#tav/astarion

[backfliips]

I had the realization that I've been working on all of these bg3 couple commissions and I still haven't drawn MY durge with astarion. here they are queening out they are the gays that judge you from across the bar

[thesuprememe]

the Ascendant ensnares his Sun

[whathebeep]

Okay so like the perma death of Tav and how it would affect the party-

Just cause my Tav died during the end boss and it got me thinking (SPOILERS FOR SURE) (definitely romance centric around poly Tav/Astarion/Halsin)

The party definitely doesn't fully comprehend it at first. Oh it's fine, Shadowheart has revivify- no? It won't work? Right okay we have the scrolls- oh. Okay well we can bring them back to Withers- what do you mean you can't?

That's it. That's the end, and Tav is dead and gone, cold to the touch.

Astarion is in shock. He doesn't believe it, won't believe it- he gets angry at Withers. Yells and screams until his voice his hoarse and angry hot tears are running down his face until he drops to his knees and sobs. Tav's body is on a bed or a stone slab, and he just kneels and cries next to Tav. Squeezes their hand, begs, pleads with them for you to come back. Don't take them, take me- let them live, let them stay, I can't do this without them. Halsin stays with him, by your side, the two comforting each other through their tears and the loss of their love. He cries until he's weak and tired and can't bring himself to move- Halsin feeds him and brings him to bed. He cries at the smell of you on his pillow; you were his sun and now you were gone.

Gale is quiet. Gale comforts the others, makes sure everyone else's needs are being met. He makes Tav's favourite meal that night for everyone at camp- probably something like a nice hearty stew with potatoes and beef. After he's sure everyone else is fed and has drank water/blood, he returns to his tent to eat alone. He closes his tent and quietly cries. He doesn't eat.

Wyll? Wyll carries Tav back to camp- perhaps with the help of Lae'zel. He feels how cold your skin is, and he does his best to hold it together. He sees how deep your wounds are, how blue your lips are. He's unsure if you died before you hit the water, or if you succumbed to your injuries before Halsin pulled you out- but he feels the weight in his chest. You were a hero. Baldur's Gate deserved the privilege to know your face, to hear your laughter. You would've been knighted, you would be a hero to the people. They couldn't of done it without you, and now you were gone. He knew it before they even reached Withers. Wyll didn't sleep that night, rather staying up and tending to the fire.

Shadowheart knew it too. When she tries to revivify Tav and there was nothing, she knew there was no hope. She lingered when the party started back to camp with your body. Shadowheart made her way back to the now empty house of grief and picks night orchids. She takes her time coming back. Camp is quiet when she returns. She feels the familiar wisps of sorrow grasping at the edge of her mind- she is reminded of Shar, and the urge to forget. She won't go back- both for herself and for you. She brings you the night orchids and leaves them in your hands.

Halsin pulled you from the water. He was the first to realize you hadn't surfaced and swam down for you. Minsc realized quickly too and helped him bring you back to shore. Upon the return to camp and the cold hard truth from Withers, he's hurting. His heart hurts. Halsin falls into old habits, hard. He comforts Astarion first and foremost, putting his needs second. He did this at the grove, too. He realizes this and finally breaks, crying as he holds Astarion, the two at your bedside. He lets them fall, he hugs Astarion close, he prays to Silvanus- not to bring you back- he of course knows you are gone. He prays to Silvanus to meet you someday again, be it in the afterlife or if your soul comes back to this plane as something else. When Astarion is too weak to move and needs to go to his bed, Halsin carries him back to his tent. He holds Astarion as Astarion feeds on him, before laying him down to sleep. He leaves, returning with wildflowers to weave into your hair, before returning to bed with Astarion.

Karlach rages. She's violent for hours on end- punching trees, her upgraded engine burning so hot that her tears sizzle if they fall on her skin. She spent 10 years in the hells, 10 goddamn years with absolutely no one- you were the first person to give her a chance. You were her friend. You stood up for her time and time again, you saved her from needing to go back- and now you're gone. She punches a tree and scratches at it and yells angry things in infernal. Her rage only simmers when Scratch and your owlbear cub come to her- she collapsed against the tree and holds them both, crying as her engine starts to cool.

