Wasn't something he thought of when he heard 'bards college'. He expected everyone inside to be almost disgustingly jovial, singing and dancing, all different instruments playing, making one hell of a headache. But instead, the few that remained in the college walked around, their instruments close at hand. Some held books, mumbling verses from songs, their hands moving around, self-orchestrating. Some, like the group that they seemed to be walking towards, simply sat around comfortably, talking and laughing. They were comfortable here. Happy. It wasn't so bad, he though as they strolled in, not that he would ever say those words aloud…

Kasa-Jeen waved to a passerby, no one he knew from his past visits, thank the gods... Though the way his eyes traveled over the women was more observant, which was fine. But the way he smiled and quirked a brow when he himself passed…

"Hello there..." He cooed, turning his body to continue his admiring glance.

"Sorry pal, I ain't interested." He internally scowled at the sound of displeasure the other man made and simply followed the women who had sat around a long table on cushioned seats.

"Make yourselves comfortable. I will get you some refreshments!" Kasa-Jeen called, her tail swished happily as she motioned them in towards a seating area. There already sat a Redguard woman and a dark elf.

"Kasa-Jeen, who are these people you have brought to the college?" The Redguard called to the Argonian who raced off to the kitchens to grab some food. "New recruits?" A Redguard asked as Serlina took a seat.

"Not a chance." He muttered as he sat down making the Redguard frown.

"Bishop doesn't really have a liking for bards." Serlina informed the few who sat near them with an apologetic smile. A dark elf who sat across from him lifted his head, his pale red eyes, slightly covered in shaggy black hair, landed on him with amusement.

"And yet you sit in a bards college. Must be burning your skin by now." The elf chuckled, and he found himself wanting to smirk at the elf's amusing jest.

"I've had worse." He met his red eyes.

"I commend you for putting on a brave face and showing such valiant effort not to shoot us down one by one or sick the wolf on us." The elf pointed at his bow then Karnwyr who took a spot between both him and Serlina.

"Don't thank me just yet. The day is still young." He says carefully, even if the elf's comment had him fighting a real grin. "You're a bard?" He asked looking him over. He wore dark robes, almost giving him the appearance of a mage yet his lute rested against his leg. Karnwyr got up and wandered around, sniffing now and again.

"No, I'm a walking salesman." The dark elf replied sarcastically, making Serlina cover a small laugh with a cough. He quired a brow as he absently scratched his wolfs ears when he rejoined his side.

"Another job that makes me want to put you out of your internal misery." He wasn't sure if he was jesting or being honest, though he was becoming amused by the elf.

"Why would I need you when we have such tall building to choose from?" The elf replied as he gestured to a window to their right. Just beyond the glass he could see the large buildings around them.

"Well selections always nice." Serlina added in with a dry tone. That had his smirk cracking and after a moment, they all started to break into laughter. He too found himself chucking. The Redguard didn't seem to get their humor as she politely excused herself and made her way down the hall.

"Very true." His red eyes searched Serlina's face for a moment before a warm smile graced his own dark-skinned one. Kasa-Jeen returned with drinks and a plater of fruits. Serlina picked a few juniper berries and popped a few into her mouth, humming happily at the taste as she picked up a cup of water. "So tell me, Walks-By-Starlight do you still sing?" The elf asked quietly, making her drop an apple that she picked up. Her face paled a little as she looked to the elf, her eyes wide. The lack of colour to her face had him picking up a creeping unease.

Walks-By-Starlight?

Names like that were usually given to Argonians who had been born in Imperial cities, or had their names changed for the common tongue speakers… He frowned slightly. What was with the name?

"I'm sorry... Do I know you?" Serlina asked, her brows furrowing deeply, like she was focusing hard on the elf. He simply sat back and smiled warmly. He lifted his black hair and showed a slender scar that ran between his brows to his hairline. Whatever the scar meant had her gasping, hands lifting to cover her mouth. "G-Gorron?" Her voice was small and almost broken, but her lips lifted slowly in a joyful smile.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He laughed when she stood up, walking around the table and stood a foot from him. He stood as well, his small stature putting his top height to her throat. Short little bastard. "See you finally grew into your weird shapes. If but a little." He pointed out, holding out his hand, arm outstretched, palm up. She let out a small broken chuckled as she slapped her hand against his forearm, her fingers gripping tight. His wrapped around hers, both lifted up and down in a simple handshake. They let go and her arms wrapped around him, pulling him in for a tight embrace as a small glee filled laugh surrounded them. He heard the elf's chuckle and his hand tightened slightly in Karnwyr's fur.

