RP:Killer Queen

From HollowWiki

Part of the The End's Not Near Arc


Summary: Vestra, a deceptively mousy addition to the Ha-Naga's of the Alithryian council, has been directed to send a scouting party to Chartsend to assess their defenses after a festival gone awry. Jaize's public image is not in good standing since that whole murder business at the Fountain. Naga territory expansion might be just the boost she needs.


Extravagant Water Gardens

Vestra extends a lithe fingertip, to trace upon the surface of the gravestone; Nakazo. She had always found peace here, amidst the water gardens of Alithrya. The smell of plant life - the dancing fish darting from one lily pad to another. It's always entrancing; soothing to the soul. For all the endless games of court in Alithrya, this place is most sacred to her. Usually found alone, the shorter than average Ha-Naga, stands at only six feet, though her tail is a just a fraction longer. Blonde tresses of intricately braided hair give way to delicate features, and almond brown eyes. The mage, is perhaps a little gaudy looking, draped in whites, and golds. A string of fine emeralds dangles from her neck, the only item she truly adores, beyond her staff. Vestra, is by no means an imposing figure, the glasses she wears, adds a touch of innocence. Though any who know her well enough - which are few and far between - know the real inner world of chaos that she seeks to control. It's because of this fact, that she tends to be able to shift from one social circle to the other; often without skipping a beat.


Jaize has always found some semblance of peace in the water gardens as well. Not just because of Nakazo's grave but because it represented the most basic of her principals. It was full of crystal clear water, without blemish, falling along likewise polished marble columns and statues. Since her return, however, the place felt foreign. Almost too peaceful. She'd forgotten how dead the city itself has been since Vuyral's...what? Disappearance? Death? Abandonment? Betrayal? In her heart of hearts, Jaize harbors no attention to this current train of thought. Ahead of her, little Vestra runs her fingers along the gravestone, which prompts the Queen's approach. "Did you know him?" she asks in a presumptuous tone. Jaize is not easily dealt with nor is she well liked among the naga as a whole. She is a traitor, by all means. Not to mention her bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired. Her cold azurite gaze peers at the blonde, framed with ashen silk strands that drape well past her waist, with such intensity. As if icicles might jut from her pupils and jettison into Vestra's heart.


Vestra is truly lost within the recesses of her mind, toying with the thoughts of some far away daydream. Fields of wheat and barley - the deep and warm oceans of some unknown realm. Anything to pull frustration from her mind. Soon such thoughts are forgotten, and the bereft visage of emotion she carried before is swept away in the tide of a grin; pulling at the corners of her lips before revealing rows of ivory teeth. "I didn't." Though without even adding any weight to Jaize’s thoughts, she too wished for a different path for her people. Almond hues twitch to look towards who had confronted her. A formal bow is given to her; always the polite one, isn't she? "Did you?" A hand reaches up idly to sweep back a rogue strand of hair which had fallen. As for the look of Icicles which being thrown, she ignores them entirely, as if she had no clue that she was being glared at. Whatever reason Vestra had chosen to be so close to the stone, is quite frankly, her own. Though she would never reveal this.


Jaize keeps her chilled eyes on her conversational companion. Acquaintances of circumstance. As Ha-Naga, Vestra would naturally be one of her advisors, especially if more Ha-Naga existed. Currently, she is one of three. Two of which are elder naga males who do not challenge her whims in any way. Her gender naturally gave her an advantage. The so-called murder of his sister and previous rule didn't hurt her chances either. Ah, if only her sister could see her now. "I did." Her lips are pressed into a thin line, which compliments the angle of her lithe jaws. Her skin is so ivory and devoid of color, it appears as opaque snow on hollow bones. "He was my advisor years ago." It might be the only topic to drain an ounce of emotion from the otherwise ruthless woman. "He was also my lover. He lost his life shortly after a duel. The years still the name of his opponent from me. Perhaps the vulpine ruler of Frostmaw at the time?" A lazy wave of her wrist dismisses the memory. "I had the grave constructed here, so we might always remain together." No account for why she'd then fled the city shortly after. If any regret could bleed from her stone heart, it would be for this reason alone. There's not yet talk of plans or procedures, but they always come when Jaize is involved. Her mind is ever whirling and scheming. Vestra is likely familiar with this mindset by now.


Vestra is much like Jaize. Always scheming and plotting over things. Though the Queen, carried all the luck of power, Vestra did not. Not that she had any ultimate machinations for such a thought. She merely wished to be able to work, to study. Perhaps have a hand in the changing of Naga society. Never to rule them. In this, Neither Jaize or Reginae had any reason to fear her. In fact, Vestra, is often very softly spoken - though rumor has it, a dark temper lays deep within her. Kind of like a child. The queen would obviously know this. "And forever together remain you shall." She gives another bow, whilst referring to the reason for the gravestones construction. "It's not often I see you out here," her gaze shifts to the crystal-clear pools, just in time for those gold framed glasses to nearly slip of her face and into the pools below. Luckily, her hand is quick enough to stretch and snatch it. Those were expensive! She gives a silent sigh of relief. "I apologize," she abruptly inserts the apology for her clumsiness. It's a muse really, acted out so well that she herself often forgot that losing grace in action required willpower and thought. Once she has finished fixing those glasses, she continues on. "Is there perhaps something I could help you with?" He voice is serene, like blades of grass swaying in the wind. Even now, she posed no threat at all.


