Meme Announcements!
Oct. 29th, 2011 12:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skyrimkinkmemeANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017
Happy Holidays, fellow Kinkmemers! I have returned and have no reasonable excuse for my absence except LIFE. I will be working on updating the archives. If anyone sees anything amiss, please let me know.
I am also hoping to find another Mod and an Archivist.
The more dedicated people we have in this Meme the less chance of it dying. I admit that being the sole keeper of the Meme is not great for the fandom. If something were to happen to me, for good, this place would go the way of the Fallout Kink Meme. Let's not let that happen! If anyone would be interested in Modding/Archiving, please drop me a line. Thanks! <3
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.5
Date: 2013-07-27 12:19 pm (UTC)Eola was there, sitting up in her night shift, blinking up at him in the light of a magelight. She looked horribly pale, and she'd definitely lost weight and she was staring at him like she could barely believe her eyes. She was also staring at him like a starving man looked at a steak and given Eola's habits, that was not comforting. Fortunately, Cicero had come prepared.
“Sister,” he breathed. “Sister, Cicero heard... heard you were unhappy! Why did you not write, Cicero would have come sooner!”
“Couldn't get away from Da long enough,” Eola said, still staring hungrily at him. “He watches my every move and when he's not there in person, there's always guards. I didn't want to write anything down in case he saw it.”
“Would he have punished you?” Cicero whispered, coming to join her on the bed. She shook her head miserably.
“Worse. It would have broken his heart. He's trying so hard but it's not enough, none of it's enough, I've not eaten properly since I got here, I miss all of you so much, I...” She had her head in her hands, a sob coming from behind her fingers and Cicero could take it no more. He took her in his arms, holding her tight and stroking her hair.
“Hush, hush, Cicero is here,” he crooned. “Cicero is not going anywhere. Cicero will not leave you, sister. Never, no never.” He kissed her once on the cheek, feeling her shiver in his arms.
“I'm so hungry,” she whispered, clinging on to his motley. “I haven't... I need to... I can't feel Lady Namira any more, not like I used to, I'm not even that far from the shrine! I'm scared, Cicero!”
“Do not fear, my sweetling,” Cicero murmured, letting her go and reaching for his pack. They had had to deal with bandits on the way to Markarth, he and Liriel, and they'd picked out a particularly fine looking corpse to butcher and cooked the better cuts from it. These were now being presented to Eola.
“They are cold, and not rare and bloody like Eola likes her food, but Liriel did not think they'd keep otherwise and we did not wish to have to defrost them,” Cicero said hesitantly. Eola moaned at the sight.
“Redguard, you got me Redguard, didn't you?” she breathed and Cicero nodded. Eola didn't say anything more, just tearing into the food, sighing happily as she swallowed, and really no woman had any right making noises like that, not when lonely Cicero was there, right there, watching, getting harder and harder as he watched her devour what he'd brought her, oh Sithis, had she no shame? Well of course not, he knew that, had known that from the moment she'd smirked at him and called him Cutie ap Cutieson. Finally, she finished, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and licking her fingers, looking much more like her old self.
“Is that better?” Cicero asked, trying to sound caring and doing his best to ignore the erection in his loincloth and the screaming urge to leap on her. Eola nodded, eyes meeting his, and she still looked hungry for flesh but not in quite the same way.
“Much better,” she purred, and that was her, that was the scheming little hussy he remembered. Sithis, this erection of his was actually starting to hurt. She smiled up at him and shifted closer, lifting the covers.
“Join me if you want. I could do with the company.”
Cicero heard a little keening sound coming from his throat, his cock throbbing with need, and he could take it no more. Pouncing, he leapt on top of her, pinning her down and kissing her. She gasped in surprise, but judging from the way she was spreading her legs and wrapping her arms around him, it wasn't an unwelcome surprise.
“Sithis, I missed you,” he whispered in her ear.
“Likewise,” Eola gasped. “Gods, Cicero, you have no idea. Only... you know I'm on, don't you? Do you really want to...?”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.6
Date: 2013-07-27 12:20 pm (UTC)“You're depraved,” Eola whispered, but she sounded very very pleased about the fact. Cicero could only nod.
