Eliza's POV
(Moments ago)
She was so dizzy…
She couldn't see straight…
How much blood has she lost?
What happened?
She can feel the tight hold of someone…
She can smell the top notes of citrus in bergamot and the sharpness of brandy, but soon mellowed to a floral rosemary…
She could hear the deep breathing and soft groans of a certain voice in front of her…
Her vision fades in and out as she sees the white glow of hair in the sun, and the shimmering red orbs…
The white of two sharp teeth that glimmered in the light.
It was Astarion…
He caught her when she lost her footing…
He was holding her… tightly…
His face was close to hers…
She could feel his intentions…
She must be driving him crazy…
What was she thinking?
She was losing so much blood and he was a vampire…
She was taunting him…
Driving him crazy…
He was afraid to reveal his true identity and she was making it difficult for him…
How could she be so inconsiderate?
He must have been struggling all this time…
She has been bleeding a lot…
Even when they first met…
She must have been making it excruciating to be around…
Why hasn't he bitten her yet?
He would feel better…
Was he afraid to tell her?
Did he not want to tell her?
…Did he hate her?...
She couldn't blame him…
She was insane…
Who would think about death at every moment of every day if they weren't crazy?
The thoughts haunt her even now…
Suddenly, she felt a surge of energy throughout her body…
It must have been a natural instinct that kicked in when her body got weak…
The red returned to her vision and the thoughts came in rapidly…
Blood… Blood… Blood…
She could feel the control slowly leave her body…
..n..no…
The craving of blood that her body was losing…
Her body was moving without her…
..no..
The desire to tear the flesh deeper and watch more blood flow from his arms…
Her hand grabbed his wounded arm…
…N-No…
The urge to tear his flesh from the bone and hear his beautiful voice when he screams…
Her hand tried to grip tighter…
NO!
The determination of her heart was able to stop the powerful urge….
She fought desperately to gain control…
She didn't want this…
She only ever wanted to give him a kind touch…
To feel his embrace in a gentle hold not a deathly grip…
To show him the tender love he deserves…
…
Is that what this was?
This feeling she felt for him…
Was it the emotion she felt she was never worthy of?
Was this… Love?...
She didn't know what love felt like, so how could she compare?
She only knew she felt deeply for him…
deeper than the rest…
But how could she say she loved him if she had these horrible thoughts?
How could she say it after everything she was doing to him?
To them…
She was trying to destroy a goblin camp that could possibly get them all killed.
It was a selfish decision to make without at least telling them…
She was asking them to risk their lives for her…
For her choices…
Just to prove she was good…
If she treasured them so much, how could she ask this of them?…
Without even asking them!
She was a terrible leader…
How could she do that to them?!
To him…
If she loved him… or cared for them at all…
She wouldn't do this to them…
She wouldn't put their lives in danger…
She wouldn't be thinking of hurting him…
How could she say this is love when she thought so clearly of his death?
Why would she hurt the one she loved?...
If she loved him…
She would let him go… right now!
So… Why can't she?!
She needed to push him away from her but it already took everything she had to keep her hand from digging her claws into his flesh…
The darkness was aiming to seize full control while her body was in its fragile state.
While her heart and mind were trying to gain dominance once more…
He needed to get away from her…
She was dangerous…
He was going to die because of her…
He needed to get away…
To stay away…
She didn't want to hurt him!
She would rather him hurt her...
If it came down to it she hoped he would just let her die, or drain the rest of the blood from her…
At least then he would be finally safe…
from her…
But he wasn't doing anything, he was just holding her and staring at her with a shocked expression.
His fangs were still gleaming in the open, but he wouldn't move.
At this rate she would hurt him before she lost consciousness and do something far worse before her death…
Her will was strong enough to use her voice to try and get him to understand…
Barley…
She could feel the sadness escape her as it rolled down her cheeks…
She couldn't tell him everything so she only said what she needed to…
Even still, he only stared at her.
He looks at her as if he was seeing her for the first time…
As if he understood why she said it…
However…
Someone else misinterpreted it…
The wizard came and pulled her away without hesitation.
Her body shook violently as she forced herself to release her hold on the pale elf's wounded arm.
She fought with herself to keep from turning her energy to someone else…
She didn't want to hurt any living soul…
Especially her friends… or her love…
She used that as her motivation to gain control.
Once she was able to get her full feeling back in her body and submerge the bloodthirsty thoughts for a moment, she used her arms to shove away from Gale's hold.
She needed distance…
She needed to put it between her and them…
So, she said what she needed to and used whatever strength she had left to get farther away from them.
She grabbed the healing potion given to her by Auntie Ethel out of her bag…
It was best to use it now, even if there are side effects.
It's better than passing out and waking up over the corpses of her friends…
Over his corpse…
The thought felt heavy over her heart…
So she drowned it with a few gulps of the potion, leaving half a bottle full.
Within an instant she felt immensely better.
She could feel her body and mind in full control…
Only the traces of dark thoughts and the twisting pains in her gut and brain is all that is left…
If it came down to this or the death of these people…
She would rather feel this over anything else…
She found herself approaching the child after she heard his soft sobs…
He was crouched down behind a rock with his hands over his ears.
She could see the fear on his face and the shivering of his body.
He noticed her presence only to whimper out.
Mirkon: "A-Are they gone?"
The fear turned into sadness as tears started to fill his eyes. He began to cry to himself from the thought of what could have been…
Without hesitation, she knelt down to the child as a soft tune came to her, and she hummed it to him as she patted him gently on the head.
She only allowed her touch to be gentle, if she had any gruesome thoughts she told herself to pull away.
The tune that came from her brought her peace when she was frightened or lonely…
She knew this melody was important to her but didn't know how, when, or why…
A tune that seemed to work even for the boy as he looked up at her. He then asked her with both caution and curiosity…
Mirkon: "W-Who are you?"
She then gave another gentle pat on his head as she said calmly.
Eliza: "I'm Eliza the bard, slayer of monsters, teller of tales, and savior of you. At your service - the pleasure is mine, dear one."
The kid's eyes widened as he looked up at her in awe before he began to panic.
Mirkon: "Wauw… I'm Mirkon, I - oh no. I-I had to get the gold from the nest. Mol will be so mad. I got to go."
The kid gets up and pulls away from her touch to rush off, only to stop for a moment to tell her one last thing.
Mirkon: "Wait, ummm… You should meet Mol. She'll be grateful you helped me. Find a boy called Doni."
The boy then whispers to her quietly.
Mirkon: "Tell him you want to see the 'Dragon's Lair'."
The child then runs off with a smile as she is left with her thoughts alone…
She wore a proud smile for her good deed in saving the child.
Only to surge back into the pit of despair that she somehow put herself in…
Love…
How could she not realize it sooner?
Was it because she had nothing to relate it to?
Was it because she didn't know how to love or how to be loved?
What was it like…. to be loved?
She couldn't even remember…
Was she loved?
When she met Arabella's parents and saw their devotion to their daughter…
She wondered if her parents were ever like that…
She couldn't remember her parent's faces or what they were like…
All she knew was her dad took her hunting and her mom made her take sword classes…
Were they the reason she was so comfortable with death and the use of a blade?
Did they make her a weapon?
Did they raise a daughter… or a monster?
But that still doesn't explain why she hated the idea of it…
How did she have a kind heart?
Who raised her to care?
Was this person that wanted to save people her personality or the person her parents raised?
Why did she want to help people and kill them at the same time?
Why is she tormented by this darkness?
Where did it come from?
Why would anyone be created to destroy everything they could ever learn to love?
What kind of life is that for someone?
Why was she born?
Why was she here?
Why live if she can't experience the purest joys in life?
Why be alive if everything that brings her joy will die by her hands?
She stares down at his blood on her hands with deep sorrow as her mind continues deeper into her guilt and suffering.
Why have a heart that wants to do good…
If her darkness rips it away?
What was her purpose?
…Why did she exist?...
…
…Should she?...
…
Was the world better off with or without someone like her?
…
Instead of her mind going into a deeper hole she tried to focus on other things.
She began to feel the stickiness of her blood making her clothes cling to her skin.
She looked past her bloody hands, up her arms, and looked herself over to see the red covering her legs.
She could feel the blood in her hair from her previous head injury…
Was she always covered in her blood?
She must make Astarion's life a living hell…
She looked to the water and saw how inviting the crystal blue ripples looked…
No better time to bathe than now…
She stepped into the water and got lost in its cool comfort.
Something about the water brought serenity to her troubled mind.
As if washing off the blood could wash away her pain and suffering…
She imagined the blood as her sins…
The waters her holy blessing…
The warmth of the sky as her calming embrace of the gods watching over her…
She wasn't religious, and wasn't sure if there were any gods watching over her…
But she made a silent prayer in those waters…
She left it floating in the blue, hoping that someday it would be answered…
She wished to be free…
Free to love…
Without the dark urge of death looming inside her…
As she left the beautiful blue with her heart fresh, her mind and body clean.
She hoped to change things…
For the better…
And if she couldn't…
She hoped that she wouldn't have to live with the pain of losing her first love by her own hands…
...If it is love…
She hoped to do him a favor and die before that could happen…
She would rather die first…
She felt as if eyes were on her…
Like she was being watched most of her time in the water…
She could take a guess at who was judging her now…
Bathing with her clothes on…
Eliza planned to take a proper bath later…
But she was afraid to look at him…
She didn't want to confirm it…
She was terrified of the truth…
She didn't want to know…
If she did, that would make it harder for her to be near him…
Doomed to love someone who will never be safe in her arms…
Tortured by the thoughts of never knowing what a gentle touch from him would be like…
Or if she could ever return it without digging her claws into his flesh…
Left alone with the agonizing feeling of never telling him how she truly feels…
If she burdens him with her feelings he might feel obligated or just tag along for the ride only to get hurt in the end…
Or worse…
He probably won't believe her if she told him what she truly felt…
How she thought he was the most beautiful being she has ever seen…
How she would cherish every hour that passed just staring into his glamorous ruby eyes...
How his hair gorgeously glowed brighter than the moon on a cloudy night…
How he wasn't just beautiful on the outside...
How she felt safer with him than she ever felt with anyone…
How nothing made sense on her purpose or the reason for her existence when she first woke up…
Until the day she saw him…
The moment he was standing in front of her…
It was like she was living a dream…
A dream she never wanted to wake up from…
And everyday…
She wakes up… and he is still there…
She couldn't even begin to describe how amazing it felt to just wake up…
Just to see his sleeping face or waking one…
Just be able to tell him anything she wanted to and listen to whatever he wanted to say…
Just the fact that she could breathe him in, feel the warmth of his breath, touch the fabric of his clothes, or know how soft the traces of his pale skin is…
Just to know what it's like to be held by him is pure ecstasy…
Everything about him is memorizing…
He was someone she never wanted to live without…
The one thing she prayed she would never forget…
And it's almost like she didn't…
She knew more about him than she knew herself…
It sounds creepy the more she thinks about it…
Was she creepy?
