RP:In Our Own Skin

This is a Healer's Guild RP.

Summary: Brennia and Reginae find each other after the battle in gardens. There's a strange tension, as if something between them has changed. It's hard to remember who you really are, in the hard light of day.

Alithrya Palace Guest Room

In the aftermath of Jaize’s defeat several things had happened. Pilar had vanished, Iphigenia and Vestra had perished, and Brennia was nowhere to be found. At least, not by the guards in Reginae’s employ. Her eyesight has yet to be returned, but still she angles her face towards a window pane in one of the palace guest rooms. The artificial sun feels warm on her skin, the tip of her crystalline tail twitches pensively. She’d achieved her goal...but at what costs if her allies were destroyed in the process. Thin, white locks are gathered at her crown, woven into a lotus by the handmaids who’d taken the time to wash debris and blood from them. A guard enters the room, a handsomely tanned male (not that Regi could tell) with long ebony hair spun back away from his face into a mess of dread like masses. His amethyst scales brush the tile, but she heard him long before. Before the door could creak open to lead him in, before the breath he held once inside. The Queen maintains her posture, chin propped in her palm, while he approaches. “M’lady.” He starts, the exhale of breath noting a short bow. “I’ve been sent to summon you, to a lady ‘Shar’?.” He’s uncertain of her name. It sounded foreign, he couldn’t remember how to pronounce it. “She was found a found days ago, her avians brought her to our attention. She’s been receiving medical care from her injuries - “ Before he can go further, the naga’s unfurled her tail and moved to stand up right with veins of displeasure piercing her previously sereine expression. “I said I wanted to be notified -immediately-,” She snaps, holding the rest of her remarks for him at a later date. Exasperated sigh. “Take me to her. Now.” The male doesn’t argue, only loops his arm around hers so their elbows can lock and moves her two rooms down to where Brennia’s been recovering.

Brennia had been reverted back to her natural form, a crumpled and loser avian. She was recovering from a concussion, a broken leg and fractured wings, but she was up and tending to her own dressings because they wrapped her wings too tight. She didn't blame them though and one healer sighs before mumbling to the other, “she doesn't know the meaning of rest. We've caught her healing others… At this rate her wounds will never heal.” Brennia sighs and that bored velvety Veretian timbre rebukes, “I know my body. Avians heal faster than you think and I'm old as sh-" the nurses gasped as they were surprised she could hear them and Regi entered, they bow and then leave. The one escorting Regi looks upon Brennia in an apologetic manner, he felt bad for her because such a pretty face had been so brutalized, “miss, uh, ‘Shar’?” Brennia held her hand up, “please. Just call me what I am. The write off, Brennia.” He didn't really care for the formality and only nodded before continuing, “Queen Reginae.” Brennia sat up straighter and she looked cross, as if she could of stopped whatever happened to her friend, “m’lady… Your majesty, what happened?” The title changes out of respect former triumph and she pulls a well used knapsack towards herself and starts feeling around within, maybe she has a potion or salve - anything!

Reginae has to wait to be led into the room. The healers leave the room, unnoticed. Her escort addresses Brennia and Regi frowns at her tone. “Hey now…” She starts, slithering forward a bit to break the lead with the guard. He stays where he is, letting her go forward. It’s strange how natural she looks, only the milky white of her normal azurite gaze noting illness. “I can’t have you saying things like that about my friend.” She scolds Brennia, her tone is solemn and serious. When Brennia asks about the Naga, she waves a pale hand dismissively in front of her face. Her eyes close and she frowns further. “I’m fine. Just some residual magic poisoning after the spell. Don’t worry, you need to be resting. My escort here told me you aren’t taking kindly to cease and desist orders.” It’s not surprising, Regi’d laugh if she could. Her heart felt too heavy still to let mirth in. “Brutus, ask the lady to sit a while with me, if she can spare the time.” The guard only looks at Brennia and Regi before stepping forward to help the naga slither to a seat on an empty cot. She pats the crisp white sheets in a matronly fashion. “Tell me what happened, how are you feeling, tell me anything, Everything.” Her expression is heavy, craving. A friendly voice in her ear would do much to mend her sorrows. She only hoped she could offer the same.

Brennia relaxes back into the bed and feeling even worse for going rogue with her reckless ambitions, but she lets out a fake sigh if relief, “so you can't see me? Very well, I've been told I've gotten quite deformed.”It was true though, a group of stitches across her brow and a swollen eye, cut lip and some bruising on her jawline. Brennia glances up to the guard because she just wanted to talk to Regi alone like the good old days, but she just doesn't even care anymore, “m’lady… I-I didn't really expect to come out of that alive. I lost my fire and my fight,” her voice had become softer and a bit raspy. “I only got in the way and I got drug into a small alleyway and three ganged up on me…” A shaky sigh escapes her, “I have been so exhausted and tired after losing so much at once. My Queen, I was ready to be back at rest and then I woke up here.” Tears were welling in her eyes and she turned her head away from both Regi and her guard who was frowning at her with lack of respect. He even let out a soft scoff at her blatant cowardice and giving up, “it's not like I was looking for it and I fought my best, but I probably shouldn't have joined you because I could have put this whole in in jeopardy.” Brennia’s hand reaches hesitantly for Regi's hand, should she be allowed to touch royalty? “I apologize for my reckless actions, could you ever forgive me?”

