Dovahkiin Potter

Skyrim

Lani stood by the stairs that would lead out of the trunk surrounded by fussing house elfs. 

“Miss Lani calls if you needs us,” Trixy demanded, ringing her hands together.  

Lani smiled warmly at them as she adjusted her pack and tightened her leather armor around her torso. Her arms were bare but the thick fur cloak around her shoulders would keep her warm. “I’ll be careful don’t you guys worry. Make sure to keep up with the once a week game night even if I can’t make it okay?” She gave them each a hug and planted a kiss on the forehead of the baby elfling. She walked up the stairs and opened the trunk lid to the outside world smiling broadly. She took down the canvas and placed it inside the first compartment before shrinking the trunk into its pendant form. Taking a deep breath, she brought down the wards and began her journey east. 

London

Sirius sat listlessly as he thought back to his and Remus' last heated argument with Lani. He wished he could take it all back. There were a lot of accusations from both sides but now he realized Lani was right about everything. He stared down at his research forlornly. He remembered he and Remus had accused her of making up stories about the Dursleys because Dumbledick said so. How had he been so blind. 

Remus came in and handed him a beer. “I know. I wish I could make things right with her too.” He took a big swing of his own drink. “We didn’t even really know her did we?”

Sirius snorted, “well we know one thing for sure.”

Remus looked at him inquisitively, raising one eyebrow in question

“She has her mothers temper and sharp, slightly vulgar tongue.”

Remi couldn’t help but snort. “What was it she said as a parting?” he couldn’t help but grin a little though it was tinged with sadness

“I believe it was, ‘Do yourself a favor and extract your head from Dumbledors ass every now and then to take a breath. You might suffocate up there.’” Siri said with a small sad smile. 

“Have you opened the package she sent you and the letter yet?” Remus asked

“Nope, too scared to see what it is. You?” 

Remus just shook his head in the negative. They both took another long drink. 

Skyrim at sunset

Lani stood there awkwardly taking in the khajiit she had stumbled upon. He was tall, at around 6 ft 2 inch with a decent muscular build. He had dark, almost black fur with darker spots like a leopard. If she were to guess, which is hard as this was her first Khajiit she met, she would say he was around 30 or so. He was looking at her with slightly less surprise and she figured he had heard her coming, though by the look he gave her he hadn’t expected someone so young.  

Lani raised one hand in greeting “yo.” The stranger blinked, Lani blinked back. 

Slowly the khajiit raised his hand and in equal amounts of confusion and amusement replied “Yo.” Then a smile stretched across his face. “What is a 12 year old cub such as yourself doing out in the forest alone?”

Lani crossed her arms in defiance, “is that a dig on my height.? I’ll have you know I’m fifteen years old.” she sniffed imperiously 

She was short for fifteen. The girl had to be around 5ft 1 inches. The khajiit’s smile just grew and he let out a chuckle, “easy their kitten,” he teased, “you still didn’t answer my question though.”

Lani opened her mouth to tell him but then closed it. What was she supposed to say “I was dropped here by the god of madness and have no idea where I am.” She figured that wouldn’t go over too well.

The khajiit stood there waiting for an answer and his amusement only grew as he watched her try and come up with a reasonable excuse. Then he smirked, “you’re lost aren’t you?”

Lani puffed her cheeks in indignation only to realize that she indeed had no idea where she was. She deflated. “Yeah… I’m lost.” she mumbled petulantly. 

The khajiit gave out a warm laugh and ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry cub I’ll help you get back to civilization.” He picked up some more wood and gestured for her to follow with a nod of his head. “My names R’kir by the way. Where are you headed to miss?”

“Leilani, though you can just call me Lani for short.” she supplied while helping him gather some wood. “I’m not really heading anywhere in particular.”

“Won’t your family be concerned about your whereabouts?” He asked solicitously  

Lani waved her free hand in a dismissive gesture. “I don’t have any family. “ then froze and facepalmed. Muttering so low R’kir almost didn’t hear her say, “yes, smart Lani, just tell a stranger that could be a criminal that no one will know if you go missing in a forest.” 

