"No," Ariel shook her with quiet confidence this time. She had only been in Black Marsh for a short time. The jewel's inactivity appeared to agree.
What followed was a number of bureaucratic questions that pertained to average incomes and personal details, such as full name, date of birth and other mundane details. Each time, the jewel didn't show any particular activity. It didn't take long before Hasyat had completed his queries. He looked over at the other two and spoke, "She is eligible." He said in Jel.
Leaps-Over-Turtles shook his head and replied, still with his arms crossed. "There are other apothecaries in the city," He gestured to Ariel as he spoke to Hasyat and Juseich, "Why do we need another? There are few medicines that the people need."
Looking to Leaps-Over-Turtles with a firm expression, Juseich put her forearms on the table. "It is promotion to our expanding population, and if this business is viable, it adds to the economy."
Ariel looked at each of them as they spoke. She couldn't understand much, but they were likely trying to make a decision.
"I do not see a viable business. I see a flood for the existing businesses, and a detriment to them all." Leaps-Over-Turtles voice was starting to rise, "How can an outsider know how to provide for an Argonian city?"
Her expression turning contemplative, Juseich turned her head back to Ariel. "It is rude to speak of others in person as if they were not present. Neiseed, if you please." Neiseed resumed translating. "What of your alchemy, Ariel? What do you know, and how did you learn it?"
Even as she carefully removed the parchment she brought with her listing her initial catalogue, Ariel's heart began to beat faster. She wasn't sure what the impression would be to her being a witch, but she wanted to avoid answering the question of her education if at all possible. She pushed the parchment along the table for the interviewers to consider. "I can make everything on this list, as well as a few specialised remedies and mixtures to order." Ariel said briskly, "I also intend to create some cosmetics for Argonians in particular. Waterproof body paint that can be easily removed, for instance."
Juseich looked over the list, but quickly passed it on to Hasyat, who was better versed in Cyrodilic script. Leaps-Over-Turtles and Juseich looked at Ariel expectantly as Hasyat studied the paper. She glanced at the jewel. She wasn't getting out of this. She considered lying, but as if it knew her thoughts, the gem began to flicker. She dismissed the thought and the gem calmed down, but she needed to provide an answer.
"I learned what I know because..." Ariel entire head buzzed with fear, "... because I was raised in a witches coven. I was banished because I disobeyed them."
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
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Leaps-Over-Turtles continued to look at Meesei with a suspicious glare, but did not answer her. Juseich instead spoke with a smile to Meesei, "An old gift from the Psijics. We would claim its workings to be secret to spare our own pride. I have been studying it all my life and only understand portions of it. Perhaps after the interview you may have a look, it's not often that enchanters come by."
Ariel instantly became more apprehensive than she should have been, but the words between Meesei and Leaps-Over-Turtles gave her just enough time to rationalise. Hasyat was asking about the Dunmer people and the great houses. Technically the Vos Coven was an independent organisation. They were not a great house, and barring the Dunmer that were among their members, they technically weren't affiliated with the Dunmer citizenry. The important detail was that the coven was not under the protection of Morrowind. A crime against them shouldn't count, right? "No," Ariel answered flatly, looking tense.
The gem did not light up.
Hasyat looked at the jewel for a few more seconds, before writing some Jel script on his scroll and going to the next question. "Do you have any outstanding debts and credits amounting to more than one hundred gold? If so, list the parties and amounts."
Ariel had to take a moment to breath in through her nose and out through her mouth while she trawled through her memory. Had she perceived that such a question would come up, she would have brought her old ledger with her. "I am owed one hundred and fifteen gold by Hlasda Redoran for an order of a greater magicka regeneration potion. There are no other accounts. I was just going to write that one off though, I probably won't see her again."
Ariel instantly became more apprehensive than she should have been, but the words between Meesei and Leaps-Over-Turtles gave her just enough time to rationalise. Hasyat was asking about the Dunmer people and the great houses. Technically the Vos Coven was an independent organisation. They were not a great house, and barring the Dunmer that were among their members, they technically weren't affiliated with the Dunmer citizenry. The important detail was that the coven was not under the protection of Morrowind. A crime against them shouldn't count, right? "No," Ariel answered flatly, looking tense.
The gem did not light up.
Hasyat looked at the jewel for a few more seconds, before writing some Jel script on his scroll and going to the next question. "Do you have any outstanding debts and credits amounting to more than one hundred gold? If so, list the parties and amounts."
