RP:Seeking a Witchy Tutor

This is a Healer's Guild RP.

Synopsis: Joan comes to Lanara seeking to gain more knowledge on Healing Arts.

The Green Fairy

Lanara is seated at a table in the rear of the tavern, relieved that this section was mostly empty, as the place often filled up with the locals at lunchtime. The witch wears a navy sweater dress that touches her knees, ankle boots, and a pewter pentacle dangles from the chain around her neck. Long, chestnut locks reach her elbows, and she doesn’t bare a hint of makeup on her fair face. After ordering a salad with grilled chicken, Lana allows her gaze to trail over each of the patrons, as people watching was one of her favorite pastimes. The witch is imagining various scenarios playing out between those gathered and she smiles to herself, enjoying these few moments of privacy. At least until Capendor places her meal and an iced tea before her, which pulls her attention away from the fantasy realm and towards the need to satisfy her hunger.

Joan | Having made the daily trek out from her home deep in Vailkrin to report to crazy Maude at the scared shrine for the last week and a half Joan was making progress as a novice within the Healers Guild. Her badge hangs from a sliver chain around her palid colour neck, clear to see between the opening loose top two buttons that show her throat and neck. The average height woman with pointed ears and unusual voided light violet eyes made the climb up into the treetop bar in the search for a certain witch. She entered and made a polite inquiry if the woman she was searching for was here, after first making inquires at the animal sanctuary. Any glances she got she’d return with a polite tight lipped smile and bob of her head before making her way back towards where she was directed by the barkeep. The light in the fairy bar glinting off her clearly seen healer’s badge that lightly bounced against her clothed and vested chest, her outfit a tailored and fitted ladies two piece pants suit, black, with purple and real silver pipping, buttons and trim. A crisp short sleeve ladies dress shirt under the fitted vest. The fabric well made, and sturdy. The shoes her feet where in are of high quality leather, polished to a shine, something a merchant or noble could afford. Approaching the seated witch she was directed to, the novice healer would offer our her left hand as she calls out in an clear common, “Hi! Hello, would you be Larana?! I’m Joan Blackheart, a friend of Artia’s! If you don’t mind and have the time could I take a few moments and ask you some questions and a possible favor?!” Her voice friendly and held warmth.

Lanara is dicing up her chicken as Joan enters the establishment and inquires about her whereabouts, only to be directed to her exact table. The witch doesn’t pay any mind to the intrusion until a hand is thrust outwards and introductions are made, to which she quirks a brow, “I –am- Lanara, I’m not very fond of Artia, and I’m not currently in the mood for giving an interview…” To note her annoyance, she spears a piece of lettuce with her fork and wiggles it in the air. Who did this Joan Blackheart think she was to approach Lanara without an appointment?! Those in Enchantment that sought an audience with the witch knew to gain Lunalesca’s approval, or to send a letter to Lana directly. Time was valuable, and she had been busy working at Callum’s greenhouse, whenever she wasn’t canoodling with Tiber or house shopping. Agitated chocolate hues lock with Joan’s purple gaze, though as they drop to spy the badge, her expression slightly softens, “You are with the Healer’s Guild?” Dropping her fork to her plate, she belatedly offers the seat opposite the table for Joan to take a seat, “Why don’t you order something to eat and drink and we can take it from there?” Lana’s tone is a tad friendlier than when they had first met, and she offers the woman a faint smile, “I like your suit. I never understood why women shy away from wearing a two piece stylish ensemble. It looks comfortable.”

Joan pulls back her hand, looking slightly embarrassed, a ting of pink colored her otherwise palid complexion. Very good thing the vampire merchant had partaken of freely volunteered blood before venturing out from Vailkrin. “Oh...sorry... about that, she is or -was- one of my few friends I had happen to make since my return from overseas.” Joan would explain about her connection to Artia, having taken notice of her badge the other would offer a half smile as she nodded, “Yeah...sorry, I’ve been closest away in work and study, I should have thought about writing ahead. Maude has me on my toes, working me hard.” She’d chuckle before ordering a cup of tea, and whatever they had on hand as a treat from one of the barmaids. Proper copper coins are given before her attention is turnt back to the witch, Joan sliding into a seat she pulls out enough to slip into, sitting with a refined natural, crossing her legs as she sits, clasp hands resting in her seated lap once she smooths down her vest after she sat. “Hm, yes it is comfortable, the movement and freedom it gives one is a must. And it is always in fashion.” She nods slightly, her badge moving with her neck movements. “Yes, I am with the Healers Guild, I am a novice. I -was- also studying with Artia...while she was around.” Joan informs the other woman, “I am also studying The Black Tides, as well as curses, hexes, spells, potions and poisons as part of my education as a budding Necromancer. I have a letter of reference from the dryad healer Liaison Rhaevyn Ashlyren saying that I am a confirmed Novus Morior with the NG and I am learning the basics with them. I also have an appointment with the Mage’s Guild, and I can give a character reference via Zahrani.” She explains smoothly.

