I'm reading Dune. It's got a pretty good start, the terminology is difficult to remember though. Anyone got any suggestions for my cavewoman brain to understand it better?
I'm approaching the more recent part of the story, all the revisions are coming together nicely. The story finally has some meat and potatoes instead of just Irina being emo and Serana loving it.
Idk who was around for the 2016 years of the story but oh my god. Cringe wouldn't even be the right word for how bad it was LMAO. But thanks for sticking around I guess (:
"I wish you'd let us see you off" Lydia muttered against her own palm, she rested her head in her hand and peered at Irina with a hint of distaste. For it to be so early in the morning and for the woman to be in such a mood baffled the bosmer. Although, it also spoke volumes, she was no longer in despair. She had no reason to be anymore.
That being said she still looked frail, warm meals and a soft bed did better her complexion but not enough for Irina to readily forget what she'd been through. The housecarl kept quiet about what she endured, everytime Irina inquired the woman would simply shake her head and dismiss the topic entirely.
Probably for the dovahkiin's sake, or probably because she didn't feel ready quite yet. Nonetheless, she always reassured Irina that she would carry on as she always did.
The answer didn't satisfy Irina in the slightest but she would have to live with it if she respected the woman's boundaries.
"Woman, are you mad?" Irina questioned with a raised brow. The look on the nord's face was hard to read, Irina wasn't sure if the woman was serious or not.
A few seconds passed by and the bosmer could feel her own eyebrow arch with every second of silence. A bottle of mead had been placed gently down on the table by Vilkas who had been keeping mostly to himself, his expression was tight but not particularly toward Irina. He'd been dealing with enough emotional turmoil himself, the woman couldn't blame him for looking so stressed.
Irina glanced at the bottle and then back at him, she muttered a quiet thanks to which he only nodded sternly at. The mead was one of her favorites, it was mixed just right with honey and a bit of blackbarries. She would savor it for later.
He hadn't apologized for striking her atop the head but the fact that he was offering her a drink was enough for Irina to know she'd been forgiven. He made to stand behind his wife with a hand on her shoulder, a silent look of admiration softened his features for a brief moment- one that made Irina's chest tighten with rightful sorrow.
Lydia shook her head sighed and dismissed her statement with a wave of her hand, "I understand why, don't doubt me on that. But still, I don't know when I'll get to see you again. I'd like the final image I have of you to be riding off somewhere with that fire in your eyes."
"How flattering to think you'd want such an image of me. No, I would sooner die than to have anyone from Riften see you up and about- the people would turn you over for a loaf of bread and cheese. I don't blame them but I wouldn't hesitate to burn the city to the ground if that ever happened." The bosmer said with her hands gripping the mead.
It was obvious she was still nervous to leave them be. Vilkas was still weakened from his imprisonment, not that his physical strength was anything to disregard but against an organization the man needed to be at full strength.
Lydia could sense the anxiety and placed a comforting hand over the woman's knuckle. The contact made Irina blush a pink hue that was as obvious as her pointed ears.
"We will be fine. Thanks to you we have a means to escape, and someplace safe in case Riften proves too risky. I would have preferred someplace less frigid than Windhelm but I shouldn't be complaining. You've done so much for the both of us already, don't be nervous." Her words were like liquid honey. So smooth and sweet, Irina would have loved to listen to her all day if she had the option to. However, the nord retracted her hand and placed it on the hand her husband had on her shoulder still.
Her brown eyes caught some sunlight that snuck in through the slightly opened window and it made them a lighter shade. She looked beautiful, at all times. Malnourished and beaten down, she looked so strong anyway. A woman who had regained her resolve and soon, she would adopt a new way of life, motherhood.
Irina could feel her chest tighten at the realization that she'd forever lost any chance with the nord. Three years was a long time to wait with indefinite answers- Of course she would have moved on.
Irina smiled sadly before responding, "Thank you for the reassurance. I wish the both of you the best of luck, I hope the next time I visit you you'll have a little spawn clutching at your leg."
