Seranni crouched by a wooden door, inserting her metal lock pick into the keyhole, hearing it click slightly after turning it. She opened the door silently, seeing the Red Guard sleeping in the small shack of a house. She was surprised to hear his voice after she took no more than a single footstep in the house.
"Back again?" he asked, sitting up. He looked at her, not looking tired at all.
"You were expecting me?" she asked.
He seemed to smile, standing up now. She tossed the book at him when he would not answer.
"What is this?" he asked. "The book you so desperately wanted from me?"
"Turns out I have no use of a simple man's diary." she replied.
"What did you think it was?"
"Something… More."
"Who are you?"
"Why did you have the Bosmer deliver this to you?"
"You were watching her?"
"Answer my question." The man put the book on his stand, not responding yet again. "What is your name?" she asked.
"You expect me to tell you my name when you won't tell me yours?" he laughed.
"Answer me and I will."
"I had her bring it to me because it was her job to."
"Job?"
"I answered your question."
"Fine." Seranni sighed. "I was watching her, I have been for some time."
"Her job is to do what I say it is, if you were sent to watch her, she has no quarrel with you. Why do you follow her?"
Seranni was interested by this comment. What did he have to fear? She had been watching the Bosmer because she had been in trouble for lock picking before and had hoped maybe she would lead Seranni to the location of the thieves eventually.
"I follow her because I wish to gain information of a certain group's whereabouts. Why do you protect her?"
"She is a friend. What group do you seek?"
"I will not give you the information you ask of." Lanaya said, turning back to the door. "I have returned your book. Remember my kindness the next time you send your Argonian to the guards at the sight of my face."
"Your face is shrouded." he pointed out.
Seranni smiled. Her cowl had become so normal, sometimes she forgot she had it on. She looked back to him.
"What does the phrase 'shadow hide you' mean?"
The man seemed to know why she asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Where did you hear it?"
"You said it to the Bosmer. What does it mean?"
"It is a blessing."
"What are you, Daedra worshippers?" she asked, never hearing this phrase in any temple she had ever been in.
The man laughed. It was an amused chuckle, but Seranni knew she had found some truth in it.
"No, we are not." he said, his smile remaining for a moment. "Are you?"
"No." Seranni said, putting her hand on the knob of the door. "Forget this confrontation."
She turned the knob, finding boredom in the conversation they were now having. She was wasting time, and needed to leave this man to his jokes.
"You seek the thieves, don't you?" She stopped then, snapping her head back in his direction. She stared at him for a while, not wanting to either confirm or deny it. After letting her hand drop from the knob, she turned to him, his arms unfolding as he stepped closer to her. "You want to know where they are. Why?"
"They are real?" she asked.
He smiled again, stepping closer.
"Why wouldn't they be real? The world is full of them."
"The world is not full of guilds dedicated to thievery."
"You are correct in that." he said, sitting down at his table, folding his arms again as he looked at her.
"You know where they are then?" she asked.
"Why do you want to know where they are?" he repeated.
Seranni hung her head, not knowing how to answer the question without delving into her life's story. She swallowed hard, shrugging as she looked back up to him.
"I like to steal things." she said, realizing how stupid it sounded.
"That would be a good start." he replied, laughing slightly. "Is that all?"
"Among other things. None that are important."
"What do you want to do then, join them?"
"Yes."
He studied her for a moment, then nodded, standing up once more.
"Good." he said, walking towards the door. He slipped his shoes on.
"Good?"
"Consider it done."
Seranni frowned at him.
"What?"
"I've seen you steal things, you assaulted me to do so. Normally we'd put you through an initiation, but I see no need. You are welcomed among us, but will need to do some small favors to earn a rank."
Seranni had a hard time listening to him. She had spent the past month of her life trying to find the rumored guild, and now she was being told she was a part of them. She shook her head, putting her hands up to stop his rant.
"Wait a minute, back up." she said. "Who are you?"
"I am Armande Christophe. I am a guild doyen."
"You're just accepting me then? Just like that?"
"I already said I have seen your skills."
"You were a victim to me putting a dagger to your throat."
"You wish to show me more?"
"Well… Yes."
He seemed to be surprised at this, but did not argue.
"Alright." he said, nodding. "I will have a job for you tomorrow. Meet me in the Garden of Dareloth at midnight."
Seranni nodded.
"Ok." she said, walking to the door.
She left the house, slightly unaware of her surroundings. She stood there for a moment, taking in what had just happened. She smiled, looking around. She saw the Bosmer woman coming towards her. Seranni watched as she walked past, noticing the woman's facial features for the first time. She sighed as she watched the Bosmer shake hands with the Argonian that Seranni had recognized from before. They were both thieves, Seranni knew this now. She watched them, talking together as if they were mere citizens of the Imperial City, but Lanaya knew the truth. She knew.