Alternative To Suck It, Twilight
The journey back to Haven stretched longer than Solana could stand. The crisp winter air stung her skin, but it wasn’t enough to keep her grounded. Everything else—the chatter of her companions, the crunch of their boots on the icy trail, even the sway of the barren treetops above—blurred into a distant hum compared to the sound that consumed her. It was steady, rhythmic, and maddening: the heartbeats of Solas and Sera.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
The dull thud of their life pulsing through fragile veins coiled around her thoughts like chains. Her golden eyes, once scarlet and fierce, now gleamed feral under the twilight, betraying the battle raging just beneath the surface. The hunger clawed at her insides, growing louder with each beat of their hearts. It wasn’t the controlled ache she’d grown used to; no, this was wild, raw, and relentless. She could feel it in the curl of her fingers, the tension in her jaw, and the way her senses sharpened against her will.
Her Blood Potions hung heavy in her pack, their presence a cruel taunt. Just one sip, and the world would fall quiet again. One sip, and the gnawing ache would fade, replaced by clarity and control. But no. Not here, not now. They would know—she’d know. And how would she even explain it? Sera would pounce on every inconsistency, and Solas, with his piercing gaze, would undoubtedly unravel every half-truth she offered.
“Oi, Broody!” Sera’s voice broke through the haze, bright and irreverent as always. Solana stiffened, the rhythm of Sera’s heartbeat amplifying as she skipped closer. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. “You alright up there? You’ve barely touched anything all day. Not food, not... anything. ‘Cause, here’s the thing,” Sera continued, oblivious to the storm she was stirring. “I’ve had this weird hollow feeling in my stomach for the last hour, and it’s getting real annoying. Is that you, then? Some soul-y magic hunger thing? Seriously, what’s that about?”
Solana swallowed hard, her throat dry despite the moisture clinging to the cold air. Her golden gaze stayed trained on the road ahead, desperate for focus, but her heightened senses betrayed her. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. The pulsing sound was louder now, invasive. She could practically feel the heat of Sera’s veins, the rush of her blood as it coursed through her.
Breathe. Focus. Just answer her and keep moving.
“I’m fine,” Solana managed to say, though her voice came out rough, strained. Her hands flexed at her sides before tightening into fists. The sharp sting of her nails against her palms anchored her, if only barely.
But Sera wasn’t one for letting things go. She bounded closer, her breath fogging in the air as she tilted her head, studying Solana with sharp, stormy eyes. “Fine? Right. Sure you are,” she said, her tone laced with suspicion. “Except for the eyes. Were they always that gold-y and... wolf-y? Or is that new? ‘Cause last time I checked, they were more ‘spooky glowy red.’ Now they’re all predator-like. Creepy. Cool. Intimidating. Y’know, hunter vibes.”
Solana clenched her jaw, but it was no use. The beat of Sera’s heart was pounding in her ears, deafening and inescapable. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. And then, beneath it, another rhythm joined in—Solas’s measured, steady pulse. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Theirs overlapped, a relentless harmony of temptation clawing at her. Her hunger surged forward, wild and unrelenting, and she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling. She stuffed them into her cloak before Sera could notice.
Sera, oblivious—or, worse, relentless—hopped in front of her, walking backward now, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Wait—wait, I’ve got it!” she exclaimed suddenly, her playful grin widening. “You’re part dragon, aren’t you? That’s it! You’re totally some dragon-y soul-bond thing. Your marks make you dragon-y, right? But only at night? Or when it’s spooky?”
Solana stopped dead in her tracks. The sound of their heartbeats crescendoed, the gnawing hunger roaring in her chest. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Stop it. She pressed her fingers to her temples, willing the noise to quiet, to leave her in peace, but it only deepened her irritation. “I’m not a dragon,” she said sharply, her voice cutting through the cold air. “But I am Dragonborn.”
Sera froze mid-step, her eyebrows shooting up. “Dragonborn?” she echoed, her grin faltering, only to return in full force. “Wait. So... you’re, like, part dragon?” Her questions came rapid-fire. “Born of dragons? Born near dragons? Do you breathe fire? Do you fly? Ooh, can you roar—like a big, scary ‘knock enemies on their arses’ kind of roar?”
