Turdas 29 Last Seed 203 4E 9:00 AM

I was dumping my bed furs into the laundry basket when Babette and Meena sauntered into my room. Babette looked sleepy and a little on edge while Meena looked extremely smug. The Khajiit's arrogant looked dropped away when she noticed what was in my hands.

"Oh, dammit," she grumbled as she dug out a coin pouch and handed it to Babette who was smirking broadly. "You really couldn't keep your pants on for at least one night?"

"Shut up!" I blushed. "Maybe I just felt like changing my bed. These old ones were on my bed for the last two months."

Meena stalked over and sniffed the linens. "Not likely. Meena can smell the male on these. Are you quite sure that he isn't yours?"

"As amusing as all this is, could I give my report so I may retire, ladies?" Babette's voice made it clear she didn't really consider either Meena or me a lady. "I have had simply the worst time with you gone, Listener."

I gestured to my small personal table that was off to the side of the room. I picked up a pot of tea that I had brewed, placed it on the table, and poured myself a cup. "Begin at any time," I said as I sat down. I crossed my legs getting comfortable. No doubt this report was going to take a while.


Babette's story

Morndas 1 Sun's Height 203 4E 10:00 AM

"I promise to be back as soon as possible," Hecate said from atop Shadowmere. The demon horse danced about on fiery hooves ready to feel the road again. Nazir was behind her on his own brown stallion which was a big Hammerfell creature but looked small compared to Shadowmere. Except for Babette, the rest of the Brotherhood was gathered around their leader as she bid farewell before leaving for the Imperial City. The little vampire was still in the shadows of the Black Door away from the harmful rays of the sun.

"Kill well and often," the family said the traditional farewell with great enthusiasm despite knowing this was not a killing mission. The Listener waved one last time, her eyes lingering on Cicero, before bolting south. Nazir gave a two fingered salute before following suit.

Babette was in a bad mood. She had been woken from her bed, stayed up way too early, and now was in charge of a band of misfit assassins. Babette really wished that Hecate had not chosen her as surrogate leader. It damaged the image she had so carefully crafted for young Aventus. The boy was looking suspiciously at her now. Not that he hadn't been giving glimpses for weeks now, but the Listener's decree just hastened the inevitable.

The vampire mentally shrugged. What was the worst that could happen? As a Khajiit, Meena had natural wanderlust and surely could take care of herself. Cicero has survived the falling of two Sanctuaries. Aventus had lived on his own for several months until the Brotherhood took him in. There was plenty of food in the pantry and Nazir had left a small stack of contracts they would work on if anyone felt a need to kill. They probably wouldn't even notice that Hecate and Nazir were gone.


Morndas 8 Sun's Height 203 4E 8:00 PM

"I'm hungry," Aventus complained. "When is dinner?"

Babette was carefully going over Nazir's notes for contracts. It had been most frustrating to realize that the Redguard had his own series of personal notes instead of just writing out the exact details like a normal person would do. Babette could probably figure it out if it was written in Imperial, but the Nazir used the alphabet of his native Hammerfell and that made the task ten times more difficult. She had not been able to give out any contracts because she had to translate them first.

"Heat up something," Babette snapped.

"There's nothing left from the stuff Nazir had made before he left," Aventus whined. Even Nazir went out on contract. Whenever he went out, Nazir made sure to have about a week's worth of food for the others to eat until he could come back and make more. The man was obnoxiously proud of his cooking skills. Babette personally did not see what the big deal was. So what if the man could sear meat and potatoes a certain way? Blood was so much more satisfying than mundane meals had ever been.

"Surely you can manage to put a piece of meat between two pieces of bread, dear brother," Babette said her voice dripping with sarcasm. By Sithis, there were days she wondered if this project with Aventus would be worth the rewards. Babette never remembered sounding so young and needy as a child. Maybe she would let the boy grow a little bit older before offering the Dark Gift; surely a year wouldn't hurt her plans.

The Keeper came stumbling into the main room. He was covered in dirt and twigs, probably from rooting around another secret tunnel that only he knew. Cicero was grinning madly as usual, but there was an undertone that Babette knew she wouldn't like.

