#Group Dynamics

[genesscissors]

[crystalrabbit246912]

Group Dynamics in NRC

I think that Group Dynamics in Twisted Wonderland are the funniest things ever.

Spoilers for the Stitch Event, Glorious Masquerade, Book 5, and Book 6 under the cut.

There's the obvious ones, like the first-year crew and their friendship, with them constantly making quips and having fun at each other's expense, and the dorm groups, like Azul, Jade, and Floyd, who are hilarious to watch together, or Kalim and his tired babysitter Jamil.

But then you get to the events, which introduces dynamics that we haven't seen before simply because there's so many characters and each pairing has so much potential together.

Like in the Stitch Event, where we see Floyd and Lilia being chaos buddies together. I think that if they were left alone with Stitch, they could have blown up the whole island and laughed while doing it, and we hadn't seen that before because Floyd has had no reason to interact with Lilia prior.

In Glorious Masquerade, we first see a bunch of different groupings, such as Azul with Deuce and Epel, which is hilarious because we have the two innocent freshmen and Azul, who's trying to say things with subtext that goes completely over the duo's heads. Of course, we already know that Deuce and Epel are cute together, but seeing Azul frustrated at their naivety is something new.

The other groups contain Idia, Ruggie, Silver, and Rook for one, which means that Idia's always-fun dialogue paired with Ruggie's desire to get a good deal paired with two sunshine children, a.k.a two of the light magic users.

The third group is made up of Riddle, Jamil, Malleus, and Sebek. The first three possess a certain maturity that the other first-years, not counting Jack, don't have. Sebek being the shouty crocodile that we all love adds some excitement to them. We've already seen a bit of Riddle and Jamil interaction with Book 6 and Riddle and Malleus are both Housewardens even if the latter doesn't get invited to meetings much.

Yuu, Grim, and Rollo drift among the groups, which adds some extra spice as Grim is... Grim and Yuu is friendly with basically everyone so there's not much animosity there. The friendship is something that would be boring anywhere else, but the amount of animosity between most NRC students makes it refreshing instead.

Later, the group has to split up to deal with the firelotuses and get at least one of their members to the top of the tower to ring the Bell of Solace. They drop their members in groups of two, leaving fascinating pairings, with Idia, Malleus, and Azul making it to the top.

The first pair to drop is Riddle and Epel. The two of them are somewhat commonly shipped in this fandom, but we don't actually see them together much in the actual game. Riddle is immensely talented with magic and Epel has good flying skills, so the two of them act as a diversion so the rest of the group can make it past.

Riddle obviously wants to be a good upperclassman and protect his junior, Epel, but Epel also wants to protect Riddle, which leads to a spirited conversation between them, at the end of which Epel uses his UM on Riddle to protect him and manages to divert the firelotuses until the main group rings the Bell.

Next are Jamil and Ruggie, who get separated from the main group and are forced to be left behind so the Bell can be reached. The two of them share a common willingness to dirty their hands so they can survive, which means that they're willing to use other students as bait so they can survive the night. Their UMs make this possible, and Jamil states that he's glad that he ended up with Ruggie, since the hyena beastman was the only one he could pull the trick off with.

Beyond that, Deuce gets injured in the ballroom and Rook stays behind with him so the group can progress forwards without them. The two of them interacted a little in Book 5, but it was mainly Vil speaking and I don't think they had any individual interactions, though I may be forgetting something.

This is another upperclassman wants to protect their underclassman situation. There's a cute scene where Rook is on the verge of giving up, but Deuce keeps going and Rook says that Deuce's inspired him, in the classic Rook way.

Sebek and Silver clear the way so that Malleus, Idia, and Azul can make their way up the tower. These two are together a rather lot, both in the actual game and in the fandom, either as a sibling relationship or ship, but Silver feeds into the competitiveness between them, whereas it was previously assumed that it was a one-sided thing from Sebek.

Malleus, Idia, and Azul are hilarious together.