…
Instead of going into another spiral…
She decided it was best to focus on other things…
She gathered them together, and tried to avoid looking in his general direction as she led them forward.
She took them around the beach to loot a chest and find the harpy nest.
Astarion's POV
The bard called for them to continue.
She avoided looking at him completely…
It was like he was invisible again…
He tried to not let it bother him…
But it was easier thought than done, he couldn't help but to be upset by it…
What got into her?
Why won't she look at him?
He was left wondering if she was suspicious of him…
Was she conscious when he 'attempted' to bite her?
Did she see his bloodlust and fangs?
Was she scared of him?
When she looked anywhere else, he could see the pain in her gaze, not fear…
Was she upset?
Was something wrong?
Wait…
Why did he care?
She didn't have to be happy with him…
As long as she didn't mistrust him…
So, all he has to do is make sure she still trusts him…
It's best not to scare his prey before the kill...
He tried to focus on better things…
Instead of focusing on the bard, as always…
She took them around the beach and found a chest with a decent amount of gold…
Finally…
Something good came out of hero work...
They then went around the path, hopped between rocks, and climbed a couple ledges to find the harpies nest.
He jumped up with her; it wasn't low enough for the wizard, but the gith had no trouble.
There were a few valuables.
When the bard got her hands on a ring she held her hand out in his direction.
She didn't even bother looking up as she waited with her palm open…
He hesitated at first, but then took the ring without a word…
Perhaps, she wasn't upset…
She was just going through something she couldn't handle…
Maybe she was still trying to make sure he was safe…
He took a good look at it to see it was an uncommon ring…
With a purple shimmering gem that glows with all kinds of colors in the light.
It had a special ability to blind enemies…
This could come in handy…
It might just be a ring…
But he somehow treasured this small gift…
He wasn't used to being given things that are useful…
or this nice…
Not without giving something for it…
…What did he do to earn this?...
He couldn't recall when he did anything to deserve something this nice, but he didn't complain as he slid it on his middle finger…
The only one it fit on nicely...
It looked great on him, the color complimenting the complexion of his skin perfectly.
It was one of the colors she said she thought looked best on him…
…She was still looking out for him…
…
…He loved it…
…
He couldn't hide the smile that found its way on his lips…
He brought himself out of his little daydream as the bard hoped down from the nest…
He felt eyes on him…
He looked over to see the gith with her arms crossed, she stared at him with a mean but curious glare.
How long was she staring at him?
What did she see?!
She looked like she had something to say, but kept it to herself.
He wanted her to say anything, but the warrior didn't say a word...
It drove him insane to watch the gith jump out of the nest with silence.
He was left alone with a small moment of panic. Giving himself a good wake-up slap across the cheek, not too hard, but hard enough...
The githyanki didn't think he was happy over the damn ring... Did she?
Because he wasn't!
Not that happy…
Maybe a little…
but that frogface better not go thinking there's anything special about it…
It's just a silly ring…
Nothing special at all…
After a few calming breaths, he pulls himself together as he hops down from the nest and catches up with them as she leads them off the beach.
He tried to think of anything else, to clear his mind, and not worry over such little things…
But he couldn't find anything else to think about…
Not the trees, the sky, the path, or the people in the grove as they passed by….
He found himself wondering about the bard's behavior and her other two companions that are suspicious of him for their own reasons…
But then gets distracted as the half-tiefling approaches the man with the funny hat…
The sound of his voice made him immediately regret this entire interaction…
But somehow, she made it better…
Eliza's POV
Volo: "Ah, my good friend. You were at the gates just before, no? When the goblins came? You saw them up close? A few questions, if you please. There is no overstating my interest."
She wasn't exactly eager to talk right now but it was better than getting trapped in her head about things out of her control…
Eliza: "Alright - go ahead."
The man smiles with his reply and pulls out his book and quill.
Volo: "Glory! Now, then: How would you describe that particular batch of goblins? Size? Nature? Distinguishing qualities?"
Considering she didn't know much about goblins, she still knew these goblins were different from normal ones. She knew this man could care less about the truth so she said something off the top of her head.
Eliza: "They were a rare gem colored hue and wielded magic blowguns…"
The man stares at her wide-eyed before he laughs and scribbles in his book. She could hear the gith grumble in distaste as the man spoke.
Volo: "My! A scholar after my own heart. Spent much time among goblins?"
Eliza: "Not particularly. I haven't really spent much time anywhere in a place like this that I can recall. The only experience I had with them was at the gate, I hadn't read about them either."
Volo: "Aha! I've always preferred experience to the second-hand accounts of lesser men. Good for you! Now I've a few more questions if you don't mind. And the… dragon they had marching in the rear. Was it of the brass or silver variety?"
She didn't hold back her smile as she stated with excitement.
Eliza: "Neither! It was a gold dragon, scales glittering like the sun and its golden wings gleaming as it flew over the battlefield."
The man smiles widely as he writes in his book ecstatically.
Volo: "A gold dragon! How marvelous. Thank heaven you were here to specify, or I might have recorded a boldfaced lie! Last question, then you'll be quite free. Did the attackers rally to 'the Absolute' when they fell upon the gates?"
She answered truthfully this time. She didn't feel the need to sugarcoat anything.
Eliza: "Yes - they called the name like a war cry…"
He finished the last of his writing as he put the book away before he spoke.
Volo: "They did, didn't they? Oh-ho, curious. Curious indeed. I've interrogated one - a captive in this very camp. She reports they've abandoned their god Maglubiyet in favor of someone called 'The Absolute'. The scandal!"
She could imagine if she were a god, she wouldn't be too happy to lose a bunch of devoted followers to something far worse…
Eliza: "I'll bet Maglubiyet hasn't responded well."
Volo: "Oh, I'd imagine him quite displeased. Since their change in alliance, these goblins are informed by a kind of strategy anathema to their kind. I, for one, intend to get to the bottom of it. I'm just preparing to head to their camp as we speak. In fact… if you'll excuse me, I ought not to dawdle.
She decided to try to warn him before he goes.
Eliza: "Do be careful. One thing I do know about goblins, they aren't known for mercy."
He spoke confidently and then in a whisper before he bid her a farewell.
Volo: "Never you mind. Who needs mercy when you have a quick tongue? (And an invisibility potion stashed in your back pocket.) Until we meet again!"
She let him go as she made her way back up the steps…
Her eyes landed on the family of tieflings, and she decided to pay them a visit.
Astarion's POV
He actually enjoyed that little interrogation. It was quite entertaining…
He enjoyed her little changes...
The bard then walked up to the parents of the little thief from before…
Komira: "You ever scare me like that again, and I'll feed you to a gnoll."
Arabella: "Mum, I'm fine. Stop it."
Locke: "Our little hellion told us what happened. Thank you - don't know what we'd do without her…"
He looks to her in surprise to see a sad expression on her face instead of a happy one.
He couldn't help but be concerned about it at first. Not for long, however.
When others noticed, she put on a smile to hide how she really felt…
She then looked at the girl as she spoke plainly.
Eliza: "She'll stay out of trouble - Right, Arabella?"
The girl is quick to respond, but then changes her face to a smile as she expresses her gratitude to the bard.
Arabella: "Yeah. I mean. Thank you. For helping me."
Before the half-tiefling could leave the mother stops her for a moment as she says-
Komira: "Because of you, I got my little girl back. That's not something I'll forget."
The tiefling takes the locket off her neck and hands it to the bard.
Eliza looks at it with a smile as she puts it on.
She gives them a bow in her gratitude and turns away to lead them forward up the path.
Heading up the steps, and making her way through the grove.
He then hears a grown man shout as a tiefling child makes a run for it, then climbs up a ladder.
???: "Don't make me hurt you, boy"
???: "Too late. Looking at you is painful enough!"
She climbs up the ladder after them, and he hears their argument continue as they get to the top.
???: "Give it back, kid."
??? "I already told you I don't have it. How stupid are you?"
She approached them as the grown man and the tiefling child continued like they weren't even there.
Barth: "Only going to ask you one more time, boy. Hand over my locket."
Meli: "I don't have your ugly locket. I've never even seen it before!"
Barth: "Hand it over or I'll slap the teeth out of your head."
The evidence to him was clear the child took it, Astarion knew the child was guilty immediately.
But did she know?...
The bard looked ready to kill as she spoke sternly before she turned her words softer for the child.
She was both spicy and sweet….
Eliza: "Don't you dare lay a finger on that child… I'm sure there is a better way to approach this… Hey kid - did you take the locket?"
The teifling child looks up to her with a puzzled look at first, only to turn sour as he speaks to her and then taunts the man.
Meli: "I said I don't have it. Maybe he dropped it running away from those big, scary goblins."
Barth: "You little split-tongued freak!"
The man only got more angry as he spoke enraged and even raised his fist at the child.
The child only smiles in confidence…
Astarion was eager to see this play out…
But then the half-tiefling was ready with her words before anything more could happen…
She snapped at the human that made him put down his fist then spoke sweetly to the child…
Eliza: "Put your hand down or I'll cut it off!... Now… Come on, kid… Why did you take it?"
Astarion enjoyed spicy Eliza…
She is both threatening and arousing…
And her sweet is comforting and adorable…
How is that possible?...
She is so desirable right now it is almost painful to deny it….
His body ached to hold her again…
What was happening to him?...
The tiefling boy only got defensive…
Meli: "What kind of question is that? Why does anyone steal anything?"
They stare silently between each other for a moment, until the kid finally caves from the bard's tender gaze…
Meli: "Fine. I have the stupid amulet. Take it."
The bard was quick to ask.
Eliza: "I would like an answer - why did you steal the locket?"
The man gives his response insensitively…
Barth: "To impress a girl, most like."
The kid only shouts angrily…
Meli: "It looked like my mother's, all right? Just take the damn thing and leave me alone!"
The child holds up the locket with a sad look on his face…
The man stares down at the child with a different look than before…
Instead of anger, there was pity…
He looked at the bard that smiled as the human said-
Barth: "Keep it, kid. You need it more than me."
The child looks down at the locket then back at the man. With a smile, the little tiefling makes a run for it before the human could change his mind.
He then looks to Eliza as he says empathetically…
Barth: "Poor Kid…"
Before the man leaves he stops and gives the bard his thanks.
