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.

1/2

[notathreat]

You're absolutely fucking cut and I can't stop thinking about that time you walked in on me in the baths.

2/2

[notathreat]

Fuck.

[illithidnapped]

[Across the crystals, someone has just absolutely gasped the words —oh shit in full, delighted shock.

It's Astarion.

Astarion did that.

Because this is officially the second best day of his unlife.]

[elegiaque]

I like the ones I notice the least.

[armd]

... Uhhh(?????????????????)

(Real quick: what the fuck? What the fuck? Hello?) Um- that's

yup.

(nailed it bye
GO COLLECT YOUR FUCKING BONUS POINTS)

[propulsion]

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

[elegiaque]

You're nearly just me. I don't have to— well, I don't mind my words with anyone often, but I don't have to worry you're going to be a little bitch about it. You're useful and professional and I know you'll be there if I ever stumble because you're definitely the sort of person to whom it'd matter to that I was for you.

Aren't you.

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— ]

[arkitect]

I believe we have already had this conversation.

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

-fuck.]

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.]

[bouchonne]

[ Well.

Fuck.

Byerly's lips part, and he struggles a moment before saying - ]

My - sincerest apologies. I'd - meant it as a compliment.

[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.

[illithidnapped]

Oh no no no, don't you dare let it end there.

[It's just getting good, after all.]

Go on, what do you appreciate about her.

[cozen]

Give me a name.

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

[propulsion]

Yeah.

You were there and that mattered after. There were multiple points after rifting in where I might have McFreakin' lost it, but you're one of those people that made sure I didn't, because you're a good person when you know you need to be. So yeah, I'm there anytime you need someone who's not gonna be a little bitch about it.

Only partly for even stevens reasons.

[elegiaque]

I'm not a good person.

( gross! )

[illithidnapped]

No, it was one. I actually enjoyed it, in fact, minus the involuntary oversharing.

[Something that comes slithering in yet again when he adds, offhandddly:]

I don't deal well with kindness, is the thing.

[Annoying, hearing it slide through his fangs, but— look, there's no taking back what's been said. And there are worse things out there than having a friend know all of his deepest insecurities and flaws and oh gods, it's happening even in his own head.

Right. No. Something else.]

Eugh.

You have nice hair. [Compliment speedrunning, quick as he says it. A little like pulling off a stuck bandage.] And I envy the way you and your darling always seem so carefree.

[bouchonne]

[ Oh Maker damn you Astarion. ]

Very far from that. We're both dreadfully careworn. I've botched so many things with him so horribly. And so many problems seem so insurmountable.

[propulsion]

Sounds like something a good person would say. But for the record, I'm not saying you can't switch it off.

And, uh, do.

[doggish]

Yup? That's the summation of your response?

[Abby, come on now. You can do better.]

[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.