The Pink Haired Pirate: An Old Norse Saying

Rated: M for language, future mature themes, violence, gore

Warnings: Spoiler alert for Elder Scrolls V:Skyrim

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"Nothing ever changes in the City of Stone, and that's just fine." - Amanda Alleia

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Markarth...was a beauty. The moment Sakura has passed the gates, she had to muster all the composure she had to keep a friendly but stoic facade. The city was carved in stone and looked just like the pictures about Dwemer's architecture in the old man's book. But she couldn't dwell around too much, she had two souls to unite. Swallowing the pit of nerves, she gently tapped a guard passing her.

"I'm sorry...could you please tell me where could I find a man? Calcelmo?"

The guard looked straight at her and nodded. "The Jarl's court wizard? He resides in Understone Keep. Are you a fan? He wrote a lot of books about his Dwemer research."

Sakura's mouth turned in a little 'o' before she nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, his books are great." She actually never had the chance to read them all. She read the first volume while learning to speak Norse. She might have forgotten a few details here and there; she'll have to read the full collection again once she had enough time.

But who was Calcelmo's sweetheart? Now that was a thought which actually excited her. She was happy that the eccentric Dwemer researcher found an object of his affections which wasn't a rusty bunch of metal scraps.

"I have to warn you, he's not so warm towards visitors while he's working, so getting a few words out of him might be a little hard for you."

Sakura couldn't help but smile slightly as the guard actually offered to lead her to the Keep. The light smile he offered he was well hidden beneath the helmet.

"Thank you for offering to help me. Won't anyone be mad you're not on your patrolling duty?" She asked a little concerned.

"Nobody will mind. The city is as protected as it is on its own. Markarth is the safest city in all of Skyrim, no danger dares to swoop down upon us from outside." The guard dismissed her with a swaying hand.

'Too bad the real evil comes from within the walls...' But Sakura just followed him, climbing all the stone stairs. They were relatively silent...he'd occasionally point out a few buildings to tell her what they were and who they belonged to. Patrolling duty was boring, she found out, so if an occasion to actually do something, other than returning a stolen sweet roll or knocking out a drunk troublemaker, arose, they'd take it up immediately.

"I see. I suppose that's because it's in the side of the mountain?"

"You're right. Well, here we are." He opened the large gates for them to slide in.

"Just turn left; Calcelmo's laboratory is the large room on the left. Good luck with trying to get his attention."

"Thank you, I'll manage it." Sakura smiled amiably and waved politely, before turning left, walking past the large stairs of the throne room.

The laboratory was quite impressive. Yes, it was a mess, but still incredible. Several dwarven items were mixed in the rabble, the walls were cluttered with stone shelves holding even more dwarven plates, scraps and parts. Guards were patrolling among the stone benches, and other than them the main room held only two other persons, dressed in clad blue robes. Sakura stepped carefully over the stains of oil on the floor.

"What are you doing here? The excavation site is closed. Go tell the Jarl I don't need any more guards."

And that grumpy voice was no mistakenly Calcelmo's.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Excavation site? No, I'm here to see you, I heard-"

The wizard cut her off again. "Look, I already told you. I'm not hiring. Why do people find their time to always bother me when I'm researching?"

And at this point, Sakura sighed and shook her head.

"You idiot. Do you even know who I am? The most recognized scholar on the Dwemer in all of Tamriel and you people keep bothering me!" Calcelmo stopped and turned towards Sakura, who was standing a little irritated in her place but never thought to actually talk back. She WAS an admirer of his work after all. "I... I'm sorry I... I got too excited. I'm in the middle of some very... stressful work, and I shouldn't have yelled. How can I help you?" He apologized, and Sakura's frowned pulled in a little smile.

"I've just been told you needed some help from Mara, that's all."

Calcelmo sighed and sat down. "I was beginning to lose faith that any help will come by..." a wave of relief washed across his face. But there was also something else Sakura couldn't put her finger on; something akin to how one felt when having their stomach filled with dozens of butterflies.

"I see. Well, I'm here to help." Sakura smiled lightly and took a seat across him. She truly meant well and wanted to make Mara and Priestess Dinya proud.

"Eh...you see...I've been thinking about Faleen quite a bit. Do you know Faleen?"

Sakura had to shake her head. "It's the first time I've ever stepped in Markarth." She replied honestly.

"Well, suffice to say she is resplendent, but not without resolve. Striking, in all senses." Calcelmo paused. "The trouble is that I can't seem to speak around her. My mouth goes dry, and I start to shake. I could never hope to approach her."

Sakura sat and thought a little. "Maybe you two need something to talk about. You could have tons of stuff in common." But there was the 'friendzone' thing as well. She wasn't sure how often the 'term' was used here, but she didn't want this Faleen to think of Calcelmo as a mere friend either; just a chat buddy over a mug of mead. But unfortunately, Calcelmo was neither the bold or flirty type to make himself understood he was head over heels for the woman, neither she wanted to see an old Altmer do that, so they had to settle it the old fashioned way.

"That's the trouble. I know Faleen from the Keep, but I have no idea what sorts of things she likes. It's not a simple matter. I could offend her fairly easily by bringing up the wrong subject. I've seen it happen before."

But would Mara sent her to matchmake a couple not 'set in Heaven' as one would say? As a Goddess, Mara could see in their hearts. And she wouldn't send her priests...or in this case herself, to force someone onto a person they had no feelings for. It wouldn't be moral. It meant that this Faleen HAD feelings for Calcelmo. They just needed a trigger, a spark.

"You're overthinking this.."

"That may be the case. But she is as volatile as a sabre cat. One wrong word and I've seen her turn on a man so quickly..."

Sakura shook her head.

"We'll set this down the old fashioned way then, Mr. Calcelmo. I will help you write a love poem to her."

