Winterhold was a cold and lonely place, much like the majority of the northern cities in Skyrim. Nothing seemed to want to live in these parts; only pine trees and a few crops and plants were willing to grow here, and an animal needed a thick fur pelt in order to endure the long nights. The people, as per always, seemed hearty and had the ability to withstand almost any situation. For that, Rabdom happily gave them credit. He also disliked them for their heartiness, given that it made them harder to kill them, but he still gave them credit where it was due.
Many of the houses looked eerie. Plenty were broken and obviously falling apart. Others – mostly the ones outside of town – looked as if they'd been ripped in half. There had been an earthquake here long ago, hadn't there? The Dunmer scrunched his nose up. He would have hated to have been there when that occurred. The better part of the city had been left in ruins. The only thing that hadn't been touched – miraculously – was the College. Many blamed the work of magic. Nobody seemed to like magic these days.
"We'll probably be staying at the inn tonight," said Dolniir, snapping Rabdom out of his trance. "I don't have a bed in the College, and it just seems easier than letting you run amuck by yourself." Rabdom pouted.
"But I said I'd be good!" he said. His voice caught the attention of a few passersby. Dolniir glared.
"Better safe than sorry," muttered the Nord, and proceeded to head towards the college.
Being that it was so big, the college itself was at the far edge of town. It lay over the Sea of Ghosts, sitting on a large spire that didn't look like it should have been able to hold all that weight that the College produced. Rabdom didn't know much about the College, aside from the fact that it was the place where mages visited and stayed. Most of the College was a mystery to even the residence of Skyrim. Personally, Rabdom didn't like magic too much; people got mad when he used it.
After speaking with the Altmer that stood at the long bridge's gate, the duo proceeded to traverse into the College. Once or twice during the short walk, Rabdom stopped and looked over the bridge to the sea below. Many of the spires that originally held up the bridge were now gone. How it actually stayed up for so long, he would never know.
"Be sure to not touch anything," Dolniir ordered as they made their way into the College. "Most of the stuff here is probably older than you are, and defiantly worth more."
Older than him? Hm. So then vampirism wouldn't help in that then? Rabdom merely nodded and followed closely behind. Their venture led them – or rather, Dolniir led Rab – up a staircase to the right of them, and through a set of large double doors. Rabdom found himself again having a bit of trouble. He struggled through before he was finally able to follow Dolniir.
The library was anything but small. For a moment, Rabdom stopped and gawked at all the books around him. This place was so big! It was almost like a playground. If you liked reading books and learning stuff all day, that is.
"Come along then, Rab," Dolniir said as he walked ahead of the elf quickly. Rabdom followed in suit. "Remember," the Nord started, "don't touch anything. And whatever you do, don't go wandering off without me. Akatosh knows what you could get in to here while by yourself."
Rabdom pouted, but nodded in agreement. His eyes darted around as he followed Dolniir closely. There were some plants overgrowing their pots here and there, and many of the bookshelves reached higher than his head. There were even tables where you could -!
Rabdom let out a large squeal that made Dolniir jump and grab his chest. The Nord went to grab his dagger and to call for Rab, but as he turned, he realized that the elf had run off. Turning back around, he then realized where the elf had so swiftly gone.
Rab had happily darted to the tables in the center of the library, where an Altmer boy – he looked to be no older than eleven or twelve – sat. He'd been reading a book before Rabdom had made that atrocious noise, of which he sat down when he nearly jumped out of his seat. Rabdom skidded to a halt - and into a squatting position, nonetheless – beside the boy, a large grin on his face. It seemed to take the boy a moment; however the boy's look of shock turned into that of excitement and happiness. Book forgotten, the boy nearly launched himself out of his seat and threw his arms around the Dark Elf. Rabdom returned the action.
Carefully, and with mild annoyance, Dolniir slowly approached the two as the boy finally pulled out of the Dunmer's rather tight looking hug. Seeing as how the High Elf could actually see him approaching, he turned and cocked his head.
"I take it you know each other?" asked Dolniir.
"Yeah!" Rabdom said, ecstatic, as he stood quickly. "Dolniir, this is Atariil!" Rab gestured to the boy. "Riil, this is Dolniir! He's my new friend." The boy looked questioningly at the Nord. After a moment, his nose wrinkled.
