mirocu- Thank you! Though it is ‘SkyBuffy’ sharing her stories, many of them will be set comfortably in Lothran’s 3rd Era.
hazmick- Fully embracing only one 'version' of Buffy who can time travel has actually ‘freed’ us to write happily in 3rd Era settings – if that makes sense. Thank you!
ghastley- Buffy has indeed been taking lessons from our favorite bard, Lisette. And how astute of you to point out why Buffy intentionally opted to delay summoning her lute until up on stage.
SubRosa- Freya the Weeble – what a perfect name for the busty bard! Thank you for your kind words about Buffy incorporating illusionary visions into her music.
mALX- Aww, thanks! I’m so glad you enjoyed the description of Buffy’s lute materializing, and agree with me that the music vid ‘feels’ quite Skyrimesque.
Lopov- Thank you for those kind words and enjoying the magical appearance of Buffy’s lute. I wouldn’t worry about Freya being able to follow Buffy – she has a couple impressive talents of her own.
Kazaera- Thanks for noting how Buffy’s nervousness gradually transitioned to confidence – I hoped that would come through well. I’m going to ask your forgiveness and remain coy about Buffy’s time travel until we can tell that story in our fiction. I confess I’m also still toying with about three possibilities and want to take some time to ponder which suits her best.
Grits- Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that ‘being Buffy’ still comes through after our lengthy sabbatical from fiction writing. While embracing SkyBuff keeps her gaming exclusively in Skyrim, I’m delighted to have discovered that it also frees our fiction to write anytime/anywhere in Tamriel.
DE- I’m so glad you enjoyed the rowdy taverners’ comments and Buffy’s song. And thanks for your kind words as Buffy muddled beyond her awkward opening moments on stage.
*
As Buffy’s short stories will range widely across Tamrielic time and provinces, I think it might be helpful to introduce each with mention of its ‘setting’. This next one-episode story finds Buffy in 3rd Era Cyrodiil, before she learned how to travel between Eras.
* * *
Unfinished Business – Buffy and the Box
Sanguine’s shrine rivaled the surrounding trees in height. The chubby horned elf of gray stone with a tankard in one hand watched over his revelers. Two Bosmer and a Khajiit in various states of dress and sobriety paid little attention as I slipped from Superian’s saddle to the ground.
From my mage satchel I produced a flask of Cyrodiilic brandy, then approached the shrine.
“You look familiar,” slurred one of the Bosmer.
“My name is Buffy and I was here a long time ago.”
Recognition appeared in his eyes. “Ah, yes. Buffet. I remember now. My Lord sent you to Leyawiin to loosen you up.”
“Stand aside, please. My business is with Lord Sanguine.”
He frowned, but did move out of my way. “Looks like my Lord’s goal to loosen you up failed. A shame, as you look like such a tasty little thing.” He lecherously licked his lips then grinned.
I sighed and approached the Prince of Debauchery. After placing the flask at his feet, I addressed the shrine. “Lord Sanguine. I successfully completed the task you asked for in Leyawiin some time ago. I ask that you return the red dress I was wearing when I cast your spell upon the Countess of Leyawiin and her guests.”
From everywhere and nowhere, his sarcastic voice filled the air around me. “The prodigal elf has returned, and successfully so it seems. Did you lose track of time?”
I stifled my bristling anger. “I was delayed, My Lord, by your colleague and his minions at Kvatch.”
“Dagon never would take my advice to lighten up. You could learn from that lesson, my tight-butted little elf.” He laughed cheerfully, blunting some of the sting in his words. “But no matter, for time means little to us immortals. You did a fine job in Leyawiin ‘exposing’ that stuffy countess and her noble friends. I must say it was a stroke of genius how you made an excuse to slip out of the dining hall so no one saw you cast my spell. When you reappeared naked yourself, the guards assumed you were a victim too. I almost spit brandy when one of the oafs chivalrously covered you with his own surcoat! Ah, yes, you provided me quite the pleasant diversion that evening. Well done!”
“I’m pleased the task was completed to your satisfaction, My Lord. The dress? You see I borrowed it from a-“
“Yes, yes, I’m sure you did.” I heard what seemed to be a bored yawn. “You’ll find your dress and whatever else you were wearing in the chest right behind you.”
I turned around in time to see a flat-topped sea chest of dwemer construction grow from a cloud of magic. The gray container radiated a continuous dull blue glow. I saw no latches but, as I passed my hand over the top, the lid slid open. Sure enough, I found Delphine Jend’s burgundy and green silk dress inside – none the worse for wear. I also found myself quite intrigued by the chest itself. I faced the shrine again. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“See?” he said. “No harm and a good time was had by all. In appreciation, I’ll even let you have one of my prized artifacts. Behold! Sanguine’s Rose!”
