Outlanders (Morrowind Crossover) Options

[WellTemperedClavier]

Chapter 6

Quinn took Tiphannia's hands and squeezed. "You did so good!" she said.

"So did… you…"

Victory or defeat, they'd made their bid. Nothing to do now but wait for the final score.

"Yeah, you looked great," Jeval said. "And your speech was great, too."

They stood off to the side of the stage. Jeval and Treads had gotten snacks for everyone. All they had to do now was wait for Satheri and the Dunmer bracket. They probably wouldn't win, but oh well. No one ever said that getting to the top would be easy. Even if they failed that night, they'd still made a statement. The first of many.

Quinn looked out into the audience. She saw Mom and Dad. No sign of Daria, though.

"Come on," she whispered.

Stupid to let that bother her, but she couldn't help it. Oh well, Daria was never interested in this kind of thing. She was probably off reading a book somewhere.

Some people couldn't be impressed.

*********

Daria sat next to Tomal. Not with her usual distance, but right next to him, pressing against his side. His arm rested on her shoulders, and the warmth and strength within that arm made her fears feel a little farther away.

"Anyway," she said, "I'm pretty sure my mom hates me now." She'd explained the situation.

The intermission had ended, and the Dunmer bracket had started. She and Tomal spoke in whispers as Satheri took to the stage, as shy and humble as always.

"That's tough," Tomal said. "I know what it's like to have parents with high expectations."

"It's not that. Even parents with low expectations would give up on me at this point. It occurs to me that I've actually been a pretty significant burden on my family."

"Isn't that the whole point of family?"

She smiled. "I guess. But I've taken that a lot farther than I should have. You've seen how I am with most people, Tomal: judgmental, sarcastic, and distant."

"Or witty, insightful, and iconoclastic."

"I liked to think so. Maybe I'm a terrible person."

"Daria, I don't think you're terrible. Most of my life, I've had to deal with people who tell me what I want to hear. Yeah, I'm a noble, and I know that means I have it easy, but it's draining to know that in most of my relationships, the other person only wants to use me. I don't feel that with you. You're entirely confident in who you are and not afraid to let people know about it. That's a rare quality, and one I find quite attractive."

"You should've spent more time with Jane. She's all that, plus she's actually likable."

"I like you fine," he said.

His hand brushed against her hair. An accident?

"You do now. But you'll hate me soon enough." The more she denigrated herself, the more she wanted Tomal to sing her praises. Pathetic, but she needed it that night.

"I haven't met many people that I've actually hated, Daria. I can't ever imagine hating you. You're brave, intelligent, and frankly more beautiful than any of those girls in the show tonight."

Blood rushed to her cheeks at that comment. Tedannupal had been the only other boy to ever tell her she was pretty.

"You don't mean that," she said.

"I do mean it, Daria."

Darkness concealed Tomal's features, but she heard the certainty in his voice, felt it in the comforting weight of his arm. He could make it all go away.

His face got closer to hers until only an inch of space separated their lips. This couldn't be happening, not to her. She was too weird to ever be wanted.

Their lips met.

The resistance she'd built up over a lifetime collapsed all at once in that electric moment. Immediately she pressed into him, wanting to feel him around her, to hold her close like a knight errant protecting his lady-in-waiting, like every ridiculous scene in every ridiculous novel she pretended to hate. Tomal her hero, her protector, the one who accepted her for who she was.

They parted. Daria stared dumbly. She pulled him close for another, her lips pressing against his, feeling his heartbeat against her own chest.

*********

Synda observed Satheri's cringing performance with no small satisfaction. The girl lacked the strength to win anything. Synda hoped, for Satheri's sake, that she'd find a powerful husband. She'd be eaten alive, otherwise.

Satheri bowed and walked off the stage. Synda came next. A tremor of excitement ran through her slender body.

"Guide my steps, Mother Alma," she whispered. "Turn Serjo Sloan's heart for me. This I beg."

"Thank you, Sera Roweni!" Karl announced. "Now, the garb of our next contestant has one foot firmly in Dunmer tradition and the other in the future of fashion!"

Synda stepped boldly forward onto the stage. Let them see her radiance. Let Tomal witness her finest hour. Let Mother and Father and all her ancestors see what she could do for them.

"I bring you Sera Synda Grilvayn, daughter of Tamric and Lynda Grilvayn and—breaking news here—the beloved of Serjo Tomal Sloan, who has graced us with his presence tonight! Might I get a bow from you, good serjo?"

The audience fell silent. Synda held herself like the queen she was.

"Serjo?" Karl called out again. "There he... oh, gods!"

*********

Daria heard the silence first.

It broke through the sensations running through her body, the realization that yes, a man did love her. The vibrant feeling of her first, and second, and third—and then she lost count—kisses. She pushed Tomal away, spots dancing in front of her eyes.

The Dunmer sitting in front of them had turned to stare, his mouth open.

"Oh no," she uttered.

"Huh?" Tomal said.

An entire sea of faces looked at them. No, no, no, thought Daria. Not this humiliation. Not now. How had they heard?

"It's okay," Tomal muttered. "You're under my protection."

On stage, Synda screamed.

It was a scream void of hope, closer to the squeal of a stricken animal than any sound that could come from the throat of a thinking being. She didn't stop. One scream followed another, her entire essence reduced to one awful sound.

Daria looked to Tomal and then back to Synda, a sick suspicion worming its way into her mind.

The crowd began murmuring.

"What's going on here?" someone demanded.

"Upstart outlander!" a Dunmer cried.

Tomal stood up, one hand still on Daria's shoulder. "It's okay," he whispered.

Synda was still screaming.

"This girl is under my protection," he announced. "She's a, uh, guest of the Sloan family. Yeah."

Now the whole crowd came alive, whisper giving birth to rumor.

"Get me out of here!" Daria demanded.

"Can do," he said.

He took her by the arm and lifted her up, shielding her with his body. Maybe they hadn't gotten a good look... oh who was she kidding? The glasses were a dead giveaway.

If Mom and Dad hadn't seen, they'd find out in minutes.

Synda was still screaming.

"Daria!" Mom called.

Tomal stopped. Daria worked her way out from under his arm, her dress damp with sweat. Mom stared at her with a look of baffled horror.

"What is going on?" Mom demanded.

Daria had no words. She'd somehow dug herself deeper. Mom had warned her about carrying on with nobles, and she'd just made out with one in public.

"Keep going," she told Tomal.

"Ma'am, your daughter is safe," Tomal said as he took her wrist. "It'll fall on us Sloans, not on her. I promise!"

Daria wondered how much a Sloan promise meant. It obviously hadn't meant much so far as Synda was concerned.

Her screams still echoed through the courtyard.

*********

"Can't we have one event here that doesn't turn into a damn riot?" Director Lli exclaimed.

Quinn watched as Lli took the stage. "I am deeply sorry for that unpleasantness. Serjo Sloan's business is his own, however, so we ought not to pry too closely!" Lli announced.

Too late for Lli to do anything, Quinn knew. Too many people had seen it. And Daria, of all people! Gods, she must have been horrified at being spotted. Had Tomal been cheating on Synda with Daria? Usually she knew who was dating who, but she hadn't heard of this. It was too much to take in.

"Quinn, are you okay?" Jeval asked.

"Yes. No. I have no idea," she whimpered.

Lli raised her voice, trying to be heard over the murmurs of the crowd. "Since we came here to compete for fashion, I'm sure you all want to know the winners! I'm proud to announce that Tiphannia Blumius has won the outlander bracket for her sense of style. As for the Dunmer bracket…"

Satheri hurried toward them. Synda had been taken off stage, and Quinn wondered what would happen to her. Somebody threw a bunch of comberries at Lli. It barely missed her and landed on the wooden surface with a loud splat.

