Closed to @divinestrike
Dec. 7th, 2022 09:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pale_elf[It had been few weeks of travel since they left the Grove behind and Astarion spent most of his time fighting and preparing for the Shadow Curse and all that it seemed to involve. The original goal was to travel through the underdark after dealing with the Myconids, the durgears and all that nice stuff. He even found himself deeply amused by the little tower exploration and how one of the robot guardians just... hugged one of his companions. Whoever build them had to be a true, lonely loser. A spectator here, a dwarf saved from mushrooms there, the area was secured with Nere dead and... it turned out the elevator was stuck. Days worth of work- WASTED! Katlach had been lucky in getting a new armor from the forge, but all Astarion got was a laughing amulet that refuses to get off him.
After some discussion, traveling on the surface seemed like the best possible option, even if the mountain opass was guarded by Lae'Zel's people and they seemed rather hostile and dangerous. A daring escape from a killing githyanki machine, an encounter with Elminster and many other problems later they were finally on the right road fortheir destination.
And Astarion's Anxiety was only growing the closer they got to Baldur's Gate. Not only now they traveled with a druid, someone who probably saw him as an insult to natural order, but as soon as they passed whatever awaited them in the Tower... he would be within reach of Cazador once more. Needless to say, his need to reaffirm himself as a valuable team member kept increasing the more they traveled.
It was with absolute delight that he recognized some familiar roads during one of his hunting trips, and for once he didn't even mildly protest when the good souls in his group stopped on their tracks to help some villagers in danger. No. He gathered some valuable things, threw in his bag some other things he looted during his journey and proceeded toward Candlekeep. He could remember Cazador talking about lovely crypts right under the old fort and an old entry that allowed to pass through some cracks between the walls. He left the camp at night with the excuse of food, set down his trap, and waited.
The sun was already setting on the horizon and the group's tents had already been set down when he finally approached his prey. How many days had it been since he last tried to flirt with the Cleric of Selune? Probably too many. He smirked, leaned against the tent like he had a real support and tilted his head to the side, trying to give himself a mischievous but also... almost affectionate expression.</small>]
Well, good evening, darling. It's been far too long from the last time we had a private chat, wouldn't you agree?
After some discussion, traveling on the surface seemed like the best possible option, even if the mountain opass was guarded by Lae'Zel's people and they seemed rather hostile and dangerous. A daring escape from a killing githyanki machine, an encounter with Elminster and many other problems later they were finally on the right road fortheir destination.
And Astarion's Anxiety was only growing the closer they got to Baldur's Gate. Not only now they traveled with a druid, someone who probably saw him as an insult to natural order, but as soon as they passed whatever awaited them in the Tower... he would be within reach of Cazador once more. Needless to say, his need to reaffirm himself as a valuable team member kept increasing the more they traveled.
It was with absolute delight that he recognized some familiar roads during one of his hunting trips, and for once he didn't even mildly protest when the good souls in his group stopped on their tracks to help some villagers in danger. No. He gathered some valuable things, threw in his bag some other things he looted during his journey and proceeded toward Candlekeep. He could remember Cazador talking about lovely crypts right under the old fort and an old entry that allowed to pass through some cracks between the walls. He left the camp at night with the excuse of food, set down his trap, and waited.
The sun was already setting on the horizon and the group's tents had already been set down when he finally approached his prey. How many days had it been since he last tried to flirt with the Cleric of Selune? Probably too many. He smirked, leaned against the tent like he had a real support and tilted his head to the side, trying to give himself a mischievous but also... almost affectionate expression.</small>]
Well, good evening, darling. It's been far too long from the last time we had a private chat, wouldn't you agree?
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Date: 2023-12-08 03:12 pm (UTC)It was probably for the better just not to address anything about Halsin. What would that guy think if he even knew how someone like Astarion spoke about him? She wasn't going to ask and Nepione, frankly, didn't want to know. At least their druid guide had the good sense to keep his thoughts where they belonged. Better to let him focus on whatever it was calling him to Moonrise. Distractions could be deadly.
He looked pleased and she felt... Well. Tired. Which she suspected a part of her was, but not through any fault of his own. Their circumstances made her tired. Tired and worried. And it was hard holding all of that to herself or trying to hold it to herself. But they all had their burdens, didn't they? It never seemed like a right time for a heart-to-heart and frankly, it seemed stupid to try having one with any of them.
It was better just to lock up all of her feelings and pretend they weren't there. Just focus on whatever was in front of her. At the present moment, that was Astarion and his little rendezvous that he wanted to take her on. As she carefully finished tying up her rather imperfect braid, she settled a hand atop her hip.]
Well, neither of us look dishevelled. Probably hasn't been long enough for anything to have gone... awry, as it were. I doubt anyone is going to bat an eye if they take more than a cursory glance. There's likely no need for a spectacle this time.