Despite herself, Solana’s lips twitched into a faint smile. The absurdity of the questions, paired with Sera’s unyielding enthusiasm, cut through the hunger’s haze, if only for a moment. “Dragonborn means I have the soul of a dragon,” she explained carefully, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s tied to prophecy—a destiny to fight ancient dragons and carry their power. It’s a connection to my world, to what I am.”
Sera let out a delighted laugh, clapping her hands together. “So you are part dragon! Brilliant. Bet you’ve got a dragon roar, then. Come on, give it a go! Let’s hear it! Do the thing!”
Solana sighed but couldn’t keep the amused smirk from creeping onto her face. “It’s called a Thu’um,” she said, her voice softening despite herself. “It’s magic woven into words. A shout in the dragon tongue.”
“Like a fire shout?” Sera pressed, her grin impossibly wide. “Or a lightning one? Bet you’ve got loads. What’s it sound like?”
Before she could answer, Sera leaned closer, her gaze narrowing playfully. “But, hey... if you’ve got all this dragon-y soul stuff, what’s with the whole hunger thing, then? Don’t tell me you’re craving dragon snacks or something weird.”
Sera’s heart beat faster now, her curiosity spilling over into her pulse. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Solana’s feral instincts flared, hot and urgent, threatening to overtake her entirely. And though her smirk lingered, her golden eyes burned with restrained chaos, a predator barely holding back.
The storm in Solana’s chest intensified, the drumbeat pushing her toward the truth she’d spent years hiding. Her feral gaze flickered, and Solas stepped closer, his calm voice slicing through the chaos. “It’s time,” he said simply, his tone carrying no judgment, only certainty.
Solana grimaced, shooting him a warning glance that softened as quickly as it had formed. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. The sound was overwhelming now, and there was no escape. She couldn’t run from this conversation, not with Sera locked onto her like an archer sighting a target. “Fine,” Solana said finally, her voice quieter now but no less tense. “You want the truth? You’ll get it.”
Sera tilted her head, curiosity sparking brightly through their bond. “Oh, finally! Spill it, Broody. What’s this whole spooky vibe you’ve got going on?”
Solana hesitated, her marked arm burning beneath her sleeve. Her lips pressed into a hard line as she glanced between Sera’s expectant expression and the frost-covered trail stretching ahead. “I’m not... just an Elf,” she said carefully, the words heavy as they fell into the cold air between them.
Sera blinked, her storm-grey eyes narrowing slightly. “Not just an Elf? What, you’re...?” Her words faltered as she tried to fill the gaps, coming up short.
“I’m something else,” Solana continued, her tone measured but firm. “My kind—we’re not from this world. On mine, we’re called vampires.”
“Vam-what?” Sera interrupted, her confusion palpable. “Never heard of that. What’s it mean, then?”
Solana let out a slow breath, bracing herself. “It means blood sustains me,” she said softly. “It keeps me strong, keeps me sane. And when I go too long without it... the hunger grows. It’s hard to control.”
Sera’s expression shifted from confusion to something softer—thoughtful, almost—but her curiosity didn’t wane. “Blood? Like actual, real blood?” she asked, storm-grey eyes widening. “Ew. Okay, that’s... that’s weird. But wait—how does it work? Do you just... drink it, or—”
“Sera,” Solana interrupted, her tone weary but not unkind. “It’s not easy to explain. It’s just... what I am.”
Sera stared at her for a beat longer before shrugging. “Well,” she said, her grin returning faintly, “that explains the spooky eyes. And the hunger. And the broody bits. But—” She leaned closer again, her voice dropping playfully. “You’re not about to, like, bite me, right? ’Cause I don’t fancy that.”
Solana huffed a laugh despite herself, shaking her head as the ache in her chest eased—just slightly. “No,” she said softly. “I won’t hurt you.”
“Good,” Sera replied briskly, her grin widening. “Because I’d taste awful. Too much ale, not enough veggies. But hey, you ever get stuck, maybe don’t look my way, yeah? Deer are fair game, though.”
