Madness Is Merry ~Cicero x Reader~

Cicero Again!

I walked down the stairs into the large room, hearing a commotion. I sighed, not really wanting loud noises but to rest. Well, I wanted to rest until my eyes fell on a certain person.

The man I saw on the side of the road with his mother. He was here! Was he a part of the family? I walked up behind Astrid, unnoticed by everyone, well almost everyone. The Imperial man noticed me, his smile got even bigger. "Ah! You are the kind stranger that helped Cicero! Yes! You are! You are! What is the kind stranger's name!?" Cicero said excitedly, his words almost cramming together. His outburst made everyone follow his gaze to me, my face turning blood red. Yes, I still have a crush on him, but I don't particularly like having attention on me...

"W-Well, I'm (Y)-(Y/n)..." I stuttered out, I was never good with people I liked.... Talos damn it. "(Y/n)....," Cicero said, testing the name "It's pretty! It fits you well, kind (Y/n)!" I blushed darker at his words. I heard snickering and chuckles coming from people around us. "Thanks..." I mumbled and looked away, but when I looked back at him he was right in my face, the sudden sight of him directly infront of me caused me to jump back. Holy dragon shit! He's sneaky!

I heard quiet laughter coming from everyone. I smiled awkwardly and before I could say anything to him someone spun me around. Astrid. "I have a big contract for you. In Markarth." She said and I sighed, wanting to talk to Cicero more. She filled me in on some details and sent me off.

-TIME SKIP AFTER THE CONTRACT, BACK AT THE SANCTUARY-

I smiled as I entered the sanctuary, I had done the contract easily and had gotten a bonus from the lady. It was a good day. That's when Astrid grabbed me before I went down into the place where everyone else was.

"(Y/n)! You must do something for me!" She said frantically, causing me to arch a brow. "It's about Cicero, he's plotting against us! He's talking with someone else about it, you have to find out their plan!" She continued. I sighed and nodded, "Alright. Fine. But how? It's not like I could hide in the shadows. I have no doubt that he'd find me quickly."

Astrid thought, then went 'ah-ha!' "I have it! Hide in the Night Mother's coffin!" She said and my jaw dtopped. "What!? That's disrespectful!!!!!!!!!" I yelled and she clasped her hand over my mouth.

Good day to bad real quick.

"I know, but you HAVE to. It's for the safety of the family." She countered and I sighed. I nodded then removed her hand from my mouth. "Then go on, tell me everything after." She said and I nodded again and left the room.

I went all the way into were the Night Mother's coffin was held and approached it. I tried to open it but saw it was locked. "Of course." I mumbled and lock picked it. It opened and I flinched at the sight of her, ew. I got in and shut it, the Night Mother's face mere inches from mine. I shivered. Ewwwwwww.

(Is this a Night Mother x Reader now!?!? Lol nah, I'm good. xD)

Just seconds later I heard humming. It had to be Cicero. "Are we alone? Yes... alone..." I heard Cicero say. Who's he talking to? "Some of the family are coming around! Yes! ...what about you? What have you done? ...NOTHING!!!! I do the talking and stalking!!!! ... oh, I'm so sorry... Sweet Night Mother..." the Imperial continued on.... wait...

He's been talking to The Night Mother? Obviously. "Poor Cicero, he has been such a good servant. Sadly, he will never hear my voice." A feminine voice whispered in my mind. Wh-What!? The Night Mother!? SHE. JUST. SPOKE. TO MEEEEEEE!!!! "Cicero has failed you!!! He could not find The Listener!!!!" Cicero cried out. That even made me sad. "He doesn't know that he has brought The Listener to me... tell Cicero, 'darkness rises when silence dies.'" Just then the door was flung open and I quickly turned around and jumped out.

"What treachery is this!? Defiler!!! DEFILER!!!!! TRAITOR," my eyes widened and I opened my mouth to speak, but was cut off by Cicero. "...Speak, worm." Apparently I needed permission. "Sh-She spoke to me! The Night Mother!" I yelled out, the red haired man's anger starting to scare me. "Lies! The Night Mother only speaks to The Listener!" He advanced towards me and reached for a dagger attached to his pants, "And... there... is... NO... LISTENER!!!!!" I took a step back, but then I remembered that The Night Mother told me to say some words...

"Wait!!!! She said for me to tell you 'Darkness rises when silence dies.'"

Cicero stopped in his tracks and released his grip on his ebony dagger. His scowl was replaced with a look of shock, dropped jaw included. "She... said that? She said those words? .... HAHAHA! The Lady is back!!! She has returned! HAHAHAHA! And YOU!!!! YOU ARE THE LISTENER!!!!!" Cicero jumped up and danced, "You are The Listener! You are The Listener! All hail The Listener!" I giggled softly at his little dance.

The doors slung open to reveal a angry and worried Astrid, "Are you okay!? When I heard Cicero yelling I feared you had gotten caught." I nodded, "I'm fine." "ASTRIIIIID!!!! SHE IS THE LISTENER!!!!!" Cicero interjected, still dancing. "Are you serious? The Night Mother spoke? To you?" Astrid asked, looking doubtful. "Yes." I answered. She arched a brow, "What did she say?"

"She said to speak to someone named Amound Motierre, in Volunruud." I replied. "Amound Motierre? I don't know anyone by that name... but Volunruud... I know where that is." She said and I smiled, "Then should I go there?" "YES!!!!" Cicero yelled and pulled me into his dance. I squeaked but laughed, dancing with him. Oblivion, it is time to celebrate! "No... No! I-I have to think about this, for now go get some contracts from Nazir." With that, Astrid left The Night Mother's chambers.

I stopped dancing and huffed, looking at the ground, but then I looked up. I hope Astrid comes around to letting me go... it could be worthwhile. "Don't be sad! Astrid will let you go! She has to! Has to! For The Night Mother has spoken!" Cicero yelled out in excitement.

"I'm sure she will. But now, I got some work to do. See ya' soon, Cicero." I smiled and turned around to walk out, but felt arms wrap around me in a very tight hug. Ouch. "Goodbye, Listener! Hehehehe!" Cicero giggled, gave me a squeeze then let go. I looked to the ground so my hair would cover my blush, then walked out.

Oh dear Sithis, I have a feeling today marks a time of greatness.