Dawn awoke in mild haze and with horrible headache, parched throat and distinct soreness in breasts. With great difficulty she opened her eyes only to shut them as pain pierced her skull. Ohhh, Gods, why Queen Celestia's torturing her?

She groaned as the headache hit her like a angry troll. She tried sitting up and her head hurt thrice as much, now accompanied by her sore muscles.

What did she do last night? She asked inward adjusting her blurry vision. She reached right in automatic move to find her glasses. She found her goggles on the night stand. She pressed them against her face not even trying putting them on. Her head was cracking enough. She brushed a small bit of purple hair from her face, making a note someone undone her bun.

First thing she noted was it wasn't her room or her home or the library. She was in a stone room with old furnitures and a chimney. Cinders glowed weakly, light dying quietly. A rays of light were falling through the window and between thick curtains, thankfully not reaching her face but still making the room way too bright for her liking.

Where was...

A fresh wave of locked memories flooded her mind. Lemon Zest, Beholder, The treasure, The Fire Ruby Wine. Her and Shining. And now the headache.

She was freaking hammered.

Dawn smacked her lips or at least tried, tasting only sour bile. She felt freaking horrible. Why people even drink at all? Nothing is worth such pain.

Despite the loud protests of her body she finally sit up, knocking off her duvet and finding that despite still wearing her armor her breasts were completely exposed. Her hand fell under them as she struggled to pull it up. The brim barely reached her aureolas. Had she swollen or something?

A clicking sound from the door drew her attention.

"Ohh good. You're awake." Lemon Zest stood at the door frame. She had a sack slung over her shoulder with second smaller in her left hand. But it was the big red marks on her cloches was concentrated own. Her green were messy and stiff with red, too. If the vampire noticed the purple haired girl starring she did not show it.

"Brought you some coffee and tea. Did not know which one would you like more. ”She said raising a sack. There was something with her voice. She sounded... calmer, somehow." And fresh bread and beacon."

Beacon- fat, sizzling, greasy beacon. Dawn felt as ball of bile slimed its way up her throat. She wanted to puke but swallowed with great difficulty. Again, Why so many people drink, again?

"Coffee." Dawn only managed to say.

Lemon walked past the bed and to a fireplace and placed a new log inside. Flickers of fire licked the wooden piece." Hunted a deer in the woods for the exchange." Zest started to say just glad to could talk to someone." I was a little worried that my 'hunting' skills've got rusty but Dude, it was huge. Biggest one I've ever caught. In moments like that, a girl wishes to be a druid." She said dreamily." Or had a scroll for that. Still, the jerk in the village had the nerve to bargain. Said it looked malnourished. Does this looks malnourished to you?" She pointed at her dirty clothes before  putting a metal kettle in the fire." I had to charm him for a "reasonable" prise. Some people."

"There is plenty of gold in the chamber right?" Dawn said slowly after gulping a healing potion from her satchel. It was under the night stand She didn't know if it'd heal hangover- note to self, make one that will- but it would wet her throat." Couldn't you pay with it?"

Lemon shook her head." Nuh-uh. First of- not anymore. I helped pack and carry the gold out." She pointed at the door." It's outside. Second- It belongs to you now. I promised and I'm the bloodsucker of her word."

"Oh." Dawn continued laying the warm bed while Zest started to unpack her bag.

"So, how do you feel? Really worried me when you blacked out. BTW, your story was hot."

Dawn massaged her temples. The pain slightly subsided but stopped just above dull, and I quickly got used to it. "Besides my body hating me, I'm fine. Are you fine? You seem calmer, today."

"Yeah, lets say Sunset helped me work out some steam. "She rolled her neck, making a loud popping noise ." Had a whole night with her. Shame you've missed it. For real, I'm the creature that bites for living, but it was the Suntits that was doing all the biting." The kettle started to whistle. Zest grabbed the metal vessel with her bare hand. She didn't even flinched. "Sex is like meals. You can't just have only waffles for breakfast. "She poured water into prior prepared mugs." And... you know I was happy to meet you two." She said quietly.

Right, she'd been imprisoned for Luna knows how long. Just her, all alone. Until... "Where is Sunset, anyway?"

"Left before the Sun raised up. Took half of the gold and most the 'Evil' books. Like I said the rest is outside. Books, scrolls and half of the gold. Packed and ready to be spend.”

