run of the mill.

[nehnahlmey]

[He's come from a prolonged "constitutional", undertaken when the dragon finally lost patience and parts of his mind. Alain had been following that vampire around for quite some time, and one day, he had simply vanished from Nehnahlmey's watch. From Skyrim altogether, in truth--a detail that eventually forced the creature to seek the man out in quiet desperation.

After several days, the dragon lands in front of the travesty Alain calls a house in a last attempt to wait out the man's return. It is here Nehnahlmey finds Alain, sitting against the building in what looks to be fatigue.

The dragon slips out of his transparency to peer at the figure.]

...Dovahkiin.

Comments

[nehnahlmey]

[Here, the dragon lifts his head, eyes narrowing to consider the man before him.]

The souls who reach the Soul Cairn have little hope of escape. You've returned from that realm as more or less yourself. Weakness, Dovahkiin, is not the reason you require care.

[dovahfahdon]

[ Niall withdraws his head but keep his wing tucked over Alain's form. It causes mixed feelings. It makes his words hard to come, thick and choppy. ]

...Your reason?

[nehnahlmey]

[There is silence for a prolonged beat of time. Finally, Nehnahlmey slowly folds back his wing from above Alain's form.]

...You cannot be left alone.

[dovahfahdon]

[ The darkness leaves him, and Alain presses at the ground until he shifts upward. ]

As if I am that weak that I need watching.

[nehnahlmey]

[Displeasure seeps into his voice, sharp and distinct.]

No, Alain Ebon.

[You fool.]

I wished to watch over you.

[dovahfahdon]

[ He is not awake enough, aware enough for perspective. He does not understand any of these reactions. ]

If I wanted to be watched over, I would have asked Serana to stay.

[nehnahlmey]

[Nehnahlmey does not speak. He simply takes the name, the image of a female vampire searing into his mind, and says nothing for a moment.

Then:]

I will not allow another to watch over you, especially the cause of your fatigue.

[dovahfahdon]

[ Alain wants anger. Anger is simple. What his emotions are exist as something else. ]

...You "will not allow" another to do so, you "would not permit" me to rest within that house. I see I truly am your possession, dragon.

[nehnahlmey]

[The words (the "dragon') cause a spark, a flicker of something to pass through his being. And he refuses to think on what it is. Nehnahlmey puts down the folded wing and then shifts to stand, taking care to detach from Alain.

His compound eyes avert to the cave's opening up ahead.]

Do not mock me, Dovahkiin. Alain Ebon los ni dii.

[Alain Ebon is not mine.]

But if that is not the truth you hold, then this will be our final meeting.

[dovahfahdon]

[ He had said it, he had not said it. Niall had once spoke the words, confidently declaring Alain his possession. He had labeled Alain such and now he would say the reverse. If if it was instead something wanted. Something he did not hold.

Alain's position of security is in standing, in a solid and balanced stance. But he maintains the strange upward lean he remains in. Does not move to sit or shift. ]

...Then what are you doing? Taking me here, restricting my actions-- What are you doing if not claiming me as your possession?

[nehnahlmey]

[Indeed. It is as the man says. Nehnahlmey's behavior may lead one to believe thus, and yet, his motives are anything but.

The dragon narrows his eyes in something like confusion, something like disgust. What exactly-- What exactly is Nehnahlmey doing?]

It is to protect you.

[dovahfahdon]

[ There is a piece lacking in all of this. ]

Controlling me is to protect me?

[nehnahlmey]

[Of course. Control is the only method suitable to protect a sentient existence.

But there is disgust moving through him, and he cannot say why the thought evokes such an emotion.]

Control...is not what I seek. I am not the rest of Dov.

[dovahfahdon]

[ How to separate their bond without effort--Alain could do this now, at this time, in this place. All he would have to do is argue the opposite, state Niall as his brethren. It would separate them easier than a knife between skin and bone.

He holds no inclination to speak as such. Once-- Once he had wanted that, felt the need for a final distance. He wonders at the state of his mind, that such a want full of obvious sense had rotted away.

His voice softens, quiets to something only Niall would hear. ]

...Tell me then, zeymah. Grant me understanding.

[nehnahlmey]

No.

[He will not. It is not understanding that is required to make sense of Nehnahlmey's motives, and the creature suddenly becomes unwilling to test Alain. To try and gamble for what is likely impossible.

Nehnahlmey purposely looks again to the cave's entrance.]

You should leave, Alain, if my protection is unwanted.

[dovahfahdon]

[ He is quiet. His gaze touches where stone and earth meet. ]

...I do not call you my brother on a whim, Niall.

[ Comprehend his meaning: He is calling attention to a bond. ]

I wish to understand you.

[ The ways the dragon's mind works. Alain would give a final piece, glance upward with pale eyes. ]

...Please. Explain it to me.

[nehnahlmey]

[The plea proves enough to draw Nehnahlmey's attention, to place it upon the Dragonborn as if he had just transformed into a torchbug.

There is a stretch of silence before the dragon thinks to speak.]

Is this the same brother you wanted nothing to do with earlier in the day?

[But Alain pleaded. That is something to consider, and Nehnahlmey gives up the original intent.]

I am...concerned.

[dovahfahdon]

[ Let him give truth, in exchange for the rest that Alain had received. ]

I have no want to be weak in front of you.

[nehnahlmey]

Weak?

[The dragon sniffs in mild derision.]

One only desires to feign strength in front of those who might harm them.

[dovahfahdon]

More perhaps...

[ Something else is his fear. ]

It is more that I may not have value to you weakened. Your interest lies in my abilities and irregularities, and a weakened mortal man is hardly entertaining.

[nehnahlmey]

[A moment passes.]

I would have left you weeks prior if I considered you as mere entertainment.

[dovahfahdon]

[ Alain's point still holds, and he stares at Niall to convey that. A weakened mortal is hardly a Dovah's zeymah. The awareness of that had the possibility of causing a fissure.

For what value would Alain have otherwise? ]

[nehnahlmey]

[He knows the meaning that look holds. The creature could sigh--Alain's worth to Nehnahlmey is not the part that is under question.

Rather--]

You must take greater care in preserving your life.

[dovahfahdon]

[ The non sequitur is off-putting. Alain frowns upward. ]

I have never had any problem with that.

[ Risking it at a daily basis, yes, but to Alain, he was perfectly adept at survival. ]

[nehnahlmey]

[The dismissal stings. It is not something Nehnahlmey swallows easily.]

...The Soul Cairn is hardly a demonstration in the preservation of life, Dovahkiin.