likemybooks | OPEN RP + OVERFLOW

((continuing from here))

Wizard? I didn't know you wanted to be a wizard. [He tosses the tool onto the desk, and it rolls until it hits the wall and settles into the thin crack between it and the furniture.] But why did you have to try it in my lab? This wasn't meant for bodies, it was meant for arcane magic!

I haven't mentioned it to you?

[He grows a bit hesitant, hoping this detail may have been glossed over. He undrapes from Taryon, and goes to pick up the screwdriver, wandering off to find a rag to clean it off with.]

I'm interested in necromancy. It was piqued during my journey with the tadpoles, but I suppose spending time with you made that itch came back.

[He finds what he's looking for and washes the tool off, dunks the rag back in and drags the bucket over to clean up the rat.]

And I thought here would be the safest spot!

Oh. [Necromancy isn't looked upon favorably within Vox Machina, and that's not solely because of the lich they struck down. He hopes that the others will never hear about Astarion's new hobby before Taryon has a long and sensitive conversation with them.] But...why? It seems it's difficult to control.

[He grabs a rag to wipe the rat-grime off of his desk.] You could have picked someplace, I don't know, less filled with delicate instruments. There's too much here to chew, and I don't want our magic to get all mixed up.

It's fun, don't you think! [Though, clearly Taryon doesn't, and Astarion can tell. He knows it's generally looked down on, and he supposes for good reason, but he was generally looked down upon in general himself, so what else is new.] But, I think it would be the key to figuring out some . . . [He gestures vaguely in the air, searching for a word.] . . . some issues that are undead related.

[He helps him wiping up, including the acid, and answers maybe not poutily, but maybe like a duly admonished child.]

I'm sorry. I really did think it would be the best spot. Better than out in the other rooms or our bedroom, or to be unleashed in the wild.

Issues? What issues? You mean finding a way to protect you from sunlight? [Taryon is much more sympathetic to that idea: surely, Astarion wants to use it to better himself, not to risk raising an army to fight his bidding. His movements are more relaxed as he cleans up his workshop and checks the papers that had been gnawed.] Oh, good. He didn't each the parts I've written.

[The papers are stashed away in a drawer, where they are vermin-proof.]

...Do you want your own study? I can have Doty convert one of the spare rooms just for your sake. It's only fair if you're going to live here.

[As Astarion has been staying here longer, Taryon finds that he's been sharing more and more space - his bed, a bookshelf, furniture, time with his mother, and now a new room. It doesn't feel unnatural to offer something so big at this point.]

Yes! [He drops the rag into the bucket, and kicks it aside (without spilling a drop), and steps in close to Taryon again. He grabs him by the arms, a bright smile on his face as he looks into his blue eyes. Astarion looks hopeful.]

Think about it, Tary! We could be in the sun together! A promenade in the gardens, hand in hand; going to the market when all the stalls and shops are open; waking up together because the dawn light spills into the room and annoys us.

[He tilts his head, his enthusiasm tempering as he takes a moment to imagine the man before him in all those scenarios, different lights of day shining upon him.]

I'm guessing you look absolutely dashing in the sun.

[There's the sweet expression, the one Astarion allows himself to show when he is fine with appearing to be vulnerable. The pure joy that he's learning to accept, and it makes him more enchanting than his seductive tactics. It should be shameful to be so emotionally persuaded, but what is Taryon but a soft man?]

...Oh my god. You've never seen me in the most flattering light. [Candles are fine and all, but it compares to nothing like the striking visage that greets him when he looks into a mirror during the day. Astation doesn't truly understand how handsome Taryon is.] You're missing out on so much! We have to find you the most forbidden of books and get you fixed up!

[What's more is he doesn't realize he's showing that soft side, he has grown so used to being with Taryon it rarely crosses his mind anymore to purposefully subdue himself.

Taryon falling into his usual vanity loops makes Astarion's smile turn a little wry, but being a vain man himself he approves of that side of him. Taryon is quite handsome, and he should revel in it.]

I knew you would understand. [His hands slide down his arms, until he is able to take his hands in his.] I have a source for books, but perhaps we can hire more investigative types to keep in ear out for relic rumors. With all the vampire lords that have been born and killed in this world, at least one of them had to have made something that allowed them to walk in the sun. [Beat.] That doesn't involve killing 7,0007 souls, of course.

Edited 2024-10-10 02:32 (UTC)

We can start with asking around libraries and such. I feel like most clerics are going to be wary of anyone asking about the necromantic arts, considering all those liches and sacrifices going on. Unless I can persuade them that we're looking for ethical methods of raising the dead and manipulating lifespans...

Wait. [His head jerks to the side as he reviews what he just said.] That doesn't make it sound any better. How should be spin it? Giving victims of vampires a second chance would make us more sympathetic. Clerics will surely be moved to offer their services and resources. And librarians won't kick us out!

[He's brilliant. His innocent eyes and persuasive nature will aid them on their quest.]

We can ask my friends about the vampire they fought. He's bound to have something stashed away that gives the the ansewr. And if we don't find it, they'll just burn it.

Precisely what I was going to suggest, darling. It's not a lie! Beautiful minds think alike.

[Maybe it's not the whole truth, he is interested in being able to call up a skeleton or a zombie to help in a fight, but he has no desire to become something like a lich. He was able to hold strong against the temptation of becoming an ascended vampire, he can a lich, especially with Taryon by his side.]

I have Gale in Waterdeep that is willing to help as well. He loves reading all sorts of dusty, dull tomes, so he was excited when I sent him letters on the matter. [He leans in, practically nose-to-nose to him.] And if we have to go on another journey, that would be exciting, right? You and me, traveling again?

I think Gale's really great. We've been trading books, actually, and some of his arcane tomes have helped me with my new creations. [And he's a nerd, which Taryon understands. Not one he would sleep with, but a great friend who reads interesting things.]

A journey? Perhaps one that lasts a few weeks, full of peril, romance, and bonding so deeply that we return home changed men? [Plus some more moments spent pounding each other into the environs, though skeletons and libraries don't sound as alluring as softly glowing fungi and flora surrounded by serene pools of water. Taryon smiles and moves the final inch so that their noses touch. His head is suddenly hit with a refreshing jolt.] I think that would be a sweet return.

[His face goes blank for a moment. He had no idea Taryon was communicating with Gale like this. Apparently in a familiar way. He purses his lips for a moment, then yells at himself inside his mind to knock it off and not get jealous. Gale was married to Tav, after all. It's not like Astarion knows Tary has a thing for intelligent men and that Gale, as insufferable as he can be with his loquaciousness, was quite smart, and that Gale already had won someone Astarion was interested in before--no, Astarion, focus on the other things Taryon is saying.

Just write a friendly letter to Gale later!

His lips unpurse and he smiles again. Hard not to with how excited Taryon looks by the mere idea of them going on another journey together. He titters as their noses meet, and he can't help but to give it a little nuzzle. He plays along:]

It will be such a narratively rich and complete adventure, no one will recognize us when we return.

[Surely, everything will go well between Gale and Astarion. They were traveling companions, and Gale has his own partner at home.]

I could write a book about it. [He holds his arms out to annouce the potential titles.] Taryon Darrington and Astarion Ancunin Ride Again!, or something like Return to the Underdark, or wherever we're heading to. It's a work in progress.

[He cants his head to the side and shrugs.] We can always workshop it during the revisions.

[There's the true story, which will never leave the pages of his tome, and the version that removes any steamy details or fumbles in their combat, cut out several hours of research and meandering, maybe addd more detail about the setting...]

OPEN RP + OVERFLOW

@sanguivorous

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