"Ohhh."Huh. The information made her a little sad. Wonder why. She barely knew her. Guess she at least expected a goodbye. Her action just seemed so... rude. Ohh.

Zest must had noticed her sour mood."Don't worry, D. I'm sure you two will meet again."

"You think?"

"Yeah. Maybe we could go for another adventure. You... would go for another one, right? Admit it its kind of fun."

"Well, can't deny it was exiting."

"Annnnnd, you've got richer, helped an innocent vampire get her freedom back, meet and killed new creatures and visited places. Most people only read about situations like those.” Lemon without hesitating, dropped down on the bench next to Dawn. She leaned back comfortably, crossing her legs.” And made a new friend.”

New friend, huh? Well, her parents and brother keeps telling her she should socialize more. And some of Zest jokes were funny. And she herself seemed nice once you establish the boundaries.

"Guess I did.” The Artificer smiled heartily.

Lemon smile grew.“And if you can rub up your sister's nose you beat a beholder. Top that Lesser twin!!!"

Dawn made a soft giggle. She wondered what Twilight's face would look like when she will tell her what she's seen. Or Moondancer. Or her parents.

Actually, She might leave few details out for them. At least until they cool down.

"Hey, kind of weird moment but I ask you for a favor?" Zest asked with bashful smile and playing with her fingers.

"What is it?"

"Can I-uhhh- borrow some money." She waved her hands rapidly." Not all, just a part. I'll pay you off, I swear. I just want to buy an instrument."

"You don't have to." Dawn didn't mind she had her gem, rest was just a bonus." You can take it. I would love to listen your music."

That had must be the widest grin shes seen on her face. "You're cool Dawn." She cheered, bringing me into a tight hug. " Are you an Angel? I won't mind if you are. You won't regret it. Crowds loves my tunes."

"I was meaning to ask," Dawn started after being released from the bear hug and wincing when touch her side. Hope her ribs were fine." Aren't you worried that people might avoid or even attack you because you're..."

"A Vampire?"

Dawn opened her mouth but closed it quickly and nodded instead.

"Yeah, happed few times. Had good times then someone figured what I am. It's exasperating sometimes. I mean I get them. Most Vampires are not the best creatures to hang out with." Lemon said starring at the ceiling. She wasn't smiling, she looked so... forlorn? Huh, sans the few moments when apologized for her friskiness this was the first time she had seen her without a smile. It felt wrong. Dawn thought she asked for sour topic, but the next second the Vampire give her a wide smile. "But I don't care. I can hide my identity pretty good, if I need to. Just gonna have a good time and maybe make sure others have some too. Life's too short for worries. Yes, Dawn I know I'm gonna live long." Zest added when she saw Dawn opening her mouth. "So, Dawn since you've done so much for me do need anything?”She asked in mockingly seductive tone and doing her best impression of 'Bedroom Eyes'.” Ask if you want. You can shamelessly use me for your nerd fetishes. Anything you want?" Zest asked.

"Anything?" Dawn asked, her downcast as she hugged the duvet. For some reason she remind Zest as a shy girl who was about ask for her first kiss (or sex). She  chuckled inside. She made a promise that she won't try to hit on her, but who was she do deny a friend a good time. She could not in good conscien-

"Tell me about vampires." Dawn blurted out.

"Huh?"

Faster than Zest believed, Dawn moved close to her. So close that the green haired girl had to lean back yet their breasts still squished hard against each other. Zest winced as she felt hard nipples poke into her own- and hers are always hard, part of being a vampire.- Looks like she didn't mind touching anymore." You're a higher vampire, right? Does garlic hurts you? Since you have, parents, does that mean vampires can reproduce trough reproduce sexually Or your parents adopted you and turned you later? You said your grandma 'is' sleeping, does it means she's alive but in some sort regenerative coma? Please tell me everything about your kind. Your strengths, your weaknesses. About your culture, your history.” Dawn lean even more until their noses met. It’s an impressive feat considering the mountain of tit flesh squished in between them.” Everything."

Zest Her chest actually started to hurt. Not easy disturbed vampire, Zest found the other's girl wide smile and weird sparks gathering in her eyes disturbing.

She gulped. Well, she did tell her she could use her.