R’kir snickered, “it's a good thing I’m not a criminal than eh?”

Lani turned bright red before huffing, “that's just what a criminal would say.” she said teasingly through her blush. 

R’kir flashed her a smile, “I suppose I’m just lulling you into a false sense of security then?” 

“Naturally.” she agreed then smiled up at him. “so, “ she started unsure how to ask. “I don’t mean for this to come across wrong so please don’t be offended.. But your the first khajiit I’ve ever met…” she trailed off

R’kir gave her an encouraging grin, “ask away cub.”

“All the books I’ve read have always talked about khajits having different speech patterns.” she trailed off again.

R’kir smiled and nodded, “You fancy yourself a scholar then? And yes, normally we speak in what you would probably call third person. However, I am a hunter. I make my living off of selling game in different towns. I found it’s easier to sell if you speak like a Nord.” he shrugged, “I’ve just made it a habit now.”

Lani nodded, “that makes sense. I understand people can be rather prejudiced against non-Nords in some parts of skyrim.” Lani shifted, “and I really like to read but I don’t think I could be considered a scholar. Most of them don’t understand that reading doesn’t give you life experiences.” she smiled sheepishly. “I managed to save some of my family journals and gems before I made an escape from my former home. I was hoping to sell some of the gems so I could hire someone to train me in hunting and fighting.”

“Escape?” R’kir asked a little sharply, looking her over again and noticing the numerous scars on her arms. 

Lani shuffled, “eh,” looking at the scars he just seemed to notice, “I was living with relatives, but they were not the kindest people.” she mumbled not making eye contact. “I am naturally inclined to magic like my father and my mum's family were less than pleased to get guardianship of me.” She finally looked up to see anger in his eyes

R’kir’s nostrils flared in fury. He hated child abusers. “Are they still alive?” he asked tightly. It wouldn’t be his first kill. This was Skyrim after all and bandits were all too eager to jump a lone khajiit. 

Lani gave him a warm smile and her shoulder relaxed minutely, “not sure. Don’t really care either way.”

They made it into a small clearing where Lani saw a horse tied up next to a tent. R’kir set his bundle of deadwood down and motioned for Lani to do the same. “Well if you are looking for someone to train you, you can travel with me if you want. But you’ll have to work. That will be payment enough” he looked at the short sword at her hip. “How much do you know about fighting with a sword? And how much magic do you know?”

“Only the basics with sword fighting. As for magic… well I know some spells that were passed down through family journals on my fathers side. However I haven’t had the chance to buy any books on what most people use. I’d also like to learn some archery too if possible.”

R’kir nodded thoughtfully. She was obviously not saying everything but it was good of her to be cautious. He had no doubt she would tell him once she was sure he wasn’t going to do anything to her. He could approve of that. “What kind of spells has your family passed down?”   

Lani shifted, unsure what to tell him. “Well there are spells that act as wards against animals and people with ill intent. It was created by a mage that liked to travel so he didn’t have to worry about being jumped in the middle of the night.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. “I can show you if you’d like? The wards make the campsite invisible to anyone outside it.” 

R’kir’s eye widened at that in surprise. That sounded like a very useful spell. It was probably how she had managed to camp out here without running into too many issues as well. He gave her a nod in acquiescence and watched her making a circle around the camp with her palms up muttering in a language he’d never heard. He saw an almost invisible shield slowly go up and form in a dome over the camp. 

She reached out and took his hand tentatively and led him just outside the wards she created. When he turned to see if there was any difference he went slack jawed. It looked like the camp wasn’t there. Just as surprising he realized he couldn’t smell or hear his horse. He then looked down at his new charge who grinned back at him, tugging him back inside the wards. 

“Well,” he said, still amazed, “that spell put up every night in itself will pay for me to teach you.” Lani beamed