Disclaimer: I don't own Trailer Park Boys or Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has followed or favourited this story so far it means a lot that there are people out there that enjoy my story. I'm hopeful that this story will gain more followers and hopefully some reviews as well, it'd be nice to hear feedback on the story. Anyways here we are on the 5th chapter which will be the first chapter of a quest two parter,It was interesting to write this one what with some of the internal conflict, character interactions and developments shown in it. Without further ado let us go onto the story.
Bleak Falls Barrow Part 1
5 days had passed since Cyrus had been kicked out of Riverwood, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the village. Ricky, Julian and Bubbles had integrated back into their place of birth well enough having reconnected with their friends and family. They did their best to avoid trouble with the ever paranoid villager supervisor Jim Lahey and his assistant Randy who were watchful of the scheming trio. Things were calm up until the 5th night, Ricky was still living in the carriage due to Lucy not wanting him back yet. That particular night was irritating as it was hard for him to fall asleep due to the loud sounds of wild animals echoing in the forest across from the village. Ricky tried to blot out the noises by covering his ears with both ends of his pillow though it was no use as the noises continued. Fed up with this the overtired Ricky tried to address the problem in a more 'direct' fashion.
"Shut up!, you better shut up or I'll come out there after ya, I swear to the divines I'll kill everyone one of ya!" Ricky yelled at the forest.
"Ricky would you shut up!, go to sleep" Julian yelled from inside the house, in his small bedroom Julian sat on the bedside irritated at having his sleep disturbed by Rickys obnoxious yelling.
His thoughts turned to the topic that had bugged his mind for the week, the tax for next week. They had pulled most of their gold in to pay this weeks tax but had little to settle for the following one. The remaining gold had been spent on food and drinks.
"How were they gonna get more gold?" was the question he consistently asked himself. They obviously lacked the skills to hold a legitimate job for long and so far a new opportunity for a scheme had not appeared. Bubbles had his little cart selling scheme but that only paid enough to feed his kitties and himself. Julian did not want to cut into that out of respect for his friend unfortunately leaving him stuck on what to do.
Rickys could once again be heard yelling cutting off his thoughts, "Stop fucking barking!" the Nord yelled outside. Suddenly the sound of glass shattering was heard startling Julian.
"What the fuck are you doing Ricky?" Julian thought angrily as he rushed to the door and walked outside.
"Ricky what the fuck are you throwing shit at?" Julian asked irritated as he walked over to Ricky who stood beside the wagon with an empty glass bottle in his hand. This was one of many out of a pile beside the wagon left over fom his boozing.
"Shut the fuck up!, squirrels and dogs and assholes shut up!" Ricky yelled directly at the woods as he threw more bottles. Some of them missed hitting some of the houses causing certain residents to awaken in the middle of the night.
"What the hell!" shouted one of them from inside the impacted house.
"Ricky what are you fucking doing?" Julian said annoyed at Ricky and his late hour antics.
Ricky then motioned as if he was trying to hear something, "shh, shh listen" he whispered before what sounded like a wolf howl was heard through the clearing. "Asshole" Ricky snarled back as he threw another glass which only succeeded in hitting the rocks near the river. Just as he attempted to grab another Julian stopped him grabbing onto his arm tightly.
"Ricky no more throwing fucking bottles" he said to him.
"I'm just trying to get some sleep here and these fucking things keep interrupting" Ricky reasoned to the Breton.
"Do you want to go to jail" Julian asked with an agitated tone.
"I can't handle living-" Ricky said before being interrupted by Julian.
"Do you want to go to jail" Julian asked again trying to get his point across. Suddenly another animal noise was heard in the forest agitating Ricky who grabbed another bottle and flung it in the direction of the noise only hitting the front porch of one of the houses.
"What in the fuck!" Yelled the angry resident inside. Having had enough Julian ordered Ricky to get back into the carriage to which he reluctantly complied.
"I wish everyone would shut the fuck up out there" Ricky said annoyed. "You don't know what it's like living in a carriage Julian, I got insects and animals fucking me around in here" he complained to Julian who by this point could care less about the Nords plight.
"Go to sleep, you know what your moving out of here tomorrow" Julian said surprising Ricky who turned to him with an annoyed expression.
"Why?" he asked.
