Clavicus Vile

When the dream began, she found herself lying in a cart, lying in hay, lying still, half-hiding from the others. Part of her wanted to be out there with them, while another part felt quietly content to stay right there. Right in that haypile. Staying still, and keeping quiet. It's this latter, secondary part which attained.

The scene was heavily pastoral. Lots of trees, green with foliage. Sunlight and blue skies. A few puffy clouds, a perfect sort of day. The sounds of others around her. The cart she was in had been drawn off to the side, placed in shadow. The horse which had brought it here must have been tethered somewhere else. As she lay in the cart, she began to feel rather lonely. Sad, and lonely, despite the others cavorting nearby.

They were there for her. All of them, gaily awaiting her presence. Dressed in finery. The women wearing whites, pinks, and light blues. Maids and maidens. The men, dressed more somberly, but the sounds from their revelries were no less delighted and cheerful.

Where is she? Where is Laprima?

Someone was calling. A man, sounding a bit tipsy with wine, perhaps. Yet his voice contained an edge of concern. And then, the voice of one of the ladies...

We should go find her! She's probably near! She's going to miss out!

She sank lower, hiding within hay. She could hear them coming, getting nearer, occasionally calling out to her. She cowered. Not with fear, but with some sort of distress. Lonely she was, and part of her did want to join the others.

She scrunched within the hay as footsteps approached and circled the cart. She held her breath. Eventually, the footsteps moved on. Small relief; she exhaled. They hadn't discovered her. So she took a chance. Got situated upon her arms, and raised her head about a foot, attempting to peer over the cart's side. As she did so, she noticed there was a knot in its wooden planking. For no reason at all (other than, this is a dream, and in dreams we sometimes do strange things) she pushed upon this knot, and the knot fell out, leaving a hole. She squinted her left eye, viewing outside of the cart, only to see vague shapes of the departing couple, heading off into a cabin. Still calling out, still calling her name.

...And that's when she noticed the man with the dog.
...He stood off to the side of the meadow, nearer to the woods.
...He stood in shadow. He wore a jerkin of white and black. He beckoned to her.

You there! I can see you, he said quietly. Despite using a soft tone, she could hear his voice clearly, in the surreal way which dreams can magnify. I can see you, and I mean no harm. Why do not you approach me?

She felt a stab of fear. How can he view me, hiding within this cart? But then, she relaxed. For the man was merely a boy. A boy she recognized from her youth. And this boy was her brother.

Laprima! he called. Come hither, posthaste!

And so she did.

She rose from the cart, took a moment to brush stray strands of hay from her clothings, and then ran swiftly toward her brother, skirts ruffling below. She noticed that the dog which had been there a moment ago had vacated, or vanished. She looked to her brother as she drew nearer. And her brother smiled up at her in his typically mischievous way. A smile she hadn't seen since they were, in fact, both children. Her previous feelings of loneliness were gone.

You should depart! her brother said to her, dancing around her with gaited elan. Head on! Depart hence toward Solitude! And do as they say! ... These folks you see in their fabled costumes, all of them here, are of nothing to you! ... To us! .. They mean nothing! ... A wretched lot! ... So onwards must you go! ... Your man, he awaits your presence! And you shall be in high company! Just dandy! Just peachy!

She felt elation at his words. Her brother, right there before her. 'Whatever is to come, would be fine,' he was telling her, seemingly tapping within her thoughts, her hopes, her fears.

Elija, she said to him.

Yes, sister!

She was weeping by now.

Her hands raised to embrace him. But just then, a flash of emotion overcame her. A mixture of revolting sickness, and sweet delight. She recoiled, stumbled backwards in disgust...

Laprima Donnaugh awoke, bolt upright, her eyes teary. Her bed quarters around her, her 8 year-old feline dozing by her side. She'd just had a dream. Her thoughts were racing, so she consciously made an effort to remember all she could. ... Her brother .... A cart ... Some people walking by in gay costume ... A dog by the side of the forest ... Slowly, she pieced it all together. After a minute or so, she sat up in bed, inked her quill and began to scribble words quickly in her journal.

After she had recalled all she could, she realized she was in agreement with her brother. She would head to Solitude.

It is wonderful to have new Renee writing! And what in intriguing and lush start, filled with descriptions, and tension, and mystery. (Gets the popcorn and settles in for the story).

This felt like a dream from the start, which is neat.

Uh oh, methinks that fella with the dog is going to be trouble. Especially given the name of this episode.

I'm so pleased to see you finally posting something in the fan fic forum! I know you have been apprehensive at that but we really don't bite. In fact I suspect most of us are primarily interested in encouraging whatever the objectives of the writer are; after all, the primary goal here is to have fun and enjoy this supportive outlet for your creativity.

Speaking of creativity, this was a wonderfully mysterious introduction that built a nice sense of anticipation as to what will happen next. The dream was a nice way to go, since it affords plenty of freedom and lends itself to raising more questions than answers. Given your 'Dreams' thread, I chuckled as I imagined this is what some your own dreams feel like.

Given the title, man + dog, I am wondering the same thing as SubRosa.

A good beginning left me looking forward to reading more of this adventure. Running off to Solitude on the suggestion of a dream is good but I’m a bit apprehensive about the brother and his dog. Be wary Laprima, I’m not sure Elija is who you think he is.

Hey, thanks you all. Sorry I've been quiet.

SubRosa: As you intuited, that fellow with the dog IS going to be trouble for her. I hope Chorrol.com stay open throughout the 2020s, as it's going to take some time to tell the rest of her tale.


macole: Thank you so much. Hopefully this story will have a different 'feel' to it compared to my writings outside of fan fiction. I am glad you are holding down the fort in the Oblivion Spoilers section and I plan to write more Kahreem (maybe Joan of Arkay) there some day.

Acadian: Yes, here's a true Fan Fic story, I hope. I've been planning this for several years now! .... I wrote the above a while ago (over a year ago, for sure) after having a dream of my own, in which I was hiding in a hay cart from party-goers, so Laprima's pilot chapter is amended from that.

Nowadays I tend to think of Fan Fiction as a 'best work' sort of scenario. I only want to put my best in this forum. Goblin Lady came close, you were right about that. I would say Vicious on the other hand is sloppier (her tale is supposed to be a bit vulgar and shiftless) and I like writing Vicious tales on-the-spot as I'm gaming, whereas with Laprima there will be more imagination involved. THAT to me is the main difference between fanfics versus mere updates--imagination becomes more prevalent, right?

treydog-- Your story with Athynae and Athlain inspired me a few months ago. Now that it's colder, and I play Skyrim when it's colder, here we are. Unfortunately your popcorn may have gone cold by now. Sorry about that!


All-- This is a Skyrim story, and it will continue it after I finally b34t Skyrim's main quest. Finishing the MQ has to happen first; that's the goal I set for myself. Not with Laprima, but with another character of mine. So it might be awhile before Chapter II gets written, but it's coming.

Laprimma Donna was an independent beauty parlor located near me, mostly where we'd get our nails and hair done for some special occasion. I went in there once. Got the inspiration to use its name for some reason for my lady up above. I was torn between Laprima Donaugh and Hera Ticch, but I think Laprima works better. Donaugh is an actual Irish surname, and as we'll see, Laprima has some 'Irish' in her (...what equates to Irish in the land of Elder Scrolls).

I have an earworm that has been singing Dion’s Donna the Prima Donna the past few days ever since I read this so I have to toss in my two-cents worth. When looking for something to equate to Irish I’ll point to the Bretons in High Rock. There’s enough counties in High Rock to cover every Celtic tribe and then some e.g. Irish, Manx, Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and of course Bretons. Then there is the Daggerfall book The Faerie. It’s somewhat out of favor these days but somewhere in the chain are the Irish Aes Sidhe.

Hey look at that, There's some Dion. Haven't heard some Dion since I was a kid, I think.

I don't remember what race Laprima is, pretty sure she's Imperial. She's supposed to be royalty, but I don't want to get too far ahead of the story just yet.

Nope, she is Nord. Matter of fact, here is her stat sheet. Yeah, I make one of these for all of mine.

Laprimma Donnagh

Created: 12:14 pm October 29, 2017

Race: Nord
Sex: Female
Class: Nightblade (customized)

Age: 20

Birthsign: The Lady

Alignment:
Tendencies:

ST: 8.00
DX: 8.00
IQ: 16.38

Skills: Alertness (1), Charisma (2), Horsemanship (1), Knife (1), Literacy (1), Scholar (2), Speechcraft (2), Silent Movement (2), Thief (2), Thrown Weapons (2)*

Spells: Heal Self

Note: the skills and spells above are what Laprima comes to Skyrim with pre-knowledtge.

* Thrown Weapons is tentative. There is a good thrown weapon mod called Throwing Weapons but it includes grenades. If we can remove these it should work.

Scholar would normally be given 3 IQ points, but it includes the ability to "know any language", which Laprima has not studied. She has studied all manner of Tamrelic lore, the Gods, culture (including Skyrim's).

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They weren't supposed to happen to her, the events which are to be told in this upcoming story.

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She had the life of a princess. A life which many spend their days reposed and dreaming of. Coddled and virtually cuddled with riches. Servants and assistants. A man to wed on her horizon. Had she stayed in Cyrodiil, had she not followed the mischievous, dream-given advice from her brother, would any of the changes-to-come actually become?

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Solitude


The day was half over and skies were fair over the town of Solitude, when a ship arrived at the town's docks. Once it had been properly moored, activity then ensued. Sailors and longshoremen began their tasks; unloading crates and barrels, folding the ship's mainsail into its boom, busying themselves with tacks and hull-work. Bells clanged in the distance as they worked.

Very few of those who arrived to Solitude on this day had traveled to Skyrim permanently. One of these travelers moved slower than the rest. A young lady, a noblewoman, poshly dressed in clothes of golden weaves, a hat of fur upon her head. The lady looked upward, upward toward the town, which seemed as though it'd been built an entire mile over the sea. She then gazed this way and that, seeming confused as to which way to go. Finally, she asked one of the wharfmen something. One of the wharfmen answered. His answer took roughly a minute, as he patiently explained some details. The lady seemed satisfied, so she began to walk briskly away.









High above her, high above the boats and Solitude's docks that is, a conversation ensued.

"Has the ship moored?" asked Elisif the Fair, high queen of Skyrim.

"Indeed it has," replied Falk Firebeard, Elisif's long-trusted steward. "As of eleven hours and thirty, its anchor has dropped, and its sails are being stowed."

Elisif fidgeted. Adjusted herself upon her throne. Smiled. Gazed lazily to the right. Her fingers touched her temple, rubbed for a moment. A look upon her face. Falk Firebeard knew that look well. It was Elisif's look of concern.






By now, the lady in golden weaves had arrived to Solitude's entry gate. The journey from ship to town hadn't lasted long, yet it had been somewhat confusing. This could be inferred by the way the lady paused, before continuing to walk, several times as she came up the hill. She passed by a soldier, who said something to her. The lady listened to the soldier a moment, then continued to walk.






