RP:The First Of Many

From HollowWiki

Summary: Penelope and Lanara meet up for lunch and open up about their worries, regarding the fate of Kyori and Linken. Will the spellblade awake from his coma? Will the elf regain control of his memory? As the two are comfortable around each other, Penny dishes about her love life, including the promise of an upcoming date with Lionel! The two are giddy over this news, and Lana informs Penny that she has recently started seeing Tiber. The women part and hope that this was the 'first' of many outings as they hope to become close friends.


Lanara arrives early and is relieved to find that the restaurant isn’t overly crowded, as she wanted to be able to freely discuss whatever topics were brought up, with her new friend, Penelope. Securing a table designed for two, she takes a seat and eyes the menu, though she won’t order anything until the healer arrives. The witch was always cordial to a fault, especially amongst those she wished to keep in her circle of trusted friends. Wearing a fitted red sweater, a knee-length black skirt, and a pair of silver pumps, she looks fairly festive for this time of year. Her hair has been parted down the center and is worn in pigtails that dangle over each shoulder, tied in place with a green ribbon. She had either left or was attending some sort of Yule event, but she made sure to be here in time for lunch. It’s unusual to see the witch without one of her animal companions, but she seems to be getting along fairly well with making small talk at anyone that smiles or approaches her table. Lana glances at the door every few moments so that she can wrap Penelope up in a warm hug when she arrives.


Penelope was always almost running late to events, but the girl always managed to arrive right on time. She wanted, beforehand, to get an early head start, but an older lady had wandered into her shop and started playing twenty questions with her. Finally after giving the woman the right recommendations on what oils would be good for back pain, she managed to get out the door. The girl sports a chunky cream sweater and a pair of blue jeans with baby pink pointed heels. She has a baby pink purse to match and her hair, well, she left that part untamed. The herbalist clicks her way to the restaurant and blows out a breath before waltzing in. The herbalist did not want to worry Lanara in thinking that she was too busy for girl’s lunch out. That would not do. After her breathing is under control, she pushes the doors open to the establishment where a hostess greets the local healer. “Oh, no worries, love. I’m meeting a friend,” the hostess grins and leads the clinician to the exact place where a certain witch is waiting. Lanara comes into view and the girl begins to smile brightly at the woman. “Hi,” she says in a giddy way before hugging the woman who greets her. She then pulls out her chair and sits and grabs the menu in front of her. “I am starving. How are you? I love your outfit!”


Lanara smiles warmly as she gives Penelope a gentle squeeze, before leaning back from their embrace, “Those heels are to die for! I –love- anything pink! I’m such a girl!” A giggle escapes her as she shakes her head and takes her seat, “Oh please! I had to dress festive today, as it was the Yule parade at the orphanage in Gualon. There was a little sing-a-long and the kids looked adorable dressed up as reindeers and trees!” She’s gushing over the children, and it’s a huge deal for Lana, as she had been banned from the place after the murders. Thankfully, after her innocence was proven, the ban had been lifted and it was the first day that she’d been back to visit. A hefty donation went a long way these days, and although a few of the workers still looked at her as though she were the devil incarnate, everyone would warm up once enough time had elapsed. “You look incredible! I love your sweater, too! I’m starving… I refused to eat even a single cookie at the parade! What are you getting?” As they each look at the menu, the waitress approaches to take their orders, and Lana motions for Penny to place her order first, “It’s my treat, so please order whatever you want!” Upon it being her turn, the witch orders the herb encrusted salmon and a side salad, as well as an iced tea. Once the waitress is out of earshot she smiles at Penny, “So! How are things? Everything under control at the clinic?” Of course, she’s referring to Lionel’s condition. “Those two gentlemen at the Green Fairy seemed so nice… Is that poor fellow with the metal arm a patient or a fellow co-worker?”


Penelope’s eyes trace over the menu before she looks up again. “I love anything pink too. Also, I didn’t know there was a parade! Shame I missed it. I don’t even know where time is flying these days,” she smirks and moss eyes fall on the menu again. She knows what she wants. Penelope always had a hefty appetite. “Are you sure? I can get my own,” but the woman gives in. “Thank you so much. I think I’m going to get a salad and a baked potato. Load me some carbs,” she laughs. The waitress is now hovering by and she places her order for a salad with some chopped chicken on it and then a baked potato on the side—with a side of coffee. Odd, but she needed the caffeine. “Things are back to normal at the hut. Lionel was cleared a couple days ago, thankfully. He is back on his feet and his heart is steady,” she seems content to say these words. As Lanara then brings up the elf Linken, her content expression fades to a stoic gaze. “He’s uh… kind of my ex-boyfriend,” she coughs. “Odd I know. You’re probably thinking why would I have dated someone like that and so skittish?” She smirks nervously. “Thing is, that’s not the man I used to know. The man I used to know was brave and kind. Confident. Something happened to his memory, so we are working on trying to get it back.” The waitress then comes back into view with Lanara’s iced tea and a pot filled with coffee to pour into the healer’s mug.