Ariel had to take a moment to breath in through her nose and out through her mouth while she trawled through her memory. Had she perceived that such a question would come up, she would have brought her old ledger with her. "I am owed one hundred and fifteen gold by Hlasda Redoran for an order of a greater magicka regeneration potion. There are no other accounts. I was just going to write that one off though, I probably won't see her again."
Just a few. Asking initially about Ariel's criminal history and then credentials about what she can make. I was thinking we could alternate asking questions. If it ends up being too boring, let me know, we don't have to play out the whole thing.
Nice!
You can control any of them, really. I haven't got any set-in-stone personalities for them at this point.
You can control any of them, really. I haven't got any set-in-stone personalities for them at this point.
As Meesei responded, Ariel was glad that she had brushed up on her Jel earlier that day, else what she said might have completely flown over her head.
Juseich nodded and responded to Meesei in Jel, "I see." Her attention went to Ariel again, "Have you become familiar with Thorn?" Neiseed interpreted every word of Jel spoken to Ariel. Before Juseich let her respond, she tapped a clawed finger on the table and let out an "ummm," as she tried to recall more Dunmeris. "How much time ssince you arrived?" She said slowly.
Ariel thought it strange at first that she was asked two different questions in two different languages, but she realised that perhaps Juseich was trying to communicate in terms of time to make things easier. Such a thing was difficult in Jel, but the question would roughly translate to how familiar she was with the city. Ariel almost responded in Dunmeris, but continued to speak in Cyrodilic to Meesei could keep up. "I arrived yesterday," she swallowed before continuing, "I didn't have any contacts with anyone, but one of the innkeepers at the Wamasu's Nest has been helpful. I've since gotten to know the layout of the city, a bit about its history, and a few people I might make deals with to get the business up and running." Ariel glanced sideways to Meesei for a moment, "Meesei here has been teaching me more general Argonian history, and has been helping me to learn Jel."
Juseich's brow raised in pleasant surprise. Even Hasyat slowly turned his head to Leaps-Over-Turtles, silently exchanging impressions. "Learning Jel? Such a thing is difficult for outsiders. How well do you speak it?" Juseich asked with Neiseed's translation.
"Oh, um," Ariel raised one hand with her thumb and her forefinger almost touching, "Only small. I can understand better, but it's..." Ariel spoke her Jel slowly so she could attempt to get the hisses and sounds correct, but she was still heavily accented. She brushed her fingers together trying to find the final phrase, "...it's hard to speak." She wasn't sure that there was a word for 'pronounce', but it was not currently in her Jel vocabulary.
Juseich squinted for a moment. Ariel's pronunciation had left some things to be desired, but she still managed to communicate well enough. "Indeed it is hard to speak for outsiders," Juseich agreed, "but I can see the effort you put forth. That is admirable. Now," Juseich leaned back and looked to Hasyat, "Hasyat here has a few questions to ask you about your background." Juseich took a small jewel on a chain out of her pocket and placed it on the table in front of them, the point of the jewel directed at Ariel. "I hope you don't mind, this will glow if you speak betrayal in your thoughts. You must understand that in order to keep steady relations with Morrowind, we cannot harbour criminals. It will not be a problem for you, I think."
As Hasyat steadied a scroll in his hand in preparation to begin asking questions, Ariel tried not to get any more worked up. She stared at the jewel. She wasn't in trouble in Morrowind, not unless the coven convinced the Redorans to put a bounty on her. What if she thought the wrong thing by accident? she didn't want to be thrown in a dungeon or kicked out of the borders.
Juseich nodded and responded to Meesei in Jel, "I see." Her attention went to Ariel again, "Have you become familiar with Thorn?" Neiseed interpreted every word of Jel spoken to Ariel. Before Juseich let her respond, she tapped a clawed finger on the table and let out an "ummm," as she tried to recall more Dunmeris. "How much time ssince you arrived?" She said slowly.
Ariel thought it strange at first that she was asked two different questions in two different languages, but she realised that perhaps Juseich was trying to communicate in terms of time to make things easier. Such a thing was difficult in Jel, but the question would roughly translate to how familiar she was with the city. Ariel almost responded in Dunmeris, but continued to speak in Cyrodilic to Meesei could keep up. "I arrived yesterday," she swallowed before continuing, "I didn't have any contacts with anyone, but one of the innkeepers at the Wamasu's Nest has been helpful. I've since gotten to know the layout of the city, a bit about its history, and a few people I might make deals with to get the business up and running." Ariel glanced sideways to Meesei for a moment, "Meesei here has been teaching me more general Argonian history, and has been helping me to learn Jel."
