[A/N]: Hey everyone! I know this is a bit unusual, but I would like to quickly announce that the story's third anniversary will be coming up soon, on the 15th of August! To celebrate, I will be posting a small oneshot requested by one of the readers.
That aside, enjoy the chapter and thank you for reading this far!
Fredas, the 26th of Evening Star, 4E201
Inn, sweet inn. I didn't realize how much I missed beds until now. I practically fell asleep in the elevator on our way up yesterday - maybe it's the fatigue or the boredom, but that hum while you're inside and it's moving… Ah, there I go yawning again.
Nightgate Inn was very close to where we ended up on the surface. I paid for a room and collapsed in bed immediately. Words cannot describe how great it feels to not have that bloody headache anymore, AND a good night's sleep as well? And then breakfast to boot? Forget Aetherius, this right here is the real heaven.
Nevermind, the food wasn't that good. But it's still appreciated and paid for, and in the end that's what really matters.
Now, for today's plans. I double-checked with the innkeeper, 'tis the 26th today, so we still have a bit of time before New Life. I'm thinking we should get to Whiterun first, maybe there's still things I can help Balgruuf with. And if not, it would still be nice to kick my feet up for a couple of days. I think we'll leave sooner rather than later, all goes well - we'll make it there by sundown.
Wow. I don't think I've ever seen Whiterun covered in snow. This had to have been over multiple days. The roads are sort of cleaned out, so at least we knew where to go. Still, it's so much white it almost hurts to look at. The whole river is frozen over too, even the waterfall is just one big curtain of ice. I kind of want to touch it…
Mm… no, not risking another cold.
We reached Whiterun in the early evening. I can't tell if Serana was impressed with Breezehome or not. I probably wouldn't be if I lived my entire life in a castle. It felt amazing to throw off all the armor and slip into something more comfortable. I had to wear my cloak too, though - I vastly underestimated just how cold it is when Skyrim winter kicks in. Maybe some additions to the wardrobe are in order, but that's for later.
I slipped out to the market before anyone had the chance to run off and bought some stuff to eat, since my house is as empty as usual. I remembered that it was Saturalia yesterday, and though my folks didn't celebrate it, mom used to make this amazing rotisserie chicken every year. Ah, but I'll probably need something to go with the chicken too… Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
When the pair first came to Breezehome, there wasn't exactly much time for introductions. Serana was told in general terms what the different rooms were and where she could find the essentials, even if her… situation left her with little need of them. Most of their time was dedicated to unpacking everything they had been carrying with them, storing things away around the house. Some of the items were set aside by the Dragonborn personally to be pawned off to the different merchants around the city, others found more long-term residence in strongboxes, chests, and so on.
When that was done, Saya showed her to a room on the upper floor where she could rest and settle in a bit more while the Dragonborn ran some errands. Serana had mixed feelings about the room. It felt rather cramped, yet simultaneously kind of empty. There was a certain air around it, a still cleanliness caused not so much by someone actually cleaning the room but more so by the fact that nobody lived in it. Serana sat down on the bed, staring at her books with disinterested eyes. She had time to pass, and yet she didn't really feel like reading. But Saya asked her to wait, didn't she? What else was she permitted to do?
It was with those thoughts that the vampire laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. There was an odd feeling of trespass that she couldn't quite shake off. A guest in a guest room, and yet… She sighed. Perhaps, this was just residual stress from having to stay alert at all times during their travels. It seemed like a comfortingly simple answer. She could live with that.
Some two hours had passed before she awoke to the sound of the front door opening and closing. Serana peeked outside almost solely to confirm that it was Saya and then hid back in her room. Well. Not her room per se. Was it her room now? Whatever, she could debate that a bit later. For now, she still had to…
Ah. Right. She still had nothing to do.
The first idea that crossed Serana's mind was going downstairs and helping out. Then her eyes stopped as she saw her own boots. Should I change? She thought, right before remembering she had nothing to change into. Her attention turned to the furniture in the room. Her search availed her nothing, of course - the closet and dressers were all revealed to be empty, save for a single simple outfit that was much too big for her and a pair of winter boots. She reached for them, then paused. An uncomfortable thought crossed her mind, and she pulled her hand back.
In the end, she chose to come downstairs as she was, only taking off her cloak and scarf which she now carried in her arms. The stairs creaked softly under her feet, a sound the Dragonborn immediately recognized.
"Oh, hi." Serana stopped for a moment mid-descent as she registered Saya's appearance. She'd seen her without armor back at the College, but that invoked an entirely different feeling from right now. The overcoat she wore outside was hanging on a chair, leaving Saya herself in a loose white shirt and a tea-colored apron. The sleeves were rolled up to the elbow and kept there by simple buttoned garters. A simple pin was holding her hair in place, out of her eyes. "You're a bit early, I'm still preparing here. Or did you want something?"
Serana shook her head, stepping off the stairs. "N-No, not at all. I was just curious."
"Mm. Well in that case, there's a seat over there you can crash into." Saya pointed over to the firepit in the center, with four comfortable chairs surrounding it. Serana awkwardly shuffled off in its direction when she quickly added: "Since you're here, though, could you get the fire started?"
"Oh, of course." The vampire quickly looked around, finding a small pile of firewood lying by the wall and picking out a couple of decent-looking logs. She placed them into the firepit, careful not to get any soot on her hands, and then produced a small magical flame to get it going. She spared a few moments to watch the flame gradually grow and then sat down, looking through the fire at Saya's back while she walked around the kitchen. "Do you need any help?"
"No, thanks!" She shouted back immediately and Serana sank a bit into her seat. Then a few seconds later Saya paused and looked over her ingredients, thinking. "Or actually… Hey, Serana?" The vampire hummed back a response, sitting up straighter. "Can you come over here for a second? And bring one of the chairs."
The vampire quickly did as she was asked, and Saya placed a large bowl on the counter next to the sink. Serana looked inside - potatoes small and large, floating in cold water.
"Here you go." She turned to her side and saw Saya offering her a small knife with a curved blade. Serana looked at the tool curiously, then back at Saya who had just placed a pot next to her. "Peel these and put them here, I'll deal with the chicken in the meantime," she chirped and moved away without another second's delay.
