Go for it

“What about you?” Teysa asked. “And Jy’ven. How are things working with you?”

Lil’esh was very good. Her expression barely wavered. She just looked confused, as though Teysa had asked after the health of a distant cousin she didn’t know very well.

“Jy’ven? I suppose she’s doing all right. I haven’t talked to her recently. What about her?”

“Aren’t you…” Teysa trailed off. She’d hoped to be smoother than this, but clearly subtlety wasn’t her strong suit. “Aren’t the two of you, you know, involved?”

“Involved?” Lil’esh raised an eyebrow. “What exactly are you implying?”

“I just thought…” Teysa waved her hands in the air. Sweat beaded her brow. “That time we all had a picnic together? By the pool? The two of you seemed very… close…”

“Jy’ven is a very friendly drider,” Lil’esh said, her tone carefully neutral. “Much friendlier than some. My job as ambassador was—is—to forge contacts that will bring our people closer together. So yes, we’re friends. That’s all. Don’t read too much into it.”

Teysa could almost believe it. Lil’esh didn’t sound angry, just confused and a little embarrassed at being the target of such a misapprehension. But Teysa had been so sure.

“But she…” she began, and trailed off lamely. “Are you certain?”

“About who I’m seeing? Yes, quite.” Lil’esh’s mouth formed a thin line. “A word of advice, Teysa? Maybe put your own relationship in order before speculating about other people’s.” And there it was: anger, simmering just under the surface. Was Lil’esh offended at the presumption that she might become involved with a monstrous drider? Or was she angry that she’d been caught?

“I don’t even think she can… feel that way, about anyone,” Lil’esh went on. “I thought all the driders besides the Matron were basically sexless. Present company excluded, of course.”

“I don’t know,” Teysa said. “Before, I would have agreed with you. When I was a captive here, they all seemed like drones. Well, besides her. But things are different now, aren’t they? They seem a little warmer. More… human.”

“Or elven.” Lil’esh shrugged. Just like that, her anger was gone. She was clearly happy that the topic had moved on. “Anyways, Teysa, this has been fun, but I really do have to get back to my people. Thank you for everything. If there’s anything else I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.” She did not wait for a reply.