-Cultural Clash-
[Unwanted Reunion]
[5E, 42, 15th of Sun's Dawn.]
To think that they would reunited, under this kind of circumstances, after over four decades have passed for Louise, with her maturing in those times, shedding off her old mindset in the process, while those people from her old life look like they have not aged a day. Seems that there is a discrepancy in the flow of time between worlds. Not sure how she should feel about such a prospect, but that is neither here nor there at the moment. What she should do right now is to address the current situation, where she is the center of attention for all eyes present, up and including the ghosts of the past, whose eyes look like they are inches away from falling out of their socket, as well as members of the Legions, being more or less confused and intrigued by her statement prior.
For the Tristainian, it was for obvious reason. Considered that she, Louise the Zero as they so enjoyed referring her as, appeared nothing like how they remembered her, being vastly older, roughly around the same age as her Mother, not to mention more developed in the asset department compared to her scrawny, petite self in the past, with muscle-bound frame gained from her constant traveling, fighting, and training with some of the finest warriors in all of Skyrim within the Companions, allowing her to obtained an strength previously unheard of for her, along with her feminine parts, far larger than the size they were back then. Nowhere near that tramp Zerbst, loathed as she was to admit it, but still fairly greater than her inadequate, younger days, serving as her sources of insecurities for many years. Consequently, she has changed so much that they could barely recognize her anymore, and if the words of shock and astonishment in their voice were anything to go by, they in fact couldn't even identify her until her Mother spoke up. A real shame too, she was hoping not to reveal herself to them.
Speaking of an unexpected reveal, that must be how the Legionnaires are feeling right now, hearing their commander greeting one of the convicts as Mother, clearly could not foresee such a development, but now that they get a good look at Karin, they could certainly see the resemblance, especially the unusual hair color of bright pink that the Dragonborn has that became something of a distinguishing characteristic among the people of Tamriel. Although they are quite confused as to why Louise looks around the same age as her supposed mother at first, they merely chalk it up to the Elven Blood flowing in their veins at work. Lots of Breton typically don't age as fast as most Human races thanks to their ancestry, even more so with the one that has far more Mer than Men, usually leading to them coming across as far younger than they actually are.
Still, they do find this whole situation quite uncomfortable. If there is a physical representation of awkwardness, this would definitely be it. How else would they describe this current state of affairs? It is not an everyday occurrence for a parent to get apprehended and face their own children in the same Army that captured them. What would their Commander do? SLAP! Apparently, striking her Mother after engaging in a conversation with her, much to the shock of the Tristainian and the immense discomfort of the Legion's Members, who could only stare in pity toward the Pink-haired Duchess for being at the receiving end of the Dragonborn's attack to the face, "W-What? What was that for, Louise De La Valliere?! How dare you raise your hand against your Mother?!" Now she is certainly mad, she always called Louise by her full name whenever she was. Not that Louise blamed her, what she did was the most disrespectful act in their culture that taught them to honor their parents.
But unlike her young, naive self, she has no reason to be afraid of Karin, not any longer, for in this moment, she stands taller than anyone else, "That, for assaulting an esteemed Member of the Clever Craft." Brisk and swift, Louise merely huffed out a sufficient answer before turning her attention toward the approaching form of Olenmar, who maintained a look of surprise on his face, as if he did not expect the National War Hero of the Empire to stand up for him, an Altmer, who by all accounts, someone she should despise, "Olenmar, was it? Apologies for my mother's actions, she was...Raised in an environment that discriminates Elves you see, mostly because of the Thalmor." Not exactly a lie, after all, her country is not known to be accepting of Elves in general. Then again, the kind of Elves found in her world, at least to her limited knowledge, is far more savage and bloodthirsty than the ones in Nirn, comparable to the Alyield that she has read about and explored the ruins of in her trip to Cyrodiil. If only her worlds have their own Pelinal Whitestrake.
