Closed to @divinestrike

[pale_elf]

[Astarion's hunger had been... placated, lately, since he got to completely drain the warden of the tower's prison while helping the prisoners escape. That... that was probably the only good thing he could say about the past few days, no matter how the passing of time was just a vague concept in the Shadow Cursed lands.

He was actually happy when, returning to the camp, Nepione informed him the entire deal with Halsin was over, they fixed what had to be fixed and now they could focus on taking another step forward. He was not so happy when he realized the druid offered to stay and he knew he was going to stick around for a lot longer. And then it only got worse while discussing who to take to the tower. karlach and Lae'Zel weren't an option, stealth was key and they weren't exactly one with the shadows. Speaking of Shadows, the Sharran cleric wanted to 'come' but her interest was to check the entrance of the temple Astarion made the mistake of mentioning at some point so she was going her own way and Wyll... well, Wyll was good in many ways, combat wise, but he hurt himself being all heroic while defending a protal or something... 

In the end, he had to walk in the tower with his cleric.... plus Gale and Halsin on tow. Who didn't need someone who could shapeshift and check the area while flying? Who didn't want a wizard who prepared a book full of utility spells just for this? Astarion. Astarion didn't want them. And while his little hostility game with Gale was just the two of them poking and annoying each other, he couldn't say the same for the Care Bear Nepione seemed to like so much.

The entire trip had been... annoying. He was irritable, no matter what was being done, and he could feel the druid chattering all the time. And of course Halsin had to prove himself invaluable when they met the cat behind the tower and he was the only one who could speak with animals. And of course Halsin was able to fly inside the Oubliette in his shapeshift form instead of having a more difficult time like anyone else. Of course as a bird he was thin enough to fly through bars and help gnomes and Tieflings out. The only joy had been meeting the lady in the kitchen again and getting the gnolls to eat her.

But this only happened with Nepione nowhere in sight. 

And then there was the Araj thing. He didn't even know how to process what happened. The room made him nauseous, that woman's smell was repulsive, yet he was ready to get through another moment of pure disgust just to get the potion Karlach could probably do a wonderful use of. His body, his best tool for a trade, no matter how much he hated the idea of ingesting any of the shit the alchemist had running in her body. Yet Nepione said no. No comments from Gale or Halsin, but the cleric went against the group's best interest just because he was reluctant? Like, what?

He... needed time to process that. It just didn't seem the right moment to stop and think, not when they were already planning to move after a rest to tackle the sharran temple and see what the Nightsong was, no. Mizora also decided to show her nose in the camp, causing everyone discomfort, but at least they managed to figure out a way to free Wyll from her as long as they did what they had to. To think Astarion almost hoped Raphael finally decided to show his face and tell him what he wanted.

After Mizora's little visit, then, Arabella decided to leave Something about the Weave telling her it was the right moment to go, that her path was now open and if she wanted to become her best self she had to follow it. Astarion didn't join the little goodbye party, even if she specifically took time to thank him (and even called him 'Fangies'), but he knew it affected the others. Or, well, at least it affected Nepione.

The woman's maternal instinct had to be strong, her entire demeanor shifted just so slightly and considering she somehow constantly landed within his field of view... the spawn could see her struggles.

It was a matter of survival, that's what he told himself after waking up middle meditation and starting to check between the many things he collected over the last weeks. She was the leader and she didn't need distractions, it was only natural wanting to get her mind off more depressing thoughts than she needed. If it was a kid she wanted, she could make one herself or adopt one when this was all over and everyone was safe to go their own way. The spawn grunted, tossing to the side trinkets of all kinds, gathering a thin string of pearls and two long silver, silky ribbons that totally didn't come from a fancy purse he... borrowed. Ah, perfect, a lovely comb that wasn't too broken- he had everything he needed.

It was when the fire was starting to die down that he left his tent, tossing yet another piece of wood in it, and moved toward the cleric's resting place, saying 'knock knock' while tapping his hand against the fabric that served as door. He was going to invite himself him either way, but he felt like he needed to give her time to prepare herself.]

Comments

[divinestrike]

[Whenever she tried to play back all that had happened at Moonrise, Nepione felt like she couldn't. Hells, she felt like she couldn't remember half of what they had encountered in the Shadow-Curse. At a point, they'd spent so long in there (or so she thought, at least) that the days and nights began to blend together. She could no longer count to see if they were making good time or poor time. Maybe that part didn't really matter.

