Full Version: A New Sun Rises - Maxical's Adventures
Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
The banter between Gils and Maxical was brilliant. Like a pair of 12 year olds hahaha.
Smooth dialogue...you don't know how difficult it is to write it until you've tried, and failed, 1000 times.
See how natural MaLX's dialogue is? And yet if you or I were to try to do that, we would have to do at least five to fifty rewrites....
See how natural MaLX's dialogue is? And yet if you or I were to try to do that, we would have to do at least five to fifty rewrites....
I am loving this! I am also loving what you have done with the BHC and Hannibal, awesome chapter! More, please? Please!? 
@ Destri - Yeah!!!!! - You are back and posting more chapters!!! AWESOME !!!! Thank you so much!!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!! I think the actions of Alix and S'Jirra will pan out to show that Maxical is def a product of her upbringing by them, lol. Definate similarities at any rate, lol.
Simplicia's effect on men - I can't remember now who it was my dad used to get foggy eyed over, but don't we all have someone we had a childhood crush on, and later when talking with friends and find out they did too - it happened to me not long ago at a female friends house, we ended up singing his songs and laughing about our crushes. I will never admit to anyone who it was!!!! NEVA!!!! Lol.
***
@ Treydog - Those were some of my favorites too, although I did like Hannibal and Fathis squabbling like only lifelong friends can - and it not effect their relationship one jot - that is something I tried to incorporate in this version a lot more than I did in the original. Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Remko - Thank you so much Remko!!! Gils and Maxical combined with Owyn - it is like matches, paper, and gasoline - but I just can't figure out which is which, lol. Either way, it is an explosive combination, they egg each other on.
***
@ Foxy - Thank you very much Foxy !!!!!! I found the first place Damien enters the story, I will send it to you. Dialogue that is real - is that because I have all those [censored] places? Lol - just kidding, thank you so much Foxy.
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick!! I really like Hannibal a lot in this version of the story too, I think I portrayed him a lot better this time - and I do like using the real guys from the Courier for the story - but that doesn't mean Treydog the Reporter can't come back for a scoop !!! Lol.
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!! I think the actions of Alix and S'Jirra will pan out to show that Maxical is def a product of her upbringing by them, lol. Definate similarities at any rate, lol.
Simplicia's effect on men - I can't remember now who it was my dad used to get foggy eyed over, but don't we all have someone we had a childhood crush on, and later when talking with friends and find out they did too - it happened to me not long ago at a female friends house, we ended up singing his songs and laughing about our crushes. I will never admit to anyone who it was!!!! NEVA!!!! Lol.
***
@ Treydog - Those were some of my favorites too, although I did like Hannibal and Fathis squabbling like only lifelong friends can - and it not effect their relationship one jot - that is something I tried to incorporate in this version a lot more than I did in the original. Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Remko - Thank you so much Remko!!! Gils and Maxical combined with Owyn - it is like matches, paper, and gasoline - but I just can't figure out which is which, lol. Either way, it is an explosive combination, they egg each other on.
***
@ Foxy - Thank you very much Foxy !!!!!! I found the first place Damien enters the story, I will send it to you. Dialogue that is real - is that because I have all those [censored] places? Lol - just kidding, thank you so much Foxy.
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick!! I really like Hannibal a lot in this version of the story too, I think I portrayed him a lot better this time - and I do like using the real guys from the Courier for the story - but that doesn't mean Treydog the Reporter can't come back for a scoop !!! Lol.
*
Chapter 43: Confessions Of A Grand Champion
Last night in a surprise visit to the offices of the Courier in which he gave an impromptu interview, the Gray Prince explained his actions in pressing charges against Blue Team Warrior Maxical, the albino Khajiit his name has been linked with in recent months. He asked that he speak on the record.
The Grand Champion began the interview by informing our staff that he is actually an Orc mix.
The Gray Prince: “I’m only half Orc you know. I’m really royalty, my father was a real Lord. I am actually a Prince.”
Staff: “Really? Who is your father?”
The Gray Prince: “Oh I don’t know who my father is. But I know he‘s a Lord, that‘s why I‘m called the Gray Prince.”
Staff: “Isn’t the Gray Prince just your Arena persona?”
The Gray Prince: “No! I chose that name because I am really royalty and wanted everyone to know it. Maxical is going to get me proof of it, but Owyn won‘t let her do it till Andronicus returns.”
Staff: “Due to your recent arrest of all three of these individuals, do you think they will still be willing to help you find your roots?”
The Gray Prince: “Maxical has to do it, she said she would. When I get proof I’m the son of a real Lord, the Palace will name the Arena after me, and probably a road too. You are invited to the naming ceremony.“
Staff: “You have a lot of fans already as the Grand Champion, do you think a title will make that much difference?”
The Gray Prince: “Of course it will! Everyone will have to kiss my [censored] [censored] then, fan or not!”
Rampant speculation about whether Maxical’s arrest was made in revenge, (as it occurred the day following the Khajiit’s blatant rejection of his marriage proposal), were confirmed to be true by the Grand Champion.
The Gray Prince: “She made a fool of me running after that perfumed pansy!”
At this time the Courier would like to retract a few items which turned out to be inaccuracies in the same issue that the above incident was reported:
While at the Office of Imperial Commerce yesterday, Vinicia Melissaeia reminded us of an incident nineteen years ago that involved Agronak giving a ring to another engaged Khajiit outside the Courier office. Hassiri’s interview with Fathis Aren this morning gave us some long awaited information about that other incident.
In the interview the Grand Champion spoke freely about the ring he gave Maxical:
The Gray Prince: “You should try this, it works every time. You buy an expensive ring and give it to them in front of the press. Their fiance breaks with them when he reads about it. The girl flings the ring back at you when she finds out she was tricked. They may be mad but the other guy is gone now, and you have the ring back to sell. Get it? I thought of this trick on my own.”
Staff: “Aren’t both women still with these men?”
The Gray Prince: “…Oh. …Well…I… Oh! I didn’t get my ring back from Maxical yet either.” [Here Agronak fell into expletives] “I can’t get it from her right now, she was in a rage…”
The Gray Prince repeatedly expressed a dread fear of Maxical’s temper throughout the interview, responding several times with these words:
The Gray Prince: “I had to do it, or she’d be mad.”
Staff: “What you’re saying is that Maxical acts as ringleader and has used fear tactics to bully Owyn, Andronicus, and Haki into these criminal acts?”
The Gray Prince: “No! This is all Gils fault! I‘ll kill him!”
Staff: “Are you referring to Blue Team Gladiator Gils?”
The Gray Prince: “Yes, it is all his doing! This is all his fault!”
Several times the Grand Champion countered his own statements by expressing a wish to continue his quasi friendship with the white Khajiit.
The Gray Prince: “I’m willing to put up with her inane chatter but not her singing! The only way to survive it is to smile while envisioning choking her into silence. No dancing either. And if she starts even one more sentence with ‘Fathis says’ I’m liable to strangle someone! As for her stubbornness, that can be dealt with after the marriage.”
Staff: “Did you say Marriage?”
The Gray Prince: “Yes, I still plan to marry her.”
Staff: “In spite of her engagement to Fathis Aren?”
The Gray Prince: “That decrepit old fop, he‘s old enough to have given birth to her grandfather.”
Staff: “Aren’t you worried Fathis Aren will make good on his challenge? He is an extraordinary Battlemage…”
The Gray Prince: “Fathis! He is nothing but a Nancy, I‘m not afraid of him! Gils is the one I don’t trust! He is a [censored] sex maniac masquerading as a hero! And that [censored] [censored] Maxical is sleeping with Gils!”
The staff noticed that the Gray Prince was carrying a rather large crate when he dropped in for this interview. The Grand Champion revealed that due to his recent actions in having all the Battlemasters arrested he has been banned from both team Bloodworks and is now homeless.
The Gray Prince: “I hope to stay in the homes of my fans. I know they will take pity on their hero in this situation and provide food and a bed so I don‘t suffer the effects of this mistreatment by the powers that be at the Arena. I admit it was a mistake to have them all arrested because the charges turned out to be faulty; but they didn‘t miss more than a day. You’d think they had been locked up for years the way they are acting.”
Staff: “Isn’t it true Andronicus has not been released yet?”
The Gray Prince: “Yeah, those [censored] dummies at the Elder Council said I might owe her when the accounting is in, and that she might have me charged with false arrest! Can you believe that? Me! The Grand Champion! A real Lord!”
Staff: “Is there anything else you would like to say?”
The Gray Prince: “I wanted to get the word out to all my fans in Cyrodiil that their hero is being mistreated. I am sure the second they hear of my difficulties they will come from all over to picket and protest. Those cretins will realize how important I am when my fans call for everyone to boycott the Arena. I am the Grand Champion, the Gray Prince. That Arena would be nothing without me, no one would even come to the matches without me there.”
We at the Courier encourage all fans of the Gray Prince to welcome him into your home, share a meal and offer him a night’s lodging. We did. Our Khajiit brethren are especially encouraged to participate if you are a fan. Our only advice would be to have plenty of food on hand and a large urn ready.
For some time now Fathis Aren and Maxical have been vying to purchase the Golden Armor on display in the Best Defense store. Our investigative team discovered that the “M” on the back plate of the cuirass was etched there by none other than the smithy at Castle Bravil Hans Black-Nail, who said his order for it came directly from Fathis Aren.
Some new names have been added to those jockeying to purchase the Golden Armor. Varnado confirms that Battlemaster Owyn of the Blue Team tried to obtain the armor using an advance on Box Office receipts.
Owyn then became involved in a heated discussion with Blue Team Gladiator Gils, who was overheard expressing the desire to have the funds to purchase it himself. (After the interview with the Grand Champion we are sure we know why).
Jack Thompson, Attorney for the Arena spoke in a closed door session with Varnado, who refused to reveal any details other than that Jack Thompson attempted to purchase the Golden Armor on behalf of an anonymous client. It was a tricky move, one would assume his client was Maxical due to his connection with the Arena, however it was discovered that he dined with Fathis Aren in his suite at the Merchants Inn the day before approaching the Best Defense.
Jack Thompson also won the bidding for the Mrs. Treydog portrait of the Golden Armor. The painting will be displayed on the Clubhouse Mezzanine Level of the Arena.
Varnado has raised the already extravagant marked price of the armor again. Those in the know say the price marked on the armor is actually the current high bid for it.
Have Arch Mage Traven, Owyn, and Gils been added to the list of those succumbing to the wiles of the white Khajiit? How many more indiscriminate affairs will she turn Cyrodiil upside down with before Fathis Aren reins her in with a ring of his own?
The Edition with the “Confessions of The Gray Prince” and the subsequent Late Edition that covered Agronak’s arrest were the two highest selling issues in the history of the Courier. Both printed on the same day. The Courier received accolades from Ocato for the coverage, although he was probably trying to garner favor with them after the article about the brutality of the guards.
*
** There is a special cameo appearance of Mrs. Treydog in this chapter. Thanks Treydog, Mrs. Treydog!!!
*
Chapter 43: Confessions Of A Grand Champion
__________________________________________________
BLACK HORSE COURIER
SPECIAL EDITION
CONFESSIONS OF A GRAND CHAMPION!
THE GRAY PRINCE REVEALS ALL!
___________________________________________________
BLACK HORSE COURIER
SPECIAL EDITION
CONFESSIONS OF A GRAND CHAMPION!
THE GRAY PRINCE REVEALS ALL!
___________________________________________________
Last night in a surprise visit to the offices of the Courier in which he gave an impromptu interview, the Gray Prince explained his actions in pressing charges against Blue Team Warrior Maxical, the albino Khajiit his name has been linked with in recent months. He asked that he speak on the record.
* Don’t miss today’s Special Edition with the arrest of the Grand Champion and details about particular physical issues known to be associated with the offspring of Orc mixes.
The Grand Champion began the interview by informing our staff that he is actually an Orc mix.
The Gray Prince: “I’m only half Orc you know. I’m really royalty, my father was a real Lord. I am actually a Prince.”
Staff: “Really? Who is your father?”
The Gray Prince: “Oh I don’t know who my father is. But I know he‘s a Lord, that‘s why I‘m called the Gray Prince.”
Staff: “Isn’t the Gray Prince just your Arena persona?”
The Gray Prince: “No! I chose that name because I am really royalty and wanted everyone to know it. Maxical is going to get me proof of it, but Owyn won‘t let her do it till Andronicus returns.”
Staff: “Due to your recent arrest of all three of these individuals, do you think they will still be willing to help you find your roots?”
The Gray Prince: “Maxical has to do it, she said she would. When I get proof I’m the son of a real Lord, the Palace will name the Arena after me, and probably a road too. You are invited to the naming ceremony.“
Staff: “You have a lot of fans already as the Grand Champion, do you think a title will make that much difference?”
The Gray Prince: “Of course it will! Everyone will have to kiss my [censored] [censored] then, fan or not!”
*
Rampant speculation about whether Maxical’s arrest was made in revenge, (as it occurred the day following the Khajiit’s blatant rejection of his marriage proposal), were confirmed to be true by the Grand Champion.
The Gray Prince: “She made a fool of me running after that perfumed pansy!”
* Readers may remember that the Gray Prince’s proposal was interrupted by Fathis Aren, Court Mage Castle Bravil who quite rightly challenged him for importuning his bride to be. Fathis then left, followed by Maxical in the correct Dunmeri tradition that dictates she stay three steps behind him as his intended. Due to her diminutive size this gave the appearance of running after Fathis.
In an interview with Fathis Aren early this morning, reporter Hassiri confirmed that a longstanding promise of marriage exists between Fathis and Maxical.
*
At this time the Courier would like to retract a few items which turned out to be inaccuracies in the same issue that the above incident was reported:
* Hamlof of the Red Diamond Jewelers was quoted as saying he witnessed the Grand Champion coercing Maxical into taking what Agronak claimed was a deed to his late mother’s house. Our reporter made a visit to the Office of Imperial Commerce yesterday and spoke with Vinicia Melissaeia for confirmation on this.
Vinicia denied any transactions existed other than the Grand Champion taking title to the house himself. It seems the Grand Champion was trying to pull a fast one on the white Khajiit.
* Another correction involves the ring Agronak was seen giving Maxical that same day. The Courier originally reported that ring as the one Maxical wears on her engagement hand. Although very similar in style, the ring on her engagement finger actually came from none other than the Arcane University’s Arch Mage Hannibal Traven. We had this correction from Arch Mage Traven himself, who also admits he has been to every one of Maxical‘s matches. Watch out Fathis Aren, it seems you have some competition.
** Note from Editor: Our jaws are still on the floor over this piece of news.
While at the Office of Imperial Commerce yesterday, Vinicia Melissaeia reminded us of an incident nineteen years ago that involved Agronak giving a ring to another engaged Khajiit outside the Courier office. Hassiri’s interview with Fathis Aren this morning gave us some long awaited information about that other incident.
* The (now) husband of that Khajiit disclosed to Fathis Aren that Agronak presented that ring in the guise of it being a behest from his late step-father whom she was very close to. Agronak had actually just bought the ring in question from Ris of the Red Diamond Jewelers.
* Fathis Aren then revealed that Agronak presented the ring to Maxical in the guise of a behest from his late mother, whom she was close to. Once again it turned out Agronak had purchased the ring from Ris. Sound familiar? It is.
In the interview the Grand Champion spoke freely about the ring he gave Maxical:
The Gray Prince: “You should try this, it works every time. You buy an expensive ring and give it to them in front of the press. Their fiance breaks with them when he reads about it. The girl flings the ring back at you when she finds out she was tricked. They may be mad but the other guy is gone now, and you have the ring back to sell. Get it? I thought of this trick on my own.”
Staff: “Aren’t both women still with these men?”
The Gray Prince: “…Oh. …Well…I… Oh! I didn’t get my ring back from Maxical yet either.” [Here Agronak fell into expletives] “I can’t get it from her right now, she was in a rage…”
The Gray Prince repeatedly expressed a dread fear of Maxical’s temper throughout the interview, responding several times with these words:
The Gray Prince: “I had to do it, or she’d be mad.”
** Note from Editor:
Don’t let Maxical’s diminutive size, tail-play, or humor in the matches and interviews fool you, she is capable of extreme violence as this reporter has personally witnessed.
Maxical has received a stack of citations and no less than three warnings of imminent banning from the Arena by Attorney Jack Thompson since she began in the Arena that range from obscene and explicit hand gestures to the most recent ones for extreme and unnecessary violence in the beheading, disemboweling, and goring of her opponents.
*
Staff: “What you’re saying is that Maxical acts as ringleader and has used fear tactics to bully Owyn, Andronicus, and Haki into these criminal acts?”
* It should be noted that the Grand Champion became extremely agitated. His face took on the appearance of a hunted animal and he burst out of his chair before answering.
The Gray Prince: “No! This is all Gils fault! I‘ll kill him!”
Staff: “Are you referring to Blue Team Gladiator Gils?”
The Gray Prince: “Yes, it is all his doing! This is all his fault!”
* Both reporters felt his fear of the white Khajiit was causing him to cast blame on the Gladiator, who has an exemplary (if slow moving) reputation in the Arena. It became apparent as the interview progressed that the Gray Prince lives in terror of Maxical’s temper and possible retribution for speaking out.
*
Several times the Grand Champion countered his own statements by expressing a wish to continue his quasi friendship with the white Khajiit.
The Gray Prince: “I’m willing to put up with her inane chatter but not her singing! The only way to survive it is to smile while envisioning choking her into silence. No dancing either. And if she starts even one more sentence with ‘Fathis says’ I’m liable to strangle someone! As for her stubbornness, that can be dealt with after the marriage.”
Staff: “Did you say Marriage?”
The Gray Prince: “Yes, I still plan to marry her.”
Staff: “In spite of her engagement to Fathis Aren?”
The Gray Prince: “That decrepit old fop, he‘s old enough to have given birth to her grandfather.”
Staff: “Aren’t you worried Fathis Aren will make good on his challenge? He is an extraordinary Battlemage…”
* It should be noted that at this point the Grand Champion leaped from his chair shouting.
The Gray Prince: “Fathis! He is nothing but a Nancy, I‘m not afraid of him! Gils is the one I don’t trust! He is a [censored] sex maniac masquerading as a hero! And that [censored] [censored] Maxical is sleeping with Gils!”
* The Staff sends kudos to Gils for staying active in spite of his Arena career that slowed to a standstill years ago.
*
The staff noticed that the Gray Prince was carrying a rather large crate when he dropped in for this interview. The Grand Champion revealed that due to his recent actions in having all the Battlemasters arrested he has been banned from both team Bloodworks and is now homeless.
The Gray Prince: “I hope to stay in the homes of my fans. I know they will take pity on their hero in this situation and provide food and a bed so I don‘t suffer the effects of this mistreatment by the powers that be at the Arena. I admit it was a mistake to have them all arrested because the charges turned out to be faulty; but they didn‘t miss more than a day. You’d think they had been locked up for years the way they are acting.”
Staff: “Isn’t it true Andronicus has not been released yet?”
The Gray Prince: “Yeah, those [censored] dummies at the Elder Council said I might owe her when the accounting is in, and that she might have me charged with false arrest! Can you believe that? Me! The Grand Champion! A real Lord!”
Staff: “Is there anything else you would like to say?”
The Gray Prince: “I wanted to get the word out to all my fans in Cyrodiil that their hero is being mistreated. I am sure the second they hear of my difficulties they will come from all over to picket and protest. Those cretins will realize how important I am when my fans call for everyone to boycott the Arena. I am the Grand Champion, the Gray Prince. That Arena would be nothing without me, no one would even come to the matches without me there.”
We at the Courier encourage all fans of the Gray Prince to welcome him into your home, share a meal and offer him a night’s lodging. We did. Our Khajiit brethren are especially encouraged to participate if you are a fan. Our only advice would be to have plenty of food on hand and a large urn ready.
********
The Golden Armor Corner
By Ra'jiradh
The Golden Armor Corner
By Ra'jiradh
For some time now Fathis Aren and Maxical have been vying to purchase the Golden Armor on display in the Best Defense store. Our investigative team discovered that the “M” on the back plate of the cuirass was etched there by none other than the smithy at Castle Bravil Hans Black-Nail, who said his order for it came directly from Fathis Aren.
Some new names have been added to those jockeying to purchase the Golden Armor. Varnado confirms that Battlemaster Owyn of the Blue Team tried to obtain the armor using an advance on Box Office receipts.
Owyn then became involved in a heated discussion with Blue Team Gladiator Gils, who was overheard expressing the desire to have the funds to purchase it himself. (After the interview with the Grand Champion we are sure we know why).
Jack Thompson, Attorney for the Arena spoke in a closed door session with Varnado, who refused to reveal any details other than that Jack Thompson attempted to purchase the Golden Armor on behalf of an anonymous client. It was a tricky move, one would assume his client was Maxical due to his connection with the Arena, however it was discovered that he dined with Fathis Aren in his suite at the Merchants Inn the day before approaching the Best Defense.
**
Jack Thompson also won the bidding for the Mrs. Treydog portrait of the Golden Armor. The painting will be displayed on the Clubhouse Mezzanine Level of the Arena.
