#and then at the last moment Wyll comes in and he doesn't accept it

[wavebiders]

The thing that really gets me about Wyll and Karlach is just how their bond is allowed to have the importance in their narratives that it has

I mean, in games like these the cast is always going to be centered around the pc. Sure, the relationships between other companions can be developed through party banter, commentary, or even cinematics, but at the end of the day everyone's most significant relationship is always going to be the player. That's the person who most affects them and where their story is going

With these two, it's not even that Tav isn't vitally important to them both, but it's meeting Karlach that changes Wyll's life one way or another. It's Wyll that's the first person to stick out his neck for Karlach, and sends her reeling. Their bond alone is enough to convince Karlach to go to Avernus and stay alive

It's a very bold choice to risk limiting the player's importance in order to drive home the connection between two characters, and I really appreciate Larian for going there

[lynnlovesthestars]

Could I request headcanons for Harleep, Astarion, Gale, Wyll, Halsin, Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor with kind and patient gn s/o? This is quite self-indulgent of me because I have been told I'm too nice & so patient so I'm curious how they would react XD

first of all sorry for being so late, but my small brain has to process things multiple times to make sense, so i wrote this like... 5 times? So it takes me a while, but i hope that waiting was worth it.

Also i saw you sent a second ask to see if i recieved this one, so ill put dammon and rolan there cause this is starting to get a bit long:3<3 thank you so much for your patience!:3

Taglist: @sessils @spacebarbarianweird

Headcanon: BG3 men with kind and patient s/o. (pt. 1)

Zevlor:

Zevlor is emotionally a wreck already, he considers kindness a virtue and it definitely makes him swoon when he notices you put extra care in making sure he's treated with kindness. At the end of the day, he basically got bullied on all fronts when all he really wants is to prove himself worthy of the title he carried for so long.

Zevlor has a short temper too, and he appreciates so much your effort and patience in dealing with his outbursts, whether they are of rage- not towards you of course- or of sadness, you offer always a shoulder for him and he cherishes it so much.

He is lowkey jealous when he notices that your kindness is not mostly exclusive to him, he has learned that people can abuse one's patience and care, and 1. he doesn't want you to get hurt, 2. he wishes your kindness was maybe reserved to him. Call him selfish, but after being deprived of it for so long, he is hesitant to let go of it.

Astarion:

Initially he would be very wary, in his experience being nice always lead to him getting hurt, so why would he trust someone who's default reply is kindness? At the end of the day the last time someone was '''''kind''''' to him, he was turned in a vampire spawn, so he takes it extra slow, he has just regained control over himself, he won't blindly accept kindness. He's lowkey afraid you are just part of a bigger scheme that will bite him in the ass and leave him shackled and caged again.

Once he gets accustomed to your kindness and finally accepts it, he revels in the kindness you offer and your patience, especially the smallest gestures like opening a door for him. He will literally melt for it, he's already smitten, your kindness leaves him like mush in your hands.

Nevetheless every good side, comes with a negative one. He is dead afraid your kindness will bring you to get hurt. He often reminds you to be weary and keep all your kindness for people you trust (HIM), rather than going around and helping every lost soul that asks for help. He will fight you on this a few times- especially if you do get hurt or it is obvious you are about to- he will not bite his tongue and keep it for himself, and that's one of the moments when he's glad you are patient.

You understand where it comes from and you try your best to find a solution that would make both happy. Your patience of course doesn't stop there, he knows he's an handful: he carries an heavy trauma baggage and he has a feisty personality, yet you always show him you don't mind, that you are there for him and that he can take all the time of the universe to sort his problems out.

Wyll:

Wyll would find it so endearing, how you are ready to go to someone's aid, you stop on your tracks to support someone in need, and he would love seeing you being kind to everyone. It's probably one of the reasons why he falls in love with you. Unlike Astarion he encourages you to be kind to everyone, cause he considers it a virtue, he incourages you to be the best version of yourself, and he reminds you that if you do get hurt, he will be there to pick up the pieces.

As far as patience goes, he's grateful to the moon and back, he knows he is an handful, especially if he doesn't break his pact with Mizora and has to leave more times than ever. He makes sure once he's back though that he makes up for lost time, whether it is with gifts or by taking care of you.

Haarlep:

Harleep is so used to Raphael that honestly he's taken aback at first, living in the hells means that kindness is hard to come by and around Raphael? It's either a trick or a miracle, so he brushes it off, not repelled like Astarion would, but definitely not eager like Wyll either.. he would be probably the one that takes it as it is, just.. that. But when he gets used to it? He becomes unsufferable. So unsufferable that he goes around demanding Raphael to be treated with kindness and patience! He purrs whenever you are nice even the smallest, thanking you and praising you like a goddess. He even tries to be nice himself- to you only- and despite it has to be and effort, since he has never been exposed to much kindness, he does become a little more mindful, even asking before taking your form or just with small acts of services.

One time Rapahel makes sure to send a message to you through him. "Tav, Raphael asked you stop being nice to me, cause if i demand it from him as well, he's going to turn me into fertilizer", message delivered with a pout that begs exactly the opposite.

Harleep is another that is deeply afraid of your kindness. Let's be real, you can defend yourself as much as you want, but people tend to use people and your kindness is one of those characteristics evil people would pry on- he knows well since its literally part of what he does, and a facet of what Raphael does as well. He probably scolds you a lot for this reason, he does it in a sweet way- don't get me wrong- he sugarcoats the shit out of it, but he will let you know when you are about to get in peril or you are too careless with your kindness.

Gale:

Gale is touched by your kindness, already from the first days after meeting him.

You had helped him out of his blotched portal, you fed him artifacts, you didn't question his secrets or push him to reveal anything, and he doesn't give that for granted. Once he's closer to you, and he learns that you are unconditionally kind to everyone, he's scared.

He starts warning you to be a little less nice, to use your judgement before you blindly trust a stranger, but he doesn't push it past a warning. As much as he wants to protect you, he doesn't want to take away your chance to grow from your errors.

In matter of your patience he's so grateful, he spends days thanking you when he's still afflicted with the orb condition, he cooks as a form of apology or thanks depending what he did, he gets baths started for you, he's treating you as a queen/ king. He alread would do it, but with you? He's even more protective, he almost feels like he has to match your kindness and patience with as much attentions he can muster.

