"The Embassy?" Driem leaned onto the table. "The place literally crawling with Thalmor?"

Kiir nodded. She wasn't too happy about it either, but it wasn't as if she had much of a choice. If that's where the information was then that's where she had to go. "I'm going to be using illusion magic so I don't look like myself."

"And they won't pick up on that?"

"It'll be subtle."

Driem laughed. "I don't know if you know what subtle is."

"Vingalmo is the one with the invitations. Should anything go south he should be able to vouch for me."

"And I'll be outside somewhere," Driem said. "Just in case you and he need a dramatic exit plan."

Kiir smiled. Her stomach was twisting and turning at the idea of heading straight into the Thalmor headquarters, but she forcibly shrugged it off. "Hopefully, that won't be needed."

"What's that saying? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

"Something like that," Kiir replied. She reached forward and gathered her dirty dishes from their place on the table, getting up to place them in the sink. Vivyne and Angeline had been kind enough to make everyone dinner after the shop had closed. "I think we're leaving tomorrow afternoon."

Driem nodded, turning in her chair. "And Tukara?"

Kiir shrugged. She hadn't seen Vingalmo since this morning to ask him about her. "She's probably still recovering at the castle."

"Recovering?"

Shit. "She, uh, got banged up a little during the fight with Orthjolf. Nothing serious."

Driem hummed, but didn't reply.

Kiir returned to the table and took Driem's plates, putting them in the sink, too. "I should be getting back to Fish's soon. Are you going to be staying here?"

"No, I think I've done all I can here. I'll meet you back there?"

"Yeah, sounds good." Kiir gave Driem a nod and exited the kitchen, waving to Vivyne behind the counter. The door to the shop was loose on its hinges and Kiir was careful to make sure it latched behind her.

While it sounded like the cure was working, the curfew was still in place as a precaution. Most citizens were still afraid. Even at this relatively early hour when the sky was only just turning pink the city looked dead, save for the guards.

Fish was quick to answer the door and Kiir suspected he had been waiting for her. Vingalmo was lounging against the counter with an air of amusement, and, most surprising, was Tukara, sitting ramrod straight in a kitchen chair looking like she'd just gotten a whiff of something unpleasant.

"Nice hair."

Kiir startled briefly before remembering that Tukara hadn't yet seen her haircut. "Thanks."

As Kiir approached, Tukara scrunched up her nose even more. "So Driem is still here, then," Tukara said, "I thought I smelled wet dog."

Fish leaned against the table. "I offered to rent her a room at the The Winking Skeever, but my account was never charged. I think she's been staying at Angeline's since pretty much the first night you left."

Tukara hummed.

The argonian turned his attention to Kiir. "Have you eaten?"

"Oh, yeah. We ate at Angeline's." Kiir cast a sideways glance at Tukara. "Driem's going to be meeting me back here soon, actually."

Tukara exhaled loudly but didn't seem surprised.

Kiir tried to change the subject. "I'm glad to see you're looking better."

Tukara scowled at that, too. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Speaking of, I have you to thank for me being alive right now," she paused, looking to the fireplace in the kitchen. "I don't think I ever said it back in the vale."

Kiir stood in silence. "You're welco-"

"I'm still angry because it fucking hurt though." Tukara didn't smile, but her face seemed to relax. "But you helped me, so now I owe you."

Kiir's brow narrowed. She never meant to hit her. "You don't o-"

"Yes I do."

It was Kiir's turn to scowl. "I don't want you to have to help me just because you feel obligated."

Tukara's brow raised. "Is that the only reason you helped me?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Exactly. So if you're going to the Embassy with Vingalmo, I'll be outside in case things go south and you need help getting out of there."

Kiir snorted. Will I ever get a word in? She shook her head. "Driem said pretty much exactly the same thing."

Tukara rolled her eyes. "Consider me the backup backup plan for when she flakes out on you then."

"That said," Vingalmo spoke up, "I don't intend to let things go south in the first place." He sauntered to the table and pulled out a chair for both himself and Fish. "At the very least, I have a reputation to uphold. We'll spend most of tomorrow morning crafting your illusions. I have a few ideas that should work nicely, especially with that haircut."

Kiir reached up to brush her fingers across the shortened strands. She felt silly being so nervous about cutting her hair. It was her hair after all.

Vingalmo reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "No one will think twice about it. Skyrim is a messy, dangerous place. They may pity you your loss, but they will assume the cause was beyond your control."

Kiir closed her eyes. Am I that easy to read?

"I know you aren't used to the idea of short hair, but it doesn't mean much here," Vingalmo assured her. "If anyone says otherwise, I would suggest you remind them that they've forgotten their manners."

"Says the one who still has long hair." Kiir smiled, shrugging. "You don't think that they'll find this hair... inappropriate?"

"As my guest your status is above most of theirs. I think I would enjoy watching one of them even attempt to speak poorly of you."

Kiir chuckled. It was almost amazing how easily he made her feel better.

Rather abruptly the door clicked open and Driem slipped inside, swiftly shutting it and relocking it behind her. She saw everyone turned to look at her. "If they ask, I've been here all along."

Vinglamo shook his head.

"If who asks?" Kiir pressed.

Fish narrowed his eyes. "Did you just pick the lock on my door?"

Tukara's demeanor darkened. "Seriously?"