Barth: "Hey. Thanks for stepping in between me and the kid."
The bard smiles wider in response as he continues.
Barth: "My mum gave me that amulet. But I think she'd be happy knowing the kid has it now. Yeah. I know she would."
She doesn't say a word as she makes her way down the ramp.
Astarion can't help but watch her form as she walks…
The way her body swayed as she stepped downward…
She was so alluring all of a sudden…
From the way she has been acting, it's made it worse…
He wondered when she would notice his stare from how long he has been watching her lately…
But even still she didn't pay him any attention or look in his direction…
What was going on?
She hasn't made eye contact with him for a while…
She even looks back to check on them, but when he is about to get in her view, she turns back around.
It drove him mad…
He wanted her to look at him…
He wanted to grab her, shake her, and make her see him…
He shouldn't miss it, but he longed for her gentle gaze…
He missed her red cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes when she looked at him…
He wanted at least a glance…
Maybe even a peek…
At least to pretend she cares a little…
If she did care...
But she never did…
And it made him angry…
He decided to distract himself…
He looked to the warrior as they left from the gate. The only topic he could think to ask her, given that she was more knowledgeable about it than he was.
Astarion: "So, you know about these parasites. Will we survive them?"
The warrior scoffs before her response, not even sparing him a glance as they walked.
Lae'zel: "Only if my people extract them. The only other cure is the blade."
Astarion: "Okay. Wonderful."
Great... lovely conversation...
He knew he couldn't get anything else out of her.
So he was forced to entertain himself with...
Ugh… Gale…
Astarion: "I am enjoying our walks together, aren't you, Gale?"
Gale: "Uhm... Sure. In silence."
Immediately rejected…
He didn't know whether he was blessed or cursed by it really…
As the anger came back to haunt him on their stroll to wherever they were going.
Eliza's POV
She felt like there was nothing else left to do for the grove.
Everyone was calm... for now.
The bard was comfortable enough with leaving them for a while until she returned.
She was good to leave and start her search for something important.
Eliza wondered if Wyll made it to camp alright as she led them to the gate to leave the grove.
A part of her couldn't help but wonder if she was forgetting something too…
Only for the small talk to distract her previous thoughts as they walked.
Shadowheart's POV
The cleric sits at her tent in deep meditation.
Deep in her thoughts and concentration…
She wondered if the bard had found a healer yet…
She tried not to think about it but every time she felt a little twitch or wiggle in her head it made her think about it more…
Will she change before she completes her mission?
By the time it will take to get to Baldur's Gate they could be an illithid by then.
They haven't shown signs yet, but that didn't mean it wasn't still there…
The threat was still a possibility…
One that she couldn't afford to happen…
Thinking about the mission made her get curious about the strange artifact she was sworn to guard.
She then begins to dig around her things for it…
Only to find that it's not there…
She checked through the rest of her tent and didn't find a trace of it…
She then began to panic as she dug through the entire camp even searching through the other tents…
It was nowhere to be found.
Where did it go?!
It can't just disappear... can it?!
Before she could think any more about it she heard footsteps approaching the camp.
She looked up to see a man hauling a large bag of things on his back.
She was ready to attack until she looked him over and saw the rapier strapped to his hip.
The bard mentioned him the day prior…
Did she know him?
How did she know that he would be here?
Instead of questioning her leader's judgment she decided to make her own as she walked up to the man.
She then interrogated him after they introduced themselves while he began to unpack his things and set up his tent.
Eliza's POV
She marched up the hill to hear voices up ahead as they were filled with worry and panic.
Brynna: "You're a True Soul. You can't die. Please stay with us."
Andrick: "I don't think he's conscious. Can you hear us, Ed?"
As Eliza approached them they became weary of her presence.
Brynna: "You! Not a step closer."
Eliza pauses as a strange symbol glows on her face, and something inside of her stirs in response.
She gripped onto that power instinctively, she didn't trust these people despite their harmless appearance…
She went with her gut as she spoke with authority and her newly equipped power…
Eliza: "I go where I please…"
The woman's attitude changed immediately as she spoke with a sad expression and a voice full of dread…
Brynna: "I'm so, so sorry. It's our brother… True Soul Edowin. He's injured, and I… I wasn't thinking."
Eliza's mind then lurches, reeling suddenly as if…
bitten…
The injured man locks eyes with her, the parasite writhes in her head as she knelt down on her knee to meet him on the ground.
She held the stare as their minds intertwined.
She sees his siblings - Andrick and Brynna.
They were new recruits, hers to shepherd.
He could see inside her head too, she could feel him digging around only to smile as he uncovered how she envisioned her memories.
Despite her doubt…
He was confident that she was worthy of their guidance…
She heard his voice within her head.
Edowin: 'Protect them…'
His voice then speaks his last words out loud…
Edowin: "Mind the True Soul. She will - she - she…."
The life left his eyes as he breathed his last breath.
Her eyes watch every moment of his death without batting an eye…
The man called Andrick got to his knees as he pleads out his brother's name.
The woman called Brynna spoke plain and true…
Brynna: "He is with the Absolute now…"
She knew these people were trouble…
The bard apologized silently to the dead soul...
She didn't promise anything... They can't be helped...
Tha Absolute were involved with the goblins…
Eliza didn't act any differently as the brother spoke next.
Andrick: "A True Soul. Thank the Absolute. Edowin, our brother - he was chosen. Like you."
For some reason, being called that name sent a burning chill down her spine…
It gave her a terrible feeling…
She heard it before…
True Soul…
The sister snapped Eliza back into reality as she states -
Brynna: "Do you have orders for us? We were reporting to Edowin."
Instead of chasing them off she decided to ask them questions that she wanted answers to.
Eliza: "True Soul?"
They look at her curiously as the man hesitates to respond and the lady answers.
Andrick: "What? Are you… are you testing us?"
Brynna: "A True Soul - like you - has been chosen by the Absolute. You speak with Her voice. Your words are Her command. She grants you the power to enforce Her will. And when the time comes, the True Souls - you - will rule."
Her eyes widened at the thought…
Her dark side relished in the idea, even would go as far as encouraging it…
But her heart was clear…
The Absolute was dangerous…
She couldn't be a part of it…
If her darkness got ahold of that power…
It would be the end of everything good…
She knew she needed to stay far away from it and do everything in her power to stop them…
So she asked them one question with her intentions to be rid of them for good.
Eliza: "What happened to your brother?"
Andrick: "We were looking for fugitives. Survivors from that ship that crashed farther west of here."
Her eyes widened the statement…
She was the fugitive. She and her companions all were.
They were in danger if they reveal their identity.
So she remained calm as the brother continues.
Andrick: "But instead of them, Edowin found an owlbear. An angry one. We managed to drag him away, but the beasts claws had already done their work. I told Edowin not to look in that cave - it was filthy with owlbear tracks."
She didn't want to be troubled by them, so instead of telling the truth she told them what she needed to get rid of them.
Eliza: "You should go after the beast and avenge your brother."
The man shouts in shock but the sister seems to approve.
Andrick: "What?!"
Brynna: "It killed one of us. It killed Edowin. It's an enemy of the Absolute. You're right, madam. The beast must be destroyed."
Andrick: "The cave is just ahead. It was too much for us before, but… but if you could help us, True Soul… We may stand a chance."
They both turn and make their way down the path, forgetting the body of their dead brother entirely…
She eyes the body as her little friend wiggles in excitement when she steps closer to it…
A strange power resonates within the corpse as it calls to her…
Astarion's POV
Did she really just tell them to go kill themselves and got away with it?...
… My - My… how delicious…
He couldn't be more proud…
Looks like the tadpole in their heads have a fair share of useful uses.
The power of authority to bend others to his will…
The chance to rule…
Perhaps this tadpole was a good thing…
Besides the impending doom of turning into one of those hidious creatures…
If he learns its secrets and discovers how to use it to his advantage without that scary outcome…
It might just give him the upper hand he needs to shake off his shackles and walk in the sun for good.
As a free vampire!
Funny how he became a fugitive for just being at the wrong place, wrong time…
Or maybe he was at the right time and place…
Otherwise he wouldn't be here…
With a strange wonder like her…
He watched as she stepped closer to the corpse…
He could feel a slight twinge in his skull as the worm wiggled in his head.
Something got it excited…
Suddenly, the body rose off the ground as the bard lifted her hand.
A force was driving her to move.
He could somehow feel her struggle…
She wanted to stop but something wouldn't let her…
Then the neck of the body snapped…
The tadpole then slithers out of its eye, floats over to her, and lands delicately in her hand as the body hits the ground with a great thud…
The words left him thoughtlessly, it leaves him as if it were only spoken in his head since it wasn't acknowledged.
Astarion: "Slithering away the moment its host is dead. Not that I expected loyalty from a worm."
She then put the tadpole in a jar and finally in her bag…
Despite the disturbing display…
He was incredibly intrigued…
These things have interesting abilities…
The connection between other hosts was incredible…
A form of telepathy and a connection between others with the same affliction.
He almost felt what Eliza felt…
For a split second…
He could feel her rage…
Only for it to disappear…
He wondered what other emotions he could pick up if he learned how to tune in without her noticing…
How else would he be able to know what she's thinking or feeling if she won't even face him…
He recalled the first time he felt her in his head…
He could feel her peeking around in his memories unintentionally but not enough to know the full details…
But when he peeked in her head…
It was blank…
He couldn't see anything…
He could only see her most recent memories from on the ship but nothing prior.
She really didn't have anything to base herself off of…
No family or home…
No idea who she is or where she came from…
Her only knowledge of her identity is her name, clothes, and whatever she had on her when she awoke on the nautiloid…
He could feel it when they first met…
Her memories on the ship made her feel lonely and full of despair…
Only for her emotions to change to something else the moment she saw his face…
He didn't know how to describe it but he remembered what it felt like for him…
It was warm…
He felt lighter than air…
Only for the emotion to slip away once their minds were disconnected..
He wondered if he'd feel it again…
If he tried to take a look into her mind, would he like what he sees?
Would he like what he feels when she thinks about him?
He found himself back to reality as they made their way down the path…
Before they crossed the bridge the bard stopped dead in her tracks…
Only for it to feel like his dead heart stopped beating once again as the bard locked her eyes on a certain corpse that he remembered in detail…
The body of a boar that he drained dry the night before was lying on the path…
He was slowly regretting his decisions for leaving it out in the open…
He should have thrown it over the bridge, hid it in the bushes, or buried it out of sight…
But, because he didn't…
Now he had to try and pretend like he didn't know what happened to the beast as she began to question…
Eliza: "Strange… It looks healthy, but it's stone dead."
