Madness Helps Me Save Myself Options

[SubRosa]

I loved Shelden sticking his tongue out at Wrothken! But he did come through. I was not expecting him to be nearly that useful.

The Shivering Isles would crumble, as order rose above it, crushing anyone and everyone below.
This was an excellent observation, that so poetically sums up the Grey March.

I loved Wrothken thinking of Amiable after nearly being crushed.

And Shelden still got out ahead of Wrothken! That was just hilariously perfect.



nits:
With Shelden in tow, Wrothken to Xeddefen.
I am sure you missed something in there after Wrothken

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Feb 8 2012, 01:13 AM

[Jacki Dice]

mALX~ Thanks I didn't make the connection either until I was watching a playthrough on Youtube

McBadgere~ Thank you Sheldon was one of my favorite people to write. He doesn't need any exaggerations

King Coin~ That is one of Wrothken's favorite things to say if we're ever in a situation that he thinks we should be running.

SubRosa~ Of course in the actual game he's about as useless and... well, anything really. He just gets knocked unconscious the whole time -_-

~~~~~♥~~~~~

Chapter Forty: Blessing


[Reminder: Last time we left Lilitu, she had done a job for the Gray Fox, stealing the Arrow of Extrication from Fathis Aren. Throughout her job, she was attacked by daedra, including a clannfear that left her nearly bleeding to death on the road to Bravil. After having a vision of a blond woman near the water, she awoke with all her wounds healed and made it home safely.]

The gray clouds seemed to match Lilitu’s mood as she approached the Chapel of Akatosh. She would have felt more at ease sneaking into the emperor’s chambers in a suit of steel armor adorned with bells. She closed her eyes, gripping the starfish in her hand. She knew what it was, she had an idea of where it came from, all she needed was a confirmation and to know why. After hesitating for a moment, she placed her hand on the door and walked in.

It was as beautiful inside as it was out. The deep gray walls rose up to impossible heights, with arched ceilings. Stone columns stood around the entrance, each holding a pair of lit candles. Stained glass windows depicting the Divines lined the walls, with Akatosh up front. His window was by far the largest and most majestic. There were few people inside, mostly reading. Others knelt, with their heads bent in silent prayer. Despite the serene beauty, Lilitu still felt like her skin was crawling.

She forced herself to take a seat in the front pulpit. She took the starfish out of her pocket and turned it over in her hands. She looked around before whispering. “If you’re going to show yourself or give me some sort of clue as to what you want, just tell me now.”

The starfish remained as it was. It didn’t glow or move. Lilitu sighed, tempted to throw it. She knew it wouldn’t matter. Ever since it appeared in her hands by the lake, it always seemed to show up elsewhere.

“Greetings, sister,” a middle-aged Redguard said, taking a seat next to Lilitu. She had kind eyes and several smile lines. “My name is Oleta, I’m a priestess here at the Chapel of Akatosh. You seem troubled.”

Lilitu opened her mouth, but couldn’t find her voice for a moment. She held up the starfish. “This is going to sound crazy,” she said after a moment.

Oleta smiled and nodded.

Lilitu took a deep breath. “I was on my way to Bravil a few weeks ago and I ran into some trouble. I was left on the road bleeding and injured and I just…” She shrugged. “I blacked out. During this, I saw a woman. Well, no I did more than just see her. I was with her. She was holding me and she kept pouring water on me. I think she may have been cleaning my wounds.”

“Ahh, a Good Cyrodillian helped you out?”

Lilitu shook her head. “No, it wasn’t a person.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “It was Mara,” she blurted.

Oleta raised her eyebrows.

“See, I know it sounds crazy. It took me awhile to even admit it to myself. I’m really not one for the Divines anymore. They know I haven’t said a single word to them since I left home, but she used her Chalice to cleanse my wounds, we were by the fragrant waters that she is said to bathe in and this damn starfish won’t go away, no matter what I do with it! I find it on my pillows, with my bath salts, in books. I even found in my dog’s food dish once. So obviously she wants something but I’m not sure what!”

Oleta pursed her lips together, taking a moment to take everything in. Lilitu looked at the floor, her cheeks burning.

“May I see it?” Oleta asked.

Lilitu handed over the starfish.

After a moment, Oleta began to smile, as if someone had wrapped her in a warm blanket. “You have been blessed.”

“By Mara,” Lilitu said.

Oleta handed the starfish back. “The Divines can see into every man’s heart. They alone know a person’s innermost desires and for those who the gods find favor in, they bless and often leave a symbol of their blessing. You, my dear, have Mara’s blessing.”

Lilitu stared at the starfish in her hands. She shook her head. “I…”

Oleta laid her hand on Lilitu’s knee. “Tell me, my child. What is you desire?”

Lilitu laughed. “Me? Just a nice person to settle down with one day. Maybe have a kid or two.”

Oleta shook her head. “Deeper than that.”

Lilitu hesitated. “Well…” She sighed. “I can’t.”

“Oh, come now, you can tell me. I won’t laugh.”

Lilitu bit her lip and started dragging her toe along the floor. “I… I’m part of a…”

“Thieves Guild.”

Lilitu raised her eyebrows.

“Honey, the whole town knows who hangs around the Dancing Minotaur and you stick out like a sore thumb.”

