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Siara N'Gola: Siara's Song
Topic Started: Jun 27 2016, 09:43 PM (4,205 Views)
Andra Hawksdaughter
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Jarl
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That was so wonderful Sere!!! Siara is a good soul, but oh dear goddess, what's she going to do with a small Nord girl child? LOL Teach her to make better coffee...
I'd like to wring the mother's neck....
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Heh. Now here is a case where I just had no clue until it was a done deal. Sure, I'm writing this. More or less. But I wrote it.... and then I realized....

Amazing.

Give Jonakka credit - she didn't simply abandon Denira. And - well, Arnem wouldn't have bothered a child of 6 (which she is) - but yeah.... later....
Edited by Serethil, Jul 25 2016, 09:01 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Serethil
Jul 25 2016, 08:59 PM
Heh. Now here is a case where I just had no clue until it was a done deal. Sure, I'm writing this. More or less. But I wrote it.... and then I realized....

Amazing.

Give Jonakka credit - she didn't simply abandon Denira. And - well, Arnem wouldn't have bothered a child of 6 (which she is) - but yeah.... later....
Yep, amazing it is, she has a follower AND now has taken on a child.... :D
Edited by Andra Hawksdaughter, Jul 25 2016, 09:08 PM.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Andra Hawksdaughter
Jul 25 2016, 09:08 PM
Serethil
Jul 25 2016, 08:59 PM
Heh. Now here is a case where I just had no clue until it was a done deal. Sure, I'm writing this. More or less. But I wrote it.... and then I realized....

Amazing.

Give Jonakka credit - she didn't simply abandon Denira. And - well, Arnem wouldn't have bothered a child of 6 (which she is) - but yeah.... later....
Yep, amazing it is, she has a follower AND now has taken on a child.... :D
Um. You have NO idea. Yet.

[This is turning into something so totally different for me, I'm not even sure how I'll write it.... Truth.]
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Areial
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Ahh very well written...and good for her seeing issues that wouldn't crop up for years and be willing to so something about them.
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Kane
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Bruma is a nice city. I've only been to Chorrol, Cheydinhal, and Bruma...but I like it the most so far.
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Kane
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And congrats on being our first Thane, Sere! :grats:
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Serethil
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Um. I should have warned y'all - I'm a mouthy broad! Heh. I didn't even notice earlier - was in a hurry as we had appts for tooth cleaning in town....
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Kane
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Heh, I'm actually way chattier at a different board I peruse. I joined it and Bethsoft around the same time (in 2015). I have just over 1k posts at Beth, and over 7,100 at the other place.
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Areial
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I spread my chattiness around... Here and several other forums.
Trucker's forum ( cause Hubby) but I was much more active before we moved here. I offered advice in topic's like "Cooking healthy IN the truck" and "Living well on the Road", mostly for new truckers, but I offered up some recipes as well.
Skyrim Romance's Website ( I'll probably be putting my next story/ RP of that mod their...as Bishop is very...pushy sexually and my Dragonborn will be more than a match for him...IE sex scenes I don't want to have to censor )
my High School's Website... where I chat with friends I went to school with.
and a few others I don't frequent as often.
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Grits
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Oh my goodness, Siara has taken in a six-year-old! Gosh, what a difference she is going to make for Denira. I'm glad they had the coffee hot, even if it wasn't very good coffee. Wow, Bruma has brought big changes and they're not even through the gate!
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Serethil
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Siara N'Gola 31:

Morning brought early snow. Why did people live in places like Skyrim, or even on the knees of the southern ends of the Jerrals? As we ate bread and honey with more hot but not good coffee, I explained what I needed to find - and why.

Arnem’s eyes got round, and Denira looked frightened for all she really didn’t understand most likely. It was obvious though that they both knew just how bad daedra could be. And how even worse trying to defeat one would be. Arnem just shook his head at my questions.

But it was Denira who offered some assistance. Yes, Arnem lived and worked here - but this tiny six-year-old girl was a local... a Nord of Bruma. “Lady, see ya, yon temple. T’is a place of Talos, n’ that ol’ priest, he’m be sure ta know some o’ what ya need. Now.... temple’s closed, n’ priest -he’m cain’t preach n’more; but I know where he is, n’ I c’n take ya thur. He’m talk to ya, with me beside. N’ after he’m, if’n ya need more, that thur house o’ mages belike - they pro’bly know tha rest. It be shut too - but I gots a way inside. Ya know ‘bout the mage guilds bein’ closed down, aya?”

“Thank you, Denira. Those are helpful ideas. Yes, I know about the situation with the mages' guilds. I will start with the priest of Talos.”

Andur shook his head, then he and Arnem went out to feed and groom horses. I helped Denira get her sticky fingers clean, and then looked for clean clothes for her. Most of the clothing in the house was definitely not clean. “Denira, is there a launderer in Bruma?”

