Svana was exhausted. She let the broom she was using lean against the wall while she stretched out her hands, which are sore, aching and covered in callouses. She sighed, disappointed with how weary her voice sounded. It couldn't have been any later than the evening. That means she'd still have several more hours of work ahead of her before she could finally lay down and sleep for the night. She shuffled her feet, wincing at how sore the soles of them were every time her weight shifted, and made her way to the front counter of the bunkhouse. A Riften guard exited her aunt Haelga's back room, his armor mostly intact save for his helmet. He looked relaxed and if Svana hadn't known the exact reason why he was as such, she'd envy him. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a full night's rest or any time to really unwind.
He scratched his stubble covered chin, casting a look back at Haelga, who came out of her room straightening out her touseled hair with an equally relaxed demeanor radiating off of her. She met his look with a smile that reminded Svana of a wolf who'd just killed a rather satisfying prey. Or would it be more fitting to call her a saber cat? The guard looked to be at least ten years Haelga's junior. He seemed to be aware of Svana's presence, his eyes darting to her and looking back at Haelga a bit awkwardly after receiving a rather disgusted look from the younger Nord woman. Her lips curled down severely, nose crinkled while her arms crossed over her chest. It was obvious she didn't like what she was observing. Haelga, however, paid no mind to her niece. The guard cleared his throat unnecessarily, moving his helmet around in his hands as if trying to preoccupy himself with something.
"So, maybe we can do this again sometime?" He asked. Svana saw her aunt grin before fixing the collar of her dress, leaning over the counter to give the young man a good view of her chest.
"Eager aren't we?" She smiled wider when a blush painted his cheeks and the shell of his ears. "Perhaps. It would not be unwelcome if you were to call on me again, my dear." She purred. The young man smiled and nodded, giving her his thanks. He exited and afterwards Haelga reached for the book that was on the counter, flipping it over to a dog-eared page. She let out an easy sigh, her eyes scanning the pages of the book. Aware of her niece still standing there, she rolled her eyes ever so slightly, looking in her direction.
"Is there a problem? Is your work done? You seem to be unfocused again." She commented. Svana frowned, approaching the counter.
"Aunt Halega..." She began, her eyes softening in concern and a hint of curiosity. Haelga observed that her niece looked tired. Too tired. Her dark circles were becoming more prominent against her fair skin and her hair was positively disheveled, and not in a more positive means. She didn't understand though. The bunkhouse certainly wasn't that dirty, was it? If she just focused more instead of daydreaming all day, she'd have had the place cleaned hours ago. "Why do you...you know...demean yourself with these men you barely even know? They hardly even know your name, let alone love you." Haelga could've laughed at her niece's naivete. What did love have to do with any of this? Poor girl is too innocent. Maybe she could stand to be...taken care of once in a while too?
"Oh my dear, it's just for fun. You're a lovely little thing. Maybe you should try it sometime. It certainly wouldn't be very difficult for you." She made the suggestion and almost scoffed at the way the girl's face twisted into a cringe. At this, she put the book down again. Maybe she'd have to wait a bit longer to get any reading done.
"I would never! I'm saving myself for someone special to me. Someone who loves me." Haelga raised an eyebrow at the look her niece took on. She wasn't even looking at the older woman anymore, but at the counter's surface, trailing her fingertips idly on the lines in the wood, a coy but obviously lovestruck smile adorning her features.
"You mean that Sibbi?" Now him. He was probably someone even Haelga wouldn't want to have anything to do with. Crooked little bastard. But maybe having him stab Svana in the back would be just the lesson she'd need. Maybe afterwards she'd stop being such a prude. She got her answer in the pointed glare that she was given. "You must be joking. He just wants to bed you and be done with it. Perhaps you should just-" She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "get it out of the way."
"You're wrong!" Svana's voice raised. Haelga didn't flinch. She just watched with her face schooled into a bored expression. "Sibbi and I are in love and you're just jealous!" At this, Haelga actually let out a barking laugh.
"You naive girl. You're more deluded than I thought." Haelga's casual remark and matching attitude were a stark contrast to Svana's rigid and angry one.