[Lifting a hand to stifle a yawn, she raised her arms above her head in a long stretch, tiefling tail swaying back and forth behind her. And at least in those moments she felt considerably less leader and almost more what she genuinely was, just a cleric with poor sleeping habits and sometimes juvenile antics.]
Best we get to it. There's no rest for the weary, it seems.
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Date: 2023-12-08 04:44 pm (UTC)Speaking of which-]
I could always fix that... [Merely a comment on what she said about how they still appeared perfectly presentable. A whisper, a bold suggestion that came with a purr as he invaded her personal space, barely stopping with a hand of distance between their faces and wiggling his eyebrows just slightly. The body language was clear, 'I want you', but the invitation only lasted a couple of seconds beefore he moved back.] Still, we can't quite postpone our date. You see, darling, that's the price we have to pay if we keep moving at this pace.
It doesn't matter, truly. See me in my tent in ten? Make sure to wear your armor, I will make sure to prepare myself as well and grab a trap disarming kit or two.
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Date: 2023-12-08 04:56 pm (UTC)There it was again. That voice he was so good at using. What really concerned her was that the more he used it, the more she actually considered it. If he was trying to wear down her discipline, he was doing a rather commendable job of it. But even if she did let it fall, she knew very well she wasn't the type to easily admit it, either to herself or to anyone else.
Heat flooded her the moment he leaned in and she found her hands tightly weaving together, perhaps for a sense of composition or just to keep herself from accidentally touching him, giving him the wrong impression, or whatever else. Her pulse quickened and just as she had so many times before, Nepione convinced herself that he was only teasing. The little steady drumming of her heart remained even as he withdrew and she cleared her throat, trying to ignore the colour that kissed her features.]
R-right. Of course. I'll bring any necessities that I can think of. Better safe than sorry, though I'd like to think this will be a largely unexciting misadventure. I'll meet you outside of your tent and we can go when you're ready.
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Date: 2023-12-09 04:31 pm (UTC)At least he was better than his siblings who often lured fools in the sewers with the excuse of parties and such- what kind of dumb prey did you have to aim at for them to believe such things? No, his current target had much more class and this is why Candlekeep was a much better option.
Astarion could hear her stutter, her insecurity, and didn't even bother to hide a knowing smile before slipping out of the tent.]
See you in a moment, beautiful.
[With that, he was gone. Everything had been prepared in advance, so all Astarion had to do was wearing his armor, grabbing his daggers and securing a few potions to the hidden pockets of his cape. He adjusted his hair by passing his fingers through them, cursing once more the fact he was unable to see his own reflection, and then proceeded to wait by the tent's entrance, ready to move toward his cleric as soon as she approached and maybe 'accidentally' bump against her while leaving his shelter.]
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Date: 2023-12-09 04:54 pm (UTC)She rifled through her things, finding where she'd set her normal day-to-day wear aside. Metal was out of the question, though she donned that more often than she would have liked to. Given what they were likely getting themselves into, it was easier to be subdued in something lighter. Nepione clad herself in relatively firm, dark leathers. They weren't going to protect her much if she got impaled with a knife, but it probably wasn't going to go clean through unless someone spent a remarkable amount of intimate time with a whetstone.
Despite the way she'd drawn her hair back, most of it got pulled up rather high. Although she tended to let it dangle, more than a few comments from the others had been made on how long it was. She wasn't of the mind to have it hacked off for the sake of her own misguided idea of stability, but it seemed reasonable that she could compromise. Otherwise, it would have been all too convenient for a hand to simply reach out and grab and slice up her pretty neck. Not that she thought anything like that was going to happen on this night either.
With a right, proper satchel of poultices, salves, potions, an adequate mace tucked into its holder, impressive with its blunt detailing, and just enough weight to pack enough of a strike if she needed it to, she assessed herself in full-body mirror and decided she would probably suffice. She hoped, anyway. Better to be over-prepared than under and she still couldn't quite say what Astarion's intents were. Other than to leave her constantly in a state of uncertainty.
And quite possibly fluster.
Closing her tent up behind her, she cast a look up to the sky, trying to determine how many hours of night there likely were to remain. Would she get much sleep, or would it simply turn into an excessively exhausting day? Spotting an ever patient vampire spawn, she began to close the distance between them, taking one more moment as she did so to draw her hands along her frame, securing accoutrements into place.
"We shouldn't tarry," she reminded him, ever practical (at least for this). "If you find yourself ready, let's make way, shall we?"
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Date: 2023-12-09 05:32 pm (UTC)Blue, gentle petals, probably closed at this time of night but ready to blossom at dawn. They were perfect for decorating the cleric's long hair, a gift to seal between the pages of a book and keep there for good luck too... and if not that, there was a rock with some interesting moss on it. Not the most romantic thing, perhaps, but the vampire remembered its depurative properties, they could easily make a water filter with it, and how it was often used in cleaning products and had some medical properties. With how practical Nepione was, perhaps that could be a good gift before returning to the camp?
