~~i don’t care if i lose my mind, i’m already cursed~~

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Her gold and ruby circlet lay perfectly straight on her head amongst the dark curls that she had quite purposefully arranged that morning. Brutus and Max had agreed to wait outside of the hall of the companions for her. After all what trouble could the princess get in to in a hall full of trained warriors. They were not on the side of the Imperials per say, but nor were they on the side of the Stormcloaks, which was a marked improvement over some of the citizens of Whiterun. She entered the hall quietly, positioning herself next to one wall as an observer at first, then taking small steady steps in to the hall. She was not here on official business, if there was any official business to be had with the Companions. Elitist mercenaries from what she heard. And that their hounds were completely out of control. Not that she was surprised, the war dogs she had met always seemed anxious when they were not causing massive casualties.

Long fingers traced lightly over the banaster, as she moved down the staircase towards their long tables. She said nothing, but let one hand float over each of the chairs, as if she were silently inspecting the room. Which was exactly what she was doing. Adrielle wanted to see the companions. It had been a pain to get her guards to agree to bring her here. She had declared that she had to venture to Whiterun to insure Balgruff's allegiance to the empire, though both she and her keepers knew full well the man would never pledge one way or the other. But she had to see more of Skyrim. And the Companions and their hall were unlike anything else she'd seen thus far. She smiled to herself as she walked the length of the room as if fascinated by the architecture, stopping ever few moments to become engrossed in some tiny detail. She frowned a little, one hand tugging at her blue skirt absent mindedly.

Hospitality was clearly not a strong suit of the companions. Though perhaps because they were warriors and she was much better adjusted to nobles.

~~word count - 359. tag - open . outfit - click .~~

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Lazarus approached the Jorrvasker with his contract balled up in his right hand. His stride was determined as always, and silent as a breeze. He was simply coming to collect his money, and perhaps spend a little time with his shield brothers and sisters. Flipping a coin to the nearby beggar, Laz shuffled up the steps and pushed by the 2 Imperial bodyguards standing near the doors of the Jorrvasker.

"Pretty boys..." He said in mockery.

Upon entry of the Jorrvasker, Laz noticed it was relatively unlively and empty, to his dismay. He shrugged, hanging his helmet and setting his bloody hammer upon the nearby weapon rack. As he stepped down the elevated floor to get a bite to eat, he saw her.

She was of imperial decent, and an heir of authority was plastered upon her very stare. Her long brown locks flowed neatly from her circlet, and she was of obvious royal blood. He had seen her before! This, was Adrielle Mede.

"Princess Mede!" Lazarus boomed warmly, "Welcome to the Jorrvasker, your highness." He frowned and raised his arms with a shrug, asking: "Is there anything I can help you with? Perhaps you wish to speak to someone?"

~~i don’t care if i lose my mind, i’m already cursed~~

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Adrielle would have never called Brutus or Max pretty boys. Not to say that they were unattractive. She could not be considered an expert on that matter, of course. She could never see them as anything more than accessories which she was forced to attempt to make outfits coordinate with. For Addie finding either of them attractive would be like being enamored with one's own elbow. They were not pretty, they were among the Empire's finest soldiers. She rarely appreciated that about them, or found it necessary to use them in that manner. They were mostly just there to dissuade unwanted attentions. Like a band of Matrimony on an unwed woman tired of suitors biding for her attentions. Plain, a bit useful, and certainly necessary.

If he had seen her before, she had certainly not seen him, or perhaps she had and had just not found him note worthy. Those two things were frequently hand in hand. She frowned a little at the use of the word Princess. It was an accurate description of her position in her family, her station in live, and of her general attitude. But spoken in the hall of Jorrvaskr by a Redguard companion it hardly seemed fitting. "Just Adrielle, if you please." She said holding up one hand to calm the man's rather loud welcome. "I was coming to speak with Jarl Balgruff, but I could not miss the opportunity to see Jorrvaskr or the Skyforge." It would be like someone visiting the Imperial city and not watching one of the tournaments at the Arena. It was just not done.

~~word count - 275. tag - lazarus . outfit - click .~~

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"Oh brother..." was the first thought that crossed Lazarus's mind after Adrielle's unfriendly reception. It seemed he was always down on his luck these days. What on earth did he do to deserve this. Not only did he have to entertain a spoiled princess, but he had to do it on his own. With no other...'companions'....

However, he kept his face anonymous and without much emotion, and did not display what he was truly thinking. Realizing the princess wanted to be more informal, he complied.

"Aye. The first time I arrived here, it was the first place I was attracted to. That was when I was a boy." Stepping down the stairs, Lazarus looked about the great building with as much detail as if it was the first time he had ever been in there. "I'm sorry it's pretty quiet here now. Normally there are a lot of people fighting and drinking and enjoying each others company. They're quite a crowd, you know. Good people."

Lazarus offered his great hand for a shake. She wanted informality, and she was going to get it. "My name is Lazarus." He said earnestly. "Pleasure to meet you, Adrielle. Shall I give you a tour then?"