"I'm no more deluded than you! You who thinks that, that, these trysts are nothing to worry about! That degrading yourself is perfectly acceptable and sleeping with married men is something normal! Well, I have respect for myself." Her voice lowers as she steps away from the counter, her eyes rimmed red, making her look even more ghastly. "Because someone in this awful building has to have some."
Now that made Haelga angry. Svana wasn't always mouthy, but when she was, the usually took it too far trying to make one of her little points. It was usually about her worship of Dibella.
"I have plenty of respect for myself, thank you. It's better than being a prude." Haelga remarked cooly, though her tone had a waspish edge to it. She picked up her book, flipping it back to her marked page, refusing to look at the girl. "Get out of my sight. I don't care where you go, but I don't want you here. Might as well be gone with how dirty the place still is." Her comment was dripping with poison and Svana left, slamming the door behind her, not caring that she'd have to answer for it later.
Speaking of Sibbi, she decided she might take to Mistveil Keep to see him for a little while.
Svana left the keep, disappointed when the guards said that there was only one visitor allowed per prisoner and that Sibbi had already been seeing someone. Her shoulders slumped as she looked up at the sky. It was getting later. She must've been trying to convince the guard to let her in longer than she thought. Magnus was about to set for the day, allowing the twin moons to ascend and begin their long dance across the sky over Nirn. She was also irked because the guard didn't even bother to tell her who the other visitor was. Said it was none of her business. She supposed he might've been right about that, but she was just curious. And if it were simply his horrid mother or one of his siblings, she didn't see why it would've been a problem to just tell her.
Rumors circulated around Riften said he was incarcerated due to a murder. Something to do with his bride to be figuring out that he had another woman and he killed her brother after being confronted by said man. Svana had trouble believing that Sibbi would so such a thing. He was a good man! Perhaps the only good Black-Briar in the family other than Ingun.
She was now by the well in the center of the plaza, looking down on the old wooden planks covering the opening to the cistern. She believed the Thieves' Guild boarded up the well years ago to allot more privacy in their hideaway. The wood was pale and dusty with age, giving off the distinct scent of mildew and moisture, even from outside the well. It could've also been the cistern itself, but no doubt the planks soaked up quite a bit of the odor over the years.
Some people began to close down their stalls for the day. Grelka was the first, heading straight to the Bee and Bard after closing the sliding doors under her stall and making her way to a good night of drinking away her frustrations. Next was Marise, who simply draped a cloth tarp over her goods to keep them concealed overnight and rolled her shoulders from the long day she had. Balimund met up with Grelka, opening the door for her to the facility. He usually didn't imbibe alcohol, but he must've wanted to for some reason or another today. Maybe everyone had a long day today. Not that they usually weren't, but today must've called for some stress relief of some sort.
The only one who was still closing up shop was Madesi. He was checking his display case, the sliding doors underneath the stall and writing down inventory with the use of a thin stick of charcoal and worn parchment. Svana looked at him and smiled weakly. He was a nice man too, Madesi was. She thought it was unfair that he slept in that squalor under the city, and so near the Thieves' Guild. After the incident with Brand Shei being linked to them with Madesi's ring in his pocket, she felt even more worried about him. She wished that Haelga would just let him stay in the inn for a little while. Or even Keerava. Surely she wouldn't have a problem with him staying in the Bee and Barb for even one night would she? Did he truly have no money to afford staying at the inn?
The young woman walked to Madesi, still wearing her smile. Whilst closing the doors under his stall, Madesi caught sight of her and offered a smile of his own, if not a bit annoyed with the prospect of a customer coming to his stall at the last possible second.
"Ah, Svana. If you're looking to buy something, I could stand to re open my case." He's a friendly business man and Svana appreciates that. He's not jaded like Grelka or shady like Brynjolf.
"Oh no, I'm not here for jewelry. Actually, I wanted to speak with you." She replies, earning a curious look from the Argonian.
