RP:A Pretty Stiff

Summary: Joan is having a difficult time at her workplace as the Chapel of Rest is bombarded with many bodies, some of which are undead! After a mishap at a Samhain party, an influx of zombies had attacked many residents of Cenril, and the vampire hopes to help them find a final resting place. Lanara visits the funeral home to make arrangements for her inevitable death in the coming weeks, and finds herself distracted by Joan, and full of questions. The women share a cup of tea and discuss the dead, preparations that would have to be made in the event of a death, and upcoming advancements in the Healer's and Necromancer's Guild. Before they part, the woodland witches gives Joan a recipe for how to brew a glamour potion that could be used on the dead, so that they would look less like a corpse during visitations from loved ones.

Part of the Lunar Tides and Silver Linings Arc

This is a Healer's Guild RP.

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Joan has earlier set up a magical barrier to keep out any wandering zombies from entering into the funeral parlor and making their way deeper into the Chapel of Rest proper. As for the deceased they had on hand...the practicing vampiric necromancer had went over to each as they arose up to sit up from their table, coffin, or gurney and simply placed her whole hand upon their head and allowed a small amount of her chilly necromancer skill and magic to enter into the risen zombie and commanded it to fall back into a quite slumber. Each risen corpse she touched so would look at her before closing it’s eyes and slowly lower back down to slumber. It wasn’t much, but it was the least Joan could do for now to help, for whatever that had woken all the peaceful dead had more power and control over the dead then she could manage and Joan had no trouble admitted that. She was getting powerful as she gained skill and knowledge and leveled up in the necromancer guild, but to raise the dead in a whole city...and perhaps beyond was another level in power altogether. Frowning after she set the last rises zombie down to rest as a peaceful corpse and putting more strength into her magical shields around the buildings with a few new written rune symbols she sketched near the rock base to keep out the zombies wandering outside. Joan would wave off the panicked funeral director as she stood by herself in the chapel alone, looking troubled.

Lanara had been living in extremely close proximity to the Chapel of Rest for the past few weeks, so it’s no wonder that the witch finally gathers the strength to enter that part of the mortuary. The witch looks much the same as she always did, save for the fact that she had lost a considerable amount of weight and that the pentacle she wore around her neck had been traded for a unique hourglass pendant. Particles of sand seem to be slowly draining into the lower glass partition, and a few specks of sand are tainted with crimson coloring, as though it truly measured the life expectancy of its wearer. Clad in a pair of tan slacks, a green sweater, and a pair of flats, one wouldn’t think the witch was dressed well enough to pay her respects. But, in truth, she’s here to inquire about planning a funeral, not attending one. Lana raps lightly on the door to see if anyone is about, before she steps over the threshold and sharply inhales. Several gurneys held the bodies of the dead, a few coffins were to the rear of the room, and the room possessed a floral scent that bordered on sickening. The panicked funeral director storms out in a hurry, and a woman with purple hair stands in the center of the chapel, looking a little perplexed. Lanara wishes she hadn’t come now, as she preferred to study things in solitude, and the fewer that knew of her predicament the better. Yet, she cannot bring herself to leave the room, as this would someday soon be her final resting place. “Hi…” Dark hues trail over the body atop a table to her left, the flesh rotting off its bones, and she senses that something abysmal happened. “Is everything alright?” The witch steps further into the room and as she nears the other woman, her lips part in slight surprise, “June? Jane? I’m sorry. I’m awful with names… Do you work here?” The pair had met just over a year ago, in Enchantment, though Lanara had been forced to take a leave of absence from the lands and they never reconnected.

