When Ariella woke she was warm and she was glad. It made her think she was back home, the High Rock summer sun shining on her from her window. It was the first morning she had woken warm in a long time, since she left High Rock in fact.
It seemed like such a long time ago now. It had maybe been two or so months but it felt like much longer. While she did miss home quite a bit she had started to see Jorrvaskr as a kind of home.
Probably due to the company.
She smiled to herself, yes certain people had definitely influenced that. She had been so negative when she was first forced to join and so far she had been pleasantly surprised.
Everyone here had a story to tell and in her spare moments she did try to keep a journal. Her writings however didn’t do justice to the people; at times like those she wished she favoured art more than logic.
Despite her newfound comfort in Jorrvaskr she still had gripes about it; for instance the quarters. The cramped nature of the whelp quarters didn’t bother her yet the fact that it was underground did.
That meant it got seriously cold for her. She was sure the Nords of the companions wouldn’t mind but she did. She had been trying to save up for a few pelts to get for her bed yet the saving process was painfully slow.
Ariella’s mind was a bit sluggish from the warmth; usually the chill woke her quickly. Despite her insomnia she found she wanted to fall back to sleep or at least stay where she was a while longer.
Yet she pushed those wishes aside. She had something to do today, something important… It took her sluggish mind a bit to remember but her testing quickly came to mind.
She was mixed with fear and excitement as she thought about what was to come today. She was supposed to ask Vilkas about the plan for today last night yet she had been too anxious to talk about it.
Vilkas.
As her mind mulled over the man for a moment another question surfaced.
Why am I warm?
Her eyes opened quickly, confirming what her slowly waking body was already realising. She was met with the image of a familiar brown tunic her hands clutching to it. She then registered the weight of a strong arm draped across her body.
She risked a peak up and sure enough Vilkas was sleeping, her heart quickened in pace. She went to pull away but found she couldn’t for whatever reason.
Honestly she liked this feeling. She rested her head back on his chest and felt his arms tighten around her despite him still being asleep. Even though the squeeze may have just been a reaction in his sleep it sent sparks through Ariella making her stomach do flips.
After a far too brief moment Vilkas did wake up instantly pulling himself away from her. The cold hit Ariella, unwelcomed but it should have been expected. She was the one clinging to him after all, making a fool of herself.
“Ah sorry, I must have fallen asleep here.” Ariella said sitting up, turning away from him to hide the red she was sure was on her cheeks.
“Hey I fell asleep too, it’s no problem.” Vilkas’ voice was thick with sleep yet still soothing and caused her skin to goose bump. “Oh I was thinking we leave after breakfast in say three hours?”
“I’ll see you then.” Ariella wanted to leave and got up to do so but she stopped in the doorway. She hesitated for a long moment yet Vilkas waited. “What do I bring?”
“For the testing? I’ll help you organise your pack after breakfast.” Ariella nodded, still refusing to face him. She then left to retreat to where she should have slept.
Sleepless - Part 19/?
It seemed like such a long time ago now. It had maybe been two or so months but it felt like much longer. While she did miss home quite a bit she had started to see Jorrvaskr as a kind of home.
Probably due to the company.
She smiled to herself, yes certain people had definitely influenced that. She had been so negative when she was first forced to join and so far she had been pleasantly surprised.
Everyone here had a story to tell and in her spare moments she did try to keep a journal. Her writings however didn’t do justice to the people; at times like those she wished she favoured art more than logic.
Despite her newfound comfort in Jorrvaskr she still had gripes about it; for instance the quarters. The cramped nature of the whelp quarters didn’t bother her yet the fact that it was underground did.
That meant it got seriously cold for her. She was sure the Nords of the companions wouldn’t mind but she did. She had been trying to save up for a few pelts to get for her bed yet the saving process was painfully slow.
Ariella’s mind was a bit sluggish from the warmth; usually the chill woke her quickly. Despite her insomnia she found she wanted to fall back to sleep or at least stay where she was a while longer.
Yet she pushed those wishes aside. She had something to do today, something important… It took her sluggish mind a bit to remember but her testing quickly came to mind.
She was mixed with fear and excitement as she thought about what was to come today. She was supposed to ask Vilkas about the plan for today last night yet she had been too anxious to talk about it.
Vilkas.
As her mind mulled over the man for a moment another question surfaced.
Why am I warm?
Her eyes opened quickly, confirming what her slowly waking body was already realising. She was met with the image of a familiar brown tunic her hands clutching to it. She then registered the weight of a strong arm draped across her body.
She risked a peak up and sure enough Vilkas was sleeping, her heart quickened in pace. She went to pull away but found she couldn’t for whatever reason.
Honestly she liked this feeling. She rested her head back on his chest and felt his arms tighten around her despite him still being asleep. Even though the squeeze may have just been a reaction in his sleep it sent sparks through Ariella making her stomach do flips.
After a far too brief moment Vilkas did wake up instantly pulling himself away from her. The cold hit Ariella, unwelcomed but it should have been expected. She was the one clinging to him after all, making a fool of herself.
“Ah sorry, I must have fallen asleep here.” Ariella said sitting up, turning away from him to hide the red she was sure was on her cheeks.
“Hey I fell asleep too, it’s no problem.” Vilkas’ voice was thick with sleep yet still soothing and caused her skin to goose bump. “Oh I was thinking we leave after breakfast in say three hours?”
“I’ll see you then.” Ariella wanted to leave and got up to do so but she stopped in the doorway. She hesitated for a long moment yet Vilkas waited. “What do I bring?”
“For the testing? I’ll help you organise your pack after breakfast.” Ariella nodded, still refusing to face him. She then left to retreat to where she should have slept.