“I'm a very bad boy,” Cicero murmured, beginning to plant kisses along her stomach. “A very bad boy indeed.”
“Yes,” Eola gasped. “Yes you are. Sweet Namira, Cicero, don't you ever stop.”
Cicero didn't. Afterwards there'd be giggling and having to strip down the entire bed and change it with fresh sheets while Eola shoved the original bedding into a Dwemer chest and torched it, but inconveniences like that aside, both of them fell asleep in each other's arms with not a care in the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The door had barely closed behind Liriel before Madanach had his arms around her, saying nothing, just holding her while his head rested on her shoulder.
“Madanach,” Liriel whispered. “It's all right. I'm here. You're not alone.”
“I think being alone rather comes with the job,” said Madanach gruffly. “But thank you.” He lifted his head and kissed her lips before clutching her again.
“I missed you,” he told her, quite unnecessarily, she could see that for herself.
“What happened?” Liriel asked, leading him to the bed and stretching out on it, beckoning for him to join her. He did so after placing his circlet to one side, kicking off his shoes and crawling into her waiting arms. He closed his eyes and sighed happily as he moved closer and Liriel, for all she was worried, wrapped her arms around him, loving the feeling of having him there again. Never again, she was never going away again, not for long anyway. He was hers and she was not letting him go again.
“I don't even know,” Madanach whispered. “She came back, I went to bed one night and she was here, sitting in my chair and waiting for me. When I realised it was her, I couldn't even speak. You found my daughter. My little girl. You sent her back to me.”
“Yes,” said Liriel quietly. “In fact, I've known her longer than I've known you – Madanach, if you'd told me her name earlier, I could have brought her back months ago. It was her who told me all about the Forsworn, what cariad meant, what this symbolised.” She fingered the torc, remembering Eola's reaction to it – entirely explicable when you knew she was a king's daughter. Madanach looked up and traced a finger along it, smiling.
“You're wearing it again,” he breathed. “It suits you.”
“If I'm going to be your queen, I should show it off, yes?” Liriel grinned. Madanach's smile broadened and he kissed her again, a long, slow, lingering kiss that left Liriel a little breathless.
“Yes,” he gasped into her ear. “Yes, please, yes, marry me.”
“I'm not going anywhere,” Liriel reassured him. “It's clear you need me. But first, I need to hear just how you managed to turn one of my best assassins into a nervous wreck in two months. Eola's not exactly weak, physically or mentally. What have you done to her, Madanach?”
“I haven't done anything!” Madanach cried, frustrated, rolling away from her and lying back on the bed. “All I've done is love her, take care of her, try and look after her to the best of my ability. And nothing's ever enough. She just smiles and says thank you and that she loves me, and I'm sure she does, but I have no idea what she wants! She's my daughter and I love her dearly, but she's a stranger to me. I don't know what happened, it was going so well at first, she was interested in the Reach, in running it, was getting on with people, was actually flirting with Nepos, and she didn't seem to want to be anywhere but with me. And I didn't want her to be anywhere else. I missed her so much, all these years not knowing and she's finally here and... and nothing I do makes her happy. And here you are and you know her better than I do. Liriel, help me. What do I do?”
Liriel stroked his hair, wondering what to say. She could hardly tell him that Eola was most likely craving the flesh of the dead, could he possibly have a condemned criminal carved up and served to her? Madanach might want to spoil his daughter, but even he had limits.
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.7
Date: 2013-07-27 12:24 pm (UTC)“That's what I'm trying to do!” Madanach sighed. “She doesn't seem to want any of it. Was she like this in your Sanctuary?”
“No,” Liriel admitted, remembering Eola and Gabriella trying to outcreep each other and Eola's shocked face when she lost, and Eola making Babette blood cocktails by siphoning blood off a torture room victim, and Nazir telling her off for butchering another of said victims in his kitchen and Eola just pouting and saying she fancied a midnight snack, and Festus grudgingly admitting to Liriel that the girl was one of the few people who really got Destruction magic. She'd fitted in at Dawnstar, done well there. Because she'd been able to be herself and no one had really minded or judged her. At her father's court, she was on display all the time. No wonder she hardly left her room any more, the strain must be killing her.
