[center][h1]A Matchmade in Chaos[/h1][/center] [hr] [center](Collab by [@Stormflyx] and POOHEAD189)[/center] [hr] Screams and cries of anger had erupted just outside the room, and he second guessed yet again on if he should have come back to the servants quarters. His act had been spent, but he’d felt he should play the part just a bit longer to keep from arousing anyone’s suspicion. “Just my luck,” he breathed, unsheathing his blade. Muttering a quick incantation, he cast shield upon himself to keep his body safe, as he found himself without his armor. He reached into his pack before he departed, gazing at the prize he had stolen, mere hours ago. “I suppose she’ll want this back,” he said sardonically. He hated to part with the item, but truth be told he longed to see her again. She was everything he wanted in a woman. Greedy, conniving, deceitful… he had a problem. Wrapping a towel around his free arm to create a makeshift shield, the redguard stepped out into the fray. Immediately he was nearly clipped on the head by a tossed tray. The lavishly embroidered halls and rooms were a maelstrom of chaos. Men with torn shirts and women with ripped skirts pummeled one another when they weren’t too busy screeching into the void of Oblivion. His shield spell blocked a thrown knife and three apples. He caught one of the apples as it bounced off his shoulder, taking a bite. “Thank you!” the spellsword called. Meanwhile, in the dining hall, Relyssa watched as the chaos ensued. Her bright blue orbs danced this way and that over the scene, and she hoisted her skirt so her feet could carry her faster and back through the banquet hall. She had to find Alim. Where was that damned servant? Her brow creased, and a lip curled into a snarl and she shoved past a plump looking gentleman who was staggering around, drunk. As she stepped back over the threshold, she felt that there was something pungent in the air, it wasn’t a smell but there was a certain toxicity that stopped her in her tracks and itched at her face. She twitched her nose and sneezed - and that was all it took for her to succumb to a dose of the spell. She blinked, feeling heady and excited all at once. She watched as two women went at it over each other, pulling at hair and slapping - screaming. Frenzied or not, she was still Relyssa and she caught sight of an incredible diamond necklace that one of the woman was wearing, and it must have been her lucky day because suddenly it was torn from her neck by her vicious opponent, and the Breton’s eyes followed it as it flew to the floor. Without a second to think, Relyssa dropped to her hands and knees - her low position kept her out of the way of any would be attacks, and she watched as the necklace was kicked this way and that over the floor. She shuffled, following, like a woman possessed. “Two for the price of one,” she hissed, under the strings of the spell but not enough to act like a deranged banshee, just a greedy and obsessed. It was shown in Relyssa’s eyes that she was under the thralls of Frenzy, they held a bewitching red glow that while unnatural, just gave her an opulent appearance when paired with the crimson of her stunning dress. She crawled as fast as she could after the necklace, staying close to the tables. At one point her crouched form was a tripping hazard to a gentleman as he went completely over her and to the floor himself. Relyssa just kept moving though, Alim and the tiara out of her mind - all that mattered now was the necklace… Meanwhile, Alim vaulted over a pile of men writhing on the ground, each trying to grab a fallen candle for a reason he couldn’t fathom. The spell really was causing everyone to go batshit insane. Why was he not effected? He was the first to toot his own horn, but he wasn’t exactly strong of will when it came to temptation. Suddenly, amidst the chaos, he saw a beautiful blonde on all fours crawling through the chaotic frenzy of the guests. “Oh shit,” he said aloud, realizing it was Relyssa. Well, maybe he was better at maintaining his temptations than her, but this was an exception. He started forward, only to be confronted by a crudgle wielding madman of a lord, drooping mustache swaying in the air. He poked it at Alim as if it were a rapier, and as Alim back peddled he began to swing at him, rage in his eyes. Alim blocked the next swing with his sword. “My lord, don’t make me kick your ass,” The dashing redguard said. The man didn’t seem to listen, crying out for victory and aiming his next attack at Alim’s neck. Alim realized the man meant business, and he ducked under the blow, blocking the next attack and bludgeoning the old lord on the head. “Akatosh, you actually put up a fight, old timer.” he said, stepping over the elderly man and making his way to Relyssa, who was still scrambling over to a Diamond necklace that rolled over to Alim’s feet. He lifted it up off the ground, dangling it in front of her. “Looking for this?” he asked her, and tossed it to her. Once she had it, he would offer her his hand. The resplendent glow of the diamonds cast a white sparkle against her eyes, under the spell that had taken over the dining hall. Her hand snatched at the piece as it moved through the air, said