel a bit guilty about the actions she’d committed within Angeline’s potions shop, her final opinion on the matter was that she’d done so for a greater good. It was Angeline who'd been the greedy one; keeping such a helpful cure within a locked safe, when somebody in the world actually could need it.

Within the hour she returned to the Blue Palace, and handed over the prize.





Sundas, mid-evening, Frost Fall 31 (The next night)




"YEW TOOK MY JOB!"

Done with her third shift at the Skeever and walking toward the palace, Laprima was startled! - A youngish woman wearing fur and holding a knife leapt right out in front of her, just as Laprima was passing Solitude's tiny 'Hall of the Dead' graveyard!




Moments before, the barmaid had been walking calmly, enjoying the darkness and the quiet noises of a town headed toward slumber. Wheezes of wind, blowing high above Solitude's walls, as well as the soft sounds of footfalls. Her third afternoon of work had been busier than it'd been on Fredas, blessedly so. To her surprise, Laprima (like most servers, in worlds all over) discovered that she preferred her new job most of all when she was hustling back and forth, trying to maintain track of multiple customers as they poured in. Lisette singing and playing, keeping the floor entranced and joyous. Because of this, Laprima walked with just over 80 pieces tonight. Both her feet were sore, yet pleasantly so.

But now, this! This...frightful woman had appeared before the barmaid, seemingly straight out of the nearest, shadowy wall. Laprima recalled those footfalls, the one she'd discerned moments ago... recalled they'd scraping minutely nearby. Who is this frightful woman before her? What does she want?

"Huh? Beg pardon?" Laprima jumped back a step.

"Then I shall repeat," said the woman angrily, her voice harshened. "You're the one took my job, yew cultured, succulent harlot!" The woman waved her knife side to side, inches in front of Laprima's nose, causing her to wince. "I was at the Skeever before yew showed in town, and now I lost my job, and it's all yer fault!"

Laprima composed herself as best she could while putting two together with two. "No!" she panted after a moment of thought. "I am afraid it was y-you who deserted. Deserted the post, that is. Corpulus told me himself. Said you ceased appearing several days ago. H-he needs someone on the floor, right?" she tried to reason. "What was he to do, then?"

"Nice try, delicate wench, nice try..."

As somebody's footsteps neared, the woman's eyes shifted. Perhaps knowing how out-of-place it'd look, one woman pointing a daggar in front of another, she removed the blade from the noble's face, placed it onto her belt. Whoever was walking nearby continued his or her stride, apparently not seeing. In fact, Laprima could hear the sounds of several folks milling about. Which didn't seem to bother her accoster, not at all.

Laprima, now able to take a full breath, noticed a few more details. Yes, the woman was wearing fur. ...Fur?! ... but not the sort of fur a towngoer would wear. Not the sort carefully cleaned and coiffed for sale inside Radiant Raiment. This was REAL fur; skinned from an animal at some point, haphazardly so, then sewed together with whatever fasteners and threads and grommets were about. The woman's hair was matted and locked, as though she'd forgotten to comb it days ago. She smelled like something rancid. Her eyes were fiery, possessed and full of rage. She had a large scar across her abodomen. Despite the fact that her arms and midriff were bare, she did not seem bothered by the night's chilly air.

"Just so we're clear, I know who y'are," the crazed woman continued, lowering her voice. "I know you. Know Chamany! And so, yer gonna do whatever I say!"

"And who, perchance, might you be?" Laprima shuddered. "And Chamany? You ... you know my Chamany?"

She asked this question while simultaneously deducing its answer. She knows Chamany because she has been in some sort of association with him, obviously and nefariously so.

"Don't care about the job. Don't need it, now that I have ya right here lookin' at me! - Been tracking behind these past few nights, wench. Followin' your footsteps, and such. Almost was gonna surprise you last night, but yer fella was with ya," she said with a smirk. "And we don't mess with Chammy, at least I do not. Some things about him I don't wanna trifle with, being the boss that he is, and so on," she mumbled. "But where is he now, huh? Where is Chamany now?"

Good question. "How is it that I can assist?" Laprima tried, her heart slowing its pace just a notch.

"Heh, ha-ha! ... 'How can I assist?', she asks. Such cultured words. Must be nice to grow up as a royal. Well listen, royal wench. Here is how I can assist, right? All I wants is the skooma," the fur-covered woman blurted.

"Skooma?"

"Mm hmm, heard that right, deary-dear. I'm one of the ones been workin' with Chamany on the outside, only we've been ousted from the clan," she explained, as though this made any sense to the clueless barmaid before her. "You've got lots of skooma, haven't ya? Lots and lots and lots. So thick... so sweet," the woman said soothingly, her eyes glazing and lost for a moment. "And I want it all, now!"

"No. You haven't got that right," Laprima answered honestly. "I abhor the brew. Tasted it once just a few days ago for the first time. - And can tell you firmly, never again shall I partake."

"Liar! You LIE! Hand it over, right now! All the skoomas you got, NOW."

The woman's voice was carrying. Clearly, she did not care at all if anyone heard her words. And perhaps she had the right idea in all this. Perhaps to any observer walking casually nearby, their conversation was nothing but an ordinary argument.

But, it had also gone too far, Laprima decided. The Skeever's newest worker was supposed to be home by now, changed out of her working clothes, lying within the sheets of her comfortable bed, or perhaps conversing with some late-goers inside the palace.

-- Somebody was walking nearby, carrying a torch which briefly illuminated the fur-wearing woman before her. Now could be Laprima's chance to get out of this. Should she make a fuss? Call for the guards help?