Halsin:

Halsin is a fair man you think he wishes everyone was kind, but he actually wants you to be fair, he wants you to be mindful of who you give kindness to, he wants you to be a reasonable judge rather than unconditionally nice cause it is the way of the nature as well. Nature is not only nurturing and lush, it's also the poisonous vipers and herbs.

Does he appreciate when you are kind? Absolutely, he thinks it's the best gift Silvanus has ever bestowed him, but it doesn't take away the fact that he wants you to be treated kindly as well, so the moment someone crosses the line and starts abusing your kindness or becomes rude, he's definitely stepping in to s h a m e the other person. "You are lucky you have met Tav, cause they are kind, but nature wouldn't be so understanding and patient" He says it with a rage you rarely see in his eyes.

He will do his best to remind you to surely practice kindness but also to be mindful who you help and who you are kind to, cause there's always rotten that can harm you, and lowkey if you get hurt he will invite you to take back what you gave.

Despite this Halsin considers kindness the bare minimum a person should be, and what stops him from encouraging you to be kinder, its just the knowledge that you might get hurt.

[randoimago]

May I ask for Astarion, Wyll, Shadowheart, and Gale having a 'Wait, why am I jealous?' realization of their romantic feelings for Tav? (For the record, Tav is romantically interested in the companion, too, because I can't handle angst right now 🥲)

Realizing They Have Feelings

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3

Character(s): Astarion, Wyll, Gale, Shadowheart

Type of Request: Headcanons

Note(s): Might be tiny hints of angst just because of character backstory mentions, but I did my best with these for you!

Astarion

He doesn't get jealous. People get jealous because of him. And yet, the way he sees one of the harpers at Last Light look at you. That look of reverence for saving them.

One that almost looks at you like a god and a face that flusters when you catch their stare. Astarion, feels the twisting in his gut and it causes him to pause.

Yes he's flirted with you. He's lied and said he's into you. But now, he's not sure it's lies anymore.

And that scares him a bit. With how uncertain the future is, his survival, dealing with Cazador, well it's just a lot of uncertainty and does he even have the time to think of his feelings? Well, Astarion is nothing if not selfish.

Of course he knows your feelings towards him and that makes his admittance a bit easier on his part. The confessing about his intent on manipulating you was a bit harder to get off his tongue especially with the hurt you display.

But you accept his apology and Astarion is so lost on how an actual relationship or whatever you both have is supposed to go. But he's happy to explore it with you.

Gale

Gale flirts with you quite a bit. He doesn't even hide the fact that he finds you attractive. You have a very attractive face, why would he hide his affection? But it never really was anything beyond just simple flirtations.

And then he sees how that tiefling blacksmith smiles at you, how you smile back and he can't help pouting.

For a split second, he's a bit frightened that the weird feeling in his stomach is the orb before he sighs in relief that it's just jealousy.

And then he gets more pouty at the fact that he is jealous. Perhaps his fondness of your pretty face is about more than just your face.

It takes a bit of practicing his speech, redoing certain sections and sighing loudly at how ridiculous this is (but he also finds the amusement in it too).

Eventually, he tells you the truth of his affections. His harmless flirtations had evolved into actual romantic feelings towards you. And the brightest smile crosses his face as you return them. Now you just got to help him not explode and you'll be great.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart thought she was ready to kill Lae'zel before. But now she's hearing comments about your scent and how the gith wants to claim you.

The cleric can't help but scoff and take a sip of one of the thousands of bottles of alcohol that you have in your pack for some reason. Maybe she could throw one of the copies of Traveler's Guides books at her since you have so many copies for some reason.

What Shadowheart doesn't understand is why she's so upset. You're an adult, you can make your own decisions and enjoy yourself with whomever you wish.

And yet, you saved her. You've accepted her silence and wish to keep secrets. And it's at that moment, Shadowheart realizes that she's jealous and she can't help scoffing again because how did she get so pathetic?

She wants to stay silent, keep her feelings a secret as well, but she can't hold them back. Especially when her secrets are revealed to you and then you ask about her favorite flower of all things.

Her feelings end up coming out and instead of turning away and rejecting her (like she expected of all her reveals), you accept them as well. And even reciprocate. She's going to need another bottle of alcohol and this time, she hopes you join her in the drink.

Wyll

He's not really one for jealousy. A dash of disappointment, maybe, but he's got enough demons and devils that he doesn't need to think about the green one.

That's why whenever he sees you flirting with another, well it does give him some disappointment that perhaps he is too late due to his slow realization.

There's also some self consciousness that comes with it too. After all, Wyll isn't as charming or handsome as he once was with the new horns growing out of his head.

Still, he can't help but cherish the memories he had when asking for a dance and you agreeing.

Considering he had gotten this far with a dance, Wyll decides that he might as well tell you his feelings that have been slowly, but surely growing.

Imagine his surprise when you accept him, half-devil appearance and all. Wyll can't help finding his worries silly in hindsight, but he'll laugh at himself later. After he's had that dance.

Taglists: @reo-the-leo @unhelpfulnpc

[thiriann]

The Ascension and the sexual implications of it

We all remember the post from a few weeks ago that circled here. I didn't go through with the Ascension from a purely game sense "this is clearly evil " standpoint. I didn't really understand why it's evil or even more why it's sexual. Some analyses have floated around here and tumblr that mentioned it's because "vampires are a sexy fantasy". Well, yes but you're getting a vampire either way, aren't you?

I didn't manage to connect the dots until I started looking into possible ways for him to walk in the sun. It seems the only reliable one is a “Wish” spell. But that seems to turn the vampire mortal again. Now, that didn't sit right with me. If Ascension was changing him, this was even more of an "I'll fix him" situation. But I thought, would he even agree? He's so power hungry probably giving up on being a vampire would be the last thing he'd agree on. But the more I thought about it, the more it became clear to me that he actually has a strong dislike for being a vampire. If you tell him his reflection is a small price to pay for vampire powers he answers "To you, maybe." He loves seeing the sun again, all the colors. He can't see or remember his eyes, which if we take into literary view, eyes being the windows to the soul we could say it shows his disconnect with his soul, with his humanity. He absolutely hates the hunger urges that come with vampirism, saying they make him pathetic and it's the worst version of himself. And of course, the sexual part. He hasn't actually seen any perks of vampirism, just that it makes you an object of desire, a thing used only for sex. That is the only side of vampirism he has managed to experience and that is what he connects it with.

