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> Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer
McBadgere
post Jan 5 2012, 08:39 PM
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Cool!!...Likes the horsey chapter!!...

Most excellent...

Loads of simple, elegant and brilliant stuff throughout...

*Applauds*...
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Grits
post Jan 5 2012, 11:57 PM
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How nice that Valerius and Ancondil were so pleased to see Teresa. An interesting train of thought about patricians that didn’t quite lead to Tadrose, yet.

Lots of fun, horsey details here! It was good to see that Teresa has an affinity to all natural animals, wild and domestic, as well as some of the magical beings. Has she seen a will-o-the-wisp yet? I’m curious which Oblivion creatures will go the way of the troll, and which will be more like the spriggans.

I also enjoyed the mention of Ancondil’s father. I hadn’t thought of it, but he is a perfect friend to help Teresa deal with her feelings about parents and race. I do hope we’ll get to see more of these two together, especially now that it is out in the open that Ancondil is not the one Teresa has been slamming doors over. smile.gif




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Acadian
post Jan 6 2012, 01:05 AM
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A wonderful taste of Bravil outside the gate! Wonderful flavor and scale you give to the stable, riders and horses.

"I believe Fidelis and I shall take a few more turns about the field," Valerius said.’
Why, thank you for such a perfect choice in naming Valerius’ faithful steed! wink.gif And Glacier is equally suitable for Ancondil’s blue roan.

Enchanting a saddle with feather is a natural choice, especially for those larger or steel-wearing riders. Superian’s saddle pad is enchanted with resist frost – harmless when warm and handy when cold.

Now, I did miss a brief mention of the mighty shire, Button. Perhaps in a future episode? After all, she is legendary, thanks to Teresa.


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King Coin
post Jan 6 2012, 03:32 AM
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Teresa spends so much time looking at her feet, it’s a wonder she doesn’t run into people!

I’m with Teresa when it comes to horses. Glacier looks like a whole horse to me too.

The feather enchantment sounds handy. I’m sure the horse appreciates it hauling a big orc around.


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SubRosa
post Jan 9 2012, 06:00 PM
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ghastley: I always have trouble with how "low tech" some things are in the game. Like the Emperor carrying a torch to see. This is the Emperor of all Tamriel, and the only thing he can afford is a burning stick? Magical consumer goods would be a huge cash cow for business like the Mages Guild. The world ought to be packed with little magical items made to make day to day life easier.


Olen: Teresa is not really uncomfortable around Valerius. One of the advantages to having Nerussa as a first lover is that she learned from the best. So being around former lovers like him or Aela do not bother her at all. wink.gif


McBadgere: A little more horsey stuff this episode, though not as much as last time.


Grits: No Will-O-The-Wisps for Teresa yet. I doubt they will come up in the TF. At least not in the foreseeable future. Ancondil, otoh, was always meant to be a friend/supportive character for Teresa. Not just because of his easy-going manner, but precisely for the reason you said. He is from a multi-racial family, and had to deal with a lot of difficult issues because of it. That gives Teresa and him a strong common bond.


Acadian: I thought you would like Fidelis! You know how I hate coming up with names. Those for horses are even more difficult then two-legged folk. I wanted something Latin for Valerius' horse, and when looking through Latin words it just leapt out. It struck me as the perfect name for an Imperial warhorse. Likewise Glacier came to me after looking at pictures of blue roans. I had a pic that I was going to post last episode, but could not find it. Now it finally turned up.

Sadly, no Buttons this chapter. I never thought of including her to be honest. But I wanted this chapter to be tightly focused on T&T anyhow.


King Coin: Have you seen Babylon 5? What you said about looking at her feet, and running into people, was in that. Twice in fact! So true of Teresa as well!


Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: In our last episode, Teresa journeyed to the riding grounds outside Bravil's main gate. There she met Ancondil and Valerius, who were exercising their horses. Sensing that Teresa wanted some privacy, Valerius left her and Ancondil to talk alone. Next we find the pair on their way to the stable.


Chapter 42.5 – What Do You Want?