"Oh, to hell with this," Lli muttered. "Sera Satheri Roweni wins the Dunmer bracket for knowing how to behave herself!"

Satheri froze in place, her eyes wide. Then she jumped up, her arms in the air.

"I did it! I did it, I did it! Oh, I did everything she told me to do, and I still won!"

She grabbed Quinn and shook her; her face honestly kind of scary.

"I did it!" she shouted.

"You did, Satheri!" Quinn hugged her, not quite sure what to make of the whole thing.

Quinn hadn't won. But the Fashion Club had. She'd helped make that happen. People knew about them. As for Daria? She had no idea. Hugging Satheri tighter, Quinn hoped her sister would be okay.

*********

Daria and Tomal ran through the empty streets like fugitives. The night's events whirled through her mind as she ran, with no idea what fate held in store for her.

"Wait," Daria said. "I need to know what happened."

Tomal slowed down and stopped.

"Is Synda your girlfriend?" she asked.

Tomal gulped and nodded. "She was. Emphasis on the past tense. Look, we'd been seeing each other for a while, but it wasn't working out. I was going to break up with her tonight. That's why I came."

"I don't think she expected that."

"I know. I screwed this up, Daria. She wanted to marry me."

"And you told her you would?"

Tomal shook his head. "No! I kept telling her it was too early for that kind of thing. I thought she liked me at first. But after a while, I started to realize she only wanted to marry me for the money. Which, judging by tonight's performance, she really wanted."

Daria nodded. She wasn't convinced money was all Synda had wanted. No one, not even a Hlaalu, screamed like that over cash.

Tomal went on. "We never told anyone about our relationship. I did not think she'd announce it like that."

"She did," Daria said. "And now, everyone knows you cheated on her with me. An outlander."

"It'll be okay—"

"How?" Daria broke away from him, angry now. "How will it be okay? Do you have any idea how much trouble I made for my mom?"

"Okay, okay." Tomal sounded exhausted. "I say, we go and talk to her. I'll take the blame."

Her mother's words echoed in her mind. I am just so tired of you!

Daria shook her head. "No. It's my fault, too. Maybe I didn't impress on you how badly I let her down tonight. Frankly, I don't think she wants anything more to do with me."

"What then?"

She said nothing. What was the next step? This godawful city. All of its scheming and division and treachery. Why the hell had she ever thought Balmora was a home?

"Is there any chance I could go with you to the manor?' she asked.

He didn't say anything right away. She sensed him mulling it over, weighing the pros and cons.

"I'll see what I can do," he finally said. "We'll need to talk to my dad, of course."

"What do we tell him?" Daria asked.

Tomal looked over to the lights of High Town. "I say, we tell him the truth."

"He'll be okay with that?"

"Probably not. But I don't think your presence would be that much of a scandal to him. We'll work things out with the Grilvayns. They're respectable, but not that big of a deal. My family can control the situation."

It seemed like the setup to a perfect romance. A country estate, a handsome man, and all the time in the world.

Maybe Synda had been expecting the same things.

Daria had to decide: Should she go home and face a new wave of humiliation? Or take a risk with Tomal?

"All right," Daria said. "Let's try things your way."

Tomal smiled and took her hand. With that, Daria let him lead her into the night.

Musical Closer - Breaking Up the Girl, by Garbage

The End

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Dec 1 2024, 06:53 PM

[Acadian]

Wow. I knew Synda’s announcement scheme would backfire but had no idea that Daria would be caught in the crossfire! And just as she was getting a much needed boost of confidence from Tomal in the form of a love’s first kiss. What a setup, as the rumor will certainly be that this Imperial trollop was trying to steal noble Tomal from his noble betrothed. Now, all that said, Tomal really does seem drawn to Daria and, regardless of the current mess, I hope that bodes well.

Congratulations to Quinn and her fashion club! They won both categories!

[SubRosa]

So Daria is snuggled up with Tom? As George Takei would say: "Oh my"

“You should’ve spent more time with Jane. She’s all that, plus she’s actually likable.”
All of this is quite true. Plus a nice nod to the original source material where he did in fact, spend more time with Jane.

Awww, there is that nice sweet romantic moment, in the middle of Daria's self-loathing. One hopes that this was rock bottom for her, and we shall see her putting her life together in the future. Starting with making amends with her parents. Either that or she could join the Fighters Guild, and become a wandering adventurer with Kevin.

It's Synda's turn to go on stage. I bet she will see Tom kissing Daria from up there.

Oh boy, everybody saw them kissing? Once again, Oh my.

Quinn is going to be so jealous that Daria landed the big noble, and she did not!

Seriously though, wow. I expected drama, but not this much, and not with Daria being the center of it all. She is going to be all over every English tabloid in the morning. And they don't even live in England!

I was thinking that Synda's wrath would be terrible when visited upon Daria. But given how absolutely horribly she dealt with - screaming uncontrollably on stage as her entire world collapsed - I don't think so. Rather, I think this is pretty much the end of her, whether or not her parents pack her off to a convent.

Yay for the Fashion Club, with wins for Tiph and Satheri! Quinn is handling it really well, given that she was not one of the winners herself. If their roles had been reversed, Synda would have been absolutely furious. So good on Quinn to not be that self-centered, and instead bask in the success of her friends. And of course their joint endeavor.

And now Daria winds up with everything Sydna spent so long plotting for, all without trying. At least so far. Somehow I don't expect this to be a permanent relationship. Just given the original source material. But also the vast gulfs that exist between Daria and Tomal in this universe. But at least it is built upon genuine affection, rather than built on lies and a cynical desire for power and wealth.

[Renee]

OH I see, so GHTG was only for that one album, I get it now. I am more familiar with the name Belle & Sebastian; probably from 89.7, which is our college station in central MD. Yes... Talk To Me, probably have heard this song in the past. I usually have 89.7 on as I'm driving about town, doing errands and such, not really focused on the radio 100%. This is a great track! Love the vocals. Lots of instrumentation. Vivacious movement. This video's cute! Ha. She finally kicks a goal but then leaves the field. ⚽

But what's going on with this fashion show? Tiphannia had a speech? Dang! I wonder how someone who can barely string more than four words together in a sentence can wind up orating an impressive speech?

Uh oh. What's she doing with the Big Mer? Well... it's sort of obvious. Let me shush.

I concur. I've never thought of Daria as 'pretty', but that's perhaps only because she's usually drawn by Japanese animators who used some sort of mass tecnique for cartooning. Fully-fleshed, I bet she can be gorgeous. But also... there's the fact that Tomal definitely seems to have a thing for her.

Shoot. This isn't good. I mean yeah, it's good they kissed. But what comes next? If he's about to frickin' leave town?

Synda's hoping the Big Mer's watching this; meanwhile, she'd literally faint if she knows the truth! 🔪 Wait WHAT???? Beloved of Serjo Sloan???? But but but. Oh gohsh, this is horrible.

An entire sea of faces looked at them. No, no, no, thought Daria. Not this humiliation

They're making out right where eveeryone can see them??? -- Yeah, God Save the Girl... I get it now. Daria's going to need some saving!

“Can’t we have one event here that doesn’t turn into a damn riot!” Magistrate Lli exclaimed.

Indeed. Because the previous event turned into a huge fight as I recall.

Alright, well good. Tiphannia the Space Cadet won the Outlanders category. And Satheri wins for the natives. Even though she downplayed her dress for some demure duds. Good god, man. Poor Synda. Synda's life is over!

She grabbed Quinn and shook her, her face honestly kind of scary.

H aha ha ha! That's great! And I like that Quinn is thinking about her elder sis at this time. Deep down the Mall Princess cares, even if day to day they often get into spats.

Eesh. I can't imagine what next episode's going to be like. Seriously did not expect this outcome.

Cool, I love Garbage! Once again, a song from those glorious 1990s.