Madanach lay back on the pillows, looking defeated.
“I've failed,” he said quietly. “Failed as a father. Gods, Liriel, don't bring your kids here, keep them at Vlindrel, I'll get you a nanny. I don't want any more innocent lives messed up by my terrible parenting skills.”
“Bit late for that, I told them we were getting married and they were going to live here with us,” said Liriel firmly. “They've wanted a father for ages, they were delighted to find out it's going to be you. You are stuck with them.”
Madanach said nothing, just laughing softly.
“Then I apologise unreservedly. They're going to be very disappointed.”
“Don't say that!” Liriel cried. “You're a really good father, you and Kaie had a really good relationship. You loved each other, understood each other, you took care of each other! You can do the same with Eola, I know you can.”
“Can I?” Madanach asked wearily. “I had Kaie visiting me every week without fail once she came of age. She was easy to understand, she was a Forsworn witch who loved her king and her country, she was like a sane version of her mother. She was my right-hand out there and my source of support when the rest of the world turned on me. Eola's a mystery. How am I meant to take care of her if I don't even know what she wants?”
“She doesn't need you to take care of her, she's twenty five years old and spent the last decade surviving quite well on her own!” Liriel sighed. “Just let her be an adult, let her do what she wants, go where she wants. Eola's not one of life's victims.”
“Nor was Kaie and she still died!” Madanach cried, and this was it, this in a nutshell. Madanach didn't want to lose his last remaining heir, couldn't face the prospect of life without her.
“Cariad,” Liriel whispered, drawing her into his arms. “Eola's not going to die. Not any time soon. She just needs her freedom. You're killing her keeping her locked up like this.”
“She's not a prisoner, she can go wherever she likes as long as she has guards and lets me know where she's going and when she's coming back,” Madanach protested.
“See?” Liriel sighed. “Prisoner. Eola's never had to account for her whereabouts or take guards in her entire adult life! Madanach, trust me, the last thing you really want to know is where she's gone or what she's doing.”
“But she doesn't have to be an assassin now, I can get her anything she wants...” Madanach stopped, it belatedly occurring to him that it was just possible Eola didn't join the Dark Brotherhood for the coin and comfortable home. “Don't tell me she'd rather be out murdering than being heir to the Mournful Throne.”
“Don't tell me you don't miss it too,” Liriel whispered in his ear. “Don't tell me that at twenty five years old, you would have tolerated anyone telling you what to do or keeping tabs on your every move.”
“At twenty five years old, I was murdering my way to the top of the Forsworn,” Madanach laughed, recalling the memory with a smile. “Tell me what to do? They were swearing fealty or dying. But Eola doesn't need to do all that, I got the throne for her! I've given it all to her on a plate.”
“Sweetie,” Liriel said gently. “Eola once told me the best meals were the ones you'd hunted and killed yourself. I don't think she's changed her outlook much.”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.8
Date: 2013-07-27 12:26 pm (UTC)“So I was right,” he finally said. “I've failed her. I can't give her anything she wants, because what she wants is what can't be given.” He looked away and Liriel could almost feel the spark dying out of him.
“Take her away, Liriel,” said Madanach softly. “Take her back to your Sanctuary. She's still my heir, I'm not disowning her, but I can't bear to see her like this. She was happy there – so take her with you. Let her be an assassin if she wants to. Just... just keep her safe, Liriel, if anything happened to her...”
Liriel took his hand, not sure what to say but knowing what this was costing him.
“I'll take care of her,” Liriel promised. “And send her back to visit – I was thinking of setting up a Sanctuary in the Reach anyway. I could put her in charge of it, that'd keep her safer than if she was running jobs. And she'd not be far away, she could come and see you. I think she'd want to.”
“I'd like that,” said Madanach, smiling faintly. “If she can be like she was when she first got here... she was a delight to be around. I loved having her here so much. I still do, when she's happy, she just lights up the room but when she's not...”
