[center][h2]Clarity by the Harbour[/h2]
by Greenie and [@Mortarion]
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[i]Anvil, 22nd of Last Seed, Early Afternoon[/i]

After the fighting, scolding and healing, Megana had spent most of the rest of the day in the inn in her bedroom, whiling the hours away in the consumption of food, drink and copious amounts of sleep. It was probably a rather lazy way to spend her first day in the beautiful city of Anvil, but after the long journey and body check from Brynja, she hadn’t really cared much for sightseeing. In fact, aside from fiddling in the money pouch for septims to pay the innkeeper with, she hadn’t even counted to see how much exactly was in the pouch.

Morning had brought rest with a headache from maybe having a little too much to drink… but also the realization that she was a hundred septims richer than she had been yesterday morning. Therefore, after freshening up and having breakfast- it really was hard to resist delicious smelling food- Meg had left the Flowing Bowl to peruse the city and finally buy a shirt that didn't look older than she was. Of course, she was probably in need of new trousers and boots and a whole lot of other new things, but she’d always been the frugal type. It hadn’t taken her too long before she came across a vendor who had just what she wanted. Whether she persuaded him or he persuaded her, the end result of that transaction was that Meg now had a set of barely worn clothes for half the price.

After a little more wandering and sightseeing, including glances (or perhaps gawking) at the Chapel of Dibella, Meg finally returned to the inn and proceeded to change her clothes. It felt nice, finally having clean, grimless clothes touching her skin. True she had lived a lot of her life as a streetrat and was used to muck here, there and everywhere, but that hardly meant she couldn’t enjoy life’s simpler pleasures.

One of which included looking out at the harbour as she once more exited the tavern, watching the waves crashing against the shore, so different from the waves she used to watch as a child in Riften. 

After his chat with Alim, Jaraleet had retreated to his room at the inn and started jotting down what information that he had gathered, and which he had deemed important due to the current situation, throughout the course of the conversation he had with the half-blooded thief. The self-imposed task had left the Haj-Eix will little hours of sleep, but the assassin didn’t mind all too much. In his line of work long nights and little sleep were par for the course but, even so, the ambiance of the inn had started to become overbearing for the Argonian assassin.

Changing from the leather armor that he had been wearing ever since that fateful Dwemer ambush that had decimated the Colovian Rangers into his, relatively, clean set of normal clothes, Jaraleet made his way out of the inn and to the nearby harbour close to it. There, he was surprised to find Megana Corvus who seemed lost in her thoughts as she watched the waves crash against the shore. “Something on your mind Meg?” The Argonian asked curiously as he approached the Nord woman, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned to look at the same sight she did as he waited for a reply.  

Meg looked up when she heard the voice, surprised to see who it was though not startled from the break in the silence; she had heard the footsteps. “Jaraleet, nice seein’ you here!” She smiled a little before shaking her head at his question. “Y’mean, aside from the usual ‘what’m I doin’ with m’life?’ sorta thoughts? Nothin’ much.” She took in a breath, enjoying the scent of the sea air. “Just kinda enjoyin’ the peace while it’s still ‘round, y’know?”

With that said, she sat down cross legged on the ground, not too worried about dust and dirt clinging to her new clothes.

"What 'bout you, Jaraleet?" she asked curiously once she was settled, leaning back on her hands and craning her neck so that she could keep eye contact with the tall argonian. Aside from the obvious race similarities, he was as different from Judena as an oak tree from a pine. "Got any plans for the future?"

“Hmmm, any plans for the future?” Replied the Argonian, thinking for a few seconds before he spoke again. “Well, I’m planning to stick with your group if Rhea, and the rest of you of course, will have me.” He said matter of factly to Meg’s last question. “As for what I’m doing right now, well...the inn was starting to be a little suffocating so I decided to head out for a walk.” Said the assassin. “I also want to enjoy what peace there is to be found here, it’s a welcome respite after all the chaos of the Dwemer ambush and what the Dominion did.” He replied, sitting next to Meg after having noticed that she had to crane her neck if she wanted to keep eye contact with him. 

He remained in silence for a few seconds, letting himself enjoy the warmth of the sun before he let out a sigh. “All that has happened seems almost surreal in the face of this peace, doesn’t it?” The Argonian chuckled humorlessly, falling silent once again. “What about you Meg? Got any plans for the future yourself?” 