Malleus, despite being a Housewarden like the other two, isn't seen much with them. Idia and Azul are seen together often, as members of the Board Game Club, but Malleus not so much.

Malleus' manner of speech and unique quirks are new to the other two, though Azul is quite used to Idia's social anxiety and dialogue while Idia has had plenty of time to get used to Azul and his way of working. When both Rollo and Malleus think that Azul sacrificed himself, Idia is the one that knew that the Octavinelle Housewarden had something up his sleeve.

Idia and Azul both struggle with physical activity, so while the physically and magically powerful Malleus can climb the tower with ease, the other two are struggling immensely. There's a line of dialogue that says that he couldn't carry the two up the tower because there wasn't enough room for him to carry them under his arms, which I found really funny.

I think I derailed this post somewhat, but my conclusion is that group dynamics are funny here, and if you put two people who would never in normal circumstances be near each other in the same room, I think the result would be great.

(Example: Deuce and Idia. Idia is terrified of Deuce, as he is of most people, yet shocked by his determination and also a bit thankful towards him for being Ortho's friend. Deuce initially has a high impression of Idia because of Ortho's praise, though the impression just downrails into confusion.)

[moonyswarmsweaters]

[animehideout]

Masterlist

[straows]

Highschool

—random Drabble with you, Larry and Sal at school. Tw: mentions of underage drinking and drug use.

Putting your books away with a sigh, you let your head drop roughly against the desk. A loud enough noise that even Travis shot you a glare.

Class was boring. Like really boring. Like so boring you even watched Sal draw weird little triangle head people beef with square heads then die in a big scribble hole.

You didn’t study for the test— of course you didn’t. You never did, always preferred to spend your evenings at Larry’s place or Sal’s if he wasn’t already at Larry’s. You were a good test taker, didn’t need to study, just semi listened and managed to make good grades. An average A, B student.

Larry would always look over with that stupid ‘I don’t know what the fuck just happened’ and you’d just shrug with a smile. Just to have your test handed back to you with a 86. And oh he’d glare you and poke your rib with his middle finger.

You were the type of student to slack off, smoke pot and drink shitty beer on the weekends with your friends.

Your future was empty except for your knack at piercing. You’d given Larry a piercing on his left ear— he’d gone on some long ass rant about how the right ear is the gay ear and he needed to at least kiss a girl before college— seeing as this would be your senior year.

You pierced Ashley’s nose piercing, as well as her naval but you’d made her cough up a $20 for that.

“Use both eyes, freak.” Travis sneered, that ugly look on his face directed at you.

You’d zoned out but his comment was enough to get you to lock back into life. “You kiss your daddy with that mouth?” You’d stolen it from Sal, who only rolled his eyes behind his prosthetic as he stood up.

“You little bitch!” Travis stood up, about to charge up to you but Larry stood in front of you.

He’d gotten taller and started working out more, which was a bonus in so many ways because now Travis was backing up like a little bitch and grumbling as he walked out.

“Never stop working out.” You patted Larry’s shoulder, before slinging your bag over your shoulders.

“It’s cuz I’m so hot right?” Larry wiggled his brows but just sighed when you pinched his nose, before promptly pushing you away by your forehead. “You are such a pain in the ass.”

“I’m gonna crawl into your skin.”

“Just kill me now.”

“We’re missing lunch. Come on,” Sal groaned, almost as loud as his stomach.

“It’s bologna day.” Larry rose a brow at Sal.

“Let’s just eat outside.” Sal was quick to pull a 180 and walk out the doors of the school. Leaving the two of you in two.

“Hey so good news, I’m getting a car.” You dropped out of no where as the three of you sat down on the half empty school parking lot.

“What? What kind? And can you drive us?” Sal was immediately asking, eyeing you down like the solution to all his problems.

“Let me rephrase, I got the car, and drove myself here today. It’s right there.” Pointing to the shitty, beat down Chevy truck. The red paint scuffed and scratched— bumper hardly hanging on.

