Serana and Tanya had become best friends almost immediately, once Serana showed up at Fort Dawnguard following the Dragonborn and Vidar's refusal of vampirism from her father. They gossiped and giggled and talked about books. Tanya very quickly got over the fact her new friend was a vampire, and Serana delighted in her company. They could talk about their feelings and fears freely, without fear the other would mock them.
The others, however, were less comfortable by the seemingly friendly vampire's company in the party.
Vivienne watched Serana and Tanya whisper over books in the library of Skyhold. True, they had initially shown up to peek through the library for anything that could help against Lord Harkon, but it quickly descended into the two women murmuring about tales. The mage leaned against the wall of the hallway, eyeing Serana with complete and utter disdain.
Dorian had also been giving sideways glances to Serana, but he was more discreet about his discomfort. He spied Vivienne giving the women the evil eye and shook his head. Strolling up to her casually, he spoke to her. "Something that matter, Vivienne?"
Vivienne glared at him. "That thing is hiding something, I know it. I worry that it has Tanya under some sort of spell. Cole and Solas say there's nothing that's been cast on her, but why else would anyone delight in the company of a vampire?"
The altus mage rolled his eyes. "Standing here glaring at her isn't doing anything."
"I can hear you, you know." Serana said out loud, giving an exasperated look to the mages. She winced as a librarian hissed a 'shush!' at her, and she sheepishly murmured sorry. Tanya glared at Vivienne and followed Serana to them, who seemed annoyed but not surprised or upset. Vivienne and Dorian took a step backwards when she got close enough.
Putting her hands on her hips, Serana scowled at them. "I understand why you don't trust me. If you never trust me, fine. But I am not my father, and I have already betrayed his court by giving the Dawnguard the Elder Scroll. Find something else to do other than gawk at me all day."
"What's stopping you from making a meal out of any of us?" Vivienne snapped. "You are a vampire. A leech. How long before you lose control over your baser urges?"
"Shut up." Tanya snapped. "Don't talk like that to her."
Serana shook her head at the Dragonborn. "Most people will never trust a vampire. Understandable, I suppose, considering what so many do. But not all of us are evil." She pushed past Madame de Fer, gesturing for them to follow her out to the balcony over the main hall. Once they did, she began pointing to sundry visitors, listing conditions.
"Nosebleed, period, period, blood mage, scraped his knee on a step, period, nosebleed, recovering from an open wound...ah!" She pointed to the Inquisitor at last, who was talking to Cassandra by the Undercroft. "And the Inquisitor, also on her period."
"That would explain where my Rivaini chocolates have been disappearing," Dorian grumbled, "she was craving chocolate last night."
Vivienne looked mildly disgusted and turned back to the vampire. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I smell it. All of the blood, all the time," Serana pointed out coldly, "and here I am, not losing my mind. I'm not going to sate my thirst on you." She smirked. "Besides, someone with your taste in wine? Your blood would taste awful."
Dorian groaned, grossed out. "Can we stop talking about this? Your point is made."
"Glad to hear it." Serana replied, flashing him a toothy smile. Vivienne said nothing and walked back to where she usually sat to make sure all the window curtains were pulled back, as much sun as possible coming in. Tanya turned to her friend, frowning.
"I'm sorry about..."
"It's okay. I'm used to it." she reassured uneasily.
Serana pulled her hood over her head as she and Tanya headed out into the daylight in the courtyard, heading for the tavern. Sera spied them coming and quickly pulled anything obstructing light from her windows, staring uneasily at the vampire. Serana looked up at her as she did so, smiled, and waved.
Sera squeaked in terror and reached for her bow.
Bull looked up from his seat as the Dragonborn and Serana came in, hiding his emotions carefully. The Ben-Hassrath was good at reading people, even a vampire like Serana. The idea of such a creature made him uneasy, but Serana...he didn't sense any deception or lies from her.
