The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

She winces. "I'm sorry, I entirely forgot to mention that. As my lady-in-waiting, you'd be part of the Household staff. Specifically, you'd be considered part of the family. A lesser family member, but part of the family nontheless. You'd be getting a tattoo of our family crest after one year employment, marking you as a permanent member of the family. You wouldn't be expected to, um, have sex with me or anything like that -- you wouldn't be a member of the Harem -- but you'd be able to do business on my behalf and things like that."

[The Iron Bull]

"Not expec--" Bull breaks off with a cough, blushing endearingly. "Righto. Good. Okay. So Household is a lifer contract. Heavy, but it sounds like we'd have a year to decide on that being yea or nea?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Exactly. And if it's no, there won't be any hard feelings on my part. I don't really... I'm doing my best to fill the position but I've never hired anyone before, so it's not surprising if I don't get it right." She gives a tired, sore smile, still standing.

[The Iron Bull]

"Hey, you alright? You didn't try any of them stretches and forms I showed you earlier by yourself, didja?" Bull asks, frowning. She was better'n bit than I woulda expected, even with her saying sumpabout fencing, but she's real skinny.

[Coquette Blacquin]

She waves a hand. "Fine, fine. My wife did not appreciate my actions this afternoon and let me know of her displeasure physically. I'll be sore for a while, but otherwise I am alright."

[The Iron Bull]

"Uh." Bull stares a long moment. "Ain't that... like a kids and warriors kind of thing?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I suppose?" she says, hesitantly. "My wife is... much like my father was toward his wife, so I do not think it is abnormal, merely... irritating."

[The Iron Bull]

Bull squints a little. "Not sure that tracks? I mean, neither of ma folks either hit each other outside'a training. None'a the other couples in tha Fist of Oaths did either, far as I know anyways." He shrugs a little, then perks up. "You get it looked after? First aid stuff, I mean?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I did what I could for myself," she admits. "I usually do."

[The Iron Bull]

That gets a frown. "Naw, that's no good. I got some basic stuff on me; salve for cleaning cuts, a paste for easing bruises, some bandages, and some mild painkillers. If you got better, be glad ta use it too, but you need better done for it." He elects not to confirm that said supplies are technically for Jasper and the two goats they keep around.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"...if you're sure." Checking to ensure the door is closed, she turns her back to him. "Lesson number one: it's much easier to remove this gown if you can undo the buttons for me."

When he does, she drops it to the ground, then steps out of her bloomers as well, leaving her in just her breastband. Her bottom is mottled with bruising, extending up her back a short ways and down her thighs as well. Looks like someone took a riding crop to her backside for a vicious, extended period -- which is exactly what happened. 

[The Iron Bull]

Bull studies the ceiling carefully, just as he's done ever since her gown hit the floor. "I did not think this-- umm, I might have--  you are not a horse," he mutters, then blanches. "Why would I say that?" he demands of himself, almost instinctively looking down as he shakes his head in disbelief of his own-- 

"Holy blood, you look like you've been outright tortured!" he blurts out, nostrils flaring in a distinctly bovine show of temper. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

She flinches a little at the shouting. "It's... it's not that bad," she whispers, hot tears stinging at her eyes in shame. "Looks worse than it is."

[The Iron Bull]

"Shit, shit, sorry, I--" Movement smooth and easy, Bull sinks to one knee, bringing them to even eye level. He offers a smile despite her having her back to him. "Not gonna hurt ya, alright? Not angry at'tal with ya. Not even a bit. Okay?" His voice is a rumbling croon, almost sung, and one she's heard him use this very day with the skittish Jasper. "It's okay, promise. Not angry, you're all safe and sound here, brave girl. It's okay, you're safe. Ain't none gonna hurt ya, alright? Beautiful, brave girl, s'alright, yer safe." Peppered among the flow of words are nonsense sounds that are just pleasant, comforting noise.

[Coquette Blacquin]

The tears flow freely now, cathartic and healing. "I'm sorry," she whispers. "I just... I thought... I thought I was doing the right thing. I wanted to protect you and Jasper and everyone. And I got punished for it. She was so mad..."