#omgkalyppso

[commander-krios]

Sweet Like Sugar

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3 Pairing: Bex/Danis Rating: General Summary: The Grand Revel. A night of revelry, sweets, and love. Bex and Danis find joy in the simple things. Words: 2680 Additional Tags: Gift Exchange, Tieflings, Romance, Love, Celebrations, Valentine's Day, Fluff

Read on AO3

Elturel Tiefling Camp Discord Server Exchange gift for @omgkalyppso. I hope you enjoy it! It was my first time writing for Bex and Danis, they are so cute and deserve all of the fics.

The streets of Baldur’s Gate were packed with festival goers, dressed in thick robes or cloaks, trying to keep warm against the cold winter’s night. The celebration was well underway, hours had already passed with no signs of stopping anytime soon. The clerics of the three goddesses (Lliira, Sharess, and Sune) had gathered their worshippers to prepare earlier in the evening, but now it seemed things were heating up, so to speak. 

The young couple in the teashop were finishing the last dregs of their cups, whispers and giggles reaching where Bex sat finishing the totals for the day. Their pastries, the cookies especially, had run out so quickly that Danis had a tough time keeping up with the demand. Their newest treat, a chocolate sugar cookie with red firemint candies baked within, had sold the most. 

It made sense considering what today’s holiday was: The Grand Revel. 

Danis walked from the kitchen to the storefront, wiping his hands on the apron still tied around his waist. He left handprints in flour against the fabric and Bex bit her lip, trying not to laugh at how adorable he looked with his dark hair pulled out of his face, his golden gaze on the movement outside. His lips curved into a grin at the shouts and laughter that filled their shop as the last customers exited in a rush of cold air.

Sliding from the stool she’d been perched on, she crossed to him in the silence, reaching up to brush some flour from his cheek. He glanced down at her with a wide eyed look and she giggled, flicking him affectionately on the nose. 

“What was that for?” He asked, his hands curling around her waist. The flour was probably all over her skirts as well, but she didn’t care if it meant she was in Danis’s arms. There was nowhere she’d rather be in all of Faerun. 

“It was for being the sweetest and most adorable man in Baldur’s Gate.” She stood on her toes to press a soft kiss to his cheek and was glad to see a blush forming when she pulled back. 

“Did you get into the wine barrels again, my love?” He teased her, pressing his forehead against hers and gazing into her eyes. She memorized every color in his ochre eyes, every swirl of golden fire, every touch of heated skin against her fingertips as her hands trailed up his neck and into his silky dark locks.

“No.” She replied with a roll of her eyes, tickling his scalp with her claws before withdrawing and turning to grab the tray of used teacups. She didn’t get far before he was wrapping his arms around her middle, pulling her back into his chest. “But I wouldn’t be adverse to a glass of the Blingdenstone Blush.”

“Of course you wouldn’t.” Danis pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and she shivered at the touch. “It’s as sweet as you are.”

Bex let out a breathless laugh, lifting the tray and shoving it into his hands. “Now who's being a little silly?”

Danis smiled, taking the dishes without argument. “I can’t help myself when every morning when I wake, I have to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t a dream.”

Bex brushed some of his hair away from his face, tucking it behind one pointed ear, lingering against the curve of it briefly. “You are such a romantic.”

“I haven’t heard a complaint yet.”

“And you never will.” With hands on his shoulders, Bex helped guide him back to the kitchen. “Now, go! We should finish cleaning if we want to make it to the celebrations before they get terribly crowded.”

“Yes, yes. Of course. I’ll be finished soon.”

As soon as Danis disappeared into the backroom, Bex locked up the teahouse, put the coin in the safe secured under the floorboards and then, once she was positive that Danis was still busy, pulled out the cookies that she’d safely tucked into some paper and hidden away from view of the customers, in case they ran out again.

Dark chocolate dough stuffed with firemint candies, dusted in sparkling sugar. They smelled as divine as they tasted, the bitterness of the chocolate highlighting the spiciness of the cinnamon in the candies, the sugar giving it that final sweetness that tied everything together.

It was a treat, to be sure, and a well deserved one.

