User:Lonesome Courier/Forge World

Ivarstead, 1st of Rain's Hand, 4E 203

Darius was leaning on the rail of the Vilemyr Inn, resting after a briefing at the camp across the lake.

"How'd it go?"Arabelle asked, coming out of the inn.

"We managed to make plans to take Greenwall." Darius stated. "They need to train the soldiers, so we have a few days free, at the least."

"That's great! I could use a few days off."Arabelle giggled.

"Me too." Darius grinned. Gods, this friends thing is annoying...

"I wonder what we should do. Lounge around?"Arabelle asked. ''This could prove to be dangerous to our friendship... Good but bad...''

"Maybe I can show you High Hrothgar, and the Throat of the World?" Darius suggested.

"That actually sounds amazing!"Arabelle smiled. ''Oh shit... Here we go...''

"Alright. Get a cloak. Or, well, borrow this one." Darius handed Aras a spare black wolfskin cloak. "We're gonna have to ascend the 7000 steps."

Talos help me...

"Thank you. When do we leave?"Arabelle asked with a smile.

"Right now, if that's alright with you." Darius smiled, warmly.

"That sounds good."Arabelle smiled, fluttering her eyes as she looked up into his.

Darius nearly took the "logical" route, almost kissing Aras. He was barely an inch away before a sudden ache in his chest reminded him of the agreement back in the Reach.

"Ahem..." He turned around, getting his cloak.

''Gods that was close... Wait, he just 'ahemed' himself... He's so cut... No, no, bad Arabelle!''

She quickly shook her head and followed him.

(It's not over: Darius mixed up the cloaks, so Aras got the one that he's worn since the beginning of the Civil War, so it smells like him. :P)

Darius sighed as the ache in his chest subsided. He put on the cloak and led Aras to the bridge to the beginning of the 7000 Steps.

Arabelle smiled, breathing in deep.

''Mmmmmm that smell... Oh gods it's so wonderful... Oh no it's him... Wait he's too far away. I shouldn't be able to smell it... Oh gods it's this cloak...''

She tried to walk properly but her legs were beginning to become jelly.

A strong, cold hand then grabbed Aras' shoulder.

"Need some help?" Darius grinned.

Arabelle looked up at Darius, and biting her lip, resisting the urge to devour him with her desire.

"Please... Could we take a break soon?"Arabelle asked, timidly.

(Ah, so we're THAT close to incinerating the crank...)

"Why not?" Darius helped her over to a rock. They were halfway past the second marker by now.

"I... I think it's... The altitude..."Arabelle lied through her teeth.

(Be on hold, the fire department will be here in one post. :P)

Darius put his hand on Aras' shoulder, and noticed the unseasonably warmness. "I don't think altitude makes you that hot..."

"I think.. I..."Arabelle began before she passed out right there.

Darius bit his lip, and picked Aras up. That's when he noticed the cloak.

''Aah. So that's what happened.''

He took the black wolfskin cloak - his actual cloak - and replaced it with the brown cave bear cloak. But not before casting a spell to get rid of any residual smell on the cave bear cloak.

He then placed Aras on a flat rock nearby, and poured a healing potion down her throat. Darius then backed up, giving her room to breathe.

Aras did eventually come to.

"Nnnnn... What happened?"

"You passed out." Darius smiled. " If I may say, that was quite the reaction to my scent."

"Ummmm yeah... It made me really... Flustered..."Arabelle admitted, turning beet red.

(Lemme guess, if we didn't have consistency to worry about, Darius would be the one on that rock, his pants missing, and being... Attended to? XD)

Darius chuckled under his breath. "Human nature can be a pain in the ass sometimes, am I right?"

He offered a hand. "Need any help getting up, or...?"

"Sure..."Aras smiled.

(Is that even a question? XD)

(Well, no doubt that both of em would be enjoying it. XD)

Darius helped Aras up, lingering for slightly longer than needed, before forging forward on the path.

"How far is it now?"Arabelle asked,"I'm freezing Dar..."

"LOK VAH KOOR!"

The temperature returned to a pleasantly cool feeling, as the skies cleared.

"Not far now." Darius pointed out High Hrothgar, just ahead.

"It's so amazing!"Arabelle smiled.

"You just wait for the summit," Darius grinned. ''Gods, I love that smile. AAAH, SERIOUSLY, DARIUS?!''

Arabelle looked on with awe at the graybeards palace.

Darius tugged on Aras' arm, "Hey, come on." He led her to the threshold of High Hrothgar, and levered the door open.

Arabelle followed him in and was pleased by the warmth.

"Gods this is so much better than out there!"

"That was exactly what I said on my way up here the first time." Darius grinned, his eyes locked with hers.

Uh, Nirn to Stormblade?

Arabelle exhaled slowly...

''Words... I can talk...''

"So is this where the greybeards are?"

"Yeah, they're usually mediating..."

Darius trailed off, slightly distracted.

(No propane tanks this time around, but crank's moving! :O)

"Could you let me meet them?"Arabelle asked breaking eye contact.

(I stopped it.)

(I say we're about a couple bottles of Sujamma away from this, sexual-tension-wise.)

"Sure. ARNGEIR!" Darius shouted.

Pretty soon, a old Nord in Greybeard robes approached. "Dovahkiin. It is an honor. Who have you brought with you?" Arngeir gestured to Arabelle.

"A... Friend of mine." Darius smiled.

"Arabelle Dewleaf, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

'I am Arngeir, of the Greybeards." The Nord bowed. "If I may ask, Dovahkiin, what is your business here?"

"I was showing Arabelle here the Throat of the World," Darius grinned, in that way Aras loved.

Arabelle tried not to swoon right there, and instead decided to look around.

Arngeir smiled, mysterious. "If I may ask, Dovahkiin, is there something between you two?"

"Err, nope." Darius lied, "absolutely not."

Gods... Oh how I wish he was lying..., Arabelle thought to herself as she examined the intricately carved walls.