Stress Reliever Magic
Inspired by this post right here! Animation by Scheinze | Scripted by @eliankrios and @wertzunge!
This is such a cute animation that I was motivated to write a fic inspired by it! Won't be one-to-one, but the plot is somewhat the same.
Like I always do with my D&D fics, I had the help of dice rolls to determine some of the outcomes of this fic. Hope you enjoy!
Summary: It was Nirani's first time performing one of her songs in front of a large crowd, and she was sick with nerves. When Zelara noticed her friend's nervousness, the rogue introduces the half-elf to a special kind of "magic" that is said to relieve any and all stress.
Word Count: 3117
⚠️Warning⚠️: mild swearing
Nirani paced back and forth in her room, fiddling her thumbs. Her heart was racing as she took short, labored breaths. “Calm down, Nira… Calm down…”
It was a crisp spring afternoon, and it was the day that Nirani would be performing one of her songs in front of a large crowd. About a week ago, she first got her start by playing her lyre at a local tavern, and wouldn’t you know it, the head of the district she and the others lived in saw her perform and asked her to play for the whole town. The elf-fire genasi was hesitant at first, but her friends encouraged her, and she accepted. It was the day of her performance, and Nirani was anxious to hell and back.
The elf-fire genasi combed her gloved fingers through her long hair, feeling her stomach turn, groaning in discomfort. “Get a grip, Nirani…” The red tips of her hair started to glow faintly, making her room exceptionally warmer than before.
Then, the door opened softly with a familiar rogue standing in the doorway, watching the half-elf pace around her room, causing her to furrow her brows. Zelara tugged at her collar from the room’s temperature before shutting the door behind her and walking over to her friend. “Hey, Nira. You doing okay?”
The druid’s pointed ears perked at the familiar voice before turning to her friend; her hair’s glow fading and the room’s temperature dropping. “Oh, hey, Zelara… I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Eh, it’s what us ex-criminals do,” Zelara said with a shrug. “Gotta be sneaky at all times.”
The rogue chuckled at her joke and glanced up at Nirani, still wearing a worried expression. Zelara frowned and lightly placed a hand on her arm. “Are you okay?”
“It’s just… I never played in front of a large crowd before,” Nirani said. “Taverns or at small school houses, sure, but never… this. The District Head personally asked me to perform today in front of our whole town. What if I screw up? What if my playing isn’t good enough? What if I become the laughing stock of the whole city? What if I-”
Zelara quickly placed a gentle hand over the druid’s mouth, stopping her words. “Okay, you need to chill out, girl. You are way too in your head. Take a deep breath. Can you do that for me?”
As the rogue removed her hand, she took in a deep breath, waiting for Nirani to copy her. The elf-fire genasi took in a deep breath before she and the other woman exhaled. Nirani sighed as she walked over to her bed and sat on its side. “I just… I really don’t want to mess this up…”
Zelara followed and sat beside the woman. “You’re not gonna mess up, Nira; I know you won’t, but if you keep talking like that, you are going to mess up. Doing that is only going to make you more anxious.”
Nirani’s garnet eyes shifted slightly as she sighed silently. Zelara bit her bottom lip as she stared at her normally happy-go-lucky friend. Seeing her so worked up like this was so jarring compared to her normally upbeat and can-do attitude towards everything.
“You’re an incredibly talented musician, Nirani,” Zelara said. “I don’t know anyone who can write poems and then compose them into songs. Do you know how much talent and skill that takes? You have a wonderful gift that I think should be shared with the town.”
The druid’s eyes glanced at the rogue as she listened to her words. Zelara met Nirani’s garnet eyes and smiled before continuing. “The first time I heard you play and sing, I thought I was in the presence of an angel; your voice took my breath away. I can tell that singing and playing your lyre makes you so unimaginably happy, and I can see that in your eyes.”
Nirani chuckled as a faint blush dusted her cheeks. “Aren’t you a flatterer…”
Zelara gently took Nirani’s chin and turned the druid’s face to look at hers. “Hey, I mean it. And remember, you’re not alone. Me and the others will be in the front row cheering you on all the way.” The rogue released the woman’s chin and smiled. “So there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Nirani furrowed her brows as she sighed. “Ugh, I know that but… I can’t help it, y’know? I want to make an unforgettable first impression on the town, something that people will talk about for weeks… just not the bad kind…”
Zelara sighed as she shifted her gaze to the floor, trying to think of a way to calm down her friend. As she scrolled through her memories, she remembered a little “technique” she used on her girlfriend back in Katzenberg when she entered a knife-throwing competition. A small yet mischievous grin spread across the rogue’s face as she turned to the druid. “Say, Nira. What if I told you I knew of a… special kind of magic that will make you instantly calm down and have all your worries and fears of this performance disappear?”
