Oh, thine silver tongue..

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

The little boy Lucian inhaled a sharp breath, trying to calm his nerves and the jittery feeling in his tummy. His cerulean eyes stared out into the busy street, angled downward so that his gaze didn't meet a single soul directly. Fear and natural submission begged for him to wait, to listen to the call that would soon come behind him--the whisperings of sweet words from his newest master, the woman that saved him from the would-be wizard slaver. And, seemingly out of no where, the call came, delivered in the common tongue and lilted in darkness of accent.

"Go now, my child."

The child willed his limbs forward, legs pumping with reckless abandon until he stopped in the middle of the busy street and right in front of a female and her cohorts. Lucian made eye contact with her, and even went as far as spitting on the ground in front of her -- no doubt a directive from Selenthis -- before running off toward the alleyway.

"Stop that insect!" came the screams behind him, heart thundering too loudly to hear the quickness of feet following in his wake. Lucian ducked around the last corner and ran down to the end of the alleyway, pressing his back against the wall and sliding down to his rear on the ground.

He hid his face until it was all over...

---

Aided by unnatural sight through the eyes of the little boy, Sarayn smiled a truly sick thing as the target female appeared in the street along with her protectors. Six of them came toward the boy, the setup similar to her own roving band of miscreants--the leading female a particularly arrogant and terrible daughter of House Tuin'Tarl, Eighth House of Menzoberranzan. Sarayn remembered her well during her lessons at Arach-Tinilith, the school for fledgling priestesses of Lloth, and had been a classmate for several years. Felyn'ra had always been arrogant to the point of blinding fault and, that she appeared during the hunt, was simply more than just fair luck, but an approval from the goddess she long ago abandoned--Lloth.. the Spider Queen and lover of chaos.. Sarayn smirked at the irony and coincidence.

"Go now, my child." the leading drowess issued to her newest addition to the family, smiling coldly as the little boy Lucian ran to the main street, met his eyes directly with Felyn'ra and... . spat at her?

Sarayn turned a cold glare to the hidden Selenthis and whispered, "Did you tell him to do that?" And his wicked grin was all the answer she needed. The labored breath of the boy alerted her that the child and his predators were near. Lucian thundered past the small entrance to the alleyway and huddled against the wall, cowering and closing his eyes. And he didn't see his new mistress standing right beside him. She was invisible as were the rest of her companions.

Felyn'ra and her cohorts blindly entered the trap without even thinking of the terrible consequences and it was the leading female, the old classmate from Arach-Tinilith, that stepped forward toward the boy. "You disgusting thing.. do you realize the sin you have committed?!" she screamed in common.

"And do you realize the trap you have just stepped into?" Sarayn mused darkly, appearing in front of the boy with the coldest of grins.

Felyn'ra flinched visibly and stared at her dumb-founded, voice cracking with a few words before steeling ultimately, "Sarayn..? I thought--I thought you had died with your pathetic house a long time ago."

And that was when it started--the sounds of screaming.. surprise, anger.. and then fear. During the brief distraction of boy and drowess, Alya, the companion cleric, sealed the small entrance to the alleyway while the rest of them exploded into action just as the brief conversation ended. Selenthis appeared to the side of one unfortunate male, and delivered a forward jab with the length of a particularly wicked-edged blade, one that had been newly-sharpened, and slipped it into the warrior's throat. He was dead nearly a second later. The rest of Felyn'ra's cohorts fell to similar fates at the hands of Sarayn's companions; one by one, quickly and surely.

All the while, Sarayn watched, standing in front of Lucian with a protective hand extended in front of him as if to ward off the terrible sounds and sights he might witness, and kept her attentions on her brother, truly appreciating his magnificence. Her breath quickened, the deep sin of hunting her own people unfolding before her like a dark butterfly--and all of it was happening now in front of her and so perfectly.

Her devious thoughts were interrupted by the soothing and sentient voice of her collar, the newest version granted to her due to good behavior. "I cannot allow this terrible deed to go unpunished.."

Sarayn chuckled, and argued, "What terrible deed? My companions are ridding the world of another tyrannical leader in a world forgotten and dark. I am not helping in the killing, either. You cannot rightfully argue that these entities are innocent nor weak."