"Cause you're driving me nuts your breaking bottles in the middle of the night" Julian replied his intent clear.
"It's not a big deal" Ricky explained with his warped logic.
"Think Ricky think" Julian said as chastising him for his idiocy.
Julian then grabbed the rest of his bottles stuffing them in a sack. "No more of this shit" Julian warned his anger clear as he walked back into the house slamming the door behind him.
Hours later it was now morning in Skyrim, as the sun shone across the village a certain Nord was fast asleep in the carriage. A cat lay beside him standing guard over a few pots of what could be described as marIjuana. The cat had been given to him the day before to be looked after though only for a limited time as the person had come to collect him that morning.
That particular person being a very annoyed Bubbles who banged on the carriages side loudly waking and startling his friend who got up armed with a sword. "I want my kitty" Bubbles demanded.
"Fuck off Bubbles you gave me the cat" Ricky replied reluctant to return the very useful cat.
"I never said you could keep him and I don't want him living in a fucking wagon" Bubbles retorted back.
"Bubbles you've got tons of cats let me keep him" Ricky said trying to convince him though clearly failing.
"He was a loner I loaned him to ya" Bubbles explained.
"Well I need him look at my weed plants ones of them's dead" Ricky pointed out showing that man the very dried up and decayed plant.
"I don't give a flying fuck, I never said you could keep him" Bubbles said not caring for Rickys predicament. The door to the house suddenly swung open and Julian walked out with an agitated expression having heard the argument which had visibly incensed him due to its stupidity.
"Will both of you guys shut up!" Julian said as he walked over to them.
"Ricky won't give me my kitty" Bubbles said to Julian who now stood beside him.
"Ricky give him his cat" Julian ordered clearly taking the side of Bubbles in the argument.
"It's my cat now he gave it to me" Ricky answered irritated at being opposed by more people.
"I don't care give him his cat" Julian retorted trying to get through to him.
"Look see that you know why that plant's dead because a squirrel peed in it, thats's why I need the cat it protects my weed plants" Ricky explained showing the latter his dead plant though it did not seem to sway him in the slightest. As he spoke Bubbles walked up to the carriage and picked up his cat cradling it in his hands, "Guys its all I've got left in my life, please let me have one cat to protect my plants" he said trying to convince them but once again to no avail. "
Here's what I know Ricky if you love something let it go, if it comes back to ya you own it, if it doesn't you don't own it, And if it doesn't its an asshole just like you" Bubbles mockingly preached to Ricky.
The last remark was enough to set Ricky off as he attempted to climb out of the carriage being stopped midway by Julian while Bubbles backed away a few steps.
"Bubbles get out of here" Julian said to Bubbles who turned and went back to his shed in a hurry meanwhile Ricky continued his attempt to get out banging on the side in rage.
"Ricky calm down!" Julian ordered to which the Nord reluctantly did with an agitated expression in clear display, "this is exactly why I'm kicking you out soon I can't fucking deal with you living next to me for one more second" Julian said wearily.
"Its Bubbles fault he can't give one of his 100 fucking cats to help-" Ricky complained.
"I don't care Ricky I want you to be out by the end of the day, got it" Julian said coldly as he turned to walk back into the house, not noticing the middle finger pointed at him by Ricky.
Sitting down at a circular table Julian once again immersed himself in thoughts of his situation. He loved Ricky like a brother but holy shit living next to him was a pain in the ass what with his antics causing much stress and unneeded attention.
He hoped that for his sake that Ricky would soon move on to some other place to stay in the village. Suddenly he heard a knock on his door, he opened it being greeted by Hadvar who stood on his porch.
"Hey Julian" the Imperial soldier said as he walked into the house.
"Hadvar good to see you man" Julian answered back welcoming him into the home.
Hadvar took a glance out the window before speaking, "seems things are tense with your friend out there" he said making note of the tension between the two.
"Yeah but its always been like that with Rick and his moody shit It'll be better once he moves out" Julian responded.
"Anyways… I wanted to talk to you Julian and I've already said this Bubbles as well as Ricky I'm leaving the village, today in fact" Hadvar announced.
Julian looked somewhat shocked before responding,"Your leaving today?".
"Indeed I'm gonna travel to solitude and see if the imperial regiment has regrouped there, it's been a while since I joined the front lines" the imperial soldier explained.
