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]

[Nehnahlmey laughs in the way familiar to dragons.]

Yes, yes, you are your own. Zaamhus dreh ni meyz joor voth Dovah Sos.

[Slavery does not become a mortal with Dragon Blood.]

And my possessions are never kept behind glass. They are mine for their existence alone. Their actions and choices are their own, for I have no desire or patience to dictate such things.

[dovahfahdon]

[ To Niall's laughter, Alain plucks something from a larger pouch--an empty hilt worn and made smooth from years. This, and its chain, is swung around his waist, for he has little want to be without a weapon, even so close to what he should call as home.

The Ghostblade is not his strongest weapon, but it is one he has held on to, out of like.

He moves to walk, to continue their original plan, the short distance over hills to the cave set into the small peak. ]

Then I wouldn't mind being yours. I have claimed you already, after all.

[ Hin sos los ni ok, he had said. And it remains as true. For Niall's blood was Alain's, and no other's. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[As Alain manages his weaponry (with a sword seen several times in the recent past), the dragon crawls after. He has no intention of following the remainder of their journey in such a manner, but Nehnahlmey still has words.

Very choice words.]

With perfect enunciation. You should speak more in our tongue.

[dovahfahdon]

[ The Dragonborn freezes, an act not entirely his own. Foot hesitating on air before the completion of stepping downward, hand half-curled into a fist, muscles tensing in his back.

A part of his knew this would be brought up, at some point. The rest of him seemed to harbor wishful thoughts that it would be forgotten.

He steps down, with effort, and maintains that tense position. Keeps his reddening visage away from the dragon as he replies. ]

...Doubtful.

[ Both the enunciation as well as Alain speaking more. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[However fleeting the reaction, Nehnahlmey saw it for what it was. Embarrassment.]

Your answer serves to disappoint me. Your Thu'um has grown zol mul.

[Most strong.]

[dovahfahdon]

[ Alain grimaces, and glances back over his shoulder. ]

Thu'um and speech are two separate things entirely.

[ And anyway, if they were to speak on irregularities-- ]

--Would you like to tell me what that was about, Niall? I've never seen you act--

[ Like a dragon. It hovers on the edge of his lips. ]

Like that.

[nehnahlmey]

You would lecture a dovah on the differences?

[If he was humanoid, Nehnahlmey would shake a finger. Instead, a shift in topic distracts him entirely.

He is silent for a moment.]

Rok gahrot tiid voth hio.

[He stole my time with you.]

[dovahfahdon]

[ His mind blanks, and he stops where he is. Carefully turns around to view the dragon. ]

...What?

[nehnahlmey]

[Oh, did Alain not hear? The dragon cants a head.]

He stole my time with you.

[dovahfahdon]

[ Alain had assumed that his translation was off, and he was not as well-versed as he liked to believe. The Common reiteration casts that excuse aside. ]

...Are you that in need of someone stroking you?

[ Mildly insulted. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[It is rude, what Alain insinuates, whether in Dovah or in the Common. The dragon gives a huff in annoyance.]

If I needed to be stroked, fahdon, I can do so with a rock. No, you are more valuable than your actions.

[dovahfahdon]

[ --Silence becomes him again, for Alain does not know what to say. ]

I thought you were just amusing yourself.

[ It's almost ruder than the last thing Alain said, and with the events of the past day, he moves to correct.

Awkwardly. This is something strange. ]

Perhaps I didn't think you actually prioritized me.

[nehnahlmey]

[There is an agitation present that any mortal might catch.]

Mey. More so than I. That a Dovah would allow a mun to ride him and call it amusement.

[dovahfahdon]

I have said. You are not a fool.

[ This is murmured on habit, before the rest is taken in.

Alain would speak again, offer surprise and disbelief and place it before the dragon. In that, he would also offer more insults, by way of necessity, and for a time, Alain is silent instead. Thinks, instead of reacts.

Alain had offered his feelings, and told the dragon that his existence held weight to Alain--that the Dragonborn held a preference. In this, Alain would find surprise, for the dragon had never--

Said the same?

Hadn't he?

Alain questioned eternity, and Niall spoke of loss. Ah, that...

Alain steps up to the dragon, reaching up to his head. ]

...You have my apologies. Indeed, I am foolish. Forgive my thoughtless words.

[nehnahlmey]

[Forgiveness is not so easily given, but Alain offers his penance by way of affection.

Of course, Nehnahlmey cannot resist and lowers his head to allow access.]

You are forgiven.

[Like a god granting absolution.]

[dovahfahdon]

[ He withholds a smile, and runs both hands along the dragon's skull. Once, twice, then he pats, and releases. ]

We won't make it to the cave by full dark if we keep stopping.

[nehnahlmey]

...

[The annoying mortal is right. Thus, Nehnahlmey presents a solution.

Via nudging Alain's torso.]

We shall fly, then.

[dovahfahdon]

[ ...Congratulations, you keep off-setting the Dragonborn.

Surprise slips over him, making him off-balance, and he grabs Niall's head when he nudges. Alain remains like that for a moment. ]

...I can travel well as I am.

[nehnahlmey]

[Strange man, the Dragonborn is. Nehnahlmey nudges again.]

And expect me to wait for days?

[dovahfahdon]

[ There's a comfort in the motions given, and Alain does not know why.

Something wiped away from the remark. He glares. The mountain is not that tall. ]

--I will be up there in only hours.

[nehnahlmey]

[Dragons, as many might find, have a tendency to exaggerate their woes. This particular dragon believes his exaggerations.]

Too long. By flight, we will take minutes.

[dovahfahdon]

[ He gives in. The incorruptible Dragonborn, motivated and willful, gives in without a further breath of protest; a candle flame blown out.

Again, he pats the dragon's snout. ]

...Let us go, then.

[nehnahlmey]

[Alain assents without complaint.

It pleases the creature for reasons unspoken, and for the second instance in his long life, Nehnahlmey permits Alain to climb upon his back. Again, he takes to the sky with care, flies to their destination with the uncomfortable weight of another in the back of his mind.

The open-top cavern has changed little in their absence, aside from the dwindling number of goats. The dragon lands on mossy ground, which shakes beneath the force of his landing, before lowering his body for the Dragonborn to dismount.]

[dovahfahdon]

[ The experience again proves itself more than words can describe. When the dragon lowers himself, Alain climbs down, placing a hand on the other's leg as he shifts to the ground.

He brushes off his clothes, seemingly nonchalant. ]

You've proven yourself to be very kind, Niall.

[nehnahlmey]

[Unused to shifts brought on by the proximity of a smaller being, Nehnahlmey stretches his limbs and sways his tail. Which stops the moment Alain chooses to speak.

Doubt suits the dragon well at this moment.]

For a dragon to be synonymous with kindness... Hio lost sizaan hin klov.

[You have lost your head.]