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<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lassadar.<br/>
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This place made her sick to her stomach. There were so many evils, so many atrocities committed here that even the land itself had become corrupt with darkness. Then again, the lands of Lassadar had always been like this, so long as she could remember. Such a phrase was one often used by humans, but to her ears, it meant little coming from their mouths. When she said that, it really meant something. Why? Because Ranis Zaberisi was a dragon. Make no mistake though, she was no mere dragon. Ranis was the current crown ruler of the Kingdom of the North, the Lands of Ice, the Dragon's Keep. It mattered not what name you gave it, she was the Queen, and that was something that she took pride in. Her people were a withdrawn race, hidden away in lands so treacherous that no being other than a dragon even dared to brave the hostile conditions and step foot within the kingdom itself. Not that they would be welcome there anyway. Her people were neutral, and didn't like to be dragged into the affairs of the world. <br/>
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Ranis was an eccentric though. Humans fascinated her. So, she left her Kingdom and set out to learn more about the world through first hand experiences rather than through books, scrolls, and other documents. On her journey, she met and made friends with many humans. The most special of which was the Queen of Light. She and Cecilia were close, much closer than the Dragon Queen had been to anyone in her own kingdom. Love? Yes, there was love there. In a romantic sense? Perhaps. Ranis wasn't familiar with things like love or romantic feelings. The death of the Queen at the hands of the traitor hit her hard, much harder than even the death of her parents hit her. Ever since, the Queen changed. She roamed the land aimlessly, destroying dark forces she came across. Taverns? Taverns had become her favorite place to visit. Drinking was entertaining, though near useless as it took so much for her to actually get a buzz. Still, it helped her forget her pain for a while, and allowed her to connect with humans doing something that most humans seemed to enjoy doing.<br/>
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Havana was the name of the tavern where she had been resting for some time now, quietly watching as the young man at the bar agitated the bar maid. There was something strange about the fellow, strange in a good way. The Queen decided that she would join him for a drink, maybe have a friendly chat with him. The story he told of the knights and the death of Cecilia left a bad taste in her mouth, what better way to get rid of it than drown it out with alcohol? The human at the bar certainly would have told her that there was no better way!<br/>
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After claiming the seat to his right, the Queen dug into the sleeve of her yukata and extracted a small black pouch. She extracted from it a pair of gold coins and placed them on the bar. Together, they were worth way more than what she was about to buy, but money was not something that she worried about. She was a Queen after all. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4000bf">"Three bottles of your strongest,"</span> she said with a smile. No matter what she was brought, it wouldn't be near enough to get her drunk. Not like the man beside her. Her golden optics slowly stole a glance at the young man, taking in his features. The first thing she noticed was the choker he wore around his neck. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4000bf">"Are those dragon scales,"</span> she asked. The question was a pointless one. Any dragon would know the sight of the scales of a dragon from just a glance. Still, she awaited his answer[/list:u][/list:u]</li>
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