"Honestly?" Meg sat up straight and shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno, really. I've been all sortsa unsure even 'fore the dwemer attacked, back in Imperial City." She shifted around, still cross legged, so that she was no longer looking to the water and focusing on Jaraleet instead. "'Fore any of this happened, I used t'wander lots, head down into catacombs an' crypts... treasure huntin'. That's what got me interested in the expedition to the Jerall Mountains, y'know? I thought I'd come out rich, maybe snag some shinies t'sell on the side, return t'wanderin' 'round Skyrim. An' now? I'm wanderin' Cyrodiil with no clue what's what."

Letting out a huff of a sigh, Meg rocked back and forth before turning to face the water once more. "Pretty darn sure you're as welcome t'stay with the group as any of us, though..." Her mouth twitched, unsure how to continue. "I didn' agree with what Sora told Rhea yesterday... still, I dunno if she's got sommat planned or if the group's just waitin' to splinter off... Nothin's certain, an' that kinda gives me a weird feelin'."

She prodded her stomach with her fist before giving the argonian a sheepish smile. "Sorry 'bout that. Kinda just unloaded a shitload on ya there."

“There’s no need to apologize Meg.” Jaraleet said with a smile. “This are chaotic times, it’s only natural to feel confused and lost. I’m only glad that I could lend an ear for you to vent your worries.” He finished, tapping his chin slightly in contemplation. “I can’t speak of what’s going through Rhea’s mind, I’m not her nor I have nearly known her as long as you have, but from what I’ve seen, I’d wager that she wouldn’t want the group to separate. For better or worse, she wants you all to stay together.” The assassin spoke, pondering for a second whether to continue or not. “Though, for what is worth, I believe that the idea of remaining together is a good one. Splitting up in a situation like this one, as if nothing had happened, seems unwise to me. The chaos throughout Cyrodiil as a result of the invasion is still rampant, and one never knows what kind of person is waiting at the next turn of the road.” He said finally, shaking his head slightly before continuing. “No, it’s for the best to remain with people you already know in this kinds of times. I understand that it's not like you and the others have known each other for years, or something similar to that but it seems safer to stay together rather than scattering like leaves in the wind.” 

“Though….I suppose I don’t have much room to talk, it’s not like I’ve been with you guys all that long either.” He said with a light chuckle, shaking his head slightly and smiling. “I’m not sure if it’s of much consolation what I just said but, well, hopefully it will ease some of your concerns in regards to what is to come for this group. I know at least that I offered Rhea my help if she so wished, so I’ll stay with her and those who decide to remain at her side.” 

"My Pa used'ta say you can find out lots 'bout a person by travellin' with 'em, an' I think Skingrad t'here was enough of a journey t'get to know you. So I'm thinkin' I know you an' the rest well enough." Meg was momentarily quiet, eyes following the ripples in the water. "You're right though... I mean, 'bout stickin' together, for me anyway. No one I know here 'cept y'all..." She thought of yesterday afternoon, smiling a little as she recalled the bout with Brynja. "I like bein' 'round the others, you included. Feels like family... a really weird one, but still."

She rubbed at her nose, a little embarrassed by the sentiment. "I do got my own real family back in Skyrim, Pa an' his son. Wrote Pa a letter just yesterday... dunno if it'll reach but it felt nice." She nodded at Jaraleet. "What 'bout you? Anyone back home for ya?"

Jaraleet chuckled slightly as Meg mentioned that the group seemed to feel like a family, a strange family but a family nonetheless. “I know how you feel.” He said, smiling fondly as he recalled childhood memories of his fellow Haj-Eix back when they were trainees. His train of thought was interrupted when Meg asked him if he had anyone back home for him and, for a split second, Jaraleet almost told her about his fellow brothers and sisters in the Hidden Scales.

“It’s….complicated.” He began after a few seconds of silence as he processed the fact that he had almost told Meg who he truly was on an impulse driven by nostalgia. “My mother….well, she was an alchemist and was attacked by some of the beasts that dwell in Blackmarsh while gathering ingredients.” The Argonian lied, having already thought of the lie in case someone in the group asked him about his family. “A group of city guards from Helstrom, my home city, managed to find her before she expired….me and my father, we managed to say our goodbyes to her before she returned to the Hist.” The Argonian said solemnly, letting out a quiet sigh. “My father still lives in Helstrom, far as I know, but I can’t really return to Black Marsh.” He said to Meg. 

“It’s….it’s been a long while since I’ve seen him.” He said to her, shaking his head slightly. “But I have some family in Anvil, managed to see them at the very least. Though I told them to return to Black Marsh, it seems more safe than staying in Anvil waiting for the Dwemer to come knocking.” He said, offering a small smile to the Nord woman.  

"Heh..." Meg reached out and placed a hand on the argonian's arm, patting it slightly, sympathy clear in her green eyes. "Now's my turn t'say I know how you feel." She placed her hand in her lap once more before continuing. "My Ma was an adventurer you could say. Her an' Pa both, but 'specially her. She used t'be in the Companions, so huntin' things down was sorta her thing. She'd stopped when I was born but I guess she got itchy feet..." She let out a chuckle. "Pro'ly where I got 'em from. Anyway, she died when she was huntin' a coven of witches..."

She sighed a little. "Pa took it hard for a long time but he came to. We moved to Riften, stayed there awhile... moved to Whiterun. He's still there, with his wife an' their son." Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her tunic as she thought of the letter. What would Marne thing when it reached... [i]if[/i] it reached? 

"Whiterun's a long way from Imperial City," she muttered. "Still, kinda scary thinkin' the dwemer might get there too." 

Jaraleet was surprised when he felt Meg patting his arm slightly and the sympathy displayed in her eyes made him feel guilty, for the first time in years, for having to lie to her. He nodded when she explained what had happened with her mother and how her father had taken the loss. “Yes, I understand, my father didn’t take it well either, but like yours he managed to pull through.” He said softly. 

He listened as she voiced her worries about the Dwemer reaching Whiterun and, much like she had done but a few moments ago, Jaraleet placed his hand on her arm gently before patting it slightly. “I’m sure that your father will be fine.” He said softly, smiling at Meg. “I don’t know much about him, aside from what you’ve told me….but I’m sure that he’s a strong man so I think that he’ll be fine.” Jaraleet said, turning to look at the ocean. 

Meg chuckled, feeling both sheepish but proud of her father. "Aye, he was a soldier for a bit there... taught me how to use m'sword once we left Riften." He had used the training to distract her from more heinous activities, probably not realizing that just like himself and his beloved wife, Meg had prowess in handling a sword.

"Hm... Y'know, you're right." She couldn't help but smile as she thought of what Jaraleet said. "My Pa taught me; only makes sense if I can survive a whole buncha shit, then he'd be able to as well." 

Letting a few moments of companionable silence pass, she finally spoke once more. "Y'know, I owe you one. I feel much more... eh... what's that word..." Her face scrunched momentarily before a look of enlightenment straightened her features. "At ease. I still got my path t'find, whatever that'll be... but 'least I know one thing for sure; I'mma stay with this group 'til I'm the last one."

Meg let out an audible breath before nudging the argonian with her arm. "You hungry? How 'bout lunch's on me?" She smirked as her hand patted her money pouch. "An' then I can tell you all 'bout how I got a bunch of septims by doin' pretty much nothin'."

Jaraleet smiled at Meg’s words, glad that what he had said helped the Nord woman to be at ease. “There’s no need to thank me Meg, I’m just glad that I managed to help you.” He replied, chuckling softly when she nudged him with her arm. “Though I will accept the free lunch.” He joked, smiling again before he stood up. “Guess it’s back to the tavern for us then, unless you had another place in mind to go?”  

"Eh... I'mma say the tavern, don' wanna get lost an' be hungry at the same time." She chuckled once more before standing up and stretching, arms reaching up for the sky. "I'll pro'ly go lookin' 'round after, but for now I gotta hole in here-" she patted her stomach "- that I wanna fill."

“That’d be rather annoying, I have to agree.” Jaraleet replied with a chuckle to Meg’s comment about not wanting to be lost and hungry at the same time. “Hmmm, I think I’ll do the same. It’d do me some good to stretch my legs a bit more, maybe buy a few things in case we return to the road sooner rather than latter.” He said, beginning to make his way towards the tavern.  

"Aye," Meg returned, following after the argonian, a small but noticeable spring in her step. "That's a good line o' thought there."