Vilkas stepped nimbly from the hallway and into the stairwell. With sleep still in his eyes, the Nord almost tripped on some rope pushed to the edge of the stairs. He paused and stared down with a sigh. The manor, old, hot, and creaky, was filled to the brim with exploration supplies and old books. No corner of the manor was safe. The clutter reminded Vilkas the manor was constantly being reorganized. Beyond the immediate mess, the house was well lived in with the archeological paraphernalia as a uniting factor for the family living there.

Finally, Vilkas stepped onto the first floor of the manor. Someone had thrown the windows open to ease the heat. Still, it got to him and even this early in the day, Vilkas felt as though he was melting. Sounds of metal banging and sizzling came from a side room. Smells of cooking food filled much of the first floor, making Vilkas feel only a bit more awake. Without thinking much of anything, Vilkas filtered into the kitchen.

Skeeva stood by the oven, watching over an egg sizzling in a pan. The Argonian hummed to himself quietly. His tail swished idly with the beat of the tune he hummed. He left an enormous glass door open, revealing the patio and garden outside. The Nord stood in the doorway and watched.

"You're finally up?" Skeeva muttered without looking up from the pan. Vilkas furrowed his eyebrows as he searched for an answer. Suddenly, the Argonian laughed again. This time looking up to Vilkas. "I figured you would have slept in longer. You were brooding on the porch for a long time after Valleri left."

"I should have gone with her."

"Vilkas, you don't want to go to the Arcane University. Everyone hates it there, and they're not exactly welcoming to anyone who isn't a part of the organization."

The Nord looked at the floor with a scowl, "She looked so dejected when she got the summons. It's been months since we were at Darkfall and she's still trying to process what's happened. The deposition isn't something she should go through."

Skeeva turned to face Vilkas. His face was drawn and tired. "It's something she'll be thinking about for years to come. The best is to give her time."

"I know, I know. I can still be concerned though."

"It's not my place to dissuade you," the Argonian muttered. "In fact, I'm still impressed you actually stayed here in Anvil."

"We talked about it and she insisted on going alone." Breathing in sharply, Vilkas took a seat at a table at the back of the room. "Honestly though, I'll probably end up going up that way in a few days."

Finally, a wide grin came to Skeeva's face as he roared in laughter. "That's something I would have expected from Valleri, honestly."

"She's a fool who's done it before. It's my turn to be a fool."

Skeeva scooped his egg from the pan and onto a plate. He took a seat next to Vilkas and cut into his breakfast. Gooey yellow yolk oozed onto the plate. Skeeva soaked the yolk up with a spare piece of bread.

"You two certainly have an entertaining relationship, haven't you?"

Vilkas narrowed his eyes, "Entertaining isn't exactly the word I would use to describe it."

"To me it is. Valleri's had a lot of lovers before, but no one quite like you. Usually, you wouldn't be her type." Skeeva took another bite of egg. "That is why it's so entertaining to me she's brought you into the family."

The Nord sat up straight and grimaced, "I didn't realize she told you that."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Vilkas. We've all been there. Besides, there are certain things we have to take care of now that I assume its official." Vilkas felt his stomach drop as Skeeva paused. The Argonian left the table for a minute and came back with paper and quill.

"What exactly are we doing?" Vilkas stammered out.

"I have to order you a signet ring."

"Like the one Valleri found in the coven?"

Skeeva regarded him with confusion, "What?"

A slimy feeling crawled along Vilkas spine and shoulders as he forced himself to stare at the table. "Valleri found Alastaros' signet ring last winter. She must have forgotten it Skyrim. I can get it to you once I get home."

A grim cast came over the Argonian's face while he mustered a smile. "That would be wonderful. I assumed it was lost with him. He made it match mine when we got married. I would love to have the matching ring again."

The both of them sat in silence for a minute as Skeeva recomposed himself. Vilkas tapped absentmindedly on the tabletop, glancing out the window. He turned back to his company, "Does everyone get a signet ring when they become part of the family?"

"Yes. Lexius and Rostam have theirs somewhere. And Valleri keeps her upstairs. Its time you get one of your own."

Vilkas gulped when Skeeva turned his attention to the paper in front of him. "You do realize we're not planning on getting married anytime soon, right?"

"I do. Don't worry. I would still like to make sure you have a signet ring." Skeeva looked up with a slight smile, "You're a part of the Alastarim family now."

Vilkas sighed and regarded Skeeva for another moment. With a sigh, he stared at the table, propping his head up on a free hand. "I guess I am now. I honestly didn't think any of this was a thing. I assume I should say thank you or something," Vilkas said, trying his best to seem appreciative.

A wide grin came back to the Argonian's face. "It's the least I can do. And who am I to judge you? It's all I got from Alastaros' birth family. But now were just a bunch of misfits. My husband would have loved this!"

"No kidding?"

Skeeva waved his hand dismissively, "Oh, you wouldn't believe it! You think Valleri's a spit fire? You should have seen Alastaros when he was younger."

Vilkas continued to listen to his friend regale him with tales of the old elf and the Alastarim family. All the while, the old Argonian's face was lit with a bright smile, growing larger with each memory he recalled. The Nord couldn't help but feel warm on the inside. Curiosity about what Valleri's life and family was like consumed him before. But not quite like this…

Now that he was living it, Vilkas wanted to be a part of it for the rest of his life.