"That sounds like a great plan." Pomelia agreed supportively, noticing the lack of confidence. "Though... maybe we'll leave the talking to me, yeah?" she added with a teasing lilt to her voice and a kind smile to show that her words were meant to be light-hearted.
With that, she took a deep breath then as she released it, she shook out her entire body like she was physically shaking off the nerves. She closed her eyes and when they snapped open, gone was the sweet, bubbly Pomelia. Left in her place was a cold, steely-eyed woman that Osian hardly recognized. To the utter surprise of most, the princess had her moments of being rather frightening in the past, specifically with the ability to conjure up this stern, regal stare that left the recipient feeling like a fly caught in a web. It was a skill that she kept sharpened and tucked away like a dagger.
And she was planning on taking full advantage of it.
Head held high, she rose to her full height. She already towered over most of their companions yet somehow with her spine straightened up and her nose turned up at everything she pretended to be below her; every inch of her six-foot self was hard not to notice. Still, she strode through the dank halls with unprecedented confidence and Osian trailing along behind her. No one even stopped to ask them if they should be there.
Eventually the two came across a large wooden door, the raspy growls and gutteral roars of some creature muffled behind the oak planks. Pomelia couldn't help but exchange a slightly confused glance with Osian, one eyebrow raised almost comedically high. She faltered for only a second before pushing open the door. Once inside she was able to get a clearer picture of the situation. Namely, what was causing all the ruckus. Two grubby little goblin children were pelting a poor bear behind bars with sharp rocks while an older goblin, presumably a guard watched on in twisted amusement, encouraging the little bastards to keep a steady aim.
"What in the hells are you doing?" Pomelia sneered, her hands perched on her hips.
The older goblin turned to her with a rather unsettling explanation. "We're juicing it up. The beast came in here with those robbers. Killed Dink- and Mince, too. Boss's thinkin' of servin' it to the worgs."
"And it makes funny noises." One of the goblin children chimed in.
"We made it squeal!" the other child crowed.
The first child spoke up again, almost boastfully. "Look, look, you'll see. Gimme that rock. I'll show ya!"
Pomelia's nose easily scrunched with detestation, her lip curling just enough to show off her pointy canines. "What a ridiculous waste of time." she scoffed, sharply rolling her eyes. "There are better uses for your idle hands. You are to report to Priestess Gut immediately. And take the brats with you."
The goblin guard tried to wave her off with a dismissive snort and a wave of her hand. "Why should I, eh? Nothing wrong with having a bit of fun here so why don't you bugger off."
"Mhm..." Pomelia hummed with a scarily, slow nod of her head as she folded her hands in front of her. "And what, pray tell, gives you the audacity to question a True Soul?"
She loathed having to rely on anything that came from the mind flayers, especially that repulsive, wriggling worm loitering in her cranium, but alas, this time it was necessary to pull rank in this situation. Though despite the discomfort from the tadpole, it did seem to work in scaring the piss out of the guard.
"Oh, y-you're also- M-my apologies, my lady."
Pomelia's glare sharpened, not letting up on the poor goblin as she practically stared into her soul with those opalescent eyes. "Well, unless you'd like to become entertainment for the spiders, I suggest you move along."
"Go." she hissed when the trio of goblins only stared up at her with a strange mix of fascination and unease.
Thankfully, that seemed to be the kick in the ass that they needed to clear the room, leaving only the one other guard near the door who clearly hadn't gotten the memo. Once, she was sure that it was only Osian and the bear were watching, Pomelia deflated ever so slightly with a shaky sigh. "Oh, sweet Helios, I can't believe that worked." she whispered, clutching onto the wood elf's arm for dear life.
How quickly she could switch from personality to the other was jarring to say the least, but damn if she wasn't an incredible actress.
