You have fought admirably by my side. You are a titan on the battlefield. Unparalleled. I wonder, does the great Sir Godfrey have an appetite that rivals his prowess?
Oh - no, Lae'zel, I couldn't do something like that. I fear that Astarion would not speak to me again, were I to offer him my meat.
The gentleman insisted it was of fine quality, but the colour leaves something to be desired in the daylight. I'd be loathe to offer him something like this.
[ ... she was not talking about the meat in the cup.
Quick grounding moment with the Morninglord as he considers how to respond, stand by. ]
I am sorry. This is a difficult question for me to answer.
The course of my life has been different, I think, to the course of yours and the others. Not better - but different. I have never been one given to [ euphemistic airquotes ] indulging, and certain circumstances in my life leave me further reluctant.
Tas'ki. I have seen the glances the two of you exchange. The way you gaze at him across the campfire, with longing in your eyes, when you assume no one else is watching.
[Joke's on you, istik. Lae'zel's always watching.]
You say you are reluctant to engage. But you do not deny your feelings. You only deny yourself.
[ Good thing for his own health, he knows better than to roll out the ol' flickering campfire light casting shadows routine. All that would do is frustrate her, and he has no desire to do that in the face of what seems to be a showing of genuine concern. She deserves better from him than evasiveness.
[This is... news to Lae'zel. Shocking news, to say the least. One would think that the parasites that link their minds may have revealed this information to her sooner. Then again, one would do well to understand that Lae'zel would not dare allow herself to be drawn in by ghaik brainworms.
She doesn't respond right away, taking a moment to process this revelation before at last she follows up with Godfrey.]
I see. So that is why. You have already found a partner.
You do not act on your desires because you have pledged yourself to another. The one with whom you raise this child.
[Sir Godfrey's zhak vo'n'ash duj—the source of his bruises.]
We were pledged to one another, yes. Married. He passed away.
I try to have a care as to my involvement in the lives of others. I have no wish to oblige others to the care of my daughter, and likewise, no wish to carelessly let others close to her.
[ ... ]
And that besides... I am not sure that Astarion is overly fond of children.
[A widower. Normally, Lae'zel's not known to exercise sensitivity in delicate situations such as this. Still, some wriggling sensation gnaws at the edges of that githyanki heart of stone... Perhaps she should say something. Is she truly too proud to say it?]
I was unaware. You have my condolences.
[There. That should be sufficient. Back to the matter at hand before Godfrey makes her feel more things.]
But whether he is or is not fond of children should be of no concern. What matters is whether or not Astarion is fond of you.
[Anyone with eyes can see it. Even Gale, who only really seems to have eyes for himself.]
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2.
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You ask this as though I should have.
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You have fought admirably by my side. You are a titan on the battlefield. Unparalleled. I wonder, does the great Sir Godfrey have an appetite that rivals his prowess?
[👀]
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Your words are much appreciated and thrice their meaning from one as skilled in battle as you, my friend. Thank you.
But I must risk disappointing you where my appetite is concerned, for I did not partake in the cup of raw meat.
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Interesting. But not unexpected. You are nothing if not fastidious. It stands to reason that you would likewise be cautious of what you consume.
That answers my question, but my curiosity remains unsated.
[Now she has to know about this mystery meat.]
Perhaps Astarion may have sunk his fangs into it. Then again, he can be rather selective when it comes to the quality of his meat.
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Oh - no, Lae'zel, I couldn't do something like that. I fear that Astarion would not speak to me again, were I to offer him my meat.
The gentleman insisted it was of fine quality, but the colour leaves something to be desired in the daylight. I'd be loathe to offer him something like this.
no subject
Do not be so certain. He has sustained himself on all manner of beasts this last two centuries.
Surely he would hazard at least a taste of whatever you have to offer him.
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But ought we not urge him toward better game as his friends, in that case? I would hate to think that I am patronizing him as a result of his past.
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You are far too modest. It sickens me.
I grow tired of this self-deprecation, these colorful metaphors. Now, speak. Plainly. Why not indulge yourself, just this once?
[inb4 "muh paladin oath"]
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[ ... she was not talking about the meat in the cup.
Quick grounding moment with the Morninglord as he considers how to respond, stand by. ]
I am sorry. This is a difficult question for me to answer.
The course of my life has been different, I think, to the course of yours and the others. Not better - but different. I have never been one given to [ euphemistic airquotes ] indulging, and certain circumstances in my life leave me further reluctant.
no subject
[Joke's on you, istik. Lae'zel's always watching.]
You say you are reluctant to engage. But you do not deny your feelings. You only deny yourself.
I ask again. Why?
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But she's really gonna make him do this, huh....
Well, deep breath. In, and: ]
I have a child.
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She doesn't respond right away, taking a moment to process this revelation before at last she follows up with Godfrey.]
I see. So that is why. You have already found a partner.
You do not act on your desires because you have pledged yourself to another. The one with whom you raise this child.
[Sir Godfrey's zhak vo'n'ash duj—the source of his bruises.]
no subject
I try to have a care as to my involvement in the lives of others. I have no wish to oblige others to the care of my daughter, and likewise, no wish to carelessly let others close to her.
[ ... ]
And that besides... I am not sure that Astarion is overly fond of children.
no subject
[A widower. Normally, Lae'zel's not known to exercise sensitivity in delicate situations such as this. Still, some wriggling sensation gnaws at the edges of that githyanki heart of stone... Perhaps she should say something. Is she truly too proud to say it?]
I was unaware. You have my condolences.
[There. That should be sufficient. Back to the matter at hand
before Godfrey makes her feel more things.]But whether he is or is not fond of children should be of no concern. What matters is whether or not Astarion is fond of you.
[Anyone with eyes can see it. Even Gale, who only really seems to have eyes for himself.]
no subject