Skin against skin blood and bone.
You're all by yourself but you're not alone.
You wanted in now you're here.

The Winking Skeever, the only inn worthy of the title in Solitude, the rest were not worth a mention but as it is right there? It was a state of utter chaos, and to think all that caused it was one highly inebriated bastard of a Nord trying to insult an Altmer who merely wanted a drink at the bar.

Flashback (Several Minutes Ago):

The door to the inn opened letting the sound of hustle and bustle in before it cut off by the door closing, a man clad in hardened leather, startling sapphire blue eyes and several scars on his person and two ebony swords strapped to his back walked towards the bar and every eye was on him. People who had traveled to Cyrodiil knew him by sight alone but for the most part, he was a newcomer and a particular interesting one. The man's name was Remus Wolfe however he usually spent more time being called Spartacus, which was his arena name but soon enough it drifted over to the open world too.

The bartender watched him with wary eyes, newcomers usually meant trouble because they try to push around the locals without really knowing how to. He took an empty seat at the bar and signaled the bartender over and let out a hoarse "Give me some some Blackbriar mead, if you will." then he placed the required amount of septims on the bar and turned around to watch the bar, taking in people while taking gulps of the alcohol in his hand when it arrived.

Not long after he observed the inn, the door opened again and what looked like a female Altmer stepped through the door with a haughty look in her eyes but one that didn't brook any nonsense and she didn't quite carry herself as one who spent their time dabbling in magics did. She moved like a warrior and she wasn't ugly, by any means so she attracted more than her fair share of looks whether of revulsion or not. She had tanned golden skin, long locks of silver hair. Her hair wasn't the type that came with age, it seemed to be quite natural. She was rather curvy and she had a well sized bust. All in all? She was drool-worthy.

She took a seat beside the man who arrived before her and ordered herself a drink, wine specifically though it was rather strong. She looked at Remus from the corner of her of her eyes and saw her had an eyebrow raised but didn't say anything which was surprising. Most Nords nowadays whether Stormcloak or Imperial didn't like High Elves all that much, he seemed an interesting type to her eyes. She idly noted the shade of eyes weren't a common color among Nords, they were like sapphires but a bit darker. She quirked her lips when she noticed he had a crooked smile on his face, no doubt it looked amusing to him seeing so many looks being directed at him merely for sitting beside her without compaint.

He brushed off the glares, stares and the occassional jealous look and turned back to the bar, taking another swallow out of his bottle of Blackbriar mead. Without being obstinate, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Interesting, most Altmer in these hostile times wouldn't deign to set foot in Solitude unless on business, much less be in the Winking Skeever for a drink." His crooked smile was clear enough to see he wasn't trying to offensive but merely curious.

She turned to him with her own smile, though it was smaller and replied with a simple "I'm not most Altmer, you see. I fancied a change from sitting in the Thalmor embassy, listening to the prattle of puffed up fools with a superiority complex."

He barked out a laugh, sounding quite canine in the sound and put his bottle on the bar counter and grinned warmly. "Nice to know I'm not the only person who seems to think they've got a superiority complex the size of Skyrim."

She let out her own laugh, though it sounded like chimes in the wind and corrected him. "Not the size of Skyrim, Nirn more like." She held out her hand and he took it, noting her hand was calloused like his own from practicing with weapons and the like but it still retained some dainty slight to it, that was uniquely female.

After that, she warmed up to him and he learned her name was Ka'tara and they chatted away and traded stories of their travels. Her, though she doesn't believe the crap like her Thalmor colleagues though it's a job playing as guard with travelling Thalmor. And he, with wanderer status and before that his days in the arena as a gladiator.

Soon enough, it got interesting when a drunkard staggered over to duo and slurred out something that sounded like "Why're you wif this stuck up Thalmor bitch." He gestured in Ka'tara's general direction and continued on heedless of Remus' dark glare. "In my honest to Gods opinion, them and their ilk ought just be used as whores and-" without warning a punch came from the direction one wouldn't expect. Remus had solidly punched the man, in the face and he went sliding to the floor with a stunned look on his face, as did most of the patrons in the bar.