Lae'zel is quiet. She helps Wyll carry you back- she might not be the best at reading emotions, at telling what is happening- but she's seen death before. She realized you were gone when Minsc and Halsin pulled you out. You were a hero- you saved her people, you saved her prince, you saved /her/. And now you were gone. She wonders if you felt as scared as she was, when the tadpole was the greatest threat to them back on the Nautiloid. She knows she didn't say it, but she considered you a true friend. She comes to you later in the night to lay your weapon in your hands. She notices the orchids, and leaves them within your hands as well before going to sit at the fire with Wyll. She's quiet.

Minsc? Minsc is optimistic. He's not stupid- he holds out hope you'll be fine, reassuring the others while they walk back to camp. Surely you were fine, Withers would make sure of it! But when Withers tells everyone the truth, Minsc isn't angry. He feels the sadness, Boo does too- they go to the shore and sit to stare at the water. Minsc has been around for awhile- he knows the finality of death. He, in a way, knows Tav will be okay. That you will return as a bird or a baby or maybe you won't, and you'll await them all in the final death- and he and Boo mourn you.

Jaheira is the one to arrange the coffin for Tav. She's familiar with the process- she's done it many times before for Harpers. She's gone all night getting an oak coffin for your burial, and returns with a few men in the early hours of the next morning. They move Tav into the coffin, careful not to disturb the weapon you held and the numerous flowers. Jaheira sheds tears for you- she brings you medicine, laying the plants in your casket around your head. Lilacs and lavender, cedar and sage cradle Tav's head in the coffin. She thanks you for the lives you saved, the ones you've avenged- for doing what you could.

When the funeral happens, the cathedral is full. When the dust settled and word of your deeds, of your battle, of your sacrifice spread across the city, hundreds come to mourn Tav. Tav the great, Tav the hero, Tav the brainslayer. Tav is knighted before the burial, and is buried in a cemetery in the upper city amongst other heroes of Baldur's Gate. Church bells ring, and taverns are filled with people drinking and singing in Tav's honour. Bards have somehow already come up with songs of Tav and the group- and truly, while the party will remain together, their hearts bleed for the leader they lost.

[kenzieverse]

Astarion taking care of older Tav who is having some memory trouble

Astarion is happy to seduce them all over again every day

but sometimes they think they’re back in the party before they defeated cazador

and they keep promising Astarion that they’re going to kill his old master and that everything will be alright

“I’ll protect you.” they say earnestly, not noticing the frailty of the hand that takes his

“My hero.” Astarion replies fondly

[robotsweater]

stupid sexy vampire got me writing fake bard songs smh

[dreaminginpencil]

badly behaved durge boys deserve astarion kisses too, pls and thank u.

(his name is quinn 😌)

[graveyardcuddles]

Astarion as a househusband would be more like an overgrown housecat. Like he's ALL for indulging in the comforts of domestic life with you. He loves nothing more than to cuddle and read with you.

But he is NOT doing the dishes or cooking and much like a cat he WILL get annoyed at you if you interrupt the cuddle session to try and do chores because SOMEONE has to.

[halsinsnaturepocket]

WIP Wednesday - Help me decide where to go with my Fic

Help me make a decision on the direction of my fic Yearning for a Taste I'm going to post what I have so far under the cut. Consider it a teaser, or a chapter 1 with a cliffhanger. (This is a bit that might make it into my longifc, but I'm playing around with it as a oneshot with a generic femme Tav because I think its hot and can go in a few different directions and I'd like to explore those directions.) Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure fic and the final piece will be posted on Ao3 reblogging for sample size / commenting&tagging with suggestions is always encouraged :3 MINORS DNI

Summary:

After one night in the shadow-cursed lands, Halsin is in his tent minding his own business reading a book when he hears Tav allowing Astarion to feed on her but it becomes….more.

Halsin hears the whole thing and is trying to be Normal about it, but the poor elf has been pent up for so long and is trying to focus on lifting the curse...but alas, he has needs.  CW: Voyerism, dirty talk, Astarion feeding on Tav

Halsin was lying in his tent, using a bedroll to prop himself up as he read one of the books Tav had managed to find during her travels. A book on mindflayer anatomy - a fascinating read, bringing him further insights into the threat they were facing. His attention was so focused he almost didn’t hear the sounds of two people meeting up near his tent. Unfortunately for him, his hearing was rather keen, and the secluded clearing he had settled in blocked out most of the noises from camp, but not the sounds of anyone in the clearing.