The point in the story that clearly connects his vampire nature to sexuality is the talk with the blood merchant. She is a drow, her society already views men as slaves good for one thing. But she doesn't ask him for sex, she asks him for a bite yet it's just as sexual. It shows the player that vampires are sex objects yet again. But whatever is left of him, of his soul and humanity is very separated from his vampire form. He doesn't take being a vampire as an identity but separates himself from it, calling it an affliction, or condition. So why push him further into nature that he doesn't accept or enjoy?

At many points he mentions there's almost nothing left of the man he was, whatever little is left of his soul, etc. He believes he doesn't have much to offer, especially after sex is off the table. That is why it's so important to remove sex from your romantic relationship for him. While obviously, it's a time for healing, it's also a time to actually connect to the person behind the vampire. The person he used to be before he became a sex object.

And that is the same if you choose his spawn romance ending. You pick the man he managed to remain despite everything that happened. That's why his post-scene at the grave is basically a rebirth of him, of his humanity. While the romance post-scene of the Ascension is a rebirth of you. You chose to reduce him to a vampire, to an object, and even went as far as to objectify yourself as well by accepting the vampire nature. And ultimately, that's all that's left of him, the vampire. The person he was is gone completely.

I'd just like to add that a lot of people like to bring up that they let the other characters make their own choices but that's a weak point. Shadowheart's choice is very influenced by your choices/approval and let's not forget she would actually kill Lae'zel if you don't get involved, you literally have to choose if you sell Wyll's soul or not, and Lae'zel would kill you if you don't stop her.

Also, there is the argument that he wants this. And for that, I can only guess based on my speculations, that despite all the power hunger brought from whatever feelings, survival, fear, selfishness -until the very last moment he hadn't made up his mind. He even tells you this before you enter Cazador's chamber. He won't know what he'll do before he faces him. His turmoil is obvious. You can tell him this isn't him, not really. And he responds that it should be, he doesn't want to be pathetic.

The choice for the ascension never was his, as it never was for him. He himself saw no way out, just like when he was under Cazador. And the temptation that was obviously present at the idea of being just like Cazador. The choice there was for you.

For the player, whether it'd be as a lover or a friend.Do you want the man or the vampire?

[tadfool]

wyllstarion thoughts + trans!Wyll being on his period.... Astarion definitely notices that Wyll is in pain and even if he didn't notice at first, he would once he smelled blood, he is a vampire after all, if someone is bleeding he's bound to notice pretty quickly. at first he's worried that Wyll, being the self-sacrificing fool that he is, got injured somehow and won't tell anyone. eventually his concern gets the better of him and he all but corners Wyll about it some time when they're alone, which leads to Wyll having to somewhat awkwardly having to explain that no, he's not injured, just menstruating. (after finding out what was really going on Astarion almost feels guilty about forcing Wyll to tell him, but gods damn it he was worried ok!) (cont. under the cut bc this got kinda long. again.)

Wyll tries to reassure Astarion that he's fine "I've been dealing with this since I was 9, I know how to handle it." of course "handling it" for Wyll mostly means just gritting his teeth and baring it. Astarion continues to be concerned of course, growing even more concerned every time he noticed Wyll breath hitch, subtly bracing himself against something or clutching his lower stomach as a particularly bad cramp hit him. at some point Astarion has enough of watching Wyll just suffer through it, he shows up at Wyll tent with several herbal medicines for pain (courtesy of Halsin, probably) and some chocolates (Wyll's not sure how he managed to obtain those) "chocolate is good for... this sort of thing, if I'm not mistaken?" Wyll is deeply touched, nearly moved to tears, but is still a tad hesitant to accept, so unused to being on the receiving end of such caring gestures. "you don't have to take care of me, you know. not that I'm not grateful for the gesture of course."

"oh of course, since you were doing such a fine job by yourself by... doing nothing about it and simply pushing through the pain, I assume? I mean, it's been nearly ten minutes since the last time you nearly doubled over in pain, clearly you're just fine." Astarion's voice drips with sarcasm, though there's a look in his eyes that betrays his genuine concern.

Wyll can't help but chuckle a bit sheepishly, knowing Astarion has a point, "you manage to see right through me, it seems." another particularly bad cramp promptly reminds him just how right Astarion is. Astarion shoves the medicine and chocolate towards him and finally he accepts. "thank you. truly."

"don't mention it. I mean that, I do have a reputation to uphold, you know."

Wyll huffs out a laugh at that. "would you mind sticking around for a little while?" Wyll asks after a moment, his demeanor suddenly turning sheepish again, "I'd appreciate the company, and the distraction, at least until the medicine takes effect."

"of course," Astarion says, a bit softer than he intended but he finds he doesn't regret it when he sees Wyll's posture relax, none the less he adds with a teasing lilt "I have to make sure you actually take the medicine I got for you, after all."

"what, don't you trust me?"

"trust you in general? obviously. trust you to not be a self-sacrificing idiot? not in the slightest."

"fair enough, I suppose." Wyll tries to ignore the warmth spreading through his chest, with little success, and hopes it doesn't spread to his cheeks. the thought that Astarion trusts him will be echoing through his mind for days to come, he's sure of it.

(in the end Astarion spends most of the night in Wyll's tent, even after the man had fallen asleep, before finally seeing fit to retire to his own bedroll with more reluctance than he'll ever admit.)

[hexblooddruid]

@thedragonagelesbian

The fight with Ethel was the first combat post death and Ethel's tricky but not a hard hitter (at least, not on normal) so Bryn didn't have to heal anyone in that fight but when she uses Bitter Divorce to bring back Connor and he comes back as a zombie, even though it's illogical (Bryn's trained in Arcana, she knows how wands work) she thinks it's her fault. That this curse that killed her and won't leave her ruined the thing she values most about herself, being a healer. The first time she uses magic to heal someone is the next day in the Whispering Depths, casting Healing Word on Wyll. She's relived that it works and when they rest afterwards she does ask him how it felt, if it felt any different. He reassures her, saying it felt like summer morning mist, and she is so relieved. That's where she is at the moment, just relieved that it hasn't ruined everything.

She will eventually get to a point where she accepts it and will remember what she was taught and knows to be true (that decay is an important part of the natural life cycle, and this is truly just an extension of what's already insider of her, but for now she's glad that she can compartmentalize.

As for the how do the companions react...

It's very interesting because Karlach, Shadowheart, and Wyll first hear about it from Ethel which makes them (well mainly Shadowheart and Wyll) very suspicious at first. In that moment in the Ethel fight where she tries to bargain with the group, Ethel mentions that she already gave Bryn a little gift. After Wyll gets the last blow on Ethel and they finish talking to Mayrina, Shadowheart immediately questions Bryn, accusing her of making some sort of pact with the hag. After hearing the explanation from Bryn, Shadowheart accepts it but remains suspicious and insists on nightly examinations to "keep an eye on it."