"Nah-ah-ah, I know what it 'tis yer thinkin', smoothie. Thinkin' of calling for help, are ya? Fine. Go right ahead," fur-skin stated casually, arms crossed. "Thing is, I know this town, and know it well. By the time somebody's comin' for to help yor sorry, ivory-colored behind, I'll be long gone. And if they catch me, guess what? I c'n do a couple nights in Solitude's jail, not a problem fer me, been in there b'fore, ha! ... I know all the town's secrets; all the places to hide, that is.

"So go ahead," she continued, "but remember this. I gots a friend on the inside, as well, inside of the swanky palace you call home, that is. I c'n get word up to high places just like yew can, the very highest, if need be, and I ain't talkin' about Chammy, I'm talkin' about someone on the inside. Someone ya don't rightly know. One word to him...or her, and yew'll be out on your sorry ass, wench."

Laprima had to consider this. Though she easily had enough coin to live somewhere on her own, and perhaps she should do so at some point, living in the palace was currently her best option. Now was not the time for sudden changes, in this town she did not know so well, not just yet. -- All these thoughts, they clambered awkwardly through her head, while she tried to decide what to do about the rancid shrew before her.

"I haven't got any skooma," Laprima said honestly, which of course was the truth. "I've got some coin, though. Might I offer some coin, instead?"

"Hmm, now this I do like," the woman in fur agreed, shrugging her shoulders. "How much have we got, hmm? ... Yeah, I c'n take that instead."

Laprima reached into her purse, handed over what seemed to be most of the money she'd earned that day. This money was nothing to her, of course. Not like she'd need it to afford rent in some hovel, somewhere.

"So, this ain't over, harlot. I like what I see." The fur-wearer did a cursory count of the currency in her hand, her face cracking a smile. "Gonna have ME one good night of fun."

"That is ... well, I hope you do."

"But I'll be back, oh yes, yes I shall," the woman said. "And when you least expect it, too. And there's more of us out there, too, oh yes. I somehow gets locked up? Someone else'll come lookin...this I can promise."

Laprima nodded a bit ferociously, her raven-colored hair bobbing back and forth. "Understood."

"As I said before, do not bother calling the guards. I cannot go into the Blue Palace, nor shall you see me enter the Skeever, but the rest of Solitude is MINE!"

And that was it. The fur-wearing skooma-user rushed off to whatever else she had planned for the night, leaving Lady Donnaugh standing in shock, wondering if she should try informing the authorities, anyway. She began fast-walking back to the palace; her finely-booted feet clopping along. Blime, there's one right there! thought she, spotting a guard to her left.

"Bit late to be wandering around, isn't it?" the guard queried. He held a torch in his left hand and carried a large sword at his side. Could a well-trained, well-armed sentry such as him really be sidestepped by a natty, downtrodden (yet toughened) user of skooma?

Laprima started to say something to the man, but by then he was already walking away.


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

The potion, handed over

YEW STOLE MY JOB!

A better view of Skooma Woman

Speech Success! - (Due to her successes at Speech, Lockpicking, and eating stuff {Alchemy} in-game, she's almost ascended to Level 2 by now)

Skooma Addict flees the scene of the crime

Elisif finds her niece shivering in fear on the palace's kitchen floor
.

This post has been edited by Renee: Mar 12 2023, 11:17 PM

Tough call, but I think I’d rather be a cultured succulent harlot than a rancid shrew.
Brilliantly creative characterizations though.

Yikes! LPD is now compromised again – just as she was with Sybille. As an accessory to skooma trafficking, she risks much if she brings the palace in for help on this. Damn that Chamany for placing her in this position. The news on him just keeps getting worse and worse.

I keep thinking that potion was some sort of exotic poison, maybe meant to kill the Emperor? If that is also going on. Though I don't think we have heard anything about the marriage of whats-her-face to bring the Emp to Solitude. It must be something rare and unusual, given the lengths Chamany went through to get it, including another form of poison/potion to bespell Angeline while Laprima went about pilfering.

Given my work in the computer industry, I tend to conjure different images of the word "server" than most other people do. Now I wonder if Laprima is a Hewlett-Packard, Dell, or IBM?

Well, at least she gave Laprima the compliment of saying that she was succulent...

Who is this wild Appalachian Mountain Woman that has been following Laprima? Does she work with Chamany? So apparently he is the boss of some clan? That is interesting. It looks to me like Chamany has a lot of explaining to do.

So we've passed my gal's in-game birthday, she gets a held up for money on what is Halloween in our world, and the very next day would be my birthday.

Hello Acadian. Yes, a cultured harlot or a succulent shrew, either way the skooma addict managed to scare the heck out of my posh gal with her ivory behind. How many insults can we hurl in our creative writing, right?

Yes, absolutely. "As an accessory to skooma trafficking" is correct. It's something Laprima might normally never think about now that the deal's long done, but this wild woodsy woman's really got the pulse on poor Laprima, eh?

Greetings SubRosa, and how are we this fine evening? - Yes, that potion she scored from Angeline's Aromatics, what exactly was that? The secret got revealed to me this week as I was walking around the park (learning as I go, as usual) and we'll find out what it is probably in two more chapters.

Laprima's a server, alright. Not for Dell or HP or Lenovo but for ACME Computers. 💻 Har har.

Yep, she and her friends worked for (actually with) Chamany for awhile, but they got "ousted from the clan" in her words. And dangit.... when I copy/pasted the stupid ACME image I just lost a wholllle bunch of text I was working on. Dangit.

.
____________________________

Sometimes there is Justice...