"Oh, no worries Commander. I understand completely, those Thalmor bunch gives us Altmer a bad reputation." At the mention of the Government Party that ruled over the Third Aldmeri Dominion, Olenmar found himself unable to fault these people too much. Taking into account of the atrocities that the Thalmor committed during both the First and the Second Great Wars, the High Elf could see why they would attack him on sight, as for all they know, he could be a spy belonging to the remnant of the self-proclaimed superior master races, which he honestly doesn't see himself as. Sure, Altmer does possess heightened magical prowess, but the High Arts is not everything. Sword and Shield are just as important, if not more in some cases, "Though I admit, I could have never imagined that she is your Mother, Miss Valliere. It would appear that you and her have quite a strained relationship."
"You had no idea." No wonder why she got along with Serana so well. They basically shared the same background of a little girl that have parental issues. Quite a common trope in literature made everlasting, the Vampire Princess even complained about that when she was questioned about it, but at least they have something in common to bond over with. While she was musing over her past experience with the Daughter of Coldharbour, the Tristainian were once again treated to a sight that rendered all of them speechless, in which Louise having a civil conversation with what clearly an Elf, Founder Brimir, and by extension theirs, Enemies! Shouldn't she try and strike down that vile spawn of Hell immediately?! "I'll compensate you with some Septims later. All I asked is that you forgive them for their transgression." No...It couldn't be...She is even submitting herself to that Knife-eared Monster?!
"Oh no, it's alright. Seeing that they were indoctrinated into hating my kind, I'd say they are more the victim. Now then, I'll be heading to the Inn for a drink and a room. Should be able to reach the nearest Wayshrine by noon." With his parting words spoken, Olenmar bid his farewell to the Commander, offering a wave as he made his way to the Snake Charmer Inn with a smile on his face, an expression that Louise dropped as soon as he was gone from her sight, directing her attention back to the Prisoners. Most have been delivered to the Keep, with only the Cart containing the Tristainian are left to deal with.
"...How much is needed to pay for their fine?" Beckoning one of the Soldiers nearby, Louise inquired, all the while never taking her eyes off her Mother, Father, or any of the Convicts that had now all stepped down from the carriage, with Guiche in particular looking like he was about to make a run for the gate. At that, she made a subtle gesture to the nearby battlemage to prepare for a Paralysis Spell in case he tried anything stupid, which given his record, he most likely would. Probably too proud to be at the Mercy of the Zero. The Nobles back in her world always are, not even deign to touch the same filthy ground as the Commoner, always using levitation to move, "Three hundred golds? Here. Give this to the captain and tell him that I'm taking these pardoned Prisoners with me."
"Understood, Commander." With a pouch of Gold coins in hand, the Legionnaires departed to the Keep, intending to follow through with the order, while the others moved, carrying the chest that contained all the equipment they had confiscated from the group and dispel the enchanted cuffs on the Tristainian, making them wince in doing so as a result of the bindings pressing against their delicate skin, leaving quite a bruise behind, much to their displeasure, and Louise's overwhelming annoyance. They should consider themselves lucky that her Soldiers were even bothered to keep the key to their restraint rather than tossing it away as she would have in their position. But enough daydreaming about it, no matter of pleasant it might be, she needed to make sure they didn't try to go after Olenmar first thing once they got their Wand back, which she resolved by going through the chests and taking all of them for herself, and as expected, those brats began to complain.
"Give it back, Zero!" "Don't you touch my wand with your filthy hands!" "They are not yours!"
"Oh by the Nine Divines...SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!" With a practiced shout as an Officer in the Imperial Legion and Dragonborn, Louise once again silenced them all with a yell of exasperated irritation, making all in the vicinity go rigid, letting the suffocating silence descend onto Helgen that lasted for the most uncomfortable ten seconds of their lives before it was shattered by the Pink-Haired Woman, who pinched the bridge of her nose as she stashed away the wands, "I would appreciate it if you all can keep your silence until we leave this town. Now take all of your clothes and put it back on over there. Don't keep me waiting, and don't try to run away either. The Archers are there for a reason. Understood?" Growling out the last part like the seething maw of a Dragon, she practically ordered the group, to which while they were initially trying to protest, as there was no way they would listen to the Zero, were terrified into submission by her razor-sharp glare that looked like they would stab straight into their heart, promising them a quick death if they don't comply, "Good, now get going. I want to see you get done dressing in a minute."