Um... so WellTemperedClavier WHAT was Tiphannia's speech about? Can you give us a summation, at least? I gotta know! ... "Colors.... colors of eyeshadow. Red, blue, green... no. Purple, mauve, chartreuse... Wait. What was I talking about?" Hee hee, sorry!

This post has been edited by Renee: Jun 9 2023, 04:30 PM

[WellTemperedClavier]

Episode 28: A Comedy of Manors

Chapter 1

Daria knew something was wrong when she woke up and realized that the blurry darkness in front of her eyes was not the same blurry darkness she usually woke up to. She reached out to grab her glasses from the left side of her desk where she always placed them. Her fingers only encountered the rough surface of an adobe wall.

That's when it all came back to her: Mom's fury, the chaos at the pageant, fleeing Balmora with the Sloans, reaching Ravil Manor, and being given the guesthouse servant's quarters ("It's normally for servants of our guests, not for our servants who might attend to the guests," as Serjo Ravil had been very insistent on making clear). Not that she served the Sloans. But no one knew where else to put her, so the guesthouse servant's quarters it was. Tomal had admitted the pageant's events and his own relationship with Synda (and now Daria) to his father. Serjo Angyar Sloan had kept his temper and simply gone along with things.

But she suspected that, no matter what Tomal said, there'd be a reckoning sooner or later.

Daria finally remembered that she'd put her glasses next to the washbasin on the small table to her right. She groped for a little while before finding and putting them on. Her vision cleared, but the world stayed dark, save for a sliver of light shining between the shutters. Throwing off the sheet, she ambled over to the shutters and opened them.

The world beyond stole her breath away. Her room looked out upon an Ascadian Isles meadow green and bursting with life. A cool breeze swayed the tall grasses and rustled the leaves of the trees that clustered tall and thick atop the surrounding hills. The loamy smell of growth emanated from rich black soil nurtured by rain and ash for thousands of years.

She let her eyes linger on the scene for a bit. Certainly, a far cry from Balmora's dust and grime, where Quinn would be waking up to a room occupied only by her. Quinn had certainly wished for that in the past.

Time to get dressed and find out what the day had in store. She walked to the trunk where she'd folded her travel-stained clothes, only to notice a bundle of pale blue fabric by her door. A note had been placed on top.

Madam Daria Morgendorffer –

As an honored guest of my guest, Serjo Sloan the Younger (and, by extension, the Elder), I would like to extend my warmest welcome. Enclosed, you will find one of my daughter's old gowns, which you are free to wear. My daughter is married to Serjo Mildryn Sethedras of Ud Hleryn, a man of great prestige, and has no need for her old wardrobe.

- Serjo Rathan Ravil

She picked up the folded dress; the high-quality moth-silk soft and slippery in her hands. Beneath that, she found a pair of slippers. These were the kinds of clothes that'd drive Quinn mad with envy if she saw Daria wearing them. Keeping the window open for light, Daria got dressed behind a folding paper screen set up for modesty's sake, imagining her sister's reaction and enjoying every moment of it.

Unfortunately, while the gown surely fit Hlaalu fashion standards, it didn't fit her. It wrapped tightly around her knees and loosely around her waist. Everywhere else, the garment sagged where it should have slimmed and clung where it ought to have given room.

She looked at herself in the mirror (made of real glass) next to the small fireplace. At least the ill-fitting dress matched her disheveled hair and blotchy complexion. Maybe it was a bad idea to test Tomal's attraction this early. On the other hand, she kind of hoped her appearance would at least moderately annoy one of his family members.

Daria shook her head. No, none of that. She was on her last social support. Carrying on like she usually did was no longer an option. She needed to do her best, however paltry that was.

As she brushed her hair and washed her face (inadvertently soaking her sleeves), she tried not to think about the fact that, in a few minutes, she'd be having breakfast with one of Morrowind's wealthiest families.

*********

"Ah, Madam Daria! Good of you to join us," Angyar said.

The Sloans had all gathered at the grand banquet table in Serjo Ravil's manor house. Morning light beamed through the three narrow windows behind the head of the table, where Ravil sat. Tapestries decorated by lush forest scenes in the High Rock style covered the walls, and the table itself was made of some dark tropical wood. Aside from the adobe construction, only the cylindrical paper lanterns over the table (currently unlit) felt like something from Morrowind.

Ravil offered a faint smile, but his eyes studied her as if appraising an asset and finding it wanting. Daria suddenly suspected that he'd known full well that his daughter's dress wouldn't fit her.

She took a seat next to Tomal.

"Good morning, Daria," Tomal said. "I hope you slept well."

Conscious of Ravil's gaze burning holes into her, she nodded. "I did. Uh, thanks to the host for, uh, appointing his servant's quarters—excuse me, guesthouse servant's quarters—so lavishly."

"The servants of the Ravils live like princes," Ravil said. "Yet even my generosity pales compared to that of the honorable Serjo Sloan!"

Angyar Sloan smiled. "Magnanimity is the virtue of the strong, good serjo."

No surprise that Angyar looked a lot like an older version of Tomal, one with all the raffish charm polished out to a high-class sheen. His wife, Galas, was every inch a proper and wealthy Dunmer lady. Her short hair and bright moth-silk shirt and trousers told the world that she quite liked the Empire.

Breakfast turned out to be a blend of Dunmer and Nibenese Imperial cuisine: white rice and fried river fish with bushels of fresh comberries. All of it served on silver plates, with bitter Elswyer coffee poured into tiny silver cups.

"I'm sure our Imperial guest appreciates the rice," Ravil said. "Does it remind you of home?"

Daria wondered how much she could get away with. The idea of guest right was foreign to Dunmer society. The Sloans' power and wealth meant they'd always have a host, but Daria wouldn't get any leeway.

"I do enjoy it," she finally said. "But I was born on an island off the Gold Coast, so I mostly grew up with bread and fish."

Ravil's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Oh! I did not know that Cyrodiilic cuisine had such variety."

"Same variety found in every province," Daria said.

He gave a bitter laugh and glared at her through a veil of steam rising from his coffee. "You must excuse my provincialism, madam."

Daria, who'd been lifting a forkful of rice to her mouth, paused. Was this a trap?

"Your cook did an excellent job, Serjo Ravil," Galas said. "Tomal and I would know; we spent some years in the Imperial City."

Ravil raised his goblet. "I am pleased that my cook's done well. Only the best for those under my roof, wherever they may be from."

The Ravils and the elder Sloans chatted all through breakfast, Tomal occasionally commenting as required. Midway through, he reached under the table and grasped Daria's hand.

Suddenly, the breakfast no longer seemed so oppressive.

Upon finishing the meal, she and Tomal walked out into the big courtyard. Like a lot of country homes in the Ascadian Isles, Ravil Manor still paid lip service to its original agricultural use. Leafy corkbulbs sprouted in neat rows from the rich soil within the enclosure, and a few other fields dotted the surrounding lands.

"Sorry about that," Tomal said.

"I suppose it's how menials are usually treated in these situations. I guess I'll have to give credit to Serjo Ravil for at least being an abolitionist," she said, observing the workers (mostly Dunmer) search the undersides of the corkbulb leaves for parasites.

"Not exactly an abolitionist. He freed his slaves, but I don't think he particularly cares whether or not other people own slaves."

"Did he do anything to help them afterward?"

Tomal was silent for a bit. "Probably not. Would you really have struck out on your own if I told you Serjo Ravil used forced labor?"

"Absolutely," Daria said. She'd made the ultimatum a few minutes after she'd asked to go to Ravil Manor. If Ravil had been a slave owner, she'd have fled to Caldera or Ald'ruhn to try to leverage her friendship with Amelia or Dimartani. In fact, trying with Amelia would have been a lot safer and smarter than going with Tomal.

"Good. That's what I like about you, Daria," Tomal said.

Did he? Or was he just saying that?