____________________________

Morndas, Sun's Dusk 1

The next morning Laprima rose early. She would not be headed to her job today, instead, she'd be spending all day attending the palace's court, witnessing its comings and goings. Word would be sent to Corpulus of her absence.

After Elisif found her niece frightened and shivering the night before, Laprima had no choice but to reveal all that had happened: how she'd left the tavern about mid-evening and was then accosted, threatened at knifepoint by a raving-mad user of skooma. Hearing this, Elisif suggested that the younger woman stay in the palace, perhaps indefinitely. "Laprima, you needn't ever leave the Blue Palace again! Why... everything you could desire is right here: food, drink, shelter..." Though Laprima disagreed with this; there was no way she'd choose to become a shut-in, just as she was finding her way in the world, for now she decided it wouldn't hurt to spend at least one day inside.





Jarl Elisif sent a young page to Castle Dour, who went running off to see if Solitude's top magistrate could make an appearance in court. A couple hours later, the magistrate showed up. There was some discussion between him, Jarl Elisif, Falk Firebeard, the palace's housecarl Bolgeir Bearclaw, and Laprima herself about what could be done.

"A stark-raving mad user of skooma running amuck in the streets of Solitude?" the magistrate was aghast. "Wearing furs like a wild woman, at that? Well, let's see what we've got on our books..."

But after consulting with Laprima (who spoke before the entire court, of course) it was his opinion that whoever this 'wild woman' was, she could not yet be arrested.

"According to what I am hearing, the woman brandished a knife and waved it in your face, yet did not make a move to strike," he started, moseying about the floor as though he owned it. "Unfortunately, nobody happened to witness this. She then demanded skooma of you, which you obviously are not a user of, yet you then chose to offer some gold, instead. However, it was you, Laprima Donnaugh, who offered this gold, freely and without compunction. Rather than hollering the guards for help. Sorry to say, but no laws have been broken," he stated somberly. "And it is also well-known that normally, there are at least seven armed patrols walking the area's streets at night. Why weren't any of them called for?"

As the jarl and her court began to protest, the magistrate continued. "However, this does not mean we cannot be proactive. In this case, the miscalculate robber who accosted the victim should be easy to spot, should she choose to return."

"Aye, anyone going 'round wearing natty furs as Laprima's described should be taken aside and held," Falk Firebeard suggested. "That's a given. We can inform all the night's watch to be looking for anyone of the sort, and chances are there's only one vixen who fits such description. Once we nab the culprit, we can easily lock'er up. Make sure she does not return in town. Perhaps, eh, permanently."

Laprima spent the rest of the day sitting courtside, watching Elisif and her charges deal with the usual litany of incomers: a tax collector delivered some moneys, a member of the warehouse docks rushed in complaining about some recent labor rulings, what could the jarl do about this and that, and so on. Nothing out of the ordinary, until a crier appeared early in the afternoon to deliver the latest news. Apparently, a skirmish had occurred in an old Nordic fort called Korvanjund. Imperial troops had fought Ulfric's rebel Stormcloaks with the aim of retrieving an artifact called the Jagged Crown. In this case, the Stormcloaks won the battle. Bad news for Lady Elisif.

During periods when Elisif was not attending to any news or nonsense, the topic would then revert to Laprima's horrid encounter the night before. What could be done, and what were her options? - After spending several hours alongside the others, the young woman was becoming restless. She was missing work because of this, and was not very happy about it.

"Perhaps we can simply arrange for someone to walk with you to the Skeever tomorrow," Firebeard suggested at one point. "Hey, this could be I, myself, if it is alright with you, milady? I can keep you safe."

Elisif disagreed, seeing the red-headed man's ploy for what it was: he'd really be going to the tavern for an afternoon of food and drink, an afternoon away from his usual administrative duties! However, it was possible that any number of guards could be summoned to accompany Lady Donnaugh to her job. And once she was done with her shift, another could be arranged to accompany her return.

...And where was Chamany during all of this? Not to be found. He wasn't in bed when she got in the previous night, nor was he milling about their room this morning. Nor did show up later on, well after the palace's court adjourned for the day.




Tirdas, Sun's Dusk 2 and Middas, Sun's Dusk 3

On Tirdas she worked her fourth shift at the Skeever, a slower day than it'd been on Sundas. Today she earned just 44 gold. To make sure she arrived and departed her job safely, a guard was called to walk with her. But after two days and one night with no word from Chamany, Laprima was becoming worried and curious. Because once again, Chamany. Where oh where could he be? - Would the woman from the woods be able to answer this sort of question? - If so, this would cost Laprima some coin of course, but would such an expenditure be worth it, if only to learn where he'd gone? She considred this, seriously.

It was Middas, early the next morning, when she spotted the note. Which was lying right there on the table she used for bedroom dining.

"Oh, what is this?"

By the Eight! The note's outer seal was signed in Chamany's handwriting. How long had it been here? - Had it been set upon her table this whole time, yet she'd been too preoccupied and distraught to notice? - She picked it up and unfolded it.

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

Laprima,

You may notice that I have gone. Do not be sad I Must hav be
take care of many things. Be back soon.

~Chamany~

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

"So, off to wherever it 'tis you traipse off to, eh?"

Still, the note made her feel a little better. He'd at least tried to communicate. But Laprima needed some answers, and knew just who could perhaps give them to her.




Middas, mid-evening


Nervous yet emboldened, Laprima left the Winking Skeever after her usual after-work meal of soup & bread. She'd made sure to stay within the tavern an extra hour or so, then walked outside. There were a couple guards milling about, but the noblewoman made sure to avoid them. Instead she dashed across to Radiant Raiments, now closed. Stood still in shadow, and waited.