"If we have a girl, I have a mind to name her after you." Lydia said with a satisfied smile. Obviously proud of her decision, Irina caught Vilkas' eyes soften just a touch more. The small movement was enough to tell the bosmer that they both thought that their daughter's name would be splendid if she were named after the dragonborn.
Irina felt a tugging in her chest that she couldn't contain and choked on her own laugh, she couldn't even mutter the thanks she tried to get out. Lydia got the message anyway and grinned with her.
"The scroll is our priority now, yeah?" Serana asked Irina half an hour after they passed Ivarstead. The town gave a quiet impression, as it usually did. Irina had been tempted to go and check on Wilhelm, to see if he was alright but the thought of Harkon growing impatient or the man cowering in fear of the sight of her had made her stay saddled on her horse.
"Yes, I've no intention of making your father become more impatient." she responded almost as an after-thought.
Serana tightened her hold on the reins, as if she had something to say. Irina caught the movement from the corner of her eye and waited patiently for her to explain whatever it was that was on her mind. After a couple of moments, and a short sigh from the nord, she finally spoke.
"My father, Harkon. Tell me honestly, do you not have a problem working under him?" The question didn't have any malice behind it, it was genuine and Irina felt that there was a newfound trust between them due to Irina not agreeing with the prophecy, and Serana's... affections towards her.
"In the beginning I haven't, however I've...-" Irina began but stopped herself abruptly, she made a disgruntled sound and hummed in thought- unsure of how to phrase her words.
Serana glanced at her curiously, and found her pale cheeks flushing at the dovahkiin furrowing her brows and gathering her thoughts. Irina held up a finger, to signal for the woman to give her a moment to think and Serana could feel her cheeks redden even more.
Tell me I'm not going to obsess over everything she does... by the blood, please no.
Serana slumped her shoulders at remembering she fell in love with a married woman.
"Your father is trying, albeit not that well, to disguise his selfish desire to blot out the sun as something great for vampires. It's inevitably going to lead vampires to ruin, surely someone besides us understands this. I don't exactly know the means or magic to block the sun but I can tell that the people inside the castle only follow his commands out of fear. There is no true loyalty to him, there is only fear and control. I have a problem with that."
Serana cleared her throat, "unfortunately, you're right. I also don't know of any magic or rituals ever being paired with an arcane weapon to diminish the sun. I don't think anyone does, but I know if I came to anyone else with this that they'd scurry off to tell him quickly. Fear rules them all, even when It's obvious that the end result would be catastrophic."
"I can only imagine the frustration." Irina spoke with a displeased tone. While the bosmer was thankful that she was able to speak freely around Serana her mind only pointed her to the next possible question, which was... what now?
Irina didn't want to overwhelm the nord with so many questions that she didn't have an answer to. So instead Irina let her take the lead with asking whatever she needed to, probably more questions on Irina's stance on the whole thing. It didn't matter, the dovahkiin would answer truly. Although, Irina didn't suspect that her answers would be a problem. There seemed to be a mutual understanding on the matter.
The dovahkiin could already tell that she was antsy with them just beginning their journey for the remaining elder scrolls, Serana must be a little nervous at the idea of her father's court finding the scroll before they do.
That was not a problem, Irina already had one. They simply needed one more, but she chose to not divulge that information just yet. Irina trusted Serana, a good deal- but not entirely. The man they would potentially face was her own father, and family matters were a complicated thing. Not that Irina understood, having been without parents or siblings but she would watch brothers and sons, daughters and sisters change their stance in an instance simply because of family ties.
To find the last elder scroll would tell Irina what she needed to know, to see if she could tell Serana of her posession of one.
Serana watched the dovahkiin's head turn the other way admiring the landscape and let herself relax, such beauty.
Unrivaled and with a heart to match. Their conversation the night prior nearly slipped her mind at how easy it went.
"Come again?" Serana asked incredulously. Not believing the bosmer who looked at her with a curious expression. Clearly unfazed at the woman's shock.
"I knew you fancied me, I mean... I didn't expect this sort of confession- I figured it was more lust." Irina said sitting up into a criss-cross position. Her orange orbs held no ill-will and Serana was thankful for that but then she also couldn't help but to feel a little embarrassed about the whole situation. Something she had just realized for herself was already apparent to the dragonborn, she felt childish.
