RP:Three Nagas and a Witch Walk Into an Inn...

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Xzavior, Artia, Muzo, and Reginae meet to discuss Larket's problems with poisoned livestock and gardens, along with people dying from ingesting contaminated meat. Artia has some evidence that fermin are to blame, and Reginae and Muzo offer their services to the investigation. Also Pilar was there.

Red Ogre Inn

Xzavior entered the tavern with Artia following right behind, He had told her about the other two naga's who had taken interest with her, Looking around to see if any of them were here he took a seat at one of the free tables and motioned to the waiter for a drink, "They should be here any moment, I think you'll really like them."

Artia appeared with Xzavior at her side, a light dress whose skirt comes down to around the middle of the calf. It's modest, has short sleeves and full shoulders. Not as skin tight as most her dresses, this one had a relaxed fit but still does not hide any of her curves. The dress changes colors slowly, swirling in a long mesmerizing wave around in circles down her body as it follows the layers of fabric. The trilobite logo is small and unobtrusive on this one, sitting right in the middle of the chest in silvery, shimmering thread, in about the place where a necklace's pendant might go. She followed him to a vacant table, sitting down the Inn's owner smiled widely at seeing the Apothecary. And soon had a cup of water to her and a plate full of her favorite biscuits. Artia waiter patiently for the other nagas to show. She was curious as to why they wanted to speak to her, but she would soon find out.

Muzo slithers in with Reginae beside him. The anthropomorphic naga is probably about 22 feet long, and his human upper half is rather slender. His serpentine face is topped with a head of snakelike tails, and a pair of laboratory goggles rest on his forehead. Behind him flutters an animated spellbook of sorts, heavy and leatherbound with the word "Formulae" embossed on its spine. On his hips rests a utility belt of sorts, and a similar bandolier hangs over his shoulder. His wide glossy black eyes are bright and inquisitive, and he chatters nonstop to his companion as he slithers. "...can't imagine letting the trouble go on like this without some sort of response, not with people dying. Antidotes important, yes, but curious about security. Wonder if they'll retaliate. Yet to be seen. Eager to discuss." Looking at the venue, he grins brightly. "Fine location, though."

Reginae choose this visit specifically to cast off her normal traveling persona of a small child and came through the door beside Muzo in her true form. Her humanoid figure with lithe but muscular, trimmed to accentuate the melding of humanoid skin to reptilian flesh. A long curtain of snowy tresses follow behind her, normally dragging the ground in her traveling guise, reaching just above where the small of her back started to fuse with the Crystal white scales that made up her tail. The length was impossible to discern, but she was similar in size to both Xzavior and Muzo, while still appearing shorter. It probably had to do with her womanly features opposed to their more masculine outlines. Instead of speaking, she was nodded in agreement with what Muzo was saying, when she caught sight of Xzavior and (presumably) Artia and steered her companion to the proper table and introduced herself. “Good evening, Lady Artia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. We’ve heard about your work from Xzavior. He’s very proud of what you do.” The naga woman smiled, her fangs showing ever so slightly between her lips.

Pilar had missed Artia that morning, and after asking around, heard that she could be found at the Red Ogre Inn. She was dressed plainly, as usual, in a yellow frock over a white blouse. A ruby pendant, in the shape of two overlaid hearts, hung from her neck. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, and a white lily adorned the left side of her head. The vampire made her way into the fine establishment and scanned the patrons for her love. To her surprise, she found Artia in the company of three nagas, one of which was her teacher. Two would-be queens in one building, what were the odds? Pilar approached the table where Artia sat, Reginae and Muzo's backs to her. She gave Artia a little wave, but hung back, so as not to be rude and interrupt their conversation.

Muzo offers to get Reginae's chair for her, scooting it out and, assuming she accepts the gesure, pushign it in behind her before he slithers into place himself, gratefully taking his seat and catching the waiter before he gets away. "Oh! Please, thank you. Tomato juice. Celery sticks. Yes, if you could. That'll be fine." Settling comfortably into his chair, the naga glances to each of the faces gathered, recognizing some and not others. He was sure introductions would follow soon. Formulae, in the meanwhile, flutters back and forth behind the researcher's shoulders, looking a bit uncertain. Perhaps sensing this, the naga makes a soft "tsk tsk" and gestures, pointing sharply at his own hip. The spellbook eagerly leaps down, slipping itself into a waiting bookstrap and settling snugly in place. When the waiter returns he also has a carafe of juice and a small tray of celery. Muzo pours himself a glass.

