A strange love, The story about S'iniith and He-Twists-His-Tail Options

[saqin]

This is the story about S'iniith, the khajiit merchant, and He-Twists-His-Tail, the argonian mage. I've had this idea for a while and now I've finally decided to post the first chapter.
If there is anything you wonder about, I've taken the information that isn't in the game from this site:The unofficial elder scrolls pages
And some from this: The Imperial Library

Chapter one

Silverhome on the water was crowded with people, and Gilgondorin was busy serving his customers. The female khajiit threw the dices across the table, and grumbled bitterly when the dices showed number three and one. The man across from her laughed.

“Why this must be my lucky day! I don’t think I’ve ever won this much playing with dices!” He said. She threw a glare at him and got up. The Oblivion crisis had ended, and order had been restored to Tamriel. And since there wasn’t any emperor, the council ruled the land.

“S‘iniith! Come here ma S‘iniith!” The khajiit male, who where quite obviously drunk, held out his arms and tried to wrap them around her as she walked by.

“M’aiq, I’m not interested.” She hissed at him and tried to duck under his arms. He grabbed her around her waist however, and pushed her against him. His breath stank of alcohol.

“M’aiq knows many things! One of the things M’aiq knows is that S’iniith likes M’aiq.” The khajiit answered, trying to kiss her.

“I’m not feeling well M’aiq, and you’re drunk. Come back when you are not and I might consider it.” Actually, she was already considering it, since there had gone months since she spent the night with a male before. She was 28 years old, and already a widow.

Now, she pushed M’aiq away from her and walked out through the door, across the dirty street of Bravil to S’Krivva’s house where she had been staying for a few days. She would leave to Leyawin the next day, the information she brought might just earn her a bed, for not many travelled to Leyawin.

She took out the key that she’d borrowed, and opened the door. S’Krivva greeted her when she hung up the keys and looked around.

“There you are S’iniith, I need help with dinner.” S’Krivva wore her usual clothing, the burgundy linen shirt, the laced leather pants and the doeskin shoes. She held a tallow in her hands, and just seconds ago she’d been cleaning them with it.

“I’ll help S’Krivva. Where is M’ethe?” S’iniith asked and followed her friend into the area where the food was being prepared, on the table there was some venison and potatoes at the moment.

“The boy should be down any moment, he’ve seemed very impatient the last hour.” S’Krivva answered and looked at S’iniith with a smile. Then her face took it’s normal neutral expression and she hesitated a moment before speaking again. “How is it going since Jo’Vaba died?”

“We’re doing fine I guess. At least we aren’t starving yet.” S’iniith sighed and began cutting the potatoes. S’Krivva looked at her for a moment before she began to slice the venison. Then soft paws crossed the floor above them, and soon the same paws descended the stairs. S’iniith smiled when the boy stepped in. He spotted her instantly and leaped up into her arms when she’d put the knife down. She stroke his back affectionatly and he purred.

* * *

The argonian looked up from the book, at the imperial across the street. She had very fancy clothing. Another argonian walked up to him then.

”He-Twists-His-Tail, what are you doing? Not fancying those clothes are ye?” The argonian said, and smiled.

”No Amusei, I was wondering how she looked without them. Could be a very interesting thing to study.” He-Twists-His-Tail smiled and closed the book, before standing up to greet his friend.

”You must be the most strange person I’ve ever met. Fancying imperials, bah! They don’t have the slightest bit of scales.” Amusei jokingly hit his friend on the arm, and then put his arm around him. ”Amusei knows where to find pretty argonian women, not weak skinned humans.”

”I did not say that I fancy her, I said it would be interesting. By the way, I got the answer to my application for the Arcane University earlier.” Twist said, and Amusei turned to him.

”You actually sent it? Oh my, you’re mad. A thieves guild member trying to join the mages! Now I’ve heard it all.” Amusei said, shaking his head and laughing.

”Why I’m not only trying, I’ve been accepted.” Twist spoke again, ignoring how Amusei made fun of him.

”Excuse me friend, but I really can’t believe it. You won’t forget about old friends when you are a respected mage, will you? And when will you leave?”

”In a week Amusei and no, I’ll not forget you.” Twist smiled.

