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Oblodra Gloom coda
Jan. 20th, 2024 11:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
senmutWith the Shadows Gone (2088 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Catti-brie (Dungeons & Dragons), Drizzt Do'Urden, Alustriel Silverhand
Additional Tags: Ensemble Cast, Menstruation, Slice of Life
Series: Part 6 of Oblodra Gloom
Summary:
The day that biology caught up with Catti-brie was harrowing for the clan as a whole, and Drizzt was sent for because he dealt with people more than they did.
He listened, while Catti-brie burrowed into his arms, seeking comfort from the one person not panicking.
"I know nothing of human manners like this," he admitted. "It sounds like it may be a natural thing, as you seem healthy otherwise," he added to the teenaged girl. "But I will need to find new knowledge for you.
"Auntie, I can't see as it would hurt to give her that pain tea you make. And maybe test if holding warm or cold things near the pain would reduce it."
He could possibly ask his sister; she dealt with humans sometimes, but decided against it. Vierna was still nettled that even after exploring below, and netting the dwarves a trading partner in the Underdark, he chose to live there. And she knew it was because of Catti-brie, more than anything, having taken a solid interest in teaching her and giving her an outlet in the outdoors.
"What do we do for the bleeding?" Catti-brie asked, not wanting him to go, but wanting to know what was happening to her.
"As you have. Keep clean things there to absorb it, and change them out." He kissed her forehead. "I will make it back as swiftly as I can."
"Aye, me elf." She hugged him tight, and reluctantly let go of him so he could leave. Auntie beckoned for her to come down to the elder's level where she ran the apothecary.
Winter Edge was closest, but had already proven hostile to Drizzt despite him saving their sheep from raiders the year before. High Hold was more tolerant, but the Holdmaster was always uneasy with him if he came without one of the dwarves.
Drizzt vaguely thought that was because his daughter, the heir, was not as adverse to talking to a drow.
That all in mind, he settled into a jog, fully provisioned so he didn't need to gather along the way, and aimed for Silverymoon herself. If he just kept moving, he'd be able to get there and back in less than a tenday, given he required so little sleep, and the night did not impede his travel.
He had not actually gone into the city before, merely guarded the trade wagons down to the walls, but he was known in the region, and he was on the business of Mithral Hall. Surely that would be enough.
Alustriel Silverhand always listened to the city gossip at evenfeast. She'd heard, already, that the drow ranger had entered the city. That had been in the summary report from the Silver Watch.
"…went right to Silvanus's temple, stayed a bit…"
"…heard he went to Widow Cranver's shop…"
"…bit odd, if you ask me, but he's gone now…"
Alustriel was curious about all the tidbits, and decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to either visit the temple on the morrow, or ask one of the chattier Spellguards to see if the Widow was up to sharing more.
She was, after all, very curious about a drow in her region, allied to a powerful neighbor, who did not answer in any way to the loose federation of goodly drow she did know.
~He's been in Skullport a handful of times since the Hall was reclaimed. His sister arrived there soon after that to clean up the mess that was the Masked God's affairs there,~ Qilué sent, with pauses to pick up the sending after replying to Alustriel.
~That one,~ Laeral began wryly, ~is a force of nature. A pity she's across the board from us all. Her father has hired out a few times to interested parties.~
~And they have connections to the small force of nominally Lolthite mercenaries,~ Qilué tacked onto Laeral's sending. ~But the ranger is known to be his own power, no direct fealty to any but his kin.~
~I know he accompanies every trade wagon, and he's aided many people, whether they care to admit it or not,~ Alustriel replied to that.
~But you have not yet met him, he's unusual, and that vexes you, especially as he did enter your city,~ Syluné sent with amusement. It set the sisters to giggling at their 'calm' one, before turning to other conversation for the night.
By the time Drizzt arrived, the initial complaint had passed. He sat his friend down, unloaded his pack, explained all of the things he'd brought back, and then the ailment itself.
"I'M GOING TAE HAVE TAE DEAL WITH THIS FOR HOW LONG?!"
Her indignant shout was heard up and down the hall, but Bruenor steadfastly left the dealing with it in his elf's hands. Drizzt managed such things better.