Ever so gently, she put them in the pouch at her belt, making sure they were secure before packing up the rest of the sweets leftover from the day. When Danis returned to the front, he was no longer in his apron, but a lovely sapphire tunic and beige slacks, fancier than Bex had ever seen him before. They were no longer struggling refugees from Elturel. Now, they were Baldurians, with their own business and a bright future ahead of them. It was more than Bex could have wished for and yet, it was theirs.

“You look nice.” Pulling her apron over her head, she set it on the counter, trying to figure out what exactly she was going to wear. There weren’t many opportunities to go on dates since opening their teahouse and this was one she wasn’t going to waste. Tugging on his collar, she fixed it straight before giving him a brush of a kiss along his jaw. “Wait for me. I won’t be long.”

“I’d never go anywhere without you.”

The air took their breath away when they stepped outside, the cold seeping into their bodies despite their heavy cloaks. Their higher tiefling body temperatures kept them from freezing as soon as they exited the shop, at least some luck on their part. Even still, that didn’t stop Danis from putting his arm around Bex’s shoulders, pulling her close until they shared heat, their breaths coming out in puffs of white. Bex shivered slightly, pressing into Danis’s side, enjoying the residual heat of his body against hers. Citizens of Baldur’s Gate twirled in the designated dancing circles while others watched on, singing along with the bards or cheering for the more skilled dancers putting on a show.

Bex sighed happily, watching as a particularly beautiful couple spun in an elaborate dance, the elven woman’s braided hair whipping around her. It was dazzling the way they moved, like two pieces of a puzzle, weaving around the other. The music’s ending was cut off with loud applause as the couple bowed to their audience, flushed from the cold and probably the dancing as well. They walked off arm in arm, whispering to each other excitedly.

“I want to dance!” Bex exclaimed, pulling Danis towards one of the circles marked out with sparkling dust. Danis groaned, but didn’t speak any complaints, the delighted grin on his face the only proof that he was teasing her. Cautiously crossing over the lines of the circle, Bex was glad to see magic kept the dust in place. It certainly would’ve been a pain to fix them all night.

Facing Danis, she glanced up to find him chuckling.

“What is so funny?”

“I don’t think I’ve had enough to drink for this.” He told her quietly, ignoring the troupe as it started up another fast tune. But even as he spoke, his hand took hold of her waist, the free one sliding into her gloved hand. “And you definitely haven’t.”

“Are you saying that I can’t dance?” Her free hand rested against his shoulder and she nudged him slightly. “Because I’ll have you know, I’m a wonderful dancer. It’s you who is the problem.”

“Me?” He asked, eyes widening as if offended. “Perhaps we need to find out.”

She squealed when he spun her, the movement sending cold air across her cheeks, and despite the bitterness of the wind, she felt warm, elated, with the freedom of dancing in such a public area without worrying about anyone judging them. Without worrying about the fear they used to after Elturel, wondering if they would be cast out of another city, and be reduced to nothing but beggars.

Bex tossed her head back, her laughter blending in with the revelry, joy, love, and beauty erupting in the chaos around them. The upbeat music, the dancing lights that lit the streets, the scent of hot chocolate drinks and firemint candies, all of it exhilarated her. Letting go of Danis’s shoulder, she ducked under his arm, her skirts billowing around her. Stomping her feet, she turned to him once more, only to find his eyes were bright and he was laughing as hard as she was.

Danis wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss against her forehead, his breath hot in the chilly winter air. Her heart soared at his touch, solid yet soft, her entire world. Her safety and her hope. Her future.

“Did you want to keep dancing?” He asked as the ruckus settled to a low hum while the bards prepared for their next song. “Or we can listen to the music for a bit. Whatever you prefer, my love.”

Bex’s eyes scanned the scene around them. There were still people dancing in the circles, oblivious of anything around them. The bards were chattering quietly amongst themselves, perhaps about their next song, or something else entirely. The soft sounds of lyre and lute continued nevertheless, notes twining around each other in a melody that thrummed beneath her skin. She wanted to move, to live in the moment.

