Firewine's Delirium

Ruchi, the dark elf priestess, was drunk and wobbling home over the cold black stones of Elashinn. Ruchi wasn't an avid drinker, which made it all the more pleasurable to enter this state of delirium and excess. Her body had been invigorated first by food, then by wine, and lastly by dance.

As Ruchi approached the place in Elashinn she called home, she spun and turned, even saying a prayer or two of gratitude.

How odd.

Soon, however, a slight nausea rose in her belly, and her limbs began to feel heavy. She knew it was best to put the wineskin away, take a piss, and drift into the land of dreams and visions.

Zynrae had played no small part in her recovery, she was sure. Ruchi didn't know what Faern-magic the female wizard had used, but her scent clung to her intensely, and Ruchi felt her presence lingering even inside her own body. Ruchi smiled drunkenly. She had to find a way to thank her.

"Ouch. Fuck!"

Just when the slender drow drew her obsidian key to slide it into the lock, she bumped against something slightly warm.

"Zynrae? Why are you lying naked on the floor?"

Ruchi looked around. Thankfully, there were no witnesses. Quickly, she blessed first the collapsed drow on the floor, then herself, scooped her up, and hoisted her over her shoulder.

"Zynrae, what the fuck is that red mark between your ring finger and pinky?"

The priestess realized it had some kind of meaning. Perhaps some specific Faern magic she had no idea about, or a meaningful gesture. Inside their house, she clothed Zynrae and settled her onto some pillows in the lounging area.

Then, Ruchi did what she would have done anyway: boiled some mushroom tea. The delicate, expensive kind. Half her priestly wages were spent on tea, she realized.

"Worth it," The drow girl muttered with a sheepish grin.

Blowing on the hot brew, watching the steam weave through the room, she lifted the cup to Zynrae's lips. She was definitely concerned now about the Faern's studies of shadows, and had no idea how to help her.

"Drink, Zynrae, lift up your spirit. There's a diamond inside of you that will persist."