"I see you haven't grown at all. I'm shocked I didn't recognize you sooner." She chuckled and pulled back to get a good look at him. "Your still short." Gorron laughed, slapping a hand to her shoulder.

"Nor could I recognize you. You never used to walk around with such good-looking scoundrels before." Her face turned to him and he felt another jab of an ache hit him dead center to his chest. Her eyes shining as she looked at him.

"Wouldn't exactly call them scoundrels." She teased, and he smirked mischievously at her in return.

"He's not far off though." He said and felt his blood warm when she laughed. Karnwyr barked, tail wagging happily as she looked at him near his feet.

"Gorron, this here is Bishop." She gestured to him, her brown eyes warm. "Bishop, Gorron. A friend of mine from my childhood. His family visited Black Marsh for a time." She gestured to Gorron as he gave a small nod in greeting, his smirk slipping as his eyes moved to the elf again. She rolled her eyes, even as a smile tugged at her lips "Don't let his broody look dissuade you. Underneath that rough exterior, he's a good guy." Rolling his eyes, he scoffed. So you think, sweetness.

"And my wolf here is Karnwyr. His bite is actually worse than his bark." Karnwyr let out a few short barks and sniffed Gorron's hand.

"He certainly looks ferocious." Gorron teased, wiggling his fingers at the wolf.

"Ladyship softened him up since we joined up together." He teased and caught her slightly guilted smirk.

"But he does pick up on things." As if to prove appoint, her eyes narrowed a little and Karnwyr growled low but kept his teeth hidden, making Gorron pull his hand away slowly.

"So it seems." Gorron looked between the two of them as she took a seat by his side, a hand lifting to scratch Karnwyr's head, his eyes closing in pleasure. "It's good to see you."

They continued to speak as time eased by, and it surprised him as he was listening that their conversation didn't bother him, even when Kasa-Jeen spoke about learning songs and offered to play a few from her travels.

She had glanced to him and, no doubt seeing his barley contained pained look, politely refused. He sent her a look of thanks and got up to wander the college. He had a few nights spent with female bards, that was no secret, but never had taken up their offer to spend the night in the college. Something about them having close and shared quarters with a few other people just didn't sit well with him. To many people to be wary of. He sent a glance left to right and saw rooms for all the students. Some with two beds, others not. Safe to say, he didn't regret his choice.

Serlina and Kasa-Jeen spoke of how they had each come to Skyrim from the time they had last seen eachother. Serlina spoke little of her being the Dragonborn and seemed to focus more on Kasa-Jeen. It made sense. Bards had already gotten wind of her. If anyone else had been listening, Gods only know what they would have started spouting. Alec had been an irritatingly boisterous bard, but Serlina didn't need more of them who learned about it from in house. He found himself standing in front of their collection of art and tilted his head to Karnwyr who's tail wagged at the attention.

"You know what this looks like?" A soft whine was all he was met with. "Me neither." He mumbled as footsteps sounded behind him.

"It's an illustration of our college, how it came to be here in Solitude." Gorron said as he reached his side. Casting a glance, he saw that the women were nowhere to be seen.

"It looks like it was made by someone who was one to many ales in." He muttered looking it over. "Looks like a blur of colours with some rocks." Gorron chortled a little.

"He was drunk a lot." Gorron chuckled low, whereas he scoffed. Turning to look at him, he sent a glance back to where they had been sitting.

"Where is she?" He pushed the twinge of irritation down when Gorron waved a hand in a don't-worry-about-it motion.

"Said something about having 'girl talk' and 'showing Walks-By-Starlight' the rest of the college. I knew I wasn't needed, so I came over here to keep you company."

"Hmm..." It wasn't necessary but the bard hadn't irritated him yet thus far. He looked to Karnwyr and met the wolfs gaze. Jerking his head towards the stairs near them, he watched as the wolf slowly trotted off to go find her, all without having to be told a word. What a damn good wolf. He inwardly smiled when he heard her laugh echoing from up the stairs. He looked back to the elf with a curious glance. "Why 'Walks-BY-Starlight?' Isn't that usually used for some Argonians?" He asked and Gorron looked at him, like he was unsure on telling him.

