RP:The Return Strike

Part of the The End's Not Near Arc

Summary: Xzavior and Pilar return to Alithrya for different reasons following the attack. Pilar sought out Reginae and Yozenra to make sure they were safe, while Xzavior wanted to know Reginae's plans going forward. He makes his feelings clear; He does not believe Reginae is fit to rule the naga because she's made countless promise with little return. They agree to disagree for now, finding the cause of the hooded naga being the more pressing matter.

Fountain

Pilar rushed to Alithrya as soon as she heard about the... incident at Reginae's meeting. From what she'd heard, Reginae was alright, but she wanted to see for herself. She didn't run through the streets of Alithrya, no, that would just draw attention. But she was walking at a pretty good clip. She passed through the center of town, through the gardens, and on toward the palace.

Reginae was seated on one of the remaining stones, warmed by some artificial source of light. She's without harm, alone in the gardens. Yozenra is nearby, scouting the area for traces of further evidence from the attack. The shattered platform is still there in the grass, the odd smell of death clinging to the grounds. Reginae sighs, catching sight of Pilar as she rushes through the gardens towards the Palace. The naga calls out to her. "Pilar?"

Pilar sighed, glad to confirm Reginae was unhurt. She gathered the naga in a hug. "Thank the gods you're alright. I, I heard someone attacked the meeting, I was so worried. Was, was anyone hurt?" She could smell the rot of death, but she saw no bodies.

Reginae hugged the vampire warmly but her expression stayed stoic. "This is exactly why I warned you not to come. I was afraid something like this would happen. ..I'm glad you're safe..." When Pilar asked if anyone was hurt, Reginae shook her head before releasing their embrace. "No one but the attacker."

Xzavior was making his way in with a serious look on his face for once. Like he had somewhere to be actually. Or at least had something in mind with where he was to be. When he saw Reginae and Pilar there, he quickly came over and gave a light sigh, "Glad to see you're alright Reginae." Looking to Pilar he passed a smile and a nod, "Glad to see you're doing better as well. I'm quite surprised to see you down here actually. Didn't know you had any interest in this place." He admitted before getting back on track, "So, tell me again, what was it I missed the other day? Someone attacked you?"

Pilar looked to Xzavior and offered a slight smile. It had been awhile since they'd spoken. She wondered what was going on in his life. But that was a topic for another time. "Reginae is my friend, and I want to help her restore her city." She turned her attention to Reginae then, waiting for her explanation as to what went down.

Reginae looked up with surprise as Xzavior made his way towards the pair. Yozenra stopped by the fountain’s edge to observe them. “We were having a discussion about the various complaints,” She’s careful to shield the topic of outsiders, with Pilar being here. Everyone knew there had been some nasty incidents with travelers. “And out of nowhere this hooded naga, all black scales showed up. He didn’t say a single word. Didn’t make any demands or beg for his life...just tried to kill Larewen, maybe me on the platform.” Reginae gestures to the large low platform, still marked with charring and splintered boards. “A bolt of lightning, thick as a tree trunk. The stage caught on fire, but Larewen and I managed to take him down. Muzo and Aaken assisted. Even some fledgling vampire, who Larewen knew. “ She explained. “It was really out of the blue.”

Xzavior narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly, "That... doesn't make much sense, why would anyone try anything like that. Especially when we're trying so hard to rebuild and reconnect to the rest of hollow." He looked between the three, lingering over Yozenra, having not met her before, and gave her a nod in greeting as well. "What have you been doing about this Reginae? Do you have anyone looking in to see if perhaps there's a cell of naga who would see this place back in it's old ways? Or stationed any guards to assist any travelers who happen to be coming here?" Oh, he's heard about that as well.

Pilar 's eyes widened. "Larewen was here?" She didn't know how to feel about that. When last they spoke, Larewen had been... rather unkind. Was she still planning to honor her promise of an alliance after all? Pilar glanced to Xzavior, frowning. There was something in his tone she didn't like.

Reginae likewise frowned at Xzavior. "Yes, Muzo and Larsen are helping to figure out what happened. We've had extra guards stationed..." She looks between Pilar and Xzavior. "Larewen intents to fulfill her alliance to help us rebuild."

Xzavior would give a nod but said, "So is that all? He just shot lightning at Larewen and was apprehended. Nothing else." He had talked to a few naga who had been there along the way here. He was curious to see if Reginae would make any comment on it or if she'd just avoid it,

Pilar said, "What are you getting at, Xzavior?" Pilar's frown grew more pronounced. "You're acting like Reginae is at fault here."

Reginae narrows her azurite gaze at Xzavior. "That's the long and short of it yes..." She looks at Yozenra, who slithers closer. "Do you know Larewen Pilar?" She asks, curious to draw the situation away from Xzavior's odd questions.

Xzavior returned the gaze before taking a breath and saying, "Because one thing is rather apparent in this situation. Nothing is changing. I've not seen one breakthrough, big or small suggesting anything is getting done around here. Not until something as big as a naga assaulting an outsider in a public event. Someone who could be considered a ha-naga. And if any of them knew the importance of that..." he shook his head before giving a stern look, "Reginae, I don't know what to say. I was hoping to back you in rebuilding the city and bringing our people back to glory. However, your show with Lionel has given me a bit more insight that perhaps you're not the right pick. You're still remembering the old ways."

Pilar didn't like where this was going, but she couldn't help but wonder what this "show" Xzavior was talking about was. "Lionel?" She looked to Reginae. "What happened?"