Jaize narrowed her intense stare at this remark. It’s -so- catty, Jaize almost reaches across the small space between them. Her fingernails could easily turn into claws, pierce little holes in her neck until blood dribbles out like a flooded flute. That would teach her to say such pointed things. “Well where I am is none of your business, so I suggest you mind it.” This act of clumsiness does not appear to be an act. It accomplishes it’s goal and disarms the Queen. Let’s her hold a moment of superiority, marking Vestra as inferior in her clumsy nature. It isn’t clear if the female’s apology is aimed towards her glasses or her remark so Jaize continues with her reason for approach. It wouldn’t look good on her crumbling platform is she struck down another naga. They are already few and far between. And with no proper cause. Her angular nose lofts into the air, the glacious gaze staring down the slope at the blonde. “We need to send a scouting party to Chartsend. I’ve heard rumors that they are currently without leadership. It might be a valuable opportunity for us to expand.” And a flawless tactic to win points in the eyes of those who might seek to overthrow her. Enemies are always around every turn! “I trust you can take care of this?” Her tone is flat, almost uncertain.


Vestra does not move to step out of the way of Jaize. Nay, for in her mind that could cause even more issues. Once a punishment is given, she'd just bite her lip and absorbs the smack or choking. Who knew that she'd stop at such a silly thing. "Yes, my Queen." She accepts the verbal reprimand for what it is. " And you can be sure that I can and will handle it." Vestra gives another formal bow, much lower than before, to show Jaize that she is really, just an ant. Though she wanted to wipe this obnoxious, foul tempered snake flat-out off her tail and out of her own skin. She'd never dream of doing such things. At least not until it was appropriate. But who would deem such a thing appropriate? Truly part of her wanted to be the one. The one to stare down on her whilst she clutched to a weapon buried deep in her chest - if only to vainly stick out her tongue; to say, na-na. Almond eyes shift off to the pools momentarily and then back to Jaize. "Do I have your permission to head out now?" Obviously, she didn't want to continue this idle chit chat. Such things could lead to her discovery of inner hatred. She might get nervous and break her forced guise. Gods know that would be the end of things. No, instead Vestra, would continue the game. Jaize had the power. She always did. Vestra is but a lowly creature awaiting orders from her queen. A lowly stupid creature. But she would do what she must, to survive and gain Jaizes trust.


Jaize squints at the woman. She can almost tell something is amiss in her behaviour but she’s too self absorbed to give it a second thought. Must be nothing. “Take Siroche with you.” Another female naga who loved causing trouble with her shifting. An informant, who has been training to travel to the surface. She’d been very studious in her research of other beings, humans most of all. Rumors were that humans would do anything for love or money. Honor. Feel goods that had no physical presence and such fluid definitions...they might as well be make believe. It wasn’t like Jaize had offered her trust to Vestra immediately. She’d have to accomplish something of merit. Her sheepish act was enough to make Jaize take notice. That and the woman’s status of Ha-Naga. A tile Jaize herself could never possess. In a way, she’s jealous. A petty woman wishing to lay claim to anything and everything within her foul grasp. Perhaps one day the gods will change their mind. She flexes her lithe fingers, the skin surrounding the purity of flawless snow. “Siroche should be in the abandoned lab…” Just off the central garden. Jaize had no knowledge of Muzo’s old experiments or research. No idea anyone had worked there until Reginae’s death. “Bring back good news.” She hissed, turning her back first -as was custom. Vestra’s bow was noted, a nod of her angled chin. Not quite a pat on the head, but equivalent in her silent regard. Once she received confirmation from the Ha-naga, her crystal white scales would trudge back towards the safe and sanitary confines of the castle. To await word and wash her mind of Nakazo, long dead and longer still survived.


Vestra had noticed that some of the inner turmoil of her mind was beginning to etch upon her features and demeanor. This would be a tough thing. With Reginae gone, she had to find some way to survive. If that meant suck up to Jaize, -so be it-. "I will." Vestra waits until Jaize has turned and leaves, as is customary, before turning herself. Once outside of the gardens she visibly sighs, though not loud enough for anyone to hear. Whilst slithering this way and that, right hand idly twists in the air, summoning the staff she had claimed for her own - through years of practice. At first nothing but a subtle stir of air. Then tendrils of magic escape from the palm of her hand. Before long, a small rift of sorts is created, lithe finger-tips reach in and yank free her smoldering black staff. Like charcoaled alder, though that is not what it is and very-rare. An antique, which she only pulled out for battle, fits of temper-tantrums and with her feigned visage of seriousness. Just like moments before her hand called forth that staff, the rift fades to nothing; as if it never existed. At least the audience with Jaize is done. Now to find Siroche.