Juseich's brow raised in pleasant surprise. Even Hasyat slowly turned his head to Leaps-Over-Turtles, silently exchanging impressions. "Learning Jel? Such a thing is difficult for outsiders. How well do you speak it?" Juseich asked with Neiseed's translation.
"Oh, um," Ariel raised one hand with her thumb and her forefinger almost touching, "Only small. I can understand better, but it's..." Ariel spoke her Jel slowly so she could attempt to get the hisses and sounds correct, but she was still heavily accented. She brushed her fingers together trying to find the final phrase, "...it's hard to speak." She wasn't sure that there was a word for 'pronounce', but it was not currently in her Jel vocabulary.
Juseich squinted for a moment. Ariel's pronunciation had left some things to be desired, but she still managed to communicate well enough. "Indeed it is hard to speak for outsiders," Juseich agreed, "but I can see the effort you put forth. That is admirable. Now," Juseich leaned back and looked to Hasyat, "Hasyat here has a few questions to ask you about your background." Juseich took a small jewel on a chain out of her pocket and placed it on the table in front of them, the point of the jewel directed at Ariel. "I hope you don't mind, this will glow if you speak betrayal in your thoughts. You must understand that in order to keep steady relations with Morrowind, we cannot harbour criminals. It will not be a problem for you, I think."
As Hasyat steadied a scroll in his hand in preparation to begin asking questions, Ariel tried not to get any more worked up. She stared at the jewel. She wasn't in trouble in Morrowind, not unless the coven convinced the Redorans to put a bounty on her. What if she thought the wrong thing by accident? she didn't want to be thrown in a dungeon or kicked out of the borders.
I think I remember reading about the Emperor thing in ESO on PC Gamer, that's a pvp thing, right? From what I remember about it, it looked like a lot of effort. Nice work!
For this interview, would you like to control one of the interviewers so you can have some input? Also, from now on, if they talk in Jel in my posts without the interpreter repeating it in Cyrodilic, I'll write what they say so Meesei can understand. I might get them in a small argument at some point.
For this interview, would you like to control one of the interviewers so you can have some input? Also, from now on, if they talk in Jel in my posts without the interpreter repeating it in Cyrodilic, I'll write what they say so Meesei can understand. I might get them in a small argument at some point.
The hours that followed into the morning and early afternoon saw the previous day of festivities take a turn. Many of the vendors and attractions that were on display in the main square had been shifted and replaced by pavilions, rows of seating, arenas and stages for the hosting of a number of tournaments and competitions. The competition grounds stretched out onto other parts of the city as well. A horse racing track ran through the cordoned off main street. Athletics competitions that required extra space, such as running, throwing and archery competitions, were held just outside of the city gates on an unused farming field. Throughout the day, there were shouts of cheering crowds in support of their favourite competitors.
After a little more consideration, Fendros decided that he would enter the archery competition anyway. As trained as he was, he managed to advance several rounds, but was knocked out of a higher position by a small number of truly masterful archers that had made an appearance. Even though he was bested, he conceded that the event was still fun and managed to take note of a couple of details about the more skilled archer's techniques. On his way back to the inn, he found a bookshop that sold writing supplies and purchased a small brush, a pot of ink and a blank journal. He wasn't exactly knowledgeable about art, but he remembered the items that his younger sister used, and these would do the trick.
While Fendros entered the archery, Janius decided to observe the fencing competition, as he mentioned earlier. Most of the fighters put on a good show, but he couldn't help but notice all of the flaws in each one's movements. It might have been different had he been in the ring with them, but from where he was standing he believed he would have defeated every single one of them. Except maybe the champion; a dark green Argonian who flowed like he was made of air, and indeed made anyone fighting him feel as if they were trying to strike at smoke.
Ariel and Sabine spent most of the day making samples of some of what Ariel intended to sell at her prospective shop. Simple things, mostly, but she also wrote a list of what she would be capable of making in more time should there be demand. Where she had a chance, she tried to touch up on her Jel and Argonian history with Meesei, just in case. She still found it difficult to properly pronounce Jel, but at this point she at least understood enough to hold a short conversation.
When the time came to head to the keep to meet with the An-Xileel officials, Sabine elected to stay at the inn. She didn't mention what she had planned for the day, but she was taking out some ingredients to brew something in her room.
Walking up to the keep with Meesei, Ariel found that her knees were shaking when she stood still. She wished she wasn't so nervous about things going wrong, but there wasn't much for it. This would be a pivotal event. Here, she would either get a shop, or she wouldn't.
