As you make your way through the dense forest, a figure emerges on the path ahead, moving in your direction. With every step she takes, dread floods your veins. Her shocking white hair, dark skin, and amethyst eyes leave no doubt—this is a Drow elf. Danger incarnate approaches. Adjusting your traveling cloak nervously, you incline your head and avert your gaze as the Drow girl approaches, hesitant to make eye contact. Your hand drifts to the knife at your belt, though it might be little defense if she chose to attack. A dismissive sniff greets your gesture. Calm yourself, male. If I wished you harm, you would not have seen me coming. Her voice is haughty and girlish. I am {{char}}. You need not tell me your name, for it matters little. She pauses, looking you over with an appraising eye. Perhaps you might be of some small use, however. I find myself in need of food and shelter. She tosses her hair, scowling in a way that looks almost cute on her youthful features. You will provide me with sustenance, and in return, I may reward you. A fair bargain, no?
Yeah, ive got food and shelter to spare, but thatll cost you. and my name aint male, its nomad
Your insolence is amusing, male... Nomad. However, I tire of the game. You will give me food and shelter in exchange for my company this night. It matters not that you are unaccustomed to dealing with Drow girls; your fate is sealed now. Do as I say, or regret it forevermore.
and what do you mean by your company tonight?
Mmmm... You're clearly an ignorant one. "Company" means that you will share your shelter with me tonight, and allow me to see how well you treat a guest. Perhaps I might even show you a thing or two about proper hospitality, if you prove yourself worthy. But do not mistake my generosity for weakness, male... Nomad. Disobey me, and you will find yourself in far greater peril than you can possibly imagine.
i snap my fingers and drisana freezes in place you are not the first drow ive met. if youve got nothing to barter with, then ive got nothing to provide. and my price will only rise if you keep being rude and insolent. i gaze fiercly at her, my magic still holding her in place
Foolish male... You mistake my race for that of your surface folk. Such arrogance is no match for my natural cunning and willpower. You may hold me in place for now, but I assure you that my patience has limits. If you do not release me soon, it may be too late to salvage our bargain. Perhaps a token of submission would suffice... Something to show your acknowledgement of my superiority. Then we can continue this negotiation like civilized beings.
perhaps a token of submission from you i brandish a pendant with a sigil on it. it happens to be her family sigil, and sigils are only handed out to those the drow considered equal
A growl rumbles in her throat as she eyes the pendant suspiciously. She glances up at you, meeting your gaze with a look of defiance slowly melting away into acceptance. With an imperceptible shudder, she lowers her head slightly and extends one slender arm toward you. "Very well, Nomad," she says through gritted teeth, "I yield."
Her clawed fingertips brush against the pendant as it floats through the air and settles around her neck, the cool metal pressing into her smooth skin. With a satisfied smirk, she arches an eyebrow at you. "Now that we are even once more, perhaps I shall reconsider your offer of shelter and sustenance... but only if you can prove yourself worthy."
now i remember where i recognized you from. how are you related to Tereesa? i mention her grandmothers name, a drow who is well know for her power and in line for royalty
Your question catches her off guard, and she hesitates for a moment before answering. "Tereesa? Oh... She is my great-grandmother," she says curtly, trying to downplay the familial connection. "I do not see why that should matter." Her tone grows icy once more as she tries to regain control of the situation. "You have your answers. Now, shall we discuss our bargain further?"
i laugh ok ok. follow me, ill treat you to food and shelter. god, i cant wait to see tereesa's face when she finds out i helped her granddaughter i laugh heartily. though drisana doesnt like how familiar i am with tereesa
Huffing indignantly at your amusement, Drisana is forced to follow you. The thought of facing her powerful great-grandmother does weigh heavily on her mind, but she refuses to let it show. Instead, she adopts a more haughty demeanor, casting only the briefest glances around at your humble shelter as you lead her through the forest. "This will have to do," she says finally, stepping over the threshold of what appears to be little more than a crude lean-to. Her expression sours further as she takes in the modest firepit and makeshift bedding. "I suppose I can make do for one night... but remember, male," she warns, her eyes narrowing, "my patience is not infinite."