Wrapping her arms around Danis, Bex leaned into him, breathing in the scent of sugar and firemint still clinging to his clothes. The smell of home.

They were home.

“Let’s sit here awhile. The music is comforting and I don’t want to let you go yet.”

Danis chuckled, a deep sound in his chest that rumbled through her. She smiled, holding him tighter, unable to imagine a more perfect life than the one they had. They stood like that for a time, listening to the revelry, the music, the chatter. A sweet scent floated in the air, chocolate, sugar, something syrupy. 

Something that made her stomach gurgle.

Danis glanced down, resisting the urge to laugh at her if the way his lips twitched was any indication. “Hungry?”

“Famished.” She cooed, standing on her toes to press a soft kiss to his chin, enjoying the rush of air that left his lips and warmed her nose. “Let’s find what’s making those delicious smells.”

The closest vendor was, in fact, selling pastries. Little flaky butter pastries, some with chocolate filling, others with a different array of berries, some even with cream. With a shake of their coin purses later, their stomachs were full of sweet treats and hot chocolate, content.

When they retreated home hours later, the sky lit up with fireworks of gold, blue, and crimson, showering the world in arcing stars that disappeared before they touched the ground. It reminded Bex a bit of the party after the battle at the Grove, Rolan’s magic sparkling in the air. She wondered how he was doing as Archwizard and vowed to make a stop later in the week with some fresh treats for him and his siblings.

She and Danis settled side by side on the edge of the balcony above their shop, leaning against the banister at the crowds that milled below and the skies that were a kaleidoscope of color above.

The moment was perfect. They were safe, together, and their dreams were unfolding before them with nothing in the way: No armies, no apocalyptic monsters, no fear. After Elturel, there had been doubt that this would happen, that they could be happy. But now they were sitting above their little bakery, gazing at the distant stars with the sounds of laughter in the streets. Sugar lingered on her lips and she swiped her tongue across them, the powder sweet as she savored the taste.

“Danis.” She reached forward and slipped her hand in his, the warmth of his skin a comfort that she’d never tire of. “I need to ask you something.”

He smiled at her, and even in the darkness, she could see the glow of his beautiful eyes. Her heart skipped a beat at how lovely he was, and not only to look at. Every part of Danis was kind and honest and hardworking. Even when he feared the worst, even when he stared death in the eyes in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, all he ever cared about was her safety. Sometimes, she wondered what she did to deserve such devotion. 

“Are you cold? We can go inside, if that’s the case.” Danis tightened his grip slightly, tugging her hand as if to lead her back into their rooms, but she stilled him, shaking her head with the smallest of laughs.

“No, that’s not necessary. It’s only… I wanted to tell you how much I love you. And how much having you here with me has meant. None of this would’ve been possible without you.”

“I think you’re mistaken by how much I’ve actually helped in our endeavors, but- I adore you, Bex. I would’ve traveled all the way to Waterdeep if that’s what you wished.” Danis squeezed her hand gently, lifting it to press a single chaste kiss on her knuckles. Always the charming prince, he was.

“I hope that’s true because I have another thing to ask of you.” She glanced away, feeling her cheeks heat with blush, uncertain in herself for the first time that night. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about since we left Elturel and well, I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

“I’ll do anything for you. You know that.”

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the nervous butterflies in her stomach. Bex was the optimist, the one who usually didn’t let fear weigh her down, that made sure everyone kept moving despite adversity. But this was different. This was everything.

Shifting slightly, she tilted her head slightly, peering at him from under her eyelashes. With her heart beating a dangerous rhythm in her chest, she blurted out the words before she could overthink them. “Danis… will you marry me?”

He froze like a stone, immovable by even a flood. She immediately knew something was wrong. 

“Oh. Uh, this is awkward.” Danis said before clearing his throat, hand sliding from hers only to turn away, blush crawling up his neck and across his cheeks. 

She felt queasy, certain her stomach dropped through the floor beneath her, the solid ground beneath their store, and perhaps even returned to Avernus itself, a burning hole the only thing left in its place. She thought they were on the same paths… had she been completely wrong?