"Kasa-Jeen called her that when we were children. It was a sign that Kasa-Jeen's clan accepted their friendship as well as they couldn't pronounce her real name at the time…" Gorron was thoughtful, a finger lifting to scratch the bridge of his nose.

"Alright. You didn't really answer my question." He pointed out. Gorron dropped his hand to his side.

"Well... She was often troubled when I knew her as a child." Gorron spoke softly. Again, not the answer he was waiting for, but he found that his curiosity had been piqued.

"Troubled?"

"Hmm..." Gorron hummed in agreement. "Solemn and silent. I believe it was after her mother passed. Gods..." Gorron looked away, lost in thought. The thought of Serlina not being her usual self had him nearly frowning. "On some nights, she would walk around her home, looking at the stars. Said her mother told stories about them and gave her some type of solace when she looked at the night sky. When the clouds blocked them out, she would sit and wait till she at least saw one. Then walk homeward. Hence, 'Walks-By-Starlight.'" Gorron explained. He mulled it over and jerked his head in a small form of agreement.

"She told me a few things about the stars a few nights ago. Can't say I remember much about it though." He said scowling. He had fallen asleep, but her voice had been soft and quiet that night. Lulling almost.

"I see. You have been…traveling together long?" Gorron asked, after some time passed. He sighed and walked back to the sitting area where they had sat before.

"For some time now." He said after a moment.

It had been the longest time he had spent in one women's company and not even in the same bed. Well, he had been in her bed, but she hadn't been there. If she had... He sighed. Who knows?

"Where is Ladyship? This place cant be that big." He muttered his inner thoughts aloud and received a small snort from the elf.

"Your, 'ladyship' is not back yet," Gorron commented as he lifted a foot to rest on his knee. "Maybe she has been pleasantly detained. Maybe she's got stopped a bard who wants to take her out for a good time?"

"She doesn't do that." He said stiffly. "And a bard already tried that spiel on her." His teeth grinded in memory.

"Is that why you haven't moved on her yet?" Gorron asked and he snapped his eyes to meet the red ones.

"Who says I haven't?" He challenged.

Gorron only laughed, sipping from a goblet. "If you had, ranger, you'd look a hell of a lot more relaxed." Got me there, he thought, but shrugged. "In fact, you seem the type who can try the 'I was just in the neighborhood so can I come in and get you naked' gambit. And have it work." Gorron said smirking and he let out a small chuckle.

"That one ever work for you?" He asked, sitting back. Gorron swirled his goblet.

"Ah." Gorron let out a long, wistful sigh, stared up at the ceiling as if into deep, dreamy memories. "The stories I could tell." He made a grand gesture of grabbing his chest over his heart and gave a few solid taps. He chuckled again. "The way I figure it, the more a man gets to bed someone, the more he thinks about it. And the less a man gets, the more he thinks about it."

"And you taking the shot to say that I have been thinking about it?" He was grinning, enjoying the banter.

"Traveling in the company of that woman, you damn well better be." Gorron laughed and held up a hand. "Unless your dead, dying or not interesting in women." Gorron quired a brow and looked him over.

"Good thing I'm none of the above." He said offhandedly and got a solid nod. "And you?" He asked and didn't care for the underlying tension in his voice. Gorron held up a hand.

"She has grown to be very beautiful, but I am not interested in her that way. My lover would not appreciate it. He passed you when you walked in."

"The man with the green eyes?" He implied and Gorron smiled warmly, happily and nodded. "Huh." His tone was unsurprised but unbothered. Nodding he picked up a thick wedge of cheese, using his dagger to cut pieces off.

"Your not... upset." Gorron watched him warily, even when his smile stayed in place. His words were stated but sounded more like a question.

"Should I be?" He asked after swallowing a sliced piece.

"I have often gotten many shouted obscenities about how it was 'disgusting' and 'not right'. And men such as yourself are often... appalled at my interest in the preferring the company of men." He said carefully and he paused in his cutting.

"Men such as myself?" He echoed and got a tight nod, the elf's smile slipping.

"Yes. Nord, large, strong and rigid in their ways of old." He took the jab. He could understand where the elf was coming from. And then, he remembered his parents, felt the memories of them creep in and fog his mood.

