Whew. I think these are getting harder as they go along. I am trying mightily to keep this all from spinning out of control, but I’m not sure I’m succeeding.
Erdi joins the crew. Sans makeover for now.
12. Cyrelian- No Clear View: Solitude 7
March 7, 2018
Okay, so Erdi doesn’t have your makeover yet, but the textures you’re using in-game aren’t bad at all, and at least keep her from looking the beast Bethesda made her.
Very, very interesting segment! I need to reread parts, I think, because I’m starting to forget details, but it doesn’t matter – the story grabs hold and doesn’t let go. 🙂
I’m starting to be concerned about what’s next – he’ll never see Mariel again? Yikes! Ominous-sounding – or totally innocent. Nope, ominous.
Thank you!
Erdi’s an NPC overhaul– I think Inhabitants of Skyrim, the version with the Apachii hairs. There’s only a couple other Erdi’s out there– one was too soft and teenagey and the other one was middle-aged.
I’m continuing to work on getting them out of the city. I’ll get there eventually, I swear it.
The little moments between Cyrelian and Ahtar in this chapter were gorgeous, from the stolen kisses on the barracks of the Thalmor Headquarters to Cyr sitting in Ahtar’s lap as they talked with Erdi.
Also, yay! Erdi joins the fold. It’s funny to see Cyr’s own clear bias towards her – one that’s obviously a little rose-tinted, not that he’d probably admit to that. He’s definitely a sucker for a charismatic lady. Wonder how all that’s going to work out with Ahtar? 😉
It’s interesting, too, because now that I’m reading it through a second time I’m realising how much of a history Erdi and Ahtar have. Cyr’s clearly new to this dynamic. It’s fascinating to watch. It’s also hilarious to watch Erdi be the cross third wheel, hehe.
(Side note: she’s a complete babe in Imperial armour. I was completely on board with her as the dashing adventurer from the start, hah.)
Ahtar’s dialogue and remembering of Markarth was spot-on, and it’s something that gets…glossed over, or conveniently forgotten in a lot of playthroughs? Again, you’re always right on the money with the lore, and you don’t only understand it, you breathe new life into it and make it far more complex and clever than it was. Admittedly, even after a few reads I still have trouble following it all, but that’s more to do with my fleeting attention span than it is your writing. :3
Your glances of Ahtar’s post-traumatic episodes are wonderful, too, as well as the others’ responses. I’ve said this to death and will continue to, but your versions of these characters have such incredible depth and realism and it makes such a fascinating and wonderful read.
Also, yay for some more Cyr/Ahtar smut in the next chapter. c:<
Actually there was a lot more in there about Markarth but I pulled it out in favor of a more offstage relating of that story over time later.
Even as rattled as he is, I didn’t think Ahtar would forget himself enough to relate the details that would upset Erdi, so I had him calm her down instead.
Thanks for saying that they’re lively characters, that means a great deal coming from you. I was always dissatisfied at some of the in-game stuff and it seemed to me like Skyrim characters ought to have more brains than what we’re led on to believe.
Ahtar’s in pretty bad shape right now in re episodes, yeah, but it’s all still pretty fresh for him and overall he’s not going to do too badly.
I’m actually working ahead about six or seven months from this time period and still working out the dynamic between the three of them– but that is an accurate summation of Cyrelian’s character. Though suffice to say they all have habits that irritate each other.
And sorry I didn’t see this right away– for some reason the browser cache needed to be reset and then it popped right up! Ah websites.