Lanara shrugs when the subject of Artia is mentioned again, “To each their own, I suppose… I called Artia a friend many years ago, but times have changed and she became more and more drawn to practicing the dark arts. Suffice it to say, we fell apart from each other, especially when she became close to Larewen. I don’t wish her any harm, but I’m just not a fan of Artia.” As the waiter returns with Joan’s food and tea and mentions traveling overseas, the witch is silent and studies the woman with curiosity. The glass of iced tea is sipped as Joan continues with spilling out all of her areas of knowledge, and drops a few names of those that hold a position of power within the well-known guilds. What exactly did this woman want from Lanara? A recommendation? An ‘in’ with Khitti as she could wield the Black Tides? Canting her head to the side, she purses her lush lips and seems confused with all this information that is offered without any semblance of prying. “Miss Joan… You are telling me that you are a member of the Healer’s, Necromancer’s, and Mage’s Guild, and that you are friendly with Zahrani, the feline paladin?” The witch is one of Zahrani’s closest friends, but she doesn’t volunteer this right now, “What –are- you?” The question is simple enough, and Joan’s answer would determine the direction this conversation would go, “Are you a healer? A mage? Or a necromancer? Are you hopeful about combining all three areas of expertise?” Clearing her throat, Lana explains, “You already know –what- I am, a woodland witch, a firm believer in karma, balance, and a lover of nature. There may be times where I dabble in healing or even in darker areas of magic, but I don’t deviate from my true title…” Using her intuition, she gently offers, “I feel that you are very confused with whom you are right this moment and where you wish to end up after all of your studies are complete. Learning about hexes and potions is all well and fine, but you need to know the backlash one faces, too. Reversal is equally as important! You may end up doing things that stain your soul and keep you from sleeping at night, hurting those you love, or damning yourself to the fiery depths of hell.” The waiter passes and she falls silent, before piping up again, “What is your ultimate goal? And… How do you expect me to help you, Miss Joan? Is this a conversation where I’m guiding you on a correct path? Or are you asking me to do something for you?” The purple haired woman hadn’t exactly stated –why- she sought out Lanara, or even why she offered up all that information.

Joan smiles slowly, careful not to show any hint of fang. “No, I have an interview with the Mage’s Guild. I’m not with them. I am known to Miss Khitti. I have spoken to her about possible Black Tides study with her.” Joan would pause here, taking up her tea cup with care, turning it in her left hand till the handle faced her right correctly before she lifted it up towards her pale lips, pursing then they would touch against the china porcelain rim as she took a small sip, savoring the strong black tea with care before she’d press on. “Sorry to keep bringing up Artia, she is a fellow healer, besides the only witch I know.” *A grimace is made here as a small look of pity is cast towards Larana. “I believe everyone has a right to life...and a freedom to live, no matter what they practice, magically or otherwise.” She gives a firm nod here. “As for what I am...I’m exploring that slowly baby step by baby step. I wish to gain slow control over any and all gifts I uncover I may or do possibly have. I have sought you out because I would like help...my missing friend was going to be my mentor in healing and witchcraft, Miss Emilia herself said I should study under my missing friend in the Healers Guild, but as she is missing...I can not do so sadly. I’ve offered up all this information to let you know I am very serious with the two guilds I am in and activity practicing and learning in. Our mutual feline friend is given as reference to let you know I am serious and have a decent upstanding citizen to vouche for my character.” She returns to her tea here, even takes up the snack that cane with the tea, nibbling with care. Omnomnom, nibble-nibble dainty bite.

Lanara drums her fingers against the tabletop, listening intently to Joan’s reply, and she remains silent for a few minutes after the woman finishes speaking. She knew Zahrani, Khitti, and Emilia, three women that the witch had the utmost respect for, and she would trust them with her life. Sure, this woman seems friendly and has proper enough etiquette, but she is still a stranger in Lanara’s eyes, and trust was earned not given just because someone came highly recommended from those in powerful places. “I’m honestly still trying to get my life in order, as the past few months have been pretty hard on me and my family. Scandal, my adopted brother passed away, and I was tried for murder, arson, really a bunch of terrible things. I’m –innocent- and was proven not guilty, but it was very expensive, exhausting, and emotional…” Lana pauses, not entirely sure why she’s offering all of this information, maybe because she’s going to decline the possibility of tutoring Joan. “For now? My answer is ‘no’ because witches will only practice magic in perfect love and perfect trust, and I don’t know you well enough to trust you with the knowledge and power that I wield. It’s a matter of respect for my magic, and a matter of safety to those that it could bring harm. I’m sorry that you confidently broached this topic with me, in hopes of gaining a magical mentor, because I have to turn you down…” She takes another sip of her drink, feeling a little bad that she was denying Joan, “What I can do is advise you to read every book you can get your hands on, and be active in the guilds you are in… Also, my sister? She is a fellow witch and she’s more likely to befriend you and offer her services. Her name is Talyara and she lives in a small cottage north of the berry garden in Frostmaw, or you can run into her at the animal sanctuary in Sage.” She waits a beat, before continuing, “If you cannot find another to teach you how to make potions and poisons, or how to place a hex or remove a curse… And –if- we get to know one another better? Then I will reconsider my answer, okay?”

Joan blinks a few times as she listened, her snack being nibble away slowly with care as the witch went on about her troubles and woes. Once she hears Scandal’s name mention she peeks up, dusting her hands together once she licks her fingertips clean she’d offer the other woman a grin. “I met Scandal, had tea and biscuits with him, lovely chat also. Got to know him pretty well. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to be sad about his passing, to think of him fondly and carry on his memory.” Here she would reach down to her belt pouch, hand disappearing into it’s depths for a moment before out she pulls a very noticeable looking scale from said dragon. This she presents to the witch, “Here, Scandal shed a whole large basket of these for me as a favor. A keepsake.” A tender look crossed her palid features and a look of understanding for the woman’s grief. “Lady Emilia mentioned Talyara, I’m to seek her out after a few more weeks with Maude. Thank you for your time, I will continue along my courses of study and the reading.” With that Joan gets up and leaves in a quite manner, leaving Lanara to her own personal thoughts and the scale from Scandal the vampire left for keepsake.