Overflow / Open Post

[divinestrike]

[Random starters are okay, too!]

Comments

[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? ]

[divinestrike]

I can agree that we should know each other. To a point. I don't think you need to know me intimately or vice versa to accomplish that. All I need to know is that I can trust you at my back.

[And frankly, she's not sure she can.]

My tastes in... such antics, Astarion, I don't think will be of benefit to you. I actually think you'd be quite bored by what you'd find out. I've never had much time for those kinds of outings.

[nibbling]

You must be awfully pent up.

[divinestrike]

[She is so thankful that he can't actually hear her laughing. In that short, awkward, stilted way she sometimes does when she isn't really sure how to address something.]

Must I? I have to confess that whilst I have fleeting thoughts here and there, the being preoccupied thing makes it pretty easy for me not to often consider it.

[But the truth here is, if she really, really gives it consideration, she's pretty pent up. Wrapped up tightly beneath self-imposed repression and an incredible strength of will and discipline.]

[nibbling]

You really are such a long-suffering hero, aren't you?

[ Luckily, she can't see him roll his eyes. Look out for number one, Nepione! ]

[divinestrike]

That isn't how I see it. I'm not suffering. You'll hate hearing this, but it's a little easier when I can focus on you and the others. Even if the recipient of this is annoyed by it. That said, I don't expect you to understand. I'm well aware that I'm a little strange.

[nibbling]

Oh, I certainly don't hate hearing that you're looking out for me. The others, I could take or leave.

[divinestrike]

They're just as important as you, you know. We don't have to all agree, but we should try to at least get along a little. This little misadventure we're on, it'll go better if everyone feels like they have value and they have a place they belong. I want us all to grow and be strong together, whatever that might entail.

I'll do what I think is necessary to achieve that.

[Including murder. She just won't enjoy it.]

[nibbling]

[ Now he really could vomit from the sugary sweetness. ]

Ugh. Even Wyll? Even Gale?

[divinestrike]

They have their place, so yes, even them. You don't have to like them, Astarion. You just have to behave. A little. Don't suppose I can bribe you with something to make sure we keep the peace around here.

[nibbling]

I'm nothing if not reasonable. Make your offer, darling.

[divinestrike]

You wanted to use me as bait, right? I'm willing to help you catch your food at night. Gods know I don't sleep much to begin with. I won't be missing anything.

You get to eat. You're happy. Everyone else can be happy, too.

[nibbling]

I suppose a full stomach would make it easier to tolerate the Blade of Frontiers referring to himself in the third person.

[divinestrike]

If you get tired of listening to him, you can always just come and spend time with me.

[nibbling]

And here I thought you were opposed to getting to know each other more intimately.

[divinestrike]

That is not equivalent to me saying I'm going to throw you down into my bedroll and demand you make penance for misbehaviour.

[nibbling]

And yet you've made such a detailed scenario for someone not at all pent up.

[divinestrike]

I thought it might be more the thing you'd expect to hear from me, actually.