"I do not mean to sound forward," Ancondil said, "But I must admit I harbor a suspicion that you did not truly join me to discuss equestrian matters."

"Indeed not goodman." Teresa did not know what brought out the formal reply from her. Perhaps it was simply the combined influence of both Ancondil and Valerius? "I owe you an apology for how I acted last night. I should not have lost my temper with you like that. You did not deserve it, and I am sorry."

"Apology gladly accepted goodwoman Teresa," Ancondil executed a half-bow before the wood elf. "I understand that you have been distressed since your return from your expedition with our vice-commander last week."

"I was hoping we might talk about that," Teresa bit her lip as Ancondil led them into one of the stables. One of the grooms - a blond-haired boy - ran up to take the Orisimer's horse. But Ancondil waved him away, and instead led the blue roan directly to his stall. There he set to work removing the horse's saddle and tack.

Screenshot

"I should be honored to offer whatever assistance I am able tender," the orc said generously.

Teresa felt her face grow warm as she told Ancondil what happened on her journey with Tadrose the week before, including the post-battle events in the hold of the broken ship. The only thing she left out were the details she knew Tadrose wanted kept secret, such as her nobility. The Orisimer listened patiently, and gave no sign of scorn or amusement at the wood elf's romantic straits. While she explained, Ancondil brushed down Glacier's blue-grey hide, much to the horse's delight. Then he offered the blue roan the chopped-up pieces of a carrot, which Glacier happily devoured.

"Well, I have noticed that the vice-commander has been out of sorts since the two of you returned," Ancondil said when Teresa finished her tale. After giving the Quarter Horse's massive neck an affectionate hug, he led Teresa from the stables and back out into the sunlight. "In fact, I was peppering her with right hand leads all morning while we boxed."

The forester was not sure what a right hand lead was, but she imagined that it meant that the dark elf had not been paying attention. "I just don't know what to think," Teresa said, "or what to do."

"Well, here is a question," Ancondil said as the approached the bridge spanning the Larsius. "Do you believe that she was being honest with you, when she was opening herself up to you on the road?"

"I do," Teresa nodded. "That is what makes this so hard. I thought she really lo-, cared for me."

The orc made no sign of noticing the word which Teresa had stumbled upon, and continued.

"Do you think she meant what she said about having been in love before, and it ending badly?"

Teresa nodded again. She had not related the full details of that to the Orisimer. She would never divulge a word unless Tadrose did so first. Rather she had only told Ancondil that Tadrose had been in love, and that something terrible had happened because of it.

"When the two of you were - intimate - do you think she was simply using you?" Ancondil said in a voice too low to carry. "Or did it feel like she was acting from the heart?"

"Of course she meant it!" Teresa declared in a much louder tone. That caused the guardsman at the end of the bridge to turn his head and stare at the pair of mer as they walked by. Teresa sheepishly turned her head away from the Imperial, and lowered her voice. "I mean, I think she did. I don't think she would not. I mean-"

Ancondil's raised hand cut her blessedly short. Something Teresa was grateful for, as she imagined that she was redder than Masser as it was. "When you asked her if she loved you, did she say that she did not?"

"Yes," Teresa replied. "Well, no. Not exactly." The wood elf replayed the scene in her memory for the thousandth time. "I cannot be your lover, I cannot be anyone's." The words cut through the forester's heart like a razor. "She said she could not be with me."

"But not that she did not want to?" Ancondil observed.

"What is the difference?" Teresa's shoulders slumped. She stopped in the center of the bridge, and leaned over the handrail. Staring down at the water lazily rolling past below, she fought the lump forming in her throat. "It comes down to the same thing."

"I disagree," Ancondil insisted. He stepped beside Teresa, and the wooden rail creaked in protest as he added his weight to it. "It implies that she feels hindered from acting on her feelings, rather than not possessing them in the first place."

"You do not know me Teresa," Tadrose stared down at her feet. "You do not know what it was like. I saw my dau-"

What would prevent Tadrose from being with her? Was it because of her being a noble? Because of being an Indoril? She said that the man she had loved had been from the wrong House. Did that mean they were enemies, rather than simply being disliked by her parents? What had they done to Tadrose?