Not to mention embarrassment. They were already so wound up within each other's arms... and she killed the mood because she wanted to inform Irina of something she already had a feeling about.
After a short silence Serana had regained her composure and immediately asked, "But I never did anything- I mean other than now. Other than tonight."
Irina placed a hand over her own mouth to smother a grin, the nord blushed deeply in embarrassment. "You didn't have to, Serana. I am not blind to the tension in the room, trust me."
The silence that came from that was long.
So then what now? Is what the nord wanted to ask, but the mood was already dead and replaced with a seriousness that couldn't just disappear. Irina settled herself back onto her own side of the bed but kept her eyes on the nord, waiting for any more words to slip free from her mouth.
"You're married. Did... I ruin something good? Between you and your spouse?" she asked with furrowed eyebrows. A wave of guilt was creeping up on the woman's back at the idea of ruining not only their friendship but a marriage. She didn't forget about the imperial woman in the cistern, and how Irina must have lost feelings for her significant other a long time ago- but still.
She tried to keep herself accountable for her own instances with Irina.
The dovahkiin reached forward and placed a hand on Serana's.
"I promise you, you didn't do a thing. I never loved my husband, our marriage was a business transaction near a time when everyone thought the world was going to end. The marriage itself is entirely a sham." Irina said.
"The world...? Wait, you mean during Alduin... so you married when you were nineteen?" Serana asked her with an incredulous look on her face.
Irina shrugged and nodded.
"Nineteen or twenty. The entire wedding was rushed and only beautiful because he had the money to afford luxury- but now, his money goes straight to the guild. It has helped improve the place, what you saw in the cistern was nothing. Head to the bar, the Ragged Flagon and you'll see the influence-"
"Irina. You were barely an adult- I... I'm at a loss for words here."
A gentle laugh escaped the bosmer's lips and she shook her head, with one last final squeeze of the nord's hand she brought it back to her side. "That's unimportant... and while I would love to discuss all of my life story, I need to clarify one thing with you so you understand my point of view."
Serana frowned and was already preparing for a harsh rejection, she could already feel the heartbreak before it was even solidified into words. She only inhaled deeply and nodded to Irina.
"I won't sleep with you while you feel this way. I do not have a desire to sleep with you if it only results in your heart breaking, I'm married and have obligations to the man. I don't suppose you'll be fine with being my mistress? I expect you to have more respect for yourself- if the feelings run as deep as you say."
"Irina, I... You're right. I wouldn't be okay with that." She said with a knowing frown.
"I didn't think so." Irina said. She didn't look upset at all, she only gave the nord a half-smile.
"You're not upset with me for... doing that now? When we were so close to-" Serana was cut off by a slender finger to her lips.
"Serana, I would much prefer for you to do it this way, you are a friend. I don't wish to harm you. Especially not in this fashion, besides... We have much more time to spend together and I feel like this..." Irina gestured toward the two of them with her eyes. "would complicate things."
"It doesn't bother you that I...-" Serana struggled to find her words.
"Not at all." Irina reassured.
Those words only made the nord feel even dizzier around the elf. How understanding she had been for the entire situation was unbelievable.
Serana cleared her throat and spoke up "that moth priest, Dexion, he said we needed two other elder scrolls. I think I know where we can start looking." the elf raised a brow in surprise and then asked her with a curious tone "why didn't you say anything sooner?"
The nord shrugged "I didn't want that lot getting wind of it, especially my father. Besides, we established that I'd help you with your housecarl first." she explained.
"And I thank you for that... I've been meaning to ask, don't you trust Harkon at all?" Irina's expression was genuine worry and concern, Serana quashed a bashful smile forming on her face before responding.
"It's not a question of trust, though the answer is no, he's just obsessed with the prophecy, and from what I could tell a thousand years of obsession hadn't made him any better." her voice was dripping with distaste and Irina knew she struck a nerve with the question.
"So where do we find the Elder Scroll?"
"We need to find my mother, Valerica, she'll definitely know where it is and if we're lucky she'll actually have it herself." the bosmer blinked a few times at hearing that name again, she never thought it was her place to ask about Serana's mother ever since Harkon had told her about their separation. Although, Irina should've known she was somehow important.
"Your father mentioned that neither of you know where she went." Irina said with a frown.
"The last time I saw her she said she'd go somewhere safe, somewhere my father would never search…other than that she wouldn't tell me anything, but the way she said it… somewhere he'd never search, it was cryptic yet she called attention to it."
"Your mother just sounds as if as though she were being cautious." Irina responded glancing back to the nord who placed a hand on her chin in thought. "Maybe, what I can't figure out is why she said it that way, besides I can't imagine a single place my father would avoid looking- and he's had all this time too. Any ideas?" She asked curiously looking back to the elf who scanned the path ahead for anything out of the ordinary.
"Perhaps she was sealed away? Just as you were?" This made the nord shake her head firmly, "no, she said one of us had to be awake until this whole thing was sorted out and she's just so much more powerful than me, it only made sense for her to stay out here."
Irina made a sound of annoyance before humming in thought, she didn't know anything about Serana's mother, how in oblivion was she supposed to answer that? The bosmer saw her expectant look and she sighed just thinking whimsically off the top of her head "Would your mother be bold enough to hide within Castle Volkihar?"
"That's ridiculous...- actually no, that almost makes sense!"
"I used to help my mother tend a garden in the courtyard of the castle, all of the ingredients from our potions came from there, my mother used to say my father couldn't stand the place too...peaceful." the way that the nord spoke made it seem as if she were certain that Valerica was there. Still, even with all the sureness the nord had they couldn't know unless they went there themselves.
"Isn't it a problem should she ever be caught?" The bosmer asked her motioning for Serana to make a left in a forked path. "Oh absolutely, but my mothers not a coward…That is, I don't think well actually trip over her there but It's worth a look. She may have left something behind."
"How can we get in there without your father noticing?" The question made the nord almost excited at the prospect and responded "trust me, I've lived there a very long time and I know every nook and cranny, there's an unused inlet on the northern side of the island used by the previous owners to bring supplies into the castle"
"Previous owners, huh" Irina responded whimsically.
Serana rolled her eyes and continued "an old escape tunnel from the castle exits there, I think that's our way in."
Irina sighed and rubbed her temples before mumbling something in dovahzul which only made Serana scoff "if you're going to talk about me you should at least say it in a language I understand." the bosmer chuckled deeply while shaking her head.
"It wasn't about you, don't be so pretenious." Irina said with a half-smirk.
The nord shot her a glare, one that Irina quashed with a gentle smile. How quickly she could make the vampire swoon was irritating in moments like these.
Their journey was filled with silence, though this one was more…enjoyable. They'd passed Falkreath a few leagues back, Irina made sure to steer them the long way the city to avoid being spotted. Castle Volkihar would be their next stop to find anything related to Serana's mother, something to give them a lead so they wouldn't be grasping at straws.
"I think a storm is coming our way, those clouds are moving fast... and they're dark" Serana added whimsically.
Irina took a look at the sky and saw that she was right, not only could Irina see it she could feel the winds of the storm chilling her undead frame. Irina reined her horse to a stop and Serana followed suit, "should we try our luck in the city? I didn't see a stables there, where would we put the horses?"
"I don't know about the city, word must be going around that I've climbed down the mountain. I can only imagine the stir that would cause on our way back to the castle... damn it, clouds like that most certainly mean hail." Irina murmured against her palm, her brows were furrowed and she looked as if she had a plan but was debating on whether or not to go through with it.
Serana opened her mouth to speak, she assumed the woman was going to say that they should keep riding through the stormy weather and Serana was pointedly going to object, however, Irina spoke faster and had a different response than what Serana had thought. "remember my ties to the Dark Brotherhood? Our sanctuary is just a few minutes away, we can seek shelter inside and then tie the horses by the entrance. There's a bit of an overhang so they should be protected from this weather"
"Is that wise? Doesn't the brotherhood have a strict set of rules you have to follow? And wouldn't a rule be to not allow a stranger inside?" Serana asked.
