AN: Sorry for the delayed update, but it's something more substantial this time around.
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The sun's light was just beginning to pour over the Reach by the time the two men had eaten and mounted their horses. They turned towards Markarth and put the sun at their backs as their horse's hooves pounded the earth as they rode triumphantly back to the city. Upon arriving back at the stables, they dismounted and hastily unloaded the tired horses before handing them off to the sandy-haired groom. "It's good to see you both back in one piece," said the stable master in a kind voice.
Argis wordlessly nodded his thanks at the groom, understanding the quiet implication. Even the servants understood how out of place their Altmer thane was, and they also saw the jarl's machinations as he tried to get both the thane and housecarl killed.
The housecarl began to veer off towards Vlindrel Hall, but Ardanthis grabbed his arm and said in a voice laced with arrogance, "We're not going to the Hall. We're going to collect our reward from the jarl first and show him that we're still alive. He can't get rid of us that easily."
Argis nodded, slightly worried about the jarl's reaction, but only replied, "Yes, my thane." Clearly, the man had meant for them to die and would start coming up with better ways to dispose of a troublesome thane and housecarl.
They marched up to Understone Keep and the guards stepped aside for the Altmer. The dim entrance of the Keep closed around them as they left daylight behind, but the wizard didn't slow his pace. He continued to march boldly forward, blatantly ignoring the sneering Thalmor agents and the surreptitiously glancing castle servants alike. The Jarl was slouched on his throne and speaking to his own housecarl when he caught sight of the approaching pair and straightened in his seat. Igmund gripped the arms of the throne tightly but kept his face and voice neutral as he flatly declared, "You're alive."
Ardanthis knelt briefly and replied, "Of course we are. The Forsworn were no match for the combined skill of your two loyal servants. Now about that reward you promised..." He trailed off and looked pointedly at the jarl, whose face had turned red.
The man on the throne ripped a small sack off of his belt and threw it at the aloof face of the wizard, who caught it easily. Ardanthis bowed once more and thanked the man in the same arrogant tone he had used before and walked away. Argis followed him at the appropriate distance as they left the Keep.
As sunlight washed over them Argis released the huge grin he had held in while in the shadows of Understone Keep. The Altmer caught sight of his companion's grin and laughingly added, "That man hated seeing us alive and I'm surprised he didn't burst something internally due to anger. Hold a moment, Argis." They stepped to the side of the path and the high elf pulled out a small coarse cloth purse with drawstrings and poured half of the money into it before passing it to the Nord.
Argis was surprised by his thane's actions and hesitantly took the bag and awkwardly muttered, "Thank you." He hadn't been paid for an official service in a long time, and never half of the reward. Housecarls didn't have to be paid, but it was considered poor of the thane to give them nothing.
Ard clapped him on the shoulder and added, "You saved my life and killed your share of the Forsworn to boot. You earned your gold." He turned away and resumed walking to Vlindrel Hall.
They arrived at the Hall to find a courier standing at the front door. The man exclaimed with exasperation, "There you are! I've been looking all over this city for you for two days. Here're your messages – hmph, looks like you've got important interests." He handed over two sealed letters and ran off to finish other jobs.
The elf walked into the hall, looking down and frowning at the unopened letters before placing them on the table and continuing to his room to clean up. Argis stirred up a small fire in the kitchen to begin to heat the cold stone walls of their home. In the light of the new fire, he caught sight of the seals on the letters. One was from Windhelm and the other was from Solitude, each a respective capitol in the civil war that wracked much of Skyrim.
Argis heard the dull bang of his thane closing the door and quickly went to his own room to change out of his filthy armour. Argis closed the door behind himself and began to disrobe. Using a small mirror, he trimmed his beard and shaved off the rest of the stubble that was rising up on it. He washed his face, hands, and hair in the basin of water that he always kept in his room.
As he stripped off his armour, his fingers brushed the area where the Forsworn's sword had slid into his side. While Argis marvelled at how it wasn't even scarred, what he remembered most was the feeling of his thane's fingers gently on his side.
He shook his head, somewhat dismayed with himself and wondered if he was truly developing feelings for an elf. This couldn't be - he was a Nord and he was honour bound to oppose the elves, who had been his enemy since time immemorial. He knew he should hate this elf who had usurped his position from another Nord, but every time he tried to hate him all he could remember was the genuine concern on his thane's face as he knelt over Argis' bleeding form. He absentmindedly ran a damp rag over the rest of his body as he tried to put his thoughts in order.
