shadow0015: I'm trying to make it a bit like Fate's Poisonous Kiss. Saronax is like a pissier version of Seelamin. I'm also gonna put some Theory of a Deadman music in this fic among other songs.
Chapter Three
Saronax sat in front of a campfire once more. Viconia sat down next to him. "I have acted...poorly towards you.I...I wish to apologize."
"You? Apologize? The great and haughty Viconia? Is the apocolapyse starting already?" Saronax sneered.
"Certainly, make fun if you wish, but you...did not deserve my insults.You are the only surfacer who has treated me somewhat fairly, and not demanded something in return. You...you are not too bad to travel with. For a lowly male, that is."
"Had to add that last bit, eh? Fine. I accept your apology, Viconia. I still don't trust you though."
"That is good. All trust is foolish."
"It is indeed."
Several minutes passed before Viconia spoke again. "So…it must take a very driven man to lead his life on the road."
"I had little choice in the beginning, Viconia."
"Perhaps so but you dealt with Sarevok long ago. What impelled you to continue your travels; no doubt the citizens of Baldur's Gate welcomed you."
"I'm not ready to settle, I still have questions to be answered."
"Yes…you have a god's restless blood, a wonderful heritage. Chaos fills your life from one moment to the next, stirred by your potency."
"It is not by choice that my life is filled with chaos."
"Oh come now…you have thrived on chaos, have you not? It has thrown challenge after challenge at you and you have grown stronger and more powerful. Or do you claim that you would have preferred to remain a lowly student in that Candlekeep of yours? Tied to the apron strings of Gorion forever?"
"I'll not speak of Gorion…or anything else for that matter. Go away."
"Speaking to you is like addressing the open air, at times, ilbith. If you wish to be moronic, then so be it." She hissed before walking away.
XXXXX
"I have been thinking, and I think that I may have been exceedingly harsh in my treatment of you once again." Viconia said the next day.
Saronax opened his mouth but Aerie spoke first. "You are 'exceedingly harsh' in your treatment of everyone, Viconia. Why should he be any different?" she spat.
"Well, for starters, he is far more worthy of my respect than a mooning cripple like yourself. Perhaps you should flap helplessly a bit further away and allow your betters to speak."
"I can't imagine what you think to accomplish.You think Saronax doesn't see the saliva dripping from your fangs? You're not worthy of him, Viconia."
"And I suppose a mewling kitten like yourself is? Do not make me laugh, wingless one. You are not even worthy of licking Saronax's boot heel." Viconia shot back.
"M-maybe Saronax doesn't care for your lusts, drow. Evil like yours isn't seductive, it's just sick, and... and seeing you crawl all over Saronax makes me retch."
"It takes strength in a man to gain my attention, little fool. I am sure he has no interest in one who can barely pull herself together to utter a sentence. But do not take my word for it. What do you say, Saronax? Is there attraction this elf's constant whining? Maybe you find her helpless stuttering amusing?"
"Who said that I'm interested in either one of you?" Saronax snarled and stormed off.
Viconia watched as he went away. I shall give him time to control his anger before speaking to him again. In the future however, he shall receive punishment for what's he's put me through.
-
Viconia didn't allow Saronax's flinty glare to bother he as she walked up to him. "As I was saying before I was interrupted by the cripple, there is the matter of... my apology. I do not do so often, Saronax, but as I said... I may have been too harsh when we spoke last."
"You treat everyone else like crap, why should I be any different!" Saronax exclaimed.
His angry tone did not upset Viconia. "Understand, Saronax, I have not been on the surface for all that long.Sometimes I forget that things here are different from the world I once knew. I have toyed with your feelings unfairly, placing you down with the other males I have known...and you have not been like them. It was...wrong of me."
Eating crow again, eh?I could get to like this. A lot." Saronax sneered bitterly.
"You sting me, but I shall let it pass. I enjoy seeing anger in you...it shows promise.We Drow make few apologies for the way we are, and I make no promises."
"That's not very surprising. If you ever made sincere promises I think I would have a heart attack from the shock."
"Iam capableof startingstarting that heart-attack for you if you ever wish.Simply give the word."
"Sure thing, Vicky."
She stopped in her tracks. "How did you just address me?"