He let out a low, menacing growl and uttered "You ought to take care of what you say, I've met Altmer with more balls than you'll probably ever have in your pitiful existence, s'wit."

While the whole bar was stunned at the display, Ka'tara was stunned for another reason entirely, she didn't expect a NORD to defend her honor but watching him, she could tell what he'd said was probably true. He doesn't look like he'd have cause to lie infront of her or bluff given he didn't look interested in a romp in the hay. 'Probably not his type.' she thought bitterly because in the short time she'd known him, he was interesting. An intelligent Nord if there ever was one.

She grabbed Remus by the shoulder to pull him back into his seat and pinned him there with a look that said 'Don't bother' and he reluctantly stayed in the seat, taking a big gulp of mead from his bottle as the drunkard got back up and loudly proclaimed "See, she's got him hooked and he's starting to behave like a good little Thalmor whipped, ass kissing-"

Not standing for anymore idiocy, Remus stood up quickly and rammed his fist into the man's face and this time it was followed by the bottle smashing in his face and a boot kicking the man over the nearest table and causing it to collapse, disturbing the patrons and the three men advanced towards Remus intentions on taking their drinks worth out of his hide quite clear.

The first rushed him, intent on tackling him but he grabbed the man by the shoulders, spun around with his weight and speed against him and watched him crash his head into a pillar, breaking his jaw and nose with a loud resounding crack.

The second eyed him apprehensively, not wanting the same treatment and grabbed a table leg and charged at Remus who ducked first then flung a leg out to slam into the man's knee, forcing him to drop onto the ground in a agonizing yell, kneeling there, he flung the table leg at Remus but it sailed over his head and into another patron's table, knocking his drink over and the man stood up with an outraged cry and from there, it fell into chaos.

Ka'tara wanting her measure of action, kick out from where she was with a foot slamming into the kneeling Nord's face, kicking him onto his back and she began to advance on him while the third man rammed into Remus who was watching Ka'tara with amusement and disbelief, let out a startled yell and grabbed the man by the back as they both went skidding across the floor and into another table and as they hit it, the man lifted Remus up into the air and slammed him, back first into the table which collapsed under the weight and he followed him down, intent on punching Remus' lights out but Remus, who was an ex-gladiator caught took the first punch and caught the second, reared a knee back and into the man's ribs then shot a punch with his free hand and send the man careening off him into the debris of table.

Remus stood up, brushing himself off and then as casually as he could loomed over the groaning man and stomped on his head, knocking him out.

Back to the present!

The bar was in utter chaos now as Remus looked around after taking down a few more contenders, Ka'tara was holding her own with female Dunmer who looked to be relishing the chance to fight a competent opponent, because the two were trading heavy blows, kicks and the occasional attempt at grappling.

It was fun and dangerous, something Remus could appreciate when he blocked an incoming punch from someone wanting to take a pop at him and grabbed the man by the front and dragged him to the bar and repeatedly bashed his head on it, pausing to take a swig of a Blackbriar mead bottle on the side then smashed the bottle across the man's face, putting him out of the fighting briefly.

Ka'tara and her opponent barreled right past, each gripping each other's arms and trying to shove each other away. Remus avoided getting squashed by them and lashed out at another fighter grabbing his shoulder to spin him around, he kicked his leg out at the man's stomach, winding him then he tossed him over the bar with a heavy thump.

In the distance of the bar, a large, big enough to be a beserker at least Orc could be seen taking on three Nords at the same time and winning by a landslide as he just grabbed one, tossed him onto a table then brought his hands down as an axe on the second man's shoulders, causing him to stagger under the heavy blow then headbutted the man and sending him crumpling to the floor. The third came from behind, jumping off a table to climb onto the Orc's back and repeatedly tries to take him down by pummeling him with blows to the head, but all they seem to do is aggravate him. He ran backwards, slamming the attacker into the wall then grabbed the man by the head, pulling him off his back and with his hands around the man's throat, picked him up and slammed him into the wall again then tossed him onto the man on the floor, getting a loud yell of pain.

