mirocu- Thanks! I’m thankful that my limited character creation skills can somehow manage to keep Buffy looking enough like Buffy as she evolves over time. And Buffy’s most appreciative of the birthday wishes from beautiful Anvil!
SubRosa- I didn’t think of the warpaint as a targeting aid but what a clever thought! Actually, there were only two choices that were subtle enough to get into the final running. Thank you!
mALX- I’m so glad you liked that shot! That is a modded expert college robe she is wearing but, like you, I really like the color. And thank you so much for the wonderful birthday wishes from friends Maxical, Misa and dear squirrel!
DE- Thanks so much for your ever-kind support of Buffy, as well as the birthday wishes and gifts from Lycus.
Lopov- Thank you! We’ve spent quite a bit of time ‘imagineering’ how things work in Buffy’s world – some of which to explain the oddities of Skymechanics. As a ‘permacharacter’ I suppose it is inevitable that Buffy can be kind of a complex enigma - dancing comfortably in numerous, sometimes disparate, roles. Her most enduring duality of course is part mage, part forest creature. Regarding her look, she does not spare when it comes to bling – but that too is just part of who she is.
hazmick- Thanks! When we started tinkering with makeup, Buffy kind of insisted on some of that warpaint.
Destri- Thank you! Like any girl, Buffy enjoys a compliment on her looks and yours went straight to her heart - probably because you focus beyond the blond and bling.
ghastley- We picked the Amulet of Articulation purely for looks quite some time ago. She’s never done the TG. Happily, amulet clipping doesn’t bother me too much and only shows on a few outfits. Since last update however, Buffy’s switched to an Amulet of Kynareth – again, purely for looks although Kynareth is certainly pretty appropriate.
Grits- Thanks so much for your endorsement of our introduction to make up! And Oh My! What a beautiful story as Jerric and Darnand plan and deliver such a wonderful birthday gift! The idea of the ‘everfill’ waterskin was a great idea as well, but I’m glad that waterwalking won out. It's easy to keep little Buffy full of water, but the volume needed by Superian pretty much rules out a small ‘everfill ewar’ or magicially refilling small waterskin. Planning for the mare’s large water requirements is a major part of Buffy’s travel considerations, but also a challenge we thoroughly enjoy.
Walking on water comes in ever so handy and was a magnificent choice of gift!
* * *
Buffy was actually struck by the mood to pick up her quill recently. Nothing long or fancy, but it does provide a narrative snip from her adventures for a change.
*
The westering sun cast long shadows ahead as the sweet smell of Honningbrew meadery passed by on our left. I leaned forward and patted Superian’s neck before guiding the mare down into the shallow stream that paralleled our course for a drink. “It’s been a long day, Acadian, and we’ll stop up here at Whiterun for the night." Kitsune, my gray fox familiar, paused her scanning for danger only long enough for a quick drink.
Once Superian had drunk her fill, we moved back up to the road. I spied two figures clad in what appeared to be elven armor engaged in conversation ahead.
As we drew near, one of the figures looked my way. “Are you actually a mage from the College of Winterhold, or did you steal those robes from a real wizard?” Her condescending manner alone was enough to clearly identify the Altmer as a Thalmor.
“You’re a long way from the Dominion,” I replied, making little effort to warm the ice in my tone.
“I,” the tall golden elf paused as if to emphasize her own self-worth, “am a Thalmor Justiciar. We are here to help the Empire purge this Nordic wasteland of those who would worship false gods.” The Justiciar’s brow furrowed with suspicion. “Tell me, Bosmer. . . surely you don’t believe this absurd notion that the dead man Talos is a god?” Her partner moved one hand to the pommel of his blade.
I looked around. There were indeed only two of the Thalmor, and a manned guard tower was but a short horse sprint away. Like myself, Whiterun was neutral in the civil war. “The other Divines have determined Talos to be one of their own and I’ll take their verdict over that of the Dominion.”
“The talk of a heretic,” began the not surprising but nevertheless ominous reply, “and so you shall die a heretic’s death.”
As elven steel sang from scabbards, Superian wheeled and thundered a short distance back down the road. My mystic bow leaped from back to hand as the mare circled to face the elven threat. Our maneuvering had purchased both the range I needed as well as placing the afternoon sun directly into the eyes of the Thalmor.
My foes were focused on Kitsune. The vixen had, at the first sound of tense words, placed herself between the Thalmor and I. She was now surrounded by the glow of an aura that both protected her and slowed nearby foes. Her aggressive yips projected illusion magicks, ensuring enemies targeted her instead of Superian or I. Although the fox could do almost no damage to the armored pair of Altmer, her nimbleness and aura protected her quite well.
With the Thalmor so occupied, I opened fire from the saddle. Shooting over the small fox, my arrows of blue magic had no trouble piercing elven armor.
The fight was over quickly.
Superian and I closed the distance to the dead elves. Kitsune allowed her aura to dissipate and even wagged her luxuriant tail slightly in satisfaction. Although quite used to it, Superian snorted her disapproval at being near corpses. She then lifted her long nose to catch the more welcoming smells of the nearby stable.
“I saw the whole thing,” said a winded Whiterun guard as he reached the scene. After briefly inspecting the bodies and catching his breath for a moment, he announced, “The Thalmor drew steel first, and your response will get no protest from me.”
“Thank you,” I replied with a gracious nod of appreciation.
“I used to be an adventurer like you,” he added with a crooked smile. “Then I took an arrow to the knee.”
*
Different foes here, but a
screenshot of Buffy’s mounted archery team in action. I’m hoping that Buffy’s willingness to let me post this brief scene featuring Kitsune reflects a growing commitment on her part to settle into a ‘critter/familiar’ arrangement that both works and speaks comfortably to her. The fox, with its negligible damage but robust magical defenses, avoids being overpowered while nicely complementing Buffy’s glass cannon nature.
(Jerric of course plans to turn that lad over his knee, but I like Lil’s suggestion. 
) 
Solitude means shopping, after all.
The light looks lovely on Buffy and the fallen dragon.