“Wow. What a shit box.” Larry deadpanned, just to sigh, stand up and walk to said shitbox, opening the door, immediately the inside of the door smacked against the ground, and he just side eyed you.

“What? We can fix it up. You two are men. Do your man stuff.” You waved them off before standing as well and stretching, “sooo let’s skip?”

“This is why we’re friends.” Sal walked to the backseat and slid in, situating himself so he was sat in the middle of the two front seats so he could see.

“Your not even gonna try to get front seat?” Larry eyed him from the side.

“No. If she wrecks I’m gonna be the safest.” He shrugged and leaned back against the seat.

“Wait, shit, let’s swit-“

“Sit your ass down.” You huffed and forced him into the car before getting into the drivers side. You had to wait a while before actually cranking it all the way, the whole process was sad.

“It’s totally gonna break down on the highway.” Sal sighed.

“He’s not an it. He’s a David.” You corrected before pulling out of the parking lot.

“David? You’ve gotta be shitting me.” Sal reached forward and changed the radio station.

“I’ll shit on you.”

“Please don’t.”

“Too late.”

“Children.” Larry buckled up immediately when you slammed on the breaks just to smash the gas peddle to gap some mom van. His hand on the oh shit bar.

“I’m so powerful. I could like pit maneuver whoever I wanted.” You drive with your knee, and rolled down the window with the window crank.

“Let me out. Wait. No. Please.” Sal’s voice was sarcastic as he pawed at the window.

“Your putting marks on my window, stop it you rat.” You reached back blindly and tried to slap his hand away but he just held you by the hand.

“Marks are the least you should worry about with this vehicle.” Sal and Larry snickered.

“Assholes.” You sighed.

[nebulousjoy]

group dynamic shitposts featuring the crater crew & bb league club because i got inspired. some of these have probably been done already.

(i got all the templates off of pinterest)

[omegai]

Vampire Coven

[pt: vampire coven]

Coven : misceversers of any dynamic who are in, or want to be in, a coven, or prioritize a coven dynamic.

[pt: coven]

tags: @omegarchive @misceverchive @drowntowns

[serendipitysparks]

The Power of the Death Note and Narcissism

Light Yagami, the protagonist, is a highly intelligent high school student who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it, provided he knows their face. This power amplifies his already existing sense of superiority and self-importance. From a psychological perspective, this can be linked to narcissistic traits such as grandiosity, entitlement, and a lack of empathy. Light believes that he is morally superior and justifies his actions through the idea of creating a better world by eliminating criminals. His behavior is often aligned with narcissistic personality disorder, where he sees himself as a "savior" and becomes increasingly detached from the consequences of his actions.

Moral Development and Cognitive Dissonance

The series also explores moral development, particularly through the conflict between Light and L, the detective trying to stop him. Light's moral reasoning evolves as he justifies his killings with a utilitarian approach, seeing the deaths as necessary for the greater good. This reflects cognitive dissonance—the psychological discomfort that arises when a person’s beliefs or actions contradict one another. Light reconciles this by rationalizing that killing criminals will lead to a more just world, thus reducing his internal conflict. His ability to compartmentalize and maintain this belief in the face of mounting deaths demonstrates a powerful use of cognitive dissonance reduction.

Machiavellianism and Manipulation

Light’s strategic thinking and manipulation are key characteristics of Machiavellianism, a component of the "Dark Triad" of personality traits (alongside narcissism and psychopathy). He’s highly calculating, willing to deceive and manipulate those around him to achieve his goals. He often uses people as tools, which is a hallmark of Machiavellian behavior. This is evident in his interactions with Misa Amane, who idolizes him and becomes a key ally, unaware that Light is using her for his own benefit.

Psychopathy and Lack of Empathy

Light's increasing detachment from the value of human life and his cold, calculated actions align with psychopathy—a personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy, remorse, and a propensity for violent or harmful behavior. Psychopaths often have a sense of emotional shallowness, and Light displays this by committing mass murder without displaying genuine remorse or emotional pain. His interactions with others are devoid of genuine emotional connection, further cementing his psychopathic tendencies.

