Astarion Ancunín

Mae brings the ball back and Jacob repeats the throw.

"Well, your apocalypse sounds fucking horrifying, so - I don't blame you."

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Astarion casts Mage Hand and nudges the ball in a different direction as Mae runs to meet it - to an observer, it simply changes direction of its own accord. Apparently untroubled by any innate understanding of physics, she gamely turns to pursue it.

"Nobody's sounds pleasant," Astarion murmurs. "I don't think there's such a thing as a benign apocalypse, is there?"

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He watches the ball with surprise, then warm amusement once realization dawns, letting Mae enjoy the romp.

"I never thought fire was bad. If a civilization has to fall, then there are worse ways than bombs."

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"It's fast, I suppose. Though I don't know if that would be a comfort if there were any survivors."

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Hello Astarion, hope you're having a pleasant evening. I was just curious, has John been your only warden? I understand pairings can be temporary.

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"Yeah, I - I didn't get to that part, so I don't know."

He keeps his eyes on Mae. "Saw what it could have been, in that nightmare place. Before you found me."

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Hello, darling.

Yes, we were permanently paired from the offset, I didn't have any temporary wardens. Probably a blessing. Why do you ask?

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Astarion brushes his fingers lightly against Jacob's sleeve, barely tracing the line of his arm.

"I can't wait to forget that whole wretched affair."

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"Yeah," he agrees. "Wish I could forget it. Still have goddamn nightmares about it." He leans into his touch, just slightly.

"For a place that's supposed to be healing, they sure do like to pile on the trauma."

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Astarion laughs lightly.

"Is it? Supposed to be healing? I've not heard that."

Because, yes, he's feeling somewhat distanced from the old trauma but the Admiral keeps finding sources of new trauma!

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Ah, I see. I appear to have a temporary warden! He's apparently some kind of detective.

A detective with amnesia.

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He runs a hand through his beard with a hesitant smile. "Yeah, that's what this whole rehab thing is about, right? Healing?"

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That...strikes me as quite a debilitating condition for someone in such a role.

You've met, then? Talked?

Edited Date: 2024-11-26 06:34 pm (UTC)

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"I have no idea. John occasionally says things about 'being happy' and 'making different choices' but he's never talked to me about healing."

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He shrugs. "Neither does Norton. But maybe that's because there's nothing they can do for us." He looks over with a grin, his fingers still combing through his beard. "We are well and truly fucked."

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I thought as much, but he didn't seem to agree! He found me down by the docks on the island. Introduced himself by self-describing as a 'pretty big piece of shit', which I'll admit surprised me!

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"Oh, you finally noticed?"

Astarion grins back.

"What does Norton talk to you about, anyway?"

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Well. Either it's refreshingly honest, or he's trying to disarm you. What's his name?

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He shrugs and Mae finally brings the ball over, so he takes it from her and throws it again. "My brothers sometimes. Talked him out of killing the vampire who attacked one of his boyfriends. About how shit my life was."

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Harry du Bois, apparently. He appears to be new, apparently I am his first inmate! So I suppose it will be a learning experience for us both.

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"Sounds like fun," Astarion drawls. "Which vampire and which boyfriend?"

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"I don't know," he shrugs. "I don't know if he ever figured it out. The boyfriend was - uh - Rawne." He chuckles.

"That fucker has been asking for it, though."

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"Mm. I think I've spoken to him once or twice? Phenomenonally dull. I hope for Norton's sake he's better in bed than he is in conversation."

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I suppose it will. Although these temporary affairs strike me as being little more than...supervision, for want of a better word. He doesn't have your file. He'll only know about you what you choose to tell him.

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