“It’s not something any one or few people could pull off, I think. To fight the Thalmor is to fight the Dominion, and you’d need to somehow put the Empire back in good fighting condition for that. Gets real complicated with all the work we’d have to do - and yes, I’ve thought this through~” Aria chuckled. “I was a rebel once, but the results of combat with the Thalmor were... Bloody.”

Yuki entered just then. Having spent her time well exploring Whiterum, she looked quite tired. The girl was carrying two books, both with alchemical symbols on the front covers. She went to wave at the three, nearly losing one of the books before holding them tightly again.

“This land is so interesting!” Yuki remarked, cracking a big smile.

"...And here I am playing one woman army probably doing little more than being an annoyance." Serena said to no-one in particular as Yuki returned to the building, somewhat exhausted, but excited regardless.

"Welcome back. Glad you're taking to the change in scenery well... Now that you're not freezing your backside off." Cronic said, cracking a smile at Yuki's return.

"I finished your new clothes before you returned. Once it all clicked together in my head, everything else was childs play. I left them in your room when you're ready to try them on." Cronic said, pointing upstairs before looking at Serena, who was at a loss of what to do.

Yuki spared no time and bolted up the stairs to find her new clothes. Who would blame the kid walking around in a strange mix of ragged Akaviri and Thalmor attire? It went silent upstairs, save for a few odd creaks and thuds as she apparently rushed to get changed.

Aria nodded slowly at Cronic, “That was pretty damn quick. I mean, her speed, and your tailoring both. I guess step one was to have her look normal - now we can actually leave town without being mega suspect, hm?”

"The earlier measurements and a rough idea of the design in my head helped expedite things. From there t'was but a matter of resources, which Warmaidens were happy to supply... After a bit of negotiating a lower price." Cronic said as he simply waited for Yuki's return.

"Archery skills, record time craftsmanship, magic use. Is there nothing this guy can't do?" Serena asked as she read the book on Vampire clans.

"Well it's not exactly perfect. I still need to add enchantments to it, plus I was kinda in a hurry to get her out that robe, so I'll need to fine tune the fit later."

“I guess this is why we haven’t closed down like everyone might expect. Odd skills for odd jobs, no? Means there’s hardly any limits to what we can do! Within mortal boundaries, at least.” Aria said. She gave Cronic a thumbs up, and fell back into a relaxed position on her chair.

“Traveled much of the province then, Serena? If we’re going hunting morons tomorrow, it’ll probably be far away. North, actually.”

"From kicking Bandits off their self-centred perches to simple garment repairs, we do it all... Within reason anyway. Doing something crazy like trying to capture a live Mammoth without getting knocked into the heavens by their giant shepherds? You're on your own with that one. Not much we can do in relation to odd jobs when we're reduced to a bloodstain on the floor." Cronic said, essentially summarizing the buisness.

"Here and there. Enough to know that I need to wrap up warm at least." Serena said, folding her arms.

"Exactly how far north are we talking here?" Serena asked, looking at Aria in contemplation, Crobalt seemingly lost in his own thoughts as the two conversed."

“We’ll be heading up Dawnstar-ways, so it’ll be lovely... Until we hit the mountains.” Aria said, “Ever hear of the Vigilants? Stendaar cult, they hate unholy things. Vampires especially! But from what I gather, they’re stretched thin and need someone to deal with gangs in their local area. I’m keen to see what they know about the situation with this ‘Harkon’ guy.”

Yuki ran back down the stairs in her new outfit. It was a snazzy grey winter coat, tidy-looking as well as protective from the harsh environment of the province. A belt hugged the coat at about waist height, full of pouches and holders for magical equipment, or storage. She did a couple of twirls as she looked up and down herself, then beamed a gleeful smile at Cronic. “Thank you, this is perfect! I can keep ingredients and vials with me!”

"Assuming they haven't been wiped out already." Serena said, before slapping herself on the forehead.

"...Sorry, assuming worse case scenarios is force of habit." Serena said, before turning to look at Yuki.

"Well, I've always been more into functionality versus form anyway. No point making something look fancy if it doesn't do it's job. Though I'll need to mix in some enchantments at a later date to really make it effective." Cronic said, mulling over ideas for further improvements.

"...Huh, if he ever suffers an injury that takes him off of fieldwork such as combat, he'd make a killing as a tailor." Serena said, admiring Cronic's handiwork.

"Here's hoping that doesn't happen for a long time."

Yuki took a few short, fast bows for Cronic, “I can help with the enchantments, too! This is exciting, I haven’t been able to study or practice in so long... Temple life was quite boring, if I’m honest...” she admitted, scratching idly at her cheek.

“Like a proper lil’ adventurer now, huh?” Aria mused, making Yuki smile at her. “Well... I’m gonna head to the Bannered Mare, have some drinks before sleeping. Tomorrow we’ll set off on our epic journey, Serena.” Aria said as she got to her feet and headed for the door.

“Anyone coming?”

"Don't have too much to drink there. Otherwise I'm going to have to empty a bucket over your head in the morning. I'll stay behind just in case we get any more 'unwelcome' guests." Cronic said, reaching for a nearby bucket as if to further his point.

"...I guess now that I'm not concerned about threats to my life I could afford to have a taste of the local brew." Serena said, getting to her feet and following after Aria.

"You might want to sit this one out Yuki. Some of the drinks they have at the mare aren't suitable for minors. This one guy tried to prove he wasn't a 'Milk Drinker', Nord insult for a guy who's a total lightweight in drinking mead... What he had ended up flooring him on the spot, leaving 'em with a lingering hangover for the rest of the week." Cronic said, before stretching his arms.