The Role of L: Antagonistic Intelligence and Emotional Regulation

On the opposite end, L, the brilliant detective, is characterized by his unconventional methods and eccentric behavior, which can be understood through a lens of emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility. While he is a genius, L displays significant emotional dysregulation, often appearing socially awkward and erratic. His ability to stay emotionally controlled, despite the high stakes of his pursuit of Light, contrasts with Light's emotional detachment. L’s empathy and sense of justice also play a critical role in his fight against Light, highlighting the psychological tension between justice driven by emotion (L) and logic (Light).

Group Dynamics and Social Influence

The way Light and other characters manipulate groups around them speaks to the power of social influence. Light, through his charismatic leadership, manipulates others into following his vision of justice. He uses people’s innate desire for belonging and approval to solidify his power. The show portrays how social influence can be used for both constructive and destructive purposes.

Identity and Self-Perception

Over time, Light’s sense of self is increasingly tied to his identity as Kira, the vigilante. His transformation from a high school student to a god-like figure who believes he can reshape the world demonstrates the psychological concept of identity fusion—a process where a person’s identity becomes increasingly linked with a cause or group to the point where the cause takes precedence over personal relationships or ethics. This distortion of self leads him to act in ways that contradict his original values.

[lurafita]

Kinda an outside perspective kinda story, where AU,

Magnus and Simon are roommates, and Simon likes to lifestream games. But he has his set up in the living room, because "Everyone in the comment section was ragging on my room more than they were talking about the new game mod I was testing out." - "Maybe they wouldn't have if you cleaned up your room a bit, Sherwin."

And since Magnus' and Simon's appartment seems to be everyone's hangout place, Simon's viewers get treated to a lot more than just the game on the screen.

Like Malec flirting, Jace complaining about Alec being so focused on Magnus whenever they come over to hang out with the group, Clary telling everyone that she had been side-eyed by yet another ex-fling of Jace, Maia coming over to make fun of Simon dying in the game, and everyone trying to keep Izzy out of the kitchen.

[pratchettquotes]

People on the side of The People always ended up disappointed, in any case. They found that The People tended not to be grateful or appreciative or forward-thinking or obedient. The People tended to be small-minded and conservative and not very clever and were even distrustful of cleverness. And so, the children of the revolution were faced with the age-old problem: it wasn't that you had the wrong kind of government, which was obvious, but that you had the wrong kind of people.

As soon as you saw people as things to be measured, they didn't measure up.

Terry Pratchett, Night Watch

[thesweetestdevotion]

pls can u do the skz reading for ateez thank u v muchly!

ATEEZ Group Dynamic Reading:

Dice: Sun, 9th House, Virgo

Dynamic of the group as a whole: 9 of Swords Reversed, The Emperor, Page of Cups, 2 of Wands Reversed, 6 of Cups, Queen of Wands

I think this group is one that is very cohesive. There is a good blend of seriousness and professionalism with sweetness and playfulness. It’s like they work hard and play even harder. They’re also very protective over each other and the group itself, it seems like they’ve been through stressful situations together and have been able to work through it and grow as a group. I think they’re all very good at nurturing freedom and creativity in each other. It’s interesting because they’ve been together for a long time but their dynamic still seems youthful and fresh. I think they’re all able to balance their energies really well together. They also deeply care about one another and this makes their bond even stronger. They may be being held back in some way? It’s like there is something that is not allowing them to grow, but it seems to come from the outside world, not from within the group. Im not getting clarity on it but it seems important to state.

Each Member’s Energy:

San: Judgement, King of Pentacles, 10 of Swords, 4 of Cups

I think he brings stability and structure to the group. He seems like he’s able to detach his personal feelings from his responsibilities. This allows him to get a lot of things done well, but it may also bring him too much stress. He may feel like he has too much on his plate at times, and me may often wish things were different. I think he may be a little discontent with his position in the group, but he’s also devoted to it. Although he may find it a bit boring?

