RP:Hold My Hand
Summary: Zahrani is training with fellow warrior's in Cenril, when Lanara walks past the fence, in one of her signature bikini's, which naturally draws unwanted attention to the witch. An ill-mannered brute approaches Lana and tries to force her into dating her younger brother, and when she declines, the woman bashes Lana's hand with a hammer. Thankfully, Zahrani and some others are quick on their feet, and run to the aide of the witch. Using her paladin powers, the feline heals the little witch, and they discuss the upcoming Valentine Ball.
Lanara walks along the path in Cenril, her white sandals making scuffle sounds in the sand, as her long hair flows gently in the breeze. The witch is wearing a lilac bikini top, with a matching swim skirt, and her flawless figure is somewhat on display, as she walks along the exterior of the chain-link fence of the warrior’s training area. Several men lift their heads, one manages to drop a weight on his foot, and the trio in the far corner responds to the vision of the beautiful brunette with catcalls and ear-splitting whistles. A blonde, overly muscular woman shakes her head and half-smirks, though she nears the fence, and calls out to the scantily clad beach-goer, lowering the heavy hammer to her side. “Hey. Pretty Woman! Come here!” Lana hesitates, though she approaches the fence and wraps her fingertips on the links, fully looking into the piercing blue eyes of the warrior that had beckoned her to the fence. “Yes?” She inquires, those chocolate hues shining brightly in the sun, as she quirks a brow. The blonde stares at the elf’s face for an uncomfortable length of time, before she speaks, her tone coming across as somewhat threatening. “There’s a ball in a few days, over at the Destrier. You are going to go with my little brother. You look like the type of woman he’d be attracted to, and with those long legs, I bet you’d be a good dance partner.” Lana’s full lips curve upwards into a smile, as she cocks her head to the side, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Aw, that’s kind of you to ask me to be your brother’s date. But I’m happily engaged. However, if its dance lessons that your brother seeks, I’d be happy to oblige! I can do private lessons, or meet him at the school in Schezerade, if he likes to travel.” This doesn’t make the brute of a woman happy, as her demand goes unfulfilled, and the elf has the audacity to say that her baby brother needs to be school in his footwork. The hammer is lifted, menacingly, and within a matter of seconds it’s swung towards the fence, aiming for Lana’s pretty face. The witch ducks, narrowly missing the contact between metal and her face; however the middle three fingers on her left hand are not so lucky, as they are still coiled about the links on the fence. A shriek escapes her, as she loses her grip and falls to the sand-covered path, clutching her battered hand to her chest and weakly crawling backwards from the fence, as the warrior continues to hammer –at- the fence, aiming to barrel through it and get a hold of the elf.
Zahrani emerges from the main building, speaking to another female warrior that she had been racing in the obstacle coarse. In platemail. The two of are both out of armor, wearing fitted sleeveless shirts, pants and boots. They talk between themselves, exchanging tips and recounting what went well during training, and what could have gone better. The paladin stops talking as they approach the fence, her ears turning towards a brutish blonde woman raising her hammer towards the fence. Her cyan eyes widen upon seeing Lanara on the other side, trying to dodge the enraged fighter. The shriek draws further attention from two male trainees. The feline's companion motions for them to surround the witch's assailant, while Zahrani sprints forward. The woman's back is turned, and her anger prevents her from realizing the scene she's making, or the sound of 200 pounds of solid cat making a beeline for her. Upon reaching the blonde human, Zahrani's knees bend in a wide stance, her arms wrapping around the woman's waist in a tight embrace. With a loud, panther's growl, the paladin straightens her legs and leans back, bringing Lanara's assailant right off of her feet and careening headfirst into a suplex. The other warriors approach, ready to restrain the woman if she continues to struggle.