Liriel squeezed his hand, understanding. Eola had her father's gift of being able to turn on the charm when she wanted, but it relied on her feeling strong and confident. With her connection to Namira gone, her strength would be waning fast. No, for everyone's sake, Eola needed to be back in the Brotherhood as Speaker of Reachcliff Sanctuary, only living part-time at Understone Keep and coming and going as she pleased. A priestess of Sithis and high-ranked Dark Sister would not be obliged to take orders from a king, even one who was her own father. Perhaps especially not her own father.
“Thank you,” said Madanach softly. “I'd be lost without you, you know. What did I do before I met you?”
“You sat in your cell drinking Skooma and assassinating your own people,” Liriel reminded him, and the memory of Madanach penned up like a wild beast and left to go mad reminded her that his kingdom was not as secure as he might wish. “Listen, Madanach, I didn't just come here for Eola. You're in trouble, a lot of trouble.”
That actually got a smirk. “Oh really. What did I do? Whatever it was, I'm very sorry. How can I make it up to you, hmm?”
Oh gods, Cicero's bizarre predilections were starting to infect her husband-to-be.
“Not like that!” Liriel cried. “I'm serious, Madanach! You nearly had the Legion invading! I had to talk Rikke out of it!”
Frown from Madanach. “What do you mean?” he asked, clearly puzzled. Not know – how could he not know there'd been Forsworn border raids? On the other hand, if he didn't know, that meant he'd not authorised them. He was innocent – well, innocent of that, anyway.
“The raids!” Liriel snapped. “There's been attacks on travellers all along your eastern border between Rorikstead and Falkreath, and the survivors say it was the Forsworn! Madanach, what's going on?? Don't tell me you haven't heard of them.”
“I've heard rumours,” Madanach shrugged. “But thus far, no actual proof it was anything other than beasts or bandits or dragons. When someone brings me proof or officially reports something to me, which no one's actually done yet, then I'll think about doing something, but with Eola the way she's been, I've really got no time for attacks that haven't even happened in the Reach.”
Dear sweet Lady Mara. She should definitely have come down here earlier.
“Well, consider this the official report,” Liriel said tersely. “You might not think it's your problem, Rikke thinks otherwise. Rikke thinks you're behind them – either that or you've lost control of the Forsworn. Madanach, she was planning an invasion! The only way I managed to talk her out of it was by persuading her to send me to investigate. She knows it'd be costly in both lives and coin to fight you direct, so she agreed. Madanach, you have got to act or... or you won't have a throne for Eola to inherit!”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.9
Date: 2013-07-27 12:27 pm (UTC)“Come with me,” was all he said, getting up abruptly and walking out of the room. Liriel ran after him, following in his wake as he led her to what turned out to be his study. It was a large Dwemer room dominated by a long table that had clearly once been used for banqueting, but was now taken up by various bits of paperwork, and Madanach's map of the Reach from Druadach Redoubt. Next to it was a map of Skyrim, all the major towns, cities and forts marked on it. Madanach indicated the big map.
“Show me where these attacks are taking place.” He handed her a few blue flag pins to mark them off with, and Liriel tried to recall what Rikke had told her. One just south of Rorikstead, one near Gjukar's Monument, another just north of Lake Ilinalta, by the dragon mound. Madanach hissed as she finished, nudging a few silver flags near the ones she'd marked.
“Not good?” she asked. Madanach shook his head.
“No. All those locations are within easy striking distance of our border camps – Bleakwind doesn't really have the troops, but Serpent's Bluff does. Then there's this one.” He tweaked the one furthest east, not far from the red flag indicating Fort Sungard. “Lost Valley Redoubt. You remember I said there were four factions in the Forsworn? Keirine headed one, Drascua another. Mireen was the third. All three of those we either had in the first place or you took care of for me. Not so the fourth.”
“Matriarch Sharreela of Lost Valley,” said Liriel, meeting his eyes and feeling a little bit satisfied to already be in the loop. “I know, Argis told me. He thought it might be her.”
