Night & Day

[Exelis]

Damn it... She couldn't help but think. She felt so... So caged underneath the ground. Why she agreed to do this for her father she had no clue. Yes, one of the many princesses of her people, it was an honor to be recognized as able to do this. Her father had lived a long life with his mother, over 12000 years so far. Leaving her to have thirty three siblings so far. And according to the healers, two more on the way. She pouted lightly, looking through the Embassy she was to call home for the next year. She would be missing their Fae celebration... Not to mention the month long celebration of the children's birth. Two if they did indeed turn out to be twins. Sighing, she brushed her midnight hair back behind her ears. She did so hate the new style of having loose hair about the ears, but her mother had insisted. As soon as she was able however, her royal braids would be back into place, however, she knew.

Looking about her, dressed in a fine Elven silk dress of blue hues, she did have to say... The Drow did know how to make a building. Though... It wasn't what she was used to. Living houses formed from trees that had grown to be so was what she was used to. To tallans high in the air as homes and then buildings made of many great trunks of trees and their branches forming floors above ground. This world of stone, unyielding, hard... Cold. It made her wish to see the sun even more. The Drow had made a great source of light above in the ceiling of the Embassy, sort of mimmicing the sun. But of all people who would know the difference, it was a Light Elf. The fake sun gave her none of the energy she needed to live. The reason why her visit would only last a year instead of the five and ten that embassadors usually took in other countries was for that reason. Any longer and she'd grow weak. According to legends, she may even grow old! That thought shook her and she had to take a deep breath to calm herself. There was supposed to be a Drow Embassador to greet her soon, she knew. It wouldn't do well to look like a frightened sparrow. Even if she did feel like a song bird in a cage. Her blue eyes scanned the people - all Drow - that had gathered to see her as she came to the city, she wasn't sure if they were that welcoming. Many eyes were curious... But... The others... She was beginning to think the Embassy was perhaps a better place to say.

 

[DomG]

To say that Shuraste, son of the High Emperor of the Drow and a favored Concubine, eighth in line for the throne (and likely to be moving up the line of succession quite quickly because he heard that his third eldest brother intended to kill the two that sat before him in the succession before the end of the year) was cocky would be an understatement. Everything he did, his every word, his every movement spoke of the extreme confidence that he felt at all times. Even now as he made his way through the roads of the capitol city towards the Embassy of his peoples cousin race, not a single guard or evident weapon in sight, the bright colors of his clothing practically inviting a would be assassin to take a shot and improve his siblings chances of inheriting the throne.

Despite all this not a single person attempted to bar his path, nor did a poisoned dart fly from the shadows to bury itself in his neck, to strike at him then would interfere with the duty that he had been assigned by his father and invoke the wrath of the Emperor. For the next year he would be the counter part to the ambassador the Elves had sent to live among his people, just as one of his sisters had been sent to do the same among her kind. With a smirk on his face at the thought of the trouble that his sister would cause the uptight Elves Shuraste approached the Embassy.

The guards there attempted to search him to find a weapon, but these were men used to honorable combat while Shuraste had grown up learning the noblest of all Drow arts, to kill without being seen or detected, several weapons were missed by their less then perfect search and before long he was escorted into a sitting room where the ambassador would see him when she was ready, he was assured it wouldn't take too long. TO pass the time Shuraste walked around the room for a moment, looking at some statues, paintings and even a few books that had been left there to distract anyone waiting there. They were nice enough, all quite elegant but not in really beautiful in the way Drow enjoyed. To his eyes the tasteful nudity, forms that suggested sensuality rather then the full and aggressive nudity and full on display sexuality of all kinds that the Drow embraced in their art. “How boring.” He whispered as he flipped through a book of art, not a single piercing in sight, not turning as he heard the door behind him opening.