It didn't matter too much on the moment, they still had to begin their little excursion and he was eager to move away from their teammates' inquisitive gaze.]
Well well well, are you offering tonight?
[His eyes wandered toward her neck, exposed now that her hair wasn't covering it. Merely a little tease before looking back up and tilting his head, making sure she didn't feel too threatened by his presence. The vampire offered Karlach a wink, then strapped his longbow to his back and nodded.]
I'm ready, I'm ready. Let's figure out what that thing is, mh?
[As vague as possible as he turned his back to the Tiefling, walking toward the shadows and barely waiting for her. The others didn't need to know he was the one who wanted her company, showing he didn't care at all in public was going to benefit both of them.]
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Date: 2023-12-09 05:58 pm (UTC)When she saw the way his striking red eyes fell onto her neck, she felt considerably more aware and clearing her throat.]
If it came down to necessity, I'd do what was required.
[It wasn't as if she'd not thought about his teeth before. Or teeth in general. Nepione had a great many thoughts on such levels that she didn't share. More like fleeting little fancies that she entertained. Not sure if she wanted them or not, but she certainly liked to think about them from time to time.
Mostly a what what it be like sort of scenario.
Lifting a hand, she offered a gentle wave to the others and did precisely as she'd expected herself to—she explained that they were getting food for Astarion and that they would be back shortly. She didn't say much beyond that, but did give as many reassuring expressions as she could. If any of them were wary of Astarion's intentions, she didn't take notice. Or it simply wasn't there.
Trailing after Astarion, she still found herself last minute fixing the way things sat upon her, not particularly caring that she was letting him take point, though she didn't much care for him to be in harm's way either. As far as she was concerned, she should have gone ahead of him.
Lingering behind him, careful to leave an arm's width between them, she eyed the sky, the glittering of stars, and the pretty glow of the moon.]
Hm. If I weren't here, I'd likely be praying for blessings. It seems Our Lady of Silver has Her eye on us.
[Or at least on her. Who knew what She thought of Astarion.]
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Date: 2023-12-10 03:32 pm (UTC)Well, let's make sure it's not required for me to drink from any of you. [He didn't mind, but he could smell at Gale and tell his blood probably tasted like bile, Lae'zel made if clear her neck was not an option and when he tried (with consent) to bite Karlach it turned out it was like biting into melted iron. He didn't try with either Shadowheart nor the devil nor Halsin- and god forbid he touched the little Scratch, he could see the entire camp turning against him. No, he had to control himself.] Not to be rude, darling, but you're not exactly my type.
[It was the opposite of what he was trying to convince her of, true, but that's what she probably wanted others to believe. For the rest, he merely lead the way in silence, knowing exactly where to go and following a trail of little marks and smells he left behind just to be sure to avoid any complication.]
Mh? [He turned to look in her direction as they approached the big walls.] I guess. Gods never answered any prayer I sent in their direction, so I do admit I prefer trying to take care of myself like this, robbing old ruins and all, instead of waiting for divine intervention.
[That wasn't a lie. While he remembered little of his life, Astarion knew that he prayed and begged every god whose name he could remember while crawling out of his coffin, he called for help during his year long imprisonment... and not a single one of them answered to his prayers. But then again, who even cared about a spawn?
If Selune had her eyes on them, she could keep watching. Beside a few spells here and there, wasn't that the only thing Gods were capable of? He pushed the thought to the side, jumping on a relatively tall rock, pushing some vines to the side and stopping there, vaguely gesturing toward an imposing dark fort in the distance.]
It doesn't matter, though, we're almost there. you see the walls over there? We need to approach the northern side.
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Date: 2023-12-10 04:00 pm (UTC)No. She really didn't think she was. In any form of the word. Nothing about Nepione was Astarion's type as far as she was concerned, which made anything between them all the more perplexing because it simply didn't make sense. Instead of giving voice to any of that, however, she opted for simply nodding along and letting him have his way. A rarity, that, when she wasn't interjecting or otherwise trying to course correct something she thought was going to end up with them in more trouble than was necessary.
His lack of faith was also not terribly surprising. He'd made the point she thought he would as well. What kind of god would have allowed him to be turned into what he was? Not to say that gods were usually of the mind to individually interfere in the lives of their followers. Aside from Mystra, she'd not really thought of gods to be the sorts to do that. If a god had thousands of followers (and that was underestimating, surely), then it just wasn't feasible to answer every single prayer. One could not show favour without provoking jealousy in others, so objectively, it seemed like the right decision to simply not be involved in anyone's personal life.
Evidently Mystra was not included in that if Gale's admittance to bedding her was really true.]
That. Is fair.
[Nepione admitted as she trailed after him. She'd had no intentions, for his sake, of getting into long spiels about what Selûne made her feel or how she thought the Moonmaiden was looking after her, for surely, otherwise the pale blue tiefling would have met her end already. She was certainly not still alive by her own merits, after all.