hand had lost all essence of femininity and instead somewhat resembled the sharp and vicious talons of a bird of prey. Relyssa squeezed at it with an iron grip, so fierce that her arm trembled with it and her nostrils flared with excitement. She let it drop, chain first, between her breasts. Her head jolted to look up at Alim, and upon meeting his gaze some of the crimson glimmer from her eyes seemed to shift - her eyebrow quirked as she found herself confused as to why she was on the floor, and why she felt so [i]enraged[/i]. Like she could just claw out the eyes of the next person to look at her. “You?” she questioned, red dancing with blue as internally the cogs worked to fight back against the spell. “You!” Relyssa repeated, taking his hand after a few more seconds. “Get us out of here!” she exclaimed, the spell still had a hold of her, and so her hand clutched at his, her nails cutting into his skin. Alim grimaced at her clawed fingers, but he wasn’t about to let that perturb him. “You don’t need to tell me, twice.” he told her, yanking her to her feet and sweeping her off her feet with his free hand. She was like picking up a cat that was unused to being picked up, claws and wild eyes. But she hung on and he gripped her tightly in as modest of a way as he could. He might enjoy his women, particularly this one, but he was above taking advantage of people under the influence, spell or otherwise. Someone ran at them as if to tackle the two of them. Nimbly, Alim leaped over the tackle and pushed down with his feet, sending the man to the ground while reaching up with the added springboard to touch the lower chandelier. Swinging twice to gain momentum, he let go on the third swing. The weight was apparently too much, as he let go, the chandelier toppled and shattered in a thousand thousand sparkles onto the ground. It likely buried a few crazed people, but Alim was passed caring. They landed on the far table, and knowing it was the least crowded way to leave by, Alim raced across the previously unblemished wood. Dodging thrown glasses and food, Alim leaped like his life depended on it, feet landing on a beautiful food tray and skidding off the table to slide in between a couple fighting. Unceremonious, Alim decked the man to his right to get him out of the way as they sped, and with no other obstacles, they slid out of the Banquet hall through the great doors of the building. The silver tray sprayed sparks behind them as they slid down the stone steps, bumping every moment until they made it to even ground and eventually slowed to a halt just before the fountain, Alim’s feet kicking up the tray to halt them at its edge. “A bit bumpy but I was improvising,” he said by way of apology. He wanted to be smug about it, but he had to admit he didn’t think that would work either. He let her down gently. The jostling and jumping left Relyssa feeling nauseous, so she was relieved to have her feet find the solid ground. That, and the spell had left her feeling disoriented - her mind felt fractured and frazzled, like broken clouds scattering thoughts in pieces - a puzzle slowly threading itself everything back together. It took the Breton a moment to find herself, now that was out of the perimeter of the effect of Frenzy. She might as well have still been under the spell, as despite having stepped back from Alim, she trudged forward, her step lopsided - she’d lost a shoe in the scuffle. “Godsdamnit!” she cursed through gritted teeth at the realisation. Those shoes were expensive. “I’ve been looking for you,” she huffed, holding a hand out expectantly. “I need my tiara, now.” Her voice was softer, but she meant business. All she needed was her prize, and then she’d be out of there. The redguard sighed, realizing it was a bit too much for him to expect anything less. “You know I could have sworn you’d be grateful,” he said playfully, though a bit sad. He reached into his servants jacket to grab for it, but after a few moments of fishing around, he still hadn’t produced it. “Oh gods…” he whispered, his voice breathless with worry. He patted his pants, checked his pockets, searched until the worry appeared in her eyes, and then stopped and grinned. “I had you going for a moment.” He reached up gingerly, and plucked the tiara off of her head. “I thought it might get damaged within the vest, you see.” he explained, unable to keep the wide smile off his face. Kneeling down, he presented it to her in such a dramatically imperious fashion that anyone, even someone realizing that he was being a bit tongue-in-cheek, would feel like royalty receiving such a prize. “My lady, the Tiara is yours.” “Was there ever any question?” Relyssa asked with a kittenish smile, her temper had fizzled out, and as she held the item again her fingers wrapped around it slowly - she savoured the feeling of the gold in her palms, and her eyes fell to the diamonds again as she had earlier. She had been about ready to swing at him with her claws again, but the minute she had the piece - all had been forgotten. “Off your knees, we haven’t time to dawdle around…” she commented, eyes torn from the tiara and to the scene. This was all nice, but it would be less so if they were accosted