[NSFW] Of Snakes and Souls (Zazutobi & Red-Scarlet)

[Zazutobi]

Saresh Longfang sighed softly as she slowly walked through the streets of Tahakara City. Rumors were already abuzz from the embarrassing robbery of the Longfang ancestral vault The Longfangs were old blood nobility, their family having a position as Daimyo after earning great renown in war several generations ago. They have proved to be as competent in domestic affairs as war. Their vast territory was productive, peaceful, and provided a good deal of resources. However a recent blemish to their honor had occurred. The Longfang ancestral vault was very old and nearly forgotten about. Built in Tahakara city back when it was the capital of their territory before it was moved two generations ago. Now it just served as a repository of family heirlooms one of which was stolen.

The theft itself was a shame to the Longfang family and no doubt it would be be used against them by their rival nobles or within their own clan. Even now the position as the next heir was not set in stone. While Saresh had the backing of her sisters, her uncle had long coveted the position after losing it to her father in an honor duel long ago and with her father sick there was no guarantee her uncle wouldnt try to sway more of the family retainers towards his side.

But Saresh had an idea. Namely that if she could solve the issue of the robbery of her family's ancestral vault. It would regain honor for her family and sway more retainers to join her side. It was a gamble since it might keep her away from the family estate and resources for a long time. But her sisters could hold down the fort and keep her uncle in check for now.

Still, Saresh would need help. Skilled in magic as a sorcereress as she was, the Yuan-ti lacked much of the experiences of the outside work. Or had experience with investigation of potentially dangerous artifacts. Looking up the noblewoman saw the tavern sign and sighed. "Slumming with commoner adventurers. Father would have no end of worries. But I am doing this for my family." she reminded herself before stepping inside.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

Callie Goldi was in the tavern at the moment the noblewoman walked in. She was sitting on a stool at the bar, her hair pulled back and her normally armor-clad body dressed in a simple tunic and britches. She was finishing a story, eagerly being listened to by a few onlookers. "-bleeding, but I didn't let that stop me. There were people I needed to keep safe. So, I pulled myself deeper onto the blade-that bastard was fast, but he wasn't smart enough to let go. All it took was a moment against him, and I managed to snap one of his legs. He, naturally, tried to finish killing me, but unlike me, he wasn't used to dealing with pain. Couldn't manage to get a decent blow in, even though I was fading fast. I managed to feign being dead enough to get him trying to run away, and he was easy pickings for the cavalry when they came."

"How the hell did you live through that?" one of the crowd asked.

"With a scar to prove it, of course!" Callie boasted, lifting her tunic and revealing an only somewhat-healed scar, easily five or six inches wide. A few others are visible, but she seems to heal well. "Just ask at the temple-some of the refugees are there and can vouch for me."

The bartender, a lanky man, nodded his head. "Believe her-she's saved enough people who came through here that I don't doubt her stories. Also why she drinks for free."

By now, a few of the other patrons noticed Saresh, and gave her a bit of space and respect. The crowd for the story looked along with Callie in her direction, with Callie saying "What brings you here today? Don't usually get your lot here."

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh adjusted her kimono, the noblewoman wearing a traveling outfit albeit of still fine materials and ornate patterns. As she walked in the first thing to catch her attention was the Gnome woman seemingly in the middle of telling a fantastical tale. Such things were common enough, though people of her stature tended to hire professionals for such things when it suited the occasion. Still, it was an interesting story and Saresh put her hands int her sleeves idly as she listened.

Those that noticed her first seemed to recognize her aura of authority giving her some space and signs of respect. Though the gnome spoke to her first. Normally a commoner addressing a noble would require certain honorifics but it did not appear like Callie was a local. Nor was Saresh acting as a noblewoman of house Longfang so such disrespect could be ignored for now. "I am in need of assistance in regards to the recent theft from my family's ancestral vault." Saresh said in a commanding and authoritative tone.

"The artifact must be recovered. And after going through the records I am of the belief it was targeted very specifically." Saresh said keeping the specifics to herself for now at least.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

Callie nodded. "Well, good luck with that. Sounds like a you problem." She turned back to the bartender, who had a look of shock on his face. "What? I help those who can't help themselves," she explained. "She's clearly well-off and just looking to hire cheap help. I'm not going to risk my life for some fancy trinket, no matter how much family history it has behind it. I'm sure it's very important to her," she continued, "but shiny rocks don't save lives."

