They all retreated to Wither's antechamber, where he could still be heard, muttering to himself somewhere off in a dark corner. She felt kinda sorry for him. Poor old guy needed to take his meds go to bed.
"We're all just going to ignore the mummy, then?" Astarion commented at large, his head fixed unnervingly on the dry, dusty ramblings.
"He seems harmless" Gus said quietly, concentrating on building a small fire out of whatever material he was scraping together in the tomb. Turns out, you could use bones as fire material, provided they were dry enough, which those of the fallen skellies appeared to be.
Astarion stared at the corner Withers was addressing for a while more before shaking himself, resolutely turning his back on him. Belle had watched this from the corner of her eye. She made a note to self: Astarion is freaked out by mummies.
She'd managed to unfurl her bedroll with little trouble; it was like an old-time sleeping bag, with natural materials buckles instead of nylon threads zippers.
"I'll help you roll it up again in the morning; I remember you having trouble doing that when you were younger," Gus smiled at her she smiled back her appreciation of the offer. She hadn't been camping since before his disappearance and would probably need the help.
There turned out to be very little in the way of food items to chow down on that night, just some dried, spicy salami looking meat (gross, she hated both spice salami) hard, crumbly cheese (even grosser). She decided to forgo eating had a couple of cups of wine instead. It was dry tasted, ugh, she shuddered, just like vinegar. She glanced at Astarion at the comparison, wondering if perhaps he was a connoisseur of fine liquor instead of an imbiber of wine.
It didn't jibe at all with her that vampires here could drink alcohol as well as blood. She was an old time Anne Rice fan that woman's description of vampires had forever sealed their constitution in stone for her. It should have been impossible for Astarion to consume anything but blood, but, 'reasons.'
"Before we turn in, I was thinking that we all might benefit from learning a bit more about each other, just in case we find ourselves in each other's company longer than anticipated." Gus had sat down around the fire, inviting the rest to follow. Gale sat cross-legged beside him eagerly enough, but the three more evil aligned of the group appeared much less inclined to do so.
"I'll start. My names' Gustave, Gus for short. I'm a ranger, bounty hunter. Lived around the Sword Coast for the last 20 years. You should all know that I have an odd ability where I can't use magic. Nor can magic touch me, so if I'm injured, you'll need good old triage to fix me up. This young lady here is my long-lost daughter recently reunited, Belle. She also seems to be immune to magic."
"Oh, I think I've heard of you. Didn't you show up in Waterdeep years ago, seeking help with that condition? Yes, yes, I remember, all sorts of magic users showed up to test your claims." Gale's face lit up with remembrance. "If you don't mind, I'd very much like to have a crack at that immunity myself."
"Go to town," Gus said.
"Thanks. Well, my name's Gale, of Waterdeep." He bowed from his waist. "I have a … condition … where I've had to sequester myself away from socialising in the last year or so. Nothing catching, I assure you," he quickly added as Astarion Shadowheart both leant away from him. "I'm just apologizing in advance if I come across as … eager … when chatting with any of you."
Awww, he was just shoooo cuuuute!
"Shadowheart. I'm on a mission for my order. I need to get back to Baldur's Gate as soon as possible."
Everyone waited for more, but she'd clamped her jaws shut.
"Lae'zel, of Creche K'lirr. We need to get rid of these parasites as soon as possible. My people have a means of extracting them. We need to focus on finding a nearby creche. After that, we can all go our separate ways."
Nice.
"Oh, what's there to tell? I'm a magistrate back in the Gate. It's all very tedious," he looked at his fingernails with boredom as he delivered his little lie. She wondered then if he remembered being a magistrate, of if he just knew because Cazador had told him. Her brain wanted to dive down that big ol rabbit hole again, but it was her turn to introduce herself.
"Belle. Like dad here, not native to Toril. I don't even know how the Mind Flayers made it out so far as Earth, to be honest, being shielded as it is away from the other Realms, so I'm guessing wormhole? Maybe? And Lae'zels' right, we need to get rid of the tadpoles asap, we're already way past the point of no return, which suggests these tadpoles are different from normal ones, but who knows how much time's left before we all sprout tentacles – "
Gus cleared his throat. She snapped her mouth shut. Information overload oversharing, all bundled up into one big bag of 'oh she really is insane' looks from the others.