The absurdity of her suggestion sent a burst of laughter tumbling from Solana’s lips, shaky but real. For the first time, the hunger felt just a little less unbearable.
Solas sighed audibly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I am surrounded by chaos,” he muttered.
“Yeah, but it’s fun chaos,” Sera quipped, flashing him a cheeky grin before turning back to Solana. “So. You good? Or are you still all vampire-hungry?”
Solana glanced at her, gratitude flickering in her golden eyes despite the storm still churning inside. “I’ll manage,” she said quietly. “Thanks.”
And as they continued their walk toward Haven, Sera’s banter filled the spaces between Solana’s heavier thoughts, her irreverent humor somehow easing the weight of the hunger one beat at a time. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. The rhythm lingered, but Solana found she could endure it. For now.
--
The storm in Solana’s chest roared louder, the drumbeat of heartbeats—Sera’s lively rhythm, Solas’s steady cadence—pushing her closer to the edge. Every step was a battle, every breath a struggle to keep her instincts at bay. The frost-covered trail beneath her boots was uneven, crunching faintly underfoot, but all she could truly hear was the relentless rhythm. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
She clenched her fists harder, the ache clawing at her ribs now a gnawing void. The Blood Potions in her pack weighed her down, their presence a constant reminder of relief just out of reach. She wouldn’t, not here, not now—but the temptation was impossible to ignore.
“Oi, Spooky,” Sera called, her voice as lively as ever, cutting through the haze. Solana’s shoulders tensed. “You’re still looking all broody and hungry. And not the ‘ugh, Tavern food’s crap’ kind of hungry. It’s the spooky kind, yeah? So, what gives?” Sera gestured toward the forest as they passed beneath frost-rimed branches. “Why not just... you know, find a deer or something? Loads of animals running about. Get yourself a big ol’ stag and drain it or whatever. Problem solved, right?”
Solana stopped dead in her tracks, Sera’s words simultaneously absurd and too on the mark. The feral gleam in her golden eyes flared before she could suppress it, the hunger twisting cruelly at her core. Solas, a few steps behind, sighed audibly, his tone calm but laced with faint exasperation. “Sera, this is far more complicated than you realize.”
“What? How complicated can it be?” Sera threw her hands up, completely undeterred. “She’s hungry. Big deer. Lots of blood. That’s got to help, yeah? You two can go all spooky and broody after she’s, y’know, not starving.”
“It’s not the deer, Sera,” Solana said tightly, her voice low, strained. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her hands trembling faintly as she shoved them into her pockets. The rhythmic pulse of Sera’s heart—faster now, full of curiosity—pounded in her ears. “It’s not that simple.”
Sera narrowed her storm-grey eyes, taking a step closer. “Then what is it, Spooky? ’Cause you’re looking like you’re about five seconds away from chewing through the nearest tree.”
Solana’s marked arm burned beneath her sleeve, the hunger tearing through her defenses. She exhaled sharply, and without a word, she reached for her pack, pulling out a small glass vial of crimson liquid. The sight of it brought instant relief and dread in equal measure, her instincts clawing at her to down it instantly, while her reason begged her to wait.
Sera froze, her gaze zeroing in on the vial like it was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. “What’s that?” she asked, her tone pitched with curiosity. “Some kind of magic drink? Does it, like, make you super strong or something? Wait, is it deer blood?”
Solana let out a quiet, weary laugh as she uncorked the vial, the sharp metallic scent wafting into the cold air. She could feel Sera’s curiosity sparking through their bond, a vibrant hum that only added to the noise in her head. “It’s a Blood Potion,” she explained, her tone flat but firm. “Keeps the hunger quiet. It’s made from... ingredients.”
Sera tilted her head, her sharp gaze flitting between the vial and Solana’s face. “What kind of ingredients?” she pressed. “It smells... strong. And weird. Like... I don’t even know. What’s in it?”
Solana hesitated, her golden eyes flicking up to meet Sera’s stormy gaze. “Crushed dried stag heart,” she said evenly. “And stag meat.”
Sera blinked, her expression an unreadable mix of fascination and revulsion. “Wait, hold on. Stag... heart?” she repeated slowly. “And meat? You’re drinking that?”