Either way, it was... a lot. Discovering that Ketheric Thorm was an invincible individual was concerning, though she remembered Jaheira making mention of something similar when the situation had originally been discussed at the Last Light. Hearing about it and seeing it first-hand, however, were two very different scenarios.

There was still plenty to do, at that, though she tried to keep Astarion's words in mind. When she needed moments to herself, she took them. She was almost certain she was taking them more and more as time went on. Likely might have helped if she'd had a confidant, and she supposed that Halsin had taken into that minutely, though she tried to distract him more with questions about his person instead. Fortunately, he seemed happy to fill in the air with his voice. And he seemed marginally more happy, even though the Shadow-Curse had not been fully taken care of.

All things in time, she supposed.

Arabella's leaving was taken hard. Nepione knew very well that Withers explained things were fated to be that way, but it was a young girl of her own kind that she had devotedly cared for herself. If she'd had her way, she would have kept Arabella in the camp. Protected her. No such luck, however, and no amount of arguing with the undead had gotten her anywhere.

One might have thought she'd learnt that plenty from their residential vampire spawn.

On the night that she heard Astarion at her tent, she thought about personally letting him, but got the impression he didn't need that kind of treatment any longer. No sense in feeding excuses and she had so many other things to worry about that perceptions matter very little. Besides, Karlach and Wyll were still discussing her with the bear, so she suspected that was the same thing spreading through the rest of camp.

Dressed down for the night in what could only have been described as her sleeping clothes, she was curled up with a book that was... Well. By cover, nondescript. The actual content somewhat distracting, sentimental romance would have been a light way to describe it.]

It's open.

[She replied, not inclined to move from where she was, poised on one half of her bedroom, the other open for the time being. Who knew, maybe Astarion would provide a better diversion than her book, which felt only half effective. Anything to quiet her thoughts.]

[pale_elf]

[Yes, it had all been a lot. Fortunately enough Astarion visited the tower enough times to feel prepared for it and he was too distracted by the entire Araj incident or by his irritation toward his companions. The fact Katheric Thorm was invincible only got a 'As usual, things can only keep getting worse' comment from him as he proceeded to focus on more important things. Whatever the Nightsong was, they had to find it and then use it against the general, it was... a plan. A messy one but Thaniel did confirm that it wasn't an hopeless fight as well.

He had been in darker places during his life.

But that wasn't the right moment to think, it was the right moment to act and he knew what to do with the things he stuffed in his pockets. With her words, he merely stepped in, aware that everyone in the camp assumed Nepione had something going on with the druid anyway and secrecy or discreetion were no longer needed. He still couldn't feel the druid's smell on her but something kept telling him it was just a matter of time. His eyes wandered to the book as he made himself comfortable on the floor of the free part of the tent.]

A good night time story?

[Not that he cared, his only memory of ever comforting someone was old and it was from helping his latest spawn sister adapt to her new status under Cazador. And he only did that because he knew he was in no position to kill her, push her away or run. She was going to live with them and by the silent gods he was not going to hear a human cry whenever they had a break to rest. This was different. And he felt... awkward? Not that Nepione had to know.]

Sit up for me and turn toward the tent, will you? I can tolerate many things in this place, but we only have space for one dead rat on someone's head in this group and Gale already claimed his right to do so when we met.

You're lucky I'm very talented when it comes to hair, how to doubt that when you can see mine. Now, if you don't want to get up and want to stay on your book- fine, I can do that even while you're laying down, but it'll be uncomfortable since I'd have to sit on you and we're not that close yet.

[Dwarves especially loved to have their beards braided in bed, needless to say he had years and years worth of practice. Also... such a convoluted way to say 'I see you're not taking care of yourself lately and that worries me, let me offer you some help'.]

[divinestrike]

It's...

[It certainly wasn't supposed to be a bedtime story. Well. Not the literal kind anyway.

She might have continued reading as she thought about how to describe it to present company, but when he made mention of her not only moving at his behest, but of her hair, it successfully brought her attention from the book she held in hand and onto him.

Raising an eyebrow, she didn't respond immediately and instead, shifted just so that he could access her hair with little difficulty. No sitting on her needed. Although she imagined he would only find her hair to be a high maintenance burden.]

I didn't know you cared so much about my appearance. I only dis as I did at Halsin's urging. He said I don't need to spend so much time fretting over my hair when he could see to it himself.

[Although anyone in camp could, she supposed. It was going to be easier for anyone who wasn't her.]

[pale_elf]

It's necessary.