"You do not know what it was like. I saw my dau-"

Why was it that she had taken to Mara after coming to Bravil? What was it about the goddess that Tadrose suddenly felt she could identify with, after following Azura all of her life? Surely it was not due to Mara being an agricultural deity. It had to be because she was also a mother goddess.

"I saw my dau-"

Tadrose had a daughter! Teresa felt her eyes grow to the size Magnus above. She had a daughter, by the man from the wrong House. Mother Mara, what had they done to her daughter? Had Tadrose's family killed her? Was that why she left Morrowind, and changed her name? Was that why she pretended that she was not a noble? Was that why she was afraid to ever love again?

Seemingly oblivious to Teresa's inner monologue, Ancondil continued to speak. "So what you are saying is that Tadrose confided things in you that she never has with anyone else. She showed you a tenderness that she reserves for no other. She told you that she was wounded in love, and appears to be afraid to love again?"

"Yes," Teresa said. She struggled to hold her own epiphany in her head, alongside with Ancondil's observations. It was all she could do to keep from shouting it out to the tall orc. It was not just a bad love affair, the forester lamented, she had lost her daughter as well!

"So what are you going to do about it?" Ancondil asked. "If you will forgive my directness. Do you intend to keep giving her the Skyrim shoulder? Or shall you fight for her heart?"

"I tried that, and look where it got the both of us." Teresa bit her lip. "I should have just left well enough alone."

"Nonsense," Ancondil said. "Should Dibella have left well enough alone when she planted these feelings in your hearts? Of course not. If a Divine has given you a gift, I suggest you not take it for granted."

"But how can I fight for her?" Teresa frowned. "It's over."

"If that were so, then she would not be walking around in a funk," Ancondil said. "She knows how she feels about you. By Oblivion's fire, you have won her heart already, without really trying! Talk to her. Be honest with her. Simply be yourself: that same wonderful, compassionate, quirky mer we all know and adore, and she will come around."

"If that fails, you may borrow my war hammer and strike her over the head with it." Ancondil winked. "Persuader has successfully concluded many negotiations."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 10 2012, 02:05 AM


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McBadgere
post Jan 9 2012, 08:42 PM
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*Applauds heartily*...

Loved it...In a sombre, heartbreaking, but still YAY!! way... biggrin.gif ...

QUOTE
Do you intend to keep giving her the Skyrim shoulder?


*Applauds*...Cleverrrr... biggrin.gif ...

QUOTE
"If that fails, you may borrow my war hammer and strike her over the head with it." Ancondil winked. "Persuader has successfully concluded many negotiations."


LOL!!... biggrin.gif ...

*Applauds heartily once more*...

Love this story...Sooo cool... biggrin.gif ...

Nice one... biggrin.gif ...
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King Coin
post Jan 9 2012, 09:59 PM
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I can’t help but grin at Teresa’s imitation of the men’s formal manner of speaking.

That was funny when Teresa finally noticed that Tadrose has a daughter.

Ancondil has some great advice. He will be the hero of the guild hall when the other members notice a change in her behavior. laugh.gif

Hopefully the hammer won’t be necessary but it was kind of him to offer it. biggrin.gif

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 9 2012, 09:59 PM


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ghastley
post Jan 9 2012, 11:23 PM
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QUOTE
Simply be yourself: that same ...


A wiser person than I once said that the reason men and women get divorced is that men expect women to remain the same forever, but they change, while women expect to be able to change their men, and they can't.

Is Ancondil just seeing things from the conventional male perspective?


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Acadian
post Jan 10 2012, 01:19 AM
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Delightful! Some horse stuff, a revelation and wonderful advice from a wonderful orc.

’That caused the guardsman at the end of the bridge to turn his head and stare at the pair of mer as they walked by.’
I like that you and Teresa so comfortably refer to orcs as the mer that they are.

Wonderful lead up to the revelation of Big T’s dau-. By allowing it to zoom over Little T’s head the first few times, you beautifully display her youth, naiveté and a very endearing degree of cranial density. happy.gif

Finally, I loved that you ended with such a clever touch of Ancondil humor.