She sat up primly, sipped at her vinegar stared at the fire.
"On that note, I suggest we all get some rest. Does anyone want to volunteer for first shift on watch?"
Astarion volunteered, not at all to her surprise. She knew he was starving. Not much she could do about it, seeing as though healing potions didn't work on her. If they did, she would have volunteered her blood. He may be on her shit-list, but she didn't want him hungry; she knew what that felt like.
She'd carefully checked the bedroll earlier, even asking Gus if there was any way to tell if there was an infestation. He'd double checked for her, assuring her it was fine. She wanted to get changed into her pyjamas, wanted to peel off the boots to make herself more comfortable. But a tiny part of her brain suggested that, if she needed to get up in a hurry in the night, it'd be better if she were already dressed not too deeply asleep. She thought of this voice as Gus', as its advice was always logical. It only spoke up rarely, so she heeded it when it did.
Grabbing the backpack stuffed with her p.j's, she used that as a makeshift pillow. It was uncomfortable, but she knew she now had to get used to it. Plus, even if she didn't, a few sleepless nights would eventually result in her passing out from exhaustion soon anyway.
The bedroll was surprisingly thick underneath her, to the point she doubted she'd feel little stones or pebbles poking through from the underside.
Gus was near her; listening to his deep, even breaths (what was it with men that, as soon as their heads hit the pillow, they fell asleep?), she felt an odd emotion bubbling up. She wanted to cry at that indelible sense of his presence; him taking up space had a feeling; one she'd missed back on Earth.
'Go to his grave, you'll feel him there,' so many people had told her. She had, closing her eyes trying to sense something, anything. But there had been nothing there. That missing sense was now back, right there, she could feel him for the first time in forever.
The tears pricked her eyes she pressed her hands into them. She'd cry later, if she had time on her own, where she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of these emotionally stunted people. She was still awake when Astarion quietly woke Lae'zel for the next shift. She estimated four hours had passed. She'd heard him wander off there for a bit felt a tiny bit sorry for him, knowing there were only rats in here (besides them), for him to eat.
Lae'zel took her duties seriously. She really did admire the woman. Maybe she'd be willing to teach Belle how to use an actual weapon. She pictured herself swinging a sword around, something like Beatrice out of Kill Bill. That'd be cool. The sad reality was, she'd probably skewer herself before any enemies.
About three in the morning, her bladder let her know it had held on long enough needed to go, now. Only, that presented a dilemma. Fuck, just even going to the toilet here was worth more trouble than it should be. No toilet paper, no flushing toilets, no sewage system (out here at least). Where the fuck was she meant to go that not only wouldn't be heard by everyone, but that she could steer everyone away from on their way out just in case they caught the smell?
She thought it through quickly. Getting out of bed, she found one of the skellies nearby, ripped off it's decaying fabric robe toddled off about three rooms away. Choosing a corner where no one was likely to go near, she dropped her pants (getting some underwear would be nice), squatted awkwardly while holding onto the stone wall, and let it rip. Grunting as she hauled herself back up, she wiped herself with the skelly rags made sure she hadn't splattered on the boots. Last thing she wanted was to have that smell following her around.
Trotting back feeling much better, she met Lae'zels eye. The gith lifted her chin at her, before resuming her watch, mainly of Withers, who had taken up just standing there staring, near the edge of the camp, still as a statue. He had a lights on but no one's home look about him. She imagined that Jergal had other places to be, not just baby sitting this bunch of misfits, he'd currently vacated the building to check on his other business. She was tempted to walk up to him wave a hand right in his face, but thought she should get some rest, even if she couldn't sleep.
Laying down on her other side gave her the view of Astarion in his zen position, fingers curled to touch thumbs. His head full of curls was nearest to her. She could just reach out mess those curls up while he was zoning…. but she knew damned well at this stage he'd know it was her. His retribution could be … scary.
Curling her fingers into a fist to fight the urge, she forcefully closed her eyes. Maybe they'd have to end up tying her up to stop her from messing with everyone.
The next thing she knew was that she was being shaken gently awake.
"Belle, time to rise shine."
"…. just gimme a minnn…."
Gus turned from her to answer someone's question.
"She was never a morning person."
Pulling the backpack over her head didn't work. Everyone made too much noise, being so inconsiderate of her trying to sleep!
