Blue Palace, Solitude, 11th of Hearthfire 4E 203
One of the first things Aurora had ordered as she arrived in Solitude was to completely refurbish the Jarl's quarters. The whole palace had been of stone – the floors, walls and most of the ceilings, forming a cold atmosphere that the new Jarl did not appreciate. New, wooden panels were put up around the walls, and even though they were the cheapest Bryling could find and therefore rather basic, Aurora preferred them over the stone. Either way, they were merely a short term solution, as the Jarl expected to receive expensive gifts from wealthy visitors. Her Thanes thought Aurora was being a cheapskate, but the woman herself considered her to be quite thrifty as she had saved at least a few thousand septims.
The floor was now wooden too, and Aurora had bought a few carpets from a Khajiit caravan. Most of the floor area was covered with carpets in yellow, red and brown tones with patterns.
Two sets of curtains framed the windows – one heavy, dark red layer, and one of light fabric in a yellow tone. The same light fabric hang around her bed.
She had also placed a sitting group of matching colour between the bed and the dressing room, with the sofa turned towards the bed. Her almost empty wardrobe shared the small room with the dressing table. Some of the walls had bookshelves covering them.
Over all, Aurora was quite happy with her chamber. The fabrics and pillows made it feel rather homely.
"Aurora, if this party will be as dull as the last one, you should really consider throwing your own, otherwise, the levels of boredom will squeeze the life spark out of your citizens," Olfina said, throwing the book down on the sofa table.
Aurora was leaning over her bed, putting on a tunic. It was part of the guards' uniform and a last minute fix, being beige and boring, but she had no dresses. Her old leather trousers were too muddy from the war, so she had bought a usable pair from the local Radiant Raiment.
"Are you wearing that?" Olfina asked, wrinkling her forehead.
Aurora looked up with a confused expression at the woman who was sitting in the sofa. "Yes. Why?"
Olfina looked to the floor, then back at Aurora. "No… it's just that it's…" she began.
Aurora raised her fist and made a jokingly angry, threatening grimace, understanding that the outfit was not really fit for a Jarl.
Olfina raised her hands in an irritated manner. "… Lovely," she said and wrinkled her eyebrows.
Aurora chuckled as she pulled the tunic over her head.
"Seriously, Aurora, it's ghastly," Olfina said as she walked up to the bed. "Do you want me to lend you a dress?"
"It's alright," Aurora said. "I don't think your dresses would fit me."
Olfina looked at the top of Aurora's head as the woman stood up, reaching after her trousers.
"Why? You're only an inch or so taller than I," she said, still looking at the top of Aurora's head.
Aurora pulled her chin to her throat and raised an eyebrow, looking at Olfina whilst dropping her trousers. "I'm at least fifteen pounds heavier than you are. Have you seen these?" she asked and flexed her bicep in a jokingly provocative manner.
"Yeah, yeah, you show off" Olfina said, rolling her eyes. "I have dresses with loose sleeves."
"… And these?" Aurora continued, turning around and flexing her shoulder muscles, for what she made herself deserving of the shoulder slap Olfina decided to grant her. "They won't fit!" Aurora hissed. "Besides, some of the ones I ordered should be delivered soon."
Soon, Idgrod entered and saw the half dressed Aurora standing by the bed, preparing to put her trousers on. "Oh, sorry!" the Nord exclaimed.
Olfina bent her back, looking at Idgrod past Aurora. "Hey, we're soldiers, it's not as if we had any convenient privacy at war, get in."
Idgrod smiled quickly and nervously before walking up to the other women. Aurora noticed that the heiress was wearing the same dress she wore to the last party, that had taken place merely a week ago. As opposed to Olfina, Idgrod wore no necklace, bracelets or rings. Olfina's uncle, the Jarl of Whiterun Hold had sent her a beautiful diadem, with which she had come running to Aurora's cabinet as soon as it was delivered.
No one could deny that Olfina looked absolutely stunning. Her facial features were sharp and elegant, and even though her warrior's body was muscular, it was not manly. The dresses her uncle had sent her were expensive and enhanced the woman's every feature. It was as if every detail was thought of, from the buttons to the corset and skirts.
Aurora walked up to the full sized mirror, gazed into it and realised that she in turn, looked like an under dressed soldier. "Should I put some jewelry on?" she asked Olfina, turning her head.
"Yes!" Olfina said.
Aurora had access to some of the Hold's precious stones, but it felt like making a lot of fuzz if she would ask someone to get them. Besides, she had not looked through them all, and it did feel slightly uncomfortable wearing them, knowing that they had once belonged to Elisif.
"On the other hand, if I put my hair up…" she began and pulled her hair up messily with her hands.
"Woah, you are beautiful in that dress!" Idgrod exclaimed, looking at Olfina.
Olfina grinned like a schoolgirl, absolutely shining with pride.
"Didn't know you had it in you, tomboy," Aurora said, still looking in the mirror.
"Just because I don't like parading around in a barely there dress doesn't mean I'm not for looking my best at times," Olfina said.
Aurora grinned sarcastically at the woman. She was referring to the time outside of Skaven, when Aurora had been given a somewhat see through, Redguard dress and enjoyed the gazes of the men. Idgrod did not know this and appeared to be confused – looking from Olfina to Aurora and back.
"Shall we go?" Olfina asked. "We're already late."
Aurora dropped her hair. "Yeah, let's go."