Nit: "Well, I have noticed that the vice-commander has been out of sorts since the two of you returned," Ancondil said after she finished. After giving the Quarter Horse's massive neck an affectionate hug,’
Two observations here: First, unless I read the context wrong, it seems the ‘she’ is referring to Ancondil and should be ‘he’? Secondly, while considering this passage anyway, you may want to take a peek at avoiding the double use of ‘after’ in such close proximity?


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mALX
post Jan 10 2012, 01:55 AM
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Chapter 41.11 - URK !!! What Teresa dreaded so long in exposing her feelings! Aw, that is heartbreaking for Teresa. sad.gif

Chapter 42.1 - Ancondil unleashed the dragon within now. That may have been needed for Teresa to heal, but I just hope everyone has some sturdy armor for the short run.

Chapter 42.2 - Not sure if that nightmare was in the nature of a pity-party, too much pizza before bed, or a witches spell to bring her back home ... (I noticed Aela was no where to be found in the nightmare...)

Chapter 42.3 - Oh, most def a pity party. Really glad to see Teresa beginning to come to her senses by the end of the chapter. It is like her younger self to storm off without finding out why, but not the Teresa she has become.

Chapter 42.4, 42.5 - Ancondil as the matchmaker is priceless. He does a great job of putting things in perspective for Teresa, what a great friend to have!

Awesome Write, All !!


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Grits
post Jan 11 2012, 02:48 AM
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"I disagree," Ancondil insisted. He stepped beside Teresa, and the wooden rail creaked in protest as he added his weight to it. "It implies that she feels hindered from acting on her feelings, rather than not possessing them in the first place."

Ancondil is simply wonderful in this episode. His gentle manner, wise counsel, and sheer physical presence are such an endearing combination.

"She knows how she feels about you. By Oblivion's fire, you have won her heart already, without really trying! Talk to her. Be honest with her. Simply be yourself: that same wonderful, compassionate, quirky mer we all know and adore, and she will come around."

Perfect advice, and what a sweet description of Teresa. I hope she can replace some of the mean voices in her head with Ancondil’s affectionate one.

What a great episode! If Teresa doesn’t go for it now, I might be tempted to borrow Persuader to use on her! tongue.gif


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Olen
post Jan 11 2012, 05:16 PM
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Well Ancondil certainly did well. I think Teresa probably already knew a lot of what he told her, but that doesn't mean she didn't need to be told it. I wonder what she'll do now that he's told her - will there be a conversation with Tadrose before the chapter end - I hope so I will be a treat.

Her revelation about Tadrose's 'dau-' was well done, the repetition caught her thoughts over theer being something she'd missed as the idea formed. Now she knows I wonder if she'll mention it to Tadrose. The characters in this are really excellent...

I wonder if Teresa will have the chance to repay this favour.


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Tábrasa
post Jan 12 2012, 02:18 AM
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Just thought i'd let you know I'm still catching up. I'm currently on chapter 35 and I'm loving every bit of it. Almost there now! Can't wait to start commenting in sync! Haha

Great work smile.gif

This post has been edited by Tábrasa: Jan 12 2012, 02:18 AM
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SubRosa
post Jan 12 2012, 09:29 PM
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McBadgere: I worked to come up with an ES-version of the cold shoulder. I am glad the Skyrim variety works. wink.gif


King Coin: Ancondil will be the hero indeed! biggrin.gif So true too!


ghastley: I believe that men and women get divorced because they can. Simple as that. Until recently, it was just not an option for either one, or both, so people just got used to being miserable for the rest of their lives. Plus, in the past people did not expect to love their spouse, or experience any kind of bliss or have companionship. True love is a relatively recent invention, that sets the bar too high for most people to maintain forever. But what you said is true. Women sucker themselves into thinking that "if he loves me, he'll change," and men that she will always be an eighteen-year old hottie who will go down on them every night.