”Why, friend, you must allow us to throw a party for you.” Amusei said, made a jokingly salute, and ran off. Twist smiled and shook his head, then he looked down on the book. ”On the Deadra” was certainly interesting. In fact, his interest in the deadra and aedra was part of what had caused him to apply to the academy in the first place. The other part was his interest in magic and his wish to one day become respected. He didn’t want to live his whole life in a hole like Leyawiin. Maybe one day he could have a house on the Gold Coast, and maybe even a wife. Yes, he’d marry the prettiest Argonian woman that would have him, and they’d live together on the Gold Coast. He smiled where he walked, and turned towards the little shack that he shared with Amusei.

Closing the door behind him, He-Twists-His-Tail, or Twist as most people called him, went up to the little bookshelf in the two room shack. He put the book in, and took Darkest Darkness out. Then he grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and placed himself on his bed. He thought there was nothing better than a good book, that however, was about to change.

This post has been edited by saqin: Sep 21 2010, 04:01 PM

[saqin]

Chapter two

S’iniith put the last bag on the back of the wagon and watched as M’ethe jumped up on one of the seats. Then she hugged both S’Krivva and M’aiq goodbye before she got up after him. The boy looked at her with what could be interpreted as a smile. The guard who she’d employed a few months ago was standing by the side of the white horse she’d once bought in Anvil, and who now had the job of pulling the wagon.

Raising her hand to her friends she then took the reins, and commanded the horse to walk. The morning was early, and she’d dressed in her tanned robe. Her son wore an amethyst necklace around his neck, and a ring in his ear. There was also a bracer on one of his hind legs.

The sun was shining in the early morning, and the chatter and chirping of birds could be heard from the forest. S’iniith relaxed where she sat on the wagon.

“Days like this almost make life worth living, especially when you get to experience them in the forest.” She said and looked down at M’ethe, who where basking in the sun. He glanced at her, and shook his head in agreement. The guard didn’t say anything.

They travelled for hours beneath the trees, and when they finally entered Blackwood, the guard tensed. Blackwood was known to contain many dangerous creatures, and then the riverbank and boulders where also good places to hide behind. Despite this, no one stopped them from reaching the small village of Water’s Edge. S’iniith stopped the wagon outside one of the three houses and got of, then she stuck a smile on her face and knocked on the door.

“Yes? What is it?” The man who opened asked, eyeing S’iniinth.

“Hi, I’m a seller of many fine goods with reasonable prices and I think that many of them could be of use in a little village like this one. So, if you’d take a look at my wares, I’m certain that we...” The man looked less interested the more she spoke and finally interupted her.

“I’m not interested in buying anything thank you, and neither are my neighbours.” He said and closed the door, leaving her standing there, mouth open. Shrugging, she then knocked on the other doors in case he hadn’t been honest to her, but recieved almost the same answers from all of the persons that opened.

Discouraged, S’iniith then got up on the wagon again and they continued on their way. After a little while, M’ethe curled up in her lap, causing a tiny smile.

They weren’t far from Leyawiin when two bandits spotted them. S’iniinth saw them smile at each other, and then the bandits took out their weapons. Yelling, they came charging towards the wagon.

“You stay here.” S’iniinth quickly said to M’ethe, and got of. Her hands quickly found the two daggers that she’d tucked under her robe. The guard had pulled out his sword, and was now fighting the first of the bandits. Muttering a spell, S’iniith then disappeared while the guard dodged a blow towards his head. The guard blocked another blow, and began a series of rapid thrusts that put the bandit out of balance. Then he feinted a blow to the left, and when the bandit took the bait, he thrust his sword through the chest of said bandit who then collapsed.

At about the same time, out of nowhere S’iniith appeared and stuck her dagger into the back of the bandit that had gone up to the wagon. She had to roll away again when the bandit slashed around in fury, and she quickly got up on her feet when she saw the bandit charge against her. When she was just about to jump out of the way, the guard attacked the bandit from behind, driving his sword right through the back of the bandit. Then he pulled the sword back out again and the bandit slumped to the ground.

“That was a close call m’am.” The guard said, looking up at S’iniith who nodded in response. Then they searched the bodies of the bandits, taking what armor and weapons could be useful. There was also a few potions and lockpicks.

Soon they where up on the wagon again, and it didn’t take long for them to reach Leyawin.