 

[Exelis]

The Lady slowly walked into the room, her eyes drawn to the Drow, it was still so strange to see one, even surrounded as she was now. "Good evening, My Lord," she said softly, giving a kind smile. "I am glad you have come... I am eager to start our work, I am sure you are as well. My name is Aiena Caladwen." Elven silks in blues that matched her eyes draped her body in an almost organic manner, giving glimpses of pearlescent skin along her arms and back. There was only a small amount of embroidery to the hems compared to the stately and ornate decoration that covered the Prince, uncolored spider's silk being the make of that decoration for any who could tell. She had to admit... She felt a bit... Outdone by his outfit... And he was the male of the two of them. She was eager to start the work that they were to do, first to address concerns of political matters, how one's ally was bullying the other or the other's ally and the like. Then there would be other boring bits of paper to fill and drone... If he thought that the book was boring, the work she was prepared to do would be heart stopping-ly so. She had such thoughts as well, but she was not prepared to face the consequences of a bad peace between them - especially if it were her fault. She could attempt to enjoy the things the Drow had to offer after business was taken care of.

She was glad, as intimidated as she was by his ornate dress as she was, that she had had the time to clean herself up and put her hair up into it's proper state for a Princess of Elves. "I've managed to set up the office here in the Embassy," she said, not bothering with adding just who she was. They were on equal ground, both being the children of their respective high lords. The High Emperor of the Drow and the King of the Elves. She felt it would be insulting if she continued with such information, he would know who she was, just as she knew who he was. "Please, if you will follow me, we can begin our work. If we work hard, I am sure that we can finish quickly," she said softly, behind her soft words, however, was the confidence and regality that was expected of her. A daughter, she could not inherit a throne, but for generations of elves, the many daughters of the King and Queen could be married off for political advantages among the Elven nation and others. Some of her sisters and aunts had even been queens. She barely kept herself from wincing as she remembered one of her sister's anniversary parties was to be held that year. Another event she was to miss. Oh, well... The sooner they finished, the sooner the Prince could get back to whatever blood bath he was enjoying and she could try and do something not so boring.

She winced after a moment, bringing her fingers up besides her temple. There was no trace or mark there to be seen by the eye, to the mind's eye however... There was quite a powerful spell. A tool used by her family to keep the Princess' pure. A long time ago, the spell had to be placed in a rather... Intimate place, but their wizards had managed to bring it to a more proper position on the body, by the temple. It had been placed on her as a child but her sensitivity to magic always made it bother her. Sometimes burning, sometimes itching... It was quite an annoyance. She sighed and shook her head, smiling gently once again, "Ah, I'm sorry. Please, this way."

 

[DomG]

Shuraste didn't bother to look over to the princess when she first spoke, knowing that even if they were to be involved with peace talks he would need to establish his dominance right away, to show that he was the one who was in charge, who would be in control of everything they did. After all if he did a good job and ensured that the superiority of his species continued or was even enhanced through the talks then his father might have a few of his brothers that stood between him and the throne killed... if his sister did the same on her end then she would likewise see a similar reward, after all according to tradition when the first in line assumed the throne the sister who held the same station among the young ladies became his bride... technically for political reasons though it wasn't unheard of for Drow to enjoy the intimate pleasures of their siblings.

It wasn't until she gave her name that he favored her with his attention, closing the book and tossing it aside in a contemptuous manner before even looking at her... and look he did. From the moment he first laid eyes on her desire was the first reaction and the longer he looked the more powerful it became, and in keeping with his nature he didn't do anything to try to hide it or keep it from his face, instead he was practically devouring her with his eyes, undressing her from the second he saw her. It was when his eyes met her that he smiled, a truly predatory expression and gave her a polite nod. “Princess Aiena, I am Shuraste and let me suggest right away that we dispense with any long and official titles that we might have when we are addressing each other, otherwise a large amount of time will be wasted every time we greet each other. Now Aiena, I don't know how things are done where you are from but my people dislike getting right down to business right away, we prefer to take out time and ease into it. After all things tend to go better when both parties are at ease.” Another subtle attempt to take charge, suggesting the informality and then right away just referring to her by her familiar name before suggesting not getting right to my work.

Following after her he reached into the robes he wore, drawing from a hidden pocket two brightly colored slips of paper. “There is a dance recital in the city, only here for a short time before it moves onto another city. I think that it would be a great chance for you to see a side of Drow culture that few of your kind are privileged enough to ever glimpse.” Of course he had intended to skip out on this work tonight and take a lovely young Drow that he had met the other evening there but upon seeing how attractive the ambassador was he knew he had found better... and more tempting because what was better then something that you had to work for, to tempt, tease, seduce, and corrupt... the most satisfying meal of all.

