The numbness doesn't hold the same blanket over her head like it did her first week in Skyrim. She was gaining more awareness of her surroundings each day even as she fought against it and tried to hide her feelings. She wanted to feel nothing.

Patently neither world cared much for what Bella wanted. She was waking up against her will and she hated it.

Word spread mysteriously fast about the Dragonborn's show of weakness and many saw this as their time to shine. It was well known that the Dragonborn was richer than any Jarl and many bandits and pirates across the province and beyond saw an opportunity to strike while she was weak.

Some sought riches through kidnapping her children, Others thought to kidnap her instead. The ones who were fastest however just saw a chance for revenge.

The pirates of the Dainty Sload hadn't been waiting for a chance at avenging their former captain. But when it presented itself, they saw a large payday on the horizon. The plan was simple: intercept mail sent out by the dragonborn and her associates until they found her next route out of town with a large amount of gold. Kill her on her way to her destination and take the gold.

Their chance came when she was being transported to Winterhold. The anticipated stay was a long one so provisions were packed accordingly, including gold. Gorr was asked to meet them in Morthal on their way to the College. Bella's newfound memories provided that Gorr was a meatheaded Redguard with a good heart and a better fighting arm.

Between Solitude and Morthal, the pirates struck. Bella was rudely awoken from her near catatonic state by the clashing of metal and shouts of a fight in progress. One of the pirates climbed aboard the carriage she was being transported on and threw her over the edge into the waiting band of his comrades below.

Bella's blood boils. It's a new sensation, one that grew from the restlessness that had been holding her heart. She felt something in her bones. Anticipation? Excitement? It didn't make sense and Bella had no time to think about it as she dodged and parried.

Her body burned for something she couldn't place until she, as if possessed, landed an offensive blow on one of the pirates. It was bloodlust she was feeling. The call to the hunt that belongs to children of Hircine.

Bella was terrified of herself and her body. She recognized it as what it was now. A killing machine. And she was finally fully awake to the horror of the battle infront of her. These people were trying to kill her and she'd never fought anyone in her life even verbally.

She was no longer allowing the instincts of Natalia's body guide her in the fight. She saw death surrounding her as bodies littered the floor and she felt sick. In her shocked state she fumbled her sword as another pirate came charging at her.

He slashed at her sword arm and got a clean hit, catching the space between her armour and arm brace with a dreadful ripping sound and Bella's under armour tore along with her flesh.

The pain made Bella lose focus and the pirate came for more. She fell to her knees as he stabbed the junction between her right shoulder and her neck. Bella passed out from the pain and blood loss.

Bella wakes up to a gentle warmth spreading through her body and settling where she was stabbed. She bolts upright at that thought. She was stabbed and… survived?

"Natalia please you're not fully healed yet, relax and lay back down." Valgus said as he gently pushed her back onto the bed.

Bella felt pain well up in her neck and arm as the healing spell subsided so Valgus could recharge, a reminder of what she had managed to survive.

Bella felt a cold draft as Qa'Dojo walked into the room. "How is this one?" He asked Valgus.

"Awake," Valgus replied, clearly tired.

Bella felt immensely guilty. All this work they were putting into healing their friend and Bella was in the way of her recovery. She had no idea what had happened to Natalia. Did they body swap Freaky Friday style? Was she still in her own body but Bella was now in the driver's seat?

The door opened once again and footsteps approached Bella's cot. A kind, old face leaned over to look at her.

"Ah, Bella Swan, it's so good to meet your acquaintance." Tolfdir said with his hands clasped in front of him. He had his usual serene smile on his face.

Bella jumped in shock. She looked around, the others didn't seem particularly phased by the name.

Tolfdir leaned closer to Bella. "The Augur told me what I needed to know." He said conspiratorially.