He stepped out of his room a short while later to see the elf sitting at the table reading the two letters with a blank parchment, ink, and quill next to him. He looked up at the Nord and smiled softly, and threw him a small pouch that clinked as Argis caught it. He said, "Argis, I need you to arrange transport to Solitude for tomorrow. I need to get some things in order and we won't leave until midday. Once you've arranged our transportation, you're free until then." The housecarl nodded and stepped outside to begin his task immediately.
He was momentarily blinded by the bright daylight, but his eyes quickly adjusted and he headed off to the stables. He looked at Ard's coin pouch in his hands and frowned. This wasn't official business so he couldn't have a horse loaned to him and they didn't have enough gold to outright buy two horses. He mulled over any other options before deciding that the fastest way would be to hire a wagon. The two horses would be able to pull them along quickly and they should be able to make it to Solitude within a day if the team was good.
He arrived at the stables and quickly saw an idle wagon which he hailed and approached. The man in the wagon smiled at his potential customer and asked, "Where can I take you?"
"Nowhere today," replied Argis. He continued quickly when he saw the man's face fall, "Tomorrow, though, I will need passage for two to Solitude. Can you meet us here at midday?"
The wagon driver looked hesitant for a moment but nodded and brightened. He said in a somewhat apologetic voice, "That's quite a distance – do you have the coin? Half when we leave here and the other half when we arrive there. Understood?" Argis hefted the purse and nodded and the two men shook over the deal.
Argis walked back up to the city, wondering what to do with himself as the sun began to set. He could always return to the Hall, but he wanted space to think. He'd be with is thane for the next long while, so he might as well enjoy himself now before they left the comforts of the city for a foreign Hold. He didn't want to admit, even to himself, that being near the Altmer left him an emotional mess of conflicting feelings and so he justified going to a small inn to drink until his heart figured out what it wanted to do.
He returned to a small inn favoured by adventurers. No one there would recognize him as anything but a caravan guard. He took out his half of the reward and ordered a bottle of mead and began to brood over his feelings. Argis wasn't sure if drinking helped him settle his thoughts or if it just complicated things more, and he frankly didn't care. His night began to get a little blurry a few meads later as his thoughts gradually lost coherence.
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Argis woke up late the next morning in a bed he didn't recognize. He opened gummy eyes and quietly took stock of where he was. It looked like he was in a bed in the inn he had been drinking in. Speaking of drinking, his head was pounding and his ass hurt. He wondered how he ended up here and he turned his head to see the sleeping form of some handsome brown haired Imperial. He frowned to himself as he stiffly tried to get out of bed quietly. He glanced at the sleeping man still in the torn up bed and winced when he thought of his returned position. He was a housecarl again, and he couldn't afford these indiscretions like he could when he just guarded caravans. He gathered his clothes and left the room. He was very glad he decided not to bring his armour with him.
He hurried out of the inn and into the late morning sun as he rushed to Vlindrel Hall. He swore quietly at how late the morning was. Damn the elf for messing up his head to the point that he forgot his usual routine of preparation. He rushed up to the Hall and eased the door open quietly and slipped in. His stealth was useless as his thane was already successfully cooking a breakfast. Argis' stomach rumbled loudly as he smelled the baking potatoes, giving him away. The elf turned to look at him and said in a cold voice, "Welcome back, housecarl. It's good you decided to return since you didn't tell me anything about our travel arrangements before you disappeared into the night."
The word "housecarl" cut him and seemed to convey more disappointment than it should have. Argis sighed and held up his hands in a conciliating gesture and said, "My apologies, my thane. The mead got the better of my good judgement. We have a wagon ready to meet us at the stables at noon and convey us to Solitude."
Ard's voice softened and he pulled out a small bottle and tossed it to Argis with the words, "Drink this, Argis. Your head can't be feeling good after whatever you did last night if you're just returning now."
The housecarl gratefully caught the small vial and drank it quickly. The use of his name seemed to tell him that everything was alright, but he was careful not to elaborate on what actually went on last night. Not just because he could only remember flashes of it, but it felt like he had committed some betrayal. "I'll pack quickly, my thane," he said looking away.