Seonghwa: 5 of Cups Reversed, 5 of Coins Reversed, 10 of Wands, The Devil, The Chariot, 8 of Swords, Knight of Cups

I think He feels like being in the group has helped him better himself. He may have dealt/ be dealing with bad habits or issues that he’s trying to overcome. For some reason I’m hearing “the busier I am the better” so he may rely on the activities of the group to stabilize himself and keep himself on the right path. I think he’s seen that he need to be proactive in healing himself and being with the others gives him the strength to do it. I wont pry as to what exactly he’s dealing with as there is no need really, but the other’s give him a lot of strength and support and he really loves that.

Wooyoung: King of Wands Reversed, 10 of Coins, 7 of Wands, 5 of Swords

Why do I feel like he is defensive? It’s like he’s protecting or defending the group from a negative external authority or power. I think he may feel like he needs to be the one who advocates and stands for the group. I’m getting the group has dealt with this a lot, but wooyoung seems to be the one who takes the strongest stand against it. He likes being the one who protects the others? Is what I’m getting here.

Hongjoong: The Tower, The Hierophant, The Sun, 7 of Swords, 4 of Swords Reversed

He loves it, being with the group gives him a sense of purpose and drive, and he likes being part of group dynamics and working as a team. It also seems like he’s another person who is protective. He may feel burnt out, and also feels like he needs to play a nurturing role within the group. He may feel like he needs to do this in order to avoid disaster or heal from past disasters. He may feel like he needs to nourish the others, and protect them from sneaky and underhanded energies around them.

Yeosang: Page of Wands, 3 of Coins Reversed, 2 of Cups, 7 of Coins

He may want to be able to do something on his own. I’m seeing he does like to work in the group, but he also has his own ideas and ambitions and may feel like he can’t break out and do exactly what he wants to do. He may want to do both at once and its difficult for him to do so. I see he may feel like he’s enjoying the harvest of his hard work with the group, but he’s ready for a new adventure although he may not have any plans set in stone. Still figuring out what he wants to do.

Mingi: 4 of Coins, Justice, The Empress, 2 of Coins

Another person who feels protective over the group. Is this a common theme with them? I think Mingi may play the main role of nurturing and sweet person. He’s the soft place to land for the group, someone who they can confide in and speak about their issues with. I think he’s the second most fiercely protective of the group, he may speak out in their favor a lot and organize ways to better help each other. He’s really good at balancing the things he needs to do as well. Overall he’s very very strong and capable of taking care of others, i think it comes naturally to him.

Yunho: Queen of Pentacles Reversed, 8 of Coins Reversed, The Star, The Lovers

He may be a bit distracted? Or he seems like he’s not focused on work at the moment. Overall he’s very happy within the group. He may play the role of mediator, or is someone who is easy to get along with and brings a lot of harmony to their dynamic. He may just be the chillest one in here lol. He may oftentimes be a little lazy and need encouragement from the others lol. He may also be the happiest in the group, and it kinda rubs off on the others as well. He’s like the one who starts the party basically .

Jongho: Death, 3 of Cups, 8 of Wands, 7 of Cups

He has the most youthful energy, he’s also the most active out of all the others. He may be overwhelmed by this actually, like hr has a lot to get done and a lot of things to be aware of. I also think he’s very lighthearted and likes to hang out/party with the others. It seems the last two of the group are the moodmakers of the dynamic haha. They’re the ones who lighten stuff up when it needs to be. I think he’s someone who is able to move quickly through life, and he may energize other members because of this. It’s like they admire how much he’s able to balance and take care of.

I think this group has a very lighthearted energy, so there wasn’t that much to go into depth for haha. It’s a great energy to be in, most of their issues seem to come from outside the dynamic/ other people around them so there was mostly good energy here! xxx

[chaotic-sproutlet]

[mongo-the-liensis]

The party (on the fourth floor). Tell me I'm wrong!

