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]

[...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.]

[pale_elf]

[He was struggling to find things to do with her hair to continue this farce, so from behind he wrapped his fingers around the two bangs he separated earlier, the ones in front of her ears, trying to make them curl a bit more. He didn't mind eye contact, usually, he was a smooth, smooth talker no matter what, he whispered 'Ai armiel telere maenen hir', You hold my heart forever in elvish, to so many people while looking directly in their eyes. And as long as he kept Sebastian locked to the back of his memories with no chances to resurface, he could easily tell not once it held any truth.]

I know. I know... but at the same time I want to make sure Gale doesn't accidentally find out I don't find him as annoying as he probably is. He is so funny when he gets all pouty and angry, especially if I'm challenging him when he's trying to lead the group and you're not around.

[A little, content sigh. He loved to annoy Mister Orb. After that he did focus on her reply and nodded, accepting it for now. It wasn't what he meant, but it was something he could work with. Being underestimated was always good, he did mostly act like a fappish weak elven when he was hunting after all, and it was good to hear she knew she was rather resilient. Alas, he couldn't just sit there and continue touching her head without doing anything... but he could still buy himself some time. Just one more question and he could ask her what he actually wanted, right? Astarion let the curled bangs go and moved back, getting back on his feet.]

Voilà. Not still completely done but let me go fetch my mirror. In the meanwhile think of the question you want to throw at me, mh?

[He did stop by the tent's entrance, though, instead of just stepping out.]

You are right, though, it does take strength to be kind. It's often the more complicated option and most people don't go for it so.. huh... that's nice. That you are aware of that.

[He also considered it naive and a bit stupid, but there was no need to point that out when he could just leave it at that before walking outside and head for his tent.]

[divinestrike]

[Trying to imagine a leadership type Gale made her smile. In a way, she could see it. He loved to hear himself talk. With the right audience, he could be very captivating, so basically anyone who wasn't Astarion.

When she heard him shift, she began to adjust her posture, turning just enough that she had to twist her form to settle her weight into a hand. Looking up at him, she almost told him to forego the mirror and he could just tell her what he thought of it himself.

She didn't much care for mirrors, probably because she didn't much care for looking at herself, but she could humour him. At his suggestion she nodded.]

I'll think of another for when you get back.

[Interesting that he wanted to come back. He could have used it as a must valid excuse to leave her there. Avoid difficult conversation. He still could, after all. If he didn't come back, then she certainly knew why. It did make her wonder where her prying should take her next.

And it... was a little validating to hear his input. It wasn't what she expected to hear of him. She actually imagined he would reprimand her for such foolishness. Those who were kind, after all, tended to be easily to manipulate. She could be taken advantage of. Or ordinarily would have been if she wasn't already convinced nearly everyone would do that to begin with.

Regardless, done viewed kindness as a weakness, not realising how strong it truly was. Easy to kill a man. Harder to spare them and treat them as human.]

[pale_elf]

[Imagining Gale as leader made him sick. Gods, he could see it: big enemy, maybe a frog, and then he'd definitely go to someone like Ethel to gain advantage over the situation. And then proceed to sell Astarion's spleen or something for it with the 'it'll regrow, you're a vampire' attitude. Pass. And the vampire was really happy to say the wizard was unable to make him swoon with big and fancy words.

But- he had a mirror to fetch and probably a couple more things to recover. Did she even have holes in her ears? Because he had plenty of earrings he- ah- borrowed from people during their journey. Most people wearing them died anyway, it wasn't like people were going to wake up at Waukeen's Rest or anything like that and haunt him down. He was going to figure that one that out later- while moving toward his tent he made sure no one was out of their tents at night and stopped to pet Scratch (Gotta keep the extra emergency supplies happy) before hopping toward his stuff.

As usual, the mirror only reflected his clothes, but it didn't matter. He cleaned the smooth surface with a piece of cloth, grabbed his jewelry stash and silently moved back to her tent. He did say 'knock knock' once more before entering, but didn't wait for an answer before opening the little door.]

Ready to feel as beautiful as you are, my dear? Oh, and... go ahead. Hit me with another question. By the by, can you use earrings? This one doesn't count for our little game, though.

