<hr/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/2/29/Guardian_Druidess.png)</div><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;"><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">Shara, the Bog-Druid (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332178.msg15843903#msg15843903)</span></strong></span><br/><hr/><em>Lvl 4 Human Female Druid</em><br/><strong>HP:</strong>40<br/><strong>AC:</strong>16<br/><strong>Standard Perception:</strong>12<hr/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332279.msg15849573#msg15849573">Quote from: Milena on 10-05-2021, 11:58:11</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">["Slaves do <em>not</em> speak for Davriel or House Nox unless commanded to do so." Milena hissed the words through clinched teeth. "Do not disgrace us with your behavior again, girl."<br/><br/>Shara's hair was released as she was roughly shoved away. Milena turned back to the bartender, all of the rage spared for the girl replaced by a far more pleasant demeanor.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><em>That lesson doesn't work anymore,</em>she thought as she felt the harsh tug upon her hair - surprisingly silky rather than the greasy lank one should have assumed - Milena may have noticed.  Shara didn't really understand<em>why</em>the old lesson didn't work anymore - she'd learned to speak that way when dispatched to markets already under the thumb of the House, or when speaking to other low menials - but she'd never served in a place where the House was still establishing itself.<br/><br/>She didn't really understand the difference, but she understood that she had been in error - and understanding<em>why</em>was such an unimportant detail.<br/><br/>She stood by after she'd been released, then bowed deeply to Hogg, waiting for Milena to finish her business.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Please accept my apologies for the rudeness of our slave; we can have her beaten if it would please you. Or, if you prefer a different satisfaction, we can spare her for a night or two to make amends." The woman shrugged nonchalantly, completely unbothered by the prospect of what she was suggesting. "But I can assure you that House Nox and those that work for us mean you no disrespect." Milena took another gold coin from a purse hidden beneath a crimson sash, added it to the counter next to the one Shara had put forth, and then slid both forward with two fingers. "Two of your heartiest breakfast meals if you would be so kind, dear."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=332279.msg15849662#msg15849662">Quote from: Hogg Vernon on 10-05-2021, 14:54:28</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"> "None taken" Hogg said in response to Milena's apology.   "Thanks fer' the offer, but beddin' some bog wench doesn't appeal to me just now, even tho' she is a leggy one, make no mistake.  I'll let you know if I change me mind.  Go on and sit, and I'll have cookie fix ye yer fast."  He then knocked on the wall, and shouted:   "Cookie, two hearty breakfasts, darling!  Up an' at 'em."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"I apologize to you and your House for my error. The fault was mine. Should you change your mind, for yourself or a guest, you may call upon me whenever you like, so long as I am not then acting in my lord's service. I would ask for a bath before and after, for which I would expect to pay as a customer," she said formally. "I can help in your kitchen or find ingredients for you and would ask only that you tell me what ingredients you might need."  At this point she finally rose, straightbacked, and said "This may be poor recompense for the insult done - if I can offer any other balm to you, please call upon me and I will give it if it is within my power."  She turned and faced Milena, then bowed again.<br/><br/>"Thank you for your correction, mistress. No dishonor or disrespect was meant, but the fault was mine. By your leave, I would apologize to the Lord Nox and submit to his judgements, unless you should wish to offer yours first."<br/><br/>Her contrition seemed sincere on one level and ... manufactured on another - not a matter of deception, but in the manner of a person practicing rote responses, speaking as though she had rehearsed a ritual.  She wore a distressed expression, though it was unlikely Milena could see as the marshwight - confused and trying to find her place in a land that was more<em>her</em>home than it was that of House Nox - thought to herself that<em>what I was taught to say doesn't work anymore. The old lesson doesn't work anymore.</em>