The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Jassinth]

"Expected and that simplifies things," Jass says brightly. "Well. Unless one or more of those few are exceptionally talented or powerful?"

[Dan]

"I heard tell that one'un'em can summon demons that eat teeth," Dan offers, half eager to help and half hesitant to speak up. 

[GamesMaster]

"Ah yes, the summoners. There was a big upset over in Clan Tiger one year where they summoned something from the depths and only called it off when they paid up the debt they owed. Eels run the gambling halls, you see, and shogi gambling is a popular pasttime for many."

[Jassinth]

Running his tongue over the inside of his teeth, Jassinth shakes his head. "Summons could be a problem. Great for attrition tactics, something we're especially vulnerable to given our numbers." Or rather, the lack there of. 

[Kuronue "Kor" Higurashi]

"If they attack the house, all of House Higurashi will mobilize to defend our home," says Kuronue. "We don't have quite the numbers to match the Eels, but it's better odds than before."

[Jassinth]

I need to-- I can't stall anymore. It's been almost two years, I should have done it ages ago. "And if they're more subtle about it? 'Muggings' gone wrong, 'accidental' fires, blackmail and so forth?"

[Shiori]

"So we stay in the compound. We send my new servant out for food. We don't give them blackmail material."

[Jassinth]

Dan's eyes widen with alarm but before they can say anything, Jassinith is already shaking his head. "Better we send out a group, with sufficient escort, than a single servant. Why would they be safe?" he asks, giving Shiori a questioning look.

[Shiori]

Shiori blinks. "Why would they harass our servants? Most nobility doesn't care about their servants."

[Jassinth]

Jass makes a soft noise of scorn. "Even if you do not care if they are harmed, at least be concerned that anything they purchase could be tampered with." I'm going to have to spend a lot more time winning over the workers than I realized, if I want them to stay loyal. 

[Shiori]

Shiori bristles a little. "Make no mistake, I am not one to abuse those that work for me, it's just... there's no reason someone like the Eels would think I would care about my servants. So they ought to be safe enough. Still, you have a point. Hmm."

[Jassinth]

"Then I apologize," Jass says after a moment. "Your previous phrasing was... unclear. Regardless."

[Kuronue "Kor" Higurashi]

"We can remain at the compound for some time, however, so plans do not need to be decided immediately. Perhaps we can ask your sister's husband to supply some security?"

[Jassinth]

"That's... the Tigers?" Jass asks, still learning the details of... everything really.

[Kuronue "Kor" Higurashi]

"Yes. They stand to gain from our collapse, but only if the Eels do not steal everything we have first. So perhaps they can be convinced to defend against this threat."