[Do you have anything to do with this message from Lilith's mother?] Black signed to Julius as she paced around her kitchen, her phone brandished in her tail and the camera aimed at herself.
She had screenshotted the message and sent it to Julius, hoping for some insight, but he was just as surprised by it as she was.
"By the sound of it, she and Lilith called each other since you signed the contract, my dear. Syndra's more than likely looking to meet you for herself, I don't think she's angered by your arrival at all."
[So what should I expect when I arrive to see her?] Black asked, thinking his words over.
"More than likely, Lilith already gave her some pertinent details about you in preparation of the meet up. Most noteably your mutism and sign language."
[Can Lilith do that spell you used for learning sign for me?]
"Yes, I do recall mentioning my title to you, but never went into further detail about it, did I?" Julius paused, waiting for her to show a sign of interest. "Lilith and I share the same amount of magical prowess and knowledge. I simply hold the title, in fact, she and I were challenging each other for the final testing to achieve the title. She and I were already a couple at that point, and one of the last exams was to duel each other. As you can guess, I won the duel, but to this day I know she fought fairly for the entirety."
[So it's a title? A symbol of prowess?]
"It does come with a degree of political power, social status and business standing. Similar to earning a PHD, such as the dual-form one of medicine and magic that Doctor Saki holds." Julius explained. "I am also a businessman, I run a logistics company based here in the city."
[So it makes you famous?]
"Yes, in simpler terms."
[So what about Lilith's mother?]
"She's a renowned alchemist, and an established socialite." Julius replied with a small nod. "I've met her numerous times, I enjoy her company and insight. I certainly hope you will as well."
[I already sent her a message for a visit tonight, but why do I feel so nervous about it?] Black bit her lip with the tip of one of her fangs, her gaze lingering on the box for her buttplugs laying on her bedside table. Should she remove her current one? Would Syndra even notice if she kept it in?
"My dear..." Julius' voice snapped her attention back to her phone screen, breaking her reverie immediately. "I can see it in your expression, you're overthinking it. What time did you and Syndra agree on for the meeting?"
[It's at 6:30.] Black signed the time with an accompanying glance past her phone at her wall clock. [I should probably start getting ready for it soon, shouldn't I?]
"I would, yes. I'm not sure how you're getting there, personally, but I would presume you're being driven by an associate or a servant." Julius nodded slightly. "I'll still be available if you would like to call me after you're finished."
One drive outside the city later, Black found herself being escorted through yet another lavish home in the hills north of the forests she hunted in. And, the silent servant that had been leading her along curtly stopped at a single door along the corridor, turning to face her as the door silently opened.
She glanced at the stiffly stood servant for a moment, then noticed they were holding their right arm across their stomach to indicate she was to go inside without them. So without a word she entered to find a Drow woman seated at a tea table, waiting for her.
"Ah, you must be Miss Black Rock Shooter, daughter of Emerald, the Obsidian Stalker." Syndra spoke up with a glance as she slowly rose from her seat, drawing Black's gaze to her Elven features. She was a stunning replica of Lilith, save for her longer ears and much more lithe figure. "Please, have a seat. I've heard quite a bit about you from my own daughter."
For some reason, Black could feel her heart hammering in her chest. Something didn't feel right about this room. It wasn't Syndra herself... something else was involved. It felt achingly familiar too.
Despite her unease, part of her brain was draconic, and her better half's damn stubborn pride was in control as she sat across from Syndra and glanced around the room while the woman resumed her own seat with a stiff, upright pose before curtly crossing her legs and giving Black her full attention.
"So... Lilith speaks quite highly of you." Syndra's gracefully measured movements caught Black's attention. It was so rehearsed... precise... and seemed so... unnatural that it stood out to her sharp gaze.
[I take it she's also given you the means to understand my sign language too?] Black signed, keeping her eyes on Syndra's face the entire time.
"She did, indeed." Syndra smiled slightly before sipping some of her tea. "There were a few things I was quite curious about, given what she described to me about you, my child."
[Please don't call me that. I understand you're much older than me, but that makes me very uncomfortable.] Without even thinking of what she was signing, Black scowled slightly and took in a deep breath through her nose, and realized she could smell two different perfumes at the same time. There was no way that Syndra was wearing two simultaneously... and she herself didn't wear any... so someone else was here, or had been here very recently...
"Ah, I see." Syndra lowered her teacup and very slightly turned it on the saucer to free her finger from the loop on the side. "Well, is it alright if I ask you a few things then?"
Black nodded very slightly, not bothering to sign just yet.
"Since I lack experience with dragon physiology, I was quite curious about your age, since to me... you appear to be incredibly young."
[I'm twenty three.]
"Ah, you're only ten years her junior. Well, at the very least you are of physical maturity, are you not?"
[I'm a hybrid. That changes things on both sides.] Black signed. [Humans physically mature around my current age, while my species of dragon reach physical maturity by fifty years old. So, legally, as a part human, I am well beyond the age of consent. But, as a dragon, I am still in the midst of the puberty process. Most notably, I still have not fully grown my horns, which is widely considered the first true sign of maturity for any draconic species, not just for Obsidian Stalkers.]
