RP:The Fearless Ophiophobic

Summary: Reginae (in disguise) meets up with the head of the Adventurer's guild only to find it's Lanara! Her rogue alias and the dance instructor had met up before in the avian city and now Nico has a simple request. Or, maybe it would be simple, if Lanara wasn't terrified of snakes.

Open Market

Reginae was not at all positive that she was doing the right thing by coming here. Involving outsiders in Naga affairs was… a new practice. One she was still trying to grasp, even though she’d no problem dealing with any sort of person or otherwise. It was a cultural...hesitation.There were a lot of eyes on her now. And so, she decided to send word to the head of the Adventurer’s guild to request a meeting and assistance. To this meeting, a tall dark skinned man would appear. Dressed in black, heavy leather boots and twin daggers, one on each of his hips. His short black hair is slicked back in the direction of the eastern wind that’s drawn out to sea. He’d seen Lanara before, and she’d seen him, though it had been a long time and they hadn’t been properly (really and truly) introduced. He waits, leaning against a stall in the Open Market with a toothpick bouncing around between his lips anxiously. His eyes were Reginae’s - trademarked azurite blue that stole the dying daylight as he scanned the space for this leader he’d messaged.

Lanara was hesitant to meet anyone, even if there was some sort of interest in the guild that she led. Witches were a pretty big target these days, and she always waited until the last minute to decide on a time and location for a meeting. So, naturally, everyone at the guild was too busy to accompany her to Cenril, a place where she’d been attacked twice now, since the release of Cramer’s book. Even her new beau was working on something behind the scenes, so as a last resort, she had taken Sigrid and Bjorn. The wolf siblings walk at her side, one gray, and the other a pearl white, in color. They were extremely protective of the little witch, though they wouldn’t attack unless provoked or she gave a command. Lana wears tan leggings, a hunter green tunic, and knee-high boots, with her long chestnut locks fluttering in the breeze. She smiles as she locks eyes with the male she assumes she’d be meeting, he seemed familiar, though she can’t quite place him. Did she know him from Brennia? Schezerade? Was she mistaken? The market is bustling, so she relaxes, and walks over to Nico, “Hi! How are you?”

It takes the faux assassin a minute to realize this woman was who he’d come to meet. A smile sneaks across his lips, the toothpick is tucked into the corner of said smile and he offers the witch a short bow in greeting. “Evening,” He replies, waiting for the gap between them to lessen so the Marketplace can’t devour their conversation. Crowded meant safe, usually. “I’m still alive and kickin’,” He informed her smoothly, as if he wasn’t standing there without scar or wound to say otherwise. He notes each wolf casually before turning his attention back to the woman with a squint. “Have we met?” His index finger points towards her while he winks thoughtfully. “I swear I remember your face...from a dream, perhaps?” His tone is smooth and unassuming, leaning towards flattery more than anything more serious. “I’m sorry to call you out face to face but I’m afraid my little uh...problem requires some description. I can’t really jot it all down...with the way the world has been lately.” He looks over his shoulder at no one, the crowd behind him moves steadily and as far as he can tell no one has taken note of them. Oceanic eyes move back to settle on Lanara and her wolves in anticipation of her reply.

Lanara can’t help but laugh at the male’s reaction, as he winks and offers up a compliment, as though she had manifested from one of his dreams. She’s flattered, obviously, and even though her beauty draws comments such as this one often, each time feels like the first. Those lush lips curve upwards into a silken smile, and her high cheekbones tint the lightest hue of pink. Oddly, it serves as an ice breaker, and her nerves seem to lessen, her shoulders relax, and she doesn’t seem to be so wary of the populated area. Lana wasn’t one to show her vulnerability, but the past few months had taken its toll on the woman and her fellow witches. Still, this man was familiar, and he had an easygoing attitude, so she replies without hesitation. “That depends… Was it a good dream or a bad dream? You seem so familiar, too… I could swear you swooped in and saved my life at some point. Sadly, it’s a bit of a regular thing for me. I tend to attract trouble.” She laughs again, and Sigrid lets loose a low growl as Nico glances her way, though Lana ignores the wolves, and the assassin would see the ‘aha’ moment crossing her fair face. “Wait! I think you were there… The attack! On the school? Erm… Maybe? Right? Your name is… Nicholas? Rico? Something like that… I’m sorry; I’m terrible with names and faces.” A few small steps and she’s directly at his side, closing the distance so they wouldn’t have to raise their voices, just in case others were eavesdropping. Clearly, Nico had gone to great lengths to secure this meeting, as had the witch. “Descripition. Yes… Would you like to maybe grab some food? There’s a picnic area, just over there. We can grab a table. Have a little more privacy.”