“He's a smart boy,” Madanach nodded. “She'd fallen into disfavour with the other Hags after she lost Broken Tower, she'd lost a serious amount of face with them. I didn't think she really had the strength to take me on and she'd seemed keen enough to fall in with the new uprising. I didn't exactly trust her, but I'd no reason to think her disloyal either. Not until now.”
“What are you going to do?” Liriel asked. No doubt about it, this could spell trouble if not nipped in the bud fast.
“I don't know,” Madanach said, worried, and that didn't bode well, Madanach not having a plan. “I need information, I can't just attack Lost Valley without solid evidence they've turned traitor. I'd rather not attack it at all, it's built into one of those old Nord ruins – near impregnable from the ground.”
“But open to the sky,” said Liriel thoughtfully. Madanach confirmed this was so, before he reached the same conclusion she did.
“My goodness, Liriel, are you suggesting we get a dragon to set the entire place on fire for us? That would be most unfortunate for them and helpful for us, I must say. If only we knew someone who might be able to arrange something like that.”
He met her eyes, and Liriel couldn't help but giggle, and he was grinning back, and suddenly Liriel remembered just why she loved this man.
“They don't stand a chance, do they?” Liriel laughed, already looking forward to it.
“Not when I catch up with them, no, but first I do need proof she's actually turned on me.” Madanach strode for the corridor, flagging down one of the guards. “Get Nepos and Uraccen out of bed, I need to see them both. Yes, now. What do you mean Uraccen's got company tonight? I don't care if he's entertaining Queen Barenziah herself in there, get him out of bed and in here.” The guards disappeared off to find Madanach's commanders, and he turned back to Liriel.
“Cariad, this may go on a little late, but you don't need to be here for this bit. I just need to go over all recent reports and communications from Lost Valley and Serpent's Bluff, check for anomalies. I'll join you later, yes?”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.10
Date: 2013-07-27 12:29 pm (UTC)“Don't stay up too late,” she whispered. Madanach kissed her cheek and laughed.
“We'll see. Go on, go, Uraccen won't be pleased at me interrupting his fun if he finds you all over me when he gets here.”
He was unlikely to be pleased anyway, but Liriel could see how her presence might make it worse. Retreating to Madanach's bedroom, she left him to it, already mentally drafting a report to Rikke. It's not him. He's taking it seriously at last. My Reachman will deal with it, General, that is a promise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liriel was half asleep when Madanach finally did come to bed. She felt him crawl into the bed alongside her, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her on the cheek. She smiled sleepily as he followed it up with a nip to her ear (he was obsessed with the ears, forever teasing the points – it was a good thing she liked it really) then let her go and burrowed into the pillows. She drifted off to sleep soon after.
She woke up to Madanach's arms around her again, just stroking her skin and watching her.
“What time is it?” she whispered.
“About eight o'clock,” he murmured. “I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful.”
“I felt it,” Liriel whispered, rolling over and putting her arms around him. “This bed is so comfortable.”
“The perks of being king,” Madanach told her, kissing the tip of her nose and making her giggle. “Now, did you want breakfast or did you perhaps want to stay in bed a little longer?”
Now that was a tempting offer. On the other hand, Cicero was loose in the Keep somewhere and Liriel wasn't sure it was wise to leave him alone for long. Not to mention she needed to see how Eola was doing.
“I should probably get up,” Liriel told him, sitting up and reaching for her Shrouded Armour. “We've both got things to do. Did you find anything last night?”
“No,” said Madanach, but he didn't look frustrated, which was odd if things really had been fruitless. “All the reports are in perfect order, all giving the impression all is well and there's no problems anywhere.”
“But?” Liriel asked, sensing there was more to this.
“Exactly, they're too perfect,” said Madanach, eyes narrowed. “No mention of these alleged attacks, no talk of bandits, which given that some sort of incident is occurring, is worrying. I don't pay them to decide what's a threat and what isn't, I pay them to send me all the information and I'll decide. That all this has been occurring within range of their scouts and not a whisper in any of the official reports – I don't like it.”
Liriel didn't like it either when he put it like that. Past time to do a little scouting of her own, it seemed.
“What are you going to do?” Liriel asked quietly.
