"No you didn't ..." Valkari protested as she crossed her arms lightly. Didn't help that another boom of thunder sounded across the sky, making Valkari jump again. "Ok so I did, sue me ..." She absolutely hated it when she showed fear, especially in front of a male that was practically twice her size and the muscle definition to make a woman married to a lazy slob cry in jealousy. That was how stubborn this Nord was, but she couldn't hide some fears, like thunder loud enough to deafen a man if it cracked loud enough. Another sigh escaped her as she brought her legs up on the chair, criss-crossing them so they were touching the floor anymore.

After her semi embarrassed blush faded away, she laid her head on her hand that was resting on the arm of the chair and gave him a smirk. "I hope it is," she said in reply to what she asked earlier, "I don't think anyone has slept in this house besides me in ... a long long while." It wasn't a man who slept in the house either. It was simply a little girl looking for a bit of refuge. She was traveling to find her mom, and had asked for a place to stay. Valkari accepted of course, and, since she was kind hearted, she helped the girl find her mother and off they went to Talos only knew where. That, she was not getting in the middle of.

Laz gave a deep chuckle at her actions betraying her words as the thunder made her jump, causing her to jiggle slightly. Averting his gaze to a respectable level, he was quiet for a while, thinking about what she said about not having shared her house in ages. He could read the sorrowful look in her eyes and could tell she was upset about it. Yet these lustful fools around town were not worthy of entering the mistress's den. And neither was Lazarus. But yet, he remained.

"It's okay to have fears," he said, bringing up her mild phobia of thunder. "Everyone has something that frightens them. Why, when I was in my early twenties, I was afraid of Draugr. I couldn't understand how delvers could willingly bring themselves amongst a force so evil and vile. But I eventually outgrew this phobia." He shrugged. "
Today I cross the highest mountain passes, dig through the deepest of caves, and fight the most abhorred of living things. Human or not." He cast his gaze back into the fire. "Today I fear nothing."

"Nothing except...except dying alone..."

A laugh escaped the young Nord. Him? Afraid of Draugr? A man with that much muscle, scars, and a nice set of abs, she didn't think that he'd be afraid of them, even at that age. Well, that was her, since she's in her mid twenties and already tackling Draugr Lords like a pro. Though she would admit they're tough to beat, and often times she'd walk out of a ruin with so many cuts and wounds you'd think she'd bleed to death by that point. Anyway, she just didn't think a man as tall and muscular as him wouldn't be afraid of such things at that age. Valkari smiled at him, but what he said last shocked her a bit.

"You? Afraid of dying ... alone?" she asked as she looked at him with raised eyebrows. That, she did not see coming. "Oh come on now, there must be a lucky lady out there you have your eye on." 'Heh ... that lady is lucky if he does ...' was all she could think after she said what she did. Lazarus was quite the looker, not to mention respective and a gentleman. Though, as far as she could tell, he didn't seem to be married (because she couldn't see a ring on is wedding finger) or in a relationship in any kind. Valkari didn't note that part to him ... at all, and kept her eyes to his face so she didn't end up staring at that nice pack he had on his stomach.

"Actually, no." He then added. "Not yet. In the past I've tried settling down, as it has been one of my goals for as long as I can remember. But I was never successful in finding true love. I remember when I was courting Saadia...but she was constantly lying to me, and I cannot stand for such a thing. 3 years ago, I nearly fell in love with a breton woman in Windhelm." Lazarus began to appear frustrated, his veins tensing up. "However, when she felt the relationship was strong enough, she felt the audacity to speak to me in the most dishonorable manner. Spread falsities behind my back and stole parts of my fortune." He frowned. "How someone could betray such a trust as strong as love...I shall never know. I held the harlot and shook her to reality, telling her 'no more'. I allowed her to leave with the small fortune she took from me. I cared not. As long as she was gone, and I could heal from the wounds in peace. It was that day when I realized it would be especially hard to find a genuine match in the land of Skyrim."

After this sorrowful tale, Lazarus picked up his voice and continued with a smirk. "But I am not a man known for his cowardice! I shall not give up. By the gods, I will find my goddess. And when I do, we shall build our lives...together."

She literally felt sorry for the lad. Not almost. Not sort of. Literally. "I guess I can't say I never tried either," she said to him softly, "but, I'd rather not talk about past relationships. Not ... something I want to exactly relive, y'know?"

It's not that she didn't trust him, because she did, but her past relationships weren't anything special or good. Being cheated on was one of them, and also being raped. Going into something like that could really put this Nord down ... and could get her angry if she went into enough detail. She just hoped that he would pry or beg to hear about them. Because then, she might have to kick him out ... for his own safety of course.

"At any rate," Valkari continued, slightly scratching her freckled cheek, "you shouldn't be afraid of dying alone. You'll find someone that'll love you for you, and not just that body you got goin' on." She smirked and nodded to his ripped body, now finally able to look without him thinking she was staring. And was he ever hot. Seriously, the orange lights dancing in the fire made his reddish hued brown skin look like he was glowing from the fire ... or on fire in her mind. Though she had to pull her gave away from his body so she didn't look too weird.