As Falk knew well, Elisif the Fair was one of the only Jarls in Skyrim who never slouched upon her throne. She never slouched, because she felt it to be of utmost importance to present herself to her city in a proper, delegatory way at all times. Dignified, yet anticipating. Especially after the events of the past few months. Many things had happened, many bad things had occurred in her beloved country during these months. It was important to maintain a solid, steady presence under such circumstances. Regality had been set aside during these months for greater reception.

But today would be a brighter spot in a slew of darkened affairs. Today would be a day of celebration! As the Blue Palace's magical musical devices swirled soothing music throughout, all of her court was present. Falk the Steward at one side, Bolgeir Bearclaw, her trusty Nordic Housecarl, at the other. Sybille Stentor, the court's sage and wizard, was also milling about. As were a smattering of guards and servants. All of them waiting for the moment to come.

"I .. I cannot wait to see her," Elisif confided to her people nervously. "Elated, dare I say! ... And well, I just hope everything has gone well."

"I am sure it has," Falk replied in his thick Nordic accent. "I am sure she's made it here just fine, milady."

Falk is often right about things like this, thought Elisif the Fair, while seconds and minutes passed by. As she and her court continued to wait, the lady wearing golden threads walked into The Winking Skeever, Solitude's inn. She then inquired which way she'd need to go, to find the Blue Palace.
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I love the remark that Elisef never slouched on her throne.

My everyone is anxiously awaiting the Primma's arrival. I wonder what they are expecting from her?

Nice touch about mentioning ringing bells in the background down in the docks - very true.

I also liked it that the actual conversation between the wharfman and Laprimma was never directly written down, instead we could deduce that she got enough directions to find her way to the town.

Elisif is concerned and elated at once, I wonder what is her opinion of Laprimma.

A tantalizing arrival in Solitude that raises as many questions as it answers. It certainly makes me want to continue reading and find out what happens next!

@Rosa-- Yes, Elisif the Fair never slouches upon her throne, this is true. I read this at UESP, I think. Whoever edited the article on her noticed all the other (awful) jarls tend to slouch.

@Lopov -- Exactly! (About her name not being mentioned yet). I know it's sort of pretentious to write this way, like it's some huge mystery who is walking from the docks, but I'm trying a bunch of new things as her story gets written. I really like the way Chapter 2 moved along with this sort of vague & subtle mystery.

@Acadian-- You have no idea what is to come, this is true. Creation Kit / quest stuff, and so on. It gets rather complicated sometimes, as well as the actual story, which is partially fiction, and partially in-game/real. So I just hope it all works!

I rolled Laprima way back in 2017! I had all these ideas for her story, all of which have been written down on Notepad pages. Some of what you read last week, today, and next week was written way back in December of 2020. Let's see what happens next.

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Arrival




As Solitude's court waited for her arrival, the poshly-dressed lady who'd traveled to Skyrim entered The Winking Skeever, Solitude's inn and tavern. Dim lighting, the smell of good food. She gazed around a bit. A few patrons were sitting at tables, while a bard played her lute in the Skeever's dining area. Across the room, an innkeeper stood behind his counter. The poshly-dressed lady walked to him. She asked him a question, and the innkeeper took some time to answer. Seemingly satisfied, she ordered a drink, then sat at a nearby table.

A few moments later a man's voice called to her. "Oy, come with me wench!" he said. The voice was coming from a nearby hall. So she stood, turned, and looked round the corner. The man was walking toward her. He wore garb which perhaps looked out of place, here in Solitude's cozy tavern. Fur and bones for armor, with two skulls hanging from his belt.

"Shh!" he spoke quietly. "I overheard what you said to the barkeep. Here. Take this," he said, handing her a note. "Chamany said for you to have it."

The lady took the note, saying nothing.

"Head on to the Blue Palace, they all are waitin' for you. You never saw me, a'right?"

And the man in strange garb was gone.

With this note in hand, she finished her drink, and quickly left the tavern. Back outside, she turned to the left, and began walking briskly away. But something was happening across the courtyard, something serious, which caught her attention. A group of townspeople stood before the town's public podium. Something grim was going on, and the townspeople were watching it.

The lady stopped walking. Turned and moved back to the courtyard, to stand and watch with the others.

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Inside the Blue Palace, Elisif the Fair continued to await the presence of her highly-anticipated guest. As she did so, Falk Firebeard began to shuffle a bit. He'd been standing for over an hour, and was becoming restless. To pass the time he began to speak.

"Has she been to Skyrim before?" he asked.

Elisif's face went momentarily taut, as though her thoughts had been scattered. "She has not."

"Gracious. When is the last time you saw your niece?"

"Oh my." Elisif thought for a bit. "Not since she was a lass, I'd say. Maybe ten, eleven years' past. I was still living in the Imperial City. This was before Torygg and I met, of course. I was about twenty-five or so. Laprima was ten or eleven. We were at some sort of gala celebration, in the White Gold Tower itself. All of us dressed in our very finest. And Laprima went to hiding, or some such. She went missing, that is. None of us could find her. We were all worried of course, looking and searching all over. The little twerp was supposed to join us for supper!" Elisif began smiling as she recalled.

"So what happened?"

"Finally found her. She'd gone off exploring the tower's crypt, wretched place. Her pink little dress was all smudged with dust!" Elisif giggled a moment as she remembered. "Oh, the dawdlings of children..."

"I see," Firebeard said, absently rubbing his sidearm a bit. "Yes, 'tis good we do not remain as lads and lasses, perhaps. Imagine the world if we were all so careless. Well... many thanks for sharing."

"Many thanks," a few others murmured.

Next it was Sybille Stentor who spoke. "Are you at liberty to tell us why she is locating here now?" the court wizard asked abruptly. "In these times of possible warfare brewing about, perhaps this was a bit of a risky move. We know she and Chamany wish to be wed, soon. They could have done so within their homeland, where the lands are safer." Sybille paused, letting her observations be pondered. "And why did Sir Chamany arrive here a month ago, without his bride-to-be?"

Such a set of questions might seem like a set of unwelcome challenges to the authority of Skyrim's new leader; indeed, one of the court's servants nearly dropped her serving tray as the wizard's words sunk in! But coming from Sybille, whose job it was to know and scrutinize and possibly see all likely, upcoming events, for better or worse, the jarl seemed mostly unfazed.

"Are you suggesting Laprima could be in peril?" Elisif asked.

"It does seem odd," Falk said before the wizard could answer. "I must admit, especially the fact that she chose to come to Skyrim upon a literal barge, a cargo ship as a matter of fact. Why not ride upon one of the royal arks instead?"

"Yes, the Katariah has made the journey from Cyrodiil to Skyrim plenty-a-times," Bolgier Bearclaw added, his voice not as sure as those of the others.

"Maybe she wished not to be noticed as she arrived," Sybille spoke, answering her previous question. "This seems so, I believe. A rather mundane journey this would be, without the luxury of fluffings and her well-apportioned cabin. No Cyrodiilic brandy, no caviar'd slaughterfish eggs as she travelled. But her reception would not be heralded at all when she got here, see? ... Because maybe she does not want to arrive here as a noble. Maybe that would be ... embarrassing for her?"

Sybille began nibbling upon a bit of brioche, congratulating herself, it might seem.

"Makes sense," Firebeard agreed. "She arrives, the ship arrives, that is. The dock bursts alive with workingmen, milling about. No reception. No blasts from the bugles. No revelry at all. And niece Donnaugh arrives without fanfare."

"Perfection," the court wizard replied, wiping a crumb from her lip. As always, it seemed she hadn't really eaten the bun she'd nibbled upon, only chewed it a bit with her incisors. "An arrival without fanfare. I applaud the miss."

"We applaud the miss," Firebeard pumped the air triumphantly with his fist. "By the graces of the Eight."

"By the graces of the Eight," murmured Elisif's court.

Silence fell for a few moments, with only the Blue Palace's soothing music keeping the sudden lull of chatting voices from becoming awkward. Until finally...

"What's taking so long?" Elisif asked. "Falk. Are you sure you sent word to the guards that my niece is to be here on this day, Frostfall the twenty-fourth?"

And Falk Firebeard did not have an immediate answer to his lady's query.

It was as if the entire world had shifted a bit, an earthquake had occurred beneath their feet perhaps, the palace's walls had begun to crumble perhaps, the entire natural stone arch which held Solitude over the sea had begun to break apart perhaps. Because for once, Falk Firebeard did not have an immediate answer to his lady's query.

"I uh..."

"Well, listen. It is fine. It is not of any worry or concern," Elisif said soothingly. "Let us not become fussy. It is not as if Laprima has fallen prey to maliciousness, right? Just ... we shall do it now. We shall call the guard now. GUARDS!" she hollered, while Falk began to sulk.

"Yes, milady," answered one of Solitude's finest. He had appeared so quickly up the stairs, it was as if he'd been listening to their words all along.

"Head down toward the docks," Firebeard commanded, taking over. "See and inquire if our lady's niece has arrived. Her name is Laprima."

"Yes, milord."

The guard began to move downstairs just as quickly as he'd come. But before he could get far there was a bit of commotion, coming from the palace's entry foyer. The Blue Palace's doors were heard opening wide, and the sound of footsteps began to echo toward the court.
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This mysterious skull man is certainly mysterious, passing the Prima secret notes.

Oh, so she is Elisef's niece! Now some things make more sense.

And now the mystery of Sir Chamany is revealed as well.

Uh oh, here comes... someone. Laprimma? Only time will tell the tale.

Did the guards get the message of Laprima's expected arrival and what of that mysterious letter from Chamany? Hmmm, I wonder.

This is fun, as you gradually reveal tidbits of information - and this episode included several new morsels. Still loads of mystery and unanswered questions.

I'm enjoying the mix of the familiar (Winking Skeever, public execution, Elisef's court) with Laprima's tale yet to be told.

Nice, each story is more interesting than the one before. You're really making a big event out of Laprima's arrival to Solitude, I guess that we as readers are anticipating her as eagerly as her aunt.

Chamany! What a cool name. I had a character in Skyrim named Chamany as well.

Hello, I'm finally back. New computer's on the way. My old auxiliary computer went kaput last week, and its hard drive is where all my stories are, but fortunately I am in the habit of emailing story text back and forth. This means I've had access to the next two chapters, only needing to write in a few missing parts.

SubRosa-- that guy who gave Laprima the note started because I was trying to learn how to make an NPC force-greet my character. It took a surprisingly long time for me to learn this (as Creation Kit stuff, even the easiest stuff, often does). In the process I began to make a little story around that guy. He's the one who basically kicks in Laprima's "main quest".

macole-- We're about to see if the guard is successful at finding my lady, and other things indeed. Since you know what it's like to be immaculately frightened by a videogame, I am going to try to throw a little Daggerfall into Laprima's tale here and there.

