RP:A True Frenemy

Summary: Lanara is having lunch at the restaurant in Kelay, still moping after a fight with her fiance, Tiber. In walks Aira, dressed in adventure attire, along with a bag of fresh kills that she hopes to sell to the establishment. The best-worst friends confide in each other over lunch, where Lana confesses her worries about being left at the altar -again- and where Aira confesses that Orikahn has abandoned his mate and their once happy home. The two comfort each other, as Aira promises to add a wolf skull to her count should Tiber leave the witch, and Lana will arrange a future meeting between the vixen and a realtor to find her a new home in Sage Forest. What are friends for, right?!

Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc

Lanara sits in the corner of the restaurant, at a table set for two, though it appears that she’s the only individual that’s here at the moment. She’s clad in a gray knitted tank dress with black ankle boots on her feet, and her long locks have been pinned back with a sparkly butterfly clip. Dark eyes have been lined in crushed coal and her lashes wear a hint of mascara, but save for that, she doesn’t appear to have dressed for any particular occasion. She nurses a bottle of ale, along with a plate of greens topped with grilled chicken, and a pile of addressed envelopes rests at the edge of the table. Ever so often, Lana’s eyes trail to the housewarming party invitations and she sighs softly, ever the dramatic woman even when she’s having a late lunch by herself. At her heels sits an impossibly adorable polar bear cub, his wide eyes curiously looking at each of the patrons that pass by their way, and he holds a cod sandwich between his paws. “Here, Aspen…” She hands the bear a napkin, which he obediently dabs at his muzzle, and Lana cannot help but smile, “After we finish lunch, we will head to the post office and mail these invitations…” Her smile falters slightly, as though she’s uncertain about hosting an event at their new home, and she shakes her head. “I’m being silly… Tiber isn’t anything like the others.”

Aira :: It seemed oppressively hot outside, or perhaps, Aira was still adjusting to life down the mountain and away from the perpetual snow and cold of Frostmaw. She dons a pair of olive green khaki shorts and a form fitting tank top in a brighter green hue, short enough to show a sliver of her toned stomach. Her blonde hair is pulled back from her face and secured in a single braid down her back and heavy boots adorn her feet. As usual, she is not without her bow which is pulled over her body and a leather quiver of gory arrows clanking together on her back. The huntress steps into the restaurant and meanders over to the kitchen door without looking towards the other patrons. The hostess doesn't stop her so it seems like this is a normal occurrence. Aira raps on the door, her hands enclosed in fingerless leather gloves. "Meat delivery!" she calls out, her vulpine tail giving an idle swish. The cook peeks his head out and Aira shoves a bloody bag into his chest. "A couple of rabbits, mostly. But I got a buck too, his antlers are in there for proof. I'll gut it and bring you the meat in the next few days." The cook takes the parcel and then his eyes drop to the floor where Aira made a trail of blood which had dripped from the bag. He opens his mouth to complain, but one look at the vixen's face had him holding his tongue on the matter. "Rebecca! Pay her from the till!" he yells before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Lanara is taking a dainty sip of ale when Aspen randomly sprints on all four across the room, and offers his napkin to a woman that has trailed blood into the fine establishment. The witch allows the ale to linger on her tongue as she suspiciously watches their interaction, hoping the blonde wouldn’t wish to harm her animal companion. It’s as the cook shouts to Rebecca to pay the huntress, and that tilt of her head, that Lanara recognizes it as none other than her frenemy; Aira. The witch spits out the liquor she had been holding on her tongue, shock registering on her expression, as she cannot believe that Aira is parading into restaurants with fresh kills, and also that she’s dressed like her idol! Lara Croft, the adventurous legend, had been a staple story from her childhood and although they had never met, Lana aspires to be just like Mrs. Croft. Somehow, even though her eye and hair color are all wrong, Aira has managed to complete the ensemble and looks -better- than Lanara Banks ever could on her best day in costume! “Aira! You -nailed- it!” A nod of approval is offered, as she dries the spittle from her arms and hands, “Want to join me for a late lunch?” Aspen is still trying to force the cloth into Aira’s hand, either extremely naive or incredibly brave, as the woman is wielding a bow and is known for her hunting skills. Lana grins, realizing just how much she’s hoping for some interaction with another individual, as she’s had a shortage of friends lately. Khitti had up and ghosted her, and things with Meri had been greatly strained, so she kicks out the chair opposite her own and motions for her frenemy to take a seat.

