Disclaimers: I don't own D. Gray-man or Skyrim (just the game disc). I'm simply using the characters, title of Jarl, and locations for my entertainment! Enjoy!

Notes: Lavi has both eyes and Allen has a normal left arm

Location/Misc. Notes:
Iverstead: a small town near the base of Skyrim's tallest mountain
The Ragged Flagon: a bar inside the Thieves Guild hideout

"Dammit!" Lavi cursed as he kicked at the ground on his walk back to the city. "What now?"

He had no idea what type of job he could pick up that was legal; he had thought about going to a neighboring town and seeing what he could find, but that would be a waste of time what with a three day walk with no work under his belt, not to mention that there might not even be any work for him there…

As he entered Riften, he made his way to the inn and placed himself heavily down on his usual barstool, slapping his hands on the wood of the bar.

The bartender smiled as she turned to him, wiping off a mug. "He beat you to it, huh?"

Lavi had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah. Now I'm stuck for a job," he growled as he slumped over onto his crossed arms, heaving a heavy sigh.

"Well," she said thoughtfully, having taken a liking to Lavi over the past few days seeing as he wasn't like the rest of the townsfolk, pouring him a drink. "I might have something for you tomorrow. There's been a rumor floating around about a cave close to Iverstead that needs clearing out. And from what I heard, the thing they're after isn't a piece of cake…Apparently, it's already killed several of the guys this man has hired."

"Thing…" Lavi repeated lazily, suddenly drained of energy while he just as lazily sat up and took a large gulp of his mead, setting his mug back down a bit too roughly. "What kind of thing exactly?"

She shrugged. "Some monster that isn't human or draugr," she said. "Not heard much else about it since no one's lived long enough to describe it. Just what the rumors have said."

"Yeah, fill me in," Lavi nodded to himself. "And if some white haired, scarred faced guys comes here looking for a job, can you give him something else or don't tell him about this one?"

"Oh, you mean Allen? I'm surprised I haven't seen much of him lately, what with his partner having been killed recently…" she sighed in thought. "Sorry," she then smiled, shaking her head. "I suppose I can sidetrack him this time. You've got quite a bit of gold to earn in a short time, after all."

"You're a lifesaver!" he smiled as he stared at his mug's contents. He now knew the thief's name and that he would have this job to himself. "And let me know first thing if you've got any new jobs!"

She winked at him as she refilled his mug. "Sure thing; you've been spoiling me with the tips after all!"

The redhead chuckled as he downed a fair amount of his mead.

Four rounds later, Lavi managed to climb the stairs to his room with the aid of his hand on the wall the entire way so he wouldn't fall into it or back down the steps.

"I don't know what you see in him," a young girl whispered to the cloaked person sitting across from her as she watched Lavi wobbly climb the stairs, now singing in a drunken voice.

"He's quiet, that much is certain," the young man beside her murmured as he brought his mug to his lips, a hint of sarcasm leaking into his words as they listened to the drunken song. "He followed me about half way through that tomb before I noticed him. But he's dumber than a box of rocks…"

The girl giggled, brushing her long black hair over her shoulder as she turned her attention to her wine.

"You can't be certain on that though," she chided. "He just got scared when you cornered him."

The young man grumbled slightly, slouching grumpily further down his chair.

"I'll tail him the next few days and tell you what I think. Who knows, maybe even my brother will think he's the man we've been looking for."

"You had to bring that up too and rub salt in the wound?" the young man mumbled, placing his mug down in irritation.

"Hey, now, none of us have been able to get near that vault! Not just you…"

"But he got the closest out of everyone. It pisses me off…"

The young woman giggled again, sipping her wine. "Can't you set aside your personal grudge with him for a bit? If it turns out that we can use this guy, maybe you as a team could get to it!"

The young man said nothing, didn't move, just sat still, suddenly tense.

"It's been two months since it happened, Allen. Road's not coming back…"

"I know!" he growled lowly, downing the rest of his drink and slamming his mug down harder than before. "But…" he began, choking back a sob as he stood, all eyes falling on him. "It still hurts."

He opened his mouth to say more, but swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue before he violently shook his cloak covered head and stormed out of the inn.

"Sorry, Miranda," Lenalee smiled sympathetically as she placed their alcohol money on the bar before she quickly chased after her friend.

"Don't worry about it!" she grinned as she scooped the money into a coin purse, watching her leave.

xoxoxox

A few days had passed and Lavi had found odd jobs to do around town, earning a bit of gold here and there, and despite better judgment about spending money on mead, he did anyway. He also felt as though there were eyes constantly on him; not as in random people watching or looking at him, but someone staring and watching his every move. He'd become so nervous that he had started sleeping with his gold under his pillow at night and carrying it with him when he left; knowing this town and its residents, it was only a matter of time before he was mugged or robbed.

"He's a hard worker," Lenalee murmured to the young man sitting across from her as she swirled her wine in her glass a few nights later. "And he listens well, but I've not seen him fight yet."

"Miranda said he's taking that job near Iverstead, right?"

"Yeah. I don't know if I'll be able to follow him that far though. My brother is known to destroy the Flagon from time to time when I'm not close to home, as everyone in the guild knows…" she sighed, taking a long swig of her grape alcohol. "And Reever can only keep him in check for so long…"

"I'll follow him," Allen said softly as he took a drink of his mead, locking eyes with his companion to assure her that he was serious about this.

"You're sure about this?" she asked just in case as she noticed the brief moment of hesitation flash in his eyes.

"I need to get away from town for a while, and like I've said, I think he'll do us good if he can fight. He's a natural sneak."

"Alright then. I'll gather you some provisions before you head out," she said as she watched a once again drunken Lavi climb the stairs. "Are you sure we're talking about the same guy?"

As Lavi once again burst into a drunken song, Allen let a small smile grace his lips as he shook his head.

xoxoxox

Two days later the young redhead set out towards Iverstead with his provisions, Dwarven Warhammer, and some wonderfully crafted Steel Armor that he may have splurged on a bit more than he wanted.

'Better safe than sorry,' he chided himself as he pulled everything on and tightened it down to his body snuggly. 'If this thing's as dangerous as the rumors say, I'll need all the protection I can get!'

He hadn't yet noticed the figure trailing behind him in the shade of the trees on the side of the road.

'I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that he's not very perceptive of his surroundings,' Allen thought as he moved deftly to another tree. Truth be told, he was disappointed that Lavi hadn't caught on to his presence, but was glad to not have to reveal or explain himself all the same.

Around the fifth hour of nonstop walking, Allen heard the tale tell roar of a bear in the vicinity and quickly hid amongst the brush and denser foliage as Lavi quickly looked around in the direction of the noise.

In a matter of moments, the bear came hurdling from its resting place and straight for the distraught looking redhead. Though his eyes were shut tight in fear, his instincts had kicked in and he swung his warhammer strong down upon the beast's head, rendering it either unconscious or dead. He wasn't about to check for a pulse or stick around to find out.

The Apprentice sighed in annoyance. 'Of course he's not a fighter…Or at least he doesn't like to kill 'living' things.'

But still they pushed on until late into the night. At this rate, they would be there by nightfall the next evening for sure.

Lavi had set up a make-shift canopy and bed with some pelts he had bought and started a small bonfire where he could heat up some dried meat and drink a bit before he turned in.

Allen, on the other hand, had made a make-shift bed inside a hollowed out log that nothing was thankfully living in, where he was within earshot of Lavi. If the other moved in the middle of the night, he'd know.