Ch.32

[Sundas, 1st of Last Seed, 4E: 221]

I had expected to get right to work the next day. However, it was not to be. “Why do we have to go~?” I whined with Shade and Berserker nodding in shared disgruntlement towards Neethsi and Twilight. Wow, did Neethsi and Twilight look good right now. They certainly had fun last night.

“Because even though you won’t be making any decisions, any decisions made regarding your involvement in such an endeavor must be made with you present. We won’t facelessly hand you a writ and expect it to be filled. We’re not the Dominion or the Empire.” Twilight huffed and the three of us outworlders wilted in resignation.

“Besides, it isn’t in any of our native cultures to simply hand an order down and expect it done. It isn’t our way. We ensure we know the people we’re issuing orders to. It ensures that we don’t let ourselves become blind to the fact that the people we govern are people, not resources.” Neethsi added on and while I could respect that, I think I’d prefer just being told I have approval to get shit done and be done with it.

“Damn democracies. You’ll see the benefits of an Empire someday, one that isn’t a house of cards.” Berserker grumbled before Hermais appeared on his shoulders.

“Don’t fret too much, Bersie. This may be the end of the Mede dynasty, but that doesn’t mean another Empire won’t rise from Cyrodiil if these folks don’t do it themselves.” Hermais said as we neared the Wayshrine chamber.

“Funny. I always thought that to be the fate of your Empire. You had a few close-calls.” Berserker said with a scoff. Guess he has no love for his daughter’s Empire.

“Unlike these peons, we never lost our ruling caste. We also operate as a Representative Oligarchy rather than as a pure Autocracy or Monarchy so that if something disastrous does happen, we bounce back. It’s part of how we designed it.” Hermais rebutted and Twilight zipped her lips with a spell.

“Can we not talk about extra-dimensional politics? It’s bad enough we have to talk about local ones.” Twilight huffed and pulled on the collar of her voluminous purple robe.

“Thank you for shutting her trap, Twilight.” Berserker sighed in relief before we passed through the Wayshrine.

“I’m interested, but I don’t want to know more right now.” Shade commented and Hermais pouted with her still-zipped lips. Wait, aren’t zippers unknown here? Why is there a spell like that? “Ah, Vivec. Oddly, the air doesn’t bug me as much now.” Huh...same here. I wish Rarity could come with us this time too, but she isn’t involved as directly as we are.

“Hm, odd. You haven’t been here long enough to adjust. Perhaps it’s my blessing upon you.” Neethsi idly said and I warily looked at Twilight, but she was entirely unphased as we walked down the stairs that Neethsi created from the hillside to the road north of Vivec. They are friends, close enough for him to feel comfortable getting naughty with and the one to have given her male organs in the first place.

“Mmph!” Hermais nodded because she was still hushed.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Yagrum or Jeelius in some time. What are they up to?” Twilight asked conversationally and I didn’t recognize the second name, but Yagrum?! The Last Dwemer?! That Yagrum?!

“Yag is off on another of his planeswalks to see if he can’t find the remnants of his people after they Zero-Summed. They’ve got to be somewhere. The Godhead doesn’t forget anything, just misplaces memories. As for Jeelius, last I heard he was gutting Thalmor on Stros M’Kai.” Neethsi chuckled fondly and I just couldn’t remember where I heard that name.

“Who is Jeelius?” Berserker questioned, clearly because he too remembered Yagrum, but seriously, who is Jeelius?

“A former or current if you ask him, Priest of Arkay. An argonian once meant to be a ritual sacrifice to Mehrunes Dagon from the Mythic Dawn during the Oblivion Crisis. Sheo was supposed to kill him as part of the ruse to find out their plans, but he was always soft-hearted. He turned on the cultists immediately and I had to decloak to save Jeelius when the statue of Dagon collapsed on him for sacrilege.” Neethsi sighed while we neared the bridge.

“Mm, hm, mm.” Hermais nodded with her eyes closed, all sage-like. I think she’s even more annoying like this, someone undo that spell or I’ll eat it. Mm~, Twilight magic...

