Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer Options

[haute ecole rider]

What she said.

All correct. XXY mares behave like studs and have larger than usual clitori, XXY cats have small male genitals, etc. It's the Y chromosome that causes the testosterone bath in utero.

Okay, I'm not going to say anymore out of fear of sounding too technical. Don't want people fleeing Teresa because it's starting to sound more like a scientific journal (like Cell)!

[mALX]

Normally I do not comment until posting the next segment, but I thought I would jump in just to clarify because it was brought up. What h.e.r. said about chromosomes happens in humans exactly as in animals, and results in many of the intersexed people out there (of which there are a lot more than most people think).

There is another reason for transexuality which was was discovered back in the 50's by an anatomist. As I am sure h.e.r. knows all human (and so far as I know all mammal) fetuses start out physically female. Then early on if they are genetically male they receive a testosterone bath that masculinizes their bodies (causing the ovaries to descend and become testes, the labia to drop with them to become the scrotum, etc...). This works on not only the genitals, but the brain as well.

As I was saying, an anatomist was doing some tests back in the 50s on rats. He found that the genetically female rats he gave an in utero testorone shot acted like male rats after they were born. The male rats whom he witheld the testosterone bath thought they were female. It is all in John Colapinto's book As Nature Made Him (as well as other places of course). Sometimes this also happens naturally, and a fetus just does not get the hormones it is supposed to while in the womb. Finally, there have been more recent studies on cadavers that show male-to-female transsexuals to have the same physical brain structures as genetic females, rather than males.

Aela is one of these latter, "garden-variety" transsexuals born physically male, yet instinctively knowing they are female. We will see more evidence of this later in the story, when Teresa sees her naked and gets a good look at the scar where her male genitals once were. I am trying not to go too much into it to avoid the story seeming like a scientific journal. My own takes are that she has used magic in the same manner as modern surgical techniques, and alchemy for the equivalent of hormone therapy (an interesting factiod: the modern birth control pill was originally developed from a Native American concoction using yams, and other plants show estrogenic properties as well).

Examples of Hermetic Magic:


Lady Gaga:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Mons...mped2-tweak.jpg



Carrot Top:

http://images.starpulse.com/pictures/2007/...-CSH-026686.jpg


Lassie:

http://www.lassie.net/graphics/LassieBlur.jpg



The verdict is still out on Marilyn Manson:

http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ld/revolv...son_2801760.jpg


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Jul 18 2011, 11:04 PM

[Acadian]

First off, I loved it! A wonderful and gentle blend of Teresa learning new things, delicately laced with humor. This story just lent itself to loads of quotes, so bear with me -

Aela smiled weakly. "You sound just like an Imperial.
Ouch!

"Twig! Point-Eared Freak! Woodworm!"
Double ouch!!

"Well then, a sapphic, elven Witch with Arimer-white skin!"
Finally! A compliment!!!

"Take a chance on the Warlock's Luck!" Teresa found herself exclaiming. "I saw the two of you at the tournament! He's the Altmer who runs A Warlock's Luck!"
You know the moment Aela mentioned Ungarion in the last episode, I thought of the scene in the tent market place during the tournament. Forgive me for not mentioning that after your last episode. I do remember and love the tie in. And I love that in TF, Ungarion remains an elf that is capable of getting his hands on most anything.

Her head leaned forward slightly, and tilted to one side. Teresa took a deep breath, knowing exactly what the other woman was saying, all without words.
This was lovely, natural and so very easy to envision. Even lovelier was Teresa declaring herself for Tadrose. It was understandable that Aela would misunderstand (if that makes sense). Just like with the misunderstanding with our favorite charming orc, Teresa's compassion helped comfort Aela.

She taught me the fine arts of womanhood: hair, makeup, how to walk, and talk, and pick out clothes. You know, the important things."
Yup!

"I wouldn't expect anything from the city guard,"
Um. . . looks like some foreshadowing of what is ahead for Teresa.

