[Cover art by @somnefarious]
Another finished class, you give the word and your students filter out of the lecture hall. With a sigh, you adjust your tie tighter but your hands and shoulders stiffen at the sound of silky words sliding through the air.
“Oohhh Professssor~”
That sibilant voice was familiar as it was fuzzy to you. Who was that again? You swore that you’d heard that same someone chime in so abruptly many occasions before.
“Thought I’d ssstop by and ccheck on you.”
Wait a damn minute! That’s-! Oh god, not again. It’s that damn pesky snake, and speak of the devil before you can even turn around there’s already a thick scaly coil slinking over your shoulders and pulling you in.
Wray the naga gently twirls you around to face him, and he’s wearing that mirthful look he always exhibits when he’s up to something. Before you can tell him you have better things to do than muck around with him- his tail wraps up your neck and presses over your mouth.
“Oh teach, I already know what you’re going to say: “I don’t have time for this!”, “I’ve got another class in 10 minutes,” “This can’t wait- piss off!” those sorts of things. Save your breath dear don. You know I never rest until you do.”
Wray mocks your typical responsible arguments, your attempts to verbally counter him are smothered under his smooth sapphire scales. He’s more than long enough to wrap up your entire body if he so pleases, and this certainty isn’t the first time he hasn’t given you the choice of dissent.
You can see him peering just below your eyes, he’s scrutinizing just how dark and prominent your eye bags are. Then his pupils flick back up to yours, and your eyelids instinctively flicker to squeeze shut so you won’t see those colorful bands pulse across the surface of his obdurate eyes. Green, lime, yellow, orange- and then over and over again in endless concentric circles.
“Do look at me when I’m talking to you.” Wray instructs assertively as if he’s the stern teacher here.