"Well, not that it matters, but I've seen all walks of life fucking just about everything. I've seen… couples who were married and yet were very loose and even bedded other people. Didn't matter who or what they were. They had different partners and shared some at times." He internally felt the anger when he thought of them but set it aside when he watched the elf's eyes widen in shock and interest. "Sometimes, for some people, things aren't as-" complicated, dark, violent, "-bad," he settled on, "when they had bed the same sex. I've seen and heard it all since I was a boy. It makes no difference to me whose in your bedroll." He went back to cutting chucks of cheese. He paused and gestured to him with the blade. "So long as they want to be there and it's not against their will, were fine." He ended and Gorron nodded, albeit slowly.

"When I have someone in my bed, the only thing that they would be worried about is getting lack of sleep. But at least when he's getting it, he sleeps better." Gorron set his goblet aside. Bishop finished the slice and set to cleaning his knife as he sent him an amused glance as he mockingly patted his pockets.

"Got a quill? I want to write that one down." He jested, liking the mood had lifted. Gorron snickered.

"I'll put it in a song." Gorron's tone was teasing, but he still scowled and groaned all the same.

"Oh Gods don't." He winced.

"You got a serious grief with bards huh?"

"Not all of them" He spoke aloud, looking him over. Like you, he though. Your okay. "But I have met a couple that just..." He grinned his teeth, "I didn't like and don't care for their… showboating."

"Anyone I know?" Gorron asked, his dark brows lifting in curiosity.

"Maybe. You know a nord named Alec?" He asked, and Gorron rolled his eyes, setting his goblet down.

"Alec!? Ha-ha-ha! That Kuuda! He's a, what's it called," He snapped his fingers a few times, trying to think of the word. "A, an 'ego maniac'. That fat head likes to call himself the 'Prince of Song!' Pft. Anyone here who has a shot of being a prince it should be me." Gorron said mockingly as he rubbed his fingers over his eyes as if the thought vexed him.

He found himself smirking.

Alright, he silently admitted. He kinda liked this bard. Just a little though.

"Met him a while ago." He informed him and Gorron winced.

"I know what he can be like. In the presence of a woman like yours, he was sure to have gone waay over the top. Is he still breathing?" He couldn't help but kind of like the way he called her 'his woman'. He pushed the thought aside.

"At the good graces of our leading lady, he was left unharmed." He recalled how she had faced the bard, looking ready to knock off his hat and smiled. "Talking about living, loving and fighting together." He scoffed.

"I am glad to see he didn't succeed." Gorron said easily. "Then again he and Walks-By-Starlight wouldn't have lasted more than a few days before snapping."

"She did give him a firm talking too." He recalled, making Gorron smile and caught Serlina walking side by side with Kasa-Jeen towards them.

"Hey, Bishop. You sent Karnwyr to find me?" She asked, laughter in her voice.

"Someone has to keep an eye on you, make sure you stay our of trouble." He tossed back.

"Mhm." She huffed a small laugh. "Going up to see their tower then we can head out. Sound good?" She asked as Karnwyr rubbed between them. He was about to respond when the sound of a door opened and in walked Aia Arria with a few others. They walked towards them, seeming in their own world. He all but groaned in irritation as her eyes snapped to all of them, lingered over Serlina and then him. She snarled and spun around, headed up a set of stair to the sleeping quarters.

"Sounds good." He said tightly as she and Kasa-Jeen turned toward the staircase that lead to the tower. He watched as she walked, talking in tongues as Kasa-Jeen lead the way up a different staircase. The sly smirk she sent over her shoulder at something Kasa-Jeen said had him humming happily, his irritation slipping.

"Did you see the way she leered at us?" Gorron asked, his tone rebuffing drawing his attention briefly. "Like we were a couple a pieces of… horker meat!" Gorron scoffed as he scratched his neck, his brows furrowing.

"Nah..." He drawled a little, turning his head to where they had meandered off too. "Far more appetizing to me than that." Turning his head back to face Gorron, he caught the dark elf leaning forward, his red eyes lit with humor. "Not you, her!" He gestured to the direction Serlina had gone to clarify, but only got Gorron to break out into a fullhearted laugh and soon, he was softly chuckling as well, running a hand down his face.

"It's fine. I understand." Gorron smiled in good humor which he returned.

"She's a very tasty morsel." Aia Arria called as she walked back in drawing their attention.

Amusement fled.

"She's not. A. Fucking. snack." He growled at her and she scoffed.