Teresa looked down at the cat that sat enraptured at her feet. "I didn't know," she admitted. "I'm not very good at being a Witch, or an elf."
What a perfectly Teresa thing for our elf to say!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jul 19 2011, 12:06 AM

[mALX]

All joking aside, this is a wonderful chapter - and I hope a budding friendship for Teresa and Aela both. Aela's character is amazingly open, softly sensitive revealing the pain of slights he must have endured before the magic allowed the change, and the ability for her to feel one with the spirit within herself. I am completely rapt by the paradox and history of Aela. Awesome Write SubRosa !!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Jul 19 2011, 01:09 AM

[Grits]

I think the mudcrab migration captured my imagination because it was an intriguing idea that I had to picture myself. I even started wondering if they walked on the water and led the crabs under it. It was the same when Teresa jumped off the bridge, since I had to imagine the scene, it has really stuck with me. All in a very good way, it’s made me feel more connected to Teresa’s story.

I found Aela and Ungarion’s love story quite moving, especially as Aela said, he is still standing by her despite the separate beds. It can be hard enough to get the heart and the head to agree when the gender equipment isn’t a variable.

Finally Teresa gets to talk to someone about Tadrose! The girl talk was my favorite part of this episode. I found myself admiring Aela for creating such a home for herself all alone out at Bawnwatch, but of course now I see that she isn’t alone. Between the animals, the spirits, and the visits from Ungarion, she must have almost constant company. I see that she already knows Teresa a little, too, from the ravens and bears. It just came together for me in this episode. I admire her tremendously, I was just wrong about the alone part.

Witches Festival, I’m so looking forward to it!

[hazmick]

Aela is a brilliant character! Her and Teresa are quite a pair Aela's story of her gang was brilliant and you tied it in well with Bruma.

I assume this festival involves feasting, drinking and magic? Sounds like my kind of party! (Don't worry, I'll of passed out long before the girl talk )

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: As Tadrose says in the game: "There's a lot of adventuring action from here south to Blackwood, and everyone comes to me with their gear."

I wonder if Aela's old pal Valens became the Nerevarine too. Or maybe he was one of those many failed ones...


Olen: Aela is one of those characters who really inspired me once I started writing her. I wrote the first draft of all of her scenes in this chapter in just two days, which is fast for me. I feel sorry for Ungarion too. He had to stand by and be a friend while everything he wanted slipped away from him.


mALX: Umm, none of those are/were hermetic magicians. Better examples would be Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, William Butler Yeats, and of course the self-proclaimed "beast" Aleister Crowley.


Acadian: I love how you portray Ungarion as a wheeling and dealing black marketeer in the BF. So I had to do the same when he finally made it to the TF. And yes, that little scene where Teresa saw him and Aela during the Tournament was meant to set up her meeting with Aela here in this chapter.


Grits: I envision the mudcrab exodus the same as you. With Aela walking on water and sort of being a Pied Piper of Bawnwatch, and leading all of them down the coast.

I hemmed and hawed over Aela's pets. At first I was going to make her have a grizzly bear companion (like Grizzly Adams had Ben). But I saw too many problems with a bear and the local villagers who would be going to her for things like potions. Not to mention Ungarion. Then I was going to cut it out completely. Then I thought of a dog, but they are too clingy and needy. Finally, I thought of cats (which are kind of obvious really, since there is a tradition of Witches with cats). They work because they are self-sufficient.


hazmick: I am sorry to say but there will not be any feasting, or drinking. But there will be plenty of dancing and magic.


Previously on Teresa of the Faint Smile: In our last episode Teresa learned more about Aela, and was invited to stay for the Witches Festival. Next, Teresa kicks off her shoes and has some fun.