"Ah, but you used the child in your ploy, did you not?"

"The child was offered a suggestion and he agreed, and choose, to follow it. The hunt was not my idea, nor did I instruct the child to do any bidding." she returned, keeping her eyes on the slaughter.

".. the hunt was not your idea..?" and if metallic adornments could smile, this one surely did.

Sarayn grinned coldly, perhaps having purposefully told a lie, and braced herself for the shock that would come. The surge burst through the entirety of her body and caused her to gasp in pain, and then in something more sinister as the coupling of watching her brother kill and the punishment of her lie came to fruition. "You are making this far more pleasurable than it has to be.." she whispered through a strangled, breathless exhale. And as the slaughter ended, so did the darkly sinful sensation, but not before having heightened to considerable levels and blossoming to its peak. And it took her several moments to compose herself, to witness the result of her evil doing, and to turn her head and regard the frightened boy behind her flowing skirts.

"My darling, it is over. You can open your eyes." she whispered to the boy, kneeling down to scoop him up in delicate arms. But he didn't listen, or regard her in turn, for he was imprisoned in a catatonic state of shock. It had all been too much for him.

Sarayn regarded her companions and the slaughter for a second more before whispering, "Come. Let us return to Neldam."

And, with a portal opened soon after, all seven entities disappeared moments afterward and the magical enclosure to the alleyway fell away to reveal the slaughter left behind.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

After the slaughter, Sarayn sat on the extravagant couch and held the boy Lucian in her arms, hugging him desperately while the others, including Neldam, looked on with mixed expressions of amusement and disgust. And it was only Selenthis that seemed concerned, though only because his sister felt pain--a sensation he could rightfully feel too due to magical ring the both of them wore on the ring finger of their right hands.

"Lucian.. my poor little darling." she whispered to his blank face, peering into eyes that showed nothing. "I am so sorry.. please forgive me." The light of her blue eyes fell to the shadows then, her voice pained when she said..

"Take his memories. All of them. But you must leave the basics. He cannot remember his true parents, this.. any of this. He must start anew."

From the shadows stepped a creature born of nightmares, with skin covered in mucus and four tentacles extending from a mouth-like opening. The dreaded illithid, or mind flayer, extended a gutteral sound that caused all drow entities to shudder.

Sarayn turned her eyes to the shocked boy, and whispered, "This is for your own good, my darling." Dark fingers manipulated the bracer at her wrist, withdrawing from it a small dart laced in sleeping poison. With a kiss to the boy's forehead, she held him close and pricked his skin at the neck. And, within seconds, he fell into a peaceful slumber.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

'We are being hunted..' the deep resonance of a familiar voice rang true in her mind as she strode down the busy street of her birth-city. Sarayn didn't need to turn to regard her brother, nor move her lips in order to respond to him--so was the gift of the rings they both wore and shared.

'Let them come..'

The pair expected them to come, and near counted on it, as revenge was so prevalent in their society. The symbol of their identity had been left at the scene of the slaughter and the current matron of House Tuin'Tarl was playing along as was planned. Sister and brother began talking to themselves about the current rumors floating about the city as they rounded a corner and disappeared behind a building, which encouraged the hunters to show themselves and quickly fire crossbow bolts of sleeping poison toward their locale.

Playing the part, Sarayn screamed to her brother as she descended to the cold stone of the off street, having been hit in the side of her neck by one of the projectiles. "Run!"

Selenthis turned to flee, and was downed easily by the same fate--a bolt protruding from his chest.

And their world was naught but darkness...

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

"Ah, my lovely visitor awakens.." came the cold intonation of a voice just a few feet away.

Lashes fluttered open to reveal blue oceans, slightly red from the lingering effects of the poison. Before her stood a slight wisp of a thing, her strong angular features black as her own and hair bone white, and the rest of her form adorned richly like that of a matron. Sarayn attempted to move but couldn't and found that she was dangling, with arms bound above her head in metal shackles and with long legs free, toes touching the coldness of the stone below her. The room was a simple thing and was scarcely furnished, used for torture of enemies and lovers all the same.

Sarayn offered the slight beginnings of a smile, whispering, "Matron Qil'raena. I trust you are well.. far more than you can say about your eldest, no?"