"What about? And why aren't you back at the bunkhouse?" He asks, leaning forward on the stall's surface, arms crossed casually in front of him as he regards her and her newfound flinch at the mention at her aunt's business.
"We had an argument." Svana waves her hand in dismissal before rubbing her forehead as if to relieve a headache forming there.
"My apoligies." Madesi offers, checking his stall one last time after saying such, walking out from behind it and standing in front of her.
"It's hardly your fault. I just...I don't understand her." Svana admits, earning a small concerned frown from the salesman. "She's incorrigible! How can she just...just...do the things she does?" Svanna makes arm motions with her speaking that despite the subject matter has Madesi smiling ever so slightly. As she's ranting, he's observing her. Poor woman. Dark circles, pale skin, and grimy hair. She's still quite lovely despite her disheveled appearance but he is disappointed that she has to let her health slip to keep the bunkhouse in order. Even her clothes were covered in soot and filth. He's been over there enough to know that Haelga gives her quite a substantial heap of chores to do to keep the place running. And he always finds it upsetting that the older woman barely lifts a finger to help. Ever.
"What things are you mad about specifically, if you don't mind me asking?" Madesi tilts his head ever so slightly, inviting her to continue, giving her his undivided attention. He hadn't really had extended conversation with Svana before, but he had enjoyed whatever company she was willing or able to give when he'd drop by the bunkhouse to eat. They were never very long due to Haelga never letting him stay very long or had always barked at her niece to get back to work, cutting their interactions short. Svanna let out a long suffering sigh.
"Do you have time?" She asks, scanning his face for any signs of previous engagements. Madesi smiles and nods affirmatively.
"For a friend? Always." He replies.
"And then she tells me to get out of her sight and insults my cleaning! The gall! She should try lifting something other than her legs once and a while. Like a gods damned broom." Svana angrily rants, halfway done with a bottle of ale while Madesi listens, halfheartedly eating a cream treat and a salmon steak. He's surprised she was willing to spill all of this out in the open.
She invited him to a small meal and a drink at the Bee and Barb, which he graciously accepted, if nothing else, to help her with a problem she was having, even if it just were lending a friendly ear. It turned out to run deeper than he thought, however, and he was glad he took her offer so she could have someone to talk to. He hadn't taken a drink, figuring it might be better if he were sober when she was venting.
"I'm...sorry." Madesi draws out slowly, not knowing what else to say. He'd always figured Haelga was a bit of a whore but he didn't know the extent of it, nor did he know how harsh the woman could be towards her own family. It was obvious Svana despised the older woman.
"It's okay." Svana rests her elbow on the table, lowering her head into the palm of her upturned hand and, turning the bottle around in a full circle using her free hand. "I just wish someone would come along and put her in her place. Just once." She looks up at Madesi, who's finishing his cream treat and smiles lightly. "I'm sorry about spilling all of my burdens out to you. But for what it's worth, it's nice to have someone who will listen." She manages, making the Argonian let out a breath of laughter, a smile stretching his mouth. Firelight reflected off of his scales in odd patterns. Svana found it interesting.
"Anytime." He simply says before standing up, pushing his chair in.
"Wait, where are you going?" She stops him.
"I'm heading down to get some rest. I'll see you later, Svana." He tries to dismiss himself once more. This time, Svana gets up, stopping him by gently grabbing his wrist, making him turn back around to face her. A couple patrons glanced over, but a majority of those who did returned to their drink or their meal. "Yes?" He asked, confused.
"Why do you sleep down there and so near the Thieves' Guild? You could stay here in the Bee and Barb? I'm sure they wouldn't mind." Svana dropped her hand, giving him freedom over his wrist again. Not that she had had a particularly strong grip on it to begin with, but still. Madesi shook his head, a small smile coming to his face once more, his eyes glinting a bit sadly.
"The cold stone, the dampness...it suits me, Svana." Was his only reply. He almost flinched at the way her eyebrows helped turn her face into an obvious one of concern and sympathy.
"Don't say that." She says. "Keerava probably wouldn't have any qualms with you having a room here for one night, would she?" Madesi's smile falters as he lets out a short breath.
