CRYSTAL | MISS ME, DARLINGS?

[illithidnapped]

FORM: sending crystals, during the truth event, you know what to do
SENDER: your favorite rogue, Astarion xoxo
RECIPIENT: as always, everyone
NOTES: if you drank Truth Soup, cough up your feelings; if you didn't drink the soup, make it worse for everyone, I dare you

[Someone's bored tonight. And it's been over a year since the last time he felt restlessness stirring him into needling action— particularly when he's noticed a couple of blurted-out confessions running high and harsh in the air. He could sleuth around. Sniff about for any signs of volatile tampering (or ask if this is just the next phase of whatever sleepless affliction's still nipping at everyone's collective heels)....

But this is so much more fun.

Anyway— ahem, and all that:]

Name one thing you like about someone else in Riftwatch. Anything. Anything at all.

Bonus points if you feel like getting weird with it.

[And don't think he's generous enough to actually start this game himself: that, you're all going to have to do on your own.

Or maybe just ask nicely.]

Comments

[notathreat]

You first, you evil fucking genius.

[Said with all the venom of someone who meant to say something rude instead.]

[armd]

-- No, you first.

What's one thing you like about me.

(Quickly.)

[bouchonne]

You have lovely eyes.

1/???

[illithidnapped]

—shit, what?

I mean— [He tries to get out the typical reply. You know, the one consisting of a preening, throaty little purr rolling around the word obviously, but for some reason it won't come out.

And by for some reason it's because fuck-it-all, he's afflicted, too, isn't he? Ugh.

No, it's fine, he'll muscle through it. He's a bloody vampire, after all, who better knows how to overcome a curse via sheer force of will? He'll just brace himself, open his mouth, and— ]

1/??

[illithidnapped]

I've always hated them. [Well....] As far back as my own memory goes, anyway. Always saw my old master staring back at me through them.

Assumed everyone else did, too.

[And unlike a full set of fangs or eternal life, red eyes aren't exactly useful when all's said and done.]

I know it's illogical, but—

1/3

[illithidnapped]

Oh for fuck's sake!

[HAND IS GOING OVER HIS OWN MOUTH. HAND IS GOING DIRECTLY OVER HIS OWN MOUTH UNTIL HE STOPS.]

[elegiaque]

I like the ones I notice the least.

[propulsion]

Sure you do. What do you like about me, Gigi.

[illithidnapped]

Hm. [Cole Phelps uses doubt]

I don't think you'd actually enjoy being an island to oneself in the literal sense— no matter how you fuss about everyone else around you.

[arkitect]

I believe we have already had this conversation.

[wait. that's not the dismissive answer he wanted to give.

-fuck.]

[illithidnapped]

Ahah. [It's a smug laugh. Reflexively smug, in fact, because there's not much that's actually all that funny in the wake of their last conversation.

It dulls out a second later, albeit warmly.]

For the record, it doesn't have to be a flooring gesture. The compliment, I mean.

Something small would still work. Like 'decent jaw structure' or....[hm] 'nice feet'.

[favoriteanalyst]

You're fun. [Is he talking about this idea being fun, or does he really just mean Astarion's fun?]

[Yes.]

You're also much, much smarter than you like to let anyone know. Kind of shit at hiding it, I think, but I like it.

1/2

[illithidnapped]

Aren't I just?

2/2

[illithidnapped]

[ —ah. Hang on. Now he's hearing the rest of it.]

You could do without giving away all my secrets, you know. A man enjoys his mystery; you're making me entirely readable.

Ergo less fun.

[cozen]

Give me a name.

[ He said points. That makes this a game. ]

[illithidnapped]

[It is a game. Good boy. Clever boy.]

Hmm. Flint, Loki, Benedict, Byerly annnnd.....Whiskey.

[Oh, did you ask for one name? Too bad. You get many.]

[doggish]

Your yelping when Ataashi wakes you up by licking your hand is amusing to me.

[xoxo love u baby

But also, a truly honest response:]

And I deeply admire Abby's ability to both fight and heal.

1/?

[illithidnapped]

Oh you wr—

[Gods above, he can't even get the word wretched out because it doesn't actually apply to the elf who's presently m u r d e r i n g him. Not if honesty is binding, that is.

Give him a minute, because every attempt to spit out such classic hits like you're not funny and we'll see how amused you are when I've put my fangs through your hand end in a dry wheeze at best.]

2/??

[illithidnapped]

[At worst, though?]

I adore you, even when you're shamelessly telling everyone here—

[sparklequeen]

[ Entirely earnest and participating with genuine enthusiasm. ]

Abby is really muscular like dang.

And Ellie has really amazing knife skills.

And Astarion knows how to get people to relax.

And Adrasteia is really kind.

And, uh, Vanya is good with the gryphons...

[ Stop her before she starts listing everyone. ]

[illithidnapped]

Oh Glimmer, you precious thing.

[Tsk. Tongue clicking sharp against the backs of his fangs; he's never going to get used to this forced honesty. Let's hope it doesn't last long....

Otherwise they're all in trouble.]

Don't let me interrupt you, though. What about the Division leadership?

How do you feel about them?

[altusimperius]

You terrify me, [haltingly,] but I sort of like it.

[illithidnapped]

Not an entirely surprising revelation, darling. [Wry. Playful as tugging on corded rope.] You're a touch more transparent than you realize.

But are we talking about the 'terrify' that's somewhat peripheral? Lurking danger, prickling skin, that sort of unsettling subtlety....

Or the kind that haunts at night?

[sprent]

(With relief,) I like that you asked this question. M' still tryin' to remember everyone's names. (Oops!)

1/2

[illithidnapped]

[Oh hello there. New friend? New friend....]

In that case, allow me to lend a generous hand. You'll want to introduce yourself to—

[icasm]

I like Sylvie's tenacity and her ability to follow through and improve upon a plan. I like the way she laughs.

I like your personal sense of style and your refusal to give up. I like how bloodthirsty you are, sometimes quite literally, though I suspect it is not an aspect of your personality I would be applauded for enjoying.

I like how Mobius cares about people and the way the corners of his eyes crinkle when he's amused and frustrated with something. Someone. Me, I suppose.

[ Moving on. ]

I like Abby's strength. Her arms are incredibly impressive and I like that we're friends. That she gets to be here. As complicated as that is.

[illithidnapped]

Charmer. [He means for it to be serpentine— a little barbed; he isn't quite sure how it comes off, thanks to whatever's affecting most of them, but even if it's sincere, it's warranted.

Astarion likes to think he's possessed of a silver tongue. Loki shows him up with ease. How unfair.]

I like—

[Oh, this is terrible.] I appreciate that you've always looked out for me, particularly when I was....more trouble than I was worth, shall we say.

When I was without him.

[And that's all he'll say about that.] I do also find your hair to be quite dashing. Tempts me to try it out for myself, someday.

[Anyway:] Are you also suffering from this curse of honesty? Or are you just playing along for fun?

[indissection]

You're quite handsome. Will that do?

[illithidnapped]

It's certainly welcome, I can tell you that. [Chased by a laugh that sits in his throat, he changes his own tone when he adds:] But I imagine there's more you want to say about a few others, too.

A favorite who's earned your appreciation, perhaps? Or....

Would you prefer I return the favor, and tell you that you make for wonderful companionship when I need to sneak into only the best of Hightown's current affairs.

[apocalypsegrown]

I like that most people here leave me the hell alone.

[illithidnapped]

If the next words out of your mouth aren't 'except for you', darling, I'm going to be hurt.