As she followed in his footsteps, carefully scaling the rock he'd jumped atop, she found herself stopping at his side, gazing at the fortress he made indication toward. It probably wouldn't take as long as it looked like it might. Depended on their pacing. How the silence would be filled, if it was to be filled at all. Little variables here and there.]
That's around the perimeter, right? [Trying to get her bearings in terms of direction and orientation, with furrowed brow, she lifts her hands as if trying to map out exactly where they'd started and where they were at present.] Shouldn't be too difficult. We've certainly been through worse, I think.
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Date: 2023-12-10 04:44 pm (UTC)Anyone who could help with his cause was perfectly his type, it was just a comment for the camp itself. Even if they were devoted to silent Gods who barely cared about their subjects. Unless they could warm their beds, apparently, if Gale's story was true. And if it was, then he felt disgusted by yet another tale of a powerful mentor who taught their students and then seduced them- that was how the world worked, yes, but from creatures that acted all high and mighty and were above their subjects, he expected something better.
As the goddess of magic she could just conjure herself something, right? Well, it was only his problem because now Astarion had to keep his eyes open for magical items a certain wizard could eat. Ah, but he wasn't going to court a cleric if he just spoke of how lowly he cared about about all the lies and manipulations of the gods.
Astation stood there for a moment, thinking of how to recover a bit from his moment of honesty and glanced up at the sky, a faint memory vaguely resurfacing in the distance.]
You... my family would have liked you. They worshiped Sehanine.
[His tone was distant for a moment, perhaps tinted with the slightest nostalgia.
Was it true or was it just a very convincing lie he used many times while explaining why he only wanted to meet others at night, often at the park when the moon was mostly obscured and the only source of light was from the stars. To admire them better, he would say, and people would fall in his trap.
The vampire shrugged, like tossing aside an unwanted memory, and slid down to move to the other side of the rock without big issues. As the gentleman he was, he reached up with his cold hand, offering the cleric some support on her way down.]
Yes. We must keep distance from the fields you see on the right, I am certain I saw things move there and it wasn't wildlife, but for the rest it seems quite calm.
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Date: 2023-12-10 05:15 pm (UTC)The moment he mentioned his family, she felt that same feeling again. She didn't know anything about his family and to date, she hadn't really spoken about families with anyone, including her own, which was just fine, as far as she was concerned. Talking about the past, getting wrapped up in it, none of that was going to help them move forward in the now, as it were. She had no qualms about not sharing or prying others for that kind of information.
It seemed a little strange that he was so willing to offer that to her. About as strange as any of his other glowing remarks, though.]
Small world, that.
[Nepione would humour him. A touch, but not too much.
She watched him move down and hesitating for just a moment, she dipped down, set her hand in his and used that hold, precarious as it was, to help herself the rest of the way. And just as she always had been, she was careful she didn't grip too hard or too long, as ever mindful of the claws that she could not hide.]
Thank you. [For she never seemed to forget her manners, despite the idea that she didn't linger on gentlemanly kindness.] Approach from the other side then. The path of least resistance always has been my preferred method. It sounds like you scouted this decently well from your earlier visit.
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Date: 2023-12-10 06:09 pm (UTC)[The goddess hated the undead, so either Astarion's family would have been ready to call clerics on him and make him burn, or there was a goddess at least slightly annoyed with him for sulling her good name and using her to attract his victims. He couldn't tell because he genuinely didn't remember and it wasn't relevant unless it offered him points of conversation with the cleric.
Maybe he could build a persona based on nostalgia of a family he couldn't even remember, try to lure her in conversations about that and take advantage of heer faith, but for the moment they had to keep going. The temptation of bringing her hand to his lips and placing a chaste kiss against her knuckles was there, it was a classic after all, yet he controlled himself and let her go as soon as she let go of his hand.]
You just have to study how animals of prey move around. They know the territory better than we do, and if they choose an unpratical path over an easier one while fleeing, you know there is a reason.
[He scouted, took notes, explored, planted items- he spent an entire night just preparing that little date and even part of the day while the rest of the group was busy playing little hero around the area. The main reason he sounded vaguely serious and not over the top, explaining her his approach to scouting, was because the safer she managed to stay, the better for everyone. Him included.]
Animal tracks will end relatively soon if you move in that direction, the soil will smell... I don't know how to put it, wrong? Your nose isn't as remotely as sensible as mine but it's easy to pick up traces of rot and corruption when it's been permeating the ground for almost a century.
If you pay attention to bird calls, you'll also notice they all come from the opposite side. That area over there is mostly silent, so it's safer jsut to avoid it as a whole, unless you want to spend some time with undead that aren't as friendly as me. [He turned around to smirk.] I could get jealous, you know?
Anyway, just follow me, I remember where that deer went and that should translate in a safe path for us.
