Once we're out of the stuffy keep I take in a deep breath and slowly release. Finally, I'm able to breathe like a normal person again. I even let go of Aealynn's arm as I walk down the steps. The Breton allows me to release my grip on her, but she does something oddly protective. My friend rushes down in front of me and walks down the steps two steps ahead of me. Like a parent who's afraid her child will fall down, so she'll stand in front of her just in case. That way she'll get hurt instead of me. I might be looking too deep into it, but I still find the idea rather sweet. Aealynn would rather have me fall on her back than tumble down the stairs. Although I highly doubt her fears have any base.

My back is a little sore and my leg is giving off an odd pinching sensation, but there's no need to worry about me. I suddenly prove Aealynn right when my recently broken leg spasms, sending me forward. All I have time to do is let out a yowl in an attempt to warn my friend. My yowl proves good enough. Aealynn instantly digs her feet into the steps and flips around, already prepared. My fall brings me straight into her arms. For a moment Aealynn starts to slide backwards and I'm terrified we're both going to fall. Then, she remains strong as a rock and doesn't move another inch. My heart is still pounding in my chest, but now I have something else to focus on.

My legs are uselessly hanging behind me, my arms are wrapped around Aealynn's middle, and our chest are pressing against one another. My ragged gasp and her smooth breaths mingle in the air. My frantic heartbeat pounds through my veins, but her relaxed beating is steadily mocking me as it drums away. I swallow and prepare to say something, but Aealynn beats me to it. She starts walking backwards as quickly as she can, dragging me down the steps with her. I kick and start trying to stand on my own, but it's useless. I also try to warn her she's going too fast. It doesn't work out. The words die somewhere between my throat and my lips.

What's there to say? I'm still grappling with that decision when Aealynn's backwards walking gets the best of her. I hear her foot screech against the pavement, and the next second we're both going down. Aealynn grunts and wraps herself around me, protecting me from anything the harsh stairs have to offer. The fall isn't particularly long, but every single step sends a shock through both of us. Aealynn's entire back is hit, and the backs of my hands are smashed against the stone. When we reach the floor Aealynn is panting, but she's still curled around me. My arms are wrapped around her (slightly aching from the fall), my legs are tucked up, and my face is pressing into the crook of her neck.

I swallow a little and begin moving. I somehow pull my arms out from under her, place my hands out to the side, and push myself up. "Hey.". Aealynn pants a little and looks up at me. "Hey.". I swallow again, really unsure where to go. I've already been having inappropriate thoughts about Aealynn recently, and now I'm only adding fuel to the fire. However, I just can't seem to stop myself. Pulling away from her seems like such a shame, and she isn't complaining at the moment. I swallow for a third time and finally decide on a direction to go. "Sorry.". Aealynn chuckles and looks at me as she whispers, "It's fine.". I adjust my position a little so not as much of my weight is on her.

Aealynn's hands were once wrapped around my back, and now I feel her hands begin sliding down towards my hips. Once they've reached their destination I hesitate and start to say, "I-". I'm cut off by Aealynn shushing me, her eyes flickering everywhere besides me. I consider arguing, but in the end allow her to remain how she is. What's the worst that could come of it? Finally, once the Breton is satisfied with whatever she was doing, she whispers, "We should probably get going. Test out your ability to walk and all that.". I nod and slide off of her, the spasms in my leg long gone and my breath slightly returned to me.

Aealynn allows me to slide off to the side and stands up. For a moment all I do is lie on the cold stone, allowing the coolness to seep into my back. Then, Aealynn offers me her hand and I gladly take it. Once I'm on my feet the Breton offers me her arm once again. I shake my head and tell her, "We need to hurry and get to the infirmary before the party is over. Fully test the use of my leg and whatnot.". Aealynn nods and starts walking, but she does hang back a little and go slower than normal. All for my benefit I assume. The walk back to the hospital is rather boring, but it's also somewhat enjoyable. The moon is out and shining, the air has just the right amount of cold to it, and Aealynn is standing right by my side.

Absolutely perfect. The Breton's arm lightly brushes against my fur, our flesh barely separated by an inch or two of space. The distance is tiny in comparison to a thousand other things, but to me the gap is huge. How hard would it be to bridge it? To reach out and take her hand? Would she yank back and refuse me, or allow it? The questions burn themselves in my mind, refusing to go away and die. I despise not having closure, and Aealynn is only keeping my discomfort alive. But she isn't some problem. I can't stand up, face her, and finish her off. I can't just shove her down and get it over with.