And it would of course be interesting, he had heard of the spells that elven novel women had placed on them when they were young, he wondered if what he had in mind would mess with that spell at all, after all Drow dance recitals tended to be quite entertaining.

 

[Exelis]

The elf didn't seem to notice - or care - for his attempts at the upper hand. Seeming a bit more concerned about the book he had tossed aside. The books being her own, a gift from one of her teachers, a man who had happened to have attended to the last five visits to the Drow city. She picked up the book carefully, setting it on the table just as carefully before she looked at him. She then put her attention back to him, having listened to his words. Long winded and unnecessary she found much of them. Did he call her merely Aiena? That sounded strange to her delicately pointed ears, only siblings and spouses ever called each other so familiarly. At the least she might have been called Aienac, the 'c' added to her name to signify who she was. From her education, she knew exactly what he was trying to do, and knew it was going to go smoother if she just allowed the slight. Elves were patient beings when it came to those who didn't know better. She just wished that she knew he would not be trying her patience too much. She sighed at the prospect of skipping out on her work, but she was there to learn as well, and a dance recital couldn't be all that bad. The Elves had a group that did much the same thing. Humans had many more, but... Well, of course they did, they were short lived and as common as cockroaches, their skill was startling, but also... Rather lacking in comparison to Elves who'd spent so much more lifetimes to practice. The Drow would have to be an equally amazing. "We really should not ignore our duties, Prince," she said softly, "But you do have a point. The reason these Truce Years were started had been to learn of each other's people and culture... I would be honored to be your guest this evening."

She raised a hand and took hold of her sleeve, presenting the cloth with few delicate fingers. "Will a dress of this ilk be accepted to this event, Prince, or would you suggest something different," she asked him, "This dress is rather common for my people, but I have brought some more ornate dresses for special occasions." Of course, none would be as ornate as his clothing then, the ornateness of Elven dress usually being brought out naturally from the shape and design of the cloth and piece. Whatever she chose was sure to bring more attention to her than even her pale skin, due to it's strangeness to his culture. But, she was female, unlike the men that had usually been sent in the past she was a bit more pliable and accepting to wear more than what she had merely brought.

 

[DomG]

HE watched carefully as she picked up the book carefully, taking note of her reaction because one never knew when even the most mundane of details could come in very handy. He had taken note of the author of the book and later on he intended to take look into it in order to figure out who he was and if that had any significance to her, just like he would attempt to identify the artwork shown in it. As a Drow he had ulterior motives for just about everything he did, their entire culture was based around subtly hidden plots concealed within less subtle motivations in order to hide just about anything they might want to do. In this case though what he wanted was a little less well hidden because to hide it would be difficult, he wanted to ensure that at the end of these negotiations his people came out ahead of their cousins... but of course upon seeing her he wanted more, he wanted to make her squirm, make her uncomfortable... give her a first hand experience in Drow culture.

“Yes we really should try to learn about each other... though I think that most of the learning will be done by you considering that it is you being immersed in my own culture.” Of course he could learn about hers but he really lacked the patience for that sort of thing, he would much rather introduce her to his culture then bother to learn about hers. Elven culture on the surface was all so bland and boring, so polite and so many rules and taboos about the beauty of the body. The spell that they used on certain young woman to ensure their chastity was a part of that... it was disturbing to him, didn't the urges come from their bodies and shouldn't they be embraced as something natural?

“I suppose what you are wearing will work for tonight.” He said with a small smirk, clearly amused by it. “However dressing in such a manner won't work for very long down here, at certain parties you might be expected to attend dressing like that might be considered snubbing the host and Drow take such things seriously.” Of course less important things were taken seriously as well, he had once seen a dinner guest stabbed for using the wrong fork to remove the meat from a clam... she would likely be safe due to her status as an Ambassador but still it would be entertaining to get her into some of the more revealing outfits that were currently embraced by Drow women of her age and status. “Besides we really don't have time for you to change, if this recital wasn't taking place just around the corner we would likely be late and I would hate to miss the start of it all.” Without another word or even a glance to her he moved passed her and through the door way, on his way out of the embassy and expecting her to follow.