"Oh, not you too!" whined Riil. Dolniir, for one, was taken aback.
"W-What?" the man managed. Atariil sighed and plopped back down in his chair, arms crossed.
"It's a long story," he assured. "Let's just say that I had a very eccentric childhood."
"He's not wrong!" Rabdom chimed in happily. He was too jittery for Dolniir's liking, truth be told. Dolniir frowned.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" he asked. At the question, Riil looked up and nearly seemed to force a smile. It was rather creepy when plastered onto his face like that.
"I've had a weird family," said the child. "Including but not limited to: a lesbian warrior, a giant wrecking ball with limbs, a thief, a bard, an insane assassin -," at that he gave Rab a knowing look, "- a legate, and my favorite, a gay mage." Riil's voice seemed to deadpan on that last one.
In an instant, Rab seemed to lighten up more so then he already was. "Speaking of the gay mage -!"
"He's around the corner looking at books," said Riil. With another squeal, Rabdom turned and darted off in search of said mage.
Dolniir let his mouth hang open, and seemed ready to question the boy as to what the idiot elf was doing – when there came a sudden shout followed by a string of curses and other such words. The Orc sitting at the desk in back stirred from his sleep and seemed to grunt in annoyance, and Riil had to cover his mouth to keep himself from laughing.
Another minute went by without even a breath from the person cursing, until finally a man – an Imperial, by the looks of it – came out grumbling and still cursing under his breath. Rabdom was nearly attached to him, words spilling out of his mouth with ease. Something about 'missing him' and 'a special journey' and 'making new friends.' Dolniir tried not to grimace or simply try to shut the elf up himself.
"Look who found us," said Riil happily as the man approached the table. There were a few books under the man's free arm that he was attempting to keep a hold of.
With a sigh, the man managed to wriggle his arm free of the Dark Elf and, with a simple hand gesture, shut the elf right up. Dolniir raised an eyebrow. He would have to ask this man how he managed to do it.
Straightening his shirt and taking a final glance at the now wiggling Dark Elf, the Imperial turned to Dolniir. After a moment, he asked, "I take it you're Dolniir?" The Nord's brow furrowed.
"Yes," Dolniir replied slowly. Did the mage manage to get his name out of Rabdom's constant chattering? That was… Rather impressive.
Sticking out his hand, the Imperial said, "Fandreigh." Adding a glance back to Rabdom, he added, "I apologize for your running in to him. He can be rather…. Loud at times."
"But he's still fun!" Riil chimed in happily, kicking his legs. Fandreigh looked back at the child and almost glared. Riil only smiled back widely.
Trying not to laugh, Dolniir met Fandreigh's hand with his own. "I rather feel sorry for you," said Dolniir as he let his hand drop. "I take it you all are friends?" Fandreigh seemed to glare now.
"The best of friends!" said Rabdom happily before Fandreigh could correct the Nord. "We've known each other for ever and ever!"
"It's only been four years, Rab," Fandreigh replied. "That really isn't a long time."
"Well it feels like it to me," pouted Rab. Saddest thing was that, to Rab, it probably really was.
To Dolniir, the funniest thing was that, compared to Rab, his friends – or rather family, as Riil had so happily mentioned – were completely normal. There were a few of them he'd had yet to meet, although it was apparent that Atariil and Fandreigh had not ventured here alone from Dawnstar, where they lived. As Dolniir spoke to Fandreigh about the College and Rabdom became entertained with following Riil around the library, Fandreigh became acquainted with a few members of Atariil's little family; Byorn, a man Riil called 'Papa,' – and who was apparently married to Fandreigh, much to Dolniir's surprise and amusement – and a Nordic smith. Atariil's siblings were more interesting, considering one was a Wood Elf and the other a Breton. Both were younger then he and the girl – the elf – seemed wearier of the newcomer than the Breton; the girl quick to dart off and look around the library with Riil and Rab. Dolniir tried not to laugh at the unusual family.
Most of the day was spent talking with this mage and his husband, and trying to explain to them his goal and why exactly it was that he was dragging Rabdom along with him. Fandreigh could only shake his head in what seemed like annoyance – and perhaps mild amusement?