"She's to hefty to be just a snack." She threw towards the stairs where Serlina and Kasa-Jeen had gone. He narrowed his eyes warningly.

"Say another word about her, and I will cut your tongue out so you can't sing another one of your performances." His hand moved to his dagger at his hip. "Don't think I wont." He challenged when Aia Arria glared at him.

"Fine." She shrugged and looked to sit. Gorron read the looks he was sending as he crossed his arms.

"Don't even think of it." He snapped, his harsh tone making her pause.

"Go schmooze with Joyrn or something. You aren't wanted here." Gorron said tightly earning him a slight glare from Aia Arria.

"Maybe not by you, elf." She sneered and glanced to him again. "But I was wanted by our ranger here." She smiled flirtatiously towards him, he nearly groaned in irritation.

"Not today or anytime soon."

"It wasn't that long ago that you did." She purred, her eyes glancing to Gorron who was looking between the two of them, his red eyes guarded.

"Try years, and nothing happened." He sent a bored look to Gorron and shrugged.

"You coward out!" She pointed a finger at him, her voice raising to a shrill. "He didn't want to sleep in my bed, here." She waved a hand around the room.

"No. You wanted to make a performance out of it. Like everything you do. I didn't." He shrugged.

"So you would rather be a showpiece for that... rotund woman?" She spat and he felt his jaw clench.

"I'm no ones showpiece." He bit out, making her flinch a little. "And rather her side then anywhere near or in your bed. The same goes for your presence." He defended, his eyes narrowed and body tense. A growl from Karnwyr had him almost smirking when she turned her alarmed gaze to him. Aia Arria's mouth gapped at him, her whole face turning red in, whether it be rage or embarrassment, he didn't care.

"I will speak to the headmaster about this!" She stomped off again. This time the sound of a slamming door echoed around. He relaxed and let out a sigh. He ran a hand over Karnwyr's shoulder as Gorron chuckled low in his throat.

"I wondered if you were really… tangled up about her." Gorron laced his fingers over his chest, as he laid back against his seat. He hissed out a breath, looked back toward the staircase.

"I don't have time for…tangles." He snipped out and felt his stomach tighten. But I look at her and… He shrugged. "I can't figure it out in all honesty. I like being around her. Not that she's easy to be around. Half the time it's like dealing with a... mud crab with more than two pincers. One that looks like she belongs wearing a tiara." He admitted and Gorron broke out in a laugh.

"Quite an image you paint. Her father would have agreed with you, but Walks-By-Starlight never liked the idea of being seen as someone who cant take care of herself or held in the position of anything so… dainty." Gorron settled on after a quick pause. "Besides, women without spines are fine for a one-nighter, or a good time." Gorron jerked his head to where Aia Arria had stomped off. "But when you're looking for the long haul…" He trailed off when his eyes moved to the towers staircase.

Shock and panic erupted in him, making him strive to stay calm and keep a neutral face. "I didn't say that. I just said I liked being around her."

"And you got puppy eyes when you said it." Gorron pointed a finger at him and smirked.

"Horseshit." And the fact that he could feel the heat of a flush working up his neck mortified him. Gorron didn't mind his outburst and sat back, seemingly proud of riled him. He sat in silence for a moment and looked at Gorron who pushed his dark hair out of his face, showing his scar more clearly. It was old but seemed to have been treated well when he got it. "How did you get that?" He asked gesturing to his face.

"Well it's a long and painful tale. But it's came at the hands of our lady up there." Gorron pointed a finger to the ceiling.

"You and she battled it out?" He asked, his intrigue ringing clear.

"Not exactly." Gorron rubbed the scar familiarly. "It's best she tell you if you want to know. Just be sure to ask her about the apple bread. It'll all make sense."

"I'm gonna look forward to this." He tossed a small wedge of cheese to Karnwyr who gobbled it up.

"Had the wolf long?" Gorron asked and he smiled at Karnwyr kindly.

"Most of my life, it seems." He murmured.

"Had an owl once. Bugger kept flying into windows rather than waiting for someone to open it." Gorron chuckled as he reminisced. They continued to speak of talked of their animal companions. They spoke like friends, he thought with a mildness of shock. Gorron made him feel at ease and contradicted what he thought a bard might be like. Some it seems, he thought, weren't all poetic lyrical fools. Some had spine. And a budding sense of dark humor that he was slowly coming to appreciate. The sound soft footsteps coming down the stone stairs had them pausing in their conversation, eyes lit with humor as Serlina and Kasa-Jeen walked in.