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Slightly shorter post, but I really want to hear Saresh's response to "Sounds like a you problem."

She's gonna have to make it an us problem to get Callie on her side-but explaining the potential dangers should be sufficient.

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh took a breath at the impertinent gnome and let it out slowly. She had already swallowed a great deal of pride to enlist commoners to her cause and getting angry now would not solve anything. "First of all, I am acting on my own. Thus I do not have access to my family wealth, only my private funds. Second, I would be going and putting my own life into this endeavor. But third this artifact was but one of many within the vault and hardly the most valuable. Which means it was chosen on purpose and not because it was easy." The Yuan-ti said her serpentine eyes landing on Callie like an predator appraising her prey.

"The artifact is very potent and magical. It can compel the the dead to speak and answer questions with absolute truth. That implies whomever stole it did so with a very specific purpose. There are many old corpses in this land with very powerful secrets."

 

[Red-Scarlet]

"Huh. You took that better than I expected," Callie said, dismounting the stool. "But, with that little tidbit out of the way... I'm willing to hear you out the rest of the way. I'll walk with you outside. David," she told the bartender, "just give my drink to whoever looks thirstiest."

The two women stepped outside, Callie holding the door for Saresh. Outside and after closing the door, she introduced herself. "I'm Callie Goldi. Trained at the Monastery of the Stony Egg. Hero to come, bane to others, and someone trying to do my best. You are?"

After getting whatever introduction she gets from Saresh, she said "So, you think someone stole this because they're looking to unearth secrets best left forgotten. I follow you on that-but why not get your family to help? Or kingdom's forces? You've got an ulterior motive," she stated plainly, "so what is it?"

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh regarded the gnome with a bit of annoyance but as much as it might pain her to admit it. It wasnt like Saresh had a ton of options in regards to help. Her family was a nest of snakes, literally since they were Yuan-ti. Any retainer could relay information to her uncle whether by accident or on purpose so until she had the accomplishment of returning the heirloom it was best not to make use of her family's assets.

"Saresh Longfang, daughter of Tobunaka Longfang, Daimyo of the Longfang Province." she replied once Callie had introduced herself. "For one thing my family is in a deep internal struggle at the moment. And thus a stolen heirloom is of little importance to them even if it is a black mark against our honor. And as for why I myself am involved. This is in regards to the internal struggle as well, and not relevant to the investigation at present." Saresh said. Having no wish to air her family's dirty laundry with a stranger. And it was true the struggle for the position as next head of the clan was not relevant to the case.

"Suffice it to say, I will acting on my own for the time being without my family's backing."

 

[Red-Scarlet]

Callie shook her head. "I don't believe that's it. I don't think you're lying, but you're not telling the whole truth. You might be cut off from the family, and looking to get back into good graces. Maybe you want to use it to gain an advantage in some internal politicking. Or," she continued, looking directly at Saresh with steel in her gaze, "maybe you want it for yourself, for the power it has."

"You won't sway me with money either-I'd rather help a penniless peasant who's truly in need than someone like you. So unless-" she said, but cut herself off, her hand reaching for her waistband. Saresh, as she realized something might be up, immediately became more vigilant. Callie's eyes scanned the area, looking for a so far unseen adversary, and they settled on a rooftop not too far. "Behind me!" she said, drew a knife, and shoved Saresh back, all at the same moment the assassin shot their dart.

As the noble stumbled from the shove, the dart sailed through the air. It hit Callie, right on her shoulder and where Saresh's leg would've been. "Bastard," the paladin muttered, ripping the dart out. She began to run towards the perch, but she moved slowly, stumbling, and soon falling to the ground.

Saresh was faced with a choice-pursue the assassin, who had a vantage point but might not be prepared for the sorcerous barrages she could muster. Or help Callie-given the tail end of the story she had been telling earlier, she obviously had one hell of a constitution. But even that might be little match for a poison meant for a yaun-ti.

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh was very much regretting partnering up with this gnome. She threw around accusations to her superiors far too easily for Saresh's liking. "You are replaceable..." Saresh began to retort before Callie began to draw a knife from her belt. The yuan-ti was very much prepared to kill the gnome in that moment. Before a dart shot out and Callie shoved her away catching the dart herself in the shoulder.