[He took place in front of her once more, smiling as warmly as he could.]

[divinestrike]

Earrings?

She'd still been in the process of thinking about what she would gently pry into him over when she heard him. In the time that he'd gone to fetch his mirror and whatever else, it'd given her just enough time to rearrange her tent, just so it would be comfortable for them both. She didn't really have anything that he did, or that the others did. Frankly, most of her items and pieces of decor were impersonal and strictly usable.

Lifting a hand to touch one of her ears, she traced along the edge of it thoughtfully.]

I never have, but I think I can.

[Gently shifting aside a small, low table, it had space for his mirror and whatever else. Last minute adjustments and she decided they were probably as comfortable as they were going to get.

At least she didn't go sprawling all over her bedding, trying to look alluring, and only looking silly.]

Let me take a look. And think about this to answer when you're ready—

When you meditate, what kinds of things do you dream about, or whom?

[pale_elf]

[Disappointing but not surprising, at least he had some clamp earrings that could probably work out. Especially a set he took from some pretty elves along the way- just two small circles of silver that didn't actually close but could kept in place. It wasn't the fanciest place in his collection, but it would bring attention to her left side where the ribbon started going down on her braid and the pearls dangled with elegance.

Good, the pretty pearls were still the focal point of the picture and they brought attention to her bright eyes. Like a pretty painting. Now, he just had to find a good way to say 'oh, no, let's not hurt you' without being too direct about that. And he knew exactly how to.]

No, no... let's not hurt you. Ears bleed when you pierce them, you know? Just so slightly but hard not to notice for someone like me. And I don't even have clean needles.

[He took his time to adjust everything and then took the right position in front of her to show her a full reflection. The smile on his face persisted even if the question was... unpleasant. His meditative dreams were mostly private. Terrible, scary and private, as much as he managed to lock those away.]

It's mostly... Cazador. Meditation sounds all fanccy but it's also when your barriers go down and your brain allows your emotions to flood in. From what I understand I have more control over my dreams than normal people do, this is how I traced the marks on my back up to the point I knew it was infernal, but at the same time it's still a moment of weakness.

There are some pleasant dreams now and then, but I mostly remember voices, not faces. Those tend to fade.

[And even those dreams usually take darker twists, with loving voices then remembering him what he did to them.]

I also enjoy meditating about the joys of blood drinking. Since my choices expanded from rats and flies, I take a lot of time elaborating my new, ah... experiences.

[divinestrike]

[When he sat in front of her to present her with the pretty mirror she so often saw amid his things, she hesitated before she leaned forward to get a better look. She didn't much like her reflection, but the way he presented her, she thought...

She wasn't sure she looked much like herself at all. On the contrary, she looked like a version of self that could have been well off. Almost like some alternate. And it was beautiful. Really beautiful. She didn't dare lift her hands to touch or trace the tail of braid. So instead, she turned her head this way and that.]

I understand where you're coming from, but I meant that I've never worn them before. I think perhaps my parents already put the holes in. You can check, if you'd like.

[That felt like a distant memory. Being asked to be brave. Tears welling up in her eyes. The sharp sliver of pain that had been worth it. Just as most pain had been. And she remembered having a few others as well.

For a moment, she drew her clawed fingertip along the right plane of her nose, and above the arch of her left eyebrow, more often than not, hidden by her hair.]

Here, too.

[But slowly her thoughts turned onto how he explained his meditations. She never really understood them as much as she wanted to. They sounded both... powerful and weak at the same time. Scary to know he was at his most vulnerable. Maybe he meditated lightly. She didn't know how else he was going to protect himself.

Didn't surprise her at all to hear what he chose to meditate over, though. Cazador was usually the go-to for everything else in his life, after all.

As she continued to examine her reflection from every possible angle, she found her voice.]

Being able to control the subject of your meditations sounds neat. And I can imagine that in them is a safe way to explore things. Even when it comes to your feeding habits. Probably a bit novel to be able to feed off of something other than animals. I think if I was the same way—

[For just a moment, she carefully showed the sharp of her teeth in the mirror, easily able to imagine where striking fangs would have been.]

—I would take a lot of pleasure in feeding off of people.