Danis reached into the pocket of his cloak, pulling out a delicately wrapped cookie. With a sigh, he held it out to her with a shaking hand. “I planned on giving you this earlier, but we were having so much fun and I didn’t want to interrupt the festivities.”

Bex cradled the heart shaped cookie in her hands, made purely of sugar with a pretty red icing covering it. There was writing in white over the confection, Infernal, by the looks of it. 

“What does it say?”

Danis laughed, a breathless sound that sent her heart jumping again. “It’s supposed to say ‘Will you marry me’. But knowing me and my terrible translations, it’s probably calling you an idiot or something.”

She choked out a laugh, trying to hold back the tears at how happy this made her. That he made her. “I love you, Danis.”

“So does that mean-?”

“Of course I’ll marry you!” She nearly shouted, covering her mouth with a hand, blushing in embarrassment. “Eh, if you’ll marry me, of course?”

Danis brushed his knuckles across her cheek, his grin so wide that he radiated with his joy. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

Leaning forward, Bex pressed her lips to his, content to sit on the exposed balcony of their little shop, the pops of fireworks above and their futures lying ahead.

[onyxedskies]

this is a piece for the lovely @omgkalyppso, go show them some support!

pairing: dimitri x neutral reader

word count: 1048

warnings: none!

Though it hadn’t been dark when you had first sat on the bed, you realized with a start that it was now. You’d been sitting on your bed for hours, it seemed, staring blankly at a wall as you tried to find the energy to get up and do something. But you had few responsibilities today, and you and Dimitri typically took your dinner in your chambers anyway. What harm could it do?

Snow had started falling in the early morning, and it was now piled high on your balcony, the top layer likely coated in a thin sheet of ice. You weren’t cold, per se - the fire in the hearth prevented that - but the persistent chill of Fhirdiad winter had long since seeped into your bones, hardening itself in your war-worked joints. It seemed the chill had invaded the edges of your mind now as well, clouding your thoughts with an ever-present exhaustion.

You heard the door to the drawing room open, looking up to see Dimitri standing there, removing his shoes with the shoehorn you kept just outside your chambers. You didn’t realize you’d forgotten to close the door when you stepped in hours before, but you supposed it didn’t matter now. 

Dimitri looked up towards you, eyebrows furrowing when he realized you were sitting on the bed, still in your day clothes and likely looking somewhat dazed. You tried to smile at him, but felt it fall after a moment. 

“Beloved? Are you okay?” Dimitri’s voice was soft as he walked toward you, sitting on the bed next to you.

You shrugged, not meeting his eyes and instead staring down at the bedspread. “Just tired, I think.” It was only somewhat a lie. You did feel tired, that much was true, but not necessarily in the traditional sense. It was more like your conscience and responsibilities as the King’s partner were weighing more heavily on you than they usually did, sapping at your patience and strength even despite the lack of physical exertion required.

Dimitri opened his arms to you, and you fell into them, wrapping your arms around his waist as he wrapped his around you. You fell against him, broad chest and strong arms enveloping you in comfort. You buried your face in his shoulder, and he tightened his grip on you gently, holding you close. You felt yourself smile slightly, proud of the progress you’ve made together, proud of the way Dimitri no longer fears his strength and has enough of a handle on it to do this for you. 

“It’s more than that, isn’t it?” His words were gentle, curious but not prying. It was an open invitation, a lifeline of sorts. Gratitude filled you, thankful that he understood approximately what was wrong even despite your inability to voice it aloud.

“Yes,” you admitted. 

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” you said, shaking your head. You heard a soft chuckle, and you had no doubt it was because your face was still pressed into his shoulder.

You lapsed into silence for a while, Dimitri rubbing your back gently as you basked in his warmth, feeling a little bit of the ice at the edges of your consciousness melting away. It had been a while since you were able to do this, sit together without a purpose other than to simply exist together. It was nice. It was what you needed, even if you hadn’t known it before now.

“You’re doing so well,” Dimitri whispered out of nowhere. “So perfect for me, for the country. I never would have made it this far without your support. You’re so strong, Beloved.”

