A troubled start

You felt suddenly panicked as new dawn's light peaked through the bed curtains and rose you from your slumber. The sights and faint fragrant scent was foreign to you. For a moment, you had forgotten where you were, and what a day you'd had. Despite all of that, your subconscious still expected you to be back on Hylsa, among your people. And yet here you were, in a strange but comfortable bed, that you'd shared with a strange but courteous elf.

Though, it must be said, not such a stranger anymore, now that you've known each other in such an intimate way. As you slowly lifted yourself from Fineth's bed, you were surprised that you had done what you did. You'd never been so open and promiscuous before. Yet, it must be said, you'd never had an experience like this before. Your own people have never been very open and expressive people, even with the words of Varissa and the prophecy of the Matriarch. He on the other hand welcomed you with open arms, probably one of the few of the Sylran to do so. Whatever his past is, you could at least be sure that he's sincerely happier to be assisting you with your mission than whatever he was doing prior, and not just because it lead to sex. For all of that, there was a slight problem; Fineth wasn't actually in the bed with you.

As you moved your feet on the cold floor, you could hear the beginnings of loud voices and angry tones. You treaded carefully, opening the door to pick out what's going on. You could make out Fineth's voice easily enough. The other voice was older, gruffer, and clearly incensed by something.

"I've had it with your disobedience Fineth! You tell me where that Drow is right now"

"I already told you, your friend is mistaken. Miss Brenvira isn't here."

"I have two accounts that say she came into this house with you last night"

"Yes, she did" Fineth acknowledged with a nod

"So you admit it! You're up to your ways again. You couldn't wait one night!"

"Not in the slightest. She came here to return her borrowed dress, and went off to her rented apartment. Do you really think a Drow, a Priestess at that, would be so willing? It's me, after all."

You slowly slipped out of the doorway, looking to see what was going on. The other elf was unusually round in the belly for his kind, vainly trying to hide his excessive gut in more excessive clothing.

"They never saw her leave" He replied gruffly

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. You taught me that, remember? Besides, we both know your friends are quick to drink and quicker to retire."

"Than where is she Fineth? I've had enough of your belligerence. You were supposed to bring her to me first thing yesterday."

"One can scarcely imagine why I thought better of that plan." Hearing the dripping sarcasm in his voice was a new experience for you, to say nothing of his defiance. There was more of your behavior in him than you were aware of "As for where she is right now, I don't know. You have the ear of the magistrate, why don't you go send the guards out for her, if you're so concerned?"

"It is not your place or your position to make such decisions, boy"

"No, see, that's where you're wrong, sir. As her aide and adjutant, it is not only my power but my responsibility to do what I understand to be in Brenvira's best interest, even if it means ignoring you. You should know, you're the one who gave it to me, because you couldn't be bothered to deal with "that problem".

"If I didn't assign you this basic task, there would be no reason for your continued service to the Emperor. If you prove to be faithless in your endeavor, you will find you've run out of options"

"Don't worry. Everything I know about faithfulness, I've learned from you."

The rotund elf's hand nearly rose to strike Fineth "You just watch yourself. You've already failed enough for one lifetime. Don't burden her with your incompetence. She has it hard enough as it is, with that fool's errand she's on."

"She's a champion of Varissa" Fineth spoke quick and stern in defense "And the First Sister doesn't choose fools"

"She doesn't now?" He smiled grimly "and since when did you grow such faith? No matter. You find that shadow lurker, and you bring her to me. Now."

Fineth stayed frozen for a second as the heavy wooden door slammed shut. You quickly moved from your place of hiding, down the stairs to him; concerns of your lack of dress completely gone from your mind.

"Gods" You let out, your voice filling the empty chamber "who was that infernal man?"

Fineth jumped slightly as he turned to see you "Oh, Brenvira!" his face turned to clear frustration "I wish you hadn't seen or heard any of that."

"It seems like I had ****" You began as you closed the remaining distance "whoever that was seems terribly important."

"Not nearly as much as he'd like to think. He is the Consulate's representative for the docks. Responsible for every known and unknown foreigner who enters into the Empire through this waterway."

"That does sound like an important job" You replied

"It would be if he was given any real power with the title. He's just a rice counter."

"You two seem to have a history together. Is he your boss or something?"

"Or something" Fineth responded "he's seen me at my worst. He helped me when I most needed it, and now holds it against me."

The comments began to add up in your mind. "You mean to say, that he's"

"My father" Fineth admitted, with a slow nod of the head "I tried to be the person that I wanted to be, against his wishes. I went out on my own, and came back disgraced. He fulfilled his obligations to take care of his family, and now I'm fulfilling mine to him, and to the Empire." You could hear the spirit drain from his body as he spoke, being pushed out from the shame and guilt. He tried, in vein, to cover it up with a positive spin "Maybe this is a good thing. Duty seems to come as naturally to you as breathing. Perhaps I can learn some of that from you."

You found yourself in an awkward situation. Comforting others is not a common behavior for your people, and you don't have a frame of reference to help him.

After a slight pause "I don't know how much help I can be Fineth. Hylsa is a small country, with fewer options. I followed the will of my family and my Matriarch because there was no other choice. I can only imagine how hard it must be, being a disappointment in your father's eyes. The only comfort that I can provide is to say that, by my eyes, you've a good heart and a strong backbone, and it must have taken no small amount of courage to defy him. You don't need his approval, or anyone's."

"Just his purse, it would seem" He smiled gently "Thank you Brena. There's not alot of people around here that want to listen to my little sob story." He looked briefly to a curtained window, judging the morning light "One which, we should probably cut short here. There is business to be had, and as much as I might like it, you can't go around the capital in that attire" He openly moved his head up and down to examine your nude figure

"Careful" you warned, with a mixture of tease and protest "last night isn't an open invitation."

"Of course" Fineth responded, his slight smirk fading "I'm just thankful for the night that we had. You'll forgive me for hoping that wasn't the only time."

You let out a slight sigh as your thoughts became more clear "I'd like that as well, but we'll see where things go. I may not be allowed here for much longer, if me and my demeanor is not to their liking."

"You, Brena?" He asked jokingly "What's not to like?"

You gave a slight eye roll as you retraced your steps upstairs, to dress yourself and prepare yourself for judgement.