Vanya awoke to a tickling sensation on her nose, sniffing as she tried to rub it away only for it to come right back. Her senses began to sharpen, picking up the feeling of sheets on her bare skin that was mostly enveloped by the warmth of another body. She opened her eyes suddenly, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of the familiar room. She looked down at the top of Teldryn's head that was very tightly nuzzled against her breasts. She ran her fingers over the surprisingly coarse hair of his mohawk then down the back of his head to his shoulders, almost disbelieving what they'd done. She'd never felt that way before, the memory recurring as if it had happened to someone else. But here they were.

She could feel the hair of his chest against her ribs and stomach, and her rumpled camisole still around her waist and she giggled into his hair at the fact that he'd literally put her to bed just how she was. He had apparently decided to be her blanket as well, judging by the way he was wrapped around her. Although, there wasn't much choice there seeing as they were in a single bed.

He stirred, asking groggily, "What's so funny?"

"You."

He rolled his head back, eyeing her sleepily. "Why?"

"You're just cute, is all."

"Hmph," he said pressing his face back onto her chest, sighing as tightened his hold on her waist. She closed her arms around his head, reveling in the heat of his long, slow breaths as he drifted back to sleep. I wonder what time it is?

Judging by the way she felt, they'd slept for quite a while and it was likely nearing time for her to get back to work for the evening. She pressed her hand to his forehead, tilting his head away from her chest.

"Teldryn, I probably need to get up."

He winced and pressed back into her. "No."

She laughed, scolding, "Teldryn, I have to work!"

"You have to stay with me," he said as he rolled on top of her, kissing a trail up her neck before stopping her laugh by closing his mouth over hers. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his back, their kiss so deep she could scarcely breathe. She could feel him, hard against her leg and she opened herself up, ready for him to quench the burning he was stoking inside her. He lifted his hips and reached between her legs, drawing a whimper from her as his long fingers explored her wetness. She nipped at his lower lip, raking her nails up his back as he prodded deeper and she arched into his palm, panting.

"I need you," she said breathlessly. He groaned softly onto her cheek and drew his fingers away, preparing to follow her command.

There was a knock at the door.

They locked eyes for a moment before he turned his head toward the door, blinking angrily.

"Teldryn- " She was cut off as he pushed up from the bed, stalking across the room for his pants. As he pulled them on, Vanya couldn't help but admire how gorgeous he was. Broad muscles from sword fighting spanned his back, angling sharply to a cut waist- the sight of which made her lick her lips. His long limbs were well-built and the gods help her if his butt was not chiseled perfection. Her admiration was interrupted as he reached for the door handle.


"Wait!" Vanya squeaked as she hopped up, running to the other side of the room as she tried to straighten her smock. "I don't want to be seen like this."

He realized that the bed was in clear view from the door and he wholeheartedly agreed with her sentiment. He waited until she was by the table, his frustration deepening as she picked up her clothing to put it on.

"Who is it?" he called through the door sharply.

"Geldis."

He scowled as he pulled the door open, leaning on the doorframe.

"What is so important, Geldis?" he said, making no attempt to mask his irritation.

The barkeep frowned at his state of undress. "Ah..." Geldis said, squinting. "Is Vanya with you?"

Teldryn hummed affirmatively through tight lips, trying to pierce the other man with his glare.

"Oh dear, well...ah...if you would..." Geldis said as he raised his voice a little to ensure she would hear. "Tell her that it's nearly supper time and she's needed in the kitchen." He pursed his lips and gave a curt nod then turned on his heel to retreat down the hallway.

Teldryn spoke loudly to the space where Geldis had just been. "She fuckin' knows that!" He slammed the door and raked his fingers over his head, sorely lamenting his stolen pleasure.

Vanya laughed. "Poor Geldis."

"Yes, poor Geldis," he muttered. She snaked her arms around his waist and he pressed her closer as she gave him a sly grin, her fingers drawing lightly up his back.

"You know," she said, her breath whispering at his chin. "I don't have to work in the morning and with the training yard occupied..." She kissed his jaw lightly. "I see no reason to get up early, do you?"

"None at all," he replied as he curled his fingers under her tunic, returning kisses to her chin and going for her neck. She pressed a hand to his chest and pushed away, stepping back with that reprimanding look he liked so well.

"See you at supper?" she asked as her fingers trailed down, hooking into the waistband of his breeches. "Or do you think you can handle it?"

"You'd better go," he warned. She bit her lip as she turned to leave and it took all his willpower to not grab her and pull her back to bed. Once the door was closed he sighed, feeling somewhat bereft and not just because of his aching member. He would go out for supper but it was still early. In the meantime, he wanted to sleep a while longer. How that woman seemed so well rested after only a few hours was beyond him. He fell face first onto the pillow, smiling at the alluring scent she left. He breathed deeply of juniper and hearth fire as he drifted off.


Vanya hurried through the kitchen, glad to be away from the curious eyes of the patrons that she was convinced knew exactly what she'd been doing only moments before. Niyya spotted her as she tried to run to their bedroom.

"Hey!" Niyya called after her, catching the door before it could close. "You were with Teldryn, weren't you?" She backed away as the redguard followed her with a penetrating gaze that widened in understanding at her utter failure in looking innocent.