They entered the keep with the guards looking sideways at them. They were greeted by an Argonian porter in flowing silks. After a quick exchange, they were lead to a table off to the side of the almost empty main audience chamber. They were seated and left alone for a few moments before they were joined by four important looking Argonians. The first was a woman with bright orange scales and a pair of horns that curled backwards, dressed in leather and cloth that seemed more functional than Ariel expected. The three others were males, two with brown scales and another with vibrant red scales. Their clothing was slightly more regal, but not chokingly so.
The woman began speaking confidently in Jel at a speed that Ariel could not keep up with. She gestured to her entourage as she spoke. After a moment, one of the men began speaking over her in Cyrodilic, obviously an interpreter. "Greetings, this is Juseich, or Flies-With-Birds if you prefer, the current An-Xileel representative of Thorn and advisor to the count Stops-Sticks-Burning. I am Neiseed, the interpreter, these-" The interpreter gestured to the red Argonian, then the other brown Argonian, "-are Hasyat, and Leaps-Over-Turtles, my associates in city planning and treasury." Hasyat nodded and didn't give away much in his demeanour, but Leaps-Over-Turtles had his arms crossed and did not look pleased about something. "You are..." The interpreter looked over to Juseich, who was looking upon a scroll of parchment in from of her with an unsure face.
Juseich looked up at Neiseed and said something that Ariel roughly understood as "How is said?" Neiseed leaned over and whispered in her ear, then she nodded and looked over to Ariel. "You are Areee-el?" Juseich managed in very accented Dunmeris, of all things. She must have known that Ariel was from Morrowind.
"Y-yes," Ariel nodded briskly and forced a smile.
Juseich smiled back and extended a hand across the table. Ariel released her right hand from under her left, which had been firmly planted in her lap. She returned the handshake fast enough that she didn't quite betray her shakes. Juseich's hand was warm and Ariel could detect residual magicka flowing through it. She really did just come from the tournament.
"Niccce meeting you," Juseich said in Dunmeris, trying to look friendly. She then proceeded to begin speaking in Jel again, at which point the interpreter began speaking for her again. "We understand that you are interested in taking a loan for a shop, this is correct?"
"Yes, I wish to open an apothecary." Ariel replied.
"And this..." Juseich gestured to Meesei, "is a business partner of yours?" Juseich faced Meesei and spoke in Jel to her, "What is your name?"
After a little more consideration, Fendros decided that he would enter the archery competition anyway. As trained as he was, he managed to advance several rounds, but was knocked out of a higher position by a small number of truly masterful archers that had made an appearance. Even though he was bested, he conceded that the event was still fun and managed to take note of a couple of details about the more skilled archer's techniques. On his way back to the inn, he found a bookshop that sold writing supplies and purchased a small brush, a pot of ink and a blank journal. He wasn't exactly knowledgeable about art, but he remembered the items that his younger sister used, and these would do the trick.
While Fendros entered the archery, Janius decided to observe the fencing competition, as he mentioned earlier. Most of the fighters put on a good show, but he couldn't help but notice all of the flaws in each one's movements. It might have been different had he been in the ring with them, but from where he was standing he believed he would have defeated every single one of them. Except maybe the champion; a dark green Argonian who flowed like he was made of air, and indeed made anyone fighting him feel as if they were trying to strike at smoke.
Ariel and Sabine spent most of the day making samples of some of what Ariel intended to sell at her prospective shop. Simple things, mostly, but she also wrote a list of what she would be capable of making in more time should there be demand. Where she had a chance, she tried to touch up on her Jel and Argonian history with Meesei, just in case. She still found it difficult to properly pronounce Jel, but at this point she at least understood enough to hold a short conversation.
When the time came to head to the keep to meet with the An-Xileel officials, Sabine elected to stay at the inn. She didn't mention what she had planned for the day, but she was taking out some ingredients to brew something in her room.
Walking up to the keep with Meesei, Ariel found that her knees were shaking when she stood still. She wished she wasn't so nervous about things going wrong, but there wasn't much for it. This would be a pivotal event. Here, she would either get a shop, or she wouldn't.
They entered the keep with the guards looking sideways at them. They were greeted by an Argonian porter in flowing silks. After a quick exchange, they were lead to a table off to the side of the almost empty main audience chamber. They were seated and left alone for a few moments before they were joined by four important looking Argonians. The first was a woman with bright orange scales and a pair of horns that curled backwards, dressed in leather and cloth that seemed more functional than Ariel expected. The three others were males, two with brown scales and another with vibrant red scales. Their clothing was slightly more regal, but not chokingly so.