Serana looked at the knife in her hand, then at the bowl before her. With an unconfident hand, she picked out a single potato.
Some thirty minutes later Serana was back by the firepit, glaring forlornly at the pot Saya had just removed from the fire. She had been relieved from peeling duty by minute five after nearly cutting off one of her fingertips in a valiant struggle against a particularly slippery opponent. Saya was thankfully quick to notice the uphill battle and carefully showed her companion how to do it properly - only to have Serana actually get cut trying to imitate her technique, both of them forgetting that the vampire was not, in fact, left-handed.
And so, now Serana was sitting back and slowly stewing in her grudge - no pun intended - against her vegetative nemeses while Saya went back and forth around the kitchen. She could see little aside from the tiny elf's back, though it was a welcome distraction from her thoughts. The potatoes were covered in some sort of buttery substance and placed into a hot oven.
Finally, Saya herself came to the firepit, startling Serana by just how quickly she turned around. In her hands she carried a steel skewer upon which was the meticulously seasoned chicken. It didn't have all that much time to marinate, but Saya hoped it would be fine. She quickly set up the needed supports and placed the chicken over the hot coals. Then she opened a window to let out the excess smoke and sprinkled some water on the firepit to settle down the flame just a little.
"Alright, I think that should do it." Saya smiled to herself, seemingly satisfied with her work for the time being. She took off her apron, tossing it on a chair across from Serana. "How are your fingers?"
The vampire blinked, pulled out of her thoughts. She cleared her throat sheepishly. "Th-They've already healed." She lifted her hand as proof. Saya smiled.
"Ah, I see. And here I was wondering if I should fetch the bandages," she snickered, taking the seat beside Serana and giving the chicken a lazy spin. She'd have to watch it for quite a while if she wanted it to come out fine. "Don't beat yourself up about it, this kind of stuff just comes with experience. Do you cook often?" She turned towards Serana, who raised a puzzled eyebrow, unsure if she was being mocked with that question. "I mean I'd guess not, being a vampire and all, but I didn't want to assume."
Serana's expression softened. "No, never." She shook her head. She had some fuzzy recollection of attempting to cook as a child, but that hardly counts. "Even before we were turned, my father had the servants do all the cooking around the castle." She couldn't help but smile sardonically at her own words. Woe is me, having all my needs tended to since birth. Before Saya could comment on it, Serana turned the question on her: "What about you? You seem rather comfortable cooking by yourself, who taught you how?"
"Mostly trial and error, actually. Though my parents did teach me some stuff while I was younger." At that point, Saya backed away from the fire a bit and pulled her bangs down in front of her face, miming a thick red mustache. "'A young lass should know how to be self-sufficient if she doesn't want to be dependent on some good-for nothing man in the future!'" She said in a comically deep voice that made Serana crack up.
"Was that supposed to be an impression of your dad?" The vampire asked, stifling a giggle. Saya dropped the act and nodded, snickering.
"A very accurate one, might I add!" She laughed and crossed her legs, leaning back into her seat until she was practically lying in it. "But yeah, my folks really wanted me to know how to take care of myself, so I picked up the basics from them. After that, I mostly picked up bits and pieces as I grew up and started traveling. Hunger is the best culinary teacher."
Serana smiled slightly. "You sound like you really love your parents."
"Sure do." Saya nodded, replying without hesitation. "I owe a lot to them. I can't imagine myself where I am now without all the support they gave me along the way." There was a nostalgic note to her expression as she spoke, hands clasped together over her stomach. She fell silent for a while, and then added: "I miss them a lot."
"Are they… still around?" Serana asked, her voice quiet.
"One of them. My mother is a Dunmer like me, so she's doing alright. Getting a little old, but you didn't hear that from me." Saya gave the vampire a conspiratorial wink. Then her expression fell. It was a subtle change, but not one Serana missed. "My dad passed away… let's see…" She did a bit of counting in her head. "Seventy years ago, as of this Midyear. His age caught up with him, there was little we could do about it. I made my peace with it a long time ago, but… I do miss him sometimes. I know mom does, too."
Serana didn't really know how to answer, so they stayed silent for a while. Saya slowly turned the chicken over as it continued smoking. Perhaps she shouldn't have done that, but her mind was somewhere else at the moment. Serana watched her with an uncertain look in her eye, wondering if there was any way to steer the conversation somewhere else.
"I am a little jealous," she finally said after a while. Saya glanced at her curiously and cocked her head. "I mean, you can cook, you can fight, you know magic… I can hardly think of a thing you don't know your way around." She smiled slightly. Of course, that last part wasn't entirely genuine, but she wasn't looking to bring her spirits down further.
"Flatterer," Saya immediately shot back, grinning. It might've just been the fire, but her cheeks looked a little rosier now. She hummed in thought for a moment. "Sewing. I never got the hang of that."
Serana blinked, genuinely surprised. "Really?"
"Yep. I can do some basic repairs if I really have to, but it's not going to be quick or easy. And you couldn't pay me all the gold in the world to make something from scratch." Serana snorted at the hyperbole, prompting a small chuckle from the Dragonborn herself. "I'm good with food and metal, and a little bit of magic. That's it, really."
"That is still more than I can do," the vampire replied.
"Alright, now you're just back to beating yourself up," Saya's tone got more serious for a second and her brows furrowed. Serana sank into her seat a bit.
"...so-"
"If you say 'sorry', I'm not giving you any food!" She quickly added and Serana begrudgingly shut up, sinking into her seat more. Saya watched her for a moment, snickering at her childish pout, and leaned forward. "But really, you don't give yourself enough credit. You're a beauty, you're great with magic, and you know your way around plants too. Not to mention you're an alchemist, I still remember those potions you made for me-"
Serana lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. "They weren't anything special…"
"Oh, pardon?" Saya sounded almost offended at that. "I'd say that getting potentially life-saving medicine out of barely anything out in the wilds is quite a feat. Oh, shit-" Suddenly, she leapt off her chair and ran over to the kitchen counter, bringing over a small container with some kind of oily substance and carefully splattered the chicken with it. A pleasant aroma reached Serana's nose. Black pepper, honey, vinegar… olive oil? "-okay, that looks better. Whew." Saya rubbed her forehead, wiping off a bead of nervous sweat.