[He was just slighty annoyed by her shift, looming over her while braiding her hair in bed was a very vampir-esque mental image, but the man pushed it to the side while shifting properly behind her. Gods, how many women let their hair turn in such a mess when the entire camp had mirrors? He knew that, he was the one who let them around a lot because it was perfect to spy things in the distance when he just wouldn't reflect.

If he was about to reply with something generic at her next sentence, though, his mood changed rapidly when he realized why she was neglecting herself so much. Halsin. Why the fuck didn't he do The Thing and just drained that bastard?]

Oh, yes, that sounds very. Healthy. In a relationship. 'I will tell you if you look good enough or not.'. Bah.

[He could hide his disgusted face, sitting right behind her, but not his poisonous voice. THe man raised his fingers up to caress her hair and search for especially messy spots, those were the first ones he had to address if he wanted to go anywhere.]

Darling, I don't care if he said you should look more natural or not, remember that even animals do groom themselves. And what kind of suggestion can come from a druid who is so much in tune wiith nature that he'd probably walk around by the camp without clothes if it wasn't so cold.

Now, don't worry, I finished my meditation and I will fix this mess. Gods, you know that hair can get all matted and then you have to cut it, right?

[divinestrike]

[For just a moment, her pulse quickened, and she suspected it was because of the way he positioned himself behind her. She wasn't sure what more she would have expected, however. She hadn't stopped him and didn't have any plans to do so.

Dipping her chin to continue reading her book (attempting to, anyway, in truth she was far more distracted by conversation with him), she flipped a page.]

I do brush my hair. Twice a day, even. In the morning before any of you see me. And before I go to sleep. I just usually braid it since that's the easiest way for me to manage.

[She wasn't even going to bother touching the part about Halsin. There was no relationship, at least no different from what she had with the others in camp. Even if there had been, however, it wouldn't have changed a thing. What had Astarion up in a twist over it, she couldn't even figure out and she finally decided he simply didn't like the guy. Druids and vampires he'd said once before.]

I guess you did catch me before I was planning to officially settle, though. Coincidental timing.

[pale_elf]

[Well, it wasn't like Astarion was going to stab her. There were plenty of less bothersome ways to assassinate someone and he cerainly didn't need to kill someone in the middle of the camp when he could lure them with the excuse of a walk or checking on a problem. So, yes, while he felt her heartbeat quicken, while he could feel the blood moving faster, he knew there was no real danger right now.

He did reach up with one hand to touch her horn from behind, merely placing his fingers against it and awaiting to see her reaction to it. He needed a point where to start with the ribbons and pearls and a little elegant bow at the base of one of her horns seemed appropriate.]

Well, looks like it's time to let me manage it, then. Don't worry, taking care of people's hair was one of my many... occupations. Never a dull moment in my life.

[The next bit though... if he thought he was ready, he was wrong. And the worst part? He didn't even understand why he felt... in so many different negative ways at once. Probably because Halsin was someone absolutely annoying and Astarion had better things to do than worrying over a druid probably telling his- guardian of some sort that the undead had to be taken out. The first reacion was almost to pull her hair back, a gut driven instinct he managed to push back the second he caught himself moving. Instead of hurting her, he merely pulled one of her bangs. Gently. Like in the attempt of starting to separate it from the others.

He felt many things, mainly hurt, because while from any other person he would have consider it a joke, he doubted Nepione was the kind of cleric who just messed around with things like that. He was the liar who made jokes at all times, she was a person with the head on her shoulder instead and- he could only reply trying to be cross and hide his very strange feelings behind disgust.]

Well, isn't that... lovely? I'm making you all cute just in time for that! Just let me know when it happens so I can avoid the camp at night. No offense but my ears work way too well and I'd rather not listen to you grunt from the bushes. Seeing someone getting railed by a bear is my second biggest fear, the number one is clowns.

Halsin happens to be both bear and clown, a terrible combination.

[divinestrike]

[She tried to remember the last time someone had touched her horns. And couldn't. As such, the moment that he did, she suddenly found herself sitting up just a bit more straight. Although she didn't dare to look back to him, mostly because she simply wanted to be very aware of what he was doing. It already took a great deal of trust to simply let him be so close. Had he tried days ago. Weeks (?) ago. Longer than that... however long it had been before they found themselves in this gods-forbidden realm, and she would have outright saw him out of her tent.

And she decided she was fine with that. Aware, but fine.

