(inbox.)

[abhorrently]

text | action | delivery | etc.

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[blindwatchersees]

“Oh? Yes, that was Relmyna Verenim. She’s been coming here to stay from time to time. She’s the only one the Gatekeeper doesn’t attack.”

[abhorrently]

"Why not her? She a friend?"

Relmyna. She already needs to know more.

[blindwatchersees]

“I think she has some sort of connection to the Gatekeeper. Nanette Don would know more about that. Relmyna’s kind of a mentor to her, I think… goodness, I’m tired. There’s a spare room open right now, if you need one.”

[abhorrently]

"No, but if you could tell me where I could get a bite to eat, and where to find Nanette, it'd be much appreciated."

Her tone is warm, congenial. Utter friendliness.

[blindwatchersees]

“Well, I sell food and drink here. And Nanette… you can usually find her around Passwall, trying to find a quiet spot from all the noises that follow her around. I think she’s the only Breton in town.”

[abhorrently]

"Much obliged. I'll take a bowl of whatever's warm."

And in the meanwhile, try to sort out wherever Passwall is. Though the arrows still concern her, and this may be a mystery that has to wait, or that she'll discover the truth of later.

[blindwatchersees]

"I'll bring you some soup."

As Fever sits waiting, she might notice a bust of a bearded man against the opposite wall. There's a sort of makeshift shrine around him, with what seem to be various odd offerings, such as balls of yarn and heads of cabbage. Sitting directly in front of the bust is a bunch of fresh wildflowers.

Relmyna's sobs are audible from upstairs. The womer is positively wailing.

[abhorrently]

She squints at the bust, trying to see if there's any plaque or the like to declare the man's name, though she has a strong suspicion on who it might be.

That said, Relmyna's crying has her frowning, turning her head up to listen, her eyes flicking between the ceiling and the innkeeper. Was it just normal here?

[blindwatchersees]

Indeed, the bust does have a striking resemblance to Sheogorath, though there are some distinct differences. Namely, the lack of pointed ears, and a less-pronounced brow ridge. To be quite honest, if this is a depiction of Sheogorath, it's a very human one.

The publican brings her a bowl of hot soup. Unfamiliar meats and vegetables float in the broth, and the whole thing smells faintly of mushrooms. She sighs.

"I don't think she'll be up in her room for too long. She'll probably go for a walk soon."

[abhorrently]

Taking the soup with quiet thanks, she keeps her tone even. Concerned, maybe, for a stranger's wellbeing.

"That'll be good for her...fresh air always helps with sorrow, I've found."

She's making this up entirely. She can't recall a single time she's ever cried. But the person before her is nice, and doesn't yet deserve a glimpse into the monster before her. Instead, she'll eat her soup and muse about the differences in the bust, and reason that a god who is a concept can look however suits to get his message across.

[blindwatchersees]

Sure enough, when she's about done with her soup, Relmyna comes back down the stairs, still sobbing, without a word to either the publican or the other guest of the inn. Perhaps it's a trick of the light, but the bust almost seems to wince for just a moment.

[abhorrently]

Oh dear. Well, let it not be said that she didn't stick her nose where it didn't belong. Quickly gulping down the rest of her soup, she slides out of her seat to follow Relmyna, waiting until they've gone outside before she speaks up.

"Miss - are you all right?"

Obviously not, but one has to start a conversation somewhere.

[blindwatchersees]

The drow(?) looks at her with sudden and intense vitriol.

"You! What nerve you must have, to follow a womer in what is clearly a very private moment. I suppose you're an adventurer? Some hopeful, who's going to try to get past my child? Hmph. My dear lord has no need for you or your uninspired blood."

[abhorrently]

"I don't know anything about that. Not about your child nor your lord. But I saw you weeping earlier, and I see you weep now, and you are still alone - all I wish to offer is a listening ear, if it would help."

Some of this is lies. But enough of it is truth to make it sincere as a whole, and she keeps her face from being too schooled. Maybe she really will just seem as a helpful soul.

cw: dismemberment mention

[blindwatchersees]

"I know where to find an ear that's worth hearing me out. You... go back to your dismal life, and leave my lord and his land and his people be. If you don't, I'm certain I'll have some use for your dismembered parts when my child pulls off your limbs."

