Vanya was standing outside the door to the shack she'd seen Bralsa enter the previous day. After a few false starts, she finally raised her fist to knock on the door which rattled on its hinges more violently than she intended.

She heard some rustling and grunting before the door squeaked open just enough for her to see a haggard-looking dunmer man with shaggy brown hair and a long beard peering through the crack.

"Oh, I'm...uh...looking for Bralsa," Vanya said.

"What, does she owe you money?" the man barked. "I can assure you there is no money here."

"No, no. I just wanted to...um..." Vanya was beginning to give up on her plan. If Bralsa lived alone it might have worked but the shack was small and three would definitely be a crowd.

The door swung open fully and Bralsa nudged the man away. "She said she wanted me, what business is it of yours what for, Rirns?" The man shrugged and retreated into a corner that obviously served as his living space.

"Hello, Vanya," Bralsa greeted, sounding curious.

"Hi." Vanya was now feeling supremely uncomfortable. She tried in vain to think of an excuse for visiting, but should she think of one her rather desperate situation did not afford her the luxury of giving it. She pressed on. "Can we talk privately?"

"Alright." Bralsa shut the door behind her and they walked a bit before she broke the silence, "so..?"

Vanya gestured toward the shack. "Is...is that man your...?"

"Rirns? Are you joking? I may be beggarly but I'm not that desperate," Bralsa replied before adding, "Why, are you sweet on me?" She gave Vanya a friendly nudge.

Vanya laughed, "No, but I was going to ask if...well... I didn't realize you already had a roommate."

"Oh," Bralsa stopped and faced her. "but you don't want to live in that shack, Vanya. I don't want to live in that shack."

"I know, but the fact is I'm running out of money fast and there are no jobs for me. It's either I go out on the street while I still have a dime, or go out on the street when I'm flat broke."

"While I don't know what a dime is, I do get your meaning. There must be something you can do. "

"I've asked around! Everything requires skills I don't have. I worked in accounting, for chrissakes."

Bralsa tilted her head. "You speak so strangely."

Vanya intercepted the follow-up question. "Don't ask me where I'm from, I don't remember." She waved a hand dismissively.

Bralsa smiled. "Alright, I won't. But I advise you to not make any rash decisions. I think you should give this a couple more days."

"If you're so sure then how come you have not found work?" Vanya challenged, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She was at the mercy of a world in which she did not know the rules, and even if she did she was devastatingly ill-prepared.

Bralsa's ruby eyes glinted with irritation. "Mining is all I've ever done. By the time I realized the mine was truly lost, I'd drunk away too much of my fortune to afford to leave this gods-forsaken place. At this point, it's all I can do to keep my mind addled enough to forget that all my best years are behind me. Does that answer your question?"

"Sorry," Vanya offered quickly. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just feeling so stressed. I shouldn't have said that." She felt a wave of guilt for being so rude, especially toward someone she was trying to ask for help. She was behaving like a trapped animal.

"It's alright, I'm not upset," Bralsa soothed. "But you are far too young to be giving up. A beggar's life is not a good one."

Vanya sighed, "If I run out of money, I may have no choice."

"Then, you'll have no choice. But for now, wait."


Vanya returned to the Retching Netch in slightly better spirits. Upon entering she nearly bumped into Drovas at the door, who was carrying a pack on his shoulder that looked suspiciously like all his personal belongings.

"Farewell!" He said cheerfully as he breezed past and out of the building. Thoroughly confused, Vanya headed down the stairs to the tavern to find Geldis. She approached the counter and could hear him muttering to himself in the kitchen. Walking behind the counter, she peeked into the room. "Geldis?"

"You know, is it too much to ask for him to at least finish out the day? The damned courier is still out there finishing his drink and the fetcher has already run off!" He tossed a dirty plate into a bucket of water with a splash.

"Drovas quit?" It figured that he'd only sound friendly when saying goodbye.

"The messenger out there came from Tel Mithryn. Apparently, Master Neloth requires a new steward and Drovas seems to think he's ideal for the job." Geldis sighed, "I suppose with his haughty attitude he'll fit right in with the Telvanni. Still, you'd think after so many years he'd do me the courtesy of a little notice."

"I'm sorry, Geldis. " Vanya didn't much like Drovas but Geldis seemed to care for him. She wondered how many years he'd been employed, considering the Dunmer lifespan.

"I don't have time to be sorry, I've got to get cleaned up from breakfast and get lunch going, clean the bar, sweep the entryway..."

"Geldis!" Vanya interrupted his frenzy. He stopped and looked at her, slightly annoyed. She gestured toward herself dramatically, "Perhaps I can help? Not like I've got anywhere else to be."

"My dear!" He approached her with his arms outstretched, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Yes, yes. In time you can learn the drink and food but if you would help me clean, Vanya, you will more than earn your keep."

Vanya smiled widely. That was fast. She would have to ask Bralsa if she could see the future.

"First I'll have you clean these dishes and when you're finished I'll give you the next task. I'm going to begin preparations for lunch." Geldis hurried off and Vanya got to work.