Thanks Acadian. I'm having fun writing this one, but in a different way than a lot of past characters I've been with. With Kahreem, Joan of Arkay, and several others for instance, I'm writing the story as it goes along, following whatever Bethesda quest(s) they're involved with. With Sarah and Vicious and Goblin Lady, I make my own quests, but most of those are short-term stuff. Nothing too grand. With Laprima though, I've been compiling ideas for the past FOUR years! I basically meant to start gaming with her way back in 2018. Yeah. So, there's a lot of directions and ideas her story can follow.

Lopov -- Yeah sorry, I borrowed the name Chamany because I got stuck for a name, and I've always liked Chamany. It sounds sort of French. I know he was one of your first Skyrim characters. This is not supposed to be the same guy, though.

Me -- So to recap, not much has happened so far. Laprima has arrived to Skyrim, while Lady Elisif, her aunt, awaits, along with the rest of the court. For some reason, Laprima took a detour into the Winking Skeever, where she was handed a note from a stranger. This note was from her husband-to-be, Chamany LaCroix, who seems not to be present in Solitude as of yet.

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___________

Aunt Elisif






On Frostfall the twenty-fourth and roughly mid-day, Laprima Anne Donnaugh walked toward the Blue Palace, and breathed a sigh. The most difficult parts of her journey were over and done.

The trip from Bravil to Solitude had taken thirty-three days. She had traveled upon a three year-old freight ship called The Mongrel with a crew of seventeen others. Some of The Mongrel's crew had told her she'd been wise to sail with them during Hearthfire and into Frostfall, when weather was still fair. Had they begun during winter months, the seas would have been rougher, and skies would have been darker. Other than a few days of near-freezing weather as the ship crested the Sea of Ghosts north of Skyrim, the cruise had mostly been pleasant.

Laprima reflected a bit as she walked down an avenue, approaching the palace.

Skyrim so far did not seem so harsh, like most folks in Cyrodiil (all the Heartlanders especially) said it was. Skyrim's air (so far) was brisk, but not brutally cold, as she'd been fearing. Very unlike the warm summer weather she'd left behind.

And Solitude so far seemed like a safe and picturesque place to live. ...Well, a man had just been beheaded near the town's front gates, and for everyone to see. His head had been lopped by an executioner, who'd swung an axe taller than Laprima herself! But other than that, her first impressions of the town were good ones. Perhaps the man was some sort of monster. Perhaps he had deserved his punishment.

Still, Laprima shuddered, before coming to an abrupt halt. That man, whoever he was, his life had just ended. Maybe he had gotten what he deserved. But what a thing to witness, on one's first visit to an unfamiliar town.

She began walking again, thinking back. Life had been rough these past couple of years; she had had to do a few things she hadn't been proud of. But lately, everything seemed to be improving. Coming to Skyrim was a good decision, she finally concludes. Everything was falling into place.




Laprima took a moment to stand before the palace's entry doorway, taking a deep breath before continuing into the building. But she did not show up and enter alone. A group of others had also arrived with her, purely by coincidence; two men and one woman.

The first man wore earth-colored clothes and was balding, with a slight beard. What remained of his hair was reddish. The second man was dressed in a suit of hardened armor, with a gallant-looking headpiece of bronze and turquoise. His eyes were alert. This second man seemed ready. He had dark hair with a dark goatee. While both men were well-dressed, the balding one appeared to be a commoner, a townie, while the second seemed more the adventuring, traveling type.

Finally, the woman, who was an elf. She was wearing a drab, blue-colored robe, and had a rather eccentric head of blond hair, like something a pack of hornets might feel comfortable living in. At first sight, Laprima guessed the elf to be a user of magic. Not a full-fledged wizard, but perhaps a student, an apprentice, of magical pursuits.

Laprima, the two men, and the robe-wearing elf took in their new environment, while the palace's doors shut behind them. Soft music swirled atmospherically, just as it often did in many of Cyrodiil's upper-scale environments. And...despite its name, seems the place's interior was not entirely blue! Most of the Blue Palace's walls, floors, and decor were more of a dingy beige, accented only occasionally with a blue tile here, a bluish stone arch or railing there.

Beyond the initial room they were in was a larger chamber. The four newcomers glanced at each other awkwardly, as if to decide which one should proceed toward the court first. Because obviously, it seemed this was the reason all of them were here.

The balding commoner man began moving first. But a moment later he halted. One of Solitude's guards came rushing toward the group of newcomers, walking fast, nearly sprinting. He took a moment to nod at the group before bustling straight out the front door, entirely missing the lady Falk had tasked him to find.

“Let us try again,” The balding man said, striding forward a second time. The adventurous-looking man followed, the robe-wearing elf with the wicked hair was next, and Laprima came last. The chamber they walked into was larger, two stories tall. Before them were two staircases, half-spirals which led upward. The balding man moved up the left set of stairs after a smidge of hesitation, as though he'd been here before, so the others followed. Laprima chose a different path, taking the right staircase instead. At the top of the stairs was the Blue Palace's court. Seems they were all in the right place.

Laprima Anne Donnaugh peered across the room at her aunt, Lady Elisif the Fair, and felt a bit unsure.

Elisif the Fair, High Queen of Skyrim, sitting upon her throne surrounded by minions, all who look pensive and important. Despite the fact that Elisif had recently been widowed, her husband apparently killed (murdered, some were saying) by one of Skyrim's jarls, the queen herself still managed to emit a regal presence. Assured, yet expectant. There she is, on top of her domain, Laprima thought. Which caused her to feel a little doubtful, a little apprehensive. Was she really doing the right thing by coming here, being here?

"Welcome folks," Elisif spoke, her voice light and sopranic. "I welcome all of you here, that you may find fit to address this court in manners which suit you. Now, who shall go first?" She smiled politely.

The balding man paused a moment before approaching.

"I swear to you, unnatural lights are coming from that cave!" he blurted, not bothering to explain who he was, or what exactly he was talking about. "There are noises and lights! We need someone to investigate!" He had seemed so confident as he'd walked up those stairs moments before, yet now he blubbered, sounding rather frightened.

"Then we will immediately send out a legion to scour the cave," the High Queen replied with calm authority. Despite the fact the commoner had not introduced himself or clarified his story, it seemed Elisif already knew. "We will scour the cave and secure the town. Haafingar's people will always be safe under my–"

“Your eminence,” a woman wearing robes staunched, interrupting Elisif mid-sentence. “My scrying has detected nothing in the area." Like the elf who'd ascended the stairs, Laprima noticed this woman also bore an aura of magic. Unlike the elf though, this woman wore a hood, hiding her hair and most of her face. "Dragon Bridge is under Imperial control. This is likely superstitious nonsense."

As the robed woman spoke, Laprima twitched. Widened her eyes and focused. Because there was something about the woman-in-robes who'd begun to speak seemingly out-of-turn. Something there, which grabbed Laprima's attention. And it wasn't that she'd so rudely spoken over her aunt.

"Perhaps a more ... tempered reaction ... might be called for?" asked another of Elisif's court, a man with dark red hair, and a beard to match. Unlike Elisif, who spoke with a cultured, Colovian-raised voice, this man was definitely from Skyrim. His accent was thick. Laprima found she could barely understand him at first.

"Oh, yes of course, you are right," Elisif replied. "Falk, tell Captain Aldis I said to assign a few extra soldiers to Dragon Bridge."

"But--" started the robed woman.

"Sybille, please!" Elisif's voice rose a notch. "We'll not hear any more of your attempts at scrying. Not on this matter. I am forthwith granting extra soldiers to go and inspect the area. Commence. This shall be done."

Delegation, right then and there. The robed woman who'd interrupted her aunt with her 'scrying' advice had just been overridden. Impressive, yet elegant. Laprima, as a member of a noble family down in Cyrodiil, had been raised amongst powerful people all her life. Though she herself had never wielded any sort of power, never held a position to mandate important decisions, and maybe never would, she always took notice of the way things were done from up top. How they were done. Some rulers handled their courts better than others, was her opinion. And it seemed her aunt could handle hers with the best of them.

"Thank you Jarl Elisif," the balding man from Dragon Bridge bowed a bit. "But, w-what about the cave?"

"I will have someone take care of the cave, Varinus," the red-bearded man to Elisif's left commented. "Now, rest easy. You are dismissed!"

The Blue Palace's music swirled softly. While Varinus the commoner from Dragon Bridge left the court, the adventurer with dark hair and magical elf who'd climbed the stairs behind him both stepped forward. Both offered their assistance. Both of them had listened patiently to Varinus, and both of them decided they’d like to do something about the village’s plight. Adventurers, both of them, for sure then. The man was named Lucius, and the woman named Crystal. After gaining acceptance from the queen, Lucius and Crystal also departed.

Finally it was Laprima’s turn.

"Greetings to you," Elisif called to her, a little impatiently. "A little busy we are now! As you can see, we’ve had a few local problems to solve, and now we await the presence of my niece. No offense to you dear, but might you draw your concerns from this court at a later arrangement?"

Laprima Anne Donnaugh moved toward her aunt, her face tinged.

"Aunt Elisif, do you not recognize your niece?" asked she.
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Great portrayal of the conversations taking place in the Royal Palace with an unexpected ending, as the anticipated guest doesn't even get recognized!

Nice Lopov-ed pic of the Blue Palace as well and thank you for a reference to Lucius Caro.

Gosh, poor Laprima sure is anxious about meeting her aunt. It seems like there is more going on behind the scenes than you have revealed yet.

As Lopov noted, I liked the Lopov shot of the Blue Palace.

Finally we get to hear some of the inner thoughts of our protagonist as she reviews her journey from Bravil.

Great job 'showing' us the inner workings and undercurrents in Elisef's court by how it deals with Varinus' concerns.

How funny that, after all Elisef's anticipation, she indeed does not recognize her niece! Well, I understand it has been a long time after all.

Thanks. That was a complicated scene which built up in my imagination over the past few weeks. Basically, when the Wolfskull Cave quest progresses into the Blue Palace's court (with the guy from Dragon Bridge stating his case) our character is supposed to be there. Laprima won't be doing that quest, so I began to think 'who else might be here' instead? I chose one of my toons (Crystal Beth) and one of yours.

I did not know buildings can be Lopov'd.




Absolutely there is more going on behind the scenes. I am glad you picked up on this, it means I wrote the story effectively.




Yes again, that was a complicated scene to write. It's just like in real-life though, right? Little blunders here and there, mis-communications, and so on. In fact, the scene, as I wrote it originally in 2018 or so, had Laprima simply walking into the court and her aunt not recognizing her. But that would be kind of lame, I wanted to add all the other stuff which occurs during our usual first meet with Falk, the queen, Sybille, and so on. I wanted to add all the things she thinks about (with the execution and so on). This is Fan Fiction after all, right?

