A Drow's Dilemma Ep. 52: Tsabdrin

Tsabdrin opened his mouth as if he was going to shoot back an angry retort. In keeping with the recent pattern, the words died on his lips. Then horrible realization dawned on his face. He turned his back to the rest of the party as well. The emotional blow might as well have been physical, for either way it forced him to his knees. His hand mirrored the action of Ashyr's at the back of his own neck. But unlike Ashyr, he began to weep softly.

Caleldir was a bit saddened by the anger flowing between the cousins, but he could understand it. The man's crimes were really quite severe, although far more so by surface standards. It was probably slightly racist of him, but he had a tendency to think that in the world of the drow, the real crime was not all the murder and rape, but the fact that it was the men doing it, and that they did a sloppy job of wiping out the people they were trying to wipe out.

At any rate, while he certainly did not like the male ranger, he did not hate him, and felt uncomfortable seeing him in such emotional distress. "Ashyr, of all your brothers, I think that he is likely the one that least deserves the blame. Taking out your wrath on him will not make you feel better. I will have R.I.S.A take care of him."

A slow, cruel smile had spread across Selene's face as she watched her brother sink to his knees. Apparently Ashyr knew the exact thing to devastate the small male. Which made sense. Oh, this was so much better than just killing Tsabdrin - more satisfying even than if they have been physically torturing him. It was unfortunate that Ashyr looked so distressed about whatever it was that went through her mind at the moment. It was also a shame that this wasn't someone like Duagmyr or Irahc'vic kneeling there in emotional ruins. Selene sighed.

Caleldir was right.

Being so cruel to this male would not ultimately give them satisfaction. And it had the very real chance of breaking a tool that they still needed. So, in an interesting twist of fate, Selene stood and approached Ashyr to lend her support in not being too hard on her former kidnapper. Because it was only logical. "He's not her brother. Like me, the only blood we share is our Grandmatron's." It was entirely possible that he was simply using it as short-hand for the Duskhaven kinslayers, but Selene felt the need to clarify in order to make a point. "He is my full-blood brother, sired by the Duskhaven Consort just as I was. He may not seem useful now, but his parentage gives him potential. Do not ruin that potential, Ashyr."

"Fine." It was Ashyr's turn to snap. The oldest drow still refused to look at her male cousin. "Let R.I.S.A. take him away and do as she pleases."

Tsabdrin seemed to ignore the exchange. Or at least his actions did not chance. Still he knelt there, still he wept. He was too tired and hungry to try to fight the emotional damage he'd taken recently. He didn't even try to respond.

He gave the drow a slightly shocked look, before turning back to her brother. "It seems that your sister is willing to speak for you." He sighed. "R.I.S.A., I know that you are low on energy, but please make up as large and comfortable of a room as you can safely create for this fellow. And get him something to eat. Also," he changed his language to Old Deusterran so that none of the drow could understand him. "Once you get him away from his kinswomen, assure him that Althaia and I will do our best to restore life to his fallen companions. It may be a long time, but assure him that, if he cooperates, he may very well see them again."

[Will that be all, Master Librarian?] R.I.S.A. asked in the same language.

"Almost. One last thing: you are not to feed from him. I doubt that you would try to molest the fellow, but do not try to drain in a mundane way either. As you will notice once you have him, he is too weak to sustain that sort of energy transfer."

[Understood. I will obey.] With that, the floor gave way underneath Tsabdrin, and he slid out of sight. The male drow let out a decidedly undignified squawk. Well, that took care of any resistance he might have put up, but Ashyr's cruel words had drained him of any willingness to fight. At least for the time being.

Caleldir watched the male drow slide away. "No need to traumatize the poor fellow." He said, changing to Common.

[It will be fine.] R.I.S.A. assured him.