[pale_elf]

[He coudln't help but smile at her attention to her figure. It was... lovely, really, and he knew how to play his cards in those moments. He leaned forward just slightly, leaning his chin on the top of the mirror and giving her warmth with his words. Just a whisper, like he was sharing some kind of deep secret with the woman.]

It gets even better when you smile, you know? You see now why I think you could make many heart skip a beat or two? And... perhaps...

[So she had holes, huh? Good to know. But he was a master at looks and flattery so his next words weren't an encouragement to explore that, but-]

I think that putting too much on your face would keep the attention away from your eyes. Those are gems on their own and should be the main focus of any person's attention.

[Flirting? Him? More likely than anyone tought. But he did accept the swift change in topic and focused on the meditation itself. He... struggled to understand dreaming as a whole, it sounded chaotic and weird, but at least he had something to share on it.]

Some people who focus more on this concept as a whole, say that meditation is similar to lucid dreaming. With more control on our surrounding and more focus on elaborating what's happening around us or our past. Maybe even evaluating our future choices. Now.. my turn.

[There was no surprise his entire dreaming life was Cazador, considering it was all he ever knew.]

Why do you stubbornly try to put yourself one step lower than anyone else? You put everyone else before you and I'd like to know why

[divinestrike]

[Her gaze only flickered to him for some moments when he perched himself like so. In most other situations, she might have stopped outright looking at herself, but she also understood that he'd spent a portion of time only getting to see the results of his work from the back. It seemed fair to let him see it from the front as well, though she had to fight the temptation to explain to him that such a style was probably a little too high class for someone like her who... wasn't high class at all.

That eye contact, however, didn't last for too long. Before she could start really thinking about whether he meant such flirtatious lines (she assumed he didn't), she looked back to her reflection just some moments more before she eventually settled back, changing her posture once more and leaving her hands in her lap, trying to remember if she'd ever had lucid dreams. She didn't think so. At least it certainly never felt like she could control them. It was also entirely feasible she just didn't have the discipline required for such things.

If she could learn to do such a thing, however, perhaps it would have been an invaluable tool for a cleric. Something to reflect on actions of the past and the present, to apply them to the future, naturally. What he asked her next easily interrupted any additional thoughts of the like passing through her mind. Again, she didn't give him an immediate answer, which meant that one, she didn't have it, and two, it was worthy of a little more thought than something hasty.

It also meant that she was still being dreadfully honest.]

That depends on what version of that explanation you want. [As it so happened, she was going to give him each.] Our Lady of Silver teaches Her followers that all are welcome. Worthy of love, acceptance, and equality. [Save Shar, of course, though Nepione had her own thoughts on that, which she was not inclined to share with any clergy or other devout followers.] I choose to embody that in my own way. I put others before me because that to me is an expression of my love at its most basic form. [After a moment's consideration, she continued, though not with some additional thought.] Part of it is that I place the importance of others at a higher priority. That doesn't mean I'm not important. It just means that to me, the people I care about are of more import. With or without my teachings, I wouldn't be any different. My faith has little to do with it other than coincidence.

[pale_elf]

[And he could bring up that him, as a spawn, was wearing silks and fine clothes. Yes, those were reserved for when he had to go out there hunting. And yes, perhaps as high elf magistrate he would have considered that 'poor' or 'ugly' people didn't deserve good things, but after his long time as Cazador's slave- well, he changed his mind. Mostly because he was not between the rubble and he still wanted nice things. Perhaps his line of thoughts still had greediness as the base, but there was no style for high or low class, only people who adapted to their supposed status.

He waited in silence, lowering the mirror only when she moves away and placing it back against her things, a present that was just going to be there without much words, and fully turned back in her direction while crossing his legs. That... he had to hold back his annoyance as the holy words came out- if the Lady of Silvers cared so much about making all feel welcome, she would have heard him scream in the past two centuries. But she did not answer, nor she did care. Shar at least was honest about her disinterest about anyone who couldn't be useful, evil gods didn't lie to people with blind promises and empty hopes. But- he wasn't going to say any of that. No.

He merely leaned down, pretending to let himself fall with his back on her legs but merely flopping down right at her side. He blinked up in her direction, bringing both hands over his stomach.]

