[It's been two months since the end of their stay at the bottom of the ocean. Two months since they departed for Askr to kill Hel. Two months since they arrived in Whiterun and settled into Jorrvaskr with little trouble.
Sure, things haven't been easy. Bringing a glowing skeletal man back to the Companions and expecting them to accept him without any questions was probably not the brightest idea Aela's ever had, but the questions have eventually stopped being blunt to the point of rudeness and everyone has more or less accepted that Lif is one of them now. There was some reluctance in accepting him as a full-fledged member of the Companions with only Aela's word to back it up, but considering how forceful she was about it and how little the others like angering her, it's worked out well enough.
The bigger issues are the things that come with having been trapped in a murdergame for two months, although their issues are likely different than those who died later on or survived through the whole game. The peace and stability of Whiterun is a blessing, but by the end of the first week Aela feels the need to get out and do something, and it isn't long before she's roped Lif into coming with her. They usually don't go far; just out to the plains to hunt or explore, and occasionally Aela takes her beast form to run free for a bit simply because she can.
It's strange to be able to travel so freely now and yet not wanting to be too far from her shield-siblings. Of course it hasn't taken long for her to remember why they all annoy her incessantly, but that's more or less what she expected to happen at some point.
Anyway, two months have passed, and Aela and Lif are finally setting out on larger missions. Today's takes them all the way out to the Reach, the westernmost portion of Skyrim near Markarth. It's a long trip for a simple routing of bandits, but this request comes from Whiterun's Jarl Balgruuf himself. These bandits apparently had quite a time terrorizing Whiterun before fleeing, so it falls to the Companions to take care of them. Though the journey's taken a bit, they're finally here.]
It'll be night soon. They won't be expecting an attack then. There will be one or two guards given the size of the camp, but nothing we can't take out easily.
[The camp is located in a valley between a mountain and a cliff; an excellent position defensively, but hardly prepared for two people sneaking in and taking them out. Aela and Lif are currently at a vantage point up the mountain, where they can watch the lanterns dim as some of the camp's inhabitants turn in for the night. From this vantage point, Aela can easily pick off sentries with her bow, but they'll obviously need to get closer to clear out the whole encampment.]
Let's see how well all that training's done for us, shall we?
[Lif can sometimes hardly believe that it's been so long since the game they took part in has ended. Lif's life had been upended long ago when Hel attacked, and even moreso when he was brought into that game and forced to take an entirely different way of living. To think that Hel is dead, that Askr is freed, and that he's able to live in Jorrvaskr with the people who are now his shield-siblings...it almost feels like a dream. But it's one that Lif wouldn't want to wake up from anytime soon.
Sure, living in Whiterun has had it's ups and downs; it's usually too damn quiet here for Lif's lifestyle, and it certainly made him as antsy as Aela was. So he was more than glad to go with her whenever she wanted to go out, either to hunt or to see the world at large, or even just to let her transform and watch her tear down anything in her path. Really, Aela wasn't lying about her power; it was incredible to bear witness to, whenever Lif was allowed. He grew to admire her strength even more, over time, and that's what has caused him to push himself to get even stronger as well.
Still, life has settled into as close of a routine as possible. Lif doesn't mind the other companions too much, despite their initial many questions about himself; Lif remains a quiet presence for the most part, though he's willing to accept challenges from time to time when he's not occupied with other such things. Like attempting to read almost all of the books in the world, and no, the Lusty Argonian Maid does not count, shush--
But anyway, Lif's gotten used to life easily enough. Easily enough that he's more than pleased to join Aela in much bigger missions. That they would get a mission from such an important individual is something Lif is absolutely not taking lightly, and he certainly doesn't mind the journey that comes with it. Seeing more of what Skyrim has to offer is something Lif would never complain about, really, and Lif isn't unused to long marches. By the time they reach the vantage point, Lif hasn't even come close to tiring out; he's simply got his grip on the new greatsword he wields, ready and waiting for the order to go down and strike.]
Of course. By the time they realize just what has hit them, they'll be too dead to do anything about it.
[It's a confident statement, but not too overconfident; Lif knows better than to underestimate their opponents and go in with their swords raised.]
Let us ensure that they never bring harm to Whiterun again. At your ready.
[Lif always does manage to understand her perfectly, perhaps even better than most of her shield-siblings. Aela readies her bow and lines up her shot, waiting for the sentry to settle for a moment before she looses her arrow. It's a perfect shot, and the sentry falls without a sound. The second one is taken out just as easily.]
Come. We should have time to get in and take out some of them before the rest even know what hit them.
[And down the mountain we go! The bandit camp remains quiet for now, but it's only a matter of time before that changes.]
[There's something amazing about watching Aela work; she does it with such care and precision that the sentries are taken out before any of them can run and get help. Lif can't quite smile, but he does look pleased.]
Very well, let's take them out.
[Down the mountain we go indeed! Lif's got his sword out and he's ready to go--about as ready as someone seems to be, given that someone seems to have come out upon hearing the ruckus, who Lif descends upon all too easily as the others likely start to wake.
