She loosed a breath that was very nearly amused. No. Certainly not in the precise moment. But perhaps when all was said and done... After all, Astarion had certainly gone out of his way to take care of her. She likely could have surrendered one to him. It was something worth considering, though she had never been in the habit of such things.
The rest of what he had to say was reassuring. He sounded sure of himself and it was one of the rarer times that she appreciated what she'd often interpreted as 'arrogance' coming from him. Even then, however, she'd decided relatively early on that he had every right to perceive himself in such a way.
When he told her he'd be back, she offered him a short little nod, watching him disappear into the darkness with a... strangely heavy heart. Despite knowing he could take care of himself, in the same way her nerves fluttered each time they left companions back in camp, she found herself with the very natural worry and concern. If only because she couldn't control everything that happened. Not being able to feel in control was a terrifying thing. At least with control, she could suspect what the consequences might have been. Prepare herself. When she had no such power, she couldn't even pretend that she had a plan in ready.
The stay on her own was... quiet. A little uncomfortable. The same level of discomfort she'd oft found when she was in her solitude at camp. Thinking about the path they were on, how far it would lead them, where her responsibilities lied, what would happen if she somehow didn't make it along the way, and realising she had piece things together in such a way that if such a thing did come to pass, it was paramount that the others would be able to travel seamlessly forward without her.
But those were the kinds of darker thoughts that Nepione hid beneath the surface of her seemingly unending optimism. It was so very important that she did not expose too much of that, if any. Better that they thought better things of her.
Drawing Astarion's cape around herself in an effort to keep the majority of her warm, she listened to the emptiness that made itself her most intimate companion and when she deigned that she was likely safe enough to remove herself from the debris, she carefully did so, trying to remain as light on her feet as possible. She'd need the space and relative 'comforts' to look herself over. It was likely little more than a sprain. Perhaps a muscle pulled. Abrasions at worst. Well, broken bones, really, though she suspected likely nothing so severe.
Whatever it was (something she could establish at camp later on), a simple healing alleviated the pain as she sat on the ground, bundled up in not much. She was considerably better with heat, admittedly. Cold was a challenge and to her, it was the real foe. Better that she didn't wear anything heavier. It wasn't hard to imagine the way metal seemed to absorb the cold. Her hard leathers were a wise choice on this occasion.
In time, she lost track of it. Not that she ever had it to begin with. Wondered where the position of the moon was. Longed for it in her own way. Wondered how far Astarion had gotten. But she never quite got to the part where she had cause for concern, for at some point as she waited for the return of the only friendly undead. When he did finally make his return, she had long since had her knees pulled to her chest, burying her face in her arms, his cape securely atop her. His voice, however, startled her so soundly, that she was roused just about immediately.]
Ohβ
[As she took the next breaths to more better concentrate her gaze on him, Nepione stretched her arms above her head and she offered him an initial nod to answer him.]
Mhm. [She continued, waiting for her words to continue. Clearing her throat, she somewhat unsteadily made her way to her feet, though it had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with her impromptu nap.] I should be fine. A little cold, but I can endure that. I'm mostly just glad that you're safe.
Hereβ [As she carefully drew his cape from her, she offered it over with the smallest curve of her mouth.] What did you find?
no subject
She loosed a breath that was very nearly amused. No. Certainly not in the precise moment. But perhaps when all was said and done... After all, Astarion had certainly gone out of his way to take care of her. She likely could have surrendered one to him. It was something worth considering, though she had never been in the habit of such things.
The rest of what he had to say was reassuring. He sounded sure of himself and it was one of the rarer times that she appreciated what she'd often interpreted as 'arrogance' coming from him. Even then, however, she'd decided relatively early on that he had every right to perceive himself in such a way.
When he told her he'd be back, she offered him a short little nod, watching him disappear into the darkness with a... strangely heavy heart. Despite knowing he could take care of himself, in the same way her nerves fluttered each time they left companions back in camp, she found herself with the very natural worry and concern. If only because she couldn't control everything that happened. Not being able to feel in control was a terrifying thing. At least with control, she could suspect what the consequences might have been. Prepare herself. When she had no such power, she couldn't even pretend that she had a plan in ready.
The stay on her own was... quiet. A little uncomfortable. The same level of discomfort she'd oft found when she was in her solitude at camp. Thinking about the path they were on, how far it would lead them, where her responsibilities lied, what would happen if she somehow didn't make it along the way, and realising she had piece things together in such a way that if such a thing did come to pass, it was paramount that the others would be able to travel seamlessly forward without her.
But those were the kinds of darker thoughts that Nepione hid beneath the surface of her seemingly unending optimism. It was so very important that she did not expose too much of that, if any. Better that they thought better things of her.
Drawing Astarion's cape around herself in an effort to keep the majority of her warm, she listened to the emptiness that made itself her most intimate companion and when she deigned that she was likely safe enough to remove herself from the debris, she carefully did so, trying to remain as light on her feet as possible. She'd need the space and relative 'comforts' to look herself over. It was likely little more than a sprain. Perhaps a muscle pulled. Abrasions at worst. Well, broken bones, really, though she suspected likely nothing so severe.
Whatever it was (something she could establish at camp later on), a simple healing alleviated the pain as she sat on the ground, bundled up in not much. She was considerably better with heat, admittedly. Cold was a challenge and to her, it was the real foe. Better that she didn't wear anything heavier. It wasn't hard to imagine the way metal seemed to absorb the cold. Her hard leathers were a wise choice on this occasion.
In time, she lost track of it. Not that she ever had it to begin with. Wondered where the position of the moon was. Longed for it in her own way. Wondered how far Astarion had gotten. But she never quite got to the part where she had cause for concern, for at some point as she waited for the return of the only friendly undead. When he did finally make his return, she had long since had her knees pulled to her chest, burying her face in her arms, his cape securely atop her. His voice, however, startled her so soundly, that she was roused just about immediately.]
Ohβ
[As she took the next breaths to more better concentrate her gaze on him, Nepione stretched her arms above her head and she offered him an initial nod to answer him.]
Mhm. [She continued, waiting for her words to continue. Clearing her throat, she somewhat unsteadily made her way to her feet, though it had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with her impromptu nap.] I should be fine. A little cold, but I can endure that. I'm mostly just glad that you're safe.
Hereβ [As she carefully drew his cape from her, she offered it over with the smallest curve of her mouth.] What did you find?