The Jarl's friends followed her out of her chamber, down the stairs and out of the palace. Eirikur's house was a mere two minute walk from the Blue Palace, however, the nightly hour made it chilly outside. Solitude had a colder climate than Whiterun or Falkreath, and it appeared as it would be a particularly cold autumn in the year of 4E 203. Aurora had begun to feel conscious over not owning any appropriate clothing – it still felt odd not to be a soldier anymore. A year ago, she would not pay much attention to sweaty tunics or dirty trousers, however, now it was as if every citizen turned their gazes at her in amazement over her choice of clothing. Everyone, not just her would be made feel uncomfortable if they were in her shoes, the woman thought.
Olfina was complaining over her situation in life every moment she was given the possibility, but she thrived in the long, heavy dresses her uncle sent her. It did not show in a vulgar way, but rather in the way she shone when wearing them. Her posture had changed, and her walk was more feminine – that was the magic of beautiful dresses, Aurora thought and chuckled. The Jarl herself did not quite know how to adapt what she was wearing to the position of being Jarl. Her masculine walk had to go, she thought, but as she did not have the support from elegant, silk drapes, it looked more to the uncomfortable side. The woman thought of how Idgrod appeared, and with horror, she realised that their body language must be similar.
Suddenly, Aurora regretted not allowing Olfina lend her one of her dresses. Vittoria was bound to make a rude comment over the way she looked, and even though the bitch's comments did not affect Aurora, it was still annoying to be looked on by others as Vittoria vomited insults.
Music was heard as the trio approached the house. It appeared as if Gisli once again had paid members of the Bards College to perform – this was one of the few good things about the woman's parties. As Aurora, followed by Olfina and Idgrod walked inside, they immediately spotted about two dozen people, not counting the performers. Gisli was standing in the far end of the living room, speaking to Bryling, while the hostess' brother, Thane Eirikur was looking into his wine glass, appearing to listening to an older nobleman's boring chatter. Vecheslav and Ratibor were standing in a corner, looking as if they were in the middle of a private conversation.
Gisli loved hearing the Bards College students perform, which resulted in music always being heard at her evening mingle events, and that night, it had the unfortunate consequence of Bogdan dancing. It was not as awkward as it was bizarre, Aurora thought. The man did not move much, but sometimes, one arm flew out and made a circle in a very casual manner. He bent his knees in tact with the drum, and pulled his shoulders back, giving his arms momentum as they swung forwards – all this whilst looking awfully relaxed and at peace with himself.
"Oh dear Gods," Olfina uttered.
"Who is that idiot?" Idgrod asked.
Aurora turned her attention to the two women next to her and noticed they were staring at Bogdan. Olfina appeared almost bored, or as if it was below her dignity to look at him. Idgrod had wrinkled her face and looked at the man in shock."Eeh... I think he's Lord Goldwine," Aurora answered.
"Which one?" Idgrod asked.
"The younger, I guess," the Jarl spoke.
"Sticky fingers", Olfina uttered and held her hands up, moving her fingers back and forth close to Idgrod.
Aurora had heard that the younger Goldwine brother had quite a reputation, but she was sure Olfina and Idgrod knew more of it than she did. It did come across as strange to Aurora that Bogdan was a ladies' man who was known for seducing young maidens. To her, it simply did not make sense, and she did not quite understand how anyone could find Bogdan attractive, especially since she had heard so many smearing comments about him from noble women. Aurora saw a certain charm in the man, however, she was also quite sure she was one of the few to do so. Even though she felt that way, she saw the man as sexually unattractive – his charm was that of a peculiar dog, or of a horse with a lot of character.
"Indeed, but his brother seemed alright," Idgrod said.
The woman looked to Ratibor, who was still speaking to Vecheslav, not noticing anyone else around them. It appeared as their conversation became rather heated, even though the men appeared to be whispering to one another. Ratibor had changed into an elegant, velvet suit, but he still wore the same black leather trousers, tunic and boots.
"Hello," a sudden, high-pitched tone was heard.
Aurora, Olfina and Idgrod all turned around instantly to see what mouse the sound appeared to have come from.
"My name is Aggrippina and I'm a writer. I heard you're the Jarl."
"I guess I am..." Aurora began.
"Great! I've been meaning to speak to you."
The tiny, little woman barely reached to Aurora's chest, and her voice was the most irritating one the Jarl had ever heard of a twenty to thirty year-old. Aggrippina was thin like a rope, with arms the width of Aurora's hair, when worn in a tail. It was blonde and neatly put up in a twist at the back of her head. Her face was heart shaped, with the chin being excessively pointy, the cheeks surprisingly apply for such a thin woman, and the eyebrows a bit too short to give her face proportion. She had hazel coloured eyes, somewhat reminiscent of the Jarl's, but with light lashes.
"I wish to publish a weekly news pamphlet that would reach all over Skyrim," the woman stated.
"Alright..." Aurora said skeptically.
"We would really need some space, though... And as you're the Jarl..."
"How can I help you?" the Jarl asked, starting to feel very annoyed over hearing the little woman speak. She wished to have the torture of her ears over with as quickly as possible.
"We would need permission to use some land," Aggrippina confidently stated, straightening her back. Aurora was surprised to find that the woman gained a quarter of an inch by doing so.
"Alright, if you could just write down what you want and come and see me tomorrow, that would be great."
"Great!" the woman exclaimed before turning around and happily walking away.
"Oh dear, what's wrong with her?" Olfina asked.
Aurora chuckled and playfully hit Olfina on her upper arm before continuing forward towards where Gisli had been standing moments earlier. The Thane's sister was speaking to a young woman Aurora did not know, and did not notice the Jarl. As the trio were seven yards away from the hostess, Vittoria Vici walked past them and blocked their path.