“Gods you're such a little freak,” he heard one voice purr. “You're so good to me, sitting in my lap, letting me feed on you.” The praise was followed by the sound of lips smacking against skin followed by a soft moan – he recognized those voices. 

“Did you want more, darling?” Astarion’s voice was silken, lined with hazy lust. “Or did you just want to be my little snack for the evening?”

“You’re sure you saw Halsin go towards the north of camp?” She heard her whisper.  That was most definitely Tav, her soft voice was very distinctive. There was nobody else that voice could belong to.

“Almost positive, my dear. There’s no light on in his tent either, he’s probably off meditating or whatever it is he gets up to.”

They were quiet for a moment. It was true, he had wandered to the north of camp earlier in the evening, but while everyone was enjoying a meal by the fire, he had returned to his tent, rather exhausted from trying desperately to commune with whatever living things he could find in the shadow-blighted village that surrounded them. There wasn’t much, and his efforts had expended quite a bit of his magic. 

“NNnnf…Don't stop…” Her voice was barely a whisper, a near-silent plea. 

Halsin squirmed uncomfortably in his tent. Of all the people to have a liaison behind his tent…it had to be these two. From the sounds of it, Astarion was drinking from her neck, his hands likely snaking beneath her clothes, pleasuring her…

Halsin was desperately trying not to listen in. He had been pent up for so long, and the two of them had tried a few times to bed him; it had taken everything in him not to give in. He was glad they sought company with each other, but did it need to be right outside of his tent? There was a pause in their sounds, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully they were through. Hopefully he would just bite her and be done with it. 

His hopes were futile as he heard a soft gasp escape from Tav. “Astarion–gods that feels so good.” 

“Breathe a bit deeper for me darling - that's it.” He heard Astarion coax. “Good girl, that's my good little treat. You're so nice and wet for me…” 

Halsin turned on his side, his back towards their sounds as he tried desperately to focus on the words swimming around the page of his book, trying to ignore the sound of the two of them, but it proved…difficult. Her stifled moans were stirring emotions he had been trying to suppress for far too long. Both Tav and Astarion had long since held his attention - maybe it was just the kindred feeling of being around two other elves, or maybe it was more…He didn't want to think about it. He had to stay focused on his goals, the shadowcurse lurked right outside the edge of their camp. He couldn't entertain such frivolous thoughts of companionship —

A loud moan interrupted his thoughts. 

“Bite me again, Astarion.” 

“With pleasure.” He heard him murmur, followed by the sound of Tav hissing from the sting of being bit, followed by another soft moan. 

“Gods you taste so sweet when you're on the edge…cum for me darling. Cum while I drain you dry.”

Halsin froze, recalling the sensation of Astarion’s fangs when he sunk into his flesh. He had allowed the spawn to feed on him once or twice when Tav was too exhausted. It was an intimate experience, to say the least. Silvanus forgive him, but it must feel amazing at the precipice of pleasure, to be on the edge of pure ecstasy and feel yourself shaking with the cold chill of life being drained—fuck. He turned his attention back to his book. "Many curious scholars have noted the illithid's disdain for arcane magic, yet do not understand the reasons behind it. In traditional illithid circles--" Yes, quite interesting, to find that illithids were weak to magic. He had noted the tadpole he studied had reacted to arcane magic when used on it. He had read this same sentence at least 4 times now.

“Oh gods, fuck, Astarion!” He heard Tav cry. They weren't even trying to be quiet anymore. 

He couldn’t avoid it any longer. The familiar sensation of arousal gripped at his senses as he felt his heartbeat quicken and his trousers grow tighter. If they kept this up for much longer he’d have to find a way to relieve the tension himself.

“Shhh… my love you'll wake up the whole camp at this rate,” he said, a twinge of teasing laced with lust spilled from his voice. 

Halsin had always wondered what sounds Tav would make…he'd heard her laugh, cry…her sneeze even. He savored the sound of her moving, of humming to herself. Her battlecry, her happiness…they were all so beautiful. But the sounds of her ecstasy…he didn't realize they could sound so sweet. 

“Don't make me gag you darling.” He heard her moans become muffled, as though a hand had come to cover her mouth…likely exactly what was happening. 

