.Mess With a Man's Mother Once....

The familiar, soft chiming of the several Nirnroots eventually reached the vampire's ears as he returned to Sarethi Farm, rounding the path down through the mountains and being spat out on the opposite side that he'd arrived before. Laidened with a pack full of the Jazbay Grapes that Avrusa requested, he had no trouble making his way down with his haul--as a master of heavy armor, it was hard-pressed to find anything that burdened the vampire. The bright glow eventually reached his eyes, but as it did, shouting reached his ears instead of the peaceful sound of the Nirnroot.

His ears perked, picking up several men's voices, all sporting a heavy Skyrim accent. Stormcloaks?? he thought. As he landed on flat ground near the Nirnroot patch, he dropped his load in time to hear just a bit of the Nords' plans; "Look, Dark Elf. Your property is for forfeit when Ulfric lays his sights on it. Go peacefully or they'll be no mercy."
Thurvayn's hair stood on end. Brief flashbacks to his childhood days stirred rage in his heart--if there was anything more he hated than a man abusing a woman for whatever reason, he'd never know it. Just as he launched himself toward the farm house, Avrusa spoke up to the Stormcloak, her strong voice shaking with stress, and obvious fear; "I dont care what your leader wants, you will not set foot in this house, not while I am here!"

The vampire had taken the trail down in merely three bounds before rounding the corner and laying eyes on two soldiers in full armor standing outside the farmhouse door. Wasting no time, he charged and bowled through them, pulling them several yards clear of the porch and knocking them to the ground. Keeping his footing, he slid to a stop before whipping around to face the soldiers.
Both scrambled to stand, but the assassin wasnt ready to allow that. As one got to his knees, the vampire had his dagger pulled and slicing through the Nord's throat, the action obviously well-practiced as it dipped clear under the extensive helm of the soldier to find purchase on the soft flesh beneath. As the first fell, the second met a similar end as the mutt finished a macabre dance, then turned his eyes to another shocked soldier peeking out of the doorway to the house.

"I won't tell you again! Your property is now under possession of the Stormcloaks! The prime location is needed for our cause." Came the first Nord's voice, this time locatable from originating within the farm house.

"H-Hey! You're under arrest for obstructing Ulfric Stor--GACK!"
In less than a second, Thurvayn had dashed forward and taken the Nord by the throat, his large hand constricting the soldier's breathing. "Ulfric can say that to my face and see how long he makes it." The vampire growled lowly, the inhuman sound aided by his natural ash-scraped voice.
Tightening his grip, he felt the satisfying pop of vertibre separating, then tossed the limp body clear of the porch. Finally, he turned his head to look into the house. There stood a red-headed Nord, most likely an officer by the improved armor and lack of helm. He had shifted to look back at the goings on outside, but it was a clear view from his stance that he had grabbed Avrusa's arm in attempt to pull the woman out of her home.

Thurvayn's eyes flashed, the normal pink irises now a bloodred like the rest of his eye. Though he looked more Dunmeri by his normal standards, the way his form hulked, his hand curled into talons, and those predatory eyes locked on the officer was enough to say he was not a normal mer.
This seemed to throw the Nord off, loosening his grip on the woman's arm. "Hey! You have to leave, this doesnt concern yo--"
"Unhand her." He growled in a most unnatural tone, stepping stiffly into the house. His dagger still dripped blood, though he had transferred it to his off-hand when he had grabbed the last soldier.
"This is Stormcloak property!" The officer's voice started to shake. "Leave before I--"
"Before you do what?" The vampire challenged. Without another sound, he whipped forward and seized the officers head in his hand, his claws digging right through the thin layer of skin to grip the skull beneath. "I told you to let go of the woman." He snarled, keeping his voice oddly calm.

The officer cried out at the rough grip as the vampire wrenched his head around to an unnatural angle, enticing the Nord to release Avrusa's arm. Though as dark-skinned as she was, Thurvayn's enhanced sight could see it red and inflaming where the Nord had obviously gripped her tightly. He gave a growl and repayed him by turning and heading back out of the house, yanking the officer off his feet and dragging him by the skull.
Yelping much like a trapped animal, the Nord clawed at the superior being's hand and writhed as he was dragged out into the yard. When finally the vampire let him go, the officer faceplanted, but was kicked onto his back with the vampire's heavily booted foot on his chest.

"Where does Ulfric make it rule that you must harass or kill innocent by-standers to the war?" He snarls. "I dont take it well when a man threatens a woman. And especially not a Dunmer woman. Be lucky you are not Altmeri scum, or the Nine forbid a Thalmor." He increased the weight he set on the Nord's chest. With a sufficient response of a choked cry, he released the officer. "You tell your Ulfric that should I see this happen again, I will hunt him down personally and assassinate him."