"Ah, Aurora, sorry, I didn't quite realise that it was you at first. You reminded me of a…" she began, spinning her hand around, looking for a suitable word. "Well, a chef or something."
Aurora threw a quick gaze at the Emperor's cousin. As usual, she wore a dress worthy her position and a matching arrogance. Her clothing was made of a heavy, green velvet. The corset had silvery, decorative patterns sewn into it, and her shoes were shining like a mirror. A neat, but elegant tiara adorned her head, and the woman wore matching earrings and necklace. Aurora felt even more self conscious than previously in her tunic and leather trousers, and began to regret her decision of not wearing any jewelry of her own.
"Ah, Vittoria, looking like an Olaf Tree as usual," Aurora answered. "You know, the Burning of Olaf festival is a fortnight away, there's no need to be impatient."
The Jarl gave Vittoria a quick and insincere smile and walked away, followed by Olfina and Idgrod.
The women spoke to Gisli and walked around the manor, greeting some other guests before taking a glass of wine. Aurora looked forward to introduce the Goldwines to Olfina and Idgrod – she was convinced the women would come to like the brothers. Vecheslav could be a potential friend for Olfina and Idgrod too, Aurora believed.
Ratibor caught Aurora's gaze from across the room a few minutes after the Jarl had spoken to Gisli. The Jarl raised her head and smiled, and the heir to Kvatch understood the hint she was giving. The man walked up to the trio and bowed his head, slowly and with great honour.
"Ladies," he said as he straightened his back.
As the man was now closer, Aurora had a chance to get a better look of his clothes. The velvet jacket did indeed suit him rather well, and the black jabot made the outfit just enough formal to be combined with the black leather trousers. The man had also carefully made a parting in his hair and pressed the hairs to where they belonged. The front part of his bangs was parted slightly to the left of his widow's peak, and every single one of the natural waves fell softly on his shoulders. The bangs were shorter, framing his face at the jawbone.
Aurora smiled at the man – the situation did bring her pleasure. He was charming to the allowed degree of formality and appeared quite gentlemanly. The Jarl quickly gazed at Idgrod, who appeared to be delighted and liking his gesture.
"Lord Ratibor Goldwine of Kvatch, this is Olfina Gray-Mane of Whiterun Hold," Aurora smiled, presenting the women in the correct order as required by the social norms.
Ratibor reached after Olfina's right hand, gently touching her fingers with his before bowing deeply. He looked her in the eyes for as long as he bowed, and when her hand was in the level of his nose, he lowered his gaze to her knuckle. The man placed his thumb over her fingers and touched it with his lips. Idgrod looked as if she would burst of excitement as she anticipated the man to greet her the same way. Olfina, however, was not impressed.
"... And Idgrod the younger of Hjaalmarch," Aurora said and held her hand up towards Idgrod, presenting her to Ratibor.
The man smiled a little and bowed for Idgrod too. The heir to Hjaalmarch was smiling from ear to ear and looked to the side, not daring to lock eyes with the Goldwine. Aurora did not care much for Idgrod's girlish behaviour, as she was intrigued by Olfina's all but sunny expression.
"A pleasure to meet you, miladies," Ratibor said as he straightened out after greeting Idgrod.
The man looked at Olfina, then at Idgrod, either not noticing Olfina's expression, or simply ignoring it out of respect for his and her positions. It was obvious that he expected either Idgrod or Olfina to say something, as did Aurora. Three or four seconds passed before Olfina opened her mouth.
"Sure..." she said hesitantly, looking strangely at him.
A longer silence followed. Aurora looked at Ratibor, smiling uncomfortably, soundlessly excusing the situation. Ratibor moved his head barely a quarter of an inch, but managed to make it clear that he had understood the Jarl.
"So," Idgrod said, obviously feeling the tension. "What do you do for a living, lord Goldwine?" she asked, looking at Ratibor.
"He's the Count's son," Olfina hissed. "He doesn't work."
Aurora, Idgrod and Ratibor's gazes were all quickly turned to Olfina. The women were too shocked by their friend's sudden outburst to say anything that could cover up for her. Ratibor, on the other hand, straightened his back, cleared his throat in order to gain the women's attention, and kindly, but with determination, began to speak:
"Actually, I do," he said. "I put up plays."
Idgrod raised her eyebrows, looking at Ratibor and overdid her surprised expression before turning to her friend. "Olfina, just because you don't do anything doesn't mean that all other nobles follow your example," she joked.
Aurora and Ratibor understood that Idgrod merely wished to ease the situation by breaking the ice with that phrase. In most cases, it would probably have worked considering both Ratibor and Olfina's informal attitude towards their respective friends. The joke hurt the former soldier more than Idgrod anticipated, though.
"I took part in the war!" she hissed. "I am the only member of my family that participated in combat!"
"Calm, Olfie," Idgrod said. "It was just a joke."
It proved impossible to calm the woman, though. It was evident that Idgrod immediately regretted her words, and that she did not know what to say to make it better. Aurora found it extremely embarrassing that the Goldwine's first meeting with Skyrim nobility in Solitude resulted in a rude outburst.
"I was in Chorrol, and I know that the heir to Kvatch wasn't defending his county like a man," Olfina continued angrily.
"Olfina," Aurora said, turning towards her friend with a stern expression. "Don't be rude," she spoke through bitten teeth.
"It is true that I wasn't in Kvatch," Ratibor said, attracting the women's attention. He spoke calmly, but in a determined manner – almost like a Governor who disciplined an unruly child whom his position did not allow to raise his voice at. "But neither was I in Chorrol. I happened to live in the Imperial City when the war began."