He was quick to respond, and he was also quick to get her to leave it alone…
Astarion: "Who cares about some pig? It's dead - let's go."
She doesn't say a word or look behind her at all…
She just stares at the boar in silence…
It made him anxious. So he was quick to speak once again but calm enough to not raise suspension.
Astarion: "The pig's dead, my friend. Staring at it won't bring it back. Come on. We'll never fix these brainworms if we stop and gawk at every piece of carrion you find."
She ignores him once again.
This time, she knelt down, gave a closer look to the body and examined it…
He followed her gaze to see her staring at the two puncture wounds on its neck…
He couldn't help but fidget in place as she remained in silence.
Finally, he had enough as he tried to ease her away from it…
Astarion: "And? Is it dead enough for you?"
She gets back to her feet, and turns her body to face him but her eyes never leave the boar as she states quietly…
Eliza: "These marks on its neck… "
Her eyes finally look into his…
He felt his chest tighten and his breath hoult still as she asked him with a blank expression …
Eliza: "Do you recognize them?"
Eliza's POV
(Moments ago)
She tried to not let things bother her, despite the sudden loss of control she felt. She probably wouldn't have collected the tadpole at all if the worm didn't intervene…
She decided it was for the best as she moved on…
She tried to focus on what was ahead until a dead boar came up on the path…
A familiar boar... She knew it from the day she met Astarion…
Except this time, it was dead…
She knew what happened to it…
And the one that seemed the most concerned about her curiosity in the dead creature was the culprit himself…
She couldn't take it anymore…
She couldn't even pretend she didn't care…
She hated every second of pretending like she did…
She missed his face…
She ached for his touch…
She longed for his mean banter or cheerful delight for the darker side of things…
She could no longer deny that she loved anything and everything about him…
From the first moment he spoke, it sent shivers and chills throughout her body…
He was her world and she couldn't ignore that fact…
She knew his secret, but that didn't matter to her…
He was still the most incredible thing to ever fall into her life…
She couldn't ignore even the most delightful thoughts of him, until they were flooded with darker images…
But the more she pictured him in her hold and imagined the taste of his lips…
She knew…
As much as she wanted to deny it…
She couldn't…
The bard can deny her dark fantasies, but she could never deny herself of his vision...
Her eyes met with his as she spoke…
His eyes widened then his expression grew tense and worried, but he tried to keep a calm demeanor as he spoke cautiously…
Astarion: "I - It's been drained of blood with wounds on its neck. It's been killed by a vampire. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to worry you. They are ferocious creatures…"
His eyes turn cold for a moment…
She interrupted his thoughts momentarily with a whisper to speak her truth only to surprise him when he heard it…
Eliza: "Or misunderstood."
His eyes stare into hers with a glimmer of a shock…
Only for his usual charms to kick back in as he attempted to calm her mind…
When she wasn't even worried…
Astarion: "But don't worry, I'll keep watch tonight. We won't have to worry about nocturnal visitors. Now - let's go."
He pointed for her to move on and so she did…
But her brain didn't move on…
It kept swirling with thoughts of what she couldn't forget…
She knew the truth despite his need to hide it.
She didn't fear him in the slightest…
As much as he probably wouldn't believe it, it's one of her favorite qualities about him…
She was happy that he got his chance to walk in the sun after so long in the dark.
It's like a vacation…
A scary one with the threats of death looming inside their heads at every waking moment, but that's everyday life at its finest anyway…
The threat of death is always at the door, no one ever really knowing when it will come knocking…
But at least he has more to look forward to and so much more to experience until that day comes…
And she prayed that it never will…
That he will live a long, fulfilling life…
That he will be free to choose for himself and live the life he truly deserves…
That's what she wished for him…
For her love…
All she wanted was for Astarion to be happy…
Even if she couldn't be his…
That very thought seemed to darken her mood as she went.
She led them onward, went with her gut, and took a left after the bridge.
They went down the path until she heard voices.
She could see out of three silhouettes, one of them was familiar as the voices carried out to her ears.
Auntie Ethel: "You're both this close to getting a slap."
???: "Enough. We know you have her.
She steps closer to them as the bantering continues.
Auntie Ethel: "Lads, for the love of all that is holy. I've never clapped eyes with your poor sister."
Johl: "Drop the act, hag. You was the last to see Mayrina."
Demir: "Just let her go. Please."
The old woman's eyes landed on the bard as she approached.
The lady was quick to ask for aid.
Auntie Ethel: "Thank goodness you're here, sweetie. I-I don't know what's come over these boys."
Demir: "Stop this! We… We won't ask again."
She didn't know what was going on but she didn't like how they were hounding the old woman that was kind enough to help her…
Eliza: "How about we all calm down a bit. What's going on?"
Johl: "Careful! Don't trust a word out of her mouth. Our sister went to the hag, and we ain't seen her since."
Eliza didn't catch anything out of the ordinary, the woman seemed genuine and so did they. The old woman spoke sweetly and sounded like someone she used to know.
Auntie Ethel: "Hand over heart, I don't know their sister. I will gladly help you all look for her, though."
Johl: "Enough. Where is she?"
Even though she wanted to trust that the old lady was innocent…
She couldn't help but feel like there was something not quite right…
So it led her to ask…
Eliza: "Are you sure you don't know where their sister is?
Auntie Ethel: "Bollocks. You were supposed to rush to my defense, love. Fat lot of good you are."
Her eyes widened at her sudden anger… as if the woman had something to hide…
The old lady continued with her same fire and ice.
Auntie Ethel: "Some advice? You ever darken my door, you'd best have that head bowed and an apology at the ready. Bye-Bye now!"
And with that the woman disappeared in a green puff of smoke.
It wasn't invisibility, it was like teliportation…
Was that possible? What kind of level magic was that?
Eliza: 'Can I learn to teleport?... No - Focus!'
That old woman wasn't an average old Lady, she definitely had more capabilities than she showed.
Who knows what else she refused to show…
The men seemed just as shocked to see her disappearance.
Demir: "Bloody hells, she just disappeared. Ain't seen nothing like it before.
Johl: "She could shoot fireworks out of her backside for all I care, the hag has Rina."
She could have just walked away and let them do whatever they wanted.
But she couldn't help but let her curiosity get the better of her…
This woman was the most mysterious thing so far. She was the only one that seemed to be left out of Eliza's glimpses into the future. But no matter what - her entire being is aching for her to be someone she clearly isn't...
The lovely woman in her thoughts still remain a mystery.
So, the bard needed to know...
She brought herself to ask-
Eliza: "Okay… what's going on?..."
Astarion's POV
He knew it…
Something about that entire interaction was off…
That old lady was definitely hiding something…
The men described their situation of their sister and her dead husband…
Talk of bringing the man back from the dead and that hags were dangerous.
Blah-Blah-Blah…
Thankfully she said something that made sense for once.
Eliza: "I would help, but I have enough problems as it is. Besides, I have something else more important to do."
Johl: "And we've no need for a mouthy bastard. Come on, Demir. We'll make our own way."
They leave with haste as they head into the woodland area.
The Half-tiefling leads them the same way, but heads in the opposite direction as the other two went their own quest.
Only to stop for a moment as she looked around her…
The look on her face said she was thinking…
Getting the same feeling he was getting…
The bright green in the trees, the blue in the sky, and the flowers in the fields…
This entire area was beautiful…
Almost perfect…
Too perfect…
He had this awful chill run up his spine…
Like he was being watched…
He then heard the bard's delicate voice as she says-
Eliza: "Something isn't right…"
The wizard decided to share his input.
Gale: "I feel it as well… This place is… suspicious."
Eliza steps forward only to stop and stare at a flower among the field.
This one was a different color than the rest, she reached for it only for the surroundings around them to shift and change.
The beautiful blue sky grows dark and foggy.
The flowers fade into mud and sludge.
The green trees turn more twisted and dead-like.
He spoke directly what was on his mind, his curiosity lies in the magic part of the illusion.
Astarion: "From sweet woodland to stinking swamp, can you do tricks like that Gale?"
The man didn't look eager to answer him but did enjoy talking about himself.
Gale: "Easiest thing in the world, though I'd do it the other way around."
Astarion lost interest as the half-tiefling led them onward.
She takes them down a dock where she hops across the water onto a rock…
He follows the rest as they make their way across. Making sure to be extra careful he doesn't fall in.
He sees that it's just a muddy little island with a giant stump in the middle.
This place looks deserted and dead…
What were they doing here?
Before he could let his mind wander, a Wood Woad that blended in with the bark, tears itself from the stump. It makes a loud cry that alerts the Mud Mephits in the area to come out from behind the stump and reveal there were quite a few of them…
He wasn't looking forward to this fight…
The moment a spot of mud touches him…
He might lose it…
Eliza's POV
Eliza didn't know why she was here initially but it was for a purpose.
She secretly hoped she didn't bring them here for nothing.
And certainly dreaded that she could have put them in danger for a useless feeling
But in the end, she trusted her gut…
They prepare themselves for a fight, drawing their weapons.
She makes the first attack and launches an arrow with her crossbow to kill one of the muddy creatures.
Only to lightly graze its shoulder.
She cursed herself for not taking more time to aim.
The next to charge in is the Githyanki as she goes for the largest foe.
The warrior shouts a battle cry as she strikes the wooden creature cutting off its arm. It gives an angry cry as it steps back in caution from the scary Gith.
The wizard sends three magic missiles at three mud mephits. They scream in pain. One of them explodes as another one takes this time to make another one of them.
The young muddy creature locks eyes with the only bright thing in the mercky swamp…
As Astarion's white hair gleams in the only light, it made him the next target.
The young Mud creature forms a pile of mud and eyes the elf with a wicked smile.
She looked back to see that Astarion noticed, too. His eyes were wide as he stared down the creature with a deathly glare.
His voice growls as he sternly tells the creature…
Astarion: "No, no, no… Don't you dare!"
That only motivated the creature even more as it slung the mud right at him…
The elf flinches as he tries to dodge it but he is too late.
It makes a direct hit as it splatters all over his clothes and spreads to his hands and face…
He looks down at himself and his face slowly twists into a dark rage…
He screams angrily as he lodged an arrow onto his bow and he launches it right at the creature.
Its eyes widened as the arrow struck clean and true.
With a head shot, it explodes into a pile of mud.
However, his rage was still there…
He is very angry…
His shoulders were heaving as he started to boil over, attempting to wipe the mud off only to growl in frustration as more got on his hands…
He wanted to rip something apart based on the look on his face.
She couldn't focus on anything else since it took everything inside of her not to laugh…
No matter what, he was just so adorable, even when he was angry…
She was next to get mud flung at her, as she got struck once on her side.