Joan blinks her voided light violet eyes as she comes out of her private quite thoughts at the sound of the witch’s voice, Joan’s pale ivory hands clap together as she turns to face the other woman with a smile upon her pale pink lips. “Sorry, lost in thought, seems the city is suffering some sort of calamity with zombies arising, but, that won’t stop us from helping grieving families trying to peaceful lay their beloved ones to rest! And it’s Joan, Joan Blackheart! Miss...Uh, Lanara?! Yes, yes miss Lanara! It’s been a spell, how are you and how can I help you?! Do please don’t mind the sight, with a wave of her hand Joan cast a small glimmer spell, the room shimmers and a backdrop of a cozy hallway seems to appear, Joan moving to help usher the woman back towards the parlor area where a flesh pot of tea would be set out by the funeral director on a tabletop with a small selection of cookies, finger sandwiches and such, two chairs await the ladies as Joan would cast a curious glance towards the witch’s new hourglass pendant and the strange reddish sand but not question till they sat and if or when the subject came up between them. The funeral parlor also had a more pleasant scent, as they employed scented beeswax candles and more scented pleasing calming lavender oils.

Lanara isn’t frightened of death, but if Joan could feel the rapidly beating heart of the witch, she’d know that she fears for her own demise. Having learned that her life is expected to end in about a month, it’s no wonder that curiosity brought the woman to the doors of a funeral home. The illusion is a welcome reprieve, and Lanara seems to considerably calm down, as she fixes a small smile on her face in response, “Yes! Joan! Good to see you again…” Her voice trails off as she’s hit with the unmistakable scent of lavender, and the sight of tea and cookies has her stomach rumbling. When was the last time she had eaten? The seats are eyed, and only when Joan motions for her to make herself comfortable, does the brunette lower herself into the designated chair. “I was just… In the area. And… Well, lately, I’ve realized that anything can happen at any time, and so I figured to better prepare myself for the inevitable…” A cookie is plucked from the plate, and a shy smile is given in apology, before Lanara takes a small bite. “I was wondering what the process is in these lands? For the deceased.” The earlier mention of the dead rising, only to pass away again, has the witch peering over her shoulder every few moments. “Zombies? Oh dear… Have they located the cause?” She waits a moment, before continuing, as though hesitant to offer help, “Is there anything I can do to assist you?”

Joan let’s put a tired exhale as she slips into her own seat, a small shake of her head in regret is given as her vested shoulders slump, “I don’t know what the main issue is, all I heard is that it started on All Hallows’ eve out on a haunted ship near the coast, it was suppose to be the annual party..,” The vampire looks towards the witch with a half hearted smile now, taken up her cuppa tea, a small sip is taken before she goes on, “Before I knew it, the town was over run, and everyone is trying to keep it contain here...” A rolling shrug is given as Joan looks towards the witch, “Assistant would be greatly appreciated, I have yet to seek anyone else out as...well this makes for great personal study material for my guild advancement and I just haven’t found the time to leave the chapel as of yet.” Another sip is taken as she circles back to the other woman’s first question, “Generally we go over the services you’d like and what we can offer, coffin, urn or other choices we can supply, the cost, where you’d like to laid to rest, etc.”

Lanara didn’t think Joan would welcome any help, but she acquiesces and after finishing her mug of tea, she pulls her long hair back into a neat ponytail. The sleeves of her blouse are folded up to her elbows, and the witch is ready to work. It would do her some good to keep her mind busy, plus she could learn a little about the work that goes on when preparing the dead for their final rest. “That sounds awful! I wasn’t here last Samhain, I was back home in Kelvar.” There’s a sadness in Lana’s eyes as she refers to her homeland, but she quickly carries on, “Talk about a scary party! That’s just terrible… It’s great that you are tending to all of those that passed, uh, twice.” The witch waits a beat, not entirely knowing what she just signed up for as an assistant. “Guild advancement? For which Guild? Oh right! You were looking for a tutor last we spoke… Did you ever meet up with my sister?” She feels a pinch of regret, because she would have taken on the girl in time, she was just in a very dark place in the past year. She –still- is working through things, and had she not been in a vulnerable mood all day, they may not even be having this conversation. “What should I do?” After receiving further instruction from Joan, in how she is able to assist, Lana lightly dances around the topics she earlier inquires about, “So… Could a person plan their own funeral? In the event that something could happen at a later date? Or someone who is suffering from something…Terminal?”

