A/N: After much debate, I decided to continue with A Commoner's Tale, but I will not be updating frequently. I thank the people that reviewed way back and asked for more, and so I shall give it to them. How parts of this story turn out depends on reviews and how others feel about the plotline, characters, etc.

Pronunciation of Names:

Kyri: Kairi ( for all of those Kingdom Hearts fans who know what I'm talking about) or Kye-ree

Kzrin: Kiz-ren (add a slight "s" sound with the z)

A Commoner's Tale

If I could love with words, my mouth would be forever speaking. ______________________________________________________________________

I sighed and tried to peer through the writhing bodies that swept across the dance floor, some making graceful leaps while others were sensual as they leaned in and whispered into another's ear. A typical nedeirra and I had lost a beat within fifteen minutes. It truly showed how often I did go to a nedeirra with younger drow and simply enjoy myself, rather than the stuffiness of () where the matrons showed up in all their glory, trying to outdo each other in finery.

This, however, was much more amusing.

Until a saw a pair of familiar red eyes peering at me. Subconsciously I began replaying practice battle sessions in my head. The nedeirra continued on, the frenzied pace quickening with every step, and I turned just in case those ruby eyes bore a hole through my forehead. I wasn't in the mood for games, nor for any intriguing offers Kyri had to offer. A sharp fingernail touched my back, and I turned slowly to face a beautiful female with penetrating eyes that had probably been staring at me throughout the dance.

"Malice," I said with my customary grin, pretending to ignore Kyri's stare as a servant removed her clothing. I shrugged off my shirt and continued to speak, "I thought you were still in Arach Tinilith."

Malice quirked a brow. "Ten years left." With a small glint in her eye, she turned, letting a servant undress her. I watched, bemused with myself as Kyri approached, her arms folded under breasts as she followed me into the spa, sinking into the steaming water with her slanted eyes glaring at me.

"Please dissociate your self from that creature," she grumbled before sinking into the water, her eyes throwing daggers at me. I shrugged and slid into the water, stretching languidly while I watched Malice approach in the corner of my eye.

"Brace your self," I whispered between a faux smile as she slipped in beside me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Later," she breathed before moving towards a group of other chattering drow.

"Do'Urden bitch," Kyri seethed, not caring if anyone heard. "If I could, I would wring her scrawny neck, dissolve her brain into bits for the spiders to feed on, then-"

"How graphic," I interrupted her rant with a yawn, satisfied that the drow who had dragged me here was the least amused by the whole affair. "I heard a hint of jealously in that sweet tone of yours." At least I had soothed over the bumps I had most likely caused, and Kyri smirked knowingly.

"It's just a business trip, I suppose. I won't need to worry about the elg'caress for long," came the cryptic reply; either my abbil was simply taking in the effects of the scented bath, or was showing a prelude of her designs. Obviously deciding the latter, I inclined my head for her to proceed while taking a glass of ulaver wine from a nearby servant.

"Oh, Agtaq is having another one of the fabulous house parties again," she began. " I reminded him it was his brother's turn to embellish the whole affair, but he insisted on throwing the party his way," she continued on for a few more moments with incessant chatter, but the main focus was on the opening statement. Wonderful. Those damn siblings that Kyri knew had connections with Bregan D'aerthe, and Ataq (a nuisance that was dubbed a favorite in Fean Tblabber) had convinced my little friend of something devious. If this turned out a plot against Malice Do'Urden, I would rather walk through the streets flogging myself than doublecross the Dragon's Hoard agents that had established themselves with the Do'Urden household.

My mind was still reeling with possibilities when a servant handed me a towel and ushered the guests into the next chamber, which spilled out into several hallways, each with at least a score of doors down each one. I stepped into the same room as Kyri and laid down on a long bed beside her as a pair of masseuses began their work.

"Your contact coming?" I asked nonchalantly as I stared at the ceiling and ignored Kyri's angered stare. So, the Malice thing was getting to her.

"Like you would give a vith," she growled before the door opened and a handsome drow male swept in, dressed in finery and a smile on his face.

"Kyri!" he exclaimed before pulling the female off the couch and clasping an arm around her waist. Kyri giggled like a toddler and hugged the newcomer.

"Agtaq! What are you doing creeping the halls without a whim?" she queried while running a finger down Agtaq's chest. Agtaq rolled his eyes and ignored me with small sniff of disdain, then sat down on an opposite couch. Kyri began playing with his long curling ponytail, nudging her "acquaintance" playfully. "Do explain why."

Like any male who wished not to have his mind incinerated by female psionicist, Agtaq obeyed.

"Bagr'ryydur has made arrangements with () about the situation," he said vaguely, an eye on me. I shrugged and turned over, my back facing the two. "However, technicality will ensue if you do not leave midway through dinner. Kzrin wouldn't be too happy if you dragged him here for nothing." I snickered and proceeded to put my dining garments on, grumbling. Feigning impatience and ignorance was a hobby of mine, and idiots like Agtaq were easy to fool.

Kyri, of course, already knew who was playing the fool in this situation. The drow girl could, and would wrap any available male or female around her finger and yank until there was nothing left to give. The only affiliation that lasted more than a few years had been with me, and even though I considered her my little abbil, it did not leave her out on the "potential for endangerment of life" list. It wasn't as if every Menzoberranyr wasn't on it. Damn those complications of living with a society full of manipulating manipulators.

A/N All right, I know that was awfully short, but I'm having a writer's block and I don't know how to continue with the party scene (other than that, I'm fine.) The next chapter will hopefully be up! Have a happy new year people!