No, people are never that easy. People have to be reasoned with. Everyone has a mind of their own, and something that motivates them. For a while I thought I knew what caused Aealynn to go on. What secret thoughts were locked away deep inside her skull. Now it looks like I don't. Aealynn is more of a mystery than ever, and it's driving me crazy. What can't she just be open? I played enough stealth games with Kaie, now I just want answers. I want closure. My ramblings almost cause me to walk right past the door to the hospital, but Aealynn grabs my arm. I snap out of my trance and turn back to her. "You alright? You seem a little out of sorts tonight.".

I nod and promise, "I'm fine.". She doesn't look convinced, but lets the matter drop. Once we're at the metal door Aealynn opens it and goes down, once again protecting me from the steps and my own clumsiness. As I follow behind her my mind once again begins to ramble. What does Aealynn want? Does she feel the connection I do? Or am I looking too deeply into this? Would it even work out between us? Damn it. Damn all of this to oblivion. I want to know, I don't want to guess! Guesses only lead to disappointment. My ramblings would continue forever if we didn't finally reach the bottom of the staircase, once again in the gigantic hospital area.

Aealynn walks over to my bed, plops down on it, and questions, "How are we gonna test this?". I shrug and ask, "Do you remember how I walked before my injury?". She nods, hops up, and does the stupidest walk I've ever seen. She tosses her hips out, swings her arms like an ape, and is shoving her chest out in front of her. For some reason I can't help myself. I laugh. If anyone else in Tamriel had done that to me I would've snarled some curse word at them, or at the very least ignored them. But Aealynn's doing it, and somehow that changes something about it. Makes it easier to laugh at. Even the Breton seems shocked (but extremely pleased) at my reaction.

She stops her walk, smiles, and works the ground over with her foot in apparent embarrassment. Once I've managed to calm down I motion for her to sit back down. Aealynn seems more than happy to sit down, her joke made and a smile on her face. Once the woman's once again on my bed I repeat, "So, do you really remember how I walked?". She nods and I ask a follow-up question. "Could you watch me walk, then tell me if there's anything odd or worrying about it? Like a nasty limb I didn't have before, or if one of my feet is dragging or slower than the other?". She nods and promises, "I'll do my best. I might miss something small, but I could probably tell if anything big was wrong with you.".

I'm slightly comforted and finish, "Okay, watch me walk up and down the hall a few times. When I stop just tell me if you notice a problem.". She nods and sits up a little, already watching me like a hawk. I go back to the closed door into the hall, turn around, and start walking. The funny thing about having someone watching you walk is that suddenly you're extremely and uncomfortably aware of how you walk. I try to go about my business as normal as possible, but it's nearly impossible. My back is more rigid than it would normally be, I'm carefully choosing where to take my next step, and I'm putting way too much thought into a mindless task. Aealynn notices to because she sighs and makes a pretend 'tsk' noise in the back of her throat.

"Come on, loosen up. You're not a damned soldier marching off to meet her doom. You're just someone walking up and down a hall.". I nod and stop walking, then take a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself. It works, and my muscles relax. Now I can walk normally. Hopefully. I go up and down the hall, thinking of anything and everything besides how I walk. Aealynn watches me for a short while, then announces, "I've seen enough, if you want to stop.". I nod and go over to her. My leg didn't spasm during the whole thing, and I'm not hurting in the slightest. That has to be a good sign.

Right? I sit down beside Aealynn and question, "What was my walking like?". The Breton makes a 'hmm' noise and explains, "Your thighs and ass look tense. Are you sure it isn't painful?". I nod, then realize something. "You looked at my ass?". The woman's bluish eyes seem to open up wider than ever, and her pale face suddenly resembles my pelt in color. "What? No. No. Not at- just. Well. Fuck. No. I didn't. I needed to- you know. Look and. Science, legs. Your robe was- Fuck.". She begins swallowing like crazy and not meeting my gaze. I think I get some of it. My formal fine robes reveal more than my normal mage robes, and she couldn't help but looking.

I chuckle to make the situation a little less tense. It works and the woman looks back at me. I offer a small smile and tell her, "It's fine. I get it. Science. Legs. So, anything else?". She shakes her head and assures me, "All fine.". I nod and tell her, "If you think I'm strong enough, I already do, we can start heading to Falkreath as soon as I get my normal stuff back. I have some business down there, and I'd like you to come with me.". Aealynn chews on her lip for a few moments, then gives me her answer. A single nod. I smile. Looks like we're going to Falkreath.