* * *

“Twist! Get up Twist! A black horse courier just entered town, the deadra have been defeated!” Those where the words that the young argonian heard upon waking, with Amusei standing newt to his bed. Groaning, he stood up.

“Are they sure? It’s not just some scam by the daedra is it?” Twist wore nothing but a loincloth, and now he went over to a drawer. He took out a pair of brecers, an olive shirt and a pair of boots.

“Positive. Martin Septim sacrificed himself and the amulet of kings to stop the daedra’s invasion. And then they declared that khajiit Gasheera champion of Cyrodiil.” Amusei shrugged, and Twist simply looked at him, noting that his friend wore his leather cuirass and boots. “Anyways, we’re having your party today, and I figured you might want to get something done before that. Not that I imagine what that could be.”

“Huh. Thanks Amusei. I was thinking of collecting plants and do some alchemy. Do you want to join me?” They walked together into the bigger room and Twist took a loaf of bread and an apple to eat. A jug of water was already present on the table, and he poured some of it into a glass.

“No thanks Twist. I’d rather hang out with Weebam-Na. He said there is some rats just outside town, so we are going to hunt. Don’t know if it’ll be much fun though.”Amusei shrugged and Twist took a bite.

“I’d thought you’d spend the day with On-Staya.” Twist then said and smiled. Amusei grunted something, and had his face not already been red it could have become awkward.

“No, she’s got some stuff to take care of. Don’t want to bother her. Anyway, I gotta get going. Weebam-Na is waiting by the gate. So, I guess I’ll see you later.” Amusei finished with a smile, then he picked up his bow and quiver with arrows, and where of.

Twist finished his breakfast, then he got his bag and stepped outside. A few people where out on the streets talking to each other and smiling. The argonian made his way to the west gate, and upon exiting nodded to the guard on duty.

He spent all day collecting ingredients and mixing them together into potions. He ate lunch around midday, and then on the afternoon before he went back back to the city, he swam some in the Topal Bay.

“Sugar and sands, friend.” Atahba looked up when Twist walked by. She was grooming one of the horses. It was a black horse, and by the look of it, it had been running for long.

“Greetings Athaba. Whos is the horse? I don’t recall seeing it before.” Twist said, and leaned against the fence of the paddock.

“It belongs to the courier. Simply left it here she did, with saddle and reins. Athaba takes care of it though.” The khajiit answered and smiled. “Fine isn’t it?”

“Yes, very fine. I should go.” Twist straightened up from the fence and Athaba nodded. They said good bye, and Twist entered the city.

Walking towards his home, he saw a wagon parked outside the Three Sister’s inn. It was covered, so he couldn’t see it’s contents. But on the seat in the front there lay a cat. The cat was spotted and had a few stripes in it’s face, and around it’s neck there hung an amethyst necklace. There was a ring in it’s ear, and a bracer on one of it’s hind legs. A puzzled expression covered Twist’s face. And then a female khajiit stepped out from the inn.

“Come now M’ethe.” She said. The cat, who had been looking at Twist until that moment leaped down from the wagon and up in her arms. Then she noticed the argonian.

“Yes, would you like to buy something?” She said with a smile.

“Are you a merchant?” Twist asked, dumbstruck, and the female laughed.

“Yes. I’ve got armor, weapons, books, jewelry and many other things. I’m quite sure you could find something you like.” She said, her smile suddenly honest.

“Excuse me, but I was merely looking at the cat. It seems a bit odd to put jewelry on a pet.” He said awkwardly. Her smile disappeared, and she frowned.

“He’s not a mere cat. He’s my son.” She said. “And his name is M’ethe.”

“Oh, so he is an alfiq then? I’m sorry.” Twist said, walking closer.

“Have heard of the alfiq’s and knows how to appologise. That’s not something I’d have expected from an argonian. My name is S’iniith.” She said then, the smile back on her lips, and they shook hands.

“I’m He-Twists-His-Tail, or Twist for short.” Twist answered, and for a moment their eyes met.

"Well Twist, it was nice meeting you. But I need to unpack now if you’re not looking to buy something.” She said. He nodded and gave her a last look before continuing to his shack. She looked after him until M’ethe called for her attention, and then she carried him inside before she started to take in those things that she needed.