"And we saved your sorry arses," Olfina concluding the heated discussion.
Idgrod looked at her friend, unable to drop her surprised expression. Aurora was boiling inside. She had been looking forward to introduce the group of friends to one another and felt that Olfina had ruined what should have been a pleasant start of a new friendship. Ratibor lost his patience too. He leaned forwards, closer to Olfina.
"And what were you given for it? You aren't in the army, meaning that you are being financially supported by your family and obliged to fulfil their wishes. You are a prisoner, mighty warrior," he said, smiled in a fake manner, bowed for Olfina, then Aurora and Idgrod, and turned his heel.
Olfina looked like she was about to explode. "That... skeever!" she exclaimed after Ratibor had left, returning to Vecheslav in the other side of the chamber. "Who does he think he is?"
"Olfina, in his defense... you came across as rather antagonising," Idgrod began.
"I will crush him, mark my words!" Olfina continued, still looking at the older Goldwine brother.
Suddenly, Aurora felt two hands on her waist and jumped. She turned her head and noticed Bogdan standing behind her. "What's all the noise for?" he asked in his usual, drunkenly calm manner.
"No, not another one!" Olfina sighed, throwing her hands in the air and walking away.
Aurora chuckled. "Lord Bogdan Goldwine – Idgrod the Younger of Hjaalmarch," she said.
Bogdan let go of Aurora's waist with his right arm and placed himself on the woman's right side, still having his left arm around her back. This awfully informal action surprised Idgrod, who had been anticipating Bogdan to bow and kiss her hand, like his brother had. The heiress to Hjaalmarch probably felt somewhat silly being left hanging.
"What do you think of the gathering?" Aurora asked, happily smiling at Bogdan.
The younger Goldwine turned his face towards the woman he was embracing with one arm, his hair bouncing in the process. "I know of most people here already," he said and shrugged his shoulders, looking at Aurora with his half-open, big eyes. "Well, I don't know the Skyrim nobility very well of course, but I think I'll leave them to my brother."
Suddenly, Idgrod began to giggle, and Bogdan turned his gaze towards her. The man appeared to be somewhat confused, and even though this was almost his natural state, it made Aurora chuckle too.
"Oh, Ratibor didn't exactly befriend Olfina Grey-Mane of Whiterun," Aurora explained.
"Fear not, lord Goldwine," Idgrod began. "I am sure your brother is a perfect gentleman. Lady Grey-Mane is simply a bit irritated over the situation she ended up in after the war, and she might have said something antagonising," she smiled.
Bogdan looked at her as if he could not care the slightest bit of what the young woman had said. "Why would I be interested in my brother's disagreement with some lady Grey-Mane?" he asked as if Idgrod had informed him of the density of an ice troll's fur. "I simply needed a reason to approach Ace."
"No you didn't!" Aurora giggled, looking at the man.
"No, perhaps I didn't," he smiled drunkenly and characteristically widely, exposing his teeth, which were all straight, but had gaps between every single one of them.
"You... know one another already?" Idgrod asked.
"Yes," Aurora smiled, now looking at Idgrod. "I met the Goldwines in the Imperial City by the end of the war. He's the reason I didn't marry Ulfric."
"Oh, you are marrying lord Goldwine?" Idgrod asked, surprised.
"No, not at all!" Aurora laughed. "It's just thanks to him I realised I couldn't be Ulfric's bride," she continued, looking at Bogdan who appeared to be at peace as always.
"Oh," Idgrod said.
Aurora smiled at Idgrod's surprised expression before walking away, leaving Bogdan and the heiress to Hjaalmarch on their own. Both of them followed Aurora with their gazes for a few seconds before turning their attention to one another again.
"Lord Goldwine," Idgrod began.
"Bogdan," he interrupted.
"Bogdan…" Idgrod smiled, curious to find out more of the eccentric gentleman and son of the Count of Kvatch. "Tell me about yourself."
The man looked at her like on an idiot for three seconds before walking away, leaving Idgrod even more baffled.
Bogdan's older brother was standing by one of the windows and smoking a nightshade stick as Vecheslav walked up to him. He appeared to have recovered from their heated whispering some fifteen minutes prior. As he placed himself a foot away from Ratibor, the Goldwine turned to him.
"Well, this isn't dull," he said sarcastically. "Eupaxia was such a great hostess…"
"Why didn't you marry her?" Vecheslav asked with genuine, albeit subtle confusion.
Ratibor held eye contact with Vecheslav for a few seconds before starting blinking quickly to enhance the absurdity of the man's comment. "I'm sorry, what?"
"You heard me. She would have been a good marriage. Her family is rich."
"I've known her since I was eighteen. She was fourteen then and a child."
"You could have married her now," Vecheslav spoke and turned his gaze blindly out in the chamber.
"I grew up with her, she is like a sister to me," Ratibor spoke directly to Vecheslav before turning his head too. "Besides, it's not as if I need anymore crazy in my family."
"Eupaxia isn't crazy," Vecheslav stated and turned towards Ratibor.
"You don't know her as well as I do," Ratibor said, answering Vecheslav's direct gaze. "She did take it easier after her engagement to the Countess' of Chorrol's son, but oh Gods, she can be absolutely wild."
Vecheslav chuckled. "Isn't that what you like?"
Ratibor grinned and shrugged his shoulders as he blew out smoke. He looked behind him on the window sill and took his wine glass, which he had placed there as he had lit the smoking stick. The older Goldwine brother took a sip of the wine before placing the glass back and turning towards his friend.