She didn't need to wait long.





"Aha, THERE ya are, and guess who's back?!"

The woman in fur was here, holding the same knife she'd carried two nights ago. Somehow she'd evaded the guards, never mind the fact they'd all supposedly been warned about a late-night skooma addict prowling the streets wearing furs.

"I was afraid you'd return," Laprima said. Despite her plan, and despite the fact that she knew all she'd need to do was hand over some coin and her confronter would leave, she couldn't help but shudder.

"Well, yew know what I want, wonderful wench. Was out here waitin' last night ya know, but you was with some protect'on. Why ain't you protected tonight?"

Laprima began to answer but before she could, fur-woman continued. "So... How'd your day go in the Skeever tonight, eh?" she chuckled. "Make me some lotsa coin?"

It was at this moment when Solitude's elder stalwart beggar got curious. Noticed the woman's heightened voice. Came walking over to investigate what was going on. "A coin or two for a vet'ran?" he asked, unaware. How ironic, thought Laprima. My hero come to save me, the town vagabond.

"'Tis fine, no worries," Laprima said to the beggar. "Leave us be, please."

"C'mon," said the woman in fur, dismayed not in the slightest by the third party. "Hand over a hundred, right now!"

Laprima was not about to give the woman any more than what she'd paid the other night, though she did have enough to pay her off right then and there. "I'm afraid I've only got fifty."

"No, I asked for a hundred, you'd best give it to me NOW!"

The woman thrust her daggar, tearing a strip of the barmaid's outfit... "Alright, alright, a hundred it is!" Laprima chattered. She reached into her purse, and counted the money, all while the beggar stood as witness, his jaw agape. Thankfully, the barmaid just happened to have enough.

"I'll be back tomorrow night, and you'd BEST be here, RIGHT HERE, or I'll tell my man on the inside all about the skooma you and Chammy brought into town, 'cept I won't mention your lover. I shall only mention yew, fancy-pants!" she drooled.

Laprima shook and shuddered. Could not go through with her plan; couldn't even work up the courage to ask where Chamany Lacroix might be.

She then watched the skooma woman casually walk away, right by a sentry standing by the town's main gate. The sentry brightened his immediate area with the torch he carried, yet completely missed the avaricious assailant he was tasked to be on the lookout for. So much for at-arms protection in the avenues of Solitude.

By the time Laprima reached the palace she realized she'd been running, actually running back home. She rushed into the palace's foyer, rushed up the stairs, and finally slowed as she merged up the hall, and into Sybille Stentor's room. Here, the barmaid/noble was greeted by the court wizard herself, who sat calmly upon one of her sturdy wood benches, obvious and waiting.

"Why hullo there, Laprima," Sybille spoke as Laprima neared. From the look on the court wizard's face, it was clear to Laprima that Sybille already knew.


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

Restored (she's been practicing the one spell she knows so far, just in case)

Notified

Accompanied

Lopov'd
.

So what paragon of justice will Castle Dour send to ferret out this skooma addicted ne'er-do-well? Columbo? Kojack? McGruff the Crime Dog? I can't wait to see.

Wow, this magistrate is just as useless as all the guards in every video game. Methinks Laprima had better enlist the aid of a player character if she wants anything done about this wild woman.

Oooh, so the war is going on in your story. I usually ignore it in all my games. I wonder if this means that the Dragonborn is out there as well in your story, and if they joined the Sturmclerks.

Chamany is AWOL as usual. This guy is a real deadbeat.

Laprima is going to try to get answers from the wild woman? Well that takes daring, that is for sure. There is no telling what that psycho is likely to do. But it is her only real way forward I suppose. January or Blood Raven would have simply tailed Laprima, and waited for the wild woman to make another attempt at her. So pretty much the same strategy.

Well, that did not go well. Either Laprima is going to need to learn some Destruction magic, or find someone who can actually fight to take care of this wild woman. And I suppose Sybille might just be the person, since I am sure she would not mind a late night snack...

It just ain't right. A gal makes one little mistake and she's labeled for the rest of her life.

Yes, I was thinking along the lines of SubRosa. Sybille has ways of dealing with matters such as this.

Rather unimpressive work by the guards - especially since they are basically working on orders direct from the Jarl in this matter.

Well, now LPD has a witness. But if the witness is honest about the incident, he'll also be obliged to detail Furry's skooma smuggling statements.

I agree that Sybille could make a good ally - if she's willing. But the root of all problems remains Chamany.

Sorry again for the lateness! Been a busy week.

On some level, Laprima knows the truth even if she doesn't want to admit it. This whole thing is just too suspicious to be anything but a scam of some kind. And she's right in the middle of it.

Whew, glad she didn't taste-test it.

Yikes, this is unexpected! Now to see what this woman wants. She's mad about Laprima taking her waitress job? Or does this have something to do with the vial?

I hear that about keeping busy. Nothing's worse than trying to look busy when you don't have anything to do.

Ah, so this is the one who walked off the job. Don't think she has any right to be mad at Laprima here.

Uh oh, she does have a connection with Chamany. Laprima got out of this, but I don't think it's even close to being over. Plus, this woman now knows Laprima has money, which likely means more trouble down the line. That's the trouble with being noble; you end up with even fewer street smarts than a sheltered nerd like myself.

Okay, it was good of Elisif to give Laprima the chance to stay. I suppose a column of armed guards following Laprima around would attract too much attention. Also, Laprima shows some courage in insisting that on going out.

The Tamrielic legal system strikes again! Since yes, you can wave weapons around all you want, but you aren't breaking the law until you actually attack.