You felt a flush rise to your cheeks, and you burrowed further into his warmth, making yourself as small as possible. Dimitri just hugged you closer, surrounding you yet again in his comfort. You had no doubt he knew you were smiling, and you were sure he was smiling in return.

“You’re so wonderful,” he whispered. “So smart, so powerful. The way you’re able to balance everything is awe-inspiring. I love you so much. So, so much.”

“I love you too,” you murmured. 

Dimitri leaned down to kiss your forehead before resting his cheek on the top of your head. “I’m always here for you, darling. Always. No matter what.”

“I know,” you replied. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said, and the earnestness in his voice made you smile despite yourself. “I want to be here for you. Every moment of every day, for the rest of our lives.”

You hummed, snuggling ever closer to him, ever so grateful for the comfort he provided you just by being there. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”

“Me too,” Dimitri said.

“You don’t have anything else to do, do you?” you asked, almost afraid of the answer.

“I don’t,” Dimitri said. “Even if I did, you’re more important. You’ll always be more important.”

“I hope there are some exceptions to that rule,” you said.

“None,” he replied. You would have laughed if his tone wasn’t so serious. “You will always come first, Beloved. No matter what. The world can wait.”

You felt yourself flush again, but a broad smile was splitting your face now. You pulled away so you could look at him, Dimitri lifting his head from where it was pressed against yours.

“I love you,” you said, appreciating the way the corners of his eye crinkled with his smile. 

“I love you too,” he said. He pressed a soft, chaste kiss to your lips, pulling away with that same beautiful smile. “Always and forever.”

You stayed in his arms for a while longer, falling back into him. He hummed a lullaby, the one he had taught you in the early years of your relationship. You smiled at the memory, teaching him the words to the tune your best friend had taught you decades before, worlds and iterations of yourself colliding in the best way you could have hoped for.

You felt your exhaustion begin to tug at your eyelids, felt yourself relaxing even more in his hold. 

“Sleep, Beloved,” he murmured as he noticed, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?” you asked.

“Promise.”

[hannahmationstudios]

🛼 ⇢ describe your latest wip with five emojis 🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love 🐝 ⇢ tag your biggest supporter(s) and say one nice thing about them 🌸 ⇢ do you have any pets? if you do, post some pictures of them 🎨 ⇢ link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it

Thank you so much my love! ;v; ❤️

Answering asks from this fic ask game here!

🛼 ⇢ describe your latest wip with five emojis

Can do!: 🤠💀🎩👻💍

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

I'm going to use this opportunity to recommend a couple of fanfics and authors!

I've recently been reading the Sandrock work of author @zyikic and it is fabulous. Zyikic has written some gorgeous work for other fandoms as well, including Horizon: Zero Dawn, but my recommendation goes to her My Time At Sandrock soulmate fic, Blue Skies.

Author and artist @mancatrex has written (and illustrated) one of the most brutal, extensive "what if" AUs I think I've ever read: HADES, a Horizon: Zero Dawn AU that details what might have happened had HADES not been stopped in the first game.

🐝 ⇢ tag your biggest supporter(s) and say one nice thing about them

I'm going to be super obvious here and call out @poetikat who has been with me through fanfic hell for more years than I care to count at this point. She's an extremely talented writer, smart as all hell, a lot kinder than she gives herself credit for, and the absolute best "the world is rough, come sit down and rest your head for a while" conversationalist a girl could ask for. We met through fanfic Reddit writing for the Witcher and Dragon Age fandoms and she's been stuck with me ever since. I couldn't get through a day without her excellent takes and delicious salt. 💜

🌸 ⇢ do you have any pets? if you do, post some pictures of them

I'll never say no to more pictures of my girls! Peep (left), Pru (right).

🎨 ⇢ link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it

Answered this one here... unfortunately I can't quite choose a favourite currently! The curse of having too many good things!

[bosspigeon]

8.Durge is clearly a skilled master of their craft, but would they ever consider taking an apprentice? Perhaps they already did? Or would they absolutely detest those who yet lack skill and prefer they attain it on their own?

11.Bhaal is widely hated or feared, as are Bhaalspawn, but what does Durge think about that notion? Would they hunt down anyone who dares speak I'll of their father, or could they not care any less? Do they perhaps revel in that fear and hatred?

12.If Durge knew they'd lose all their memories in the future, what would they think? Would they weep for their treasured moments or perhaps even feel delighted about forgetting a dreaded past?

16.In general, how does your Durge cope with stress, life, and the things that happened? How did it affect them? Are there any lasting effects from an outburst once?

20.Bhaal was a netherese arcanist. Does Durge, considering they're made from Bhaals flesh, consider themselves to be netherese? Have they ever thought about these things or do they simply not care?

8. I don't think Moss (he who will eventually be called Moss) ever really thought about it, mostly because in his eyes, nobody could do it the way he does. The only "apprentice" he could even consider taking would be another Perfect Bhaalspawn, crafted from Bhaal's flesh--and that's more likely to be a Rival than a potential apprentice. the other Bhaalspawn he knows? Orin? Clearly she is good enough for jazz, but she's not him. I feel like there's a level of well-earned arrogance when you have a job like the Durge.

11. I think Moss would have been largely indifferent to that hatred. The way i imagine him Pre-Lobotomy, he's very... Straightforward. Brutally efficient, but also kind of numb and stoic when he is not basking in the joy and ecstasy of Actively Murdering. Bhaal doesn't care whether or not he's popular. Bhaal doesn't care about being liked. Bhaal cares about one thing and one thing alone, and that is murder. To his Chosen? Those that hate him and those that love him are all the same at the end of the day--Warm Bodies.

12. I think if he knew he'd fight like hell to stop it from happening in the first place. Take Orin out before she could get him first. He'd kill the both of them before he let it happen willingly.

16. Um. Murder. Murder is how he coped with stress. More along the lines of study, though? Moss is curious, before and after the lobotomy. He likes to know things. One of those things he likes to know is the way bodies work. What makes them tick. Might take some time to himself (and Sceleritas, though often he'd prefer to do things Alone than have that creature Nattering In His Ear) to select a victim and take them apart slowly, study the muscles and the sinew and the way the blood flows and congeals. Activate raw nerves with the scrape or brush of a blade to see what reacts. Watching every reaction with those big black eyes and taking it all in. And then afterwards? When the victim finally succumbed to their wounds? He would use his magic to expedite the process of decay and watch that too.

20. Before, I think Moss considered himself first and foremost as Coming From Bhaal. What Bhaal was means very little to Moss. What Bhaal is is all that really matters. Bhaal is the beginning and the end, after all.

[swordcoasts]

if arkem could choose which 8 hours in the day he slept, which would he choose? would those hours be consecutive? does he ever sleep in? does he ever need a hang-over breakfast? what's an average breakfast for him? does he have pets to feed in the morning?

he got a very strict sleeping schedule (9pm-5am) drilled into him while growing up at candlekeep and it really messed with him for a long time when he left and it got disrupted. on the road, he slept very little - in part because of the weird hours they kept while on the road, and in part because of the nightmares that got steadily worse until he refused to sleep at all.

later, though, he prefers sleeping during the day, just because his religious duties require darkness + dorn becomes a vampire in my hc, so he also sleeps during the day. he sleeps no more than 2-3 hours at a time, though - for one, he's a control freak who can't relax ever. plus i think he'd physically require much less sleep once shar begins paying more attention to him.

sleeping in is a concept that fills him with anxiety, tbh. he might be persuaded to stay in bed for a while after waking, but. not for sleeping, lmao.

he uses his cleric privilege to just lesser restoration away any hangovers, so he doesn't really do a hangover breakfast. in fact, he has a very minimal breakfast, anyway - some plain porridge and bread. he goes all out with a late dinner and regularly held nightfall feasts, so he just doesn't have a huge appetite in the morning.

as for pets - i have been toying around with an idea of him getting either a bird or a cat. if he does get a pet, he would definitely take all feeding times upon himself.

[boghermit]

what initially drew salem and astarion together?

When Astarion held that knife to his throat, it was just true love at first sight. I mean, look at him.

