Cottonmouth

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"That's a bingo, it's a elderflower liqueur." Nemo confirmed. "But the former I know much more about, I used to make it myself and save it in mason jars for later. Aromatic and relaxing." Nemo had been looking back to see the rest of the group arrive, but eventually grew bored and turned to Raiya.

"I used to know a talent that drank it obsessively. Kept it in a metal flask in his breast pocket right here." Nemo said as he patted his chest. "Elderflower cordial is a victorian drink, and he was... old fashioned, up-tight, prissy even." He explained. "Going hand in hand, he also had a very large ego, incredibly overconfident. He claimed that there wasn't a person in the world who could beat him in a duel, and fought anybody in a duel to the death on his estate that was willing to risk it. Often ridiculing them into accepting."

"Eventually at one of his parties a poor girl bursts in and confronts the talent. She says that the man killed her father in one of his duels, and vows that she will get her revenge. The talent sees the duel as a waste of time, and sets the date a week away, expecting her to come to her senses by then and not show up. But sure enough, the girl does."

"Everybody at the party expected it to be a landslide, but instead, in front of a crowd of hundreds of people, they watch the duelist meet his end bleeding out on the floor after getting stabbed in the neck by the girl." Nemo explained. "Turns out somebody had laced his elderflower plants with a new special ingredient days before. In the end, what is skill worth if you can't tell you've been drinking poison for the past few days?" He finished with a somewhat pleased expression on his face.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Nemo was inclined to come up with something crude to reply back with, but his thoughts about her drinking had caused him to lose his appetite to further push the issue; after all they were supposed to get along. At least Nemo was able to get her to spill the beans on how some of her spells work.

For a few moments he stood silent, but eventually started back up again. "Have you ever had Elderflower Cordial?" He asked with a more benign voice, seemingly trying to pass the time until the rest of the group arrives. "If not you might be more acquainted with St. Germain, they share the same key ingredient."

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Nemo came to a stop once they reached the door. He seemed to be admiring the scene for a few moments until Raiya fired off her first attack. He stood with his hands in his pockets and she fired off the second, seemingly keen on conserving as much of his own energy as possible. The display also allowed Nemo to slowly learn more about her abilities.

"So... we've learned that granite can't be electrified or burned. That's a relief. Do you think we should try having Artos freeze it?" He said with a mock-serious type of tone.

Nemo looked over to Raiya, watching her sip the rum. He could smell it even easier now that they weren't outside in the fresh air. Nemo realized that he couldn't remember a point since he met her that she hadn't been drinking something with alcohol in it. It began to make him ponder just what the extent of her "problem" could go to. After all it did basically cause her to be in her current predicament. He also wondered why she drank in the first place. Nemo liked a good drink, but something this excessive was likely caused by something.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"Have you ever seen the self proclaimed social elite have dinner? Well it's gonna be a lot like that, but again and again until it's just right. We're gonna learn how to hold forks, say hello, sit proper, and articulate our words like chivalrous men and women... Don't worry, I have experience. I'm sure it will be grand." Nemo explained as he continued on. "Speaking of which, do you know how to curtsy? Though maybe a bow might be more useful in this case" He added.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"I happen to think I'm rather well mannered," Nemo commented while gazing at the crystal coffins as he walked by. he didn't seem to have much of a reaction to the jest, especially with Felix evening the score.

Nemo turned away and thought for a moment. "But maybe you're right Raiya," He started, his voice sounding a bit more sardonic. "If you're gonna be my plus-one we can't be roaming around in public like a couple of savages. Perhaps we should have etiquette lessons as well." Nemo suggested, using their deal to his advantage.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Nemo noticed the call on his manadial. He held up his arm and looked at the all gold dress watch with a white dial. As the clear diamond like crystal below the twelve o'clock marker flashed he pushed in the crown. After a small click was heard the flash stopped and he was now in the voice channel. The watch was sync'd to his ornate silver bell earring, which then telepathically transmitted the sound straight to his ear.

Nemo followed Raiya down into the catacombs. The manacrystal walls had him almost salivating, to a person with his abilities they looked more like they were made out of rock-candy.

Nemo pressed his pointed finger onto the crystal above the dial on his watch, letting him speak on the channel. "I wonder if there is going to be any souvenirs down here," he whispered.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

After hearing the sound of the runic slab crumble Nemo brought himself to his feet. "Seems it's time to begin," he commented to Jessie as he used a basic spell to wipe his clothes clean of any debris from the ground. Nemo walked over to the area where the hole was located. "Good work you two," he congratulated, peering into the hole with his hands in his pockets. "Hhmmmnn..." Nemo voiced as he thought about what lied beyond the veil of darkness, only able to see stairs so far.

"Ladies first," Nemo said as he leaned back up and looked over to Raiya.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"All the summoning knowledge in the world isn't worth meeting that monster. And I'm not exaggerating, I'm pretty sure they are a cannibal; if they even are human." Nemo explained. "Though if it pleases you, I might be able to summon their familiar myself sometime. Might come in handy, but also might backfire as well. It doesn't really like listening to me for obvious reasons."

Nemo figured Jessie's wish might come true. Now that Nemo was out of prison, the previous owner of the contract might come back for it once more.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

"One of the strongest opponents I've ever faced is a ten partner summoner... I say ten because I'm in possession of their missing eleventh partner contract. It's what I got for winning the fight," Nemo explained.
"It's not of much use to me as a spell, but it's was their main summon, so they'd do just about anything to get it back. Which is what I keep it for, leverage."
"Unpleasant person to be around, and unpleasant to fight as well." Nemo then sat up and ran his right hand down his left arm. "Ripped my left arm clean off like a chicken wing. Kinda looked like a chicken wing too with all the cartilage showing as I re-attached it afterwards." Nemo finished.

Paragon's End [Modern/Fantasy/Anime/Adventure]

Nemo glanced over to Jessie as she sat down and spawned her companion. He put his hands under his head for cushion as he made himself comfortable.
"I'm gonna go off on a limb and say you're a summoner. Had a few run ins with them in the past. They're a headache, all these little things to keep track of: Imp from the rafters, Chimera from the behind, Dragon from the sky. What's next? Humpty Dumpty with a glaive? Can't just settle on some ruin spell, no, no, that would be too easy." Nemo rambled on.