“Alright,” Lilitu said. “The Guild. One of our sworn duties is to protect the beggars of the cities. Ever since I joined up and have been learning the ins and outs, I can’t help feeling like there’s more we can do.” She sighed. “I have asked the doyens in the Imperial City, Anvil, Cheydinhal, even the one here, what we can do and they kinda laugh and give me the run around. Like I’m a kid asking where babies come from.” She looked around, lowering her voice. “So, I started a little stash. I have a decent chunk of gold piled away to… to maybe open up a place. We can offer training in a few ways, not just how to be good at stealing.” She frowned a little. “Maybe it won’t amount to anything. Maybe it will. Who knows.”

Oleta patted Lilitu’s hands. “If you continue to have it in your heart, it will happen. Mara has given Her blessing. You just need to have faith.”

Lilitu nodded, yet a sourness filled her stomach.

The house lay in disarray. The only thing to eat was slices of stale bread. Her father had been gone for weeks. Lilitu wasn’t even sure if he was alive. She went upstairs to see her mother for a shred of solace.

There she was, standing over the bed putting septims into a pouch.

Though worried, Lilitu breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re going to get food?”

“No,” her mother said simply. “I’m going to donate this to the Chapel.”

Lilitu felt like someone poured a bucket of ice over her. “But… we have no food.”

Her mother shrugged. “The Divines will take care of us.”

The icy feeling quickly turned to that of lava in her veins. “It’s not like Zenithar is going to pop out of the air with a sack full of gold and feed us!”

Her mother brushed past her, heading down the stairs without so much as a glance back at her. “We’ll be fine. You just need to have faith.”

“Is everything okay?”

Lilitu jumped. It took her a moment to realize that she had been scowling at the floor. “Yeah,” she said. “It’s just a lot to take in is all.”

Oleta smiled warmly. “I understand. It’s not every day you find out that you’ve been so blessed.”

Lilitu managed a smile as she returned the starfish to her bag. “Thank you,” she said as she left.

“Anytime. I hope to see you here more often.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she said to herself.



Lilitu sat in front of The Dancing Minotaur, staring into her coffee. She sighed deeply. Her mother was right.

Akatosh on an apple, she was right.

Lilitu closed her eyes for a moment before glancing up to the sky. “At least don’t let her know. By all things sacred, at least grant me that.”

Should her mother find out, she knew she would never hear the end of it. She wouldn’t hear the end of a lot of things.

She placed her head on her hand and stared into the city streets. She eyed a few of the spots that children were known to hide out in. Would Mara’s blessing make it easier? Or would Mara make her work for it? So far it seemed like the latter. No one seemed to want to seriously consider anything she had to say on the matter. We’re thieves, not babysitters. We’re thieves, not a charity. We need to look out for ourselves first and foremost. And those were only the ones that didn’t start laughing until they realized that she was serious.

Just as she took another sip and idea sprang into her mind. The Gray Fox! She choked a little. Of course! She had been so much in awe of finally meeting him that it must have slipped her mind. He had to listen to her. After all she had done for him, he at least owed her that much!

This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: Mar 22 2012, 04:50 AM

[mALX]

Honey, the whole town knows who hangs around the Dancing Minotaur and you stick out like a sore thumb.”

This just hit me as uproarously funny - Probably the name, 'Dancing Minotaur' - new keyboard needed, ROFL !!!

This chapter was great - she'll learn one day, mothers have a way of finding out things - and the harder you wish it was something they never would catch you in, the quicker and more detailed they find it out, ROFL !!! Awesome Write !!

[SubRosa]

Poor Liltu, forced to go into a temple of the Nine. At least she did not burst into flames! That is one dogged starfish. It even showed up in Dolce's dish! Good thing she did not eat it, or even just gnaw on it like a bone.

I laughed at Oleta's remark about Liltu sticking out like a sore thumb.

The flashback to her mother counting out money for the chapel, all the while that they have no food, was very revealing.

Akatosh on an apple
I love this saying!

[McBadgere]

I missed much of the earlier chapters...I will add it to the ever growing list though... ...But this chapter worked without knowing the earlier bits...Explained much that I needed to know...Kinda like a jump-on point in itself!!...

That's just brilliantly done that is...*Applauds*...

The Sore Thumb comment is definately a crowd pleaser!... ...

Yeah, the mother counting out the money...Hmmm...Not good... ...

Brilliantly done...

Loves yer writing, of either story...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Mar 23 2012, 05:37 AM

[Grits]

Going into the chapel and realizing that Mother Was Right both on the same day, yikes! I feel for Lilitu.

[King Coin]

I liked the Dancing Minotaur too. Mind if I steal that name should I create an inn for Skyrim?

I can definitely see why Lilitu disliked the chaple so much. Having no food and the last of your money going to it…

Good job!

[Jacki Dice]

mALX~ Oh, isn't that the truth? It's like they're psychic! D:> I'm glad you liked the name. I couldn't come up with one on my own so I used a generator. I don't have the link anymore though

SubRosa~ I can't imagine Dolce would find the starfish appetizing And Mara wouldn't be too pleased either!

McBadgere~ I'm glad you like the the little reminder. Even I forget where I left off sometimes

Grits~ That's just too much to deal with without a big cup of coffee first!

King Coin~ Feel free to steal it whenever