The conjuration magic this time was right in front of me, where a thorned staff appeared. It was topped by what appeared to be a carved rose in early bloom. I stared at the artifact hovering before me.
Another staff? Sheogorath and Vaermina had long ago given me staves as well – which now sat gathering dust in the Arcane University’s Mystic Archives.
“I’m sure you’re bursting to know what it does!” exclaimed Sanguine proudly.
“Actually, I-“
“It briefly conjures a random daedra to help fight your foes!” he interrupted.
Like the one that killed my Savlian, I thought grimly. “Surely you must be reluctant to part with such a magnificent artifact, My Lord. Perhaps a more modest token might serve me just as well and allow you to retain your beautiful Rose?”
“You would dare bargain with a Daedra Lord?” he boomed ominously.
I gulped.
“You must have the stones of a minotaur hidden in those tight little greaves of yours.” His laughter then filled the meadow. “Very well, I’ll hear your proposal.”
I released the breath I just realized I'd been holding.
Emboldened by the fact that I was still an elf instead of an ash pile, I said, “Perhaps Your Lordship would consider keeping his magnificent staff and, instead, gifting this humble elf with the magical chest holding my red dress. . . and one other small favor that I’m sure is insignificant to one as powerful as yourself.”
He replied, “What a shame you are such prudish thing, for I can imagine countless uses for that silver tongue besides clever flattery.” He laughed again. “Ah, yes, the chest. . . ‘tis but one of my tens of thousands of realms. A tiny realm, yes, but notably larger inside than it appears. I’m intrigued. Continue.”
“In addition to the ability of summoning this magical chest, I would ask for the lifting from my spellbook of your magic that rather traumatically removes clothing.”
“I agree with your requests,” he said, “subject to two. . . minor conditions of my own.”
“The first condition?” I asked nervously.
“A simple thing, really. Join me for a friendly little drinking contest. It doesn’t have to be soon. As I’ve said, time is rather meaningless to a Daedric Prince. Shall I call for you in, say, two hundred years or so? Perhaps you will have loosened up some by then.”
I was mystified by his nonsensical request. . . but could see neither harm nor any real chance of it ever happening. “Agreed. And your second condition, My Lord?”
“Not that I’m a perverted voyeur, mind you. . . well, actually I am, but If you cast that Let’s Get Naked spell right here and now for me, I will then remove it from your repertoire of magicks and gift you with a spell to conjure the chest you desire.” He chuckled. “I assure you that I’m referring the blue dwemer box behind you, not the modest contents of your blouse.”
“And I assure you, Lord Sanguine, that Nordic breasts would hinder more than help this small-framed archer and equestrienne.”
“So you do have a sense of humor, after all!" he boomed jovially. "Well, will you humor me and display your wares in exchange for the dwemer box?”
“Agreed, My Lord.”
“Splendid!” The staff in front of me evaporated into a small puff of magic. I looked behind me to see that the magical chest had vanished as well. “We’ll talk about the staff again perhaps during our date in a couple centuries. And you will be able to summon that box as soon as you banish your clothing to it.”
By now, Sanguine’s three revelers were seated on the benches arrayed around the shrine, waiting for the show. I supposed I shouldn’t have expected to come away from negotiating with a Daedra Lord unscathed. Oh well, nothing I hadn’t displayed to countless waterfalls. I lifted my hand and cast Sanguine’s spell. Sure enough, I and the three revelers were instantly and fully exposed.
“Well done!” cried Sanguine. “While I do like to tease, you’ve been a good sport and have quite the fine little figure, my dear.”
The three revelers applauded, stood and opened several bottles of wine. The older Bosmer said, “Seeing as you’re now properly undressed, are you sure you won’t stay for dinner? Our Khajiiti sister here gives the best kitty licks, and you can be the main course!”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure I have somewhere else I have to be.”
Pleased to note that Sanguine had indeed replaced his silly spell, I filled my hand with the new magic and cast it. Sure enough, the magical chest appeared, floating slightly above the ground. I retrieved my clothing, dressed and dispelled the chest.
As I approached Superian, I said, “Did you enjoy the show?”
The mare nickered softly.
After mounting Superian, I turned her south.
“Acadian, you really don’t need to tell anyone about all this.”
“Of course not, Buffy,” he replied with a chuckle.
I glanced at the westering sun. “We should easily make Skingrad by nightfall. We’ll get a room at the tavern instead of the guild – I’ve dealt with enough lechery today without Vigge trying to watch me sleep.”
“That new chest seems deceptively large inside,” remarked Acadian. “There should be plenty of room for camping gear and provisions. Even spare waterskins, I should imagine.”
“And all the other things a girl needs. The shoe shoppe opens first thing in the morning.”