Next chapter (chapter 5) should be up in a few hours. This next one is also rather complicated. Finally with Chapter 6, I should hopefully be able to just start actually gaming with my toon. 6 should go up this weekend, as I'm seeing it'll be cloudy and/or rainy

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Rectifications


"Laprima," Elisif blinked rapidly several times. "Laprima!" She rose from her throne. "My grandest apologies to you dear! It has... well it has been so long!"

"Yes it has," Elisif's niece agreed, grinning softly.

"I do apologize!” The queen’s voice was lilting now. “It has been years since you and I have laid eyes. And we have been so formally busy with inquests today!"

"It is fine! Really, aunt Elisif."

But the queen persisted. “By gracious. Last time I saw you, you were but a child! I cannot say this without embarrassment, I admit fully before the court, I did not recognize you. Do you forgive me?”

"You have no need for apologies," Laprima answered as her smile began to fade.





As they spoke, their voices reverberated between dozens of strategically-placed surfaces; the floor, the ceiling, between multiple walls, planes, jambs, and crevices. Because any good court where aristocratic topics were discussed would not be as good without a series of variegated echoes.

Laprima had come to Skyrim wearing a frock of embroidered golden furs, with a hat to match, anticipating cold air. But it wasn't so cold here, not in Solitude anyway. So she removed the hat, revealing a mass of dark hair. Laprima’s hair dropped and drooped, finally settling into a mixture of iron-straight, and curvy curls.

"How is this? You can see me now?"

"Oh, do come here!" But Elisif did not wait. She abandoned her throne. Rushed over to embrace her niece. "How was your journey? Were the seas rough?"

"It was a little rough,” Laprima's little grin returned. “The journey was lovely, in its own sort of way. I did not think I could ever become any sort of seafarer. Yet here I am."

By now she was feeling more comfortable, all she’d needed was to actually converse with her aunt. As moments passed, her level of confidence rose a little. What had I been so worried about? Everything was going to be fine.

The palace’s music swirled. Elisif lowered her voice, so that the others might not hear. "But you came upon a … freighter?"

"Well, yes."

Aunt Elisif held Laprima at arm's length for a moment, before finally letting her go. "I don't understand. Well, we don't understand."

But before Elisif's niece could explain, the court’s wizard spoke. “Not that it is any of our concern, but we were thinking perhaps you had taken that ship so as not to cause a fuss upon your arrival." Sybille said, her voice a tad raspy. "As you are of a noble’s status, you might not have wanted the usual panoply a woman of your … elevated status might elicit?”

Laprima’s face twitched a little. Her eyes focused. That wizard, she thought. Something about her. But she was distracted. Could not draw whatever conclusion she seemed to be headed toward. “Well…yes,” she answered slowly, “I was just wanting to travel as a citizen. To just be one of the crew, I suppose. As you say, I did not wish to cause a fuss. I am a noble's daughter, yes, but this does not mean I must always live so grandly.”

Laprima and Sybille stared at each other for a few moments. Laprima trying to deduce, and Sybille already knowing. A series of gentle lutes played softly in the background, as the two ladies' eyes locked.

Elisif broke the silence. “Come on now!” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “Laprima! Let me show you to your quarters. Follow me, please!”

“Yes of course.”

“Falk, Sybille, Bolgier, you may go.”

At once they dispersed. Falk, the red-bearded Nord man with the thick accent, Sybille the court wizard, and a man Elisif had not addressed until now stalked off, to whatever else they had planned for the rest of the day.

Laprima Donnaugh followed her aunt. They exited the court from its right side, made a sharp turn, walked across a portion of a hallway, and into an open room somewhat to the left. “This room is…Sybille’s,” Elisif explained.

“Really lovely architecture,” the niece commented.

“You'll be quartered next to Sybille, but do not let this bother you dear. Sybille can be difficult sometimes, but, ah. Here we go.”

Before the queen was a door made of oak, with a knob and fastenings of heavy iron. “This door is locked,” she explained. ”But here,” she said, handing her relative a key. “Take this, please. And let's have a look inside!"

“Thank you.”

She twisted the key, which unlocked the door. The two stepped inside Laprima’s new room, which was similar in decor to Sybille’s. Main difference was, Sybille the wizard did not have her own door.

"This place is yours for as long as you, and Chamany, would like to stay.”

"Oh, well thank you. This is lovely."

Once they were inside, first thing she noticed was her room did not have any magical music playing from somewhere unseen. Not that this would be a problem; Laprima was silently glad.

Aunt Elisif closed the door softly behind them, then turned to her niece. Now that both of them were inside, something about the queen had altered. Laprima noticed this immediately. Elisif's face went from sunny and cheerful, to wry and serious.



“So Laprima dear. Let us get some things straight right away.”

“Hmm? What? What is it, aunt Elisif?” she asked innocently.

But Laprima Anne Donnaugh already knew the answer to that.

Elisif chuckled a bit. “Listen to this. You sound just as when I last saw you in White Gold Tower.” The aunt smiled, shaking her head a little. “A mere child, hiding off into the crypts.”

Laprima said nothing. There was nothing to say. Because my goodness, Aunt Elisif already knew.

“We are not playing children's games here, Laprima,” the queen continued, walking a neat circle around her niece, her face pinched. "As you may have surmised by now, I know all about your actions down in Cyrodiil. I know about the thefts, I know about ruckus, and the lies, do NOT think you’ll be given a soft ride now that you’re out of Cyrodiil, do you understand?”

Elisif the Fair stopped her discourse. Gathered herself. Her face softened. “Well, goodness. I just rose my voice at you. I am so sorry dear, for that little outburst.”

“No, it is alright,” Laprima muttered, her shoulders sagging. “Listen,” she spoke softly, choosing her words carefully. “I – I have done some things I am not proud of. I made some mistakes. I fully admit this. And, I was hoping you might not have heard these things, way up here in Skyrim. But you have, you have heard them," she said sadly. "News travels far, apparently." With these words spoken aloud, Laprima nodded. "But I am here now. I am here, in Solitude. And I am prepared to make things right,” she said quietly, her eyes beginning to water.

“Oh Laprima, don’t do that. No, don’t do that!” The queen handed her niece a scarf. "I did not wish to make you upset."

“No, it is alright. I am glad to be here in your company. And glad to know you have accepted me, despite my past.” She wiped her face with the scarf, righting her shoulders. “I shall try my best to cause amends, I promise. I am just lucky to be given a second chance.”

“That’s uplifting to hear," her aunt answered. "When a girl is obedient and sweet, the world cannot help but love her. Now, would you like me to give you a little tour of Solitude?" she smiled. "Just the two of us?”

“Yes. Sure, let us go,” Laprima answered.

"Then let us commence."

Elisif turned to the door, began walking toward it, but then stopped. “Just one more thing.”

“One more thing? Yes, what is it?”

“Your face, uhm, your maquillage,” the queen answered. “So dour, and so pale. Stark black mascaras against a pale white foundation.”

“My face is dour and pale?”

“It’s just that, well, you are about to embark into marriage with Chamany, wherever he may be. You are about to be wed, within a matter of weeks.” Elisif placed a hand upon her niece’s wrist, standing close. “And perhaps it might suit you better to present your man with a … uhm, a freshened appearance."

“A freshened appearance." Laprima's replied, a mixture of emotion upon her face. "And what have you in mind?"

“Oh it’s just a suggestion, dear. We’ve had a problem lately with vampires in Skyrim, sad to say. There’s word these monsters are spreading into our outlying villages, and even walled towns such as Whiterun. The menace will be dealt with, should they ever appear in Solitude. This I can assure. This I can promise.”

Laprima Anne Donnaugh said nothing. My aunt says I look like a vampire, thought she. She tried not to let her shoulders slump again.

“Ach, do not fret. We have a fantastic and lovely facial artist here in town. We have wardrobe shops! We have anything a lady of our status could ever want," Elisif the Fair was back to being sunny, smiling, and radiant. "Come with me. Let’s go on the town.”

The pair walked back the way they had come, their footfalls reverberating softly. Because any good court where delicate footfalls were to be heard would not be as good without a series of variegated echoes. As they left the Blue Palace, Elisif chattering on about wardrobes and weddings and 'maquillages', Laprima began to realize something about her aunt. She was serious about this.



At that very moment and several miles down the road, Chamany LaCroix, Laprima’s husband-to-be, was riding slowly away from the village of Dragon Bridge, on a young and sturdy mare. He hoped to make it to Solitude by nightfall.
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I love the mention of the variegated surfaces and aristocratic topics.

It sounds like Laprima is not quite as much a prima donna as her name might imply. She took an ordinary freighter to just live the normal life of any commoner for a little while. I imagine it was quite an eye-opening experience!

It sounds like Laprima was a wild one down in Cyrodiil! Getting up to shenanigans and the like. I wonder if she will be joining the Thieves Guild?

Chamany keeps coming up. Where is he, I wonder? I sense something is afoot...

Elisef thinks Laprima is too Gothy!

Neat episode! We continue to learn more about the characters – particularly Laprima’s not so savory past. Elisef quite shines here as she displays great polish and tact in her court but does not mince words of what she expects once alone with her niece.

Maquillage. By Julianos’ little teapot, I had to ask Buffy what that meant!

I wonder if Laprima will get the treatment from those two snooty Altmer who run Radiant Raiment?

I agree with SubRosa on Chamany - not quite sure what to think yet. Sybille, on the other hand, clearly seems one to exercise caution around.

Each story that you post, is a cliff hanger of sort.

Looks like that news of Laprima's deeds back in Cyrodiil reached even her aunt's ears - love the contrast between the dialogue as they talk in front of Elisif's advisors compared to when they're alone.

Like others, I don't know what to think of Chamany's arrival. I sense a big mystery / secret behind the events that are taking place.

Thanks you all. Sorry if this story is lacking the usual action which by now would be found in one of our stories. But like I said, this one is sort of different from the others. Maybe even a bit pretentious, but I don't care. Because it's leading to a definite point, for sure.

@SubRosa -- Nice, about the variegated echoes comment. I have no idea where that came from, but as you'll see, that aspect is not random Renee nonsense. I just did not see how that stuff about reverb and echoes fits until this next chapter.

Wow, you think she'll join the TG? Heh heh...

And yeah, it's funny how with some characters they live up to their names. Vicious is definitely Vicious, for instance. But Laprima Donnaugh is not much of a prima donna, right? She might be perceived as such at some point.


@Acadian -- My character's tale this time has a bunch of actual backstory, as we'll see in a few.

Yes Buffy might know that word, as she is obssessed with fashion as I recall. Maquillage is one of the words which popped up when I put "makeup" (as in facial makeup) into Thesaurus.com. I did not want to use the word makeup because it sounds too 'modern' and Earth-like.

And yeah, we're going to have some fun with the snooty folks who run the Raiment shop. I haven't written that part yet, but I can already sense it'll be fun to write.


@Lopov -- Yes, there is something wrong about the Chamany situation, glad you picked up on this.

The part when Laprima gets dressed down by her aunt was based on real events. Me at work, getting yelled at by a boss, but ONLY when the other co-workers were not around. Bleh.