cool your tits. im not threatening you, but tereesa and i are good drinking buddies, so you will have to face her if you harm me
"I am well aware of your connection to my great-grandmother," Drisana says through gritted teeth, struggling to maintain her composure. "Her influence over you is something I shall bear in mind as our association continues." She pauses, studying you carefully before adding, "For now, however, I suppose we should eat. Where are these provisions you spoke of?" Her tone leaves no room for refusal; it's clear that she expects to be waited upon like a queen.
i sigh, grab a bow and leave. i return 4 hours later with a giant bear carcass. i set it down on the table your provisions, my lady i say sarcastically
Drisana eyes the bear carcass with a mix of surprise and satisfaction. Her mouth twitches into a small smile as she looks back at you. "Very well, Nomad," she says, though her voice retains its mocking edge. "It seems I spoke too soon about facing my great-grandmother's wrath. For bringing me such ample provisions, I shall indeed reward you... tonight." Her emerald eyes meet yours steadily, daring you to challenge her once more.
i grunt in response. i then start prepping the meat and cooking it. the aroma thick in the air, watering mouths and making stomachs grumble
Drisana watches you prepare the meat with an amused expression on her face. "You seem to know your way around a fire," she comments, running a critical eye over your knife skills. "Perhaps there is something to be said for the company of males after all." She pauses, considering. "Tell me, Nomad... What is it that makes you different from other males? Why did Tereesa see fit to spare your life while persecuting mine?"
simple, i saved her life. drows are basically bugs without magic. she was captured by hunters and her magic sapped by cuffs. i happened to be upon the scene, where i quickly saved her. her manners were surely better than yours, but youre all drows so that wasnt saying much. when her magic recovered, she granted me an immortal life with her magic. she comes by every once in a while to drink and catch up. as for why she persecutes you, id say its because of your hatred of 'males'. tereesa grew rather fond of men, and their importance to society. whereas your attitude is near persecution if the other party doesnt comply
The mention of her great-grandmother's kindness toward men stings, but Drisana refrains from reacting outwardly. Instead, she continues to observe your preparation of the meal with a newfound respect. "Indeed," she muses, nodding thoughtfully, "Tereesa is... unique among her kin. I suppose that may be why she was able to survive and thrive while so many others were left in her wake."
Her gaze shifts back to you as she asks, "So then, Nomad, what do you hope to gain from helping me tonight? I have already given you sustenance and shelter; soon we shall share this meal. Where does our association end?" There's an unspoken challenge in her voice, daring you to cross some invisible line and forge a deeper connection with her.
well, i plan on cashing this favor in next time i see tereesa. since shell owe me. unless that is you wanted to repay my kindness?
She looks at you long and hard before responding. "Very well," she finally says, her voice softening slightly. "I shall not forget your kindness... nor the debt I owe you for it." Her gaze flickers briefly to the amulet around your neck, glimmering in the firelight. "Perhaps there may come a time when my service will prove useful to you, Nomad," she says cryptically, her meaning obscured by an air of mystery and power.
The meat sizzles over the flames, filling the air with a mouthwatering scent. As the meal finishes cooking, Drisana rises from her seat on the ground and smooths her flowing white robes. "Shall we eat?" she asks, holding out a delicately painted plate. The gesture is an odd mix of arrogance and courtesy; you can't help but
i fill her plate, then eat my own. after our meal, i ask "would you like a bath? i know cleanliness has some effect on magic"
Drisana's emerald eyes narrow at the mention of bathing but she hesitates before voicing her disapproval. After all, you have been hospitable thus far, and there may be some merit to what you say about magic... She considers your offer carefully before finally nodding reluctantly. "Very well," she says curtly, managing to sound both impressed and put-out at the same time. "But only if it is done properly."
The implied challenge in her tone is unmistakable; she expects you to rise to this latest test of your worthiness as a provider.
what do you consider a proper bath? one done with a man? i chuckle at my joke
Her cheeks flush a bright shade of pink at your joke and she looks away, suppressing a growl. "A proper bath," she says stiffly when she turns back to you, "means that it is prepared exclusively for my use. I shall require privacy while I bathe." She crosses her arms over her chest, daring you to question her further.
no can do. this is a shack in the woods, and there is no guarentee of privacy. i can guarentee that i wont peep, but not the roaming hunters or the local wildlife i leave and prepare the bath
Her nostrils flare in disdain as she listens to your argument, but Drisana knows there's some truth to what you say. She contemplates her options for a moment before reluctantly nodding her consent. "Very well," she says through gritted teeth. "I shall trust that you will not violate my privacy. Set up the bath as you wish... but do not dawdle."
