The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Jassinth]

"Of course," Jass says with a faint groan. Glancing at Shiori, he comments, "you do realize that this means we need to get inside, right?"

[Shisou]

"Uh." She looks uncomfortable. "I had thought we could simply hold a ceremony on our own island?"

[Jassinth]

Jass shakes his head. "I had not realized that Weiha had a shrine like this," he says grimly. "Thon's first mortal made shrine? At least on the surface? One that has been tended and honored and given prominence like this one has? No, we must make our first greeting there, lest we insult Thon rather handily."

[Shisou]

"...could we do an underwater something?" asks Shiori, pitifully. There's just no way I can get to the emperor's personal shrine.

[Jassinth]

Jassinth's eyes wide with alarm. "Absolutely not! That's--" He pauses a moment, then explains in a calmer tone, "the ritual we need to do is something like sending a letter to request permission to come by for tea-- complete with guest gift. Doing it in a lesser shrine would be equivalent to... Doing it in the first shrine is hiring a runner to deliver it properly. Doing it from a public shrine would be like posting it in the town square and expecting Thon to notice it." His tone goes flat and he shudders as he finishes, "doing it underwater would be like putting the letter on Thons kitchen table."

[Shisou]

Shiori glances down at the lake depths, shivering. Well. I guess I'm not going swimming for a while. Just in case. 

"Right. Alright. So all I have to do is gain the notice of a powerful and ancient tulwath or his offspring and please them so well that they let me into their personal area of their home. That's. Not at all terrifying."

[Jassinth]

"Such is the weight of a god's favor," Jass says, voice as gentle as the meaning is harsh.

[GamesMaster]

"We're almost there," says Tsuki, after a long moment of quiet reverence. Soon enough, they dock, and Shiori and Tsuki wait for Jass to disembark before gesturing for him to give them each a hand getting off the boat. With good reason, too: Tsuki's long, layered robes are even longer on her shorter sister, and while the two look phenomenal, Tsuki in blues and purples and Shiori in pale peach and cream, it's difficult to get on and off the flat-bottomed boat. 

The trio are escorted into a large hall, and from there, through the well-decorated hallways full of fancy paintings and elegant scrolls, back to Seiya's private sitting room. Jass had thought that the Higurashi halls were well-decorated and full of riches, but he was mistaken; this place, the Okami household, is a hundred times more elegant and grand. Seiya's wall is decorated with a huge mural of flying cranes, and her rug is soft and lush under their bare feet. They are served fine green tea out of porcelain cups by a servant, something that Tsuki freely admits her branch of the family cannot afford. Then they are left to wait. 

But not for long. Seiya is the spitting image of her sister save for two changes: her brilliant red hair, and the large belly she sports showing her latest pregnancy. Shiori notes the changes in her as well, the more subtle ones: her kind, patient expression replaced by a haggard, exhausted demeanor. She hides it well, but Shiori knows her sister, and so does Tsuki. 

"You look like crap," says Tsuki after releasing her twin from a warm embrace. 

"Ever the impertinent one, I see," she says with a smile. 

[Jassinth]

I hate everything about this place. Jassinth sits stiffly at the over-carved table, not touching his bitter tea in the eggshell cup after the first place sip. He isn't impressed by the gaudy, artificial beauty so tastefully shown in the dozens, scores, of expensive artwork. His smile isn't caused by the graceful, deferential behavior of the well-trained servants. He'd begrudgingly admit that the incense in this room at least is rather nice, but the rug feels strange and alien under his feet. At least the second twin has a sense of humor as well, even if it does seem to be wilted by life. 

[GamesMaster]

The two women sit, and Seiya gestures to Shiori, giving a small bow. "Who is your friend, sister?"

"Ah." She pauses. "Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but she's our triplet. There was divine intervention involved, and--"

"Shisou?!" Seiya peers in at Shiori's face, then gasps, grabbing her and pulling her into a tight embrace. "By the gods, I prayed you were safe, but it's still so good to see you whole and healthy."

[Jassinth]

Jass slowly arches an eyebrow at the reaction. So we have the shy one, the passionate one, and the responsible one. Classic. She looks even more worn down than Tsuki. I might not have noticed past her bearing and makeup if not for seeing the alarmed concern on Shiori's face but it's very much there. And as much as I'd like to just fix it with an offer of some herbal tonics, I think it's a bit more complicated than that can fix.

[Shisou]

"It's, um. I go by Shiori now," says Shiori when she can breathe again. "It's good to see you too. And congratulations!" Seeing the way Seiya blanches, Shiori shoots a meaningful glance at Tsuki. 

[Jassinth]

"Condolences then?" Jass suggestions reflexively. 

[GamesMaster]

"It is what must be," she says, simply. The triplets settle themselves, Shiori taking a sip of her tea while Seiya asks, "But what of you? Any prospects?"

"Ah. Yes, quite. That is what I came to talk to you about: I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations."

[Jassinth]

Huffing a little, Jass catches Seiya's eye and bows the best he can do while seated without looking a fool. "I am Jassinth of the Oak, sworn to the Oak God's service as a Ranger of Sky. And now sworn as companion, advisor and bodyguard for Bright Shiori."