♚┊SMOKE & ASH. ❜

[ she’s disappointed, for certain. although she has   come to accept that he enjoys her cooking, the   simple fact is that he does. not. eat. it’s   worrisome more than it is disheartening and she   casts him a slightly concerned look before   retreating to her sewing. ]

‘All right, then. If that’s how you’re really feeling. Nobody                          else is going to have any more, I think,                          so you can– besides, it seems you never                           take your share. But if you’re sure, you’re                          sure. Are you sure? Really?’

· · · · ·“Wait, wait–! How did you–? Where did you·‘find’ that?”

He’d a seemingly clever head on his shoulders, she took note, arms crossing loosely over fur adorned leather armor. Anyone quick to accept a job, without asking questions, was not someone she’d like to be in business with. Someone she’d want fighting alongside herself least of all.

“It is not the ability to keep secrets I require, but strength, and skill, where infiltration is concerned. I intend to force my way into a hold near Markarth. I need no more than five of your best. 300 septims will fill the pockets of those you bring me, yourself included, once we’ve completed the task. ”

     ONCE, in the Mines, a guard had punched him hard enough in the ribs to dislocate three of them. The strangest part was that he hadn’t felt pain, only the sort of whoosh of breath leaving his lungs and the thudding of his body crumpling to the ground. That had been the strangest part, being so completely disconnected from a world full of agony that it simply didn’t register in him anymore.

     IT’S proven useful these days, the skill to disconnect. But this is similar -- as soon as the word Markarth comes from her mouth, the air flees. It is as though he has been strangled into breathlessness. After all these years it still hits hard to think going anywhere near that city might cost him his freedom. He levels the woman with a stare. She is determined, steely-eyed, strong. She deserves to be where she is. Vunrr lets out a delighted giggle after more than a few moments of heavy silence.

There is the slightest hint of amusement twinkling behind a habitual steely gaze, calculating yet intrigued all the same. She must admit, he is not quite the picture she had expected, but the wolf, of all people, knew better than to judge appearances. If the rumors held any truth, and they always did, even to a small degree, his men would more than suffice.

“ There is no need for formality, of any sort, we are all equals here. While I am not in the habit of summoning without forewarning, the matter at hand is one of a delicate nature, and therefore requires a certain level of secrecy. Something precious to me has been taken and I intend to get it back– I will pay a hefty sum to any willing to accompany me. “

     THAT sparks interest, brows raising high. There’s a toothy smirk just waiting to be shown, and then it’s more of a grin. He’s well enough aware that a pretty picture is not something he will ever be, but he gets the job done. It’s good enough. An almost skeletal frame deceives the theory that he is strong, stronger than most he meets in battle. She appears to be a mighty woman, one he can respect. She is Harbinger, after all.

     VUNRR does not know of the formalities required within places like these when it comes to honor or manners -- not unsure, perhaps, but simply without information. So he bends slightly at the waist, eyes watching the Harbinger with more caution than is likely necessary. He has been called here for an unknown purpose; he is well aware he is not a part of the Companions & never will be. The life of honor and sacrifice and such is not exactly for a man like he. But he knows when to keep his mouth shut.