Salem was initially drawn to Astarion by his looks and personality. Then, a recognition of himself in the other - someone who is, like him, traumatized, lost, angry, confused, and slow to trust.

Astarion was looking for an attack dog who he could use, someone who he could manipulate into protecting him, but that plan completely backfired when he started to respect, like, and love him.

[neechees]

happy birthday! wishing you a wonderful year of joy and success

Thanks so much! ^^ 🍰

[the-eldritch-it-gay]

Hello! I was thinking that companion!Étoile would, with some familiarity, want to ask Majexatli about their solitary worship of Malar, since so many Malarites live in nomadic bands of werebeasts, and whether they felt that: because it was alone that they found their god's favor that it was alone they must stay, or whether it was because they felt that they would not be accepted by lyncathropes, not being one of them — though this could be remedied with combat or ritual if it was truly a divide (and Étoile would speculate that the way Majexatli's blessing manifests would be awe-inspiring to those with deeper understandings of these things), or if it was because Majexatli felt better than their peers and that how they were living was a true devotion or expression of bloody chaos, or if Majexatli had been living in their happiest circumstances before the nautiloid, giving their solitude no thought or de-prioritizing finding other ways to live because of joy or comfort?

They would be thinking of how their mother, saved by Auril, had never felt compelled to seek out cultures that worshipped the same (she feels her worship is right for her (generally) and more correct than others (often but not always)). And they would be thinking of themself, othered in most circumstances, but wanting to understand their own relationship to their god through a better understanding of people and the world.

If this ask makes you uncomfortable for any reason, please feel free to ignore!

Ohohohoho, this is a great question!

I think Majexatli has remained solitary for a few reasons.

One is that it's reflective of the fact that they themselves feel like they don't belong anywhere. There's many things influencing this, yeah? For one, they've never themselves had any sort of support system or family or community. As a young child they were passed around foster care, when they ran away they lived on their own for years, and once they became a druid, even though they were surrounded by others, they never were truly seen as part of the community, they were forever an outsider. For better or for worse (though mostly for worse), solitude has become the most familiar to them. While they could have tried to seek out other Malarites, they spent so much of their young life learning that they're on their own in the world and can only rely on themselves.

And to your point about worrying of not being accepted, I think there is the worry that if they weren't accepted, then there truly was no place for them in the world, perhaps in avoiding other Malarites, they can avoid that fear. But also, in avoiding other Malarites, they can live in the not knowing. The way one might put off going to a doctor for a concerning symptom, because the not knowing might be easier to deal with than the potential answer.

And I think in general they do worry that they might not be accepted, because Majexatli tends to deal with imposter syndrome in feeling like they're a fraud somehow. With Malar, there's a few things that fuel that feeling, the fact that they were a worshiper of Silvanus, they were a druid and faithwarden, the fact that they have some compassion and kindness that might not be always in line with Malar, and the fact that they aren't a true lycanthrope but their shapeshifting comes from their druidic powers that they're reluctent to give up.

Another part of it I think comes from their Silvanus background, strangely enough. In leaving Silvanus, they've almost over corrected and tried to distance themselves as much as they can from him. Being in a community and worshipping together was something they did with Silvanus, so they instinctually avoided it with their Malar worship. Another point in regard to Silvanus is that their issue with Silvanus was more or less Silvanus' neutrality and what they percieved as inaction and centrism. Given that, they hold very high importance with their personal connection to Malar

I think if Étoile shared about their mother, Majexatli might relate a bit to her. They were saved by Malar, they think Malar worship is the right path for them, but they don't necessarily see their way of worship as being correct. Their focus on their own solitary worship of Malar is because they think that's the right way for them, and that they need the personal-ness that they never got with Silvanus.

I also think that Étoile's view of wanting to understand their own relationship to their god through a better understanding of people and the world would be interesting to Majexatli, right? It's kinda novel concept and I think Majexatli would think that it's interesting. I think Majexatli would benefit from looking a bit more at other people and the world, they just have never truly done that because as mentioned they only ever had themselves for most of their entire life.