Artia 's cyan eyes took hold of the male naga as he moved in, her eye brow lofted he had an interesting look upon him. He was long, and with a  human upper half. His serpentine face is topped with a head of snakelike tails, and a pair of laboratory goggles rest on his forehead, which was very interesting.  Behind him hovered  an animated spellbook of sorts, with the leatherbound with the word "Formulae" engraved on its spine. On his hips rests a utility belt of sorts, and a similar bandolier hangs over his shoulder. His wide glossy black eyes are bright and took in as she gazed into them. She couldn't help but to read his aura, it was peaceful. He must be like her best friend, sweet and calm maybe? Next her cyan eyes took in the female naga, humanoid figure although lithe but muscular. A long curtain of snowy tresses follow behind her, that reaching just above where the small of her back started to fuse with the Crystal white scales that made up her tail. The female had to be albino, Artia thought. Were all female nagas this beautiful? Were they smaller than the males like this one? She took in the words of the males and figured they had problems going on too. Artia stood her five foot seven height, bowing half her body to the two. "Xzavior is a dear friend and my best friend at that he has made a great apprentice, I apologize for I do not know your names. Xzavior woke me and asked me to come here only tell me you two wanted to meet me. Please join us, this table can seat up to six. Are you parched or hungry? Any of the business owners in Larket know me, and would be proud to serve you. If you bring gold they are happy to serve." She jests, "Larket is proud of its business and militia, we were once the best military city of all. But due to none in the crown, it seems the city isn't at its best. Please excuse this." She waited for the two, to find a seat before she herself sat. Artia spotted Pilar, and waved her over.

Reginae smiles, offering Artia a similar bow while she looks the other female over, not yet spotting Pilar. She had all the grace that Xzavior had inferred, and she spoke softly but not without authority. It’s only when Muzo pulls out Reginae’s chair that she looks momentarily flustered and takes the seat graciously. “Thank you.” Her elbows rest on the tabletop, flat against the wooden surface, when Artia waves over Reginae’s apprentice! Meeting of great minds indeed! “Good afternoon, student.” Pilar is granted a rare, but affectionate smile before Reginae moves to reply completely to Artia. “I’m sorry for the short notice but Xzavior was just telling Muzo and myself that you were having some issues with Fermin poisoning people? We wanted to meet with you, see if we could be of any help. I personally wanted to meet you because I’ve heard you are doing a lot of good for the Larket Region and that you might aim to become it’s ruler in the place of Queen Jacklin. It seems a lot of rulers have been missing, and things are falling into decay. I myself am attempting the same with Alithrya, which is the home of all Naga. I would be happy to offer any assistance I can to your plight.” To Xzavior, she smiles, a silent thanks for making this meeting happen so quickly.

Pilar waited until she was beckoned to join them. She smiled and nodded to each of the nagas in turn, finally recognizing Muzo from their encounter. "Hello Xzavior, Don Muzo. Reginae, good afternoon." She chose a seat next to Artia and looked at the woman fondly. She wasn't going to go for a public display of affection, as she was unsure of Reginae's stance on lesbians, but she couldn't keep the adoration out of her voice. "Hello, mi cielo," she said before falling silent. It seemed there was business to discuss. She recalled their talk on the recent troubles from the other day, and wondered if there was anything new being brought to the table. She hoped things could be settled quickly... and peacefully.

Xzavior grinned and nodded to each person as they arrived. Leifa, who had been riding on his tail jumped up onto his lap and looked around at the group of familiar faces, warbling happily. As Artia mentioned not having told her any of their names he chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry, I guess I was a little anxious to have you all meet that I forgot some key details." He motioned to Reginae giving her a silent nod in return of the thanks and said, "This is Reginae, she is the first person I actually met after I awoke and has been a great help since," Then to the naga next to her, "And he is Muzo, a very avid researcher who probably needs to take his nose out of his books," He gave the researcher a joking grin before saying, "And as you heard Reginae say, both are interested in helping us out with this Fermin case."