Wyll, though initially suspicious, reassures Bryn after hearing her explanation, and lets go of any lingering suspicions (though of course, he's still concerned).

Karlach doesn't say anything immediately, only approaching Bryn once the other two step away. And you're exactly right, Karlach immediately recognizes the similarity in their situations. And the thing about Karlach is that her heart is so open. She came out of the hells so ready to live her life finally and to love that she just wants to be the what she always needed for Bryn. Someone to just be there, to listen, to understand. So as soon as she can she expresses this to her.

“Listen Bryn, I’m just-I’m so sorry. Hags, devils…they’re all the same. Love to play with people when they’re at their lowest. You’re like the only one of us that hadn’t been touched by something dark…and I’m so sorry that it’s happened to you.”

Bryn smiles softly, sadly. “Thank you. And..I’m sorry that it’s happened to you too.”

Karlach lets out a short huff, almost a laugh. “Well if I can get my engine fixed, I’m sure you’ll end up okay too. In fact I know it.” Karlach reaches down as if she’s going to touch the golden ivy creeping up Bryn’s neck but stops just short. Bryn can feel the heat roaring off her, nearly unbearable even though they aren’t touching. “I can still see your light.”

It's not surprising that two nights later Karlach wakes Bryn up to confess her feeling to her.

As for the others...

-> Astarion at this point encourages any bit of darkness he sees in Bryn, especially if it comes with new power, and hopes that her experience with death will give her stronger self preservation instincts.

->Gale also sees a similarity to his own situation and is immediately concerned with Bryn' health at this point. Bryn goes straight to her tent when they get back to camp, so he ends up interrogating Shadowheart about Bryn's condition. The next day, though, when he sees her new Fey Touched spells in action, he's very curious and will ask her about it when they get back to camp.

-> Lae'zel sees it as another reason why Bryn shouldn't be the leader. She's soft, she's weak (died because she didn't want to fight!), and now she's tainted by a hag.

Thanks for asking!! I know you've written Cyrus comforting Bryn afterwards but how would he immediately (and I guess, internally?) react to it?

[blackjackkent]

I said in the last post that Lae'zel was looting the bodies, so I gave her the interaction with Edowin's body and, needless to say, she fuck-no'd the influence of the worm in his head with a WIS check, so all we got off of him was the absolute crap-ton of sausage that he is carrying for some reason.

Rakha probably would have accepted the worm since the narrator phrases it as a source of potential knowledge, but as of right now she doesn't really argue with Lae'zel when she makes a decision.

Onward to a much more pleasant interaction. HI SCRATCH!

"*Arf! Arf! Grrrrrarf!*"

Rakha does not know what a dog is and, unfortunately, she doesn't immediately care. Her attention is all for the corpse and the lake of blood surrounding it. The scent of it laces the air, shivers along her skin - a death not yet marred by time, fresh and clean. It resonates with those blurred memories she has seen before, the only hint she has of a past before the nautiloid.

Sidestep him to get to the corpse.

Immediately the beast's eyes go back and he darts sideways to get between her and the body. He growls, low in his throat, in a noise not unlike some that Rakha herself has made when the rage takes her.

She looks the creature over with a flicker of curiosity. Beast. Bloodstained. Dangerous - yes, if pushed. Guarding the body. Why? Something valuable?

She sets her jaw and growls back without hesitation. [INTIMIDATION] "Stand down!"

The dog flinches back, whines softly. Looking towards the corpse, it gives a low bark that sounds, somehow, immeasurably sad.

Rakha, already in the process of reaching past him towards the body, hesitates and squints at the beast more carefully.

Take a closer look at him.

Narrator: Around his neck is a collar, etched with a name - Scratch.

----

"What do you think?" she asks uncertainly. Her desire to understand the situation has finally outweighed her interest in the corpse, and she squats down next to the beast and peers at it steadily.

"The man's pet, I'd wager," Wyll says with a frown. "Loyal fellow. Wonder how long he's been standing here."

"Pet," Rakha echoes slowly.

"A beast kept for companionship," Lae'zel says. "An inefficient use of resources at the best of times."

"Awh..." Gale says with a good-natured smirk. "No place for a cat or a dog in the great ranks of the githyanki? I think you underestimate the extremely positive impact they might have on morale. Why, my friend Tara has been known to bring a smile to my face on the darkest of days, though she of course is less of a pet and more of-- "

"Here," Wyll steps forward, cutting Gale off before he can quite get up to full voice. "He'll likely let you pet him, if you're gentle."

Rakha blinks. Wyll crouches next to her, reaches his hand out to the dog. Scratch gives a soft whimper, and then creeps closer and sniffs Wyll's fingertips. Then, cautiously, he rolls his head so Wyll can give him a gentle scratch under his chin. "There we are. That's a good pup," he says lightly, then looks at Rakha. "Give it a try."

Rakha tilts her head slowly, unconsciously mirroring the dog's position. "Why?" she asks.

The question throws him slightly, but only for a moment. "Well, because it feels nice," he says with a shrug. "Give it a try. And then you can paw around in the corpse if that will make you happy."

Rakha scowls uncertainly and looks at the dog, which is eyeing her skeptically.

-----

Pet him.

The beast is startlingly soft, and seems to relax at the touch. Wyll watches with a slight smile on his face as Rakha mimics him, scratching at the underside of the dog's jaw. And, oddly, she does feel the pulse at the back of her head seem to settle, at least for a moment, as if soothed into a fitful sleep.

The dog whines again softly, nudges his head into her arm. Rakha gives him another cautious pat on the top of the head, then draws back and looks at Wyll questioningly, as if to ask, now what?

Wyll chuckles and clicks his tongue gently at the dog. "Come on, Scratch," he says lightly. "Follow me."(*)

Narrator: He whines, but remains rooted by the corpse's side.

Wyll considers, then reaches out again, letting the dog again sniff at his hand, his clothes, his boots. After a moment's hesitation, Rakha mimics the gesture again, following his lead with the strange animal.

Hold out your hand so he can follow your scent to camp.

The dog has visibly calmed now. He sniffs her fingertips with intense concentration, looks her over with a sort of open, good-natured curiosity.

But he still does not let her touch the corpse, growls when she comes near, and watches her warily until the group has passed beyond the little grove where he keeps vigil.

