A/N: Yes, it's short, but it's something, right? … right? sob Okay, I'm sorry, one of my professors seemed to think my life her class, so it was touch-and-go for awhile there. The next chapter'll have more to it. I hope. Enjoy!:)

IV.

"Look ye all upon the foul drow!"

Viconia had had brushes with death often in her life, both in the Underdark and on the surface. But the ones on the surface tended to stick with her longer, make her wary.

"Burn the drow!"

"Aye, then the drow shall burn!"

She had always kept an extra Fire Resistance spell memorized from that point on.

She shook her head to get her thoughts moving along, but another situation came to mind instead.

"Help me!" Viconia exclaimed to the first people she saw, mentally cursing her luck that most of them were elves, "If you don't help me, he'll kill me!"

"He who?" the female asked, looking around. She spotted the Flaming Fist soldier and grimaced. "Oh, him. Okay, hide!" The female grabbed her arm and dragged her behind her; a good idea in theory, except that Viconia was taller than this surface elf and the soldier could still see her.

"Stand aside, citizen! That woman is a drow and a murderer!"

"Oh no!" Ajantis exclaimed. Viconia cursed her luck again – the only non-elf was a paladin. Of course.

"Really? Who'd she kill?" Viviane asked.

"Er… … someone…"

Silence. Viviane crossed her arms and looked at the Fist critically.

"Good enough for me," Kivan said, drawing an arrow.

"Kivan, be nice. And you, if you don't have proof, then get lost."

Of course it degenerated into a fight. But it was six against one and the Fist member fell quickly. Ajantis even got a new set of armor.

"Might I accompany you? I have nowhere else to go."

"So you're a girl surface drow," Viviane said, looking over Viconia critically. "So do you have whirling scimitars of death, and a noble yet suffering demeanor? Just so you know, no matter what you say I'm going to call you Drizzta."

Viconia reached over and smacked her on the back of the head. "My name is Viconia, darthiir, and I am a priestess of Shar. You will refer to me with respect."

All the men had their weapons drawn and pointing. Viviane didn't seem to notice. "Sweet! We need a cleric! And I've been trying to get as many elves on my team as I can – and you're kinda an elf –"

"She is not!" Xan protested.

"And ever since Shar-Teel got killed by gibberlings-"

The men all looked away.

"Yes, gibberlings," Coran said warily.

"-we've had a spot open! Sure, you can join our party!" Viviane said cheerfully to the rescued drow.

"What?" Ajantis practically screamed in disgust.

"Whatcha thinking about, Viccy?" Imoen asked. Some time during Viconia's thought processes Imoen had moved over so the two women were close.

"Nothing that concerns you," she replied airily, drinking water.

Imoen didn't take that as an answer. "I'm thinking about the past," she said, "Like, when Viv saved me from Irenicus, and when she got rid of me for Eldoth but ended up getting rid of Coran to get me back… and her helping me with being a Bhaalspawn, and…"

"Shut up," Viconia said disinterestedly.

Imoen glared at her. 'Now I'm starting to see why you and me never talked much. Okay, so I guess I always knew, but geez. Temper much?"

"I do not have a temper!" Viconia protested, "I am always calm!"

"Drizzta."

Viconia reached up and smacked her on the back of the head. Imoen, much like her sister had a year before, giggled.

"You immature Bhaalspawn and your refusal to accept authority," Viconia grumbled. "I consider it luck that Bhaal only had so many boys, lest I be forced to deal with masculine insubordination as well."

"Did Sarevok finally cave?" Imoen asked, a twinkle in her eye.

Viconia smirked knowingly. "Perhaps."

"Mental images I could have lived without, but I have to admit I'm proud of you. I figured he was never going to cave. But still, it's kinda weird that you did my brother." She looked a little sick. "And it's kinda weird that he is my brother. Still haven't quite gotten that through my head, I think."

"If it makes you feel better," Viconia commented, "Soon after the one knight - Viviane's paramour – decided to kill some rich fool over something or another, Viviane made us all take paternity tests. The large one is not my brother."

"Money she could've spent getting a magic license from the Cowled Wizards," Imoen observed.

"Yes, well, you've certainly noticed a severe lack of sanity in our comatose elf."

"It would be hard not to. I have to admit, though, sometimes she's funny. Like in the drow city!"

Viconia couldn't help but chuckle at the thought either. It was rare for Viconia to chuckle at things because they were funny versus because she was devilishly pleased, but this was a time that combined both.

Although she had been uncomfortable with the idea initially, Viviane had warmed up considerably to the idea of being a drow. A little too much, it turned out, as Viconia was having a hard time resisting the urge to gag her.

"I am Veldrin of Ched Nasad," the surface elf sneered to Phaere, of all people, "and you will respect me and the – uh - Bhaalryn House!"

Phaere seemed to be aroused, luckily. "You would do well to never speak to me in such a tone again, Veldrin, but your arrogance could prove useful in Ust Natha."

"Bah! Ust Natha!" Viviane theatrically tossed her head to the side. "I am here to gain favor with my Matron Mother so that I may slay her and take her role myself! I have no need of Ust Natha! Tell me what you would have me do and I will do it, if only to return to Ched Nasad that much sooner."

Solaufein looked as if he were silently choking on something.

"Hmmm… yes, meet me on the platform in three days; no more, no less. I will tell you what you need to do then. Until then, enjoy yourselves in Ust Natha." The drow smiled as congenially as only pure evil can do.

"Agreed. Male!" Viviane snapped, looking at Anomen, "I command your presence in the lust chambers."

"As you command," Anomen purred.

Once Solaufein (still chortling) and Phaere had left, Viconia blurted, "I figured it out!"

"Figured what out?" Viviane asked, Anomen subtly tugging on her sleeve.

"What you remind me of," the priestess said smugly, "This entire time I was wondering why I was so reminded of home in your company – you must be an albino drow!"

Viviane's jaw dropped.

"Well, her eyes aren't red, so there goes that theory, but you're right! She is just like a drow matron!" Imoen gushed.

"I think I'm going to be sick," the surface elf murmured.

"Damn," Anomen muttered.

"Oh the look on her face," Imoen said with a big grin.

"If nothing else," Viconia said, regaining her calm demeanor as she sipped at her drink, "It was a good learning experience for her. Not that she truly needed practice in the arts of domination – her knight is a clear example of that – but simply to see how it felt to be one of the superior races."

Imoen snorted and said nothing.

The two ladies sat together in silence, neither sure what to say. Finally, Viconia took her leave. "I ought to go see if perhaps Shar will heal her this time," she said abruptly. "I'm certain the knight is in a drunken stupor and hasn't bothered trying again… stupid male, can't hold his liquor…" and she ventured off.

Imoen smiled to herself knowingly.