She gaped at me. “Uh.... wut?”

“Someone who washes clothing for his or her living. All the clothing here needs to be cleaned....”

“I don’ think so.... I c’ld wash it I guess....”

Gods. “Well, before we go talk to the priest, let’s clean things up a bit, shall we?” I began by using the harsh soap on the big bowl used for washing pots, pans, dishes, and people no doubt. Then I shaved some bits off so they’d melt, put the bowl over the flames and filled it with water. Denira stood watching, puzzled.

“See, child - the water has to be hot to melt the soap bits, because the soap and water together are what makes the clothes clean. Once we’ve made the clothes clean, then you’ll need to be clean too - so that takes more hot water and soap.”

She stared and began to sidle toward the door. “Oh no - you’re not going out until you’re cleaner. Including your hair. I don’t go talk to priests with dirty urchins alongside. Seems as if someone’s overlooked a lot of things here....”

In fact, we didn’t go talk to the priest that day at all. Once not only the clothes were clean, but one small girl as well, I left her beside the fire to untangle her hair, and went into the city to find some clothing for her. She was wearing rags cut down from adult gear looked like. I found one shop, Clothes by Sorka, which had a few items of clothing, not really sized for children, but new - and clean. I bought a dress and a tunic and trews.

Then I bought some food in the Gateside, an inn and swill house - but also the best prices for food, according to Sorka at the clothing shop. When I got back to Arnem’s house, Denira was asleep, curled naked under the furs on the bed. Her hair was so long I was startled - it reached half her length! I got dinner going, made fresh coffee, and set about cutting down and hemming the dress. I’d have to have her put the tunic and trews on so I could see how to shorten them but the dress was easy enough.

The men came in and made enough noise over the smell of GOOD coffee that Denira woke. I’d just finished the hem, and stood in front of her to shield her nakedness while she put it one. She gulped as I tied the laces in back, and then said, “I niver had a new dress ‘r anythin’.... Thank ya, Lady....”

“I got you a tunic and trews as well, but they’ll need a bit more work than a simple hem, waist tucking, and sleeve shortening. We’ll look at them tomorrow. Now, come and eat!”

She did - she put away a huge meal; apparently having a clean body, hair, and new clothing was enough effort to affect the appetite. I think Andur considered I’d wasted a day, but I didn’t feel that way about it. For one thing, the daedric prince wasn’t going anywhere. For another, neither was the temple priest. I’d chatted with both Sorka and the innkeep at the Gateside - there were no obvious Thalmor agents around, so if Denira made good on her ability to get to the priest and the mages, I should be able to get some information.

If I dreamed that night, I didn’t remember them. All to the good. Though I still hadn’t decided how to approach Denira about returning with me to first, Skyrim, and then later perhaps, Hammerfell....
Edited by Serethil, Jul 27 2016, 08:15 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Love this Sere! The attention to details, both large and small, of living in Tamriel. :thumb: I think she may not have to worry overmuch about the little girl coming with her, she's going to get attached quickly, I think. :D

:tes:
Edited by Andra Hawksdaughter, Jul 26 2016, 08:57 PM.
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Grits
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I just adore all of the domestic details and the Bruma setting. Denira seems like she has a pretty realistic view of her ma's situation, but even so leaving where she was left will mean something to her. Siara's kind and firm care for her is lovely to see.
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Serethil
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Well, there's really a problem.... because of course, the Bruma I'm using is the one from Oblivion.... So I'm going to have to edit some names etc. And really, I'm going to have to tweak the business about the temple and Talos as well, probably....

So yeah, Bruma can be laid out the way it was 200 years ago.... but obviously the people and names and shops etc. would be different. Too bad I can't get a look at Beyond Skyrim's Bruma....
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Areial
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A Beautifully written domestic scene... Children adapt so well, it might just be an adventure to go to a new land.
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Serethil
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Okay, for today, I edited 30 and 31 so Bruma is "here and now" instead of "back when". Hope that doesn't confuzzle anyone!
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Serethil
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Siara 32:

After breakfast and GOOD coffee again, Denira and I walked into Bruma. She led me to the Gateside, and once in the door, she nodded to the innkeep, and then headed left and down some stairs. And left again, and down more stairs. And then right, and down more stairs. I started to ask what we were doing, but she held a finger to her lips. All right - no making noise then....

At the bottom of the third staircase there was a small room with three archways, one in each of the other walls. Denira went through the arch to the right, and followed the winding tunnel beyond it. A few minutes later, we reversed the process, climbing stairs back to a room with a trapdoor overhead. She picked up a broom leaning against the wall, held it by the business end, and rapped on the trapdoor with the butt of the handle in some sort of pattern.

Shortly, the trapdoor opened upward and a rope ladder tumbled down. Denira kilted her dress up around her waist to climb - I really needed to get the tunic and trews cut down I could see! Once she was up, I followed.