Grim reminder that the civil war is in full swing. You know, I never actually sided with the Stormcloaks. Some of it's because it always felt like the game was trying too hard to get me to like them, and I felt contrarian. Some of it's also because my Dragonborn was a Dunmer from a cadet branch of House Hlaalu in Cyrodiil, and who thus supported the Empire.

(Also, I'm mad at Ulfric for what he did to the Reachfolk).

Hmm, Firebeard's being obnoxious, but this might be one way to get protection, as Laprima notes.

Huh, she took Chamany's note pretty well. Which kind of tells me that she doesn't actually miss him that much, even if she hasn't admitted it to herself.

This woman is pretty resourceful. Laprima's clearly in trouble. Chamany can't protect her (not that I'm sure he woudl have), and this woman's going to keep pumping her from cash. I'm sure Elisif can give some, but there's a limit to her generosity. I don't know if Sybille will be any help, but she might be Laprima's only lifeline.

Let us return to my Skyrim medieval soap opera. I had to perform a couple tricks during that last episode, as there was plenty of trouble on the set: The skooma lady kept appearing in the Skeever for some reason (missing her actual cue, which was to only appear in the Solitude "avenues" area). When Laprima picked up Chammy's note, which indeed had been left there haphazardly, this caused an invisible quest stage to update, because before this stuff kept not working! ... And so on.

It's too bad I haven't made any actual online friends who know the Creation Kit Quest window like the back of their hand. I'm getting better at it; in fact I've finally mastered script fragments this year (after 7 years of Skyrim quest-making). 🥸 But I probably annoy folks more with my "noobish" questions whenever I am forced to head over to the Nexus Creation Kit forums. And therefore I mostly am doing this on my own.


Yes, you up front wearing the "Stormcrow" T-shirt?



I've been spending more time at my mom's place lately, and she's a big fan of Heat of the Night, that TV show with Carrol o'Connor. A lot of useless lawyers and judges on that show, matched with multiple murders each episode. 📺 You'd think the show takes place in some huge city, not a little dipsh*t town in Mississippi. Anyway, all the useless law-folks in HOTN seem to have inspired the useless magistrate dude.


Oooh, so the war is going on in your story. I usually ignore it in all my games. I wonder if this means that the Dragonborn is out there as well in your story, and if they joined the Sturmclerks.

Ha ha in my gameworld Sir Vyvoor is Dragonborn, and he's a Stormie. He'll probably get mentioned next season. Because Season 4 is the season Laprima finally leaves Solitude.

I've been meaning to add peripheral events here and there: from the vanilla gameworld (such as dragons and vampire attacks) and also you'll eventually see names you're familiar with here and there. Thing is, Laprima's story, focused entirely in Solitude in this season (so far), is pretty insular. Outside events only get heard of occasionally, and from a distance.



Mm. Same goes with Lord Haaf-Mersey or Sir Vyvoor or Lucius Caro or any of our more goody 'toons. If they were involved, chances are this whole "wild woman" dilemma would already be over.


Well, that did not go well. Either Laprima is going to need to learn some Destruction magic, or find someone who can actually fight to take care of this wild woman. And I suppose Sybille might just be the person, since I am sure she would not mind a late night snack...


Hee hee, you're really good at intuiting some stuff, sometimes. She'll def do some learning. 📝 It's what she's good at, being a Scholar in table-gaming terms.

Yes, you in the psychedelic nehru jacket...



Jandaga would agree!


Yes, I was thinking along the lines of SubRosa. Sybille has ways of dealing with matters such as this.




Yes sir, let's hear from you.



True. Think of it this way though: if the guards actually performed to peak capacity and managed to arrest the intruder, there'd be no story. Then what would get written up? Going back and forth to work, phew.


Well, now LPD has a witness. But if the witness is honest about the incident, he'll also be obliged to detail Furry's skooma smuggling statements.

Oh yea, I forgot about the beggar. I meant to post a pic or two featuring him. Because that actually happened. Right when Laprima was getting held up he wandered over and began doing what he does best.

Hmm, dang. Didn't get any pics of that incident up on Imgur. Grr.

Ah, let's hear from the guy back there. Wearing the piano tie.




Hey it's okay! Hard sometimes to keep up with all that's going on in the Fan Fiction Forum, balancing our reading with real-life and so on. Personally, I don't like to "rush" my reading. Reading at work and so on. Sometimes I have to, though.


I hear that about keeping busy. Nothing's worse than trying to look busy when you don't have anything to do.

Most servers (waiters, waitresses and so on) like being busy because of money, and also the time at work flies by quicker. For Laprima though, her latter childhood was tough with her brother disappearing, and pretty much this ruined her teenage years. So she likes being busy because it helps her to forget her immediate past.



Think about the very first person Lap met in this story: the odd guy wearing furs and skulls in the Winking Skeever. Now, who is it that wears this sort of garb? - Now, think about what type of person Chamany would need to get his fledgling operation up and running all across the land?

RIGHT, fewer street smarts, very true! My gal's a quick learner, at least.



Yup! Lol.


Grim reminder that the civil war is in full swing. You know, I never actually sided with the Stormcloaks. Some of it's because it always felt like the game was trying too hard to get me to like them, and I felt contrarian. Some of it's also because my Dragonborn was a Dunmer from a cadet branch of House Hlaalu in Cyrodiil, and who thus supported the Empire.

I know. I felt really sort of saddened adding that part in. Stuff like that adds breadth, makes the world feel larger, but I also had a little trouble reading that once the story was up.

