audience: astarion

[mygod]

Comments

[haematocritical]

[ it wasn’t even midnight have mercy ]

Rude, is what they were. We still beat them, but— [ bleh ]

… [ hmmmm. ]

This place lets me do even more than the tadpole did. [ he did reference both the tadpole and the vampirism so. as funny as it would be to gale this and keep denying it for -30 approval… ] So it’s more surprising in that regard.

[mygod]

I meant in regards to escaping the Underdark. But that as well.

[ astarion your cult problem. ]

The magic here is unstable, but not necessarily weak. The results are chaotic at best. What has it allowed you to do you couldn't before?

[haematocritical]

[ he just loves a weekend of cults and sacrifices and cult sacrifices. ]

Eat normal food. See myself.

[mygod]

I see.

[ hmmm. ]

And what do you think? About the food and the reflection?

[haematocritical]

To paraphrase Karlach, I cannot believe whatever the refectory is dishing up is the first thing I’ve eaten in over two centuries.

[ because??? gross. where’s the flavour.

… as for the reflection. ]

A little strange, really. Akin to looking at a stranger, but they move when I do. Talk when I do.

[mygod]

Heh.

[ enjoy the bland atrocities, astarion. and then the stupid island food later. very funny. ]

And you have no desire to find your partner? You could likely rid yourself of the vampirism entirely with the wish it offers. But that would leave the illithid parasite...

[haematocritical]

[ the Look he gives him when he ‘hehs’. ]

What, and tie myself to someone so that if they die I die too? [ pfft. ] That’ll work out really well in terms of enjoying a regular, normal, non-vampiric life.

[mygod]

[ don't give that look. ]

I've freely admitted I would have the same concerns, and I would likely not. I don't like the idea of my life being in someone else's hands.

However, I also understand that without high risk, there is no high reward. You would simply have to help protect someone besides yourself.

[haematocritical]

[ Gives The Look. ]

I just got my life back. In any capacity.

[mygod]

Did you?

[ it's not asked snidely, or sarcastically, but more curiously. genuine. they don't know much about astarion before here, so. ]

[haematocritical]

Yes.

[ … ]

Which happens to be why I was less than delighted to be here.

[mygod]

Your bloody exit?

[ they remember. ]

Well, I am sorry you are as much of a captive here as you had been there. Hopefully, the end result will be your full autonomy once more.

[haematocritical]

It might’ve been more satisfying, if not for my next location.

[ ….. ]

Yes. It’d better be. The idea of living without looking over my shoulder is very appealing.

[mygod]

[ is this a threat, astarion, dear. ]

I assume you wouldn't be willing to embellish on what exactly it was like for you before?

[haematocritical]

[ it was not actually, but would he like it to be? ]

… I’m not thrilled about the idea, no. But if I tell you I’m a vampire spawn I’m sure you can fill in the miserable little gaps.

[ his mouth twists slightly. surface level discussion isn’t too bad, but any deeper and it starts to prickle and leave him uneasy. ]

[mygod]

[ they would love to see him try. ]

Mm.

[ there isn't any judgment. do you think about the fact they are standing here in new clothes and stupid sunglasses having this deep conversation. ]

For a long time?

[haematocritical]

[ it can be arranged. it would be funny. ]

...

[ yes. i love rp. ]

Two hundred years.

[mygod]

That is quite a long time. A little longer than I have been alive even. Some of the oldest prisoners in our dungeon might not have been there that long.

It must have been very hard.

[haematocritical]

That is an understatement.

[ ... ]

Go on then, depress me. How much longer than you've been alive has it been?

[mygod]

I am a hundred and twenty, so you are only a little ahead of me. For you, a lot maybe. But is eighty or so years very much for someone who can live to be a thousand years old?

You're free now, though, are you not? Barring this situation, of course. You've managed to change the course of your fate. It's commendable.

[haematocritical]

[ this is an elf. a dnd elf. ]

Of my sire, yes. He's not coming back. [ woohoo. ]

Yes, well. We'll need to figure out this place and then further issues back home. Then I'll be able to decide what I want to do with the rest of the fate I've clawed back.

[mygod]

[ 🤔 ]

Good riddance.

[ said in a sort of like "cheers" way you would do when toasting and such. ]

Well, we shall see, won't we? Do you have any inklings as to what you think you might like to do with freedom?

[haematocritical]

[ makes a little cheers inclination with his head. hurrah. down with cazador. ]

… Gods. There’s a good question. What would you do if you suddenly found yourself completely at your own mercy for the first time in two centuries?

[ because that is terrifying. it scares him. ]

[mygod]

[ they consider this rhetorical question a moment. ]

I would start by... spending time with my friends.

[haematocritical]

[ what the fuck is a friend. ]

… Hm.

Without the threat of elder brains and vampiric sires nipping at my heels? That sounds almost too relaxing. [ he is not being serious. ]