And only a minute did it took, them to finish putting back on their usual garb, which stands out like a sore thumb among the people here, who wear much more modest and humble attires in comparison, but that is not what Louise is concerned about, for all she did once they are done was beckoned them to followed her with a gesture, heading out of town by the other gate, escorted by a group of Imperial Legionnaires to ensure that they don't try anything, making them rather nervous, especially Colbert, being reminded too much of a certain series of memories. Before long, they reached the edge of the town, where the escort ceased their advances, while Louise's small entourage did not, continuing to move forward at the wordless command of the Dragonborn, commanding over them with the fear she had managed to instill into them.
What soon followed was yet another awkward silence between the Pink-haired Woman and her equally colorful group, who quietly followed her closely behind down the beaten path, heading to a place only Louise had an answer to, as with countless questions on their mind, "...Well? If you have questions, spit it out already." If she was being honest, she is not fond of this insufferable tension between either. As a result, she decided to prompt whatever inquiries they may have had for her. Might as well get that out of the way if these people are going to stay in this place.
"W-Well, miss Louise, if I may, why did those Soldiers call you Commander?" Although Colbert would have asked more relevant questions, like why his student looked the way she is now, where are they, and what was that Golden Elf earlier, such questions came forth before he could think about those three. As a former Soldiers himself, he was most curious about these Legionnaires as they called themselves, boasting a uniform and Armor that he could not recognize the design of, though it does remind him of the type of Outfit the people of Romania would favored, particularly the headdress, like the one Louise is donning on her head right now.
"That's because I am one. Earned it during the Second Great War for the Empire. Don't ask what that is. It's a whole 'nother things in of itself."
"E-Empire? What Empire?"
"Oh Talos Guide me..." Louise grumbled, nursing her temple. How is she going to explain the whole thing to them in a way they could understand? After being transported to a different realm, they would obviously be confused, she herself was in the same position long ago, and like her, they might possibly find the explanation she has for them to be absolutely ridiculous. If only she had the Brief Guide to the Empire on her right now. What a blessing that would be. Maybe she should purchase a copy of it from Urag, seeing that she planned to go to Winterhold once she got this group settled into their brand-new environment. For now, though, an abridged summary would do, "It's the Voragiel Dynasty Empire in Cyrodiil, of which Skyrim, the country you are currently walking on the Soil of, is a part of it. I have been serving as their Member since the Civil War 44 years ago."
"44 years?! But you were gone only for a week!" Her father spoke up, obviously not taking the news well. So she was gone for only a week back in her home world, huh? Rather interesting, and certainly explained why they looked no different than the last time she saw these people.
"Yes, I figured, seeing that all of you still look the same. But for me, that much time has passed. I've married, got several kids of my own, and have gone on all sorts of adventures with my Husbands before we settled down." Time sure files by when you had fun, huh? Since the day she had that fateful meeting with her would-be fiance at Frostfruit Inn in Rorikstead, providing his father with the gold to fund the lifestyle he would want, have him accompany her across the land of Skyrim and beyond, from Solstheim to Cyrodiil, Hammerfel to Morrowind, where he would watch her back, fight alongside her, sharing a drink, spoils and tales of their journey to everyone. And during these extensive adventures, their feelings for each other bloomed, until it culminated in her husband proposing to her when they returned to Skyrim following their final adventure in Elsweyr. It was a moment where she was at her happiest and a memory she will forever treasure.
Though it would seem that the Tristainian does not seem to share her joy, as both Karin and Centurion frown at Louise's recount of her life, hearing that she is married without their approval. She was supposed to marry Wardes, not some...Random nobody in this backwater country! Just as they were about to speak up in protest, however, Kirche decided to jump at the opportunity to mess with her rival when the chance presented itself to her. An act she will soon come to regret, "Heh, Poor guy must have the worse of luck, marrying to the Zero-" Never did she get the chance to finish her word when a bolt of thunder flew past the Germanian girl, and incinerated the nearby bush, causing her and all the other stop dead at their track, stunned at the raw display of magical power, even more so when it came from...Louise of all people, whose lightning danced at her fingertips, a sight that contradicted everything they knew about Louise the Zero, the one that should have never been able to use magic.
"And I pitied whoever it is that would marry an unfaithful slut like you, Zerbst."
To be Continued…
