Aravi in Skyrim, her video story Options

[Grits]

These are beautiful! Two is my favorite, I just love her expression. The Khajiit helm with ears free is perfect! Wow, these are great!

[mALX]

I thought 'One' would be my fave till I saw 'Two' - LOVE that shot, it is my absolute fave of the three! ('One' comes in second, lol). Great shots !!!

[SubRosa]

Those first two are just gorgeous. I cannot decide which I like better. The first one is filled with warm light, but the second has an almost soft focus to it that makes it just amazing.

[Acadian]

Wow, Aravi always looks gorgeous, but I absolutely love how her helmet lets her little ears (well, little by Buffy and Superian standards) stick out! Just the perfect thing to avoid ‘helmet ears’. The subdued lighting in that third shot really makes the scar on Aravi’s right cheek jump out.

[King Coin]

Thanks everyone! I’m kind of surprised Two was the favorite, I was sure One would be. Acadian, you pointed out exactly why I liked Three. My favorite is One, I liked the way her eyes looked in that one.

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I was intending for this to be short like the first scene I wrote, but it quickly grew to a full sized chapter on its own. I hope you all find it acceptable.

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Kharjo crept past the bodies of two giant spiders, broken arrows left behind as evidence of Aravi’s passing. Kharjo smiled to himself. She’s always hated spiders. Now where is she? He moved into the narrow passageway that no doubt lead to lair of the vampires.

The feeling of foreboding that started at the inn spiked within the narrow passage. Those are her swords! And her pack! Sheathed and resting against the rough stone wall of the cave was her swords and next to them was her pack. Why would she leave her things here? Chills danced up and down his spine and tail. This was wrong. She would never leave her stuff like this. She needed her swords to fight. He took the rest of the passage nice and slow, listening for anything. The passage opened up into a room ahead.

He found the first body. Kharjo had seen plenty of violence in his life, especially after he started following Aravi. He wasn’t sure if he should be proud or ashamed that the sight of the dead rarely bothered him. This one was different. The man’s head had been torn off, and the body had been shredded. He felt sick and looked away, taking deep breaths through his mouth so the smell of exposed guts wouldn’t be as strong. What did this? Where’s Aravi?! He fought away of the image of Aravi’s body torn to pieces that leapt unbidden to his mind and pulled his axe from his belt. He knew if whatever killed that man was still alive in the cave, then Aravi couldn’t kill it, and he was going to die too.

The next room held more bodies. A man, shredded and torn like the first, lay beside a shallow grave containing old corpses. The vampire’s food. Kharjo took only the time to confirm that none of the dead were Khajiit before moving on. His nerves were almost shot and the silence of the cave did not help calm him at all. This place is a tomb. If she was alive, wouldn’t he be able to hear something? He wanted nothing more than to run forward as fast as he could calling for her. Calm down Kharjo.

Moving through the next passage on silent feet, he concentrated on his hearing more than his sight. His ears flicked around nervously, trying to detect any sound. As he moved deeper, he thought he heard something. He stopped to hear better …Is that breathing? He moved a little farther in and listened again. Yes, it is! It sounded shallow and labored to his keen ears, it couldn’t belong to anything capable of tearing a man to pieces. He couldn’t help it, he abandoned stealth and ran. It was coming from a large chamber with a high ceiling and a long table in the middle of the room. And slumped on the ground next to a throne on the far end was Aravi!

“Aravi!” His elation quickly turned to horror. She was completely naked and covered from head to toe in blood. He ran to her and saw more details. She had partially healed weapon and frost wounds on her chest, arms, and thighs. While her entire body was covered in blood, he noticed her mouth and hands by far had the most.

“Aravi? Are you alright?” Her eyes were out of focus, she was miles away. She didn’t say anything. He took off a gauntlet and checked her wounds and didn’t find anything immediately life threatening. “Here drink something,” he offered her his water skin. Her eyes focused on him, then the skin, and she reached out to take it. It dropped to the floor with a splash of spilled liquid and Aravi hissed in pain. He recovered the skin, noting multiple cuts and swelling in her hands. He held the skin for her so she could drink. She sloshed the water around in her mouth and spit it out. That’s when he noticed the mess next to her. Raw, chewed up meat lay in a pool of blood and other juices. Later he thought to himself. Get her out of here first.