“Sounds too good to be true…” Nirani said, glancing at the rogue.
“I do, I swear. I used this magic on my girlfriend once, before she entered a knife-throwing competition and she won first place!”
The elf-fire genasi looked at her friend as she mulled over the other’s words. If this kind of magic really does help one to relieve stress, what did Nirani have to lose? The druid sighed as she gave the rogue her full attention. “Alright, Zel. What is this special kind of magic that helps relieve stress?”
Zelara failed at trying to hide her excited smile. “Alright, so first things first, I’m gonna need you to lay down on the bed.”
Nirani quirked a brow before shifting her position so her back was on the mattress, folding her hands across her stomach. “Okay, so now what?”
The rogue grinned as she climbed on top of her friend, straddling her. The elf-fire genasi felt her cheeks heat up as she averted the other woman’s gaze, trying to hide her bashful face behind her hand. “U-Uh, Zelara? W-What are you doing?”
“Helping you relax, silly.” Zelara said.
Nirani’s blush only deepened when she caught Zelara’s silvery-teal eyes. “Are you sure this is gonna work?”
“Hey, if it worked on my girlfriend, who’s as tough as they come, then it most definitely will work for you.” Zelara said.
Before Nirani could try and process what her friend said, she let out a giggly yelp when she felt soft fingers graze her sides. Her eyes darted to the rogue and saw the other grinning down at her with a wicked grin on her face. Even though Nirani was taller than the other, she had never felt so small before. “Z-Zela…?”
“Oh, what’s this?” Zelara taunted, drumming her fingers along the other’s side. “Do my eyes deceive me, or is someone a little… ticklish?”
Nirani trembled under the rogue’s light touch, giggling softly into the back of her hand, trying to muffle the sweet sounds that flowed from her lips. “Zelarahahaha!”
“Is someone hiding their giggles from me?” Zelara asked. “Come on, Nira. You know you can’t hold out forever. Why not do us both a favor and just let out those adorable giggles, eh?”
Zelara continued to hide her giggles behind her hand as she slightly squirmed under the rogue’s touch.
“Stubborn, are we?” Zelara cooed, her eyes flashing green. “Well, I can fix that.”
Zelara switched from light tickling to full-on clawing at the druid’s sides, causing the half-elf to squeal and let out bubbly giggles. “Aahaahahahahaha! Wahahahaait! Zelarahahahaha!”
“Ah, so that’s where you’ve been hiding those adorable giggles!” Zelara teased. “Now this is the Nirani I know and love!”
Nirani felt her cheeks heat up as she giggled frantically, trying to swat away the other’s hands as her legs flailed behind the rogue. “Haahahehehehe! Zehehehelarahahaha! Thihihihis isn’t mahahahagihihihic!”
Zelara scoffed in disbelief as her irises glinted green. “First, you’re being stubborn, and now you’re doubting my expertise?” She leaned in close so she was next to the elf-fire genasi’s ear. “Bad move, Nira.”
The half-elf flinched as the other’s breath tickled her pointed ear, causing it to flick and twitch. Zelara couldn’t help the “aw” that escaped her mouth. “Aww, your ears wiggle in the cutest way!”
“S-Shuhuhuhut the hehehehell uhuhuhup!” Nirani giggled out. “Aahahahehehehe! Noohoho mohohohohore!”
“And now you’re being sassy with me?” Zelara asked. “You’re just giving me more of a reason to tickle you now, Nirani.”
Zelara shifted her fingers up to the druid’s armpits, causing Nirani to give a small buck as her giggles escalated in volume. Nirani slammed her arms to her side, but Zelara’s hands were already in their target. “Aahahahaeehehe! Naahahaahaha! Plehehehehehase! Noohohohohoho!”
“Heh, you’re just as ticklish as Petra, maybe even more so,” Zelara said. “At least you don't spew small embers when you laugh.”
Zelara chuckled at the fond memory of when she and Kree were tickling the goddess-blessed kobold, and when they really had Petra laughing, small sparks started spewing from her mouth, slightly scorching Kree’s wing. Petra apologized profusely after that, but the aarakocra wasn’t mad at all; according to her, she’s been through worse.
Nirani latched onto the other woman’s wrists, trying to pry her hands away, but Zelara’s hands barely budged. The elf-fire genasi giggled wildly as she squirmed and scraped her heels against the bed, practically messing up the once neatly made bed. “Zelarahahahaha! Stohohohop! Ehehehehehahaha! Dahahahahammihihihihihit!”
