Headed by a Snake

"I... would appreciate that," Tycondrius inclined his head. "Her name is Elle and I am quite... smitten with her."

"I look forward to meeting the most miraculous snake tamer in the Realm," Ophelia nodded, "I've prepared you a list of armors, weaponsmiths, and restaurants in my city."

It was obvious she'd fully expected him to accept her quest. He tried not to let it bother him... instead, taking solace that her preparations had been thorough.

"Thank you, Ophelia," Tycon smiled. "That will be most helpful."

"Of course," She smiled back... still nostalgic, "and... thank you for listening."

"Listening costs me nothing," Tycon laughed.

"Take the damn compliment, Maedar," Ophelia rolled her eyes.

"Tss. Right."

"Oh, and before I forget," The elf sighed, shook her head... and granted him an uncommonly gentle smile, "Welcome to Whitehearth... old friend."

...

⟬ Elsewhere in Whitehearth. ⟭

Coraline opted to order her favorite wine to go with her afternoon meal.

Not too much, though! One glass would be fine. The dark cherry fruitiness was perfect for cutting into the fattiness of the meats.

"I'm just... a little surprised? I guess?" Elle said.

She was holding up a wheat cracker topped with a slice of Tyrion cured pork, "I thought elves were... vegetarian?"

"Most are. It's just easier that way," Coraline beamed. "Meat's not taboo in our culture. Being wasteful is."

"Mmmm," The taller woman nodded as she munched on some of Whitehearth's finest... "Tastes like home. So I guess that's why everything's smoked or cured, then?"

"Mhm! Though, personally, I prefer the breads and preserves. Ooh. Honey."

"I'll pass on the honey," Elle bared her teeth. "Almost got killed by a giant metal bear, you know. Anyroad, the thin-sliced pork with the pepper cheese is mMmm... to *die* for."

She kissed the tips of her fingers and the two shared a laugh over the silliness of it.

Coraline quietly sipped on her chilled wine through her paper straw... Maybe the alcohol was getting to her a bit, but her thoughts drifted back to... her boyfriend.

She'd wanted to bring Lone back to the Eastern States... to see her... to maybe meet her mom... to go out on a lunch date-- just like she was having with Elle.

But... he was... pretty much dead. If temporarily.

And Elle... she...

Coraline groaned loudly as she rested her elbows on the table, her chin on her hands... "I still can't believe you're sleeping with my boyfriend's boss."

"This again?" Elle pouted, "Oh, come on, Coraline. I've apologized a hundred times... and... and--"

"Mhm?" Coraline slurped the last bits of her cup. She was strongly considering the benefits and drawbacks of ordering another...

"I think... I'm in love with him." Elle said.

Coraline had to concentrate to not blow wine out of her nose. It would have been a waste of good wine-- and it wasn't a very Elven thing to do.

Elle was blushing. She was... being serious.

"S-stars and stones, Ellie..." Coraline puffed her cheeks," That's... deep. You... f'real?"

"Y-yeah..." Elle gave her a slight smile-- a little guilty, a little not-really, "You're not... mad, are you?"

"No, nooo~" Coraline waved her hands, "I'm happy for you. Really. It's just... I dunno. Don't you think he's... kinda scary?"

She could still remember the first time she and Tychon met. It wasn't pleasant. Even when she thought he was a normal person, he was... unapproachable at best.

He was... intimidating. It was the eyes. Baron Tychon had the most striking eyes.

"What? Really?" Elle tilted her head, tapping on her chin... "I mean-- when he's with me, he's always really sweet."

"Ugh, come onnn," Coraline rolled her eyes. "You can tell that he's only a pushover with you, right?"

"Maybe a little," Elle smirked. "What's he *supposed* to be like, then?"

"He's kind of a..." Coraline took a moment to find the right word... "--prick... And he throws a tantrum if he doesn't get what he wants."

"Haha!" Elle laughed, "Okay. I can definitely see that. That's... ah... kinda how he got me to sleep with him. I mean... I wanted it too, but..."

"OoOkay!" Coraline held her hand out, "Alright! Got it. Don't need to know aaaaany more'n that!"

"S-sorry," Elle giggled.

Coraline narrowed her eyes...

"What's up, buttercup?" Elle pursed her lips.

"So... how big's his thing?"

"I'm not sharing my boyfriend, Coraline," Elle teased.

"I know!" Coraline squeaked-- a bit too loud, "I'm just-- I was just-- hey. It's not a crime to be curious."

"It's about... this big? Is that normal?"

"Nice-- I mean... dehh--- I dunno? I don't really have a lot of references."

Coraline felt her ears twitch as she looked away and across the street.

"...Have you ever seen one?"

"Of course, I've seen one!" Coraline hmphed. "I might've even seen two! --but that's not enough to determine an average."

She felt... not-so-great for her to lie to her new bestie so openly... but it was embarrassing that she'd been together with her boyfriend for so long without... doing that.

Coraline was planning for her first to be Lone... and when she asked to sleep in his bed, he agreed.

But then he LEFT the room to sleep somewhere else!

It... was something she should have expected from that rock-brained idiot, but she was still upset about it.

"But enough about me!" Coraline snapped, "We're talking about YOU!"

"I hear you, Princess of Heartsong," Elle snickered.

"Quiiiiit it," Coraline groaned, "I'm not a Princess... even though I feel like literally everyone else we hang out with is."

Elle put a comforting hand on top of hers. It was a really big hand-- but comforting, all the same, "What do you wanna talk about?"

"There's... something you should know," Coraline pursed her lips.

She... might have been a little jealous of Sir Tychon and Elle's relationship, but they were friends. She had to advise her bestie the best she could because she cared.

And that meant... that if Sir Tychon was trying to hide something from Elle... it was Coraline's duty to bring it up... so at least they could... talk about it?

It wasn't jealousy. It was honest worry.

"Elle... I dunno how to tell you this, but... Sir Tychon isn't human."

",