He gave her more water and she started shivering. “Can you walk?” She weakly shook her head. He took off his cloak and wrapped her in it. “Let’s get you out of this horrible place then.” Then carefully, he lifted her over a shoulder and took up his axe in his free hand. Then slowly and carefully, he carried her out the way he had come. She didn't say a word to him.

~~~~

Aravi abruptly woke from a dreamless sleep. She was disoriented at first, but quickly realized that she was in a bed at the inn.

“This one is sorry to wake you, but you need to drink these.” She heard a liquid being poured into a mug. “Can you sit up or do you need help?”

As she gingerly pushed herself up, her hands ached fiercely, and all the memories of last night came crashing down on her. Kharjo noticed. “We’ll talk about what happened later. You need to drink these potions and rest more.” He offered her the mug. “Drink.”

She drank, it was a cure disease potion. The taste was familiar to her. It was a waste, but she did it anyways. One look at Kharjo told her there would be no negotiating with him. He was seated at the end of her bed. He may have looked relaxed to anyone that didn’t know him well, but she could tell he was tense.

When she was done, she offered the mug back to him and he refilled it with another potion. After drinking that, the ache in her hands had vanished, and the mug was offered one more time. Cool water that she sipped at gratefully.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.” She was starving. The thought of eating made her feel sick however. Kharjo must have seen the lie for what it was and gave her a piece of bread. She nibbled on it carefully, and when it was gone, she accepted the rest of the loaf.

“What was wrong with my hands?”

“The alchemist said you had broken three fingers and your left wrist. The skin was torn away as well. She was the closest thing this town had for a healer, so she made sure the bones were in the right place before giving you healing potions.”

Aravi processed this and experimented with her fingers and hands. She shouldn’t have any trouble with her swords and bow. They sat in silence while she slowly finished the bread.

“You should get more rest,” Kharjo said when she was done eating.

Aravi shook her head. “No, I want to leave this place. Let’s go.”

“Are you strong enough for travel?” he asked doubtfully.

To demonstrate she got out of bed and stood up straight. The effect was ruined when she had to retrieve the cloak that fell to the floor and hold it over her form. Her ears flattened to the sides in embarrassment and she felt her face burning. She had just given him quite a show. “I need some clothes Kharjo.”

Kharjo chuckled and gestured to her pack sitting on the dresser up against the wall opposite her bed. He left the room and firmly shut the door behind him. As he left she saw a dagger belted to his waist. Kharjo thought she was dangerous. He had sat where he would be difficult to reach by someone waking up in the bed. The realization hurt her more than she expected and she sat on her bed, the corners of her eyes stinging. She let the tears fall, but did not make a sound. After a few minutes, she dried her face and pulled herself together. She stood, let the cloak drop again, and went to the pack. After dressing, a look in the pack verified what she had suspected: Kharjo had taken all her weapons.

She still had some of her potions and she chose one to restore some of her energy. She sighed and shouldered her pack, wincing at the aches and pains that flared briefly. She didn’t relish the conversation that was going to take place as soon as they were out of town, but she hoped he would trust her again.

~~~~

They left the dreary town behind and walked in silence for nearly an hour before Kharjo abruptly stopped.

“Aravi owes this one some answers.”

Aravi knew this was coming. “What did you see?”

“This one saw you in a cave full of dead vampires and their slaves. They had been torn apart and eaten. Your mouth and claws were covered in their blood. What did you do?” Kharjo’s voice was intense and he had assumed a fighting stance. He had all but drawn a weapon on her.

Aravi looked at her feet in shame and kept carefully still, her hands where he could see them.

“I’m a werewolf.” She cringed when she heard him draw his axe. Keeping her eyes on her feet, she said “I’m not a monster.” I hope.

Kharjo was silent. She stayed still and waited for him to say something. Or use his axe.

“So you are a werewolf. How does this one know you won’t kill him?”

“I wouldn’t, I can control the transformations. All of the Circle of the Companions are werewolves. They all live in Whiterun and they’ve never killed anyone in the town. We all can control when we change.”

“If you can control the transformations, then why did you do it last night?”

“I know what happens when I let it out. I wanted them to feel terror before they died. That’s why I didn’t want you with me. When I transform, I surrender my body and mind to the beast. Nobody would have been safe.”

Kharjo was quiet again. He still had his weapon ready. “You are sure you can control the transformation?”

“Yes!” Aravi said, looking at him, desperate for him to believe.

“How did you get this curse? And when?”

“The Companions invited me to join the Circle. To become one of them, a condition was to become as they were. Werewolves. I rejected it at first, but then I learned that werewolves were immune to every disease. Including vampirism. So I accepted.”

“But why? You said the dragon protected you.”

