Susan
Katya had been running for the better part of the night. Light on her feet and virtually untiring, she had made quick work of the distance between Rorikstead and Dragon Bridge. All because of some damned book. She had learned of a trading caravan that might have rare books, especially on illusion magic. She had just missed them in Rorikstead and then had to wait out the sun before she could travel fast again. By that time they were way ahead of her and headed for Dragon Bridge. So she followed them, tracking them all the way to Haafingar. It was unexplored ground for her, as he hadn't strayed that far north before.

She finally caught up to them just as they reached Dragon Bridge and didn't have to spend too long in town to get the book. It cost all the gold she had on her, but she didn't care. The gold wasn't her's strictly speaking anyway. With the new book in hand, she stopped to think about the long way back home. From all her little excursions and flights of fancy, this one had gone too far. Great. Unfamiliar hold, unfamiliar town, few hours till morning. Just great. She walked back over the quite interesting looking bridge that the town was undoubtedly named after. She'd read about it before, but it was far more impressive in person. 

Better get out of the town. Katya wasn't too excited about spending a prolonged amount of time among people, especially in a town she didn't know. But she also didn't quite feel ready for the long trek back to her lair in Falkreath. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do next. Wandering aimlessly as she did, she sometimes got these moments of indecisiveness, where she had no plans for the next day or even the next hour. After crossing the bridge she sat down on a rock by the side of the road and began absent-mindedly thumbing through the pages of her new book. What to do next? She almost hoped life would just throw something at her and save her from making up her mind herself.
Michael
*Leaning against one of the pillars of the bridge, a large figure stood amongst the shadows. The eyes of the silhouette gleamed within the darkness, fixated on the golden instrument in their grasp. From the end of the bridge, soft strumming could be heard and a familiar melody filled the air around them. It was a lullaby, a sweet, mesmerizing song that resonated throughout the becoming dawn. The plucking didn't cease until the sound of approaching footsteps were audible, and the last vibrating string softened into silence. The person remained still as they waited for the passersby to continue on their way.*

*Except that was just it. Once the passerby strolled by with her head in a book, their eyes flickered to study the passing stranger. A traveler? Their hand came to strum a chord just as the young woman made it to the next pillar and they chuckled.* "Good morning to you, Miss." *The raspy voice called,* "Quite the peaceful hour for traveling, no?"
Susan
Katya stopped and turned her head at the stranger greeting her. She didn't raise her head too much or attempt to look into the stranger's eyes. A force of habit she had learned to avoid being revealed as a vampire, as she didn't know any magic that could mask her ever so hungry eyes. 

"Yes- I... Suppose it is", she answered in a friendly, but hesitant manner. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say or if she even wanted to stop and have a chat. She didn't know what she wanted to do next, but being chased out of town with torches wasn't it. She dared to look up enough to recognize them as an Altmer... That's odd. Thalmor? She didn't know of any other Altmer in Skyrim, if you don't count some of the rich shopkeepers in the bigger cities. "Good hour for minstreling, too?" She asked, breaking the little awkward silence.
Michael
*Another chuckle rumbled from the stranger's chest,* "Well, there's little time for that in daylight. Bustling crowds, trotting horses.. *Pestering* Strangers.." *The emphasis on the word 'pestering' could either be interpreted as condescending or.. Creepy. The distinction blurred.* "Besides, the night is much.. Calmer, I'd say." 

*The stranger ran their hand down the lyre's strings, and their head lowered,* "Can't say I recommend traveling at this hour though, especially in a town where travelers come and go, whether it be criminals or what have you." *The figure shrugged indifferently and laid their head back against the pillar. A strand of blonde hair could be seen falling just in front of a pointed ear. Despite their relaxed form, the stranger's bright eyes were trained on the young woman.*
Susan
Katya got the distinct feeling she was being talked down to. She let out a little, frustrated huff. Shifting her weight onto one foot and cocking her head to the side, she said in a snooty tone: "I *Can* Handle myself..." She peered at them from under her hood, careful not to let them study her face too closely. 

Few things irked her more than being talked to like a kid. Guess that's what you get for becoming a vampire as a fresh-faced 19-year-old. It was the same back in her little coven... Even her fellow vampires sometimes forgot that she wasn't quite as young as she looked... Though now those memories seem much more wholesome, wish they were still here... She pushed the thought aside and refocused on the stranger in front of her. Something about them seemed... Off.
Michael
*The stranger cocked an eyebrow, realizing she must've misinterpreted their tone. But instead of adorning an apologetic expression, they smirked, finding amusement in her discomfort.* "I did not insinuate your incapability, my dear." *They stated,* "I was simply explaining the mere dangers that await for you." 

*A sudden hand motioned from beneath his cape and he gestured to distance where the main path continued.* "There leads to Solitude, but it's not the road you have to be weary of, it's those who lurk upon it." *They slowly brought their hand down and returned it to the frame of the golden lyre, holding it within a tight hold.* "I'm merely suggesting for you to be careful. After all, even the most capable of travelers face unexpected *Vermin."* *Their skilled fingers began to ghost over the various strings, moving with precision as they created a different tune.* "From experience, I urge you to be careful."