The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Brynjolf and Carissa –"Stealing Hearts"

Location: Cistern, Thieves Guild
29th of Mid Year
10:01am

Jobs in Solitude
Make changes in the ledger at The Winking Skeever
Retrieve Bolgeir Bearclaw's Ruby from Bolgeir Bearclaw
Plant the Stolen Flawless Ruby in Jala's House

Jobs in Markarth
Make changes in the ledger at Silver Blood Inn
Retrieve Hamal's Amethyst from Hamal
Plant the Stolen Flawless Garnet in Nepos's House

Jobs in Whiterun
Make changes in the ledger at Whiterun Stables.
Retrieve Acolyte Jenssen's Silver Sapphire Necklace from Acolyte Jenssen
Plant the Stolen Flawless Emerald in Ysolda's House

Jobs in Windhelm
Make changes in the ledger at New Gnisis Corner Club
Retrieve Adonato Leotelli's Gold Ring from Adonato Leotelli
Plant the Stolen Silver Jeweled Necklace in Viola Giordano's House

Jobs in Riften
Make changes in the ledger at The Pawned Prawn
Retrieve Drifa's Gold Ring from Drifa
Plant the Stolen Flawless Diamond in Marise Aravel's House

"Well… Mercer must be trying to tell me something…" Carissa murmured to herself, as she completed her list of jobs.

"Not really," She glanced up and found a familiar sweet face. Rune.

"What do you mean, sweetie? You know something?" Carissa asked amiably, twirling the quill in her fingers.

"Our latest client: she's heard about you, and wants you for the next job, but only if you really got what it takes," Rune explained, as he took a seat opposite Carissa. "Hence the multiple jobs Vex and Delvin gave you."

"So…" She sat the quill down. "You think that this… client is going to be watching me? See whether or not I have what it takes to do her job?"

The Imperial locked his fingers between each other. "That's what we all think, Carissa."

"Huh… well, if she is going to be watching me, I hope she can keep up," She said, smiling. "I can be pretty fast."

Rune chuckled. "I'll bet."

She continued to smile sweetly at the young Imperial. He could not be a day over 21. Such innocence. If only someone or something could let him know who he really is. Carissa knew that that was still lingering in his kind heart. He wanted answers. "Did you have any luck about your past, Rune?"

He smiled and shook his hand at her. "No, Carissa. I'm dropping that. Maybe I'm not supposed to know. Maybe it's for the best. Maybe it's protecting me somehow. Either way, I'm giving up."

"You can't give up, sweetie!" Carissa encouraged him on. "Dangerous or not, there might be something out there for you!"

"I should not try to chase the past, since it doesn't want to be found," He immediately countered. Looking at her, he fished out a folded letter and placed it on the table. "Even this man, Athel Newberry, he couldn't uncover my past. And he's supposed to be the best of the best. He couldn't even give me a single thing." He sighed heavily. "I'm just… going to leave it at that, Carissa." So saying with his small smile, he got up from the bench and left Carissa's sight.

"Oh, Rune…" She shook her head and sighed. There must be something she can do. Something…

"Trouble, lass?"

No matter what the circumstance, that accented voice was able to make her smile. "No, Bryn. Not at all. Join me."

Brynjolf took the seat opposite her. "I saw you talking to young Rune just now. Something wrong?"

She sighed. "Have you ever tried to help Rune find out about his past, Bryn?" She asked.

He ran a hand through his crimson hair. "Well, lass, it's a sad tale, but to sum it up: yes, and I was never able to get something for the young lad."

She sighed again, this time harder, and also in frustration. "It's so sad to see the sweetheart like this. I feel so bad for him…"

Brynjolf raised an eyebrow, and just had to question her. "Since when did you feel bad for people?"

"Shut up," She glared at him. "I'm serious this time… There has to be something I can do for him…"

"Well, whatever it is, lass, I'm sure it'll be brilliant." He deduced, hands behind his head.

She smiled at him. "Thanks," She decided to change the subject right then. "You mind telling me why I have 15 jobs to tackle?"

"Ah, that, well…" He rubbed his light stubble, preparing to answer her question in delight. "A great client of ours has caught notice of you, little Rissa. She just wants you to handle a little more to see if you actually got what it takes to take on her job."

"But who is this woman?"

"It's a surprise."

She grumbled like a small spoilt child would. "Fine." She picked up her list. "This will keep me busy for at least a week, you know. Is that alright?"

"It's not up to me, lass," He said. "It's up to our client."

"Well then," She began to smile, bringing back the crazy smirk. "I'll be sure to dazzle her with my talents."

Brynjolf chuckled, a deep rumbling emerging from that baritone. "You do that, sabre cat," He then got up from his seat, and patted her shoulder. "And I know you will make me proud as always." Flashing another smile, he left her at the table.

The Breton smiled to herself just as a little voice in her head was squealing, "Please chuckled again! Please!"

However, Carissa's mind was on Rune, and how dejected he must be feeling. Her eyes fell on the letter he had shown her and realized that he had forgotten to take it back. Deciding to fuel her curiosity, she opened up the letter.

Rune,

I've used every source at my disposal and I still can't find a trace of your parents. Whoever they are, they've completely erased themselves from history. This is quite a feat considering the quality of my sources. If I come up with anything else, I'll be certain to contact you.

Athel Newberry

This letter, however, caused the thief-assassin to furrow her eyebrows. Suspicious… she thought. I don't buy this. Not one bit. Sorry, Rune. I know you don't want to chase the past anymore, thinking that it doesn't want to be found… but you're a member of this family. A family that I'm also a part of…

So if the past wants to hide, it's not going to work. Carissa is going to find it, and bring it home to you.

A/N: Well... I think some of you know where I'm going with this... ;) And I've wanted to do this the first moment I met Rune! x)

Sorry it took a while! I fell terribly ill x(

But the good news is... I PASSED MY NATIONAL EXAMS! I'm gonna get to finish my last year of High School next year! :D