A Show to Die For II
As Calfein deals with the stress of his family's re-emergence and requirements for him, on top of both his job & Nythin's attempts to gain patronage from three royal families, he is understandably tense. As Gothta & Leland arrive, they are unaware that Malcys & Nythin have been lured to a back alley where a group of Drow attempt to capture them. Nythin is able to Send Calfein right as the ambush is revealed, and a fight breaks out. The three Drow are dispatched after a lengthy conflict.
Inside, Gothta & Leland are none the wiser, as "Nythin & Malcys" show up to sit with them for the show. Leland tries getting closer to the rich potential patrons, but accidentally knocks into a waiter and spills drinks on himself. Going into the restroom to clean himself up, "Nythin & Malcys" invite Gothta to go to the bathroom with them as well (as normal people do). Once there, the door is barred and a second ambush breaks out, this time between Leland, Gothta, a Drow Elite, and Hal'afey Helvit'tar, Calfein's mother. Our heroes hold their own, with Gothta disarming one of the weapons using his shield while Leland scores a critical disarming blow against Hal'afey. Just as Kevin breaks in, a Darkness spell is cast and the Drow escape through the ceiling vent.
Calfein struggles with his performance at first, having a lot on his mind. He is also struggling to keep the contrasting attentions of the snobbish Ivanova's & the relentlessly horny Voldarens, and is failing to even make Xander Morningstar look up from his work. The turning point comes with a song written for Calfein's lost love, "81 Soldiers", which gains the Ivanova's attention through its emotional sincerity, Xander's attention through its undeniable emotion, and an uncharacteristically sober reaction from the perpetually drunk & horny Olivia Voldaren. The show continues to flourish from there, and each royal family sends a message to Calfein for after the show.
The three groups reconnect at the bar over drinks. Each has had one hell of a night, and Calfein's isn't yet over. Through all the chaos & movement, he spots Olivia moving towards his dressing room backstage. Going alone, Olivia is extremely affectionate & friendly towards Calfein, showering compliments, and casually mentioning that there is a bleeding woman hiding behind his wardrobe.
Emerging from their hiding spot is Calfein's mother, Hal'afey, still heavily wounded from her battle with Gothta & Leland, but showing an uncharacteristic Level of sheer terror towards Olivia. She commands Calfein to step away from the "Vrynn" (serpent, wyrm), telling him Olivia is a traitor & a monster. Olivia takes all of these insults like a teenager not listening to their parents, playfully stoking the fires of Hal'afey's fury while spilling tea on past romantic flings with musicians ("he was a standard-bearer!") during the Psychic Wars. Calfein is notably surprised to see his mother, one of the most battle-hardened veterans he's ever known, appear so shaken & frightened by anyone, much less Olivia Voldaren.
Calfein and Hal'afey talk about why the Family suddenly needs him again. Hal'afey tells him that the Matriarch Calfein was once betrothed to has offered him a second chance, reluctantly admitting she likes Calfein's silly songs. For Clan Helvit'tar, who have fallen on their hardest times in memory, this is the second chance they have been waiting for, hoping & praying for. Calfein tells his mother he does not love Luadra, Hal'afey says he doesn't have to love her, just marry her. She confesses that the Family's hard times began when the 5th High Queen was assassinated on her watch, and have only continued to worsen in the centuries since. Unable to force Calfein to do anything while Olivia is around, she can only ask Calfein to come back for the sake of their Family's survival. Calfein turns her down, but reminds his mother that they are "Those Above Victory", and they will find another way. Hal'afey departs, leaving behind the Drow Slasher for her son.
Completion Date
9/23/24
9/23/24
Plot type
Family Drama
Parent Plot
Subplots
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