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cassieuncaged · 5 months

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Wild Inhibitions - Chapter 4

Chapter 3

Astarion Ancunín x Ilwyn Crowdancer

Summary: She was young, still learning to control her wild magic when Ilwyn was abducted by the mind flayers. Little did she know that revenge for her mother's death was imminent as well as an ill timed infatuation with a vampire.

TW: blood drinking, mentions of combat, polymorphed Astarion, goose shenanigans, language etc.

WC: 3 K

A/N: ayyooo! So I actually published this to Ao3 during my tumblr hiatus so I finally cross posted. If anyone wants to be added/removed from the taglist, lemme know!

Taglist: @confidentandgood, @galaxycunt, @euryalex, @inafieldofdaisies, @neonneurons, @roofgeese, @spacestephh

No night passes that he’s free of Cazador’s visage.

Not completely. Ruby pinpricks to rival his own gaze dance beneath closed eyelids, chiding him for his failures, calling him home to be bound and tortured until he pledged fealty and was once more subdued.

You’re nothing but a bastardized whelp, shaking with its tail between its legs.

The voice of his master is sharp, unrelenting, angry.

Astarion screws his eyes shut even more, hands plastered to his own face as neatly shorn nails dig into pallid skin. The Lord of the Lower City is inescapable, even though one of his own spawn is perfectly lost in the wilds of Eltruel. Yet, his disembodied voice continues to taunt so bleakly.

Why don’t I take your little friend? Her pure blood will be symphony against my tongue, screaming likes the others.

“No!” his voice escapes him in a growl, low and angry before a large hand clamps across his own lips. Yet there isn’t so much as a stray murmur on the wind at the interruption. He strains his ears for any reaction of his other companions, but none come. His heart aches as no one strides through the night to check on his wellbeing. Then again, why should they?

He’s been tiresome since the beginning and dashed away the only bond that was blooming from the muck. So, the vampire spawn falls back upon a less than inviting bedroll, fidgeting in the darkness. He hungers for an embrace, the warmth of arms curling around his own body.

It isn’t until nightfall he craves such a touch, something he hasn’t felt in more than centuries. Something he can’t even remember. He’s tense as the final candle flickers out, leaving him in the darkness that solace was once found in. Tomorrow they ambush the goblins, leaving him wondering if such a small group of sell swords such as themselves are actually capable of snuffing out those putrid creatures.

Could be their death if they aren’t careful, especially with their de facto leader countlessly winding them through the most dangerous possible paths on her silly little whims. Astarion tosses against his bedroll as a hunger threatens to take him over. Surprisingly, it isn’t of the sanguine variety. In fact, his nightly exchange with the silly little elf has left him feeling sated in more ways than one.

Supplying a warm touch beneath the iciness of his fingers, supple skin twitching under beneath his mouth. Whimpers were swallowed against pink lips as Ilwyn pretended to sleep, fingers knotting in her bedroll. One hand had snaked beneath a nest of copper tresses, cradling her head until she relaxed. It was strange, craving her vulnerability as he held her. There was something about soothing the young elf that comforted him, domesticating him in a sense. Such a nightly exchange delighted him greatly, allowing his mask to budge without feeling wholly revealed. Yet, since their argument he’d hadn’t allowed himself to feed.

Ilwyn hadn’t approached him. Hells, she could barely look in his direction without blushing furiously as blue eyes flitted far from his own. It was absolutely surprising that the meek little sorceress had somehow corralled them all this far. Astarion rolled onto one side, pouting as he imagined the taste of sweet blood dripping down his gullet.

So tangy yet subdued, like a rich red they served at balls in the Upper City. The taste of boar and deer would never suffice completely. Not like the delectable high elf that presumably tranced a tent over. He swore he could hear the stiff ruffling of canvas, cushions being rearranged when his own body is serendipitously sliding forward.

The fire fizzles out as he creeps past a sleeping Scratch and towards rather bland tent of beiges and tans. It’s drab and unassuming, especially for a little magic maker he’s learning is anything but. Eyes dart back to where the others sleep, to assure prying eyes aren’t on him. As if they haven’t seen the bite marks marring her neck.

Gently pressing the flap back greets him with the heady scent of patchouli, the smoke of incense still hanging heavy against the brisk night air. She rustles slightly, toes practically colliding with the knee of his breeches when he drops down to her side.

“Astarion?” her voice is a whisper, though not surprised. Where she lacks in vampiric abilities, Ilwyn possesses dark vision just the same as he. She easily saw him as though he sat in the middle of a sunny meadow. “What are you doing?”

“I heard some rustling,” he pouts, “Wanted to make sure a gnoll hadn’t fileted that tender little belly of yours.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” she snorts, ignoring the shadow that creeps closer from the mouth of her tent. “Though if you need to feed, I can make an exception.”

“Please,” Astarion groans, eyes rolling in the darkness, “As if you don’t enjoy when I sup from your veins.”

“What makes you think something so deceiving?” she blinks hard, propping herself up on wobbling elbows. One long finger gently traces the shell of his own ear, earning the cock of a pretty little head.

“Hearing,” he hisses, blatantly annoyed with her daftness, “One of the many symptoms of my damned affliction. Every little whimper you swallow or the way your heart thuds in its cage finds my ears. It’s not very complicated.”

“I don’t need you to drink my blood,” one thigh straddles her hip as he settles above her, gently pushing her downwards. “It’s a favor, to lessen the chances of dying in battle.”

“But that lithe little body of yours enjoys it, no?” he reasons, limber forefinger tipping her chin into the caress of a straw stuffed pillow. Ilwyn’s lips are a tight line as she pushes the copper locks from her bare neck. “Just as I thought.”

“Shut up and drink,” she groans, hoping he can’t see the blush creeping up her throat. But blessed be his darkvision, the pale elf sees all. How her flesh pinkens, freckles dotting alabaster skin so delicately as eyes are screwed shut. The wound has begun to clot since he’s last supped though he plans to be gentle. One hand gently slides beneath her skull, cradling the way she seemed to like so much the time before. Her breathing quickens at the gesture as she arches forward.

He smirks, enjoying the way her tunic brushes against his own, small fingers taking purchase upon broad shoulders. Astarion leans forward, tracing her wounds with the tip of his tongue softly as a mewl escapes her lips. Her pulse practically thuds against him, beckoning those fangs into her veins. And they do just that, slotting into her like a knife through hot butter.

“Gods,” she breathes through blunt teeth as he drinks deeply, slowly. Astarion thinks of the mangled scar at on his own neck, how Cazador tore him open again and again, carelessly, horrifically. The skin had knotted itself to together, never able to heal completely. He wanted to be kinder to the woman beneath him, something rather protective blooming in his belly as her fists knot in the ruffles of his tunic. He doesn’t wish to brand her, only drink his fill before she tenderly trances.

His undead heart throbs at the heat that emanates from her, sliding down his own gullet before the vampling himself finds the warmth beginning to buzz at the tips of his toes and fingers. What a strange sensation. Not any stranger than the one that stirs when he stops, licking her clean with gentle lapping strokes. Astarion nuzzles against Ilwyn for a moment, enjoying the contented sigh that escapes her.

For a moment, he could get lost. Stay with her, let those ruddy fingers wind in cloudy curls as they tranced together. Her head tilts upward again as the pad of a soft thumb gently traces a sharp jawbone, savoring the temporary warmth that pools beneath undead skin. For a moment, it feels as if muscles and sinews have been peeled from his bone, revealing a shuddering heart that craves to be touched so tenderly, to be loved so sweetly.

“Don’t,” he snaps quietly, bending back onto his haunches. He’s still intimately settled between splayed thighs when the doe eyed girl is scrambling to her own knees. “Please.”

“Are you alright?” her hand falls to his forearm. Astarion flinches, pulling away as though fire laps at his skin. His chest heaves for a moment and he realizes he’s vulnerable beneath her gaze once more. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know that.” He gnaws on the inside of his cheek, “Ilwyn Crowdancer, the protector of all things innocent and kind.”

“You’re not innocent,” she says flatly, settling back against her bedroll. “Or kind for that matter. In fact, I can’t name one other person here who’s fought me every step of way. But it doesn’t hide the darkness that lingers in your eyes, the want to be-”

“Stop.” He hisses, gut churning as she speaks. How can she see so well past his façade? She’s inexperienced and naïve in everything she does yet can read him like a book. “You don’t know what you’re talking a about.”

“It’s natural to want to be held. Have someone wrap their arms around you or even just near you.” Her hand reaches out to a clothed bicep this time and Astarion has to fight the urge to whimper. Instead, they stay there for a moment, eyes seeking out the other in the dark.

“That’s a sweet sentiment.” He clears his throat suddenly. “Though I think we should both get what rest we can. Afterall, don’t we rally at dawn?”

“Yes,” she nods, dejected once more. Ilwyn expects a snotty retort, but nothing comes, only silence as he slips into the night. The young sorceress purses her lips tightly when she’s finally alone, fighting the urge to cry again.

......

It isn’t difficult cornering the disgusting priestess or the murder hungry drow. Both are easily disposed without the rest of the goblins even knowing any better. These cultists are strangely fragile, weak-minded creatures thus far though the troupe doubts this will last.

“I despise this place.” Shadowheart pouts as Ilwyn leads them deeper into the bowels of the sanctum.

“Cause of the nasty little creatures or the moonmaiden?” Karlach’s voice booms, earning pointed glares from the rest of the party, “What?”

“Not thrilled about either but do announce it for the entirety of the sanctum to hear, will you?” Shadowheart fusses sarcastically, earning a chuckle from the tiefling.

“You grew up in a sanctum, didn’t you Ilwyn?” Astarion announces stiffly, examining the tip of one fingernail.

“Not like this.” Her eyes focus on the large oak doors, one side cracked open as they pause for a moment.

“Too many crumbling stones and goblin guts for your liking?” he jests, earning the ghost of a smile.

“Glad to see you’re among the world of the living after all,” Shadowheart chuckles, “In a sense at least. You’ve been dour all morning.”

“Nonsense!” the vampire croons, “I absolutely adore wading through filth and muck to consort with such vile creatures.”

“Quiet,” Ilwyn hisses, eyeing what appears to be a ritual unfolding upon a makeshift altar. A hulking hob goblin focuses on the corpse of a mind flayer as the rest of the onlookers are unaware of them all together. “Astarion, climb up those rafters and shoot down the war drum. Once that’s dissembled, pick off those elves.”

“Rather bossy,” ruby eyes roll once as he regards the orders, “But I’ll do as my lady commands.”

“Good,” she eyes him suspiciously, waiting for an argument before the vampire slinks into the shadows. “After he’s done that, I want you to plow down those vermin with your axe, Karlach.”

“Aye, soldier.” In a swift movement, the weapon is removed from its holster as her neck rolls to either side.

“And what are we to do?” Shadowheart’s mossy eyes fall upon the red head, enjoying the blood thirsty glint in her eyes.

“You and I are going after Dror Ragzlin.”

......

“You’re quite versed at this,” Gale watches thoughtfully as Wyll takes another of his pieces. The day is still young though little needs to be done at camp, “Play very much as a child?”

“When there was time.” the younger man chuckles, watching the befuddled wizard as he leans back on an upturned barrel. “Though must of my upbringing consisted of being trained in courtly duties. An occasional game or two of chess was about all the fun I was allowed to partake in.”

“Sounds exceedingly boring.” Lae’zel chimes in from the other side of the green canvased tent, blade sharpening on her whet stone.

“What do Githyanki do when they aren’t training?” Wyll attempts to extend his kindness, only receiving the ire of yellow eyes boring through him. Never the less, the young man awaits an answer patiently.

“Other than gutting ill equipped humans who ask inane questions?” her brows quirk when he chuckles in response, “I’d study the books and tomes Vlaakith blessed us with. A sharp mind is as useful as a sharpened blade.”

“A woman of the page like the rest of us?” Gale offers playfully, unsurprised when her sharp face hardens once more.

“I suppose I should be when I’m left behind instead pulled into the throes of battle.”

“You want to be covered in goblin viscera?” Horns glint in the sunlight when Wyll finally turns to face the Gith warrioress.

“I can assure that victory be had.” She declares. “They left upon the sunrise and have yet to return. I think it’s safe to assume-”

“We fucking did it!” Karlach’s voice booms upon the horizon, boots vibrating as the massive tiefling runs back to their camp. She jumps impressively high, heels clacking jovially as flames dance across her red skin. “Killed that hobgoblin bastard and destroyed all his lackeys!”

“Holy shit!” Wyll exclaims, expletive leaving his courtly lips before he can stop it, “I’d hug you if you wouldn’t singe my skin clean off!”

“Forget a hug, I’d rather have a kiss after the thrill of that battle!”

“Where are the others?” Gale’s eyes adjust, searching the horizon.

“Oh, about that,” Karlach’s eyes fall to the tips of her gnarled boots, “There was a bit of a mishap.”

At this admission, Shadowheart and Ilwyn stumble back to camp, the Sharran clamping her hand across giggling lips. Astarion is nowhere to be seen though Ilwyn clutches a white goose against her chest, stroking it’s flared feathers as it honks.

“Quiet.” She hisses at the waterfowl, “I said I’m sorry.”

“What in the blazes?” the wizard stands upon his dusty boots, stepping forward to the four that have returned. “That isn’t-”

“Hells right it is!” Karlach announces, digging through her pack to procure a bronze set war hammer. “Astarion was about the bury his knife in a goblin’s throat when Ilwyn cast a hex. Let’s just say it didn’t hit her target.”

“Does he need to swaddled like a babe? Or is that a personal choice?” blue eyes roll as the sorceress holds him tighter to her chest.

“Why don’t you show him what happens when he’s on the ground?” Shadowheart prompts, equal parts entertained as she is annoyed. The young elf stiffens for a moment as all eyes fall on her expectantly before Astarion is sat down upon the mud. Their hexed friend waddles for a moment before immediately turning on the woman, sharp teeth biting at the toes of leather boots and the hem of her robes before tugging with all his might. “We think he’s trying to pull her down so he can tear her throat out.”

“Can you help?” Ilwyn’s eyes fall on Gale desperately, then to Wyll. “Can either of you reverse a curse?”

“You can’t?”

“I tried,” she chews her lip, “But it zapped him with a jolt of electricity and pissed him off even more.”

“Think you might be safer if he’s left a goose.” White feathered wings expand menacingly before Ilwyn dares to pat his head. Astarion honks in annoyance before Gale totters towards him with a quick incantation.

“Hells,” the vampire spawn coughs as he returns to his previous form, propped on all fours on the ground. He remains there for a moment, ignoring the half-hearted chuckles and worried comments of his other companions. Though there’s one stoic face in the crowd, ruddy brow kissed with the sun as her lower lip wobbles, “Damn it, Ilwyn!”

“I said I was sorry!” she’s quick to slide to his side, patting the velvet sleeve of his doublet. For a moment, he basks in the attention before yanking himself away. “I almost-”

“What good is it to turn an enemy into a farm animal as opposed to slitting their throat?”

“I figured we could’ve kicked him below to the spiders.” She reasons, watching sadly as he sputters in disbelief.

“Instead of just ending the bastard? But I suppose that means you’d actually have to know how to cast a spell to do that.”

“Watch it, mate.” Wyll is quick to intervene, lending a hand to the young woman who’s on the verge of tears. “Why don’t we take a moment to ourselves and reconvene? I think we’ll do much better after we’ve freshened up and enjoyed lunch.”

“Shouldn’t dawdle too long,” Shadowheart interjects, having uncorked a bottle of wine from her tent. “The tieflings from the grove will be here come sundown.”

“Then we shall enjoy the merry making come the time.” Will adds, lacing his fingers gingerly with Ilwyn’s. “Let’s go for a walk.”

She nods silently, not chancing a glance behind at that man who’s chest continues to heave angrily, believing her to be as stupid and inexperienced as a child. It isn’t until the two are swallowed by the foliage of the tree line that Gale throws an arm around Astarion’s shoulders before steering him towards the ruins south of their camp.