"It's our wisest option right now, if we lose the horses that's more time to get back to the castle and more time for your father to figure out that your mother might be hiding right under his nose. If we found out now, the gods will play a cruel joke and have him figure it out not long after us." Irina retorted back, clearly adamant about taking refuge inside the sanctuary.
Serana kept quiet and had followed the elf's lead. While they only rode for about ten minutes the rain had hit them and with much force, their clothes stuck to their bodies and the cold winds slapped at their faces- being unaffected by the cold was one thing but the feeling of being soaking wet was another. It was awful.
Irina made an unexpected turn off the road to a dirt path dipping a bit lower than the road they'd been on. The path was small and Serana would have missed it entirely if she were traveling alone.
Serana came upon a small pond that was unusually dark. Her golden eyes would have lingered there had it not been for the door that had multiple skulls across the surface, it was black with one skull depicted in the center with a hand painted over its forehead. Irina dismounted her steed and helped Serana off hers with an offered hand.
As she dismounted her attention was focused on the black door, it was giving off an ominous vibe. Almost as if something or someone had been watching her. Serana swallowed and waited for the bosmer to finish tying down the horses, a chill ran down her back and she didn't know why she was so unsettled.
The bosmer appeared next to Serana in a matter of minutes. The bosmer placed her hand atop the skull and it whispered something to her, something Serana couldn't hear before the wood elf responded with "Silence, my brother."
A ghostly voice came from the door, "Welcome home."
She shouldn't have been so surprised. Irina had mentioned beforehand that she was affiliated with the brotherhood, that she was a renowned thief, and she even saw her lack of uncertainty when drinking blood for the first time. Irina was the dragonborn and savior of Skyrim, a thane in most of the holds- and she was not a pure soul.
Obviously not, when it comes to murdering people for money.
Not that that mattered now to Serana, or would it have ever mattered. The nord herself worshipped a daedric prince, she was not pure of heart herself and she would never claim to be.
Yet... all she had seen thus far of Irina had been nothing but good things. She was an excellent warrior, a kind woman, she had plenty of friends and helped anybody that would ask a favor of her. Serana saw life in her eyes, even after she was turned. Simply a marvel.
Then to step foot inside the sanctuary was a reality-check.
As they walked inside they could hear voices coming from the main area of the sanctuary, it sounded like a woman and someone else she couldn't place her finger on- like a man with a high-pitched voice.
Their footsteps resonated throughout the sanctuary and the voices soon died out as the pair stepped into the cavern. Irina dreaded the conversation that was about to take place, of course Astrid had to be first one to see Serana inside. It couldn't have been Nazir or Babette? Someone who had been more easy to talk to?
Her eyes registered the pale vampire and within the minute her arms were crossed and her attitude was anything but pleased. The man behind her was looking over her shoulder to take a look at the women and once he locked onto Irina it was as if something clicked in his head. The bosmer raised a brow at him but her attention was soon captured by Astrid once more.
Displeasure was written all across her features and Serana matched it with ease which made Astrid click her tongue and eye her up and down, almost assessing her. "I hope to Sithis that she's an initiate and not a stranger you've dragged into our sanctuary." Astrid asked with a tone that already knew her answer.
Her voice was dipped in anger, when her blue eyes met the elf's glowing ones she found herself exhaling in annoyance. The blonde rubbed her temples and took in a breath. Irina could already see that whatever she had been talking about had already set her on edge. "one thing at a time, one thing…"
The blonde looked at their disheveled state and with a wave of her hand motioned for them to leave, the authority was there. Serana could tell. "I will speak with you in a moment, do not think to leave." she said with narrowed eyes at the bosmer. Irina stood her ground by matching the fierceness of her eyes.
"Astrid, good to see you too. We're going to be just past the dining room, where the beds are." Irina said calmly while she motioned for Serana to follow her. The vampire walked past Astrid and the jester with a brisk pace, she could feel their eyes on the pair and the murderous intent that followed. Mainly from the woman named Astrid.