Varnado has raised the already extravagant marked price of the armor again. Those in the know say the price marked on the armor is actually the current high bid for it.
**
Have Arch Mage Traven, Owyn, and Gils been added to the list of those succumbing to the wiles of the white Khajiit? How many more indiscriminate affairs will she turn Cyrodiil upside down with before Fathis Aren reins her in with a ring of his own?
* Interview by Ra'jiradh and Urjabhi; Insets by Hassiri
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
The Edition with the “Confessions of The Gray Prince” and the subsequent Late Edition that covered Agronak’s arrest were the two highest selling issues in the history of the Courier. Both printed on the same day. The Courier received accolades from Ocato for the coverage, although he was probably trying to garner favor with them after the article about the brutality of the guards.
*
BASS ADD NEWS
THE BASS ADD COURIER HAS DISCOVERED A SCOOP!!!
ECLOOOHOOOHOOOHOOOSIVE TO THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
Readers of the BASS ADD COURIER *we are no relation to JIM COURIER though we DO too have a large TENNIS* will now be the first to discover that our very own MALX has discovered
THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS... the story!!!
THINK ABOUT IT!!! THE FULL STORY ON THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS!!!
Ohhh...the anticipation...
Will he enter from the EAST?
Will he enter from the WEST?
Will he enter from the NORTH?
Will he enter from the SOUTH???
Will he enter from the FRONT???
Will he enter from the BACK???
Will he cum with a SHOUT
Fling his arms and dance ABOUT???
Will he scream as he COMES
and violate some sexy NUNS???
ALL WILL BE REVEALED
IN THE STORY SEALED
IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
THE BASS ADD COURIER HAS DISCOVERED A SCOOP!!!
ECLOOOHOOOHOOOHOOOSIVE TO THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
Readers of the BASS ADD COURIER *we are no relation to JIM COURIER though we DO too have a large TENNIS* will now be the first to discover that our very own MALX has discovered
THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS... the story!!!
THINK ABOUT IT!!! THE FULL STORY ON THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS!!!
Ohhh...the anticipation...
Will he enter from the EAST?
Will he enter from the WEST?
Will he enter from the NORTH?
Will he enter from the SOUTH???
Will he enter from the FRONT???
Will he enter from the BACK???
Will he cum with a SHOUT
Fling his arms and dance ABOUT???
Will he scream as he COMES
and violate some sexy NUNS???
ALL WILL BE REVEALED
IN THE STORY SEALED
IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
QUOTE(D.Foxy @ Sep 11 2010, 11:40 PM) 
BASS ADD NEWS
THE BASS ADD COURIER HAS DISCOVERED A SCOOP!!!
ECLOOOHOOOHOOOHOOOSIVE TO THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
Readers of the BASS ADD COURIER *we are no relation to JIM COURIER though we DO too have a large TENNIS* will now be the first to discover that our very own MALX has discovered
THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS... the story!!!
THINK ABOUT IT!!! THE FULL STORY ON THE FIRST PLACE DAMIEN ENTERS!!!
Ohhh...the anticipation...
Will he enter from the EAST?
Will he enter from the WEST?
Will he enter from the NORTH?
Will he enter from the SOUTH???
Will he enter from the FRONT???
Will he enter from the BACK???
Will he cum with a SHOUT
Fling his arms and dance ABOUT???
Will he scream as he COMES
and violate some sexy NUNS???
ALL WILL BE REVEALED
IN THE STORY SEALED
IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BASS ADD COURIER!!!
SPEW !!!
QUOTE
Staff: Due to your recent arrest of all three of these individuals, do you think they will still be willing to help you find your roots?
Um, Im thinking no.
QUOTE
*The staff sends kudos to Gils for staying active in spite of his Arena career that slowed to a standstill years ago.
Given his reputation, I would imagine Gils to be in better shape than most of the combatants in the Arena.
QUOTE
Our only advice would be to have plenty of food on hand and a large urn ready.
If that doesnt make them come out in droves to offer Agronak a place to stay, I dont know what will!
This special edition of the Courier certainly didnt disappoint. Kudos to mALX for finding a way to make Agronak even more pathetic! It might not even be worth the effort to kill him now.
QUOTE
Maxical has received a stack of citations and no less than three warnings of imminent banning from the Arena by Attorney Jack Thompson since she began in the Arena that range from obscene and explicit hand gestures to the most recent ones for extreme and unnecessary violence in the beheading, disemboweling, and goring of her opponents.
Arena Mgmt.: You killed him!
Maxical: So? It's the Arena!
Arena Mgmt.: Well, all right. But its the way you killed him.
M: I'm a Khajiit- I have claws.
A.M.: But the cost of cleaning the seats is getting prohibitive.
M: So you're saying I'm keeping the seats full? Then what's the problem?
QUOTE
The Staff sends kudos to Gils for staying active in spite of his Arena career that slowed to a standstill years ago.
This following immediately upon the heels of Agronak's accusation that Gils is a sex maniac---
QUOTE
Jack Thompson also won the bidding for the Mrs. Treydog portrait of the Golden Armor.
Let's see- the only people Agronak did not manage to insult were the Blades and a few folks whose names he doesn't know... Of course, as the saying goes- "Give him time."
Awesome chapter! The BHC crew are brilliantly portrayed and I'm still laughing at their recommendation of Agronak as a house guest. yay!
QUOTE
Have Arch Mage Traven, Owyn, and Gils been added to the list of those succumbing to the wiles of the white Khajiit? How many more indiscriminate affairs will she turn Cyrodiil upside down with before Fathis Aren reins her in with a ring of his own?
mALX, this was great fun to read and quite clever!
QUOTE(mALX @ Sep 12 2010, 04:04 AM)
We at the Courier encourage all fans of the Gray Prince to welcome him into your home, share a meal and offer him a nights lodging. We did. Our Khajiit brethren are especially encouraged to participate if you are a fan. Our only advice would be to have plenty of food on hand and a large urn ready.
And if that doesn't convince the ingrates to invite him and "kiss his *bleep*ing *bleep*", well then, nothing will... LOL. His poor "Lordship"...all he has to put up with from those nasty "primitives".
This was awesome, mALX -- all of it! Looking forward to more!
@ Foxy - Thank you so much Foxy !! (see my comment back to you on page 18 !! )
***
@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri !!! I struggled with this Courier - I've revamped it probably fifty times, lol. I think I've lost my flair for Couriers, and probably should have re-read some of my previous ones a few times to get back that feel for it, lol. Thanks Destri !!!
***
@ Treydog - Thank you so much Treydog !!! Oh, my fave insert "following on the heels" was when they said they would reveal something about Orc mixes in the afternoon's Special Edition - and the first line was Agronak admitting he is an Orc mix - so everyone will connect the info they get directly to him when they read that issue, lol. Agronak just didn't know who he was fooling with, Maxical's family is like ET, "Mess with me, you mess with my whole family" ROFL !!! Thanks again Treydog !!! The Mrs. Treydog will be hanging in the Clubhouse Mezzanine at the Arena for all Tamriel to view - Ocato may want her to do one of him standing next to it !!! ROFL !!!
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick !!! I've got something coming up that is connected to that statement too, lol.
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!!! I had fun writing it - but it took so many edits I was surprised it ever reached the post! You ROCK !!
***
@ Rachel - Thank you so very much Rachel !!! Anytime you like my comedy it thrills me since you have kept me rolling with Edward so long and changed the way I view certain characters permanently !! Er...do I see Jauffre going on a rampage on your BGSF Edward? He hasn't had one in so long, lol !!!!
***
@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri !!! I struggled with this Courier - I've revamped it probably fifty times, lol. I think I've lost my flair for Couriers, and probably should have re-read some of my previous ones a few times to get back that feel for it, lol. Thanks Destri !!!
***
@ Treydog - Thank you so much Treydog !!! Oh, my fave insert "following on the heels" was when they said they would reveal something about Orc mixes in the afternoon's Special Edition - and the first line was Agronak admitting he is an Orc mix - so everyone will connect the info they get directly to him when they read that issue, lol. Agronak just didn't know who he was fooling with, Maxical's family is like ET, "Mess with me, you mess with my whole family" ROFL !!! Thanks again Treydog !!! The Mrs. Treydog will be hanging in the Clubhouse Mezzanine at the Arena for all Tamriel to view - Ocato may want her to do one of him standing next to it !!! ROFL !!!
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick !!! I've got something coming up that is connected to that statement too, lol.
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!!! I had fun writing it - but it took so many edits I was surprised it ever reached the post! You ROCK !!
***
@ Rachel - Thank you so very much Rachel !!! Anytime you like my comedy it thrills me since you have kept me rolling with Edward so long and changed the way I view certain characters permanently !! Er...do I see Jauffre going on a rampage on your BGSF Edward? He hasn't had one in so long, lol !!!!
*
Chapter 44: Observations Cats Make
“Maybe I should talk to Jack about the music festival just in case Agronak is out of jail by then.” I gave a sidelong glance at Gils to see how all this Aggie-news was affecting him.
“That’s a good idea, he’ll know what to do.” Gils’ expression was enigmatic. Oh dear.
“How come it says here you and Owyn were trying to get my armor?”
“Maybe I thought if I gave it to you, you would give me something in return like Owyn said.”
“If I listened to Owyn I’d owe it to everyone no matter how minute the favor. However, unlike Agronak you will fit in my armor, so I am still safe. One golden armor for a battered leather one, that‘s a fair trade.”
“No, I want your sword, and you can have mine That‘s a fair trade. Remember your first day here?” He watched my face when he said that.
“Gils…”
He pounded his fist twice over his heart and raised his open palm to me. “I wasn’t too drunk last night. I meant what I said. I‘ve felt this way ever since that day. My sword was the first you ever saw. My hand was the first to touch your tail. You got your first kiss from me. I wish you had been started, I want you bound to me. It is meant that I be the one Maxical.”
“You’re just charming me to get the Courier back, I’m not falling for it..“
Gils threw something at me and while I looked to find out what it was he snatched the paper back.
“I knew it!” I stretched back out to rest again.
“It says in here that I succumbed to your wiles and am just another of your indiscriminate affairs…along with Owyn and Hannibal.” Gils said after a minute.
I rolled over. “Owyn! Ew! I missed that.”
He came over and showed it to me. “I did, you know. Only to find out in the Courier that I‘m just another indiscriminate…GAAAH! Tickle me again and I call an end to the truce.”
“You threaten to end the truce over everything. It’s just an excuse.” I accused.
“Maybe…what are you doing?”
The Courier was ’inadvertently’ scrunched when I leaned over and kissed Gils. Before we finished it had somehow found its way into the bathing pool. Of course he could just go in the other room and get another copy.
One thing I had noticed about Gils, if something is upsetting him he flirts to take his mind off it. The deeper the issue the more intense the flirting. He was getting tense reading the Courier…did he blame me for Agronak‘s troubles? I wasn’t ready to find out everyone was right by having him dump me for his Orc.
I knew one day we would be faced with that test, and it loomed over me because I knew what his decisions had always been in the past. There was a two-fold reason for having Gils teach me the mysteries of being the wife of a Dunmer. Sure, maybe Fathis would come for me one day. But for right now I hoped it would lock Gils to me, I was not ready to lose him.
***
“Come on, we need to get out of here before Owyn gets back or he’ll rehash everything in the Courier with us.“ Gils tugged my ponytail.
“Okay, I’m getting up. I want to see Jack while we are up there.”
I waited till I saw Owyn crossing the Arena in case he was still mad, then darted over to Jack’s office. Gils came with me.
“Maxical! I was just going to send for you. I drew this up and gave Owyn a copy, this copy is for you to carry with you at all times. It is a legal order for Agronak to stay away from you outside of a scheduled match. Just show this to the guards if he bothers you. How is that shoulder doing?” Jack gave me a pleasant smile.
“It should heal well, both Owyn and Hannibal worked on it. Jack, I am worried that if Agronak is free at the time of the music festival he will disrupt our promotion. It isn’t just our promotion but the Arcane’s for their band.”
“Good thinking. I will have a special contingent ordered for that day to watch for him if he is released by then.”
“Er…Jack…What do you know about Orc mixes?” Gils shifted uncomfortably while he asked.
“I know their junk is junk.” Jack gave his ghost of a smile.
“Told you everyone knows.” I stuck my tongue out at Gils. “Thank you Jack.”
***
“Okay, hold that pose.” Gils glanced up at me and then started sketching. He looked up again. “Hey, your tail has moved. I already started drawing it where it was before.”
“Can’t you draw it in both places and make ‘swish-lines’ between? I can’t keep it still.”
“Good idea…I suppose you can’t keep your tongue still either? Do you really want a billboard of you sticking your tongue out?” He looked back down again. “GAAAAH! Cut that out!”
“That’s called ‘Spider Crawling On Face’.” I pulled my tail back behind me.
“But that was my arm!”
“It would have gotten to your face if you didn‘t feel it. Besides, I didn’t want to rename it.”
“All right, relax and take a break for a minute. You’re distracting me from my work.” Gils stopped sketching.
“What are you thinking about? You look tense.” Why did I bring that up? Way to help him keep his mind off it!
“Just…things I thought were secret I find out are common knowledge. Things I gave up a lot to keep covered up...for Aggie. By the way, I know you made those rhymes up last night. Your eyes were full of mischief or I never would have guessed. Next time look down or away so it’s harder to tell.”
“Then I won’t get to see the expression on your face. That’s what made it worth it to think them up.”
“Owyn told me he knows something about you. I even got him drunk to get it out of him and he wouldn’t tell.” Gils looked hard at me as if he thought it might pop out of me.
“I don’t know what it could be…unless…”
“Your eyes are full of mischief again.”
“Nothing can be hidden that will not be known one day.” I quoted Alix.
“Now that’s strange. I had a good friend that told me that a long time ago.”
“You should have listened.”
“You’re right. Do you have any secrets?”
“Like what?”
“Ones that you’re keeping for someone else.” Gils started to draw again without me posing.
“Just one, and it’s not mine to tell. It is connected to Agronak…and it is NOT about his glass jaw.”
Gils’ quill scratched across the drawing in a jagged line. “You know about that?”
I looked away. “There are childhood rhymes about it…”
“Liar. Look me in the eye, I want to read you.” Gils walked over and stood in front of me, his eyes looking intensely into mine.
“Whose is it? No, don’t tell me. It could only be his mothers. I saw the flicker in your eyes, so that was it. Hmmm. What secret could that be? Agronak’s heritage? No. Your eyes look sad about the secret.”
“You read people like Khajiit do.”
“Does it have to do with his birth?”
“All I know about that is he refused to eat his vegetables. I stopped him before he got into the diaper habits. The imagery would have boggled.”
“Are you still going to do that for him?”
“I really don’t want to after what he did to me…I gave my word, but I was hoping he would go himself now.”
Gils nodded and went back to his drawings. “How would you feel about me coming with you? Pose.”
“Under truce?”
Gils hesitated. “It will be very hard, but yes.”
“Because you want to know the secret?“
“Maybe.”
I was surprised. That meant there was another reason, but what could it be? One thing about Gils, he won’t lie. He will evade, or tell you he won’t answer. But if he answers you can take it to the bank it‘s the truth.
“When you say maybe, it means yes but there is more to it. What?”
Gils looked surprised. “Yes, but I won’t tell you…yet. Maybe some day.”
“It must be bad then, that’s what you say when it’s something you‘re avoiding.”
Gils stared hard at me. “You just might be smarter than everyone thinks you are.”
“Maybe.” I shot him a look of mischief.
Gils dropped his quill and came over to me, watching my eyes closely. “What else have you observed about me?”
“When you do this…it’s your private signal to Owyn to leave because you want to be alone with me.”
“And…”
“This…means lock the door on the way out.”
“What else?”
“When you do this it means you are about to break the truce.” I gave Owyn’s graphic hand signal.
“I have never EVER done that one, and your eyes are full of mischief again. Okay, what’s this mean?”
“Owyn to come back in five minutes and disturb you.”
“Good gods, how did you figure all this out?”
“I’m a cat. We watch people.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah, you and Owyn will change signals now that I’ve picked up on it.”
“To what?”
I turned my head away and shrugged my shoulders.
“Liar. You know.”
“Maybe.” I changed the subject. “I think I would feel better if you were with me, but will Owyn let us both leave?”
“If you want me there, Owyn could not stop me.”
I don‘t know why I flushed at that, but Gils noticed and the flush deepened. Gils had promised not to try me under truce. Was he going to charm me into submission instead? I had better be careful. I turned my back so Gils couldn‘t read my expression.
“What are you thinking?”
“I know the tail was an accident, but you have been charm on Skooma since. It makes me wonder if you are trying to slide one by me. Like maybe there is some loophole where if I am charmed into submission the truce becomes invalid.”
“I am going to floor the next person that calls you dumb…Maxical, what happened right before Aggie hurt your shoulder?”
“He was obsessed with you being near me, said repeatedly he was going to kill you if you touched me. I told Agronak my virtue was not his concern, only Fathis’s. He became livid when he heard me tell Hassiri I was going to the music festival. That’s when he grabbed me, and demanded to know what I thought I was doing making plans to go without him. I told him Fathis was the only one with the right to expect my plans to include him and that the friendship was at an end.“
“Weren’t you worried he may go after Fathis?”
I shook my head no. “Fathis would welcome the attack after that dirty ring trick. If he finds out he hurt my shoulder he won’t wait for an attack, he’ll go after him and kill him without thinking twice about it. He is an extraordinary Battlemage.“
“Let’s stop. We need to practice anyway, and my mind is not on drawing.”
“Okay.”
Gils acted like he was in a bad mood the rest of the day. I wished I could have taken back my answers, said something different that would have soothed him instead of agitating him worse. He seemed to be avoiding me, so I went in our bathing area and sulked.
***
“Maxical, a guard is asking to speak to you outside.” A Pit woke me shaking me.
I glanced around for Gils and didn’t see him, so dressed quickly and shot out the door. Pilus was waiting outside, and smiled when he saw me.
“I’m surprised the Arena is still standing, I heard you tried to destroy it the other day.”
I laughed. “That’s what Jack Thompson said too.”
“Oh that’s right, he’s over the Arena isn’t he. Did he remember you from the compound?”
“Oh yes. And he started looking for insurance carriers immediately.”
“Can we talk…privately?” He glanced behind me.
I turned around and there was Gils, glaring up a storm. I gave him a “Hmph” look and turned back to Pilus.
“Sure, let’s go for a walk.”
He glanced back several times till finally Gils went back into the Bloodworks, slamming the door with a loud bang.
“We are not supposed to do this, but…I have something for you.“
*
Maxical,
The man bringing you this has been taking extra good care of me if you know what I mean. Agronak is making everyone’s life down here miserable. Come see me, please? I miss you. If it wasn’t for Pilus I couldn’t stand it in here.
Love, Andronicus.
*
“I’ll come now.”
I put my hand on his arm and pressed it, then caught his eye and glanced back. Gils had come back out again and was watching. Pilus nodded.
“Let’s go then.”
*
Chapter 44: Observations Cats Make
“Maybe I should talk to Jack about the music festival just in case Agronak is out of jail by then.” I gave a sidelong glance at Gils to see how all this Aggie-news was affecting him.
“That’s a good idea, he’ll know what to do.” Gils’ expression was enigmatic. Oh dear.
“How come it says here you and Owyn were trying to get my armor?”
“Maybe I thought if I gave it to you, you would give me something in return like Owyn said.”
“If I listened to Owyn I’d owe it to everyone no matter how minute the favor. However, unlike Agronak you will fit in my armor, so I am still safe. One golden armor for a battered leather one, that‘s a fair trade.”
“No, I want your sword, and you can have mine That‘s a fair trade. Remember your first day here?” He watched my face when he said that.
“Gils…”
He pounded his fist twice over his heart and raised his open palm to me. “I wasn’t too drunk last night. I meant what I said. I‘ve felt this way ever since that day. My sword was the first you ever saw. My hand was the first to touch your tail. You got your first kiss from me. I wish you had been started, I want you bound to me. It is meant that I be the one Maxical.”
“You’re just charming me to get the Courier back, I’m not falling for it..“
Gils threw something at me and while I looked to find out what it was he snatched the paper back.
“I knew it!” I stretched back out to rest again.
“It says in here that I succumbed to your wiles and am just another of your indiscriminate affairs…along with Owyn and Hannibal.” Gils said after a minute.
I rolled over. “Owyn! Ew! I missed that.”
He came over and showed it to me. “I did, you know. Only to find out in the Courier that I‘m just another indiscriminate…GAAAH! Tickle me again and I call an end to the truce.”
“You threaten to end the truce over everything. It’s just an excuse.” I accused.
“Maybe…what are you doing?”
The Courier was ’inadvertently’ scrunched when I leaned over and kissed Gils. Before we finished it had somehow found its way into the bathing pool. Of course he could just go in the other room and get another copy.
One thing I had noticed about Gils, if something is upsetting him he flirts to take his mind off it. The deeper the issue the more intense the flirting. He was getting tense reading the Courier…did he blame me for Agronak‘s troubles? I wasn’t ready to find out everyone was right by having him dump me for his Orc.