Lazarus grinned. She seemed to be a fan of his body...appreciating it's solid build. He didn't mind her peeking. He was thoroughly enjoying the sight of hers as well. He held up a hand seeing that her past slightly disturbed her. "No, I understand."

He didn't really know Val very well, but she seemed like a wonderful girl. And from the look on her face, her failed love experiences may have been worse than his. Someone needed to treat her right. She seemed so down on herself.

But in a flash, his beautiful friend was back, wishing him success with his goal.

"Your compliments of my body make me feel selfish withholding mine of yours. Look at yourself, Valkari. You could turn a Giant straight."

Lazarus's statement was based on a running joke throughout the southern holds that Giant's were gay, as no one ever saw a female giant.

Valkari couldn't help but laugh at that. She covered her mouth so she wouldn't snort and smiled at her devilishly handsome friend. "I really never thought giants were gay to begin with." she stated as she laughed a bit more before sighing afterwards. "Funny."

A blush found it's way onto her face, and it was even brighter than her embarrassed one she had with the thunder. She just hoped he couldn't see it. The only time she ever blushed in front of someone was with her past relationships ... and that was with guys she THOUGHT liked her for her. Again, she hoped to Talos and Mara that her blush wasn't showing through those freckled of hers.

With a smile she crossed her legs over the chair and looked outside. It seemed to be getting late. What time was it? By the clouds that had darkened since they arrived at her house she could guess it was almost 12 am. With a slight yawn she stood up and stretched lightly, before walking behind the Redguard and patted his head some, smirking slightly down at him.

"Well, if you need anything, I'll be in my room sleeping ... or jumping from the thunder in the sky." She noted to him. Without a warning whatsoever, she bent down and lightly pecked his cheek and smiled kindly to him. "Thought you deserved that, after today." She stood up again and, with another sweet smile, went off to her room and shut the door. She collapsed onto her bed and lightly slid under the covers, but she didn't fall asleep. Instead, she stayed up, covering herself with the sheets as another loud thunderous boom shouted across the midnight sky.

Valkari's tender kiss sent a pulsing wave throughout his body. He watched the arches of her body as she stretched and lovingly patted his head. When she mischievously smirked at him and walked away, his heart fell as she excused himself from his company. She was a temptation from her scalp to her soles. Lazarus was a red-blooded man from Hammerfell. And for a moment, sheer animal magnetism nearly drove him over the edge.

After she had closed her door, Lazarus stood and began walking down the hall towards the guest room. He felt as if his steps were heavy and as if it were harder to breath. He was lightheaded and the door to the guest room appeared to be getting even farther away.

However Valkari's room was just to his side.

He felt the most powerful urge to reach out. He wanted to open the door and enter the Lion's den. He wanted to claim his prize, and truly thank Val for the kindness she so readily bestowed on him. It was his moment. Nothing could stop him. The drive was godly, with adrenaline that could knock over a mammoth. It was so easy...so easy to reach out...reach out and open the door...and he raised his hand..

WAIT!

Suddenly, Laz snapped out of it. What was he doing? What on earth did he think he was doing? Valkari had showed him such kindness, and he was moments away from touching the door handle, about to break her trust and loose her friendship. He would lose whatever respect she had for him and feel like a worthless, pigheaded animal. He stepped away, fearful of what his drive had almost done to him. He proceeded to the guest room, where he lay down with a heavy heart and soul. He was instantly asleep, dreaming about the events of the day...and perhaps those of the future.

Valkari heard the guest room door shut. She guessed Lazarus was fast asleep by that point. She wondered what he thought after her kiss on the cheek. She could see some heat going to his cheeks, so she figured he must have liked it a little. Or a lot. She didn't know. She didn't get a good chance to actually see if he did. It didn't matter much now anyway. He was probably fast asleep while poor Valkari stayed up, jumping to every sound the thunder in the sky made.

-lalalalalaaallaallalaaa an hour later XD-

A boom loud enough to shake the house cried across the sky, making Valkari scream out and wake up from her rather deep sleep. She heaved heavily and coughed slightly at her scream. It was ... quite loud. She hoped it didn't wake up Lazarus. That wouldn't be in her books for good host. It was just ... she was so afraid of thunderstorms like that it kept her up most of the night ... or the whole night if it came down to it.

Poor Valkari brought her knees to her chest and laid her head on her knees. Who knew how long the storm would last? All she could do was wait. Another loud boom cracked across the sky, making Valkari yelp and jump a bit. By the gods ... she was being such a coward! And she had been acting so strong before. Why did it all have to fall apart? Why here? Why now?

Lazarus had been having a weird dream about mushrooms. The Aldmeri Dominion were just about to start--

He suddenly awoke to a shrill screaming coming from Val's bedroom. He leaped into action, grabbing his bow and strapping a gleaming, deadly arrow to it, He burst through the door and sprinted down the hall, setting the arrow until it contained deadly potential energy. It was pouring outside, and he could see no wet footprints...he wondered if someone was inside?

He expertly slid into her room, aiming the bow and checking possible angles with quick glances down his sight. He then noticed Valkari, trembling in her bed, her blue eyes wide and wild with fear.