“I don't know yet,” said Madanach, reaching for his clothes. “But give me time. I'll think of something.” His eyes darkened and his face fell as he contemplated what else lay ahead of him that day. “In the mean time, I should go see if Eola's awake. You should come. She'll be pleased to see you, she's missed you. Yes, she – she'll be pleased.” Madanach got up abruptly, making for the door and Liriel followed after, feeling a little nervous herself. She had no idea what state Eola would be in or what awaited them. Whatever happened, this conversation would be rough on all of them.
It was with some surprise then that Liriel followed Madanach to Eola's room only to find the guards absent. Madanach stopped dead in the corridor.
“What in the name of... where are they? There's meant to be guards on here at all times! Eola, oh gods, Eola!!” He ran to the door, flinging it open... and the bed was neatly made, the room immaculate, Eola nowhere in sight.
“She's not here,” Madanach breathed, going pale. “Sweet gods.” He fled the room, racing down the corridor. “Nepos! NEPOS!!!”
Nepos materialised at the end of the corridor, looking reprovingly at Madanach.
“Yes, Madanach, I'm here. Is it really necessary to shout?”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.11
Date: 2013-07-27 12:31 pm (UTC)Nepos sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. “Come with me, and for the love of Anu, do try to get a grip. We can't have everyone thinking you've completely lost it.”
“I could have you executed, you know,” Madanach grumbled, following in Nepos' wake.
“So you could and you've been saying that for over thirty years and have yet to do it. I'll rest easy a while longer,” said Nepos calmly as he made his way out to the central court area. He stepped out of the way, motioning for Madanach and Liriel to make their way out, and to Liriel's surprise, she could hear Eola, sounding exactly as she used to.
“Hogni, you are an absolute sweetheart, thank you so much!”
“Well, you know, I had some special meat come in and thought it should go to a special princess,” said Hogni, sounding a little embarrassed. “Bloody and rare, just how you like it.”
“You know me too well,” Eola purred, smiling up at him as she took another bite of the steak he'd brought her, sighing in delight as she swallowed the pieces down. “Hogni, you bring me regular deliveries like this, you can be my blood-brother when I'm queen.”
“That's too kind of you,” Hogni said, definitely blushing now, and Madanach was just staring in amazement.
“She's up,” he whispered. “Dressed, in that old studded armour of hers, as if I've not got her a whole wardrobe of things to wear, but still dressed and out of bed, day two of her time and she's fine, look at her!” He looked absolutely transfixed, smile starting to spread across his face as he watched Hogni take his leave and Eola tucking in to her steak. Next to her was Cicero in his motley, eyes not leaving the meat for a second.
“Sister,” he whined, tugging at her arm. “Sister, I'm hungry...”
“Did you want some, Cicero?” Eola sighed, carving off a bit for him. Liriel put a hand to her mouth, not sure she wanted to see this, but on the other hand, at least Cicero had to have guessed that was probably not beef or venison she was eating. He nodded enthusiastically, opening his mouth wide for Eola to feed him, taking the meat off her fork and swallowing it down, looking worryingly cheerful about the whole thing. He wiped his mouth delicately with a napkin and folded his hands on the table, smiling at Eola with genuine affection and happiness in his eyes. Eola stopped chewing and looked back at him.
“What?” she asked, grin on her own face. “Something in my hair?”
“No, no,” Cicero said softly. “Cicero just likes looking at you. Cicero did not think he would ever know another like him.”
Eola put her fork down, smile widening and her whole expression softening.
“Same here,” she said quietly, reaching for his hand. Cicero took hers and lifted it to his lips, and that was when Liriel realised Madanach's face had turned from joyous amazement to incensed rage, lightning crackling at his fingers.
“Madanach, don't you even dare!” Liriel cried, voice ringing out, and as one, Cicero and Eola looked up, faces frozen in identical looks of horror.
“Oh this is not happening,” Eola whispered, looking absolutely mortified. Cicero just meeped before diving under the table, taking cover under solid Dwemer stonework that looked like it could stand up to even Madanach's magic.
