Serana POV:
The sun is still beating down it's strange red light, but the city is bustling and business seems to have returned to normal. However, the gate is now heavily guarded and boarded up. Looks like nobody is going to leave any time soon. My lover guides us to the inn, and at my off look explains, "I want to get a drink.". I raise an eyebrow and ask, "A drink or a 'drink'.". The Khajiit looks confused and questions, "What? You just said the same word twice.". I sigh, lean in, and whisper, "Beer or blood?". The woman pulls back and goes, "Oh. Both.". I chuckle and shake my head as she continues to pull me into The Bannered Mare.
The place is packed, but I only remember a few faces. The bard, Ysolda, and the innkeeper are the only people I could probably speak to without accidentally chasing them away. My lover yanks on my hand and leads me upstairs and into someone's room. A sleeping Redguard is in the bed, the pathetically small room almost too tiny to hold both of us. My lover asks me, "Do you have the wine skin?". I nod and hand her the empty sack, the Khajiit quickly leaning down. She eases her fangs into the woman's neck, slowly sucking in a mouthful of blood. When she pulls back her lips are smeared with blood, her cheeks distended to hold the liquid. My lover wraps her lips around the wine skin and slowly forces the liquid out of her mouth.
I quickly realize I should be keeping watch, and turn around and look out the door. Eventually the Khajiit pats me on the back, and when I turn around I see the sack is half full and she's wiped her face clean. I move out of the way and follow her downstairs, the woman going straight to the bar. She orders some spiced wine, then goes over and sits down at a table. The Khajiit pours the wine into the bag, offering the leftover substance to me. I shake my head, I was never a fan of plain wine. The Khajiit shrugs, downs the ordinary wine, and puts the cap in the wine skin. After a thorough shaking she offers the bag to me, and I happily take it.
Once I've gotten my fill I hand the bag to my lover. The woman thanks me and drinks as much as she can, but we still have a decent amount left over. Good, we won't have to feed again before we leave the city. I lick my lips as the liquid begins to warm my stomach. I open my mouth to speak to my lover, but someone interrupts us. Ysolda places her hands on my love's shoulder, leaning in and whispering in her ear. The Khajiit tenses, takes Ysolda's hands off her, and hisses, "If we must speak, then we shall speak another time.". The Nord looks disappointed, but throws a glare at me before walking away. My lover rolls her eyes and explains, "Ysolda's still a homewrecker. Wanted to see my upstairs.". We both chuckle, but we're cut off when a woman stumbles into the room.
The Redguard is shaky on her feet, her skin is paler than normal, and blood is covering her neck. My head snaps back to my lover and our eyes meet, her terror reflecting my own emotions. We both stand and begin walking out, but we hear the word the word the Redguard yells. "Vampire!". As the door closes behind us we hear Ysolda scream, "There's a vampire in Whiterun!". My lover and I don't look back, but we do have a conversation as we walk. I start by saying, "I forgot to tell you to clean her up. How do we get out of here?". My lover asks, "Is it wise to leave? The Jarl would be displease.".
I scoff. "Who gives a damned about the Jarl? He'll never know the difference. We just have to get out unseen. Do you want to climb over the wall again?". My lover shakes her head. "I have a better idea. Let's go up to Dragonsrech.". I take her hand and we begin walking up to the seat of the Jarl. My lover leads me through the building and onto a gigantic porch. The place is abandoned, and my love leads me over to the edge. The Khajiit straddles the small fence and steps over it, but I'm instantly grabbing her. "What are you doing?!". The woman looks confused and explains, "We're going to climb down the stones. It's completely unseen, and we're already closer to Ivarstead.". At my confused look she further explains, "Ivarstead has a path right to High Hrothgar.".
I shake my head and tell her, "Come on, we'll go climb the wall again. This is far too dangerous.". The woman steps back over the fence, but offers, "I can transform and just jump over. I'll use my wings to slow myself down. I can even carry you.". I hesitate and question, "Are you sure you can do it?". The woman nods and promises, "I know I can.". I sigh and say, "Transform away, but give me your stuff first.". My love nods and gets naked, handing me all of her things and quickly transforming. I hardly have time to yelp as the vampire lord picks me up, then instantly leaps over the small fence.
I can't help screaming as we fall, my lover still holding in her wings. I begin desperately smacking her chest in the hopes she'll get the hint, but her wings stayed closed as the ground speeds up to meet up. We're about halfway down when the woman's muscles tense and her two appendages are forced out. My lover screams as the wind punches her wings, attempting to rip them from her body. Her muscles tense even more, forcing her wings to stay out. The rest of our descent is slow and steady, my lover aiming for a clear part of ground. When we land my love puts me down, quickly transforms back, and dresses. I feel a surge of power resonate in my body, and instantly look up at the sky. The sun has set and the moon is out. Perfect.