“I think we should have a chat of our own, my friend.” Gale announces as the man complies stiffly.

“Wonderful.”

#bg3 fanfiction #astarion x oc #astarion x tav #fanfiction #otp: every last drop

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arijensineink · 9 months

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Author Ask Tag Game

@axl-ul put up an open tag for this and I love these questions so I'm going to do it. Make sure to go read their answers because they were truly beautiful and inspiring <3333 Here's the linky.

And I will of course, use The Wolfena to answer these since it's my. most developed WIP.

What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it? I'm not into preachy stories, but The Wolfena has a very blatant anti-slavery, pro-autonomy message woven into it. Autonomy is all. This story is about finding your autonomy even in situations where you feel trapped or have no control over the world around you. I didn't choose it at all, but I once spoke to a highly accomplished author (sadly it was so long ago and I actually disliked the conversation a lot at the time, so I don't have her name). But she basically asked me "Why doesn't your book address slavery?" And I was so annoyed, because I was working on a different book that had little to do with the subject. But that question festered in my mind, and a few years later The Wolfena were born.

What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)? I've said this before, but The Hundred tv show and Ammonite by Nicola Griffith were highly formative to writing The Wolfena. I drew a huge amount of inspiration from all of the New England winters I've survived, as all of the characters grew up in a total ice-age. I really tried to capture both the wonder of spring and the barren hopelessness of winter.

What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, help readers grow as a person? Naxia wants to free all of the enslaved people in her nation even if she dies trying; Lariette just wants to free herself; Jimian wants to learn to be human again. I wouldn't say I'm trying to achieve anything with them, as they were all strong muses who guided me through the story, at times with minimal effort on my part. But, I do hope they help others understand that we are full of far more strength than we could ever imagine.

How many chapters is your story going to have? This is my shame. The Wolfena has a whopping 70+ chapters.

Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it? The Wolfena is a totally original story, at least I hope, hehe. My ultimate goal is to traditionally publish it, but we'll see where all the pieces fall.

When and why did you start writing? (Assuming this is in regards only to The Wolfena) I think I started writing this story somewhere around 2016? I had to write it to address that festering question about slavery, and also to work through my feelings about womanhood and gender as I became an adult.

Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of Writeblr? What other writers of Tumblr do you follow? Well, I used up a lot of typing energy on these questions, so you can find engagement and encouragement over on Fighting For Writing <3

I follow mostly writers, so I'll tag to the best of my ability and leave it open as well for anyone who wants to participate! Firstly my goblins: @angelsofprey @regret-breathing @coffeewritesfiction @incorrectgoddessgang @minutiaewriter @sindellaos and @soupy8lowfish . Other people I see in my feed a lot are as follows: @quinnharperwrites @nanashi23 @readrenard @words-after-midnight and @marmeegle !!!! Of course there are many more, but I think I'm at my typing quota XD It's time for me to stretch and go drink some water!

Much love, bbys <3333 Please take care of yourselves!

#writers of tumblr #writing community #taggies #The Wolfena #writeblr #creative writing #writing advice #fantasy writer #queer writers #writing #queer fantasy #queer fiction #lesbian romance #sapphic romance #writing encouragement

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loremastering · 2 months

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Relationships (Daerhovan)

Note: Some names belong to another person on tumblr or lord of the rings online. Any who are so will be marked with a * beside their url, but not mentioned so this doesn’t appear in their feed.

Updated 2/27/2024

Main bio

-Blood-

Losdirith: Father. Named Halordin by. Deceased. Perished in a rock fall caused by goblins while patrolling the outskirts of Lothlorien. Doesn’t remember too much, only faint glimpses here and there. Daerhovan was only five when he died. Wishes he could have gotten to know him more, as he was greatly loved by his father.

Gaelwen: Mother. Named Telphindor by. Unconditionally loves, but can’t let go of the time she shut him in as a child, for extreme fear of losing him as she lost her eldest son and husband. Gaelwen wouldn’t let Daerhovan go no farther than twenty yards from the tree their flet was in. Insisted on supervising him at all times. Thought he would go mad. Although this lasted for several years, the restrictions placed upon him by Gaelwen eventually grew less and less, with help from the coaxing of his elder twin sisters. Now in his adult hood he still visits her occasionally.

Feels confused with his feelings towards his Naneth. Wants to be angry with for the extreme measures, despite her good intentions, to keep him safe. But his forgiving nature tells him other’s have had it harsher and that he shouldn’t be mad. Complicated.

Haldor: Elder brother. Deceased. Also perished in that rock fall that killed his Ada. Wishes he could have gotten to know more.

*Lossenduin: Elder sister. Twin to Losseneth. A march warden of The Golden Wood. Leads her own patrol to oversee the road to the Great River. Occasionally visits Thinglad to hear reports on the activities nearby. Stern and proud, but she loves her little brother and cannot be parted from her twin for too long. Daerhovan envied her often when he was younger, as she was allowed to roam beyond the borders. (@sewer-princess)

*Losseneth: Elder sister. Twin to Lossenduin. Brings messages to the march wardens from home. Loves reading about old tales and meditating within the circles of remembrance scattered across Lothlorien. He won’t admit it, but she is Daerhovan’s favorite. In his younger days Losseneth would take pity on her little brother and try to comfort him without being overbearing. Fondest memories of her are cuddling in hammocks under the stars while she read to him.

Lerdil: Brother-in-law. Husband of Lossenduin. A lore-master of herbs and healing, and quite proficient in it too. Likes a lot. Often went to him for tips and study.

Amdirvar: Son of Lossenduin and Arasdil. Nephew. Quick to anger and quite proud, but fiercely loyal to his family and Galadriel and Celeborn. A march warden and soldier. Was the elven equivalent of a teenager when Daerhovan was a kid, and often found Gaelwen’s son annoying. As Daerhovan grew, was less annoyed with, but finds his uncle weird. Loves him none the less, and Daer loves him back. The two often take walks with one another, trying to teach the other about beast or weapon lore. (Daerhovan only later realized that having a nephew who’s older than you is super weird among the mortal races.)

-Heart-

*Ilost: An enigmatic ellon whom he’s met various times in Eriador, and traveled with for a time. Thought of him as a good friend that he grew to love platonically, though a kiss made him confused, especially as he was still with another in a romantic way. Distanced himself from Ilost after, but thought of him from time to time. Reunited with in the Dale Lands while traveling with Nimardril. Greatly pleased to see an old friend, though he didn’t recognize him at first in Ilost’s disguise. Getting to know him better as they travel once again. The old fluttering of the heart from before awakening that grew larger the more they traveled together again. Has joined with Ilost since then. Doesn’t quite know his feelings for him save attraction in general, but is willing to let true love grow, if it can. (@sewer-princess)

*Mallovorel: A best friend. But also like a sister to him. He see’s in the Malladhrim elf a lot of himself, and often seeks her out. Loves. A lore-master like himself too, and often takes walks with, talking about life or the things and experiences they’ve had, or about their philosophies of life. @theoldsongsandtales

*Amruchil: Mallvorel and Maeglir’s son. Considers him a nephew. God-father of. (?) In the child’s early years he would teach Amru about the natural world and it’s wonders (and dangers of course). Would take him out on trips, much to the father’s chagrin. Backed off as he grew when Maeglir thought he was influencing Amru negatively. After his parents sailed west, Daerhovan grew even closer to his god-son who like him, desired to stay in Middle Earth @theoldsongsandtales

Verya: Out of all the numerous animal companions he would have in his life, Verya will forever have a special place in his heart.A mountain lynx he found orphaned in the White Mountains. Her mother had been killed by a rival lynx, and her siblings had died of starvation. She was hours away from death herself, but was found in time by Daerhovan and nursed back to health. (he debated about letting nature take it’s course, as he’s always believed should happen, but sometimes he breaks his own rules). While she grew and recovered to full strength, would wander away for so long that Daerhovan was convinced she left forever, but would always come back. One day it was his task to take down the new Great Goblin of Goblin-Town. During the tail end of the fight, was disarmed and incapacitated, unable to defend himself, Daerhovan braced for the death blow, until Verya unexpectedly leapt from the shadows and sank her teeth into the goblin’s throat. Their relationship has been a strong mutualism bond from then on. Heartbroken when she died of old aged eventually.

Rinion: A little white lynx cub found abandoned by his mother in the Ered Luin. Again, Daerhovan resisted the urge to let nature take it’s course, and adopted the little cub. Loves almost as much as Verya, and the elder lynx seems to consider the cub her own.

Valadhiel: A grey charger horse acquired from Rohan. Was lended to him while he passed through the region during the War of the Ring, with a payment to return the horse to Harwick once Sauron was defeated. Daerhovan however bonded with the animal, as he does. Vala has been with him through thick and thin, and he would not be parted from the mare. He pleaded his case to the newly crowned Eomer-King, who, despite some hesitation, paid the original owner a hefty sum of money to compensate for the loss of his horse. And was gifted a new one. The owner didn't mind one bit at least.

-Close-

Nimardril: A sweet but tenacious elleth he met in Bree. Helped to distract her from her divorce by traveling with her. Felt he had an instant connection to her that not even a severely awkward encounter with her uncle couldn’t break. Greatly enjoys her company. Got to know her better during their travels through the vales. Saddened to see her go a little bit after they met with Ilost.

Cwenthryd: A stern, proud woman of Rohan. Confides in her a lot, as she seems to have the answers to every problem, and takes everything in stride. They often joke that they’re secretly related somehow, as she tends to act like his mom sometimes. Trusts completely.

*Crea: A ranger of the north who Daerhovan likes a lot as a friend. Enjoys roaming Evendim with her and talking about the history of the Dunedain. Worries for her when she’s out and about, even though he knows she’s more than capable. @dunadaan

Orthir: The chief Scholar of the Tree’s in Lothlorien. Daerhovan learned much about nature, flora, and botany from him. Holds the elf in high respect. Will always pay a visit whenever he stops by Lothlorien. (lotro npc)

*Namadith: A dwarrowdam whom Daerhovan considers a great friend nowdays. Fond of teasing her, but at the end of the day loves nothing more than to bask in her company. @asgardian--angels

*Maironendil: A rather strange elf. Senses an air of darkness about the ellon, but ignores his better intuition most of the time and thinks of as a best friend nonetheless. Has had some, uh, interesting encounters with. @asgardian--angels

*Vaharion: Another long time friend. Trusts completely and seeks him out. Often goes on far ranging and high stakes adventures with. @landrovaling

-Friendship-

*Eolcin: A woman Daerhovan has gone on adventures with on occasion.Most of the time their relationship seems to be fueled by teasing and pretending to be exasperated at one another. Feels protective of, even though he knows Eolcin can take care of herself just fine. @theoldsongsandtales

*Meneladir: Got to know Nimardril’s cousin and Celebithil’s son through a mission to Angmar together. Experienced a lot of trials and tribulation with him, and found himself drawn to the ellon for his cheerfulness despite a grim situation. Considers him a good friend and brother in arms. Harbored a tiny crush on, but quickly quashed it after the mission. @elgaladwen

*Elgaladwen: Doesn’t know much about, but he’s happy that she and her husband seem to like his books on the flora of Middle-Earth. Most of the time. Would like to get to know more. @elgaladwen

*Gallorith: Husband to Elgaladwen. Finds him easy going and a calming presence to be around in. Would like to get to know more. @sewer-princess

*Eruingil: A ranger he met sometime ago, but is beginning to grow fond of. Would like to get to know more. @simbilmyne

*Elirianen: A trusted elven friend. Has helped her out in multiple skirmishes. Likes. @pursuer-of-hope

-Known-

Gelirn, Leodain, Elentauriel, Ellathos, Ayarmeniel, Aipiolohte,

- Missed -

Badari, Rubeniel, The Olk clan.

-Complicated-

Maeglir: Husband to Mallovorel. A high noldorin elf of Valinor. Was very intimidated by at first, but with his adopted sister’s help, managed to warm up to the noldo, and they had a warm, easy relationship most of the time. Their friendship became more rocky as Maeglir thought Daerhovan was influencing his son in a bad way. And even after they made their peace, something changed.

Badari: A dwarrowdam and Daerhovan’s former partner. Their relationship was forged in war and tribulation. With the end of the world as they knew it seemingly nigh, they experienced a whirlwind romance that Daerhovan was perhaps selfishly eager to experience before he lost the chance, thanks to Sauron’s probable reign. Then Sauron fell, and while they stayed together for a time, they eventually went their separate ways thanks to differing tasks and family matters. While Daerhovan wandered, began to realize he perhaps didn’t love Badari as he thought he should. Tried to make it work again, but the spark was gone. The two eventually and to his relief, amicably, went their separate ways for good. He wishes her nothing but happiness and a partner who is not so different and more compatible for her.

-Uneasy-

Ogborg, Celebithiel.

-Loathe-

#bio #daerhovan

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stygiusfic · 1 year

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10 books to know you better

snagging this from the lovely @coffee-writes because: what do we do when we don’t feel like working? we do memes on tumblr.

so, in no particular order, ten books that have stuck with me throughout the years!

Cien años de soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) - Gabriel García Márquez I read the final paragraph of this masterpiece in a textbook in school and it haunted me for years until I finally read the novel. It’s a delight of magical realism and the prose is so expertly crafted that every line hits with perfect cadence (in the original, at least; I haven’t read any translations). This book is an experience.

Carmilla - J. Sheridan le Fanu People say Dracula is the height of the vampire novel, and they are wrong. Carmilla is where it’s at. Through the eyes of her victim, Carmilla’s predatory nature and her apparent affection for Laura get blended in such a way that you can see why she’s so charming at the same time as you feel the underlying wrongness of it all. Goals.

The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison The comfort read of all time. Here’s a novel based around courtly intrigue that doesn’t hinge on the protagonist being more twisted than everyone around them, or becoming corrupted by the environment. Maia struggles to be forthright and true to himself in a court that despises him, and it’s so wholesome to watch—and also very exciting when he has to get out of the traps laid for him. Also, the prose is gorgeous.

Momo - Michael Ende I read this book numerous times as a child, but it’s felt very relevant as an adult too. Momo is a little girl who is able to find joy in her surroundings, and the only one who can stop the Gentlemen in Grey, strange shadow beings that manipulate people to put their time in a “bank” with the promise that it’ll be returned later, but it never is; it only feeds the Gentlemen in Grey and their neverending greed. The novel criticizes consumerism and the trappings of a fast-paced society (and it very much applies to capitalism as we know it now too).

The Terracotta Bride - Zen Cho This novella has made me cry every time I’ve read it. It’s about a young girl who’s been so used to having her needs come second to everyone else’s that she only really starts to figure out who she is once she’s dead and in the Chinese afterlife. There, made once again to be an object for a man’s convenience, she meets the terracotta bride, a construct shaped like a beautiful woman that makes her question who she is and what she wants. The writing is poignant and beautiful at every turn.

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier Another one for the “pervasive wrongness” vibes. It’s remarkable how deeply Rebecca’s influence is felt throughout the novel even though she is dead by the time it starts; she’s almost more of a protagonist than the point-of-view character, who isn’t even named. It’s a masterpiece of subtext and so so vivid in the way it frames its characters and scenery.

Queenpin - Megan Abbott This book rewired my brain when I read it for the first time. It’s a noir-ish tale of a young girl becoming involved in the mob’s business and becoming obsessed with the approval of her mentor, the ruthless mob queenpin Gloria Denton. It’s short but it packs a punch.

Annihilation - Catherynne M. Valente Another comfort read! This is a Mass Effect spin-off novel, but it’s so much better than any other spin-off novel I’ve ever read. It’s fast-paced, incredibly engaging and with characters that feel alive on the page. All three times I’ve read it, I’ve finished it in a day of feverish reading. It also has one of my favorite wlw romances of any book I’ve ever read.

Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-García I have a paperback of this on my shelf and anytime I think too long about how good this book is I feel a primal need to cut it into pieces and eat it. It does a fantastic job of creating that atmosphere of being trapped that is essential to horror stories, where you understand why the protagonist isn’t leaving but you wish they would because you know the other shoe is going to drop soon, and when it does all you can do is scream and hold on for dear life. It’s perfectly paced and gorgeously written, and I love it.

Harrow the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir Respectfully: this book is insane. If you know, you know. I love how Muir’s background in fanfic shows off here, in the sense that fanfic is absolutely fucking bonkers and always does whatever it wants, not what it “should”, and Muir takes that principle and makes it work so hard for her. I love it.

#ten books meme #book recs

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eyebeastposts · 2 years

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EyeBeast's Bounties Writing Prompt Requests FINAL DAY

For most writing prompt request sessions, I pick a theme and let my readers go wild with their ideas. This time I'm going to try a different type of prompt session that's centered on scratching some writing itches I've been having for a while. The same standard rules apply of accepting writing prompt requests to be turned into very short (3-5 paragraph long) stories. However, the catch is that I'm going to be looking for prompts that fulfill certain "bounties." As an example, I might say I want a prompt involving goblins. In which case I'll be looking for prompts of some kind involving said bounty in some shape or form. The prompt could either be about a character turning into a goblin or just a story about goblins getting up to some shenanigans. If you're interested in helping me with some self-indulgence, take a look at the guidelines below and then take a gander at what bounties I have up for the taking. Guidelines: -Submit prompts by either using my ask box or messaging me directly. For each submission, please clarify which bounty/bounties you're trying to claim. Regardless of method, no names will be attached to the resulting prompt stories. If you wish to remain anonymous, I would recommend sending your prompts via message. -You can submit as many prompts as you wish, but I am only doing one prompt per person. If one of your prompts is used, please refrain from submitting anymore. -Keep prompts to no longer than two sentences long. -Not allowed: Anything involving vore, gore, scat, rape, or anything sexual with underage characters. -Only one prompt per bounty. Once I do a prompt request for a bounty, will not be accepting anymore for it. -You can use multiple bounties in a single prompt, but you can't use more than two at once. In this case, make sure you specify which two bounties you're trying to claim. -As the session goes on, I'll be adding new bounties to the list to keep expanding the options so check back frequently to see what's open. -In regards to fanfiction prompts, there will be a few bounties that ask for specific franchises or characters that I want to use in a story. Outside of those particular bounties, you can try to suggest fanfiction prompts for other bounties as long as they are a good fit. For any characters or franchises I don't list specifically, you can refer to my media sheet: https://www.deviantart.com/eyebeast.....heet-819010665 -While freedom of artistic expression is appreciated, please don’t make your prompts too vague. Example: A person does a thing that does a thing. -Keep in mind that these are very short stories, so please do not submit any prompts with overly large scopes. - You can submit prompts until I close submissions on August 25th.

Bounties: (Will be updated as the session goes on and bounties are claimed.)

1. (CLAIMED) Goblins

2. (CLAIMED) Giant/Giantess Growth

3. (CLAIMED) Slob with Blueberry/Fruit Expansion

4. (CLAIMED) Nerd TF

5. (CLAIMED) Hypnosis

6. (CLAIMED) Deviant TF (Dorses, Succplants, Ladypots, Relief Stations, etc.)

7. (CLAIMED) Genshin Impact Characters (NOTE: I've only finished the main quest up to Liyue)

8. (CLAIMED) Interspecies Reviewers Characters (NOTE: I'm completely caught up on the manga)

9. (CLAIMED) Urbosa from Breath of the Wild

10. (CLAIMED) Tharja from Fire Emblem Awakening

11. (CLAIMED) Vagina Expansion

12. Gentle Femdom

13. (CLAIMED) Muscle Growth

14. (CLAIMED) Belly Expansion from a large amount of alcohol

15. (CLAIMED) Borderlands Characters (I've played everything, but Wonderlands)

16. (CLAIMED) Kyu from Huniepop

17. (CLAIMED) Orcs

18. (CLAIMED) Pregnancy

19. (CLAIMED) Boobapede/Boob Slug

20. Skunk

21. Mutual Feeding

22. (CLAIMED) Uglification

23. Body Part Expansion (Can not use Breasts, Bellies, Butts, or Genitalia)

24. Rat/Mouse

25. (CLAIMED) Skullgirls Characters

26. Pokemon TF

27. (CLAIMED) Juri from Street Fighter

28. (CLAIMED) An Animation (3 min. length max, must link to the original post, and must come from either DA, FA, Tumblr, Twitter, Pixiv, Newgrounds, or Itaku)

29. (CLAIMED) Darkness from Konosuba

30. Teratophilia (Monster Fetish)

31. (CLAIMED) Sex Toy TF (Dildos, Onaholes, Buttplugs, Sex Dolls, etc.)

32. Lactation WITHOUT Breast Expansion or Cow TF

33. Princessification (Princess TF with Hourglass Expansion)

34. (CLAIMED) Fart Inflation

35. Latex/Bodysuits

36. Smallfat (Small body no more than a few inches tall, but proportionally obese).

37. Futa

38. Belly Fucking

39. Chimera TF (Multiple animals at once)

40. Hanako from Katawa Shoujo

41. Monster Musume Characters (I'm completely caught up on the manga)

42. Something Silly

Good hunting!

#eyebeast #writing prompt #request #exercise

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thecagedbard · 19 days

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Oh Look, another Tav story! This is currently posted over on AO3 in its entirety but I thought I’d post it to tumblr as well. If you’d like to sneak a peak at some of the chapter names, if you don’t want to read the whole thing yet, have a listen to the title playlist: here. There is also just the ‘Here’s what I was listening to while writing' playlist, and my Faetrala Uncaged playlist which serves as inspiration for Vesper’s siblings. A lot of the songs tend to overlap but who knows, you might find one you enjoy.

Rating: Mature

Pairing(s): Astarion/Tav (Vesper), Astarion/Halsin, Astarion/Halsin/Tav(Vesper); Mentions of Karlach/Shadowheart/Wyll; Mentions of Gale/AFAB OC

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Physical Abuse, Canon Divergence, Child Death

Word count: 13,158/300,000+

Summary: Vesper needed someone to protect her from an abusive husband should he appear after she was abducted by mind flayers. Astarion needed someone to fall for him so he had protection from Cazador. He's got two hundred years of manipulation and she has the soft heart of a lamb being led to slaughter. While subconsciously healing each other they both realize they also need to heal the druid of all damned people.

Chapter One

One Look and You're Hypnotized

The sounds of nature were a balm or it should have been to someone like Vesper. Four days after the nautiloid’s crash onto that beach and she was still jumping at nearly every sound. She had found one of the women from the nautiloid lying not far from where she had landed, but she also found so many bodies along that same shoreline. Working together Vesper and Shadowheart had collected three more tadpole’d individuals to travel with them–though her encounter with one hadn’t been the simplest.

Unfortunately it seemed as though the man who had held the knife to her throat had other things on his mind. The high elf, Astarion, rarely let her go off on her own. It began the night they had first made camp, stopping her as she went to relieve herself to question if this was where they were truly going to stay. But he’d offered to take the first watch, not something she’d thought to do. Vesper didn’t appreciate it when he woke her up only a few hours later for her watch but she’d gotten over it quickly.

What she couldn’t get over was how he seemed to want to follow her everywhere when she left camp to gather herbs. Astarion’s offer of protection had made her skin crawl and though none of the men who had assaulted her in the last ten years had been elves, she didn’t know what purpose he had in walking with her.

Yet it was all he did. Walk either beside her or a few steps behind through the foliage, paused while she inspected mushrooms or dug up roots, and today he’d even held her basket while she attempted to extract a honeycomb without being stung. She’d be having nightmares over the buzzing later for certain.

A bird chirped overhead as Vesper returned victorious to the bright spot where she’d left the high elf, “Do you intend to help at all?” she asked as she took the jar that Gale had cleaned for her, expressly for honey, from the basket. Lazily Astarion lowered his head from where he basked in the sun’s heat and affixed her with a ruby stare, “I thought I was helping? I’m watching your back and I’ve held your basket for you. What more help would you require?”

Vesper had only heard a tone like his once before. Someone from the higher city had come down to Rivington to warn their daughter against marrying a commoner and spoke with the same drawl that Astarion used as he had made comments on Vesper’s appearance and home. “If you’ve no intention of gathering anything or hunting to help feed everyone, why bother joining me?” she asked as she took the basket from his hooked forearm. He followed her over the bridge and copied her movement as she lifted the neck of her shirt over her mouth and nose as they passed the bodies of adventurers and goblins alike, “We should do something about that…” she commented and looked back at him.

She didn’t have to know him long to recognize a look of disgust. They weren’t going to do anything about the bodies. Vesper sighed and turned back to face the path she walked. They’d walked this same path the day before but stopped when they’d come across the dog, Scratch had been his name. So far there was no sign of the shaggy white dog, but the drow hoped her words got through to him.

It was wild for her to have magic now. So many things had changed since the tadpole's insertion. While exploring they’d come across an old chapel, the bottom door of which Shadowheart had tried to break the handle too with no luck, and several grave robbers. When they attempted to intimidate Vesper, Shadowheart, Astarion and Gale, the drow simply used the crashed spaceship and its dead monsters to make them flee. Never before had there been power in her words. Lying came easy enough of course, but it was as though the halfling hung on her every word before she saw fear fill him and he ran off calling to the others with him.

“Careful!” Astarion warned as he grabbed onto her left arm and jerked her back. Vesper had been lost in her thoughts and nearly slipped into a creek. Her arm throbbed and she closed her eyes tightly, gritting her teeth together to not make any noise. Noises meant more pain. Her eyes opened and she looked up at Astarion who cleared his throat as he dropped her arm just as quickly as he had grabbed it, “See… I’m being helpful! Why without me all of these weeds you’ve collected would have been lost to the waters…now they’re just back on the ground where you got them in the first place.” He chuckled airily and Vesper gave him a tight smile, “Thank you, Astarion…whatever would I do without you.”

There was one major difference to being followed by Astarion than being followed by say Evard or even John, Issac’s brothers. Astarion sometimes laughed at her even when she wasn’t trying to be funny, “Oh darling,” he said through another giggle, “it’s about time you learned to appreciate my presence.”

Stiffly Vesper got to her knees and picked everything up and placed it back in the basket. She tried to use her left arm to carry the herbs and winced, a hiss slipping through her teeth, “Are—Vesper are you hurt?” Astarion’s tone shifted and she looked up in surprise. Did he care if she was in pain? No. She shook her head, more to herself but Astarion seemed to take it as an answer to his question. “I’m fine,” she reiterated and placed her hand over her gray tunic.

They’d managed to scrounge enough money together to buy Astarion a set of leather armor in the grove. He was close in combat with the goblins and had a couple of close calls with their blades and the worg’s teeth. It included all the money she had saved to make her escape, but with him and Shadowheart in front and her unsure how long it would take to find someone to extract the tadpoles, she could see a point in giving up those ten years of savings.

“We need to cross the stream,” she said as she got to her feet. Her leather trousers were filthy now, thankfully they could just be wiped down but she’d have to actually take off her tunic tonight. Astarion looked at the water before turning his eyes to her, “Must we? We’re getting far from camp at this point…”

Vesper lifted one auburn brow as she looked him over, “Then stay and I’ll go alone. Besides going towards that glade this is the next best way, Astarion. Return to camp if you want.” Her offer was sincere but Astarion rolled his eyes towards the sky as he watched her slip down to one of the rocks. The creek was deeper than she thought in some areas, so she was slow about getting across but she managed to walk across the mossy stones without losing her foot. She’d expected to see an exasperated aristocrat across the way but as she turned she was taken aback to find Astarion standing just a foot from her.

“What?” he asked as he watched her, his hands folding over his chest. Her head shook, wavy strands of mottled copper fell into her face, “Nothing.”

She turned away quickly and went straight for one of the flowers on the hill. It unnerved her how he could go from this surly cold man to one with an easy smile and a quick barb. Lately they’d been pointed at her. A chance meeting with the bard Alfira had revealed the magic she carried was bardic in nature, something most had to go to a special school for. She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised–her brother Valere had a similar magic, though she’d never seen him use it to speak with animals or make someone fall prone while laughing.

“Skeletons,” Vesper heard Astarion call out and looked up only to watch him walk past her to check a pile of bones. Since learning she might very well be a bard, Astarion had really laid into her over the bardic stereotypes. That was after he exhausted the old wives tales about redheads. Vesper was almost certain that the high elf didn’t even like her at this point. Yet as she placed another bundle of flowers for a healing potion in her basket, she stood and jumped as he’d silently made his way back to her side.

Smugly he held up a ring, “And I will not be giving this to the wizard,” he said in a smarmy tone as he slipped in on her finger. “Gee,” Vesper replied as she watched him turn it to admire the stone, “I do hope it isn’t cursed…surely that’s not why it was with a skeleton…” The high elf’s eyes widened as he looked up from the ring, “You don’t think…” he quickly slipped the ring from his finger and Vesper watched his shoulders slump and his face relax. Laughter bubbled up in her chest as he turned but stopped when she saw the cold look in his eyes.

“It was only a joke…a warning,” she said quickly as she ducked her head. “We should be careful,” she continued with her head down, no longer meeting his gaze, “we’re both far from camp and neither of us are as studied as Gale. You don’t have to give it to him…perhaps just let him do that identifying thing…like with the harper’s necklace we found.” Vesper was rambling, stumbling over her words while she waited for the blow to come. When Astarion stepped behind her, she thought he would do worse than smack her face, but he simply walked to her other side, “What is that over there?”

Lifting her head she realized she was shaking as she pushed some of her fallen hair from her face and looked around the high elf. Down the creek someone stood within flames, “Oh gods,” she whispered, “are they…burning themselves alive?” Vesper heard the flap of the band that held Astarion’s daggers to his hips as he began stalking forward, “We should go…”

“We should help them!” she hissed at him and froze again when he whipped his head around. Her reaction seemed to anger him just a tad more as his nostrils flared when she flinched back, “Stop that,” he ordered and Vesper tried to calm herself. “They could need our help,” she said again, Astarion rolled his eyes, “Stay behind me then. You’ve got the health potions.”

The elves approached the flame covered tiefling. Vesper used her tunic again to cover the lower half of her face as the smell of singed hair and flesh overtook the river and natural smells that had been only a few feet away. The tiefling they neared cried out before Vesper leaned around Astarion, one hand resting on his stiffened elbow, “Are…are you alright?” she asked. The flames died down until the very tall tiefling turned and smiled bright, “Me? Yeah! I’m alright…say, I know you,” she said as she pointed to Vesper who was still slightly covered by Astarion, “you were on the nautiloid weren’t you?” Vesper looked up at Astarion, realizing that he was also looking down at her, should she be honest? Carefully she stepped around the high elf on the log and tilted her head slightly to the left, ignoring the throb the movement caused, she was just about to answer when a familiar pulsing feeling shifted through her mind.

Flames of Avernus she was now all too familiar with flashed through her mind as she ran through a battlefield. The axe swung wide as she took two imps from the sky before flames erupted around her and a rage Vesper had never known filled her very being. Back on the log, the drow’s chest was heaving with breath and she really took in the tiefling before her. One horn, flames of Avernus in her memories, her eyes lifted as she took a step back, her back colliding with Astarion’s front.

“You’re—” she lifted her left arm to point, her right was reaching back for her pitiful hand crossbow, but faltered as she winced in pain, “you’re the devil the Blade of Frontiers is hunting.” The tiefling’s cheerful smile was gone and she grimaced, “I had really hoped I’d lost him back there…listen, I don’t know what you’ve been told. But I’m not–” all three cried out as more images passed through their minds. The tiefling wasn’t only fighting against those that ran at her but she was burying her axe into those that fought beside her. The nautiloid broke through the sky and she ran for it—A way out!

