Change of Plans I

I leave the camp area to go to the drawing board so that I can begin drawing up the plans for the weapons and tools I plan to create... God, I wish I knew how to make gunpowder. Then, this would be a lot easier.

I spend several hours experimenting with my newfound dwemer knowledge in order to craft Aventus a new leg and an arm brace.

It took several attempts before I had a functional blueprint, and then I could only try and fail to make Aventus' new prosthetic.

I was so enthralled by my work I didn't even notice it starting to get dark around me.

Thankfully, someone was kind enough to put a brazier around my workstation, allowing me to work unimpeded.

It's not until the moons are high in the sky that I finish the prototype prosthetic. It's nothing groundbreaking, and I only had whatever scraps of iron lay around to substitute for the dwemer gears, pistons, dynamos, and soul gem inscriptions. But I'm able to make a suitable mechanical prosthetic that should be able to support Aventus' weight while he recovers.

Though something seems off about it, I can't quite put my finger on it...

"Finally, I thought you were going to be at it till the morning light." A familiar voice whispers behind me, making me almost leap in shock.

"Fuckin' hell, Karliah! Don't sneak up on me like that!" I curse as I turn around to glare at the dark elf thief as she gives a bemused smirk at my reaction.

"Sorry, didn't think it was wise to speak up when you were so focused on your... Leg?" Karliah questions before placing a slip of paper and all the items from the jobs for the Thieves Guild on the bench beside Aventus' new leg.

"Done so soon?" I ask, taking the items.

"Yes, I need more jobs, so you're going to have to make a trip to Riften." Karliah says as she looms over the burning brazier.

"I'll head there once I finish my plans here, but I've thought of something that might piss off Mercer in the meantime if you're interested?" I agree before telling her my next plan.

"I'm all ears if it involves pissing that bastard off. What're you thinking?" Karliah says with a devilish smile, highlighted by the flickering flames.

"You know what would really send a blow to his ego is if the new up-and-comer in the guild started flaunting and doing outside guild jobs. I think we should start leaving a calling card so that all the crimes that can be linked together will be. I was thinking of a black rose, but I'm open to suggestions." I tell her my idea.

"Hmmm... A black rose... The Ebony Rose! Ooh, I like it, I'll check some old contacts about getting ahold of some black roses. What do you think about leaving little cards with poems on them, too? Divines, this reminds me of when I first started thieving." Karliah says, getting uncharacteristically enthusiastic about the idea.

"I like the poems, but make sure you send them to me before you start placing them. I don't want to get questioned at the guild and remember them wrong. Perhaps I should pen them in case our friends ask to compare handwriting?" I suggest causing Karliah to do another uncharacteristic thing and laugh.

"Hahaha, it's adorable you think I haven't already copied your handwriting from the letter you left me at the temple." Karliah says with a superior smirk.

"Well then, I guess that just leaves the poems. Is there any way to taunt the Thieves Guild in them, just enough for the public to think we're different but friendly and competitive?" I suggest.

"I'll try to write something up, but it's getting late, and you need rest. See you later, Ebony Rose." Karliah teases before melding into the shadows as if she was never there.

I roll my eyes at her nightingale antics before taking the prosthetic and heading into the house.

I see Inigo sitting outside the room Aventus is in with his eyes closed. I'd almost think he was sleeping if I didn't see his ears and nose twitch, signaling he was awake and vigilant.

I start to head into the room when I hear the sound of a child who's not Aventus talking, making me pause as I lean in and peer through the crack in the door.

Inside, I see Agni sitting in a chair next to Aventus, who is still fast asleep, twiddling her thumbs nervously.

"Ummm... I just wanted to tell you... You were really cool when you fought that dragon... Cool, but stupid! You shouldn't do stuff like that!" Agni berates angrily before sighing.

"I won't forgive you if you die, okay? So..." Agni says before leaning down and giving Aventus a kiss on the cheek.

"There! You got my first kiss, so now you have to marry me when we grow up! Just like what Ms. Sophia says!" Agni says with a bright flush across her cheeks as she gets up from her chair.

"So get better soon so we can get married, my hero!" Agni says, heading to the door, prompting me to slink into the shadows as Agni slips out of the room, checking to make sure Inigo is still asleep.

Who "snores," confirming for Agni that Inigo is asleep before she heads back to the main sleeping room where all the kids have been bunking in together.

I emerge from the shadows to see a silently smiling Inigo.

"My, my, my friend, it seems your son is already as much a heartthrob as you... Why yes, Mr. Dragonfly, I know they aren't related by blood, but you can't deny they are similar." Inigo says before Mr. Dragonfly interrupts him.

"Of course he is. He's just like his old man." I say with a smile as I flex, eliciting a chuckle from Inigo.

"Whatever you say, my friend. Have you come to wish little Aventus a good night?" Inigo asks.