That quickly turned into some twisted mess of confusion. How did he get from a point about her settling to her supposedly sharing a night with Halsin? She didn't know the details of what camp spoke about when it came to her, but that was the only way she could make his sharp address logical.]

Well. If you really wanted to know, my plan was to settle in here. My tent. By myself. As I have done since we all met.

[The furrow of her brow present, she fought the temptation yet again, to actually look at him, a little surprised that he hadn't simply pulled on her hair, because she could have seen him doing that.]

I don't know how else to get this through to you. There isn't anything between Halsin and me. No more than there is Wyll and me, or Gale and me. Even if there was, don't you think I'd have the courtesy to keep that kind of thing private? Implying I wouldn't have the thought to be a little more discreet is doing me a disservice. Let me repeat myself again, Halsin and I aren't like that. We aren't sleeping together. I'm not planning to. And let's really assess the possibility here. No one spends more time in my tent with me than you. I'm sure you can figure the rest out.

[Because with the amount of time they spend together, it's a wonder they haven't slept together, for he's certainly tested her patience and discipline enough for it to happen.]

[pale_elf]

[OKay, reaction registered. He knew horns were exceptionally sensible, at least according to the lovers he took, since they were directly part of the skull. Something, something, very sensible to vibrations because they riverbered in their skulls and not everyone was into that, right? It didn't matter since he made sure to keep his fingers mostly against her scalp while working the silver ribbon around it and only touching the horns themselves to secure it.The strings of pearls also required a starting point, but considering it was much shorter than the ribbon, maybe he could begin at a lower point? No, He was going to slip it at the base as well and braid both silver and pearls separately with the little white spheres being more visible on the side, to add contrast to her face. Yes.

He had to focus on that, on his work, and- oh. Oh? Ooooooh. It was weird how much that relieved him.]

Oh, my bad, I thought you meant you wanted to settle down. It would be problematic to lose people on the road. Especially to a druid.

[No. No hair pulling. Not him. Never. Unless asked, of course. It wasn't like he had been a step away from being as childish and petty, right? No, His fingers started to simply pull apart the various locks, numerous pins keeping them apart as he worked his way through her hair. He was the one who visited her more often, huh? And that had been, what? Two whole visits so far? Three maybe? Oh, well, good to know.

The man hummed behind her, like thee simple fact of moving away from Halsin as a topic was enough to calm him down.]

Well, okay.

[And now he didn't know what to say. Something stupid, maybe? A 'If I had to choose between Wyll and Halsin, I'd pick the devil. Oh, wait, Gale was an option tooo? No, no he never was.' maybe? Something more... aggressive? Something more flirty? He rarely felt at loss of words, but he just- he acted in such a stupid way. Overreacted to nothing.]

Anyway, it's braids you like, right? Because that's what I'm already going for.

[divinestrike]

[Despite the way she paid such close attention, she couldn't figure out what he was doing. Certainly something... tied? Around her horns? It didn't hurt, so it didn't exactly bother her, but it certainly left her curious. What she did know was that Astarion knew his way around fashionable looks. He always looked nice and dressed nice. She had never really said it, but she'd certain thought plenty of times that leather trousers suited him well in his most casual wear. To say nothing of the frills and lacing on his eccentric wear.

Fanciful, unforgettable. Nepione had eyes and she certainly made use of them. At least in the moments she thought others wouldn't be paying attention.

The idea that she was able to so easily talk him down just by her response was... another curiosity. She knew of the dislike between him and their residential bear, but... He didn't treat anyone else with the same level of animosity. And he got worse when she was involved. When she replayed the past moments, the way Astarion wants to make his presence known, to interject, and claim her attention, she wondered if he was afraid of losing her. If there was a possibility that Halsin might say something that would turn her.

It wasn't going to happen, of course.]

Oh... I don't really have a preference. I usually just do a braid because I'm lazy? And don't really have the time to do more with my hair. Since I can't see most of it, it's difficult for me to do anything with it.

[Of course, she could have solved that if she cut it, but having agency and control over one thing in her life when everything else around her she couldn't control was not something she could let herself be rid of.]

Did you pay me visit tonight just to do my hair for me? That seems a little out of the way, even for you.

[pale_elf]

[Contrast. Adding just a bit of light to her figure to make her traits shine even more. Just a bit to draw attention to her figure even when the eyes weren't the first thing one could spot. A shame he lacked any lotion to keep her hair shiny and good smelling, but her natural luster had to do. After some deliberation, he decided her hair was going to start being braided right after the horns, to leave the first bit smooth but also let the pretty braiding be perfectly visible from behind.