I knew one day we would be faced with that test, and it loomed over me because I knew what his decisions had always been in the past. There was a two-fold reason for having Gils teach me the mysteries of being the wife of a Dunmer. Sure, maybe Fathis would come for me one day. But for right now I hoped it would lock Gils to me, I was not ready to lose him.
***
“Come on, we need to get out of here before Owyn gets back or he’ll rehash everything in the Courier with us.“ Gils tugged my ponytail.
“Okay, I’m getting up. I want to see Jack while we are up there.”
I waited till I saw Owyn crossing the Arena in case he was still mad, then darted over to Jack’s office. Gils came with me.
“Maxical! I was just going to send for you. I drew this up and gave Owyn a copy, this copy is for you to carry with you at all times. It is a legal order for Agronak to stay away from you outside of a scheduled match. Just show this to the guards if he bothers you. How is that shoulder doing?” Jack gave me a pleasant smile.
“It should heal well, both Owyn and Hannibal worked on it. Jack, I am worried that if Agronak is free at the time of the music festival he will disrupt our promotion. It isn’t just our promotion but the Arcane’s for their band.”
“Good thinking. I will have a special contingent ordered for that day to watch for him if he is released by then.”
“Er…Jack…What do you know about Orc mixes?” Gils shifted uncomfortably while he asked.
“I know their junk is junk.” Jack gave his ghost of a smile.
“Told you everyone knows.” I stuck my tongue out at Gils. “Thank you Jack.”
***
“Okay, hold that pose.” Gils glanced up at me and then started sketching. He looked up again. “Hey, your tail has moved. I already started drawing it where it was before.”
“Can’t you draw it in both places and make ‘swish-lines’ between? I can’t keep it still.”
“Good idea…I suppose you can’t keep your tongue still either? Do you really want a billboard of you sticking your tongue out?” He looked back down again. “GAAAAH! Cut that out!”
“That’s called ‘Spider Crawling On Face’.” I pulled my tail back behind me.
“But that was my arm!”
“It would have gotten to your face if you didn‘t feel it. Besides, I didn’t want to rename it.”
“All right, relax and take a break for a minute. You’re distracting me from my work.” Gils stopped sketching.
“What are you thinking about? You look tense.” Why did I bring that up? Way to help him keep his mind off it!
“Just…things I thought were secret I find out are common knowledge. Things I gave up a lot to keep covered up...for Aggie. By the way, I know you made those rhymes up last night. Your eyes were full of mischief or I never would have guessed. Next time look down or away so it’s harder to tell.”
“Then I won’t get to see the expression on your face. That’s what made it worth it to think them up.”
“Owyn told me he knows something about you. I even got him drunk to get it out of him and he wouldn’t tell.” Gils looked hard at me as if he thought it might pop out of me.
“I don’t know what it could be…unless…”
“Your eyes are full of mischief again.”
“Nothing can be hidden that will not be known one day.” I quoted Alix.
“Now that’s strange. I had a good friend that told me that a long time ago.”
“You should have listened.”
“You’re right. Do you have any secrets?”
“Like what?”
“Ones that you’re keeping for someone else.” Gils started to draw again without me posing.
“Just one, and it’s not mine to tell. It is connected to Agronak…and it is NOT about his glass jaw.”
Gils’ quill scratched across the drawing in a jagged line. “You know about that?”
I looked away. “There are childhood rhymes about it…”
“Liar. Look me in the eye, I want to read you.” Gils walked over and stood in front of me, his eyes looking intensely into mine.
“Whose is it? No, don’t tell me. It could only be his mothers. I saw the flicker in your eyes, so that was it. Hmmm. What secret could that be? Agronak’s heritage? No. Your eyes look sad about the secret.”
“You read people like Khajiit do.”
“Does it have to do with his birth?”
“All I know about that is he refused to eat his vegetables. I stopped him before he got into the diaper habits. The imagery would have boggled.”
“Are you still going to do that for him?”
“I really don’t want to after what he did to me…I gave my word, but I was hoping he would go himself now.”
Gils nodded and went back to his drawings. “How would you feel about me coming with you? Pose.”
“Under truce?”
Gils hesitated. “It will be very hard, but yes.”
“Because you want to know the secret?“
“Maybe.”
I was surprised. That meant there was another reason, but what could it be? One thing about Gils, he won’t lie. He will evade, or tell you he won’t answer. But if he answers you can take it to the bank it‘s the truth.
“When you say maybe, it means yes but there is more to it. What?”
Gils looked surprised. “Yes, but I won’t tell you…yet. Maybe some day.”
“It must be bad then, that’s what you say when it’s something you‘re avoiding.”
Gils stared hard at me. “You just might be smarter than everyone thinks you are.”
“Maybe.” I shot him a look of mischief.
Gils dropped his quill and came over to me, watching my eyes closely. “What else have you observed about me?”
“When you do this…it’s your private signal to Owyn to leave because you want to be alone with me.”
“And…”
“This…means lock the door on the way out.”
“What else?”
“When you do this it means you are about to break the truce.” I gave Owyn’s graphic hand signal.
“I have never EVER done that one, and your eyes are full of mischief again. Okay, what’s this mean?”
“Owyn to come back in five minutes and disturb you.”
“Good gods, how did you figure all this out?”
“I’m a cat. We watch people.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah, you and Owyn will change signals now that I’ve picked up on it.”
“To what?”
I turned my head away and shrugged my shoulders.
“Liar. You know.”
“Maybe.” I changed the subject. “I think I would feel better if you were with me, but will Owyn let us both leave?”
“If you want me there, Owyn could not stop me.”
I don‘t know why I flushed at that, but Gils noticed and the flush deepened. Gils had promised not to try me under truce. Was he going to charm me into submission instead? I had better be careful. I turned my back so Gils couldn‘t read my expression.
“What are you thinking?”
“I know the tail was an accident, but you have been charm on Skooma since. It makes me wonder if you are trying to slide one by me. Like maybe there is some loophole where if I am charmed into submission the truce becomes invalid.”
“I am going to floor the next person that calls you dumb…Maxical, what happened right before Aggie hurt your shoulder?”
“He was obsessed with you being near me, said repeatedly he was going to kill you if you touched me. I told Agronak my virtue was not his concern, only Fathis’s. He became livid when he heard me tell Hassiri I was going to the music festival. That’s when he grabbed me, and demanded to know what I thought I was doing making plans to go without him. I told him Fathis was the only one with the right to expect my plans to include him and that the friendship was at an end.“
“Weren’t you worried he may go after Fathis?”
I shook my head no. “Fathis would welcome the attack after that dirty ring trick. If he finds out he hurt my shoulder he won’t wait for an attack, he’ll go after him and kill him without thinking twice about it. He is an extraordinary Battlemage.“
“Let’s stop. We need to practice anyway, and my mind is not on drawing.”
“Okay.”
Gils acted like he was in a bad mood the rest of the day. I wished I could have taken back my answers, said something different that would have soothed him instead of agitating him worse. He seemed to be avoiding me, so I went in our bathing area and sulked.
***
“Maxical, a guard is asking to speak to you outside.” A Pit woke me shaking me.
I glanced around for Gils and didn’t see him, so dressed quickly and shot out the door. Pilus was waiting outside, and smiled when he saw me.
“I’m surprised the Arena is still standing, I heard you tried to destroy it the other day.”
I laughed. “That’s what Jack Thompson said too.”
“Oh that’s right, he’s over the Arena isn’t he. Did he remember you from the compound?”
“Oh yes. And he started looking for insurance carriers immediately.”
“Can we talk…privately?” He glanced behind me.
I turned around and there was Gils, glaring up a storm. I gave him a “Hmph” look and turned back to Pilus.
“Sure, let’s go for a walk.”
He glanced back several times till finally Gils went back into the Bloodworks, slamming the door with a loud bang.
“We are not supposed to do this, but…I have something for you.“
*
Maxical,
The man bringing you this has been taking extra good care of me if you know what I mean. Agronak is making everyone’s life down here miserable. Come see me, please? I miss you. If it wasn’t for Pilus I couldn’t stand it in here.
Love, Andronicus.
*
“I’ll come now.”
I put my hand on his arm and pressed it, then caught his eye and glanced back. Gils had come back out again and was watching. Pilus nodded.
“Let’s go then.”
*
The by-play between Gils and Maxical was perfect! It seems that Fathis has some serious competition. She may attribute it to her nature as a cat, but paying that much attention to another looks suspiciously like love to me.
I wonder if she will tell Andronicus. And I shudder when I try to think of how specifically Agronak is 'making everyone's life miserable'. He must have found an urn by now!!
I wonder if she will tell Andronicus. And I shudder when I try to think of how specifically Agronak is 'making everyone's life miserable'. He must have found an urn by now!!
Lovely use of dialogue to show the personalities and actions and, in some cases, motivations of your characters. 
Maxical may be brewing some very interesting plans regarding the Arena and she is very observant, but when it comes to her emotions, she is one confused kitty!
Nit:
Maxical may be brewing some very interesting plans regarding the Arena and she is very observant, but when it comes to her emotions, she is one confused kitty!
Nit:
QUOTE
Okay, hold that pose. Gils glanced up and me and then started sketching.
I think you wanted 'at'?
QUOTE(mALX @ Sep 14 2010, 04:23 AM)
“I’m a cat. We watch people.”
I loved this sentence in particular. You continue to weave a mix of comedy and drama into this story that I absolutely love. So do the opposite of Aggie and...Keep it up!
QUOTE
"I know their junk is junk. Jack gave his ghost of a smile.
Maxical's life just becomes more and more complex... But she is clever enough in many ways to find a way out of her troubles. Just hope she figures out that she "belongs" to herself, and not to Fathis or Gils or anyone else.
Wonderfully written, funny and sad at the same time. This is one with a lot going on beneath the surface.
Gils is quicly becoming one of my favourite characters in this mALX. I hate the character you based him on (I presume he is based on the unnamed blue team Dunmer gladiator training his bow skills in the bloodworks) in the game with snotty remarks and whining after you defeated his friend the Grand Champion but I will never look at him the same again haha.
@ Destri - Thank you very much Destri!! I free-typed a lot of the Gils/Maxical roles - trying to get their personalities to blossom on their own - that is where this quasi relationship between them developed. I was iffy about Gils, and Maxical's choices and actions - but went ahead and let it stand after a lot of trying to eke it out of there. It has a purpose, other than her first experience with love.
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!Oh, you nailed it, lol. Yes, she is not sure what she is stepping into, (but should be, enough people have given her a clue) but she is jumping in with both feet. Not always good. I fixed the nit, thank you for that !!!!!
***
@ Hazmick - SPEW! Now THAT was funny !!! Thank you so very much Hazmick!!!
***
@ Treydog - I'm glad you caught that. There is a lot going beneath the surface here, and not just with Gils. Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Remko - You are right, Gils is based on that unnamed Dunmer in the Bloodworks - who I can't stand in game. You are in the Arena to fight, if you don't win you are dead - so why does he get so mad when you beat Agronak? Also, when you enter the Arena as a combatant, he is a Gladiator. When you become Grand Champion, he is still a Gladiator - so what gives?
I figured there had to be a better explanation than "He was my hero" as the game gives - a more realistic reason for him not to advance in rank and get mad when you kill Agronak. There could only be two that I could think of, and I didn't want to write slash between Agronak and Gils...so I figured he had to be related somehow, lol.
I really don't like him 'in game' - so was really against using him in the story, but in free-typing he ended up taking over the keyboard.
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!Oh, you nailed it, lol. Yes, she is not sure what she is stepping into, (but should be, enough people have given her a clue) but she is jumping in with both feet. Not always good. I fixed the nit, thank you for that !!!!!
***
@ Hazmick - SPEW! Now THAT was funny !!! Thank you so very much Hazmick!!!
***
@ Treydog - I'm glad you caught that. There is a lot going beneath the surface here, and not just with Gils. Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Remko - You are right, Gils is based on that unnamed Dunmer in the Bloodworks - who I can't stand in game. You are in the Arena to fight, if you don't win you are dead - so why does he get so mad when you beat Agronak? Also, when you enter the Arena as a combatant, he is a Gladiator. When you become Grand Champion, he is still a Gladiator - so what gives?
I figured there had to be a better explanation than "He was my hero" as the game gives - a more realistic reason for him not to advance in rank and get mad when you kill Agronak. There could only be two that I could think of, and I didn't want to write slash between Agronak and Gils...so I figured he had to be related somehow, lol.
I really don't like him 'in game' - so was really against using him in the story, but in free-typing he ended up taking over the keyboard.
*
Chapter 45: Games We Play
When we got to the Palace Pilus brought me into the Legion area through a locked door so Gils could not follow. I pulled the note out and tossed it into the fireplace, thinking quickly as I watched it burn. Gils had seen the note in my hand, he would hunt for it when I came back.
“Can I have a similar piece of paper?”
“Sure, this is what I used, take what you need.” Pilus indicated a writing desk.
I took the quill and ink pot and scribbled a note, then folded it up and put it in my small pocket. A small stack of Couriers with Agronak’s confessions sat on the corner of the desk.
“Can I bring Andronicus one of these?”
“Good idea…in fact, some of the other inmates might enjoy reading that.” Pilus grabbed up several copies and handed them to me. “You’ll drum up some fans among the prisoners by handing these out, Agronak has been making everyone miserable down there."
As we walked down to the holding area Pilus described in detail the injuries and number of Legion that Agronak took down when he resisted arrest.
“I’ve gotten a promotion. I’m the new hand-to-hand trainer for the Legion. I won’t be able to go down there and see Ysabel anymore. You know, if she could clean…I mean she really is something special…but…anyway, I’m glad you introduced us. I‘m coming down with you to say goodbye to her.”
“Pilus, she’s in a dirty cell and depressed. When she gets out of here you’ll see a difference. But you’re right about her, she is special. We all love her at the Bloodworks.”
When we entered the holding area I saw Agronak right away. He ran to the front of the cell as if I was there to visit him. I went to the cell opposite his.
“Pilus and I have brought you a copy of the Courier to cheer your day.” I smiled at the prisoner and held the Courier up so he could see the headlines.
He gratefully reached through the bars and took it. “Thanks!”
Agronak put his face to the bars and called my name, smiling. Did he think I had not seen him in there? Or that we were still friends? I moved down the row quickly, sliding each prisoner a copy of the Courier till I reached Andronicus at the end of the row. There was one prisoner across from her, but he was sleeping. Ripples of laughter and taunts of “Your Lordship” were already emanating from the cells.
I took one copy for Andronicus and gave the rest to Pilus. “Thank you Pilus.”
Andronicus’s shriek at seeing me woke the man. Pilus stuck the paper in for him.
“The white Khajiit brought you a present.” Pilus pointed in my direction and the prisoner gave me the Arena salute.
I waved and smiled. “I‘m bringing you laughter to brighten this dark place.” I called to him, then turned to Andronicus, who was bawling.
“Here’s something that will cheer you up Andronicus.” I slid the Courier through the bars to her.
“Pilus told me you blew up the Arena. What happened? No one was hurt, were they?” Andronicus stuck her face between the bars as if to inspect me for wounds or soot.
“Gils is having to do all of your chores now Andronicus.“
“All of them? BWAAHAAA! That will keep him worn down enough that he should leave you alone.”
Andronicus caught the look of misery on my face and her expression changed immediately. She must have guessed something happened between me and Gils and managed to give me a look that encompassed anger and sympathy in one glance. I really missed her friendship at the Bloodworks. She would have found some way to put everything in perspective for me.
Pilus asked to hear some of the Orc mix jokes.
“What's big, blue, and can't screw? - An Orc mix!”
“BWAHAA” Pilus barked.
“What's got a useless [censored] and a jaw of glass? - An Orc mix!” I rhymed.
“BWAHAHA!”
“How many Orc mixes does it take to screw a candle into a sconce? - None, they can't screw!”
“BWAAAAHAAAA! Quit!” Andronicus was bent over and circling around. Uh oh.
Pilus was doubled over till I was sure he was going to join Andronicus in leaving puddles. I told several more before I left, and even heard some of the prisoners in the cells near Andronicus’s start laughing hard.
She cried when I left, but I had to get back. I continued to tell rhymes to Pilus on the walk back to the Arena, which made progress really slow. He was laughing so hard he could barely stand and was leaning on my arm to walk.
Gils was standing outside the Bloodworks door watching us make our way towards him. I turned and faced Pilus, my back to Gils.
“I can’t say anymore, that is the Orc’s step-brother. It would upset him to hear it.”
“I understand. Listen, Maxical…it was really good for Andronicus that you came. She is very lonely and…you were right about her personality. I really do enjoy talking to her“
“I know, I do too.”
“She laughed herself sick when I told her about all the things you did to torture everyone at the Compound. I told all of the Legion about you being a combatant, those that remember you said they will come cheer for you. We reminisced about all your tormenting. Everyone said the place wasn’t the same after you left.”
“Thank you Pilus…uh oh, look. That’s Hassiri from the Courier. Unless you want your name in the paper as someone who has succumbed to my wiles you may want to hurry off before he sees me. Uh oh, too late. What do you want to bet you’ll be written up as a mystery man? Pilus, thank you for taking such good care of Andronicus, we all love her.”
He squeezed my hand and hurried off in the opposite direction from Hassiri.
***
Since the Special Edition with the “Confessions of a Grand Champion” came out the press had been sending their cards in to interview Gils. Because of his slowed to a stop career he hadn’t attracted them in years except for the special events he always fought in. I guess “succumbing to my wiles” made him popular with the press again like he had been when he was up and coming.
Hassiri hurried up to me. By protocol he should have interviewed Gils first, so I am sure he was anxious to know about Pilus. Owyn had briefed me and loaded me down with passes to the managers box already.
“Who was that Legion I saw you talking to? Quite a handsome young man.”
“Oh he escorted me to visit Andronicus at the prison. Since the attack Owyn is hesitant about me going anywhere unescorted.”
Hassiri shot me a concerned look before pointing to my engagement hand. “I notice you have moved Arch Mage Traven’s ring to your other hand…I hesitate to ask…but isn’t that now Agronak’s ring on your engagement finger?”
“No, actually both these rings are from Arch Mage Traven. Hannibal made this ring as a gift for me at the same time he made that crate of gag rings, but put a different enchantment on it. Believe me, I have no desire to sport a ring of Agronak’s.”
“I don’t blame you there. Did you throw the old one in the Rumare? I may go swimming if you did.”
“Do people really throw their rings in it? I may take a swim myself! Hannibal had heavily enchanted that ring too, adding extremely to its value. I didn‘t want to enrich Agronak by giving that one back to him.”
“Arch Mage Traven is quite an enchanting man, wouldn’t you say?” Hassiri laughed at his own joke, so did I.
“Oh Hassiri, that is really funny! May I borrow that from you?”
“Of course, just give the credit to yours truly.” He pointed his thumb into his chest, then raised his eyebrows questioningly. “But what of the original?”
“Oh, that one I gave to a very close friend…“
As I was answering him Gils moved out of the Bloodworks entry. Suddenly Hassiri seemed anxious to end the interview. I gave him some passes and thanked him. With a sinking feeling I realized I had spoken on the record about the rings. I watched him run toward Gils with his pad raised. Immediately Hassiri could be seen inspecting the 18,000 Septim ring on Gils’ engagement hand, Gils was on the record too. Oh dear.
***
While Gils talked to Hassiri I ran in and grabbed Owyn.
“Get a Septim ready.”
Stripping down quickly, I lay my pack and clothing on my old mat in Andronicus‘s corner. I shot into the bathing room and jumped in the pool, quickly soaping up and scrubbing. When I heard the Bloodworks door slam I plastered an innocent look on my face just in time as Gils stomped into the bathing area. He was halfway across the room when he stopped, his eyes darting around.
“Er, I have to go take care of something, I’ll be right back.”
“Aren’t you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I won’t look.”
“It’s not that.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Gils hurried out. I grabbed a towel and followed, slipping quietly out the door and down to Owyn’s end of the backroom. I could just barely see Gils putting stuff back into my pack, that meant he already knew about my secret pocket at the bottom of it. He picked up my greaves and began feeling in the pockets. Owyn was watching him closely. I tiptoed in and stood next to Owyn as Gils pulled the note from my small pocket and spread it open.
Gils,
If you are reading this note then you have finally made it into my pants. Congratulations! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. By the way, look behind you.
GOTCHA!
“Damn her!” Gils turned around and saw me.
Owyn started laughing, then held the Septim out and dropped it in my waiting hand.
Gils crumpled up the note and threw it, stomping over to the bathing area. I got the note and handed it to Owyn, he doubled over laughing.
We were supposed to be practicing, so Gils going to the bathing area could only mean he wanted to talk. I hesitated. Gils was upset, this would not be a pleasant chat nor romantic interlude…on the other hand, I couldn’t very well spar by myself either. Should I just stay out here and talk with Owyn till Gils got over it?
“Listen up, Maxical. We don’t want Agronak near you anymore…” Owyn began.
“We? You got a mouse in your pocket Owyn?”
