CronicCrystalis

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Sorry to dissapoint. But love knows no boundaries. Race, place of birth... None of it matters when it comes to matters of the heart." Serena said, polishing off the remainder of her mead soon after before setting the bottle on the ground beside her.

"It's just that, well, Some of the guys I've come across so far just seem to only like me for my looks... And how quickly they think they can get into my pants. Others think they can just tell me what I can and can't do like some possessive slave driver. And you'd know how well someone who can wield a sword as long as her body is tall without hassle would take either scenario. I think I might've busted one guy's fertility completely." Serena said, letting out an annoyed sigh afterwards.

"Anyway. Enough worrying about what could be. Who knows. My special someone could be closer than I think. But tomorrow, we crack skulls."

Children of Plunder

Mark Astaroth, Izaroth & Spia Aestorm - Dark Matter Bar

The three figures sat before Arron, Mark sat dead centre while Izaroth and Spia sat beside him, Izaroth to his right, Spia to his left, though Spia seemed more interested in her surroundings than what was actually going on in front of her as Arron explained the situation. Izaroth was keeping his attention fixed on Arron, while Mark simply took a sip of the drink in front of him. When the time came for them to explain their motivations for joining the crew, Mark spoke up.

"...Long story short, there's a list of materials we've been searching for in order to complete a certain device I'm working on. Alas, attempts to retrieve said materials legally has failed at every turn, whether it be a "Missing shipment", a corrupt official claiming them for themselves to line their own pockets... Or most commonly, the Empire confiscating the shipment." Mark said calmly, but with a hint of annoyance to his voice, making an quotation marks gesture with his hands when he mentioned the missing shipment.

"All legal methods have been exhausted, so we've been left with no other recourse but to take the materials by force." Izaroth said, and once he'd finished speaking, Arron then put them through the Lie Detector, which understandably came up as true, before he spoke on some more, prior to asking the trio their names.

"I am Mark Artemis Astaroth. The two androids beside me are Izaroth and Spia respectively." Mark said, gesturing to Izaroth and Spia as he spoke the pair's names.

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Present Day, The Typhon

Once Arron and Arms had finished their spiel and the call to arms was made, Izaroth and Spia promptly bolted towards the docking tube, Izaroth unfurling his halberd from his hip and assembling it into full extension, but opted to leave it inert before he arrived on the merchant vessel when the bullets would start flying. Spia, meanwhile, was gradually producing electric sparks at greater intensity than the last around her forearms, aiming to get that particular function running to full before the battles broke out, a list of essential medical supplies visible on the heads up display active in her eyes, large enough to be legible, but small enough to not obstruct her vision.

"Could've at least given us chance to get the Engines stable first..." Mark muttered to himself as he took off towards the Engine, accessing a nearby terminal for analysis upon his arrival, and promptly giving it a quick once over to see what needed to be done, and what could be delegated to the Mites, and mentally prioritize the stuff most likely to explode under stress. Being dead in the water due to engine failure was the absolute worst case scenario, as they'd be an easy target for hostile vessels.

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Bit of a personal question, as well as a nocked arrow, ain't it?" Serena said, shooting Aria a nasty look, as if to speak without words that Aria was treading on thin ice. Taking a deep breath, her features turning more relaxed as she pondered for a moment.

"...I guess I prefer someone who would treat me right, someone who knows his limits, and is smart enough to find a way around them. Someone with a level head, basically. Not a supergenius, god knows I'd never keep up a conversation with that one. Above all else though, I'd like them to view me as an equal, respecting my choices, but willing to put his foot down if it seems reckless."

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Don't remind me about Nord stubbornness. It was only until I threatened to hack his junk off that one Nord finally got the hint that I wasn't interested in him." Serena said, following suit with Aria after she'd finished off the last of her mead.

"Not knowing when to quit is a nice quality and all, but not when it makes me want to hurl the nearest table at the guy."

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"No singular race of man would stand a chance against the combined might of the Thalmor. And we'd probably have to draw in the Argonians and some of the other Elven races to fill ranks. Ambush tactics would just piss them off until they decided to devise means to counter it." Serena said, before she took another sip of mead.

