The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Estelle Emerison]

Odette waves Coquette off dismissively, her attention shifting to Estelle. "This was a mistake," she says bluntly. "You were finally back on your feet and now this?" She shakes her head. "Starting to wonder if you even want to regain her favor."

Estelle stiffens, the muscles of her shoulder quivering with tension under Coquette's hand. "Thank you for your concern," she manages curtly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Coquette begins to braid Estelle's hair, pretending not to be able to hear. This doesn't concern me. 

[NPCs]

There's a long moment of silence, then Odette shakes her head again, looking almost disappointed. "So be it." Lifting her gaze back to Coquette, her expression morphs to a sneer. "Come sober and ready to bare yourself," she warns the merikos drow. "But don't worry, I'll bring the cane and gag." With a rough laugh, she heads for the exit.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Gag? Fuck you, we didn't negotiate for a goddamn gag. She accidentally pulls a little of Estelle's hair, her face remaining placid as she forces herself to let go. 

Once Odette is gone, she ties off the braid. "I believe I shall absent myself and let you finish dressing," she says. 

[Estelle Emerison]

"Bitch," Estelle mutters, then tilts her head back. "Not you," she adds quickly. "And no, wait." She pauses then, "if you're okay with staying while I clean up. We need to speak about this but I've no desire to utilize a power play against you." Meaning that this was one against Odette?

[Coquette Blacquin]

"..I can stay," she says warily. "What do you need?"

[Estelle Emerison]

"I would like to know exactly what happened, to have lead to all this," Estelle says dryly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

She waves a hand. "Odette was misusing her servant: she beat her half to death and ordered that no-one bandage her wounds or treat her in any way. She had her practically on display in the marketplace. Not knowing about the prohibition, my male treated her wounds. Apparently, that's a grave insult to her character."

[Estelle Emerison]

A soft, weary sigh slips out from Estelle even as she leans her head forward to allow Coquette a better angle for her hair. "Regrettably, she wasn't misusing her servant-- legally, I mean. Gauche, at least to most of us. Wasteful, even spiteful, but... legal. And to those of Odette's social circle, reasonable and even admirable." Muttering something lilting, she makes a beckoning gesture to the side, causing a cloth wrapped brush to float over to her hand. "Still, that certainly explains the set-up. What happened next to... rile her up so?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"She came to me demanding recompense. I offered her coin, as I would have done on the surface, and she was gravely insulted by this."

[Estelle Emerison]

Estelle sucks in a soft breath. "Oh dear. Would I be correct in that you did not apologize for the... culture clash?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Of course not. She barges in insulting me, to my face, repeatedly. She's lucky I didn't counter-claim grievous insult myself. Instead I offered restitution and she practically spit in my face."

[Estelle Emerison]

"Dammit, this..." Well, I suppose I've also myself to blame for the rather hefty bill that's coming to me. "I'll rearrange my lessons. I should have realized that you'd need to know the... ritual, the sound and echo, of insult and response. Offering to pay mere coin for a personal insult is... a terrible offence. Even the mildest of insults would be magnified by such a reply; coin or other valuables can be part of restitution of course, but a personal touch, be it punishment or service, has to be the... the leading edge of the offer."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I should have just let her whip my male," she says, out of frustration. "Damn him for putting me in this position."

[Estelle Emerison]

"Coquette?" Estelle asks, startled by the sudden shift. She can be formal with him but she's always seemed sentimental to say the least. Is she that afraid of pain?