The officer stared in horror--though perhaps shock at being released--momentarily before he scrambled uncoordinatedly to his feet and bolted off down the path.
Thurvayn gave him exactly two seconds before muttering, "I change my mind."
Transferring his dagger to his dominant hand, he whipped it off toward the running Nord, and with a precise and practiced strike, had it lodge between the Nord's spinal cord and skull from several meters away. He watched the officer drop dead, his predatory eyes watching for any movements that would betray a less-than-perfect shot. Satisfied he had been accurate after several seconds of no motion or heartbeat reaching his ears, the vampire took a deep breath to calm himself before going back to the farmhouse.

He straightened his posture and wiped the blood off his hand on his cloak, his eyes already able to see how visibly shaken the Dunmeri women were--he hadnt noticed another, darker Dunmer behind Avrusa before, but now that the Stormcloaks were out of the way, she had apparently peeked out from hiding. He stepped calmly into the house.
"Are you both alright...?" He had to ask, even though he could smell they had no open wounds and were merely terrified.
"Thurvayn...! By the Nine how--...?" Avrusa started, seemingly unable to come up with a solid sentence. "How did you--..."
"The Stormcloaks wanted your house??" It was a stupid question to say after all that just happened, but it was one of the few things he could possibly think to say as well.
"Yes...! They just barged right in, claiming their awful leader wanted it..." She replied, still in shock over it all.
"It's alright... They're gone now, never to claim here again." He says softly.

"How did you do that so easily!?" Pipped up the younger Dunmer, moving to stop her hiding.
"Aduri..." Avrusa scolds.
The vampire shakes his head. "It's quite alright. I am old, I am trained. They were no problem at all; I am just glad I arrived when I did!"
"Whatever are you doing here??" Avrusa seems to gather her thoughts.
"I was bringing the grapes you wanted, of course." He replies. "This is the last thing I thought I would find when I returned, however!"
The older of the women looked to him in disbelief. "You actually was able to bring them all...? I thought I'd asked for too much, but...! By the Nine, you are more profound than I ever thought possible..."
He has to chuckle.
"I owe you so very much Thurvayn... You saved us, and our house... I dont know how I could ever repay you..." Avrusa said, putting her hands to her heart.

The vampire shakes his head. "There is no need, Avrusa... Knowing you are safe is enough for this old man."
Tears cornering her eyes, the Dunmer rushes the mutt to embrace him. Not quite used to such level of affection or show of gratitude, it startles him just a bit before he reciprocates.
"You are always welcome here, Thurvayn..." Avrusa finally says, pulling away from him. "We dont have much... But what it is I am glad to share...
He gives her a smile. "Truly. No material possession could mean more to me than both of your's safety. That said, I would wish to stay for a few days and watch over the farm for you. Make sure that no more Stormcloaks come to attempt again what happened today."
"Of course..! Oh please stop offering such wonderful things, you are going to overwhelm me." Avrusa says with an almost joking tone.

The vampire laughs. "Perhaps then I should just not say my intentions and stick around." He chuckles again when she replies with a disbelieving sound. "But, allow me to clean up the mess I've made of your yard, then bring you the grapes you requested."
"Oh, do let me help you--..." She starts.
The vampire stops her. "Truly, it's quite alright~ I can take care of it~" He says before moving outside to remove the bodies from the property.

--

Part 2 of ??
Part 3: [link]

Title alludes to Thurvayn's past and how the abuse of his mother has made him protective of women who are being abused by men, if you didnt catch that ;D

:T btw, no resize because i effed up and saved the main file as 1024x768 without noticing.

This is obviously my favorite part of the story. X) Any time i get to show off my vampires being badass is my favorite part.

.3. i finally got to meet avrusa in-game yesterday. i was giggling so hard XD; I didnt realize she would sound so old....! XD i've had numerous giggles about it but.... omg... XD but yeah, i decided just to stick with her because i still find the pairing appropriate. xD i think my outlook on it has changed a bit, but whatever.

ohgod, i loved this picture's sketch, so much. i feel that the coloring does absolutely no justice for it, so here it is...with the construction lines: [link]

...and now looking back i can finally see the error where Thurvayn doesnt look right. :T and ~OreoNova13 said he looked fine. eh. i'll leave it. *flops*

_{ohgod aduri makes me giggle so hard}

Avrusa, aduri, and TES (C) bethsoft
Thurvayn and art is MINE :'D