 

[Exelis]

"I am glad you think we should learn of each other," she said softly, smiling her ever gentle smile. "My teacher, the Ambassador before me, gave me quite a few books for such a reason." She walked to him as he spoke on her clothing, she knew she should look for ulterior motives as he did, but... It was just so hard to see such things for her. Her main teacher had told her it had taken him two years with the Drow to even start to see their truest nature - such complex beings, it was no wonder they allowed themselves to behave in ways that cared not for other cultures like hers did, their own was so treacherous and ever changing, that if they did, they'd end up dead or insane.

"Ah... Prince Shuraste, please, wait for me," she said, trying to follow quickly. The Drow a good head or perhaps two taller than her, she had to walk quickly just to try and keep up. She lifted her skirts before her to allow her quicker movement, letting a bit more of her fair skin be shown as her ankles and calves occasionally made an appearance with every step. "Oh, I do not think I can walk as quickly as you do," she told him as she managed to catch up, having to step quickly while he moved in his usual manner. "Casteneon warned me of this," she sighed, "You Drow are so tall, one would not think you came from caves..."

"If you think my dress is improper, perhaps you could help me acquire a new wardrobe. I've been provided with the proper funds to acquire such a thing, another gift from my favorite teacher..." She couldn't help a small blush as she thought of the elf, he had a good two or three thousand years on her, but in the world of Elves, that did not matter so much. He had shown interest in her many times as more than a student, but with what was expected of her, he could do no more than that. "Though... Less a gift and more a passing of his title..." The unofficial tradition of the Elven Ambassadors was to be one for only five years total, the fear of what being in such a dark place for so long might do driving it. He'd passed on many of the things he'd gained as the Ambassador, including the small fortune of Drow gold coins they had amassed in the years that all of them used to invest and gain more so that the next in line could prepare themselves. "If you are busy, I would appreciate recommendations on who I may ask for such aid," she continued, "If you have a favored accountant, I would love to know them. I would hate to leave the Ambassadorial treasury smaller than when I received it."

 

[DomG]

He picked up on her comments of the Ambassador before her, a man who had apparently given her books and funds for her to use while she was here. The books seemed to be a rather normal gift for a teacher and a predecessor to leave to whomever would follow them but the money, a bit more. He had slowed down a little at her comment about having a hard time keeping up with him and was now striding side by side with her, though the small glimpses of skin on her legs when he turned back to look at her had been rather nice... for a Drow it was still an incredibly modest display of flesh but he knew that in her culture it would be passing much closer to a scandalous line that shouldn't be crossed.

The blush was something that Shuraste had missed though, adding to his curious suspicion about might have existed between her and her predecessor. Perhaps a bit of infatuation had existed there, he hadn't met the ambassador before her but was curious if it had been a one way interest or if perhaps there had been a secret romance that existed there. Later on he would need to find details about it, his own predecessor was actually alive and had requested a different duty after being assigned to this one for so very long... he could always just ask him what he knew.

“First of all call me Shuraste, the titles have to be done away with if we are ever going to get anywhere.” He scolded her with a soft smile as they reached the front door of the embassy and passed through it, going by the guards and ignoring them entirely, they might as well not be there because even the cheapest Drow killer for higher could get past the. “Second of all that dress might be the height of fashion among your people but here fashion is often very fluid, new styles show up every few years and if you fall behind then people likely won't even listen to your opinions until you catch up. And finally I know plenty of people whose name I could pass onto you but I would honestly suggest that you bring your own accountant down. Hard to find a good Drow accountant who won't try to rob you blind.”

Now the false sun was starting to dim, signaling the start of the evening in the cavern city, though it was usually little more then a perpetual twilight beneath the earth even when the sun was at its brightest it would be a quite dark night, the artificial moon was to be at its dimmest tonight. And of course as night approached more Drow were on the street, many of them wearing very little, diaphanous silk, strips of leather and brightly colored cloths, and in some cases little more then tattoos being the only thing that covered the flesh of many who were out and about. Shuraste couldn't help but smirk, wondering how she would feel about the display of flesh all around her as he led her through the streets toward the theater where the recital would be held.