Suddenly, in her shock, her eyes lock with the elf…
Only for another to strike the side of her head…
Making her stagger slightly from its force…
Astarion's POV
He was furious!
Even that stupid creature's death couldn't satisfy his rage…
He was ready to pull off their wings and limbs to watch them struggle…
He would just keep ripping them off if they grew back.
But the rogue wouldn't dare go near them, he refused to get dirty any further.
Astarion swore he would make them all suffer, especially his leader for dragging him here in the first place…
But then his anger suddenly got put temporarily on hold…
He heard it when she got struck by the mud ball…
He looked up at her to lock eyes with her shocked expression…
Then he watched as another struck her in the head…
His eyes widened as he watched her fumble over slightly…
He was hoping to be ready for anything…
But he wasn't ready for what came next…
He couldn't see her expression from the mud and his view of her hair in front her face…
He expected her to get just as furious as he was…
Only to hear a hearty laugh come from her…
It wasn't angry or in a crazy way…
It was… joyful…
She moved the muddy hair away from her face and looked back in his eyes with a warm smile on her face.
Eliza: "Did you see that? HAHAHA! It got me good, I'm covered in it!"
She looked herself over as she wiped the mud off her face with a smile.
Instead of getting angry, she just laughed…
And instead of getting frustrated, she played just as dirty…
The bard grabs a mud pile, throws it back at them and to their surprise - it smacks the muddy creature directly in the face.
She points and laughs as it growls in distaste.
Eliza: "That's how it feels! It's what you get, bitch! HAHAA!"
His frown turns into a small smile as a chuckle escapes him…
Her laugh was contagious…
Her bright smile was comforting in this dark irie swamp…
Her joy in this mud fight despite the threats of danger was… inspiring…
She laughs as if it all was a game…
She doesn't feel threatened or ashamed…
She found pleasure in even the messy moments…
…Why?...
Was she psychotic?
Doesn't she know how horrible it feels to be filthy?
It is a terrible feeling…
It sent him chills in a bad way, the feeling of muck and filth touching his skin…
He knew that feeling more than anyone…
It reminded him of one of the darkest moments of his life…
If he got filthy, he was impossibly distressed…
And yet, when the bard did, she took it with a smile and gave it back with twice as much vigor…
What brought him sorrow, made her happy…
And it somehow made him almost feel the same…
How is she so interesting?
The things he couldn't stand could be easily ignored when she was near…
In fact, he almost forgot that he was a mess…
She made him feel like being filthy wasn't all that bad.
Now they were both covered in mud with a smile on their faces…
She was so happy and carefree about the oddest things…
How does she do that?
She always finds a way to make the bad feelings go away…
Only to be replaced with the most delightful feeling he's never felt before…
What is this feeling?
Why did it make him feel lighter?
He hasn't felt this good in ages…
And that's saying something considering his current situation…
Considering how long it took to keep himself as clean as he was without water…
He could possibly have mud in his hair…
and yet…
He was feeling… cheerful…
Motivated and excited.
Ready for whatever comes next…
Or so he thought…
Eliza's POV
Eliza couldn't recall the last time she felt this excited.
She was actually having fun.
She loved the feeling of the cool mud on her skin.
Even though there were a few rocks in the heap of mud, and it should have hurt. She couldn't help but feel... amazing!
She didn't realize how much she liked the mud, almost as much as she loved being in the water.
Since she was already a mess she might as well indulge in a little more fun…
As she started an all out mud fight.
Every time a mephit was spawned or another appeared from behind the stump, she slung mud at them.
The mud gets slung back with anger while she laughs like a little kid.
Jumping around, dodging their attacks while getting hit a few times.
The gith rolled her eyes for a moment as she fought off the wooden creature.
Eliza looked behind her to see the wizard getting muddy as well. He indulged in a little mud-flinging himself, with a smile and hearty laugh of his own. He dodges a pile of mud with a laugh and a taunt.
Gale: "Ah-Hah! You missed - take that!... Agh!"
Mud splats dead in his face the moment he throws a clump of his own.
Eliza laughs as he wipes the mud from his eyes while he spits and sputters.
She then heard the most beautiful laugh…
She turns to see Astarion laughing out with his own actual smile as he points at the wizard with his other hand over his stomach.
The whole world freezes as she watches the glow on his face.
His smile shone brightly in the dark.
His laugh filled her with delight…
He was riddled with his own glee as he decided to join them in the fun.
He hesitated for a moment, then he grabbed a clump of mud with a gloomy look at first. Then he threw it with his own wicked grin.
And cheered when he didn't miss…
She heard the joy in his voice as he pointed at them with his memorizing laugh.
Astarion: "HAHAH - Eat it! Oh, wow, this is actually fun!"
His smile went away as he got struck - not once, not twice.
But three piles of mud get thrown at him one after the other.
He ate his words as he waved his hands with wide eyes and a frustrated shout.
Astarion: " Wait. Wait a minute - I take it back! No! - Agh! - Ow!..."
The elf looks himself over with distaste and attempts to get it off as he wipes himself down with irritation in his voice…
Astarian: "Damn it… It's everywhere! Okay, I'm sick of this… Can we kill them now?"
Eliza covers her mouth as a laugh escapes her. She couldn't hide the smile or her laugh as it left her uncontrollably.
Her eyes then lock back into his once more…
She couldn't hide how she felt…
She couldn't deny it anymore…
She couldn't stop this feeling…
Everything he says or doesn't say…
Everything he does or doesn't do…
Everything he is or isn't…
No matter who he is or what he is…
She knew this to be true…
She loved him…
His voice, his laugh, his smile, his gaze…
his touch...
All of it filled her with immense joy…
Nothing else could compare…
No one could come close…
She didn't know where this deep feeling rooted from or how she could fall so fast for someone she barely knew…
But she somehow felt like she had lived lifetimes with him…
Except, it's never felt this real…
She couldn't believe how she was just steps away from him…
When it felt like they were worlds apart before this…
So, she treasured every moment of it and didn't regret a thing…
She was so happy to just be alive and live to witness his beauty…
But she couldn't help but be sad…
Now, she had to figure out how to be content...
Loving him from afar…
Because her love will doom him in the end…
She didn't want that for him…
Eliza loved him, so the best thing she can do is stay away…
To try and let him go…
Her head was thinking it's for the best but she still had to convince her heart that it was.
Unfortunately in her daze, she didn't see the second Wood Woad that came from the shadows.
Before she knew it by the time she heard it and turned around.
It already had its twisting branch raised and ready to strike.
She then heard a familiar voice say-
"Eliza - look out!"
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrap tightly around her as she falls to her side and rolls with them.
Her tightly shut eyes fluttered open, she was lying flat on her back with the presence of someone above her.
Her heart thrums as her eyes meet with a familiar shade of red.
The crimson red with a worried look in them…
He looks down at her with concern as he stares deep into her eyes…
They get lost in time together…
With the wonderful sound of his breathing and the delicate weight of his body on top of her…
Only his very gaze stole her breath away…
Even covered in mud…
He was the most beautiful being she has ever laid eyes on…
Had she died and gone to heaven?...
She felt like she was in the presence of an angel…
Or a god…
Eliza knew this face and had seen it everyday so far, but everytime she looked…
It was like the first time…
Filling her with the same wonderful feeling that always came with it…
Giving her euphoria…
Making her feel peace once more in his hold…
She didn't want to give this up…
She couldn't…
How could she?...
When something like this reminds her of what she has to let go…
That she has to abandon this feeling…
Her desire to break the distance…
Her longing to hold him and never let go…
To feel all of him, with all of her…
To treasure everything she could get for as long as she could…
She never felt more selfish…
She didn't care what it took, she wanted to know…
Whether he liked it or didn't…
Whether he would pull away or remain in her hold…
Whether for minutes or seconds…
It was driving her insane trying to imagine it
She wanted to know what it would feel like…
Even if she never could, she will always dream…
A silly dream of the day, she would have a hug from him without fear of herself…
To feel his arms when they want to hold her…
To feel the touch of his hands when they want to touch her…
To taste his lips when he wants to taste her…
She never wanted anything so much…
But even if that day never comes, she was always happy to live in her daydream…
Only to be saddened by the harsh reality as her dark thoughts picture the slitting of his throat and a different crimson would fill her view…
Her heart aches as her mind forces the image of his blood spilling over her like a fountain…
Raining on her as it painted her and the ground in glorious red…
Even though it pained her to do it…
Instead of pulling him in, she pushes him away…
She couldn't bear to look him in the eye…
She didn't want to imagine the dead look in them…
She quickly got to her feet and did what she could to take her mind off of it…
She felt horrible for not even thanking him…
But she didn't want to make her thoughts anywhere near her reality…
So she focused her mind on other things.
No more games…
She takes her crossbow, launches an arrow at one of the mephits, and makes it explode. Harming the one next to it. In hope that their deaths would satisfy the dark urge.
Unfortunately these enemies had no blood, so her carnal lust for red still boils in a dark rage...
The githyanki was already tearing apart the second wooden creature after the death of the first. The battle ensued as they fought together.
Astarion's POV
(Moments before)
He couldn't believe it…
He didn't think it was possible…
He was actually having fun…
...He was at first…
Watching the wizard get slapped in the face with mud was glorious…
It was hilarious.
So it motivated him enough to get over the feeling of mud under his fingernails and gave it a go…
He threw it as quickly as he could to get it out of his hand, not expecting anything interesting to happen.
He was then engulfed with gratification when he watched one of them open their mouth just in time to have it shoved down it's throat.
Then he watched the anger increase within the creature as it motivated its friends to attack at the same time.
He watched with horror as three large balls of mud head directly at him with no time to dodge.
Astarion got covered in more mud and wasn't having a good time anymore…
But then, he heard the most beautiful laugh…
Her cute, lovely laugh…
His eyes wander over to stare at her frame in the dim light…
She tried to hide her pretty smile. Half of her body was covered in mud.
Somehow from even among the filth around them that now covered her body entirely, she was still the most stunning sight in this disgusting swamp…
Her laugh was still the most delightful of sounds…
Her eyes met with his and time almost stood still.
He forgot everything else, nothing else mattered…
He forgot the mud, the enemies, his worries, his doubts…
Everything bad got replaced with warmer feelings…
Different from the dark, cold, dreary feelings he was used to…
Since she appeared in his life it's been different from his normal life.
He didn't feel trapped or subjected to anything.
He was braver in facing the things he normally despised, he hated them still significantly.
But, she could take his mind off of it somehow…
In his distraction, he didn't notice as the big shadow grew from behind her. The large wooden creature was ready to smash her skull in.