Julian nodded understanding his reasons for going away back to the army."It's a shame to see you go man you're a real part of this community, really earned your place" Julian said fondly of Hadvar.
"The feeling is mutual, it's shame but the war is where I'm needed and it wouldn't feel right not being where I belong most.
As the two continued talking inside Ricky sat bitterly on the front of the wagon still simmering from earlier issues. He was also still angered at the fact that his significant other Lucy had broken up with him and desperately hoped for her to come back to him, he also missed his daughter Trinity who he'd only caught up with briefly. He spotted Bubbles walking up to the property still stewing from their earlier argument same as him. "Bubbles fuck off I don't want to talk to you right now" Ricky directed.
"I'm here to see Julian not you so you fuck off" Bubbles retorted.
Incensed by the response Ricky walked up to him in confrontation mode, Bubbles seeing his hostile approach tensed up into a more aggresive stance. "You fucking want one" Bubbles threatened angling his fist into a prepared punch.
Meanwhile inside the house Julian and Hadvar were still conversing.
"When Ricky and Lucy are not together things are shitty what with her trying to hit on me constantly and Ricky being fucked off twenty four seven" Julian explained to which Hadvar simply nodded in agreement. "Knowing the two of them and their history I think they'll get back together,I just hope its sooner rather than later" he added.
"I understand you have some history with her as well from what I hear, pardon me for asking" Hadvar said respectfully.
"No its fine, I was at a party in the village and I think Lucy was about 18 or something" Julian said recounting an old memory of back when he was in his teenage years. As Hadvar listened to Julians story Ricky and Bubbles were tackling each other outside the window in a street brawl, It looked as if Ricky had finally pinned Bubbles down but not before the latter zapped him off and had now pinned him in turn. Meanwhile this was occurring Julian was still telling his tale.
"Anyways we got really drunk and ate a shitload of mushrooms, after that I experienced memory loss, woke up and she was naked in bed with me, I don't think anything happened but I don't know I just got the fuck out of there" Julian said finishing his recount. He noticed that Hadvar was still listening but his eyes were now fixed on the window. Turning to face the window he saw Ricky and Bubbles fighting,"fuck sakes" Julian moaned as he headed outside to the front where the two brawlers fought, Hadvar following behind him.
"Hey Hey Ricky, Bubbles break it up!" Julian yelled as he got between the two, Hadvar helping pull them apart.
"The two of are friends you shouldn't be fighting over petty things" the Imperial soldier said to the pair.
"I'm sorry Bubbles attacked me" Ricky spoke trying to excuse what happened.
"You knew why Ricky" Bubbles responded agitated.
Ricky then turned to look at Julian whose expression showed how tired and stressed he was of the mans antics as he stared off into the distance.
"Hey buddy are you alright" Ricky said softly changing his tone now feeling guilty and anxious.
"I'm not doin' too good Ricky,I got some bad news to tell ya" Julian addressed to the now anxious Nord.
"What" the latter replied. "I'm gonna need you to move out soon" Julian said making his intentions clear.
"Take it easy man you're just having a bad day" Ricky replied clearly shocked but trying to inwardly deny the revelation.
"I'm serious, I want you out of my wagon and off my lawn" Julian said making his pointl finally sink in as Rickys calm demeanour started to switch to agitated at his friends coldness to him.
"Now hold on Julian" Bubbles said willing to jump in defend his friend loyal as he was despite their fight.
"No he's right, its time for Ricky to move on and find his own residence where he can be at peace" Hadvar said defending the muscular Breton choice knowing he was at his limit. Though the Imperial soldiers words were elegant and fair it did not dim Rickys anger at Julians seeming harshness.
But before he could retaliate a familiar pair of individuals comprised of a certain village supervisor and his hairy sidekick came within sight of the four, their mere presence resurfacing feelings of annoyance and anxiety to Ricky, Julian and Bubbles."Hey Julian I wanted to talk to you about a couple things?" Lahey demanded with an air of authority in his tone towards the Breton who faced him with indifference.
"Whats that Lahey" Julian answered.
"Firstly the broken glass bottles scattered around this area, number 2 the reprobate living in your wagon, number 3 the tax collect coming up which I'm sure you don't have enough for, number 4-".
"Number 1 you can fuck off and number 2 you can fuck off" Ricky replied back cutting Lahey off as he spoke his mind to the old supervisor and his assistant agitating the both of them.
"Watch your language Ricky" Randy warned with a scowl.
"Thank you very much Rick" Lahey thanked sarcastically.
"You're just a one note pony aren't ya why don't you mind your business or I'll tell the guards about your little bottle incident, every time you turn around you put your fucking foot in your mouth!" Lahey ranted in a furious passion to which Ricky tuned out. The village supervisor began to posture as he continued to reprimand the trio who at this point were used to his dramatic shows of authority from their past encounters. "Not a week goes bye and what have we got since you came back, BULLSHIT!?" Lahey yelled finishing his tirade.
"Whose fault is that" Ricky mocked to which the aged balding Nord shook his head in disbelief and anger. He and Randy then went over to the parked wagon to take a look at some of the empty bottles,"what are you doin" Ricky demanded marching over to them confused and wondering why exactly they were near 'his' wagon.
"Collecting some evidence Ricky" Randy quipped taking a closer look at the bottles.
"Get the fuck off my property,off my property" Ricky said unaware of the irony of his words. He got right up in Laheys face causing the supervisor to back up though he stood his ground with Randy by his side ready to jump in should things escalate.
"Hey Ricky do you want me to ask Whiterun law enforcement if its ok for you to be drunk in a public place armed with a lethal weapon" Lahey threatened noticing Rickys hand was grasping the hilt of his sword tightly which stuck out the end of the wagon on its floor.
"Why don't you start doing your job instead making up false bullshit all the time" Ricky replying back letting go of the hilt.
"Why don't you get a life Ricky, why don't you go to one of them colleges" Lahey said mockingly ,"hey I got an idea you could teach living in a wagon and growing dope 101" the old supervisor added smugly with a laugh at the end.
"And you could teach how to get drunk, get kicked from the guards and become a lousy village supervisor that sucks, hangs around with a fucking idiot that doesn't wear his shirt and looks like a dick but thinks he looks good 101" Ricky roasted back smiling as he saw the smirk fade on Lahey's face to a nasty scowl.
"Get this fucking wagon off the property or I'll order an investigation, you got that" Lahey warned.
"Lahey get off my lawn" Julian replied simply having had enough of the old Nord s prejudice for the day.
Tired of the confrontation Lahey simply shook his finger at the pair in another action of warning to which none of them really cared as the latter and Randy walked back off down the street.
Seeing that they were now gone Ricky turned to talk to Julian who by fascial expressions alone was absolutely mentally exhausted out from all that had ocurred. "Look I know you're stressed out but don't worry about it,cause here's what's gonna happen we're gonna get drunk and eat some good steaks,the old man gonna be here in about 20 minutes" Ricky said not understanding it wouldn't solve a thing only succeeding in frustrating his friend more.
"Ricky life isn't about getting drunk and eating steaks"Julian admonished the latter knowing he was trying to make things better but not in a good way through avoiding responsibility.
"Laheys right" Hadvar added backing up Julian and Laheys point.
"Laheys right?" Ricky asked the Imperial soldier confused as to why he would back the bitter supervisors point.
"Why don't you start doing something useful to help us earn money instead of getting fucking drunk and high all the time" Julian said trying to get his point across which only served to anger Ricky due to the latters stubbornness in believing his way to be right.
"You think you're so smart Julian because of your dumb book learning well you're not that smart,I know what your doing your just showing off" Ricky hotly replied to which Bubbles and Hadvar rolled their eyes at his hothead comments. "Hey look at me I'm Julian the big smart guy" Ricky imitated mockingly to which Julian frown began to deepen having lost all patience for the bearded Nord.
"Look I'm gonna head into town to find us a way to make money and I'm warn you Ricky , no flute music, no friggin Ray drunk passed on my front yard and no steaks, got it?" Julian said warning Ricky who as expected blew him off.
"Whatever Julian…" Ricky muttered as the Breton turned his back to him and walker over to Bubbles and Hadvar.
"Do you want to come Bubs" Julian asked to which Bubbles replied.
"Sure Julian it'll be great to take a look in town besides I need to take a break from fixing carts and looking after my Kitties".