Joan :: Starting with the last set of questions first the necromancer smiled towards the witch, “One can most certainly plan their own funeral, they just need to get with one of the many towns or cities funeral directors to make sure their final plans and wishes are carried out and respected and that any and all cost are covered beforehand. Pre planning is always encouraged! These days, not many people suffer to much from something terminal, what with all the advancements at the House of Ara the Healers Guild run and our upcoming new Guild hall, I am also in the guild as your sister is and sadly, no we had not had the chance to speak or run across each other’s path since we last spoke.” Joan would move the collar of her shirt abit to let the witch look and examine the guild badge she wore like a pendant on a sliver chain around her neck. “I’m cross training with the Healers Guild, I’m originally with the Necromancers Guild, since that is where my main power and abilities lie as a undead creature.” She gives a slightly toothy smile here but other then that makes no other mention she was a vampire, she told the witch before when she sought her out as a tutor. Taking up her teacup she sat down moments before, Joan finished off the remains of her tea before refilling her cup from the small teapot next to the severing tray of refreshments, “And yes, I’m sure I would need help, the whole city needs help to be honest! Zombies...it’s not just something we can ignore!” She’d offer to refill Lanara’s cup once her’s was refilled.

Lanara tries to follow that Joan is saying about her sister being in the same guild, yet they hadn’t manage to cross paths. It’s likely because her sister spends so much time up in Frostmaw, but she would think that Talyara would have traveled down the mountain to assist other healers. “I haven’t seen or heard much from my sister in the past year, either.” They both have been busy little witches, it seemed. “That’s quite ambitious, Joan, being in two guilds with opposing traits? However, I feel they overlap just enough, and that it will aide you greatly, especially in this zombie situation!” The fangs are eyed and although the witch loathes vampires, she keeps any racist comments to herself, because Joan had never tried to bleed her dry or ransack an entire city in a bloodlust frenzy. The woman earned enough of Lanara’s respect that she could look past the fact that she was an undead, for most of the time. Plus, Joan dresses stylish and is easy on the eyes, two factors that Lanara has held dear ever since she was a little girl. “I can show you a few things, if you like… Maybe, I can help you ace that advancement exam, who knows?” A hand waves in the air, motioning to the several corpses that are loitered throughout the room, just behind the veil of illusion, “Come on, show me what you can do!” This time, the woman’s smile is genuine and relaxed, because this diverts her focus from making future funeral preparations to that of teaching, which she’s always been fond of, regardless what level a student was at, or if it ranged from dancing to magic. The offer of more tea is dismissed, as the witch is now prepared to put herself to work as Joan’s assistant.

Joan nods as she puts the teapot on the table between them, “Okay, well Bradyn had me show what I could do, I raised a skeletal zombie flied mouse, I named her Snickers, next I had to show Khitti what I could do with the Black Tides, as she is our master in that subject. She also had me stitch and raise a stitched horror from the head of an elf, arms and legs of an orc and torso of a draconian. He’s name is Reese. I also showed her a potion I made. As well as what I have been doing with my cross training in the healers guild. There, I’ve earned the basics and how to make potions, set bones, make bandages, makes basic herbal teas and cold medicine. And best of all how to make pretty little stitching. How to close ugly large gashes and wounds.” Here she would make a ‘come here’ gesture with her index finger, her stitched horror would move into view, looking neat and clean, dressed in clean and well fitted outfit, a half apron worn around his panted waist, in a pocket on the front, Snickers pokes out, her pink little nose wiggles as she scents the air and her beady little black eyes peer about as those gutless ears wiggle. Joan would point out the faint stitched patterns out on Reese, “I used a potion I made from lizard and starfish extract to speed up the healing on dead flesh, so they look neat and pretty...”

