The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"When Alexi was a kitten, she was forever misjudging jumps like that. Once I caught her attempting to jump from the floor to the counter and managing no more than a foot into the air. I admire her tenacity, in attempting such a feat that was so clearly impossible. Of course, she was also famous for getting stuck in places, such as inside the wall behind the bathtub in my chamber restroom. Scared us right silly that she might never get free. Bull had to pry open the bathtub's side panel to get at her, and the thing leaks in winter now. But it's worth it for my darling Alexi."

[Zevran]

A look of perplexity touches his face briefly as she finishes her small tale. Alexi... Alexi is no kitten and has not been for at least two or three years... So why has she not had her tub replaced by now? I cannot imagine they lack the funds, not seeing some of the other purchases made during that-- Slave. Another hint that she too is a slave here. Too many hints perhaps? "Cats are rather prone to going where they ought not. Dogs are more about wanting and seeking items they are not permitted to have, in my limited exposure. Or people, I suppose," he adds with a nod. "One dog I knew had an unwanted degree of affection for a baker's wife; unwanted by the baker and the dog's owner, I should say, as the wife and dog were very happy about matters as far I could tell. She clearly enjoyed having someone loving and simple to adore and shower with affection and the dog was happy to reciprocate. And eat massive amounts of sweetbread."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Alexi is like that. I rescued her as an infant, found her the last survivor of a litter whose mother had passed on. She's only ever known this place, so she's more trusting and kind." Coquette nods. "The girls particularly enjoy stroking her fur."

[Zevran]

Zevran smiles briefly, then pauses. "That does remind me... I do not mean to tread where unwanted, if tread so I am about to do, but despite my attempts, I've not yet been able to catch the names of your daughters. Nox and Lux refer to them simply as Sunshine and Moonbeam, if at all, and most others simply as your daughters or the girls, as you did just now."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Oh, we don't name children until they're seventeen. Drow superstition. So they're unofficially Prima and Segunda, or Sunshine and Moonbeam, or a number of other nicknames." 

[Zevran]

Easier to not care about them that way? Perhaps if they are sold off or sacrificed, for instance? Lovely, he thinks, blood icy in his veins. For the ten thousandths time, he renews his vow and prayer that he will never have children. Never have to watch his child being taken from him. A throat slit, a back broken and scarred. Chains and shallows graves. Pain and blood and suffering and--

His eyes snap open and he sucks in air, a wild, dangerous look in his eyes as he tries to come back to the here and now. He stares at Coquette, now a yard away from the table even though she's still in her chair. Behind her, Iron Bull regards him steadily, the weight of chair and Lady not seeming to bother him in the slightest. "You dangerous when you back fall like that?" the massive horned man demands, his tone unaggressive, sympathetic and utterly firm.

"Always," Zevran whispers back, feeling ashamed.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I was warned about you," says Coquette quietly. "That's why Bull is here. He won't let you hurt me, on purpose or on accident. Take the time you need to calm yourself."

[The Iron Bull]

Damn right I will. Won't I mean. Whatever. Kid's pretty fucked up, Bull observes, unconcerned by the not all that significant gap in their ages. Should maybe see if I can get him and Stitches chatting. Not exactly his actual profession but he might be able to help talk him through some shit. Absently, he sets Coquette's chair back down on the floor and moves his hand to rest protectively on her shoulder instead. 

[Zevran]

Zevran closes his eyes again, giving only a jerk of his head in acknowledgement. He spends several moments to just sit there, breathing slowly and evenly, hands set out in front of him on the table with his fingertips lightly pressed against the wood. Most of the tension has seeped out of him when Justina rises and slinks over to him. "Yrrmrrr," she demands, getting a mild start and a peek from one eye. It does not get the petting she is due, however, and so he receives a stream of feline curses and grumbles that is in sharp contrast to her relaxed body language. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Justina, leave him be, he's trying to focus," scolds Coquette in a gentle tone. "Come here, you beautiful queen you, and I'll pet you if that's what you're after."

[Zevran]

"Orders, to a cat?" Zevran asks shakily. He offers a wan smile to Coquette and his hand to Justina, who promptly bites his finger. He doesn't even wince, hand not moving. The cat actually looks offended by his placid reaction and yowls once more for good measure... and then promptly headbutts his hand in the unmistakable gesture of 'use this to pet this, dummy.'

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Cats can obey perfectly well when they feel like it, thank you very much," she jokes. 

[Zevran]

Slim fingers caressing Justina's chin and throat, Zevran chuckles softly, the sound a pleasing accompaniment to her purring. "Is that so? I suppose that's another point in favor of them over dogs then," he observes softly, single open eye fixed on the cat. "Why are you doing all of this?" he asks abruptly, voice still low and fragile. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Because it's the right thing to do. Because what happened to you is wrong, and I will do what I can to make something right in all this."

[Zevran]

"Why?" Zevran presses. "Wrongs happen everywhere, all the time. Why this wrong, why endanger yourself, here and now?" For me?