The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[NPCs]

"Again, assuming the mistreatment wasn't to an illegal degree, then similar really. Except that any restitution would be directed to the servant, not the wife. Obviously, the redoing of courtship would be wife-wards, shall we say," she smiles faintly, "unless he wanted to revisit the previous question. In this case, the making up for damages would either be financial in nature-- a bonus, paid vacation or some expense taken on by the husband-- or, if it was such that continuing to work for them just wasn't feasible, he would be obliged to do what he could to see the servant hired elsewhere, plus any expenses incurred in doing so." Emmaline pauses here and admits, "mind you, these are the, ah, ideal reactions. There are those what would not bother themselves to this extent for a servant, particularly one with less valuable skills or few connections."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I take care of my property," she says a little stiffly. "I see. Thank you for answering my question."

[NPCs]

"Property?" Emmaline repeats, a confused look briefly in place. Then she stiffens, the confusion shifting to a frown. "I spoke of servants, Missus Coquette, not property. Slavery is illegal in the Enclave," she says stiffly, not seeming to even notice Tenachka's chuckle.

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Perhaps I used the wrong word in Drow," she says, mollified. "What do you call something that you are entrusted with the care of on a temporary basis? For certainly it is my obligation to ensure those in my employ are cared for."

[NPCs]

"The issue is with your use of words like property and something to describe people."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"My first languages is Elven. In Elven we don't make those distinctions, exactly. In Drow, a tree would be a thing, but in Elven, it would be a... the closest translation is living thing. And when we speak of ownership of living things, we speak of our responsibilities to them, not our ability to control them. It is a different culture. So please forgive any offense I may have given."

[NPCs]

Emmaline pauses, eyes flicking to Tenachka, who pouts prettily but gives a sort of acknowledging shrug. "I see. Then I offer my own apologies for my overreaction."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Of course. It is no matter. Merely a misunderstanding. Let me rephrase: please tell me the word most like the elven concept of... responsibility-to-social-inferior? I think that might be the translation? A person or thing that is living and that I owe protection and care."

[NPCs]

"Hmm." Emmaline ponders a moment, then offers, "I think patron and vassal, in gnomish, is the closest; though that has something of a, ah, mercantile connotation to it?"

"Subordinate, in drow," Tenachka suggests idly, seemingly more interested in the texture of her goblet's rim than the conversation. "More focus on the obligations and duties owed the boss, of course, but that's only proper."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Vassel, then. I take care of my vassals." 

[NPCs]

"I'm pleased to hear that," Emmaline replies after a moment, though there's a faint note of confusion present as well. Why did she get so defensive about this in the first place? Strange woman...

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Perhaps another topic? I am interested to hear etiquette for formal dinners, to see if it matches my understanding."

[NPCs]

"I assume you're more interested in drow etiquette for that topic," Emmaline guesses, gesturing at Tenchka.

Smiling, the female in question leans forward a bit. "I'd be delighted to instruct you properly, Missus Coquette. Now, let's start with dress and fashion, shall we?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

Emmaline has to leave a few hours later, though Coquette is in the middle of a discussion about teatime treats and stays for a bit. "And then, you use the buttercream to ice the two layers of cricuit-meal biscuit, to seal the whole thing together. It's really quite divine."

[NPCs]

"I do so adore cream," Tenchka says with wide eyed innocence that doesn't make the hungry slant of her smile. "Particularly when eaten out of small, mmmh, delights."