Ler's see where this goes next.

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The Past and the Present

Laprima and Elisif left the Blue Palace mid-afternoon, Elisif cheerful and elated, Laprima curious yet cautious. Their soles and heels clicked and clacked over Solitude's cobblestone streets. "Such a merry day!" Elisif called to the sky, while her niece inwardly groaned.






At this point in the story, let us take some time to glance into Laprima's upbringing.

Elisif's sister was named Alicia. In the Fourth Era's Year 179, Alicia married a land baron whose name Reiley Donnaugh. Due to some luck and some clever acumen with acreage deals, Reiley by then had made a small fortune. As Cyrodiil's wilder areas became rid of their vermin and monsters, more land was sold. The countryside's goblins and monsters in some locations were pushed away by men and by mer, which meant Reiley's funds only increased. Within another year Laprima was born. Within three, they had a son named Elija. Elija Donnaugh would be in their lives another five years, until he disappeared in the Year 190. By now Laprima was ten years of age, her younger brother was nearly eight.

At the time of his disappearance, Elija and Laprima had been playing a game they, and other neighborhood children, called 'Dare'. The idea of Dare was similar to the popular kid's game hide 'n' seek. One player (or several) would hide somewhere, while others would try to find them.

The game was initially played indoors when they were young, and not in school. But over the course of a year or two, they'd begun to hide from one another outdoors, in the streets of the city's Talos Plaza District. When some of the pack were nearing teenage years, the game had broadened to include the entire Imperial City. Hence, they were daring each other to keep pushing for new boundaries. New places they could try to hide from each other. The day Laprima had gone hiding into White Gold Tower's crypts, she'd merely been looking for a new place to dare the other kids, even though she, herself, was just nine.

As they continued daring one another into new territories, they were also facing a series of fears. Fear of getting caught by adults, but also fear of things irrational. Fear of the dark, fear of confined spaces, fear of spiders, rats, and other vermin. In this way, the game was not just a game. The 'hide' part of hide 'n' seek had become much more, as the phrase "I dare us to go..." had taken over their childhood.

It was on the day they broadened Dare to the Waterfront District that things had gone horribly wrong. The Waterfront, where thieves, vagrants, and killers were rumored to dwell. Elija, at just seven years of age, had chosen to brave the area with a hide, but had never been found. He'd not been found from the others who'd been playing, nor later as guards and adults took up th search. The boy simply vanished. His disappearance was investigated of course, but not a mere trace of him had ever been located. People on the Waterfront were not exactly known for loose lips. Even after a reward was promised, those who did speak to officials were unable to tell them exactly what happened.

And that was it. Laprima was despondent from the age of ten and deep into teenhood. Depressed, forlorn, her best friend for a long time was her cat. She was mostly uninterested in anything other than her studies, to which she pored lots of attention, and mostly excelled at. She 'grew up fast', as the saying goes. She was now unable to see the games of young children as anything other than entertainment which could horribly go wrong.

But her schooling went well. She attended classes in the city's Aristocratic District, earning good marks in the subjects of Philosophy, Social Issues, and most of all, Architecture.



Despite having grown up as a 'rich girl', Laprima became interested in visceral designs. Housing and buildings which would be inhabited by peasants and commoners. Laprima had an eye, a talent, for blending some of the layouts and compositions she had grown up with, and streamlining the materials needed to create interesting constructions, at least during her classes this was so. She spent hours building models on her own time, attracting attention from superiors. Cyrodiil's population was likely to expand over the next decade or so, and there were words about a brand-new town being built to accommodate, southwest of the city itself. A new town meant new houses, and new buildings. Laprima Anne Donnaugh, barely eighteen years old, applied to be considered a position within the new town's Faction of Architecture.

But no student who's had such severe tragedy in her life can continue toward excellence without consequence.

On the surface it seemed Laprima had become a dutiful student. But to the wary, one might've noticed her brooding. Flashes of anger, followed by days of remand and silence. But most of all, her walks about the city. Starting from the age of twelve she began strolling the Imperial City's streets, unattended. Sure, the guards by now knew who she was, what she had suffered, and therefore they'd keep an eye on her. But as time progressed and she got older, she became adept at avoiding them, and other adults as well.

Day after day she began retracing their steps, until she finally felt ready to approach the Waterfront itself. As she did so, young Laprima made sure to carry a knife. In essence, she was playing the game of Dare all over again, daring herself though, rather than daring others.

As a member of a class whose goal it was to design buildings, Laprima also became interested in locks. How they worked, and why one lock held better than another. She then became obsessed with locks. As she spent time building her little models in class, she also began inquiring, then studying, lock mechanisms. Their tumblers, their barrels, their key designs.

Eventually, her appearance also changed. Laprima, along with a few classmates who'd been present on the day her brother had vanished, began to embrace what they called their 'darkness'. The world was a sad and violent place, and it seemed all the adults in their lives could not see how or why this should matter. They'd spend long hours discussing their lives, and how they lived in a city which was not as pleasant and safe as they'd been brought up to believe. Laprima and her group began powdering their faces white, while painting their lips, brows, and eyelashes black. Some of them would blush themselves gray instead of white. Some of them would even dye their hair black, though Laprima herself was already blessed with a coif the color of a raven's feathers.

It was Laprima's classmate Siouxsie who coined the term for their new look. She considered them all to be gothics, partially due to the fact that half of them were also studying the gothic-styled architecture which had been so popular during the Third Era. Laprima and her classmates appreciated this term, 'gothic'. And as gothics, they'd live and rule forever.

Laprima and Siouxsie became fast friends. Siouxsie extolled Laprima for her smarts, while Laprima admired Siouxsie for her ideals and bravery. Both of them began engaging in deviant behavior, as a way to alleviate their darkness. They started pilfering items from shops during daylight hours: clothes, gems, whatever they desired. Together, they also wondered if their hauls could increase at night. With Laprima's newfound knowlege of lock designs, it was only a matter of time before one idea followed another, and nothing but trouble was to follow.

In the month of Frost Fall, Year 199, Laprima Donnaugh and a group of gothics were caught by guards in the city's Market District, just after Laprima managed to pick the lock to the long-established Red Diamond Jewelry shop. Laprima's apprehension caused consternation within her family, of course. Despite her arrest it was only a matter of time before Laprima tried again, and was caught again.

This time she was jailed for five days, yet denied it all. Hence the lies and the ruckus mentioned by Laprima's aunt did indeed occur. And for awhile, it looked as though poor Laprima would lose her place in society, as her family debated ousting her from their cozy Talos Plaza home.




Now in Solitude, walking along with her aunt the queen, Laprima wondered for the thousandth time if she'd made all the right decisions. What would have happened if she's merely stayed back home, and finished her studies? Had it been wise to come to Skyrim instead? Would she ever be able to go back into Cyrodiil, the past forgotten, old pages turned?

"This is going to be such fun!" Elisif gushed as the pair headed toward Solitude's shops. "Are you not glad to be here?"

Laprima smiled her soft little grin. "I am, yes I am," she said to her aunt, while inwardly groaning again.
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An enjoyable and very interesting peek into Laprima's past, where it's revealed how she got skilled in sneak and picking locks, while also learning the tragedy from her youth, that deeply marked her for the rest of her life. Wow.

Ahah, so SubRosa was spot on labeling Laprima's style as goth!

And as Lopov said, interesting info on her life back in Cyrodiil and how she ended up starting down a dark path. Hopefully, her Aunt can brighten things up some for her. Though, I suspect we're in for some more groaning.

I love their game of dare, that is not just hiding and seeking, but also pushing the boundaries of their world. I am sure that could never end badly though...

I wonder if we will be seeing Elija in the future? Perhaps sporting a pair of fangs?

Laprimma being an architect is a cool entry point to thieving. I just finished watching the old TV show Prison Break. In it a structural engineer gets himself thrown into prison so that he can break his brother out. The first season is all about him using his engineering knowledge to defeat the prison's systems and layout.

I wonder if Siouxsie is a Bean-Sidhe!

The trouble with hoping for the turning of old pages and the past forgotten is that even if no one else remembers, you do. Try as you might the hardest thing to do is to hide from yourself.

@ macole-- that's thoughtful and sweet of you to say. Very true, as well. Some of us, we beat ourselves up so much, yet it's not so obvious to those around us.

@ Rosa-- I had to look up Bean-Sidhe. Siouxsie indeed could be somewhat similar to what I google'd up just now. But the other thing is, she's also exactly what her name implies from pop culture. Not that she'll have hits on Skyrim's New Wave charts, but ... well... you'll see. Siouxsie is already in Laprima's gameworld, sort of.

Prison Break sounds interesting. I'm going to see about checking that out (please be on Netfix or Hulu....)






@Acadian -- Absolutely I got some inspiration from our real-life goths. Back when I was younger I had several friends who were goth. Heck, my own sister had a goth phase in high school. Goths (in the States) have a reputation for being pretentious and "fake", but every one of my goth friends back in the day were quite genuine and lovely. Then again, when I was younger, I was somewhat of a hippy, but I had no interest in cliques. If I wanted to get to know somebody I'd just do so, regardless of how they dressed.

That being said, I have no idea why I rolled Laprima in this way. I recently lost all my early notes on her, matter of fact, when my previous computer had probs.


@ Lopov-- Yeah, the thing is, at this point I'm not even sure if her aunt knows about Laprima's past, with her brother's disappearance and all. I don't think she does.

Gosh I hope I can finish Chapter 7 today.

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Commitments and Commerce





Laprima and Elisif moved slowly through town, leaving the palace behind. While they did so, the queen's upbeat demeanor ticked down a notch, as she sensed her niece was not quite as enthusiastic.

"Laprima, I know this is difficult. But we must discuss a few more topics as we walk. Might this be a fair request?”

“It is,” Laprima answered. “Anything you would like to discuss, please do so.”

“I understand your schooling was going well before… Well."

“Before I went astray? Before I erred in my ways? It is alright to say.”

Her aunt nodded. “You were doing well with your studies. So I have heard.”

"I was," Laprima agreed. "And I do regret not being able to continue. Believe me, it's one of the things I've roiled within my mind again and again over these past months."

"Well please do not flog yourself, niece. Lucky for you, I possess a forgiving nature. We all need guidance at times. But you see, this is one of the reasons I agreed to allow you to come to Solitude. Because I have a belief that's all you require. Some guidance in these matters."

"Thank you."

"it's not easy being a woman in Skyrim, let me be the first to tell you this."

"Nor is it easy down in Cyrodiil," Laprima replied.

"You are especially interested in architecture?"

“I was. Well, I suppose I still am. The construction and designs of buildings are something I've just always took notice of, I guess. Even while walking into the palace earlier this afternoon, I felt some apprehension, I'll admit. But I also took all notice of all the stonework. The balustrades, and arches, the designs on the walls. ... What? What is it?”