"It does seem like a terrible way to handle being capable of birth," Drizzt agreed. "Should we start setting aside coin to hire a wizard to make you a proper dwarf lass?"
She looked at him with that expression of half-considering it, before she glared at the herbal remedies, the absorbent materials, and then him for being the messenger.
"The hot bottle helped," she finally said, relenting a little. "And from what ye've taught me, Auntie's tea didn't because it's not for muscles crunching up, and the Widow said that's what it is?"
"Yes. She gave me the recipes for these. I'll help you find and prepare them, so you know how, for when these run out."
"Aye, best tae not have tae run all the way there and back," Catti-brie agreed, before putting her new belongings away properly, resigning herself to the ridiculousness. "Thank ye for learning more about humans than ye ever really wanted tae know."
"Have to take care of our Cat, hmm?" he said, amused, just as the clerics and widow had been at his questions.
The trip into the city, how smoothly he'd been allowed in, made Drizzt braver about suggesting he handle the correspondence run. An invitation to the mid-summer festival had arrived, and while Bruenor could probably spare a messenger, he didn't want to pull anyone off the forges.
And dwarrows were still too young to be running such over five or more days of wilds.
"I will take your reply, and secure the placement for your cart at the merchants' square that week," Drizzt offered. He'd explored Skullport and Rilauven both. Why not explore the nearest city of size as well?
"Aye, that'd be good of ye," Bruenor said. "See the Bursar for coin enow," he added. "Ye keep yer stash o' treasure for other things, me elf. Don't be spending it on us."
Drizzt grinned. "Not much of a stash, but alright." He took the sealed letter, and headed off to get the coin needed.
"Lady, you have an emissary of King Battlehammer as your last appointment before your daily break."
Alustriel looked over, as there was a hint of mischief on Dason's voice. He was a playful one, a good trait in a secretary who had to juggle all of her commitments. She was going to miss him when he did retire.
"And who might this emissary be, so that I know how best to approach it? An elder, a smith, one of their merchants?"
"The drow."
"Oh." Her eyes lit with her own merriment. "Please tell the pages to not draw the curtains so far then."
"Already done."
Alustriel continued on her way, as Dason went to his own desk, to handle anything that might come up this day.
Drizzt entered the small audience room, noted the chairs were set at a companionable distance to one another with Alustriel Silverhand already seated in one.
"Drizzt Do'Urden, Dwarf-friend and ranger, Lady," the page duly announced and Alustriel nodded before indicating the chair.
"Please join me, Saer Ranger."
He took the chair, but held Bruenor's letter out to her before he spoke. "I bring the king's regards, and answer to the invitation sent."
"I am honored he responded so swiftly, and sent one he holds in such high regard." She took the letter but did not open it immediately.
"I volunteered."
She regarded him with a faint smile. "May I ask why? As many rangers prefer to eschew the cities."
"Mostly to see how it was handled," Drizzt told her with a smile. "Of all the denials of aid, when we took the Hall back, yours was the only one that seemed rooted in true protection of your people, rather than bigotry."
Alustriel made a small moue at the reminder. "The most I was able to do was unofficially ask my sons to be near there, in case the dragon escaped containment. They were not pleased to be unable to aid directly, either.
"Regardless of the nature of the allies he did find, King Bruenor should have been supported more directly by the region."
Drizzt nodded, settling back in his chair. "So I felt, and so he did. Which is why the tariffs were established as they were, with an eye to what was said in the refusals, and what food was allocated to help support those that did come.
"I… am pleased to know there was a contingency plan. And will mention it to him in confidence."
"Thank you. They are entirely too recognizable, and people talk." Alustriel then broke the seal and read the message, smiling at the almost archaic language and script. "I am pleased he has decided to send some. I will assign a guide, to help you make the necessary arrangements.
"And also, I would invite you to take guest quarters here in the Palace, while you handle his business. I would, if you are not averse to it, enjoy a less formal meeting, to better know you. I have it on good authority that you are a most unusual man, and one who has done such good in the region since the Hall was found."