[Things don't exactly go as planned. They're able to take out a few of the bandits before the others notice, but there are a lot of them, and it isn't long before Aela's forced back to put some distance between herself and the bandits. She prefers archery and she can't exactly shoot the bandits as effectively up close. This separates her from Lif, and while some part of her does worry, she's certain Lif will be able to take care of himself.
Aela picks off the bandits focusing on her, and then finishes off any stragglers Lif hasn't handled. Once they're dead, she's finally able to approach.]
[Being attacked by multiple enemies at once, in theory, should not have been as much of an issue as it is for Lif; he'd been used to it prior, after all. But that was with Hel being able to make him needless, making him unyielding and able to handle wounds with ease. Even though he does fight well against the bandits...
Well, he does have quite a bit of glowing, blue skin to hit, and one of the bandits is able to land a pretty decisive blow to Lif's stomach, sending him back and clutching the spot where he was hit. It hurts a lot more than Lif would have thought that it would, but--
Well, Lif's not one to back down. He's able to fell the bandits who fought against him, but the fight is over before Lif can rejoin. Pity, that.]
You're telling me. [Lif has his hand over the spot where he got hit--the blue skin has darkened pretty harshly, and his hand isn't enough to obscure the entirety of it. And he doesn't look great, either. Of course, Lif's focus isn't on himself--he's looking over Aela with his expression knit into something worried.] Are you faring alright? They certainly proved to be a difficult lot.
[Aela's looking perfectly fine, actually. A bit tired and with a few more scrapes than she had going in, but nothing that's actively bleeding or posing a problem. She nods at Lif's words, but before she can respond, her eyes fall on the bruised section of blue and the placement of his hand.]
You're hurt.
[It's a blunt, unnecessary statement. Aela pauses for a moment, like it really takes it that long to sink in, but suddenly she's moving forward with more urgency than usual, reaching out for Lif's hand to remove it if he'll let her. She wants to get a look at the injury, to assess it and get an idea of how to proceed from here.]
Let me see it. How deep is it? Are you still able to move?
[He's still standing, which is a good thing, but the bombardment of questions probably isn't. Sorry, Lif...]
[That much is good, at least, and Lif honestly seems relieved that she didn't get injured--it's clear in his eyes, well, until those words escape Aela's lips and she closes in on him, and Lif starts--
But he allows Aela to remove his hand, and look at the injury in question. It's definitely dark, and a rather harsh strike, as if someone got one hell of a good blow on him. The visible bones on him don't seem to have been broken by such an impact, at least, but the wound does seem to have broken some of the skin, though perhaps thankfully it isn't bleeding. Be that because of the goddamn jello not having blood of some kind in it (despite clearly being able to bruise and discolor), or for some other reason, remains to be seen.
What doesn't remain to be seen is Lif's gaze on Aela, which darts away at her questioning. It's...strange, to have her this close--they never had to worry about injury before, but...]
I am still able to move, yes. It is not deep enough to be worrying, I am-- [Lif tenses briefly as the pain sharply jolts through him, and his eyes jam closed.] --quite fine, Aela, I assure you. It would take much more than this to fell me.
[...That's clearly a lie, he's in a fair amount of pain and the wound is a little more deep than can probably be allowed to be out in the open air, but this feels at least slightly awkward. Though Lif is attempting to mask it.]
[Lif's body isn't familiar. It's close to man and mer, but not close enough and Aela finds it frustrating that she isn't sure just how bad the damage is. She's seen Lif's chest bruised before - she's caused several of those bruises, after all - but this injury is different. It's an open wound, and even though it isn't bleeding, she imagines it's still painful. A cut like that on a normal man would surely be bleeding profusely right now.
Her gaze flicks up to his face when he tenses, and though she's quiet for a moment longer, she definitely doesn't look pleased.]
Don't lie to me. I need to know the extent of the injury so I know how to dress it.
[Thankfully she always carries some bandages on her. They aren't much, and she'll certainly need to head back to their camp to grab a potion or two to help with the pain, but bandaging the injury comes first.]
Is this the only place you've been injured?
[She clearly isn't going to allow Lif to dress the wound himself, because Aela sees no problem in remaining up in his space to bandage it for him.]
[Oh dammit, don't sound so disappointed in him--Lif's eyes open and his gaze briefly darts back to Aela, before a sigh escapes him and he acquiesces.]
...You have my apologies.
[Lif's not going to make any excuses for that--he hasn't been injured this bad in a long time, but lying to Aela is ill advised. And in hindsight, getting her irritated with him is...
It's something he shouldn't do, yes, but it isn't something he wants to do either. He looks away again, but--]
It is, yes. They were not able to land many blows on me, but that one is more than enough for the rest of them. It is...painful, but I am certain that--
[But Lif starts again when he feels Aela starting to dress the wound itself, gaze darting back down to her in surprise. It's...probably clear that he isn't used to this, though he lets Aela work despite his bewilderment. It's one thing to fight, another to accept a hug, but this? This isn't something Lif had ever really gotten used to in life, even--]
Ah...thank you...?