"Fuck" she snarled, yanking it finally off her head so she could crawl blearily into a cross legged sitting position. She was immediately presented with a mug of steaming black water that smelled somewhat of tea.
"No milk, unfortunately. Or sugar. But it'll wake you up." She snatched the mug, inhaling the steam, kicking at her brain to wake it up.
"What a wonderful morning! All that sunlight just streaming through the wall right there, makes one feel alive!" Astarion was stretching, grinning like a Cheshire cat. At her.
What an asshat.
"Then go enjoy it. Just don't go getting sunburned. You're awfully … pasty." She gave him a great big ol' smile right back.
"Speaking of pasty, those eyebags are quite prominent this morning. Did someone not get enough sleep?"
How dare he! She'd invested a lot of money over the years on her skin through her business!
"Quit it. No one's interested in you two bickering. Finish up, Belle, we've gotta move out." Gus wasn't having a bar of their morning greetings at each other.
She wanted to throw the dregs of her tea in Astarion's smarmy face. Eyebags, her arse!
They all waited on her, Gus helping to chivvy her along. Heading out, she turned her head to find Withers just drifting along behind them. Was that how it worked? He just followed them around like a balloon bobbing along behind them on a string? She dropped back to see if she could get anything out of the old god but wasn't going to hold her breath.
"What's up?" she greeted him. He turned his head to look down at her. It felt like actual weight settled on her at his gaze.
"Um, you know I know … everything, yeah? So, uh, I guess I'm after the how the why."
"Once thou learnst how to keep thine tongue to thyself, then mayest I speak freely."
Oh. Ouch.
"Not my fault my man. You know it's an actual, diagnosable condition back on Earth?"
"I'm aware. For now, find solace in reuniting with thine father."
"Okayyy, will do," she snapped off a salute at him, putting on some speed to get away from him. She wasn't sure if that was better or worse than she'd expected.
"What'd the mummy have to say?" Astarion whispered as she went to pass him, cutting his eyes back at Withers.
"Go ask him yourself" she shot him a bright smile, dropping it the minute she was past him.
"Fully awake, now?" Gus asked her as she caught up with him, a twinkle in his eye as he greeted her.
"No. Why hasn't someone come up with fast food chains here?"
"Missing the carbs already, huh?"
"Coffee. Sugar. Chocolate. Convenience."
"I know. It's a lot to get used to. They do have those things, the sugar whatnot. But not much outside the larger cities."
"Is there any improvement in construction, or innovation? Or is it stagnant?"
"Belle" he knew exactly where her mind was going. "You can't just come in become the next Richard Branson of Faerun."
"But the money, dad, the moneyyyyy! It'd be soooo easy, they have nothing!"
He hesitated. "Well, maybe if we get through this, we can think of something."
She grinned. Excellent.
"Don't you want to get back to Earth, though?"
"Well, I suppose, I do have responsibilities…."
"…. Is mum still …."
"Yeah. She's fine, dad. Remarried."
"…. oh….well….I suppose I was technically never coming back, so …."
"She still loves you. We both did. Do. God, this is confusing."
He smiled gently. "I love you both too. Always did."
She wasn't going to cry, so she changed the topic.
"Up ahead, there's a druid grove. They'll be goblins." She lowered her voice so it wouldn't carry. Fuck Withers, she could be discreet when needed.
"How many?"
He dropped his voice too.
"Dunno. Less than 10, I think. There's a worg & bugbear with them."
He nodded, halting the others. He explained how there could be trouble ahead, he'd seen some recent tracks. Then volunteered Astarion to head out with him to go scout out the sitch. The rouge whined about it, but followed, head down, looking like a cat with its ears flat tail swishing.
"So, Gale. Wizard. Waterdeep. What's the city like?"
"Oh, it's wonderful. A fantastic melting pot - " he subjected them all to a travellers guide version for the next 15 minutes.
Shadowheart feigned interest, but Belle saw when her eyes glazed over. Lae'zel, on the other hand, seemed genuinely interested, stopping Gale frequently to ask more questions. Hmmm, she briefly wondered if Gale could physically handle the gith if she sicked her on him.
Gus & Astarion appeared shortly after, reporting there was an ambush being organised that they needed to be ready for trouble. Belle was, once again, left out of the actual fighting, on dad's orders. That was it, she'd approach Lae'zel that night to start her ninja lessons.