"Calm down, I just-"

There was a knock at the door and Driem scurried to the table, leaping into a chair and trying to look casual.

Fish stood up, still eyeing Driem. "It's after curfew," he said, voice raised, talking towards the door. "Who's there?"

"Captain Afkarr, and some of the guard."

Fish opened the door to a group of four or five guards carrying torches. "Is there something I can help you gentlemen with?"

One of the guards tried to stick his head through the door, searching the room. His eyes scanned right across the table without catching on Driem.

"You might want to let us inside, Fish. We've organized a hunting party for the last few vampires and we lost the one we were chasing nearby. We think she might have gotten into someone's house."

There was a beat of silence as Fish's brow smoothed."I see," he replied. "Well I wish you luck on your search, but I am quite confident there are no uninvited vampires in my home."

Kiir groaned internally. She could just barely make out Driem grinning. Her eyes searched further to see Tukara holding her jaw stiffly, scowling at the wall.

The second Fish had returned to his seat, Tukara slammed her hands down on the table. "Really? For someone who cares so much about stealth and secrecy, you can't do anything without causing a mess, can you?"

Driem sputtered. "I didn't know the guards would be out there! They've been following the curfew until now too!"

"That isn't the point!" Tukara spat. "It's bad enough that you drew their attention, but you did nothing to show you weren't a vampire and then led them right here."

Fish placed his hand on the table to draw attention to himself. "Tukara, it's fine, it's been handled."

"It's fine? What about your lock! She didn't even have the decency to fucking knock."

Fish turned to look at Driem expectantly.

"I was trying not to lead them here," Driem insisted. "Went around the block a few times. But I was afraid they'd hear if I knocked, and then we'd have to do a lot more explaining. It seemed safer for everyone if I just let myself in quietly." She hesitated, glancing back at Tukara before continuing. "I figured Kiir would tell you I was coming, so it wasn't like coming in uninvited exactly. I can leave again if I'm not welcome."

"You're welcome here," Fish interrupted, rising from his seat. Tukara shot daggers at him, only for Fish to return with a silencing hand. "Though I would really appreciate it if you could knock next time."

Driem sank into her seat.

"Now." Fish cleared his throat. "If you two have more pressing matters to air out, I would appreciate it if you could move it to the basement, and keep it down. Kiir needs her rest for tomorrow."

Kiir watched Fish leave, heading up the stairs to the bedrooms. Tukara had her hands in fists, Driem looking down at her toes - this would not end well for either of them. The silent air felt tense.

Then, Kiir felt a hand graze her arm, seeing Vingalmo standing next to her again. "I would have to agree with Fish, you need your rest. Not this," he gestured to the bosmers. "Shall we?"

Kiir nodded. She moved behind Vingalmo as they both ascended the stairs. Her things were neatly piled by the door - Vingalmo's work, she assumed. Kiir nudged her bag over and sat on the bed. "When is the party again?"

"Tomorrow night at sundown," Vingalmo replied. "From my understanding we'll be discussing where to go next with the war," he paused. "And you."

Kiir tensed. "You mean the Dragonborn."

"Yes, exactly. You."

Kiir didn't like the way that sounded. If Fish was right and the Thalmor thought that she was an enemy...

"Don't look so down," Vingalmo said, crossing his legs. He bumped a hand into her shoulder. "If we get the information you need, which I'm sure we will, you'll be on your way to finding the Horn in no time."

Finding the Horn... Kiir mused. It had sounded like such a simple task when the Greybeards had given it to her.

"And, for what it's worth, I'm quite sure they only know of you. Not a face. Not a name." Vingalmo stated. "You've got nothing to worry about."

"On the contrary," Kiir said, "I have a lot to worry about."

Vingalmo hummed. "Well, you've got nothing to worry about with the Embassy. I'd even venture to say you might have fun."

"I don't think I ever had fun even when I was still on the Isles."

"Oh! That reminds me!" Vingalmo lept from the bed and slipped from the room. He returned a few minutes later with something draped over his arm.

Kiir suddenly realized what it was and she felt her face warm. "You didn't."

Vingalmo laughed, laying down a shimmering gold dress. "What, you think I just spent the whole day sitting on my hands?"

"You didn't have to do that."

"You own one robe, Kiir." Vingalmo patted the bed. "I just hope it fits well. Taarie used her own measurements and you seem to be about her si-"

A crash echoed from down below.

Kiir jumped.

"Auri-El preserve me." Vingalmo's smile faded. "I was hoping to avoid their squabbling."

Kiir strained to hear what was going on downstairs, but heard nothing.

Vingalmo stood and brushed himself off. He started towards the door, stopping in the archway. "Do try and get some rest. I know nerves make it hard, but if those two downstairs are doing that much to each other, imagine how they'll be against the Thalmor."

Kiir laughed. She watched him disappear from the doorway. She picked up the dress, admiring how it glinted in the light, and placed it on a chair in the room. He didn't have to do that. Turning back, Kiir returned to bed and laid back, maneuvering herself underneath the blankets. Kiir could have never imagined a time where she would be nervous to step foot into a Thalmor Embassy. Sure, perhaps she'd have been anxious about looking professional, but never in fear of injury.

It was an odd place that Kiir found herself now. Stuck somewhere between her memories and her reality. It was difficult to tell which was telling her the truth.