Julian then turned to Hadvar knowing this would be the last time to see him before he left,"Safe travels man good luck with the war and all" Julian said to which the Imperial nodded and replied.
"Thank you and I wish all the best for you Julian in what comes next" Hadvar said in farewell to the Breton he saved in Helgen. Bubbles said his farewell message as well before turning and walking into the village with Julian.
The only two people left standing were Hadvar and Ricky who was still sulking from the argument he had from Julian,this was not unnoticed by the soldier who walked over to him with a sympathetic look.
"Look Habvor I don't want to listen to the same shit I just heard from Julian and-" Ricky explained to which the man replied.
"Its Hadvar, and no Ricky I didn't come to try reprimand you I just wanted to give you some advice" Hadvar said calmly in a way to reassure the clearly tense man.
"Ricky… I understand much of your frustration towards your friends in that they don't understand your ways, but what you're not aware of is how they feel about things which can be admittedly be hard to relate to given how different you are" Hadvar explained.
"I get I'm just the big fuck dummy right" Ricky said about himself bitterly.
"No Ricky what I'm saying is your not an idiot, sure you can make a lot of foolish mistakes but your smart in your own way and most of all have a good heart" Hadvar said whose humble words began to cheer up Ricky.
"My friend you just need to be more aware of what your actions may bring and apologise for them" Hadvar added finishing his motivational speech which had helped lift Ricky back into positivities good graces.
"Thanks Hadvar I appreciate the advice man" Ricky thanked visibly cheered up now.
"No worries my friend I'm always happy to help you" Hadvar said smiling back.
"I'm gonna miss you a fuck'n lot man" Ricky said to the Imperial soldier who he realised was gonna leave now.
"As will I but I believe we shall meet again someday, but until then good luck and farewell Ricky" Hadvar said saying goodbye to the former prisoner he rescued from Helgen before walking away further into the village towards the exit, Ricky watching on.
Meanwhile at the same moment Julian and Bubbles were walking through the inner part of the village. They had tried unsuccessfully several times to see in the market if there were any opportunities ito make some easy coins though to no avail as there were none.
The two stopped at the Riverwood trader which looked to be one of their last places to look around. They walked into the store being surprised by what was happening in the store. The shopkeeper was busy arguing with a woman who stood a few feet from where he was behind the counter.
"Camilla I said no! no adventures, no theatrics and no thief-chasing!" said the man defending his point to Camilla hammering it in.
""Well what are you going to do about it then?, come on lets hear it" Camilla said with a sarcastic smile crossing her arms all the while.
"We are done talking about this!" the shopkeer said ending the argument before turning to face Julian and Bubbles. Things quickly becoming awkward once he realised they had heard the argument. "Oh… Julian and Bubbles this an unexpected surprise come on in, sorry you had to hear that"
The shopkeeper said to the two who walked up to the counter. "Its alright Lucan I understand things can get heated" Julian said to Lucan before turning to greet Camilla, "Hey Camilla".
"Hey Julian, Bubbles long time no see" Camilla greeted back with a warm smile her bitter tone evaporating upon seeing her old friends.
"Hey Cam good to see ya" Bubbles replied back.
"What happened here" Julian asked Lucan.
"Well, I don't know what you've overheard but we had a break in in the past week" the shopkeeper answered.
"Damn that fucking sucks, sorry to hear about that" Julian said sympathetic to the mans plight.
"You think it was that dick Cyrus who stole it" Bubbles asked.
"If it was that arrogant bastard he would have taken it right in front of me and that elf hasn't been seen in these parts since Julian here kicked him out" Lucan said pausing briefly before continuing on."Besides the thieves only took one thing whereas he would just take the majority".
"Thats weird why would thieves just take one fucking thing and just leave" Julian asked confused by this action.
"Well the item in question is unique, its an ornament, being solid gold in the shape of a dragons claw" Lucan said explaining to the two of the now identified golden claws significance.
The wheels were turning in Julians brain as he now could see the opportunity that he had been waiting for presented in this issue. "Lucan I think 'we' can help you with this problem but the question is are you willing to pay us if we can retrieve it" Julian said declaring his offer.
"Julian we shouldn't be fucking extorting our good friend!" Bubbles interrupted in a harsh tone.