The damn woman wasn't paying attention. By the time she noticed, it was too late.
She didn't have time to get away...
Without even waiting for another thought or a second.
His body ran towards her without hesitation.
He heard the wizard give a warning but makes no attempt to move as he reaches out for her.
Astarion was already next to her in a flash, his arms wrapped around her as he used his body to get her out of the way just in time…
He felt a cold chill run up his back as they both landed to the ground, and he rolled with her small frame in his hold.
They finally stop.
He quickly picks up his weight off of her as he looks down at her and checks her over in a panic.
He didn't see any injuries on her or smell any of her blood.
She was safe…
Thank goodness…
He was calming down, but then he wondered what could have possibly possessed him to do such a thing…
He was losing himself…
When was the last time he worried over someone like this?...
Her eyes then fluttered open, and he got lost in her colorful eyes…
The glow of the bright purple iris danced with tiny flames within the black orb of her left and the shimmering sparkle of her icy blue within the white orb on her right.
Her expression goes blank as they are almost frozen in time.
The world goes on around them as everything between them remains still…
The way she looked at him gave him a feeling he couldn't define…
It was peaceful and comforting...
When did she get so beautiful?
Even covered in mud he couldn't recall the last time he was attracted to another person in such a way…
The filth should repel him, but it only made him want to look at her more…
To see the beauty from underneath the dark spots across her face and body…
He even wanted to touch her…
When he saw that she was okay he felt instant relief…
He suddenly felt the urge to hold her…
Not in a sexual way, nor something that he saw friends or family do when they greet each other.
He wanted to embrace her.
He craved the feeling of her body wrapped in his…
To wrap her tightly in his arms and keep her there…
To cocoon her from doing stupid things…
To hold her before he lost the chance completely…
She kept getting distracted or putting herself in danger.
One day if he's not fast enough she could be gone in an instant…
He wouldn't get the chance to hold her in his arms while she was still breathing…
...She wouldn't get her dying wish…
Was that what this was for…
Or was it something else?
Why else would he be feeling this way?
Why else would he risk his safety for her?
Get hurt for her...
He could feel the burning sting on his back and the cool breeze through his shirt. It's not deep, but it definitely didn't feel great...
But that hardly bothered him at all when he was withholden by this view...
He enjoyed the way she stared up at him…
And somehow knew he wasn't alone in feeling the tug of an invisible string…
It made him want to close the distance…
He never felt a pull this strong…
Before he could attempt to move, her expression changed…
Her eyes filled with sorrow and her mouth twisted into a deep frown.
Then her hands grip onto his shoulders and instead of pulling him in…
She pushed him away…
She didn't look him in the eye as he moved and she slipped out from under him.
He got to his feet, watched as she got away from him as quickly as possible, and returned to battle.
She wasn't playing around anymore…
Her smile didn't return…
What's the matter with her?
She didn't say a word.
Not even a - "Thank you for saving me, Astarion."
She just left him there, alone, and pissed off…
What was the matter with her?
Her joy was gone…
She didn't want to play in the mud anymore.
And for some reason…
He was disappointed…
She was quick to kill off the rest of the enemies.
In his anger and frustration, he casted fire at the wood creature that tried to hurt the bard.
Because of that thing, he got his hopes up for nothing…
He listened as the creature cried in pain.
But didn't watch as the creature burned in agony…
He only stared at the bard as she completely ignored him…
What was her problem?
Why won't she look at him like she did before?
Why won't she talk to him like she wanted to?
Why did she treat him like this?
Why was she acting like she hated him?
….
Why did he care?...
…
Did he want something more?
…
Why did he want her attention and devotion?
…
He never wanted anything so much…
…
It was driving him mad…
Mad enough to use his anger to wipe out the last of the swampy creatures…
Before he knew it, all the enemies were gone.
The group took a breather as the last wood woad fell to the ground lifelessly, thanks to the Gith…
The bard didn't miss a step as she walked around to the other side of the tree trunk.
He followed her to watch as she stepped over the vines without getting ensnared, and she searched in a hole in the wood…
Her hand pulls out a letter, she reads it, and a small smile forms on her face.
She places it in her bag and leads them out of the swamp.
Another mystery the bard chose to keep…
It only made him angrier...
He managed to keep it to himself silently...
But... Astarion was certain it showed on his face however...
He watched her back the entire time…
Wondering what got into her to be treating him like this…
One minute she looked like she wanted to be all over him…
The next she avoided him like the plague…
Was it him?
Was it her?
Why?
Why did he start being so obsessive over her?
Why did he want her to be just as obsessed?
He hated this feeling…
He hated what she was doing to him…
But for some reason…
He didn't want to trade it for anything…
Astarion didn't know if he truly hated it…
Or wanted it even more…
He debated on it the whole way as they returned to the grove…
Before they could get through the gate, the bard stops and stares at the entrance for a moment.
She then changed direction when she realized how tired and filthy everyone was…
She led them back to the camp as the sun descended from the sky giving the landscape a pink and orange glow through the trees…
They walk silently as he watched her back the whole way...
Once the group returns to the camp, 2 pairs of eyes watch them approach with a campfire already lit between the two of them.
The cleric approaches their leader with a puzzled look and a laugh before she pulls the bard away for a moment with a new concerned look on her face.
Astarion silently wondered what it was about as they all went to their designated spots to refresh themselves for the night…
He grabbed his night clothes as he went over to the water by the camp.
He went to the farthest edge of the shore and began to get out of his clothes. He took off his shoes and his shirt only to stare at the water as it rippled from the small breeze…
He hasn't gotten in a full body of water in ages…
What if he just sinks?
He could just get in deep enough to stand in it and use the water to get the mud off his skin…
But by the time he already debated on what he wanted to do, his eyes fell on a certain bard as she approached the water.
For some reason, he felt the need to hide, so he ducked down and blended himself within the weeds close to the water. He didn't think anything of it as his feet stepped into the river...
The next thing he knew, she looked back to check behind her.
Luckily, she didn't notice him.
Once she thought she was alone, she turned back to the water as she pulled her shirt over her head…
His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped as he saw the scars across her back.
There were more than just the ones she got today, the view saddened him profusely...
But then, the rogue was stuck admiring the color of her pink flesh glowing in the last remaining sunlight and the first glow of the moon…
He only got the view of her backside as she stepped out of her pants and shoes, then went into the water.
He watched her perfect frame in awe as he she submerged herself within the water.
He has never been more captivated by anything in all his years alive…
He couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for watching her like a creep…
But he couldn't take his eyes off of her…
He has never seen anything more beautiful…
He then hears her voice begin to hum a sweet tune as she bathes herself…
Not long after, words fill the air as the sun goes down and the moon starts to shine in the sky.
His eyes and ears get lost in the beauty of the bard, and her song…
Eliza's POV
(Moments before)
Shadowheart laughs a moment at her appearance before she pulls her to the side to ask her about an artifact.
Eliza said she hadn't seen it.
Until she suddenly felt like she needed to check her bag.
When the bard did, she pulled out a strange but familiar alien ball with text of a strange language all over it.
She was shocked to find it in her bag, and so was the cleric.
Instead of getting angry, the half-elf asked for it back.
When she tried to return it, to their surprise, it shot out of the cleric's hands and back into Eliza's with a thud against her chest… along with a shock...
That explains how it came into her possession…
Since the strange artifact seemed rather attached to her, there was nothing else that could be done about it.
Shadowheart decided to leave it with her but respectfully asked to have it returned to her when she needed to carry out her mission.
Eliza agreed as she left the artifact within her bag and left it at her tent to go get herself clean. It didn't seem to follow her this time.
She went to the beach and looked around to make sure no one was there.
She didn't fully scan the area due to her exhaustion. She figured no one would care to look anyway, and finally decided to just get it over with…
She needed to feel something else besides this pain…
She felt the cold water surround her feet, legs, and thighs. Then felt a cool, gentle kiss against her underparts before she submerged the rest of her body.
She cleaned herself off. She wiped her face and moved her hands down her arms. Only to look at the glow of her pink skin under the light.
She looks up to see the moon bright and full...
Then, a melody filled her melancholy heart…
As she finished wiping mud off from her body…
Eliza: "Moon, a hole of light
Through the big top tent up high
Here before and after me
Shinin' down on me.
Moon, tell me if I could
Send up my heart to you?
So, when I die, which I must do,
Could it shine down here with you?
'Cause my love is mine, all mine
I love mine, mine, mine.
Nothing in the world belongs to me,
But my love mine, all mine, all mine…"
She submerged herself fully in the water and floated on her back…
Rinsing her hair and feeling the mud melt off of her and float into the dark blue depths…
The cool wetness surrounding her as she felt her nipples harden in the nightly breeze…
The silence under the water gave peace to her troubled mind…
Her head looks up to the sky as the stars fill in the fading light…
A sigh escapes her as she pulls her body from the cool serenity…
She needed this…
Only to still be filled with this sadness that gives a pain in her chest…
She then gets to her feet as gravity drips the water down across her skin…
The nightly air makes her shiver slightly as her hands dance above the ripples, making more as her fingers flow through the murky water she made.
His crimson eyes fill her mind as the song leaves her mouth and swells in her soul…
Eliza: "My love, here on earth
Showed me what my heart was worth
So, when it comes to be my turn,
Could you shine it down here for him?
'Cause my love is mine, all mine
I love mine, mine, mine
Nothing in the world belongs to me
But my love mine, all mine…
Nothing in the world is mine for free
But my love mine, all mine, all mine."
She stares up at the moon, her song was a wish she sang to the heavens above…
Hoping the moon understood who her wish was for…
If the lady moon has been watching, she should know exactly who Eliza has had her sights on…
In hopes that one day, if she couldn't be around anymore, she would hope that he would know somehow how much she cared for him…
She couldn't prove it since she didn't even know if this was real love…
She would think that someone she loved would be safer in her arms, not in more danger…
Once Eliza felt she was fully clean…
She began to feel as if she was being watched….
She turned to exit the water. Only for her eyes to land on a white glow in the water weeds.
Her cheeks turn bright red as her eyes lock onto the same ruby eyes she thought of…
Eliza: 'W-W-Was he here the entire time?!'
His eyes were wide as he stared at her, but then they were looking downward…
She quickly covers her chest and turns away to dive into the water. She swam below the surface for a while in the opposite direction of him with all her might. She got to the surface and treaded through the water.
Scooping water with her hands aggressively and kicking with everything she had, going against the current as she traveled down the river.
Once she was far enough, she stopped to catch her breath. She screams uncontrollably in her hands with embarrassment….
She couldn't believe that just happened…
He saw her…
All of her…
Even heard her silly song…
Did he know it was for him?
