shellphones | ☾ 2nd Dance ☾

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☾ 2nd Dance ☾

Type: Text
Sender ID: Inherlight (Kolnatha Shavval)
To: Everyone
Subject: Thank you Santa
Warnings: No warnings. Just back dated for Christmas time.

Greetings everyone,

I hope you all are keeping warm this winter. I am not sure if it was only me or if someone else also experienced this but this morning I awoke to a sweet letter and a thoughtful gift from someone named 'Santa Claus'. I don't know any other means of reaching this person other than using our magical devices we were given. So Mr. Claus, if you are reading this, thank you for the wool cloak and stuffed animal. I don't receive gifts often.

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Good morning, Miss Shavval!

I happened to awaken to something similar. From what I've gathered in my time here, Santa Claus is something between a historical and mythological figure meant to inspire the spirit of giving and good will among mankind. A rather charming tradition, I think.

[There he goes again with the 'Miss' thing.]

Gale, not need to be so formal. Just Koh is fine. Or that's too familiar then Kolnatha if you like. I've never been called "Miss" anything.

You were also visited by this mysterious visitor? Fascinating... So are you saying this Santa Claus figure isn't a real entity? Then who went around giving gifts to people I wonder... It is a lovely idea however. You wouldn't find such a custom where I was raised.

My apologies— some habits die hard, I'm afraid, but I'll be certain to keep that in mind. Koh, as you say.

[It's only right to make note of which name she prefers, after all.]

As far as this 'Santa Claus' is concerned, I do believe that he was real at some point in time, and it would appear that he is known in more than one world. Whether or not he still exists in the present day on any of those planes, I cannot say, but I have it on good authority that many will give gifts in his name to honor the spirit of the season, especially to children! I believe some of our peers may have been feeling rather generous.

Oh no! Its alright. I really do appreciate you being a gentleman about it. As you said, old habits die hard.

Fascinating. Thank you for the little history lesson. Now I feel a little foolish trying to thank a fictional character... I know it might be shocking to hear but we didn't have anything like this in the Underdark. We had celebrations but none of which are pleasant or should be discussed in front of polite company.

I don't think you need feel foolish at all. The gift came from somewhere, yes? Whoever that someone was chose not to sign their own name— how are you to thank them otherwise, hm?

[It makes perfect sense to him.]

I confess, that does sound rather like what I've heard and read of the Underdark. It's hard to imagine someone with your pleasant manners living there.

A fair point. Well, thank you anonymous stranger!

[There was a pause at the wizard's next message. The drow was glad that this was over text so he couldn't see her expression twist with guilt. If he had known her while she lived under her House control... he would not be saying such things.]

Oh most drow have 'pleasant manners', but to our code of conduct. You won't find many like me down there since it is usually a death sentence. Though I am glad to be considered well mannered by your terms. Have you met many drow?

[Given time, she'll get used to him putting his foot into his otherwise charming mouth from time to time. Sometimes, thoughts come so quickly, they aren't given due consideration before they're spoken.]

A few, yes, most of whom didn't care for me much. My time in the Underdark was brief by most measures, but my companions and I were hardly welcome guests. We've come to count a drow of House Baenre among our number since then, but I can't say she's terribly fond of me, either— on principle, it would seem. Perhaps persistence will pay off on that front!

[Excuse the drow from choking on her own tongue. Did he just say House Baenre? Even if you didn't live in Menzoberranzan, there wasn't a drow who didn't know that name. This roots ran deep and long being the oldest house in all of drow history. Many powerful prestress have emerged from their doors.]

I7m sorry, but did you say House Baenre? As in THE House Baenre? I'm surprised you're still standing. I don't know if your familiar with history that follows that name. My House is no where near that famed.

I confess, at first, many of our number were surprised to find ourselves still standing, as well, but from a pragmatic point of view, it made more sense to all involved that we work together towards a common goal and set ore differences aside— for the most part.

I am familiar with the name insomuch as it appears in a number of history books. I met a second Baenre here, as a matter of fact— though I regret to inform you that he's no longer among our number. Jarlaxle was quite easy to get along with, I found.

Nothing unites better than having a common enemy to fight, I suppose. I have found myself in similar situations before.

[There was a beat as she read the second part of his message. Aside from him running to two drow from House Baenre, but a male? It was fortunate that this was over text and not video for her face twists uncomfortably. More drow have been pulled here? And he had limited exposure to the Underdark... Maybe...]

A male, you say? Has your path crossed with any other male drow in your travels, either here or Faerûn? Or heard of any tales? A wizard.

Only the two of them here— Jarlaxle and Kimmuriel. I've encountered a few in Faerun, as well, though they were far less friendly. One of them was a wizard, though my instinct tells me he was likely not the one you're hoping to hear of, unless you mean to warn me against him.

[He doesn't imagine True Soul Nere was friend to many.]

Are you looking for someone?

I see...

[So there was two males that have passed through here? Those names were unfamiliar to her. Gale's encounters of other male drow back home didn't strike her as something that would be related to Rhyle. Koh had a hard time imagining him being someone to warn someone about. Thought, a lot could happen in a couple decades.

There was a long pause between her last text and his question. As it seemed that his query would be left unanswered, the video clicked on. Gale could make out the outline of the drow as she sat alone in her darken room, all her curtains drawn to block out the bright midday rays. There was just a hint of light that was enough to illuminate the scrunched up expression Koh wore on her face.]

Sorry... I felt like writing about the matter was a bit impersonal when it is in fact deeply personal. [She takes a breath.] Yes, I am looking for someone. My younger twin brother... Rhyle. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that having an honest bond with family is seen as a weakness amongst drow. My Matron did not like the connection we shared. I... failed to protect him. He was sold to another House without my knowledge and he was spirited away in the middle of the night.

[Gale's expression is quite solemn when he turns his own video on in kind, wanting to give her efforts and her choice to confide in him the respect they deserve. At her explanation, he gives a single reserved nod in response, brow furrowing slightly.]

I see. I wish I could say that I had met someone by that name, give you something akin to hope. It must be quite difficult to be separated. I do know that such bonds are... largely frowned upon.

[A terrible shame, really, though there are a great many things about drow culture that run quite counter to what he knows.]

I am truly sorry. Were you ever fortunate enough to find any clues pointing to which House it might have been?

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☾ 2nd Dance ☾

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