"I'm surprised you haven't tried to kill him yet," Fandreigh mused aloud. Byorn gave him a playful punch to the shoulder.
"Oh, be nice," laughed the smith. "I'm sure he's saved your hide more than once. Not to mention, you've done a few nice things for him, hm?"
"Only because I didn't want to hear him whine about a lost item or a bruise that wouldn't go away," Fandreigh replied sternly.
"I think Uncle Rab is funny," said Celore, the Breton boy, from his spot on Byorn's lap. "He says a lot of things that don't make sense, though. Did you know he talks to dead people? He also kills -!" Byorn put a hand over the boy's mouth before he could say anymore.
"Calm down, child," Byorn laughed heartily. "There are some things you shouldn't go blurting out, else others won't understand you."
The boy merely glared up at the man, but said no more when Byorn removed his hand. Fandreigh sighed and rubbed his face for a moment. He mumbled something under his breath – it sounded like, "Ugh, children!" – though no one attempted to question him. It was possibly better that way, anyhow.
"Aw, do we have to go already?" asked Riil, pouting even more than Rabdom could [Dolniir didn't think that was possible].
"We've been here for almost a week, Riil," Fandreigh replied. "Besides, I'm sure Rabdom will pop by for a visit even before we make it home." Riil stood at large doorway into the college and crossed his arms, pouting. Byorn came shuffling up behind him; the little Wood Elf perched on his shoulders.
"Cheer up, little one," he said assuringly. "I'm sure your father will want to return here within a couple of months." That didn't seem to cheer him up to much, but with a huff of air through his nose, he finally took a step forward.
"Wait, don't forget to say goodbye!" whined Rabdom as he slipped out the large door. Dolniir followed close behind, stopping to keep the door ajar.
Atariil smiled rather widely and turned – only to be nearly tackled by Rabdom with a hug. This didn't seem to bother the boy at all. Rather, he seemed rather ecstatic about it. This group was surely strange, Dolniir noted, if the better part of them could easily – and happily - take Rabdom's quirkiness without much question. Perhaps they had known him long enough to get used to it? That was his only rational solution.
"Remember," said Riil as Rabdom finally let go of him, "don't forget eat when you need to, and try not to get yourself killed. I'm sure Fandreigh won't be too happy if we have to come and help you again. Oh, and don't forget to come by and visit soon, either!"
"I won't," Rabdom replied, giving the boy a mock salute. Altariil could only smile and pull the Dunmer in another embrace. Byorn was there as Rabdom finally stood, and place a calloused hand on the elf's shoulder.
"Don't get too lost, friend," said the smiling Nord. "And remember, our home is always open if need be." There came a scoff from Fandreigh, although the Imperial didn't complain.
"You still owe us a game, Uncle Rab!" said the Bosmer from her place on her 'Papa's' shoulders; her legs thumping against his steel armor. "Besides, you're still more fun to play with!" Rabdom seemed to smile widely at that.
"Oh, for Meridia's sake," grumbled Fandreigh rather angrily. The expression on his face seemed to say otherwise. "Can we just get going?" he asked. "It's starting to get cold."
"But what about goodbye?" asked Rab.
In an instant, the Dunmer had weaved his way around Byorn – the Bosmer giving a high pitched giggle – and dart swiftly to the Imperial. Fandreigh seemed to take a weary step back, however Celore, who was standing patiently at his side, gave an excited sound and held his hands out to the Dunmer. Rabdom happily obliged.
"I'm surprised we got anywhere before," Fandreigh said when Rabdom finally let the boy go. Standing from his previous crouching position, Rabdom turned to the Imperial.
"That's only 'cause you kept us moving, right?" he asked. After a moment, the Imperial nodded.
"Fine, well, just don't go getting yourself killed," Fandreigh said, placing a hand on the Dunmer's shoulder. "I don't feel like listening to the children cry about it when the news arrives."
Rabdom smiled widely, and without question lurched forward and embraced the Imperial in a hug. Fandreigh instantly began angrily cursing at him for doing such a gesture, however didn't try to pry him off. Dolniir found himself unable to stop smiling, even as Rabdom finally pried himself off of the other. Too bad he was busy, else he might have asked them to stay longer. For Rabdom's sake, of course.
Dolniir really didn't like kids.