Chapter 36.3 – The Witch of Bawnwatch Island

Teresa followed Aela down the rise upon which the village stood. The pair of women now wore short skirts that barely fell past mid-thigh, and flared outward as they dropped. Unlike the long gowns the Imperials favored, Teresa found this gave her legs plenty of room to move in, as if she was wearing nothing at all. The plunging necklines of the loose tops that they wore left little to the imagination as well, and Teresa made a mental note to look for similar clothing once she returned to Bravil.

The stars glittered in the night sky above, sharing the firmament with the ruby bulk of Masser and the smaller ivory disc of Secunda. A cool breeze wafted in from the east, and for a moment Teresa shivered. Fall was definitely on the way, she thought. It would already be in full force in the Imperial City, and the trees there would be turning their bright autumn colors. She wondered how long it would take for the same to happen in Bravil County, given its warmer climate?

Aela carried a small chest in her hands, and set it down near the pile of wood. Her sandals followed a moment later. Teresa followed her example, shucking off her footwear and standing barefoot upon the sand. Opening the chest, Aela produced a small pottery bowl and handed it to Teresa.

"Bring us some water from the lake would you?" she said.

The sand crunched beneath her toes as Teresa walked to the shore. She let the water lap around her ankles for a moment before bending down to fill the basin. Stepping with care to avoid spilling her cargo, she made her way back to the other Witch.

"What now?" the wood elf asked.

"First we consecrate the circle," Aela explained. "And to do that, we must make the water holy."

Aela stood with a tiny spice box in hand. As Teresa held out the bowl to her, she opened it to reveal salt within. Pinching a bunch of the white granules between finger and thumb, the Breton sprinkled them into the water. After tucking the spice box away in the chest, she put a finger into the bowl and gently stirred.

With a smile on her lips, the Breton put her hands over Teresa's. Then together they lifted the bowl of salted water over their heads.

"Spirits of Nirn, bless this water." Aela said in a near whisper, and Teresa found herself repeating the same words. Then along with the other woman, she gently lowered the bowl. Aela left it in Teresa's hands, and bent back down to her chest. She produced a bundle of basil from within, and exactly as Olava had done during the Harvest Blessing, she dipped the leafy ends into the water. Drawing the wet bundle forth, the Witch began walking in a circle around the pile of wood. Every step she took, she flicked the water to one side or another. Teresa followed with bowl in hand, so that Aela could occasionally pause to wet the basil as it dried. After making a complete circuit, they stopped once more to set down the bowl and bundle of herbs.

Aela stretched out her hand to the woodpile, and nodded to Teresa, who followed suit. Calling up the magicka within her, Teresa focused on the symbol of her Flare spell. A moment later the two Witches sent fist-sized balls of fire into the wood. In moments it was ablaze, and where Teresa had first shivered, now she could feel the heat of the flames bathing her skin.

"Close your eyes Teresa." Aela's soft voice was in the forester's ear, and she felt the Breton's fingers clasp around her own. "Breathe deep, in and out. Feel the sand beneath your feet, the sky above, the water around us, and the fire before us. Forget everything else. Just feel the elements - and you - together."

Teresa did as the Witch suggested, and more. As Morcant had taught her, she imagined that she was a tree. Her toes sunk into the beach like roots, and her hair rustled about her head like leaves. Breathing deep, she felt Nirn beneath her, above her, all around her. Reaching down into the sand, she drew up the water of Niben Bay into her trunk, and felt it spread through her body like sap. It invigorated her, purified her, washing away all of her doubts and fears. She felt herself glow in its wake, as pure and brilliant as the Aedra who created Nirn so many eons ago.

"Now we dance," Aela declared. Opening her eyes, Teresa saw that the bonfire threw wild shadows across the beach. She heard the pounding of a drum in her ears. Or was it her heart that boomed so loud? No matter, her limbs knew what to do. Along with the Breton, she stepped lightly around the fire, leaping, laughing, and spreading her arms like an eagle's wings.