“It works,” Solana said simply, lifting the vial to her lips. She tilted her head back and downed the potion in one swift motion, the thick, warm liquid burning as it slid down her throat. Relief was immediate. The ache in her chest ebbed, the hunger receding just enough to give her clarity. Her golden eyes softened back into red, the feral gleam dimming as her breathing steadied.
Sera watched her intently, her mouth quirking into a lopsided grin as her curiosity flared again. “Alright, so,” she began, her tone light and teasing, “what’s it taste like? All deer-y and gross? Or is it...?”
Before Solana could answer, Sera darted forward, swiping the vial from her hand with startling speed. She held it up to the light, examining the few drops of crimson left inside. “Oi, there’s some left!” she exclaimed, her grin widening. “What happens if I drink it? Do I turn all spooky like you?”
“Sera,” Solana said sharply, her tone carrying a warning edge. “Don’t.”
But Sera was already uncorking the vial, the mischievous glint in her eyes daring her to object further. “What? Can’t be worse than Tavern ale,” she said with a shrug, tilting the vial toward her lips.
Solas stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Sera, I would strongly advise against—”
Too late. Sera downed the remaining drops with a dramatic flourish, her expression immediately twisting into one of pure regret. She gagged loudly, her storm-grey eyes wide as she shoved the empty vial back toward Solana. “Ugh! Maker’s breath, that’s awful!” she sputtered, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. “Tastes like... like blood and burnt meat and... ugh! How do you drink that?”
“I told you not to,” Solana replied dryly, though her lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smirk.
Sera coughed, glaring at her with watery eyes. “You could’ve tried harder,” she shot back, though her indignation was undercut by the obvious amusement flickering in her expression. “I was curious, alright? Didn’t think it’d be that bad.”
“I could’ve told you,” Solas said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But, as always, you insist on learning the hard way.”
“Oh, shut it, Egg,” Sera muttered, waving him off before turning back to Solana. Her grin returned, sharp and irrepressible. “So, you good now, Spooky? All deered-up and ready to stop brooding?”
Solana chuckled softly, her golden gaze meeting Sera’s with a flicker of gratitude. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I’m good.”
“Good,” Sera said briskly, clapping her hands together. “Now let’s get to Haven before you start glowing again. And next time, if you’ve got weird creepy drinks, maybe keep ’em away from me, yeah? Not worth the curiosity.”
As they continued their journey, Sera’s laughter echoed through the frosty air, weaving through Solana’s thoughts and lightening the weight of the hunger just a little more. For now, the rhythm of heartbeats receded, quieter, manageable—but never truly gone. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. And Solana found she could endure it. With Sera’s chaos at her side, she just might manage.
The frost-covered trail stretched on as Solana adjusted her cloak, the lingering glow of her Soul Etching fading into quiet warmth. Sera’s laughter still echoed intermittently, sharp and irreverent, a buoyant counterpoint to the storm of thoughts swirling in Solana’s mind. The Blood Potion had dulled her hunger just enough to think clearly, though the lingering burn in her chest refused to entirely retreat.
Sera, as ever, was brimming with curiosity. She bounded alongside Solana, her storm-grey eyes glinting with mischief and fascination. “Alright, Spooky,” she said, nudging Solana lightly with her elbow. “So you’ve got these creepy drinks, spooky predator eyes, and the whole blood thing. But what about powers, huh? You’ve got to have weird vampire magic or something. Like, can you fly? Or turn invisible? Ooh, do you sneak into places as mist? That’s a thing, right?”
Solana chuckled softly, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smirk. “It’s not quite like that,” she said, her tone measured but teasing. “I do have powers, but I wouldn’t call them... subtle.”
“Oh, here we go,” Sera said eagerly, spinning around so she was walking backward to face Solana directly. “Come on, don’t hold out on me! What is it? Creepy shadow stuff? Weird scary vampire voice? Or—oh, wait! Can you turn into one of those big bat things? Or is it something even spookier?”
Solana stopped abruptly, her scarlet gaze narrowing slightly as she considered her response. She wasn’t sure how much Sera could handle—or rather, how much she’d choose to believe. But Solas, walking just behind them, gave a quiet sigh and gestured for her to continue. “You might as well tell her,” he said evenly. “Otherwise, she’ll only invent stranger theories.”