Acadian: I went back and did a little reworking of that passage you mentioned, as I could see where it could cause confusion. Teresa's cranial density and Ancondil's ever effective wit were indeed the stars of that last episode. They do make a great couple.


mALX: Yep, Ancondil really did not tell Teresa anything she did not know. All he did was make her really look at it all, without the usual self-doubt that typically short-circuits her.


Grits: No need to use Persuader on Teresa! laugh.gif This next episode will see her once again going for the gusto, quirks and all.


Olen: Sometimes all we really need is for someone to tell what we already know, but have convinced ourselves to ignore. Teresa's slow realization about Tadrose's daughter was inspired by the Watchmen comics, which did the same basic thing with Laurie's realization that her father was The Comedian. One day Teresa will get the opportunity to repay the favor, when she puts on her Emma hat. But it will probably be a while.


Tábrasa: Wow, you are really going through the old chapters. It takes me forever to read. I doubt I would be half as far.


Previously On Teresa of the Faint Smile: Our last episode found Teresa asking Ancondil's advice on what to do about her and Tadrose. The Orisimer insisted that Tadrose did indeed love her, and suggested that Teresa try once more to get through to the dark elf. Next, in the final episode of this chapter, Teresa does exactly that.


Something to listen to while you read. This song always reminds me of Teresa and Tadrose


Chapter 42.6 – What Do You Want?

Teresa rose the steps to the second floor of the guild hall. The corridor bisecting the floor stretched out before her, seemingly miles long. Her heart raced as she willed her feet to carry her down its length. After what seemed like an eternity, she found herself at the door to Tadrose's room.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, and stared at the wooden boards that separated her from the Dunmer. She knew that was not the only thing between the two of them. How many of those barriers had she placed there herself? Could she swallow her pride and remove them? Could she really reach Tadrose this time, when she had failed before? Would she just make things even worse than they already were?

A scent filled her nostrils. It was deep, strong, and wild. She instantly recognized it as that of a bear. Teresa closed her eyes, and breathed the comforting smell deeply into her lungs. She thought of Bear, of his soft, warm fur enfolding her. She remembered Barenziah, whom she had healed, and who had healed her in turn.

Teresa opened her eyes and knocked on the door.

There was no answer from within. Teresa waited, yet heard no sound. She knocked once more, louder this time. Again, there was no answer. Had Tadrose gone? Or did she not want to speak with anyone?

Her hand went to the door knob, and twisted it open. At least it was not locked, Teresa thought. That saved her the trouble of trying to pick it. Methredhel had always been much better at that, and she had fallen out of practice since joining the Fighters Guild.

Pushing the door open, Teresa poked a curious head within. "Tadrose?" she called out uncertainly.

The Dunmer's chamber contained the same, plain furnishings that all of their rooms did. There was a bed, dresser, mirrored wash basin, and combination dressing table and desk. Her elven armor grew from an arming rack in one corner, and Anganar was sheathed beside it. There was little else however. The walls were bare of adornment, but for a single low bookcase packed with worn volumes. A ceramic vase stood atop it, sprouting bright yellow flax. Alongside it lay a bared arming sword of ordinary grey steel. Its handle was wrapped in pewter wire, and its pommel was a simple disc of metal. The single window in the room faced west, and through it Teresa could see the lowering sun filling the mountains with red and orange light.

Teresa glanced from the window to the arming sword, so out of place next to the armorer's elven armor and longsword. Why would Tadrose keep such an unassuming weapon in her room, seemingly on display? She was capable of creating far more potent - and artistic - creations after all. Then Teresa's eyes moved back to the dark elf, and she forgot everything else.

The Dunmer was dressed in a simple flax top and a pair of leather pants. She stood before her dresser, taking the neatly folded clothing from within and stuffing it into a large duffel bag. Her eyes turned to meet Teresa's, and the wood elf saw something briefly flash there. Whether it was surprise, dread, or even relief, she could not discern. Then the armorer turned back to her packing.

Teresa bit her lip, and stepped fully into the room. "Tadrose?" the forester said again in a soft voice. But the dark elf ignored her, and went on with her work. Teresa shut the door behind her, and walked over to the slightly taller elf.