Lanara looks thrilled to know another woman that adores the color pink, likes children, and has a penchant for healing others. There’s even something about Penelope that reminds her of Talyara… Likely the untamed chestnut hair and those moss green eyes, but either way, she finds them both to be beautiful of heart and spirit. “Of course, silly! I asked you to lunch, didn’t I?” The freeze on her bank account was lifted this morning, so the witch felt much better about being able to access her funds, as well as those that her Scandal had left, due to his passing. Half of the gold was donated to the orphanage, a large portion went to the animal sanctuary, and the remainder Lana would live on, until she found an actual job. “He’s your ex-boyfriend? I never would have imagined… Not that he wasn’t handsome! But he seemed so…?” Skittish. “Yes! That’s the word!” The remark about amnesia has Lana’s mind whirling and she is about to name some herbs that could help him regain his memory, but she shakes her head, “Of course you tried all the medicinal herbs, already… Well, perhaps the block on his memory cannot be fixed in that way… There are spells to recall one’s memories, as well as some pretty invasive rituals…” They both fall silent as their drinks are brought out, and after taking a sip, Lana offers, “I’d be happy to take a look at your friend and maybe I can even help…” She doesn’t look it, but she is nearly two hundred years old, and filled with invaluable knowledge in the craft. “And perhaps… You can assist me? My friend, Kyori, he saved my life when I was attacked by these hoodlums.” Her eyes grow moist, and it’s obvious she holds herself liable for the event, “Kyori returned and he sort of fell down? Probably from exhaustion as he fought three men! Well, he hit his head… And he’s been asleep for… Seven weeks? He’s in a coma, and I’ve hired the best healers from all over the realm to help him, but he won’t wake up. I’m not sure if it’s because he hit his head, or if he sustained other injuries and –that- is what put him into the comatose state? I’m sort of at a loss of what to do, and each day he grows weaker.” There lunch is set up before them, and Lana gives a nod to the waitress that everything met their approval.


Penelope :: “I’ve tried so many herbs. The day we found Lionel on the beach, I was only in Chartsend looking for a specific herb—which ended up not working. I stole the herb for nothing,” the woman seemed irritated. “It’s something different with Linken, though. Something darker… Though,” her eyes stare at the woman from across the table, but they seemed distant and lost in thought. “I haven’t tried spells… I would be grateful for you to help him. Especially so he could move on and… go to his own home. With his children.” She then pours some cream within her mug and raises the drink to her lips. The witch then begins to talk about Kyori. Kyori. The Kyori she named the herb after? “Kyori? Kyori’s in a coma?” The herbalist knew the man. “Was anyone able to evaluate his brain to see if perhaps his brain is swelling…?” She shakes her head. “Listen,” her voice grows gentle and her cup is lowered in her hands. However, the waitress comes back with their food and she backs up and lets the lunch become set up in front of them. When the waitress disappears again. “Listen, I wouldn’t fret too much. Comas can last a long time. We just never know when someone is going to wake up. I wouldn’t give up on him. Not Kyori. He will pull through. I know it. He doesn’t give up,” she gives the witch a reassuring smile. “Once he wakes up, we will nurture him back to health. Don’t put this heavy burden on your shoulders, love,” she then picks up her knife and fork and begins to cut through the chicken on her salad. “Besides, he is a fighter, afterall.”