Zelara’s heart swelled with happiness as the half-elf writhed with ticklish agony. “Hmm, now where should I use my stress reliever magic next?”
As the rogue scanned the druid, she noticed the other’s pointed ears wiggling. With a wicked grin, Zelara removed her hands from Nirani’s armpits, and darted upwards, lightly tracing the half-elf’s ears. Nirani squealed before belting out loud laughter. Nirani’s laughter came from the pit of her stomach as it traveled upwards, getting more squeaky. “ZEHEHEHELARAHAHAHAHAHA! NOT MY EHEHEHEHEHEARS! AAAAHAHEHEHEHEHEAHAHA!”
Zelara couldn’t help but laugh along with her friend. “Oh, my gods! To think you couldn’t get any cuter, but you continue to prove me wrong!”
Nirani tried to shake away her friend’s hands, but the rogue’s fingers were practically glued to the elf-fire genasi’s long, pointed ears. The druid tried to pry away Zelara’s hands, but her laughter was sapping away her energy. “AAHAHEHEEHEHEHE! NOHOHOHO MOHOHOHOHOHORE! BAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IT TIHIHIHIHICKLES SOHOHO BAAHAHAHAHAHAD!”
Zelara could only laugh along as her body swayed to the other’s squirming. “Hahah! I should tickle you more often! Oooh, maybe I should tell the others about this! Oh, I’d bet Scyllora and Kree would have a field day with this!”
Something in Nirani snapped. As she took in a breath, she latched onto Zelara’s wrists and in a swift motion, the half-elf flipped her and the other woman. Now, Nirani was straddling Zelara with her hands pinned above her head.
“You… you can be… a real asshole sometimes…” Nirani panted. “Now, it’s my turn to try this magic on you, don’t you agree?”
“W-Wait, h-hold on, Nira,” Zelara stammered. “Let’s be civil about this.”
Nirani grinned as she leaned in close. “Oh, we can be civil… right after I’ve had my fun with you.”
Zelara tried to break free from Nirani’s grip, but the elf-fire genasi’s grip held firm. Using her spare hand, the druid started to lightly skitter her gloved fingers across Zelara’s torso, causing her to squirm. The rogue tried to stifle her giggles the best she could, but Nirani’s light touches were unbearable. “N-Nirahaha!”
“Oh, look who’s tryna act all tough now,” Nirani teased. “Come on, Zelly. You know you can’t hold out forever. Why not do us both a favor and just let out those adorable giggles.”
Zelara tried breaking free from the other’s grasp but her efforts were futile. The rogue’s mask was slowly cracking as giggles started slipping out. “Niranihihihi! C-Come ohohohon! I’m sohohorry!”
“Oh, trust me. You’ll be very sorry by the time I’m through with you, Zelara,” Nirani cooed. “So, if you don’t mind, could you do me a favor and laugh for me?”
Zelara snickered and chuckled, but the rogue refused to let the druid win. Nirani sighed heavily before settling back on the other’s hips and crossing her arms, leaving the rogue to catch her breath. “And you call me stubborn… Hmm, where to go, where to go…?”
As Nirani scanned the other woman’s body, the druid grinned before resting her hands on Zelara’s hips, causing the woman to flinch, and yelp. “Nirani, d-don’t!”
“Aw, why not?” Nirani cooed. “Is this a bad spot for you, Zelly-Belly?”
The rogue blushed at the nickname as she averted the half-elf’s garnet gaze. Nirani took that reaction as a yes, and started squeezing Zelara’s hips with vigor. The rogue let out a giggly yelp before dissolving into frantic giggles, squirming and writhing in ticklish agony, but the elf-fire genasi was relentless, sending Zelara up the wall with crazed giggles. “Nanananaaahahahahaahaha! Nohohohot thehehehere! Baahahahahehehehee! Niraniiiihihihihihihi!”
“Ah, so that’s where you’ve been hiding those adorable giggles!” Nirani teased. “I knew you had cute giggles, but I didn’t imagine them to be this cute, hehe!”
Zelara’s blush deepened as she tried to pry away Nirani’s hands from her hips. When the druid noticed this, she removed one hand from her friend’s hip, and tore off her black glove with her mouth, revealing her well-kept ruby red wine nails. Nirani let out a cheeky giggle of her own as she spat out her glove to the side before skittering her nails across the other woman’s hips, causing Zelara to give a slight buck in response.
“What the heeheheheheheell!? Niraaahahahahaha!” Zelara cried. “N-Nohohoho faahahahahair! Aahahahehehehe!”
“All’s fair in love and tickling, Zelly!” Nirani giggled.