Her aunt's face went taut. "I regret to say we haven't any sort of school or guild devoted to such pursuits, here in Solitude, nor have we the need for new buildings. But perchance, should you desire to further your education, we have several options right here within town. Why, the Bard's College is there to the right," she said, pointing to a tall, gray structure of stone.

"The Bard's College. But it sounds as if that’s a school for--"

"It is a school for musicians, singers, actors, and the like. I still remember that recital you performed for us," Elisif said with a wink. "You sang a song, accompanied by spinet and lyre, your young voice like a bell,” Elisif chuckled. "Absolutely charming. Ah, I cannot remember the song's name?"

"'Foster the Ranges,' Laprima answered. "I remember. I was so afraid I'd get booed. Hmm. But aunt Elisif, I am no singer now. I was just eight at the time!"

"Well sure, that is fine," said aunt. "That is just one idea. We also have several places to which you might find some decent employ. With what feels like a war beginning to stir, General Tullius is always looking for new recruits. Not that you'd become a soldier, by the Gods, no! But there are other ways we'll need assistance. You are educated, and Castle Dour is located just up the hill there. Perhaps you'd be interested in becoming an administrator. Or a bookkeeper. Or a--"

"Elisif, aye." Laprima looked down to her feet, trying not to brood. "I know there are possibilities, and I am eager to seek them. Why I am here."

"I apologize, Laprima. Throwing ideas round at you, when you literally just got here. It's just that I am so excited for your future. And. Well. I shall stop. Let us just enjoy the rest of this day."

Laprima agreed. She gazed to the sky, a look of puzzlement on her face. Literally minutes ago, sky had been sunny, but now it was white. The sky was white, because snow had begun to fall. And there it was, her first shiver in Skyrim. Because the air was starting to feel cold.

As the two of them strolled, they made a left turn at the end of one avenue, and began heading toward the town's market area. Some of Solitude's townies greeted Elisif, mostly by calling aloud to her, and Laprima noticed none of them seemed surprised to see their leader walking aside them.

Apparently, she'd done this before. The queen's twenty year-old niece surmised this by the way they greeted her. They did so in casual ways, such as "Nice to see you today, my lady," and "Dreadful weather we're having. Hope it soon abstains," as if their superior was any other individual. Nobody bowed, nobody curtsied, nobody tossed flowers before her feet, nobody cheered "All Hail!". This was admirable, Laprima thought; something not commonly seen amongst the small world of Tamriel's leaders.

Even the town beggar spoke to her directly. "You, you help me, right? You help people! That's what you do!"

"I'm always glad to help a friend if I can," she replied. And Laprima believed her.

Long ago in Third Era Cyrodiil, Leyawiin's Countess Alessia Caro was known to take monthly trips far and away, outside the safety and comfort of her town. Countess Caro, her bodyguard, and one of Leyawiin's soldiers would move slowly from Leyawiin to Chorrol, where Caro would visit her mother, Countess Arriana Valga. This was a dangerous journey of course, but also well-documented to be true. Though it seemed Elisif had never chanced such a trek, just the fact the queen felt comfortable ambling her own populace was something of positive note.

"Got any sausages?" the queen asked one of the food vendors. "Addvar here has the best seared slaughterfish in town," Elisif nudged her niece. "Would you like to try some?"

The two ladies ate their dinner, not at some grand table full of silverware, but right there, standing on the street. As they did so, Elisif explained to her niece that she had not officially become Skyrim's High Queen, not yet, she was technically still a jarl. For her to become queen meant a popular vote would need to be cast from all nine of Skyrim's holds, including Haafingar. At the moment, this could not happen; not with the jarl of Windhelm openly declaring himself to be the rightful ruler of all Skyrim.

But this did not matter to her people, who occasionally would greet her as "Queen". In their eyes, that's exactly who she was.

They walked almost the entire length of town, so that Laprima was back near the town's gates all over again. Here is where they arrived to the clothing shop Elisif had gushed about earlier: Radiant Raiment. "Don't mess anything up while you're in here," she cautioned her niece.

"Mess anything up? Why would I?"

"Err, you'll see."

Inside was the smell of clothes, but good clothes. Fresh leather, untarnished fastenings, stroked and cleaned furs. Radiant Raimant was run by two high elves. Both of them immediately rushed to Laprima and their queen, appearing from around a blind corner, startling their newcomers. "Ohh, what delight," one of the elves said. "Another charming customer."

"Endarie, this is my niece, Laprima Donnaugh. She'll be staying here in Solitude for a while. And we need to --ahem! -- expand her wardrobe," Elisif winked, standing up on her toes a moment. "So, what have we got in store today?"

"Let's see if we can't find an outfit that suits you," Endarie said, her brow creased, her nose slightly upturned.

The two elves stepped back a few paces to let the women shop, but they never let Laprima, or even their queen, entirely out of their sight.

"My, my," Laprima said in a low voice to her aunt. "An outfit which suits me. Is she always so smug?"

Her aunt did not answer just then. "A word of advice," she offered.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Don't buy discounted clothing."

Laprima shrugged, trying not to giggle. "Not to worry. I have my own funds, aunt Elisif."

And she did. Many people when they traveled, did so with very little coin on their persons, for a variety of reasons. Usually, they did not wish for their riches to get robbed. But Laprima had come into town with just over five-hundred gold, not knowing if she'd 'need' it or not.

"Well, hello-oo!" said the second elf just then. "Here to buy? Well if you have to ask the price, you might be in the wrong shoppe."

"Laprima, this is Taarie," Elisif introduced.

"I do hope you remain in Solitude," said Taarie. "This city could use some new blood."

Laprima spotted a dress which caught her eye, hanging right there on the rack. The dress was a mixture of dark blues and blacks, with pretty little red flowers stitched into its blouse area. Its upper sleeves were a muted tan color. But it also looked warm. By now, Laprima was well aware of the fact that yes, it does get cold and snow here in Solitude. The dark-colored dress was priced at 142. She grabbed it, removed the wretched golden suit she'd worn into town, then took a few minutes to lace herself within the new dress.





"What do you think?" she asked her aunt.

"Oh, but that is so dark!" Elisif contorted her face in mock-horror. "Are you sure this is what you wish to buy?"

Yes it was. Laprima could not help herself. She'd pick out a second outfit to please her aunt. But she was also buying this dress. She bustled back to the counter, peering at the clothing rack by the wall, again.

"Oh, let me just drop everything to help you," the first elf said. "I don't mind, really."

"Mm hmm. Well, you should not. Since we are the only patrons you've got at the moment." Laprima thought to continue her taunt into a full-blown insult. But now was not the time. It was getting late, and she was feeling sleepy. Let us get this excursion over and done with.

This time she selected an aqua-colored blouse and skirt set made of silk, which came with an overlying blue cotton midriff. 114 gold. Not her first choice, but it wouldn't hurt to try on. Laprima bought it on the spot, her total expenditures tonight up to two-hundred and fifty-six. Though this was roughly half of what she'd brought into Skyrim, and it might seem as though she should be more careful with her money, Laprima also knew money would not be a problem for her.

Chamany had made his promise after all, and his was a word she could trust. Laprima took the time to unlace and unfasten the first dress she bought, to try on the second.





"Would you look at that! Oh ... that one will do!" her aunt approved.

Good. Their shopping excursion was now over. Laprima and Elisif left Radiant Raiment, and headed back home. Home, to the Blue Palace, which the younger woman suddenly realized was indeed her new home. All that time upon that sailing ship, she hadn't even considered thinking she'd be living in an actual palace, considering it the place where she'd lay her head, not until now. But that's exactly what it was.

As they moved past the market, a group of children ran up to Elisif and Laprima. "Hey, wanna play tag?" one of the boys asked. Elisif the Fair chuckled, while Laprima could not help but notice the sky was getting dark.
.

An enlightening walk through Solitude, as Laprima makes astute observations about how comfortable and liked Elisef is among her people.

And finally to the Radiant Raiment! I’ve been looking forward to this and you did not disappoint. Funny and faithful to the pair of pompous divas that run the place. I remember them condescendingly trying to redirect Buffy to the children’s clothing shoppe down the street. And two fine choices in new dresses does Laprima make. Along with another mysterious reference to Chamany, this time as a source of gold.

"Lucky for you, I possess a forgiving nature." My how humble of you Elisef to be so noble.

My, Elisef really is being a busy-body, helicopter parent. "You should go to this college, or work at a secretary... Just you know, don't do anything you would like to."

I like her new dark outfit. But oi! the price! She should buy discounted clothing...

An interesting depiction of the walk through the town with her aunt trying to not be intrusive, but on the other hand she's almost dictating what Laprima should do and wear.

Lucky for you, I possess a forgiving nature.

Like she did something bad to Elisif. I like your portrayal of Elisif, she slightly reminds me of one of my former bosses, she was woman as well, and was claiming that we have lots of liberty at our workplaces, but "from the back" there was more and more pressure, how things should have been made.

The dress in the second pic is gorgeous but being a pic-freak, I'd appreciate larger pics or at least such that we can click on, to enlarge them.

Hello. It is Sunday and cloudy outside. Still pretty cold in Maryland. I anticipate after today's chapter there will be two more chapters (10 in all) before it starts getting too warm for me to enjoy Skyrim. But good news is, if I stop playing Skyrim, I'll return to Vicious / Fallout 3 and Joan of Arkay. Both of their stories are unfinished.


@ Acadian-- Ha that's great. Glad you enjoyed Radiant Raiment, I had fun writing that. I agree, those two snooty ladies are annoying. You don't know how bad I've had characters in the past want to bump them! Maybe some day Laprima will do just that.

Laprima is a rather unique person, from my perspective. Most characters I roll start off poor and weak, for instance. Laprima is weak, but unlike all my others, her game started with a good bit of money.


@ 'Rosa-- Elisif is definitely a helicopter parent, except that helicopter doesn't fly too far away.

So far I have dumped a lot of clothing mods into my game, I think I'm up to 10 so far: Colovian Noble Clothes, Fine Imperial Clothes, Maiden Dresses of Norway (that's where her blue dress came from) and so on, so shopping at Radiant Raiment means a lot of menu scrolling in the Apparel section. Despite this, Laprima is pretty finicky. She definitely has a certain style she's going for.

Cripes, I haven't even gotten to ghastley's clothes yet!


@Lopov -- The cool thing about Elisif the Fair is a lot of the dialog she says is from the base game. "Lucky for you, I have a forgiving nature" is one of these sayings. "Don't buy discounted armor" is another, although I substituted clothing for armor.

Ah, so you have had an Elisif for a boss. Sorry to hear that!

I've got a bunch of pictures to post by now, I'll put links up some time this week.

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Chamany LaCroix




His name was Chamany LaCroix, and when Laprima first noticed him, she realized it was actually he, who had noticed her first.