~~~~~♥~~~~~

Chapter Forty-one: The Other Guild

Just when Lilitu thought she couldn’t get in a more foul mood, Capaneus arrived with a young man following him.

“Ah, Lilitu!” He said, taking a seat across from her.

Lilitu groaned loudly. “What do you want?” She asked flatly.

Capaneus smiled that smug smile of his and motioned for his friend to sit down. “I just wanted to introduce my brother to everyone who’s anyone in Kvatch.”

Lilitu rolled her eyes.

As if she seemed interested, Capaneus smiled broadly. She was sure that he knew that he was getting under her skin. “Milun, this is Lilitu, the Thieves Guild fence. Lilitu, this is Milun.”

Milun was much thinner than Capaneus, with longer brown hair that graced his narrow shoulders. He had cool brown eyes behind a pair of dark rimmed spectacles. His face was very soft and delicate. In fact, save for a slight whiskering at his chin and above his upper lip, he could have been mistaken for a very lovely woman.

“Charmed,” Lilitu said disinterestedly, turning her attention to Milun’s necklace. A small black dagger smaller than Lilitu’s thumb hung from a black chain around his neck. Her stomach felt like it was lined with ice as she remembered what Yyaevonnte had told her about Capaneus.

“The pleasure is mine,” Milun said. He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. Lilitu had to fight the urge to gag and wipe her hand on his pants.

“Is there anything else you want to pester me with?” She asked Capaneus.

Capaneus tsked, shaking his head. “You’re in quite the mood today,” he said. He paused for a moment. “You know what might cheer you up? Why don’t we go out for a pastry? You like pastries, don’t you?" He paused and poked her stomach. "Of course you do!"