"Shall we call it a night? This is as boring as it could be."
"Sure," Vecheslav said.
They noticed Gisli standing with Vittoria Vici on the other side of the chamber and began moving towards the hostess through the gathering of people. This was when Aurora noticed that the men had their gazes firmly set at Gisli, and realised that it could only mean one thing. The woman intercepted them half way through the chamber.
"Are you going already?" she asked, placing a hand on Vecheslav's arm, making him turn around, noticing Aurora, and placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, so that he would stop and turn around too.
"Yes, lady Stormblade. It is late," Ratibor spoke.
Aurora looked at the man. He appeared rather solemn and calm, probably implying that he was as bored as she was. The woman had seen him drunkenly fornicating with a prostitute in the Imperial City after the war, and therefore did not believe in his excuse for heading back home at this hour. As she was thinking what to answer in order to prolong the evening, Bogdan showed up behind her and clung onto her by placing an arm around her.
"Shall we leave? Finally, this was awful."
"Good night, lady Stormblade," Vecheslav spoke, bowing his head.
"Wait, aren't you coming with us?" Bogdan asked, turning his gaze at Aurora.
Aurora's first reaction had been worrying for not being invited to the Goldwines, but it was soon replaced by a slight shock caused by Bogdan's very intensive gaze. His characteristic look felt like as if it was drilling a hole into her head, and from a distance of merely a few inches, it was somewhat overwhelming.
"Let's go outside," Ratibor spoke, looking at Gisli, who was standing five yards away, still speaking to Vittoria.
Vecheslav raised his head quickly, thereby gesturing towards the door. Bogdan happily looked down to the floor in order not to step on something as he, still clinging on to Aurora, moved towards the exit. As they passed the gates, the Goldwine brothers, Vecheslav and Aurora stopped, looking at one another.
"Let's go to Proudspire and get drunk," Ratibor suggested.
The man pulled his fingers through his hair and thereby messed it up somewhat. Bogdan let go of Aurora and stuck his hands in his trouser pockets, creating huge creases in his tunic, which was too long and too big for him. The shoulder seams were at least two inches down his arms.
"We don't have anything to get drunk on yet," Bogdan spoke in his characteristic, half-drunkenly manner.
"I can fix that," Aurora said. "There's an advantage with being Jarl – I have full access to the wine cellar," she grinned.
"I'll help you with that," Ratibor spoke, smiling widely.
Aurora turned her gaze at him and winked. "Good, then see you guys later," she said to Vecheslav and Bogdan.
Vecheslav bowed his head and turned around, walking towards Proudspire. Bogdan quickly raised his chin before following Vecheslav, albeit at half his pace. Aurora looked at Ratibor again, who was in a good mood. He smiled at her with his eyes half closed and offered his arm. Aurora gladly placed her right hand on it, and so they turned towards the palace.
Ratibor's hand was not big, and even though he had never worked a day as a manual labourer in his life, it was still robust. His fingers were wide and very much a grown man's, as opposed to his brother's – which were chubby like a toddler's. Ratibor's were warm and confidently, albeit softly, held Aurora's small, ring and middle finger. The woman's index finger rested lightly against his, and her thumb barely touched his knuckles.
Aurora felt her mood improving and decided to jump slightly to her left, take a small step with her right foot, then her left, before jumping to the right and repeating the waltz step. Ratibor looked at her as she jumped the first time and grinned, thinking of what to do. A moment later, as the woman looked up at him, he neatly changed his left hand for his right and placed the left one at Aurora's lower back. She stopped and turned towards him, smiling happily as she placed her right hand on his shoulder. "And… one and two, one and two," he grinned as they polka stepped towards the palace. A guard opened the door as Ratibor and Aurora jumped inside, stopping in the lobby, still laughing and with their left and right arm respectively placed at the other's lower back.
"Thank you for the dance, milady," Ratibor grinned, jokingly bowed and took Aurora's right hand, kissing it.
Aurora bit her lip and gripped Ratibor's hand before laughingly running towards the storage area and pulling the man with her. They ran through a door and into a corridor with stone walls, floor and ceiling, lit up by torches. As they approached a wider area with a thick pillar, Aurora let go of his hand and jumped behind it. Ratibor followed, trying to catch the woman, who was giving out a screech. Aurora changed directions, avoiding her follower before stopping, allowing him to catch her. Laughing, he placed his hands on her waist and, like a pirate, gave out an arrgh, causing the woman to shriek even louder.
She broke free and continued forwards, ensuring that Ratibor could keep up with her. He chased her through the corridor with the low ceiling, past another door and into the storage room, which was of considerable size, even though they could barely stand upright. There were rows of vegetables, potatoes, cheeses and flour. Further in, there was a smaller area with ale and wine. Aurora stopped as she reached the part of the storage area, which was divided from the rest by a thin stone wall with a vault. Ratibor could not stop as quickly and ran into her, taking her with him as he fell to the ground, laughing.
"I don't mean to be rude, but that was not a party," Aurora giggled, looking up in the ceiling as she laid on her back.
Ratibor leaned on his right elbow, turning his gaze to the woman and grinning sneakily. "Be careful with what you wish for."
"Oh, I've seen my share of things in life," she grinned close to his face.
The man winked and got up to his feet, brushing off his trousers. A moment later, he held his arms out and helped Aurora up before examining the wine cellar. There were rows after rows of bottles from all regions of Tamriel. "Oh, this is nice," Ratibor said, smiling at her. "Do you see a bottle opener?"