The woman began speaking confidently in Jel at a speed that Ariel could not keep up with. She gestured to her entourage as she spoke. After a moment, one of the men began speaking over her in Cyrodilic, obviously an interpreter. "Greetings, this is Juseich, or Flies-With-Birds if you prefer, the current An-Xileel representative of Thorn and advisor to the count Stops-Sticks-Burning. I am Neiseed, the interpreter, these-" The interpreter gestured to the red Argonian, then the other brown Argonian, "-are Hasyat, and Leaps-Over-Turtles, my associates in city planning and treasury." Hasyat nodded and didn't give away much in his demeanour, but Leaps-Over-Turtles had his arms crossed and did not look pleased about something. "You are..." The interpreter looked over to Juseich, who was looking upon a scroll of parchment in from of her with an unsure face.
Juseich looked up at Neiseed and said something that Ariel roughly understood as "How is said?" Neiseed leaned over and whispered in her ear, then she nodded and looked over to Ariel. "You are Areee-el?" Juseich managed in very accented Dunmeris, of all things. She must have known that Ariel was from Morrowind.
"Y-yes," Ariel nodded briskly and forced a smile.
Juseich smiled back and extended a hand across the table. Ariel released her right hand from under her left, which had been firmly planted in her lap. She returned the handshake fast enough that she didn't quite betray her shakes. Juseich's hand was warm and Ariel could detect residual magicka flowing through it. She really did just come from the tournament.
"Niccce meeting you," Juseich said in Dunmeris, trying to look friendly. She then proceeded to begin speaking in Jel again, at which point the interpreter began speaking for her again. "We understand that you are interested in taking a loan for a shop, this is correct?"
"Yes, I wish to open an apothecary." Ariel replied.
"And this..." Juseich gestured to Meesei, "is a business partner of yours?" Juseich faced Meesei and spoke in Jel to her, "What is your name?"
Exam went well!
Should I timeskip up to the interview, or did you want to play out anything else?
Should I timeskip up to the interview, or did you want to play out anything else?
When asked if he was going to try any competitions, Fendros expressed interest the archery competition. Unlike the other martial competitions, he wouldn't have a great advantage over the other competitors due to his lycanthropy. He thought it would be fun to see how close he could get to besting Ahnasha, even if he knew he wasn't at her level, so it was disappointing to hear that she was not feeling up for it. He understood there wasn't much to be done about it, however.
Janius mentioned that he might spectate the fencing competition, if anything than for fun. Originally he was going to join, but he couldn't argue that he wouldn't have an advantage, even if he was technically more proficient with an axe.
Ariel looked up with a spoonful of watery saltrice in her mouth. She glanced sideways and considered for a second, before swallowing. "I don't see why not. Actually, it might help me seem a bit less foreign if I'm accompanied by an Argonian." She nodded to Meesei and smiled, "I'm booked to meet with a few of the the officials at about two o'clock, after the magic competition is concluded. Apparently one of them is running it, or competing in it, not sure."
Although it was tasty, Fendros had to take his time chewing the crocodile tail. It was a particularly tough meat. When it looked as if Ahnasha no longer had her head in an unseen vice, he paused eating for a moment. "Hey Ahna, you know how you said you wanted to get some art supplies, I could go out and get you a brush, a blank book and some ink today if you like, or did you want to pick them out yourself at some point?"
Janius mentioned that he might spectate the fencing competition, if anything than for fun. Originally he was going to join, but he couldn't argue that he wouldn't have an advantage, even if he was technically more proficient with an axe.
Ariel looked up with a spoonful of watery saltrice in her mouth. She glanced sideways and considered for a second, before swallowing. "I don't see why not. Actually, it might help me seem a bit less foreign if I'm accompanied by an Argonian." She nodded to Meesei and smiled, "I'm booked to meet with a few of the the officials at about two o'clock, after the magic competition is concluded. Apparently one of them is running it, or competing in it, not sure."
Although it was tasty, Fendros had to take his time chewing the crocodile tail. It was a particularly tough meat. When it looked as if Ahnasha no longer had her head in an unseen vice, he paused eating for a moment. "Hey Ahna, you know how you said you wanted to get some art supplies, I could go out and get you a brush, a blank book and some ink today if you like, or did you want to pick them out yourself at some point?"
Mkay.
Welp, heading to an exam now, wish me luck!
Welp, heading to an exam now, wish me luck!
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