[...He probably sounds as bewildered as he looks, and unbeknownst to him, the blue part of his face darkens a little. He's so unused to being taken care of, howmst the fuck.]
[The awkward thanks is what gets her to glance up again, and Aela struggles to hide a smirk at that. She doesn't really succeed.]
Don't go thanking me just yet. We'll need to be careful when we're traveling. This area is home to the Forsworn; they're more dangerous than these bandits were. We move slowly until we can reach a place to have a healer look at it.
[A healer isn't going to have much more of an idea of how to handle Lif's glowing blue chest, but they can at least use healing magic to patch it up.]
This should be good enough for the time being, though. Come, let's get back to the camp. I have some potions that may help with the pain.
[Her touch lingers a bit, even though she's finished with the bandages, before she finally draws back and turns around to head back up the mountain. Thankfully their camp isn't too far away and doesn't require a difficult hike to reach.]
[Oh gods. Lif catches that smirk, and he winds up glancing away at it and closing his eyes--some sort of noise escaping him in the process. He supposes that he deserves this, but come on.]
...Of course. Let us focus on this much, and then shift it to getting back to Whiterun in one piece.
[It's a bit stilted, but Lif is. Trying, alright. Either way, Lif will look back to Aela when she speaks up, nodding in agreement and...definitely staring as her touch lingers for a bit, before she draws back. That's...new, and though Lif doesn't have a visible heart--no. He's not going to focus on that, or the darkening of his face.]
Indeed. Let us get back there, post-haste.
[Lif follows carefully, doing eveyrhting he can to not agitate the injury while they hike. Lif's quiet all the way there, though his gaze seems to be anywhere but toward Aela--something he can write off as being vigilant, at least, but...
[She's noticed, if the small smirk is any indication, but she says nothing about it. Their camp is safe enough for the time being - the bandits were camped up high enough in the mountains not to draw the attention of the Forsworn and the location isn't near anything particularly noteworthy, so they'll be safe for the night.
Aela wastes no time in locating her bag and selecting a potion, pressing it into Lif's hands quickly.]
It should help with the pain. Usually it stops bleeding, so I'm not sure what that will do for you.
[It's a health potion, so it'll probably help a bit even if Lif isn't exactly a normal person from Skyrim. Judging from the way Aela's just watching, she expects Lif to drink it right now.]
[It's fine, this is all fine--thank whatever gods are out there that they're back at the camp, though. Lif notably eases once they're back--not entirely, because he'd be stupid too, but enough that it's noticeable. Either way, Lif's more than ready to ask if he should take night watch or rest, but--
Aela rather swiftly puts a potion in his hand before he can ask what she's doing--but ah, right. It's like a vulnerary, isn't it?]
If it is anything like a vulnerary, it should be able to help the wound close as well. You have my thanks; I'll drink it once we have decided...
[...Wait, Aela isn't moving. Does she expect him to just--?]
[There isn't any reason to hover like this, she knows that. Logically, she knows Lif will drink it. He isn't going to ignore something that could help him with healing. But she can't settle until she's seen it - and if she's entirely honest with herself, she knows damn well why this is hitting her so hard and she'd rather not think about it.]
Humor me.
[It's blunt, gruff in a way she doesn't usually get and Aela folds her arms as she continues watching Lif.]
[Lif's look abates in it's confusion, gaze softening and his words a little more gentle. It at least makes sense, when she frames it like that, and Lif will at least nod his head and--actually give him a second. He doesn't usually like taking his mask off; he hasn't really since that time in the Water Park back in the ocean. But he usually prefers to eat alone because this stupid thing gets in the way, more often than not.
But once that's off? Down the hatch it goes, easily as any vulnerary he drank in life. It's easy to feel it starting to work, and Lif does look back to Aela once he's done, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand.]
There. I do hope that will suffice. [Lif tips his head; he hasn't missed how blunt and gruff she's being, but his tone remains steady and softer than it gets with most.] Is everything quite alright, Aela? You seem ill at ease.
[It's still sort of surreal to see Lif drink like this... The important thing is that he has taken the potion, however. That means that his injury will hopefully be fine, at the very least until they can stop by a town. It's a long way back to Whiterun, and even if they travel by carriage it won't be an easy trip. They're not particularly close to Markarth, but it is the largest city in the Reach, which means that there's likely to be several healers with magic—
She glances up at Lif when he speaks up and then shakes her head with a short, sharp exhale. It sounds frustrated.]
I am, yes. I'm not one to worry incessantly like this.
[She never has. She worried more after she died down there in the ocean than she ever has before, which is... strange and concerning, if she's honest. It's not really surprising that it's carried over here, but that doesn't stop it from being frustrating.]
[Lif watches, his gaze unflinching as he does; whatever this is has managed to frustrate her deeply. It's genuinely not like Aela to be this frustrated, much less this worried. It isn't as if the wound he sustained was fatal--why does she worry so?
Lif quietly thinks, turning Aela's words over in his head before speaking up.]
...You are not, it is true. But this must run deeper than some sort of simple worry; indeed, it would not eat at you so, if it were that simple.
[Lif lets that hang in the air, but...]