They headed to the bar briefly and headed in Iron Bull's direction with drinks in hand. Serana, however, was without a drink of her own. Tanya handed one to Bull, who thanked her, and she sat down across from him with Serana. He grunted. "That drink's nonalcoholic, right?"
Tanya snorted. "Of course. Cabot refuses to serve me liquor since that one night."
"Wait. What?" Serana asked, raising an eyebrow. "What in the world happened?"
Bull chuckled. "She drank half of a mug of ale and ended up passed out cold over a table. Sera drew all over her face. It's for her own good." Serana giggled as Tanya turned a red and sipped her drink quietly. Bull cleared his throat. "So, um...Serana, right? Why don't you...er...do you...can you...?"
"If I wanted to," Serana replied calmly, "alcohol does nothing to me. I can drink it but nothing will happen. You're Iron Bull, right?"
"That's me." Bull confirmed, nodding. He looked her up and down, but mostly in the eyes. He wondered how anyone who didn't know she was a vampire didn't notice the eyes. "You're a..."
"Vampire, yes." Serana replied nonchalantly. "Don't worry. I'm not here to attack anyone or anything. I know a lot of you are nervous, but I mean you no harm."
"Huh." Bull cleared his throat. "Well, er...as long as it stays that way, you and me...we'll be good, I think?"
Serana smiled. "Glad to hear it." Her nose wrinkled at the alcohol. "I've just realized it's been, what, a few thousand years since I had a drink. Literally. This is..."
The Tal-Vashoth scoffed. "You haven't had a drink in that long that wasn't blood and you're drinking that? Oh, for fuck's sake, have something better than that." He looked over the railing above, seeing Sera peering down at the from her room in fear. "Sera, you save any of that stuff you lifted from the Winter Palace?"
"No!" Sera squealed, mortified as Serana turned to look at her. "Drank it all, sorry! All gone!"
"Oh, come on," Tanya protested, "she..."
"Forget it, Tanya," Serana interrupted, "she's terrified of me. Don't bother her."
"Sera." The Inquisitor's voice came. The others peered at the door, seeing Dawn Trevelyan walk in, appraising the situation calmly. She looked between Serana and Sera and headed up the stairs to Sera's room. The elf in question had retreated back into her room, and was frowning anxiously as the Inquisitor approached.
"Why's it here?" Sera hissed, flustered. "You let a...a...thing that's the same thing as the thing that bit you weeks ago!"
"Cole assures me that Serana means us no harm. She was looking for anything that could help in fighting Clan Volkihar. Her clan, Sera. They want her dead." she murmured calmly, trying to allay her fears.
"It's already dead," Sera whined, "undead. S'not right."
Dawn sighed. "Sera, she betrayed them. She brought Tanya the Elder Scroll. She told them of their plans. Her father was trying to use her and she wants no part in it. Besides, again, Cole believes firmly that she's good." she pointed out. Sera snorted.
"Cole? That weirdy? You honestly think he-"
"-yes, I do." the Inquisitor snapped firmly. "When has he actually been wrong about people's intentions?" Sera went quiet and cursed under her breath. "Besides, you've been referring to him as a 'he' lately. Don't deny you've begun to trust him."
"Oh, shut it." Sera snapped. "You're too bloody nice, you are. You've always been too nice to..." She looked down and sighed deeply. "...to people. All people. But it's not..."
"She is. She is people," Dawn retorted, "just give her a chance. Please."
The Red Jenny groaned and ran a hand over her face. After a moment's frustration and hesitation, she retrieved a large bottle of wine hidden under a pile of knick-knacks on the floor. "Can't believe I'm doing this," she grumbled, "you're coming with me, Dawnly. You and your frigging niceness."
Sera and Dawn watched the Dragonborn and Serana go in peace back to their world. The sun was setting, and Sera was quiet, watching them go. The Inquisitor smiled at her friend. "So?"
The elf groaned. "She's...ugh! Okay. I guess."
Dawn's smile grew cocky. "You just said she instead of it."
"Shut it, Inky."