Lanara :: The blonde warrior seethes with anger as the feline catches her around the waist, and suplexes her into the hardened sand. The attack is so unexpected, that for a moment she fumes in the awkward position, allowing the blood to run to her head, as spit angrily flies from her mouth. “Let me go, Cat Woman! The beef is between me and the lass. No need to get yourself involved!” A moment ticks by, when one of the male trainee’s steps forward, offering some sort of explanation to Zahrani. “Bredla just attacked the poor girl! She asked her on a date for her brother, and when she declined, she attacked her, unprovoked! I should go and uh, tend to her wounds…” The trainee is all too eager to exit the training yard and run to Lanara’s aide, relishing in the fact that he could play the role of the hero for the bikini-clad brunette. She was a beauty, you couldn’t really blame the fellow! In the meantime, Bredla gets her bearings, and starts to rage, kicking her legs and aiming to twist from the embrace of Zahrani, her head twisting uncomfortably to peer into those cyan eyes. “You will come to rue this, Kitty!” As she aims for the threat to distract the feline, her right hand inches further our, in pursuit of the hammer she had dropped during her fall. Lana sits on the other side of the fence, her big brown eyes swimming with tears, as she plays the perfect damsel in distress. Her loud wailing is audible for several stretches of sand, and her hand is already turning an ugly shade of purple, as the trainee inspects her injuries and tenderly rubs her head, in an effort to calm the hysterical woman. It was rare that the witch was a weak bystander amongst her battles, as often, she was the heroine, however the attack caught her so incredibly off guard, that she sits there in tears, at a loss for words or actions. She caught a brief glimpse of Zahrani before the two warrior’s were brought towards the ground, and then several stood between Lana’s line of sight and the fight that was sure to ensue, in an effort to protect the little elf. She hoped that her feline friend would prevail.
Zahrani isn't putting up with any of it. She bends like a reed in the wind, locking the blonde warrior's arms behind her back, keeping her from reaching for the hammer. The paladin shifts her weight, twisting Bredla's arms, "Your beef means nothing. You attacked my friend for simply exercising freedom over herself. You have a strong arm, but your ego is weak and easily-bruised." The female warrior that had followed Zahrani out of the training building arrives with another fighter. He's a senior trainer by the looks of him. The two warriors secure Bredla, pushing her back into the building in irons. The paladin picks up the hammer, handing it off to the trainer, before calling after the blonde, "As part of your training, maybe you should learn to take 'no' for an answer." The feline then turns, scaling the fence and landing at Lanara's side, beating the young male trainee to the witch. Her warm paws glow with an amber light of divine magic. "Here, let me see your hand. I can heal your injury."
Lanara is helped to her feet by the young trainee, who awkwardly pats the woman on the back, and afford the feline and the witch their privacy, as he returns to his training. As Bredla is forced from the yard by a duo of no-nonsense warriors, Lana lifts her head, as fresh tears begin to refill her eyes, and she looks at Zahrani with an expression that’s a mixture of heartbreak and grateful. She stutters and stammers through her explanation as to why she had been brutally attacked. Between the constant sniffles, sobs, and wailing, the feline would gather that the witch had declined Bredla’s offer to take her brother to the ball, as Lana is engaged to another, and that she offered up dance lessons, and that somehow offended the brutish warrior, and so she had been beaten with a hammer through a chain-link fence. A few of the trainer’s glance at the pair and give a sympathetic smile to the little elf, or a nod of approval to the feline, and they hoped that their class wouldn’t be judged upon, merely based on the actions of one ill-mannered blonde. Lana hesitates, though she does extend her left arm and show the extent of her injuries to Zahrani. The three inner fingers on her hand are badly broken, in several places, and the middle finger has a piece of bone that had splintered through her flesh. The nail had been torn from the pointer finger, and it looked as though her pinky had become dislocated, as well. All in all very painful, hard to gaze upon, and already the swelling and bruising was seeping into her hand and wrist. The glowing paw of the paladin is noted, and although she was curious about their type of healing, the witch considers herself lucky. She had been unarmed, and she didn’t even have time to cast a spell or defend herself, before Bredla’s hammer was upon her bikini-clad frame. The tear fall comes to a minimum, despite the extreme pain, and her wet lashes batt against her high cheekbones as she allows Zahrani to tend to her injuries. “Thank you, Zahrani. I don’t know what would have happened had you not come to my rescue…” At least now Lana appears to be able to speak clearly, and her breathing slowly returns to normal, from its previous panicked state. “I was getting a final fitting on my dress for the ball this week… And then I headed to the beach for a quick swim. But some brat ran off with my clothes, so I had no choice but to head back in my swimwear. I never thought I’d be harmed… I’m in your debt.”
Zahrani :: "Shhhh...shhhh. It's going to be alright, Lanara." Black furred fingers, bathed in radiant golden lines that play across her skin in fractal patterns, curl gently around the witch's injured hand. She had been injured just for saying ‘no’, for exercising her own freedom and independence instead of bending to the selfish whims of another. The paladin's aura seems to pulse with righteous fury at the thought. She closes her eyes, inhaling deeply and channeling her emotion into healing power; the desire to correct a grievous wrong manifesting as steamlike vapors of energy. The panther exhales, a cloud of amber mist leaving her mouth and enshrouding their hands. Broken bones mend, some with a few intense popping sounds, and the elf's flesh is guided to re-entwine. Upon finishing her healing, the unsettling hand injury is reduced to no more than a bit of swelling, and even that is beginning to go down. With a warm, weary smile, Zahrani opens her eyes, locking cyan hues on Lanara's face, "My friend, you owe me nothing." She wouldn't turn down things like food, clothing, or a place to rest, but her services are not something to be sold or for excising debt from others. She looks down the street, then back at Lanara, "I was thinking about going myself, just to make sure things don't get too dangerous. I'm just not sure what to wear..." Even the shirt she's wearing right now is showing more than a few holes, revealing hints of very well-toned abdominal, pectoral, and oblique muscle beneath her coat of sleek ebon fur.