The rest of the world dissolved as they danced. There was just the fire, and the circle, and the pair of them within. Nothing else existed. It was as if they stood out of time, out of the world, perhaps within Aetherius itself.

Then the others came. They began as shadows cast by the blaze, metamorphosing into distinct forms. Here was a bear, there was a raven. Then a butterfly, a turtle, a wolf, a lion, and a stag. More and more of them came and danced with the Witches. Teresa could feel their hot breath upon her skin, and their soft hides against her own. They lifted her to the sky, and guided her feet as she dropped back to the ground. Always they were with her, as much a part of her as her fingers or her toes.

So they danced around the fire, an ever-turning spiral with no beginning or ending.

* * *

Teresa breathed deep, and filled her nostrils with the scent of Tadrose's primrose body wash. She smiled as the dark elf slid her naked body atop her own. The armorer's raven-black tresses fell into the wood elf's face as she lowered her head, and her fingers gently caressed Teresa's pale cheeks. The forester lifted her head upward to meet the Dunmer's lips. Softly they met, and Teresa closed her eyes as she guided her own fingers between the other woman's thighs.

Teresa woke to the feeling of a sharp paw against her cheek. Snapping her eyes open, she found a cat staring back at her.

"Valdemar!" she cried. "I was having the most wonderful dream!"

"About Tadrose?"

Teresa looked across the sand to the source of the voice. Aela sat with her back to the forester, long brown hair spilled across her naked frame. The Breton seemed to be moving one glowing white hand across her face, bathing herself in its light.

Looking down, Teresa saw that she was naked as well. Her usually pale skin was flushed with the excitement of her dream. It was a state betrayed by other parts of her body as well. Yet she did not feel the slightest bit embarrassed. It felt no different than her mornings with Nerussa.

A glance across the beach revealed their clothing, scattered in a circle around the grey coals of the spent bonfire. She ignored them as she rose to her feet and walked to the Breton. In the light of day, Teresa could see that the other woman's body bore the hourglass shape of any born female, albeit not as curvy as most.

"I told you how I felt about her." Teresa bit her lip just the same, and sat down beside the other woman. A glance down revealed that the magician's breasts were smaller than own, but still undeniably female. The scar tissue that filled the empty spot between her legs however, was another story entirely.

Gingerly, Teresa reached out to put her arm around the Breton. Aela flinched for a moment, and Teresa's heart dropped like a stone. Was it because of Tadrose? Or was it because Teresa could see her body in full daylight? But then Aela leaned against Teresa, and the forester breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know," Aela sighed, now turning to look at Teresa with a weak smile. "I envy you."

The Breton turned away, and slowly moved her hand down the length of one leg. The white light from her fingers spilled across her flesh, and Teresa saw tiny hairs falling away from her skin behind it.

"You're shaving?" Teresa stared incredulously, "with magic?"

"For someone like me, it's a necessity," Aela sighed. "This is better than shaving though. I have been working on this since University. It makes the hairs actually fall out. Unfortunately, they still grow back though, so you have to keep doing it. One of these days I will find out how to make it permanent."

"That is incredible!" Teresa exclaimed. "Do you think you could teach me that?"

"You don't have any hair," Aela laughed. "Except where you're supposed to at least."

"That's because I shave too," Teresa pouted, "the old fashioned way, with a razor."

"Where?"

"Right here," Teresa smiled. She took Aela's glowing hand in her own and guided the Breton's fingers between her legs. The next thing Teresa knew, Aela's lips were pressed against her own. She thought of Tadrose, and knew that she should stop. But her arms had minds of their own, and they wrapped themselves around the other woman. Then she found herself leaning back in the sand and pulling Aela atop herself. Her legs slid around the Witch's hips, and the Breton's long hair spilled down over their naked bodies.

"Not here!" Aela pulled away from their kiss long enough to giggle. "That sand gets everywhere!"

