With dinner and the stories over, Empress Jevoi rings a phantom bell. "Let us retire then," she says, "As promised, I have agents ready to accompany you to bed, Mum."
Ling feels arms grab onto hers: lithe arms, yet a firm grasp; two people, nearly identical. Ling turns to see one then then the other.
They are a pair of vrow, but subtle traits in the eyes, brow, and ears hint at orc descent. They have a slight green tint to their violet skin,long raven hair, and shimmering yellow eyes. Both are clad in leotards with long gloves and boots and masks covering their mouths. One is in purple, the other pink.
"G'day," says Ling, "Didn't think ya were real."
"I made a promise," says Jevoi. She gestures to the ladies. "You know what to do."
"G'night, Dalini," says Ling as they haul her away, "Got some wizarding to do."
"G'night, Nana," yells Dalini, lifting her face off of her plate. "Have fun with your friends." She resumes sucking the plate clean.
After Ling has been removed from the room, Jevoi sighs. "This was a terrible mistake."
"It's not going to work," says Angustias.
"No," says Jevoi, alert again, "I mean the cake." She points to Dalini jittering about, now trying to eat the plate.