Ray
He chuckles, "No, no, I'll refrain from doing such a thing, when I have my own money I'll be sure to pay you back as well, for the food and my rescue." He says
Charles
She shook her head before speaking, taking a more adamant tone than before. "Not necessary. The first thing you should be concerned with is getting your grasp on how Skyrim is now and what you've missed while you were down there." While she did think about offering to have him help her with ruin exploration, the thought left as soon as it had came. Ever since that day, she refused to bring others with her into Dwemer ruins for fear of them being harmed.
Ray
"I insist you let me pay you back, you've done me a great service and I shall not let it go unrewarded." He says, "Perhaps I may be of assistance to you in some way? Maybe on your next delve? Its unwise to go alone, if I had someone with me during my trip 60 years ago I wouldn't have gotten trapped."
Charles
"I appreciate the offer, but I much prefer to delve alone... For personal reasons." She still remembered her first expedition in Skyrim vividly, losing all of her party except who later died after they went their separate ways. And of course, she still had scars and a missing eye because of it. She would hate to have anyone suffer similar fate because of her.
Ray
"A stupid and foolish mistake." He states plainly, with a cruel tone, "You'll end up dead. And nobody will be there to help you. These aren't Morrowind's ruins where you can go traipsing without a worry in the world. The Animunculi will tear you to shreds without proper backup. And *Definitely* Don't let your guard down."
Charles
"Respectfully, I've been exploring Skyrim's ruins for the past two decades. I am well versed in making my way through them. I just don't want others to be hurt on my behalf." Her response was in a much different tone, sounding somewhat hurt or maybe offended by his response. The only time she had been seriously injured was with a group, and now she was belittled for travelling alone.
Ray
"How noble, you truly are a saint." He says, "You're a researcher, not a soldier. When you're facing a squad of animunculi you'll have no choice but to retreat. And you won't be able to carry as many artifacts, it's simply not wise to go alone." He responds, "Mercenaries expect to get injured or die on their jobs, it's an occupation hazard, most of them know how to quickly dispatch falmer and automata, that's why you hire them."
Charles
"It comes from a bad past experience." She snapped back, her voice now with a slight tinge of spite. She was a good person and she *Hated* Being mean. "I can hold my own against the machines and I don't want *Any* Deaths on my hands, not again. I can carry my own artifacts, I don't need many because I already have most things I'd want. There are very few artifacts that interest me anymore."
Ray
"Ah yes, and I suppose you'll be completing lots of research and performing many marvels of engineering when you're dead, then?"
Charles
"Well I haven't died yet, nor have I gotten myself stranded in a cave." She took a small jab at him, returning the sarcasm she was being assailed with. "Please, just stop insulting me and how I choose to work." She pleaded, wanting to just stay on good terms.
Ray
He scoffs, but relents, "I suppose I should apologize if I overstepped my bounds, but I stand by my point."
Charles
"I respect your right to have an opinion on how I conduct myself, I simply ask that you do not berate me about it." She stated quite simply as they came into sight of the city, it's tallest buildings cresting over the snowy horizon.