My lover pulls out her map, turns a few paces right, and begins walking. She puts up her map and tells me, "If we walk nonstop we'll be there before the sun rises.". I catch up to her and put my arm around her shoulders. After a few minutes in silence, I remember Ysolda once again trying to get my lover to agree to fuck her. That Nord bitch did it the last time we were in Whiterun, but back then the Khajiit and I weren't together. It still bothered me, but now it bothers me even more. What in oblivion is wrong with that woman? What sick person not only wants to fuck someone who's in a committed relationship, but specifically goes out of her way to do so?
I have full faith in my lover, but I still don't trust Ysolda. I need to put my mind at ease, so I ask the Khajiit, "Do you think Ysolda is better than me?". The woman was lost in thought, but snaps out of it and answers, "Not by a long shot.". I rub her shoulders and ask, "Why do you think that?". The Khajiit chuckles a little (she seems to realize why I'm asking) and assures me, "You're smarter, prettier, tougher, I prefer your company over hers any day, and you're a far better person that her.". I grumble and tell my love, "I'm not a good person.". The Khajiit looks shocked. "What makes you think you aren't a good person.". I show off my fangs as I answer, "I'm a vampire. We're naturally evil.".
My lover shakes her head, winds her arm around my waist, and tells me, "I don't believe that. You haven't murdered anyone, you love me, and you haven't stolen anything. And, now you're helping me discover my destiny and save people. You can argue as much as you want, but I think you're a good person. Or my moral compass has been shattered and we're both evil.". I lean in and nibble her neck (ignoring the fur) as I say, "I like the second idea.". My lover flicks her ear and hisses, "Not here.". I playfully bite her neck and tell her, "I have no idea what you're talking about.". The Khajiit swallows and mumbles, "Not now. We need to get to Ivarstead.".
I bring my other hand up, push aside her armor, and begin to stroke her stomach as I once again lie, "I have no idea what you mean. I'm not doing anything.". My lover tightens the grip on my waist and promises, "I swear to you I'll rent a bed in Ivarstead before we head up to High Hrogthar, but we can't do anything right now.". I bite her neck again. "Why not? Nobody's around.". My Khajiit lover and I are going at a pathetically slow pace as she explains, "I don't like the thought of doing anything on the filthy ground, and there's always the chance we'll be attacked. I don't want to fight bandits naked.". I sigh and disentangle myself from her, settling on holding the woman's hand.
We're only walking for a few more minutes before we enter a mountain pass. The freezing air tries to bite at us, but our dead flesh is uncaring. However, we meet someone on the winding trail in between the two high mountains. The huntress sees us and urges her horse forward, dismounting when she's close to us. My lover and I awkwardly stop, the woman pulling items from her saddle and rushing up to us. Her arms are full of pelts and meat. The woman happily exclaims, "I have all sorts of wears! Care to buy?". My lover drops my hand and steps forward, examining what the woman has to offer. I sigh and tell the Khajiit, "Come on, we don't want-".
Before I can react my lover lunges forward, her claws coming up and shredding the woman's throat. The hunter falls to the ground, her blood spewing out and turning the snow to pink mush. The horse screams and rears, but the Khajiit is already grabbing onto his reins. She shushes him and calms him down, slowly stroking the stallion's side. I haven't looked up from the huntress's body. I don't look at my lover as I whisper, "You killed her.". The Khajiit looks over her shoulder and agrees, "I killed her. She has food, better armor, and a horse. Her loot is worth more than her life. You can have the armor, I'll put the food and pelts back in the horse's pack.". She releases the beast and begins picking up the woman's items, returning them to where they were.
While she does that I changed into the huntress's armor, putting my own armor in a safe place. The Khajiit was right, this armor is far superior to my own. I have no idea why she gave it to me. I shrug it off as my lover mounts the horse, offering me her hand and helping me onto the steed. The woman turns the horse and kicks his sides, the beast galloping away. As we ride I ask my love, "Why did you kill her? That seems out of character for you.". The Khajiit chuckles and explains, "I'm a coward, but I have no problems killing the unprepared or weak. If they have good enough items and I'm sure I can take them, then I'll kill anyone. I've killed more hunters than I care to admit. They're all so busy prattling on about their wears, keeping their horses in place, and assuring me they aren't poachers. They don't even see the kill coming, and once they're gone I can take their stuff.".