The Orc turned his head, feeling the sapphire gaze of Remus on him. He marched over to the Nord and stared him down and with a growling tone asked "Do you wish to be next?"

Remus stared up at the Orc without a measure of fear or nervous despite the size of him and replied "The bigger, the better. Spartacus."
He briefly introduced himself while the Orc said his name was Vaken.

The two stared each other down and suddenly blows were being traded, heavy blows, dirty blows and just plain painful blows but neither one was budging. Most people stopped to watch the fight, as Remus and Vaken were two of the men who stayed mostly intact for the brawl even Ka'tara and her Dunmer opponent were watching.

The crowd quickly turned into cheers, jeers and betting pools were formed but in the thick of it all, there was still some people brawling. Remus slammed his elbow into the Vaken's gut as the Orc had him in a chokehold and while the Orc suddenly bent over, Remus' fist solidly landed in the side of Vaken's head, staggering him.

Remus steered the fight in the direction of the inn's window which wasn't broken yet, surprisingly but what Remus planned to do would change that. Having the Orc on his last legs with the long, brutal fight and he himself was bleeding from his lips, cheek and brow cuts and blood dripping from his knuckles and some splatters on his body. His opponent was in no better shape, if anything he was worse.

Remus charged and slammed his shoulder into Vaken's gut, and he lifted him off his feet with the momentum and that momentum took the duo through the window with an almighty sound of breaking glass and a loud groan while Remus was astride the Orc's broad chest and continuing to punch the Orc in the face and growling out enough to be heard and punctuating each word with a punch. "Just. *punch* Stay. *punch* The. *punch* Fuck. *punch* Down!" The last punch broke the Orc's jaw and knocked him out.

Remus got off the Orc and staggered through the door to the inn, never mind having crashed through the window and sat back down at the bar as Ka'tara came over and propped up against the bar and she was grinning, though she herself had a few cuts on her elven features.

"That was spectacular! I've never seen anybody take out an Orc like that!" She gushed, she was pretty hyped from the adrenaline. She sat down and crashed against him, slumping with obvious tiredness. "I need a bed..Too much fighting.." She muttered while Remus just laughed and with an arm around her shoulders, led her upstairs for more fun, though it was of a different sort, who knew bonding over fighting would lead to a night of fun?

The sound of fighting still going on and excited talking could be heard as the door to Remus' room closed and blocked out all sound.

---

Now!
Push me again
This is the end.

Lyrics belong to Drowning Pool - Bodies.

--- i'll be there when you close your eyes ,.

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( HOLD YOU TIGHT, SAY GOODNIGHT )[/center]

Back in Solitude....

Why the hell was she back in Solitude? She should of been further in her mission, not walking around in circles, not coming back home when there was nothing for her here. Oh but there was, and it was something Ximena had forgotten to do before she left this city. She needed to do a very clean sweep of her father's things, she needed more clues that would lead her to figuring out what all had happened the night her life fell apart. However, that search didn't exactly prove to be very informative as it seems he took all the important things with him. Her only idea from her parents room was that her father had TIME to leave, he had time to gather things which didn't make much sense to her. At this point she realized her terrible mistake and her only true lead was the letter her father had written, explaining that she needed to find the Dark Brotherhood. Which left Ximena wandering the streets of Solitude once more feeling a bit lost and angry. Normally she wouldn't back track, she wouldn't make these mistakes, there was no reason for her to come back-- but she did. Weather it was to come back to her lost memory of a life or to find information was irrelevant to her cause now. All she knew was that she was pissed off and what she needed was a tankard of mead and a lovely lady she knew would be in the Winking Skeever right about now.