Reginae flinches a little with the title. “Please…” She whispers, Brennia would likely know why. The avian continues and her throat seizes. “Brennia…” Her eyes close, though it neither hinders or lends itself to her sight. Her wish for death was humbling, it reminded Regi why they’d fought so hard to keep death out of Alithrya and Schezerade. Was this all an elaborate way of saying goodbye to those she cared about? These dangerous risks? Reginae didn’t believe that, entirely. Her lips part to stop Brennia, to tell her she was never a burden, when the guard scuffed. The Queen’s head spun round towards the sound. “Get out.” No sound followed her command, Bre could see the guard was stunned. “I said GET OUT!” She screams, standing upright, the tail of her command a subtle hiss. The man’s eyes go wide and he scurries off, closing the door behind him. With a sigh, she lowers herself back to Brennia’s side and eagerly takes her hand. “I’m sorry you had to suffer so miserably. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect you.” White brows furrow with concern. “There’s nothing to forgive you for. Nothing at all. Without you, I might not have been successful. I’ve heard reports about how bravely you and your avians fought. I owe you a great debt for your service to the naga of Alithrya and to me, personally, for accompanying me into this snake pit.” A beat. “No pun intended.” She sighs slowly, turning her face around the room without really seeing it. Her chin tilts down to pretend she’s studying their hands intertwined. “Don’t feel like you have to treat me any differently just because we won here. And don’t feel like you're not a strong, capable woman. You have nothing to prove to anyone. I’ve seen you fight, and plan. I’ve seen your passion for your people and your hard work even before. You just need to learn to be easier on yourself, take care of yourself more.” Her hands squeeze Brennia’s gently.

Brennia couldn't look her way during this moment even though she knew her friend couldn't even see her in her shame. She flinched just slightly when Reginae yelled for the other to leave and in this privacy she let a hot tear streak down her cheek. She sat up some more when Reginae sat next to her on the bed and when she finishes Bre boldly wrapped her arms around the Naga Queen’s shoulders. Reginae would experience three things, the feel of that single hot tear on Brennia’s cheek, her most favorite scent and the automatic effort of those velvety dark wings attempting to envelop this woman she cares so much for and they twitch slightly in an unnatural way. “Let me take care of you first?” She slowly peeled away and after feeling around in her knapsack she places a stone in Reginae's hand, “hold onto this.” Brennia’s hands gently place on either side of the Queen's face. Are they about to kiss?! … Nah. Brennia begins humming softly and focusing on the poison aspect of this burden to pull if free from Reginae and funnel it into the palm sized flat stone the Queen was holding. It was a relaxing and soothing melody as her Bardic magic worked, but it took a few minutes until things sharpened back into focus and Brennia took the stone back. Their fingertips brushing passed the other and now Regi would see just how damaged Brennia was… Although, something was amiss and one of Reginae's eyes stayed grey. Brennia felt she looked like something out of some horror flick and looks down, unable to meet her gaze, “is that better?”

Reginae doesn’t react until Brennia moves to hug her. The naga’s arms reflexively rise to embrace her, the scent of the sea and a flower garden? She didn’t know this to be her favorite scent but now that she thinks about it...Oh how her heart aches. For Brennia. For Pilar. For her sister, even. “I’m fine.” She tries to protest but takes the stone in her palm anyway. A blind blink directs it’s attention there. Brennia’s fingers prick against her face, holding it in place. She can’t see but she feels the nearness of Bre’s face and jerks back momentarily just in case. If the avian meant to kiss her...but it doesn’t happen. Regi is on edge, breath caught in her throat as the bardic magic flows through her. Her vision returns slowly, in slides of added transparency through the fog that clouded her sight. The right optic returns to it’s brilliant blue while the left remains grey and milky. Seeing at all felt like a miracle. “They said it would come back in time…” She tries, speaking slowly as she surveys Brennia’s extensive injuries. “Aramoth above,” Her own hand lifts to cup Bre’s bruised jaw line delicately. “Are they dead?” The naga asks sharply. “If you remember their faces and see them again, I’ll make it so.” This rage was new. Alarming but not uncalled for, considering. The stone shifts hands and Regi’s anger is quelled by the sobering gesture. “It is, thank you.” Regi looks away as well, just for a second, to gather her nerves. The last thing she’d seen had been Jaize’s near pristine face collapse into dust. The next was Bre’s injuries. The world was cruel. “There’s one physician here, has she been? Blonde? Mousy? Aqua colored snout and tail? Glasses?” Reginae pantomimes each detail on herself. “She’s the best here. If those other charlatans try to treat you, refuse. On my orders, I’ll tell them the same and send her to see you. She’s worked on Frost Giants.” A ghost of a smile shadows her lips. “I think she’d be a good fit to work on you as well. If you’ll stop being stubborn and let her.” Reginae’s hand falls away from Bre’s face and her serious demeanour returns. “Don’t do that…” She whispers.