 

[Exelis]

She pouted as he scolded her, telling her about his culture in fashion and in money, she sighed as he mentioned the Drow accountants. "I had thought of bringing someone down, but Celros, my teacher advised against it. 'A good accountant is hard to find, but worth the risk,' he said. The accountant we had been using passed before his fifth and last year. Something to do with your complex politics... And there's also the fact that I am the only elf allowed to walk freely in your city. If I brought another elf with me past the cave gate, they would have been slaughtered - or worse, enslaved." She shivered at the thought, knowing that that was worse than a death sentence, for it portrayed both imprisonment and a long death for an elf. They needed the sun, their bodies taking sustenance from it's light - a reason their clothing was always made of strong but thin material. So that sun could come in and touch their skin without showing their body to the world.

Speaking of caves, she thought as she stepped out of the embasy. Her eyes went to the cavernous ceiling, it's 'sun' growing dimmer, she could see the stalactites that hung downwards. Elven eyes were suprisingly good in the dark, despite their love of light. They just didn't like such dark places. It was the young elf's curiosity of the dark caves, however, that had won her the ambassadorial position. Much to her relief. The spell on her told everyone that knew it after all, that she would be married outside of the Elves. Seeing as the Drow were the only other immortal race... Well, as far as she was concerned, it meant another five hundred years of life. She hid her disdain for her future position, as did her sisters that were tied to the same fate, but she knew they all hated that magic mark. It was all but a death sentence given by their own parents, the mark tying them to their first lover - assumed to be their husband - so that they could properly bond, and age with the men. It would be a sentence of death for her lover - and therefore her. It was actually because of her family's tradition in that that the other elves were both stifled sexually, but also released from the burden that was laid on the royal family. Only the royal family had ever used the spell, other families able to not be so callus for what was oft called the Princess' Sacrifice. The women could say 'no' to a marriage after all, but... Knowing the war that might ensue... Even knowing it spelled their own death, they couldn't. She was well aware that this tradition was not well understood or known outside of the Elves, the King and Queen having so many children - so as to keep up the number of girls - that Aiena herself had quite a few siblings - over a hundred, while the normal family was perhaps the largest at four or five children.

The young elf blushed slightly at the display, but was thankfully able to keep her eyes from staring, having been prepared by the Drow art books that were kept in her office now, another present from her teacher. Well, save for one case of a man who wore only tattoos. She wondered how they were able to get the pigment to be seen in their dark skin... And how he could have a certain piece of his anatomy not only colored so, but... Pierced. She winced at that sight, bringing herself a little closer to Shuraste as she managed to pull her eyes away at that. She wished he would offer her his arm. He was a bit of a stranger still, but he was the only one she knew there. The action was perhaps chaste to him, but to her it was an offer of support to offer one's arm to a lady who was distressed. The action offering a closeness of bodies that was only ever allowed in dancing or in a known couple otherwise, the Lord's strength offered to her in that way with both his warmth and offer to help her stay on her feet. With how little he seemed to know, however, she could tell he'd not studied much on her culture - at least not as much as she'd tried to study for his. "Is that the theater," she asked with a small thread of hope in her voice, seeing the large building, it's architecture was different, but it's shape and size were about right for such a building.

 

[DomG]

What Shuraste knew of the seal often placed upon the daughters of Elven nobility was actually quite limited, effort had been put into finding about about it by his people but thus far all that was really known, or at least strongly suspected was that if someone were to defile her then her family would know right away and might even have the identity of the person. Perhaps he would be able to find out more about it from his princess, sure he lacked any evidence that the seal had been applied to her but the nobility of her birth was enough to make it an extremely likely thing and Shuraste knew that if he would get any knowledge about the seal from her then he would be greatly rewarded for it in the near future.