----

(*) Rakha's line in game, obviously, but this seemed more likely. XD

[mongoose-bite]

She's so beautiful. And yeah, I got her the Blood of Lethander, despite it taking ages, cause I couldn't find a battleaxe until someone told me there was one in front of the guardian. I had Gale use mage hand to grab it. Got the mace, left, remembered we'd used Shadowheart's mace to solve the puzzle and had to go back and retrieve it. I play BG3 like I play minecraft; constantly forgetting to pick up shit.

That gdilf dragonrider gith showed up again, and then a genuine celebrity, Elminster! In a rare moment of unity, I truly love how the entire party's reaction is 'fuck that,' to Mystra's plan. Even Asterion, which is a relief. Faye doesn't need him to like her, she's content with him making friends. Everybody loves Gale. I suspect he's been giving everyone magic lessons, and good for him. Although, does he offer to do so if you're a wizard too? That would be very condescending.

We went to the shadowlands and Asterion said he wanted to make a deal with the devil. I left him at camp and when I came back to fetch him, having located said devil, he'd come up with another brilliant idea; to rule on high as tadpole monarchs. He does raise a good point about the sheer number of potential infected, and Faye will accept living with it in her head is preferable to dying or tentacles, so she'll humour his wild theory for now. He clearly finds this atmosphere intellectually stimulating, but I kind of wish he didn't as each idea seems worse than the last. If he mentions crypto I'm kicking him out of camp.

He disapproved (of course) of humouring the half-spectre kid in the abandoned house. Just shut up and bear with it; we're lucky no one got possessed or followed back to camp. Not that we could avoid it forever; now we have a new-minted orphan hanging around, although Withers seems to be taking care of her? I guess he never leaves.

Speaking of failing to avoid awkward situations, Wyll invited Faye to dance, and she had to disappoint him. He apologised the next day, using almost the exact same words as Faye did to Halsin. They're good now and Faye can go back to spending hours trying to figure out he dream-friend. He's so chill and relaxed and wants hugs now, but she knows she wears her heart on her sleeve; you can literally read her oath in a book. Saying the right things to her is pretty easy and she knows it.

So. The artifact is gith, if it's an illithid inside, why didn't they just say so? The implication from the gdilf is it's someone else, probably the prince. Is the dream visitor not in the artifact at all, and just taking credit for it? but if that was the case surely we wouldn't have been sent right to it by whatsherface? It makes our heads hurt. What has Shar got to do with this? Maybe it is a weapon against the Absolute, which seems to be the biggest threat here. Illithids = Absolute? Divinity doesn't seem their thing. 

Halsin finally joined us, and Thaniel isn't actually a real kid, so he can hang around camp for a while. The party seems to be divided into two camps on our newest recruit: woof he big, and Shadowheart. Maybe he ate her cheese or something.

He's so nice? So calm? Doesn't guilt-trip you when you leave him in camp. Polite and grateful for all you've done. I need to get him some gear though, and figure out how to druid. Faye is very happy to have him around.

[mslanna]

Forever Is All Today

Epilogue of Be My Guest now up on AO3 Thank you all so very much for your support and encouragement, 🤗

Don't you ever tire of it? Wyll asked about Avernus. But the answer was no. If Tav woke up entangled in varying limbs of their devil every morning for the rest of their life, it wouldn't be one day too many.

Raphael's tail wrapped tightly around their ankle, arms and wings thrown over their body haphazardly – the devil doesn't sleep often. But when he does, it is a luxury without compare.

And Tav receives visitors in the House of Hope now. If any desire to come. But over time the uneasy tolerance whittles down. Astarion was the first, naturally. With no day and night in Avernus, he wasn't restricted by the time of day. Something he now doesn't have to worry about any longer.

Tav thinks of the thin line of chain links of pale silver on his pale skin. Testing that out had been adrenaline inducing. Setting their friend out into the sun, prepared for the worst with healing spells and potions. The utter exhilaration when nothing happened at all. The look of sheer joy on Astarion's face. That day they celebrated with all festivities the day had to offer.

His visits to Avernus became fewer, but never stopped. And Tav spent most of their days in Faerûn anyway. Travelling with an enthusiastic Astarion. Visiting Gale. The hustle when Duke Ravengard announced his retirement in favour of his son. And of course, the panicky wedding preparations because Karlach rather be damned than have a politically accurate, aristocratic wedding.

Now that had been a day to remember and a night to match. Raphael even agreed to make an appearance, however short. His presence did not cause a brawl. His congratulations were accepted. He danced with Tav and that memory burned brightly under their skin whenever a waltz played.

Life is good, even as Raphael prepares to conquer Stygia. The five hells he rules reluctantly accepted their fate, his ambition is far from sated. And Stygia is an easier target than the hub of infernal bureaucracy or judiciary.

Someday he will scheme and plan to overthrow Asmodeus himself. But Raphael is wary. He wants eight hells united behind him when that campaign starts. Tav made their peace with never seeing him as archdevil supreme. They have today and every day of their life.

Tav yearns for this moment to last forever. Free. Happy. Cherished by the one they love. Raphael's face is heavy on their chest, his horns snug against their face. The familiar scent of ash, iron, and horn balm is home. Tav sighs and runs their fingers through the devil's hair.

"You are sad." Raphael reads them like the cheap novel they are in his presence. "What for?"

"That this isn't forever." Tav closes their eyes to concentrate on every impression of their body.

The devil turns his head up and Tav feels his breath under their chin. "Says the one who argued ferociously about the true beauty being transient. We can pick up that battle any moment."

"I am transient," Tav chuckles. "I must die."

"Do you now?" Raphael props himself up and stares his human down with black eyes ringed with fire. "Do you really?"

Tav hears the promise in his words, the temptation. "After my soul again?" They raise a brow. "Forgot how that played out the last time?"

"Never." He leans down to kiss their lips gently. "But why not give it to me while you are here anyway?"

"Raph-" he stops them with another soft kiss, barely a touch of his lips to theirs.

"Hear me out."

Tav sighs, looking into eyes that hold their universe in their black holes. "Alright. For a kiss."

Raphael obliges and if the long, tender exploration of their mouth is to put Tav into a lenient mood, they let it slip. Tav drinks in the taste of him, luxuriating in the weight of his body and heaviness of his kiss.

When he pulls back, they cradle his head with both hands. "Let's hear it then."

"A deal." Raphael smiles and runs his index finger over Tav's lips. "You grant me your soul for as long as I love you."