Stumbling back a step or two, magic already began to flow through the yuan-ti before Callie collapsed. Dropping to the ground as the assassin who's ambush had been foiled ran away. Looking between the gnome and the place the assassin had come from, Saresh let out an annoyed growl before going over to Callie kneeling next to the gnome. "You are lucky you are more beneficial to me than the assassin." she said.

The yuan-ti took off her sash loosening her kimono, allowing her bust to be more revealed, and tied it around Callie's shoulder before picking up the gnome to carry to a healer. As a sorceress, healing spells and the like were not her usual repertoire and while she had a potion of lesser healing or two. They would be stopgap measures against poison.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

The assassin took their leave, darting away along the roofs, vanished in moments. Callie's eyes were fluttering, the gnome desperately trying to stay conscious. "You... okay?" she managed to get out to Saresh. With a confirmation from the noble, she continued as best she could, saying "Temple of Trinity... healers..." before knocking out entirely.

The temple that Callie spoke of wasn't far. The officially nameless temple, dedicated to the trinity of goddesses that oversaw the sun, the land, and the sea, was known for having a higher proportion of actual clerics in their ranks compared to other faiths. And, given the paladin's apparent propensity for helping those in need, chances are she had a close working relationship with the local temple.

Saresh could feel Callie's heartbeat though her grip. It was erratic, leaping quickly like a rabbit's before slowing to almost a dead stop, and repeated.

 

[Zazutobi]

The Gnome went limp in her arms but she had told Saresh where to take her and it was a plausible plan at least. The little paladin's breathing was continuing through her heartbeat was erratic which Saresh felt in her arms. The Yuan-ti was not athletic by most means. She had trained to use a sword, spear, and bow as part of her noble upbringing though never in real combat experiences.

Rushing through the street she navigated her way past several people whom were of course a bit stunned to see a noblewoman carrying someone in her arms. The Temple of Trinity was a unofficially recognized temple within the city. While it had numerous clerics with full divine powers, the "official" designation had never been given mostly because it welcomed in a trinity of goddess faithfuls rather than just one. And any official temple had alot of rules and taxes and deals to be made. So being unofficial gave it more leeway towards how it operated.

Hopefully in this case, to aide a little paladin. Saresh opened the door with her shoulder and strode into the temple with the authority that was natural to her. "I am in need of aide." she declared looking about for any clerics she thought might be useful.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

Inside, the temple was clean and brightly lit. There were two people, a man and a woman, cleaning and tending to the candles, while a third person of indeterminate gender was praying at a simple statue representing the goddesses. They stopped their supplication, looking over to Saresh. "We welcome all, and-Callie!" they said, rushing over. "What happened? Set her down, set her down-what happened?"

The other two looked at them, but speaking with authority, they told the others "Get water, bandages, and any healing salves we have. Now!" They scurried off, grabbing supplies. "Okay... Okay," they said, clearly not quite used to desperate situations. They began to intone a spell as they laid hands on Callie, one at the wound, the other above her heart. Callie's breathing, which similarly to her heartbeat had become erratic, began to slow and steady.

The man and woman returned, carrying the requested items. The priest sighed, gently removing their hands. "I don't know how long this will last, but the poison is delayed. It's not gone, it's not done-but she'll be able to stabilize, at least."

Callie's eyes started to open. "I feel like shit... Jesse?" she asked the priest. "What happened?"

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh gently set down Callie as the priestess and priest and a third seemed to understand immediately the severity of the situation. Standing back up and moving out of the way letting them get to work, Saresh folded her arms under her bust pushing up her chest a bit as she spoke. "An assassin fired a poison dart at me. Considering they attempted to poison a Yuan-ti noblewoman, they must have used a potent poison." she said casually. It was brutal, simple, and honest which fit Saresh pretty well.

"You saved my life and I saved yours in turn." Saresh replied considering them even in the grand scheme of things. "However the assassin escaped while I brought you to the temple." she said looking down at the Gnome. "Still, for someone to attempt to assassinate me so quickly. Either word has gotten out about my investigation already and they are attempting to prevent me from digging further. Or my uncle is tired of our fight and he has abandoned all pretense of honor."