Reginae nodded her head but did not let her stature shrink. "Everyone is privy to mistakes." She kept her narrow eyes on Xzavior, "And Lionel and I patched things up as diplomats, as you saw." This was among one of the few things that go under Reginae's scales; to be accused of doing nothing after years of her hard work trying to form political alliances through Lithrydel. "Change does not occur overnight." She offered, as a middle ground statement. "It would be easier to do if I had the support of those I was attempting to help instead of being second guessed." She makes no mention of the old ways, and lets that portion of their conversation slip through the cracks of her dialogue

Xzavior , however, didn't. It was the keystone of this whole thing. The whole reason why any of them were here. "Yes, and if I remember correctly, the only reason why is because I was there to make sure neither of you attacked each other with anything more then words." Turning to Pilar to give her a quick rundown he said, "We went to Frostmaw to speak with the Silver. We were met with Lionel instead and things didn't start off pleasant." He'd spare some details but turned to Reginae again, "I understand change doesn't happen right away, but as far as I know, you've been around a lot longer then I have, and I've still yet to see anything happen other then when you and I planned on setting up that event. Which hasn't happened. Everyone makes mistakes, however, it's not until those mistakes are bettered or worked with that it is any excuse to use. I've my own flaws but I am trying to remedy that myself." Finally, going to the most important topic of the evening, "But, you're going to get second guessed around every corner if things like last night are allowed to happen. Sure, it was fixed, but it was done so by an outside source. If you can't even control your own naga, how are you to look anything like a leader when you need to raise a fist. Or perhaps you might just cave and let that fist be cast in iron."

Pilar looked between the two naga nervously, then looked to Yozenra, as if hoping she'd somehow magically be able to stop the brewing disagreement. "Guys, please, don't fight..." she murmured.

Reginae stands up straight, approaching Xzavior to match him at eye level. Her pupils have contracted to thin strips of black in an otherwise crystal blue sea. Her tone is surprisingly even. “Brother,” she says, warning lighting her tone. “The naga are not -mine-.” The way she’s enunciating allows her fangs to show in a nonthreatening manner. “This meeting was to do exactly that. Whatever happened here was not within the realm of mere resisters to the changes. This was something outside our spectrum of understanding.” It’s not excuse but it’s true. “I’ll give my own life for the safety of my people, are you prepared to say the same? You think I would cave under pressure, like my sister? Do you think I’m anything like that?” Her voice is ice cold and level, but there’s passionate turmoil churning away beneath the surface. “I will not stand here and be insulted, by friend or foe. If you have something to say, just say it and be done with it. You don’t think I’m fit for this job, is that right?” Yozenra joins them, cautiously shifting her own gaze between Xzavior and Reginae, poised so straight. They were testing each other, and it made Yozenra nervous though...admittedly excited to see how their confrontation would end. She was charged only with protecting the Queen, citizens, and travelers. This was outside her realm of involvement because Xzavior was questioning her right to the throne in his own way.

Xzavior matched her stare. Every step of the way he'd remain on her level. However, he would do what he must to prove his point. "You want me to speak plainly Sister? Then I shall. No, I don't believe you are fit for the throne. I don't believe you'll be able to live up to the promises that you say you're going to make." Smoke grey against her blue, it was almost like watching a storm form before their eyes. "I can not say just what will happen if you are to take command. So many have changed when they are given the opportunity to take control like this. You might make a great queen, or you may have to go back to how things were ran before in order to keep control." He was far more then prepared to die for the people here. But he wasn't planning on letting that happen till he's seen this place made into a place where absolutely everyone could live happily. That this place flourished as he heard it once did. "This place needs major changes. And if that change includes a king, then I'll see it happen."

Pilar started. "King?" She stared at Xzavior. "You're... you're not saying... Xzavior, please, we all have to work together..."

Reginae stands her ground without flinching before speaking to Pilar. Her tone is just as even and calm. “It’s okay Pilar.” She lets a moment of silence sink in between them before speaking again. “It’s the naga way. “ A male challenging a female for the throne though? Unheard of. Reginae would have smirked if things between them weren’t so tense. He was forcing too much change too quickly. “ Xzavior can challenge me if he wants to. We’ve got more pressing matters to solve first but you can stake your claim once we figure out where this naga came from. We’d do better to work together until such a time arrives. Are we in agreement?” She asked, holding out her hand to accept his fingers clasped against her forearms. It’s the same warrior’s shake used in Frostmaw. “May Aramoth decide his champion.”

Xzavior felt she wasn't making enough. When she presented the shake, he grasped onto it for a time before saying, "May Aramoth decide." Letting go, he looked over to Pilar and said, "Sometimes, the only way to make things happen is to add a bit of conflict." He knew what he was doing, whether he won this challenge or not, things would happen. "I'll help in any way to find out who's behind the attack, but I am still going to stand by what I must do." With that, he turned and went on his way. Passing a wave to the two as he went.

Pilar watched Xzavior go silently, then looked to Yozenra and Reginae. "I don't like this. We need less conflict right now, not more." She hugged herself. "This is... this is bad. Really bad." She had visions of war breaking out, and of two people she loved killing each other.

Reginae closed her eyes, pensive while Xzavior slithered away. Yozenra put a hand on Pilar’s shoulder to reassure her. “They are both respectable, and will put the future before their own claims.” She tried, to usher Pilar inside the Palace. “Please show me how to make their those...things again.” Yozenra grinned.