"I accept," Drizzt said, flashing another smile. "As I hear you have a library of renown, and I am always seeking to learn more."
She returned that smile fully, inclining her head. "Then, I shall hope you stay several days, to whet your appetite for more to learn, so that you might return from time to time."
"I think that will be a boon to me," he said, inclining his head slightly with respect to her.
"How'd it go? Da said I get tae go with ye and the others for festival. Auntie's makin' me take a proper dress even," Catti-brie said, having met him at his home above the Hall.
"Well. We have a premier spot for the merchants, lodgings secured for all, and I enjoyed my time in the city," Drizzt told her as he was shedding his outer garb. "And I will be glad to have you there. Your father is coming, yes?"
"Said as much, but there's a wrangle o'er who tae leave in charge," she said. "Didnae think cities were much yer thing, me elf."
"Generally, they don't like me," Drizzt corrected. "Rilauven was a challenge because I was not like the others. Skullport is … strange. But I am welcome to come and go as I please in Silverymoon, the stares are brief, and people will speak with me as if I am merely a person, not a monster or a curiosity.
"Plus, there are books to be read, a Lady to converse with, and two churches dedicated to the wilds. I have much to enjoy there."
Catti-brie studied him a moment, something in those words infringing on the fact he'd become her best friend, but he was happy. She let it go with a smile.
"Ye an' yer books," she teased. Still Silverymoon was much closer — and safer — than where his family lived, so she would make herself get used to the idea.
But that Lady best know what a privilege it was to have Drizzt Do'Urden willing to talk with her!
~So what I am hearing is that you are just a bit infatuated with this ranger,~ Syluné teased.
Alustriel tried to find a protest that didn't make it ten times worse.
Her sisters were already laughing across the sending anklets.
~I am too old to be infatuated. Intrigued would be a better choice of words,~ she finally sent with ruffled dignity.
That did not, actually, stop the teasing, but she didn't mind. Having something to look forward to, when the ranger visited, was a welcome change of pace.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Catti-brie (Dungeons & Dragons), Drizzt Do'Urden, Alustriel Silverhand
Additional Tags: Ensemble Cast, Menstruation, Slice of Life
Series: Part 6 of Oblodra Gloom
Summary:
Catti-brie is a human among dwarves... with a drow best friend. Puberty is a bit of a shock.
Fortunately, Drizzt will do anything to help, even learn human biology.
Alustriel is intrigued, and glad the drow ranger has finally come to her city.
Oblodra Gloom
The day that biology caught up with Catti-brie was harrowing for the clan as a whole, and Drizzt was sent for because he dealt with people more than they did.
He listened, while Catti-brie burrowed into his arms, seeking comfort from the one person not panicking.
"I know nothing of human manners like this," he admitted. "It sounds like it may be a natural thing, as you seem healthy otherwise," he added to the teenaged girl. "But I will need to find new knowledge for you.
"Auntie, I can't see as it would hurt to give her that pain tea you make. And maybe test if holding warm or cold things near the pain would reduce it."
He could possibly ask his sister; she dealt with humans sometimes, but decided against it. Vierna was still nettled that even after exploring below, and netting the dwarves a trading partner in the Underdark, he chose to live there. And she knew it was because of Catti-brie, more than anything, having taken a solid interest in teaching her and giving her an outlet in the outdoors.
"What do we do for the bleeding?" Catti-brie asked, not wanting him to go, but wanting to know what was happening to her.
"As you have. Keep clean things there to absorb it, and change them out." He kissed her forehead. "I will make it back as swiftly as I can."
"Aye, me elf." She hugged him tight, and reluctantly let go of him so he could leave. Auntie beckoned for her to come down to the elder's level where she ran the apothecary.
Winter Edge was closest, but had already proven hostile to Drizzt despite him saving their sheep from raiders the year before. High Hold was more tolerant, but the Holdmaster was always uneasy with him if he came without one of the dwarves.
Drizzt vaguely thought that was because his daughter, the heir, was not as adverse to talking to a drow.