What if he didn't…?
What if he thinks she's in love with someone else?!
Or what if... he heard it and didn't care…
What if he knew it was for him and was sickened by her…
What if she was disgusting in his eyes…
The ache in her chest deepens as she tries not to let her mind overthink the situation.
She looked back to see that she swam pretty far out…
She didn't think this through…
She left her clothes on the shore…
She couldn't bring herself to go back…
Not now at least…
So she decided to stay in the river and leave her body fully in it, to keep from revealing any more of her intimate parts in case there were any more wandering eyes around…
She stayed long enough for him to finish with his business, then leave, and then waited some more.
But of all the people….
Why did it have to be him…?
It wouldn't have been that bad if it was anyone else... But, because it wasn't, she was even more embarrassed to have been seen naked by him...
She tore herself apart, wondering if he liked the view...
or hated it...
Astarion's POV
(Moments before)
When her song was over…
He was left with that feeling…
The one he couldn't define or explain…
He couldn't believe how mesmerizing she was…
How lovely her voice sounded in hours of the night….
But this particular song was different from the rest…
This one made him feel warm…
And sad…
He had never heard her voice like that before…
When she sang her songs were upbeat or had captivating loneliness to it…
This one…
Felt like a goodbye…
Like she was trying to let go of her feelings…
Is that what she felt?
Love…
For who?...
Did she love someone?...
She doesn't remember anything about her life so it wasn't a past lover…
It had to be a recent one and someone she knew who was close to her…
Was it the monster hunter?
The way she looked at him before still left him to wonder…
But she just met him, so it couldn't be that guy.
Was it…
Gale…?
Ugh…
That would be ridiculous
How could she?
That is low, even for her...
But then… who else could it be…
It couldn't be him…
could it?
No…
That's impossible…
From the way she treats him, it couldn't be true.
He couldn't understand her half the time, but it obviously was not love that made her act that way…
Maybe she was just singing a song off the top of her head…
But from the way she sang it, it spoke otherwise...
In volumes of pure despair...
Before he knew it, he stares long enought to get spotted…
Their eyes locked, and to his surprise…
He was struck with the most incredible view…
Her eyes glow their special colors in the night…
The light of the moon sparkling and dancing off the water on her glowing skin…
The shine of her wet hair and horns…
Her face was just as beautiful as it always was but amplified by the brilliance of the natural lighting…
Her eyes that light up more than the stars themselves...
The delicacy of her tender neck that glows brighter than any cloud in the sky.
The lovely curves of her shoulders are more gorgeous than any horizon…
The peaks of her breast's were plump and perky, and her nipples were the most eye-catching features in the moonlight…
The path down her stomach looked soft and toned in the most perfect way…
He can't see past her hips as the water level conveniently covers her valley…
From every little thing that his eyes stop on…
Every curve and crevice of her created a landscape as if it were beautifully crafted by the heavens…
...As if she were a goddess…
Or a creation of the gods themselves…
Perfectly molded into perfection…
He has never seen anything so exquisite…
So irresistible…
He wanted to explore every inch of her heavenly body…
She was illuminated so much in the moonlight that he struggled to keep his eyes open for as long as they have been…
By the time he blinked, he heard a splash and she was gone when he opened his eyes…
She was nowhere to be seen as the water rippled before it calmed…
He looked around in a panic at first…
But then he saw her horns pop up from the water, the half-tiefling splashed as he slung her arms and kicked her feet...
Racing down the river…
Damn... she definitely knew how to swim….
She swam until he couldn't see her anymore…
Instead of sitting there waiting for her to return, he thought it was best to clean himself.
Picking up the water, using it to rub down his skin, and then on his face.
He found himself daydreaming about what happened…
Trying to reimagine what she looked like before the image escaped his mind…
This was almost worse than having his eyes pop out of his head…
Based on her reaction, he won't be seeing it again anytime soon…
And for some reason…
That bothered him…
He looked out to where she disappeared to still see her nowhere in sight…
She couldn't have gone far without her clothes that still remained on the shore.
And he highly doubted she would exit the water without them…
So he was left hoping that she would return…
...Why did he stay and watch her like a creep?...
He should have just left…
Thanks to him, she was gone…
And thanks to her, he will be forever haunted by the memory of that moment…
He kind of wished his eyes would've fell out of his head, then he wouldn't be in this situation...
Of seeing something he may never get to touch or see again after tonight...
He kind of wished he left, so he wouldn't be so tormented like this…
But a part of him... was kind of glad that he stayed to have the most incredible memory of her...
Before she left this world...
He then stared down into the ripples.
He couldn't even see his own reflection in the water to check if he got all the mud off.
So, just in case, he runs his hands through his hair with some water. When he is done he gets back on his feet, takes off his pants, and puts on his clothes for the night.
He wasn't fully clean, but he was clean enough.
Every second here was just more agonizing the longer she was gone...
He looked back one final time before he left to return to his tent.
He decided to keep a blank book.
Journaling his thoughts…
Since they were driving him insane, swirling in his head, and he couldn't keep track of them….
It's been a while since he has been motivated enough to write in a journal with his fluently cursive writing.
'Day 3 after abduction
I decided to write again. It's been a very long time.
I didn't know that any of this would be happening. It's been a rough 3 days. I can't believe how much has changed in all that time. How can so much happen in as little as 3 days? It's quite the tale really. I got abducted by illithids and somehow got doomed to become one of those grotesque creatures. Of all the things… To think that just a few days ago, I was going through the city streets cloaked from the sun. On the hunt, looking for my next victim. At the time, I was praying that I wouldn't be punished for showing up empty-handed once again. So, I picked up extra hours. Even with the threat of the sun, it was better than facing him without being accompanied with someone. I didn't care what he did with them, and I still don't… It was better them… than me… That was a phrase I grew to know religiously for the past 200 years. I did what I had to. I did it to survive. Guilt and regret was something I gave up on after the first 120 years of vampirism.
I know… That was a pathetically long time…
But after that one year of darkness and silence. I didn't dare disobey again. I accepted my fate and didn't dare to run. I didn't even think for myself anymore. My thoughts were no longer worth a page. Then, by some miracle, I get kidnapped. And it's only gotten better from there…
I woke up in the sun and it didn't burn…
Since that very moment I begun to think for myself. I didn't feel my masters influence. Only the uncomfortable wiggling in my skull. But I've gotten used to it. Then, out of nowhere, I smell the most delicious blood I ever came across. After all the many… many… many years of restraint. It became an art. I never dared to think of it... or else...But, ever since that moment, I have yet to think of anything else. Back then, I was lucky if I ever got anything larger than a rat. So, I never dared to move further up the food chain. Since my abduction I tasted a wild hare for the first time. I even hunted a boar yesterday. I've been flooded with the smell of the blood of my enemies that I slain just today. I never tasted it, but it was still glorious. Unfortunately, not even that could distract me from the sweet aroma everytime it filled the air. The host is just as alluring as her blood. I've almost broken my restraints more than 3 times in her company.
And by her - I mean the most obnoxiously stubborn, ridiculously confusing, and most genuinely disturbed woman I have ever come across… This woman will most likely get killed within a week or so, with me along with her. She is blinded by heroism. She's reckless, dangerous, and most of all… caring… She cares for everyone she comes across. It doesn't matter where they came from… or who they were… Unless they are a threat to someone that she deems worthy of her protection. Surprisingly, I became one of those people. She welcomed me within her circle of protection. She is vicious to enemies and yet kind to the people within her group… to me… Not entirely, though. She has been acting strange. One moment, she is sweet and harmonious. The next, she is running away or avoiding me. She blames it on her morbid fantasies, but it's mostly towards me. All I do is look at her. Even when I hold her, she pulls away…
I saved her life…
Multiple times…
I even got hurt on her behalf...
and It didn't matter to me...
For reasons I can't explain, I didn't regret it either. Still don't. But, She didn't seem to notice. She was too busy running away...
There wasn't even so much as a "Thank you."
With her avoiding me, she has become even more desirable…'
He scribbled out the last word of that sentence to replace it with another.
'irresistible'
Scribble...
'obnoxious… She makes me think more. I've felt guilt and shame so easily after all these years. I've been both strong and weak at separate times or all at once. I've done things I never would have done before. I've thought of others outside of myself. For her, specifically. She occupies my mind throughout many hours of the day and night. She is even now. I can't get the image of her out of my head. I saw something I wasn't supposed to, and I kind of regret it. Because now it's become a lot harder for me to do what is best for me.
I can't make a decision…
because I saw her... naked... well not completely...
But it was enough to shake the very fabric of my being...
Which is ridiculous...
She is a threat to my safety. She needs to be taken care of. I have yet to move onto larger prey, and tonight I told myself to do the unthinkable. To indulge in the one thing that was never allowed for me, the blood of a thinking creature. Now that I've been free of Cazador, I deserve to indulge a little… Don't I? I deserve to know the taste of the forbidden fruit. Its smell has been driving me insane for far too long.
However…
I can't seem to bring myself to..
I should, I want to.
But, I've grown rather fond of her company…
It's not just the sun that has brightened my days. After centuries in the dark and cold, it's been bright and warm with her around. I've actually smiled. I've laughed carelessly. After all this time, I've actually been motivated to do more for another person. I've been feeling things I can't describe, but... they feel nice. Its different from the usual pain and misery I'm used to... Every day was awful before, I dreaded the next… But now I get excited to wake up in the morning. Of course, after the fear of my old habits after 200 years of avoiding the sun.
The terror of waking up every day in fear of feeling pain and misery is worth it after, when I only find warmth and comfort instead... I feel stronger and wiser every day that passes, but at the same time... stupid and weak...
I can't help but feel like it's all thanks to her. I even worry about her, I'm worried now. I don't know where she went...
Or if she will return...
If she dies before I taste her, I will never know the full power of her life's blood. If I let her live and she finds out the truth about me, which is inevitable at this rate.
Will she hate me?
Banish me?
…Kill me?…
Or just get the monster hunter to do it?
Either way, her company would lead to my untimely demise...
It's better her… than me…
I could end up dead in her company or without it...
Even still I find myself wondering if she is worth all the risk...
If I should give in to these thoughts that haunt me...
But, I can't, I shouldn't... I won't ...
If she returns, that is my sign.
If she doesn't…
Good riddance…
There are plenty of other victims I can drain.
It's not like she has to be my first…
...
Gods…
…I haven't prayed to you in centuries…
Cyric - Kelemvor - Eilistraee…
Wish me luck, I'm going to need it…
Whether if she returns… or doesn't…'
He closes the book and looks around to still see the bard nowhere to be found.
