The ward on the front steps of the Tao tower flared to life, alerting Meravyel of someone's presence. Whoever it was did not approach completely, knock, or leave. After quite a few minutes, she descended to the first floor and pushed open the great steel doors. There on the step was a drow male, looking around the entry way as if he thought he might be walking into a trap.

"It is largely considered questionable behavior to loiter on one's step in the Glade."

The drow male chuckled slightly and then shifted uncomfortably under her stare. "I uh... well..." His nervous gestures annoyed her.

"Come inside." She moved toward the center of the room before turning. "I tend not to discuss anything where the trees might hear."

He stood just inside the door. "Probably for the best."

"Sit, if you like, while you decide just what you will tell me is your reason for lurking on my doorstep."

"I think it best I stand, Matron."

A flash of surprise lit her eyes for only a moment before it was gone. "As you like." She folded her hands into the sleeves of her kimono, after the fashion of the Tokunese women. "I do not appear as one of the darthiir, and have rarely known one of such kin to call a surface dweller by such a title. I suppose that too is something you will be explaining to me."

He did not quite raise his eyes, keeping them downcast as drow males are taught; a sign of fear or respect. "You are the Matron of house Olath'ol."

Silence reigned in the main hall, the only sound was the crackle of the magical fire pit in the corner, until Meravyel finally spoke, "Then Phyrra is dead. Mm." She ignored the male's nod. "I had hoped to do the task myself." Her gaze refocused on the male.

"Someone beat you to it, Matron."

"And they sent you to tell me?"

"I am more here in the capacity of protection. But yes, to tell you such is true."

Meravyel almost laughed at him, and Meravyel almost never laughed. "In the capacity of protection."

"Not that you would need such, just a precaution, Matron."

"And if I say I do not need such a precaution?" She did not like the idea of having another drow around, let alone one that would draw ANY kind of attention to her.

"I am here to do as you bid of me." He bowed his head."I'd have to insist, rather I would not wish to be whipped, or thrown to the pits."

"Mm. I could simply kill you." A sliver of a grin passed her lips.

"Could you?" Meravyel wasn't certain if there was challenge or simple curiosity in his tone.

"You stand in the hall of my home, and it answers to me. I'd at least wager a fair amount that I'd stand a good chance of doing so." She smiled politely, wishing she'd brought her bow down from upstairs, at least.

"Very well, I do not feel it is my time to go, I would beg that you reconsider."

She couldn't help but be somewhat amused. He was either acquiescing as he "should", or being somewhat sarcastic. "I forgot how... my mother's people behave." She studied him in earnest. "You do not appear as one of Olath'ol's, so how is it you come to stand before me?"

"I am not, rather I was not, I am here as a favor to an old friend. I'm houseless. Which is rather embarrassing." He cleared his throat.

"Mm. You are on the surface now."

"I am still houseless." There were certain lines of thinking you could not undo in a drow.

"And if I have my desire, so too shall I be, in time."

"This place..." he gestured briefly, "does not matter."

"Mm."

"Though it's oddly interesting, and its people are annoying."

"I find that true of any place." A silence hung between them. Meravyel felt herself growing annoyed at holding still for so long. "So, you are here to tell me of my mother's death, and to assert yourself as an otherwise appointed protector?"

"I am here on the behalf of a friend, I assert nothing upon the Matrons will." He paused. "She died viciously. With much pain."

A part of Meravyel couldn't help but feel some pity for her mother, but she smirked instead. "As many Matrons do, as I understand it."

He nodded once in response, "It is the way of our race."

"Lucky for me then, it is only half mine."

"You are the Matron." His words were an affirmation of fact, and in light of the conversation and warning reminder.

Meravyel regarded him and slowly slid her hands from her sleeves. "Very well, so I am." She paused again to study him before continuing, "I have no need of protection, however."

"I am here to assisst, in whatever way the Matron wills."

"I have one -velkyn'uss- already. And what will you do with yourself on the surface when I've no need of you?"

"The Matron will find that she has always a need of me, in time."

Meravyel smirked at his audacity; her mother, her people really did not know who or what she was, did they? "I can't think of a single entity, living or dead, that I need."

"Perhaps not. It is a matter of opinion, Matron."

"Mm." Her annoyance brushed just below the surface. "Perhaps, then, I will summon you should my opinion alter. Or should I find some use for you."

"Very well, Matron, I will stand outside until you decide further on the matter."

The corner of her mouth quirked. Something about the idea of a houseless drow male standing on the Tao steps in the middle of Tel'Ruid amused her. "You are free to attend to learning of the surface. You will be here... quite some time."

"That is much appreciated, Matron, however I have learned all I wish to learn of this place." His eyes never lifted from their lowered focus point, but the disgust on his face was plain.

"Mm. Then take some comfort in the knowledge that the summer is rather forgiving in the Glade." He nodded to her words but stood still. She lifted one hand to cover a quiet chuckle.

"You think this is amusing, Matron?"

"Very. And I assure you, little amuses me."

"Well, if it's all I do, I can take great pride in the doing so."

She ignored his statement, whether truthful or sarcastic, "If I could send you back from whence you came to never darken my door again, I would. But I know that isn't ever so simple."

"No, I don't suppose it is, however I look forward to the trying." He bowed his head slightly.

Meravyel narrowed her eyes. Subservient and still pushing his bounds. "Mm. You are dismissed then, until I've further need of you." And she didn't intend to have much need of him at all.

He nodded once and stepped back, opening the door behind him, and then slipping outside.