HE smirked a little bit at her blush and took note of how she drew her closer to him, he was aware how an Elven gentleman was to behave if the young woman they were escorting was uncomfortable but saw no reason not to go a little bit further, perhaps take a liberty in order to test out her boundries a bit and see what she was comfortable with at that moment and what she would be comfortable with in the future. By knowing her boundaries he could push them all the better, a subtle test here and there would help to give him a greater understanding of the whole. With that in his mind he moved in closer to her so that he now stood side by side with her and draped an arm over her shoulder, holding her close to his side.

“Disgusting isn't it?” He asked with a small sneer looking at the pierced male that had drawn her attention. “Every few years several Drow will try to bring it into vogue but they never seem to understand that for men to pierce themselves so intimately will never truly be fashionable.” As he said this a topless woman with a stud through each nipple passed. “For women however there seems to be a different standard when it comes to piercings of the intimate flesh.”

Her guessing at the sight of a possibly theater only made him smirk a little more, oh so amusing that she thought the most regal building in sight had to be their destination. “Not quite my dear, though that is a theater that isn't our destination, ours is a little smaller and more elite in who they allow in.” Next to the theater however was a staircase leading down beneath the street level to a doorway, on either side of it standing two very large Drow and it was down this stairway that Shuraste lead the princess... down the stairs, past the guards who glanced at the tickets Shuraste held up and allowed them to pass, and then through the door into the 'theater.'

IT was dark inside, lit only by several candles and a cat walk that was currently empty and led out down the length of the seating area, tables, chairs, and even a few small booths arranged for those viewing the show. Already a few people were there and being served drinks by scantily clad waitresses but thus far the show had not started. “Good we haven't missed the opening yet.” Shuraste mused as he led her toward a couch at the front of the stage, the best view which would really make this the most amusing seat in the house.

 

[Exelis]

The elf gasped softly, blushing a bit harder as the Drow prince draped his arm around her. It was more... Intimate than she was used to, however, it seemed to serve the same purpose. It did turn her cheeks a little pinker, however. She knew from her studies that the Drow were a more liberal race, so though a tingle in her head told her she shouldn't let him get away with it, she allowed yet another slight, knowing nothing would be won by being too strict with her own preferences of contact. Not knowing how exactly how to react to the position of his arm however, she looked among the Drow that they passed by, almost missing the Drow woman he'd been referring to, she near winced herself out of his grasp at the sight. It just seemed... Painful! Elves did not mark or mar their skin or bodies in such a way. Occasionally spells took on a visible form on the skin, but never in the way that they had. "Ahn... I am afraid I do not see how either are ever seen as fashionable..." Her eyes scanned again, looking for some reference on how she should walk with him with his arm around her as it was. She finally found enough to reference from to move her arms, one laying a hand gently on the hand that laid on her shoulder while the other hand wrapped around her waist to keep her hand and arm out of his way.

She listened as he spoke of the theatre that he would be taking her too. Smaller and more elite? What was the point of such a place? A grand stage was needed for much of the dancing she'd ever seen, and every dancer she'd met loved the call of a big audience - all the more people to enjoy their life's work. She stayed close to him as he lead her down a stairway that was besides the theater. She was surprised by the almost orc-sized drow at the door, near to back pedaling herself at the sight of the beastly men. She looked inside as they were allowed in, it was so dark... How were they to see the dancers? And the stage... A long thin thing... Surely someone would fall off! "This is a theater," she asked, not understanding how such a small place could be considered a theater for dancers.

She sat with him on the couch he led her to, not knowing his motives for laughter - most likely at her expense, as she sat and arranged her skirts. Her eyes being drawn to look at the occasional near naked waitress as she made herself comfortable, leaning against the arm of the couch. "You said this was dance recital... I am afraid I do not see how the performers can dance on so small a stage," she inquired, looking at him as she declined the offer of a drink, many elves did drink, however, the younger they were the more of a light weight they tended to be. With her usual aversion due to her studies, Aiena was as much of a light weight as they could come. She knew just a few drinks and she would be out like a light. If this recital was all Shuraste was making it out to be, she did not want to miss it due to being unable to hold her liquor. She was glad, however, that the Drow had decided to invite her. She had sought the Ambassadorial position because of her wish to know more about the Drow and their customs after all, even if there were other motives behind it.