Though he spoke their language, it was obvious Chamany was from somewhere else. His voice had an accent. He occasionally got his wording wrong. He was from High Rock. Or ... Hammerfell. Hmm. Some said he was from Solstheim. Wherever he was from, he came to the Imperial City early in the Year 199. And when he first arrived to attend classes at the city's Aristocratic District school, Chamany LaCroix quickly became the talk of all its higher-education students.

The boys, some of them idolized Chamany, while others were jealous. They idolized because he had seen the world, and had participated in heroic ways outside the city's walls, or so the rumors went. They got jealous because suddenly, most of the school's female pupils turned their attentions toward him.

He was handsome, he was dashing. He was pursuing an education in Merchandise, a rather stodgy choice for schooling. Laprima could have seen her own father taking those same classes, for instance. But this also meant that (unlike a lot of the Imperial City gothics) Chamany LaCroix was ultimately interested in commerce, and commerce ultimately meant money. Not just money, a steady income of money.

And so the story went: Laprima, Siouxsie, and about a half-dozen other gothic lasses all took turns imagining themselves being with him, as in, getting scooped up to live the rest of their lives in his gorgeous castle. Or traveling the world by his side, upon two steady steeds. Or getting hot under the collar with the man behind the mausoleums of Green Emperor Way, while guards and citizens walked meters nearby. Because that was another thing, Chamany LaCroix was a man. Not some boy, not some lad.

His eyes wandered a bit, but ultimately became interested in Laprima Anne Donnaugh over all the others. She'd heard about him several days before she actually saw him, and when she’d finally first seen him in the Market District, Chamany was already walking toward her. Especially flattered, was she. He introduced himself to her with a flower in his hand. And from that moment on, Laprima and Chamany quickly became a pair.

Though he was studying to become a professional merchant, he did not come from money. His family was poor, so he said, yet he was not interested in Laprima for her family’s wealth. He planned to make his own way into the world at some point, and gain his own wealth. Laprima’s father, ever the stalwart man of business himself, approved of this.

And with Reiley Donnaugh’s blessing, Laprima and her suitor began joking about marriage. That’s how it all began, as a series of jokes. They would do this and they’d do that, until finally one day that summer, Chamany surprised them all. He arrived at her house early one evening all dressed in royals, and asked Reiley for his daughter’s hand, that Chamany and his black-haired beauty would some day join in wedlock.

Laprima was ecstatic, suddenly abloom. After spending so many years as a miserable wretch, she now had some things to look forward to. Laprima and Chamany would both return to school that autumn, where they’d continue their studies. Once that was done, what could come next? ... Young Miss Donnaugh could only imagine good things.

Just as quickly as he’d appeared though, Chamany LaCroix was also gone. As school restarted in Hearthfire, he abruptly explained he'd no longer be attending. He had found a job, one which was too good to pass up. School would have to wait. Instead, he would head south to Bravil, where his first venture at being a merchant was to unfold.

“Eh, why do not you come with me?” he had asked.

And later, Laprima could not entirely fathom why she had not. But she hadn’t, at least, not just then. She had stayed behind in the Imperial City, back in her classes.

Chamany had promised to return soon, but after two weeks of no word from her man, she became despondent again. Saddened and bored, even her friends could not bilk the poor girl out of her slump. And that’s when her trouble with criminal matters had begun; all of which was a way to alleviate Laprima Donnaugh from her own, personal darkness. From destroying herself.

~~~~~~

Morndas, 25 Frostfall, 4E 201

Laprima awoke the next morning in a large, comfortable bed, unsure where she was. For about ten or twelve seconds, she struggled to remember. She'd been having a dream, and it had been a gripping one.

Finally, she recalled. She was in Solitude, inside its Blue Palace. Today would be her second day in Skyrim.

As far as she could tell, she was alone. Chamany had not shown last night, nor was there any sign of him being there at all. Not to worry she told herself. Nothing to get upset over. He has some very important dealings to attend to. All of this was true. She knew it was; she's the one who'd been helping along, after all. And now that she was here in town, she was to stay quiet while he got things sorted.

Laprima could stay quiet, yes she could. But this didn't mean she could stay content. She reached into her leather satchel, and removed the note given to her by the strange man the day before.

-------------------------------------

Dearest Laprima. I hope your journey to the cold world of Skyrim has caused to make pleasure in your heart. I am not in town as of now, as you may have expect. Please make way to the Blue Palace. I shall be there soon.

~Chamany~

-------------------------------------

"How soon is soon?" Laprima asked her empty room. Chamany was not here yet. What was she to do all day? Certainly not stay inside the palace! Laprima imagined spending more time with her aunt Elisif, and groaned.

She was hungry, so she reached into her satchel, and grabbed a green apple. Walked to a nearby chair, had a seat, she munched her breakfast. By the way sunlight was slanting through her room's windows, she guessed it was late morning.

She began to daydream, as she gazed about her room. Sturdy with stone it was, but also quite drab. Too much like all the other chambers in the Blue Palace. Its walls, ceilings, and floor were a series of yellow, slates, and grays. Not a whole lot of blues, which she found ironic. This would have to change, if she were to continue living here. Perhaps she would hire a couple of painters once she got situated, and her funds became--

And there he was.






"Greetings to you, Laprima." Chamany walked into the room. She'd been so lost in thought that for a split second, she hadn't even realized.

"Chamany!" She nearly stumbled off her chair. "You have arrived!"

"Well, look who is here," he said with a smile. "Laprima, you did make it to Solitude. How was your journey?"

"The journey was lovely." She mirrored his smile with a grin of her own. "The seas were a little rough, I suppose."

"This is good, this is good."

They neared each other. But before they could embrace, Laprima could not help but ask. "And the shipment..?"

"Eh, the shipment is already, eh, delivered," he said. "It has made its way, away from port. Eh, do not fuss, do not worry. Soon, we have the wages we seek."

"Alright. This is good."

"And now I have you. So grateful I am, Laprima."

He smelled of good things, like flowers and sandalwood, she noted. "And now, look at you..."

For the next hour or so, Laprima and Chamany engaged in activities which this writer is declining to describe, other than to say, she is glad for her creation, glad for the moment, at least. During their tryst, Laprima worried a couple times that perhaps her aunt might burst into their chamber. That she'd interrupt, without knocking. Her aunt would walk right in, and then she'd announce they'd all be spending the rest of the day with her, to visit the town's 'facial restorationist'. Or go for a tour of Castle Dour. Or something else just as disturbing and melancholy.

Fortunately, nothing of the sort occurred. Surely Aunt Elisif was aware of what they were doing, Chamany would have walked right by the court at some point, while the queen was in attendance. If so, this meant that Elisif was aware. But also respectful. Or maybe just busy, with all sorts of administrative, courtly details.

"So, allay my curiosity," Laprima said later, as she and her fellow were a-lay on her bed. "What exactly was in that shipment?"

She knew the answer might shock and surpise her. But she didn't know it would also disturb her.
.

A delightful delve into what Laprima knows of Chamany and his mysterious background. A wonderful job of describing his ‘not from here’ language/accent, then showing us perfectly in the note from him that Laprima read to us.

I might be mistaken, but I grow a bit concerned that there is so much that we – and Laprima – do not know about Chamany. Not just his past, but also the details of his current business dealings. I hope he’s not selling filled black soul gems to daedric cultists or some such. Ahah, it looks like we may learn much more about that soon as you leave us with a cliffhanger.

And there he arrives...the mysterious man of Laprima Donnaugh. I like the fairly detailed backstory of how they met and just as Laprima is deep in her thoughts, there he is, standing before her. He was an anticipated guest for a long time but as it's customary for this story, his arrival opens up even more questions and mysteries.

So what did they do at the end, I don't get it? Can you explain it in a more thorough way, possibly with pics?

Chamany has an ominous last name. I wonder if a certain profession runs in the family?

Wow, a whirlwind school romance and marriage! Then off to Bravil on business, but without the Prima. I think that might be a mistake on her part. He is going to get up to shenanigans on his own. Smuggling? Assassination? Something is up.

And there he is, acting kind of sus about this "shipment". Uh oh, a disturbing shipment? Is he selling draugr on the black market?

Thanks Acadian, you are so kind. And your instincts are right to be concerned about the newcomer. Something wrong with that picture right?

Ha ha funny you mentioned cultists. We were just talking about cultists, right Lopov?



Hey, I love gaming, but I hate the fact that some of my toons have a better love life than I do! I roll my eyes during love scenes in movies. Sometimes I fast-forward them.

Actually SubRosa, her boyfriend's last name of LaCroix was borrowed from Absolutely Fabulous, that British TV sitcom, darling. I needed a name, and first thing which popped was that AbFab designer brand.

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_____________

Revelations
_____________


"Skooma?!"

Laprima shook her head, unbelieving her fellow's answer. "You are saying I rode to Skyrim on a ship packed with skooma?" Her brow furrowed. "No. This cannot be. The crates, I glanced on them. I took in their scent from time to time. They smelled of tea. And you said to me..."

She looked to one of her room's walls, puzzled, nibbling at one of her fingernails.

"...And I was told..." she said slowly.

Finally, it dawned. The crates smelled of tea because the skooma would have been packed within layers of tea. This was a way of hiding the smell. She little about the drug, but one thing she'd heard is skooma had a distinctively sweet odor. But if it were packed within pounds of aromatic herbs ...

Now it all made sense. Chamany's abrupt departure from school two months before. He'd been claiming he'd found the ideal job, a job which promised enormously grand piles of riches, with not a whole lot of work. Bravil would be their departure point, Bravil, the place where skooma and a variety of other moon sugar products were an everyday commodity.

Also, there was the way she was chosen, appointed really, to be the one designated to ride along with the shipment. -- Watch over them, Chamany had told her. And especially, you must try avoid your other shipmates, that they do not, eh, tamper with the goods.

At the time, Laprima had assumed the shipment of 'tea' she'd been tasked to look over would net them a few hundred gold, maybe a thousand. Because it was just tea. They couldn't make much money from shipping tea unless a lot of it was moved, and Chamany was moving quite a lot. So, a few hundred gold, maybe a thousand. Not so bad for her man's first stint of employment. Everybody had to start their business somewhere, after all.

But now, rethinking it, she realized there had to be a lot more currency involved. Much more than a few hundred gold, maybe a thousand. There were a lot of crates, after all.

Laprima laughed for a moment, mostly at herself. How daft have I been, all this time?

When he'd first arrived in her room over an hour ago, Chamany had brought a rucksack with him. Now, he reached for it. "Ah, 'tis alright, Laprima," said he. "I am sure you have many curious thinking about the shipment. Hmm. Best way is to just show you, I suppose."

He grabbed something out of his sack. "Take a look and here, this is for you." He handed her a small glass phial, which was dull reddish in color.

"Is this what I am thinking it to be?" she asked.

"And what is it, do you think?"

Laprima uncorked the phial and sniffed. She'd never smelled the stuff before. There was a pungency which wafted out of the small bottle which was unmistakably unique, strong and sweet.

"The sight of you brings joy to me," she said to her man. "I am glad we have finally reunited, you and I. But I do not understand this, this skooma. Is it in such great demand, here in Skyrim?"

"Ah, but this is not just any, eh, typical skooma for the every day," he explained, "this is very best skooma on market. Straight from the swamps of Black Marsh, did it come."

"Black Marsh?"

"You see, the skooma that is here in Skyrim," he wagged his finger in the air, "is not so good. They make in Skyrim skooma, yes, but is very .. eh... what we say? Is very weak. They water it down. Not like this brew, from the Black Marsh."

"Chamany, but this is not legal!" Laprima clapped her hands to her face. She smiled, but smile trembled a little. "I am now a smuggler! I have brought into Skyrim, a mixture forbidden by the laws of our lands!"

"Yes you did, Laprima."

"But what if my aunt Elisif should discover this? After all the promises I've made to straighten my path! After being caught heisting Red Diamond Jewelry, and getting locked in jail! I cannot now be involved with these pursuits!"

"But it is not like this, Laprima," her fellow said calmly. "Your aunt, she will not know. The skooma you make delivered, it has moved by now, far away from Solitude. And because of your bravery, we are going to be very rich."

Chamany looked like he was going to say something else, but instead he paused. Put three fingers to his lips.

"Well, I am going to be rich. You are already so. But I, I did not come from such means."

Laprima said nothing, unsure of how to answer.

"And as I say when we meet last year, I must gain my own. I must make my own way in this world, and have, eh, make wishes come true."

"Mm. Well you have done so, surely," Laprima said, lost in thought.

In her head, she performed a quick bit of rudimentary mathematics, thinking of all those crates, each one packed with hundreds of small, reddish bottles, just like the one in her hand. How much did each of these bottles fetch? 20 gold? 40? She recalled that one of her classmates back in Cyrodiil had been a skooma sucker, or so he'd said. Like her, he had also come from wealth. Unlike her, he regularly bragged about his family's money, and also once claimed to spend quite a bit on his supposed drug of choice. 40 or 50 gold each, was her recollection, which seemed about right.

How many bottles were in each of the multitude of crates which had been on The Mongrel?

"But eh, let me show you why this skooma is better. I wish for you to try with me."

"Huh?"

"Here, I shall try and then you. You try. Eh?"

Before she could think or fathom or launch any sort of protest, Chamany pulled another bottle out of his sack, uncorked it, and downed the sweet brew, all at once. ... He then moved a half-step backwards. And sighed. His eyes glazed, while a large smile crept across his face. "You try it, eh?" he said quietly.

So she took her own bottle, and sipped a bit of it.

"Eh, no, no. You must quaff it," he encouraged.

"Quaff it?"

"Must drink it all," he explained, before lowering himself to sit on the floor. His face by now looked purely content. He continued to smile. He laid himself on a rug, staring up at the ceiling. He looked at peace to Laprima. No convulsions, and no other malevolent effects.

So she drank (she quaffed) the entire phial, just as he had.




Its taste was similar to its aroma, except a tad more bitter than sweet. As for the way it made her feel, this was something unexpected, entirely different from what she thought it might be.

When she was a youngster, her brother missing two years by then, she and her friends once tried some of her parents' liquor. There was a stash of Cyrodiilic Brandy along with plenty bottles of wine, and yes, they became tipsy after drinking some of it. But it took a while for this feeling to take effect. Maybe a half hour or so.

Skooma, on the other hand, affected the drinker right away.

First were the colors. Earlier in the morning she had been wanting to see her room changed to become more unique; she was thinking of having its walls painted blue. But now, her walls were blue. They were purple. They were any color she imagined them to be! ... And those colors were coming fast.

Her mind galloped, she struggled to keep pace with her thoughts. Time had absolutely no meaning. Neither did space, as her spirit seemed to free itself from flesh. She saw herself standing in her room, hundreds of feet above the water, and she, filling all that space. A sense of omnipotence, a sense of omnipresence. As if she was anywhere, and all places, all at once. Her entire life sped within her head. First memories, her childhood, the years of darkness. Laprima, back in the Imperial City as a child, playing with her pals in the city's streets.

Her heart, it pounded within. She took a moment to dance slowly across her room. Her body like air, instead of flesh; it was as if she ruffling on a cloud. She spun and twirled this way and that, and it seemed the whole of Nirn twirled and spun along with her.

She needed to sit, so she plopped upon the same chair she’d been on before. Eating that apple, which now seemed like it happened days ago. Acutely aware was she of placing herself on this chair. Pine wood and cushions, which rested upon a floor made of granite, which had been constructed upon a gigantic natural formation of rock, high above the Sea of Ghosts. Laprima Anne Donnaugh, rays of sunshine all around, just as supreme as one of the Gods.




But just as quickly as the brew had taken mighty effect, it also succumbed. The colors went mostly away, except for a dim pinkish hue. Her vision became blurry. She stood from her chair, walking around her room, nearly stumbling a couple times. By now, Chamany had joined her, rising up from his place on the floor.

"Cham-an-ay," she breathed slowly into his shoulder.

"See what skooma can do for you?" he asked.

"What is this?" She realized she was numb, wobbly, and faint. "Oh, we must lie down."

Slowly she rolled onto her bed, feeling the richness of its sheets and blankets and pillows. Here she and Chamany laid and sighed, until Laprima's stamina waned, and she eventually fell asleep.