"You have a kind heart, Svana. Much too kind for a place like Riften." Madesi replied. It was true. She was sweet and lovely. He'd always had that sort of opinion about her. "But please don't worry about me. I'll be just fine." He didn't want to make her disappointed. He didn't want her to worry, and more importantly, not about him. From what he just heard, she has enough of her own problems to be concerned about, let alone his.
Svana didn't know what came over her, but she felt the need to stop him from walking out that door to go sleep in the slums yet again. She wouldn't. Not after he had just heard her out. Not after he had graciously been a good friend to her after a long and stressful day even though they didn't know each other very well. She wouldn't have it. So she made another offer.
"I'll pay for a room here for you for tonight." Madesi's brow arches rose in a way that was very similar to the way someone would raise their eyebrows.
"Svana-"
"No. Just...just let me do this for you just this once. It's the least I can do after you've been such a good friend to me today." She insisted. Madesi didn't like that she was offering to use more of her hard earned money on him, but the determined look on the young woman told him this was a losing battle for him. Instead of arguing further he let out a long sigh before resigning.
"Alright." He conceded and to his delight, she smiled.
"Good. I'll go pay Keerava, then." She marched off to the counter, which wasn't awfully far away. Madesi observed the two ladies engaging in a minor amount of chatter before Svana procured the septims necessary for room reservation and Keerava exchanged that for a key, giving her directions to the room. She nodded and walked back to Madesi, who hadn't moved from his spot.
"Okay, you just go up the stairs and make your way straight across the upper level. It's the room directly on the other side, you can't miss it." Svana takes Madesi's hand and placing the key gently in his scaly palm, closing his fingers over it. Was it his imagination, or were her hands lingering unnecessarily? Not that he was complaining, of course. "Sleep well. And thank you again." She told him before letting go and exiting the Bee and Barb, offering one last glance and smile over her shoulder before the door shut behind her.
Up in his room, Madesi filled the bowl that was previously placed on the lone chest that was in the room full of water. His reflection appeared in warbled, unidentifiable shapes and blobs. He scooped his hands in it, bringing it up to his face to wash it before retiring for the night. He scowled slightly when more sweat and grime than he thought would come off of him dripped into the bowl, creating a cloudy effect in the water. He undressed, rinsing his clothes off a bit in the bowl's water as much as he could as well, leaving them draped over the chest to dry. He sighed, plopping down on the bed, an arm draped over his eyes. His mind wandered back to Svana.
Sweet Svana. She was truly nicer than Riften ever deserved. Had a better heart than most of the people lurking around these parts, that was for damn sure. It was ridiculous that he was thinking of her. He didn't think anything would develop between them. Not when she was completely enamored with Sibbi. Just the thought of that made his demeanor sour quite drastically, but he didn't show it beyond a frown. He was a lech and a murderer. And a spoilt brat. And a braggart. And a bigot. What's worse is that Svana had heard about the murder he committed and didn't fully believe it. She had heard the rumors of the victims sister, Sibbi's former fiance, going into hiding, and still sided with Sibbi. It wasn't fair. But then, life in Skyrim hardly seemed anything fair nowadays.
He didn't want to dwell on it much further. That being said, he allowed himself to relax on the bed that was much too soft for what he was used to and went to sleep.
Svana retired to her bed in the bunkhouse nursing a cheek that was now stinging and starting to swell. Haelga greeted her when she came through the door irately, finishing with a hard slap across her face. It was strong enough to make the young woman reel back in pain. She was then sentenced to twice the chores for an unprecedented amount of time for her defiance and disrespect. Svana huffed out a short breath at the thought. What did she have that Svana should be respectful of? As far as she was concerned, she probably never would.
Pressing a damp rag against her skin made the irritated area feel a little better. After her cheek had stopped throbbing beneath the cloth, she discarded it carelessly, flinging it to a different area in the room, not bothering to look to see where. She lay her head down on the nearly flat pillow, lamenting on the lack of support it gave her head. Perhaps the bunkhouse needed to switch out the straw in the pillows and beds. Too bad Haelga was too cheap for something like that. It was a substantial amount of time later that she finally did find the ever evasive embrace of sleep.