Lanara senses what Penelope is trying to say, without coming right out and saying the actual term, and she gives a knowing nod. Possession. “You believe someone or something has a hold on him and is perhaps erasing his memories? Or… Controlling his mind?” She speaks matter-of-factly, because this isn’t exactly foreign to the witch, as she had performed an exorcism on her sister a few years ago. Lanara was familiar with this territory, it was the ugliest form of magical business, and although it frightened her, she wasn’t going to turn away someone in need. “I’d love to monitor Linken, and maybe spend some time with his children. It’s best to familiarize oneself with all aspects of his past, those he holds dear, places he enjoys, because those can be used against us and we need to know –who- has more control. Don’t worry… It’s scary, I know, but it’s able to be fixed.” In most cases, and of course, with a sacrifice of some sort. Taking a bite of her salmon, Lana smiles, because the food is delicious and she hasn’t been here in ages. “This is so good!” The mention of Kyori and the fact that he’s a fighter has Lana tilting her head to the side, “You know Kyori? The spellblade? He… He found me one day in Enchantment, and I was crying and talking about my trial with the Queen. The man thought she was accosting me and threatened to kill her if she didn’t stand back! It was rather funny, as he had things so backwards! After that… We quickly became friends, and he’s incredibly close with my daughter who lives in a faraway land.” Natianara. The daughter that was stolen from Lanara at childbirth, and who she never had the pleasure of meeting. “You’re right he –is- a fighter and he will pull through all of this, I’m sure of it. Maybe, you could look at him one day and see if there’s any swelling or progress?” Penelope is easy to talk to, and it’s refreshing to not have to holds ones tongue in her company, though it’s odd how swiftly Lana is warming up to the healer. Maybe they were meant to be friends?! “So… I hope I didn’t interrupt anything the other day when I stopped by the hut? I get the sense that Lionel was asking you something personal? Of course I didn’t overhear! I just happened to pop in at the wrong time, I think.”


Penelope shifts as Lanara guesses the unknown message. “Yes, something does… I’ve seen it.” She seems uncomfortable at the thought of the black, thick vomit that sprayed all over her, but then magically reversed back into Linken’s mouth. The vision replays over and over again in her mind. As Lanara talks about monitoring the man, she eases. Lanara feels safe to the healer. “I would love nothing more than you to do that to possibly see what is going on. He only remembers me—I’m unsure why I have to play that role for him. But he is weary to meet his children again… he is worried the entity might try to do something rash with them.” She then sighs a little. “Either way, you’re right… the more places and people he met prior to his memory swipe, the better chance he has.” The woman then moves from the grim subject of the man who stays in her studio. She bites into the salad. With a mouthful of greens, she is nodding along in agreement. She then holds a finger up. “I—“ she swallows. “I do know Kyori. We didn’t exactly get off on the right foot. I sort of ticked him off, but I had answers that he needed from me. I helped him find a rare cerulean flower. I am not sure why he needed it, but I like ventures like that. I named the oil I made out of the herb after him. The Kyori. A little inside joke,” she smiled. “Just goes to show that we grew on each other. He was very nice. Saved our life on a bridge that snapped.” She grins as they share stories of Kyori. “He is a funny one, yes,” she feels chipper at the thought. “You have a daughter, oh wow. Really? That must be hard to be away from her.” She notes without realizing the twisted history of Lanara and Natianara. “But I would be very willing to stop by and check out Kyori. I do think he is a good man and worthy of life. I’ll see how he is doing. Especially for you,” she reaches to pat the woman’s hand before moving back to smear the toppings on her baked potato. Penelope seemed very relaxed around the witch. The girl never really opened up, but no one ever asked either and talking to the witch seemed comforting. The topic then slowly transitions to the hut. The herbalist takes a couple bites of the baked potato out of bashful emotion. “Well,” she says with a full mouth. Not as lady like, but the woman did spend most of her time around males. She then swallows her mouthful. “Lionel, um,” she pokes her potato with her fork. “Well, first of all, I was sort of relieved you interrupted.” She laughs before her eyes land on her friend. “Lionel kissed me the night he died,” she confessed. “Some swoony bucket list kiss. Romantic, yet selfish,” she shrugs. “Before you walked in… he asked me on a date. He wants to date me. That’s weird, right?” She begins to talk a little too fast. “Like he’s so battle, battle brave hero and all those girls swoon over him already. Like, then there’s me—polar opposite of that spectrum. I live a simple life. I haven’t dated in years. Last person I dated doesn’t even remember me.” Breathe, Penelope, breathe.