Must be difficult when you meet someone who feels and act like you. I mean, can you imagine the level of conflict if everyone considered the others 'more' important? It's a good thing we have a selfish person like Gale with us. To balance it all.

[He did take her words in consideration, what they meant and all, but it was difficult for him to read it all as anything more than naivite or kindness. 'Good people' rarely existed and when they did the world turned on them. He could only believe in a deeper reason for her behaviour, maybe something deeper she wasn't fully aware of. Oh, that could be part of the next question.]

Your turn, I suppose.

[divinestrike]

[In watching him, she could really only guess at what he must have thought, which was rather par for the course when it came to their time together. If he was ever concerned about being boring (unlikely), that simply was impossible. He always left her guessing. She could never claim with certainty that she knew what he was thinking at any given time.

Except when it came to revenge against Cazador. For obvious reasons. Once he had that out of the way, however, she had no idea what he would be like or what he'd want. Chances were, he wasn't going to know either.

As he lied down, she leaned down just a touch, tilting her head somewhat curiously, though didn't bother to put any space between them, thinking for once that it was just very... comfortable. The conversation, even with heavier topics, the companionship, though he was rather expert at catching her off guard. She could say then, at those moments, that she felt content.

Happy, perhaps? Comfortable.]

That is difficult, actually.

[Because Halsin did something similar, which had made it stupidly difficult to help him at all. He would have been content to prioritise the tadpole conundrum above the Shadow-Curse if she hadn't made them go out of their way to actually get him information. But fortunately once she'd started that, Halsin sort of fell into that one-track focus and she no longer had to worry about him trying to make her his focus. There was, of course, no way to guarantee it would remain that way after they truly cleansed and restored the realm.

With a soft lyrical hum that had neither rhyme nor reason, she tapped claws atop her lap, shifting her weight into the palm that brought her closer to where he had made himself comfortable.]

What was your favourite part about being a Magistrate, or did you never like it at all? I can see you being well-fit for having a position of power, but just because someone's good at the role doesn't mean they enjoy it. If you could, would you want to go back to it?

[pale_elf]

[After Cazador there was the tadpole to deal with, after that... he was probably going to return to the shadows. He had no idea how a spawn could live without a master. They had all the weaknesses of full vampires and basically only one of the perks, the innate regeneration Cazador abused more than once during his tortures. Was he supposed to mix back between people? To just... survive in the darkness without an aim? It was hard to imagine *any* real goal for now and perhaps he didn't want to dare to look so much in the future when everything seemed to go against them.

Perhaps he didn't even care. He was a survivalist, he was going to have all the time in the world to figure things out eventually, the goal was staying alive. It wasn't like he could just... stick around people who were probably going to go their own way anyway, right? Even the cleric sharing her tent with him was probably going to back to her temple or something and he didn't really care. At all.

It wasn't like he was unconscioutly tilting his head to the side to lean a bit closer when the also moved slightly to lean toward him, it wasn't like he wanted to see how many hairstyles he could create with her pretty long hair. He was an independent soul who only needed others as long as they served a purpose for him.]

That's what you all get to be so self sacrificing, I guess.

[A good thing he missed most of the Halsin stuff. He would have lost it in the process. One thing was the druid courting her and making things harder for everyone in the process, the other was her being the one pushing to help Halsin and then everyone getting involved. Why was that worse? No explanation on that.

At her question he visibly winced. Oh, he was so NOT going to share unnecessary details unless direct asked, like the fact he was far from the two most exciting branches of law and had to deal all the time with family squabbles. He was very young to be an elf, after all.]

Well. Huh... it was a good position of power. I liked that my family was very happy to see me in that position, I enjoyed the attention and I really liked putting assholes in their place. [Until the Gur decided they didn'tlike one of his decisions and put an end to his life.] The most fun trials were the ones where I was completely out of my element because I didn't know what to expect. Once we had a family of something like three hundred halflings fight over a recipe book from their grand-grand-grand something grandma. We undiscovered so much dirt between tax fraud, false property claims, actual stabby stab crimes- every morning me and my two assistants went to work and when we thought no more stuff could come out- it somehow did.

[Yes, he was sounding as dramatic as possible right now. But he wasn't lying. Property Law could be entertaining.]