"So, as a menial, am I required to quietly hide myself in a storage room until I'm needed?" Daria asked.

"Dad knows you're my girlfriend—"

"And I can tell he's not thrilled with it."

"It was an awkward situation. But you're fine for now. You'll do what we do."

"In other words, get trotted out for garden parties, hunting trips, and boating adventures. The only upside is knowing that Quinn won't get them despite spending her entire life praying for things that I still see as annoyances."

Tomal laughed. "Oh, there are other things to do around here. Serjo Ravil's got a great library."

"Will he let my uncouth hands touch the pages?"

Tomal put his arm around her waist. She smiled without intending to, not the usual guarded half-smile but a full-fledged one that made her feel as bright as the morning sun.

How embarrassing.

"I'll make sure you aren't bothered. Come on, let's go. I think he has a copy of Confessions of a Skooma-Eater."

Daria looked at Tomal, still smiling and feeling mostly okay with herself for doing so. "How scandalous. Let's check it out."

Maybe Ravil Manor wouldn't be too bad. But she knew it was too early to let down her guard. She was stuck here and had no idea what would come next. Life had felt a lot more secure with Mom and Dad (and Quinn) around.

Musical Closer - Drive, by Incubus

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Dec 8 2024, 07:22 AM

[Acadian]

What a spectacular morning view Daria is treated to! Well, after she finds her glasses. And fancy clothes, even if they don’t fit well.

A slightly awkward breakfast but no surprise there. I was glad to see Daria decided to curb her uniquely Dariesque snark and try to make nice. Respect for her hosts is in order, both as a guest and a young one at that. She just needs to think before speaking. Very nice to see Tomal backing her up, acknowledging she is his girlfriend and assuring Daria that he would stick with her as she adjusts.

I’m anxious to see where this goes.

[SubRosa]

I guess the age old question is answered then: go with the blurry darkness that you know...

Especially when that darkness is the guest servant's house. Ech...

I know the glasses are part of Daria's shtick. But given that this is a magical world, wouldn't there be some magical cure for her poor eyesight? It's a common affliction, so it seems it would be something healers and alchemists would both want to tackle. After all, its a steady source of income.

So from Balmora to Balmoral it is then.

Well the Sloans et al. certainly seem a cosmopolitan lot, given their preferences in attire and dining. Which of course fits right in with their background of living in the IC. They present quite a contrast to Sydna's traditionalist Dunmer family.

Oh, so its in the Acadian Isles then. That always struck me as the most bucolic region of Vvardenfell.

The Ravil's may have discovered, as the industrialists from the North, that you can still exploit and oppress the underclass without enslaving them. It even removes the overhead you incur from having to feed, house, and clothe them. If they continue to live on your estate, you can then charge them for those things. Best of all you can just fire them when the economy is bad, and hire new ones that look just the same when it picks up again.

There I go, being all cynical about abolition. I am sure Daria would approve.

To say that this is an awkward situation is an understatement. Now the question is where does this go from here? I would have expected Daria and Tom to have some sort of 'normal' courtship. But that appears to be right out the window now. Are they going to continue to live on the lam as they are now? Is Daria ever going to go home again? What about Kavon and Daria's adventuring career? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Renee]

I am thinking Belle & Sebastian is exactly the sort of music I might hear in a comic book store! Collegey / folksy alt. rock that is. Not that I've visited a whole lot of comic stores, but what sort of music would you normally hear?

There used to be a debate in fandom as to how attractive Daria would be, some thinking she could be like Quinn if she tried, others thinking she's more average looking.

I think Daria would be pretty attractive fully-fleshed, I'd find her hotter than Quinn (I'm a sucker for glasses / nerdy or downplayed looks).

Not sure if you're familiar with Gilligan's Island but that show's a perfect illustration of Quinn versus Daria. Back when I was a kid, I remember my brother and his friends drooling over Ginger to be the sexy one. Meanwhile, I thought Maryanne was cuter-- she was supposed to be the sweet girl from the countryside, while Ginger was a Hollywood star. Perhaps it was the fact I could better identify with Maryanne.

Same can be said for Farrah Fawcett versus either of her co-stars: I liked either Jaquelline Smith or Kate Jackson. But meanwhile, it was Farrah who was always on the stupid sl*tty posters and got all the attention; I bet hardly anyone remembers the names of her co-stars.

Geez, I really need to stop making these mega-posts during comments! Anyway, you get the point. What's going on in Outlanders this week.

Yikes, so the Sloans have two sets of servants. Wait, where is she? Doesn't sound like she's in Balmora anymore. Ascadian Isles. Which part? Hopefully not the part which harbors slaves!

These were the kinds of clothes that’d drive Quinn mad with envy if she saw Daria wearing them

Ha ha ha that's great! And yeah, I'd imagine Quinn might have fantasized about having her own room, but not like this.

Hey, it sounds like they're not mad at Tomal for bringing her here. That's a plus. I like how you're really going into detail about how they're dressed and how the rooms are decorated, and so on. Sounds like they aren't eating bugs. 🪲

As much of an adventure as this is for Daria, it's also quite awkward. It's like they went from a kiss to "meet the parents". No dating. There's some feelings there, but darn. The fact it's gotten so serious so quick... phee!

(Wow, totally ninja'd by SubRosa's comments on this issue.)

Hey, she's smiling!!! Heyya, Daria's SMILING!!!!! Did not expect that. This story's full of surprises, thankfully some of them are welcome.

This post has been edited by Renee: Jun 14 2023, 03:17 AM

[SubRosa]

Here you go for how the Daria cast would look today

[WellTemperedClavier]

Chapter 2

It was mid-morning on Daria's second day at Ravil Manor, and she was bored.

The library beckoned, but judging by how Serjo Ravil had kept sending a servant to check on her and Tomal the other day, it wasn't a place she was welcome to visit on her own. That, or the servant wanted to make sure they weren't… doing anything. The thought of which gave her more than a little bit of discomfort.

She idled beneath the shade of a big mushroom, nostalgic for Drenlyn's comparatively cozy library, when Tomal rode into the courtyard atop a rose-colored guar. He ably steered the two-legged lizard around the corkbulb plot to her side and extended his hand. Daria stared at it, not sure how to respond. Finally, she said: "Four fingers and a thumb. Your hand looks normal to me."

"Any interest in joining me on an excursion to Lake Amaya?" Tomal asked. "Come on, we have to fill up at least a few of the rural vacation cliches."

"Hm, doesn't the lakeside idyll usually come after a few awkward misunderstandings that give hint to our feelings while still keeping the reader in some level of suspense as to whether or not we'll get together?"

He shrugged. "We kind of covered that in Balmora, I think. More efficient this way."

Daria looked around. It sounded nice, but she still didn't know Tomal all that well yet. "I'll go," she said, "but I don't want to go quite that far. Are there any scenic spots closer to the manor?"

"There's a little hilltop glade not far from here. We'll be within sight."

"Okay. My travel clothes are still in the wash, so I guess I'll have to stick with this second gown I got today."

She plucked at her sleeve. The new gown fit as badly as the old one, but in entirely different ways, and was colored a dark purple.

"It has a very avant-garde look," Tomal said. "Like you're wearing a giant bruise or something."

"With the way this thing pinches my shoulders and waist, I probably will be a giant bruise by evening," she said.

"And you thought aristocratic life was easy! Here, you should probably ride side-saddle."

Daria managed to perch herself atop the guar after some finagling, her legs dangling off the beast's right flank. A dozen new discomforts assailed her: the guar's knobby spine, her off-balance position, and the way she kept bumping into Tomal once he started riding. Putting her arms around his waist helped a bit, but the constant up-and-down motion still jarred her.

A few minutes beyond the manor, and Daria wanted to get off the beast.