Artia 's eyes never left the female naga's, student? This was Pilar's teacher? What a small world. With a blunt nod she smiles to the female, known as Reginae. "I think that's who it is. I've seen tracks near the live stock and gardens that are dying. There is no reason for them to be dying off. And if you eat the meat you get deathly sick. Break out in fevers and blisters, depending on immune system you die quickly. The only species in the land I know of that is that nasty is Fermin. I've been reading up on them, I know they have surfaced before and caused a lot of problems with the locals. But this was before I became an Apothecary, Kelovath was left in charge after Jacklin left. He is one the appointed me, and then he disappeared. As you said leaders of these lands seem to be disappearing as well. I don't know if they can't handle it and leave in the shadows or what." She sighed looking to Xzavior, nodding to him with a smile, "Thank you for thinking of me doing good here. I work as much as I can on anything possible. As in return, if you help me with my cause I will help you in yours. An alliance shall be formed between us, and I hope an long friendship." Artia patted her hand on Pilar's lap, offering her knee a soft squeeze of affection. The witch chuckled to Muzo, "Need to show you my small library, I'm always reading too." A soft smile was given to Xzavior at him finally giving their names.

Muzo raises his glass of tomato juice in a silent toast as he is addressed. "Reginae. Artia. Xzavior. Pilar. Delighted," he grins at the teasing description of himself. "Wouldn't mind getting out of the books, no. Eager for some field work. Happy to have an opportunity, but distressed to learn of your city's troubles." His look turns more serious. "Very eager to see these fields, to study the livestock. Would like to study victims too, if possible, living or deceased." Quietly, he clears his throat and looks down to the celery before hesitantly reaching out and taking a thoughtful bite. "If the city wishes it, of course."

Reginae’s keen eye picks up on the affectionate pat on Pilar’s leg from Artia, and hears the subtle affections in Pilar’s voice. Their time training together gave the naga woman a little insight into the vampire’s mannerisms. They were a couple? That didn’t bother Regi at all. She didn’t have any negative stance towards same gender relationships or relationships with those outside races, or anything of the like. She was raised in the xenophobic manner that naga should only ever mate with naga, but she knew love was something different entirely. No mention would be made of this now. Only a small side wink to Pilar. A silent ‘Way to go champ,’ sort of gesture without being rude in front of Artia. They had just met after all. “I hope that we can be friends too.” That had been the first time any of the other area leaders (up and coming or otherwise) had referred to their policitcal alliance as a friendship as well. It was a breath of fresh air. “Muzo here is a genius with chemicals and research. I’m sure he could learn a lot if you’d permit him around. I could learn a lot as well. I must say I’m not familiar with Larket and would love the chance to get to know what she boasts as her prides, and her joys.”

Pilar still didn't like referring to fermin as if they were all vile, disease-ridden beasts. Not that she knew any personally, or had ever even one, but it just rubbed her the wrong way. But her personal feelings on racism were of no consequence at the moment. Someone was poisoning Larket's food sources, fermin or not, and they needed to be stopped. She placed her hand on Artia's, giving it a squeeze back. She caught the wink from Reginae and blushed. So much for keeping it under wraps. But hey, she was cool with it, so there was nothing to worry about! Pilar hoped Muzo, learned as he was, could help identify the exact cause so they could figure out a cure, and maybe even prevention.

Xzavior returned Artia's smile with his own. As the list of affects were told he crossed his arms and frowned slightly muttering aloud, "I hate having to watch helplessly as my patients suffer. I would love to see this end soon." Shaking it off though he looked around the table and couldn't help but grin as to how well this meeting had turned out. They all hit it off very well and it seemed that both parties would be getting the much needed help from one another, when Reginae mentioned that Muzo was well practiced with chemicals he turned to him and gave him a curious look, "Well, other then helping us solve this situation I would love to study up on that field. I don't want to depend completely on premade potions and what not rather be able to make it whenever the need arises."

Artia watched the naga drink tomato juice, that is interesting. "Yes, we store the bodies outside the sick bay I have hired people to guard the corpses. We even have had corpses go missing, so I had to hire guards. Xzavior can show you when you are ready." Her cyan eyes rested upon Regi with a wide smile, reading her aura now she saw that they both had raw power about them. She would want to be friends with her not because they were aspiring leaders in the making but because she meant so much to two of the dearest people to her. And that was enough. If she could offer there assistance that be wonderful, "Larket welcomes any help, the city people are a little...well they have a business kind of proud attitude but once you overlook that you will fall in love with this city. I offer this inn for a stay while you help me investigate further or my home. I had many books on poisons and fermin now, we could possibly benefit more with you staying in my home." Feeling Pilar's hand on her's she interlaced their fingers, lifting her hand up to place a kiss to the vampire wrist. Agreed with Xzavior, "I'll teach you potion elixir and poison making you teach us chemicals. I think our two cities should get very close. Both have much to offer in ways of friendship I feel."

