Honestly, you feel a bit tired of these magic beings trying to make you their apprentice. Sure, remaining this snake girl thing for the rest of your life and traveling to a foreign country with a total (albeit tantalizing) stranger to donate your bodily fluids for magical purposes might not sound as terrifying as it ought to right now. However, you still want to hold on to what little familiarity can be salvaged from your situation.
Closing your eyes, you sigh. "Look, thanks for the offer, but I can't accept it. I never asked for potent venom or this body or...any of this stuff. So, if it's all the same to you, I'd really like to have my humanity back."
Arik, of course, reacts with disdain, drawing back as if to avoid being contaminated by your shame. "What a disappointment. Your gifts are clearly wasted on one such as yourself."
Marisa steps forward. "I wouldn't say that, Arik. She knows her own mind, and she's sticking with it. Isn't that what every good naga tries to do?"
"You are not wrong," Arik concedes, relaxing a bit. "Very well. I will mix up the necessary potion." With that, he slithers into the next room.
Approaching you slowly, Marisa places a gentle hand on your arm. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you chose not to leave with him."
You narrow your eyes at her, seeing her gulp reflexively. "I didn't do it for you."
"I know. But I'm glad anyway."
Some time later, Arik returns with a jar half filled with murky liquid. The lid has been sealed with an odd membrane held on with a rubber band. Holding it out, he instructs, "Bite through the top. I must warn you, it may feel strange, but do not release until you are done. Focus on becoming human and let your venom flow."
"Can I focus on becoming my old self again?"
"You may, but it will only make you human. The effects of being infused with Marisa's magic are permanent."
Well, it is worth a try anyway. Biting down on the jar, you feel your fangs extend and puncture the membrane. Envisioning your old body, you inject your venom which mixes smoothly with the potion. It feels different from when you had bitten Arik, like your fangs are actually confused at the lack of warm flesh to hold on to. Just as he had described, the sensation strikes you as uncomfortable, unnatural even. Quickly, you let go with a shudder.
Arik reaches over and whips off the membrane. "Now, drink."
Nodding, you do so. The potion is thankfully tasteless, but it burns on the way down, making you cough once the jar is empty. The other naga snatches back the jar before your trembling hand can drop it, and you sink to the floor, overcome with dizziness and that all too familiar warmth. Despite bracing yourself this time, you still black out.
An indeterminate time later, you wake up again. Already, you feel something is different, or is that hopeful thinking? You look down to inspect.