Never in her life had Lilitu wanted to snap a man's arm from his socket and bludgeon him to death with it. As if reading her violent thoughts, Capaneus chuckled mischievously. "I know I don't have to tell you that Kirsty makes the best ones in town… and I’m not just saying that because we’re courting.”

“I’m busy.”

Capaneus stood up. “Doing what?”

As if by Mara’s mercy, even with Lilitu’s reluctance to accept it, Celia, the recruiter for the Guild stepped out. “Lilitu, we need you inside.”

Lilitu felt so relieved that she didn’t even ask why as she got up from the table. However, as she followed Celia through the back, it was evident that it wasn’t going to be a pleasant reason. The faces of the other guild members varied between astonishment, betrayal, and anger. Some looked a tad guilty.

Celia led Lilitu to the basement, where the unofficial guild quarters were located. If Lilitu had not just walked down the steps and into the hidden door, she would have never guessed it was a basement. It was divided into three sections, a storage space for all the things fenced and ready to ship elsewhere, the main office and the doyen’s private quarters.

The main office was well furnished with four cherry wood desks. The one in the center of the room belonged to Andre the doyen. Paperwork was strewn about it in what he called “organized chaos.” Atop the many papers were figurines of boats. The doyen himself was easily recognized as a man who loved the sea, with his sun bleached blond hair and his tanned skin. Sadly, his skin was starting to reflect too much sun and around his eyes took on a leathery appearance.

Caminda was at her desk, hunched over her paper work. As her neat, orderly desk was the polar opposite of Andre’s, her appearance was a stark contrast to him as well. Where he was a tall, blond, lanky man, Caminda was a short Bosmer with a jet black bob with enviable curves. Andre preferred the nice clean look of the nobles, Caminda proudly displayed floral body art along her temples and down her arms. The shelves above her desk held all sorts of lock boxes and some with a few enchanted traps. Hundreds of lock picks and probes were stashed next to them.

Celia took her seat at her own desk. Unlike the others, hers was nearly bare of papers. A bouquet of flowers was the only thing that decorated it. It gave the room a soothing smell.

Lilitu’s own desk was completely empty. It was only there because of the previous fence. Lilitu usually worked elsewhere, as she figured it would look less suspicious if people didn’t keep going to the back of the tavern with armfuls of goods and leaving with a sack of gold.

“What’s going on?” Lilitu asked upon entry.

Andre looked up at her with his usual smile. Something about it was youthful and charming. His dark blue eyes glittered with mischief. They always did. Lilitu had a feeling that it was why he had made such a great thief. A man with that sort of charm and good looks can get away with anything. “Good morning, Lilitu. I just wanted to inform you about what we’ve just found out.”

Caminda looked up for a moment, fire in her eyes. The quill she was grasping looked like it was about to bend from how hard it was being held.

Lilitu took a seat at his desk, raising her eyebrows.

“Do you remember that huge haul Shakh gro Bumba brought in last week?” He asked, clasping his fingers together.

Lilitu nodded. How could she forget? He actually had a wagon of stuff brought to her house! An entire wagon of stolen goods. He was lucky that no one suspected any of it. Then again, he looked and acted more like a member of the Fighters Guild than a thief.

“Well,” He let out an exasperated sigh. “We found out that he started up another group of thieves. Now, of course, it’s frowned on, but not against our code.”

“I feel a ‘but’ coming on,” Lilitu said.

Andre chuckled. “But… not only is he trying to recruit members away from the Guild, he’s passing out confidential information and he’s playing both sides. Trying to get to the buyers directly and get them to up their prices by inciting competition or flat out threatening them. And normally, we welcome anything to be fenced, but we can’t be fencing things he’s brought in from another guild. That’s just asking for trouble.”

“Oh, and don’t forget the bandits!” Caminda scowled.

At Lilitu’s questioning glance, he explained, “There’s rumors that he’s been working with some of the bandits on the side of the roads.”

“Bull!” Caminda erupted. “You know damn well that he’s doing it!”

Andre nodded. “Between all of us, yes, I think he’s doing it. But we can’t go around accusing him without infallible proof.”