That all in mind, he settled into a jog, fully provisioned so he didn't need to gather along the way, and aimed for Silverymoon herself. If he just kept moving, he'd be able to get there and back in less than a tenday, given he required so little sleep, and the night did not impede his travel.
He had not actually gone into the city before, merely guarded the trade wagons down to the walls, but he was known in the region, and he was on the business of Mithral Hall. Surely that would be enough.
Alustriel Silverhand always listened to the city gossip at evenfeast. She'd heard, already, that the drow ranger had entered the city. That had been in the summary report from the Silver Watch.
"…went right to Silvanus's temple, stayed a bit…"
"…heard he went to Widow Cranver's shop…"
"…bit odd, if you ask me, but he's gone now…"
Alustriel was curious about all the tidbits, and decided that perhaps it would be a good idea to either visit the temple on the morrow, or ask one of the chattier Spellguards to see if the Widow was up to sharing more.
She was, after all, very curious about a drow in her region, allied to a powerful neighbor, who did not answer in any way to the loose federation of goodly drow she did know.
~He's been in Skullport a handful of times since the Hall was reclaimed. His sister arrived there soon after that to clean up the mess that was the Masked God's affairs there,~ Qilué sent, with pauses to pick up the sending after replying to Alustriel.
~That one,~ Laeral began wryly, ~is a force of nature. A pity she's across the board from us all. Her father has hired out a few times to interested parties.~
~And they have connections to the small force of nominally Lolthite mercenaries,~ Qilué tacked onto Laeral's sending. ~But the ranger is known to be his own power, no direct fealty to any but his kin.~
~I know he accompanies every trade wagon, and he's aided many people, whether they care to admit it or not,~ Alustriel replied to that.
~But you have not yet met him, he's unusual, and that vexes you, especially as he did enter your city,~ Syluné sent with amusement. It set the sisters to giggling at their 'calm' one, before turning to other conversation for the night.
By the time Drizzt arrived, the initial complaint had passed. He sat his friend down, unloaded his pack, explained all of the things he'd brought back, and then the ailment itself.
"I'M GOING TAE HAVE TAE DEAL WITH THIS FOR HOW LONG?!"
Her indignant shout was heard up and down the hall, but Bruenor steadfastly left the dealing with it in his elf's hands. Drizzt managed such things better.
"It does seem like a terrible way to handle being capable of birth," Drizzt agreed. "Should we start setting aside coin to hire a wizard to make you a proper dwarf lass?"
She looked at him with that expression of half-considering it, before she glared at the herbal remedies, the absorbent materials, and then him for being the messenger.
"The hot bottle helped," she finally said, relenting a little. "And from what ye've taught me, Auntie's tea didn't because it's not for muscles crunching up, and the Widow said that's what it is?"
"Yes. She gave me the recipes for these. I'll help you find and prepare them, so you know how, for when these run out."
"Aye, best tae not have tae run all the way there and back," Catti-brie agreed, before putting her new belongings away properly, resigning herself to the ridiculousness. "Thank ye for learning more about humans than ye ever really wanted tae know."
"Have to take care of our Cat, hmm?" he said, amused, just as the clerics and widow had been at his questions.
The trip into the city, how smoothly he'd been allowed in, made Drizzt braver about suggesting he handle the correspondence run. An invitation to the mid-summer festival had arrived, and while Bruenor could probably spare a messenger, he didn't want to pull anyone off the forges.
And dwarrows were still too young to be running such over five or more days of wilds.
"I will take your reply, and secure the placement for your cart at the merchants' square that week," Drizzt offered. He'd explored Skullport and Rilauven both. Why not explore the nearest city of size as well?
"Aye, that'd be good of ye," Bruenor said. "See the Bursar for coin enow," he added. "Ye keep yer stash o' treasure for other things, me elf. Don't be spending it on us."
Drizzt grinned. "Not much of a stash, but alright." He took the sealed letter, and headed off to get the coin needed.
"Lady, you have an emissary of King Battlehammer as your last appointment before your daily break."
Alustriel looked over, as there was a hint of mischief on Dason's voice. He was a playful one, a good trait in a secretary who had to juggle all of her commitments. She was going to miss him when he did retire.
