A chance meeting[Closed]

[Radsattack]

"After you." Seras motioned for him to lead. He knew they would be in Winterhold by tomorrow if all went well and he knew he had to go hunting soon, before his reasources were scarce. For now Seras waited, never mentioning food and keeping the thoughts to himself.


The two walked on, every so often a skeever or wolf would cross their path and they would be forced to strike it down but other than that it was calm. They talked from time to time to pass the time but other then that it was calm.

 

[LeoLion98]

Nerandros enjoyed walking with Seras and talking. They got to know a bit about each other along their journey. That included their fighting techniques. As a few violent creatures crossed their path and engaged them, they were forced to act. The two were a surprisingly good team. Nerandros thought that perhaps even bandits may need to be wary of them.


After walking for most of the day, they eventually reached the snow-covered hold. However, they were still a long ways off from the College. The mage figured that they would need to walk at least another ten miles, and it was already getting dark. And, a storm was beginning to brew. It wouldn't be terrible to sleep through, but a nightmare to travel in.

 

[Radsattack]

Seras couldn't have prepared himself for the brutal cold of Winterhold. He had knew it would be dreadful, but never this dreadful. He turned to Nerandros. "Do you see any good spots to camp out in?" Seras asked, squinting to look out in the distance.


He shivered as he looked around, maybe he should have stolen a coat on his way out after all. He didn't know how Nerandros dealt with cold, but he knew that if he were from the college like he said, he might be used to it.


"And how are we gonna keep a fire life in this kind of weather? The wind could blow it out in seconds."

 

[LeoLion98]

He looked around, but his ability to see far was slowly becoming worse as the storm began to pick up and the sun began to set on the horizon. "Well, I know we're still on the path, but we shouldn't go very far off of it. Maybe we could stop here and go a few yards to the left?"


As an Argonian, Nerandros was less than prepared for the cold. It was only his robes, which were enchanted to keep him warm, that prevented the lizard-man from freezing to death. Even still, they did not completely protect him from the cold. The College was always kept magically warm as well, which did not help his tolerance.


"I don't think we'll be able to. We'll probably just have to set up the tent and shut ourselves in."

 

[Radsattack]

Seras didn't mind stopping for one more night, but the fact that it would during a snow storm with a person he just met in the same tent threw him off a bit. It seemed unusual for someone he didn't know to say something so casually, there was something in the Argonian's gesture that Seras admired.


"I mean, if your ok with that, I guess I am as well. I don't to freeze here in the middle of no where." As much as Seras was slightly uncomfortable, anything was better than freezing. Although, he would make sure to shove some of the lavender he had along with him in clothes to make sure he didn't smell horrible and Nerandros didn't get disgusted.

 

[LeoLion98]

He didn't even think of it that way until now. Suddenly he was very glad that Argonians couldn't blush. The thought of sharing his tent with the man, whom he admittedly found somewhat attractive, would sure have turned his face as red as his eyes if he could have.


"Well, I wouldn't want you to have to sleep in a snowstorm, so um, sleeping in the tent is the only other, uh, option. I mean, I'm okay with it because it would help you, so um. Yeah. W-we should probably set up the tent now, then, so we, uh, don't have to clear away too much snow."


He was babbling. He hated when he babbled. It made him uncomfortable when he noticed, which only made the babbling worse.

 

[Radsattack]

Seras grinned, admirably he found his slight stutter a bit cute. It had appeared seemed that Nerandros seemed to be slightly nervous so he hoped to ease those worries.


"Mhmm, so let's get to it." The two began to set up Nerandros's tent. Although Seras got lost in how to set it up, he eventually let Nerandros take the lead. After all, Seras would hate to delay this any longer. He was freezing and could only imagine what his new friend must be feeling. Eventually though, the tent was set up, with some time to spare before sundown.

 

[LeoLion98]

After trying to show Seras how to set up a tent, Nerandros decided that now really wasn't the time. He took over and had it up in no time. Well, "in no time" was a relative term. It was up fast for having to set up a tent in the beginning winds of a snowstorm, so for that he was proud of himself.


When they had cleared the inside of snow, the two men quickly hurried inside and shut the flap as tightly as they could. The Argonian lifted his hands and caste an enchantment to help keep the heat in. It was the best he could do since they had no fire.


"We should probably eat and go to sleep as soon as possible," he advised.

 

[Radsattack]

When he entered the tent, Seras gapped at how big it was. No wonder Nerandros didn't mind sleeping in it. He could even see himself living out of a tent like this, there was plenty of room and it definitely seemed homey.


The Dunmer allowed the heat to circle around him, it was nice and made him feel at home and very comfortable. Crossing his legs, he made himself a more comfortable.


"I agree, I was completely worn out." Seras's stomach growled. "And starving, as well."

 

[LeoLion98]

The tent had been made to fit two Nords, as Nerandros had bought it upon entering Skyrim when his had broken, so the space was very open for a Dunmer and an Argonian. Still, the space was still rather small, and forced to them to be somewhat close together.