Saronax smiled evilly, realizing that he had found a name that would get under her skin. "Vicky. It's short for Viconia. I think it suits you."
"And my mace caving your head in suits you as well. Address me as 'Vicky' again and I shall make it happen, jaluk."
"Alright then…Vicky."
Viconia let out a snarl before spinning around and swinging at Saronax. He caught her fist in his own larger palm. "Threaten me, I'll bite back. Attack me." He squeezed her fist, not letting go until he heard the sound of her fingers cracking. Despite himself, Saronax was impressed. Viconia did not cry out as her fingers broke, meeting Saronax's gaze with a defiant grey stare. Saronax smiled grimly. "Attack me and I'll break your bones. Attempt to kill me and I'll run Zake through your bitch's heart."
"Did someone mention my name?" asked Zake.
Saronax ignored the blade and walked away.
Viconia stared after Saronax's retreating back. She whispered a spell of healing and breathed an involuntary sigh of relief as her bones knit back together. Damn the male! Were we in the Underdark I would have him beaten with a snake-headed whip. That would teach him to harm me. He will payfor this insult...soon.
XXXXX
Several days passed. Saronax and Viconia were still not speaking to each other. Viconia shot a glare at the fighter. Saronax did not notice and continued speaking with Jaheira.
Viconia's gaze fell upon Anomen. He was the newest member of their party. Confident, handsome, and arrogant, he enjoyed boasting of his accomplishments to anyone willing to listen. Viconia's lips quirked into a smile. Jealously was an excellent tactic for annoying Saronax.
Viconia walked over to Anomen, a seductive half-smile playing across her lips. "Anomen, tell me what drew such a handsome, powerful and charismatic individual like yourself to the dreary, hectic life of adventuring?"
Anomen looked at her in surprise. "Handsome? Viconia, I'm flattered. What drew? What I do is not for whim, prank or jape. It is not because of duty or allegiance. I am an instrument of justice, a redeemer of the weak, protector of the righteous and fallen alike. I do this because I am compelled by forces beyond my ken. You?"
"Well, noble one, it seemed like a good idea at the time." Viconia could feel Saronax's eyes boring into her. "And it seemed to me that all the most muscular and attractive men were doing it so ..."
Anomen smiled, meaning to look suave. "Well, Viconia, you don't have to sleep so far away, next time. Your hands across these muscles would be more welcome than the brush of canvas, I'd venture."
Saronax rolled his eyes. "Could you two wait until tonight to start talking dirty and whispering sweet nothings?" He asked flatly. "This journey is wearisome enough."
Anomen glared at Saronax. "You needn't be so impudent, Gallisone. The woman is pleasing to the eye and doth stir the loins and I were merely complimenting upon her comeliness. Your territorial instinct is commendable, but sorely misguided. A woman's treats are no cause."
"Are you jealous, Saronax? Poor child, there is no reason to be. I've no interest in this glory-hound, and he's hardly as handsome as you."
"I'm not jealous, Viconia. I'm merely concerned about the welfare of the other members of the group. I have no use for love-sick knight-in-training so distracted by cleavage he can't think straight."
"Perhaps I shall leave then." Anomen growled.
Saronax shrugged. "It's your choice, Derlyn."
"I do not need to put up with this abuse." Anomen turned away. "If you come to your senses and require my services once again I can be found in the Copper Coronet. Good day, Gallisone." He said coldly and walked off.
"That was harsh." commented Zake.
"It's a harsh world. There are heavy prices to pay." Saronax replied.
"It is true that nothing comes cheaply." Viconia added.
"Except you." Saronax said, snorting.
Viconia stared at him, gaping in shock.
"Ouch." said Zake.
Viconia shot Saronax the dirtiest look she could muster before walking off.
XXXXX
Saronax sat at a campfire, talking to Zake. "What do you mean, I should apologize?"
"Well, Sarr, you've been a real ass lately."
"But she's a complete bitch!"
"Correction. A complete bitch with SHINY armor."
"You think I should apologize just because she wears shiny chain mail?"
"That's only half of it. You've been a jackass even though she apologized twice. Plus her hair is really, really pretty. And shiny."
"Alright! I'll talk to her!"
XXXXX
Saronax walked into Viconia's tent. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes?"