I never thought in my life I would have to get out of my head the mental image of an Orc and an halfling happily married, yet that's what I got when I tried to figure out who Aunt Rhooka was. According to one of my assistants, she made the most delicious cookies in the world.

Never a dull moment when you're a magistrate.

[divinestrike]

[Along with the realisation that she didn't dislike how they'd come to the present moment, came another one. That she could have listened to him talk for hours. Be it about magistrate trials, the inappropriate architecture plans of Baldur's Gate early days, even if he was just complaining. Maybe it was because it didn't feel forced. It didn't feel like he was constructing something just to please her. It felt very real.

He felt very real then.

When she realised that perhaps she stared at him a little too intensely, that she was beginning to hang on his every word, despite being unable to more properly contribute to that line of work or the intelligence that clearly went into it, she wondered just for a beat, what exactly was happening. How long it'd been happening. At what point it had begun to happen. And how she was supposed to define 'it.'

Attachment, she supposed. She was attached to him. In some way. Fond? Fond. But no, that was stupid. She already knew that.

Yet, as she nodded along, thought about how to address the past that sat behind him, he was so close that all it would have taken was for her to reach down with her hand to gently trace the line of his jaw. To admire the comparison between shades of blue and a white that was like sculpted porcelain. Were his lips as soft as the rest of him?

Shaking her head for only a moment to free herself of the thoughts that tumbled around, she momentarily nipped into her lower lip before drawing in a breath to even herself. Perhaps to steady her pulse, for she suspected she could get altogether too wrapped up in her curiosity where he was concerned.]

That sounds— [She began, trying to piece her words back together.] Well. It sounds ridiculous. But it also does sound like something you would enjoy. Unpredictable and somewhat chaotic. You seem to like that sort of thing. I guess there's a lot appealing about the unexpected. The spontaneous. You've never struck me as the sort to be terribly interested in routine.

[Where she was so often by the book, he seemed only too pleased to break so many of the rules. Where he could. Or at least to test the boundaries that had been set before him.]

[pale_elf]

[He was more real than he wanted to admit, he even found himself worked up just talking about those things. It was- it was his past, but it wasn't something that could expose him, nor something she could use, nor he wanted to impress her further considering he seemed to have her attention for now and that felt like enough. He refused to elaborate his feelings more a he sat up once more, leaning towar her and holding his hands in front without actually touching the woman.]

I know! Routine is the worst. But by the gods there wasn't a night me and my assistants didn't stop by the tavern while coming home! So. Much. Stuff.

[He was going to carefully avoid mentioning he wasn't allowed to drink by his family so he merely sipped fruit juices or milk while his colleagues had beer and wine. That- him being so observant of rules to avoid ruining his family name? Too serious, too 'not him', but he felt like sharing more. Something stupid, something that could make her actually smile, not just hold back by nibblind her lower lip.]

Oh. You want a crazy story? Once I was handling a case against a gnome lady. Something something she wanted to split her property with her husband after a divorce. So, pretty boring stuff. I was just covered in paperwork because unlike elves some of the races of faerun make far too many kids so we had to figure out what percentage went to the children and what was going to her- and things weren't exactly in her favor. Dad kind of presented a good case to have the children's custody so we knew she was going to lose it all.

Now imagine this. The big day comes. I look all handsome, as usual-

[He moved to draw an arc above her head, just to let her know it was a most majestic moment.]

And then the bastard drops in front of everyone that I can't judge her because I slept with her. With a gnome!

[Just listen to his horrified tone of voice. Pansexual? Yes. Open to experiences? Yes. Gnomes? No.]

Needless to say, the court descended into pure chaos. I was so confused because back then I was quite the... well, as embarrassing as it is to admit I never had a lover but I had no proof against her words. Until-

[And a finger went literally under poor Nepione's nose.]

She tried to be vulgar and crass and made a mistake. She mentioned a mole over my chest. That I didn't have. And that's when it sunk on me. She slept with my brother thinking it was me.

