Falmer were attacking. They would arrive any moment. Rhea was barking out orders, and it seemed like just about everyone knew what they were doing. A few clambered up onto the roof of the building while other spread out, giving each other space to wield weapons. Anifaire stumbled to the back of the group, eyes struggling to focus in the dim light. She could barely distinguish between her companions, eyes searching for Mortalmo briefly before the fight began. She was interrupted before she could identify anyone who might help her as the Falmer broke into the area and pandemonium ensued. The scent of Falmer permeated the air; Anifaire wrinkled her nose in disgust and briefly attempted to plug her nose with her hand before giving up the futile attempt. It was too strong. Never in her life had she smelled anything so revolting or seen a creature so disturbing. 

She stepped back, feeling too close to the battle and yet there was no space for her to move back into. She wished it was lighter. The Altmer spun around, pulse rising, panic setting in, and stumbled face first into a Falmer. The scent was even stronger, and the creature moved unnaturally, with its feel slapping against the ground. It had once been an elf, and the idea was enough to turn Anifaire’s stomach, not that the smell of Falmer mixed with blood wasn’t doing it on its own. She froze stock still until the monster bashed her with his shield hard enough to knock her over. The woman tumbled to the ground with a thud, her shock dissipated, and she rolled out of the way of a sword thrust. In the midst of this, a clear thought fought its way to the forefront of her mind, the only clear thing in the confusion: [i]I’ve ruined this dress.[/i] She didn’t stop there; no, she kept rolling until she hit the wall, which wasn’t far. Somewhere on her journey she’d sensed someone step over her and engage the Falmer, though she hadn’t been able to make out who had done it. 

Anifaire propped herself up on her arms and turned so that her back was to the wall and she could see the battle. One more look at the Falmer was all it took to make her think of how close she’d been to that thing, the smell, the movement, the way its skin glistened oddly in what light there was as though it were slightly wet, and she turned over and vomited. She’d skipped breakfast and there was little in her stomach to come up, but some water and stomach acid spilled out on the floor. There was a second where she could breath as her body continued to retch without anything to throw up. Once she finished, she immediately rolled away from the vomit and stood up with a bit of help from the wall. 

Light headed, she spun around and stepped hesitantly away from the wall, moving farther towards the building entrance despite the congregation of people and Falmer fighting there. She wanted fresh air and in her daze was able to pay little attention to her surroundings. She tripped on some rubble, crashing to the ground dangerously close to some fighting, and sprang to her feet in the fray of things. She turned around, looking to get some space, but was instead met by the lizard. 

[i]“Come! Anrenfar! Join your spell to mine!”[/i] Anifaire jolted herself as the other mage cast some flames, far more expertly than Anifaire knew she could manage. Regardless, being given a direct command – did she say [i]Anrenfar?[/i] – gave the Altmer something to hold onto. Without even thinking, she joined the spell. The flames grew, and Anifaire let Judena lead them. Huh. Crisped Falmer wasn’t a scent Anifaire would’ve imagined smelling when she was back in Alinor, but it seemed it was preferable to the regular scent of Falmer by far. She hadn't imagined they would smell so atrocious, or move so unnaturally. The idea that these were once Snow Elves nauseated her.