Mara stared at the figure before her, eyes scanning from her hips, to her upper back, to her flowing black hair. As they traveled together she found herself doing this often, eyes locking onto any part of her body the Dragonborn could gaze upon, whilst remaining respectful, of course.
Of all the sights she'd seen before meeting her, none compared to this woman's striking natural beauty.
Their initial meeting had been very embarrassing for Mara. The woman named Serana asked who she was upon exiting the sarcophagus, only for Mara to stare at her in reply, gawking. She internally thanked Ingio at the time for his awkward cough, snapping her out of her unexpected trance. This allowed her to actually have a conversation with the woman, learning she too was a vampire.
She immediately agreed to help her reach her father, feeling some sort of connection form between the two despite only just meeting. Some spark, it made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt before. She stopped in Whiterun to collect Lydia on the way, who didn't hold her tongue when she yelled at her for leaving her behind at the Breezehome.
"You are my thane. It is my duty to protect you. Yet the one time you leave me behind you not only approach one who attempted your murder in the past, but you seek out a group of vampire hunters?!"
She was furious, and Mara lamely attempted to appease her by explaining Inigo's guilt, and that she trusted him. She also tried to explain that she herself did not approach Fort Dawnguard, Inigo did, but It did little to prevent her friend's fiery rant.
After being scolded like a toddler, something her precious daughter found all too humorous, the four made their way to the destination offered by the ever radiant Serana. They needed to take a boat, her father and the other vampire in his court staying on some island to the west of Solitude, or so Serana believed at the very least.
To Mara's glee, despite how things seemed to start out, Inigo and Lydia became quick friends. The two even began to trust Serana, as she had almost immediately. She thought back to how quickly she trusted Inigo then, and perhaps wondered if she had a problem. She had earned an arrow to her back due to trusting so soon in the past, after all.
Back at the present Inigo noticed her gaze, chuckling to himself. Her eyes snapped away from Serana, her cheeks burning a bright crimson. Once more she'd been caught by the crafty Khajiit, who endlessly teased her about her obvious attraction to the vampiress.
"We are here" Serana spoke aloud, causing Mara to once again look in her direction. Her eyes widened at the sight, Inigo stepping forward, gazing at the large and intimidating castle before them.
"A castle…" Mara mumbled, somewhat taken aback by it. She certainly didn't expect a castle, though it did make some sense.
"Pretty big," Inigo added with a shrug.
"This is your home?" Mara asked, turning to Serana who nodded at the question.
"This is it. Home sweet... castle." She replied lamely, looking embarrassed that those words even escaped her lips. Mara wanted to smirk, finding her so adorable at this moment, but decided to show some mercy and continued the conversation.
"Why didn't you tell me it was so huge?" She asked, genuinely curious.
"I didn't want you to think I was one of those... you know, the women who just sit in their castle all day? I don't know. Coming from a place like this, well... it's not really me. I hope you can believe that."
She sounded genuinely worried about Mara's opinion of her. She was quick to do what she believed would calm her beautiful vampire friend.
"Of course I believe you. I think the castle's quite impressive, actually."
"It's something all right." Serana mumbled.
"Shall we go inside?" Inigo asked, joining the conversation and turning from the castle to his friends.
"Actually I was thinking that you and Lydia should remain here, seeing as you aren't vampire. It wouldn't be safe-" Mara began, only to be cut off.
"Oh no, you're not leaving me again, my Thane. I am coming too" Lydia bit out, causing Mara to flinch at the sudden fire in her voice.
"I agree with Lydia, my friend," Inigo added with a nod "You are not like most vampire. They may wish to do you harm. I would rather be there to fight by your side, should any problems arise"
"There shouldn't be any problems," Serana cut in, "And hey..."
She turned to Mara then, causing her to look at Serana with concern.
"Are you alright?" Mara asked softly.
"I think so. And thanks for asking. I just need to be alone for a while. There's a lot of feelings wrapped up in this old place, and I don't think you're quite ready for them. So let me take the lead in here."
Mara nodded, hoping this meant she would continue to enjoy the vampire beauty's company some time in the future, after she'd had time to settle in and get herself together. The group of four entered the castle then, Mara's eyes taking in the dark and gruesome enterance hall. It was covered in spider webs, clearly having been left uncared for. The room they soon entered appeared to be a large dining hall, several vampire sitting at different tables who turned to face them as they heard their approach.
Walking down the steps her eyes soon snapped to one of the tables, spotting a vampire literally consuming a mortal corpse, a nord woman to be precise. The vampire woman's hand slipped into an open wound on the nords stomach, pulling out a line of intestine before biting violently into them. Mara felt sick at the display, but as she heard an unexpected sound emit from the nord she felt bile threaten to escape her lips.