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jul 21 2011, 04:51 PM

[Grits]

What happens in Bawnwatch, stays in Bawnwatch! I did wonder why they were getting dressed up to go dance by the light of the moons, but of course Aela’s preparations came first. I love the comparison between Aela’s consecrating the circle and Olava’s blessing the harvest. The animal spirits joining the dance was my favorite part.

But I’m guessing Teresa is a fan of the morning after. Hot dreams abound in County Bravil this fall! If Aela ever wants to go live in town, she could start a day spa with that depilation magic. Teresa could offer Bloom treatments. I’m glad Aela already knows about Tadrose. More than friends or friends with benefits, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

[haute ecole rider]

Wella! Some slash for the morning after?

Loved the spirits joining the witches around the fire. Who says one is truly alone when one is able to commune with Gaia? All four elements - air, water, fire and earth, conjoined in one celebration. Very fitting of the witches of Nirn.

I agree with Grits - wet dreams are spreading. Are they contagious? We'll have to see!

[Olen]

What Grits said. No that Tadrose could really complain given that neither has actually made their feelings known. Still some unexpected slash, this piece certinly stays fresh with the unexpected.

More animal spirits, I wonder if we might be meeting them in future. I too thought the similarities between the witches' ceremony and the church's worked well. It suggests that they're worshipping the same thing but in different ways. No shudders of the earth this time, but perhaps Mara had something to do with that dream...

As for a shaving (well better hair removal really, closer to pain free waxing) spell. That could sell for a small fortune!

[Jacki Dice]

Teresa woke to the feeling of a sharp paw against her cheek. Snapping her eyes open, she found a cat staring back at her.

"Valdemar!" she cried. "I was having the most wonderful dream!"

Its like cats know what's going on and decide to be most naughty and ruin it!

You have done an amazing job making Teresa blossom as an actual person and not just a character. She's always saying or doing something that I can completely relate to

[Acadian]

An elegantly exotic, erotic and enticing episode!

What a wonderful glimpse into the world of Aela and Teresa's witchcraft. You really capture it well when you describe Teresa 'becoming' a tree - you've done so before and each time it's just as captivating. I loved how the animal spirits joined them. Especially the butterfly!

Teresa's dream of Tadrose was a perfect segue into what followed. Teresa obviously felt a connection to Aela and, between her nocturnal arousal, perhaps a touch of sympathy for Aela and nature taking its course it looks like a lovely, loving morning!

[Thomas Kaira]

Hmm... Tadrose has competition now!

You paint a very endearing picture of Aela here. One of the things I really must applaud your style for is how natural and familiar you can make it feel to talk about homosexuality in your stories. From here on out, I will be recommending anyone I notice raving about gays protesting same-sex marriage to simply come over here and read a spell.

They only reason people oppose it is because it is an alien concept to them; it goes against our preconceived notions that such relationships can only occur between male and female. But in reality, there is nothing strange about it if you look any deeper than the surface. You have shown that utterly well throughout your writing, and are never afraid to hold back.

Don't stop.

[haute ecole rider]

They only reason people oppose it is because it is an alien concept to them; it goes against our preconceived notions that such relationships can only occur between male and female. But in reality, there is nothing strange about it if you look any deeper than the surface. You have shown that utterly well throughout your writing, and are never afraid to hold back.

Don't stop.

Yes, absolutely! Like many gay people I know, who are just like straight people (who aren't all that straight themselves, they just bend the other way is all).

[hazmick]

Brilliant. First of all, I loved Teresa's awakening by Valdemar. The old cat's paw to the face has awoken me many times.

Second, I am very happy for Teresa and Aela! Even though Teresa would prefer it to be Tadrose it was still wonderfully written and the last line was perfect.

Finally, I am very interested to see more of Aela in the future and I imagine that this encounter will be with Teresa for a long time.

[King Coin]

Chapter 32.2
Ugh zombies. I hope Chance doesn’t freeze at the sight of one of those disgusting nightmares.