"What is that?"
"Hm?" Saya opened one eye and saw Serana pointing at the bowl at her feet. "Oh, that's the dousing sauce. I think you're supposed to pour it on the chicken while it's still cooking? Or maybe I mucked it up, I'm going off memory here…" She sighed and fell into the chair once more. "Well, I guess we'll find out when it's done."
Serana hummed in uncertain agreement. Perhaps she was a bit hasty with her evaluation of Saya's cooking skills.
Serana's eyes must've been visibly sparkling with delight as she wolfed down her portion. She wasn't hungry, she physically could not feel hunger - and yet she couldn't deny the appetite roused by the storm of taste and aroma assailing her senses. The rotisserie chicken turned out wonderful, if a bit dry, but that lack of juices was balanced out by the fermented cabbage sprinkled with a healthy dose of vinegar and oil. The side dish tying it all together was a serving of lightly roasted potatoes with garlic butter which, as far as Serana could identify from smell alone, also contained a pinch of rosemary. Truly, a well-deserved proper meal after their hard travels.
Saya wiped her lips and placed her mug on a small table off to the side. "Looks like someone's enjoying herself," she snickered as the vampire looked up at her with wild eyes, as if she had just registered she was not alone in the room.
"M-mmfh…!" Serana mumbled, completely forgetting that she still had food in her mouth. The Dragonborn was courteous enough to offer the poor girl a drink as she swallowed it all so hastily she nearly choked. Once she caught her breath, she said: "Th-Thank you… What I meant to say is, it's very good-"
"Why, thank you." Saya laughed, watching Serana awkwardly wipe her mouth with a handkerchief. "You know the food's not going anywhere, you can slow down a bit."
"Yes, I know. It's just… very delicious." She laughed, averting her gaze. Part of her was ready to chide herself for forgetting her manners so, but frankly, she couldn't care less at the moment. Then once again, they both fell relatively silent and the sheepish smile slowly vanished from Serana's face as she idly poked the piece of chicken breast on her plate. "I almost feel bad for eating something like this…" She mumbled absent-mindedly.
"Huh?" Saya reached down for her mug, taking another generous sip of cider. Gods, it felt good going down. "Why's that?"
"It's just…" The vampire placed her fork down, setting the plate aside. A shallow smile crossed her face. It was funny how quickly her appetite vanished when her brain got involved. "Well, you already know what I am. It feels somehow… wasteful for me to eat it, since I won't receive any nourishment from it anyway." She laughed softly. "That was a weird thing to say, wasn't it?"
Saya shook her head with disapproval. "Darling, if people only ate for nourishment then cooks would be out of a job," she said, chuckling into her drink.
Serana sighed and nodded. She figured that was a stupid thought the moment she said it, but it was good to have outside confirmation. "Yes, you're right. Forget I said that, then." She grabbed the fork and picked up the first foodstuff she happened upon in her plate, bringing it to her mouth.
It was then that she noticed the lack of response from the Dragonborn. Serana lifted her head and saw that the Dragonborn was looking at her directly, her lips stretched into a slight, thoughtful half-smile. In spite of the hairpin, a few stray red locks fell on her cheeks, which had gone slightly pink from the alcohol. Serana slowly swallowed despite there being nothing in her mouth and lowered her hand down.
"I-Is there something on my face?"
Saya seemed to come to her senses at the question, blinking a few times. "Oh, no, no. It's nothing." She waved her off casually, though Serana could've sworn her blush grew a bit brighter. Once more, the conversation seemed to die down while the vampire quietly continued eating. Now they simply sat there, Saya staring off into the window and Serana - at her food, both of them pretending not to sneak glances at the other. It was then that Saya suddenly spoke up. "I could teach you how to make it, if you want."
There was a brief pause as Serana processed the words. The crunch of the cabbage she was currently chewing almost felt too loud to think. Was she offering to teach her how to cook? Serana immediately imagined herself in the kitchen, standing beside her as Saya carefully explained every step of the process. How her eyes would follow each movement of her dexterous hands, moving fluently from tool to tool. How Saya would watch her try to replicate the process, however clumsy she would be, and how she'd place her hands on Serana's to try and guide her more closely and-
"Serana?"
Ah. Perhaps the alcohol was getting to her, too. Serana cleared her throat awkwardly, placing her now-empty plate aside. "...I think I'd like that," she said.
Saya smiled slightly, but did not respond.
Loredas, the 27th of Evening Star, 4E201
I almost didn't want to get out of bed this morning. No offense to the inn, but there's really no beating a bed back at home that a thousand people haven't slept in.
Well. I think so, at least. I haven't exactly been bringing moonlighters back here, but I suppose I can't speak for the house's previous owners. Actually, I wonder who built it. It doesn't seem that old compared to some of the other buildings around the district. Maybe I'll ask Proventus today.
Oh right, about Dragonsreach. I'll be going there in the afternoon to check back with Balgruuf. With all the hustle and bustle outside I'd wager he doesn't really need my help at this point, but it's still good to make my presence known. He did send an invitation. Serana's staying behind though, poor lightweight has a hangover from the cider.
Cider! Ayem's mercy, I need to get that girl a proper drink sometime. It's like she's never drank anything stronger than water back in that castle of hers. Maybe we'll fix that during the festival.
Alright, that was a surprisingly productive meeting! Balgruuf was happy to see me and Hrongar didn't seem annoyed with my general existence, so I think that's a step forward. I got filled in with what the festival is generally supposed to be, what the traditions are, and how the whole thing is organized. Nothing of note is really expected of me except for attending a particular event on the 30th, when the city will be marking off the Old Life Remembrance. It's an old tradition where people write letters to those who have passed away and burn them at shrines to the Divines to send the messages off to Aetherius, to their loved ones. I'm not exactly a believer in the Divines, but I can see the importance so I didn't have any reason to skip it.