The next morning, Madesi awoke bright and early, having an excellent night's sleep. He stretched, feeling his muscles awaken with him. A few joints popped with the effort, sending a small amount of relief throughout whatever areas were affected. With a groan, he relaxed again, staring at the ceiling of his room. He thought of how he were to thank Svana for her kindness in renting the room for him. Even if it was just for the night, he greatly appreciated the gesture, and now that he had gotten a decent sleep for once, he wanted to properly extend his gratitude. Question was, how?
Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and went to retrieve his clothing, pleased to see they'd dried properly and they looked cleaner. Not much, but cleaner, no less. Slipping them on, he ambled downstairs and out the door to his stand. Magnus had just barely begun to rise over the horizon, the sky a milky blue. The morning was still young enough that everything felt at peace. It was unusual for a place like Riften. The chatter of birds and the soft calming buzz of insects could be heard throughout the atmosphere. Madesi took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he began to unlock his shop. Opening the case, he observed the pendants on display. One in particular.
It was silver, the pendant ornately carved with Argonian detailing in the surface. The setting held a circle of small faceted sapphires surrounding a larger amethyst. It was some of his best work, to be sure. He remembered sitting at the Scorched Hammer for hours trying to get the blasted little gemstones to cooperate with him and cursing when something would slip and his hands would get scratched or something almost got nicked just so on his piece. No one had even made an offer to buy it. Too pricey, especially with all the supposed miracle cures that Brynjolf's been pushing lately. Either that or everyone was simply too cheap at the moment. Either way, it was just sitting there collecting dust. Shame. It could be used to make someone very happy.
Like Svana.
He scooped the pendant from the case, the delicate chain tickling his skin ever so slightly as it cascaded off his palm to dangle in the air. He looked at it thoughtfully for a moment before he decided that yes, he would give it to her and stuffed it in his pocket, replacing the jewelry with a couple of simple gold and silver rings. They weren't necessary great work, but it would do to fill the void created by the missing jewelry. He busied himself recording the change in inventory on his paper before depositing it back into the opposite pocket and went about setting up for the day.
The day passed relatively slowly. As per usual, barely anybody even came by the stall. Nivenor was one of maybe three people who stopped to pay any mind to his wares, Haelga was one of the other two with Maven stopping by to scold him about turning down Hemming the day previous. The beautiful and snobbish wood elf purchased the two rings he had deposited in his case earlier that day, so he at least walked away with a profit made that day. As usual, he went about double checking his wares, writing down the inventory and closing up shop when the sun set that evening. With his earnings, he ambled straight to Haelga's Bunkhouse.
Reaching the door, the weight the amulet made in his pocket started to become heavy. He was eager to give it to Svana and see her reaction. He only hoped she'd like it. He saw no reason she wouldn't, but a smidge of anxiousness trickled into his nerves despite it. Opening the door, he was greeted by the smell of booze and something cooking. Slightly burnt from the smell of it. Slaughterfish? Salmon? Whatever it was, it carried a fishy odor under the obvious scent of something being charred.
He craned his neck in different directions looking for the Nord woman. At first the only ones he found were Grelka, paying her rent and Haelga, accepting her payment and eyeing him in what was a blatant show of distrust. He knew of her disapproval of his heritage. He didn't understand why and honestly, he felt like she had absolutely no room for judgment. Not after all that her own niece had said. But, like most of his kind, he knew the value and importance of keeping secrets and opinions to oneself, lest things royally blow up in his face. Still, he wasn't able to help the telltale pull of facial muscles that indicated that he was annoyed by the manner of supervision.
