50 Shades of Green

Chapter I: A Chance Meeting

One afternoon, after a long day of adventuring in Skyrim, I walked into the Winking Skeever, the best tavern in Solitude (It was the only one). I hung my bag on a chair, took a seat and was greeted by an unfamiliar voice. "Greetings, sir. Is there anything I can get you? A drink, perhaps?" It belonged to another male argonian with pale-green scales, dressed in simple clothing. Returning a friendly smile, I responded, "Uh, coffee ...and a sweet roll, please." "Right away, sir", he responded and walked away. As he did, I took notice of his fine form, average height, and toned figure, which was only helped by his form-fitting pants. I did encounter other Saxhleel, even here in Skyrim to my surprise, but he was definitely a new face.

Minutes later, he returned with a small plate of steaming goods. "Here you are, sir." He placed them on my table but before he could walk away, I interjected. "Excuse me, but I haven't seen you around before. Are you new here?" He leaned in closer. "Yes, sir. In fact, it's my first day here. The name's Aran-Ei. I just moved here from Riften." I nodded. "Well, you're doing a fine job." He smiled at that, then I added, "Oh, and my name's Zaerek".

He bowed slightly, a sign of manners. "Well, Zaerek, let us know if there's anything else you would like." I mumbled softly to myself, "I'd like to have a date with y-uh, er..." I caught myself. "I mean, um... N-nothing else right now, thank you." He blushed slightly, trying to hide a giggle under his breath. He clearly inferred the rest of my sentence. He stood and examined me for a moment, then responded. "Well... I get off work at 9, but I'll still be here." He placed a hand on my shoulder and I quickly perked up, chuckling to myself. "Well, maybe I'll see you then." "Mmm, maybe you will~", he responded slyly, "-but I should really get back to work before boss notices. Well, let me know if you need anything."

I lingered for a while, nursing my warm, soothing drink and nibbling on the sweet roll, which had clearly just come out of the oven, as it was almost too hot to eat. Occasionally, my gaze would meet with Aran-Ei and we'd exchange a knowing grin or a wink, but he was too busy to stop and converse. But as the evening went on, the customers became fewer and a few minutes before 9, he strolled over and pulled up a chair at my table. "I wasn't sure you'd stick around", he said, "You're not exactly the first to ask me on a date." "I'm sorry to hear that. Well, it's their loss." He smiled bashfully.

"So, what brings you to Solitude?" I inquired. He contemplated the question for a moment before replying. "Well... I've lived in Riften most of my life, but, uh... circumstances changed and I left looking for work. I just... sort of ended up here." "Hey, I've lived here for a while. Since you're new in town, maybe I could show you around sometime?" He looked somewhat anxious. "That sounds nice, as long as we stay away from the castle or the palace." I grinned slyly and spoke softly. "Trouble with the law, eh?" He grasped his hands. "Oh, no, nothing like that!" I placed a hand on his, responding "Well, no worries either way. Let's just say I have a less-than-savory past myself, buuut... that's another story." He seemed to relax a bit.

"To tell the truth," he continued in a hush, "I used to be... a thief. But used to doesn't make a difference to the people I stole from. Things got pretty bad around Riften and that's why I left." "But what about the thieves' guild?" I asked. "Heh. I made the mistake of not joining them, turned them down a few times. I don't want to have to answer to anyone but myself. Or share the goods." "Well, I can't blame you for that. But I guess that's why they couldn't - or wouldn't - protect you." He nodded and continued. "But here I am rambling on about myself when I know nothing about you... nothing but your name."

So I told him of my brief time in Skyrim. "I guess it must have been a few weeks ago. I awoke in Helgen as a prisoner bound for execution, and with no memory of my life before. I was just about to feel the executioner's axe when a great, black dragon came out of the sky and attacked. I managed to escape in the ensuing chaos with the help of a fellow prisoner. Ever since, I've been adventuring around Skyrim, doing freelance work and acquiring treasure." He sat transfixed, with chin-on-hand. "Gods, your life sounds like something out of an adventure novel."

I chuckled. "Well, it hasn't come without hard work, but I've been quite fortunate as well. ....Actually, you mentioned the Blue Palace? Long story short, I did some favors for the queen and... I think I'm a thane now." His jaw dropped and I continued. "So if you ever get in trouble here, I might be able to help." He was momentarily speechless. "I... I don't know what to say. We have only just met." "Well, think nothing of it. You seem like a pretty nice guy and I like to take care of my friends." He placed a hand on mine. "Well, I appreciate it, Zaerek."

We heard another voice calling out. "Closing time, last call for spirits!" It was the tavern owner, Corpulus Vinius. "Oh, my!", Aran-Ei exclaimed, "It must be getting late." "Aww," I protested, "but we were having such a nice conversation." He looked around and considered. "Well... How about we continue at the bards' college? It's not far." I nodded. "Sure. Why not?" We got up and Aran-Ei called to Corpulus, "Be back shortly, boss!"

We took a short stroll to the bards' college and sat on a bench in the courtyard. "You must be working pretty late tonight, huh?", I asked. He looked puzzled, so I added, "I mean, you told your boss you'd be back and it's already kind of late..." "Oh. Uh... Well, I guess there's no point in hiding it. I don't have a place of my own yet. Boss is letting me sleep in his tavern for now, in exchange for lower pay." He looked ashamed, and tried to deflect. "Hey, what about you?" "Actually, I live right around the corner." I gestured toward Proudspire manor. "You don't mean... that big stone mansion?" I nodded. He seemed a bit taken aback and shook his head. "There's so much I don't know about you, it seems." "Well, what do you want to know?" I asked innocently.

He gave me a once-over and continued, "Well... you said you're an adventurer, but I haven't noticed any weaponry on you. Are you perhaps a sorcerer?" I nodded and produced a floating ball of flame from my palm, erupting in a "FWOOSH". He twitched. "I didn't mean to startle you." "N-no, it's alright. It is such a strange thing to us." He cautiously brought a hand close to it. "The warmth is nice." Again, I mumbled to myself. "It'd be a lot warmer in-HMMRFF HNG!" I pretended to clear my throat. "Excuse me." He didn't seem to notice that time.

...

He looked away, melancholy. "Can't imagine why someone as interesting as yourself would waste his time with a lowly barman such as myself." I wrapped an arm around his waist. "Hey, maybe I just really like you." "Don't know what there is to like..." "Well, you seem friendly, honest, observant, funny... not to mention you're quite handsome." He blushed. "Well, as much as I've enjoyed this, it must be getting late, and I have work tomorrow..." "Say no more," I interjected, "but before I forget, I forgot to tip you earlier." Reaching into my satchel, I produced a pouch of 40 coins and placed it in his hand. "...Are you sure about this, sir? It feels... kind of heavy." "Of course. You earned it. And please, just call me Zaerek." He bowed deeply. "Well, Zaerek... I hope to see you again soon." I took his free hand and kissed it, causing him to blush, bright red surfacing on his face and neck. "You can bet on it."