New Life itself will be held all over the town, with the Jarl's court organizing a banquet at Dragonsreach. Proventus made a comment about my attire and… well, he's got a point. A festival seems as good a time as any to get myself something fancy to wear. Maybe we'll pick out something for Serana, too.
Oh, I also met Mjoll on the way out. She was doing the rounds and came back to cash in a bounty she helped with. We chatted for a while, got each other caught up. Apparently, the Blades have some new recruits that Fortunata got into the loop. One farmhand even found his way to Sky Haven on his own! They thought he was a spy at first, but he's proven himself "a trustworthy and ambitious lad", so I guess he's good to go. Mjoll says I'd like him.
I also asked her for a favor: since she'll be coming around to Winterhold either way, I gave her a copy of the notes I made on Blackreach and asked her to deliver them to Urag at the College. I'd go there myself but the Thalmor already know my face, and I don't really trust a random courier with the job. And I also wrote a quick letter to the gang for my sudden departure. I figured they deserved to have an explanation that doesn't come from the snake's mouth. And… well, I do owe Brelyna an apology.
Oh right, one more thing. I visited Farengar and asked for a few pointers of where I could sell that locket we nabbed back in Alftand. He pointed me in the direction of a mage named Calcelmo who lives in… Markarth. Of course he would live in Markarth. Where else is a Dwemer expert to go?
Ugh. Piss.
Also, I left him a bit of Aetherium I had on me. I don't exactly have the time to experiment with it, but maybe he can do something. I want to know what it's good for aside from forging, which currently isn't an option. Power source for enchantments, magical catalyst, alchemical reagent, whatever. His job now, not mine.
Lunch has been had, and I managed to convince Serana to go to the tailor's with me. I can already hear my wallet cry out in agony because of the short notice, though it's for a good cause. Ideally, I'd get a custom-sewn outfit but alas, no time for that if I want anything of even remotely good quality.
Time to go see if they have anything worthwhile left. Who knows, might flaunt my thane status around and get a discount.
"Hello and welcome to Thyra's Wondrous Weavings, how may I help you?" The monotonous greeting was delivered all-too-tiredly by a young man standing behind the counter. It was hard to tell his heritage from appearance alone, but he spoke with a distinct accent that few possessed outside of northern Cyrodiil. The young man wore simple, yet tasteful clothing consisting of a green woolen tunic and a fur-lined vest to keep himself warm.
"G'day." Saya waved as she entered the establishment and removed her hood. "I'm Saya and this here is…"
"Serana," the vampire introduced herself, giving a slight bow. The man at the counter gave a tired nod in response.
Saya nodded. "And the two of us were looking for-"
"-a place where you could find new clothes after looking in your closets and finding nothing 'good enough to wear' for the upcoming festival and making a mad dash to the tailors' for a last-minute purchase?" The Imperial adjusted his spectacles, which did little to conceal the dark circles under his eyes. Both women blinked in surprise and he sighed. "Sorry, that is simply a story we've heard all too often in the past week. If you're looking for anything custom-made, we're already booked beyond capacity."
Saya's expression dropped into a slight frown. This bloke sure knows how to bring the mood down. "What about your ready-made section? Or are you all sold out?"
The young man gave her a long, silent gaze that bordered on a glare. "While we are not entirely out of stock, I must say that you might not find anything to your exact specifications. So if you are here with exact preferences in mind, then I regret to inform you-"
"QUINTUS!" A female voice suddenly bellowed from the back of the establishment. "ARE YOU SCARING OFF CUSTOMERS AGAIN?!"
The Imperial - Quintus, as they learned - clicked his tongue in irritation. It seems this was not the first time he had been saying similar things to customers. "Thyra, please, we agreed to let me take care of the storefront for a reason," he said through gritted teeth as a woman in her late forties walked out from the back.
If Quintus was hard to pin down, there was no question that Thyra was a true-born Nord. She wore a practical yet beautifully-designed outfit in pale yellow colors, embroidered with white threads that swirled in traditional patterns. Her hair was braided in a way that wouldn't seem out of place on a battlefield, yet would look just as well in a palace with minimal adjustments. There was a sizable tattoo on her cheek mimicking the swirls of Nordic warpaint, and a single messy scar ran horizontally across her nose.
"Not when you do and say everything you can to make them not buy from us, you rat bastard!" Her voice was powerful and authoritative, with a slight nasal quality to it, and her accent was thick enough to bludgeon someone. Quintus grumbled something about having to work during the holidays and turned back to some kind of book he had hidden behind the counter. Thyra huffed when she saw this, evidently frustrated with her subordinate, but quickly adopted a service smile when she noticed the two very confused potential patrons. "Ah, hello there! M'name is Thyra, I'm the owner of this place. How can I help you?"
Saya swallowed nervously and smiled back to the best of her ability. "H-Hi, I'm Saya and this is Serana." The vampire gave a jerky nod when prompted. "We were looking to buy something to wear for the upcoming festivals-"
"Well, why didn't you say so?" Thyra crossed her arms, laughing with almost exaggerated vigor. She took a heavy step forward towards Saya and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Come on in, come on in! I'm sure we'll find something to suit you!"
Quintus' eye roll went mostly unnoticed as Saya was practically dragged off behind a door, Serana following close if only out of horror and the sheer pressure this woman exuded. The empty-ish storefront opened into an almost homely-looking showroom with a number of various mannequins standing atop slightly elevated platforms, wearing clothing of all shapes and sizes. Contrary to what Quintus told them earlier, there didn't appear to be much of a shortage at all, in fact the place appeared to be almost completely filled up.
"Now then, what can I interest you in? Are you looking for something outdoors, indoors, cheaper or more on the lavish end?" Thyra moved closer to the Dragonborn as she spoke, her smile almost suffocating. Saya laughed nervously and placed a light, but firm hand on hers, removing herself from the woman's grasp.
"W-We'll tell you when we make the decision, if you don't mind." Thyra's eyes narrowed. To her best ability, Saya maintained eye contact in a moment of silent tension. "There are simply so many options here, we'll need some time to look through everything…" Her voice grew quieter and quieter as the sentence continued and Thyra looked more and more suspicious. Then all of a sudden, she nodded with a serious look on her face.