The wizard gently kicked two packs next to him, then chuckled and said, "Already done. Get your armour and check if there's anything I missed." He hesitated before saying in a soft voice, "I have a name you know. I'm not just a thane."
Argis felt pinned by the words and he looked away before looked back to the elf and hoarsely saying, "Yes, my – Ardanthis." He mentally twitched at the words, "my Ardanthis" as he swiftly left for his room. He wasn't thinking of the Altmer as his, was he? By the Divines, he didn't even know if the elf thought of him in the same way. That line of thought dragged him back to when he had met Firjald. Hadn't that started with uncertainty too? He gritted his teeth as he remembered how that had ended; he could still clearly remember the feel of Firjald's boot slamming into his prone form and the bitter hatred that his voice had carried.
These thoughts crowded his mind as he rapidly dressed in his armour and buckled on his sword. Ard's potion had helped clear his hangover and he tried to focus on the coming day as he quickly slipped on his pack, grabbed some bread and fruit, and met his thane outside of the Hall. Locking the door behind him, the wizard smiled and they wordless marched down the hill to the stables.
Argis led the way once they arrived at the bustling gates and wended his way to the waiting wagon. He haggled with the wagon master for a brief while before counting out a handful of coins and agreeing to pay the rest upon arrival. The two men hopped up onto the back of the wagon and began the long ride to Solitude. They placed their packs away from the edge of the cart and settled in for the long ride.
Argis ask the question that had been bothering him for a long time, "So, why are we headed to Solitude?"
The Altmer let out a deep sigh and replied, "The two letters I received when we returned were from Windhelm and Solitude. Both of them detailed the validity of their claim to me and asked for my support, promising riches of course. They want the Dragonborn on their side to help them accrue more support."
Argis' heart sunk and he asked hesitatingly, "We're heading to Solitude to join the Imperial forces and support Elisif's claim then?" Ardanthis nodded quietly appraising his housecarl's reaction.
His curiosity got the better of him and he asked Argis, "Why does this make you so unhappy?"
Argis couldn't answer right away. Too many words wanted to spill out of his mouth. He hated Ulfric for dragging him away from his family, but loved him for making that same choice for him. He never would have been strong enough to leave and would have spent his life farming and would have never seen the wider Reach. A little voice also added that he would never have met his high elf thane too. It was easy for him to detest the way the old High King had been murdered, but he liked the idea of a Skyrim free of Thalmor.
The housecarl finally responded with, "It's a long story. Ulfric and I have a history together. I fought with him in the war to expel the Forsworn from Markarth twenty years ago and he rewarded me with my first position. He allowed me to get where I am today. Even with everything that's happened, I don't regret it." He reflexively rubbed the scarred half of his face.
The Altmer blew out a sigh after hearing Argis' explanation and muttered, "Ulfric would use me as a tool and discard me later. He can't differentiate between the Thalmor and the Altmer as a people. I would never be one of the 'true sons of Skyrim' that he loves so much. Besides, if the humans want to have any hope of preventing the Aldmeri Dominion from taking over, they have to stand together. Without at least the threat of support from Skyrim, Cyrodil would probably seem like a riper and riper target. Not that Skyrim itself would stand much of a better chance."
Argis gnawed his lower lip as a worried expression crossed his face. He spoke softly, "I just don't like getting caught up in this political battle. If it goes against us then we will be hunted as traitors."
Adanthis, laughing bitterly, said, "If Ulfric wins, it won't matter where I fought. He's still going to hunt me down because any Altmer could be a Thalmor. Why chance it that I'm not? You, Argis, can disappear back into the crowd. Head somewhere remote until it all blows over and begin guarding caravan's again. No one will question you because you are a full blooded Nord. There is no way I can make them accept this," he added, touching his own features.
The wizard drew his cowl up and tilted his head down, completely hiding his face from the world and effectively ending the conversation. Hours rolled by as each man was lost in thought and reflected on what was coming. The silence left Argis feeling like he had somehow disappointed his thane and, as the silence stretched on and on, he felt the need to end it.
The words he wanted to say were elusive and jumbled together in his head. The wind blew his hair into his eyes, and he casually tucked it back, still lost in thought. He knew the words he wanted to say, but he couldn't. Every time he opened his mouth to say them, it was like they were clogged up behind memories of Firjald's love and betrayal. A little part of him reminded him of the last time he had loved and the words dissipated, leaving him with emptiness where the feelings had filled. He wanted to break the silence with, "I think I love you, but I don't think I should. If Ulfric hunted you, I wouldn't leave you to go hide." He mentally snarled at himself in disgust. How could he find the courage to charge an armed group of Forsworn, but not speak to his own thane? The wind threw his hair around his face and he allowed himself a brief smile in that moment of disguise. Changing his life was a lot scarier than the threat of the end.