Aira waits rather impatiently for Rebecca to fumble with the drawer, drumming her fingers on the counter as she remains oblivious to the polar bear at her feet offering his napkin. She furrows her brows when she hears a sputter, but full on turns towards the dining room to see her frenemy, Lanara, girlfriend of the obnoxious and inept Tiber, exclaiming how she nailed it. "Nailed -what-?" she asks with a crinkle of her nose. The witch is now inviting her to join her and only then does a flash of white draw her attention to her feet. The huntress blinks at the little creature but the corner of her lips quirk into a ghost of a smile. "Thanks, Little Bear," she says reaching down to take the napkin from his paws. She hadn't planned on dining at the restaurant but it had been a long time since she had seen Lanara and she was a bit famished--hunting was hungry work! She crosses the room towards the witch and throws herself unceremoniously into the seat, tugging off her bow and shucking the quiver from her back. Plucking a bloody arrow from it, she begins to wipe the gore with Aspen's napkin. "How have you been?" she asks her frenemy, her pale eyebrow quirked. "I don't think I've seen you since that bizarre event in Gualon."

Lanara relaxes once Aira seems to make nice with the cub, because he is rather precious, and even the coldest of hearts find themselves warming to his presence. Aspen beams with pride at Aira’s acceptance of the napkin, and he obediently returns to his place beside Lana’s boot, where he picks up his sandwich and carries on with his lunch. The witch scoffs and rolls her eyes, “The look! You -nailed- it! You look just like the legendary Lara Croft! The adventure of all trades! She has skills in -everything- imaginable!” She nods, certain that Aira has heard of her heroine, before she offers a menu to the woman and beckons the fearful waitress over. Rebecca barely holds it together as she asks Aira what she wants, her hands shaking as she scribbles down the order, before wandering off to the kitchen in relief. Lana studies her frenemy as she cleans the arrowhead with a cloth, mildly disgusted, and suddenly not all that hungry. She needs to get used to this, right? After all, she’s a lycan now, Luna of the Amber Lunation, and betrothed to a lycan! “Right… That seems so long ago, it’s been a long time since we caught up.” There’s a deliberate pause, and a shifting of eyes, so the witch can ascertain that no one will overhear their conversation. “I almost died -again- but in an effort to save me… Well… Tiber had to turn me into one of his own.” Perhaps Aira had already caught onto her new ‘scent’ but she’s not sure what fox characteristics the woman held. “After that he proposed…” Lifting her left hand, Lana shows off an exquisite engagement ring, a huge chocolate diamond solitaire sparkling on a rose gold vine band, “I was actually grabbing lunch before mailing these… Invitations to our housewarming party, where we will actually announce the engagement. So, you are the -first- person I’ve told!” Lana smiles, but it’s obvious there is some hesitation in her gaze, as she’s still adjusting to -everything- that had happened in a few short months. “So… What brings you to this area? I’ve only seen you outside of Frostmaw a handful of times! Is everything okay?” She pauses, “I heard that Meri has been recruiting for the Ranger’s Guild? She sent Tiber on some crazy mission with a lizard and that went...Awful.” Actually, the hunt went fine, it’s just that the wolf had taken his frustration out on his fiance and hurt her feelings.

