[CLOSED] You hate my bad behavior

[illithidnapped]

WHO: Astarion, Loki, Emet-Selch, Dante, possibly others etc
WHAT: catch all for doing some Good for the Cause
WHEN: somewhere around the week following Satinalia party 2.0
WHERE: various
NOTES: violence, brief gore (noted in the specific subject line)

Comments

[illithidnapped]

"Your wish is my command."

A flourishing bow, and he's drawn away from Emet-Selch and the horses both, disappearing into busy evening streets. The city is alive (especially) at this hour, lanterns peppering the waterside view like thousands of golden stars, the air thick with sea salt and the richer scent of ale. There's no small amount of conversation to keep the Ascian busy in the time it takes Astarion to return, beckoning him to a cozy little place that's...well, not really up to either of their standards, but warm and clean(ish), and with the promise of a hot meal for sale whenever they like, provided they notify the barstaff downstairs.

Astarion drops onto the secondary bed, sprawling.

"Bath's across the hall. Apparently they keep the water hot using dwarven runes." Said before he lifts a hand to scratch at his own chin.

"...I think it's just a lie, and they're using the kitchen fires to heat stone through the upstairs flooring, but who's really to say."

[arkitect]

He does keep himself busy, with careful idle chatter-- never saying too much about himself or his business here, or where he's come from, while not asking questions pointed enough for these things to stand out. Not the most useful of talks, but enough to just begin to form a picture of the people here in what time he has.

Regardless, it's something he sets easily aside when Astarion returns, though where Astarion sprawls-- he's busy putting things away, organizing them in a practiced manner, finding what he will need.

"They may heat it however they like," he says, "so long as it is warm enough." Whatever they might advertise, he's currently more concerned about the results of their methods, retrieving the spare clothing he'd brought along in preparation.

[illithidnapped]

"Only here to solve one mystery, then. Understood."

He rolls onto his side, then, studying Emet-Selch more fully in the dim light.

"How many missions have you done so far? Do you even remember?"

[arkitect]

"A handful," he answers with a wave of one hand. "But, admittedly, not many which required traveling further afield. I believe this is the farthest I have gone yet."

[illithidnapped]

"And they've all gone to plan? No terrible mishaps? No attempts at framing you for anything that might go awry?"

How many friends does the Ascian truly have aside from Astarion himself. How many people let themselves come in close, knowing what he is. What he's done.

[arkitect]

"None thus far. I can only assume that any so inclined would not be quite so bold-- or simply refuse to work with me to have the opportunity."

He shrugs, at that. Yes, he still always has an eye over one shoulder, assuming others may be biding their time... but he is less on edge than he was at the beginning. Watchful, but somewhat less paranoid.

[illithidnapped]

"Hm."

Absent, that sound. As thoughtful as it is inconclusive. Soft as featherdown besides, let out from where he's draped across meager bedding.

"So then you must be doing well in the eyes of our fastidious leaders, what with all those completed goals tucked against your palm."

[arkitect]

"I should certainly hope I am in better standing, given that I have assisted at least one of them personally."

He's helped neutralize an explosive with one of them, he thinks he had better be doing well in their eyes after keeping the entirety of the Gallows from going up in burning red, thank you very much.

"Now, what is it that you're getting at."

[illithidnapped]

“Just trying to get the scope of it. How things might go over if we somehow miss detecting a nasty little curse— or vice versa.” Admittedly a possibly for failure lurks within any assignment.

This one in particular, though, rests much higher.

“Nobles are undeniably finicky. If she decides, no matter how in the right we are, that we’re simple thieves here to ruin her. Well.” His lips purse, head tilting to one side as he waves a few fingers ditheringly in midair.

“Riftwatch might not be happy with the results.”

[arkitect]

"I rarely take you for one so worried over the possibility of failure."

Said with an arched brow, still watching him. Evaluating, maybe.

"Of course I am aware of the risks. I do not engage in such undertakings without this being so, and had I weighed it likely to result in both failure and an adverse impact, I would have refused to attend."

[illithidnapped]

Ah. That look is telling.

Astarion’s attracted too much focus.

He counters it by glancing away, sinking listlessly into performative innocuity: posture lax and rounded, tone seemingly uncaring.

“Maybe I’m just worried about you, my darling.”