Argis finally broke the silence when he casually added, "You know, you need to improve your dagger work."
The Altmer looked up with surprise and a flash of disdain before breaking into a laugh. "I was going to say I don't use it, but I suppose you're right. It's been my fall back for a long time and I really should do something about that," replied the elf, still chuckling.
The Nord looked over the elf appraisingly and added in a very serious voice, "You may want to try wearing something other than robes – they don't really stop swords, you know."
Ard pursed his lips in an effort to hide a smile and replied, "Your armour didn't help you much, either. I had to put you back together."
Argis instinctively ran a hand over his side where the sword had gone in and the elf's fingers had touched, and he smiled lopsidedly at the jab. "Regardless," began the Nord, "I can give you some instruction on how to fight a bit more deftly with it. Maybe you'll even end up with a real sword."
They cheerfully discussed weapons, materials, armour, and fighting styles as the carriage's two horses rapidly pounded along the road to Solitude. The driver reassured them that they would arrive just after dark, but he was mistaken and they arrived far after night had fallen. The last slivers of the setting sun had disappeared long ago as the walls of the great city pulled into view. The stables were well lit with torches but Argis was dismayed as they pulled into the pool of warm, yellow light. He had liked the lack of interruptions and the chance to just talk to Ardanthis without having the pressures of being a thane and housecarl.
They left the carriage behind after they paid the driver, who began to ensure the care of his horses, and entered the city. They were both exhausted from the long ride and approached the only inn in the city, the Winking Skeever.
They entered into a busy and raucous room of drinking Nords, with the odd Breton and Imperial mixed in. There were even a few Bosmer and Dunmer in the crowd, but the beast races were conspicuously absent, and Ard's presence was largely ignored. The mage approached the dark haired and dark eyed innkeeper with Argis at his side politely asking for, "Two rooms, please, and next to each other if you can help it."
The innkeeper frowned and replied in an oily voice, "We've only got one room left. You'll have to share it – or find accommodations elsewhere."
The man's voice grated on Argis, who took an immediate dislike to this Imperial. The Nord was secretly pleased at the prospect of sharing a room with his thane, but he made sure not to show it. The elf and the Imperial haggled over price and services, ultimately adding a few more coins for a cot to be brought in. The Altmer's purse made an appearance, emptied some of its burden, and then disappeared again. The Imperial's smile was too wide as he took the septims from them and handed them a key.
They headed up the stairs and unlocked their room to discover that the cot was already in place by the wall opposite the bed. Argis looked uncomfortably around the room, and felt very odd for sharing an inn room with another man who he would not become "involved" with. It felt like a break in the pattern he was used to, which left him uncertain how to fill that hole. "Do you want the bed, or the cot? I'm fine with either," chimed his thane's voice.
The Nord quickly replied, "I'll take the cot, my thane." He glanced to the bed, which was only marginally better than the cot.
The elf nodded and put his pack down near the bed and blew out a sigh of annoyance, muttering, "I haven't lost my name, you know."
As Argis stripped his bulky armour off he nearly blushed, feeling very exposed. This was the first time he had been near his thane without armour or two dwemer-crafted doors between them. He heard the elf sigh happily and declare, "A washbasin! This is a much better quality inn than the one in Whiterun." He then picked up the cloth, soaked it in water, and washed his face and hands. He paused and looked at the Nord appraisingly, "My apologies. Did you want to use it too?"
The Nord took the hint, nodded, and headed towards the basin. He hadn't changed his clothes in quite some time and he was willing to admit he probably smelled a little too ripe.
"Tomorrow, we'll see Elisif," said the Altmer. He continued despite the surprised look on his thane's face, "I need you to wash completely so we're both presentable come time to meet with her. There's a clean set of clothes in your pack when you're ready for them. I'm going to get us something to eat from whatever they have left over from their dinner." Turning quickly, he left the room.