Tav chuckles. "I will still die, love."

"Not if in return, I grant you life for as long as you love me."

Dumbfounded, Tav stares up at their double-dealing devil.

"No need to answer right away." Raphael leans down, his breath caressing their face. "Let me bring some more arguments to the table."

When his mouth touches against Tav's lips again, soft and yet demanding, they know that this isn't an argument they can win. But they can make the devil work for it. With a grin, Tav wraps their arms around him and pulls him close.

[song-writer-melo-wrath]

for mythos: 17, 18, 20-22 because i want to hear more about this evil bastard (affectionate)

[HAPPY STIMMING]

17: Do they like children?

It's not so much Mythos doesn't like children so much as Mythos doesn't really know how to interact with children. He more or less accepts that his “invoke fear with every performance” thing doesn't really click with a lot of kids. Meeting Yenna helps them come around.

“Scared by that story? No? Clearly, I'm off my game then. Another.”

18: Kissing: tongue or no tongue?

If they're given long enough to, tongue in almost every instance.

20: What do they like that nobody else does?

It doesn't exactly come up often, but Mythos has a fondness for jack-in-the-boxes. Also, they actually like the feeling of spider webbing against their skin and hair, and bugs crawling over their skin. Which. Fun coincidence, huh.

21: What would it take for them to break up with someone? What would be the last straw?

At the beginning of the game and before that, it's simply boredom. Before the game, attempting to murder them was also a dealbreaker, buuut Astarion and Lae'zel very much made them forget that. To be fair, at least those two tried to kill him before any flirting happened. If I had a nickel, amiright?

Further into the game, Mythos gains a new one. Needing, or wanting, different things. The fact that he's attracted to people differently is something he was made aware of before the events of the game, but he didn't really care about people knowing. So long as they give him what he wants, it's fine, right?

[sips tea]

And then he realizes, “Oh no, I care about these people”. He's not used to that. Mythos had like, one actual friend before the illithid capture. Well, a lot, technically, since his best friend Cricket is also a necromancer in command of several skeletons and golems. But in terms of living, long-term friends, he just has Cricket. Cricket's sister Junebug and Mythos were somewhat stable, but there was a mutual understanding that there was no romance. It just didn't last long due to Mythos being kinda…kicked out for his own safety. So to be surrounded by all these beautiful interesting people, and then get deep platonic attachment to many of them…

“… Maybe what you really need is…a friend. Not…a lover.”

“I… I would like that.”

It completely changes things. The moment they realize that Lae'zel is more romantically attached then she lets on, they let her down as gently as possible. And, for them, it is gentle. Karlach, Wyll, and Shadowheart all cursing them out before leaving wrecks them more than they let most people see. Perhaps that's for the better. Though they have no romantic attraction, this nightmare bard does in fact have a heart.

[sips tea again]

Anyway, Mythos' last straw with The Emperor was Ansur. Because for fuck's sake, they were fine with it being transactional, but the hypocrisy? The “you should trust me” laced with it not trusting them? They're all too familiar. “You're more boring than I thought.”

22: Do they like being called pet names? Do they call other people pet names? What’s their go-to?

Mythos and pet names can get complicated. On one hand, they love being referred to as a gem, or a bug, or a rat. Really, just call them things that fit with either their love of shiny things, or their ~nightmare~ shtick, and you'll have them smiling. On the other, things like “lover” or “beloved” or being called “mine” or “my ___” are…stomached. Nauseating, but tolerated if they like the person saying them.

When it comes to giving, though. It is almost painfully obvious the way that Mythos desires. They don't like being called “mine”, but they do love calling other people that. So long as they make sure the other is comfortable first. My sweet-ling. My treasure. My pearl. My sweetmeat. Even flirting, Mythos likes to give others the feeling they could be devoured at any moment.

Bastard (affectionate) indeed.

[gryffintheparrotcat]

Discussion about durge & the overall theme of breaking the cycle of abuse or becoming the abuser in bg3 Evil Durge ending spoilers ahead

So I recently finished my evil durge run and during the entire game i thought to myself "Ofc embracing Bhaal is the bad choice here, it's a situation like Shadowheart and Shar. But honestly for my character it isn't bad at all, he enjoys being a murder machine and he'd love to serve his Father as the Chosen. This somehow doesn't feel as bad as other bad-ending choices, though I have no doubt the good choice will feel very meaningful."

And I kept that opinion pretty firmly till the end bc accepting Bhaal seemingly didn't have much consequence (Note: I previously never defied the Butler either so I hadn't experienced ANY punishments for that at all, my character wanted to kill, so did Bhaal, seemed like a win-win, despite knowing narratively speaking this would be the bad ending).

But the very last choice (technically second last if you count telling your party what you just did as a choice) in the game really brought to light the part of the dynamic I was still questioning till the end,

(everyone say hi to my evil Durge E'stir, he likes to murder and when Auntie Ethel fusses over him but he'd never admit that) Yes my character enjoyed killing blindly with no regard to whom, only caring about how many he'd kill, yes he enjoyed indulging in his urges, of course he was elated to learn he's actually Bhaals True Chosen, what better fate for a murder hobo than to be the very flesh and blood of the murder lord himself? But that very last 'choice', really showed that this wasn't a good ending, not even for him, because it isn't a choice and he'll likely never get to make a choice again, ever. As much as he'd have enjoyed bringing the world to ruin, it'll now never be out of his free will.

so much even that even in this moment of clarity (regret even?) he could not have made a choice.

the price for ultimate power was a total loss of control. And unlike with the companions, this price never seemed that drastic. Durge was never good, Durge never suffered at the hands of Bhaal, Bhaal has always been there, nurtured them. Unlike the others, this wasn't a path away from the light, this was never a choice of giving up on your goodness to embrace a dark power. Durge was already evil, this was just taking back your lost legacy. There was no moment before Bhaal, there was no humanity in the Bhaalspawn, a Bhaalspawn like no other. And yet the price paid is ultimately even more devastating than that of the other companions, yes Astarions soul is lost and his emotions get twisted, but as twisted as it is now he still has a form of free will (though it will never be the will of spawn Astarion again), same goes for Gale, yes he's no longer Gale Dekarios and won't act like his old self anymore but he's still acting out of an own will. Yes Wyll will continue to have to follow Mizoras will, but even then we know he can defy her, not without consequences but he can. (Side Note: I don't think Karlach even gets an evil ending? Like she imeadiatly dips on you if you slaughter the grove so her only bad ending is... well every ending but they're not evil endings) Halsin & Jaheira are entirely excluded, they're not even infected. And Minsc doesn't have a character arc either as far as I've seen (only bg3, ive heard he's in previous games (I shall play them one day)). The only two coming close to Durge in this are Shadowheart and Lae'zel but even then the arguement can be made that they still have a chance to look past their goddesses deception and break free. Not without high punishment of course, but the possibility is still there, Durge can have doubts & regrets all they want, they can do nothing about it.