The jester seemed more focused on Irina and kept squinting his eyes at her, as if trying to put his place on something. He didn't look too happy for them to be there either, but he was less intimidating than the woman.
What have we gotten ourselves into? Just for some horses... What was the rush?
Irina sat herself on one of the many beds the sanctuary had to offer and sighed in relief, Serana sat herself across from her on another bed and tilted her head to the side "I feel as though coming here was a mistake, even if the horses did get injured from the hail... we could always acquire more."
"Don't trouble yourself over it, we're already here. Besides, horses aren't for miles and miles from Falkreath. Astrid is... a bit headstrong is all, besides it looks as if as though she were already in an argument with that jester. Her blood was already hot." Irina said while moving all her hair over to one side. The nord didn't look convinced, she wasn't convinced- but Irina obviously wasn't going to worry about it and Serana knew nothing of her comrades to piece together a potential scenario.
The nord was left with a frown and multiple thoughts simulating how terribly wrong things could turn out, she was not supposed to be here. That much was obvious.
"We're soaked to the bone, imagine being mortal- I would have surely caught a fever by this point." Irina mentioned off-handedly. She grabbed at the wet fabric that clung to her body with a curious gaze, vampirism sure had its own perks didn't it?
"Isn't it convenient that we aren't?" Irina asked with a half-smirk. Serana inspected her own clothes. A small look of displeasure loomed over her features at the uncomfortable tugging movement brought. With a silent leap Irina rose from her spot, sauntering over to a wardrobe. "Let's get into something dry, I know you're rather uncomfortable especially in that getup."
"What do you mean, that getup?" Serana asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Your fancy little clothes also serve as armor, the leather must be bothering you in places I shouldn't even have to mention" Irina spoke fishing through the various amounts of clothes that accompanied the wardrobe. Serana could only flush in response because the dovahkiin was right.
Irina returned to her with a black long-sleeve and light brown slacks. They were quite large and made for men but Serana was a tall woman, they would fit- if not be a little large on her. She took the clothes with a silent thanks and took in Irina's soaked form, her brown hair clung to her cheeks and neck and the water had made the color of her hair darker.
She looked young, but her eyes were wiser and older than anyone else Serana had ever met. Even her father.
"Serana? You're staring pretty intensely." Irina noted.
The nord slowly blinked into focused before speaking, "I was just thinking..."
"Of the other night?"
You ass... Let me live that down.
"No. I was thinking of how wise you are." Serana corrected as she began to strip herself of her armor.
Irina followed suit and used a rag to dry off her hair and every piece of exposed skin that she set free "oh. I suppose I am, I had some hardship and three years on a mountain to mold my character. In what way do you think I'm wise? I haven't had the oppurtunity to really give any advice to you."
Serana appreciated the conversation more than the exposed body Irina currently had on display and found it easier to not intrusively look at her form this time, "I noticed that, trust me. I had to piece together my current assessment, I guess I came to the conclusion seeing how you handle things. You're level-headed, and I don't think I've had the pleasure of seeing you have an outburst- ever."
"Trust me, they happen. They're not as barbaric as a regular warrior's would be, but I understand what you're saying." Irina hummed. She debated whether or not to tease the woman about how intently she observed Irina but decided against it, the confession was too fresh and it would probably make her self-conscious.
Huh... I suppose I am wise.
"I can only imagine...-" Serana began but she was cut off by approaching footsteps.
Astrid couldn't have come sooner. Just as soon as they were dressed in warm dry clothes did the leader of the assassins came striding forth with the jester at her side. His expression was blank, almost nonchalant. Hers was quite opposite, she was quite annoyed.
Serana found herself frowning, she wanted to continue their conversation- it was... engaging.
"Irina, what in the name of Sithis... is this stranger doing in our sanctuary? If I hadn't seen your uncanny ability for murder for myself I would stuck a knife in your leg, we wouldn't be having this discussion." she said with her arms crossed. Her blue eyes bore into the elf's clearly unaware of the vampires before her.
