Dead man's drink

As Lucius and Ciri arrived at the bleak gate. they couldn't help but notice how glum the air around them felt. A suffocating atmosphere that drained all joy of ones soul and set it into the despair abyss of despair.

"I read this town had a notable graveyard, but i didn't think it extended to its town too." Murmured Lucius advancing toward the sole guard at the gate.

"Sadly, it's a sight i'm all too familiar with in my world. Hopelessness might as well be its banner." Ciri chimed.

"You there! Have you seen any dogs on the road?" Asked the masked guard.

"What sort of dog? We've seen a few wolves and a werewolf." Lucius lazily responded.

"I don't know really. The blacksmith is offering a reward for his lost dog, i was hoping you might've seen it on the road." Said the guard before he continued. "I guess i'll stay on the lookout. Keep your nose clean while you're here, elf." The guard snipped walking back to his post.

'I'd better get used to the elf thing, huh' An amused Lucius thought.

"Does everyone dislike elves here? It seems a common theme..." Ciri piped up beside him, looking in his eyes gauging for any sign of discomfort at the passive insult.

"Well, it's a little complicated really. The Nords have a rich history with Snow elves, and with the Thalmor invasion of the empire leading to the 'White gold concordat'. One of their main gods, Talos, was banned from worship... Not exactly inspiring amenability between the races. Anyone with half a mind can see it was to sow discord within the country, for them to gain more control in the long run, of course." Lucius slowly explained.

Ciri hummed. "I suppose that talk of civil war at the border is related to this 'White gold concordat' then?"

"Just one of many factors, i would say. I don't know much, just tit-bits of information and gossip that leaked through to Cyrodiil." Lucius said "I do know that Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the rebellion, supposedly shouted the young king apart...In front of his wife, no less. The savage." Lucius lowly hissed, as they came upon the tavern.

From the outside it looks dreary, still and old. Hardwood planks and roughly cut stones make up most of the building's outer structure.It's tough to see through the large, stained glass windows, but the lack of sounds from within can be felt outside.

As they enter the tavern through the heavily used, wooden door, they're welcomed by silence.

It's as charming inside as it is on the outside. Rounded, wooden beams support the upper floor and the lanterns attached to them. The walls are overflowing with carved signatures and cracked messages, undoubtedly from happy customers...

Several long tables are unoccupied, some surrounding the roaring pit of fire in the centre of the tavern. The bartender is a little preoccupied, seemingly staring into empty air, but still manages to welcome them with a short wave. A barmaid wearing a revealing tavern dress of deep sea green, and gold bangles cascading down her thin arms.

"Shor's bones! A handsome man in Falkreath!" A mature voice sounded. "And look at you, i bet you could get any man wrapped around your pretty little finger." The barmaid fawned.

"That's why i don't mind the elf comments." Lucius lowly chuckled to Ciri.

Ciri smiled in response, holding back a laugh of her own.

"Hush Narri! Welcome to the Dead man's drink! What can i get you?" The Inn owner greeted with a pleasant smile.

"Two ales and some information." Lucius said, leaning sideways on the bar.

"Coming right up. In Falkreath if I don't know it, it ain't worth knowing...But, If you hear any juicy gossip in town, be sure to share it with me! My name's Valga by the way, i'll be right here if you need anything." The newly introduced Valga said, setting down two mugs of Nord ale." That'll be 4 septims."

Lucius placed the gold on the wooden bar in front while handing Ciri her mug beside him.

"Thank~ you." A smug Ciri responded, before taking a seat near the fire.

Lucius turned back to Valga with a small smile.

"Say, what's the best school of magic here in Skyrim?" Asked Lucius naively.

"The people of Skyrim don't like magic much, so about the only place you're likely to find a teacher is the College of Winterhold." Valga said with some trepidation.

"Mm, that's quite far from here." Lucius thought aloud. "What's the best way to travel? With the war and all, i'm sure some routes would be troublesome." Probed Lucius.

"I'm no expert, but Whiterun has managed to stay neutral so far. If i was you, i'd pass through there by going through Helgen and Riverwood." Valga answered before continuing. "Though, some say a dragon passed through Helgen and torched the place, likely some Stormcloak fantasy to scare off the imperials... People are getting crazier by the day." Valga scoffed.

