Reigenleif paused at the door for a time when she heard Khajiit voices yelling. She had been about to leave the safety of the Mosque to comfort Zaveed when it had started - apparently the other Khajiit, the mage from the college, had arrived and the two of them had had some disagreement that, with nerves in the present state, had escalated into a shouting match. So now she just leant on her staff, waiting for the sound to die down. Or perhaps for Qara’Sion to leave Zaveed alone.

Since arriving back, she had had the chance to bathe and clean away the blood from her wound. The only evidence of it left on her skin was the faintest mark where her restoration magic hadn’t quite perfectly restored the skin, though just because it appeared healed from the outside did not mean it was gone. Restoration magic was powerful, but even the masters of the art would still encourage time to allow the body to recover and repair itself naturally. She had also donned her Winterhold robes once again, which some thoughtful Redguard had had cleaned at some point while they’d been wearing disguises. The feel of the clean fabric, and the magical enhancements it imparted, gave her comfort in this dark time.

When the sound had stopped and Sion had stormed into the Mosque, she waited only a moment before departing the Mosque through the great door. It didn’t take long to spot Zaveed off to the side of the door. He was in a poor state, that was obvious. While he had suffered only minor wounds in battle, the psychological toll this day had exacted on him was clearly immense. She slowly made her way across the short distance separating them and gently put a hand on his shoulder. “The way you fought for me today… No one has fought like that for me since -” She paused as she took her mind back to that awful time. “Since the Falmer killed my parents.”

The khajiit jerked at the touch before realizing who it was. He let out a long sigh, looking to take in Reigeinleif with solemn eyes. His eyes darted away momentarily, taking in her confidentiality, his emotions conflicted. Normally, he would have felt his skin flush with pride and desire to protect the woman, but so soon after he lost his composure in front of Qara'Sion, he felt as if his soul was being torn several different ways. He put his hand on top of Reigenleif's, offering her smooth skin an affirmative squeeze. "I lost enough over my life, I couldn't bear the thought of letting you perish because of my pride or someone else's whims. As long as I stand, I will keep you safe. That I promise." he said quietly. "You and I are alike in many ways, both of us are orphans of circumstances. I should have liked to meet your parents, it's too rare to meet someone who is good of heart, like you... I don't know where I stand these days. I've never felt more alone than I have now, but you... thank you for being here. It's more than I deserve." he said with a weak smile.

Reigenleif shook her head. “It’s not about what we deserve. You were there for me, and I am here for you. You are not alone.” She slid her arms around him and pulled him close, much as her father had often done for her when she encountered hard times. Few things were as comforting as the embrace of a lover - for she realised now, that that was what she was. “I do not blame you Zaveed, I knew what may come when I took up this cause of ours…” She spoke softly into his ear. “Its not your fault…”

The khajiit leaned into the embrace, needing it like a refuge from a raging storm. He closed his eyes as he accepted the woman's presence in an intimacy he never understood until recently. He thought of how they had met, in the sand dunes of Stros M'kai, battling a seemingly endless tide of goblins. Within minutes of knowing each other, they each had saved one another's lives and he took her quest to find the dwemer artifact upon himself as surely as his own quest. And after she had gotten what she wanted, she had stayed and marched willingly into something arguably worse than Jareth the Goblin King, noble of High Rock. Despite all of that, despite his fears and misgivings, his guilt and apprehension, Reigenleif reassured him. He knew that somehow, with her here, they'd make it through. They had to. Her words in his ear was like a cage unlocking and letting the enclosed bird fly free. Whatever may come, he would do what had to be done. "I know people here have willingly come, not because I forced them to, and I am glad for their companionship and courage. I just... can't shake what happened to Gorzath out of my mind." He admitted, looking up, as if the stars would yield some answers. They remained silent. "I would have never turned on Sion like I just did had I been more sure of myself. I freely admit, this is the first time in my life since I was a boy pressed into service on a corsair ship that I've been so terrified and uncertain of anything. Are we doing the right thing, or does it even matter?" he asked.

Reigenleif was silent for a moment, thinking about that question. Their position had been mirrored countless times across history as Empires rose and fell. Some of those empires brought much good to the world, others less so, but all of them believed themselves to be right. So was it right to resist them? What difference did it make to her when she hardly felt the touch of empire anyway? She closed her eyes as the answer came to her.

“Yes. I believe that what we are doing is right. Empires rise and fall, but not even the Ayleids of old were as monstrous as the Dwemer. They willingly turned a noble race of Mer into the Falmer of today. Once they have dominion over Tamriel….”