He didn't know whether to be disappointed or glad…
But then the worry began to creep it's way back in…
He wondered if he was going to have to hunt her down…
Naked or not…
But why?
He could just let her go…
It should be easy...
He wants to be rid of her, and yet he struggles to bring himself to do the deed…
When it always was the easiest thing in the world…
It became easy over time at least…
But now he doesn't know for sure…
Before he could convince himself out of commencing a search. His eyes catch a pink glow walking from the beach. Wearing her night clothes.
He breaths a sigh of relief while also feeling an awful dread in the pit of his stomach.
Not knowing the cause...
She only looks to the ground but then stops to greet a familiar skeleton.
That creepy thing is in the camp now?
When did it get here?
While the bard gives it her undivided attention…
His mind swirled with his thoughts that somehow couldn't bring him joy...
...She returned...
So this must be her fate…
He decided since he was the least of her worries, she'd be the least of his...
The rogue laid down in front of his tent and drowned his thoughts with other things…
He tries to think of anything else other than the bard...
Unsuccessfully, of course...
He stares up into the stars, and after a moment of peace, he feels the slightest wiggle in his skull.
The pull coming from the bard, who went over to talk to the monster hunter next…
He tries to move on, again...
His eyes then fell on the gith, who was sharpening her sword not too far away…
Then his mind wandered to their predicament as his eye looked back up to the starry sky.
If they made it to the crèche and got rid of their parasites…
Would he still be able to walk in the sun?
Would he get to travel with these people still…
...If the bard was gone…?
Would it be the same?
Would it be different?
It's either to the crèche, find a healer, or turn into an illithid…
Anything should be better than turning into a mind flayer…
If ended up as a slave again under Cazador...
At least he was used to that monster...
He would be under the control of another monster entirely...
Astarion would mostly grieve over the loss of his mind and body...
Everything about him would be erased...
Finally, after so long, his body was his own.
But now the threat of it all being ripped away nags at him day in and day out...
The proof of his existence could be gone with the snap of someone's fingers or slowly over time...
That made him want to enjoy the little things while it lasted...
To take advantage of the time he has left...
His eyes lingered on the stars above…
They twinkle brighly with such clarity out in these woods versus the city...
He let his mind swirl with 'what ifs' as he got lost in the worlds above...
Underneath all the stress... he somehow found relief...
A small smile grows on his lips...
At least he wasn't facing it alone...
He wasn't the only one that is suffering through this...
And it somehow made it easier...
He was going to spend every moment obsessing over every possible way to get out of his predicament...
While also trying to not obsess over something else...
or.. someone else...
Astarion's smile fades after the thought of losing that presence, realizing she brings comfort from their shared inflictions...
But then, he heard footsteps approaching him. They were small, quiet steps…
The only other person that would have that kind of lightfoot is the cleric…
and it's impossible for him to be approached by her...
So, it had to be -
He looked up as he met with a familiar pair of flushed cheeks, they were bright red as she stared hard at the ground. Refusing to meet his gaze.
She looked… adorable…
All his negative thoughts slipped away, the intimate moment of witnessing her bare body still fresh in his mind.
He didn't expect the words to leave them when they did…
Astarion: "It's quite a sight…"
Her eyes widened as they met with his, her red cheeks grew brighter, and her lips parted as she gaped down at him with another cute expression.
He was quick to correct himself before he began to stare…
All his years of devilish charms kick in with his usual flirtatious smile…
Astarion: "The stars, I mean. I could take or leave your chin."
Her voice leaves delicately, a small trace of worry was clear as she speaks…
Eliza: "A-Am I bothering you? I can leave you alone..."
His smile vanished as he slightly panicked.
He was too quick in his response. He almost jerked forward, thinking she was about to leave. He kept going to make sure she would stay, letting her know his thoughts.
Astarion: "No. You can stay. I've just been thinking. Reflecting on what tomorrow might bring when we arrive at this gith crèche. Will we find out how to bring the worm under control?... Will this little adventure of ours be over?"
The last question left him more painfully than he expected it to...
He gets lost in her vision from this angle as they stare at each other in silence. Then she looks away as her voice comes out small with her cheeks still red.
Eliza: "Why?... Would you… Would you miss me?"
The expression she made was different than before, she seemed hopeful and nervous of his answer.
Before he knew it, a laugh escaped him, and he was more honest to her than he's been to anyone in ages.
Astarion: "Ha! Why not?"
He gets to his feet and stands tall, her eyes finally meet his gaze with a shocked expression on her flushed face…
The elf spoke more enthusiastically than he should have as he recalled their adventure together.
Astarion: "You've been to the Hells and back. Survived the crash. Survived everything that's followed… I'm not easily impressed by people, but you're stronger than I gave you credit for.."
She looked down once again, but this time, the pain was clear on her face as her voice stuttered and cracked…
Eliza: "I-I… I thought you didn't like me…"
He could see that she believed it wholeheartedly.
How could that one expression on her face make him feel some sort of way?
He answered, but he was caught between two versions of himself…
200 years of a vampire's instinct and this softer version that found more truth in his words than just a clever line…
Astarion: "You have your charms… more than you think."
He gave her a charming smile, trying to make it more assuring for her.
Only to be fighting with himself...
He couldn't figure out if he was trying to convince her that he meant it...
or convince himself that he didn't...
She then suddenly said something completely unexpected as she gained her confidence with slight hesitation.
Eliza: "Is that why you were watching me? Did you… like what you see? Did you... want to see more?"
His eyebrows raise in surprise and his charming smile falls flat. He wasn't just shocked by her question, but by his immediate answer. Instead of blurting the first thing that came to his head, he tried to slip back into his cool facade without seeming too eager.
Astarion: "A delicious thought... but…"
Suddenly, all these buried fears seemed to stop him from acting further.
...It wasn't the right moment...
She would hate him... and he seemed to fear that outcome more than anything...
But that didn't stop his mind when pictures of her moment under the moonlight came into view…
Of how perfect she looked…
How she looked like an angel…
For some reason, he did want to see more…
He couldn't remember the last time he developed a personal interest in the body of his prey…
Or have a personal interest at all for that matter…
But then she said something that ripped away his delightful fantasies before they could flourish…
Eliza: "I-It was a joke. I don't know why I said that… I'm sorry…"
Unexpectedly… he was disappointed…
He was a little slow in his response as he slips away from his daydream with a hint of a lonely feeling...
Astarion: "Hmmm? Yes, of course... me too…"
He needed to leave this conversation…
He had to ponder more on his deep attraction towards her…
Astarion: "I… think I'll just… just clear my head."
She gives him a silent bow before she turns to leave for the night with a blank expression on her face.
He hated to see her go, but loved to watch her leave…
He suddenly waves to her as she goes, his words being the last to be spoken between them…
He practically purrs at the thought of seeing her face again...
Astarion: "Sleep tight. I'll see you later… I'm sure."
He watches as she walks over her bedroll near the fire and sits down. She then pulls out a book and a quill. Frantically scribbling away within its pages…
His gaze lingers on her still as he admires her backside while she giggles to herself…
What has come over him?
That interaction was terrible.
He didn't feel fully in control in that situation at all.
he was supposed to be angry with her... instead he was nice...
Too nice...
She has his full undivided attention at all times. He reads her every expression and watches everything she does, even in her most vulnerable moments.
It's actually like he's obsessed with her...
He was struggling to think of anything else when standing in front of her or at a distance…
Even now he hates the fact he can't picture the memory as vividly…
He wanted to see more of her…
All of her…
Over and over again…
His body was always ready to throw itself at anyone.
Shape, size, age, race, or gender…
It didn't matter how he did it...
None of it mattered…
He never enjoyed it... ever...
It never mattered if he was against it...
He didn't dare disobey his master...
Even if he silently hated the idea of being touched...
But...
This was a new experience...
For the first time…
He wanted her touch...
He wanted to throw himself at her...
He already did… to save her… multiple times...
But this was different…
He craved a different hunger…
One that was depraved and has been buried for a long, long time…
The longing for her touch, and only her touch…
The deep craving of her presence is magnified now that he has seen all of her...
The desire of her flesh on his flesh, just the two of them…
Alone...
For once, it's not to harm or use…
But, to cherish and treasure…
To hold and nurture…
To see…
To smell…
To hear...
To taste…
To touch...
Everyday…
He never felt a pull this strong…
He realized he was getting in way too deep over his head...
He had to do something about this…
If he didn't end this, he would lose himself…
Only to be brutally slaughtered in the end…
Emotionally, mentally, or physically….
Or all of them at once…
Perhaps this would be worse than being turned into a mind flayer...
The gods must still not be in his favor after all these years…
Once again, prayers are useless...
Finally, he woke up out of his trance after a long time lost in his thoughts debating back and forth on his decision.
He didn't bother himself with the details of what happened in the camp while he was zoned out.
He woke out of it to see everyone in the camp was sound asleep…
Even her…
She finally drifted away with the book wrapped tightly in her hold.
He convinced himself to stick to his self-promise…
He will lose her eventually...
If she lived he would just bring her to a fate worse than death…
Especially, if by some miracle she manages to make it to Baldur's Gate...
He could make it quick…
Painless…
She can die with her final wish…
To die in his arms…
A silly wish, out of all the things to wish for…
But it somehow brought a smile to his face as he began to creep up on her sleeping form.
Only for the smile to disappear when he saw she was stirring in her sleep as usual…
No doubt haunted by nightmares…
Thankfully, she looked to be deep in them.
If he was quick and quiet, she wouldn't even wake up…
He found that he hated the thought of her last memory being of a bad dream…
But if he didn't do it now…
He never will…
Astarion crept closer until he was fully over her body.
He could hear the anxious thrum of her heartbeat, the pulse in her veins drawing him in.
He could smell the sweet aroma rolling off the lovely skin on her tender neck…
He could feel the warmth through her clothes as it brushed against his arms.
His mouth practically watering from the anticipation, his fangs bare in the moonlight as he closed his eyes and went for the kill…
Only to feel the urge to open his eyes at the right moment as he sees a pair of eyes wide open and staring back at him.
The bard definitely wasn't asleep anymore.
The word escapes him as he backs away in a panic.
Astarion: "Shit…"
The song for today is 'My love mine all mine' by Mitski
Man, oh, man… We are getting closer to the best parts of Baldur's Gate. I love this game so much. I'm bouncing in my seat with anticipation. I keep writing everyday till my phone dies, so I am pretty obsessed…
Curse you Baldur's Gate…
And bless you…
(I just went through an updated this, I know the people that have already read it are too late. But I want to thoroughly apologize for my grammar errors. Thank you for reading anyway.)
Until next time my Lovelies!