The thought was the last that flashed through her mind before Vesper lifted her head again and the tiefling was giving her a sympathetic—no piteous look, “That kid threw–” “You killed your allies on the battlefield,” Vesper quickly interjected. All of them had seen something of her most recent past when their minds connected. Shadowheart had seen her gathering things quickly, she’d seen her in the midst of her escape. Astarion, well he hadn’t said what he had seen. And Wyll had spoken with her quietly about seeing Issac knock her to the ground before he left. It seemed this time this tiefling saw as she was shoved off the cliff by her own son.

“I’m not what you think,” answered just as quickly as Vesper accused her. “I never wanted to fight for Zariel… I’m just… I’m damned good at what I do, that’s all. Please,” she said and Vesper searched her face, “you have to believe me.” There was a desperation in her voice that Vesper recognized. She’d once had that same desperation, pleading with a woman that she had never wanted to sleep with her husband—only the woman hadn’t been as kind as her. “I believe you,” the drow said as she nodded and the tiefling physically relaxed before she laughed in relief.

“What?! You want to team up with some bloodstained killer?” Astarion shouted and Vesper looked around as his high-pitched voice seemed to reverberate before she turned and looked at him. Astarion glanced over her shoulder before he cleared his throat, “Because I’m perfectly fine with that…” His ruby eyes affixed with her own and they widened in a warning before he gave a tight smile to the woman over his shoulder.

“I’m Karlach,” the tiefling introduced herself, “I’m only bloodstained because Zariel’s has sent some of her little bastards after me. Say you didn’t meet any paladins of Tyr, did you? They’re not really followers of his…” Vesper turned and shook her head, “No, we haven’t. But you have to know… Wyll is in our camp…he’s got a tadpole too.”

Karlach sucked on her teeth, “Then I suppose we should get on with this confrontation then. Not that I don’t think you two are capable of going up again a couple of phonies but,” she looked down at the drow, “you’re injured. Best we don’t test our luck against them with a man down.”

“Aren’t you a little liar,” Astarion whispered in her ear and Vesper quickly ducked her head away from him. “Then follow us,” she said to Karlach who frowned as she looked between the elves, “I’ll do what I can to speak up for you with Wyll.” The tiefling gave her a soft smile, “That’s real nice of you…been a long time since I’ve met a nice person.”

As though to quell any lingering doubts of her identity, Karlach told them about herself. How before she was in hell she was a citizen of Baldur’s Gate. Vesper had laughed softly, “Isn’t it so weird how we’re all from there?” Karlach shrugged, “Wild to think I’d be around so many Baldurians after all this time.” It isn’t until they get near to camp and Astarion hurried ahead of them that Karlach holds out her axe and Vesper swallows hard. Did she make the wrong decision? Did she just get herself killed?

“I don’t mean to be insensitive,” Karlach started to say before she turned to look at the drow, “That elf… Astarion, he doesn’t hurt you does he?” The softly blowing wind could have knocked her over as her mouth hung open, “No! No, gods no,” her answer was accompanied by a relieved laugh, “he… I–” Vesper stammered twice before she looked up at Karlach and sighed, “I don’t have a great reaction to men. It isn’t anything Astarion’s done, he pulled at my arm to save me from falling into the creek earlier but he didn’t know it would aggravate an old injury is all.”

Karlach studied her for a moment before she lifted her axe back onto her shoulder, “Alright. Just…just checking. If he or anyone does give you problems though,” she said and Vesper nodded as she heard her name called from camp. “Through these rocks, Karlach,” the tiefling smiled as she followed behind the smaller elf.

The afternoon sun beat down on the little safe haven they had found on the far side of the nautiloid crash. It was a few miles walk to the grove but they were happy to not feel the ever judging gaze of Kagha and the druids looming over them like it did tiefling refugees.

Vesper saw Astarion look back as she and Karlach entered camp and swore under her breath as she realized he was at Wyll’s tent. That traitor, she thought and it seemed the word went across the tadpole connection because he lifted one brow and shrugged as Wyll stepped around him. Rapier pulled from his hip the Blade of Frontiers rushed toward them, “Advocatus Diaboli!” he shouted as he flourished his blade.

Karlach seemed ready for him as she readied her axe, “Good to see you too, Blade.” Vesper looked between them and held her right arm out straight while the left lifted as much as it could, “Wyll! Wait…she isn’t–” The drow was unable to get her plea out as Karlach, Wyll, Gale, and Shadowheart doubled over.

Looking over the human’s shoulder she caught Astarion’s gaze as he watched with a hint of amusement on his face, “Thank you, Astarion.” Her voice was filled with as much venom as she could muster and he inclined his head in a mocking bow, “More than happy to help, love. It should make for decent entertainment…do try to not get skewered.”

Just as she was opening her mouth to curse him she saw Wyll shake his head, “Lies! Get away from her Vesper, don’t allow her to poison–” Karlach’s voice overlaid with his, “It isn’t! I’m telling you the truth, you can see it—Ah!” Vesper sighed as she waited for the visions to stop and rubbed her shoulder when she heard Astarion speak again, “Perhaps if you hadn’t lied to me about being hurt I wouldn’t feel the need to tattle on you. There’s a novel thought.” She cut her eyes at him and shook her head muttering, “Of course…”

She noticed how the high elf raked his eyes down her before he pushed off the tall rock tower and moved to his tent.

Wyll again stood straighter though his rapier wasn’t pointed directly at Karlach anymore, he seemed uncertain. Confused. Vesper saw the opportunity for what it was, “Wyll,” her voice soft, his one brown eye turned to look at her. He wanted to believe what he saw, “You know she’s only a tiefling…she isn’t a devil.” The monster hunter grimaced, and his sword arm fell completely, “You don’t understand what you’re asking of me, Vesper.”

“I’m asking you,” she said as she raised both hands, palms up towards him, “to spare someone forced into the service of a devil. I’m asking the Blade of Frontiers to save someone…” His jaw and eyes clenched shut before he shook his head, “Damn it all!” he shouted as he threw his rapier to the side, “I’ve been deceived.”

Vesper flinched at the outward display of Wyll’s anger but quickly collected herself as the others came up. “You’re a good man, Blade of Frontiers,” Karlach said over her shoulder and the drow finally stepped from between them, “You know,” the tiefling now looked toward the elf, “I’d hug you if it wouldn’t scorch your skin off.” Vesper nervously laughed and ducked her head, “Think nothing of it… I’ll just go clear some space so you can have your privacy. Wyll?” The human looked up and he nodded, “I am well, for now. Allies, Karlach?” he motioned toward the axe wielding tiefling and Vesper’s demeanor softened as they began speaking on friendlier terms.

A masculine hand fell onto her left shoulder and Vesper stifled a groan as she looked up at Gale. The human wizard blanched as he lifted his arm, “You’re injured…we ran out of our last health potions… Shadowheart?” The secretive cleric wasn’t far behind, quietly scoping out the camp’s new addition when her name was called, “Come here,” she ordered the bard.

When Vesper approached the dark haired cleric hovered her hand over her shoulder, “I thought you promised to be vigilant? To not get into any fights while it was only the two of you?” Relief flooded through her neck and shoulder and Vesper sighed heavily, “I got lost in thought… was nearly swept away by the river,” it was only a partial lie. No river, just the creek, but it wasn’t as though the cleric would question Astarion about it. It didn’t seem like Shadowheart had much to do with anyone in camp besides Vesper at times, “Astarion caught me before I could fully go in. It’s just an old, aggravated injury.”

The cleric’s eyes narrowed in suspicion before she flicked her chained braid over her shoulder, “I thought this was your first adventure?” The drow nodded, “It is…there are far more ways to collect injuries than just adventuring.” Her answer seemed to satisfy the cleric as Shadowheart nodded, “Very well. If it causes more issues in the morning let me know…do you need a hand with your herbs?”

“No,” she replied and gingerly tested her left arm before lifting the basket a little higher, “I just need to clean them and prep them, then they’ll be ready for potion making.”

With a resolute nod Shadowheart looked over the bard’s shoulder, “Perhaps I should go make the acquaintance of our new ally… I’m just not certain where she’ll stay.” Vesper nodded towards the more tarp-like of the tents they had, “She can have that one.” Red cloth with no walls, it wasn’t the nicest of the tents they had in camp but it provided shade when needed. Shadowheart eyed the drow before raising one of her brows, “That’s yours.”

Vesper shrugged, “Doesn’t have to be. It can be Karlach’s… I don’t mind sleeping by the fire. It’s warmer.” The secretive cleric shook her head before pressing past her while Vesper settled on one of the stumps near the fire. She was separating her gatherings when she felt fingers touch her shoulder and looked up. Gale had begun a habit of small touches before he spoke, at least toward Vesper, beginning after their second night in camp when she’d nearly panicked as he’d grabbed her elbow to get her attention.

“Everything alright?” he asked, his smile brightening as she held up a jar of honeycomb, “Ah, delightful. You know, back in Waterdeep there’s an old couple who nurture bees. Not druids, no, just…fans of our world's greatest pollinators.” He slipped by her as she continued to sort what would need to be a poultice and what would be crushed to stand by the pot he’d been cooking in. “They say that by feeding children spoons of locally sourced honey can prevent them from gaining allergies, at least toward the local fauna. Now, what does that mean if they ever decide to become world travelers or adventurers…well I guess we’re going to learn aren’t we?” Gale often did this, picked at small tidbits of information and dumped some indiscriminate knowledge on the rest of them.

Vesper thought it was charming. The others…not so much. But this time her head popped up, “What?” she asked as clear confusion drew her brows together. “I–I just, my mother was a believer in that old wives' tale, the honey. While this isn’t my first foray into the wilds, it is by far the farthest I’ve been from my local…ecosystem I would call it. What I mean to say is, perhaps we will test the limits of the tale–never mind,” he shook his head and waved off the thought. Sitting back, Vesper studied the wizard as he turned toward his pot of stewing meat, “I haven’t collected any, but if you feel a sneezing fit coming I can always keep an eye out for stinging nettle.”

Gale perked up with a grin, “That would indeed be most welcome.”

“I could take the second watch,” Karlach offered as she passed the clay plate to Vesper, “It’s really the least I can do since you’re giving up your tent. Which, by the way, thank you again…” The tiefling had tried to argue with Vesper over the tent, but anytime she moved her stuff and walked away to have a conversation or relieve herself, Vesper kept throwing her axe and the upper half of her ‘armor’ into the tent. “Karlach,” Vesper was calm as she tilted her head and looked at the tiefling, for some reason the barbarian blinked several times and sighed in defeat already, “when was the last night you slept without having to look over your shoulder?”

“Ten years in Avernus, right? Isn’t that what she said?” Vesper turned to look at Wyll who sported a smirk as he nodded, “Yeah, I think you’ve more than earned a night of uninterrupted sleep.” The same argument could have been made for Vesper as well but they didn’t know her past. When asked about her discomfort with the males in camp she waved it off or changed the subject. Why did she flinch when people got angry? Why did Astarion’s yelling make her freeze more than Kagha’s threats?

She never gave them real answers. No one in this group gave real answers to any questions delving into their pasts. Gale had asked her to give up a magical ring they’d found after saving a boy from a group of harpies and then absorbed the damned thing while not giving a full answer. Shadowheart had things she didn’t want people to press about, so Vesper didn’t press. And they didn’t press her either.

It was after dinner when the discussion of watch happened. Vesper had offered to clean the dishes after another, mostly meat, meal was had—and she was more than grateful to share her portion with the tiefling–when Astarion offered to take first watch and volunteered her for second again.

She could have protested. Could have confessed that she didn’t know how to meditate like other elves. Only it worried her that her confession would only be a cause for new questions, and she just wasn’t sure how open Karlach would be. No, it was safer to just go with the status quo.

Be good. Be compliant. Be obedient.

The words that had gotten her through the last ten years flashed through her mind. It’s not like the high elf was asking much of her. Just to watch over the camp and be certain nothing came to kill them while everyone slept. No big deal.

No pressure or anything.

Perhaps that was why it was always so difficult for her to focus. It was difficult to hear her sister’s instructions as she settled on the hard ground that night. The fire crackled beside her and she could hear Astarion walking around before he settled on a bedroll near hers, the cracking of a book spine. She almost asked him what he was reading, but it’d likely make him angry that she was wasting her resting time.

Instead, she focused on the sounds around her. The feeling of the wind as it blew across her. She turned onto her side, tucking her arm under her head. The fire was warm despite the cool summer evening. A page turned. Exhaustion was seeping into her bones as everything became heavier. Astarion mumbled to himself as he turned another page.

Silence.

There on the ground her breathing picked up its intensity. Silence wasn’t good for her. When things were quiet it meant something bad was coming, no crickets singing, no birds trilling, there was a predator around. Her head turned as she rolled back onto her back. They were coming. He was coming. As the world around her stilled she froze before she gasped for air and sat up suddenly, her head smashing into one that was waiting just above her.

“Shit!” It was a male voice and Vesper struggled to open her eyes, her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to untangle herself from her blankets. “Astarion?!” she gasped out through heavy breaths and the high elf sat back on his heels with a hand over his mouth. Her head burned as the wind blew and she lifted her hand and swiped her fingers, hissing as her fingers touched a small cut on her forehead, bringing them back to her eye line. Blood.

“Did you–did you cut me?” she asked with wide, wild eyes. “What? No!” he countered and stared at her forehead as she felt more liquid drip from the cut. His breathing was labored as he stared and slowly his hand lowered. In the light of the fire Vesper saw something…something different about him. No, no, she shook her head and rubbed at her eyes with the back of her fist, it had to be a trick of the light. “What were you doing?” she asked, there had to be some reason he loomed over her close enough for them both to be injured.

Astarion stood and shook out his shirt haughtily, “I was simply trying to wake you. It’s your shift,” he looked her over again, she noticed how his eyes hovered just above meeting her eyes. The high elf swallowed hard, “You assaulted me,” he said, and his hand lifted to his jaw again, “why?”

With a heavy sigh, Vesper stood and pulled her threadbare blanket over her shoulders, “Don’t worry. None of my common blood got on you…” when he continued to watch her through narrowed eyes her shoulders pulled together as much as they could, “It was just a nightmare. I wouldn’t have hit you had you not been so close.”

The drow turned to look around the camp. Karlach was the closest to the fire but was still loudly snoring. When she turned to look back at Astarion she sighed again, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

He lifted a brow before nodding once, “Good. I’m going to rest.” He rubbed his jaw again before turning away. Astarion’s red tent was close to the fire, when he put it up he claimed he wanted to be close by for warmth, though she’d not seen him get close to the fire since they’d set up here by the river.

There was an overhang just behind his tent that made a decent look-out. She was just about to start climbing her way up when she heard Astarion clear his throat, “For your head.” He swiped his thumb across her forehead with one hand while the other pushed a small vial of healing potion into her hands. “I thought we were out?” she asked as she looked up at him, surprised to see when the thumb he used to wipe her blood was leaving his mouth.

No. No, she had hit her head, she had to be seeing things.

“You all ran out…no one said I had to share my resources with the rest of you,” he said calmly before nudging her hand, “drink up, pet.” Vesper wanted to protest the pet name but she’d not refused an order in eight years and Astarion’s order was to drink the potion. He watched as she dutifully drank the vial dry and soundlessly turned to reenter his tent.

Of the strange interactions she’d had with the high elf, tonight’s interlude had to top the list.

Settling onto the rocky outcropping Vesper replayed the events over in her head. Had she seen actual fangs in Astarion’s mouth? Was he the vampire who killed that boar the other day? She shook her head. What a ridiculous thought! Vampires couldn’t walk around in the daylight and after all her days wandering the woods, she could certainly say… Astarion loved being in the sun. Besides, if the high elf was a vampire, why would he admit that the boar was killed by one?

It had to be her imagination running away with her. Rubbing her eyes again, Vesper yawned and began her watch.