~~~~~~

Four hours later...

Laprima awoke, bleary and wasted, unable to entirely focus. Her tummy made a small noise. Very hungry, she realized she was famished. Hungrier than she'd perhaps ever been. As she moved out of bed to check her satchel for an apple, she realized that's all she had eaten so far this entire day. An apple. One green apple!

She checked her room's windows, and they were dark. "Oh my! Were we asleep?" she asked Chamany, who was standing bedside. "Has day turned into night?" They had spent the entire day inside her room.

"Is good, yes?" he answered. "Those Khajiit. They know well, how to do it," he winked.

"Hmm. Well, I do not know about this," she replied, recalling as much as she could about the afternoon. The lights. The colors. The magnificence of it all. "I cannot deny it was quite a journey. I saw many things. It was as if my very soul was ... revealed today. But now," she rubbed the side of her head. "Now, I feel insipid. I am queasy, Chamany."

"Ah. It was your first time," her man said, holding her. "Here, you must now take, and eat," he said, handing her some purple flowers.

"Oh. And what are these? Not skooma, I am hoping? I cannot partake of more skooma."

"No skooma. These are alkanet flowers, from Cyrodiil. As the skooma is used, always eat the alkanet after is all done," he suggested. "For the skooma, it does great things, but the mind, it suffers greatly, as well. For those who do not, eh, follow skooma with alkanet, they become dull-witted."

"Chamany, we have no need for this!" her voice rose. "I do not intend to partake of that foul brew, ever again!"

"Yes, yes, is alright," he said, kissing her forehead. "You need not partake, if you, eh, choose not to. Is alright."

Laprima smiled a small smile. "Thank you."

"But now, I must grant you your reward."

"My reward?"

"While you did sleep, our payment was delivered," he explained. "For the shipment. Is just over seven thousand gold."

"Seven thousand?"

"I split even. Seven thousand for me, and seven thousand for you. Please check inside the dresser," he said, pointing to one of the room's wardrobe cabinets.

So she did. And goodness, there they were: several dozen pint-size bags full of coin.

Today had been a day full of surprises, amazements, and disturbing information. Now, at the sight of her earnings, Laprima did not know what to think, and how to react. She was awed by the sight of so much coin, right inside one of her room's dressers. And this coin, it was hers. Perhaps this money had been earned through non-legal ways, but she had to admit she did feel rather astonished to see her wardrobe full of riches.

But she was also spent, as the events of the day (and all its revelations) had been draining. So much had happened these past two days. There was her first experience with a moon sugar product, but there was also her confusing arrival, during which she'd witnessed an actual execution. There was meeting her aunt after so many years, and then dealing with her aunt's confounding, but subtle, demands.

And now, there was gold. Lots and lots of it, too.

Long ago when she was a lass, she had discovered the place where her father kept a lot of his funds, which was in their home's cellar, under a pile of ragged sacks. If a thief broke into their home, under those sacks would be the last place to look, the premise for his hiding place seemed to be. Back then, Laprima had laughed about this. How ironic, to spend so much time making a living, only to hide it all into some dark, dingy room full of miscellaneous junk.

But now, the noblewoman realized. As well-off as she'd been raised, she had never earned one piece of it, herself. Well, this had certainly changed.

She looked over to Chamany, but he was already in bed, and already snoring lightly. Her tummy rumbled once again. Time for that second apple. But two apples in one day would not be enough, so Laprima decided she'd go walking through the palace, looking for something more substantial.

She left her chamber, and walked into the room she shared side-by-side with Sybille Stentor, the palace's court wizard. To her right was Sybille's bed, and nobody upon it. To her left, a wooden bench, with a robed and hooded figure sitting right there. Sybille Stentor, the Blue Palace's court wizard, and Laprima's new neighbor. But the wizard was facing the opposite way, so that Laprima was viewing the back of Sybille's hooded head.

Laprima approached the magician, walking around the far side of the bench so she could view Sybille's front. The pair of ladies then stared at each other for quite a few seconds, grim-faced and forbidding, A minute passed, it seemed. Laprima's tummy rumbled again.

"Why hullo there, Laprima," the court wizard said in her low, slightly raspy voice. "Aren't we up, stirring and about at the witching hour, hmm?"

Something about her, the newcomer from Cyrodiil mused. There was a bench, opposite to the one Sybille sat upon. Laprima sat on this opposite bench. She stared some more, before coming to conclusion.

"I know now what you are," she finally said to the wizard. "And do not concern yourself with worry. Your secret is safe with me."
.

Oh, this is likely to not turn out well. A dealer who uses is doomed to failure methinks. I hope Laprima swears off both the dealing and using right away before the logical and predictable consequences of continuing occurs.

And Chamany does not acquit himself well at all, misleading Laprima regarding those crates and now pushing skooma at her.

Yet another cliff hangar now as Laprima discovers something compromising about Sybille?

I love how you are using the old trick of packing your drugs in coffee to throw off the drug-sniffing dogs.

Laprimma was a drug mule!

Laprimma is tripping balls! It kind of makes me think of acid, from the hallucinations and sense of euphoria. Hopefully she will have a good trip, and not a bad one.

Laprimma is now rich! I wonder what she is going to do with her ill-gotten gains?

And Sybille... Wow, Laprimma figured it out? I hope she can indeed, keep a secret.

Uh oh, Laprimma may be rich, but I'm not sure if Chamany is a good company for her.

Regardless, she had her own contact with the "dark side" in the past and it sounds like she does like the ka-ching sound of 7,000 septims - well, it's hard to blame her.

Another cliffhanger, this time with Sybille - did Laprimma figure out her true nature? But what if Sybille overheard Laprimma's and Chamany's conversation?