New Old Face

Michael sets down his mug of Nord ale and glances over at Dengeir. The man had just finished laughing after hearing the story of Megumin going limp mid-battle after casting her spell, but now he was all business... Michael wasn't sure what the niceties of Skyrim called for, but he imagined that rejecting such an offer would be considered an insult, especially for someone like Michael who possessed no real name or title yet.

This wasn't the game either, you couldn't just collect Thane titles like candy and ignore it afterwards. Thanes in this lane had a duty to their territory, helping manage it with the Jarl. They were essentially the nobles of Skyrim, in Halkeginia they'd be Viscounts or Baronets, and the Jarls would be Dukes and Marquess'.

If he accepted, he'd have to spend the majority of his time in Falkreath acting as a noble, something he'd hate with a passion.

Michael lets out a sigh, "I'm sorry but I can't accept."

...

"Why?" Dengeir asks looking both surprised and slightly offended at his answer.

"I'll be honest with you, Jarl. Becoming a Thane or Noble is the las thing I want. All the politics, paperwork, and responsibilities? I'm sure you've wanted to say 'fuck this' and leave once or twice." he says and Dengeir nods, "Besides, wouldn't it be better for someone born in Falkreath to take the position? After the battle I'm sure there are many worthy of it." he shrugs.

...

Dengeir lets out a hum of disappointment and leans back in his chair, sipping his drink, "Fine. I more than anyone can understand that. While I can sometimes dump my work on Nenya, you wouldn't have that luxury..." he raises his drink, "You'll be a friend to Falkreath regardless! On behalf of everyone in the Hold, thank you and your friends for coming to our aid!" he says while others in the tavern get pulled along with the man's momentum.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the end, Michael and the others don't bother staying the night as he feared that the Stormcloaks would attempt to recruit him... He didn't want to give an answer for either faction, as that would mean creating enemies once shit hit the fan. Like Balgruuf he thought that staying neutral was the best way forward.

Once the group returns to Winterhold College however, they're surprised to be greeted by Nirya who explains that someone was there to see them... kind of.

All three were tired after the recent battle, but since Nirya deemed it important enough to ignore her grudge towards Tiffania, they went to see what it was.

They were led into a room and were terribly surprised to find Maria lying in bed with Collete, the College's scholar of Restoration magic looking her over. Illococoo was sitting quietly at the side, looking lost and a bit unsure.

Maria looked significantly different to when they'd last seen her however, she looked younger, more vibrant, and healthier overall. Nirya and Collete leave to give the group some privacy, seeing this as something they shouldn't be involved in.

Maria looks over the group and smiles warmly at them, "Are you who I'm supposed to see?"

...

"Do you not remember us?" Tiffania asks as she'd spent many hours looking after Maria alone.

Maria frowns and shakes her head, "No... My daughter only told me to find her friends, I've met Illococoo already, so are you Michael and Tiffania?" she asks.

Michael nods, "We are."

Maria nods, "Then, I was told to give you this." she says, handing them a letter with Charlotte's signature on it.

"Hey, did Charlotte say anything about someone called Megumin?" the resident explosion girl asks, looking somewhat put out that she wasn't mentioned.

"Mmm...? No? Sorry?"

Megumin lets out a sigh, "Forgotten again..."

"You weren't forgotten, Charlotte probably thought that you wouldn't want to deal with this...?" Michael offers, not sounding convincing at all.

Tiffania opens the letter and goes through it, reading the important parts out to the group.

Essentially, it explains that Charlotte had made a deal with someone dangerous to have her mother healed, so while she was working in their service she'd like them to look after Maria for the time being.

"It also says something about Clavicu-"

"DON'T... Say his name. Speak it out loud and he'll stay listening." Michael warns, Tiffania jumping slightly since she'd forgotten that fact. "I probably should have seen this coming..." he murmurs, having known that Charlotte was being influenced by something even before they'd entered Riften.

There wasn't really anything he could have done about it though, and now that it'd happened, even tracking her down was useless. She'd made a deal with Clavicus Vile, one of the worst beings possible... But, he had an idea on how to fix it.

Once the Dragon Crises starts, he should find Clavicus Vile's dog, Barbas in or around Falkreath. He'd take the mutt hostage in exchange for Charlotte. He'd need to find a way to truly harm Barbas before that though, otherwise, his threats would just be empty.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of you and get Charlotte back." he stats to Maria with a firm expression.

The woman smiles, "Thank you. I don't know what my daughter has gotten herself into, but by the sound of it, it's not good... Erm, are you busy at all right now? Could I have a few moments of your time?"

Michael nods and she continues, "Then, could you tell me about where we are, and your relationship with Charlotte? She told me that this world isn't ours, but nothing more than that..."

"Sure. How about I tell you how we first met?" he says with a grin.

Tiffania smiles at the side, "Ah, when she tried to kill us?"

Maria quirks a brow at them, "She did what?"

Illococoo gives a brief smile at this, "Ah, I remember that. You were running all scared!"

"Well, getting chased by a crazy woman riding a dragon tends to do that."

"What dragon!?" Megumin exclaims from nowhere, having not been told of Illococoo's true form.