The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Then let us be off," says Coquette in Drow Common. She knows the ritual phrases of High Drow enough to get through a formal introduction, a formal dinner, and a number of religious rituals; she'd found the information in a tome in Varisia's library, which she'd read just about everything in out of sheer boredom. That wouldn't be enough to speak it easily, not really a language, just a few memorized phrases. Drow Common, also known as Undercommon, would be the language their business would be conducted in. She was rusty, but she knew it well enough to pass; the flexibility of learning three languages as a child had served her well in her studies later in life. 

She walks slowly, with purpose and intent. She delays at the bottom to purchase a head scarf and tie it around Zevran's hair, one that matches her hair ribbons exactly. She's not in a hurry; if she hurries, she'll seem like she needs this and put herself at a disadvantage. So instead she takes her time, smelling the proverbial roses, as she makes her way to the fortress and inside. 

She orders the nearest servant to take her to the meeting room, in a high, imperious tone that leaves no doubt which of her alters is fronting at the moment. Then she strides into the room, not bothering to look around so much as hold her head high and be a subject to be gazed upon, seemingly taking no notice of whether Zevran follows her or not. 

[Claudia Emerison]

When she enters the room, the first thing she has to ignore is the hulking merikos teifling whose bright green scales clash jarringly yet not entirely unpleasantly with the deep, lustrous red and vibrant purple of Familia Emerison's colors on his tabard and leggings. The muddy yellow of his tongue, however, which darts out briefly to taste the air as she passes, is just weird looking. More subtle is the sylph hovering a few inches off the ground in the corner, his eyes closed but posture alert. The Silver in Coquette notes that his attention seems to shift sharply to Zevran the second he steps into the room, despite him taking pains to portray the part of the docile but well treated male.

As for the lady herself, she doesn't notice them entering in the slightest, her nose all but buried in a pile of parchments. It's hard to get a good look, but from what Coquette can see, they're architectural or engineering schematics of some kind mixed with dense blocks of prose. On the merikos gnome's shoulder, peering at Coquette with avid interest, rests an ant the size of Coquette's foot. Or something that looks ant-like anyway. After a moment of silence, Zevran clears his throat gently, then calls out, "I am honored to introduce my lady wife, Coquette Primfana nee Blacquin, most recently of Alessia." There's another beat of silence, one that is swiftly becoming awkward, when the insect proves it has at least basic intelligence by drumming its antae against the noble's cheek. 

"Hey!" She brushes at the feelers, scowling absently. "There's no way it's time for di--" She breaks off, a wince being swiftly buried by a mask of polite civility. "Ah yes, you've arrived. Your husband said you wished for an audience?" she says fairly smoothly.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I wish for an audience with an Emirison," she says, coolly looking Claudia over and clearly finding her... lacking. "Are you their authorised representative?" 

[Claudia Emerison]

That was... evidently not the right tactic to use. "I'm the one you're blessed enough to speak with, so I'd hope I'm authorized enough for what you're in need of from us," the lady replies, tone just shy of cold and biting.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I can see how the Surface Ones treat family, then, to send not even a blood relation." Her voice is chilly.

[Claudia Emerison]

"Family," she repeats flatly, narrowing her eyes at Coquette. Her eyes flick to Zevran, then back to Coquette. "Not a common claim, but one that's been made before. Not yet truthfully, but it's been made. I'll ignore your insult, for now; go ahead and make your case then."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I married, let's see..." Claudia... They tell me she's married to Estelle, so,  "Your wife's aunt. Varisia Primfana, as she is known in Alyssa. I've come seeking asylum, as is my right as the spouse of a blood relation to the Matriarch." 

[Claudia Emerison]

Widening eyes and a caught breath make it clear the name is a familiar one at least, though the tensing of the scaled guard is less welcome a reaction. "Varisia?" she repeats carefully, studying Coquette's expression very, very closely. "You are... sure about that name?" Strangely, she puts almost a hint of warning in her voice, a caution and not a threat either.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"My wife is named Varisia, for better or for ill." Her expression remains schooled, closed off.

[Claudia Emerison]

"Varisia was disowned nearly a decade ago," is the regretful response. "Exiled, disowned and her name stricken from the official Famigila histories." The merikos gnome bites her lip, just for a split second before she recovers her impassive expression. "My name is Claudia Emerison, wife to Estelle Emerisonn, granddaughter of Matriarch Feythal. Why for ill?" 

[Coquette Blacquin]

Something of Cindy slips through Noire's facade, something small and scared and vulnerable, if only for a moment. "I was seeking asylum from my wife. She will pursue me... but this is a place she will never again go, not even for me. I had hoped..."

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia's eyes soften and, for once, she doesn't pull her mask back over her. "I see," she replies quietly. "Well, I suspect you are correct about her never returning, as the punishment she would face for that is..." She winces a little. "Extreme." She takes a slow breath, studying Coquette with new eyes. "Talk to me about it. About yourself."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She spreads her hands, palms up. "I don't know what you want to hear. I was sold to Varisia as punishment for my sins. I've tried to be a good wife to her, to make her happy, but she's finally crossed the line. She sold my lover and one of our husbands into slavery, after torturing all three of us. Also, I'm pregnant. I have nowhere else to turn."

[Claudia Emerison]

"Sublimating shit," Claudia blurts out, eyes widening to fill her face. "Umm."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"So you understand, then, why I need to enter the compound. It's the one place in the Free Outlands I know will be safe for myself and my husband."