#otis is my favourite tombtaker hands down

[piratespencil]

Unironically I love Otis. She's weird she's nasty everybody hates him. What's not to love.

[peach-the-owl]

You mentioned that the child of Molly's scenario was a bard, how about the child plays a song for the tomb takers to pass the time and it stirs something in Lucien. Like a familiarity and sense of warmth when she plays.

A Moment of Reprieve

Child of the Nein (Lucien & Child!Reader)

Warning: Potential spoilers from 124 and 125 (though I hesitate to be certain)

You felt so lost and conflicted about everything that’s been happening around you, so overwhelmed you felt you might throw up. You’d hoped your choices would help avoid conflict between the two parties but that unfortunatly didn’t end too well. By some gracious miracle the Nein had managed to flee from the Tombtakers, or maybe Lucien let them go for your sake? It was a question that you would most likely not get an answer to. One way or another you were still stuck traveling with them, feeling very tense about everything that transpired. Subconsciously rubbing a thumb over your left palm to try and ease your nerves away had become a bit of a nervous tick you had just developed due to some strange recent events.

"Well would you look at that, the kid's still alive after all that." You hear Otis comment.

"Not like they really fought anyone in the first place." Cree sneers.

"That’s quite enough, we're only killing daylight by standin' around." Lucien interjects, starting to head in a northwestern direction.

"Why do you defend them?" He pauses and turns toward the tabaxi.

"Pardon?" He raises an eyebrow at her.

"This child has served no purpose to us, I just don’t see why you insist on keeping them around." The others in the group share looks between her, Lucien and yourself. Lucien draws you in closer to him as he just stares.

"So you question my judgement?" It came out sounding more like a statement then a question.

"Wha- no, no of course not, I would never. I… was j-just curious is all." Cree sputters through each of her words.

"Well, then no harm done." With that he sets off again, the others following behind one by one. He gives one more look towards Cree. "I’d be careful if I were you though. Curiosity has been known to kill the cat." If it were possible to see, you were sure her face paled. Without another word the party sets off once again through the frozen wasteland, but you notice now that Cree was doing everything in her power to avoid eye contact with you. You still felt a little shaky yourself, taking deep breaths to try and calm your tense nerves.

"So do you play?" You jump a little at the question and look over at Otis.

"Sorry?" You raise a questioning eyebrow at them. They point down to the flute strapped to your belt.

"You’ve been carrying that thing around this whole time, do you even play it?" You felt a little embarrassed, this whole time you had the means to use spells and entertain yet you forgot all about it from all the stress. You were a bard who forgot they were a bard.

"As a matter of fact I do!" You brighten up a bit, shaking away your previous thoughts. "Did you have anything particular in mind?" They think about it for a minute.

"Know any traditional halfling folk songs?" You nod and they look at you expectantly, you slightly roll your eyes then pull out the instrument and start playing. This was exactly what you needed, being back in your element really helped you to refocus and relive some of the tension you felt, just allowing yourself to get lost in the music. After you were done your piece they asked for another song, being a little more specific this time and once again you deliver.

"Alright that’s cute and all but why don’t we listen to something better." Tyffial comments before staring at you. "Those were simple and easy, but do you know any elven ballads?"

"Indeed I do! Did you have something specific in mind?" It wasn’t so much excitment you were displaying but rather just naturally falling into the role of being an entertainer for others. She makes her request and you begin to play, casting Prestidigitation every now and again to add a little something to the piece. The song was a longer one but it did help make the traveling feel like it went by quicker, by the time you were done the sky had darkened, man today went by fast. Fierce winds began to pick up again, whipping snow in every which direction, the party finding a formation of rocks that could act as a temporary shelter for the night. You settle in as best you all can, listening to the strong winds as they whip around you.

"Might I request something of ya." Lucien gives you a curious look, you give him a nod. "There was that little melody ye hummed fer me once… how'd that go again?" You think back a bit and once realization hits you smile wide.

"Oh, that song! It’s one of my favourites, did you want to hear it?"

"Wouldn’t 'ave asked if I didn’t."

"Point taken." With that you start to play the quiet and somber melody you knew all too well.

The second those notes hit Lucien’s ears it was like every other sound didn’t exist, and there was a strong sense comfort that followed. It was foreign yet very familiar, as if he had listened to this song a thousand times, had asked for it to be played a thousand times. The haunting melody also brought a sense of calm and safety, tempting him to actually close his eyes to rest for once, it was all so strange. Yet the strangest thing about the whole situation is he knew it couldn’t be magic, nothing could charm him and even when subtly using the anti-magic cone the effect the music had on him didn’t change. He looks down at you by his side, your eyes were closed focusing solely on the music you were playing, then something blurred flashes through his mind. He couldn’t quite catch what it was, but it only strengthened the familiar feeling within him as well as adding a warm and relaxing sensation at the back of his mind. Before he has time to dwell on it more the song ends and the surrounding sounds made their presents known again.

"How was that?" You ask, taking note that the others seemed to have drifted off in their own right.

"You have quite the talent little one, I’m impressed." He spoke in a hushed voice.

"Why thank you." You give a slight bow and are about to turn over to catch some sleep yourself only to stop when you feel his hand place itself on your shoulder.

"Do you think you could play it again for me?" There was something different about his tone, something quiet, calm, vulnerable even and you swear his accent lightened up just a bit too. You look up at him and give the same reply you always would whenever he'd give such a request.

"I’d love to." You give a closed eye smile as you bring the instrument up and once again let the haunting melody flow through, letting the notes move across the frozen landscape.