I think light only matters to living enemies. I’m sure a ghost could see her just fine if she had stepped into the shadows rather than remained in the light. Perhaps she was only talking of receiving ranged attacks.

I’m kind of wondering if it’s that same necromancer from Vilverin.

Chapter 32.3
Chance and Teresa work well as a team. Pappy did well training them.

A statue! Too bad the guild gets a cut of Teresa’s earnings now. Small price to pay I suppose for everything they’ve done for her.

Exciting fight! When Teresa found the severed arm, I thought for sure there was a trap on the statue.

[Glargg]

Wow. I believe in your characters. I believe in your world.

More. I want more. Now. Hurry!

[SubRosa]

Grits: Teresa hopes that what happens in Bawnwatch stays there! Now she has to deal with the awkward afternoon after the morning after... I never thought of the magical day spa. I wish we had those IRL!


haute ecole rider: I see you noticed my inclusion of the elements. That was not something I originally planned. Rather it just came out naturally as I wrote it. I think in the game fire is not included in the elements, but rather light. But I like fire better as it does more than just illuminate.


Olen: I did want there to be strong similarities between Aela and Olava's ceremonies. As you noted, my intention is for the differences only to really be in the degrees. Olava is focused on only one Aedra, where the Witches are all-encompassing. But otherwise I felt that the same format to the rites was natural.


Jacki Dice: You can completely relate to sex on the beach?


Acadian: IRL the Tree of Life is my favorite meditation. I do it every night before going to sleep in fact. So that is one of those examples of writing what you know best.


Thomas Kaira: Well, being a lesbian is natural and familiar to me! So writing about it is really just writing what I know best. Did you know Derek and the Dominos did a song about Aela? They changed her name to avoid paying me royalties though... Seriously though, I think the piano solo for the second half of the song is perfect for Aela.


hazmick: I have been woken up countless times by the paw in the face as well! I like to sleep in on the weekends, but my cat does not.

I have never had sex on the beach, but I understand the sand gets everywhere, so it's not a good idea!


King Coin: You would think that a ghost could "see" just fine in the dark. But you can sneak up on them if your stealth is high enough, even if they are looking right at you. Beth never really does explain how undead know where things are, even though most of them lack any physical sensory organs. I am just going with them having the same senses they had in life.

Well, there sort of was a trap on the statue. Just not actually on the statue itself. It did trigger all the skeletons to rise and attack though.


Glargg: More on the way.


Previously on Teresa of the Faint Smile: In our last episode, Teresa woke the morning after the celebration. She got her first good look at Aela naked, and had sex with her. Next she deals with the awkward afternoon after on the way back to Bravil.


Chapter 36.4 – The Witch of Bawnwatch Island

Magnus stood high in the morning sky by the time the pair had bathed, dressed, eaten, and returned to the beach. So much for being in a hurry, Teresa thought as she looked at the Witch beside her. "No one can stop a thunderstorm," Nerussa had once told her. "You can either run for shelter, or dance in the rain."

Well Aela - and the celebration - had certainly sparked lightning within her!

Would she have felt the same way if they had not spent the night dancing between the worlds? Teresa was not sure. Or perhaps it was just her own pent up feelings for Tadrose looking for an outlet, any outlet?

Tadrose, Teresa thought, what would she think if she found out? Would she feel as betrayed as Teresa imagined she must? Or relieved that Teresa's eye had gazed elsewhere? Would she care at all? It was not like the two of them were lovers after all, and while sometimes Teresa could not see how the Dunmer could not know her feelings, at others the armorer seemed as distant as Magnus above.

Still, why had it been so easy with Aela? She could not even tell Tadrose how she felt. Yet she had no trouble falling into the Breton's arms. How could that be?

Because there was nothing to lose with Aela, Teresa thought. While she had everything to lose with Tadrose.