[divinestrike]

[Had she ever seen him so animated? She wasn't certain she had, though he had plenty of moments where he had certainly been something like it. When he moved to sit back up, she tried not to disturb him too much with the way she was positioned, still settling her weight into her palm. Her other hand draped in her lap and as he poured out his story, all she could do was really listen as he seemed to get carried away.

Maybe the past had that effect on everyone, though. Well, anyone who was animated. It was nice to see in him. But then, seeing any version of Astarion where he wasn't consumed entirely by his anger, rightfully placed as it was, was refreshing. And nice. Almost heartwarming.

As he motioned above her, she tipped up her chin to watch before returning the soft glow of her eyes to his face and the turn in his expression, melodramatic as it ever was. It moved again when he gestured beneath her, or whatever it was he was doing, as she dipped her head with a subtle smile, perhaps a bit charmed.

An innocent Astarion...? Why was that so difficult to imagine? Maybe because she'd only ever known him as the way he was right in front of her.]

I didn't know you looked so much like your brother. [She admitted. Although she didn't know really anything about his siblings, except that he had them.] Or that you didn't have a mole. Although I guess I've never looked closely and I really only have seen your back, I think. I'll keep all of that in consideration.

[Not that she expected to run into any of his siblings. Or potential mole-checkings, for that matter.]

So what ended up happening with the case and this gnome lady? I assume everything was straightened out.

[pale_elf]

[Well, he didn't know he could still get so animated about things that happened almost two centuries on the past. He had to keep the fact his job lead him to his early dead closed away, but the rest? The rest was either boring or incredibly stupid and he knew which ones he wanted to share. Certainly not the tale of him checking a pile of documents about tax returns. Nor him spending hours mapping a house just to decide how to divide it between heirs.]

Well, I had the pleasure of adding 'contempt to court' to her personal case and then strip all her rights to get money from her ex husband since she lied to the court, tried to defame a magistrate with baseless accusations and...

[A little, mischievous grin as he leaned in Nepione's direction, wriggling his eyebrows.]

I had her kicked out of the courthouse personally. It felt great. I even ended up getting a few nice wine bottles from her husband.

And yes, it was really hard to tell me and my brother apart. But he had this huge heart-like mole right under his nipple- and when this lady tried to use this kind of knowledge as proof, it turned into her ruin instead. Gnomes. Gnomes never change.

[Despite his general distaste for gnomes, he was smiling. And it wasn't just something limited to his mouth, it reached his eyes. Perhaps it was bad that the reason he was happy was reminding how he ruined someone but hey- it was still Astarion.]

What about you? Any... funny story you could share? I mean, I could share so many cases about Baldur's Gate from two hundred years ago but it's mainly people being weird. THe best is people who try to represent themselves without a lawyer.

[divinestrike]

[Straightening her posture a bit, she finally folded her hands back together, which seemed to be her go-to for trying to keep herself from fidgeting. As he leaned in, she moved only a scarce bit from him, though not significantly. Not the way she supposed she would have if they hadn't already been through what they had. Still enough to make her nervous, but... pleasantly so.

She didn't even know that was possible.]

The more you know... Can't say I've ever really known any gnomes.

[They probably weren't all bad, but trying to make a case like that to Astarion wasn't likely to go much of anywhere.

At his question, she looked thoughtful and then she shook her head.]

No, no. Probably not the way you have, anyway. I'm not a magistrate, after all. And I don't have centuries behind me. I'm... still pretty young in comparison. Not... I'm not saying you're old.

[...Well, there went all of her elegance. Or her attempts to be somewhat tasteful and refined. She was doing so good.]

Basically, no. I've a severe shortage of amusing stories to share.

[pale_elf]

[He was a man full of surprises. He was even shocking himself right now with how much he shared, even if a little voice inside him complained that he lacked the skills to make her laugh. But a little voice in the back of his head also suggested him to try again, maybe in future, because it would have been nice to hear her chuckle. Why he cared so much, he didn't know, but it was a nice goal to have in contrast with his more murder-inclined ones.

At least sharing details about his old job didn't initerfere with killing Cazador.]

I guess. But I'd still stay away from them. Unless it's the bacchus guy. He gave us explosives, he has my approval.

[He just didn't like gnomes. Yes, he had been in bed with plenty of them since he turned, yes he served even more when they were guests of his former master, but him? Willingly choose a gnome's side? EH- probably not.