Lanara winces at the audible ‘pops’ that emanate from her hand as the bones pop back into place, and the shreds of her flesh seemingly sew themselves shut. As the minutes tick by and the glow intensifies from Zahrani’s paw, the witch falls silent, merely observing this foreign method of healing. Lana was a healer, herself, though she wasn’t so advanced as some others in the realm. She couldn’t perform major surgeries, and there were some infections that were way out of her league. However, she could play the part of a midwife, pop bones back into place, stitch flesh, and she knew how to make potions and herbal remedies like it was no one’s business. There also was an occasion or two in the past where she’d used her own life force, her own blood, to seal a fatal wound of another. However, the witch never merely held her palm over another, emitted a glow, and mended a heavily battered hand. Her jaw drops in awe, as she bends and unbends her fingers, delighted that the movement had returned and that nothing was left behind of the ordeal, aside from some slight swelling and pale blue bruising. “Zahrani… That was incredible!” The feline was also the –first- paladin she’d ever come across, in her twenty-six human equivalent years, in the realm. Almost shyly, she stands on her toes and pulls the silken cat in for a quick hug. “Thank you. And if you won’t accept payment, then you must let me make you a nice lunch later this week. I would offer to meet you here, but, well, that may not be the best of ideas. I don’t think Bredla’s wounded ego will take too kindly to my presence at the gates. So, we’ll shoot for the beach.” Lana pauses as Zahrani mentions that she wishes to attend the ball, though she doesn’t quite have the attire for such an occasion. The rippled physique of the feline is noted, and oddly, her mind trails to the toned form of her own fiancé. Shaking her head, Lana meets Zahrani’s gaze, and smiles, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “You will look lovely, no matter what you wear! Perhaps a nice dress shirt and some slacks? Or a long skirt? You don’t strike me for the type that would wear a ball gown. Kreekitaka owns a beach front shop, near the open market, right over that way…” Lana points to the south-east, where the stand stretches for miles, until a small storefront shop stands erected, selling the finest of clothing. “His prices can be a little steep, so please, mention my name and tell him that I said to give you a ‘special’ discount. You’ll pay only half for whatever it is you purchase.” The witch didn’t state that the other ‘half’ of the cost would be placed upon her personal tab, for she knew that the paladin would deny her offer. And it wasn’t like Lana would need to come up with the gold, she would merely model some outfits and attend some of the crab’s fashion shows. Her beauty more than made up for the gold, according to the legendary designer, who also was her previous employer. The two were old friends, and the woman more than wants to help out the one that had come to her rescue. “Do you have a date? I’m not sure if Eirik will be able to make it… He’s been busy in Venturil, working out some safety precautions for the residents in Denubyrg. I’ll likely just go stag and try and have a good time.”
Zahrani smiles, wrapping her arms around Lanara as the witch leans in for a hug. The feline gives nice hugs, too. She certainly smells like she's been exercising, but it's not a pungent odor like some other non-furred species emit. Releasing her friend from the embrace, the feline simply shrugs, crossing her arms and smiling, "I won't turn down a meal if it comes from a friend." She sees Lana eyeing her physique up and down, but makes no mention of or a sign of discomfort. The panther's kinda used to it. At the mention of going to Kreekitaka for some clothes, the paladin tilts her head in a thoughtful manner, "I was thinking of going to one of the shops in Kelay. After one of my other shirts completely fell apart in front of Talyara, she offered me some coin to replace it." That wasn't too long ago, and she was already starting to wear down the one currently on her. To Lana, the feline offers an affectionate chuffing sound, the kind that big cats give in lieu of a housecat's purr, "She has a kind heart." Looking up and down the street, Zahrani then asks, "Where are you walking to in Cenril? I could walk with you."
