Annarath entered the basement of Solitude Mages Guild bringing with her chill, moist air of early winter. She dropped herself on the floor in front of the fireplace and started taking off soaked boots. "You don't mind? Everything outside is either dripping or covered in icy slush. How is work on the elixir? You should be finishing the last batch, yes? Is there something else I can help you with?"
Fennorian glanced at her, momentarily diverting his attention from murmuring alembic. "Oh dear, I didn't realize how oppressive the quietness of this place was before your arrival. Yes, we are almost done here, finally. Last of the elixir is being brewed, and the harrowed are showing signs of recovery, even if slowly."
"You are the real savior of Skyrim, Fenn. I was there just to kill some people who wouldn't let you work in peace. Any word from the rest of House Ravenwatch?"
"Not much. They are still on the trail, but Rada al-Saran is elusive." He left alembic to its business and leaned against the wall. "How are your nightmares?"
"They are fine, thank you. I got reminded that those are not the worst kind."
"What do you mean?"
"You know the dreams that are so vivid that you wake up completely disoriented, unable to discern them from reality? I saw how Baar Dau fell. Like I was there, I felt the wave of devastation rolling over me. At least with that tower, when I wake up, I know that it's not going to happen."
"Have any of your dreams come true?"
Ambiguous phrasing distracted her, and, for a moment, she was just gazing at his tall, lean frame, noble Altmer features, dark hair, long fingers. "No. Not yet. Not likely that they would ever." She snapped out of her daydreaming. "I don't think these are prophetic, I mean. I've had one where Galerion fell in a battle with Mannimarco's army. That's pretty ridiculous, given Mannimarco's state."
"I believe it is."
Annarath moved her toes and found them sufficiently warmed up. Boots were still wet, though. She reached for her bag, rummaged in its depths, and fished out a small wooden box. She shook it and something inside softly rustled. "I got something from my nana. Care for a cup of tea? But I must warn you I have a very approximate idea of what exactly is in there."
"I have certain concerns, then, if it is safe for someone in my... condition."
"It's safe. Tested on a volunteer, so to say. It may make you a bit drowsy, at worst."
"Well, then, of course, I would like to try it."