Owyn‘s face took on a purple hue. “Oh, you’re just a laugh a minute. Now you listen to me!” Owyn roared, then lowered his voice back down. “Gils said he was going to teach you that spin and force block, so you better get back on his good side.”
“Gils teach me? I thought Agronak was the only one that knew them?”
“Gils taught them to Agronak.”
I digested that for a moment, then handed Owyn my raiment. “I’ll be back.”
Gils was waiting on my mat in the bathing room, leaned back against the wall watching the door. There was no way to avoid being seen coming in. I believe the best defense is a good offense, so I went in talking.
“Did you know you were on the record when Hassiri asked you about that ring?“ I pointed to his engagement finger that had Agronak’s ring on it. “I just told him I gave it to a very close friend, but I was on record when I said it. You know Hassiri is going to print that I gave this to you and you wear it on your engagement hand? I guess we both messed up on that one.”
“I don’t have anyone to be upset about it.”
“It’s a good thing Agronak is in jail. If he hears about it he will be upset.”
“You’re right there. I wasn’t thinking about him when I said that.”
“I know. Hassiri couldn’t get away from me quick enough after I said that. He made a beeline and looked straight at your hand. Probably because you have supposedly succumbed to my wiles.”
“Maxical…”
He didn’t finish the thought, but I read it in his eyes. “It’s nothing like that Gils.”
“Who is he?”
“He is an old friend from the orphanage.”
“The note?”
“From Andronicus.”
Gils let out his breath with just a little more force than normal. He started teaching me the spin and force block that day in our training session. Gils wasn’t mad at me anymore. I heaved a sigh of relief, we had made it over the first bump in the road.
*
Chapter 45: Games We Play
When we got to the Palace Pilus brought me into the Legion area through a locked door so Gils could not follow. I pulled the note out and tossed it into the fireplace, thinking quickly as I watched it burn. Gils had seen the note in my hand, he would hunt for it when I came back.
“Can I have a similar piece of paper?”
“Sure, this is what I used, take what you need.” Pilus indicated a writing desk.
I took the quill and ink pot and scribbled a note, then folded it up and put it in my small pocket. A small stack of Couriers with Agronak’s confessions sat on the corner of the desk.
“Can I bring Andronicus one of these?”
“Good idea…in fact, some of the other inmates might enjoy reading that.” Pilus grabbed up several copies and handed them to me. “You’ll drum up some fans among the prisoners by handing these out, Agronak has been making everyone miserable down there."
As we walked down to the holding area Pilus described in detail the injuries and number of Legion that Agronak took down when he resisted arrest.
“I’ve gotten a promotion. I’m the new hand-to-hand trainer for the Legion. I won’t be able to go down there and see Ysabel anymore. You know, if she could clean…I mean she really is something special…but…anyway, I’m glad you introduced us. I‘m coming down with you to say goodbye to her.”
“Pilus, she’s in a dirty cell and depressed. When she gets out of here you’ll see a difference. But you’re right about her, she is special. We all love her at the Bloodworks.”
When we entered the holding area I saw Agronak right away. He ran to the front of the cell as if I was there to visit him. I went to the cell opposite his.
“Pilus and I have brought you a copy of the Courier to cheer your day.” I smiled at the prisoner and held the Courier up so he could see the headlines.
He gratefully reached through the bars and took it. “Thanks!”
Agronak put his face to the bars and called my name, smiling. Did he think I had not seen him in there? Or that we were still friends? I moved down the row quickly, sliding each prisoner a copy of the Courier till I reached Andronicus at the end of the row. There was one prisoner across from her, but he was sleeping. Ripples of laughter and taunts of “Your Lordship” were already emanating from the cells.
I took one copy for Andronicus and gave the rest to Pilus. “Thank you Pilus.”
Andronicus’s shriek at seeing me woke the man. Pilus stuck the paper in for him.
“The white Khajiit brought you a present.” Pilus pointed in my direction and the prisoner gave me the Arena salute.
I waved and smiled. “I‘m bringing you laughter to brighten this dark place.” I called to him, then turned to Andronicus, who was bawling.
“Here’s something that will cheer you up Andronicus.” I slid the Courier through the bars to her.
“Pilus told me you blew up the Arena. What happened? No one was hurt, were they?” Andronicus stuck her face between the bars as if to inspect me for wounds or soot.
“Gils is having to do all of your chores now Andronicus.“
“All of them? BWAAHAAA! That will keep him worn down enough that he should leave you alone.”
Andronicus caught the look of misery on my face and her expression changed immediately. She must have guessed something happened between me and Gils and managed to give me a look that encompassed anger and sympathy in one glance. I really missed her friendship at the Bloodworks. She would have found some way to put everything in perspective for me.
Pilus asked to hear some of the Orc mix jokes.
“What's big, blue, and can't screw? - An Orc mix!”
“BWAHAA” Pilus barked.
“What's got a useless [censored] and a jaw of glass? - An Orc mix!” I rhymed.
“BWAHAHA!”
“How many Orc mixes does it take to screw a candle into a sconce? - None, they can't screw!”
“BWAAAAHAAAA! Quit!” Andronicus was bent over and circling around. Uh oh.
Pilus was doubled over till I was sure he was going to join Andronicus in leaving puddles. I told several more before I left, and even heard some of the prisoners in the cells near Andronicus’s start laughing hard.
She cried when I left, but I had to get back. I continued to tell rhymes to Pilus on the walk back to the Arena, which made progress really slow. He was laughing so hard he could barely stand and was leaning on my arm to walk.
Gils was standing outside the Bloodworks door watching us make our way towards him. I turned and faced Pilus, my back to Gils.
“I can’t say anymore, that is the Orc’s step-brother. It would upset him to hear it.”
“I understand. Listen, Maxical…it was really good for Andronicus that you came. She is very lonely and…you were right about her personality. I really do enjoy talking to her“
“I know, I do too.”
“She laughed herself sick when I told her about all the things you did to torture everyone at the Compound. I told all of the Legion about you being a combatant, those that remember you said they will come cheer for you. We reminisced about all your tormenting. Everyone said the place wasn’t the same after you left.”
“Thank you Pilus…uh oh, look. That’s Hassiri from the Courier. Unless you want your name in the paper as someone who has succumbed to my wiles you may want to hurry off before he sees me. Uh oh, too late. What do you want to bet you’ll be written up as a mystery man? Pilus, thank you for taking such good care of Andronicus, we all love her.”
He squeezed my hand and hurried off in the opposite direction from Hassiri.
***
Since the Special Edition with the “Confessions of a Grand Champion” came out the press had been sending their cards in to interview Gils. Because of his slowed to a stop career he hadn’t attracted them in years except for the special events he always fought in. I guess “succumbing to my wiles” made him popular with the press again like he had been when he was up and coming.
Hassiri hurried up to me. By protocol he should have interviewed Gils first, so I am sure he was anxious to know about Pilus. Owyn had briefed me and loaded me down with passes to the managers box already.
“Who was that Legion I saw you talking to? Quite a handsome young man.”
“Oh he escorted me to visit Andronicus at the prison. Since the attack Owyn is hesitant about me going anywhere unescorted.”
Hassiri shot me a concerned look before pointing to my engagement hand. “I notice you have moved Arch Mage Traven’s ring to your other hand…I hesitate to ask…but isn’t that now Agronak’s ring on your engagement finger?”
“No, actually both these rings are from Arch Mage Traven. Hannibal made this ring as a gift for me at the same time he made that crate of gag rings, but put a different enchantment on it. Believe me, I have no desire to sport a ring of Agronak’s.”
“I don’t blame you there. Did you throw the old one in the Rumare? I may go swimming if you did.”
“Do people really throw their rings in it? I may take a swim myself! Hannibal had heavily enchanted that ring too, adding extremely to its value. I didn‘t want to enrich Agronak by giving that one back to him.”
“Arch Mage Traven is quite an enchanting man, wouldn’t you say?” Hassiri laughed at his own joke, so did I.
“Oh Hassiri, that is really funny! May I borrow that from you?”
“Of course, just give the credit to yours truly.” He pointed his thumb into his chest, then raised his eyebrows questioningly. “But what of the original?”
“Oh, that one I gave to a very close friend…“
As I was answering him Gils moved out of the Bloodworks entry. Suddenly Hassiri seemed anxious to end the interview. I gave him some passes and thanked him. With a sinking feeling I realized I had spoken on the record about the rings. I watched him run toward Gils with his pad raised. Immediately Hassiri could be seen inspecting the 18,000 Septim ring on Gils’ engagement hand, Gils was on the record too. Oh dear.
***
While Gils talked to Hassiri I ran in and grabbed Owyn.
“Get a Septim ready.”
Stripping down quickly, I lay my pack and clothing on my old mat in Andronicus‘s corner. I shot into the bathing room and jumped in the pool, quickly soaping up and scrubbing. When I heard the Bloodworks door slam I plastered an innocent look on my face just in time as Gils stomped into the bathing area. He was halfway across the room when he stopped, his eyes darting around.
“Er, I have to go take care of something, I’ll be right back.”
“Aren’t you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I won’t look.”
“It’s not that.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Gils hurried out. I grabbed a towel and followed, slipping quietly out the door and down to Owyn’s end of the backroom. I could just barely see Gils putting stuff back into my pack, that meant he already knew about my secret pocket at the bottom of it. He picked up my greaves and began feeling in the pockets. Owyn was watching him closely. I tiptoed in and stood next to Owyn as Gils pulled the note from my small pocket and spread it open.
Gils,
If you are reading this note then you have finally made it into my pants. Congratulations! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. By the way, look behind you.
GOTCHA!
“Damn her!” Gils turned around and saw me.
Owyn started laughing, then held the Septim out and dropped it in my waiting hand.
Gils crumpled up the note and threw it, stomping over to the bathing area. I got the note and handed it to Owyn, he doubled over laughing.
We were supposed to be practicing, so Gils going to the bathing area could only mean he wanted to talk. I hesitated. Gils was upset, this would not be a pleasant chat nor romantic interlude…on the other hand, I couldn’t very well spar by myself either. Should I just stay out here and talk with Owyn till Gils got over it?
“Listen up, Maxical. We don’t want Agronak near you anymore…” Owyn began.
“We? You got a mouse in your pocket Owyn?”
Owyn‘s face took on a purple hue. “Oh, you’re just a laugh a minute. Now you listen to me!” Owyn roared, then lowered his voice back down. “Gils said he was going to teach you that spin and force block, so you better get back on his good side.”
“Gils teach me? I thought Agronak was the only one that knew them?”
“Gils taught them to Agronak.”
I digested that for a moment, then handed Owyn my raiment. “I’ll be back.”
Gils was waiting on my mat in the bathing room, leaned back against the wall watching the door. There was no way to avoid being seen coming in. I believe the best defense is a good offense, so I went in talking.
“Did you know you were on the record when Hassiri asked you about that ring?“ I pointed to his engagement finger that had Agronak’s ring on it. “I just told him I gave it to a very close friend, but I was on record when I said it. You know Hassiri is going to print that I gave this to you and you wear it on your engagement hand? I guess we both messed up on that one.”
“I don’t have anyone to be upset about it.”
“It’s a good thing Agronak is in jail. If he hears about it he will be upset.”
“You’re right there. I wasn’t thinking about him when I said that.”
“I know. Hassiri couldn’t get away from me quick enough after I said that. He made a beeline and looked straight at your hand. Probably because you have supposedly succumbed to my wiles.”
“Maxical…”
He didn’t finish the thought, but I read it in his eyes. “It’s nothing like that Gils.”
“Who is he?”
“He is an old friend from the orphanage.”
“The note?”
“From Andronicus.”
Gils let out his breath with just a little more force than normal. He started teaching me the spin and force block that day in our training session. Gils wasn’t mad at me anymore. I heaved a sigh of relief, we had made it over the first bump in the road.
*
Another fun romp.
It was nice to see Andronicus again. I wonder if passing all those newspapers around in front of Agronak bothered him, or if it just went over his head, lol.
I got a chuckle from the note Maxical planted for Gils to find.
This whole exchange was extremely well-done. Lovely:
It was nice to see Andronicus again. I wonder if passing all those newspapers around in front of Agronak bothered him, or if it just went over his head, lol.
I got a chuckle from the note Maxical planted for Gils to find.
This whole exchange was extremely well-done. Lovely:
QUOTE
Maxical
He didnt finish the thought, but I read it in his eyes. Its nothing like that Gils.
Who is he?
He is an old friend from the orphanage.
The note?
From Andronicus.
Gils let out his breath with just a little more force than normal. He started teaching me the spin and force block that day in our training session. Gils wasnt mad at me anymore. I heaved a sigh of relief, we had made it over the first bump in the road.
He didnt finish the thought, but I read it in his eyes. Its nothing like that Gils.
Who is he?
He is an old friend from the orphanage.
The note?
From Andronicus.
Gils let out his breath with just a little more force than normal. He started teaching me the spin and force block that day in our training session. Gils wasnt mad at me anymore. I heaved a sigh of relief, we had made it over the first bump in the road.
Things are moving- rather like when Agronak pays you a visit... Sorry. The visit to the prison was funny and sad at the same time- poor Andronicus.
Hee- I think someone has a wee bit of a crush
The thing to remember if you feel like your BHC stories aren't working (not sure I agree)- newspapers use that "telegraphic style." Short, punchy sentences- not a lot of descriptive language. The headlines are used to get the reader to look further into the story-
"Champion Claims to Be 'Half a Man'! Sources Say 'He Gives Himself too Much Credit!' "
"Grey Prince or Green Weenie?"
QUOTE
You know, if she could cleanI mean she really is something special
Hee- I think someone has a wee bit of a crush
QUOTE
Er, I have to go take care of something, Ill be right back.
Arent you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I wont look.
Its not that.
Arent you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I wont look.
Its not that.
The thing to remember if you feel like your BHC stories aren't working (not sure I agree)- newspapers use that "telegraphic style." Short, punchy sentences- not a lot of descriptive language. The headlines are used to get the reader to look further into the story-
"Champion Claims to Be 'Half a Man'! Sources Say 'He Gives Himself too Much Credit!' "
"Grey Prince or Green Weenie?"
rofl, this was brilliant. As the Paladin said, it was good to see Andronicus again. Agronak?...not so much I'm running out of things to say about your story because I have said it all before, you have a brilliantly comedic mind that keeps us wanting more, your version of Cyrodiil is modern (In a good way) and dramatic (Also in a good way). I'm running low on jokes at the moment so a simple 'More! Please?' will suffice.
I'm running out of things to say about your story because I have said it all before, you have a brilliantly comedic mind that keeps us wanting more, your version of Cyrodiil is modern (In a good way) and dramatic (Also in a good way). I'm running low on jokes at the moment so a simple 'More! Please?' will suffice.
You know, it never even occurred to me that Gils might be based on the Dunmer Gladiator in the Arena. Gils has too much personality, I guess.
I agree with trey, there was something a little sad about seeing Andronicus again. I hope she gets out of that cell soon. On the bright side, how many Cyrodiilic women are complaining about not being able to land a man while Andronicus is scoring from a jail cell?!
The little prank with the note is classic Maxical and one of the reasons I love this story so much.
Er, I have to go take care of something, Ill be right back.
Arent you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I wont look.
Its not that.
Oh, sorry.
I agree with trey, there was something a little sad about seeing Andronicus again. I hope she gets out of that cell soon. On the bright side, how many Cyrodiilic women are complaining about not being able to land a man while Andronicus is scoring from a jail cell?!
The little prank with the note is classic Maxical and one of the reasons I love this story so much.
QUOTE(mALX @ Sep 15 2010, 09:17 AM)
Er, I have to go take care of something, Ill be right back.
Arent you afraid Owyn will interrupt you? You can stay in here, I wont look.
Its not that.
Oh, sorry.
@ EVERYONE - I slowed down the action a bit to develop the key characters some - a couple more chapters and then the action will pick back up, I promise !!! (Chapter 49 starts a ball rolling that causes all H to break out in the story - and keep your eyes peeled after that for...DA DA DA DA...Damien "Foxy" Reynard !!!)
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !! I believe Agronak was still preening when the other prisoners started calling "Your Lordship" in - it may have gone over his head, but the jokes won't, lol.
***
@ Treydog - Er...everything is moving like...something brown that stinks? Or a steed charging out one's [censored]? Lol.
You are right, I should have packed that Courier with a lot more zing - I'll have to practice doing them again so I can nail them like you described. You ROCK !!!! Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick !!! I had so many chapters trying to develop the characters better that it feels like a long time has passed in story, doesn't it? Sorry about that, lol. Well it will def pick up quickly starting on chapter 49. "Things" are converging on the Imperial City for that music festival and cage match that will shake things up a bit.
***
@ Destri - Really good point, Maxical has freedom and two boyfriends and yet somehow remains a virgin; and there is Andronicus: in jail and stinking, and she lands a man! Go figure!
You picked out my two favorite scenes! Thank you so much Destri!!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !! I believe Agronak was still preening when the other prisoners started calling "Your Lordship" in - it may have gone over his head, but the jokes won't, lol.
***
@ Treydog - Er...everything is moving like...something brown that stinks? Or a steed charging out one's [censored]? Lol.
You are right, I should have packed that Courier with a lot more zing - I'll have to practice doing them again so I can nail them like you described. You ROCK !!!! Thank you so much Treydog!!!
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick !!! I had so many chapters trying to develop the characters better that it feels like a long time has passed in story, doesn't it? Sorry about that, lol. Well it will def pick up quickly starting on chapter 49. "Things" are converging on the Imperial City for that music festival and cage match that will shake things up a bit.
***
@ Destri - Really good point, Maxical has freedom and two boyfriends and yet somehow remains a virgin; and there is Andronicus: in jail and stinking, and she lands a man! Go figure!
You picked out my two favorite scenes! Thank you so much Destri!!!
*
Chapter 46: Nooses Tightening
“What’s this?” Gils pointed to the parchment I was having everyone sign.
“Jack’s runner was just here, Andronicus is coming back this morning. It’s a ‘Welcome Home‘ card I made for her, will you sign it? I picked these flowers to give her too.”
“Yeah, sure. Er…I need to see you in our room.”
“What is it?”
“Maxical, you know Owyn forgot we were sleeping together alone in here…Andronicus will notice instantly though.”
“He sees us in here all the time, how could he forget?”
“He doesn’t think like a chaperone. Andronicus always handles that stuff. When she comes back she’ll have a fit! She’ll make you move back out with her…we’ll be separated.”
“Well I don’t want to move out there, it’s dirty and it stinks. I like it in here.”
“You and me both. But she’ll go off on us and raise hell, you know she will.”
“What can we do?”
“There is only one thing we can do…break the truce. Now just listen to what I have to say. If the truce is broken, she won’t have any reason to chaperone you anymore. It’s the only way to keep her from tearing us apart.”
“Geez Gils…this feels…sudden and…hurried. Not romantic.”
“Just this once. Believe me, it’ll be plenty romantic when we are in here together as a couple. I don’t want to give up what we have in here, do you?”
“No…but…my first time, I don’t want it to be rushed…or a plotted thing with reasons behind it. And what about my promise to Fathis?”
“Everything anyone does has reasons behind it. What about this, you could just tell her we did then.”
“I can’t lie to Andronicus!”
“I can’t either.” Gils’ expression changed to a determined one. He kissed me then, using an onslaught of moves.
“What are you doing now?”
“Kissing you…kind of a goodbye before she separates us.”
“Gils! I know what you’re up to now, it won’t work. You shouldn’t have warned me first if you wanted to prevail.“
“Well it’s too late now! There she is, I can hear her.”
Andronicus reeked. It didn’t stop her from hugging us for extended periods, crying and breathing one of the foulest odors I have ever smelled. When she saw the card and flowers it started all over again. I had to bathe to get the smell of her off me. Gils followed me in, staring hard at me. I couldn’t read what his look meant.
“What?” I asked. It felt awkward between us suddenly.
When she makes you move out there, I’m staying in here. It is clean, and private with that lock on the door.”
“You…you’ll stay in here without me?”
Gils nodded. “Her smell will permeate your fur and hair when you go back to sleeping in that corner…like it used to.”
“I stunk? I bathed all the time!”
Gils ignored that. “Even worse, prisons are filled with lice. She will infest this place. I started itching seconds after she hugged me.”
“Oh dear gods, you’re making me itch! Give me that soap back, I’m going to scrub again. Will soap and water get rid of lice?”
“Not really, especially on you…they love fur. If you bathe a lot they don’t like it though. Er…the Alchemy shop sells lotion that kills them. I had to keep it all the time because Owyn gets those Pits from the prison. That’s what that bottle over there with my things is. I won’t need it after today since I’ll be staying in here.”
“Why not?”
“Lice hop from one mat to the next in the night. When Andronicus makes you move back in with her, your mat is right next to hers and your fur will draw them. You’ll definitely catch her lice.”
“Gils, how can I sleep thinking lice are popping over from her mat to mine! What am I going to do?”
“Stay with me…in our room.“ Gils spread out his hands to indicate our corner of the bathing room.
I looked over at our two mats laying side by side in the corner. This room was so clean compared to the main area…Gils was always clean. I liked the privacy of having a locking door. It was safer in here with Gils. And I had become deeply attached to…the intimate things we did together.
