The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Shisou]

Shiori reddens a little, clearly ashamed. "he was my stepfather's personal healer when he was an Eel. We... didn't have much choice but to trust him, and my stepfather only passed after I left."

[Jassinth]

Speeding up and circling smoothly in front of Shiori, the merikos drow manages to wrap his arms around her despite the various objects they're carrying. "Hey, this is not meant as an attack, bright one. I am simply trying to make the best use of my fresh eyes on an old and buried problem."

[Shisou]

"No, it's fine. There's much about my family that likely makes no sense to outsiders." Still, she rests her head on his shoulder, taking some comfort. 

[Jassinth]

"I suspect that is true for most families," Jass says with a soft laugh as he holds her. "Sometime I will have to tell you a few fungus stories."

[Shisou]

Their hug is interrupted by a screech from the common room. Shiori pulls free of Jass immediately, racing to find Tsuki grabbing a broom to swing at the large lizard on the floor. 

A familiar-looking lizard.

"Stop!" calls Shiori, racing to get between them. "Xe's with me!"

[Jassinth]

Bow still in hand even if lowered slightly, Jass glances askance at Shiori. "Xe is?" he mutters. Wait, when did he get a bow?

[Shisou]

"Xe's my... my pet."

"A fine thanks I get," grumbles the lizard, crawling up Shiori's back to perch on her shoulder. 

[Jassinth]

"Thanks for what?" Jass finds himself asking without thought.

[GamesMaster]

"Years of looking out for this kiddo, and here you all are trying to chase me away."

Tsuki looks at xir blankly. "Who the fuck are you?! A talking lizard?"

"Name's Carbonne."

[Jassinth]

Squinting at the 'talking lizard' a moment, Jass realizes, "you are a carbunacle, no?"

[Shisou]

"Inhabiting the body of one, yes." 

"Carbonne is my spirit guide," says Shiori firmly. "Xe's been protecting me since I was little."

[Jassinth]

From the little Sweet Lady Maeve felt comfortable sharing with me about your life, xe's not done a particularly good job all told. Still. "Well, we can use the extra help," he says frankly. "I don't suppose you know much of healing or toxins?"

[GamesMaster]

"Not my thing," confirms CArbonne. 

[Jassinth]

"What is your thing then?"

[GamesMaster]

"Magical training and some degree of combat instruction. Plus common sense checks for teenagers. They're not great at thinking things through."