The nord was alive, whimpering, unable to speak through the obvious pain this monster was putting her through. She was literally being eaten alive, awake and aware as her intestine were dug out to be devoured. She knew vampire to be cruel, but this? This was another level. Was her Serana like this too? Gods, she hoped not.
Feeling the fangs in her mouth with her tongue, she thought back to the first moment she felt them. She felt her newfound vampirism to be a blessing. But in truth, was it really? Were the Dawnguard truly her enemy, like she previously believed? How could she look at the group of hunters with any animosity when they hunt monsters like the ones who sat before her now.
She previously considered biting innocent victims, as if the idea of causing no harm made the action okay. It never clicked before, but now she saw it clear as day. She was a monster, and she needed to find a cure.
Her gaze snapped away from the dying woman, knowing she could not save her despite how badly she wanted too. She, and her closest friends, were in the vampires domain. They would die if they raised a hand against so many foes, so she bit her tongue and focused her attention on Serana, and the man who was slowly approaching her.
"My long-lost daughter returns at last. I trust you have my Elder Scroll?"
That's how he greets her? His own daughter? The words brought forth a white hot rage Mara fought to keep in check. How dare he! It was clear he only cared about the Elder Scroll, his own daughter be damned!
"After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me? Yes, I have the scroll."
You tell him, Serana.
"Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud?"
Yes, you should. She's your daughter. There will never be a day when she would not feel the need to tell Lucia how much she loved her. It was clear Serana was the only vampire in this lot who gave a damn about anybody but themselves. How could such a radiant gem shine among such filth? Perhaps her mother..
"Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike. Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall?"
What the fuck was wrong with this man?! She could never imagine talking to Lucia this way, even when she got older. If anything, this declaration made Mara believe Serana's mother to be a good person. I mean, look who's insulting her.
"This is my savior, the one who freed me." Serana replied.
His gaze focused on her, her own eyes narrowing as she glared back at him. He seemed unfazed by it.
"For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude. Tell me, what is your name?" He asked, arms crossed.
"My name is Mara," she replied, keeping her voice even.
"I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are"
"You're the same as me. You're Vampire" she replied, looking around the room at the onlookers, feeling disgusted as the words left her lips.
"The same as you?" He said, his voice laced with his own flavor of disgust. She narrowed her eyes further, Inigo and Lydia now standing by her side.
"You may have contracted some disease, but you are no true vampire. I count some of the oldest and most powerful vampire in Skyrim among the members of my court"
Well, shit. Mara felt overwhelmed before, simply due to the fact they were clearly outnumbered here. Now, on top of that, every vampire in this room were of the most powerful and ancient. If things went south she doubted even Serana could protect her.
"...So, what now then?" She asked, unsure what to expect next.
"Now we enjoy a banquet," a vampire to her right cut in, eyeing Inigo as if he were a lump of meat. With a lick of his lips, he stood from his spot on the table, leaving behind another living victim.
"I am sure you wouldn't mind sharing your prey, would you?" he taunted, beginning to approach them at a slow and mocking pace. Mara quickly stepped in front of him, reaching for her blade as Lydia and Inigo prepared to draw their own weapons.
"You will not touch him" Mara bit out, surprised and halting her movements as Harkons booming voice rang throughout the halls.
"Enough!"
At Harkons yell, the vampire previously approaching them stepped back, eyeing them angrily but making no further movements. Slowly she tore her gaze from him, once again focusing on Harkon. However, this time, her hand remained on her weapon.
"You have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded. There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter. I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again."
She grit her teeth at the audacity of this offer. He truly believed she would ever accept something like this and consider it a gift? You have in the past, she reminded herself, turning to gaze at the living victims being eaten by these merciless beasts. She wanted to tell Harkon where to shove his offer, but remained tactful, wishing to escape this meeting alive.
"And if I refuse your gift?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"Then you will be prey, like all mortals. I will spare your life this once, but you will be banished from this hall. Perhaps you still need convincing?" he replied, obviously prepared to go into some sort of speech. She cut him off, feeling tired of being in this abhorrent place.
"No, I'm good. I'll just take my friend's and leave here"
Her eyes wandered to Serana, her heart hurting as she realized this might be goodbye. She stared, taking in every feature she could of the stunning vampiress, committing as much to memory as time would allow. She stared back, seemingly surprised at her declaration. Harkons loud voice brought her attention back to him.
"So be it! You are prey, like all mortals. I banish you!"