Nico keeps his easy eyes on Lanara when she asks what kind of dream it was. A good one or a bad one? “Well if I was swoopin’ in to save you, it must have been a good one.” No question. “And not that I’m sayin’ you don’t look like you could fight your own battles but I’d be happy to swoop in any day.” He limply boxes the air to his right, hitting nothing but imagining the satisfaction of landing a blow. When he resets, he runs his fingers through his hair again nervously. “Not to make light of a bad situation,” he adds. Tensions are high everywhere he’s been, especially home. The wolf draws his attention again and he tips an imaginary hat towards the creature in apology. ‘I mean no harm’. He watches her face light up and feels his own mirror her expression. It’s kinda cute the way she’s saying his name. “Nico-lau” He offers, heavy accentionation on the ‘loooow’ ending. The man looks pleased she’d remembered and he recalls her immediately after. “But you can call me Nico if it pleases ya. And you’re the teacher, protectin’ her students right? Lana…?” He can’t quite remember how Brennia had said it at the time. When she falls in beside him, he looks down at her. She’s so much shorter than he is! He could just fold her up and put her in his pocket! Not that he will but he thinks about it like it’s plausible. They could see the world together! Have crazy adventures! What a silly dream. But she’s drawing them back to the business at hand and shattering his fictional storybook world. Grab some food? “I’d love to.” His carefree smile is so wide it eats up his face as he gestures towards the food stalls in the market that lead them towards said picnic area. “After you ma’am.” At the cart of her choice, he’ll snag whatever is most charred and covered in sauce. Preferably on a stick, especially with this crowd, and follow Lanara to the seating arrangement of her choosing. He’d asked her here, least he can do is let her decide on the circumstances otherwise.

Lanara casts an icy glare at Sigrid over her shoulder, the wolf’s silvery eyes lifting to lock with her mistress, and she gives an annoyed whine. Clearly, of the two wolves, the white one preferred to explore, hunt, and protect. Hanging out at the beach wasn’t exactly her cup of tea, and the sand felt squishy beneath her paws, so she nips her brother on the ear, and gives a firm tug. Nico wasn’t deemed a threat, by Lanara, or her direwolves, so as they head to the west, the Schezerade reunion continues. “Ah yes, my knight in black attire! He’s come to save the day! Again!” The elf tucks her hair behind her tapered ears, and giggles, completely amused by this sweet talking man. He had arranged this meeting, not even knowing who she was, and now that they recognize each other, it’s all rather funny. “Knee-Co-Loo?” She tastes his name, trying to pronounce it as he does, and likely failing, horribly. This is also amusing to the woman, and she laughs again, before gently elbowing him in the side. “Seriously, though… Thank you for helping me back then, and for rescuing the students. I’m not sure I was ever able to properly thank you. Everything sort of happened so fast.” They walk over to a cart that sells kebobs, and Lana orders a vegetable stick, whereas Nico’s is some sort of burnt chicken, dripping in barbecue sauce. It looks delicious, and incredibly messy. Taking a small bite of a pepper, she looks up at the man, and can’t get over his height. He towered her, by at least a foot! They looked like such an odd pair, and a group of kids actually guffaws as they pass. Did that little boy just refer to Lana as a dwarf?! Swallowing, and about to pelt the kid with the skewer, she fights to contain herself, and guides Nico over to a table, so they are somewhat afforded privacy from a few surrounding trees. “Yes. Lanara, but everyone calls me Lana. So… I doubt you called me here for dance lessons. And if you wanted to adopt a puppy or kitten, you’d have met me in Sage… What brings you here tonight, Nico?” Chocolate hues search his oceanic gaze for an answer, as she bites into her kebob and lets him have a turn at their conversation.