"What are you doing?" Teresa asked. A dark, empty place opened within her heart as she watched the dark elf. She knew the answer before Tadrose uttered the words. She was leaving.

"I am quitting the guild," Tadrose said plainly.

Teresa closed her eyes. While said quietly, the dark elf's words thudded in her heart like blocks of stone, crushing all hope beneath them.

"Have you told Pappy yet?" Teresa forced herself to ask in an equally soft tone.

"Not yet," Tadrose said coolly. She nodded to a sealed letter on the dressing table. "I have written him a letter of resignation. I will give it to him when I have finished packing."

"What will you do?" Teresa forced the words around the growing lump in her throat. Raven, please don't let her be leaving Bravil too!

"I have money in the temple," the Dunmer said. "I shall open an armory of my own, probably somewhere on the South Isle. That is where all the metal workers are."

"It's because of me, isn't it?" Teresa barely pushed the words from her lips. Her throat was tight, and she was afraid she might begin to cry again. She fought through it all, and reached out with one hand and laid it upon the Dunmer's arm. "Tadrose, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I've been acting. I'm sorry for everything."

"It is not your fault." Tadrose ceased her packing, and turned to look at the wood elf. "It was all mine. I should not have led you on. I should not have lost control. I know I have hurt you. You probably cannot believe it right now, but I really did not mean to."

She gently disengaged her arm from Teresa, and went back to her packing.

"Stop Tadrose," Teresa stepped closer, and laid her hand down over one of the dark elf's. "Please don't leave. Not because of me. I know I've been a s'wit to you. I promise, it won't happen again."

"Teresa, I understand," the Dunmer said. "What I did to you was terrible. It is only natural for you to be angry, to hate me, for it."

"I don't hate you Tadrose." In spite how desperately she tried to dam them, now tears did begin to spill down Teresa's cheeks. "I could never hate you. I lo…"

There was so much more she wanted to say, but the words would not come out. Teresa lowered her head, and stared at the floor. Was this it? Was it truly over forever?

She heard Tadrose sigh, and moment later felt the dark elf's arms draw her close. Teresa breathed in the scent of her primrose body wash, and felt the hard muscles of her body so close to her own. She burned those sensations into her brain, knowing that it might be the last time she ever felt them again.

"I don't want to lose you Tadrose," Teresa found herself sobbing.

Tadrose shushed her with a gentle voice, and led her to the bed. There they sat side by side. Each slid one arm about the another, while their free hands clasped together between their laps. Teresa laid her head on Tadrose's shoulder, and felt the other woman's lean against her own in turn. They sat there for long minutes, until the wood elf's tears finally subsided.

"Tadrose, I know you had a daughter by that man." Teresa gently lifted her head and gazed into the Dunmer's darkened eyes. "I know you… lost her, because of your family." The wood elf could not bring herself to come out and bluntly say that Tadrose's daughter had been murdered by her own family, even though in her heart she knew it was true.

"That's why this is all so hard for you, isn't it?"

Tadrose nodded, and now Teresa saw the tears begin to fall from the dark elf's own eyes. She drew her hand free of the Dunmer's, and reached up to brush them away. But they continued to cascade down the dark elf's face. Teresa reached back into the elf's dark hair, and pulled her head down to her shoulder. She rocked Tadrose gently, while great, hitching sobs racked the armorer's frame.

"I only saw her for a moment," Tadrose wept. "After she came out of me. I never even had the chance to hold her. Not even once. Then they took her away and…"

"I am so sorry." Teresa did not know what to say. She could simply not imagine how that must have felt. Or how it must still feel. Instead she thought of Bear, and tried to channel all of the spirit guide's healing energy through her body and into Tadrose. She sat there while the Dunmer cried, and Teresa wondered if this was the first time Tadrose had ever told another person about her daughter? She imagined it was, and simply held on as ten years of torment flowed from the other woman.

In time, Tadrose grew still, and pulled back from Teresa's embrace. She did not look at the Bosmer. Instead she simply stared down at her lap. "When I first came here, I felt like my heart had been ripped out," she said quietly. "My entire life, everything I had ever lived for, had been just torn away."