"Aye, I understand." She backed away, one hand clenching into a large fist. "Beauty must never be rushed! Ah, to be young again…" The Nord woman closed her eyes, a single tear running down her cheek. Then she turned back to the pair. "I will be in the workshop if you need me, right there in the back. Find me there when you've made your decisions." Once again, she gave Saya that wide, almost unsettling grin of hers before quickly retreating to the back of the building - not because she was scurrying off or anything, but because her legs were just that long that it only took a few steps to leave their vision.
When the door finally closed behind her, the pair let out a heavy sigh in complete unison. Then they exchanged a glance, both realizing what just happened, and broke into a fit of barely suppressed giggles. Another few seconds passed before they fully calmed down and began to get a better look around the store. Chaotic employees aside, it did have a surprisingly large selection of rather impressive outfits to choose from. Saya didn't particularly want to imagine the price tags, but she could ignore it just this once. It was a treat.
Another ten, fifteen minutes passed. Serana initially had reservations about inspecting the dresses more closely, but by that point they had eroded enough for her to sneak in the occasional touch to see if the fabric was to her liking. Her nose wrinkled every time it was too rough or too thick. At one point she stumbled upon a design she seemed to like and turned around to call over Saya for her opinion. She called out once, twice. No response.
She found her close by, though seemingly consumed in thought. She stood before a mannequin that Serana couldn't exactly pinpoint as male or female. Upon its wooden body was a beautiful Nordic suit in muted blues, complete with a mantle of grey fur that created the appearance of a dignified noble. Saya hummed in thought, rubbing her chin.
"I kind of hate the colors," she said to Serana, cocking her head. She deliberated in silence for a few moments before clicking her tongue, dissatisfied. "Shame. That cloak is awesome, do you think they'd sell it separately?" Saya turned to her companion, finally acknowledging her presence with a look.
Serana winced. "I doubt it. In their place, I would not want to sell half an outfit if I could help it." Saya shrugged, unable to argue with that reasoning. Serana watched her walk over to another outfit close by, this time settled on a male mannequin, and something clicked in the vampire's mind. "Do you prefer suits? I don't think I have seen you look at any of the dresses."
Saya hummed something unintelligible as she examined the outfit, then grimaced. Too large. Refitting something like it would probably cost as much as ordering a whole new set, at that point. "Dunno. I've been told I look good in them, and I like the way they feel more. More freedom of movement, more room to hide things, no skirts to trip over…" She trailed off for a moment and then snapped her fingers. "Also, pockets."
The vampire snickered. "Praise be to pockets. Ah, look-" she pointed behind the Dragonborn. Saya turned around and saw a chocolate brown dress with a silky texture that gave it a mesmerizing shine, which then revealed the intricate patterns woven into the fabric as it caught the light. "What do you think of that one? I think it would look lovely on you."
Saya raised a skeptical eyebrow as she followed the vampire. "Mmm… I don't know." Her eyes darted between the various features of the dress - the low cut, the open back, the bare arms and shoulders. "Looks like I'd freeze my tits off in something like that. It might work for you, though."
"W-What?" Serana's excited smile immediately vanished as she almost recoiled away from the dress. Saya laughed softly at the exaggerated reaction.
"C'mon, you're the one who said it's not that bad, right?"
The vampire looked back and forth at her and the dress, her face screaming discomfort. Unconsciously, her hand moved to the scarf around her neck. "I would prefer something a bit less… open," she said with some difficulty. "This kind of dress… I think I'd like something like that one." She pointed to her right.
There stood a mannequin in a puffy sky-blue dress that almost looked like a two-parter: the top appeared to be an almost form-fitting shirt with loose sleeves that opened up like flower petals, while the bottom was a large frilly skirt that nearly reached the floor. A loose piece of fabric reminiscent of the frills that rimmed the sleeves and skirt stretched around the neckline, wrapped around the mannequin's neck like a lavish scarf.
Saya hummed in wonder at the look. "Flashy. Ah- but wouldn't the scarf hide that choker you always wear?"
"Actually… I haven't been wearing it for a few days now," Serana said quietly. Saya cocked her head, puzzled. "It snapped when we got ambushed in Alftand, remember? When I was…?" She poked at the side of her neck, miming an arrow.
Saya blinked stupidly and then scratched the back of her head. "R-Right, sorry…" An awkward silence befell them as neither of them knew how to really follow up the fumble. Saya eyed the dress for a few seconds before clearing her throat and speaking up. "Well, I think this one might fit you nicely. I like the… flower theme it has going on," she gestured vaguely at the dress. Serana crossed her arms.
"Are you kidding? I won't be caught dead wearing this blue poppy!" She laughed nervously, but then took a second look at the dress. It's not as though she completely hated it, there were a few elements that she liked, but… No, that is just tacky. "Though I would like some floral embroidery on mine, preferably lilies."
Saya's ear twitched slightly at that. "Do you like lilies?"
"They're my favorite flower." Serana smiled slightly. "Mother and I used to grow lilies in the garden. We had lots of different kinds - you would be surprised how varied a flower it can be. At least one kind was always blooming, no matter the day or night, and their scent is…" She sighed, a hint of nostalgia present in her voice. "I am rambling again, aren't I?"
"Oh hush, you're fine." Saya elbowed her lightly, grinning. Serana giggled quietly, averting her eyes in embarrassment. Seeing that, Saya decided to not tease her further and instead changed subjects. "What about color? Got a favorite?"
"...would it be cliche of me to say 'red'?"
There was a slight pause, and Serana coughed awkwardly. "A little bit, I guess. It does suit you though, makes you look less pale," Saya concluded, turning around to scan the room while Serana scratched her face awkwardly.
She did this often, Serana noticed - diverting attention like this whenever the conversation stumbled into an awkward topic. Perhaps it was ironic for someone with the power to reshape the world by speaking to struggle with finding the right words. Still, she tried. And what's more, she never pressed the subject if she could tell it was uncomfortable. Serana could appreciate that.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of her own name leaving Saya's lips. "Hey, Serana! How's this one look?" She lifted her head, searching for the Dragonborn.