Qil'raena narrowed her gaze and slapped Sarayn across the face, her own visage heated with budding anger. The death of the eldest daughter had hit House Tuin'Tarl hard, as it would have any other. With trained successor gone, the Matron had no choice but to live on and avoid assassination, or face the destruction of all she had worked for in time of weakness.

"You will receive your punishment for your sins, Sarayn Kenafin. You -and- your brother.. We have already well started on him and have discovered he -enjoys- being whipped. You have him well-trained."

For the fraction of a second, both shared a dark chuckle, betraying the sick sense of humor all females held regardless of alignment or alliance.

"Ah, but it is too bad that you and I have to be enemies. We have so much in common.." Qil'raena cooed, nearing to brush dark fingers against the other's tender cheek. "But now. I have to kill you."

"I wonder if your eldest would have ridden on the coattails of the other houses' success like you have for all these years, Qil'raena. I suppose we will never find out now, will we?"

The matron paused and then chuckled, holding back the urge to slap her again, and cooed, "Ah, but we have survived, have we not? And that is far more than you can say for your house, hm?"

"I was the destruction of -my- house. As I will be for yours." Sarayn smiled coldly, and calmly.

"I think not." Qil'raena responded while slender fingers moved to produce the five-headed snake whip at her hip. It writhed and hissed in anticipation. The matron raised the cruel weapon above her head and then brought it downward on top of her helpless victim, cackling all the while. Sarayn turned her face away and fully expected to feel fangs biting deep into her flesh, but nothing came. Turning to regard her, Sarayn saw the disbelief that ran a muck on Qil'raena's face and the hissing snake whip that had veered their heads away from her as if they had hit an invisible wall.

The matron gasped, "You.. are blessed by Lloth."

"Perhaps your bitch of a goddess approves of your destruction."

Qil'raena moved her lips to respond, but nothing came out even though her lungs continued to draw in breath. Within the few seconds it took for Sarayn to wrap her legs around the other's neck, it donned on the matron that her world had been quieted by use of magical silence, preventing spells and screams from reaching allies. Pressure.. lack of breath, then nothingness.

But still alive, Sarayn mused to herself while tiny toes riffled through the clothing of the unconscious matron. Ah ha. With a chuckle, and by the use of flexibility, the drowess soon had the cool metal of a key in delicate fingers, dark digits that unlocked her shackles and freed her without a single thread of harm on her body--except for the tenderness of silken cheek.

"I will come back for you.." Sarayn whispered to the motionless form below her and left the room quickly and quietly.

And it hadn't taken the sister long to find her brother; he had been admitted to a cell a few rooms down and the sudden commotion and the scream from a female alerted Sarayn that he too had released himself from his bonds. With a sense of quickness inspired by concern, the drowess thundered past the door and into the room to witness a bloodied Selenthis moving swiftly toward a smaller female, and with a dagger raised for her throat. The other drowess laid at his feet quite dead, her throat a jagged line of gushing blood.

"No! Leave them a successor.." Sarayn shouted suddenly, remaining steadfast at the door.

The smaller female hadn't even turned to glance the new entrant's way, far too busy cowering before the obviously more dominant male hovering over her with deadly dagger in hand.

Selenthis turned to regard his sister, and nodded before stepping away and -- to the surprise of the both of them -- the smaller female fell to her knees and gasped at his leg, "Please.. you cannot leave me behind. I am far too young to lead my house to victory.."

Sarayn tilted her head and regarded the other drowess more fully now, marking her quite young age of only thirty dark and seasonless years. And it was as if they were leaving the responsibility of leading a house to an infant--one that could kill and lie. "Let us go.." she said to her brother, ducking out of the door.

Selenthis took this time to peel her fingers from him and toss them harshly aside, cooing darkly, "Worry not, dear Prid'eesoth. I will always be near.. for you have yet to receive your punishment for whipping me." He winked and followed after his sister with a hurried step.

Beyond the door, Sarayn moved to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder and whispered, as if to begin a spell.

"We have no time for that.. the House stirs." Selenthis murmured, ignoring the blood that seemed to drip from the many whip lashes across his dark back.

"Let us return to Myrken Wood.." Sarayn tugged at his arm, near begginng for him to follow.