Muzo looks to Xzavior and offers a nod. "Gladly. Would be able to talk on that more, happy in fact, as soon as we can control the crisis here." The talk of city alliances has Muzo shrinking into himself some. He hadn't come here as an agent of Alithrya, but looks like that's a role that's going to be thrust upon him. "Here to help, first and foremost. Eager to maintain focus. Glad to make friends, too, of course. Would like to think that good can come of tragedies like these, in the end." Reluctantly at first, then more confidently, he nods, as if to assure himself that he agrees with the words coming out of his own mouth.

Reginae remembered a conversation long ago, when she’d first met Muzo. He hadn’t seemed too keen on staying in Alithrya or settling down into it’s political systems but, as a friend, she was glad they were side by side now. Maybe a bit more so than she should have been. She’d make a note to explain that to Artia at a later point. That even though they were both naga, Muzo and Regi operated with different goals in mind. “It sounds like the plan is all fleshed out then. Thank you for your hospitality. I wish I could offer you the same but Alithrya isn’t welcoming to outsiders at the present time, something I wish to change.” What a dedicated group of creatures! Coming together for the common good; mostly strangers linked by a few common chains. Artia knew Xzavior and Pilar, so why shouldn’t Regi be able to trust her? It was cautiously, though not on the surface, only because Nagas had been burned by Humans before. She gave Artia no more suspicion than she gave anyone else. Maybe a little less, because of the company she kept. To Xzavior, she replied “It wouldn’t do to not show you how to do it yourself, especially if you are in an apprentice ship." It was rare that the Liaison didn’t know what to say, but she found herself in that exact situation here and now. With all these new and familiar faces to tend to. “Since it seems everything is settled, I hope you all will excuse me for a short time.” The naga woman moved to stand, tucking the chair back underneath the table and pushing her palms into the chair’s back for support. She wasn’t weak or tired, but she wanted a chance to collect all the information she’d gathered today and prepare herself for their journey to the farm for ‘field research’.

Pilar was pleased as punch at how the meeting was going. Progress was being made, as well as a few friendships, it seemed, though the mention of bodies going missing sent a chill down her spine. What would someone want with poisoned corpses? The only thing she could think of was someone wanting to raise them, but to what end? Then there was Artia's offer of her own home, again, and Pilar thought that house was going to get awfully crowded soon, if Muzo and/or Reginae chose to stay. She idly wondered if either naga was any good with babies. As Reginae stood, Pilar offered her a smile. "It was nice to see you, again."

Artia smiled to Muzo, "I am grateful for you both wanting to help Larket, I really am." She winked to Muzo seeing his aura switching colors, locking her eyes with him she did her best to send him a sign to relax, everything be alright. Than to Regi, she stood too. Offering the female her hand. "Don't be a stranger, come to Larket anytime. As for strangers in Alithrya, that is fine. I will work on the outside if ever needed." She grinned to Pilar as she stood as well, "I'll see you both soon I hope."

Xzavior smiled and nodded his appreciation after Muzo agreed to help him, "I look forward to it. Maybe then I can be a little more of use then an ice pack." The last bit was directed towards Artia more than anyone else listening as he smirked jokingly. When Reginae stood he again nodded, "I hope to see you soon!" He thought about how Artia opened her home to everyone and chuckled to himself. Admittedly he would do the same if he had his house in living conditions but found it rather amusing thinking about if everyone were to try and stay there at once. Xzavior wasn't one for politics himself but with the closest of his friends involved he would jump through the verbal hoops that came entailed with it to try and help out in the situation no matter how drawl it may be. And since this meeting he was even thinking about making a return trip to Alithrya even if it was only to wander amongst the ruins.

Muzo stands as Reginae and Artia stand, offering each a polite dip of the head. "See you very soon." Sitting back down himself, he looks around the lobby. "Think I'll stay at the inn. Like it here very much." Plucking up his celery stick, he takes a noisy, crunchy bite and grins brightly before swallowing, then clears his throat. "Should enjoy my stay. Enjoy your evenings."

Pilar smiled as everyone stood to go. Okay, things were looking a little bad right now, but the meeting was ending on a high note. With a team such as this on the case, things would be cleared up in no time! ... Right?