He left her a good five minutes out of the way of the fighting. Said he'd send one of them to collect her when they were done. She gave him a stiff hug, conveying what she felt about it all.
She didn't have time to scratch herself when Shadowheart wandered back to get her.
"That was quick" she said, surprised.
"It was a skirmish, nothing more. No one got killed."
"No injuries?"
"Gale got hit in the leg with an arrow, but he's fine now."
Man, healing would be so handy!
Shadowheart didn't bother with small talk on the way back, answering any of Belle's questions as abruptly as she could.
The blood was everywhere, soaking into the ground while the bodies were being moved out of the way by some tieflings. Nice to see the druids giving two shits about their own front entrance. Sidestepping the liquid, they headed in under the gated bridge. The heavy stones above weighed in heavily above her, she consciously relaxed her shoulders, telling herself they weren't about to fall on top of her.
The sounds of men yelling at each other made Shadowheart run off. Belle kept her own pace, knowing what was going on. She didn't expect to see her dad in the middle of the two, however, fist in each of their shirts, telling them to calm the farm. It was kinda heroic to see it.
He tossed each of them apart, hands still held out to stop them again if necessary. She wanted to applaud.
She listened with half an ear as they got the save the tieflings quest. Gus, naturally, agreed to help them immediately, earning him Astarion's bitchy little comment of being merely messengers.
"Dad, can I have some money?" she asked him when he finished up.
He blinked, then snorted.
"I haven't heard that in years."
"Yeah, same reasons, too. I need clothes. And basic necessities. And food." She shrugged, sorry not sorry.
He was already digging into the pouch tied to the inside of his belt. He tossed it to her.
"Try to haggle. Don't just accept what they ask."
"Gotcha. Thanks. You'll wanna head down that way." She pointed down past the little halfling trader.
"Right. Meet back here in about two hours."
She waved, heading down toward the other area where she could get some food hopefully sanitary hygiene products from Ethel. She assumed that the hag sold soaps beauty products alongside her potions. She'd much prefer dealing with her anyway than the obnoxious halfling.
Shadowheart Gale followed Gus like little baby ducks, Lae'zel behind them, not so much following as carving her own path that happened to coincide with theirs.
Astarion was looking between the two paths, head swinging back forth. Belle hoped he'd follow Gus; she was still salty about the eyebag comment.
Dismissing him, she followed the path down around, soaking in the atmosphere. The closest she could compare it to would be an area set up in a theme park, like Diagon Alley. But she knew that if she pulled doors open here, there'd be more to find than just fibre glass sprayed on behind the doors, spoiling the illusion.
The smell of cooking stew wafted over to her, she drifted over like Withers to where the little old tiefling lady was stirring away in a big ass cauldron.
"Here you go lass, get that into you," she was greeted straight away with a bowl thrust at her. It smelled earthy, meaty, divine.
She burnt the top of her mouth on the first go but didn't blow on it too long before she was gobbling it up, also burning her tongue.
"That was fantastic, thank you so much. Do you require payment?"
"No lass, everyone who's hungry can have a portion. Just glad you liked it" she gave the warmest granny smile!
"Well now, isn't' that interesting! I haven't seen one of your sort for the longest time now!" the higher pitched voice of Ethel grabbed her attention as the hag addressed her. Belle stepped over to her.
"You know I'm a …. tourist?"
"Of course I do sweetie, your aura's all different. Unique. There's nothing else like it. The only thing spoiling it is that little bugger you got in your brain juices."
Ethel had pitched her voice low, but it still seemed shrill.
"I can take care of it for you, for a price."
"Nah, you can't." Belle leant forward into the sour sweat smell emanating from the woman. She tried mostly succeeded in not gagging.
"It's been touched by netherese magic." She whispered.
Ethel recoiled instantly, like she'd smelled shit on Belle's breath.
"Oh, oh no. No, no I can't do anything. However, you seem very informed for someone from a backward little mudball. No offense sweetums."
"None taken, I think."
"You know, I may not be able to help with that head problem, but, if you survive, you can always come back see me. I've helped a couple of your kind return before. For a price, of course."
Belle's little evil chipmunk brain took over. Her smile widened, showing all her teeth. She leant further into Ethels stink.
"How about I let you keep Mayrina's baby in exchange for your help getting me back to Earth?"