She didn’t want to think about what they could do to their enemies and subjects once there was no-one there to judge such actions. “It is one thing to enslave. It something else to corrupt the essence of an entire race.” She pulled back a little to look into his eyes then. “Does it matter? Only you can answer that… But even in asking I believe you have answered for yourself already.”

It was a point Zaveed had not even considered. The thoughts of what would happen if the dwemer remained unchallenged were almost unthinkable, and the falmer were a sign of things to come. "It is a cause I believe is worth dying for. If I do one thing in this life, one good thing, it will be to find a way to stop them. The Emperors and his damn auroras are nothing compared to what will happen if we all fail. But they are one against many, I do not care how strong they appear to be. They will regret their return, and I will be the dagger that plunges first into their heart." his face was hardened with resolve. He put a hand on the Nord's knee. "Thank you, for helping me see things clearly. You of anyone know what's at stake here... and the others do, too. They accept the costs as readily as I do." he smiled. "At least we aren't doing this alone, right? I never thought I'd find a part of myself belonging to a Nord, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Though Reigenleif had not expected her words to prove so inspiring to Zaveed, she was nonetheless happy that they did so. She couldn’t help but be caught up in this sudden burst of fiery resolve, and her heart raced yet more with his touch. “I assure you you’re not alone in that sentiment.” She said with a smile, replying in part to both of Zaveed’s statements. “If someone had told me a month ago that I would fall head over heels for a Khajiit, I would’ve thought them an escapee from the Shivering Isles. But here I am. And here you are.”

"One would think that we already are escapees from Shivering Isles for getting involved with this. It is okay to be a little crazy if it means doing something good." Zaveed chuckled, moving closer to embrace Reigenleif. It was moments of peace and contentment like this that were making the days bearable. While his worries and fears still lingered, he felt he was strong enough to face the days ahead, and it was enough. "So assuming we somehow manage to stop our dwemer friends and survive this war, what happens to us afterwards? The open sea and old ruins couldn't be further apart."

“We [i]are[/i] going to survive.” Reigenleif said as though the point was certain and could not be argued, Nordic confidence strong in her expressions. “Well you’ll take me sailing of course… The life of a mage is a long one, and I’m sure I will still get plenty of opportunities to explore ruins. Besides, even while at sea, the ruins are not so far from reach. There are plenty of coastal sites you could take me between, and with a waterbreathing spell, I can make extensive notes even on submerged areas…” She stopped herself then, smiling with the realization that she would likely keep chattering about that topic all night if she got started.

Zaveed burst out in laughter, his expression mirthful. "This is the most outrageously optimistic dedication to any pursuit I have ever heard. I'm sure with the right incentive, you'd find a way for us to go into the Red Mountain to find something buried under tonnes of lava." he smiled at Reigenleif, shaking his head. "We'll work something out, although I may be out of work if the Empire can't hold off the Dominion. It's rather a shame we can't be two places at once, because I'd like to have a few words with the Thalmor rulers. I imagine in a way this whole dwemer returning thing is exciting for you, because now they're more than a few musty tomes and indecipherable runes. You might be the key to figuring out how to stop them. I doubt there's many other people who understand them as well as you do." the khajiit said encouragingly.

A girlish grin came across Reigenleif’s face as Zaveed burst out laughing at her theories. “I do my best.” She said mirthfully, though her own laugh was cut short by pain in her abdomen. “Laughing hurts…” she said after a quick recovering and a meek smile. “You definitely know how to make a girl feel good about herself.” She said before adding in a more serious tone “I hope I live up to those expectations.”

Zaveed frowned at Reigenleif's pain. They had all given and lost something this day. Once more, the khajiit felt selfish. He was seeking comfort when his partner was suffering from a substantial wound. She would need rest. "Come on, let's get you back inside." he said softly, smiling. "I'd much prefer to not kill you through humour, although that would be a first for even me." He ran a hand through her hair and helped the Nord to her feet, careful not to shock her abdomen too much with the effort. "I'll make you feel better when I can get you at least half as drunk as I wish to be. I believe this night calls for it, no? And don't worry about meeting anyone's expectations, it is unfair to burden yourself with such nonsense. I know whatever you accomplish will be something that some slimy bard will doubtless be singing about in the days ahead until the point you wish you'd killed his family instead of stopped an army." he grinned, walking towards the mosque's doors with an arm around Reigenleif's waist.