It was going to match the dress, too, and the pearls were like little full moons- while he didn't think too much about things while getting everthing together, those were extra points in his favor, right? And he could even point out it had been on purpose and just for her, if needed. The girl was pretty enough, he told himself, she just needed to learn how to make herself shine. Moon or not.

He was going to make sure they'd get to that point, eventually.]

It's not a bad preference, really. Long hair as a whole is more dangerous in combat, I'm surprised Lae'Zel didn't choose to shave herself for example, because it can be easily grabbed and used against you. The hold is painful and it's much easier to cut a braid in self defense than passing a blade through wild hair. [The practical consideration in the name of survival, because that had to come at some point, but the rest was... a bit more tactful.] You have pretty hair, incredibly smooth, if you took a bit more care of them they'd be breath taking. Not that I have any breath left, but I'm sure you could impress plenty of people. Once we reach the city, I'll show you some ointments to toss in while washing them- not much effort but an extra step that can help.

[A pause only in his words and not in his movements as the braiding continued.]

I was bored.

[divinestrike]

I've... certainly thought about that a lot. I've been asked why I keep it as long as I do and I'm sure people might expect that I'd have some profound explanation, but it's a comfort issue for me. Although I do think about the idea that someone could just pull on it and that would be the end of it. Years of me growing it out amounting to nothing. It's why when you and I went to Candlekeep I just pulled it all up. I should probably just do that more, troublesome as it is.

[She supposed she could probably also just wrap it about her horns, too, though she wasn't certain how comfortable that would be in the slightest. When he talked about the different things she could put in it, how to make it lovelier, it was like a foreign language. Nepione had never had luxurious things before. She'd never been in a position to do so. It simply had never been important to her. She suspected she'd rather the others had nice things before she ever did. She'd never had them before, she had nothing to miss and had nothing to want.

But if he was wanting to show her... Well. Perhaps it was out of sympathy. Was she really so unfortunate looking? Maybe. Tieflings weren't exactly conventionally beautiful.]

I'm not sure we'll have time for that kind of shopping in Baldur's Gate, but it's a nice idea. [She admitted. Giving herself a few moments more to think on it, much the way he did, she paused when she heard his explanation for why he was there to begin with.] Oh? Well, that's flattering. You were bored and very specifically chose to come see me, implying that time with me cures your boredom. That's... endearing.

[pale_elf]

[He stopped for a moment, a ribbon dancing from his mouth and eyes fixed on her. Nepione actually cared about her hair, huh? And stupid Halsin had to tell her not to put too much weight into it and let him know it was okay- well, no more. If she put years in growing it and even went ouf of her way to keep it safe during their little trip, he could do something about it.]

I see. I got you.

[That was all he said before moving his hands forward once more, tip of his fingers tracing the contour of her face to see how the hairline moved and where to pinch things. The vampire reached for her ears, pulling down just two small bangs of hair, wrapping them around his fingers just for a second to make them a bit curly and giving them volume, this before mixing together all the locks he already separated and starting anew, making larger groups of hair.]

Oh, darling, as if that kind of things will take much time. I promise you'll look even more lovely once I'm done teaching you a trick or two. [He rolled his eyes. It wasn't like he specifically wanted to say 'I wanted to see you and I don't even know why', so he just tossed more randomness around.] I had an half idea to visit Karlach, girl still owes me a rematch in our game of cards, but this is more interesting. I wish I had some make up with me, it's fun to doodle stupid things on people's faces, but I guess that will have to wait.

[divinestrike]

You don't...

[It was a strange thing, to be treated like that. In the grand spectrum of things, she was fairly accustomed to being... plain. Insignificant. Rather liked it that way, honestly. If she drew too much attention, it was likely going to be the bad sort, regardless of what her reputation was going to say about her whenever they arrived in the grand city. It was all the stranger to have him acquainting himself with her features and she couldn't help the easy way she coloured.

...Would he have been the same way in any other situation? One couldn't deny that the current exchange was considerably more intimate than she normally got herself into. What kind of man was Astarion beneath his arrogant and smug demeanour? How did he treat those he genuinely respected? Did he genuinely respect anyone? For a multitude of reasons, she found herself curious, looking for answers she most certainly didn't have the courage to go seeking herself.

But then she thought about Candlekeep and how careful he'd been with her. 'Loving' was a word for it, perhaps, though she never would have said it. Maybe that was his truth, something he couldn't simply share on a whim.