"Aela, about the other night, and this morning, I…" She turned to the other woman as they flipped over her dory so that the boat rested on its keel. She wanted to explain to the Breton how she felt, about her, and about Tadrose. But when she tried, her tongue sat as still as a boulder in her mouth.

"I know," Aela said softly. There was a sad look in her eyes as she gazed at Teresa across the gunwales of the boat. "There is someone else. I'm a big girl. I never expected flowers and wedding bells. What we had was just, what we had, that is all."

"So we can still be friends then?" Teresa bit her lip as the other woman walked around the boat to stand next to her.

"Of course." Aela's smile was as faint as any of Teresa's. "You're a good woman Teresa. I am glad I met you. It's just that every time I make love to someone we end up being friends. Sometimes I wonder if Dibella enjoys playing jokes on me."

"I think I know what you mean," Teresa forced a twin to Aela's smile to her own lips.

"Look at us, we ought to be in some silly play!" Aela chuckled, and Teresa joined in a moment later. "You would think Juno Austenius wrote us both!"

"Except there is no dashing Lord Decius to sweep us off our feet!" Teresa giggled. The pair of them grabbed hold of the gunwales, and dragged the dory into the waves lapping upon the shore.

"Ungarion can have Lord Decius!" Aela laughed. "I will take Euphemia any day."

"I want Euphemia!" Teresa cried as she leaped into the boat behind Aela. "You can have her sister Juno."

"Well I suppose," the Breton chuckled. "She is the most beautiful woman in the county after all. What a coincidence that she has the same name as the author…"

Teresa sat in the center of the boat, and reached out to set the oars in their locks. But Aela waved her hands away, and stood up in the stern of the ship. Raising one hand over her head, she clenched her fingers into a fist. Blue light erupted under her fingers, and spilled out from the cracks between then.

Aela opened her hand, and a disc of azure energy formed in the air before her. A form took shape behind the energy as it fell to the water beside the boat. It was definitely feminine, with long hair and an hourglass frame. But rather than flesh, the conjured being was comprised of water. Her hair was the foaming white spray of waves crashing onto the shore. Her body was the crystal blue of clear waters, and her eyes, mouth, and fingernails the dark green of an algae-soaked lake.

The water-spirit hung in the air for a moment, and at Aela's nod, she sank into the waves around the dory. Then the boat began moving forward, as if of its own accord. Aela had to quickly sit, lest she fall overboard. Teresa glanced down at the water surrounding them, and thought she saw the deep green eyes of the spirit gazing back at her.

"What is she?"

"An undine," Aela said as she took the tiller and guided the boat around Bawnwatch Island. The morning sun glared in their faces, and the southern coastline stretched away to the right. Then they were clear of the island, and the Breton turned the ship north, into the vast expanse of Niben Bay. "You never saw one before?"

Teresa shook her head. Conjured beings were hardly an everyday experience on the streets of the Imperial City! "What else can you summon?"

"Oh, all the usual Aedra," the Breton said off-handedly, as if she was talking about something as ordinary as cooking or knitting. "Sylphs, archaens, dryads, lares, salmanders… I usually don't do the last though, because that's the only thing Ungarion can summon. It makes him feel inadequate when I do."

"Typical male," Teresa rolled her eyes. "You must have learned all of that at the University I suppose." Teresa stared out across the waves. What would it be like, to go there and learn from the greatest magicians in Tamriel?

"Yes, and more," Aela said. "Conjuration was one of my major fields of study, although not originally. I went there for Restoration, to help myself with my… change. I had to learn Conjuration to defend myself when Ungarion and I starting tomb raiding. It is amazing how imminent death can prompt you to learn!"

Teresa smiled, and thought of how she had met Barenziah on the Green Road. She had learned to heal others then, because of the urgency of the bear's wounds. She also remembered Pappy insisting that she learn a touch Destruction spell, because her Flare was not powerful enough. What was it the Imperials said, necessity was the mother of invention?

"So how does a Witch go to the Arcane University?" Teresa puzzled.