“WHAT IN THE NAME OF SITHIS IS GOING ON HERE???” Madanach roared. Cicero howled in terror, cowering under the table. “I DID NOT MAKE YOU BLOOD-BROTHER SO YOU COULD SEDUCE MY LITTLE GIRL!!”
“He did not seduce me!” Eola cried. “I'm quite capable of making my own decisions!”
“You've been bed-ridden all week!” Madanach snapped at her. Eola slammed down her cutlery and got to her feet, moving with all the predatory grace Liriel remembered.
“I'm feeling better,” Eola growled. “Healthy and strong and fed, and if I decide I want a man in my bed, that is my business and no one else's, father!”
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.12
Date: 2013-07-27 12:33 pm (UTC)“I am not a little girl!” Eola announced, drawing herself up to her full height and shaking her hair back. “I'm twenty five years old!”
“You're in a vulnerable and delicate mental state!” Madanach shouted back.
“I'm not delicate!” Eola yelled. “Or fragile, or vulnerable, or anything like that! I'm a Forsworn-trained nightblade, priestess of Sithis, Winterhold-trained mage and as fearless and capable as you are! I can decide for myself who I'm going to love!”
“Love??” Madanach seethed. “Eola, he was having an affair with your sister!” By now the entire court had fallen silent, all gathering around to watch what had to be the single most interesting turn in Madanach and Eola's complicated relationship.
“I know!” Eola shouted. “But Kaie is dead, Da! She's not coming back! Her dance is over! Damned if I'm turning my back on someone I love just because my sister took a shine to him once!”
Cicero had peeped out from under the table, blinking as if he wasn't sure he'd heard that correctly. Eola ignored him, eyes not leaving her father. She had her hands on her hips, clearly in no mood to back down, no mean feat considering most people faced with an angry Madanach usually ran or prostrated themselves in terror.
Madanach looked no less grim, but the anger at least had subsided. He lowered his hands, spells flickering out of existence.
“How long,” he said quietly. “How long has this been going on, Eola?”
Eola did look away then, folding her arms and looking defensive.
“I always liked him. Ever since I first met him at Falkreath, after he killed Astrid. But nothing happened, Da. He didn't even seem interested at first. Then later, a little – but he still mostly avoided me. Before the battle of Windhelm, we finally talked it over but I could see he was still pining over Kaie so told him to go after her. Then she got herself killed and...” Eola took a deep breath before continuing. “Cicero and I mourned together, but nothing happened between us. I knew I'd have to come here by then, didn't think it'd ever go anywhere with him so I just said goodbye and left. Didn't see him again until last night, and that's the first time we've been together, I swear it, Da. He didn't cheat on Kaie, I promise. Not unless cuddling is cheating, and he cuddles everyone.”
Madanach said nothing, but something in his stance had softened just slightly, and Liriel had a feeling that maybe, just maybe, he was going to relent.
“Liriel,” said Madanach thoughtfully. “You said Cicero wasn't always... like he is. That he was more normal once, until he ended up alone for a decade.”
Liriel confirmed this was so. “Why do you ask?”
“So... it's a response to events and not inborn then? It's not hereditary?”
“I don't think so,” said Liriel, beginning to smile as she realised where Madanach was going with this. So did Eola, because she was looking up, astonished.
“Da? What are you saying?”
“It's too soon for either of you to be getting married,” Madanach growled. “Mourn Kaie properly first, both of you. She deserves no less. However, seeing as he's managed to make you smile for the first time in weeks, I suppose I can permit some form of courtship for now. But no getting engaged for at least six months, and no wedding in the next year, understand?”
Eola stared at her father, hardly able to believe her ears.
“You... you mean it?” she gasped. “You don't mind?”
“Of course I mind, the man's a gibbering halfwit,” Madanach growled. “But if he makes you happy, I suppose I'll have to live with it, won't I?”
Next thing Liriel knew, Eola had flung her arms around her father, clinging on to him tightly, head resting on his chest.
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-07-27 12:36 pm (UTC)“I love you too,” Madanach said roughly, kissing her forehead and hugging her back. “Cariad, you should have told me. If I'd known you were unhappy because you missed your lover, I'd have sent for him weeks ago.”