Halsin gritted his teeth, picturing the image of Tav tied up his vines, a thin cloth gagging her. And then the thought of her entwined in the pale elf, one hand over her mouth while the other was plunging himself into her sopping wet cunt while a trickle of blood from his fangs runs down her neck… He couldn't help himself. A groan escaped from him. He stifled himself, a worried hand covering his mouth, trying not to let the longing into the sound that dared escape his throat.

The sounds stopped. Utter silence. The silent eeriness from the shadowlands was not helping. 

“Shit–Astarion you said he wandered off to the north of camp, is Halsin IN HIS TENT?”  He heard Tav whisper angrily. They had heard him. Hopefully…this would pass, and it would never be brought up again. 

“I–ugh, I don't know, Tav, I thought I saw him leave his tent. What's it matter anyway?…I'm sure he’s enjoying the show. If he was so inclined he could join if he wants. Though, perhaps he’s deep in a trance.”

“Gods…damned it Astarion—” She moaned loudly. 

‘Should I stop?” He asked. 

[99corentine]

Accompaniment to the latest chapter of Tooth for a Tooth, the latest chapter of which was described as 'Bisexual panic: the chapter'. I have realised that Revenant (Tav)'s type is in fact elegant, refined, snooty elves who boss him around.

[turgid-cucumber]

Your honor I'm so normal about Baldur's Gate 3, I swear.

Guess I'm also outing myself as a weeb here. Princess Mononoke is one of my all-time faves.

[astarfruity]

Commission for Sheosaurs_rex (Instagram)

I always struggle drawing Astarion, but this time the jackets took the lead as the hardest things to draw 😭 I am super proud of the results though! And I made sure to save all my assets in case someone else wants these outfits drawn lol ▶ Waitlist for my commissions is open, feel free to dm me ❤

[backfliips]

Two more bg3 couple commissions I've finished YIPPEEE

[thesuprememe]

the night before baldur’s gate

[suohiisi]

What else is there to do after fighting all day?

[whathebeep]

idk if you’ll do these types of prompts but I was thinking what if Tav got kidnapped Cazador? main relationship of course being Astarion and maybe Halsin 👀

DUDE SHUT UP YOU LITERALLY READ MY MIND

Like I've been thinking about this kind of thing off and on and I LOVE THIS PROMPT SO THANK YOU

Definitely focused on a Poly Tav/Astarion/Halsin, placed early act 3 :) Using gender neutral pronouns for Tav.

TW: Torture, dismemberment, night terrors, trauma

(I was trying to find a gif of a Halsin/Astarion hug but I couldn't, someone @me if you can find one)

The party had only just arrived in Baldur's Gate; It was the first night at the camp at the old abandoned farm at the edge of town. It was peaceful; Goodnight kisses shared between Astarion, Tav and Halsin before the three returned to their own tents. Tav had shared during dinner the night before they wanted to see about perhaps getting a bigger tent for themself in town, so the three of them could comfortably sleep in the same spot when they desired to.

And by daybreak, Tav was gone. Panic arose when Halsin woke early to the panicked squeaks of the owlbear cub; Scratch was weak and bloody, and Tav's tent had collapsed in on itself in an apparent struggle. Tav was gone. Halsin's voice practically boomed across the campsite for help as he dropped and healed Scratch; the others arose and the worry was widespread.

Astarion, when he emerged from his tent, was inconsolable. He didn't speak, just quietly examined Tav's tent. Jaheira and the others argued over who could have done this- Orin? Gortash? There were plans already being made to storm Wyrms crossing and force Gortash to tell them where Tav went. Karlach was ready to choke the information from him.

But when Astarion finally turned to Halsin, and Halsin had parted Scratch's fur and revealed two sizeable teeth marks...it was obvious who had done this. Who had taken Tav.

It had only taken Dahlia and Leon to take Tav. A few well placed spells of sleep and hold person, Tav had woken in shackles in the kennel. Godey and Cazador stood before them, and Cazador did not hesitate to speak plainly; either they lure Astarion back, or they would suffer. Tav refused and Godey took his time making them suffer. Beatings, casting of fear that dominated their mind and showed them visions of Astarion and Halsin suffering; Astarion locked away in a tomb, crying, screaming, begging for freedom - Halsin trapped in Shadowfell, trapped to suffer for all eternity in darkness.

In the few hours that Cazador had Tav, they were broken by a combined effort of Godey and Cazador; Astarion had to suffer for running away, and from the spawn who had watched for their return, it was easy to tell what Astarion's weak spot was.

