>>5419185You nod your head in slightest incline-a gesture of an equal, respectful of their host but not deferential nor supplicant to them.
The elves—and their Queen Myrymma—seem to approve. The queen stares at you unblinkingly for some time with those moon-pale eyes, expression impassive, then nods likewise.
“Thank you for accepting my summons,” she offers, an acknowledgement that you are worthy-enough to be shown gratitude, and not to be called up like a subject, nor beckoned like a beast.
“Of course,” you reply in kind. “It was a generous offer.”
“Your Elven is quite good,” she compliments you, only a little condescending.
“I am used to Slithhhsskaah,” you say, “and new to your tongue. Pardon any… Lapses.”
She hesitates, her expression lightly vexed for a moment.
“My race’s language,” you explain, with lightest smugness, “which we call ‘The True Speech.’”
“Ah.”
A moment passes between you two, as you eye her up. This queen is tall for her race, but her physical and magical might and beyond your ken. Her mastery of this dance of subtle, lightly-barbed pleasantries is not unimpressive, though. You feel passingly grateful for the ‘practice’ which the Novice Fleshweaver gave you growing up, with far sharper and more piercing tongue.
“I have prepared wine,” she tells you, “and the flesh of hunted beasts—non-insects. My cousin, Princess Jazkarmel, tells me your people do not much care for mushrooms, and I am certain you have all had your fill of bugs.”
Though you have eaten, you gladly accept the food, though…
>You will not drink the wine here—you have too little constitution for the stuff, and this is an important meeting>You must drink sparingly, to avoid offending your hosts or becoming too intoxicated>You will match these tiny elves drink-for-drink, relying on your enlarged body and enhanced constitution>You will feign a religious aversion to wine, and hope Jazkarmel plays alongOver the meal, there will be little privacy… But, of course, ample opportunity to probe, cajole, size-up and strategize. What subjects (maximum three) will be your focus?
>The Queen’s house, Yvonlace, and its peculiarities and place in society>The male she thinks is most likely to be the next King-for-the-Season>The male she would most LIKE to be King-for-the-Season, if she had her way>Jazkarmel’s place in House Yvonlace>The alliance in Bloodrise, above and below, and the relative positions of your peoples>The True Faith and your Dark Pantheon, as a worthy replacement for the Drow’s godlessness>The Shoggoth and Devourer, who you destroyed>The ancient Drow monarchs (and their lost moon-sword)>The relative merits of matriarchy and patriarchy>Write-in 