The vampire was grateful that Cicero hadn't been moping with Hecate gone. He had remained his usual manic self, mostly keeping himself to tending to the Night Mother. Sooner or later, Cicero would hit a depressed mood and then Sithis help them. She was not going to be able to tolerate the madman's ranting or try to talk him out of hiding behind the Night Mother's coffin like the Listener would. Maybe Meena would take care of Cicero.

Speaking of Meena taking care of Cicero, Babette was pleasantly surprised that she had not seen Meena sneaking neither in nor out of Cicero's room. She had thought the Khajiit would make a play for Cicero's affection with her rival gone for an undefined long amount of time. Maybe the catkin had understood there would be dire consequences and left the fire alone instead of stirring the coals.

And maybe horkers would fly.

As far as Babette was concerned, they were all adults and it was not her responsibility to get involved. If something did happen while the Listener was gone, she had better not expect Babette to have done something. Cicero was amusing enough, but part of Babette had not forgiven the Fool for what had happened to Astrid. The Nord had been more than just a leader; in many ways she had been the mother of the Brotherhood by keeping her ragtag band together with her sheer charisma when the rest of the Sanctuaries had been destroyed. She had adapted and survived—something a vampire could respect.

Babette could still remember when she had first joined the Brotherhood. Most of the family had no idea their matron was a corpse. They thought she was some woman who had inherited the title much like the Speakers. It had taken Babette almost a hundred years to get far enough to into the inner circle to find out the truth and then she had been most disappointed.

To find out that the woman she had respected and killed for was just a pile of bones and flesh when Babette herself was one of the living dead was just anticlimactic. The Breton still respected the power the inanimate figure commanded, but to fear, love, and vie for her affection? No, thank you. If Babette could have been satisfied with the image and not the actual person, she would have stayed with her mentor. That was a woman who knew how to sell her person in the best light possible and gain more and more power for it.

Babette was not sure what she was looking for, but when she met Astrid, she knew she had found it. This was a woman who was strong, confident, and completely dedicated to getting what she wanted at any cost. And she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty like other so-called mentors.

Babette had loved Astrid—and Cicero, however indirectly, had gotten her killed. Babette mostly tolerated his presence since Aventus seemed to have a certain fondness for the fool, but she hoped to weaken that link soon. The more the boy depended on her for companionship, the better her odds of turning him.

"Look at what Cicero found," the jester said in a singsong voice. His gloved hands had been behind his back. He pulled one hand forward to show that he had a tunnel snake and it was still alive. Aventus started screaming his head off at the sight of the creature.

"By Sithis, Cicero, what the hell are you thinking?" Aventus said as he scrambled backwards. The boy tripped over a chair and landed on his back. It didn't stop him from continuing his retreat backwards.

"Language!" Babette scolded. "Aventus, you should not use such crude dialogue."

"Cicero has a gods damned snake and I'm being yelled at?" Aventus retorted pointing at the laughing Keeper. Cicero was holding the snake firmly under the jaw so it could not turn around and bite him. Babette could tell it was a harmless tunnel snake; she had harvested venom from enough of the vermin over the years to easily tell the difference. "Besides, Hecate said I could say whatever I damned well pleased."

"First off, the Listener is not here. I am and I am in charge. I say you may not talk that way. If you wish, you may resume when the Listener returns, but in the mean time you are to have a civil tongue," Babette said looking down her nose at the sprawled boy. She turned to Cicero who was still laughing his fool head off at his trick. "As for you, Keeper, that is not appropriate for the dining area. Please dispose of it immediately."

Cicero merely shrugged and tossed the wiggling snake over his shoulder. As the poor creature flew through the air, Meena came in for a late dinner also. The Khajiit casually swiped at it with her claws and the snake fell into two pieces on the ground.

"What is there to eat?" she asked sniffing the air. "Meena does not smell anything good."

Aventus stood up and dusted the back of his pants off. He walked back to the table, picked up the fallen chair and sat down as Meena and Cicero seated themselves. His jaw was set at an angry angle. Babette mentally sighed. She would have to make it up to the boy later. He was being sullen, but sometimes one had to sooth a male's ego. Honestly, what was wrong with having a little decorum?