Zelara’s shoulders bounced as she giggled like crazy, her attempts at removing her friend’s hands were in vain. As Nirani continued to torment her friend, she noticed how Zelara’s whole body would spasm–even for just a moment–when her nail brushed against her side. The druid let out an evil giggle as she skittered her nails up to the rogue’s sides, making it a point to graze the ribs closest to it. Zelara let out a loud squeal before flopping around like a fish out of water, her giggles turning into loud, yet silent, laughter.
“NIRAAAAHAHAHAHAA! AAAHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHEHEHAHA!” Zelara laughed. “YOHOHOHOHOU EEHEHEEHEHEHVIL LIHHIHIHIHITTLE-!”
“Ah, ah, ah! I wouldn’t finish that if I were you, Zelara,” Nirani cooed. “I could make this a lot worse if I wanted to. But I’m not that mean.”
Zelara threw her head from side to side, trying to shake away the tickly feeling, but Nirani’s nails were unbearable. “NIRANIHIHIHIHIHIII! EHEHEHEHEHEAHAHAHAHA! STAAHAHAHAHAP! I’M SOHOHOHOHOHORRY! AAAAAHAHAHAHAH! COME OHOHOHOHON!”
“So, how does it feel to have your own magic used against you?” Nirani questioned. “To think that the Zelara Soulmoon, a proud member of Rosethorn, and famously known as the Violet Rose is susceptible to just a little tickling. Oooh, I wonder if the other members of Rosethorn know about this little secret of yours.”
Zelara covered her face as she laughed in her hands, hiding her blush. In truth, the other members of Rosethorn do know she’s ticklish, and they never let her live it down; thinking back on the tickle fights between her and her friends made the rogue blush and laugh louder. “DOHOHON’T YOU DAAAHAHAHAHARE! AAHAHEHEHEHEHE!”
Nirani couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s muffled laughter, her ears wiggling with glee. When Zelara’s laugh started going silent, Nirani pulled away and chuckled before climbing off her friend, leaving her friend panting and giggling. “Are you okay, Z? Sorry, I didn’t go too far, did I?”
Zelara panted with residual giggles slipping through as she ran a hand through her hair. “It’s… it’s okay. I guess I should apologize, too.” The rogue sat up and leaned against her hands. “Your laugh is as beautiful as your singing.”
Nirani giggled bashfully as she shook her head fondly, and Zelara happily joined. When the rogue saw the druid’s face split with a wide, happy smile, Zelara chuckled. “There’s the Nirani Vendra I remember. Looks like you’re feeling better, yeah?”
The elf-fire genasi placed a hand over her heart and chuckled while beaming at her friend. “Don’t know how you did it, but yeah, I do feel better. A lot better!”
Zelara shrugged with a smug grin. “What can I say? My special magic works like a charm every time.”
Nirani chuckled and rolled her eyes fondly as she stood up and stretched. “Yeah, yeah, so your magic worked. So what?” The rogue scoffed as she tossed over the other woman’s discarded glove, grinning when her friend caught it and slipped it on.
“So, you ready to wow the crowd with your music?” Zelara asked, standing up.
Nirani grinned as she walked over to her golden lyre resting on its stand. As she picked it up, the druid strummed a beautiful chord that reverberated throughout the room. “Yeah! I’m ready!”
Zelara grinned up at the elf-fire genasi as she walked towards the door.
“Oh, Zelara!” Nirani called out.
The rogue turned back as her hand rested on the doorknob. Nirani walked over to the shorter woman and embraced her tightly. “Thanks for that. It really helped, and it was really fun!”
Zelara blinked before returning the gesture with a smile. “Anythime, Nira.”
As the two parted, they walked out of the room and into the rest of the house where the other women were waiting.
“Ah, there you two are,” Kree said. “Was wonderin’ what happened to you lot.”
“Are you ready for your performance, Nirani?” Gia asked.
Nirani glanced between Zelara and the others, and smiled. “Yep! Thanks to Zelara’s help, I’m ready to wow the crowd!”
The other women smiled as the druid skipped out the house. As Zelara was about to follow, she stopped when she felt a hand tap her thigh. She glanced down to see Petra wearing a knowing grin. “So, did you use your special magic on her?”
The rogue grinned at the sorceress and patted her scaly head. “Yep, and it worked like a charm.”
The kobold chuckled as she and the other women walked out of the house. For the remainder of the day, the town was enchanted by Nirani’s singing and playing, causing many of the townsfolk to get up and dance. As Nirani performed, she was reminded that no matter how nervous or anxious you may feel, you’ll always have your friends to help you overcome that; even a sprinkle of magic can go a long way.