The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Isabela]

"We could do a basic cover-up tat on the ship, Nellie Rose can do those," offers Isabela. "If it would help any."

[Zevran]

"It would help, but it wouldn't work," Zevran says with a sigh, hands falling to his lap. "They eat ink."

[Isabela]

"Then we'll have to wait and pay Raplin to remove it," she sighs. "I'm sorry."

[Zevran]

Zevran just nods, staring at his hands, brooding. Hating himself. Just as she's realizing she'll need to say something if she doesn't want the silence to turn diamond, Zevran's head snaps up. "Coquette! Gods, what-- where-- how is she?"

[Isabela]

"She's fine," says Isabela softly. "She wanted some time alone to think. I think she was meditating last time I sent someone to check in on her."

[Zevran]

"I need to-- how long was I out?" he asks, sounding ashamed and alarmed in near equal measure. Gods, she must be in such-- And Cedric! What must he be thinking? I need to assure them I won't-- Won't what? Not be a fa-- be the child's-- I won't abandon Coquette, any of them. All of them. But what will I..?

[Isabela]

"Please don't faint again," she says quickly. "Maybe half an hour?" 

[Zevran]

"Not going-- not going to pass out again," Zevran says crossly, fumbling at the heap of blankets over him in an attempt to get free. "Can't. Need to-- Coquette."

[Isabela]

"Zevran. She's fine. Look out for yourself a minute? I'm worried about you." 

[Zevran]

"She's not--" Zevran forces himself to slow down, to look directly at her. "I promised to be there for her," he says carefully. "I need to keep that promise, for myself as much as her. I need to... To be someone who does."

[Isabela]

You've replaced me, she realizes, her heart sinking. She's the traumatized, raped young woman you're desperate to save now. I wonder how many others there've been for you? 

"Well, then, don't let me stop you," she says casually, her emotions fading into the numbness she prefers, a bland, cheery smile on her face. "Go on, shoo. Go comfort your wife."

[Zevran]

Zevran nods jerkily, planting his feet on the ground as he tries to find enough mental and emotional equilibrium to actually get up. He swallows repeatedly, then looks over at Isabela with wide, almost wild eyes. "Come with me?" he pleads. 

[Isabela]

Like hell. "Oh, you don't need me. I've got captain stuff I should get back to anyway."

[Zevran]

Zevran winces, shoulders drooping. "Of-- of course," he says weakly. "I'm sorry I... Thank for taking the time away to..." He gestures vaguely at himself, the bed and blankets, before finishing in a gentle, almost tender, whisper. "To stay by my side. It means a lot to me."

[Isabela]

"Of course," she says, her voice a tad too chipper. "Anytime you need me, I'll be there. Ta!" And then she is gone, out the door and down the hall, leaving the doors open in both his and Coquette's rooms.