Serana audibly gasped when she saw the dress she was talking about. It was a beautiful velvet gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, its color a vibrant scarlet accented by a deep onyx black. The reasonably voluminous top continued downward into a matching corset, a silvery grey accenting the wearer's waist while a thick stretch of red continued down across the torso, leading the eyes to the two-layered circle skirt - the top layer being rimmed with a similar silvery finish to the cored, while the bottom stretched down to the wearer's ankles and was lined with black embroidery.
Embroidery that appeared throughout the entire design and had a single repeating motif - a heraldic lily.
"It's… wow." Serana was at a loss for words, staring with her mouth agape and her eyes gleaming with surprise. It was practically everything she could want.
"I know, right?" Saya smiled and then turned around, calling out: "Hey, Thyra! We got something!"
"COMING!" The woman's booming voice came from the back, startling Serana out of her awe-induced stupor.
"Is- Is this really okay?" Serana whispered. "It's beautiful, of course, b-but…"
Before she could finish the sentence, the proprietress' heavy footsteps came up right behind them. Both women slowly turned around and smiled to the best of their ability when they saw the tall Nord woman's intimidating grin. "I'm here! Did you find something to your liking?"
"Yeah, this one right here for my friend," Saya said before Serana even had the chance to open her mouth. Thyra rubbed her chin, looking at the dress and snapping her fingers in recognition.
"Oh, this one. Aye, it's a beauty." Thyra nodded. "Some High Rock madame or another commissioned it, but never bought the sodding thing. The way she said it, it took me so long to finish it was already 'out of season', can you believe that?!" She spat scornfully, shaking her head. "Ungrateful little… Anyway, this one's been a pain in the arse so if you're going to take it, I'll do any adjustments you need for free, but you're paying full price for the thing itself. Does that sound like a deal?"
"Absolutely." Saya nodded enthusiastically and Thyra grinned, taking down the mannequin to undress it. In the meantime, Serana quietly moved up behind the Dragonborn and tapped her shoulder, leaning in to whisper into her ear.
"...are you sure about this?" There was an obvious nervousness to her voice. "It looks expensive…"
"Sure is." Saya chuckled. Mentally, she already subtracted the price from what she could afford, and this was definitely over the budget. But seeing the vampire's face light up as it did earlier, she couldn't bring herself not to buy it.
"Then…?"
"Tell you what, if you really want to help me then go take care of your measurements quickly and come back here." Serana cocked her head, perplexed, and Saya gave her a warm smile. "I'll need you to help me pick out a dress for myself. Then we'll match, alright?" Serana blinked a few times, as if struggling to comprehend what she was hearing. Then her lips stretched into the happiest smile that Saya had seen on her since Blackreach and she nodded very, very enthusiastically. "Alright, then that's settled. Hey Thyra," she leaned a bit to the side, looking at the Nord seamstress, "need any help there?"
As it were, Thyra was in the middle of trying to awkwardly remove the dress from its display mannequin, cursing very colorfully as she struggled to undo the lacing on the corset. After a few long seconds she finally gave up, releasing a defeated sigh. "No, thank you. I have instruments for this in the back. You," she turned to Serana. "This for you?" The vampire nodded. "Come with me."
Then, as the two of them retreated to the back of the shop, Saya released a tired sigh and placed a hand on her purse. She had a feeling it would not feel this heavy again for a long, long time.
Sundas, the 28th of Evening Star, 4E201
Only two days left, huh? Almost makes me a little glad today was boring, I'll appreciate the change of pace when it happens.
Since yesterday has left me feeling a little light in my pockets, I decided to go around the city and try to make some money. Mostly quick things that wouldn't take up too much time. I helped out Adrianne at the forge, did a quick delivery for Farengar, that kind of thing. I also sold some of the loot we had to Belethor. I'd feel bad about overpricing some of it, but then again - it's Belethor. Honest money for honest work, right?
That said, I pretty much had the entire second half of the day for myself so I decided to work at the forge myself. My armor needed a bit of repair, and I did want to do some experimenting with the stuff we brought back from the Dwemer ruins. The metal is really high quality, I think I could make something that'd fetch quite the pretty drake…
Oh, I think I have a better idea. See if it works out.
Morndas, the 29th of Evening Star, 4E201
The final day before the big… day. That sounded better in my head. Agh, I'm losing my touch. Can I only write well in near-death situations?
I'm already getting a bit antsy without things to do. The sun wasn't even up yet when I woke up. I reorganized all my notes, double checked my to-do list and equipment, did a quick workout. Still can't sleep a wink. In fact, I think I'm even more awake now. What to do, what to do…
I fired up the forge and worked a bit more on the bits and pieces I started yesterday. A few baubles here and there, I'm sure there'll be a store or two interested in them. I also added a bit of detail to my little side project. The leather's dyed nicely, though I'm mostly eyeballing the size. I guess the finishing touches can wait until I sneak in a measurement. Definitely don't want to go messing this up.
Actually… I think I have someone I can ask for that. Maybe I'll make arrangements for a bath while I'm at it. My shirt is sticking to my back, feels disgusting.
Serana's eyes opened as soon as she heard the front door being shut. She rose slowly from bed, rubbing her face and yawning. What is the hour…? The bed creaked softly under her as she stood up. She put on a pair of slippers and a simple robe - items she'd purchased yesterday at Saya's insistence - and ventured outside.
"'Have to run some errands, will be back later'," Serana mumbled, reading the note Saya left on the table downstairs. She made a face and tossed the paper in the trash with a sigh. Busy. Saya had ways of keeping busy, with or without adventuring. Meanwhile, Serana had been eyeing the books in her pack with contempt ever since they'd left the College. There was an odd sense of discomfort at having them around, knowing Urag's personality.
With nothing better left to do, Serana wandered aimlessly around the house for a few minutes. It was a cozy enough residence. She vaguely remembered Saya saying it was a gift of some kind. Some friend it must be, to gift an entire house full of furniture. She didn't use all of it, Serana noticed. There was one room on the ground floor that the vampire had only seen opened once or twice, and the handle itself was visibly dusty. So, she let her curiosity have the better of her and turned the knob.