"Not yet. We have one loose end to tie up." He responded quickly, tearing off for the room in which she had been held. Moments later, he peeked his head out and grinned, "-Now- she is the successor," having no doubt murdered the unfortunate, and late, Qil'raena while she slept.

With her hand soon in his, the pair disappeared into the darkness--to Myrken Wood with Lucian in tow at with assumed enemies at their heels.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

"Mommy? Why are you crying?" The little boy Lucian asked as Sarayn slipped quietly within her small room in the Chapter House, coming close to hug her leg.

Sarayn wiped a small tear from her dark cheek and gathered the child in her arms, smiling weakly into his face, "You and I need to find another place to live, my darling. We are no longer welcome here."

"Why not..?" he asked her quietly, twisting a silver thread of hair around his finger.

"Perhaps I will tell you when you are older. But for now, let us pack our things. Okay? Will you do that for me?" And she hugged him tightly to her chest.

"Okay." and, once released, the pair went about their way and packed their things, to soon exit the Chapter House and leave another room vacant.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

Hours later...

Home. The feeling of safety, to be respected, and loved, and to provide all of this for another, for one deserving. Sarayn looked down at her boy with an encouraging smile and held his hand tightly, the glacial wind of the night whipping against them with terrible ferocity, and she near giggled as his frozen face attempted at a boyish grin in return.

"Close your eyes, my love. We are almost home."

And with that, they seemingly melded with the stone of the mountain, to become one with it even for a short bit, before walking through on the other side. Lucian peeked open his eyes and then widened them with an excited and truly child-like, "Wow." before turning his cerulean eyes to his mother. "Are we home?"

The drowess grinned and ruffled his short, blond hair, "Yes, this is home. Much better than that stuffy old Chapter House, no?"

And the little boy Lucian nodded his head excitedly and proceeded to look around. The main room, as was the entire dwelling, was carved from stone, and inside, adorned richly with trinkets and extravagant furniture. It was warm, the lighting inviting, though a little dark; inconvenient for human eyes, but perfect for those so used to dwelling in darkness. Far larger than their single room in the Chapter House, this home provided many a corridor for boyhood adventures and a ton of things with which to get into trouble.

"Finally, you return to where you belong. With me." came the familiar voice from the darkness, the silhouette taking shape into the form of the swaggering Selenthis, his handsome face marked with a smug grin.

Sarayn exhaled lightly -- was it in budding anger? -- and turned a pleasant face to Lucian, extending a finger to one of the corridors, "Why don't you go explore. There are a ton of things you should see. And trust me when I say you will be safe here." And without another word of coaching from his mother, Lucian sped down the hall with a monumental torrent of giggling, touching this and that and soon disappearing from sight.

Selenthis watched the little boy go on his merry way before turning his usually cold grey eyes to his sister, the depths of which had warmed considerably since her arrival. He could feel her loss, her unsurmountable pain, but didn't move an inch. His expression told her enough.

Sarayn stared at him near dumb-founded, and her lower lip began to quiver, the clear reflections of her eyes tearing up regardless of how desperately she tried to hide it. For once in her life, Sarayn Dala'vaesa was at a loss--the distinct moment of confusion, anger and hurt washing away any semblance of thought. And then...

The woman completely crumbled to her knees and wept, burying her face in her hands, slender shoulders bobbing with each and every inflection of sorrow. The pain of it all, the loss of something that could have been, the burning anger of honor not defended--it was all simply too much at one time. And even the strongest can sometimes find moments of weakness.

Without a word, Selenthis came close and sat on the cold stone next to her, gathering the slender woman in his arms and rocking her gently as she cried, thin fingers running through silver strands.

And it was there they stayed for very long moments, while the giggling of a happy little boy consumed the halls.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

"How do I say this.. without laughing." Riznar began, pressing a forefinger against his temple. He had entered the room fairly unannounced, his arrogance staggering, and leaned his slender frame against the opened door.

Both brother and sister looked up at him; Sarayn ruffling the hair of her little boy Lucian while he slept, cradled against her side on the bed. Selenthis had been sharpening a cruel-edged blade in a chair next to them, stopping only to regard the wizard with an expression mirrored between annoyance and interest.

"What appears to be a sniveling newly-appointed matron.." and the wizard paused to stifle snickering, ".. is asking for you, Selenthis. In the scrying bowl."

