Work Text:
The first time she looked at the woman she wasn’t particularly impressed. She was just a female human, after all, their kind is everywhere. By the Absolute, Minthara even remembered seeing some of them back in Menzoberranzan at some point. They are everywhere, vermin—but sufficient vermin which might be somewhat of a blessing among the horde of globulins. At least humans are smarter than these…creatures—at this point, this new true soul would do; Minthara thinks to herself.
“Oh, Sazza. You have made a grave mistake, the woman in front of you is one of the Absolute's favorites. Another True Soul,” Minthara prompts, her voice coming out way more excited than she anticipated; she hates it but it can’t be helped. Especially, when learned that this new True Soul had, indeed, not only known but been to the Grove of the Druids before. A human, easily blended in; and was trusted among the residents? Perfect. Finally, some good news she has been looking for.
“W—what? S—she tells me nothing! I swear mistress!”
“Did she not tell you…or did you not listen?” Minthara asks the goblin but she faces the human instead; to see if she understands the situation or not, to see her wits.
“Pardon, she speaks the truth. I fear my cover would be shattered if I were to remain in the Grove talking and giving myself away. Sazza truly doesn’t know,” the human speaks with confidence in her voice, but Minthara could tell it was a lie—there are no infiltrators in the Grove, the fact Minthara herself has no idea where it is self-explanatory. However, the drow let that little lie slide, a little deception with little to no consequence is something Minthara could be amused and impressed by—what this new True Soul could have offered is much more important.
And so, they worked together. Time after time, the woman has not yet disappointed Minthara–not one bit. Something, then, has grown inside Minthara–something that became delighted to see her favorite True Soul waltz in with yet another report of tasks successfully handled. Then, after duties were done–they started talking; something beyond, something…more ‘detached’ from the goal of the absolute. All on Minthara initiation. The drow has become more and more dreadful at her feelings toward the human, as it became more obvious each minute passed spending time with her. Minthara bit her feelings down though. There is no time and space for that, there are tasks ahead and she has to be focused. Still, Minthara admitted to herself that it did feel good, to have someone she could trust her life right by her side.
—---------
Praying is never enough. Words, all swimming through Minthara’s fractured mind–her past, her upbringing, and the drow’s teaching. But you shall pray nonetheless, pray to spider queen, not for favor, not for anything in return but pray for that is our duty. Pray, Pray, Pray. She has always done that since she could read–dedicated herself to the teachings and whatnot. Even in exile now, her old habits die hard–so she started praying once again, to every god and beyond that she could think of. Dead silence, nothing has answered. Just like how Lolth would be most of the time. Minthara is nothing now but a lamb to be slaughtered–except, she would rather be killed and eaten than have her self and identity erased forever. As her mind is being forced to split open, revealing all that she would keep to herself to the interrogators, a familiar face has flashed through her mind. Her favorite human, I wonder where she is now? Did she make it here? The Moonrise Tower? Is she…still alive? Ah.. there will be the time they show me her mangled corpse, won’t they? Minthara thinks she tries as hard as she can to brush her off but all these thoughts make her fear–not for herself but the others her. Then, she feels the soothing presence of someone she’s very familiar with.
“Minthara..?” the voice reverbs against the blurry boundary of her mind. It is her . Minthara’s prayers have been answered. Not by the divine, a mortal has grabbed her broken mind–she is the one who answered.