...Why was this happening now of all times? Clearing her throat, she dropped her gaze, shutting her book in favour of tapping fingertips atop it.]

Oh, I see. So I'm... like a project to you, then. Do you not like me the way I am normally? It won't bother me if you say 'yes' to that. I am very well aware of what I am. It'd be silly for me to pretend to be anything else.

[pale_elf]

No, no, I really got you. I know exactly what to do.

[He was blissfully ignorant of her line of thoughts, enjoying the feeling of her hair between his fingers more than he cared to admit and focusing on making her look like a full moon lady. Isobel was going to be jealous if they met again, and if keeping her hair safe was important- well, he was more than willing to spend one hour each rest just to take care of that. It was with a bit of joy that he realized this wasn't something Halsin could offer, at least.

And what kind of man was he? Good question. One he didn't want to answer because the only reply would have been 'a very scared one' and he didn't like that answer. No, losing himself between the woman's hair was much better, he was already dividing them again properly and about to start the big braid he needed when she dropped- that. Whatever it was?]

What? [Goodness, please, just open the book and go back to reading, he didn't need a conversation like this. Okay, he needed to get out of this as soon as possible.] Have you missed a few things between our interactions? Like the couple of times I mentioned I like you? You are a very pretty thing, I just think you are not loving yourself to the fullest and- that's why I am here. Should I be even more clear and tell you what's worth appreciating in you?

And... what you are- darling, whatever you mean with that, you're talking with a spawn.

[divinestrike]

N-no. That's not necessary. You embarrass me quite enough already.

[Perhaps she simply couldn't see herself the way he could. That was likely preferable. Everyone had different eyes, of course. Just because he said she was pretty didn't mean anyone else thought that. She couldn't even be certain that he did, though there was a little flutter of... something at the notion that he did. Was it a terrible thing to want to be pretty to him?

A mess, really, was what that was going to turn into if she actually started admitting that on a regular basis. It was easier when she didn't want to believe the things he said. When she'd simply assumed everything he said was a lie, she'd not had to sit and consider. But when he teased and prodded at her, when she realised she thought about him an awful lot, she wondered if she was just well and truly done for. Ah, to be a young lady in the throes of infatuation that she had to tightly keep to herself.

Even if she'd had the bravery to say as much, considering all Astarion had been through, she couldn't, in good conscience, put him through anything more. There was no way that she could guarantee he'd simply see her like every single person he'd been forced to... mingle with. (And that was putting it kindly.) It was better to simply not address it at all and it would have been better for her to move forward. It wasn't as if she could offer him anything, anyway. At least nothing of use that he didn't already have—such as her protection.]

I don't think of you as just a spawn. [She admitted with some care, as if she had to tread very softly, for fear of making him simply scatter in the face of serious conversation.] I think you're... I think you feel things very deeply, but know that if you express that, it can be used against you. I think you've been mistreated for so long that your first instinct is to guard against everyone. So I think maybe you've done this long enough that you don't know how to be any other way.

[After a moment's pause, she continued.] And I think that's okay. All of it. Astarion isn't just a spawn. He's also the man who pouts when he can't see his reflection. The man who defaults to humour when he's uncomfortable. The man who has breaks in his expression when he's angry or upset. He feels cold and loneliness like anyone else.

[pale_elf]

I'm not planning to embarass you. I just want to make sure you can see what I see.

[He leaned forward to say that, just a whisper against her ear as his hands kept wandering and making sure everything in the braid he was working on managed to shine. The ribbon was almost too much, now that everything had to stay in a smaller area, so he made sure to hide a lot of it between the hair, to let the pearls be the stars of the show. This was more relaxing than he wanted to admitted it to be, even if it sunk on him that he had to go back to his tent to get the mirror so she could see herself in the end.

If she had one herself, even better, they could see both front and back at the same time! Oh, he had to make sure to point out her best features once they were done, that was a job he was exceptional at. Talking people and telling them were pretty was easy, especially when he had no reason to make things up or anything like that. It was a moment of acceptance to tell himself 'oh, yes, she i pretty' outside of his games, but it wasn't anything invested enough that scared him.

Her words, on the other hand, made him freeze. From his side there was only silence, even his hands had been removed from her head and the absence of breathing could probably convince anyone he was just gone, no matter if the tent's door didn't flap or if there had been no steps and movements behind her. That- was a lot of words he didn't want to ehar. It- he-]

I- You. Totally got the wrong idea about me.