"Ah, I did notice them through your hair, yes." Syndra commented with a telltale glance directly at the small pointed peaks that graced the edge of Rock's hairline. "And as a young woman, you still have plenty of time to mature not just physically, but mentally and worldly as well. Are you by any chance interested in achieving higher education levels? Perhaps attempting the magical aptitude examination? If you are capable, of course."
[I am interested in post-secondary education, yes. But right now I am not in the position for it. I am also not interested in attempting the magical aptitude examinations since I cannot speak, so I am restricted from performing any form of vocal incantation.]
"Were you born mute?" Syndra asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as she asked the question.
[I never learned how to speak in general. I am more than capable of draconic vocalizations, as I use them while hunting and in moments of anger. I've taken to using my sign language because of the amount of time it would take me to even begin attempting to speak, let alone deciding on a language to use. I am, however, able to read and write in English, as it is the language most commonly spoken around the city. Besides, as you are more than aware, there are highly effective magical methods to immediately learn sign language for very little effort. I highly doubt someone unable or unwilling to learn sign doesn't figure out that I can also read and write just fine. So I am not as restricted in my communications as it might seem.]
"Well, that's quite intriguing." Syndra tilted her head slightly as Black finished signing her explanation. "I take it you're not willing to ask Julius or my daughter for assistance magically?"
[No, I am not.] Black replied with a slow shake of her head. [Just like with sign language, the act of speaking requires muscle memory, which is gained through years of repetition. Magic can't teach that, even I know that. The spell that Lilith gave you to translate what I'm signing is more than likely a translation only spell. It's visual. Sure, you can use sign yourself since you instinctively understand what each gesture means, but the act of using it as a primary method of communication isn't what it's intended for. Try going a full day using only sign language, and I can guarantee you will make more mistakes than you intend to.]
"I see your perspective on the matter." Syndra retrieved her teacup and took a sip before continuing her questions. "So, on the note of my daughter... May I ask you a question about her?"
Black's eyes were locked onto Syndra's face for a moment, and for the tiniest moment she spotted that Syndra was looking over her shoulder instead of directly at her like she'd been doing since her arrival. And she knew there was a mirror on the wall behind her, she had seen it out of the corner of her eye when she had entered the room.
[May I ask one first?] Black signed, taking a slow inhale through her nose and catching another waft of that second scent of perfume. It smelled so familiar that she should've realized it sooner. [Which corner of the room is Lilith hiding in right now? I can smell her perfume underneath yours, and you've had your eyes on me this whole time until you mentioned Lilith just now. The gig is up.]
"My my, and here I thought that would actually work, my dear." Lilith sounded very amused as she shimmered into sight at the wall behind Syndra, smiling at Black's narrowed gaze aimed at her mother. "Mother, please, allow me to explain myself to her. You needn't leave."
[What is this about, Lilith?] Black signed right away as Lilith sat at the last available seat, facing her.
"I voiced some concerns to my mother during a phone call about whether or not you were sexually interested in me as much as you are towards Julius, and she offered to speak to you about things. In her own way, of course. I didn't quite feel comfortable with the idea of her doing it this way, so I chose to remain unseen with the invisibility magic to witness things firsthand while also not interfering directly with your conversation. Clearly we both failed to take into account that your sense of smell is as strong as it is. The plan was for me to make my presense known after a few more particular questions that she was only just beginning to ease you into addressing when you called our bluff."
[So you jumped the gun and messaged me, despite Lilith feeling uncomfortable with the idea of this discussion?] Black signed to Syndra, who nodded in reply.
"It was never my intention to make you feel uncomfortable at any point. And I clearly did, so I'd like to apologize to you in any way that I can." Syndra lowered her head slightly as she gave her apology.
[You don't have to. It's fine.] Black brushed it off, then turned her gaze back to Lilith. [Is there any more that needs to be said, or can we go now? I don't want to continue with the facade, and want to form a friendship with your mother naturally from here onward, if that's alright.]
"I understand, please, I'll drive you home." Lilith offered Black her hand, and together they stood up and turned to Syndra, who smiled and smoothly rose from her seat and offered her hand to Black to shake.
"I look forward to our next visit. You are welcome in my home at any time. And I wish you a safe drive home."
[Thank you, Syndra.]
A/N: This chapter was intended to play out slightly differently, but I couldn't bring myself to actually write out the intended course of action, which was for Syndra to get a bit too touchy-feely with Black Rock Shooter (henceforth shortened to Black in the story) and make her lash out with a blast of fire, which would simultaneously reveal that Lilith was watching the whole time. It was planned to cause a slight argument between Lilith and Syndra before Black smoothed things over, and thus ending the chapter. I chose against it, since I intend to use Syndra later again in the story, and wanted her to be shown in a better light. So I opted for Black noticing the smell of Lilith's perfume and figuring it all out on her own.