The entire party had stormed Cazador's manor. Astarion and Halsin led the charge side by side, mowing down Godey first and foremost. Tav's smell was strongest there; it horrified the two of them to see the fresh blood staining a mattress under chains on the wall.

Godey could only laugh in Astarion's face as Astarion shattered his skull when he refused to tell where you were. It was obvious, however. If you were not in the kennel, Cazador had you.

When they emerged into the tombs under the manor, Tav was nowhere to be found.

Astarion screamed till his voice was hoarse; Cazador would pay, he would pay for what he did, pay for all of this. Cazador could only laugh in their faces, promising Astarion's death in the coming ceremony; as Astarion would die, so would Tav.

The fight was long and grueling. It was of no hesitation to Astarion to murder Cazador the second he was pulled from his coffin. He stabbed and slashed and screamed at Cazador- How dare he, how dare he hurt Tav, how dare he do this to spite Astarion one last time. Cazador died with a smile and Astarion sobbed, Halsin quick to come to his side to hold him. The other spawn were freed from Cazador's control- and Leon was quick to reveal where Tav was.

When they pulled the tomb open, Tav was on the brink of death. Halsin and Shadowheart were quick to tend to their wounds once they were removed from the very same dusty tomb Astarion had once been locked away in. They were quick to bring them back to camp, Tav only conscious long enough to smile at the sight of their elven loves.

When they woke it was in the Elfsong, the others in the group moving camp while Tav was in recovery. Halsin and Astarion were at their side; Astarion namely sitting and keeping their head in his lap, Halsin sitting at their bedside in a stool.

They both look exhausted. How long had it been? Memories were foggy but Tav was still injured when their eyes finally opened. The relief was immediate, Astarion brushing hair from their face and gently brushing away the tears that fell from their face. Halsin carefully cast calm emotions to help soothe Tav.

So much had happened to Tav in such little time; Cazador punished them to the extreme because of their disobedience, refusal to obey and bring Astarion back.

Tav had their dominant hand cut off by Cazador.

Astarion apologized for it, kissing them gently. He was a wreck; guilt ridden over what happened to Tav. Halsin quietly reassured him, taking Astarion's hand in his own, carefully cupping Tav's cheek. Cazador was gone. Tears and kisses were shared between the three. Yet, Tav refused to share all of what happened to them aside from the obvious.

It only took a few days for Gale to bring a gift to Tav, a clamp-on bracelet that would give them a permanent mage hand. Magic had offered so much for those missing limbs, so it didn't take a lot of searching to find such an item.

Cazador was gone forever, Astarion, Tav and all the spawn were free.

But Tav still woke with screams of terror every so often. After a few nights of Halsin and Astarion rushing across the room to reassure Tav, they pushed two square shaped beds together in the corner of the Elfsong. The nights they woke with night terrors Halsin and Astarion were there to ease them back to sleep.

Even Halsin had started waking from trance with a start every so often, scared that he would wake and Tav would be gone. Astarion too. More often than not they would keep Tav between them, and hold hands with each other.

Cazador was gone; but the damage he had done would take more than a healing spell to recover from.

[pikapeppa]

Astarion/Tav: Dull

A little early-Act I bonding between Astarion and a bard-rogue Tav. 🥰 1070 words, SFW!

*************

Astarion sighed loudly.

Tav fell back a step and elbowed him. “What’s the matter now, handsome?” 

“You’re dull,” he complained. “That’s what the matter is.”

She barked out a laugh. “Excuse me? What did I ever do to deserve such an insult?”

“It’s what you won't do that’s the problem,” he said. “You keep on purchasing things from traders at fair prices.”

“So?”

“So,” he drawled, “we were all snatched into that ghastly nautiloid ship with nothing but the clothes and weapons on our backs. And yet you keep throwing gold around like it’s going out of style!”

“Hey, that’s not fair,” she said. “I barter, and I do it well.”

“And did your bartering get you this?” He deftly rolled a gold ring across his fingertips and held it up with a flourish. 

She gasped. “Astarion! Where did you get that?”

“It’s called petty theft, darling,” he said, and he pocketed the ring. “You ought to try your hand at it sometime.”

“Should I, now?” She lifted her hand and scratched her temple in an exaggerated way. 

