Two mer traversed over the cobbled roads, walking among bare trees. Snow gently fell around them as the sun began to set on the horizon. There was hardly a sound to be heard in the white forest, save for the rattling of the Orc's armor and the chirping of birds.
The Dunmer noticed a sign reading "Nightgate Inn" and glanced at his partner. "Mogaar," he said "why don't we stop here for the night? It's getting a bit late."
"Hm?" She looked to the inn. "Sounds good, I'm actually starting to get hungry." She put her arm around her partner. "And I bet that last dungeon sapped a lot out of ye, eh Rotthe?"
He sighed. "I already told you, I didn't notice the tripwire at first!" He ran a hand through his long, red hair. "I'm lucky I got out of that with my hair still intact..."
She laughed. "Just avoided disaster there, being bald wouldn't suit ye!"
The pair walked into the tavern and shut the door behind them. They could feel the cold begin to leave their bodies as the crackling fire warmed the building. Mogaar propped her battle axe against a wooden post and took a seat at one of the tables. Meanwhile, Rotthe went up to the bar to order food.
"We'll take a room and a hot meal." He said.
"What kind of food?" The innkeeper asked. "Some soup, perhaps some fresh bread?"
"Soup will work. Two bowls of beef stew, please. I'll also have a cup of alto wine and," he glanced back at his partner "uh...she'll probably want some Nord mead."
"I'll have all of that right out, then. Altogether, that'll be about 30 septims." After paying him the money, he joined his armored partner at a table.
"I got us a room and some soup." Rotthe said. "We still have a good bit of money from that tomb raid, so I went and bought us some drinks. I bought you a bottle of mead since that's what you usually get, hope you don't mind."
"Ah, ye know me so well!" Mogaar ruffled his hair.
Blushing a bit, he cleared his throat. "Anyway, I could go for some good shein right now. Shame they don't have that here in Skyrim, but Imperial-style wine tastes fine too I suppose."
"I'll tell you what I miss about Morrowind" she said "the warmer weather! This place is a frozen hell."
He chuckled. "It gets cold in Morrowind sometimes too, don't kid yourself." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Don't you remember the ash storms?"
She shook her head. "I know...I just miss those warmer days."
"As do I." He stroked his goatee. "Oh, and now that I'm thinking about it, a nice ash yam stew would go rather nicely that shein." He nudged the Orc beside him. "Perhaps we should head back to Windhelm and see if the Dunmer there know any recipes."
She shook her head. "Personally, I prefer Nord dishes over Dunmer cooking. You people always overcook everything."
"We just like our meat well-done."
"Burnt is more like it! Don't you remember that Nix Hound meat we bought at that corner club in Mournhold? It was black as coal!"
"I see how it is. So that happens one time and suddenly all Dunmer are bad cooks. I'll have you know,"
Their little argument continued as they were served their soup and drinks. They eventually dropped the topic and went back to just casual talking, even well after their meals were finished and they only had their drinks left. After a while, they retired to their room. The room available was rather small with only one bed, but that was fine. Sharing a bed had worked out in the past, and nothing weird ever happened. Usually.
Once they were inside, Mogaar started taking off her heavy armor. Setting the frames of steal and leather on the floor, she kept stripping until she was just in her rough-spun tunic and pants. She was burly, as would usually be expected of an Orsimer warrior. Years of traveling and fighting everything from bandits to the undead was enough to tone anyone's muscles. Wielding that axe of hers certainly required a lot of upper body strength as well. In the overall image, she was about as beefy as any Nord man he'd seen.
He watched her as he sat on the bed. "Is it just me, or has she been looking particularly attractive lately?" He thought. "Maybe it's just the wine talking..." then he remembered that he felt something similar when she saved him from a draugr earlier that day. "Oh..." it was then that he realized he was starting to develop feelings of affection for his Orc companion. "Oh no"
After undoing her ponytail and shaking her black hair loose, she released a sigh. She looked over at her companion, and her gaze met with his red eyes. "What are you lookin at?"
"Oh!" He turned his head to the window. "Nothing!"
Mogaar got in front of him and crossed her arms. "I noticed you giving me a similar look earlier too. Is something going on?"
He fidgeted in place, as his mind raced. "Am I really starting to fall in love with her?" He thought. "Why now? Is it because we've spent so much time together or," his gaze shifted to her arms "by Azura, she's as strong as a guar." Catching himself drifting off, he tried to snap out of it. "Wait no, focus!"
"Well?" She asked, patiently waiting for an answer.
"Yes, well, about that..." he rose to his feet and looked up to her "I'm not sure how to say this, but I feel like I'm starting to develop some, uh, feelings for you."
She raised her eyebrows. "Really, that so?"
"Uhm, yes." He shifted his gaze. "It's just...you're so brave and kind. You've saved my neck more times than I can count." He scratched the back of his head as he tried to find the words. "And, I must admit, I find your strength rather attractive..."
"Well," she put her hands on her hips "I didn't expect things to go in this direction, but I'm a bit relieved."
He looked back up at her. "Wait, you are?"
She nodded. "If I'm being honest, I've started developing feelings for you as well."
"What?!" He exclaimed, now more flustered than ever. "When did this happen?!"
"Oh, I'd say it started back in the Spring of this year, shortly after we began roving together over in Morrowind. I'm not sure what it is, but there's something about you Dunmer boys that I like. In any case," she reached and embraced him. "I was a bit worried that ye didn't like me back. Glad the feeling is mutual."
"I don't understand...why would you like me of all people?" He was terribly confused, but the embrace eased his anxieties. The warmth of her big strong arms was more comforting than the inn's fire.
"Well, at first I just thought you were cute, but you've been a great traveling companion. Trust me, I wouldn't have stuck with you as long as I have unless I liked you."
"I suppose you have a point..."
"Well regardless, since we have a bit of privacy now, I'd like to do something fun. What do ye say?"