Aurora looked around the rows, but did not see anything resembling one. Ratibor was holding a bottle, looking around too. As Aurora raised her gaze, she saw a sword hanging horisontally above the inner wall. The Goldwine noticed this and chuckled.
"Don't!" he laughed.
Aurora winked at him before climbing the shelf and reaching for the sword. She inspected it quickly before taking a random bottle with her left hand. Closing her eyes, expecting to make a complete mess out of it all, Aurora drew the sword at a steep angle. To her surprise, she only spilled a little, and the upper part of the bottleneck was divided from the rest of it with a clean cut. Surprised, and awfully happy about her skill, she put the sword down on the shelf and poured the wine into her mouth. Ratibor looked at her, grinning.
The woman almost got wine in the wrong throat and quickly closed her mouth with her free hand as Ratibor walked up to her. Holding the bottle high above his head, she urged him to open his mouth. He did so, but Aurora was awful at aiming and began to spill it over his cheek. This caused her to laugh, which resulted in even more leakage and laughter.
Aurora emptied the bottle in and outside of Ratibor's mouth and opened another bottle. The man placed his hands on his back, showing his readiness for their game. Aurora had trouble stabilising her hand as she was still giggling, and both of their tunics were quickly turning red. After a while, she held the bottle at a very steep angle to get the rest of its content out, after what Ratibor suddenly lowered his head, still with his mouth filled with wine.
"This is unfair," he grinned as he managed to swallow the mouthful of Redguard wine.
"Oh?" she asked, winking at him.
The man took another bottle before quickly, and still smiling widely, walking up to the woman. Suddenly, he had gripped her hair at the back of her neck and pulled it down slightly whilst holding the bottle to her mouth. He might be a heavy drinker, Aurora thought, but she was a warrior and would not back down from the challenge.
Egor was sitting in the sofa and reading as Vecheslav and Bogdan arrived without the older Goldwine brother.
The man looked at Bogdan first, then at Vecheslav. The younger Goldwine brother had his hands in his pockets, which according to Egor, looked awfully. His oversized tunic creased at the sides, where his arms pressed it closer to his hips, and the red colour of his clothing did not match the man's darker, wine red hair. His beard, which was about three quarters of an inch long, and brown, was unkept and added to the image of a vagabond. Egor sighed as he realised that Bogdan had not changed into something more appropriate for his debut in the Haafingar society.
"Where's Ratibor?" Egor asked.
"I'm happy to see you too," Bogdan said and sat down next to his friend, placing his left foot over the right knee.
Vecheslav remained standing by one of the fauteuils, leaning against it with his lower arms, bending over it slightly. He had made an effort, as always. His hair, which was longer than Ratibor's at nearly a foot and a half, was tied back with a dark band. What amazed Egor was that every single strand of hair stayed put.
"He and Aurora are getting something to drink," Vecheslav explained.
"Nice!" Egor grinned, turning his gaze at Vecheslav. "How was the evening? You're back early."
"It was…" Vecheslav began, seemingly trying to find a word which was not excessively harsh.
"It was Oblivion," Bogdan stated.
Egor looked at Bogdan, who was leaning back in the sofa with his hands on his thighs. The sleeves, which were too long, almost completely covered the man's hands, making him look like a pillock. Egor then turned his head towards Vecheslav. "Really?"
The tall man quickly gazed at Bogdan before looking at Egor. "Well, Bogdan isn't renowned for his diplomacy, however, I agree with him on this."
Vecheslav straightened his back, walked around the armchair and sat down in it, leaning his head against his knuckle. "That Gisli woman is the most boring hostess I've ever had the unfortune to meet," he complained. "You didn't miss anything… oh, except from the fact that lady Grey-Mane apparently made a scene when she was introduced to Ratibor."
"Are you sure you didn't mean Bogdan?" Egor grinned, first at Vecheslav, then at the younger Goldwine brother.
"Apparently my brother is now on her shit list," Bogdan spoke to the floor with a neutral tone.
"What did he say?" Egor chuckled.
"Nothing, that's the point," Vecheslav said. "She started ranting about the fact that the Goldwines weren't in Kvatch during the war."
Egor remained silent for a while whilst looking at Vecheslav. "So who's lady Grey-Mane?" he then asked the men.
"Olfina of Whiterun Hold," Vecheslav said. "Her uncle is the childless Jarl and brother of Olfina's father. The family came to power after the civil war as a result of their loyalty to the Stormcloaks and Ulfric personally. As it turned out, Olfina fought the Second Great War in Aurora's ranks."
Vecheslav leaned his head back and quickly raised, then lowered his bold, black eyebrows, and simultaneously pulled his lower lip closer to his teeth, making a there you go, that's how it is-expression.
"So she's the Jarl's favourite or something?" Egor asked.
"Seemingly, they are close friends," the tall man answered. "I don't know what influence she has on Aurora, but I don't think it's good to have her against you."
Bogdan looked at Vecheslav with a wrinkled forehead, not agreeing with the words coming out of the man's mouth. "Ace is alright, I doubt she pays much attention to that Grey-Mane and my brother's disagreement," Bogdan said.
"Since when is she Ace?" Egor asked. "Have you lost your mind?" he chuckled, looking at Bogdan.
"Bogdan was clinging onto her in public," Vecheslav said. "Sadly, Aurora doesn't quite understand the social norms of the nobility yet," he sighed.
"She didn't hit you or something?" Egor continued jokingly, looking at the younger Goldwine brother.
"Aurora is a good friend," Vecheslav said. "But perhaps you should learn to know her a little better before getting physical. She is the Jarl, after all, and if you cross the line, she won't…"
"Oh, shut it, Umbranox," Bogdan said, looking annoyed. "You wouldn't know of relations like ours," he proclaimed in an arrogantly calm manner.