Serana's first immediate reaction was a loud, uncontrollable cough. Waters of Oblivion, when was the last time the windows here had been opened? Serana immediately pulled back the curtain and swung open both windows in the relatively small room, letting in some light. With a relieved sigh, she finally turned to look at the rest of the room.
Much to her surprise, as she scanned over the furniture she suddenly realized why it all looked familiar - this was an alchemy laboratory! Definitely not as well-equipped as the one back at her own castle, but she certainly recognized the appliances as ones she'd personally gotten to know over many, many years of study. She brushed off the desk with her hand, a stray cobweb sticking to her skin, and sighed. Perhaps she'd found something to do after all.
Saya returned some two hours later, and the thing that immediately hit her was the smell. Water and soap. "Serana?"
As soon as she called out, the vampire's head poked out of the side room. She looked positively disheveled, robe long since discarded and thus leaving her in little more than her underwear and a random shirt she'd found in Saya's closet. She held a mop in her hands, hair tied back and looking like it hadn't seen a brush since last century, and her knees looked like she'd just crawled across half the house on all fours scrubbing every inch of it.
In fact, judging by the smell hanging in the air, Saya might not have been far off in that assessment. "...what are you doing?" She struggled to keep her voice calm and composed.
"I, uhh…" Serana's eyes drifted down to her downright horrifying appearance, to the room she was in, and to the stunned elf looking at her expectantly. "I found this room and saw it was in a rather sorry state… and I got carried away?" She stammered, scratching her head awkwardly before she suddenly remembered the sheer amount of filth on her hands.
Saya eyed the vampire up and down. "You don't say…" She sighed. "Well, I guess it's good timing either way. You got a spare rag?" The Dragonborn asked as she took off her boots and began unbuttoning her coat.
Serana cocked her head. "I think I do- wait, why do you ask?"
Saya tossed the article of clothing off to the side and rolled up her sleeves. "You and I have somewhere to be in half an hour, so I'm helping you out. The sooner we finish, the sooner we're off."
The confusion did not leave Serana's face, but she reached out for the nearest soap-covered rag and offered it to her.
Saya took the washcloth from the vampire's hand and pressed it to her back, gently scrubbing the skin in circular motion. Serana produced an indescribable sound and slightly recoiled at the touch. "Too rough?" The voice behind her sounded warm and friendly. She shook her head. "Okay. I'll keep going, then."
Serana's shoulders relaxed as the washcloth touched her back again. It was uncomfortable… No, that wasn't quite it. Saya was very careful and gentle in her movements, her hands almost weightless in how they glided across her pale skin. The sensation was quite pleasant, even, like taking off one's coat during a hot day. Still, she could not shake off a peculiar feeling of unease.
"I stand by my earlier statement. This seems…" Serana paused. With narrowed eyes, she scanned her environment. They were in a public bathhouse - a spacious, steamy chamber of wood and stone with water drains lining the floor at regular intervals. Serana herself sat at the edge of the central pool, legs half-submerged into pleasantly hot water while Saya washed her back. "...incredibly excessive."
"Would you have preferred we come here into the company of drunkards and strangers?" Saya asked, not taking her eyes off the vampire. She looked almost like a porcelain doll, her skin completely bereft of any blemishes and flaws. Frankly, Saya found it a bit uncanny, especially up close. "We've been dragging ourselves through muck and filth for days, Serana. It would hardly be proper etiquette showing up to the Jarl's palace smelling like Dwemer sewers."
Serana managed a weak chuckle at that. "I suppose so," she responded meekly and quieted down, the sound of rushing water and Saya's humming soon filling the silence.
She still remembered how Saya convinced her to come. 'A surprise', she called it. Serana had been wondering what kind of arrangements could've kept her occupied for so long, but when she saw the building she regretted she ever asked. Images immediately filled her mind. Uncomfortable images she was still trying to remove from her consciousness, even though she already saw the bathhouse was empty save for the two of them.
The splash of hot water against her back pulled her out of her thoughts. She practically jumped away on reflex before she remembered where she was and where the water was coming from. She felt tired.
"Alright, nice and clean now," Saya said and patted the vampire's back. Serana flinched from the touch and slowly turned around. The Dragonborn was completely focused on the washcloth in her hand, scooping up water from the central bath and rinsing it clean. "You can do the front by yourself, right?" She asked without turning.
"...maybe later," Serana said, perhaps quieter than she should have, and slid down into the bath. She quietly submerged herself until the water reached her mouth, at which point she stopped. Her whole body felt warm - a sensation she found rather pleasant, all things considered. Her eyes turned downward and she saw herself under the crystal clear water, the image rippling ever so slightly. She sighed, but the breath only came out as a bunch of bubbles.
Saya snickered when she heard the noise. "Having fun over there?" She asked, and Serana glanced over in her direction. The Dragonborn was soaping up her washcloth for another go, not really paying the vampire any mind. In a way, Serana enjoyed that.
"Just thinking," she responded, moving out of the water slightly to expose her mouth. Saya hummed in response.
"What about?"
The vampire sighed as she sat on the side of the massive tub again. "Too many things for my liking," she grumbled, pulling up a knee and wrapping her arms around it. Her eyes drifted to Saya once again, watching the Dragonborn wash herself without a care in the world. She'd already done the hair first thing but it was still wet, leaving it a lot less fluffy than usual and sticking to her face. "Tomorrow, for the most part," she eventually added, not entirely untruthful.
Saya glanced back at the vampire briefly. "Worried about the festival?"
"Mmm. Anxious, I would say, and a little confused." Serana's expression morphed into a slight frown. She shook her head. "For example, I am still struggling to wrap my head around the fact you are closely acquainted with a king, who personally invited you to celebrate a holiday in his palace."
"Oh. Right, that's a thing." Serana's brows furrowed at the nonchalant response. Saya reached for the water dipper beside herself, scooping up some hot water to wash the filth off herself with a pleased smile. "Well, that makes the two of us, if it makes you feel any better. I'm still not entirely sure why he did that."
Serana blinked in surprise. "How come? Are you not friends?"
