Disappearance (Valan)

I wake up to a sharp punch in the abdomen that knocks the air out of me. I sit up holding where my appendix would be gasping and the rooms light enough that I can see the shadow of a ponytailed person walking out of the room. That narrows it down to two people. And judging by the persons slightly more curvaceous body I'd guess it's not Yuuri, and so it must be Sammie. “What was that for?!” I yell as the person disappears out the door into the hallway. “You wouldn't wake up!” They yell back, confirming it is in fact the person know as Samantha Arryn. I get out of bed, slipping on a pair of shoes and following her, clutching my side as I go. The castle bustles with people quickly running about for one reason or another. I catch up to Sam walking beside her. “You do realize I have a large scar where you punched me?” She glances at me with a blank expression “ooooooh sorry about that then.” At least she apologized, better than some people. For example my childhood neighbor, Charlie Driscol. The guys as Isabelle will literally shout at me “A BAD INFLUENCE”. Sam walks off to go do important things, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway in my pajamas, and as I just now realize, not wearing a shirt. What? Morrowind gets awfully hot especially in the ashlands. Might as well get dressed and find something to do with my life.

I sit in the kitchen eating a piece of toast and drinking a cup of coffee. I had texted Yuuri but he's not responding, I get a text from his uncle to stop texting him he's busy they're at a family party because their cousins from out of the country as visiting. I'd guess he's probably bored out of his mind and if Takayama took his phone he has to be social. Finishing my coffee and hopping off the counter I grab my coat and keys and head off into the ashlands. Stopping to get my horse on my way I ride into Vivec City as it's more likely I'll find something to do there than at the castle. Stabling my horse I walk into the city, walking over the bridges that connect different sections, as Vivec is built on a series of canals. Not like Riftens, which are connected by rickety wood walkways, but smooth stone bridges with gondolas that travel the riverways. I wander through the market, taking a few items that go unnoticed and unmissed slipping them into the pockets of my black jacket. I hear music then, a quick violin playing somewhere in the distance of a song I don't remember. I turn towards the direction of the sound sharply and run off towards it, the music getting louder with each fleeting footstep. Eventually I find the source of the sound, a dark haired man dressed in dark jeans and a blue tee shirt stands inside a small inn towards the outer rim of the common room. A crowd of people sit downstairs eating or drinking. I stand in the shadows, unnoticed by the man. I squint trying to make out the details in the low light. I think it's Steve. Taking a step into the center of the room I look at the man, who abruptly stops playing and looks at me. “Valan?” He asks slightly confused. “Steve?” I ask with the same level of confusion. He puts the violin down and walks over to me “What are you doing here?” I raise an eyebrow as I'm really the one who should be asking him that. “Got bored and needed something to do. And if anything I should be the one asking you that. So tell me, why are you here? Not very many people willingly comes to Morrowind for a simple joy trip.” I cross my arms and wait for an answer from the taller man. Steve puts the violin in its case “Needed some money as well as likely needing to talking to you should you be available and so I came here, found an inn, and started playing. Have to say, you Dunmer do tip well.” I smirk “Imperials tip better… At least if you're not an elf. It's weird. Imperials are kinda jerks to be honest.” He looks at me with a thoughtful expression, that feels like it's piercing into my soul or reading my mind. Not like Issy though who gives me a pissed off piercing into your soul glare, but a kind one, of understanding almost. “What song were you playing if I may ask? I've heard it before though the name slips my mind at the moment.” I ask Steve, it's very familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it. “The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku.” He answers. That makes sense, it sounded like something Miku would sing, or at least if it were violin. “Well it was very very very good. I heard it from a couple of blocks away in fact and came running.” Steve bows his head and explains he had been playing outside earlier before moving inside. He asks how I know of Hatsune Miku then. “Couple of reasons. 1: I'm Japanese, er kinda, Dunmer from around here have a makeup of multiple descents. 2. I happen to like Vocaloid. 3. The dorky and wonderful albeit sleepy person that is Yuuri Seki. He's usually humming or singing a Hatsune Miku song, does a really good dramatic rendition of World is Mine in fact.” Steve laughs “So does Landon!” He explains that Landon and Caitlin actually had a YouTube channel before she died that they'd perform covers on. “Speaking of Landon Yuuri and I saw you two the other night at a restaurant.” I playfully poke him “that-that was an interesting night.” He says. “You should have seen Yuuri and the waitress fangirling over it when you kissed him absolutely hilarious.” I explain and he laughs. “What was your reaction?” He asks me. I shrug “I mean like good for you then my romance repulsion kicked into high gear and I cringed and went to the bathroom, which I had to use anyways. Don't take it personally, I do that kind of thing to everyone.” He nods and I give him a thumbs up “But nice job. Any ways I should get going, nice violin playing, good luck with your boyfriend, Phillip says hi and so does Ev, Yuuri and that waitress ship you guys and I'll see ya later.” I give him finger guns and walk backwards out the door and around the corner. Turning the right way again I run home and find Sam.

Running up to her I skid to a stop “Sam Sam Sam!!!!” I get her attention. “I saw Steve today!” I say excitedly and her eyes widen, and she perks up “What'd you talk about?” She asks. “Violin. And Gay stuff.” I use hand motions to emphasize each sentence. She chuckles “isn't that what you always talk about with me, and anyone else who's considered your friend?” I nod with a smirk on my face “Yep!” She rolls her eyes and walks away muttering. “What a dork.” I hear her say as I go off to do whatever still happens to be written on the to do list I find crumpled in my pocket.