“I would’ve left him to perish, his wounds were too great for my healing skills back then. However, Sheo was an absolute sweetroll and was heartbroken over his failure to save the priest, so I caved and gave Jeelius my gift.” Thankfully Neethsi’s wording was ambiguous enough that the guards could assume it was just casual conversation.

“So a humble priest became one of the only members of your family?” I asked in bemusement. That was a rather odd and humble choice to turn into an unaging werecrocodile.

“Believe it or not, Jeelius’ kindly and good bearing is a good cover for a deep, seething wrath. He became a priest of Arkay to find peace with death for his past sins. Now he still prays and venerates Arkay, while also sending him the curs who would end innocent lives too soon to him to judge. Of course, nobody knows that he is the werecrocodile slaughtering the Thalmor enslaving the people of Stros M’Kai.” Neethsi chuckled darkly and I gulped nervously.

I hope I don’t meet Jeelius. I’m sure he wouldn’t have any problems with me, but religious zealots greatly unnerve me. “Alright everyone, get presentable and gather in the Ministry Canton’s meeting chamber promptly. Thanks to the Wayshrines, everyone else will be here shortly.” Twilight announced, revealing our brisk walk had gotten us to said canton already.

“I’ll just follow you. I’m ‘presentable’ enough in my armor.” Berserker told the alicorn and she shrugged before entering the ministry with him while Neethsi led us up the Temple Canton to his apartment on the second-highest level.

“Do we have to wear dresses?” Shade mewled and tugged uncomfortably on the front of her tunic at the idea and I could already feel itchy at wearing something Rarity didn’t make.

“I’m afraid so, unless you wish to go nude in your True Forms.” Neethsi said blandly, but the tip of his tail was twitching, so I knew he was just joking.

“Dang it. Do you have any dresses small enough for us?” I asked him and he looked down at us curiously before rubbing his chin.

“No, I’m afraid not. Not unless it’s my more risque dresses for when I’m looking for fun.” Neethsi mused as he transformed into his female body and stood next to us. “No, that’s a problem. I’ll have to give you two a couple of my formal dresses and either cut off or embellish them with the extra material of the long skirts. I’m wishing Rarity could’ve come, she’s a much better seamstress than I.”

“We’ll live, even if we’d prefer not to.” Shade grumbled and I joined her in stripping off our tunics and trousers. The dresses that Neethsi presented were...admittedly numerous. If she hadn’t been female for nearly a century before, I’d have been rather wary about a man who hoards so many dresses. I still feel like a dress-up doll wearing this tan dress. I didn’t like the color, but Neethsi insisted it matched me because of my mixture of blood-red scales and golden accents.

“Why can’t we wear black dresses?” I huffed in complaint, because black would look incredible on us.

“Black is a mourning color. There’s also the fact black is associated with ebony, which is fine for combat equipment, but clothes? Unless you’re a sneak thief or assassin, not many have a reason to wear black.” Neethsi then smirked deviously. “Black is also the color of going out for a night on the town. The ‘little black dress’ is a universal sign that a woman is looking for fun.”

“You have plenty of experience with that I’ll bet.” Shade giggled before with a wave of her hand, Neethsi was in a tight-fitted, thigh-baring black dress that left little to the imagination and I joined Shade in perking hard and likely trying to tent our dresses with our suddenly bullet-hard nipples. Especially since we had to let our busts fill the space that Neethsi’s chest basketballs would normally be filling. Thank gosh the padding on the front hides our nips and piercings...

“You have no idea~.” Neethsi purred and ran her hands down her body before she shook herself. “Grr, not now.” She waved her hands and summoned a too-large regal blue robe with gold filigree on it before transforming into his male body. “Let’s go ladies, before I give in to my rising desires and ruin those dresses.” Oh~, I really want that~!

📜

This is exactly why I didn’t want to be here. They’re talking about us without talking to us. They look at us and clearly point out when they are speaking about which person, but otherwise they do not address us. At least, not until High King Vartine Bloodraven looked directly at me after the Council, High Chieftain and him had finished hashing out the matter.

