The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Shisou]

"Y-y-y-es," he says quietly. "Th-they d-d-d-don't.... Out-t-t-s-s-siders d-d-d-don't a-a-a-lways under-st-st-stand m-m-m-m-mort-tal f-f-f-ailings a-a--and... w-w-w-with wh-what h-h-hap-p-pened.... I d-d-d-don't f-f-f-f-feel s-s-s-safe."

[Zevran]

Ah. So both and neither. "Absolutely." He leans in to kiss Shisou's cheek, uncaring of the rough texture. "I am pleased and honored to keep you safe."

[Shisou]

Shisou nods, reaching for Zevran's hand. "Th-then.... I th-th-ink w-w-w-w-e h-h-h-h-ave a d-d--ddeal: m-m-my n-n-new b-b-b-body in ex-change f-f-f-for ret-t-t-turning to t-t-t-touka-mi, g-g-gg-iving b-b-b-irth to R-r-r-aplin's g-g-g-grand-c-c-child, a-a--and... bringing H-h-h-his S-s-s-se-e-e-ed w-w-w-with m-m-me t-t-t-to p-p-plant? I a-a-s-s-sume? at t-the f-f-f-family s-s-shrine t-t-t-to m-my n-n-new b-b-b-ranch f-f-f-family f-f-f-or w-w-w-orship."

[NPCs]

Dau bobs his head, then shakes it. "Worship is secondary; the needs of the Seedling will be care and devotion. It will need that which an oak seedling needs, but also shall it require that you care for it." A pause. "Care about it. Treat it well, honor it, cherish it. Tend to it beyond its needs. The care and... worship of others not of you is," he searches for the right way to explain, finally settling on, "appreciated and positive, but insignificant in comparison to the actions and intents of you and yours. The Seedling will not be a god after all, merely divine."

[Shisou]

"W-w-w-orsh-ship w-w-w-would b-b-b-be of R-r-r-aplin. Th-through R-r-raplin. D-d-do y-y-yyou kn-know h-h-h-h-how T-t-t-touk-ka-a-amians w-w-w-orsh-ship?"

[NPCs]

"By praying? And offerings and bribes?" Dau asks hesitantly.

[Shisou]

"Y-y-y-y-es, b-b-b-but.... M-m-y f-f-f-full n-n-n-ame is," begins Shisou, then hesitates, blushing a little. "W-w-w-as? Higurashi Shisou, son of Higurashi Kuronue, daughter of Higurashi Yasha, son of Higurashi Taisho, son of Daimyo Higurashi, blessed by Ancestor Vojopotencokuŝasenvenĝoprenitapostmalfelicxo, who intercedes with Dark VojoPotenco to intercede with Dark Zanon. M-m-y c-h-child w-w-w-will b-b-b-e so-and-so, b-b--blessed b-b-by A-ancestor Maeve, or m-m-maeve's f-f--full n-n-name? who inter-c-c-edes w-w-with Raplin, who inter-c-e-edes with Bright Uryll. S-s-s-o I w-w-w-ould p-p-p-ray t-t-t-o h-h-her t-t-to inter-c-e-e-de wi-with her f-f-father to inter-c-e-e-ede w-w-with h-h-his M-maker. R-r-root?"

[NPCs]

"His Maker or Creator are the terms found to be most accurate for mortals," Dua supplies absently. "What would the nature of these interventions be? To what ends? How often? And to what expectation?"

[Shisou]

"Ab-b-b-bout t-t-the s-s-ss-ame as a-a-a-any, I w-w-w-would t-th-think. D-d-d-daily g-g-grra-a-a-tit-t-tude or w-w-w-eekly f-f-f-family r-r--ritu-als aa--a-re c-c-c-comm-mon. P-p-pper-i-od-d-d-dic r-r-r-eq-q--quests f-f-f-for a-aa-id. F-f-f-family g-g-g-lory, a-a--aid in t-t-t-tasks, d-d-d-es-s-sire f-f-f-for r-r--riches or g-g-g-glory..." Shisou shrugs. "Wh-what d-d--do y--y-your m-m-m-m-ort-t-tals u-u-susually p-p-p-ray f-f-for?"

[NPCs]

"Most prayers revolve around food or breeding. Sometimes good weather for hunting or travel. Healing. Balance of heart and soul."

[Shisou]

Shisou nods. "Y-yy-es-, a l-l-l-l-ot of th-th-that s-s-stufff. Ah. D-d-d-does R-r-r-r-aplin h-h-h-h-ave a ph-ph-philo-s-s-soph-phy?"

[NPCs]

"Yes."

"Dau..."

The tree-born being manages to shift awkwardly. "..."

"Wait." Zevran stares over his shoulder. "Do you... not..."

"I will have a druid bring the full words later," Dau says firmly. "In short, Father is the Oak. Alive, patient, stalwart and growing. He supports all of nature, including mortals, because no tree alone can be a forrest, but His heart is wood and sap."

[Shisou]

Shisou stares a moment, then shakes his head. "I think I m-m-m-eant l-l-l-like.... f-f-f-for mo-mortals. N-n-not.... p-p-p-p-erson-allly."

[NPCs]

Now looking even more adrift and awkward, Dau asks tentatively, "are those... not the same thing?"

[Shisou]

Shisou blinks. "F-f-f-fforg-g-g-give m-m-m-kme, I m-m-m-must m-m-m-misunders-tst-stand. R-r-r-raplin w-w-w-wnats m-m-m-mort-t-tals t-t-to... b-b-b-bec-c-c-come t-t-t--trees?"