"What is it, Valkari? What has happened?", his voice was urgent and thick. He instinctively and protectively began checking the closet and windows, looking for signs of entry or hiding intruders.

"N-nothing ... Laz ..." Valkari looked up at him, about to burst out laughing at his overprotective state, when another boom sounded. She jumped and yelped again, hiding her face in both shame and fear as she tightened her grip on her knees. "I'm so sorry if I woke you up Lazarus. I ... I really am. My phobia of ... of thunder is worse than that of skeevers." Which was odd considering that Skeevers could actually kill someone, whether as thunder just made a sound. She just didn't know why she was so frightened of the loud booms that rattled the sky.

Valkari continued to hide her head in shame. It was awful having such a phobia over something so harmless ... well she thought was harmless. Lightning might be the reason, for it comes before thunder, and she was usually wary when she did see lightning. Oddly though, she never noticed any lightning when she was talking to Lazarus. She was just so distracted by his ... everything. Body, kindness, enthusiasm. All of it. But for her to show that much fear in front of him ... it was awfully embarrassing, and Valkari was ashamed of it.

"Hmm." Lazarus put away his bow, setting on the floor beside him. Valkari was deathly afraid of thunder. He had no idea how she acted around skeevers, but this was bad. The poor girl couldn't sleep, and he wouldn't be able too just knowing she was in distress. Her phobia was a powerful one...but if he couldn't heal the wound, perhaps he could ease the pain.

With a sigh, Lazarus began to try calming her down. His presence there had made a big difference. "Easy, friend. Calm yourself. I am here." The thunder rolled again, and Lazarus talked over it. "The thunder comes and goes, Valkari. It leaves after it's haughty cough to await the summoning of it's predecessor, the lightening. Yet I am here. And I remain. The thunder is false...only the sound of nature throwing it's wet tantrum upon the earth. Yet like the great walls of Whiterun, I am here....and I remain. Soon, the storm will subside, and the thunder will be all but a memory. But I will be here...and as long as you wish, I will remain."

Lazarus looked around and sat on a chair a little ways from the side of Valkari's bed. "I shall wait out the storm with you. Then, you may sleep peacefully. Fear not, Val, for as long as I am here, you are safe."

Valkari listened to him quietly, her breathing easing slightly to his words. His soothing helped much as Valkari curled back under the covers, still listening to his calming words. No man ... no man had ever told her anything like this before. Most of them mocked her and made fun of her because of it. It was the reason she was afraid of showing her fear to others, especially to men. It was also the reason she didn't think she would ever settle down ... well that and all the men trying to go for the tits first before actually getting to know the woman first.

As he finished speaking and sat in a chair beside her bed, she smiled up at him softly. "Thank you, Lazarus. Really. No one has ever done that to me before. Try to calm me during a time I'm breaking down. Most would laugh or mock me, but you don't. You stay. You stay and you don't leave." she told him as she brushed some now dried fiery red strands away from her soft icy blue eyes that were still slightly stricken with fear.

Another boom crashed against the dark clouds, but Valkari only jumped to the sound, did not yelp or scream. That was new to Valkari, but with such a distraction the thunder tended to fade a bit, only sounding like before.

Once he had realized she was fine with him staying, Lazarus sat quietly in his chair, rocking and counting the times the thunder exploded in the sky. He also payed careful attention to Valkari, gauging her reactions to each boom to determine whether or not his presence was helping. It seemed to be relaxing her, so he kept checking to see if she was drifting to sleep, in order to make a quiet exit.

However, he felt no hurry to do so. In fact, he could fall asleep here in her company. They seemed to be finding a mutual peace, expanding on it as the night progressed. He was sure the storm would not let up until late next morning, so he would be here until Val was in a deep REM sleep.

He reached over to her bookshelf and found a first volume of a historical series on ancient lore, and began reading to past the time and avoid thinking of his 'desires'.

Valkari eventually put the covers over her head to block out the sound of the thunderous booms, though it made her feel better that Lazarus was there. "I'm ... sorry if I made you worry, Lazarus," she apologized to him softly, peeking out from her little sheet fort and smiling sheepishly up at him. "I'll admit, it was funny watching you look around my room for a madman." A snicker left her lips as she uncovered herself slightly from the covers, revealing her face once again.

She watched as he took out a book. She couldn't exactly tell what it was, but coming from her bookshelf it was one of her favorites. However, she didn't pay much a mind to it as she laid on her back and stared up at the ceiling. Valkari pulled the blanket further up her torso, getting rather cold, but of course, she said nothing on the matter. That was how stubborn she was and, unless she was bleeding to death or dying of a disease, she wouldn't say anything on the matter of pain. A habit, and a very bad one too.

Suddenly, she began to count. Why? It helped her sleep. She didn't know exactly what she was counting, but she did it anyway. Maybe it was to distract herself from her thoughts, or maybe it was counting how many days until a certain event. Tonight, she was just plainly counting to pass the time. Another boom shouted, making the house rattle a little. Valkari snapped instantly out of her counting and yelped slightly, hiding herself from anything that might have fallen. Something would have, but her house was sturdy enough for thunderous booms such as that one.