The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Coquette Blacquin]

By piercing my nipples, just as Varisia did. "I understand, grandmother. I will try to enjoy the evening." She curtseys, then backs away, heading back to her spot without turning her back on the matriarch. 

[Claudia Emerison]

There's a lull before anyone else seems willing to approach, as if people are waiting to be sure Feythal isn't going to summon Coquette back. Or smite her down.  Or order her flensed, knighted or covered in cake, it's hard to read drow nobles. Regardless of what they're waiting for, it gives Claudia time to lean in and whisper, "you alright? Umm. Sweetie?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

Noire gives a broad smile, murmuring, "I'll live." 

[Claudia Emerison]

Sweetie is a go, Claudia thinks with some relief. Pet names are hard. "Glad to hear it, but are you okay too?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Tell you later," she promises, giving a little laugh without any bitterness to it.

[Claudia Emerison]

Not looking entirely satisfied with that answer, the newlywed doesn't get much choice on the matter as another wedding guest approaches with their gift. This one isn't ribald or, as best as Noire can tell, a subtle knife to Claudia. Instead, it's, "a bottle of mosswine," Claudia says blandly, an attempt at cheer and gratitude shaded over the 'cheap ass' her comment would translate into outside of polite company.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Oh, thank you," she says, smiling broadly. "I understand it must have been a true hardship, bringing a gift to our nuptials, and so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving what little you have in order to celebrate with me."

[NPCs]

The giver's expression flashes stilted and hostile for a brief second before they recover, the distantly polite, faintly disapproving look in her eyes shifting to slighted offense. Claudia just barely manages to avert a mirthful snort, instead turning it into a strangely timed but surprisingly realistic sneeze. "Oh, it was no hardship, second wife. I simply wished to avoid overwhelming you with things above your comfort and understanding."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"You are so thoughtful," she gushes. "I can almost believe you've met a surfacer before! Of course, it's to be expected that you would misunderstand us, since we are so outside your normal duties. All is forgiven!" 

[Claudia Emerison]

The woman actually reddens slightly, an appalling breach of control for a female drow and she grits out, "so kind," in a single sneered word before whirling away. Leaning in, Claudia whispers carelessly, "she's newly appointed to the merchant pool. Promising student, but kinda meh results so far I've heard." 

The female's pace quickens just a hair.

[Coquette Blacquin]

The next few gifts are benign, the simple sort of thing you get for a wedding: a box of honeyed crickets and candied fruits, a collection of adventure stories Claudia seemed intrigued by, more wine. Slowly, Noire begins to relax, to let Cindy come forward more and enjoy the fine foods and conversation with Claudia. 

Then comes Bianthalla's gift: a cruel, barbed whip with a forked tail. She forces herself to smile and thank the woman, affirming it will go to good use and silently deciding to bury it in a drawer and forget about it. 

The next gift is one of the merchants again: a handsome male presents a neckalce with a glowing rune encased in resin inside it, enchanted "to prevent diseases, mistress."

"How... thoughtful," she says, as a titter of laughter goes around the room. "Put it with the others."

"And myself?"

"Pardon?"

"My deepest apologies," says the coal-black man, bowing low. "It seems I have misled you. I am also part of the gift. I am to serve at your pleasure, to ensure that you are satisfied sexually."

More murmurs; Cindy catches hints this time of what they're talking about: "--outside the marriage--" "--like last time--" "--prefers men--" "--surfacer ways--"

She reddens, feeling tears prick at her eyes, but she says nothing, holding her head high, fighting back the flashback. Trying to keep her cool, she waves for him to stand by the present pile so the next gift can be presented. 

[Claudia Emerison]

Claudia was actually quite interested in the collection of stories; either by chance or by well targeted selection, the book focuses on stories about scholarly adventurers, the type that are in the profession to discover and explore. Even better, a third or so of them are about alchemists. She barely noticed Bianthalla's gift, her attention only dragging part way from the book by Coquette's reaction after the fact. She's already fighting the urge to refocus back on the book- rude, Claudia, super rude. This party is for you. Well, and Coquette, duh. But I can't just wander off into a book, I have to-

That's a Periapt of Health. That's a serious magical item, why would... Or, wait, no, the gem isn't rare or large enough to hold that enchant properly. A lesser variation, targeting only non-magical or even just mild diseases. He didn't explain, which is oh shit we just got gifted a bonded servant. Coquette is not going to see the difference between that and a slave. Fuck, I sometimes don't see


.

...

..

....

..

Without a word, Claudia staggers to her feet, one hand already pouring a vial of something in her mouth. With even less warning than her rising, the imisy gnome dissolves into mist and flows away from the table faster than a seasoned courier can run. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

That only makes the gossip louder, more cruel -- why would Claudia run from a challenge if she wasn't guilty? Noire keeps a frozen smile on her face, trying desperately not to unravel, as the next gift is presented:

a gnome-sized chastity belt. 

Humiliated, Coquette breaks into tears, the salty liquid pouring faster and faster down her face. She refuses to run. She refuses to break down in sobs. But she is paralyzed, unable to stop the tears, unable to get full control over herself. Desperate, she looks around the hall for someone, anyone, to be friendly to her. But she only sees Estelle's back as the woman departs after her wife. 

[NPCs]

Just as yet another female drow is approaching Coquette with a gift-- and a sadistic gleam in her eyes-- there's a painfully loud crash across the room. Eyes snap to the sound, nearly everyone spotting the source in an instant; a male server lays on the ground, dozens of broken plates and glasses laying around him and a chair with a freshly cracked rung still tangled around his leg. He himself is silent, despite the pain on his face and the blood seeping from various nicks on his  bare arms and chest. Without a single order being needed, three more males rush out of a nearby servant's door and swiftly begin to set things right.

All this takes on a few seconds, no-more than fifteen at most. A few less for Noire however, as while she might not be Cedric, she's hardly inattentive to her surroundings and she doesn't fail to notice the richly if simply dressed female settle down next to her. "Here," she says quietly, a hand outstretched and holding a square of soft, pale pink cotton. "Paerle. Your new, ah, sister-electi, I think is the term? Welcome to the Famiglia ." She wrinkles her nose, a surprisingly cute expression for her. She's attractive, as nearly everyone in the Emerison Famiglia seems to be, but less sultry and more pretty. "I'm sorry for..." She trails off with a faint sigh.

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy takes the square, dabbing at her cheeks. "Thank you," she says quietly. "Will this go on much longer?"