[Game Thread] Chapter 6h: Of Bards and Brothers

[Acathala]

Curiously his heart did not race as much as it had when he saw her again. Nallaul was surprised by that. She along with Tel'shar were the most significant people in his life. He had never known a woman like her. She had taught him so much, about magic and.......other things. He could honestly say he would not have been the mage he is without her pushing and challenging him. Oh she may not been capable of loving him the way he would have wanted, but hadn't been a problem. Well it hadn't been.
He bowed to her slightly. " Likewise Archmage. However it appeared my survival owed more to Tel'shar and Hali'ara. Of our house, Tel'shar, his daughters and Triss are the only survivors. Xul'olin and her son's fate remain... indeterminate. Triss' seer is being held by the Halvans."

[Makenshi]

Xufaer frowns before looking back out the large window. "I'm not an it's a title amongst the Drow, not just a PrCArchmage any more." There's a long, thoughtful pause before she continues. "I've been told of Tel'shar's...involvement in events and while I can't say most of them are my favourite people, I suppose it doesn't matter much now. No use complaining over a dead slave." She looks back to Nallaul again, now with a hardness behind her eyes that usually spelt danger for someone. "Suffice to say, should your 'brother' ever find a way out of his cells I would advise him to keep a wide berth."

She walks away from the window over to a nearby cabinet and taking a look at the bottles and glasses within. It's obvious by her expression that she has no idea what exactly she's looking out. "I don't suppose you have any suggestions for surface drinks? I find myself craving a little inebriation given my current circumstances."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"I somewhat doubt he would willingly seek you out, but I shall pass on your warning."
On drinks he says. "Depends on your mood. They should all be good, since we are in a palace. I would avoid anything with whisky in the title. It's the strongest drink humans make. Let me take a look."
He takes a closer look at the wines. He avoids a white wine he knows for a fact Xufaer tasted and instantly hated. Her luck is in as Nallaul spots a red wine he brought to her on her birthday about six years ago. "Here. You definitely liked this one. A Carrelli Red
" He doesn't pour it for her, knowing her habits. Nallaul isn't in the mood for drinking and doesn't join. He might indulge later, as he has a wine cellar in his mansion. For now he wanted to keep a clear head.

[Makenshi]

Xufaer accepts the suggestion, pouring a glass and passing her hand over the top of it to check for poisons with a magical ring. He assumed it had many other functions other than that, but Xufaer never trusted anyone with complete knowledge of any of her items. It was hardly surprising to see that she didn't recognise the bottle as she was not really one to indulge in...well...much of anything really. The only true 'indulgence' she ever seemed to care for well intellectual and magical, which was the very reason that Nallaul had captured her attention in the first place and why he became her go-to person whenever she desired other indulgences.

Silences weren't new from Xufaer. She had long been a woman of few words even to those she deemed worthy of talking to in the first place. She would simply speak in her own time after taking a few sips and looking around the room. "What are your impressions of these...people, then?"

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"So far they seem to be dealing fairly with me. They seem....united in a way the Drow are not. At least not since before the time of the original Lolth. I will spare you the history lesson. The humans are united and actually work together. From what I have read, seen or been told of their culture, they only violently punish serious criminals like habitual thieves or murderers. For example you would not be allowed to hurt some one just because they insulted you."

[Makenshi]

"Hmm." Xufaer returned to sipping at her drink as she thought. "And the nature of your relationship with them at the moment?" Assuming that he explains his working for the King to try and help Tel'shar, Xufaer would give him a disapproving look. "You're too soft, Nallaul, and you sell yourself too cheaply." She lets out a sigh. "Yet it seems obvious that we will need help to survive on the surface, so I can't blame you too much in aligning yourself to the strongest of their nations at least." Nallaul could practically see the elder Drow thinking. She wasn't really much for politics, but that didn't mean she couldn't scheme - any Drow who had survived for as long as her in such a position of power could scheme with the best of them.

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul almost glares at her when she disapproves of him helping Tel'shar. He catches himself, and in a cool tone of voice says "Perhaps, but it is my skill to sell Xufaer." Ironic. He would have shown the same loyalty to her that he had shown Tel'shar. Why was he surprised by her reaction? She was utterly consistent.
"Do you require my presence further?"

[Makenshi]

OOC He's not going to mention Xu'deln at all?

The corner of her mouth twitched a little, which was the closest she usually ever came to smiling. "You talk as if I still had power over you." She moves towards Nallaul, stepping directly into his personal space so that their faces are almost touching. "Well, the power of a superior anyway." There was no love there though, affection, perhaps, attraction, certainly, but never love.

~MTWC

[Acathala]

Nallaul stares into Xufaer's face. It's a very beautiful face, one he had once known intimately. Normally he wanted to kiss those full lips and take her on the bed and have them both half way to happy land by now. That's not what he feels now. Fondness yes, but not the old passion.
It takes him a moment to realise his feelings have changed. He is over Xufaer. It was he thinks perhaps Zilira that was the final catalyst. Nallaul saw how happy she was with Morgan, and he craved that intimacy. Intimacy he would never ever get from Xufaer. He could hear Tel'shar cheering in his mind.
Smiling he steps back from her. "It's not you it's me. I think we're better off as friends."

OoC
I was actually expecting her to bring him up. I will bring him up after your next update.

[Makenshi]

Xufaer looked genuinely surprised by his rejection, an expression that Nallaul rarely saw from her. There was even a brief flash of anger, or maybe just disappointment, but it was soon schooled away as she stepped backwards. "I see. I guess I can't blame you. Better to attach yourself to one in power here." She returns to the cabinet to top up her drink. "Hmmm. It hasn't occurred to me until now that I may need to do the same. It's been a long time since I've found myself in such a position."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"Was the last time with your sister?" Nallaul asked, genuinely curious. He has a think "You might be able to get patronage from the King here. I would avoid trying to seduce him. I gather Zilira is very protective of him. Oh and Zilira hates being called by her first name." He paused. "The king would be foolish not to offer you patronage. You are the greatest mage I know. I do not think I have vocalised this before, but I am very grateful for everything you have done for me. I would not be half the mage I am without your tutelage."
There was something else. "I saw Xu'deln. He's well. He also wanted me to thank you for what you did for him. You are not going to like this but he went off with Acedia. They both have same power, and he's going to train her to use it."

[Makenshi]

"Mmm." Is the extent of Xufaer's answer to Nallaul's question about her sister.

She listens attentively to his thoughts and words but it isn't until he mentions Xu'deln that he gets a real reaction from her - albeit a subtle one - as she appears to straighten a little while otherwise keeping her expression schooled. "Hmmm. 'Went off with' implies that he had a choice in the matter, which is rare in and of itself as far as Acedia is concerned. At least he has managed to find someone."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"For what it is worth, he seemed to happier and stronger than I can ever remember him being. Even had friends amongst the Halvans. Morgan the Archmage here in particular." He offered in the hope that gave her a little comfort. He still cared about her, just not in the way he had.
"What will you do now Xufaer?"

[Makenshi]

"Mmm." Is once again the extent of her response to his news. She really hadn't changed, even with the downfall of the capitol, their family and their Goddess.

In contrast, she takes a little time to think before answering his question. "Make new alliances, most likely. Whether I do so here depends on how my meeting with the King goes I expect. Ultimately? Continue my i.e. studying magic and improving her skill at itwork, even if I'll have to start some of it from scratch."

~MTWC

[Acathala]

"If you like, I could go with you to that meeting. I think I earned some trust there." Nallaul said. He could still learn a lot from her. "I think I have an idea for a new spell. A powerful light blinding spell."