"No its fair trade considering the danger, I have a some coin coming in from a shipment, how does 663 coins sound if you get the claw back" Lucan said.
"Well it look we have ourselves a deal" Julian said shaking the mans hand.
"If you want to find them, I'd start near Bleak Falls Barrow theres been rumors that some shady men have been hiding up there" Lucan explained.
"Don't worry we'll have your claw back before you know" Julian replied as he and Bubbles motioned to walk out.
"Oh and one last thing tell Ricky the next time he comes here he has to pay, Jacob won't be handing him any more free handouts" Lucan warned.
"Will do" Julian said smiling back as he and Bubbles exited the building.
Upon slamming the door shut and checking to see if anyone else was around the two began to converse among themselves about this new quest.
"Julian do you know what the fuck you got us into?" Bubbles asked.
"Bubs this is what we've been looking for, all we have to do is take back the claw from those dicks and we have 663 split between us plus Ricky if he fucking wisens up, thats at least 221" Julian explained.
"Julian have you even thought this through, I mean do we know for certain its in Bleak falls barrow and speaking of which do you not remember the legends of that shithole" Bubbles said his last point referring to the ominous nature of the place.
"All of that is just fuck'n myth besides we can handle anything that comes are way just like back in Helgen" Julian said trying to convince Bubbles.
"Well I for one one think all that was simple luck besides we only just went up against a few stormcloaks and spiders, plus we had Hadvar to help us" Bubbles said showing the reason for his hesitation."This time we're going to a place we know little about and up against bandits plus who the fuck knows what" he added.
"Bubs think about it the claw might not even be inside that creepy place, it could just be with the bandits camped outside or something" Julian said trying to motivate him through semi false reassurance."Besides think about it the place is an ancient ruin thats mostly undiscovered, think of all the fuck'n loot there plus our payment on the end, you can buy more tomes to learn magic". All of this despite the obvious danger level was very tempting to Bubbles who frowned in pondering as his thoughts clashed in what he would do."Besides we don't have much options left in getting coin, your 1 scheme only leaves enough for you or your cats" Julian said trying to convince him through a harsh truth.
Taking all this in mind Bubbles made his decision finally giving in. "Alright Julian let do it" Bubbles said agreeing through with no pleasantries in his voice.
"Great to have you on board I promise you won't regret it" Julian said happy that his friend had made the right decision."Now we just got pack up our gear and convince Ricky to-". Julians instructions were cut off by the door opening to reveal Camila who walked out to talk to the two.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation but I wanted to wish the two of you good luck and also I wanted to ask…, how's Ricky been?" Camilla asked the pair to which Julian answered.
"Thank you, uh Ricky I'll admit has been kind of a pain lately and I just need him to understand things need to get better but its just so hard to get it through his fuck'n head".
"That sounds like classic Ricky always quite the stubborn case" Camila said with a nostalgic smile.
"You should know best considering you dated him for a couple years" Julian said with a knowing smirk.
Camila gave an amused laugh at this before replying,"yeah those were some times, even back then Ricky could be so infuriating but I got to know that despite his immature attitude he had quite a caring side to him".
"Its just a shame that Lucy doesn't appreciate this as much, I feel sorry for him, for all the appreciation he gives her she gives so little back and to top it off she keeps his own daughter away just because he doesn't benefit her" Camila added with a saddened tone.
"I know but shes the mother of his child and despite things they still love each other very much at the end of the day" Julian replied.
"Yeah.. they are" Camilla added bitterly hints of jealousy in her voice." Well I'll let you go, good luck with your journey, I'm sure the two of you and Ricky will retrieve the claw and things will get better from that point on" Camilla said wishing Julian and Bubbles good luck who both in turn said they're goodbyes to her then went back into the village eventually splitting up to get ready for their new task.
Meanwhile back at the Julians house Ricky had a set up a cooking spit upon which a thick cut of steak boiled above the burning logs. Ricky manned the stand while an old nord sat nearby in a wooden wheelchair playing a flute. The old man was Rickys father Ray who had been invited over to enjoy some steaks and hang out.
Ricky had seemingly once again ignored Julians warnings given his one tracked mindset which had no thought of cosequence. Though to him he meant well given the cooked meal was his apology to Julian despite the latters clear words of not using the limited supply casually. Unfortunately for him Julian had arrived back at the house becoming abosolutely infuriated by the sight before him. Moving quickly he put out the fire with a bucket of water he had brought from the river stream never the village.