“Now then, since we’ve arranged who would get her wares in what distribution volumes, let us ask the lass. Are you willing to perform this arduous task, of providing advanced weaponry and armor to the Ebonheart Pact in exchange for monetary compensation for services provided so long as we provide the materials necessary?” High King Bloodraven was a handsome man. He didn’t look a day into his thirties though. He didn’t look like a vampire...must be draconic stuff.

“Yes.” I curtsied slightly and Shade mirrored me, since as my sister and assistant, she too was part of the deal.

“Now then, for a more important matter regarding them.” Twilight said and I looked up at her in confusion. “Meen-Rei is the prophesied Hero in the Equestrian Scrolls. We won’t be able to keep her working on this constantly. She’ll need to be able to drop everything and quest to ensure the survival of Mundus. Specifically, she is the key to preventing the Thalmor plot to end linear time and the Second Planemeld.”

I winced at the uproar this caused. Aside from my friends at the table, only High King Bloodraven remained calm if now eyeing me with intense scrutiny. “Order!” Neethsi shouted and everyone silenced. “I was a Hero before. I may not be tasked with saving the world this time, but like twice before this, I am supporting the current Hero. Don’t forget we also have Berserker. He may be from beyond Oblivion, but I’ve seen his mettle and can attest to both his trustworthiness and his capability. Were he and I to battle, I cannot guarantee victory.”

Things calmed down from there. I was uncomfortable being stuck as an observer again, but thankfully the Moot settled and everyone filed out of the Ministry Canton. “Finally. I need to get out of this damn dress.” Shade huffed and pulled on the front of her loaned dress and fanned her cleavage. Yeesh Shade, I don’t like the dress either, but I’m not suffocating in it.

“That was an absolute shit-show.” Berserker grumbled with a shake of his head. “Is it really that hard to just ask us? Or are they afraid?”

“It’s more political than that. Aside from directly asking your permission for things, we’re not actually allowed to address you unless you address us. The only reason we didn’t address you Berserker is because you’ve already been under my command, it was just a matter of adding you to my commission.” Twilight answered as we walked up the stairs towards Neethsi’s apartment. Oof, I hate wearing heels~! I’m surprised I didn’t trip on the way down.

“Still a shit-show and they probably wouldn’t like it if I started talking. I could see it in their eyes; they hate me.” That’s a bit harsh.

“Hate and distrust are vastly different things. Trust me, I was once an Outlander, an N’wah, a Slave to the dunmer people. I was no more important than a pair of boots. I watched that change over time, so I know the difference. They do not hate you, they merely do not trust you. They will give you the opportunity to earn it, but right now they want you at arm’s length.” Neethsi stated before we filed into his apartment. “Are there any further meetings, Twilight?”

“No. That was all that needed to be addressed. We’re going to operate as before. While the Second Planemeld is a dire issue, we’ll handle it as we deal with the Dominion, since in the end they’re both part of the same problem.” Twilight thankfully told us, so Shade and I practically tossed off our dresses. “Ah! D-don’t strip in front of me!” Twilight squeaked with a blush as she covered her eyes.

“What? Would you have preferred this~?” I tittered before Shade and I transformed and then sighed in the relief of getting out of our flesh forms. “Mm, that dress was so confining.” I really am getting more comfortable in this body. It was both entirely unlike, yet similar to my flesh one in so many ways. I still had all the same senses, they just mingled with a sixth sense.

“Mm, hm~!” Hermais hummed with an appreciative wink and two thumbs-up. Okay, that zipper is done! Nom! Mm~! Twilight magic~. “Hey, thanks. I was wondering when somebody was finally going to get rid of it without me needing to do it.”

“Oh, fuck this.” Berserker snarled as he marched out of the apartment.

“The fuck is his problem?” Shade huffed and then joined me in sitting at the table.

“Sorry, he’s always been the Lone Wolf kind of guy. Pun intended. He hates being tied up in politics and other red tape in the way of him and doing what needs done. Just leave him alone and let him cool off.” Hermais advised before slithering through the air after her dad.

“You know, I don’t think we ever really got to know him. I know more than most around here, but even so I don’t know him as much as I’d like.” Twilight pointed out and I winced at the realization while Shade huffed indignantly. You were a kid back then Shade, that doesn’t count.