Solana raised an eyebrow at him but turned back to Sera, her smirk widening slightly. “Alright,” she said simply. “I can transform.”
Sera’s eyes widened, her excitement practically vibrating through the bond. “Transform? Into what? Wait—wait, is it a dragon thing? Or something else? Big spooky animal vibes? Come on, give me the details!”
Solana crossed her arms over her chest, her ruby eyes glinting faintly with mischief. “Not exactly an animal. I can take on what’s called a Vampire Lord form. It’s... a more powerful version of what I am. Stronger, faster—but it’s not pretty. Wings, claws, and sharp edges. It’s... unsettling.”
Sera blinked, her storm-grey eyes narrowing as she tilted her head. “Alright, hang on. You’re saying you’ve got a big scary vampire monster thing you can turn into? And wings? And claws? And you didn’t mention this before?” She let out a whistle, her grin growing wider. “Bloody hell, Spooky, you’re really holding out on me. So... is it fun? Or just creepy?”
Solana huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “It’s not exactly fun. The transformation isn’t pleasant.”
Sera leaned closer, her curiosity flaring even brighter through their bond. “Oh, so it hurts then? What’s it feel like? Do you snap into it, or is it all slow and dramatic? Tell me, I’ve got to know.”
Solana hesitated briefly, her smirk softening as her marked arm thrummed faintly beneath her sleeve. “It’s powerful, but it’s... harsh. Painful. Still, it’s not the worst transformation I’ve been through.”
Sera stopped dead, her jaw dropping slightly. “Wait—wait, hold up,” she said, her voice rising. “You’re saying there’s something worse than the big creepy vampire monster thing? What, did you turn into a dragon too? Or—oh, wait. Were you a ghost?”
Solana laughed quietly, her red gaze meeting Sera’s with a flicker of amusement. “I used to be a werewolf,” she said simply.
The silence that followed was brief but heavy, thick with disbelief. Sera stared at her, her storm-grey eyes wide, as though trying to decipher whether Solana was playing some elaborate prank. “A werewolf,” Sera repeated slowly, her voice flat. “Like, big scary wolf thing? Howling at the moon, chasing sheep, biting people—that kind of werewolf?”
Solana nodded, her smirk widening into something sly. “I was the leader of the pack, in fact.”
Sera stared at her for a moment longer before bursting into laughter, her stormy eyes crinkling at the corners as she clutched her sides. “Oh, that’s a good one, Spooky! Leader of the werewolves—brilliant! Bet you’ve got a howl too, huh? Maybe you could show me?”
“I could,” Solana replied smoothly, her tone laced with playful teasing. She stepped closer, leaning in slightly with a wink. “But then I’d have to bite you. It’s tradition.”
Sera’s laughter faltered for half a second as her storm-grey eyes widened. She waved her hands dramatically, stepping back quickly. “Oi, no biting! Soul bond’s enough, thanks! Don’t need spooky wolf stuff added on top.”
Solas sighed audibly, pinching the bridge of his nose as he muttered something inaudible. “Every moment with her is an exercise in chaos,” he remarked, though there was no malice in his tone.
“Yeah, well, you’d be boring without me,” Sera quipped, her grin returning full force. She pointed at Solana with mock seriousness. “But you—Spooky Lady, Vampire Dragonborn Wolf Thing—you’d better be ready to keep the weird stories coming. I’m still not convinced you’re not just messing with me.”
Solana chuckled, her red eyes gleaming with warmth as they continued along the trail. “Oh, Sera,” she said lightly. “If I were messing with you, I’d make it far more dramatic.”
Sera laughed, shaking her head as she fell into step beside Solana. “Alright, alright. Guess I’ve got to stick with you, then. Don’t want to miss the next big reveal.”
As they walked, Sera’s lively banter filled the quiet air, her storm-grey gaze flickering with endless curiosity. And though the rhythm of heartbeats still lingered in Solana’s ears, quieter now, she found herself smiling. With Sera’s chaos at her side, perhaps the hunger—and the past—would feel just a little less heavy. At least for now.