"You don't have a relation to her yet!" Vecheslav hissed. "You've spent two evenings together, that's barely an acquaintanceship."
"We've been drunk together," Bogdan corrected him.
"What can one say? Bogdan is a charmer," Egor grinned and hoped that he did not look as if he was about to burst out in laughter from his own comment.
"Yeah, truly charming," Vecheslav said sarcastically. "Especially when he wakes up in bathtubs."
"Hey, Ace is the same," Bogdan said.
"You can't know that – you've barely met her," Vecheslav said, leaning forwards as he placed the lower part of his arms on his knees.
Bogdan looked at him in silence for a few seconds, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. The man's half-curly, half-wavy, wine red hair fell forwards, almost entirely covering his left eye and upper part of the cheek. Egor loved his friend, but sometimes, he simply could not understand the choices the man made.
Egor had not been given much in life, however, he had used what he had to his full advantage. He was fortunate enough to have a little talent for drawing pictures as a child and being noticed by a painter who took him under his wings. From there, Egor had worked day and night, perfecting his technique. Moreover, he had worked on his character and manners in order to appease rich patrons and potential clients, and milked the situation fully when being invited to dinner parties and other events, mingling with aristocrats. He was a somewhat short man, but knew that he had good features, and used it to his full advantage. Bogdan, on the other hand had everything – immense talent and intellect, an influential family, wealth and little responsibility. Underneath all the hair, beard and puppy fat, he even had alright looks.
Egor accepted, and even respected Bogdan for remaining fateful towards himself, not giving in to the wishes of others – his family in particular, living his own life. However, he simply could not understand why Bogdan cared so little for his looks to the extent that he allowed himself to look like a mountain troll. There was a certain charm in a messy look, but if that was what Bogdan opted for, he was overdoing it.
"How did you even meet?" Bogdan suddenly asked, prompting Egor to quickly turn his gaze towards the tall man.
"In Morrowind, I've told you," Vecheslav answered.
"No, that's not an explanation," Egor said, grinning at the man as if he was busted. "Bogdan's right, how come you knew Aurora before she became Jarl?"
To Egor's great surprise, Vecheslav seemed very uncomfortable. "It's a long story, and I bet Ratibor and Aurora will be here any minute," the man said, hoping to drop the subject.
"Come on, in short, how did you meet?" Egor persisted.
Even Bogdan leaned forwards, having noticed that the atmosphere had toughened. It was apparent to Vecheslav, that if he would try to escape the conversation, it would be too apparent that he had something to hide. Yet, them man obviously did not want them to know too much. "I was living in a small settlement, and she came by one day," Vecheslav said after a while.
"In Morrowind? What on Nirn was she doing there?" Egor asked with a teasing tone, leaning back in the sofa again.
"She was looking for a lost Companion, who was under her command," the man answered, his tone growing more serious. "He had been working for me but gone to town to make some errands, so she stayed with me for a month as she waited for him, then one more before they left."
Egor looked at him carefully. "You're not telling us everything," he said, as if calling the bluff.
"Well, why should I? It's a long story," Vecheslav said, crossing his arms.
"Fine, suit yourself," Egor said, understanding that they would get nothing out of him when the situation was as stiff as it was there and then. "But I'm with Bogdan on this one. Aurora doesn't seem pretentious. Have you seen what kind of clothing she walks around in? Besides, she showed us Proudspire personally."
"And she's bringing alcohol," Bogdan added.
"With Ratibor," Egor continued. "Which means you shouldn't worry about the lady Grey-Mane issue. It looks like Aurora is perfectly happy with the Goldwines," he stated with a grin.
Vecheslav lowered his head and looked at Egor with an annoyed gaze. "I'll go and change into something else," he then said.
The man stood up and walked towards the stairs, disappearing out of sight. Bogdan opened the coffee table next to the sofa and took a nightshade stick, lighting it on the candle, which was placed atop the table. The man then leaned back in the sofa, inhaling the smoke and slowly blowing it out of his mouth, crossing his eyes as he looked at the smoke.
"So, tell me," Egor spoke with an excited tone.
"The hostess was boring, the people were boring and seemed to have their thumbs stuck in their arses," Bogdan answered calmly, still looking at the smoke with his eyes crossed.
"Good grief, that's not very nice," Egor grinned.
"I'm not going ever again," Bogdan said, quickly turning towards Egor. "You're really not missing out by not being noble," he continued, looking down to the floor again.
"Hey, mate," Egor said, trying to dig Bogdan's gaze up. "You don't look particularly disappointed."
"That's because I'm not," the man answered, inhaling again. "I have a good feeling about Ace," he said.
Egor looked at him in silence for a few seconds before breaking out in laughter. "So…? Why are you not going with her, but your brother? Oh, and they've been away for quite some while," he grinned teasingly. "He might have his tongue down her throat by now, and what do you do?"
Bogdan looked at his friend without indignation, but obviously somewhat annoyed with the intonation Egor had used. "They can do whatever they want, I'm simply stating the fact that she seems to be alright."
Egor looked at the man, trying to call off what he believed could be a bluff. "Come on, you'd rather be under her skirt right now," he teased him.
"Firstly, trousers," Bogdan corrected him, for what Egor sighed.
"Secondly, why would you believe I'd want to sleep with her?"