She persevered as Tomal rode up a grassy hill unmarked by any roads but garbed in wildflowers of gold and magenta, the top crowned by a grove of ancient willows. Daria shivered in delight as the willows' soft tresses brushed against her head and shoulders as they passed under, and the shade beneath the canopy offered a twilit realm of green shadows and glassy blue flowers. From there, she saw more of the surrounding lands: the gentle hills and the gleaming surface of Lake Amaya a few miles to the north. Beyond that, dour as ever, Red Mountain with all its grim portent.

"You do have an eye for natural beauty," Daria said as she dismounted.

"With you a fine example of the same."

She blushed. Gods, no wonder Quinn loved the praise. It felt kind of foolish on some level, though. What was so impressive about being lauded for her looks when she hadn't put much effort into them? It used to be so much easier for her to keep people at a distance.

They settled down near a small mossy boulder, the position offering a willow-framed view of the lake's blue waters. A chorus of tiny insects (and perhaps some not-so-tiny ones) chirped and clicked beneath the stones and between the blades of grass. Tomal took out one of the saddlebags and produced a meal of wickwheat bread, scrib jelly, a few apples, and a small bottle of rice wine.

Daria had to admit it felt almost perfect. Some part of her had always been terrified that romance was exactly the way Quinn made it look: a subtle and never-ending test of social ability, with the value of one's partner reduced to how far up the social ladder they could take you. That maybe all of those silly books about real romance really were silly and best confined to the library.

This day felt like vindication.

But she had to set some things straight. Daria propped herself up on her elbows. She ought to have talked about this at the manor, or better yet, back in Balmora. She'd just hated the idea of his dad or Ravil overhearing.

"Uh, Tomal?"

"Yeah?"

She took a deep breath. "How, uh, far did you, uh, take things with Synda?"

Tomal's brow furrowed. "Beg pardon?"

Daria blushed. "You know what I mean."

"Oh? Oh! Well, let me put it this way: there is zero chance that Synda is pregnant. Or if she is, it's not from me."

That was good to hear. "Okay. As for me, I'm pretty new at relationships. As in, brand new."

"That's fine."

"I'm not sure if this whole physical contact thing is something I'm comfortable with. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not …"

She knew her face glowed as bright as Masser on the night of the Summer Solstice.

"I'd prefer to stick with kisses for the foreseeable future," she finally spat out. "I need you to promise me that you're okay with that. If you aren't, then I'd probably best get packing."

"That's fine, Daria. You'll set the speed for this."

"You're not bothered?" she asked.

"I'd definitely like to get more intimate at some point. But only when you're comfortable with it. If that takes a few years, so be it. Besides, I'm Mer, I've got plenty of years left."

"Rub it in, why don't you."

But her heart soared. She was safe with him.

Except her big brain refused to stop thinking, especially regarding his last comment. Since, yes, Mer did live a lot longer and age a lot slower. If they stayed together and both reached age eighty, she'd look like an eighty-year-old woman while Tomal stayed in the bloom of youth. If he got tired of her, there wouldn't be much she could do to stop him from wandering, especially with how much power his family held.

Plenty of Man-Mer relationships worked out fine. Plenty more fell apart. As for noble-commoner relationships... well, they almost always worked out well for the noble.

"Daria?"

She blinked, Tomal's voice jerking her back to reality. "Sorry. I'm not very good at enjoying the moment. But thanks for, uh, making it a lot easier."

"I'm glad."

Daria blushed again. Suddenly dizzy, she lowered her eyes, conscious of her heartbeats sounding as loud as drumbeats. "Right. I, uh, like sharing things with you."

Gods, that sounded stupid.

"How about sharing a few more of those kisses?" Tomal said.

A moment later, they did just that.

Musical Closer - Just Like Heaven, by The Cure

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Dec 8 2024, 07:23 AM

[Acadian]

What a lovely episode. Chock full of Daria’s second thoughts, questions and observations as she tries to figure out this whole courtship thing. The dialogue between her and Tomal was great fun – ranging from hilarious to poignant.

It does indeed seem that Tomal is quite serious about Daria. I find myself hoping this works out.

The mer-human relationship age thing is indeed a consideration. Buffy the Bosmer fell in love with an Imperial and wrestled with the knowledge that the best she could hope for was perhaps a mere half century together. Her concerns turned out to be irrelevant though as he was killed long before age could take any toll. Such musings always bring to mind Queen’s song ‘Who Wants to Live Forever?’

[SubRosa]

“Hm, doesn’t the lakeside idyll usually come after a few awkward misunderstandings that give hint to our feelings while still keeping the reader in some level of suspense as to whether or not we’ll get together?”
That is exactly what is expected at this stage of the story Daria.

And so far this post delivers. Daria gets some Sydna-related unpleasantness out of the way. Then moves on to some inter-species unpleasantness regarding incompatible - or at least out of balance - lifespans. And Romantic limitations. But at least some happiness is to be found in the midst of all that.

Something just occurred to me. If you really want to subvert how the TV show went, have Tom meet Jane, fall for and start dating her, only for them to break up as well.

[Renee]

I'd imagine comic book stores are going to play anything which has set a trend for younger folks, but which isn't too popular. No Britney Spears, for instance. Music which intelligent, thoughtful people are going to dig, since thoughtful, intelligent people tend to frequent modern comic bookstores.

Then again, I could be totally wrong! Anyway, that's an interesting insight about her glasses, for sure. 👓 I wonder if any of that's true?

Ah I see, so it's even more awkward for Daria in a way, since the people she's staying with aren't even related to Tomal. Okay, I will indeed check out the link SR posted above. Perhaps I'll PM you about my impressions.

She's sitting on the poor guar's spine? Doesn't the thing have a saddle? It's funny how this set of episodes is going, WTC. It's like one long, very unusual, date. So many things are going in a contrary way, compared to how Daria's days would normally go.

Right... what's up with Synda? There's an awkward question for the Big Mer!

Wow... Daria is serious about this. They're talking about love-making! To me this is pretty shocking. But if it's considered that the Elder Scrolls series is supposed to be inspired by Medieval European (with a twist), this is actually how relationships sometimes developed back then. Very quickly, in other words. Without our usual methods of courtship. Ppl met sometimes, and then *bam*, they're getting together. Because it wasn't always about love and romance, sometimes stuff was more about convenience.

Hey, I don't know what I'm talkin' about here, just ignore me!

Daria's thinking too much. Been there myself. I've never considered growing old with someone before, or at least that old.

Uch... They're kissing.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Chapter 3

The next week proved so idyllic that Daria immediately became suspicious. Each day, she awoke in a comfortable bed, donned fine clothes (which, admittedly, never quite fit), and spent the day eating fine food, perusing the library, or exploring the countryside, either on her own or with Tomal.

Nothing was this nice.

Suspicious of the Ravils, she eavesdropped on the conversations of the serving staff to find out what they truly thought of their employer. But it seemed Ravil was neither a cruel ogre nor a benevolent patriarch. He was simply a boss. The workers complained but didn't bear him any real anger. They resented Daria more than anyone else there. To them, she was "the outlander", a boorish and unwelcome intrusion on their lives. She supposed that's what the Empire was from Morrowind's perspective.

Daria still sensed some dislike from Ravil and his wife. Angyar and Galas, on the other hand, were pleasant, though distant. Wouldn't they begrudge her, at least a little bit, for scandalizing them? For causing trouble with the Grilvayns?

"I well remember the passions of youth," Galas said at tea one afternoon. "What you and Tomal did was certainly not appropriate, but no lasting harm was done to our name. Besides, Tomal seems quite taken with you."

Which raised more questions. Tomal had never told his parents about Synda until after the pageant, but why not? If they were okay with Daria, wouldn't they have been more okay with a respectable Dunmer girl? She didn't know how to voice these questions to them without seeming rude, so she asked Tomal.

"Dating is tricky when you're in a family like mine, Daria," he said.

