RP:Friends, Not Food

Part of the The End's Not Near Arc

Summary: Prior to the meeting in Alithrya, Reginae meets Aaken. A newly returned naga, who doesn't quite know that human beings aren't on the menu. The information causes him a small crisis.

Extravagant Water Gardens

Aaken approached from the north narrowly missing the entrance to the garden. Being 12' tall and 14' long the anthropomorphic python like naga with black scales and neon tiger stripes and red eyes, had frequently in the past had problems with his gigantic form and subsequent naga typical height, he would have been scary had it not been for the large cotton striped scarf around his neck red and white in color and the large paintbrush in is hand. "Ah so good to be back, whoa wait a minute," he said taking note of several frozen naga, "guess we all come out sometime." He looked closely, one was a guard that had been frequently mean to him, taking out his paint and brush he drew a big ole mustache on its face. "I always imagined you with a beard." He giggled and slithered toward the fountain. "Wonder whose home."

Reginae would be on her way out into the garden from the palace with Yozenra, her body guard. Reginae herself is in her normal form; humanoid torso towards the head. Pale skin and blue eyes. Her tail is pristinely white, contrasted by Yozenra's cappicino skin and dark glistening ebony scales. White straight threads of spider silk adorn Reginae's crown where the stoic Yozenra boasts long purple dreads, snaking around her back. Both women stop, looking up at the garden entrance where Aaken is visible. "Hello there?" Reginae calls, waving her wrist at the stranger. "Are you lost?"

Aaken spots her and slithers over, "sorta, i am looking for any of the royal family left see before this freeze, i was a artist for the family."

Reginae who had been held in secret would not be recognized as a member of the royal family directly. The only thing that might mark her as a Naginis is her pure while hair and tail, a common trait shared between the two sisters. Jaize would be known though, and it's possible Aaken might assume Reginae to be her older sister. Yozenra slacked when the male introduced himself for she recognized him. "Aaken," she said to both Reginae and the owner of the name. "Royal portrait artist." Reginae turned to look at the man again, unable to place him in her memory. It was common, she didn't think it strange. "Ah, pleasure to meet you Aaken, I'm Reginae. Last known survivor of the Naginis family." She extends her hand so they might shake.

Aaken he bowed as best he could which did not fair well, "a pleasure to meet the sole survivor of the family." "Yozenra you are looking well." He turned back to the queen. "Its been a long time, since i laid eyes on a member of the family, you look the part of your sister quite well."

Reginae bows in return, only Yozenra remains upright. A strict warrior has no time to bow! After that, she will remain silent, staying by Reginae's side and looking around. "I hope that's a compliment," Reginae laughed, about her looking like Jaize. That's not a name spoken much around here anymore. "How have you been, welcome home."

Aaken smiled, "i have been frozen, strangely though i vaguely feel like i was aware of everything around me, i have been eagerly awaiting seeing a naga and getting back to work, but thank you for the home welcome."

Reginae nodded, it was the common reply. " There are guest rooms in the palace that you can take for the time being. I have a vampire guest with me and ask that you show her kindness." Reginae is a bit strict with this, as most of the naga had a tendency to be against having non-naga in the palace.

Aaken licked his lips, "by the way if you having a vampire staying here, would there be in humans or jersher as well i am starving."

Reginae furrowed her brow. "We...do not eat anyone. Human, Vampire or Jersher."

Aaken was shocked, his jaw dropped. "What? We don't? But, ummm, that chnaged?"

Reginae looks a bit confused. Humans weren't around when the naga were created and jersher well...maybe that was true. "I-it's...inpolite to eat someone like that..."

Aaken he was soon scratching his head, "but mama said, if the food struggles when swallowed it food, but if its still, its a friend."

Reginae blinked. "If someone tried to eat me, friend or otherwise, I would struggle...It's only natural to not want to be someone's food. Perhaps..your mother was wrong?"

Aaken he seemed more horrified, "if she was wrong." Tears came to his eyes. "How many"

Reginae stiffens with concern. "Aaken...? Ehh? What's...wrong?". The naga woman had a horrible guess but she wouldn't say anything presently. She tries to rest her hand on his shoulder but...he's rather tall so she just can't make it.

Aaken he sniffles "I've eaten so many, so many could have been friends." He choked up in tears.

Reginae looks around at Yozenra, who offers no opinions whatsoever. "I-it's all right," she tries, patting the naga's nail. "T-there's no way you could have known if your mother said differently..."

Tears were streaming down his face as he sobbed. "So many...." he choked. He covered his eyes his head bent low. Near her height.

Reginae tries to hug Aaken but he's shaking a bit. There really isn't much she can say, so she lingers nearby, patting him reassuringly. "It was a different time..." She tried to say. Yozenra looks away.

Reginae clears her throat and moves away. Yozenra now moves back beside her, looking into the distance. "Your Grace..." A gentle reminder, "Ah yes, Aaken. There is a meeting this evening with some other unfrozen nagas. Please feel free to rest in the palace guest rooms but come back to the gardens if you are able. I have to begin preparing. There is a kitchen here, and a chef though I haven't seen him for quite some time. Please make yourself at home." With that she offers a quick bow and starts to follow Yozenra towards the edge of the gardens. They whisper quietly about discussion topics before they move out of sight.