He blinked. "Don't you wear pajamas?" he asked bluntly.
Viconia was sitting in her undergarments, preparing herself for sleep. She shrugged. "I have no need for them."
"Couldn't you have borrowed some from Aerie?"
"First off, the drow do not wear 'footie' pajamas. Second of all, the look of surprise on your face when you came in was quite amusing."
He glared at her. "I'm so glad for you." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Listen, I came to apologize. I've been an ass to you so…I'm sorry."
"You have indeed been an 'ass'. But I shall forgive you for it. Your anger pleases me. It shows potential."
"I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'potential'. But then again, I'm not quite sure I want to know."
She smirked and leaned in closer towards him. Saronax found it very hard to keep his gaze from drifting down towards her chest as she leaned forward. Viconia rested her chin in one hand and smiled mischievously at Saronax. "What is the matter, male? Are you afraid of me? If that last sentence frightened you then I find it hard to believe you did not retch when you listened to the story of how I first fled to the surface."
"I'm not scared of you, Viconia. And you never did tell me how you fled to the surface."
"It was difficult, if you can imagine. I knew only a few words of common, and as I traveled I carefully avoided any contact with the surfacers. The land was strange, and each day I huddled under the terrible open sky, sure that I would be pulled into the vastness of it if I but closed my eyes for an instant. Lolth had abandoned me, and I was alone in a strange world.Those rivvil who saw me hounded me with abandon, and I fled to the forests. There I was hunted by the darthiir...surface elves...and their honed hatred drove me further.I was sure I would perish, never to see the Underdark again."
"Obviously you didn't. What happened next?"
"A group of goln -you call them goblins- tried to seal my fate, but a human merchant came in his caravan, and his guards scattered them. From a distance he had thought me a surface elf. Surprisingly, when he learned I was Drow he offered shelter. It was a sanctuary while I learned the human tongue. He was Calimshite, I believe. They are fond of slaves.The price for my safety was the favors I bestowed...erotic arts that the Drow have honed for an eon. Does it amuse you that I had to run my dark hands along his sweaty folds and tickle him artfully with my tongue; that he exerted himself wildly as I passionately bit his shoulder?"
Saronax shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose you did what you had to do."
"Actually, I rather enjoyed it; he was quickly my pawn, and the caravan went as I wished. Alas, his heart gave out one night...the guards thought it murder and chased me away."
Saronax raised his black brows at the drow.
Viconia rolled her eyes."Oh, do not look at me in such a manner. Does your manhood wilt from talk of using Drow knowledge of the erotic to survive in your world? Is it so terrible?"
"That doesn't scare me either, Viconia."
"Good, I am pleased you have some sense... or is it that you wish to partake of the same pleasures? Is that what I see? (chuckle)Perhaps another time, jaluk..."
"Ha! No. I will continue to deny any interest in the pleasures you offer because frankly, I'm not interested."
"So you say. This talk of the drow arts brings another question to mind. Would you permit me to ask it?"
"Go ahead."
"Tell me...has there ever been anyone special to you?A thief of your heart?"
"If there were I certainly wouldn't tell you, Viconia." Saronax said, returning to his moody habits.
"No? Is it not possible then? Could she exist; a woman who makes your pulse quicken by her closeness...who enflames you by a mere glance?"
Saronax thoughtfully tugged at his beard. "I suppose I could admit that such a woman could exist, yes. I'm not quite certain I've met her yet, though."
"You hide well, but your heart is heavy with lust and burning desire, and beats proudly and strongly...but shall it be mine or is it another's?"
"My heart belongs to me alone. I'm not about to let anyone claim it. Be they mortal, demon…or god. I have no interest in discussing it either."
"What has made you so taciturn... or is this merely a challenge to overcome? I shall figure you out soon enough, and you shall suffer for these petty slights." She stated.
Saronax rolled his eyes. "Get over yourself." he said flatly before stepping out of the tent.
XXXXX
"How'd it go?" Zake asked as Saronax sat down across from the campfire. The fighter ignored him and gazed into the fire. In truth, the discussion of his heart had made him uneasy. Did his heart really belong to himself? Or was it slowly becoming the plaything of a drow. And if it became Viconia's toy, who was to say it wouldn't become Irenicus's next? Or worse, Bhaal's.