“Fire!”

They all looked around, but Vesper shouted as she was grabbed from behind, Gale began hitting at her back and the drow screamed while she tugged to get away from the wizard while he shouted at her, “You! Vesper, you are on fire!” She felt the heat now just as he finished getting the words out of his mouth. A portion of the back half of her tunic was in his hand and she struggled to get out of the rest fast enough before she was engulfed in the flames.

Hands, two pairs, helped pull it off of her and each caught a bit of her leather collar as they tugged. Another yelp ripped from her throat as she got away from both the fire and their hands, falling onto the ground. “On your front,” Shadowheart commanded and Vesper turned to allow the cleric to heal her back.

They had barely escaped the toll-house before Karlach’s rage literally erupted from her skin. The tiefling had been so careful since they’d met the day before to keep from touching anyone. Yet as her anger consumed her she’d elbowed Vesper in the back after yelling for them to get out.

Down on the ground she was unsure if she’d been caught by the flames as the collar’s stitching throbbed through her skin. “Gods above,” she heard Shadowheart whisper and suddenly Vesper recalled the last time she’d been an evening entertainment for Issac’s company. The bruises likely weren’t gone and Vesper pushed as quickly as she could to climb to her feet. Turning quickly she realized both Gale and Wyll weren’t looking in her direction, the wizard’s gaze downcast while the monster hunter seemed intent on keeping his attention on the toll-house.

It was Astarion and Shadowheart who gaped at her and Vesper looked down at the muddled bruising on her arms and chest. She wasn’t aware of what her back looked like, “I’m fine.” She lied through her teeth as she smiled brightly at the two of them.

“A little more cheeriness and I might believe that,” Astarion said as he stepped forward. His finger lifted to touch the collar that surrounded her neck and shoulders, but Vesper stepped away from him, “Don’t,” she lowered her eyes and closed her eyes.

“Step back, Astarion,” Shadowheart said as she put herself between the two elves, “Clearly she needs a healer.” The cleric turned and Vesper lifted her eyes, “I’m fine, Shadowheart. Best to leave your focus elsewhere,” the cleric eyed her suspiciously but as her eyes lingered on the collar around her neck she sighed with a frustrated huff, “Fine. Enjoy your pain then.”

A whooping voice got all of their attention as Karlach jumped down the staircase leading from the building she’d left engulfed in flame. Astarion let out a little whine, “So much for looking for money…” Gale glanced back, Vesper caught his eye for a split second before he looked at Astarion, “Fire can be dealt with. I have a spell that could easily remedy this…display. Feeling better, Karlach?” It seemed when he was uncomfortable, Gale was less chatty. It was nice to know that it was possible for him to not fill the vacancy of sound with his own voice, but Vesper wasn’t certain how she felt being the one to make him so uncomfortable.

The bard crossed her arms over her chest as best she could while Karlach spoke to the others. Vesper had hoped to keep her bruises a secret from the rest of them, she’d been healed more than once by Shadowheart but considering they hadn’t disappeared had to mean that her healing was targeted to what she knew.

Karlach sounded shocked, “Holy shit…what fiend got a hold of you, Ves?” A copper head popped up and Vesper shook her head, “It’s fine. I’m fine.” Wyll cleared his throat and gestured to the tiefling, “It seems even a small nudge can set thinning fabric aflame.” Karlach inhaled sharply, “I did that?” Astarion shook his head, “No, clearly we don’t know much about our dear bard’s bedroom habits. You just supplied us with the hot new gossip of camp.” Vesper’s eyes found the ground again as they stung and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

They didn’t know. It was fine, they could talk. Talk is mostly harmless.

She heard Astarion hiss, “What?” and a soft admonishment before Gale said to her, “Perhaps we’ll have a peek inside, we’ll see if we can find you something more comfortable to wear.” Lifting her gaze she almost turned away again, there was pity in the human wizard’s eyes and she hated it. Glancing at the others, Shadowheart was still facing the others–Vesper realized that the cleric seemed to be blocking their view of her; Karlach was stepping closer and her eyes were on the bruises that Vesper couldn’t hide anymore; Wyll still had his back turned; but Astarion was looking directly at her. She expected disgust in his eyes but he just looked…bored, “It isn’t clothing she needs, it’s armor. Or have we forgotten she’d agreed to us saving this druid, Halsin?”

“We haven’t got money for armor,” Vesper pursed her lips the moment the words were out of her mouth. Astarion rolled his eyes, “Darling there are other ways of getting what you need,” he wiggled his fingers and looked toward the smoking building, “though if it’s money we need…come Gale…put the fires out.”

The boys left to search the toll-house and Shadowheart turned to look at her, “Arms.” Vesper was extending her arms toward the cleric all while protesting, “Really, Shadowheart, there’s no need to waste your healing powers on this. They’re old, almost gone…” Karlach’s head tilted to one side quickly before she shook her head, “This is why you don’t like men then…”

Vesper lifted her gaze to the tiefling who calmly met her stare, but it was Shadowheart who spoke, “No matter your walk in life, this is far too many bruises for pleasure.” Her arms were turned over in the cleric's hands and her calloused fingers ran over a number of silvery scars, “Is any of this a detriment to you moving? Fighting?”

“No,” the bard answered quickly, “I’ve carried children while looking worse than this.” Her voice was soft as she finished her answer. It wasn’t that her pride was hurt. She just didn’t like the pity. Pity did nothing for her. Pity didn’t change her last ten years.

“Anything under the collar?” Shadowheart asked as she reached for the edge. Vesper stepped away from her, “Don’t,” she choked out and shook her head, “I’m fine, Shadowheart. Really… I’m not burned, there’s nothing to heal. Please,” she lifted her gaze to the half elf, “just leave me be.”

Shadowheart sighed heavily, and nodded, “Fine. If you insist. I’ll go see if I can help them inside…maybe one of those fake paladins has a shirt that isn’t too singed.” She was turning just as Astarion was making his way back out of the building, a thick leather tunic in his hands, “Arms up, Vesper, we managed to salvage you some armor.”

“I can’t…” she said as she eyed the solid piece. Leather was pliable, yes, but this was a similar make to the kind they had purchased from the druids for Astarion. It had to go over the head and with her collar there was no way she’d be able to get it on. Astarion frowned as he looked at her, “Why not? The collar? Darling we’re in the middle of nowhere, you can’t get in trouble for taking it off,” he was half bent as he mockingly whispered the last part.

Violet colored her cheeks and she shook her head, “I just can’t!” It was the first time she’d gotten loud with them. The first time her voice had been raised in anger in quite a while. She couldn’t tell them yet. Not yet.

Astarion scoffed and threw the armor at her feet, “Darling if it’s chafing that you’re worried about, believe me when I say that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. Especially coming from some elven prostitute who didn’t even change out of her uniform.”

“Astarion!” Shadowheart shouted his name and the high elf turned to look at her. Vesper shook her head as she walked away, “Wait!” Karlach yelled after her as she followed, “It isn’t safe to be alone…gnolls travel in packs.” They were halfway across the bridge when Vesper finally stopped. She was blocked from view by the upturned cart on the cobblestone and didn’t fear anyone seeing her wipe her eyes.

“Don’t let what he said get to you,” Karlach said as she sat down on the edge of the bridge, “if you need help getting armor on we can find a way. Shadowheart seems like a good egg, she won’t mind helping I’m sure.”

Coldly the bard laughed and shook her head, “I don’t know why his words hurt. It’s hardly the worst I’ve ever heard…”

Scraping gravel alerted Vesper and Karlach to someone approaching, one quick glance told her it was the cleric, “Is it the arm I healed last night that gives you problems? We can work together to get this on, though it’ll be difficult to do so every day. You may have to sleep in it from time to–”

“It isn’t just my arm,” Vesper relented and sighed as she turned to sit beside Karlach. The tiefling scooted a few inches away with a tight smile. Shadowheart frowned and turned the armor over in her hands, “What is it then? There’s nothing wrong with the armor…”

“No, you’re right…but it's the collar I wear, I cannot take it off and I cannot lift my arms because of it.”

Shadowheart sighed heavily, her face becoming a mirror of Astarion’s annoyance, “Then we can take it off.” Vesper shook her head as she groaned in frustration, “It isn’t that easy. Look, if I could just find armor similar to Wyll’s that I put on like a coat. We can sell that though, maybe make a trade of some sort with Dammon at the grove.”

Shadowheart tossed the leather armor on the cart with a frustrated sigh, “Very well. I’m going to make sure they collect enough goods and gold to trade with then. Make certain Astarion doesn’t slip anything into his pockets.”

When it was just them, Karlach picked up a rock and flung it, “So, Vesper is kind of a weird name for an elf…” The bard frowned before she looked to her side at the tiefling, “What?” she said through a confused laugh.

“It’s pretty! It is, but, like… Astarion, it's almost musical innit? It sounds exotic almost, but Vesper…you sound like you would have grown up down the street from me in Baldur’s Gate,” Karlach explained, and her smile eased as Vesper’s tension eased.

“The village I grew up in didn’t have many elves, so we, my siblings and I, were given more human sounding ones to be called publicly,” she explained while shaking her head. Karlach’s mouth pulled to one side, “Nah, I think you’re hiding something. You’re a world-class criminal and those bruises are from your latest heist. ‘Vesper’ is a cover… don’t worry,” she winked at the bard, “I’ll keep your secret.”

Vesper laughed again as she stared at Karlach, “You know what?” she said as she quieted, “If it keeps me from having to talk about my last ten years… I’ll take it.” Karlach’s smile faltered for just a second before she grinned again.

After effectively cleaning out the toll house they had several hundred gold. Astarion seemingly stuck his foot back in his mouth when he mentioned if it wasn’t enough then Vesper should just flirt with the halfling tradesman or the tiefling for a discount. Suddenly she wasn’t coming anywhere near him.

Vesper had thought they were coming to a somewhat understanding companionship. Teasing remarks but harmless. Perhaps he thought these were harmless remarks. That had to be it. He didn’t know the truth of her past.

When they reentered the blighted village, Vesper entered the little apothecary shop, looking for any left-behind dried ingredients. This place was filled with them. There were even abandoned potions on the counter.

She lifted a book and flicked through the pages before turning it over and shaking it, sometimes the books had scrolls hidden within the pages. Gale had explained to her that he could inscribe his spell book with those scrolls.

Wyll, in his own exploration of the shop, had found a cellar while she searched the upstairs. They had been just about to head down when a shirt was pulled over her head. It was dirty and a little ratty but it did cover her better than the leather shirt she wore. Turning she caught Astarion as he silently turned his head away and pushed past her to follow Wyll down into the cellar.

It was awkward to pull her arms through and there was the tugging of the threads against her skin but eventually, she did manage to get both arms through the holes.

They had found a lever that led to a more secretive area and a magic mirror.

When Astarion tried his hand at the mirror he got annoyed and threatened to smash it, but the glass disappeared. Vesper found it odd that she hadn’t even seen a shadow of the rogue within the reflective silver glass.

In this secret cellar, there were even more alchemy ingredients and she busied herself as she gathered.

“Gale…what’s a quasit?” asked Shadowheart at one point as she held up a scroll. The wizard, who had been quietly tailing behind the drow turned and approached her to read the scroll, “A familiar…seems like an interesting familiar to have. I’ll inscribe this tonight, perhaps we can learn what all this is from the little devil. Before Wyll destroys it of course.” Wyll lifted his chin as he pursed his lips and shook his head, “The Blade of Frontiers does not kill familiars,” he said nobly, before he grinned and shrugged, “it wouldn’t count, they can just be resummoned.”

They all continued searching the cellar, Gale finding a pair of bracers in a chest that he tucked away for later. Vesper wondered if he planned on using or consuming them. It was Astarion crouched at an iron gate that caught her attention though. He was close to the keyhole picking the lock, “What are you doing?” she asked a bit hesitantly. He barely spared her a glance before answering, “There’s a book back there. Could be something useful…or something expensive,” the lock clicked, “why else would someone hide it behind all of this.”

He stood to open the gate, careful as he took the first few steps in. Vesper walked up to him to peek her head in but he held up a hand, “Traps…I’d wager those,” he pointed to the two stone statues that were covered in cobwebs and dust, “will begin spitting out fireballs if this,” he pointed to the plate that was beneath a book, “is disturbed. Give me just a–” he stopped talking as he bent over the table pulling a different tool kit from the pocket of his armor.

The others were gathering behind her, each peeking through to watch the rogue at work.

“Vesper,” the sound of Wyll’s voice being so close made the drow jump and she whipped around to face the Blade as he winced, “sorry,” he whispered before clearing his throat, “most bards I know don’t move so quietly. They’ve all been singing or strumming–playing their instrument…but you don’t seem to have one...”

Vesper chuckled, “Mine was recently broken…not that I had much practice–” “Shh!” She winced when Astarion shushed them; she stepped away from the door with Wyll, “Why?”

Wyll shook his head, “Just curiosity, I suppose. We found a lute in the toll house…if you’d like it? I left it outside for the goblins but we could–” she nodded and Wyll’s smile perked up as he spoke again, “I’ll go grab it then. It’s just outside the village near that…uhm,” he blushed, “barn.” His eyes widened for a moment as if to convey how uncomfortable the sounds coming from that barn had been.

“Wait–” she grabbed him as he turned, “don’t worry about it if you’ve left it that far behind. I don’t need one, an instrument, I mean.” Wyll paused and looked back, “I may be being a bit selfish…it’s possible that tonight or in the coming nights there will be a reckoning over Karlach still being alive. I was hoping that if you played it could keep my mind off of it…or keep me–” he trailed off as he swallowed hard and looked away from her eyes. “I was hoping for something to look forward to,” he finally admitted with a closed lip smile. Vesper’s head tilted, “A reckoning? Should we be concerned?”

Wyll shook his head, “You’re in no danger, I swear it. No one besides myself is in any danger…”

The others were talking again and Vesper turned her head to look back, “We’ll go get it in a bit before we head back to camp. I just don’t want the goblins out there getting any ideas…” While they knew that these creatures were bowing to the Absolute, she didn’t trust that they wouldn’t go to their baser nature and try to kill the human in front of her. “Let’s not split up, okay? Isn’t it safer to be together?” she asked and Wyll chuckled and nodded, “You’re right,” he said.

“Something,” Astarion’s voice was raised as he flipped the book he’d finally gotten over in his hands, “goes in this book…I’d like to find it.”

“Uh, please don’t open the creepy book….it’s got a face,” whined Karlach as she looked over his shoulder.

Astarion giggled softly as his fingers stroked the leather cover, “Imagine the things it could tell us.”

With one last look around the hidden cellar, they left both the cellar and the building. They started for the building right next to it, but Gale held up his arms and began backing away, “Ogres,” was all he had to say for the others to back away from the building and avoid it. Instead, they crossed the meager street to one of the other buildings. Inside they found a key, but there was nothing to unlock inside the building, “There was a door outside…another shop perhaps?” surmised the wizard. Vesper tried to ask the goblin but she’d only been waved off and simply returned to the others’ side.

In the basement, they found…things. A bellow and furnace. Astarion found another trapped chest and sent Vesper up the ladder to check the other chest up on the landing. It had been quite a while since she had used a lock picking set, so Astarion had both disabled the trap and picked the lock off his chest before she even finished picking her lock, but she did get it. A smile bloomed across her face as she opened the lid, “Weird…there’s just a bit of metal and a couple of letters.”

The metal had a sulfuric smell to it and though it wasn’t especially large it had a hefty weight to it. Years of malnutrition had kept the bard weakened so she had to implore Karlach for help. When the tiefling looked over into the chest she laughed, “This is infernal metal! I can use this for my engine! Now I just need a mechanic.”