Brennia felt her wings unnaturally twitch behind her at the nervousness she felt now that Reginae could see her horrendous face, a few soft black quills shake free due to the stress. When Reginae starts promising death to her attackers and asking if she could point them out, “I'm sorry, it all happened so fast, I don't remember.” Now Reginae was describing a Physician she's barely met, “I think, once?” The avian fiddles with the sheet on her bed, “it's alright, I don't want to be a bother…” Brennia kept avoiding looking up when she could and mentions, “you look very radiant as Queen. You always have, but Queen suits you.” She felt she didn't know how to talk to her and it felt awkward, but now she's near again, whispering to her. Teal eyes look up at her, one nearly swollen shut, “don't do what?” Her brows knit together curiously and concerned.

Reginae frowns. “Don’t apologize…” A pause, while she tries to find Brennia’s eyes again. “Don’t treat me like someone different. You look nervous...Are you hurting? Should I get someone? I’m not skilled with healing…” She looks nervous now, even though her insides feel weighted, unshaken. Like Brennia, Regi doesn’t respond to flattery itself. She’s more concerned about the situation she’s put her friend in. “What can I get you? What do you need? Anything…” She promises, feverently. “Let me give you one of my guards, to take with you always. So this never happens again. I couldn’t bear it, knowing you were in danger like that and I couldn’t step in. Please…”

Brennia relaxes back onto her pillow once more after adjusting the wrapping around her head, “I wont, I promise and I am not hurting abnormally right now. I just feel close to you, but it’s different now that we are in our own skin.” A half smirk shifts the cut running down both her lips on her left side, “now that I hear it outloud it does sound silly.” She rolls her head so she could look at the Queen, “Reginae,” it felt nice to finally say the woman’s true name without the worry of being overheard and it danced out of the bard’s gilded tongue like a spell. “I am just trying to sort my thoughts. After I am better I don’t know what it is I am to do, but I am so sick of hiding…” Then she is suggesting sending one of her own to protect the avian and she cracks that soft smirk again, “you are too good to me. I know I wasn’t a champion in this fight and maybe my intentions weren’t beneficial, but I vow that if you ever need me again I will be there.” A hand reaches out in attempts to hold onto the naga’s own, “for anything.”

Reginae understands the sentiment. It’s hard to be herself now, to take up the mantle that she’d long fought for. She’d much preferred standing in the Redskull Trophy Ring, announcing prizes and watching others do battle. Being tackled by dwarves… being happy. Or pretending? The lines blur and it makes her head pound. She sinks in her palms, elbows braced against her knees. She shields her left eye, it’s throbbing fiercely. “You can stay here as long as you like or need. And I’ll help you get your city back. We’ll throw a unity party when it’s through.” She forced a smile but it felt rough, rigid. Why was it easier to do in someone else’s skin? Is it different? Perhaps it was...did it have to be a bad thing? It felt muddled and mixed, Reginae sighs again and Brennia takes her hand with ease. “And stop doing that,” Her tone warms. “Putting yourself down. Your city is in parallel and you took time away from that precious effort to come fight by my side. You’re ever bit a champion. Please.” The Queen reaches over to a bowl of clean water to dip and draw out a cool rag. She presses it to the swelling on Brennia’s face. “I’ll make the same vow, eternally. I’ll be here, should you need anything.” She tries again to force a smile, it’s more convincing this time. “That’s what friends are for.”

Brennia let out a soft rasy chuckled, but stifled it when it shot pain through her wings and head, “Nicolau and Charlise would certainly be over in that corner laughing and jeering at how mopey and emotional we’re being.” Speaking of the devil - sorta, the physician Reginae mentioned comes through the door and immediately bows, “yer majesty! I am sorry to intrude, I was not aware you were in here. I was just about to check in on our distant visitor here.” From the skies down into the seas, what an opposite world she was in, “here, let me help you out.” Once she sees Reginae’s eyes though she looks surprised, “you're healed already? Fantastic.” She takes any command or orders from Reginae regarding Brennia and at this moment when it is time for the friends to part, the avian taks the naga’s hand and pulls it up to her heart where it beat steady, “I am so privileged and lucky to have you as a friend.” They say their goodbyes and Brennia its poked and prodded before being healed some more and instructed to REST for once! Plz bre k thnx.