[He would fully focus on flirting and being 'himself' once they reached their destination.]
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Date: 2023-12-10 06:17 pm (UTC)[Nepione issued a quiet laugh as she listened to him talk of animals and their habits. For all she knew, the two had spent a reasonable amount of time with one another. It wouldn't have surprised her, honestly. Well, maybe. Halsin seemed like a very honourable type and she certainly enjoyed listening to him talk. And whilst Astarion seemed in many ways his opposite, there was nothing stating others couldn't have learnt something of value from their wisest tag-along.
Regardless of where he got his information from (likely survival, as she thought on it more), she seemed... impressed. Not that she normally wasn't. Out of everyone, she was fairly certain she was the only one not pulling her own weight. Everyone else seemed considerably more valuable, though she knew better than to say so.]
I guess coming out here, you were the perfect person to go with.
[Nepione finally did choose to acknowledge, not at all aware of just how much he'd intentionally setup. To her, it wasn't that it was necessarily coincidental. It was mostly just fact. Astarion had skills that no one else in their camp did. It made him invaluable. And that, in a way, guaranteed his safety. No competition meant he had virtually secured himself a spot amongst them.
She stepped with care, taking in the sights and sounds, careful not to get too caught up in the moon that hung above them in perpetual perfection. If it wasn't too late when they got back, she could give prayer and thanks then. Likely well out of Astarion's earshot. And anyone else's, at that.]
I don't normally want you to lead, but for this, I think it's all right. Just be careful, all right? I'm at your back if anything happens.
[But nothing was going to happen. Probably.]
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Date: 2023-12-10 07:10 pm (UTC)[There was sudden tension in his shoulders as he snapped his neck around to look at her. Haldin was everything Astarion didn't want to be: he was stoic, serious, focused on the greater good... probably a furry, too. The druid kept his distance from the vempire, probably because the very existence of an undead was against the balance of nature itself, and Astarion returned the favor by avoiding his area of the camp.
He stopped in his tracks, bringing both hands to his hips and making sure to let his indignation show in his voice as he took advantage of his hands and gestures to put emphasis on his words.]
I'm not some goody good druid, nor I sound like one. And look at our differences! I sneak through doors, he would probably be the perfect obstacle to block one. He's hairy, I'm not! He's tall, I'm n- okay, forget that last one.
[He made sure to deliver his best 'adorable pout', even scunching his nose a little, and then letting out a big sigh like trying to let those words slide. Focusing on the next part was for the best anyway: his expression softened just slightly, his smile appeared more genuine and he only pretended to stare for a couple of seconds before glancing away and proceeding on their path.]
Well, I'm just glad to be here with you. Anyway, we should proceed.
[The fort wasn't going to move toward them and he wanted her to enjoy herself, not be stuck in the middle of nowhere with just words filling the air. On their skills- gods, Astarion would probably love to have a sliver of her confidence on how invaluable he was. His senses were sharper, that was true, and he knew a lot about surviving in the dark, but he couldn't hit as strongly as the warriors in their team did, he lacked strong spells and in most fights he kept distance and shot arrows from safe spots.
Opening chests and disarming traps wasn't something others couldn't do, even if he was quicker and more talented than the rest, so he felt like he had to constantly show how invaluable he was not to be thrown to the side. The insecurities he had and his fears, not something he was going to ever voice out loud, were the main reason he was staging all this courtship to begin with.]
For once I will not complain. You just watch your steps, we don't really want to accidentally trigger any trap, do we?
[He was going to guide her to the large wall, show her the narrow crack he 'found' thanks to the imaginary deer and invite her to follow after him, but keeping some distance to give him to check their surroundings. Psh, as if it wasn't a large, locked room with no life inside.]
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Date: 2023-12-10 07:22 pm (UTC)[Well. She liked what she'd gleaned from him so far. The serious and the stoic. His interest and love for nature. She did think he had a lot tucked away inside of himself and though she often pried the others, she didn't feel brave enough to do that with him. It didn't help that he technically wasn't one of them, and she thought it was better to keep him out of that as much as she possibly could. She was thankful for his guidance, but when it came to the tadpole, he didn't need to be any further involved.
Probably safer for him that way, too. Halsin was, as she considered it, entirely an innocent party. Nothing they did was to fall back on him and Nepione felt very adamant that it never got to that point.
Still, listening to Astarion list off all of the reasons he didn't want to be compared to the druid was... amusing. She made a note not to do that again, despite the way once he was done, Astarion was back to his sly little self. And then some.
"...I'm just glad to be here with you."
Before she could even stop it, she loosed a breath of equal amusement. Yes, of course he'd be saying that.]
I'll do my best. [She reassured him, though suspected it probably wasn't actually reassuring at all.] I'm not very good at those things, but I think as long as we're not in haste, it shouldn't be a problem.