“Infernal mechanic?” asked Wyll, he knit his brows together before he nodded, “I think I know of one we can get to easily.” “Really?” excitedly Karlach turned to look down to the human. Wyll nodded again, “Dammon in the Druid’s Grove…as long as Kagha hasn’t completed her damned ritual we should be able to ask him if he can at least.” Karlach looked at all of them, “I hate to ask for another favor…”

“We’ll get back there,” Astarion held up a placating hand without conferring with the others, “if it’ll keep you from burning the rest of us up, I mean.” He looked past the tiefling to the still kneeling drow, “What about those letters? Does it say why this blacksmith has infernal iron?”

Vesper looked at the opened letters and shrugged before tossing them down. Astarion passed off the scroll he was holding to Wyll as he caught the two to look them over.

“He made a deal of some kind it seems…” the rogue said as he turned the letter over in his hands. Shadowheart was wandering the workshop when she paused, “There’s a breeze behind this wall…” the others turned to look at her.

“Maybe there’s a tunnel…it could lead to some secret entrance to the goblin camp?” she shrugged and looked at the wall again, “I’m just not sure how we get it down.”

Wyll stepped toward the cleric, “May I?” Shadowheart turned to look at him, “I don’t see a hammer in your hands…” He shook his head, “No, I’ve found that a well-placed eldritch blast can destroy walls sometimes. Step away,” he gave the warning and waited for the half-elf to back away before lifting his hands and firing two eldritch blasts in quick succession.

“Bravo, Wyll,” said Shadowheart as she watched the wall fall. “Who knew you had use beyond a pretty face,” her head tilted teasingly as she stepped forward to peek through the wall. Karlach and Vesper had climbed down at this point and they with Gale and Astarion joined the other two as they ventured past the wall.

Spiders.

It just had to be spiders. And not your run-of-the-mill, cause-a-heart attack when it runs down your arm kind either. These were bigger than Vesper and they could teleport. The other little creatures might have scared her more, when one of them came running at her, its arms waving in the air as it moved, she actually yelped and ran from it while Karlach jumped in its way and buried her axe into it.

Besides a few poisoned burns, they were all okay. Gale even thanked Vesper as he downed one of the small healing potions she had been making for them since she found the little alchemy kit. “Put these on,” said Astarion as he held out a pair of boots to the bard. Vesper lifted her gaze from the diagram on the board and looked at the rogue, “Why?” He shrugged, “They’re better than what you’re wearing and the rest of us have decent footwear. Besides Karlach, but I don’t think they’d fit our fiery friend.”

So she pulled the boots on, hopping along as she tried to keep up with the others. It was odd, they fit fine but as she walked it felt like they molded not only to her leg but to her feet, her steps felt lighter than before. “Are these,” she stepped up to Astarion’s side, “magical boots?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted as he looked down at them, “but if they are, keep them from Gale. He doesn’t need to eat every magical item we come across.” Astarion’s hand came up as they rounded a corner and he looked at Vesper before covering her mouth as he watched her eyes land on the gigantic spider across the way. “Don’t. Scream,” he warned her and waited for her to nod before he removed his hand.

“We probably shouldn’t be here,” whispered Karlach as she crept closer, but Astarion was already sneaking towards the edge. Something caught his eye and unfortunately, it was right beneath the big web weaver herself.

They watched the white headed rogue as he looked around and assessed the situation. He then kept an eye on the big spider as he began to sneak across the webbed bridge, he threw one look over his shoulder and waved to the others.

“He must have seen something useful, right?” asked Gale before he crouched, grunting as he muttered about his knees before following after the rogue.

Vesper followed, knowing the others were just behind her.

Things are never easy though, they never can be. While they crossed the webbed bridge Gale got stuck. They managed to get him unstuck without the spider noticing, but then came the chittering and Vesper turned to see Shadowheart jerking her foot in the webs, swearing to herself.

Another fight with spiders ensued. Little ones were hatched as the big one let out its awful screech. Arrows, spells, and Karlach’s axe were used to fight but it didn’t matter for Vesper. She’d made it to a second bridge only to be surrounded by the little baby spiders with their extra potent venom and she misjudged where the edge of the webbing was.

Her feet never got caught on the web, not like the others. Something about these boots was good about keeping her from getting enwebbed, but that was also a bad thing; as she stepped backward trying to dodge being bitten she jumped too far back and felt a familiar sensation. Falling, she was falling.

As she fell backward she was just barely able to make eye contact with Astarion who was picking up some glowing gem before she was swallowed by some pit in the center of the area.

For a moment she thought she heard her name being yelled.

There wasn’t going to be a nautiloid to save her this time. Wherever she was falling to was it. Her freedom was over. Closing her eyes she said a prayer to Elistaree and accepted her fate.

What she didn’t expect was for two hands to grab onto her and turn so she was pressed against a hardened surface, or for Astarion to cast a spell that slowed their fall. Opening her eyes she realized the surface she was being held to was his chest and she lifted her head, the wind was blowing through his curls, “You didn’t even scream,” he said as he looked at her, his eyes wide as he tried his best to turn them mid-air so they would land on their feet.

“Where are we going to land?” she asked, her hands now gripping his armor and one of his arms, he shook his head before answering, “I don’t know. Be prepared for anything.”

The spell he cast changed their falling to floating but she didn’t release the high elf. Eventually, the tunnel they were falling through came to an end, the darkness giving way to odd lights of different colors splattered around their surroundings. When their feet finally touched solid ground, Astarion pushed her down so they were both crouched, “You move quietly, and don’t go far from me.” She nodded and eyed him before looking around, “Were you lying before?” His eyes narrowed as he shook his head questioningly, “It’s just–” she started to say before a noise behind her had her turning.

A Minotaur.

She was nearly about to scream when Astarion’s hand covered her mouth again, “Don’t.” he said into her ear before he took her wrist and began shuffling in the other direction just doing his best to not be perceived by the creature. Of course, it had to turn as they tried to round the corner. “Run!” the rogue shouted as he stood to his full height and began pulling her with him.

Fear made her blood pump into her ears. She couldn’t hear the creature as it roared but she could feel the ground rumble as the minotaur tried to charge after them. Or was that the one they were running toward as it ran towards a building. Astarion was running right behind it before he skidded to a halt as bright white lights began hitting it. The minotaur tried to bash into the gates but it died to the outpost's magical defenses, “Shit…” he began to look around and then behind him, “you’ve got a spell that changes your appearance.” He said as he looked at her, she nodded, “Small, be small!”

Both of them cast at the same time, changing themselves from elves to a gnome and halfling Astarion ran for the small space, he climbed through quickly and Vesper followed screaming as the Minotaur smashed into the wall just behind them, “Keep crawling!” she heard Astarion shout and she kept following him, doing her best to keep her concentration on the spell. The disguise spell she used was one she’d been playing with once she realized she could use it.

There was a bend in the tunnel the two were crawling through that exited into the outpost. As soon as he was out of the crawlspace Astarion ended his disguise and dusted himself off. He was breathing hard as he collapsed on one of the benches as she pulled herself through.

“Where are we?” she asked as she stood up to her halfling height. Astarion looked over at her and his eyes grew round, “Please drop the spell…hearing your voice out of that is…disturbing.” Vesper dropped her concentration and dusted herself off, her left shoulder was aching now, while crawling several of the tunnel’s rocks had smacked into her arms as she crawled.

She started walking around the space, she found the gate where the dead minotaur lay and looked out to see two others now stalking the area where they had disappeared. “There’s two!” she called back to Astarion as she stepped back to look at him, her eyes were wide, fear once again coursing through her. How many times had she been close to death now?

“You look nearly dead,” Astarion said as he looked at her. He didn’t look much better if she thought about it. He was covered in blood from fighting those false paladins and now they were both covered in dirt and dust. But she didn’t want to tell him that.

“I’m fine,” she said instead as she slung her backpack off her shoulders, digging through it, she found the large potion that the strange lady in the grove had given her. She set the bag on the table in front of Astarion before offering it to him, “You got hit more than I did…you probably need it more.” He looked at the potion before shaking his head, “What I need is a drink.” His eyes paused on her before he looked away again, “You were saying something earlier, about me ‘lying?’”

Vesper’s cheeks flushed as she recorked the potion bottle and placed it back into her bag pulling out a smaller one. “You told me that you were a magistrate back in the city,” she said matter-of-factly as she uncorked the smaller bottle and turned it up. Once she swallowed she looked at Astarion again before lowering her eyes toward his hands, “I don’t think you were being honest.”

“I was,” he said, “it’s been a while since I’ve been a magistrate, but I did work for the courts in Baldur’s Gate.” He stood up and stepped toward her, “You weren’t lying about never having been on an adventure. Neither have I.” She nodded as her head tilted, “You’ve told me that…but how are you so good at–” “Killing?” he asked as he gave a small tug on her bag. She released the canvas she’d been holding onto and let him pilfer through it.

“I have to do something now that I’m no longer a magistrate,” he found the bag of rations she carried and pulled out some of the fresh berries she had picked the day before. He popped a few into his mouth before offering others to her, “We’ll rest and then find our way out of here. I’m out of spells after that disguise, at least until morning.” Vesper nodded, she too was out of magic if she had to be honest.

When he walked out of the area the drow felt her knees give out and she sat down heavily on the other bench at the table. She had taken the offered berries and was now looking through her rations bag. Astarion, for all his sneaking around, didn’t carry a bag as she did. They’d have to share anything that she had.

Checking her rations she also held up her canteen, it was about half full. It might be enough if they only took a mouthful at a time. Depending on how long they stayed down here at least. She coughed and realized how dry her mouth was already, grimacing she twisted the lid off her canteen and turned it up taking just enough to wet her mouth and throat before closing it. She’d dealt with rationing food before. Issac often forgot to leave money behind when he used to be gone for days at a time, but at least then she’d had water to fill her belly with. She could do this, it wouldn’t be that difficult.

Astarion’s steps were silent as he came back around the corner, she flinched when she saw his hand come around her and he took the canteen from her, “It’s only—” he turned it up drinking two mouthfuls before raising a brow. Right, she thought, he needed the strength. He was still covered in dirt and blood, his hair somewhat flattened against his head but as she looked at him, she realized that he wasn’t sweaty. She wasn’t wearing leather armor like him but she could feel her sweat chilling against her skin. He was right about the leather chaffing. The slick of her sweat had given the smooth leather the ability to slide against her skin, but now with the added dirt, she could feel it rubbing against the threads under her collar.

“What?” he asked and she cut her eyes away, “Nothing. Sorry.” She didn’t see Astarion narrow his eyes before he stalked around the table and sat across from her.

“If we’re going to make it out of here, we need to trust each other,” he said as he passed the canteen back to her. She closed the lid and put it back into her pack with the rations bag. “I do trust you,” she said as she looked at him, maybe she didn’t but it was better that he believed she did. Astarion was smaller than Issac but she’d been hurt by men who had the rogue’s build. He had a smirk on his face that made Vesper’s blood chill a bit and she looked down at the table, his hands weren’t on the tabletop now, she didn’t know where they were and that worried her more than just being alone with him.

“I’m sure,” he said as his eyes narrowed a hair more, “I need you to extend that trust just a bit more…” Now she glanced up at him and he held up both hands, waiting as she looked between them. They were bare, no gloves, no weapons, just empty. Empty hands were just as dangerous as a weapon for the right person.

“Last night,” he said softly before clearing his throat, “I did not cut you…with a weapon.” It was Vesper’s turn to narrow her eyes, she tilted her head as she looked at him. Her eyes scanned over his face and then to his hands again, she knew he had longer nails but just assumed it was an upper city thing, “Your nails?” she asked as she eyed them. He’d said he was trying to wake her, perhaps he was going to tap her with them until she woke up. Astarion had behaved a bit childishly since he’d tried to kill her on the beach, almost as if he were trying to make up for holding that blade to her throat.

“Aha, no,” he smiled and one of his hands bent before he tapped his teeth. The area they were in had little to no light. The glow from the outpost’s magical defenses was barely registrable in here but she leaned forward until her dark vision adjusted to see the sharp incisor he was pointing to. He opened his mouth to speak again and she realized there was a twin on the mirrored side.

“I, in poor taste, made a joke about you being the vampire that drank all the blood of that boar,” he said as he watched her and Vesper blanched. She had seen fanged teeth last night. He’d not had a reflection in the mirror. Her mouth dropped open and she tried to back away, falling over the bench she’d been sitting on, “You’re a–”

“Yes,” he said as he watched her move away, “but I’m not some monster…I don’t kill thinking creatures. I hunt beasts and animals…kobolds…” When she tumbled back he stood and looked over the table, “I was–”

“You were going to bite me!” she shouted as she shuffled back. The awkward movement pulled at the stitches in her shoulder and she hissed through the pain before pulling herself to standing.

“But I didn’t!” he held up a hand.

“Because I woke up!”

“Well, yes,” his head tilted to the side as he admitted it, “but it was only because…” he paused and dropped his hands to the table, “I feel weak. I thought with just a little blood I could feel stronger…I wasn’t going to kill you. Just enough…”

Astarion tilted his chin down, “With just enough I could be stronger…it would be easier to protect myself and you.” He added the last bit as if an afterthought.

Vesper wrapped her arms around her middle as she looked at him. She hadn’t imagined it, hells, she had been right the night before. “This can’t be true…I’ve seen you in the sun, we were just–” while she babbled, Astarion nodded and tapped against his temple, “I believe,” he started to explain, “that our wriggly little friend is to thank for that one. It is also why I can enter living spaces without being invited and cross running streams.”

She was watching him closely, and he seemed to know it. “The magistrate thing?” she asked again and he bowed his head in another nod, “Nearly two hundred years ago but yes, I was.” She shuffled her feet, “Why are you telling me now?”

This time Astarion stood, the bench squeaking against the stone floor, “There’s a ladder just to your right…if we go up there I want to be as strong as I can be. I was hoping,” he eased his way around the table, his hands held open, “that you might provide me the small allowance of your blood so that I can be certain we survive this. And I do mean for us both to survive. Do you remember what you said after our meeting with that devil, Raphael? If I kept you safe you would keep me safe?”

Some of Vesper’s hair fell into her face as she nodded and she looked down at his feet. His legs were relaxed. Not poised to chase her if she ran. A vampire could keep her safe. They’re supposed to be strong if the stories she had heard were true. Issac would be afraid of a vampire. Issac would be afraid of a vampire.

The drow lifted her head to look into Astarion’s face, she stepped closer to him and saw the crease in his brow release just a tad. If Astarion liked her blood then maybe he wouldn’t let her get too hurt, it’d be hard to offer it to him if she lost a bunch. If Issac or any of his friends appeared…Astarion might fight to keep her if he enjoyed her. If she was compliant.

'Be good. Be Obedient.' Phrases that had been drilled into her since early childhood. 'Be compliant' was one that Issac had drilled into her. If she didn’t want to be knocked around she’d comply with his wishes and those that he passed her off to.

Wouldn’t the argument apply here as well? Astarion was offering an exchange, her blood for his protection. If she complied…

“Okay,” she said softly as she took another step toward him. The crease on Astarion’s forehead disappeared almost entirely as his brows raised, creating new creases across his forehead, “Really? I thought—never mind…shall we make ourselves more comfortable?” He waved a hand behind him to the table. Vesper licked her lips and moved around the high elf to sit down, when she looked up at him, he was frowning.

“Did I mess up already?”

“No! No,” he chuckled dryly, “I just thought you might want to be lying down…” she shook her head. She could let him drink her blood but she couldn’t have him over her. Vesper was enjoying the fact that no man hovered over her and had enjoyed it for two weeks at this point. “I’d prefer to sit, if that would be alright?” she said meekly and Astarion nodded, “Yes,” he said, “of course. As long as you’re comfortable.”

He carefully moved her hair off of her neck and Vesper stiffened as he reached for the collar, “Maybe my wrist!” she practically shouted, her voice echoing in the chamber they occupied. Astarion cleared his throat again and stepped to the side of the table, “I’ve told you a dangerous secret about myself…what’s the collar? Why don't you want it removed?”