 

[Red-Scarlet]

"Saved her life?" Jesse retorted. "Would she have been in danger if it wasn't for-"

Callie shot them a look, silencing them. "Jesse-how good is the healing you gave me?"

"Not really healing. Just delaying," they replied.

"Figured. So you haven't saved my life yet-soon as their magic ends, I go right back to dying. But," she propped herself up a bit, "I'm willing to lend a hand. We'll have to sort out the poison first, though. Not much point taking me along without dealing with that. With that said... Thank you."

Jesse and the other two did not seem so ready to thank Saresh, but they were following Callie's lead. Didn't mean they liked it.

The gnome closed her eyes for a few moments, and one of her hands moved to the dart wound. "Still burns. Saresh-what kind of poison do you think they would've used to try and kill you? And what kind of antidotes are there?"

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh did not really care about the priests. In her eyes Callie had not been forced to follow her and thus her getting into danger had been her own decision. And to deny her agency would be disrespectful in the noblewoman's eyes. Looking down to Callie the Yuan-ti sighed softly and thought about it for a moment. "Most likely a yuan-ti's own poison than anything else."

"While the idea of us being immune to all poisons is something we usually do not disagree with to outsiders. We are somewhat effective on ourselves. While all of us are unique with our venoms, a anti-venom derived from a particularly potent batch could help neutralize it within you. Give your body time to fix the rest of it yourself." Reaching up she rubbing her own cheek for a moment. "But it is a...delicate thing for us. Not something we generally handle with outsiders. I suppose the equivalent would be for you to give up your own breast milk."

 

[Red-Scarlet]

"You don't generally seek help in a tavern either, do you?" Callie asked. "I have faith in this temple's ability to keep me healthy long enough to cleanse myself... If I take my time. Time you really don't seem to have. If you want my help, you'll have to cure me. However-you have my word that, should you cure me of this poison, I will do all I can to see the heirloom taken to safety."

Saresh, of course, knew how much another noble's given word would be worth. But the situation felt different, here, with Callie. Nobles have to be a good judge of person, lest they find themselves deceived. And Callie was an honest woman. Her word, once given, meant something.

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh regarded Callie and took a deep breath. "Very well. It is rather embarrassing but if you would pledge yourself to my cause then it is a small bit of pride to sell for it." The Yuan-ti replied before looking to the priests. Callie seemed like an honest woman and that was something Saresh did respect. She herself was honest, until some nobles the Longfang heiress held herself to a standard of a proper noble. Their word was law but they must be worthy of that authority they are granted and expected to wield in for the betterment of those beneath them.

"Are you capable of brewing an anti-venom? And if so...I will need a potion bottle." she said blushing a bit. While not a bit deal to outsiders. For Yuan-ti, to milk their own venom was just not something they did with strangers. It was an intimate thing.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

Jesse and the other two looked at Callie. "There's space in the back, right?" she asked. "For us to have privacy. Saresh, just let them know whatever materials you'd need. Jesse, can you help me get back?"

"Of course, Callie," they replied, letting the gnome lean against their lower body. "David, Anna, help the noblewoman with whatever she needs," Jesse instructed as the two walked for the back rooms.

David fetched an empty vial, usually used for holy water, and gave it to Saresh. "You can keep this when it's done-I don't to risk poison mixing in," he said, his voice carefully neutral. It was easy for Saresh to tell she was not well-liked, given her entrance to the temple's awareness.

 

[Zazutobi]

Watching Callie being helped to the back. The yuan-ti took her sash back loosely tying it around her waist. This adventure had certainly gotten off to a rocky start. Not that it was Saresh's fault, at least in her mind. Folding her arms under her breasts she looked over as David got an empty vial and brought it over to her. Taking up the glass well aware of his forced neutral tone she did not particularly care. He had done what was needed, pleasantries was a bonus. Not a requirement to a task being completed to satisfaction in her eyes.

"Speak nothing of what you are about to see. We do not have the time to be as delicate about this as I would prefer." she said offering the bottle back to David. Opening her mouth wide a pair of snake like fangs pushed their way to the front. She pointed to one silently asking David to bright the glass up to it. Then once he did, Saresh brought her hands to her breasts and began to massage. A blush came across her cheeks as her breathing got disrupted. There were two methods for a Yuan-ti to spit poison, one was aggression which was dangerous. And the other was unfortunately for Saresh, a mating display.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

David blushed and said nothing. He tried to look away, but couldn't without risking misplacing the vial. The small glass container was filled in short order. David waited a few moments for Saresh to calm herself, and handed it over. "I will respect your wishes," he said.