“I wasn’t honest with you. I carried the disease within me for a long time. In Cyrodiil I became infected with the disease too many times and I could not be rid of it. I could only slow it down. I came to Skyrim, I had heard that the cold climate would further slow it down. It worked, but I still wasn’t rid of it. Then this opportunity came along and I was desperate.”

Kharjo considered her words carefully. Then he belted his axe at his waist. Aravi let out breath she didn’t know she was holding.

“This one believes you. What choice does he have? If this turns to be a foolish choice, he will probably not live long to regret it.”

“Thank you Kharjo. I promise I’ll never harm you.”

“This one will hold you to it.” He flashed a quick grin before turning serious again. “Is there anything else you should share with this one? Think carefully. Anything like this again and this one will leave you and return to his caravan.”

“No, there isn’t.”

Kharjo’s voice was heavy with anger and sadness. “This one thought you had died last night. Don’t do that to him again.”

The pain in his voice shamed her and she looked back down at her feet. They resumed walking. Kharjo murmured to himself, “This one feels like he’s had to battle for every scrap of knowledge he has of her.”

After a while Aravi asked, “May I have my weapons back?”

His hesitation was barely perceptible before he handed them over. “So you were turning into a vampire when this one met you?”

Aravi thought about it as she belted her swords to her waist. “Yes, I guess you could say that. I had the disease for a very long time and I kept ahead of it with potions. I suppose it would have eventually won.”

“And you say it is gone now because of your new…” he searched for a word, “condition? How do you know?”

“It’s gone. I didn’t know for sure until you woke me this morning. I always had nightmares after fighting vampires when I had the disease. I didn’t have any last night.” She smiled at the thought.

“Was it worth the price?”

The smile faded. “I… I don’t know.”

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jul 14 2012, 12:05 AM

[mALX]

Holy Cow! This had me riveted from the first word to the last! Absolutely AWESOME fascinating chapter !!!!! You brought such a depth to both Aravi and Kharjo with this chapter !!!!

I loved Kharjo's reactions, every single line of them! And Aravi's explanations - things we didn't know about her, like the true reason she went to Skyrim, the struggles she's had to keep the vampirism at bay (we knew about that) - this chapter went a long way toward explaining why Aravi took the werewolf onto herself. It went a long way into showing us the inner Aravi we have only guessed at. Totally Awesome Write from beginning to end !!!

- HUGE WRITE !!!

[SubRosa]

Chills danced up and down his spine and tail.
This was a wonderfully Khajiitish description.

The first part told from the pov of Kharjo is a real treat. It is so nice to see the world from our favorite former caravan-guard for a change.

Aravi's awakening was as awkward as I expected. Kharjo is taking no chances I see. Obviously he has realized that it was Aravi who tore everyone in the cave to shreds, not to mention ate them.

If this turns to be a foolish choice, he will probably not live long to regret it."
This sounds exactly like the Kharjo we know from the game. You have recreated him perfectly.

So now everything is out in the open, including Aravi's past in Cyrodiil. He's taking it very well. But then, a man in love tends to be that way. So I am not surprised either. This is certainly a major turning point in their relationship. Which is to say it can finally move forward, as it was basically stuck in place where it was before, because of the secret of Aravi's lycanthropy.


nits:
and the silence of the cave did help calm him at all.
I think you meant did not?

[Acadian]

Wonderful, KC! You really captured both Kharjo and Aravi here!

“I need some clothes Kharjo.”
Exactly the right touch of humor at exactly the right time.

“I’m not a monster.” I hope.’
Powerful stuff!

‘Kharjo considered her words carefully. Then he belted his axe at his waist. Aravi let out breath she didn’t know she was holding.’
This one thinks Kharjo is a keeper! His actions speak volumes.

“Was it worth the price?”
The smile faded. “I… I don’t know.”
A very strong and evocative ending.

[Grits]

I love Kharjo’s thought process that if Aravi couldn’t defeat the creature, he was as good as dead. The videos show Aravi taking the lead, and this really brings it home. It was creepy and very engaging to visualize Kharjo working his way through the cave having just watched Aravi in beastly action. With her blood-soaked condition and fresh meat barf in a steaming pile, he has some hard truth to face. I love how he took care of her so tenderly, even though he had concerns. You bring Kharjo to life so well!

She had just given him quite a show. “I need some clothes Kharjo.”