Durge is essentially the narrative opposite of all other companions, the only one who goes from truely evil to getting a chance at redemption via the tadpole, everyone gets a chance at betterment via the tadpole (except Minthara lmao, she still gets that chance just not via tadpole, quite the opposite actually) and some were even questionable people before the tadpole (looking at you Minthara-) but even then they were all products of their environment. But can Durge truely be a product of their upbringing if they re quite literally Bhaals flesh and blood, solely created to bring ruin upon the world? And if the answer is 'No, Durge only exists to bring pain, by nature they're evil'... what's that prayer for forgiveness about?

[morb-untamed]

Thank you for tagging me @miradelletarot ! I think by now all of my mutuals have been tagged or have done this before. So if you're reading this, want to do this OC filler meme as well you can just say I tagged you hehe

BASICS

Full name: Tarei

(she has no last name as she has distanced herself from her clan since she was a child)

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Bisexual

Background: Outlander

Class: Circle of the Moon Druid

OTHER

Birthplace: The deepest pit of the underdark

Profession: She used to be a solitary druid, always patrolling to Lurkwood to heal and protect from those who wanted to harm nature.

Phobias: Tarei is claustrophobic and is also quite spooked by spiders, and the dark!

Which is funny cause... She's... Y'know... A drow

Guilty pleasures: Once she has been offered pastries from a bakery in Baldur's Gate from the first time she is HOOKED. She loves sweet buns, and anything caramelised, and chocolate!

Hobbies: Reading fictional novels and true stories about heroic adventurers, swimming, and flying in her bird wildshape.

MORALS

Alignment: Neutral Good

Sins: Even though she wants to use her magical prowess to heal and support nature and all its inhabitants, there was one moment in her life where she has used her druidic gifts to inflict deep harm on those who have pushed her to the point beyond desperation. Since then she has vowed never to use her gifts for violence ever again. But when she has been caught by the mindflayer ship, she comes to find the hard way that she doesn't have a choice if she needs to survive.

Virtues: Tarei always wants to leave the world a better place than when she found it, which is why she'll pretty much help anyone who asks her. Even if they aren't kind, or a good person (although there is a line, as mentioned above). And while she has been traumatized and is scared to let people into her life, she is willing to open her heart to new relationships. She isn't really heroic in any way, but she is brave, and willing to push herself out of her comfort zone for a cause she believes in.

THIS OR THAT

Introvert / Extrovert

Organized / Disorganized

Close-minded / Open-minded

Calm / Anxious / Restless

Disagreeable / Agreeable / In between

Cautious / Reckless / In between

Patient / Impatient / In between

Outspoken / Reserved / In between

Leader / Follower / Flexible

Empathetic / Unempathetic / In between

Optimist / Pessimist / Realist

Traditional / Modern / In between

Hard-working / Lazy

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

OTP: Halsin/Tarei (Tarei is deeply in love with Halsin, and they are very wholesome together <3)

Acceptable Ships: Tarei pretty much gets flustered by every origin companion at a certain point, there are people surrounding her who tend to make her heart skip a beat. like Wyll, Astarion, and Karlach

OT3: None. While Tarei doesn't need to be monogamous to be happy with Halsin, she does not open her heart as freely as he does. Besides, when she loves someone she is completely head over heels.

Brotp: Tarei, Gale, and Karlach! They are her besties.

Notp: Jaheira/Tarei.

She respects Jaheira so much, she really looks up to the high-harper druid. But more like she's some kind of wise mother figure Tarei never knew she needed.

BACKSTORY

Tarei is the youngest girl born out of 8 males, and was abused and pushed by her mother to be the Lolthite warrior she needed her to be. She always had an aptitude for healing magic and feeling what the earth needed from her. After nearly getting beaten to death she escaped, killing three of her brothers to do so at the age of 7. She literally clawed her way through the crust to the surface where she was found by a group of elder druids who saw her in a vision to save her. From there she has been raised by them and honed her druidic skills for decades while learning how to survive by herself in the wintery climate she lived in for extended periods of times. While she was happy to have found her calling, she never really felt like she fit in with the other druids. She never knew if it was because she was a drow, because of her shy nature, or because she had done something wrong.

After leading a solitary nomad-like life she found a dying high-elf, an alchemist named Gwendynn, after a bad snowstorm. She nurtured her back to health, and fell deeply in love with her. Gwen had been running from her own past after she had crossed some bad people back in Neverwinter. For the next 15 years she returned to every winter to spend with her lover. One night, those men found her and kidnapped both Tarei and her lover where they both have been tortured, SA'd, and taken back to the city of Neverwinter. Tarei was kept with them to make sure Gwen didn't do anything rash, or else she would die.

One night, after almost escaping, Gwendynn was killed, after which Tarei snapped. She hunted, tortured, and killed each of the men after she herself managed to break free. After burying her lover Tarei closed herself off from society, not daring to get close to anyone ever again as she suffered from PTSD ever since.

But ever since getting kidnapped by the mindflayers, she needed to learn to accept help and let herself be close to others if she wanted to save them, and herself.

[blackjackkent]

Resuming Rakha's adventures! Had a dramatic showdown with the githyanki patrol last time and Lae'zel's pretty upset about it - and at Voss and Rakha, for different reasons.

Once again, the timing on this works out to kind of be unintentionally perfect, because Lae'zel is evidently so upset by the mixture of Voss's apparent treachery and Rakha not reciprocating her feelings that she decides, come camp time, that it's time to take it out on Shadowheart:

"You carry a githyanki relic. I will have an explanation - or your head!"

"Walk away - now."

Rakha isn't entirely sure which of them began the argument, but it has escalated rapidly. The two of them are standing in the middle of camp snapping at the top of their lungs, and the brittle tension in the air feels ready to snap. Lae'zel has one hand on the dagger at her side and Shadowheart's hands are balled into fists; for a moment Rakha thinks a fight is going to break out right there.