"Well I wasn't a Witch yet then," Aela explained. "That was not until my final year. When I did my internship at the Bravil Mages Guild I fell in love with the forest. I used to go for walks up the Larsius, past Silverbridge, and sit for hours just staring at the otters as they played in the river. The first time I saw a grizzly bear walk past me I jumped nearly as high as Magnus! But after that I started to realize that none of the animals meant me any harm. In fact, I always felt more comfortable around them than people. Animals see me for who I really am after all."

"That they do," Teresa smiled faintly. "That they do."

The time flew by as Aela's undine sped them across the bay. Every half-hour the Breton Witch was obliged to renew the summoning, lest the spirit fade away with the spell. There seemed to be little difference between doing that and simply summoning the undine again. Aela went through all of the same motions, and appeared to expend the same amount of energy. Still, the undine never vanished between castings, and Teresa supposed that was the point.

Before the wood elf knew it, the walls of Bravil were rising up from the northern horizon. The last time she had seen this view, she had been swimming into the city, just before the tournament. Although the swim had been invigorating, it was certainly more relaxing while sitting in the dory!

They saw numerous small boats like their own on the bay as they approached the city. All of them contained one or two fishermen casting their nets into the bay, only to haul them in again to see what they had caught. Thanks to their preoccupation with their trade, the Witches found the docks to be nearly empty when they entered the city through the Bay Gate. Teresa insisted to pay for Aela's docking fee, even though it was only a single copper reman. Then the two women climbed up the criss-crossing flights of steps along the riverbank, until they stood upon the main road above.

"Well, I have to get to the castle and talk to the guard captain about those smugglers," Teresa said. She looked off down the road, where she could see a bridge spanning the interior river, joining Bravil's North Island with Castle Isle beyond. Yet when Teresa looked back to Aela, she found her feet unwilling to move.

"I should go see Ungarion," Aela said. "He will be so surprised to see me."

"Why don't we meet again for dinner?" Teresa's forced the words out before she could change her mind. "Bring Ungarion, I'd like to meet him. We could go to Silverhome on the Water. My treat for your bringing me here."

"And Tadrose?"

"I'll see if she will come." Teresa bit her lip. "I hope she will. Maybe we could all see a play afterward, although I don't know what is at The Globe."

"We will meet you at the Fighters Guild then." Now Aela smiled genuinely. Teresa put her arms around the other woman in a short embrace. As they disengaged, she paused, and so did Aela. She was keenly aware of how near their lips were, and how loudly her heart was pounding in her chest.

Then the burning coals of Tadrose Helas' eyes filled Teresa's thoughts, along with her dusky skin and raven tresses. She sighed, and leaned in to kiss the other woman gently upon the cheek. Teresa knew that Aela could never fill the place of Tadrose in her heart. But the Breton could still have a place all her own, even as just a friend.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jul 25 2011, 04:33 PM

[D.Foxy]

Deep are the fathoms of love,
sandbars too abound there -
Currents flow and eddy enough,
with backwashes too to snare -
Dark, lay your veil over me
And teach me how to explain
That which I love I cannot gain
That which I gain I cannot love
I have tired of fighting against current
I grow weary of battling this stream
And now drifting, I seek my destination
Adrift to whatever lies between
yet once I have seen - in a dream,
a goal of pure silver burning bright
And if life is more than just struggle
I dream I shall wake up in its light.

[hazmick]

A wonderful chapter. I loved Aela's list of summonings and "all the usual daedra" was a brilliant line. I love conjuration, it's my favourite skill in TES and I always love conjuration talk. I'd like to see more of Aela in the future, maybe she could summon me a cup of nightshade tea? (complete with resist poison goat's milk of course)

And now we're off to dinner and hopefully a play! I hope Tadrose can go, no doubt wearing some sort of dress which makes her have curves in all the right places and makes Teresa have more than a faint smile...

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jul 25 2011, 05:43 PM