The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[NPCs]

Little Miss Tribble's mistress, who turns out to be named Bao Su, volunteered to preside over the ceremony. And, to her credit, she did a wonderful job of it. It turned out she's an impassioned speaker, which is not much of a surprise, but also eloquent and focused one, which is. 

"And so Aiko has left us for a kinder world, one filled with the sweetest of fruit, the bluest of skies, and the warmest of nests. She will never be forgotten, held fast by the hearts that loved her so, but nor will she be made unto an cage that keeps those hearts from healing, for to allow such would be to betray the love she felt for them. Her memory, her love, will always be there for them, held fast by unbreakable bonds. A priceless treasure that no passing of years nor new memories will ever tarnish."

Evidently, Bao Su belongs to an Astea touched sect of Quiets, one of the more common groups. It's not an official sect, of course, and most would deny any real connection to Astea. Rather, they simply put more focus on the bonds of love and the belief that death is simply another form of living than most Quiets. Bao Su did make an effort to weave in some Tiger-friendly motifs, Shiori noted rather quickly. Which is kind of her, even if it's not very accurate for her.

[Shiori]

In the safety of the small crowd, Shiori takes Jassinth's hand and squeezes gently. This isn't really about the bird... Aiko. This is about me. Mourning for who I could have been if I hadn't been sold off to the highest bidder. 

[Jassinth]

Jass had gotten some frosty glares before being introduced-- for some reason, Lonna and Bao Su's friends had thought that Shiori might have brought the servant that had killed Aiko to Aiko's funeral-- but those had thawed rapidly. And, in more than a few cases, heated up once Jass had poured on a bit of charm. Nothing more than some lingering looks, too warm smiles and too bright laughter, but enough for even Shiori to notice. Jass, to his credit, had been polite but carefully oblivious to all of it.

"You doing okay?" he whispered to Shiori as Bao Su starts to wind down.

[Shiori]

Shiori nods. I've made my move. Time to see what happens next. 

[NPCs]

What comes next, evidently, is being summoned to speak with Sir Towa Hatamoto, the father-electi of her sister, and perhaps the likeliest pick to be the next Lord of the Tigers. His office is a far cry from those of who she'd met with recently; instead of luxury waning or hospice, this office's decor can be summed up as 'brutalist warlord.' Bare ironwood walls, uncarpeted stone floor with only a thin rug where guests (or supplicants) can kneel and kowtow, and a desk. A massive iron and oak desk where the warlord himself sits, silent and foreboding.

A tiefling of course, but one with dark brown scales, ivory bone crests on his shoulders and forearms, curved grey horns on his brow and predatory fangs to match the claws. This is the kind of tiefling that is whispered about around campfires in the dark, at taverns after half a pint too many. The addition of leviathan skin armour simply completes the image. The scent of rusting metal and rustling of chains that's even less than a whisper is, as far as most are concerned, blatantly overkill really.

"Towa Shiori, daughter of Cicadas... explain your actions."

[Shiori]

She bows low. "Milord," she says quietly. "I was summoned, and thus did I hurry to your study. Are there other actions I may explain for you?"

[NPCs]

Hatamoto frowned, highlighting how his jawline and mouth are more pronounced than is typical for a prime race. "Do not waste my time, child," he rumbled. "I have no patience for word games."

[Shiori]

Shiori remains in a bow. "Milord. I have done my level best to honor my husband and his commands, even when these have been unsavory. As such, I have done my best to obey his manservant, when he acts with my husband's authority. But he has gone too far. He has begun taking  liberties, claiming that I was to become his upon my husband's demise. Claiming that he would teach me how to... how to please him. And he destroyed the one bit of happiness I had to console me, my beloved Aiko." 

[NPCs]

"A bird." His tone made it clear that he's unfamiliar at best with the wonder and warmth of a good pet. "You made this public for this"

[Shiori]

"I had no other options, milord. I have no right to demand any of your time."

[NPCs]

"And yet I am spending it so." The tiefling leaned forward, elbows coming to rest on the edge of the desk. His amber coloured eyes glowed faintly in the dimly lite room. "Dniss will be flayed, then buried far from the Lake." Not the most dishonorable burial rite but near the bottom. "That will salve the wound to Tiger's honour."

[Shiori]

"Thank you, my lord," she says with real gratitude.

[NPCs]

Hatamoto studied her for a moment, then grunted. Not even a flinch. She has more spine or stomach than most ladies, even Tigers. Not entirely a rusted blade then. "As for your punishment," he continued, his tiny respect for her already dimmed and near forgotten, "it shall be threefold. First, you are to withdraw from public attention as quickly as possible without further shaming us. This insult must be made forgotten."

[Shiori]

"Yes, milord. Will it be acceptable to invite my friends to tea if we remain in private?"

[NPCs]

"Hmm." There's silence for several moments after then grunt, though Shiori didn't dare fill it given his bearing. "Seldom, discrete and uninteresting."