Would you like to talk about it, Aela?
[He doesn't want to force her into it, but...well, there's a bit of worry in Lif's tone as well. Lif worries a lot more than he lets on, but he tries not to be too explicit about it most of the time. Now...well, it's out in the open.]
[No, she wouldn't like to talk about it. She'd like to forget about it and move on, and maybe Lif will forget all about it too in time.
...But that isn't really fair to Lif, is it?
So after a moment, Aela sighs and moves to sit, gesturing for Lif to join her. She keeps her attention turned outward, as if watching for trouble, but she doesn't really seem all that focused.]
A month or so before I was dragged to that place beneath the ocean, one of my shield-brothers died. He went on ahead of us, and wasn't strong enough to survive. The Companions insist on always having a shield-brother at your back, and I wasn't there to have his.
[She wasn't far away. If she'd just hurried— If the Harbinger had just woken up a bit sooner—]
By the time we got there, he was dead. There was nothing I could do for him.
[There's more to it than that, but it isn't anything she wants to bring up. Explaining that she thought she'd meet him again when Lif killed her isn't exactly something she wants to think about.]
Something in Lif's chest sinks upon hearing that--he may not have a physical heart, but as they sit together and he listens to Aela tell such a story--well, it's a familiar pain. Lif's felt it more than his fair share of times, but to hear it from Aela, of all people...
No wonder she reacted like she did. No wonder she wanted to ensure that he was okay, why she got so cross with him--why wouldn't she, after one false move lost her a shield-brother? The dead simply can't come back to life, after all. It's something that's clearly affected Aela deeply, and that's...]
...I understand. That is why you were so cross.
[The words are simple, but...]
...I imagine that the words mean little, after so long, but I am sorry for your loss. Such things...they stick with you, forever. Always wondering what you could have done better, to save them.
[In truth, Lif isn't sure what to do. What to say, really. Lif can't change the past, and he's spent a long time learning that sometimes it is better that way. But...
Lif's hand comes up, gentle and tentative, and grips Aela's shoulder in an attempt to bring her back into herself. To get her to look at him, perhaps, but--]
I have no intention of dying on you, Aela. I would kill anyone who tried--no matter who they may be, or how strong they are, I refuse to allow myself to die. And I know that you will not, either. I know you will always have my back--just as I shall have yours.
You will never have to worry about such a thing ever again.
[Lif's words aren't entirely confident, but they're intense--an oath, perhaps. A promise, even. But more than anything, Lif needs her to know that he has no intention of leaving her behind.]
[She's listening to Lif, certainly, but she doesn't turn to look at him until his hand finds her shoulder. His words bear the weight of an oath - she couldn't miss them if she tried.]
I know.
[It's such a simple phrase, but it really is one she's aware of and honestly believes in whole-heartedly.]
If I didn't trust in that, I wouldn't have come all the way out here with on you. I would have insisted we bring Farkas or Njada; another shield-brother to watch our backs. I know you won't die on me, just as I won't die on you.
It was just... surprising, I suppose.
[The wounds they sustained during their sparring sessions beneath the sea were different. They were "dead" so those injuries hardly mattered. But here, where death is a very real threat... It was surprising, despite how stupid that sounds.]
I know you understand it, but I do wish I hadn't told you quite like this. Skjor deserves to have tales of his bravery and cunning told, not my regrets and sorrows.
[It's her attempt at lightening the mood a bit, though she does truly believe that.]
[Lif likewise listens to Aela as she speaks; he's pleased that she knows that he won't leave her so easily. That she trusts him enough for it to be just the two of them on this journey, despite the perils that this land brings.]
We have not had to worry, about such injuries possibly spelling our end in quite some time.
[...He doesn't let go of her shoulder, though; if anything, his grip tightens slightly. A little more assuring and grounding.
He should let go though, shouldn't he? He should. And yet, Lif doesn't; he's not sure why, but...he wants to linger. He wants to linger for just a little longer--]
...Tell me about him, sometime. It does not have to be right now; should your memories of him be entrenched in sorrow, allow that sorrow to pass. When the time should come, I would be honored to share in the tales of his cunning and bravery.
To hear of the tales that would do his memory justice.
[Lif at least seems willing to lighten the mood himself, and his gaze seems happy, if nothing else.]
[Lif always has been good at reading her moods. He presses when he's curious, and backs off when she needs him to. It's an ebb and flow like the ocean, and Lif meshes seamlessly with her. It's been like this since they met up again after their deaths, and she's pleased that it hasn't changed even now.]
I will, then. Those are stories my shield-brothers will want to help tell, I'm sure. We'll recount his tales soon, I'm sure.
[And Kodlak's too, and every shield-brother of theirs that has come before. Lif is one of them now, and he deserves to know their history as well as everyone else.]
Thank you.
[It's simple, and it feels like she should elaborate, but Aela's not even sure where to begin.]
...For everything.
[Too simple, but it gets the point across well enough. Lif has done more for her than she can ever truly express, and the fact that he hasn't let go of her shoulder isn't lost on her. Perhaps—
[It's times like these that he almost wishes that come of the things that had been done to him in the ocean had been kept; he can't quite smile the way he could before, but it's clear from his expression that he would be doing just that if he could.]