Lanara isn’t familiar with the name ‘Bradyn’ but upon hearing of Khitti, her expression softens briefly, “We used to be best friends, before I left for my homeland. I think the fact that I left put a real damper on things.” She missed the redhead and had tried reaching out multiple times, to no avail. Letters had gone unanswered, the woman hadn’t been at the bakery any of the times Lana had stopped by, and frankly, the witch was tired of being the only one to reach out. Perhaps their friendship was over? Maybe it would be rekindled in the future? “Khitti gave me Cinder…” Upon hearing her name, the magnificent feline enters the establishment in the guise of a housecat, though in truth she’s a massive shadow cat, from the Shadow Plane. “It was a token of our friendship, and because I offered my veterinary services to her animals.” She pauses before continuing, “My sister, Talyara, has the sister tikifhlee to Cinder.” Surely Joan knew of the animals and the dark realm, especially if she could wield the Black Tides. “Khitti is an excellent tutor, I’m sure she will train you well!” Nothing further is said regarding the matter of her estranged friendship with Khitti, but Lanara is grateful that she has Cinder to fondly remember the friendship that the women once shared, as there aren’t many she considers a ‘best’ friend. Past or present. “Snickers is adorable!” The little mouse is given a smile, and Reese is studied closely, as Lanara watches the stitching and nods in approval. “Very nice!” The witch pauses and taps her chin, as though deep in thought, “Have you ever tried brewing a post-life glamour potion? I can show you how to brew one! You can put in the intentions of how you wish for someone to look, before they had gotten sick or died. You could inject it into the skin, use some of your powers to ensure effectiveness, and that would really help bring back the lifelike skin, hair, and nails.” The witch rummages in her satchel for a notepad and an inkwell, which she uncaps and adds a drop of water to, before dipping the quill into it, “I will write down the recipe here, you should be fine in brewing it. It’s the same as if you’re brewing a healing poultice! Since you are adept at making potions and have experience in raising the dead and reanimating things… This should be a cinch!” Lanara falls silent as she busily scribbles away on the pad, delighted that she could assist in some way, otherwise Joan would be in the funeral home until –she- perished as there were so many zombies and time was of the essence. After finishing the ingredient list, which uses a single hair of the one intending to have the potion administered, Lanara proceeds to write the steps of the spell, making certain to adjust it accordingly to apply to the deceased, rather than the living. “I find that it’s best to brew the potion at sunset and to complete the spell at sunrise…” Lana circles the row of lines that will amplify the spell, “Repeat this three times, at sunrise… And you should be good to go! Just remember that the effect will only last about six or eight hours, because it’s not on an actual living body. Still, it should be more than enough time for a service to take place, or you could administer a second dose.” Rising to her feet, Lanara hands over the paper, and rummages in her bag again to procure a small container of a crushed herb, “You may have a hard time getting your hands on some of this… It’s Turmeric, and it helps to reduce any swelling and stiffness… To aide you in administering the potion, and so that it evenly flows throughout the body. I purchased mine from Yerrel’s Hut, over in Sage Forest!” Smiling, the witch calls Cinder to her side and gives Joan a slight wave, “I enjoyed having tea with you… And I will tell my ‘friend’ about planning her funeral, beforehand. It sounds like a good idea, less stress on her friends and family. I really hope all goes well with your guild advancement, and I will check in with you in a few days to see how everything is going. If that’s okay?”

Joan would give a full closed lip smile as she slowly nods, taking the offered paper, her orbs scan over the written list and perking up when Yerrel is mentioned, “Ooh, I have moved on to study under him next! Thank you, yes please do check up and in on me and thank you for the encouragement! I’d also let Khitti know you are around, she has just been so busy with regaining her position in the guild and that may have been why she missed you! Do be careful when you leave, the zombies tend to attack out there...and yes, let your friend know, there is also the option of her being sired by an elder vampire if she doesn’t want to pass-pass and live an undead life, it’s just an option, one I can’t do but I can point you to someone if your friend is curious and wants to ask. Now have a decent evening!” With this Joan would get up out of her chair and offer to see the witch out, as a living being Lanara did not need for Joan to erase the protection runes for her to exit the chapel and funeral parlor proper she could exit with ease, Joan just wanted to make sure as the other woman walked out onto the street the witch would not get mobbed by nearby zombies and get bit!