Argis took advantage of the small amount of privacy granted to him and rapidly stripped the rest of his clothes off. Grabbing the small, damp cloth he vigorously scrubbed his body, and tried to get as much of the dirt off as he could. He missed a real bath, but this would do in a pinch. He left the now-grey water in the basin to stand near the fire as he rummaged through his pack. The heat of the cheerful fire helped to quickly dry him, and he quickly pulled on a pair of breeches he found tucked away for him.
He had just secured the laces when he heard a soft knock at the door a moment before the elf returned. The high elf's gaze met Argis' before sweeping away from the muscular Nord, but Argis couldn't help but wonder if the elf's eyes had lingered a little longer than normal. He quickly finished dressing to avoid any complications.
Ard walked over to the small table and set down the tray covered with food, beckoning the Nord over. They wordlessly sat down and enjoyed the inn's surprisingly good food.
After finishing the meal, the Nord quietly said, "How much do you want me to pay for the accommodations?" He knew that, in many cases, the housecarl was supposed to cover all expenses of this nature out of his own pocket.
The elf waved dismissively and said in a lazy voice, "I'm not making you pay for my rooming. This would have almost been the same cost if I were alone so there's no point. The greedy Imperial tried to gouge me, but I pointed out that likely no one else was going to come in. Once I told him we were willing to go to the stables and pay a septim for a pile of hay, he gave in."
The housecarl simply nodded, feeling slightly ill at ease over this. It didn't fit his sense of honour but he wasn't going to protest it, especially since he lacked coin from his recent outings.
They retired for bed shortly afterwards, and the elf stripped the sheets off his bed and passed them to his housecarl. He explained, "I'm going to sleep in my robe anyway, so I'll be sleeping with my 'blanket' wrapped around me. You need them more for that cot."
Argis gratefully accepted the offered blankets as they retired their respective beds. The housecarl quietly buffed and polished his armour to clear it of dirt, grime, and filth. He was determined to have his gear presentation ready for Elisif tomorrow and he would not look shoddy next to his thane. He double checked the edge of his blade and smiled in satisfaction that it was still sharp and unworn. He looked up at his thane and saw that he was already asleep, the soft firelight highlighting his strong jaw and prominent cheekbones. Argis took this rare opportunity to just look and not have to look busy. He went to his own rest, clean and confident in how tomorrow would play out.
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The morning sun was just breaking over the roofs of the city as the two men from Markarth emerged from the inn. A quick breakfast and a last minute shave for Argis was all the remaining preparation they needed before leaving for the Blue Palace. They made their way through the streets of the city and quietly marvelled at its bustling nature and the presence of Imperial soldiers.
They made an impressive sight as they approached the Palace. Argis's scarred and tattooed face, gleaming armour, and burly frame made him appear to be the consummate warrior, while the black robed, willowy wizard who walked slightly in front of him looked like he could have stepped right out of a bard's tale. Together the two of them made an intimidating pair and they made their way quickly through the crowd to the Palace.
They approached the guard, whose suspicion was obvious until the Altmer pulled out the queen's letter and explained he was here, "on royal request." The guard checked the letter before handing it back and nodding. The two men entered into the throne room and the two guards tipped their heads at the newcomers before leading them up the stairs to the actual throne.
The small court was in session and a man was pleading with the jarl to help him with Wolfskull cave and that there was some sort of monster there. She caught sight of them half way through the man's speech and it was obvious to everyone but the supplicant that she was trying to hurry him along to get to the dragonborn. The dragonborn and his housecarl stood to the side, patiently waiting for the man to finish his plea and for the jarl to promise an extra patrol. The man smiled gratefully and left, but the jarl's face didn't betray her relief at having gotten rid of the man. A bearded man declared, "You may approach the throne."
The two men stepped forward and bowed deeply to woman seated before them. Her glittering circlet, impeccable dress, and graceful features lent her an imperious demeanour which perfectly suited her position. Both the thane and his housecarl bowed deeply before her and she accepted the gesture and spoke with a regal tone, "Welcome dragonborn. I trust your presence here means that you accept my request?"
"Yes, jarl. I will support you against Ulfric Stormcloak and his band," responded the Altmer with as much dignity as he could muster.
She rewarded him with a cool, calculating smile and added, "Thank you for your show of support to the legitimate queen. I'm glad you were able to see through the usurper's ruse and did not trust him. Please, report to General Tullius up in the citadel. He will be best able to direct your efforts."