Nico palms the back of his neck when she thanks him for the Schezerade incident. “You’re welcome but it’s...No big deal. It was a madhouse.” He tries to brush it off gracefully. Neither the male nor his true form / counterpart considered themselves any brand of hero. It had been the right person (Brennia) taking him to the right place (The College) at the right time (when all the badness went down). Chaos and luck were the major players. Chicken offers a good distraction and drips all over his hands and pants. He does not care a lick. Well, he does care a lick because he’s licking it off his hands but otherwise! “Great choice,” in food, that is. He hears this kid and laughs out loud. “Nah, I’m a giant!” He howls, pretending to stomp a few steps beside Lanara before they cleared the market proper. The male eats most of his food before tearing the last couple pieces up and asking his companion if he can feed her wolves. If she agrees, he’ll toss ‘em. If not, he’ll pop them into his own mouth. He guessed she was a vegetarian, since she’d ordered veggies, and thought it would be rude to offer her any on principal. “Lana.” He repeats after her, lips sticky with sauce. When she mentions dancing, he holds up his sticky fingers and wiggles them. “I’d love to but I uh...didn’t bring my dancin’ gloves so…” He crudely wipes his hands on the bottom of his pant legs, leaning his elbows into his knees and staring at her quietly. She’s looking at him earnestly now and he’d like to keep up the charade of being light hearted but...he isn’t. Reginae isn’t. It’s nice to throw on another person’s skin (figuratively, gross) but she’s still her underneath. She eats and he sighs, offering a weak chuckle that can’t veil his concern. “I’m not against puppies or kittens, mind you, but...I’m afraid I have a stranger request. I…” He stops, sighs and restarts quieter than before. “I need your help. The Adventurer’s Guild and you, of course. I’m aligned with the Naga Queen, in Alithrya?” He didn’t know how much or far news of the time trapped city spread up here. He’d been down there for a while...tending to things. Waiting. For something or someone. Nothing had shown itself so...here he was. He watches her eyes, the sweet earthen hues melting in the dying day. “There’s a dangerous bit of wilderness in Alithrya. A...trial grounds, if you will. And it’s complicated WHY but she needs a party to go with her. To keep her from dying, regardless of if she fails the trial or not.” He’s rubbing his palm into the back of his neck, wringing it out like a wet cloth. “But it has to be outsiders so...she sent me here to find you.” He waits in silence then, watching her eat and process what he’s asking her. It is no small feat. Instantly, he feels guilty. “You have no obligation to agree. It’ll be very dangerous. No one’s been there for many, many years. The wilderness has grown even more wild and wanton with age and - “ He offers her a small, genuine but sad smile. “I’m afraid I couldn’t go with you, to swoop in and save ya. I’m not permitted and all.”

Lanara nearly chokes on her pepper as he tells the children that he’s a giant, though compared to her stature, he very well could be a giant! “You are so freaking huge, and I’m this tiny little thing. It’s no wonder you had to swoop in and rescue me!” He’s playing it all cool as though flying in and out of a school with wraiths, and under the power of Kahran, was no big deal. Lana secretly loves him for this, because he’s modest, and humbleness is an attractive quality. Most men were all about bravado and this one was struggling with where to wipe his pants after being smothered in barbecue sauce. It reminds her of Eli, and she laughs, before reaching into her purse and handing Nico a cleaning cloth. “Nope. Don’t give the wolves any treats. They’ll –never- leave you alone. Sigrid would bite into your hand, and Bjorn would demand belly rubs, after eating you out of house and home.” She chuckles, and crosses her legs, listening to his tale. The mention of Alithrya and naga’s has her lowering her half-eaten kebob, and perching her chin in her hands. Those dark pools seem to darken even more, her blush fades, and she looks somewhat horrified about what he’s saying. There’s a whole area devote to legless beasts?! Those that knew the witch well, knew she was terrified of anything related to snakes. Just the term –naga- sends a shiver up her spine. But… They had specifically asked for the Guild, namely their fearless leader, and they had sent sweet Nico to make the negotiations. What’s a girl to do? Biting her lip, Lana sighs, lowers her gaze, and is about to decline. They could hire another group to do whatever it was they needed… Why did they need outsiders, anyway? Were they to be a sacrifice of some sort? They were trying to keep the Queen alive? “I don’t really understand, and I know you can’t get into specifics right now… But… I’m, um, afraid, of snakes… Horribly so. I… This… Wow.” Nico had the witch at a loss for words, but she couldn’t just leave him sitting there, staring at her, and waiting for an answer. Maybe with her guild members surrounding her, she wouldn’t feel so isolated in the naga’s presence, and they could quickly enter and exit the forest. Would it be so bad? She’d have Aira, the ferocious ranger, Scandal, a dragon, and of course, her new beau, to offer protection. “You know what, Nico. Yeah… I accept. I’m sure the Guild would be happy to help!” She fixes a smile on her fair face, though mentally, she’s not entire sure what the hell she had just gotten herself and her guild into. Were they supposed to shake on it? This wasn’t usually how she had recruited members, or planned an upcoming mission. “So… Will we meet again? Or you’ll write me?”