Caminda rolled her eyes and went back to her desk. “He’s a sorry fetcher! I curse the day he blighted the Guild!” She huffed. “As if we don’t have enough problems…”

Celia frowned. “Sorry,” she said.

Andre raised his hand. “Don’t apologize. He seemed like a great fit at the time. People change.” He turned to Lilitu. “So, here’s what I need from you. Any time he wants anything fenced, it has to get screened first. In fact, we’ll have to do it with everyone now. We don’t know exactly who’s in with him and who isn’t. I’ve got a few contacts that can help us out.”

He fished a quill from his pile and wrote on the back of a sheet from the Black Horse Courier. “So new procedure. You see what they’ve got, give them an estimate based on however you usually price things, and then bring it in to be screened. They’ll get the money afterwards.”

Lilitu frowned. “That’s going to piss off a lot of people.”

“I know. But we have to protect the Guild first. As for Shakh, if he does anything suspect, let me know about it right away.”

She nodded and stood up from her chair. She noticed notes on her suggestion for a proper place for the Thieves Guild to stay tucked under a mound of paper on his desk. She supposed it was comforting to know that it hadn’t made its way to the trash can.

“Alright,” she said. “I’ve actually got an appointment with him tomorrow. He said it’s going to be another big one, so we’ll see how that goes.”

“Alright,” he said with a smile. “Thanks, Lilitu.”

As she turned to leave, he called out. “Oh!” He dug around his desk. “I got this for you.” He handed her an envelope with her name on it. Her heart quickened at the handwriting. “It was here this morning when I got up. I’m not sure who could have picked the lock. Caminda made it herself…”

Lilitu didn’t need him to tell her who it was. In fact, opening it was enough.

Lilitu,

The Gray Fox has requested a meeting with you at your house tonight at eight.

X

She pursed her lips together, unsure of how to react. Only the job he had in store for her would tell

This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: May 2 2012, 02:44 AM

[McBadgere]

Love it!... ...

For some reason, even my skin was crawling reading Capaneus talk!... ...You seem to have a knack for creepy characters... ...

I'll have to get my daughter to read this, she's the Thieves Guild one in the family...I'm too good for that...*Adjusts halo*... ...

Loving the story...Brilliant writing...

Nice one!...

*Applauds heartily*...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Apr 30 2012, 04:07 PM

[Colonel Mustard]

You know, I was just about to comment saying that it was good to see another update for this when I realised that I'd forgotten to post from when I'd originally read through this in just two sittings (it was that good). I'm sorry, I'm a terrible person.

So, in order to make up for that, I feel I must say that this is absolutely excellent stuff. Not only haveyou managed to capture the manic, demented feel of the Isles in your writing, but you've managed to populate both it and the Cyrodiil beyond with some wonderfully realistic, compelling and well fleshed-out characters, as well as giving a good bit of depth to Bethesda's existing ones (Haskill was one of my favourite NPCs from Bethesda's games,and you've managed to make him even better; he's definitely one of my favourite characters of this story, and he's got some tough competition, too!).

And I'm really wondering how poor old Wrothken is going to deal with the mess that's brewing up back in Cyrodiil at the moment, and how you're going to tie all these plot threads with Lilitu and the Thieves Guild and the Mythic Dawn all together. Though with luck, you'll do it just as well as you have the rest of this story...

[SubRosa]

So Cap has a brother (who seems to be an anime hottie!) and there is trouble in the guild. Not the best homecoming for Liltu.

And look who wants to meet her again! The Grey Fox is certainly getting chummy with her lately!

[Grits]

“You know what might cheer you up? Why don’t we go out for a pastry? You like pastries, don’t you?" He paused and poked her stomach. "Of course you do!"

Oh, he deserves a bloody stump for that.

And the Grey Fox will be stopping by tonight. He never wants anything dangerous or complicated…

[Jacki Dice]

McBadgere~ Lol! It's from my rather unfortunate, frequent encounters with creepy people. I had one just this morning on the way to work

Colonel Mustard~ Gasp! How dare you miss a post! Wow I didn't think this was read in two sittings good. I'm glad it's got that kind of hold on you. And yes, it is going to be quite the tangled web once I get done.