If I didn’t make a stand to stay with Gils, Andronicus would put a stop to that. Then what? Would Gils bring Horski in here? Besides, I didn’t feel like the same girl I was before Andronicus left, even if I had missed her a lot.
Watching Gils struggling to reach his back with the delousing lotion helped me come to a decision. It happened all the time in the Bloodworks, women would choose one man to sleep with for protection from the rest. The only difference with me was that I was still intact…so far.
“I’ll help you put it on your back if you let me use some.”
“Deal..” He handed me the bottle.
“Hey, this just says it’s regular lotion for dry skin.”
“I have the girl at the alchemy shop put it in those bottles so no one thinks I’m scurvy getting the other stuff.”
“Oh, good idea!” I finished rubbing it on his back.
“Here, let me get your back for you.” Gils warmed some in his hands and then smoothed it onto my back in caressing strokes.
“That kind of tickles….“
A floral scent was wafting up to my nose. I lifted up my arm and smelled it.
“This stuff smells good!”
Er…I need to…take care of something.”
“Oh, I see. Well, if you want I’ll leave you to be private in here.”
“Hurry on then.”
*
I wrapped a towel around me and hurried out. Owyn was smiling so I decided to tackle him on Andronicus’s hygiene.
“Owyn, can I talk to you regarding a private matter?”
“What the hell is that smell?”
“Er…lotion?”
“Don’t tell me Gils tricked you with that fake lice lotion story!”
“What?”
“Man, you are the most gullible idiot I have ever seen! Did he talk you into rubbing his back with it? I’ll bet you were stupid enough to let him rub it on yours too, let me feel your back…HA! I knew it! Man, you are one dumb girl!”
“You mean…the whole thing was a set up?”
“What do I need to do, draw you a picture? It will look something like this.” He made an O with his thumb and a finger on one hand and ran a finger from his other hand through it.
I was fuming. “OH! … OH! I will get even with him for this!”
“You’d have to be a lot smarter than what you are to get one up on Gils. He’s slicker’n [censored] [censored] in [censored]. Now what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Oh…Er…If someone in the Bloodworks had an extreme hygiene problem, what would we be able to do about it?”
“Andronicus! Get your [censored] in there and clean up, you’re stinking up the place!” Owyn shouted loud enough that they could have heard it over the crowds out in the Arena.
My face turned blood red. “I didn’t tell you who…”
“Well was I wrong?”
“Er…but now she will know I said something to you and be mad at me.”
“Maybe Gils can sooth her with one of his backrubs. BWAAHAAA!”
“OH!” I stormed over to my old mat to the sound of Owyn’s laughter.
Andronicus hardly got into the bathing room when Gils came flying out naked, his ‘interest’ that was standing up when I left the room now looked like a frightened turtle that had drawn its head into its shell.
“You did that on purpose!” He fumed at me.
I turned around and grinned at Owyn. “Score one for the dumb Khajiit!” I said, holding up the Arena sign for victory.
I held my hand out for a Septim and told Owyn, “I heard Gils was very fertile, but his [censored] looks like a frightened turtle!”
Owyn laughed so hard he was staggering and had to hold himself up on the cupboard behind him. I thought he may leave a puddle on the floor he laughed so hard. When he could finally stand up again he tossed me another Septim and flashed me the sign for champion. Then he went back to roaring laughing.
Things were back to normal in our Bloodworks again.
******* Alix
Alix grabbed S’Jirra, lifting her in the air and twirling her around. “I’ve missed you! Did Hannibal tell you what we are planning?”
“Yes…er…Alix, we need to talk privately about something else Hannibal told me.” S’Jirra’s eyes reflected it wasn’t good news.
Within minutes Alix was pounding on the Bloodworks door while S‘Jirra walked back to the Merchants alone. Owyn answered his knock.
“Alix! Why you’ve barely changed a bit! Are you coming back to fight for me?”
“I may just! Can I talk with you for a minute? And then I need to have a talk with Gils. And Owyn…I don’t want Maxical to know I’m here.“
“Gils huh. Don’t blame you a bit there, I lectured him as soon as I found out Maxical was your daughter, but…it wasn‘t my place to tell him the relationship, of course. Ysabel and I both warned her about Gils too, all the good that did.”
“Well he’s not standing by his truce Owyn. Did you know he almost started her? Hannibal said Maxical and Gils showed up at midnight to have her checked. When will Andronicus get back? I need Maxical to stay in here where she‘ll be safe from Agronak, but with this going on...”
“Ysabel got back this morning, but Maxical refused to move back with her. She is the most stubborn...! Said she got used to a clean room. Gils refused to move out too, said he was protecting her. But that [censored] Orc is in jail.”
“Not for long. I’m going to pull some strings, but I don’t want Gils to know anything about that or he‘ll run to Agronak‘s aid. Can you keep Gils and Maxical both inside…but apart till I give you the signal that I‘m done?”
“You gonna run a chain on him? Who you got so far?”
“What would you say if I told you I had S’Jirra and Simplicia…and a very helpful news reporter named Hassiri will be chronicling the whole thing in the Courier?”
“SPEW! Simplicia? Damn it, I can’t be in on it! I’d get kicked out of my position here. I won‘t say a word to Gils, he‘d pull Agronak out of Cyrodiil to protect him. Listen Alix, I am sorry. Damn! It might be my fault, I got Gils drunk. I wasn’t thinking about the truce what with Agronak pounding on the door. Gils says he loves her, but we both know all the good that will do. I’m sorry Alix. Go ahead and leave her with me and I’ll make some changes.”
“Thanks Owyn. Can you get Gils out here without her seeing me?”
“Yeah. Hey, it’s good to see you again. If you want to come back and fight, Andronicus would love to take your book.”
“We’ll see how things pan out after this. I may not need to.”
*
Gils stepped out the doorway shortly after Owyn went inside. His eyes widened when he saw Alix. “Alix! How are you man? I was thinking about you just yesterday! Good to see you!”
“I’m not doing so well Gils. Hannibal Traven says you and my daughter woke him up in the middle of the night worried she may have been started. Since when do you not stand by a truce?”
“Your daughter? Maxical is your daughter? She told me she was from the orphanage! Alix, it was an accident. I won’t deny my interest in her, but what happened was purely an accident, I swear that to you.”
“It would be more convincing if you weren’t advising her to eat meat or reading ‘The Khajiit Mystique‘. Since when do you drink when you’re supposed to be under truce?”
“But it didn’t happen then, it was before that. She was doing something with her tail in my face, like a cobra biting me. I grabbed her tail not thinking. As soon as I realized it I let go, but it was too late…she was already almost started. Hannibal said Maxical being mixed makes it easier for her to be started. It‘s not what you think at all. And we swore vows, Alix.”
“Why are you two still in the bathing room now that Andronicus is back?“
“Maxical refused, she said it was dirty and smelled bad in the main area.”
“Gils, I won‘t have my daughter compromised, she’s promised to Fathis Aren.”
“She is no conquest, Alix. I love her. I swore marriage vows with her, you know I’ve never done that before. She loves me, I know she does.”
“Were there witnesses?”
“…Well…no. But she told me of her promise to Fathis right from the beginning, and I have honored that. She‘s still saving herself for him.”
*
Chapter 46: Nooses Tightening
“What’s this?” Gils pointed to the parchment I was having everyone sign.
“Jack’s runner was just here, Andronicus is coming back this morning. It’s a ‘Welcome Home‘ card I made for her, will you sign it? I picked these flowers to give her too.”
“Yeah, sure. Er…I need to see you in our room.”
“What is it?”
“Maxical, you know Owyn forgot we were sleeping together alone in here…Andronicus will notice instantly though.”
“He sees us in here all the time, how could he forget?”
“He doesn’t think like a chaperone. Andronicus always handles that stuff. When she comes back she’ll have a fit! She’ll make you move back out with her…we’ll be separated.”
“Well I don’t want to move out there, it’s dirty and it stinks. I like it in here.”
“You and me both. But she’ll go off on us and raise hell, you know she will.”
“What can we do?”
“There is only one thing we can do…break the truce. Now just listen to what I have to say. If the truce is broken, she won’t have any reason to chaperone you anymore. It’s the only way to keep her from tearing us apart.”
“Geez Gils…this feels…sudden and…hurried. Not romantic.”
“Just this once. Believe me, it’ll be plenty romantic when we are in here together as a couple. I don’t want to give up what we have in here, do you?”
“No…but…my first time, I don’t want it to be rushed…or a plotted thing with reasons behind it. And what about my promise to Fathis?”
“Everything anyone does has reasons behind it. What about this, you could just tell her we did then.”
“I can’t lie to Andronicus!”
“I can’t either.” Gils’ expression changed to a determined one. He kissed me then, using an onslaught of moves.
“What are you doing now?”
“Kissing you…kind of a goodbye before she separates us.”
“Gils! I know what you’re up to now, it won’t work. You shouldn’t have warned me first if you wanted to prevail.“
“Well it’s too late now! There she is, I can hear her.”
Andronicus reeked. It didn’t stop her from hugging us for extended periods, crying and breathing one of the foulest odors I have ever smelled. When she saw the card and flowers it started all over again. I had to bathe to get the smell of her off me. Gils followed me in, staring hard at me. I couldn’t read what his look meant.
“What?” I asked. It felt awkward between us suddenly.
When she makes you move out there, I’m staying in here. It is clean, and private with that lock on the door.”
“You…you’ll stay in here without me?”
Gils nodded. “Her smell will permeate your fur and hair when you go back to sleeping in that corner…like it used to.”
“I stunk? I bathed all the time!”
Gils ignored that. “Even worse, prisons are filled with lice. She will infest this place. I started itching seconds after she hugged me.”
“Oh dear gods, you’re making me itch! Give me that soap back, I’m going to scrub again. Will soap and water get rid of lice?”
“Not really, especially on you…they love fur. If you bathe a lot they don’t like it though. Er…the Alchemy shop sells lotion that kills them. I had to keep it all the time because Owyn gets those Pits from the prison. That’s what that bottle over there with my things is. I won’t need it after today since I’ll be staying in here.”
“Why not?”
“Lice hop from one mat to the next in the night. When Andronicus makes you move back in with her, your mat is right next to hers and your fur will draw them. You’ll definitely catch her lice.”
“Gils, how can I sleep thinking lice are popping over from her mat to mine! What am I going to do?”
“Stay with me…in our room.“ Gils spread out his hands to indicate our corner of the bathing room.
I looked over at our two mats laying side by side in the corner. This room was so clean compared to the main area…Gils was always clean. I liked the privacy of having a locking door. It was safer in here with Gils. And I had become deeply attached to…the intimate things we did together.
If I didn’t make a stand to stay with Gils, Andronicus would put a stop to that. Then what? Would Gils bring Horski in here? Besides, I didn’t feel like the same girl I was before Andronicus left, even if I had missed her a lot.
Watching Gils struggling to reach his back with the delousing lotion helped me come to a decision. It happened all the time in the Bloodworks, women would choose one man to sleep with for protection from the rest. The only difference with me was that I was still intact…so far.
“I’ll help you put it on your back if you let me use some.”
“Deal..” He handed me the bottle.
“Hey, this just says it’s regular lotion for dry skin.”
“I have the girl at the alchemy shop put it in those bottles so no one thinks I’m scurvy getting the other stuff.”
“Oh, good idea!” I finished rubbing it on his back.
“Here, let me get your back for you.” Gils warmed some in his hands and then smoothed it onto my back in caressing strokes.
“That kind of tickles….“
A floral scent was wafting up to my nose. I lifted up my arm and smelled it.
“This stuff smells good!”
Er…I need to…take care of something.”
“Oh, I see. Well, if you want I’ll leave you to be private in here.”
“Hurry on then.”
*
I wrapped a towel around me and hurried out. Owyn was smiling so I decided to tackle him on Andronicus’s hygiene.
“Owyn, can I talk to you regarding a private matter?”
“What the hell is that smell?”
“Er…lotion?”
“Don’t tell me Gils tricked you with that fake lice lotion story!”
“What?”
“Man, you are the most gullible idiot I have ever seen! Did he talk you into rubbing his back with it? I’ll bet you were stupid enough to let him rub it on yours too, let me feel your back…HA! I knew it! Man, you are one dumb girl!”
“You mean…the whole thing was a set up?”
“What do I need to do, draw you a picture? It will look something like this.” He made an O with his thumb and a finger on one hand and ran a finger from his other hand through it.
I was fuming. “OH! … OH! I will get even with him for this!”
“You’d have to be a lot smarter than what you are to get one up on Gils. He’s slicker’n [censored] [censored] in [censored]. Now what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Oh…Er…If someone in the Bloodworks had an extreme hygiene problem, what would we be able to do about it?”
“Andronicus! Get your [censored] in there and clean up, you’re stinking up the place!” Owyn shouted loud enough that they could have heard it over the crowds out in the Arena.
My face turned blood red. “I didn’t tell you who…”
“Well was I wrong?”
“Er…but now she will know I said something to you and be mad at me.”
“Maybe Gils can sooth her with one of his backrubs. BWAAHAAA!”
“OH!” I stormed over to my old mat to the sound of Owyn’s laughter.
Andronicus hardly got into the bathing room when Gils came flying out naked, his ‘interest’ that was standing up when I left the room now looked like a frightened turtle that had drawn its head into its shell.
“You did that on purpose!” He fumed at me.
I turned around and grinned at Owyn. “Score one for the dumb Khajiit!” I said, holding up the Arena sign for victory.
I held my hand out for a Septim and told Owyn, “I heard Gils was very fertile, but his [censored] looks like a frightened turtle!”
Owyn laughed so hard he was staggering and had to hold himself up on the cupboard behind him. I thought he may leave a puddle on the floor he laughed so hard. When he could finally stand up again he tossed me another Septim and flashed me the sign for champion. Then he went back to roaring laughing.
Things were back to normal in our Bloodworks again.
******* Alix
Alix grabbed S’Jirra, lifting her in the air and twirling her around. “I’ve missed you! Did Hannibal tell you what we are planning?”
“Yes…er…Alix, we need to talk privately about something else Hannibal told me.” S’Jirra’s eyes reflected it wasn’t good news.
Within minutes Alix was pounding on the Bloodworks door while S‘Jirra walked back to the Merchants alone. Owyn answered his knock.
“Alix! Why you’ve barely changed a bit! Are you coming back to fight for me?”
“I may just! Can I talk with you for a minute? And then I need to have a talk with Gils. And Owyn…I don’t want Maxical to know I’m here.“
“Gils huh. Don’t blame you a bit there, I lectured him as soon as I found out Maxical was your daughter, but…it wasn‘t my place to tell him the relationship, of course. Ysabel and I both warned her about Gils too, all the good that did.”
“Well he’s not standing by his truce Owyn. Did you know he almost started her? Hannibal said Maxical and Gils showed up at midnight to have her checked. When will Andronicus get back? I need Maxical to stay in here where she‘ll be safe from Agronak, but with this going on...”
“Ysabel got back this morning, but Maxical refused to move back with her. She is the most stubborn...! Said she got used to a clean room. Gils refused to move out too, said he was protecting her. But that [censored] Orc is in jail.”
“Not for long. I’m going to pull some strings, but I don’t want Gils to know anything about that or he‘ll run to Agronak‘s aid. Can you keep Gils and Maxical both inside…but apart till I give you the signal that I‘m done?”
“You gonna run a chain on him? Who you got so far?”
“What would you say if I told you I had S’Jirra and Simplicia…and a very helpful news reporter named Hassiri will be chronicling the whole thing in the Courier?”
“SPEW! Simplicia? Damn it, I can’t be in on it! I’d get kicked out of my position here. I won‘t say a word to Gils, he‘d pull Agronak out of Cyrodiil to protect him. Listen Alix, I am sorry. Damn! It might be my fault, I got Gils drunk. I wasn’t thinking about the truce what with Agronak pounding on the door. Gils says he loves her, but we both know all the good that will do. I’m sorry Alix. Go ahead and leave her with me and I’ll make some changes.”
“Thanks Owyn. Can you get Gils out here without her seeing me?”
“Yeah. Hey, it’s good to see you again. If you want to come back and fight, Andronicus would love to take your book.”
“We’ll see how things pan out after this. I may not need to.”
*
Gils stepped out the doorway shortly after Owyn went inside. His eyes widened when he saw Alix. “Alix! How are you man? I was thinking about you just yesterday! Good to see you!”
“I’m not doing so well Gils. Hannibal Traven says you and my daughter woke him up in the middle of the night worried she may have been started. Since when do you not stand by a truce?”
“Your daughter? Maxical is your daughter? She told me she was from the orphanage! Alix, it was an accident. I won’t deny my interest in her, but what happened was purely an accident, I swear that to you.”
“It would be more convincing if you weren’t advising her to eat meat or reading ‘The Khajiit Mystique‘. Since when do you drink when you’re supposed to be under truce?”
“But it didn’t happen then, it was before that. She was doing something with her tail in my face, like a cobra biting me. I grabbed her tail not thinking. As soon as I realized it I let go, but it was too late…she was already almost started. Hannibal said Maxical being mixed makes it easier for her to be started. It‘s not what you think at all. And we swore vows, Alix.”
“Why are you two still in the bathing room now that Andronicus is back?“
“Maxical refused, she said it was dirty and smelled bad in the main area.”
“Gils, I won‘t have my daughter compromised, she’s promised to Fathis Aren.”
“She is no conquest, Alix. I love her. I swore marriage vows with her, you know I’ve never done that before. She loves me, I know she does.”
“Were there witnesses?”
“…Well…no. But she told me of her promise to Fathis right from the beginning, and I have honored that. She‘s still saving herself for him.”
*
I haven't commented much because your story has left me reeling.
But this line had me laughing like old times!
I'm still waiting for when all the pieces fall into place. I have a feeling it's going to be quite the shakedown!
But this line had me laughing like old times!
QUOTE
Andronicus hardly got into the bathing room when Gils came flying out naked, his interest that was standing up when I left the room now looked like a frightened turtle that had drawn its head into its shell.
I'm still waiting for when all the pieces fall into place. I have a feeling it's going to be quite the shakedown!
Andronicus! Hooray! hopefully she can keep maxical out of trouble...mostly! it's good to see Alix again, you've done a good jbo with him and S'jirra.
it's good to see Alix again, you've done a good jbo with him and S'jirra.
O.M.G.
Poor Gils... must have felt like a cold shower
Poor Gils... must have felt like a cold shower
QUOTE
Alix grabbed SJirra, lifting her in the air and twirling her around. Ive missed you!
Yay! Alix and S'Jirra - I have missed them too! Wonderful to see them again. If I was Maxical, given the lice, smell and turtles, I think I would be moving out of the Bloodworks altogether!
Lets see- so many scenes that were enjoyable
The Welcome Home card from Maxical
I still cant tell if Gils is sincere, or just cant help himself or sincerely cant help himself? (Although he does seem to help himself with some frequency, except he keeps getting interrupted).
Maxical is definitely NOT a dumb kitty. She is savvy enough to want romance rather than a business or convenience arrangement.
And Gils again, with the old, Let me give you a back rub, trick. Not that I would know anything about that! Of course, Im not convinced that the way to a Khajiits heart is to tell her she smells and harbors vermin.
Gils interest suddenly waning.
Hooray for Alix and SJirra, especially Alixs skeptical questioning of Gils.
Have to agree with the wise Acadian- its about time for Maxical to get out of there.
The Welcome Home card from Maxical
I still cant tell if Gils is sincere, or just cant help himself or sincerely cant help himself? (Although he does seem to help himself with some frequency, except he keeps getting interrupted).
Maxical is definitely NOT a dumb kitty. She is savvy enough to want romance rather than a business or convenience arrangement.
And Gils again, with the old, Let me give you a back rub, trick. Not that I would know anything about that! Of course, Im not convinced that the way to a Khajiits heart is to tell her she smells and harbors vermin.
Gils interest suddenly waning.
Hooray for Alix and SJirra, especially Alixs skeptical questioning of Gils.
Have to agree with the wise Acadian- its about time for Maxical to get out of there.
Khajiit must be downright dangerous if all thats needed to get them started is the right kind of tail grabbing! No wonder Alix rarely leaves S'Jirra's back er, side!
Gils must be more hard-up than any Dunmer in Cyrodiil! I find it interesting that we are told of all of his various conquests, but we have barely even seen him with another woman since Maxical showed up. Plying the woman he says he loves with stories of lice and the strategic application of floral lotion is amateurish at best. It makes me think that everyone is right in warning Maxical to stay away from him. I'm with Acadian and trey, she would be better off living in Agronak's house!
Where is Fathis when she needs him?!
No wonder Alix rarely leaves S'Jirra's Gils must be more hard-up than any Dunmer in Cyrodiil! I find it interesting that we are told of all of his various conquests, but we have barely even seen him with another woman since Maxical showed up. Plying the woman he says he loves with stories of lice and the strategic application of floral lotion is amateurish at best. It makes me think that everyone is right in warning Maxical to stay away from him. I'm with Acadian and trey, she would be better off living in Agronak's house!