by guards, angry guests, or by the vampires. “You’re still under my hire, you need to get me out of here,” Relyssa said, suddenly very, [i]very[/i] impatiently. “Gustav assured me that you would go above and beyond - so now is the time. Which way do we go?” Alim blinked, but charmingly laughed after he stood up. He should have known she would squeeze every penny she paid out of his service. Though he couldn’t blame her, it was still quite dangerous to be so close to the castle. He gripped both sides of his vest and squared his shoulders, portraying himself as the strapping young retainer to the greedy Breton. “If I were you, I’d tuck the tiara somewhere safe or place it on your lovely head again.” he said, taking her by the hand. “We’re heading north and we might run into trouble.” He took her hand and led her past the fountain, heading to the forward grand archway that fed out into the city from the Upper District. Down three causeways, they paused at each intersection to make sure they weren’t pursued or spotted. If memory served, they would be merely one block away from the exit before Alim stopped. “Hold,” he told her. He quickly took off his jacket, and draped it across her shoulders. He placed a hand on her collarbone. “You’re the noble lady, and I am your retainer, and we’re simply stepped out for the evening. Not too far from the truth.” he told her with a wink, and then slipped his arm around hers and guided her out of the alleyway and into the grand archway, where six guards stood, swords unsheathed and shields out, eyes vigilant beneath their helms. They all pointed their swords when Alim and Relyssa came around the corner, though relaxed visibly when he saw their unassuming forms. “Halt, it is unsafe to leave the premises at this hour.” The Captain said, a tall man with a drooping mustache and a suspicious gaze. “Sir, are you saying it’s safe to [i]stay[/i]?” Alim asked him incredulously. “I see your point, but orders are orders.” The Captain replied. Alim showed his teeth in frustration, and then glanced at Relyssa’s eyes and realized there was no bargaining with either her or the guard. Alim shrugged. “You’re right Captain, orders are orders.” And his orders were to get the lady out of the Castle ground and to safety. He gave Relyssa a sly look. “Which of us is lighter do you think?” he asked, and cast feather on himself. The guards, sensing mischief, charged them, shouting for him to halt. Seems they were taking no chances with the chaos erupting in the castle. Alim unsheathed his sword and caught the blade of the first guard, knocking the blade aside in a spin, ending the twirl with a swashbuckling kick to the man’s stomach. The next two guards waded in, and it was time for Relyssa to see just how good Alim was with a sword. They met steel for steel, blades flickering like lightning as Alim flourished and riposted, a grin on his lips as the guards fought on wide eyed, disbelief on their faces they had yet to overwhelm him. With a flick of his wrist, he disarmed a guard and then pommeled him in the face, sending him staggering back. The other guard thrust at Alim, who redirected the blade, scooped Relyssa up in his free hand, and kneed the man who had overextended too far, straight in the face. As he keeled over, Alim stepped off his back and launched a dozen feet over the other guards, the magical spell sending both he and Relyssa over the walls and floating gently down toward the lower elevation of the Center District. As they floated, the city looked beautiful from so high. The lights in the buildings looked like stars amid a dark sea. Relyssa held on tight to the Redguard, not for anything other than a fear of plummeting to her death if she did not. It had been an [i]eventful[/i] evening to say the least. To say the [i]absolute[/i] least - but as they came upon solid ground beyond the wall, she felt a semblance of safety - and gratitude all of a sudden. Real gratitude. As if the weight of the events finally hit her, and the spell wore off. Had she more of a conscience, she might have seen fit to worry about Gustav and the rest of his team - he crossed her mind, briefly. But soon her attention was back on Alim. “You actually did it,” she said, an amazed tone on her breath, out of the sheer relief she uncharacteristically went in to embrace him - her step lopsided still, what with having one heel missing and all. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, inhaling him absent-mindedly. “Thank you,” she sighed before pulling away. Now that was taken care of, it was like the lights switched back on and Relyssa was back, she placed a hand on her hip, elbow angled and sharp. “Alright, Gustav said I could wait at Used Sundries… I’m going to hazard a guess that’s where you’ll be heading anyway. We should get going before the celebrations extend beyond the castle walls…” For a moment, Alim didn’t know what to do. But there was a soft expression on his face, and he gave a genuine smile. Even after all of the flirtations and screaming, it did feel nice to simply be appreciated. “You are quite welcome, my lady.” he said, inclining his head. “And I could not agree more. Erm…” he looked around, and back up the hill toward