It's been a few hours since the argument that Ondolemar and Rinka had, Rinoa was chowing down on the steak she was presented. She would notice the stares that her fellow dragon kisser would give her once in a while. Skylar was busy chatting with Silk who had decided to leave the room after she couldn't get Rulindil to forgive her yet. Both women were discussing Rinka's birthday party- coming up shortly. For starters, Rinka does not know that they were planning a birthday party since Silk said that even her own sister don't know her own birthday. Of course being the considerate sister Silk was, she made a birthdate for her own sister. The 4th of Sun heights, it is this Fredas. Frowning and feeling a bit left out at the simple made up birthdate, Rinoa silently thought about if she still remembered her own birthday.
'Guess not' she mentally shrugged it off. She looked to her right catching Alduin's glance before Alduin averted his gaze.
"Rinoa, want to join in this convo?" Silk asked her making the redguard look at them, both faces were etched with a smile. She was bound to be asked so Rinoa nodded. Silk cheered having a new person on board for the plan.
Finishing her steak, Rinoa stood up and left to join the 2 not noticing Alduin's dismay. "What's the plan?" instantly making a conversation.
In a hushed voice "Well, we plan to have the party outdoors since sis likes outside. We have Ondolemar in on the plan too" great another person who knows which places Rinka likes the best. "Sad thing is, he has absolutely no idea which parts of Skyrim are her favorite" what a dumbass for a husband. Rinoa could not possibly imagine having to marry a person that does not know a favorite area of their other significant! Not like she will ever settle down.
They discussed the areas around Riften, concluding that the risk of getting attacked by Spiders is likely. Windhelm, not even going to risk it, they despise the sisters as much as they despise anyone really. Markath, Silk said that Rinka got tired of having to look at the city all the fucking time. Falkreath? Rinoa had to say something, the risk of getting a dragon attack has a higher percentage than anything. It may be cool to battle a dragon as a birthday gift, but dragons were out of their league. Solitude, apparently, Rinka has a significantly high bounty at the area, so nope. Rinoa wondered what she could've done. Morthal, nice place but too cold. Winterhold holds a lot of resentment towards Silk because of a prank. This was something Rinoa never knew, she must look into this issue when she has time. She didn't bother telling Silk that she is the Arch-Mage, but with Skylar's smirk, it seems that the altmer knows. They were already in Dawnstar and it would ruin the surprise instantly.
As they were running out of thoughts, Rinoa remembered a conversation regarding areas in Skyrim that she had discussed with Rinka before. Moss Mother cavern, was the place. Rinka complimented the cavern as something beautiful since it had its own indoor waterfall. Not sure if it was her favorite place but it was all she could think of.
"What about Moss Mother Cavern?" she voiced out.
"Eh? Isn't that Spriggan infested?" Skylar asked concerned at Rinoa's choice.
"Ah! Sister told me about that she helped a man there!" Silk cheerfully informed them.
Skylar sighed "We have 8 more days to check the place out and get everything in order, isn't the cavern all the way by the southern-west territory of Whiterun though?"
Rinoa nodded "Yeah. It might take us a day to get there, we can use my place-" she abruptly stopped remembering that her estate is in shambles right now. Alduin's head perked up. He knows what they were talking about, well to be specific Rinoa's estate.
"Are we going to the estate that burned down?" he heartlessly asked not noticing the tense atmosphere that suddenly accumulated.
Rinoa gritted her teeth "Yes"
Alduin grunted "That place is now rubbish, do not bother going back"
Rinoa stood up aggravated "BUT, that RUBBISH is still MY house!"
Alduin glared "That piece of trash is ruined!"
"Ruined?! Whose fault was that?!"
"Yours since it is on your land!"
"But it was YOU who stepped on that blasted bomb!"
"What's the point of keeping things when you won't be living forever to keep it?!" silence. Rinoa had nothing else to say as she was baffled. She knows that she only got 50 some more years to live. But she would love to live her life right now. And she does not need a dramatic dragon by her side.
Turning around Rinoa stomped outside of the tavern, only to find Rinka and Ondolemar making out outside by the side away from prying eyes. Unfortunately for Rinoa, she has enhanced sight and this was very awkward. The couple stopped what they were doing, Rinka blushed heavily while Ondolemar snorted. Having an idea in her head, Rinoa grabbed Rinka.
"Let me borrow her- Thanks!" Ondolemar yelled at her for stealing his wife from him, but Rinoa and Rinka were already a few feet away. The altmer didn't bother chasing after them knowing that he staying around them will only cause him to go insane.
As he was about to enter the tavern, the door opened to reveal Alduin. Whose face surprisingly held remorse and regret. Ondolemar had a feeling the reason why Rinoa was outside was because of him.
"Would you like to talk about it?" he found himself asking. Alduin sighed sitting on the bench outside. It was nearly sunset.
"How... how do you feel whenever you are around your... wife, is it?" Ondolemar nodded.