“It can’t be,” she said softly and he sighed before crouching to meet her eyes. “Vesper, darling, I know that some couples have their little bedroom games…but you don’t have to wear–” she shook her head and her voice stuttered, “It–it isn’t a s-sex thing. It physically can’t be removed.” Meeting his eyes again she watched as his eyes dart back and forth before looking to the collar. He stood and walked around behind her before moving her hair, twisting it up in one of his hands, and looking over the leather piece. His hand traced the belt that encircled the thick neckpiece. “We could just,” his cold, too cold now that she knew, fingers slipped under the leather, and when he gave it a tug she did shout. “Fuck!” she swore and hissed trying to follow the direction he tugged.

Astarion dropped it and with the softest pull of her hair tilted her head back, “What was that?” Tears were filling her eyes as she tried to breathe through the pain, she saw Astarion’s nostrils flare from this angle and watched as his eyes grew, “You’re bleeding,” he said before bending and sniffing at her shoulder level. “Is–” he paused and lifted his head just a few inches, “is this collar attached to your skin?”

“Yes,” shame flooded Vesper as she answered him and she felt her hair heavily fall as he released her and fell into the seat next to her. The drow took in a deep breath through her nose and exhaled slowly before lifting her arm to Astarion in an offering, “I can’t lift my arms much higher than this because of an injury and because it pulls on the stitches. If you still want my blood,” gods please still let him want her blood. Now that she had the idea in her head she wanted him to want her blood, to enjoy feeding on her. She’d go so far as to fuck him if it meant he’d keep her from Issac.

Astarion looked at her, his eyelids fluttering as he seemed to be pulled from thought, before looking down to her proffered arm and taking it, “You’ll still offer your blood?” She nodded and tried to lift her arm just an inch higher, it stretched against the strings and she winced. Astarion caught her eye and lowered her arm a bit before bending over it and sinking his teeth into her frail flesh.

Vesper hissed as his fangs broke through her skin, sharp icy pain filled her arm before she felt his tongue push against the pulse in her wrist bringing more blood from her arm. He kept his eyes connected to hers and she didn’t look away. Vesper was unsure if it was a challenge or if he was trying to gauge when to stop, so she refused to look away from him. Her arm numbed eventually and she shook her head, “Stop.” He lifted away from her wrist and his eyes fluttered closed. “That was…” he licked his lips, but he didn’t finish the thought.

“I feel stronger…I feel,” he chuckled a little as he lowered her arm but still held onto it, “I feel happy.”

“Good…I feel numb,” she said softly as she tried to pull her arm from his grasp, “and tired now.”

“Right,” he cleared his throat again, “we should try and meditate…get some rest. I don’t suppose you brought yourself a blanket?” She shook her head while answering quietly, “Didn’t think I’d need a bedroll.” He laughed, the sound a bit higher pitched than normal, he certainly seemed happier, “I would offer a cuddle but I’m not exactly warm either. We could start a fire though…” he nodded to her left and she turned to see a fireplace. “As long as this place’s defenses stand we should be alright to start a fire,” he stood and walked over to the fireplace. The wood was probably rotten but he’d try anyway.

Looking about Vesper saw candles, “We could light all the candles, I kept warm one winter like that.” He held up a finger and began walking around the outpost gathering any pillar candle he could find, “Settle here then. The sooner we rest, the sooner we can try and find a way out of here. Unless the fools were dumb enough to jump after us…”

#the caged bard #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 fanfiction #bg3 #tcb: vesper #astarion/tav #astarion/halsin/tav coming late #r #halsin/tav later #astarion/halsin late #tav's story

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shirecorn · 3 years

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I actually discovered you through the Animal Bingo creature design challenges. Those were some wild combinations.

Animal Bingo (not currently open so do not suggest animals until I post that it is open, ok to reblog otherwise tho!)

The cool thing about animal bingo is I was actually using that as a training tool for myself! I find designing creature's heads and faces to be pretty much effortless, but bodies have a lot of false starts and bad vibes before i get them right.

The audience participation is also really fun, because I end up combining things that no one would actually think of.

Tumblr's format allows me to present the whole chain as a collaborative project, with direct links to the contributors, and it shows that I am truly taking things as they come and not cherrypicking by making my own animal choices for what comes easily to me.

This is good because it shows potential clients/studios that I am ready and willing to take whatever they throw at me.

Also, the fact that you have to reblog to participate is good for exposure ;)

Basically, it's a way for me to have fun and stay sharp.

But most of all. It's the attention and interaction. If i could live on attention alone I would. I would draw so much with no worries about how I'm going to make rent, for myself, for other people, for the world just to see how they react. Unless some nobleman wants to keep me in their basement tho i gotta make a living

My header used to be "shire draws all the time and sometimes posts it" because i have always drawn like a rabid animal, but going through the effort of uploading it with 0.5mbps internet just for 5 likes and 1 reblog was not worth it.

I took that out a long time ago when I started getting more traction, so now I post almost daily. Feed the artist > get more art

at the risk of looking like an obsessive goblin, I do admit that I read every reblog, comment, and tag posted on my art. Yes, even the one with 300,000 notes. They fuel me

(Sooooo many people say they're gonna make him a character or NPC in d&d so if you did this please tell me if anything funny happens!)

On occasion I also track down reposts to other sites and read what people say there. (currently I have no policy against reposting my viral ones as long as there's credit. ask for the regular art)

I know once I get a job and this pandemic is over, I'll be more chill, but right now audience interaction is definitely keeping me fired up.

as a kid i wanted to be a comedian or motivational speaker (and singer and actor etc etc etc)

Most art is kind of a presentation to the world, while for me it's a performance and collaboration.

You really do not get this kind of community on other sites. I really love it here.

(dont go parasocial relationshipping me tho I love you as a conglomerate and I have poor memory for telling people apart)

Ive been getting a lot of asks lately haha wonder why, and rambleralmberalmbelenare

at this point you should see an ask and know its gonna be an essay

TLDR: animal bingo is a challenge to merge things I wouldnt otherwise think of, and my favorite kind of art on here is audience participation. I read all comments and tags even if there's thousands.

#shire screams #ask #not art #long post

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spacehologramcollection · 4 years

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Kombat Krew and Summer Headcanons: Part two.

Have some fluffy headcanons, before Smutty Saturday and Smuttier Sunday. I can hear you all, ‘But Smut Goblin, you’ve already written these’ Well, I have more ideas, and my thirst is now unrivaled. So, Summer with the Kombat Kast Part two: Electric fucking Boogaloo. Oh yeah, there’s also smut, I lied, they aren’t just fluffy.

I know I said I’d have more characters. But this was ten pages. TEN FUCKING PAGES! So, like Part 2.5 is coming up! Enjoy.

Warnings: Fluff, Smut, Shitposts about Kano. 18+ under the cut. I fixed Sindel and her retcon. I hope. GIFs do not belong to me. Either found on the Tumblr Gif finder thing, or google.

Fujin:

· What fresh fucking hell is this? Short haired Fujin is because he’s sick of this shit. His hair is sticking to his fucking back, he can’t cope with the warmth. So, he cut it. And now he looks like sin incarnate. Fuck yes Fujin.

· He’s an actual sweetheart when you both go for walks. If it’s too warm and he sees kids trying to fly their kites, he may, just may, summon a breeze. Because he’s actually a giant softie. When you ask him if that was him, he’ll tilt his head and look shocked. Him? Use his powers like that?! He wouldn’t dream… don’t tell Raiden.

· He loves discovering new mortal customs and culture. Day drinking still confuses him. Why is everyone drinking at 2 in the afternoon? He jokes Bo Rai Cho is having an effect on everyone. He’s not opposed to have a sneaky drink with you as the suns setting though. He does like to have a good time, as we’ve all heard in his intros. You’ve never seen him drunk, you’re pretty sure he can’t get drunk. But he has joked that the Elder Gods must never know, that you’re both drinking wine at 2pm.

· He’d love visiting winebars on an evening for nice relaxed drinks. Any bar with an outside area, bonus points if it’s got a balcony and a good view… he’d suggest Sky Temple, but relaxed drinks, turn into a bender with Bo Rai Cho. With Bo often suggesting skinny dipping. Raiden has consulted the Elder Gods, ‘Relaxed drinks’ are banned.

· Long walks. This man has stamina for days. He loves getting out into the middle of bum fuck nowhere and walking. Nature seems to love him and flocks to him. Every. Fucking. Time. You. Sit. Down. You look away, and when you look back, there’s just a fucking rabbit sat near you both. Fujin is feeding it grass. He looks so happy and content.

· If there’s any music/art/food festivals on, then you’re going, he wants to know more about mortals and their customs. So, any opportunities he’s going to want to take up. Nothing better than him playfully wrapping an arm around you and chuckling when you blush. He’s not that against PDA whilst you’re amongst mortals. He’s sure his brother wouldn’t tease. But Kung Lao would. And he doesn’t fancy a lecture from his brother. It’s not a lecture, but, it’s a lecture.

· As much as he loves exploring. He’ll also love those lazy warm days. Either sat comfortably close, talking about anything and everything. Or lounging out in the garden or your balcony with him.

· He’ll always make sure you’re hydrated. Like ‘Y/N, do you need some water? You look dehydrated. Please don’t get dehydrated.’ He’s a bit of a worried mother hen sometimes.

· He’ll also love watching the sunset, whilst you’re both comfortably laid together. You’re always unsure if the cool evenings breeze is from him or not. You like to think it is.

· Lots of cute photos. You take loads. He’s so photogenic. He’s always got such a happy genuine smile on his face. He’s got super long arms too, so he can always get the best angle.

· He secretly loves you both walking together, and you holding onto/your arm linked with his. He loves the way you kind of fall forward when you laugh, placing a hand on his as you do so. He’ll always flash you a half smile.

· The first time you had sex in the shower was when you were taking a cold shower the try and cool yourself down. He naturally wanted to join you, because this fucking heat can fuck off. Long story short, a bit of teasing, led to him fucking you against the wall of your shower. The shower didn’t cool you down at all. In fact, you were warmer in the shower than out of it.

· Lazy sex on the sofa too. He loves watching you ride his cock. He loves running his hands up your side, as you slowly ride his cock and savour every moment.

Havik:

· Is the weather making everyone uncomfortable? He had no idea. He fucking did, because he’s living for the chaos. He’s also used to this weather. Chaosrealm is either baking hot or extremely cold. So, he’s literally chilled with this. Why is everyone panicking? He’s sat there in sunglasses and drinking a Pina Colada. Such a little shit.

· He’s a hot mess all the time. But summer makes him an even hotter mess. You’ve never seen someone give less of a fuck till you met him. Great thing about Havik, he doesn’t give two fucks about anything. He’s so laidback. You don’t want to go out because it’s too warm? That’s fine. You want to go out and get wine drunk? He’s got two hands to carry two bottles. Whatever you want to do.

· Relaxed drinks in your garden, he’s burning the food on the grill, your neighbours are telling him to put a shirt on, because you don’t have a fence. Everyone is having a great time.

· He lives for terrible BBQs. He loves the disappointment more than the food. Your parents aren’t who this fucking behemoth in the most chaotic Hawaiian shirt is. No one is going to tell him his shirt is gawdy, because he’s so fucking tall.

· He knows all the lyrics to ‘We didn’t start the fire’ which is a skill and slightly concerning.

· Extremely good at limbo… too good. You’re watching as people’s faces switch from whimsical whimsy to fucking shocked. You’re sure someone was sick. Lives for the chaos.

· He hates going outside for long periods of time. His face itches and it’s too warm to wear everything normally. Badly. Loves Halloween though, because people always compliment how great his ‘Costume’ and makeup is.

· You’ve had a few comments on how handsome he is and laid back he is. He doesn’t get the ‘handsome’ thing, he prefers his face, when half of it’s you know, missing.

· He loves Summer and how warm it is. When you ask why, he admits ‘It’s because Hotaru will be miserable’ And then he’ll smile. Summer is his Christmas. Because Hotaru is miserable.

· When you can’t sleep, he’s awake, you’re not sure he needs to sleep. But he’s awake. You’ll have long chats, and, you both end up sat on your Livingroom floor, playing trivial pursuit. You’re sort of surprised by how much random knowledge he knows.

· He’ll go on walks with you. This is where he met his first goose. He fucking loves them. What are these hate filled, angry creatures? Why does he want an army of them? When one hisses at him and falls in the river, he’s so happy. The circle of Chaos goes on.

· Loves the beach. Because there’s loads of water. He fucking loves it. Ready to jump in as soon as he sees you. Pulls you in and you both swim for ages. He loves watching the waves crash against the shore with you, your head on his shoulder, whilst he draws circles… or squiggles on your leg.

· Summer sex with him is so easy going. You’re sure you always end up fucking him in your car more than usual. You’re down to fuck on the way back from a day out? Fucking pull over, he’s good to go.

· Don’t let him drive. He can’t drive.

· Havik fucks hard and he once broke your headboard with his grip… and two fingers. But that’s fine, he just put them back together all good.

Tomas Vrbada Smoke:

· He’s not a fan of this shit. He’s not overly bothered about the heat, it’s his hair. It’s sticking to his back and he doesn’t like it. Has asked Bi-Han for a hug. He just wants to feel cold.

· Queue the manbun. He’s not cutting his hair. He loves it too much. So, hair is up and tied back. Which only elevates his hipster status… and makes him look that little bit hotter. Burns hotter than the weather.

· He’ll always put on sunscreen. He burns very easily. Way too easily. No tan. Just burns. He does get a slight dusting of freckles over the bridge of his nose. He’s not overly keen on them… but you think their cute. He starts to like them a little bit more when you remark how cute they are… and when you run your finger over them.

· He’ll love doing something a little adventurous in summer. Which surprises you. He’s normally pretty introverted and wanting to relax and lounge. He’ll love doing something like hiking in the hills or taking long walks along a river. He just lives strolling, hand in hand, if it’s not too warm, and chatting genuine shit.

· Imagine: Smoke, grey short-sleeved t-shirts, some cropped jeans, a good pair of hiking boots (Probably timberlands, the hipster) and a grey flannel jacket wrapped around his waist. Fucking hell. I need a fan!

· Cute dates to cafes, where you both either talk about what you’re reading, or you both go to read. Said café dates can also be in the park with a takeaway ice coffee. Smoke is a hipster, fight me on this. You’re both looking up at the sky, laid arm on arm, head to head, whilst watching the clouds go by. You love moments like this and you both feel so content.

· If you can ride a bike and are into that shit. He wouldn’t be opposed to having a bike ride, either along a canal or river. Somewhere that’s got a nice even off-road trail, with shade, nice scenery and is easy going. He’ll always make sure to pack lots of snacks, water and also sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen. He’ll plan a huge day out for you both, with lots of stops to see sights along the way. It’s all going great until he gets a bug in his mouth. Then he remembers why he hates the outdoors.

· If gets too warm, you’re both going to the Lin Kuei temple. Smoke doesn’t care. You can live his room. He’s got a kettle and plenty of cup of noodles. Kuai thinks it’s nice that Smokes found someone. Bi-Han teases, because what kind of older brother would he be? Bi-Han totally views Smoke as a younger brother. He comes up with a cute ship name and he makes sure everyone refers to you both by it.

· Loves the beach. Loves drinking iced tea at the beach. He’s under a big umbrella though. Sat in the shade, sipping his tea, reading his book, looking absolutely fine as fuck. People fall into ditches watching him lounge around. Bi-Han wanted to come with you both. Suns out guns out. He totally throws a bucket of water on him, saying he needs to cool the fuck down. And throws the bucket at him. Only to proceed to fall flat on his face.

· Relaxed afternoon drinks at some hipster bar. He’s drinking an IPA. He doesn’t give a shit what you think… he really does. But it’s too warm for a hot chocolate.

· He’s not overly fond of sex if it’s really warm. But saying that, on those cooler evenings, he’ll love just having you ride his cock. It’s soft, gentle, with a lot of touches and caresses. He loves you and loves spending time with you. He’ll also love the sight of your body in the moonlight. That slight summer breeze cooling you both down. The sound of the city below you, drowning out the moans.