"Tough to choose from all the eligible young Dunmer maidens throwing themselves at your feet?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. "There's a lot at stake. Once the family knows about a relationship, they're going to start making business arrangements because, on some level, that's what any marriage would be."

"Gee, I hope I'm a valuable asset," Daria said, crossing her arms.

"That doesn't mean a marriage is without love. The only reason I didn't tell my parents about Synda until after it was over was that I didn't want the added pressure of both them and her trying to push us together."

"But you don't seem worried about that pressure with me."

Tomal shrugged. "With respect, marrying a Morgendorffer would be less complicated than marrying a Grilvayn. You guys are outside the Great House Hlaalu power structure. Some would resent me for it, but probably not enough to do anything about it. Anyway, we had no choice but to be upfront with my mom and dad, and they're basically cool with it."

Memories of Synda's screams awoke Daria on some nights. Over and over again, they echoed in her memory, and she'd lie there in the darkness, wondering what exactly had happened to the girl.

The elder Sloans hadn't heard Synda's screams. Daria doubted they'd have cared.

If they were okay with Tomal cheating on Synda, Daria thought, they won't put up any fuss if he cheats on you.

"Dammit, brain," she muttered.

But her brain had a point.

Tomal was not exactly idle during this time. Though he spent part of each day with Daria, he spent more working. The Sloan empire stretched far and wide, with more investments in Cyrodiil than in Morrowind (though the Hlaalu Council Company always got its cut). Tomal kept track of each investment and helped ascertain the best prices and fees for the rice paddies, tanna plantations, mango orchards, and egg mines.

Angyar's courier returned from Balmora at the end of the week. Packs stuffed with forms and records hung from her saddlebags, which she took off and brought to Angyar's office in the guesthouse. These turned out to be the elder Sloan's correspondence and business dealings with the notables in the city. Daria barely saw Tomal the next few days, as he and his father worked to go through and respond to each one. While Imperial nobles had reputations as useless layabouts, the Dunmer aristocrats of any great house still led relatively demanding lives, so far as she could tell.

"Oh, Daria," Angyar said one morning. Both he and Tomal had dark circles beneath their eyes from the long hours spent working by candlelight the previous evening. "I'll be sending the courier back to Balmora tomorrow. If you'd like to write a message to your family, I could have her deliver it."

Part of her wanted to pour everything out on paper and send it to Mom, just to connect with her and let her know that yes, she still lived and was okay. Another wanted to cut everything off and move on.

"I would. I'll write one today. Thank you, serjo," she said.

More to the point, most Dunmer took family more seriously than anything else. If she was to impress Angyar (and stay with Tomal), she needed to play the part of a respectful and obedient daughter. Or at least do the best job she could, given the circumstances.

Daria sighed inwardly. Here she was, willingly altering her behavior to impress someone else. Where Mom, the Empire, Drenlyn Academy, the Mages Guild, the IAS, and even a Telvanni wizard had failed, the Sloans had succeeded. Was that all it took? A handsome face and the promise of money and easy living? The realization depressed her. Maybe she was only a lazier version of her mother, her diffidence a smokescreen for the same hungry ambition that had driven Mom up through the legal world.

Daria returned to her room and dragged the squat table next to the window for light. Placing a sheet of paper on the wooden surface, she stared at it for a few minutes as she gathered her thoughts. What did she want to tell her family?

She told everything. With a storm's fury, she unleashed the truth: every pent up hurt from the long years in Charach's sterile sunlight, the cruelties of Synda and the things Daria had done to protect herself, how much she missed Jane, her exhaustion with the world around her, and most of all herself for hating it but still sinking to its level.

Finished, she let the quill fall from her aching hand and sat back in her chair, heaving and soaked in sweat. She wanted to cry but no longer had the energy. Almost a dozen-and-a-half pages of cramped and jagged script surrounded her, all laid out around the table to dry.

If they knew the truth, she'd at least know what they really thought about her. But what was the point? She'd already sunk her relationship with her own family. What did some rambling confessional accomplish?

Daria collected the pages and put them in a stack, not caring if the ink smeared. With bone-deep weariness, she took a new sheet and started writing.

Dear Mom, Dad, and Quinn -

First, relax (especially you, Dad). I'm staying as a guest of the Sloans at Ravil Manor, where they are also guests. It's pretty cushy here. If you want to know what it's like, ask Quinn to tell you her ideal life, and then trim 50% of the fantasy elements. I do get to wear fine moth-silk gowns imported from Cyrodiil on a daily basis. Feel free to remind her of this whenever you please.

How are you, Quinn? I'm sure you're glad I'm no longer there to dim your popularity with my stubborn intellectualism. Are you still steward of the Fashion Club? If so, I'll give you some sisterly advice: of your friends, Treads-on-Ferns is by far the smartest and most reliable, so listen to her.

Mom and Dad, I know you're worried about Tomal and me being together. Well, don't. Tomal's been nothing but a gentleman, and I'm still too boring to ever engage in any kind of passionate romance. In other words, it'll be many years before I become a mother. Tomal's parents know that we're in a relationship, and they seem to approve (or at least not mind). Marriage is a possibility, but I think you'd agree that it's much too early for us to make specific plans for that yet.

I know that the circumstances of our parting were less than ideal, and I apologize for that. However, given the mess I made of things with Armand, I think we can both agree that I'm not a good fit for the family. It's not your fault. I've always been a very strange person. I'm comfortable with that.

- Daria Morgendorffer

This would do. It said nothing meaningful, which made it safe. As she waited for the ink to dry, she gathered up the papers from her previous letter, crumpled them up, and burned them in the fireplace. Then, she took the surviving letter to Angyar.

"Uh, I wrote a letter to my parents, Serjo Sloan," she said. "I'd be grateful if your courier could bring it to them."

He gave her a puzzled look. "Only one sheet of paper?"

"The initial draft was far more detailed but has been redacted for security purposes," she said.

Angyar blinked in confusion and then shrugged. "I suppose you Imperials are rather brusque, even to family." He sounded vaguely disappointed. "She'll deliver it to your parents."

She rejoined them at dinner, wanting very badly to puncture the tension hanging over the table with a barbed comment or two. A single glance at the dour Ravils and the self-satisfied Sloans told her that this would be a terrible idea, and she wondered how long she could hold back. At least Tomal understood her. Or pretended to. Maybe that was the best anyone could get.

The two of them walked around the grounds after the meal.

"Daria, my dad told me something this morning, and I think you should know," Tomal blurted out.

Here it comes, Daria thought. She drew in her breath, readying herself for the worst possible news.

"The Grilvayns are coming to Ravil Manor in a few days."

Somehow, that was worse than anything she imagined. "With Synda?"

Tomal shook his head. "No, just her parents. I guess they want to talk about what happened."

"With knives drawn?"

"Please, Daria. The Grilvayns aren't important enough to hire the Morag Tong to bump me off. No, this is to soothe hurt feelings and move on. Most likely, my dad will offer them a favorable deal as a token. But I wanted to let you know since I suspect you don't want to see them."

She didn't care for his tone. But why would Tomal be worried? Everything always worked out for him. "You're so sure it'll be that easy?" she asked.

Since Synda was someone who'd responded to insult by hiring thugs to attack Daria. That viciousness couldn't have come from nowhere. She still hadn't told Tomal about that.

"Why wouldn't it be? Ultimately, everything in Hlaalu life is a business deal of one sort or another," he said.

Daria nodded but frowned. She wasn't convinced the Grilvayns shared that viewpoint.

Musical Closer - Islands in the Sun, by Weezer

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Dec 8 2024, 07:25 AM

[Acadian]

Poor Daria keeps second guessing her situation and waiting for things to go wrong. That her boyfriend’s parents seem to accept her is a good thing. Yet she continues to worry that she will screw it up. She also seems to be carrying almost a reverse elitism, as in, ‘eww, she might get some noble on her’. In fairness though, I'm sure that learning the hired help resents Daria as a boorish intruder has to smart.

