Party Some More

I went up to the roof for some food after that, to give me some time to plan. I should make sure to at least meet all of Seryn's friends. First Gabrielle, while Meridia was still still fresh in my memory, so I could compare for myself. Kaleen and Nicolene from the Spearhead. That couple from High Isle, Marso and Aurelia, if they'd shown up.

It appeared that Seryn had met my collection of Dunmers. Veya, Naryu, and Varuni were all sitting with her at a table, taking a break together.

"Varuni has been telling us about her mission from Sotha Sil," Seryn told me. "She's enjoying it so far, but she's not sure if she's letting her own preferences dictate what she's recording."

"Right! Should I be trying everything, even if I don't think I'll like it? I mean, Luciana may like completely different things than I do."

"And you might try something you don't think you'll enjoy, but find out that it's not like you expected," I reminded her. "This is the best place to experiment, and Seht knows that."

I pondered for a moment. "Is this about the Orcs?" I asked.

"No, she's had her turn," Veya put in. "She got in line with that little Breton from the ship. What's her name?"

"Nicolene," Naryu told her.

"She was a bit nervous," Varuni told me. "She's quite young, and the Captain had been helping her build up to it, choosing partners for her, demonstrating when appropriate. She'd worked up to two partners, but this would be her first foursome. I told her it would be mine, too, and I was probably a hundred years older than she. Oh, and by the way, it's not just the Orcs. They're rotating in some of the other Undaunted, so they can catch a meal, and a drink. I think I had a Nord in the mix."

"So what's left?" I asked Varuni.

"So far, I've been pretty passive," she told me. "I've let others show me what they like, rather than approaching them, and proposing my own wishes. I don't really have the right personality for that, but I know Luciana does."

"It's not the approach that's going to make the difference. Well, not directly," Naryu explained. "Whoever's on top gets to set the pace, so that's where I tend to prefer being."

"If there's two women and one man, you'll often be in that situation," I added.

"Especially if one's a Daedric Princess," Seryn continued.

"Or both," I couldn't resist adding.

"Where am I going to get a Daedric Princess to help me?" Varuni laughed.

"Only at this party," three voices chorused (in remarkable unison) behind me.

Of the three, only Nocturnal actually looked daedric, and most people wouldn't have seen a shrike before. I made the introductions, for Naryu and Varuni hadn't met any of them, and Veya and Seryn hadn't met Meridia.

"You won't need us, anyway," Meridia informed Varuni. "Have you encountered Meredil yet? It's unlikely that he'd have approached you. He's a bit shy, and so far Vaerunne has had to get things started for him. But now he's got to know a few others, he might be opening up a bit. Come on, I'll point him out to you."

I went looking for Gabrielle, expecting to find Darien with her, and sure enough, they were at the end of the docks, perhaps looking for some privacy. Instead, they'd run into Marso and Aurelia, who'd just come in by boat. By the looks of things, Marso and Aurelia were definitely in the mood for an orgy.

I was impressed by the way Seryn managed to introduce me to her friends without stopping anything. I'm not sure if Darien was aware we'd arrived. He wouldn't have been able to see anything, and maybe his ears were covered, too.

I began to understand what Meridia meant. Gabrielle didn't just look like her, she felt like her, too. I told her so, and mentioned what Meridia had told me about the events in Coldharbour.

"This is still the same Darien," Gabrielle affirmed. "but there are a few things I wouldn't mind her changing, if she wants to."

Darien looked genuinely concerned that Meridia might try.