the castle before turning back to her. “Shall I carry you some more, or would you rather take my arm?” he asked, half joking. The moon gleamed off his eyes. The woman’s eyes narrowed and her lips pouted as she thought about the question before gingerly lifting a foot, pinching at the skirt of her dress to reveal that it was bare. “Can’t rightly walk on this now can I?” she asked, knowing that Alim was quite easy to beguile. Relyssa stepped behind him and placed an arm over each of his shoulders - and then without much of a warning she had hopped on. The breton wrapped her legs around him and crossed her ankles at his waistband, but not before giving him a playful nudge with her heel at the thigh. “Giddy up then,” she chuckled. She was quite light, but he had been carrying her all night. He might have placed feather on her if he still had the magicka for it. Luckily for his and her pride, he didn’t so he didn’t. Straightening himself up, he squared his shoulders and looked back at her, his smile barely visible behind his hair. “Next time I’ll get you to buy the saddle.” he joked. The movement of him walking would have her clinging tighter to his shoulders, and truth be told it was a very fine night tonight. Even considering that the castle was half on fire at this point, the stars were clear in the sky. “This reminds me of Skaven,” he said suddenly, almost without prior knowledge of why he began to speak of his homeland. “Perhaps a bit less exciting than…” he remembered the castle. “I take that back.” he chuckled to himself. “I grew up in Highrock, but for some reason my mind always drifts back to Hammerfell. I suppose I’m drawn to dangerous but deadly places. Probably where I get my taste in women.” This smile she wouldn’t see, his head completely facing forward. They passed through the city streets, only the occasional beggar or lone citizen around at such an hour. “Dangerous and deadly women, huh?” she asked, not expecting him to have hailed from High Rock, Hammerfell being more suited to him - his mannerisms, dress, and appearance. That seemed more natural to him than what she would by her own admission refer to as the haughty province. “I could have done without [i]that[/i] excitement. I don’t quite like my well made plans threatened and almost thwarted…” Relyssa clenched tighter at the thought of losing her spoils and her nails pressed into Alim’s collarbones as if she were a cat setting its claws into the furniture. “I grew up in High Rock too, Daggerfall, actually…” she confessed nonchalantly, as if the very memory of it would bore her to tears. She lifted a hand, ceasing the clawing to look at her nails. They had been well groomed prior to the evening, and now one of the pointed tips had been cracked off. That elicited a moan; “I broke a nail,” she whinged, too tired to really kick up a fuss. Instead she placed her chin on Alim’s shoulder. “Are we there yet?” she asked in a huff. “Just a few more blocks.” He said to her, letting his words flow out lengthily and slowly to ease her impatience. “When we get back, do you plan on going to sleep, or will you give me the honor of buying you a drink?” It was a sudden question, but this would be the first time that night they weren’t being chased or made to travel. “If you think I’m going to sleep, you’d be wrong. I’m going to celebrate. I’ve been after that tiara for a very long time…” Relyssa said, biting her lip momentarily. “If you want to join me in that celebration… All things considered, I’ll allow it.” The woman began tapping her fingers over his collarbones, simply marking the impatience that Alim had tried to ease. After enough walking, soon enough the pair rounded back onto Used Sundries - and as far from the chaos as they were going to get for the evening. She did not remove herself from his back until the door was opened, they were in, and it was closed behind them. Gustav had all of his staff, and yet not one of them could have cleaned. It still felt as dusty as it had when she first visited. “Warm up the room dear,” she said - not asking. There was a dusty hearth in the room. “Where are these drinks?” she [i]did[/i] ask, thinking fondly on Gustav’s spirit. She gave a quick thought to perhaps try the lock to his office and take it, maybe a peep around - she was still interested in the man, and what sordid secrets he might be hoarding in the drawers of that wonderful desk of his. “Oh, and change your clothes please, they're bloody” she added, pointing a finger into the air. Under her breath she sighed, “This corset is getting unbearable," she too wanted a change. Alim nearly fell over halfway to the hearth as the image of Relyssa undoing her corset entered his mind. He drew himself up. [i]Stop it. Now is not the time.