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[divinestrike]

[Random starters are okay, too!]

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[nibbling]

Come now. A life vicariously lived is no life at all. I'm sure there's nothing so terrible we could get up to that your Moonmaiden wouldn't forgive you for.

[ Oh, there's so many fun and unforgiveable things he can think of to do, but he'll have to ease her into a life of dubious morality. ]

[divinestrike]

[Astarion, please. Do you really want to be responsible for this rubbish fire?]

I have some concerns asking this, but what are you proposing? The least I can do is hear you out.

[nibbling]

[ Ah, the sweet smell of corruption in the morning. ]

A little light theft to start you out - nothing from anyone who doesn't deserve it, of course. [ A blatant lie. ]

Ooh, perhaps a murder or two. Ne'er-do-wells who had it coming, naturally! And we finish the night up with some classic debauchery. Several glasses of red for us each, but decidedly different vintages, if you catch my drift.

[divinestrike]

[Press 'x' to doubt.

She has her reservations, as she tends to where Astarion is concerned. Wonderfully witty company, but... Maybe a little more deceptive than even she would like to be.]

I feel like 'classic debauchery' is incredibly vague and open. Besides, how do you know I even drink wine? How do you know I don't drin the same vintage as you?

[To be fair, she's never tried blood, and it's possible she would try it anyway just to say she had, but does he really need to know that? Probably not. As much as she feels he doesn't need to know anything else about her.]

[nibbling]

Why, darling, you should have told me you indulged in blood. A helping hand would make procuring my midnight snacks so much simpler.

[divinestrike]

I didn't realise that you needed my help. Are you telling me that you aren't self-sufficient, darling?

[nibbling]

[ Called out! She's earned a prickly response. ]

I can't very well be my own bait, can I?

[divinestrike]

You want to use me as bait? Don't I deserve something better than that? I'd let you use me as a resource before I let you use me as bait.

[nibbling]

Oh, don't be so dramatic. It isn't as if I'd let you die. It would be a waste of a perfectly good cleric.

[divinestrike]

I don't know if I should be flattered that I'm such a valuable asset or that you find me so expendable that you would seek to use me. I feel conflicted, my very dear intriguing companion. You do realise we have other clerics? At least one other. Doesn't that shorten my future prospects a touch? Unless you've decided you like me more than Shadowheart.

[nibbling]

Oh, please. Shadowheart is [ difficult to manipulate ] so dreary. All that Shar worship really drags the mood down.

[divinestrike]

You've never thought about worshipping anything? Or anyone? No one at all?

[She doesn't outright say it, but there are other types of worship that don't necessarily involve the gods. Astarion's a smart man. He'll figure out and she feels she isn't really the one to be spelling that out for him.]

[nibbling]

[ 'Worship', even in its more romantic forms, sounds a lot like unnecessary vulnerability at best and subjugation at worst. Still, he's nothing if not disingenuously charming. ]

And here I thought our little Selunite was the picture of repression.

[divinestrike]

It's an innocent question.

[No, it isn't, but she'll argue that it is until she turns a darker shade of blue.]

I notice you conveniently didn't answer me. Is that because you have and you don't want to tell me because you're potentially embarrassed about it? Or is it because you haven't and you don't really understand or care why anyone would put faith into an idea?

[nibbling]

[ If she insists on pushing it, fine — she'll get the antitheist rhetoric he was so nicely holding back. ]

I've tried more gods than you can count, only my faith wasn't rewarded with divine magic and spiritual weapons.

[ Pointed? Perhaps. ]

[divinestrike]

[That's respectable. Faith isn't for everyone and frankly, she's really not surprised to learn that about him. There is nothing about Astarion that indicates otherwise. She's not disappointed by the discovery either. He is, as he is meant to be at this place, at this time, per his circumstances.

On that, she's resolute.]

See, that wasn't so hard. Maybe put faith into something that's not a god. You have faith in yourself, don't you? Let me put it another way. I have faith in you. I believe wholeheartedly that anything you want, you'll find a way to get it. I don't have to have proof of that. I just feel that way based on what I know of you. What I've observed. That's also faith. It's not all gods and lofty ideals that we can't see. Sometimes, it's just supporting the people we're associated with.

[How very cleric of her.]

[nibbling]

[ It's very kind of her to say such things to someone who's done nothing to deserve them. Such unbidden kindness almost makes him want to be kind in turn. Almost. ]

You're positively saccharine. It upsets my stomach, you know.

[divinestrike]

Somehow, I'm not surprised. Believe me, I'm trying to keep that to a minimum for you. That said, I can only be myself. So you'll have to take me as I am. Or don't take me at all.

[nibbling]

[ A quick 180 to get back the power in the conversation: ]

If you wanted me to take you, you need only ask.

[divinestrike]

[Astarion.]

I walked into that, didn't I. And here you are, teasing me.

[nibbling]

You do make it impossibly easy for such a good little Selûnite. One has to wonder if underneath all of that inhibition isn't something wild yearning to get out.

[divinestrike]

Wouldn't you like to know.

[Of course he would. Otherwise he wouldn't be bringing it up.]

I'm not inclined to be dropping details, but far be it from me to start saying I don't have desires or wants like the rest of you. I'm not immune to such things.

[nibbling]

[ Boo, boring. Tomato, tomato, tomato. ]

Desires like being worshipped, hmm?

[divinestrike]

Well, if anyone should ever worship me, I'll be sure to tell you the very depths of my feelings regarding that.

[No. No, she won't.]

Are you just making conversation with me or are you prying for a reason in particular?

[nibbling]

We're travelling companions. I think it's important that we get to know each other quite intimately.

[ You know, normal stuff (that can be used against her later if needed). What boys does she like? What weird stuff is she into? Ever killed a man just to watch him die? ]