"All of you are more than capable of making something to eat on your own. You are more than welcome to help yourselves." Babette turned back to the stack of contracts. "I think I finally figured out Nazir's code. I will give out contracts after you three eat."

"Contracts?" Meena asked. She placed her chin on one paw while her tail lashed back and forth. "Who does the little one think is going to go out?"

"Are you suggesting that you would disobey a direct order from a superior, Khajiit?" Babette was on the verge of growling.

"Never," Meena purred. "Meena loves contracts. But who else is going?"

Babette paused. The cat had a point. Babette couldn't go out. Since she was in charge she needed to stay near Sanctuary. "Cicero can take a few contracts. His blade is still active."

"Oh, no, no, no," Cicero shook his head sadly. "Loyal Cicero may only go on contract with lovely, dear Hecate. The Listener said Cicero could only kill with her."

"Okay, then Aventus can finally take a contract," Babette rubbed the bridge of her nose. If she could still get headaches, she definitely would be forming one right now.

"But the Listener said I had to wait until she said I was ready," Aventus pointed out. "She said I had to have back up too. At least for my first one. And then depending on how well I do, I might be able to go out alone."

Sithis damn Hecate for not gathering more people into the Brotherhood. They were too undermanned for this mission she had been sent on by the Night Mother. And to take Nazir too was just plain irresponsible.

"You mean to tell me out of all of us only Meena can go on contract?" Babette asked. The others nodded solemnly. "Lovely."

"We still haven't done nothing about dinner," Aventus whined. "I'm hungry!"

"Cicero is hungry too!" The Keeper joined in with Aventus whining. Meena added her shrill yowl to their voices.

Babette had enough. She jumped on the table and stomped her tiny foot on the surface. "Enough! There is no reason the lot of you cannot act like the adults you are."

"I'm not an adult," Aventus said mischievously.

"Well, it is time you started acting like one. My mentor used to say 'Remember there is always someone out to get your blood.' It is very sound advice and the quicker you learn that, the better off you will be, my young brother." Babette recalled that she was still standing on top of a table. She primly smoothed her skirt.

"To show my good will, I will treat the lot of you to dinner in Dawnstar. Do not get used to it. You better be ready tomorrow to feed yourselves." The other three cheered. Babette hoped the Listener and Nazir would get home soon.

One week down. How many more to go?


Turdas 29 Last Seed 203 4E 10:00 AM

"Well, that was certainly interesting," I said blinking slowly. I never imagined they would become so dysfunctional while I was gone. Maybe it was time for Aventus to go on his first contract. The boy had more than enough training. I just wasn't ready for him to grow up any more than he had already.

Cicero on the other hand, I don't think I could ever allow going out on contract alone. He was much too agoraphobic and could have a bad day at any moment. It seemed a shame since he was such a natural assassin, but at least it gave me a good excuse to spend time alone with him without someone else poking their noses in. Like Meena.

"Thank you for your report, Babette," I said standing. "I know I have kept you up longer than usual. Why don't you get some rest?"

"Thank you, Listener," Babette replied. She stood up too and gave me a hug. "I am ever so glad that you are home. And with a new brother too. I hope this means we will be inviting new siblings soon."

"It does. I do have one question. Did you ever talk to Aventus about your…condition? If we are going to increase our family, they will need to know about your abilities."

Babette grimaced. "That is a story for another day, sister. For now I would like to rest." She bowed and excused herself.

I turned to Meena with my hands on my hips. The catkin was lounging on my bed. "And what about you, Khajiit? Did anything interesting happen to you while I was gone?"


Meena's tale
Fredas 26 Sun's Height 203 4E 8:00 PM

It has been almost a month since SHE and Nazir left for their special mission. Meena had been delighted to hear the two of them would be gone for a long time. Finally, she would have a chance with the red furred male.

Meena could tell the female little one was watching her to see if she would try anything with the red one, but Meena was not a fool. SHE was interested in the male and the male was interested in her, even if SHE wouldn't admit it. But SHE had not claimed the male and that made him fair game. And even if SHE had claimed the male, no cat worth her fur ever gave up on something she wanted just because someone else said it was theirs.