"And who might this emissary be, so that I know how best to approach it? An elder, a smith, one of their merchants?"
"The drow."
"Oh." Her eyes lit with her own merriment. "Please tell the pages to not draw the curtains so far then."
"Already done."
Alustriel continued on her way, as Dason went to his own desk, to handle anything that might come up this day.
Drizzt entered the small audience room, noted the chairs were set at a companionable distance to one another with Alustriel Silverhand already seated in one.
"Drizzt Do'Urden, Dwarf-friend and ranger, Lady," the page duly announced and Alustriel nodded before indicating the chair.
"Please join me, Saer Ranger."
He took the chair, but held Bruenor's letter out to her before he spoke. "I bring the king's regards, and answer to the invitation sent."
"I am honored he responded so swiftly, and sent one he holds in such high regard." She took the letter but did not open it immediately.
"I volunteered."
She regarded him with a faint smile. "May I ask why? As many rangers prefer to eschew the cities."
"Mostly to see how it was handled," Drizzt told her with a smile. "Of all the denials of aid, when we took the Hall back, yours was the only one that seemed rooted in true protection of your people, rather than bigotry."
Alustriel made a small moue at the reminder. "The most I was able to do was unofficially ask my sons to be near there, in case the dragon escaped containment. They were not pleased to be unable to aid directly, either.
"Regardless of the nature of the allies he did find, King Bruenor should have been supported more directly by the region."
Drizzt nodded, settling back in his chair. "So I felt, and so he did. Which is why the tariffs were established as they were, with an eye to what was said in the refusals, and what food was allocated to help support those that did come.
"I… am pleased to know there was a contingency plan. And will mention it to him in confidence."
"Thank you. They are entirely too recognizable, and people talk." Alustriel then broke the seal and read the message, smiling at the almost archaic language and script. "I am pleased he has decided to send some. I will assign a guide, to help you make the necessary arrangements.
"And also, I would invite you to take guest quarters here in the Palace, while you handle his business. I would, if you are not averse to it, enjoy a less formal meeting, to better know you. I have it on good authority that you are a most unusual man, and one who has done such good in the region since the Hall was found."
"I accept," Drizzt said, flashing another smile. "As I hear you have a library of renown, and I am always seeking to learn more."
She returned that smile fully, inclining her head. "Then, I shall hope you stay several days, to whet your appetite for more to learn, so that you might return from time to time."
"I think that will be a boon to me," he said, inclining his head slightly with respect to her.
"How'd it go? Da said I get tae go with ye and the others for festival. Auntie's makin' me take a proper dress even," Catti-brie said, having met him at his home above the Hall.
"Well. We have a premier spot for the merchants, lodgings secured for all, and I enjoyed my time in the city," Drizzt told her as he was shedding his outer garb. "And I will be glad to have you there. Your father is coming, yes?"
"Said as much, but there's a wrangle o'er who tae leave in charge," she said. "Didnae think cities were much yer thing, me elf."
"Generally, they don't like me," Drizzt corrected. "Rilauven was a challenge because I was not like the others. Skullport is … strange. But I am welcome to come and go as I please in Silverymoon, the stares are brief, and people will speak with me as if I am merely a person, not a monster or a curiosity.
"Plus, there are books to be read, a Lady to converse with, and two churches dedicated to the wilds. I have much to enjoy there."
Catti-brie studied him a moment, something in those words infringing on the fact he'd become her best friend, but he was happy. She let it go with a smile.
"Ye an' yer books," she teased. Still Silverymoon was much closer — and safer — than where his family lived, so she would make herself get used to the idea.
But that Lady best know what a privilege it was to have Drizzt Do'Urden willing to talk with her!
~So what I am hearing is that you are just a bit infatuated with this ranger,~ Syluné teased.
Alustriel tried to find a protest that didn't make it ten times worse.
Her sisters were already laughing across the sending anklets.
~I am too old to be infatuated. Intrigued would be a better choice of words,~ she finally sent with ruffled dignity.
That did not, actually, stop the teasing, but she didn't mind. Having something to look forward to, when the ranger visited, was a welcome change of pace.
