The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Then tell me what you did, so I won't make the same mistake."

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia blanches, drawing in on herself. It takes a solid minute, but she finally manages to whisper, "cheated."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"That won't be a problem again. I won't go against the Matriarch, not unless I develop a death wish."

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia jerks her head in a nod, looking rather ill. "Ruined everything."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I imagine you rather did," says Noire, coldly. "What are your plans to repair things?"

[Claudia Emerison]

"R-r-repair?" Claudia stammers. "I-- I tried, but-- I just--"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"How did you try?"

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia swallows thickly, hands dropping to fret at some strange device on her belt. "Umm. I-- I, well, I ap-p-plogized? In private and p-p-public." She grimaces, explaining weakly, "it... wasn't a secret. I m-mean, it was but then she--the person I-- she--"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You apologized. Then what?"

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia nods, the movement choppy and awkward. "I-- I cut out-- I haven't even talked to-- to-- to her since. I t-tried to sh-show support for Estelle. In c-court. To mmmmake up for..." She stops to swallows repeatedly, her wane complexion and flushed skin suggesting she's fighting back the urge to vomit.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Did Estelle ask you for this?"

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia shakes her head, swallowing repeatedly. After a moment, she manages, "didn't speak for t-two years." Another couple of hard swallows. "With m-m-me," she clarifies, realizing belatedly how her first sentence could be taken.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You need to ask her what she needs. What would fix things between you. You can't just... assume she understands your gestures." Noire's voice is firm, angry. "You took power, choices, away from her. You have to give it back. Do you understand?"

[Claudia Emerison]

"I have," Claudia protests meekly. "I-- I mean, I-- I--I couldn't-- I wrote her. Letters. For months." She fumbles the tool, sending it clattering to the floor. "She... she never replied. E-E-Eventually, umm, the Matriarch, umm, took me aside and-- and told me to stay out of sight. She, umm, was very, umm, direct about it?" She stares at the tool blankly. "This was the longest conversation we've had... since..."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"If she won't have you, you should divorce." A firm, solid statement. "You shouldn't stick around causing her pain when she's--"

She stops, taking a deep breath, and then apologizes. "I'm sorry. I'm taking this rather personal. Varisia cheated on me."