Reigenleif had to force back the laughter at Zaveeds next comment, simply letting a wide grin cover her face instead. “That sounds like an excellent idea. You certainly know how to make a Nord happy… And it sounds like you’re speaking from experience about the bards.” She gave him a playful elbow to the ribs at that comment. “I bet they won't have a single drop of mead here though. It’d just be my luck.” Reigenleif’s drinking habits had changed quite a bit since arriving in the land of the Redguards. She drunk less - largely because they tended to have a rather limited selection compared to her homeland or the incredibly multicultural Cyrodil. Though of course, once one reached a certain point it didn’t really matter what the drink was.

The khajiit scoffed. "You have no idea. At first, I was quite enamored that someone would see fit to write songs based on my glories, but it started to become apparent the man can't live up to the legend. People are far more interested in the hero who never eats, rests, or spends nights shivering wet in a cave with people whom he isn't sure won't try to cut his throat while he's asleep. I think the story's more for the bard's benefit; they get more coin for their troubles than I do. A shame my voice wasn't more alluring. I'd be much less axe-happy." he grinned, grasping the mosque's door handle. "It [I]is[/I] a place of worship, after all. I couldn't even tell you what they brought in for us, past wine. This is a night where you drink to forget, but I can think of a few toasts to share." Zaveed said, following Reigenleif through the door. His eyes met with Qara'Sion's briefly and he glanced away. "I can't say I'm used to feeling in the right and regretful at once. I quite dislike it." he said quietly.

“Hmmm, definitely time for you to drink.” Reigenleif said, searching the room with keen eyes for a bottle. “And hope there are no bards nearby… For the bards sake.” She said with a grin. Though Zaveed still seemed a little unhappy with events, he was at least in better cheer than than before, and that made Reigenleif happy. As soon as she spotted a bottle of wine, probably to be used in a right to one of the Redguard deities she was unfamiliar with, she pulled it over to her with a telekinesis spell and handed it to Zaveed. “You’d better start right now.” She said in a mock serious voice.

"It isn't the night for merriment, but a night without drink is a night wasted." he replied, allowing himself to clutch the bottle and find himself a seat at once of the benches set up along the ornate, but worn, pillars. With a mock salute he removed the cork with a curved, extended claw and took a deep sip, accidently catching an air bubble and inadvertently inhaling a few drops. The khajiit coughed hard, shaking his head. "Damn..." he said between breaths. "It's been a long time since I've made that mistake." he handed the bottle back to the Nord, breathing deeply to make sure the burning red liquid wasn't still lingering where air should be. "It's hard to believe my people live in a country as miserable and hot as this one... I can only imagine how unbearable it is when you get away from the sea." he said, shaking his head. "The only thing worse is fields of ice and snow. How did you tolerate Skyrim for so long?"

“Miserably hot is certainly an accurate description,” Reigenleif said drolly, taking a swig on the bottle before handing it back to Zaveed. “But I’d take a good ice field over this any day. At least there you’ll never run out of water. But surely with a natural fur coat, your people would find the heat even more unbearable than I? And the cold less biting?” Even at night Reigenleif found the heat of this place unbearable, despite the fact that the Redguards all claimed that nights in the desert were freezing. Even after all her travels, she had never stopped being a Winterhold girl - which meant everywhere that wasn’t north Skyrim felt too hot.

Zaveed chuckled, taking the bottle and tipping it back for a drink of his own. "Common misconception. The fur [I]sheds[/I] heat. Unlike wolves and other such unpleasant manner of beast, khajiit do not possess an undercoat. Best way to describe it is like wearing light, long clothing that covers your body so the sun does not directly touch your skin, and it gives something of a barrier against the heat. I'm sure if we found deserts and jungles unbearable, our long-forgotten ancestors would have moved somewhere more temperate long ago, perhaps conquered Cyrodiil." he said, looking around the room. "I suppose I should try to reassure these guys, should I not? Everyone's been a bit shaken up with what happened today. Wets-His-Blade and Rena are missing, too."

Reigenleif smirked at the invasion comment Khajiit were typically thought of as merchants (or thieves) first and warriors as a distant third or fourth, though they were certainly fierce when they needed to be. She was genuinely surprised to learn that the fur actually cooled them though. She had never bothered asking a Khajiit that question before, never having been interested in the beast races until Zaveed came along. “Well, thats not what I expected. I could do with some fur of my own if it would help keep me cool in this Talos-forsaken desert. But you’re right, much as I would love to steal you away for the rest of the night, the others look they need reassuring. Don’t worry about me, we Nord girls are tough.