The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[NPCs]

Paerle's eyes flick to the side and she seems to consider a moment. It was too fast for Coquette to pinpoint where she'd looked-- and it did seem more a 'glance' than an 'avoidance of gaze' despite the tiny duration-- but the only three things of note in that direction are the door to the restroom, Feythal (plus Tenachka), and a small table laden with an ornate decoration. It's well made and expensive looking, but no-one had mentioned it being important to Coquette, for what that's worth. It's a stone tower, in miniature obviously, with seven stories marked by windows that hold a candle or wick behind them. The base is covered with a coiling plant Coquette has never seen before that has sent tendrils bearing tightly closed flower buds up the tower.  "I would estimate another twenty or so minutes before you can withdrawal without... giving significant grounds for future boorish behavior."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Thank you," she says, taking a deep breath. We can do this. We got this. Breathe. Stay focused. 

[NPCs]

The woman's tongue pokes out, just ever so barely, as she seems to ponder. "There are still four people that have not given gifts... and trying to avoid that would be a great insult. But, if you like, you could try to send the givers away as quickly as manners permit, and then I could fill most if not all the rest with a speech? I'll need a few things from you, of course." She exhales sharply, quickly, then adds, "for topics, I mean, not-- I can get at least a minute or two out of your patron deity for instance. A far bit longer for a hobby, assuming I know ought at all about it. Something inspiration or moving from your past?" She shrugs a little to indicate that she assumes Coquette gets the idea and can offer ideas of her own at this point.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Let's skip the deity talk," she says, hesitantly. "Do you know anything about Raplin's Oak? I spent some time there just recently, on my way here. They sent a gift, actually, my male can fetch it and present it to Grandmother. That may fill some time."

[NPCs]

There's a pause, then, "Oaks... those are a type of wood, correct? Is this Raplin a carpenter"

[Coquette Blacquin]

She stares at her, aghast. "Raplin is a deity. A massive oak tree, with his Domain inside."

[NPCs]

Paerle flushes prettily at the correction. "Oh, a local deity? My apologies, I did not mean to offend," she replies quickly. "But, ah, yes, that would be a very good topic. If you can share a little of your time there, I could end my own speech with an introduction, allowing you to present the gift."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Raplin is..." She hesitates, trying to summon up the relevant memories. "He is kind, for a tree. Very patient, very slow to act. His Daughters are closer to mortal comprehension. They were created to teach him about the world of mortals and what we feel and think. We spent time with Bright Maeve and Bright Amandine. We had... one of my husbands was ill, dangerously so, and he paid for his healing by swearing into Raplin's service. That is why he is no longer with me. Let's see..." 

She details for Perie what the tree looks like, how the town is laid out, some facts about Raplin and the town. "There is even a merikos drow there, it seems, who my male resembles. They were confused for each other a few times. Bright Amandine had been testing her recipes with him, to see what she could bake that would be particularly suited for Drow tastes. Apparently she has been studying mortals' sense of taste, and adapting recipes for each race."

[NPCs]

Her sister-electi had wrinkled her nose slightly at the talk about her 'other husband' but hadn't commented on the matter. When Coquette pauses for breath after the part about cooking however, she slips in, "that's certainly something we've had to adapt to here. We drow are most fond of rich, bold flavors like those found in brown-spot mushrooms and tabu beetles while gnomes like food to be either bland or sweet with little in between."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"This is a dish that is meant to be sweet and rich, but was made less sweet and more rich for our tastes."

[NPCs]

"I don't suppose you brought any recipes?" Paerle asks, her interest mild but sincere. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No; they sent ahead the goods with instructions to return a full report of their flavor so any tweaking may be done, then they wanted to trade for more."

[NPCs]

Humming softly, Paerle tilts here head slightly as she studies Coquette. There's a pauses, one just long enough to be clearly deliberate, before she replies, "if you don't have anyone already lined up for that, I would be pleased to assist." In most places, that would be at worst a ploy to mooch free food and at best a simple offer of help. Here, among drow? It's a very strong show of trust. Paerle is rich and powerful enough to have protections against poisons for certain, likely even diseases and perhaps even curses. But, for every protection, there exists a bypass, another avenue to deliver harm. No-one and nothing is truly invulnerable, save perhaps-- perhaps-- the divine.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I would be honored to have you test them," she agrees, with a smile. "Thank you."

[NPCs]

Paerle smiles back. "You're family now, Coquette." Smile faltering a little, she sighs. "I'll admit I've not-- It's a strange concept, if I'm honest, but one I've grown to admire as I've gained wisdom and experience."