The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[NPCs]

"The invitation is for three," the servant adds, bowing back. "Lord Higurashi wishes for your mother to attend and assumes you will wish to be escorted by your..." He trails off delicately, eyes flicking to Jassinth. 

[Shiori]

Three? No Tsuki, huh? Shiori nods, leaving the implied question unanswered. "Lord Higurashi is generous."

[NPCs]

The tengu's beak clicks softly, a subtle sound that indicates mild annoyance or frustration, as he nods. "Indeed the Lord is," he agrees. "The luncheon is simply a talk amongst the family, but it is advised that you dress formally. Just in case further discussions are required with wider participation."

[Shiori]

"Understood." A pause. "Please bear to your Lord that my mother's appearance has changed, but there is no cause for alarm."

[NPCs]

Strangely, Shiori doesn't detect any surprise or curiosity in the tengu at her words. "Very good then. I shall inform the Lord to expect you in two hours then. By your leave," he concludes, bowing once more but lingering in case Shiori has more to say.

[Shiori]

"May Zanon keep you in his grace," replies Shiori, a very formal greeting indeed. 

[Jassinth]

"May His Wrath devastate only your foes," the tengu replies automatically before leaving. Seeing the messenger departing, Jass makes his way over after biding Setsuna farewell.

"What was all that about?" he asks in a low voice, having only caught parts of it-- and getting the impression there was even more going unsaid that he really didn't catch.

[Shiori]

"Tsuki's being snubbed, we're being spied on, and that guy doesn't like me," recites Shiori quietly, eyes on the departing servant. "Plus a healthy helping of inter-family politics. I suspect my great-uncle will be there in person."

[Jassinth]

Jass grimaces. "That was a very... thick sixty seconds of conversation, clearly."

[Shiori]

"Is that not typical for formal political conversations?" asks Shiori, tilting her head a little. "I prefer the Alessian way of speaking plainly, but I am fluent in the Toukami way of speaking in veils and small feints as well."

[Jassinth]

Jass scratches the back of his head, looking bemused. "The culture at the Oak is based on druids, I suppose. Which means it comes from people who prefer to be alone and have to communicate with a tree so... unflowery, terse and respectful."

[Shiori]

"Huh. Is that how Raplin prefers to be spoken to?"

[Jassinth]

"He is a god, yes, of course, but He is also a tree," Jass explains with a shrug. "Words are strange to Him, particularly when they start getting metaphorical or... layered."

[Shiori]

"So then, does he prefer silent prayer, in which he plucks the meaning from one's mind? Silent contemplation of the issue sounds like a thing a tree would prefer."

[Jassinth]

"Close; Granny Peli-- the archdruid that taught me most of what I know on the whole topic-- told me to keep it to a sentence, then ponder on it with intent. Something about focusing the mind to make it easier, plus Raplin uses it as... kind of a mini lesson, for Himself. Matching what He gleans to what is said," Jass explains slowly, brow furrowed as he tries to recall his long ago lessons.