"Prid'eesoth?" Sarayn inquired, gracing her brother with the touch of light blue eyes.

In response, he only shrugged, returning to his work with the blade, while commenting carelessly, "I have not contacted her regarding her punishment nor for any other reason since we left."

Sarayn returned her gaze to Riznar, arching the pale wisp of a brow, "What does she want?"

"It is far too humorous to repeat here, my fine friends. Selenthis, it is best you come. Now."

The dark elven male in question narrowed his eyes dangerously, to which the wizard only grinned and left, before muttering, "Remind me to cut out his heart when we find him useless, dear sister."

And to that, Sarayn only chuckled, hugging the sleeping human boy close to her as her brother, ill-spirited as ever, left the room.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

Dark thoughts hung over his strong shoulders as he followed Riznar--thoughts of both how to mercilessly torture the flippant wizard, and the punishments owed to the new matron of House Tuin'Tarl. Clearing the threshold to the small room also erased all remnants of terrible scenes that played in his mind, and as he neared the scrying bowl, he near felt ill to his stomach, the hatred in dealing with all females of his society bringing his insides to a boil. His cold grey eyes peered into the watery depths as his expression remained stoic, even as the dark and beautiful face smiled widely and near squeaked with surprise and sickening glee.

He crossed his arms over his chest and exhaled his words in a breath lost on patience, "And to what do I owe the unfortunate distinction of your calling?"

"Ah, my dark tormentor. I am glad you have come.." she began, "It has been long since--"

Selenthis rolled his eyes. "Quick and to the point, Prid'eesoth. My time is precious."

The matron shrunk back a bit, and she appeared far more timid than any other female he had met--a personality disposition that would be cherished, had it been true. But Selenthis knew she was using the appearance of submission to receive the results she wanted, dark desires yet to be voiced. After a moment of silence, she stammered, her voice painted in shame. "I--I thought in many, many years I would be matron, after the deaths of my sisters' attempts. I never even dreamed, nor did I ever prepare. There have been whispers, mutterings of House Tuin'Tarl's impending doom. They do not think I can lead--and they are right! I--I don't know what--"

Her sniveling disgusted him. "To the point, Prid'eesoth!--"

"--become my patron and weapons master! Help me lead this house to glory! Your sister--she is blessed of Lloth. I had a dream and in it, the handmaiden of Lloth confirmed it! Your sister--she cannot even be hurt by our blessed whips, just as my mother had discovered before her death!"

Both drow males in the room burst into dark laughter at her pleaded request, causing the matron in the scrying bowl to frown deeply. The resonant sound of their boisterous laughter continued for what seemed like several minutes, and it was Riznar that was able to speak first.

"Did I not tell you how utterly ridiculous this was..?" the wizard muttered through a sputtering of laughter.

Selenthis wiped a mirth-inspired tear from an eye before somewhat composing himself, ".. you expect me to be grateful for your offer? To agree? To re-enlist myself into an unnecessary slavery?" And he began to laugh again.

'I do not think her offer is entirely out of the question..' came the voice inside his head, the naturally sensual intonation belonging to his sister.

"I--" Prid'eesoth began and Selenthis silenced her with an upraised finger.

'Entirely out of the question?' came his mental response, '.. you would have me at the whim of another matron?'

'If it benefited us..' Sarayn mused.

'What of my freedom? My own will? You realize you would be throwing me back into the slavery of our soceity..' he returned angrily.

'You do not own either. You forget your place. And I do not desire to remind you, dear brother.' the dominant female returned coolly.

He remained silent, but burned with anger and Sarayn could feel it easily. She continued still to funnel soothing words into his mind, 'I would not place you in a situation that would render you harmed. Ever. And you know that. I am not entirely sure that it would be slavery that you would be facing. She is timid, weak, that much is true. Her House doubts her ability to lead. When faced with extinction of all that we worked for, our people adapt very well, even if it means going against normal means. She may be very well revered as matron, if not only to hide embarrassment, but it is the people -behind- her that truly rule. Is that not true? I will allow you to make the decision for yourself. But ask yourself this, my dearest brother, how long do you truly believe we can stay here in Myrken Wood? Do you truly think we can be accepted? Thus, I ask of you -- no, implore -- that you choose wisely. Secure us a house in a place we once called home.'