Aira studies the menu and eyes Rebecca curiously, unsure why she seems so frightened; she's pretty sure she's never threatened the waitress before! She orders some steak tips--as rare as possible--and some mashed potatoes. As Lanara, seemingly annoyed, explains -what- exactly the huntress nailed, she casts her copper gaze down to her outfit and then back to the witch across from her. She sighs exasperatedly and shakes her head. "Lana, I was raised in a minor house of high elves in Rynvale. They wouldn't dare to let us girls learn about independence and adventuring. The most exciting story I was told was about Cinderella and how she dreamed of marrying a prince." Aira looked disgusted at the thought of actually dreaming of such a thing. She wasn't against love and romance and all of that, just the idea of -dreaming- of being subservient to a man, it made her skin crawl. She places her clean arrow back into the quiver and pulls out a soiled one, as the witch quite literally word vomits all of what has happened since their last meeting. Somewhere along the way, she stops wiping off her arrow head and just gapes at the woman seated across from her. The huntress grabs at the discarded bottle of ale and raises it to her nose, giving it a sniff. "Did you drink something stronger than this before switching to beer?" she asks with an arch of her brow, returning the bottle to the table. Her copper eyes catch on the ring--which is large and loud (perfect for Lana)--and she groans. "Lana, the man could barely kill a rabbit! He wasn't even using the right bait for -fishing- the last time I saw him! Can he do -anything- right?" The huntress scrubs a hand over her face and sighs. She was never good at this type of thing but she tries again. "If you're happy, then I'm happy for you," the vixen concedes. "Congratulations." Aira would have to have a talk with Tiber the next time she saw him. Maybe she could offer him some lessons? When Lana turns the line of questioning to her, an unfamiliar expression crosses her face, one of hurt. But the vixen quickly schools it back to its normal indifference. "I heard she was recruiting," Aira says with a nod. "I'm down here because there have been whispers of a creature killing people and I've been trying to get a feel on it." It wasn't the only reason, but she was never good at the feelings thing. Trying to shift the conversation back to the witch she says, "A lycan, huh? I thought something seemed different about your scent when I sat down, but I didn't know if it was you or just all the time you spend with that fiancé of yours. How are you handling that?"

Lanara shows little sympathy to Rebecca, partially because she’s dealt with Aira far more than the waitress has and wouldn’t be a threat in a public place, and because the woman needed to have more of a backbone with serving tables. It’s hard to find good help these days, and she wonders if Venin has any kin that could take over at the restaurant, then things would surely run smoothly! As requested, once the shaken waitress returns with Aira’s steak and potatoes, she orders a picture of their -strongest- ale. They both would need it to get through this lunch, as they tend to grate on each other's nerves after a few moments! Case in point, the vixen is now insulting her betrothed, and Lana softly growls, “He -is- a prince, just like in your fairytales… He’s a wolf prince, that’s all.” It’s more Beauty and the Beast than Cinderella, but Lanara always favored animals over people! “Here is your invitation…” It’s addressed to both Aira and Orikahn, but she doubts they will attend, as parties aren’t really their thing. The last time they attended an event together Queen Hildegarde died, guests were trampled, and Linn had been struck with an arrow! Lana shudders at the memory, before softly saying, “Tiber is really a good man, and I love him with all my heart… But, I am terrified that I will be left at the altar… Again.” Third time's a charm, right? “I guess I’m just a little hurt from our fight during the hunt, because I don’t want the ‘old’ Tiber returning.” Aira would probably prefer the old version, as he was nearly as feral as the vixen herself, but the witch won’t stand for such behavior. He can have an edge and be an ass to everyone, just not to Lanara, herself! Why is she talking to her frenemy about all of these matters of the heart?! Clearly, the witch is panicking about being publicly embarrassed again! “It would be great if maybe you could school him a little, before the wedding? He’s so worried that he won’t be able to protect our Pack, and he’s lacking a little in the hunting department. Plus, we just bought a home in Sage, so it would be great for him to get a true feel for the forest.” That is all she says about her fiance, before they move onto Aira, “A creature killing people? In these parts? That’s ominous… Well, I’ll be sure to warn those at the Sanctuary! Speaking of… A man did come by the other day, his name is Jake? Blake? Something like that! Anyways! He said that his dinosaur went missing thirty years ago, and that it’s possible he made it out to these parts from Venturil. It could very well be the same creature!” It has bad breath, too, but she doesn’t bother to mention that to the woman. She already looks like a fool for babbling about her relationship worries! “I’m adjusting… Eating meat has never been my style, as I was raised to only indulge on high holidays or to keep up my strength. I am getting used to the enhanced senses, the Pack is slowly growing on me, and I do love that Tiber and I have imprinted. The rest, I guess, I will grow used to in time?” Maybe? “How are things with Kahn? Is he also down here looking for this beast?” Lana takes a bite of her salad, wondering what that twinge of sadness in Aira’s eyes could mean for the most feral couple of Frostmaw.