I am looking forward to it.
[But then she lets those simple words escape her. It makes his chest tighten again--he's not sure what with, but it's something almost nerve-wracking. It's strange, but not unwelcome, and yet it strengthens his resolve in some ways.
...He really should let go of her, shouldn't he, he's being improper and could give her the wrong idea--
(But what is the right idea, in these circumstances? Lif doesn't know.)]
...Of course, Aela. It is never any trouble; I am willing to do all I can for you.
[That feels forward. Too much so, really. Lif's grip softens on Aela's shoulder before attempting to withdraw entirely, and Lif finds his gaze going elsewhere while the blue parts of his face darken a touch. It's fine. Everything's fine.]
No. Come on, get your act together. Now isn't the time or the place, and Lif's been injured. Even if he's going with that where she thinks he's going with that, it'll have to wait until his injury's been healed.
Besides, Lif's hand withdraws, and Aela checks her disappointment with it because again, now really isn't the time. They can discuss this more later.]
Glad to hear it. The same goes for you as well.
[She shakes her head once that's out there and then gets to her feet.]
But for now, you're resting. I'll take first watch.
[She'll be up for longer than that to give Lif more time to rest, but she's not going to risk getting too tired standing on watch. That's just asking for an ambush, after all.]
[let's be honest. lif doesn't know where lif is going with that.
But never the less, Lif nods his head. He'll start to get up, then; the last thing he needs is for something to happen to him in such a state. He doesn't want to worry Aela, after all.]
Very well. Wake me up when it is my turn to take watch; I will see you then.
[His gaze softens a bit as he looks back to her, before making his way back to his tent. Sure, it'll probably take him a bit to sleep--that, and he's an incredibly light sleeper--but he will attempt to make sure that he rests. Anything less would worry her.
(Though his brain certainly isn't going to shut off, as his thoughts drift to Aela and likely keep him awake for longer than intended as he tries and fails to sort himself out. It's fine.)]
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Sure, things haven't been easy. Bringing a glowing skeletal man back to the Companions and expecting them to accept him without any questions was probably not the brightest idea Aela's ever had, but the questions have eventually stopped being blunt to the point of rudeness and everyone has more or less accepted that Lif is one of them now. There was some reluctance in accepting him as a full-fledged member of the Companions with only Aela's word to back it up, but considering how forceful she was about it and how little the others like angering her, it's worked out well enough.
The bigger issues are the things that come with having been trapped in a murdergame for two months, although their issues are likely different than those who died later on or survived through the whole game. The peace and stability of Whiterun is a blessing, but by the end of the first week Aela feels the need to get out and do something, and it isn't long before she's roped Lif into coming with her. They usually don't go far; just out to the plains to hunt or explore, and occasionally Aela takes her beast form to run free for a bit simply because she can.
It's strange to be able to travel so freely now and yet not wanting to be too far from her shield-siblings. Of course it hasn't taken long for her to remember why they all annoy her incessantly, but that's more or less what she expected to happen at some point.
Anyway, two months have passed, and Aela and Lif are finally setting out on larger missions. Today's takes them all the way out to the Reach, the westernmost portion of Skyrim near Markarth. It's a long trip for a simple routing of bandits, but this request comes from Whiterun's Jarl Balgruuf himself. These bandits apparently had quite a time terrorizing Whiterun before fleeing, so it falls to the Companions to take care of them. Though the journey's taken a bit, they're finally here.]
It'll be night soon. They won't be expecting an attack then. There will be one or two guards given the size of the camp, but nothing we can't take out easily.
[The camp is located in a valley between a mountain and a cliff; an excellent position defensively, but hardly prepared for two people sneaking in and taking them out. Aela and Lif are currently at a vantage point up the mountain, where they can watch the lanterns dim as some of the camp's inhabitants turn in for the night. From this vantage point, Aela can easily pick off sentries with her bow, but they'll obviously need to get closer to clear out the whole encampment.]
Let's see how well all that training's done for us, shall we?
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Sure, living in Whiterun has had it's ups and downs; it's usually too damn quiet here for Lif's lifestyle, and it certainly made him as antsy as Aela was. So he was more than glad to go with her whenever she wanted to go out, either to hunt or to see the world at large, or even just to let her transform and watch her tear down anything in her path. Really, Aela wasn't lying about her power; it was incredible to bear witness to, whenever Lif was allowed. He grew to admire her strength even more, over time, and that's what has caused him to push himself to get even stronger as well.
Still, life has settled into as close of a routine as possible. Lif doesn't mind the other companions too much, despite their initial many questions about himself; Lif remains a quiet presence for the most part, though he's willing to accept challenges from time to time when he's not occupied with other such things. Like attempting to read almost all of the books in the world, and no, the Lusty Argonian Maid does not count, shush--
But anyway, Lif's gotten used to life easily enough. Easily enough that he's more than pleased to join Aela in much bigger missions. That they would get a mission from such an important individual is something Lif is absolutely not taking lightly, and he certainly doesn't mind the journey that comes with it. Seeing more of what Skyrim has to offer is something Lif would never complain about, really, and Lif isn't unused to long marches. By the time they reach the vantage point, Lif hasn't even come close to tiring out; he's simply got his grip on the new greatsword he wields, ready and waiting for the order to go down and strike.]