The Sloans do seem pretty hard working at managing their holdings.

I figure Daria made a good call burning her manifesto and writing a simpler letter.

So the Grilvayn’s are coming to visit? I suspect Tomal is right; they are mostly looking to smooth feathers and not ruffle anyone’s station. Perhaps even elevate their own a bit by capitalizing on the awkwardness Tomal caused. I don’t expect they care about Synda’s interests or feelings. They gave up their daughter as a failure it seems because Synda didn’t measure up to the little monster they tried to create. Oooh, I’m sounding as pessimistic as Daria!

[Renee]

I can just imagine Daria wearing these fine clothes. The game calls them Expensive Skirt or Expensive Amulet. 💎 Seems she's living the good life now. It's killing me to know what's going on back home in Balmora, but I bet that part's coming.

Right, I can totally see that perspective. So if Tomal even mentioned Synda to his family that might have spurred some sort of machine to get them arranged into wedlock. So that's why Synda was being so pushy. And why Tomal was being so evasive.

-- I notice how Tomal casually is talking about marriage to 'a Morgendorffer', almost like in a theoretical sense. Though it's not mentioned, I bet Dar's blood pressure went up when she heard those words.

Hmm... write a letter back home. Gosh this is killing me, Clav! Most of all I'm wondering about mom. Is she happy her daughter ran away, but in the sense that now she doesn't have to worry about her daughter being a slacker for possibly the rest of her life?? Mom doesn't seem that callous. I bet she's worried. As a mother myself, I actually hope she's worried. But maybe she doesn't care. Hope we'll find out eventually.

Hmm. Daria, respectful and obedient?

Oh cool. We get to read her actual letter, sweet. Wow, even her writing is pure "Daria".

I don’t expect they care about Synda’s interests or feelings. They gave up their daughter as a failure it seems because Synda didn’t measure up to the little monster they tried to create.

True. Very true. Man... I bet Synda's really in dire straights.

This post has been edited by Renee: Jun 19 2023, 02:02 AM

[SubRosa]

Daria is so happy that she cannot trust that she is happy. Yep, that sounds so like her. One can relate. Still, happy as she is with Tom, one thing that is becoming very clear is that she does not belong in her present circumstances. She is a fifth wheel at Ravil Manor. Everyone else has a role and place there. She has to subdue her natural tendencies just to be less of a nuisance in a decidedly awkward situation.

Ah, so Tom kept Syd on the down-low. One can see why, given that relationships here are not the same as they are in the present day Real World. As Tom said, they are business deals. Tell the family, and the next thing you know, there is an accountant in bed with you and your girlfriend.

Ah, so finally Daria is going to tell her parents... something. This will be interesting.

Oh boy, Dad is really going to need to relax. I bet his eye burst out. No, that was Mr. DiMartino who did that. Dad probably had a stroke.

So there is the truth in pile one, and then the short story in pile two.

Here come the Grilvayns. Where is George Takei again with his "Oh My!" Well, it had to come sooner or later. May as well get it over with and see where things stand.

[WellTemperedClavier]

Chapter 4

Seated in the lap of luxury and surrounded by miles of gorgeous countryside, Daria naturally spent the next day brooding about Synda and her parents. The Grilvayns might be awful, but they wouldn't be so impulsive as to try and physically harm her, certainly not while she lived under the Sloans' protection. But that didn't mean they were okay with what happened.

What about Mom, Dad, and Quinn? She remembered what Quinn told her about Turimar over a year ago: how he'd threatened to make the Morgendorffers pariahs in Balmora. The Grilvayns didn't have as much power as Turimar did, but they had some. More than Mom and Dad did, at any rate. Her damned stupid kiss might have ruined her family's chances.

Tomal took her out for yet another lakeside picnic later in the morning. They stretched out in the shade of an emperor parasol mushroom and gazed across Lake Amaya's shining waters to the verdant foothills beyond, where Daria had accompanied Jane on the last leg of her pilgrimage.

"What's the matter, Daria?" Tomal asked.

Daria waited a while before answering, still looking across the lake. "I think all this fresh air and healthy living is getting to me. I might need to shut myself away in a dusty library for a few months to recover."

"Well the Ravil family's ancestral tomb isn't too far away. Maybe we could ask him? I'm sure the ancestral ghosts won't mind."

"Sharing a tomb with a bunch of undead sounds way too social for my liking."

Tomal frowned. "Ancestral ghosts aren't undead, Daria. I know it's a fine distinction, but it's an important one."

Daria sighed. "Right, sorry," she said, not wanting to get into an argument about the semantics of "undead." She leaned over to rest her head on Tomal's shoulder, an act that turned out to be less comfortable than the romantic tapestries made it look, what with his shoulder blade pressing against her cheekbone. She moved her head away.

"Seriously, though, is something the matter?" Tomal asked.

This time, she faced him. No guile in his face. Just sincerity and chiseled good looks.

"To tell you the truth, I'm still worried about the Grilvayns coming here," she admitted.

He nodded. "I figured. It's awkward. But you won't have to talk to them."

"Do you think we could go on another picnic when they arrive? Maybe somewhere in Akavir?"

Tomal chuckled. "Wish I could, but I'll have to be present for them. You won't, though. Hide away in the library, and no one will be the wiser. I'll talk Serjo Ravil into granting you access."

"Do they know I'm here?"

"Probably. Dunmer tend to be chatty, so I'm sure the rumor circuit is already making the rounds with us."

"Great, so they've probably made me out into some wicked outlander seductress bent on corrupting Hlaalu's upstanding young men."

"Hey, Great House Hlaalu likes its young people corrupt and close to the Empire."

Daria looked back out at the lake. Maybe it was time.

"I never told you this, Tomal, but Synda and I have a history."

"Oh? Do tell."

She breathed in the lakeside air, the scent a bit soiled by algae, and hoped he'd believe her.

"The first time I saw Synda was when she was trying to lure Quinn into the Council Club…"

*********

When she finished, Daria saw a multitude of emotions warring across Tomal's face: surprise, worry, dismay, and fear. But not disbelief.

"Why didn't you tell me all this earlier?" Tomal asked.

"I wasn't sure you'd believe me," Daria admitted. "Which, in retrospect, I can now see as being kind of an insulting thing for me to think."

"I will say this makes me even gladder I'm not with Synda anymore. I had no idea she was doing this kind of thing! Though thinking back on it, there were some hints."

"Given her feelings about outlanders, I'm surprised they were just hints," Daria said.

Tomal exhaled, not able to meet her in the eye. "She did make some… untoward comments. That's pretty common among my people, though."

"Since, if everyone's doing it, it must be okay," Daria said.

"Look, I challenged her when she said things like that."

Had he? Daria wasn't sure. But at the same time, it was the Empire that had forcibly annexed Morrowind to rip its ancient secrets and mineral wealth out of the volcanic rock. Who wouldn't be resentful in that situation?

This whole damned world, she thought. No matter where she went, the corruption dug its claws into her and wouldn't let go.

"Thanks," Daria said, not making any real attempt to sound like she believed. "Anyway, this is why I'm worried. Synda's hurt me in the past, and she tried to hurt my sister. She's not very good at executing her plans, but that doesn't mean she isn't dangerous."

Tomal nodded. "Realistically, there's not much she can do. The Grilvayns will probably be more upset at Synda than at you."

"Why?"

"Because she made a scene in public. And in the presence of, well, me." Tomal looked a bit embarrassed.

"How is that fair?" Daria demanded. "She's not the one who cheated on someone."

"Who said it was fair? Synda did talk a lot about how her parents were grooming her little brother as a successor, and it didn't sound like they cared much about her. Taking your story into account, I'd guess they found out about the whole blackmail thing and didn't react well. Come to think of it, that might be why Synda was so keen on marrying me: she wanted to get away from her family."