"By the gods..." Niyya breathed and Vanya covered her face with her hands as a furious blush bloomed over it. Niyya grabbed her wrists, pulling her arms down. "You were with him alright," she said, nodding as a smirk pulled at the corners of her mouth. "So what happened, how was it? Tell me!"

"Niyya, please." Vanya pulled her wrists free. "I need to wash up."

"I bet you do!" Niyya said with a laugh.

Vanya gasped, trying to look outraged before giving in and falling on the bed. Niyya sat down next to her, eyes twinkling.

"Honestly, I don't even know how to describe it. He's just...he makes me feel..." She narrowed her eyes at the cracks in the ceiling as she searched her mind for an accurate word, coming up empty. "I don't know, but I didn't want to leave."

Niyya pressed a hand to her shoulder. "I'm so happy for you."

Vanya rolled to her side, propping her head up on her hand. "I have a favor to ask you. Can you get Geldis to help you with the water tomorrow morning?" She gave a cheeky grin as Niyya raised her eyebrows.

"Making up for lost time, hm?"

"Ahem."

They both looked toward the door where Geldis was standing with his arms crossed, gazing at them coolly. He dropped his arms and turned away, muttering, "In the future, I'm hiring old maids."

Vanya hid her face in her blanket while Niyya tutted, "What's his problem?"


Vanya sipped at the edge of the ladle, smacking her lips as she decided whether the ash-hopper stew needed another pinch of salt. She turned when she heard Geldis sputtering incoherently, seeing Bralsa striding into the kitchen waving her hand in dismissal.

"Ah, come off it," she said. "This isn't some a royal keep! I just want to have a quick word with Vanya."

He rolled his eyes and gave up, turning back to the bar.

"Hey," Vanya greeted with a smile.

"Hey." Bralsa eyed her curiously. "So is he still sulking in his room, or what?"

Vanya arched an eyebrow and picked up the bowl of salt, sprinkling a little bit over the stew. "Probably."

The dunmer sidled closer, scrutinizing. "But you've gone to see him."

She glanced up from the pot, nodding.

"And..."

"And..." she repeated, glad her face was already flushed from the heat of the hearth. "Nothing happened," she said with a smirk as she brought the ladle to her lips once again, sliding her eyes to her friend's disbelieving face as she took a sip.

Bralsa's gaze narrowed to red slits. "You fucked him."

Vanya coughed the broth back into the ladle, turning away from the pot while wiping her chin. "For God's sake..." she muttered as she crossed the room to the wash bucket.

Bralsa laughed as she followed her. "Can't say I didn't expect it at some point, just..." She leaned against the counter as Vanya scrubbed the ladle intently, watching for a moment before continuing, "Well, I guess that's one way to make up. Maybe now he'll be less of a kagouti." Vanya glanced up, confused, and she clarified, "Less mean."

"Oh." Vanya pressed her lips together, remembering his reaction to Geldis' untimely interruption. "That depends..."


Teldryn sat down at his table in the tavern, the action suddenly causing him to reflect on all that had occurred since the last time he was in this chair. He gazed out over the room, everything looked the same and he inwardly gloated over the divine secrets he'd uncovered only hours before.

Geldis cast him a rather inscrutable look and Teldryn pursed his lips. Not quite as secret as he would have liked.

Niyya was working the floor and it seemed to him the glances he was receiving from her were a little too knowing. She finally approached him with a mug in hand, setting it in front of him with a grin. "Courtesy of Bralsa," she said with a quirk of her brow before turning to leave.

He ran his tongue over his teeth as he looked at the drink then slid his eyes to where Bralsa was sitting with a group. She winked conspicuously before turning her attention back to her companions.

Mephala's bloody web, do women communicate telepathically? He shook his head as he brought the mug to his lips. He really didn't want to know.


She was finished preparing Teldryn's meal and Niyya had not yet returned to pick it up. It simply wouldn't do for it to cool so she decided to take it to him. Besides, it was fairly late and she didn't have many other orders to make.

He was leaning against the wall in his seat, the tip of his pipe resting between barely parted lips as smoke wafted between them. He noticed her approach and did not move except for the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Hello, stranger," Vanya said as she set his plate on the table. "You look familiar. Come here often?"

His eyes roamed her openly as he blew the rest of the smoke from his mouth. "I'm not going to answer that."

She arched her brow. "Mysterious," she said saucily as she turned away, making sure flip her hair a little as she strode back to the kitchen, her heart fluttering wildly.


He scraped the remains of his meal onto his fork and brought it to his mouth, pushing the plate away lightly once he was finished. He leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh, contemplating. There was still some time to endure before he could steal Vanya away.

He should probably bathe.


Vanya collected Teldryn's empty plate, the man nowhere to be seen, most likely gone to his room. She hurried back to the kitchen to finish the washing and was met with dancing lavender eyes as she entered.

"Give me those," Niyya said as she reached for the dishes. "You have somewhere to be."

Vanya smiled as she gladly handed them over. "First I have to get some things." She ran to her room for her basket, throwing in her sleeping gown then headed back to the kitchen for some snacks.

Niyya laughed as she watched her. "How long are you planning to stay exactly?"

"Just through the morning," she said as she picked up a bottle of wine and two goblets. "but I'm not coming out until then."

"Go on, then."

Geldis was wiping down the counter as she passed him and he paused when he saw the basket on her arm, his brow furrowing.

"Goodnight," Vanya chirped, feeling her cheeks reddening as she trotted away from the barkeep and down the hallway.