"Well, quite an unusual question. However, Rinka does make my day brighter and I am grateful for that" he honestly answered hoping that he will get an honest answer from the fallen.
Alduin combed his ebony locks "Why- why do you feel this way?" Ondolemar gave the dragon a sympathetic look. So that's why he looked distraught.
"How about with Rinoa? How do you feel?"
Alduin thought hard. "She makes me feel like angry, frustrated, annoyed and inferior" Ondolemar gave a blank look.
"but... she does make my chest hurt" Alduin placed a hand over his heart. Ondolemar felt the wheels in his own head turn knowing that he was getting closer to get the dragon to admit.
"As in a good way?"
"I'm not sure. I was once a dragon, and dragons do not feel much for the human race" It may be heartless for him to say that but it's true. Dragons were known to be rulers, Alduin is the head of the dragon rule and that makes him superior. The golden skinned elf is very impressed with the progress of the short human days that Alduin is living in- it had added more human and elf emotions alike to him that it could ever.
"Does your stomach turn every time you look at her?" A nod.
"Do you think of thoughts such as beautiful, fierce, and courageous?" another nod.
"When you sleep, does she invade your mind?" a pause before Alduin hesitantly nodded.
Ondolemar crossed his arms "You, dragon, are in love"
Rinoa ran away with Rinka towards the wilderness to gain some needed privacy. Though the halfling wanted more time with her lover, the look that her friend had when she saw was worrying. The two finally stopped nearly a low ledge of a cliff. Rinoa sat down on one of the cold rocks placing her head in her hands. Worried, Rinka placed a hand on her shoulder.
"What am I gonna do?" the redguard croaked out.
"hm?"
"Alduin- I can't- gods, why am I being tortured right now?!" she screamed out her voiced laced with pain.
"Do you love him?"
"That's not important anymore! I can't love him anymore!" Rinoa cried out the pain in her chest growing by the second. Rinka instantly knew why. No, it's not about the age, but more about their destinies.
Alduin being the World Eater as he was made, will one day return back stronger to renew the world. Rinoa being a human Dragonborn does not have millennia to live and cannot prevent from fate to occur. Even if Alduin did love Rinoa back, chances are he would go for power than love. That is the harsh reality that Rinoa was presented as she found herself drawn to the dragon. Each passing day was another excruciating pain for her mental state.
"Fine, then don't. How about this. Do you want him to bang you?" Rinka asked seriously,
"What are you- an idiot?" baffled.
"You want him to bang you so hard that the only pain you feel is from that don't you? Then go! Ask him to do you! Girl, you're still a bloody virgin AND IM YOUNGER! That's just sad" Rinka shook her head finishing her speech
Groaning into her palms "so what if I'm still a virgin? Doesn't mean I'll ask him to fuck me"
"That's what you just need! A good fuck! Well, I'm not sure how dragons are but I promise you it will all be worth it!" Silence. Rinka sighed.
"I know you're that type to stay faithful to one person like I am, but I think you really need this"
Rinoa has a lot to think about.
The next day the friends left Dawnstar, Rinoa Silk and Skylar secretly agreed to meet up in Moss Mother cavern to check if it's safe. Alduin and Rinoa had been glancing at each other ever since. They were in the sanctuary and luckily no one was at home- except for the Night Mother who Alduin still despises.
"Sorry..."
Alduin looked and saw Rinoa avert her gaze from him. Debating whether or not he should be talking back and accepting the apology, he stayed silent.
"I'm just... so confused you know what to feel" he still didn't answer back, inclined to hear her first. Rinoa continued placing her head on the table facing down.
"D-Do you regret the kiss we had?" she choked out hoping for him to say yes so she can move on.
Alduin, on the other hand, stood up abruptly from his chair and walked towards her. He took her head in his large hands as he took in the appearance of the powerful Dragonborn. It may be pitiful looking but it made him feel terrible.
"Nid" her heart soared even though she should've been depressed that he said yes.
"Zu'u praag zos, Zu'u laan zos" he will only speak to her in the dragon tongue only if they were completely alone. She would be lying if she said that it didn't turn her on.
She brought her face closer to his, Alduin closed the gap between them as he carefully placed his lips on hers. He toyed with her hair as she caressed his ears, a humming sound came from his mouth. No drugs and no alcohol influenced this kiss. Only pure emotions. Rinoa could feel the way his mouth moved along with hers as she stood up to fix their position. She wrapped her arms around him as they pressed their bodies against each other. Preventing any gap from forming. Heat coursed through her whole body as she left Alduin's teeth nipped on her lower lip. Rinoa clawed onto his back her body was lifted up, making her wrap her legs around his waist. Rinoa opened her mouth slightly allowing Alduin's tongue to delve in and claim his territory. She tried to fight back but the pleasure she felt forced her to surrender.
Alduin lifted Rinoa up once again as he made his way towards the bedroom. He had to hurry or else he might let go of his self-control right there and now.