Dark Brotherhood: Ancient Blood

Chapter 033: The Impossible Treasure- part 2

     Sebastian, the eccentric and strange Breton, had not stopped talking the entire way up to the Hall of Countenance. His questions were endless.

     "So, how did you meet her? Better yet, where? And have you noticed anything strange about her red eye? Is that why you call her Ruby? Cute."

     Sage was beginning to think this might have been a bad idea. He refused to answer any of the rapid questions as he followed Seb who was walking backward to face him. As they entered the dorm room, Sage was relieved to see that there wasn't a proper door that could be closed behind them, just a red tapestry which Sebastian quickly draped across the entry for privacy.

     The small dorm room was filled with stacks upon stacks of books and scrolls, likely 'borrowed' from the Arcanaeum. The walls were covered with maps and strange diagrams. Chunks of what appeared to be Dwarven scrap metal that had been cleaned and polished were organized into specific piles around the floor. There were several large burlap sacks and wooden shipping crates with a Daggerfall address attached and a long list of warnings. In the middle of it all was a single bed with its blankets made making it appear as if it had never been slept in.

     "Okay, shackles!" Seb chirped as he turned to Ruby, his fingers twitching in anticipation.

     "Wait," Sage once again stepped between them, "I need you to answer a few questions before I allow you near her."

     "Eh... fair enough," he sighed and backed off a bit, "What kind of questions? Questions about me? Watch where you poke your nose, chum."

     "I'm more interested in what you know."

     "A lot. I'm a highly educated individual. Self-taught. Don't let my presence here fool you. College is for chumps and their professors are culturally biased. I merely purchased a dorm to have close access to their research materials and privacy while utilizing them. Don't touch my things," Seb cracked his knuckles trying to produce an air of cool but drastically falling short. Ruby sat on the side of the bed and smiled at him regardless. He winked at her.

     "Stop looking at her, please," Sage interjected, "Based on your attire and your 'things', you obviously know a lot about Dwarves?"

     "Dwemer, please. For the love of Xrib, please, say Dwemer. You're a mer, have some respect."

     "...Dwemer. So, you were translating Falmeri too. You know much about them?"

     "Yup, yeah, you were asking that. About the translations. I translate texts of ancient mer."

      Sebastian's rapid way of talking was getting on Sage's nerves. The guy seemed rather socially inept. Based on his scrubby and odd appearance, he probably didn't get along in social settings often.

     "I'd like some help with learning Falmeri. From the basics to however fluent you are," Sage noticed that Seb was still not making eye contact with him, "Perhaps a key for deciphering the scrips myself.  With your clear fascination with Dwemer, do you know much about the Falmer as well?"

     Sebastian's eyes finally moved back to Sage. He had a disgusted look on his face. "Nasty things. Nasty devolved monstrosities begging to be eradicated; clogging up the Dwemer facilities making it impossible to delve in peace," he suddenly smirked, "I have a necklace of petrified Falmer ears, would you like to see?" he asked moving over to a chest in the corner.

     "NO!" Sage blurted out, cutting a glance at Ruby, "No. That's quite alright. Just- can I study the Falmer scripts you've translated so far?"

     "Uhhhhhh.... Yeah, shackles?"