"Ah-!" Aria flicked Cronic's forehead suddenly as the carriage started heading back north, to Whiterun. "Don't you dare jynx it again. I'm overdue a long nap..." she chuckled, finally sheathing the black-bladed katana. Fortunately, they wouldn't have any problems on the way back. Threats, sure, but no attacks or anything serious. Even more fortunately is they got back to Riverwood by nightfall, so the road home was short and safe from there.

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As the two walked up the defended slope leading to the Whiterun gates, guards nodded or stood to attention in acknowledgement of them. It seems Balgruuf let it be known that the Odd Jobs duo were important people, despite Aria's wishes to remain unrecognisable to outsiders. Still... Balgruuf had never let Thalmor into his midst - this could mean the city itself was on Aria & Cronic's side. That, she could be grateful for.

When they finally showed up outside the shop, Aria was pleasantly surprised to see a local carpenter packing up his tools to leave, ...having just installed a new door! Okay, now this was either a nice gesture, or Balgruuf wanted something from them. But then again, stopping a dragon was hell. Perhaps this was.. even more reward for their efforts? It [I]was[/I] a dragon, after all... Shrugging with a gleeful look on her face, Aria entered the shop and went over to sit at her desk. And lazily kick back, as usual.

"Number two, go get us some curing potion thingies if the Cauldron is still open? If not we might have some spare stuff in the random junk under the stairs." Aria yawned. And to make her evening complete, the regular stray cat hopped in an open window, climbing onto Aria's lap for a sleep.