I peered into the bushes lining the side of the lake opposite of where I had entered. I've only just begun to have a sense for magical power, and this one put a cold lump in my throat, just by being near it.
"Hello? I can see you through the bushes."
The voice was unmistakably female. It was soft, but that lisp had me curious. Pushing the bushes aside, I peeked into a cave that I hadn't noticed prior to now.
"Ah. An elf! What are you doing here?"
Something rather large was moving slowly in the darkness.
"Can you come into the light, Miss?"
"Hehe. Such manners. Sadly no, I'm having too much trouble moving lately. The cold makes me weary."
I slipped back a couple steps.
"DLS... any chance you could help with my clothes?"
I looked towards the screen. Did it just sigh? No no... it's a system.
'Here. This should help.'
A small breeze blew past me, and a moment later, a soft set of clothes appeared over my body. I kinda feel like I just stepped into a manga looking like this.
"Thank you."
Was that another sigh? Am I really hearing things?
I scurried my way through the bushes,sliding down a small decline as I entered the entrance to the cave.
"Oh. I thought you had left."
"Sorry, I had to get dressed. I was just in the lake over there."
The large object moved a bit closer, but stopped. I could hear a heavy panting from within the cave.
"D-dammit. I can't even look my own visssitor in the eye. Blasssted lower half. Ugh!"
I stepped inside cautiously. She seemed really angry until I came up next to her. The large object was actually the lower body of a lamia. She stared at me in shock as my eyes wandered throughout the cave.
"Y-you came inssside? Why?"
"Curiosity. Though I wasn't expecting you to be a lamia, hidden within this cave."
She pulled her body to the side, struggling slightly until her top half was easily within my sight. She had dark scales running up her waist up to her wrists. The same scales covered her neck, and the massive serpentine side of her body. Glowing emeralds peered back at me as she stared between the strands of her shadowy hair.
"Sssorry. My lower half wantsss to hibernate. I'm chilled in here, and I'm weak from malnutrition."
"Oh. That's an easy fix. I'll help you out, if you help me out. First off, can you tell me your name?"
"I haven't even agreed to anything yet! B-but... if you can help me, I don't mind repaying the favor. My name is Nera. I'm a Ssshadow Lamia."
"Xero. I'm an albino Dark Elf. Pleasure to meet you."
I bowed slightly, showing respect to her. Not just was she stronger than me, she had an enchanting aura that had me curious.
DDING
'Task Two:
-Increase affection/hostility with Nera.
-Attain Nera as a follower/enemy.'