SubRosa~ He sure is! Next thing you know, he'll want to sleep off his hangovers on her couch

Grits~ Lol! That was a last minute addition! It just seemed to fit so well and I couldn't help laughing while typing it

~~~~~♥~~~~~

Chapter Forty-two: Going Home

Lilitu jumped when she entered her house.

The Gray Fox was sitting at the kitchen table, his hands folded neatly on his lap. Dolce was sitting in her bed staring at him intently. It was clear that she wanted to attack, but she was holding herself back. Lilitu noticed a slab of meat on the floor in front of her. Lilitu raised her eyebrows. That had to be the source of her confliction.

Dolce looked at Lilitu and stamped her front paws on the floor and whimpered. Lilitu couldn’t help but laugh. “Go ahead,” she said.

Immediately Dolce scarfed the meat down and licked her lips happily after.

To the Gray Fox, she said, “I thought you said eight.”

He smiled. “I knew you’d rush back as soon as you heard the news.” He looked around the house. “It’s very…red.”

“I know,” she said, taking a seat across from him. “So… another job, I take it?”

"Further use of Savilla's Stone has revealed that I need another special item to move forward with my plans.”

Lilitu sighed quietly.

“I need the boots of Springheel Jak,” he continued. “He was a famous thief that died some three hundred years ago. Legend has it that he was buried with his boots on. Find out where Springheel Jak is buried and bring me back those boots. Will you do this for me?”

Lilitu looked at the floor and then at Dolce. She knew she couldn’t refuse him. He was the Gray Fox, after all. Still, she recalled the danger the other requests put her into. Even if she was protected by Mara for some reason, it didn’t get her out of feeling fear or pain.

“It pays well,” he added, sensing her reluctance.

“Alright,” she said.

“Capital—“

“But!” Lilitu said, raising her finger. “Before I do, you have to hear me out on something.”

His cowl made his expression unreadable, but he didn’t refuse.

“As the Gray Fox, you know that we have a solemn oath to protect the beggars of the city. Where other guilds have warm beds and decent food for their members, the ones we swear to protect upon entry to this guild are left to sleep in the streets with nothing to eat. I have asked the doyens what we can do as a guild to help, but I get nothing substantial. Obviously we can’t open a place up with a banner held high, but there has to be something we can do.”

The Gray Fox put his index fingers to his lips, leaning back in his chair. “You aren’t the first to suggest such a thing,” he finally said. “I have an idea, but it will all come together soon. I promise that after you get the boots for me, we’ll discuss this more.”

She smiled a little. It was a lot farther than she had gotten with anyone else.

“Now, the Earl of Imbel is the only descendant of his line that I have been able to locate. His name is Jakben, and he lives somewhere in the Imperial City. There might be a clue in the Earl's house.”

“The Imperial City?” Lilitu asked, her eyes widening.

The Gray Fox nodded. “I have the utmost confidence in you.”

Lilitu lowered her eyes but when she looked back up, the Gray Fox had already vanished. She looked at Dolce. “Where in Oblivion did he go?”

Dolce simply yawned and laid down in her bed.



The Imperial City. Lilitu looked out her bedroom window at White Gold Tower. It gleamed in the distance, reflecting the glow from the moons. It was so beautiful, but Lilitu couldn’t help being filled with dread.

She went upstairs to her room in The Feed Bag. Tired and weary, she was ready to collapse onto her bed. She opened the door and started to scream.

Dolce was on the floor, laying in a puddle of her own vomit. She was on her side, breathing with great difficulty. Her eyes were cloudy and rolled in the back of her head.

Lilitu rushed to Dolce’s side, placing her hand over her heart. She could feel a faint beat. She sat there sobbing and screaming, unsure of what to do. But she knew who did it…

The image appeared back to her every time she closed her eyes. Dolce come over to her and nudged Lilitu’s hand with her head a few times before licking it. Lilitu knelt down and hugged the dog. “No one will ever take you away from me again.”

She scratched Dolce’s ears while she stared out the window. “I better get this over with.”



Being back in the Imperial City brought back a multitude of emotions.

