Beneath the Surface II

I pause for a moment to center myself before answering Shadr, "The Thieves Guild you say? Yes, their reputation does precede them... What happened to get you on their books?" I ask him.

"Well, I saw an opportunity to make some coin by importing some riding gear and saddles from my homeland of Hammerfell... So, I reached out to Sapphire to make sure the package would make it here without issue... And to take out a small loan to buy the goods. But the snake of a woman must've planned to betray me from the start because no sooner had word reached me that the package had been lost, she began hounding me for the loan and now I don't know what to do!" Shadr exclaims in a minor panic, as his breathing begins to quicken.

"Don't worry my friend, I think I know a way to help you." I say, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Really? What is it you plan to do?" Shadr asks, with a tinge of hope filling his voice.

"Don't fret, all this will be resolved by the morning light." I say, giving one more reassuring smile beneath my facemask before walking towards the gate.

"If you say so, stranger... You're my last hope, I pray for your quick success." Shadr says as I make my way into the town proper.

Again, the town itself feels... Different? There's more buildings, more clutter, it feels...

Alive? Candles in colored glass lanterns dot the cramped city streets, couples pass between the various stalls that only seem to be open at night.

I'm intoxicated by the hustle and bustle going on around me, as I'm reminded of my old life in... In...

Where was I from again?

I pause as I stop against on of the building as I hold my head trying to remember my home... Cars, passing by, fireworks going of in abandoned parking lots... Smoke filling the air... Cooking off a grill in the backyard... Independence Day... But, who's independence and from who?

I continue rubbing my temple as a migraine starts to take hold before I feel two sets of hands take hold of me, ending my headache and bringing me back to the present.

"Fluffy? What is wrong? Do you hurt?" M'rissi asks with concern as she helps steady my left side.

"Yes, my friend. Do you need to lie down?" Inigo asks as he helps steady my right side.

"No, no, I'm fine... Just not used to it being so bright at night." I say, waving it off as I right myself and start walking once more.

Inigo releases my right shoulder, after making sure I can stand in my own, but M'rissi is much more hesitant.

"Hmph... Stupid, Fluffy! Worrying her over silly lights. You must make it up to her with lots of nice treats!" M'rissi says haughtily as she takes my left arm and wraps it around her shoulders as we passed a stall smelling of fresh baked bread.

"Oh, if my kitten was so worried about me then I'd better reward her." I say, chuckling at her antics.

"Three sweet breads." I tell the stall vendor who seemed to be selling an item similar to naan, or a thick tortilla, covered in sugar.

Almost reminding me of the elephant ears I'd get at fairs and carnivals, except this is a whole piece of bread that isn't fried and the sugar isn't powdered.

"Coming right up. 3 Septims." The vendor says as I hand over the gold, and wait for the food to finish.

It only takes a few minutes, as I take the fresh, hot bread from him. Handing Inigo one, as I hand one to M'rissi before taking a bite of my own.

It's nice and soft, with a sweet taste that lingers on the lips.

"Mmmm... So, good, Fluffy!" M'rissi sighs in contentment.

"Not bad, but nothing beats a fresh sweet roll, my friend. Thank you for the food." Inigo thanks me, after eating his.

We continue making our way through the vibrant nightlife as we head to the largest inn in town. The Bee and Barb.

The lower floor of the inn is filled with dozens of patrons, laughing, drinking, and even dancing. It takes me a few minutes to find Sapphire who is quietly watching the people of the inn, with her back against the wall.

I motion for Inigo and M'rissi to find a free table while I head over to Sapphire.

"What do you want?" Sapphire says glaring at me.

"Just, a friendly chat." I say, smiling as I quickly pull down my facemask before pulling it back up.

"Oh? You're still alive, thought for sure you got pinched since you haven't been in the Flaggon for a while." Sapphire says with a snarky smirk, making me roll my eyes.

"Like a guard could catch me. Anyways, I need to talk to you about a little business you've been doing on the side." I say, leaning against the wall beside her.

"What business are you talking about?" Sapphire says, playing dumb.

"The kind involving horses and stables." I say, giving her a side eye.

"I don't know what you're talking about, maybe you should go find some other business at the Guild?" Sapphire says, refusing to look at me.

"I guess I could tell Brynjolf what I know. I'm sure everyone else would love to hear about the new funds coming in..." I say, starting to leave her side.

"Wait! No need to go telling everyone... What do you want? A cut of the action?" Sapphire asks desperately as I stopped in my tracks before returning to leaning on the wall beside her.

"Not exactly, you still got the goods?" I ask continuing the conversation.

"Yeah, I haven't heard back from my contact I was going to pass them along to. Why?" Sapphire asks, still trying to figure out my angle.

"Good, I want you to deliver it to Shadr, and forgive the debt he owes for the inconvenience of his 'misplaced' goods." I tell her with a pointed look before returning to people watching.

Noticing a small girl out of the corner of my eye, quietly observing her surroundings as she seems to be eyeing each of the patrons.

(Author's Note: I am back! And I have passed another semester of college! Looking forward to writing again, hope you all continue to enjoy the story!)