Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20140702211836/@comment-24449631-20140707190951

Later:

Rowan felt oddly sharp and with senses heightened as he walked the Imperial Bridge.

The only thing that really bothered were the looks he got.

It was worse than the marketplace on Firsthold for sure. It just felt annoying how the looks of the people he passed lingered.

''Talos’ sake… Can’t they just… Stop staring? ''

Rowan wished he had some way to hide his long tapered ears.

He looked like quite the freak. The ears and eyes of an elf but ‘the body’ of a Nord. Naturally he’d attract attention from both Man and Mer…

Seemed there wasn’t much he could do though… Unless

As Rowan entered the main gate, trying to avoid suspicious guards he walked over to the many supply crates you’d find at the Talos Plaza.

Carefully he opened one, when no one was really paying attention and saw exactly what he needed. A piece of cloth, ready for the use in cheap shirts and tunics.

He quickly picked one simple piece, seeing as it wouldn’t be really missed and walked towards one of the alleyways leading from Talos Plaza.

“Ok… Hope this will work.”

Rowan, could easily shred the piece of cloth in equal pieces. A few dust particles danced around as he ripped it again.

Until he had only a thin long piece of the cloth in his hands.

“This’ll do.” Rowan proclaimed as he fastened the headband behind his head.

The band went over his ears. Hiding their elven shape to the rest of the world.

<p class="MsoNormal">That at least would draw the suspicion away from his ears.

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked in a little puddle down on the street. He looked like a right dork but at least he looked less like some weird experiment gone wrong.

<p class="MsoNormal">The former Nord made his way to the market district. Still busy as ever.

<p class="MsoNormal">It became apparent that he wasn’t eyeballed by everyone he passed anymore. A blessing, since that really started to excruciatingly embarrassing.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he looked around he located a fairly good looking tailor and a weapon smith not much further.

<p class="MsoNormal">All he had to do was sell his shirt, so he could buy at least a weapon. A short sword would be enough. Just anything sharp would do.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he entered Fabianus’s Fashion palace he looked for the counter in order to barter with his own clothes.

<p class="MsoNormal">The only reason why he chose Fabianus’s Fashion palace of all places, was because he was sure it’d be a shop run by an Imperial. Hence the name: Fabianus. Most tailors are normally run by Altmer, and he really had enough of Elven kin for one day.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan walked up to the desk and was greeted by a pretty extravagant character.

<p class="MsoNormal">Who jumped out from under the counter.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh helloooo there!” He bowed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan didn’t know exactly what to do.

<p class="MsoNormal">“oh erm… Hello.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“How can I be of service? Hmm? Need a new blouse, pair of trousers perhaps?” The flashy man went on.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well actually I’d like to sell this.” Rowan stretched out his silk elvish tunic shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal">The shopkeeper, most likely Fabianus. Leaned forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">“oooohhh” He sounded intrigued

<p class="MsoNormal">“Looks like… elvish craft. Mind if I take a closer looks?” He gestured at the shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Eh sure.” Rowan sounded.

<p class="MsoNormal">Only a bit too late when he realised he had nothing else underneath it. It didn’t matter though, he just needed some quick money.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan pulled off the shirt, a bit too violently maybe, as he took the headband with it.

<p class="MsoNormal">He felt his ears spring up again.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Ah damnit! ''

<p class="MsoNormal">The headband fell to the floor, so he quickly got down to grab it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“My my… You look quite broad for an elf…” Fabianus spoke gently as he leaned over his counter looking down at Rowan.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m…

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’M NOT AN ELF!” Rowan boomed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Fabianus jumped a little. Obviously he didn’t expect an angry response or anything, in fact he thought he was giving a compliment.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan realised that it wasn’t just him who thought of him looking like elven kin. It were others too. Other men. They no longer saw him as one of their own.

<p class="MsoNormal">That is what frightened Rowan more than anything at the moment. But he needed that money, so he picked himself up again.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m… sorry, for… for that… eum… ya…” Rowan sounded embarrassed as he placed his shirt in front of Fabianus. Could this day get any worse?

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’ll… Just forget about that” The Imperial sounded a bit hesitant, however his eye for Altmer garments was too curious to let this opportunity slip passed him, if that meant dealing with a weird costumer so be it.

<p class="MsoNormal">As Fabianus carefully looked at the silk shirt, Rowan looked around the shop.

<p class="MsoNormal">He noticed just how dirty some of the cloth was. How unequally woven some of the sleeves were.

<p class="MsoNormal">''pfft, This man looks like a hack to me… ''

<p class="MsoNormal">he thought indifferently.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hmm, yes… I’d be interested to buy this off you for a reasonable price…” The man sounded cheerful. Seemed money was the least of his worries. Which was a good thing.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Good.” Rowan sounded.