[She followed him with a healthy amount of caution, trying to commit to memory the path they were taking, so they'd be able to take it on the way back as well. And just to make certain, she left some odds and ends behind. Not food or anything like that which would have been picked up by the surrounding wildlife, but more or less, items of her own, which really had no value. In short, a practical trail for them to follow back.
At least until they reached their ultimate destination that he'd spoken of before. The narrow crack that she'd likely be able to squeeze herself into without too much difficulty, and she could only be thankful that she was as small as she was. Whether he'd have the same blessing or not, she couldn't say. He was certainly taller than her, though decisively not as tall as Halsin or Karlach.
He was probably going to be fine, though.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 06:13 am (UTC)[Serious and stoic and boring. Gods, that man was just standing there in the camp, clearly knowing more about the Shadow Curse than he actually shared with others and not saying anything that could be useful to the group. Astarion wasn't feeling too guilty about having him involved with them, it was clear the druid had his own businesses near Moonrise tower and as far as the vampire cared that was enough to throw him into the fray as well. Hell, if he did anything to cause the curse they were going to deal with, he better do all in his power to fix it for them.
But that was beside the point. The vampire didn't trust the elf and things weren't going to change anytime soon, especially as they entered the lands of Blood Scarcity, the dude still held on his secrets, and Astarion knew his hunts were going to become more dangerous since his targets were going to be sentient people with weapons.]
Oh, I know you will. [His tone was calm, reassuring, he heard her breath and decided to slide in between his small wins when it came to their situation.] And fear not, we can cover each other's weaknesses. This is my specialty, after all.
[He put more caution in his movemens than he actually needed while sneaking inside, studying the shadows and sniffing the air with wariness even if he knew nothing was there for them. Not with the main big door of the library being blocked by two large steel locks and the entrance too uncomfortable for anything. Everything he left in front of the crack, little branches and leaves, was still in the same position as well, meaning no one entered since he left.
Still...]
We better stay alert. My dinner was over there last time I checked, something must have carried it away. I don't see anything move inside here, you look around and I will keep guard at the door. Look if we can find anything good.
[Just to add some tension, to make things more exciting. The man grabbed his daggers and prepared himself to strike in case anything decided to make his presence known and... gave her space to move around. fortunately enough magical items didn't deteriorate as fast as normal books, so leaving scrolls just slightly sticking out of books was enough to make them more or less visible. Trinkets barely dangling from their hiding spots were also around and he knew most of those things were barely worth any money, but he did slip in a few things she could probably enjoy.
A scroll of speak with animals was probably the easiest one to find, considering Scratch and an Owlbear pup joined their camp he suspected the cleric could want to have a chat with them. For the other scrolls... it was all arcane or druidic things that he put together while exploring and gathering by himself when he had to scout ruins before the others. There even was a lovely silver necklace with a moon pendant, just... perfect. Right?
But that was all for her to discover, he was merely going to... wander around and look for monsters and creatures that weren't really there.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 06:35 am (UTC)When she saw him remain on guard, she watched him for only some moments before she took the time to look around, the glow of her eyes helping in the somewhat more dark and foreboding atmosphere they found themselves in. It didn't take her long to station herself at the plethora of spines, tilting to read the titles that she could make out, just in case she found anything particular of note. In truth, each volume likely was, but it wasn't as if she could simply take each one back with her. One had to be a bit particular when it came to reading material.
Scrolls were always a welcome find, at that. Amazing that they survived for so long. She'd have to ask Gale later if maybe there was simply no expiry when it came to such things. Later. In the interim, carefully plucking one book at a time in an effort to not damage anything she found, she went through them painstakingly one by one.]
It's incredible that some of the things here are in such good condition. [She found herself commenting quietly as she carefully made for packing some of the scrolls away in her relatively sparse stash for this particular outing.] Would that I could take all of it back with it. Gale may get some use out of some of these, too. Or anyone else who might see fit to use them. Could probably use some of it to bolster our coffers, too. Not that I think we're in dire straits just yet, but a little comfort would go a long way in boosting morale.
[Casting a look over her shoulder in the last direction she'd seen him in, she continued.]
You're all right back there, yes?
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Date: 2023-12-11 08:26 am (UTC)He merely kept walking around the borders of the room, his eyes studying the decayed portraits that has been eaten away by time. Old curtains and drapes lost their color and luster, everything had a familiar smell of death and while he knew people already raided that place multiple times... well, no one moved there in a long while.]
Mh?
[Ugh, Gale. He didn't want the stupid lustful wizard to put his hands on things Astarion either bought of found, but he wasn't going to rain on her parade. At least he could step in and say something so she wouldn't ask too many questions to him.]
Depends. Is it something magical? Not a surprise, then. Magical items tend to be better preserved. Either the enchantment keeps them togeher or the materials used to craft them are inorganic and prevent molds and rot to take over. Been around enough ruins and abandoned places to be surprised by anything. If you found clothes or an actual normal book that have not been eaten away, though, you have my interest.
