A Counteroffer

Did she really expect you to refuse? Then again, she'd used the test incident in the hopes that you'd acquiesce. Surely it couldn't be that difficult for an attractive Altmer like her to get a volunteer (or five). Unless...

"Are you a virgin?"

"Wh-- No! I-I mean...I fail to see how that's relevant to the purpose of the ritual."

The blush that spread all the way to her pointed ears as she became more and more flustered couldn't help but evoke a smile from you. There was more to Faralda than her proud, authoritative facade.

Still, her motives were dubious, doubly so considering she's willing to stake her maidenhood on them. Perhaps you could benefit without being ensnared in whatever schemes she's concocted...

"Tempting, but I'm hardly experienced myself" you lament, averting your gaze to feign embarrassment. It wasn't entirely untrue.

"Oh..." you notice her fidget self-consciously with the clasps of sash. You'd caught her off guard for once.

"Still," you continue,"how about some...preliminary experiments to facilitate cohesion?"

What in Oblivion was that?! Maybe her formal demeanor was contagious...

Faralda crosses her legs, honeyed almond eyes aflame once more.

"Interesting...what would you suggest?"