"It sounds like I inadvertently destroyed her life," Daria said. "Good thing I'm heartless, or I might feel bad."

And why should she feel bad? Synda was a haughty child of privilege, one who'd used it to brutalize anyone who'd crossed her. This was her just dessert: spurned by her family and publicly abandoned by her lover.

But Daria couldn't get those damned screams out of her head. The memory of those cries intertwined with another memory: how she and Dimartani had saved Synda's life after she'd stood up to Todis and been stabbed for her trouble. She recalled what Synda had said to her in the Hlaalu Council Manor.

"You think you know Morrowind. You don't. But even if you and Sera Dimartani saved me so as to humiliate me, it matters not. I have survived and found a way to restore my reputation."

She must have been referring to Tomal. Meaning Synda no longer had anyone on her side.

"Daria?"

"I'm fine," she lied.

"Okay. We do have a bit of a problem."

"I'd say that's an understatement."

"An additional problem. I have to tell my dad about the history between you and Synda. He needs to know the full scope of what Synda did if he's going to negotiate with the Grilvayns. He won't tell them your story or anything. But he does have to know."

Dammit. She closed her eyes, suddenly faint. She did not think Angyar liked her very much, and he'd like her less for hiding this information. If he kicked her out, she'd be as alone as Synda.

"Does he have to know? You said your family has more power—"

The words caught in her throat. Now Daria was defending her reputation the same way Synda had: using social inequity as leverage.

"It'll be okay," Tomal said. "I'll tell him you told me back in Balmora and that I didn't think it was worth bringing to his attention until now. That puts the blame on me, not on you."

Like so many other things, it seemed too good to be true. "Won't he be angry at you?"

"Oh, definitely. But it won't be that big a problem in the long run. He's not going to disown me over this. The Grilvayns aren't big enough of a deal for that."

So much for leading a principled life. But maybe she'd been kidding herself all along.

"Thanks," she said.

Daria knew she should be thankful. But it was hard to feel gratitude through her complicity.

*********

Sleep eluded Daria that night. Memories of the past two years flowed together and mingled in her mind: narrow alleys and the sour smell of kwama; Jane's sardonic laugh; Quinn babbling on as her parents pretended to listen, all gathered together in the tidy adobe kitchen; the clanks and hisses of Arkngthand; clutching Tedannupal as they flew above Balmora; sharing drinks with Jane on a cold Saturalia night; Synda's despairing screams.

How had so much happened in such a short time?

"Did you sleep well?" Angyar asked the next morning as he poured coffee into his gleaming cup. Breakfast was late that day.

Daria glanced at Tomal, who looked as exhausted as she felt. He offered a wan smile, though a glare from his father quieted it. He'd taken the punishment meant for her, and she had no idea what to do with that fact.

"Are the Grilvayns coming today?" She asked, still standing.

The Sloans and Ravils all stared at her. Angyar finally spoke. "Most likely today or tomorrow. You needn't concern yourself with them. On the whole, I think they'd prefer not to see you."

"With respect, serjo, I'd like to know a bit more about the situation with the Grilvayns. I am partially responsible for it."

Angyar held his coffee cup up to his nose and let it linger for a bit. Dunmer always did that with their coffee.

"The Grilvayns wish to discuss matters with us Sloans," he said.

She couldn't stand this. "Serjo Sloan, I didn't tell Tomal about Synda's behavior until yesterday. He didn't hold anything back from you. He was taking the hit for me."

Tomal jumped up from his seat. "Wait, Daria—"

She cut him off. "I'm sorry. Maybe it's me being as attention-hungry as my sister, but I don't like the idea of someone else taking my punishment."

Angyar only chuckled. "Imperial though you are, it's time you realized that you are in Morrowind, not Cyrodiil. We tend to our own affairs, and the opinions of outlanders matter little. The situation with the Grilvayns is a minor one, and you frankly don't have any say in it. I have tolerated your presence out of deference to my son, but do not forget your place."

"Serjo Sloan speaks truly," Serjo Ravil confided, his lips turning up in a slow and luxurious smile as if thrilled to see someone dress her down.

Tomal stared down at the table, his jaw set.

One of the servants stepped into the dining hall. "Serjos Sloan and Ravil," he said. "It is my honor to announce the arrival of Muthsera Grilvayn, and his wife, of Balmora."

"Ah," Serjo Sloan said. "They must have left Pelagiad early to arrive here so soon. Serjo Ravil, may I use your sitting room for this?"

"Such would be my honor, Serjo Sloan."

"Very well. Galas, Tomal? Let us adjourn and greet our guests. Daria, I suggest you return to the guesthouse."

Tomal gave her a plaintive look. Not seeing any other option, she took the backdoor out of the manor, carrying a plate of scrib pie with her. She passed a Dunmer couple standing in the courtyard, both dressed in dark finery with jagged patterns embroidered onto the silken fabric. The woman looked almost exactly like Synda. Though shorter than her husband, she seemed to overshadow him, her imperious stance demanding attention and deference.

Their eyes met. Daria saw no fury in the woman's face, no desire to avenge a humiliated daughter. Only the passing disgust usually reserved for inedible invertebrates.

Daria apparently wasn't worth hating.

Musical Closer - O Valencia!, by The Decemberists

This post has been edited by WellTemperedClavier: Dec 8 2024, 07:26 AM

[Acadian]

A pensive episode, filled with the what ifs and concerns of Daria, revealing (in my opinion) several bits of character development – all relating to Daria’s history with Synda. Firstly, Tomal impressed me with his chivalrous steps to take the blame for daddy not knowing about the history. Secondly, I was equally impressed by Daria’s sense of duty by standing up at breakfast to take the hit herself. Thirdly, daddy came across as an ashhole with his ungracious, pompous and dismissive manner.

[Renee]

So, I used to play a little game when I was younger. I'd read the very last sentence of a story (in a real book) and then try to guess some of what happens in the story itself. Never tried this in one of these Fan Fiction stories.

Daria apparently wasn’t worth hating.

Hmm, what the heck? What happened? Did Tomal and Daria break up?

Yeah, the tiers of clothing go: Common > Expensive > Extravagant > Exquisite > Unique. Too bad Vvardenfell hasn't got any beggars/ truly ragged clothing. Anyway, I figured Daria isn't wearing the very best. But certainly she's at the Expensive level.

Some of those common clothes are cute, though. My new wood elf character (blonde On the right) for instance mostly wears Expensive or Extravagant (and I've made these clothes more expensive than in the base game, so if she's buying these clothes she's spending dozens, sometimes a hundred more). But sometimes she'll buy something Common if I get the sense she's really wowed.

I like that Tomal still has to work, that he's not just loafing off his family's money. And... RIGHT.... the Grilvayns are on their way. Synda isn't supposed to be with them , which probably means she's going to be with them.

“Look, I challenged her when she said things like that.”

Had he?

I think so. Tomal's a pretty straight-up guy.

She closed her eyes for a moment, suddenly faint. She did not think Angyar liked her very much, and he’d like her less for hiding this information.

That's so silly. What was she supposed to do, divulge every recent factoid which happened in her recent life? Why would she even tell a complete stranger any of that?

I like the part when he puts the coffee to his chin and leaves it there a moment. ☕

Oh gosh. Daria, man... she's burning another bridge!!!

Okay, phew. So anyway, I was wrong about Tomal breaking up with her. But she's not even worthy enough to gain contempt for what happened to Synda.

-- For Daria to survive in this environment it's ironic that she doesn't have to do really anything at all, except keep quiet. No more retorts, no more sarcastic remarks. She can literally just hide wherever she's told to go and the rest of life is basically set. Not that this will ever HAPPEN, of course. We all know Daria can't carry on such behavior forever!