[abhorrently]

"Again, miss, I know of neither. My desire to listen is sincere - but if you would be left in peace, then my apologies, and I'll let you go."

[blindwatchersees]

"Hmph. Then see to it that you do let me go. Or I might find a reason to rip out that tongue of yours." She turns on her heel and keeps walking, fancy skirts just barely skimming above the swampy ground. She heads up the steps of the hill, towards the Gatekeeper's arena.

[abhorrently]

Standing there, Fever pretends to have been warded off, but really, she's waiting. Once the other woman is further down the road, she starts to follow her. Relaxed, easy - being too tense would ruin stealth. She has to sink back into the idea of being ignored, to let everyone else breathe.

But she's tailing her, watching her and following and getting nearer to the arena. Perhaps this will illumimate that strange connection spoken of.

[blindwatchersees]

Relmyna ventures into the arena, approaching the hulking shape of the Gatekeeper. It doesn't make any aggressive moves, instead watching her (well, as well as something with its eyes sewn shut can watch anything) with an air of confusion.

"My dear child," she says with an air of tenderness utterly unlike the tone she used with Fever just minutes before. "How are you this evening? I see you've been playing rough with the other boys. Why, just look at all these bones!"

The Gatekeeper lets out a low groan. The Dunmer woman must be able to derive some meaning from the sound, because she responds.

"My dearest, you warm my cold heart. I only wish... I only wish you could be a balm for the pain I still feel over Him forsaking me." She begins to weep.

"You are a reflection of His strength. I made you for His glory. So why... why does He refuse me? Has He forgotten?"

The flesh behemoth gently reaches out a hand to her, as if to comfort her, but she moves away.

"Stay away, child! Do you not remember how my tears burned you the last time?"

The Gatekeeper lets out another groan, carrying faintly discernable notes of confusion and concern.

"I'm sorry, child. It's just too much for me. I... I think I should go. I know. It's cruel for me to come to see you only so briefly. But I cannot risk hurting you. It pains me enough already, thinking of Him, seeing His resemblance in your strength. I could not bear the guilt if I harmed you again."

[abhorrently]

Strange. So strange, from where she's hidden herself to observe them. That explains the bond, though - mother and creator. The Gatekeeper probably couldn't harm her. But, no one knows - she's not claiming him openly. Probably because it would mean claiming some kind of failure.

Her tears, though. That could be useful.

She clings to the shadows still, not wanting to risk their dual wrath, not flinching a muscle until Relmyna departs.

[blindwatchersees]

The Dunmer doesn't notice her as she walks back down the steps, dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief.

[abhorrently]

With Relmyna gone, Fever can peek out of the place where she's been. First, she looks over at where the Gatekeeper is, to gauge his reaction to his mother creator's departure. And then, she'll scurry away back - those bone arrows aren't going to use themselves, after all, and she still needs to bypass the gates to get where she needs to go.

Beyond that? She has faith the path will show itself to her. The pull in her heart tells her to keep going, to keep seeking. Somewhere in these lands, he's waiting.

[blindwatchersees]

The Gatekeeper has gone back to pacing back and forth in the arena, footfalls heavy, collar and belt clanking. With the distraction of Relmyna gone, it seems to fixate on its duty.

Looking down from atop the hill, the town of Passwall looks quaint and cozy in the evening light. The myriad stars in the heavens sparkle in the low-lying pools that surround the structures. As Fever walks down the steps, a butterfly flits by, settling at the edge of one of the pools to drink from the corpse of a beached fish.

[abhorrently]

She pauses, head turning to watch the butterfly. Maybe she's projecting, but it feels like a sign she's on the right path. Not every random butterfly will be linked to the one she ate. Even so, she can hope a little, seeing something so linked to him, though she won't say it aloud.

On impulse, she crouches down to peer into the same pool, admiring the glimmer of the stars inside, daring to reach out and touch if only to see how the water ripples. Look, she's been stuck on the ship for months. Small things do amuse.

Straightening back up, she gazes upwards at the stars properly. Jayred would be waiting, she knows, but...one second longer.

[blindwatchersees]

The stars here are utterly unfamiliar, but breathtakingly beautiful.

Did Jayred ever express which house is his? She recognizes that the house she's nearest is his, though it's difficult to say how she knows.

(Of course, she's not consciously aware of the overlay that says "Door to Jayred Ice-Veins' house")