Selenthis exhaled forcibly and ran slender fingers through short, bone-white hair, 'I am encouraged that you do not believe we have a place in Myrken Wood. I thought I had lost you in that. But this? Perhaps it is a trap wrought of revenge?'

'We have both lived long enough to realize when a purpose is no longer worth pursuing.' came her voice within the depths of his subconscious, a pause and then again, 'She is telling the truth, so the spell says. But of course, that is not to say treachery will not come to us down the road.'

He then returned his attentions to the waiting matron, the lines of his face having returned to hard stoicism. "Let it be so, then.. I will become the patron and weapons master of House Tuin'Tarl. But be aware, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am -not- a docile pet."

Beside him, Riznar gawked, and as Prid'eesoth giggled triumphantly, Selenthis couldn't help but feel the bile rising in his throat.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to this post.]]

Sarayn Aluna Dala'vaesa sat in a chair and turned a page in her book, the expanse of frosted blue eyes running over word by word in her dark language in pages speaking of forgiveness and virtues, penned by clerics of Eilistraee--ideals internalized and understood, but not yet realized nor practiced by the drowess. Far too many years had she lived a life where hatred, revenge and betrayal ruled, and one never changed overnight. And she begun to wonder if she ever could. It had been a difficult road, a learning process, and one that would take her to many a place over the course of its run--to hurt, but moreso hopefully, to friendship.

The whisper of a thin smile graced her lips then, when she thought briefly of Alexis, her new-found feline acquaintance; one that had filled her heart with warmth even during the few hours they sat in the Broken Dagger and simply talked. There was a gentle knock on her door, and all thoughts of pleasantry flittered away.

"Come in." she stated plainly, glancing upward to mark the presence of her brother entering, before shifting her attentions back to her book.

"I have news." Selenthis said in an even tone.

"Speak it, then." she returned while flipping a page.

"According to several different sources, the Ashfiend marches with an army to the Chapter House of the Shepherd Knights."

How could one possibly react to such news? To the fact that the horror of Myrken Wood, who could simply amass an army from the legions of the dead, marched onward toward someone she once cared for? Once. For far too much hurt clouded her heart in terms of the Grand Master to catagorize her feelings under "still"--far too much pain and rejection growing like a fungus, suffocating her will to do anything else but..

Flip a page in her book, not even once flinching, not once looking upward to regard him with concern or fear etched on her face, or bring her intonation above an even and emotionless pitch. "That is unfortunate."

Selenthis kept his cold and hateful grin to himself, kept the lines of his face stoic. "He could die. He could be turned into--"

"Enough, Selenthis." she snapped coldly, finally lifting her blue eyes to him, ".. he sealed his fate when he committed those terrible sins against me. And he has prevented us from coming to his aide due to his stupidity. Perhaps now, he can visit the wife he so cherishes still. In death. And when he does draw his last breath, please. Let me know. Mayhaps then you will come to me with news worthy of my regard and caring."

And that was all he needed. With the slight bow of his head, her brother exited immediately, making sure he was out of view before unleashing the devilry of a chilling smile. Behind him, in a veil of living hypocrisy, Sarayn sat there in her chair and flipped a page in a book that spoke of forgiveness and kindness.

One could never change over the course of a single night.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to this post]]

The pain of the dying, the sorrow of dashed dreams and hopes drew Sarayn Aluna Dala'vaesa from the sanctity of her stone-wrought home. And now she stood on an outcropping against the mountain's side, narrowing her eyes against the glacial wind that slammed into her svelte frame, tears from the icy sting of the winter-born assault tumbling down the expanse of a soft cheek as dark as the night above her. Selenthis stood as silent as she, watching the tragedy below unfold like the wings of a black-winged bird.

They said nothing, barely even reacted as the storm brewed into a heightened frenzy, and then shot upward like a pained soul begging for mercy from the heavens above. Their eyes simply reflected the shift in color of the night-time sky, the very form of that hate-filled attack piercing both irises of blue and chilling gray.

"A shame.." Selenthis was the one to say while he turned from the destruction and went inside their home.