"What are you doing Julian the steaks aren't even cooked, you want to get sasparilla or something you dick" Ricky said irritated Julian had messed up a good meal he was making for the latter.
Julian was so mad that he ignored him entirely, going over to Ray snatching the flute away from him and pushing him in his wheelchair off the yard
"What are you doing with my music Julian" Ray asked irritated his song was interrupted.
"Off my property Ray" Julian said coldly with infuriation in his tone, Ricky attempted to halt Julians progress in pushing Ray off the property though the old man stopped him.
"Forget it Ricky if he doesn't want me here, I'm going man" Ray said showing that he was done being at the house.
"C'mon stay at the house man" Ricky said trying to convince his father to stick around which failed to budge the old Nord
"Nah forget it man lets head back to my place I got tons of steaks" Ray explained before he began to wheel back to his house.
"I can't believe you just did that, those were the good kind of steaks 5 coins man" Ricky whined at Julian who did not care being absolutely furious.
"Ricky what did I fucking say to you before huh and what did you go and do anyway" Julian replied trying to get Ricky to understand his anger though of course this failed to register due to the Nords lack of self awareness.
"You're being a dick you can go kick me off the property I don't care, you know what you're no better than me even though you think you are" Ricky said criticising the Breton who just smirked more than ready to call out Rickys obvious and ignorant hypocrisy.
"Don't lecture me Ricky" Julian replied to which the Nord responded with confused answer.
"Don't what?" Ricky asked unaware of the terms meaning.
"You don't know what lectured means do ya" Julian mocked seeing Rickys arrogance break.
"I know what it means" Ricky argued back though he had no idea what he was talking about.
"What does it mean then?" Julian asked curiously as to if he actually did know.
"It means that, uh..." Ricky said his last word stumbling as he tried to figure it out.
"It means that what?" Julian questioned seeing that the latter had no idea what he was talking about.
"That you get in a situation" Ricky spoke trying to make sense of it.
"What situation" Julian mocked.
Ricky finally caved in admitting his defeat with an agitated frown,"you know I didn't get to finish school asshole, thats a low blow Julian" Ricky said angrily."You know what part of why I cooked this thing was to apologise for the shit from earlier but I guess its just another fuck up huh" Ricky added to which Julian began to make feel guilty for releasing his anger on him seeing that the Nord was trying to make up for it.
"Ricky.." Julian said in regret as he realised his anger had got the best of him and not allowed him to consider his friend was trying to make up for what he did, albeit in a flawed way which was stupid.
"Nah forget it I'm gonna go to my dads place" Ricky said turning to leave in the direction of Rays house.
"Ricky look man I'm.. I appreciate what you were trying to do, I can tell you meant well" said Julian whose sympathy was evident as he opened up to his friend. "I'm sorry for being an asshole man I've just been under a lot of fucking pressure with this deadline what with fucking Lahey on my ass, I feel like I'm losing it a bit" he added.
"Its fine Julian I get what your going through man I wish for the same fucking thing, to get this fucked tax payed and get back to living with Lucy and Trinity rather than live here cause Its been pissing us both off" Ricky said his deepest intentions clear to the Breton.
Remembering his deal with Lucan earlier Julian seeing the opportune moment to bring up the deal did so. "Rick I think I have a way out of this situation, earlier today I was able to make a deal with Lucan in taking back some fucking artefact in exchange for a ton of coin" Julian said.
Ricky ears perked up very intrigued and hooked in by the reward for this quest, "how much is he going to pay?" Ricky asked.
"663 total man, the way I have it'll be a three way split between me, you and Bubbles" Julian answered revealing quite a substantial amount that to Ricky would more than pay the tax and hopefully get him back on track which would hopefully win Lucy back. "So do you want be part of this?" Julian said making the last point of the offer.
"Sure whatever it takes I'm with you Julian" Ricky said giving his answer that he was 100% willing to be a part of it.
"Thats good man I'm glad your in it cause I'll be honest Rick its gonna be fucking dangerous, we might have to deal with some assholes trying to kill us again" Julian said revealing that this quest had quite the high stake risks, though this did little to affect Ricky whose confidence was at a pretty high excited at the prospect of the reward.