The red furred male understood was it was to be Khajiit. "Fusozay Var Dar" or "Enjoy Life". Why spend all day, every day worrying about what was or what could be? That was silliness the men and mer concerned themselves with instead of just enjoying life to its fullest.

Meena could have made her move immediately, but the red one needed time to forget about the other one. SHE was the queen of the colony, as small as it was. SHE had the favor of the one known as the Night Mother. Neither that one nor the other entity, the Dread Lord Sithis, were known in Meena's home culture. This left Meena not sure how they fit into her world view. If it had been Sheggorath, the mad god, or Lorkhaj, the moon beast, then Meena would have easily followed them.

Any god who supported killing for money and allowed open ownership was a god Meena could support. She never was one for rules, but even the Khajiit had to admit the rules weren't that bad. You didn't have to worry about the others in the colony trying to kill you so what was wrong with that? Meena still didn't really understand the Tenet about stealing, but surely there was nothing wrong with borrowing your siblings' things for good reasons, right? Especially if you more or less put it back in its place when you were done.

The red furred one was in his room humming to himself while he was grinding some herbs for his oils. Meena knocked on the door frame before coming into the room. "Knock, knock," she said with a toothy grin. Usually Meena just ran around in her leathers. Tonight she was wearing a dress that was open in the back to show off what she considered her best feature – her tail. Raccoon tailed in design, it was puffy and soft and irresistible to pet for most menfolk.

Her hair was out of its normal gold ringed braids and fell in waves down to her shoulders. Meena missed the slight jingle they made in her ears, but from what she understood men liked it when women changed their looks when on the hunt.

"Hello, Mew Mew," Cicero said smiling broadly at her. Meena loved that the red one had given her a special name. As far as she could tell, he had not given HER a special name. Listener didn't count since it was her title. "How may Cicero serve you today?"

"Meena is lonely and wanted some company," she said leaning forward so that the fabric of her dress drooped drastically. Meena wasn't sure what Cicero's preferences were. Some men thought it strange, almost bestiality, to mate with non-men especially Khajiit or Argonians. Honestly, Meena saw no difference than if it was a mer. The elves seemed just as different from men then Argonians were to Khajiit. Others would take any warm body. It was the ones who would also consider a cold one that concerned her as strange.

"Maybe we could go hunting," Cicero suggested as he stood. "Animals are less interesting than humans for sport, but their screams are still pleasing."

"Meena is already hunting, red one," she purred as she leaned in to kiss the jester. The feel of his mouth against her muzzle was wonderful. For months, she had been subtly touching and teasing with the Keeper. Although he had always accepted her advances, he had never encouraged them in any manner Meena could tell. She did love how it made HER fume and pout so clearly the signal was there for anyone to see.

"Humble Cicero is honored," the jester said jumping back. He put one hand behind his head as he laughed bashfully. "However, the Keeper is forever on duty and may not indulge. Cicero hopes that Meena is not insulted."

"Oh, really?" Meena continued purring as she pushed her body against Cicero's. She kneaded his shoulders so her claws went right through the thin material of his motley. "Meena has smelled your scent on HER so clearly Cicero has indulged some."

"Oh, no! No, loyal Cicero is merely Keeping the Listener as he Keeps Mother. Well, not the SAME way, mind you. But Cicero Keeps all the same." The jester laughed nervously as he tried to explain himself. Meena liked how he didn't flinch from her claws despite how much they must have hurt. This tom was a tough one.

"Not even once? You won't even take a little break once? For your dear, bored, lonely sister?" Meena tickled Cicero's face with her tail.

"Cicero is loyal, faithful, and steadfast!" the Fool proclaimed. He gently pushed Meena towards the exit. "If Mew Mew were the Listener, then Cicero would gladly do whatever she wished. And Cicero knows that Mew Mew would surely take advantage of the Keeper's services without hesitation. But alas, our dear Hecate is the Listener and it is to her Cicero must obey. Goodbye, goodbye!" With that, Cicero pushed Meena out of his room and quickly slammed the door.

Meena huffed and placed her hands on her hips. If only if there was some way to replace HER as queen of this colony. Then Meena truly could do whatever she wanted when she wanted.