Not wanting to say anything to her, he simply shuffled quietly to his usual spot and sat, waiting for Svana to come by like she always did this time of night. This was the time that the tenants usually were beginning to sink well into their cups and therefore would be making even more messes. Svana would have to come by eventually and when she did, he'd give her the pendant. He picked up an apple sitting on the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. By the feel of it, it was about to go bad. Shrugging, he took a bite. The flesh was grainy rather than crisp and juicy but he wasn't picky. After he had eaten the apple in its entirety, right down to the core, he grabbed a small wedge of goat cheese sitting by one of the plates around the table and a half a loaf of bread and consumed those as well. The bread was fresher than he expected, still having a crunchy shell with a moist center. The cheese was another story, obviously old but not so much past its prime that one should've thrown it out.
Svana finally came down after Madesi had finished the bread and cheese and looked just about the same as yesterday. Tired, upset, and abused. His heart went out to the poor woman as she walked in a way that one would almost consider a waddle downstairs and faced her aunt, wiping her hands off on her apron. He wasn't sure what good that was doing at this point, due to the filthy nature of the smock. It would've been better if it were burned rather than used any further.
"I finished oiling and conditioning the books, aunt." Svana managed, her voice coming out more like a tired mumble rather than a casual speaking voice. Haelga's attention veered from Madesi to Svana to glance over her form.
"All of them?" Haelga pressed. He could see even from where he was that Svana's jaw tightened in annoyance.
"Yes."
"Good. Now you can get to work dusting the barrels. Be sure to get the insides of them as well." Was all the woman said before turning to the payment Grelka had given her and began to count, emptying the roughspun bag on the counter and began to quickly shuffle each coin across the surface, mentally keeping track of the numbers. Madesi made an effort to get Svana's attention in the form of a small wave of his hand. It was successful, the woman looking over and a small exhausted smile gracing her lips. She approached him, standing by his place at the table.
"Hello Madesi. Nice to see you today." She greeted, friendly as always. Madesi smiled in return, patting at the place at the table next to him, silently asking for her to sit, earning a small frown of curiosity, her smile never faltering.
She looked to Haelga out the side of her eye, checking to see if she was still busy counting. To Svana's delight, she was. She slid into the place beside Madesi, letting out a small moan of relief, feeling a thousand times better now that she had a moment to rest.
"Feel better?" Madesi asked, facing her with a toothy grin. She nodded, rubbing the lengths of her thighs as if to relieve some of the soreness in her muscles. Whether they were the ones in her thighs, or the ones in her palms, he wasn't sure.
"Much. Even if for a moment. Thank you." Her voice even sounded tired, but grateful, no less.
"Actually, Svana, I would like to thank you as well." He kept his voice low enough that no one would be able to hear their conversation. He wasn't someone who was at home with the idea of someone, namely Haelga catching wind of their chat and getting nosy or angry. He didn't want to take the chance, if not for Svana's sake. "For the generosity you extended to me last night. You didn't have to do that, but you did."
"It was nothing. It was the least I could do for you being such a good person. I had a lot to get off my chest and you graciously listened with no judgment." Svana's attention shifted to Haelga, who was still busy counting, but was about halfway through the pile. There wouldn't be much time left before she was done. Madesi reached into his pocket, enclosing the pendant in his hand firmly.
"It wasn't nothing. As I said, you have a good heart, Svana." The pink that began to bloom in the shell of her ears almost gleaned a smirk from the Argonian, but he kept what he hoped was a warm smile instead. He took her hand and uncurled her fingers, his other hand, holding the pendant overlapping her own. "I wanted to give you this, as a token of my appreciation." He said as he opened his hand, the contents dropping safely into her own. She took it back, inspecting the amulet and her eyes widened a fraction, her mouth slightly agape.
"Madesi-"
"I want you to have it." Svana shook her head slightly in disbelief for a moment before looking back up at him, her eyes glinting with happiness and a couple gathering tears.
"This is the nicest thing anyone's ever given me. Are you sure-"
"I'm sure. I can always make another." It was sort of true. She didn't have to know that it took a lot of work to make it, or that he would have to hire someone to go get supplies for another. No one was going to buy it anytime soon, that was for sure, so it was good to give it to someone who could appreciate it, and whom he knew deserved it. He wasn't prepared for the way the girl flung her arms around his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder. He tensed, not knowing what to do, hands sticking up on either side of her, hovering in the air with no knowledge of what to do.