"'Friends' is… a strong word," Saya winced, rubbing her chin. The vampire tilted her head, her expression now even more perplexed than before. "He's an important ally, but I don't really know him personally." Then she suddenly turned towards the vampire and looked directly at her, offering her the washcloth. "Alright, your turn," she said and blinked a couple of times expectantly. Then, as if catching herself, she averted her eyes again.
"Hm? Oh, of course." Serana didn't immediately understand the request, still confused at the Dragonborn's behavior. Was that a blush on her face…? Perhaps the heat is getting to her. She pushed the thought aside and stood up carefully, having already slipped on the wet floor once earlier, and took the item from Saya's hands. A brief moment of hesitation crossed her mind as she wondered how to approach the situation before she began to mimic Saya's movements, lightly pressing the washcloth to her back and beginning to go in circles.
"Mmm, that hits the spot…" Saya cooed, closing her eyes. The vampire smiled slightly at the praise and continued the same motions, careful not to miss a single spot. By the time she got to the middle of her back, Saya added: "You can press a little harder, by the way. Right now it's a little ticklish."
Serana nodded. "Very well," she hummed and corrected herself. Once she did, Saya practically melted at her touch, producing happy groans as the tension gradually sapped from her body. The initial surprise at seeing the Dragonborn in the nude hadn't completely left Serana's mind yet, but now that she felt the muscular shoulders with her own hands, it seemed right for her to be like this. Small, but strong. Serana smiled slightly. That description suited her rather nicely.
"Did I ever tell you how I first came to Skyrim?" Saya asked, and Serana shook her head. Taking the silence as a no, she continued: "I planned the trip for weeks. The idea was that, since Windhelm and Dunmer have a… complicated relationship, I would come in through Riften. It was quite the trip just to get through the mountains, so you can imagine the kind of first impression it left on me."
Serana grimaced. She quite vividly remembered her own visit to Riften when she first sought out the Dawnguard. It seemed as though the only thing in the entire city that wasn't shady was the sun above, and only on clear days. "I am surprised you chose to remain in Skyrim at all."
"So am I!" Saya laughed, throwing up her arms dramatically. The vampire giggled slightly at the gesture. "Anyway, so from there I planned to make it over to Whiterun, but there were no carriages so I decided to try and go on foot. All in all, I not only underestimated the distance but also got lost. I was very lucky to stumble into this small village, Darkwater Crossing. I bought some food there and they let me camp nearby. And that would've been that, except…" She trailed off, suddenly growing quiet.
"Except?"
Saya drew a long breath and sighed heavily, shaking her head. "I got a bit too curious. I couldn't fall asleep and heard a commotion going on nearby, so I went to check it out. Remember that civil war I told you about?" The vampire hummed affirmatively and Saya nodded. "Yeah, that. I ended up right in the middle of an ambush. I was tired from walking all day and I didn't have my weapon with me so the next thing I knew, I was knocked out and woke up tied up in a cart full of war prisoners scheduled for execution. Sat right beside Ulfric himself!" She chuckled grimly. That's quite the claim to fame, would be funny if some Stormcloaks got jealous.
Serana, on the other hand, looked horrified as she reached for the water. "That's… horrible. Could they really do that?"
Saya shrugged. "I don't think they would give a rat's ass if they couldn't. As far as that bitch of a captain was concerned, I was an unwanted witness. So, to the block I went." She drew a sharp breath as the hot water touched her back, Serana's hand washing off the filth from her skin. "Then a dragon attacked, and I escaped in all the chaos with one of the soldiers. His family helped me get back on my feet and asked me to get in touch with the Jarl for some protection as thanks, so I did that."
"And that's when you met?" Serana concluded.
"Yep. I did a couple of jobs for him to earn some of the money, considering I was left with basically nothing. I planned to take the carriage to Markarth from there… and then I got woken up in the middle of the night because a dragon was attacking the city." Saya yawned. Maybe the warm water was a little too relaxing for her good. "So they dragged me off to lead the fight, since I 'had the most experience'. Damn stroke of luck that we didn't all get burnt to a crisp, if you ask me."
Serana listened to the story, wordlessly rinsing off the washcloth again before soaping it up and going back for a second round. She tried to imagine it, waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of a dragon's roar and having to face it. Not to mention it was her first time seeing the thing, too… Serana's grip tightened slightly as she pressed the cloth to Saya's skin again.
"Anyway, that's how I found out I was Dragonborn," Saya finished, her tone of voice indescribable. Serana's eyes lifted and she saw the back of the Dragonborn's head as she stared off blankly into a wall. "I broke Balgruuf's arm that day. It was an accident, but I still think about it sometimes. I panicked, and…" Saya quieted down. Once again, Serana felt her shoulders as she continued scrubbing. Small, but strong. They were shaking slightly under the vampire's hands. "...I don't know why he still treats me with this kindness, but I try to repay it whenever I can. That's all."
Once more, only the sound of rushing water remained as both of them fell silent, Serana's hands motionless against Saya's skin. All of a sudden, she felt much more delicate under her touch. Serana traced her fingers along Saya's back, feeling the texture shift from smooth and delicate to rough and dry every time her fingertips stumbled across a scar. Some of them were faded and practically invisible, others - fresh and clearly visible even in the dim light of the bathhouse.
For a moment, Serana wondered if the reason Saya preferred suits over dresses was because they showed less skin.
"Are you okay?" Serana asked, her voice timid and unsure. Saya nodded but did not respond, and her lips tightened.
Without thinking twice about it, she wrapped her arms around Saya and pressed her chest against her back. The Dragonborn flinched slightly, but did not move away. They stayed like this for a few long seconds as Serana rested her chin on Saya's shoulder. She noticed that her breathing sped up, and her heartbeat was echoing in her pointed ears. Serana thought long and hard about what she should say. All of a sudden, she understood why Saya often had such difficulty with words. She smiled.
"You know, I've been thinking…" She paused for a moment, and Saya shifted slightly. She was listening. Good. "If we really are going to the Jarl, then… Do you think you could do my hair for me? I would love to see what you could do with it."
Saya's shoulders shook again. Serana felt a little warm inside knowing it was from laughter. "I'm warning you now: I'm awful at braids," she said, placing her hand on Serana's. The vampire smiled.
"Then I will have to teach you, won't I."