[He knew that beside the items he put around, the rest was pure trash. Was he happy it could be sold away? No. Was it for a better cause, the protection of his own skin? Yes.]
All good, you keep doing whatever you're doing. Nothing is really here. [An pause as he stopped in front of the locks he put in place himself to keep the room safe from outside invadors. A waste of good items, but at laest he could- ooh, he could work on a story for the place. Add some mystery.]
Whatever was inside? It went out. The room is locked from the inside and the wall crumbled toward the outside, so whoever was here? It left. Who knows what we would have seen here one hundred years ago... this place was destroyed by doppelgangers, you know?
[Probably yes, but this was generic conversation as he movedd from behind a bookshelf to enter her field of view, crossing his arms and leaning against it.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 08:47 am (UTC)[What a spoilsport, but maybe she deserved that. Where likely others are more inclined to be enthused about more exciting things, it must have seemed rather mundane for her to be keen on books. Books that were clearly aged and no longer suitable for reading material, no less. But it somehow seemed perfectly her, the self-proclaimed royalty of the boring.
Still, it was nice to listen to him talk about things that he clearly knew plenty about. It was something she'd occasionally regretted. Talking with him was sometimes challenging and she didn't always know what to say to him or how to say it. So being able to have a conversation, even one where he was explaining how magical artefacts remained in place, was an improvement.]
I guess you're right, but I still think it's neat. There are so many things in this would that don't last. I really admire things that do. It's an amazing resilience. Worthy of admiration.
[It was about then that she found the necklace, which she carefully extracted from between pages she was certain would crumble if she touched them overlong. With the same gentleness, she lifted it for a better look.]
Oh, look at this. Hardly looks aged. I wonder what it was doing here, though. A shame I didn't find a note along with it. We'd know if there was someone we needed to return it to. Could see what price this would fetch, too, but it's awfully pretty.
[Was it in bad form to keep it? Turning more properly, she lifted the necklace for him to see, filing away somewhere in that head of hers that whatever they'd come her after had simply left. It just meant they'd have a short-lived trip in, probably. Didn't seem there was really too much of use.]
See what I mean? We'll take this and then we can go. Best not to tempt fate by staying around for too long, eh?
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Date: 2023-12-11 09:25 am (UTC)[Oh, she found the little necklace. Good, he chose that one on purpose and from the gleam in her eyes the vampire could tell it got the cleric's attention. He was silent, looking down at his perfectly filed nails. Even if be broke them, even if he cut his hair or tried to change his appearance things would just go back to how he was in a matter of day or two- or that was the norm beside the tadpole. Who even knew if with his messed up body he'd still just... regenerate.
He pretended to pass his eyes over the silver trinket that was put in place for that reason and the vampire offered a shrug. Oh, no, he wanted her to keep it, a reminder of their little adventure together, something overly sentimental and naive.]
Probably not more than two gold at the market, not worth it if you like it. [A lie, it was enough to cover a full day worth of supplies for one person, but that wasn't something the maiden needed to know. It wasn't like he could eat anything people bought in normal markets, unless they had livestock.] If you like it, why not keeping it? Knowing how people work, maybe it was left behind by someone wanting to surprise someone else and... whoever you wanted to return it to is probably gone by now. Just a bit dead.
And I mean, I wouldn't mind spending more time with you, after all we-
[He squinted as his ears registered something crack under them, a distant sound of wood starting to fall apart? What? He barely had time to register that before the floor started to basically open under their feet, his instinct pushing him toward the woman instad of back toward safety before he could even process how stupid his body's choice was.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 10:54 am (UTC)[The idea that whoever owned anything in this place was likely very much passed on. A sad realisation, honestly. As she thought back and reflected on his other input, she had to admit that what she'd said was likely insensitive. A bright idea, it sure was, to say that she admired things that survived and lingered.
If he hadn't been turned, she had to imagine that his life would have been very different. He certainly wouldn't have been in a musty, mildewed collection of Candlekeep history.
Still thinking about what to do with the necklace in question, she frowned just a touch, clearing her throat.]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean—
[Whatever more she might have gotten out died then and there when she heard the peculiar splitting of wood. At least it sounded like wood. It wasn't good, whatever it was. She hesitated to even move a touch more in response to it because she had yet to narrow down the source of it.]
—Astarion...?
[She began, the uncertainty leaking into her tone. The moment she began to feel the floor give out beneath where she stood, she tried to make herself seem as small as possible, and at the last minute, a last resort kicked in survival instinct. As Astarion began to close the distance between them, she reached out for him, clutching onto him, forgetting kindness, forgetting the sometimes brutal nature of her claws.
