He gave her a cordial glance as he returned to the apartment, concealing his mild surprise she was, in fact, still there.
She nodded silently, evading his eyes. She turned her own back to the table, and the knapsack that lay packed before her.
"You can search it if you wish, sera, before I go." she murmured.
He took the seat across from her without answering. The morning didn't betray her...even in the flickering torchlight of the Eight Plates she had been no goddess, or even dancer, but now, as she leaned into the table with an unrefinement that would shame her arrogant peers, there was a certain weary unawareness that accented what graces she did have. The natural glow of her kind, for one. The sun streaming through the tiny window met and melted into her. That gold was something he would admit he was a fool for, though no respectable Altmer would entertain the attentions of a Dunmer however much flattery was given to them. Not even the disrespectable ones, now, he noted with an inward wry smile. Her careworn face was long and fine-boned as any High Elf's, unremarkable save for the impoverishment that sharpened it, carved the hardships of her diary into her very skin. Even beneath the heavy folds of her robes, he'd seen hunger had whittled away womanly curves to jutting angles that were nearly as bony as his own skinny hide. There were a couple differences that made all the difference in the world to a man, of course, and he was never picky about those. His cheeks darkened anew to recall that appraisal, and he lifted his eyes to hers, only to find she was still staring a hole into her pack. Her eyes, he did find beautiful by any standard. Large and languid, but with a glint truer than any drake old Septim could mint.
"Leaving already? Was it something I said?" he replied at last, gripping the sack away if only to draw her attention from it.
It worked. She met his eyes at last, though the gleam in them was guarded.
"I think we both know now what the other truly wanted, sera. And that neither of us had what we hoped to gain."
She flushed as she spoke, set to studying the worn tabletop instead. She did not make a habit of speaking frankly with those she intended to rob, especially one that seemed set on treating her kindly in spite of it. It was almost like making pleasantries with a priest as she slid her hand into the collection basket, though Theman was hardly a servant of the Nine, or whatever they worshipped in Morrowind.
"True." he agreed. "But there's always something new."
She looked up, arching a brow in bewilderment. Yes, indeed, she knew that. But what else from her?
"Your Muthsera." he explained. "I do apologize again for prying, milady. But it saw told me things I can't ignore, as a gentleman."
"You are a gentleman, sera?" she couldn't help it; perhaps it was the imperious Altmer blood she rarely acknowledged poisoning her tongue.
"You are a lady, milady?" he countered, though his voice had lowered to a teasing husk.
She sighed, feeling the corners of her mouth creep upward in spite of herself. "A parry I cannot dodge."
"I told you they call me Fast Eddie." he leaned back, pushing the pack to her again. "I'm sure you can tell it isn't because of my skill with the fairer sex."
"I would have done that with any who took me home, sera...but, yes."
Sharp as a surgeon, cutting to heal. He chuckled softly. "Yet you did follow me home, my shining golden. You are out of your element here...and setting your sights lower than you normally would, perhaps. I don't belittle your profession, milady. Balmora has some of the finest thieves in Morrowind, if you know where to find them, and I call several friend. It is clear you are clever enough to be among them."
She held her tongue, her expression only bidding him to continue.
"You're going to see Caius Cosades, the Imperial. Old Skooma-Head, as he's called here. Yet they will not tell you why, save to be a rather expensive errand-girl."
"I have wondered." She would admit that much openly. "I dare not open the package, the knots are a seal in their own way. But I am to 'serve him as I would serve the Emperor himself.'"
"At least you needn't fear the same interest in you as I had. An addict's only desire is their moon-sugar."
He'd offered that as an attempt at comfort, but she shifted, burnished cheeks glowing brighter. "I've accepted the fact I...misunderstood, milady." he added. "I don't play games I already know I will lose. Though, I hope you will forgive me if I just admire every now and again."
She shook her head. "Only if you will forgive my boldness when I say you must be desperate, sera."
"We Dunmer men are nowhere near as...prolific as our women, and we do get lonely from time to time. Particularly a Telvanni. However, I'd admire even if I were a lord with an army of concubines."
The compliment was more honey; sweet and insubstantial and thick enough to stick in the throat. "What do you propose to do about this Cosades, then? A bodyguard? Do you covet the view at perhaps the cost of your life?"
"Of course not. You are lovely, shining golden, but with the stare of the dead the view would do me no good. I can help protect you with a few spells, a few scrolls, without needing to be there myself. I can even direct you to his apartment. The nosy old fetcher's been carried home more times than I can count."
Things she could purchase at a shop, had she the gold. She relaxed slightly. He was a wizard, and if his boasts were half-true, a potent one. He was not spending anything more on her than time.
"I will not lie to you." he continued, smiling faintly at her hesitation. "Traditionally, the Telvanni and the Imperials hate each other. It may help me, to help you. But I want to, nonetheless. You're getting bent over the barrel, same as I am. If I can't save us both...I will at least take satisfaction in seeing you are treated properly."
She startled. It was almost comforting to hear other motives confessed. Although they also involved using her in some fashion once again...he allowed for himself to be used, as well. It was more than what the Empire alone offered.
She nodded slowly at last. "My thanks, sera."
He grinned back. "My thanks, milady."