"Because," Egor said, leaning forwards and holding his index finger up. "One, she's a woman. All women are lovable. Two," he said, holding his middle finger up. "She's young and attractive. Three," he said, leaning back and grinning. "She's the Jarl. That is every boy and man's dream. Imagine the possibilities," he said with a dreamy gaze, remaining quiet for the next few seconds as Bogdan blatantly stared at him. "Oh, sorry. I forgot you're a moron," Egor then added, as if he was newly awoken from his own thoughts.
Bogdan grinned with his usual smile, which enhanced the crease under his eyes, making them appear even rounder. "What possibilities?"
"Well… have you ever slept with a woman on the roof of a tower with view over the entire town?"
Bogdan wrinkled his forehead. "Why would I? Have your ever been up in a tower? It's windy up there."
"You don't understand the point… what if… for instance, have you done it in a wine cellar?"
"I have," Bogdan said as if it was the most natural thing on Nirn.
Egor stared at him, not expecting to hear those words from the younger Goldwine brother. "You what?"
"It's not convenient, really."
"When did you have sex in a wine cellar?" Egor exclaimed.
"When I was together with my cousin's Governess."
"Isn't it exciting?" Egor asked with his eyes wide open.
"No, it's scary. One can get busted anytime."
"Not if you're with the Jarl. She can order people out."
Bogdan looked at Egor with discomfort. "You're sick."
"I'm adventurous," the painter grinned, for what Bogdan threw a pillow on him. "Oh, come on! You must have thought of it."
"What?" Bogdan asked.
"How it would be to sleep with her? It's natural. She's probably ran all of us through in her head too."
"No," Bogdan spoke with a genuine tone.
Egor looked at the man, finding it difficult to trust him for a few seconds. It would be perfectly normal of any man to at least consider or fantasise of how it would be to spend a night with the women in their social circle. Then suddenly, he remembered the dancer from Cyrodiil that his friend had an obsession with for a few months. "Ah, I forgot. You only have that Kalliope on your mind," Egor recalled. "Forget it, Bogdan, you will never have her!"
The men soon heard Vecheslav's footsteps. The man had changed into a more comfortable, unbuttoned, leather coat without sleeves. He still wore his white tunic, but had opted for dark, knee-length trousers and black socks. He approached the men, placing himself close to the sofa whilst looking at the fruit bowl on the coffee table.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, choosing an apple from the bowl.
"The dancer," Egor sighed.
"Spare me," Vecheslav said, taking a bite of the fruit.
"You're worse than Bogdan," Egor said. "Thirty year old virgin," he added, whispering towards his shorter friend.
Bogdan chuckled whilst Vecheslav sat down in the armchair. "Don't you have anything more important to think of than where my or Bogdan's manhoods have or have not been?" Umbranox asked.
"It doesn't sound good when you put it like that," Egor said, lifting his gaze to the ceiling, pretending to agree with Vecheslav. He sat in silence for a while, before turning towards his tall friend with a cheeky expression. "Do you think Ratibor is nailing the Jarl?"
"Egor!" Vecheslav hissed.
"They have been gone for an awfully long time."
"Ratibor is not going to sleep with Aurora!" Vecheslav said.
"How would you know? He sleeps with everything that moves!"
"Knowing Ratibor, he wouldn't risk it for a mere affair. Even if he intends to marry her, I think he'd wait for it to be officially recognised before doing it. One wouldn't want to get on the Jarl of Haafingar's bad side."
"You don't trust his bed skill," Egor grinned.
Vecheslav rolled his eyes. "And this is why I'm friends with Ratibor and not you two schoolboys."
The trio suddenly heard a dull sound from outside, reminding of a laughter. Vecheslav wrinkled his forehead and threw a quick gaze at Egor, who was looking at him too. The tall man walked up to the window and pulled the curtain slightly to the side.
"Finally, here they come," Vecheslav said.
Egor got up on his feet and walked to the window, placing himself next to Vecheslav. Ratibor and Aurora were clinging to one another, about ten yards from the stairs leading up to Proudspire, dragging themselves forwards. The woman's white tunic had massive, red stains, and her shoulder length hair was messy. Having known Ratibor for quite some time, Egor could immediately spot when he was drunk – and this was a fine example of it.
"Hey, they might need some help," Egor grinned at Bogdan.
"Good grace, what has he done to her?" Vecheslav asked and ran to the door.
Egor followed the tall man outside, but remained at the door as Vecheslav took a grip of Ratibor. Aurora clung to the Goldwine even harder as Vecheslav began to pull his drunken friend up, making Ratibor fold in laughter and Aurora produce a happy squeal. As they reached the top of the stairs, Egor took over Ratibor, holding the man up.
"You've been gone for more than half an hour," Egor said as they entered the manor, "I didn't expect you to return."
Egor looked at Bogdan to see if he was observing the woman, who was being helped up on her feet by Vecheslav after almost falling to the floor. The younger Goldwine was merely grinning at the group.
"A bottle opener, anybody?" Aurora yelled, and placed the bottles she had been holding between her arm and chest, on the table. She was about to tip over again, but Vecheslav managed to pull her up again.
"Oh, someone's already drunk…" he said..
Aurora seemed to give up on standing on her feet and collapsed in Vecheslav's arms, laughing. Egor peaked at Ratibor, quickly observing the man's jabot and upper buttons on his tunic. They were buttoned, and the jabot did not appear to have been tied by a drunkard. Everything was in place.
"What did you do to her, Ratibor?" Vecheslav grinned, holding the giggling woman in his lap as she had pulled him down to the floor with her.
"I'm innocent," the man grinned, throwing his arms out to the sides, trying to balance on his feet with the help of Egor. "My… my jacket is ruined too."
Bogdan looked at the woman and grinned.