But that comment, that gave him another chance to be absurd. He straightened up in front of her, bringing a man to his chest.]

Of course I'm not old, I'm an ageless beauty! Handsome, charming, I'm unable to reflect on mirrors not because I'm a vampire but because I'm so beautiful even they know they couldn't reflect such magnificence. And... yes, you are young, but most of the funny stories come from our youth usually. Even if I guess you will get to share this little journey of ours when you'll have kids and share tales about your not-so-young life too.

[He preferred to be called old over 'baby' like one of his sisters did.]

A shame, I will survive though.

[divinestrike]

[The ironic thing was that when it seemed he wasn't trying too hard happened to be the moment that she loosed the softest sound of amusement.

"...I'm so beautiful even they know they couldn't reflect such magnificence."

Although the concept of humility was not something she had ever really pictured Astarion with. When she thought humble, she certainly didn't think him. Such laughter was a touch short-lived, as she didn't want for him to think that she was laughing at him. She wasn't, really.

Lifting her shoulders in a shrug, Nepione brought up a hand to gently attempt to scrub away some of the pink that found her features.]

That seems optimistic of you, assuming I'll have children and be sharing stories.

[Considerably more optimistic than how she viewed things. She'd never even thought about children except the ones they saved along the way. Rather, she didn't think of herself having children.]

I guess neither of those things are impossible, though.

[When she realised she was staring at him again, that gentle tilt to her head, watching his posture, the little tell whenever he pressed his hand to his chest.]

Astarion— [She began, uncertain for just a moment before she decided to press forward. One could never know if they didn't make the attempt, right?] —This will likely sound a little strange, but... is it all right if I touch your hair?

[pale_elf]

[Oh, that was pretty. For a moment he found himself just staring, keeping his distance but also savouring the sight and the soound of her laughter. The best way he could put the sensation he felt into words was... a pleasant feelings in his stomach, like he just savoured a nice meal but also warmer? It took him a little while before pushing himself back and offering a small shrug. He had to stay focused on the conversation, anything else could only expose him to- something. As much as he wanted to trust Nepione, as much as he did (despite not admitting it completely to himself), he still couldn't completely lower his guard around anyone.]

Well, your practice round with Arabella went well enough, at least listening to everyone's recounts in the camp.

[That was not something he could even offer help with, not he wanted to get involved with any kid.]

I mean, you'd fare better than me. I barely remembered to help my younger siblings when we were first allowed to hunt for rats on our own. Leave Arabella for a week with me and she'll be the one running straight in the shadow curse because it would be the best option.

Yes, I know, hard to believe I have social areas I am not well versed with but- let's be honest, Cazador didn't like to eat kids.

[Fortunately enough. The idea of luring children to his master's palace- no, he wasn't even going to linger on that line of thought for too long, some of the people he brought in already hurt enough as it was. He focused on her request instead, feeling surprised by that but merely sliding down a bit, turning around and giving her access while leaning his weight against his elbows. The entire Araj thing left him with a stong and growing 'people shouldn't touch me anymore' feeling in his chest, but at the same time he didn't mind that.]

All right. Sounds only fair considering I just finished to offer you a spa day. I'm not even cold cold right now!

[divinestrike]

I... oh. M-maybe.

[Completely different taking care of children along the way than it was to be an actual parent, she imagined. In truth, she didn't know she could ever handle that kind of responsibility. She had been separated from her family for long enough that she had lingering memories of them, but not nearly enough time to know how to be an effective caretaker.

It was easier just not to think about the possibility, admittedly. Although she supposed it was very likely it'd come up and she'd have to have something better to address it with whenever it did.

Listening to him with the same attentiveness she had from the moment he came to pay her visit, her expression grew the slightest touch more sombre. It seemed like the proverbial bar of expectations was somewhat low when it came down to simply not draining children. Cazador was still reprehensible. Unforgivable. The man had no saving graces, in her opinion. Not if what Astarion said held truth and she struggled to find anything false about the allegations he'd shared. He was much too passionate for just such a thing.