Of course. By the time they realize just what has hit them, they'll be too dead to do anything about it.
[It's a confident statement, but not too overconfident; Lif knows better than to underestimate their opponents and go in with their swords raised.]
Let us ensure that they never bring harm to Whiterun again. At your ready.
[Let's give 'em hell.]
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[Lif always does manage to understand her perfectly, perhaps even better than most of her shield-siblings. Aela readies her bow and lines up her shot, waiting for the sentry to settle for a moment before she looses her arrow. It's a perfect shot, and the sentry falls without a sound. The second one is taken out just as easily.]
Come. We should have time to get in and take out some of them before the rest even know what hit them.
[And down the mountain we go! The bandit camp remains quiet for now, but it's only a matter of time before that changes.]
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Very well, let's take them out.
[Down the mountain we go indeed! Lif's got his sword out and he's ready to go--about as ready as someone seems to be, given that someone seems to have come out upon hearing the ruckus, who Lif descends upon all too easily as the others likely start to wake.
Here we go, it seems!!]
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Aela picks off the bandits focusing on her, and then finishes off any stragglers Lif hasn't handled. Once they're dead, she's finally able to approach.]
That could have gone better.
[So how's Lif looking over there?]
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Well, he does have quite a bit of glowing, blue skin to hit, and one of the bandits is able to land a pretty decisive blow to Lif's stomach, sending him back and clutching the spot where he was hit. It hurts a lot more than Lif would have thought that it would, but--
Well, Lif's not one to back down. He's able to fell the bandits who fought against him, but the fight is over before Lif can rejoin. Pity, that.]
You're telling me. [Lif has his hand over the spot where he got hit--the blue skin has darkened pretty harshly, and his hand isn't enough to obscure the entirety of it. And he doesn't look great, either. Of course, Lif's focus isn't on himself--he's looking over Aela with his expression knit into something worried.] Are you faring alright? They certainly proved to be a difficult lot.
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You're hurt.
[It's a blunt, unnecessary statement. Aela pauses for a moment, like it really takes it that long to sink in, but suddenly she's moving forward with more urgency than usual, reaching out for Lif's hand to remove it if he'll let her. She wants to get a look at the injury, to assess it and get an idea of how to proceed from here.]
Let me see it. How deep is it? Are you still able to move?
[He's still standing, which is a good thing, but the bombardment of questions probably isn't. Sorry, Lif...]
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But he allows Aela to remove his hand, and look at the injury in question. It's definitely dark, and a rather harsh strike, as if someone got one hell of a good blow on him. The visible bones on him don't seem to have been broken by such an impact, at least, but the wound does seem to have broken some of the skin, though perhaps thankfully it isn't bleeding. Be that because of the goddamn jello not having blood of some kind in it (despite clearly being able to bruise and discolor), or for some other reason, remains to be seen.
What doesn't remain to be seen is Lif's gaze on Aela, which darts away at her questioning. It's...strange, to have her this close--they never had to worry about injury before, but...]
I am still able to move, yes. It is not deep enough to be worrying, I am-- [Lif tenses briefly as the pain sharply jolts through him, and his eyes jam closed.] --quite fine, Aela, I assure you. It would take much more than this to fell me.
[...That's clearly a lie, he's in a fair amount of pain and the wound is a little more deep than can probably be allowed to be out in the open air, but this feels at least slightly awkward. Though Lif is attempting to mask it.]
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Her gaze flicks up to his face when he tenses, and though she's quiet for a moment longer, she definitely doesn't look pleased.]
Don't lie to me. I need to know the extent of the injury so I know how to dress it.
[Thankfully she always carries some bandages on her. They aren't much, and she'll certainly need to head back to their camp to grab a potion or two to help with the pain, but bandaging the injury comes first.]
Is this the only place you've been injured?
[She clearly isn't going to allow Lif to dress the wound himself, because Aela sees no problem in remaining up in his space to bandage it for him.]
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...You have my apologies.
[Lif's not going to make any excuses for that--he hasn't been injured this bad in a long time, but lying to Aela is ill advised. And in hindsight, getting her irritated with him is...
It's something he shouldn't do, yes, but it isn't something he wants to do either. He looks away again, but--]
It is, yes. They were not able to land many blows on me, but that one is more than enough for the rest of them. It is...painful, but I am certain that--
[But Lif starts again when he feels Aela starting to dress the wound itself, gaze darting back down to her in surprise. It's...probably clear that he isn't used to this, though he lets Aela work despite his bewilderment. It's one thing to fight, another to accept a hug, but this? This isn't something Lif had ever really gotten used to in life, even--]
Ah...thank you...?
[...He probably sounds as bewildered as he looks, and unbeknownst to him, the blue part of his face darkens a little. He's so unused to being taken care of, howmst the fuck.]