Disregarding any rules of proper tea making, Annarath just dumped contents of the whole box into the water before it even barely warmed up.
"Come here, let's see if we can determine whatever is floating in there while it's brewing."
"Haven't you already tried?" Fennorian knelt beside her. "Well, there are tea leaves. I see a rowan berry. And rowan leaves. And something... glowy?"
"I have, but I need a fresh perspective, yes? It's a glowstalk from Coldharbour. Maybe. And these pale blue things look like sugared lavender, no?"
"Moon sugar?"
"Definitely"
"But it's safe?"
"Absolutely"
"And legal?"
"Questionably. Oh, that's wormwood. I wonder what's countering that taste".
"That's borderline alchemy. Feel that faint mushroom smell? I think it may be luminous russula."
"Potentially, could you pick it apart and determine all the ingredients?"
"Oh, certainly, especially when I already know some of them — Is that a twig? Yes, that's an apple tree twig — Although I'm not sure if I want to know, it's already wild enough."
Annarath quietly laughed. "Wild it is."
"And it does something, no?"
"It has mild calming and healing properties. Nana used to make it when someone was unwell, so... It reminds me of the comfort of my childhood. Back when I wasn't yet a hero..."
"Sounds like you had a nice childhood."
"I... ended up with nana and the rest when I was just a baby. Maybe one day I'll tell you that story too. By Hermorah, how much did I promise to tell you already? Anyway, I grew up among Khajiit and Argonians. Everybody was working hard to provide for the family and to keep us safe from— " She hesitated. "From the trouble."
"Was your grandmother kind?"
"Kind, but strict. I took up thievery when I was... ten? Nana talked to me once, twice, and then just gave me such a beating that only a healer and a grandma can. The one that hurts your backside just enough to remember, but you pride - so much more."
"Sounds harsh."
"Nah. When you have a pack of little scoundrels, that's the right way. Always well-deserved and precisely measured. Nana used to say, `If your skull is too thick to let something in, I'll have to talk to softer parts`. Kisiro once told her that if she keeps beating us, our butts will be as hard as our heads. A big mistake."
"Where is he now?"
"He is quite a successful merchant: clothes, fabrics, that sort of thing. Last I've heard, he was doing business somewhere in Senchal. So, it seems it worked. For him. I made friends with the Thieves Guild."
"Aha. Your `affiliations`?"
"One of. You know, I've been told once that being a hero is supposed to be pure and honest." Annarath shrugged. "That's not my case, obviously. What about your childhood? If you are willing to— "
"No." Fennorian shook his head. "Not yet."
Annarath got up to fill their mugs. He slowly followed.
"Here."
Fennorian carefully put the hot liquid to his lips. "It tastes of hay, dry leaves, apples... and rowan. It's a bit sweet and a bit bitter. Like homely autumn, if that makes sense."
"It makes perfect sense." Annarath's smile was subtle, but her eyes were glowing. He got lost in that glow for a moment.
"I like it." He grabbed his mug with both hands.
"Now that you are properly protected from any sadness by these sacred fumes— "
"Oh." His shoulders sank a bit. "You are leaving. When?"
"As soon as we finish this tea. Don't tell me you are going to miss me."
"I got used to your visits, I guess. And... where are you off to? If I may ask, of course."
"Vvardenfell. Home. Sleeping, fishing, messing around in my garden. Waiting for news from House Ravenwatch." She took a sip while looking at him intently from behind the rim of her mug.
"You'll be the first to know if we find anything."
"I count on it."
"You are not only a dear friend, but also an invaluable ally, you know. But, listen, there is something I wanted to talk about, but... There never was the right moment."
"There never is the right moment. Now is as good as any, yes?"
"Well..." Fennorian tried his best to compose himself. "Anna, you have always tried to protect me from yourself but never questioned if I am a monster. If there is darkness in my past and present too. Because there is."
"I have seen enough of your present not to be worried about your past, Fennorian, and I have seen that you are no monster."
"Then, would you accept that I have seen enough of yours?" He took a step towards her. "I realize perfectly well that I have not seen all of it. But for me, it is enough."
"Right, about my present - people may come to you and ask about me. Just tell them that I left for Vvardenfell and that I have the thing. If they are friends, they would know where to find me. If they are not, it would be enough for them to leave you alone. See?" Annarath smiled nervously.
He took another half a step and could hear precisely how hard her heart was beating. Ever so slight tension hung in the air.
"I see. And I am perfectly capable of handling such a situation."
"Good for you. But I don't want you to have to. Oh, well, something tells me that talking to the wall about that matter would be more fruitful."
"You've told me before that I am stubborn, and not without reason, I believe." Fennorian smirked.
"Fine, fine. Where are you going after you are done here, then?"
"Unless my sisters find Rada by then, I have a couple of leads on other matters for investigation." Fennorian backed away a bit, but the tension did not dissipate.
"Sounds exciting." Annarath fiddled with her empty mug. Tea ran out, and so did her time in Solitude.
Boots were still slightly damp.
"I do hope that excitement will be purely scholarly. I've got my fair share of action already."
"That you surely did. Fenn..."
"I see."
There was an awkward pause.
Fennorian put his hands on Annarath's shoulders. "Be safe."
She gently touched his hand. "You too."

On the stairs, she turned around. "Remember, you promised me to stay alive." And then promptly left.

Fennorian hunched over the table. "What an idiot I am," he thought. "What a gutless idiot." He sighed and busied himself with his alchemical equipment. He hoped that the smell of that quaint Khajiiti tea would linger a bit more.

Annarath trudged through the streets of Solitude, trying to wipe wet snow off her face. "Xhuth. Throw these fantasies out of your head, you pathetic clingy jeek," she thought. "He deserves so much better. He's way too nice for you. You would only get him hurt. Again."