"What shit in this land isn't besides after what we've been through we'll get through it like always" Ricky replied his loyalty to his friend evident.
"I'm glad your with me Rick" Julian said now in a great mood having smoothed things over with his best friend and got him on board with the quest. "Now go pack up your stuff,take all your potions,armor and weapons because from what I understand things could turn sideways" Julian added.
"Sure thing man" Ricky said complying with his request as he readied all his useful items for what could be a dangerous trip. He strapped his armour back on and equipping his shield plus blade, both of which were still somewhat stained with the dull blood of various enemies he fought in Helgen.
Thoughts were rushing about in his head, all driven by the overwhelming excitement of this new opportunity which had arrived at the most crucial time. In his mind the gold coin reward gained from the deal presented quite the chance to better himself from his current situation,he could move away from Julian and with some self modifications made to his outer being get back together with his impressed wife.
It was a win win situation what with him give Julian the peace he needed and gain the happiness he wanted. There was the factor of the danger in this yet to be revealed place but that little speck of dread was nothing compared to the positive possibilities running through his mind.
Half an hour later he arrived at the gate. Upon arriving at the wooden wall structure saw that Julian and Bubbles were waiting for him there as well equipped as he was. Julian had his iron armor with his iron warhammer strapped to his back,Bubbles was simply put back in his novice robes.
"Its good to see your here man" Julian said glad to see Ricky had arrived and on time which was something he had worried about given the precarious nature of the mission.
"Yeah" said Ricky who upon seeing Bubbles and remembering their earlier issues apologised to the latter. "Hey Bubs sorry for the shitshow from earlier" Ricky apologised.
"It's all good Ricky things have been kinda shitty for all of us lately, hopefully with this mission in the bag all that will be behind us" Bubbles said forgiving the Nord having understood his prior frustrarions.
"Thanks Bubbles, so Julian where are we headed to find that thing?" Ricky asked.
"Well we from what I've heard the golden claw doesn't really have an exact location but Lucan said theres some strange shit happening at Bleak falls barrow so we're gonna investigate as a potential lead" Julian explained to the now understanding Ricky who was startled by the locations reveal.
"So we're headed to that 'place', I remember the stuff the old man told me about those fucking tombs and it is a Draugr infested hell" Ricky said reminiscing on stories told from his childhood which brought back the aura dread of the particular location.
"Like I told Bubs Ricky the living dead in that place is a myth assholes told keep grave robbers the fuck away" Julian said trying to soothe the fears of his friend. "Besides think of all the potential of the gold there Rick on top of our payment,not to mention all the other valuable stuff there" he added.
"Thats true Julian, fuck lets get going the sooner we get this shit done the better" Ricky said his confidence and determination back up to 100%, being ready to deal with whatever comes.
"Thats spirit man!" Julian yelled out complimenting the Nord on his bravery and willingness to follow him into what could be a perilous situation. "Bubs you ready?" Julian asked the Imperial who gave a firm answer despite still feeling overwhelming doubts and fears.
"As ready as you are Julian" Bubbles said trying to put on a strong tough tone which would hide his anxious fear of a quest he had paranoid predictions of in terms of what could go wrong.
Believing the two to be backing him fully Julian swung the gates open and for the first time in days the trio exited the familiar community of Riverwood back out into the wide open dangerous world of Skyrim. Upon shutting the gate behind them the triumvirate began to walk down the blended road leading away from the village. The particular road leading to their main destination which unbeknownst to them would end up being quite a perilous and terrifying adventure.
To Be Continued
Well here we are at the end of what was for me quite a difficult and interesting chapter to write what with so much of the different factors in mind, one of them being the mixing of episode 2 of season 1 of Tpb and the introduction to the Golden claw questline. It was fun to write many of the moments of the second episode in what with the various hilarious interactions between Lahey, Ricky and Julian in mind. Something that was an immense challenge for me was altering things in this compared to the actual Tpb episode for example with Julian having different circumstances to get rid of Ricky instead of wanting to start a clean new college life like he did in the main canon. I was able to finally introduce one of the best Trailer park boy characters in this Ray who was referenced in the previous chapter but has finally appeared in this one, wheelchair and everything. Anyways I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter a lot, until next time everyone.