Turdas 29 Last Seed 203 4E 10:15 AM

"No, nothing interesting happened at all," Meena yawned. She lazily got off my bed and sauntered away. I couldn't help but notice that her rolling around on the linen had left her multicolored fur all over the surface. Damn cat had marked my bed. When would she learn to respect other people's things?

I sighed as I cleaned up my tea. The warm drink had been good, but I wanted a bit more food. It was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch, but I could grab a small snack from the kitchen when I dropped off my dirty dishes.

When I entered the kitchen, I found Aventus struggling with slicing some meat. "Let me help you," I offered. The boy gratefully handed me his knife and the roast he had been cutting on. "Your blade is dull. You have to take care better of it."

"Sorry," the boy mumbled around a chunk of meat I had handed him.

"Anything neat happen to you while I was gone?" I asked.

"Well…," Aventus blushed.


Aventus' theory

Middas 7 Last Seed 203 4E 11:00 PM

Aventus swallowed nervously. Maybe he shouldn't do this. Maybe it would be better to not ask. To ask would change things and Aventus liked how things were now. But Aventus had to know.

For months, the Imperial boy had suspected there was something different about Babette. He had never been the smartest boy when the orphans did lessons, but he wasn't slow either. He had noticed that Babette always slept during the day, had way too many contracts in her past, talked funny, and never ate food.

During meal times she would sit next to Aventus with a full plate. He hadn't noticed at first, but all of his training had made him more aware of his surroundings. After a while, Aventus observed that Babette never actually ate any of the food on her plate. She pushed it around and twirled her spoon, but the food ever actually went into her mouth. Nazir would glare at the Breton every time. Aventus finally figured that the Redguard was angry that she was wasting his food.

Aventus loved Nazir's cooking. It was always hot, filling, and there was a lot of it. After months of surviving on half a loaf of stale bread or small fishes he had managed to snag down at the dock, Aventus was ecstatic to have regular meals again.

After a few months in the Brotherhood, he had lost all the haunted look of a starving child. His cheeks filled out and gained a healthy blush. Sometimes Babette would lean her face against his throat and comment how warm he felt. That she loved the sound of his heartbeat.

Aventus knew he was doing the right thing to confront Babette with the truth. She wouldn't have to hide anymore and they could still be best friends. She was his sister, even if she was adopted, and he would love her no matter what she was.

"Babette, can I talk privately with you?" Aventus swallowed.

"Of course, my dear Aventus," Babette smiled her special smile with her lips closed. "We can go outside."

The two children walked out of Sanctuary and into the moonlit night. High above the two moons shone their light everywhere. Babette took Aventus' hand into hers and the two of them walked quietly along the wave line for a few minutes. Aventus noted how cold her hand felt and thought of how cold it always felt.

"I know what you are!" Aventus blurted. He mentally cursed himself. He had hoped to be smoother, cleverer. Maybe he should have talked to Cicero first. Cicero always knew what to say. Or at least had something clever to say even if he did make Hecate mad at times.

"What would that be, dear brother?" Babette said raising one eyebrow. Aventus realized that he was taller than the girl now. When he had first joined the Brotherhood, Babette had been the same height and now Aventus was a good two fingers taller. When had that happened?

"You never go out during the day, you don't eat, you talk funny, your hands are always cold," Aventus stammered. He didn't know why he felt a need to list her traits; Babette knew the truth as much as he did.

"Go on," Babette urged softly. "Say it. Say what I am."

"You're…," Aventus swallowed, "you're a construct!"

"What?" Babette's face was one of disbelief.

"You're one of those constructs from Dwemer ruins. I heard they have really good sentinels and they still run even though the dwarves are long dead. I figured out you must be one of those. Probably a special model, since you're a little girl."

Aventus had been prepared for a lot of reactions. He had thought Babette would cry. Maybe she would deny it. Maybe she would be happy that he had figured it out all on his own.

He had not thought she would start laughing at him. Babette laughed so hard she fell to the ground while holding her sides. The Breton kicked her legs in the air while guffawing.

"By Sithis! You thought I was a sentinel? Have you ever even seen one?"