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Don't go thanking me just yet. We'll need to be careful when we're traveling. This area is home to the Forsworn; they're more dangerous than these bandits were. We move slowly until we can reach a place to have a healer look at it.
[A healer isn't going to have much more of an idea of how to handle Lif's glowing blue chest, but they can at least use healing magic to patch it up.]
This should be good enough for the time being, though. Come, let's get back to the camp. I have some potions that may help with the pain.
[Her touch lingers a bit, even though she's finished with the bandages, before she finally draws back and turns around to head back up the mountain. Thankfully their camp isn't too far away and doesn't require a difficult hike to reach.]
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...Of course. Let us focus on this much, and then shift it to getting back to Whiterun in one piece.
[It's a bit stilted, but Lif is. Trying, alright. Either way, Lif will look back to Aela when she speaks up, nodding in agreement and...definitely staring as her touch lingers for a bit, before she draws back. That's...new, and though Lif doesn't have a visible heart--no. He's not going to focus on that, or the darkening of his face.]
Indeed. Let us get back there, post-haste.
[Lif follows carefully, doing eveyrhting he can to not agitate the injury while they hike. Lif's quiet all the way there, though his gaze seems to be anywhere but toward Aela--something he can write off as being vigilant, at least, but...
It's fine. Nothing is wrong, after all.]
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Aela wastes no time in locating her bag and selecting a potion, pressing it into Lif's hands quickly.]
It should help with the pain. Usually it stops bleeding, so I'm not sure what that will do for you.
[It's a health potion, so it'll probably help a bit even if Lif isn't exactly a normal person from Skyrim. Judging from the way Aela's just watching, she expects Lif to drink it right now.]
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Aela rather swiftly puts a potion in his hand before he can ask what she's doing--but ah, right. It's like a vulnerary, isn't it?]
If it is anything like a vulnerary, it should be able to help the wound close as well. You have my thanks; I'll drink it once we have decided...
[...Wait, Aela isn't moving. Does she expect him to just--?]
...Are you going to watch me drink it?
[He's not sure if he's amused or confused.]
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[There isn't any reason to hover like this, she knows that. Logically, she knows Lif will drink it. He isn't going to ignore something that could help him with healing. But she can't settle until she's seen it - and if she's entirely honest with herself, she knows damn well why this is hitting her so hard and she'd rather not think about it.]
Humor me.
[It's blunt, gruff in a way she doesn't usually get and Aela folds her arms as she continues watching Lif.]
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[Lif's look abates in it's confusion, gaze softening and his words a little more gentle. It at least makes sense, when she frames it like that, and Lif will at least nod his head and--actually give him a second. He doesn't usually like taking his mask off; he hasn't really since that time in the Water Park back in the ocean. But he usually prefers to eat alone because this stupid thing gets in the way, more often than not.
But once that's off? Down the hatch it goes, easily as any vulnerary he drank in life. It's easy to feel it starting to work, and Lif does look back to Aela once he's done, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand.]
There. I do hope that will suffice. [Lif tips his head; he hasn't missed how blunt and gruff she's being, but his tone remains steady and softer than it gets with most.] Is everything quite alright, Aela? You seem ill at ease.
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She glances up at Lif when he speaks up and then shakes her head with a short, sharp exhale. It sounds frustrated.]
I am, yes. I'm not one to worry incessantly like this.
[She never has. She worried more after she died down there in the ocean than she ever has before, which is... strange and concerning, if she's honest. It's not really surprising that it's carried over here, but that doesn't stop it from being frustrating.]
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Lif quietly thinks, turning Aela's words over in his head before speaking up.]
...You are not, it is true. But this must run deeper than some sort of simple worry; indeed, it would not eat at you so, if it were that simple.
[Lif lets that hang in the air, but...]
Would you like to talk about it, Aela?
[He doesn't want to force her into it, but...well, there's a bit of worry in Lif's tone as well. Lif worries a lot more than he lets on, but he tries not to be too explicit about it most of the time. Now...well, it's out in the open.]
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...But that isn't really fair to Lif, is it?
So after a moment, Aela sighs and moves to sit, gesturing for Lif to join her. She keeps her attention turned outward, as if watching for trouble, but she doesn't really seem all that focused.]
A month or so before I was dragged to that place beneath the ocean, one of my shield-brothers died. He went on ahead of us, and wasn't strong enough to survive. The Companions insist on always having a shield-brother at your back, and I wasn't there to have his.
[She wasn't far away. If she'd just hurried— If the Harbinger had just woken up a bit sooner—]
By the time we got there, he was dead. There was nothing I could do for him.
[There's more to it than that, but it isn't anything she wants to bring up. Explaining that she thought she'd meet him again when Lif killed her isn't exactly something she wants to think about.]
I won't let another of my shield-brothers die.
[I can't goes unsaid.]
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Something in Lif's chest sinks upon hearing that--he may not have a physical heart, but as they sit together and he listens to Aela tell such a story--well, it's a familiar pain. Lif's felt it more than his fair share of times, but to hear it from Aela, of all people...