[The fact he wasn't able to use humor to deflect things elsewhere, his lack of snark and flirting- he just didn't have any of that right now. At least he could attempt to throw the ball back in her court.]

Well, it looks like you know why I am so guarded, right? The question now is why do you do the same?

[He hesitated, but still reached for her hair once more, continuing his work.]

[divinestrike]

["I just want to make sure you can see what I see."

For all logic dictated that she ought not to have paid him too much attention, she felt faint just having his voice in her ear, and there was no way for him to know that. Little betrayed her, except perhaps the race of her pulse, the way her breath caught, the subdued little shudder that pulled its way up her spine. As much as she would have claimed otherwise, she wasn't immune to him, especially not after all they'd been through together.

For likely too many moments, she obsessed over his voice. At least inwardly. Letting it linger between her ears, turning his words over in her head. Not because she didn't understand them or where they came from, but simply the way they sounded when they left him.

She did not feel spared at all from the point of his words when he ever so slyly evaded her own observations. She didn't expect him to agree and she had only been speaking based on conjecture made from her observations. Most people didn't want to hear that sort of thing, especially when they believed themselves to be masters of disguise. If she knew anything like that about him, he'd have reason to think she'd exploit him for it, though that really wasn't anything like her.]

Uhm— [She began, just a touch weakly, still caught up in the moments prior, as if she'd been promptly wrapped up in somewhat she had told herself to avoid.] I... don't. I don't think. If anything, I think I'm a little too honest. I'm sure others in camp have said that, even. Multiple times.

[pale_elf]

You are honest, true, but not open about yourself. I was a magistrate, I am used to look to what's not being said more than one's words.

[He did bring the attention on her, that was good, right? He gulped when he lifted her hair up and started working on the braid-crown, exposing her neck. Thank every God, for once, for letting him find a meal before getting into this, her skin was so delightfully thin and good smelling he could easily see himself losing control and tasting it with a less full stomach. The man glanced to the side instead of focusing on the very inviting veins, she was no dinner and he had to keep that in mind.

Distracted by the alluring sight and a bit annoyed by how easily she dodged most attempts to dig a bit deeper inside her life, he started talking before passing his thought through his brain.]

Why don't we play this game? One truth for one truth.

[Oh. This sucked but he deeply wanted to ask her why she disliked herself so much. It was the small things put together that gave him that impression and if she was allowed to make her conjectures, so was he. Even if it still meant being honest for once. Or just pretending to be.]

You can ask me a question. Any question. I will answer. But then you will return the favor. The braid will take its time, we can kill it by... talking.

[divinestrike]

[That... sounded like a relatively terrifying game. She could agree to it, but it was fear-inducing. Likely meant to be. But also likely meant to even the field between them. How would know, however—]

How do I know that you'll tell the truth? We both know that I will because I'm not exactly good at the alternative.

[And evasion, sidestepping, those things weren't the same as actually lying.]

But you've made your entire life, it seems, about lying. I can never tell when you're being sincere or not. [Well.] That is. Most of the time, I can't tell. There are moments we've had in which I have earnestly believed you. And if I was wrong to do so, then maybe it was only because I wanted to.

[Drawing in a breath, she held it as she considered his proposition, blissfully unaware of the temptation he was faced with when so close to her neck, though for at least the moments that he'd lingered at her ear, she'd thought a great deal about that. Of course, maybe it was simply that she thought about him being close to her in any proximity.]

I don't mind humouring you if you actually intend to answer anything I ask with truth. I guess the unnecessary rule here is that anything said in here stays in here, regardless of what it might be.

[pale_elf]

[Right, he was a professional liar, someone who manipulated information all the time and he was a master at hiding his own thoughts, even if it seemed to get harder and harder around the cleric. Perhaps it was better to just drop everything, he was almost done placing all pins to keep the braid in place and even if Nepione had extremely long hair this was easy enough to manage, her hair was going to be safe.]

Well, looks like a risk you should take. I won't offer this kind of open honesty very much...

[It wasn't like he could sit in front of her and be all 'look at me in the eyes, I promise only to tell you the truth'. It was... too much and he already mastered that art anyway. He could concede for one question, though...]

We have a tadpole, though, just talk to our common friends. If the question is too much, since I will go first, I will just walk out of it. No big deal.

[That was as much as he could concede, hoping she wouldn't abuse their wriggling companions just to dive deeper inside him. It was a terrifying prospect, but he trusted her not to stab him with a painful question first thing in the evening.]