Lanara tries to connect the dots to why Linken is now possessed and –only- remembers Penelope, and it hits her plain as day. It was the loss of their relationship that much have forced him into a state of despair, and he was an easy enough vessel for the evil spirit to overtake. Lana knows this all too well, as it happened to her a little over a year ago, but thankfully she was able to reclaim her body in time! “The children are safest away from him at the moment… And you need to be careful, too.” She pauses, “At night when you sleep? You’re most vulnerable… So, it’s best to circle your sleeping space with salt, if he’s sleeping nearby.” She didn’t want to put a damper on their lunch, but she wants her friend to be cautious! The mention of Natianara is gently pushed to the side, as Lana hardly knew her daughter, though they had exchanged a few letters in the past month. As mention of the ‘kiss’ is brought to the surface, Lana’s mouth opens and her fork clangs noisily against her plate, “Ohmygosh! Really?!” The witch is ecstatic for her friend, as they made quite a handsome couple! “How did –I- not see this happening?! I’m so thrilled for you! And how is that weird? You are a stunning healer, he’s a seasoned warrior?! You guys are the –perfect- match! You need each other for safety and excitement!” A few patrons are glancing their way as Lana is practically bouncing in her chair, so she tones it down, “Well… Where is your first date? What are you going to wear? Do you think you’ll kiss again?!” Her hand reaches out to gently squeeze Penelope’s, “I need details! I’m seeing someone, too… But I’m too scared to push the girlfriend title on him anytime soon. I spent the weekend at his place, and we talked about giving ‘love’ a shot! Ooh! We should double date sometime!”


Penelope is timid to hear about placing salt around her when she sleeps, but she nods along and agrees to start doing that before bed. As Lanara’s jaw drops in exclamation, the herbalist looks around to see if anyone is watching the two. Pink floods the woman’s cheeks. “Did you not hear me? I haven’t dated in –years-.” Though, the witch is babbling on with questions. “Well, he had to basically shake a yes out of me… He said something about horseback riding? But we were so unsure. I think he is about as rusty as I am,” she pokes at her food. “I have absolutely –no- idea what to wear. Something casual, right? I don’t want to seem too desperate,” she then adds quickly. “Because I’m not. Let’s get that straight.” The woman then eases when Lanara squeezes her hand. “He is so handsome, though. And Gods he stopped at nothing to save everyone. That’s a freaking fantasy tale and it’s romantically disgusting. But that kiss,” she then rests a cheek in her palm briefly reflecting on it. “I haven’t felt like that in a long time. Such a good kisser for someone who seemed so awkward asking me on a date. His awkwardness makes me awkward. I’m worried the date wouldn’t go well. Only because that means he kissed me and we have to live to know that he once liked me, but it was because I saved his freaking life. Then, it’s like another giant awkward bubble in the room and that big awkward bubble pushes friendships away, Lanara. Friendships.” She almost slams a hand on the table in exasperation. She over thought. A lot. “Also, you are seeing someone?” She perks up to try to push the topic of Lionel away. “What’s he like? Oooh, what does he look like? Double date? That would probably be fun depending on how things go with Lionel and I,” the thought was strange. ‘Lionel and I’. Was that a sentence?


Lanara thinks Penelope is utterly adorable when her cheeks turn red and the nerves go into overload, because falling in love is the –only- emotion that creates such a reaction. She laughs and shakes her head, “Hey… Calm down, and you will be fine! Just be yourself, and try not to over think every little detail. I know it’s hard… I’m the type to stress about stress, before there’s even stress to stress about!” She giggles and takes another bite of her salmon, chewing thoughtfully, before she continues, “Think of it this way… Dating is frustratingly beautiful. It’s awkward as heck, emotions are all over the place, and you have no idea what to say or do most of the time. But… Lionel asked you out, Penelope, just as you are. So… Don’t worry that he won’t be captivated by this or that, or panic because you haven’t been on a date in a while, because he already likes you the way you are, whether you saved his life or not. I mean… Technically, I helped to save him both times too, and he didn’t ask me on a date. Right?” She nods her head, grinning, “Lionel wants to date you because he’s attracted to you in more ways than one, and he liked you enough to give you his –last- kiss, in case anything went south. He didn’t kiss Roland or Mildew, he kissed Penny.” A knowing wink is given as Lana takes a sip of her iced tea, but her eyes widen slightly when the conversation is steered in her direction. The witch could dole out advice all day, but taking advice when tossed her way, well, it was rather awkward. How did one describe Tiberius Lowell? “His name is Tiber, and he lives in Cenril! He’s… Well, he’s a tad rough around the edges, but there are these moments where he shows me his soul, and I know it’s early and all that… But, I think I’ve been smitten with him for a while? I’ve known him for almost two years and we never got along… He made me cry about thirty times, I had a few near death experiences at his side, and he can be so damn stubborn. He seems to loathe animals, he hates anything pink, he’s as moody as a mule, and he’s frugal with his coin.” She swallows, nearly laughing as she describes the heathen, “But… He’s so handsome. He has these amber eyes that just light up when he’s excited, and when he’s holding me close, they get so dark and dreamy. Those lips are just designed to be kissed, I’m convinced, and…” Realizing she’s babbling, Lanara feels the heat rush to her cheeks, and she shrugs, “We’re opposites, but sometimes that works… Like I said… We both need to work on things.”