No wonder she reacted like she did. No wonder she wanted to ensure that he was okay, why she got so cross with him--why wouldn't she, after one false move lost her a shield-brother? The dead simply can't come back to life, after all. It's something that's clearly affected Aela deeply, and that's...]
...I understand. That is why you were so cross.
[The words are simple, but...]
...I imagine that the words mean little, after so long, but I am sorry for your loss. Such things...they stick with you, forever. Always wondering what you could have done better, to save them.
[In truth, Lif isn't sure what to do. What to say, really. Lif can't change the past, and he's spent a long time learning that sometimes it is better that way. But...
Lif's hand comes up, gentle and tentative, and grips Aela's shoulder in an attempt to bring her back into herself. To get her to look at him, perhaps, but--]
I have no intention of dying on you, Aela. I would kill anyone who tried--no matter who they may be, or how strong they are, I refuse to allow myself to die. And I know that you will not, either. I know you will always have my back--just as I shall have yours.
You will never have to worry about such a thing ever again.
[Lif's words aren't entirely confident, but they're intense--an oath, perhaps. A promise, even. But more than anything, Lif needs her to know that he has no intention of leaving her behind.]
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I know.
[It's such a simple phrase, but it really is one she's aware of and honestly believes in whole-heartedly.]
If I didn't trust in that, I wouldn't have come all the way out here with on you. I would have insisted we bring Farkas or Njada; another shield-brother to watch our backs. I know you won't die on me, just as I won't die on you.
It was just... surprising, I suppose.
[The wounds they sustained during their sparring sessions beneath the sea were different. They were "dead" so those injuries hardly mattered. But here, where death is a very real threat... It was surprising, despite how stupid that sounds.]
I know you understand it, but I do wish I hadn't told you quite like this. Skjor deserves to have tales of his bravery and cunning told, not my regrets and sorrows.
[It's her attempt at lightening the mood a bit, though she does truly believe that.]
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We have not had to worry, about such injuries possibly spelling our end in quite some time.
[...He doesn't let go of her shoulder, though; if anything, his grip tightens slightly. A little more assuring and grounding.
He should let go though, shouldn't he? He should. And yet, Lif doesn't; he's not sure why, but...he wants to linger. He wants to linger for just a little longer--]
...Tell me about him, sometime. It does not have to be right now; should your memories of him be entrenched in sorrow, allow that sorrow to pass. When the time should come, I would be honored to share in the tales of his cunning and bravery.
To hear of the tales that would do his memory justice.
[Lif at least seems willing to lighten the mood himself, and his gaze seems happy, if nothing else.]
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I will, then. Those are stories my shield-brothers will want to help tell, I'm sure. We'll recount his tales soon, I'm sure.
[And Kodlak's too, and every shield-brother of theirs that has come before. Lif is one of them now, and he deserves to know their history as well as everyone else.]
Thank you.
[It's simple, and it feels like she should elaborate, but Aela's not even sure where to begin.]
...For everything.
[Too simple, but it gets the point across well enough. Lif has done more for her than she can ever truly express, and the fact that he hasn't let go of her shoulder isn't lost on her. Perhaps—
Hah, no need to get ahead of herself.]
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I am looking forward to it.
[But then she lets those simple words escape her. It makes his chest tighten again--he's not sure what with, but it's something almost nerve-wracking. It's strange, but not unwelcome, and yet it strengthens his resolve in some ways.
...He really should let go of her, shouldn't he, he's being improper and could give her the wrong idea--
(But what is the right idea, in these circumstances? Lif doesn't know.)]
...Of course, Aela. It is never any trouble; I am willing to do all I can for you.
[That feels forward. Too much so, really. Lif's grip softens on Aela's shoulder before attempting to withdraw entirely, and Lif finds his gaze going elsewhere while the blue parts of his face darken a touch. It's fine. Everything's fine.]
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No. Come on, get your act together. Now isn't the time or the place, and Lif's been injured. Even if he's going with that where she thinks he's going with that, it'll have to wait until his injury's been healed.
Besides, Lif's hand withdraws, and Aela checks her disappointment with it because again, now really isn't the time. They can discuss this more later.]
Glad to hear it. The same goes for you as well.
[She shakes her head once that's out there and then gets to her feet.]
But for now, you're resting. I'll take first watch.
[She'll be up for longer than that to give Lif more time to rest, but she's not going to risk getting too tired standing on watch. That's just asking for an ambush, after all.]
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But never the less, Lif nods his head. He'll start to get up, then; the last thing he needs is for something to happen to him in such a state. He doesn't want to worry Aela, after all.]
Very well. Wake me up when it is my turn to take watch; I will see you then.
[His gaze softens a bit as he looks back to her, before making his way back to his tent. Sure, it'll probably take him a bit to sleep--that, and he's an incredibly light sleeper--but he will attempt to make sure that he rests. Anything less would worry her.
(Though his brain certainly isn't going to shut off, as his thoughts drift to Aela and likely keep him awake for longer than intended as he tries and fails to sort himself out. It's fine.)]