With another bow to the throne the two men departed and breathed a mutual sigh of relief as they left the confines of the Blue Palace and went into the bright light of the outdoors. They began to walk slowly to the citadel, side by side now, so they could converse.
"That was short," began Argis.
Nodding in agreement, the elf replied, "It was mostly for a formal and political show. The part that really matters – how we perform in the face of danger – has yet to come. We are a gamble for her, especially if we fail. How will it look for the dragonborn to be killed? It would discredit me and damage her reputation while making the Stormcloaks look prestigious."
The housecarl grunted and added in a low voice, "They won't kill you though. Not while I'm around."
With a warm smile for Argis, the Altmer added, "I know, Argis. There are some days when I feel like you're the one solid thing not affected by the politics and war."
The Nord's breath caught in his throat slightly at the high elf's words but he kept his face schooled into neutrality. He returned the smile, not trusting his voice and fearing it would betray his hope.
The rest of the walk to the citadel was done in silence as they were jostled around the noisy crowd of the city. But they finally broke free of the crowd as they ascended a ramp up to the citadel. There was little pedestrian traffic to the citadel except for two men carrying a box of swords. They stood to the side as the sword-bearers passed the elf and Nord rapidly as they bustled past. Moving into the courtyard they observed several soldiers practicing their sword techniques. They approached an Imperial guard who nodded at them and said, "A messenger has already informed us of your approach. The general is within and waiting for you." He gestured to the door next to him and Argis and Ardanthis filed through.
A grizzled Imperial and a stout Nord woman were speaking over a map peppered with red and blue flags but they cut themselves off when the two men of the Reach approached. "Ah, the dragonborn! Good to see you're on our side," announced the Imperial as he reached out and gripped Argis' forearm in a warrior's handshake.
Argis warmly returned the shake but immediately said, "I'm not the dragonborn - my thane is." He did an admirable job of keeping the smile off his face as he gestured towards Ardanthis.
The general's face flickered into a scowl for a moment before he extended his hand to the faintly smiling wizard, and saying, "My apologies. Your housecarl fits everything I would imagined the dragonborn should be."
The wizard shook the Imperial's hand and smiled with genuine warmth as he replied, "You wouldn't be the first to be surprised by me in that way general. But more importantly, let's get down to business. Where do you need us?"
Beckoning them over to the map, the older man stood next to the Nord woman and looked down at the flag scattered map. He declared after a moment, "You arrived at an excellent time. We're going to launch multiple attacks on the Stormcloak's forts which they appropriated when the places fell into disuse." He looked up at the two men before him, "And you two are going to ensure the fall of one of the most critical forts. Legate Rikke will explain the rest to you." He turned and left, followed by two of the guards while the other two looked on impassively.
The Nord woman regarded each of them with a level of mistrust and scepticism, as if she'd seen too many other people who had died being touted as powerful and tide turning. She appeared to brush off her misgivings as she began to speak them in a voice full of authority, "This fort here," she punctuated the sentence by jabbing her finger into the map, "is Fort Amol. It's been one of the toughest forts to empty out, but you will move in with a unit to take it. Understood?" She smiled predatorily when both men nodded. "Good," she continued, "Your squad moves out in four days. Be ready for them then. Dismissed!"
The Altmer and Nord returned to their inn after walking down from the citadel, grateful for having booked the room for days in advance. As they sat eating salmon in a rich sauce, a delicacy of the region, Ardanthis asked, "We're prepared far enough in advance that the four days an unnecessary. Do you want to try to take some contract work in the meanwhile? We could earn some coin before heading out to on our more formal mission."
Argis considered carefully around a mouthful of salmon before shaking his head slowly. The high elf looked at him with confusion and the housecarl elaborated, "Think about it – this is the perfect opportunity for you to get some experience with a blade. You've got the equipment and multiple sparring partners set up right here."
"But-" began the elf before he stopped and sat back in his chair. With a sigh he continued, "Fine. But I'm not sparring with any of the other soldiers. It wouldn't do for every soldier in Solitude to be able to brag they beat the dragonborn in single combat."
Chuckling, Argis replied, "Very well, we begin tomorrow!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
AN: I never understood why other authors wanted reviews so badly when I was reading there. Now? Now I understand. I'm slowly turning into something like Cookie Monster, except for reviews, sweet, delicious, and addictive reviews. Good or bad, I want to know what people think of it.