"Looks like he's gone for good this time. But I don't think we should stick around to see if he comes back!

Hadvar's words are like someone pouring sweet honey in your ear. A warm bed and a chance to pretend you're still going to wake up from this nightmare. You're not even really paying attention. You've heard these words countless times but never have been more welcome. You feel so tired. Odd to think this whole ordeal has only been, what? Twenty? Thirty minutes at most? From waking op in that horse carriage; nearly being executed, running from a dragon, killing two people with magical fire and escaping an army barracks through a damp, giant spider infested, cave.

Your old life really does feel like a lifetime ago now.

"Still with me Breton?"

"Huh? Sorry, I was off in my own little world. A lot has happened. I'm still trying to make sense of it."

"I can understand that. Look, you don't have to come with me to Riverwood, but I feel like asking my uncle to put you up for the night is the least I can do."

"Hadvar, it's ok. You were just following orders." You feel the regret before you even finish your words. You know your tone came out way harsher than you intended but the emotions were still so raw. "Might as well get moving. Don't feel like being out here in the woods after dark."

"Agreed."

The journey continues as usual. You touch and active the mage stone like this were any other run and make your way into town. As expected, Hadvar gives the foreshadowing lore dump about Bleakfalls Barrow, warns you to stay clear of the legion until he gets you your pardon. All is the same as before, except for one small detail. Surprisingly, there was no wolf attack. You were so lost in the thought of getting somewhere warm and safe that it nearly slipped your mind. By the time you had noticed, you were already standing at the entrance to Riverwood.

Odd. You had managed to cause small deviations in events up till now but this was the first time a scripted event failed to occur. Was the Stormcloaks attacking just bad luck? Maybe you could change how things play out after all?

Before you could really ponder the wider implications of this, Hadvar had already greeted his uncle and was beckoning you to join them inside.

"Sigrid! We have company!"

You have to actively stop your jaw from hitting the floor. Seeing Sigrid in the flesh for the first time was like someone had just blindsided you. The woman was looker. What would be referred to in your old world as a true Icelandic beauty. And now that you thought about it, Alvor was strikingly handsome himself, with a jawline that could probably chisel stone. Those old 2011 graphics had really done them dirty.

"Hadvar! We've been so worried about you! Come, you two must be hungry. Sit down and I'll get you something to eat." Da' fuck? Was Sigrid...? You have do a double take, but there was no mistaking what you saw. The woman checking Hadvar out, bitten bottom lip, eyes glued to the man's ass. Oh, she's got it bad. No one else seem to have noticed and you're in no hurry to draw attention to it.

Alvor is too worried about his nephew, or at least you thought he was until you look up and see him clearly side eyeing your chest as he talks to Hadvar. The fuck is going on?

"Now, then, boy. What's the big mystery? What are you doing here, looking like you lost an argument with a cave bear?"

This guy has no shame. He's barely hiding what he's doing.

"I don't know where to start. You know I was assigned to General Tullius's guard. We were stopped in Helgen when we were attacked... by a dragon."

"A dragon?" Oh, now you're paying attention. Pig! "That's... ridiculous. You aren't drunk, are you boy?"

What the actual fuck? That's an odd question to ask your nephew in this situation. Does IRL Hadvar have a drinking problem?

"Husband. Let him tell his story." Bitch, just mount him already! Wait, was Sigrid's dress always that low cut? As the conversation continues like it always does, you being to pick up on more changes. Alvor and Sigrid didn't just look good, they seemed younger and leaner. Alvor looked like he could bench press a bus, while Sigrid had a full figure that almost seemed like it could burst out of her clothes at any minute.

"Not much more to tell. This dragon flew over and just wrecked the whole place. Mass confusion. I don't know if anyone else got out alive. I doubt I'd have made it out myself if not for my friend here. I need to get back to Solitude and let them know what's happened. I thought you could help us out. Food, supplies, a place to stay."

"Of course! Any friend of Hadvar's is a friend of mine. I'm glad to help however I can."

"Hadvar, did you really see a dragon? What did it look like? Did it have big teeth?" Dorthe? Fuck, that's right! There are children in this game. Better be careful, if this is real, that means the kids and any other normally immortal NPC can get hurt by your spells and attacks. You feel like your head is suddenly going to explode. Keeping yourself safe was one thing, now you had to consider not getting random people killed by accident.

"Hush, child. Don't pester your cousin."

"Well, I'd better get back to work. You two make yourselves at home."

"Could I use your work space? I need to do something to take my mind off things." You couldn't wait to get here before, but now you would do anything for some freash air right now.

"I see no harm in it, if you have the skill. The grindstone will improve your weapons. Use the table to improve your armor. If you've got the raw materials, you can use the forge to make something new."

"Thank you, and thanks for letting us stay the night."

"I've already said that I'm happy to help. No need for thanks. Though you might be able to help me with something later if you think you are up to it?" There iss a smile that you're not too sure about. Alvor is up to something. His gaze lingering over your bust every chance he gets. This could become a problem later.

"Dorthe, I need you to pack some clothes. You're going to be staying at Frodnar's for a few days."

"But Mama, I was gonna ask Hadvar some more about the dragon and papa promised me he would let me work the forge with him."

"Don't argue with me. You two have been wanting to have sleep over for weeks. Or would you rather stay with auntie Hilde?" The little one looked like she had just been threatened with torture, and without further argument, left to pack her things.

That was new. You had never heard Sigrid say that before. But at the same time, you've never seen her undress Hadvar with her eyes before. Something weird is going on. You try not to think about just now. It's just one more to the pile of things your mind is racing through and you feel like you are already at your limit.

Now standing outside the house, looking on to the strange, yet familiar street, you taking in a deep breath. You had asked to use the workshop but it occurs to you that you have never smithed anything in your life. You could give it a try or maybe try out the spell tome you picked up? Speaking of magic, you could always pop in to Lucan's shop?

What to do?