Where is Fathis when she needs him?!
I'm a bit behind. I had trouble parsing
Can I bring Andronicus one of these?
Good ideain fact, some of his other fellow inmates might enjoy reading that.
Should that be her other inmates? Or does the "his" refer to someone else?
Loving it! One cat to another
QUOTE
Can I bring Andronicus one of these?
Good ideain fact, some of his other fellow inmates might enjoy reading that.
Should that be her other inmates? Or does the "his" refer to someone else?
Loving it! One cat to another
@ Hauty - Thanks so much Hauty !! I really appreciate you reading, and I have taken a cue from what you said. I've been trying to develop the key characters a bit for what is coming up, obviously a big mistake. I'm going to wrap things up and (set the stage for the action to start) in this chapter - and Crowhaven starts next chapter so hopefully Foxy will return too, lol.
PS - ROFL - that one came from free-typing, and I loved it, lol.
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick!! This is the last chapter they will be seen for a while, it is on to Crowhaven after this!
***
@ Remko - ROFL !!! ...uh...Yes !!! Thank you so much Remko !!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Lol, there really aren't any lice, Gils was pranking her. - But she will move out soon enough, the ball will start rolling next chapter. Your support means a lot, you know that !!!
***
@ Treydog - Ah, you picked out my fave places too. I am getting her out of there soon, I promise. I took everyone's comments (and lack there-of in a few instances) and decided to just dump some things that were my babies and get the action rolling.
Thank you so very much Treydog !!!
***
@ Destri - Actually, his lice story was another of his pranks on her, like she is pranking on him all the time. (And Owyn dispensing Septims to watch the action) - my twisted sense of humor, but I love some of these pranks. I'll rein it all in on this chapter, and next chapter get back on course with the story - which does take her out of the Bloodworks.
Thank you so much Destri !!!!
***
@ MyCat - Yeah !!!! You are here !!! I fixed the error, thank you so much for noticing that !!!! It is so great to see you over here, and thank you so much for reading Maxical here too !!!
PS - ROFL - that one came from free-typing, and I loved it, lol.
***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick!! This is the last chapter they will be seen for a while, it is on to Crowhaven after this!
***
@ Remko - ROFL !!! ...uh...Yes !!! Thank you so much Remko !!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Lol, there really aren't any lice, Gils was pranking her. - But she will move out soon enough, the ball will start rolling next chapter. Your support means a lot, you know that !!!
***
@ Treydog - Ah, you picked out my fave places too. I am getting her out of there soon, I promise. I took everyone's comments (and lack there-of in a few instances) and decided to just dump some things that were my babies and get the action rolling.
QUOTE
And Gils again, with the old, "Let me give you a back rub," trick. Not that I would know anything about that! Of course, I'm not convinced that the way to a Khajiit's heart is to tell her she smells and harbors vermin..
- SPEW !!!!! ROFL !!! Thank you so very much Treydog !!!
***
@ Destri - Actually, his lice story was another of his pranks on her, like she is pranking on him all the time. (And Owyn dispensing Septims to watch the action) - my twisted sense of humor, but I love some of these pranks. I'll rein it all in on this chapter, and next chapter get back on course with the story - which does take her out of the Bloodworks.
Thank you so much Destri !!!!
***
@ MyCat - Yeah !!!! You are here !!! I fixed the error, thank you so much for noticing that !!!! It is so great to see you over here, and thank you so much for reading Maxical here too !!!
*
Chapter 47: Catching Up On The Players
“I wanted to thank you for Pilus. I couldn’t have stood it in there without him. Here, let me reimburse you what you paid him…“ Andronicus held out thirty-five Septims.
“Jack already did, Andronicus. I thought I was just bribing him to see you were treated well, not paying for stud service. I almost died of embarrassment when I found out.”
“Well he was worth every Septim.”
“Oh good gods, no details! But he really liked you, Andronicus. And you were pretty filthy in there…I‘d like it if he saw you cleaned up now.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Maxical, you did a great job on Owyn, can you do something like that for me?”
“Sure! It’ll work better on you, I can make you look twenty again easy. Do you have a date with Pilus?“
“I was thinking about going to see him.”
“Then you better let me give you the works. Hmmm…thirty-five Septims sound fair?”
“What will you do for it?”
“One bath in scented bath oil, toothpaste, a new toothbrush, a shot glass of that special mouthwash I use, a facial like Owyn got, that gets rid of all the wrinkles and blotches. I’ll do your makeup, dye the gray out and set your hair, and that blue dress you wanted.”
“Deal. Maxical, why are you refusing to leave the bathing room? Why won’t you move out here with me? And don’t think I didn’t see your face when you visited me last. Did you fall in love with Gils?”
“A little. I like being with him.”
“Maxical…You know the only reason he’s still with you is that he hasn’t posted your name on his list with the V next to it yet. That and we haven’t taken in a new girl as a Pit. When we do he’ll be gone, you know that?”
“I know, that’s the only thing that’s kept me strong about not letting him break the truce. I…think I’ve found a way to keep him from dropping me for the next one, though…at least I hope I did.”
“What?”
“The Dunmer mysteries. We swore marriage vows, it‘s his duty as my husband to teach them to me. He said they‘re what keep Dunmer faithful.“
“You swore before witnesses?”
“…No, but he fulfilled his vows anyway.”
“You’ve grown up a bit since I left, haven’t you.” She said quietly.
It was more of a statement than question, but I answered her anyway. “Yeah. My first lessons in love.”
“Well at least it’s Gils, not getting forced by some Pit from the prison.”
“It almost was. Gils fought off thirty of them at once for me…injured.”
“Is that when you fell for him?”
“Yeah…well…his singing too.”
“Come here then. You poor thing.” Andronicus pulled me to her, hugging me.
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that…uh…oh all right. I really did miss you Andronicus.”
“So now, tell me what happened that Gils had to take over all my chores.“
“Jack banned me from doing them. Gils has had to do them all since just after noon the first day. I used over 900 Septims worth of repair hammers for just two raiment that had to be immediately retired. I flooded the Bloodworks and the Arena, got Owyn three citations and a forfeit, and blew up the Arena. Oh, and they had to replace all the mats.” That was all by mid-afternoon the first day.”
“BWAAAHAAA! I think you just gave me job security, I may go ask for a raise.”
“If you’re asking for a raise, better let me give you the make-over first.”
***
“I can’t believe you refused to move out!” Gils pulled me to him and held me pressed tightly against his chest. “You don’t know how tense I’ve been thinking we’d be forced apart. Maxical, I’ve never sworn vows before with anyone. The Dunmer mysteries…you are the only one I can train in them without breaking tenets, and nothing will ever be the same without them. I can’t go back now.”
We slept very little that night. Both of us felt like a milestone had passed in our relationship. For some odd reason Owyn was livid the next day. He never cared we were in there together all this time, then ‘boom’ - all at once he was bellowing and ranting, ordering us apart.
“He’s coming, I can hear him stomping.” I quickly schooled an innocent look on my face.
Gils had such a studious look on his that it was hard not to bust out laughing. Owyn burst in the room like he was breaking through it, his face a deep purple color.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO UP TO!” He roared, then turned and pointed a shaking finger at me. “YOU! NOW YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU TWO! …Er…”
Gils gave him the signal to get rid of me so they could talk.
“…Er…Maxical, you wait for me in the Bloodworks. I‘ll be right there.”
Whatever happened between Gils and Owyn, he was worked back up to fuming by the time he came out.
“Gils isn’t standing by his truce. From now on he is not to be near you unless you are sparring. I order you two to stay away from each other!”
“What truce? Owyn, you said yourself that when Andronicus got back the truce would be over. Well, she’s back. The truce is over, there is nothing for him to break now. It’s my call.”
I thought Owyn would have an apoplexy. He turned purple and stood there shaking, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. When he spoke his voice sounded three octaves higher than normal.
“Are you trying to get me killed? Your father will raze the Arena to the ground when he finds out!”
“Owyn, you have Alix’s legal signature releasing you from any liability. What burr got in your tail anyway? He has been in there with me all this time! Why are you suddenly worried about it?”
“Er…I forgot you were a minor till just now.”
“Look Owyn, I’ve got an idea that will keep you completely out of trouble with Alix. Gils has the billboards done, and we have enough time to go to Anvil and back before the music festival. Agronak is in jail, the timing is perfect. You can’t be held responsible if I’m not here.”
“That’ll be good. Legally I can’t stop you from leaving…or control what happens when you do. I have to notify Alix though.”
“That’s fine, it will take a few days to reach the Faregyl.”
“Well make sure you hurry back! You‘re making my hair gray again.”
“I’ll touch it up for free when I get back.”
******* Alix
“Fathis left in a rage after reading the Courier, Alix. Look at this…” S’Jirra pointed to a place on the paper.
“Ménage à Ring? While speaking on record, Maxical revealed she had given away the Gray Prince's ring to a ’very close friend’ …this was after Arch Mage Hannibal Traven went through all the trouble of ’heavily enchanting’ it for her. The value of the ring went from approximately 200S to 20,000S. Must be a very, very close friend. It is! She gave it to none other than Gils, who is now proudly sporting it on…you guessed it, his engagement finger! Does this mean Fathis is out of the running for the white Khajiit’s hand?”
“I better get over there quick then, he’s supposed to go to the Arena for that last link in the chain this morning. There is something I think you should know S‘Jirra…Gils swore marriage vows with Maxical, and said she loves him. He did say she‘s still saving herself for Fathis though.” Alix began pulling on his boots.
“I’ll have to get her to talk to me about it somehow…but be subtle about it. You know how she gets if she thinks we are prying.” S’Jirra frowned.
“S’Jirra, I love you…but you are pathologically incapable of being subtle. You’ll just make her mad if you pry, and I won’t help you do that. If he’s free of Agronak I won’t stand in his way if she wants him.”
“Alix, won’t we owe Fathis what he’s paid out if she marries Gils?”
“Yep, we sure will. I’ve talked myself blue to Fathis, Hannibal has too. He’s just sitting back and letting Gils take her from under his nose. Why won’t he step up? It’s not like him at all…”
“Fathis probably doesn’t realize how much competition Gils really is. Maybe I should drop a subtle hint…”
“No S’Jirra. You leave it to Hannibal and me to put bugs in Fathis’s ear.”
“If I can just get her talking…”
“S’Jirra, we haven’t seen her in a long time, I don’t want her upset. And for gods sake, don’t try to signal me in when you fail, I won‘t help you.” Alix finished strapping his sword on and leaned over to kiss S’Jirra’s cheek.
Her face had taken on the expression of a plot hatching covered by an attempt at studious innocence.
“Oh no.” Alix groaned, rolling his eyes. “I gotta go.”
He exited the bedroom and jabbed Hannibal as he was walking by, causing him to spill his wine on the sofa. “Come on, Hannibal. We better get over there, I‘ll tell you about it on the way. I’ll warn Owyn, you handle Fathis.”
*
“Hello Hannibal. Alix, glad you could come. You got my message, right? Maxical refused to move out of the bathing area. When I tried to force them apart that daughter of yours flew her temper at me. I told her I would throw Gils out and she took off, said she was going to Anvil. He left with her. Legally, I couldn’t stop them from leaving together, but thought you’d want to know. I sent a note to the Faregyl right away…er…that was two days ago.”
“I didn’t get your message, I’ve been staying with Fathis at the Merchants. Gils better be staying away from Agronak if he plans to be with Maxical.“
“I doubt it, they are going to get proof of his heritage for him. Your daughter probably put the corkscrews to Gils. She digs her heels in when she wants something. That red-headed temper of hers…”
“She’s almost eighteen, there isn’t much anyone can do to stop them. Hannibal and I have talked Fathis’s ear off to at least spend some time with her. If he thinks paying for the repairs in the Arena is going to win out over Gils’ flirting then he’s got a sad awakening coming.”
“He paid for it? Well that’s one mystery solved.”
“If it wasn’t for Agronak I’d have nothing against Gils, we used to be good friends.”
“I know. Say, how’s that chain going?”
“It’ll be done in about thirty minutes. Fathis is the last one, he’s waiting right there.” Alix pointed to a spot across from the Bloodworks door where Fathis and Hannibal were talking.
“Hannibal was here a second ago, when did he leave? The chain is finished? Damn that I couldn‘t join! Look, there’s Hassiri coming now.“ Owyn pointed to where Hassiri was cutting across the lawn.
“Yeah, we didn’t want to make him a victim, just get even for what he did to Maxical and S’Jirra. I hope airing his secrets helps Gils break free of him, it better if he plans to be with Maxical. Owyn, you would not believe what Hassiri’s brothers went through for that ‘Confessions’ interview. I nearly choked laughing when he told me about it. If he keeps doing these personal home visits he won’t be taking over the Arena anytime soon.”
“Yeah, some group called the ‘Brotherhood of Khajiit’ is raising hell over some things he’s said to them in those personal visits. They plan to picket protest all his fights. What will you do about Maxical?”
“There is nothing I can do. At least he cares about her.”
“Till the Orc needs him. Then she will find out where she really stands with him.”
“I just hope she is smart enough to keep holding out for Fathis.” Alix punched Owyn’s arm. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“Holding off?” Owyn snorted. “Yeah, right.”
******* Hannibal
“When I put this Orc down I’m going to that Bloodworks and get Maxical out of there. Some young buck thinks he’s engaged to her.”
“Don’t say you weren’t warned Fathis. I told you some young blood would woo her off to Anvil.” Hannibal said tersely, scowling for emphasis.
“Anvil! What are you talking about? Have you been tipping wine this early in the morning Traven? Look, here comes the Orc.”
“Maxical. She’s gone to Anvil with that young buck…”
“WHAT?”
POW! CRACK! CRUNCH!
“Nancy? I don’t think so!” Fathis dusted his hands over Agronak’s still form.
“Fathis, that Orc flew backwards!” Hassiri said, awed.
“Hurry up Hassiri, I have to leave for Anvil immediately!” Fathis’s face was taut.
“Go ahead on then. I can handle this.”
Fathis pushed his way through the gathering crowd his face pale and rigid.
Hannibal mentally patted himself on the back. That lit the fire under him!
*
Chapter 47: Catching Up On The Players
“I wanted to thank you for Pilus. I couldn’t have stood it in there without him. Here, let me reimburse you what you paid him…“ Andronicus held out thirty-five Septims.
“Jack already did, Andronicus. I thought I was just bribing him to see you were treated well, not paying for stud service. I almost died of embarrassment when I found out.”
“Well he was worth every Septim.”
“Oh good gods, no details! But he really liked you, Andronicus. And you were pretty filthy in there…I‘d like it if he saw you cleaned up now.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Maxical, you did a great job on Owyn, can you do something like that for me?”
“Sure! It’ll work better on you, I can make you look twenty again easy. Do you have a date with Pilus?“
“I was thinking about going to see him.”
“Then you better let me give you the works. Hmmm…thirty-five Septims sound fair?”
“What will you do for it?”
“One bath in scented bath oil, toothpaste, a new toothbrush, a shot glass of that special mouthwash I use, a facial like Owyn got, that gets rid of all the wrinkles and blotches. I’ll do your makeup, dye the gray out and set your hair, and that blue dress you wanted.”
“Deal. Maxical, why are you refusing to leave the bathing room? Why won’t you move out here with me? And don’t think I didn’t see your face when you visited me last. Did you fall in love with Gils?”
“A little. I like being with him.”
“Maxical…You know the only reason he’s still with you is that he hasn’t posted your name on his list with the V next to it yet. That and we haven’t taken in a new girl as a Pit. When we do he’ll be gone, you know that?”
“I know, that’s the only thing that’s kept me strong about not letting him break the truce. I…think I’ve found a way to keep him from dropping me for the next one, though…at least I hope I did.”
“What?”
“The Dunmer mysteries. We swore marriage vows, it‘s his duty as my husband to teach them to me. He said they‘re what keep Dunmer faithful.“
“You swore before witnesses?”
“…No, but he fulfilled his vows anyway.”
“You’ve grown up a bit since I left, haven’t you.” She said quietly.
It was more of a statement than question, but I answered her anyway. “Yeah. My first lessons in love.”
“Well at least it’s Gils, not getting forced by some Pit from the prison.”
“It almost was. Gils fought off thirty of them at once for me…injured.”
“Is that when you fell for him?”
“Yeah…well…his singing too.”
“Come here then. You poor thing.” Andronicus pulled me to her, hugging me.
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that…uh…oh all right. I really did miss you Andronicus.”
“So now, tell me what happened that Gils had to take over all my chores.“
“Jack banned me from doing them. Gils has had to do them all since just after noon the first day. I used over 900 Septims worth of repair hammers for just two raiment that had to be immediately retired. I flooded the Bloodworks and the Arena, got Owyn three citations and a forfeit, and blew up the Arena. Oh, and they had to replace all the mats.” That was all by mid-afternoon the first day.”
“BWAAAHAAA! I think you just gave me job security, I may go ask for a raise.”
“If you’re asking for a raise, better let me give you the make-over first.”
***
“I can’t believe you refused to move out!” Gils pulled me to him and held me pressed tightly against his chest. “You don’t know how tense I’ve been thinking we’d be forced apart. Maxical, I’ve never sworn vows before with anyone. The Dunmer mysteries…you are the only one I can train in them without breaking tenets, and nothing will ever be the same without them. I can’t go back now.”
We slept very little that night. Both of us felt like a milestone had passed in our relationship. For some odd reason Owyn was livid the next day. He never cared we were in there together all this time, then ‘boom’ - all at once he was bellowing and ranting, ordering us apart.
“He’s coming, I can hear him stomping.” I quickly schooled an innocent look on my face.
Gils had such a studious look on his that it was hard not to bust out laughing. Owyn burst in the room like he was breaking through it, his face a deep purple color.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO UP TO!” He roared, then turned and pointed a shaking finger at me. “YOU! NOW YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU TWO! …Er…”
Gils gave him the signal to get rid of me so they could talk.
“…Er…Maxical, you wait for me in the Bloodworks. I‘ll be right there.”
Whatever happened between Gils and Owyn, he was worked back up to fuming by the time he came out.
“Gils isn’t standing by his truce. From now on he is not to be near you unless you are sparring. I order you two to stay away from each other!”
“What truce? Owyn, you said yourself that when Andronicus got back the truce would be over. Well, she’s back. The truce is over, there is nothing for him to break now. It’s my call.”
I thought Owyn would have an apoplexy. He turned purple and stood there shaking, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. When he spoke his voice sounded three octaves higher than normal.
“Are you trying to get me killed? Your father will raze the Arena to the ground when he finds out!”
“Owyn, you have Alix’s legal signature releasing you from any liability. What burr got in your tail anyway? He has been in there with me all this time! Why are you suddenly worried about it?”
“Er…I forgot you were a minor till just now.”
“Look Owyn, I’ve got an idea that will keep you completely out of trouble with Alix. Gils has the billboards done, and we have enough time to go to Anvil and back before the music festival. Agronak is in jail, the timing is perfect. You can’t be held responsible if I’m not here.”
“That’ll be good. Legally I can’t stop you from leaving…or control what happens when you do. I have to notify Alix though.”
“That’s fine, it will take a few days to reach the Faregyl.”
“Well make sure you hurry back! You‘re making my hair gray again.”
“I’ll touch it up for free when I get back.”
******* Alix
“Fathis left in a rage after reading the Courier, Alix. Look at this…” S’Jirra pointed to a place on the paper.
“Ménage à Ring? While speaking on record, Maxical revealed she had given away the Gray Prince's ring to a ’very close friend’ …this was after Arch Mage Hannibal Traven went through all the trouble of ’heavily enchanting’ it for her. The value of the ring went from approximately 200S to 20,000S. Must be a very, very close friend. It is! She gave it to none other than Gils, who is now proudly sporting it on…you guessed it, his engagement finger! Does this mean Fathis is out of the running for the white Khajiit’s hand?”
“I better get over there quick then, he’s supposed to go to the Arena for that last link in the chain this morning. There is something I think you should know S‘Jirra…Gils swore marriage vows with Maxical, and said she loves him. He did say she‘s still saving herself for Fathis though.” Alix began pulling on his boots.
“I’ll have to get her to talk to me about it somehow…but be subtle about it. You know how she gets if she thinks we are prying.” S’Jirra frowned.
“S’Jirra, I love you…but you are pathologically incapable of being subtle. You’ll just make her mad if you pry, and I won’t help you do that. If he’s free of Agronak I won’t stand in his way if she wants him.”
“Alix, won’t we owe Fathis what he’s paid out if she marries Gils?”
“Yep, we sure will. I’ve talked myself blue to Fathis, Hannibal has too. He’s just sitting back and letting Gils take her from under his nose. Why won’t he step up? It’s not like him at all…”
“Fathis probably doesn’t realize how much competition Gils really is. Maybe I should drop a subtle hint…”
“No S’Jirra. You leave it to Hannibal and me to put bugs in Fathis’s ear.”
“If I can just get her talking…”
“S’Jirra, we haven’t seen her in a long time, I don’t want her upset. And for gods sake, don’t try to signal me in when you fail, I won‘t help you.” Alix finished strapping his sword on and leaned over to kiss S’Jirra’s cheek.
Her face had taken on the expression of a plot hatching covered by an attempt at studious innocence.
“Oh no.” Alix groaned, rolling his eyes. “I gotta go.”
He exited the bedroom and jabbed Hannibal as he was walking by, causing him to spill his wine on the sofa. “Come on, Hannibal. We better get over there, I‘ll tell you about it on the way. I’ll warn Owyn, you handle Fathis.”
*
“Hello Hannibal. Alix, glad you could come. You got my message, right? Maxical refused to move out of the bathing area. When I tried to force them apart that daughter of yours flew her temper at me. I told her I would throw Gils out and she took off, said she was going to Anvil. He left with her. Legally, I couldn’t stop them from leaving together, but thought you’d want to know. I sent a note to the Faregyl right away…er…that was two days ago.”
“I didn’t get your message, I’ve been staying with Fathis at the Merchants. Gils better be staying away from Agronak if he plans to be with Maxical.“
“I doubt it, they are going to get proof of his heritage for him. Your daughter probably put the corkscrews to Gils. She digs her heels in when she wants something. That red-headed temper of hers…”
“She’s almost eighteen, there isn’t much anyone can do to stop them. Hannibal and I have talked Fathis’s ear off to at least spend some time with her. If he thinks paying for the repairs in the Arena is going to win out over Gils’ flirting then he’s got a sad awakening coming.”
“He paid for it? Well that’s one mystery solved.”
“If it wasn’t for Agronak I’d have nothing against Gils, we used to be good friends.”
“I know. Say, how’s that chain going?”
“It’ll be done in about thirty minutes. Fathis is the last one, he’s waiting right there.” Alix pointed to a spot across from the Bloodworks door where Fathis and Hannibal were talking.
“Hannibal was here a second ago, when did he leave? The chain is finished? Damn that I couldn‘t join! Look, there’s Hassiri coming now.“ Owyn pointed to where Hassiri was cutting across the lawn.
“Yeah, we didn’t want to make him a victim, just get even for what he did to Maxical and S’Jirra. I hope airing his secrets helps Gils break free of him, it better if he plans to be with Maxical. Owyn, you would not believe what Hassiri’s brothers went through for that ‘Confessions’ interview. I nearly choked laughing when he told me about it. If he keeps doing these personal home visits he won’t be taking over the Arena anytime soon.”
“Yeah, some group called the ‘Brotherhood of Khajiit’ is raising hell over some things he’s said to them in those personal visits. They plan to picket protest all his fights. What will you do about Maxical?”
“There is nothing I can do. At least he cares about her.”
“Till the Orc needs him. Then she will find out where she really stands with him.”
“I just hope she is smart enough to keep holding out for Fathis.” Alix punched Owyn’s arm. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“Holding off?” Owyn snorted. “Yeah, right.”
******* Hannibal
“When I put this Orc down I’m going to that Bloodworks and get Maxical out of there. Some young buck thinks he’s engaged to her.”
“Don’t say you weren’t warned Fathis. I told you some young blood would woo her off to Anvil.” Hannibal said tersely, scowling for emphasis.
“Anvil! What are you talking about? Have you been tipping wine this early in the morning Traven? Look, here comes the Orc.”
“Maxical. She’s gone to Anvil with that young buck…”
“WHAT?”
POW! CRACK! CRUNCH!
“Nancy? I don’t think so!” Fathis dusted his hands over Agronak’s still form.
“Fathis, that Orc flew backwards!” Hassiri said, awed.
“Hurry up Hassiri, I have to leave for Anvil immediately!” Fathis’s face was taut.
“Go ahead on then. I can handle this.”
Fathis pushed his way through the gathering crowd his face pale and rigid.
Hannibal mentally patted himself on the back. That lit the fire under him!
*
I loved this!
I am so proud of Maxical for trying to clean Andronicus up - and am very impressed with how cleverly she did it without making Andronicus feel badly. The whole scene between these two women was beautifully done and flowed very naturally.
Similarly, I loved the interaction between Alix and S'Jirra (but then I always love those two in MF).
I think it is cool that Maxical and Gils are going to Crowhaven. Then, OMG, to learn that Fathis is on his way as well! WooHoo! I don't know what is going to happen, but I sure can't wait to find out!!!
Perhaps it is just me, but you have somehow rendered your characters more endearing with this latest episode. It is very becoming, since it is Maxical's story and she has such a beautiful heart. Andronicus was wonderful here. I loved how you reminded us of how bravely Gils defended Maxical. Contrast that with Fathis decking Agronak and flying off to Anvil - for the kit he loves. You have really increased the stakes here by more vividly showing us what about these two mer that Maxical is drawn to.
Nits?
I am so proud of Maxical for trying to clean Andronicus up - and am very impressed with how cleverly she did it without making Andronicus feel badly. The whole scene between these two women was beautifully done and flowed very naturally.
Similarly, I loved the interaction between Alix and S'Jirra (but then I always love those two in MF).
QUOTE
If he thinks paying for the repairs in the Arena is going to win out over Gils flirting then hes got a sad awakening coming.
See, this is why I love Alix so much. His heart is in the right place and he's smart as a whip!I think it is cool that Maxical and Gils are going to Crowhaven. Then, OMG, to learn that Fathis is on his way as well! WooHoo! I don't know what is going to happen, but I sure can't wait to find out!!!
Perhaps it is just me, but you have somehow rendered your characters more endearing with this latest episode. It is very becoming, since it is Maxical's story and she has such a beautiful heart. Andronicus was wonderful here. I loved how you reminded us of how bravely Gils defended Maxical. Contrast that with Fathis decking Agronak and flying off to Anvil - for the kit he loves. You have really increased the stakes here by more vividly showing us what about these two mer that Maxical is drawn to.
Nits?
QUOTE
Youve grown up a bit since I left, havent you.
I would put a question mark at the end of this. It just seems like it would do better, especially since Maxical directly answers it in the next passage. QUOTE
I used over 900 Septims worth of repair hammers for just two raiment that had to be immediately retired.
Is the plural of raiment, 'raiment' or 'raiments'. I don't know if there really is a right answer. If you consider it 'raiment', then please ignore this. QUOTE
Gils swore marriage vows with her, and said she loves him.
To me this reads as if Gils said that Gils loves him (whatever that might mean?). I'm not sure if you mean Gils said he loves Maxical or Maxical said she loves Gils.
I can only speak for myself (and that when Apronia Alfena isn't around), but my desire to see Maxical out of the Arena is most definitely not meant to say, "Move the story forward." It is more the way you yell at the character in the movie who is about to do something stupid- like go down into the dark basement while there is a psycho killer on the loose. (What? Doesn't everybody yell at the screen?)
My impatience with Maxical's (apparent) naivete should not be taken as impatience with mALX's story-telling. Just so you know.
On to today's chapter:
Seconded. Voted on. Unanimously adopted.
Makeovers by Maxical- Extreme Khajiit Edition
It wasn't ME that said it this time.
This one has a lot of heart- especially Alix trying to warn S'Jirra against doing any of the things she usually does (and will still try to do again). It perfectly captures the feel of a couple who have been together for a long time.
A grudging "Hooray" for Fathis, for clocking Agronak. I would be more enthusiastic if I believed he did it for Maxical instead of his own wounded pride.
A louder "Hooray" for Hannibal for finally getting Fathis off his fat...
My impatience with Maxical's (apparent) naivete should not be taken as impatience with mALX's story-telling. Just so you know.
On to today's chapter:
QUOTE
Well he was worth every Septim.
Oh good gods, no details!
Oh good gods, no details!
Seconded. Voted on. Unanimously adopted.
QUOTE
Well make sure you hurry back! Youre making my hair gray again.
Ill touch it up for free when I get back.
Ill touch it up for free when I get back.
Makeovers by Maxical- Extreme Khajiit Edition
QUOTE
That red-headed temper of hers
It wasn't ME that said it this time.
This one has a lot of heart- especially Alix trying to warn S'Jirra against doing any of the things she usually does (and will still try to do again). It perfectly captures the feel of a couple who have been together for a long time.
A grudging "Hooray" for Fathis, for clocking Agronak. I would be more enthusiastic if I believed he did it for Maxical instead of his own wounded pride.
A louder "Hooray" for Hannibal for finally getting Fathis off his fat...
mALX, I've been sick this last week, plus I got the Playstation Move on Friday...so I figured I would spare you my illness-induced ramblings ( ), and, well, I was very busy yesterday, LOL...(my right shoulder [sword arm side] is still sore from combat, lol [which might indicate to some that my blocking skills are not what they should be, but I like to think that my left shoulder is just tougher than my right shoulder ] but the Move is awesome...which isn't to say that I'm not still a big fan of the regular gameplay...like when I just want to relax and play a game and press a button as opposed to actually going through the motions of fighting...or when I've played Move games the day before, and my medieval combat skills are not what they should be, so I strained a few muscles, lol ). Anyhow...wow, I somehow got totally sidetracked there, LOL...but I * have * been following your story all the same...and I love it.
I think I can safely say, Cyrodiil will never be the same, lol...the Arena in flames, Orc-mixes deficient in * ahem * certain endeavors while Dunmer are veritable sex fiends, respectable mages becoming laughing stocks, etc. To say nothing of the fact that I can never look at the Gray Prince again without thinking of his visit to the Black Horse Courier, and a giant urn. Anyhow, I can't wait to see what happens -- keep it coming!!!
), and, well, I was very busy yesterday, LOL...(my right shoulder [sword arm side] is still sore from combat, lol [which might indicate to some that my blocking skills are not what they should be, but I like to think that my left shoulder is just tougher than my right shoulder ] but the Move is awesome...which isn't to say that I'm not still a big fan of the regular gameplay...like when I just want to relax and play a game and press a button as opposed to actually going through the motions of fighting...or when I've played Move games the day before, and my medieval combat skills are not what they should be, so I strained a few muscles, lol ). Anyhow...wow, I somehow got totally sidetracked there, LOL...but I * have * been following your story all the same...and I love it. I think I can safely say, Cyrodiil will never be the same, lol...the Arena in flames, Orc-mixes deficient in * ahem * certain endeavors while Dunmer are veritable sex fiends, respectable mages becoming laughing stocks, etc. To say nothing of the fact that I can never look at the Gray Prince again without thinking of his visit to the Black Horse Courier, and a giant urn.
Anyhow, I can't wait to see what happens -- keep it coming!!!
Yes, MaLX, keep "it" coming!!!
Again!
And again!
And ugh...ugh....AGAIN!!!!
Again!
And again!
And ugh...ugh....AGAIN!!!!
What??!! I could have sworn I heard the sound of chain links breaking when Fathis clocked Agronak!!! Oh Man!! I cant wait to see what happens at Crowhaven!
I can only speak for myself (and that when Apronia Alfena isn't around), but my desire to see Maxical out of the Arena is most definitely not meant to say, "Move the story forward." It is more the way you yell at the character in the movie who is about to do something stupid- like go down into the dark basement while there is a psycho killer on the loose. (What? Doesn't everybody yell at the screen?)
My impatience with Maxical's (apparent) naivete should not be taken as impatience with mALX's story-telling. Just so you know.
This speaks for me as well. (thank you, trey)
And, oh yeah, you are NOT tactless and annoying either! We want MORE pranks, smelly Andronicus, and blowing up the Arena, not less!
QUOTE(treydog @ Sep 19 2010, 07:36 AM)
I can only speak for myself (and that when Apronia Alfena isn't around), but my desire to see Maxical out of the Arena is most definitely not meant to say, "Move the story forward." It is more the way you yell at the character in the movie who is about to do something stupid- like go down into the dark basement while there is a psycho killer on the loose. (What? Doesn't everybody yell at the screen?)
My impatience with Maxical's (apparent) naivete should not be taken as impatience with mALX's story-telling. Just so you know.
This speaks for me as well. (thank you, trey)
And, oh yeah, you are NOT tactless and annoying either!
We want MORE pranks, smelly Andronicus, and blowing up the Arena, not less!
@ EVERYONE -
I know what I am trying to say, but if I don't get it across to the reader then they won't enjoy the story. Remember in the original, the bottle of Nordish Whiskey everyone thought was pee - because I thought the reader would remember something ambiguous I wrote three chapters back?
If I am doing this again (without realizing it) - and most especially because I took two months off when Steve was dying - and the fact that I have strayed a lot from the game with some of the Khajiit features, the Dunmer mysteries, the people, etc. - if anyone is having a tough time remembering an aspect, please let me know and I will try to refresh the knowledge in a chapter so you don't have to dredge through past chapters seeking the illumination.
I always appreciate readers of Maxical's story, and want them to enjoy it, if they are not - that is my fault, but I can't correct the problem if I don't know what it is. You all ROCK !!!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!!! And I always appreciate errors being pointed out a lot, most especially if what I've written is coming across as ambiguous to the reader.
***
@ Treydog - I loved that Apronia Alfena section of your story!!! That had me rolling !!!!
I have screamed at that stupid girl going into that basement till I'm blue, what idiot girl with a psycho on the loose hears a noise and goes into a creepy dark basement alone?
I'm glad to know you weren't just getting fed up with the Arena storyline. I originally tried to re-name this story something like "Maxical's Arena Adventures" or "Adventures in the Bloodworks" - so that when she left the Arena I could start a new thread and base the name of that one on the featured questlines.
Since I wasn't able to change the name of the thread, it may leave the reader feeling like this should be going somewhere a lot quicker than it has...(that is what I thought was going on when everyone was saying to get her out of the Bloodworks).
What I was trying to do was more or less a daily journal of what went on in the Bloodworks from the time she got there. ARGH! I missed the mark. - at any rate, I dropped a bunch and streamlined what I kept so she will get out of the Bloodworks quicker. Things will move a lot faster now.
It was a huge "WHEW!" moment when I heard you weren't getting sick of/aggrevated by the story !!!!!
Thank you so very much for all your support Treydog, it means the world to me!
***
@ Rachel - Now that tickles me to hear, since I can't approach the Priory without looking for heads on pikes dotting the lawn, or feel safe alone in a room with Jauffre, the Adoring Fan will forever be Docada to me now, and I can't see Vicente without laughing - or the sea captain - or the Emperor - since reading Edward's story! Thank you so much Rachel !!
***
@ Foxy - I've cut out a bunch of the ugh now, so hopefully you will enjoy it again. Thank you so much Foxy !!
***
@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri! That meant the world to hear! What I said to Treydog applies here, it was a huge "WHEW!" moment when I heard you weren't getting sick of/aggrevated by the story !!!!!
Thank you so very much for all your support Destri, it means the world to me!
I know what I am trying to say, but if I don't get it across to the reader then they won't enjoy the story. Remember in the original, the bottle of Nordish Whiskey everyone thought was pee - because I thought the reader would remember something ambiguous I wrote three chapters back?
If I am doing this again (without realizing it) - and most especially because I took two months off when Steve was dying - and the fact that I have strayed a lot from the game with some of the Khajiit features, the Dunmer mysteries, the people, etc. - if anyone is having a tough time remembering an aspect, please let me know and I will try to refresh the knowledge in a chapter so you don't have to dredge through past chapters seeking the illumination.
I always appreciate readers of Maxical's story, and want them to enjoy it, if they are not - that is my fault, but I can't correct the problem if I don't know what it is. You all ROCK !!!!
***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!!! And I always appreciate errors being pointed out a lot, most especially if what I've written is coming across as ambiguous to the reader.
***
@ Treydog - I loved that Apronia Alfena section of your story!!! That had me rolling !!!!
I have screamed at that stupid girl going into that basement till I'm blue, what idiot girl with a psycho on the loose hears a noise and goes into a creepy dark basement alone?
I'm glad to know you weren't just getting fed up with the Arena storyline. I originally tried to re-name this story something like "Maxical's Arena Adventures" or "Adventures in the Bloodworks" - so that when she left the Arena I could start a new thread and base the name of that one on the featured questlines.
Since I wasn't able to change the name of the thread, it may leave the reader feeling like this should be going somewhere a lot quicker than it has...(that is what I thought was going on when everyone was saying to get her out of the Bloodworks).
What I was trying to do was more or less a daily journal of what went on in the Bloodworks from the time she got there. ARGH! I missed the mark. - at any rate, I dropped a bunch and streamlined what I kept so she will get out of the Bloodworks quicker. Things will move a lot faster now.
It was a huge "WHEW!" moment when I heard you weren't getting sick of/aggrevated by the story !!!!!
Thank you so very much for all your support Treydog, it means the world to me!
***
@ Rachel - Now that tickles me to hear, since I can't approach the Priory without looking for heads on pikes dotting the lawn, or feel safe alone in a room with Jauffre, the Adoring Fan will forever be Docada to me now, and I can't see Vicente without laughing - or the sea captain - or the Emperor - since reading Edward's story! Thank you so much Rachel !!
***
@ Foxy - I've cut out a bunch of the ugh now, so hopefully you will enjoy it again. Thank you so much Foxy !!
***
@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri! That meant the world to hear! What I said to Treydog applies here, it was a huge "WHEW!" moment when I heard you weren't getting sick of/aggrevated by the story !!!!!
Thank you so very much for all your support Destri, it means the world to me!
*
Chapter 48: Eating Crow At Crowhaven
Gils and I stood on the hill overlooking Anvil. I had never been off the Rumare before and was gaping like I’m sure all the tourists did. Sun, sea, and sand. It was everything a girl dreamed of as a romantic fantasy destination. The houses were whitewashed stone, it looked like a jewel glimmering on the coastline.
“I’ll bet if I got you a room with a view of that beach you would break the truce.” Gils teased.
“Oh Gils, have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Look, even the horses in the stables are white...like me. There could never be a more romantic place than this…except maybe that one spot on the banks of the Rumare.”
“I was just teasing, but…come on, lets go get a room. We made good time getting here.”
“We don’t know how far Crowhaven is, and there are no roads west of here. We better wait and see how much time we have after we get back from Crowhaven.”
“You mean it? You did hear what I said, right?”
“You want me to take it back?”
“NO! Let’s go ask that guard for directions.”
I smiled at the guard, my eyes shining at being so close to this beautiful place.
“What do you want, furlicker?”
“What?” I looked stunned at the guard's snarling face.
“Unless you want my fist rammed down your throat you’ll take that back.” Gils spat.
Another guard came over. “Anything wrong here?”
“Yeah, that jackass just called my fiance’ a derogatory name.”
“Say fella, I’m sorry about that. He has a problem with cats. What can I do to help you?”
“We’re trying to find Crowhaven.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
“I’ll mark it on your map, but don’t say you haven’t been warned.” He drew a skull head on the map.
Gils glanced over at me to see if I heard. I had. The thought of letting Agronak find his own proofs and Gils and I spending a few days at the water front was beginning to flit through my mind. This time it was Gils that pushed us onward.
From the hill below it Crowhaven looked like a run-down abandoned castle looming darkly in the warm sunshine. For some reason neither of us took that as a clue.
Walking blithely up the path…I may as well have been whistling and skipping like an idiot. What I was doing was daydreaming about Gils and I standing on a balcony side by side looking out over the beach.
I didn’t pay attention to the cobwebs hanging off the parapets, nor even notice the creaking sound till it was too late. Gils heard it and grabbed my arm. I gaped as a skeleton ran towards me at a very high rate of speed, an axe raised in his hands. He was in my face before I could react. From the parapet came a loud TWANG.
Gils and I had been ambushed by bandits on the way to Anvil, and attacked by a wolf between Anvil and Crowhaven. I had never batted an eye, but a skeleton armed and attacking…I read about them at the Arcane, something about undead lairs that the skeletons either didn’t die or were brought back to life by conjurors or…vampires. Oh dear gods, what was going on here?
Gils brought a bow and a stock of arrows, but they were going right through the bony chest of the skeleton. I force blocked the axe as it fell toward my sword arm, thank goodness Gils taught me those moves before we came.
Finally reacting like I should, I drew my sword. Because I had mastered sword before coming to the Arcane I never got to fight a skeleton. We did practice conjuring them, but they were not hostile to us. I didn’t have any idea what to do, where their weak points were. With a human it was the ankles, elbows, wrists, and neck. It was worth a shot.
There was no way I would have ever imagined a bag of bones could fight as hard as it did, or be so skilled at blunt weapons and blocking. Gils and I were both being pelted by arrows from the top of the high wall. Gils' arrows did no good, and he brought no shield thinking to use his bow to block. In order to stop the archer he would have to find it, and he wasn’t leaving me alone with Bony and his axe.
Gils tried stabbing the skeleton with his dagger and it went right through, not phasing the creaking creep. Finally I did a sweep with my sword and we found out what the trick is with skeletons. You have to sweep them, not stab. His axe arm went flying. The thing about skeletons is, they can’t bleed to death, so when you sever their arms they are still coming at you.
Gils did the prettiest uppercut I’ve ever seen and we heard a loud POP. The skeleton’s head flew up in the air what looked like fifteen feet. Both of us watched it fly, then land and roll down the hill below.
“Whoa! That could never get old! Oh look, it bounced off that rock! I thought it would smash!” I kept watching till it hit the bottom while Gils was pushing an arrow through his arm.