His eyes widened. She was wearing a gold bangle with an oak-leaf design: one that Astarion distinctly remembered having stolen from that healer-druid’s table back at the Sacred Grove.

He slapped a hand over his coin purse. “What the devil—? How did you—?”

She snickered and took the bangle off. “Don’t try selling theft to a thief, my friend. You’re only preaching to the acolytes.” She slipped the bangle into her pocket. 

“Excuse you, but that’s mine,” he exclaimed.

“Nice try,” she said sweetly. “If you can’t hang onto it, it’s not yours anymore.”

He smirked. She’d won this particular battle of wits, he’d give her that. “Well, now I especially don’t understand. If you’re such an apt little thief, why in the hells do you keep wasting our precious coin on trading with people when you could be fleecing them instead?”

“Because I’m a noble thief now. I save my nimble fingers for those who deserve it.”

“Please,” he scoffed. “What makes you think those people don’t deserve it?” He waved dismissively back in the direction of the Grove.

She raised her eyebrows. “You think that Nettie deserved to be stolen from? The same Nettie who gave us advice on how to get these tadpoles out of our heads?”

He widened his eyes sarcastically. “You mean that same Nettie who was ready to poison you if you hadn’t given her the answer she was looking for?” He tsked. “I’d have liked to see her try such a trick on me. I wouldn’t have gone down without a fight, I promise you that.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. You’re the stabbiest vampire who ever stabbed anyone on the face of Faerûn, I know.”

“And the most beautiful, don’t forget.”

“How could I ever?” she said with a grin. “But my point still stands. I save the thieving for those who deserve it.”

“And my point still stands,” he replied. “You’re very dull, not to mention naïve, if you think there’s anyone out there who hasn’t deserved a good robbing at one point or another.”

She gave him a strange look: a thoughtful look, but one that was rather piercing, too. It gave him an odd squirmy feeling in his belly to have her look at him like this, like a faint and unfamiliar kind of discomfort.

He flicked back a lock of hair. “Stare all you want, darling. Just don’t go wandering into a tree while you do.”

She smiled, then tilted her head shrewdly. “How about this, then, if you think I’m so dull: let’s make a bet.”

“What sort of bet?”

“When we get to the goblin camp, I bet that I can pickpocket more than you can.”

He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “More what? More individual goblins, or more profit?”

“More profit, of course. There’s no way to keep track of how many individuals we each stole from.”

He pressed a hand to his chest. “You mean you don’t trust me to accurately tell you how many of those misbegotten creatures I steal from?”

“Not for a second.”

“Ha!” he exclaimed. “Look at you learning. Good for you.”

She wrinkled her nose at him: a rather charming look on her freckled little nose. “I’m not that naïve, you know.”

“Of course you’re not, my dear.”

She clicked her tongue, then bumped him with her hip. “So? Do we have a bet?”

“That depends,” he said. “What’s the prize for the winner?”

“If I win, then you have to give this bangle back to Nettie and apologize for pilfering it in the first place.”

He groaned. “Ugh, you want me to apologize? You might as well ram a stake through my ribs. It would be less agonizing.”

She grinned. “If you win, on the other hand, I’ll let you bite me every night for a week.”

Now that was interesting — interesting and surprising. He was going to accept the bet regardless since it would make for an amusing diversion, but now with such a sweet prize at the end? And one that Tav was offering so readily, without even a hint of disgust about what he needed? Wanted, he should say, since he didn’t technically need her blood. Though the feeling it gave him to drink from her rather than from some filthy animal was very different and very delectable. 

He shook off the thoughts. Need, want, whatever it was that drove him to imagine the exquisite flutter of Tav’s pulse against his lips: she was offering it without any hesitation, and that alone was… very interesting. And unexpected. And his mouth was already watering for the prize.

“Fine,” he said. “We have a bet. I’ll look forward to having that sweet neck of yours laid bare for me.”

“Will you, now?” she said slyly, and she held out her hand. 

In her palm was a gold ring: the stolen ring Astarion had shown her a mere few minutes ago. 

He gasped. “You wicked thief! Give that back.” He grabbed for it.

She deftly dodged away from him. “Oh, no you don’t. It’s mine now.”

Her face was lit with a gamine grin, and against all odds, he found himself laughing in response. Despite Tav’s faults — her friendliness and her helpfulness and her naïveté, no matter what she claimed — perhaps she wasn’t quite so dull after all.