"I'd knock some sense into both factions, but with how many "I'm right, you're wrong" mentalities there are here in Skyrim in relation to both sides... I think I'd break my hand after five. And you'd think they'd call off the civil war what with there being DRAGONS flying around ready to strike at any time!"

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Honestly I've not been keeping tabs on the war. Too busy looking out for myself. All I do know is that this infighting is going to lead to a lot of opportunities for Thalmor to seize upon more and more of a power base here in Skyrim. If the Stormcloaks had any common sense, they'd go after the Thalmor instead of the Empire. Driving the Empire out of Skyrim is just going to trigger a massive influx of Thalmor attackers as a response. And if the Empire couldn't drive off the Thalmor, what in oblivion makes them think they can?" Serena said, chugging back some mead once she'd finished talking before rubbing her forehead in frustration.

"...How many mothers, fathers and children need be torn apart before this is over?"

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"...Those kind of drinks tend to ease a person's stress after a long day on the job. It only causes those kinds of downsides when they've had one drink too many. They also do it to be social... And sometimes competetive about it. The only time I remember even being that drunk was when Jarl Balgruuf the Greater called me a milk drinker when he thought I couldn't hear him... Needless to say he threw down the gauntlet and I wasn't about to let that one slide. What happened afterwards is somewhat of a haze. I don't really remember who blacked out first, but I think we broke even. No-one in Whiterun disputed my ability to hold my drinks down after that. Though I did have the faint taste of honey in my mouth for the rest of the week. Needless to say I haven't drank anywhere near that amount since." Cronic said, scratching the back of his head towards the end of the tale.

"Course, some people just need good food, good friends, and a good night's sleep to be ready for the following morning. Speaking of which, I'd better head up to the Bannered Mare in a bit... Aria's a good soul, but she sometimes forgets when to stop knocking her drinks back."

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"Maybe make it three... Anyone tries to get touchy feely, I'm breaking their wrist." Serena said as she followed Aria into the Mare.

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Don't have too much to drink there. Otherwise I'm going to have to empty a bucket over your head in the morning. I'll stay behind just in case we get any more 'unwelcome' guests." Cronic said, reaching for a nearby bucket as if to further his point.

"...I guess now that I'm not concerned about threats to my life I could afford to have a taste of the local brew." Serena said, getting to her feet and following after Aria.

"You might want to sit this one out Yuki. Some of the drinks they have at the mare aren't suitable for minors. This one guy tried to prove he wasn't a 'Milk Drinker', Nord insult for a guy who's a total lightweight in drinking mead... What he had ended up flooring him on the spot, leaving 'em with a lingering hangover for the rest of the week." Cronic said, before stretching his arms.

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"Assuming they haven't been wiped out already." Serena said, before slapping herself on the forehead.

"...Sorry, assuming worse case scenarios is force of habit." Serena said, before turning to look at Yuki.

"Well, I've always been more into functionality versus form anyway. No point making something look fancy if it doesn't do it's job. Though I'll need to mix in some enchantments at a later date to really make it effective." Cronic said, mulling over ideas for further improvements.

"...Huh, if he ever suffers an injury that takes him off of fieldwork such as combat, he'd make a killing as a tailor." Serena said, admiring Cronic's handiwork.

"Here's hoping that doesn't happen for a long time."

The Elder Scrolls: Souls of Many Shades [Jake & Cronic]

"From kicking Bandits off their self-centred perches to simple garment repairs, we do it all... Within reason anyway. Doing something crazy like trying to capture a live Mammoth without getting knocked into the heavens by their giant shepherds? You're on your own with that one. Not much we can do in relation to odd jobs when we're reduced to a bloodstain on the floor." Cronic said, essentially summarizing the buisness.

"Here and there. Enough to know that I need to wrap up warm at least." Serena said, folding her arms.

"Exactly how far north are we talking here?" Serena asked, looking at Aria in contemplation, Crobalt seemingly lost in his own thoughts as the two conversed."