How funny. I’m sure that modest Aravi does not want to think about how she got cleaned up and wrapped in the cloak in the first place! Like mALX said, it was great to hear for sure from Aravi what the videos have shown about why she’s made these choices. I think Kharjo’s caution is probably part of Aravi’s high opinion of him. He charges in when he needs to, but he is not reckless. His showed that he had real concerns about his safety, but he was right there anyway. Also it was great to have him stand up for himself when she admitted that she lied. Getting this out in the open was such a big step for both of them.

“It’s gone. I didn’t know for sure until you woke me this morning. I always had nightmares after fighting vampires when I had the disease. I didn’t have any last night.” She smiled at the thought.

Yay! But this chapter really showed the price she pays. Yikes, her poor hand!

I really enjoyed this, KC!

[King Coin]

@mALX: Thank you very much mALX! I tried to reveal a little about her and review some of what we already knew, but Kharjo wouldn’t. Thanks again!

@SubRosa: Thanks for spotting that nit, I had dropped another ‘not’ somewhere else too but caught it on my final edit.

Perhaps Kharjo went along too easily with Aravi’s explanations, but I couldn’t have him leave for a while as he is present in the next video. Lol. I rewrote Kharjo’s POV 3-4 times trying to get it right, so it’s good that you enjoyed it. The most important thing for Aravi now is that she doesn’t feel like she needs to hide anything from Kharjo now. She can really trust him with anything. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: I thought of you when I wrote Aravi getting out of bed and losing her covering. A little humor was needed in that chapter. I am relieved that you think I captured both Kharjo and Aravi. I liked ending with that thought too. On one hand, the vampire is gone. On the other, she must turn into a beast periodically, and she has no control over what it does. Thanks Acadian!

@Grits: Aravi’s always been the better fighter of the pair, and Kharjo has no problem admitting that if she couldn’t handle something then he certainly wouldn’t. Finding Aravi as he did was very damning; I think if he didn’t already have strong feelings for her, it might have gone much differently.

Poor Aravi’s still naked when she wakes up! Best not think about how she got clean or she will be red furred again like in Cyrodiil! The confrontation was difficult to write, so I’m glad you liked. Thanks Grits!

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Some screens tonight. I’ve been away for a few days, only checking PMs, and all of you have postings I need to see. My next video probably won’t be posted for another couple of days while I catch up and see about doing some more writing.

Thinking of home

Aim

Descending

[mALX]

These are all awesome shots! My fave has to be "Thinking of Home" due to her expression in it, but it was a hard toss up !!!

[liliandra nadiar]

Awesome angels and lighting on the shots. Favorite is also 'Thinking of Home'.

[Grits]

Wow, what they said. These are all great!

I especially love Descending, because Aravi is looking to the side. That's something I really miss from Oblivion.

and see about doing some more writing.

Yay!

[SubRosa]

Thinking of Home was definitely my favorite. Aravi has this wonderfully somber look of introspection on her face, that the title is exactly what I think when I look at it.

[Acadian]

Welcome back! We’ve missed you and Aravi. Thanks for the pics! They’re all great, but I really like her aiming in with that bow.

[King Coin]

@mALX: Again I am surprised in your choice! I thought Aim or Descending would be your favorite. Thanks mALX!

@liliandra: Are you saying Aravi’s an angel? Kidding! Thanks for stopping by!

@Grits: I really miss that too, I really liked how that picture turned out. It was a little tricky to get right. Thanks Grits!

@SubRosa: Another tally for the first one. That was the first view I had of Aravi after getting home so of course I had to tie that in with the subject. Thanks SubRosa!

@Acadian: Did Buffy help you choose the bow one? Thanks for the welcome back Acadian!

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Another batch of screens today!

Aravi’s dress

Sizing up

Starry night

Sword practice in the College of Winterhold
One & Two

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jul 20 2012, 01:37 AM

[SubRosa]

I like Aravi's new dress! The embroidery along the fringes is especially nice. Sizing up is startling. I never realized that Kharjo was so tall!

Two of the sword practice was my favorite of all. I love that look on Aravi's face!

[Acadian]

I like Aravi’s dress as well. The laced up top and colors quite suit her! I like how that helm in the picture with Kharj lets her ears poke through – earrings and all! As I look at the pair of great sword play pictures, I’m struck by how nice the Skyrim armors look. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

[mALX]

These are all great, it would almost be hard to pick a fave - if you hadn't added in "Starry Night" - that has to be my top fave. I love close-up shots of her face, love the different expressions she makes. Awesome shots, all of them !!!

[Grits]

I really enjoyed these! Starry Night has to be my favorite, I just love it. This is such a fun set of screenshots!