Aira pours each of them a tall glass of the stronger brew and takes a luxurious gulp. Despite her feral ways these last few years, she's not a complete animal. And especially in public and in the company of others she handles a knife and fork as well as the most trained lady (after all, she -was- a well trained lady once upon a time). She's cutting off a piece of her steak tip when Lana growls and Aira has to bite the inside of her cheek so she doesn't start laughing at the witch. She holds up her hand in a placating manner and scoffs. "I'm just trying to look out for your well being," she counters with a shake of her head. Aira lays down her utensils and takes the envelope from Lanara, a small frown curving on her lips when she reads the names carefully scripted on the envelope. She stares at it for longer than was necessary, vaguely listening to Lana's babbling about training Tiber a bit more and then some bloke named Blake with a missing dinosaur. Shaking her head, the huntress, flips the envelope face down and returns her attention to Lana. "Maybe...I haven't been able to get an exact description. That's what I'm trying to pinpoint now. I certainly can't hunt something without knowing what it looks like." She resumes eating and nods at Lana's lamentations about adjusting to life as a lycan and the changes that come with it. "I remember it took me a bit after the whole fox thing. You'll get there," she assures her frenemy. When Lana asks about Kahn again, Aira chokes on the piece of steak she was chewing and has to chug some more ale to clear her airway. She wasn't entirely sure what to say, but if Lana was going to keep circling back to the saber cat she had to say -something-. "Kahn is...not in the lands right now," she says carefully not quite meeting the witch's eyes, instead focusing on her plate.

Lanara eyes the large glass of ale, wondering if it’s still considered ‘lunch’ if the majority of it consists of booze, but she shrugs and takes a gulp. Tiber did say something about lycans being able to consume more alcohol as their bodies process it better? Or was it the other way around? Lana frowns slightly as Aira flips the invitation over and seems disgusted at the mere thought of attending a housewarming-engagement party. Had she spelled one of their names wrong? The witch does have a habit of getting everyone’s name half-arsed backwards! Another bite of her salad is taken as she observes her frenemy, as the puzzle pieces slowly fit into place. A solo trip to Sage to tackle a random monster? Meri recruiting for the Ranger’s Guild? Aira’s aversion to seeing the feline's name in print, coupled with her choking on her lunch? Realization sparkles in those chocolate hues as Lanara blurts, “Oh my Goddess! He died?! I’m so sorry!” A hand reaches out to caress Aira’s hand, though she doubts she will make any contact, as the vixen loathes showing emotion. “Is there anything I can do? I can hex someone, if he was murdered? Help you plan a memorial service? Please… I’m here for you, Aira. You are one of my best-worst friends...” The sincerity in Lana’s voice is audible and her eyes reflect raw concern for Aira. Even though they are often at odds and are complete opposites in personality, when it comes down to it, the women have and always will be there for each other. The salad is forgotten, all of her woes about her nuptials are placed aside, and even Aspen lowers the remnants of his cod sandwich, as the loss of Orikahn hangs in the air. “Are you going to stay up there in Frostmaw?” She’d be all alone. Not that Aira necessarily -needs- any company, but being without friends and a mate? “I know a wonderful realtor! She can find you something suitable, I’m sure… Let me know when you are ready, and I can set up a meeting.”

Aira is about to take another drink of ale when she finds her hand taken by Lanara, the witch's eyes wide with emotion as her thumb brushes against the huntress's knuckles. Despite not enjoying physical contact, she doesn't draw her appendage away out of pure shock. She thought Orikahn was dead?! And then she's being kind and offering her condolences and saying she will be there to help in any way that she can. "Lana, no," Aira says gently, in a tone she doesn't often adopt. "He's not dead or rather, I -hope- he's not." Aira frowns and looks towards the window, as if there's a chance the feline might wander past the restaurant. "He's left before, for a couple of months. But he's always come back. But...it's never been this long before." Were those tears in the vixen's eyes?? If so, she blinks them away just as quickly as they came on. "You are...very sweet to offer your help. I'm fine," she says, her tone hollow and probably unbelievable to a former empath like Lana. "I am thinking about moving, down here that is." It was growing too hard to remain up there in a big empty lodge by herself, yet so full of memories. "A realtor?" Aira repeats unfamiliar with that term. "What's that?"

