What if Viago gives Manfred a snake for his lil family? And then the snake has babies đ
ââŠwell iâm pleased to see the progress thatâs been made here.â Emmrich said, walking through Treviso with the Fifth Talon. It was good to see the city recovering from its devastating occupation. The streets were busier and cleaner, the people better fed and more at ease.
It was peaceful enough that he had accepted the Crowâs invitation to cafe Petra. They had spent an enjoyable hour or two discussing art collecting, and trading amusing anecdotes about their time training the younger members of their professions.
Viago made a satisfied noise as he surveyed the city. He glanced thoughtfully at Manfred, who had been on his best behavior at the cafe, and occupied himself by watching steam rising from the various pots and kettles.
âPerhaps your fledgling would enjoy looking at my reptiles while you speak with Rook and Teia? i understand he has begun a collection of his own?â
Emmrich sighed in a very practiced way. âCollectionâ was not the word he would use for the amalgamation of fauna that Manfred had acquiredâŠso far.
He was immensely proud of Manfredâs curiosity and devotion to his menagerie. The creatures received care beyond any reproach.
He was less pleased by the fact that an entire room in the Lighthouse had been created to house the sheer number and scope of them.
âYes,â he said as Manfred clapped his hands and bounced in glee. âI think he would like that very much.â
Later, as they were preparing to leave, Rook turned to Emmrich.
âManfredâs hissing more than usual. Can you hear it?â
Now that they mentioned it. He could. Manfredâs excited noises proceeded him. Emmrich could hear them long before his ward appeared around the corner.
Dread pooled in Emmrichâs stomach to mix with the resignation there, resulting in a nauseating churn.
Manfred was holding a box, and taking great care to hold it steady as he took measured steps.
Oh no. He cleared his throat. âManfred, my dear, what is that you have?â
The green gems rotated at alarming speed.
Manfred hissed louder and offered the box up for Emmrichâs inspection.
The box hissed back.
With great reluctance, the necromancer reached out and lifted the lid. From within the dark depths of the box something spat at him, something that moved very fast and was very brightly colored.
He snapped the lid closed.
Manfred hissed again, not only in excitement, but in imitation.
âA little gift!â Viago said, materializing behind him and clapping him on the shoulder. âIt is not often I part willingly with one of my snakes, but your Manfred showed such an affinity I could not say no. Consider it a mark of goodwill from the Crows.â
A personal gift that would be beyond rude to refuse. A mark of goodwill from the most notorious league of assassins in all of Thedas.
âHow wonderful,â Emmrich managed. âDid you say thank you, Manfred?â
The wisp used his very best enunciation. âThank you!â
Viago smiled, âyou are very welcome, niñoâ
As Manfred hugged the box to his chest, Emmrich leaned close to Viago, âis it poisonous?â
Viagoâs smile widened, ânot for skeletons.â
âââ
One snake would have been enough. That would have been fine. Manfred proved to be very adept at handling the little creature, and often went about with her poisonously bright coils wrapped in and out of his ribs.
Fred, Harding, Vorgoth and all the other frogs/toads were uninterested in her, and endured her introduction stoically.
Assan behaved himself very well, and eyed her with caution.
Baby tried to eat her, and so endured a very stern lecture from Manfred. There was some speculation as to whether her poison would even effect the enormous lizard.
âWhat are you going to call her?â Lucanis asked from a very respectful distance as Manfred maneuvered her into her new terrarium.
âSpit!â Manfred declared as Bellara passed by a little too close, and the snake bared a set of dripping fangs at her.
âYeah, that makes sense,â Rook said as everyone nodded.
Yes. One snake would have been enough.
But then Emmrich shot awake in the dark hours of the night to Manfred anxious hissing and shaking.
âWhat is it?â He tried to ask as the wisp dragged him from the cozy bedâwhere Rook remained undisturbedâinto the menagerie room.
Manfred did not form any coherent words, or let up hissing until he had towed Emmrich all the way to the front of Spitâs enclosure.
He rubbed his eyes once, and then rubbed them again with a groan.
Spit was curled contentedly around no less than a dozen, shining white eggs.
Fred croaked mockingly from behind them.
