Eyes Opened

NightGate

"So, you asked her out?" Farkas stood there, watching as you horribly pieced together a flower arrangement with a bit of stress on your voice.

"Yes, brother."

Farkas looked a bit uneasy. "But she doesn't wear an amulet of mara.... How did you know she didn't have a fella?" He crossed his arms.

"She also doesn't wear a wedding ring, Farkas." You chuckled softly. Sitting up at your desk you simply shook your head. "I am not good at this."

"You got that right." Aela walked in your opened door, waving to Farkas before focusing on you. "So it's true. Njada told me you've gone soft." Aela chuckled.

"I don't think I've gone soft." You looked between them both for a moment. "If I had, I'd be good at this, right?" Aela took a few of the flowers out, rearranged some of them. You looked to it, smiling softly. "Well it certainly looks better."

"You had to many flowers you big goof. Women don't really care about the size, it's the thought that counts. Who it's from not how many stems."

Farkas looked to her, tilting his head. "How do you-"

"I'm a woman, Icebrain. Just because I don't dress up in fancy clothes and I like to hunt doesn't mean every now and then I wouldn't mind getting flowers." She looked to you, a smile on your lips. "So you're really going after a mountain, huh?" She saw the confusion on your face. "I just mean that you aim a little too high, Vilkas."

"Is there another way to aim?" You shook your head as she chuckled. "I know how hard this may be. She wants courtship. Poems, flowers and candy. She wants a sweeping romance. I'm not sure I can be the man she wants, or deserves."

Farkas coughed, before shaking his head. "Well you're the man I look up to most, so if you're not good enough for her, then who would be?"

"Farkas, that sounded intelligent." Aela laughed.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, brother." You looked at the flowers with a soft smile. "She's just... It's hard to describe. When I'm with her I feel important, calm and focused."

Aela smirked a little. "Then she's good for you. We'll keep her around."

"I second the motion, but that's because she's sweet." Farkas looked to you, giving a confident smile. "I really like her, brother. It's not everyone who learns what we are and not only doesn't care, but is worried for us. She asked me how bad it hurt to change, all I could say was it's okay."

You stood up, looking at the flowers in your hand. "I'm going to go find her now. I know it's early but-"

Aela smirked. "No need, she's at Arcadia's, waiting for you. I just came from there."

"Thank you Aela." Your brother gave you a confident nod before you took your leave of them both. Walking out into the streets of Whiterun, the cloudless day just seemed a little brighter. You had smiled at the oncoming people, something that was a bit of a change for them to see. You were usually so withdrawn, yet she was bringing something out of you. When you got to the cauldron's door, you adjusted the flowers ever so slightly. Clearing your throat you then moved through the door.

"Welcome, I've got-" Arcadia stood up from her position of leaning on the counter, her eyes on you. "Oh..." Her voice was a bit floaty. "You're here a little early, she said you'd be in a little after lunch." You shrugged, holding the flowers loosely. Her eyes moved from the flowers to the stairs, a smile on her face. "She's upstairs, in my bedroom. Why don't you go on up and surprise her?" You nodded before walking through the door to the stairs.

Aracdia watched you from the bottom floor, before she turned her attention to give you privacy. You knocked on the door that was ajar before opening it slowly. "Arcadia, you don't have to knock, it's your bedroom." She was looking at herself in a mirror, fitting in a red dress that hugged every curve you were sneaking peaks at all this time. She was brushing her hair, styling it as you watched, eased in your own skin. She put on makeup. That was unexpected, you wondered if this is what she was like in her previous life. "I'm nervous though, so thank you for letting me up here." Her attention was still on the mirror until you cleared your throat.

"Well you look stunning, there is no reason to be nervous. We've had dinner before."

She looked to you with a crooked smile, her face surprised but soft. "Vilkas... I'm sorry I thought... It's still morning, I didn't think you'd be here yet." Her eyes moved to the flowers in your hand before meeting your own. "You brought me flowers? Vilkas..."

"I was supposed to be here later but, truth be told... I just couldn't wait." You watched her blush, bringing a smile to your lips. "And yes, I brought you flowers. Sorry they aren't the best. I really did tr-"

"No." She walked to you quickly, placing her hand on yours. "They're lovely. I just... never had a guy bring me flowers before." You smiled to her as she took them, looking them over. "They smell wonderful... even still your being here is a better gift." She looked at you in plain clothing, feeling as if she was judging you slightly. "You clean up well too..."

"Thank you." The air hung between you for a few minutes before you closed the small gap between you, sliding your arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer. "I dug up books about Wuuthrad and the enchanter, I figured if you were so angry about the potential he had, I might spark some inspiration in you to continue his work."

She looked to you, a bit of fear in her eyes. "No... no no. I'm not that good. I'm just a novice."

"We all have to start somewhere, I know you can do marvelous things. You're phenomenal. You already have the most important thing, a passion for your work. You inspire me to be better than I am, then I thought I could be. So I have a need to inspire you as well."

"You have." She said curtly, before leaning forward, placing a kiss on your cheek. "Thank you for digging through a messy lost history for me." You nodded before leaning down, whispering into her ear with a soft voice.

"I would do anything for you. You're part of the family now, I don't intend on letting you go." Her body shivered, which made your pride well up just a bit. "I also can't wait for breakfast. I am willing to help, I'm pretty good with butchering and fire." She smiled so sweetly to you that you almost melted. "Before we go... I have to say, you're radiant. Truly. I am really lucky to have your company tonight."

"You're not lucky." Her brow furrowed, a playful look on her face. "You're more than worthy of my time. I'm not doing you a favor." She locked eyes with you, sharing a moment with this woman you were starting to wonder how you lived without her company. It dawned on you just how alone you were, even with Farkas around. "Let's go, you can tell me all about Ysgramor on the way. His son also seems interesting as well. To forge a weapon from ebony that lasted all these years. I've often wanted to learn to smith. Eorlund is giving me the basics but it's hard. It's so hot. I managed to make a dagger blade but haven't affixed it to a hilt."

You nodded. "Work at it. Hey, I can learn with you, if he doesn't mind taking on another pupil." She smiled softly, walking with you.

"I'd like that, might make me feel more comfortable." You started down the stairs, glancing back at her.

"I know how you feel. I'm calm around you too."