[fetchen]

can you please make fetchen group dynamic headcannons? how the group interacts with/reacts to them 😍

YES OMG :3

~ janis and regina are bitter haters through and through. they’ll gag when fetchen kiss in front of them and comment stuff like “break up” or “delete this” when they post each other. it’s all in good fun of course but rejanis are the biggest haters ever.

~ MEANWHILE cady and damian absolutely love karen and gretchen’s relationship. if there was a fetchen fanclub they’d be co-presidents.

~ when cady first met the plastics, she thought karen and gretchen were already in a relationship. cady’s arrival was, in part, the catalyst for them getting together for real.

~ pretty much nobody in the friend group was surprised when they started dating . nobody except for aaron . he doesn’t see it coming at all

~ aaron is very supportive tho . he’s new to all this gay stuff be nice to him

~ they have movie nights as a group and karen and gretchen always get the couch to themselves no matter whose house they’re at . regina’s advocated for a rotating system but it hasn’t stuck .

~ they made a promise to exchange gifts for valentine’s day every year in a secret santa-type fashion. they have two rules. price limit is $25 and karen and gretchen cannot be paired up . they’re simply too insufferable

~ when they go on group trips of any sort, damian is the resident fetchen photographer he captures their cutest moments and does it damn well

~ every year, gretchen commissions the whole friend group to plan karen’s birthday party and every year, the parties are absolute hits

[cmweller]

Challenge #04473-L089: Drama Balm

A wandering caravan has attracted a small friend that ensures that even the worst days still brings at least one smile. A small group of Cykets had decided to make their homes in the wagons and travel with the merchants.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04153-k135-to-breathe-clouds-of-joy -- Anon Guest

[AN: For those who don't want to look into the archives, a Cyket is a tiny gryphon-like creature that feature parts of a cygnet (baby swan) and a small monkey. The down from their shed fluff creates joy in other creatures]

Life on the open road is sold as the ultimate freedom. It's not as glamorous as the adventure books like to say it is. There's constant suspicion from landed folk, traveling in the rain, caravan drama, and of course, long stretches of stultifying boredom. There's hygiene issues, people "creatively borrowing" from others, affairs of lust, people not talking to others, waifs and strays joining with dreams of adventure and then learning about the muck.

Only the truly determined stayed beyond the next village. Well. The determined and the desperate.

Generally, the traveling wagon trains were full of traders, entertainers, and weirdos who didn't fit anywhere else. So it was no surprise that one of this train's tagalongs was a singing Wudzgaad.

[Check the source for the rest of the story]

[shannaraisles]

Still Yours - for @50sjello

For @50sjello, who has been incredibly patient - this has been sitting in my finished folder for almost a month, due to various of my own issues, but finally, here it is! Thank you so much, lovely!

Still Yours

The mood in the camp was ... awkward this morning, to say the least. It isn’t every night you wake up flooded with physical ecstasy, only to discover it isn’t actually yours, and you’re feeling it secondhand from the nominal leader of your group as they couple with a mindflayer in their shared dreamscape. Sylvana was fairly sure none of the party was ever going to look at them the same way again. 

“Well, that was quite the wet dream we all shared last night, wasn’t it?” Astarion declared in a surprisingly innocent display of avuncular good humour. “I do hope it doesn’t become a regular thing. I prefer my intimacies ... intimate.”

The look that flickered in the direction of a certain purple tent spoke volumes of both judgement and unexpected concern, underscored by the faintest hint of a smirking smile as Karlach took up the theme.

“Gods, I never want to look at another octopus ever again,” she said, shuddering as her flames intensified for a moment. “That was ... no. Nope, I am not thinking about it.”

“It was a very stimulating evening,” Shadowheart interjected, straightening from her morning stretch. “Who would have thought the Emperor would have such creativity when it came to such an unconventional coupling?”

