Skyrim: Dark Firewood

Examine Your Feelings

"...Nice one, Faendall."

The Bosmer kicked up some dirt, beginning to wander down the streets. He ignored any potential wandering eyes, keeping his head down. His chest ached.

"Chasing off your friend."

Even using those words, friend, even then he felt it wasn't quite right. It didn't fit in his mouth. He took a slow deep breath and kept on waking, glancing at the edges of buildings. The scraping of a sword on a grindstone brought a memory back.

Faendall looked up and began searching for the alchemist shop, needing to pay the woman back. He walked a bit fast, flinching away as a Nord started up some shpeal he wasn't interested in playing into. He didn't have energy to care about how disgusting he was to some milk drinker.

The shop was easy enough to find, and Faendall was grateful it was open. He pushed the door open and looked around, easily catching sight of the Redguard woman from before. She gave a nod and started to walk around the counter, a hand on her chest. Faendall stayed put, shutting the door behind him.

"Hello! Is your friend alright?" The woman's voice was peppy, but still laced with concern.

"Yes, he's alright," Faendall started to pull out some gold, counting it. "How much was the potion?"

The woman hummed, eyes drooping a bit. She put a hand on one of the Bosmer's, pushing it down. She shook her head and made a hissing noise when Faendall opened his mouth to protest.

"No."

"No?" Faendall was taken aback, grip on his coin pouch tightening. "But...I just came to you and demanded a potion. I should be expected to pay for both the potion and the inconvenience."

The woman softly smiled. She was well composed and calm, and Faendall was suddenly hyper aware of how dirty and scuffed up he must be. He felt a bit embarrassed.

"You were desperate, honey. I've been there myself." She tilted her head a bit, eyes warm. "You care for that friend of yours a lot. Knowing they're alright is payment enough for me."

Faendall felt a lump in his throat, overcome with gratitude. He sputtered a bit, holding his coins to his chest. He felt his eyes wander, forcing them to meet the woman's.

"I...I can't thank you enough."

The woman giggled a bit, reaching forward. She grasped Faendall's arms and gave a gentle squeeze. It was overall motherly, bringing Faendall back to times long past. He blinked a few times, trying to push out a smile that didn't want to come.

"Don't cry, honey."

"I-I'm sorry," Faendal started wiping his eyes, unsure when they became streams of salt. "I'm just. Overwhelmed."

"I can tell. Come sit."

The woman easily led Faendall to a table near her fireplace, sitting him down. She moved a few things, leaving the Bosmer ample room. The alchemist herself sat in front of him, all but shoving an elbow into a pile of herbs.

"So, where's your friend now?"

"O-oh, he..." Faendall felt sadness yank at his ribcage. Guilt. "...He's cooling off. We had a bit of an argument."

"Oh, I'm sorry." The alchemist started fussing with her hair, relaxed. "Was it about his sickness?"

"No, nothing like that. We just. Well."

Faendall had to think for a moment. He knew what he said caused Kerev to get wound up and fire, but he wasn't too certain why. He himself wasn't calling Kerev anything derogative, not intentionally. Why would he have read it like that?