"Y-you are insane!" The Khajiit hissed at the Imperial. "The Mad-Cat has touched you!"
"I wouldn't mind another kind of cat touchin' me, tiger~"
"Jer vara ma'I..." He muttered under his breath. "So you are a pervert and a madman in one package, yes…?"
"Look." The Argonian spoke. "I didn't make a trip all the way from Anvil to Vivec to have someone tell jokes. So you're not lying when you say you want to send us," She gestured a hand to herself and the Khajiit. "To quest like… like…"
"Yes?"
"The Hero of Kvatch!"
"The Nerevarine!"
Speaking at the same time, both the Argonian woman and the Khajiit man's gaze seemed to lose focus. The mature Imperial had seen that look many times. Those were the eyes of memory. The eyes of remembering people that would not leave their memories for a while yet dull enough that he could tell the two beastfolk needed effort to remember.
Crassius Curio hid his curiosity with a hearty laugh. "If I was telling jokes, I would not have gone through so much trouble as to send a letter as far as the southwest of Cyrodiil, my dear maiden," the two beastfolk could hear maiden drawn out more than anything else. "What I'm requesting for you both cannot be done by usual mercenaries. House Hlaalu cannot afford to see me send our own members, as it can be misinterpreted greatly by other Houses. I cannot trust many of those outside the law in Morrowind, as they are mostly against outlanders such as I. Not to mention both of your... bibliophile expertise, in this field. If you wish to return home, my dear maiden, I will provide transport back to Anvil along with compensation. As for you, tiger, I can provide a gift basket should you turn down my offer. I assure you both that if you take this job, you'll have no need of work ever again. I'll let you stew it over for the rest of the day, but necessity dictates that I must have my answer by tonight. I look forward to hearing your response. Ms. Nerethi?"
A Dunmer wearing netch leather armor walked in, holding open the door for the two beastfolk, the Khajiit could have sworn he heard her whisper apologies as she guided them through the maze that was a house in Vivec. They were silent until they walked out of Curio manor, and the moment they entered Hlaalu Plaza, the two looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"B-by the moons!" The Khajiit guffawed. "I can't believe this one was Khajiit's neighbour for so long!"
The Argonian attempted to stifle her laughter, but she still displayed more emotion than the Khajiit had seen from any Argonian he'd met. "He's exactly as I imagined the author of The Lusty Argonian Maid to be! Ha… I need to tell Casta all about this when I go home tomorrow…"
"E-er… There are eyes on these two." The Khajiit said, looking around Hlaalu Plaza. While House Hlaalu was the most progressive house, there a few Dunmer in the Hlaalu Canton of Vivec who stared shiftily at the two beastfolk, which in Morrowind, meant trouble could soon follow. "Perhaps we should part ways. Khajiit wishes this one well?"
The Argonian took the Khajiit's hand and shook it. "I... This one wishes you well too."
The Khajiit snickered at her awful Khajiiti accent, which put a smile on her face as she turned to leave. She made a step, maybe two away from the front of Curio Manor, but a quick tug revealed the Khajiit still holding her hand. In the instant she turned, the Khajiit's face turned from politeness to curiosity. The Argonian was about to make as much of a face as she could, but the Khajiit spoke.
"…The perverted one calls Argonian 'Bibliophile,' as he does Khajiit. What does this word mean?"
"I-it… er… It means someone who loves books." She stared at her apparent fellow bibliophile. "He says we're both fond of reading."
The Khajiit released his hand, apologetic at the odd gesture. "This one is not familiar with the words of the Imperials, but… yes. This one supposes he is a Khajiit of books."
"Are you now? You see, I'm an author. Not well known, but I'm happy to meet another… heh. bibliophile."
The two shared another snicker and looked around at many shifty red eyes on them.
"Perhaps," The Khajiit coughed. "There is place beastfolk may speak in secret, away from suspicious glares of unhappy Dunmer. This one knows a place near home, not far from here. A cornerclub - tavern or bar is perhaps more familiar? Words and drink make good bedfellows, yes?"
"That... Well, at least my trip won't be a complete waste." The Argonian said. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
"This one is Jobasha," he purred, smiling back at his new acquaintance. "And what may Jobasha call you?"
"Nice to meet you Jobasha." She chirped. "I'm Quill-Weave. So where's this... 'cornerclub,' as you call it?"