Sorry if any of you read the original chapter ten, but I remember typing it and a few days later feeling like scum. I never meant to create a chapter as horrid as that. My demons are winning
CHAPTER TEN
Dovakiin stood in front of a wooden door, thinking of what to tell the owners. Should he began with a simple introductions, or should he just say hello. After all, he did know the owners. Six months ago, he met them and again in Falkreath. Now he just wanted to know them as people. The people he wanted to know are the Khajiit.
He knocked on the door, and waited. Regret had already set in. His stomach flipped, he began sweating, his hands began twitching. Footsteps came closer as he plotted leaving. Why would he be nervous? He did kill Alduin a month or two ago.
He began to turn to leave when he heard the door creak open. His insides froze as a hold wrapped around his shoulders.
"Dovakiin," a cheery female Khajiit said, "it's great to see you again!" the female released him as he faced her.
"Ashavi, so nice to see you again as well." The Dragonborn nervously chuckled. He looked her over to see that she had grown, "Guess you weren't kidding when you said you were with child."
A gleam of delight filled her eye as she smiled at him. She motioned for him to enter. The work the Khajiit put into this house was amazing. The walls adorned antlers, weapons, and a banner of Falkreath. Tables and chairs lined the floor as he stepped further inside, a basket of vegetables on one of the tables.
"Ma'Dato is in the back working on a crib." Ashavi smiled as she sorted through the basket, "You hungry?"
He smiled as she held a potato, "I'm surprised that you could even garden. Sure, why not?"
Ashavi took the basket into the kitchen. The Nord man wandered the long hall, taking in the care and craftsmanship of a Khajiit. Upstairs, he entered the bedroom accidentally. He began looking through each drawer in the room. A business ledger stood out as he grabbed it.
Dovakiin began heading downstairs when he heard an argument. One being Ashavi the other was an unknown male.
"Ashavi, you must rest; it's not good for our child." The male begged as it carried on, "I've told you to let me do the work; not you."
"Ma'Dato, I'll do what I want." Ashavi nearly yelled, Cooking and cleaning are not that stressful; besides I would come to ask for your help."
"No you wouldn't." Ma'Dato answered as Ashavi hissed, "If you need me, I'll be in the long hall."
The Dragonborn sat down as heavy footfall resounded from the kitchen. A figure stood in the door. A grey furred; dark armored Khajiit man stared at him.
"Females." Ma'Dato scoffed as he sat beside the Dragonborn unknowingly, "always something with her. I'm hot, I'm cold, I've got a headache, I'm hungry again. Why would I be an animal when I first met her?"
"Perhaps it's because she is having your child." The Dragonborn startled Ma'Dato, causing him to jump in shock.
"Don't do that." Ma'Dato said as he sheathed his claws, "You're lucky I didn't cut you. What do you think, I'm trying to keep her safe, but she keeps wanting to do something."
"Are you talking about her being pregnant and her wanting to do anything to make her feel special?" the Dragonborn asked only to receive a nod, "Let her do house work and you'll do the heavy lifting. She can't possibly hurt the child while cleaning out cooking, she'll probably hurt herself." The Dragonborn paused for a moment to catch his speech, "What I'm saying is let her work while you work. It'd be nice to come back here to a hot meal wouldn't it."
Ma'Dato parried his quotes, "I come back to a hot meal daily, I cook it."
"Sure, but wouldn't you want her to be happy by doing her marital duties of loving you through any means? When I came in she looked depressed, like a bird that can't fly." The Dragonborn continued supporting Ashavi's side, "She longs for freedom to be useful; to have purpose. Grant her this or you'll lose the child because that is also stressful."
Ma'Dato thought for a moment as the Nord's ideas sank in. If he grants Ashavi freedom to do as she pleases, she'll love him and bear him a healthy child. If not, he'll lose both Ashavi and the young Khajiit inside her. A simple choice for most, but a Khajiit who's an extradited assassin and first time father, it's a difficult choice.
"I don't want to see her like that, but I want her to be safe and happy. I know I can't have both." Ma'Dato spoke to the Nord beside him, "You're right, I'll let her do house work."
The Khajiit man stood and went back into the kitchen to speak with Ashavi. The Dragonborn, despite never being with a woman for more than two minutes to kill her, he knows what they like, mostly. He heard the Khajiit speak of her doing certain tasks, and Ashavi agreed; only if Ma'Dato would allow her to relax while working. Dovakiin, vanquisher of Alduin, harbinger of the Companions, and now family expert.
Ashavi and Ma'Dato exited the kitchen carrying plates and bowls. They set the meal down as Ashavi nuzzled Ma'Dato.
"Don't thank me, just let me sit here and watch the kittens play." The Dragonborn joked, "Not everyday you see a pair of kittens in love."
"Don't call me kitten," Ashavi replied as she handed out grilled salmon, "I'm too old."
Ma'Dato smiled, "And how old is the kitten?"
"Twenty." She answered to the men's astonishment, "I can feel the years gaining on me."
The Dragonborn laughed as he told his age, "I'm thirty-seven and you're saying you're old."
The trio sat in idle conversation with one another. The sun began setting when the Dragonborn left. He had solved a problem for the Khajiit he barely knew, yet he felt an attachment to them. Perhaps it is just their youth and pleasure in one another. Skyrim has gone cold in the war, but if two people can meet and enjoy each other's company then perhaps there is hope for Skyrim's inhabitants.