Teresa did not reply. Instead she laid one hand on the other woman's leg, and squeezed gently.

"For the past ten years, I have gone through life like a zombie," Tadrose continued. "I have not felt anything. Not love, not hope, not joy, nothing at all. I learned how to work metal, and spent all my time in the forge, so I would not have to face living. Then I became vice-commander, and spent even more of my time with the guild, anything to take my mind off…"

"Then you came." Now Tadrose lifted her eyes to meet those of Teresa. "You came, and changed the world. You breathed color back into my life. You have such a love for live, your spirit is filled with beauty and compassion, that you made me dare to live again. You made me dare to feel again. It felt as if you had lifted me up on your wings and bore me to Aetherius itself."

"But you're afraid of losing it all again, aren't you," Teresa bit her lip.

Tadrose nodded, and looked down at her lap. "I just cannot go through that again. I cannot. I would rather be dead."

"So that's why you want to leave," Teresa said, trying her best to keep the dread she felt out of her voice.

"I do not want to leave. I just cannot do it Teresa," Tadrose said. Her eyes welled up with tears as she turned to face Teresa once more. "I cannot be your-"

"Just tell me one thing Tadrose," Teresa interrupted her softly. "What do you want?"

"Teresa, I canno-"

The wood elf cut her off again, this time placing one finger on the Dunmer's lips.

"I didn't ask you what you can't do," she insisted. "I asked what you want. Just tell me."

Tadrose stared down at her lap.

"I want you," she said in a tiny, cracking voice. "I want you."

"Then you shall have me," Teresa resolved. She did not know where her confidence suddenly came from. It may have been from her spirit guides, or perhaps it had even been buried somewhere deeply within herself all along. But it was there, and she let it carry her along.

"I don't know everything that happened to you in Morrowind." Teresa now reached out and wrapped both of her hands around Tadrose's. "And I don't know what the future will bring. But I do know one thing, and that is us. I know that we can face anything, even the Daedra in your past. We can do it just like we faced that lich - together."

"I don't know if I can," the other woman lamented.

"You have no idea what you can do," Teresa said with a quiet smile, remembering the same words Uriel Septim had once spoken to her. "But I do. You didn't join the Fighters Guild because you wanted to spend the rest of your life running. You did it because you wanted to fight. It's our choices that define us. That's how you defined yourself then. How are you going to define yourself now?"

Tadrose sat for long moments, staring down at their clasped hands. Teresa swallowed hard, crushing the lump trying to form again in her throat. This was it, she knew, she had thrown the dice once more. Would she come up dragon eyes? Or would she roll the hard six?

"I define myself as yours." Tadrose pulled her hands from Teresa's, only to gently place them about the wood elf's head. Leaning closer, she planted a soft kiss upon the Bosmer's lips. Then another, and another. Teresa wrapped both of her arms around Tadrose's waist, and let herself float away on the moment.

When Tadrose finally pulled away, she smiled, and then looked down again. "I am going to need some time Teresa," she said. "Time to get used to this. Can we take this slowly?"

"We are both elves," Teresa smiled broadly. "We have all the time in the world."

Tadrose answered her with a smile. It made Teresa's heart feel as if it would burst from her chest and fly to Aetherius. The armorer reached out and took the Bosmer's hand once more.

"So what do we do now?"

"Well, we could go downstairs and see if anyone wants to play mahjong," Teresa grinned.

The dark elf made a face, and swatted at Teresa's nose with playful fingers. The wood elf dodged back, and found herself tipping off-balance and falling back across the bed. The next thing she knew Tadrose was on top of her, giggling like a ten-year old as they wrestled.

Teresa could have sworn that the Dunmer was Dibella herself in that moment, and could not stop herself from giggling with delight as well. When finally they grew still, Tadrose leaned her head down, so that her forehead was touching Teresa's. Her red eyes were filled with warmth, and the Dunmer smiled shyly.

"I love you Teresa."