"We've eagerly been waiting for you to come back." Gorron called, finishing his drink and sets the goblet down.

"Oh really?" Serlina asked, her voice sounding pleasantly surprised. He smirked at yet another of her 'oh really's' .

"The elf here said I should ask you about the apple bread?" He called as she walked to sit down across from him, her gaze locked on their new target, Gorron, who shrugged playfully making her brow raise.

"He did, did he?" She scoffed and tucked her legs under her, getting comfortable.

"Maybe he thinks you've forgotten." Kasa-Jeen offered. She tsked as Kasa-Jeen sat beside him, her tail wrapping around her legs so as to not sit on it.

"Well, I can tell you that without a doubt I could be dead for 5 years and yet I'll still be able to exceed him in wits." She rubbed her forehead as her eyes danced with merriment. Looking to himself she shrugged. "Believe it or not, in Black Marsh I wasn't much of a cook. Especially at the age of 9, Gorron." She just slightly glared as the elf returned it with a small polite stare of his own.

"Your mother handled that end for the most part, as I recall." Kasa-Jeen tossed in, making her eyes lose just a smidge of her humor. Serlina nodded, her eyes moving downcast a bit.

"You remember right. But now and again I stuck my hand in." She took a breath and met his gaze. "One day in the fall, I got a hankering for apple bread. We'd planted trees by the hut, and Z'en knows we had more than we could eat in our years."

"Especially since Daodrik wouldn't touch a morsel." Gorron said over a bite of a sweetroll. Her eyes darkened substantially and was about to ask what upset her so when she continued on.

"So I got out the cookbook mother kept and tried my hand at baking some apple bread. Four loaves, from scratch, and I set them on a rack to cool. I was damn proud of that bread, too." She paused a moment, tipped her head back slightly, her face one of pride. "About a half hour later, I walked back into the kitchen. Instead of four loaves, there were just three. My first thought was 'well, someone must have been in here and helped themselves'. Felt pretty smug about that one. Until I looked out the kitchen window. What do you think I saw?" She asked, her eyes landing on him.

"I've got no clue." But he was sure he was going to enjoy it.

"I'll tell you what I saw," she said with a jut of her chin. "My father and a few other fools, out there in the yard using the bread I'd made from scratch as a goddamn throw ball. Whooping and hollering and tossing that thing around like it was the best game... I was out that door like a shot, gonna skin the lot of them. About that time, Daodrik heaved that loaf high and hard, and Kasa-Jeen loped over to catch it. And Gorron here—he always was quick as a snake—he streaked over the grass, leaped up to intercept it."

"Misjudged, though." The dark elf winced in memory.

"Many of your actions were back then." Kasa-Jeen teased, earning another laugh from him.

"The loaf caught him right about here." She tapped just over her eyebrow. "Knocked him flat on his ass, too. Damn thing was hard as a brick." She laughed, rocking back and forth as if her humor had weight. He found himself joining in, the mental image of the elf getting hit in the face with something so hard he hit the ground had him almost holding his sides. When they settled a minute or so later, she added; "Daodrik snapped up the bread, stepped right over Gorron as he sat there with his eyes rolling back in his head, and made the…-" She frowned. "What was it you called it?

"I think we decided on 'yard down'." Gorron said in thought.

"Well, by the time I got out to Gorron to check him out and give them a piece of my mind, he'd shaken it off and the four of them were howling like loons. They called it the Bread Bawl. Last time I ever baked that kind of bread, I'll tell you that." Her head tilted to the side. "Then again, my skills have improved greatly since then."

"She came running out the back door, shouting at us just as I was making the jump. I turned, and bam. Fucking galaxy of stars. That bread was like a goddamn brick." He found himself laughing with them again. Serlina's cheeks pinked greatly as she scratched her palm, her eyes glancing around looking shy. Damn, it was sexy seeing her blush.

"She was a hell of a caretaker, but she never could cook worth a damn." Kasa-Jeen cackled, her tail swishing side to side.

"Glad you've improved since then." He offered and got a single nod of thanks from Serlina.

"Said it was just as well I got beaned. Saved her the trouble." Gorron rubbed the scar, the memory making him smile.