But she was going to guess it was the last thing either of them were going to be thinking about.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 11:32 am (UTC)He found himself breathing in the dust, almost a mechanical action considering he didn't quite need that, and pushed a couple of dusty books from above them. Shit. Shit. They were in the Catacombs below, weren't they? This wasn't planned, at all, and he had no idea of what to expect from that point on. To let his frustration on, he simply addressed the first thing that caught his eyes as he stared up at the now open ceiling.]
Wooden beams? [His voice was an high pitched, indignated one as he tried to assest if they were both still fine.] Who the fuck uses wooden beams for the structural integrity for something that has to be undergound? In a fucking humid and wet place? I bet they didn't even treat the wood against mold or termites I-
[Right, he had to be in control. He tried to push himself up, sitting in the dust and looking down at the Tiefling. That was as close as they evver got so far, but this wasn't how he planned to get her between his arms. He supported himself with one arm and wrapped the free one around her shoulders.]
You... are you okay?
[He was only half listening, his nose already focusing on a new entire set of smells and the sounds around them. He could still feel the place assest around them, so it was hard to tell if anything else was around them at the moment, but he was on guard already.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 11:50 am (UTC)When they both finally came to rest, she realised a few things. They had come dangerously close to things being particularly more an emergency. She had no idea where they even were or what to expect. And it was very, very possible for her to be frightened, where she had developed previously a rather nonchalant attitude when it came to her own safety.
The fierce racing of her heart she thought was so palpable that she almost didn't hear him when be started his well-placed criticisms of the building. She knew he was making noise for certain, but hadn't quite yet made out the words. It was only when she felt the contact of his arm that she started paying attention again.
Was she alright? Debatable. Nepione didn't even know yet if she was injured in their fall. Probably not, but with panic in her veins, she couldn't feel much except that.
At first, she simply nodded, trying to remind herself to speak as she looked around, not in the biggest hurry to separate herself from him. If there were any aches and pains, she certainly couldn't tell yet. Carefully shifting her hold, trying to conscientiously loosen where she'd gripped him, she sucked in a sharp breath.
Well, that was still going according to plan.]
Y... yes, I think so. [She began slowly, still adjusting to their new surroundings.] What about you? Everything in one piece?
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Date: 2023-12-11 01:35 pm (UTC)He sniffed the air to make sure there was no scent of blood, then tried to fully assest the damages. He was hurt, yes, but his body was still fully functional, if his bones were cracked they would recover and his armor protected him from any sharp shard of rock and splinter. With a 'oh' he realized a pointy piece of wood was dangling above them and instinctively pushed himself and the cleric to the side to make sure he was safe from accidental stabbing.
I'm good... I'm good.
[He didn't let her go, part of his brain knew it was the natural normal reaction of someone pursuing another, but at the moment he was more processing the fact he almost accidentally killed their de facto leader. How was he even supposed to go back to camp if anything happened to her? He was going to lose... everything. The vampire took another deep breath, trying to hold any hiss of pain when she removed her claws from his flesh, and focused on her.
Priorities, priorities, he could think about how scared he got for a moment once they were safe.]
Try to get up, mh? I'll give you support, dear. I...
[His senses were sharp and he could still pick sounds from around them, distant but present. Whatever was lurking below Candlekeep, they just alerted it lunch was ready. Now making sure she got out of that mess was a priority- he could probably misty step back to the surface, there was a plank that was just the right angle for him to jump, but... but she was his literal life insurance.]
You don't know any spell to jump around, right? [Note to self, part two: making sure to keep a misty step, a feather fall and a jump scrolls with him if they ever managed a second 'date'. He reached to caress his cheek, taking advantage of their closeness but not lingering in the contact for too long.] It's okay, I got you covered, but we can't stay here.
[His hands were already moving toward the daggers, whatever was in the catacombs was moving toward them. Slowly but steadily.]
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Date: 2023-12-11 01:57 pm (UTC)As she made her way slowly onto her feet, she realised some of the ache came from there. Poor landing, perhaps? Nothing she couldn't handle. Again, when she compared it to whatever he'd endured, it seemed silly to even make mention of it. So she didn't. For just some moments as she steadied herself and acquainted herself with that little sliver of ache, she strengthened her resolve. She was their leader. She had to be better.
When she felt a little more confident, she didn't completely shrug him off, but she did attempt to put a little distance between them. Tilting her chin up to eye where they'd fallen in from, she took note of the plank that lingered above them. No way she was going to casually make it up there. Wasn't like he could just take her with him either. If they'd had Gale—
Well. If they'd had Gale, he likely would have frowned over this entire ordeal.]
Mm... Not the way that you and some of the others do, no. [She admitted with some thought.] Maybe you should go back and get the others. I can handle myself here for a little, I'm sure.
[She wasn't sure, but she couldn't, in good faith, put him at risk any further on her account. She wasn't inclined to say it, but she always prioritised their safety over her own. If she did admit to it, she could just imagine what the reactions would be.
As if she meant to reassure him, she turned her attention back onto him, providing a very gentle pat to his chest.]
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