Lanara pulls the cub onto her lap so that she can better clean his face and paws, as she sighs in relief. “I hope he turns up soon, Aira… I understand your pain well.” She had friends and ex-boyfriends that had mysteriously died or vanished and when there’s no closure, the wound never fully heals; at least until a new love replaces that loss. She can always work on matchmaking down the road, but right now what Aira needs is a shoulder to cry upon, a friend to confide in, and perhaps another pitcher of strong ale. “If he took off and found residence elsewhere… I say we hunt him down and make him pay for just walking out on his mate.” Death would soothe Aira’s pain, or perhaps Lana could curse the feline. “And if he faced his fate, then I do hope you will be together again on the Otherside… But you are right! You have waited so long already, and it’s time to put your wants and needs at the forefront.” Perhaps Kahn will turn up one day and they can rekindle their romance?! Lana is trying to be optimistic, but secretly, she always wished better for her frenemy; a family. “If you arrange a search party, I’ll be sure to come along. But, if you don’t have any leads or would rather not know… I understand and I support your decision.” Aspen tries to steal a sip of the ale, so Lana pauses as she moves the glass, “A realtor is a professional that helps you to find your dream home, or land to build upon. She will find something in your budget, or help you apply for a loan at the bank, and then she takes you on tours of vacant homes in the area! Tiber and I moved from an apartment in Cenril, and now we live in a mini mansion in the southern section of Sage Forest… It’s a lot of fun getting to choose a home and decorating it as you like!” Lana smiles, “I’d be happy to help!”

Aira folds her hands in her lap once Lanara releases her and busies herself with cleaning off her cub. The corner of her mouth quirks into a half smile when Lanara suggests that they go and hunt Kahn down and make him pay. "I'm not sending out a search party," she says with a shake of head. "I already went as far west in Frostmaw as I dared by myself but he wasn't there. And I suppose if doesn't want to be found, he won't. He has skills I could never dream of possessing. And he was a tom cat well before I came around..." Aira's food lay half eaten, the huntress having lost her appetite when she spoke of Orikahn. She nods her head when Lanara explains what a realtor is, and considers whether or not she should go through with it. It had been many months since the saber cat went out for a bit and never returned, and the past several she spent in contemplation. The whispers about this crazed beast were enough to draw her down the mountain, and maybe it was time to stay. If she really missed Frostmaw, she could always go back. "Okay," Aira agrees. "I would appreciate you connecting us." Aira fishes into her pocket and comes up with ample coin to pay for lunch including a nice tip for Rebecca--she might be many things but a terrible tipper isn't one of them. "Don't worry about Tiber," Aira suddenly says, fixing Lana with an unblinking stare. "He might be an abysmal hunter but he's crazy about you." The vixen cants her head to the side, considering something. "And if he -does- have the audacity to leave you at the altar, I will track him down and drag him back. I'm not above adding a wolf skull to my belt."

Lanara reaches to pay their tab but Aira beats her to it, and after a little squabbling, she leans back, “Thank you, Aira.” She’s happy that she invited her frenemy to lunch, with the promise of meeting up in the future and helping her to find a new home. Plus, it will be wonderful to have her living close by, and she can teach Tiber how to properly hunt! Aspen is lowered to the floor and the pile of invitations are carefully placed into her oversized tote bag, her gaze lingering on one of the envelopes that her fiance had addressed in his elegant calligraphy. There isn’t a doubt in her mind that she wants to spend the rest of her life as the wife of Tiberius Lowell, and deep in her heart she knows that he will never pull a disappearing act on the day of their wedding. The witch is a worrier, that’s all, but it felt good to get her concerns off of her chest especially since she’s still reeling after their first fight in a very long time. “Thank you for always being there for me, Aira… I’m serious, if you need -anything- please don’t hesitate. After all, we could very well be neighbors!” Lana rises from the table and takes Aspen’s paw, as he prepares to walk bipedal through the town, “I have to run to the post office and then I will drop by the realtors office and be sure to set up a meeting! You take care, Aira…” Chocolate locks with copper irises, her gaze lingering on her friend's fair face as the threat of killing Tiber should he abandon her on their wedding day reaches her tapered ears, “Let’s hope it won’t come to that, but thank you for having my back.” With a wink and a grin, the woodland witch exits the establishment, eager to finish her errands.