With the main ingredient acquired, Saresh was able to commandeer some space in the temple for the actual creation of the antidote. Callie, who by now was back on her feet without support, came over to the hastily-constructed alchemy setup. "If you need any assistance, let me know," she said. "I've had some experience working with the aftermath of poisons-though it'd be best to instruct me precisely. Don't want to mess anything up out of ignorance."

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh moaned under her breath, her pliable breasts squeezed and pressed through her kimono as she worked herself up. It was definitely not something she wanted to do in public. At least that was what she told herself while her body got hotter and hotter. As she worked herself up, venom leaked from her fang and soon filled the container. Leaving Saresh panting softly as her outfit having been so prim and proper seemed more loose and herself more relaxed.

Saresh took the vial and walked a bit awkwardly to a table where a alchemy set up was soon filling it. Looking over to Callie she sighed saying "It is ah, not too difficult luckily for you. The main ingredient for such an antidote is the hardest to obtain usually." Pouring the venom into a flask the yuan-ti got to work. All of noble children of Yuan-ti clans knew how to brew antidotes. Accidentally poisoning themselves or others was a common occurrence in youth. Though it had been some time since Saresh had worked on one herself.

Putting together the anti-venom took some time but eventually she had a vial filled with a semi dark liquid swirling with cloudy darkness within it. "It will not taste good. Terrible actually if memory serves. But it will neutralize the venom in you long enough to heal naturally." she said offering the vial to Callie then leaning against the table.

 

[Red-Scarlet]

"Bottoms up," Callie said, downing the antidote in one swift gulp. She grimaced, and said "Blech. You were not kidding," as the foul flavor hit home.

She smiled to the three templefolk. "Thank you for your help. I'll see you again, I'm sure of it. Maybe just not for a little while."

Anna, David, and Jesse all offered their own goodbyes and well wishes.

Callie looked back to Saresh. "My armor and other gear is back at the tavern. I have a feeling it'll be needed. While we're going, it might be a good idea to tell me what you can do in a fight," she said as she strode for the temple's exit. "I'm best up close and personal with my hammer, smiting foes and keeping the rest of the people with me from getting hurt. I'd assume you've had some training, but do you have any practical experience?"

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh regarded Callie and left ignoring the looks from the Temple's acolytes as they began to walk towards the Tavern. "I am a sorceress, the bloodline of dragons within my family empowers my magic." she declared with the grandiose sense of pride she obviously felt from this fact. "I use magic to destroy foes and alter the world to my whims." she said as they got on the road back towards the tavern.

"As for practical experience. I had tutors from well respected institutions and I would aide my father during bandit exterminations or monster subjugations. A ruler must be capable of defending the dangers to their people and conquering what is needed to ensure their prosperity." she added repeating the lesson her father had imparted to her. "I am also well versed in several languages, dance, and and some craftswomen's work."

 

[Red-Scarlet]

She nodded. "So a little practical experience, but mostly theory and learning. We'll manage with that."

At the tavern, Callie said "Wait here a moment," as she went to the room she had paid for. A short while later, she came out, clad in plate and with several hammers attached to various leather belts. The largest was on her back, big enough that even a human would need two hands to wield it. The armor was free from adornments, just simple and practical. She came back to the door and walked out with Saresh.

"Do you have any leads? Any idea of where the thief might've went, anyone they might've contacted, or anything of that sort?"

 

[Zazutobi]

Saresh waited for Callie to get equipped before joining her again. Her armor was impressive in its simplicity. I lacked the adornments of usual armor she saw. Those adornments showed off the accomplishments, wealth, and dignity of the wearer while this was just function. It did not resonate well with Saresh but it was not her place to judge her new companion. At least not yet as she put her arms into her sleeves.

"I do have a lead though it is a flimsy one. There are almost no complete lists of the heirlooms in the family vault. Even we did not know what was stolen until looking through several lists. Which means they knew the item was in there to begin with. If we can find out where or how they learned of the heirloom then we can work from there."