“Okay, we know how to get rid of them now, and I’m not equipped right. Should we go back to Anvil so I can pick up proper equipment?”
“Pump your ring. You really should have a shield Gils. That skeleton had one. I wish I had seen where his axe landed.”
“Oh crap! That one on the roof is back. The arrows go right through him.”
“Gils, get behind me and hug me as tight as you can.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to blow him off that roof, and I never get hurt by my accidents. Everyone around me always does though.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t hump me like a dog Gils! My aim is bad enough.”
BOOOM!!! CRACK!!! PEEEEYOOOOW! CRACK!!! BOOOOOM!!!
“What the hell was that?”
“I told you I can’t aim, but one of those hits must have got him.”
“You only cast once, it was over there, then over there…look, you cut that tree way over there in half, it’s smoking!”
“That’s probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?”
“It’s this position.”
“Well get out of there then. Lets do this and get back to Anvil.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“I found the shield, can you lift the bones up off it for me? Gils I know what you are doing, that is disgusting. These bones could have disease.”
“My bony hand bothering you?”
“EW! Get it off my butt! Hey, if you have that piece of the arm there should have been an axe near it.”
***
The parapets were still flaming from my ‘Enemies Explode’ spell as we entered the enclosure of Crowhaven. Gils had an axe and shield now, thank goodness.
“Have you ever been in an undead lair before?” I watched Gils face as he answered.
“No. I never even went in the trenches.”
“Oh crap. Neither have I. Well if I have to use fire you will have to get behind me, and no fooling around this time. You made my aim go haywire…er, worse than usual.”
We stepped into pitch darkness and the worst smell I had ever… "What was that noise?" I crowded against Gils.
Gils was blinded in the darkness. He started feeling his way down the corridor and I grabbed him.
“Wait!”
A pink glowing form appeared around the corner when I cast to detect life. I wasn’t sure if whatever it was had heard us, it seemed to be pacing. I dragged Gils back out the door.
“There is someone down there at the end of the corridor!” My breath was coming in ragged pants.
“Someone? Like a person? Maybe it‘s the owner.”
“In the dark? No, this is an undead lair. The Arcane said it’ll be conjurors or vampires.”
“Let’s hope it is conjurors then. Use your fire thing again.”
“Good idea. But no funny stuff this time.”
Gils rested his hand on my shoulder and let me lead the way since I had the night vision spell. When we got to the end of the corridor I reached back and pulled him in toward me as a signal to hug up to my back.
The detect life illuminated where to aim, but at this point I could hear the person breathing…my bladder suddenly felt overfull.
I angled myself to get a good aim on him, but stayed in my corridor so I would have a running start if he took chase. I aimed directly at him, but my spell arced off my fingers in a large curve and exploded off the corner of a wall at least seven foot to his left making a huge “BOOM” noise. Then it proceeded to ricochet around so the whole intersection was lit up with fire.
The most horrible noise echoed back at me, a loud hissing as if a giant snake…GAAAAH! The hiss turned into a scream that caused every hair on my body to raise and stand straight out. I felt the blood in my veins turn to jelly along with my legs and bladder control. I ran shrieking back down the corridor and out the door, leaving a trail of pee the whole way.
Gils had hold of my tail because he couldn’t see in the dark. I pulled him out through the doorway with it.
“What the hell was that noise? Er…what are you doing?”
“Wetting my pants. I never heard anything like it in my life, but…I think it is vampires. A conjuror would have been blown to bits.”
“We better wait till you’re done going before we go back in.”
I stood at the mouth of the outer enclosure watching that door while what seemed like the entire Topal Bay continued to drain from me. I doubt I could run now if I had to, my greaves stuck to my legs and each step produced a sloshing in my boots.
“You’re just lucky I only had to pee.”
“You couldn’t sneak up on Andronicus while she’s drunk, listen. Your boots are sloshing, they must be full of pee.”
“Can you remind me why we are doing this instead of Agronak getting these himself? I don’t feel like going back in there. I gave my word to come, and I did. I didn’t say I’d risk my life for him. Agronak can do it himself.”
I struggled to sit down, the leather of my greaves had become tightened against my skin from the wetting.
“I was just trying to tease a smile from you.”
“Well I don’t feel like smiling. I’m risking my life for someone I can’t stand and who has already brought me harm. What promise I made was to someone who didn’t even exist, some fake persona he put on. I want to go home.”
“Come on then, are you scared?” Gils sat down next to me.
I nodded, feeling a tear cutting through the fur on my cheek. I swatted it with the back of my hand.
“Do you want to wait for me in Anvil and I’ll do this alone? I can take you back there first if you want. Or you could wait right out here.”
“You can’t see in there, and don’t have spells.”
“Well, I could make a torch.”
“Then they’ll see you coming, you’ll be a sitting duck.”
“I need you with me Maxical, I’m no mage. But I’m doing this and getting it over with. I need your help, but I’m going in there with or without it.”
I didn’t know if he was bluffing, manipulating, or just plain serious. But I couldn’t risk his life. He couldn’t see the enemies in there, but they could find him by smell. I finally forced myself back in.
*
Chapter 48: Eating Crow At Crowhaven
Gils and I stood on the hill overlooking Anvil. I had never been off the Rumare before and was gaping like I’m sure all the tourists did. Sun, sea, and sand. It was everything a girl dreamed of as a romantic fantasy destination. The houses were whitewashed stone, it looked like a jewel glimmering on the coastline.
“I’ll bet if I got you a room with a view of that beach you would break the truce.” Gils teased.
“Oh Gils, have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Look, even the horses in the stables are white...like me. There could never be a more romantic place than this…except maybe that one spot on the banks of the Rumare.”
“I was just teasing, but…come on, lets go get a room. We made good time getting here.”
“We don’t know how far Crowhaven is, and there are no roads west of here. We better wait and see how much time we have after we get back from Crowhaven.”
“You mean it? You did hear what I said, right?”
“You want me to take it back?”
“NO! Let’s go ask that guard for directions.”
I smiled at the guard, my eyes shining at being so close to this beautiful place.
“What do you want, furlicker?”
“What?” I looked stunned at the guard's snarling face.
“Unless you want my fist rammed down your throat you’ll take that back.” Gils spat.
Another guard came over. “Anything wrong here?”
“Yeah, that jackass just called my fiance’ a derogatory name.”
“Say fella, I’m sorry about that. He has a problem with cats. What can I do to help you?”
“We’re trying to find Crowhaven.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
“I’ll mark it on your map, but don’t say you haven’t been warned.” He drew a skull head on the map.
Gils glanced over at me to see if I heard. I had. The thought of letting Agronak find his own proofs and Gils and I spending a few days at the water front was beginning to flit through my mind. This time it was Gils that pushed us onward.
From the hill below it Crowhaven looked like a run-down abandoned castle looming darkly in the warm sunshine. For some reason neither of us took that as a clue.
Walking blithely up the path…I may as well have been whistling and skipping like an idiot. What I was doing was daydreaming about Gils and I standing on a balcony side by side looking out over the beach.
I didn’t pay attention to the cobwebs hanging off the parapets, nor even notice the creaking sound till it was too late. Gils heard it and grabbed my arm. I gaped as a skeleton ran towards me at a very high rate of speed, an axe raised in his hands. He was in my face before I could react. From the parapet came a loud TWANG.
Gils and I had been ambushed by bandits on the way to Anvil, and attacked by a wolf between Anvil and Crowhaven. I had never batted an eye, but a skeleton armed and attacking…I read about them at the Arcane, something about undead lairs that the skeletons either didn’t die or were brought back to life by conjurors or…vampires. Oh dear gods, what was going on here?
Gils brought a bow and a stock of arrows, but they were going right through the bony chest of the skeleton. I force blocked the axe as it fell toward my sword arm, thank goodness Gils taught me those moves before we came.
Finally reacting like I should, I drew my sword. Because I had mastered sword before coming to the Arcane I never got to fight a skeleton. We did practice conjuring them, but they were not hostile to us. I didn’t have any idea what to do, where their weak points were. With a human it was the ankles, elbows, wrists, and neck. It was worth a shot.
There was no way I would have ever imagined a bag of bones could fight as hard as it did, or be so skilled at blunt weapons and blocking. Gils and I were both being pelted by arrows from the top of the high wall. Gils' arrows did no good, and he brought no shield thinking to use his bow to block. In order to stop the archer he would have to find it, and he wasn’t leaving me alone with Bony and his axe.
Gils tried stabbing the skeleton with his dagger and it went right through, not phasing the creaking creep. Finally I did a sweep with my sword and we found out what the trick is with skeletons. You have to sweep them, not stab. His axe arm went flying. The thing about skeletons is, they can’t bleed to death, so when you sever their arms they are still coming at you.
Gils did the prettiest uppercut I’ve ever seen and we heard a loud POP. The skeleton’s head flew up in the air what looked like fifteen feet. Both of us watched it fly, then land and roll down the hill below.
“Whoa! That could never get old! Oh look, it bounced off that rock! I thought it would smash!” I kept watching till it hit the bottom while Gils was pushing an arrow through his arm.
“Okay, we know how to get rid of them now, and I’m not equipped right. Should we go back to Anvil so I can pick up proper equipment?”
“Pump your ring. You really should have a shield Gils. That skeleton had one. I wish I had seen where his axe landed.”
“Oh crap! That one on the roof is back. The arrows go right through him.”
“Gils, get behind me and hug me as tight as you can.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to blow him off that roof, and I never get hurt by my accidents. Everyone around me always does though.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t hump me like a dog Gils! My aim is bad enough.”
BOOOM!!! CRACK!!! PEEEEYOOOOW! CRACK!!! BOOOOOM!!!
“What the hell was that?”
“I told you I can’t aim, but one of those hits must have got him.”
“You only cast once, it was over there, then over there…look, you cut that tree way over there in half, it’s smoking!”
“That’s probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?”
“It’s this position.”
“Well get out of there then. Lets do this and get back to Anvil.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“I found the shield, can you lift the bones up off it for me? Gils I know what you are doing, that is disgusting. These bones could have disease.”
“My bony hand bothering you?”
“EW! Get it off my butt! Hey, if you have that piece of the arm there should have been an axe near it.”
***
The parapets were still flaming from my ‘Enemies Explode’ spell as we entered the enclosure of Crowhaven. Gils had an axe and shield now, thank goodness.
“Have you ever been in an undead lair before?” I watched Gils face as he answered.
“No. I never even went in the trenches.”
“Oh crap. Neither have I. Well if I have to use fire you will have to get behind me, and no fooling around this time. You made my aim go haywire…er, worse than usual.”
We stepped into pitch darkness and the worst smell I had ever… "What was that noise?" I crowded against Gils.
Gils was blinded in the darkness. He started feeling his way down the corridor and I grabbed him.
“Wait!”
A pink glowing form appeared around the corner when I cast to detect life. I wasn’t sure if whatever it was had heard us, it seemed to be pacing. I dragged Gils back out the door.
“There is someone down there at the end of the corridor!” My breath was coming in ragged pants.
“Someone? Like a person? Maybe it‘s the owner.”
“In the dark? No, this is an undead lair. The Arcane said it’ll be conjurors or vampires.”
“Let’s hope it is conjurors then. Use your fire thing again.”
“Good idea. But no funny stuff this time.”
Gils rested his hand on my shoulder and let me lead the way since I had the night vision spell. When we got to the end of the corridor I reached back and pulled him in toward me as a signal to hug up to my back.
The detect life illuminated where to aim, but at this point I could hear the person breathing…my bladder suddenly felt overfull.
I angled myself to get a good aim on him, but stayed in my corridor so I would have a running start if he took chase. I aimed directly at him, but my spell arced off my fingers in a large curve and exploded off the corner of a wall at least seven foot to his left making a huge “BOOM” noise. Then it proceeded to ricochet around so the whole intersection was lit up with fire.
The most horrible noise echoed back at me, a loud hissing as if a giant snake…GAAAAH! The hiss turned into a scream that caused every hair on my body to raise and stand straight out. I felt the blood in my veins turn to jelly along with my legs and bladder control. I ran shrieking back down the corridor and out the door, leaving a trail of pee the whole way.
Gils had hold of my tail because he couldn’t see in the dark. I pulled him out through the doorway with it.
“What the hell was that noise? Er…what are you doing?”
“Wetting my pants. I never heard anything like it in my life, but…I think it is vampires. A conjuror would have been blown to bits.”
“We better wait till you’re done going before we go back in.”
I stood at the mouth of the outer enclosure watching that door while what seemed like the entire Topal Bay continued to drain from me. I doubt I could run now if I had to, my greaves stuck to my legs and each step produced a sloshing in my boots.
“You’re just lucky I only had to pee.”
“You couldn’t sneak up on Andronicus while she’s drunk, listen. Your boots are sloshing, they must be full of pee.”
“Can you remind me why we are doing this instead of Agronak getting these himself? I don’t feel like going back in there. I gave my word to come, and I did. I didn’t say I’d risk my life for him. Agronak can do it himself.”
I struggled to sit down, the leather of my greaves had become tightened against my skin from the wetting.
“I was just trying to tease a smile from you.”
“Well I don’t feel like smiling. I’m risking my life for someone I can’t stand and who has already brought me harm. What promise I made was to someone who didn’t even exist, some fake persona he put on. I want to go home.”
“Come on then, are you scared?” Gils sat down next to me.
I nodded, feeling a tear cutting through the fur on my cheek. I swatted it with the back of my hand.
“Do you want to wait for me in Anvil and I’ll do this alone? I can take you back there first if you want. Or you could wait right out here.”
“You can’t see in there, and don’t have spells.”
“Well, I could make a torch.”
“Then they’ll see you coming, you’ll be a sitting duck.”
“I need you with me Maxical, I’m no mage. But I’m doing this and getting it over with. I need your help, but I’m going in there with or without it.”
I didn’t know if he was bluffing, manipulating, or just plain serious. But I couldn’t risk his life. He couldn’t see the enemies in there, but they could find him by smell. I finally forced myself back in.
*
You work very hard, and are both responsive and gracious to your readers. I, for one, enjoy hearing what is going on in the writer's head - a distinct advantage of the forum venue. I know it is hard to press on when you do not feel your story is right, and am glad you shared some of your thinking and concerns with us. Listen to Maxical, and know you have many people here who love your story.
This chapter was a delightfully unusual style. A light but deadly stroll with her boyfriend through a beautiful country side with, oh yes, a dungeon full of undead. I loved how Maxical's mind was swirling between her feelings for Gils and the deadly business at hand.
I found the ending quite powerful. The deliciously odd dichotomy I described above was replaced by fully serious questions as to why they were there. In beautiful Maxical fashion, it became clear she was now there for someone besides herself of course. Only it is now clear she is there for Gils, not Agronak. She has taken a vulnerable step towards Gils. I hope he realizes what is at the end of the pretty tail he is holding onto. Your move, Gils.
I see Maxical's inability to control her wild magic persists. I'm so glad she doesn't own a bow!
Some fun passages:
And a couple nits:
This chapter was a delightfully unusual style. A light but deadly stroll with her boyfriend through a beautiful country side with, oh yes, a dungeon full of undead. I loved how Maxical's mind was swirling between her feelings for Gils and the deadly business at hand.
I found the ending quite powerful. The deliciously odd dichotomy I described above was replaced by fully serious questions as to why they were there. In beautiful Maxical fashion, it became clear she was now there for someone besides herself of course. Only it is now clear she is there for Gils, not Agronak. She has taken a vulnerable step towards Gils. I hope he realizes what is at the end of the pretty tail he is holding onto. Your move, Gils.
I see Maxical's inability to control her wild magic persists. I'm so glad she doesn't own a bow!
Some fun passages:
QUOTE
Gils did the prettiest uppercut Ive ever seen and we heard a loud POP.
Spoken like a true Arena girl. QUOTE
I ran shrieking back down the corridor and out the door, leaving a trail of pee the whole way.
Oh my. Don't you hate it when that happens? And a couple nits:
QUOTE
What? I looked stunned at the guards snarling face.
Let's make that possessive: guard's.QUOTE
I stood at the mouth of the outer enclosure watching that door while what seemed like the entire Topal Bay continue to drain from me.
I think you want 'continued'.
Excellent....but WHY must you put THIS to tease me so?
Thats probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?
Its this position.
Well get out of there then. Lets do this and get back to Anvil.
Now youre talking.
Now if it had beeen MEEEE in Gil's position....I would definitely have put my own interpretation on
DO THIS
and...
well, I better not say.
Thats probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?
Its this position.
Well get out of there then. Lets do this and get back to Anvil.
Now youre talking.
Now if it had beeen MEEEE in Gil's position....I would definitely have put my own interpretation on
DO THIS
and...
well, I better not say.
QUOTE(D.Foxy @ Sep 21 2010, 11:09 AM)
Excellent....but WHY must you put THIS to tease me so?
Thats probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?
Its this position.
Well get out of there then. Lets do this and get back to Anvil.
Now youre talking.
Now if it had beeen MEEEE in Gil's position....I would definitely have put my own interpretation on
DO THIS
and...
well, I better not say.
Now THAT's the Foxy we all know and love !!!!! YEAH !!!!
Brilliant! Haa-Rei was nearly shaking with raage at the racist guard, there's just no need for it. Maxical could have gored his crotch-that would shut him up...
anyway, the encounter with the skeletons was excellent, your descriptions of the bony bad guys was great. Poor Maxical needs to control herself when she has a full bladder. "Always relieve yourself before going into a dangerous castle possibly inhabited by undead/vampires!" More soon please!!
anyway, the encounter with the skeletons was excellent, your descriptions of the bony bad guys was great. Poor Maxical needs to control herself when she has a full bladder. "Always relieve yourself before going into a dangerous castle possibly inhabited by undead/vampires!"
More soon please!!
First- what Acadian said. You try so hard to please all of your demanding readers- and I hope we make it worth your effort. Your writing never gets old or annoying for me- I have gotten more laughs than I can count. And there have been many tender and heart-warming moments, well. A really good story takes the writer to unexpected places- that is the joy of writing. If you knew everything before you started, what would be the point? Be assured of this- as long as you are writing, I will be (one of) your Adoring Fan(s)- just without the poufy hair.
Im with Haa-Rei. I think he and Athynae may have to pay a visit to Anvil to educate a certain guard.
The skeleton fight was simultaneously scary and hilarious- I have a feeling you were channeling Bruce Campbell there.
That Maxical always knows exactly the right thing to say!
And I cheered Maxicals realization that she has fulfilled her last obligation to Agronak- other than the one to kick his.
QUOTE
Sun, sea, and sand. It was everything a girl dreamed of as a romantic fantasy destination. The houses were whitewashed stone, it looked like a jewel glimmering on the coastline.
Im with Haa-Rei. I think he and Athynae may have to pay a visit to Anvil to educate a certain guard.
The skeleton fight was simultaneously scary and hilarious- I have a feeling you were channeling Bruce Campbell there.
QUOTE
"What the hell was that noise? Erwhat are you doing?
Wetting my pants.
Wetting my pants.
That Maxical always knows exactly the right thing to say!
And I cheered Maxicals realization that she has fulfilled her last obligation to Agronak- other than the one to kick his.
Three whole ERAS, thousands of years worth of co-habitation and the best that the guard can do is furlicker? I think that says more of him then it does of any khajiit.
I dont know why I assumed that Maxical had done battle with a skeleton before. There would be no reason to face the undead in the Arena. I guess I thought she would have encountered one during her travels, but except for the IC and the Faregyl, where has she been really?
Her first encounter is off to a rocky start. Between arrows, screaming and exploding enemies, and copious amounts of pee, it is no wonder that going back home is sounding like a better idea than continuing. But true to our Maxical, she finds a reason outside of herself to go on despite her own fear. That generosity of spirit is why everyone loves her so much.
Despite the collateral damage!
Neither can Maxical, mALX.
I dont know why I assumed that Maxical had done battle with a skeleton before. There would be no reason to face the undead in the Arena. I guess I thought she would have encountered one during her travels, but except for the IC and the Faregyl, where has she been really?
Her first encounter is off to a rocky start. Between arrows, screaming and exploding enemies, and copious amounts of pee, it is no wonder that going back home is sounding like a better idea than continuing. But true to our Maxical, she finds a reason outside of herself to go on despite her own fear. That generosity of spirit is why everyone loves her so much.
Despite the collateral damage!
QUOTE
Whoa! That could never get old!
Neither can Maxical, mALX.
QUOTE
Thats probably because I could feel you behind me. How can you be aroused when our lives are at stake and undead are attacking us?
Its this position.
Its this position.
LOL, Gils is just lucky Maxical is in love...and with him...
And, speaking of Gils, it's interesting that he's the driving force for them to continue...hmm...now, that could mean several things...it could mean that he wants to "do right by his friend" -- get him this info as a sort of peace gesture...or -- and I hope not, for Maxical's sake -- it could be indicative of his continued loyalty to Agronak. All I can say is, if he does turn out to be a cad and breaks Maxical's heart (and there's anything left of him after Alix/Fathis/etc. are done), I might just have to send Jauffre his way. Good writing, as always...have I told you before that I love this story?!
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