<p class="MsoNormal">“how much would you give for this?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh… about 5000 gold…” Fabianus said as he stroked the silk shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan’s icy eyes widened.

<p class="MsoNormal">''5000! Oh I can most definitely buy something worthwhile with that. ''

<p class="MsoNormal">“That sounds like a reasonable price, I suppose. You’ve got yourself a deal.” Rowan bluffed.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’d pay extra for those pants and shoes…” Fabianus casually noted.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan showed a little smirk.

<p class="MsoNormal">-

<p class="MsoNormal">With about 8000 gold on him and some cheap clothing he bought in exchange, Fabianus called from behind his counter right before Rowan wanted to leave the shop.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You know, looking at you now… I’m starting to wonder. You don’t look like any elf I’ve ever seen. What are you?... Altmer?” The Imperial enquired.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan simply turned with a faint smile and shrugged  at the tailor.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t know…”

<p class="MsoNormal">-

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hmm… This looks like a decent weapon smith.” Rowan looked at the plaque hanging out.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Fjornim’s Mighty Steel and Guns ''

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yep, sounds about right” Rowan smiled as he saw it was a pure Nord weapon shop.

<p class="MsoNormal">''Nothing better than fine Nord steel ''

<p class="MsoNormal">The smell of burning steel filled the workshop as Rowan walked in.

<p class="MsoNormal">Again hiding his ears under the headband. He’d be a lot more careful this time.

<p class="MsoNormal">“greetings costumer!” A low Nord voice sounded from behind the counter.

<p class="MsoNormal">A man, blackened by soot with a welding mask turned up, walked in.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How can I be of service?” he grinned, his teeth sticking out because his skin was so dirty.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan smiled. It was good to see a proper Nord again.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Greeting friend, I’d love to buy a Silver sword. You have any to offer?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The smith smiled and nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hahaaa. Sure I have, made them yesterday In fact! Along with some holders for Pistols.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So Talos smiles on you. I indeed have a silver sword.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan sounded relieved. Silver swords were good against any paranormal enemies. It was sort of necessary, he left.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Can I see it?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“hah, sure! Hold on, let me get it for you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">It only took a few seconds but the Nord came back with seemed to be a fine Silver Sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">And presented it to his costumer.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan picked it up, and seemed satisfied at first but… As he looked closer.

<p class="MsoNormal">He noticed that the sword had tiny little holes all throughout the blade of the sword. This could happen if the sword wasn’t probably molten and it. It would start to oxidise.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan frowned a bit as he noticed the sloppy smithing work.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What is the matter?” Fjornim asked as he noticed his costumer turning a sour face.

<p class="MsoNormal">“hmm, It seems the metal hasn’t been properly coated. There’s all these little cracks and air holes in the blade, see?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan pointed at the biggest one he could see and presented the sword back to the blacksmith.

<p class="MsoNormal">At first the man looked worried.

<p class="MsoNormal">But after a few seconds of careful re-evaluation he simply smiled and said he didn’t see anything wrong with the sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I… Don’t see anything wrong with it…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan couldn’t believe the man was so blind. I mean, just look at those holes!

<p class="MsoNormal">“But, don’t you see them?!” Rowan sounded a bit desperate.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Nord’s grin quickly faded.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh I get it now…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You can take that headband off you elf…”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan couldn’t believe what he heard.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Typical… You lot think you can do everything better don’t you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan didn’t know what to say.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No… I…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“pfft, I refuse to do any business with you.” Fjornim said bluntly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Out of my shop, you hear, long-ears”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Try the elven place across the street if that’s more of your liking!” he sounded offended.

<p class="MsoNormal">It all happened so fast, but before Rowan knew what was happening, he was back outside.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What… In oblivion…” Rowan sounded slightly angered.

<p class="MsoNormal">''It’s not my fault he can’t do his job properly! ''

<p class="MsoNormal">''I mean I just told him about the gaping gaps in the blade of the sword… Why would he… ''

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan stopped that train of thought for a minute.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hold on…” Rowan said to himself as he quickly held his hand in front of his face.

<p class="MsoNormal">The closer he looked, he saw all the cracks and little veins underneath his skin. It all sort of moved.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is it… The eyes?” Rowan wondered as he looked in the reflection of a window.

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked deeply into the large icy blue eyes, akin of those of an elf.

<p class="MsoNormal">They were beautiful yes…. But not his.

<p class="MsoNormal">Or were they?

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan started to slowly get exactly what had happened on Apocrypha.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he recalled what Heraeus Mora said to him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“There’s no turning back. No Spell or mage can undo this… Gift.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Rowan sank to the floor, as he held his hand to his mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m… Human…” He muttered.

<p class="MsoNormal">Although sooner or later, he would need to come to terms with the simple fact… That just he wasn’t... Not anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal">