The Wolf Twins

The good vibes extinguished almost immediately. The change in tone was like a bucket of water on a fire. Shadrach grew cold, worried, and as much showed on his face. Forehead lined with concern, brows stitched together intensely. He felt a heaviness in his stomach that was a difficult to ignore.

“Tindra… what happened while I was gone?”

She felt terrible for making him feel this way, but thankfully it would all be over in a moment. Or at least, that’s what she hoped. Her thumb stroked his cheek and she dared a small, tentative smile.

“Actually, it happened while you were still here, but I didn’t know until just a couple of days ago,” she told him softly, knowing full well it probably did little to ease his worries. “But that’s the good news. I went to the healers and they confirmed it, and that’s when I went to talk to Kodlak,” she continued, and the more she spoke the wider her smile grew until she was grinning.

The kiss was returned just as warmly as it was given, and her good mood only enhanced his own. Her answer to his playful question caused him some pause, but the fact that she didn’t seemed troubled at all kept him from worrying too much.

“Hm… I think I want you first,” he replied with a grin, leaning down to kiss her lips before moving to her neck. “But I s’pose let’s get the bad news outta the way first.”

Tindra inclined her head willingly, giving him easy access to her neck, and was barely able to suppress a giggle. “It’s that sort of thinking that got us into this mess, Shadrach,” she said in a quiet voice.

The job had been simple enough, and Shadrach had wasted no time in getting it done and heading back home. Arriving back was always a relief. He knew he would be home, surrounding by the people he cared for, and could relax for a moment.

Having not seen Tindra immediately upon entering Jorrvaskr, he made a beeline for his room: intent on dropping his pack and weapons off before grabbing some warm food. The movement behind him didn’t go unnoticed - and neither did the woman’s scent.

That. That was what home smelled like.

A smile was already on his face by the time he turned, and he welcomed her openly into his arms, giving her a gentle squeeze.

“Mm, s’good t’be back. Get into trouble while I was gone?”

Tindra had looped her own arms around his waist and hugged him back wholeheartedly, but now she pulled back slightly so she could give him a loving kiss. His question earned him an amused huff and she grinned against his lips.

“Are you following me?”

“Hey, watch where you’re going.”

“You look vaguely familiar…” 

“I don’t know who you are but you don’t strike me as the trustworthy type.”

“I don’t know what you want but you’d better fuck off before I make you.”

“Sorry but I’m new around here, would you mind giving me pointers?”

“Strange to see a fresh face around here.”

“Hey you. It’s dangerous to be walking around here, you should leave.”

“Do you need help with that?”

“Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?”

“Do I know you? Cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend/boyfriend.”

“See my friends over there? They wanna to know if you think I’m cute.

“Hey handsome/beautiful.”

“You might be new, but you’re looking at the top dog around here.”

“Sorry but I’m not interested in your offer.”

“Are you as cold as you seem or do you always walk around like you own the place?”

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“The answer is no by the way, to whatever you’re about to say.”

“Don’t bother, I’m busy.”

“No no no, this can’t be right. You shouldn’t be here.”

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Happy to see me again?”

“It’s been so long since we’ve last parted, hm? We have some catching up to do.”

“You looking to start a fight or something?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice you watching me?”

“Us meeting wasn’t an accident.”

“Hey hey, no need for that I’d just like to talk.”

“Why the hostility? Do you treat every stranger this way?”

“I see no one has ever bothered to teach you manners.”

“Come with me, no time to explain!”

“Look, you’re in danger. You need to do as I say.”

“Are these guys bothering you?”

“Hey, leave him/her alone!”

“You look tired. Need a ride?”

“Shit shit, are you okay?!”

“Give me your belongings and you won’t get hurt. Sound fair?”

“Well look what the cat dragged in.”

“Never thought I’d see your face again.”

“Are you drunk? Hey, you can’t be walking around like that, be careful!”

“You look like bad news….”

“I hope I’m not being too straightforward, but are you single?”

feel free to change pronouns!

“I never loved you.”

“You’re the reason they’re dead!”

“It’s all your fault!”

“Who could ever love you…?”

“You’re so stupid. So weak.”

“Just go away. I don’t want you here.”

Blackmail them

“Who would’ve thought a sweet thing like you would have such a secret?”

“I’ll tell everyone. Scream so loud the country will hear.”

“I have a friend with a radio station, you know. Broadcast it all over the city.”

“If you want this back, you’ll do whatever I say!”

“Be a good little slave, you don’t want your secret out, do you?”

“I know everything. I can ruin you.”

“Beg me, and I might consider keeping my mouth shut.”

Interrogate them

“Sing, birdie.”

“I know exactly how to make you talk.”

“You know some fascinating things, don’t you?”

“I’ll use your greatest weaknesses against you, and you know I know them all.”

“I have means of extracting information from you.”

“I might play with you a little longer after you’ve talked. You’re too cute.”

“You’re tough. But I’ll break you.”

Yell at them

“You idiot! You dumbass! You- you fucking moron!”

“You’re absolutely useless, aren’t you?!”

“What the fuck have you done this time!”

“You don’t care about anyone but yourself!”

“You’re not human! You’re a monster!”

“You’re a disgusting little rat!”

“You’ve fucked up for the last time!”

Physically hurt them

“What, can’t take a punch?”

“I’ll kill you!”

“It’s only a scratch, asshole!”

“Don’t move, or I’ll shoot you!”

“I’ll slit your damn throat!”

“Kiss my shoes or I’ll stomp your head in half.”

“I didn’t mean to draw blood, but oh well.”

“That’s going to bruise.”

Torture them… gently

“You want some of this cake? C’moooon, beg for it!”

“Guess what? SURPRISE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE!”

“Tickle-tickle-tickle! Kitchy kitchy koo!”

“Whaaaat? Is this yours? You can’t have it back, it’s mine now!”

“I’ll stop singing when hell freezes over!”

“Get in the locker, shorty!”

You’re a beast hunter, aren’t you?

We are hunters, the both of us.

Well, that’s most unfortunate.

If you have a change of heart, you know where to come.

There must be oodles for us to share.

May the good blood guide your way.

Good to see you safe.

There’s something I want to tell you.

There must be some safe place to run off to?

Around here, you are the only one I can turn to.

You understand, don’t you?

I knew you’d come back for more.

Whatever happens, you may think it all a bad dream.

Didn’t you see the warning?

How did you get in here?

You have the whole night to dream. Make the best of it.

I have nothing more to offer.

This night is long, but morning always comes.

Remember yourself. You are not a beast.

Isn’t it time someone put you out of your misery?

May you find your worth in the waking world.

Do the Gods love their creations?

Would you ever think to love me?

I do love you. Isn’t that how you’ve made me?

What a mess you’ve been caught up in.

Prepare yourself for the worst.

My glory days were long ago now.

The sweet blood, oh, it sings to me.

It’s enough to make a man sick.

It will be a long hunt tonight.

You needn’t concern yourself with me.

I can wait. I won’t be afraid.

I’ve much better ways to pass the time.

Don’t you have work to do? Go slit some throats.

Do you think I owe you something?

Don’t you come near me! I know your type.

What, you think I’m a beast?

He’s not to be trusted.

Not even death offers solace.

Have mercy on the poor bastard.

Throw yourself to the wolves.

My god is lost to me, so I must find another.

On a night like this… I took you for a monster.

Thank the stars you’re fairly normal.

This whole place is falling apart.

Gore smiled at the Nord, glad that his quick thinking had pleased the Companion. Perhaps he had a shot at being a good Companion after all. Nodding in agreement, Gore followed behind Fenris, waiting patiently outside the door. Though he couldn’t quite make out everything the man was saying, what he could hear was enough to bring another smile to his face. He couldn’t help but feel at least somewhat proud that a Companion thought him worthy enough to join.

“Aye, I think I heard the basics,” he said, smiling at the Nord. “I am a bit… curious about what kind of trial I’m going through. But… I suppose that’s part of the trial itself. So… when do we go through with it?”

Fenris shifted his weight and cleared his throat before he began talking. “I’ll be honest with you,” he said calmly, “What you would go through in the trial depends on which circle member you get paired with, but the general idea is to test your skills as well as your head.”

“You got paired with me, and I normally take my recruits camping for about a week, where we set up a new camp every night, hunt our own food, things like that. I already know you can fight, so unlike most of the other circle members I don’t see the need to test that again.”

Just the fact that the Nord wanted to help and was offering his time was enough to ease the burden on Tommy’s shoulders. The thought of going back to his family home… to what was his family… was almost too much to think about. But he needed to do it. It needed to be done. Their remains had laid there for too long, left as grotesque trophies by the Silver Hand that had slaughtered them. But he couldn’t do it alone. He wasn’t strong enough for that yet.

“Could we see Ella?” The Breton asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He had meant his words to come out stronger, but they hadn’t. Ever since being rescued from the Silver Hand, Tommy had yet to see his sister. He had sent her letters, and she had returned them, but the two hadn’t been face-to-face in weeks and he knew it was something they both needed.

“She doesn’t have to come with us, if she doesn’t want, but… I… I want – I need to see her,” he said, his tone a little stronger now. “I think… I think she needs to see me too. Plus, I still have Griss, and I know she’ll need him now more than ever.”

Fenris hadn’t meant to upset Tommy, but that seemed an impossible task considering the circumstances. The question caught him slightly off guard, but he responded with a nod. “Of course we can go visit your sister, and if she wants to, she can come with us,” Fenris said with a nod

He didn’t deserve the comfort she offered, but he leaned into it anyway. Shad wrapped his arms around her, breathing in her scent, grateful that she hadn’t left him after finding out about his past.

‘M’sorry,” he mumbled after a moment had passed between them. It was all he could manage, all he knew to say. Because he was sorry. He was sorry he hadn’t told her about who he had been and he was sorry she had found out from someone else. He was just… sorry. But that didn’t fix anything, that didn’t take away what she might have felt about the situation. He just hoped it would ease at least some of her disappointment.

“I know,” she murmured in a hushed tone as she kept stroking his hair and hugged him closer. She believed him when he said he was sorry, and she believed he wanted to make a different life for himself in the future.

“I think you guys turned out fine,” he replied, a small smile ghosting his face. He appreciated the comfort, though he wasn’t sure how exactly to show it. He thought about the man’s words, and they did make him feel a little better. They didn’t ease the ache in his chest completely, but they did offer some reassurance.

“I just… dunno what to do,” Tommy admitted quietly, looking down at the table. “Or… where to go or… anything. I just feel… lost.”

Fenris returned the initial smile with one of his own, but it fell away when Tommy started talking again. He knew the feeling quite well, and he wished he had more to offer than just comforting words.

“I’m afraid I don’t have any answers for you,” the Nord said quietly and looked at the boy, “But what I do have is time to help you find them, as well as a pretty good idea as to where to start.”

Fenris removed his arm from around Tommy and sat sideways on the chair so that he was facing the Breton. “You said you wanted to go back home and lay your family to rest,” he began calmly, not wanting to bring up any unpleasant memories, “I think that’s a good idea, both for their sake and yours.”