'Dragon huh? The last sighting was in the Metheric era during the dragon war...Strange.' Lucius mused.

"Thanks for the help, Valga." Lucius flashed an easy smile before joining Ciri by the fire.

"So, find anything to help you? Actually, why are you here in Skyrim?" Asked a curious Ciri.

"It's where my mother was born and raised. From the stories she told me growing up it piqued my interest a little bit." Lucius started.

"Well, i'm here mostly because i feel weirdly drawn here, like a tug that keeps you awake at night....That doesn't really make sense, does it?" Lucius finished, nursing his drink.

"No. No, i think i know exactly how you feel. I'm what's called 'a child of surprise'. It's a law where i come from. A Witcher, a mutated monster hunter, can invoke the law as a sort of payment. The Law dictates that a man saved by another, is expected to offer to his saviour a boon whose nature is unknown to one or both parties. In most cases, the boon takes the form of the saved man's firstborn child, conceived or born without the father's knowledge." Ciri finished speaking looking into the crackling fire.

"So, yeah. I get what you mean in a way." Ciri tilted her head his way with a pitied smile after a small silence.

"That must have been hard. Knowing you'd have to leave your family at any day, i mean." Lucius offered his empathy.

"It wasn't so bad really. I was loved and couldn't ask for a thing. If i'm honest, i wouldn't have had it any other way. The Witcher became a father to me. And saved me who knows how many times." Said Ciri slightly smiling down at her mug. "You said your father taught you the sword. What was he like?" Ciri asked looking up to him.

Lucius leant back on the bench and took a big swig of his ale.

"A cunt." Lucius Simply put.

The reply sent Ciri into a coughing fit, making her drink go down the wrong hole.

"There, there" Lucius rubbed Ciri's back with a grin.

"Ahem. Why'd you say that?" Ciri recovered.

"Because he was one... He spent all his time training Thalmor grunts who fed his ego, while leaving me and my mother to the abuse of 'superior pure bloods.'." Lucius finished with a mocking voice of pretentiousness. "Altmer are a twatty bunch, especially in subjects they deem to good for them."Lucius said with distaste.

"Yeah, that'll do it. That explains the attitude too." Ciri teased with a glint passing through her eyes.

"Attitude! Why, whatever do you mean~" Lucius brought his hand to his chest, with a slippery smile.

"pfft"

What played was the joint laughter that echoed throughout the inn. Hours passed as the two continued conversing. Drowning themselves in more mead.

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"Anyways, what will you do now? You don't have to follow me like a lost puppy you know." Lucius raised the unspoken issue, still sat by the, now dim, fire pit.

"What if i want to?" Ciri somewhat slurred, a hue of red on her cheeks while faintly leaning on Lucius's shoulder.

"Then by all means do, you're pleasant enough." Lucius replied.

"Yeah, i *hic* am aren't i?" Ciri faced Lucius.

"Hmm~ Pretty." Ciri said looking into Lucius's pale eyes, touching his cheek.

"Okay, you've had enough." Lucius said under his breath, finishing his drink and slowly putting Ciri's arm down. "Let's get you a room."

"Fiiine." Ciri had a small pout. "boring." She whispered as he got up.

Lucius left her sat at the bench and walked up the bar.

"Do your rooms have two beds?" Lucius asked Valga

"No but i have one with a double bed. Is that okay for you and your partner?" Valga asked taking a quick look at Ciri who was slowly waving away at the fire.

"How much for two rooms?" Lucius sighed. Ignoring the assumption.

"20 gold, 30 to break your fast." Valga replied

Lucius plopped 30 septims into her awaiting hand. "Which two?"

"The two on the left." Valga said while point to two wooden doors.

"Mhm, thank you." Lucius grumbled walking back to Ciri.

"Come on, let's get you to bed for tomorrow you're not in your right mind to be making decisions." Lucius spoke while lifting Ciri in a princess carry.

"What?" Ciri drowsily mumbled with half lidded eyes.

Lucius sighed, kicking open the closest door and laying her on the fur cot.

"Goodnight, Ciri."

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'lightweight.' Lucius thought softly closing the door.

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Uh, i really don't like this one i can't lie.

I've been reading some romance books to see how a budding attraction starts and took some inspiration. Let me know if it works(?).

Too fast? Too slow? Just right?

Let me know, anyway.

Have a good one.