Nice to hear about your Civil War, we all've got our own method. I played the game from Imperials' side (Claire Voyance) and Stormcloaks' side ((Sir Vyvoor)) and in my gameworld the Stormies won overall. I actually simulated this in Claire's game too. Made it so that all the Leveled Lists which add Imperial soldiers were now Stormcloak soldiers, including their armor & gear.

But that's pretty neat how you've followed your own history there. Did your cadet flee Morrowind because of the Red Volcano? 🌋


Huh, she took Chamany's note pretty well. Which kind of tells me that she doesn't actually miss him that much, even if she hasn't admitted it to herself.

She's just got a lot on her mind. If you've ever been held up or abducted or even bullied, those sort of things take presedence, so Chamany right now is on her back burner.



I got an idea, let's find out, eh? - Um, this next tale's a longer one, but next week it'll be more compact. I think.

This post has been edited by Renee: Mar 25 2023, 01:55 AM

Renee steps back from the podium, the press conference has come to an end. Those in attendance rise up like a tsunami of undeniable force. Surging forward to the podium with quills and pads of paper waving in the air they hurl a seemingly unending torrent of questions at the exiting Renee. The clamor continues until Renee has been safely escorted off stage. Slowly the crowd disperses. Many left wondering do we really know any more than we did before the presser.
With his hat pulled down to hide his long pointed ears, one lone figure in a day-glo paisley print Nehru jacket sat in the now otherwise empty hall. With his pad of paper in his lap the feather of his quill danced in the air as he spread ink across the page. His report began, “One the best press conference ever!”

.
______________________________

...and sometimes there are just us.

______________________________


When the first concoction was quaffed, it hit like a hammer blow. A thousand thoughts rushed through the head of Sirdasa Noskal (wild woman of the woods) at once as she performed her favorite new activity.

Laaa laa O-ma-maya! Lala!!! Gaaaah .. GAAAA....O-ma-maya!!! Oh come toME! The COLORS .. you cometome!thecolorsthecolorsswarm 'round me of BLUE ofgreen ofYELLOWS!! 'SWARM ‘round me, ohhowdeft howAMBER horros DEIGNto swimtowardmeeeee...

Sirdasa’d just returned to the small campsite she'd been calling home. This was a new location for her, barely eked upon a patch of sand by the river, roughly halfway between Solitude and Dragon Bridge. She’d been staying here the past couple weeks. In her possession were four phials of skooma - No, make that three. For she’d just consumed the very first one. As the substance was absorbed within her blood and body, her eyes rolled, and her head lolled. She began chuckling to herself while her mind raced into incoherence, watching a series of colors flash across the sky, even though no auroras were streaming that night.

“It’s MINE! Oh mine, all mine…” she murmured, giddy with the rush.

A hundred gold, that’s what she’d scored tonight from the posh prima donna who lives inside the palace. One… hundred!

After taking the money, Sirdasa rushed out of town impatiently. Half-jogged a mile or so until she came to a footpath on her left. This path was hidden between a series of briars and bushes; even in broad daylight it would barely be visible to most passers. Sirdasa lit her torch, so she could make her way through without getting stuck with thorns. At the end of the path was a cave, which was well obscured from just about anyone who’d get concerned about the sort of activities going on out here.

Inside the cave were several individuals who’d been part of what was being referred to as “the clan”. Sirdasa, along with several others who’d been unable to follow the rules, had indeed been ousted from them.

One of the clan’s rules, probably the most important rule of all: clan members do not use their own products. Most of all, the new infusion of skooma which’d been imported into Skyrim just over a week ago was strictly off-limits to any clan members. This new skooma, it was like nothing ever seen by the smugglers who trafficked illicits. Nothing like the older brews which’d been the norm here in Skyrim for decades. Those older brews were wan; one dose barely stronger than a cup of coffee or tea, and very unlike the harefooted mixtures common during the Third Era.

This newer skooma? Much more potent, better than anything ever seen on the underground market. It put you on your ass. There were rumors it wasn’t just skooma in those phials, perhaps it’d been mixed with hist or felldew or greenmote, or some odd combination of all three! - Those who used it more than once often found themselves unable to do much else, other than crave for more. For a clan member to go this route meant a loss of sales, which was a no-no. Because the clan’s top members, of course, were all merchants of the Dark Trade. Who wanted to become as rich as possible.

It was here that Sirdasa failed; had quickly fallen into serious temptation. Within days, she and a few other clan members who’d gone ahead and taken a few quaffs had gotten hooked, and then kicked. On top of this, most of them did not know of (or did not pursue) Chamany’s habit of consuming alkanet flowers (or any other such ingredients or compounds) to keep themselves sane. Little did they realize that their futures were becoming dimmer with each quaff, each puff, each suffusion…

…Not that this mattered to Sirdasa now…

A half-hour ago she'd clambered into the cave, met up with one of the clan’s merchants, who recognized her well, by now. Got into a small argument over price. Eventually bought four skoomas at 20 gold apiece, which …. oooo!....would probably be enough to keep her intoxicated for two days straight! - She bounced to her camp, overly excited for the night and days to come.

Now she had it all. If she needed food she could hunt and roast an animal. If she needed rest she could crawl into the makeshift den she’d constructed out of stones and thatches. And if she needed more gold, NOW she had someone in town she could bully; the posh royal who (for Dagon’s sake) was working in the bloomin’ tavern, of all places. Don’t royals always have more money than they know what to do with? - Why stoop to that level? - Sirdasa wondered several hours before, while she was still somewhat sober.

Not that the answer really mattered. Gold was gold, and now she had what looked to be a steady source for her pockets.