"No," Aventus admitted blushing. She didn't have to tease him so much.

"I promise you that I am no construct," Babette sighed happily wiping a tear from her eye. "That was sweet of you to think so." She kissed him on the cheek before going back to Sanctuary. As she walked away, she was still chuckling to herself.

Aventus clenched his fists in anger. By Sithis, Babette could be a bitch sometimes.


Turdas 29 Last Seed 203 4E 11:00 AM

"Oh, sweety, I'm sorry," I hugged Aventus.

"I just wish I knew what was up with Babette," he lamented. "I know there is something; I just don't know enough to know what."

"She'll tell you some day," I promised.

"But I want to know now," the boy pouted.

"The harsh lesson of wisdom, dear heart," I said.

"I'm tired of being treated like a little kid," Aventus huffed. "I've killed people. Several people, in fact. I should get a contract soon."

"Do you think you're ready?" I asked with my heart in my throat.

"Yes!"

"Then go talk to Nazir and he'll set something up for you," I said trying not to sigh.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Aventus jumped up and down with joy. The boy scurried off to get his first contract. I didn't want him to go, but it was time to let him to start being part of the family in full. He was more than trained enough to keep him here any longer would only cripple him.

I left the kitchen and went downstairs to the training area. Cicero was there walking on his hands.

"Morning, Keeper," I said turning my head to see him better.

"Morning, Listener," Cicero grinned upside down at me. His jester's cap was still firmly on his head. One day I would ask him how he managed to do that. Cicero flipped over so he was standing again. "How may Cicero serve you?"

"I have been asking everyone what they had been up to while I was gone. I thought I would ask you if you had anything to report," I said expecting nothing.

"Cicero Kept Mother. He Kept her clean and protected…and happy." His tone is intentionally teasing. Cicero knew the others in Falkreath thought he was a necrophile. Even my report of his appropriate behavior while oiling the Night Mother never stopped the whispering. If he cared, he never showed it. Cicero never seemed to care what others thought of him.

I shrugged. Cicero seemed to only live in the now. Unless there had been an attack or something that threatened the Night Mother, I couldn't expect him to have worried about it. And if something like that had happened, then Babette would have already told me.

"Well, good job, Keeper," I said waving goodbye. "I'm going to find Nazir and Garnag to see about starting recruiting in earnest."

"Bye, bye!" Cicero grinned waving goodbye.


Cicero's thoughts

Turdas 29 Last Seed 203 4E 2:15 AM

Cicero watches the Listener sleep. The Listener is curled on her side with her hair floating around her like the Void. She looks so innocent when she sleeps. Calm and at peace in a way she never is when she's awake. When the Listener is awake, she is always worried about one thing or another.

If there is innocence and it is not an illusion, then the Listener is innocent. Even when she kills, she kills with love for her targets. They said that Old Lady Luck had kind eyes. Listener Alisanne Dupre had kind eyes. His Listener has kind eyes.

Cicero puts his ear near her mouth so he can hear her breathe. The soft whisper of her breath sends shivers down his spine. He loves it because it is proof that she is alive, that she is real. So many years of his mind playing tricks on him, Cicero is not sure if he is real at times. How can he be sure the Listener is real too?

Seeing Garnag after all these years was good. Cicero is happy that his brother is alive, but he is worried too. Garnag knows too much about Cicero. Garnag told Cicero that he had been forgiven by the Night Mother for their sin. Cicero is certain that is the message the Listener will give him. Forgiveness from the Night Mother, how wonderful! After all these years too!

But seeing Garnag is bad too. His brother brings back the memories. The memories Cicero does not want or need. The now is all Cicero needs for dancing and singing and laughing.

The Listener must never know what Cicero and Garnag did. She would not turn loyal, faithful Cicero away, but it would change things. Change is the only constant, but Cicero prefers to make sure it is change he wants. The Listener would close down like she always does and Cicero cannot stand the thought of her going away. Far away where Cicero cannot follow.

The Listener cannot know that Garnag and Cicero killed Rasha the last Speaker of Cheydinhal Sanctuary.


A/N: Cicero's section is supposed to be written in present tense in case anyone noticed.