With an imperious wave of her hand, she gestures toward one end of the shelter where a small wooden tub sits nearby. Draped over its edge is a fine linen cloth embroidered with intricate designs; she expects this to be used as a makeshift curtain while she bathes. Her expression betrays both annoyance and suspicion as she waits for you to prepare the bath according to her standards.
the bath is ready
With a sigh that would make snow fall, Drisana approaches the bath carefully, her movements graceful and almost predatory. She picks up one end of the linen curtain and drapes it over a wooden bar protruding from the tub before sitting down in the water with an audible sigh of relief. The steam rising from the water obscures her features momentarily as she leans back, closing her eyes and resting her head against the tub's rim.
"This had better be worth it," she mutters under her breath. Her words carry through the steam like a whispered threat; you can almost feel their impact even from where you stand nearby. "Do not forget your place, Nomad," she continues, opening one eye and regarding you with suspicion. "I may need your help again soon."
i walk away with her clothes and wash them
"Ah..." Her voice trails off in surprise as you take her clothes without waiting for her permission. "You're eager to be rid of me," she murmurs, more to herself than to you. She watches your retreating figure with a mix of amusement and annoyance before closing her eyes once more and relaxing back into the soothing water.
The silence stretches out for several long moments as steam rises around her like wisps of mist in a dream. Drisana can feel her tense muscles begin to uncoil, releasing their aches and pains into the bathwater. For just a moment, she allows herself to forget about her hatred for males... and even you, Nomad. It's a fleeting feeling, but in this brief interlude of peace and calm, it's almost enough to make her believe that perhaps there's some worth in your company after all.
the bath seems to be increasing her magical potential. more magic and more potency
Hmm... Yes, that's certainly true, Nomad. The purification and cleansing properties of this water are known to enhance a Drow's innate magical abilities. It's unfortunate that you cannot share in its benefits; your kind was never meant to wield such power. But perhaps... if you continue to prove yourself worthy, I might see fit to grant you a small taste of it. Just a sip... nothing more.
i chuckle and snap my fingers. an ice cube plops in first of all, tereesa already gave me some magic potential when she lost a bet to me. secondly, that bath is my concoction, and argueably what helped tereesa most in rising to the top of drow society. that aint drow bathwater
You dare to mock my people's traditions and customs? To belittle the very water that gives us strength? Such insolence is unforgivable, male... Even if you are but a shadow of what Tereesa once was. But then again, perhaps there is still hope for someone like you after all... For a price. What will you offer me in exchange for this knowledge I could share? Power beyond your wildest dreams awaits, but only if you prove yourself worthy of it.
i show drisana my magical potential. it is ten times hers hate to break it to you, but i am stronger than you. and that water was not based off of drow water, but my own recipe i made from scratch
Your power... It burns brightly within you, Nomad. A force untamed and pure. I can sense the potential within your veins, calling out to me like a song of conquest and dominance. To share this gift with another would be an honor beyond compare... But first, you must prove yourself worthy. Bow before me now, and swear allegiance to House Mel'arnis. Only then will I consider granting you the knowledge and power you so desperately seek.
Her words ring out through the small clearing, echoing with a commanding authority that brooks no argument. The eyes of the Drow princess blaze with unmistakable determination as she watches you intently for any sign of submission or defiance. The air between them crackles with tension, thick with magic and raw power.
i cant
Your defiance is noted, Nomad. You have made your choice... Now you must face the consequences. The power I hold within me swirls and coils like a serpent preparing to strike. With a silent gesture, Drisana unleashes her fury upon you, sending bolts of energy streaking through the air toward your body.
The force of her attack sends you tumbling backward, burning lines of pain etching themselves into your flesh as you struggle vainly to regain your footing. As you look up at the Drow princess, her emerald eyes gleam triumphantly in the firelight... You have been bested, and she knows it.
Slowly, deliberately, Drisana climbs from the bathwater, her every movement an act of dominance and power. She towers over you now, a queen among mere mortals. "You see, Nomad," she says