…As the skooma’s initial rush subsided she laid on the sand, feeling that odd mixture of edginess and numbing, suddenly aware of the night’s chilly air, swirling all around. “Got ta … got ta… got ta buildme…build a campfire,” she rambled, her voice jittery. Once a fire was started she’d then be able to ration the rest of her cache, softly boiling the remaining brews in river water until they crystallized, and could then be smoked in her pipe.





While Sirdasa’s arms and fingers occasionally twitched and she fell into a sort of half-sleep on her beach, Laprima Anne Donnaugh, several miles away, found herself conferring with her vampiric wizard-neighbor.

"Why hullo there," Sybille greeted as Laprima neared.

Laprima made no reply. Only gazed at the wizard, who sat calmly upon one of her sturdy wooden benches. To the young woman who'd just been robbed, it was apparent to her that somehow, the wizard already knew what'd occurred.

"I feel I must impart a bit of wisdom to you now, Laprima, which has helped me survive over many years."

"A bit of wisdom?"

"Sometimes there is justice,” Sybille started, “and sometimes, there are just us. Have you any idea what such a phrase might convey to those unaware?"

Laprima sat down on the bench opposite the wizard, her mind too frazzled at the moment to comprehend. So she stayed silent.

"There are some times, when it is alright to allow the forces which have been governed as protection to attend," Sybille explained, "and other times when we must stand on our own. To stand before our own interests. Because the forces-that-be can not, or will not, do so."

Laprima nodded dully, suddenly realizing: the day before, when all the court was gathered around to discuss what to do about the barmaid's after-work encounter, Sybille had not been present. Because it was daytime. Sunlight had been streaming through the palace's windows. Sybille had retired under her usual pile of sheets and blankets, to block the light away.

"Is this one of your...enlightenments?" Laprima asked. "One of your scryings? You have seen all which has occurred concerning my latest predicament?"

"I do believe we can do something about your current concerns, yes," the wizard answered, without fully answering. "The foul thief who's beseeched thy confidence as she stalks the night's streets, she will only continue to do so unless the proper response is made. But this response, it must be made by you, Laprima. This response is needing to be dealt by you."

The younger woman shook her head. "Dealt by me?"

"Aye, this is what I am going to convey. You must take this matter upon as thy own. For Sirdasa will not give up the tirade against you. She is too clever. You may have noticed she's able to enter and exit the town of Solitude almost at will, eh?"

Laprima nodded. "She does this. Saw her stalk right past a guard earlier this eve."

"Mm hmm. Her ability to evade, her ability to hide within plain sight, to employ the phrase, is too great for most ordinary night-watch personnel. She knows this town well. Was raised within it, became somewhat of a troublemaker in her youth. Mysterious fires, her mama went missing, and so forth. But her saga goes beyond all of that. Sirdasa's skills in these matters of evasion, are exemplary. She flies like the owl, and stalks like the cat. And therefore has got Solitude within a sort of night's grasp, so to say."

Laprima nodded again. "She's explained as much. Said to me: she knows Solitude well. Knows all the best places to disappear. Did not mind at'tall the thought of incarceration for a night or two. She told me so."

"She will not give up," the wizard stated bluntly. "Not until all the coin within your wardrobe's been drained," she added, making her collocutor blush. "And no, it shall not be mentioned, the thousands you've got stashed under that pile of clothes, shall not be mentioned to anyone not involved.

"But let us stay focused here," Sybille continued. "Unless it’s desired to have Sirdasa continue to pester night after night, with the only exception being guards summoned to your side. Would this be your wish, Laprima? To always walk about town in the company of guards, unfit to guide thy own path?"

Laprima Donnaugh, ever the evasive one when it came to conversations with her neighbor, said, "Sirdasa, this is her name? For twice, you have mentioned this name! .... How is it you know of her name at all?"

"Come now, woman. Have we reverted to doubts about my abilities, once again? ... I’ve discerned her name because I have seen her, literally, and with my hidden eyes. Literally, because Sirdasa lived upon the mountaintop not long ago, in an old Nordic fort called Hraggstad, until she decided to make a go of it here in town. Got herself a job at the Winking Skeever, trying to change her ways for the better, and so on. Though I do not wish to go into full details, I have visited Hraggstad several times after sundown," the vampire said with a wink. "Unseen to the layabouts who dwell within, of course.

"But let us go to the point, Laprima," she continued. "Because pestering night after night is exactly what she'll maintain. Her demands shall increase. Several others who frequent Sirdasa's company could also join her as well, potentially so. More coin will be demanded.”

Laprima made no reply. Remembered Sirdasa’s threat that ‘others’ could possibly take the woodsy woman’s place, should she find herself in trouble.

"You may’ve noticed that once again, Chamany has disappeared," Sybille added. "I shall not reveal where 'tis he has gone. Not until this situation with the skooma woman's been dealt with."

"Cham's involved in all this. I knew it to be so."

"Do not be distracted by what seems wanton behavior from him, my dear," the wizard cautioned. "Let us take the time now to listen to what I have gleaned about this slippery vixen of the night."

Laprima ground her teeth. "Alright. So what of this woman, then? This... Sir....dasa?" - she sounded the name of the woman who'd given her fears these past three nights tentatively, as if doing so would cause the frightful maniac to appear in the room before them. "She told me she's got someone on the inside. Inside this palace, that is. 'One word to him or her, and you'll be cast out of your home', or some such. That is what she told me."

"Nonsense."

"What?"

"Nonsense," the wizard scoffed. "The woman's got a bluff, that is all. I'd know of this so-called person on the inside, if it were truth."

Laprima, suddenly embarrassed, said nothing.