[divinestrike]

[...Ah, yes. The tadpoles. Although she had very specifically avoided anything to do with that. It did not feel right trying to get into the heads of those around her. And in the same way that she could have done so with him, he just as easily could have turned it around on her. And she knew he hadn't because she would have felt it. There was no hiding when their tadpoles communicated. It was often an uncomfortable experience. One she wasn't keen on having too much of.]

Hardly seems fair for you to just leave if you don't like what's asked of you, considering you're the one putting this on the table.

[But whatever. She couldn't blame him for wanting to protect himself.]

That said, I suppose I can agree. I get to ask you something first, then?

[Information for information. Nervously, she tapped her fingertips against the cover of her book, its contents easily forgotten in the face of preferred companionship.]

[pale_elf]

Considering I will be the first one answering, if it's too much- well, it's not like anyone will get hurt. You'd still have your secrets and I would still have mines.

[He hated and loved the tadpole. He got his freedom thanks to it, now he just needed to get Cazador killed before he lost its protection. The alternative was getting back under his old master and he did NOT like that idea. As for its powers- well, he used them when others weren't looking already. The gnolls in the tower? He didn't sever the link with the woman with the power of sweet talking and a dagger, no. Offering his mind, though? That was terrifying in so many ways.]

Yes, as I said... you go first.

[He wrapped his fingers around her curls and secured the braid further, gently pulling a bit to make sure it wouldn't get loose just by moving too fast. The elegant, multi locks braid he wanted to work on was going to take hours, yes, but here he was almost done, it was much easier to work a single braid and then put it in the right position to keep it against one's head.]

Just a fair warning: I may not know how to answer to all questions. But I will let you know if that's the case.

[divinestrike]

[...What even to ask him. It wasn't that she didn't have plenty of questions. Of course she did, but she felt like she had to pick very particular ones. Nothing too heavy to start out with, otherwise he was going to go sprinting in the opposite direction. She also wondered if he might repay her with the same courtesy. Probably... not. She did not think of 'courteous' when she thought of Astarion.

Setting her book aside, she leaned back onto her palms, trying to remain somewhat still for him, though that seemed a little more difficult to do in the face of what could potentially be heavier conversation. She could understand the appeal entirely in running away from something that was a little too much for one to handle. Cowardly, perhaps, but also a means of self-preservation. Hard to judge when she often did the same thing.]

Hmmm...

[She raised an eyebrow, thinking she had one that might only result in the raise of his brow.]

Do you really hate Gale? You pick on him a lot. I wondered if that was just your way of showing affection or if you actually just don't like him.

[pale_elf]

[It was all done, but he had to pretend to still be working on her hair just to continue this game, right? The man still had plenty of pins to stick there and he just started sliding them, slowly, between her hair. Now that was a simple question, one he could be open about... even if it wasn't funny. Worried about Gale, huh?]

No. BUt don't tell him that. He is very... reactive. It is quite entertaining to see him get all worked up over the smallest things when I decide to poke him. The fact he knows I don't respect him even when I'm alone with others only confirms him that I am really that bad.

[He didn't know what else to add, but at least his answer was done, now it was his turn to ask. And he wasn't going to hold back any punch, even if he wasn't going to make his opening too painful.]

What is that you like the most about yourself?

[divinestrike]

[His response made her smile, and she couldn't help but be thankful that he couldn't see it when he was posited behind her. Come to think of it, she liked that they weren't having a conversation where she had to make eye contact. For eyes were often the windows to the soul, or so books said, and Nepione understood very well that whilst she could often keep her expression even, she could not say the same when it came to how she looked at others sometimes.]

Of course not. I didn't say it, but the implication was that I'd keep whatever you say in here between us. [Whether he'd adhere to the same thing or not. She was nothing, if not a woman of honour and integrity.] And I think I get what you mean. He gets easily flustered.

[Pot, meet kettle.

At his question, she didn't give him an immediate response, which meant she was genuinely thinking of how to answer. It really wasn't a difficult question either and she had to appreciate that. And it was about what she liked, not what she was afraid others would think of her as a result.]

That it's easy to underestimate me objectively. The state of the world being what it is makes it a difficult thing to press forward and to be optimistic. And I understand that it takes strength for me to be kind and honest, especially in situations where I have every right and reason to be the opposite. Knowing that I'm stronger and more resilient than others think I am is a good thing and it keeps me safe.

[If that counted. She certainly seemed to think it did. But she wanted to give him a chance to respond instead of just drowning him in questions.]