“Didn't think you'd approve,” Eola said. “And you nearly threw lightning at him when you saw us, so I wasn't wrong, was I?”
“No,” Madanach admitted. “But if he makes you happy... he does make you happy, doesn't he?”
“He does,” Eola reassured him, smiling. “Very much.”
“Good,” Madanach growled, giving Eola another kiss on the forehead. “He'd better.” He turned to where Cicero was crawling out from under the table, looking hopeful. “And as for you, Garra-Lann. If you mistreat, abuse, cheat on or treat my daughter with anything less than the greatest of respect, you had better run and hide because not even Liriel will be able to save you from my wrath. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes sir,” Cicero gasped. “Cicero would never permit any harm to come to sweet Eola, sir. Cicero is a good boy! Cicero loves his sweet sister!”
“I'm glad to hear it. Make sure it stays that way.” Madanach turned and made his way over to where Liriel was waiting for him with a proud smile and a hug which turned into a kiss as passionate as any Cicero and Eola had shared.
“Look at him,” Eola sighed, shaking her head. “Has a go at me for having someone then starts copping a feel of the Listener. Fathers are such hypocrites.”
“Cicero wouldn't know, he never had one,” Cicero said, finally emerging from beneath the table and getting to his feet. He glanced shyly up at Eola, peeping at her from under his eyelashes. “Eola meant it? Eola is in love with sweet Cicero?”
Eola hesitated, then nodded.
“Yeah,” she admitted. “You're adorable and sweet and patient and funny and you're a true-born killer like me. You get me. You understand my... needs. I'd given up hope of finding someone who actually understood and didn't find me intimidating. A lot of people do. I can't think why.”
Cicero, having seen her tear into a man's liver with her teeth before now, could think exactly why, but wisely said nothing. Instead he just took Eola into his arms and held her close.
“Cicero loves you too, sweetling,” he murmured. “Cicero was worried. Cicero missed you. Cicero is glad you're happy again.”
“So am I,” Eola said, forehead resting against Cicero's. “I really missed you. Thank you. For everything.”
Cicero just giggled and kissed her again, tasting blood on her lips still and that made him want to kiss her even more. Really, he should have taken her to bed ages ago, but then again, that might have made Madanach reconsider throwing lightning at him and Cicero would rather not be on the receiving end of that.
“Come on,” said Eola softly. “Let's go see Liriel. I need to thank her for turning up when she did. I think you and her between you just saved my life.”
Quite possibly – Eola still looked far too skinny, but at least she wasn't so pale now. Never mind. She was Cicero's now. Cicero would take care of her. Cicero would love her and feed her and tend to her, and if there eventually did turn out to be giggling red-haired grandchildren in the House of Madanach after all, Cicero would tend to them too and teach them to sneak and stab and follow the Tenets and serve the Listener and love the Night Mother. Yes, yes, grandchildren for Mother! Perhaps, perhaps. All things in time. He followed Eola to where sweet Listener Liriel was still cuddling the Reach-King. About the only way today could go any better was if he got the chance to stab someone. Never mind. If he was patient and very good and hung around Madanach long enough, it was just possible he might get the chance.
~~~~~~~~
A/N: Cicero and Eola are very sweet together, aren't they? For a Daedra-worshipping cannibal and a giggling lunatic whose number one hobby is stabbing people, anyway.
Madanach as crazy overprotective father is a lot of fun to write too. He's probably one of the few people out there capable of successfully intimidating Cicero.
Next chapter, Madanach gets the proof he needs but not in the way he'd have liked, and it's time for Eola to finally really show what she's made of.
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-07-27 09:32 pm (UTC)Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-08-03 12:11 pm (UTC)Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-07-29 01:04 pm (UTC)Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-08-03 12:21 pm (UTC)Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-07-30 12:01 pm (UTC)In game, I really didn't like all the Forsworn characters/Markarth in general; but you've managed to take all the characters and make them loveable and give them depth whilst still retaining the more psychopathic qualities that they have...looking forward to the next chapter!
Re: Nightshade and Juniper 22.13
Date: 2013-08-03 12:22 pm (UTC)