The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Estelle Emerison]

"The parts that weren't included in the instructional for whatever reason? A wise question; or rather, series of questions, I suppose," Estelle agrees, nodding. I'll wait a bit before I get started. It can be hard to have a conversation during after all. "Hmm. Well, I suppose the first part that's simply assumed and thus not spelled out for you is that you'll need a gift for Grandmother; all important ceremonies that involve a change in status or roll include such so I doubt the wedding specific instructions included it. Nothing large or valuable, it's supposed to be a symbolic gesture. A personal token, a reference to a cherished memory between you, something to represent a goal or wish for the future you're being given-- that sort of thing. Anything too elaborate or valuable is considered garish or even offense, as it begins to look like a bribe or payment."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Coquette nods, minds already churning on what to get her. Ideally something she broguht with her rather than something that can be obtained locally, but what? They had brought so little with them.. "Go on."

[Estelle Emerison]

"Something handmade-- or, more commonly, 'hand-made' by a servant who you helped in some small fashion, as far too few nobles have any crafting skill-- is often well received. Not food," she adds with a thoughtful frown, then shakes her head to refocus. "There is..." Estelle tenses slightly here, though Coquette doesn't get the impression it's about her. Bad memory perhaps? "A non-zero chance that someone will challenge your right to this wedding-- more specifically, that it will bring you into the Famigila. You can respond yourself to this challenge, or you can have your second do so. Ah, verbally. It's a debate, not a duel."

[Coquette Blacquin]

Oh! I have embroidery I can give over as a gift. That' s hand-made and apparently rare. Thank goodness for the long trip here. "I see. That I believe I can handle."

[Estelle Emerison]

"I hope so. It can be... vicious. Personal." She clears her throat, sips her cider. "The ceremony itself has little in the way of surprises and those should all be in the instructional you were given. Hmm."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"What about... after?"

[Estelle Emerison]

"After..?" Estelle's brow furrows slightly as she tries to puzzle her way through Coquette's meaning.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I know in some places they... require proof of the consummation," she says, hesitantly. 

[Estelle Emerison]

"Proof of--" Estelle makes a face. "I see. Well, that is not the case here. It is true that we have far less rules prohibiting sex and nudity than most other surface cultures, we don't require exhibition as part of a wedding. It would be considered strange, certainly, even mildly, hmm, anti-social perhaps? If you were not at least somewhat affectionate with your new wife during and after the ceremony, true, but you needn't consummate anything at the feast." She smiles, though it has some edges to it. "Given whom you are marrying, I would suggest you prepare yourself for some degree of exposure."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"On Claudia's behalf?" 

[Estelle Emerison]

"She has a certain weakness for such things evidently," she replies with only marginally concealed bitterness.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Exhibition or-- oh. To torment her. I see."

[Estelle Emerison]

A hint of confusion emerges, then fades. "No, she-- A fondness. It excites her... potentially past her wisdom and self-control."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Exactly as I said. To torment her."

[Estelle Emerison]

The confusion returns, now with a bit of frustration. "I'm not following your implication."