Teresa closed her eyes as the Dunmer leaned closer, and a moment later the dark elf's lips softly met her own. She pulled the other woman closer as they kissed. The Dunmer's strong arms enveloped her, and Teresa breathed the scent of her hair deeply into her nostrils. She reveled in the moment, wishing it could last forever.

When finally they did draw apart, both women rose up to a sitting position. Teresa leaned her head upon Tadrose's shoulder, and smiled as the other woman snuggled up close to her.

"Why don't we just watch the sunset?" Teresa suggested. Her eyes stared out the window, to where the horizon glowed in a brilliant swath of red, orange, and yellow.

Nothing was trivial, she thought as she held Tadrose close, nothing at all.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 12 2012, 09:31 PM


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D.Foxy
post Jan 13 2012, 01:36 AM
Post #1855


Knower
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*Sings*

We have all....the time...in the world...

time enough for life...to unfold...all the precious things, love has in store...

We have allllll....the tiiiiime....in the world...

IF that's all we have...YOU WILL FIND...WEEEEE need nothing moooree!!!!
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Acadian
post Jan 13 2012, 01:45 AM
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Beautiful! We finally learn who speaks the Chapter’s title – that brought more than a faint smile to this old paladin.

Teresa learned to fight for what she wants. And to lead when necessary. And Tadrose learned that sometimes it’s best to let someone else lead – if only for awhile. What a delightful role reversal you so delicately and gradually wove into this chapter. I have no doubt that the power of Tadrose’s personality and wisdom will resurface, but it was nice to see her softer and more vulnerable side. And to see Teresa come through (with a little help from Raven and Bear).

Teresa better give Ancondil a big hug for the loan of some of his strength and wisdom. happy.gif

This episode required some delicate writing and scene painting and you surely did not disappoint on that count. A lovely finish to a wonderful chapter. Well done, my friend!


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Grits
post Jan 13 2012, 03:13 AM
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At least it was not locked, Teresa thought. That saved her the trouble of trying to pick it.

laugh.gif That was an unexpected smile when I was already tense over their meeting!

Tadrose’s story is just heartbreaking. What a beautiful, tender scene between the two of them. I also want to hug Ancondil, for I thought some of his calm wisdom reached Tadrose through Teresa.

"We are both elves," Teresa smiled broadly. "We have all the time in the world."

Yay!! Teresa of the Broad Smile! happy.gif


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King Coin
post Jan 13 2012, 03:52 AM
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Teresa wandered in just in time. I have no doubt that Tadrose would have resigned and walked away without a word to Teresa if Teresa didn’t search Tadrose out.

What an emotional episode. Teresa finally knows that Tadrose wants her. I’m very happy for the two of them. Using Uriel’s words to Teresa from the beginning was brilliant. The nightmares will trouble Teresa any longer. Tadrose has a ways yet, but she’s decided to live again. smile.gif


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Olen
post Jan 13 2012, 02:12 PM
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Wow. A very important part, both as a turning point and a major event. Brilliantly written too, very warm and fuzzy. bigsmile.gif

Acadian picked up on the reversal of roles here already but I second it. Seeing Teresa take the lead here and realise that the strength to do so was in her was great. I wonder if some of those self doubts might start to diminish.

QUOTE
remembering the same words Uriel Septim had once spoken to her

This made me wonder if he might have been repeating them from someone else. The same strength being passed along from one person to the next.

QUOTE
Can we take this slowly?"
...
"I love you Teresa."

Awww, but it also shows how confused Tadrose has been feeling. You did a good job of showing things from her side in this part, and Teresa seeing them was probably vital.

I wonder how the rest of the guild will react, and what will come next.


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McBadgere
post Jan 13 2012, 02:31 PM
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*Bows down to greatness*...

Flipping heck* that was just amazingly well done...

So much emotion...And, right, I almost punched the air and cheered when I read it this morning...It was only the terror of look on the wife's face if I'd woken her up stopped it... biggrin.gif ...

Sooo good...

Most brilliant...

*Applauds*...

Nice one!!!... biggrin.gif ...



(* = Edited for forum-filterness... biggrin.gif ...)
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