There was the magic of being on her own for the first time, the joys of the times with Methredel, the mystery of the Thieves Guild and the fear of being caught again, of being trapped. The terror of retaliation she knew would be coming if he saw her. More than once, Lilitu had to prop herself against a wall in order to keep from being wholly overwhelmed.

The Marketplace was just as she remembered. The crowds were so packed together that it had become common for ladies to stuff their coin purses down their shirts to keep stray hands from snatching them. Vendors stood in front of the shops selling all kinds of things from clothing to food to weapons. It was like Kvatch, only much more congested. It was a claustrophobic’s nightmare.

Lilitu forgot her paranoia soon enough, allowing her eyes to leave the ground and her lips to smile. This was home. This was where she belonged and she kicked herself for allowing some scumbag to run her out.

When her eyes caught a pair of familiar brown ones, she stopped in her tracks.

“Oh my gods!” She jumped up and she clasped her hands in front of her mouth. “Methredhel!”

Methredhel screamed and ran full speed toward Lilitu with her arms stretched out, shoving people out of the way. She jumped up and wrapped her legs tightly around Lilitu’s waist.

Lilitu stumbled for a moment but as soon as she regained her balance, she squeezed Methredhel tightly. After planting kisses on each other’s cheeks, Methredhel climbed down.

“I had no idea you were going to be in town!” Methredhel squeaked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because by time the letter got here, I would have. I just took an overnight carriage.” Lilitu looked around and lowered her voice. “I’m here on official business.”

Methredel looked at the ground, frowning. “No Dolce?”

Lilitu shook her head. “She’s at home. I brought her on my last trip and that was a disaster. She’s safer there, anyway.”

As they walked, they held hands with their fingers laced together. Lilitu suddenly felt whole again. Well, almost. All she needed was Dolce.

Methredhel raised her eyebrows. “So… business-business or I-have-unfinished-business-business?”

“Gray Fox business.”

Methredhel gasped. “You mean he’s sent you back?”

“Not exactly.” Lilitu leaned into her ear. “I’m supposed to swipe some boots for him from some guy.”

Methredhel nodded. “I thought you were made a fence, though.”

“So did I,” Lilitu said with a sigh. “This isn’t the first time. He had me on two other missions.”

“So where are you staying?”

“I was thinking the Feed Bag, like before.” Lilitu paused. “Stay with me!”

Methredhel laughed. “You know what Armond will say.”

“Armond needs to get his head out of the gutter! Just because we sleep together doesn’t mean we sleep together!” She paused for a moment. Though we did sort of contribute to that rumor… a lot.”

Methredhel shrugged. “We were told to use anything and everything to our advantage when it came to stealing. It’s not our fault that men get distracted easily!”

[SubRosa]

That Grey Fox, you never know when he is going to turn up! So now it is off to find some boots. And in return, the GF will look into helping the beggars? I thought that was very thoughtful of Liltu to bring it up. Again, we see that there is more to her than just a thief.

And another glimpse into the mirror of the past I see! So it was in the IC that Dolce was poisoned. I can certainly see why Lil views the city with dread.

Yay, its Methredhel! One of my favorite Oblivion characters. I see she and Lil have been sleeping together. Too bad they have not been sleeping together as well though.

[McBadgere]

Nah, one pair on this forum's enough for my blood pressure... ...

Aaamywho...Fantastic stuff...Loved the Grey Fox stuff...

Never did all that stuff so I've never met the chap...Damned well written though...

Loved the Imp City stuff...One of these days, should I earn some freebies from the Extra-Time Fairy, then I shall do this from the start and know what I missed... ...

Excellent stuff...Loved it!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Grits]

I think it would be easy to convince Lilitu to go get a pair of boots. A big hammer not so much. But, boots! Maybe with platform heels, some buckles… I guess we’ll have to wait and see Springheel Jak’s taste in footwear.

Fun reunion with Methredhel! It's nice to see Lilitu happy in the Imperial City.

[King Coin]

An unpleasant job dealing with a troublesome ‘guild member’ and on top of that, the Gray Fox has something for her.

**

And the Gray Fox knows how to make peace with a pooch!

The reunion with Methredhel was hilarious!