Kabal:

· Pre-Burn Kabal is so hyped for summer. The moment that barometer or the weather says it’s slightly warm. That’s it. He’s wearing cropped shorts, showing off those finely tuned calves, and wearing a vest that may as well not be a vest, because side-boob.

· He totally as a duck barometer on his desk, that turns yellow when it’s supposed to be warm. ‘Sorry Kano, can’t work, Mr Quack says it’s going to be sunny. You know what that means’ Queue everyone sighing, because they know their in for a month of awful outfits.

· You notice he slows down a lot in the summer. ‘Babe, papa is out of shape’ is the most uttered phrase for him. He’s used to the heat, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be speedy. He wants to savour every moment of his favourite season, with his favourite person.

· He’s a mix of lazy and energised. He’ll want to go for long walks in the park, the woods, the river, the beach. But he’ll also want to lounge around in his underwear, AC on, whilst you both watch shit TV and binge watch bad films.

· Drives at 2 am in the morning, because he wants a really cold drink, and he knows this place that does really good slurpees. Queue, some very bad summer music. If you have to listen to ‘Steal My Sunshine’ One more fucking time, you’re going to scream. The slurpee is pretty good.

· He’ll also tease your thighs on the way back home. Which leads to you giving him a blowjob whilst he drives. Which leads to him having to pullover and fuck you in the backseat. Lord have mercy he can’t cope.

· He’s really good at BBQ you’re so surprised. You both have two people BBQs, you’re both sipping on cocktails, having fun, listening to terrible music. Annoying your neighbours who don’t want to hear his shit music. He’ll love spinning you around and picking you up over his shoulder and carrying you back inside. Just so you can make out on the couch.

· Prank calling Kano at 2 in the morning. With very unfunny jokes. But it’s funny, because it’s Kano and it’s winding him up.

· Nothing better than walking into the living room and seeing a near fully naked Kabal on the sofa. Sprawled out, glistening skin, playing on his Playstation. Glasses on and a lazy smile. God.

· If you wear shorts, he’s going to be very distracted. Loves your ass in them. And will always give it a discreet and cheeky squeeze. He’ll always lean in to whisper and tease you, about what he’s going to do when you both get back.

· Going to the beach or swimming is always fun. He’ll totally drag you into the pool and splash you.

· He’s so glad his hair is fairly short. Because who’s got the time in this heat.

· Cute dates to diners and relaxed drinks on the kitchen floor. Because it’s cool, and you can both eat ice cream from the tub.

· Post burns everything is different.

· I still headcanon he’s not a massive fan of his body and his skin is hypersensitive to the heat.

· He’ll love you rubbing sunscreen affectionately onto his skin, or maybe rubbing a balm to try and ease it. If you’re whispering sweet nothings, or how much you love his body, whilst doing this, it’ll make him so fucking happy. He wants to feel loved.

· Sometimes, the gentle rubs, turn into teasing rubs, and then into needful grabs. Which leads to some pretty intimate and passionate sex. Lots of body worship and lots of caresses.

· He will want to stay in more in Summer. His skin will feels like it’s on fire and it won’t be comfortable. He will not dress casually in the summer when out in public. But when that confidence returns, he’ll be back to wearing next to nothing on the sofa.

Bi-Han:

· He can handle this better than Kuai. Or so he says. He hates it really. He fucking hates this warmth and this weather. He wants to be cold. You’ve caught him threatening to climb into the fridge or the chest freezer.

· Endearing whines from him. He loves the excuse however, that gets to lounge around in next to nothing. Queue you coming back from work to see him on your couch, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. Complaining that he’s melting. He knew he was hot, but he didn’t think he was this hot! You hate and love that joke.

· He’s eaten all your ice cubes, ice cream and ice lollies. He’s trying to cool down, but nothing is working. When you suggest maybe going to back to Arctika, he’s not down for that. He wants to stay here with you… that and going back, would confirm to Kuai that he was right and Bi-Han was wrong. He ain’t having that shit!

· He’s constantly taking ice cold baths and showers. But nothing is helping. But on the bright side, you’ve got an unlimited supply of ice cubes. He sees yours are melting, boom, have some more.

· He does manage to lower the temperature of your house, but he really has to focus, and he hates his concentration face. Kuai makes him look really majestic, Bi-Hans looks confused, sad and angry all rolled into one. He ain’t a fan of it.

· He does love spending time with you though. He’ll love wrapping his arms around you out in public. Barely anyone knows he’s the Grandmaster of The Lin Kuei so why the fuck does it matter?

· He’ll love going on cute bar dates, he looks pretty fucking FINE in a suit. All dressed up, looking like a whole three course meal. He’ll love sitting on a balcony, with some good food and a few glasses of wine.

· Ultimate tease. His hands are cooler than any drink, and he’s an obsession with your legs in summer. He’ll love running a hand up and down your thighs, cheekily squeezing your ass in shorts. He’s very discreet, which makes you call him a Ninja, he’ll wrinkle his nose at that. He’s no ninja, he’s just good at been discreet.

· He’s also a fan of sitting on the kitchen floor because it’s cool. You’re both listening to music in your kitchen, sat on the floor, eating ice cream and drinking frozen drinks.

· Summer sex for Bi-Han involves a lot of him surprising you with some sweet kisses. Which get heated. Very heated. He’ll end up picking you up, placing you on your kitchen counter and helping you get rid of some layers. The counters cool against your skin, and he’s still pretty cool, so it’s all round refreshing.

· He loves the beach. Not only because he loves showing off his physique, but you look cute and he likes the thought of the water been cool.

· Water is saltier than he is. But he doesn’t give a shit. He can swim pretty well, and he’s soon out pretty far. It’s so good to finally be cold.

· Low-key drags Smoke and Kuai with you both to the beach. Smoke is chilling, vibing with his book and the little sandcastle version of the temple he built. Kuai is fucking miserable.

· Bi-Han will chuck you into the sea if you ask. If you want to be Yeeted, he will yeet you as far as you want to go. He’ll also playfully push you off the pier and jump in after you.

· Small kisses in the water, his arms around your waist.

Kuai Liang (Sub Zero):

· He still hates this. Nothing has changed. Summer can go fuck itself. He handles the complaints better than Bi-Han but he doesn’t handle the heat better. The only upside, he gets to spend some quality time with you. With no Bi-Han interrupting. Because he’s the worst.

· He still doesn’t let on how bad he’s feeling it. He’s there, stoic, teeth gritted, whilst you’re having lunch. You decide to surprise him with a cold bath, the AC on the lowest setting, and ice in the bath. You leave him a note saying ‘Surprise and enjoy’ he fucking loves you. His heart actually may do a backflip.

· When you get back, he’s less teeth gritted and more relaxed. He’ll take your hands in his and bring you in for a very soft kiss. You’re in your apartment so no one can see. It’s all cool!

· He still tries to dress in his Grandmaster gear. He’s trying to remain stoic and trying his hardest to be his usual self. You remind him, that no one but you can see him in your apartment.

· He will bite the bullet eventually and will shed his upper half of clothes. He’s currently sat in the comfy pair of short joggers you bought him. He’s a Grandmaster but he’s going to melt unless he changes. This is no different than when he’s in his relaxing gear back at the temple.

· Your neighbours are in for a treat. When he wakes up, does his morning meditation in front of the window… only to realise the curtains and door are open, your neighbours are watering their flowers, and they are just stood there. Staring. Wondering how one man can be so chiselled and fine looking. Que him, leaning over to close the curtains. ‘Y/N. Did you open the curtains whilst I was meditating?’ ‘Yeah, why?’ ‘I don’t think your neighbours appreciate seeing me’ Oh, if only he fucking knew.

· His bonus for living through his own personal living hell, you’re dressed in your cute summer clothes, and you constantly want to be close to him in your apartment. He does love how close you are to him. He loves when you’re relaxing on the sofa, and your head is on his shoulder. He will watch you from the corner of his eye, a small smile tugging on his lips. Just as his arm snakes around you more.

· He doesn’t drink a lot. He isn’t against it. But then you introduce him to a Long Island Iced Tea. He can’t taste the tea but it’s pretty nice. He’ll love lounging with you on your balcony, watching as the evenings sky bleeds into the nights sky.

· He’ll tell you about the constellations as a refreshing breeze washes over you.

· He’ll love going for walks with you. He loves been out and exploring more of Earth in a more relaxed way. He’s been to many places, but they’ve always been mission related.

· He may not be able to last long with the heat, but he does love wandering around the Forests and woods. He’ll spout random facts about the wildlife and fauna you pass.

· Sex with Kuai when it’s warm is often difficult. He’s feeling flustered by the warmth and struggling. You do offer to run him a cold shower. He’ll sit there, asking if you wish to join him. You’re not going to pass that up. It’ll start innocent, with him just holding your body. Musing how he’s missed your touch.

· A few kisses later and you’ve got him all flustered again. He’s not entirely sure what’s going on, when you slowly sink to your knees and take his cock into your mouth. At first, he’s like ‘Y/N, we can’t do this in the shower’ But, even all of that stoic training can’t help him here. His moans betray him, hands hovering over your hair, before you tangle them for him. This leads to him showing you some of that strength of his and fucking you against the wall of the shower.

· After, you’re both panting messes, and you hear him chuckle. He comments on how he guesses the weather has bonuses. That’s as horny of a comment you’ll ever get from him.

Kung Lao:

· He’s actually fine in this heat, why do you ask? Kung Lao can handle heat, who said he couldn’t? Their lying. Okay, they’re not lying. He hates it. He fucking hates it. He’s confused at how Raiden can be stood there, completely unphased, and Fujin can be there with long fucking hair. They are winding him, and he knows it.

· Liu Kang is fine. But he’s fucking not. Of course, he’s fucking fine with the heat.

· He does love spending the time with you though. I mean, you look pretty cute in those shorts, and he loves how you smile and your so giddy about going out places.

· His arrogance will be the death of him. Death will be caused by melting. He won’t admit how much he’s not overly fond of the heat. But when you see him staring into the fridge, you know he’s too warm. You suggest going for a swim and going to the beach.

· Best idea in the fucking world. He can swim pretty well, so he’s dragging you into the water, before you can even pull off your clothes. He’s like ‘Lets go Y/N. Lets go.’ He’ll splash you, like the dick he is, he can give but can’t take when you splash him back.

· Will feign falling over, only to have you rush over to him. He’ll then pick you up and spin you around and launch you into the water. You both piss about far too much. Lord Fujin is smiling down, so happy and proud, Lord Raiden is face palming so hard. The Elder Gods couldn’t give a fuck, their too warm as well.

· He’ll always insist you take photos, bonus if it’s a polaroid so he can take the photos back. He will continuously show Liu Kang, Raiden and Fujin. He acts like the heat wasn’t that bad… Fujin knows the truth but he’s not going to say shit.

· He’ll love going for small evening walks with you, just as the suns starting to set, you’re both strolling beside a rive. A small breeze is blowing past you. When you’re not looking, he’s thanking Fujin for been a bro and having his back. ‘Thank you…’ ‘What was that Kung Lao?’ ‘Nothing Y/N. You look very pretty. How’s that breeze?’

· He loves the sunshine though and will want to make the most of going out in it. Que you both spending as much time as possible outside. Whether you’re just lounging, walking or exploring.

Sindel: (The Smut Goblin will do you right, since 11 just retconned you.)

· Outworld is naturally warmer than Earthrealm. She knows this and understands that it may be hard to cope. She’s there, looking ethereal, not a single hair out of place, barely breaking a sweat. Whilst you’re boiling. She thinks it’s cute.

· She’ll always shake her head when you deny how warm you are. She’ll make sure you’ve always got fresh water and are kept cool. If it’s warmer than usual, she’ll make sure you’ve got baggy clothes to keep you cool and make sure you’re okay.

· She’s not mean by any standard, but she will tease you ever so slightly about it. If you’re slightly red from the heat, she will tease you about it. ‘Y/N, blushing to see me already.’ Will tease you discreetly. And she will always remark about how she didn’t know she had this effect on you.

· She’s discreet. She can’t be embarrassing Kitana like that. She ain’t about that life. Kitana fully supports your relationship. She thinks it’s nice her mother has found someone to spend her life with. Shao Kahn who? Who’s that dick? Never heard of Shags Cars.

· She’ll personally request you join her when she goes to try and cool down at the warmest part of the day. The pool is surrounded by blooms and lush scenery, scenery you didn’t know existed in Outworld. Because, it does look barren.

· You’re not arguing that it’s a mirage, until she strips down and asks you to join her. Everything is pleasant and cool. She asks you all about Earthrealm whilst you’re chilling in the cool water.

· She wants to know more about you and yourself. And what better place than whilst taking a leisurely dip.

· She’ll love lounging around on one of the balconies in the evening. Wine in hand, whilst you’re leant against her. She’ll plant a gentle kiss on your head, before asking if you’re comfortable. Very caring, because you know, she’s actually a caring person. NetherRealm seemingly forgot this shit. Let me remind them.

· Sex with Sindel is fucking WILD. She can go from a pillow princess (Queen?) to a fucking dom in seconds. One minute she’s sat on your face, trying to stifle a moan, less anyone hear. The next, she’s got you flipped over, pinned down, whilst she attacks your cunt with her very skilled tongue.

· You forget about the heat of the day and focus on the heat that’s pooling in your stomach for a few moments. Once you’re spent and wasted, she’ll always remark ‘I told you I could make you forget the heat my dear’

Geras.

· For a man that has lived an eternal life and has lived through the heats of many summers. He’s never got to experience them because of ‘Can I see the manager’ Kronika. Fuck her.

· He can cope with the heat of the day and is pleasantly surprised when there is a refreshing breeze. He’s so happy to be able to enjoy the summer and the sunshine, without the Titan of complaints, bossing him about.

· He’s blissfully unaware of how mortals struggle with heat.

· When you go on nice walks, to show him more of Earthrealm, and so you can both take cute photos. He’s walking miles head, happy and curious about everything. ‘Isn’t this nice Y/N. What a refreshing breeze… Y/N?’ Turns around to see you in a puddle on the ground. Que him turning back and picking you back up.

· He loves experiencing different cultures and will love you exploring different parts of your city and trying new things. Kronika was a bitch and didn’t give him any downtime.

· He’s loving this new lease on life, the fact he doesn’t have to go on bullshit missions for the Elder God of bullshit and family problems.

· He’ll love cuddling up with you, whilst you both chat, and he tells you all the stories of his life. You name a time period, and he has lived through and experienced it. Bonus if you’re doing a history degree.

· ‘Actually, my boyfriend was there and that’s not what happened. Give me my 100% on my test’

· He’ll be a little confused why you always take photos of him at first. Until you explain you’re creating memories. Then he’ll be constantly posing for your photos with you. He takes the cutest selfies. He’s got such a warm smile and some gorgeous eyes. You’re the envy of all of your friends.

· When you suggest going to the beach, he’s all for it, he loves the sound of the waves and finds it soothing.

· He makes the most impressive sandcastles. It puts everyone else’s to shame on the beach. He’s not even trying which is the best part.

· Geras is a tall guy. So, when he wades out into the ocean, you’re stuck behind in a bit of a shallower end. He wants you to come with him, so you’re getting picked up, and he’s got you on his shoulders. Your toes skimming the waters edge. He loves hearing your laugh, and you swear you hear him chuckle when you fall in.

· He often remarks how he’s no longer eternally alone. And it makes your heart skip a beat.

· He loves life in the slow lane, time is no object to him, so why not take things slow?

· He’ll prefer slow and passionate sex during the warmer months. He knows you’re warm and he wants to make sure you’re okay. So slower and softer sex is on the cards. But if you want him to fuck you rough, then he is down for that, and the man has skill.

· Geras needs a hug and I think we need to give him one.

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