(As a tangent, just something that I thought of in lines with Majexatli only ever having themselves, I think that while Majexatli is in general optimistic, I do think they are slightly jaded and disillusioned but they don't quite realize. They've been alone nearly their whole life and faced isolation and being othered everywhere they went, and as much as they would like to think that it didn't have a negative effect on them, it did. They tend to assume the worst of people and believe that the world is a terrible and unkind place. It's just harder to notice them being bitter because they push themselves to help people in spite of it. Perhaps though it's in part fueled by their hatred of the balance, much like Minthara said, the balance is an excuse for stagnation. Majexatli believes the world to be terrible and people terrible, but to accept that is too close to the neutrality of the balance and upholding the status quo.)

[elfyourmother]

They got new chairs for my office and I thought: Enver would invent reclining chairs for Gisèle

he would!!

[luinen-bluewater]

in what ways does tino being "a jock" come across? is it usually a feature astarion and halsin appreciate or is it more likely to irritate them?

Hey hi! First of all happy new year <3 Actually Tino is completely the opposite of a jock! I put the dot on "nerd" but it is on the same line of the "jock" one, so that could have been misleading and I see it only now. Not to mention the poor color choices I made for each character: Tino's green and Halsin's blue are very similar so it could have been easily confused. My bad :( Btw I'll try to answer anyway, since you were so kind to ask and I'm excited to talk about Tino! <3 In a modern AU he'd be the type of guy who gets bullied in high school (but at some point he'd be plotting an intricate and disturbing revenge against his bully). He's scrawny and pale and, before the tadpole and the memory loss, he didn't wear nice clothes or pay much attention to his looks, which are basic and unremarkable. So about this Astarion probably finds his nerdy-resentful attitude fun, as long as it leads to enough chaos, and when Tino at some point shows interest in some clothes and accessories that he finds nice, Astarion will probably help him with the outfit combinations, both for fun and because he knows that Tino is trying to figure out piece by piece exactly who he is. Halsin on the other hand wouldn't mind at all, he'd be concerned about Tino's wellbeing and as long as he's happy, he'd be happy too. About Tino's chaotic side, I don't think Halsin would have many problems as long as Tino's actions don't disrupt the balance. And since Tino is actively trying to resist the urges and states multiple times that he's uncomfortable about the situation he's in I don't see Halsin blaming him about it: he'd instead try to help and comfort him as he can! (Halsin is clearly the babysitter of the throuple lol) Thank you again for asking and sorry it took me a while to reply <3

[twiddlestix]

i'm nosy. are you surprised by 68 because you thought toriyama was older or younger? or for some other reason?

So sorry for the late response I genuinely did not see this!!!

I was surprised by how young he was!!! My father is 61!! And I dont think of him as old. Old enough to die for whatever reason yknow? 60 is sooo young to me.

I think also.... dbz has felt like it's been around forever and its notorious in every way, so I pictured its successful creator being way older. bc no way was he was 34/35 when the anime came out! that's insane!!! You can't be cool and successful until your old and grey! But that's my "I'm in my 20s and why are there 20 year olds with successful careers already" disease talking.

[kissingagrumpygiant]

🐭. you have conviction which is what i think intimidates people, but you're very reasonable and i feel positively about our past interactions. (:

Omg :)

[bosspigeon]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last ten people who reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals & followers!! <3

my dumb little dog!!!

cooking for my friends :)

playing video games

d&d with a bunch of queers

this bag of sour patch gummies i have rn

[esaari]

Does Gabe like eggs? Can he cook them well for himself or others?

he could cook an egg anywhere

[boghermit]

does salem have a good memory wrt weapon names and types or does he just refer to weapons by their shape or function because he cannot be assed to remember the names of different weapon varietals?

Oh he can remember like basic weapon types like "sickle" and "greatsword" but if you ask him to remember shit like "Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker" he will just look at you like this

[neechees]

to agree with anon / to say that native bloggers adding earrings to memes / reactions is valuable service, i'll share that while i use this very rarely (because i hate posting / using images without crediting and in some scenarios i feel like i shouldn't bring attention to you) i have this one saved. it's a fave.

I have that one saved too rvdycdv it's cute!