"Then we all started laughing—my father, Gorron, Daodrik, Kasa-Jeen , and me. Like a Bunch of lunatics. My mother stood a few feet from there, staring at us, with her hands on her hips. I can still see it. See her." She let out a long breath, saw the way her shoulders trembled a bit.

"Then she went back in and got another loaf so we could keep playing." Gorron added, though his eyes stayed on Serlina. She rubbed a hand down her neck. Gorron and Kasa-Jeen had continued talking again, but the sounds of their voices drowned out. Serlina's eyes had a far away look, almost like she was… sad.

It wasn't long after that that they decided to take their leave. Serlina hugged both her friends whereas he nodded in farewell to Kasa-Jeen, but Gorron held out his hand, the same way he did to Serlina when they met. He looked at his arm curiuosly. Looking back to the dark elf he saw that they regarded eachother with a mutual understanding. Almost like friends.

"I look forward to seeing you around Bishop." Gorron said warmly.

"And you Gorron. It's rare when I can say that to any bard." He sounded surprised, even to himself.

"I shall hold the information dear to my heart. Gods, I may even weep in joy." Gorron joked, earning him another amused snort.

"Don't make it weird." He rolled his eyes, his hand clasped the elf's forearm and shook tightly. Kasa-Jeen embraced Serlina once more and held her at arms length.

"Don't be strangers. Both of you." Her reptilian eyes slid from Serlina to him.

"By your word, and my will." Serlina bowed slightly then straightened.

They left the college, waving in goodbyes as they walked the cobblestone. Their destination undetermined. He sent her a sideways glance, her teeth chewed on the bottom corner of her lip, lost in silence. The mood around them felt different. It seemed bittersweet. Her face held a type of solemnness, but she walked like her body was lighter. Karnwyr walked around, sniffing and marking house corners.

"You alright?" He found himself asking, touching her elbow to get her attention. Her eyes, big and filled with some type of pain he couldn't place, landed on his.

"I'll be fine in time." She admitted. "It's just..." She let out a long slow breath. "Everything was so much simpler back then. Everything in place. Family laughing, not dead or gone. Friends getting smacked in the face with my botched baking..." She let out a humorless scoff then took what looked like, a steadying breath. "I… I miss those days. I sure do miss them." She turned her eyes to the sky, then to him. "Sorry. I shouldn't be thinking like this in general. Cant afford too." She muttered. "Have to keep looking and striving forward. Right?" She asked, her eyes hardening, the green sharpening.

"Right." He agreed softly. "But your sure you'll be alright?" He asked again. She swallowed and looked over his shoulder.

"I... don't know. It's weird seeing people from my past. You know?" She asked and he couldn't bring himself to answer. He knew. Gods, did he know. But his anger and her pain at their past were not a good match for thing. "I Just... I feel restless I suppose. But no matter. It'll pass. Eventually." She lifted her head, her shoulder straightening. He almost scowled.

The phrase, 'putting on a brave face', came to mind as he looked her over.

"Wanna get out of here? Go for a walk?" He asked, motioning to the large gate to the city.

"A walk?" She echoed, her eyes narrowing a little in confusion.

"Well, I know several ways to get rid of the feeling of restlessness." His hand lifted to tuck away a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "And walks always do me some good for thinking or getting pent up energy out." He shrugged. "Or we could just go see if the inn quieted down any." He almost laughed when she made a quick mock wince of pain.

"I'll walk."

She sounded better already. He followed her as they started out to the gates. Her eyes went to the makeshift execution block and her hands tightened on both her blades. He nodded to the guards who proceeded to open the gates. She was slow to leave, like her angered gaze planted her there. But soon, she walked out the gates, and he followed closely behind.

AN:

Hello everybody!

Hope your Valentines day was spent well!

Another chapter up for all you amazing readers! Let me know what you guys think about the chapters, I cant tell you guys enough how much I love reading your reviews and comments!

Got something brewing for you guys Some future smut, but also some darkness brewing... Just getting it on paper and in the order I'm trying to get going without feeling chunky and rushed is becoming a little slippery. But if you guys are patient, you will be rewarded.

Either way, I'll let you guys know before I upload the chapters what to look out for.

Speaking of chapters, I hope you guys are okay with the shortened series I've got going. My chapters will lengthen again once Bishops POV chapter ends.

Until then,

Keep Romancing!

IMME.

Kuuda- Idiot