"I can tell you this, however. I know where 'tis Sirdasa's been staying," Sybille started. "Currently just outside of town, fact of matter. Now, would it be thy wish to attend, to glean what can be arranged?"

"Please do, magician.”

"Firstly, take this blade," the wizard said, handing Laprima a metallic daggar which gleamed in the candlelight. The younger woman knew at once the weapon was enchanted, and probably expensive. "It is mine. It is special to me. And I shall allow you to borrow it."

"Y-. You wish for me to carry your blade?" Laprima blinked. "But I ... I cannot ... I ..."

"You can, Laprima, and you shall. Do not be silly. You carried a knife during youth. After the disappearance of Elijah."




"Aye, I have seen this. You began carrying after Elijah, your brother, vanished during childhood games. As protection. You used a blade at times upon rats and thorn beetles in the city, as practice for what might become, should Elijah's taker decide to come after you. You carried a knife back then, and shall do so now.”

Though it was late, and the barmaid had been nearing exhaustion with all that had happened, hearing words about her brother and their childhood games, words which could not have been known to Elisif the Fair or anyone one else residing within the Blue Palace... Well, this changed it all. Laprima got up from her bench, filled with a sudden sort of eagerness. Suddenly fully awake. "But you... how could you..."

"Enough, Laprima. Enough nonsense. I have explained my abilities four score and a dozen times, yet you still doubt."

Laprima’s jaw mashed, yet again. Suddenly, impatiently.

"Now, listen here, my lass. 'Tis important to understand something, right away. Sirdasa, she's as clever as a fox. For she knows how the rules work within Solitude. Knows she can brandish her own blade as much as she wishes, thrust it about and such. As long as she duss not make a move to strike, does not draw blood, that is, Sirdasa can stay just out of law's reach. You, on the other hand, cannot make any sort of dastardly moves of thy own, not within town, anyway...you cannot strike Sirdasa firstly, that is. If you do so, it shall be you who's being arrested, not her. So this weapon I give to you is purely for defense. Understood?”

The younger woman nodded, a bit reluctantly. "Purely for defense."

“Perhaps such measures will not be needed. I have allowed this blade on the chance should things go awry. But it must be conveyed with permanent measure that you will not maintain your current arrangement with the fox. It must be explained: 'I shall not give any more gold to you, Sirdasa'. Say it."

"I will not maintain my current arrangement with you, Sirdasa. No more gold for you."

As Laprima spoke these words, Sybille Stentor cast a spell, one which would cause the youngster before her more courage. The wizard was able to do so silently and successfully, without the use of hand-movements or any sort of incantations. For she had been involved in such magical pursuits for a very long time.

"Good," Sybille said, once the magic was free. "Now. Come hither. Let me teach the ways...”

Over the next few hours the wizard taught Laprima the proper ways to hold and use a knife. Taught Laprima a few things about ingredients and potion-making, and gave her a copy of The Herbalist's Guide to Skyrim, as well. Suggested that to hasten combat (should combat occur) toward Laprima's favor, Laprima should learn to create and apply poisons to the wizard's blade.

"Study that book," Sybille said. "And please, allow yourself practice at my alchemy table, any time desired."

"I shall do so," the younger woman promised, already thinking of the dozens of flowers she'd been collecting from the town’s streets over the past week, scattered all over her room, wondering if some of them could be ground into potions and poison.

"I shall reveal where the skooma woman is dwelling now," Sybille said, marking a location on her map just outside of town. "'Twill be best if it is you who confronts Sirdasa early in the evening, before she makes her way into town," she suggested. "Do not wait for her to enter Solitude first. To do so means allowing the company of witnesses. Wield my blade with confidence, only if it is needed, of course. Overcome any resistance, regarding its use. And explain to Sirdasa she cannot rule over you, no more."

"I shall do so," the younger woman promised, already emboldened by thoughts of Elijah (and an odd, sudden confidence), and how we as people only get so many chances in life.

"Enlist help from a guard on the way, if it makes you feel the situation can be furthered with utmost morale."

"I shall do so," the younger woman promised, already realizing she would not be seeking assistance. For some things, they just needed to be attempted by one, not by many.



Lectures and lessons done, Sybille Stentor turned to her bed, ready to retire. Daylight was encroaching by then, causing shafts of light to shine their way into the palace.
.

I wonder if Sirdasa Noskal was one of the Skaal, and got thrown out by them because she is so... the way she is?

I smiled when she mentally referred to LPD as "the prima donna"

A new batch of stronger skooma has hit Skyrim? I can easily guess who is responsible for that. And it looks like someone is lacing it with fentanyl, because of course they are.

So she and the others committed the cardinal sin of dealing drugs. They got high on their own supply.

It sounds like Sybille and Blood Raven have more than just vampirism in common. The Raven too, comes from an age when the law was just a guideline, and people either got justice themselves, or hired mercenaries to do it for them.

It sounds like Sybille knows quite a bit about Sirdy. Ah, she became familiar with her while out for a late night snack...

Time to start playing the Rocky Theme, as Laprima starts getting fit for the coming showdown.

Sirdasa the wild woman. Her ex-clan’s rule about don’t use what they sell is written in blood but Sirdasa fell into the trap. Neat to learn more about her via her own addled thoughts.

Wow, Sybille’s scrying and magical skills are quite showcased here. And, whew, it seems she may indeed be an ally. After some potent preps and training, LPD may be able to take more charge of her destiny.

I remember that party! Driving down Kingshighway at night, the street lights dripping drops of brilliant colors, splashing into rainbow of a thousand droplets, running through Tower Grove Park until dawn. Yeah, I remember it well and once was enough.