RP:Elf on the Outside, Drow on the Inside

Part of the Surface Tension Arc

Synopsis: After Winter kills her mark and escapes, Emerus is left to face Gevurah alone. He reveals himself as an unusual elf: a sympathizer with the drow. He wishes to become a drow one day, but knowing that is impossible, he contents himself with serving them. Gevurah suspects ulterior motives and tests his loyalty with a task.

Dead End (in the Underdark)

Emerus watched as Winter ran away and the Drow he was defending fall. He gritted his teeth and found himself surrounded by a group of drow, one riding a giant spider mount. He instantly returned his bow to his quiver and stood there in awe and fear. He kept his hands loose by his sides and did his best to keep his heart rate down. He may have been trying to help a drow, but he was in their world now and very vulnerable to them, seeing as he couldn't see too well. His eyes darted around out of instinct, yet he was fighting it and dropped to his knees so he wasn't much of a threat. "Gods help me survive this.... I am on their side and mean them no harm. Allow me to be a weapon for them....." he whispered to himself, though he was sure they could hear him. He did what he did to try and survive something most did not.

Gevurah snorts derisively at Emerus's behavior. Considering normally she'd have attacked an elf by now, this is a sign things move in a positive direction for Emerus. "Answer my question, elf." She speaks in common. Her harsh accent over enunciates consonants and swallows vowels, typical of the drow. "Who are you." She speaks her question rather than asks it. Two of her guard try to disarm Emerus, while the other three keep him under the threat of their blades and crossbolts.

Emerus slips his quiver off with his bow, hesitant to let it go. He emptied the darts from under his sleeves and allowed them to take his daggers. He remained on his knees, "I am Emerus. Wood elf born to Sage." He wanted to lock eyes with the female so that she could read his reply as well as hear it. Its a dumb thing to do, seeing as she could see him better than he could see himself. "I mean no harm to you or your people. I only wish to aid you." he said, speaking no more after that. He knew she was powerful by the way she talked, the way she moved and the fact she was on a mount. He didn't want to test her power.

Emerus's willingness to give up his weapons, even those hidden in clothing, lends credence to his words more than any eye contact. The drow famously lie while looking you in the eye. Actions speak. Gevurah lights a few faerie flames between them so that the elfmay see whom he is talking to. By the pale light of the dancing lights, Emerus can see a young, ebon face more accustomed to scowling than smiling. The lift of her chin, regal slope of her nose, contempt in her eyes suggest a high social standing. She is not lit from the waist down, and from the darkness near her hips Emerus will hear the sound of snakes hissing. "Why."

"Because I have lived in secret in Sage, hiding from the Drow and going as far as desguising myself as a human. I have learned to speak your language somewhat, but for the most part, I have always dreamed of being drow. So.... the only thing I can offer is my help, to be a spy so that your people can better defend and attack the elves of Sage." He placed his hands on his thighs and looked up into Gevurah's eyes, his own going soft at the sight of her face and his heart racing..... Softly he said, "She is an angel of darkness... I'd willingly follow her....." He stopped there and let his mind do the rest, 'She is beautiful and I want to make her happy. I hope I can say the right things.' All in thought... He dropped his head and stared at the darkness, "I am in love with the Drow. I love them. All of them." His last words were spoken with true honesty than his previous words.

Emerus's infatuation with her and his love for the drow make her sick to her stomach. Angel of darkness? Indeed, it's the type of flattery a drowess wants to hear, but not from an elf! But if he is sincere, perhaps he can be useful to her in her war against his bloodkin. "That's unexpected. So unexpected you'll understand that I am suspicious. I have no way of knowing that this isn't some elven trick. What proof can you offer me of your love for the drow?"

"I have no proof to offer but myself and my bow. If there is something I can do or get, I will do it. I will even offer myself to you by some ritual or oath bound by magic." He sighed and let his mind race as he thought about what it is he could offer. He held up his hands, "Take my blood if you must. Do anything ask anything of me."

Gevurah smirks as Emerus offers himself in dangerous ways. "Blood, is it." She pulls a dagger out of her corset and gestures for Emerus to give her his palm. She commands one of her guard in drow,and he empties his canteen then holds it beneath Emerus's palm to catch blood. If Emerus gives his hand, Gevurah inflicts a shallow cut across his palm where a scar will be hidden by the natural lines of his hand. She takes a a couple ounces. "And a lock of hair." If he doesn't resist, she cuts a lock and places it in a small, thin container hidden in a pocket in her skirt. "If you are loyal to me and not in cahoots with that feline," she speaks of Winter, "Then bring her to me. Or any wood elf would do. Bring me an enemy and I know you are not allied with them."

He sat up on his knees some and offered his dominate hand, his right and gritted his teeth as she sliced his hand open. He then smiled at the pain and laughed a little. "The feline will be a challenge to catch, but I will do what I can. I would prefer to bring her to you, but I will do what I can." When she was done with his hand and his hair, he pulled his hand back and flexed it a few times before letting it rest on his thigh again. "Where do you want me to bring them?" he asked firmly, this time looking up at her.

Gevurah's face pinches in mild confusion. It's hard to believe her ears, his willingness, this entire scene. She points through the northern tunnel. "About a league in that direction, you will find the main entrance to the city of the drow to your east. At the entrance, ask for First Daughter Gevurah D'Artes. That is I." She takes a step back and waves for her guard to return to Emerus his weapons. "I hope you remember your way out of the Underdark from here."

Emerus listened and nodded his head. "I've never done anything like this before, but I will do waht I can even if it kills me. You will have your prize in the end." He stood up and placed his weapons where they belonged. His bow was taken with great care and he spoke its name, 'Tretcherous Flame' as its called, then looked at the drow around him and smiled. "I have a pretty good sense of getting out. Maybe one day I will be granted the body of a drow." With that he gripped his bow tightly and started to leave, a smile on his face and his heart pounding against his chest.