I'm a little surprised to learn my lover's killed people for their items. However, it I think about it the fact isn't that surprising. The cowardly yearn for power, and they'll take it whenever and wherever they can. But my lover isn't as cowardly anymore, so she might fall out of that habit. My thoughts are interrupted by my lover stopping. I look over her shoulder and see a small city in front of us. The Khajiit explains, "We're here.". I lean in and nibble her neck as I whisper, "I think you promised to get a room.". The woman swallows and says, "That I did.". She kicks the horse into the side and rides into town. A smirk crosses my face. This is going to be a fun evening.
Note: I have a few announcements. I'm first going to say I've officially scratched 'A Trophy Wolf'. I don't think it would be very good, and basically 'Moby Dick' rewritten. I might revive it later, but it'll be a while. My other story (Revolting) is over, so I'm going to work on another story. Not just that, but because of circumstance I'm going to work on three stories at a time. It'll extend the update time to three days, but it'll be worth it. I'll be working on 'A New Order'(technically 'The Path of Those Before Us), 'A Life Across the Ages' (that idea is thanks to Atraxotax), and one of the reader's choice. 'The Path of Those Before Us' is already started, but I'll give you a small definition of 'A Life Across the Ages'.
The pairing is Dovahkiin/OC and romance/adventure. It'll be about an intelligent female Khajiit Dovahkiin who relies more on magic than swords, is the Arch-Mage at The College of Winterhold, and believes herself more of a scientist than a warrior. She's currently focused on examining the gargoyles that are found in crypts and vampire's lairs. She'll discover something extremely shocking about the stone beast, and it'll lead her to a certain someone who's in need of her friendship and guidance.
Now, onto the third story that I'll need reviews and messages to recommend which one to do. I don't think I'll open a poll on my profile, so don't bother looking for that.
Maid in Whiterun. Female Kahjiit Dovahkiin/Irileth. Romance. The Dovahkiin is poor, unskilled, and cowardly. All she knows is how to cook simple meals and clean up messes. She's a beggar on the street when Fianna (the maid to the Jarl) up in Dragonsreach dies. Gerda is too young and inexperienced to do the job right, and Jarl Balgruud is more than displeased. Balgruuf demands Irileth find him a new maid by sunset, or else he'll personally go find one. The Dunmer is thinking of his safety as she goes and looks for a maid. She finds the Khajiit desperately working at The Bannered Mare for Hulda. The woman cleans up messes as soon as they're made, cooks, is paid next to nothing, and never complains. Irileth offers her a job at Dragonsreach, and the woman happily accepts. However, the elf quickly becomes distrusting and watches over the Khajiit 24/7. It's only after a while or spending time with her that the Dunmer admits to herself that she wants something more, but by then the poor Khajiit is already looking for work in her home province of Hammerfell.
Sticks and Stones. Female Khajiit Dovahkiin/Njada Stonearm. Romance/Adventure. The Khajiit got into a bar fight with one of the Gray-Manes, and ended up killing the bloke. The woman is locked up in prison to rot, but everyone is having trouble accepting the woman's fate. The Gray-Mane caused the fight, and the Khajiit has helped the city all her life. It's unfair in their eyes to lock her up. After a small protest, the Jarl releases the woman on one condition. She takes up the life of a priestess at the Temple of Kynareth, become a warrior of The Companions, or work as Adrianne the blacksmith's apprentice. The Khajiit chooses to join The Companions, but there's a major setback. Kodlak highly distrust the 'murderer'. He won't let any members of The Circle interact with her, refuses to talk to her, and makes sure she's under watch 24/7. Njada Stonearm is the only person who's willing to watch this 'killer'. However, Njada dreams of bigger and better things. When a dangerous mission makes itself available the Nord wants to go. Kodlak allows it, but she has to take the Khajiit. Njada grumbles, but takes the woman with her. Romance ensues.
Friends in Low Places. Female Khajiit Dovahkiin/Vex. Romance/Adventure. When Maven Black-Briar is caught harboring Thieves Guild members in her home, Laila Law-Giver finally has proof of Maven's corruption and sends guards to arrest them all. The members of the guild scatter, but Vex is just a little too slow and ends up tripping. Everyone ends up getting a good look at her face, and knows who she is. Maven needs a scapegoat, and Vex is perfect. The guild tries to get Vex out of it, but Maven commands the woman be locked up. Vex is thrown in jail, and loses all faith in the Thieves Guild. The prison is overcrowded, and she's forced to share her cell with a lowly street urchin who made enemies in too high of places. The two work out a complex plan to get out, and it somehow works. The two have nowhere to go, and decide they may as well stick together. But the two have different plans. The urchin wants to go to Solitude and attend The Bard's College, then make a better life for herself. However, Vex wants to steal everything and anything until she's bigger than The Grey Fox, just so she can outshine The Thieves Guild. The two aren't going to see eye to eye, but they aren't going to leave one another either.
So, tell me what you think and which one you want.