J’hasi’s tail slowly curled at the tip behind him before trotting up the stairs, eyes wide as he looked over the silt strider churring behind a caravaner. The mer smiled, inclining their head at him a little.
“<Good day, stranger. Was there a destination you had in mind? I can take you to Ald’ruhn, Suran, Vivec, or Seyda Neen if you want to ride.>” The Khajiit’s ears pricked, marveling quietly at the sheer size of the strider. This one seemed even bigger than the one in Seyda Neen… He swallowed.
“<How much for a ride to Ald’ruhn?>” he asked, finally tearing his gaze from the silt strider back to the Dunmer who seemed faintly amused.
“<Nineteen drakes.>” J’hasi nodded, shifting a little in place before digging around in his pack, finding the slightly-depleted purse and counting out the needed amount, handing them to the Dunmer with a nervous smile. The mer smiled, stepping over onto the back of the beast.
“<Watch your step, outlander.>” The Khajiit followed, nervously fidgeting on the platform before stepping over, fur rising up on end when the massive insect shifted slightly to accommodate his weight. The Dunmer chuckled.
“<First time on a silt strider, Khajiit?>” J’hasi frowned a little, then nodded, hand briefly going to the edge of the shell to steady himself.
“<Y-yeah.>” The caravaner smiled.
“<Just have a seat and enjoy the view. Take a nap if you really want. Name’s Selvil Sareloth.>” J’hasi nodded again, quickly sitting down on one of the cushions near the rear of the hollowed-out shell. When the mer started fiddling with the sticks up front, the strider shifted, then churred as it started to walk. The Khajiit’s tail curled, shifting over to peer over the side to see movement as the enormous insect started their journey.
Over the course of the first hour of the trip, the Dunmer’s patience was tested as question after question came from the Khajiit, about how the strider knew when to move, when to stop, which way they were going. By the start of the second hour, he’d settled down, tail swishing as he moved from one side to the other, enjoying the heights and sights as they traveled.
By the third hour, Selvil finally had some peace and quiet. J’hasi was fast asleep, curled up in the cushions in the back, lulled to sleep by the gentle rock of the carapace and the calming churrs emanating from the strider.
vvardenfellcat 