The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Shisou]

Shiori nods. "I don't anticipate problems with the babe, but it's good to be sure."

[Jassinth]

"Nor do I, given the circumstances," Jassinth agrees easily. "I'm more concerned with you. Ah, for you, that is. Specifically, your emotional and mental wellbeing. I only have a very small bit of knowledge on child birth and such from my field healing classes- may Feather Nola find herself forever squatting in poison sumac-- but I am aware in the abstract how confusing and even alarming the changes may become. Having a healer you trust available to reassure you would be... beneficial."

[Shisou]

"Changes?" she laughs. "I've been pregnant the whole time I've been a girl, minus a couple hours."

[GamesMaster]

"That's... kind of concerning, actually," says Tsuki, frowning. "So they just, what, created you knocked up or what?"

[Shisou]

"Ah, no, it was more... more hands-on than that."

[Jassinth]

"Is it a Toukami custom to ask for details of the sex life of one's siblings?" Jass asks curiously. 

[GamesMaster]

Tsukikage reddens. "I didn't-- I see. I'll leave you be, then. I'm just curious about this.. this miracle that you've discovered. Or whatever it was."

[Shisou]

"Did you have plans for dinner?" asks Shiori, grateful to be off the subject. "I wanted to see if mother will take one of my tonics but otherwise I don't have plans, I can help cook."

[Jassinth]

"The, ah, child and family friendly version is that Raplin-- minor deity of Oak and trees in general-- permanently and utterly changed Shiori's shell and then blessed her with a child. Which was done by Dau and Maeve, respectively, who are His direct offspring," Jass summarizes, his tone very purposely matter-of-fact. "So yes; minor, perhaps, but miracles indeed."

[GamesMaster]

Tsuki nods. "You two go see Mother. I'll..." I was going to have leftovers but I guess I'm cooking. "Do you eat eggs?" she asks Jass. 

[Jassinth]

"Anyway from raw to cake," is the cheerful reply. "In fact..." Twisting at the waist, he pulls a small pouch off his belt and offers it to Tsuki. "It's a Gatherer's Basket-- I know, it's a pouch, but the original versions were all baskets and the name has stuck around. You are familiar with Handy Haversacks, Bottomless Bags and so forth? Same idea but the enchant is vastly simplified by restricting it to only only holding plants or animal parts. I have no idea why that is so, but..." He grins broadly, waving his empty hand in a 'magic, what can you do, right?' sort of gesture. "I've some duck eggs, smoked venison, apples, butter, various seasonings. And mushrooms. So many mushrooms," he adds, sagging a little.

[GamesMaster]

Tsukikage nods. "I can pull together a stir fry and egg fried rice, then?"

[Shisou]

"That sounds excellent. No need to go to any great lengths on our account," she says with a grin. "Come on, Jass, it's time to meet my mother."


Shiori leads Jass through the house, to one of the back rooms, which is kept dim, a candle for light but the crystal lanterns dimmed to avoid bright lights. Shiori knocks but doesn't wait for a reply; instead, she pushes the door open, calling out cheerfully, "Mother! It's me, Shisou. I've come home."

The figure in the bed shifts a little, bundled up in blankets and not inclined to move, clearly. But she does speak: "What?"

[Jassinth]

Jassinth, not wanting to insert himself into the first part of a mother-child reunion, hangs back at the door. He instead focuses himself on looking around, trying to get to a feel for the woman by way of examining her room. Being the hunter he is, he does so with more care-- and using more senses-- than the typical adventurer; he listens, he takes slow, careful breathes through his nose, then his mouth, he lets his eyes dart around the room to see the focus points, then sweeps back in careful scan. Only then does he turn his attention towards the mother of his charge.

[Kuronue "Kor" Higurashi]

There seems to be an incongruence between the woman and her room. The walls hold swords, once well loved and now covered in dust; there is a small shrine in the corner that is well tended, but the clothes in the half-open closet are musty from disuse. The room smells like a sickroom, and there's dishes that indicate she's eaten in bed more than once recently. 

"It's me, mom. Shisou."

A hand reaches out from under the blankets, grabbing Shiori's wrist and drawing her close. There's a long sniff, then a grunt, as she releases her daughter. "What are you wearing? Don't let your stepfather--"

Grief hangs heavy in the air for a long moment, the blankets stilling. Then there's a sigh, and a settling in, and nothing more.