hearthfire for dummies, a closed production

[nehnahlmey]

[In his mind, a project devoted to building one's dwelling is a project best left to rot in Sovngarde, but Alain had thought otherwise. Before Nehnahlmey could raise a word in complaint, Alain took to his task with no intention of stopping, resulting in a week's span of time where the dragon found himself with nothing to do. As opposed to directing his energies in more constructive pursuits, he holed himself in a cave beside a cliffside, counted the number of goats he could have torn apart until ultimately deciding a nap was more entertaining.

Until a concentration of energy seeps into his consciousness. Until he opens a single eye to regard the source near the entrance. Until he catches a glimpse of white hair.

His answer is brief.]

Finished already?

Comments

[nehnahlmey]

[To question a dragon can be labeled as foolish; however, Nehnahlmey takes no heed. He stills at the touch and makes a sound that could be described as melancholy.]

It is my truth.

[purification]

[ Alan would be foolish, would move ever further, to rest his cheek against the dragon's long head. ]

I'm sorry that you've been alone. I'm sorry I haven't been here with you.

[nehnahlmey]

[Centuries ago, a relative of Nehnahlmey's had warned him of the destructive aspects of a dragon in captivity. Of how servitude to a mortal can destroy their very core. That skull at Dragonsreach was proof of that, he had said.

Nehnahlmey, however, begins to think it wouldn't be so terrible. So destructive to be brought under this human.

Let him revel in affection for a bit. He will remember his origins later.]

[purification]

[ The dragon is quiet and still, and if Niall is Nigel, it speaks of a want for affection. And Alan must know--for this one is that one--how to fix these pains.

Likely on either side.

He strokes the dragon's head more. ]

Tell me what happened. Why did you separate?

[nehnahlmey]

[Dignity is obtained a beat later, when the dragon has mind enough to provide a decent answer.]

...I could not follow into the Dwemer tower near Markarth and voiced my objections. My reward for speaking out of turn was to be ignored for days. Tol mey. It has been five sunrises and four sunsets already, and the mountain goats are becoming a nuisance to count.

[He's waited so patiently, and no one but this other self has bothered to come.]

[purification]

[ None of the terms are familiar, and yet Alan gets the gist. And understands something further.

...Other than the fact that the dragon is blatantly obsessed with his other self. He wonders if Alain actually knows. ]

It's never just you. I can promise you that. There's something else that's bothering him.

[nehnahlmey]

[A promise calls for potential. Eight eyes fix on Alan in veiled interest.]

You are troubled, then?

[purification]

Do you speak to Alain?

[ An answer in a question. ]

Do you ask him of himself? Do you tell him that you care for him?

[nehnahlmey]

[There is prolonged silence. Then:]

Nid. No. He might reject me.

[purification]

[ He can't help it. Alan breaks from the spell this scenario has cast over him, and bursts out laughing without regard. ]

You idiot.

[ Said so fondly. ]

He would never want to. And if he tries, he's hurting himself. So don't let him.

[ Don't let him reject you. Don't let him leave you behind. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[...There is a sense that this man is making fun of him, which causes a sharp anger to rise. As this man is a form of Alain, however, Nehnahlmey sets the emotion aside.]

You propose I speak my devotion openly. That I have nothing to fear from doing so.

[purification]

You're a dragon. [ He says, not unkindly. ] You should have nothing to fear.

[ But emotions, and those new to them, are another thing altogether. And Alan Kane knows that. ]

You'll always have to fear that. Being without. But do you have faith in me? In him? Is Alain someone to place trust into?

[nehnahlmey]

Zu'u dovah. [An agreement.] But I am not as foolish as my brethren. We have much to fear.

[Consumed by their kin, destroyed by their enemies. Held captive and humiliated. Or in Nehnahlmey's case: being without. Lacking.

The man calls faith to counteract. The dragon's answer is immediate.]

Yes.

[purification]

[ A simple answer to a simple question, and Alan's reply is no different. ]

Then tell him.

[ There was a time in which Alan thought he wasn't wanted. There was once that solitary time that Nigel believed Alan was waiting to leave. Both were incorrect, faded pages blurring to nothing. ]

He won't leave you. Not in the way that you fear.

[nehnahlmey]

[There exists an agitation the creature cannot name, an absence slipping beneath his consciousness at the declaration.

Without a word, he nudges his snout sadly against Alan's front.]

[purification]

[ ...And Alan nearly falls over from the act, keeping to his balance from some unknown grace. His hands move over the dragon's head, and not for the first time in his existence, he wonders about his own ability to adapt. ]

Whether or not you say anything... You'll learn. Your existence and mine are tied together, and there isn't any division that can break us apart.

[nehnahlmey]

[His very core thrums at the declaration, at the binding of two beings. Nehnahlmey thinks he might remember--what Alan, Alain, means to him in the end and beginning of things.

The dragon makes a rare sound, a cross between a purr and a content sigh.]

[purification]

[ The sound is more attractive than Alan will admit, and the dragon himself is nearly adorable. Alan leans forward, to press his lips to a pebbled nose, then lays his head against the other's.

This is not his Nigel, this is another's, but their souls are joined all the same. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[The happy thrum continues as the man offers lips to the dragon's snout. It prolongs as Alan finds a resting spot against Nehnahlmey, until the latter recalls the temporary nature of this moment. That Alan might have to leave.

As such, he gives an obvious attempt at persuasion.]

You should stay here, fahdon.

[purification]

[ He chuckles, softly, and trails a hand over flesh. ]

...I can't, you know. I have the you that I love somewhere else. I could no more abandon him that you could give up watching the me that is here.

[nehnahlmey]

[Confounded reason. Still, the dragon has a compromise.]

Perhaps, but there is nothing that says you must leave at once. Stay with me a while, and I will show you Skyrim.

[The most interesting parts, at least.]

[purification]

[ He grimaces lightly, and pats the dragon a last time. ]

That's true. I don't even know how I got here.

[ I hope Nigel is okay. --And, you know. Not drowning in his own misery or something. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[Literally drowning in his own misery, you mean.

The agreement pleases Nehnahlmey, who raises his head just enough to appear contemplative.]

Pruzah. It is settled. We will find your way home, and you shall see this world.