Face flaming red, Sylvana focused on fastening their bedroll, trying to ignore the spirited debate now being undertaken by three members of their party, all of whom were dying in equally creative ways in the secret, hidden pathways of their mind. A prickle of fur brushed their calf, drawing their attention to the sharp eyes of a tressym standing entirely too close for comfort. Nothing can judge you for decisions made in the heat of the moment quite like a feline with a bone to pick. 

“Good night, was it?” Tara asked, and Sylvana only just suppressed the flinch at the ice in the tressym’s tone. 

The young rogue steeled themselves, setting down the bedroll to turn and face the closest thing to a mother Gale of Waterdeep had handy. Tara’s yellow eyes were hard in the morning stillness, more than a little resentment stirring within the magical feline for the harm done to her young Mr Dekarios in the night. Sylvana swallowed, taking a moment to clear their thoughts and their throat before addressing the acid remark.

“I know I have made a terrible mistake,” they informed Tara. “I know it’s worse because everyone is aware of it. But the shockwaves of that mistake are between myself and Gale, and while I appreciate that you love him and want only to protect him, he is a grown man and we should be able to discuss this like adults, without others inserting themselves into our dynamic.”

The tressym considered them for an excruciating moment, that sharpness in that gaze almost enough to draw blood. Then she ruffled her feathers, her tail rippling from straight to just slightly curved.

“Then I suggest you begin this adult discussion of yours,” she said primly. “Mr Dekarios is a great man, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he is a teenaged nightmare with all the social skills of an erotically charged goblin. Good luck to you.”

Even as Sylvana raised their brows at this rather brutal description of the man they loved, the two of them heard a choked objection abruptly cut off from within the tent. Ah. Well, that made sense of Tara’s comment on his emotional maturity in this matter. Apparently hiding in his tent and listening to everyone else was Gale’s idea of dealing with this. Sylvana could not entirely blame him. He must have decided he was being set aside yet again by the beloved of his heart, something he had still not truly come to terms with when it came to Mystra. 

With Tara flicking her tail and heading toward the campfire to ply her wiles on Wyll for breakfast, Sylvana straightened their shoulders and ducked through the thick purple fabric. Their eyes found Gale near instantly, stumbling back from the curtain they had just stepped through as though he had not expected them to make their entrance so soon after speaking with Tara. His eyes were red, betraying tears he would no doubt be horrified to know were so easily discerned in his weary face; his gaze pinned to Sylvana’s face with wide-eyed trepidation. 

Yet before Sylvana could so much as open their mouth, he held up a hand to still any words that might be said. 

“If this is to be the end of us, then land the blade sharply, I beg you,” he said, each word ringing with a certainty that could only have come from practice since he had woken. “No excuses, no softening of the blow. Tell me, once and for all, if this truly is the end of the love I have come to trust so wholly since we met.”

Sylvana narrowed their eyes slightly at these last words, not particularly liking the attempt at emotional manipulation but understanding that, as Tara said, he was emotionally an angsty teenager still. 

“It’s the last thing I want, Gale,” they said, voice trembling just a little now they were faced with the consequences of their curious interlude the night before. “But if we are to continue, we need to talk about what happened last night.”

“You chose to betray my trust with a mindflayer,” he snapped. “In a way that broadcast my humiliation to the entire camp, to these people who have become our - my - friends. People who know my history have seen me cast aside a second time, for what? For sport?” His gaze hardened as he stared at her, brows furrowing in pain. “Tell me it meant nothing.”

“I can’t do that.”

The answer was honest. And in all honesty, they could not blame him for the faint cry of misery that left his lips, the way his knees seemed to buckle and toss him down upon the makeshift bed he had not yet packed away. Sylvana forced themselves to step closer, to crouch, to kneel at his side, not daring to offer a touch in consolation. They only had words, but it was a language that this man certainly understood. 

“Let me tell you why,” they said, each word soft but firm in the pain-filled silence of the tent. “And when I am done, if you still wish nothing more to do with me, then I will accept that. I have wronged you, but not with malicious intent.”

