Camilla
No reaction came from the figure as they watched her approach, content with just staring, watching, waiting. What was this stranger doing, he wondered to himself, dark eyes remaining focused on her, unblinkingly. Trying to attack? He hoped not. That would mean they would have to defend themself, harm yet another person... If there was anything they didn't want to do, it was that. Yet, judging from how her hand went into her robe, no doubt reaching for some kind of weapon... It was starting to seem more and more lightly.

The figure's left hand moved, a light twitch, and the tiniest flash of silver was visible. Hidden in the palm of his hand, the tip poking out, was what looked to be some kind of large toothpick, only it was made of metal, and the inside was hollow, carrying the snake's own venom. They didn't want to hurt the approaching stranger, but if she gave them no choice...

And then, her voice spoke up. A curious question indeed, one that the Mamba had not expected. No, questions directed at him were more venomous, usually, meant to scare him off, not asking for directions. How very, very interesting. Now that she was closer, their tongue flicked out once more, tasting the subtleties of her scent. An unusual one indeed. He himself made no attempt to hide his appearance, or even his curiosity, looking down upon her with that same unsettling smile. Something about this person in front of them looked off, but they couldn't quite place what it was. Perhaps if she revealed her face, they'd know more.
_ _

His mouth opened a little to speak, then closed again as he paused to find his voice, remember how speaking worked again. Right. If she were to look up at them while they spoke, she might notice the black that was the inside of their mouth, or the white teeth that contrasted sharply with that darkness. Those teeth were unusual too, sharp and angled inwards, made to swallow prey whole and give them no chance of escaping. Most notable were the large fangs, though, that hid a deadly venom that could kill within minutes, if the Black Mamba had any desire to do so.

*"Mmm... Directions...? Where to...?"* Their voice was soft, nothing more than a whisper, making it really hard to determine the gender of the person speaking - in fact, his entire appearance was somewhat androgynous. They spoke slowly, pausing often as if speaking was something they weren't used to and they had to think of the right words. Yet another odd thing to add onto the pile of weird that was this person.

This person in front of them was a strange one, really. Tasting of the sea and - another tongue flick - of fish, it was not a scent he was accustomed to very much. It wasn't particularly pleasant, and it wasn't particularly unpleasant. It was very weird when coming from a person, though. In his experience - which, was, admittedly, limited - people didn't usually smell like fish. Fish smelled like fish.

And then, she looked up, and everything was made clear. She smelled like fish because she was a fish... Or at least looked like one, somewhat. Those grey scales, not too dissimilar from their own, those crimson eyes... Gazing at her, the Mamba's head tilted slightly, though the expression didn't change, still with that same smile. Well, they weren't exactly the same. He didn't smell like fish, for example.

He was quiet for a little while upon receiving her question, straightening his head. Were they really the best person to come to for help? Why had this person even approached them in the first place? Noting that her hand still seemed to be on her weapon - assuming that was a weapon at all, of course - he held his hand on his own, concealed in the palm of his hand. She didn't look like a killer, the Mamba judged. Or at least, not someone that would do so intentionally. That gave them the upper hand, if she ever were to attack.
_ _

But, she was waiting for a response, best give one now. *"Mmm..."* The Black Mamba began once more, thinking this matter over carefully. *"Tavern... Mmm, I know where. Library, mmm..."* A moment of silence. Library... The word sounded somewhat familiar. Not familiar enough, though. *"What is, mmm... Library?"* He asked, curiously. What kind of person wouldn't know what a library was? This one, apparently.

She was afraid, he noticed. Why? Was it their doing? That was... Unintentional. It was somewhat frustrating. Against his will, he had been brought up to terrify people, and that was now severely hurting his interactions with people. Then again, she hadn't run away screaming yet, and had approached them willingly, so it was a massive improvement in most of the interactions they'd had so far.

*"Are you... Mmm... Okay...?"* Came his whisper a few moments later. There seemed to be some amount of concern in his voice, although with the whisper being as soft as it was, it was difficult to tell. Plus, the way their expression didn't change... One would not be blamed for thinking that the concern was faked, just an attempt at making the stranger feel better.
Willie
**Ah yes i am fine nothing to worry, haha! It's just a bit hot in here apologies. Now uhm could you show me to the tavern perhaps?**

```She would ponder the question he asked before for a moment visibly scratching her forehead below the robe as she looks him death in the eyes, only to be met with a serious expression. She couldn't just not answer him albeit she feared to become the victim of some snake prank of sorts, yet at the same time she sensed no intention like that. No this man simply did not know what a library is, so the siren attempted to explain it to him in a rather simple but clear way.```

**Now for your question, a library is where they store countless books that people can read. Be it to learn something or simply to enjoy themselves, i'm sure you've heard of it right?**

```A slight chuckle would follow as she tilts her head slightly in an attempt to be friendly and look friendly, both her arms moving to her back and grabbing each other again. She would stare him directly in the eyes her obsidian hair partially obscuring her vision as it had fallen in front of her face, yet for now Elisia allowed it to remain there perhaps too afraid to make any sudden motions or simply to not look like a mess.```
Camilla
The Mamba's expression finally changed somewhat when she looked at them to try and figure out if they were joking or not. That smile, seemingly made to unsettle people, faltered slightly for a few moments when she chuckled. She thought he was joking, didn't she? How very rude. He hated it when people did that. It wasn't his fault that he didn't know such things, and frankly, her reaction was more than a little hurtful. Here they were, trying to help, and then they got such a response...

He said nothing over her prolonged silence, simply waiting for the person that smelled like fish to say something. Really, they had half a mind to just leave, but this was the first person that had willingly approached them and not immediately tried to hurt them, so he was willing to put up with a little bit of hurt feelings.

And, she even put up her hands and stopped holding her dagger so closely, that was a lovely thing to see as well. A gesture of trust, which was a rare thing around the Black Mamba. In response, he put away his own weapon - even if she hadn't seen it at all - and let his arms hang loosely by his sides, not hugging himself so protectively anymore. A gesture of trust traded for a gesture of trust, it seemed like a fair deal.

Show her to the tavern? Finally, they looked away from her, head turning to look at the market instead. So very busy, still... Although they would greatly enjoy the feeling of being out in the sun, there was still the slight issue that people did not often take kindly to his appearance, and often tried to cause him harm when he simply dared to exist nearby. Of course, there were the alternative routes, ones that he was very familiar with... But would this stranger be okay with those? Well, only one way to find out.
_ _

*"You, mmm... Okay with... Going though, mmm, alleys...?"* They asked, once more turning to look at her. Well, maybe that question was a little weird to ask randomly. An explanation might be in order. *"People, mmm... Stare... At me. Mmm... Don't... Like that."* Surely, with her appearance, which was also very much unlike everyone else, she could relate somewhat, right?

Eyes narrowing slightly, the Mamba patiently listened to her explanation, nodding along somewhat. Despite her earlier ridicule, she was actually putting some effort into explaining it. And then, his eyes widened slightly in recognition as they connected the word 'library' with the meaning of the place. *"I, mmm, understand. Know place... Mmm... Like that. Not... Far."* Although the smile was still there, it had shifted slightly, now being one that looked just a little happier, genuinely so.