Now the nord, Serana, was never one to feel superior over anybody- nor did she try to prove it to others like her father did at times. However, this one instance was tempting her to flash her fangs into the mortal's face. She was quite cocky, speaking to them both in a condescending way.
"I could write a whole three novels as to the events that led us here, you'd enjoy the read. We came here to shelter our horses from the hail, there's some nasty business between myself and the Dawnguard. I could have my face on wanted posters within weeks, should they have any luck framing me for anything..." Irina said.
Her tone was also condescending, probably giving back what the other woman dished out. However it was noticable to Serana that she still stood up to speak to the woman, keeping in mind Astrid's position of authority.
"The Dawnguard? The ones that claim to kill vampires? How in oblivion did you manage to piss those people off?" Astrid asked with an incredulous expression.
"Astrid, with all due respect, my mere existence angers people. That is a silly question." Irina deflected.
The woman actually let out a chuckle at that, it was more of a surprised cough by the way she tried to keep her expression sour but nonetheless the dovahkiin suceeded in lightening the mood. If only a little.
The jester simply stared at Irina with a blank stare, his eyes were darting all about her so he obviously wasn't brain dead. "I guess it is. Nonetheless, you realize that you broke a rule, the most important rule- I don't have to tell you how much that's going to cost you in terms of gold am I? That's not even including my own judgement."
As if Irina would care about that last bit.
Serana resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Of course not, I've had to pay the fine a few times now. I remember the cost. I ask of you if we could rest here for the night, simply to wait out the storm- we need these horses ready to go." Irina said.
"The Dawnguard... poor Babette was avoiding them like the plague. They wander in groups around Falkreath hold-" Astrid cut herself off and stared at Irina with a slack jaw. The jester beside her gave her a glance at her sudden stop and smothered a disturbing smirk behind his gloved hand. He looked at her knowingly.
"Have you finally taken notice sister? I could tell from the moment they both walked inside, these are undead women before us. The shadows is where they have the advantage and we are all but one with the darkness now- no sunshine to save us." he chuckled to himself, he seemed overly pleased. Astrid gave him a sideye and pursed her lips in annoyance.
Irina only gave her a sheepish grin.
"I suppose then if I threaten you, it would be at my own disadvantage." Astrid drawled.
"I wouldn't kill you." Irina said with a hand over her heart, she looked offended but Serana couldn't quite tell if she were being sarcastic or not.
"Ha! How comforting, as if I needed reassurance of your loyalty. You do tend to border the lines though...- Fine then, one night inside. Have you managed to kill anyone of the contracts Nazir had given you?" She asked as she inspected her gloves for dirt or grime. She looked thankful the conversation was over, Serana was sure it was because of her newfound awareness.
They both had the power to turn this sanctuary inside out, not that Serana wanted to establish her dominance- nor would she want to over something as simple as staying the night.
The wood elf's ears visibly perked at the mention of the contract and she nodded her head, "I did kill the beggar man...-"
"Well that pay would have been yours but all things considered- It's not. Find Nazir and pay the fine. Cicero, I will consider your words but do not expect an immediate change in our ways. The tenants never did this sanctuary any good and they won't start tomorrow or the day after that, but your words will be taken into consideration, for the sake of tradition." Astrid deadpanned before strutting away from the trio.
She didn't even look at him as she spoke. Not the jester seemed to care, they all watched her leave and as soon as she was gone from earshot Irina spoke "that went considerably well. I've only to pay a few thousand gold, but no blood was shed." she grinned to Serana.
The nord merely shook her head at Irina.
All that stressing and for what? Nothing even happened.
Serana silently sighed and retreated to a bed. She nearly melted into the softness of it, her neck turning to Irina and the jester. They spoke as if they knew each other with friendly slaps to the shoulder and the short man letting excitement seep into his countenance. She furrowed her brows at the amount of strange people Irina had associated herself with, first the stormcloak courier, then a band of thieves... and now assassins?
Well, actually.
Irina had known them for longer. Vampires were the new addition to her life, not the other way around.
"What a woman." Serana mumbled.