Knees drawn to his chest, hands clasped and twisting anxiously together, Gale drew in a staggered breath, seeming to force away fresh tears as he nodded. Whatever else happened now, he needed to know. Taking the invitation, Sylvana twisted themselves to sit beside him on the padded bedroll, staring at the star-filled constellation of Mystra they had never once asked him to remove from his sleeping place. 

“I don’t know everything about you,” they began, careful to keep their tone light, conversational. No blame or implication of guilt; nothing to provoke an emotional reaction from him. “I don’t know every fleeting thought that pulses through your mind; every impulse you restrain, every judgement you make on those we pass by or interact with. I only see what you choose to show me, and I love every part of that man, even the parts you are perhaps ashamed of.”

They felt him shudder beside them, felt the unspoken acknowledgement that no mortal truly knew another in the way they were describing. Felt the realisation of where this was going even before they continued to explain. 

“The Emperor knows everything about me,” they told him. “All of it. Not just what I choose to show, but everything I intentionally hide. Every unkind thought, every urge toward pain and destruction, everything that I know would sour the affection of the people I love toward me ... it knows all of it. Can you truly blame me for doing as I did, at a moment when I felt seen in a way no one has ever seen me before? For just those few moments, I could finally understand why you remain so devoted, so loyal, so tender toward Mystra. She knows you, the way he knows me. And yes, perhaps I wanted to even the score in that regard. Perhaps I knew it would hurt you, the way it hurts me each time you say her name with such fondness. The way it hurts to have to see her celestial face each time I come to you in privacy. But am I so unforgivable?”

There was a long silence, still wracked with pain but now peppered with understanding, the words he loved and needed so much guiding him down the path to truly understanding the why of what had gone before. 

“It felt ... clinical, to me,” he said finally, his tone calm, almost detached. “I could feel your curiosity, your physical pleasure. Where was your heart, Sylvana?”

“In your hands. Always.”

They felt him suck in a breath, a sudden change in the turmoil radiating from him softening to their words as this commitment was made. A moment later, his fingers found theirs, hesitant but warm, daring to cross the divide between them. 

“Had it been me in your place,” he said, each word tremulous but firm, “I do not think I could have gone through with it. Not that the temptation would not have been great, but ... I have been set aside by those I adore too often to willingly do it to another. To you.”

For the first time since waking, Sylvana felt the shard of pain they had been holding at bay slice deep. They knew this, of course they did. Some things could not be retracted or forgotten. But perhaps they could be forgiven?

Gale’s fingers tightened about theirs, drawing their palm to rest over his heart. 

“My heart is yours,” he said, whispering painfully into the stillness. “Still yours. Always yours.”

Sylvana tilted their head toward him, finally finding his eyes on them with the by now familiar adoration back where it had always been. An adoration that was now just a touch guarded, but still there.

“Can we come back from this?” they asked, eyes burning with the urge for tears they did not feel they had earned the right to shed. “Can you forgive me my weakness?”

His brow pressed to theirs, and they shuddered together, each one fighting back those tears, knowing that such a display here and now would do neither of them any good. Hands gripped hands, breath mingled in staggering gusts, both wizard and rogue breathing together to eradicate the harsh reality of their painful morning. 

“If you can forgive me for mine,” Gale said finally, lifting his eyes to theirs. “I have held onto the memory of her affection when I should have given you all of my focus. I swear this to you, my beloved heart, I will let her go. And when the time comes that the Emperor has no further need of us, I will stand by your side as you let him go.”

The relief was palpable - audible, even, as they heard Astarion suddenly declare that the fun he had been expecting wasn’t even going to start now. Sylvana let out a rueful laugh, joined by a wry chuckle from Gale as they wrapped themselves in each other’s arms, squeezing close to chase away the last of the uncertainty the morning had wrought.

“As long as you are mine, I could face anything at your side,” Gale murmured, at last pressing a tender kiss to his lips. 

“I’m yours,” was their answer, heartfelt and unshakeable. “I’m still yours.”