Apathetic (Project Nemesis)

{6}

Sundas, 6th day of Sun's Height, 4E 200
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The woman shifted in her sleep, ears twitching anxiously. Her eyes flickered open, frowning as bright blue light and muffled chatters disturbs her rest.

Instantly her hand shot up, grabbing and feeling her face. Sighing in relief from still being covered, she fell back down on the bed. Taking a second to run a quick summary of what had happened.

Oh, she was poisoned.

Grimacing, she peeked under her bandaged palm. Black veins around her fingers and hand pulsed weakly, giving her a headache. The nausea is overwhelming, she rushes to hunch over a nearby basket to throw up. Nothing came out. Just heaving and panting in misery.

She groaned and massaged her head, murmuring a healing spell. Soft golden light enclosed her in a warm glow, but no relief came. Cursing, she rummaged through the wardrobes and drawers in search of her belongings. The ruckus draws attention from outside, several students glancing over in curiosity. A man shushes them and sent them on their way. Another voice chuckled politely. Her head shot to the direction of the voice, rushing back to the bed to feign sleep.

"Thank you so much for everything, we are in your debt, Tolfdir." Brynjolf sighed, followed by soft clinking of glass. The alteration teacher pats his back, shaking his head.

"Anytime, my friend. Your companion is a fine specimen, we'd love to help her recover quickly."

"Any idea what happened to her?" The sound of liquid being poured alerted her, followed by the sweet smell of a healing potion. She licked her lips hungrily, it has been a while since she... feed properly.

"Well, judging from the black veins, it is clear she was poisoned. But with what, we can't tell."

"And why is that?"

"None of us can identify the poison for start. And if you can't understand what you're dealing with, you can't apply the proper care to heal it."

The thief took a deep breath and set the bottle down gently. She can feel his weight on the foot of the bed, sitting in agitation.

"Is there really no one who can help her?" He pleaded, getting increasingly frustrated. Tolfdir hummed for a moment before taking a seat himself.

"We've tried everyone. Even the students. Well, almost everyone. The Bloodshed twins... Ah, but they specialize in necromantic magic, won't be much help like any of us. Unless..."

"Please, try. If they know anything, anything that can help even just a little bit, I will be forever grateful."

There was silence for a moment. Then the chair creaks.

"I will fetch them. Try to feed her something."

Brynjolf murmured a weak thank you. Shifting his attention to the resting woman, he gently shook her shoulders.

"Lass, wake up. Have a healing potion."

She frowned. Against her better judgement, she sat up. Royal blue hair a tangled mess around her. His emerald eyes studied hers with tender, genuine care and affection. She shudders, it is a strange feeling. Being looked after and taken care of.

"I would like to help you heal, but you need to eat up to recover quicker, aye?" He smiled softly, offering the silver glass. She contemplated his offering for a second, making no movement to accept or decline it. He raised an eyebrow, amused.

"If you are uncomfortable to open the mask with me in the room, I can leave for a bit, yeah?"

Taken aback by the considerate suggestion, she bit her lower lip. She has run out of her own healing potions, and making more won't be an option since she ran out of nirnroot yesterday. If she want to heal, there will be no other option than to let these mage twins to take a look at her. And to let necromantic mages look at her... He will know eventually, there's no use in hiding even longer. But how will he react? Will he recoil in disgust? Regretful for helping her? Only one way to find out.

She grabbed his arm as he turned to leave, another hand shakily raises to her chin. He smiled and sat back down, waiting patiently to see the face of his savior. Taking a deep breath, she slowly dragged the golden mask away from her face.

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...

Brynjolf, a busy man, never really cared much for Divines or worships. It's not that he is a non believer, he simply doesn't have the time to fully dedicate himself to a divine. Occasionally, he would murmur a quick prayer to Stendarr for luck in particularly bad jobs. But no more than that. No daily prayers or offerings. Even the Talos shrine on the graveyard is nothing more but a decoration to him.

But right now, he questioned Arkay. Why would a God of death let such creature roam Nirn in total freedom? Is he not merciful, for letting dark magic taints the dead? Will he not let them rest in peace? The undead is no mortal enemy to Brynjolf, but an encounter with one should simply be avoided. But now, one sat in front of him. One he cared for, one he started to develop questionable feelings.

Her eyes flickered open, giving him a better look at those fierce, violet eyes. Her forehead creased, tiny wrinkles of dead skin hanging on by a thread of flesh. Biting on her lower lip in agitation, two pairs of unnaturally white fangs peeked from her upper lip. Those lifeless pale lips scowled, defeated. Scars decorated almost every inch of her face, with a particularly terrible claw marks across both cheeks. Even though she looks absolutely like an undead, there's a certain charm to her. A haunting beauty, one that you can't take your eyes away from.

Perhaps it is the magic of the vampire, their seduction power that makes Brynjolf incapable of looking away. Slowly, he raised a hand. She looked away, clearly ashamed. His fingers steadily rose, inches away from her scar. Holding his breath, he traced the claw marks gently. All the way from her left cheek to another. Keeping her eyes shut tightly, she sighed.

"Well," he chuckled softly. "I suppose I should've guessed that you're no ordinary mortal from the beginning, eh lass? With the portal magic and facing the hunters all by your own. "

Her eyes bursts open, now fully facing him. She seemed... scared.. and relieved at the same time. Searching for any sign of deception, she scanned his face. Only sincerity took place in his eyes and smile. Wiping a single tear from the corner of her eye, he took her by surprise. She scrambled to wipe her face, shamed.

"You know lass, for an undead, you can handle yourself. If I had known earlier, I would've worried myself to death that you'd crumble into a dust under sunlight. " Brynjolf winked. She smiled, a terrifying sight with her unnaturally sharp fangs. He chuckled and offered the glass of healing potion, which was kindly declined. She took a moment to think, and looked at him straight in the eye.

"Raven. My name... It's Raven."

He nodded, satisfied by the answer.

"I suppose there's no need for me to introduce myself, eh? The fame precedes me. " Raising an amused brow, Raven chuckled. Brynjolf smiled, now a bit more comfortable with her presence.

The curtain to the room bursts open, revealing two grinning ginger khajiit mages. Both had a mad look to their eyes, chattering to themselves in an almost uncontained excitement.

"This one is very happy to study you!" The male khajiit jumped, shaking Raven's hand rapidly. His fluffy and thick tail twitching in excitement. Both Brynjolf and Raven shared a confused look, is this the twin necromancer mages?

The other female twin grinned maniacally, radiating the same insane energy as her brother. But less hyper and a bit more mannered, or maybe she can contain herself better.

"Apologies. We are the Bloodshed twins. This one is Aine, and that is Aiden. We specialize in the study of the undead." She shook Raven's hand in turn, studying her poisoned hand. The sick undead stammered, confused on how to proceed.

"You guys uh... Think you can help us?" Brynjolf shot Raven a confused look, seemed to be as lost as she is. Aiden blinked, drawing out a book and pen, and started sketching in silence. Aine smiled knowingly, showing off a row of canine teeth.

"We cannot promise anything, but we will try our best in helping dear guests to recover quickly. Besides, it is not everyday that we get to study a real life vampire lord. "