Sarayn never once blinked, never once shed a tear, but whispered quietly, "May Eilistraee save you.." before she too headed inside after her brother.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

And while the monster of Myrken Wood continued his destruction against the Chapter House of the Shepherd Knights, the drow in their home crafted of stone continued on with their own things, never once concerning themselves over the deaths of many--for it had been something of common place in their dark homeland. And somewhere, silently, they all congratulated the Fiend on a job well done. No, it was a time for other concerns...

Sarayn Dala'vaesa hand the hand of little boy Lucian while they walked down the dark hall of their home to a room they had claimed as their own. And it was as if someone had slapped her in the face then, causing her to pause abruptly and take notice of the ephemeral scene before her; Selenthis shoved the wisp of a light-skinned elf toward a room and locked it swiftly once she was inside, only to turn away and walk down the hall in the opposite direction.

"Selenthis.." she said in a tone firm.

He stopped and turned a devilish grin toward his sister and approached, never once regarding Lucian--to him, the child was nothing.

"What was -that-?" the drowess inquired with a deep frown.

Handsome face falsely incredulous, Selenthis pointed to the room into which he shoved the moon elf, and asked, "-That-? I think we both know what -that- is. It is my property, of course." He was ever so nonchalant.

Of course. Saran looked at him dumb-founded, and glanced down at Lucian. Perhaps it wasn't wise to have him here during this conversation. "What is -it- doing here?" Light elves were never considered as living entities, but possessions to break and throw away.

"What is it doing here? Well, whatever I please." He began, crossing his arms over his chest while leaning against the stone wall.

Sarayn glanced at the little boy clutching her leg and whispered to him, "Go play, my darling. I will find you in a second."

But Lucian was quick to respond, "But mommy.."

The drowess sighed heavily, and whispered, "Please go." before he finally nodded quietly and sped off down the hall and into their ordained room. Sarayn turned a glare on her brother, "A slave? Here? Wandering about? I am concerned for the child, yes, what having a slave here might teach him, but moreso the trouble -it- will cause if left unattended."

Selenthis smiled slightly, "I know the risks, dear sister. Trust me when I say it is watched very carefully and never far from my sight."

Sarayn huffed and fought away the bile that rose in her throat. A pale-skinned elf, here, in her home. It was almost too much to bear. "Just.. . make sure it doesn't get anywhere near Lucian." And it was then, after a moment of thought, that she placed delicate fingers to the collar around her throat--why wasn't it reacting? Why didn't it, like it always had, correct her in her reasoning and then shock her for her sins? And if, for all things, to allow her brother to keep a slave?

"It isn't slavery when the slave is willing." he finished the thought for her, grinning.

And both of them erupted in cruel, dark laughter at that.

Through the lingering giggles, Sarayn commented dryly, "Let us hope it wll not be missed from where ever it came."

"And if it is? If they come hunting for it? Who are we to care. Who are we to fear? Cinnabar? I think not." her brother returned quickly.

And Sarayn couldn't deny the truth in his words--her grin was all too wide.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

By the chaotic nature of their society, drow females proved to be entities bent on betrayal, gaining power, and summarily destroying any semblance of opposition they faced.. and all for the glory of their goddess. And these were the very reasons only two other females had been accepted as close allies; Alya, the cleric of Lloth, and her sister Tal'afae.

And it was Alya that sauntered down the corridor of the stone-wrought compound, contemplating the actions of the day when Selenthis approached from the other end. Her heart quickened and her thoughts immediately went sinfully dark to moments shared, fully intent on catching his eye--for she knew he wasn't coming toward her for any reason, but to pass, and continue his way further into the structure. She set her hips to a harmonic sway with the rest of her gloriously curved frame and, as they briefly passed each other, she arched the fluidity of her brow in silent invitation. Her breath caught in her throat as he turned effortlessly to catch her arm, and hold it firmly in strong fingers. Had he accepted the invitation? She prayed that it was so, and turned to face him, meeting the crimson points of her gaze with his of glacial ice. And her bottom lip near quivered as he regarded the length of her frame with the sweep of his attention.

"Where is my sister?" he inquired evenly, no inflection of lust in his voice.

Alya frowned deeply and jerked her arm away from him, lifting her chin in arrogance to say, "I know not the location of Mistress Dala'vaesa. I suspect that she and her little child slave are at the dive in town. The Broken Dagger. She usually stays there for hours. Why I know not."