Nico gives Lanara a grateful nod and takes the cloth, though he’d much rather use his pants because why not? They’re dark, easy to wash? This cloth looked nicer, by comparison. Ah well. “Sorry guys,” He apologizes about not being able to feed them and eats the last portion in silence. When she bites her lip and looks away, he prepares himself. She’s going to say no. Reginae braces herself internally for the blow. She understands. Naga aren’t known for being cuddly, welcoming creatures. Nico’s smile twists into one of understanding while he stares at their feet and squares his shoulders anxiously. Lanara’s voice calls his attention and he looks back up, aligning their eyes. His are darker by proxy, tempestuous as stormy seas. But she’s saying she’s...afraid of snakes? He smirks against his better judgement. How cute is she right now? If she knew he was a Naga, would she be scared?! Ehhh, he hopes not. His lips part to reassure her it’s fine, his left palm waves in the air to punctuate the sentiment but before he can utter a single sound she changes her mind. She accepts? He loops blatantly surprised and stammers while she smiles confidently. “Uhhh-” She’s looking at him still and his mouth is agape while his brain tries to reboot. The man clears his throat and shakes his head. Gotta start somewhere. “Wow, I-” He chuckles nervously. Unflappable? Apparently not one hundred percent. “I-uh- know that Naga have a bad rep for being…Snake people.” He’s thinking hard about what to say next. He doesn’t want to LIE but he also doesn’t want to scare her off. “But I’ll be there to introduce you.” He promises, for what it’s worth. “I’ll take you and your party directly to the Queen herself and I’ll snuff out any beasty or baddie that crosses our path ahead of time!” Not that she’d need him specifically. “Again, not that you can’t but…” His hand falls back on his neck and he sighs with a steady grin. “I’ll be a good guide, for a bit at least. Don’t be mad that I can’t go the whole way. But the Queen is nice. She’ll protect you too. Promise.” And maybe she won’t show up all snakey and creep Lanara and friends out. “Let’s meet again when you’re ready. Write me and I’ll meet you wherever to get your party there. The path to Alithrya is pretty.. Scenic.” Here he pauses to look at her, -really- look at her, with softened grateful eyes. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your consideration. Especially with your fear. Don’t judge a Naga by it’s...snake...ness?” A bad joke that he laughs at anyway. He reaches between them slowly, to keep the wolves from POUNCING, and rests his hand on hers (or her knee or shoulder - any available platonic place of contact) and tries to hold her gaze. “Sincerely,” he repeats in gentle tones, “Thank you, Lanara.”

Lanara watches Nico’s face as he braces himself for the answer, and she can tell that he’s shocked. She was often unpredictable, the male would find, and the best way to overcome a fear was to dive in head first, right? She had zero idea that the male is a naga, though she could swear that he had wings the last time they met. Had she imagined parts of it? Were there some suppressed memories? Maybe she was also in a dream world? The male is easy on the eyes, and a smooth talker, and this probably was a –really- bad idea. She was vulnerable with all the witch killers lurking in the lands, and it was pretty easy to convince her to enter unknown territory, with her biggest fear at the head, and of course, her entire guild would be there, too. It sounds fishy. Even for being a ditz on some days, this all doesn’t sound kosher to Lana, but how could she say no? He’s giving her that look, like she had just saved his life, for merely considering this gig, and she finds her own expression softening. Nico saved her life in the past, so he wasn’t a bad guy. The naga business she didn’t entirely trust, but she wasn’t one to turn away a friend in need. He was her friend by default, because he helped her students, her close friend Brennia, and he had carried her out of the school. “Hey… We’ll make the best of it all, right? I’m glad that we’ll be working together, even if it’s only for some of the way. As long as none of the naga’s chomp into my flesh or, uh, touch me, in any way… I think we’ll be good.” She swallows, knowing a panic attack was unavoidable. Sigrid and Bjorn glance their way, expecting a treat to be tossed, yet they are denied. The white wolf growls again at Nico, and the grey one merely gives a wolfish grin, his tail wagging, as if he could care less either way. Their mistress would let them roam in Sage for some rabbits before they retired for the night, so it wasn’t a total loss. Lana rises from the table, only to find her hand gently grabbed, and she meets Nico’s stormy gaze, and gives a nod. “You are welcome, Nico. You will hear from me sooner rather than later, I promise. We are heading to Rynvale next week for a pretty big mission, but as soon as we return, I will talk to everyone and we will plan to meet you in Alithrya.” Turning her hand over, she gives his a gentle squeeze, “See you soon. And hey! Maybe the next time we meet up…? There won’t be an apocalypse? And you can shrink or I can grow a few inches?” She’d chuckle, as she slips through the crowd and exits the market. It would be interesting working with the naga’s, heading to Alithrya, and informing the guild of her decision.