[/i] he told himself. [i]I’m a professional, and the lady is expecting me to act respectable[/i]. He ran a hand through a wave of his hair and knelt beside the hearth, lighting his sword with a wiggle of his offhand fingers. Gently, he placed the sword on the stacked timber, the dry wood coming alight in a puff of flame. He stood up and looked at his clothes, noting that he was due for a change like she suggested. He went to his quarters, taking off the servant attire and laying it upon the chair for later use, in case they needed to use the ruse again. He placed on his travel attire. Wrapped silks around his waist, cascading halfway down his left leg in a stately sarong-like manner. His trousers were loose fitting and almost poofy, and the indigo vest lined with gold on his chest befit a prince, or so he fancied. He knelt in his bag and pulled out his saved Skaven vintage. He’d had it for years, and while he didn’t know if he’d permit it all being downed, he and Relyssa deserved a sip or two. When Alim returned, Relyssa had changed too. It wasn't her choice of outfit, a simple shirt and cotton trousers she'd found lying around - much too big for her, but she'd managed to style them well regardless, cinching in all of the right places. She was leaning back against the table - the tiara shimmering against her hair, and then more diamonds adorning her neck. Her eyes were alight. "How do they look?" She purred in his direction, spying the wine bottle in his hand. Alim couldn’t help but grin, hands behind his back. “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that you manage to look gorgeous in about anything.” he told her, revealing the bottle of Skaven wine as if to toast the statement. He let her eyes linger on the prized drink before tossing it to her. Even if she didn’t catch it, it would fall plumply on the couch. He held his arms out, presenting himself. “Do I look presentable or should I go back to wearing the uniform?” That made Relyssa grin, but it was as if he was simply reaffirming what she already knew to be true. She did, in fact, catch the bottle, and then she took a small step to the couch and slipped onto it. Her legs crossed and she leaned back into its upholstery. “You look fine,” she commented with a shrug, her icy blue eyes never leaving his. She brought a finger to her lips. “Glasses?” she asked, giving the bottle a slight shake. “I’m celebrating, but I’m not uncouth…” He met her stare, his brown eyes dancing with the reflection of the hearth fire. He snapped his fingers, still looking at Relyssa as the cupboard to his left popped open. Usually the spell ‘open’ was for locks, but it served here. He turned and took two glasses, the bottom ‘stands’ of the wine glasses in the likeness of entwining dragons. “I was saving that bottle for a special occasion.” he said to her, glancing at the wine in her slim hands. His next remark had a dry edge to it. “I think surviving a castle full of chaos and stealing a priceless tiara counts.” He joined her on the cushion next to her, glasses within the fingers of his left hand. He held out his right hand, offering to pour. He had to admit he felt a sense of trepidation. There was something about tasting good wine that spoke to him beyond his trifling guise of nobility. It had spent years going from place to place before reaching Alim, who’s adventures led it to even more numerous locales before reaching right here, with Relyssa and he. She sipped from the glass, the wine was rich and warm - pleasant to taste and she hummed in agreement of it. "That's good… Rich, matured, a good body to it… Unique..." Her eyes narrowed, falling on Alim, and she awaited his response. He took a robust sip of the wine. It was somehow both earthy yet sweet at the same time, sliding down his throat smoothly. Akatosh, he’d need to steal more of it at some point. This alone would be worth going back to Skaven and taking up a life of crime again. He turned as Relyssa spoke, eyes meeting hers. He let his gaze drink in her form as she spoke, and he reached over to idly toy with her hair. “I couldn’t agree more.” he said, his eyes slipping back up to meet hers. There was a tension in his voice. Relyssa bit her lip, the touch of his hand was suddenly enticing. “Do you really think I look good in the diamonds?” she asked, toying with him - waiting for the answer she wanted, an idea alight in her mind. She had him on her hook, she just wanted to reel him in now. Alim chuckled, his fingers still lightly toying with her golden hair. “Well…” he said, his voice promising as his gaze. “You’re probably the only person on Tamriel I’d rather hold the diamonds than I, because you look so good in them.” he admitted, and leaned forward slowly. Her eyes did not leave his as he moved closer, and her fingers tightened around the glass, “do you want to kiss me?” she whispered, the wine sitting warm and the ice in her stare had melted too. The corners of her mouth quirked into a smile, and she leaned forwards too, closing her eyes expectantly. His eyes slowly closed, and he breathed a “yes,” before he softly kissed her. His hand that had played with her locks now moved up to gently move within her hair and hold her head as he kissed her deeper, breathing her in. He enjoyed it so much he nearly forgot he had his glass of wine in his left hand, and he opened one eye to place his glass down on the table before using his free hand to cup her cheek, tasting her further. As much as she enjoyed the kiss, she did not let it go on for too long before she briefly pulled away from Alim, her eyes fluttering open; "you're going to be bad for business…" she confessed before returning to his lips.