"It's no use...the whole poem thing is a failure...I'm not a writer!"

Sakura wanted to contradict him. See this, he continued. "Writing down my research and publishing it's not what I meant."

It's been a few hours and they had no luck composing the poem. Calcelmo's nephew, Aicantar, was sitting down on a chair across them, in the sea of crumpled paper balls stained with ink. He's been unable to take his eyes off Sakura's pouty face for at least a few good minutes before he started to help them.

"The heart of amber burns as bright as..." Sakura stopped and put down the quill on the table.

"There has to be someone able to help us. I refuse to believe Markarth has no bards or artists. Is there someone close to Faleen who could help us?"

Calcelmo put his own quill away as well.

"Yes...his name is Yngvar the Singer. He's been a bard so he knows his way around the words. Luckily, Faleen is not his type but they've been good friends for a while now. If anyone knows what she likes, that'd be him."

"Perfect!" Sakura's smile brightened. "I just need a brief description, so I know who to look for."

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"My lover's heart is numbing stone
That hides in ice beneath our sight.
So some decry, "It is not there,"
While others whisper, "Yet it might."

Though stone is born from fevered ash,
Once formed it yields no whiff of heat.
So too, her heart betrays no love,
Nor comforts those embracing it.

As mountains grow and yearn for sky,
Then climbers, conquering, ascend.
With chisel, rope, with axe and pick,
They force the rock to yield to them."

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Sakura spotted the man she was looking for, somewhere outside the Silver-blood in. He was an armored man with long, tied brown hair and face stained with warpaint. And she could never have guessed this man was a bard.

"Excuse me? Are you Mr. Yngvar?" Sakura asked politely. He eyed down the petite woman which stepped shyly ahead.

"Depends on who's asking." He replied, a little grumpy and stoic. Was this a romantic poet? Really? He has been a bard before, but couldn't his touch get worn down by years of crushing heads?

"My friend fancies himself a woman named Faleen, and they said you could help him with a poem." She asked shyly but keeping her back straight. She was not afraid and wanted to make that clear. He should be the one running actually if she wasn't on a mission of love.

Yngvar the Singer looked at her and chuckled. "Oh, I know exactly who are you talking about. He thinks that burying himself in work would hide it well enough. You don't have to be so skittish, I'll help."

Sakura's eyes brightened. "Really? Thank you!"

"For 200 septims."

Yngvar laughed at her sudden mumblings of something mean, but they could not be made out. She was cursing in her own language as she dug for two coin purses and handed them to him. He happily pocketed them.

"Good. I will write something to throw Faleen on her back. I guarantee you that."

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"One peak stands proud amidst the range,
Invincible, and scaled by none.
Those men who try wash down her slopes;
Their eye-born streams obliquely run.

For brash assault could never pierce
Those guarded depths that lay apart.
But patient water gently shapes
A furtive channel to the heart.

My love is delving water, ice
That cracks with cycles of the sun.
A lapping, yearning, whispered plea
Will mark the time 'til I rush in.

For I have dwelt among the rocks,
My city carved from rugged stone.
So in that burrow I will creep,
And warm the soul which makes my home." - Yngvar the Singer

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Sakura almost cried when she read the poem.

She was hiding behind a wall, watching Calcelmo speak with Faleen. She was smiling brightly, barely able to hold herself from giggling softly. She felt like a schoolgirl.

"Faleen...I..."

"Shh." Faleen silenced him gently. "You don't have to say anymore. I had no idea you were so...nuanced..."

"I love you."

"So I hear. Come here you." Sakura let them share their own moment of warm embrace. She took a look at the letter written by Faleen in response to the love poem. She smiled lightly.

The Redguard warrior, while being a poetry lover, she couldn't say she was a talent herself. But it was all Calcelmo needed.

"It seems that everything went well. I've never seen Uncle so happy." Aicantar commented. He was smiling lightly himself; maybe Calcelmo would be in a better mood from now on.

"I'm happy they found themselves. Mara is sending me to reunite two more souls, so I shall be going."

He nodded and eyed her.

"Take care and good luck."

Sakura replied with a typical, bright D-brand smile.

"Thank you. Good luck with your research as well."

Her hands moved in a confrontation hand seal and she vanished. There was no smoke...not even her own overkill version of flurry Sakura petals...but she still left one intact cherry blossom behind. Aicantar walked over and picked it up, and when he thought nobody was looking, he went to find a vase.

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"My Dearest Calcelmo,

I always knew you to possess a great mind, but your charming poem revealed a depth of feeling I never suspected.
I'll admit to being a bit surprised at the direction of your feelings, but not unpleasantly so. Let us meet to discuss further.

Yours,
Faleen"

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A/N: This chapter was shorter...I know. One more chapter and we can head to the Thieves Guild. Afterward...some stuff in Riften...we finish with the first quest...ya know with the old man one. Then we take care of young Arentino...meet with the Brotherhood...I think we're good.

Aicantar has always seemed sweet to me. He's an Altmer conjurer mage if you're wondering. He could be a potential love interest. I'm still deciding...

I'm not quite sure when to actually start the main storyline.

Anyway, here's Sakura's stats.

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Sakura's Balance: 2350 septims.

Sakura's Inventory: Summoning scroll, several storage scrolls, Boethiah's Proving, Sakura's Journal, Quill, Inkwell, Walking the World, Volume XI: Solitude, Lockpicks (8), Cats of Skyrim, The Exodus, Aedra and Daedra, Enchanter's Primer, Black Soul Gem (1),

Sakura's Quest Log (Started): Discerning the Transmundane, Join the Stormcloaks, Book of Love.

Sakura's Quest Log (Completed): A Chance Arrangement, Drowned Sorrows

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I think that's all. Well..I'll see you later!

Alex Signed Out