The room we entered was small, reasonably well-kept, and furnished with a bed, a small wardrobe, a rickety table and one chair, a wash-basin and a small fireplace. A tiny man sat in the chair as we climbed into the room. His hair was white, his eyes a rheumy faded blue, his skin a mass of age-wrinkles. I was pretty sure I’d never seen anyone older. He was dressed in simple tunic and trews, clean but old though not threadbare. He probably didn’t dare wear a robe....

“Denira, child. Who have you brought with you? And - is that a new dress? You - ah - should pull it down over your nether parts now, dear.” She complied a bit grumpily.

“This’s Siara, sera Ontorgin. She’s come from Skyrim with Arnem’s brother.” Now wasn’t that interesting - her formerly urchin accent was all but gone as she spoke to the priest. “She’s got a problem she needs your help with.”

He turned sharp old eyes to me. “Well, then, let’s hear it.”

After I finished the tale, he grimaced. “Floods in Hammerfell. Who’s ever heard the like? Well, I can tell you one thing - and that’s the likeliest Prince involved is definitely Mehrunes Dagon. I feel he’s not alone here though - that’s a fairly large manipulation for one Prince.” He closed his eyes a moment, then went on “I don’t know who else might be inclined to get involved with him though....”

“Thank you. That gets me somewhat further on. Would you know of books anywhere describing the spheres of influence of the Princes?”

A grim smile crossed his face and was quickly gone. “Now, if I admitted to knowing that, and it got out, I’d lose my head. So no, I don’t know of any. But Denira could take you to talk to a former mage or so....”

Ah. So that was the way of it. Misdirection, and no one would ever think to ask a child of six something like that. I nodded, and turned to Denira. “Will this be a good time to do that, or should we return to the house?”

“We prob’ly should get back home, and go again tomorrow. Won’t do for some to realize we’ve been gone a while.”

“So, the innkeeper is safe?”

Ontorgin answered. “Aye. He’s my son. Gunaj pretends to be thick, but that’s just a cover. We have to do what’s needed to keep people safe, see you.”

I nodded. I did see. The whole thing was an elaborate dodge around the viciousness of the Thalmor. Bad cess to them all....

We went back a different way at the arch room. I thought that was probably a good idea. We still wound up under the Gateside, and I nodded thanks to Gunnaj, then bought food, to cover why we were there. Besides, with me cooking, the men were eating a lot more!

Back at the house, I sat Denira down, and asked “So what was with all that urchin-speak? You talk like an upper-class housemaid, if not better.”

“I.... put it on so most folk think I’m too stupid to ask anything. If they don’t ask, I don’t have to lie - or tell the truth and someone gets hurt....”

“The business about your mother - is that the truth or something you tell the nosy?”

“Oh, it’s true enough. She’s gone off to Skyrim to the Dark Brotherhood. She sent a bit of money to begin with - maybe a year back now. Somehow I need to get there to see if I can find her - I’d like to know if she’s dead or still alive and just glad to be shut of me.” Denira shrugged, as if it wasn’t something she expected to happen.

“Well. I was trying to think of a way to convince you to return to Skyrim with us. This isn’t.... a good situation for a girl alone. In a few years, it will be even worse.”

Her eyes went round in surprise. “You’d take me with you? Really? I... well, at least that would get me where I knew Ma was going....”

“If I get my daedric problem figured out, I’ll help you find her - so you will know what you need to do with your life. I guess you’re not wanting to follow her trade?”

She shuddered. “No! I don’t know what I might like to do someday. But not.... killing folks for money. She kept on about it being an ‘honorable’ trade. I don’t know how she could think that, or do what she does.” She shook her head.

“So, I suppose you’re likely a bit older than I thought you.”

“I have eight years. I’m so small, most think I’m several years less than that. And since I haven’t started womaning yet, I get away with it.”

Aye. She was so petite, she’d never look as old as she was. Well, at least I wasn’t going to have to haul her with me bodily.

“Well, then. Let’s see about the tunic and trews - they’ll be more appropriate for traveling the underparts of the city, and riding when needed.” An hour or so later, she swapped the dress for the other outfit, and seemed pleased with it. While she brushed down the dress and made up the beds, I started dinner and coffee.

“Maybe - you could teach me how to make better coffee?”

“I’d be very happy to. Good coffee is a must.... bad coffee’s good for nothing!” We finished the day in charity, and I could only hope that the “hidden mages” would have further information for me on the morrow.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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very nice!! Not many people pay attention to children, who see and hear everything...they don't look up either.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Areial
Jul 28 2016, 08:29 PM
very nice!! Not many people pay attention to children, who see and hear everything...they don't look up either.
Amen to that!

That was great Sere! Crafty and smart, Denira is, and I think Siara will help her be more so!
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