Lanara gives Zahrani a final squeeze, before releasing her from the embrace, and her big brown eyes sparkle in the sunlight, as she smiles at the mention of her little sister. “You know my sister? Taly has such a kind heart… Though I fear she’s very naïve and often misplaces her trust in others. If she’s managed to strike a friendship with you… Then I couldn’t be happier! You are the sort of friend she should have… As you have a gentleness about you that I don’t believe I’ve ever met in another, even healers aren’t as soothing as you. And it’s odd, because you are a warrior and you are a cat-person… Most would think you’d cater to a bestial nature or have a mean streak on the battlefield! But you are the exact opposite. My sister, and myself, are lucky to consider you a friend.” The mention of replacing the shirt and wherever Zahrani wishes to shop are given a mere nod, though the offer would always stand, should the feline ever wish to seek the crab’s shack in Cenril. As for a meal, well, in time Lana would whip up a fine dinner and a batch of homemade cookies and personally deliver them to her rescuer. And maybe she’d bring along her sister, too! Looking towards the east, Lana motions along the path, and stands a little nearer to the feline, as they would be walking together to their destination. Normally, the elf wouldn’t trouble another to escort her on her journey, but being unarmed and in nothing more than a bikini, she’d gratefully accept the offer. Plus, she enjoyed Zahrani’s company. “I was heading to the Whalers Bar, actually. Taly rented a room there the other night and I know that she’ll have a change of clothing. Plus, my friend Ansel and his boys live there. I gave them a puppy for Christmas and I can’t wait to see how much she’s grown!” As they walk on their way, Lana would link arms with her friend, and pat her arm affectionately. “Rani, it’s not much farther, and you are such a doll to walk with me… Do you have any pets? I have quite a few of my own, but I’m opening an animal sanctuary soon, so let me know if you’re ever in the market to adopt a pet!”
Zahrani closes her eyes affectionately at Lanara, smiling sheepishly at the compliments given to her by the witch. The paladin responds, "You are very kind. I am glad to have you both as friends." The pair walk silently down the street, the panther's tail swishing behind her. There is so many diverse sights, sounds, and smells every time she comes to Cenril. The salty ocean air, white sails by the docks, people of every shape, size, and smell. With a warm grin, Zahrani's fingers interlace with her friends. There is strength in her hands, but also softness at her fingertips and palms, much like the pads on the paw of a big cat. As they approach the bar, the feline ponders the thought of having a pet, before responding, "Perhaps someday. Depending on the region I'm traveling in, I am sometimes visited by familiar dogs and other animals. I've made a lot of friends in the wild." Even in the animal kingdom, mostly among other carnivores, the paladin seems to have developed a reputation as a safe person to be around. Herbivores, not so much. She does hunt from time to time in order to survive; no way around that, unfortunately. "You and Taly both have a love for animals. I am glad." The panther smiles at the nickname 'Rani.' It's endearing to hear it.
Lanara walks at an even pace beside Zahrani, inhaling the salty ocean air, and sighing, contentedly. As the beach fills her senses, the horror of being pummeled through a fence fades from her mind, at least for the moment. She felt safe beside her friend, and that was a feeling that was rather foreign to the witch. Thus far, she only had felt safe in Eirik’s presence and being that her fiancé was rarely around; she felt solace in knowing she could add another hero to her short list of guardians. As they walk along and take in the sights of children building sand castles, and hear the bustling of the open market, the Inn comes into view, all too soon. Lana yawn, tired from the crying, having her hand broken and mended, and all the trekking through the beach in shoes that were super stylish, but hard on her little feet. She needed a bath, a change of clothing, and a long nap, after today’s events. Plus, she’d have to deal with her little sister’s panic over not having a date for the ball, and she wasn’t prepared for that conversation. Ansel, she had hoped, would ask her to be his date, but the lycan was so oblivious when it came to the world of dating, and he had two small boys that he was raising by himself. Perhaps Taly and Ansel weren’t meant for more than friendship. Lana gives a sidelong glance to Rani as they come to a stop before the Inn, wondering if maybe she could push a little romantic influence in her direction, regarding her sibling. Hm. She’d have to think on how to encourage the pair of them. “Thank you so much for walking me back, Rani. You are a total sweetheart! I’m lucky to have you as a friend.” Her arms wind around the feline’s torso for a quick parting hug, before she leans back. “You go get your outfit before the shop’s close! I’ll see you at the ball, then?”
Zahrani wraps her arms around Lanara in response to the elf's embrace. Her forehead presses gently against Lana's, a very catlike gesture of affection. When they part, the paladin nods, "It was my pleasure to walk with you, Lana. I hope to see you and Taly at the ball." The panther is trying her own nickname for the witch. A warm smile appears on her face, subtle lines of divine aura playing across her fur like fractals before she turns to depart.