However when she pushed open the double doors and opened her mouth to order her friend Corpulus for a drink, she was certainly not expecting the enter what she did. The Skeever was a madhouse. People were all over the place, tangled in battle and practically trashing the place. Ximena stepped quickly to the side just as a couple of men stumbled past her in a grapple and a tankard came flying. How in the hell did this even happen? Ximena stood fairly dumbfounded as she watched all the men and women inside fight to the death. They looked like raging trolls-- stupid, stupid trolls. Ximena rolled her eyes and stepped inside. OBVIOUSLY she needed to find Corpulus and figure out where Mila was hiding in all this... mess. Ximena shoved Nords left and right, forcing her way to the bar where she could usually find Corpulus. The only thing she found here was a dark elf man being assaulted by an imperial woman. Irritated, she sighed and grabbed the woman and man by their tunics and threw them back behind her and out of her way. She wasn't in the mood for any of this.

"Corpulus!" Ximena shouted to the empty space. A moment later a man inched up from the corner of the bar opposite of Ximena an eyed her fearfully. Only his eyes were visible, which made her roll her own. This was ridiculous. "It was some nord talking to a high elf," he was saying. Ximena just glared at him, "Corpulus, It's not my concern if you can't keep a bunch of idiot warriors in line. Where is Mila?" Honestly, Mila may have been a bit of a whore for Ximena but the girl was frail. One of these bastards probably hurt her by now.... and Ximena herself couldn't help but worry about the Tavern girl. Technically she was her only real friend despite all the affairs. "I... I don't know where she could--" however Corpulus was cut short when suddenly Ximena was lifted off the ground. She gasped in surprise and twisted around so she could see who dared even touched her.

It was some drunken wood elf and he was grinning like a fool in a tub of gold. His hair was plastered to his sweaty forehead and he was bear hugging Ximena in a death trap. "Well look at you!" he exclaimed excited, "Beautiful face, ripe for the picking!" Ximena narrowed her eyes at him. Just who did this bastard think he was! She wanted to gut him, tear him to bits! "Is that an Amulet of Mara?" he asked suddenly, obviously staring at her breasts before mentioning the necklace. The amulet was resting gently on her chest, looking like a forbidden treasure. It was a present from her father, crafted by her mothers enchanting hands to fortify sneak to ensure her protection. In Skyrim, singles would wear the necklace when they were searching for marriage. Ximena however wore it for the sneak enhancement, NOT so some fool like this wood elf could try and tie her down. But this man was holding her tighter, trying to bury his face in her chest.

She had had enough. Without even a breath, a hesitation, Ximena brought released the ebony dagger from her thigh. She held the hilt tightly in her fist and swung her arm around with the precision to kill. It was before anyone could blink that the hard metal made contact to the wood elf's temple. His arms loosened and Ximena's small frame slipped out like a cobra moving through grass. She didn't think, only reacted. The moment she was free she replaced her blade and began to wail away at this elf. She jabbed tight fists directly at his face and to pressure points to paralyze the elf of movement. He groaned and Ximena finished him off with a spinning round house kick over the counter. This was when she let out a gentle breath, releasing her anger all at once and calming herself. She closed her eyes, taking in her own satisfaction. That was when something unexpected happened.

An ice spike stabbed the wall just by Ximena's head. Slightly surprised, she turned her gaze to find another wood elf, a female, glaring at her from the entrance doors. Now that Ximena saw this woman she realized something. That man was Hern and he was one of the town drunks. His wife was Vera and she had just as much of a temper as Ximena herself. And now she was turning her attacks to Ximena-- probably assuming that she was the other woman in her bastard husband's affairs. If Vera wanted a fight she would surely get one, just for the simple fact that she threw an ice spike directed for a head shot on Ximena.

Vera smiled and unleashed another ice spike from her grasp. At that same moment, Ximena came running towards her an suddenly everything was in slow motion. Vera began to laugh, expecting that she would get stabbed by her icy weapon. But just before the spike even touched Ximena, she ducked down, sliding fluently under a table and straightening up. She grabbed a wooden chair in the same motion and charged. Vera didn't realize what happened until Ximena started wailing on her with the chair and knocking Vera to the ground with another calming sigh.

"Stupid bitch..."

tagged remus! words enough notes she's so maddd xD
credit ! reinvented LOVE , @ caution

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