Dreammare Oneshots

Snake Encounter

hello chat it has been waaaaay too long

I hope a 7k oneshot will suffice :)

CW/TW - Mentions of cannibalism, mentions of arson, mentions of familial killings, rainstorms

Disclaimer: The term 'naga' is used frequently throughout this story, but is simply used as a term for a half snake/half human person in a fantasy setting.

It is not based on the religious interpretations of nagas and any similarities to Buddhism or Hinduism is purely coincidental.

also!!! human & fantasy AU :))

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If Nightmare was correct, and knowing him, he was, the trip would only take around three days total. One to travel, one to do the shit he was supposed to do, and then one to get back. If he was lucky, he might be able to cut it down to two. Especially if the day he was doing shit went incredibly quick.

Leaving the familiarity of his tower, and more broadly, his town, was something he abhorred. Most people didn't take well to sorcerers, much less immortal ones. It took Nightmare around two hundred years to gain the trust of the populace of the town he lived in.

It was hard to stay at an inn when his magic outweighed everyone in the room, and prices were often altered when he arrived, having to pay double or triple the normal amount because he could "simply conjure up more money."

Which is not how his magic worked, for their information! He didn't 'conjure' anything!

At least, not in the typical sense.

This matter was a delicate one, however. He didn't trust anyone else to do the work for him. If someone else went and possibly damaged or lost what he needed, the consequences could be disastrous. His tower wouldn't be left completely unguarded, of course. He had treasures and goods of unimaginable quantities hidden away up there! He would never allow any of it to be stolen.

So, he would leave his familiar at home. Normally, it took the form of a small octopus which Nightmare often carried around with him, but for this, it had to be something bigger. More intimidating. It took the appearance of a massive dog, with piercing teal eyes and big fangs. He commanded it to fight off anyone who came near, with one exception.

Being, of course, being the groundskeeper who tended to his garden whenever he was working long days and nights in his tower.

The groundskeeper was a kind soul, as well as a descendent of a mighty family of warriors, judging from the unique color of his blue scarf. The family's history had been lost to all but Nightmare, as he had worked with a few members in the past.

Far past.

Even though the fame of the family had been forgotten, magic does not, and Nightmare's groundskeeper was a clear example of that. While he didn't utilize it, he had a powerful magic aura around him. On many occasions, Nightmare considered taking him under his wing (or, perhaps, under his tentacle?) and making him an apprentice.

That had yet to happen, but the more he thought about it, the more alluring it sounded. Being able to share his magic knowledge with another sounded...pleasant.

But that was irrelevant as of now, as Nightmare had a mission to go on. He stepped out of his tower, his now-canine familiar whining as he strapped up his boots. He gently stroked the top of the dog's head, playing with its ears as he did so.

As much as he loved his familiar's normal appearance, he had to admit that this was quite nice. He gently kissed in between his familiar's ears before exiting his tower with his messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He had packed a quick change of clothes, some food for the trip, and enough money to deal with the bullshit prices that came with being a sorcerer.