[arkitect]

He continues watching, for a moment-- before he exhales a sigh.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure you are." Idle, dismissive. "Worry less about the undesirable results, and more about achieving better ones. I am going to go and bathe."

Whatever prompted all this, he doubts Astarion will simply say, and so he doesn't ask now. They still have their work, and things to take care of before it truly ensues.

[illithidnapped]

The door shuts behind Emet-Selch as he leaves.

Two days later, the door to the Lady Sibilla‘s estate slams shut behind them without so much as a parting word spoken by the staff.

Astarion’s tongue clicks against the back of his teeth, a kind of mild, almost spectating sort of sound— as if they hadn’t just been thrown out.

“Well.” He starts, glancing over their unarrested yet entirely unharmed selves.

“That went well.”

(It did not go well.)

[arkitect]

It did not go well.

Emet-Selch maintained his composure well enough while inside, but after the fact--

He's already walking off at a brisk pace, not all the way to furious but certainly steaming.

"Then we will reevaluate," he says, curt. Evidently he's not considering this a full failure just yet.

[illithidnapped]

“You’re not giving up?” He asks, surprise coloring his expression as he doggedly trots along after Emet-Selch— head cocked to one side.

[arkitect]

"We came here with an objective, did we not? The thing is certainly cursed."

He's had enough of a look at it to determine as much in the process. Emet-Selch continues right on, not walking so much as stalking, still thoroughly irritated.

"Though I suppose petty theft is right out. We would be immediately suspected, after this. Still, a feasible alternative may well present itself, with some thought."

[illithidnapped]

“An objective that— now failed— will only wind up making a nasty fuss, they’ll then realize they were wrong, and then we’ll be able to swoop right in and say we told them so.”

Said as he fans his hand, pressing it to the center of his chest as though basking in his own certainty.

“See? All fine. No extra effort required.”

[arkitect]

"Or it causes a larger problem in the process, with which we will still need to contend."

His steps slow just enough to draw a little more even with Astarion, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Unconcerned, are you?"

[illithidnapped]

“What, do you expect me to weep? It’s a job, darling. We did everything we could.”

The gesture Astarion adopts next makes it seem as though he’s checking his nails, which— given that he’s wearing thick leather gloves— can’t possibly be the case.

“Don’t worry, I’ll put in a good word for you once we get back.”

[arkitect]

"I'm hardly worried about that."

Did they actually do everything they could, is the thing-- he lingers another moment, then waves a hand as he exhales a sigh, moving on.

"Take it as you will for now, but if we are ultimately called back as a result, I am going to expect your full assistance."

[illithidnapped]

The fact that Astarion insisted on flattering the beauty of her acquired pendant prior to it being appraised as thoroughly, entirely possessed likely didn’t help.

But really, who’s keeping tally of the blame?

“And you’ll have it, I swear.” Soft, coaxing, insistent.

“If you’re really that bothered we can always stick around for a few days more. Wait until she starts beckoning servants to their deaths or conjuring up spirits at her next dinner party.”

[arkitect]

Who, indeed.

(Emet is, but refrains from assigning it aloud, for now.)

"I do mean your full assistance," he reiterates, before turning his attention back to the path onward. "But I do believe I would prefer to stay another day or two, regardless of the situation."

[illithidnapped]

“The cost of cooperation is steep, apparently.”

Astarion murmurs, his lips pursing just so as he realizes— by way of that reiteration— that some part of his little game’s been seen through.

The fact that Emet-Selch isn’t outright demanding more than the bribe of more time away from the Gallows is a decidedly fortunate thing, he thinks.

[arkitect]

"It often is. Really, I didn't think you would complain."

It's more time away for Astarion as well, after all, and he's seen how the man feels about Kirkwall as a whole.

Another few steps in silence, before he asks, "Do you mean to explain, or must I insist first?"

[illithidnapped]

"Technically I'm not." Astarion counters initially, scuffing the edges of gloved knuckles somewhere just beneath his own collarbone. "Complaining, that is."

The opportunity to roam— free of anchor shard pain— is a luxury even Astarion won't look directly in the mouth, even if it comes with the caveat of being actively perceived by his own partner in unwitting crime. Which, to that extent:

Explain, Emet-Selch says, and it has the immediate effect of sinking the set of Astarion's stare, effectively making him look more akin to a scolded dog for a few, tepid beats.

"I..." He blinks. Opens his mouth before shutting it again. "I don't know what you mean."