How glorious... the beast whispers in her head. What a beautiful spread of death they would make, hands on each others' throats--

Rakha clenches her hands tightly within her folded arms, digging her fingernails into her palms in an attempt to drown out the thoughts. Not them. Not here.

Watch the argument unfold.

"You have something precious to my kin," Lae'zel snarls. "An heirloom. I will have it back."

"Heirloom?" Shadowheart laughs disdainfully. "Plunder from some conquered realm more like. This artifact is the only thing keeping us from becoming slaves to our parasites. Be glad I have it."

I should have expected this, Rakha thinks darkly. They learned from Voss that the artifact is githyanki in origin; why wouldn't Lae'zel demand its return? And, in fact, why should she not have it back, as long as it's still in camp and maintains its protection? They won't even need it at all, once the matter with the zaith'isk is settled and the worms are removed.

Shadowheart, of course, has been secretive regarding her own need for the artifact, and why she has it in the first place. But clearly she is not willing to relinquish ownership of it.

(A/N: Once again - why, then, does Lae'zel get pissy if you try to give it to Voss? :P Makes no sense.)

Lae'zel's lips draw back over her teeth in a menacing sneer. "I do not wish to spill blood here," she growls. "Come daylight, we will find a place to end this."

Shadowheart laughs sharply. "Fine. You can accept you're wrong, or we'll be rid of you permanently. Either way, I win."

Lae'zel doesn't dignify this with a response, but turns and walks away. Shadowheart watches her go, glaring, then shoots a look at Rakha, as if daring her to comment.

Rakha's eyes are fixed somewhere in the middle distance; the beast is pondering eagerly on the image of Lae'zel and Shadowheart coming to blows in the morning. Spilling blood. Killing. Death. Death. Death...

"Why didn't you say something?" Wyll asks her. She jumps, startled from her thoughts. How long has she been standing there lost in these thoughts?

Wyll's expression is drawn tight with concern. "We can't just let them kill each other," he insists.

Rakha shakes herself, squeezing her eyes shut as if that would shut out the images coming from her mind. "No," she agrees hoarsely. "Come morning... we'll be there. We'll stop them."

Wyll nods, visibly relieved. "Right. Good."

-----

Rakha retreats to her bedroll, curled up as she always is in a hunched position on her side. The blood-pulse thumps in her head, the dark dreams resuming their usual progress, and she doesn't register the sharp schick of a knife pulled from its sheathe. The sound melds with the dreams, matching the blade in a thousand different memories of a thousand different deaths--

She snaps awake at the sound of a sudden scuffle, and then an angry cry from Lae'zel.

Shit.

Shadowheart has Lae'zel pinned into her bedroll, the dagger's blade pressed to her throat. Lae'zel is squirming, flushed with rage, unable to dislodge the weight expertly holding her immobilized.

Rakha finds herself struck by the sudden thought that Lae'zel had no problem pinning her down when the need arose, during their night together. Shadowheart, it seems, is no slouch at physical combat despite her usual position in the backline.

"You had every chance to look the other way," Shadowheart whispers harshly. "But here we are. You chose this."

"Spare me the justifications, coward," Lae'zel rasps.

Shadowheart smiles bitterly. "If anyone asks, I'll say you were transforming. Don't expect to be mourned."

YES. The beast growls hungrily. Swing the blade, cut her throat, let her bleed, soak the bedroll with gore...

No. Lae'zel can't die. Rakha scrambles to her feet.

She struggles, still only halfway to wakefulness, to understand what is happening, how this can be stopped. Lae'zel is angry. She saw Voss's treachery. She believes Rakha mocked her. She seeks a target for her anger and found Shadowheart. Shadowheart is afraid - of Lae'zel, perhaps, or perhaps of losing the artifact, failing the mission she was sent on for the Sharrans.

Attack with purpose. And yet neither of them - not even Lae'zel, whose judgement Rakha has trusted above almost anything - has any purpose here. This is a clash of emotion, anger and fear. The only thing that truly matters is the artifact itself. The protection it offers. The avenue it has given them to safety, and then to vengeance.

This should not even be happening. I am not better than this. Not yet. But you are.

[HALF-ORC][INTIMIDATION] "Your petty quarrels disturbed my rest," she mutters, the words rumbling, sleep-thickened, at the back of her throat. "Stop at once. Or I will *make* you stop."

Shadowheart and Lae'zel both visibly hesitate. Neither of them doubts Rakha is capable of making good on that threat in deadly fashion.

"She's a liability," Shadowheart mutters. "It's the artifact we need, not her."

"Let me up," Lae'zel spits, struggling against Shadowheart's weight. "And I'll show you."

Rakha scowls with a flash of sudden deeper irritation. More foolishness. They need both the artifact and Lae'zel if they are to reach the creche and deal with the worms. This has been the plan from the beginning and hasn't changed. "We need her, Shadowheart. Give her a chance," she snaps.

Shadowheart's lips tighten, and for a moment Rakha thinks the blade is going to fly anyway, and she tenses in anticipation of the wave of blood to follow-- but then Shadowheart shifts, draws back. "Can I do that, Lae'zel?" she asks. "Can I turn my back on you?"

Lae'zel glares up at her furiously. "Never. Thieves aren't afforded such luxury."

Rakha watches with clinical interest, again expecting the blow to strike in spite of her arguments. But Shadowheart surprises her. She lifts the knife, pulls back. "Loosen the grip on your pride for one blasted moment, won't you? We needn't be enemies! There's plenty of those to go around already."

Rakha realizes something surprising in this moment. Shadowheart does not want to kill Lae'zel. Perhaps she didn't right from the beginning. This was posturing-- or perhaps something deeper.

Like Rakha, like Astarion, like Gale - like, in fact, a greater proportion of their little group than is obvious at first glance - Shadowheart is driven by a darkness that is outside of her. Shar's darkness, the force that ties her to the artifact. It was for that, not her own desire, that she held the blade to Lae'zel's throat.

But she did not cut, in the end.

This subtlety is somewhat lost on Lae'zel, who scrambles to her feet ready to lash out. "Tsk," she sneers. "What would you have, that we be friends?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Shadowheart says warily. "But imagine what we might achieve if we channeled some of that hostility back at our real foes instead of each other. They wouldn't stand a chance."

Lae'zel turns away without answering, but Rakha stands there for a long moment afterwards, chewing over these words. Yes. This is why they stand together - this is why she has held back the beast and not killed these who have become her companions. They are stronger together.

At least when they aren't tearing themselves apart.