"You seek that which all who wield magic seek. Knowledge. You shall find this: Knowledge will corrupt. It will destroy. It will consume. You seek meaning, shelter in Knowledge. You will not find it. The Thalmor sought the same thing, and it shall lead to his end as it has so many others." Natalia's memories supplied the time she had gone into the midden in search of answers for the Staff of Magnus.

"It is intriguing indeed that Sheogorath entered your minds so thoroughly to switch you two," Qa'Dojo pondered out loud. "Can you tell us what happened before he switched you and Natalia?"

Bella wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to hold herself together. This was all too much for her, being destroyed by the only person she ever loved and nearly dying surrounded by alien looking people. Sobs tore through her body as everything overwhelmed her.

Pain took over.

FREDAS

LOREDAS

SUNDAS

It took 3 days for Gorr to arrive- he got sidetracked noting down bandit hideouts to swing by later- and 3 hours to get sick of catatonic Bella.

He was filled in on the situation as soon as he got to the college and took everything in stride. Mad God? Missing Dragonborn? No big deal, it's all par for the course. When Gorr met Bella she didn't say much of anything. He was told that she just eats and sits staring blankly at nothing all day, completely shut down.

In Gorr's eyes, the best cure for being down was a hearty bowl of horker stew and some bloodshed. Bella couldn't agree less. Her first hunt was one Gorr thought of as a resounding success. Bella protested, the first thing she had said since she woke up in this strange new world.

"I don't know how to fight!"

"Well friend, the best way to learn is by doing."

Gorr tried to scout an easy first band of bandits for Bella. He looked for a small, newly formed group that was unorganised. Gorr took the first kill. Bella threw up while Gorr took the second. Bella was forced to take the third and final kill when the bandit came up from behind her while she was dry heaving. She went back to dry heaving once the bandit was killed.

Valgus didn't approve. He saw Bella as a mentally wounded child who needed to be gently cared for. Not some warrior to parade around the battlefield. He saw what most in Skyrim brushed off, that the mind could be afflicted with sickness same as the body. The mind, like the body, could also be healed given time and proper care.

Bella wanted to run and hide as soon as they got back to the college. She didn't want to cause more fuss over herself, she didn't want to draw more attention. She just wanted to disappear. She wanted to wallow in self pity. She really wanted to scream and cry and throw a tantrum.

She wanted to drown in numbness. But she was too alert. Too full of adrenaline. Too full of the call to the Hunt. Her body purred at the kill. Her heart filled with satisfaction as her soul screamed. She was horrified by the body she found herself in. She couldn't help the little bit of awe in the back of her mind at the Mad God's thoroughness.

Valgus tried everyday to get Bella to open up and everyday Bella refused. Her silent protest was heard but not accepted. If Valgus could just get Bella to explain the events that lead up to her switch into Natalia's body, they may find both a way to heal her mind and a way to put her back.

Bella was much too stubborn to open up about anything. Her new memories told her that vampires exist in this world, and she isn't bound by secrecy as long as she is in Skyrim, however she felt no comfort in the idea of telling all to Natalia's friends. She already felt so exposed, like everyone could see the open wound of her heart, she had no wish to expose herself further.

A question burned at the back of her mind as Valgus and Qa'Dojo attempted to get answers. Why were they helping her?

"Look to Natlia's memories my lady and you will find that answers you seek." Valgus said before going back to his tome.

They were in the college's library researching ways to get Bella home as they did every day. Bella was embarrassed to realise she had spoken her query out loud.

She did as she was told however, and saw a strong woman with a big heart, who helped man and mer no matter their allegiance. A woman who stopped at nothing to do whatever she believed was right. Someone who would see Bella's need to get back home and do whatever needed to get her there. Bella looked at Valgus, slight confusion on her face.

"Because it's what she would do my lady, because it is the right thing to do to help you." Valgus stated simply before moving back to his stack of tomes.

"Perhaps it is time for a break," Qa'Dojo chimed in. "After all, those who hurry are slow to learn. The answers to our queries will come to us in time. For now, let's eat."