"Thank you so much." She breathed. He could feel blood rise to his face and was grateful that as far as he knew, blushing in Argonians wasn't very obvious. He awkwardly cleared his throat but returned the embrace, albeit with little knowledge of how to do so, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other cradling the back of her head.
"You're um-" He once again cleared his throat. "welcome." He breathed out a small laugh when she squeezed ever so slightly. The embrace didn't last too much longer after that. She broke away first, and despite the dark dusty crescents staining her lower lids and the red rimming in the whites of her eyes, she was beaming. Madesi had never seen her so happy and it brought him no small amount of pride and contentment that he made it happen. She fumbled with the pendant between her fingers.
"Would you mind helping me put it on?" Her voice was all too hopeful and Madesi couldn't refuse, motioning for her to turn around, which she did with enthusiasm befitting a teenager. She gathered all of her hair in her hands, pulling the red tresses over her shoulder. He undid the clasp of the chain easily, very familiar with his own work, each end in his hands. He secured it around her neck, purposely letting his knuckles skim her soft skin.
"There you go." He couldn't help yet another smile as she turned back around. The necklace suited her perfectly, the pendant glinting with the light of the sconces in the room. It sat nestled right at the top of her cleavage. Madesi forced himself not to linger there for too long, lest he get scolded for being a pervert. When he looked up at her, he noticed she seemed as if she were expecting something. Selling jewelry as long as he had, he recognized that look and tried to oblige. He would've done so smoothly, but nerves got the better of him. "It looks- well, you look-"
"Svana!" Haelga's voice barking at her niece made them both start as they turned their focus to her instead. The blonde woman's face was twisted into a displeased frown, her hands resting on the counter with her fingers drumming on the surface. "Those barrels won't dust themselves! I suggest you stop fraternizing with our business and get back to work!" Madesi saw the look that flitted across Svana's face that spelled nothing but vexation at her aunt.
"Of course, aunt." Svana resigned, standing up. Madesi heard the small groan of discomfort putting herself back on her feet as she shuffled back to the stairwell. His eyes never left her and he was pleased when she stopped at the first step to look and smile at him before ascending and disappearing. Haelga's expression caught his attention from his periphery and it was none too friendly. In fact it was downright venomous. It was obvious she did _not_ approve of what she saw. Not wanting to cause a scene, he stood up, prepared to take to Beggar's Row. He could've always rented a room for the night again, but he wanted to save as much coin as he could so he'd have the funding to buy supplies.
"Yeah that's right. Go back down to your filth, you gods damned lizard." He heard Haelga call out to him. "And stay away from my niece." He paused at the door, hand poised above the handle and turned back to face her. Her expression hadn't changed and he just offered a forced closed mouth grin, nodding in acquiescence.
"Have a lovely evening, Haelga." He hoped kindness would kill with her. It was certainly more than she deserved, but spending time in Riften jail for assault was probably not the best way to handle any kind of frustration felt on his part. His patience was limited, just like everyone else's but he could definitely keep a rein on his anger if he needed to. He closed the door behind him as he left the bunkhouse, letting out a long breath as if trying to dispel and purge his irritation along with it. Scratching an itch that formed on his forearm, he travelled the familiar pathways down into Beggars Row for the night.
A/N: I posted a prompt on SKM for this pairing, but I was impatient and filled it myself. :)
I was playing Skyrim for the millionth time and I thought, through simple observation that maybe Madesi had a bit of unspoken attraction for the pretty lady so I was inspired. :) Unfortunately, I don't think it came out as smooth as I'd have liked. Maybe I'll go back and re do it. :T This will have at least another chapter, if not two depending on how I can work the story. Next chapter will definitely feature either Sibbi being exposed as a royal jerk or Haelga will be humiliated at the hands of my thieving Dragonborn. :)
Please leave me feedback. Let me know what I should change, if anything to make the story smoother. Tell me how I should work the story in the following chapter(s). I'll take ideas and I'll be sure to give credit where credit's due.