“Then as the one closest to him, you should get to know him the best. It would at least give him someone to support him emotionally.” Neethsi suggested and Twilight nodded before leaving, likely for her own lodging since the damn Moot lasted all day and it was getting dark.

“Well, now that they’re gone, let’s get drunk girls!” Shade cheered and I looked at her worriedly. Is Shade an alcoholic? Is she relapsing into her original life? Well, so long as it’s just once a night, at home, just before bed, it’s fine I guess.

📜

Berserker was sitting on the bed of the room a servant had told him was his, but he blinked in surprise when Twilight entered, who also blinked at him. “Um, what are you doing in my room?” Thank gosh Hermais went home for a bit, she’d be teasing him something fierce.

“Um...the servants told me this was my room.” Twilight nervously replied and then rubbed her snout. “Damn it, stupid rumor-mongering...they probably assume since I’m pushing so hard in support of you that we’re…” Twilight blushed and looked aside.

“A couple.” Berserker finished.

“But it’s not true. I mean, I like you as a person, but I’m gay. I only like female body types. I have absolutely no physical attraction to males. The only exceptions are other herms like Rarity.” Twilight huffed as she closed the door. “I can just conjure up another bed. I’d rather not deal with having to try and clear up a misconception for a night in a room alone. Besides, with two of us it’s less likely the Morag Tong will try anything.”

“Alright.” Berserker nodded as he started taking off his armor, revealing his body to Twilight, remembering the many scars he’s earned through fierce battles. They weren’t as apparent in his anthro form, which covered them in fur and scales, but either way Twilight was indifferent and thankfully respectful about them as she too disrobed.

“Okay then, let’s just copy this bed like how Neethsi coached me…” Twilight’s horn illuminated and with a flick of her head, a second bed appeared on the opposite wall of the room. “There.” Twilight then took off her bra, but left her panties that made her look like a normal mare before putting on a less-voluminous night shirt. Berserker couldn’t help but watch, since she did look nearly exactly like one of his wives. Not as busty though, since she hasn’t had foals.

“You know Twi, you might be gay, but I’m not.” Berserker pointed out uncomfortably and Twilight smiled nervously.

“I know, but we’re friends. I figure if you do want to get intimate, you’ll offer to do what we did before so we’re both comfortable. If not, there’s no shame in looking. Good night, Berserker.” Twilight went to her copied bed and climbed into it. “Are you ready for the lights to go out?”

“Are you?” Berserker asked instead of answering.

“Uh, I don’t know. I usually do reading before bed, but if you just want to sleep I’m willing to forgo it for the night.” Twilight meekly replied to the unexpected return query.

“You have questions for me, don’t you?” Berserker inquired.

“Not really. I won’t ask because I know you’ll probably sate my curiosity when you’re comfortable with it. I’m not going to pressure you with questions about you and whatnot.” Twilight shook her head and laid back to stare at the ceiling. “Friends don’t pressure each other into doing things they don’t want to, unless it’s for their personal growth.”

“Three questions. I’ll let you ask three questions.” The human man huffed.

“What’s your favorite color?” Twilight casually asked and Berserker blinked in surprise.

“...Red.” He finally answered her.

“Mine is periwinkle. What’s your favorite food?” Twilight queried and he scrunched his brows.

“Burgers.” Berserker wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing here.

“I’m partial to salmon myself. Are you married to a version of me out there?” Twilight asked curiously and he snorted. That was way out of left-field, but it wasn’t a serious question.

“Yes, one.” Remembering his own, he couldn’t see her being this sly in her questioning.

“Wow...I’d ask if they’re like me or if I’m like them, but I exhausted my questions. Thanks for sharing, Berserker.” Twilight smiled softly at him and he inwardly growled. Damn it.

“Well, you’re different from mine, because she asks one too many questions, all of them big and invasive.” Berserker scoffed and almost smiled when Twilight rolled her eyes.

“It’s foolish to just jump to the big questions, you have to start with the little ones. Good night, Berserker.” Twilight summoned a mask over her eyes and settled into her bed. Berserker stared at her curiously, then turned off the oil lamp. This Twilight was...different.

Next Chapter: Ch.33 Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 9 Minutes