The mage pulled out what was left of his provisions and divided it between himself and his companion.


"There. That should get us through the night."

 

[Radsattack]

Taking the pieces of rations, Seras carefully ate them. He figured, eat some now then come morning, you can eat more. The amount of space between was odd at first but it soon became very comfortable to him. It was nice to be this close to someone for once and not secluded.


"Thank you." Seras said, the end of his lips forming a small half-smile. "I'll be sure to eat it wisely." A laugh escaped his throat.


"How strange, I never expected myself to get this far from home." He shrugged. "To the border of the Reach maybe, but definitely not this far."

 

[LeoLion98]

"You've never left home before?" Nerandros asked, surprised. He would have thought that, at the very least, Seras would have gone to the next hold over. Even most children had done so with their parents before.


He wouldn't say that out loud of course, as that would probably offend the Dunmer.

 

[Radsattack]

The Dunmer shook his head. "Not at all." He began. "Mother would never allow it. Even though I'm an adult, I know it wouldn't end well if I did." Seras was hardly ever allowed to do anything, it was even a big deal just to go and be outside the shrine. He knew that his mother would track him down, but Seras knew she wouldn't ever suspect Winterhold of all places.


"If I were back home, I would surly been doing...Divines knows what." He frowned, turning his eyes away from the Argonian. "And in a terrible situation for sure."

 

[LeoLion98]

For Seras's description of his home life, it seemed very horrible. Nerandros was worried what kinds of things his new friend had faced not only growing up, but just the other day. He could only imagine. He knew that not everybody was lucky enough to have excellent parents, but the fact that it was a possibility still upset him.


He tried to phrase his next question very carefully. "Did you... escape your mother yesterday?"

 

[Radsattack]

"I did." He began. Seras knew there was no sense in keeping the truth from him now. It was better to be honest than to completely lie. "She was making me get married, and I don't want that." The Dunmer frowned. "Nothing against the girl, she's very nice but..." He choose his next words very catefully.


"I don't want that, I've never wanted that. Not yet at least." There were obviously many reason that he couldn't get married, the number one reason being that he really didn't want to be with a cultist or even a women for that matter.


"I'm also not into...well, you know, them, if you catch my drift."

 

[LeoLion98]

The thought of an arranged marriage, although not uncommon, was something Nerandros had always thought to be terrible. Though it was usually good for political advantages, the thought of marrying someone without really knowing them, or not loving them was awful. He could understand why that might have been Seras' breaking point.


His next comment surprised him.


That was certainly another reason that it might be the final straw, especially if his mother knew.


"I am sorry that you almost had to go through with that. I can understand why you left. And i do catch your drift. In fact, I think we have the exact same drift," he said with a small smile. Perhaps knowing he was in good company would make him more comfortable.

 

[Radsattack]

It was hard for him to believe that he had actually told Nerandros. In fact, he was so nervous he thought he would never say anything about it. Espically the matter of his sexuality.


"Your words touch me, Nerandros. More than you know." Seras grinned. Seras had been surprised that they had even more in common than he originally knew, it brought a bit of peace to know they were so similar.


"But I know that your college will make me forget all about this. All I can hope is that the Archmage lets me stay."

 

[LeoLion98]

Growing up in the household he did, it was obvious that Nerandros had been free to explore his interests without fear of rejection from his family. It was something he was very comfortable with because of that. Once again, he knew that he was very lucky to have the life he did.


The Archmage couldn't help but grin. He wasn't sure why he felt some joy from keeping his position from Seras, but he did. Perhaps it was the fact that the Dunmer seemed to like him without knowing his status? Or maybe it was the fact that he knew how surprised the other man would be?


"I'm sure he will allow you to stay. He is a very accepting man."

 

[Radsattack]

"Hopefully, if he is as friendly and kind as you I will be sure to really like him." Seras grinned. He was lucky to be around someone as friendly as Nerandros, he was inviting and friendly and he couldn't have been more happy.


Seras yawned. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm tired." He carefully stretched out his long arms. "And I wouldn't want to be cranky around the Archmage tomorrow." He added.

 

[LeoLion98]

"We are actually much alike," he said, forcing himself not to laugh. "I'm sure he will like you as well."


The Argonian yawned as well. "I am as well. I will see you in the morning. Good night."


It occurred to him again at that moment that they would in fact be sleeping right next to each other. He quickly laid down, facing away from the other mage. Hopefully nerves would not keep him awake any longer than necessary.

 

[Radsattack]

"Then if he is anything like you, I'll be sure to like him." Seras couldn't tell why Nerandros has been so happy. Maybe he was that excited about the college. Seras was both excited and nervous to go to his new home, but he was happy it was far from the Reach.


"Good night, my new friend. See you in the morning." Similar to Nerandros, he shifted the other way and had his back facing the other man. He would try not to think about it too much and try to get enough sleep.


Letting go a deep exhale, Seras made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.