What surprised her more, perhaps, was the idea that he didn't outright refuse her. Instead, he adjusted to give her the same treatment in kind. Or... trust, she supposed. It took a great deal of trust to let another touch, than it was to do the touching itself. She took her time, drawing in a deep breath and as she pulled herself nearer, she started with the nape of his neck, mindful of her claws, careful just to press warmth fingertips to skin before she carefully threaded touch into his hair.

It was... about as soft as she expected it to be. It always looked perfect, even when it contained streaks of red or dirt or anything else they managed to get themselves into. She did it with so much care, she was afraid he might have picked up that she was trembling. He wasn't fragile by any means, but for one reason or another, she was almost always certain she'd ruin, break everything she touched, despite being most likely the gentlest person in their camp.]

...Is this all right? [She asked him quietly, understanding that what went unspoken was that in his own way, he wasn't a fan of others in his personal space. It was, perhaps, one of the few things they had in common.] I can stop if it bothers you.

[pale_elf]

Mhm. You'd make a great mother. And imagine how proud your kids will be when they'll say their mom is the maiden of Selune who defeated an immortal general.

[Was he running his mouth because he felt tense? Yes. his back was exposed and the innate vampiric instinct knew that not having proper awareness of where her hands were was dangerous. Stakes could reach his heart even from behind and it went against his own natural inclination to be in a non combat situation and not have full control of what could hurt him. With Cazador's guests things came natural, they knew he was someone else's property and that he could only be damaged, nor killed. With lovers he made sure to keep their hands on himself at all times, or to keep them where he could see them. This was... an unsual and new territory that required more trust than he thought he had.

The tension faded just slightly when she placed both hands against his skin, that allowing him to trace her movements, but built up again quickly when he felt... that?

He didn't know how to feel about her touch. There was no fear of the claws, but her touch petrified him. It was no dangerous attack, nor a sensual touch, it was no necessary shove in combat nor something studied to hurt him. At least he didn't think so? There was no way she was going to harm him, right? His brain was telling him one thing, his body was urging him to run, his heart was telling him to stand still and just take... it. Whatever it was.

He decided to listen to the latter.

The vampire wasn't breathing, not even to pretend to be alive, and he didn't know exactly at which point he shut his eyes close but his entire body was fighting between the urge to flee and the desire to stay when she spoke again. This was too unfamiliar and scary, he had to tell her to stop, he had to be the one in control of who was touching him, when and where- yet the most difficult part was to admit he enjoyed this.]

No, I don't mind.I mean, it's hair.

[divinestrike]

Yes, well.

[She uttered a quiet laugh, a soft little huff that she killed with relative swiftness. Evidently discussing future children was not quite something she felt readily prepared for. She could think about it later. When she survived. If she survived, and she wasn't even certain that was going to happen.

Instead, it was more interesting to focus on him. It was always more interesting to focus on him. To explore something that felt very... foreign. Of course it wasn't the first time she'd touched anyone's hair. It wasn't the first time she was close to anyone either. And it definitely wasn't the first time she felt so nervous to even make a request like that. But there was something nice about it. Maybe it was just nice that she felt like she could be near someone.

How long had she spent trying to keep others away from her, after all? Sometimes, it felt like forever, though it was transparently no such thing.]

That doesn't mean anything. [She reassured him. As if she meant to test him, she leaned against him lightly, thinking back to their time in Candlekeep. It wouldn't have been the most horrible thing to be held by him. At the time, he'd done so to protect her, and it was something she considered often. He easily could have let her go. And she had never... Well.]

Astarion. [She hesitated, as she was wont to do and with all of the care she could manage, extremely conscious of the curve of her horns, she settled her chin against his shoulder, careful not to dislodge him or otherwise make him uncomfortable. Lowering her hands from his hair, she drew the same touch down the turn of his neck, and lightly splayed her fingertips against his back.] Do you remember back then? In those ruins. [Of course he did.]

I didn't thank you. I wanted to, but I didn't have enough time. If it hadn't been for you, I would have been pretty hurt. I might not have been able to take care of myself. I've thought about that a lot. That I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you. You... probably don't care, but it meant a lot to me. I just wanted you to know that I'm grateful.

[That she didn't like that he was hurt on her account. That she was afraid of him doing so again. Because she didn't want anything to happen to him.]