Selenthis smiled coldly and offered her the whisper of a deep chuckle, "Very well. If she comes soon, be sure to deter her from the trash I set out for the day, hm?" And with that, he turned, ah, but not before sending a open-handed slap to her bum.

The priestess of Lloth gasped as his degrading gesture found her pert rear end, and she growled after his swaggering form that soon disappeared around a bend--angry at the rejection of her offer, and furious at the sheer insolence and disrespect the male had shown her.

And the trash? The naked form of a nameless drow female, left in the snow, broken, forgotten and left to die.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

The glacial bite of the wind slammed against her dark form, and she had naught to protect her bare skin but her own, shaking arms. War. Between the pale elves and the dark, however small it was--the conflict between the cousins had always been, and it affected her completely now. Had Selenthis known that his new pet had been the princess of some elven province, some city unknown to them? They both knew now.

Sarayn Dala'vaesa melded through the stone and stepped into the warmth of their home and near screamed, "Alya!" when she would have normally called out to her brother.

The priestess of Lloth appeared from the darkness and rushed to her mistress' side, removing her own cloak to hide shaking and bare limbs, "By Lloth! What happened to you, my lady? Are you hurt?"

And it was Selenthis' voice that drew both set of eyes to him, "She is fine."

Alya flinched and narrowed her eyes at him, near hissing, "She has been.. violated!" and that was the only reasonable explanation.

"Like I said.." her brother near growled, ".. she is fine."

Sarayn seemed to shy away from him, bury her head into the priestess' shoulder--something had drastically changed between them. But he had not been her attacker, no. The tormentor had been in the form of an avenging pale elf rarely seen about the local common of Myrken Town, even the Broken Dagger.

"Please.. take me to my room." Sarayn whispered, and the pair of drow females disappeared down the hall--Alya quick to give Selenthis a hard, cold glare.

Behind them, Selenthis remained stoic and watched them go, cold gray eyes not in the least faint concerned. He knew what had happened by the mental and physical link the ring had given them--and he came to a startling conclusion, even to himself.

She deserved it.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

Regardless of the things he had told her, Sarayn Aluna Dala'vaesa pointedly ignored he who assumed he had current rule over her and strayed to places beyond his manor in the Merchant Row district of Myrken Town. And one in particular, located in the Hollows, served as a temporary locale for secret dealings among the more shady populace. It pained her terribly to be away from her brother, but.. some things had to be tolerated. For now.

The light of her blue eyes flicked to one of her companions, a waif of a drow male who stood substantially shorter than his counterparts, and nodded her head to him. "Kelmur'ss.." she spoke aloud in the darkness of their tongue, his name, translated loosely into legendary shadow, earning considerable weight. "I desire you to find out all you can in regards to the Black Market--a thing that seems to... only exist in rumors."

"Your will be done." the obedient male whispered, slipping on the ring that transformed the color of his dark skin into the pale replica of a human. From there, he ducked from sight past the door and infiltrated the crowds of his now light-faced brethren with remarkable efficiency, hoping to find out the information his matron sought.

Sarayn smiled.

[ShadowRose]

[[OOC: In reference to roleplay.]]

Until her freedom was granted, and her rightful place by her brother's side restored, Sarayn revisited an old abandoned home in the Hollows in lieu of the extravagant, mountain-home she had grown to appreciate. There, stooped low, the drowess gazed into the ornate bowl and into the watery visage of Nym`aste. His long tentacles writhed in anticipation and the illithid burbled in message, "Yesss.. my misstress."

"It is high time that our darling Prid'eesoth becomes a babbling fool, shouting prophecies of a savior to come in dark times. Assault her dreams, dear Nym`aste, plague her waking moments with visions inspired by Lloth. It is time that I secure my family with a house in a city I once called home."

The mind flayer hissed in wicked glee and the water-grave sight of him vanished. Yes, it was high time that Sarayn Aluna Dala'vaesa became matron. And it couldn't have come at a more opportune time--enemies hovered over the weakened House Tuin'Tarl, whose leading female sniveled and shrunk against even the slightest of shadows. Soon, the crippled House would be attacked.

And it would be then that a savior would rise to save them all.