Penelope felt grace wash over her again as the witch reassures her that the warrior likes the herbalist for her. Lanara did make a fair point that Lionel did not ask her out when clearly he could have. Her nerves are eased back in place, and the herbalist no longer has to overthink. “I guess he could have kissed Roland. I didn’t even think about that.” The girl then begins to smile again. “I’ll take your word for it,” dating was in fact frustrating. More than frustrating to Penelope. Absolutely mortifying. The woman’s last relationship led to bloodshed. Her other half deceased, but all for her own safety and wellbeing. Love had led to darkness and the girl running back to Ardelia, her village, to help mend herself back together again. Although frustrating, perhaps maybe this time, love can be beautiful. The girl had closed herself off for too long, and perhaps, Lionel would have a way with entering her world completely. The herbalist then sets her mind on Lanara’s possible other. Tiber. Her smile is present, but as Lanara talks her smile slowly begins to fade and she begins to tilt her head. “He sounds like a trip. Also how can someone loathe animals?” She wants to laugh at this now, but she remains poised and sweet as ever. “I get the dreaminess. Honestly, you may just see something no one else can, and perhaps, one day, he will share his whole soul with you, but please, don’t let him treat you so darkly. After all, you are the sun—not him,” she smiles contently before finishing her last few bites of her meal.


Lanara finishes her meal, and although she would love some dessert, she knows its best not to eat until she can’t walk. She had to walk all the way back to Cenril, preferably before nightfall, since there were gangs in the area that tended to walk those same streets. It wasn’t like she could waddle her way to safety! The remark about Tiber’s treatment brings tears to her eyes, but the witch has faith that things will work out this time around, and he already has been making strides to be kinder and more boyfriend worthy. Sensing there’s more to Penelope being single for so long, the witch makes a quiet observation as she finishes her iced tea, “Don’t be afraid to fall, Penny… I was for the longest time, and it’s so easy to close yourself off from love. I find that I’m happiest with a partner, but I don’t let them complete me or enhance my life, I only expect them to share their happiness with me, and I with them. Lionel is a good man, and he’s a safe choice, too. He doesn’t have a bad bone in his body, and he clearly has excellent taste, because you truly are a prize. So, no putting yourself down, Missy. I won’t stand for it!” Grinning, Lana lifts her purse and eyes the bill once it’s placed atop the table, and she counts out the proper payment as well as a substantial tip. “We must do this again, soon! Write to me after your date? I will expect every single detail! And, maybe next time we will go for a manicure after lunch! That would be lovely, as I haven’t been to a spa in the longest time! And of course, we can arrange to help Linken and Kyori.” Lanara hopes that they will become close friends, as she already finds herself looking forward to the next time they would meet.


Penelope finds her mossy gaze back on the woman. ‘Don’t be afraid to fall, Penny’. Lanara’s words were soothing and reassuring. They were perfect. It would take a bit for the woman to completely open up, but eventually, perhaps she could get there. “I promise, I won’t put myself down.” she smiles. As the woman counts the change for the bill, the girl downs the rest of her coffee. “Thank you again, Lanara. This was really sweet of you. I’ll write to you after the date and I’ll tell you all about it. And let me know when I can look at Kyori. Poor guy,” she looks somber for a moment, but then she begins to stand and the smile forms again. “I absolutely loved this. This is exactly what I needed. Truly.” Penelope is also excited and hopes for their friendship to be closer than others. The healer did not open up to many, and Lanara was sweet and funny and relatable. “Until next time,” she then reaches out to embrace Lanara in a hug again. “Travel safe. You always know where to find me. Thank you again. You’ve always been so lovely and you are so lovely. I will talk to you soon,” with this, she would let go and keep that crooked, childish smile before nodding and waving goodbye. “You’re the sun!” She would yell without looking back and walking through the doors out of the restaurant.