Yuki nodded at Cronic knowingly, “There was something like that at home, too! The guards would finish their duties and go to the communal hall to drink. The next morning, they would always visit the shrine to ask for a spell that could end their headaches and poor stomachs. Unfortunately, no spell exists like that to my knowledge. I don’t understand why they drank it, if it caused such pain.” The teen explained, innocent and yet free from any kind of influencing substance.

—————

Aria sighed gleefully in their way to the tavern, happy to let her hair down for a while. She’d told herself not to drink much, or the morning journey would hurt... But once the first jar goes down the hatch, another would have to follow. Self-control never really kicked in when there was fun to be had!

As Aria pushed the door open, she looked back to Serena. “Just one or two, then home. Yeah?” she asked, confident in her ability to stop whenever she felt like it!

"...Those kind of drinks tend to ease a person's stress after a long day on the job. It only causes those kinds of downsides when they've had one drink too many. They also do it to be social... And sometimes competetive about it. The only time I remember even being that drunk was when Jarl Balgruuf the Greater called me a milk drinker when he thought I couldn't hear him... Needless to say he threw down the gauntlet and I wasn't about to let that one slide. What happened afterwards is somewhat of a haze. I don't really remember who blacked out first, but I think we broke even. No-one in Whiterun disputed my ability to hold my drinks down after that. Though I did have the faint taste of honey in my mouth for the rest of the week. Needless to say I haven't drank anywhere near that amount since." Cronic said, scratching the back of his head towards the end of the tale.

"Course, some people just need good food, good friends, and a good night's sleep to be ready for the following morning. Speaking of which, I'd better head up to the Bannered Mare in a bit... Aria's a good soul, but she sometimes forgets when to stop knocking her drinks back."

--------------

"Maybe make it three... Anyone tries to get touchy feely, I'm breaking their wrist." Serena said as she followed Aria into the Mare.

As the two stepped inside, the bard was just starting to sing the ‘Age of Aggression’. One of the benches at the fire was still free, Aria motioning to it for Serena, before walking up to the bar to grab some drinks. Those gathered around the fire listened silently to the bard’s song, as the words hit so close to home. The civil war was only going to get worse... But here in Whiterun, allegiance didn’t count for much. This city had refused the Empire and the rebels entry- Balgruuf was happy to spare his people the miseries of war, especially with all the other lingering threats already troubling the entire province.

“Two Honningbrew please,” Aria ordered. She paid for the two bottles and smiled at the inn keeper as the corks were removed. She gave her a polite nod before quickly returning to Serena. She’d hand her new friend one of the bottles before taking a seat.

“Rooting for a particular side in this random chaos, Serena?” Aria asked, sipping at her sweet mead.

"Honestly I've not been keeping tabs on the war. Too busy looking out for myself. All I do know is that this infighting is going to lead to a lot of opportunities for Thalmor to seize upon more and more of a power base here in Skyrim. If the Stormcloaks had any common sense, they'd go after the Thalmor instead of the Empire. Driving the Empire out of Skyrim is just going to trigger a massive influx of Thalmor attackers as a response. And if the Empire couldn't drive off the Thalmor, what in oblivion makes them think they can?" Serena said, chugging back some mead once she'd finished talking before rubbing her forehead in frustration.

"...How many mothers, fathers and children need be torn apart before this is over?"

“Good point on the bigger picture... I guess people are happier when they ignore that fact. The Dominion’s breathing down the back of the Empire’s neck. I can’t think why they stopped the fighting, with their power they could continue the push...” Aria mumbled on, unwilling to speak up on the topic too much. Most nords hated elves, it’d be easy to get them riled up, especially with enough ale, wine and mead around the place!

“If I had to pick a side though... Hm... Nah, I’d play both sides. They need their heads knocked together! We’re all human, right?”

"No singular race of man would stand a chance against the combined might of the Thalmor. And we'd probably have to draw in the Argonians and some of the other Elven races to fill ranks. Ambush tactics would just piss them off until they decided to devise means to counter it." Serena said, before she took another sip of mead.

"I'd knock some sense into both factions, but with how many "I'm right, you're wrong" mentalities there are here in Skyrim in relation to both sides... I think I'd break my hand after five. And you'd think they'd call off the civil war what with there being DRAGONS flying around ready to strike at any time!"

“You would think, huh?” Aria mused, “Nords are stubborn as all hell, though. I bet they’re confident they can take on anything, come elves, dragons or daedra.”

Before long, she’d finished her bottle of mead and placed it under the bench. The bard bowed as his song ended, and the patrons gave a short applause as he left the light of the fire pit.

"Don't remind me about Nord stubbornness. It was only until I threatened to hack his junk off that one Nord finally got the hint that I wasn't interested in him." Serena said, following suit with Aria after she'd finished off the last of her mead.

"Not knowing when to quit is a nice quality and all, but not when it makes me want to hurl the nearest table at the guy."

“Brutal,” Aria commented with a chuckle. “I like ‘em though. Even the farmers and merchants among Skyrim are hardy and tough. Guess they have to be, with all the dangerous, nasty bastards and creatures lurking the province!” she continued, sipping at her mead idly. “But we’ll rid the land of all the horrible nasties, one head at a time.”

Sighing and folding one leg over the other, Aria’s lips grew a tiny grin.
“So you’re not into drunk northmen... Fair, fair... What are you into, Serena?” she asked, raising a brow curiously.

"Bit of a personal question, as well as a nocked arrow, ain't it?" Serena said, shooting Aria a nasty look, as if to speak without words that Aria was treading on thin ice. Taking a deep breath, her features turning more relaxed as she pondered for a moment.

"...I guess I prefer someone who would treat me right, someone who knows his limits, and is smart enough to find a way around them. Someone with a level head, basically. Not a supergenius, god knows I'd never keep up a conversation with that one. Above all else though, I'd like them to view me as an equal, respecting my choices, but willing to put his foot down if it seems reckless."